MB05 - After the Dance is Over

by Joan Jonker

  ‘Yeah, she gave me a good price, too! If we keep putting some money away each week, we should be able to pay for it. I think that’s the least we can do, and it’ll be one worry less for Tommy. The main problem now is bridesmaids. And that’s why I want to go round there tonight to see what we can sort out. I’ve got an idea, but I want to see what they think of it before telling anyone. So yer don’t mind me leaving yer, do yer? I won’t stay long.’

  ‘You do what yer have to do, love, I don’t mind in the least. And I’ll bring Ruthie in when it’s near her bedtime.’

  ‘Ye’re one in a million, Jack Bennett, it’s no wonder I love the bones of yer.’

  It was Tommy who opened the door to Molly. ‘Yer didn’t tell me yer were coming, Mam! I’d have waited for yer if I’d known.’

  ‘I had a bit of washing to do, sunshine, and I didn’t want to keep yer away from yer beloved any longer than necessary.’ Molly was greeted by three pairs of eyes that showed surprise and pleasure. ‘I can’t keep away, can I?’ She kissed her mother and father, gave Rosie a big hug then pulled out a chair. ‘We didn’t get very far last night, that’s why I’m here.’

  ‘Sure, ye’re always welcome, Auntie Molly, so yer are.’

  ‘I’ll be earning me welcome tonight, sunshine, ’cos I come bearing good news. Molly’s eyes rested briefly on each of the four faces eager with anticipation. ‘I’ve booked Hanley’s for yer wedding reception, and all they need is some idea of what yer want in the way of food.’

  Rosie gave a squeal of delight. ‘Oh, ye’re a darling woman, Auntie Molly, and isn’t it meself that’s thinking I’ll be the luckiest girl in the world to have yer for me mother-in-law.’

  ‘That’s great, Mam,’ Tommy said. ‘Do they need a deposit?’

  ‘No, Edna never said,’ Molly lied. She’d promised to hand five pounds over at the weekend but that was her secret. ‘They’ve known us long enough to be sure we won’t let them down.’

  ‘That is good news,’ Bridie said. ‘The wedding booked, and the reception, the two main worries sorted out. It’s proud I am of yer, me darlin’.’

  ‘Yer can say that again,’ Tommy said, his arm, as usual, around Rosie’s waist. ‘Ye’re a mother in a million.’

  ‘I wouldn’t go that far, sunshine, but I have to admit I did feel pleased with meself when I saw Edna Hanley writing the date in her book. But there’s another matter that is just as important and that’s the question of bridesmaids. I was lying in bed last night going over it, and I’ve come up with an idea. If yer don’t like it, don’t worry, we’ll think of something else.’

  ‘Sure, it’s good with ideas yer are, Auntie Molly,’ Rosie said, ‘so out with it.’

  ‘Well, why not have the same bridesmaids as the girls did? Except for Maureen, of course, ’cos she’s Doreen’s friend. But the others have been friends of our family for more years than I care to remember. You’ve played with them in the street since yer were born, Tommy. That’s Lily McDonough, and Phoebe and Dorothy Corkhill. They’ve still got the dresses and I’m sure they’d be as proud as Punch to be asked.’ Molly held up her hand when Tommy opened his mouth to speak. ‘Just let me finish, sunshine, then yer can tell me what yer think. The girls would be getting asked to the wedding and reception anyway so it wouldn’t cost any more. That means yer’d have Jill as matron of honour, and four bridesmaids with all the dresses thrown in.’ She sat back in her chair. ‘It’s up to you now. Tell me what yer think of me brainwave?’

  ‘I think it’s a brilliant idea, Mam, I really do.’ Tommy could feel Rosie’s excitement as she bounced up and down on his knee. And because he loved her so much and would give her the earth if he could, he thanked God for giving him such a loving, understanding mother.

  ‘Me with a matron of honour and four bridesmaids, Auntie Molly!’ There were sparks coming from Rosie’s deep blue Irish eyes. ‘Sure, me mammy and daddy will never have seen anything like it in all their lives, and that’s a fact. They’ll think I’m marrying the King of England, so they will.’

  Bob winked and smiled across at his daughter. ‘There’s yer answer, sweetheart, I think they like yer idea.’

  ‘It looks like it, Da, but I’ll wait for an official answer.’

  ‘We’d be made up, Mam, honest.’ Tommy’s face was one big smile. ‘And we’d like to thank yer, wouldn’t we, Rosie?’

