by Joan Jonker
‘I liked the way he mixed in with everybody, real friendly, like.’
Molly held her breath thinking he was bound to mention Len now. He must have noticed the difference in the two men. But no, it wasn’t to be. Jack went on to say, ‘Anyone would think we’d known him for years.’
‘I think we’re going to see a lot of him, love! I hope so, anyway, ’cos I really took a shine to him. Tommy’s already asked him to be his best man when he gets married. And Archie invited himself to Jill’s wedding. He said he was coming to see Phoebe in all her finery.’
‘She’s a nice kid,’ Jack said. ‘She’s too quiet and shy now, but she’ll blossom over the next year or so.’
Molly looked at the clock. ‘It’s a wonder our Ruthie’s not back from next door. They must be having a lie-in, as well.’
‘I’m surprised she wanted to sleep there. I’ve never known her to miss a party.’
‘Don’t you breathe a word, but I think Gordon is the interest next door.’
Jack’s jaw dropped. ‘Molly, she’s twelve years of age!’
‘Seeing as I gave birth to her, sunshine, don’t yer think I know that! But she’s caught the bug off Rosie and tells her age in years and months now. If yer ask her how old she is, she’ll tell yer, twelve years and six months. And Gordon is fourteen years and five months!’
‘It’s ridiculous! At her age she should be thinking of dolls, not boys.’
‘She must take after me, then. Because I remember when I was at school I had a crush on a boy who I only ever saw through the playground railings. We used to smile at each other, and I thought I’d love him till the day I died. It didn’t last, of course, and when I saw him after we’d left school I looked at his pimply face and wondered what I’d ever seen in him.’
Jack smiled. ‘I thought I was yer first love?’
‘You were my first real love, and it’s a love that’s lasted twenty-five years. But ye’re not going to tell me you were never sweet on a girl when yer were at school?’
‘Well now, let me think. There was a Primrose, a Daisy, an Ivy …’
Molly punched him on the arm. ‘That’s enough, soft lad.’ She cocked an ear. ‘I can hear the girls, I’d better see to their breakfast.’ She was muttering as she walked through to the kitchen. ‘Primrose, Daisy and Ivy, indeed! But no Buttercup – I wonder why?’
Nellie ran her fingers through her hair, making it stand up in spikes. ‘Headache me foot! They must think we’re deaf, dumb and blind! They had a row, and I’ll bet I know what it was over. The bold laddo got a cob on because he didn’t like to see our Lily enjoy herself.’
‘Now yer don’t know that for sure, Nellie, so be careful what yer say to Lily.’ George had his own views on his daughter’s boyfriend, but he was a thinker. He had to be sure he was right before he spoke or acted. And to agree with Nellie now would only inflame the situation. He had sympathy for Lily, because if she loved the bloke then she wouldn’t see him as others saw him. ‘Let it slide, love, and don’t make a song and dance about it. Forget about last night and see how things go in future.’
‘I just hope she finds out what he’s like before it’s too late. The thought of having him for a ruddy son-in-law is enough to drive me nuts.’
‘Just skip it! Pretend last night didn’t happen and try to put it out of yer mind. And don’t discuss it with the lads, either. It wouldn’t be fair on them or Lily.’
‘I don’t think Steve was impressed with him. Talk about getting the cold shoulder wasn’t in it. Even when he took Jill over the queer feller didn’t put himself out to be friendly. And, in case yer didn’t notice, our Paul gave him a wide berth all night. So did Archie.’
‘That’s as may be, but leave things as they are for now. If yer stir things up it’ll create a strained atmosphere in the house and that wouldn’t be fair on the boys. After all, they’ve only just come home.’
‘I won’t say anything to Lily today, if that’s what yer want. But I’ll tell yer straight that by hook or by crook, I’m going to find out more about Len. After all, it’s what any mother would do when her daughter’s happiness is at stake. And if he ever hurts her, or brings trouble to our door, I’ll break his bloody neck for him.’
‘Promise me yer won’t say anything when she comes down? If they’ve had a row, she’ll probably feel bad enough without having you on her back.’
Nellie lifted her hands. ‘OK, if that’s what yer want I’ll keep my mouth shut. There’s no point in you and me falling out over it.’
