‘I could go and ask. You never know – for the right price it could be, especially if the landlord has had enough,’ Fred put in.
With her chin in the air, Nellie ran her fingers down her neck as she pondered. Then, after a pause, she added decisively, ‘Right, what harm can it do. I’ll pop along and make an appointment with Mr Sharpe, hopefully he can help.’ Getting to her feet she added, ‘No time like the present.’
‘If you get it, what will you call it?’ Nancy asked.
‘Bloody typical of you, Nance, lace curtains up before the floorboards are down!’ Nellie boomed but in a kindly manner.
‘Maybe, but you have to give it a bloody name, don’t you?’ Nancy replied with a grin.
‘True. I’ll think on it. Noah, can you come with me to Sharpe’s. Poppy, get the bar open and let’s get some White Satin sold!’ Nellie grabbed her shawl from the nail in the back door and they set off.
Once Nellie and Noah had gone, Nancy and Fred sat with a cup of tea, while the others were going about their work.
‘I wonder if she’s thinking of taking on too much,’ Nancy said quietly.
‘No, I’m sure Nellie can cope. Besides, she has all of us to help.’ Fred laid his massive hand gently on Nancy’s and saw the blush rise to her cheeks. Squeezing her fingers, he was emboldened when she returned the gesture. ‘Nancy, I’ve taken a real shine to you,’ he whispered shyly.
‘I have to you an’ all,’ Nancy replied, feeling her heart flutter.
‘Nancy, can I ask you summat?’
Nodding, Nancy flushed a deeper shade.
‘How would it be if you and me got wed?’ It was a clumsy proposal but it was the only way he knew to ask.
Very little had passed between the two other than the odd wink and smile but Nancy had secretly hoped Fred was feeling the same as she. Now she was sure.
‘I think it would be very nice,’ Nancy replied as her heart hammered in her chest.
‘Right then, should I pop out to see the vicar? There’ll be stuff to sort out.’
‘Ar, you go and mek an appointment for us to see him to discuss the arrangements,’ Nancy said with a smile.
Fred stood, then lifted Nancy to her feet. Wrapping his arms around her he was careful not to crush her. The kiss they shared was chaste and as their faces parted Nancy whispered, ‘I’m gonna need to get a new frock!’
Fred’s laughter boomed out. ‘I’ll see when the vicar is free then, shall I?’
‘Yes, that would be bostin’,’ Nancy said on a breath.
Gently laying his lips on hers again, Fred felt exhilarated. He placed butterfly kisses on her nose and eyes before he let her go. Then, with a whoop, he was out of the back door.
Nancy smiled as she heard his happy whistle as he left the yard.
Waiting for the clock to tick around to opening time, Jack and Dolly stood behind the bar.
‘How do you know about all these things, Dolly? You know, books and solicitors and that?’ Jack asked.
‘My mum taught me. I think she knew somehow that one day it would be useful to me. Like the necklace, she made sure it came to me legally and my step-father couldn’t take it.’
‘Your mum must have been a clever lady,’ Jack said with a warm smile.
Dolly nodded. ‘She was and I miss her.’
‘I’d miss mine an’ all, even though she ain’t my real mum,’ Jack said.
‘Does it bother you that much, Jack?’
‘Not now. It did to begin with, but after I thought about it a lot, I realised how lucky I was that Nellie took me in. She raised me, fed me, taught me stuff – not the things you know, o’ course, but about this place and how to look after myself out there,’ Jack pointed a finger towards the street.
‘Life lessons – very important,’ Dolly agreed.
Opening the doors, Poppy rushed back behind the counter as the hordes pushed their way inside. She glanced at Jack and Dolly briefly.
‘Oi, you two, less chin-wagging and more serving!’ Poppy called out.
Jack lifted his cap and scratched his scalp. ‘Slave driver!’
All three laughed before settling into selling the gut-rot gin graced with a fancy label.
Across at the brewery, Ezra’s mouth dropped open. ‘You what?!’
‘We quit,’ John Jenkins said simply.
‘Why?’
‘Cos we’ve got work somewhere else,’ Jim answered, looking to his brother for support.
‘Don’t tell me – Nellie Larkin!’ Ezra boomed.
