by Joan Jonker
‘Yer haven’t got Corker and Ellen down, girl, and yer can’t leave them out. Not when Corker gave us that four pound tin of ham, and butter, tea and sugar.’
‘I have no intention of leaving Corker and Ellen out, soft girl! And I think we should invite young Phoebe. She’s seventeen now and should be counted with our young ones. She’s a nice kid, too.’
‘That’s a good idea. How many is that now?’
‘Twenty-two!’ Molly’s laughter filled the room. ‘Twenty-two people in here! We must be stark staring mad, sunshine, ’cos they’ll never all get in!’
‘Of course they will. Steve and Jill can be counted as one, because every time I see them they’re standing so close together they look as though they’re joined at the hip. And the same goes for Tommy and Rosie, and Doreen and Phil. They’ll be made up if they’re squashed in like sardines.’ Nellie had a thought. ‘I hate to add to yer worry, girl, but yer haven’t got Corker’s mother down, or Victoria Clegg.’
‘They’re not coming. Both Mrs Corkhill and Victoria said they’re too old for parties now. So I’m having them for tea on Sunday. I’ll keep some of the ham back for them.’
‘Ah, that’s nice, that is! Are me and George invited?’ Before Molly could raise any objection, Nellie reminded her, ‘Don’t forget this party is between the two of us. So is that ruddy tin of ham! We’d only be eating our own flaming food if we come!’
‘I love your logic, Nellie, it doesn’t half stand yer in good stead. I think I’ll try a little of it meself.’ Molly ran her hands over the top of the table. ‘D’yer see this?’
‘If ye’re talking about the table, girl, then I’d have a job not to see it! God knows, it’s ruddywell big enough.’
‘Well, yer’ll be seeing a lot more of it, sunshine! Because, tomorrow morning, Steve and Tommy are carrying it up to your house.’
‘Ah, hell’s bells – no, not again! The last time yer did that we couldn’t move in our house! I was black and blue all over with bumping into the ruddy thing!’
‘I mustn’t have heard yer properly before,’ Molly said quietly. ‘So will yer tell me again whose party this is?’
‘It’s between us, and you know it. Share and share alike.’ Nellie could have bitten her tongue off when she realised she’d dropped herself in it. ‘OK, but I bet you wouldn’t like two ruddy tables in yer room.’
‘I wouldn’t mind. I’d rather that than have the worry of food and drink, and running around after twenty odd people all night.’ Molly pushed a lock of wayward hair behind her ear. ‘I’ll tell yer what – you have the party and I’ll have your table.’
Nellie now put on her angelic, butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-her-mouth look. ‘What time did yer say Steve and Tommy were carrying this up, girl?’
Molly chuckled. ‘Now we’ve sorted that out to our mutual satisfaction, let’s get out to the shops. I want to order the bread from Sayers for tomorrow, and ask Tony to have that pound of brawn he promised us ready to pick up. Then everything is under control. Me ma’s baking some fairy cakes and Maisie has promised two large sponge sandwich cakes and a pound of assorted biscuits.’
‘And the men are seeing to the drinks.’
‘Yes, sunshine, the men are seeing to the drinks. All I’ll have to do tomorrow is make a mountain of sandwiches.’
‘I’ll give yer a hand with them, girl, if yer like?’
Molly glanced through to her small kitchen, then at her friend. If Nellie got in that kitchen there’d be no room for anyone else. ‘No thanks, Nellie, but I appreciate yer offering. I’ll have Jill and Doreen to help me, we’ll have them done in no time. And now, if yer can separate yer backside from my chair, we’ll be on our way.’
‘Mam, this is Hooter, the mate I was telling yer about.’
‘Hello, son, I’m pleased to meet yer.’ Molly tried to hide her surprise as she shook hands. After all the talk about this lad’s big nose, it was only natural to be curious. And yes, it was on the large side. But the rest of him more than compensated. She had to crane her neck to look up into a face that was friendly and open. His hair was raven black, his eyes a melting brown and he had a perfect set of white teeth. As Tommy had said, he was a handsome lad, all right. ‘I don’t want to call yer Hooter, son, it doesn’t suit yer. So what can I call yer?’
Molly felt herself being pushed aside, and before she knew what was happening, Nellie was standing fair and square in front of Tommy’s friend.
‘Hello, Archie, lad, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.’
