by Joan Jonker
‘Oh, we can talk in front of me mam ’cos she knows all about it. But I want Howard to help a friend of mine with some advice and he’s in the house with me mam and Iris. Would yer mind if I tell yer the whole story, very quickly, so you and Howard don’t get it in bits and pieces?’
‘Is this person a good friend of yours, Kate?’ Howard asked.
Kate nodded. ‘He’s one hell of a nice feller and he desperately needs advice.’
‘Then carry on, Kate.’
Kate told them everything, from the first time Bob had sat facing her in the canteen. And she ended by saying, ‘Me mam offered him her spare room and he moved in yesterday.’
Audrey took a deep breath then blew it out. ‘Well, that’s some story. Are yer sure it’s all true, Kate, or is he taking advantage?’
‘It’s true – I’ve seen his hand scratched to pieces where his wife had gone for him. He’s a quiet man, and he’s put up with it for years. Anyway, Audrey, would yer say me mam was a good judge of character?’
Her sister nodded. ‘I’ve never known her to be wrong.’
‘And he wants advice on how to go about obtaining a divorce?’ Howard tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. ‘It’s a messy business, divorce, and it can take years.’
‘Would yer talk to him about it?’ Kate was gripping the back of his seat. ‘He’s only a working bloke and doesn’t know where to turn.’
‘I’ll be only too happy to help a friend of yours, Kate. But isn’t it going to be rather difficult in your mother’s house? I would need to ask very personal questions which the man would find hard to answer in front of Iris, Audrey and yourself.’
‘I know, but I can’t think of any other way.’ Kate sighed. ‘When yer meet him, and yer’ve been in his company for a while, yer’ll understand why I want to help him.’
Howard was conscious of the fact that this was the first time Kate had ever asked him or Audrey for help. Several times they’d offered to help out financially when they knew she must have been desperate, but each time she’d smiled and said she could manage. It was because of this he was prompted to say, ‘Leave it to me, Kate, I’ll think of something.’
Bob was nervous at first because he thought solicitors were a cut above the rest, like teachers and doctors. But he soon learned that even if the King came to Nellie’s house he would be expected to muck in like everybody else. She didn’t stand on ceremony, did Mrs Carson. Howard might be a solicitor, and she thought the world of him, but when he was in her house he was treated the same as everyone else. Even when her tongue slipped and a swearword came out, she merely pulled a comical face and said, ‘That came out of its own accord, our Audrey. I had nothing to do with it, so don’t be giving me daggers.’
Bob happened to catch Howard’s eyes and they exchanged smiles. ‘Yer’ve been blessed with a good mother-in-law, Howard.’
‘Yes, I know. And I appreciate it. It was only when I met Nellie that I realised my teacher at school had taught me only half of the English language. It was Nellie who taught me the rest. I can’t use it, of course, but I’m indebted to her for widening my horizon.’
‘One good turn deserves another then, don’t yer think?’ Nellie asked. ‘Yer can come and help me get the plates ready for the tea while Iris sets the table.’
‘Mother!’ Audrey looked horrified. ‘That’s not a job for Howard! Kate and I will help you with the dishes, like we always do.’
But Howard knew there must be a motive behind the very strange, and unusual request. ‘Stay where you are, Audrey, this should be interesting. I think your mother wants to widen my horizon still further.’ So in his immaculate navy-blue pinstripe suit, pure white shirt with stiff collar and a plain grey tie secured with a gold tie-pin, the man who spent most of his life behind a desk followed his mother-in-law into the tiny kitchen.
‘Well, I declare,’ Audrey said, then lapsed into her Liverpool accent. ‘What’s got into me mam? I mean, it’s not funny, is it?’
‘Don’t worry, he won’t reign long,’ Kate told her. ‘I’ll give him two minutes at the most.’
Bob took the chance to study the sisters. They had the same facial features, but there the resemblance ended. Audrey looked every inch the woman about town. Her clothes were expensive and fashionable and she carried them well. Her stockings were pure silk and her black court shoes boasted a two-inch heel. And her hair was perfectly waved, as though she’d just come from the hairdresser’s.
‘Oh, get back inside,’ Nellie said, pushing Howard into the room. ‘Ye’re about as much use as our cat.’
