Stay as Sweet as You Are

by Joan Jonker

  Chapter Twenty

  ‘Last day of yer leave, eh, son?’ Aggie rapped her fingers on the wooden arm of her rocking chair. ‘Are yer sorry it’s over, or will yer be glad to get back to the sea?’

  Titch shrugged his shoulders. ‘All good things come to an end, Ma, whether we like it or not.’

  ‘That doesn’t answer me question, son. Will yer be glad to get back or not?’

  Titch looked uncomfortable. ‘Yeah, I suppose so. Although I’ve got to say I’ve enjoyed being home. We’ve had some good laughs, haven’t we?’

  ‘We certainly have. Particularly on Lucy’s birthday when we all went to the flicks. I don’t think I ever seen anyone as happy as she was that night. She was beside herself with excitement. I think she looks on yer as a second father when Bob’s on shiftwork. She won’t half miss yer when yer’ve gone.’

  ‘I’ll miss her, too, she’s a lovely kid. I’ll miss you most of all, though, Ma, but that goes without saying. And the rest of the gang, they’re real good mates.’

  Oh God, Aggie thought. It’s like trying to get blood out of a stone. But she had to bring it up now, ’cos he’d be gone tomorrow. ‘Isn’t there someone in particular that yer’ll miss more than anyone else?’

  ‘Yeah, I’ve just told yer. I’ll miss you the most.’

  ‘Well, seeing as I’m yer mother, I’d expect that.’ Aggie raised her eyes to the ceiling and asked the Good Lord to give her patience. ‘But what about Olive?’

  While Titch’s face turned the colour of beetroot, he stared at Aggie as though he didn’t understand the question. ‘What about Olive?’

  ‘Listen, son, I might be old in years, but I’m still sound in mind and body. And there’s nowt wrong with me bleedin’ eyes or ears, either. Every morning yer’ve been sat at that table, all spruced up, waiting for Olive to call in on her way home from work. Am I right?’

  ‘Well, yer wouldn’t want me to sit here all scruffy, would yer? Yer’d soon have something to say if I did.’

  ‘Can we stop beating about the bush, son? Have you, or have yer not, taken more than a passing fancy to Olive? And don’t start humming and hawing, otherwise yer bleedin’ ship will be sailing off without yer.’

  Titch dropped his head back and roared with laughter. ‘Ma, yer have a very delicate way of phrasing things. No formalities for you, yer believe in getting right down to the point.’

  ‘I’m getting on in years, son, I don’t have time to hang around. And I’m not waiting three or four bleedin’ months to find out if I’m right, so come on, out with it.’

  ‘I hope this conversation isn’t going to be repeated to the lady in question? If it is, then my lips are sealed.’

  ‘I said I was getting on in years, son, I didn’t say I was going senile. Ye’re all I’ve got in life, so it’s natural I want to share everything with yer. I want to know what’s going on in that head of yours and what yer hopes and plans for the future are.’

  ‘There’s not much to tell, Ma, I’m afraid. But as I know yer won’t be satisfied with that, I’ll tell yer where I’m up to. Last year, when we were all trying to get Olive back on the road to recovery, I told her to start getting out and about and meeting people. I said she was young and attractive enough to meet a man who she could come to care for. She told me plainly that she would never marry again because no one would ever take the place of Jim. I can’t remember the exact words, but I said something like she shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the idea. Anyway, it was a friendly conversation, and as far as I was concerned, Olive was just a good friend, nothing more.’

  Titch smiled at his mother who was leaning forward in her chair, her eyes filled with expectation. ‘Are yer with me so far, Ma?’

  ‘Hanging on to every word, son. Ye’re taking yer bleedin’ time about it, but I’ll forgive yer for that as long as the ending is the one I want to hear.’

  ‘That’s just it, Ma, I haven’t got an ending for yer. But I’ll tell yer what my feelings are and yer can figure it out for yerself. As I said, when I went back to sea that time, as far as I was concerned Olive was like Irene, just a friend I was fond of. Then I found meself thinking about her a lot, and when the ship docked in Liverpool I was like a young boy, eager to see her. And I still feel the same way. But I’m afraid of saying anything in case I frighten her off. So I’m just biding me time and waiting for a sign that tells me she feels more for me than friendship.’

