by Joan Jonker
Katy was expecting the shop to be quiet on the Monday before Christmas because people were usually skint after the weekend. But her mam had never been able to afford to go in a tontine, so she didn’t know that the week before Christmas was pay-out time, when the housewives got back the money they’d paid in every week of the year, even on weeks they could ill-afford it. And today they were intent on getting the children’s presents in before their husbands came home from work and cadged a few bob off them for the pub.
The women were all in a happy frame of mind and it rubbed off on Katy. She was bubbling with happiness as she brought selection boxes off the shelves, Christmas stockings filled with assorted bars, chocolate money in gold net bags, and a variety of chocolate animals covered in silver paper with a little red loop at the top for hanging on the tree. Some of the orders came to over a pound, and Katy wasn’t taking any chances by trying to add it all up in her head. She didn’t want anyone coming back and saying they’d been overcharged, so she asked Jim for some paper and a pencil and wrote every item down so the customer could see what she was paying for.
While Molly and Katy worked flat out, serving, Jim filled the shelves as quickly as they emptied them. They laughed and joked with the customers as they filled baskets and shopping bags, but there was no time to stand and hold a conversation. It was pleasant work, though, serving women who had wide smiles on their faces instead of scrounging around on a Monday, robbing Peter to pay Paul, they had some money in their well-worn purses. Many of them had big families and wouldn’t be spending a penny on themselves, but as long as the kids came down on Christmas morning to find pillow-cases or stockings filled with goodies, that was good enough for them.
Molly went to open the door for one lady who was laden down, and as she came back behind the counter, she whispered to Katy, ‘Am I glad you had an understanding headmistress! I’ll say I am!’
Katy grinned. ‘That makes two of us.’
It was late afternoon when Katy found herself facing Doreen across the counter. She was so taken aback, she didn’t know how to react. They’d been friends all their lives and it was stupid to fall out. But she wasn’t the one who’d caused the rift, so it wasn’t up to her to make the first move. ‘Can I get something for yer?’
‘Hello, Katy.’ The girl’s face was flushed with embarrassment. ‘I only came down to see how yer were getting on in yer new job.’
‘I’m doing fine, thank you, I love it.’ Katy regarded her friend thoughtfully. ‘Did yer mam tell yer to come?’
Doreen shook her head. ‘No, I came off me own bat. I don’t want to be out of friends with yer, so shall we make up?’
‘I never fell out of friends, Doreen, it was you.’ Katy was conscious of the customers waiting to be served. ‘I haven’t got time to talk now, but yeah, of course we can be mates again. I’ll slip up to yours tonight, that’s best.’
Doreen passed an envelope across the counter. ‘I brought yer a Christmas card.’
‘Oh, that’s nice, thank you.’ As Katy picked up the card she was groaning inside. Oh dear, she hadn’t got a card to give in return. In fact, she hadn’t got a card for anyone. She hadn’t even thought about it because there’d never been money for cards before. ‘I’ll bring yours up tonight. Thanks, Doreen.’
With a smile on her face, Doreen turned away. ‘See yer later.’ She was glad her mam had nagged her into coming because although she wouldn’t admit it, she had missed her friend. And now they were getting old enough to go to the pictures at night, she had to have someone to go with or she wouldn’t be allowed out.
As Katy served, her mind was on Christmas cards. They sold them in the shop, six in a pack for threepence. She had threepence in her purse because her mam had insisted she kept a few coppers out of her wages. And six cards would just about go around. There were the Edwards – they’d definitely get one for being so kind to her. Then there was Doreen and Billy, Mrs Campbell next door, her Grandma Baker and her mam and Colin. There was a smile on Katy’s face as she handed a customer her change, but her mind was telling her only a magician could make six cards go around seven people. Then she solved the problem by deciding one card would do between her mother and brother. And she’d do the same as Doreen had – deliver them by hand. It cost too much to post them, and anyway, it was daft when you saw the people every day.
Katy worked until seven o’clock every night that week, and when Saturday came she was given ten shillings wages. She’d never had a ten-shilling note before, and oh, the joy of hearing the rustle as she fingered it in her pocket. She couldn’t wait to see her mam’s face when she handed it to her.
Dot had the dinner ready to put on the table when her daughter walked in. ‘Oh, yer must be dog-tired, sunshine. It’s a long time to be on yer feet.’
