The Pawnbroker's Niece

by June Francis

  ‘No. That’s why I need money. You don’t finish a cruise with plenty of dough in your pocket, because the shipping line provides you with bed and food but not much money. We might have been a bit of a novelty but…’ She dropped her cigarette stub on the floor and ground it out with a heel.

  ‘You can stop that for a start,’ said Margaret, frowning. ‘Pick it up.’

  The girl apologised.

  Rita turned to Margaret. ‘Couldn’t we put her up? We’ve got rooms to spare upstairs.’

  ‘Have you gone out of your mind?’ said Margaret, looking fierce. ‘We don’t even know this girl’s name.’

  ‘It’s Ellen. Ellen Hannay. And listen…’ she added with a wave of her hand. ‘I can understand you thinking I might be desperate enough to steal but I was brought up to be honest. You could trust me with the crown jewels.’

  ‘Well, you’re safe saying that, aren’t you?’ said Margaret. ‘Fat chance of you getting your hands on them. Still…’ She eyed the girl up and down before glancing at Rita.

  She had been hanging on to every word, fingers crossed, having decided it would be fun to have another girl about the place. Maybe she could learn something from her.

  ‘I could pay something,’ said Ellen, taking out her cigarette packet and then thinking twice about lighting up with Margaret’s eye on her. ‘And I’ll help about the place.’

  ‘I suppose I could move the chest of drawers and bed out of Donald’s room,’ muttered Margaret. ‘Although my mother would turn in her grave if she could see me.’

  Ellen’s face lit up. ‘Thanks! I really appreciate this. How much will you want?’

  ‘You buy your own food and give me a shilling a week towards lighting and heating. I have a cleaning woman but there’s still plenty to do that you could help with.’

  ‘Right!’ Rita clapped her hands and smiled. ‘We’ll get moving the bed. Which room shall I put her in?’

  ‘Business first,’ said her aunt, reaching for the pawn tickets. ‘And I’m telling you now, I’ll not have you using Miss Hannay’s presence to skive off work. Now go and make a pot of tea.’

  Rita hurried into the scullery. As she poured milk into cups and buttered the scones she had made yesterday, she was thinking of other ways in which she could use Ellen to bring fun into her own life. Over a cup of tea, Rita suggested that Ellen might like to entertain the cinema queues with her saxophone. ‘I could accompany you on the squeeze box we’ve got in stock.’

  Ellen giggled. ‘You’re joking! Picture us among those poor unemployed men with their fiddles, trumpets and baritone voices. Besides, I’ve just hocked it. No! I’ll find some other way to earn money.’

  ‘Perhaps Billy might have some ideas.’

  Ellen looked amused. ‘He knows nothing about music so I wouldn’t ask him.’

  ‘Why didn’t he come here with you?’

  ‘Because he booked me into a guest house and I had to be out by ten. He was supposed to be there by then but didn’t turn up. I wasn’t going to hang around so I left a message telling him where I’d gone and put my suitcase in the left luggage at Lime Street.’

  ‘I wonder what’s happened to him? He might have gone up to the yard and been delayed.’

  ‘What yard?’ asked Ellen, looking surprised.

  ‘His father’s yard. He’s in the carting business.’

  Ellen shrugged. ‘Didn’t know he had a father. I presumed when he didn’t talk about his parents that they were dead.’

  It was Rita’s turn to be surprised. ‘His mother’s dead but his father’s very much alive, but they don’t get on. He has a stepbrother and stepsister. Surely he told you about them?’

  ‘He told me nothing,’ said Ellen cheerfully. She held out her cup for a refill. ‘But then I didn’t ask. Don’t we all fall out with our relatives at some time or other? Any more scones?’

  Billy turned up an hour later and seemed on edge, but when Ellen told him that she was going to stay with Rita and Margaret, he seemed pleased. ‘That’s great! But how did you persuade Miss Sinclair?’

  ‘It was Rita.’ Ellen tucked her hand in Billy’s arm and smiled at Rita.

  ‘That’s real good of you,’ said Billy, and he kissed Rita’s cheek. ‘You’re a real pal.’

  ‘What are friends for?’ said Rita, trying to sound cheerful, but she felt forlorn seeing the two of them together. A few minutes later they went to collect Ellen’s luggage from the station.

