by Joan Jonker
Dot was tutting and shaking her head in anger. ‘One of these days someone will swing for that man.’ She turned to Maggie’s husband. ‘I’m sorry, Paddy, it’s an insult to you to call him a man. I was goin’ to say he was more like a wild animal, but then I’d be insulting the ruddy animals. At least they look after their own.’
‘Sure, I was beside meself, so I was,’ Maggie said. ‘I felt like goin’ around there with me brush and giving the divil a damn good hiding. But the size of me to him, what chance would I have? So I stood behind the door blessing meself and praying to the good Lord to put a stop to the poor woman’s agony.’
‘What I can’t understand is why Mary doesn’t tell her family. She’s got parents living in Walton, and she’s got married brothers. If they knew what was goin’ on they’d flay the living daylights out of me laddo. But she won’t tell them! When I asked her why, she said she didn’t want to worry them. Apparently they didn’t want her to marry him in the first place. They warned her he was no good.’
‘So that’s the reason she doesn’t have many visitors.’ Paddy nodded as though a query had been answered. ‘She did tell me wife once that she came from quite a big family, so she did, and we wondered why they never came to see her.’
‘It’s one of the mysteries of the world to me,’ Maggie said. ‘Two young people, only married a few years, sure they should still be acting like sweethearts, and that’s the truth of it. I’ll not lay any of the blame at Mary’s door – she’s as quiet and as meek as a lamb. It’s himself that’s at fault. He must have been born with the divil inside him.’
Dot sighed. ‘It’s no good approaching him, he’d give yer a go-along sooner than look at yer. All I can do is have a word with Mary – try to get her to see the sense of telling her family so they can sort him out. If she doesn’t do somethin’ about it, he’ll end up killing her one of these days.’
‘I’d not like yer to go away thinkin’ I’m a coward, Mrs Baker,’ Paddy said. ‘Sure, I could pick the man up with one hand and break his neck. But as I’ve told me wife, we’re strangers in this country and I’d not like the police coming to me door.’
‘I don’t think ye’re a coward, Paddy, anything but. And I understand how yer feel and agree with yer. That apology for a human being next door – he’s not worth getting into trouble for.’ Dot gave him a wide smile. ‘Now I’ve got a bone to pick with yer, Paddy O’Connor. Isn’t it about time yer called me by me first name? We’re all about the same age, but yer make me feel as old as the hills, calling me Mrs Baker all the time.’
‘Sure, I’ll do that, Dot, and it’s meself that’ll be honoured.’
Betty Mason opened the door to Katy and her eyes widened in surprise. ‘She’s gone, girl. She said yer were goin’ to be late so she’d go on without yer.’
‘OK, Mrs Mason, thanks.’
‘Ay, hang on a minute,’ Betty said as Katy went to walk away. ‘What’s goin’ on between you two? Our Doreen had a right gob on her last night and it hadn’t improved much this morning. She nearly bit me head off when I asked what was wrong, so I left her to get on with it. If she wants to be miserable, that’s her look-out.’ She leaned against the doorframe and folded her arms, which disappeared beneath the mountainous bosom. ‘Have you two had a fallin’-out?’
‘Not really.’ Katy didn’t want to give too much away. ‘Last night Mrs Edwards offered me a job in the shop and I think Doreen felt a bit left out. She’ll get over it before the day’s out, you’ll see.’
‘I’m glad yer got the job, Katy, it’ll help yer mam no end. Don’t take no notice of me daughter. If the silly cow wants to sulk then leave her to it.’
Katy smiled. ‘I’ll do that, Mrs Mason, but I’ll have to run for it now or I’ll be late for school. Ta-ra then.’
‘Ta-ra, girl, an’ I’m real glad for yer,’ Betty shouted after her. ‘The first thing yer learn when yer start in that shop is how I like me walnut toffee in small pieces, and with plenty of walnuts in, d’ye hear?’
Katy turned and waved. ‘I’ll measure each piece and count the walnuts.’
When she turned the corner of the street and saw Billy Harlow waiting for her, Katy showed her surprise. ‘I didn’t expect you, I thought yer’d have gone on with Doreen.’
