by Joan Jonker
‘I’m not angry, Eileen, I’m glad you did. You were right about Arthur, and I was wrong. He’s a good man and I’m counting my blessings.’
Eileen leaned forward, her heavy bust resting on the table. ‘Yer mean yer goin’ to marry ’im?’
‘Yes. I’ve told Colin and Peter and they’re over the moon.’
‘Yippee! I can buy meself a big ’at now!’ Eileen brought her clenched fist down on the table, her eyes lost in the folds of flesh on her chubby, smiling face. ‘I’ll get a good one so it will do for when our Billy gets married.’
Eileen’s excitement was contagious and Vera felt happiness bubbling inside her. ‘Hey, slow down, Eileen! We won’t be getting married for ages. Don’t forget there’ll be seven of us with Arthur’s two boys, so we’ll need a bigger house.’ Vera knew she sounded like a young girl instead of a forty-four-year-old woman, but she was so happy she wanted to share it with her friends. ‘Anyway, Arthur said he’s going to court me properly first.’
‘Oh, my God, love’s young dream.’ Eileen was so excited her backside kept leaving the seat of her chair. ‘A real Sir Galahad, is Arthur. All he needs is a white ’orse.’ She opened her mouth and let out a roar of laughter. ‘I can just imagine Elsie Smith’s face if he trotted down the street on a ’orse and tethered it to the lamppost.’
Vera joined in her laughter. ‘Arthur said he’s going to knock on Elsie’s door and introduce himself. He’s heard that much about her he can’t wait to meet her, I’m sure he thinks I exaggerate when I tell him how nosy she is.’
Mary’s eyes were all dreamy. ‘We’ve all hoped this would happen, Vera, and I’m made up for you. Arthur’s a lovely, kind man and he’ll make you a marvellous husband.’
Vera’s face became serious. ‘You’re both used to being spoilt by your husbands, but I’ve never known it before. I’ve never been treated as though I’m someone special. Never been waited on, had doors opened for me or been given presents of flowers and chocolates. But Arthur does all those things and it’s boosted my confidence, given me back my pride.’
‘Keep that up an’ yer’ll ’ave me bawlin’ me eyes out.’ Eileen sniffed up. ‘Before I put the kettle on, just answer me one question. Do yer love the man?’
A blush covered Vera’s face. ‘Yes, I love him.’
‘All the excitement,’ Eileen laughed. ‘Just like yer see on the films, only better like.’
‘You’re a sucker for a happy ending, aren’t you, chick?’ Bill had listened in silence, his face changing from surprise to pleasure as Eileen brought him up-to-date with the news. No one could tell a story as well as his wife, even if she did add little details of her own to make it more dramatic. ‘I’m very pleased for both of them. In fact it’s good news all round, because Arthur’s two boys need a woman to look after them. They need a proper home where there’ll be a fire lit when they come in and a meal on the table.’
The door burst open and Edna appeared. ‘Mam, our Joan must have me new blouse on, I’ve looked everywhere for it.’
Eileen shook her head, tutting, ‘She’s a little flamer, that one.’
‘It’s not fair, Mam!’ Edna said indignantly. ‘I only bought it on Wednesday an’ I haven’t even worn it meself yet.’
‘I’ll ’ave a word with ’er when she comes in.’ Eileen could understand Edna’s frustration. She didn’t earn much as a junior shop assistant and had to count every penny. ‘When I’ve finished with ’er, she won’t be borrowin’ any more of yer clothes.’
‘She had no right to take it without askin’.’ Edna’s face was flushed with the injustice of it. ‘I had to save up for four weeks to buy it.’
‘I’ll have a word with her, love,’ Bill said. ‘She won’t do it again.’
‘I don’t want it back, she can keep it.’ Edna fled from the room and tears streamed down her face as she climbed the stairs. She’d had her eye on the pink satin blouse for weeks and was so proud when she’d walked out of Etam’s with it. And when she’d tried it on in front of the mirror in the bedroom, she thought it really suited her.
Edna sat on the side of the bed, devastated. She’d meant what she said about not wanting the blouse back. Now Joan had worn it, it wasn’t new any more, so her sister could keep it. But she’d make her pay for it, right down to the last penny.
Edna snuggled under the bedclothes in the darkened bedroom waiting for her sister. She was dead tired and only determination kept her from dropping off to sleep. The hands on the illuminated clock told her it was a quarter to twelve so she shouldn’t have much longer to wait. Billy had not long come in and she could hear him moving around in the room next door. He was a smasher, their Billy, always happy and good humoured. What a pity their Joan wasn’t the same.
