by Kitty Neale
‘You don’t need to do that,’ Sadie protested.
Ruth didn’t argue. No matter what her mother said they would still check up on her. And now, armed with brooms, a mop, bleach, disinfectant, and other cleaning paraphernalia, they knocked on Denis Walters’ door. Thankfully he opened it, and when Ruth told him what they were going to do he didn’t protest, instead scurrying off and saying he was going to work.
Sally looked around the kitchen, her expression one of dismay. ‘Mum, this is awful.’
‘I know, but we can’t let Tommy, or Laura, come home to this.’
They tackled the kitchen first, Ruth saying as they worked, ‘I still don’t know where Denis works. I tried pumping Tommy, but the kid hasn’t got a clue.’
Sally gasped, a hand covering her mouth as she heaved. ‘Christ, Mum, look at this.’
Ruth saw that she was pointing to a part loaf of bread, thick with green mould, along with a dish of dripping, also covered in a layer of fur. She saw what looked like a remnant of cheese, hard and cracked with age and, as Sally lifted the lid of another dish, she stood back in horror.
‘I don’t know what this is –’ Sally gasped ‘– but it’s crawling.’
‘Chuck the lot out, dishes and all. I’m sure I’ve got some old ones I can replace them with.’
Sally gingerly cleared the cupboard and then, with a bucket of soapy water and bleach, cleaned the inside. She then left to check on her gran, but bumping into Nelly and explaining what they were doing, the old woman said she’d go and sit with Sadie.
It took another hour to finish the kitchen and then they were thankful to find that the living room looked hardly used. It only needed dusting and the floor swept. The two of them then went upstairs.
Tommy’s bedroom looked a pitiful sight, his bed coverings no more than a thin blanket and a couple of old coats. Laura’s room wasn’t much better and, sighing heavily, Ruth said, ‘It’s just as well I’m a hoarder, Sally. You strip the beds and I’ll pop home to sort out some sheets and blankets. I’ll find a few other bits and pieces while I’m at it.’
Ruth hurried next door and after making up a bundle of sheets and blankets, she rooted out a couple of bowls, some spare china and a nice clean tablecloth.
‘What are you up to?’ Sadie asked.
‘I’m sorting some stuff out for next door.’
‘We ain’t a bleedin’ charity you know.’
‘It’s my stuff, Mum, and I’ll do what I like with it,’ Ruth said as she put some tea, milk, sugar and a pint of sterilised milk into a shopping-bag. To that she added a fresh loaf of bread, some margarine and a jar of jam before saying to Nelly, ‘We shouldn’t be much longer, but if you need us you can bang on the wall.’
‘Hold on, did you put Nelly up to sitting with me?’
It was Nelly who answered, ‘No, she didn’t. I just popped by.’
‘That’s all right then,’ Sadie said.
Ruth threw Nelly a grateful smile and then hurried next door again to find Sally with a sheen of perspiration on her forehead. The beds had been stripped, and Sally had made a start on the dusting, but she frowned saying, ‘I daren’t touch the curtains, Mum. They’re so old they’ll fall apart if I try to take them down.’
‘I’ve got some spare ones somewhere, but we can’t do everything today. As long as the beds are made up and the place is clean and tidy, that’s the best we can do for now.’
‘The bathroom’s a mess too.’
‘As I said, we can’t do everything. We’ll just chuck some bleach down the toilet for now.’
They put in a last burst of effort and, going downstairs, added the finishing touch, Ruth’s nice clean cloth on the table. With a final look around Ruth said, ‘Well, it ain’t perfect but it looks presentable. Let’s hope Denis doesn’t come back drunk or he might muck it all up again.’
‘I wouldn’t bank on it, Mum,’ Sally replied, as they made their way home.
When the hospital transport arrived with Laura an hour later, Ruth went outside. ‘Welcome home, love.’
Laura looked tired. ‘Thanks,’ she murmured.
‘When Tommy comes home from school, he’s going to be chuffed to see you.’
‘I can’t wait to see him and thank you so much for looking after him. I’d invite you in, but I dread to think what my place looks like.’