‘I don’t mind, Mam, I enjoy it.’ When Katy took the note from her pocket she felt so important she thought her heart would burst. She waved it under her mother’s nose, teasing, ‘How about that then? Not bad, eh?’
Dot gasped and stared at the note for a second, then her face lit up. ‘Not bad? It’s bloody marvellous, love!’
Colin was by his sister’s side in a flash. ‘Ten bob! Ye’re rich, our Katy.’
‘Not yet I’m not, not by a long chalk.’ Katy put her face close to his. ‘But stick around, brother, ’cos one day I might be.’
‘There’s other riches in the world beside money,’ Dot said. ‘If yer’ve got love, a good family and friends around yer, and yer enjoy good health, then yer can call yerself rich.’
‘It won’t worry me if I never have a lot of money, Mam,’ Katy said. ‘I’d just like enough to live on without scrimping from one week to the next.’
‘You’re easy pleased, you are.’ Colin was staring wide-eyed at the note. ‘I’d like to have loads of dosh in me hand.’
‘Well, ye’re not getting yer hands on this, it’s all for me mam.’ Katy held the note out. ‘Here yer are, Mam.’
Dot shook her head. ‘No, yer’ve been working all the hours God sends, yer deserve some pocket money. We’ll go half each, eh?’
Katy considered a moment. There was a haberdashery shop next to the sweetshop and the woman who owned it sold scarves, gloves and blouses, as well as cottons, ribbons and buttons. There was a pair of gloves in the window – black woollen ones that would keep her mother’s hands warm when she went to work in the winter mornings. She’d like to buy them for her as a surprise, and a present for Colin. ‘I’ll tell yer what, Mam, just give me a shilling. I’ve promised to go in tomorrow to help with the last of the Christmas orders, and Mrs Edwards said she’d give me two bob for it.’
‘Oh, not on a Sunday, sunshine, yer need some rest.’
‘It’ll be quiet after Christmas, Mam, so I might as well make the most of it while I can. It won’t be a full day because there’s not that much to do, the big orders have all been delivered. These are only for the women who didn’t want the things until the last minute because they said their kids would strip the house if they knew Father Christmas had come early.’ Katy pressed the note into her mother’s hand and closed her fingers over it. ‘Just give me a shilling and I’ll have plenty with the two bob I get tomorrow.’
‘I feel lousy takin’ it off yer, sunshine, it just doesn’t seem fair. Not after you puttin’ all the hours in that yer have.’
‘I’ll be getting it back, won’t I? If ye’re buying me a present, something new to wear on Christmas Day, I’ll be more than satisfied.’
Colin was all ears. ‘Am I gettin’ something new to wear, as well?’
‘We’ll see.’ Dot gave Katy a knowing look. Colin’s new shirt was already wrapped up and hidden on top of the wardrobe. But it wouldn’t be there long if he knew about it. ‘It depends how far the money will stretch.’
‘I’ll look well, won’t I, if you two are dressed to the nines an’ I’m sitting in me old shirt that’s nearly fallin’ off me back?’
Katy patted his cheek. ‘Now, now! If Fa
ther Christmas hears yer moaning, he’ll think ye’re a naughty boy and he won’t bring you anything.’
‘Sit down, the pair of yer, or this dinner won’t be fit to eat.’ Dot bustled into the kitchen. ‘I was hoping to go and see me ma tonight, ’cos I won’t feel like it on Monday after working all day. And although we finish work at dinner-time on Christmas Eve, I’ll be too busy getting the shopping in.’ She carried a plate through and put it down quickly in front of Katy. ‘Don’t yer put her hands on that, sunshine, it’s red hot.’
‘If ye’re going to Grandma’s, yer won’t forget to take me card, will yer?’ Katy speared a sprout and blew on it. ‘I wish I could buy her a present. I mean, yer should buy yer grandma a present at Christmas, shouldn’t yer?’
‘Me ma understands what the money situation’s been, Katy. She knows if we could afford it we’d be up there every week.’ Dot’s widowed mother lived off Walton Road, which wasn’t that far but it still cost eightpence in fares for the three of them to visit her. And until last week Dot had had to make every penny count just to keep her head above water. ‘She’s going to our Mary’s for Christmas dinner, but next year, please God, we can invite her here.’
‘Yeah, things will be different next year.’ Katy’s eyes went around the room. The decorations looked nice but they didn’t hide the fact that the wallpaper was dirty. It was brown with age and the smoke from the fire, and on the ceiling, right over the gas light, there was a big black ring. ‘This room will be nice by then, won’t it, Mam?’
