A Christmas to Remember

by Katie Flynn

  ‘Good girl! Ain’t it a glorious day, though? Where’s your list of messages? If it’s not too long I thought we might get a tram out to Princes Park so you and I could go on the lake. Can you row? Ever tried? And then there’s the café; we could have a bite of lunch. My mam was in a generous mood this morning, so I can afford to splash my lolly about a bit.’ Tess handed him the list and he examined it then gave it back to her, patting her head and taking her marketing bag from her. ‘I’ll carry this,’ he said briskly. ‘Are you on? To go out to Princes Park, I mean, as soon as this lot is finished?’

  Tess pretended to consider, though her heart gave a joyful leap at the thought of a trip to Princes Park and a row on the lake, as well as what Snowy had described as ‘a bite of lunch’. And what was even nicer, she had an invitation of her own to offer. But some womanly instinct she had not known she possessed told her not to jump at the chance of Snowy’s company like a fish at a fly. Instead, as they walked towards the market, she pretended to consider.

  ‘I like Princes Park, and though I can’t row I’m sure I could easily learn,’ she said cautiously. ‘Gran sent me to call on Lucy, who’s in my class at school, to see if she’d like to come back to the flat for supper this evening . . .’

  ‘Lucy? Do you mean that scruffy kid what lives on Mere Lane, the one with all the younger brothers and sisters? Well, of all the perishin’ nerve,’ Snowy said. ‘What’s wrong with me, eh? Ain’t I your pal?’

  ‘Oh, she said I could ask either you or Lucy, whichever was free,’ Tess said airily. She still thought Snowy had a cheek to expect her to hang around waiting for him, but he was easily the best-looking boy in the neighbourhood and she supposed it had made him conceited. Well, no, not exactly conceited, but he definitely thought that any girl seen in his company was to be envied. Before she could comment on the fact, however, they were diving into Mr Charles’ fishmonger shop because Gran’s list had included potted shrimps, and Tess thought that if Mr Charles had two jars she would buy them both and eat one in a sandwich instead of the paste Gran had suggested. It would cost a bit more, but Tess adored potted shrimps.

  As they came out of the shop, she turned to Snowy. ‘Are you going to come to supper then? Gran’s invited Mr Payne so’s we can have a hand of cards when supper’s over. What do you say?’

  Snowy was in the middle of saying that he’d definitely come to supper and to thank her gran very much, only he would have to return home to warn his mother that he had been invited out, when Tess suddenly clapped a hand to her mouth. ‘Oh, Geronimo, I completely forgot! I was supposed to go round to Mr Payne’s shop to pass on Gran’s invitation. Not that I imagine he’s likely to turn it down because I think he’s got his beady eye on my gran.’ She saw Snowy’s brows rise. ‘Oh, I know she’s old, but there’s talk of the two of them . . . but never mind that, I’m sure he’s a very nice fellow. Well, I know he is, but we’d better go there next, just in case Gran isn’t his only friend. She’d be cross if I had to tell her that Mr Payne was already spoken for this evening.’

  ‘Let’s gerron the tram then,’ Snowy shouted as one drew up beside them. ‘This’ll take us up Heyworth Street in five minutes flat.’ He swung himself on to the platform and thumped the heavy marketing bag down before heaving Tess aboard, and very soon they were pushing the tobacconist’s door open and Tess was doing her best to give the man behind the counter a friendly smile.

  ‘Hello, Mr Payne. I’ve got an invitation from my gran; she wants you to come to supper after you close. We’ll eat at half past six,’ she gabbled. ‘Snowy here is invited as well, and after supper she thought we might have a hand of cards. If you’re willing, that is.’

  Mr Payne had been piling packets of cigarettes up into small pyramids on the shelf behind the counter, but now he stopped work and swung round to greet her. ‘Hello, young Tess!’ he said cheerfully. ‘We’ve missed you, your gran and me, so it’s grand to see your bright young face again. As for supper, I’d be delighted, and if we’re playing cards I’ll bring my loose change, though your gran and I usually play for matches.’

  Tess had been feeling much more relaxed about Mr Payne’s friendship with her gran, but she began to bristle inwardly again when he mentioned that they had played cards together before. However, she knew she was being silly. Why should Mr Payne not visit her gran, who would have been lonely while Tess was in the country? So she made no comment, merely saying that they would look forward to seeing him not a moment later than six-thirty. Then she and Snowy left, closing the door carefully behind them, and made for the flat above the milliner’s to unload the marketing bag before heading back to the shops.

