by Joan Jonker
‘I hope none of this has got anythin’ to do with what happened when yer wife called here, Mr John.’ Ada looked horrified. ‘I’d go mad if I was the cause of trouble between you and Mrs Roscoe.’
‘Rest assured it has nothing to do with you. Let’s just say I haven’t been lucky in my choice of wife.’ John sat back in his chair and lacing his fingers he put his hands behind his head. ‘I’m not telling you this to burden you with my problems, Ada, but to ask for your understanding. I have more money than I need and I get a lot of pleasure out of seeing people happy. Especially those who are not so fortunate. So this Christmas, while I may not be celebrating, I will have the pleasure of knowing that I’ve helped make it a better time for a few people. Is that so wrong?’
Ada’s head was spinning. If he wasn’t going home for Christmas, would he be spending it here, all alone? Oh, the poor man! Mind you, having had a taste of his wife, she couldn’t say she blamed him. Then she realised John was waiting for her answer. ‘No, it’s not wrong, Mr John.’
‘In that case, will you allow a lonely man a little indulgence?’
‘What does that mean?’
‘I suppose another way of asking would be, will you spoil me by giving me my own way?’
‘It all depends,’ Ada said, feeling out of her depth but wanting to help a man she was heartily sorry for. ‘What is it yer want?’
‘I usually give a bonus to the men who have worked for me for many years, just as a show of appreciation. The amount depends on the length of time they’ve been here. And Agnes, she too will be getting a bonus.’ John was nervously fingering his tie. ‘But I wondered if, in your case, you would allow me to give you your bonus in a way that would give me a great deal of pleasure?’
‘I don’t want no money off yer, Mr John. Yer giving me enough as it is. And I’m not entitled to a bonus – I haven’t been here that long.’
‘As well as being a valuable member of staff, Ada, I look on you as a friend. And although I know any extra money you received would be very welcome, I’m going to ask you to let me spend it in a way that would make me feel very happy.’
‘Oh, I don’t know, Mr John. I really don’t feel I can take any more off yer.’
‘I wasn’t thinking of buying anything for you, Ada, but for your children. Every Christmas the shops are full of toys and I’ve never had a child to buy for. You mentioned that your son had asked for a scooter, and Polly wanted a new dress. Will they be getting them?’
Ada shook her head. ‘I can’t afford them. I’ve explained it all to the kids and they were good about it. I’d give them the world if I could, and they know it. They also know that what I haven’t got I can’t give.’
‘Then let me get the presents for them.’
‘I couldn’t do that! How would I explain to them that me boss had bought them presents? An’ if they told the neighbours, they’d think there was somethin’ fishy goin’ on.’
‘I wouldn’t be buying the presents, Ada, it would be your bonus money buying them. All I’m asking is that you let me choose them. Just for once I’d like to join the crowds of happy people who enjoy the excitement of being jostled as they search for a present that will put a smile on the faces of their children when they see what Father Christmas has brought them.’ His eyes were pleading. ‘Ada, you’ve no idea what pleasure it would give me.’
Ada was torn. She was thinking of Tommy, lying in hospital. It should be him who had the pleasure and not Mr John. But if what her boss said was true, and she’d be getting a bonus anyway, then in a way it would be her paying for them. And the kids didn’t get much out of life, it wouldn’t be fair to deprive them. ‘Ooh, yer haven’t half set me a poser, Mr John, I can’t think straight an’ that’s a fact. One part of me is sayin’ I shouldn’t be takin’ anything off yer, and the other part is tellin’ me to pocket me pride an’ think of the children. An’ then there’s you to consider. I don’t want to let you down.’
‘I’m not going to persuade you, Ada, you must do what you think is best for yourself.’ A lock of his dark auburn hair fell on to his forehead and he pushed it back. ‘I’ll abide by your decision.’
