Luck Be a Lady

by Anna King

  Rebecca looked down at her tea in some dismay. She preferred her tea weak, with plenty of milk, but she wouldn’t hurt Ada’s feelings for the world. Taking a deep breath she bravely sipped at the piping hot beverage, steeling herself not to shudder as the bitter liquid attacked her taste buds.

  ‘It’s fine, Ada, lovely.’

  Satisfied her guest was enjoying her hospitality, Ada carried on talking, delighted at the unexpected company and eager to tell Rebecca all the news regarding the house next door. ‘Things ain’t changed much since the last time I saw yer. All I ever hear through the wall is arguing and shouting. If it ain’t Ivy and Maude gong fer each other, it’s Richard and the pair of ’em going at it hammer and tongs.’ Leaning over the table, Ada winked gleefully. ‘It ain’t exactly been love’s young dream between them two. An’ I’ll tell yer something else an’ all. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Ivy upped an’ left ’im. She ain’t a bad sort, Ivy, I mean. At least she stops an’ talks ter me when we meet in the street, not like the other two.’ Pausing for breath, she beamed at Rebecca. ‘Hark at me. Ain’t let yer get a word in since yer crossed the doorstep, but I’m that pleased ter see yer, love. It ain’t been the same round ’ere since you and young Amy went. But, like I said, yer better off outta it, an’ good luck ter yer both. Now then, love,’ she said briskly. ‘Yer ain’t come round ’ere just ter ’ear all the gossip. What can I do fer yer?’

  Glad for the opportunity to speak, Rebecca laid down her cup and smiled fondly at her former neighbour. ‘First of all, I’m sorry I haven’t been around sooner, Ada. No, no, I should have made the effort,’ she added guiltily as Ada waved her apologies aside. ‘Actually I came to ask you and Billy to my wedding. It’s on the third of September at Saint Dominic’s Church at four o’clock and—’

  Ada let out a loud scream of delight. ‘Oh, Rebecca, love. Oh, I’m so pleased. I was dying ter ask how things were getting on wiv you and yer young man, but I didn’t want yer ter think I was being nosy. I know all about Amy and her young man, but she never gossips about yer business. She’s a good girl, is your Amy. And that young man of hers seems a good sort an’ all. But, ’ere, now, let’s get back ter your bit of news.’ Clapping her hands Ada raised her voice. ‘Getting married, yer say, Rebecca. And ter that gorgeous man Jimmy Jackson. Well, yer’ll be set up fer life now, won’t yer, love, ’cos he ain’t short of a few bob, is he?’ She smiled and nodded towards the far wall, and Rebecca, knowing that Ada was deliberately raising her voice for the benefit of anyone listening next door, smiled broadly. Keeping her voice loud, Ada continued. ‘I bet yer’ll ’ave a proper wedding an’ all. No expense spared if I’m any judge. Not like some I could mention wiv their tuppenny halfpenny affairs an’ acting like it was a royal do. Huh! All that palaver, an’ what did some folks ’ave. A quiet ceremony wasn’t in it. There wasn’t more than half a dozen people in the church, so I ’eard, then back ’ome fer a few mangy sandwiches, and shop-bought cakes. Not that I was invited, like. But I wouldn’t ’ave gorn if I had been. I had something special on that day. I ’ad ter clean out me range. An’ I’ll tell yer something else. I ’ad a sight more fun doing that than I would’ve ’ad going ter that so-called wedding.’

  Looking across the table at the tiny woman, Rebecca couldn’t believe it was the same shy, timid person she’d known for so many years. Conscious of the wide grin spreading over her face, Rebecca reflected that you never really knew someone, no matter how long you’d been acquainted with them.

  Changing the subject, Rebecca asked warily, ‘How’s Billy, Ada?’

  Ada, wiping the tears of joy from her eyes, answered cheerfully, ‘Oh, he’s fine, love. And he’s got ’imself a lady friend.’ At the look of surprise that suddenly covered Rebecca’s face, Ada nodded sagely, saying, ‘Yer remember old Mrs Blackburn from number twenty-five?’

