by Joan Jonker
‘I’ll nip up in me dinner hour, Molly, and thanks for seeing to her.’
‘There’s no need for yer to go in yer dinner hour, yer must be rushed off yer feet with all the Christmas orders. Leave it until tonight and go and see her then. Me and Nellie will keep a close eye on her. I brought her downstairs and put her on the couch with plenty of pillows and her eiderdown. It was too cold to leave her up in the bedroom, she’d have caught pneumonia as sure as eggs. She’s got a nice fire and we’ve given her a Beecham’s powder. We’ll give her one every four hours and see if they bring her temperature down. But don’t fret yerself, Ellen, if I was the least worried I’d send for the doctor.’ Molly took a deep breath, ‘Now, Tony, what goodies have yer in store for me and me mate?’
‘How about some Cumberland sausage, Molly? I think yer families are partial to them with an egg and chips.’
‘Ye’re a pal, Tony, I don’t know what me and Nellie would have done without yer. I’ll be remembering yer in me will, that’s for sure. And after all that flattering, can I ask yer to be quick before Nellie comes looking for me and more time will be wasted while she tells yer how she banked the fire up for Lizzie and gave her the Beecham’s powder.’
Nellie was waiting outside Irwin’s with the basket at her feet and a pained expression on her face. ‘How soft you are, Molly Bennett! Leaving me to carry the heavy spuds and cabbage while you’re carrying sweet bugger all!’
Molly grinned. ‘Ah, yes, sunshine, but yer see, what you’ve carried might be heavy but it wouldn’t be any good without what I’ve got in this small parcel.’
‘I’m going to stay bad-tempered until yer tell me what it is. So go on, what have yer got?’
‘Nothing much, only Cumberland sausage.’
‘Ooh, ay, that’s good girl! We haven’t had Cumberland sausage for a long time. They’re my George’s favourite.’ Nellie’s chubby face beamed up at her friend as she rubbed her hands together before picking up the basket. ‘I’ll have one very happy husband tonight. I might even make him pay a forfeit for it.’
‘How d’yer mean, pay a forfeit?’
‘I thought yer didn’t like me telling yer what goes on in our bedroom.’
‘I’m not the least interested in what goes on in yer bedroom, sunshine, so keep it to yerself.’
‘Then I can’t tell yer about the forfeit, girl, ’cos George would be paying his forfeit in the bedroom. What I could do, to save yer blushing and wishing the ground would open and swallow yer up, is put it in a roundabout way. I could say, all casual like, that George had paid his forfeit much to my satisfaction.’
Molly turned her head and bit on her bottom lip. How could you fall out with someone who wouldn’t let you? ‘Get in the shop, Nellie, before I brain yer. And we’ll get our bread from here today, save walking to Hanley’s. We’ve been out long enough and I want to get back and see how Lizzie is.’
‘Bloody slave driver,’ Nellie muttered under her breath.
‘What did yer say, sunshine?’
‘I didn’t say nothing, girl, I was humming.’
‘That’s a new one on me, then. I’ve never heard of a song what says “bloody slave driver”. Mind you, I’m not very well up on the latest songs. Which is just as well if they’ve got swear words in. I’m more of a Bing Crosby fan meself. I like my songs romantic, sweet and wholesome.’
‘Something like yerself, eh, girl?’
‘I suppose yer could say that.’ Molly smiled at the girl behind the counter and passed her ration books over. ‘As much tea and margarine as I can have on those, sunshine.’
Nellie gave her a dig in the ribs. ‘Eh, girl, I’ve come out without me ration books.’
Molly sighed. ‘Trust you! Yer’d forget yer head if it was loose.’
‘Don’t blame me, it was the rushing out to get up to Lizzie’s what did it. It didn’t enter me head to bring me ration books.’
‘Can yer let Nellie have some things and she’ll bring her books in this afternoon?’ Molly appealed to the assistant. ‘I’ll make sure yer get them.’
The girl pulled a face and nodded to where the manager was serving another customer. ‘I daren’t, Mrs Bennett, it’s more than me job’s worth. We’ve been warned that anyone found giving food without coupons will be sacked on the spot. I can’t even do it for me own mam.’
‘Ah, well, do us a favour, sunshine, and split my tea and marge in half. Then tomorrow my mate can bring her books and yer can halve them again so I get me own back.’ Molly turned to Nellie. ‘I’ll pay for these, and two loaves. You pay tomorrow. And don’t yer dare say yer’ve come without yer purse.’
