by Joan Jonker
‘Yeah, ye’re right, Dad.’ Lucy mentally scolded herself for being selfish. Mrs Pollard had been really good to her. Every other day she’d changed the dressing on her leg, and last night when she was taking the pad off, she’d said it was better now and didn’t need covering any more. ‘I’ll give her a knock and show her me new coat. And Mrs Aggie and Mr Titch.’
‘Then we’d better make sure yer get a posh one, eh?’
Lucy giggled. ‘It doesn’t have to be posh, Dad, just nice.’
The assistant in Blackler’s couldn’t have been more helpful if Bob had said price was no object. But he hadn’t. He told her the truth, that four pounds was the limit.
The assistant held out her hand. ‘Come with me, Miss, and we’ll look along the rails and see if anything takes your eye. Your father can sit down while he’s waiting.’
The first and second rails held nothing that Lucy liked. It was while the assistant was taking one from the third rail, that a colour caught her eye. ‘Could I have a look at that one, please?’
The coat, in deep cherry red, was brought out for her inspection. It had a pointed collar, slanted pockets, revers that could be turned up to fasten at the neck for warmth, and there were five cherry-red buttons fastened down the middle. ‘I like that one, I think it’s lovely.’
The assistant looked at the price tag. ‘I’m afraid this one is four shillings more than your father said he could go up to. Shall I go and ask him?’
‘No, don’t do that, please. I’m very lucky to be getting a coat and I shouldn’t be greedy. Shall I try that navy blue one on? That looks nice.’
When Lucy came out of the fitting room wearing the navy-blue coat, Bob tried to be enthusiastic but he didn’t think it suited her. It was serviceable all right, and wouldn’t show the dirt, but it was dull and made Lucy look dull. ‘Are yer sure that’s the one yer want, pet?’
‘Yes, I like it, Dad.’
But the assistant thought the same as Bob. The coat was too dowdy for such a pretty girl. So forgetting the rule that the customer was always right, she made a try. ‘There was another coat your daughter really liked, but unfortunately it was four guineas.’
‘I like this one just as much, Dad,’ Lucy cried, not wanting her father to feel she was getting second-best. ‘Honest, I do!’
Bob knew his daughter too well to believe her. He had intended treating her to tea and cakes at Reece’s, and then a trip on the ferry. If they did without the cakes and the ferry, he could just about manage the extra four shillings. ‘Let me see yer in the other coat, pet.’
The assistant was away like a shot, tugging Lucy after her. And the girl who came out of the fitting room was a different girl altogether. The colour suited her down to the ground, bringing out the rosy blush of her cheeks and highlighting her shining hair. And her stance and bright green eyes told how much she enjoyed the fit and feel of the coat.
‘That’s the one, pet,’ Bob said, swallowing the lump in his throat. ‘That’s the one yer knew yer were going to fall head over heels in love with. It’s a beauty, like yerself.’
The assistant breathed a sigh of relief. She wouldn’t have slept tonight if the girl hadn’t got the coat she wanted. And it really looked as though it had been made for her. ‘Is she having this one, sir?’
Bob nodded, waving Lucy’s objections aside. ‘I’d like you to wrap her old one up and let her keep that one on. It’s her birthday, yer see.’
‘And it’s a lovely birthday present. But I’ll have to take it off her to take to the counter. Once it’s paid for, and you have a receipt, she can change into it.’
‘Here yer are, pet.’ Bob took hold of Lucy’s hand and counted out four pound notes and a ten-shilling note. ‘Ye’re a big girl now, you go with the lady and pay. And don’t forget I want me change.’
Lucy felt as though she was floating on a cloud. ‘I know, Dad, yer want six shillings change.’ She bent and whispered in his ear, ‘This will open a few eyes, eh, Dad? I’ll be the talk of the street.’
Bob grinned. ‘And the washhouse, no doubt. In fact, I’ll be disappointed if ye’re not the talk of the whole flippin’ neighbourhood.’
When Lucy came back to where he was sitting, dressed in her finery and carrying a bag with her old coat in, Bob thought he had never seen her look so pretty or happy. ‘I’m very proud of yer, pet, and the luckiest man alive to be yer father.’
‘It’s me what’s the lucky one.’ Lucy linked his arm, then dropped it to wave a thank you to the assistant who was watching them leave with a huge smile on her face. ‘She was awful nice, Dad.’
