A Sister's Shame

by Carol Rivers

  ‘No, love.’ Bev smiled gratefully. ‘You’ve done enough. It took guts to do what you did, dragging Joanie up that passage with me. And I won’t forget that. Nor will Joanie when she sobers up. I’ll see the poor cow’s all right, don’t worry.’ Bev threw a glance of contempt at the other girls as she left.

  Rose and Sal soon began telling Vesta that they thought Joanie had always been after Wally, like Irene.

  ‘They made themselves cheap,’ pointed out Sal, her eyes narrowing vindictively, ‘and didn’t give a tinker’s cuss about us. So why should we help?’

  Marie knew that Rose and Sal were finding excuses to make themselves feel better. But it was Bev who had been the one who cared enough to help a friend. Vesta had spoken her mind and the others agreed with her. Marie felt distanced from her twin. She knew that things were changing.

  Chapter 19

  The following Friday evening, a girl stopped the twins at the factory gates. ‘You’re Vesta Haskins, aren’t you?’ she asked.

  Vesta nodded. ‘Yes, what do you want?’

  ‘I work over there, in Ellisdon’s offices.’ She nodded to the tall building at the side of the factory. Her pretty face was flushed as she looked at them, her dark brown hair drawn back from her face and clipped over one ear. ‘I’ve heard you’re seeing Teddy Turner.’

  Marie looked at Vesta, who had gone pale. ‘What business is that of yours?’ Vesta demanded.

  ‘He’s trouble, that’s what. I thought it was only fair to give you a warning.’

  ‘You must have the wrong Teddy,’ Vesta said, taking a sharp breath.

  ‘He works at a club up Poplar called the Duke’s.’

  Vesta gave a soft gasp, as the girl stepped closer.

  ‘Listen, he’s bad news,’ said the girl in a whisper. ‘I wouldn’t believe it either once, when someone warned me. But now I’m expecting. He dumped me as soon as I told him about the baby. Gawd knows what I’m going to do.’

  ‘I don’t believe you,’ said Vesta, regaining her breath. ‘The jealous cows here are just making mischief.’

  ‘Well, it’s up to you,’ shrugged the girl, ‘makes no difference to me.’

  Marie called after the girl as she walked away. ‘Wait a minute, what’s your name?’

  ‘Flo Davis,’ she replied. ‘But I’ll bet he says he don’t know me.’

  Marie took Vesta’s arm. ‘Go after her, Vesta. Give her a chance to tell you what she knows.’

  ‘It’s just gossip.’ Vesta pulled away. ‘She’s jealous, like all the girls who follow him around. This kind of bitchiness is one of the reasons why I hate Ellisdon’s and want to leave.’ Vesta’s face was now flushed red. ‘If it wasn’t for Mum, I’d give in me notice right now.’

  Marie watched the small figure disappear, but Vesta walked off in the other direction. Marie was torn; should she go after Flo Davis? But it was Vesta who should be asking the questions, not her.

  Finally the girl disappeared. Marie caught up with Vesta. She knew her sister had made up her mind to stick her head in the sand. Once she had done that, there was no persuading her to listen.

  That evening as they were getting ready to go to the club, Vesta turned from the mirror and looked at Marie. ‘You’re not going to say anything to Teddy, are you?’

  ‘What about?’

  ‘That girl, Flo Davis, of course.’

  ‘It’s not up to me to ask him if he’s got a girl in trouble.’

  ‘I don’t believe her,’ Vesta shrugged. ‘And I don’t want to spoil our day tomorrow.’

  Marie stopped brushing her hair. ‘What’s happening tomorrow?’

  ‘Teddy’s taking me to choose our costumes.’

  ‘When did he ask you to do that?’

  ‘I saw him on the stairs yesterday.’ Vesta frowned as she saw the startled expression on Marie’s face. ‘Don’t look at me like that. You had your chance, Marie. He asked you first.’

  ‘Vesta, you should think about what Flo said.’

  ‘Why? Teddy has never overstepped the mark with me. Until I find something to complain about, I’ll keep me mouth shut.’

  ‘Can’t you ask if he knows a Flo Davis?’

  Vesta looked angry. ‘I told you, no. Now, cheer up, for goodness’ sake. We’re getting ourselves new costumes and one of us, at least, will be there to choose them!’

