by Joan Jonker
John couldn’t remember ever feeling so angry and disgusted. That a man would speak so of his wife, and in front of two other women, repulsed him. He turned to Dot. ‘Please take your friend inside, Mrs Baker.’
The women didn’t need telling twice. Shocked and embarrassed, they stepped into the Campbells’ tiny hall. Maggie blessed herself before saying, ‘May the good Lord forgive him for his evil thoughts. If I hadn’t heard it with me own ears, sure I wouldn’t have believed a man could speak so dirty, and that’s the truth of it, so it is.’
‘God may forgive him, Maggie, but I certainly won’t.’ There was bitterness in Dot’s voice. ‘Not after the things he said about me. I hope John gives him a bloody good hiding.’
She pushed open the living-room door and when she saw Mary, her own feelings took second place. Her neighbour was crouched on the floor behind a chair in a corner of the room. A lock of lank hair was hanging down her tear-stained face and her clothes were in disarray around her thighs. Dot closed her eyes for a second, then, with Maggie’s help, pulled the chair out of the way. ‘Come on, sunshine, let me help yer up.’
Mary whimpered and shook her head. Her arms were wrapped around her thin body and there was a look of fear on her face, reminding the women of a trapped animal. ‘Where is he?’
‘He’s outside, having a talk to a friend of mine.’ Dot bent down, ‘Maggie, will you take the other arm and help me get her to a chair?’
The gas light was turned so low the room was dark and miserable. Dot could understand that Mary had to be economical, but this wasn’t the time for trying to save a copper. ‘I’m turning the light up, so we can see what we’re saying.’ She ignored Mary’s protest and stood on one of the wooden chairs to pull on the chain hanging at the side of the glass shade. ‘That’s better.’ It was as she was jumping down from the chair that she saw the reason for her neighbour not wanting the room lit. The bruising on both of Mary’s cheeks was beginning to colour, there was blood coming from her nose and her bottom lip had been split. And around both wrists were angry red marks.
Dot could feel a headache coming on with all the upset, and she rubbed the heel of her hand across her brow as she walked to where Mary sat. Putting a finger under her neighbour’s chin, she raised her face. ‘Is this what he gave yer for yer Christmas present?’
Mary lowered her eyes in shame and humiliation. ‘He’s had a lot to drink.’
‘Oh, so that excuses him, does it? He’s allowed a belt for every pint, is that how he works it out? And you in the family way! Well, he wants hung, drawn and bloody quartered. You might not like what I’m going to do, Mary, but believe me, I’m only doing what I think is best for yer. I’m not getting at yer, sunshine, but me and Maggie worry about yer. We can’t just stand back and let him belt that baby out of yer. So I’m asking someone in to see yer.’ When she saw the look of terror in eyes that were already beginning to close over, Dot was filled with hatred for the man who could hurt someone as gentle as Mary. ‘Maggie will stay with yer while I go outside for a minute.’
There was an argument raging in Dot’s head. Part of her mind was saying she shouldn’t get John mixed up in this, he was a total stranger and it wasn’t fair. He did a good turn in bringing Colin home, then finds himself in a fight! But he’d followed her out on his own accord, she hadn’t asked him to. Nor had she asked him to take Tom Campbell on. If he could just put the fear of God into the drunken bully, he’d be doing them all a favour. Paddy would do it, of that she was sure, but he had to live next door to the man and heaven only knew what retribution would be forthcoming. When Tom Campbell had drink in him he was capable of anything. But John would never see him again, never see any of them again.
John was still holding Tom prisoner, backed up against the wall. ‘How is she?’ he asked.
‘Can I speak to yer for a minute?’
‘Of course.’ John released his grip, saying, ‘If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay right where you are.’
Dot turned her back on Tom. She could see Paddy standing near and knew he’d be ready if trouble broke out. ‘Listen, Mr Kershaw – John – this is not your problem, so if yer want to walk away, I’ll understand.’
‘But it’s not your problem, either, is it, Dot? And I don’t see you walking away.’
