Under the July Sun

by Barbara Jones

  That night when Louis returned from job-hunting, Cat put their evening meal on the table and they sat down to eat. She asked him if he’d had any luck, but he said he had not.

  Cat dug her fork into a potato and looked at him.

  ‘So the musician’s job didn’t materialise after all?’

  ‘No. I’ll try again tomorrow.’

  ‘What makes ye think there will be such a job tomorrow?’

  ‘I don’t mean the musician’s job. I will try for another. There’s talk a factory on the other side of the water are looking for men so if I leave early, I may be luckier.’

  ‘Yes, that sounds like a good idea to me.’

  When she had eaten her meal Cat put her knife and fork together on her plate to wait for Louis to finish, then she remembered the suit.

  ‘Oh by the way, I forgot to mention, I found a parcel in the outhouse today, pushed up into the eaves.’

  ‘Oh.’ Louis said. He slid his plate aside and reached for his cigarettes.

  ‘Well don’t ye want to know what was in it?

  ‘Not particularly.’

  ‘Well ’twas the crown jewels and I’m goin’ to pawn them tomorrow and buy meself a fur coat.’

  ‘Oh.’ His head bowed and he fiddled with his lighter unable to produce a flame.

  ‘ Louis! For the love of God, show a bit of interest will ye?’

  ‘What do you want me to say?’

  ‘I don’t believe this man,’ she said exasperated, ‘I find a parcel in our outhouse, with a fine evening suit fit for a duke, and all ye can say is, Oh?’

  ‘Is that what it was?’

  ‘Yes indeed ’twas, but the mystery is how it got there.’

  ‘I’ve no idea Cat. How do you think it got there?’

  ‘Well that’s what I’d like to find out.’

  ‘Why the fuss?’

  ‘Why the fuss? Well, if ye’d found it, not me, wouldn’t ye want to know who it belonged to? After all I may be having a musician in the house while ye’re out job-huntin’.’

  ‘Now Cat you’re being ridiculous. Just as if that would happen.’

  ‘Funnier things have happened. Anyway, don’t ye get off the subject!, D’ye have any idea how it got there?’

  ‘Perhaps Michael put it there when he lived here.’

  ‘Oh, I didn’t think of that. But what would Michael be doin’ with an evenin’ suit?’

  ‘I don’t know, why don’t you ask him?’

  ‘How can I? He’s in America.’

  ‘Write and ask him whether he stuffed an evening suit into the roof of our out-house.

  ‘Now ye’re bein’ ridiculous. Just as if I could go askin’ him a thing like that. For sure if it was him and he hadn’t told Ellie the reason behind stuffin’ an evenin’ suit out of sight, then maybe there’s somethin’ sinister behind it. No, I won’t go writin’ to him askin’, it may upset them.’

  She stood up, went to the bedroom, and then returned with the evening suit.

  ‘Look at it Louis, ’tis quite a good one isn’t it? Try it on, g’w’on.’

  ‘Oh Cat, I couldn’t.’

  ‘Why ever not?’

  ‘Because.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘It’s not mine.’

  ‘’Tis now. C’mon, drop those pants and get these on and we’ll see what a fine figure of a man ye cut in it.’

  She wouldn’t be deterred and began unbuttoning his jacket.

  Feeling it would be better to get it over with, Louis stood and took his jacket off, then put the evening suit jacket on.

  ‘Now the pants.’

  ‘Oh come on Cat, this is stupid.’

  ‘’Tis not Louis. Just think of it. Say ye did manage to get a job playin’ the violin, ye’d be already kitted out wouldn’t ye? C’mon, get the pants on.’

  Louis took off his trousers and pulled on the evening suit trousers.

  ‘Step out here then Louis, I can’t see, the table’s in the way.’

  He stepped away from the table and Cat let out such a roar of laughter it woke Eileen.

  ‘Jesus, will ye take a look at the great impresario? Pants flyin’ at half-mast.’ Then she disappeared into the bedroom to quieten the baby. When she returned Louis had taken the evening suit off.

  ‘Where’s it gone?’

  ‘I took it off.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘You’ve had your bit of fun Cat, leave it at that.’