‘Mother, you haven’t got a cat.’
‘I know that, queen. But if I did have it would be more use in the kitchen than Howard. At least I could kick it out of me way if it got under me feet.’
It was while they were sitting around the table having their tea that the sisters understood the reason for their mother’s behaviour. With an angelic expression on her face, Nellie asked, ‘Have yer seen Howard’s car, Bob?’
‘I’ve glimpsed it through the window, that’s all.’
‘Yer’ll have to get him to show it to yer after. It’s his pride and joy, that car. He’d take it to bed with him at night if he could, wouldn’t yer, lad?’
Howard was of medium height and build, his complexion was pale through spending his working life in a stuffy office, and his hair was receding at the temples. But when he smiled he looked almost boyish and showed a set of strong white teeth. ‘Before you drop me in deep water, Mother-in-law, may I say the car is my second pride and joy. Audrey is my first. And the car has a perfectly good garage to sleep in, where it’s safe and warm.’
‘It told yer that, did it?’
Iris giggled. ‘It would do if it could talk, wouldn’t it, Uncle Howard?’
‘It can talk, dear. Except you wouldn’t understand it because it’s more of a splutter. On a very cold morning, when I switch the engine on, it splutters to tell me it would much prefer to stay in the garage than venture out into the cold.’
‘Now I’ve heard everything.’ Nellie placed her palms on the table. ‘You go and show this amazing talking car to Bob, while me and the girls clear away and wash up.’
The men had only been out of the room for five minutes when Howard came back in. ‘I’m taking Bob for a short spin. We won’t be long.’
Nellie had a very satisfied smile on her face when she winked at Kate. Everything had worked out a treat.
Howard had stopped the car in a quiet spot and for half an hour he’d asked questions and listened carefully to Bob’s answers. ‘Your wife admitted to adultery, then?’
‘Oh yes, she sounded quite proud of herself.’
‘Do you know the name of the man she’s involved with?’
Bob shook his head. ‘I never asked because I knew she wouldn’t tell the truth. All I know is she goes out two or three nights a week and usually comes home the worse for drink.’
‘It would help if you could find out the man’s name in case she denies it. Proof is needed rather than hearsay. I can set the wheels in motion if you’ll come down to my office one day and fill in some forms. But I must warn you, it’s a very lengthy process.’
Bob flushed with embarrassment. ‘Howard, can we leave it for a short while? Yer see, I’m going to be strapped for cash with paying the rent on the house, my daughter’s keep and my board and lodgings. I will start saving as much as I can, though, because I need to sort life out for meself and Lucy. I won’t be happy until I’ve got her with me again and Ruby’s out of our life for good. So if yer’ll give me an idea of what I’ll need to start the ball rolling, I’ll make an appointment to see you as soon as I’ve got the cash.’
‘You’re a friend of Kate’s, and I promised I would help you.’ Howard smiled. ‘She said when I met you I’d know you were a decent man, and she was right. So I’ll get the proceedings under way without you coming in to my office. I’ll ask Kate to bring you to my home one night and I’ll have the forms ther
e ready for you to fill in. That way you will be making the application yourself and my partners need not be involved. There may be a legal charge in the future, but we’ll cross that hurdle when we come to it. At least you will have set the ball rolling.’
Bob hung his head. ‘I don’t know what to say. I seem to be asking so much and giving nothing in return. Kate has been a good friend to me, always ready to listen. Nellie has taken me, a complete stranger, into her home and is treating me like one of the family. And now you are offering to help a man yer have never seen in yer life before.’
Howard could see Bob was choked with emotion and hastened to say, ‘Bob, Kate needed someone she could confide in, and from what I hear she found that someone in you. And she really wants to help you. As for Nellie, she’s told me she’s over the moon having you to keep her company. Her actual words were, and I quote, “He’s the nicest and most handsome bleedin’ lodger I’ve ever had. The neighbours will be green with envy.”’
Bob raised his head and smiled. ‘I can just see her saying that.’
‘So, because these ladies are very dear to me, I want to make them happy by doing what I can for you. I’ll get Kate to bring you to my home one night, when it’s convenient for you, and we’ll start writing a new chapter to your life.’