‘That’s my girl!’ George quickly changed the subject. ‘It was a cracking night last night, wasn’t it? You certainly excelled yerself, I must say.’
Nellie cheered up. ‘Yeah, it’s not very often I get the chance to show off me talents, so I was made up. The next party will be either Jill and Steve’s wedding, or Doreen and Phil’s. But as mother of the bridegroom I’ll have to be on me best behaviour, I suppose. Especially when I’m wearing me big hat.’
‘Yer won’t suit a big hat, Nellie, I’ve told yer!’
Nellie’s cheeky grin appeared. ‘I told Molly what yer said, and she told me to tell yer to keep yer nose out, that we women know what’s best for us.’
George chuckled. ‘Then yer can tell Molly she can sit next to yer in the church. Ye’re far too little to wear a ruddy big hat.’
Nellie went on the offensive. ‘You want yer flaming eyes tested, George McDonough! Nobody could say I was little. Look at the ruddy size of me!’
‘I’m not talking about the size of yer, I’m talking about yer height! Ye’re four foot ten, Nellie, and everybody else towers above yer! Put a big hat on yer head and nobody will know who’s under it.’
Nellie saw the funny side of that. ‘Tommy Bennett’s six foot two now, so him and Corker would have to get on their knees to me. And d’yer know, that’s been the one ambition of me life – to bring a man to his knees.’
‘Yer brought me to me knees over twenty-five years ago.’ George’s smile was one of tenderness for the woman whose heart was as big as her body. ‘And in case yer haven’t noticed, I’m still on me knees.’
Nellie scraped her chair back and rounded the table. She laid a hand on her husband’s shoulder and said, ‘Arise, Sir George. My knight in shining armour.’ After giving him a kiss, she made her way to the kitchen. ‘I’d better swill me face and comb me hair before the lads get up, otherwise they’ll think their mother has turned into a witch.’
‘So it was a good night, was it?’ Lizzie Corkhill asked her son.
‘Brilliant, Ma, as always. Molly certainly has a knack of throwing good parties. Me and Ellen didn’t get to bed until two o’clock. And if Nellie had had her way, we’d still be there singing our heads off.’
‘Then why didn’t yer take the opportunity of having a lie-in?’ Lizzie worried that when her son was home on leave he spent too much time with her. Not that she objected because she missed him living at home. Missed making him his favourite meals and baking the apple pies he loved so much. But he was married now and had a wife to consider. ‘Yer didn’t have to come up here so early.’
‘Ellen’s up to her neck in washing, I was glad to get from under her feet. With working, Sunday’s the only day she has to get stuck into the housework.’ Corker was a man with a mission, but he had to tread slowly and carefully. ‘Am I too early for yer?’
‘Good heavens, no! I’ve been up for hours. When yer get to my age yer don’t need as much sleep.’
‘D’yer ever get lonely, Ma?’
Lizzie averted her eyes. ‘With you being away at sea so much, I got used to being on me own. I miss the excitement of yer coming home on leave, and making yer meals for yer. But I’m glad ye’re married, son, and yer’ve got a good wife. I used to worry that if anything happened to me, yer wouldn’t have a soul in the world.’
Corker leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. ‘Have yer ever thought of taking in a lodger, Ma?’
‘Certainly not! I
don’t want no stranger in me house! Besides, think of all the cooking and washing I’d have to do. No, I’m too old for that now.’
‘What if it wasn’t a stranger, Ma?’ Corker stroked his beard and smiled at her. ‘Say it was someone yer know very well? Not only know, but are very fond of.’
Lizzie tutted. ‘Why don’t yer just come out with what yer’ve got to say, son, instead of going all around the houses?’
‘It’s only a suggestion, Ma, I’m not trying to talk yer into anything. And nobody knows I’m asking yer this, so don’t worry about refusing if that’s what yer want. But I’d feel better if yer weren’t in this house on yer own. I do love yer, yer know that, and I worry about yer when I’m away.’
‘Who have yer got in mind, son?’
‘Jill and Steve.’
Lizzie was silent for a while, disbelief in her eyes. ‘Yer don’t mean Jill Bennett and Steve McDonough, do yer?’
