Stay as Sweet as You Are

by Joan Jonker

  Bob lowered his head and pretended to straighten the chenille tablecloth. ‘And have the three of yer decided who I’m going to wed?’

  There was no hesitation. ‘Mrs Kate, of course.’

  ‘Lucy, me and Kate have never discussed the future. She probably doesn’t think of me in that way.’

  ‘Yer’ll never know if yer don’t ask her! Don’t tell me ye’re not taken with Mrs Kate, ’cos I wouldn’t believe yer.’

  Bob pulled out a chair and sat down. ‘Of course I’m taken with her, she’s everything any man could wish for. But I’m still a married man, pet, and likely to be for another year or so. I’m not in any position to ask Kate to marry me.’

  ‘Yer could ask her to wait for yer and see what she says. Then at least she’d know how yer felt about her and could decide for herself. But she does like yer, Dad, anyone can see that. And there’s nothing to stop yer taking her out and courting her. There’s no law against that.’

  Bob couldn’t keep the smile back. ‘Who was it told yer that?’

  Lucy giggled. ‘Me two partners, Mrs Aggie and Mrs Nellie. And Mrs Nellie’s son-in-law who’s helping yer with the divorce. He said that me mam is the guilty party and there’s nothing to stop you courting. Yer can’t get married, though, not until the divorce is through.’

  ‘I didn’t realise my life was of such interest to people.’

  ‘They want what’s best for yer, Dad. They all love yer and want yer to be happy.’ Her head tilted to one side, and her hands on her hips, Lucy said, ‘Mrs Kate’s only waiting for yer to say something, so don’t keep her waiting.’

  ‘This is all supposing Kate would have me, but would you be happy if I married her?’

  ‘Oh yes, Dad! She’s kind and caring and I couldn’t ask for anyone better for a step-mother. And Iris said she’d be made up to have you for a dad and me for a sister.’

  Bob puckered his lips and let out a whistle. ‘So, Iris is in this too!’

  Lucy dropped her head back and her laughter filled the room. ‘Dad, you and Mrs Kate are the only ones not in it! So yer’d better pull yer socks up unless yer want to be the only one not at yer own wedding.’ She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. ‘I’m going to get washed now, but you sit and think about it. If yer don’t put a move on, Mrs Aggie and Mrs Nellie will get fed up waiting and propose for yer.’

  Irene stepped back for a better look at Lucy. ‘Yer look beautiful, sunshine, a real treat. What do you say, George?’

  ‘Yer look good enough to eat, love.’ George wasn’t a person for showing his feelings but he had to fight hard to keep them hidden when he looked at the young girl from next door. She made a beautiful picture in her pale blue dress which fitted her to perfection. And Irene had made her a bandeau for her hair with pale blue flowers sewn on. But it was the smiling face that would capture anyone’s heart. And for the umpteenth time, George asked himself how any mother could walk away and leave her. ‘In fact, love,’ he told her, ‘I think yer’ll steal the show today.’

  Lucy shook her head. ‘No, I won’t, Mr Pollard. Mrs Fletcher will do that.’

  ‘Well, I think yer look lovely, Lucy,’ Jack said. ‘Like a film star.’

  ‘Yeah, I think I will marry yer after all, Lucy.’ Greg was leaning against the sideboard. ‘Yer are pretty, and on top of that yer’ve got stacks of buttons.’

  Jack glared at him. ‘She’d have to be hard up to marry you.’

  ‘It’s only me buttons he’s after, Jack,’ Lucy said. ‘I’ll give him half of what I’ve got and that should shut him up.’

  ‘The only thing that will shut my youngest son up, is a gobstopper.’ Irene looked down at herself. ‘I’d better get a move on, I’m the only one not ready. And don’t forget, Lucy, you won’t be leaving with me and the boys. You are going in the wedding car with Olive and Steve.’

  Lucy rolled her eyes. ‘Aren’t I going to be the posh one!’

  ‘Is there any chance of a cuppa, Ma?’ Titch stood at the kitchen door moving from one foot to the other. ‘Me mouth’s not half dry.’

  ‘Listen, son, will yer go and sit down. Me and Nellie are up to our eyes in it and we can’t work with you under our feet.’

  ‘I’ve tried that, Ma, and it won’t work. I can’t sit ’cos me nerves are shattered.’ Titch held his hands out and started shaking them. ‘See, I’m a wreck.’

