by Joan Jonker
‘We all do, Auntie Lizzie,’ Jill told her. ‘I’ve always loved Uncle Corker.’
The old lady smiled at her with great fondness. ‘And like Cinderella, sweetheart, you shall go to the ball. I’ll see to the baby, yer don’t have to worry about that. Once she’s down, she’ll sleep for three or four hours.’
Steve looked pleased. ‘That’s something for us to look forward to, love. Yer could buy yerself a new dress for the occasion.’
‘I don’t need a new dress. There’s nothing wrong with the ones I’ve got.’
‘You’re getting a new dress,’ Steve insisted. ‘Yer seldom go anywhere these days because of the baby, so I want yer to dress up while yer’ve got reason to.’
‘Don’t argue, sunshine,’ Molly told her daughter. ‘If yer can afford it, then it’ll do yer good to dress up. It gives yer confidence when yer know yer look good.’
‘She always looks good, Mrs B.,’ Steve said, his eyes telling his wife he thought she was beautiful and he adored her. ‘But we don’t go out much, so it’ll be nice to get dressed up for a change. And it’ll be nice for all the gang to be together again.’
Nellie banged a clenched fist on the table. ‘I don’t know whether you lot like cold tea or not, but I certainly don’t. And besides that, me throat is parched.’
‘Yer shouldn’t talk so much, Mam, that’s the trouble. And I bet yer had a cup of tea in Doreen’s, did yer?’
‘Don’t tell him, Molly,’ Nellie said. ‘Cheeky bugger, he’ll be asking me what I had for me breakfast next.’
‘I bet I know what yer had,’ Steve said. ‘A cup of tea and two rounds of toast with me dad and our Paul, and another cup of tea and two rounds of toast after they’d left for work.’
Nellie hoisted her bosom. ‘I’m not telling yer, so there! And if somebody doesn’t pour this tea out soon, I’ll do it me bleeding self.’
‘I’ll do it,’ Molly said, ‘before she starts crying. And when she’s got her tea, she’ll be asking for biscuits because she’s starving with hunger. Yer mother never has anything in moderation, Steve. She’s never just thirty, she’s got to be parched. And she’s never peckish, always starving.’
But five minutes later, with a cup of tea in front of her, a custard cream between two of her chubby fingers, Nellie was completely happy and kept them all highly amused until it was time for her and Molly to make their way to the Jacksons’.
‘Let’s walk nice and slow, girl, and yer can finish telling me about Ken and what he said about Derek. When yer’ve finished telling me that, and there’s no need to rush it, then we’ll talk about what we’ll wear to the party.’
‘Nellie, the party is at least three weeks off, maybe five! We don’t need to think about what we’ll wear until the week before.’
‘That’s not giving your Doreen much time to make two dresses, is it? Have a little bit of thought for her. With having the baby to see to, she’ll need more than a week.’
‘You cheeky article!’ Molly stopped in her tracks. ‘Ye’re not expecting our Doreen to make dresses for us, are yer? I mean, she’s not only got the baby to care for, she’s got the house to keep clean, Victoria to see to, the washing and ironing, the cooking and the shopping. And you expect her to make two dresses? I wouldn’t have the nerve to ask her.’
As cool as a cucumber, Nellie said, ‘I’ll ask her for yer, girl, if you feel too shy. If I’m asking for meself, I might as well ask for you at the same time.’
‘You most certainly will not! I’ll either make do with a dress I’ve got, or see if there’s anything going on Mary Ann’s stall at the market.’
‘I’ll do the same as you, then, girl, ’cos I don’t want to upset yer. So now we’ve sorted that out to our mutial satisfaction, carry on with the tale about young Ken.’
‘Nellie, the word is mutual, not mutial.’ Molly glanced at her friend, then gave in. ‘Oh, what difference does it make? It’s not worth wasting me breath. Yer don’t take any notice anyway. It goes in one ear and out the other with you.’
Nellie grinned up at her. ‘That’s because there’s nothing in between, girl. At least that’s what George says when he’s got a cob on with me.’
‘Ay, you tell yer husband he’s not to talk to yer like that.’ Molly chuckled. ‘If anyone is going to insult yer, it should be me. I’m with yer more than anyone else.’
‘Quite right, girl, you stick up for yerself. And as we’re not far from yer ma’s house hurry up and finish the story about young Ken.’