‘What a bloody palaver,’ Nellie grumbled as they left the shop. ‘All that for a few tea leaves and a square of marge that yer need a magnifying glass to see. It’s enough to make yer spit. Just wait until rationing finishes, I’ll be stuffing meself all day to make up for what we’ve missed. Bacon and egg for breakfast and real boiled ham for me sandwiches at dinnertime. I won’t know I’m born!’
‘Oh, will George be getting real boiled ham in his carry out, then?’ Molly asked innocently. ‘And Lily and Paul?’
Nellie had an answer ready, as Molly should have known she would. ‘Ah, well, yer see, girl, that all depends. If George carries out his forfeit to my complete satisfaction, then he’ll get boiled ham. If not, then it’s brawn for him until he pulls his socks up.’
‘I asked for that, didn’t I?’ Molly said. ‘I should know better by now.’
‘Ye’re too slow on the uptake, girl, that’s yer problem. I’ve been telling yer that for nearly twenty-five years but yer still haven’t learned.’
‘I’ve learned enough, sunshine, a lot of yer bad habits have rubbed off on me. Not that I’m complaining, like, ’cos I’ve enjoyed meself along the way.’ Molly reached out and took the heavy basket from her friend. ‘I’ll carry these now in part payment for all the laughs yer’ve given me over the years.’
Nellie’s face wore a self-satisfied expression. ‘Yeah, we’ve had some good times, haven’t we, girl? And we’ve got a lot more to come. We’ve got Christmas next week, then after that we’re going to play detective and see if we can find Phil’s family. I’m not half looking forward to that, I can’t wait to start.’
‘First things first, Nellie, so just hold yer horses. We’ve got plenty to do before then, and Lizzie is a priority. We don’t want Corker to come home and find his ma sick. Some homecoming that would be.’
Nellie’s short legs moved faster. ‘Yeah, let’s put a move on and make sure she’s all right. The poor old soul might be dying for a drink.’
‘I’m hoping she’ll still be asleep. That’s the best medicine for a cold.’
‘What are we doing with this shopping, girl, are we taking it up to Lizzie’s with us?’
‘No, we’ll drop it off at home, there’s no point in carting it up there. All being well, if she doesn’t get any worse, we can take turns in coming home to get our dinners ready.’
Molly had taken Lizzie’s back-door key with her, and the two women crept into the kitchen without making a sound. ‘Not a peep, sunshine, ’cos I’d hate to wake her if she’s in a good sleep.’ Molly turned the knob on the living-room door and popped her head inside to find Lizzie curled up on the couch with her head buried in the pillows and the eiderdown covering her shoulders. She was breathing through her mouth and the sound was harsh as though her throat was dry. It’s too soon for another Beecham’s, Molly thought, but I think she should have a drink to clear any phlegm on her chest. She remembered having a heavy cold once and her mother telling her she must drink a lot or she’d never get better.
Molly closed the door quietly and stepped back right on to Nellie’s foot.
‘Bloody hell, girl, why don’t yer look where ye’re going! That didn’t half hurt.’
‘How can I look where I’m going when I back up? I’m really sorry, sunshine, but yer should have got out of me way! Does yer foot hurt?’
&nb
sp; ‘Of course it does, soft girl! Yer stood on every one of me toes. I only see me feet once every blue moon, but I know I’ve got them now all right.’
‘Lift yer foot and I’ll take yer shoe off and rub yer toes better.’
That suited Nellie right down to the ground. She was practically purring with pleasure as Molly rubbed her toes gently. ‘Ooh, that’s the gear, girl, I could stand a lot of that.’
‘So could I if I could find anyone daft enough to do it.’ Molly lowered the foot. ‘Leave yer shoe off for a while till the pain goes.’ She turned the tap on and ran water over her hands. ‘I’m not saying yer’ve got dirty feet, sunshine, but I’ll enjoy me food better if I know me hands are clean.’
‘How’s Lizzie?’
‘As snug as a bug in a rug, but she’s breathing through her mouth and making cackling noises so after I’ve had a look at the rice pudding I’m going to wake her up for a cup of tea. If she doesn’t seem any worse, you could go home and see to yer potatoes and cabbage.’
‘All right, girl, then I’ll come back and relieve yer so yer can see to your dinner.’
Lizzie looked dazed when Molly shook her shoulder. She couldn’t make out what was happening at first. She tried to sit up but didn’t have the strength. ‘I must have been dead to the world, Molly.’
