by Joan Jonker
‘That’s what I meant by looking back and having fond memories. And yer’ve got a whole lifetime in front of yer to remember them.’ Molly rose from her seat on the edge of the couch. ‘But I haven’t got a lifetime to get the dinner on the go and set this table so it looks a real treat when the family walk through the door. And you can all do yer bit to help.’
‘You give the orders, love,’ Jack said, ‘and we’ll carry them out.’
‘Right, you get a duster and give this table a good going over ’cos that leaf is thick with dust. Then yer can put the chenille cloth back on and cover it with the white sheet in the sideboard cupboard. That’s your job.’ Molly looked to her youngest daughter. ‘Now, Ruthie, you get all the knives, forks and spoons out and give them a good polish so there isn’t a mark on any of them. And fasten that pinny over so yer don’t dirty yer dress.’
Tommy stood waiting. ‘It’s like being back in the army with the sergeant shouting his orders out.’
‘I bet your sergeant wasn’t as good-looking as me, sunshine, even if he did have a louder voice.’ Molly pointed to the grate. ‘Will yer bank the fire up for us? Then fill the coal scuttle and the bucket so no one has to run down the yard for coal.’ She grinned up at him. ‘I bet those orders aren’t as bad as the ones yer got in the army.’
Tommy had some good memories of his time in the army, the friends he’d made and the laughs they’d had playing tricks on each other. But he also had nightmare memories, of guns, and bombs, and men dying. These he never let his mind dwell on, except when in the company of Archie, the man who had saved not only his life but those of dozens of other young soldiers by leading them through a minefield which had already claimed many lives. Archie had been given a medal for his bravery but had made Tommy promise he’d never tell anyone because he found it embarrassing.
‘I’ll do that with pleasure, Mam. And I’ll rake the fire, take the ashes out and then clean the whole fireplace. So when yer’ve sorted the dinner out, yer can have a bit of time to make yerself pretty.’
Phil carried two chairs across the cobbled street, handed them over to Tommy and went back to give Doreen a hand with Victoria and the bag of presents she had clutched in her hand. Immediately on their heels came Jill and Steve. ‘Couldn’t have timed it better, Mrs B, could we?’ Steve said. ‘Save yer opening the door twice.’
The room came alive with everyone exchanging greetings and kisses, and Molly’s heart was overflowing with happiness. She missed her two daughters more than she’d ever admit, the house didn’t seem the same since they’d got married, and it was lovely to have the whole family together now. ‘Let’s get you settled, Victoria, and out of harm’s way. Sit in Jack’s chair by the fire and warm yerself through.’
‘The room looks lovely, Molly, with the tree and the decorations.’ Victoria sank gratefully into the comfort of the armchair. ‘Everywhere looks warm and welcoming.’
‘Jack and Tommy put the decorations up, and me and Ruthie did the tree. They make the place look more Christmassy, don’t they?’ Molly was watching Phil help Doreen off with her coat and her heart missed a beat. Her daughter was four months pregnant now, and it was showing. She looked the picture of health and contentment, her happiness there for all to see every time she looked at her husband. ‘You look very well, sunshine, yer must be getting well looked after.’
Phil looked so proud. ‘She does look well, doesn’t she, Mrs B? She suits the extra bit of weight she’s putting on.’
‘I think she looks lovely,’ Jill said, putting an arm across her sister’s shoulders. ‘Like a flower beginning to blossom.’
‘Ay, will yer all take yer eyes off me? Ye’re making me blush.’ Doreen looked to her mother for help. ‘Can we give the presents out now or is the dinner ready?’
‘I think we’d better eat first, sunshine, or the turkey will be walking out of that oven and complaining.’
‘In that case, Mam,’ Tommy said, ‘I’ll give my presents out and then I can love yer and leave yer. Ruthie will give me a hand with them.’
‘Yer shouldn’t have bought presents, Tommy, we weren’t expecting any,’ Jill told him. ‘We all know ye’re saving up hard and need every penny yer can get.’
‘They’re only small presents, just tokens really. But it’s the thought that counts and I didn’t want yer thinking I couldn’t be bothered to put meself out.’
‘Leave them under the tree, Tommy, and we’ll open them after we’ve eaten.’ Doreen was taking wrapped presents from the carrier bag and putting them on the sideboard. ‘Half of these are Jill and Steve’s, so don’t be thinking I’ve become generous all of a sudden.’ She placed several of the parcels to one side. ‘These are for yer to take with yer, Tommy.’