Molly knocked on her mother’s door, then stood back to wait for it to be opened. Then she felt Nellie pulling on her arm. ‘Ay, girl,’ the little woman said, ‘don’t mention me hair and see if they notice it.’
When Tommy opened the door it was to see his mother doubled up with laughter. ‘Hello, Mam. What’s Auntie Nellie been saying to yer now?’ He kept his face straight, for he had heard what Nellie had said. ‘Oh, Rosie’s calling me, so see yerselves in and close the door after yer.’ He then dashed into the living room and said quickly, but urgently, ‘Don’t mention Auntie Nellie’s hair whatever yer do.’
So the two friends entered the living room to see Bridie and Bob in their usual seat on the couch. Molly made a fuss, kissing them both, and then Tommy and Rosie. ‘I’ve no need to ask how yer are, ’cos yer all look the picture of health.’
Nellie stood in the middle of the room, her eyes going from one to the other as she waited to be noticed. Until Bridie said, ‘Sit yerself down, Nellie, me darlin’, and make yerself at home.’
That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. ‘What’s the matter with the lot of yer? Are yer all blind?’
Bob was dying to laugh, for she reminded him of Curly Top, a cartoon character from many years ago. But he managed to speak in his usual low voice. ‘We’re all right, Nellie. What made yer ask that?’
Grinding her teeth, Nellie turned on Molly. ‘Switch the ruddy light on, girl!’
Molly guessed what had happened, and went along with it. ‘What d’yer want the light on for? It’s still broad daylight.’
‘Me hair, yer daft nit, me hair! They can’t see it!’
Rosie’s bonny face was full of devilment. ‘Of course we can see yer hair, Auntie Nellie, and as sure as I’m standing here, I promise yer haven’t gone bald. Sure yer hair is still on yer head, right enough, and I wouldn’t be telling yer no lies.’
Nellie wagged her head from side to side, tutting loudly as she did so. ‘I know I haven’t gone bald, soft girl, but can’t yer see there’s something different about me hair?’
‘Of course we can, sweetheart,’ Bridie said. ‘Sure I noticed it as soon as yer came through the door. But the truth of it is, me darlin’, I didn’t like to mention it in case yer were embarrassed. There’s plenty of people who get embarrassed when someone pays them a compliment. And because we all know how shy and retiring you are none of us wanted to say anything that would make yer feel uncomfortable. Isn’t that the truth, Tommy?’
Shy and retiring. Even Nellie could see the funny side of that. But being Nellie, she had to have the last word. ‘Ye’re just jealous, the lot of yer. All me life people have been jealous of me, and it’s not my fault if I’ve got a voluptuous body what most women would die for, is it? And it’s not my fault if I woke up this morning to find me hair had grown into curls while I was asleep. A miracle it was, nothing short of a miracle.’
‘Yer hair looks a treat, Auntie Nellie,’ Tommy told her. ‘And I’ve got a confession to make. As I was going to open the front door to yer, I heard what yer said to me mam about not mentioning yer hair. I made an excuse that Rosie was calling me, and ran in to tell everyone to pretend not to notice yer hair. So I’m to blame for yer not getting the compliments yer should have got, but I did it ’cos I know yer can take a joke better than anyone I know. Like I know yer’ll forgive me.’
There’s a few nice compliments in there, Nellie told herself, as she smiled at him. ‘I’ll forgive yer, son, on one
condition.’
‘What’s that, Auntie Nellie?’
‘That a pot of tea is on that table in five minutes, plus a plate of biscuits. And when yer’ve done that, me and Molly have got some very good news for yer. So hurry up, son.’
Tommy and Rosie made a dash for the kitchen, while Bridie asked, ‘And what’s the good news, me darlin’?’
‘Oh, I can’t tell yer, Bridie, girl, ’cos it’s Molly who is helping to organise everything. And me mate is better at explaining things than I am.’
‘We’ll wait until Tommy and Rosie are here, Ma,’ Molly said. ‘I don’t want to have to go over it all twice. But I think yer’ll like what it is me and Nellie have to tell yer.’
‘There yer are, Auntie Nellie.’ Rosie put the plate of biscuits near to where Nellie was sitting. ‘There’s a nice variety for yer to choose from, and here’s me ever-loving husband with the tea. Sure, yer wouldn’t be served quicker if yer went to the finest hotel in Liverpool.’
