by Joan Jonker
‘Sweetheart, the last thing yer dad said to me this morning when he was going out of the door was, “The best and nothing but the best for Phoebe, no matter what she says.”’
‘I wouldn’t refuse that, madam,’ the assistant said. ‘If you do, you may hurt him. It sounds as though he’s very proud of you.’
Ellen got to her feet. ‘We’ll talk about it when we get home. And when Phoebe comes on Saturday she’ll have all the details we’ve agreed on. Material, colour, design and accessories. And as I won’t be with her, I’d like to thank you now for your kindness and patience. I will see you again, when Phoebe and I can arrange a time when we’re both free.’ She held out her hand. ‘Thank you once again, and I know you will look after my daughter on Saturday. She’ll have a companion in the shape of her future sister-in-law, who is chief maid of honour.’
The assistant showed them to the door, then watched as they linked arms and walked towards a post, which was a stop for both trams and buses. What nice people they were. She hoped Phoebe would buy her wedding outfit from the shop, for she’d love to see her in all her finery.
Ellen opened the door to Paul that night, and she felt a warm glow as she smiled into his handsome face. His deep brown eyes were full of laughter, as usual, and Ellen told herself he was just the right person for Phoebe. He would make a loving husband. ‘Is my girl in, Mrs Corkhill? Yer know the one I mean, the gorgeous one.’
‘Come in, son, she’s helping Dorothy with the dishes.’ Ellen stood aside to let him pass. ‘They should be finished soon, and Phoebe said you were going to the pictures?’
Rubbing his hands together, Paul nodded his head as a greeting to Corker, who was puffing away on a full strength Capstan cigarette. ‘Yes, I’ve booked the whole back row at the Astoria, for me and my girl. Or should I say my future wife? It has a better ring to it, don’t yer think?’
Phoebe came in from the kitchen drying her hands on a small towel, and no words were needed to confirm her love for the handsome lad with the dimples, for it was written in her face. ‘Who said we’re sitting on the back row? You should ask me if that is what I want.’
Paul winked at Corker before saying, ‘Oh, I have every intention of asking you, love. But I thought it would be nice to ask yer when we’re seated comfortably, with me arm round your shoulder, on the back row of the stalls.’
Phoebe threw the towel at him, but he caught it in mid-air. ‘Did yer see that, Uncle Corker? I’m getting a bit worried about her behaviour, she can be a little wildcat when she doesn’t get her own way. I’m seeing meself as a henpecked husband, coming home from work every night and having to make me own dinner or starve to death!’
Corker nodded. ‘I can understand yer dilemma, lad, but I don’t know what advice to give yer. One thing yer don’t have to worry about, though, is that yer’ll be living with yer parents, and yer mam won’t let yer starve. And if Phoebe ever does throw plates at yer, yer mam would throw them back as quick as they came.’
‘Well, the plate fight at the McDonough ranch wouldn’t last very long, because we’ve only got three cracked plates, three cracked saucers, and three cups with no handles. I was only telling me mam last night that she’d have to buy another cup, saucer and plate the day before the wedding.’ His dimples appeared when he added, ‘She promised to go down to T. J.’s and get them. They have seconds there, so she told me, and some of them don’t even have a crack or a chip in them.’
Phoebe laughed. ‘It sounds as though I’m going to live a life of luxury when I get married. A cup with a handle, I won’t know I’m born!’
‘Oh, me mam intends going the whole hog for our wedding, pet. I’ve never known her be so excited before. Well, yer can tell she’s putting her heart and soul into it, when I tell yer she’s going to scrub the front steps the day before the wedding, and if I lift her up, she’s going to clean the windows! How about that, eh?’
Corker had been chuckling softly, but now he let out a loud guffaw. ‘Phoebe, me darlin’, yer’ll not be having a dull life, that’s for sure. Yer Auntie Nellie will see to that.’
‘But she won’t be me Auntie Nellie then, will she?’ Phoebe pretended to shiver with fright. ‘She’ll be me mother-in-law. I don’t even know what I can call her then.’