  Rebecca furrowed her eyebrows trying to recall the neighbour Ada was talking about. ‘Oh, yes, I remember. She had her daughter come to live with her after the daughter’s husband died last year. I didn’t have much to do with them, just a good morning or afternoon when we met in passing. She seemed like a nice enough woman from what I could gather. Her name’s Norma, isn’t it?’

  Ada’s head bobbed in agreement. ‘Yeah, that’s her. Anyway, old Mrs Blackburn died a couple of months back, an’ Billy offered ter ’elp wiv the funeral arrangements, ’cos Norma, poor little thing, went ter pieces when the old girl died. And yer know my Billy, always wanting ter ’elp people out when he can.’

  Rebecca lowered her head, remembering how Billy had felt about her. Ada noticed the gesture and smiled kindly. ‘Now, don’t go feeling guilty, love. It wasn’t yer fault yer didn’t feel the same as my Billy did. And ter tell yer the truth, love, I always knew yer was way outta my Billy’s league, bless him. And deep down he knew it too, but yer can’t help but ’ope when yer in love, can yer; even when yer know nothing can ever come of it. Now, Norma, she’s much better suited ter my Billy. She’s a bit of a scatterbrain, yer know the type, always needing someone ter lean on, an’ that’s just the sorta woman my Billy needs. He’s me own flesh an’ blood, an’ I love ’im ter death, but a mother knows ’er own child, and my Billy’s not the sorta man who’ll set the world on fire, now is he? And a woman like Norma will make ’im feel important, yer know, more manly, though I don’t suppose he’ll ever forget you, love.’

  Relieved that Billy was courting at long last, Rebecca rose to leave.

  ‘I’ll have to go, Ada. I want to get home and finish a costume I’ve been working on, so that I’ll have the weekend free to spend with Jimmy and James.’

  ‘That’s another thing I wanted ter ask yer, love. How yer getting on wiv the little ’un?’

  An image of James’s small face, so like Jimmy’s, floated across Rebecca’s vision, bringing a tender smile to her lips. ‘He’s lovely, Ada. A really nice little boy, and thankfully he seems to like me too. I was worried he might not take to me, but so far we’ve been getting on fine.’

  ‘And what about that Bessie Wilks. I’ve ’eard tell she’s a right old tartar. Mind you, speak as yer find, I always say, and she’s always civil enough ter me whenever I see her with Amy. How does she feel about ’er precious Jimmy getting married?’ Ada glanced at Rebecca worriedly.

  ‘Oh, Bessie’s all right once you get to know her,’ Rebecca replied happily. ‘Mind you, she frightened the life out of me when we first met, but that was only because I got on the wrong side of her.’ Inclining her head towards Ada, Rebecca grinned. ‘I’m still not entirely sure she wants Jimmy to marry me because I’d make him a good wife or because she’s desperate to stop any chance of him getting back with James’s mother. I think she sees me as the lesser of two evils. Anyway, Ada, I must get going. The sooner I get home the sooner I’ll finish the costume I’m working on… Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you my other news.’

  Resuming her seat, Rebecca grinned widely. ‘Jimmy’s bought me a part ownership in the shop where I work. The ladies that own it are keen to take an early retirement, though I doubt that will be for another few years yet, it all depends on how well the shop does. But hopefully in the not too distant future, I’ll be the owner of my very own business; what do you think of that, Ada?’

  Ada’s eyes stretched wide in disbelief. ‘Yer mean ter say, yer’ll be carrying on working after yer married. Don’t Jimmy mind, love? I mean ter say, it’s different fer the likes of me, I always had ter work, I didn’t ’ave any choice, but yer could stay at home an’ put yer feet up after yer married, if yer wanted to.’

  Rebecca laughed softly. ‘But that’s just it, Ada. I don’t want to simply stay at home. For the first time in my life, I’ve found something I’m good at. Not only that, I can make a living out of it, and after the life I’ve had, you can’t imagine how it makes me feel to know I’m worth more than just fetching and carrying. As for Jimmy, he’s delighted… Well! He wasn’t at first. Like you, he imagined I’d be only to happy to live life withou
t having to work again, but I love what I do. Anyway…’ She winked mischievously. ‘Now that Jimmy’s given up the bookmaking racket, he says he might as well invest in a respectable business.’

