by Joan Jonker
At a quarter past ten Jill reminded Doreen they’d promised not to stay out late. ‘I think we’d better be making tracks.’
‘Ah, ray, kid!’ Doreen protested. Mike and Sammy had come to sit with them after the interval, and they’d think she was a baby having to be home at a certain time. ‘Just another half hour.’
Jill shook her head. ‘I promised me mam to get you home early. Otherwise she won’t let you come again.’
The threat did the trick, but Doreen wasn’t too pleased as she stood up. ‘It’s ridiculous! Just when I’m gettin’ the hang of it!’ She turned to Maureen. ‘Are yer comin’?’
‘Uh, uh!’ Maureen grinned. ‘Me mam said I could stay as long as Mike an’ Sammy saw me home.’
This fuelled Doreen’s anger. Reaching under the chair for her handbag, she said, ‘Just wait till I get home. I’m goin’ to remind me mam I’m workin’ now, I’m not a baby.’
But walking to the bus stop, her arm linked through Jill’s, Doreen’s temper mellowed. She knew if she said one word to her mother, her dancing days would be over. And she did want to go to Millington’s again. She wanted to learn how to dance properly, be another Connie Millington. ‘Did yer enjoy it, kid?’
Jill could read her sister’s mind like a book. And she knew that next week she’d be cajoled into accompanying her to the dancing academy again. But it hadn’t been that bad, in fact she’d quite enjoyed it. ‘Yes, it was fun. At least I know me left foot from me right now.’
They laughed and chatted all the way home, and Doreen was in a very happy frame of mind when they let themselves into the house.
‘Well, how did it go?’ Molly leaned forward to switch the wireless off. ‘Can yez dance the light fandango now?’
‘It was brilliant!’ Doreen ran out to hang her coat on the hallstand, coming back with a beaming smile on her face. ‘We can do the waltz, can’t we, kid?’ She reached for Jill’s hand. ‘Come on, let’s show them.’
Jill shrank into the corner of the couch. ‘Not likely!’
Molly took Doreen’s side. ‘Come on, sunshine, don’t be so flamin’ miserable. We’ve been listening to a murder play on the wireless and it scared the life out of me. I could do with cheering up.’
Jill looked at her father, and when he gave a broad wink of encouragement, she stood up. ‘Oh, all right! But nobody dare laugh, okay?’
‘Yer’ll ’ave to move yer chair, Mam,’ Doreen said. ‘We need lots of room.’ She put her hand on Jill’s waist and lifted her arm. ‘I’ll be the feller. Now, I put me right foot forward, you put yer left foot back.’
But leading was very different from being led, and Doreen kept standing on Jill’s feet. At first she blamed her sister, then the lack of space, and finally the absence of music to keep time to. Her face set in determined lines, she happened to glance up and saw the tears of laughter running down her mother’s face. She glared for a second, then saw the funny side. Dropping Jill’s hand, she doubled up with laughter. ‘Not much like Ginger Rogers, eh, Mam?’
Molly ran the back of her hands across her eyes. ‘Well, love, even she ’ad to start somewhere. She wasn’t born with a pair of dance shoes on ’er feet.’
‘Well, there’s one dance I can do.’ Doreen looked smug. ‘One of the girls in work ’as been showin’ me, in our dinner break.’
‘Gettin’ a demonstration, are we?’ Jack asked, sitting back enjoying himself. ‘This is as good as goin’ to the pictures any day! Sittin’ in the best seats, too!’
‘I’ll go round with the hat after.’ Doreen grinned. ‘Mam, you hum that song they do the Charleston to. And move out of the way, ’cos I’ve got to kick me legs about.’
‘We’ve seen yer do the Charleston,’ Molly said. ‘I thought we were goin’ to see somethin’ exciting.’
‘Yer’ve never seen me do it like this, Mam, so move out of the way and start humming.’ Doreen pushed the table back towards the sideboard, giving herself plenty of space. Then she moved to the middle of the floor and started an exhibition that at first stunned her audience, then had them leaning forward, their eyes bright with surprise and appreciation. Her feet twisting in time to Molly’s humming, Doreen moved her shoulders up and down and kicked out one shapely leg after the other. Holding her hands either side of her face, her fingers spread and wiggling while her hips swayed, she put on a fine performance.
While Molly watched her daughter with surprise and enjoyment, she imagined her dressed in one of those short shimmy dresses with a fringe on the bottom, and a velvet band around her forehead with a feather sticking out of it. Just like she’d seen them on the pictures. She’s good, Molly thought, no doubt about that!
