by Kitty Neale
Never again, Mavis thought, cherishing her independence. Well, not quite, not yet. Financially she was still dependent on her mother, and remembered how loath she’d been to accept the tin box stuffed with money that had been shoved into her hands the day she moved in.
However, as soon as she could, Mavis had seen a solicitor, and now knew that there was no need to worry, the man insisting that she’d be entitled to a good settlement. It would take a while for the divorce to come through, but when it did Mavis knew she’d have the means to pay back all she owed her mother.
With a last look around the room, Mavis went next door. She was looking forward to seeing Jenny again, but couldn’t feel the same about Tommy. He unsettled her, and, knowing now that he was the man who had haunted her dreams, she couldn’t look at him without blushing.
‘James, it’s time to come home,’ Mavis said as she walked into her mother’s house. ‘Greg will be here soon.’
Her son jumped to his feet, but Grace remained where she was. ‘Come on, Grace, you too.’
‘It’s all right, Mavis, she can stay with us if she wants to,’ said Lily.
‘Mum, you’ve had her all morning.’
‘It doesn’t matter. Leave her with us,’ Pete said.
Mavis smiled at the man she’d once been determined to hate. He was marvellous with the children and they loved him, both of them making a beeline for Pete as soon as they saw him. James was like a different boy already, more outgoing, with a ready smile always on his face. ‘Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind,’ she said, ‘but, Grace, don’t you want to see Jenny and Greg?’
‘Yes, but take Bobby,’ Grace appealed.
‘All right,’ Mavis agreed.
‘Thank Gawd for that,’ Lily said. ‘You know what he’s like when these two leave.’
Mavis picked Bobby up. ‘Right, kids, let’s go.’
‘If he plays up, bring him back,’ Pete called.
‘He’ll be fine,’ Mavis assured him, and as she stepped outside the van was just turning the corner. Soon it pulled up beside her, Jenny and Greg tumbling out of the passenger side. ‘Hello, you two, it’s lovely to see you.’
‘Mavis, you look even better than you did two weeks ago. You’re blooming.’
‘Hello, Mavis.’
She felt her heart skip a beat on hearing Tommy’s voice, and, as she’d feared, Mavis felt the heat of a blush rising. ‘Er…hello, Tommy,’ she stammered, and avoiding his eyes she added, ‘Come on in.’
‘Let me hold him,’ Jenny begged as soon as they were inside, her arms reaching out for Bobby.
‘You’ll be sorry. He weighs a ton.’
‘I don’t mind,’ Jenny said as she took Bobby. ‘Oh, dear, he’s making me go all broody.’
‘It’s about time you had another nipper,’ Tommy remarked. ‘It ain’t much fun being an only child and I should know.’
‘Yes, me too, but do sit down,’ Mavis urged.
‘Greg seems happy enough,’ Jenny said as they both took a seat.
‘Yeah, I suppose he is.’
‘Can we play in our bedroom?’ James asked.
‘Yes, all right,’ Mavis agreed, though with the room so tiny she doubted they’d stay upstairs for long.
The children ran off, but Jenny continued to hold Bobby as she mused, ‘I wonder what Stan would say if I tell him I want another baby.’
‘I should think he’ll enjoy the task,’ Tommy said.
‘Oh, you,’ she chuckled. ‘It’s all right for men. They get all the pleasure, while we women get all the pain.’
‘I didn’t think a bit of nooky was that bad,’ Tommy quipped.
‘I’m not talking about that, you daft bugger. I’m talking about childbirth.’
Mavis smiled. Jenny and Tommy were always the same, bantering, but it was all in good fun and only her own awkwardness around Tommy spoiled her enjoyment of their company. ‘Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?’ she asked.
‘Coffee for me,’ Jenny said,
‘Me too,’ Tommy agreed, his smile warm as he met Mavis’s eyes.
Mavis hurried from the room, fighting the feelings Tommy aroused, but as she placed the kettle onto a gas ring she almost jumped out of her skin when a voice spoke from behind her.