Edna heard the key in the lock and raised her head from the pillow to listen for footsteps on the stairs. When the door opened and Joan crossed to switch the bedside lamp on, Edna closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. Through half-closed lids she watched her sister take her coat off, revealing the dusky pink blouse with the lace collar.
Joan hung her coat in the wardrobe and turned to find Edna sitting on the side of the bed. ‘I thought you were asleep.’
‘You mean you hoped I was.’ Edna’s face was blazing. ‘You can’t keep yer hands off anything, can you? Greedy and selfish, that’s what you are.’
Joan pulled the blouse over her head and threw it on Edna’s bed, a sneer on her sulky face. ‘Here, cry baby, take it.’
‘Not on your life, I won’t!’ Edna was off the bed like a flash and shoved the blouse into Joan’s face. ‘You needn’t think I’m wearing this after you.’ Her nose wrinkled. ‘It stinks of your scent.’ Mindful of the sleeping household, she lowered her voice. ‘I want the money for a new one and yer can keep this, seein’ as you like it so much.’
‘That’s a laugh,’ Joan spoke scornfully. ‘Just try and get the money off me.’
‘Oh, I don’t have to, me mam will!’ Edna watched the change of expression on her sister’s face and derived some satisfaction from it. ‘Yes, I told me mam and dad.’
Joan’s eyes narrowed. ‘Running to Mummy to tell tales, eh? Why don’t you grow up?’
‘I didn’t tell Mummy and Daddy,’ Edna mimicked her sister’s voice, ‘I told me mam and dad.’
Joan dropped her head. All this fuss over a stupid blouse. But the last thing she wanted was trouble with her parents. So her face took on a look of penitence. ‘I didn’t think you’d mine me borrowing it, and I’m sorry. I’ll wash and iron it for you.’
‘Don’t bother, I don’t want the blouse, I want the money for it.’ Edna turned her back in disgust and climbed into bed. ‘And if you don’t give it to me, I’ll tell me mam.’ She turned on her side and pulled the bedclothes up to her ears. She wouldn’t have minded if Joan didn’t have many clothes, but she had a wardrobe full of them. Anyway, perhaps this would teach her sister not to take something that didn’t belong to her. ‘Put the light out and let me get to sleep.’
Billy inserted the key in the lock, then turned his head to look at Mavis. ‘I can’t wait to see their faces.’
Her eyes shining with happiness, Mavis gave him a gentle push. ‘Go on, hurry up.’
Eileen’s greeting was one of surprise and pleasure. ‘You’re back early, aren’t yer? Did yer mam throw ’im out, Mavis? I wouldn’t blame ’er if she did ’cos she must be fed up lookin’ at ’is ugly puss. He spends more time at your ’ouse than he does ’ere.’
Billy sat on the couch and pulled Mavis down beside him. ‘Where’s me dad?’
‘Upstairs gettin’ his clothes ready for work tomorrow.’ Eileen’s eyes narrowed. ‘Is there somethin’ up?’
‘Me and Mavis have got something to tell you.’ Billy grinned. ‘We’ll wait for me dad to come down.’
Eileen’s heart missed a beat. Oh, Lord, was Mavis in the family way? Then she saw the twinkling in Mavis’s eyes and knew she was wrong. She lumbered to her feet, silently cal
ling herself a bad-minded so-and-so. ‘I’ll give him a shout.’
‘Hey, Bill!’ Eileen yelled from the bottom of the stairs. ‘Get that bag of bones of yours down ’ere, we’ve got company.’
‘Be right down, chick!’
Edna had been lying on top of her bed reading when she heard her mother call. She put the book down quickly and made a dash for the stairs, jumping them two at a time. ‘Oh, it’s you two! I thought it was someone important when me mam said we had visitors.’
‘Ta very much.’ Mavis’s laugh was high with nerves. ‘I suppose we’re just a couple of tramps?’
‘I should ’ave known you wouldn’t miss anythin’.’ Eileen pulled a face at Edna. ‘It wouldn’t be a show without Punch.’ Bill came into the room then and Eileen said, ‘Here’s the man ’imself.’
‘What’s all the fuss?’ Bill smiled a welcome. ‘I thought at least it was the Lord Mayor.’