  ‘Well, I’ve had a grand evening. I don’t know when I’ve laughed so much, or enjoyed a game of cards more, and I hate to be the first to break up the party, but if I don’t get my beauty sleep I’ll not be able to do my stock-take, which I like to do on a Sunday because there are no interruptions from customers.’ Albert Payne turned to his hostess. ‘So thank you very much, both for a delicious supper and for a grand evening.’

  Tess saw that Snowy was nodding vigorously and thought with satisfaction that she too had enjoyed herself. In fact, she reflected that her first day back in Liverpool had been a great success. There had been the trip to Princes Park; Snowy had been a delightful companion, rowing her round the lake whilst they chatted. Then he had let her take the oars, and when she had made a mess of her first attempt had only laughed and praised her as her efforts grew more successful. They had eaten a sandwich at the café and drunk lemonade, and Tess had not failed to notice the envious glances cast upon her by other girls when they saw her tall, fair-haired companion. There was no doubt about it, Snowy was a handsome bloke, and she was lucky that for some reason – she was still not sure what that reason was – he had decided to befriend her. She supposed it was partly due to the fact that he had taken her side and prevented other pupils from bullying her, so that now he felt a bit possessive towards her, but whatever the reason, she was happy with the outcome.

  Then there was Gran’s little party. By the time she and Snowy returned to the flat above the milliner’s shop Tess realised they were both feeling somewhat apprehensive, but once they were seated round the kitchen table enjoying an excellent meal, the initial stiffness which even Gran must have felt gradually melted as conversation became general. Indeed, by the time they had settled round the card table, and were discussing which game they should play, they might have been lifelong friends, and Tess’s niggling feeling that Mr Payne and her gran were becoming too close had completely disappeared. She realised that this was due largely to Snowy, who laughed and joked and told amusing stories, and she was grateful to him.

  They rounded off the evening with a cup of cocoa and some of Gran’s shortbread biscuits, and then Tess accompanied the two men down the stairs so that she might bolt the green door, whilst Gran tidied up and set the table for breakfast.

  Once outside on the pavement, Albert shouted a last goodnight and headed for his shop, but Snowy lingered. He had already thanked Gran for a delightful evening and a delicious meal, and now that he and Tess were alone she half expected him to make some plan for the morrow, but instead he pinched her chin, said ‘See you around, kid’, and loped off. Tess stood for a moment, staring after him, then shrugged, a puzzled frown on her brow. But Snowy was quite a bit older than she, and unlikely, in the normal way, to pay much attention to someone of her age. However, she was sure he had enjoyed himself, as she had, and would very likely suggest another outing some time.

  Tess turned back to the flat, shot the bolt across and climbed the stairs, letting herself into the hall and re-joining Gran in the kitchen. Gran, laying two places at the table, smiled at her. ‘Tired?’ she queried. ‘Thank the Lord tomorrow’s Sunday, so we can both have a lie-in . . . unless you and Snowy have planned another outing, of course.’

  There was a distinct question in her tone, and Tess felt obliged to be honest. ‘No, but I expect Snowy’s got p
lans of his own,’ she admitted. ‘The thing is, Gran, he’s a good deal older than me and he’s got a girlfriend. I couldn’t understand why he wanted to go around with me today, but it’s just occurred to me that maybe Marilyn’s on holiday, so he’s at a loose end. When I went for our rations Fat Betty was behind the counter, which usually means Mrs Thomas is off somewhere.’

  Gran frowned. ‘Well, that’s a bit off,’ she said. ‘But of course he stopped you being bullied, so perhaps he thinks of you more as a younger sister, someone his girlfriend wouldn’t see as competition.’

  Tess bristled. ‘If he thinks of me as a younger sister . . .’ she began, then deflated. Now that she thought about it she could quite see Gran’s point. In fact she supposed that his attitude, when teaching her to row, had been almost that of an indulgent uncle. Never once had he behaved as a boy behaves to his girlfriend. She looked across at Gran.

  ‘I didn’t mean . . .’ Gran began, but Tess cut across her.