Corker smiled as he nodded. ‘I don’t know any other Jill and Steve! They want to get married but they haven’t got enough money to buy furniture for a house of their own. And God knows they’ve waited long enough to get wed. I think their love began the day Steve picked up a doll Jill had thrown out of her pram.’
Interest flared in Lizzie’s eyes. ‘And would they want to come and live here, with an old woman like me?’
‘Yer’re not an old woman, Ma! Yer keep this house like a new pin, and yer take good care of yer own appearance. Better care than some women half yer age. Anyway, I haven’t mentioned to a soul that I was going to ask yer. Not even Ellen. But ye’re going down to the Bennetts’ for tea tonight, so have a little think about it before then. I don’t want to rush yer into anything, yer must make up yer own mind.’
‘I don’t need to think about it, Corker, I’d be over the moon to have them live with me. Before Steve was called up, they used to come and see me a couple of times a week. And there’s not many young people that caring and thoughtful. I’m very fond of both of them and their parents. Salt of the earth, they are. I’d be delighted to have them here, but it might not be what they want.’
‘Would yer like me to put it to them, Ma, or would yer rather do it yerself?’
‘I’d rather you do it, son. If I suggest it they might not like to refuse and I’d hate to put them in an awkward position.’
‘I’ll call into Molly’s before I go home, then.’ Corker took a fobwatch from his waistcoat pocket. ‘I think Molly should be presentable by this time, and Jill should be up and about.’
‘What time are they expecting me for tea?’
‘I heard Phil say he’d take Miss Clegg over about five o’clock. So I’ll pick you up about ten to.’
‘Yer’ve no need to pick me up! I can get down there under me own steam.’
‘I’ve said I’ll pick yer up, Ma, so don’t argue.’
Molly’s hand went to her mouth when she saw the big man framed in the doorway. ‘In the name of God, Corker, fancy calling the morning after the night before! I look an absolute disgrace!’
Jack, who had answered the knock on the door, laughed. ‘She told me whoever it was I wasn’t to let them in.’
‘Well, a woman’s got some pride, yer know.’ Molly searched frantically in the sideboard drawer for a comb. Then she saw the funny side. ‘To hell with it! Yer’ve seen me now so it’s too late to titivate meself up. But me false teeth are in a cup at the side of the bed, so run up and get them, Jack, please.’ She laughed with the men, because she was very proud of her own set of strong white teeth. ‘If it was true, Corker, I’d be down the yard hiding in the lavvy by now, waiting for yer to leave.’
Jack waved to a chair. ‘Sit yerself down, Corker, and don’t look at the mess because me and Molly were just relaxing before setting to and clearing away. Then we’ve got to get the table back from Nellie’s.’
‘I’ll give yer a hand with that before I go.’ Corker glanced towards the kitchen. ‘Where’s the children?’
‘Ruthie isn’t back from your house yet, Tommy is still in bed, Doreen has gone over the road to put Victoria’s hair in curlers ready for tonight, and Jill’s upstairs making her bed.’
‘It was Jill I wanted to have a word with. And you two, of course.’
‘Sounds very mysterious,’ Molly said. ‘I’ll give her a shout.’
Jill’s face lit up as it always did when she saw the gentle giant. ‘Yer haven’t come for another party, have yer, Uncle Corker?’
‘It’ll take me a few days to get over last night, princess.’ Blue eyes smiled from a weatherbeaten face which was almost hidden by the huge white moustache and beard. ‘I’ve come to have a little chat with you.’
Jill picked up one of the wooden dining chairs and placed it near him. ‘It seems funny in here without the table to lean on. Anyway, Uncle Corker, I’m all ears.’
‘What I’m going to say is only a suggestion. Something for you to think about. Whichever way it goes, there’s no harm done.’ As Corker stroked his beard he sought the right words. ‘Yer were saying last night that you and Doreen would like a double wedding, but that you wouldn’t be getting married for a while because yer haven’t got enough money to furnish a house. Is that right?’
Jill nodded. ‘Yeah. I’m going to tell our Doreen to go ahead and get married. It’s no good waiting for me and Steve because it’ll take ages to save the money we’ll need.’
‘Have yer thought about going into lodgings for a while?’
Jill looked horrified. ‘Oh no, we wouldn’t like that. We wouldn’t want to live with strangers.’
