by Joan Jonker
Mary was filled with curiosity. What was going on? She knew Harry could have taken Arthur home, he wasn’t that short of petrol. And it wouldn’t be because he couldn’t be bothered because Harry wasn’t like that. He, Arthur and Bill were the best of mates. They all worked in the English Electric on the East Lancs Road, and in work and out, they got on like a house on fire.
‘I’ll get the tea on.’ Mary made her way to the kitchen. She’d get it out of Harry when they were alone.
When Vera opened the door and saw Arthur on the step, her face lit up for a second before her eyes started to twitch nervously.
‘It’s all right, Vera, there’s no one around,’ Arthur said. ‘Not a soul in sight.’
Vera glanced quickly up and down the street before standing aside and inviting Arthur in. ‘It’s only Elsie Smith I’m worried about,’ she told him as she closed the door. ‘I’ve told you about her . . . the neighbourhood scandalmonger. She’s got eyes on her like a hawk and she doesn’t miss a trick.’
‘There’s no harm in a friend coming to visit you. Surely she can’t make anything out of that.’
‘You don’t know Elsie Smith! She spends her whole life pulling people to pieces, and what she doesn’t know, she makes up. If she’s seen you coming in here, it’ll be all round the street in the morning. She likes nothing better than a bit of juicy gossip.’
‘Are you going to keep me in the hall?’ Arthur asked. ‘Or shall I knock on the Smiths’ and tell her my intentions are strictly honourable?’
‘Don’t be daft, and come on in.’ Vera opened the living room door. ‘She wouldn’t believe you, anyway.’
‘Uncle Arthur!’ Carol threw down the coloured bricks she’d been playing with and flew to wrap her arms around his legs. ‘I’ve been on a ship.’
‘So I’ve heard.’ Arthur smiled down into the happy face. ‘Auntie Eileen told me all about it.’ His eyes moved to the small kitchen. ‘Are the boys out?’
Vera nodded. ‘Peter’s gone to the flicks, and Colin’s got a date with a girl from his works.’ She moved Carol’s toys from the couch and motioned to Arthur to sit down. ‘She must be someone special because he took an hour to get ready. He pressed his own trousers and you could cut your throat on the crease in them. His hair is thick with brilliantine and the shine on his shoes is nobody’s business.’
‘Love’s young dream, eh?’ There was a hint of sadness in Arthur’s smile. ‘I wish I had my time over again, don’t you, Vera?’
Vera averted her eyes as a deep sigh left her lips. ‘If I had a pound for every wish I’ve made over the last few years, Arthur, I’d be a very rich woman.’ She shivered and wrapped her arms around her waist. ‘Have you time for a cuppa, or are you in a hurry?’
‘I haven’t got the energy to hurry.’ Arthur lifted Carol on to his knee. ‘We’ve all worked harder today than we do in work. But it was worth it to see Eileen’s face.’
‘What about the boys?’ Vera asked. ‘Don’t you have to get home to them?’
‘I told them I’d be late, and one of their mates is going to stay with them until I get back.’
‘Right, I’ll put the kettle on and make you a sandwich.’
Vera came down after putting Carol to bed. ‘The sea air must have tired her out, she was asleep before her head hit the pillow.’
Arthur watched as Vera sat in a chair on the opposite side of the room. Clasping and unclasping her hands, she was clearly nervous and ill at ease. ‘Would you rather I left?’ Arthur asked quietly. ‘You look worried to death.’
Vera dropped her head to stare at her hands. ‘No, I don’t want you to leave. It’s not very often I get the chance to talk to another adult because I’ve never really made friends with the neighbours.’ She looked at him through lowered lids. ‘It’s just that I worry about what people think.’
‘To hell with what they think!’ Arthur sounded angry. ‘We’re two grown-up people who like each other! If anyone is bad minded enough to read anything into that, then I feel sorry for them. It’s you and I who count, and you know I’d never do anything to hurt you, or your reputation, don’t you, Vera?’
‘I know that,’ Vera nodded. ‘And it’s been marvellous to have you to talk to over the last year, because you understand. Mary and Eileen are the best friends anyone could have, but they’ve got good husbands and a happy, normal life. They couldn’t be expected to know how it feels to be on your own, with no man behind you.’
