by Joan Jonker
Nellie pulled on Molly’s coat and put on the petulant expression of a spoilt child. ‘Mam, can I have a lollipop, please? A pink one?’
Molly decided to go along with her. ‘No, yer can’t, yer mam’s got no money.’
‘Ah, ray, Mam!’ The lips pouted and trembled. ‘That big bad bus nearly ran over me.’
Taking her purse from her pocket, Molly rooted out a penny. ‘Here yer are, go and ask the nice man in the sweetshop for a lollipop. And don’t forget me ha’penny change.’
‘Sod off, Molly Bennett!’ Nellie held the penny in her open palm and showed it to the butcher. ‘I don’t suppose I could have a nice juicy pork chop for this, could I?’
‘Ye’re right, Nellie, yer couldn’t. Even if yer had a handful yer couldn’t, ’cos I haven’t got a pork chop in the shop!’ Tony chuckled. ‘But I know the nice man in the sweetshop’s got plenty of lollipops, all pretty colours.’
‘You can sod off, as well!’ Nellie dropped the coin in her pocket. ‘I’ll get a pennyworth of mint imperials with it, and I’ll eat them all meself, for spite.’
‘I doubt that, sunshine,’ Molly said. ‘Yer see, it’s a foreign coin.’
Nellie delved into her pocket and brought out the coin. She looked puzzled as she examined it both sides. ‘It looks all right to me. Same as any other penny.’
Molly laughed softly. ‘Have yer ever been had, sunshine?’
The little woman didn’t turn a hair. ‘Yes, I have actually.
Just this minute.’ A slow smile crossed Nellie’s face. ‘Ay, did yer hear that? “Yes, I have actually.” Didn’t I sound proper posh? I’ll have to remember to talk like that when I’ve got me posh hat on.’
‘I can’t wait to see this hat, it sounds out of this world,’ Ellen said. She had been given Saturday off by Tony, who was bringing in his wife to help in the shop. ‘I’ll probably look like a poor relation.’
‘I wouldn’t advise yer to come to the wedding in a beret, Ellen, girl, ’cos yer would look like a poor relation then. Yer want to see the hat me mate’s got! Talk about Hollywood here I come, isn’t in it. She’ll look like a real film star, honest!’
Molly shook her head. The way Nellie was going on, the whole neighbourhood would be coming out just to see her hat! ‘Take no notice of her, Ellen, yer know what she’s like for exaggerating. Anyway, did yer want us for anything?’
‘Maisie nipped down before to tell me Corker had rung her to ask if she’d let me know he’ll be home around lunch-time tomorrow.’
‘Oh, that’s the gear! Everything’s falling into place, just like Jack said it would. The reception’s paid for, the cars are booked, the flowers and drink ordered and Phil’s sorted a photographer out. And now we know for certain that Corker will be here. I know he said he would be, but anything can happen, can’t it? I mean, ships can break down like anything else, and the wedding wouldn’t seem right without Corker there. But, God’s in His heaven and all’s well with the world.’
‘Yer’ve had a lot on yer plate, Molly,’ Tony said. ‘Organising a double wedding takes some doing. I hope it all goes well and yer have a lovely day.’
‘We will, Tony, we will.’ Molly put her arm across Nellie’s shoulder and smiled down at her. ‘For me and my best mate, it’s going to be one of the happiest days of our lives.’
Molly was as happy as Larry as she gazed around her family that night. ‘I’m feeling dead chuffed with me little self now I know Corker’s coming home. That was the one worry I had left. Now I’ve got everything worked out to a fine art. Tommy, you’ll help yer dad to carry this table up to the McDonoughs’ yard first thing Saturday morning. Then yer can take yerself round to me ma’s out of the way. I don’t want yer to think ye’re getting thrown out, son, but with two brides and five bridesmaids getting ready here, we won’t be able to turn around, it’ll be chaotic. Anyway, there’s a wedding car picking yer up from there to take yer to the church with me ma, da and Rosie.’
‘How many cars are there, love?’ Jack asked.
