by Kitty Neale
‘I’ve got a spare set. Once you’ve locked up, just shove them back through the letterbox. Hang on though, do you need a hand? I’ve got my van.’
‘No, it’s all right. Pete’s got a van too and he’s picking us up.’
‘OK, as long as you’re sure,’ he said, his thoughts all over the place. Mavis was leaving the area. She was going to Peckham, and he’d never see her again. ‘Er…Mavis, I’ll tell Jenny, but she might like to see you before you go. If that’s the case, is it all right if I bring her over, perhaps tomorrow?’
‘Yes, that’s fine. I’d like to see her too.’
‘What about me?’ Tommy blurted out but could have kicked himself. Bloody hell, talk about making it obvious.
‘Yes, Tommy, it’ll be nice to see you too. I can’t thank you enough for letting me stay in your flat.’
‘It was nothing. Bye for now, Mavis,’ Tommy said, hastily ringing off. God, he’d made a right fool of himself, but at last he admitted the truth. He liked Mavis, more than liked her, and, though he hadn’t thought of her in years, now he’d seen her again, he suspected that he always had.
It wasn’t his ex-wife who’d been the girl of his dreams, it was Mavis, and he’d been unconsciously looking for her since she left Cullen Street. Belinda had just been a substitute, and maybe that’s why the marriage hadn’t worked. He’d never really loved her and she must have sensed that.
Jenny looked up as her cousin came home from work, saying, ‘Stan’s taken Greg to football practice. But why the long face, Willy?’
‘Stop calling me that! My name is Tommy, Tom, or even Thomas, but not Willy.’
‘All right, keep your hair on.’
‘I’m sorry, Jenny, I didn’t mean to snap. It’s just that Mavis rang me this morning. She’s moving out on Monday.’
‘Well, that’s good news, isn’t it? You’ll be getting your flat back.’
‘Yes, I suppose so.’
‘You don’t sound too happy about it,’ Jenny said, and as he sat down she moved to sit opposite, leaning forward to ask, ‘Tommy, is there something going on between you and Mavis?’
‘No, of course not,’ he protested. ‘She’s your friend, that’s all, and as I thought you’d like to see her before she moves out, I said I’d run you over there tomorrow.’
‘Don’t worry, I can get the bus.’
‘There’s no need,’ he said quickly.
‘I thought you’d say that, but why pretend, Tommy? I’ve seen the way you look at Mavis and I know you like her.’
‘Yes, all right, Jenny, I like her, but I can’t do anything about it. She’s only just left her husband and the last thing she’ll want is another bloke sniffing around.’
‘Now, maybe, but all you’ve got to do is give her a bit of time. I’ve seen the way Mavis looks at you too, and even if she doesn’t know it yet, I reckon she feels the same way.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, really. Look, I know she isn’t ready yet, but leave it until she settles and then you can find an excuse to go to see her.’
‘What if she doesn’t want to see me?’
‘Trust me, she will.’
‘I hope you’re right, Jenny.’
So do I, Jenny thought. Tommy had been badly hurt by his ex-wife and the last thing she wanted was to put him in line for more heartbreak. Yet when she had seen Tommy and Mavis together, she had felt the sparks between them, even if Mavis wasn’t aware of them yet. Surely she just needed some time?
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Mavis had decided to leave the packing until Sunday morning, but now, as she pulled a case from under the bed, she saw her son’s eyes darken with fear. ‘No, Mummy, I don’t want to go home.’
Mavis hadn’t wanted to tell them about their new home until it was assured, but now cursed herself for keeping up the pretence that this was just a holiday. Poor James, he looked terrified at the thought of returning to Ellington Avenue and, calling Grace, she sat down, pulling her daughter onto her lap. Grace may not understand, but hopefully James would. Patting the bed next to her, she said, ‘James, come and sit next to me.’
With an arm around Grace, and one now around James, Mavis gently said, ‘We’re not going back to our old house. We’ve got a new one and it’s next door to Granny, Pete, and Bobby.’
Grace clapped her hands, smiling with delight, but James frowned. ‘Is Daddy coming too?’ he asked.
‘No, darling, we’re not going to live with your daddy any more. It’ll just be us, you, me and Grace.’
