by Joan Jonker
Bridie had pulled a chair next to her husband’s and sat stroking his hair. She felt stronger now Jack was here, he was a great comfort. And because he was saying what she wanted to hear, she believed him when he said Bob would soon be better.
It was when the ambulance came that Bridie showed signs of cracking up. Seeing her beloved Bob being carried out on a stretcher was almost more than she could bear.
‘I’ll go with Ma,’ Jack said. ‘They won’t let three of us go in the ambulance.’
‘No!’ Molly cried. ‘I want to go with him, he’s my father!’
‘I know, love, but it’s better for everyone if I go. No one knows what’s going to happen, and Bridie might need help. Far better for me to be there to answer questions and such like.’ Jack saw Molly’s face cloud over and held her close. ‘If Ma breaks down, you’d do the same. An’ that wouldn’t help anyone.’
Molly nodded into his shoulder. He was right. While she could be strong when helping neighbours and friends, it was a different matter when it came to her own family.
‘I’ll have to go.’ Jack gave her one last hug. ‘Can’t keep the ambulance waiting any longer. You go home and wait there for me. As soon as there’s any news, I’ll either ring Maisie’s or come home.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
Miles took his eyes off the stage to steal a glance at Jill. She was sitting perfectly still, her eyes wide and her lips slightly parted, totally absorbed in the story unfolding on the stage. She was in a world of her own, oblivious to him and everyone around her. If he spoke, he doubted she would even hear him.
Miles smiled contentedly. She’s an absolute angel to take out, he thought. Gets so much pleasure out of everything. Looks like an angel, too, with her pretty face and blonde hair. She stood out even amongst the diamonds and furs of the other women around them. Didn’t reek of perfume either, unlike the woman sitting on the other side of him who obviously wasn’t content with just a dab on her wrists and behind her ears.
Miles was jerked abruptly from his thoughts by the applause of the audience and the closing of the curtain for the interval. He heard Jill give a soft sigh of pleasure and reached to take her hand in his. ‘There’s no need to ask if you’re enjoying yourself.’
‘Oh, I really am! I know now why Joan is so hooked on ballet.’ Jill’s eyes were dreamy. ‘To be able to dance so beautifully, it really is a gift.’ She was very much aware of his gentle stroking of the hand he held, but was so happy she didn’t feel any embarrassment. It was just his way of sharing the enjoyment of a perfect performance.
‘Would you like to go to the bar for a drink?’ he asked. ‘It’s probably crowded, but I’m quite good at pushing myself to the front.’
Jill wrinkled her nose. ‘I’ll go if you really want to, but I’m not that keen.’
‘In that case we won’t bother,’ Miles said, then bent his head to whisper in her ear, ‘We’ll sit here and pull everyone to pieces, shall we?’
‘We will not!’ Jill grinned. ‘Only women gossip.’ She pulled her hand free and took the top off the box of chocolates Miles had brought for her. It was the biggest box of chocolates she’d ever been given, and it had a big bow of blue ribbon on the lid. Make a nice bow for our Ruthie’s hair, she thought as she handed the box to him. ‘Would you like one?’
Miles shook his head. ‘Not for me, thanks. Take them home and give the family a treat.’
Jill lowered her head quickly. He might not have meant to sound condescending, but that’s the way it came over. As though her family only ever got chocolates as a special treat. She chose a coffee cream and popped it into her mouth, telling herself she was being bad-minded. Miles wouldn’t mean it the way she’d taken it, he wasn’t like that. But inside Jill’s head the niggle of doubt persisted, taking away some of the pleasure she’d been feeling. She chatted with Miles, but was glad when the bell went to warn drinkers in the bar that the interval was over and they should return to their seats.
The lights dimmed, the curtains parted, and within minutes Miles was forgotten as Jill’s emotions were stirred by the beauty and sadness of Swan Lake.
‘That’s me mam at the door, and our Doreen.’ Jill leaned forward in the car seat. ‘There must be something wrong. Mrs McDonough’s there too.’
Miles still had his foot on the brake when Jill opened the car door and jumped out. She saw a figure detach itself from the group and walk quickly away, and her heart skipped a beat as she recognised Steve. It was the first time she’d seen him for weeks, but with her instinct telling her there was something very wrong, she didn’t allow herself the time to feel hurt or sad that the very sight of her would send him away.
‘What’s wrong, Mam?’