‘Yes, she was. Very kind and helpful.’
When they stepped from Blackler’s into Elliot Street, Bob pulled her to a halt. ‘Now comes the bad news, pet. I intended to take yer for tea and cakes, then a trip on the ferry, as a treat. But I can’t afford that now or I won’t have the tram fare home. So how about a walk down to the Pier Head, just to watch the ferries coming and going? It’s very interesting, lots of hustle and bustle, and it’ll pass an hour away.’ He’d had strict instructions to stay out until four o’clock. Then on the dot of the hour, he was to knock on Aggie’s door. ‘It’ll blow the cobwebs away, too, ’cos it’s always nice and fresh by the river.’
‘I’d like that, Dad. I’ll be able to swank in me new coat.’
‘Come on, then, let’s go. Give me that bag to carry, it’s too heavy for you.’
When they stepped off the tram, Bob glanced in the pawnshop window at the big round clock on the wall. Five minutes to four – he couldn’t have timed it better. Walking at a steady gait, they’d be knocking at Aggie’s dead on the hour.
‘Shall we call at the McBrides’ and let them see yer birthday present?’
‘Oh, yeah! Mrs Aggie won’t half get a surprise when she sees me. She won’t be expecting me to be wearing the most beautiful coat in the whole world.’
But it was Titch who opened the door. And being Titch, he was able to hide his surprise and keep a straight face. ‘Hello, young lady. I think yer’ve come to the wrong address, ’cos I’ve never seen yer in this street before. Have yer lost yer way, dear?’
This brought forth peals of laughter from Lucy. ‘Don’t be daft, Mr Titch. I know I look different in me new posh coat, but not that different.’
Titch slapped an open palm on his forehead. ‘Well, blow me down, if it isn’t little Lucy Mellor! And in the poshest coat I’ve ever seen. Yer’d better come in and let me ma see yer. She’ll have to put her glasses on to make sure she’s not seeing things.’ He stepped back and bowed her in, winking broadly at Bob as he followed.
‘It’s only me, Mrs Aggie,’ Lucy called as she walked to the living room. ‘I’ve come to show off me new coat.’ She stopped on the threshold, her eyes and mouth wide. The room seemed to be full of people. Apart from Mrs Aggie, there was Mr and Mrs Pollard with Jack and Greg, Rhoda and Steve. And as she wondered why they were all there, it flashed through her mind that Steve looked more posh than she did.
Titch pushed his way past her and raised his two hands as though he was conducting an orchestra. ‘Right, everyone in tune, now.’ And suddenly the rafters were ringing with voices wishing Lucy a happy birthday. She was dumbstruck at first, until her father put his arm around her waist and hugged her as he sang his head off. Then joy and excitement replaced the shock and her face beamed with sheer delight and pleasure. What a wonderful day it was turning out to be!
When the singing finished, Lucy found herself being kissed and hugged while birthday cards were pressed into her hand. And she got a parcel off Mrs Pollard, who said it was a present from her and Mrs Aggie, one off Rhoda, and another from Steve. The lad looked so embarrassed as he explained it wasn’t much, but the thought was there.
Lucy grinned at him. ‘Yer’ve stolen me thunder, you have, Steve Fletcher. Yer look posher than I do in yer long trousers.’
Aggie saw the lad blushing to the roots of his hair and was quick to stand beside him. No one,
except her and Titch, knew where the clothes had come from. ‘He’s been working hard and saving hard, queen. And doesn’t he look the young gentleman?’
‘He certainly does.’ Lucy eyed him up and down. ‘He looks very smart.’
Rhoda pushed her way to her friend’s side. ‘I told Steve he looked nice, Lucy.’ She had her eyes on her friend’s coat and was green with envy. She might have two coats, but neither of them was a patch on Lucy’s.
Lucy was bewildered. She gazed around the smiling faces and was lightheaded with happiness. All her best friends were here. But how did it come about? ‘Mrs Aggie, how come they’re all in your house?’
‘It’s all Titch’s doing, queen, not mine. Not only is it your birthday, but for Jack, here, it’s a big day in his life. He’s no longer a schoolboy, but a young gentleman setting out in life. So my son decided we couldn’t let the day go by without a celebration. So a small tea-party is his present to both of yer.’
Lucy ran to put her arms around Titch. ‘Oh, thank you, Mr Titch. Ye’re not a little love, ye’re a big one.’
