by Jonker, Joan
‘That is a very poor excuse, my love. I can give you small change for your fare, and surely there is nothing so important that you need from the shops it can’t wait another day?’
He looked so disappointed, Evelyn found herself feeling guilty. She also realised for the first time that he was getting to her, she was really beginning to like him. ‘I was going to use the money you gave me to buy myself something nice to wear when I’m meeting you. Over the years I’m afraid I haven’t been able to afford the pretty satin underwear I was used to, nor the fine pure silk stockings and up-to-date shoes. There is little in my wardrobe that is modern and attractive, and I do so want to look my best for you. It will take me a while to get back to where I was a few years ago, but I’m determined to. I want to look my best for you.’
‘I wouldn’t care if you were dressed in sackcloth, my love, I find you very beautiful. But because spending an hour in your company would make me so happy, perhaps I can come up with a solution. Why don’t I give you some small change for your fares and any foodstuffs you may be in need of for the week, and then, if you are agreeable, it would give me great pleasure to buy the satin underwear I’m sure you would look wonderful in. I would delight in choosing it for you, and will have it at the apartment next time you come. Please don’t say no, my love, indulge me.’
Evelyn was stunned, her brain trying to take in too many things at once. One part of it was telling her to agree. This way she would be getting the best of both worlds. Money to last her the week, her satin under garments bought for her, and she would still have the five-pound note. On top of that, she knew that anything Philip bought would be far more expensive than the clothes she could afford for herself. But there was a niggle in the back of her mind that stopped her from answering him straight away. If she let him give her so much, what would he want in return? Oh, she knew he would expect sexual favours, she had never thought different and the idea didn’t bother her. But would he tire of her sooner if he thought of her as his mistress?
She sighed. ‘I don’t know, Philip. I feel torn between wanting to please you, and worrying that the time will come when you lose your respect for me because you believe I am only after your money. I would agree to your offer only if it is understood that I keep part of the life I have that makes me feel secure. My own home, although I don’t own it, my work here, and to retain what you call my air of mystery. If you agree then I would be happy about the financial arrangement, and would love to spend my lunch hour with you in your apartment.’
A slow grin spread across his handsome face. ‘And would you love to spend Saturday evening in my company? We don’t need to go out for a meal if you don’t wish to, I can arrange for one to be delivered. Whatever you would like to do, I will agree to. You see, my lovely Evelyn, I am completely captivated by you.’
‘It is still early days, Philip, let us not rush into anything.’ Evelyn could see the time coming when he would ask her to live with him, and she wasn’t ready for that yet. There was Amelia to consider, and that would be one piece of news that would put an end to any relationship if he found she’d lied to him. ‘We haven’t known each other long, let us take things slowly and enjoy getting to know each other. Like a courting couple, except it must be kept a secret during office hours.’
When Evelyn called for Amelia on Monday night, she was filled with the joy of living. And her expression wasn’t lost on Bessie. She had never known her neighbour look so happy, or be so pleasant and talkative. More than ever she was convinced there had been a great change in Evelyn’s life over the last few weeks, and from the brightness of her eyes, that change wasn’t anything to do with her old school chum. More likely it was a man who had brought it about.
‘Here’s the two shillings I borrowed from you yesterday, Miss Maudsley, and I owe you a debt of thanks, I don’t know what we’d have done without your help. You really are most kind. To me and to Amelia, who has grown very fond of you.’
‘And she’s a treat to have in the house,’ Bessie said, smiling at the girl who was looking from one to the other with apprehension. She was still afraid her mother would find out about the doll and forbid her to have it. ‘She’s company for me,’ Bessie went on, ‘someone to talk to instead of the four walls.’ Then she set a trap, wondering if her stuck-up neighbour would walk into it. ‘Yer can leave her any time, if yer want to go somewhere. To visit yer old school friend, like.’
Evelyn was hoping for this and gushed, ‘Oh, that is thoughtful of you. I’m sure Amelia would like that, I can tell she’s happy here. But I can’t allow you to feed her six days a week for a shilling, that would be most unfair. I’m expecting another raise in my salary soon. The man to whom I am private secretary is so pleased with my work he has intimated I will be receiving an increase in the next week or so. I am able, therefore, to give you two shillings a week, which should help you out.’
