by Joan Jonker
The streets were deserted; it was too cold to be out of doors if you didn’t have to be. Katy shivered as she linked her friend’s arm and they moved closer for warmth. ‘Only ten days, Doreen, then we’ll be out looking for a job. We won’t be kids any more, we’ll be young ladies.’
‘I can’t wait. Just think, I can choose me own clothes without havin’ to wear what me mam buys for me.’
‘I think your mam’s got good taste, yer always look nice.’
Doreen pulled a face. ‘Nah, I’d rather buy me own.’ She pushed open the door of the sweetshop and gave a sigh of pleasure. ‘Ooh, it’s lovely and warm in here.’
Molly Edwards was behind the counter and she smiled at the girls. ‘Ye’re me first customers in ten minutes. We had a mad rush before, with the men calling in on their way home from work for their ciggies and the Echo, then it went dead. My feller’s in the back having his dinner while he’s got the chance, then it’s my turn for a break. Anyway, what can I do for yer?’
‘Just a quarter of walnut toffee, Mrs Edwards, and me mam said will yer break it up small ’cos although she’s got a big mouth, it would have to be as big as the Mersey Tunnel to get some of your pieces of toffee in it.’
Molly gave a hearty laugh. ‘I can just imagine your mam saying that. She’s got an answer for everything, has Betty Mason.’ She reached into the glass display counter and took out a tray of toffee and a small steel hammer. ‘I suppose she told yer to make sure I gave her some with walnuts, as well, did she?’
Doreen nodded. ‘I wasn’t going to say anything about that. One complaint is enough, never mind two.’
‘Oh, pay no mind to that, girl, yer mam’s bark is worse than her bite.’ Molly expertly broke the slab of toffee. ‘Don’t say I said it, but yer mam is all talk and no action.’
‘If I told her that, I’d have to duck quick – she’d flatten me.’
Molly weighed the toffee then put it in a small white paper bag. As she was handing it over the counter to Doreen, she smiled at Katy. ‘I was talkin’ to yer mam before, when she came in for some matches. She told me yer were leaving school next week.’
‘Yeah, isn’t it great!’ Katy’s face beamed. ‘In two weeks’ time I hope to be working.’
‘Any idea what yer want to do?’
‘I don’t mind, although I don’t really fancy factory work. But if that’s all I can get then I’ll have to grin and bear it. I was goin’ to try Vernon’s but me mam put me off with the Saturday late nights. I’ll try The British Enka or Johnson’s Dye Works.’
Molly thanked Doreen as she took the twopence and threw it in the till. Then she glanced back at Katy. ‘Have yer thought about shopwork?’
‘No, nobody’s mentioned shopwork.’
‘D’yer think yer’d like it?’
‘Mmm, I don’t really know.’ Katy frowned in concentration. ‘I like people, so I’d enjoy that side of it. But it would depend upon what sort of a shop it was, I suppose.’
Molly raised her brows. ‘What about this one?’
Katy gasped. ‘Are yer pulling me leg?’ Without waiting for an answer, she went on, ‘Yer are, I know yer are.’
‘I haven’t got the energy to pull anyone’s leg, Katy, and that’s why we need a junior shop assistant. Me and Mr Edwards are worn out. Don’t forget he’s got to open at six every morning for the men going to work, they’re our best customers. And look at the time now, and we’re still open. Me feet are killing me and me backache’s chronic.’
Katy could feel her excitement rise. She’d take a job in this shop like a shot. It was nice and clean and so colourful with all the jars of sweets on shelves behind the counter and the glass display of toffee and chocolates. And besides the cigarettes, newspapers and comics, they sold odd things like babies’ dummies and Beecham’s Powders. ‘I’d love to work here, but I don’t know whether I’d be any good or not.’
‘I wouldn’t be asking yer if I thought yer couldn’t do it, girl. But we could only pay yer seven and six a week.’
Katy’s mouth opened as wide as her eyes. ‘But that’s as much as I’d get anywhere! In fact, some places only pay six bob to school-leavers.’
‘Yes, but anywhere else yer’d have set hours, yer wouldn’t here. We wouldn’t expect yer to turn up at six in the morning – me and Jim would see to that. But we would want yer to work until seven on some nights. Yer’d get time off for it, we’re not looking for slave labour.’
‘Ooh, I’d love it, Mrs Edwards, I really would.’