All alone at Christmas, Ada was thinking. That shouldn’t happen to anyone, let alone a man as kind and generous as him. It was then she made up her mind. If she had the money she’d buy him a present, but as that was out of the question she couldn’t deny him the one thing he’d asked for that wouldn’t cost her anything. ‘All right, Mr John, an’ I thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
A sparkle came into his hazel eyes. ‘I’ll drop them off at Mrs Mitchell’s when I deliver the hampers tomorrow. And so as not to blemish your good name, I’ll mention that I’m only the messenger – that you’d ordered them and paid for them yourself. I’ll leave you to explain to her about the bonus.’
Ada stood up and pushed the chair back. ‘Will you ask her to keep them in her house until the kids have gone to bed? I don’t want them to see the things until Christmas morning.’ She wrung her hands nervously. ‘I don’t know what to say. “Thank you” doesn’t seem enough for all you’ve done.’
John put his palms flat on the desk and pushed himself up. ‘I have done very little, Ada – nothing that needed exertion or energy. But thanks to you, I’ll have reason for going to the shops tomorrow and elbowing my way through the crowds. I’m really looking forward to that!’
Ada returned his smile. ‘I’d better get back to work, but I’ll see yer later.’ She wanted to say more but didn’t know how to say it. It was only when she neared the door she took her courage in both hands. ‘Mr John,’ she didn’t know he was close on her heels, his intention being to open the door for her. So when she turned, their bodies collided and she would have lost her balance if he hadn’t caught her in his arms. He held her close for several seconds, their eyes locked. Then with the look on his face of a young boy doing something he knew he shouldn’t, he brushed his lips across her cheeks before dropping his arms and moving a step back.
Ada was surprised at how calm she felt. ‘It was a good job yer were there to catch me.’
With a low sigh of relief, John took his cue from her. ‘Ada, if I hadn’t been there it wouldn’t have happened. I was trying to overtake so I could open the door for you.’
‘And I turned around to ask yer something. If I don’t, I won’t sleep tonight and it’ll spoil Christmas for me.’
‘What is it, Ada?’
‘Yer not stayin’ in that big barn of a house on yer own over the holidays, are yer? It’ll be as miserable as sin!’
John laughed. ‘I’m not that much of a martyr, my dear. No, I’m staying at the Adelphi until the day after Boxing Day. I’ve invited my wife to have lunch with me on Christmas Day, because even though I will never live with her again, she is still my wife and I felt I had to make the effort. She will not be staying long as she is having her usual party in the evening.’ He tilted his head. ‘Why, would you be concerned if you thought I was there on my own?’
‘Of course I would! We haven’t got much, as yer know, but you’d have been welcome to share it with us.’
‘And there’s nothing I would like better. What you have is a house full of warmth and laughter – it would beat the Adelphi any day. But it wouldn’t be wise, my dear. I’m well-known in the area and whilst it wouldn’t worry me one iota, we have to think of your reputation.’
Ada put her hands on her hips and stooped slightly to present a pose favoured by Aggie. ‘Sod me bleedin’ reputation, Mr John!’
This brought a loud guffaw. ‘Very good! But you don’t really mean it, do you?’
‘Well, what you say is probably true, I’d be the talk of the street. But it wouldn’t have stopped me asking yer. The only neighbours I care about are the Mitchells and Irish Mary, and I’ve invited them over for the afternoon so we’d be well chaperoned.’
John looked puzzled. ‘Irish Mary? Who’s she when she’s out?’
‘She’s one of your tenants, M
r John, Mary Hanrahan.’
‘Oh yes, I remember her. Is she a good friend of yours?’
Ada found herself enjoying the exchange. She missed having a man to talk to, and with Mr John it was so easy – he never got on his high horse or spoke down to you. She could still feel the touch of his lips on her cheek but wasn’t the least bit embarrassed. He hadn’t meant any harm, just a friendly peck. ‘Irish Mary’s a very good friend of mine.’ Then Ada put her hands on her hips again and rounded her shoulders. ‘But for Christ’s sake, Mr John, don’t you go buyin’ her no bleedin’ hamper!’
‘That Mr Roscoe must be made of money!’ Dolly Mitchell pointed to the two big boxes on the table. ‘It took him all his time to carry them in; there’s everythin’ in there except bread.’ She delved into one of the boxes which had been opened. ‘Look, even a box of chocolates! I’ve never ’ad a box of chocolates bought for me since I was courtin’. Once Les got the ring on me finger all ’is gentlemanly habits disappeared.’ She chuckled. ‘Like me waistline did three months after the weddin’.’
