by Joan Jonker
‘D’yer need anything while I’m at the shops?’
‘I fancy liver and onions if it’s possible. Oh, and a large loaf, please. I’ve got potatoes in, and if I need anything else I can nip to the shops later when the baby goes down for his nap.’
‘Me mouth’s watering now.’ Molly licked her lips. ‘I’m rather partial to liver and onions meself so I think we’ll have it for our dinner as well. That’s if the butcher can oblige, of course. But Tony doesn’t often let me down.’
When the window frame rattled, Molly screwed up her eyes and rubbed her forehead. ‘I’m fed up telling Nellie what the brass knockers on the doors are for. She prefers to use the windows ’cos then she can see if ye’re in, and announce herself at the same time.’
‘It’s a good job the baby was awake or she’d have frightened the life out of him. Tell her I said that, Mam.’
‘Doreen, sunshine, I’m sorry to go back to the subject of ducks, but if I was to say anything to Nellie it would be like water off a duck’s back. She’d have an answer on her lips before I had a chance to get the words out.’ Molly slipped her arms into her coat. ‘I’ll lift the curtain and tell her to give me a minute while I pour Victoria’s tea out.’
Molly moved the net curtain aside, chuckled, then pulled it right back. ‘Will yer just look at the state of her!’
Nellie had her hands on her hips and a ferocious look on her face. ‘Are we going to the ruddy shops today or not?’
Molly lifted a finger and mouthed, ‘I’ll be one minute.’
‘Then open the door and let me in.’
‘No! I’ll be right out.’
‘Molly, I’ll pour me own tea,’ Victoria said, ‘I’m quite capable.’
Molly shook her fist before dropping the curtain. ‘Yer’ve heard the song “Me and My Shadow”? Well, that was written for me and Nellie. If I didn’t put me foot down, she’d be sleeping in our bed between me and Jack.’ She jerked her head at her daughter. ‘Go on up and feed the baby, sunshine, it’s way past his time.’
As she poured out Victoria’s tea, Molly couldn’t help chuckling as she wondered what the neighbours must be thinking. Nellie couldn’t speak softly if she tried so they’d have all heard her asking to be let in. And as she was still on the pavement outside the window, they’d be trying to guess what was happening. What they didn’t understand was that Nellie had no sense of time and her minute would have stretched to half an hour.
‘Here’s yer tea, sunshine, and don’t let Nellie’s shenanigans spoil it for yer. She doesn’t mean no harm.’ After handing the cup over, Molly dropped a kiss on Victoria’s wrinkled forehead. ‘Tell Doreen I’ll call later with her shopping.’
‘Don’t yer ever tell me again that I talk too much, girl, ’cos you would take some beating.’ Nellie had her arm through Molly’s and leaned heavily on it as she skipped a step to keep abreast. ‘Yer can talk till the cows come home, you can.’
‘Nellie, I don’t go over to me daughter’s to jangle, I go over to give her a hand. God knows she doesn’t ask me to do much, she’s coping very well for a girl of her age with a first baby. Just wait until your Lily has one, yer’ll know what I’m talking about then.’
‘I was going to say I wouldn’t keep you standing in the street like a lemon, but I won’t ’cos yer’ll only get a cob on.’ Nellie squeezed Molly’s arm. ‘Ay, can yer imagine me as a grandmother? D’yer think I’ll make a good one?’
‘Yer’ll make a smashing one, sunshine. And if the baby takes after you, it’ll be born with a smile on its face and a joke on its lips.’
That put Nellie in a happy frame of mind and she was laughing when she said, ‘I hope so, girl. If it looks up at the midwife and starts swearing, our Lily will have me guts for garters.’
When they reached the butcher’s, Tony was serving a customer and Ellen came over to them. ‘Did yer see Corker?’
‘No, is he home?’ Molly was surprised because she didn’t know he was expected. ‘I’ve been over at Doreen’s, that’s how I’ve missed him.’ She noticed the brightness of Ellen’s eyes and said, ‘It’s easy to see how pleased you are, it’s written all over yer.’
‘I’m always pleased when he’s home. He’s got some news for yer so give him a knock when yer’ve got a minute.’
‘Why can’t you tell us?’
‘I think he’d like to tell yer himself, I’m saying nothing. But I’ll serve yer if yer tell me what yer want.’