  ‘Thank you are just two words anyone can say, Tommy Bennett, and me Auntie Molly deserves more than that.’ Rosie rounded the table to kiss Molly soundly. ‘And me mammy and daddy will thank yer when they see yer, so they will.’

  ‘Will you ask the girls for us, Mam?’ Tommy asked.

  Molly shook her head. ‘No, sunshine, it’s your place to ask them. I’ll have a word with Nellie and Ellen, but you must ask the girls yourselves. Make up yer mind to do it tomorrow night and get it over with. But make it early ’cos Lily and Phoebe will probably be going out.’

  It was Rosie who answered, her dark curls bouncing with her nodding head. ‘We’ll do that right enough, Auntie Molly.’

  ‘All it leaves now are the cars and flowers.’ Molly said. ‘And choosing yer best man, of course. But I’m going to leave those things for you to organise Tommy, I’ve done my bit.’ She looked at the clock. ‘I’m not staying for a cuppa ’cos I promised Jack I’d only be half an hour. I’d better be making tracks.’

  ‘I’ll not keep yer but a few minutes, me darlin’,’ Bridie said, ‘but me and yer da are thrilled about Doreen’s baby. Our first great-grandchild.’

  ‘Yeah, it shows we’re all getting older, Ma. Imagine me a grandmother!’

  ‘Have yer told Doreen she must look after herself now?’ Bob asked. ‘She mustn’t overdo things.’

  ‘I saw her this morning and she’s fine. She seems very happy and contented and I find it hard to believe she’s the same girl who used to answer me back and give cheek. I did tell her about taking things easy and not to be lifting or pushing furniture, but she said Phil and Victoria had already been on at her about it. I think me daughter’s in very good hands, Da, I’m pleased to say.’ Molly pushed her chair back and stood up. ‘In fact, both me daughters are in good hands and that makes me a very happy woman.’

  ‘Before yer go, sweetheart, how’s Nellie today?’ Bob asked. ‘Still jealous?’

  Molly looked at her father and thought, Oh, no, I’ll be here all night if I start on that. So she screwed up her face and scratched her nose. ‘She did something this morning I’ve never seen her do before. She had a lie down for a while. But she seemed all right after, I’m glad to say.’

  ‘It’s not like me Auntie Nellie to be sick,’ Tommy said, concern showing on his face. ‘What was wrong with her?’

  ‘She just felt a bit down, sunshine, that’s all. But she soon picked herself up.’ As Molly was kissing them all goodbye, she told herself she’d tell them the tale next time she came, to give them a laugh. But not tonight, not when Jack was waiting for her.

  Chapter 8

  Nellie wasn’t very good at keeping secrets, but she and Ellen had been warned by Molly that they weren’t to say a word to their daughters until Tommy and Rosie asked them officially if they’d be Rosie’s bridesmaids. Ellen could be trusted, and anyway she was working in the shop all day and had more on her mind. But Nellie didn’t have anything of interest to keep her occupied and by the time Lily came home from work her mother was all keyed up. She was dying to blurt it out, but with Molly’s dire warning ringing in her head she managed, with great difficulty, to put a rein on her tongue.

  ‘Hurry up with yer dinners so I can get the dishes washed.’

  George looked surprised. ‘Give us a chance, love, I like to take me time when I’m eating. It’s not good to bolt yer food down, yer get indigestion. Anyway, what’s the hurry?’

  ‘Yer never know who might come,’ Nellie said. ‘I want the place nice and tidy just in case we have any visitors.’

  ‘There’s only Archie coming, Mam, and yer can’t ca
ll him a visitor.’ Lily put down her knife and fork. ‘He’s not going to go around the furniture with his finger to see if yer’ve dusted.’

  Paul grinned. ‘I don’t know, he might just happen to lift up the mat and discover that me mam has swept all the dirt underneath it.’

  ‘Ay, buggerlugs, just you watch it!’ Nellie appeared to get on her high horse. ‘Yer’ve never seen me brushing dirt under the mat, so don’t yer be spreading rumours about me.’ Then her chubby face creased. ‘Under the bed perhaps, but never under the mat.’

  ‘Is that why the bed seems higher?’ George asked, his face deadpan. ‘I thought me legs were shrinking ’cos it takes me all me time to climb in these days.’

  ‘Ha, ha, very funny, I must say. Now yer’ve all had yer little jokes at my expense, will yer use yer mouth to eat with and get that dinner down?’

  ‘Nellie, if you hadn’t started, we’d have well finished eating by now. The table would be cleared and the dishes washed, and it wouldn’t have mattered if the King had decided to get off the twenty-two tram and pay us a visit.’