There was surprise in his voice. ‘All of them!’
‘Yeah, yer didn’t think we’d leave anyone out, did yer? There’s yours, Rosie’s and Nan and Granda’s. They’re all marked so you and Granda won’t end up getting a pair of ladies’ stockings by mistake.’
‘I think yer may as well take ours round as well. I was going to give them tonight but there’ll be so many here there won’t be room to breathe.’ Molly began to point out some of the present lying beneath the tree. ‘Will yer pick them up, Ruthie? Yer can bend down easier than me.’
Ruth had that mutinous expression on her face. ‘Has nobody noticed me dress? What’s the use of getting done up like a dog’s dinner when no one even notices?’
‘I noticed, sweetheart, as soon as I came in,’ Victoria said. ‘And I think yer look very pretty in it.’
‘I did, too,’ Jill said, remembering what it was like to be her sister’s age and wishing the years away so she could be grown up. ‘No one could miss yer, Ruthie, ’cos yer stand out. As Aunt Vicky said, yer look very pretty.’
‘I was only waiting for a break in the conversation to tell yer,’ Doreen said. ‘The dress and the colour really suit yer.’
Steve’s deep dimples were in evident as he told the young girl what she was waiting to hear. ‘Yer’ve gone and got all grown up on us. And ye’re getting so like yer big sisters, me and Phil will be kissing yer by mistake after yer’ve grown a few more inches.’
‘I was just thinking the same thing.’ Phil had his arm around his wife’s waist, holding her close as if he was afraid she’d disappear. ‘Yer took the words out of me mouth.’
Ruthie’s eyes were humorous as they met her mother’s. ‘I think that’s all the compliments I’m going to get, Mam, so I’ll pass yer the presents up.’
Jack chuckled softly. His youngest daughter was like both her sisters in looks, but in temperament she took after Doreen: very outspoken, quick to answer back and would have the last word if it killed her. Unlike Jill, who was more quiet, gentle and caring. He couldn’t ever remember her answering him or Molly back, it wasn’t in her nature.
Tommy lifted the bag filled with presents and grinned. ‘I feel like Father Christmas. All I need is a sleigh and a reindeer to pull it.’
‘If yer had a sleigh, yer wouldn’t need a reindeer,’ Phil said. ‘Me and Steve would pull it for yer.’
‘Providing we got paid,’ Steve laughed. ‘And it’s double time on Christmas Day.’
‘I’ll use shanks’ pony, it’s cheaper.’ Tommy gave Molly a kiss. ‘We’ll come about eight, Mam, that’ll give nan and granda a chance to have a sleep after their dinner.’ His eyes went around the room. ‘Enjoy yer dinner, folks, and don’t be eating too much. Remember there’s a party tonight and yer don’t want to be too full to dance.’
Molly followed him to the door. ‘You enjoy yer dinner, too, sunshine. And give me ma and da a kiss and say I’m looking forward to seeing them.’ She was standing on the top step and her eyes were on a level with her son’s. Cupping his face, she said, ‘My big, handsome son. I don’t half love yer, sunshine.’
‘I love you, too, Mam, ye’re the best mother in the world.’ He moved back. ‘I’m going now, before we end up crying on each other’s s
houlder.’
‘And I’d better get back to the turkey before it hands in its notice and walks out of the back door. I’ll see yer later, son, ta-ra.’
‘Ooh, I’ve eaten too much, Molly,’ Victoria said after she’d been helped from the table to sit in the fireside chair. ‘It was a lovely meal, but me eyes were bigger than me belly.’
‘Well, you sit there and rest, sunshine, and I’ll sit on the end of the couch and keep yer company. The men are clearing away and the girls are washing up. I’ve had strict instructions to stay out of the kitchen, and for once in me life I’m going to do as I’m told.’
‘I should think so, yer’ve worked very hard.’ Victoria laid a thin veined hand on Molly’s. ‘Doreen’s like you, she keeps the house like a little palace. I wouldn’t know what to do without her now, I’ve gone past doing any serious housework. Even dusting the sideboard wears me out. And I’d never manage keeping the coal scuttle filled or cleaning the ashes out.’
