Taking a Chance on Love

by Joan Jonker

  As quick as a flash. Flo bent her knee, pushed her leg back, then brought it forward with all the force she could muster, aiming a kick at the woman’s shin. A shriek of pain came first, then as the woman hopped on one foot there followed threats of what would happen when she got her hands on ‘the fat cow’s neck’. And even when people standing near by said she’d only got what she deserved, the woman would certainly have gone for Flo’s neck if she’d been able to put her foot on the ground.

  ‘Some other day, perhaps, when I’ve got more time.’ Flo’s grin was cheeky. ‘And as for me being a fat cow, well, at least I can look in the mirror every morning without frightening meself to death. I bet that’s more than you can do. Of course, yer might not have a mirror in your house, yer’ve probably cracked them all by now ’cos it would have to be a ruddy strong mirror to stand up to looking at your ugly clock every day.’

  With a cry of rage the woman lunged forward. But the crowd standing near by had been expecting her to try something, and without a word being spoken they moved as one to fill the empty space between her and Flo. They wouldn’t have had the guts to tell the big-mouthed harridan to shut up, but the least they could do was unite behind someone who did. And what a bit of excitement they had to tell their husbands over the dinner table that night! They’d add a bit more to it, like, to spice it up and make it more interesting. But there was no harm in doing that, was there?

  Beth caught Sadie’s eye. ‘Can we pay yer, sunshine?’

  The girl’s eyes widened when she saw they each had several dresses over their arms. In fact, Lizzie and Flo had six, two dresses for each of their daughters, and two for themselves. ‘Ooh, er, yer’ve done well, haven’t yer?’

  Flo said, ‘We’ve done very well, queen, thanks to you. And now we’ve found yer, we’ll be back regularly to see what yer have to offer. Now, can yer tell me what I owe yer?’

  Sadie took the clothes from her and laid them down one at a time. ‘The girls’ dresses are one and six each, so that’s six shillings. This dress for you is two bob, but this other one is four bob, I’m afraid, ’cos it’s a very fashionable style, fine material and as good as new. Is that too much for yer to pay?’

  You could almost see Flo ticking the prices off in her mind. ‘I was never any good at sums in school, but I get it to twelve shillings, is that right?’

  Sadie nodded. ‘Can yer afford that much?’

  Flo nearly nodded her head off, causing her chins to think they were on the big dipper. ‘Of course I can afford them! Six dresses for twelve bob, queen, that’s marvellous!’

  Lizzie came next. She was expecting to pay the same as Flo, seeing as she too had six dresses. But Sadie said hers were two shilling less because although her two dresses were of good quality, they weren’t made by a famous fashion designer. ‘Sure, that’ll not be worrying me at all, so it won’t. Who’ll know the difference, begorrah, unless they peep down the back of the dress?’

  Dot owed seven shillings, for two dresses for herself and two for Joan. Beth had the same, but as she’d already paid for one dress, her bill was only five bob.

  ‘I haven’t enough loose money to give yer change, so I’ll have to ask Mary Ann to change this ten bob note. I won’t be long,’ Sadie said, pleased that the ladies had spent so much money. In fact, a lot of money had been passed over the stalls today, much more than usual. Mary Ann would be delighted they’d had such a good day, as would her husband, though like herself they’d be glad when it was over. It was hard on the feet standing for nine hours without a break. But Sadie had something to look forward to when she got home to her grandma’s. Her boyfriend Harry would be there waiting for her, and when her grandma and granda were in bed, she and Harry were going to talk about buying an engagement ring.

  Mary Ann tied up a loose strand of her red hair and smiled at the young girl she loved like a daughter. ‘What are you looking so happy about? There’s another couple of hours to go before we can even think of getting away.’

  Sadie giggled. ‘Which means in a couple of hours I’ll be seeing my Harry!’

  Mary Ann tutted. ‘What it is to be young and in love, eh? I’ll be getting a bit of time alone with my feller tonight, too, but I’ll be too bleedin’ tired to do anything about it. Anyway, what are yer waving that ten bob note at me for?’

  ‘I need change. D’yer know the woman who bought that boy’s coat, and her and her mate got us the tea and scones? Well, with their other two mates they’ve spent quite a few pounds between them. They’re nice, too, very friendly.’

