by Joan Jonker
Beth held the skirt up. ‘Doesn’t this take yer back a few years? I’ve just come across it at the bottom of the wardrobe. It won’t fit me around the waist, but it looks fine on Ginny except it needs three inches taking off. I’m hoping yer’ll be an angel and do it for us.’
‘Yeah, of course I will! I’ve got some black cotton in so I’ll start it tonight. Anyway, sit down, will yer? Ye’re making the place look untidy.’
‘Here yer are, Mrs Porter, yer can have my chair,’ David said, leaving the comfort of the fireside chair. ‘I’ll sit on the couch.’
‘That’s nice of yer, sunshine.’ When Beth sank into the chair, she grinned. ‘Yer’ve left it nice and warm for me.’
The words had no sooner left her lips than there came a hammering on the front door. ‘In the name of God, who can this be?’ Dot jumped up. ‘Whoever it is will get a piece of me mind for making that racket.’
Joey didn’t give Dot a chance to tell him off, he got in before her. ‘Me dad said to tell me mam that Mrs Bailey and her family have come.’
‘Okay, lad, I’ll tell her.’ Dot was already reaching for her coat. ‘We’ll be there in no time.’
Beth, who had heard all this and left her chair, asked, ‘What d’yer mean, we’ll be there in no time?’
‘Because I’m coming with yer! Yer don’t think I’d miss out on a thing like this, for heaven’s sake. A little bit of excitement will do me the world of good.’
‘But me house will be full!’ Beth complained. ‘Can’t yer leave it for another time to meet them. Tomorrow, perhaps?’
‘No, I can’t!’ Dot was crafty and quickly saw a way to settle the argument. ‘Do yer want that skirt doing, or not?’
Beth shook her head at Bill. ‘Your wife is a sly beggar. She’s resorting to blackmail now.’
He feigned a weary sigh. ‘Take it from one who’s had years of experience, Beth, and give in gracefully. Because yer’ll never win with her.’
Dot grabbed her mate’s arm. ‘Don’t be standing there gabbing when yer’ve got visitors. It’s bad manners to keep them waiting.’
But Beth stood her ground. Two could play at blackmail. ‘Did yer say yer’d definitely do that skirt tonight?’
While young David shook with laughter, Bill chuckled. ‘Yer’ve met yer match there, Dot, she’s as crafty as you.’
Beth raised her brows. ‘I learned it from her! Her and Flo Henderson. And now, what were yer saying about the skirt, sunshine?’
‘I’ll do it tonight, even if I have to stay up all ruddy night! Now, can we go, please, I’m dying to see what they’re like.’
Claire was shaking hands with the two women before they were even through the door, and thanking them profusely for the help they’d given to Hannah. ‘My mother-in-law has told me everything, and I can’t find words enough to thank yer. And yer husbands, too! I could hardly believe me eyes when I saw what they’d done to the back bedroom in such a short time. Everywhere looks nice and homely, and I really mean it when I say Mrs Bailey is lucky to have such good friends and neighbours.’
Beth and Dot were thinking the same thing: that Claire looked older than they’d expected her to look. Then again, the tragedy of losing her beloved husband was enough to put that haunted look in her eyes and the lines etched on her face. Beth hugged her close. ‘We were glad we could be of help, sunshine. Yer see, we are very fond of yer mother-in-law, who is respected by everyone in this street. And yer can thank me other two friends, and the men, when yer see them. Which I’m sure won’t be long.’
As she was speaking, Beth’s eyes were on Hannah. She had never seen her looking so happy. Her face was aglow, and her eyes shone with love and pride for the two grandchildren standing either side of her. It was as if they wanted to be as near as possible to the grandma they hadn’t seen for over five years. The scene was enough to bring a lump to the throat.
‘This handsome young man is my grandson, Bobby, and the pretty young lady is my granddaughter, Amelia,’ Hannah said with a hand on each of their shoulders. ‘Children, this is Mrs Porter and Mrs Flynn.’
Beth rushed to hug them, followed quickly by Dot. ‘Yer can call me Auntie Beth, it sounds much more friendly. That’s if yer want to, of course?’
