MB07 - Three Little Words

by Joan Jonker

  Molly banged on the window and caught Edna’s attention. Mouthing the words, she said, ‘Keep our bread till we come back.’ Then she could feel Nellie pulling on her dress, and knew without asking what she wanted. Once again she caught the shopkeeper’s eye and lifted two fingers. ‘Nellie’s cakes.’

  Even though she was run off her feet, Edna saw the funny side and lifted two fingers back, shouting, ‘And the same to you.’

  ‘Will she know what yer meant, girl?’ Nellie asked, thinking of her Saturday morning treat of two cream slices, which she would eat before George and Paul came home from work. ‘They’ll be sold out by the time we come back.’

  ‘She won’t forget to put them away, sunshine, so don’t be worrying.’ Molly bent her arm for Nellie to link. ‘Tell yer what, sunshine, I wouldn’t have her job for a big clock. All those bad-tempered women wanting serving at the same time, I’d be telling them to get lost. And with it being a warm day, it must be like an oven in there.’

  ‘I’d have her job any day.’ Nellie had no doubts. ‘Just think of all those cakes what yer could eat any time yer liked. That would be my idea of heaven.’

  ‘That would be my idea of greed, Nellie McDonough. Yer’d be eating the cakes as they came out of the oven, and in no time yer’d be as big as a house. Yer wouldn’t be looking for a dress to fit yer, it would be a tent.’

  ‘I know I’d get fatter, girl, but just think of the fun I’d have on the way.’

  ‘Can I ask yer who’d be the one baking the cakes fast enough for yer to eat them? Don’t forget, if you had the shop, yer wouldn’t have Edna and Emily serving, or Tom to make the cakes and bread yer love so much.’

  ‘George could do what Tom does, easy-peasy. He’d be as happy as Larry in the bakery, and I’d be in heaven amongst the cakes.’

  Molly glanced sideways. ‘When we go back, why don’t yer mention it to Edna? She’s often told me she’d be glad to pack in. Tom has to be up about four in the morning to get the bread in the ovens, then he’s got all those cakes to make. So I’m sure if yer said yer would be interested in buying the business, they’d be over the moon to sell it to yer. Mind you, they’d probably want a good price for the business ’cos they do a roaring trade.’

  Nellie tilted her head sideways to look up at her friend. ‘What are yer going on about, girl? I know I like cakes, but not enough to be getting out of me bed at all hours of the morning. So don’t be getting carried away, and don’t say nothing to Edna ’cos yer’ll only end up making a fool of yerself. My George doesn’t know one end of a loaf from another – he’d be hopeless in the bakery. Besides, where d’yer think we’d get the money from to buy the bleeding shop? It doesn’t grow on ruddy trees, yer know.’

  ‘And here was me thinking yer’d be made up at the idea of being a shop owner. Yer couldn’t half do some swanking. And all the neighbours that yer don’t like, yer could sell the stale bread to. Yer’d like that, wouldn’t yer?’

  Laughter rumbled in Nellie’s tummy. ‘Ay, I’ve just had a smashing thought, girl. Say I did buy the shop, and Elsie Flanaghan came in for a loaf one day. She wouldn’t half get a shock if she saw me behind the counter. Ooh, I can just imagine the look on her face.’

  ‘I don’t think yer’d get a chance to see her face, sunshine, ’cos one look at you and she’d be out of that shop like a bat out of hell.’

  When they were nearing the butcher’s shop, Molly pulled them to a halt. ‘Listen, Nellie, if I tell yer something, and then ask for yer advice, will yer promise yer won’t breathe a word to a living soul?’

  ‘Okay, girl, I won’t tell a living soul. But I might go down to the cemetery and tell a few of the poor souls in there.’

  ‘This is not funny, Nellie, so keep yer jokes to yerself till after I’ve got something off me chest. Now are yer going to behave yerself, or shall I ask someone else for advice?’

  ‘I’m the best one to advise yer, girl, ’cos I’m the only one here. I’m not very clever, but I’m better than any port in a storm.’

  Molly looked puzzled. Surely her mate had got that the wrong way round? Still, there was no time to worry about that now. ‘Yer know I’ve got the list that Ellen gave me to show to Edna? Well, there’s someone not on the list who you and me always invite to parties. Now, I don’t know whether Ellen and Corker have decided not to ask them, or whether they’ve just slipped up. And I don’t know whether to mention it to Ellen, or leave well alone.’

  ‘Who’ve they left out, girl?’

