by Joan Jonker
‘Yeah, when yer come to think of it, all the lads have only got the one suit and I bet they’re not worried that we’ve seen them dozens of times.’ Ginny fingered her long blonde hair which was fanned out on her shoulders. ‘I’d like to do something with me hair, though. I might put some pipe cleaners in, see if I can get it to curl.’
Marie, whose mousy-coloured hair was thick and naturally curly, eyed her friend. ‘If yer wet it with sugar and water before yer put them in, that will make it curly.’ Then she had a thought. ‘Have yer got any curling tongs?’
‘I haven’t, no. But one of the neighbours uses tongs so perhaps she’d let me borrow them. And if you came a bit early, yer could curl it for me.’
Marie’s wide grin appeared. ‘Ay, if yer think I’m going to help make yer look better than me, yer’ve got another think coming. Yer’ve got a head start as it is, ’cos they say that boys prefer blondes.’
They had the tram fare ready in their hands when the conductor came around, and after he’d clicked their tickets, they went back to the subject of the party which had been their main topic of conversation for weeks now. What shoes would they wear? Did they have a pair of stockings that didn’t have a ladder in? Oh, there were so many things to discuss they forgot to keep watch on the places they were passing.
It was pure chance that Marie happened to take her eyes off Ginny’s face for a second and noticed they were passing St George’s Hall. She gasped and jumped to her feet. ‘Come on, quick, the next stop is ours.’ Lucky for them, there were a lot of people getting off in Church Street so they weren’t taken past their stop. ‘Thank goodness for that,’ Marie said. ‘If I hadn’t turned me head when I did, we’d have ended up down by the Pier Head.’
‘And here’s me wanting to be early so we could have a few words with Pat. She’s probably left the cloakroom by now.’
‘There’s no panic, is there?’ Marie seldom got ruffled unless it was something really serious. ‘We’ll be seeing her at break time, yer can tell her then.’
‘Yer know me, I want everything to happen right away.’ Ginny linked her friend’s arm as they walked through the store to the cloakroom. ‘Have you said anything to yer mam about us going to a dance with the boys? She did say when yer were fifteen she’d think about it.’
‘I haven’t asked her. Why, have you asked yours?’
‘No, I was waiting to hear what yours said.’ Ginny undid the buttons on her coat and slid her arms out of the sleeves. ‘If your mam said it was okay, then I think my mam would be more likely to agree.’
‘How soft you are, letting me do all the dirty work! No, you can ask your mam first, then I’ll butter mine up.’ Marie glanced along the rail of coats. ‘I can’t see Pat’s coat, it doesn’t look as if she’s in yet.’
‘Who’s taking my name in vain?’ Pat came up behind Marie and laughed when the girl jumped. ‘It just goes to show yer should be careful when ye’re talking about anyone ’cos yer never know whether they’re standing behind yer or not.’
‘Oh, I’m glad ye’re here,’ Ginny said. ‘Me and Marie want to invite yer to our birthday party on Saturday. Will yer come?’
‘Oh, yeah, I’d be made up! That’s lovely, that, thanks for asking me.’ Pat hung her coat on one of the hooks, and when she turned there was a question on her lips. ‘It’s not a posh do, is it, ’cos I don’t possess an evening dress?’
Ginny chuckled at the thought of anyone coming to their house in a long dress. It wouldn’t half give the neighbours something to talk about. ‘Me mam said to tell yer we live in a two-up-two-down, so there won’t be enough chairs to sit on and it’ll be standing room only.’
‘Now I know I’m going to like your mam, she sounds really down to earth. So if none of the girls is wearing a tiara, I’d love to come.’
Miss Halliday’s voice had them moving quickly. ‘Come on now, ladies, it’s time you were behind your counter, the doors will be opening in five minutes. Make haste, but do not run.’
When Ginny got to her counter it was to find Miss Sutherland busy filling up and making the counter look attractive. She smiled at her junior. ‘I’ve got a feeling we’re going to be very busy today so I hope you’ve got comfortable shoes on?’
‘The shoes I’ve got on are the only pair I have, but they’re comfortable enough.’ Ginny dropped down on her haunches to pass items up as her senior asked for them. ‘After Christmas me and Marie are going to save up and buy some decent clothes and shoes. Especially dancing shoes if our mothers say we can go to a dance.’ Ginny’s pretty face lit up when she said, ‘I fancy silver ones meself, with high heels.’
