by Joan Jonker
‘Whew!’ She picked up an old newspaper and fanned her face. ‘I don’t know whether it’s me weight, or the change of life, but that bloody mangle gets harder every week!’ Hearing the girls’ shrieks of laughter, she made her way down the hall. They were sitting on the pavement dangling a piece of string over the kitten’s head and every time the tiny paw shot out to swipe at the string they screamed with delight. Eileen watched them for a while, a smile on her face, then turned her head to look down the street. The debris had been cleared from the site, but the empty space where the three houses had been pulled down after the bombing was a constant reminder of the night Eileen still had nightmares about.
‘Ah, well, standin’ here won’t get the tea made.’ She wagged a finger. ‘Don’t forget, you two … no cat!’
She walked back into the house and was setting the table when she heard a woman’s voice, loud and shrill. At first she thought it was a couple of the neighbours having a row, but then she heard Edna cry out and she was down the hall like a dose of greased lightning.
‘What’s goin’ on here?’ When Eileen saw the woman’s hand on Edna’s shoulder she nearly fell down the steps. ‘Get yer hands off her, Cissie Maddox.’ Her push caught the woman by surprise and she stumbled to regain her balance before facing Eileen.
‘That’s our kitten she’s got, Eileen Gillmoss, an’ I want it back, right now!’ Her face crimson, and nostrils flared, Cissie Maddox glared. ‘It’s only four weeks old and shouldn’t be out of the ’ouse, yet.’
‘Then yer shouldn’t ’ave let it out of the house, should yer?’ Eileen mimicked Cissie’s voice. ‘Don’t come blaming us if yer can’t keep yer bloody cat from gettin’ out!’
‘It didn’t get out!’ Roughly the same size and age as Eileen, Cissie squared up to her without fear. ‘Your Billy came into our ’ouse and took it out!’
‘He didn’t!’ Young Edna cried in protest. ‘He found it in the entry.’
‘Did he hells bells like! Our Sammy brought him in to show him the litter, an’ he walked out with that one as bold as brass.’
Dear God! He’s done it again, Eileen sighed. That little bugger will be the death of me. ‘OK, Cissie; I’m sorry! Give Mrs Maddox the kitten, Joan.’ When the two girls cowered back, the cause of the trouble hidden behind them, Eileen bent down. ‘It doesn’t belong to us, and yez can’t have it.’ She grabbed the struggling kitten by the back of its neck and handed it to Cissie. ‘I’ll tell him off when he gets in.’
‘Fat lot of good that’ll do! It’s more than a tellin’ off he wants, an’ I’ve a good mind to give him a smack meself, for what he’s done.’
‘If there’s any smackin’ to be done around here, I’ll do it! You lay a finger on our Billy, Cissie Maddox, an’ I’ll knock yer into the middle of next week.’ Eileen’s shoulders slumped. ‘God strewth, Cissie! Has no one told yer there’s a bloody war on?! There’s people being killed all over the place, and all you can think about is a bloody moggy! It’s a pity yer’ve nothin’ better to worry about!’
The anger was fading from Cissie’s face, but she wasn’t ready to give in yet. ‘Your Billy ’ad no right!’
‘I know he didn’t, an’ I’ll give him the back of me hand when he gets in.’ Eileen looked down on the two weeping girls. ‘It’s no good you two bawlin’ yer heads off! Yez can’t have the kitten, an’ that’s all there is to it!’
It was the look on the girls’ faces that finally melted Cissie’s heart. ‘If yer like, yer can have it when it’s old enough to feed itself.’
The two girls scrambled to their feet, eyes and noses running unchecked, and pulled their mother’s skirt. ‘Say we can ’ave it, please, mam!’
That’s all me mam needs, Eileen groaned inwardly. As though she hasn’t got enough to worry about without a cat piddling all over the place. ‘I’m …’ the words died on her lips as she looked into the hopeful eyes pleading with her. She didn’t have the heart to disappoint them. But there was a couple of weeks to go yet, and with a bit of luck they would have forgotten about it by then. ‘We’ll see.’ She patted each of them on the head. ‘Now go inside, like good girls, and wipe yer dirty noses. I’ll be in in a minute to make the tea, but first I want to find our Billy.’