Molly was leaning against the wall, a cardigan slung across her shoulders and Nellie McDonough’s arm around her waist. ‘Yer grandad’s had a heart attack, he’s been taken to ’ospital.’ Molly wiped her eyes with a sodden handkerchief. ‘Yer dad went in the ambulance with yer nan, an’ we’re waiting’ for them to come back with some news.’
‘Oh, Mam!’ Jill threw her arms around her mother’s neck and began to cry. To think she’d been sitting in the theatre, enjoying herself, and all the time her beloved grandad was ill.
Nellie McDonough prised Jill’s arms loose. ‘Don’t take on so, girl, yer mam’s bad enough as it is!’ She threw Jill a warning look. ‘I’ve told ’er he’ll be all right.’
‘But they should be back by now!’ Molly’s voice was choked. ‘They’ve been gone for hours!’
Miles had been standing by the car. Now he came forward. ‘Would you like me to run you to the hospital, Mrs Bennett?’
‘I don’t know which ’ospital he’s in, I never thought to ask the ambulance men,’ she cried. ‘I wasn’t thinkin’ straight, I was that worried.’
‘You could ring the nearest hospital,’ Miles suggested. ‘They’d tell you if he’s been admitted.’
‘We’re not on the phone.’ Jill felt angry having to admit it. What with the chocolates and now the phone, he probably thinks we’re as poor as church mice.
‘Walton Hospital is the nearest, he’s probably been taken there.’ Miles held Jill’s arm. ‘It’s only a five-minute run, Jill. If your mother would like me to, I’ll make enquiries.’
She sighed, ashamed of herself. It wasn’t fair to take it out on Miles, it wasn’t his fault. She glanced at her mother in her floral pinny and scruffy bedroom slippers, then at Nellie in her wrap-around apron and dinky curlers showing beneath the scarf she had tied under her many chins. A wave of tenderness swept over Jill. The two women had been mates for as long as she could remember, sharing all each other’s joys and sorrows. She’d seen them at each other’s throats, fighting over the children, then the next minute they’d have their arms around each other, laughing their heads off. That sort of friendship you couldn’t buy if you had all the money in the world.
Jill turned back to Miles. He looked so out of place in his evening clothes she felt sorry for him. You couldn’t hold it against him because he spoke posh, it was the way he’d been brought up. It didn’t mean he had no feelings, didn’t care. He was kind enough to offer them help when he didn’t have to. That showed he was kind and caring.
‘Thanks, Miles.’ In an impulsive gesture, she took his hand. ‘I do appreciate your offer, and I’m sure my mam does, but I think it’s best if we wait for me dad to come home. He might be on his way and you’d only pass each other.’
Miles squeezed her hand. ‘I’ll leave you then. If I stay I’ll only be in the way. Hopefully I’ll see you in work tomorrow.’ He walked towards Molly. ‘I do hope your father will be all right, Mrs Bennett. If there’s anything I can do, you only have to ask.’
‘Thanks, son, that’s nice of yer.’ Molly stuck her hand out. ‘Goodnight and God bless.’
Jill walked around the car with Miles. As he opened the door, she said, ‘Thanks for taking me to the ballet.’
‘I’m just sorry the night had to end
this way.’ He slid into the driver’s seat. ‘If you’re not in work tomorrow, I’ll call around in my lunch hour to see if I can do anything to help.’
‘Thanks, Miles.’ Jill waited until he’d switched the engine on, then waved as the car moved off.
‘He seems a nice enough young feller,’ Nellie said. ‘Bit too posh for the likes of me, but his heart’s in the right place.’
‘Mam, I’ve made a pot of tea.’ Doreen stepped into the street and took her mother’s arm. ‘Come on, yer’ll get yer death of cold standin’ here. I’ve put coal on the fire an’ it’s roaring up the chimney. Come ’ed, get a warm.’
Molly seemed reluctant to move, so Nellie gave her a push. ‘Yer know what they say about a watched pot, girl, it never boils. I bet yer any money that as soon as we go in, Jack and Bridie will turn up with good news.’
‘Are yer comin’ in, Nellie?’ There was pleading in Molly’s voice. Her friend was strong and sensible, and that’s what she needed right now.
‘Yeah, I’ll wait with yer.’ Nellie’s hips touched each side of the wall as she waddled down the hallway. ‘They should be back any minute.’
‘Look, it’s one o’clock,’ Molly said. ‘You lot will ’ave to go to bed or yez’ll never get up in time for work.’