‘I like having the child here, I don’t do it for money. But an extra shilling would come in handy with the winter coming on and me needing extra coal. As I say, though, I would mind Amelia for nothing, she’s a mate to me.’ Bessie tilted her head. Her neighbour had walked into one trap, for there was no boss living that would give a worker a raise in pay twice within three weeks. Still, it was no skin off her nose if the woman lived in a fantasy world and was a compulsive liar. But would she walk into another? ‘She can stay here any time yer like, Mrs Sinclair. Perhaps when yer visit yer old school mate yer could sleep there overnight, save coming home in the dark?’
These words were music to Evelyn’s ears. ‘Well, if you wouldn’t think I was taking advantage of your good nature, it would be lovely to stay overnight at Elizabeth’s. I will write to her tonight, she’ll be really pleased.’
Amelia knew better than to show she was delighted. Her voice was soft when she asked, ‘Does that mean I’ll be sleeping here on Saturday night, Mother?’
‘Yes, it does. And I hope you realise what a lucky girl you are.’ Evelyn pushed herself off the couch feeling everything was going her way. The future looked very bright, except for the problem of her daughter, but she’d worry about that when the time came. Until then she intended to live the good life and take everything that Philip offered. ‘Come along, Amelia, I’m really quite hungry tonight. I have brought something in for our tea.’
Bessie opened her mouth to say the girl had enjoyed a meal only an hour ago, but closed it before the words came out. The most she’d be offered by her mother would be a sandwich, and she could manage that. It was funny that Bessie had never thought about it until the last few weeks, but never once had she smelled cooking coming from the house next door. It was no wonder the girl cleared her plate every night. When she’d finished her meal it was always as clean as a whistle.
Half an hour after Evelyn left with her daughter, Rita was knocking on Bessie’s front door.’ I haven’t got me bed with me, so yer don’t need to worry about me taking root in yer house. But you are the only bit of social life I get, sunshine. If it weren’t for our little chats I’d go round the bend with boredom.’
‘Sit yerself down, girl, yer know ye’re always welcome. And although I haven’t got any earth-shattering news for yer, I do have a tit-bit that might give yer something to think about. I’ll put the kettle on for a cuppa first, though, ’cos I always seem to find more to talk about when me whistle is whet.’ Bessie turned when she reached the kitchen door. ‘D’yer know, Rita, at one time I couldn’t stand women who had nothing better to do than jangle. Now I’m getting to be as bad as them. Not that I stand in the street gossiping, I don’t have time for that with going to work, but yer’ll see what I mean when I’ve made the tea and we can talk in peace.’
‘How is Amelia?’ Rita asked as she took the cup and saucer Bessie was holding out to her. ‘Still thrilled with the doll, is she?’
Bessie held the saucer steady while she lowered herself on to a chair. ‘If I’d spent a pound on a present for her, she couldn’t have thought more of it than she d
oes that doll. She talks to it all the time, and sings to it when she pretends to be getting it to sleep. And when I’m in the kitchen, and she thinks I can’t hear her, she talks to it like her mother must talk to her. I can hear her saying, “Now, Daisy, what have I told you about keeping your dress clean? Just look at that mark, made with a dirty hand. I haven’t got money to buy you new clothes, so do as I say and make sure you wash your hands before touching anything. Don’t make me have to tell you again or I shall have to punish you. And remember, cleanliness is next to Godliness.”’
Rita shook her head and tutted. ‘She’s got the poor kid like an old woman, so serious and old-fashioned. The only time I’ve ever heard the girl laugh was here on Saturday for her birthday. And she looks so pretty when she’s acting her age, any mother would be proud to have her for a daughter. I know I would.’
‘Oh, she knows how to laugh, don’t worry. She has me in stitches sometimes when she’s taking off one of the girls in her class. We get on like a house on fire, me and her.’ Bessie tapped a finger against the side of her forehead. ‘She’s all there, Rita, believe me, and the more I see of her, the more I realise the poor kid learned from a very early age that the way to stay out of trouble is to do everything she’s told. She never answers her mother back, just keeps quiet and does as she says. But she’s a clever kid and must know that she doesn’t get the love and attention most children get from their mother. I’ve never seen the queer one give her a smile, never mind a kiss. Yer want to be here at night when it gets near the time for her mother to come and pick her up. She changes from a happy, laughing child to one who is a bag of nerves, terrified in case she says the wrong thing. It’s a crying shame, for she’s a girl crying out for love and attention.’