‘Yer were, sunshine, and it was a shame to wake yer. But yer need plenty of liquid down yer when yer’ve got such a heavy cold, so I thought it best.’
When Nellie came in she was carrying a cup of tea. ‘Here yer are, girl, I’ve put plenty of milk in so yer can drink it right off.’
The old lady looked flustered. ‘I’m keeping you two from yer work and it’s not fair. Yer’ve got families to see to.’
Molly held the cup to Lizzie’s lips. ‘Don’t panic, we’re very organised. We went to the shops while yer were asleep and got our dinner in. Nellie’s going home for an hour to do a bit of work, then she’s coming back to give me a break. So all you’ve got to worry about is getting better for when Corker’s ship docks.’
‘And for Christmas,’ Nellie piped up. ‘Father Christmas doesn’t come down anyone’s chimney if they’re sick ’cos he’s frightened of catching something.’ Her brow furrowed in concentration. ‘I thought that sounded awful mean of him when I heard about it. I mean, it’s supposed to be a time of goodwill towards men, and there’s not much goodwill if Father Christmas can’t be arsed visiting sick people.’
‘Nellie, yer don’t half go on, sunshine.’ Molly glanced at Lizzie and saw that although the old lady looked as though she was burning up, and her eyes were running, there was a trace of a smile on her face. ‘But ye’re worth yer weight in gold.’
‘D’yer know, girl, that’s the nicest thing yer’ve ever said to me.’ Nellie looked as proud as a peacock. ‘Just imagine how rich I’d be if someone would give me me weight in gold. Not that I’d be too proud to be yer friend, though, ’cos I’m not a snob. I’d still pass yer the time of day.’
‘Nellie ye’re generous to a fault. And now I’m going to be generous to you and tell yer to go home and see to the family’s dinner. Try and get back for two o’clock, that’s when Lizzie’s due for another powder. Then I’ll nip down and see to my dinner.’
‘You go now Molly, I’ll be all right.’ Lizzie was feeling far from all right, but she didn’t want to impose on their good nature. ‘Honest, I will!’
‘I’m staying, Lizzie, so don’t waste yer breath. I’ll see me mate out the back way and then plump yer pillows and make yer comfortable so yer can go back to sleep.’ Molly jerked her head. ‘Come on, Nellie, I’ll see yer out.’
Chapter 10
Molly was darning a pair of Jack’s socks which she’d brought with her to pass the time away while she was keeping an eye on Lizzie when she heard the front door being opened. It crossed her mind that Jill must have asked to be let off early because it was well before her usual time for getting home. But it wasn’t her daughter, it was Ellen.
With a finger to her lips, Molly nodded to the sleeping woman. ‘She’s in a deep sleep, sunshine, so keep yer voice down.’
‘How is she?’
‘Just about the same. She’s had two Beecham’s and is due for another at six o’clock. She’s slept most of the day, which is a good thing.’ Molly raised her brows. ‘What are yer doing here at this time, the shop doesn’t close for another half-hour?’
‘Tony told me I could go because he could see I was worrying meself to death. Anyway, we don’t get many customers at this time ’cos most women are home cooking the dinner.’ Ellen was speaking in a whisper, her eyes going constantly to her mother-in-law whom she adored. ‘I’ve left him with all the cleaning to do, but he said he didn’t mind ’cos I seldom ask for time off.’
‘He’s a good scout, is Tony, ye’re lucky to have him for a boss.’
‘I wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for you and Nellie. I know it’s years ago and me life is very different now from what it was then, but I’ll never forget how you and Nellie helped me.’ Ellen grinned. ‘Yer pulled me from the gutter by the scruff of me neck and forced me to take stock of meself. And I’ve never looked back since.’
‘That’s what friends are for, sunshine, and yer’ve repaid us with interest.’ Molly saw the figure on the couch stirring. ‘I think someone is waking up.’
Ellen knelt down at Lizzie’s side and stroked the wispy white hair which was wet with perspiration. ‘What’s all this, Ma? Yer can’t be sick with Corker due home and Christmas just around the corner.’
‘I’ll be all right tomorrow, love, it’s only a chill.’ A bout of coughing had the old lady gasping for breath and Molly shot out to the kitchen to bring her a cup of water. It was gulped down quickly and Lizzie asked for another. ‘Me mouth feels like sawdust, it’s so dry.’