  ‘Maisie and Alec from the corner shop. I don’t know whether to mention it or not. What d’yer think I should do, sunshine?’

  Nellie’s eyes disappeared and her mouth was making queer shapes. ‘Ooh, that’s a hard one, girl, I have to say. We always ask them because they’ve always been good to us and they’re like best friends. But I don’t know if Corker and Ellen know them as well as we do.’ The little woman scratched her head. ‘I wouldn’t like to say, girl, so I’m afraid ye’re on yer own this time. Wait until we get in the butcher’s and see how yer feel then.’

  ‘There’s nothing else I can do.’ Molly sighed. ‘I’ll take things as they come.’

  When they entered the butcher’s shop they were greeted with a smile from Tony and Ellen. There were a few customers waiting to be served, but it was only a matter of a few minutes before they were both standing in front of the counter. ‘I’ll serve them, Tony,’ Ellen said. ‘You go and make yerself a cup of tea. I’ll give yer a shout if we have a stampede.’

  ‘I hate to miss anything,’ Tony laughed, ‘so before I go and make me tea I’ll ask Nellie if she’s got any news for me?’

  ‘Oh, yeah, I have, Tony.’ Nellie’s shoulders went back and her bosom and tummy stood to attention. ‘Me and my husband, George, well, we are going to buy Hanley’s cake shop.’

  Nellie’s face was so serious, Tony looked at Molly. ‘What’s this? I haven’t heard anything about the Hanleys selling up.’

  ‘No, neither have the Hanleys, Tony, so don’t think ye’re missing out on anything.’ Molly’s wink was exaggerated. ‘It’s all in me mate’s head. She was swooning before at the very thought of owning the cake shop. George in the bakery sweating cobs to get the bread and cakes made, and Nellie eating the cakes as quick as he could bake them. I don’t think the idea will take off, mind. It’s wishful thinking on Nellie’s part.’

  ‘I never mentioned nothing about buying the bleeding shop!’ Nellie was on her high horse. ‘It was you what brought it up, and the only bit I had anything to do with was me mouth watering every time yer mentioned the cakes. But the rest was all your doing, Molly Bennett, so don’t be bringing me into it.’

  Tony leaned on the counter and said softly, ‘Ay, Nellie, if you and your feller ever think of going into business, come and see me. It’s a good little business this, and George could be eating lamb chops until they come out of his ears.’

  ‘There’s an easy solution to this, yer know,’ Ellen said. ‘Yer could buy both shops, Nellie, and George could have his lamb chops, and you’d have as many cream slices as yer heart desired. So yer’d have a main course and a dessert every day of yer life.’

  Nellie put her basket down, then flung her arms wide. ‘Oh, for a life of bliss, with a cream slice after every meal.’ Her eyes went towards the ceiling. ‘Are yer listening, Saint Peter? If I’m coming to you eventually, then make a note. Helen Theresa McDonough requests a seat on the front row, a halo and a harp. And for good behaviour an unlimited supply of cakes. But the cakes must be from Hanley’s, no others will do.’

  ‘What happens if Edna Hanley goes before you, sunshine?’ Molly asked. ‘Or haven’t yer thought of that?’

  ‘Yer’ve got a point there, girl.’ Nellie’s chins were very much in agreement on this. ‘She’s very hardworking, is Edna; she could well go before me. But if she was inconsiderate enough to beat me to it, well, I’d kill her with me own bare hands.’ And when her audience of three doubled up with laughter, she couldn’t
make out what she’d said that was so funny.

  Two customers came in then, and Ellen put on a sad face. ‘Ye’re too late now, Tony. Yer’ve missed out on yer cup of tea. I’ll serve Molly and Nellie, while you attend to Mrs Sloan and Mrs Ashcroft.’

  ‘I want three chops, Ellen,’ Molly said. ‘And pick nice lean ones with plenty of meat on them. And I’ll have six beef sausages as well.’

  ‘Ooh, are yer having chops, girl?’ Nellie opened her eyes as wide as she could to show surprise. ‘That’s funny, ’cos I was about to ask for the same. And sausages, as well! It just goes to show that great minds think alike.’

  ‘I thought I heard yer say yer were having liver today, and stew for tomorrow? I must be hearing things, sunshine.’ Molly tried to stare her friend out, to make her blush for telling fibs, but the face staring back at her was the picture of innocence. ‘Okay, it’s not you telling lies, it’s me what’s going hard of hearing.’

