A Daughter's Journe

by Anna Jacobs

  Thank you for dragging me into this, Reg, Charlie thought as he stared sourly at the mayor.

  One of the town’s two lawyers, also newly elected as a councillor, strolled into the antechamber and stopped beside him. ‘Looking forward to it, old chap?’

  He knew Henry Lloyd well enough to tell the truth. ‘No.’

  With a chuckle, Henry moved on. He didn’t seem in the least nervous, damn him.

  Charlie was about to follow him inside when a couple came into the antechamber: his sister-in-law, Leah, and her second husband, Todd. He gave Leah a hug and shook Todd’s hand, then fell in behind them, feeling better.

  That didn’t last long. As he walked through the big doors, he felt swallowed up by the large, wood-panelled room with its row of high, stained-glass windows along the outer wall of the building. The afternoon light was still shining through these and that made him feel as if he were in church.

  Todd went to sit next to the top table, with Leah beside him. They beckoned Charlie to take the seat between her and the lawyer, who was busy straightening some papers and aligning a small notepad very precisely in front of himself.

  Well, at least he’d be among friends there, Charlie thought as he joined them.

  Henry leaned towards him and whispered, ‘Do you think we’ll get much done today, Charlie?’

  ‘I doubt it. But whatever we do or don’t do during our sessions, it won’t be as little as the last council achieved. That’s one of the few things I’m sure of. Trouble is, we’ve still got some of them left to deal with. See if they don’t try to hinder us if we put forward ideas for improvements to our town.’

  The lawyer nodded and his expression turned grim as he saw who was coming in.

  ‘Talk of the devil. Here’s the leader of their merry band.’ Charlie watched Clarence Rathley walk into the council chamber as if he owned it, followed closely by two of his cronies. All three of them stopped just inside the door, blocking the entrance for a few moments, then sauntering forward a short distance to take seats at the door end of the table, as if deliberately sitting as far away from the mayor as they could.

  ‘They look like three fat turkeys ready to be roasted,’ Charlie whispered to his neighbour.

  Henry let out a splutter of laughter, which he tried in vain to disguise as a cough. ‘I think they look more like dogs that have been marking out their territory for years and are ready to do it again to frighten away new arrivals.’

  As if to confirm this summary, the newcomers scowled across the room, their eyes lingering on Charlie and his companions but sliding over Leah as if she were invisible. When they had noisily settled themselves, interrupting everyone else’s conversations, they began whispering to one another.

  Charlie tried to hear what they were saying, but for once Rathley was speaking quietly.

  Two more of the town’s businessmen appeared, one sitting next to Rathley’s group, smiling and nodding at them, the other, who gave only a vague nod to those already in the room, sitting next to Henry but saying nothing.

  Finally the three last members of the council arrived, a woman and two men. The men sat at the end of Rathley’s group and the woman went to sit on her own in the last empty chair, which was at the door end of Charlie’s side. She gave everyone a quick nod, then stared down at her clasped hands.

  ‘It’s going to prove interesting when we’re voting,’ Henry whispered. ‘Reg didn’t quite get the numbers he wanted. Nor did Rathley.’

  The mayor tapped a little silver gavel to gain their attention. ‘Now that everyone is here, I have pleasure in declaring this meeting of the new town council open. When I’ve finished speaking, perhaps you’ll each say your name and that of the ward you represent, plus briefly what your occupation is.’

  As he paused for another look round, Rathley stood up.

  The mayor held up one hand to stop him speaking. ‘I haven’t finished yet, Mr Rathley. We’ll do this in an orderly manner, if you don’t mind, starting with the row on my left and then going along it and coming back to me down the row on my right.’

  Scowling, Rathley sat down again, saying loudly to the man next to him, ‘As if we don’t all know one another, by sight at least.’ He reshuffled his papers loudly.

  The mayor waited till he’d stopped fidgeting with them then continued, ‘First I’d like to welcome all the new members and hope you’ll do well by our town. In times like these, the people who live in the valley need all the help and support we can give them, not just those who pay rates.’