‘If I were you, pet, I wouldn’t put a name to me mam until yer’ve lived with us for a week. Yer see, she gets called many different names from people, so wait and see how yer get on with her before yer give her a name. But I will suggest that yer don’t bring the name of Elsie Flanaghan into a conversation, because that would be like a red flag to a bull. I can safely say that I don’t know any human being who has such a colourful vocabulary as my mam. Sometimes I think she’s talking in a foreign language, like French or Polish. I did ask her once if it was Chinese, but I got a clip round the ear, so I’ve never asked her since.’
Tongue in cheek, Phoebe asked, ‘Did it hurt?’
‘Did what hurt, pet?’
Phoebe tutted. ‘The clip round the ear, soft lad.’
‘Well, it’s like this, yer see. Me mam isn’t big enough to reach me ears, even on tiptoe. And I’m not daft enough to help her by bending down. So I stood there waiting for her to jump high enough. I thought she’d never make it, and she wouldn’t have done if she hadn’t pulled a fast one on me. She got hold of me tie when I wasn’t expecting it, and tugged hard on it until me face was on a level with hers. And then she boxed me ears. It didn’t half hurt as well. So I’m nice as pie with her since then, ’cos I’ve learned it’s not pleasant to be strangled.’
‘If yer want to call the wedding off, I don’t mind,’ Phoebe told him. ‘Marrying you seems a big risk.’
‘Nah, yer’ll be all right. I’ll stand in front of yer when the plates and pans start flying. Anyway, I’ve got good news for yer. Me mam likes yer. She was asking after yer just before I came out. She said not to forget to ask yer how yer got on this afternoon, and what’s yer wedding dress like?’
Corker chortled. ‘I’ve been trying to get that information since I came in from work. But I have been informed politely that nobody is being told any details about the bride’s outfit, or the bridesmaids’. There’s nothing to tell yer, anyway, so I understand; nothing has been ordered or bought. And even when things are happening, only Phoebe and Ellen will know. And Lily is one of the helpers, so she’ll know. But that’s as far as it goes, I’ve been warned. Not a soul, except the three mentioned, will be given any details until the day of the wedding.’
‘But I’m the bridegroom, surely I’m to be let into the secret, because it’s my wedding too! I mean, if I don’t know what me bride is wearing, I could easy make a mistake and marry some stranger whose face is hidden behind a veil. And Phoebe could end up being married to a bloke she’s never set eyes on before.’
Phoebe was putting her coat on, a smile on her face. ‘Yer never know yer luck, Paul, yer could end up with someone who looks like Betty Grable.’
‘Yeah, if pigs could fly! No, I’m not taking no chances, not with my luck. I’d probably end up with a Flora Robson lookalike.’
‘Oh, come on, Paul, the big picture will have started by the time we get there.’ Phoebe pulled him towards the door. ‘They say women are janglers, but you take some beating.’
‘I’ll be as quiet as a mouse when I’m sitting on the back row with me arm round yer.’ Paul managed to wave a farewell to Ellen and Corker before Phoebe opened the front door. And they both laughed when they heard him say, ‘I’ll let yer whisper in me ear what yer did today, what shops yer went in, and yer can describe yer wedding dress to me. I’ll cross me heart and promise not to tell a living soul.’ His voice became fainter when Phoebe closed the door behind them, but they could still hear him talking.
‘He takes after Nellie,’ Corker said. ‘An answer and a joke for every occasion. Our daughter will never have a dull moment.’
In the Bennett house, Jack was in his fireside chair, smoking a ciggy and reading the Echo, while M
olly sat facing her daughter across the table. The dishes had been washed, the tablecloth had been shaken and folded, and the chenille best cloth had taken its place.
‘Is Bella going with yer to the dance, sunshine?’ Molly asked. ‘Yer haven’t mentioned her for a few days. Oh, I know yer still go to work with her, and yer go over to the Watsons’ every night as usual. But yer’ve never really told me whether she’s still Peter’s girlfriend, or whether he doesn’t bother with her after the way she behaved the last time you went dancing?’
‘I don’t want to fall out with her altogether, Mam, after being friends all our lives, but she gets on my nerves lately, acting so childish. She is coming to the dance because I didn’t have the heart to refuse her, but I doubt if Peter will pay for her. Yer couldn’t expect him to after the way she behaved. If she doesn’t start acting her age, I doubt he’ll bother with her again.’ Ruthie sighed. ‘We’ll have to wait and see what happens. I’m going with Gordon, and Bella’s coming, but I don’t know what Peter’s doing. I’ve told her she should grow up and apologize, but she doesn’t seem to think she’s in the wrong.’
