by Kitty Neale
Leroy smiled. ‘It’s all right, I don’t mind.’
‘Get away from him, Angel!’ Sadie demanded. ‘Why, Gamma?’
‘Just do as I say!’
‘Mother, he isn’t contagious,’ Mary snapped.
‘Come on, it’s best we go,’ Leroy urged, taking her arm.
‘Yes, you’re right. It’s obvious we aren’t welcome here.’
‘There ain’t many places we is,’ Leroy murmured sadly.
With a sniff of derision, Sadie turned on her heels to march back indoors, but not without a parting shot as she shoved Ruth to one side. ‘I’m warning you, Mary. Don’t bring the likes of him to my house again.’
The door then slammed shut and with a groan Ruth turned to her sister. ‘You shouldn’t have brought him here. I warned you about upsetting Mum and why on earth upset her even more by saying you’re pregnant?’
‘Because I am.’
‘What, at your age! Don’t be stupid.’
‘Don’t call me stupid!’
‘If you think you’re having a baby, you must be, but I ain’t standing here arguing with you. I dread to think what effect this will have on Mum’s health so I’m off to see if she’s all right.’
‘Huh,’ Mary snorted, ‘she can’t be that ill. You saw the way she shoved Leroy out of the door.’
‘In that temper I think she could’ve shoved a bus outside, but it can’t have been good for her blood pressure,’ Ruth argued, her nostrils flaring with anger. ‘Sally, come on, let’s get inside.’
‘In a minute, Mum. I’d like a word with Aunt Mary first.’
‘Your gran probably needs you so make it quick,’ and on that sour note, Ruth turned away.
Mary heaved a sigh. ‘Leroy, this is Sally, my niece, and you’ve already met her daughter, Angela.’
‘Pleased to meet you.’
‘Hello, it’s nice to meet you too,’ Sally said shaking his hand. Leroy was tall, with very dark brown eyes and black, tightly curled hair. His suit was grey and double breasted, with very wide-legged trousers that bagged into narrow turn-ups at the ankles. There were several West Indian families that had settled in Battersea and all the men seemed to adopt this same style of dress. Sally was amazed at her aunt’s bravery. If a white woman was seen with a black man she was scorned, but her aunt must think a lot of Leroy if she was prepared to face becoming an outcast.
‘It seems at least one member of my family is prepared to take your hand, Leroy.’
‘I’m not prejudiced, Aunt Mary, but you know what people are like around here and it’s going to be hard for you.’
‘Yes, we know, and others before Leroy have run the gauntlet of landladies with signs saying “No Blacks” on their doors.’
‘When are you getting married?’
‘As soon as we can arrange it. Will you come, Sally?’
‘Of course and I’m sure my mother will.’
‘I doubt it. She won’t go up against your gran and no doubt you’ll be put under pressure to stay away too.’
Before Sally could answer, Angel tugged at Mary’s sleeve. ‘Can I be a bridesmaid, Auntie?’
‘I’m sorry, darling. We aren’t getting married in a church so there’ll be no bridesmaids.’
Sally saw the rebellious look forming on her daughter’s face and quickly intervened. ‘Angel, go indoors now, there’s a good girl.’
‘No, don’t want to.’
‘Do as I say, and now!’
Angel’s lower lip began to tremble, but knowing her daughter’s wily ways, Sally kept her expression stern. Angel huffed like an old woman, and Sally had to suppress a smile, thankful when her daughter did as she was told. However, no sooner had Angel gone inside than she was running out again.
‘Mummy, Gamma said you’ve got to come in now.’
‘Goodness, Aunt Mary,’ Sally complained, ‘you’d think I’m still a child to be ordered around. Still, it’s best that Gran stays calm.’
‘Goodbye, my dear,’ Mary said as she took Leroy’s hand, her head held high as they began to walk away.
Tommy and his gang followed, dancing around them in imitation of a tribal dance, and Mrs Stone from number nine spat at Mary’s feet as she passed. Sally’s temper flared. Kids didn’t know any better, but there was no excuse for adults. She wanted to shout at Mrs Stone, but knowing it would take a miracle for someone like that to overcome their prejudice, she remained where she was, standing stiffly until her aunt and Leroy turned the corner.
