by Joan Jonker
‘Please God, Molly, please God.’
‘Yer don’t want to miss the party, girl.’ There was a cunning gleam in Nellie’s eyes as she sipped on her tea. ‘It would be a shame if yer missed the party.’
Molly raised her brows. ‘Oh, aye, and which party is that, sunshine?’
It was Nellie’s turn to raise her brows. ‘Why, yours, of course! Who else’s?’
‘I’m not having no party! I’ve told yer, I can’t afford it this year, what with saving up for Tommy’s wedding and everything.’
‘But you always have the Christmas party! Every year since I’ve known yer, ye’ve had a party at Christmas. Yer can’t just stop now when people are relying on yer.’
‘I know I’ve always had the Christmas parties, and the New Year parties, and every other party yer can mention. But not this year, someone else can have it for a change.’
‘Yer can’t just alter yer mind like that, and leave everyone in the lurch. We’re all expecting to come to yours.’
‘What d’yer mean, leaving everyone in the lurch?’ Molly was getting quite heated. ‘I haven’t invited anyone to a party this year, so how can yer say I’m leaving them in the lurch? And anyway, who d’yer mean by everyone?’
‘The usual crowd.’ Nellie tutted. ‘I don’t know why ye’re asking me that, yer know who our friends are. There’s Maisie and Alec, the Corkhills, Bridie and Bob, all my lot and yer own family. I can’t think of anyone else offhand.’
Molly started counting on her fingers. ‘D’yer know how many that comes to, sunshine? The families have grown a lot in the last few years and at a rough guess I’d say over twenty people. There’s no way I could fit them all in the house even if I wanted to. But this year I don’t want to and I’m not going to! I’ve told yer dozens of times that I’m counting every penny so I can help Tommy and Rosie. No, yer can just forget it.’
‘I can’t do that, girl, I’ve already invited them!’
Molly nearly slipped off the side of the couch. ‘Yer’ve what! Yer’ve invited people to a party at my house without even asking me?’
Lizzie’s eyes moved from one to the other. She was used to this kind of carry-on from two of the people she loved, but had Nellie gone too far this time?
‘I’ve never had to ask yer before, girl so it didn’t occur to me. I didn’t think yer could be that miserable yer’d spoil Christmas for all yer mates.’
‘I won’t spoil Christmas for me mates, I’ll tell them that you’ve kindly offered to have the party at your house this year because I’ve got a lot on me plate and can’t afford it.’
‘We all know yer’ve got a lot on yer plate, girl, that’s why we’ve sorted it out.’
Molly locked eyes with her mate. What had she been up to behind her back? Yer couldn’t tell whether she was telling the truth or not. ‘What have yer sorted out, and who have yer sorted it out with?’
Nellie leaned forward to put her cup on the table then leaned back in the chair with a smug smile on her chubby face. ‘Ellen, Maisie and meself. We got together ’cos we know ye’re stuck, and we’re going to pay for all the food between us. And before yer thank me, girl, let me tell yer the men are clubbing together for the drink.’
‘Thank yer? I’ll ruddy throttle yer! Yer’ve no right to discuss my financial state with other people even if they are friends. Seeing as yer’ve got it all nicely sorted, sunshine, then why don’t yer have the party at your house and invite me as a guest? That would make a change, wouldn’t it?’
‘Because I wouldn’t know where to start having a party, that’s why. Nobody can do it like you, girl, yer’ve got the knack for it. If you don’t do it, there won’t be no Christmas party for anyone and I don’t think yer’ll let that happen ’cos ye’re not really miserable. Not all the time, anyway.’
If I was having a bet, Lizzie thought, I’d put me money on Nellie. Another few minutes and Molly would be throwing the towel in. You could see in her face that she was giving it serious thought, which meant she was weakening.
‘So yer’d only be using my house? The party would be held for, and by, everyone? And it wouldn’t cost me a fortune?’
‘Not a bean, girl, not a bean. After all, as Ellen and Maisie said, we’ve sponged off yer often enough over the years, it’s about time we paid yer back.’
‘And you’d help with the preparations and everything? Lend us all your wooden chairs and that three-legged stool yer’ve got?’
Nellie made a sign on her chest. ‘Cross my heart, girl, I’d do anything yer asked.’