  Nellie wagged her finger. ‘George McDonough, ye’re not too big to have yer ears boxed.’

  Paul swallowed the last piece of potato and pushed his plate away. ‘Will yer stand on a chair to do it, Mam, or d’yer want me to lift yer up?’

  ‘I don’t need any help from you, clever clogs. I’m going to take a leaf out of Rosie’s book, so there!’

  ‘Oh, aye, what’s this then?’ George asked. ‘Rosie’s a bit young to be teaching an old dog new tricks, isn’t she?’

  ‘Are you saying I’m an old dog, George McDonough?’

  ‘That’s just a figure of speech, love, so don’t be getting yer knickers in a twist. Anyway, I should have said an old female dog.’

  Paul nudged his sister’s foot under the table. ‘What’s the proper name for a female dog, Dad, it’s just slipped me mind?’

  George, his plate clear by now, pushed his chair back ready for a quick get away. ‘They’re called bitches, son.’

  Nellie’s chair went flying as she made a grab for him, but George fended her off with the chair legs. ‘Now, now, love, stay calm or yer’ll have a heart attack.’

  ‘You’ll have more than a heart attack when I get me hands on yer. Put that ruddy chair down and let me strangle yer.’

  ‘Is that what Rosie does, Mam?’ Lily asked. ‘Is that the leaf ye’re taking out of her book?’

  ‘No, it’s not, girl, ’cos she couldn’t reach Tommy’s neck to strangle him. And although he’s besotted with her, he’s not daft enough to bend down to make things easier for her.’ Nellie waved a hand at her husband. ‘Put that bloody chair down, yer soft nit.’

  George chuckled as he set the chair down. Then he took a white hankie from his trouser pocket and waved it in the air. ‘I’ll call a truce if yer tell us what Rosie’s secret is. Just so I can be prepared, like.’

  ‘I’ll tell yer if yer all promise to clear this place up after. ’Cos if the King does call, as yer dad said he might, I want everywhere spotless. I’m not having him going back to Buckingham Palace and telling the Queen we’re an untidy lot in Liverpool.’

  ‘It’s a deal, Mam,’ Lily said. ‘But put a move on so I can get meself ready for when Archie comes. And I’m bagging the sink first tonight, Paul, so don’t be making a dive for the kitchen before me.’

  ‘Well,’ Nellie said as she started to stack the plates, ‘what Rosie does is, she stands on the second stair with the frying pan in her hands and hits Tommy on the head with it. And she says that’s why he’s got a flat head.’

  ‘Don’t be getting any ideas, Nellie,’ George said as he made a bee-line for his cigarettes and easy chair. ‘I wouldn’t take that lying down.’

  She narrowed her eyes and glared, thinking he was being funny, but her husband’s face was straight. ‘There’d be no ruddy point if yer were lying down, would there, yer silly sod? Honest to God, sometimes I think ye’re not right in the head, George.’ She got as far as the kitchen door and turned. ‘Didn’t yer once tell me yer used to get headaches and felt as though there was something loose rattling round in yer head?’

  ‘What are yer on about, woman? I never said any such thing, and the only time I’ve had headaches is when yer keep nattering on about something of no bloody consequence.’

  ‘Oh, I see,’ Nellie said quietly. ‘Only I was wondering about this thing rattling round in yer head, and I think I’ve got the answer to it. Yer’ve got a bloody screw loose, that’s what it is!’

  Before George could answer the knocker sounded. Lily gave a quick glance around, wishing they’d hurried their dinner like her mam had asked. ‘Paul, will yer clear the table and take the cloth off,’ she said, ‘while I open the door?’

  ‘Hello, Lily.’ Archie was smiling and as immaculately dressed as ever. ‘I’m a bit early ’cos I came on the tram with me mam to keep her company. She’s gone to do a bit of ironing for me auntie.’

  ‘Come in, then, but don’t yer dare lift the corner of the mat up.’

  ‘Why would I do that?’

  ‘Well, apparently our Paul thinks that’s where me mam sweeps the dirt when she’s too lazy to go down the yard to the bin.’

  ‘My mam does the same,’ Archie nodded his head knowingly. ‘Many’s the time I’ve nearly broke me neck tripping on the lump in the mat. I’m wondering now whether they learned that at school, with my mam being in the same class as Mrs Mac.’