‘I’m hoping yer’ve got some liver in.’ Molly kept her voice down in case the other customer decided she fancied liver as well. ‘Enough for me and our Doreen.’
‘Ay, what about me?’ Nellie looked highly indignant. ‘Or d’yer want my family to starve?’
‘How was I to know yer wanted liver as well?’ Molly rolled her eyes. ‘I’m not a ruddy mind-reader.’
‘Can I have yer ration book?’ Ellen raised her voice as another customer came into the shop. She daren’t show favouritism or there’d be murder. ‘And yours, Nellie?’
As Nellie passed the tattered ration book over, she whispered to Molly, ‘It looks as though we’re in luck, girl.’
Ellen tore the coupons out of the books and passed them back. Leaning over the counter, she said, softly, ‘I can only let yer have half a pound each, but I’ll throw a few sausages in as well.’
Molly smiled her thanks. ‘Ye’re a pal, Ellen.’
Tony was still serving as the two friends were leaving the shop. ‘Have yer been up to anything exciting, Nellie? I could do with a laugh.’
‘Sorry, Tony, but today’s been very dull so far. In fact, I don’t think I’ve cracked me face since I got out of bed. And me mate hasn’t helped, she’s been as miserable as sin. But I don’t like letting yer down, so if yer give me a penny, I’ll go to the newsagent’s and buy yer a copy of the Beano. Yer’ll get plenty of laughs out of that.’
‘Yeah, but they’re not slapstick like yours are. I mean, I get all the action from you.’
Nellie was chortling as she linked Molly’s arm and they made for the door. ‘You don’t get all the action, Tony, my feller gets that in bed.’
Tony got his laugh after all, though. Because Molly, her face red with embarrassment, pulled Nellie out of the shop with such force the little woman’s feet left the ground.
‘Molly, me darlin’, it’s good to see yer. Come on in.’ Corker held the door wide. ‘Did Ellen tell yer I was home?’
Molly lifted her cheek for a kiss. ‘Yeah, she asked if I’d seen yer, but I go over to Doreen’s every morning so if yer did knock, that’s where I’ll have been.’ She opted for one of the fireside chairs. ‘Ellen said yer had some news for me. She was very secretive, wouldn’t tell me what it is. And Nellie’s practically fallen out with me for the second time today because I wouldn’t let her come here with me. But I’ve got me hands full, Corker, and she can’t understand that. I try to help Doreen as much as I can, and of course that’s interrupted our whole routine. We’re later going to the shops, and we can’t make the time up because it’s like a day out to Nellie, she talks to everyone. Anyway, I’m here now and eager for yer news.’
‘I’ve finished sailing the seven seas, Molly, I’m home for good.’
She gaped at him. ‘Go ’way! No wonder Ellen looked pleased with herself. Oh, I’m so happy for yer and for the kids, they’ll be cock-a-hoop.’ She sat back in the chair and smiled at the giant of a man who meant so much to her. She’d go so far as to say she loved him, but not with the same kind of love she had for Jack. ‘So yer’ll be looking for a shore job now, eh?’
‘I’m fixed up, Molly! I start work on Monday with a firm down at the docks, overseeing the loading and unloading of their ships. They’ve offered me a job a few times before but I wasn’t ready to leave the sea. But I’m ready now. So as soon as we docked this morning I went to see the boss at this firm, confirmed there was a job there waiting for me, then went back to the ship and signed off for good.’
‘I’m g
lad, Corker. Glad for you, and Ellen and the kids. And it goes without saying that all our families and friends will be delighted. Wait until Jack and George know they’ve got their drinking partner home for good, they’ll be over the moon.’
‘I’ll give them both a knock tonight and take them for a pint to celebrate. But before then, when can I see Doreen’s baby? From what Ellen said, he’s a beauty.’
Molly laughed. ‘He is, but then I’m biased.’ She glanced at the clock. ‘Come over with me now, Doreen and Victoria would love to see yer. And I don’t care whether yer think I’m bragging or not, but I’m so proud of my daughter because she’s turned out to be the perfect wife and mother. And a good little housekeeper into the bargain.’
When Corker stood up he dwarfed everything in the room. ‘I’ll come as I am, it’s only over the road.’
