A Wise Child

by A Wise Child (retail) (epub)

  ‘That’s a good idea,’ Sam said approvingly. ‘But you don’t have to get no ideas from anyone else, Ellie. You got learned manners.’

  ‘Not here,’ Nellie said grimly. ‘I often think about the cook saying I didn’t know no more than a Hottentot when I went to me first place. No one’s never going to say that about Tommy, not if I can help it. Mind you, I wouldn’t have started learning him so young, only for Katy.’

  As they sat with cups of tea after the meal Sam said suddenly, ‘There’s something I’ve got to tell you, Ellie.’ Bobby stood up to go but Sam said, ‘Hang on a minute, lad. This concerns you an’ all. It’s about your da.’

  ‘About Da?’ Bobby echoed sitting down again.

  ‘You know we was talking about him last time I was home, Ellie? Well, it turned out a fella on our gang was a shipmate of your da’s. Was in New Orleans with him on his last voyage. He said your da never backed off. He thinks he was murdered.’

  ‘Murdered!’ Nellie and Bobby exclaimed in unison.

  ‘Aye. He said they was walking down this place and they seen an old black woman carrying a big basket. She was limping along and your da went to take the basket off her and carry it. To cut a long story short a gang of white men came round them. This fella Bert said he seen your da getting dragged off.’

  ‘Didn’t he help him?’ Nellie said indignantly.

  ‘He couldn’t have done no good. He said they was holding him back but I think he just run for his life. But he said they had murder in mind all right and there was a big gang of them. He got back to the ship and he fell in with a fella from their fo’c’sle who told him to keep his mouth shut.’

  ‘So he never reported it?’ Bobby said.

  ‘No, Bert said this fella told him if it got to the bridge – to the officers, like – they’d have to make a fuss. Get the British Consul and that. He said it might hold up the ship or Bert might get left behind to answer questions and God knows what would happen to him.’

  ‘But he might have saved Da,’ Nellie exclaimed.

  Sam shook his head. ‘No, girl. I know what it’s like in them parts. They do what they like. Your da would be murdered right off and his body’d be buried somewhere. Plenty of places round there for a body to be hid and the scuffers there wouldn’t worry too much about looking for it an’ all.’

  ‘But Bert could have said something when he got home. At least we’d have knew about Da,’ Bobby said.

  ‘I said that to him,’ Sam agreed. ‘But he had his own troubles when he got back. His lad had been torpedoed near the end of the war and adrift in an open boat nine days. Picked up and taken to Australia and to hospital. Then he was sent home. When Bert got back the lad was dead and buried. Died on the way home.’

  ‘Poor fellow,’ Nellie said. ‘He wouldn’t be thinking about nothing else at a time like that.’

  ‘He said then he heard your ma was dead so he didn’t bother no more,’ Sam said.

  They all sat in silence then Nellie said with a sigh, ‘Well, at least we know now. We won’t be thinking he might walk in any time.’

  ‘I’m sorry Da’s dead,’ Bobby said, ‘but I’m glad he didn’t just back off and leave us,’ and Nellie agreed.

  She began to prepare the child for bed and Sam and Bobby went out together, Sam to go to the Volunteer and Bobby with his friends to a boxing club.

  Nellie’s thoughts were all of her father and she bathed and dressed the child in his nightclothes. Her father would never see his grandson. She remembered his kindness to her when he was home from sea and wept for him.

  When Sam returned, Nellie began to look forward to going to bed with a mixture of excitement and nervousness as she remembered the advice Rose had given to her.

  When they were in bed Sam at first held her in his arms gently stroking her hair.

  ‘Are you upset about your da, girl?’ he asked quietly.

  ‘In one way, but in another, like Bob said, I’m glad to know,’ Nellie said. ‘At least he got killed trying to do a good turn, not just in a fight.’

  ‘I didn’t know whether to tell you or not,’ Sam said. ‘But I thought you’d want to know, like.’

  ‘It always bothered me that Da backed off just at that time,’ Nellie said. ‘Y’know, me ma just dead and Bobby still only a kid, and he knew I’d miss him. I know he never really had much time for Ma so he wouldn’t have gone because she died. I’m glad he couldn’t help not coming home.’

