by June Francis
‘I like the feel of it,’ said Marty, watching her pour the tea as he pulled out a chair at the table and sat down. ‘I’ll drink my tea and then I’ll look upstairs.’
‘You haven’t seen the parlour either,’ she murmured, sitting down and pushing the biscuit tin across to him.
He stirred sugar into his tea. ‘What about the furniture?’
‘What about it?’
He lifted his head and looked at her. ‘You wouldn’t be taking it to America would you? Does Jimmy want it?’
‘It doesn’t belong to us. It’s Mam’s. I mean, some of it was Uncle Terence’s but he left everything to her. He lived here with his first wife and we lived a few doors away.’ Irene sipped her tea, marvelling that she could behave so calmly and rationally after that kiss and the thoughts that were going round and round in her head. Her knees felt all wobbly.
‘I didn’t know that,’ said Marty.
‘Why should you? I don’t think I’ve mentioned it before.’ She reached for a Nice biscuit. Suddenly she remembered something Marty had said earlier about Terence. ‘How did you know he’d been a policeman? Did Jimmy tell you?’
‘I read it in the Echo. There was an article about him.’
‘You’ve never mentioned that to me before,’ she said.
‘I read it because I was interested in finding out his name. He was a real hero.’
Their eyes met and Irene experienced that breathless feeling again. ‘I was lucky, wasn’t I?’ she said abruptly. ‘Two heroes coming to my rescue.’
Marty hesitated. ‘D’you believe in luck?’
‘You mean there’s no such thing? That someone else was watching what I was doing?’
‘Must have been if he got to you in time to save you. If he had been fast enough, then your stepfather might not have died either.’
She felt sad. ‘I never thought of that. He told me off, you know? Then didn’t even stay around for me to thank him.’
‘Maybe it was because he was annoyed with himself.’
‘You’re saying he wasn’t angry with me after all?’
Marty changed the subject. ‘Shall we go upstairs?’
She hesitated. ‘You don’t need me to look at bedrooms. I’ll just tidy up down here.’
He left her alone.
She relived the rescue as she finished her tea and washed up before going upstairs. She found Marty sitting on her bed. Before she could speak, he said, ‘I think Josie would like this room.’
‘It’s mine.’ She picked up her discarded clothes from a chair, liking the thought of Josie sleeping here.
‘I thought so. If I get this house, would your mother sell the furniture to me?’
‘I don’t see why not.’
Marty stood up and came over to Irene. ‘You do know how I feel about you. That’s why it’s probably best that you go to America.’
She looked up at him and so longed to just lean against him and feel his arms around her again. Of course she knew how he felt! Just as he must know how she felt towards him. So she nodded and left the bedroom.
Once downstairs, she wiped away the tears that had welled up in her eyes and took out the rent book from the sideboard drawer. As he came into the room, she held it out to him. ‘You’ll find the address of the estate agent inside. I don’t know if there’s anyone else interested but if you’re prepared to pay a little extra for the key money they ask, I dare say they’ll rent out the house to you.’
He took it from her. ‘Your children’s books upstairs … will you sell them to me for Josie?’
‘I’d like her to have them. You don’t have to pay me.’
‘I’d rather pay for them, so don’t argue with me,’ said Marty firmly.
‘All right, I won’t argue.’ She plucked a sum out of her head and named it.
‘Don’t be daft,’ said Marty, digging into his pocket and taking from a wallet several pound notes. He held them out to her.
‘That’s too much,’ she said, not touching the money.
‘You said you wouldn’t argue with me,’ said Marty, taking hold of her hand and folding her fingers over the notes.
She thanked them. ‘You should take the books with you.’
He shook his head. ‘If I don’t get the key to the house, then I’m sure you’ll see to it that Josie gets them.’
Irene nodded. ‘You haven’t seen the parlour yet,’ she murmured.
‘All right, I’ll take a quick look at it,’ he said.
A glance at the parlour and then he made for the front door. He touched her cheek and then outlined her lips with his thumb and kissed her lightly.
She leaned into him and said in a muffled voice against his chest. ‘It was you that saved me, wasn’t it?’