  Rita was all knotted up inside so found the brass cleaner and set about polishing the brasses with an energy that would have delighted her aunt if she had been there to see it.

  The atmosphere in the household changed with the advent of Ellen. She liked a laugh and had plenty of anecdotes about people she had met and the places she had seen. Even Margaret could not conceal her interest and amusement.

  Billy became a regular visitor. The first day of Ellen’s stay he arrived at nine in the morning, only to be told firmly by that young lady that she was an owl not a lark and to come back later. He took to calling just before lunch and did not return with Ellen until five o’clock. Then he would return at eight to take her out for the rest of the evening.

  Rita found his coming and going as unsettling as Ellen’s presence. At the end of a long day’s work Ellen would come and sit on Rita’s bed and talk about the places Billy had taken her to, such as the State Restaurant in Dale Street. She told her the title of every tune the little orchestra had played and would drag her out of bed and onto the landing to teach her the dances she and Billy had performed. Margaret came out of her bedroom to complain, but that did not stop the girls for long. The next night they did the same thing all over again until Rita knew every dance step going. At least it compensated for seeing little of Jimmy. Then Billy’s money ran out; in no time at all he was signing on again and was back at sea.

  Rita expected Ellen to be down in the dumps once he had gone, and it was true she was subdued for a couple of days. But on the third day Margaret asked what were her plans.

  ‘Oh Lor’! Have I worn my welcome out already?’ said Ellen ruefully. ‘I’ll leave if you want me to but I’ve nowhere to go. You can’t imagine what it’s like not having a proper home and this feels so like home.’

  ‘You can cut the soft soap,’ said Margaret, her eyes speculative as they rested on the girl. ‘You haven’t handed over your shilling this week and you’ve been eating our food. So you’re out on your ear unless you hand over some money and I see food in the larder bought by you. Now, I’ve some business to attend to elsewhere. When I get back I’ll expect you to have done something about both these things. Keep your eye on the shop, Rita.’

  After Margaret had gone, Ellen said mournfully, ‘I wanted to stay here until Sandy comes to Liverpool with the theatre group. Once they arrive I can move in with him and hopefully get some work with the group.’

  ‘When will that be?’

  ‘A week, or is it two? It’s difficult keeping in touch with him moving around, but he wired the ship a month or so ago with his schedule so I’d know where to find him.’

  ‘How about a job in a factory? I heard there’s some going at Barker & Dobson, the sweet factory in Anfield. There’ll be plenty of girls queuing up for jobs but my aunt could put in a good word for you. She knows a few people of influence.’

  Ellen grimaced. ‘I’ve only ever wanted to be a musician or a rich man’s wife. I can’t see me making Everton mints or chocolates.’

  Suddenly Rita felt exasperated. ‘You’ll have to do something! You heard Aunt Margaret.’

  Ellen sighed and then said softly, ‘Do you think while your aunt’s out I could play my saxophone? Sometimes I come up with some really good ideas when I’m playing.’

  Anything to get her doing something! thought Rita. As luck would have it, half an hour later the padre came into the shop. He and Rita greeted each other like old friends and then he asked to see her aunt, which surprised her. ‘She’s not in. Anything I can do?’
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  He smiled. ‘No. I need to speak to her.’

  ‘Would you like a cup of tea while you wait? She mightn’t be long.’

  He thanked her. When she reappeared with the tea and biscuits, he appeared to be listening, his head held to one side. ‘Who’s the musician?’ he asked. She told him about Ellen and her need for a job. ‘Know any other musicians, does she?’

  ‘She used to play in a group but they broke up.’

  He looked thoughtful. ‘Alice Brodie can play the piano and sing. I’ve been trying to persuade her for some time to come and entertain the sailors at the club. She needs to get out of that house, according to what Billy said last time he was home. Maybe it would be a good idea if the two young ladies got together.’

  ‘Would you pay them for playing?’ said Rita.

  He smiled. ‘We could work something out.’

  ‘Right!’ She took a deep breath. ‘I’ll go and get Ellen.’

  In no time at all Ellen was charming the padre while Rita listened. By the time they had finished talking Ellen had been hired — if she could persuade Alice to join her. Rita wanted to say What about me? She could picture herself playing the squeeze box, but didn’t have the nerve.