‘Let me know if yer want it.’ Cissie was anxious now to make friends. ‘Most of the litter are spoken for.’
‘I don’t think we’ll be bothering, Cissie.’ The folds of flesh started to move upwards to cover Eileen’s eyes as she grinned. ‘Me mam’s got three monkeys to look after as it is, and I don’t think she’d appreciate an addition to the menagerie.’
Cissie was looked past Eileen to the man crossing the road. Being short sighted, her eyes screwed up as she tried to see if it was anyone she knew.
‘Isn’t this Bob West? I haven’t seen him round here for ages.’
Eileen whipped round, the smile gone. Oh, God! She’d been dreading this. What was she going to tell him about Mary? And what had other people told him? She watched Bob West draw nearer, then turned to Cissie. She could see curiosity in the woman’s eyes and she knew she was hoping for some tit-bit of gossip. Like everyone else in the neighbourhood, she was wondering why Mary Bradshaw had married Harry Sedgemoor so soon after young Bob was killed.
‘I’ll see yer, Cissie!’ Eileen’s grip was like steel as she turned the woman to face her own house. ‘I won’t forget to chastise our Billy.’
‘How are yer, Mr West? And how’s Mrs West?’
Bob’s dad sat on the couch, his fingers running nervously along the peak of the cap he was twisting round in his hand. He nodded a few times before looking up. ‘I called at Mary’s, and a strange woman answered the door and said the Bradshaws had moved.’ His eyes searched Eileen’s face. ‘Then I knocked at the Jacksons’, and Vera told me Mary was married! It knocked me for six, I can tell you! I couldn’t believe me ears!’
‘Yeah; it was a surprise to everyone.’ Eileen blinked rapidly as she made a play of straightening the oilcloth on the table. ‘Yer know Harry Sedgemoor, don’t yer?’
‘Yes, I know Harry! But what I want to know is, why? How could she do such a thing?’
‘She must have had her reasons, Mr West! It’s between her and Harry, an’ they must know what they’re doin’!’
‘But she was so crazy about our Bob! How could she change so quickly?!’
‘Mary’s had a lot of trouble an’ I suppose she’s had to change, to survive.’
‘I can understand that! And I didn’t expect her to stay single for the rest of her life! But to marry so soon!’ He looked hurt and bewildered. ‘I just can’t take it in.’
‘Look, why don’t I put the kettle on, and we can have a cuppa while we’re talkin’.’ Eileen escaped to the kitchen, her heart beating fifteen to the dozen. She heard the girls playing hopscotch in the yard, and after striking a match under the kettle she opened the kitchen door and warned them to stay out there until she called them. Thank God her mam had gone to a matinee, because she’d never get through this with her mam’s knowing eyes on her.
He’s going to ask me, I know he is! Eileen’s head throbbed as she scooped tea from the old tin caddy. And what do I tell him when he does ask? Dear God, what do I tell him? No matter what I say, someone is going to get hurt.
‘Here we are then.’ Eileen carried a cup in each hand and passed one over. ‘I don’t need to ask if yer take sugar, ’cos we’ve got none.’
Bob watched the tea leaves swirling round on the top of the tea, then looked straight into Eileen’s eyes. ‘I’ve got to get it off me chest! There’s only one reason why Mary would marry in such a hurry. Is she pregnant?’
Eileen’s face turned white as she gasped. She’d been expecting him to probe, but hadn’t anticipated him being so blunt. ‘Mary pregnant? Oh, I couldn’t tell yer that, Mr West! She’s been married a few weeks now, so she could be.’
‘I still can’t believe it! How could she forget our Bob so soon?’
‘It’s no
ne of my business, but I think Mary got married for practical reasons.’ At least she could say that truthfully. ‘With her mam the way she is, Mary would never have been able to manage on her own. I think she saw it as a way out of her troubles, an’ Harry’s been sweet on her for years. He’s a good bloke, an’ he’ll make her a good husband.’
‘I know Harry Sedgemoor, and he’s the salt of the earth.’ Bob shook his head as though it was too much for him to understand. ‘But it’s not much of a foundation for a happy marriage, is it? It’s the last thing I expected to hear when I came today, and I know Lily will be upset.’