‘Mrs Sinclair doesn’t deserve her.’ Rita stretched forward to put her cup on the table. ‘But yer want to watch yer don’t get too fond of the girl, Bessie, ’cos if yer do, yer’d only be heading for a load of heartache. I can’t see them staying in this street for much longer, it’s not posh enough for Her Ladyship.’
‘Ah, well, now, I think there’s something in the wind.’ Bessie lifted the corner of her pinny and wiped it across her mouth. ‘Nothing’s been said, but I think our posh neighbour is up to no good, and I’d lay odds there’s a man involved.’
Rita sat forward, her eyes wide with interest. ‘A man! Oh, go ’way, what makes yer think that, sunshine?’
‘Intuition, girl, that’s all. I might be miles out, but I’m not very often wrong. I know it’s going to make me sound like a nosy so-and-so, but I set two little traps for her tonight and she walked into them. Not that it proved anything beyond doubt, and I really don’t care what she gets up to as long as Amelia doesn’t get hurt in the process, but I’ll be interested to see how things go in the next few weeks.’
‘If yer think yer can get so far with yer story and then not tell me the rest, yer’ve got another think coming, Bessie Maudsley!’ Rita sat back. ‘I’m not moving from this chair until I’ve heard the lot. And another thing, didn’t we agree that in this house we’d call the girl Milly and not Amelia? She’s only a kid and she’s got such a lovely, cheeky smile, she’d suit being called Milly.’
‘Yeah, I do call her Milly when we’re on our own. But when it comes to six o’clock she’s Amelia. Anyway, back to what I was telling yer. I don’t know anything for sure, so it might only be me imagination. But whichever way, I don’t want yer to pass anything I say on to Aggie. If the queer one got to know I’d been telling tales about her, she’d have me ruddy guts for garters and I’d never be allowed to have Milly again.’
‘If yer don’t get on with it, sunshine, it’ll be midnight and my feller will be out looking for me. Or he might even decide to teach me a lesson and lock the front door and go to bed!’
Bessie pictured Rita’s placid husband and chuckled. ‘That’ll be the day, when Reg Wells puts his foot down with you! He started off the wrong way when yer got married, by being too soft with yer. It’s too late for him to change now. Anyway, yer don’t know when ye’re well off, having such a good husband.’
Rita nodded her head vigorously. ‘Yes, I’ve got a husband in a million and I love the bones of him. He’s got one fault, though, and that is he’s dull! He never comes home from work with any juicy bits of gossip for his wife who has had a bloody miserable, boring day. And that is why I rely on you, and why I’m sitting here waiting for you to put some interest back into my life. But trying to get it out of you is like getting blood out of a stone. So instead I’ll give you a piece of gossip that will have yer falling off yer chair.’
It was Bessie’s turn to sit forward in anticipation. ‘Go ’way! What have I missed?’
Rita puckered her lips and slowly nodded her head. ‘Keep tight hold of the arms of the chair, sunshine, ’cos ye’re in for a shock. D’yer know Doreen Brown, her from number sixteen at the top of the street?’
‘Yer mean, the nice-looking blonde woman?’
‘Yeah, that’s her. Blonde hair and a smashing slim figure. Well, didn’t she go and run off with the milkman this afternoon! The whole street saw them. Running like hell they were.’
‘Ooh, I can’t believe it! She seemed such a nice girl. And she’s got two young children and a very handsome husband, too!’ Bessie looked genuinely shocked. ‘He’s the man who delivers our milk in the mornings, isn’t he?’
Rita let a smile appear. ‘That’s right, but yer don’t need to worry, yer’ll get yer milk in the morning as usual. Him and Doreen were only running for the twenty-two tram to take them to the Atlas.’
‘Well, I’ll be blowed!’ Bessie said, chortling. ‘I must be getting slow on the uptake, ’cos I fell for that hook, line and sinker.’