Tommy made the introductions. ‘This is me Auntie Nellie.’
Archie’s teeth flashed in a dazzling smile. ‘I’ve heard all about you, Auntie Nellie, and the tricks you and Mrs Bennett get up to.’
Nellie preened with pleasure. ‘Don’t believe everything yer hear, Archie, only half of it. Me and Molly like a laugh, and we’re best mates.’
‘Yer wouldn’t think so,’ Molly said, ‘the way I get pushed around in me own house.’
‘Take no notice of her, Archie, she’s not her usual self tonight. Yer see, she had to sell her table to help pay for tonight’s party. She thought the world of that table and is inconsulate.’
Molly and Tommy were in stitches, but Archie didn’t like to laugh in case Nellie thought he was rude. ‘I’m really sorry about that.’
‘My friend has a problem with words, Archie, I’m afraid, and she tells lies.’ Molly wiped away the tear that was trickling down her cheek. ‘She was trying to tell you I was inconsolable with grief over me table. But me table has been taken to her house to give us a bit more room here. So take everything she says with a pinch of salt.’
Tommy took his mate’s arm. ‘Come on, I’ll introduce yer to everyone. Yer’ll see plenty of me mam and Auntie Nellie after. They’re the stars of the show.’
The two women watched as Tommy led Archie over to where his nan, grandad and Rosie were seated.
‘He’s a nice lad,’ Molly said. ‘Well-mannered and really good-looking.’
Nellie had the agreement of every layer of her chins when she nodded. ‘Yer can say that again! I wish that feller of our Lily’s was as pleasant. Just look at him standing there like a long string of misery.’
‘Don’t be so hard on the lad, Nellie! It’s the first time he’s set foot in this house, and he doesn’t know a soul. He’ll be all right when he’s had a chance to get to know us all.’
‘It’s the first time Archie’s set foot in the house, and he doesn’t know a soul except your Tommy. But look at the smile on his face! He looked at home as soon as he walked in, and he’s talking to yer ma and da as though he’s really glad to be with them.’
‘Let’s see what the night brings, sunshine, instead of condemning Lily’s boyfriend without giving the lad a fair chance.’ Molly put her arm across Nellie’s shoulders. ‘If he’s still got that sour look on his face at the end of the night, then I’ll start to worry with yer, sunshine. But it’s amazing what a few pints of beer will do.’
Corker arrived then with Ellen and a very shy Phoebe. The seventeen-year-old girl had never been to a grown-up party before and was obviously very nervous. ‘Yer look very nice, sunshine,’ Molly told her. ‘Is that a new dress?’
‘Yeah, I went into town this morning for it.’ Phoebe’s eyes went to where Tommy was introducing Len and Archie to Corker and Ellen. ‘Me dad gave me the money for it.’ There was pride in her voice when she referred to Corker as her father. She idolised the man who had transformed the fortunes of the Clarke family when he married her mother. ‘I got a blue one ’cos he said it was the colour which suits me best.’
‘He was right, sunshine, ’cos yer look very pretty.’ Molly caught Jill’s eye and called her over. ‘You look after Phoebe, there’s a good girl. She doesn’t want to be stuck with the old ones all night, so take her around the young ones. And if yer think back to how shy you were at seventeen, it’ll give yer an idea of how she feels right now.’
‘Come on, Phoebe.’ Ji
ll linked her arm and led her across to where Steve, Archie, Paul and Phil were exchanging views on life in the army. ‘Yer know these three, but this is Archie, a friend of Tommy’s. Archie, meet Phoebe.’
Paul was staring wide-eyed as he watched the two shake hands. ‘Ye’re not telling me that this is little Phoebe Clarke, are yer?’
With her face the colour of beetroot, Phoebe replied, ‘I’m not so little, Paul McDonough, and me name is Corkhill now.’
‘Well, I’ll be blowed! I wouldn’t have recognised yer if we’d passed in the street.’ Paul shook his head. ‘Last time I saw yer, yer were a schoolgirl.’
‘I was not! I’ve been working for the last three years.’
‘Take no notice of Paul, he wouldn’t have noticed if we’d all grown two heads,’ Jill said, smiling at the boy who would one day be her brother-in-law and who she was very fond of. ‘Before he got called up he was out every single night flying his kite. He’d have his dinner, get all dolled up and off he’d go to paint the town red. And he never went out with the same girl two nights running.’