Molly took him across to Victoria’s house but didn’t intend to stay because time was marching on and she had a dinner to get ready. Not that the family would mind if they had to wait ten minutes for their meal. However, she felt that after working a full day they were entitled to be waited on when they got home. She was glad she hadn’t rushed off, though, because the sight of Corker holding the tiny baby was really a sight she wouldn’t want to have missed. The six foot four inch mountain of a man could have held the baby in the palm of one of his massive hands. But he gently rested him in the crook of his arm and looked down at the scrap of humanity with such joy and wonder on his face, the three women could be heard sniffing back the tears.
‘He’s a bonny little feller, Doreen, you and Phil must be very proud.’ Then he spoke to the baby in soft tones. ‘Yer’ll be seeing a lot of yer Uncle Corker, me darlin’, because I’m home for good now and will have the pleasure of watching yer grow to be a fine lad.’
Doreen looked at her mother with a puzzled expression on her pretty face. ‘What does Uncle Corker mean, Mam, that he’s home for good?’
‘I’ll leave him to tell yer himself, sunshine, ’cos I really have to go and see to the dinner. I’ll tell Jack to expect yer, Corker, and perhaps Phil would like to go for a pint with yer, seeing as yer missed the wetting of the baby’s head.’
Corker took his eyes off the baby to answer, ‘It’ll be my pleasure to toast the little feller with his father. And I hope I’m still around when Bobby here is old enough to come to the pub with us for his first pint. Like I’ve been for every boy in the Bennett and McDonough families.’
‘Of course yer’ll be around,’ Molly said, making a determined effort to walk to the living-room door. ‘Where d’yer think yer going? Me and Nellie will be keeping our eye on yer and yer’ll not be going anywhere unless we say so.’ With a definite nod of the head, she opened the door. ‘I’ll see yer all later. Ta-ra.’
‘One of the girls from work’s calling for me, Mam,’ Lily said, ‘so can we try and get the dinner over early?’
‘What’s she coming for?’
‘Well, she works on the machine with me and we’re really friendly, so when I told her about getting engaged, she suggested having a drink to celebrate. Me and Archie are taking her for a drink, then she’s coming to Blair Hall with us.’
‘But yer not engaged yet so what are yer celebrating?’ Nellie shook her head. ‘That’s what I call putting the cart before the ruddy horse.’
Paul laid down his knife and fork. ‘And where do I come into all of this? Yer knew I was coming to Blair Hall with yer.’
‘I know! And it doesn’t make any difference, yer can come for a drink with us first.’
‘I hope ye’re not going to try and palm me off with some girl I’ve never seen in me life before? I can get me own girls, thank you very much.’
‘Oh, grow up, will yer! Ginny’s got a boyfriend of her own so she wouldn’t look twice at you. She’s a smashing-looking girl, like a film star.’
Nellie chortled. ‘I know some ugly film stars.’
‘Don’t you start, Mam, or she’ll be here before we’re halfway through our dinner.’
But when Ginny arrived everything had been cleared away and the room looked neat and tidy. And as Lily had said, she was a smashing-looking girl and very friendly. She chatted away with Nellie and George as if they were old friends, and even Paul couldn’t find fault with her. So it was a happy, laughing foursome who left the house intent on having a good time.
Phoebe happened to be facing the front window as she slipped her arms into her coat. She heard the laughter before Lily and Archie became visible. A second later Paul passed, accompanied by a very glamorous stranger who was smiling up into his face. Phoebe’s heart lurched but she managed to put a smile in her face when she turned around. Her parents were sitting close together on the couch, and her brothers and sister were seated around the table. It had been a joyous two hours for the children had gone wild when told their father wouldn’t be going away again. They all adored him. This was the first night for a long time that they hadn’t dashed off to meet their friends straight after they’d had their dinner. Phoebe would have liked to stay in on this special night, too, but she’d arranged to meet a friend from work and there was no way she could contact her.
‘I wouldn’t be going out if I didn’t have to, Dad, but I can’t let Elsie down.’
‘There’s no reason why yer should stay in, me darlin’, ’cos I’ll be here every night from now on. Yer can’t stand yer friend up, it wouldn’t be right. So you go ahead and enjoy yerself and yer can tell me about it tomorrow.’