  Aggie grinned as she smoothed the front of her wraparound pinny. ‘Don’t try and soft soap me, son, ’cos it won’t work. I bet if I held a pint of bitter out to yer, yer hands would soon stop shaking in case yer spilled a drop.’ Then she took pity on him. After all, it was his wedding day and he was bound to be nervous. She wouldn’t let herself dwell on the thought that this was the last day this house would be his home. If she did, she’d end up bawling her eyes out and the sandwiches would never get done. ‘Go and sit down and I’ll put the kettle on. Me and Nellie could do with a drink, we’re gasping.’

  ‘That’s the spirit, queen, it’s no good flogging ourselves to death.’ Nellie had been there since nine o’clock and had baked enough fairy cakes to stock one of Sayer’s shops. She’d also made jellies in little white pleated paper cases and these were standing on a tray in the yard to set. When they were ready she would finish them off with a blob of cream on top.

  ‘I don’t know what I’d have done without yer, Nellie,’ Aggie said, filling the kettle. ‘I’d have had to buy the cakes from a shop, I couldn’t have managed all this if I’d been on me own.’

  ‘Olive did offer to help yer, Ma,’ Titch said. ‘And Irene.’

  ‘What! Olive making sarnies on her wedding day! Not bleedin’ likely, son. She needs the time to make herself look nice for yer. And Irene’s got her two boys to see to, and George. Not to mention helping Lucy. Besides, this kitchen is only big enough for two. Me and Nellie fit in fine, don’t we, queen?’

  ‘I like being busy and I’ve enjoyed meself.’ Nellie’s hands moved like clockwork as she buttered slices of bread and piled them high ready for the fillings to go on. ‘Another half-hour should see the end of it. Then you and me can start to titivate ourselves up. Me best dress and shoes are in the bag I’ve left in the hall. And I’ve even borrowed one of our Kate’s lipsticks.’

  ‘Go ’way!’ Aggie poured the water into the teapot. ‘Yer haven’t, have yer?’

  ‘I certainly have! It’s not often I go to a wedding so I thought I’d go the whole hog. It’s a pale lipstick, mind yer, not a bright red colour.’

  ‘I think I’ll have a bash at that meself, Nellie. Can I borrow some?’

  ‘Of course yer can, queen! We’ll both look like mutton dressed as lamb, but I couldn’t give a sod, so there!’

  ‘What time is Kate coming?’

  ‘She’s going straight to the church with Iris. She said yer’d have enough to do without an extra two.’

  Titch had been listening to the conversation with a smile on his face. He was glad his mother had found a friend her own age. And they got along so well, there was no doubt that it would be a firm and lasting friendship. He walked to the kitchen and leaned against the door. ‘Ma, just out of curiosity, how can yer borrow lipstick? Once it’s on yer lips yer can’t give it back, can yer?’

  ‘Only if yer kiss them, clever clogs. So I’ll make it me business to kiss Kate first, then she’ll get the bulk of it back. And if that answer satisfies yer, will yer pour this tea out and then go and get yerself ready?’

  ‘Anything yer say, Ma. Anything yer say.’

  Steve paced the floor as he waited for his mother to come down. She was cutting it fine for time because the car was due in ten minutes. Then he heard the creaking of the stairs and his eyes were on the door when Olive walked through. She looked so lovely his heart burst with pride. Her pale beige dress had a pleated cross-over top, long tapering sleeves and a full flared skirt. And perched on the top of her head was a pill-box hat in the same colour, with a veil that came down to her eyes. ‘Oh Mam, yer look beautifu
l. Mr Titch will be knocked out when he sees yer.’

  ‘And you look very handsome, love. I’m really proud of yer.’

  Steve pointed to two posies on the sideboard. ‘Is the biggest one for you, Mam?’

  Olive nodded and picked up her posy. It was made up of small white and blue flowers with sprigs of fern, and there were strands of ribbons in the same colours hanging from it. ‘We’ll give Lucy hers in the car. She’ll be delighted with it.’

  ‘We just made it in time, the car’s pulled up now.’

  The street was deserted and Olive breathed a sigh of relief. But Steve was puzzled. He thought some of the neighbours would be out to see his mam off. It only took the car a minute to get to the Mellors’ and Lucy had been watching for it. She had the door open before the chauffeur had time to knock.

  ‘Doesn’t she look lovely, Mam?’

  ‘Lucy always looks lovely, Steve. And she’s got a lovely nature to go with it.’

  The chauffeur opened the passenger door and Lucy, careful of her dress, climbed in. Her smile was as wide as her face. ‘Yer look a picture, Mrs Fletcher. Very beautiful.’