‘Ah, that’s where ye’re wrong,’ Paul chuckled. ‘There was one girl, her name escapes me now, but I went out with her twice. And she definitely didn’t have two heads, Jill, ’cos I would have noticed that! She couldn’t half dance though – she was as light as a feather on the dance floor.’ He smiled down at Phoebe. ‘So while I was tripping the light fantastic, yer went and got all growed up behind me back, eh?’
Phoebe had a very quiet disposition and was usually very shy. But she didn’t want to appear stupid, so she said, ‘I’m still growing, Paul, but I’ll try not to grow two heads.’
‘When me and Steve get married, Phoebe and her sister Dorothy are going to be our bridesmaids.’ Jill saw Steve smile and nod his head in agreement. ‘It must be five years or more since we asked them, so they’ve waited long enough.’
‘And a pretty bridesmaid yer’ll look too, Phoebe,’ Archie said. ‘I’ll have to find out when the wedding is and come along and see yer in yer finery.’
Jill noticed Lily and Len standing in the hall. They hadn’t made any attempt to mix, but Jill knew that wouldn’t be Lily’s fault. ‘Come on, Phoebe, I’ll introduce yer to Lily’s boyfriend.’
As they walked away, Archie said, ‘She’s a nice little thing.’
‘The whole family are nice,’ Phil said, his eyes never leaving Doreen, who was talking to her nan. ‘And they’ve got the best father in the world. Mr Corker is a real gentleman, one in a million.’
‘Ye’re right there,’ Steve said. ‘Ever since I can remember, he’s been my hero.’
‘Yeah, and mine,’ Paul agreed. ‘But yer could knock me over with a feather the way Phoebe’s grown. She was always such a scrawny kid!’
Archie nudged his arm. ‘Sometimes ye’re better looking nearer home.’
‘Nah! Nothing like that, she’s not my type. It was just a surprise, that’s all.’
Jill’s attempt to bring Lily and her boyfriend into the company never even got off the ground. Lily was friendly enough, but Len didn’t even offer to shake Phoebe’s hand. So rather than embarrass the girl, Jill led her back to where Corker and Ellen were sitting.
Once she was amongst her own, Phoebe became a different person. Smiling and animated, she said, ‘Jill still wants me and Dorothy to be her bridesmaids, Mam! She’s never forgotten, after all this time.’
‘That’s nice, love,’ Ellen said. ‘It’s something for yer to look forward to.’
‘I’m dead excited, Mam, me tummy’s turning over. Wait until I tell our Dorothy, she’ll be cock-a-hoop.’
Corker pushed himself up from the chair and put an arm across Jill’s shoulders. ‘And when is the big day going to be, princess?’
‘I wish it was tomorrow, Uncle Corker, but I’m afraid it won’t be for some time. Me and Steve have got enough saved for the wedding, and I’ve got bits in me bottom drawer, but we’ll need a lot more to furnish a house.’
Corker put a hand under her chin and raised her face. He loved all the children, Ellen’s, Molly’s and Nellie’s, and he would never admit to favouritism. But Jill had always been his little princess and he had a tender spot in his heart for her. ‘It’s early days, princess, Steve hasn’t been home a week yet. Wait until he’s back at work and things settle down. Then something might come along out of the blue and surprise yer.’
‘Yeah, that’s what me mam said. But our Doreen and Phil want to get married and they were hoping we could make it a double wedding. I’d like that meself, but I can’t see it happening. They’ve already got a house and it wouldn’t be fair to expect them to wait until me and Steve are ready.’ Jill’s pretty face smiled up at him. ‘Still, I’ve got him home and that’s the main thing. As long as he’s here, I won’t mind having to wait a bit to get married. After all, we’ve been courting since we were about six years of age, so another year won’t hurt us.’
Jill turned when she heard her name called. ‘Me mam wants me, I’d better go.’ She stood on tip-toe and wrinkled her nose when her lips came into contact with the stiff whiskers. ‘They always tickle me.’ She glanced down at Ellen. ‘If Uncle Corker had been twenty years younger, I’d have fought yer for him.’
Ellen smiled. ‘Yer wouldn’t have won, love! I might only be little, but I’d have fought yer tooth and nail for him.’
Corker was thoughtful as he watched Jill walk away. If it hadn’t been for the flaming war, the two sweethearts would have been well married by now. He stroked his beard as an idea entered his head. It might not come off so he wouldn’t mention it until he’d put the feelers out. But if it did, it would make a lot of people happy, including himself.