‘Well, ask yer mam when yer get home and yer can let me know tomorrow. I can’t see her objectin’, but better ask anyway.’
Doreen was seething with jealousy. ‘I’ll take the job, Mrs Edwards, and I don’t have to ask me mam because I know she’d say it’s up to me.’
Molly would have preferred to have asked Katy when she was on her own, but she was seldom seen without her friend. And when it came to choosing one of the two, there’d been no competition. Katy had a ready smile, was always pleasant and far more mature for her age than Doreen. Oh, she was a nice enough girl, but inclined to be sullen and pull faces when things didn’t go her way. You couldn’t have that in a shop, it would lose you customers.
‘I’ve asked Katy now, girl, I can’t un-ask her,’ she said diplomatically, ‘so let’s wait and see what her mam has to say about it, eh?’
‘I’ll call in tomorrow night and let yer know, Mrs Edwards. And thanks, I do appreciate yer asking me.’ Katy spoke calmly but she was fuming inside. And as soon as they were out of the shop she turned on her friend. ‘You were quick off the mark, weren’t yer? I think yer had a flamin’ cheek!’
‘Well, I’m after a job the same as you.’
‘That doesn’t give yer the right to try and pinch one off me! If it had been you Mrs Edwards asked, I wouldn’t have dreamed of trying to snatch it from under yer nose.’
‘Oh no, little Miss Goody Two-Shoes, you never do nothin’ wrong, do yer?’ Doreen’s lips quivered with temper. ‘Well, yer can keep yer rotten job, I don’t want it.’
‘Oh, don’t you worry, I am keeping it.’ The friends were no longer linking arms and their bodies were well apart. This was the first real row they’d ever had and Katy was upset. She didn’t want to fall out with Doreen but she certainly wasn’t going to give in to her. She needed a job more than her friend did, and if push came to shove she’d fight her for it. Seven and six a week would make all the difference to her mam, especially with Christmas coming the week after she left school.
Not a word was spoken after that until they came to Katy’s house. ‘I’ll give yer a knock in the morning.’
‘Please yerself.’ Doreen tossed her head and kept on walking. ‘I can find me own way to school.’
Katy stood watching her friend’s retreating back for a few seconds before sighing and turning to go indoors. Then she heard her name being called and saw the woman from next door but one standing on the step beckoning to her. ‘Do yer want me, Mrs O’Connor?’
‘Sure I’ll not keep yer a minute, me darlin’.’
Katy was impatient to get home and tell her mother about the job, and also about what Doreen had done. But the soft Irish accent was one that she couldn’t refuse. It had fascinated her since she was old enough to understand that there was something different about the way the O’Connors spoke. As a toddler she’d found it difficult to make out what they were saying, only knowing that she liked the soft lilt and the smiles that went with it. Maggie and her husband, Paddy, had come to Liverpool fifteen years ago as a newly married couple and had been delighted with the small house in Edith Road. They were good neighbours, didn’t bother anybody, were always willing to help.
Katy put a smile on her face and walked back to where Maggie was standing with her arms folded across her thin body. ‘Did yer want something, Mrs O’Connor?’
‘If yer mammy could spare a few minutes, me darlin’, sure I’d be grateful. I’m mindful that she’s been workin’ all day
, and she’ll be tired, but I’d not keep her more than a few minutes, so I wouldn’t.’
‘If it’s a message yer want, Mrs O’Connor, I could get it for yer.’
‘No, it’s not a message, Katy me darlin’. Sure don’t I have all the time in the world to get me own shopping in, with me man out working all the hours God sends? No, child, it’s just a few words I’d like with yer mammy, that’s all.’
‘Well, you go in out of the cold, Mrs O’Connor, and I’ll tell me mam to give yer a knock on the window.’ Katy wondered how long it would take to tell her mother the surprising news. She wanted to do it now, while the excitement was at its height. ‘It might be fifteen minutes but she will come.’
‘Thank you, Katy, and may the good Lord shower you with His blessings.’
As soon as she got home, Katy passed on the message. ‘I wonder what on earth she could want?’ Dot grumbled. She was sitting in front of the fire and didn’t feel like moving. ‘I’ve just got meself all warm and comfortable.’
‘I told her yer wouldn’t be there right away, so yer don’t have to jump up. Wait until yer hear my news, Mam, yer won’t half get a surprise.’
