by Joan Jonker
Dot rested the potato-peeler on the draining board, her eyes wide with disbelief. ‘Go ’way! Yer mean yer kneed him?’
Mary nodded. ‘Yeah, twice. And I’ve used the cosh that John gave me. Each time he’s doubled up with pain and it’s given me a chance to run down the yard and into the entry. But he’s determined to get his own back, and he thought he had the chance this afternoon. Once he’d got me in the house I wouldn’t have been in a position to defend meself. Yer see, he didn’t notice Betty, as she was standing in the hall.’
‘Well, I be blowed! I never thought yer had it in yer, sunshine, I really didn’t. So the bold lad hasn’t been getting things all his own way, then?’
Mary lowered her eyes. If Dot could see the bruises on her body she’d know her husband had ways of getting his own back. She only had to look sideways at him and he’d punch her with a curled fist. She never knew when or where the blows were going to land; it could be in the small of her back, chest, thighs, and once or twice on the side of her tummy. ‘He gives me a belt now and then, but nothing like he used to.’
‘I should hope not, sunshine, for the baby’s sake.’
‘I know that, Dot, and I am careful.’
‘Yer need to be, with that bastard.’ Dot finished peeling the potato and threw it into a pan of water. ‘Yer’ll have to excuse me language, Mary, but that husband of yours would make a saint swear. Me blood boils just thinking of him. I don’t know how yer can stand to be in the same house as him.’
‘I’ve got to stay in the same house as him, but I’ve made up me mind I’ll never sleep in the same bed as him again. What happened today is the final straw. He’ll have to kill me before I ever sleep with him again.’
‘Ay, watch out, sunshine, he won’t stand for that.’
‘If you only knew some of the things I’ve had to stand for, Dot, yer’d be horrified.’ Mary’s voice was choked. ‘There’s never a word of endearment, and no such thing as a kiss or a cuddle. He just uses me, that’s all. He takes what he wants, snarling like a wild beast from the jungle, then tosses me aside. Well, the worm has turned and he’ll use me no more.’
Dot swished the potatoes around in the pan to clean them, then emptied the water into the sink. She wiped her wet hands down the front of her pinny before putting them gently on Mary’s arms. ‘I know I’m the one who’s always telling her to stick up for yerself, sunshine, but it’s easy for me to talk, I don’t have to put up with it. It’s the easiest thing in the world to give advice ’cos words are cheap. But it behoves the person giving advice to know exactly what she’s talking about. And while I know Tom Campbell is a violent, no-good man I wouldn’t give the time of day to, I really don’t know the extent of his wickedness. So I’m afraid for yer, sunshine, I really am. Especially in your condition, when the last thing yer need is worry. All I’ll say to yer is, you do what yer think is best. And do it in the knowledge that if things get bad then yer’ve got friends either side of yer who will help yer, day or night.’
‘I know that, Dot, and I thank God for you and Maggie, and Betty and John. I really don’t know what I’d do without you, I’d be lost. And it’s only because I know I’ve got you to call on that I’ve made up me mind to stand up to the bully I’m married to. From tonight on, I sleep on the couch and nothing he says or does will make me change me mind.’
Dot dropped her arms and sighed. ‘So ye’re going home tonight?’
Mary nodded. ‘I’ll go before he leaves for the pub, and tell him. Now I don’t like asking this, Dot, and I know yer’ll all think I’ve got a flaming cheek, but just this once, just to get tonight over, d’yer think John or Paddy will come in with me? Tom won’t pull any stunts if he sees there’s a man with me.’
‘They’ll both come with yer, sunshine, for good measure. And I’ll keep me ears open all night just in case.’
Mary leaned forward and kissed Dot’s cheeks. ‘Thank God for me wonderful friends. I’ll pay yer back one day, I promise.’
Dot turned away, picked up the small sharp knife and began to chip the potatoes. It grieved her to see Mary in the state she was in, having to ask neighbours for help. She was a young woman, kind, gentle, and if she was dressed as she should be dressed, would be a real knock-out for looks. Any man would be proud to call her his wife, except the one she was married to.
‘Yer can pay us back by having a beautiful, bouncing, healthy baby,’ she said in a cheery voice, but with her eyes full of tears. ‘Whether it’s a boy or girl, it’ll have loads of aunties and uncles to love it.’