‘And all the cleaning up afterwards?’
‘Scout’s honour.’
Lizzie’s eyes were almost closing and her head was asking to be rested on the soft feather pillows. But with determination and willpower, she stayed as she was. She wouldn’t rest proper if she didn’t hear the outcome of this.
Molly decided it was time to play her trump card. ‘And would yer promise to get yer Christmas dinner over early so the men can carry my table up to yours out of the way?’
Nellie screwed up her face. ‘Ah, not that again, girl! There’s no room to breathe with that ruddy big thing in our house.’
‘Well, I’d never get twenty people in my room with the table in, so I think we’re going to have to forget the whole thing. We’ll do without a party this Christmas, it won’t kill us.’
‘I could have the table in me yard, girl, it wouldn’t come to no harm.’
‘My good table outside in this weather! Not on yer life, sunshine, it’s me pride and joy is that table.’ Molly thought she’d turn the screw a little. ‘There is an alternative if that doesn’t suit yer. You have the party and they can bring your table to my house. Now I can’t be fairer than that, can I?’
‘No!’ Nellie’s chins jumped with fright. ‘I’ll have yer bloody table, even though it is a flaming nuisance. But only on one condition.’
‘And what’s that, sunshine?’
‘That I’m yer deputy hostess, like I always am.’
‘I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’d be lost without you as me deputy, the party wouldn’t be the same.’
The two friends looked at each other and burst out laughing. Nellie had known it would turn out like this, and so had Molly. It was what they both wanted anyway. It wouldn’t be Christmas without a party at the Bennetts’ house.
‘I’m glad that’s all fixed up,’ Lizzie’s soft voice broke in. ‘I was beginning to worry in case yer asked me to have the party.’
‘Ah, we’ve been neglecting yer. Yer can blame Nellie, she started it.’ Molly stroked Lizzie’s wispy hair. ‘Yer don’t feel nearly as hot today, thank God. I think yer should get as much sleep as yer can, so d’yer want me to make yer comfortable?’
‘Yes, please, Molly.’
‘Right, let’s get yer bedded down. And while I’m doing it, Nellie, will yer take the cups out and wash them, please, and then bank the fire up?’
Nellie pushed her friend aside so she could bend down to talk to the old lady. ‘Did yer hear the orders being given out? Well, that’s what it’s like being a deputy hostess. The real name for it should be dogsbody, but deputy hostess sounds more posh. And there’s nothing I like better than for people to think I’ve got a bit of class. That I came out of the top drawer, if yer see what I mean.’ Carrying the cups and saucers, she swayed towards the kitchen. ‘People think I’m as common as muck, but that’s ’cos they don’t know any better.’
They could hear the china being put in the sink with a heavy hand, and Molly held her breath. Then she and Lizzie both chuckled when they heard Nellie talking to herself. ‘Folk around here are so pig ignorant, they don’t know ye’re supposed to crook yer little finger when ye’re drinking tea out of a cup. Common as muck they are, brought up in the gutter. Some of them haven’t even got mothers or fathers.’
Chapter 11
Lizzie improved a little each day, and when Molly called on the Saturday morning it was to find her sitting in her rockin
g chair with pillows at her back and a blanket over her knees. And there was a self-satisfied expression on her face which told how happy she was to be off that couch.
‘I hope yer feel well enough for this, sunshine?’ Molly said. ‘D’yer not think ye’re rushing things a bit?’
‘No, I do feel better, Molly, honest. I couldn’t lie on that ruddy couch any longer, me body and limbs were all stiff.’
Jill had been hovering behind her mother. She would have stayed off work because it would only have meant losing half a day’s pay, but her mother had insisted. ‘Tell me mam the truth, Auntie Lizzie. Tell her why yer were determined to be back in yer chair today, no matter what I said.’
Lizzie grinned. ‘The postman brought a letter from Corker. His ship is docking today and he’s hoping to be home by dinnertime.’
‘Ah, well, that puts a different complexion on things, doesn’t it?’ Molly wasn’t just delighted for the old lady, she was happy for herself. She had a soft spot for Corker who was one of the finest men she’d ever met. ‘I’d better get meself all dolled up before he comes, I can’t let the side down by letting him see me in me rags.’