Dot winked at the two children who were looking a bit shy and overwhelmed. ‘Don’t make up yer minds on that yet, not until yer get to know her. She’s got a nice face, but she’s also got a ruddy awful temper. But ye’re quite safe calling me Auntie Dot, I’m as sweet as sugar candy. Never lose me temper or argue. In fact, I’m too good to be true, really.’
‘Dot’s got a son about your age, Bobby, and me friend over the road has two. So yer won’t be short of mates. And those two girls standing there, as quiet as mice and looking as though butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths, are Ginny and her mate Joan. They’ll show yer around, Amelia, and I promise they’re not always as bashful as they are now.’ Beth jerked her head at Joey and her eyes were telling him to show his manners and stand up to make room for the visitors. ‘Sit yerselves down and I’ll put the kettle on. And Ginny, don’t stand there like a dummy, bring Joan over and keep the children company.’
Ginny’s face went bright red. Each time she looked at Bobby she caught him looking at her. And he wasn’t half nice-looking. Better than any other lad in the street. ‘Mam, why don’t you sit down and we’ll make the tea? Bobby and Amelia can help us and we can get to know each other.’
When Joey saw Bobby’s face go crimson, he came to his aid. ‘Girls only talk about stupid things that wouldn’t interest Bobby. He’d have a headache in no time with them giggling and nattering away. Why don’t I save him from a fate worse than death and take him to meet David? At least they’d have something in common.’
Andy had been quiet, listening with interest. ‘Why don’t I ask Bill if he feels like a pint after all, then I’d be out of yer way? And perhaps all the children would like to visit David, and they could get to know each other over there. That way everyone would be happy.’
‘That’s a very good idea, sunshine,’ Beth said. ‘Then we women can have a good old gossip.’
‘What sort of a job did yer have?’ David asked. ‘Were yer an apprentice?’
Bobby nodded. ‘Yeah, an apprentice gas fitter. I’ve done two years, so I’m hoping when I get a job they’ll take that into consideration.’ His eyes kept straying to where the girls were sitting around the table. ‘What do you do?’
‘Apprentice plumber, I work with me dad. The money’s lousy, but if yer want to have a skill at yer finger-tips, then yer’ve got to put up with it. It pays in the end, when ye’re twenty-one and on full money.’ David was happy having someone his own age to talk to. ‘Will yer be looking for a job after Christmas?’
‘Yeah, and so will me mam and our Amelia. We’ll have to now we don’t have me dad’s wages coming in.’ There was a catch in the boy’s voice. ‘I know I’m too young to be much help to me mam, but she did tell me I was the man of the house now.’
David was sensitive enough to steer the conversation down another avenue. ‘Where did yer sister work?’
‘In a factory that made overalls. She’ll probably get a job quicker than I will.’
Joan had her ear cocked to where the boys were sitting. He was dead handsome was Bobby, but he probably looked on her and Ginny as schoolgirls. So she took it upon herself to put him wise. ‘I’m going for a job interview tomorrow, in Dunlop’s, where me dad works. Why don’t yer try there for a job, Bobby?’
‘Do they have gas fitters there?’
Joan didn’t have a clue. ‘I’m not sure, but I could ask me dad to find out for yer.’
‘What about you, Ginny?’ Bobby asked. ‘Have you got a job lined up?’
Her face coloured. She was dying to show off and tell him she was going to work in one of the biggest shops in Liverpool, but that wouldn’t be nice when he’d just lost his dad and must be feeling very sad and unhappy. ‘Yeah, I’m going to work in a shop. I
start the first Monday in the new year.’
‘I know where you could try for a job, Amelia.’ David was being very daring. At sixteen he was awkward with girls, didn’t know what to say to them. In fact, he didn’t know any but his sister and her friend Ginny. ‘One of the men at work said his daughter’s been for an interview at Hartley’s Jam Works, and she got taken on. So it might be worth yer trying.’
Now it was Amelia’s turn for pink cheeks. She’d been sneaking glances at David, and thought he looked nice. He had a lovely smile and fine white teeth. ‘I’m going to the Labour Exchange tomorrow so I could ask about Hartley’s. Thanks for telling me.’
Joey was beginning to think he’d have been just as well staying at home with the old people because the young ones were hardly a bundle of laughs. Then he remembered the circumstances which had brought Bobby and Amelia here tonight. He couldn’t imagine what he’d feel like if his dad died, he’d probably want to die as well. ‘Do you and yer sister play cards, Bobby?’