Four weeks later, Aggie was sitting in her rocking chair when she heard the key turn in the lock. She jumped to her feet and was standing by the table when Titch came into the room. ‘Did yer call to Olive’s first?’
Titch dropped his seaman’s bag on the floor. ‘Now, Ma, I might be living in hope that Olive will become me intended, but until we’re married it’ll always be you I come to first.’
Aggie didn’t know where to start. ‘Yer’ll never believe what’s been happening while yer’ve been away.’
‘Ma, don’t I even get me welcome-home kiss?’
‘Oh, I’m sorry, son, I’m all hot and bothered.’ She put her arms around him and kissed his cheek. ‘Bob’s left home.’
‘What!’ Titch held her away from him. ‘What did yer say?’
‘I said Bob’s left home. Four weeks ago it was. He found out Ruby had been sleeping with some bloke and he packed his bags and left. He’s down here nearly every day, though, except when he’s on afternoons. And Lucy goes to visit him. He’s got good digs with the mother of that Kate he told us about. And he’s started divorce proceedings as well.’
‘Whoa, there, Ma, I can’t keep up with yer. Sit down and start at the very beginning.’
‘I’ll make yer a cup of tea first. I can’t have yer coming home without even a drink ready for yer. The dinner’s in the oven, it’ll be an hour yet.’
Titch leaned forward and rested his elbows on his legs, a cup and saucer in his hands. ‘I can’t believe it. Yer mean Ruby actually admitted she’d been sleeping with a bloke?’
Aggie nodded. ‘As bold as brass. And to see her walking up the street with her nose in the air – well, it’s enough to make yer sick. She’s had to take a part-time job in some laundry ’cos, although Bob pays the rent, he won’t give her any money.’
‘And what about Lucy in all this? Doesn’t Ruby take it out on her?’
‘Lucy has most of her meals in Irene’s. Bob pays her a few shillings a week. And Ruby daren’t look sideways at Lucy because Bob threatened to stop paying the rent and she’d be turfed out. Besides, the girl isn’t the least bit frightened of her mother now. She’s turned out to be very strong-willed. She’s got it into her head that her dad will come home again one day, so she’s making sure the house is kept right for when he does.’
‘Bob won’t come back – he’d never be able to lift his head up if he did.’
‘No, he won’t come back if Ruby’s there, Lucy knows that. She’s of the opinion that her mother will up sticks and leave. And before yer say anything, I think the girl’s right. I don’t know why I think that, it’s just a gut feeling I’ve got. I pray to God every night that we’re both right. The whole sorry mess is taking its toll on Bob. He’s lost weight and his face is haggard. He’s pining for his daughter, which is only natural.’
‘Fancy me being away and missing all this.’ Titch shook his head slowly. ‘I’m sorry for Bob, he’s as nice a feller as yer’ll ever meet. And yer say he’s already put in for a divorce?’
Aggie nodded. ‘Someone related to Kate is a solicitor and he’s helped him with all the rigmarole. He wanted to know if Bob knew the name of the bloke Ruby’s been sleeping with, but no one knows that.’
‘It shouldn’t be too hard to find out. Someone could follow her one night. If it’s down on the divorce papers that she’s been unfaithful to Bob, he could be asked to prove it.’
Aggie sighed as she got to her feet. ‘What a bleedin’ awful life. I’ll be really upset if Bob and Lucy go to live miles away, I wouldn’t half miss them.’ She sniffed up. ‘I’ll get the dinner moving ’cos I suppose ye’re dying to see Olive.’
‘Yer could say that, Ma, seeing as she’s me intended. And I’d like to see young Lucy before the day’s out.’
‘She calls in here every afternoon after school, before she goes to Irene’s, so ye’re bound to see her. Anyway, if she knows ye’re home yer won’t need to go looking for her, she’ll find you.’
Olive opened the door and held her arms wide. ‘Where’ve yer been all this time? I saw yer passing the window hours ago and I’ve been sitting on the edge of the chair waiting for yer.’
Titch held her tight, his kisses warm and eager. ‘Oh, this feels so good, sweetheart. I’ve really missed yer this trip. I only intended to call at me ma’s for five minutes, but she had so much news for me I couldn’t get away.’
