by Joan Jonker
‘Think nothin’ of it, it was a pleasure.’ Stroking his beard, the big man leaned forward. ‘I’ve got a few hours spare in the morning, I could start on the undercoating. Every little helps.’
‘I couldn’t impose on yer like that! Yer go away again on Thursday.’
Corker brushed his protests aside. ‘It won’t kill me. I’m meeting someone at one o’clock so I’ll ’ave to be away by twelve. But if I come about nine I can get a couple of hours in.’
‘I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I’ll take yer up on it. Thanks, Corker.’ Jack drew on his cigarette. ‘Been for a pint tonight, have yer?’
‘Yeah, I took Ellen out for an hour. I was just comin’ out of next door when Nellie an’ Jill passed.’ Corker leaned further forward and lowered his voice. ‘I spent a few hours this afternoon checking up on the Bradley family.’
‘Oh, aye! Find out anythin’, did yer?’
‘Well, the Bradleys are well known to the police. In fact, the father’s done a stretch inside!’
‘Go ’way!’ Molly had been listening to Nellie and keeping track of the men’s conversation at the same time. ‘I knew there was somethin’ fishy about that family.’
‘Now, Molly,’ Corker lifted a warning finger, ‘what yer’ve just heard isn’t to go any further than this room. It’s true the man’s been in prison, but as yet I don’t know what for. Until I know for sure, I want you an’ Nellie to promise not to tell a living soul. I’ve heard a lot of rumours about the family, but I want to be sure of me facts before doing anything.’
‘Yer can rely on us, can’t he, Nellie?’
‘Cross my heart an’ hope to die.’ Nellie’s podgy finger made a cross where she imagined her heart was. ‘Wild horses wouldn’t drag it out of me.’
‘I’ve got a few friends snooping around, so when I get home on leave again I’ll know everythin’ there is to know about them.’ Corker raised his bushy brows. ‘Did yer know they ’ad two sons, Molly?’
‘No, I didn’t.’
‘From what I’ve heard, the other lad’s a different kettle of fish from the rest of the family.’ Corker wafted the smoke from his eyes. ‘He works in Chadburn’s, and me friend says he’s a decent, hard-working lad.’
‘I feel sorry for him then, stuck with that lot.’ Molly glanced at the clock and gasped when she saw the time. ‘Ay, come on, missus.’ She gave Nellie a dig. ‘It’s nearly midnight! Jack’s got to be up at half six.’
Nellie shuffled to the edge of the couch. ‘Give us a hand up, then, moanin’ Minnie.’
‘Nellie, I haven’t got the energy to get meself up, never mind you!’
‘Blimey!’ Nellie huffed. ‘That’s friendship for yer.’
‘Here, grab hold of me hand.’ Corker held out his massive paw and pulled Nellie up as though she was a feather. ‘There yer go, girl!’
‘Oh, for a real he-man!’ Nellie beamed. ‘Are yer comin’, Corker?’
‘Let him and Jack finish their ciggies.’ Molly linked arms with her friend and steered her towards the door. ‘I’ll see yer get home safe.’
‘You would, spoilsport!’ Nellie’s rosy cheeks moved upwards as she winked at the men. ‘She’s jealous of me, yer know. Green-eyed with envy ’cos the men can’t keep their ’ands off me.’
‘Out yer get, missus.’ Molly put both hands in the small of her friend’s back and pushed her through the door and along the hall, Nellie protesting with every step.
‘I was dead tired before, now I’m wide awake.’ Jack grinned. ‘Nellie has that effect on me.’ He brushed the dust off his trousers and crossed his legs, the smile slipping from his face. ‘Things don’t look so good with Germany, do they, Corker?’
‘Jack, I’ll bet me bottom dollar that calling-up papers will be dropping through letter boxes before the summer. Every country in Europe is expecting war … preparing for it! We’ve left it too late, given Hitler too much time to build his forces up. I can tell by the cargoes we carry. It used to be light stuff … toys, clothes and household goods. Now it’s parts for making war machines, spares for tanks, that sort of thing. But it’s like putting a cat down to face a lion! Germany is so strong those little countries won’t stand an earthly! And what gets my goat is Hitler knows we’re not prepared … he’s got spies everywhere. Even in his own country.’ Corker’s face was red with anger. ‘Not everyone in Germany agrees with him, but they daren’t speak out. If they do they end up in the concentration camps with the poor Jews.’