  There was a murmur of voices as some responded with ‘Hear, hear.’

  Charlie noticed that Rathley had not joined in.

  ‘I think you all know our new chief clerk, Maurice Jefferson, who is taking the minutes today. His newly promoted deputy is Mrs Helen Westing, who will be in charge of staff and records. We couldn’t have a better pair for understanding how things are done in Rivenshaw. Sadly, as you probably know, our former deputy clerk proved untrustworthy and is currently in police custody awaiting trial.’

  There was dead silence for a few moments, then the mayor gestured to Todd, who was sitting nearest to him. ‘Mr Selby, perhaps you’ll begin? And since you’re a relative newcomer to our town, perhaps you’d outline briefly your background before you came here and add any information you consider pertinent to your new role.’

  Todd stood up, smiling quickly down at his wife then letting his smile fade as his gaze lingered on Rathley and his group at the door end of the table. ‘I’m Todd Selby. I served in the army during the war and when it ended I went off to see a bit of the world, going as far as Australia. I’m sure this experience will be of benefit to the valley. It’s good to know about different ways of doing things. I represent the Rivenshaw West ward and I currently sell and repair motor cars.’

  The mayor inclined his head. ‘Mrs Selby.’

  His wife introduced herself next. ‘I’m Leah Selby. I own the fizzy drinks factory and also the youth hostel there in Ellindale, which is also the ward I represent. I hope to be able to contribute most to matters affecting employment, women’s and families’ needs.’

  Rathley made a loud disgusted sound at this.

  Leah studied him as if he were an insect crawling across her plate, a cool look that said a lot more than words about her opinion of him.

  Charlie saw him flush slightly as she outstared him and smiled slowly. His sister-in-law was a quiet person, but she had a calm dignity that somehow made people listen to her, and she got things done.

  ‘Mr Willcox?’

  Charlie didn’t waste time on a long introduction. Everyone knew him. ‘I own two pawnshops, the electrical goods shop and a few pieces of property in town. I represent the Birch End ward and it’s where I live. I’d like to think I can speak for businesses and I’m particularly interested in improving the town’s amenities.’

  ‘Mr Lloyd?’

  The lawyer spoke briefly, but in a beautifully modulated voice that figured prominently in the church choir, ending, ‘I represent the Rivenshaw East ward.’

  One by one, the others stood up and introduced themselves. The other female councillor spoke quietly but clearly, looking calm in spite of Rathley and his friends rudely gazing elsewhere during her introduction.

  Charlie had heard Rathley and the man next to him rant on, even during the Great War, about a woman’s place being in the home. They said very little about themselves when it was their turn, and their scorn, not only for the two women councillors but for all the people on the other side of the table was all too obvious.

  When the introductions were over, the mayor took over again. ‘Just to recapitulate for the benefit of the new councillors, when we ended our last term of office, we were in the middle of discussing, and not for the first time, how we can use the provisions of the Greenwood Housing Act of 1930 to improve or replace certain tumbledown dwellings in our valley. There was, as I recall, considerable dissension about how to do that, if at all.’

  ‘T
here was no need for it, that’s why,’ one man said scornfully. ‘There are slums in every town. They’re part of life. We have only one real slum in our valley, and I see no need to spend ratepayers’ money on rehousing the shiftless, idle people who live in Backshaw Moss.’

  ‘Even though we would be helped financially by the government to do that and make a big difference to people’s lives?’ the mayor asked.

  Rathley and his cronies made such loud remarks expressing their antipathy that it was a few moments before the mayor could make himself heard.

  ‘Make no mistake,’ he said coldly, ‘from now on I shall exclude from the meeting anyone preventing others from speaking, as you gentlemen have just done.’

  There was dead silence at that and Charlie had to hide a grin as Rathley’s mouth literally dropped open in shock.