‘Only two! There was no point in the boys ordering more when it’s only a matter of minutes from here to Saint Anthony’s, and the two cars can make a few trips. For instance, the car that picks Tommy and me family up, can come straight back for Lizzie Corkhill and Miss Clegg. I was worried about the two old dears, and I know Phil was, but Archie’s mam volunteered to go in the car with them and make sure they were all right.’ Molly was wishing she’d written it all down ’cos there was a lot to remember. ‘Most of the guests are making their own way to the church, so that’s a blessing. The second pick-up for the cars will be the two grooms with their best man in one, and Nellie, George and Archie in the other. Then they’ll take the bridesmaids next, and they’ll need the two cars for that. Otherwise the dresses will get creased to blazes.’
‘They better hadn’t be, Mam, or I’ll go mad.’ Doreen thought of all the hours she’d put in making those dresses. It was a labour of love, but a labour nonetheless. ‘We want our wedding to be perfect, don’t we, kid? Not a crease to be seen nor a hair out of place.’
‘I wouldn’t notice it anyway, ’cos I’ll be too nervous.’ Jill went weak when she even thought about walking down the aisle with all eyes on her. She had to keep telling herself not to be stupid, and reminding herself that when she got to the bottom of the aisle, Steve would be waiting for her. ‘I bet all brides are nervous, aren’t they, Mam?’
‘Of course they are, sunshine! And d’yer think no one else will be nervous? I bet yer dad will be quaking in his shoes. Even Corker and Paul, who look as though nothing in the world would make them afraid, I bet they’ll be nervous, too. It’s a serious job being best man, yer know, not just a case of making sure the groom gets to the church on time. There’s the ring to worry about, where to stand in church, make sure they’re handy in case the groom faints, and after all that they’ve got to make a speech at the reception.’
That brought a smile to Jill’s pretty face. ‘I don’t think Steve will faint. If anyone passes out, it will be me. I’ll go mad if I make a fool of meself.’
‘You won’t, Sis,’ Tommy said. ‘You and Doreen are going to knock ’em dead in the aisles, I promise.’ His eyes went to Ruthie, who was taking it all in. ‘And I bet no one has ever had prettier bridesmaids.’
‘Molly, I’ve been thinking,’ Jack said. ‘How are you getting to the church?’
‘Erm, er …’ Molly looked surprised by the question. Then she slapped a hand on her forehead. ‘Oh my God, I’d forgotten about meself! It serves me right for bragging about how good I am. I’ve been patting meself on the back for being so well organised, and I’ve forgotten meself. It’s the price of me!’
‘You should be there the same time as Nellie and George. Yer’ll have to get in the car with them – there’ll be plenty of room.’
‘Or yer could walk round to me nan’s and come with us,’ Tommy suggested. ‘There’ll be plenty of room in the car ’cos they hold about six.’
‘What? Walk round to me ma’s in the hat Nellie’s told everyone about? I’m expecting the whole street out! In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if she’s sold tickets.’
‘Well, go in either Nellie’s car or Miss Clegg’s,’ Jack said. ‘Just make sure yer get to the church before I arrive with the brides.’ He suddenly had a thought. ‘Ay, I haven’t seen this creation yet, where are yer hiding it?’
‘In Lizzie Corkhill’s, along with the brides’ and bridesmaids’ dresses. Nobody is going to see it until I’m dressed up in all me glory.’
‘I can’t wait.’
When Jack gave her that special, loving look that never failed to make her heart beat faster and her legs turn to jelly, Molly could feel herself blush. So to cover her confusion she said briskly, ‘Right, that’s it, yer all know where we’re up to now so we’ll bring the meeting to a close.’
When Corker called at the Bennetts’ the following night, he found all the family there to greet him. Bridie and Bob had walked r
ound with Rosie, and Steve and Phil were there. For he was a man who was not just liked, but loved by each and every one of them. ‘Well, this is nice!’ his loud voice boomed as the smile on his weatherbeaten face covered everyone in the room. He had good mates on the ship, but no one could come up to these friends he’d known for so many years. He noted Bridie and Bob sitting next to each other holding hands. They’d been married for nearly fifty years, but were still sweethearts. And next to them sat Tommy, with Rosie perched on his knee with a welcoming smile on her lovely face that would warm the cockles of the coldest of hearts. ‘Ye’re looking well, Bridie and Bob. It’s easy to see where the Bennett girls get their good looks from.’
‘Away with yer, Corker, sure it’s yerself that’s kissed the Blarney stone more than once, so it is.’
‘Not at all, Auntie Bridget,’ Rosie said. ‘Uncle Corker’s right, so he is. The girls do get their good looks from you. And when me mammy comes over from Ireland for me wedding, yer’ll see right enough that it’s from her I get my good looks.’