‘It’s my pleasure, sweetheart. And might I say how elegant yer look in yer new coat? It really is a knock-out.’
There were shouts of approval and praise, causing Lucy to blush with shyness. ‘I feel daft, now. A real show-off.’
‘Seeing as we’re sharing this day,’ Jack said, feigning disgust at the fuss over Lucy, ‘what about me? I’m standing here in me new long kecks, and not a peep out of yer.’
‘How was I to know, soft lad, when ye’re hiding behind the table? Come and stand next to me and we can both look posh and swank together.’ When he was beside her, her eyes travelled the length of him. ‘Jack Pollard, you are a very, very handsome lad.’
‘Yeah, I know. I was told that before I left the house.’
‘Oh, aye,’ Irene said, her eyebrows raised. ‘Who told yer that?’
‘The mirror in your bedroom wardrobe.’ Jack stuck his two hands in his pockets, feeling very grown up. ‘I was standing in front of it, weighing meself up in me long kecks, and the mirror spoke to me. It said, “Jack Pollard, ye’re a very, very handsome lad.” And as yer know, Mam, mirrors don’t lie.’
George chuckled before saying, ‘Self-praise is no recommendation, son.’
‘But I told him he was handsome, Mr Pollard,’ Lucy said. ‘And that’s not self-praise.’
‘So yer did, sweetheart, so yer did. And seeing as he’s me son, I can’t contradict yer, can I?’ Me dear wife would give me the rounds of the kitchen if I did.’
Aggie squared her shoulders and became businesslike. ‘I’m going to throw you out now, George, and you, Bob, so I can start setting the table. And as Lucy is the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on, I’ll tell her. The tea-party is only for the youngsters. Then at seven o’clock they’re all being packed off to the Pollards’ to play cards, so the grown ups can have a knees-up, jars out, booze-up.’
Bob put a finger under Lucy’s chin and raised her face. ‘Enjoy yerself, pet, and I’ll see yer at seven o’clock.’
‘Is me mam coming to the party with yer?’
‘As far as I know, she is.’
Lucy laid her cards and presents on the couch. ‘Will yer take me coat home with yer, Dad? And will yer put it on a hanger so it doesn’t get creased?’
Bob took the coat from her and jerked his head at George. ‘Come on, mate, before Aggie throws us out.’ He was halfway down the hall, with George behind him, when Steve caught up with them.
‘Mr Mellor, I want to thank yer for doing those jobs for me mam. I really am grateful.’
‘Think nothing of it, Steve, it was only half an hour’s work. I was glad to be able to help, and as I’m on the early shift next week, I’ll nip up one day and fix that loose shelf in the kitchen for her. They’re only little jobs, but every little helps, as they say.’
George waited until he and Bob were on the pavement so their voices wouldn’t carry. ‘There’s a lot we could do for yer mam, but we don’t want to rush things. Ye’re a sensible lad, and I know yer’ll understand that if we try to do too much, yer mam won’t like it and we’ll be back to square one. So we’ll take things slow and easy.’
‘I do understand, Mr Pollard. But she seems to be brighter now that people are calling to see her. And she eats the dinner that the ladies take down to her every day. Yer’ve all been so kind, I really don’t know how to thank yer. Mr Mellor says the jobs he did were nothing, but they’ve made a difference to the house.’ Steve grinned. ‘The sideboard looks like a sideboard now, not a heap of scrap. And I’m not banging me leg against the broken door like I used to. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks.’
‘We’re here any time yer want us,’ Bob said. ‘Just remember that.’
‘Can I open me presents now, Mrs Aggie?’ Lucy shouted through to the kitchen where there was a lot of activity going on. ‘And me cards?’
‘Of course yer can, queen.’ Aggie put the last jelly cream on a plate and rubbed her hands down the side of her pinny. ‘’Cos I’m a nosy bugger, we’ll take a five-minute break to see what yer’ve got.’
Lucy’s face was a joy to behold as she read out the verses in each card and the name of the sender. ‘Six birthday cards, aren’t I lucky?’ Each card was put back in its envelope so she could take them home and treasure them. Then she opened the present from Aggie and Irene and let out a squeal of delight at the sight of the pale pink underskirt. ‘Oh, it’s lovely, thank you so much.’ She’d never owned an underskirt before, not since she was a toddler, anyway. ‘I’ll take really good care of it and only wear it for best.’