  ‘To our town’s shame,’ the mayor continued, ‘Rivenshaw Council also previously failed to take proper advantage of the Housing and Town Planning Act of 1919. Indeed, our town has hardly built any new dwellings for our poorer neighbours in the past two decades. Building has focused on privately funded homes for the better-class people in Birch End.’

  He paused for a moment, then continued, not hiding his disapproval, ‘Sadly, the few houses the council did manage to build for less affluent families had rents so high that those most in need of decent housing couldn’t afford to pay them. And those houses were so shoddily built that they are already showing signs of serious wear and tear.’

  Charlie watched one of Rathley’s colleagues stiffen at this, open his mouth to reply, then shut it again as an elbow was dug sharply into his side. It didn’t matter how much Gareth Higgerson protested, Charlie thought. The poor standard of buildings erected by his company was known to people in the valley.

  Pity he himself hadn’t known about that when he bought his own house. He’d had to spend good money putting right certain things like a leaking roof.

  He’d been ambivalent before but suddenly he felt deep-down glad he’d done as the mayor urged and stood for council. This was his valley and he wanted to be proud of it and he wanted its people to live decently. Times were slowly improving in the country and if he had any say in it, Rivenshaw was going to improve with them. He straightened and listened even more carefully as the mayor continued to speak.

  ‘If I achieve one thing during my tenure as mayor, it will be to get rid of Backshaw Moss completely and replace it with decent and affordable housing for our poorer neighbours.’

  Rathley let out a snort and whispered to the man next to him, who rolled his eyes and gave a shrill whinny of laughter.

  Kirby paused then nodded to the town clerk, who passed out sets of papers. ‘As you will see, this is a summary of what we are permitted – encouraged even – to do under the 1930 housing act and how much help we can gain from government funding to improve our valley. The money will make all the difference to our task and the council should take advantage of what is on offer. Does anyone wish to add a point at this stage?’

  No one spoke.

  ‘Right then, I propose ending this meeting now and reconvening two weeks from today, which will give us all time to read and think about the information on housing and the Greenwood Act that you’ve been given.’

  Rathley looked at him in surprise. ‘But surely—’

  The mayor cut him off. ‘You’ll have a chance to raise anything else you wish to discuss at the next meeting. I am taking it upon myself to place a high priority on this matter of decent housing and slum clearance – and that will include decent sewage connections for all.’

  Not much was said as people filed out.

  ‘By hell,’ Charlie said to the group he’d sat with as they paused in the paved area at the front of the building, ‘Kirby told them good and proper, didn’t he?’

  Leah said in her usual quiet way, ‘Yes, but will he have the numbers to do anything? It must still be approved by a majority in council. I was watching Rathley and I didn’t like the look on his face. First he looked angry, then he exchanged smug glances with Higgerson, as if they knew something that would prevent any action being taken.’

  Todd put his arm round his wife’s shoulders. ‘From what I’ve heard from several people, he and his cronies have been suspected of going after those who oppose them one by one, and accidents have happened. No one’s been able to prove anything against them so far, but who else can it be?’

  ‘Then we’ll have to be careful how we do things, won’t we?’ Her voice was firm. ‘I agree with the mayor. We can’t let that slum continue to fester. Our good doctor was telling me only last week that it’s a miracle the small outbreaks of infection due to bad drainage have been contained to Backshaw Moss itself. Sadly there has been loss of life there, especially among young children and the elderly. But he’s worried in case something happens that spreads to the rest of the valley.’

  She paused to let that sink in, then added, ‘How many more small children have to lose their lives before the council acts? I have a small child and a sister at the grammar school. I care very much about their safety.’

  Who could disagree with that? Charlie thought. He too had a child and expected to have others. By hell, if anything happened to them because of the dilatory actions of certain councillors, he’d not be answerable.

  They broke up then, each person looking thoughtful.

  Charlie watched Todd say goodbye to Leah at her car, since she was driving herself home, then walk briskly back into town. As the first part of their way lay together, Charlie joined him. ‘Not going to be easy.’

  ‘No. But then, what is?’

  ‘Aren’t you going home?’