The brothers nodded.
‘Christ almighty! Just get out, the pair of you!’ Ezra yelled.
Turning, John and Jim fled the office, happy to be still breathing.
Ezra shook his head as he considered the situation; two more of his men gone. Nellie was recruiting his workforce a couple at a time. At this rate he would have no-one left. He felt the anger burn as an image of Nellie formed in his mind. This latest incident would be around the town in no time and his reputation as a hard man would suffer even more because of it.
A couple of hours later, John and Jim Jenkins were moving their few belongings into the room allocated to them. Matt Dempster was lending a hand and Nancy was busy preparing a meal for everyone.
‘Mum sez hello, Mrs Sampson,’ Jim called as he passed through the kitchen towards the stairs.
‘Next time you go home for a visit, let me know and I’ll give you a cake to take with you,’ Nancy replied.
Nellie and Noah returned with news that Mr Sharpe would see her the following day.
Fred rushed into the kitchen filled with excitement at having set a date with the vicar for his marriage to Nancy.
‘Well, I never thought to see the day, Nance! You and Fred getting wed – I’m really pleased for you both,’ Nellie said as the news was shared.
‘Ta, Nell, we’ll both need new frocks as well as Poppy and Dolly,’ Nancy replied.
‘Everyone will need new outfits but I warn you now, Jack will still wear his cap!’ Nellie said with a grin.
Just then the young man in question walked into the kitchen and asked, ‘For what?’
Nancy explained, ‘Me and Fred are getting wed,’ and as Jack gave her a hug she asked, ‘Would you give me away?’
‘Me?’ he asked as he glanced around at the faces watching him.
‘Yes, lovey – you.’
‘I’d be honoured,’ Jack said drawing himself up to his full height. With grins all round, work resumed in The Crown.
The following morning Nellie was readying herself for her visit to Mr Sharpe. ‘Right, shawl, bag… I’ll be off then.’
‘I think Mr Sharpe will want to see your books, Nellie, so he’s able to calculate how much you can ask the bank to lend.’
‘Oh, blimey, yes. Of course!’ Nellie ran to her room and returned with the ledger which she shoved into a shopping bag. ‘Ta, Dolly, I would never have thought of that.’
‘You want me to come as well?’ Noah asked.
‘No, lad, you get some sleep, I’ll get a cab,’ Nellie answered.
‘Nell,’ Nancy called as Nellie was about to leave, ‘good luck.’
‘Ta, Nance, fingers crossed, eh?’
Everyone began their daily chores like automatons as their thoughts were with Nellie. Each watched the clock, eager for her return.
Two hours passed before Nellie walked in through the back door with the news that Mr Sharpe was happy to act on her behalf regarding purchasing the pub should it prove to be for sale.
That night after lock-up, Nellie addressed the little congregation around the table.
‘Mr Sharpe reckons the next thing to do is to find out whether The Castle could be for sale, so, Fred, that’s a job for you tomorrow.’
Fred nodded, feeling honoured to be given such a very important task.
‘Once that’s done, I suppose we’ll have to approach the bank and ask for a loan,’ Nellie added.
Dolly watched quietly from the doorway, her min
d on the five hundred pounds Nellie had returned to her and the money she had left over from the sale of her mother’s necklace. There was nowhere near enough to buy the property of course, but it would go some way to helping out. Would Nellie accept it if she offered? It would leave her with nothing, but then she didn’t need much. A roof over her head, food in her belly and a bed to sleep in was all she wanted. Dolly was sure her money would be more useful to Nellie but she would have to approach it in a way which would not offend the woman she’d come to love.
30
The weather had changed rapidly and the colours of autumn were lost as winter began to make itself known. It was early one frosty morning and Jack was out sweeping the street of the detritus left by revellers the night before.
Wrapped against the cold with two pairs of woollen socks, a jumper over his shirt topped by a jacket, Jack pulled the muffler closer about his neck. Icy fingers pinched his nose as he breathed air so cold it burned his lungs. The onset of winter had come fast and threatened to be a hard one.
Looking at the window of The Crown Saloon, Jack saw white lacy patterns slowly creeping up the glass. His eyes travelled up to the guttering and caught sight of clear stalactites of ice hanging there.
