Big Dreams for the West End Girls

by Elaine Roberts

  Philip screwed up his face but did as he was told.

  Frank sneered at Joyce. ‘Yer smarter than yer father I’ll say that for yer.’

  Ted pulled himself upright and puffed out his chest. ‘Leave them alone; this is my problem not theirs.’

  Frank pulled out a box of cigarettes from his jacket pocket. ‘Yer don’t get it do yer, Ted; yer don’t understand that they could be the means to getting what I want.’

  Joyce stepped forward. ‘The means?’

  Frank said nothing, just smiled and winked at her.

  Something was happening here but she didn’t understand what; she only knew she had to protect Philip and Barbara. She gave Barbara a sideways glance. ‘Barbara, why don’t you go home and I’ll lock up.’

  Barbara frowned and held her wooden broom handle tight with both hands. ‘No, Joyce, I shall stay with you and Philip.’

  Joyce didn’t know whether to be pleased that Barbara was staying or not, but it was obvious Barbara had the same feeling as her about the situation. She was thankful Mavis had gone early, and wasn’t here to witness what was possibly unfolding in front of them. ‘Thank you, Barbara, I appreciate it, but I think it would be wiser if you left.’

  Barbara gave a nervous laugh. ‘I think that is probably quite true but we are in this together, whatever this is, and I’m staying put.’

  Slips looked between the two girls before gazing over at Philip. ‘Philip, why don’t yer come over ’ere and chat to me?’

  Philip stood up. The rattling and scraping of the chair against the table and floor echoed in the silence of the café.

  ‘No,’ Joyce shouted as she walked over to stand next to Philip. ‘I don’t know what’s going on here but I will not allow my little brother to be part of this.’ She turned to Ted. ‘Whatever trouble you’ve brought to our doorstep you need to sort it out, and quick.’

  Ted lowered his eyes. ‘I’m sorry, Joyce, I’m sorry you have become a target through my actions. It’s the last thing I wanted.’

  Joyce shook her head. ‘You’ve had a rough time, we’ve all had a rough time, but do you see any of us bringing trouble to someone else’s front door? I don’t know how many times I have to tell you, stop feeling sorry for yourself and realise it’s not just about you. It’s about Philip, it’s about Barbara, and it’s about Simon’s café. Now sort out your mess instead of bringing it to other people’s doorsteps.’

  Ted glanced across at Slips before looking back at Joyce. He nodded. ‘It’s also about you.’ He sighed. ‘I can’t sort it out because, as always, it’s about money. I owe Slips’s family quite a bit.’

  Slips stared intently at Joyce. ‘Yer know it doesn’t give me any pleasure to be ’ere but yer father has lost a lot of money through ’is gambling and I’m ’ere to collect the debt.’

  Joyce could feel her cheeks getting redder as her anger took hold. She stepped forward and placed herself in front of Philip. ‘How much money do you think we make selling tea and cake? It’s beyond me how you think that coming here can pay the rest of the debt, regardless of how much it is.’

  The doorbell chimed again. Joyce sighed; she should remember to lock the door the minute they close down for the day. ‘We’re closed.’

  ‘What’s going on here?’

  Joyce didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the sound of Simon’s voice.

  Barbara ran forward, almost colliding with Joyce, and wrapped her arms around him. ‘This is wonderful. I can’t believe you’re here.’

  Simon winced.

  Barbara pulled back. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.’

  Joyce had also stepped forward but stopped short when she saw he was on crutches. ‘Sit down. You don’t look very secure on them.’

  Mavis followed Simon in through the door. ‘No, he isn’t. This is the first time he’s used them; there’s a wheelchair outside. I wasn’t sure I’d get it through the doorway and I didn’t want to batter him by trying.’ She laughed as she helped Simon onto a chair. Suddenly she noticed the men who were standing in the café. ‘Hello, what’s going on here?’ She paused before stretching out her hand. ‘How do you do, gentlemen. I’m the owner of this establishment so what can we do for you?’

  Joyce couldn’t take her eyes off Simon.

  19

  Joyce reluctantly drew her gaze away from Simon to glance at his mother. ‘Mavis, I don’t mean to be rude, but I think you, Simon and Barbara should leave.’

  Simon studied Joyce for some time, caught up with his desire to sweep her into his arms and protect her. Anger surged through him as it dawned on him he was unable to do either. ‘I don’t think we’re going anywhere. I know you’re running this place for me, Joyce, but it is still my café.’