There were hoots of laughter, the loudest of which came from Tommy. ‘There’s nothing like blowing yer own trumpet, Rosie! But what if we all think yer mam is as ugly as sin?’
‘Tommy Bennett, is it an eejit yer think I am? Sure, if I was as ugly as sin, yer’d not be having me sitting on yer knee right now! And yer’d not be counting the days until we get married next year.’
‘That’s put you in yer place, son,’ Jack laughed. ‘I’ve never yet heard yer get the last word in with Rosie.’
Corker was laughing as he lifted Molly off her feet and gazed up into her face. ‘Still the best-looking woman in the street, Molly, me darlin’.’
‘Put me down, yer silly nit, I’m showing everything I’ve got.’ But Molly was happy inside. Apart from Jack, this was the one man she cared for deeply. It wasn’t the love of a woman for a man, but the love of a dear friend for a man who was always there when needed and always knew the right thing to do. A man you could trust with your life. ‘I expected yer to call this afternoon.’
‘I had a message to do, me darlin’, and I got it out of the way so I’d be free to do any running around that needs doing. Oh, and while I was out, I dropped that tin of ham off at the cake-shop to save you lugging it.’
‘Ye’re an angel, Corker, and I don’t know what we’d do without yer.’
‘From what Ellen tells me, yer’ve got everything under control. But at least I’m here if yer want me, and the one thing I can do is make sure the drink is at the hall first thing Saturday morning.’ He looked to where the two future brides were sitting on the knees of their husbands-to-be. ‘I’ll need a bit of tuition, lads, ’cos I’ve never been a best man before. So what exactly do I have to do?’
‘I need some tuition meself, Mr Corker,’ Phil grinned. ‘Yer see, I’ve never been a groom before. But I do know that we have to be at the church at least fifteen minutes before the bride. And from what the priest told me, you and me sit on the front pew. When the organ starts to play, we stand up while the bride walks down the aisle and is handed over by her father. Then you stay at my side, with the ring ready to hand over. The priest will lead us after that, so there’ll be no problem. I’m sure yer’ll make a very good best man.’
‘It’s me that should be worrying,’ Steve said. ‘Every time I try to tell our Paul what he’s got to do, he just waves a hand and says everything will be hunky-dory! I’m holding on to the ring meself, ’cos I wouldn’t trust him not to lose it.’
‘He won’t let yer down, Steve,’ Jill said. ‘I bet he’ll be as cool as a cucumber and do everything he’s supposed to.’
‘Can I suggest me and Jack taking the two grooms out for a pint?’ Corker needed to talk to the lads on their own, and this was the only way he knew how. ‘I could do with a good pint of bitter to whet me whistle, and the lads can fill me in with what they want me to do. I mean with regard to who they want to give the toasts at the reception, and who is going to make a speech. I think better when I’ve had a pint.’
‘Don’t go without George, or there’ll be blue murder,’ Molly said. ‘Nellie wants to know everything, right down to the last detail.’
‘We’ll give a knock for George, don’t worry. And I won’t keep yer sweethearts out long, girls, just the one pint.’ He raised his brows at Bob. ‘D’yer feel like coming with us, Bob?’
Bob shook his head. ‘I don’t drink much these days. But I’m going to make an exception on Saturday when me two granddaughters get wed. It’ll be a special day for me and the wife.’
‘Don’t you be getting me boyfriend drunk, Uncle Corker,’ Doreen said. ‘I’m not waiting until we’re married to put me foot down.’
‘Me neither!’ Jill didn’t want to be parted from her loved one for even a minute. ‘If Steve isn’t back within an hour, I’ll be waiting for him with the rolling pin.’
Corker’s smile was tender for the girl who had always been special to him. ‘If I was Steve, princess, I wouldn’t leave you for any longer than was absolutely necessary. He’ll be back within the hour, I promise yer.’
Jack pulled the door closed behind him. ‘I’ll give George a knock.’
Corker bent his head to whisper, ‘I want to talk to the boys on their own for about fifteen minutes, Jack, so will yer hold back that long?’
‘I’ll have a cigarette with George before we come up.’ Jack was curious but didn’t like to ask. He’d be told eventually, anyway. ‘You go ahead.’