Bridie and Bob came to sit at the table, and Rosie sat on Tommy’s knees as they were a chair short. But her beloved husband’s knee was better than a chair any day. And Nellie, as happy as could be with the compliments, the tea, and the plate of biscuits, asked herself what more could she wish for. ‘Go on, girl, they’re waiting for yer. Put them out of their misery.’
So taking a sip of tea first, Molly began the tale of Corker’s party. And soon the room was full of laughter, and everyone trying to speak at once. A party with all the families and neighbours was always welcome. ‘Are yer sure it won’t be too much for Corker, me darlin’? Me and Bob would love to be there, but we’d understand, sure enough, if he had more than enough to invite with his own family and friends.’
‘Ma, if Corker heard yer say that he’d go mad. You and me da are family as far as he’s concerned. Like all of us, he’d think there was something amiss if yer weren’t there.’
‘When is it, Mam?’ Tommy asked, a smile on his handsome face. ‘I hope I can still get into me wedding suit.’
‘The date isn’t certain yet. It could be three weeks tonight, or five weeks. I’ll find out for sure tomorrow.’ Molly looked at the clock. ‘It’s half nine now, so if me and Nellie leave here at ten to ten, we’ll probably meet the men coming out of the pub. I could get the exact date then, ’cos Corker was waiting for Ellen to come in from work to choose which Saturday.’ She looked across at her mother. ‘Yer’ll be coming round tomorrow as usual, so I can give yer a definite date then.’
‘Ay, we’ve got another surprise for yer.’ Nellie leaned forward. ‘There’s someone new coming to the party, and I bet yer couldn’t guess in a hundred years who it is.’
‘In that case, Nellie,’ Bob said, ‘I think yer’d better tell us ’cos we won’t be around that long. And I’m sure yer wouldn’t want us to die wondering what the answer was.’
Nellie didn’t keep them waiting. With pride in her voice she said, ‘It’s Edna and Tom Hanley, them what own the place. They asked if they could come. Edna said she’d always wanted to come to one of our parties ’cos we enjoy ourselves so much.’
So Corker’s party was the topic of conversation until Molly looked at the clock and gave her mate a nudge. ‘We’d better make a move, sunshine, if we want to catch the men coming out of the pub. I don’t want to be knocking on Corker’s door on a Sunday, for it’s the only day Ellen has free.’
‘Ready when you are, girl, ready when you are.’
The two women couldn’t have timed it better. They were just nearing the pub door when Jack and George came out, followed by Corker and Derek. ‘Where’s Phil?’ Molly asked. Her first thought was that the baby wasn’t well and Doreen had sent for him. ‘Did he go home early?’
‘Only a few minutes ago, love, so don’t look so worried.’ Jack patted her arm. ‘It’s a wonder yer didn’t see him.’
‘Your wife’s the biggest worrier on God’s earth,’ Nellie said. ‘She always thinks the worst.’
‘That’s because she cares for people.’ Corker put his arm across Molly’s shoulders. ‘Me darlin’, we wouldn’t have yer any different. And can we ask why you and Nellie are hanging around a pub door at this time of night?’
‘Me and Nellie have done the rounds. Doreen’s first, then Jill’s, and lastly me ma’s. We’ve told them all about the party, and they’re all thrilled to bits. All I need from yer now is a date, Corker, if yer have one.’
‘Five weeks tonight, me darlin’. Ellen said three weeks was too soon, for when the children heard, they all said they wanted new clothes. Gordon said he was old enough for a proper suit now, and when the others heard that, they all put their order in. So, it’s five weeks tonight.’
Molly looked at Derek, standing next to his mate. He didn’t push himself forward, and that’s one of the things that Molly liked about him. ‘I’ve told most of the gang, but I’ll have to wait until I see Claire, ’cos I don’t know where she lives.’
‘I know where she lives,’ Derek said. ‘I’ll call and let her know if yer like.’
‘Would yer do that for us, sunshine?’ Molly felt a bit guilty being so underhanded, but then brushed that aside and decided all was fair in love and war. ‘Don’t tell her about the party. I’d like to surprise her. Just ask her to come up to mine on Monday night, ’cos I’ve something to tell her. She could bring the kids with her for a walk.’