Ada was peering into the opened box. ‘There’s things in there I haven’t had for years. It’ll see us well over Christmas and all the following week. He’s saved us a good few pounds, Dolly, hasn’t he?’
‘You ain’t kiddin’, girl. There’s at least five or six pounds’ worth of stuff in there. I felt like gettin’ down on me knees and grovelling to him. This will be the best Christmas we’ve had since Adam was a lad. He’s a real swell, is your Mr John.’ She gave her cheeky smile. ‘D’yer know what he said? He was payin’ me back for the use of me china when he was round collectin’ the rents. Swore they were the best cups of tea he ever had.’
Ada tutted, ‘I’ll take that remark with a pinch of salt.’ She glanced over to where Clare had her head buried in a comic. ‘Did he bring the other things?’
Clare pricked up her ears. She was sulking because her mam wouldn’t let her take the items out of the hamper. ‘What other things?’
‘Ay, buggerlugs, just go about yer business.’ Dolly tapped the end of her nose as she glared at her daughter. ‘This’ll fall off one of these days.’
With a petulant toss of her head, Clare went back to her comic.
In a low voice, Dolly said, ‘I’ll get Les to carry them in about ten o’clock. Is that all right?’
‘I’ll make sure Polly’s in bed. They don’t know they’re getting them an’ it’ll be a real surprise.’ Ada felt guilty without quite knowing why. She was only telling the truth. ‘I’d have been better off with the money, I suppose, but I wanted to give them something extra special to try an’ make up for their dad not being here. It just won’t be the same without him.’
‘Never mind, girl, he’ll be here for next year.’ Dolly raised one shoulder and grimaced with pain. ‘These ruddy stays are killin’ me! Yer know, girl, what we women have to go through to look nice, it should be against the law.’
‘I don’t know what the hell yer wear them for if they hurt,’ Ada said. ‘Why don’t yer take them off?’
Dolly’s tummy began to shake. ‘I don’t know why I think it’s funny ’cos the joke’s on me. But when I haven’t got me stays on, my feller says I look like a pregnant elephant.’
Ada opened her eyes and her mouth wide. ‘D’yer know, I wondered what it was yer reminded me of!’
Dolly clamped her lips together and wagged a finger in Ada’s face. ‘Any more lip out of you, girl, an’ I’ll clock yer one.’
Ada backed towards the door. ‘I’d better leave while I’m still in one piece. I’ll see yer later.’
There were two men on Ada’s mind on Christmas morning, filling her with different emotions. Sadness because Tommy wasn’t there to see the excitement on the faces of his two children as they came through the door and saw the brightly wrapped presents under the small tree. He would have been as happy and excited as they were. And the other emotion was one of gratitude for Mr John. Without him the children would only have the small presents she’d brought from Woolworths. Joey let out a high-pitched cry when he saw the scooter standing against the table. ‘Oh ay, Mam, look what Father Christmas has brought me! Oh, isn’t it the gear!’ He put a hand on each end of the handlebar and a foot on the footboard. His eyes were as wide as saucers and he was so happy he could hardly contain himself. ‘Polly, look what I’ve got!’
‘Aren’t yer lucky?’ When Joey was happy, Polly was happy. ‘Yer’ll have all the kids in the street jealous.’
‘Mam, can I take it out?’ Joey imagined himself speeding down the street on the red and blue scooter while every kid in the neighbourhood stood on the pavements green with envy. ‘Go on, Mam?’
‘Not until after yer’ve had yer breakfast and are well wrapped up, ’cos it’s bitter cold out. Anyway, you’ve still got some more presents to open.’ Ada looked to where Polly was sitting with a present on her knee. ‘Aren’t you going to open yours, sunshine?’