‘I have silver ones, but I don’t wear them with a very high heel because I find them too uncomfortable to dance in.’
‘Me and me mates won’t be going to proper dances, like you, we’ll be starting off at a small church hall where beginners go.’ She handed up four tortoiseshell combs used by women who wore their hair in a bun or swept upwards in the modern fashion. ‘Where’s your favourite dance hall?’
‘I like the Tower at New Brighton best, it’s big and it’s got a sprung floor. But my boyfriend is not keen on the travelling to get there, so we mostly go to the Grafton or the Locarno.’
Ginny straightened up to find two customers at the counter examining the purses. She smiled at one, leaving the other to Dorothy. ‘Can I help you, Madam?’
After that there was a steady stream of customers and they were rushed off their feet. But Ginny enjoyed it because the customers all seemed to be in a happy frame of mind as they chose presents for family and friends. As Dorothy whispered: ‘There’s nothing makes a woman happier than spending money.’
Not all of the customers spent money; some of them were just browsers who’d come into town to while away a few hours. They’d pick up almost every item on the counter and examine it while the assistant looked on, hoping for a sale. Then, after wasting time, the woman would finally walk away without making a purchase.
Ginny found this very frustrating. ‘I could have served six customers, the time I’ve spent with her.’ She spoke softly out of the corner of her mouth. ‘Every purse she asked me to open, then said she couldn’t make up her mind and she’d come back tomorrow.’
Dorothy, with years of experience dealing with the public, took it all in her stride. ‘There’s nowt so queer as folk, pet, you’ll find that out. Just keep a smile on your face and don’t take it too much to heart.’
When the time came for Ginny’s break, she offered to stay behind and help. ‘It won’t hurt me to do without a cup of tea. I can’t leave yer on yer own, it’s too busy.’
‘Go and have your drink, I’ll manage.’ As she was talking, Dorothy was taking purses that were being handed to her to wrap, and working the till as well. She still kept the smile on her face. ‘Not that I won’t be glad to see you back, so don’t be too long.’
When Ginny stopped at the next counter for Marie, it was to find they too were very busy and her friend said, ‘I’m not coming today, Ginny. I don’t like leaving Helen on her own with all these customers to serve, I’d feel mean. I’ll see yer at dinner time.’
Ginny went back to leather goods. ‘Me mate’s staying, and so am I. It’s only an hour and a half to lunch break, it won’t kill me to wait until then.’
It was fifteen minutes to the lunch break when Miss Halliday stopped by the counter. ‘I believe you and Miss Whittaker worked through the tea break, Miss Porter?’
Ginny glanced quickly at Dorothy Sutherland. She hoped her senior wouldn’t get into trouble for this. But she couldn’t tell a lie. ‘We were so busy, Miss Halliday, we’ve been rushed off our feet. But I wanted to stay, even though Miss Sutherland said I should go for me break. I’ve enjoyed it, ’cos I like to be busy.’
‘Well, things will be a little easier for the dinner break. I’m bringing a couple of women out of the stock room to help, even though they’ve never been behind a counter before. They will not be allowed to use the til
l, but they will be quite capable of serving and wrapping. It’s very unfortunate that on such a busy day we have several staff off work with colds, but there is little we can do about it.’ With a glance at the clip-board she was seldom seen without, she said, ‘I’ll be back in ten minutes with a temporary assistant.’
‘Here, there’s two front seats, let’s grab them.’ Beth took Flo’s elbow and steadied her as the tram began to move. ‘You get in by the window, sunshine, and try and squeeze up to make room so I can get at least half of me bottom on the seat.’ She turned her head to smile at Dot and Lizzie who were seated behind. ‘Let’s all pay our own fare, save messing.’
‘I hope Paddy’s Market is not too busy,’ Dot said, leaning forward. ‘It would be nice if we could take our time looking at what Mary Ann has to offer.’
‘Oh, yer’ll not be able to do that today, me darlin’, or any other day for that matter. From now until the shops shut on Christmas Eve, no matter where yer go, it’s going to be packed, so it is.’ Lizzie’s nodding head confirmed that her mind was in agreement with her mouth. ‘But I’ve got to say, I like the hustle and bustle at Mary Ann’s stall, and that’s a fact. She’s quite a character, so she is, with the things she comes out with. Sure, her and Sadie make a good team the way they laugh and joke with the customers.’