  Yet Ada didn’t seem convinced. ‘That’s all very well, love. But what about when the children start arriving? Yer won’t be able ter go out ter work wiv a couple of kids hanging round yer skirts, will yer?’

  Pulling a face, Rebecca said lightly, ‘Hang on, Ada, I’m not even married yet. But we have talked about it, and as I said to Jimmy, we’ll cross that bridge when it comes. Though I can’t see it being a problem. I can always work from home, like I do most of the time now. Still, that’s in the future. Now then, will you and Billy… and his lady friend, of course, be able to come to the wedding?’

  A wide devilish grin spread over Ada’s lips. ‘Yer can count on it, love. Why, I can just see it now. Me, my Billy and Norma, all dressed up and telling the street where we’re off to… Oh, I can’t wait, love… Bleeding ’ell, ’ere we go again.’

  Ada raised her eyebrows as furious shouting came thundering through the walls. Then their eyes widened as they heard Maude’s unmistakable voice screeching, ‘Go on then, you trollop, clear off. We’ll be better off without you. You only married my Richard for his money, and you ain’t even got the guts to wait until he gets home to tell him to his face. Well, you won’t be getting another penny out of him, I can tell you that for nothing.’

  A low voice answered, but try as they might, Rebecca and Ada couldn’t make out what Ivy’s retort was. Then they heard the sound of a carriage coming down the street and, as if of one mind, both women dashed to the front of the house, just as Ivy, carrying two heavy suitcases, came out of the house next door.

  They watched open-mouthed as the cabbie jumped down from his perch and lifted the suitcases on top of the carriage, before helping Ivy inside, while Maude continued to levy insults at the silent woman from the safety of her front doorstep.

  Anxious to be on her way, and not wanting to let an opportunity to see Maude bested slip by without comment, Rebecca hastily kissed Ada on the cheek, saying breathlessly, ‘Bye, Ada. I’ve really got to go. Not that I’m being nosy, of course. But I wouldn’t miss this for the world.’

  Ada grinned gleefully. ‘Me neither, love. I’ll just stand on the doorstep and wave you off, like.’

  Stepping out onto the pavement, Rebecca walked slowly towards her old home. Maude still stood in the doorway, her face almost purple with rage as she watched her hated sister-in-law about to drive off.

  Not able to resist a parting shot of her own, Rebecca stopped. ‘Hello, Maude. My, you do look well. I must write to the Pope and tell him about your miraculous recovery. It must rate alongside the rising of Lazarus.’

  Taken by surprise, Maude staggered back into the doorway, but she quickly recovered her composure. Poking her finger in Rebecca’s direction, she screamed, ‘You can clear off and all. In fact why don’t you ask Ivy for a lift back to your fancy man? You’ll be in good company. A couple of slags together.’ With that she slammed the door in Rebecca’s face. Resisting the impulse to bang on the door, Rebecca decided it wasn’t worth it. Besides, she didn’t want to take the risk of bringing herself down to Maude’s level, and that’s what would happen if she got the chance to confront her hated cousin face to face.

  ‘Rebecca. Can I offer you a lift?’ Ivy was leaning out of the carriage, her painted face pensive, and after a moment’s hesitation, Rebecca waved goodbye to the hovering Ada and climbed into the cab.

  In the confines of the carriage, an awkward silence descended on the two women, with Rebecca wishing she hadn’t acted so impulsively. After all, she hardly knew the woman. She’d only seen her twice. Once in the restaurant, and once on Christmas Eve, and neither time had they exchanged any words; then Ivy spoke.

  ‘How on earth did you stick it all those years? I admire you, Rebecca, I honestly do. But then, I suppose our circumstances were different. You had no choice at the time, but Good Lord! How you resisted the temptation to put a pillow over that old bat’s face while she was sleeping, I’ll never know. You must have extraordinary willpower.’

  Rebecca felt herself relaxing. ‘Believe me, the thought crossed my mind on more than one occasion, then I’d remind myself that Maude wasn’t worth swinging for.’