  ‘So do you, sweetheart. I’m well blessed with me handsome son and a pretty bridesmaid.’ Olive passed the posy over and Lucy’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. ‘Is this for me? Oh, it’s absolutely gorgeous.’ She was still staring at it when the car pulled up outside the church.

  Steve had rehearsed his role over and over again, and he carried it out to the letter. He tucked his mother’s arm in his and covered her hand. Then he looked back and asked, ‘All right, Lucy?’ When she answered with a wide grin, he straightened his shoulders and led his mother into the church. He only faltered when he saw the church was packed. They were only expecting their close friends to be there, but it seemed every neighbour in the street had turned out to see his mother and Mr Titch get married. And it filled his heart with joy.

  When the guests arrived back at Aggie’s house, they found Olive and Titch waiting for them. Titch had his arm around Olive’s waist and they looked as happy as any lovebirds could look. There was much hugging, kissing and shaking of hands as congratulations were given and Olive, no longer nervous, looked radiant.

  Aggie stood back and watched with tears in her eyes. She’d waited a long time for this day and couldn’t have been happier about the woman he’d married. But the happiness was tinged with sadness. Well, that’s only natural, she told herself. Every mother cries when one of her children leave home. And he’ll be living in the same street, for heaven’s sake, it wasn’t as though he was moving to the other end of the world. So giving herself a pep talk about not crying, she approached the newlyweds.

  Olive moved forward to meet her and took her in her arms. ‘Is it all right if I still call yer Aggie?’

  ‘Of course it is, Mrs McBride!’ This brought laughter from their friends as it was the first time Olive had been addressed by her married name. ‘You just look after him, that’s all, or yer’ll have Mrs McBride Senior to answer to.’

  Titch nearly squeezed the breath out of her. ‘I’ve got two lovely women in me life, now, Ma. I must be the luckiest bloke alive.’ He set her down and his arm went back around his new wife’s waist. ‘I’m glad I let her talk me into marrying her. I did say no at first, then she taught me the error of me ways.’

  There were loud hoots from all the women present. ‘Get a load of him!’ Irene said. ‘Anyone would think he was God’s gift to women!’

  ‘Put yer foot down with him, queen,’ Nellie advised. ‘Start as yer mean to go on.’

  ‘Don’t put it down too hard, Olive, or he might come back home.’ Aggie took a sip of sherry from the glass Steve handed to her and tried not to pull a face. She didn’t like the stuff, but Titch said she wasn’t allowed to toast his marriage with milk stout. ‘And he can’t come home because his bed will be occupied.’

  Titch looked puzzled. ‘How’s that, Ma?’

  ‘I’ve asked Steve to sleep here. He can keep me company and it’ll give you and Olive some time on yer own to get to know each other.’

  Olive blushed to the roots of her hair, but Titch was delighted. ‘Ma, yer think of everything.’

  ‘Yes, I do, son. And right now I’m thinking it’s time folks found themselves a seat and we can start giving the eats out. I’ll leave the men to see to the drinks.’

  ‘I’ll help, Mrs Aggie,’ Lucy said.

  ‘What – in that dress? Not ruddy likely!’

  ‘I’ll help,’ Rhoda said, and looked to where Iris was sitting next to her mother on the couch. ‘How about it, Iris? It’ll give yer a chance to get to know everyone.’

  Iris was on her feet like a shot. She wanted to be near the young ones and this was a good chance. ‘Yeah, I’d like that.’

  ‘This thing’s killing me,’ George said, running a finger around the inside of his collar which had been starched and was rubbing his skin. ‘I can hardly breathe.’

  ‘Here, let me undo that top button before yer choke yerself.’ Irene smiled into his face as she relaxed the pressure on his neck. ‘Yer made a really handsome best man, love.’

  ‘I told yer yer were getting a bargain when yer got me, didn’t I?’ George ran a finger gently down her cheek. ‘But I got first prize when I got you.’

  When Iris had left her seat, Bob didn’t hesitate to slide along to sit next to Kate. ‘Are yer all right, Kate?’

  ‘Yes, I’m fine. Everything went off very well, didn’t it?’

  Bob nodded. In his mind he was telling himself to get on with it and ask her. In the end what he felt in his heart gave him the courage. ‘Kate, would yer come out with me one night?’ He put a hand on her arm before she could answer. ‘No, let me get it all out while I’ve got the nerve. Can I court yer with a view to marriage when I’m a free man?’

  The slow, gentle smile made his heart flip. ‘It’s taken yer long enough, Bob Mellor. If yer hadn’t asked me by the end of the night, I’d made up me mind to ask you.’

