EG03 - Home Is Where The Heart Is

by Joan Jonker

  ‘Shall I go?’ Colin asked.

  ‘No, I’ll go.’ Vera stood up. ‘It’s probably a kid to say his ball’s gone over the backyard wall.’

  When Vera opened the front door and saw who was standing outside, all her strength drained away and she had to hold on to the door to stop herself from sliding to the floor. She opened her mouth but no sound would come.

  ‘Hello, Vera.’ Danny Jackson was wearing a smart suit, his hair was slicked back, and he looked as sure of himself as he ever had.

  Vera was staring at him as though he was a ghost, and when she didn’t answer, Danny said, ‘Aren’t you going to ask me in?’

  ‘Who is it, Mum?’ Colin came to look over his mother’s shoulder, and his face darkened. ‘What do you want?’

  Danny stepped back a pace. He’d expected to see a boy, not the man Colin had grown into. ‘I came to see how you all are. There’s nothing wrong with a man wanting to see his family, is there?’

  Colin moved Vera aside. ‘You’ve left it a bit late, haven’t you? Anyway, we don’t want to see you, so go back to where you’ve been for the last four years.’

  Temper flared in Danny’s eyes but it disappeared quickly and a smile crossed his face. ‘I don’t mean no harm. Surely I can come into me own house?’

  Vera pulled on Colin’s arm. ‘Let him in before he starts yelling and the neighbours hear.’

  Peter, a trickle of fat running down his chin, stared open mouthed. And Carol, though not recognising their visitor, ran to put her arm around Vera’s waist. ‘Mummy.’

  ‘It’s all right, darling, go and finish your breakfast.’ Vera stood by the table, her gaze on Danny’s face. What was he doing here after all this time? What was he after?

  ‘Is there a cup of tea in the pot?’ Danny walked over to his old chair and sat down. ‘How are you, Peter?’

  Peter gulped, not knowing what to do. He could see his mother was upset and Colin’s face was red with anger. Why had they let him in? They should have chased him, sent him packing. Anyway, he thought, I’m not having anything to do with him.

  Peter picked up his plate and marched silently out to the kitchen. Seconds later he reappeared, passed his father without a glance and made for the stairs. ‘I’m getting dressed, then I’m going out.’

  Colin rubbed his thumb across the corner of his mouth. He could see his mother was in a state of shock and didn’t want to make things worse for her, but somebody had to ask the question. ‘What did you come for, Dad?’

  ‘I told you. I just wanted to see me family.’ Danny’s hands hung loose between his legs. ‘I didn’t come to cause trouble.’

  ‘I’ll make a fresh pot of tea.’ Vera escaped to the kitchen. This wasn’t the Danny she remembered. He was slimmer, quieter, better dressed and not so quick with his temper. The old Danny would have lashed out at Colin if he’d dared answer him back. Perhaps he’s changed, Vera thought as she filled the kettle.

  ‘You know me mum’s not married to you now, don’t you?’ Colin fixed Danny with an icy stare. ‘You’re divorced now.’

  ‘I know, son.’ Danny spread his hands out. ‘Honestly, I just wanted to see you all. I’ve wanted to for a long time.’

  ‘You’ve left it too late.’ Colin towered over his father. ‘Four years too late.’

  Vera came through carrying the teapot, Carol hanging tightly on to her skirt. She saw the anger on Colin’s face and felt the tension in the air. The last thing she wanted to see was father and son fighting. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be going to Glenda’s, Colin?’

  ‘There’s no hurry.’ Colin was remembering the times he’d seen his mother taking a hiding from this man. He’d been too young then to stop him, but things were different now, he was a man. ‘I want to know what’s brought him here after all this time?’

  ‘I’ll deal with this, you go and get ready.’ Vera nodded, her eyes sending the message that it would be all right. She wasn’t afraid of Danny any more. ‘Glenda will be waiting for you.’

  Vera sat Carol on the couch with her coloured picture book, then poured Danny a cup of tea. She didn’t speak or meet his eyes as she handed him the cup. Then she began clearing the breakfast dishes. Anything to kill time until both boys were out of the house. It was only when she heard the door bang, and the shadows of her sons passed the window, that Vera sat down. ‘Well, Danny, what did you come for?’

  ‘Why will nobody believe me? I’ve been wanting to come for a long time because, to tell yer the truth, I’ve missed you . . . all of you.’

