Stay as Sweet as You Are

by Joan Jonker

  ‘We’d love yer to come.’ Aggie knew if Titch could hear what she was about to say, he’d shake his head and tell her not to be so nosy. ‘Why don’t yer bring Kate along with yer? I’d like to see if she’s all Bob said she is.’

  Nellie finished pouring the tea and set the pot down. There was a twinkle in her eyes when she asked, ‘Yer wouldn’t be matchmaking by any chance, would yer, Mrs Aggie?’

  ‘I certainly am, Mrs Nellie. I most certainly am.’

  ‘Good! That makes two of us! I can see you and me are going to get along like a house on fire. We’re both as devious as each other.’ She handed a cup to Aggie. ‘I’ve grown very fond of Bob, and I want to keep him in the family. I know he’s a married man, but me son-in-law, Howard, said there’ll be no problem with a divorce. And after what happened last night, and Ruby going to live with another man – well, that should make it easier.’

  Nellie sipped her tea, then rested the cup and saucer on her lap. ‘The trouble is, Aggie, both our Kate and Bob are so shy, they’ll never make a move. I think you and me are going to have to give them a nudge in the right direction.’

  ‘You have my full support, Nellie. Even if I say it meself, I’m pretty good at giving nudges. So let’s drink to our partnership.’ Aggie had the cup to her lips when she said, ‘D’yer know, I haven’t used a swearword since I came in?’

  ‘Oh yes, yer have. Yer halo slipped when yer were telling me how bleedin’ funny yer are standing on yer head.’

  Both women laughed so much the tea spilled over on to their skirts. But they didn’t care. It wasn’t every day you found a friend and ally.

  ‘Ay, I wish yer’d slow down a bit,’ Rhoda said, red in the face and puffing. ‘I know ye’re dying to see yer dad, but there’s no need to kill me in the process.’

  Lucy’s face was aglow. She’d told her friend what Mrs Pollard had said they would tell all the neighbours – that Ruby had left home and gone to live with another man. Nobody knew the man or where he lived. There’d be gossip for a few days then it would be forgotten. ‘I can’t wait to see me dad, Rhoda, so I’m going to run on. You can take yer time, then.’

  ‘Will I see yer tonight?’

  ‘Not tonight, Rhoda, ’cos me and me dad will have loads to talk about. I’ll call for yer as usual in the morning. Ta-ra.’ With a wave of her hand, Lucy took to her heels and didn’t slacken her pace until she came to her front door. With her heart beating like mad, and her tummy churning with excitement, she delved in her pocket for the key. Holding it in the palm of her hand, she gazed at it for a while. Then, with a grin on her face, she put it back in her pocket and lifted the knocker.

  When Bob opened the door he had to swallow hard to keep the tears back. Never, even in his dreams, did he think he’d be back in this house and opening the door to his daughter. He stepped down to the pavement and picked Lucy up to spin her around. ‘I feel drunk, pet,’ he said, laughing up into her face. ‘Drunk with happiness.’

  ‘I don’t half love yer, Dad.’ Lucy’s arms were tight around his neck. ‘More than anything in the whole world.’

  ‘And I love you, pet.’ Bob set her down. ‘Let’s go in and see what a nice surprise I’ve got for the working girl.’

  ‘Have yer made me a dinner, Dad? Is that the surprise?’

  Bob tapped his nose. ‘Wait and see.’ With a secret smile on his face, he pushed her ahead of him and closed the door. Then, filled with emotion, he watched as his daughter stood on the threshold of the living room, her eyes and mouth wide open.

  There wasn’t a sound in the room that was full of people with happy, smiling faces. Mrs Aggie and Mrs Nellie were sitting in the fireside chairs either side of the hearth, Titch and Olive were seated at the table opposite Irene and George, and Mrs Kate occupied a corner of the couch. And standing in the kitchen doorway, still in their working clothes, were Jack and Greg Pollard, with Steve.

  Lucy took her hand from her mouth. ‘I don’t know what to say. I think I’m going to cry.’

  ‘Don’t you dare cry, sunshine,’ Irene said, not far from tears herself. ‘We’ve all come to welcome yer dad back to where he belongs.’

  Titch scraped his chair back and held out his arms. ‘Come here, sweetheart.’ And holding her close, he said, ‘How can I tell yer the plans me and Olive have made for the wedding if ye’re crying yer eyes out?’

  Lucy sniffed up. ‘I won’t cry, I promise. Tell me what the plans are, I’m dying to know.’