  Mary Ann took the note, put it in a separate pocket reserved for paper money, then dug deep into her pocket for change. ‘Wish them all the best for me, and say we hope to see them again.’ She chucked Sadie gently under the chin. ‘We could do with four new customers, especially if they’re nice and friendly.’ A movement caught her eye and she turned to see a young boy pulling a pullover from the stack of clothes. ‘When yer get home with that, Frankie Stewart, tell yer mam I said it’s sixpence and she can pay me tomorrow. If she doesn’t pay tomorrow, then interest will be added and it goes up to a shilling. Now you tell her what I said, or one of us will box yer ears for yer.’

  Sadie put her face close and grinned. ‘That’ll be the day when yer box Frankie’s ears for him. Yer love the bones of him, and his baby sister. Ye’re getting soft in yer old age, Mary Ann. Pretty soon yer’ll be giving the clothes away for nothing.’

  ‘If yer ever see me doing that, queen, then that’s the time for yer to bring in the men in white coats. Now go and give those nice friendly women their change so yer can put a move on and help get this crowd thinned out a bit. I know they’re me bread and butter, and most of the time I’m pleased to see them, but nine hours of grasping hands and loud voices, well, it gets yer down. Especially when yer chilblains are playing yer up.’

  The four friends were in a very happy frame of mind on the way home. The happiest being Flo, who kept reminding them that her four bob dress was the classiest of the lot. Hadn’t it been made by a posh bloke for a very rich woman? And hadn’t the man had his name sewn in the dress to prove it was no ordinary one that could be bought cheaply in the likes of TJ’s? No, she’d bet any money that the woman who had owned the dress before had bought it from Cripp’s, the posh shop in Bold Street, where there was a man in uniform standing outside to help the rich people from their cars. And if it was raining, he’d hold an umbrella over their head while they walked from their car to the shop door.

  Dot was sitting with Lizzie on a seat in front of Flo and Beth, and as the tram had trundled along she’d listened patiently until she could stand no more. Turning her head, she said, ‘Flo?’

  The chubby face creased into a smile. ‘Yes, queen, what d’yer want?’

  ‘I want yer to shut up about that ruddy dress ’cos ye’re beginning to get on me nerves. And if I hear much more of it, I personally will take it upon meself to cut it to pieces with that very sharp pair of scissors yer said yer had.’

  ‘Ooh, I wouldn’t recommend that, queen, ’cos yer’d have two of us to contend with. Me because I’ve taken a liking to that fashionably styled dress which is made from the finest material and is as good as new, and my feller ’cos he’d be very unhappy with yer for touching his scissors what he’s very proud of.’

  ‘I’ll bring me own ruddy scissors then,’ Dot said. ‘Or yer could do us all a favour and shut up about the blasted dress.’

  Beth rubbed her elbow over the window of the tram to see whether they were near home. ‘Only two stops to go,’ she said, then tilted her head to look at Flo whose backside was half on the narrow seat and half in mid-air. ‘It’s a lovely dress, sunshine, and it will look nice on yer. But isn’t it a pity that yer can’t wash it?’

  Flo forgot she was only being held in place by grasping tightly to the back of the seat in front. When she took her hand away to look at Beth in surprise, it was only her quick thinking that kept her from landing in the aisle. ‘What d’yer mean, I
can’t wash it? Of course I can wash it!’

  ‘Didn’t yer see the label on the inside which says that the garment should be dry cleaned only? It’s made of soft wool. Yer can’t just stick it in the dolly tub with the rest of yer wash, yer’d ruin the thing!’

  Flo’s eyes narrowed. ‘Are you having me on, Beth Porter? ’Cos if yer are I don’t think it’s a bit bleedin’ funny.’

  ‘Now would I do that to you, sunshine? Ask these two if yer don’t believe me.’

  ‘Beth’s right, me darlin’, so she is,’ Lizzie said. ‘I’d have mentioned it to yer, but I was sure yer must have seen it, the way yer had the dress inside out inspecting it.’

  Dot didn’t turn her head because the grin on her face would have given the game away. But when Flo tapped her on the shoulder, she couldn’t not turn her head so she bit hard on her lip to take the smile away. ‘I thought yer’d seen the label, girl, otherwise I would have said something. But there’s a dry cleaner’s on County Road, yer can take it there when it gets dirty.’