‘Mavis, can I have a word? Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to make you jump.’
‘It’s all right. You just startled me,’ she said, busying herself with spooning coffee into cups.
‘Mavis, now that you’re settled, I was wondering if you’d let me take you out. We could go for a meal, or to the pictures, in fact, anything you fancy.’
Mavis found her heart thumping in her chest. Tommy was asking her out and she didn’t know how to respond. Yes, he aroused sexual feelings in her, but she’d never enjoyed lovemaking and doubted she ever would.
Why Tommy made her feel like this was beyond her, especially as nowadays she enjoyed the sheer pleasure of sleeping alone. For the first time in her life Mavis felt that she was her own woman, making her own decisions, and she wasn’t ready to give that up. ‘I’m sorry, Tommy, but no, I don’t want to go out with you.’
‘Fair enough,’ he said, rapidly disappearing while Mavis carried on making the coffee.
When it was ready, she carried it through to her tiny living room, feeling tense, and she was relieved when Jenny spoke. ‘James seems like a different boy, Mavis,’ she said whilst bouncing Bobby on her lap.
‘Yes, he is. He used to be so nervous around Alec, unnaturally quiet, but he’s blossoming now.’
‘Mavis, I think Alec might be moving soon. There’s a sold sign outside the house now.’
‘Is there? Goodness, I still can’t believe he put it up for sale.’
‘There’s been a bit of gossip in the avenue, a few people saying that Alec has gone a bit funny.’
‘Funny. What do you mean?’
‘Well, like he’s not right in the head.’
‘What makes them think that?’
‘It was the woman who lives the other side of me that started it off. Apparently, her friend works for the estate agent’s and she said that when one of the chaps took someone round to view the house, he came back as white as a sheet. He said that when they went into the living room, Alec started talking to his mother as though she was still there. It really spooked him, and the buyer.’
Mavis frowned. It certainly sounded odd, but surely Alec hadn’t lost his mind? ‘Maybe he’s still in a state, you know, still grieving,’ she suggested.
‘I don’t know, perhaps, but you’ve got to admit it’s strange. And that’s not all. I haven’t seen him leave for work for ages. I reckon he’s lost his job.’
The children came running downstairs and Mavis held a finger to her lips in warning. They were both happy, hardly ever mentioning their father, and she didn’t want them to hear anything about Alec that might unsettle them. Quickly she changed the subject to something mundane.
Tommy was quiet, hardly saying a word as she and Jenny talked about this and that, and too embarrassed to look at him, Mavis was glad when an hour later Jenny said it was time for them to go.
‘It’s been lovely to see you,’ she said, showing them out.
‘I’m sure Tommy won’t mind bringing me over in another couple of weeks,’ Jenny said, then lowering her voice she continued, ‘If I hear any more about Alec, I’ll let you know.’
‘All right, and thanks,’ Mavis said, and as Jenny climbed into the van she remained on the doorstep to wave her off, her eyes still avoiding Tommy’s.
Alec was chuckling as he tore the solicitor’s letter into pieces, and, throwing it onto the floor in a shower of paper, he started to pack. Mavis thought that she’d won, that she was going to get his money, but, no, she was going to lose.
To ensure that Mavis suffered, Alec was determined that there’d be no divorce, not for many, many years. They’d have to find him first, and he was determined to make that impossible. Once again, Alec chuckled. Mavis would ha
ve to work, probably as a skivvy to support herself and the children, and that suited Alec just fine. James and Grace might have to go without, but that didn’t bother him. They’d been spoiled and James needed to toughen up, to find out that, thanks to women, life wasn’t a bed of roses.
Alec paused to ponder. Would he miss the children? No, not really. If his mother hadn’t manipulated him into marriage they would never have been born. Yes, his mother had caused all this, but he’d be free of her soon. Free of Mavis too.
His cases packed, Alec went downstairs and into his mother’s room, smiling with satisfaction. ‘It’s nearly time for me to leave, Mother.