  Joyce stepped back, suddenly flushed with colour. He might as well have slapped her round the face; the pain and humiliation wouldn’t have felt any worse. She had been firmly put back in her place as the hired help. ‘I know it’s still your café; I was just trying to protect you all.’

  Simon tilted his head. ‘Protect us from what, Joyce?’

  Joyce studied him for a moment. Something had changed. Now he’d had time to think about it was he glad she’d turned down his marriage proposal? Did he feel humiliated and that was why he was putting her in her place?

  Barbara took a deep breath as she watched the pain flick across Joyce’s face. ‘Simon, this is Frank, or perhaps I should say Slips, and he’s been coming to the café quite regularly. I originally thought he had taken a shine to Joyce and it was my job to look after your interests, especially as I thought Joyce was responsible for you enlisting, but I was clearly wrong about that. I made that assumption because you were so sad when you left and I’ve known for ages that you were in love with her.’

  Joyce gasped.

  Simon opened his mouth to speak but Barbara held up a hand. ‘No, let me finish. Joyce has done a good job running this place, standing up to the landlord, coming in cooking while trying to look after young Philip. She had never encouraged any friendship with Frank, but he just kept turning up. I do believe Joyce had no idea that Frank – Slips – was some kind of gangster with little regard for life.’

  Frank stepped forward, his hands curled into fists by his sides. ‘That’s not true, I’ll not ’ave yer spread malicious lies about me, do yer understand?’

  Joyce stepped in between Frank and Barbara. ‘Thank you, Barbara.’ She gently squeezed her arm.

  Frank stared at Joyce, but she didn’t waver. He looked at Ted. ‘Look, I’m not ’ere for anything other than the money Ted owes. Now we can do this the easy way or the ’ard way. Which is it to be?’

  Joyce shook her head. ‘What else are these good people going to think when you come in here with your threats? I’ve already told you; we don’t have the kind of money you’re looking for. Pa, you need to leave here and sort it out with Frank and leave us all alone in peace.’

  Simon frowned. ‘Pa?’

  Joyce tightened her lips. ‘Oh yes, Simon, let me introduce you to my father.’

  Simon shook his head. ‘But I thought your father was dead. Didn’t you say he went down with the Titanic? Are you sure it’s him?’

  Joyce gave a humourless laugh. Perspiration was trickling down from her forehead. She ran the palms of her damp hands down Simon’s white kitchen coat. ‘Unfortunately I am sure. I did think he was dead but it seems he’s back. He’s risen from the dead to bring trouble; however, there’s some good news. It seems I also have a little brother who I didn’t know I had.’

  Simon opened his mouth to speak but shut it again.

  Slips looked around the room at the shocked faces that were staring at Ted and Philip. ‘Right, let’s get on with this. I came ’ere for money, not an ’istory lesson, and I’m not going until I get what I need. Once I ’ave that yer can all get on with your lives. I’m not interested in them; I’m not interested in any of yer. I just want the money that’s owed.’

  Simon frowned; a pulse thr
obbed at the side of his temple. ‘How much is it?’

  Joyce shook her head. ‘No, Simon, I have purposely not asked because I don’t want to know. I’m not going to help my father. He has made no apology for leaving me to deal with my own grief and to look after a man who’s not my uncle. I have no forgiveness and I will not be helping him.’

  Simon stared at the pain on Joyce’s face. ‘Trust me, Joyce, from what I’ve seen over the last few months life is very precious and can be ripped away without notice. Forgiveness helps us to find peace within ourselves and in others; it moves us forward. It helps to heal the agony that rips us all apart and it’s a heavy burden for any one of us to carry, and we all need to be forgiven at some time in our lives because we all make mistakes. None of us are perfect.’

  ‘Yeah, all very nice and touching; who doesn’t love a reunion?’ Frank stepped forward and spread his hand over both her soft cheeks and squeezed them tight. ‘I think yer don’t ’ave any choice. Trust me when I say I don’t wanna ’urt yer but I will.’

  Ted ran forward and pulled Frank away from his daughter. ‘No, I’m not having this, Slips. This is my fault not hers, not Philip’s, not Simon’s.’