Corker ordered three pints at the bar, then carried them over to a corner table. ‘I’ve got something to tell yer that’s got to be kept secret. Except for Jill and Doreen – they’ll have to know.’ He delved into his pocket and brought out a piece of white paper. ‘This is my wedding present to yer, and I hope it meets with your approval.’ He passed the paper over and picked up his pint.
Steve and Phil looked down at the paper which had The Adelphi Hotel printed at the top. It was a receipt for two double rooms at the hotel, for one night’s bed and breakfast, and the date was for Saturday night. The cost of the two rooms came to more than the two boys earned between them for a week’s work. They looked at Corker as though they didn’t believe what they were seeing.
‘I don’t understand, Uncle Corker,’ Steve said. ‘What does this mean, and why would you do it?’
‘To save the girls a lot of embarrassment.’ The big man wiped some beer from his moustache. ‘At any wedding there’s always some smart Alec who’ll make sly remarks about it being the first night – that sort of thing. They only say it for a laugh, no harm meant, but I don’t think Jill or Doreen would find it funny. Nor you, either. Now I’m talking to yer man to man, and I hope yer don’t take this the wrong way. Jill would have the embarrassment of coming downstairs on Sunday morning and facing my mother. Me ma wouldn’t think anything of it, but Jill wouldn’t know what to do with herself. The same goes for Doreen. Yer don’t have to go along with it if yer don’t want to, but my suggestion is that yer don’t mention the Adelphi to anyone. Leave the reception at about eight o’clock, saying the girls want to change out of their wedding dresses. That way yer’ll avoid all the cat-calls and smutty jokes. Get changed and take a taxi down to the hotel. When I think yer’ve had time to get away, I’ll tell everyone where yer’ve gone and take the blame.’ Corker took a swig of beer before going on. ‘Take it from me, a few stupid remarks could spoil the whole day for the girls. Me and Ellen were in our forties when we got married, and I took her to a hotel for the first night because she was terrified of looking anyone in the eye.’
‘I know what yer mean, Uncle Corker, and I’ve been worried about Jill ’cos she’s so shy and wouldn’t think a smutty joke was funny.’
‘I could do without it meself,’ Phil said. ‘I think it’s a marvellous idea, but it would mean Aunt Vickie being in the house on her own all night.’
‘No it wouldn’t, son, ’cos I’ll get one of the boys to sleep on her couch. No harm would come to her, I p
romise.’
Steve was looking down at the piece of paper in his hand. ‘It’s cost yer a small fortune, Uncle Corker. The Adelphi is the poshest hotel in Liverpool.’
‘Only the best is good enough for my two princesses. They might never be able to go there again, so let me spoil them on their wedding night, please?’
‘I can’t find the right words to thank you enough,’ Steve said. ‘It’s a marvellous present and very thoughtful. Jill will be over the moon and I’m pretty happy meself.’
Phil sighed. ‘I’m having trouble finding the right words, too. It is clearly one hell of a wedding present. But then, you are one hell of a man, Uncle Corker. The girls will thank you themselves, but you have mine, and Steve’s gratitude for the best wedding present anybody ever had.’
Corker’s eyes were on the door. ‘Here’s Jack and George. Put that receipt away and don’t say a word.’
Steve and Phil left the pub after the one pint. They couldn’t wait to tell the girls the news, so when they got back to the Bennetts’ house, Steve said, ‘Let’s go for a walk, it’s too nice to be indoors.’
‘Good idea,’ Molly said. ‘Go and blow the cobwebs away.’
‘I’m not putting a coat on,’ Doreen said. ‘I might as well show me figure off.’
‘We won’t be long, Mam.’ Jill kissed her mother’s forehead. ‘About half-an-hour.’
‘I’ll come to the door with yer.’ Molly stood on the step and watched the youngsters walking down the street, their arms across each other’s waists. In three days’ time they’ll be married, she thought. Then she shook her head. Don’t think about it or you’ll end up bawling your eyes out. There’ll be time enough for tears after Saturday.
They turned the corner into the main road and Steve said, ‘Let’s stand in the Maypole doorway. Me and Phil have got something to show yer and a lot to tell yer.’
Doreen was the first to recover. ‘Oh, my God, the Adelphi! I’ve always promised meself that I’d go in there one day, but I never thought I really would!’ She was dancing up and down and clapping her hands with joy. ‘Oh, that’s marvellous!’