No sooner had Sally gone indoors than her gran started, her voice thick with venom as she said, ‘I can’t believe it! My daughter marrying a flaming black man! She said she’s pregnant too and that’ll mean she’ll give birth to a half-caste.’
‘I doubt she’s pregnant,’ Ruth said. ‘Are you forgetting how old she is?’
‘In the club or not, I’m finished with her. From now on she’s no daughter of mine. In fact, if she comes to my house again she’ll get the door slammed in her face.’
Sally, still upset by the treatment her aunt had received, found her temper flaring again. ‘This isn’t your house, Gran, it’s my mother’s, and if you don’t mind I’d rather you stopped spouting racial hatred in front of my daughter.’
‘If you don’t like it, my girl, you know what you can do!’
‘Don’t speak to Sally like that,’ Ruth shouted, her temper in evidence too.
‘I’ll speak to her how I bloody well like!’
‘Don’t shout . . . please, don’t shout . . .’ Angel cried. Sally saw the distress on her daughter’s face and was flooded with shame. It was bad enough that Angel had to cope with Gran’s mood swings, but now she was seeing them arguing too. She stroked the top of her daughter’s head, saying softly, ‘It’s all right, darling. Come on, let’s go upstairs to find a nice jigsaw puzzle and we’ll do it together.’
It wasn’t long before Angel’s tongue was poking out in concentration as she tried to fit a piece of blue sky into the puzzle. Sally helped, but she was still inwardly seething, determined now that it was time to move out.
Chapter Six
It was mid-October and Ruth was glad to get home from work. There was no sign of Arthur before Sally went to the spiritualist hall and with Angel tucked up in bed she faced a quiet evening with her mother. However it was interrupted when there was a knock on the door.
It was Elsie, and Ruth’s eyes widened. ‘Well, this is a nice surprise. Is everything all right?’
‘Yes, fine. I just want to talk something over with all of you.’
‘Come on in, love,’ Ruth urged. ‘Watcha,’ Sadie said, looking pleased to see Elsie as they walked into the kitchen.
‘Hello, Sadie, and how are you?’
‘I’m as fit as a fiddle.’
‘Good, but where is everyone?’
‘Sally’s doing a healing service at the hall and I’ve no idea where Arthur is,’ Ruth told her.
‘That’s odd. Bert said he only did a local job today and I expected him to be home by now.’
Ruth glanced at the clock, frowning. It was eight o’clock. What was keeping him?
‘Perhaps there have been a few problems, or the van broke down.’
‘If that was the case, I’m sure Bert would have mentioned it when he came home. I should have rung first to check that you were all in, but with Bert hovering, it was impossible. He has no idea I was coming here. I just hope Arthur arrives home soon.’
‘What’s this all about, Elsie?’
‘Its Bert’s birthday in January and I thought we could arrange a surprise party.’
‘Blimey, Elsie, ain’t you being a bit premature?’
‘Not really. There’s a lot to sort out and I’ll need to rope Arthur and Sally in with the planning. Fifty, Ruth, my Bert’s going to be fifty. Where has all the time gone?’
‘He’s just a whippersnapper,’ Sadie commented. ‘Where are you thinking of holding this party?’
‘I thought I’d book the hall. I k
now we don’t live around here now, but most of our friends are still in this area.’
‘Right then,’ Ruth said. ‘Arthur may not be here, but we can make a start. Let’s draw up a list of what’s needed.’
‘Yes, all right. I know Ann would have wanted to help, but it’s impossible with her living in Milton Keynes.’
‘With three kids and two of those twins, your daughter certainly has her hands full.’
‘She does, and living so far away I can’t do much to help her. Still, she’s arriving on Friday night to stay for the weekend and it’ll be lovely to see her.’
‘I hear you’re having Angel over for the night too. Talk about a glutton for punishment,’ Ruth said, smiling wryly.
‘It’ll be lovely, and to be honest one more won’t make a lot of difference.’
‘Rather you than me.’
‘Have you heard about my Mary?’ Sadie asked. ‘Yes, Arthur told me.’
‘I’m not gonna stand for it. She’ll marry that black man over my dead body.’