Flo, pressed tight against the side of the tram, was terrified to move in case she sent Beth flying off the seat. So she kept perfectly still and raised her voice so Dot and Lizzie could hear what she had to say. ‘I’ve got twelve shillings with me, and I’m hoping it stretches far enough to get everything I want.’
‘I think we’ve all got about the same,’ Dot said. ‘And with a bit of luck and help from Sadie, we should be four happy bunnies on our way home.’
Flo’s eyes slid sideways. ‘Ye’re very quiet, aren’t yer, girl? Are yer going to tell us how much yer’ve got with yer, or is it a secret?’
Beth chuckled. ‘About the same as yerself, sunshine, and there’d be no point in trying to keep it to meself when I’m going shopping with yer, would there? Yer’ve got eyes like a flippin’ hawk, they don’t miss a thing. I bet that when we get home yer’ll be able to tell me to the penny how much I’ve spent.’
‘I’m leaving nothing to chance, girl, I’ve brought a piece of paper and a pencil with me, so I can write it all down.’ Flo’s whole body began to shake, causing Beth to grab hold of the bar in front. ‘That’s just to make sure yer don’t get nothing cheaper than me. I know Sadie’s got a soft spot for yer so I’m keeping me eyes open.’
The conductor came around then, dinging his ticket machine. ‘I’m only paying yer a penny fare,’ Beth said, ‘’cos I’ve only got a quarter of a seat. The queer one sitting next to me should be charged double on account of the size of her posterior.’
Flo took great exception to anyone making free with the size of her bottom, and she fairly bristled. ‘Well, the flaming cheek of you! Anyone would think I was fat, and I’m really only a slip of a thing.’
Bill, the conductor, knew Flo of old, and was aware she was always game for a laugh. ‘Yeah, my wife’s clothes prop has got more flesh on it than you have, sweetheart.’ He punched her ticket and handed it to her. ‘And it’s nicer looking.’
‘You cheeky swine, Bill Stanton! Anyone would think yer were the spit of Ronald Colman to hear you talk. But yer look more like Frankenstein after he’s had the operation!’
Dot held out her fare. ‘I’m not saying a dickie bird, lad, in case yer wife’s got a mop and I put yer in mind of it.’
He let out a loud guffaw. ‘If my wife’s mop looked like you, sweetheart, I wouldn’t be coming out to work. The wife could get a job and I’d stay home and keep the mop company.’
‘Take my money, lad,’ Lizzie said, ‘before yer think of something in your house that I resemble. I’m out for a day’s pleasure, so I am, and I don’t fancy being insulted.’ She took her ticket then tapped Beth on the back. ‘Next stop is ours, me darlin’.’
‘Well, you two get off first, sunshine, and yer can help Flo down the high step. I’ll carry her bags till she’s off.’
When they reached the market it was to find it buzzing. The crowds around each stall selling new goods were three or four deep, and Beth sighed. ‘Let’s make for Mary Ann’s first and come back here later. I’m hoping to get a decent dress for meself and one for Ginny. And I could do with a cardi to wear around the house when I let the fire die down. Standing in our back kitchen peeling spuds in this weather is like being in one of those countries yer see on the Pathé News where the people live in houses made of snow.’
‘Ooh, I know what yer mean, girl, ’cos mine’s the same.’ Flo’s hip knocked against Beth’s as she swayed along. ‘I know everyone thinks me fat should keep me warm, but the ruddy draught that comes under our kitchen door is enough to freeze a monkey’s you know whats. It’s that bad sometimes I have to hold on to the sink or I’d be blown over.’
‘I know something worse than that, girl,’ Dot said. ‘And that’s going down the yard to the lavvy. Honest to God, I keep crossing me legs, ’cos the thought of sitting down there puts me off. Mind you, I’ve got to go in the end, but I bet no one has ever spent a quicker penny than I do on a winter’s day.’
They pushed their way through the heaving crowd, with Flo and Beth in the lead. As they neared the stalls they were heading for, they heard a loud burst of laughter. So loud, it could have come from the Kop at Anfield football ground when Liverpool had scored a goal. ‘Just listen to that,’ Beth said. ‘I’m laughing meself and I don’t even know what the joke is.’