‘Yer’ve done yer whack, sunshine, and now it’s time for taking things easy. I’m sure Phil is a big help to Doreen and the pair of them seem very contented with life. Our Doreen looks the picture of health so I don’t have to worry about her. But when she gets nearer her time, I’ll be over there by the minutes to make sure she’s all right.’
‘There’s one thing I feel sad about, Molly, and that’s the christening. Phil won’t have a solitary member of his family to see his first child christened. He never talks about it, but I know it must be on his mind.’
‘You’re his family, Victoria, you and Doreen. And the baby when it comes. That’s without me and Jack and the children. As far as we’re concerned he’s one of us.’ Molly briefly considered telling the old lady that plans were afoot to find Phil’s real father’s relations, but thought it would be unwise. Think what a disappointment it would be if they drew a blank, which was very likely as they had so little to go on. ‘We treat him like a son, as we do Steve, and always will do.’
Jack tapped his wife on the shoulder. ‘D’yer want us to take the extension leaf out of the table and take it back upstairs?’
‘If yer would, love, but get one of the lads to help yer ’cos I don’t want yer straining yer back. Don’t forget to wrap the old sheet around it before it goes back on top of the wardrobe. It won’t be seeing daylight again until next Christmas, please God.’
‘I’ll give yer a hand, Mr B,’ Steve said. ‘Phil’s helping the girls put the dishes away.’
‘I wouldn’t be too eager to offer me services, Steve,’ Molly grinned, ‘’cos yer might be asked to do something yer wouldn’t want to do.’
‘Nah, me back’s strong, Mrs B, there’s not much I can’t do.’
‘Ah, well, that’s a load of me mind. So in about an hour’s time, yer won’t mind helping Jack carry the table to yer mam’s house, then?’
‘Oh, no, Mrs B, not that!’ Steve slapped an open palm on his forehead and feigned horror. ‘Anything but that! I’ll get down on bended knee and beg yer to spare me from a fate worse than death. Me mam hates that table ’cos she gets a bruise every time she passes it. She does more swearing when it’s in our house than any other time. And that’s saying something ’cos yer know how she can turn the air blue.’
Three heads appeared around the kitchen door then and Jill wanted to know, ‘What are yer getting down on yer bended knee to me Mam for, Steve?’
Steve winked at Molly before facing them. ‘Ay, Phil, ye’re just the man for the job. Will yer do Mr B a favour and help him move the table?’
Phil nodded. ‘Of course I will! Where d’yer want it moved to? Under the window?’
Jack could see the funny side and went along with it. ‘Yeah, under the window, but it’ll do in an hour or so.’
Phil was eager to help, though, and said, ‘We may as well do it now and get it over with.’
‘It can’t be done for another hour, sunshine,’ Molly told him. ‘Yer see, it’s not this window it’s going under, it’s the McDonoughs’.’
Doreen pulled Jill back into the kitchen and they doubled up with laughter. Phil was the only one who didn’t know the saga of the table and Nellie. ‘Oh, dear, oh, dear,’ Doreen chuckled, ‘this should be interesting.’
‘Yer’ll have to tell the poor lad,’ Jill said. ‘We all know it’s a regular performance, and Auntie Nellie doesn’t mean it when she takes off, but he doesn’t know. And she’s such a good actor she’ll frighten the life out of him.’
‘She might at first, but he’ll soon see the funny side of it.’
‘I hope so, for his sake.’ Jill glanced around the kitchen. ‘We’re finished here now, all the dishes are washed and put away. So let’s open our presents and relax for an hour before we make a start on the sandwiches for tonight.’
Nellie was prepared for the knock on the door. When Paul stood up to answer it, she said, ‘It’s all right, son, I’ll go.’ As she opened the door her face was like thunder. ‘Where the hell are yer going with that?’
Jack was used to this, he got it every time they had a party. ‘Molly told us to bring it here so I thought yer knew about it.’
‘Well, yer can just take it back to where it came from, ’cos I don’t know nothing about it. She’s got a bloody cheek, trying to palm that off on me, what does she think I am! Go on, buzz off and take that ruddy thing with yer.’
Phil’s jaw dropped. He’d never seen Mrs McDonough like this before. He lifted his end of the table and said, ‘Come on, Mr B, we’ll take it back.’
‘Hang on a minute, son.’ Jack held out his hands. ‘We can’t take it back, Nellie, we’re having a party tonight and there’s no room for it.’