  Aggie sat back in her chair and for a while her face was serious. Then came a smile and chuckle. ‘Here’s me thinking yer were too slow to catch a ruddy cold. But ye’re right, son, about taking yer time. That’s the best way to do it, and it’ll come out right in the end. But yer know, sometimes the onlooker sees more of the game than the people taking part. From what I’ve seen, I’d say that Olive has a definite leaning towards you. And as I’d like yer to go away with hope in yer heart, I’ll let yer into a little secret. When Olive comes here every morning for her cuppa she’s always got a turban on her head, an old pair of slippers on her feet and there’s definitely not a trace of lipstick. Then when you come home it’s a different story. The hair’s nicely combed, she has a pair of shoes on and her lips are more red than nature intended. So I’d say yer were both dressing up for each other. And that to me, my dearly beloved son, is a very good sign. Ye’re both moving forward slowly, and when the time is right, yer’ll meet each other halfway.’

  ‘Ye’re a sucker for romance, aren’t yer, Ma? Ye’re wasting yer time, yer should be writing love stories.’

  ‘That’s as maybe. But I’m also impatient. So don’t be dragging yer heels with Olive.’ Aggie rubbed a finger up and down the side of her nose. And trying to sound casual, she asked, ‘By the way, are yer seeing her tonight?’

  ‘I’ll be going over to say goodbye, yes. Why?’

  ‘Well, always being one who liked to help the course of true love, I’ll wangle it so yer have a bit of time on yer own. Just tell Steve I’ve got a little job for him to do, and that will get him out of yer way for a while.’

  ‘What job’s that, then, Ma?’

  Aggie shook her head and clicked her tongue. ‘It won’t be whitewashing the bleedin’ yard wall, yer daft nit. But I’ll think of something. And if Olive is looking her best, with her hair nice and lipstick on, then take it from me that she’s dressed herself up just for you. So don’t waste time sitting there twiddling yer ruddy thumbs, make the most of the time yer’ve got. Drop a few hints and sow a few seeds. That’ll give her something to ponder on while ye’re away. If ye’re too slow, yer might come home to find she’s married the flaming coalman.’

  Titch smiled. How lucky he was to have this woman for his mother. ‘Ma, the coalman’s married with half a dozen kids.’

  ‘Which just goes to show he was a damn sight quicker off the mark than you are.’

  ‘Yer’ve got an answer for everything, Ma, so would yer like to come down to Olive’s with me? Yer can tell me what to say and when to say it.’

  ‘Blimey! Would yer like me to hold yer hand and wipe yer nose for yer?’

  Titch left his chair and went to kneel in front of Aggie. He held his arms wide and said, ‘Give us a hug.’

  Locked in each other’s arms, Aggie whispered in his ear, ‘I only want what’s best for yer, son. And I don’t know anyone who would make yer a better wife than Olive.’ She moved back so she could look into his face. ‘And I’d have a daughter and a grandson that I couldn’t love any more if they were me own.’

  ‘Don’t be counting yer chickens, Ma, ’cos I’d hate to see yer disappointed.’

  ‘I won’t be, son, so don’t worry.’ Aggie had a good feeling about this and her heart was singing. ‘Whatever happens I’ll still have you.’

  ‘Hello, Mrs Aggie.’ Steve was growing more handsome by the day. He was still wearing the clothes Titch had given him and always looked immaculate. He and his mam were still struggling for money, but they took good care of the things they had. ‘Mr Titch said yer w
anted to see me. He said yer had a job for me.’

  ‘Ah well, that’s not strictly true.’ Aggie waved him to a chair. ‘In fact, sweetheart, it was a downright lie.’

  Steve’s dimple appeared when he smiled. ‘What are yer up to, Mrs Aggie?’

  When Aggie sat down and folded her arms, there was mischief glinting in her eyes. ‘Whatever it is I’m up to, sweetheart, I want you to be up to it with me. I’d say we’d make good partners, don’t yer think?’

  ‘Mrs Aggie, ye’re not thinking of robbing a bank, are yer?’

  ‘No, yer need guns for that, son. And I lent mine to Edward G. Robinson for his latest gangster picture. So I can’t offer yer anything so exciting.’

  ‘In that case, count me in, partner.’

  ‘I need a promise from yer first, Steve. That this will be our secret and yer won’t tell anyone, not even yer mam. In fact, especially not yer mam.’

  Steve made a sign on his chest. ‘Cross my heart and hope to die.’