  Nellie appeared at the kitchen door. ‘Not only in the same class, lad, but sitting at the same desk! We must have copied each other’s bad habits.’ She smiled as she remembered those childhood days. ‘I know we got the cane for talking more than any other girls in the class.’

  ‘You haven’t changed much, then,’ George said. ‘Yer’ve made a career out of talking.’

  ‘I’ll ignore that until the time comes to get me own back. I think Rosie said she stands on the second stair, but she’s taller than me so I’d better stand on the third to make sure.’

  George chuckled. ‘Nellie, yer’d never be able to lift that big frying pan over yer head, it weighs a flippin’ ton.’

  ‘Don’t get cocky with me, George McDonough, or I’ll show yer whether I can lift it or not.’ Nellie saw two figures pass the window and waited for the knock. ‘Oh, I wonder who this can be? If it’s the King I hope he likes custard creams.’

  Archie hadn’t a clue what she was talking about, but he’d find out later from Lily. ‘Shall I see who it is, Mrs Mac?’

  ‘If yer would, lad. And if there’s a horse and carriage there it’ll be the King, so don’t forget to bow from the waist down.’ Nellie waited until she heard Archie greeting his old army mate then shouted, ‘Whoever it is, bring them in, lad, don’t keep them on the step.’

  ‘It’s only me, Auntie Nellie, with me ever-loving intended.’ Tommy and Rosie were holding hands and grinning like Cheshire cats. ‘We’ve come to ask a big favour of Lily.’

  ‘She’s in the kitchen getting washed but she won’t be a minute. Sit down and make yerselves comfortable. Put yer feet on the mantelpiece if yer like.’

  ‘Ooh, I wouldn’t do that if I were you, lad,’ George said. ‘She’s in a fighting mood is the wife.’ He winked at Rosie. ‘She’s talking about standing on the third stair and hitting me on the head with the frying pan. I can’t imagine where she got that idea from.’

  ‘She didn’t get it from me, Uncle George, and that’s the truth of it.’ Rosie’s rich laughter filled the room. And there wasn’t a person who wasn’t affected by the sound and by the beauty of the young Irish girl. ‘It’s the second stair I stand on, not the third.’

  The kitchen door opened and Lily came through drying her hands. ‘I thought I recognised the laugh. It’s nice to see yer both, are yer off out somewhere?’

  ‘We came to see you,’ Tommy said. ‘Rosie has something she wants to ask yer.’

  Lily sat on the arm of the couch. ‘If I can help, I’ll be on
ly too glad to. What is it yer want to ask me, Rosie?’

  ‘If yer’ll be a bridesmaid at our wedding? Sure, yer’ll make us very happy, for yer make a lovely bridesmaid, so yer do.’

  Lily was taken by surprise. ‘Are yer sure yer really want me?’

  Tommy nodded. ‘We’d be delighted, Lily. You’ve always been like family to us, and with Rosie not having anyone of her own here, she’d be over the moon if you’d agree.’

  ‘Well, if ye’re sure, then I’d be only too happy. Who else are yer asking?’

  ‘Jill and Ruthie, of course, and we’re going to see Phoebe and Dorothy when we leave here. If they agree, then it’s one less thing to worry about.’

  Nellie was sitting on the edge of her chair. ‘Ay, yer’ll be able to use the same dresses and that will be a saving for Tommy.’

  George tilted his head as he looked at his wife. Well, the crafty so-and-so, he thought. She knew all about this, that’s why she was so eager to get the dinner over. He chuckled quietly, thinking Molly must have told her not to say anything and she’d had to keep it bottled up inside her. With tongue in cheek, he said, ‘This is a better surprise than the King coming, isn’t it Nellie? Who’d have guessed Tommy and Rosie were going to call with such good news?’

  ‘I wouldn’t,’ she said, wondering whether the frying pan was too heavy for her to lift? She’d try it when they’d all gone out, just in case she ever needed it. ‘I’ll be able to wear me posh hat again. It’s never seen daylight since the wedding ’cos there’s no call for it around here. I could hardly walk in the butcher’s and ask for half a pound of sausages with that on me head, I’d be the talk of the wash-house.’

  ‘I hope yer won’t mind wearing the same dress again, Lily?’ Rosie said, her blue eyes round and appealing. ‘Only me and Tommy are saving up hard but, sure, we’d never be able to afford to buy five bridesmaids’ dresses. And with me mammy and daddy coming, I want to have a fine wedding so they’ll be proud of me.’

  ‘And a fine wedding yer’ll have, Rosie. I have no objection to wearing the dress again and I’m honoured that yer’ve asked me.’