‘I hope it’s a pleasant surprise, sunshine, I could certainly do with one. I’ve been sittin’ here trying to work out in me head how we’re going to manage over Christmas, and believe me the prospect looks bleak. I’ve been putting a few coppers away each week in the butcher’s and the greengrocer’s, so we won’t starve. But there’s no way I can run to presents.’
‘Mam, will yer stop yer worrying and listen to me?’ Katy took a deep breath and announced: ‘I’ve got meself a job.’
Dot huffed. Her daughter goes out with a pal for a quarter of toffee and comes back with a job. Some hope! ‘I’m in no mood for fun and games, sunshine,’ she said firmly.
‘Mrs Edwards has asked me to go and work in the shop, Mam,’ Katy said excitedly. ‘I wouldn’t pull yer leg over something like that. She said I was to ask you first, then let her know tomorrow.’
Dot studied her daughter’s face for several long seconds before uncurling her legs and leaping from the couch. ‘It’s true! Oh, you clever girl, it’s true!’ She held Katy close and rocked her from side to side as she had done when she was a toddler and had fallen over and hurt herself. ‘Aren’t you lucky? I am so happy for yer, sunshine, and proud of yer as well. Fancy that, now, not left school yet and got a job already.’
‘If Doreen had had anything to do with it, I wouldn’t have got the job.’ Katy slipped from her mother’s arms and looked to where her brother was viewing the scene with more than a little interest. ‘If you repeat any word of what I’m going to say, Colin, I’ll not only never speak to yer again, I’ll never, ever give yer any pocket money.’
In the boy’s mind he was picturing Edwards’ shop with all those sweets and comics. Surely his sister had landed the best job in the whole world. And he certainly wasn’t going to be stupid enough to jeopardise his chances of gaining from it. ‘Cross my heart and hope to die, Sis, I promise I won’t breathe a word.’
Katy told them both of the little episode with Doreen. ‘I couldn’t believe me ears, Mam, honest. She actually asked Mrs Edwards to give her the job instead of me.’
‘The hard-faced little madam! I’ve a good mind to go down there now and tell her mam, the selfish, cheeky so-and-so. And she’s supposed to be yer friend! With friends like her, sunshine, yer don’t need enemies.’
‘No, Mam, just leave it. If Doreen’s funny with me in the morning then I won’t bother with her no more. But perhaps she was just a bit jealous and she’ll have got over it after she’s had a night’s sleep.’
‘Yeah, she’s not worth worryin’ about.’ Dot pulled on her daughter’s arm. ‘Sit next to me and tell me all about yer new job.’
‘I don’t know anything, Mam, because she told me to see whether you approved first. And she wouldn’t tell me her business in front of Doreen, anyway.’ Katy’s lips stretched into a wide smile. ‘The only thing I know about the job is how much wages I’ll be getting. Guess how much, Mam?’
Dot wagged her head from side to side. ‘They say shop-workers aren’t on good pay, so I’d guess about six bob a week. But with it being on the doorstep yer’d have no fares to pay out and that’s a big consideration.’
Katy’s heart was so full of pride and satisfaction she thought it would burst. She struck up a pose, nose in the air and hands on hips. And in a haughty voice she said slowly and calmly, ‘Six shillings, indeed! I’ll have you know that I’ve been offered seven shillings and sixpence, if you don’t mind.’
Dot and her son spoke simultaneously. ‘Go ’way!’
Katy nodded, happy with the surprised looks. ‘Seven whole shillings and six whole pennies. Not bad, eh, for a beginner?’
‘Not bad? It’s bloody marvellous!’ Tears came to Dot’s eyes. ‘Yer’ve done very well, sunshine, and I’m so proud of yer. Mind you, it’s only what yer deserve.’
Crafty Colin had his mind to business. ‘I dried the dishes for me mam, Katy, an’ I didn’t break one. If I do them every night, and I get the messages in, will yer give me tuppence a week pocket money?’
Dot tutted. ‘For heaven’s sake, son, give the girl a chance, will yer?’
‘No, let him be, Mam,’ Katy said benevolently. ‘We might as well get it sorted out now. If you and me are at work all day, we’ll need Colin to pull his weight. If he washes the dishes, makes the beds and tidies around before he goes to school every morning, and gets any shopping we need on his way home, then he deserves to be paid for it. So I’m prepared to give him threepence a week pocket money if he agrees to the terms of his employment.’