‘Just us?’
‘Yes, darling.’
‘We won’t have to live with Daddy?’
‘No, I promise, it’ll be just us.’
At last James looked reassured, slumping against her as he said quietly, ‘Good.’
Mavis could have cried. Her son was only six years old, punished too harshly by his father, and then had witnessed her own abuse. No wonder he didn’t want to go home, and she hoped she would never have to see such deep fear in his eyes again.
‘See Bobby now?’ Grace asked.
‘Not today, but tomorrow we’ll be moving into our new house and you’ll be able to see him every day. Now come on, you can both help me to pack.’
Grace scrambled from her lap and James was quick to follow, both dashing around madly to grab armfuls of toys. ‘Whoa, there’s no need to rush,’ Mavis said as she found them a box. ‘We’ve got all day so leave out some of your favourite toys to play with.’
Mavis left them to it as she began to put clothes into a suitcase. After the house in Ellington Avenue, and then this spacious flat, the children would find the new house rather cramped. Not only that, they would have to share a tiny bedroom, and that was sure to cause problems. Yet what did it matter? They’d be close to their gran, surrounded by love, and that was the most important thing.
Mavis paused. Edith Pugh had once said that she would grow to love Alec, but she never had. Instead all that had grown was hate; but at last she was free.
It was after three and, with his stomach full of Jenny’s wonderful Sunday roast, Tommy was driving her to his flat to see Mavis. Greg was with them, the boy excited that he was going to see James again, and Tommy knew he was equally excited at the thought of seeing Mavis.
Everything Jenny had said made sense, Tommy thought as he drove around a corner. It would be hard, he knew that, but he would have to give Mavis space and time before he contacted her again.
For now he had to play it cool, and, as Tommy pulled up outside the flat, he turned to grin at Jenny. ‘If I look like I’m drooling when I see Mavis, give me a dig in the ribs.’
‘I’d love to,’ she quipped. ‘Can I make it two?’
‘If you must,’ he said before they climbed out of the van.
Tommy’s stomach did a somersault when Mavis opened the door, and once again he marvelled at the effect she had on him. He’d noticed that she looked like his ex-wife, but now Belinda paled in comparison as Mavis’s lovely, blue eyes met his.
‘Hello, come on in,’ she invited.
‘He’s seen her, Mummy. Is he drooling?’ Greg asked.
‘Shut up,’ Tommy hissed, cursing that he’d said anything in front of Greg. He should have realised the boy would be all ears, and now he felt an absolute fool.
‘Go and play with James,’ Jenny ordered as she almost shoved the boy inside.
‘But…’
‘But nothing,’ she said dismissively
Mavis looked bemused, but led them into the living room, where Tommy was glad that Jenny led the conversation. ‘I see you’ve been packing,’ she said.
‘Yes, and it’s almost finished. Pete’s picking us up first thing in the morning.’
‘Greg, I’m going to live next to my granny,’ James said, his face animated.
Jenny smiled softly. ‘Bless him, he looks dead chuffed.’
‘Me going too,’ Grace cried.
‘Yes, aren’t you lucky?’ Jenny said.
&nb
sp; ‘Come on, Greg, let’s play with my trains again,’ James urged.
Grace wasn’t going to be left out and joined the two boys on the floor. For a moment Tommy watched them, but then Mavis spoke, her voice soft.
‘Tommy, thanks again for letting us use your flat. I’m sorry it dragged on for two weeks.’
‘No problem,’ Tommy said as he and Jenny sat down. ‘Anyway, look at this place, talk about a spring clean.’
‘Once you move back in, I doubt it’ll stay like this,’ Jenny said. ‘Men. They’re hopeless without a woman to clean up after them. I bet Alec is finding that out too.’
‘Have you seen him?’ Mavis asked.
‘Yes, but he ignored me. It’s funny really. I sort of expected him to call round asking if I know where you are.’
‘Oh, Jenny, I hadn’t thought of that.’
‘Don’t worry, if he does get round to it, I’ll tell the smarmy git that I haven’t got a clue.’
‘I’ve been frightened that he’ll find me.’
‘Well, he hasn’t, and you’re safe now. You’ve been safe here, and you’ll be safe in Peckham too.’