‘Arthur said you’re against it, but would it be so bad? Mary has been alone since her husband died, and after what she went through she deserves a bit of happiness.’
Ruth saw her mother’s eyes darken and quickly changed the subject. ‘Come on, we’re supposed to be planning a party.’
Sadie ignored the comment, livid as she shouted, ‘Elsie Jones, if you’re going to take Mary’s side you can get out of my house!’
‘Now there’s no need for that,’ Elsie protested. ‘I’m not taking sides.’
‘It sounds to me like you are.’
Elsie moved across to Sadie and bending over she took the old woman’s hand, saying softly, ‘Come on, love, I don’t want to fall out with you. Let’s forget I said anything and start again.’
‘Yeah well . . . just don’t mention Mary’s name.’
‘I won’t,’ Elsie said, her eyes full of sympathy as they met Ruth’s.
Things were a little subdued at first as they sat down to make plans, but the tension soon eased. Food was the first thing they discussed, then drink, music, and a second list was drawn for guests. ‘It’s funny,’ Ruth commented. ‘I seem to remember helping you out with another party some years ago. The one you threw for Arthur before he left for Australia.’
‘Our first grandchild must have been conceived that night. Maybe lightning will strike again at Bert’s party,’ Elsie said, chuckling.
Ruth smiled and soon they were reminiscing, until at nine- thirty, Elsie said she had to leave.
‘I’ll ring for a cab, but while I’m waiting can I pop upstairs for a peek at Angel?’
‘Of course you can, but for Gawd’s sake don’t wake her up.’
Elsie was soon back downstairs again, smiling softly. ‘Angela looks so sweet, but don’t worry, she’s out for the count. I’m surprised that Arthur still isn’t home. I can’t imagine where he is.’
Ruth managed a nonchalant shrug. ‘He knew Sally would be at the hall this evening so perhaps he went to a pub for a drink.’
‘Yes, that’s probably it,’ Elsie agreed, and then they heard the toot of a horn.
‘That’s the cab,’ Ruth said, and though she went with Elsie to the front door, then waved as the taxi drove off, her mind was churning. She’d been sure for a while now that Arthur was up to something, and though hiding her concern from Elsie, she was swamped with suspicion.
Sadie was dozing, but Ruth kept glancing at the clock, until at last, half an hour later, Arthur came home. ‘Hello there,’ she said, doing her best to act normally. ‘You’re late. Have you had a busy day?’
‘Yes, a delivery to Devon. A big load too and I’m bushed.’
As she lit a cigarette, Ruth looked at Arthur from under her lashes. He was lying of course, but why? All these late nights, and the lame excuses pointed to one thing. Arthur was being unfaithful to Sally. He was having an affair. Should she say something? Confront him? Ruth opened her mouth, about to have it out with him, but then the door flew open and Sally entered the room with a flurry.
‘Hello, darling,’ she said, her eyes on Arthur before anyone else.
Ruth watched her son-in-law’s reaction, saw the fondness in his eyes as he wrapped his arms around Sally and berated herself. No, Arthur would never be unfaithful. He obviously loved Sally, but Ruth was still sure he was up to something, though what it was remained a mystery.
When everyone had gone to bed, Ruth sat alone in the kitchen, her face set in sadness. When her sister had turned up with a bloke, albeit a black man, she had felt her own loneliness. There were times when Ruth craved to feel a man’s arms around her again and lighting yet another cigarette, she wondered if she dare take the chance. Yet what hope did she have of meeting anyone? Her life revolved around work and home. Not only that, women just didn’t go into places like pubs on their own.
Taking a final drag on her cigarette, her shoulders slumped, Ruth at last went upstairs to her lonely bed.
Chapter Seven
On Saturday morning Sally was humming as she absent- mindedly flicked a duster over the furniture. Angel had stayed overnight with Elsie and alone at last, she and Arthur had spent most of the night making love. It had been wonderful, Arthur’s eagerness matching hers and after waiting so long, the first time had been over quickly, so much so that it had proved to Sally that she had been silly to suspect Arthur of having an affair.
‘What’s that bleedin’ racket?’ Sadie complained.