‘I certainly hope so, sunshine, I’m fed-up looking at it. I’m frightened to invite anyone in, I’m that ashamed.’
‘And the year after next will be better still.’ Colin was swinging his legs back, kicking the bottom of his chair seat. ‘I’ll be fourteen then, and we’ll be dead rich with three wages comin’ into the house.’
‘Don’t speak too soon, son, it doesn’t do to plan so far ahead.’ Dot felt a sadness come down on her. They’d made so many plans, her and Ted, and look what had happened. But it wouldn’t be fair to burden the children with her heartache; they had their whole lives ahead of them. And, please God, they’d have good lives. She gave a little shiver to rid herself of her memories then forced a smile to her face. ‘But I do think that things are looking up for the Baker family.’
When the shop closed on Christmas Eve, Katy began filling a bag with the presents she’d wrapped for her mam and Colin, and the gift the Edwards’ had given her. It had been a wonderful day, with the customers full of excitement and merriment, bringing a party spirit into the shop. They’d been mad busy from early morning right up to Jim Edwards finally putting the bar across the door and turning the sign to read Closed. Katy was very tired, but it was a nice tiredness, and she thought there could be no girl in the world more happy than she was right then.
Jim was clearing the counter while Molly swept the floor, and Katy was reluctant to leave while there was still work to be done. ‘I’ll mop it when yer’ve finished sweeping, Mrs Edwards. It won’t take me long and you’ll both be finished that much quicker.’
Molly shook her head. ‘No, you get on home, love, yer’ve done enough.’ She leaned her chin on the top of the broom handle. ‘Yer’ve kept up with us all day, and that takes some doing for a fourteen-year-old. Me and Jim got a bargain when we got you.’
Katy picked up the bag and smiled. ‘I got the best of the bargain, and I know when I’m lucky. I thank you for me present and I’m only sorry I couldn’t give yer one back. But I’ll find out when yer birthdays are and treat yer then.’
Molly pulled a face. She was a bonny woman, cuddly without being fat. Her mousy-coloured hair was peppered with grey, but she had rosy cheeks and a good complexion, making it difficult to tell her age. ‘Listen to me, girl, if yer want to stay popular then yer won’t mention birthdays. When yer’ve had as many as us yer don’t want to be reminded.’
Jim gave out a loud guffaw. ‘My dear wife has been forty for the last twenty years! She said I can grow old if I want to, but she’s not coming with me.’
‘My grandma says that ye’re only as old as yer feel, Mr Edwards.’
‘Then your grandma hasn’t worked in a shop, Katy.’ Jim walked across to his wife and put his arm across her shoulders. ‘I think I can speak for Molly when I say we both feel as old as the hills right now. Eh, love?’
Molly grinned and ran a hand over his balding head, making the wisps of fine white hair stand on end. ‘I feel tired enough to admit to fifty, but no more.’
Jim’s eyes moved to the window where he could see a figure lurking. ‘I think yer’d better go, Katy, ’cos young Billy Harlow has been hanging around for the last half hour.’
Katy tucked the bag under her arm. ‘He’s probably waiting to tell me how he got on today. He was going to see his dad’s boss about a job.’
‘Ah, I hope he got it,’ Molly said. ‘He’s a nice boy.’
‘Yeah, it would be a nice Christmas present for him.’ Katy stood by the door. ‘I’ll see yer on Saturday, then. I hope yer have a lovely Christmas, and thanks for me pressie.’
‘No opening it until tomorrow, d’yer hear?’
‘I won’t.’ Katy lifted the bar from the door. ‘Will you put this back after me, Mr Edwards? If not, yer might get more customers coming in.’
‘If Clark Gable himself walked up to that door, I wouldn’t let him in. And considerin’ he’s the most handsome man on two legs, that’s saying something.’ Molly’s brows drew together and she tapped a finger on her chin. ‘On second thoughts, I might just make an exception for Clark Gable. I mean, he wouldn’t come back if I refused him once, would he?’
Jim feigned a sad expression as he took the bar from Katy. ‘See what I’m up against, love? That’s the worst of marrying a younger woman.’
Katy smiled, knowing the couple thought the world of each other. ‘Good night, and thanks again for everything.’ She stepped into the road and gave a cry of surprise when she found herself almost nose-to-nose with Billy. ‘Oh, yer daft nit, fancy comin’ up on me like that. I nearly jumped out of me skin!’ She searched his face. ‘Yer got the job, didn’t yer?’