Polly could tell by the feel that it was a dress, and she thought her mam had probably bought it from the market. She hoped it was pretty because Steve was coming with his mam and dad later and she wanted to look nice. She pulled at the paper and a piece of it came away in her hand, revealing a small square of blue velvet. With a gasp, she tore the rest of the wrapping off. ‘Oh, Mam!’ With tears blurring her eyes, she held up the blue velvet dress which was set off by a white lace collar. ‘Oh, it’s beautiful!’ Holding the dress to her, she ran to throw an arm around Ada’s shoulders. ‘Oh, thank you, Mam, thank you.’ She rained kisses on her mother’s face. ‘You’re the best mam in the world and I love yer. I just wish me dad was here to see me new dress.’
‘And my scooter,’ Joey said, as he turned the handlebars and made noises as though he was driving a motor bike. ‘Me dad would let me go out if he was here.’
‘Yer dad would be out in the street with yer, sunshine, just like a big soft kid.’
Polly laid the dress down and without a word she left the room. She was back within seconds with a slim, square gift-wrapped parcel. ‘This is for you, Mam, from me and Joey.’
Joey propped the scooter by the table and came to stand beside Polly. If he was giving his mam a present he wanted to see what it was.
Ada gazed down at the silver and blue box. ‘This is a pretty box. I wonder what’s in it?’
‘Open it, Mam!’ Polly was hopping from one foot to the other. ‘I hope yer like it.’
Ada removed the lid and cried with delight as she lifted the pale blue voile scarf from the tissue paper. ‘Oh, sunshine, it’s really lovely! I couldn’t have chosen better meself.’
‘I thought I’d get that colour ’cos it’ll go with both yer dresses. We’ll be real swanks this afternoon.’
Joey frowned. ‘That’s not fair! I’ve got nothin’ new to wear.’
Ada grinned. ‘Yes, you have. Look at the parcels under the tree. There’s a new shirt for you and an underskirt for Polly. And there’s a box of games each.’
There were shrieks of delight as the children pushed each other out of the way to be first at the tree. And amid the laughter and joy, Ada’s mind went back to the two men she had cause to be grateful to. Tommy, for his love and giving her these two lovely children, and John for being their friend when they needed one.
As John patted his lips with the table napkin, he surveyed his wife’s heavily made-up face. Why she had to plaster it on so thick he would never know. It didn’t do anything for her, except perhaps make her look slightly ridiculous. He tried to keep Ada out of his thoughts but he couldn’t help comparing the two women. Free of powder, rouge, mascara and lipstick, Ada’s skin was fine and clear. She was completely natural, in looks and manner. A far cry from the woman facing him now. He’d gone out of his way to be pleasant and courteous, but the meal, for him at least, was a mistake. Maureen would never change, didn’t even try. Her only conversation, when she wasn’t criticizing the make-up and clothes of the other diners, was fashion, bridge parties and dinner dances.<
br />
‘I don’t know why you’d rather stay here than come home.’ Her mouth was petulant. ‘I really can’t keep making excuses for your absence.’
‘Then don’t try. Tell your friends the truth – that we have separated. I have no intention of ever coming home, Maureen, as I have told you on numerous occasions. I will continue to support you, but further than that I will not go. And if we are to be realistic, you don’t really want me home, do you? You want the respectability of having a husband, but you don’t really want the man. Never have done.’
Maureen’s eyes narrowed. ‘I think you’ve got a bit on the side, some cheap slut tucked away somewhere.’
‘And who could blame me if I did? Certainly not you! But if that’s what you want to tell your friends, by all means do so because I really could not care less. Now, I’ll ring for a taxi for you.’
Chapter Sixteen
Charles Denholme was well wrapped up against the bitterly cold wind when he stopped for his Saturday buttonhole. He looked extremely smart in his heavy navy-blue overcoat, navy bowler, thick scarf wound around his neck and fur-lined gloves.
‘Hello, Polly,’ he said cheerfully. ‘How are you on this very cold day? Like a block of ice, I’d say, standing in this open spot.’
‘I don’t mind, Mr Denholme, yer get used to it.’ This wasn’t quite true as Polly’s feet were freezing, even though she’d lined the soles of her shoes with cardboard. And even with woollen mittens on, her purple fingers were stiff and sore. ‘I saved this nice red carnation, in case yer came.’