  Aggie smiled. ‘Right then, down to business. I asked yer to come up here so Titch and yer mam could have some time together. Yer see, I’ve got a sneaking feeling that they like each other.’

  ‘Ye’re not the only one, Mrs Aggie, ’cos I think so, too.’

  ‘There yer are, then! I think it and you think it. The only ones that won’t admit it are the two silly beggars involved. And that’s because they’re both afraid of showing their feelings.’ Aggie was thinking that as soon as Steve left, her teeth were coming out. How could she think properly when the damn things were getting on her nerves. Vanity was one thing, being miserable was another. ‘Tell me, sweetheart, what makes yer think they like each other?’

  ‘Because they’re at great pains not to show it. But me mam is a different person when Mr Titch is home. She takes more pride in her appearance for one thing, and she’s like a cat on hot bricks when she’s expecting him down. And she never used to be shy in his company, but she is now.’

  Aggie banged the palm of her hand on the arm of the chair. ‘That’s exactly how I see things. And we can’t both be wrong, can we? So tell me, how would yer feel if they did start courting, serious like?’

  ‘Mrs Aggie, I’d be over the moon. I’d have a permanent smile on me face for the rest of me life knowing me mam was happy.’ Steve had a question in his head he had to have answered. ‘Does Mr Titch really like me mam?’

  ‘Oh, I think so, son.’ Aggie wasn’t prepared to say more. ‘But we can’t force them to do anything just because it’s what we’d like. So all we can do is try and help the romance along. And that is why ye’re sitting here right now. To help the romance along.’

  Unaware that they were the subject of a conversation just down the street, Titch and Olive sat back in the fireside chairs either side of the fireplace. ‘How long will yer be away this trip, Titch?’

  ‘I haven’t a clue. It depends upon where the cargo’s bound for. It could be one month, or it could be four.’ Titch thought on about what his mother had said about him being so slow he’d come back and find she’d married the coalman. And while the coalman, with his wife and six kids was no threat, there were plenty of single blokes around. So he took his courage in his hands. ‘Why, will yer miss me?’

  When Olive nodded, Titch put a hand to his ear. ‘I didn’t hear what yer said, Olive, I must be getting deaf. Will yer miss me?’

  Olive plucked nervously at her skirt. ‘Yes, of course I’ll miss yer.’

  ‘Will yer miss me like a headache, or miss me ’cos yer like me?’

  ‘Titch McBride, why do yer say these things to make me blush?’

  ‘Well, yer do look pretty when yer blush, but that’s not why I asked if yer’d miss me. Ye’re not the only one that’s shy, yer know. And even though I know me face will turn purple, I’m not going to let it stop me from saying I’ll miss you.’

  Olive chuckled. ‘That’ll be the day when you blush, Titch. I hope I’m there to see it.’

  ‘Yer can see it right now ’cos I’m going to ask a favour of yer.’

  ‘If it’s about yer mam, yer’ve no need to ask. Yer know me and Steve will keep an eye out for her. In fact, yer’d have a job stopping me son from going to see his beloved Mrs Aggie. Visiting her is the highlight of his day.’

  ‘I’m glad yer son gets on with my ma, Olive, but will yer stop making things difficult for me? Even me ruddy toes are blushing now. The favour I was going to ask has got nothing to do with me ma, it’s for meself. And if I don’t get it out now, I never will.’ The words came tumbling from Titch’s mouth. ‘I want to know if yer’ll come out with me one night next time I’m home? Just the two of us.’

  ‘Just the two of us?’

  ‘Yeah. You and me, together, like.’

  The blush on Titch’s face was obvious now, and it chased Olive’s nerves away. She began to giggle. ‘Yer really are shy, aren’t yer?’

  ‘I’ve never been shy in me life until this minute. And if yer say yer won’t come out with me, I’ll probably burst out crying.’

  ‘Oh, we can’t have that, can we? So I’ll have to accept your offer. What was it now? Let’s see if I’ve got it right. Just the two of us. You and me, together, like.’

  ‘Olive Fletcher, I do believe yer’ve been having me on. Here’s me, going through agony, and you’ve been enjoying me discomfort.’

  ‘Your face was a picture, Titch. But I wasn’t having yer on, honest. I felt like a sixteen-year-old girl being asked out on her first date, and you looked like the shy seventeen-year-old boy asking her.’