Billy’s teeth were chattering and he was frozen to the bone. But his heart was glowing with pride. ‘Yeah, I start the Monday after Christmas.’
‘Ooh, I’m made up for yer, Billy. That’s both of us got jobs right away – aren’t we lucky? I bet yer mam’s pleased, too.’
‘Yeah, she’s like a cat with two tails.’ Billy lived in Province Road, just yards away from the block of shops, but he fell into step beside Katy, saying, ‘I’ll walk yer home.’
‘Billy, yer look like death warmed up. Go home and get beside the fire. The last thing yer need now is a cold.’
‘Nah, I’m all right. I’ll walk with yer and I can tell yer about me job. Not that I’m goin’ to stick at it for ever. I’m definitely going away to sea as soon as I can talk me mam round.’
‘Some hope yer’ve got there, Billy, ’cos, knowing yer mam, she won’t want her lovely son to leave home.’
Billy hunched his shoulders and dug his hands deep in his pockets. ‘She’s got me two brothers at home, and me dad, it’s not as though she’d be on her own. And it wouldn’t be for ever, just for a year or two. I’ve always had a hankering to go to sea, ever since I can remember. I want to see something of the world, and I’ll not be content until I’ve got it out of me system.’
‘If I were you, Billy, I’d keep that to meself for a while. Yer don’t want to spoil yer mam’s Christmas for her, do yer? Start yer job, and stick it for a while. Yer never know, yer might like it and forget all about going to sea.’
‘No chance.’ Billy had set his heart on a life on the ocean wave, and nothing would change his mind. ‘One of me uncles goes to sea, and he told me yer can learn yer trade on the boats. Carry on with yer apprenticeship, like.’
They stopped outside Katy’s house. ‘I won’t ask yer in, Billy, ’cos me mam will be up to her neck
in work. But I hope yer have a nice Christmas, and I hope that sometime in the future yer get what ye’re hankering after.’
‘I hope you have a nice time, too, Katy, and I’ll call in the shop to see yer after the holiday. Remember me to yer mam and wish her all the best for me.’
When Colin opened the door, he eyed the bag his sister was carrying. ‘What have yer got in there – something nice?’
‘Yer’ll find out tomorrow, nose fever. Just you keep yer thieving hands off.’ Katy found her mother in the kitchen peeling potatoes. There was a pan on the stove with carrots and turnips in, and another with sprouts. ‘You’ve been busy, Mam.’
‘You ain’t kidding, sunshine. I haven’t stopped since I got out of bed this morning. I went into town after work and got all me shopping in, and I’ve given the house a bit of a do since. And when I’ve finished these spuds everything will be prepared for the dinner tomorrow. All I’ll have to do is put a light under the pans.’ Dot threw the potato-peeler down and lifted the heavy pan on to the stove. ‘I’ve got all the eats ready for tomorrow, but I’ve nowt in for tonight. Will yer have chips from the chippy?’
‘Anything will do, Mam, as long as it takes the hunger off. How about toast?’
‘You would say that wouldn’t yer?’ Colin was leaning against the doorjamb, a look of disgust on his face. ‘A round of toast won’t fill me, I’m a growing lad! Let me go to the chippy, Mam, and we’ll have chips and scallops.’
Dot rinsed her hands under the tap and reached for the towel hanging on a nail behind the door. She shrugged her shoulders at Katy. ‘Anything for a quiet life, sunshine, I haven’t got the energy to argue.’ She jerked her head at Colin. ‘Pass me purse off the sideboard, there’s a good lad. Threepence worth of mixed, and run all the way there and back.’
Chapter Five
John Kershaw had been out for a Christmas drink with the men he worked with. And as he cycled home, he was telling himself that the few pints he’d had were the only enjoyment he’d have over Christmas. In fact, tomorrow could be any old day as far as he was concerned. He turned into Willard Street, so lost in thought he didn’t see the figure leave the pavement and run across the road directly in his path. He felt the impact of the collision and struggled to right the bike. Then to his dismay he heard a cry of pain and saw a boy lying in the road at the side of him. He quickly cocked his leg over the crossbar and laid the bike down. ‘Are you hurt, son?’ When John knelt down he could see the boy was crying. ‘Tell me where it hurts.’