‘I’ll do that, Molly, it’s no trouble. I’m not working yet, so I’ve got all the time in the world.’
‘Oh, that’s lovely, Derek. Thanks very much. I want to make sure of the numbers so Corker doesn’t pay for someone who doesn’t turn up. Ask her if she’ll come about half seven, to give me time to get the dinner over and tidy up.’
‘Molly, yer’d have made a good secretary,’ Corker said, his arm still across her shoulders. ‘Every little detail attended to and filed away.’
Jack tapped him on the back. ‘Would yer mind taking yer arm away from my wife, Corker, if yer don’t mind? We’re getting funny looks from some of the neighbours who are passing by.’
‘I’m not worried what the neighbours think,’ Molly said, edging away. ‘But I am worried about our daughter, Jack Bennett. I told her to be home no later than ten o’clock, and it’s turned that now. Me and Nellie will run on, for I know you men will stand jangling for a while. So we’ll say goodnight and God bless. Come on, Nellie, let’s go.’ She’d gone a few steps when she turned her head. ‘Thanks for offering to go on that message for me, Derek. I appreciate it.’
Nellie did a hop skip and a jump, to keep up with her friend. ‘Ay, girl, yer pulled that off very well, I must say. Don’t ever call me crafty again, ’cos yer don’t do so bad yerself.’
‘It wasn’t that obvious, was it, sunshine?’
‘Nah, none of the men would have given it a thought. After they’ve downed a few pints they’re not capable of thinking straight. Right now they’ll still be standing in the same place, putting the world to rights. I just hope my George hasn’t had too many pints. He’s hopeless in bed when he’s tipsy.’
‘That’s all for tonight, sunshine. My work is over for the day, and I really don’t need to hear that your George’s work hasn’t begun yet.’ Molly could see Ruthie leaning against the wall outside the house. ‘Goodnight and God bless, Nellie.’
As she turned away, Molly heard her mate mutter, ‘Goodnight, she says. It better had be a good night, or my George is in for it.’
Chapter Twenty-Nine
It was Ken who opened the door to Derek on Sunday afternoon, and his eyes lit up with pleasure. ‘Hello! This is a surprise.’
‘I’ve got a message for yer mother from Mrs Bennett.’ Derek smiled back at the boy. ‘Could yer call her for me?’
‘Come in, yer don’t have to stand out there.’
Derek shook his head. ‘No, I don’t want to interrupt her afternoon. Ask her if she’d be good enough to come to the door.’
Ken turned his head and called over his shoulder, ‘Ma
m, Derek is here with a message for yer from Mrs Bennett.’
‘Well, bring the man in, son, don’t leave him standing on the step. It’s bad manners.’
Ken was delighted. This was what he was hoping for. He enjoyed being in the company of men, and being treated like an adult. Opening the door wider, he said, ‘Come in, Derek.’
Claire nodded and smiled a welcome before facing her son. ‘You shouldn’t be calling him Derek. It’s very forward of you.’
‘But I don’t know his second name, Mam, and I couldn’t just say there’s some bloke here to see yer.’
‘Sit down, Derek,’ Claire said, plumping up a cushion on the couch. ‘There yer are, we don’t charge.’
He hesitated. There was nothing he would like better than to stay and get to know her, but he didn’t want to appear too keen. ‘I don’t want to upset yer day. I know yer work through the week, so I imagine yer have plenty of jobs to catch up with on a Sunday. It was Molly who asked me to call to give yer a message.’
‘I’m sure yer can give the message just as well sitting down. And Ken was making a pot of tea when yer knocked, so ye’re welcome to a cup. Unless ye’re on yer way somewhere, then I wouldn’t want to hold you back.’
Derek lowered himself to the couch. ‘No, I’m not going anywhere in particular. Me mother was having her afternoon nap, and with it being such a nice day, I thought it was a shame to waste it by staying indoors.’ He leaned back, made himself comfortable and crossed his legs. ‘So I thought I’d call here and pass the message on, then take a tram down to the Pier Head.’ He grinned, revealing a set of strong white teeth. ‘I’m missing the smell of the sea, so I’ll most probably take a ferry across to Seacombe. Get my sea legs back for half an hour.’
‘I’ll pour the tea out,’ Ken said, hoping Derek would stay for a while and talk about his adventures at sea. ‘Do yer take sugar … er … mister?’