‘He wouldn’t even notice what yer had on, Molly, he’d just be glad to see yer.’ Lizzie glanced at the clock. ‘Jill’s going to be late if she doesn’t put a move on.’
‘Yeah, yer’d better be going, sunshine, or yer’ll be clocking in late.’
‘I’ve told yer, I don’t mind taking the morning off, Mam! I could give yer a hand to get the place dusted and polished for Uncle Corker coming.’
‘I can do that on me own, sunshine, I don’t need any help. Once I’ve seen to Lizzie I’ll go through this place like a dose of salts. Nellie will be up later, she’s going to get me shopping in for me so that’s one worry less. Now do as ye’re told and poppy off.’
Jill gave her a hug and kiss. ‘I’ll be home by one o’clock.’ She put a hand on each arm of the rocking chair and asked, ‘Are yer well enough for a kiss, Auntie Lizzie?’
‘Leave it for another few days, sweetheart, I don’t want to pass me cold on to yer.’
‘That’s twelve I owe yer now, I’m keeping count. Ta-ra!’
Lizzie waited until she heard the door bang before saying, ‘She’s an angel, that daughter of yours, and so’s Steve. Nothing’s trouble to them and I couldn’t have been better looked after if I’d been in hospital. I bless the day Corker asked me if I’d ever thought of taking in lodgers. They’re more like family to me now.’
‘I’m lucky with me children, Lizzie, all of them.’ Molly was busy brushing the hearth and the bars of the grate. ‘And with me two sons-in-law, they’re like me own flesh and blood.’
‘That’s how I feel about Ellen and the children. I’ve got to admit I wasn’t too keen on him marrying a widow with four children, but that was before I got to know them. Now I love the bones of all of them and don’t have to worry about what will happen to Corker when I die. I know he’ll live a happy life with a loving family around him.’
Molly put the brush back on the companion set before saying, ‘Ay, if I were you, Lizzie, I wouldn’t dream of dying for at least another ten years. Think of what yer’d be missing! Four grandchildren to grow up and get married, and imagine how many great-grandchildren they could give yer! Yer’ve loads to look forward to, sunshine, so if I were you I wouldn’t be popping me clogs for a long time.’
Lizzie chuckled. ‘I’ll have to tell Corker what yer said, he’d be tickled pink. And if Phoebe and Paul are serious about each other, I could end up being related to Nellie! In a roundabout way, of course.’
‘It’ll be the same roundabout way as I am. But Nellie won’t have it that we’re not blood relations, and I’ve given up arguing with her when she introduces me to all and sundry as her sister-in-law. Any time now I’m expecting her to tell folk what don’t know us that we’re sisters.’
Molly chuckled as her mind went back over the years to the day when her mate had suggested they cut each other on the arm and hold them together so the blood flowed from one to the other. If the Red Indians could do it, Nellie had said, why couldn’t they? ‘She’s come up with some weird and wonderful things in the years I’ve known her, God knows. But I’ll tell yer what, Lizzie, she’s the best mate anyone could have. She’s enriched my life, has Helen Theresa McDonough, and that of my family.’
‘Yer’ve both enriched all our lives, Molly. Yer make a good pair.’
It was on the tip of Molly’s tongue to say she hoped she and Nellie made a pair of good detectives, but she bit the words back. Nothing might come of it and then they’d look silly. ‘I’ll get the bowl and flannel and give yer a good wash, Lizzie, then change yer nightdress so yer look pretty for Corker coming. After that I’ll start on this room and go like the clappers until Nellie comes. Then we’ll stop for a break and a cuppa.’
Molly worked flat out. The furniture was polished until you could see your face in it and there wasn’t a fingermark anywhere. The black grate shone and the flickering flames from the fire made the room look warm and comfortable. ‘D’yer mind if I stand on one of yer chairs to clean the windows, Lizzie, save me dragging the ladder up the yard?’
‘Leave the windows, Molly, yer’ll wear yerself out! I’ll ask Steve to do them tomorrow when he’s off.’