  ‘What’s the matter, Danny, did your Dutch girlfriend throw you out? Is that it?’

  Danny’s expression gave no hint that Vera had hit the nail on the head. It would spoil his plan if she knew the truth. ‘Leaving you was the most stupid thing I’ve ever done in me life, and that’s bein’ honest. I didn’t know when I was lucky. I’d ’ave come back ages ago, but I was too proud to admit I was wrong.’ Danny clasped his hands together and gazed into Vera’s eyes. He had to make her believe him because he had nowhere else to go. That bitch had thrown him out, lock, stock and barrel. ‘I want to know if you’ll ’ave me back, Vera?’

  Vera studied Danny’s face. He’s either a very good liar, or he really has changed, she told herself. But as Colin had said, he’d left it too late. Too late for her, and the children.

  There was a rap on the window and Vera jumped. ‘I’ll see who it is.’

  ‘I know I’m early, but I couldn’t wait any longer.’ Arthur stepped into the tiny hall and bent to kiss Vera’s cheek. ‘I had to see you.’

  Vera put her hand on Arthur’s arm, intending to tell him who was sitting in the living room, but changed her mind. Let whatever was going to happen, happen. No whispering, no secrets, everything above board.

  Arthur stared at the man who was sitting at ease in the chair he usually sat in. ‘Hello.’ He let his hand ruffle Carol’s hair as she clung to his coat. ‘We haven’t met before?’

  ‘Arthur, this is Danny.’ Vera’s voice was calm. ‘Danny, this is a friend of mine, Arthur Kennedy.’

  The smile left Arthur’s face and he stared with dislike at Danny. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘What’s that got to do with you?’ Danny glared back. ‘Seein’ as this is my house, I should ask you what you’re doin’ here?’

  ‘No, Danny,’ Vera said. ‘This is not your house, it’s mine. Your name was taken off the rent book when you did a bunk and left your family.’

  ‘Well, I’m here now.’ Danny’s face was turning purple, his breathing heavy. ‘I’ve come back to you.’

  Danny could feel his anger rising and lowered his head to try and control his emotions. He felt like thumping the bastard, whoever he was, but to show his temper now would only jeopardise his chances with Vera.

  When he looked up his face showed no trace of the rage burning within. He ignored Arthur and appealed to Vera, his voice soft. ‘Couldn’t we have a talk in private, like? I’d like to ask yer some personal questions and I don’t need a stranger present.’

  ‘Forget it, mate!’ Arthur didn’t give Vera a chance to answer. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’

  Danny jumped up, unable to hold his temper in check any longer. ‘Don’t you poke yer nose in my affairs or I’ll flatten it for yer.’ He saw the look Arthur gave Vera and his lips curled. ‘Oh, I get it!’ He sneered, ‘He’s yer fancy man, is he?’

  Vera stepped between the two men. ‘You had me fooled for a while there, Danny. I actually felt sorry for you, believing you really missed your family and cared for them. Not that it would have made any difference because I wouldn’t have you back for all the money in the world. But I would have felt some sympathy for you. But it was all an act, you haven’t changed, not one little bit.’

  Danny pushed Vera aside so forcibly she stumbled into the table. His face ugly with venom, he poked his finger into Arthur’s chest, roaring like a bull, ‘You sling yer hook and leave me an’ me wife to sort this out. You’ve got no
business here.’

  Arthur pushed Danny’s hand away before grabbing him by the lapels of his jacket. ‘I’m warning you, don’t you dare lay a finger on me. And for your information I am not Vera’s fancy man. Oh, I would have been if she’d let me, but your ex-wife,’ he stressed the last two words, ‘has too much self respect for that. So watch that mouth of yours, unless you want me to close it for you.’

  Carol, frightened by the shouting, pulled at Arthur’s coat. ‘Uncle Arthur, he’s bad man.’

  Without releasing his grip on Danny, Arthur looked down into wide eyes filled with fear. ‘It’s all right, sweetheart, you go to mummy. The man is just leaving.’

  ‘Who the ’ell d’yer think you are?’ Danny blustered. He hadn’t expected this. It had never entered his head that Vera would have a new man in her life.

  ‘I’ll tell you who I think I am.’ Arthur let go of Danny’s lapels and pushed him away. ‘I’m the man who’s going to marry Vera.’