  ‘Alright. But I’ll let down the trousers for ye, so if ye get called to play in the London Philharmonic, ye’ll be ready.’

  Cat got up and began clearing the table laughing to herself every so often; while Louis stared out of the window feeling an absolute heel.

  Next day Louis left the house by half past five and was one of the first in the queue at the Labour Exchange. Sure enough six jobs were on offer to men willing to travel to a bicycle factory in Brentford. It was assembly work, and Louis was picked for one of the jobs.

  It would mean cycling to Woolwich; through the tunnel, and then all the way to Brentford in Essex, but it was work he thought.

  Louis was out of bed like a lark the following morning; and left well before Cat and the children awoke. His one thought as he pedalled off into the dawn was that he could put some decent food on the table, and a little bit of money into the tin above the mantelpiece for going home to Ireland.

  At this rate, if he was lucky enough to keep the job, he thought they could go home to see her folks in about two month’s time. It made pedalling that distance worthwhile.

  41

  Eltham

  July 1921

  Louis was home earlier than expected one Friday afternoon and caught Cat unawares. She hurried to clear away material and the sewing machine he had bought her recently.

  Cat was delighted with the machine and had begun making good use of it. It gave her a renewed sense of purpose as she had already taken in some orders for making curtains, and a couple of little girls’ dresses.

  She straightened up the new tablecloth she had made and asked Louis what he thought of it. But without answering her, he dropped into a chair looking depressed.

  ‘What’s up, ye look as though ye’ve lost a pound and found a penny.’

  ‘I lost my job.’

  ‘What? Why?’

  He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his head in his hands. ‘They asked us to take a drop in money.’

  ‘How much of a drop?’

  ‘A penny an hour. But when we wouldn’t agree, the boss said he had a line of men waiting outside the factory that would. So that was that. We were all out. Sacked!’

  Cat went to him and put an arm around his shoulders. ‘The bastards! God forgive me, but that’s what they are, nothin’ but bastards. They have ye exactly where they want ye. I hope to God they rot in hell. Ye’re best out of it. The ride was too much for ye anyway.’

  ‘Cat, what are we going to do?’

  ‘Well one thing we’re not goin’ to do is sit here worryin’. It won’t solve anythin’. Here now, get yer jacket off and bring in the bath, I’ve hot water ready for ye.’

  He went to the outhouse and unhooked the tin bath then took it inside to the scullery. Cat filled it with hot water and added cold until it was ready for him.

  ‘C’mon now off with those cacks and into the bath with ye.’

  Louis took his trousers and shirt off, then slid into the water. ‘I’m sorry, Cat. I really am.’

  ‘Ah get away with ye. We’ll survive. We have before and we will again. Ye’ll see. I’ve some orders in to make a few things, so I’ll be earning a bit too.’

  ‘You shouldn’t need to work, you’ve got enough to do.’

  ‘Why don’t ye ask yer mother if ye can work in her shop?’

  He didn’t answer immediately, but began soaping himself all over and then rinsed it off.

  Cat sat on a chair watching the water glisten on his body. Something stirred inside her, a mixture of desire
, pity and love. He didn’t deserve this humiliation.

  ‘I would ask her. But not unless I’m desperate, Cat. She has a way of making me feel I should work for her but not expect to be paid. I don’t really want to be put in that position. In any case, I shouldn’t think the shop could support paying Lize and me. No, I’ll go back on the treadmill on Monday, looking for work. We’ll see what turns up.’

  He looked up at her and smiled and she dropped to her knees and kissed him as he sat in the tub, looking forlorn.

  On Monday morning Louis left the house and had pedalled off on his bicycle before Cat could wave him off. She got Billy ready for a trip to the market in Woolwich where she planned to buy material for dresses she had agreed to make. Her neighbour had agreed to look after Eileen.

  On the tram to Woolwich, Billy busied himself chanting nursery rhymes and Cat was free to concentrate on him alone for once. Today was going to be like a little outing, she told him, and if he was a really good boy she would buy him an ice cream from the nice Italian man in the market square.