  Like lightning, Frank thrust his hand around Ted’s throat and squeezed it. ‘Be careful, Ted, be very careful. Just remember who yer dealing wiv. Yer shouldn’t need reminding I’m in control ’ere, not you, and don’t yer forget it.’ He thrust him backwards, watching Ted stumble before brushing his hands down each of his suit jacket sleeves in turn. ‘Don’t push your luck, Ted. I’ve been very patient with yer for quite some time, but yer need to know my father’s patience is running out, and I’m not going to take a beating on yer behalf.’ A smile crept across his face. ‘Perhaps it’s time we bought this little family reunion to an end.’ He glanced over at Joyce before turning to Ted. ‘Have yer told ’er yet? Have yer told ’er what yer stole? Did yer pawn it in the end?’

  Ted fidgeted from one foot to the other while shaking his head. He caught Joyce staring at him.

  Frank chuckled. ‘Obviously not. Don’t yer fink yer should?’

  Joyce’s tone was cold when she finally spoke. ‘What did you take?’

  Ted shook his head. He lowered his eyes and stared hard at the floor. ‘My reason for coming here tonight was to return it, I should never have taken it.’ He looked up and met her gaze. Thrusting his hand in his jacket pocket, he pulled out a small box. He took a deep breath. ‘I should never have taken it, and I’m sorry.’ He stretched out his arm to give Joyce the box.

  ‘You took Ma’s wedding ring?’ Joyce took the box from him. Her eyes widened. ‘That means you’ve been to the house. Is there nothing sacred to you?’ Tears pricked at her eyes and she blinked quickly in a bid to stop them from falling.

  Ted took a step forward and reached out to Joyce.

  Joyce backed away, shaking her head. ‘Ma’s wedding ring?’

  ‘If it helps I couldn’t do it. I loved your ma and couldn’t sell it.’ Ted paused. ‘I came here to return it and to own up to what I’d done. I didn’t want to sneak it back into the house.’

  Barbara moved closer and put her arm around Joyce.

  Simon watched everybody in the room. His sister Barbara had a new bravado about her; even his mother didn’t look frightened. Everything had changed while he’d been away, including him. ‘How much does he owe?’

  Frank eyed the injured soldier sitting on the chair. ‘Sixty pounds will call it quits.’

  Simon shook his head. ‘I don’t have sixty pounds. What about if we say forty pounds and call it quits?’

  Frank stared at the man; he had no desire to cause him any problems. He looked like he had enough on his plate. ‘Fifty.’

  Simon nodded. ‘You need to come back for it tomorrow.’

  Slips scowled. ‘And what if I don’t wanna to come back tomorrow? ’Ow do I know yer can be trusted to ’ave the money then?’

  Simon stared at Frank. ‘You don’t, you’ll just have to take my word for it. It’s not like I can go far.’

  Slips turned to Ted. ‘It looks like it’s your lucky day.’

  Joyce shook her head. ‘Pa, how can you stand by and watch Simon bail you out?’

  Ted flopped down on to a wooden chair. ‘I’m sorry.’

  Frank chuckled. ‘Course yer are, Ted, but yer’ll be back because yer’ll never learn.’ He turned to look at Simon. ‘I’ll come back tomorrow at around ’alf past four. That’ll give yer some time, but trust me if the money’s not ’ere I’ll come looking for each and every one of yer. Do I make myself clear?’

  They all stared at him.

  ‘I said, do I make myself clear?’

  ‘Yes,’ they all chorused, not taking their eyes off him.

  Frank arched his eyebrow as he stared at them all in turn. Without a word, he turned and walked towards the door. The bell rang out as he opened it, deafening in the silence. He stepped outside letting the door slam shut behind him.

  Ted lowered his eyes before staring across at Philip, who had gone very pale. ‘I’m sorry, but I’d run out of choices. None of this is what I would choose but I didn’t know what else to do.’

  Joyce fought the urge to strike out, as she screamed at him. ‘Stop gambling, that’s something you could do. Get a proper job, like most people do. Here’s something else you could do: start thinking about somebody else other than yourself. I’m not sure you’ve ever done that. There’s no easy solution. Nothing comes for free in this world; we all pay one way or another.’ She looked at Simon. All happiness at seeing him disappeared as her anger took over. ‘How could you, Simon? The last thing I wanted to do was bail him out.’

  Simon stayed calm and focused as he looked at Joyce. ‘But it’s not you bailing out your father; I’m doing it.’