He gave a shiver and continued sweeping, his back to the road. Suddenly there was a shout as a horse slipped on a patch of black ice. A woman watched in horror as the cart it was pulling skidded sideways before taking Jack clean off his feet.
The boy flew through the air to land with a sickening thud as the iron rimmed cart wheels slid to a halt. A woman screamed and the carter jumped from his seat to run to the child who lay unmoving.
Nellie rushed outside to find out what all the noise was about. Seeing the carter bent over a figure lying on the freezing ground, she quickly moved to offer assistance.
But, seeing it was her boy lying prone, Nellie let out a low groan which rose to a high pitched keening as she knelt down beside the child she loved with all her heart.
‘It ain’t my fault… I… the cart…’ the man was gibbering.
‘Somebody fetch the doctor!’ Nellie yelled at the top of her voice, ‘NOW!’
Returning her attention to Jack she called his name softly. ‘Jack, son, can you hear me?’
The woman who had screamed picked up the flat cap and held it out to Nellie. Nodding her thanks Nellie held it to her chest and looked around at the crowd beginning to gather.
‘A bloke’s gone for the doctor,’ the woman said and Nellie could only nod again as she gently pushed Jack’s hair from his closed eyes.
The carter whipped off his greatcoat and draped it over Jack while another man rolled up his jacket and pushed it beneath the boy’s head with care.
It seemed to take forever for the doctor to arrive and Nellie’s tears fell like rain. ‘Jack, oh, bab, open yer eyes for me, lad,’ Nellie blubbered. ‘Come on, sweetheart, wake up!’
‘Doctor’s here,’ someone called out and the crowd parted to allow him through. He then checked Jack’s pulse and felt him all over for broken bones. Lifting the boy’s eyelids, he looked into his eyes then said, ‘Right, let’s get him indoors so I can examine him thoroughly.’
‘Is he—?’ Nellie began.
‘No, he’s not dead, so don’t be fretting too much.’
The carter and the man who had rolled his coat for a pillow very gently lifted Jack and carried him inside. Careful not to jostle him they took him upstairs to his bed and left the doctor to do his work.
Meanwhile, Nellie was trying to explain to the others in the kitchen what had happened. Fred was furious and all set to beat the carter to a pulp.
‘It ain’t his fault, Fred, the wheels hit the ice and our Jack was in the way of it.’ Nellie explained what she’d been told by onlookers.
‘Fair enough.’ Fred then turned to the Dempsters and said, ‘Rake the ashes out of the fires and spread ’em on the road.’
Matthew and Noah jumped to it and Nancy rushed to add salt to the mixture which would help clear the ice.
So busy were they that no one noticed Dolly in the corner crying silently.
The carter sat at the table with Nellie. ‘I ain’t half sorry, missus, but there were nothing I could do!’ His hands shook as he accepted the hot sweet tea Nancy passed to him.
Nellie nodded her understanding as she wiped her tears on the corner of her shawl. Her eyes constantly darted to the stairs door as she awaited the appearance of the doctor.
Poppy glanced around the kitchen and saw Dolly quietly sobbing. Rushing to the girl she wrapped her arms about the slim form. ‘He’ll be all right, you’ll see,’ she whispered.
Everyone stood around the kitchen in a state of shock, not knowing what to do or say.
Finally, the sound of footsteps on the stairs had all look to the doorway.
‘Well, his arm is broken so I’ve set it, bandaged it and put a sling on. No other injuries as far as I can see but – his head took a nasty bang,’ the doctor said as he placed his Gladstone bag on the table.
Nancy passed him a cup of tea and then Nellie asked, ‘Will he be all right?’
‘There’s no knowing until he wakes up, I’m afraid. I understand it’s not what you want to hear but I’ll tell it straight. There could be some brain damage…’
Nellie cried out and covered her face with her hands.
‘Could be, Mrs Larkin; then again the lad could be fine. We’ll just have to wait and see. I’m sorry it’s not better news. Stay with him and keep him warm and I’ll call back this evening,’ the doctor said picking up his bag.
Nellie paid him and Fred saw him out before returning to fold a sobbing Nancy in his arms.