  ‘I left my car at the sales yard. I want to check that the workshop has been properly locked up for the night.’

  ‘Couldn’t the new chap do that for you? You must trust him or you’d not have brought him here.’

  ‘I always like to check such things myself. It’ll be good having someone else to do that if I’m otherwise occupied, though. There were some rough lads loitering nearby as I left today. I told them to move on and they did, but I wonder now if they were there as a warning to me.’

  ‘Rathley acting up already? Surely not?’

  ‘Who knows? Don’t say anything to Leah. I don’t want her worrying. I phoned Deemer and he said he’d tell the new constable to check the Crimea Street area a few times as he patrolled the town centre.’

  ‘Can’t be too careful. What’s the new constable’s name again?’

  ‘Hopkins. He looks about ten years old.’

  ‘The new ones always do. Wet behind the ears. Deemer will pull him into shape.’

  Charlie turned off towards his shop and left Todd to carry on to his workshop.

  A lot to think about. And worry about.

  He glanced at his watch and once he’d checked the workshop and got into his car, he drove straight home.

  Marion had the evening meal ready early, to allow for Wilf coming at seven o’clock. It had been such a busy day, Charlie had forgotten that until now.

  ‘I should have told him to come later,’ he grumbled. ‘I’ve not stopped all day.’

  ‘He can’t come later. It’ll be too dark. Just wash your hands and we’ll have a quick meal in the kitchen.’

  11

  T hat evening Wilf kissed his wife and children goodbye after tea. ‘Wish me luck.’

  ‘It’s not luck that Mr Willcox is giving you this chance, love; it’s the hard work you’ve put in over the years. I’m that proud of you, Wilf!’

  Then one of the children called for her and she was gone. He’d have liked to cuddle her for a bit longer. He missed that sort of touching with two children always nearby. Not that he regretted adopting them, definitely not. They were a grand little pair.

  He set off on his bicycle for Charlie’s house. He’d seen it from outside, knew all the streets in his valley, could play them like a picture show in his brain because he’d tramped round them many a time on da
ys when he had no work, just to get out of the house. But of course he’d not been round to the back of any of the big houses in Birch End, except for a couple where he’d done odd jobs.

  The bicycle was a godsend, he thought as he pedalled down the hill from Ellindale, but he wished he had a car or better still a van to carry tools and materials round in. Maybe he could scrape together the money to buy one after this job was fully confirmed, or even ask for an advance on the money so that he could work more efficiently. Driving wasn’t difficult. He’d kept up his skills and sometimes managed to borrow a vehicle for heavy loads.

  Charlie Willcox might help him. He understood how things were with ordinary people, if anyone did. He and his staff were known for treating even those who used his pawnshops with politeness and for giving fair prices on goods pledged.

  Wilf was surprised that the studio plans had gone through the council’s planning department without a hitch. It was known that plans were sometimes refused when they were for builders other than Higgerson. That man’s plans were never turned down, for all the shoddy workmanship Wilf had seen by his men.

  He enjoyed watching skilled men work. You could learn a great deal from seeing how they did things. He’d been lucky recently, what with steady work, two grand little children to adopt and a wife who had stopped fretting about being childless. It was as if his life had turned an important corner.

  He looked up at the sky as he dismounted at the gate, pulled off his cap and stuffed it in his saddlebag. Thank goodness it was fine tonight. It wouldn’t have looked good to arrive looking like a drowned rat. He wheeled his bicycle inside the front garden, took a deep breath and knocked on the front door.

  Charlie opened it and urged him to come inside.

  The bicycle had been too hard won to leave where anyone could walk off with it. ‘Can I put this round the back, please?’

  ‘Yes, of course. You wheel it round. I’ll go through the house and let you in the back way instead.’

  When Wilf went into the kitchen, Mrs Willcox was waiting with Charlie, looking eager. Her husband started to speak but she took over when Wilf asked her about one detail. She explained to him what she wanted, showing a clear understanding of what would be involved.