by Joan Jonker
Eileen rubbed the back of her hand across her forehead to ease the headache she could feel coming on. What with Vera’s troubles on top of her own, she felt physically and mentally worn out. It was all too much for her. She hadn’t slept much last night, worrying about one thing and another, and the events of this morning had just about put the top hat on things.
Eileen breathed in deeply, held her breath for a few seconds, then exhaled slowly. If she and Bill were getting along all right, she’d think nothing of running to the ends of the earth to help Vera. But things were far from all right … for her anyway, and she wondered how much more she could take. Putting a brave face on all the time, and trying to laugh and joke, was taxing her endurance to the limit, and she knew the time was coming when she’d just blow up.
The sound of the key turning in the lock brought Eileen forward to the edge of the couch. She was hoping it was Bill, but the light footsteps told her it was her mother.
Maggie dropped her keys on the sideboard, her brows drawn together in a frown. ‘Where is everyone?’
Eileen’s ears were cocked. ‘Are the girls with yer?’
‘No. They were dawdling, so I hurried ahead of them.’ Maggie drew out the silver pin from the navy velour hat and placed it next to the keys. ‘They’re probably playing in the street.’
‘If they get their best coats dirty, I’ll flog the livin’ daylights out of them. They’re the only decent things they’ve got!’ Eileen saw the impatience in Maggie’s eyes. ‘Okay, Mam, I know yer dyin’ to ’ear what’s gone on. But you take yer coat off while I stick the kettle on for a cuppa.’ Counting up to three, Eileen heaved herself from the couch. ‘Me tummy thinks me throat’s cut, an’ I’ll ’ave to ’ave a drink before I start gabbin’.’
‘Yer’d only been gone about five minutes when two policemen called. One was a sergeant, an’ he was smashin’ with Vera an’ Carol. He even let Carol play with ’is helmet while he talked to Vera. The other one was a young feller, barely out of ’is teens. They stayed for about twenty minutes, then the sergeant told Vera to give them half an hour, then go ’ome. He said ’e thought she wouldn’t ’ave any more trouble with Danny, once they’d cautioned ’im.’ Eileen sipped her tea, pulling a face. ‘I can’t stand tea without sugar, an’ I ’ate those bloody saccharin things.’ She heard her mother’s impatient tut, and went on. ‘I offered to go round with Vera ’cos she was terrified, but Bill insisted on taking her.’ She leaned forward and put her cup on the table. ‘So there yer ’ave it, Mam! There’s more ’appened in the last twenty-four hours, than in a flamin’ month o’ Sundays.’ Eileen flopped back heavily on the couch. ‘I never thought the day would come when I’d ’ave the police knockin’ on me door … Sunday mornin’, an’ all! God only knows what the neighbours are thinkin’.’
‘I wouldn’t be worrying about the neighbours,’ Maggie said. ‘I’d be more worried about Bill. You know the temper Danny Jackson’s got. I hope he doesn’t start anything with Bill.’
‘Just let ’im try, an’ he won’t know what’s ’it ’im when I’ve finished with ’im. He’ll rue the day ’e was born.’
‘The police were all right with Vera, then?’
‘The young bobby didn’t ’ave much to say for ’imself, but the Sergeant was great. He said ’e ’ad three children of ’is own, an’ yer could see ’e was a family man the way ’e was with Carol. Yer should ’ave seen ’er face when she ’ad the helmet on, she was over the moon.’
Maggie put her fingers to her lips. ‘Here’s someone now.’
‘If it’s the kids, say nowt,’ Eileen whispered. ‘If they get to know, it’ll be all over the neighbourhood before yer can say Jack Robinson.’
But it was a very stern-faced Bill who entered the room. He dropped into his favourite chair by the fire, and took a deep breath. ‘Someone should take a whip to that man.’
‘Why, what happened?’ Eileen swivelled round to face him. ‘He didn’t say anythin’ to yer, did ’e?’
‘He didn’t say a word to anyone! When we walked in, he looked up from his paper, sneered, then went back to reading the News of the World.’
‘The ignorant, bloody sod!’ Eileen roared. ‘Yer’d think he’d ’ang ’is ’ead in shame, after what he’s done.’