Jack looked over the top of his paper. ‘I always got the impression she really liked Peter. She fell for him when you and her were only fourteen, she never took her eyes off him, and he was the same with her. If she falls out with him, she’ll go a long way to find another lad as nice as him.’ With those words of wisdom, Jack went back to his paper.
‘I’m a little bit confused about this, sunshine. I can’t make head or tail of it,’ Molly said. ‘Has Bella seen Peter since the night of the dance?’
Ruthie shook her head while keeping her eye on the clock. Gordon would be calling for her soon and she didn’t want to keep him waiting. ‘No, she hasn’t seen him. To tell yer the truth, Mam, she said if that other bloke is there and asks her for a dance, she’ll dance with him whether Peter likes it or not. The silly nit fell for the flattery he dished out. She said he told her she had a good figure, was very pretty, and he liked her hair and the dress she had on. And she was stupid enough to lap it up. I bit her head off when she said Peter never says nice things to her. Now I know he always tells her she looks nice, but he doesn’t harp on it every time he sees her. Gordon always tells me I look nice, but he doesn’t keep on about it, and I wouldn’t want him to.’
‘Oh, dear,’ Molly said. ‘I would never have thought that of Bella. I’m surprised, and disappointed in her. It would serve her right if Peter washes his hands of her, for he’s too nice to be messed about. And if Mary and Harry knew, they’d go mad. They’d put a stop to Bella going out.’
‘Don’t say anything to her mother.’ Ruthie was torn between the girl she’d been close to all her life, and Peter, whom she’d also known all her life. But no matter what the others did, no one would spoil her relationship with Gordon. He was a year older than her, more of a man than a boy, and they got on well together. ‘Wait and see what happens tonight. Bella might have given it some thought and come to her senses, I hope. The whole trouble is she’s been spoilt all her life, and never allowed any space to grow up. If it wasn’t for you having a go at Auntie Mary for not letting Bella have some freedom, Mam, she would be sitting at home every night playing Ludo.’
‘I agree with yer, sunshine, that Mary didn’t give Bella any freedom, but that was because she was an only child. She still is a child as far as Mary is concerned. So it isn’t Bella’s fault that she’s a bit childish, she’s been wrapped in cotton wool since the day she was born.’
There came a loud rat-tat on the knocker, and Ruthie jumped to her feet. ‘Here’s Gordon, Mam, so I’ll let yer know later what happens. If yer go to bed before I’m in, I’ll tell yer over breakfast.’ With her coat on, a handbag over her wrist and silver dancing shoes tucked under her arm, she gave Molly and Jack a quick kiss. ‘I’ll see yer later. Ta-ra.’
‘Enjoy yerself, sunshine,’ Molly called after her, and waited to hear the door bang before saying to Jack, ‘I hope there’s no unpleasantness or arguments.’
‘If there is, it’s not down to you, love,’ Jack said. ‘Ye’re not responsible for Bella. Besides, it’s probably a storm in a teacup, and the kids will be laughing and joking while you’re worrying yerself sick. Switch the wireless on; Roy Fox and his band are on at eight o’clock, that should cheer yer up.’
‘I know that, sunshine. And I know there’s a play on at half eight. That’s why I bought meself a quarter of Mint Imperials to suck. I’ll trade yer two for a kiss.’
Jack folded his paper and put it under the cushion. ‘I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t we sit on the couch, and I’ll give yer two kisses for one Mint Imperial.’
Molly chuckled. ‘That’s a bargain at half the price. Ye’re on!’
Chapter Nineteen
‘Isn’t Peter coming?’ Ruthie asked, looking up into Gordon’s face. ‘I’ve told Bella she can come with us, and I can’t knock and tell her she can’t come, I’d feel terrible.’
‘I don’t mind her coming as long as she doesn’t expect me to dance with her. I’ll pay for her ticket, even though I’ve got to say it goes against the grain. And as for our Peter, well, Bella will have to do some crawling if she wants him to look at her again. He’s gone to the pictures with a mate from work.’
‘Ooh, it’s a mess, isn’t it? I’m sorry about Peter, and I agree with yer that Bella should tell him she’s sorry. But I can’t make her, she’ll have to do it off her own bat. Yer know she’s been me friend since we were born, and I don’t want to fall out with her, ’cos she’s got nobody else.’
