by Pam Howes
‘Ah, that’s splendid to know. You see, apart from outfits that we make for the lady and gent in the street, we also design and make costumes for shows. Pantomimes, musical shows, that sort of thing. The local theatres are our biggest customers. I would need you to be available to visit the theatres to take measurements and to deliver garments, often at short notice. Sometimes we get a frantic phone call minutes before curtain-up that a seam has split and it means an immediate journey with a sewing kit to do a temporary fix if there’s no handy needlewoman on site. Then you would need to remain at the theatre until the end of the show and bring the garment back here for a proper repair. It can be quite exciting and you will get to see a show for free as well while you wait. How does that sound? We will of course provide a taxi for you. We don’t expect you to carry costumes on trams and buses. Some of them can be quite bulky. We will look after you.’
Dora sat open-mouthed as he explained the business to her. It sounded fabulous to her ears. But she’d struggle to get Jackie looked after at night if there was a last-minute theatre visit to make. Maybe Frank would be able to help out and stay over to look after her. Or Joe could pick her up from Vi’s if she called him at work. It would all need to be carefully thought out, but if she was offered this great opportunity to expand her sewing skills, she was going to grab it with both hands. ‘It sounds wonderful,’ she said.
‘Good. Our last seamstress married and emigrated to Canada a few months ago. I’ve struggled to find a suitable replacement for her. I think you might be just what we’re looking for. We’ll work with you to make the hours as suitable as possible. Now drink your tea and don’t forget to try Esther’s biscuits while I pop downstairs and speak with her.’
10
On her way back to Wright Street, Dora nipped into the market and bought three vanilla cuts, by way of a celebration, and four two-penny slabs of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk. Sadie and Vi would appreciate the treat, the kids would love the chocolate and there was one for Carol for next time she came over. Dora knew she should be watching the pennies so that she wouldn’t be short for rent day on Saturday, but she’d manage somehow. Vi had the kettle on ready and waiting. Both she and Sadie were anxious to hear the news. Belinda was sitting on the rug trying to chew the ears off a toy bunny, her cheeks bright red from teething, but the room was otherwise empty of kids.
Dora shouted, ‘I got the job,’ and waved the white paper bag in the air. Sadie and Vi cheered. The back door stood open and she could hear childish voices in the yard. She popped her head around and called out to Jackie, who ignored her, her attention taken by a spinning top that Peter was showing her. ‘Hey, madam, come here and give Mammy a hug.’
Jackie turned and grinned and hurtled towards her. The two little boys belonging to Della were also in the yard, but playing near their own back door. At least they were dressed now, in shorts and T-shirts. Dora scooped her daughter up and gave her a kiss.
‘Who’d like some chocolate?’ she said. Della’s sons looked across. Dora chewed her lip. She’d bet those kids hadn’t ever seen or tasted chocolate. Rationing of sweets hadn’t long been over. Jackie and Peter followed her inside. ‘The two little lads from the end house are out there,’ she said to Sadie. ‘I’ve got some chocolate for these three. Shall I offer some to the boys?’ She could always pick up another bar for Carol later in the week.
Sadie nodded. ‘It would be a rare treat for them. But go and ask Della if it’s okay first.’
Dora took the small slab of chocolate with her and strolled up the yard. The boys stared at her, their blue eyes wide with expectation. She rapped on the open back door.
Della came running, a baby in her arms and a worried look on her face. She had fastened her dark hair up, and bits were escaping from the pins and dangling into her eyes. Her wrap-over apron was faded and her feet were encased in peep-toe sandals that had once been white. ‘What’s up? Are the little sods misbehaving?’
‘No,’ Dora replied. ‘I wondered if they’d like to share this between them. I’ve just got some for mine and Sadie’s kids and I bought one too many.’
Della’s jaw dropped and a smile lit up her tired face. ‘Oh, thank you, Dora. They never get treats. I can’t afford it. And they’ve never had chocolate before either.’
Dora smiled as the two little boys eagerly snatched the slab she broke in half.
‘What do you say, Mikey, Donald?’ their mother prompted.
‘Fank you,’ Donald managed, his cheeks bulging, while Mikey nodded, a blissful look in his eyes.