  ‘Oh, aye!’ Danny turned to Vera and the venom she saw in his eyes took her breath away. The mask had slipped and she saw him for what he’d always been. A violent, bad-tempered, wicked man. ‘Yer don’t believe he’ll marry yer, do yer? D’yer think he’s daft enough to take her on?’ Danny nodded to where Carol was cowering behind her mother. ‘He’s havin’ yer on so he can get what he wants. He’ll fill his boots, then bugger off and leave yer.’

  ‘That does it, I’m not standing here being insulted by a loud-mouthed slob.’ Arthur nodded to Vera to open the door, and he moved so quickly Danny was caught off guard. Before he knew what had hit him, he’d been spun round, grabbed by the scruff of the neck and propelled through the door and into the street.

  ‘A word of warning,’ Arthur said from the height of the top step, ‘which I would advise you to heed. If I hear you’ve been within a mile of Vera, I’ll have the police on to you. That’s after I’ve given you the biggest hiding you’ve ever had in your life.’ With that Arthur slammed the door so hard it could be heard the length of the street.

  Danny raised his foot in anger but checked himself before it came into contact with the door. If he made a scene the neighbours would be out and he wasn’t going to fill their mouths, or give them the satisfaction of saying Danny Jackson had come crawling back and been thrown out.

  Danny straightened his jacket, adopted a jaunty air and strode down the street. He wasn’t finished, not by a long chalk. He’d come back when Vera was on her own. If that bloke hadn’t turned up, another half an hour and he’d have had her eating out of his hand. Oh, he’d be back all right, and next time he’d be here to stay.

  Elsie Smith let the curtain fall back into place. She’d seen Danny pass earlier and was still at the window when Arthur went by. She hadn’t even started the dinner because she was too frightened of missing anything to leave her spec by the window. ‘There’s been some right goings-on at the Jacksons.’ She folded her arms across her flat chest, the lines on her forehead deepening. ‘Danny didn’t stay long when the queer feller arrived. I told you there was something fishy going on with Vera and that bloke but you wouldn’t have it. But he must have his feet under the table ’cos he’s just thrown Danny out.’

  Her husband, Fred, turned a page of the News Of The World. For two hours now he’d had a running commentary on the comings and goings at next door but one. He thought his wife was going to have a fit when she saw Danny passing, she was that excited. And when Arthur arrived she was so beside herself with curiosity her head nearly went through the window pane.

  Fred laid the paper down. He didn’t know why he bothered buying the News Of The World when his wife contained more gossip than the paper. ‘I’m surprised Danny had the nerve to show his face in the street after all this time. He certainly won’t get a welcome off any of the neighbours.’

  Elsie’s thin lips formed a straight, tight line. ‘I’d love to know what’s goin’ on between Vera and that other feller. He’s there nearly every night.’

  ‘You’ll find out soon enough.’ Fred crossed his legs and picked up the paper. If anyone could find out, it was his wife, and she wouldn’t rest until she did.

  Elsie glared at her husband’s back as she passed on her way to the kitchen. He never got excited about anything. All he lived for were the boys, his work and reading the blasted papers.

  Elsie opened the oven door to get the roasting tin out. Her husband forgotten, her thoughts went again to the Jacksons. She’d have given anything to have been a fly on the wall when Danny and Arthur met. I bet there was a right bust up, she thought. Anyway, she’d get talking to Lizzie Sedgemoor tomorrow and just casually mention she’d seen Danny. Lizzie was friendly with Vera, so she was bound to know what was going on. Elsie bent to light the gas in the oven, a half smile on her face. Yes, that’s what she’d do.

  Chapter Sixteen

  It was Wednesday afternoon and Mary was sitting across the table from Eileen telling of Tony’s exploits at school while they waited for Vera. It was Eileen’s turn for their usual get-together when they exchanged gossip over tea and cakes.

  ‘He fell and scraped his knee,’ Mary said. ‘It looked really sore but he said it didn’t hurt. In fact he looked quite proud of himself.’

  ‘You don’t know how lucky yer are with ’im. Remember what our Billy was like? A real tearaway, he was!’ Eileen grinned. ‘He broke more windows in our street playing footie than all his mates put together. We had many a good laugh over our Billy’s antics though, didn’t we?’

  Mary flicked her head, sending her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. ‘If our Tony grows up to be as nice as him, I’ll consider meself lucky.’