‘I know ye’re having a party, soft lad, ’cos I’m the deputy hostess, aren’t I? But that doesn’t mean I’ve got to have that ruddy thing in me house. Stick it in yer yard by the coal-hole, it won’t come to no harm.’
Jack was dying to laugh at the expression on Phil’s face. He’d fallen for it, hook, line and sinker. ‘I’m not taking it back, Nellie, ’cos Molly would kill me.’
‘Yer’ve got a choice then, haven’t yer? Yer can go home and be killed by Molly, or yer can try and get that ruddy thing in this house and I’ll flaming well kill yer. Take yer pick.’
Phil heard a sound and turned his head to see Doreen, Jill and Molly standing on the pavement, three doors down, laughing their heads off. It was then that the penny dropped. Oh, aye, he thought, they’re playing a joke on me. Well, two can play at that game. ‘Come on, Mr B, yer wife’s just shouted up to say we’re not to argue any more, we’ve to take the table back.’ He turned his head again as though someone had called him, nodded, and looked up at Nellie. ‘Mrs B’s told me to tell yer she won’t be able to have a deputy hostess ’cos there won’t be enough room.’
In her eagerness to get outside to see what was going on, Nellie’s body moved faster than her feet and she lost her balance. Before Jack or Phil could go to her assistance, she’d banged her hip on the table. ‘Damn, blast and bugger it!’ She rubbed the sore part briskly, her eyes narrowed in supposed anger. ‘I hate this ruddy table, Molly Bennett! I’m in agony now and it’s all your fault ’cos yer’ve put a jinx on me.’
Molly sauntered up, her arms folded. ‘Ah, have yer thrown yer dummy out of the pram, sunshine? Well, don’t cry, I’ll pick it up for yer.’
‘I’ve a good mind to pick this table up and throw it at yer.’ Nellie craned her neck to look up at her friend. ‘But I’ll get me own back, you’ll see. My George has got a great big axe under the stairs and I’m going to spend the next hour chopping the legs off the ruddy thing and using them for firewood.’
‘Okay, if it makes yer happy.’ The wind was bitterly cold and Molly rubbed her arms to warm them up. ‘I’ll see yer at half-seven then, sunshine?’
‘I’ll be there, girl, don’t worry.’ Nellie stepped into the hall and jerked her head. ‘What are you two standing like dummies for? Get that thing in here on the double. And mind yer don�
��t scratch it ’cos I’ll get the blame.’
‘Will it be all right if I scratch me head?’ Phil asked. ‘Yer see, Mrs Mac, me mind hasn’t taken it all in yet. I’m a bit slow on the uptake.’
‘I had noticed, son, and I thought to meself, He takes after his father-in-law. I mean, like, yer’d have to go a long way to find two grown men standing on a pavement on Christmas Day with a ruddy big table between them. Still, don’t let it get yer down ’cos it takes all sorts to make a world.’ Nellie went ahead of them, saying over her shoulder, ‘I see yer both got shirts for Christmas, they look nice on yer. My feller bought me a new dress but ye’re not seeing it until tonight. I’ll introduce meself to yer ’cos yer won’t recognise me in it.’ With a wicked glint in her eyes she added, ‘I got an underskirt off our Lily and stockings off Paul. I asked him to buy me a pair of knickers ’cos I’m short on them, but he said he wasn’t going in no shop and asking for a pair of knickers the size of a parachute.’
George’s voice came loud and clear. ‘In the name of God, woman, will yer shut that ruddy door? We’re getting blown off our feet in here.’
Turning the table on its side so they could get the legs through the door first, Jack winked at Phil and chuckled. ‘Never a dull moment, son, never a dull moment.’
Corker had carried his mother down to have Christmas dinner with him and Ellen and the kids. Despite her protests that people would think she’d lost the run of her senses, he’d wrapped her in several layers of clothes and scarves to protect her from the cold wind and picked her up as if she was a two-year-old. And now, after a delicious dinner, sitting in front of a warm fire with her step-grandchildren around her, she was glad he’d paid no heed to her protests.
‘That was a lovely dinner, Ellen, thank you.’
‘Ye’re welcome, Ma, we’d have been disappointed if yer hadn’t come.’
‘I didn’t have much choice, sweetheart, I was dressed and carried like a baby. Heaven knows what the neighbours thought.’