  ‘I think that feller Bert felt better when he’d spilled it out to me,’ Sam said. ‘I said we wouldn’t say nothing to no one else about it.’

  ‘We should’ve told Bobby that,’ Nellie said in alarm. ‘You know the way he talks to everyone.’

  ‘Not to no one who could cause trouble,’ Sam said.

  His mouth came down on hers and as he caressed her she gave herself up to the strong tide of passion which rose in them and swept them to a climax.

  ‘I love you, Sam,’ she whispered and drew his head down to hers.

  He held her close and kissed her, his lips almost bruising hers. ‘I love you too, Ellie,’ he whispered, kissing her eyes and her throat.

  They lay quietly for a while, Nellie in Sam’s arms with her arms about his neck and her head on his shoulder.

  ‘By God,’ Sam said at length. ‘No wonder they say you can’t fathom women. You’re full of surprises, Ellie.’

  He began to kiss her again and as Nellie responded to him he made love to her with a passion and urgency that frightened her.

  ‘Oh God, Ellie, oh God,’ he gasped as she clung to him trembling. ‘I’m sorry, girl. I’m like a bloody madman.’

  ‘No Sam, it’s me,’ Nellie said. She hid her face in his neck, suddenly shy. ‘Are you shocked, Sam?’ she whispered.

  He stroked her hair. ‘No, girl, just surprised, like.’ He smiled. ‘I didn’t think you had it in you.’

  They lay spent with emotion until Sam said suddenly, ‘But why now, Ellie? You was never like that before.’

  Nellie thought he might be vexed if he knew that she had discussed it with Rose so she said only, ‘It’s just with listening to other women talking about their husbands, like. Made me think what a good husband you are, Sam.’

  ‘But what do they talk about?’ Sam asked.

  ‘About when the husbands come home. None of them are as good to their wives as what you are, Sam. Even Buck Madden.’

  Sam drew back his head and looked at her. ‘Buck! There’s nothing wrong with Buck. Has his missus been saying different?’

  ‘No, it’s just that he doesn’t take an interest in his kids as much as what you do in Tommy,’ Nellie said.

  ‘He’s a real good father,’ Sam said indignantly, ‘And a good husband and a real good mate.’

  ‘It was just she said that the novelty’s wore off a bit with their kids,’ Nellie said hastily. ‘It’s all new to us with Tommy.’

  Sam smiled but he was still indignant on Buck’s behalf. ‘Fancy Jessie Madden calling Buck though. She wants to be married to some fellas I know. She’d value Buck all right then.’

  ‘No, honestly, Sam, we was only talking about the way you play with Tommy and talk to him and she said the novelty wears off. She wasn’t calling him. Did you know she lost two children?’

  ‘Aye, I remember how cut up Buck was,’ Sam said.

  ‘It was other women, really, talking about the way their husbands drank nearly all their pay-off and never came home hardly,’ Nellie said. ‘Made me realise how good you are.’ She reached up and kissed him again.

  ‘They done me a good turn, then,’ Sam said, kissing her and holding her close.

  Long after Nellie fell asleep Sam lay awake. No wonder fellas said you never knew where you were with women, he thought. Ellie was certainly a bundle of surprises. Where was the timid frightened little girl he thought he had married? She was still shy and timid in some ways but in others—!

  He thought of the night of the Adams’ party and the way she had been tran
sformed when they returned home. Mind you, that was just like a tigress with her cubs. Mother’s instinct, he thought. But tonight! I wouldn’t never have thought she had it in her. Never would have believed she could be like that. I hope nobody’s been tutoring her, he thought grimly. I’ll bloody soon cure them if they have. But the next moment he felt ashamed of his doubts.

  Ellie was straight, he was sure of it. He thought of the reason she had given him for being so loving and smiled. Other women’s talk. But Buck Madden’s wife talking about him too.

  Buck was the best fellow ever trod shoe leather. Been a good mate of his for years. That woman doesn’t know when she’s well off. Then he remembered what Buck had told him about his son. Giving him cheek and his wife sticking up for the lad. Putting Buck in the wrong.

  And Syd had left the sea because of trouble with his eldest lad. I’ll never have nothing like that with Tommy, he thought. Ellie won’t go against me and she’ll bring Tom up proper while I’m away. Learn him manners an’ all. Me and Tommy’ll always be good mates. He was smiling when he fell asleep.