There was a slight hesitation before the boy replied, ‘Yeah, we used to play a lot.’
‘Well, why don’t yer come down to ours one night and we can all play? We’ve got snakes and ladders if yer don’t like cards.’
‘I hope that invitation includes me and our Joan?’ David said. He didn’t have many real friends, and had taken a fancy to Bobby and his sister. ‘We could all come to yours one night, then here another night.’
Ginny and Joan smiled and nodded. No more playing with a skipping rope or hopscotch, they were past that stage now. Young ladies they were, and cards were for grown-ups. ‘That would be nice,’ Ginny said. ‘Except I’m not a very good player.’
‘I’ll teach yer,’ Bobby said. ‘It’s easy when yer know how.’
Joan wasn’t going to let her mate get away with that. ‘Yer can teach me, too, Bobby, ’cos I’m hopeless.’
Ginny thought Amelia was being left out, so she asked, ‘I suppose you’re very good at cards, are yer?’
‘Am I heck! The only time I win is when they let me ’cos they feel sorry for me.’
‘I’ll teach yer, Amelia,’ David offered, much to his own surprise. ‘And Bobby can teach the other two.’
Joey sat back in his chair and smiled as he scratched his head. Something told him that playing cards was going to be much more fun in future than it had ever been.
Chapter Fifteen
‘This is how life should be every day.’ Andy stretched out his long legs and gave a sigh of pleasure as he sipped on a glass of sherry. ‘It’s a pity Christmas Day only comes once a year.’
‘Yer wouldn’t say that if yer had the worry of it.’ Beth looked at the floor, strewn with paper which had been ripped from presents by hands eager to find out what goodies were concealed inside. Andy had been delighted with his new blue shirt and the scarf and glove set, and Ginny was beside herself with joy when she saw the grown-up stockings and underwear. She was upstairs now trying the underskirt on with one of the second-hand dresses. As for Joey, he was sitting on the couch with his head buried in a comic. He’d been told not to expect anything for Christmas because his coat had cost a lot of money so he was well pleased with the gloves and comics he’d found in the pillow case hanging from the mantelpiece, along with an apple, tangerine, nuts and a small Cadbury’s selection box.
Beth fingered the string of pearls around her neck. Of course they weren’t real ones, only cheap imitations, but they looked very pretty. They were a present from Andy, along with a bottle of Evening In Paris perfume. And when she’d finished her glass of sherry, she’d have a good wash, put on one of the new dresses and dab a spot of the perfume behind her ears. ‘Which one of me mates did yer ask to get these presents for yer?’
‘Oh, yer can’t catch me out there, love, ’cos knowing how you and yer mates tell each other everything, I knew nothing would be a surprise to yer. So one of the men I work with, he got his wife to buy them. I hope yer like them?’
‘They’re lovely, sunshine, yer did well. And as soon as I can gather enough energy, I’m going to get washed and doll meself up.’
‘You relax while yer can, there’s no rush today.’
So Beth dropped her head back and let her mind wander over the events of the last few days. She’d managed well for money and was pleased with herself. Some weeks it was hard going to put a few coppers in all the clubs, but it was worth it come Christmas. She’d have been lost but for the sweetshop club, and the butcher’s and greengrocer’s. Her mates seemed to have just about managed, too, and Hannah had been helped out with money by Claire, who had been paid her husband’s two weeks wages in hand. The bit of insurance he’d had was just barely enough to bury him and pay their fares to Liverpool. But it was a relief to Beth to know the old woman had her family around her for Christmas, and wasn’t going short.
She took a sip of her sherry. Everything had gone smoothly until yesterday morning when Flo had reminded them all that they owed Ma Maloney a shilling interest on the pound they’d borrowed. And when Dot said the moneylender could wait until after the holiday, Flo warned that she wouldn’t think twice about knocking on their doors on Christmas Day asking for what they owed her. It was no use threatening to tell their husbands on her because she was afraid of no one, man or woman. So their purses were emptied on Beth’s table and a shilling was counted from each of the four stacks of coins. And while they were counting, who should knock on the door but Hannah? She’d remembered the moneylender, and to get out of the house without her daughter-in-law suspecting anything had made the excuse to Claire that she’d borrowed a shilling off Beth days ago and must just nip up and pay her debt.