‘I’d better get back to my little one.’ Dora turned as Della called out her thanks again.
Back in Vi’s kitchen a mug of tea waited on the table and the vanillas were out on plates. The kids were quiet, sitting on the rug and enjoying the chocolate.
‘Don’t make a mess on Aunty Vi’s rug,’ Sadie warned. But the chocolate vanished quickly with not a scrap wasted. ‘Well that didn’t touch the sides,’ Sadie said with a laugh. ‘Greedy little monkeys. Was Della okay with you?’
Dora nodded. ‘Yes, fine. I feel a bit sorry for her.’
‘Me too,’ Sadie said. ‘She doesn’t have much luck with her menfolk. Her husband was killed in an accident with a motorbike and the one she’s taken up with now, father of her two youngest, is a waste of time. He’ll still be in bed until the pub opens. He drinks every penny he earns doing casual labour wherever he can get it.’
‘Well how does she pay the rent and put food on the table?’ Dora said and took a sip of tea. ‘Oh, that’s a good brew, Vi.’
Sadie pursed her lips and lowered her voice. ‘She earns a living down the Dock Road while me and you are sleeping. Sailors and dockers are her customers.’
Dora frowned. ‘What, you mean…? Oh God, the poor woman. What a mess to get into. She mustn’t earn that much either; she doesn’t look as though she has two halfpennies to rub together.’
‘Most of what she earns, that lazy bugger she lives with takes,’ Vi said, shaking her head. ‘We never used to have such common neighbours in the old days. Everyone was kind and they were decent, hard-working folk. We all looked out for each other. But now, what with them noisy buggers across the street and Della, it’s getting a right bad reputation round here.’
Sadie sighed. ‘Never mind, we’ll look out for us three and ignore the rest. I worry for her kids though. Della leaves them home with him and he’s always drunk. Poor little devils. Anyway, we can’t be responsible for how people choose to live their lives, can we? Come on; let’s have some good news. Tell us all about the new job.’
Dora soon settled in at Samuel Jacobs’. She loved the variety of work the job brought with it. The theatre costumes were a challenge but she was an eager pupil and Sammy a great teacher. When she told him that she’d made her own and various friends’ wedding dresses his eyes lit up. ‘And would you be prepared to make them for us? We could have one on a model in the window and see if it brings in any enquiries.’
‘I’d love to. I’ll bring my sketches in and then you can see the styles I designed.’
‘I think we’ve found a little gem in you, Dora,’ Esther said. ‘We’re so lucky.’
‘No, I’m the lucky one. Thank you for giving me this chance. I’m really enjoying the work. I love the challenge of trying something new with the theatre costumes, all the lovely trims and beading. And it’s just so nice to get out of the house and away from that street for a few hours a day. It’s not the nicest place to live, but it’s all I can afford for now, so I’m making the best of it.’
It was early days, but so far things had worked out fine in getting Jackie looked after. Vi had agreed to mind her three days a week. Dora had offered to pay her but Vi refused. ‘She’s absolutely no trouble and I enjoy her company. She keeps me entertained with her singing and dancing when we have Housewives’ Choice on the wireless. How about I get some material and maybe you can run me up a new frock as payment?’ she said.
Dora smiled. ‘I’d love to.
Whenever you’re ready, Vi.’
Mam came over on the other two days. Frank brought her on his way to the docks. And while she was there she insisted on doing a bit of washing and cleaning, as Dora was finding it hard to keep on top of her housework at night when she’d brought sewing home to finish. It was hard work but at least she could pay her rent and the coalman, put money in the gas and electric meters and food on the table without having to open the envelopes of money Joe gave her. She was determined not to use his money and was saving it for Jackie’s future. Saturday and Sunday were her days off, although Sammy told her she might occasionally be needed at one of the theatres. So far it hadn’t happened and it was nice to have her weekends free. Joe brought Carol over on Saturday afternoons still and they did their best to have nice family times.
School holidays began and Mam took Jackie home with her on the week she and Frank were looking after Carol for the odd day. Dora set about creating a wedding dress while she had the house to herself. It had to be really special for the window display and Sammy had told her to help herself to any trimmings, as well as the white satin fabric she’d picked for the main part of the dress. The sleeves were to be made from unlined lace with bell-shaped ends. There was a child-sized dummy in the workroom and Dora suggested she should make a bridesmaid’s outfit too, and said she’d be happy to dress the window when she’d finished the clothes.