  ‘Yeah, he’s a cracker.’ Eileen’s eyes shone with pride. ‘Yer don’t get many like ’im in a pound.’

  When the expected knock came, Mary stood up. ‘I’ll go.’

  ‘I’m sorry I’m late.’ Vera cast a nervous glance at Mary. ‘I hope you don’t mind, but I met Maggie coming back from the shops and when she said she was calling in to see your mam, I asked her if she’d mind Carol for half-an-hour.’

  ‘Course I don’t mind.’ Mary closed the front door. ‘Me mam’s always glad to see Carol.’

  ‘Where’ve you been?’ Eileen asked. ‘We’d almost given yer up.’

  ‘I called into Mary’s for a few minutes.’ Vera slipped her coat off and threw it over the arm of the couch. ‘I’ve got something to tell you and I didn’t want Carol to hear, so I’ve left her with your Mam and Mrs B.’

  Eileen leaned her elbows on the table and cupped her face in her hands. ‘Is it something excitin’?’

  ‘It depends what you mean by exciting.’ Vera pulled a chair out and sat down. ‘I got the shock of me life.’

  ‘Well, out with it,’ Eileen said, shuffling to the edge of her chair. ‘If yer keep me in suspense much longer I’ll ’ave to run to the lavvy.’

  Taking a deep breath, Vera related the events of Sunday, leaving nothing out. She carried on talking through the gasps of disbelief from her friends, until she reached the part where Arthur had banged the door on Danny.

  ‘Well, I’ll be blowed!’ Eileen bellowed. ‘Yer mean the cheeky sod just knocked on yer door, after all that time, an’ expected to be welcomed back with open arms? I’d ’ave broken ’is bloody neck for ’im.’

  ‘That’s not all,’ Vera told them. ‘He came back again on Monday when he knew the boys would be out at work. He probably thought if he got me on me own, he could sweet talk me round.’

  Vera gazed from Eileen to Mary, then lowered her head to watch her finger making circles on the table. ‘He was as nice as pie at first, you’d have thought butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. But when he realised I meant it when I said I wouldn’t have him back, he changed his tune and ranted and raved. He even lifted his hand a few times as though he was going to give me a belt, and I didn’t turn a hair. I just stood there, staring him out, letting him see that I’m not the least bit frightened of him any more.’

&nbs
p; ‘Well, I never!’ Eileen’s layer of chins moved when she shook her head. ‘I know Danny’s a hard clock, but I didn’t think he’d ’ave the gall to show ’is face again.’

  ‘It’s a wonder Arthur didn’t say anything in work,’ Mary said. ‘He has his dinner with Harry and Bill every day in the canteen.’

  ‘Don’t blame Arthur, I asked him not to tell anyone. And he doesn’t know Danny came back on Monday ’cos I didn’t tell him or the boys. They were angry and upset enough, it was no good making things worse.’

  ‘And Colin stood up to ’im, did he?’ Eileen chuckled. ‘He’d get a shock seein’ ’ow big his sons ’ave grown.’

  ‘Well, it’s all over now,’ Vera said. ‘We’ve seen the last of Danny Jackson.’

  ‘I wouldn’t bank on that,’ Eileen said. ‘He’s got nerve enough for anythin’.’

  ‘No, he’ll not be back.’ Vera twisted a lock of hair that had fallen across her face. ‘When I think of it I feel real proud of meself the way I stood up to him. As cool as a cucumber, I asked him to leave because the very sight of him made me want to vomit, made my skin crawl.’

  ‘That’s tellin’ him, kiddo!’ Eileen touched her friend’s shoulder. ‘I’m proud of yer.’

  ‘You’ve got more guts than me,’ Mary said. ‘I’d have run a mile from him.’

  ‘It was seeing him and Arthur together that gave me the courage. Arthur would make ten of him, any day.’

  ‘But yer won’t marry ’im?’ Eileen clicked her tongue. ‘Yer want yer bumps feelin’, Vera.’

  Vera tilted her head to one side and her eyes locked with Eileen’s. ‘Me and Arthur had a good talk on Sunday, and I got a feeling someone had been telling tales out of school. Am I right, Eileen?’

  Eileen had the grace to blush. ‘Well, yer both me mates, aren’t yer? An’ if yer think I’m just goin’ to sit back an’ let two of me mates ruin their lives, yer’ve got another think comin’.’