  Sam’s time ashore passed happily, the days spent taking out his son or drinking with his mates and the nights in passionate lovemaking with his wife. Nellie tried to show Sam all the affection of which Rose thought he had been starved and Sam said several times how much he appreciated the comfortable home she had made.

  Sam sometimes gave Nellie orders about her care of Tommy and she always accepted them meekly and submissively but this was the tradition of the neighbourhood, and Sam, although masterful, never bullied his wife.

  On Saturday they went to the market and met Rose and George Adams there. Rose was leading her youngest child, a boy of seven, by the hand and Nellie held Tommy’s hand as he toddled beside her. The two men walked behind them and although Sam watched Nellie jealously he could see nothing to which he could take exception.

  Nellie had not seen Rose since the men returned from sea and although Rose asked no questions Nellie whispered shyly, ‘I took your advice, Rose.’

  ‘Good. Sam looks happy anyway,’ was all that Rose said but she smiled warmly at Nellie.

  The crush in the market was growing and Sam lifted Tommy in his arms. ‘There y’are, lad. You can see a bit more now.’

  Tommy wound his arms round Sam’s neck and kissed him unselfconsciously and Sam beamed with pride.

  Nellie had seen both Charlie West and Jed Jones in the distance while Sam was away but managed to avoid them, but by an unlucky chance as she and Sam returned from the market they met West at the corner of the street.

  He pretended to look guilty, darting nervous glances at Nellie and Sam. ‘Oh oh, I didn’t know you was home Sam,’ he said with a nervous titter.

  ‘Is that why you’re hanging round here?’ Sam demanded and put Tommy down to stand beside him. ‘What’s your game?’

  ‘Nothing, nothing, Sam,’ West stuttered, darting away down the side entry. Sam made to go after him but the child was gripping his leg. They went into the house and immediately Sam began to shout at Nellie.

  ‘What’s your game? What’s your fancy man doing hanging round here? Thought I was away. So that’s what goes on when I turn me back.’

  He loomed menacingly over Nellie and she began to cry.

  ‘He’s just a troublemaker. I’ve never seen him except in the distance and I’ve always dodged him.’

  ‘Dodged him? What’s going on between you?’ Sam shouted.

  ‘Nothing, Sam, nothing,’ Nellie wept. ‘He’s just a troublemaker,’ but it was only when Tommy, sensing the quarrel, began to cry loudly that Sam calmed down.

  Nellie tried to convince him that West had just put on an act to cause trouble between them. ‘I hate the fellow,’ she said. ‘He’ll be laughing now especially if he thinks he’s made us fall out. Laughing up his sleeve.’

  Sam muttered that West would laugh the other side of his face when he caught him but he remained sulky and suspicious. When they went to bed he turned his back on Nellie and hurt and angry she turned away from him.

  The next morning they scarcely spoke. Sam slept until midday and then ate bacon and eggs in silence before picking up his cap and walking out without a word.

  As it was Sunday Bobby was at home and he looked at Nellie in surprise. ‘Sam got a bad head?’ he enquired.

  ‘He’s got something bad,’ she said grimly. She cleared away the meal, clashing the dishes together loudly, then wiped Tommy’s face.

  ‘If anyone asks, we’re going over to Gertie’s,’ she announced. ‘We might go out somewhere.’ As Janey always went off early on Sundays on her mysterious errands it was clear that Nellie meant Sam but Bobby prudently said nothing.

  She whisked the child over to Gertie’s house and Gertie ushered them into the kitchen, which was now comfortably furnished, and gave Tommy a picture book to look at.

  She made tea for herself and Nellie. ‘Everything all right, Nell?’ she asked.

  Nellie hesitated then decided to confide in Gertie. She was not a gossip.

  ‘I’m so mad,’ she said in a low voice. ‘We had a lovely night at the market last night. We met Rose and George Adams with their youngest and everything was the gear. Then when we got home we met Charlie West almost outside the door and you should have seen the act he put on, Gert. Pretended to look guilty and said he didn’t know Sam was home. As if he’d been coming to see me on the sly.’

  ‘I hate that fellow,’ Gertie said. ‘He thinks he’s the answer to the maiden’s prayer. If he only knew what people think about him.’

  ‘He’s a born troublemaker,’ Nellie said.