  ‘I feel seventeen now. I had visions of yer turning me down.’

  ‘Why would I turn yer down? You and me are very good friends, aren’t we, Titch?’

  ‘Yes, you and me are very, very good friends, Olive. In fact, I’d go as far as to say you and me are very close friends.’

  When Steve finally opened the front door he heard them laughing and thought that was a very good sign. They were still in the same chairs they’d been in when he left them, but he detected a difference in their attitude to each other. They were more at ease, more light-hearted. He’d have to tell Mrs Aggie about that tomorrow, she’d be very pleased.

  Titch didn’t stay long. He’d seen Bob this afternoon with him being on the early shift, but he hadn’t said goodbye to the Pollards yet. And he had to be up with the larks in the morning. ‘So I’ll see you two when I get back – which I hope won’t be long.’

  Olive got to her feet. ‘I’ll see you out, Titch.’

  Steve’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. His mam had never done that before.

  He’d have been more surprised if he’d heard Titch asking, ‘Do I get a farewell kiss?’

  ‘Of course.’ Olive lifted her cheek, but as Titch’s face came near, she cupped it in her hands and planted a fleeting kiss on his lips. ‘Thank you for giving me me life back, Titch.’

  On those softly spoken words, Olive closed the door, leaving Titch looking bewildered. Then a smile lit up his face and he walked away with a spring in his step. He gave a glance up and down the street to make sure there was no one around, then he punched the air with a clenched fist. Nothing had really been said about an understanding between them, but he was certain in his mind that when he came home again there would be a woman waiting to welcome him. Two women, really, because he must never forget his ma.

  Titch was going to walk past his house to get to the Pollards’, but changed his mind. He had his mother to thank for the progress he’d made tonight, because if Steve had been home he’d never have got the chance to say what he had. So she deserved to share his happiness.

  He gave a loud knock on the door and waited for it to open. ‘I’m not coming in yet, Ma, I’ve got to see the Pollards first. But I thought yer’d like to know I’ve got a date with a certain lady for when I come home.’

  ‘Oh, I am glad, son. I’ll sleep happy tonight.’ Aggie, minus her false teeth, grinned. ‘I owe meself a tanner now.’

  ‘What d
’yer mean, yer owe yerself a tanner?’

  ‘I had a feeling tonight was going to be yer lucky night, so I had a little bet with meself.’

  ‘Oh Ma, what am I going to do with yer?’

  ‘Yer can put a move on, that’s what. Get yerself settled down, so that when me time comes I can die in peace. I don’t want to be standing at the Pearly Gates arguing the toss with St Peter that he had no right to take me until I’d settled all me affairs.’

  ‘Ma, if St Peter knows what’s good for him, he won’t take yer until ye’re too old to argue. And that won’t be for another thirty years.’

  ‘Oh well, if I’ve got that long to wait, I may as well go and make meself a pot of tea and drink to a long life. Then I might take meself off to bed and have an early night. So don’t make a noise when yer come in.’

  ‘In that case, I’ll come in for a minute now. I want to sort something out with yer and I might not have time in the morning.’ Titch ran straight up the stairs to his bedroom and was back down again within seconds with an envelope in his hands. ‘Ma, there’s thirty pounds in here and I want yer to mind it for me.’

  Aggie’s jaw dropped. ‘Thirty pounds! In the name of God, son, where did yer get that much money from?’

  ‘I’m not the spendthrift yer think I am, Ma, I always keep a bit aside for a rainy day. Not usually this much, but I’m not taking any back to the ship with me. If I haven’t got it, I can’t spend it. And yer never know, I might be looking for money sometime in the future.’

  Aggie took the envelope from him, muttering, ‘Think of all the milk stouts I could buy with this. I could be sozzled every day until yer come home again.’ Then she smiled up at him. ‘This will be safe under me mattress, son, until yer want it. Now go and visit yer mates.’

  Titch put his arms around her and kissed her soundly. ‘Goodnight and God bless, Ma. I don’t half love yer.’

  ‘And I love you, too, son.’ Aggie was always emotional the day before her son left to join his ship, but he was so happy tonight she didn’t want to spoil things for him. So she did what she always did, she resorted to humour. ‘Which is a good job, really, ’cos life wouldn’t be worth living if we couldn’t stand the bleedin’ sight of each other.’