  ‘Sorry, Gran. I didn’t mean to snap,’ she said remorsefully. ‘I didn’t much like the younger sister bit, I’d rather think of Snowy and me as just pals. After all, he’s only ever walked me home twice, and he met me on Lime Street station yesterday by accident, so I mustn’t start reading too much into it.’

  Gran looked relieved. ‘You’re a sensible girl,’ she said approvingly. ‘And whilst we’re on the subject of friendship, may I remind you that Albert and myself are just like you and Snowy: good friends. So no need to worry that you’ll suddenly find yourself with a step-grandfather.’

  Tess felt the hot blood rush up her neck and into her cheeks. What a fool she had been! She had clearly let her feelings show despite her good intentions. ‘I am sorry, Gran, truly I am,’ she said humbly. ‘It’s just that at the farm I often felt out of things, and once I got home I knew that you and I were a family once more and that’s how I want it to be. For always.’

  Gran had been turning away to go to her room but now she turned back, her expression quizzical. ‘Oh yeah, pull the other one, honey,’ she said in a mock American accent. ‘So you don’t intend to get married one of these fine days? And you’ve given up your secret urge to continue your education and go to university? And if you were offered a really well paid job in foreign parts, you’d turn it down? Let’s have a little honesty here, young lady.’

  Tess began to protest, then stopped short. ‘All right, all right, I give in. We’ve both got a right to our private lives; our dreams, if you like. Isn’t that what you’re trying to say? One of these fine days I expect I shall want to marry some fellow, and the same goes for you. No, don’t shake your head, it’s the truth and it’s about time I realised it. And now let’s go to bed, or else Mr Payne won’t be the only one unable to get out of bed tomorrow morning.’

  She thought that the subject was exhausted, but Gran caught her arm as she was about to go into her own room. ‘Dear Tess, would it make you very unhappy if I asked you to call Mr Payne Albert – or even Uncle Albert if you’d prefer?’ she asked. ‘Only he and I have been using first names for a while now so it sounds rather odd when you are so formal.’

  ‘All right; I’ll call him Albert if it’ll make you happy,’ Tess said rather gloomily. ‘Goodnight, Gran. Sweet dreams.’

  ‘I don’t why it is, but the holidays seem to whizz past in no time at all, and school terms last for ever,’ Tess said. She was making up her carryout whilst Gran washed up the breakfast things.

  ‘It’s because you enjoy the freedom of the holidays,’ Gran said. ‘But I thought you enjoyed school as well. And most of the girls who took pleasure in being unkind to you will have left, so less of the long face if you please! Don’t forget, your schooldays are supposed to be the happiest days of your life.’

  Tess snorted. ‘I wonder who said that? I bet it was some old twerp in his forties, but I’d better get a move on since I want to call for Lucy. She will still be in my class, thank the Lord.’ As she spoke she pushed her lunch tin into her satchel, slipped on her jacket, for the hot August had given way to a cool September, and set off down the stairs, closely followed by Gran. They said their goodbyes on the pavement and Gran disappeared into the bakery whilst Tess hurried towards Mere Lane, but before she had gone more than a few yards she saw Snowy coming along the pavement towards her.

  ‘Aren’t you going to school?’ he asked rather breathlessly as he reached her. ‘I thought we’d walk at least a part of the way together. Or are you going to drop me like a hot potato now I’ve scared off all your enemies?’ he added with a grin.

  Tess stopped and stared up at him. Ever since what she now thought of as Gran’s little party in the flat above the milliner’s shop, she had seen hardly anything of Snowy. She had glimpsed him once or twice in the distance, sometimes with a group of boys his own age, sometimes alone, but he had never done more than grin and wave, had not invited her out or even strolled alongside her, chatting. Once, when she had gone up to Mrs Thomas’s shop in the late afternoon, she had found the place empty but for Snowy and Mrs Thomas herself. Snowy had been talking urgently, with many gestures, but as soon as he heard the shop bell ting and became aware of Tess’s presence he had stopped speaking abruptly. ‘We’ll talk later,’ he had said rather grimly, and had brushed passed Tess without a word, as though he had never met her. Tess had bought the items on her list and left the shop expecting to find Snowy waiting for her. If he was going home too they might just as well walk together as not. But though she kept a weather eye open she saw no sign of him, and was forced to conclude that he had no desire to be seen in her company. So now, on this crisp September morning, she felt justified in giving him a very cool nod before continuing on her way.