‘Ooh, that’s enough, Mam.’ Doreen leaned on the table gasping for breath. ‘I’m puffed out.’
‘I wish I could do that!’ Jill was full of appreciation. ‘It was really marvellous!’
‘It certainly was,’ Jack said, with more than a hint of pride in his voice. ‘If I’d had the energy, I’d ’ave joined yer.’
‘Yer need more than energy, love, yer need the know-how.’ Molly glanced from Doreen to Jill. How different my two daughters are, she thought, different as chalk from cheese. But I love the bones of both of them. ‘Reminded me of when we used to do the Black Bottom, Jack, d’yer remember? Except when we did that, we used to come ’ome with our backsides black an’ blue.’
‘Can I go again next week, Mam, please?’ Doreen begged. ‘I really want to learn to dance properly. Yer should see the way Connie Millington dances. It’s so graceful, isn’t it, our kid?’
Jill nodded. ‘It was a treat just to sit and watch.’
‘Are you goin’ again, Jill?’ Molly asked.
‘Yes, I’ll go with her,’ Jill said, keeping her eyes away from her sister. ‘But could we stay out a bit later, Mam? It’s a bit daft having to leave so early.’
‘As long as yez come home together, we don’t mind, do we, Jack?’
‘As yer said, love, as long as they come home together.’ He lit his last cigarette of the day. ‘I wouldn’t want Tilly Mint here comin’ home on her own.’
‘Ah, ray, Dad!’ Doreen said angrily. ‘Anyone would think I was about ten years of age!’
‘Don’t answer yer dad back, my girl!’ Molly said. ‘An’ while yer learnin’ to dance, there’s other things yer should be learnin’. One, never push yer luck when yer on a winning streak.’
‘Hi-yer, Nellie!’ Molly opened the door wide and jerked her head. ‘Come in quick so I can put the wood in the hole. It’s cold enough to freeze the you-know-whats off a brass monkey.’
‘Oh, that looks a treat.’ Nellie stood in front of the roaring fire rubbing her hands. ‘Did yer get a letter about us havin’ electricity put in?’
‘Yeah, great, isn’t it?’ Molly pulled two dining chairs nearer the fire. ‘Park yer carcass an’ get a warm.’
The wooden chair creaked under Nellie’s weight. She pulled her dress up over her knees and sighed with pleasure as the warmth spread up her legs. ‘I’m made up we’re gettin’ the leccy, ’cos it’s a lot cleaner than gas. But I ’ope they don’t start while the bad weather’s on. D’yer remember when they did yer ma’s? They ’ad the front door open all the time, in an’ out like a flamin’ yo-yo the workmen were.’
‘It’ll be ages before they get to us, they’re bound to start at the top of the street first.’ Molly rattled the poker between the bars of the grate and the flames roared up the chimney. ‘That’s better! I went down the yard for a jimmy-riddle, an’ the seat was like ice. Haven’t been able to get warm since.’
‘I came to see how Tommy got on? Did he get the job?’
Molly’s shoulders did a little jig. ‘Yep! Starts next Monday.’
Nellie grinned. ‘Yer won’t know yerself with three wage packets comin’ in, girl. Yer’ll be livin’ the life of Riley!’
‘What about yerself? You’ve got three workin’ as well!’
‘Yeah, I know, don’t bite me head off!�
�� Nellie stared into the flickering flames. ‘It’s nice not havin’ to worry about where the next penny’s comin’ from, but yer know somethin’, girl? I sometimes think we had more fun when we ’ad nowt. We seemed to ’ave more to laugh at in those days.’
‘I know what yer mean, Nellie, I often think about the old days.’ Molly folded her arms and crossed her legs. ‘But we shouldn’t complain ’cos we’re doing better. There’s many a folk would swap places with us. And we can still have a laugh. Yer should ’ave been here last night, yer’d ’ave laughed yer head off.’
‘Why, what did I miss?’
‘Our Jill and Doreen went to a dancin’ class.’ Molly told her story before pushing her chair back and giving Nellie the benefit of her impersonation of Doreen doing the Charleston. ‘Honest to God, Nellie, she was good. She can be a real hard clock at times, but she’s got plenty of personality. Not a shy bone in ’er body, not like our Jill.’
‘I still can’t get over what’s happened between our Steve an’ your Jill,’ Nellie said, looking glum. ‘I’d ’ave bet money on them two gettin’ married.’