On the third Saturday in August Joe arrived with Carol as arranged. They’d planned a picnic in Sefton Park and he’d promised to take the girls on the boating lake. Dora didn’t like being on water in such a small boat, so she sat on the grass with the picnic laid out ready for when they’d finished their sail.
As she lay down to soak up the rays of the sun a shadow fell across her. She shaded her eyes and looked up to see her friend Agnes’s smiling face, and behind her Agnes’s husband Alan and their daughter Patsy, who was a couple of weeks younger than Jackie. Dora jumped up and they hugged one another. She hadn’t seen Agnes for weeks.
‘Joe’s on the lake with the girls,’ Dora said as Agnes sat down on the picnic rug.
‘Oh, why don’t you take our Patsy out in a boat while I have a natter with Dora?’ Agnes suggested to Alan, who had no choice when Patsy grabbed his hand and dragged him across to the lake.
‘It’s so good to see you,’ Agnes said. ‘We’ve brought a picnic too, so can we join you?’
‘Be my guest. It’s lovely to see you too. I hate not having a phone and being able to keep in regular contact.’
‘I saw your mam yesterday and she told me you were coming here today, so I was hoping we’d bump into you. I need a couple of sundresses for Patsy for the holidays, but we’re not going until the end of September. It’s just a week in Southport for us this year. Alan’s so busy at work; he can’t take any more time off until the season is over. You wouldn’t believe the amount of people who go flying to places these days. It’s not something I fancy but I’ve heard the weather is better abroad than here. Any chance of you fitting us in?’
Dora nodded. ‘Of course there is. If I make them to fit Jackie they’ll fit your Patsy no problem. We’ve got some lovely spotty cotton fabric in at work and some nice gingham too.’
‘I’ll leave the fabric choices up to you, but make sure it doesn’t clash with her red hair.’ Agnes laughed. ‘As you can see, it’s redder than mine these days. Anyway, how’s the new job going? Your mam said it’s all working out well for you.’
‘I love it. Sammy is so nice to work with and his wife is really sweet. Keeps trying to feed me up. She makes the most gorgeous cakes and biscuits.’
‘Has Joe found a new job yet? We heard he was looking for something else. And how are the pair of you getting along these days? Rumour has it he asked you to take him back…’
Dora felt her cheeks heating and she looked across to the boating lake where Joe and the girls were waiting on the bank for Alan and Patsy to finish their turn. ‘He did, yes. But I can’t, and you know why.’
Agnes shook her head. ‘Dora, if you had that sterilisation operation they offered you it would all be fine. The kids are older now, so you wouldn’t need as much help from your mam afterwards as you might have done when they were little. You’re young and healthy and you’d recover quite quickly. You’re throwing such a lot away. He loves you. It seems such a waste for you both not to be together.’
Dora shook her head. ‘I can’t do it. It’s not just that; what if he cheated on me again?’
Agnes blew out her cheeks. ‘I honestly don’t think he would. He’s mad about you, everyone knows that.’ She changed the subject. ‘How do you like living down on Wright Street?’
Dora screwed up her face. ‘It’s okay, it has its moments, more good than bad, I suppose. My neighbour Vi is lovely. She’s in-between me and Sadie and she looks after Jackie for me while I work. The three of us are lucky to be next to each other. But if I’m honest the rest of the neighbours leave a lot to be desired.’
Agnes raised an eyebrow. ‘That alone would make me think about going back to Joe.’
Dora shrugged. ‘I suppose it would for most women. He’s going away for a few days with Ivy and Carol soon. They’re staying in a caravan, so you see, he’s not pining for me as much as he makes out.’
‘What?’ Agnes gasped. ‘And you don’t mind? You must be mad. I don’t understand you at times, Dora. If you give Ivy the chance to get her claws in him again you’ll always regret it.’