  ‘Hadn’t yer better say hello to yer visitors first?’

  ‘Never mind saying hello, I’m so happy to see them I could kiss them all to death.’ Her eyes swept the room, taking in Mrs Nellie and Kate. ‘Me old friends and me new ones.’

  ‘Yer can kiss them as much as yer like when I’ve told yer what the arrangements are.’

  Lucy grinned up at him. ‘I’m all ears, Mr Titch.’

  ‘Well, before I begin, can I ask Bob to sit down on the couch with Kate? She’s all on her lonesome, there. Anyone would think she had an infectious disease.’

  When Bob did as he was told with alacrity, Kate smiled that gentle smile that had already made her a favourite with Bob’s neighbours. They’d taken to her right away.

  Titch chuckled. ‘That’s better. I don’t like having me thunder stolen by someone else sharing the stage.’ He pulled on one of Lucy’s curls. ‘Now to the big day. Me and Olive are tying the knot five weeks on Friday. We couldn’t get a Saturday because the priest said they’re booked solid for three months ahead. It’s at two o’clock and I want to see yer there with a big smile on that pretty face of yours.’

  ‘I’ll have a smile on me face every day, now me dad’s home. But I’ll have an extra special one on the day you and Mrs Fletcher get married.’ Lucy’s infectious giggle filled the room. ‘I’ll cry me eyes out all morning and get it over with. Then I’ll put a cold flannel over me face to take the red blotches away. How about that, then?’

  Titch gave her a hug. ‘Me and Olive will have to go now, we’ve got a lot of sorting out to do. I’ve to be away by six in the morning.’

  ‘If there’s anything I can do while ye’re away, just shout out,’ Bob said, feeling he was at last the master in his own house. ‘And remember, everyone is welcome here now. My front door is always open to yer.’

  Jack piped up, ‘Does that mean we can come here and play cards, Mr Mellor?’

  Bob thought his heart would burst. He owed so much to these people he’d never be able to pay them back. When he got home it was to find Irene had cleaned right through the house and it was warm and welcoming. Aggie had stocked their larder and made a steak and kidney pie which was now in the oven on a low light and smelling delicious. ‘Of course yer can! At last I can repay the hospitality yer’ve always shown me and Lucy.’

  George chuckled. ‘I think yer might have reason to regret saying that, mate. My two will never be away.’ He rapped his fingers on the table and for a few seconds considered whether anyone would be upset if he said what was on his mind. Having decided, he turned to Aggie, who had been unusually quiet. ‘Ay, Aggie, haven’t yer always said the day would come when Bob would be back home?’

  Looking very superior, Aggie nodded. ‘I did predict it, George, yes. Yer all thought I was crazy, but I’ve been proved right.’

  Olive smiled across at the woman who would soon be her mother-in-law. ‘Aggie, in all the years I’ve known yer, yer’ve never been wrong.’

  ‘I’ve been thinking about that,’ Bob said, from his seat next to Kate. ‘I’ll sit up and take notice next time yer make a prediction.’

  ‘I’ll make another prediction for yer lad, so take notice. The happiness yer feel right now is nothing to the happiness that’s going to come your way.’

  Nellie leaned forward in her chair. ‘I agree with yer, Aggie. I have the same feeling.’

  Titch roared with laughter. ‘Nellie, don’t get too carried away by what me ma says, she’ll get yer into trouble.’ Then he glanced at his
mother, and the face he held so dear caused him to shake his head. ‘I didn’t mean that, Nellie. Yer won’t go far wrong with me ma, she only does what’s right. The best mother a son could have, she is, and I love and adore her.’

  Olive punched his arm. ‘Ay, it’s me ye’re marrying, Titch McBride.’

  Irene followed suit, giving George a hefty punch. ‘How come yer never say nice things like that to me? Yer’ve no romance in yer, George Pollard.’

  Bob turned to smile at Kate. Neither would say it, but both were wondering whether the time would ever come when they’d be close enough to act daft with each other.

  Aggie and Nellie didn’t miss the wordless exchange. They smiled across at each other and winked, as if to say Bob and Kate might be slow, but they were on the right tram lines.

  Bob had his arm across Lucy’s shoulder as they were seeing Titch and Olive off. ‘Only a few weeks before the big day, eh, mate?’

  ‘Yeah, it’ll fly over.’ Titch tucked Olive’s arm in his. There was a twinkle in his eye when he said, ‘Kate is everything yer said she was, Bob. If ye’re daft enough to let her get away, yer want yer head testing.’