‘I know, but it won’t be over until the divorce comes through and that could take ages.’
‘Once you’ve seen a solicitor you’ll be legally separated and that’s a start.’
‘Yes, it is, isn’t it?’ Mavis said, obviously brightened by the thought. ‘Thanks, Jenny, you always manage to say the right thing.’
‘I’ll give you a chance to settle in and then, if it’s all right with you, I’ll get Tommy to run me over to see you.’
‘Of course it’s all right with me. I’d love to see you.’
Tommy had to hide a smile when Jenny turned to wink at him. Yes, he’d see Mavis again, but, as Jenny said, she needed time, and for now he had to be content with that.
It was two hours later when Jenny and Tommy left, and though Mavis could see that James was sad to see his friend leave with them, he soon brightened up when she suggested they finish the last of the packing.
With an early start in the morning, Mavis wanted the children to have an early night, and was relieved when she finally closed the last suitcase. There’d be so much to do once they were in Peckham. A new school to sort out for James, and with any luck a nursery for Grace, but none of this worried her.
From now on she’d be in charge of her own life, free to make her own decisions, and one thing Mavis was sure of, she’d never allow herself to be ruled by a man, or anyone, again. She’d been an idiot, a meek and biddable idiot, and though she had once tried to assert herself, to stand up to Alec, he’d used her fear for James against her. Yes, Alec had won, but she was free of him now and her new life was beginning.
Mavis looked around the flat, satisfied that she had left it clean and tidy. With a wide yawn she turned out the lights before going into the bedroom, where she carefully climbed into bed. James was on the other side, Grace in the middle, but neither stirred as she laid her head on the pillow. Content, Mavis closed her eyes, almost immediately falling asleep.
It was early in the morning when Mavis woke up again, the dream still vivid in her mind. It was the same one that had haunted her for years, but this time it had been different. The man had still been there, and she had felt the same yearning as he reached out for her, but this time she had seen his face. No, no, it couldn’t be him!
‘Mummy,’ Grace murmured.
Mavis reached out to pull her daughter into her arms. No, she didn’t want him. She might have to rely on her mother for now, but one day she’d find a way to be independent. She would do it on her own too, run her own life, without any man taking control of her again.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
‘I saw Mavis when she was taking James to school earlier. She looks as happy as a lark,’ Marilyn said.
‘Yes, she loves living here,’ Lily agreed, and it was true. Mavis had been next door for six weeks now, and, despite the house being half the size of her home in Ellington Avenue, she was happier than ever. The children had been unsettled at first, and still hated sharing a bedroom, but thankfully James liked his new school. So far Mavis hadn’t found a place in a local nursery for Grace, but her name was down and hopefully one would become available soon.
‘My Rhona likes Mavis. It’s nice they’ve become friends.’
Hardly that, Lily thought, but it was a thought she kept to herself. Almost from the day Mavis had moved in, Rhona had latched on to her but, at only seventeen, she doubted they had much in common. Rhona was boy, fashion and music mad, and Lily still thought she was allowed too much freedom. All right, things were changing nowadays, but unless Marilyn pulled Rhona’s reins in, she was asking for trouble.
The door suddenly opened and Grace ran in, Mavis behind her. ‘Hello, love,’ Lily said, smiling at her daughter. ‘Jenny rang earlier. She wants to pop over to see you again on Sunday. I said you’d ring her back.’
‘I’ll do it in a minute, but, first, what do you think of this?’ Mavis asked, unrolling a sheet of paper.
‘Gawd, blimey, Mavis, did you draw that?’ Marilyn asked. ‘It looks just like him.’
Lily had to agree. The sketch of Bobby was wonderful, her son’s cheeky grin and the emergence of his first tooth captured perfectly. ‘Mavis, it’s great,’ she said, once again feeling that familiar surge of guilt that she had, until now, refused to acknowledge Mavis’s talent. ‘Can I have it?’
‘Of course you can,’ Mavis said.
‘Thanks, darling. I’ll get Pete to frame it.’
‘Here, Mavis, how much do you charge? I’d love one of my Rhona.’
‘Er…I don’t charge anything.’