‘That’s different, Mary’s me neighbour and me mate – I owe it to her. But we’re all strangers to you – you don’t owe us anything.’
‘No man who is worth his salt would ignore a woman in distress. So if you need my help, all you have to do is ask.’
‘I’d like yer to see what Tom Campbell has done to his wife, then tell him what yer think of him. I know I’ve got a cheek, making use of yer like this, but yer see, she’s having a baby and he’s told her he doesn’t want a brat in the house. And if he has his way, she won’t have it. That’s why me and the O’Connors are so worried.’
John glanced to where Tom was standing. ‘He won’t move, so lead the way.’
‘Mary, this is a friend, John Kershaw. He’s been having a talk with yer husband.’
John wasn’t prepared for such a sight. If he’d known the brutality the man was capable of, he wouldn’t have pulled his punches. ‘I’m sorry we meet under these circumstances, Mrs Campbell. I’m also sorry to have to say your husband is a bully and a coward; he makes me ashamed of my own sex. But I’ve had a good talk to him and I think he’ll see reason from now on.’
Mary kept her head down. ‘Ye’re right about him being a bully and a coward, but wrong about him seeing reason. Yer see, my husband doesn’t know what reason is.’
‘Oh, I think he’s beginning to understand. He certainly knows that the reason I hit him the first time was because he said some dreadful things about Mrs Baker.’
Mary’s head came up. ‘Yer hit him?’
John nodded. ‘Several times, Mrs Campbell. I asked him to apologise for the things he’d said, but he not only refused, he insulted her further. So I had no alternative but to defend a woman’s honour and I hit him again.’
Mary’s hand went to her mouth. ‘Oh dear, I’m the one that’ll bear the brunt of his anger. He won’t fight with you, but I’m an easy target. I can’t fight back.’
‘Well, I’ll have another word with him before I bring him in. If he refuses to behave and is a threat to you, I’ll walk him to the police station.’
‘Mary doesn’t have to stay here tonight,’ Maggie said. ‘She can stay with us – we’ve got a spare bedroom.’
‘That might solve the problem for tonight, Mrs O’Connor, but unless she wishes to leave her husband for good, she’s got to come home sometime. Better get it sorted out once and for all.’ John lifted his brows at Dot. ‘Perhaps it would be better if you ladies left? He’s not going to enjoy having his ego deflated in front of two women, that would be like rubbing salt in an open wound. And it might be best if you went out the back way.’
‘Yeah, OK.’ Dot squeezed Mary’s shoulder. ‘If yer want me or Maggie, just knock on the wall and we’ll come running.’
‘Thanks, Dot, and thank you, Maggie. I might be unlucky in me choice of husband, but I’m very lucky to have good neighbours like you.’
‘John, yer will call in and let me know what happens, won’t yer?’ Dot asked. ‘I’ll lie awake all night if yer don’t.’
‘Of course I will. I wouldn’t leave without seeing the invalid, anyway.’
‘Yer mean yer hit him again before yer brought him in?’ Dot’s voice was high with surprise and more than a trace of pleasure. She couldn’t get Mary’s face out of her mind and she now hoped the devil was feeling the same pain he’d inflicted on his wife. ‘What made yer do that?’
‘Because I went easy on him with the first two punches, after he’d insulted you. But when I saw what he’d done to his wife – well, I’m afraid I let my anger and disgust get the better of me and I gave him a real belter.’
Colin was stretched out on the couch, his sore foot resting on a cushio
n. His face was alive with excitement and his head was moving from side to side as if he was shadow-boxing. Oh, he’d have given anything to see the big man knock the stuffing out of that horrible bloke next door. ‘How many times did yer hit him, Mr Kershaw?’
‘Colin!’ Dot tapped a finger against the side of her nose. ‘Just keep this out of it, it’s not for your ears. Anyway, it’s way past yer bedtime, although how we’re going to manage that, heaven only knows. Any other night I’d let yer sleep on the couch, but not Christmas Eve, I’ve got too much to do.’