  Lucy’s wide green eyes rolled from her father to Titch. What did he mean about Mrs Kate? Then, before she had time to put her foot in it, the penny dropped. She felt a thrill of excitement travel down her spine and a smile played around the corners of her mouth. Oh, that would be the best thing ever! ‘I’ll go back to our visitors, Dad, while you talk to Mr Titch and Mrs Fletcher.’ After a quick hug and kiss, she made her way back inside.

  ‘Where’s Iris, Mrs Kate?’

  ‘She’ll be at home now, love. I left her a note explaining I was coming here, and wouldn’t be late. She could see to her own dinner, it only needed warming up.’

  ‘Will yer come down again one night soon, and bring Iris with yer? She could have a game of cards with us young ones and you can keep me dad company.’

  ‘Yes,’ Kate smiled. ‘I’m sure Iris would love that.’

  Aggie and Nellie looked at each other. ‘Another partner, d’yer think, Nellie?’

  Nellie grinned. ‘Most definitely, Aggie. One on the spot, too!’

  ‘Me and George are going now, sunshine, so you and yer dad can have yer meal in peace,’ Irene said. ‘Will yer see to the boys, they’re talking about a game of cards tomorrow.’

  Lucy went into the kitchen. ‘Yer can’t come tomorrow night because I’ve promised to do Rhoda’s hair. But yer can come the next night.’

  ‘Rhoda won’t mind us seeing her with curlers in,’ Steve said. ‘I bet if yer ask her in the morning she’ll tell yer she couldn’t care less.’

  Jack nodded. ‘Tell her we promise not to laugh at her.’

  ‘I’m not promising anything of the sort,’ Greg said. ‘If she looks funny, I’ll laugh.’

  Lucy giggled when Jack went for his brother’s throat. What a wonderful day this was.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  ‘So, yer mate’s getting hitched tomorrow, eh, Bob?’ Peg Butterworth’s elbows were resting on the table as she held an enormous sandwich between her two hands. ‘Yer should have introduced me to this Titch feller, he sounds right up my street. He wouldn’t be getting married if he’d seen me, I’d have put him off anyone else.’

  ‘How’s that, queen?’ Elsie asked. ‘D’yer mean that because ye’re a woman, yer’d have put him off all women? Oh, I don’t think so, queen. I mean, ye’re no oil painting but ye’re not exactly ugly.’

  ‘You cheeky sod!’ Peg huffed with indignation. ‘Have yer looked in the mirror lately? If yer had yer’d know what ugly means. It would be staring yer in the face.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t ever look in no mirror, queen. Me sense of humour wouldn’t run to that. I can’t understand why you do, it must be very disheartening for yer.’ Elsie narrowed her eyes to look at her friend. ‘Is that why ye’re a bit miserable some days? Down in the mouth, like?’

  ‘Elsie Burgess, what would yer say if I parted yer from yer two front teeth?’

  ‘I wouldn’t say nothing, queen, ’cos I’d be too busy knocking the stuffing out of yer. I’m very proud of me teeth, I am. My feller says they’re me best feature.’

  ‘They’re yer only feature, girl.’ Peg was gloating inside. She’d been dying to use this big word on Elsie, but there’d never been the right occasion to fit it into a sentence. ‘Apart from them, there’s nothing. Ye’re just nondescript.’

  Elsie’s jaws stopped chewing and her eyes slid sideways. Putting on a posh voice, she asked, ‘Would yer kindly explain the meaning of that word?’

  ‘It means ye’re very ordinary.’ Little Ada Smithson’s thin face was twitching. ‘It means yer wouldn’t be noticed in a crowd.’

  Elsie pondered for a while, then slowly put her sandwich down. Lifting her bosom to rest on the table, she glared at the little woman. ‘Is that so, now? Well, listen to me, smart arse, and take heed. Me and me mate are having a private fight, and we don’t like anyone poking their noses in. So just mind yer own bleedin’ business.’ She turned to Peg. ‘It’s coming to something when yer can’t have a fight in peace, isn’t it, queen?’

  ‘Yeah, I don’t know what the world’s coming to, girl. Years ago, folk would go out and pick their own fight, they wouldn’t muscle in on someone else’s.’ Peg winked at Ada to let her see this was all in fun. She felt sorry for the little woman ’cos, God knows, she didn’t have much of a life with that bully she had for a husband. ‘It makes yer think, though, girl, doesn’t it?’

  ‘What makes yer think, queen?’