He did not answer, only holding her tightly for a moment. ‘Take care of yourself, love. Be happy.’
He opened the front door and went outside. As she watched him get into the van, she realized he would need her mother’s telephone number and signalled to him.
He wound down the window. ‘What is it?’
It took her only moments to find the number in her dolly bag and write it on a scrap of paper and hand it to him. His fingers curled round hers. ‘Thanks. I’ll never forget you.’
‘Thank you! I’ll always remember you,’ she whispered, stepping away from the van.
She eased the tightness in her throat as she watched the vehicle until it was out of sight. That evening she would write to Betty and tell her that she would be coming to America. She felt certain that with the money in her savings account and that which Marty had given to her, there would be enough for her ticket to New York. She would have to visit Lynne Walker to fix a date and make arrangements for Bobby to travel to America with her.
Nineteen
Irene stepped down from the Southport–Liverpool train at Central Station and wasted no time heading for Church Street where she had arranged to meet her mother outside Cooper’s. It was the second week in July and today would be the first time Irene had seen her mother since the wedding although they had spoken on the telephone several times. It was from these conversations that Irene discovered Marty had moved into the house in Litherland and had bought most of the furniture and fittings too.
As she was early, Irene decided to pop into C & A Modes and have a wander round the women’s department. It was whilst she was looking at frocks that she overheard a voice she recognized and had no trouble tracing it to her mother.
Maisie was arguing with a saleswoman. Irene listened to their conversation and soon realized that it was about part of the stitching coming undone on a blouse her mother had bought recently and now wanted to exchange. Irene had no doubt that her mother would win the dispute and only when all was sorted out did she approach Maisie and slip her hand through her arm.
‘Hi, Mam! You should have been a lawyer; you’d always win your case.’
‘You nosing, were you?’ said Maisie, smiling grimly. ‘I was in the right, girl, that’s why that stuck-up cow caved in. They don’t make clothes like they used to when I was a girl. Lovely hand-smocking I could do. I tell you, we were taught how to sew in my day.’ She lit up a cigarette and took several puffs.
‘Your day, Mam? You make yourself sound old.’
Maisie broke into a coughing fit and it was several moments before she managed to say in a throaty whisper, ‘I feel old these days. Those children! I tell you, you and Jimmy were angels in comparison. Talk about answering me back! I would have had my face slapped if I’d spoken to a grown-up like that.’
‘But you don’t slap their faces, do you?’
‘I’ve been sorely tempted! I don’t know how I manage to keep my hands off Rose. Looks like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth but she’s a right little madam.’ Maisie’s eyes smouldered. ‘I haven’t been feeling well either.’
Irene looked at her anxiously. ‘In what way?’
‘Oh, don’t you be worrying,’ said Maisie, still sounding slightly breathless. �
��It’s just those children wearing me out.’
‘Things will improve, Mam,’ Irene coaxed. ‘Don’t get yourself worked up. They’ve lost their mother and it must be really strange having another woman taking her place.’
‘They’re bloody lucky to have me,’ said Maisie, removing Irene’s hand from her arm. ‘I don’t want any of that child physiology or whatever you call it from you! And Alfred’s worse than useless when it comes to disciplining them. Let’s get out of here,’ she finished.
They left the department store and went into Cooper’s next door with its tantalizing smell of freshly ground coffee. They found a table in the restaurant upstairs without much trouble.
Once settled and their order given, Irene gazed across at her mother. ‘Were you satisfied with the money Peggy’s brother paid you for the furniture?’
Maisie nodded. ‘It was a fair price. I thought him a nice young man. He was saying that they still hadn’t heard from Peggy.’
Irene sighed. ‘I wonder where she is. I bet Pete’s wondering the same.’
‘I wouldn’t know about that, although I wouldn’t mind seeing ol’ Gertie again and having a chat,’ said Maisie, lighting a cigarette before resting an elbow on the tablecloth. ‘Well, girl, I never thought you training to look after kids would result in you going to America. Will you be sailing on one of the Queens?’ she asked, a dreamy expression on her face. ‘I believe those ships are floating palaces. There’s good food and dancing and entertainment. Who’s to say you mightn’t meet a dark handsome stranger and have a shipboard romance?’