  Joyce picked up her cloth and began vigorously wiping the nearest table. She suddenly stopped and spun round to face him. ‘But it will be me who has to pay it back and I don’t like owing anybody anything.’

  Simon’s eyes narrowed. ‘What you don’t seem to understand is my family’s lives are now at risk as well.’

  The room fell silent.

  Joyce shook her head. ‘You’re right of course. I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking straight.’

  Ted stepped forward and rested his hand on Joyce’s arm. ‘Thank you, Simon, I know you don’t know me, but it’s appreciated, and I promise to pay it back.’

  Joyce scowled. ‘Hah, why do I feel that’s just a lie, like everything else around you is?’

  Philip ran over to his father and slipped his hand in his before looking up at Joyce. ‘Don’t be angry with Pa. We haven’t seen him for ages.’

  Joyce sighed as she stooped down in front of him. ‘I’m sorry, Philip, but I feel like your pa has a lot of making up to do.’

  Philip stared wide-eyed at her. ‘Isn’t he your pa too? Didn’t you say we’re brother and sister now?’

  Joyce nodded, struggling to come to terms with everything that had just happened.

  Philip slipped his other hand in hers. ‘I’m glad you’re my sister.’

  Joyce could feel her tears pricking at her eyes. ‘I’m glad you’re my brother too.’

  Philip gave a little smile. ‘So can Pa come back to the house then?’

  Joyce wanted to scream but knew she couldn’t do that to him. ‘Of course he can. I tell you what, why don’t you go back home with Pa while I finish up here?’

  Philip jumped up and down clapping his hands.

  Ted nodded at Simon. ‘Thank you, Simon, and I’m sorry I’ve put you and your family at risk.’

  Simon shook his head at Ted. ‘You didn’t just put us at risk; you put your daughter and your son at risk, although they don’t seem to matter to you.’

  ‘Of course they do.’ Ted turned and walked towards the door. ‘I should go. Joyce is furious with me and I’m just making it worse by being here.’

  Simon stared at him. ‘Don’t run away from her a second time. You don’t seem to
have thought about how Joyce was coping with that first lie you told, or the subsequent lies you’ve told to cover up that first one, let alone the grief that followed it. She has a right to be angry with you and you need to face it, talk about it, and take it on the chin because nothing will move forward until you do.’

  Ted pulled open the door and the bell chimed.

  Joyce stared at her father. ‘I’m trusting you with Philip. You go to Arthur’s house and nowhere else. Let’s just see if you can do that.’

  Ted nodded. The bell rang out as he slammed the door shut behind him and Philip.

  Mavis took a step nearer to Joyce, opening her mouth to speak but then closing it again.

  Joyce tightened her lips and lowered her eyes. She took a breath trying to calm herself before looking over at Mavis and the family. ‘I’m sorry you’ve all had to witness the mess that is my life; I’ve never felt more ashamed.’

  Barbara and Mavis both moved closer and threw their arms around her.

  Barbara sniffed and wiped away a tear as she pulled back to look at Joyce. ‘There’s no need to be ashamed; you’re like family and if we can help you in any way we will.’

  Mavis nodded, giving Joyce an extra squeeze. ‘Barbara’s right.’

  *

  Joyce sat on the old worn armchair, next to the open fireplace in the dining room, her head propped up by the wings of the armchair. She closed her eyes as exhaustion took over. Simon jumped front and centre in her mind as she relived the moment he unexpectedly came into the café on his crutches. She had been so happy to see him and yet something about him told her he didn’t feel the same. He is injured, she thought, but instantly shook her head. That wasn’t it. How she regretted turning down his marriage proposal. Her tears were ready to fall; everything seem to be going wrong.

  Her mother’s words rang out in her head. “Misery breeds misery.” Is that what she was doing, breeding her own misery? She should’ve been happy. Her father was alive. She should be happy she had a little brother, and she definitely should be happy that the man she loved with all her heart was back, albeit injured, but at least he was home and safe. And yet here she was sitting around wanting to cry, fighting back the tears that told her she’d made mistakes. Simon’s words rushed into her head. “Forgiveness helps us to find peace within ourselves and in others; it moves us forward.” She ran her hands over her face and took a deep breath. ‘Come on, girl, there’s no point feeling sorry for yourself. You’ve just gotta get on with it, and maybe it’s time to let go of a few things.’