Olive took his hand and led him through to the living room. ‘Yer’ve heard all about Bob’s troubles, then?’
‘Yeah, I only wish I’d been here.’ Titch sat close to her on the couch and slipped an arm across her shoulders. ‘Not that I could have done anything to prevent what happened, but at least I could have lent him an ear.’
‘From what I’ve heard, Kate and her mother are marvellous with him. Lucy is quite taken with them. She said Mrs Nellie, that’s what she calls Kate’s mother, is just like yer ma. Always ready to put the kettle on and forever telling jokes.’
‘I’m concerned for Lucy. I wouldn’t have thought it safe to leave her in the house with Ruby. The woman’s as mad as a hatter – she’s capable of anything.’
‘Don’t worry about Lucy, she’s being watched over night and day. She has her dinner with Irene and stays to play cards until it’s her bedtime. Steve goes there after he’s visited yer ma, and when it’s time for her to go home, he takes her and waits until she’s at the top of the stairs before closing the door. Then the Pollard boys take over. They sleep in the back room and it’s only a thin wall separating them from Lucy’s. Jack’s told her to give a knock at the least sign of trouble and they’ll be with her in seconds.’ Olive chuckled. ‘Greg said he’d come waving a rolling pin. Luckily, Bob gave Irene a spare key just in case, so they’d have no trouble getting in.’
‘To think a woman would cause so much heartache to her husband and family.’ Titch sounded disgusted. ‘And me ma said she walks round as bold as brass.’
‘Oh, yeah! She goes out nearly every night, and she doesn’t bother using the back entry now. She walks up the street as though she owns it. Dolled up to the nines and enough make-up on to sink a ship.’
‘She’ll get what’s coming to her one of these days, mark my words. And I hope that day comes sooner rather than later.’ Titch removed his arm to take her hands in his. ‘Anyway, my love, tell me about how much yer’ve missed me.’
‘What? And give yer a big head! Not likely.’ Olive nestled closer and kissed his cheek. ‘I’ve missed yer more than yer’ll ever know, love.’
Titch blew little puffs of breath into her ear. ‘Have yer made up yer mind when ye’re going to marry me, then?’
The reply came quickly. ‘In six months’ time. That’
s how long it’ll take to save up enough to get the house as I want it, and to buy the clothes to get married in.’
‘I’ve told yer over and over again yer don’t have to worry about money, love! I’ve got enough for everything yer need.’
‘And I’ve told yer over and over that after we get married, yer can keep me. Until then I’ll hang on to me pride and independence.’
Titch knew it would serve no purpose to argue. They’d been over this ground dozens of times. ‘Have it your own way, love. Six months it is.’
The knock on the door brought a look of surprise to Olive’s face. ‘I wonder who this can be? Steve’s not due in till after half-five.’
‘Only one way to find out.’ Titch got to his feet. ‘I’ll go and chase whoever it is away. How dare they interrupt us when I’ve just got home? Have they no tact?’
When Olive heard him say, ‘Hello, sweetheart,’ she knew who would be coming through the door clinging to Titch’s hand.
‘Mrs Aggie said if I didn’t get an answer the first time, I wasn’t to knock again ’cos yer’d be kissing and cuddling.’ Lucy’s face was one big smile. ‘And she said I wasn’t to stay long ’cos yer had to make up for lost time.’
‘Oh, did she now?’ Titch put his hand around her waist and lifted her from the floor. Smiling up into her face, he asked, ‘And how’s my girl, then?’
‘I’m all right, Mr Titch, but I don’t half miss me dad. Mrs Aggie told yer what happened, didn’t she?’
‘Yes, she did, sweetheart, and I’m very sorry. But don’t be too unhappy – look on the bright side and tell yerself it won’t be for long.’
‘We keep telling her that,’ Olive said. ‘And I know something that will make her very happy. But ye’re to keep it to yerself, Lucy, until Titch tells Mrs Aggie himself.’
Lucy’s face was agog. ‘Cross my heart, Mrs Fletcher, I won’t say a dickie-bird.’
Olive glanced at Titch. ‘Do you want to tell her, or shall I?’