  She felt her eyes fill with tears and Tommy looked up apprehensively. Gertie quickly distracted his attention by bringing out more books while Nellie blew her nose and composed herself.

  She smiled at Tommy and said to Gertie, ‘Do you want me to help you in the back kitchen?’

  ‘Oh yes, if you don’t mind,’ leading the way while Nellie murmured to her, ‘Little pitchers.’

  In the back kitchen they were able to speak more freely.

  ‘Honestly, Gertie, the way Charlie West went on he nearly convinced me and Sam was raging. If Tommy hadn’t been hanging on to his leg he’d have run after that little runt and battered him.’

  ‘Don’t worry. He’d have made sure of a hidey hole before he tried it on with Sam,’ Gertie said. ‘What makes fellas like that tick, I wonder? And then I suppose you and Sam fell out?’

  Nellie nodded miserably. ‘I don’t know why he takes notice of fellas like that. He carried on about it last night and then this morning he ate his breakfast and walked out without a word,’ she said.

  ‘He’ll get over it,’ Gertie comforted her. ‘Once he has time to cool down and think about it. But that little runt West! Someone should batter him. Do him the world of good.’

  ‘I’m sure he wouldn’t have tried it on last night if Sam hadn’t been carrying Tom,’ Nellie said.

  ‘Never mind, Nell, at least you haven’t got a black eye to show for it,’ Gertie reassured her.

  ‘No, that’s one thing about Sam. It’s only words,’ Nellie said, managing to smile.

  Tommy appeared in the doorway and Gertie said briskly, ‘I’ll tell you what. Why don’t we go to Derby Park? It’s a lovely day and what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, I say.’

  Nellie agreed but said that she could not be out too long as she would have to be back to prepare the meal.

  They spent some happy hours in the park and Nellie had to admit that she felt much better when they returned. The change of scene and Gertie’s company put the quarrel with Sam in perspective.

  She was preparing the meal when Sam returned looking sheepish but Tommy prattled to him about their outing.

  ‘You went out, then?’ Sam asked.

  ‘Yes, with Gertie to Derby Park,’ Nellie said briefly. She was tempted to quote Gertie’s remark about the goose and the gander but her courage failed.

  She served t
he meal in silence, putting Janey’s portion between two plates as she had not returned, but Bobby talked about what had happened at the boxing club and Tommy chattered about a dog he had seen at the park and the ice cream which Gertie had bought him.

  Nellie bustled about when the meal was over, leaving Sam to sit alone with his cup of tea and cigarette. Bobby squatted on the floor carving a little dog for Tommy from a piece of wood.

  Sam admired it. ‘You done that real good, lad,’ he said, ‘you must have a knack for it.’

  ‘Mr Bushell says I have,’ Bobby said, colouring with pleasure. ‘He said they might send me to this house they’re doing up in Yorkshire.’

  ‘You never told me nothing about that,’ Nellie exclaimed.

  ‘It was only yesterday morning. I was just showing off with me clasp knife,’ Bobby said laughing. ‘He might have forgot tomorrow.’

  ‘That’s real good, that dog,’ Sam said. ‘See this, Ellie? Very nearly barking at us.’ Nellie came beside Sam’s chair to admire the carving and after that they spoke freely to each other, although a tiny residue of doubt remained in Sam’s mind and a sense of grievance in Nellie’s.

  Sam was due to leave in two days’ time and that night they made love again but with more restraint than earlier in Sam’s leave. They forgot their differences for Sam’s last day and spent a happy time with Sam only going to the Volunteer quite late for a farewell drink with old friends.

  ‘I hope I’ve started with another baby,’ Nellie whispered to him as they said goodbye in the kitchen the following day.

  ‘Well, if you haven’t it’ll give Tommy a bit longer to have all the attention,’ Sam said laughing.

  At least he won’t be disappointed if I haven’t, Nellie thought as she stood at the door with Tommy, ready to wave goodbye to Sam as he turned the corner.

  Chapter Nine

  Nellie was again disappointed in her hope for another baby and the same happened after every trip for the following years.

  Every leave followed the same pattern. Sam would arrive home bearing gifts and full of good intentions but always at some time during his time ashore there would be a scene provoked by his jealousy. Anything, no matter how trivial, could be the cause.