by Kitty Neale
‘They ain’t mine, it’s my husband who likes a drink. Keep your voice down, he’s passed out in the front room,’ Doreen said, pulling her cardigan closer around herself.
‘The reason I’m here is to get Godfrey back for all the wrongs he’s done. My friend used to do your job at Mrs Alderton-Steele’s, but she lost it after Godfrey pinched some jewellery and made sure she got the blame. They even had the police on her, but as she hadn’t stolen it they obviously couldn’t prove anything. Anyhow, I know Godfrey is giving you a bit of a hard time, and if you help me, we can stop him.’
‘I can’t afford to lose my job. Look around you. My husband drinks more than he earns, and my milk’s dried up so I can barely afford to feed this little ’un. I know there’s lots more jobs out there, but it ain’t easy to find one when you’ve got a baby. The cook at Mrs Alderton-Steele’s is my cousin and she lets me leave Joseph with her in the kitchen.’
‘You won’t lose your job. I just need you to tell a little white lie for me. I promise you, your job will be fine, and it’ll put a stop to Godfrey.’
‘I can’t risk it. I hate him … hate what he’s doing to me, but what choice do I have? He said if I don’t do what he says, he’ll have me arrested. I can’t go to prison. Who’d look after Joseph?’
‘It won’t come to that,’ Sarah said and as she had with Jenny, she laid out her plan.
‘Yeah, yeah, that’d work,’ Doreen said when Sarah had finished speaking, and at last she smiled. ‘All right. I’ll do it.’
Sarah was glad to be back outside in the fresh air. Doreen’s house had been stuffy, and felt so depressing. It’d reminded her of where she grew up, and though she could see Doreen was unhappy but doing her best, she couldn’t help feeling sorry for Joseph as she knew what it was like to grow up with a drunk.
She was pleased that Doreen had agreed to go along with her plan. She had felt so guilty for not speaking up sooner, but now she could help both Jenny and Doreen to get their revenge.
Mo rested the back of her hand on Tommy’s forehead again. He didn’t feel any hotter than the last time she’d checked him, but he looked deathly pale. ‘So much for spending a nice weekend with you,’ Mo said to Samuel.
‘The boy can’t help being unwell, and Sarah wasn’t to know he was going to be taken ill at that birthday party. Are you sure we shouldn’t call the doctor?’
‘No, I think we should wait for Sarah to come home,’ Mo replied as she walked across from her bed to look out of the window impatiently. Bloody kids and their diseases, she thought, another reason for not wanting any. ‘If we’re stuck indoors with a sick child, we may as well make the most of it. Do you want to pop out to the offie and pick us up a bottle of something?’
‘I don’t think we should be drinking with Tommy poorly in our bed. Once Sarah gets home, then I’ll take you out somewhere nice.’
‘Please, Sam, it’s not often we get any time together or have a drink, and she could be hours yet. Come on, let’s have some fun for a change,’ Mo urged, and flattered her eyelashes at her man.
‘OK, OK, you know I can’t resist those eyes,’ Samuel said, kissing Mo on the cheek. ‘I’ll be back soon.’
Samuel had been gone for about half an hour when Mo saw Sarah walking down the road. She went out to the landing and when Sarah came in she called out to her over the banisters. ‘Sarah, come up here. Tommy’s not well and I’ve got him in my bed.’
Sarah looked panicked as she ran up the stairs, so Mo said reassuringly, ‘Don’t worry, he’s not too bad. It’s just his chest playing up again. I reckon all the coughing has worn him out.’
‘I’m so sorry to have ruined your day,’ Sarah said after checking on Tommy. ‘Where’s Sam?’
‘I sent him to pick up a bottle. In fact, he should be back by now,’ Mo replied, and began to worry what was taking him so long.
‘Maybe he stopped to have a drink. After all, I doubt he was too happy about minding a poorly child.’
‘Maybe, but he doesn’t normally like to drink in our local. He said he feels a bad atmosphere in there. Anyhow, he wasn’t bothered about looking after Tommy.’
‘He’s a nice bloke.’