‘What’s that? I shouldn’t have left my job? Don’t make me laugh, Mother. It was you who chose my so-called career, who put me in that office, who forced me to work with all those silly girls, the ones who made my life a misery. They laughed at me, did you know that? They called me old fashioned, a stuffed shirt, and drove me mad with their incessant chatter.
‘Yes, you may well ask what I’m going to do now, but I’m not going to tell you. I don’t have to tell you anything, ever again. I’m free to do as I please.’
Alec went to the bookcase and pulled out his treasured stamp collection. ‘Here’s a clue, Mother,’ he said, the albums in his arms.
He grinned at her puzzled expression, loving the thought of leaving her wondering. It was his love of stamp collecting that had given him the idea, and thanks to the sale of this house he would have ample money to follow his dream.
‘Right, that’s it, Mother. I’m off now, and good luck with the new owners. They’ve got four children, noisy little buggers, and I know you’ll love that.’
Alec’s high-pitched giggle filled the room, but then he walked out, closing the door firmly behind him. It was time for his adventure to begin. He had his new identity in place and would no longer be known as Alec Pugh. That name had been his mother’s choice, not his, and he refused to carry it with him.
He would find the perfect location, one that was miles and miles away from Battersea. He rather fancied a pretty village somewhere, with thatched cottages, deep in the countryside. Of course, there would have to be a shop for sale, and instead of collecting stamps, he would sell them.
Oh, it was going to be marvellous. He’d be able to spend his life talking to fellow enthusiasts, buying stamps from around the world to offer his customers. He’d be his own man, unencumbered by women, and if one dared to come into his shop, he’d kick the bitch out.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Tommy stood in the yard and watched as his men drove off. They were decent signwriters and he was glad to have found them. Ed was doing a shop sign for a new greengrocer that was about to open a few streets away, and Bill just had the finishing touches to do before his job was complete and he could start the next. The business was flourishing and he’d have to employ another bloke soon, but in the meantime, rather than turn work away, Tommy would do the latest job himself. Not that he minded. It was good to keep his hand in and it got him away from the office for a while, even if it meant leaving the telephone and the yard unattended. Maybe he should think about taking a girl on, a school leaver perhaps, who could at least man the telephone and do a little to keep his ever-growing files in order.
Tommy’s heart sunk when his mother walked into the yard. Bloody hell, five minutes later and he’d have been gone, the gate locked, but now he had to put up with another barrage as she marched up to him.
‘I rang Belinda this morning and she told me that you’ve only been to see Davie once since you left her.’
‘What’s the point? I’ve told you before, I’m sure he isn’t mine, and Belinda should think herself lucky that I still support him. I was hoping she’d marry the latest mug who has taken her on, and then I wouldn’t have to support her too.’
‘What are you talking about? What mug?’
‘The latest bloke she’s got living with her.’
‘Belinda didn’t mention another man.’
‘Well, believe me, she’s got one and I wish him the best of luck.’
‘You should never have left her and I still dread to think what my neighbours will say if they find out you’re divorced. The least you can do is find a yard out of this area.’
‘Mum, please, not this again.’
‘Now you listen to me. Unlike Lily Jackson, I won’t be the subject of gossip. It was bad enough that she left Cullen Street to live with another man, but from what I’ve heard her daughter has turned out to be just as bad.’
‘What are you on about?’
‘They’re saying that Mavis has left her husband. Apparently she’s gone off with another man.’
‘That’s rubbish. Yes, Mavis has left her husband, but she had good reason.’
He saw his mother frown, the puzzlement on her face as she asked, ‘How do you know that? Have you seen her?’
‘Oh, yes, Mum, I’ve seen her. In fact, she stayed in my flat for a while.’
‘Stayed with you! You’re…you’re the other man! No, Tommy, no! You can’t do this to me. What will people say? Mavis is backward, an idiot. You can’t take up with her—you just can’t.’
‘My God, listen to yourself. Mavis isn’t an idiot, and I know that now. Her husband was knocking her about and she’s been through hell, but what’s the point in telling you about it? All you care about is yourself and your own reputation.’