‘I’m going to sort me life out when the baby’s born,’ Mary promised. ‘I might go back to live with me mam and dad and try for a divorce. Me mam would be dead against it, being a good Catholic, but I’m not spending the rest of me days being married to Tom Campbell. There’s got to be a better life than the one I’ve got now.’
‘One thing’s certain, sunshine, there couldn’t be a worse one.’
Chapter Twelve
Katy leaned across the counter and put a halfpenny in the palm of the little girl’s hand then closed her fingers over it. ‘Keep tight hold, now, Ella, and don’t lose it.’
‘I won’t.’ The happy face smiled back. Ella was more interested in the bag in the other hand which contained two ounces of Dolly Mixtures. ‘I’ll run all the way home.’
Katy watched as the little tot opened the shop door and dashed out, leaving the door wide open. She was about to round the counter to close it when John and Colin came in and her face lit up in welcome. ‘Hello, Mr Kershaw, and you, our kid.’
‘Hello, Katy.’ Every time John looked at her, he could see her mother as a young girl. He glanced along the counter to where Molly was serving and waved a greeting. ‘Busy as usual, Mrs Edwards?’
Molly grinned. ‘It puts the bread on the table, John. And on a very good day we can even afford butter, as well.’
John smiled before turning back to Katy. ‘I’ll take an Echo, please, and my young friend here would like to see the comics you have.’
Katy folded the paper and pushed it towards him. ‘Did yer enjoy the match?’
‘Yeah, the match was great,’ Colin butted in. ‘But when we got home—’
John gripped his arm, cutting off his words. ‘I’m sure Katy doesn’t want to hear all that, Colin, and if she does she can hear it from your mother when she gets home.’
‘OK, Mr Kershaw. Can I have a look at the comics, then?’
‘Yes, choose two and then I can take one home with me. We can do a swop when we’ve read them.’
Colin’s face was a picture of happiness as he moved to where the comics were spread out on a shelf near the front window. ‘Thanks, Mr Kershaw.’
Katy clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth and shook her head. ‘Ye’re not half spoiling him, yer know.’
John chuckled loudly. ‘Katy, you are your mother all over. You’re the image of her in looks and you have the same mannerisms. You also have the same expression on your face when you’re telling someone off. I got a ticking-off from her before we left the house about spoiling Colin, but a treat now and then won’t spoil him. He’s a very well-behaved boy, never asks for anything and is always appreciative.’ He leaned across the counter and said softly, ‘When I said you took after your mother, it was meant as a compliment. I think you are both delightful and adorable.’
Katy gave a little curtsy. ‘Thank you, kind sir.’
‘Don’t tell her I said that, though, or I’ll get another ticking-off. Not that I mind – in fact, I quite like the way she puts her hands on her hips and tilts her head before putting me in my place.’ John laughed. ‘Especially when she has to crane her neck to do it.’
‘Me mam always says what she thinks, Mr Kershaw, and I believe it’s best that way, don’t you? At least yer know where yer stand with her.’
Colin came back and laid two comics on the counter. ‘These two look good, Mr Kershaw, so shall we have them?’
‘Yes, but remember
I’m taking one home with me to read in bed and we’re doing a swop when we’ve read them.’ He raised his brows at Katy. ‘That’s fair, don’t you think?’
‘I’d think it was fair if I didn’t think yer were telling a fib, Mr Kershaw. You don’t really read comics, do yer?’
‘Cross my heart and hope to die, Katy, I really do read them. Part of me hasn’t grown up, you see, I’m still a little boy at heart.’
Katy’s eyes travelled the length of him. ‘There’s nothing little about you, Mr Kershaw, but I know what yer mean. Yer see, if I had a doll I’d play with it, even at my age. I’d make clothes for it and have it sitting on the chair in me bedroom. And I’d call her Victoria. So yer see, I must still be a little girl at heart, mustn’t I?’
‘Stay that way, Katy, never grow up, at least not in your heart.’
Colin pulled on his coat. ‘Are we going home, Mr Kershaw? Me mam will be wondering where we’ve got to.’
John looked at his watch. Dot and Mary should have had long enough by now to say what they had to say. ‘How much do I owe you, Katy?’
‘Fivepence halfpenny. But our Colin can pay for one of the comics – he gets pocket money, yer know.’