‘I’ll help him upstairs,’ John said. ‘That’s no problem.’
‘I want to go to the lavvy, Mam, I’ve been wanting to go for ages.’
‘He has, Mam,’ Katy said, ‘but when I offered to fetch him the bucket he went mad.’
Colin glared at her. If looks could kill, Katy would have been a dead duck. ‘Yer know what you can do, don’t yer? I’m not using no bucket, so there.’
The look of utter mortification on the boy’s face made John smile. After the carry-on of the last half hour, he was glad of a little light relief. ‘I’m at your service, Master Baker. Would you like me to escort you down the yard?’
Colin grinned. ‘I’ll glad your mam made yer speak proper, Mr Kershaw, ’cos it doesn’t half sound funny.’
‘It does not!’ Dot was horrified. After all the poor man had done for them, and now he was getting insulted all ends up. ‘We’d all be better off if we spoke like Mr Kershaw.’
‘Me mam’s right.’ There were daggers in the look Katy threw at her brother. ‘My teacher used to speak like him, and the headmistress.’
John chuckled. ‘You’re out-numbered, my lad, so I’d give up if I were you.’ He stretched his long arms over his head before getting to his feet. ‘Come on, let’s take you to the toilet, then up to bed.’ With hands that were gentle, he sat the boy up, then helped him to stand on his good leg. ‘If I put my arm around your waist to support you, I think you’ll manage very well to hop the short distance.’
Mother and daughter smiled across at each other when they heard John giving some advice as he helped Colin down the back step. ‘Take a tip from me, son, never try and get the better of a woman ’cos nine times out of ten you’ll end up the loser. They’ll have the last word if it kills them so far better to keep calm and give in gracefully.’
‘Yeah, dead bossy, they are.’
Dot grinned. ‘Cheeky blighter! I’ve a good mind not to give him his new shirt.’ She tilted her head sideways. ‘What have you got him?’
‘I’m not telling yer.’ Katy sounded very determined. ‘And I’m not telling yer what I’ve got for you, either, so yer needn’t bother asking. All me presents are wrapped up and they’re going on the sideboard as soon as our Colin goes to bed.’
‘Ye’re a good girl, Katy.’ Dot crossed her arms and hugged herself. ‘Thanks to you we’re going to have a good Christmas.’
‘Don’t keep saying that, Mam. You bring much more into the house than I do.’
‘There’s a big difference, sunshine! I’m yer mother and it’s up to me to look after yer. But you didn’t have to be as generous as yer’ve been. Most other girls would have kept more for themselves.’
‘How long is it, Mam, since you had a half-a-crown in yer hand and nothing to do with it only spend it on yerself?’
‘We’ve survived, Katy, and when yer dad first died I never thought we’d do that. I had visions of us being turned out on the street and ending up sleeping on yer grandma’s floor.’
They didn’t hear John carrying Colin back, nor did they know he’d been a listener to the last part of their conversation. ‘Here’s the wounded soldier. Shall I take him straight up to bed or lay him on the couch?’
‘Straight up to bed, please. I’ve got stacks to do and I’ll never get it done while he’s here, asking this, that and the other.’
‘Ah, ay, Mam! Can’t I stay down until Mr Kershaw goes? Please?’
‘Colin, I’m sure Mr Kershaw can’t wait to get out of the house. God knows we’ve kept him long enough. And don’t forget it’s Christmas Eve. With a bit of luck Santa might call with a present for yer.’
Colin twisted in John’s arms and looked up into his face. ‘Yer see, I told yer they were bossy, didn’t I?’
‘And I told you what to do, didn’t I?’ John gave a conspiratorial, man-to-man wink. ‘Best if you follow my advice.’
‘Yeah, OK. Will you take me up?’
‘I’ll show you how to get up the stairs on your own, then you can come down the same way in the morning as long as your mother helps you to the top of the stairs.’
With Dot and Katy crowded behind him in the tiny hall, John set the boy down on the bottom stair. ‘Now, keep your left leg straight out so you don’t knock your sore ankle, and use your other foot to lever yourself on to the next stair.’