  When they arrived at the club a tall, leggy blonde was standing in the dressing room talking to Rose and Sal. She wore the sparkly blue outfit that looked to Marie as though it might have been Joanie’s. Rose and Sal were laughing at what she said, whilst Bev sat at the mirror, applying her make-up.

  ‘This is Shirley,’ said Rose, taking hold of the girl’s arm. ‘Shirley, meet Vesta and Marie, our twins.’

  ‘Hello, Shirley,’ said Marie and Vesta together.

  Rose and Sal laughed. ‘They always do that,’ giggled Rose.

  ‘Nice to meet yer.’ Shirley smiled, showing a row of rather uneven nicotine-stained teeth beneath her red lipstick.

  ‘Shirley is Joanie’s replacement,’ said Sal, glancing across at Bev.

  ‘Replacement?’ echoed Marie and Vesta.

  ‘Yes, as Joanie seems to have disappeared, the silly cow. So Teddy took on Shirley and we had a quick practice this afternoon and she’s done just fine.’

  ‘Oh, the routine ain’t no problem for me,’ said Shirley, waving her hand. ‘I used to dance at the Folies in Paris.’

  ‘Paris!’ Vesta exclaimed. ‘Did you really? Oh, that must have been so exciting.’

  As Vesta talked with Shirley and the two girls, Marie went over to Bev. She seemed to be taking extra care with her make-up and wouldn’t look up. Finally Marie put her fingers gently on Bev’s arm. ‘Did you get Joanie home safely?’ she whispered.

  Bev became still, though Marie saw her hand shaking. ‘Yes, I let her stay at my place. Then she went out the next day and never came back.’

  ‘But where could she have gone?’

  Bev slowly looked round. ‘Don’t ask no more questions, please.’

  Marie gasped. ‘What’s happened to your eye? It’s all black and blue.’

  ‘I walked into a door.’ Bev turned back to the mirror. ‘Now, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll piss off.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘Do as I say,’ Bev muttered, not turning to look at her. ‘Talk to the others or they’ll oust you as well.’

  ‘I don’t care about them. It’s you I’m worried about.’

  Bev stared at her in the mirror. ‘If that’s true, love, just leave me alone.’

  Eventually Marie went over to their costumes and began to undress. What had happened to Bev? Would walking into a door have caused such an injury? It looked more as if someone had hit her.

  When Teddy’s knock came and the girls lined up to do their number, Bev wouldn’t look at Marie as they filed out.

  ‘Shirley’s nice,’ said Vesta when they’d gone. ‘She’s danced at the Folies, you know. And met a lot of famous people.’

  ‘Did you see Bev’s black eye?’ Marie asked as she did up the side of her costume.

  ‘No. How did she get that?’

  ‘She said she walked into a door. But I don’t believe her.’

  Vesta sighed. ‘There you go again, poking your nose into someone else’s business. She probably had a fight with her boyfriend and doesn’t want to say.’

  Marie was thinking that someone may have picked a fight with Bev instead. But she knew it would sound as if she was accusing Teddy, whose last words to Bev were that if she didn’t give his message to Joanie then someone would pay for it. And as Joanie appeared to have vanished, had Teddy followed up on his threat?

  The chorus girls came back, Rose and Sal full of praise for Shirley’s dancing. When Marie and Vesta returned after performing their routine, Rose and Sal were still telling Shirley how good it was to have a ‘proper’ dancer amongst them.

  Marie looked across at Bev. There was sadness in her face.
Marie was certain she knew more about Joanie, and it was only Marie who bothered to say goodbye to Bev when she left.

  ‘How do I look?’ asked Vesta the next day after work. She was wearing a floral dress and a black bolero that looked very pretty, with her blonde hair freshly washed and waved around her face. They had rushed home from work so that Vesta could be ready to go out with Teddy by two.

  ‘You’ll need a coat,’ said Marie, frowning.

  ‘I’d rather freeze than wear that old thing.’

  ‘You probably will freeze as it’s October now.’

  ‘Yes, but Teddy’s car will be warm.’ Vesta rolled her eyes and put her hand on her stomach. ‘My insides are going over, I’m so nervous. And oh, I haven’t got a proper handbag!’

  Marie slid a small, hand-embroidered purse from the bottom of the wardrobe. ‘We got this from Cox Street last year, remember?’

  Vesta snatched it. ‘It will have to do as I’ve got nothing else.’