‘Ye’re not only getting slower on the uptake, sunshine, ye’re getting a damn’ sight slower on the out-take! I’ve been here half an hour and still haven’t heard enough to whet me appetite for a bit of excitement. So come on, Bessie, tell me why yer think there’s dirty works at the crossroads regarding yer neighbour?’
‘Okay, sweetheart, but don’t blame me if nothing is going on. It might just be me bad mind. Anyway, here goes.’ Bessie crossed her thin legs, making sure to pull her pinny down over her knees. And she told an enthralled Rita all that had been said in conversation with the woman next door. How she’d casually offered to mind Milly if Evelyn wanted to visit her so-called old school chum on Saturday. And if she wanted to stay overnight, well then, Milly was welcome to sleep in Bessie’s spare room.
‘And did she accept yer offer?’ Rita asked, sitting so near the edge of the couch she was in danger of falling off. ‘Is she staying out on Saturday night?’
‘Oh, she accepted all right, it was what she’d been angling for. Nice as pie she was, I’ve never seen her smile so much. And I’ll tell yer another thing, she’s a bloody good liar. She told me about two weeks ago that she’d been offered this job as a private secretary, and because it meant a rise she would pay me a shilling a week to look after Milly for the two hours each night. Well, now she says her boss is so pleased with her work he’s going to increase her wages again, so she’s going to give me two shillings a week to look after Milly.’ Bessie shook her head. ‘And the woman thinks I’m stupid enough to believe every word she says!’
‘But what makes yer think there’s a man involved, sunshine, has she ever mentioned having a man friend?’
‘No, she’s always been very brief with her words until a week ago. Never said anything except “hello” and “goodbye”. And she was always so dead bloody miserable, with a face like a wet week, she used to give me the willies. But these days she’s all sweetness and light. She even looks happy, in her own way, contented like, and that’s what makes me think there’s now a man in her life.’ Bessie pulled a face and held her hand up. ‘But don’t take that as gospel, I could be wrong.’
‘Yer mean, there’s no old school friend?’ Rita asked. ‘That’s a lie as well?’
‘We’ll just h
ave to wait and see what develops over the next few weeks. If she has got a man, and he makes her happy, then good luck to her. As long as she doesn’t stop Milly from coming here.’
But Rita still wasn’t satisfied. ‘Surely if she had a man friend she would have brought him to the house by now, to meet her daughter?’
‘Unless he’s rich, and she’d be ashamed to bring him here.’ Bessie got up to poke the fire and put some life back into it. ‘It might be me being bad-minded, Rita, and in that case I should apologise to the woman if I’m wrong. But it’ll all come out in the wash, and then we’ll see if I’m right or a foolish, bad-minded spinster. Only time will tell.’
Rita glanced at the clock and jumped to her feet. ‘I’d better go, I haven’t done my feller’s carry-out yet. But I’ll be looking forward to the next instalment, sunshine, so keep me informed.’
Bessie saw her to the door. ‘I’ll let yer know if anything exciting happens, girl, but keep it under yer hat in case I’m making a fool of meself.’
Rita turned as she stepped off the pavement. ‘My money’s on you, sunshine! And if yer turn out to be right, well, that’ll be enough excitement to keep me going for a couple of weeks.’ She waved her hand as she crossed to the opposite pavement. ‘Goodnight and God bless, sunshine, see yer tomorrow.’
‘Goodnight and God bless!’ Bessie waited until her mate was safely in her own house before closing the front door. And once in the living room, she told the grate, ‘She’s a good mate, is Rita. And so is Aggie, except she doesn’t think before she opens her mouth. No secret is safe with her, especially when she’s had a couple of milk stouts.’ Grinning to herself, Bessie put the fireguard in front of the fire. ‘This is in case you heard everything I told me mate tonight, and yer decide to spill the beans to the wallpaper. Ye’re as bad as Aggie, yer can’t be trusted.’
Chapter Fourteen
Evelyn could hear Bessie’s footsteps climbing the stairs and wondered what she would do without her neighbour. She was a blessing, and it would be wise to keep her sweet. Future prospects looked very rosy, and the time might come when Miss Maudsley would be asked for more help than she was giving now. She would be paid well, of course, for Evelyn would have plenty of money to spare. And the little woman next door wasn’t the kind to ask awkward questions, she was too naive. So far she’d believed everything she’d been told.