‘There’s no shame in the man,’ Bill said sadly. ‘In fact he doesn’t seem to have any feelings at all. I don’t know what the police said to him, but it doesn’t seem to have had any effect. Of course it might make him think twice about laying a hand on the children, but he’s crafty enough to get his own back on Vera in other ways.’ Bill reached into his pocket for his cigarettes. ‘I know I wouldn’t like to be in Vera’s shoes. You can cut the tension in that house with a knife.’
‘Didn’t ’e say anythin’ at all to yer?’
‘Not an hello, goodbye, or kiss me backside.’ Bill drew in deeply on his cigarette. ‘I was so angry I was willing him to say something so I could belt him one. But as I said, Danny’s very crafty. He’ll make Vera suffer without laying a finger on her, an’ no one will be able to do anything about it.’
‘Well, you’ve both done your best, there’s nothing more you could have done,’ Maggie said. ‘Danny Jackson’s got the laugh on everyone, even the police.’
‘Yer should ’ave let me go with Vera,’ Eileen said. ‘Danny’s too much of a coward to tackle a man, but ’e might ’ave said somethin’ to me, an’ there’s nothin’ I’d like better than to give ’im a fourpenny one. Not only for what he’s done to Vera, but for the way ’e treats young Carol. Instead of ’elping the poor mite, ’e calls ’er names, like imbecile an’ gormless.’
Bill raised his eyes to the ceiling. ‘Who’s upstairs?’
‘It’s our Billy, just gettin’ up, the lazy beggar. With everythin’ goin’ on, he got away with missing Church this mornin’. I was goin’ to give ’im the length of me tongue when ’e got up, about comin’ in so late last night, but I’ll leave it to you, Bill. Yer can kill two birds with one stone, an’ tell ’im off about smokin’.’
‘I’ll go up now and get it over with.’ A smile crossed Bill’s face. ‘A man to man talk.’
Maggie sniffed up. ‘Is that our dinner I can smell? If it is, we’ll be eating burnt offerings.’
‘Oh, my gawd!’ Eileen was off the couch and out of the door like a shot. ‘I forgot about the flamin’ potatoes!’
Maggie pressed her lips together when she saw the small portion of dinner on Eileen’s plate. Her eyes went to Bill, and she opened her mouth to say something, but he shook his head. He sensed Eileen’s tension, and knew she would lose her temper if he or Maggie criticised her.
‘Ah, ray, Mam!’ Edna had been taking stock. ‘Our Billy’s got six roasties, an’ I’ve only got two little tidgy ones.’
Young Billy held his knife and fork upwards, a look of disgust on his face. ‘I’m a workin’ man, an’ I need feedin’ up.’
‘Yeah, but you’ve got big ones,’ Joan squeaked, ‘an’ ours are fiddlin’ little things.’
‘Will you all behave yourselves at the table, please?’ Bill spoke quietly but firmly. Pointing his fork at Edna, he said, ‘Sit up straight and eat your dinner in a proper manner. And don’t speak with your mouth half full.’ His fork moved to Joan. ‘Keep your mouth closed when you eat and you won’t make so much noise.’
Silence reigned, and Eileen was thankful. It was bad enough having a plateful of dinner that wasn’t enough to feed a child, without having to listen to the children squabbling.
Joan and Edna finished their dinner and scrambled from the table, only to be stopped at the door by their mother’s voice. ‘Get back ’ere, you two! Unless, of course, yez don’t want any rice puddin’.’
With a swish, the girls were back on their chairs. ‘Ooh, goody!’
On her way to the kitchen, Eileen turned. ‘Will you dish the puddin’ out for us, Mam, while I go down the yard? An’ don’t save any for me, I don’t feel like any.’
Maggie met
Bill’s eyes, and her nostrils flared. ‘It’s getting to be ridiculous with her. She’s not eating enough to keep a sparrow alive.’
‘I know,’ Bill sighed. Then he rapped his knuckles on the table to quieten the children. ‘If you don’t behave yourselves, it’ll be bed for you, not pudding.’
When Eileen came back in, the table had been cleared and Maggie was washing the dishes. ‘You’ll be sorry, my girl. And don’t come to me for sympathy when you’re sick, because you’ll have brought it on yourself.’
Eileen picked up the tea towel and started to dry the dishes. ‘Okay, missus, don’t start on me, ’cos I’m not in the mood.’