‘I haven’t given up hope,’ Molly said. ‘They’ll get together again, I feel sure.’ Her eyes slid sideways. ‘D’yer know, I haven’t seen hide nor hair of your Steve for weeks. Never even seen ’im in the street, goin’ to work or comin’ home.’
Nellie tutted. ‘I’m beginnin’ to think the silly sod’s got a screw loose. He comes in an’ out the back way now, an’ the only reason I can think of is that he doesn’t want to bump into Jill.’
‘There yer are, yer see!’ Molly gave her friend a gentle dig on the arm. ‘If he didn’t care for her, why would he do that? There’s more to this than meets the eye, an’ I wish I knew what it was. If I could get ’im on his own, I’d ask him.’
Nellie bridled. ‘D’yer think I haven’t? But every time I ask him, he just glares at me. Honest, if looks could kill, girl, I’d be a dead duck.’
‘I’ll give it another week or two, an’ if things are still the same I’ll think of some way to get them together.’ Molly took the tongs from the companion set, picked out a large piece of coal from the scuttle and placed it in the middle of the fire. ‘Even if they ’ave a blazing row an’ decide they’ve finished with each other, at least things will be out in the open.’
Nellie’s tummy started to shake with laughter. ‘Are yer goin’ to get a big hat for their weddin’?’
‘If our Jill was marryin’ Steve, I’d buy a hat as big as a flamin’ cartwheel.’
Nellie pursed her lips. ‘Yer’ve got me there, girl! I can’t for the life of me think of anythin’ bigger than a cartwheel.’
Molly grinned. ‘My hat will be so big, we could both get under it. How would that suit yer?’
Nellie’s smile faded. ‘Molly, if our two kids ever marry, I’ll be that happy I’ll go down to George Henry Lees an’ buy the dearest ‘at they’ve got. One with flowers round the brim an’ a big silk bow at the back.’ She gripped Molly’s arm and levered herself up. ‘Sittin’ here won’t get me washin’ done, so I’d better be on me way. Don’t bother comin’ to the door, I’ll bang it after me.’
Molly cupped her friend’s face in her hands and kissed her cheek. ‘Yer me best mate, Nellie, an’ I love yer.’
Nellie’s smile re-appeared. ‘All of me?’
‘All of yer,’ Molly said. ‘Right down to the last ounce.’ She patted a chubby cheek. ‘If I don’t see yer later, I’ll slip up in the mornin’ when Ruthie’s gone to school. Ta-ra for now.’
Miles sat back in the swivel chair, his fingers tapping his desk top. ‘Did you enjoy it?’
‘Yes, it was worth it just to see how graceful ballroom dancing can be.’ Jill anchored her hair behind her ear. ‘And we had a good laugh when we got home. Our Doreen can be so funny sometimes. She takes after me mam for that. They’ve both got a marvellous sense of humour.’
‘Have you ever been to the ballet, Jill?’
‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘One of our teachers in school was a real lover of ballet and she used to tell the class about the marvellous dancing and the stories behind them. Some of them are quite sad, aren’t they?’
‘As a matter of fact, they’re performing Swan Lake at the Empire next week,’ he said. ‘I heard Mother saying she would like to go. You really should make the effort, Jill, you would appreciate it.’
‘I’d love to go, but I’ve no one to go with.’ A smile spread slowly across her face. ‘I can just see our Doreen’s face if I asked her to come to the ballet with me. She’d think I’d gone barmy.’
‘Why don’t you let me take you?’ Miles half closed his eyes, adding, ‘I may be going myself anyway.’
Jill took time to answer. She’d love to go to the ballet, but there were other things to consider. ‘Thanks, Miles, but I think not. The girls all gave me sly looks when we went out to lunch the other day, I don’t want to give them anything else to gossip about.’
He had been racking his brains for an excuse to ask Jill out, and when she’d brought up the subject of dancing he thought she’d handed him the opportunity. He certainly wasn’t going to let office gossip spoil his plans. ‘Does it really worry you, what they think? Can’t two young people be friends without having to be concerned about what bad-minded gossip-mongers think?’
‘It’s all right for you.’ Jill wrinkled her nose. ‘You’re not the one being accused of trying to get well in with the boss’s son.’