‘Yeah, I know,’ Mo agreed, but suddenly tensed. ‘Sarah, I know this sounds silly, but I’ve got one of those strange feelings again.’ Mo could feel her stomach churning, and her instincts were telling her that something was wrong.
‘What, like you had when we bumped into your brother?’
‘Yes, exactly like that,’ Mo said, and looked out of the window, tapping her foot. ‘Panic over, here he comes,’ she added with relief.
‘I’ll take Tommy downstairs. Thanks ever so much for looking after him,’ Sarah said.
‘Wrap him in the blanket. You can give it back to me later.’
Sarah smiled her thanks and as she was scooping the child from the bed, Samuel walked into the room.
Mo gasped. ‘What on earth happened to you?’
‘I … er … tripped on the kerb and fell over.’
‘I’m not bloody stupid, Sam. I’ve seen enough fights in my life to know when someone’s been in one, so what really happened?’ Mo asked as she rushed over to Samuel and reached up to touch a cut above his eyebrow. She then took his hands and examined his swollen knuckles.
‘I got jumped, nothing to worry about, just a couple of bumps and bruises,’ Samuel said, but Mo could tell he was trying to fob her off.
‘I know when you’re lying to me, Sam. It was my dad or one of my brothers that did this to you, wasn’t it?’
Samuel hung his head.
‘I knew it! I said to Sarah I had a bad feeling. For Christ’s sake, can’t we even leave this dump for half an hour without you getting attacked?’
Samuel placed his arms around her. ‘It’s all right,’ he said in a soft voice, ‘It’s not what you think.’
‘Yes, it is. I hate them, all of them, and I wish they were dead! Who was it? Danny?’
‘Yes, but he looks a lot worse than I do,’ Samuel answered.
‘What do you mean? You beat him up?’ Mo asked. Her brother was one of the hardest blokes she knew, and she didn’t believe that Samuel would be a match for him. She thought her man was more of a lover than a fighter.
‘I’m sorry, Mo. I know you didn’t want me causing trouble, but I saw him coming out of the pub and I just saw red.’
‘Are you telling me that you attacked him?’
‘Yes, I got the first punch in.’
Mo turned to look at Sarah to see she had placed Tommy back on the bed and was now sitting beside him, her mouth agape. She looked as surprised as Mo felt.
‘Blimey, Sam, you must be mad! From what Mo has told me, Danny is a nutter and he could have battered you.’
‘He’s not so tough,’ Samuel said with a shrug and a smile.
‘What happened then?’ Mo asked, intrigued.
‘He saw me walking towards him and had an ugly sneer on his face. I think he thought I’d turn away, but I’ve had enough of your lot intimidating us, so I carried on towards him. He started telling me I should go back to my own country, and the next thing I knew, I had punched him. He looked so shocked, especially when he noticed his nose was bleeding. Before he had a chance to react, I punched him again … and again. I’m not sure how many blows I landed, but two men grabbed me and pulled me off him. There was a bit of a scuffle and that’s how my face got hurt. It wasn’t your brother that caused it because by then he was lying on the pub doorstep in a bit of a mess. He was still lying there when I left.’
‘Oh, Sam, I love you,’ Mo said, and threw her arms around his waist, thrilled that her man had overpowered her brother.
Sarah brought her down to earth when she said, ‘If Danny is in a bad way, there might be repercussions from this, Sam. What if the police come looking for you?’
‘Mo’s family won’t go to the police. They prefer to keep things in house, but I doubt we’ll see Danny again. Men like him are nothing m
ore than bullies, and now I’ve shown him we can’t be terrorised any more.’
Mo pulled away from Samuel and went to the window. She scanned the street, suddenly panicking, but was momentarily calmed to see only children playing outside. ‘I wouldn’t bet on that. Danny won’t let you get away with this. He’ll be back, and he won’t be alone. I know my family, they’ll all be round here soon, mob-handed, vying for your blood, and mine too. This isn’t going to stop a thing. It’s just going to make it get a lot worse.’
‘Let them come,’ Samuel said boldly. ‘I’ve told you, I won’t be chased from my own home.’
‘Don’t be so stupid and bloody stubborn, Sam. I’m telling you, they’ll be coming, and soon! We’ve got to get out of here, and you too, Sarah.’