‘Nah, I told her I’d wait for yer.’ Billy fell into step beside her. ‘She mumbled somethin’ about yer being late. I couldn’t make out what she was saying so I told her to go on.’
‘We had a tiff last night and she’s got a cob on.’ Katy glanced sideways as they hurried along. She wasn’t going to make matters worse between herself and Doreen by telling people what had really happened, but she had to tell him the news that had kept her awake half the night. ‘Billy, I’ve got a job!’
‘Go ’way.’ His footsteps faltered and he did a little skip to get back into step before asking, ‘Where’s the job?’
‘Edwards’, the sweetshop.’ They were by the girls’ entrance now and as she turned into the gates, Katy said, ‘I’ll tell yer about it tonight.’
Billy’s grin covered his face. ‘I’ll wait for yer and walk yer home.’
‘I won’t be walking, Billy, I’ll be legging it hell for leather. As soon as I’ve got the fire lit and given our Colin a buttie to keep him going until me mam comes in, I’ll be off down to the shop to get some more details off Mrs Edwards. You know, like when does she want me to start, what me hours will be and do I need an overall. There’s stacks of questions running round in me head but I’m that excited I can’t think straight.’
‘Yer’d better think straight in case Father Kelly picks on yer to answer a question out of the Catechism. Otherwise yer might get kept back to do lines.’ Billy saw his teacher standing ready to close the gates. ‘I’m off, I’ll see yer later.’
Doreen passed her friend in the corridor and looked through her, no sign of recognition on her face. Oh well, thought Katy, if that’s the way she wants it, then that’s the way she’ll get it.
When she got home Katy was met by a very smug-looking Colin. He’d cleaned the grate out and laid the fire ready for lighting. And he’d set the table ready for their dinner. ‘Oh, you lovely boy, I could eat yer.’ She gave him a hug and a big smile. ‘I can see ye’re going to be a big help to me and our mam.’
‘Just remember when ye’re in the money, Sis, that I knew yer when yer had nowt.’
Katy ruffled his hair. ‘Will yer be all right for half an hour while I run down to Edwards’? I want to make sure I’ve got the job otherwise I won’t sleep tonight.’
‘Ah, ay, but put a match to the fire before yer go, it’s flippin’ freezing in here.’
‘OK, and I’ll wait until it’s caught, but don’t you dare fiddle with it when I’m out.’
Fifteen minutes later, filled with trepidation, Katy pushed open the door of the shop where she hoped she was going to spend her working days. There were quite a few customers in and she stood at the back, not wanting to trouble Mrs Edwards when she was busy. But the shopkeeper flashed her a smile and jerked her head. ‘Come round the counter, girl, and get the feel of it.’
Sensing all eyes on her, and shaking with nerves, Katy lifted the hinged part of the counter and passed through before lowering it carefully. She knew several of the customers and returned their smiles. ‘Oh, aye, what’s all this then, Katy Baker?’ This was from Mrs Williams who lived in the same street. ‘A blue-eyed favourite, are yer?’
Molly Edwards tutted. ‘Ye’re a nosy bugger, Rita Williams. But for yer information, I’m hoping Katy is coming to work here when she leaves school next week.’
Katy plucked up the courage to say, ‘I am if the offer’s still open.’
Molly smiled her pleasure. ‘Then yer can start feeling yer way around, girl. Anyone just wanting an Echo, Katy will serve yer.’
Jim Edwards came through from the back room and winked at Katy. ‘Welcome aboard, girl. It’s a change to see a pretty face behind the counter.’
‘Well, yo
u cheeky bugger!’ Molly handed over a bag of Dolly Mixtures and held out her hand for a halfpenny. ‘Did yer hear that?’ Her eyes moved from customer to customer. ‘She hasn’t even started yet an’ he’s making a pass at her!’
‘I wouldn’t entertain havin’ a pretty young girl workin’ in the shop.’ Rita Williams pursed her lips and nodded knowingly. ‘Yer’d never know a minute’s peace if yer left them alone together. What you need is someone with an ugly mug.’
Molly spluttered, ‘Are yer applying for the job, Rita?’
When Katy joined in the laughter that followed, her nerves disappeared completely. She’d love working here, she just knew she would.