‘He paid for himself to go to the match, dear, so I don’t think he’ll have much left.’
Katy took the silver sixpence and notched one up for her brother. Good for him, paying for himself. At least he wasn’t scrounging off Mr Kershaw all the time.
‘We’ll see you later, Katy, and your mother said not to be late because she’ll have the tea on the table.’ Raising his trilby to Molly, John put his hand on Colin’s shoulder and walked towards the door, but he held the boy back when he saw the door being opened from the outside. ‘Let the gentleman in first, Colin.’
The man looked surprised to see John. He wasn’t wearing a cap but he put his hand to his forehead in greeting. ‘Hello, Mr Kershaw.’
‘Good evening, Jim, how’s the wife?’
‘Oh, she’s coming on a treat now, thank goodness. Yer can tell she’s gettin’ better ’cos she’s started to throw her weight around again.’
‘That’s always a good sign.’ John propelled Colin forward. ‘I’ll see you on Monday, Jim.’
Katy had the evening paper ready for the man who was as regular as clockwork. As she handed it to him, she asked, ‘D’yer know Mr Kershaw, then, Mr Grimes?’
‘Yeah, he’s me boss.’
‘Go ’way!’ Katy’s eyes shone with interest. ‘Is he yer supervisor?’
Jim Grimes smiled as he passed a threepenny joey over. ‘No, he’s the manager of the factory, Katy, which means he’s boss over everyone.’
Ooh, fancy that, Katy thought. Then with a touch of pride she said, ‘He’s a friend of ours, Mr Grimes. That was me young brother with him.’
‘Then it’s well blessed yer are with yer friends, Katy, ’cos he’s a real gent, is Mr Kershaw. He’s the best boss I’ve ever had, I can tell yer. Always fair and treats everyone alike.’
‘Yeah, he is nice. I like him a lot and me brother thinks the world of him.’
Jim was about to say it was a pity Mr Kershaw wasn’t married with a family of his own because he would make a very good husband and father, then he thought better of it. This was the time for prudence, in case anything he said was repeated. So he smiled at Katy and said, ‘I’ll have some liquorice allsorts with the penny change, lass, to give my dear old wife a treat. Put her in a good mood for when she sees me puttin’ me coat on to go to the pub.’
Katy wagged a finger at him before reaching up to take a sweet jar from the top shelf. ‘Just wait until I see Mrs Grimes, I’ll snitch on yer.’
‘Yer won’t see hide or hair of her before Monday, lass,’ Jim grinned as he watched her weighing the sweets, ‘and the cob she’ll have on tonight will have gone by then.’
‘I’m getting to know all the tricks you men get up to.’ Katy passed the cone-shaped bag over to him with a smile. ‘It’s surprising what yer learn standing behind this counter, it’s a real education. When I’m old enough to get married, my poor husband won’t get away with anything because I’ll be wise to all the tricks and excuses.’
‘Yer’ll have to be married a long time for that, lass. The excuses only come when the novelty of being married wears off.’
Molly walked down the counter after serving the last customer. ‘Oh, aye, Jimmy Grimes, and when did the novelty wear off for you? After two weeks of wedded bliss, was it?’
‘More like twenty-two years, Molly. I’ve got no complaints in that department. Me and the missus have a good life, just like Darby and Joan.’
‘Ay, Jim Edwards, come and listen to this,’ Molly called through to the stockroom. ‘Get in here and take a few lessons from yer namesake.’
‘What’s that, light of my life?’ Jim’s head appeared around the door. ‘Am I missing something?’
‘Only how a wife should be treated, that’s all. Here’s Mrs Grimes being complimented to high heaven and I never even get a goodnight kiss! It’s no wonder I go to sleep and dream of Clark Gable.’
Her husband grinned. ‘Is he a good kisser?’
‘Is who a good kisser?’
‘Clark Gable of course, your dream man.’
‘How the hell do I know?’ Molly’s tummy was rumbling with laughter. ‘He’s a good kisser in me sleep, but when I wake up I can’t remember what it felt like.’
Jim Grimes was chuckling as he put the newspaper under his arm. ‘He can’t be that good if yer can’t remember. I mean, if it was earth-shattering yer’d fall out of bed.’