‘Don’t worry about that. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised,’ Ruth told her.
Laura seemed to sag, and the driver asked, ‘Are you all right, missus?’
‘Yes, I’m fine and thank you. I didn’t expect to be given transport home.’
Unconvinced, Ruth said, ‘Come on, let’s get you inside. I don’t think Denis is in, so have you got a key?’
‘Yes,’ Laura said, taking it from her pocket, but she seemed so weak that Ruth took the key from her hand.
Laura didn’t argue, and she held on to Ruth’s arm as they stepped inside. ‘My goodness,’ she gasped, ‘don’t tell me that Denis did this.’
‘Well, no, Sally gave me a hand to tidy the place up a bit, but it’s nothing really.’
Laura lowered her eyes, but when she raised them again, Ruth saw they were moist with tears. ‘You’ve been so good.’
‘We’re neighbours,’ Ruth said dismissively. ‘Now, would you like me to make you a cup of tea?’
‘I don’t think there’ll be anything in the cupboards, but thanks for the offer.’
Ruth picked up a battered kettle, filling it with water before taking out the cups and saucers.
‘Where did they come from?’ Laura asked. ‘Don’t tell me. You provided them.’
‘Yes, but don’t worry, I don’t need them. Sally is always complaining that I’m a hoarder and these haven’t been used in years. I had a bit of a turnout and it’s nice to have some room in my cupboards now.’
The moisture in Laura’s eyes now turned to tears, but Ruth decided to pretend she hadn’t noticed as she made a pot of tea. By the time it had brewed and she carried a cup over to Laura, the woman had managed to pull herself together, though Ruth was worried by her pallor. ‘You look worn out,’ she said. ‘When you’ve drunk that why don’t you go for a little lie down?’
‘Yes, I think I will.’
Ruth waited until Laura had finished the last dregs of her tea and then said, ‘Come on, I’ll help you upstairs.’
When Laura saw her bedroom, there were fresh tears. ‘I just don’t know what to say,’ she sobbed.
‘There’s no need to say anything. Just rest until Tommy comes home,’ Ruth said. ‘Now, are you sure you can manage, or would you like him to stay with us for another night or two?’
‘No, but thanks anyway,’ Laura said tiredly as she threw back the blankets and got into bed, fully clothed. ‘I can’t wait to see him and to show him that things are going to be different. I was lucky, the heart attack didn’t do much damage and once I’ve had a bit of a rest I’ll be fine looking after him.’
Ruth wasn’t convinced. If Laura’s heart was all right, why did she look so awful? She didn’t like to leave her all alone and asked, ‘When will your husband be home from work, Laura?’
‘He’s a casual labourer and works when the mood takes him, or when he’s sober enough. If he’s at work today I doubt he’ll show up until after six. If he isn’t working, well, your guess is as good as mine,’ she said, her eyes closing.
‘But he knew you were coming home,’ Ruth protested. She got no reply. Laura was already asleep.
Later that day, Sally went to collect the kids from school. As expected, Tommy was thrilled to hear that his mother was home. Sally had no choice but to let him run ahead of her, and by the time she reached Candle Lane, the boy was already out of sight.
Her mother had said that Laura seemed overly tired, so to make sure that she was all right and could cope with Tommy, Sally knocked on her door.
‘Sally and Angel, please, won’t you come in.’
Angel didn’t need asking, she was a
lready over the threshold, so with no other choice, Sally went inside. Everything was still spick and span, and Tommy was obviously delighted, his little face glowing with pleasure.
‘Me mum’s got it really nice in here now,’ he said.
Laura looked about to protest, but Sally forestalled her, ‘Yes, she has.’
‘Thank you, Sally, for everything that you and your mother have done.’
‘We were pleased to help,’ she replied, worried by Laura’s aura. As her mother had said, the woman looked far from well and unaware that she was echoing her words, Sally asked, ‘Will your husband be home soon?’
‘As I told your mother, search me. No doubt he’ll turn up when he’s good and ready.’