  ‘Have you told Mum you’re going out with Teddy?’

  ‘No. She’s out all afternoon at the school, cleaning up after the jumble sale this morning. Now, are you going to wish me luck?’

  ‘I’ll tell you what Mum would tell you,’ Marie smiled. ‘Just behave yourself.’

  ‘Yes, and I’ll tell you what I couldn’t tell Mum,’ giggled Vesta, ‘that I won’t have any fun if I’m good.’ She pecked Marie on the cheek. ‘Bet you wish you was coming now!’

  Five minutes later, Marie was looking out of the window as Teddy opened the car door for Vesta, then drove them away.

  Half an hour later, another knock came.

  A pair of brown, smiling eyes greeted Marie as she opened the door.

  ‘Bing, what are you doing here?’

  He grinned from ear to ear. ‘You could sound a bit more pleased to see me.’ He looked very smart in casual dark trousers and sports jacket, with a white handkerchief corner poking up from his breast pocket.

  ‘I am pleased of course. Just surprised.’

  ‘Thought it was about time I brought you more songs,’ he said, holding out a bundle of papers.

  Marie grinned. ‘I hope these are not as difficult.’

  ‘I could play them for you? Elsie will let us use her joanna.’

  ‘Vesta’s not here.’ Marie hesitated.

  ‘You could learn them and teach her.’

  Marie didn’t want to miss the opportunity. ‘I suppose I could.’

  As they knocked on Elsie’s door, Marie wished she’d had a chance to change. She was wearing an old skirt and blouse. Bing looked very handsome. She wondered if he was going to take out those friends again to Epping Forest. Or could it be one particular friend?

  ‘Course you can use it, son,’ Elsie agreed immediately, and led the way to the upright piano. Taking a pile of old newspapers from the stool, and brushing the seat, she frowned. ‘It needs a bit of tuning, mind.’

  ‘Good enough for us, Mrs G,’ said Bing as he seated himself and placed the music in front of him.

  ‘Right, you two, I can’t stop to listen,’ said Elsie, winding her gold turban around her head. ‘I’m off to my friend Sophie, at Bethnal Green. The Rabbi is calling to discuss help for our friends who are fleeing from Germany. Since President Hindenburg died in August, Hitler has given himself the title of Führer. He is making life very difficult for all those who don’t conform to his ideas.’

  ‘Elsie, that’s terrible. But surely he won’t be allowed to continue in that way?’ Marie asked.

  ‘I’m afraid that he will,’ sighed Elsie as she turned to pick up her bag. ‘Anyway, nothing for you two to worry about. Just close the door when you leave, my darlings.’

  When Elsie had left, Marie looked at Bing. ‘Do you think that Elsie’s right about Hitler?’

  ‘Ramsay MacDonald should have the measure of him,’ Bing said hesitantly. ‘After all, it’s only sixteen years since the last bash.’

  They were silent for a moment, but soon Bing’s face broke into a smile. ‘Come on, let’s give this one a try. It’s called “Crazy Feet”.’

  Marie was surprised at how easy it was to pick up the tune as Bing played. He seemed to know exactly when to pause and race on, so that when she tried a few steps, it was easy to perform them.

  ‘Very nice,’ he grinned when she’d finished. ‘Fred Astaire, eat your heart out.’

  Marie laughed. ‘What’s the next one?’

  ‘ “All Of Me” by Ruth Etting. Do you know it?’

  Marie nodded. ‘I like her singing very much.’

  Bing turned the pages of the music. ‘Do you want me to run through it first?’

  Marie leaned on top of the piano. ‘Yes, please.’

  Placing his fingers lightly on the keys, he began to play. As the opening chords gave way to the rhythm, much slower than ‘Crazy Feet’, he began to hum, glancing up at her from time to time, until at last, in his rich baritone voice, he began to sing the words.

  Marie closed her eyes. This was a beautiful song. It was about someone who was so lovesick, they had decided to give themselves to the one they loved, even though this love couldn’t be returned. Suddenly it reminded her of Vesta and she opened her eyes.

  Bing stopped playing. ‘Is something wrong?’

  ‘The words remind me of someone.’

  ‘Then perhaps it isn’t for you?’ he asked uncertainly.

  ‘No, I’d like to try to sing it.’