Thankfully, Sarah hurriedly picked Tommy up and left, saying she’d pack a few things. Mo hoped Samuel would listen to her too. Though she admired his courage, she feared for their lives.
Chapter 28
It would always brighten George’s day when he saw Sarah walking through the market, and today was no exception, though he could see she wasn’t looking her usual bubbly self and was lugging a large, heavy bag. She’d forgiven his lies about selling the jewellery and they were once again firm friends, though he still cringed when he thought about his announcement of his love for her.
‘Hello, Sarah, Tommy,’ George said, then noticed how pale Tommy looked. ‘Are you all right, little man?’
‘Hi, George. He’s got a nasty cough again and should be in bed, but we’ve got a bit of a problem,’ Sarah said.
‘I’m sorry to hear that. Anything I can help with?’
‘As it happens, I hate to ask, but I really need a big favour.’
‘You know me, Sarah. If I can help, I will,’ George answered and then listened intently as she explained the situation with Mo’s family.
‘So,’ she continued, ‘we need somewhere to stay for a while until it’s safe to go back or I find somewhere else to live. I would have gone straight round to your mum’s and asked her, but I know she was going out.’
‘Yeah, she told me about the shop being closed for a bit of a refit. She’s gone up town with Joan, but I know I can speak for her when I say she’d be happy to have you and Tommy come and stay. We can’t have you two put at risk like that. Mo’s lot sound like a right lovely bunch,’ George said with a note of sarcasm.
‘Thanks, George, you’re a life-saver,’ Sarah said, and seemed to cheer up.
George fished in his pocket for his front-door key, and handed it to Sarah. ‘Here, take this and let yourself in. Put Tommy in my bed. You both can share it and I’ll kip on the sofa. There’s some cough syrup in one of the kitchen cupboards. Get some down the boy’s neck – he won’t like it but it’ll make him feel better. My mum swears by the stuff. Have a root around for a bottle that says Pulmo Bailly.’
‘Thanks, George, but I don’t want to put you out. You can’t sleep on the sofa,’ Sarah protested as she took the key.
‘You’re not putting me out. I don’t mind where I get my head down, and I ain’t arguing with you about it. Anyhow, when my mum gets home, she’ll throw me out of my room and put you in there, and I bet you won’t argue with her,’ George said with a laugh.
‘You’re probably right,’ Sarah agreed. ‘I’ll go to yours now and get Tommy into bed before he drops where he’s standing. I’ll see you later when you get home.’
George noticed his van was boxed in and didn’t recognise the vehicle in the way. ‘Tommy looks really rough, so if you hold on a minute I can run you both back. Some blinkin’ idiot has gone and parked where they shouldn’t.’
‘Thanks, but your house isn’t far from here and it’ll probably be quicker if I walk. Don’t worry, Tommy will be fine.’
George watched in admiration as Sarah walked away with Tommy. Her coat was open and he could see that the dress she was wearing came from his stall. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail that swung from side to side as she walked. As always, he thought she looked stunning. As she disappeared, though he wasn’t happy about her not feeling safe in her own home, he couldn’t help but be overjoyed at the thought of her staying in his house. He’d also noticed that she hadn’t once looked towards Roger’s stall, which added to his joy.
Tommy was tucked in George’s bed, and was sleeping soundly after she’d given him a couple of spoonfuls of the cough syrup. He’d protested and baulked at the taste, but it had seemed to ease his coughing. She sat at the kitchen table and sipped a cup of hot tea. What a day, she thought to herself, feeling worn out.
Sarah rested her elbow on the table and with her chin in her hand, she wondered when it would be safe to return home, if only to collect the rest of their belongings. Samuel had yielded to Mo’s pleas about going into hiding for a while, and they had left to go and stay in a hotel. Samuel hadn’t been keen on breaking into their savings to pay for it, and had insisted they would return home in a few days. He’d refused to change his mind about moving to a new house, and though Sarah could see his point, thinking his stance was both brave and admirable, she had Tommy to think about. His well-being had to come first. She wasn’t sure she’d still feel safe living in the house; after all, she’d already had a brick thrown through the window.