‘I think it’s time for the eats now, girl, don’t you?’ Nellie’s arms were lost from sight, folded under her mountainous bosom. ‘I mean, the party won’t really start until we get the food out of the way.’
Molly grinned. ‘And yer can’t wait for it to start, can yer, sunshine? Are yer legs raring to throw themselves around while ye’re doing the Charleston?’
‘Well, the place wants livening up, doesn’t it? All they’re doing is standing around gassing! If we don’t start soon, the whole flaming party will fall flat.’
‘I can’t see that happening with you around – it never has before. But if it makes yer any happier, we’ll start dishing the food out.’ Molly clapped her hands for a bit of hush. ‘My co-hostess is feeling peckish, so we’ll have something to eat now. If Rosie will give the plates out, Jill and Doreen will follow with the sandwiches.’
Maisie from the corner shop jumped to her feet. ‘I’ll give a hand. I’m not used to sitting on me backside for so long, I’d rather be on the go.’
Bridie pulled gently on the skirt of Maisie’s dress. ‘If yer’ve a mind to be making a cup of tea, Maisie, me and Bob would appreciate it.’
‘Bridie, your wish is my command. Two cups of tea coming up.’
While the girls were giving the food out, Molly made her way to where Lily and Len were standing in the hallway, just outside the living-room door. ‘Come on, you two! Yer can’t be standing with a plate in one hand and a glass in the other. Step inside and make use of the sideboard. I’ve got it covered, so yer don’t have to worry about putting yer glass down on it.’ Still giving Len the benefit of the doubt about his unsmiling face, she took the plate from him and put it on the sideboard. ‘There yer are, that’s better. Now tuck into the food, and you make yerself at home, son.’
It wasn’t a smile, but at least his lips curved upwards. ‘Thanks, Mrs Bennett.’
‘You look after him, Lily, and see he gets enough to eat. And when the singing starts, as it surely will, I want to hear your voices joining in.’
‘Yer’ll be sorry yer said that, Mrs Bennett,’ Lily said. ‘I’ve got a voice like a foghorn.’
‘I’m not exactly a prima donna meself, Lily, but at least I’ll have a go. Anyway, if yer want anything, all yer have to do is ask.’ Molly gave them
her brightest smile and turned away. The lad was heavy going, no doubt about that!
Nellie had been watching with narrowed eyes and a great deal of curiosity. And she wasted no time in manoeuvring her friend into the kitchen. ‘Well, how did it go? What did he have to say for himself?’
Molly tapped the side of her nose. ‘Ye’re a nosy article, Nellie McDonough. But for your information, I had a long conversation with him.’
‘Go ’way!’ Nellie leaned back against the sink and folded her arms, ready to be told something of great importance. ‘Go on, girl, what did he say?’
Molly’s face was deadpan. ‘“Thanks, Mrs Bennett”.’
Nellie looked around to make sure there was no one else in the kitchen. ‘Don’t be acting the goat, Molly Bennett! Now, come on, out with it. What did the queer feller have to say for himself?’
‘I’ve just told yer!’
‘So help me, I’ll clock yer one if yer don’t stop buggering about!’
‘I’ve told yer what he said. “Thanks, Mrs Bennett”. Now if yer’d rather I made up some cock and bull story to feed yer appetite for gossip, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow ’cos I’ve got guests to look after.’
‘D’yer mean that’s all he said, like? Just those three words?’
‘Just those three words, sunshine, if I never move from this spot. Perhaps if you tried yer’d get a few more out of him. I don’t think yer’ve even looked at the lad since he came in!’
Nellie got on her high horse. ‘It’s not my place to go up to him! I’m Lily’s mother, so it’s his place to come to me first.’
‘Yer know, sometimes you can’t see the woods for the ruddy trees! How d’yer think your Lily feels, when her mam and dad don’t even acknowledge he’s here? For her sake, yer could make the effort.’ Molly put her hands on Nellie’s shoulders and looked into her eyes. ‘Yer might live to regret it, sunshine, and don’t ever say I didn’t warn yer. If he’s the one Lily wants there’s nothing yer can do about it. And through yer pigheadedness, yer could end up losing yer daughter. And for all yer puffing and blowing about him, I know if that happened it would break yer heart.’