  ‘I’m not taking it to no dry cleaner’s! They’d charge more than I paid for the flamin’ dress!’ Flo’s face was the picture of injured pride. ‘Of all the bloody stupid things I’ve ever heard . . . well, that beats the lot. Fancy making a dress what yer can’t wash! It doesn’t make any sense.’

  ‘Well, yer see, girl,’ Dot said, ‘the posh lady that yer said bought it at Cripp’s on Bold Street, she’d be rolling in money, wouldn’t she? I mean, what’s a couple of bob to her? She could afford to get it dry cleaned every time she wore it.’

  ‘This is our stop.’ Beth put her hand under Flo’s elbow to help her to her feet. ‘Come on, sunshine, don’t keep the driver waiting.’

  As she swayed down the aisle, the little woman was muttering under her breath. ‘I’ve a good mind to take the bleedin’ dress and ask for me money back. The silly buggers should have known the likes of us can’t afford to have clothes dry cleaned. Coats, yeah, I can understand that, but not ruddy frocks what yer have to kneel down in to clean out the grate.’

  The conductor was one who knew Flo’s dilemma when it came to getting off the tram so he was on hand to help her down. His chivalry restored her humour somewhat. ‘Thanks, lad, ye’re a proper gentleman.’

  Not for the world would the man tell her he felt as though his back was broken from taking the full weight of her body. ‘It was a pleasure, love, set me up for the day it did. You take care now and have a happy Christmas.’

  For a full thirty seconds the dress was forgotten as Flo sang the man’s praises. ‘That’s what I call a real gentleman. Yer don’t get many like him these days. If I hadn’t had me hands full, I would have given him a Christmas tip.’

  Beth’s jaw dropped. ‘But yer haven’t got anything in yer hands, only yer purse! I’m carrying yer shopping.’

  Angelic was the word to describe Flo’s face. ‘D’yer know what, queen? I clean forgot about that. But it’s too late to run after the tram now, I’d never catch it up. But I’ll look out for him next time we get on.’

  ‘I can tell yer where he lives if yer’d really like to give him a Christmas box.’ Dot knew her words wouldn’t be welcomed. And anyway, she hadn’t a clue where the man lived, she was just winding Flo up. ‘He only lives off Rice Lane.’

  ‘I’ve no time to be going to Rice Lane, I’ve got too much to do.’ Flo’s nostrils flared and her lips set in a straight line. ‘Anyway, who asked you to stick yer nose in? Why don’t yer just mind yer own business?’

  ‘Now let’s not have any arguments,’ Beth said. ‘We’ve had a nice day and done very well for ourselves, so let’s be merry and bright.’

  ‘You all did very well for yerselves, but what about me?’ Flo asked with a bulldog expression on her face. ‘Yer don’t think about me, do yer? I’m the one what’s bought a dress which is no good to me.’

  They were turning into their street now. ‘The dress will be fine,’ Beth said. ‘Yer’ll look like a real toff in it on Christmas Day.’

  ‘Four bob for a dress I can only wear for one day! I don’t think that’s a bleedin’ bargain. And if my feller finds out I’ll never hear the last of it.’

  ‘Don’t tell him then!’ Dot said. ‘We won’t say nothing to him.’

  ‘What if he sees the label, clever clogs? He can read, yer know.’

  ‘Oh, aye, what label is that, sunshine?’ Beth asked.

  ‘The one you smart arses saw, but I didn’t. The one about dry cleaning.’

  ‘I don’t remember seeing any label! Did you, Dot?’

  She shook her head. ‘Not that I noticed. What about you, Lizzie?’

  Lizzie’s shaking head came at the same time as the penny dropped. ‘Why, you lying cows! Fancy playing a trick like that on me!’ Flo got on her high horse, but she didn’t stay there long because she started to see the funny side of the situation. ‘It was me own bleedin’ fault for falling for it. But I’ll get me own back on yer, so watch out.’

  They were passing Hannah’s house on the opposite side of the street when Beth came to a standstill. ‘You lot go on, I want to call at Hannah’s to see if the tea chest has been delivered. I’ll see yer in the morning.’ As she crossed the cobbles she could hear Flo threatening to get her own back with a vengeance, and there was a smile on Beth’s face when Hannah opened the door. ‘Has the chest arrived yet?’