  ‘I’m going to call for my friend Lucy, not that it’s any business of yours,’ she said. ‘Cheerio.’

  As she spoke she turned into Mere Lane, expecting Snowy to continue down St Domingo Road, but he stayed beside her, actually plucked at her jacket, and, when this did not stop her, grabbed her arm. ‘Listen, Tess Williams, you owe me something, because it’s your fault that Marilyn won’t speak to me. And now she’s been and gone and took up with some feller she met on holiday, and I’m out in the cold, thanks to you.’

  ‘To me?’ Tess’s voice rose to a squeak. ‘How can it possibly have anything to do with me? I’ve not spoken to Marilyn since I came back from the country, though I did take a peep at her on her haberdashery counter. So what’s your gripe, Mr Desmond White?’

  At her use of his real name, Snowy grinned, but the grin was fleeting. A frown descended once more. ‘Remember the day you came home from that farm in Norfolk? Well, it seems that one of Marilyn’s aunties was meeting a train at the same time. The stupid old bag saw me giving you a lift with your suitcase and followed us. She told her daughter that I’d found myself a new girlfriend.’ He gave a contemptuous snort. ‘Some girlfriend! You’re just a kid, just someone to waste time with when your real girlfriend’s got other fish to fry. So anyway, the old bag told Marilyn I were two-timing her, and Marilyn met this feller—’

  ‘Someone to waste time with?’ Tess’s voice rose once more. ‘How dare you, Desmond, and now would you kindly let go of my arm?’

  This time Snowy flushed, and reading retribution in his glittering eyes Tess tore herself free and began to hurry along Mere Lane, but Snowy caught her up and grabbed her arm once more. ‘Don’t try to pretend you weren’t jealous of Marilyn and me,’ he said between clenched teeth. ‘I saw you taking notice of the way girls looked at me when we were in Princes Park. Why did you invite me up to your gran’s place, if not to make it look as though we were more than just pals? I dare say you boasted about having a feller at last, which is how it got to Marilyn’s ears.’

  Tess was so indignant that for a moment she could not speak, but then she found her voice. ‘You asked if you could come up after you’d carried my suitcase home,’ she reminded him. ‘And it was Gran who invited you for supper and a game of cards. As for boasting about it, I never did a
ny such thing! Indeed, now that you’ve shown yourself in your true colours I shall regret that I ever let you into our flat. I’m sure if Gran could hear you she’d tell me never to bring you home again, and now if you don’t stop hanging on to my arm I’ll . . . I’ll . . .’

  Snowy gave a sneering laugh and continued to hold her arm. ‘Don’t think you can just walk away and leave me looking a fool,’ he said angrily. ‘I want you to go to Marilyn and explain that it was all a mistake; that we met on the station by accident and your beloved gran asked me back for a meal because I’d been kind to her dear little girl.’

  It was too much. Tess drew back her foot and kicked Snowy in the shins, and, when he doubled up, smashed her fist into that part of him to which she had never given a name. Snowy gave a howl of pain and let go of her arm, clutching himself and beginning to wheeze threats. But Tess, freed from his grasp, shot along Mere Lane just as Lucy emerged from her front door.

  Lucy was smiling. ‘Why’s you runnin’? We’ve got plenty of time; even if we walk slow as slow, we’ll still be in school before half past eight,’ she said. ‘You’re sweatin’ like a pig, Tess. Don’t say someone’s after you!’

  Tess began to giggle. ‘You could say that. I’ve made Snowy extremely angry, and when he wouldn’t let go of my arm I kicked him and then punched him in the unmentionables, and left him threatening all sorts. Do we have to go back down Mere Lane, Lu? Isn’t there another way to school?’

  Lucy gave her friend an indulgent glance. ‘You can’t go around beatin’ up the best-lookin’ guy in Everton, even if he does annoy you,’ she said reprovingly. ‘An’ I guess we can go through the back streets; we’ve got time. But I don’t suppose he’ll hang around waitin’ for a second helping, let alone he must know he were in the wrong because you say he didn’t let go when you asked him to.’ She cocked an eye at her friend. ‘So what’ll it be? Face the feller now, or later? You can’t go through life avoidin’ everyone what you’ve disagreed with.’