‘I’ll take over now, Molly.’ Jim took the jar of sweets from his wife’s hands. ‘You and Katy sit in the back and sort out yer business in peace.’
‘Yer’ll have to excuse this place,’ Molly said, hastily moving boxes to free a chair for Katy to sit on. ‘We’ve got a lot of extra stock with it being Christmas. There’s over a hundred customers in the Christmas Club and next week is goin’ to be murder trying to make their orders up.’
‘I can come after school every day and give yer a hand,’ Katy said eagerly. ‘I pick things up easy – it won’t take me long to get used to where everything is.’
‘Oh, that would be a big help, girl. Me and Jim will be run off our feet in the shop, never mind making orders up.’ Molly rested her chin on her hand and studied Katy for a second. ‘Was yer mam all right about yer taking the job?’
‘She was as pleased as Punch, Mrs Edwards, she really was. And I’m so happy and excited I can’t wait to start.’
‘Would she let yer come for a few hours after school, and maybe work Saturday for us? We’d pay yer for it, of course.’
Katy’s eyes sparkled. ‘Oh, yes! Me mam would be glad of the few extra coppers. She has a struggle every week, but I don’t have to tell you that, yer’ve known us long enough.’
‘I have a lot of respect for your mam, Katy. She hasn’t had an easy time. She’s done a good job bringing you and Colin up without a man behind her, and I take me hat off to her.’
‘She’s the best mother in the world, Mrs Edwards, and I love her to bits.’
‘And she adores you and the boy.’ Molly had always had a soft spot for this girl. Even though her shoes were down-at-heel and her clothes patched and darned, she always had a smile on her face. ‘There’s not much to tell you about the shop – yer can only learn that from experience. The hours are forty-eight a week, and we’ll work out the times to suit all of us. You don’t have to work a week in hand, yer’ll be paid every Saturday for the week’s work yer’ve just done.’
This was the best news yet and had Katy sitting ramrod straight. ‘I don’t have to work a week in hand?’
Molly shook her head. ‘No, girl, no week in hand. We’re only a small shop and when yer get paid it’ll be for work yer’ve already done. If yer don’t work, yer don’t get paid, it’s as easy as that.’
Katy sighed with pleasure. ‘I’m glad I’ll have a few bob to give me mam. Even two bob would make such a difference to her.’
‘You do the work, girl, and we’ll give yer the money. And, Katy, I think we’re all goin’ to get on like a house on fire.’ Molly grinned. ‘Just don’t run off with my feller, that’s all I ask.’
While Katy was being given news that pleased and excited her, Doreen wasn’t faring so well. As soon as she’d got in from school her mother had collared her and sat her down at the table. ‘Have yer made it up with Katy?’
Doreen’s fair hair fanned her face when she shook her head. ‘It’s not up to me to make it up, she’s the one what started it. She told me I had a flaming cheek, and I’m not lettin’ her get away with that!’
‘I was in the sweetshop today,’ Betty’s voice was deceptively calm, ‘and I mentioned to Molly about Katy getting the job. In a roundabout way, I got the story of what really happened. And I’ll tell yer this, if I’d have been Katy I’d have done more than tell yer yer had a flamin’ cheek, I’d have clocked yer one. Of all the dirty tricks to pull on a friend, that one takes some beating, believe me.’
‘I don’t know what all the fuss is about. There was a job goin’ and I asked for it! Where’s the harm in that?’ Doreen’s face was defiant. ‘Yer want me to get a job, don’t yer?’
‘Don’t you pull that face on me, my girl, or use that tone of voice. Of course I want yer to get a job, but not at the expense of someone who’s been yer mate since yer were babies. If you can’t see what yer did was a lousy trick, then I’m probably wasting me breath talking to yer, but for me own sake I’ve got to get it off me chest.’ Betty took a deep breath to calm her frustration. ‘Over the years, when you’ve been gettin’ new dresses and fancy shoes, Katy has had to make do with cast-offs. But never once has she moaned or complained, because she loves her mam and understands she can’t afford the sort of gear you were gettin’. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard her telling yer how nice yer looked, but never once have I heard you paying her a compliment. Even when she’s offered a job with the chance to earn a few bob to buy herself the things you take for granted, ye’re not happy for her, are yer? Oh no, yer try and steal it from her! Well, if ye’re wondering why Molly offered the job to Katy and not to you, just stand up and take a good look at yerself in the mirror. Ye’re my daughter, but ye’re selfish through and through. The best thing that’s ever happened to yer was having Katy Baker for a friend. She was a good friend to you, but you were never a friend to her. Falling out with her is your loss, not hers.’