‘Would yer call Mrs Elizabeth Corkhill a stranger?’
Jill looked puzzled. She glanced at her mother and then back at Corker. ‘I don’t quite understand. Of course yer mother’s not a stranger.’
‘Well, why not have yer double wedding, then live with me ma while yer save up for a place of yer own?’
‘Your mother wouldn’t be very happy about that.’
‘I’ve asked her, and she’d be very happy. Yer’d have yer own bedroom, could cook yer own meals and have the run of the house. With you and Steve both working, it wouldn’t take yer long to save the money yer need. And it would mean yer wouldn’t have to wait to get married.’
Jill’s tummy began to turn over and her heartbeat raced. ‘Can I go and get Steve, Uncle Corker, and yer can tell him what yer’ve told me?’ Without waiting for an answer Jill fled from the room and within seconds was banging on the McDonoughs’ door.
‘What is it, Jill, is something wrong?’ Steve asked as he was pulled down from the top step and was forced to run to keep up with her. ‘Hang on a minute and tell me what’s wrong.’
‘There’s nothing wrong, Steve. I just want Uncle Corker to tell you what he’s told me.’
Steve could see there was nothing wrong when they ran into the Bennetts’ living room. On the contrary, Mr and Mrs B. looked very happy.
‘Grab a chair, sunshine and sit down,’ Molly said. ‘This is something that might interest you.’
While Corker was repeating everything he’d said, Jill went to stand behind her mother’s chair and put her arms around Molly’s shoulders. She was shaking inside and praying that Steve would feel the same way as she did. Just the thought that they could be married in months, rather than years, was making her dizzy with happiness. But she would abide by her loved one’s decision.
Steve asked all the questions that Jill had asked and got the same answers. It was hard to tell what his reaction was going to be because he seemed to be having difficulty in taking it in. That is, until he turned to where Jill was standing behind her mother. And the excitement shining in her vivid blue eyes told him all he wanted to know. He smiled and held out a hand. ‘Come and sit on me knee, love, because I think I’m going to fall off this chair.’
‘Are you two happy with the offer?’ Molly asked, while wondering how it was she always wanted to cry when something nice happened.
‘I think the word happy is too mild
, Mrs B. More like ecstatic or delirious. And if it weren’t for Uncle Corker’s beard, I’d kiss him.’
‘I’ll do that for yer.’ Jill cupped the big man’s face and kissed him. ‘I couldn’t love yer any more than I’ve always loved yer, ’cos that would be impossible. So I’ll just thank yer for what yer’ve done for me and Steve.’
‘So me ma’s got herself two lodgers, has she?’
‘If she’ll have us, yes, definitely.’
‘Thanks, Uncle Corker,’ Steve said, his dimples as deep as they would go. ‘I really appreciate yer doing this for us. Me and Jill will see yer mother and sort out the money arrangements. And we’ll not let yer down. We’ll take good care of her and try not to upset her life too much.’
‘This is not all one-sided, yer know,’ Corker said. ‘My main reason for asking me ma was to help out two people who I love and admire. But yer’ll be company for her, and I won’t need to worry so much about her when I’m away, knowing you two will be there if she needs help. She never does need help, mind you, ’cos she’s as fit as a fiddle and an independent so-and-so.’
‘Can I get me twopennyworth in?’ Molly asked, her own excitement knowing no bounds. ‘Are we having a double wedding in the family?’
‘It looks like it, Mrs B.’ Steve couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. Very soon the girl he’d loved for as long as he could remember, would be his wife. ‘Yer’ll be getting me for yer son-in-law sooner than yer thought.’
‘It can’t come soon enough for me, Steve! What do you say, Jack?’
‘Molly, I’m lost for words. It’s really marvellous news. Its very good of you and yer ma, Corker, and while I don’t think it would be the done thing to kiss you, I’ll be giving Lizzie the sloppiest kiss she’s ever had.’
‘Could we go up and see Mrs Corkhill?’ Steve needed to know he wasn’t dreaming. ‘Would she mind?’
Corker was so happy he felt like he did when he was a lad and had won his mate’s best ollie. ‘Of course she wouldn’t mind! She’d be chuffed to see yer.’