‘I want to wait until me dad and me nanna come home.’ Doreen’s bottom was numb with sitting in the hard chair for hours on end and she grimaced as she changed position. ‘I’ve waited this long, I might as well hang on till they come.’
‘Me too!’ Tommy scowled. ‘I want to know ’ow me grandad is.’
‘I’m not askin’, I’m tellin’ yez!’ Molly said firmly. ‘You only started work on Monday, me laddo, yer can’t afford to walk in late on yer third day or yer’ll get the sack. So up the stairs with the lot of yez, an’ don’t argue.’
‘I’ll stay up, Mam,’ Jill said. ‘I’ll take the day off if need be.’
‘That’s not fair!’ Doreen cried. ‘If she’s not goin’ to bed, then I’m not either.’
‘Ay, ay!’ came Nellie’s voice from the depths of Jack’s armchair. ‘Yer mam’s got enough on ’er plate without you two startin’! Jill won’t ’ave any pay docked if she stays off, but youse will. So behave yerselves an’ poppy off.’
The pair looked so disappointed, Molly took pity on them. ‘Look, I know yez are worried about Granda, but I promise I’ll wake yer if there’s any news. How’s that?’
Doreen raised her eyebrows. ‘Promise?’
‘Yes, sunshine, I promise.’
‘Okay, come on, Tommy.’
When they’d gone, Jill borrowed her mother’s cardigan to go down the yard for coal. ‘Better keep the fire going, they’ll be cold when they come in.’
‘Take the torch an’ pick out a few big pieces,’ Molly said. ‘They’ll last longer.’
When they heard the kitchen door close, Molly turned to Nellie. ‘Your Steve disappeared quick, didn’t he? When the car drew up he vamoosed into thin air.’
‘I don’t know what’s come over ’im.’ Nellie’s chins moved in the opposite direction to her shaking head. ‘Whatever it is, seein’ Jill with the queer feller isn’t goin’ to help.’
‘But at a time like this, yer’d think he’d forget whatever it is that’s botherin’ him. He was fond of me da, was Steve.’ Molly heard Jill open the back door and raised her hand. ‘Shush, here she comes.’
It was two o’clock when Molly heard the sound of a car, and rushed to the window to pull back the curtain. ‘They’re here, Nellie, came ’ome in a taxi.’ She flew down the hall with Nellie and Jill close on her heels. Bridie was swaying on her feet as Jack paid the taxi driver, and Molly rushed to take her arm. ‘Come on, Ma, let me help yer.’
‘I feel that weak I can hardly stand,’ Bridie said as she was led down the hall. ‘It’s been the worst day of me life, so it has.’
While Molly lowered her mother gently down on to the couch, she said over her shoulder, ‘Put the kettle on, Jill.’
His face grey with worry and fatigue, Jack leaned on the sideboard. ‘We don’t know.’ He answered the question in Molly’s eyes. ‘Da’s in intensive care. He’s holding his own at the moment, that’s all they’ll say.’
‘He’s goin’ to be all right,’ Molly said, not allowing herself to think otherwise. ‘He’s a strong man, is Da. If he’s holdin’ his own, he’ll pull through.’
‘I wanted to stay at the hospital in case he asked for me.’ Bridie had cried so much in the hours she and Jack had sat in the hospital corridor, there were no more tears left to shed. ‘But they wouldn’t let me.’
‘It wouldn’t have done any good, Ma.’ There was love and pity in Jack’s eyes as he looked at the woman he had seen age ten years in the last six hours. ‘And you need some sleep if you’re to go to the hospital first thing. Yer must be as tired as me, an’ right now I could sleep on a clothes-line.’
‘But he might take a turn for the worse, an’ I won’t be there!’ Bridie’s hands were gripped tight, the knuckles white. This was the first time in their long married life that she and Bob had been apart, and she felt lost without him. ‘My place is by his side.’
‘If they’d thought it likely he would take a turn for the worse, they’d ’ave let yer stay,’ said the ever practical Nellie. ‘So it looks hopeful to me, don’t yer think so, Jack?’
‘I’ve been tryin’ to tell her that,’ he said wearily, ‘but she won’t listen.’
‘You get a few hours’ sleep, Bridie, an’ yer’ll feel much better. Everythin’ looks ten times worse when yer tired.’ Nellie could feel her scarf slipping back and pulled it forward, over her forehead. ‘I’ll see to Ruthie in the mornin’, an’ Molly can go to the ’ossie with yer.’