Arthur leaned forward, his hands clasped between his knees. ‘No one to hold you when you’re feeling blue, and no one to dry your eyes when the tears come.’ A lock of his hair had fallen to cover his eyes and he brushed it away in a gesture of frustration. ‘Our lives are a right mess, aren’t they? But why us, Vera? What have we ever done to deserve this hell?’
‘I stopped asking myself that question years ago.’ Vera fixed her gaze on the flickering coals in the large, old-fashioned grate. ‘It was when I realised that life without Danny had to be better than the one I had with him.’ She tore her eyes away from the fire to gaze around the small room. It was spotlessly clean, but the furniture was shabby, the pattern on the lino had almost disappeared and the curtains were so faded it was impossible to see the flowers that had made them so colourful when they were new. ‘I haven’t got much to show for nineteen years of married life, not in material things, anyway. And it’s a struggle from week to week to make the money spin out. But in spite of that I’ve got a lot to be thankful for. I’ve got Carol and the two boys. They’re good children and I love them dearly.’
Vera had never spoken at such length before and Arthur sat with his chin cupped in his hands, his eyes noting the changing expressions on her face. He didn’t interrupt, afraid that if he did Vera would clam up.
‘I don’t miss Danny at all.’ It was as though Vera were talking to herself, speaking her thoughts aloud. ‘It’s a much happier house without him and his violent temper. Me and the kids lived in fear of him, never knowing when he was going to lash out with his fists or his feet. The boys hated him, even though he was never really cruel to them. It was me and Carol he always picked on. Carol because he was ashamed of her, and me because I was the handiest. He used me as a punch bag, did Danny.’
‘I know,’ Arthur spoke softly. ‘Remember, I saw a bit of brave Danny’s handiwork.’
Vera’s head jerked sideways and she looked at Arthur as though surprised at seeing him there. Flustered, her fingers pecked at her lips. ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t burden you with my troubles when you’ve got enough of your own.’
‘A trouble shared is a trouble halved, Vera. God knows I’ve been glad of you to talk to, to get things off my chest.’
‘How are things at home?’
‘Sylvia’s not well at all. I’ve asked her to go to the doctor’s but she doesn’t take any notice of me.’ Arthur shrugged his shoulders. ‘In fact, if looks could kill I’d have been dead long ago.’
‘What a fool of a woman.’ Vera sounded angry. ‘Doesn’t she know how lucky she is?’
‘I’ve gone past caring, Vera. I’ve nothing but contempt for her and the life she leads.’ Arthur sat back and rested his head on the back of the couch. ‘It’s the boys I’m sorry for. They’re growing up now, and when they see their mother going out every night dressed like a tart, how must they feel? And the kids they play with must say something because you know how cruel children can be.’ Arthur made a fist of his hand and banged it on the arm of the couch. ‘I can’t count the number of times I’ve told myself I should get the boys out of there. I’ve gone as far as packing a case, but in the end I’ve chickened out. Sylvia is their mother, after all, and perhaps a bad mother is better than no mother at all. Who am I to decide?’
Vera’s heart was full of sympathy for this fine man who, against her better judgement, she’d grown very fond of. She wished she could help him, but who was she to advise when she’d made such a mess of her own life?
‘Arthur, it’s nine o’clock
. I’m not trying to get rid of you, but it takes you nearly an hour to get home and it’s late for the boys to be up.’
Arthur breathed in deeply and stretched his arms over his head. ‘I don’t feel like moving now. You know I like being here with you, don’t you, Vera?’
Vera lowered her head and her voice was a mere whisper, ‘And I like you being here.’
Arthur stood up quickly. ‘I’d better go before I say too much. But thanks for listening to me, Vera. You’ve no idea how good it is to have someone to talk to.’
‘Of course I do! Haven’t I just bared my soul to you?’ Vera pushed back a wayward strand of hair. ‘I’ve told you more than I’ve ever told anyone.’
‘Another instalment next week,’ Arthur laughed. ‘Who needs to go to the pictures?’
Vera opened the living room door and stood aside to let Arthur pass. ‘I might see you at Eileen’s next weekend?’