The closing of a door brought Beth to her feet and over to the window. ‘It’s the O’Learys on their way to Mass. Just look at them, Andy, all in their Sunday best and walking in line. Lizzie and Paddy in front, Mick and Seamus behind, and the two girls, Molly and Eileen, bringing up the rear. They’re a credit to their parents those kids. Not one has ever been a ha’porth of trouble. They never give cheek or answer back, not like some of the kids in the street.’
Andy came to stand beside her and slipped an arm around her waist. ‘They were at Midnight Mass with us, why do they need to go again?’
‘I’m sure they don’t need to, sunshine, they’re going because that’s what they want to do. They’re not doing anybody any harm. They’re good-living people but never shove religion down anyone else’s throat. Yer never hear them arguing or shouting or using bad language. There’s a few in this street could do with taking a leaf out of their book. Thoroughly nice people who yer could trust with yer life.’
The O’Learys were out of sight now, and Andy pulled her close. ‘Aren’t I a thoroughly nice man yer could trust with yer life?’
Bright blue eyes met deep brown ones. ‘I trusted me life with you some seventeen years ago, sunshine, and yer’ve served me well.’
He nuzzled her neck, and whispered, ‘I’ve done me best, love, but if it was in my power I would give yer the moon, the sun and the stars.’
Joey was at an exciting part in his comic, where the hero was confronting the baddie, and at first he was torn between carrying on or listening in to what his mam and dad were saying. His parents didn’t know he was, of course, or they would have moved apart, afraid of being thought soppy. But as far as the boy was concerned there was no real contest between them and the comic because he was never happier than when he was watching his mam and dad showing their love for each other. He could go back to the comic any time, and anyway it was a dead cert that the hero would win. Otherwise he wouldn’t be a hero, would he?
After making up his mind, and putting his finger on the line he was up to in the comic, Joey found himself thwarted by his own sister. She came running down the stairs as happy as could be. ‘How do I look, Mam?’ Ginny did a twirl to show off the blue floral cotton dress, then lifted the skirt a little to show off her first grown-up underskirt.
‘Yer look lovely, sunshine, the
dress really suits yer.’
‘Yer look like a million dollars, love.’ Andy was thinking how quickly children grew up.
Now that was going too far for Joey and he pulled a face. ‘If I had a million dollars, I’d want more for me money than that.’
Nothing was going to dampen Ginny’s spirits, and she smiled at him. ‘Ah, well, yer see, our kid, I’ve got the dress but you haven’t got the million dollars. So that must tell yer something.’
‘I’ll give yer all something to think about,’ Beth said. ‘I was up very early this morning to put the turkey in the oven and make the stuffing, and all the potatoes and veg are ready to put on. I think yer’ll agree I deserve a break? So I’m going to make meself look as glamorous as I can so as to compete with me daughter, and yer dad’s going to dickie himself up in his new shirt. And while we’re doing that, you two can get stuck in and tidy this place up. I want all this paper picked up and put in the bin, and yer presents taken up to yer rooms. Except the dress yer’ve got on, Ginny, and the comic you’re reading, Joey. And when all that’s done, we can sit back and relax for the rest of the day.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Is everyone in favour, or are there any complaints?’
‘No, we’ll do it, Mam,’ Ginny said. ‘And when we’ve finished, can I go down to Mrs Bailey’s to show her me dress?’
‘Oh, I don’t think so, sunshine, not on Christmas morning. They’ll be busy seeing to the dinner and things.’
Joey folded the comic up neatly and put it under the cushion of his chair. ‘It’s not Mrs Bailey she wants to show off to, it’s Bobby!’
The colour flooded Ginny’s cheeks. ‘No, it’s not, yer daft nit! I want to see Mrs Bailey.’
But nothing was going to stop her brother from saying what he thought. ‘Go ’way! I saw the sly looks yer were giving him the other night. And every time he spoke to yer, yer face went the colour of beetroot and yer couldn’t speak for stuttering.’
‘You big fibber!’ Ginny appealed to her mother. ‘Mam, will yer make him shut up before I clout him one?’