‘That is absolutely ridiculous!’ Miles’ face was flushed with anger and frustration. ‘I will not have my life ruled by typists who have nothing better to do than tittle-tattle! If you wish to go somewhere, and I would be delighted, as a friend, to take you, it is of no concern to anyone else! Don’t you agree, Jill?’
‘Well, yes, put that way of course I agree.’ You can’t argue with logic, she thought. If we want to be friends, and that’s all we are, what’s it got to do with Mr Pearson’s or Mr Brown’s secretaries? I really would love to see Swan Lake, and there’s no one else to take me.
‘So you’ll come?’
‘Yes, please.’
‘Good!’ Miles smiled before picking up the telephone and dialling a number. ‘Will you come in, Miss Sutton? I have the papers ready for you now.’
Jill exchanged smiles with Joan Sutton before bending her head over the letter she was working on. She heard Miles explaining what typing was required, sensed Joan turning to leave the office, then heard Miles’ voice. ‘Oh, Joan, just one second, please.’
‘Yes, Mr Miles?’
‘You go to the ballet, don’t you?’
Jill lifted her head when she heard the question. What on earth was Miles up to?
‘Yes,’ Joan said, ’as often as I can. I’m going to the Empire next week, as a matter of fact, to see Swan Lake. I’ve seen it several times, but never cease to be thrilled by it.’
‘I’m trying to persuade Jill to come with me next week, but I’m having a hard time.’ Miles pushed his chair back and crossed his long legs. ‘You try and persuade her for me. Convince her she’d enjoy it.’
When Joan turned to look into Jill’s startled eyes, her intuition told her the predicament the young girl was in. She too had heard about the gossip from one of her colleagues and had immediately rooted out the offenders and given them a severe talking to. ‘Oh, you must go, Jill! You would really love it! It would be such a shame to miss the opportunity.’
Jill gulped, then managed a weak smile. ‘I suppose you’re right.’
Joan, her back to Miles, winked. ‘I’ll be looking forward to hearing what you think of it.’
When the office door closed behind Joan, Miles threw back his head and laughed. ‘That should solve your problem.’
He is very attractive when he laughs, Jill thought. In fact he’s nice in every way. Polite, attentive, and he treats me like a lady. I’d be a fool not to go out with him. The alternative would be to sit at home moping, with everyone feeling sorry for me.
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‘Don’t book for Wednesday,’ she said, ‘’cos I’ve promised to go dancing with our Doreen.’
‘The ballet!’ Molly’s jaw dropped. ‘I’ve never known anyone go to the ballet. Always thought it was only for toffs.’
‘Oh, don’t be daft, Mam!’ Now she’d got it off her chest, Jill didn’t care what anyone thought. ‘I’m going, and I’m not a toff.’
‘It’s for cissies!’ There was a look of disgust on Doreen’s face. ‘Men prancin’ round the stage in them tight trousers. Yuk! It’s enough to put yer off yer dinner.’
‘The world would be a sad place if we all thought alike,’ Jack said, noting Jill’s growing distress. ‘I wouldn’t mind goin’ meself, if I ’ad the money. Yer can’t criticise somethin’ yer’ve never seen, now can yer?’
‘No, you can’t,’ Jill said, grateful for her father’s support. ‘Joan Sutton said it’s brilliant, and she’s not a snob.’
Tommy had been listening with interest. He was fond of both his sisters, even if they did get on his nerves sometimes. But if he had to take sides, it would be with Jill. Their Doreen was well able to take care of herself. He leaned his elbows on the table. ‘When I’ve been workin’ for a while, an’ I’m in the lolly, I’ll mug you an’ me mam to the ballet, Dad! Might even go meself, just for a look-see, yer know, see if I like it.’
The two men of the house taking a stand behind Jill made Molly realise she should have shown more pleasure in her daughter’s news. She was going places none of them had ever had the chance to go, seeing something of the good things in life. As a mother, she should be glad to see her daughter getting on, having some fun in life. After all, why should she sit around waiting for someone who might never come? Even if that someone was the one person Molly knew was made for her daughter.
‘Yer’ll be twenty-one before yer in the money, son, so we’ll ’ave a long wait.’ Molly ruffled her son’s hair, causing him to pull a face and move out of reach. He was starting work on Monday, didn’t his mam realise he was too big now for that sort of thing? ‘But I won’t forget, mind! In seven years’ time me an’ yer dad will be off to the ballet, paid for by our dear son.’ Laughter gurgled in her throat. ‘With our luck, yer’ll probably up an’ get married before we get the chance to feel the benefit of yer money.’