‘Mam, I’m not on the lookout for a man,’ said Irene placidly. ‘I have my ticket and although I won’t be sailing on the Queen Mary or Elizabeth, it looks really comfortable in the brochure.’
Maisie darted a frowning glance at her daughter. ‘Well, let’s hope that you can still meet a decent bloke. You don’t want to miss out on the fun of shipboard life. You need to grab every chance you get, girl, to enjoy life. You’re a good-looking young woman.’
‘Thanks for the compliment, Mam,’ said Irene, smiling. ‘You’ll have me blushing.’
‘All you have to do is pretend you’re more than just a nanny. I mean think about that Dorothy Wilson, she’s been on the telly. She only came from working-class roots and look where she is now!’
‘I’m no actress, Mam,’ said Irene.
‘You can pretend,’ insisted Maisie. ‘That’s all they do.’
As the waitress approached their table with a tray, Maisie added, ‘You don’t want to be wiping bottoms and mopping up sick all your life.’
Irene protested that her job entailed more than that but her mother was not listening, lost in a dream world of her own.
It was as they were saying tarrah that Maisie pressed some folded notes into Irene’s hand.
‘What’s this?’ asked Irene, astonished.
‘I’d like my only daughter to look snazzy,’ said Maisie. ‘You don’t have to thank me. Just don’t forget to send me a postcard from America, saying you’ve bagged yourself a millionaire.’
Irene could hardly believe her mother was giving her money. ‘Thanks, Mam! Are you sure you can afford it?’
‘It’s some of the furniture money,’ said Maisie dismissively. ‘Now don’t forget, girl, if the flicks are anything to go by, the rich men don’t always look like millionaires.’
Irene kissed her mother’s cheek. ‘I’ll write, Mam. You take care of yourself.’
‘I better had because I’ll be the only one doing so,’ said Maisie, patting her daughter’s hand. ‘Enjoy yourself.’
Irene watched her mother walk briskly away and hesitated before deciding to go back inside C & A’s. She went to the ladies’ toilets and counted the money in a booth with growing excitement. She decided that there was enough there to buy a decent cocktail dress, an evening stole and a really nice pair of high heels, as well as some sheer silk stockings. There was no way she was taking what Maisie had said about millionaires seriously, but she did like dancing and hopefully she would have no trouble finding a partner. For a moment she thought of Marty and the kiss they had shared. But it was no good: despite the ache of longing inside her, she must try and forget him.
It was after she had enjoyed her shopping spree that Irene decided now would be a good time to take up Lynne Walker’s open invitation to visit them.
Almost as soon as Irene knocked on the front door, Lynne opened it. ‘Hello, love,’ she said. ‘I was hoping you’d come and see us before the ship sails. Do come in! Sam’s home and has a visitor. You know him. Pete Marshall!’
Irene’s face lit up. ‘I was wondering how he was and kept meaning to visit but I just haven’t had the time. I used to be kept up to date with all the Marshall news because Mam worked with Pete’s mother.’
‘Sam knows his brother, Dougie, with them both being in the police force. I sometimes wonder how two brothers can be so different.’
Irene knew what she meant so made no comment, only wondering why Pete had come to see Sam. At that moment, the parlour door opened and the two men appeared.
‘I thought I recognized your voice,’ said Pete, grinning.
‘Once heard, never forgotten,’ she said. ‘How are tricks? Your mother all right?’
‘Fine, although I think she misses yours,’ said Pete.
‘I met Mam in town earlier and she was saying the same thing about your mother,’ said Irene. ‘They should make up. I can give you Mam’s phone number.’
‘Shall we go into the kitchen?’ Lynne interrupted. ‘I’ve left Anna playing on her own.’
‘I’ll have to get off, love,’ said Sam, lowering his head and kissing her. ‘I’ll see you when I see you.’ He nodded in Irene’s direction. ‘Nice seeing you again.’ He left the house.
The other three went into the back room. ‘Sit down,’ said Lynne. ‘Keep your eye on Anna if you would while I go and make a cuppa.’