  The old woman looked all flustered. ‘Come in, sweetheart, but don’t look at the place, it’s in a right mess.’

  Beth gasped when she saw the state of the living room. The couch was piled high with bedding, cushions and coats, and all sorts of scarves and things. And the table and sideboard were covered in ornaments, crockery and pans. The newspaper these had been wrapped in for the journey was ankle-deep on the floor. ‘In the name of God, Hannah, what’s happened here?’

  She wiped a hand across her forehead as though tired and weary. ‘I expected them to leave the tea chest, but they made me empty it right away and took it with them. They were very nice about it, but they said the chest was only hired and they had to take it back or they’d be in trouble.’

  Beth put her shopping down on one of the dining chairs. ‘You look worn out, sunshine, it’s too much for yer. Sit down and I’ll make yer a pot of tea before I run home to get our dinner on the go. You can have yer dinner with us, then me and Ginny will come back with yer and between us we’ll have this lot cleared away before yer can say Jack Robinson.’

  Hannah sighed. ‘I can’t work like I used to. A few years ago I would have had all this put away in no time. It doesn’t pay to grow old, sweetheart.’

  Beth bent to kiss her cheek. ‘Growing old is something no one can change. It happens to everyone, rich or poor. All the money in the world can’t keep yer young. But it’s the way yer grow old that makes the difference. Some people give up the ghost in their fifties and sixties, while others grow old gracefully. And you, sunshine, have found the secret of growing old with dignity. Yer don’t look anywhere near yer age, and me and me mates are not going to let yer put yer feet up yet. Yer’ve got years ahead of yer and there’s still plenty of mileage left on yer clock. Once yer grandchildren are here yer’ll get a new lease of life, you’ll see. There’ll be no stopping yer, yer’ll leave us all standing.’

  She patted a wrinkled cheek and made her way to the kitchen. ‘And now for that cuppa. We could both do with one. And while we’re drinking it I’ll give yer something to laugh about.’

  Hannah called after her, ‘Is it about Flo?’

  ‘Of course it’s about Flo! Who else can make yer laugh when ye’re down in the dumps and don’t think yer’ll ever laugh again? Florence Henderson, that’s who.’

  Chapter Fourteen

  As soon as Ginny walked through the door, she asked, ‘Has Mrs Bailey’s family arrived yet, Mam?’

  ‘I couldn’t tell yer, sunshine, ’cos I’m not long in meself.’ Beth lifted a cheek for her daughter’s kiss. ‘I’ve been to see yer grandma and granda, and
as I don’t see them very often I can’t just dash in and out. I did call at Hannah’s when I was passing this morning, but it was just to see if she’d got herself sorted out for Claire and the children coming. I wasn’t expecting them to be there, not that early in the day, ’cos it takes a long time to come from Birmingham to Liverpool. Especially if they’ve got to change trains.’

  ‘Can I go down and see if they’ve come now, before I take me coat off?’

  ‘Certainly not! I don’t want yer making a nuisance of yerself. Just give them time to settle in after that long journey. I did tell Hannah that she could bring them up tonight if they weren’t too tired, to make our acquaintance, like, so at least they’ll know a couple of faces in the street.’

  Ginny threw her satchel on the couch and hung up her coat. ‘Did me grandma and granda like the Christmas card I made them?’

  ‘They were over the moon and told me to thank yer. They also said yer were very clever, but I’m not going to tell yer that in case yer get big-headed.’

  ‘I wish we could go and see them more often. It’s months since the last time.’

  ‘I know, I feel guilty about it meself. But yer know money’s always been tight, and some weeks it takes me all me time to manage. I was only thinking, coming home on the tram, that when you start bringing a wage in, we could all go up about once a month, on a Sunday when yer dad’s not working.’

  ‘What did they think about me getting a job in Woolworth’s? I bet they got a surprise.’

  ‘They said I was to tell yer they were very proud of yer. And they asked me something we haven’t given any thought to which is what are yer supposed to wear for work? Yer can’t go in yer gymslip, yer’d look daft.’

  ‘Miss Harper, the one who told us all about our hours of work and that, she said it would be all right to wear the gymslip, seeing as it’s dark navy, with a white blouse. Just until yer had the money to buy me a dark skirt and blouse.’