  Ivy nodded thoughtfully. ‘Even so, there are times when one doesn’t stop to think of the consequences. I’ve been expecting you to turn up at the door with a loaded shotgun since Christmas Eve. Still, as you say, no one’s worth swinging for, not even Richard or his sister. I must have been mad to marry him, but at the time I didn’t seem to have much choice. You see, I suddenly found myself virtually penniless, otherwise I’d never have gone through with the wedding. Also I thought Richard was my last chance to have a child. I’ve been married twice, as you probably already know, but I never became pregnant, and I’m at the age when a woman becomes desperate. Now I know nothing is worth the price of being saddled with Richard.

  ‘The only good thing to come out of the whole sorry affair is that I’ve ruined him. He doesn’t know it yet, but he soon will. You see, he made the mistake of letting me oversee his accounts. You know how mean he is, and the idea of not having to pay a qualified accountant appealed to his avaricious nature. I may not have the papers to prove my accountancy skills, but I managed both my previous husbands’ books for years. It was simple enough to gradually transfer Richard’s money into another account, my account. Now he is in the same position I was when I married him – penniless. The funny thing is that he still thinks I’ve pots of money lying in a bank vault somewhere. His greedy little mind has been working overtime wondering how to get his hands on it. Well, he’s finished now. And the reason for my impromptu departure is that he’s gone to see his bank manager today, to discuss investing his assets into stocks and shares. Only when he gets there, he’ll find his account has been wiped out. Oh, I’ve left him and Maude enough to live on – barely. But if he wants to survive, he’s going to have to sell the warehouse and live on the proceeds until they run out.’ Ivy fell quiet.

  Rebecca’s initial elation at hearing how her hated cousin had been destroyed was marred by something nagging at her mind. Something Ivy had said… Before Rebecca could delve further into what was worrying her, Ivy resumed the one-sided conversation.

  ‘The reason I wanted to have this little talk is because my conscience has been bothering me for quite some time now. I’ve tried to get the image of Richard with your poor sister out of my mind since I walked in on them on Christmas Eve, but bad memories don’t disappear that easily. I’d been having second thoughts even before then, about marrying Richard, and after witnessing that disgusting scene, I very nearly decided to call the whole thing off, and report him to the police. But as I said, I was in desperate straits at the time. Even so, my conscience has been bothering me ever since.’

  Putting Rebecca’s silence down to the fact that the sordid affair had been dragged up again, Ivy leant forward and tapped her gently on the knees. ‘I know I haven’t come out of this affair in a good light, and for that I feel deeply ashamed, but at least you have the comfort of knowing that Richard is ruined. This time next week, God willing, I’ll be at the other end of the world, somewhere Richard will never find me. I don’t suppose I’ll ever return to England, but then, one never knows what life has in store for us. Please give my regards to your sister, and tell her how sorry I am that she had to go through such a dreadful ordeal. I can still see her little face in my dreams. The image haunts me to this day. She looked so scared, so bewildered and frightened, I…’

  Ivy stopped, her heart beginning to race as she looked at the young woman sitting opposite. Rebecca was staring at a point somewhere above Ivy’s head, the lovely blue eyes filled with such venom that Ivy recoiled in her seat, and in that brief moment she knew with a sickening certainty that Rebecca, up to this point in time, hadn’t known about Richard and Amy; and, deeply shocked, she voiced h
er thoughts.

  ‘Dear God! You didn’t know, did you?’ she whispered. ‘After what you said to Richard on Christmas Eve, I knew you had your suspicions, and I thought it was only a matter of time before you found out for sure. That’s why I was so surprised when you didn’t do anything about it. Oh, my dear, dear girl. I’m so sorry. I was so sure Amy would have told you by now. If there’s anything…’

  Rebecca felt strange. She couldn’t explain her emotions, except that the sudden surge of rage had evaporated, and the red mist that had descended over her eyes had suddenly lifted, leaving her curiously numb.

  ‘Could you stop the cab, please, Ivy? I think I’ll walk from here.’

  Ivy stared hard into the calm face opposite and felt her heart lurch in fear. Not for herself, but for the young woman, whose face appeared carved in marble, ice cold marble. ‘Rebecca, dear. Please, don’t do anything stupid. Richard isn’t worth going to prison for, and like I’ve told you, he’s already ruined, I’ve seen to that. And to my mind, knowing Richard as I do, that’s the worst punishment he could possibly receive.’