‘Our Billy wants a word with us,’ Eileen said. ‘So sit down an’ let ’im get it off ’is chest before he conks out.’
Bill sat in his chair and lit a cigarette before turning to his son. ‘Right, we’re all ears.’
Billy’s adam’s apple moved up and down as he tried to dislodge the lump in his throat. ‘Yer remember the Bowers that lived opposite to us in the old ’ouse, don’t yer? You know, Jean and Gordon and their children, Jane and David?’
‘Billy, I’m not goin’ forgetful in me old age, of course I remember Jean and Gordon.’ Eileen looked puzzled. ‘What about them?’
‘They’re emigrating to Canada. They’ve been trying for over a year and they’ve just heard they’ve been accepted.’
Eileen’s mouth fell open. ‘Yer not thinking of goin’ to live in Canada, are yez?’ She felt weak with fear. ‘Oh, my God!’
‘No, Mam, of course not.’ Billy’s face was creased in a huge grin. ‘I wouldn’t move that far from you an’ me dad.’
Eileen looked up to the ceiling and put her hands together as though in prayer. ‘Oh, thank you.’
‘What’s this leading up to, son?’ Bill asked. ‘Because it is leading to something, isn’t it?’
Billy nodded, then prodded by Mavis, asked, ‘Would you mind if we got married sooner than we intended? Yer see, we’d like to try and get their house when the Bowers leave. Mrs Radford said she’d have a word with the landlord, an’ she thinks we’d be in with a good chance.’
‘Yer mean yer’d be goin’ back to Bray Street?’ Eileen leaned forward so quickly she nearly toppled over. ‘Ooh, yer lucky things!’
‘It would be a good start to married life for you.’ Bill threw his cigarette end into the fire. ‘A nice little house, and near Mavis’s family and all your friends.’
‘We mightn’t get it, but I wanted to ask you and me mam first, before I went after it.’ Billy hung his head. ‘I feel a bit mean about it really because I’ve never been able to give me mam much money for me keep. And just when I’m going on full wages and could give more, I up and get married.’
‘Let that be the least of your worries, son,’ Bill said. ‘What your mam and I have never had, we’ll never miss. All we want is for our children to be happy.’
‘Mam, how d’you feel about it? D’you mind?’
Eileen’s eyes were misty as she gazed at her son. He was always so thoughtful and considerate, and she loved him dearly. She wouldn’t half miss him when he was gone. She straightened up. This was no time for tears. ‘I’m over the moon. I’ll be able to come to Bray Street for me holidays.’
Billy stood up and walked over to her. He put his arms around her and hugged her tight. ‘Mam, I love you so much I could eat you.’ He planted a kiss on her cheek. ‘Thanks for being the best mam in the world.’
Edna hadn’t spoken a word, just sat and taken it all in. Now she asked Mavis, ‘What colour bridesmaids’ dresses are yer havin’?’
Eileen roared with laughter. ‘Practical Annie! If they get married too soon, we’ll all turn up at the church in our nuddy.’
‘We’ll manage,’ Bill said, moved by Billy’s show of emotion. ‘I’ve got enough put by, unless you want a big posh affair.’
‘We’ll have what we can afford.’ Billy sat down again and took hold of Mavis’s hand. ‘We’re not starting married life off in debt. As long as we’ve got two chairs to sit on, a table and a bed, that’ll do until we can afford more.’
‘Bring yer mam and dad down one day, Mavis,’ Eileen said, ‘and we’ll put our ’eads together an’ see what we come up with.’
‘Let’s wait and see if we get the house first, Mam. Everything hinges on that.’
After Billy and Mavis had left, Eileen went into the front room to Maggie who was listening to a play on the wireless. ‘Yer’ve missed all the excitement, Mam.’
Maggie turned the volume down. ‘Why, what have I missed?’
‘Get yer coat on an’ come up to Mary’s with me. I’m not goin’ through the whole story with you an’ then again with Mary. So shake a leg, missus, and let’s get the show on the road.’
Maggie folded her arms, ‘I’m in the middle of listening to a play and I want to hear how it ends.’
Eileen made for the door. ‘Okay, missus, if yer not interested in yer grandson gettin’ married, then it’s no skin off my nose.’
Maggie was out of her chair like a shot. ‘I’ll get me coat.’