  Bob closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Her words were music to his ears. ‘We’ll talk about it tomorrow, eh? All I’ll say now is that I’m a very happy man.’

  When everyone had a full plate in their hand and a glass either on the arm of a chair or on the floor, the six youngsters congregated in the kitchen. ‘Yer don’t half look nice, Lucy,’ Rhoda said. ‘Very pretty.’

  ‘So do you, that new dress really suits yer. And Iris looks lovely, as well.’ Lucy’s infectious giggle rang out. ‘Make the most of it, ’cos tomorrow we’ll be back in our scruff.’

  Jack was munching a sandwich, his face thoughtful. Then he took the plunge. ‘Lucy, will yer come to the pictures with me one night?’

  ‘Oh yeah, I’d love to!’ Lucy had made her mind up a long time ago that Jack was the boy for her. She thought he was very handsome, but that wasn’t the reason. He was kind and caring, and on the bad days, when she’d suffered from her mother’s hand, he always had the power to put a smile back on her face. ‘I’d better go and ask me Dad, though, eh?’

  Jack looked as though he’d lost sixpence and found a pound. Reaching for her hand, he said, ‘I’ll come with yer.’

  ‘Hang on a minute,’ Steve said. ‘We agreed to do this together.’

  Jack huffed. ‘Well, go on, ask her.’

  Steve’s face was red as beetroot. ‘Rhoda, will yer come out with me one night?’

  ‘I certainly will, Steve Fletcher, I’d be delighted.’

  Jack didn’t wait to hear any more before leading Lucy through to the living room. And without bothering to lower his voice, he asked, ‘Mr Mellor, is it all right for Lucy to come to the pictures with me one night?’

  There were smiles all around, and the widest was Irene’s. Was the wish she’d harboured all these years going to come true?

  ‘If that’s what Lucy wants,’ Bob said, ‘then I’ve no objection.’

  Nellie pulled her chair nearer to Aggie. ‘That lad’s got more gumption than Bob.’
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br />   ‘Don’t speak too soon, queen, ’cos Bob and your Kate are looking very pleased with themselves.’

  Steve strode from the kitchen to the door leading to the hall. ‘I’m going out for a minute, Jack, I won’t be long.’

  ‘Where are yer going?’

  ‘To ask Mrs Fleming about taking Rhoda out.’

  ‘Yer’ve no need to ask me mam.’ Rhoda appeared with her face aglow. ‘I’ve already asked her.’

  Amid roars of laughter, Steve asked, ‘How could yer have asked her? I’ve only just mentioned it!’

  ‘Well, it’s like this, yer see, Steve. I think it’s best to be prepared for any eventuality. So I hinted to me mam that yer might ask me, and would it be all right with her. And of course she said it would be okay because ye’re a fine, upstanding man.’

  ‘Oh, I’m enjoying this.’ Aggie wiped a laughter tear away. ‘It’s better than going to the bleedin’ pictures any day.’

  ‘Listen, queen,’ Nellie said. ‘If a house comes empty round here, give us the wire, will yer? You’ve got some lovely neighbours.’

  ‘The secret of keeping yerself feeling young, Nellie, is to mix with youngsters. This lot have taken years off me.’

  ‘I wondered why yer only looked about twenty,’ Nellie chuckled. ‘I thought yer were on some special miracle pills.’

  ‘Ay out,’ Aggie said when Greg and Iris came through from the kitchen. ‘All we need now is for these two to say they’re putting the banns up.’

  Iris was looking very shy, but not Greg. He looked his brother straight in the eye and said, ‘Me and Iris would like to go to the pictures, but they won’t let me in at the door. Even though I’m working, they say I’m too young. So will you take us in?’

  ‘Will I heckerslike! I’m not having you tagging along on me first date.’

  ‘Don’t be so miserable, Jack,’ Irene said. ‘Once yer got in, yer wouldn’t have to sit near each other.’

  ‘Oh, all right.’ Jack relented. ‘But yer’ll owe me a favour.’

  Bob coughed before saying, ‘Can I get a word in, please? Would you all let me know what night ye’re going out, and which picturehouse ye’re going to? Just so me and Kate can go to a different one.’ He waited until his words had sunk in and all the faces around him were lit up with pleasure. Then he said, ‘To Aggie, Nellie and Lucy, who, for those who don’t know, are the members of the committee, I’d just like to say their work is finished. I’ve asked Kate to be me intended and she’s agreed.’