‘Let’s not leave it a week before we see each other. I’ll call in on me way home from work one night with some sweets for Carol.’ Arthur opened the front door, then whispered, ‘Would you like to make sure the coast is clear before I go out? Elsie Smith might be lurking in the shadows.’
Vera didn’t often laugh out loud, but when she did it was a joy to the ear. Loud and clear it rang out before caution brought her hand up to smother it. ‘Blow Elsie Smith! If she’s watching through her curtains, like she usually is, it’ll give her something to think about.’
Arthur stepped into the street and looked up at Vera who was standing on the top step, her folded arms hugging her slim waist. ‘I’m very fond of you, you know that, don’t you, Vera? And there’s nothing I’d like better than to give Elsie Smith something to gossip about. But I value your friendship too much to risk losing it. So you need never be afraid of me, love.’
‘I would never be afraid of you,’ Vera said softly. ‘I just wish things were different.’
‘Who knows what the future holds?’ Arthur leaned forward and pecked her on the cheek. ‘Goodnight, Vera.’
Vera waited till he was passing the Smiths’ house, then called, ‘Goodnight, Arthur.’ She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, her hand on the cheek Arthur had kissed. ‘Why, God,’ she whispered. ‘Why do you punish me so?’
Elsie Smith let the curtain fall back into place. ‘That man’s been at Vera Jackson’s again. There’s something going on there, I’m telling you.’
Fred Smith sighed wearily. ‘Is it any of our business?’
Elsie Smith’s thin lips formed a straight line. ‘It’s not decent having a man in the house when the boys are out. There’s something fishy there, mark my words.’
Fred put his Echo down and faced his wife. ‘Vera Jackson’s husband walked out on her, so she’s a free agent. If she had ten men in the house, or even a red light put up outside, it’s got nothing to do with you, me, or anyone else. She’s a good woman and a good mother.’
Elsie folded her thin arms across her flat chest, her nostrils flared and her beady eyes mere slits. ‘Well, we’ll just wait an’ see, shall we? But I bet a pound to a penny there’s something going on between Vera and that bloke.’
‘Why don’t you be honest and say you hope there’s something going on?’ Fred asked softly. ‘Brighten up your life if you had something to gossip about, wouldn’t it? With your mind, Elsie Smith, I don’t know how you sleep.’
Chapter Seven
‘I’ve never been to an auction before.’ Mary gripped Eileen’s arm. ‘You won’t ask me to bid for anything, will you?’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that, kid!’ Eileen said confidently, her wide hips swaying and brushing Mary and Maggie who were walking either side of her. She winked broadly at her mother. ‘Me and me mam are old hands at this game, aren’t we, Mam?’
‘Oh, yes, we’re experts.’ Maggie smiled at Mary. ‘Take no notice of her, lass, we’re as green as cabbages.’
‘This is it.’ They stopped outside Hartley’s auction rooms in Moss Street and Eileen grunted when she saw the number of people inside. ‘Strewth! We’ll be lucky to get in, never mind buy anythin’.’ She shook Mary’s arm free and straightened her shoulders ready to battle her way through the throng. Her foot was inside the doorway when she turned her head. ‘Don’t bat an eyelid, kid. If yer blow yer nose or move yer ’ead, yer’ll find yer’ve bought yerself a three piece suite.’
‘Ay, Mam, take a gander at those two fireside chairs.’ Eileen pointed to two sturdy-looking chairs covered in a beige moquette. ‘They’d be just the job for your room.’
‘The dealers will probably bid for those,’ Maggie said. ‘They buy anything saleable.’
‘Dealers?’ Mary asked. ‘What dealers?’
‘See that woman in the blue coat, the one who looks as though she ’asn’t got two ha’pennies to rub together? Well she’s a dealer . . . got a secondhand shop down Smithdown Road.’ Eileen lowered her voice. ‘Don’t look now, but there’s a feller standin’ right behind us, the scruffy lookin’ one in the long overcoat, he’s got a shop in County Road.’
Mary stole a quick glance at the thin, seedy-looking man standing directly behind Eileen. ‘It doesn’t seem fair that dealers can come in here and buy. Doesn’t give anyone else a chance.’
Eileen saw the crowd parting to make way for an officious looking man. ‘Here’s the auctioneer. Now the fun starts.’