Chapter Seventeen
Vera had never been one for having neighbours popping in for a natter, or perhaps to borrow something. Not because she didn’t want to be friendly, ’cos heaven knows there were times when she would have welcomed company with open arms. But she was afraid of Danny. She never knew when he was going to be in one of his foul moods, insulting and sarcastic, so she kept herself to herself. And when he’d walked out on her, she’d felt so worthless she became more reclusive. The only real friends she had were the Gillmosses and the Sedgemoors, and the only neighbour who ever called in was Harry’s mother, Lizzie Sedgemoor. So when a knock came on the door on the Thursday morning, Vera opened the door with a smile on her face, expecting to find Lizzie standing on the step.
‘Hello, Vera.’ Danny’s spirits lifted, thinking the smile was for him. ‘Is there a cup of tea in the pot?’
‘What d’you want, Danny?’ Vera half closed the door. ‘I thought I made it plain the other day that I didn’t want to see you again.’
‘I’ve been down to the docks to ask for me old job back,’ Danny said. ‘I start on Monday.’
‘I’m glad for you, but will you please go away now? I’m just getting Carol ready to go to the shops.’
‘Surely ten minutes isn’t going to make that much difference.’ Danny’s voice was sickly sweet. ‘I’ve got so much time on me hands I don’t know what to do with meself. Just a cup of tea and I’ll be on me way.’
Vera’s brain was ticking over like mad. She knew she shouldn’t let him in, Arthur and the boys would go mad, but perhaps it would be quicker than standing at the door arguing with him. She pulled the door back. ‘Ten minutes, Danny, no longer.’
Carol left her toys when she saw who their visitor was and ran to put her arms around Vera’s waist. ‘Mummy?’
‘It’s all right, darling, we’re going to the shops soon. Come to the kitchen and help Mummy make a cup of tea.’
Danny looked completely at ease as he sipped his tea, talking about the old mates he’d seen down at the docks. ‘I’ll be glad to start work and get a few bob in me pocket. You know I’ve never been work shy, don’t yer, Vera?’
Vera nodded. It was true he’d never been out of work and also true he liked a few bob in his pockets. But what Danny seemed to have forgotten was that she saw very little of the money he earned. He kept most of it for himself, to buy booze and cigarettes while she had to eke out the meagre pittance he gave her.
‘When I get meself organised I’ll be able to slip you a few bob,’ Danny said. ‘You can buy yerself some clothes, and something for Carol.’ He smiled at his daught
er, who was half hidden behind Vera. ‘You’d like a new dolly, wouldn’t you, love?’
‘Carol has enough toys, and anyway, you’ll need all your money to get yourself fixed up with somewhere to live,’ Vera said to remind him he was no longer part of her life.
Danny seemed not to hear. Instead, he stood up and put the now empty cup on the table. He’d thought out his plan of action very carefully, and that was to keep cool, take things slowly and not to put pressure on Vera. ‘I’ll be off and let you get on with what you ’ave to do.’
Surprised, Vera followed him to the door. He was as meek as a lamb today but she knew better than to trust him. ‘Goodbye, Danny.’
‘Thanks for the tea.’ With a wave of his hand Danny was off down the street, leaving Vera with a puzzled expression on her face. What she didn’t see was her ex-husband’s smile of satisfaction. Things had gone just as he planned. Another couple of calls like today, keeping his temper and being pleasant, and he’d have his foot in the door.
‘Where are you off to tonight?’ Vera asked Colin as they sat around the table having their tea. ‘Anywhere nice?’
‘Glenda wants to go to the Empire to see Donald Peers.’ Colin screwed his face up. ‘I don’t want to go, but Glenda thinks he’s the last word.’
‘Go on, yer big cissie,’ Peter laughed. ‘Fancy going to see him!’ He started to warble, ‘By a babbling brook.’
Colin smiled good naturedly. ‘Wait till you’ve got a girlfriend, clever clogs, and see the things you’ll be doing in the name of love.’
Vera gazed from Colin to Peter. They were good boys, never caused her a moment’s heartache. Sighing, she pushed a potato around her plate. She really should tell them about their dad calling. If she didn’t, and one of the neighbours did, they’d think she was underhanded. Taking her courage in both hands, she said, ‘Your dad called today.’
The boys’ mouths stopped chewing, the smiles left their faces. ‘Aw, Mam, yer didn’t let him in, did you?’ When Vera nodded, Colin said, ‘You should have chased him!’
‘He only called to say he’d got his old job back. He wasn’t here more than ten minutes.’