Nellie sat staring into space and her adoptive family exchanged glances as Poppy tried to talk to her. Nellie did not respond, but continued to stare into the middle distance, concentrating on something no one else could see.
With everyone consumed with comforting Nellie, the Dempsters took over serving at the bar, and no one saw Dolly slip away and quietly climb the stairs.
Tiptoeing into Jack’s room she dragged a chair to the bedside and sat down. Silent tears streaked down her face and dripped off her chin.
‘Jack,’ she whispered, ‘you have to get well. You’re my brother now and I need you. I love you, Jack Larkin, so come back to me.’
A little while later Nancy popped her head around the door and asked, ‘How is he?’
‘No change as yet,’ Dolly answered.
‘I brought you a cup of tea. I told Nellie you was here. I popped up quietly a little while ago and peeped in when we couldn’t find you earlier. Bloody hell, it’s cold in here, I’ll get one of the boys to light a fire.’ Taking a spare blanket from an ottoman in the corner, Nancy draped it around Dolly’s shoulders.
‘Thank you. How’s Nellie?’
Nancy just shook her head and left the room. Moments later John Jenkins was building a fire in the grate before leaving Dolly to her silent vigil.
Watching Jack’s chest rise and fall evenly, Dolly’s eyes then moved to his face. His complexion was pasty and his eyes were still beneath their lids. In her mind Dolly prayed for her friend’s recovery. Over and over she asked God to make him well again.
For want of something to do, Poppy and Fred joined the Dempsters in the bar while John and Jim watched from the side lines for any trouble brewing, ready to intervene if needed.
Nancy busied herself in the kitchen, keeping a close eye on the still form of her friend and she kept up a constant chatter in the hope Nellie could hear her.
‘The lad will be fine, Nell, you’ll see. I thought Fred was gonna paste the life outta that carter though. Poor bugger was shaken to his bones; couldn’t even hold the cup of tea I gave him. It ain’t surprisin’ though, I bet it was quite a shock for him.’
Later, Dolly was startled when the doctor entered the room; she’d not noticed the grey daylight slipping away.
‘You should get some rest, m’dear,’ the doctor said as h
e examined Jack.
‘I’m all right, but thank you for your concern,’ Dolly whispered.
‘Well, he’s no worse so that’s good news.’
‘Will he wake up soon?’ Dolly asked.
‘I don’t know, chick, and that’s the truth. I’m hoping by the morning he’ll be asking for his breakfast.’ The doctor gave a wan smile as he lifted his bag.
‘Can he hear me if I talk to him?’
‘Some in the profession don’t think so, but I believe he can. It’s my contention that familiar voices help in circumstances such as this. It assures the patient he’s not alone. Talk to him, read or sing to him – he’ll hear you, I’m sure.’ The doctor patted Dolly’s shoulder and left the room to check on Nellie who, he had been told, hadn’t moved a muscle all day.
Dolly threw more coal on the fire and turned up the gas light the doctor had lit. Returning to her seat she pulled the blanket around herself once more.
‘Right, Master Larkin, in the words of your mother – open yer eyes and get yer arse out of that bed!’
31
The gin palace was closed for the night and all went to their respective beds except Nellie and Nancy. The women sat in the kitchen and every now and then a dry sob escaped Nellie’s lips. Nancy was very concerned for her friend; afraid Nellie had lost her mind with grief.
‘Nell, you have to understand, Jack ain’t dead. He’s only hurt and you sitting there like that is not bloody helping!’ Nancy knew the only way to snap Nellie out of her trance-like state was to act as normal as possible, and the norm for these two was swearing and yelling at each other.
Nancy sighed heavily when she saw her words had made no difference. It was then she feared the only thing to bring her friend back would be for Jack to ask for her.
‘Please, God, make that little lad well so Nellie will come back to us,’ she whispered into the quiet of the kitchen. Then to Nellie she said, ‘That little wench has sat with your boy all day so I’m taking her a hot drink. I won’t be but a minute.’
Nancy left the kitchen and as she opened the door to Jack’s room, she heard Dolly’s soft voice. By the dim gas light, she was reading aloud and Nancy swallowed the lump in her throat.
The Children from Gin Barrel Lane Page 18