It wouldn’t be easy to find new accommodation. With buying things for their room, along with food and clothes, she hadn’t had the chance to save any money yet. She’d need enough to pay more than a week or two’s rent in advance, and many landlords were reluctant to accept a single mother, though she was working now and felt sure Lena would provide her with a good reference.
She leaned back in the chair, deep in her thoughts. She would never have expected to find herself being labelled an unmarried or single mother, but with Tommy now calling her Mum, no one would believe he was her brother. She was becoming accustomed to receiving disapproving looks from strangers, but didn’t mind. Stuff what other people think, she thought to herself, and hoped Tommy would soon be on the mend.
Lena arrived home to hear George laughing heartily and when she walked into the kitchen, she was surprised to see him and Sarah sitting at the kitchen table tucking into the pie and mashed potatoes she’d prepared earlier.
‘Hello, Mum. Hope you don’t mind us starting dinner before you, but I was starving.’
‘You get stuck in. I’ve already had something to eat with Joan.’
‘Mum, I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve told Sarah that she and Tommy can stay with us for a while. She’s had a bit of bother at home and it’s too dangerous for her to be there. I’ve said they can have my bed and I’ll take the sofa.’
Surprised, Lena pulled out a kitchen chair and sat next to George, facing Sarah. Her feet were aching after a long day window-shopping. She took the knitted cosy off the teapot and looked inside, glad to find it half full and hot. ‘I don’t mind at all, but what’s so dangerous at home?’ she asked, concerned about what Sarah might have got herself involved in.
Sarah reiterated the story she’d told George earlier, and Lena was satisfied that the girl was innocently caught up in something that she hadn’t brought on herself. From what she’d heard, Lena didn’t think Mo’s family would come around looking for Sarah, and she was happy to allow them to stay for as long as they needed, especially as Tommy was under the weather again.
Lena poured herself a cup of tea, and quietly watched her son and Sarah. They seemed so relaxed together, and she could see that George looked happy. He was a hard worker and caring too, but Sarah only saw him as a friend. It was a shame, as she quite liked the idea of having Sarah as a daughter-in-law. It was all very well them playing happily families, but she knew, with Sarah living under her roof, her son’s hopes would be raised again, and now she began to regret agreeing to let her stay. She had a dreadful feeling it would all end in tears.
Chapter 29
Sarah had been at George’s for a few weeks, and had enjoyed every minute. It felt comforting to be in a family e
nvironment, and Tommy loved having George as a father figure to look up to. She was reluctant to leave, but knew that if she stayed any longer, she’d outstay her welcome. Lena refused to take any keep from her, so she’d managed to save a bit of money, and had viewed a couple of rooms, none she’d thought suitable. With nothing else on offer locally, she decided to bite the bullet and see if it was safe to return home.
It was Monday, 2 June, and a glorious Spring Bank Holiday morning. Sarah was sat in the front room with George and Lena as Tommy played upstairs with George’s trains. Both the shop and the market were closed, and Tommy was on school half-term break. He had recovered well from his chest infection after Lena had shown Sarah how to put his head over a bowl of steaming hot water. She’d said it would open up his tubes, and it had appeared to work. In fact, Lena had offered lots of motherly tips, and taught her many useful things that she’d never learned from her own mother, including how to sew and knit. She didn’t feel very accomplished with the knitting and kept dropping stitches, but Lena had encouraged her and told her she’d improve with practice.
‘It’s such a lovely day, how about I take us all out? We could go to the ponds on Wandsworth Common and feed the ducks. It’d make a nice change from Battersea Park,’ George suggested.
‘I’ve already told Joan that I’d go round to hers for lunch today. She gets lonely since her Pete passed away and welcomes the company. You three go, though, I’m sure you’ll have a smashing time in this sunshine,’ Lena said.
Sarah liked the idea, but thought now was a good time to mention leaving. ‘Actually, George, I was thinking of going home today.’
‘But you don’t know if it’s safe yet,’ George protested.
‘I never will know if I don’t go and find out. I would have thought if Mo’s family were out to get Samuel, they would have been and gone by now.’