  As soon as the padre had gone, Ellen dragged Rita into the back of the shop. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘I think it’s a great idea!’ She found her nerve. ‘But if she doesn’t want to do it, I can play the squeeze box a bit.’

  ‘Oh!’ Ellen appeared startled by the idea. ‘Well…perhaps! Although the padre seems keen on this stepsister of Billy’s playing; it would please him, wouldn’t it?’ Rita could not deny that. ‘You’ll come with me to the yard?’ said Ellen.

  Rita did not need asking twice if there was a chance of seeing Jimmy — and it was near enough to lunch to close the shop.

  Chapter Ten

  As soon as they entered the yard, Rita spotted Jimmy talking to the man she had seen in the yard the day before his mother died. Her heart went out to him and she touched Ellen’s sleeve. ‘There’s Jimmy. What d’you think?’

  ‘I’d need a closer look,’ said Ellen, narrowing her eyes. ‘Billy told me about him but they’d fallen out over something so we’ve never met.’

  ‘Shush! He’s coming over.’ Rita’s heartbeat quickened and she moved towards him, only to realise as she got closer that his expression was surly. She wondered what had upset him now. ‘How are you? It seems ages since I’ve seen you.’ She could not conceal her concern and took his arm.

  ‘I’m OK!’ He removed her hand, leaving a smear of black polish on the back of it. ‘Who’s she? And what’s that she’s carrying?’

  ‘Her name’s Ellen. She’s Billy’s girl and a musician. The padre thought that she and Alice could get together and —’

  Before she could finish, he went over to Ellen. She held out a hand. ‘You must be Jimmy! Billy’s told me such a lot about you.’

  ‘I can imagine.’ He gazed at her from beneath hooded tawny eyebrows. ‘Rita shouldn’t have brought you here. Alice has enough to do in the house. You’d best go.’ He turned away abruptly and walked towards the stables.

  Ellen’s expression would have been comical if Rita had been in a mood to see a funny side to Jimmy’s behaviour. ‘I don’t know what’s got into him,’ said Rita, flushing with hurt, embarrassment and anger.

  ‘Well! I can tell you what I think of him now, Rita. He’s rude and you’re wasting your time with him. Come on, let’s go! We’ll see how you play the accordion.’

  It was what Rita wanted but she found herself shaking her head. ‘No! Let’s see what Alice has to say. I think the padre’s right in saying she needs to get away from this house.’

  The front door was ajar. Rita knocked but when no one came she walked right in, followed by Ellen. Hearing voices, they headed in the direction of the sound. Rita knocked on the door of the room where she and the padre had taken William.

  The voices stopped and then the door was wrenched open. Alice stood there. Her normally pale face was pink and there were lines of discontent about her mouth. Her wispy fair hair looked like it had not been brushed that morning. ‘What do you want?’ she said crossly.

  Rita was amazed at the change in her. ‘Sorry to disturb you but the padre from the Sailors’ Home thought it a good idea if we came to see you.’

  ‘Oh!’ Alice looked past her to Ellen. ‘I’ve seen your photograph. You’re Billy’s girl. Come on in. Ignore anything Pops says. He’s been drinking.’

  ‘Perhaps we should come another time,’ said Ellen, but Rita seized her sleeve. ‘No! He’s not going to harm you. Tell Alice why you’re here.’

  ‘The padre thought you might be interested in forming a duo with me,’ said Ellen.

  Alice’s mouth trembled. ‘Is-is this a joke?’

  Ellen said cheerfully. ‘Far from it, ducks! Shall we discuss it?’

  ‘OK! You’d best come in. We’re standing in a draught.’

  After the freshness of the air outside, the room felt stuffy and yet at the same time damp. It appeared less tidy and gloomier than the last time Rita had been here. Maybe that was because the two sash windows were shrouded in nets.

  ‘Who is it?’ The words were slurred and came from the figure slumped in a winged armchair near the fireplace.

  ‘Nobody you need bother yourself with, Pops,’ said Alice.

  ‘I’ll decide that. Put the light on! It’s dark in here. I want to see their faces.’

  ‘It’s me, Mr Brodie,’ said Rita, going over to him. ‘How are you?’