Sally felt it then, a flash of intuition that told her that Denis wasn’t coming home, not today, not tomorrow; in fact she felt he wouldn’t show his face for a long time.
Closing her eyes, Sally prayed she was wrong.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Over a week had passed and while Sally was at the hospital, Ruth was gazing into space. Denis Walters still hadn’t turned up, but at least Laura was getting money from the National Assistance.
Despite having been deserted by her husband, so far Laura had kept her promise to stay off the booze, but just in case, when she got the chance, Ruth kept an eye out for Tommy, though she had to admit he seemed as happy as a lark, unaffected by his father’s desertion.
It was silly really, but now that Tommy didn’t need her, Ruth felt obsolete, and she had to admit she was missing him.
She sighed heavily, prompting Sadie to ask her, ‘What’s the matter? You sound as though you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.’
‘I was just thinking about Tommy. I don’t see much of him now.’
‘He’s with his mother and that’s how it should be.’
‘Yeah, I suppose so,’ Ruth murmured as she stood up to take Mary’s letter off the mantelpiece. It had arrived that morning and as though unable to believe the contents, she read it again. Mary had travelled to so many places, but on her way home she had been offered a job in a hotel in Spain, which it seems she had decided to take for a while. It sounded so daring, yet exciting too, and while Ruth didn’t like to admit it, she was envious.
‘Why are you reading that letter again?’ Sadie asked. ‘She’s not coming home yet and that’s that.’
Ruth tucked the letter back into the envelope and as the theme music for The Avengers began to play, she sat down again to watch the television.
‘I ain’t keen on this programme,’ Sadie complained.
‘I think it’s good.’
‘I don’t know what’s good about watching a woman prancing about in tight, black leather and fighting like a man.’
‘Diana Rigg looks great, and why shouldn’t women be strong?’
‘All right, don’t go on about it or we’ll miss the plot.’
Ruth sighed in exasperation. If her mother didn’t like the programme, why was she watching it? However, not wanting to miss the action, she said no more.
‘Hello, darling, how are you?’ Sally said as she walked up to Arthur.
‘I’m fine.’
She leaned forward and, as their lips touched, wolf whistles rang out as they had once before. Arthur’s reaction was the same. ‘Shut up, you lot!’ he called, laughing as he looked along the ward. ‘You’re just jealous.’
‘Can we have kisses too?’
‘No chance.’
Sally grinned happily. ‘What have you been up to today?’
‘I’ve been practising on my crutches.’
‘How did you manage?’
‘It was a doddle.’
‘Any news about coming home?’
‘Missing me, are you?’
‘Of course I am.’
‘Well, the news is that I’m to be let out of here on Monday.’
‘Oh . . . Oh that’s wonderful!’ Sally cried.
‘I can’t wait to see our flat.’
‘We won’t be able to move in until you’re back at work,’ Sally warned him.
‘Of course we will. What’s to stop us?’
‘Arthur, think about it. I still need to be with Gran until Mum comes home from work, but I can’t leave you to cope on your own either. I can’t be in two places at once.’
‘I’m not coming back to Candle Lane, Sally. I’ll be fine on my own while you’re with Sadie, and anyway, once I get my artificial leg, I’ll be going to work.’
‘You make it sound simple, but it isn’t. What about your meals?’
‘For goodness’ sake, stop making mountains out of molehills. I’ll have breakfast before you leave in the mornings, and you can leave me a sandwich or something for lunch. Don’t treat me like a cripple.’
‘I’m not, at least I didn’t mean to. If you’re sure you can manage, then fine.’
‘Good, I’m glad that’s sorted. Have you arranged to have a telephone installed?’
‘Yes, it’s already in, and despite having been in storage the television is OK,’ Sally assured him, but then she frowned. ‘I wonder if I can persuade Mum to have Monday off.’
‘Why should she have the day off?’
‘I should have thought that was obvious. I want to be at the flat waiting for when you come home.’
‘Home! Sally, you don’t know how good that sounds.’