‘Ooh, er, fancy you saying that! Three times I fell out of bed last week and I blamed my feller for kicking me out! While all the time it was Clark Gable . . . well, I never.’
‘Well, next time he can come and pick yer up off the floor.’ Her husband grimaced as he put his hands on his hips and squared his shoulders. ‘Last time I picked yer up I nearly did me back in.’
‘I’ll rub it for yer tonight, sweetheart, with Sloan’s Liniment.’ Molly grinned up into his face and nipped his cheek between two fingers. ‘Let Jim out and then put the bar on the door so no one else can sneak in. We’re closed for the day, thank God, and me feet can’t wait to put themselves up. Oh, and yer’d better let young Billy come in to wait for Katy. He’s been walking up and down that long he’s probably worn a groove in the pavement.’
‘Are we all right for timing?’ John queried when Dot opened the door. ‘We couldn’t stay any longer, Molly was waiting to close the shop.’
‘Yeah, everything’s under control.’ Dot sighed as she closed the door behind them. ‘At least Mary thinks it is; I’m not so sure.’
John hung his coat on the hook behind the door before taking his trilby off and running his fingers through his fine sandy hair. ‘Where is Mary?’
‘In the kitchen keeping her eyes on the chips for me. Come through and have a word with her.’ Dot winked at Colin when she saw the two comics. ‘They should keep yer quiet for the rest of the night, sunshine.’
‘Only one is his, the other’s mine.’ John intended to keep up the pretence; he didn’t fancy another ticking-off for spoiling the boy. ‘We made a deal and Colin must stick to it.’
‘Oh, I will, Mr Kershaw, I won’t touch yours. Look, I’ll put one behind the cushion so yer’ll know I’m not cheating.’
John grinned and ruffled the mop of thick black hair before following Dot into the kitchen. ‘So, you two have hatched a plan, have you?’
‘Mary has,’ Dot answered. ‘She’ll tell you about it herself.’
Mary took a deep breath to try and steady her nerves. Talking about what she was going to do was one thing, carrying it out was another. ‘I’ll go home after tea, John, before my husband leaves to go to the pub. There’s something I’ve got to have out with him, and if I don’t do it tonight I’ll never do it. He’s not going to like what I intend telling him, and I’m afraid of being on me own with him, so can I play on your good nat
ure and ask if yer’ll come with me, please?’
‘Of course I will. I’ve told you I’ll do all I can to help.’
There was a look of concern on Dot’s face as she used a fish slice to turn the chips in the spluttering fat. ‘In all fairness, Mary, I think yer should tell John everything. If he’s going in there with yer, he has a right to know he could be walking into real trouble. Because if I know your husband, he’ll try to tear yer limb from limb.’
Mary dropped her head, wishing the floor would swallow her up. ‘It’s too embarrassing.’
‘Holy sufferin’ ducks! Mary, John is a grown man, not a little boy.’ Dot rubbed her arm where a spurt of hot fat had landed. ‘For heaven’s sake, go and sit in the living room and I’ll tell him meself.’
But when push came to shove, Dot found it wasn’t that easy. With his eyes staring at her intently, she couldn’t find the right words. So she played for time by licking the burn on her arm while willing herself to get it over with.
It was John who broke the silence. ‘Dot, as you’ve just told Mary, I am a grown man.’
‘I know ye’re a flamin’ grown man, soft lad, haven’t I got a crick in me neck from looking up at yer? It’s just finding somewhere to start.’
‘Then perhaps I can make it easy for you. Just tell me, in as few words as possible, what Mary is going to tell her husband.’
‘That she’ll never sleep in the same bed as him again, she’s going to sleep on the couch.’ Dot got it all out in one breath. Then she looked at John and saw a smile playing around his mouth. ‘I don’t know what ye’re laughing at, it’s not funny.’
‘I’m not laughing at Mary’s plight, I can assure you. It was the expression on your face I found funny. You’re not as tough as you make out, D.D. You were every bit as embarrassed as Mary would have been.’
‘Well, it’s not an easy thing to talk about to a strange man.’
‘A strange man? Is that what I am, Dot? I thought we were friends.’
‘Don’t yer be trying to twist me words, John Kershaw, like yer always do. I regard Alec Mason as a friend, but I wouldn’t dream of discussing sleeping arrangements with him, would I?’