  He turned back to the music and Marie took her position behind him, looking over his shoulder so she could easily read the words. The melody was soft and gentle, and although she was nervous, soon Bing’s voice carried her along. Finally, when she was confident enough, he let her sing alone.

  It was a song she knew would always remind her of that moment, when Bing sat at Elsie’s piano and there seemed no one else in the world but them. Just as she remembered the day by the river when Bing had first sung to her.

  When it was over, he closed the sheet of music. ‘You’ll be all right now. I’m sure you’ll be able to teach Vesta.’

  Marie wanted to say she could listen to him playing and singing for ever, but he stood up to go, and smiled. ‘You have a good voice, Marie. Don’t ever forget that.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  He looked around the room. ‘Well, don’t want to outwear me welcome.’ They left Elsie’s and went into the hall. ‘See you around then,’ he said as he opened the front door.

  ‘Have you been to Island Gardens lately?’ she asked.

  ‘The last time I was down that way, I was with a friend. But she’s been too busy to come out again.’ He grinned. ‘I might call on her sometime.’

  Marie smiled. ‘I hope you do.’

  ‘Do you?’

  ‘Yes.’ Marie couldn’t bring herself to say that she missed his company and hoped that he would ask her out now. That would be much too forward. She was very disappointed when he walked away.

  Back indoors, she curled up on the couch. Bing had told her she had a good voice and, taking the sheet of music, she hummed ‘All Of Me’. She could hear his voice in her head and remembered the way he had looked up at her as he played. Was there a message in his eyes? A warm feeling inside her told her there might be. But was this really what she wanted? She felt confused and excited all at once.

  She closed her eyes and soon drifted off.

  Marie woke in a cold sweat, her heart thudding violently. The woman in her dream cowered fearfully in the corner, away from the man who threatened her. Each time Marie tried to see her face but it was always hidden. The baby in her belly was what she was protecting and Marie knew how precious this infant was to her. As much as Marie willed someone to come to their rescue, the dream always ended with her terrible cries.

  Marie shivered, trying to clear her mind. How long had she been asleep? Slowly she got up and walked to the window. Outside, Teddy’s car was parked there, its engine rumbling, and Vesta stood on the pavement waving goodbye.

  Marie was s
till trying to throw off the unpleasant feelings the dream had left her with when Vesta walked in. She was wearing a new coat and carrying two parcels.

  ‘Just look at me!’ she exclaimed, dropping the parcels on a chair. She began to parade around the room. ‘Do you like my coat? Black astrakhan is the latest fashion.’ She lifted the collar to her face. ‘Just like you see on the films.’

  Marie rubbed her eyes, finally coming awake. ‘It must have cost a fortune.’

  ‘Teddy didn’t mind.’

  ‘Did Teddy buy it?’

  ‘Of course.’ Vesta pointed her toe. ‘See? New shoes as well. Not those horrible common shoes like we make at Ellisdon’s, but smart fashion shoes with high heels. And you should see our new costumes!’ Vesta drew out two green sequined costumes from the bags. The first thing that Marie noticed were the low-cut necks and flimsy straps. ‘Aren’t they gorgeous?’ Vesta said, holding one up to her. ‘The assistant in this shop said they are just like the Ziegfeld Follies dancers wear.’

  ‘But we’re not a vaudeville act,’ Marie reminded her.

  ‘No, but Teddy liked them.’

  ‘They’re not our style.’

  Vesta laughed, shaking her head. ‘You’re as bad as Mum, you are!’

  ‘She definitely won’t like them.’

  Vesta rolled her eyes. ‘Grow up, Marie! This is what we have to wear to get noticed. As for Mum, she won’t even be seeing them. Teddy said he’ll drive us to the club tonight and we can take them in these bags. I’ll put everything away till we leave. And when you see Teddy, try to be grateful. He spent a lot of money on us today.’

  ‘Mr Scoresby’s money, you mean.’

  Vesta pouted. ‘And what’s wrong with that? We’re young, pretty and talented. So why don’t you just enjoy our success? Think what this means for the future. Now, I’m going to hide these before Mum comes in and starts nagging.’

  Vesta hurried to the bedroom and Marie sat down with a sigh. What was happening to Vesta? She didn’t seem to be the same person any more. She would never have lied so easily in the past. What would they look like in those costumes? The last time they had been laughed at when they wore those red outfits. These green ones didn’t seem much better. Should she refuse to wear hers or would that only cause more trouble?