‘He claims they’re just good friends.’ Dora knew that sounded lame and unconvincing, even to her ears, and was glad to see Joe and Alan and their girls heading towards them. Jackie flopped down beside her and plugged a thumb in her mouth. Dora cuddled her close and kissed the top of her sweaty head. ‘You need your sun-bonnet on.’ She beckoned for Carol to come and sit with them, but Carol hung back and sat down next to Joe. Dora swallowed hard. It upset her that Carol was still so uncertain around her even after all this time.
She turned back to Agnes. ‘I’ll give you a call from work when Patsy’s dresses are ready, it won’t take me long to make them. I’ll ask our Frank to give me a lift over to your place to drop them off.’
‘And you and Jackie must stay for tea, and then Alan can run you home afterwards.’
‘We’ll look forward to it,’ Dora said.
Back at Wright Street Joe placed his usual envelope on the table. Carol had taken Jackie outside to the lavatory. He stood with his back to the range, lit a cigarette and threw the spent match into the grate.
‘We need to talk,’ he began, turning towards Dora and pulling a large buff-coloured envelope from his inside jacket pocket. It was folded in half lengthways and he opened it out and handed it to her.
She looked at him. ‘What’s this?’
‘Divorce papers,’ he replied, taking a long pull on his ciggie. ‘You told me to get on with it, remember? You need to read them and, if you agree, you sign your copy. I’ve gone for desertion and adultery with an unnamed party, all my fault. It’s far easier if we both agree; and I don’t want to drag Ivy’s name through the mud – it would take for ever if she objected to being named. I’ll pick up all the costs. I don’t want you struggling to find the money. I was in the wrong, even though it was you who deserted me, strictly speaking. I wanted us to get back together and start again and you didn’t.’
Dora stared at him as though he’d gone mad. ‘I didn’t desert you. We simply couldn’t be together after what you did. It was impossible, and you know it,’ she snapped. ‘Oh, just leave it on the table, Joe, and I’ll read it when Jackie goes to bed.’
He nodded. ‘Right, well thanks for the picnic. I’ll pop in after work on Friday next week to pick up the papers and see Jackie and then I’ll probably be away from Saturday in Morecambe. It’s looking likely, but only for a few days.’
‘So, does Ivy know about the divorce then?’ She practically spat out the woman’s name.
‘No. It’s not her business to know what goes on betwee
n me and you. That’s why I didn’t name her, and then she’s got no reason to know.’
‘Hmm, she’d be rubbing her hands together with glee if she did.’
Joe shook his head. ‘Well, she doesn’t. And like I told you, we’re just good friends so it wouldn’t make any difference if she did know.’
‘Joe, you’re so naïve,’ Dora said.
He shrugged. ‘You can reverse this situation any time you want to. You know that. The ball has always been in your court, Dora.’ He threw the end of his ciggie into the fireplace and went to the door to call Carol and Jackie inside. He shook his head when he saw what they were up to. Carol was poking her finger through a tar bubble that had appeared with the heat in-between the cobbles and Jackie was rolling a lump of tar between her fingers. There was tar stuck to their legs and the skirts of their dresses.
‘Get in here, now,’ he roared. ‘Look at the state of you. You look like two street urchins. That mess will never come off your clothes. Naughty girls.’ He slammed the door closed as they ran into the kitchen. Dora appeared behind him.
‘Oh dear. All over your nice new sundresses too. Better take them off and then I’ll find Carol something to wear from upstairs while you get her home. Otherwise there’ll be tar on your car seats. I might be able to get it removed. I’ll see if Sammy at work can suggest anything that won’t damage the fabric. Try and scrape it off Carol’s legs, Joe, while I get a couple of towels.’
By the time Joe and a weeping Carol had left after having her legs scrubbed, Dora felt exhausted. How easy it would have been to just pack a bag and go with him in the car and send for the rest of her stuff later. She heated some water in the kettle and pans and lifted Jackie into the sink for a bath. And later, while Jackie was in bed, she’d heave the big tin bath off the wall hook outside the back door and steam the house up while she filled it to take a bath herself. Then there was the emptying of it, a pan at a time, when she’d finished, as she couldn’t lift it up to tip it down the sink. It was a right performance. She thought with regret of the lovely bathroom with hot running water in the prefab that she’d left behind.