‘Haven’t the Beecham’s powders done any good at all?’ Molly asked. ‘I thought they would have eased it a bit.’
‘Me head isn’t tight like it was. This morning I felt as though someone had put a band around it and was pulling it as hard as they could.’ Lizzie closed her eyes for a few seconds when the effort to keep them open became too much. Then she reached for Ellen’s hand. ‘Molly and Nellie have been here since half-seven this morning, and they’ve waited on me hand and foot. Molly made a rice pudding, and although I felt more like flying than eating, she made me eat it and I enjoyed it.’ Her head fell back against the pillows and all Lizzie wanted to do was sleep but things needed to be said. ‘But I’m worried about them ’cos they’ve got families to see to.’
‘Oh, dear, oh, dear, Lizzie Corkhill, it’s a pity yer’ve got nothing better to worry about.’ Shaking her head from side to side, Molly went to the chair she’d spent the afternoon sitting in and picked up Jack’s socks. ‘See these, sunshine? Well, my feller’s been asking me to darn them for weeks but I never got down to it.’ She put a hand in one of the socks where the heel had been darned. ‘See how neat it is? That’s because it was so peaceful here, no one to interrupt, that I was able to take my time and make a good job of it.’
‘Well, go home now, Molly, and see to the family,’ Ellen said. ‘They’ll be coming in from work soon and the men will expect their dinner after working all day.’
‘I was going to stay until six o’clock to make sure Lizzie was given another Beecham’s, it’s important she has one every four hours. Jill and Steve will see to her through the night and I’ll come down first thing in the morning.’
‘Will yer stop talking and go home, Molly Bennett?’ Ellen insisted. ‘I’ll make sure Ma gets her medicine, and I’ll see if Jill thinks she can cope through the night. If not, I’ll stay meself. But I’d be grateful if yer’d come in the morning, I daren’t take a day off, we’re too busy.’
Molly reached for her coat. ‘I’ll go then, if ye’re sure. But will someone let me know later how things are? I don’t want to be sitting there wondering what’s going on.’
‘I’ll send Jill down, I promise. And I
know yer’ve done me a big favour today, but can I ask yer to do one more? Give a knock at ours and tell Phoebe where I am, and ask her to make something for the kids to eat. Or she can get something from the chip shop if she likes. It wouldn’t do them any harm for one night.’
‘I’ll do that.’ Molly bent down to look into Lizzie’s flushed face. ‘I’ll see yer in the morning, sunshine, and you behave yerself till then.’
‘I don’t know how to thank yer, Molly, yer’ve been very good.’
‘If yer want to thank me, then get yerself better.’ Molly gave Ellen the eye. ‘I’ll go out the back, come and shut the door after me.’ Standing on the kitchen step, she whispered, ‘Will yer make sure someone takes her down to the lavvy? She won’t use the chamber pot under any circumstances. But she wouldn’t be too happy about Steve taking her, so before settling her down for the night, would you or Jill do the honours? She’s got her pride has our Lizzie, and we wouldn’t want to deprive her of it, not at her age.’
‘Molly, ye’re an angel. And I know Corker will appreciate what ye’re doing.’
‘He’ll appreciate it much more if he comes home to see his ma fit and well. So it’s all hands to the pumps for the next few days. Please God she’ll be better by then.’ With a smile, Molly walked down the yard. ‘Ta-ra, Ellen. Yer know where I am if yer want me.’
Paul was whistling as he knocked on the Corkhills’ door. ‘Is Phoebe ready, Gord?’
‘No, she’s washing the dishes.’ Gordon stepped aside and jerked his head. ‘Yer’d better come in and wait for her.’
Phoebe appeared at the kitchen door, still in her working clothes and with her hands dripping. ‘I’m going to be half an hour at least then I want to go and see me nan. So why don’t you go on and I’ll meet yer in the dance hall?’
‘Why d’yer have to go to yer nan’s? Yer mam’s up there, and Jill and Steve, so why d’you have to go?’
Phoebe sighed inwardly. Paul could be very selfish at times. Life for him was a bed of roses and he didn’t see why anything should spoil it. ‘I don’t have to go, Paul. I’m going because she’s me nan, I love her, and right now she’s sick. Yer can wait for me to get ready, if yer like, and come up with me. Or yer can go on to the dance. The chances are that it’ll be too late for me to follow yer, but yer know enough people there, yer wouldn’t be on yer own.’