‘Not on your life, sunshine, I’ll do them now. I want this place like a little palace when Corker walks in. Just like you always have it.’ So Molly put a cloth on one of the wooden chairs and started on the front windows. It was from this vantage point that she saw her mate approaching the house. And in Nellie’s hand there was a Hanley’s cake bag. With her mouth watering in anticipation, Molly jumped from the chair and made for the front door.
‘Good morning, girl!’ Nellie looked decidedly pleased with herself. ‘It’s a clear day but bitterly cold. Not a day for any monkey what doesn’t want to have his things frozen off.’ She placed the bag on the table and grinned at Lizzie. ‘It’s good to see yer looking a lot better, girl. I’ve brought yer a nice cake to have with yer cup of tea.’
Molly carried the chair back and put it in place. Then she put her hands on her hips. ‘I hope ye’re not saying there’s only one cake in that bag, Nellie McDonough?’
‘I didn’t think Lizzie could eat more than one.’ Looking the picture of innocence, she turned to the old lady. ‘You couldn’t eat two cakes, could yer, girl?’
Lizzie had found out over the years that you didn’t get involved in any conversation between the two friends. So to be on the safe side she shrugged her shoulders and remained neutral. And she was spared being asked the question again because Nellie had caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to see Molly about to open the cake bag. ‘If you open that bag, girl, so help me I’ll clock yer one.’
It was then that Molly noticed a spot of white at the corners of Nellie’s mouth which looked suspiciously like cream. ‘You’ve eaten one on the way back, haven’t yer? Yer were too mean to buy three cakes, so yer bought two and ate one on the way back from the shops so I wouldn’t know. That’s about the most miserable trick yer’ve ever played, Nellie McDonough, and I won’t forget it in a hurry.’
‘How was I expected to know yer wanted a cream slice?’ Nellie was surprised Molly hadn’t noticed her shaking tummy, ’cos it was taking her all her time to keep the laughter in check. ‘I’ll walk back and get yer one.’
‘You most certainly will not! D’yer think I’d enjoy a cake that was begrudged to me? And as for saying yer didn’t know whether I’d want one or not, that’s a right feeble bloody excuse when yer know they’re me favourites.’
‘You swore then, girl, and I’m surprised at yer. Always telling me to watch me language and yer come out with it yerself.’
‘Nellie, you’d make a saint swear. Now get out of me way while I finish this room off.’
‘Aren’t yer stopping for a cup of tea?’
‘No, I’m not! You can make one for Lizzie and yerself, but leav
e me out.’
‘Ah, come on, girl, don’t be like that! I’ll go back to Hanley’s and get yer a ruddy cream slice, save yer having a miserable gob on yer. It won’t take me long.’
‘Don’t put yerself out, I’ll get it meself.’ Without further ado, Molly made her way through the small makeshift hallway to the front door. There, she bent down and retrieved the white confectioner’s bag which was tucked away at the side of the step. Then after closing the door behind her she returned to the living room and handed the bag to Nellie. ‘There yer are, sunshine, didn’t take me any time at all, did it?’
Lizzie put a hand to her lips. Well, who’d have thought it? These two could beat Ethel Barrymore for acting any day.
‘Yer knew all the time!’ Nellie said. ‘Yer let me carry on and yer knew all the time.’
‘I was cleaning the front windows when yer came up the street and I saw yer bending down. I didn’t know what yer were doing then, but when yer came up with the excuse that yer’d only bought a cream slice for Lizzie, I guessed right away. I knew yer wouldn’t leave me out, sunshine, it would be more than yer life’s worth.’
Nellie’s chubby face creased. ‘It was a good trick, though, wasn’t it?’
‘Yeah, it was! Yer had me going for a while until it suddenly struck me.’
‘The pair of yer had me fooled,’ Lizzie said. ‘I thought we were going to cut the cream slice into three to keep everyone happy.’ She shook her head. ‘It’s a mystery to me how yer think these things up, Nellie, and an even bigger mystery how Molly goes along with yer even when she knows what ye’re up to. As I said, yer had me fooled. I was expecting yer to come to blows any minute. And me with no strength to be referee.’
Molly chuckled and put her arm around Nellie’s shoulders. ‘The only time me and me mate nearly came to blows was about twenty years ago, when the kids were fighting in the street. Even then we ended up laughing our socks off, and we’ve been the best of mates ever since. Isn’t that right, sunshine?’