‘Ooh, now for ’alf an hour’s rest.’ Eileen swung her legs on to the couch and stretched out. ‘I’m sure fate meant me to be a rich lady, with servants at me beck an’ call to pander to me every wish.’ She let out an exaggerated sigh. ‘Somethin’ must ’ave gone wrong somewhere along the line.’
‘Joe Loss is on the wireless,’ Maggie said, ‘if you feel like some music.’
‘No, thanks, Mam, I’m not in the mood for In The Mood.’ Eileen craned her neck to look at Bill. ‘I wonder ’ow Vera’s gettin’ on with the queer fellow?’
‘Oh, no! There’s a knock on the door, lass.’ Maggie clicked her tongue in sympathy. ‘No rest for the wicked.’
Sliding her legs over the edge of the couch, Eileen wheedled, ‘Be a pal an’ answer the door for us, Mam, while I make meself presentable.’
When she heard the sound of several voices greeting Maggie, Eileen closed her eyes and grimaced. ‘We’ve got visitors, an’ I look like the wreck of the Hesperus.’
Eileen forced a smile to her face when Mary came in with the two children, followed by Harry and then Arthur. ‘Yez’ll ’ave to excuse the place, we’ve just finished dinner, an’ I was ’avin’ a rest before tidyin’ up.’ She pulled her dress down over her knees. ‘If it’s not too nosey a question, ’ow come yez all arrived at the same time?’
‘We passed Arthur on the way, and gave him a lift,’ Harry answered. ‘Does that satisfy your curiosity?’
‘That answers one question, yes!’ Eileen squinted. ‘Now I’d like to know where yer gettin’ all the petrol from to run back an’ forth. I thought it was rationed?’
Harry tapped his nose. ‘For someone who got through the war buying things that fell off the back of a lorry, I’m surprised you ask.’
Eileen licked a finger and made a sign in the air. ‘Okay, clever clogs, that’s one to you.’
Arthur was getting impatient. ‘How did Vera get on?’
Eileen glanced down at Emma and Tony, who were standing between her legs, their arms round her neck. She gathered them close, while her eyes sought Arthur’s. ‘Little pigs ’ave big ears.’ She held the children away from her, thinking with pride, these two little beauties are my godchildren. They were always clean and tidy, in clothes Mary made herself, and always well mannered. Not like her own children, who never seemed to be clean, and were anything but well mannered. Still, a smile crossed Eileen’s face, I can’t blame the kids. With me looking like a tramp most of the time, and swearing like a trooper, what can I expect?
‘How would you two like some sweeties?’ Eileen turned her gaze to Bill. ‘Go an’ bring the girls in, will yer? They can take Emma and Tony to the corner shop.’
The girls didn’t need much persuading.
With a penny in each of their hands, they hopped from one foot to the other as they listened to their mother’s warning. ‘They look like two little angels now. If yez bring them back lookin’ like the Bisto kids, I’ll throttle yez.’
Maggie stood up and offered her chair to Mary, who was looking very pretty in a coat she’d made herself. She was very handy with the sewing machine now, and you’d never dream her clothes were home-made.
But with her looks, Maggie thought, she’d look good in a coal sack.
‘I’ll put the kettle on, shall I?’ Maggie’s smile swept over their visitors. ‘But we’ve no sugar, I’m afraid.’
‘Chick, you go and give Ma a hand with the tea.’ Bill didn’t want Eileen getting excited again over Vera’s troubles. He was pretty sure it was that that was making her bad tempered and edgy. ‘I’ll tell them all there is to know, so poppy off.’
Without a word, Eileen made her way to the kitchen, where Maggie was setting a tray. ‘I’ve ’ad orders from Bill to give yer a ’and.’ She held her hands out, palms upwards. ‘Which one would yer like?’
‘I’m lost for words,’ Harry said. ‘After getting the doctor, and the police, Vera is no better off than she was before.’
‘I’d leave him,’ Mary said. ‘I couldn’t stay with a man who hit me, never mind the way he treats Carol.’
‘We’ve been all through this before, love.’ Harry sighed. ‘We can talk till we’re blue in the face, but Vera can’t leave Danny, ’cos she’s got nowhere to go and no money.’