‘Well, you should,’ Marilyn said. ‘I can’t afford much, but I could stretch to half a crown.’
‘How about that, Mavis? It sounds like you’ve got your first commission,’ Lily said, grinning broadly.
‘No, Mum, I’ve only just started sketching again. I’m not good enough yet and need a lot more practice.’
‘Practise on my Rhona then,’ Marilyn suggested.
Mavis chewed her lower lip before saying, ‘All right, but it may not be any good and I certainly won’t accept payment for it.’
‘Well, girl, if you’re sure,’ Marilyn said. ‘Mind you, if it’s good I’ll make sure that a lot of people see it and, who knows, you might get orders for more.’
‘I doubt that.’
‘Mavis, don’t put yourself down,’ Lily said. ‘If this sketch of Bobby is anything to go by, you could find yourself earning a few bob.’
‘I don’t know why you lack confidence in yourself,’ Marilyn said. ‘This drawing of Bobby is marvellous, and look at you, you’re gorgeous. To top it all you speak so well, sort of posh.’
‘I’m not posh.’
‘You sound it to me, and I’m hoping it’ll rub off on Rhona. If she learns to speak like you she could get out of that flaming factory. Find a better job.’
‘Granny, look,’ Grace said.
Lily turned to see that, using the edge of the sofa, Bobby had pulled himself to his feet. His legs wobbled, but at only seven months old he was standing. ‘Who’s a clever boy then?’ she said, beaming with delight.
‘James was walking at ten months and it looks like Bobby will too,’ Mavis said.
Bobby flopped down onto his bottom, but, cushioned by his nappy, he just chuckled. ‘Pooh, Granny, he smells,’ Grace complained.
‘He wants changing,’ Lily said as she swooped Bobby into her arms.
Marilyn stood up. ‘I’ll be off, Lily. See you soon, Mavis.’
‘Bye,’ they both chorused and, as the door closed behind her, Mavis went to ring Jenny while Lily changed Bobby’s nappy.
‘It’ll be nice for you to see Jenny again. Is Tommy bringing her in his van?’ Lily asked as soon as her daughter finished the call.
‘Yes,’ Mavis said, her cheeks turning red.
‘That’s nice. I must admit Tommy’s turned out all right
. He’s doing so well too, with his own business. You could do worse, my girl.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘I ain’t blind, Mavis. The last time he came over, I saw the way he looked at you. I think you like him too, don’t you?’
‘Tommy’s all right, but I’m not interested in him in that way, Mum.’
‘Please yourself,’ Lily said, ‘but as I said, you could do worse.’
‘No, thanks. I’m happy as I am. Anyway, it’s time I was off. My place looks like a bomb’s hit it.’
‘Leave Grace with me. Bobby will only start screaming if you take her home.’
‘Mum, she’s more in your place than mine.’
‘I don’t mind. She’s no trouble.’
‘All right, but I’ll take Bobby when I go to collect James from school.’
‘Fine, see you later,’ Lily said, and as her daughter left she relished the thought of preparing Pete’s dinner without having to keep one eye on her son. Now that he was crawling, Bobby was into everything, and it’d be even worse when he started to walk. Mavis often took Bobby off her hands when she had housework, washing or ironing to do, and Lily marvelled at the difference it had made to her life now that her daughter was living next door.
Though she had pretended differently, Lily was pleased that Mavis wasn’t interested in Tommy Wilson. He was a good-looking bloke and enough to turn any girl’s head, but she wasn’t ready to lose her daughter yet.
Of course, it wasn’t easy for Mavis with Grace and James sharing a room, and she knew that it couldn’t go on forever, but for now Lily was happier than she’d been in years. She’d been given a second chance with Mavis—a chance to be a proper mother and to make up for all her years of neglect. She wanted to keep Mavis close and the last thing she wanted was Tommy Wilson upsetting the apple cart.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
On Sunday, Mavis looked around her small living room. The furniture was shabby, but she didn’t care, and if it wasn’t for the fact that Jenny was coming over she knew it wouldn’t have been this tidy. Housework was done haphazardly these days, and Mavis loved being able to do as she pleased. All her married life she’d been given a list of daily tasks, ones that had to be completed, first to her mother-in-law’s high standards, and then her husband’s.