They walked to the trestle table at the far end, where they always stood because it was less crowded. Then they saw the cause of the laughter – Mary Ann and Sadie were doing an Irish jig in the clearing in the middle of the stalls, and as her legs were moving with some speed, the stallholder was shouting, ‘Yer can all hold yer bleedin’ horses while we get some circulation back in our feet. But don’t think me mind is frozen like me toes, ’cos I can still see what’s going on.’ After a nifty twist, with Sadie’s pretty face lit up, Mary Ann shouted, ‘Ay, Aggie Mac, put that bleedin’ jumper down before yer dirty it. I was going to charge yer threepence, but I’m adding a penny now for wear and tear.’
‘Yer can sod off, Mary Ann,’ Aggie shouted back, really enjoying the exchange. ‘It’s got a bleedin’ big hole in it, big enough to get me fist through.’
‘That means the hole must be nearly as big as yer mouth, Aggie.’ Mary Ann was puffing and blowing, and now and again her face would crease with pain as the circulation began again in feet that had been freezing since she’d set the stalls up at eight o’clock. She just knew her chilblains would give her gyp tonight when she went to bed. ‘If it had been as big as the foot ye’re always putting in yer mouth, Aggie, I might have knocked tuppence off the price.’
Another voice piped up, ‘How much is this blue blouse, Mary Ann? It can’t be much ’cos it’s got a button missing.’
She grinned. ‘Yer might have got away with that, Sarah, if I hadn’t seen yer pulling the bleedin’ button off.’
Sadie brought the stallholder to a halt. ‘Ay, Sarah, that blouse belongs on my superior quality stall, and everything on there is sixpence. And if you’ve pulled a button off, then yer’ll have to buy it at the right price of sixpence.’
Sarah was looking red-faced and guilty by this time. She had pulled a button off the pretty, pale blue blouse which she’d had visions of wearing on Christmas Day, but she didn’t think anyone had seen her. ‘Yer’ve got eyes in the back of yer head, Mary Ann, yer miserable bugger.’
Mary Ann turned her back on the woman, and as she bent down and swished her long black skirt up, said, ‘I’ve got eyes in me backside, as well, Sarah. And I know that little pearl button is clutched in yer left hand.’
A voice called, ‘Ay, Mary Ann, if yer were trying to do the can-can, yer were doing it the wrong way round. Ye’re supposed to kick yer bleedin’ l
egs in the air and give everyone a treat.’
‘If I kicked me legs in the air, Lizzie, the sight would be such that I’d charge yer a penny more than I’m going to charge yer for that cardi yer’ve got wrapped around yer hands to keep them warm.’ The stallholder squared her shoulders, grinned at the pretty young girl who had brought a lot of joy into her life, and told the crowd, ‘Now, me and me young assistant are ready to do business. So make sure yer have the right money ready, if yer can, to save time.’
As she walked towards the middle trestle table, Mary Ann said, ‘Lizzie, will yer take yer bosom off the clothes, please?’
‘I’m only leaning on the bleedin’ clothes, Mary Ann, I’m not doing no harm.’
‘Lizzie, your bosom weighs heavier than my whole body! Of course ye’re doing harm, yer silly nit! Those clothes on top of the pile are getting more wear and tear out of your bosom than they’ve had since they were hanging up in the Bon Marché shop.’
There were guffaws and titters from the crowd. ‘The Bon Marché, Mary Ann! Yer must think we were born yesterday,’ Lizzie said, quite put out that her breasts were now the centre of attention. ‘If this dress I’m leaning on has ever seen the Bon Marché, then I’ll eat me bleedin’ hat.’
‘Which hat is that, Lizzie? I’ve never seen yer in no hat.’
‘It’s the hat I’ll buy the day yer can prove this bleedin’ dress ever saw the inside of the Bon Marché.’
While all this was going on, Mary Ann and Sadie were taking money for the blouses, skirts and cardis that were being shoved into bags. But still the stallholder kept the conversation going. ‘I can prove it to yer, Lizzie. In fact if yer look at the label sewn into the back of the dress, yer’ll see I’m right. And as it happens I’ve got a few hats for sale as well so yer can look at them at the same time. But pick one what won’t play havoc with yer digestion when ye’re eating it.’