‘That isn’t true. I…I’m thinking about you,’ she blustered, ‘about what people will say when they find out.’
‘Yeah, if you say so, but you can relax, Mum. Unfortunately, Mavis isn’t interested in me.’
‘I’m glad to hear it. If you took up with her I’d never live it down, and I’d never forgive you, Tommy.’
‘Just go, Mum. I’ve got work to do.’
‘All right, I’m going, but keep away from Mavis,’ she warned.
Tommy shook his head in disgust as his mother left the yard. She’d never change and he was regretting moving back to Battersea. As long as he remained she’d keep on nagging him to leave again, but that was nothing compared to the hell she’d put him through if he took up with Mavis. Tommy loaded the van. If Mavis had agreed to go out with him he wouldn’t have given a fig about what his mother said, but she had turned him down. Jenny was wrong, Mavis wasn’t interested in him, and somehow he had to face that.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
It was now June and Alec had disappeared four months ago. Mavis was worried and her voice echoed her concern. ‘What am I going to do, Mum?’
‘I dunno, love,’ Lily told her daughter.
‘Alec seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.’
‘Yeah, well, I know how that feels. Your father did the same.’
‘But unless Alec’s found, I won’t get my settlement.’
‘You’ve still got the money I gave you and that should last you for a good while. There’s your sketching too and you’ve got three more orders.’
‘That won’t bring in enough to pay you back.’
‘I told you, the money’s yours and I wouldn’t have taken it even if you’d tried to repay me.’
Mavis rubbed a hand across her forehead, worried about what was now an uncertain future. As it was warm now, at least she wouldn’t have to buy coal, but the children needed new clothes, shoes, and the money her mother had given her wouldn’t last forever. She had a little income from her sketches to replenish some of it, but what if the orders dried up?
‘I’d best get back,’ Lily said. ‘Bobby’s gone down for the night, but he’s teething again. If he wakes up screaming, well, you know what Pete’s like. He’d bring him downstairs in a jiffy and it’ll be murder to settle him down again.’
‘All right, Mum. I’ll see you in the morning.’
‘Try to stop worrying, Mavis. Things will work out, you’ll see.’
Mavis managed a small smile, but her face straightened as soon as the door closed behind her mother. For a while Mavis
sat deep in thought, wondering how she could increase her income, and finally coming up with an idea.
If more people saw her sketches, perhaps the orders would increase. She could start by showing a sample of her work to the other mothers at Grace’s nursery. After that she could widen the area, try others, even schools. It could work, surely it could. Feeling uplifted, Mavis decided to start a new sketch to use as a sample, using Grace as her subject.
Deep in concentration as she sketched, Mavis was startled by a knock on her door at eight thirty. She put down her pencil and opened the door, smiling when she saw Rhona. ‘What’s this? Saturday night and you haven’t gone out?’
‘I did, but I got stood up. I hung around for half an hour, but then thought, sod it, and came home. There’s plenty more where he came from.’
‘I only ever had one boyfriend and we married very quickly,’ Mavis mused.
‘Blimey, fancy that. What was it? Were you in the club?’
‘No, of course not, and before you ask, I hadn’t slept with him either,’ Mavis said, and though Rhona was unabashed, unembarrassed by the mention of sex, Mavis still found herself reticent.
‘Sod that. You should have sampled the goods before you married him.’
‘Rhona,’ Mavis admonished, trying her best not to smile.
‘You should see your face,’ Rhona giggled, ‘you’re trying to look like a shocked virgin, but I can see you’re trying not to laugh.’
‘I was married, so I’m hardly a virgin,’ Mavis said.
‘You still act like one. What’s the matter? Wasn’t your old man any good in bed?’
‘Er…er…’
‘All right, it was a daft question. If your husband was the only man you slept with, how would you know?’
‘I don’t, but most girls are probably in the same position when they marry.’
‘Leave it out, Mavis. This is the 1960s and we know better than to lie back and think of England. As for you, do you mind if I ask you a very personal question?’