Rhoda’s present was a perfumed tablet of Lux soap and a cream-coloured flannel. Lucy closed her eyes as she held the soap to her nose. ‘Thank you, Rhoda, I’ll smell lovely when I get washed with this.’
Steve was dreading her opening his present. It was a tuppenny slab of Cadbury’s chocolate, all he could afford. It seemed so cheap compared to the other two presents. But to Lucy it meant just as much. ‘Ooh, me favourite chocolate! Thank you very much, Steve. And don’t be put out if I don’t offer to share it ’cos I’m going to be real tight with it. One square every night in bed and it’ll last me nearly all week.’
The knots in Steve’s tummy began to relax. He’d been expecting to see a look of disappointment on Lucy’s face, but she’d welcomed his cheap gift with the same enthusiasm as the others. And he vowed that next year he’d buy her an extra nice present. He’d be working then, and money wouldn’t be as tight. With a bit of luck his mam might be well enough to take on a light job and they’d be quids in.
Lucy’s eyes grew wider as Aggie and Irene carried plate after plate through. There were sausage rolls, boiled ham and corned beef sandwiches, colourful jelly creams, iced fairy cakes, crackers with cheese on top and a sponge sandwich cake on a glass stand with a fancy doily underneath. ‘Doesn’t everything look lovely?’
‘It sure does,’ Jack said, rubbing his tummy. ‘Can yer hear it rumbling? And me mouth’s watering that much I’m dribbling.’
Steve was feeling the same symptoms. He couldn’t remember seeing a table so heavily laden with such fare. ‘Mrs Aggie doesn’t do things by half.’
Greg was sitting facing the back window and he suddenly burst out laughing. ‘Neither does Mr Titch. He’s just coming up the yard lugging a crate of ale. If there isn’t high jinks here tonight, I’ll eat my hat.’
His brother shook his head. ‘Greg, yer haven’t got a hat.’
‘I know that, soft lad. Yer don’t think I’d be daft enough to say I’d eat it if I had one, do yer? I’d have to be barmy.’
Rhoda thought it was about time she got a word in. They’d think she didn’t have a tongue in her head. ‘I’ve always said yer were barmy, Greg Pollard.’
‘Well, you should know, Rhoda Fleming, seeing as ye’re barmy yerself. They say it takes one to know one.’
Aggie came through from the kitchen, minus her pinny. ‘Right, kids, t
ake yer seats at the table and get stuck in. The barmy ones on this side, Lucy and Jack on the other, and me and Steve at either end. So help yerselves to whatever takes yer fancy. Titch will be bringing yer some lemonade in, unless yer’d prefer tea.’
The vote for lemonade was unanimous. After all, they could get tea any time. And when Titch carried a tray of glasses through, he brought coloured paper hats with him. ‘Get them on yer heads and let’s do the thing in style.’
‘Isn’t Mrs Pollard coming in to join us?’ Lucy asked.
‘No, queen, she’s slipped home the back way. She’s going to put her feet up for an hour because she’s been on the go all day. But she’ll be back later to give me a hand with the washing-up.’
‘I’ll wash up for yer, Mrs Aggie,’ Steve said, putting the brown paper hat on his head. ‘There’s no need for Mrs Pollard to come back. She may as well have a rest and be ready for the party tonight.’
‘I’ll help with the dishes,’ Lucy said. ‘It won’t take long.’
Rhoda thought it would look bad if she didn’t offer. ‘I’ll help, too.’
Jack gave his brother a dig in the ribs. ‘Go on, say something.’
Greg grinned. ‘What would yer like me to say?’
‘That yer’ll give a hand to clear up.’
The grin was replaced by a bulldog expression. ‘Why don’t you offer to give a hand? I don’t see anyone holding yer back.’
‘I’ve got me long kecks on, haven’t I? And if I get a mark on them me mam will have a duck egg. That’s after she’s kicked me into the middle of next week.’
Greg considered this piece of information. ‘I’ve a good mind to drop this jelly cream on yer lap. It would be worth it to see me mam lay a duck egg. And the thought of you being kicked into the middle of next week is very tempting.’
‘I’ll tell yer what,’ Jack said, a twinkle in his eye. ‘You help Mrs Aggie and I’ll leave yer these long kecks in me will. And I’ll even leave yer the braces to keep them up. Now I can’t be fairer than that, and ye’re not likely to get a better offer.’