  Ellen jerked her head sideways, inviting Molly to move down the counter. ‘Have yer been able to see Edna Hanley yet?’

  Molly shook her head. ‘We couldn’t get in the shop, the queue was outside. Me and Nellie are going back later when the rush is over for our bread.’

  ‘I’m glad yer haven’t talked to her yet, ’cos I’ve got the numbers wrong. I forgot to put Maisie and Alec on the list, and it’s worried me all night. I don’t know how I came to forget them, but I’m going to blame Corker for expecting me to have the lists ready so quickly. He’s no patience, has my husband: when he thinks of something it has to be done right away. So will yer stick their names on for me, Molly, there’s an angel?’

  Molly felt a sense of relief, as though a burden had been lifted from her heart. It was daft to worry so much, but she’d never forgotten the kindness and help she and Nellie had got from Maisie and Alec during the war years. And they were still good to them, adding extra biscuits, or the odd slice of boiled ham.

  ‘Are they lean enough for yer, Molly?’ Ellen was holding out a piece of greaseproof paper to display three nice, meaty chops. ‘There’s plenty on them.’

  ‘Mmm, they look very tasty, Ellen. They’ll do nicely.’

  As Ellen went to fold the paper over, Nellie piped up, ‘Don’t wrap them up yet, girl. I want to make sure my three are exactly the same size and weight. It was me what first thought of chops, so I should really have first choice.’

  Molly gasped. ‘You cheeky article! Yer’d never mentioned chops until I did!’

  ‘I did too!’ Nellie stepped back and stood with feet apart and eyes narrowed. ‘I thought of them at half past eleven last night, when I was lying in bed.’

  With her hand clamped over her mouth, Molly closed her eyes. She was telling herself not to say what she was thinking, or she’d live to regret it. But she couldn’t keep the words back. ‘When me and Jack went to bed last night, we thought it was quiet. Were yer so wrapped up in thinking of chops, George did the dirty on yer and went to sleep?’

  Nellie tried to put a look of disgust on her face. ‘Ha, ha, very funny, girl. But I work quicker than you, smarty pants. My George didn’t go to sleep until I was ready for him to go to sleep. I’m not like you and Jack, yer know, I don’t hang around. I’d had—’ Nellie’s eyes widened as a hand covered her mouth and cut off her speech.

  ‘All right, sunshine, I know what ye’re going to say, so save yer breath. And save Mrs Sloan and Mrs Ashcroft the embarrassment of having to listen to what yer do in private.’

  Nellie pushed her hand away. ‘How do you know what Mrs Sloan and Mrs Ashcroft would like or wouldn’t like? They might not be miserable stick-in-the-muds like you, so there!’

  ‘Oh, we are stick-in-the-muds, Nellie,’ Nancy Sloan said quickly. ‘Me and Tessie have got no sense of humour. Particularly over something as private as the bedroom. We’re regular churchgoers, yer see.’ Nancy took her change from Tony, dropped it into her pocket, then grabbed her friend’s arm. ‘Come on, Tessie. We’ve still got to get our potatoes and veg.’

  Nellie had a sharp retort on her lips, but once again Molly’s hand covered her mouth until the two ladies were out of the shop. ‘What did yer do that for, girl? I was going to say something to Nancy and Tessie.’

  ‘Yes, I know yer were, sunshine; that’s why I stopped yer. The ladies wouldn’t appreciate your sense of humour, or an account of yer antics in bed.’

  ‘That’s where ye’re wrong, see!’ Nellie poked her tongue out. ‘I wasn’t going to tell them anything about me bedroom.’

  ‘What were yer going to say to them, then? Were yer going to say yer hoped they had a nice day?’

  Nellie shook her head slowly, to give her chins a chance to get into step. ‘No, I wasn’t going to say anything about the day. What I had in mind, if you hadn’t been so ruddy quick off the mark, was to remind them to go to confession tonight. Yer see, just ’cos someone mentions their bedroom, it doesn’t automatically follow that they’ve been doing what comes naturally, does it? So they are two bad-minded so-and-sos. And as it’s a sin to think bad about someone when it isn’t true, they deserve to get a penance of six Hail Marys, and a lecture off Father Kelly.’

  ‘Don’t get carried away, Nellie, ’cos you really are not in a position to criticise anyone. If Father Kelly had heard what yer’ve just said, he’d have laughed his socks off.’