Colin soon got the hang of it and in no time was sitting on the top stair. ‘Did yer see that, Mam? I did it!’
‘That was very good, son, I’m proud of yer.’
‘If I put him on the bed, will he be able to undress himself or shall I give him a hand?’
‘Just put him on the bed, John, I’ll see to him.’ As Dot ran up the stairs she was thinking this man would expect her son to have pyjamas, a luxury they’d never been able to afford. ‘I won’t be five minutes.’
When she came downstairs she was shaking her head and grinning. ‘He’s not half going to give us the runaround. His lordship wants a cup of tea in bed, no less.’
‘I’ll make it, Mam.’ Katy looked at John. ‘Would yer like a drink, Mr Kershaw?’
Dot opened her mouth then quickly closed it. What a miserable article she was. She’d made use of this man, now she had no further use for him, she wanted him gone. If that wasn’t being ungrateful she didn’t know what was. She spread out her hands. ‘If yer want to make a run for it, John, I wouldn’t blame yer ’cos yer must have had a bellyful of the Baker family by now. What with one thing and another, we’ve spoilt yer whole night for yer.’
John smiled at Katy, who was still standing by the kitchen door. ‘I’d love another cup of tea, thank you.’ He turned to Dot and said, ‘I had nothing else to do tonight.’
‘Well, sit yerself down, ye’re that big yer make the place look untidy.’ Dot’s smile told him she was joking. When he was seated, she said, ‘Before we go any further, I want to know about this bike of yours. If the wheel’s buckled, and it was our Colin’s fault, I want to help pay for it. Not this week, mind, but the week after.’
‘Don’t give it a thought – it won’t cost me a penny,’ John lied. ‘I’ve got a friend who repairs bikes, he’ll do it for me as a favour. Anyway, it wasn’t all your son’s fault, I was as much to blame. My mind was miles away instead of being on the road.’
‘Are you telling me the truth?’
‘It’s hardly worth lying over a couple of shillings, is it?’
In the kitchen, Katy heaved a sigh of relief. They’d agreed that her next full week’s wages would go on buying wallpaper and paint for the living room. She’d be very disappointed if they had to wait until the following week. It would be nice to see the house looking bright and cheerful, but she wanted it more for her mother’s sake than her own. Her mam deserved to have a house she could be proud of, and she deserved to have some decent clothes, too.
Standing by the stove waiting for the kettle to boil, Katy listened to the conversation going on in the front room with a smile on her face. It was strange to hear a man’s voice, but she liked it. And wasn’t it funny that it all happened because their Colin never looked where he was going?
John stretched his legs out and ran two fingers down the crease in his trousers. ‘There’s been no sound from next door, has there?’
Dot shook her head. ‘Not a dickie bird! Whether that’s a good sign or not remains to be seen. If I can pluck up the courage tomorrow, I’ll give a knock and wish Mary the compliments of the season.’ Then she
pulled a face. ‘No, best not to. How can yer wish anyone a Happy Christmas when their face has been battered, when they’ve probably got no coal for the fire, no food in the cupboard and no one to pass them a civil word.’
Katy came in carrying two steaming cups of tea. ‘I’ll give a knock next door tomorrow, if yer like, Mam. If Mary answers the door I could ask her to come in here for an hour or two. She’d have someone to talk to and be nice and warm.’
‘I wouldn’t do that, Katy, because her husband is not a nice man,’ John said quickly and decisively. ‘If he came to the door the chances are he could be verbally or physically abusive.’
Katy grinned. ‘I’m not frightened of him, Mr Kershaw, ’cos I’m a good runner. If he came near me I’d give him a good kick on his shins and scarper.’
Dot saw the concern on John’s face and hastened to assure him. ‘There’s no way I’d let me daughter go near there. He’s not fit to breathe the same air as her.’
‘I could walk around tomorrow and give a knock, if you like,’ John offered. ‘It would set my own mind at rest if I knew he was keeping to his promise and she was all right.’