‘Yer still haven’t told me how Mrs West is?’
‘She’s picking up, but very slowly. We’ve decided to stay in Preston because there’s too many memories for her round here. I’ve got a decent job, and we’ve got the chance of a nice little house. That’s what I came here for today. To ask Mary if she’d like to come up one day, and see Lily.’
‘What are yer goin’ to do now, then?’
‘I don’t know what to do.’ The sigh came from deep within him. ‘What do you think?’
Eileen folded her arms and hitched her bust up. Her heart was crying for the broken man sitting opposite her, but what could she do? ‘It’s up to you; but don’t you think it would be best to let Mary get on with her new life? Seeing you would bring it all back again, an’ it wouldn’t be fair on Harry.’
‘You’re right!’ Bob pressed on his knees and stood up. ‘Will you tell her you saw me, and wish her all the best?’
Oh, God, I’m going to cry! Eileen pinched hard on the end of her nose to keep the tears back. ‘I’ll tell ’er, Mr West. And you look after yerself, and Mrs West, d’yer hear?’
Bob pulled the checkered cap down over his eyes. ‘I still can’t take it in! It’s been so sudden! But when me and Lily get used to the idea, we’ll probably be glad for Mary. She deserves some happiness.’
The thought flitted through Eileen’s head that she was beginning to wonder whether she’d ever see Mary really happy again.
When Maggie got home from the matinee she found Eileen slumped over the table, her hands covering her face and her shoulders shaking with sobs. Fear shot through Maggie, and she clung to the door frame for support. ‘What’s wrong? What’s happened?’
Eileen raised her stricken face, and the sight of her mother brought forth a fresh flow of tears. Wiping her nose on the back of her hand, she gulped. ‘Bob West’s been here. He’s just gone.’
Relief flooded through Maggie, leaving her weak. ‘Thank God! I thought something terrible had happened.’
‘And you think that Mr West findin’ out about Mary being married isn’t terrible? An’ me lying me bloody head off to him … isn’t that terrible?’
Why is it that this daughter of mine gets everyone’s troubles? Maggie asked herself wearily as she pulled a chair out and sat down. Because she looks tough, people think she’s got no feelings. If only they knew how soft hearted she really is. ‘Tell me what happened.’
In between sobs and blowing her nose, Eileen related the whole scene. ‘I felt lousy, tellin’ him lies! But what else could I do?’
‘Nothing!’ Maggie said firmly. ‘You did the only thing possible. If you’d told the truth, it would have been the end of Mary and Harry’s marriage.’
‘But he looked so awful,’ Eileen sobbed. ‘Him and Mrs West have got nothing left in life. Knowin’ they had a grandchild would give them something to live for.’
‘Martha’s told you how Harry feels about bringing the Wests back into Mary’s life, and I can’t say I blame him. It just wouldn’t work out, Eileen, and you must see that for yourself! To tell them they had a grandchild they couldn’t see would be cruel. They’d be tormented for the rest of their days.’ Maggie patted the dimpled elbow. ‘No, love; you did what was best for everyone.’
Eileen sniffed. ‘I know that, Mam, but I felt lousy all the same.’ She managed a weak grin. ‘The trouble with me is, I like everything to have a happy ending.’
‘Aye; well life doesn’t always work out that way! The picture I’ve just been to see didn’t have a happy ending, either.’
Eileen bent her head to wipe her eyes on the skirt of her dress. ‘Yer’d have had more excitement stayin’ at home! Me and Cissie Maddox had a stand up fight in the street.’
‘You didn’t!’ Maggie gasped. ‘I don’t know what’s come over you, I really don’t. There’s nothing so common as two women fighting.’ Her tongue clicked loudly as she glared at her daughter. ‘In the street, too!’
Her eyes sliding sideways, Eileen looked through half-closed lids. ‘I’d given her one black eye, and I’d have given her another, but Mr West came along an’ put a stop to it.’
‘Oh, my God!’ Maggie’s head moved like a mechanical toy. ‘What must the neighbours be thinking?’
‘They were all out in the street, cheering us on.’ Eileen’s hand covered her nose and mouth, and her voice was muffled. ‘Yer’d have enjoyed it, Mam.’