‘Listen, Ruthie, don’t let her spoil our night. She can come with us, but don’t expect me to be matey with her, because she’s upset you and our Peter. Anyway, knock for her and let’s be on our way or we’ll miss a few dances.’
Bella opened the door, and after shouting ‘Ta-ra’ to her mam, closed it behind her. She showed surprise when she saw just Ruthie and Gordon. ‘Where’s Peter?’
‘He’s not coming, Bella. He’s gone out with a mate.’ Ruthie jerked her head, sending her long blonde hair swirling across her face. ‘Come on, or they’ll be playing the last waltz when we get there.’
But Bella stood her ground, her lips protruding in a pout. ‘But why isn’t he with you? He always comes. Who am I going to dance with now? He’s mean, that’s what he is!’
Gordon was blazing, for he had seen how hurt and humiliated his brother had been. And he had strong words on his lips, but they had to remain unsaid when Ruthie spoke. ‘I don’t blame Peter for not wanting to see you after the way yer treated him. But ye’re not going to spoil our night, Bella. Yer can either come with me and Gordon, or go somewhere on yer own.’
‘Where can I go on me own? I’ll come with you and Gordon, but I haven’t got any money on me.’
Ruthie sighed, partly with frustration, but mostly sadness. She couldn’t bring herself to speak harshly to a friend who was not used to being considered worldly enough to look after herself. She’d been cosseted all her life and didn’t know how to change. ‘I’ll pay for yer fare and ticket to the dance, and yer can pay me back tomorrow. Now link my arm and let’s go.’
Gordon wasn’t very happy, but he did understand that Ruthie was piggy in the middle, trying to please everyone. And when the bus came, he told her, ‘You sit with Bella, I’ll get the tickets.’
The atmosphere was strained between Ruthie and her friend on the journey, because Bella insisted in asking why Peter hadn’t come, for she hadn’t done anything wrong, had she? Then, not satisfied with Ruthie’s reply, she huffed that it wasn’t her fault that the bloke had asked her to dance. And she was still bemoaning what she considered to be childish behaviour on the part of Peter in falling out with her when they stepped off the bus outside Blair Hall. ‘Will you get the tickets, Gordon, please,’ Ruthie asked, ‘while we go to the cloakroom?’
Gordon nodded. ‘Don’t be long, though, because we’ve already missed a few dances.’
After ha
nging their coats up, Bella started all over again to moan about having no dancing partner. In the end Ruthie could stand it no longer. ‘For crying out loud, Bella, will yer shut up! Yer made a fool of Peter, that’s why he’s not here, and I don’t blame him one little bit. Yer’ve been his girlfriend for a couple of years, he’s been good to yer, and as soon as some lad – a lad yer’ve never seen in yer life – pays yer a compliment, yer go all childish and fall for it. And before we go in the dance hall, I’m warning yer to behave yerself. Ye’re not very popular with Gordon for the way yer treated his brother, so behave yerself.’
As soon as they entered the hall, Gordon claimed Ruthie for his favourite dance, the slow foxtrot. They danced well together, and the music calmed Ruthie down a little. But she knew she’d be happier when the night was over. She couldn’t help feeling responsible for her mate, who was standing on her own at the edge of the dance floor. She’ll be asked to dance, Ruthie told herself. She’s very pretty, some lad is bound to ask her up.
When the music faded, Ruthie plucked up the courage to ask, ‘Gordon, let’s stand with Bella? I’d feel terrible leaving her on her own. Go on, please?’
Gordon sighed. But looking down into eyes as blue as a summer sky, he couldn’t refuse. ‘Okay, but I will not dance with her.’
The conversation was stilted until the music started for a tango, and Gordon led Ruthie on to the floor. They talked and laughed together as they always did, but Gordon couldn’t help noticing the way Ruthie’s eyes kept going towards Bella. ‘She’ll be all right,’ he told her. ‘She’s got to grow up sometime, and learn she can’t have everything her own way.’
‘I know, and she’s been doing fine until last week. Your Peter was good for her, and I hope she’s got the sense to realize that, and apologize to him.’ Ruthie just happened to turn her head to where Bella was standing, and her heart sank. ‘Oh, no, look, that same bloke is standing talking to her!’