Dot grinned at her son who was looking remarkably cheerful. ‘If yer add raking the fire out, and setting it ready for one of us to light, I’ll give him another threepence.’
Colin was over the moon. For sixpence a week he’d scrub the house from top to bottom. He could buy his favourite comic instead of borrowing it, get a bag of ollies together so he could lick some of the bigger boys, and buy sweets with what was left. ‘I agree to the terms of me employment, and can I start me job tomorrow?’
Katy chuckled. He was a crafty article. ‘I don’t leave school until the end of next week, then I’ve got to work a week in hand. So yer won’t be getting any money for a few weeks. But if yer start learning right away, yer’ll be really good at yer job by the time the first pay-day comes along.’
The boy’s face fell. ‘I might have known there’d be a catch in it. Here was me thinkin’ I could buy meself some comics for Christmas.’
‘Don’t be selfish, Colin,’ Katy said sharply when she saw a hurt look cross her mother’s face. ‘There’s others in the house beside you, and none of us will be getting anything. It’s worse for me mam, she’s got all the worry of finding the money for food. So try thinkin’ of someone except yerself for a change.’
‘This is the last Christmas we’ll be skint, son.’ Dot felt heartily sorry for him. He was only a child, really, and all children expected a present off Father Christmas. ‘With Katy startin’ work, things will look up, you just wait and see.’
‘Hey, Mam, don’t forget Mrs O’Connor.’ Katy rolled her eyes. ‘I said fifteen minutes an’ it’s been longer than that.’
‘Yeah, I’d better make an effort, it’s not often Maggie asks for anything. It can’t be important or she’d have been knocking on me window before now.’ Dot went to collect her coat. It wasn’t fit weather to go out without one, even if it was only two houses away. ‘That was smashing news yer had for me, sunshine. It hasn’t half cheered me up.’
‘So yer don’t mind me working in the shop?’
‘Mind? I’m over the ruddy moon! Yer can tell Molly I said that when yer see her. Now I’d better scarper, but I won’t be long.’
Maggie opened the door immediately to Dot. ‘I’m sorry to bring yer out on a cold night like this, me darlin’, but sure if I don’t talk to someone I’ll go out
of me mind, and that’s the truth of it. My Paddy said I should steer clear, mind me own business, but I’d not rest easy if I just sat back and did nothing.’
‘Is Paddy in?’
‘That he is, me darlin’. Isn’t himself sitting in front of a roaring fire toasting his feet? Come away in, and see the man for yerself.’ Maggie led the way into the living room. ‘It’s Mrs Baker, Paddy. Would yer not be moving yer feet to let her see the fire?’
While Maggie was small and thin with dark hair and deep blue eyes, her husband was just the opposite. He was about six foot two with muscles that strained the seams of his shirt. His hands were the size of ham shanks, huge and rough from the shovels and picks he used in his work. He had a mop of blond hair, pale blue eyes and a handsome, weatherbeaten face. He pushed his chair back and stood up when he saw Dot. ‘Come in, Mrs Baker, it’s a pleasure to see yer, so it is.’
Dot was fond of the O’Connors, they were so warm and friendly. She often thought how sad it was they had never had any children because they would make lovely parents. Maggie said it was God’s will, but Dot knew it was a constant heartache for them. ‘Get back in that chair, Paddy. There’s no need to stand on ceremony with me – we’ve known each other too long.’
Maggie plumped a cushion on the couch. ‘Sit yerself down, me darlin’, and take the weight off yer feet. I know yer must be cursing me for bringin’ yer out when yerself has been working all day, but it’s worried sick I am about that poor lass next door.’
‘Has he been at it again? I haven’t heard anything – not tonight, anyway.’
‘It was before yer came home from work. I’d been doin’ a bit of washing and had the back door open to let some of the steam out, when I heard them. Mary must have gone down the yard to fill the coal bucket and from what I heard, didn’t the queer feller himself follow her. He was cursing and swearing at the top of his voice, so he was, ranting and raving like a lunatic. It wasn’t that I wanted to listen, but sure it’s deaf yer’d have to be not to hear him when he takes off. I was about to close the door so I wouldn’t have to listen to the foul language, when I heard a loud smack and a cry of pain from Mary. Then the poor soul must have dropped the coal bucket because there was an almighty crash.’