‘I don’t know where we’re going yet, but don’t wait up for me if I’m late.’ Phoebe smiled as she got to the door. ‘It’s going to be great to have yer home, Dad, I’m delighted. But don’t be getting the neighbours drunk tonight, will yer?’
‘No chance of that,’ Ellen said. ‘Two pints and that’s his lot. Anyway, enjoy yerself sweetheart. Ta-ra.’
Phoebe walked to the main road with her head down, deep in thought. She’d told her parents she didn’t know where she was going, but that was a lie. She’d promised to go to the Astoria to see a film Elsie’s sister had been raving about, and she’d been quite content with the arrangements until she’d seen Paul in the company of another girl. It had shaken her and she couldn’t get the significance of it out of her mind. She’d blown her chances with him. Through her own stupid pride she’d lost him.
It was a quarter of an hour’s walk to where she was meeting Elsie, and she had plenty to think of in that time. But thinking it and trying to explain it to her friend were two different things.
‘What d’yer mean, yer’d rather go dancing?’ Elsie asked. ‘We’re supposed to be going to the pictures, and anyway, I haven’t brought me dancing shoes.’
‘Neither have I,’ Phoebe said, looking down at her high-heeled court shoes. ‘But I can dance in these just as well.’
‘What made yer change yer mind? It’s only a couple of hours since I saw yer in work so something must have happened to bring about this change of heart.’
‘I saw Paul with another girl and it really shook me.’ Phoebe decided she didn’t have time to make excuses, she may have left it too late as it was. ‘I’d like to go to Blair Hall to see if he’s there.’
‘What good will that do if he’s with another girl? Yer wouldn’t lower yerself to excuse him, would yer?’
Phoebe shook her head. ‘No, I wouldn’t excuse him. But if he saw me and ignored me then I’d know we’re through for good. But if I never give him the opportunity I might regret it for the rest of me life. I’m crazy about him, Elsie, I can’t help the way I feel. And because I’m the one that caused the break-up, I should be the one to make the first move.’
Elsie had seen Paul and she’d thought her friend was crazy for falling out with him. She’d have hung on to him like grim death if he was her boyfriend. ‘Okay, if that’s what yer want to do. I can go to see the picture tomorrow night.’ She linked arms. ‘I just hope yer don’t make a fool of yerself and get hurt into the bargain.’
Ginny tur
ned out to be a good dancer and Paul was quite happy to have the first two dances with her. She had a really good sense of humour and he was laughing as he twirled her around. Then his eyes happened to light on the door of the dance hall just as Phoebe and her friend came in. The smile dropped from his face and he stumbled, treading on one of Ginny’s toes. ‘I’m sorry, did I hurt yer?’
‘No, not really.’ She raised her brows. ‘Yer look as though yer’ve seen a ghost, Paul, or is my dancing that bad?’
‘No my ex-girlfriend has just walked in and it gave me a surprise. She hasn’t been here for ages and she’s the last person I was expecting to see.’
‘Still carrying a torch for her, are yer?’
‘I suppose yer could say that. It was her fault we fell out and so I didn’t see why I should be the one to make it up. We’ve both been stupid and stubborn, I suppose, but neither of us is prepared to give in.’
‘You said she doesn’t usually come here so perhaps this is her way of taking the first step towards making up.’ Ginny glanced towards the door. ‘Which one is she?’
‘The one in the blue dress with the long mousy-coloured hair.’ ‘
She’s very pretty.’ The dance came to an end Ginny walked with Paul to where Lily and Archie were standing. ‘Too pretty to let go without a fight.’
Lily grabbed her brother’s arm. ‘Have yer seen who’s here?’
Paul nodded. ‘I saw her coming in. She’s with her friend from work.’
‘Are yer going to ask her up?’ Archie was very fond of Phoebe and had a sneaking suspicion that Paul was still smitten with her. He’d certainly shown no interest in any other girl since they’d fallen out. ‘If not, I’ll ask her, just to be friendly, like.’
‘I’ll ask her.’ Paul tried to sound nonchalant but his heart was pounding. ‘That’s if Ginny doesn’t mind being left?’
‘Of course I don’t! Never let it be said I stood in the path of true love.’
As the first strains of a slow foxtrot filled the air, Paul excused himself, afraid that someone else might beat him to it. ‘Hello, Phoebe, I’m surprised to see you here.’