  ‘No, he wouldn’t, yer see, ’cos me and Father Kelly have an agreement. As long as I don’t take up too much of his time in the confessional box, and I finish off by telling him a joke what he can repeat to Father Ryan, then he’ll stick to giving me six Hail Marys and no lecture.’

  Molly shook her head at Ellen and Tony. ‘The funny thing is, Nellie firmly believes she’ll end up in heaven. She’s broken most of the Ten Commandments to my knowledge, but for some unknown reason she thinks Saint Peter will forgive her ’cos he’s her mate. That’s the funny part, but the not-so-funny part is she thinks she’s going to get a seat next to mine! As though I won’t have had enough of her down here!’

  Nellie’s grin was wide. ‘She’s only pulling yer leg, ’cos she loves me really and wouldn’t know what to do without me.’ She rubbed her chubby hands together. ‘She loves me so much, if you try to palm me off with chops what are smaller than hers, she’ll do a swap and give me the big ones.’

  ‘She doesn’t need to,’ Tony said, walking down the counter towards them. ‘I’ve found three just as big. They’re so alike yer wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. So there’ll be no reason to fight over whose chops have the most meat on.’

  ‘Put them down, and go and make a pot of tea, there’s a good lad.’ Ellen jerked her head towards the back room. ‘There’s a packet of biscuits in me basket. Yer can put a couple on a plate for me when yer bring me cup of tea through.’

  ‘That’s what I call a good boss,’ Molly said when Tony walked through to the stock room. ‘But then again, he’s got a good worker in you.’ She tilted her head. ‘How long have yer worked here now, Ellen?’

  ‘Me and Tony were only talking about it this morning. It’s five years. The reason I know is because it was the end of the war, remember? Nobby was out celebrating VE Day when he got knocked over by a tram. Not that he needed an excuse to get drunk; he was seldom sober. But it was when he was in hospital and we had no money coming in that I got the job here. And it was all down to you and Nellie. Left to meself, I wouldn’t have had the strength to go after a job, or the courage. God knows what my life would have been like but for you two. And I dread to think of what would have happened to the kids.’ She smiled from one to the other. ‘You two made me do me hair, got me a decent dress to wear, and dragged me down here. And in doing so, yer gave me me pride back.’

  Nellie, who always acted tough, as though she wouldn’t care if her backside was on fire, sniffed. ‘Don’t say any more, girl, ’cos I haven’t got me hanky with me. Me and Molly were glad to help, so let’s leave it at that, eh? Right, Molly?’

  ‘Right, sunshine. And now Ellen
will finish serving us and we can get the rest of our shopping in before making our way back to Hanley’s. There’s not a lot of panic, but I do like to have the dinner on the go when Jack and Ruthie come in from work.’

  Ellen began to wrap the chops and sausages, saying, ‘Will yer let me know what Edna has to say? And don’t forget to add the two names on.’

  ‘I doubt if I’ll make it back here, Ellen, ’cos after I’ve been to Hanley’s I’ll have to dash home to get the dinner on. And once that’s over and everything washed and cleared away, then I want to do the rounds of the family. I see Doreen and Jill every day, and the babies, but I haven’t been to me ma’s for a few days, and they’ll think I’ve forgotten them. But I’ll give yer a knock tonight with all the information. Say about seven o’clock, when yer’ve got yer dinner over and tidied up. Will that be all right?’

  ‘That’s fine, Molly. Ye’re an angel for seeing to Hanley’s for us.’

  ‘I’ll come with yer tonight to see yer ma,’ Nellie said, a woebegone expression on her face. ‘Save me sitting talking to meself while George reads the ruddy paper inside out.’

  It was a look Molly couldn’t refuse. ‘Okay, sunshine. Yer can keep me company while I do the rounds. Now let’s pay Ellen and be on our merry way.’

  ‘Thirty-two people?’ Edna Hanley pulled a face. ‘That would be pushing it a bit, Molly. I don’t believe we’ve got that many chairs up there.’

  ‘Eight of them are youngsters, Edna – they wouldn’t care if they had to share seats as long as they were there. Anyway, we could always lend yer half a dozen chairs, no problem.’

  ‘I’ll get Tom to check them tomorrow, see how many we’ve got. Now for dates. I’ve got a few weddings booked in, but if I give yer the dates I’ve got free, that would be the easiest way of doing it. Let’s see now. There’s a Saturday free three weeks tonight, another in five weeks and the next is eight weeks off. I’ll jot the dates down for yer, and yer can see what Ellen and Corker say. Now, what do they want for the buffet?’