When Sally arrived in Candle Lane, she was smiling. She would have to leave Arthur alone during the day, but he was adamant that he could cope, and thinking about it whilst sitting on the bus, she was sure that Elsie would pop down regularly to see him. He was coming home! Arthur was coming home, and it was wonderful.
‘Hello, love, you look happy. Have you got some good news?’ Ruth asked.
‘Yes, Arthur will be leaving the hospital on Monday, and that means we’ll be moving into our flat at last. I know it’s a lot to ask, but can you take the day off work?’
‘What for?’
‘I want to be at the flat when Arthur arrives.’
‘Flaming hell, Sally, I’ve had so much time off lately and I’m not sure my boss will put up with it for much longer. Oh, all right, don’t look at me like that. I’ll take the day off, but if I get the sack it’s down to you.’
‘Thanks, Mum.’
‘Angel may not be too happy about leaving here.’
‘She’ll be all right, especially when she sees her daddy.’
‘I hope you’re right, Sally, but I can see feathers flying when you try to move her out.’
‘She’ll soon adapt, especially as we’ll be here every day during the week, and we won’t be leaving until you come home.’
‘Yeah, but I’ll just get a glimpse of her when you arrive, and then another before you leave.’
‘Ruth,’ Sadie warned, ‘they need to be in their own home again, yet all you seem worried about is that you’ll see less of Angel.’
‘Yeah, yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry, Sal, but I still think Angel is going to kick up.’
‘No, she’ll be fine,’ Sally insisted, crossing her fingers and hoping that she was right.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The time seemed to drag by, but Sally filled the weekend by getting the flat aired and ready for Arthur’s arrival. She insisted that Angel wasn’t told that her father was coming home for two reasons. One – there was always the last-minute chance of Arthur’s release being delayed. She didn’t want to think about that, but with so many setbacks in the past, she was nervous of counting her chickens. And two – she had decided that the easiest way for Angel to accept the move, was by taking her straight to the flat after school. When she saw her daddy waiting for her, there was little chance she would want to leave him, making the transition easier.
At last it was Monday and Sally was almost hopping with excitement as she waited for Arthur’s arrival. It was the last day of February and soon spring would arrive, heralding new beginnings, which to Sally seemed apt.
; There was the toot of a horn and rushing to the window, Sally saw Bert’s car. With a smile of delight she ran to open the door but, remembering how Arthur was adamant that he didn’t want to be treated like a cripple, she stood on the step as he carefully climbed out of the passenger seat.
Elsie clambered out of the back and, with a little assistance from his father Arthur adjusted his crutches under his armpits as he stood gazing at her. There was an air of expectancy about him, as if gauging her reactions, and Sally, seeing one trouser leg pinned up, found that she had to fight tears.
Now, clenching her fists with determination, she forced her eyes away from his leg, saying flippantly, ‘Well, are you going to stand there all day, or are you coming in?’
‘I’m coming in of course,’ Arthur said, carefully moving forward.
‘I hope you’ve got the kettle on,’ Bert said, his voice equally light. ‘I could do with a cup of coffee before I go back to the office.’
‘This is nice,’ Elsie said, as she walked into the sitting room. ‘What do you think of it, son?’
‘From what I’ve seen so far it looks great,’ and, turning a little clumsily on his clutches, he added, ‘I’ll have a look at the rest of the place.’
‘We’ll just have a quick drink and then we’ll go,’ Elsie said. ‘I’m sure you two want to be alone.’
Sally, though silently agreeing with Elsie, shook her head. ‘There’s no need to rush off.’
‘Bert has to get back to work, but I’ll pop down to see Arthur tomorrow. I know you’ll be with Sadie, so is there anything I can do while I’m here?’
‘Just make sure he has something to eat, though I wish I could stay with him.’
‘He’s a grown man, love, and he needs to feel that he’s capable of taking care of himself.’
‘Talking about me, I hear,’ Arthur said, as he returned to the room. ‘The flat is great, Sally.’
‘I’m glad you like it. Now, I’d best see about making us a drink.’
Bert and Elsie stayed for another half an hour, and then rose to leave. ‘Don’t get up, son. We can see ourselves out,’ Bert said.