‘Enjoyed it!’ Maggie was on her high horse, filled with indignation. ‘I’ll never be able to lift me head up in the street again. We’ll be the laughing stock of …’ she suddenly realised that the tears rolling down Eileen’s cheeks were tears of laughter, and as the truth dawned, her body sagged.
‘You’re pulling me leg!’
The chair creaked under the weight of Eileen’s laughter. ‘Yer fell for it, Mam! Hook, line and bloody sinker, yer fell for it!’
‘I could wring your neck for that! You nearly gave me a heart attack!’
‘Go way with yer! Yer’ve got a heart as strong as an ox.’ Eileen pinched at the fat on her arms. ‘Anyway, Mam, takin’ the mickey out of you has cheered me up.’
‘What made you make up a story like that? And why on earth did you pick on Cissie Maddox?’
‘I didn’t make it all up.’ Eileen chuckled. ‘I’m not that clever! Me and Cissie did have a few words, but it never came to blows.’
‘But what caused the argument?’
‘Well, yer see, Mam, there was this little black and white kitten …’
Maggie huffed as she pushed her chair back. ‘Oh, you’re not catching me out again! I’ve fallen for one of your tall stories, and that’s enough for one day.’
‘I’m only tryin’ to tell you about the kitten.’
‘Aye, and you’ll be telling me about the man in the moon, next! Try pulling the other one … it’s got bells on!’ Maggie stood up and slipped her coat off. ‘Let’s get the tea started.’
A cheeky smile crossed Eileen’s face as her mother disappeared into the kitchen. Under her breath she whispered, ‘Well, in two weeks’ time yer still won’t believe the story about the man in the moon, but I’ll bet yer half-a-crown yer’ll believe the one about the little black and white kitten! I’m not sayin’ yer’ll like it, but yer sure as hell will believe it!’
Chapter Twenty-Four
‘We must have been bloody stupid when you come to think of it.’ Harry was leaning towards the fire, his hands spread out to the warmth. They couldn’t afford to keep two fires going on the small coal ration they got, so he and Mary spent most of their time in Martha’s room. ‘We knew for years that Hitler was building up his Army and making planes and tanks, but we turned a blind eye. Now we’re paying for it. Our lads are being pushed back on all fronts, ill equipped and outnumbered. It makes my blood boil, honest! And the Russians are the same, too! They’re fighting with bare hands most of the time. We saw them on the news the other night, fighting in freezing snow and ice, with thin uniforms on and most of them had no soles to their shoes. Many of them were suffering from frost bite.’
‘It’s terrible.’ The only time Martha heard any war news was when Mary was out at the shops and she and Harry could talk freely. Her daughter wouldn’t let her listen to the news on the wireless, and she refused point blank to discuss the war at all. ‘But at least we’re not having air raids every night, like the May blitz.’
/> ‘London is! They get a hammering nearly every night! But I suppose Hitler thinks if he can flatten London, we’ll all collapse.’ Harry rubbed his hands together then held them out to the flames again. ‘Our fighter pilots are holding their own though, thank God! The Germans are losing a lot of planes.’
‘We heard planes going over yesterday while you were at work. I never said anything to Mary, but I kept expecting the air-raid siren to go.’
‘Oh, I saw them! When we heard the planes, me and one of the foremen ran out to see what was going on. There was one German plane, and it was being chased by two of ours. It was probably only a reconnaissance plane, come to spy out the land, and that’s why the sirens didn’t go.’ The cleft in Harry’s chin deepened and his eyes glowed. ‘You should have seen those planes of ours; you’d have been proud of them. They dived and they climbed, then they circled the German plane as though they were playing games with it. In fact, there were a group of us watching and we all started clapping. There wasn’t one of us who wouldn’t have changed places with those pilots so we could have had a go at that German.’
‘Your job is just as important! If there was no one to make the munitions, our soldiers would have nothing to fight with.’
‘Aye, well, the way things are going the Army might have to start calling men like me up. I’m not a cripple, and I could hold a ruddy gun!’ Harry watched the sparks from the fire for a few seconds, his face thoughtful, before turning to Martha. ‘If the siren did go, you would get under the stairs right away, wouldn’t you?’
‘We’d be pushing each other out of the way to get in first, don’t worry.’