Eileen pushed the kitchen door open with her hip, carrying the tray very carefully. On it stood her new china cups and saucers, being used for the first time since she’d bought them. Her face wore a proud smile as she placed the tray on the table. ‘I hope it doesn’t escape yer attention that I’ve actually got cups and saucers to match, that they’ve all got ’andles on, an’ there’s not a chip or a crack in sight.’ She handed the first cup to Mary. ‘Your tea, Madam! An’ if yer break me cup, I’ll break yer flamin’ neck.’
‘I wish I knew ’ow Vera’s gettin’ on.’ Eileen was standing in front of the mirror putting a few dinkie curlers in the front of her hair. The family were all in bed and Bill was enjoying his last cigarette before they too climbed the stairs. ‘I ’ope she’s all right.’
‘Chick, will you stop worrying about her! Unless Danny Jackson’s got a screw loose, he’ll behave himself from now on. He’s too big headed to show it, but I bet the police put the fear of God into him.’ Bill didn’t believe this himself, but he’d have said anything to calm Eileen’s fears.
‘Well, I’m callin’ round there tomorrow to see ’ow she is.’ Eileen pulled the stray hairs from the comb and threw them in the grate. ‘I want to see for meself.’
‘Keep out of it, chick,’ Bill warned. ‘You’ve done all you can.’
‘I’m goin’ round there temorrer, so yer can save yer breath,’ Eileen said, defiantly. ‘Some friend I’d be, if I just left ’er to it.’
Bill knew it was no good arguing, not with Eileen in this mood. He took a long draw on his cigarette then threw the stub in the fire. Keeping his voice as casual as he could, he said, ‘I’ll be a bit late getting home tomorrow night, chick, I’m going to see the doctor.’
Eileen swung round. ‘What’s the matter? Yer not ill, are yer?’
‘No, of course not! It’s just that I get a bit tired at times, and I thought he might be able to give me a tonic to pick me up.’
Eileen’s eyes narrowed. ‘I’ve never noticed yer lookin’ tired.’
‘It’s nothing to worry about, chick. It’s just that sometimes at work me bones feel weary. All I need is a tonic.’
‘I’ll keep the tea back for half an hour, then.’ Eileen pulled the cord of her blue dressing gown tighter round her waist, and yawned. ‘I’m off to bed. I don’t know about your bones feelin’ tired, my whole body’s tired … even my blinkin’ eyelashes!’
Bill followed her up the stairs. ‘Don’t forget what I said about Danny Jackson,’ he whispered. ‘You rub him up the wrong way and he’ll go for you.’
‘Oh, aye! Him an’ whose army?’ Eileen turned to face him. ‘Danny Jackson thinks he’s the whole cheese, but he’s only the maggot.’
Bill was shaking his head as he followed her into the bedroom. The sayings she came out with! She had an answer for everything!
Bill sighed softly as he closed the bedroom door behind them. He wished he had an answer for everything. In fact, he’d be more than happy if he had the answer to his main worry. Perhaps he’d have it after he’d seen the doctor tomorrow
night.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
‘I hate Mondays.’ Eileen draped the folded wet sheet over one arm while pressing the ends between the wooden rollers of the old mangle. ‘Why we ’ave to do our flamin’ washin’ religiously every Monday I’ll never know.’ A small turn of the large wooden handle secured the sheet, and letting a yard of it fall from her arm, she said, ‘Catch it as it comes through, Mam, ’cos if it touches this floor it’ll be dirtier than it was before.’
It was hard work turning the heavy, creaking handle, and sweat poured down Eileen’s face. ‘We’d be better off splittin’ the big wash into two days instead of killin’ ourselves doin’ it in one go.’
Maggie folded the sheet in layers on her arm as it came through the rollers. The back kitchen was very small at the best of times, but with the big mangle pulled into the middle it was almost impossible to move.
‘When you and our Rene were young, I used to go to the wash-house every Monday, and it was a damn sight easier than doing it at home. They had big machines for the washing, and a huge drying room to hang the clothes in to dry. It used to take all morning, but I came home with all me washing dry, ready for ironing.’
Eileen stopped turning the handle, a look of surprise on her face. ‘D’yer know, I can remember that! I can remember sittin’ in me pram with the washin’ piled up in front of me. We lived down Lodge Lane then, didn’t we?’
Maggie nodded. ‘You were five when we left there, and our Rene was just a baby. We had a neighbour called Mrs Halford, and when you got to the stage where you were running around, and into everything, she used to mind you while I went to the wash-house.’