Irene placed her shopping at the side of a chair and gazed down at the child playing with a pull-along wooden bunny that jingled. Close to hand was a clown pyramid stacking toy with different coloured plastic rings scattered on the rug.
Irene remembered Jeanette’s excitement when her niece was born. ‘What a healthy looking child,’ said Irene, kneeling on the rug.
‘She’ll be two and a half when the next one arrives,’ said Lynne, patting her belly.
‘You’ll have your hands full,’ said Irene.
‘I know.’ Lynne grimaced. ‘But I’m not getting any younger and Sam and I wanted more than one. If you’ll excuse me.’ She went into the kitchen.
Pete and Irene exchanged looks. ‘I believe you and Bobby are off to America soon,’ he said.
‘Yes.’ She glanced up at him. ‘Have you heard anything from Peggy?’
He shook his head. ‘I’ve been out in the car looking for her at weekends. I’ve visited all the resorts along the North Wales coast without any luck. She could have been in any one of them without me seeing her. I’ve begun to wonder if I’m wasting my time, thinking I can go to a place and just spot her. If she wanted to be found, then she’d give us a hint to where she was.’
‘Have you thought she mightn’t be in Wales but somewhere like Southport or Blackpool?’
Pete frowned. ‘Not really. She always said how much she liked Wales.’
‘Even so, Southport and Blackpool are both very popular and she doesn’t have to cross the Mersey to get to either of them,’ said Irene.
Pete nodded thoughtfully and at that moment Lynne re-appeared. She placed a plate of scones on the table and, nodding at the bags beside Irene, said, ‘So what have you been buying, Irene? Clothes to wear during the voyage?’
‘Only one outfit, in case there’s dancing,’ Irene replied. ‘It was Mam’s idea and it was she who gave me the money.’ She reached for one of the bags and took out the cocktail dress. ‘What d’you think?’ she asked, holding up the dress which was midnight blue and had a skirt of chiffon with a seq
uinned bodice and shoelace straps.
‘You’ll look lovely in it,’ said Lynne sincerely. ‘Don’t you think so, Pete?’
He nodded. ‘I can see you having plenty of partners.’
Lynne agreed. ‘Just don’t go showing it to Bobby before the ship sails. She would want one too, and apart from being too young, she’d be pestering me to make it.’
Irene bit her lower lip. ‘I’d forgotten you were a dressmaker.’
‘Don’t worry about it, love,’ said Lynne, squeezing her hand. ‘I just want you both to enjoy yourselves on the voyage - besides, all those sequins would take ages to sew on. I wouldn’t want the job.’
Reassured, Irene folded the frock and put it back in its bag. ‘Has Betty written to you about who’s meeting us in New York?’
‘Yes, but it was Lenny who has arranged it as he’s an old friend of Dorothy Wilson. Dorothy’s appearing on Broadway and then she’ll be travelling across America to Hollywood. So you and Bobby can travel most of the way with her.’
Irene felt a thrill of excitement. ‘You’re joking!’
Lynne smiled. ‘Honest to God and cross my heart!’ She sketched a cross on the bodice of her maternity smock. ‘You’ll be met off the boat by her personal assistant. Everything is working out just fine, as I even have someone to make the journey back with Bobby.’
‘Who?’ asked Irene, who had been wondering about that.
‘Mrs Gianelli’s widowed sister who lives in America.’
Irene’s mouth gaped open and then she swallowed. ‘I didn’t know you knew Nellie Gianelli?’
‘I didn’t until Nick stepped into your brother’s shoes in the music group!’ Lynne left the kitchen and returned with the teapot and poured the tea. ‘I remember reading somewhere that “all things work together for good”. I’ve forgotten now where I saw it but if your Jimmy hadn’t decided to go to sea, then my daughter wouldn’t be going to America right now. It’s as if it were meant.’
Irene nodded, thinking who was she to argue with Lynne’s reasoning.
‘I wish I could believe that things will work together for good where me and Peggy are concerned,’ said Pete.
Lynne leaned over and touched his shoulder. ‘I’m sure Peggy will come back and you’ll be able to sort out what went wrong. Sometimes we just need time to ourselves to think things through.’