Jack let out a long sigh. ‘It doesn’t bear thinking about, Steve is eighteen in a few months, he’ll be one of the first to be called up. He’s only a kid, for God’s sake! I was watching him an’ our Jill tonight … they’re crazy about each other and can’t wait to get married. All they want out of life is to be together, raise a family and be happy. Not much to ask, is it? So why should a madman be allowed to spoil their lives just because he craves power?’
‘Two crazy men, Jack … don’t forget Hitler’s sidekick, Mussolini. He’s not as clever as Hitler, but just as dangerous. And it’s always the young men get called up first … they make the best cannon fodder.’
Molly came bustling in, rubbing her arms. ‘It’s cold out there.’ She noted the serious faces and groaned. ‘You two aren’t talkin’ about war again, are yez?’
Jack and Corker exchanged glances. Then the big man stood up, setting his cap on his head at a jaunty angle. ‘As a matter of fact, Molly me darlin’, me an’ Jack have been thinkin’ of ways to stop Hitler. And we’ve come up with the perfect solution.’
‘Oh, aye? A ruddy big dose of arsenic?’
‘Better than that, Molly! We’re going to send Nellie over to him. She’d talk the man to death.’
Chapter Eleven
‘I thought they’d ’ave been here by now. If they don’t come soon I’ll be a nervous wreck,’ said Molly, a frown on her face as she paced back and forth in the confined space of the kitchen. ‘Just look.’ She shoved her open hand under Nellie’s nose. ‘I’ve bitten me nails right down to the quick.’
Nellie, leaning against the sink, huffed. ‘An’ I feel like one of Lewis’s standin’ here! I don’t know why we can’t sit down … rest our legs while we’re waitin’.’
Molly shook her head vigorously. ‘I’ve polished that furniture so much it’s a wonder it hasn’t fallen to pieces, an’ I don’t want finger-marks all over it when the men come.’
‘For cryin’ out loud, they won’t even notice what it’s like!’ Nellie sounded exasperated. ‘It’ll get thrown in the back of the van an’ be as bad as ever by the time it gets to the shop. Yer worryin’ yerself to death for nothin’.’
Molly stopped her pacing and held a finger up. ‘There’s the van now.’ She flew down the hall and threw the door open.
The older of the two men touched the peak of his cap. ‘Mrs Bennett? We’ve got a delivery an’ a pick-up.’
Neither of the men uttered another word as they carried the old furniture out to stand on the pavement. Watching through the net curtains, Molly felt a pang of regret as she saw her old table and chairs being dumped outside the window. They were old and tatty, and heaven only knew she’d had more than her money’s worth out of them, but she’d had them since the day she and Jack moved into the house as newly-weds. Swallowing hard, she sniffed. ‘It’s like losing one of the family.’
‘Yer’ll get over it.’ Nellie rolled her eyes. ‘Honest to God, there’s no pleasin’ yer.’
‘I know I’m daft, but I can’t help it.’ Molly quickly moved aside as the men carried her new sideboard in. She indicated the wall it was to stand against and watched as they set it down carefully and manoeuvred it into position. And when they returned to the van Molly’s sadness went out of the door with them. She hadn’t paid much attention to the sideboard when she was in the shop, she was so taken up with the table and chairs. But seeing it now, set against the newly decorated wall, she was overcome with emotion. It was in solid mahogany, with two long drawers,
three cupboards and metal handles twisted into an ornate design. ‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it, Nellie?’
‘You ain’t kiddin’! Sol’s put some work into polishin’ that … yer can see yer face in it!’
‘Let’s go in the kitchen, out of the way.’ Molly pulled Nellie after her. ‘I’ve got the money ready for them.’ She opened a drawer and took out an envelope. ‘D’yer think sixpence tip is enough?’
‘I should say it is! They’ll think it’s their birthday!’
Molly leaned against the sink, tapping the envelope on her chin. ‘I can’t wait to see me room all poshed up.’
‘Won’t be long now, kid.’ From her vantage point by the door Nellie was able to see what was going on. ‘Unless I’m very much mistaken, the last chair’s just comin’ in.’ Her folded arms resting on her tummy, she winked broadly. ‘Not very talkative, are they? It’s like watchin’ one of the old silent movies.’
Before Molly could reply, a voice called, ‘We’ve finished, missus.’