  When the tram turned into the square in Woolwich, Cat then stood up and held onto the overhead straps, craning her neck above the other passengers to see if it was raining. Satisfied that it wasn’t she stepped down onto the running board. When it stopped, she caught hold of both Billy’s hands and swung him off the tram, laughing as she did this.

  ‘Again, Mummy.’

  ‘No darlin’, we can’t keep at it all day, we’ve shoppin’ to buy.’

  They went along Powis Street and into a haberdashery shop where Cat bought material. Then they retraced their steps towards the market and she bought some meat in the butchers.

  They were making their way towards the fruit and vegetables when Cat saw a small crowd had gathered and heard the sound of someone playing a violin. The music was wonderful and it reminded her of the time in Fethard when Louis had played Breda’s violin outside Monroe one evening. In fact, she decided it sounded like the same Intermezzo he had played and her heart stirred with nostalgia.

  She listened for a while, and then aware Billy was beginning to fidget, reluctantly decided to move on. Edging her way around the outside of the crowd, Cat glanced back to see who was playing so beautifully. What she saw through a gap between the people was none other than Louis!

  She stood absolutely still. Her face flushed with anger. How could he? Begging! And right on our own doorstep too! What if people knew them?

  Fury propelled Cat through the crowd, dragging Billy behind her. She positioned herself in the front row and as Louis came to the end of his piece and passed his cap round, gathering up the pennies, he saw Cat turn and disappear through the crowd.

  She jumped straight on a tram to Eltham, dragging Billy behind her.

  Billy’s feet hardly touched the ground as she marched from the tram stop to home. All the way he had cried, as he hadn’t had his ice cream.

  Louis sheepishly opened the front door later and was met with chaos. Clothes were everywhere and Cat was furiously throwing items into a trunk.

  ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘Huh! Ye may well ask. Should be me I’da thought, askin’ that question. Beggin’ indeed! There right in the middle of Woolwich with the entire world to see!’

  Louis sat down and asked her again, ‘What’s going on, what are all those clothes?’

  ‘I’m goin’ home and this lot is goin’ on ahead of me.’

  ‘What do you mean, you’re going home?’

  ‘Exactly what I say!. I’m goin’ home. Ye needn’t think I’m goin’ to sit around here and watch me husband goin’ out beggin’ each day. The disgrace of it! I’d rather go out and scrub steps meself than see ye doin’ that.’

  ‘Cat. Cat,’ he moaned, ‘come on now it’s not begging, it’s called busking.’

  ‘Whichever way ye look at it Louis, ye were beggin’, and it’s the biggest disgrace ever. I don’t know how ye could do it. Anyone could have seen ye. Anyone!’

  ‘I couldn’t get any work and I’ve made this.’ He emptied his pocket onto the table and counted it. ‘Ten and eleven pence,’ he said, ‘I couldn’t have earned that in that bike factory, could I?’

  Cat looked at the piles of pennies then at Louis and said nothing.

  ‘It’s not what I would choose to do but I’m not skilled in any particular trade. Playing the violin is the only talent I have.’

  ‘Huh! So, how often have ye done this before then?’

  ‘Well, once. I would probably have had a regular job at The Strand Palace Hotel if I hadn’t missed the audition?’

  ‘Audition? What audition?’

  ‘I had an audition, but I missed it.’

  ‘When was that?’

  ‘A while back when you were in Ireland, after Eileen was born.’

  ‘So how did this audition come about then?’

  Louis licked his lips. He realised that in telling her about the audition she may now find out about him busking in London too.

  Before he had a chance to answer though, Cat’s puzzled frown disappeared and she began shouting.

  ‘Oh I see now. Ye went buskin’ or beggin’ while I was away too!’

  Then as if she suddenly realised something else she became quiet.

  ‘Cat, come on now it’s not worth causing a row over, is it?’

  Silently, Cat folded and packed more clothes until the room was clear. She pulled out the sewing machine and finished off the dresses she was making; put them in a bag and left the house to deliver them.

  Louis hoped that when she returned later she would be in a better frame of mind, but though she seemed calmer when she came back, he realised she was determined to carry out her threat.

  Cat continued packing and when all the clothes were inside the trunk and she had locked it, she turned to Louis and asked if he would have her trunk picked up and sent ahead.