  ‘Well, us fighting so much. Perhaps that’s why we’re both ugly. I mean, you with yer cauliflower ear and me with me broken nose, that’s bound to detract from our attractions.’

  ‘I haven’t got no cauliflower ear, queen! But if yer don’t stop using those big words, so I don’t know whether I’m coming or going, I’ll break yer bleedin’ nose for yer with pleasure.’

  Bob was shaking with laughter. He laughed easily these days. In work, having a pint with George and when the neighbours or Lucy’s friends called. His house was a real home now, not a place where he and his daughter knew nothing but misery. They were happy and contented, and as free as birds. And he felt no guilt over Ruby, because Peg and Elsie made it their business to find out how she was. From all accounts she’d settled in well with Wally Brown and Bob was pleased about that. For all the heartache she’d caused him, he bore her no ill-will.

  ‘Ay, Bob?’ Peg interrupted his thoughts. ‘Is Titch having a party tomorrow night? I’m only asking because me and Elsie would come along and entertain.’

  ‘Sorry, Peg, but it’s only a quiet wedding. Just a few friends for a drink, that’s all.’

  Peg jerked her head. ‘Just our luck. But when you get married, Bob, me and me mate will expect an invitation.’

  Elsie slapped an open hand on her chest. ‘Ooh, er! Is Bob getting married, queen?’

  ‘Well, he’s bound to, isn’t he? I mean, it stands to sense, a man as good-looking as him won’t be on the shelf for long.’

  ‘You and Elsie will be top of the list if I ever get married.’ Bob was grinning like a Cheshire cat. ‘Mind you, yer’ll have to wait a long time.’

  Billy Gleeson, nursing a toothache, had his chin cradled in his hand. ‘Are yer taking a full day off tomorrow, mate?’

  Bob nodded. ‘Yeah, me and Kate.’

  Peg turned to face Elsie, and without a tape measure anyone would be hard put to say whose mouth was opened the widest. ‘Yer mean Kate’s going to the wedding?’ Peg croaked. ‘How come she can go and we can’t?’

  Kate spoke for the first time. ‘I’ve been kindly invited by the bride. And I’ve got to say I’m really looking forward to it.’

  ‘And yer never said a dickie-bird!’ Peg pursed her lips. ‘Ye’re a dark horse, Kate Brown.’

  The bell rang to signal the end of their break, and tops were put back on carry-out boxes and chairs scraped back. ‘Enjoy yerselves
tomorrow, both of yer,’ Peg said. ‘And don’t forget to have a drink for me.’

  ‘Yeah, have a really nice time.’ Elsie smiled as she linked her friend’s arm and they made their way out of the canteen.

  ‘We’ll have to buy a new dress for the wedding, girl,’ Peg said.

  ‘What wedding, queen?’

  ‘Bob’s, of course!’

  ‘Bob’s not getting married, is he, queen?’

  Peg squeezed her arm. ‘My money’s on him marrying Kate as soon as his divorce comes through.’

  ‘Ooh, er! Ye’re right, queen, we will have to buy a new dress.’

  Lucy was up bright and early on the Friday morning, and the first thing she did was draw the curtains. The sky was clear blue and the sun was doing its best to shine. ‘Oh, it’s going to be a beautiful day.’ She was hugging herself when she heard a noise from the living room and knew her dad was already up and about. The cardigan she’d worn the night before was lying on the bed and she slipped it on before tripping lightly down the stairs.

  ‘Good morning, Dad. It’s going to be a beautiful day for the wedding.’

  ‘It looks like it, pet.’ Bob plumped the cushions on the couch and picked up last night’s Echo ready to take to the bin. ‘Have yer got yer day planned out?’

  Lucy stood with her hands on her hips. ‘What are yer doing, Dad? I’ll tidy up in here, I’ve got loads of time. Rhoda’s coming over at eleven so I can curl her hair with the curling tongs, then I’m going next door at twelve so Mrs Pollard can dress me up like a dog’s dinner. I’ve got plenty of time to tidy this place.’

  ‘I’m only doing it to occupy meself, pet.’ Bob grinned and spread his hands. ‘Anyone would think it was me getting married, not Titch. I’m a bundle of nerves and God knows what me tummy’s up to, it’s fluttering like mad.’

  ‘Today will be good practice for yer, Dad, for when you get married.’

  ‘Yer mean if I ever get married, pet! Nothing is certain in this life.’

  ‘Oh, that is, Dad. If yer don’t believe me, ask Mrs Aggie or Mrs Nellie. We all think yer’ll get married and we can’t all be wrong.’