Sally moved across to the window, her lips set in a grim line when she saw Tommy Walters being thrashed by his mother. Angel was close by, watching the scene and obviously distressed as the boy screamed out in agony. Sally had no time for the lad, but no matter what he’d done, there was no need for Laura Walters to lay into him with a belt.
‘I won’t be a minute, Gran,’ Sally said before rushing outside.
A few neighbours were on their steps, all looking uncomfortable, but none intervening. Sally rushed up to Laura to grab her arm and the woman turned, spitting abuse.
‘Get your hands off of me!’
Sally was sickened by the stench of alcohol on the woman’s breath. She’d heard rumours that Laura Walters was a drinker, but this was the first time she’d seen it for herself. ‘Let Tommy go,’ she demanded.
‘Mind your own business. He deserves a good hiding and that’s what I’m giving him.’
‘Why? What had he done?’ Sally asked, relieved that at last the woman was distracted enough to stop laying the belt across Tommy’s legs.
‘He defied me, that’s what,’ Laura spat, but in the process she had let go of Tommy’s ear and in a flash the boy was gone, his little legs pumping like pistons as he fled.
‘You won’t get away from me. I’ll get you later, you little bugger,’ Laura screeched.
‘It’s disgraceful, that’s what it is,’ Mrs Stone commented after Laura had staggered back indoors. ‘It’s only one o’clock on a Saturday afternoon and the woman’s as drunk as a skunk.’
Other women nodded, joining in the gossip, but Sally took her daughter’s hand. ‘Come inside now.’
‘No, I don’t want to. I want to wait for Tommy to come back.’
‘He won’t show his face for a good while,’ Sally told Angela, unable to help feeling sorry for the boy again.
‘What was all that about?’ Sadie asked as soon as she saw them.
‘Laura Walters was giving Tommy a hiding.’
‘Yeah, well, no doubt he deserved it.’
‘No child deserves to be thrashed with a belt, Gran. I think the woman was drunk.’
‘Yes, as a skunk,’ Angel said. ‘What’s a skunk, Gamma?’
‘It’s an animal,’ Sadie said and on an aside to Sally asked, ‘Where did she pick that saying up from?
‘Jessie Stone.’
‘I might have guessed, but I’m not surprised. Nelly told me that Laura likes the booze, her old man too, and from what she said it sounds like they’re both alcoho
lics.’
‘What’s an al . . . alco . . .?’ Angel asked, struggling with the word.
Sally didn’t want her daughter to hear any more of this kind of conversation. ‘It’s nothing important, darling. Now run upstairs to fetch a jigsaw puzzle or another toy to play with.’
Thankfully Angel did her bidding and when she was out of earshot Sally said, ‘If Tommy’s parents are both alcoholics, no wonder the boy runs wild. It also explains why his clothes are like rags.’
‘Yeah, well, if his mother’s on the booze she won’t live to see old bones.’
‘Dreadful though that sounds, I’m more concerned about Tommy. Maybe I should report this to someone in authority that can help.’
‘Keep your nose out of it, Sally. It’s none of our business and do you really think the boy would be better off in care, in some sort of kids’ home, ’cos that’s where he’d end up.’
‘If getting beaten by his mother is a common occurrence, then yes.’
‘What makes you think it’s common? Have you ever seen her beating him before?’
‘Well no.’
‘There you are then, and it’s probably something the boy did that drove Laura over the limit. There’s no getting away from the fact that he’s a naughty little tyke. One thrashing isn’t enough to stick your oar in.’
Sally was still unsure. She just hoped that Tommy stayed away until Laura calmed down and now understood why the lad was allowed to roam the streets at all hours. His parents were probably too drunk to care. It was little wonder that Tommy had learned to be streetwise, but at only seven years old it wasn’t safe to be out so late at night.
As Sally sat down she felt a flush of guilt. There had been so many occasions when she had chased the boy off, yet what choice had she had? Tommy’s language was dreadful and only recently he’d been caught trying to pinch apples from a market stall. He was a bad influence, and she still didn’t want her daughter mixing with him.
* * *
At three o’clock Mary came to see them, but as she walked in, Sadie said, ‘You ain’t bringing that black geezer in here again. If he’s with you, bugger off.’