Jill saw the look of doubt on Bridie’s face and stepped in. ‘Mam, I’ll kip down here and me nan can have my bed.’
‘There yez are, all sorted out.’ Nellie’s face did contortions as she tried to lever herself up. In the end she gave a grunt of disgust and held her hand out to Molly. ‘Give us a hand, girl, will yer? Otherwise we’ll be ’ere all night an’ no one will get any sleep.’
Jill was washed and dressed when Jack came down, the table was set ready for breakfast and the bread board was piled high with thick slices of bread ready for toasting. There was a bright fire burning in the grate, too. ‘Good morning, Dad!’
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Jack squinted. ‘Have you been up all night, love?’
‘I tried to sleep, but I couldn’t stop thinking about me grandad, wondering how he is.’
‘I left Maisie’s phone number at the hospital, so they’d ’ave got in touch if his condition had worsened. The doctor said if he can get through the next few days there’s a good chance he’ll pull through.’ Jack’s mouth stretched wide in a yawn. ‘I feel as though I’ve been put through the mangle. I’ll get a swill in cold water and wake meself up.’
Molly came bustling in, tying the cord of her dressing gown. ‘What a performance, tryin’ to wake Tommy’ an Doreen without disturbin’ me ma and Ruthie. If they’re not down in five minutes I’ll go back and drag them down.’ Her eyes went from the table to the bright, welcoming glow of the fire. ‘Oh, thanks, sunshine, yer a real pal.’ She picked up the bread board and made a dash for the kitchen, where Jack was washing himself at the sink. After striking a match under the grill, she placed two pieces of bread on the toasting tray. ‘Yer’ll ’ave to move if yer want to clock in on time, Jack, we’re running late.’
He shivered as he reached for the towel hanging on a nail behind the door. ‘The water’s flamin’ freezing.’
‘Yer should have boiled a kettle,’ Molly said, turning the toast. ‘Yer can’t wash properly in cold water.’
There was a commotion on the stairs and Molly tutted with anger. ‘They’re makin’ enough noise to waken the dead. Keep yer eye on the toast while I sort them out.’ She walked through to see Doreen and Tommy fighting in the hall, each trying to get through the livin
g room door first. ‘Knock that off before I flatten the pair of yez! Actin’ like bloody two year olds.’
Brother and sister glared at each other, then Tommy took advantage of the brief lull in hostilities and charged through the door. ‘She’s a pain in the neck, she is.’
‘Oh, aye!’ Molly stood with her hands on her hips, ready to do battle. Then as quickly as her temper had flared, it receded. Her nerves were frayed this morning, due to worry and lack of sleep, and the others must feel the same ’cos they all adored their grandad. So she contented herself with saying, ‘Yer both a pain in the backside,’ before dashing back to the kitchen to see to the breakfast.
It was a mad rush, and Jack was still struggling into his coat when Molly opened the front door for him. ‘Get yer skates on, Tommy,’ he shouted, ‘or we’ll miss the tram.’
‘You run on, Dad, I’ll catch yer up.’
Jack gave Molly a quick peck on the cheek. ‘I hope yer’ve got good news for me when I get ’ome. Give Da my regards, won’t yer, an’ tell ’im I’ll see him on Saturday.’
Molly nearly fell off the top step as Tommy charged past. ‘Me too,’ he shouted as he ran to catch up with his father. ‘That’s if they’ll let me in.’
Molly watched them running down the street and thought how alike they were. But the way Tommy was growing he’d be taller than his dad. He was only fourteen and they were nearly the same height now.
Doreen was sitting eating her breakfast when Molly came in rubbing her arms briskly. ‘Wrap yerself up well when yer go out, it’s perishing.’
‘I’ll wrap me woolly scarf over me head an’ around me neck,’ Doreen said. ‘That’ll keep me as snug as a bug in a rug.’
Jill placed a plate of toast on the table. ‘I’ve made a fresh pot of tea, Mam, so sit down and relax for five minutes.’
Molly pulled a chair out, sighing. ‘I’m not ’alf dreadin’ goin’ to the hospital. I wish today was over.’ She reached for the piece of toast with one hand and the jar of jam with the other. ‘I’ve said more prayers in the last twelve hours than I ’ave in a whole year.’ Resting her knife on the plate, she raised her eyes to the ceiling. ‘I hope You were listening, God.’