In spite of being afraid to move or turn her head, Mary was fascinated as the sale progressed. With the lift of a finger a painting was bought for thirty shillings, a three piece for ten pounds, a piano for a fiver. The auctioneer moved things along so quickly, Mary couldn’t keep up with him. Then the two fireside chairs came up . . . lot 24.
‘Who’ll start the bidding at three pounds for the pair?’ The auctioneer scanned the crowd. ‘Am I bid three pounds?’
The dealer in the blue coat lifted her hand. ‘Three pounds.’
‘Three pounds five shillin’s,’ Eileen shouted, red in the face.
‘Three pounds ten.’ The scruffy dealer behind entered the fray.
‘Three pounds twelve and six.’ As Eileen spoke she stepped back a pace, jerked her elbow with a force that winded the dealer when it came into contact with his ribs. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry,’ Eileen fussed, standing in front of the man and brushing an imaginary speck off his coat as he fought to catch his breath. ‘I do hope I didn’t hurt you.’
While Eileen was being profuse in her apologies, the chairs were knocked down to her for three pounds twelve and six.
‘What happened?’ Mary asked.
‘I lost me balance for a second.’ Eileen bit hard on the inside of her mouth to keep a smile at bay. ‘Must be all this standin’ that did it.’ She opened her purse and took out a five-pound note. ‘Do us a favour, kid, and pay for the chairs, will yer? Give it to the man sittin’ at the table just outside the door. He’ll give yer a receipt.’ She grabbed Mary’s arm. ‘Don’t forget me change.’
Eileen felt a tug on her coat and for the first time saw the little woman standing beside her. She was an elderly woman with white hair, a heavily lined face and pale eyes that told of a life of hardship. ‘It’s about time someone ’ad a go at ’im.’ When she smiled, Eileen saw she didn’t have a tooth in her head. ‘Blinkin’ nuisance those dealers, they don’t give anyone else a chance.’
‘Here every week, is ’e?’
‘Him an’ the other one.’ The woman nodded across to the dealer in the blue coat. ‘Got the money, ’aven’t they, so they get all the best stuff.’
A bedroom suite came under the hammer then, and this was what Eileen was waiting for. She held out a hand to silence the woman and joined in the bidding. In less than a minute she was smiling happily, the owner of a wardrobe, dressing table and chest of drawers . . . all for seven pounds fifteen shillings.
Eileen turned her gaze back to the woman. ‘What are you after?’
‘A bedding bale.’ A thin finger pointed to a sideboard with several bundles
on top. ‘We got bombed out in the war, yer see, and lost everythin’ we ’ad. It’s taken us years to get a home around us again, but we’re short on beddin’.’
Mary came back then and handed Eileen the receipt and change. ‘Have you bought anything?’
Eileen pointed to the bedroom suite. ‘It’s old fashioned, but it’s solid mahogany and me mam said it will polish up a treat.’
‘Are we going now, then?’ Mary’s face dropped. ‘I’m enjoying meself, I think it’s very interesting.’
‘Me mam’s got ’er eye on that little table over there. It’d look nice in front of the bay window with a plant on. Depends ’ow much it goes for, ’cos by the time I’ve paid for the furniture, I’ll only ’ave a few bob left.’
The table started at five shillings, the scruffy dealer bid an extra half crown, but when Eileen glared at him as she upped it another half crown, he dropped out, thinking she’d probably break his ribs next time. Maggie was delighted. That table wouldn’t half set her room off. ‘Are we going now?’ she asked. ‘Me legs are getting tired.’
‘Hang on a sec.’ Eileen twisted round to face the dealer. His face paled and he stepped back a pace. He didn’t trust this big woman one little bit. Eileen put on her best smile. ‘I wonder if yer’d do me a favour?’
Suspicion showed in the man’s eyes. ‘What d’yer want?’
Eileen quickly explained about the old lady being bombed out and what she was after. ‘I’m sure you’re not interested in beddin’, so I wondered if yer’d look after the old lady for me, see she gets what she came for?’ Eileen crossed her fingers and asked God to forgive her for telling lies. ‘I’ll be back soon, I’m only goin’ outside for a breath of fresh air, but in case I’m not back in time, can I rely on you to see she gets what she wants?’