Betty pushed the chair back and stood up. She smoothed down the front of her wrap-around pinny as she eyed her daughter. ‘Carry on the way yer are, Doreen, and ye’re in for a lonely life.’
Chapter Three
‘Things are looking up, aren’t they, sunshine?’ Dot drained her teacup, careful to keep her lips on the side of the cup that wasn’t chipped at the rim. New crockery was way down the list of things they needed, but it would be heaven to have a cup and saucer that matched, still had its handle intact and was minus chips and cracks. ‘It seems yer’ve landed on yer feet with the Edwards. They sound like good employers.’
‘They’re awful nice, Mam, so friendly and easy to get on with. And fancy them lettin’ me serve some customers – not many would do that. I only sold papers, but they let me take the money and put it in the till. I was terrified at first, then I began to enjoy meself. A couple of our neighbours were in and they pulled me leg a bit, but it was all in good fun and we didn’t half have a laugh.’ Katy passed a slice of bread over to Colin. ‘Can you eat this? I’m full up with all the excitement.’
Dot laughed. ‘Have yer ever known yer brother to refuse anything that he can put in his mouth? Old seven bellies, that’s him.’
‘Don’t upset him, Mam, for heaven’s sake – it’s Be Nice to Colin time.’ Katy put her arm across her brother’s shoulders. ‘If I go to the shop after school, will you do the same as yer did today? Set the fire and the table, and run to the shops if necessary?’
Colin narrowed his eyes. ‘Will I be on for the threepence yer promised me?’
‘I don’t know how much I’ll be gettin’ meself, but I did promise, so yeah, I’ll give yer the money. But don’t ever come the old soldier, Colin, and say yer didn’t do this, that or the other ’cos yer didn’t feel well. No work, no pay.’
‘He’ll keep to his word, won’t yer, son?’ Dot smiled across the table. ‘He knows which side his bread’s buttered on. In a couple of weeks we’ll all feel the benefit of the extra money coming in. Life will be much easier.’
‘Mam, I’ve been thinking.’ Katy pushed her plate to one side so she could rest her elbows on the table. ‘If you’ve got enough to pay for the food over Christmas, can the few bob I earn be spent on Christmassy things? Just a few streamers and some tinsel to brighten the place up.’
‘It’s your money, sunshine, so you can do what yer like with it.’
There was a trace of sadness in Dot’s smile. ‘Yeah, go on, you go ahead and brighten the place up. We might have empty purses, but our tummies and our hearts will be full and the house will be cheerful . . . what more can we ask for?’ She glanced at the clock. ‘What time does the queer feller next door go out every night, d’yer know? I want to have a word with Mary and I’m not going when he’s in.’
‘Around eight o’clock, I think,’ Katy said. ‘I’ve never really taken much notice, but it’s roughly the same time every night.’
‘I’ll get these dishes done first, then I can sit and have a warm while I’m waiting. You keep yer eye out for him passing the window, Colin, there’s a good boy.’
Katy gave her mother a hand with the dishes, then they pulled the old dolly tub out to put some clothes in to steep overnight. ‘I won’t be able to do these for yer tomorrow after school, Mam, ’cos I’ll be going straight to the shop. But I can show our Colin how to use the dolly peg in the morning, and he can have a go. He won’t do it properly, yer can’t expect that, but at least he’ll get the worst of the dirt out.’
‘No, yer need to use plenty of elbow grease when yer use the dolly peg and he wouldn’t understand that ’cos he’s never had to do it. Yer can’t put an old head on young shoulders, sunshine, it wouldn’t be fair to try.’ Dot picked a dirty shirt off the floor and held it out. ‘This has been sewn that many times it won’t take much more. The material’s so thin now it wouldn’t stand a needle and thread.’