  The face turned up to hers was haggard and in his hand he held a half-full glass of what looked like whisky. Then slowly he smiled. ‘Ah, it’s Maggie’s niece. The witch has been here today on her broomstick, spitting out fire and brimstone. We had a lively quarrel.’ He reached out a hand to Rita. ‘But you’re not going to spit at me, are you? You helped me that time when I fell outside the shop.’

  ‘No, I’m not going to do anything of the sort,’ she said, taking the hand he offered, which was callused, hot and dry.

  ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘I’m here with Ellen, a…a friend.’ She thought it best not to mention Billy. ‘The padre thinks Alice might like to entertain the sailors with her.’

  William made a noise in his throat, which was a cross between a snort and a laugh. ‘I presume you don’t mean that how it sounds. Jerry might be a fool in some ways but I really don’t think he’s in the business of procuring girls for sailors.’

  ‘Oh no!’ Rita flushed and laughed remembering the padre rescuing her from the attentions of the fluke who had been a pimp. ‘It’s to do with music. Ellen plays the saxophone and used to be part of a girls’ band.’

  ‘So she’s come for Alice.’ He drew a deep breath. ‘Make her go. It’ll be good for her.’

  Rita was pleased. ‘You don’t mind her performing in a roomful of sailors?’

  ‘No worse than a roomful of missionaries.’ He took a gulp of whisky and held it in his mouth for a moment before swallowing it. ‘I have a brother in holy orders, you know? Maggie thought he was a bloody saint but he was only human like the rest of us. If only she’d accepted that, he wouldn’t be where he is and I wouldn’t be here. This place is bleeding me dry and soon there’ll only be my bones left. I gave Jimmy money to pay your aunt but she says she hasn’t had it and is asking me for it over again. I thought I could trust her to be fair and honest with me but she’s got it in for me, so whatever I say she’s not going to believe me.’ He drained his glass and, lifting his arm, he flung it at the fireplace. The sound of the tumbler shattering caused Alice to come swiftly over to them.

  ‘What did you do that for, Pops?’ She turned on Rita. ‘What have you been saying to him? Isn’t it enough that we’ve had your aunt here today?’

  ‘She’s not here about money,’ said William, struggling to his feet and placing an arm about Rita’s shoulders. ‘She’s got a heart…must have to still be living with Magg
ie…and she must be behaving herself because Maggie has high standards.’ He removed his arm from about Rita’s shoulders. ‘You have my permission to go and entertain the sailors, Alice.’ He left them to meander across the room and managed to get through the doorway and close the door behind him.

  ‘He’s killing himself,’ said Alice, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. ‘It’s losing Mother. Jimmy’s always so angry, not only with Billy and Pops but me as well.’

  ‘And me,’ said Rita, feeling better because Jimmy’s anger wasn’t solely directed at her. She smiled. ‘But Mr Brodie said you could play and that’s good.’

  ‘Yes! It would be if we could practise here but we got rid of the piano ages ago.’ Her voice shook and tears filled her eyes. ‘What’s going to happen to us? I heard your aunt threaten him with the bailiffs.’

  Rita remembered her aunt making that threat when Billy had turned up with the piece of jade but apparently she hadn’t done anything about it until now. Why? She thought about Mr Brodie just telling her that he had sent money with Jimmy. Who was telling the truth? Was it how he had said and her aunt wasn’t being honest and fair with him because she held something against him from their past? She made a decision. ‘I’ll speak to her. Can Ellen stay with you while I sort something out?’

  ‘But what can you do?’ cried Alice, twisting her handkerchief between her fingers. ‘As soon as the money comes in, it goes out. We’ve none to spare and it’s money she wants.’

  ‘Then it’s money she’ll get,’ said Rita in a soft voice.

  *

  Rita emptied the half-crowns, thrupenny bits, sixpences and shillings in a silver stream onto the table to the accompaniment of the crackling fire.

  Margaret looked up from her magazine and stared at the glistening heap. ‘What’s this for?’

  ‘For Mr Brodie’s payments that are due. That should keep the bailiffs away a bit longer.’

  Margaret’s dark eyes rested on Rita’s set face. ‘So you’ve been up to the yard.’

  ‘Yes! The padre thinks Ellen and Alice could form a duo and entertain the sailors. He came here to see you.’