Handing the envelope to the older of the two men, Molly said, ‘It’s just right, but yer’d better count it to make sure.’
The man licked his finger before counting the notes, then reached into the inside pocket of his coat. ‘Here’s yer receipt.’
‘Thank you.’ Molly slipped a sixpence into his hand. ‘Buy yerselves a packet of fags.’
The man smiled for the first time. Doffing his cap, he said, ‘Ta very much, missus.’
Molly followed them along the hall, thanked them again, then closed the door and flew back to the living room. She stood just inside the door and clapped her hands in excitement. ‘Nellie, for the first time in me life I can’t find words to explain how I feel.’
‘I’ll do the talkin’ for yer, then.’ With a wide grin covering her chubby face, Nellie waved a hand. ‘I’ve never been in a posh ’ouse, but this is what I imagine one would look like. The table an’ sideboard are that shiny they’re makin’ me eyes water. An’ look how the maroon seats of the chairs match the couch … yer’d think they were made for each other.’
Molly flung her arms around her friend’s neck and cried into her shoulder. ‘Ooh, Nellie.’
‘Go on with yer, yer silly sod!’ Nellie struggled free. ‘What the ’ell yer cryin’ for?’
‘I’m crying with happiness.’ Molly rubbed a hand across her eyes and took a deep breath before turning to survey the room. ‘Those men must be mind-readers … they’ve put everythin’ just where I wanted it.’ She ran her fingers lovingly over the table. ‘It’s as smooth as silk.’
‘Don’t be goin’ all poetic on me, for God’s sake,’ grunted Nellie, feeling quite emotional herself. ‘There’s a thin layer of dust on the spindles of the chairs … get me a nice clean cloth an’ I’ll dust them for yer.’
‘Yeah!’ Molly sprang into action. ‘While you’re doin’ that, I’ll get me ornaments out. They’re not much cop, but they’ll have to do.’ She opened the cupboard in the recess at the side of the fireplace and took out an old pillowslip. ‘Here yer are, kid, use this.’
She walked through to the kitchen, leaving Nellie eyeing one of the chairs, a speculative expression on her face. She daren’t up-end it, Molly would have her guts for garters. And if she got down on her knees she’d never get up again. Her chin in her hand, her brow furrowed, she sought a solution. Then out of the blue she had a brainwave. Lifting the coal tongs from the companion set on the hearth, she wrapped the duster around them and found she could reach the spindles merely by bending down. Feeling pleased with herself, she was humming a tune when Molly came through carrying the only two ornaments she possessed. The plaster donkey had had its tail knocked off years ago, and the green and yellow dog had an ear missing. ‘Don’t tell me yer puttin’ those things on that beautiful sideboard? They’d look ridiculous!’
‘I know,’ sighed Molly, eyeing the battered ornaments. ‘But it looks so bare with nothin’ on.’
‘Better bare than ’aving those mangy things standin’ on it.’ Nellie felt quite indignant. ‘Where’s yer taste, kid? In yer ruddy backside?’
‘Don’t you get cocky with me, Nellie McDonough, or … ’ A knock on the front door brought Molly’s hand to cover her mouth. ‘I bet this is me ma and da.’ She thrust the offending ornaments at her friend. ‘Put these in the kitchen for us, will yer? Oh, and straighten that chair, please.’
‘Who was yer servant before I came along?’ Nellie shouted after Molly’s retreating back. ‘Yer’ve only ’ad the furniture half an hour an’ yer a flamin’ snob already!’
When she opened the door to her mother and father there was a grin covering Molly’s face. ‘Did yer hear me mate callin’ me a snob?’
‘I did an’ all.’ Handing over a bunch of flowers, Bridie stepped into the hall. She held her cheek out for a kiss, saying, ‘Sure, I hope you two won’t come to blows.’
‘She’s hit me twice already.’ Molly put the carnations to her nose and closed her eyes as she breathed in their perfume. ‘They’re lovely, Ma.’
‘And this is to put them in, lass.’ Bob handed over a brown paper parcel. ‘It’s a glass vase, so be careful with it.’
‘Yer an angel, Da.’ A noisy kiss was planted on his cheek. ‘Just what I needed to set me new sideboard off.’
Bridie had brought two small, round mats she’d crocheted, and while Molly put the flowers in her new vase, Bridie set one mat on the sideboard and the other in the centre of the table. Then all four stood back in admiration. The whole room had been transformed. Set against the bright walls, the gleaming furniture looked beautiful.