  ‘So you’re going after all?’

  She didn’t look up. ‘That evenin’ suit belonged to ye all along didn’t it?’

  42

  Fethard

  July 1921

  Mary was sitting on a garden chair beneath the shade of a tree when Cat arrived with the children. She looked surprised and attempted to get up, but Cat told her to remain where she was.

  ‘Cat, ’tis lovely to see ye and the children. I didn’t know ye’d arrived. Mummy said ye were coming home, but wouldn’t tell me when. She’s kept it as a surprise.’

  ‘Ye’re supposed to be resting Mary, don’t get up, stay there, I’ll make us a cup of tea. Make the most of it Mary, for when the baby arrives, ye’ll find ye’ll never get much chance to be waited on.’

  ‘Ye’re the best Cat. C’mon now Billy, give yer auntie Mary a big kiss, and ye too Marie.’ She held her arms open and the children dutifully stepped forward and kissed her. Cat turned and walked towards the house to make tea and Mary watching her retreat thought she looked pale and sad. She sat talking to the children until Cat re-appeared with a tray.

  ‘Where’s Daniel?’ Cat asked as she set it down on the garden table.

  ‘He’s up at his mother’s place; she’s bad again with her chest, poor soul.’

  ‘Ah, that’s tough,’ Cat said pouring the tea, ‘She should move away from that side of the mountain, it’s far too damp if ye have chest trouble.’ She handed a cup to Mary.

  ‘Thanks, Cat,’ Mary said taking the tea, ‘ye’re right an’ we keep tryin’ to get her to come an’ live nearer, but she won’t. She wants to stay on that old mountain until she goes out in a box she says. Ah, well I guess ye can understand it.’

  Cat raised her eyebrows and grimaced.

  Mary continued. ‘She’s been there her entire life.’

  Billy walked over to the table and took a biscuit.

  ‘Billy!’ Cat raised her voice. ‘Ye ask Auntie Mary if ye may have one. Now put it back.’

  Billy returned the biscuit to the plate and stood glaring at his mother.

  ‘Well, are ye goin’ to
ask nicely?’

  ‘Don’t want one.’

  ‘Oh ye little devil. C’mon now and we’ll give ye one if ye just say, please may I have a biscuit, Auntie!’

  Before Billy had time to make his request, Mary’s hands began to shake and she asked Cat to take the cup from her. All colour drained from her face and her lips turned blue. She wiped her face with her handkerchief and began gasping for air.

  Alarmed, Cat jumped to her feet. ‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph, what’s goin’ on? Can I get ye something?’

  ‘Water, just water.’ Mary gasped for air.

  Cat rushed into the house, poured water from a jug and hurried back to Mary who had recovered her colour a little. She took the water; swallowed some and gave the glass back to Cat.

  ‘Thanks, Cat.’

  ‘Lord save us us, Mary. Ye gave me a fright. What’s happenin’?’

  Mary shifted her weight in the chair and shivering, drew her shawl round her shoulders.

  ‘’Tis cold out here, Cat, shall we go inside now?’ She held up her hand for Cat to pull her from the chair. ‘I’m a fat ole lump aren’t I?’

  As Cat held her hand she could feel Mary’s felt clammy and trembling.

  ‘Let’s get ye inside,’ Cat said looking across the garden where she saw Billy was playing happily on the lawn with Marie. Eileen was sitting on a blanket watching them, so Cat helped her sister to a sofa in the lounge. After Mary was settled she asked Cat to sit with her.

  ‘Cat, did ye ever feel as though a little bird was flutterin’ in yer chest when ye were expectin’ the children?’

  Cat didn’t want to alarm her, but she couldn’t say she had. ‘Well, what does the little bird feel like?’

  ‘I feel this little flutterin’ begin, and then my heart pounds like a racehorse. ’Tis as though I’m suffocatin’ and I’m afraid I’ll not be able to draw my next breath.’

  ‘So, it’s happened before then?’

  ‘Oh yes, quite often actually. I expect ’tis normal though isn’t it?’

  Cat sat down next to her and took Mary’s hand, stroking it affectionately. A little time elapsed.