‘’Tis a sight for sore eyes, lass,’ Bridie said softly. ‘Sure, I haven’t seen anything so grand since I worked in the big house.’ Her mind travelled back in time to when she’d left her home in County Wicklow. Her family were poor and there was no work for a young girl in the village where she was born. So at the tender age of sixteen she’d come to Liverpool hoping to find work so she could send money back to her family. After a week living with an Irish family who were distant relatives, she got herself a job in service at the home of a rich shipping merchant in Princes Avenue, down Toxteth way. The work was very hard … being the youngest member of staff, Bridie was no more than a skivvy. Up at six every morning and on the go until ten at night, at everyone’s beck and call. Her only time off was an evening a week and a full day once a month. And for that she was paid four shillings a month and her keep. But even though the work was hard, she wasn’t unhappy. She had never known such wealth and opulence … and she derived much pleasure out of polishing the beautiful furniture and arranging the rich, heavy drapes at the windows. Those few years at the big house had taught her to appreciate fine things, but she was never envious of the people who owned them. And when Bob came along she had no regrets about exchanging life at the big house for a two-up two-down terrace and the love of a good man.
Bob was watching his wife’s face and knew she was in a world of her own. It grieved him that he’d never been able to afford to take her back to the lush green fields of her beloved Ireland. Even when her parents had died, many years ago, they couldn’t rake enough money together to pay the fare so she could attend the funerals. He had promised himself that one day he would take her back to see her only living relative, her sister Eileen, who had been fourteen when Bridie left home. Now she was married with a family of her own.
Bob sighed softly as he reached for his wife’s hand. He wasn’t able to work now, so he’d never be able to fulfil that promise. ‘The room looks a treat, doesn’t it, sweetheart?’
Bridie shook her head to clear her mind before turning to meet the eyes of the man she adored. ‘It does that, me darlin’, it’s a credit to her, so it is.’
‘Ay, you two!’ Molly feigned indignation. ‘Don’t worry about me, I only live ’ere!’
‘Then shouldn’t yerself be inviting us to sit down? Have I brought me daughter up to have no manners?’
‘Sit down!’ Molly lifted her
hands in mock horror. ‘Yer don’t think I’m goin’ to let yez sit on me new furniture, do yez?’
Bob chuckled. ‘If we get a cup of tea, will we be sent out to the yard to drink it?’
‘Oh, sod that for a lark!’ Nellie pulled a chair out and plonked herself down. ‘Like it or not, I’m christening this one.’ Her face wore a pained expression as she gazed at Bridie. ‘I’ve been ’ere since ten o’clock an’ this is the first time I’ve sat down. Bloody slave-driver, that daughter of yours.’
‘Oh, stop yer moanin’.’ Molly smiled at her father as she pointed to the couch. ‘D’yer want to christen that, Da?’
‘I wouldn’t mind resting me legs, lass.’ Bob laid his arm across Bridie’s shoulders. ‘Sit next to me, sweetheart.’
Molly waited for their reaction and was rewarded when they smiled in appreciation after sinking into the well-sprung couch. ‘It’s very comfortable, lass.’
‘It’s got to be an improvement on the old thing she had.’ Nellie went to lean on the table, then thought better of it. ‘The springs on that used to leave marks on me backside.’
‘How would you know?’ Molly asked with a smile. ‘Yer can’t see yer own backside.’
Nellie’s shaking tummy gave warning of the roar that was to come. ‘Yer can if yer bend down in front of the mirror in the wardrobe.’ She rocked back and forth with laughter. ‘Mind you, it’s not a sight for the faint-hearted.’
‘I’m goin’ to put the kettle on before she starts tellin’ dirty jokes.’ Molly made for the kitchen, saying over her shoulder, ‘I’m not goin’ to cover the table until Jack an’ the kids come in. It would spoil the effect an’ I want to see their faces.’
‘They’ll be delighted, me darlin’, so they will.’ Bridie’s eyes travelled the room. ‘Everythin’ looks beautiful … the nicest room I’ve seen in many a long day.’
‘That does it!’ Nellie forgot herself and banged her fist on the table. ‘What me mate’s got, I want. I’m not havin’ her looking down her nose at me, thank you very much. So my feller ’ad better come up on the pools soon, or I’ll break ’is ruddy neck for him.’