Nobody's Girl

by Kitty Neale

‘Oh dear, do you think I should have offered more?’

  ‘Don’t be daft. Bessie Penfold has made a mint over the years. If she’s undercharging for stuff, she still won’t lose out. She buys it for next to nothing and, believe me, I should know. When my Derek was a nipper, things were really tight. My old man died and I had no choice but to flog his clothes. Bessie Penfold gave me a pittance for them, but I was desperate and had to take it. She was as tight as a duck’s arse, and it was only enough to feed us for a couple of days. I’ve never forgiven her and if she’s getting her comeuppance now, I’m glad.’

  ‘She said some funny things too.’

  Connie’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Like what?’

  ‘She said our paths would cross and that we’d need each other.’

  ‘There’s people round here who think she’s got second sight. They say she’s from gypsy stock and can see into the future. Now me, I think it’s a load of old tosh. If you ask me you shouldn’t take any notice of anything she said.’

  Pearl smiled with relief. ‘I don’t believe that anyone can foresee the future, but I must admit she unnerved me a bit.’

  ‘Yeah, well, she’s had years of practice. You’re lucky she didn’t ask you to cross her palm with silver. She’s conned a good few people over the years with her so-called predictions.’

  Pearl was surprised. Despite her strange words, she had liked Bessie Penfold, and though she was obviously in a lot of arthritic pain, the woman had been kind and cheerful. Yet Connie made her sound mean and conniving, a woman who fooled people into parting with their money. Would their paths cross again, Pearl wondered, and if so, why?

  17

  Pearl scoured the local papers and looked at cards in newsagents’ windows, but her attempts to find another bedsit were half-hearted. She loved staying at Derek’s, and though the sofa was playing havoc with her back, she didn’t want to leave.

  On Tuesday evening, over a week later, and whilst Derek was at the gym, Connie flicked her eyes away from the television, clearing her throat before she spoke.

  ‘Pearl, don’t get upset about what I’m going to say, but I really think it’s time that you found a place of your own place again. Now don’t look at me like that, love. I’ve enjoyed having you here, but you need a proper bed to sleep in. And, well, what with you and Derek courting …’

  Pearl gulped, her voice a whisper: ‘All right, I’ll try harder to find a room. Maybe there’ll be something in the local paper this week.’

  ‘Oh, love, I’m sorry I’ve upset you, but you’re welcome to come round here as often as you like. You’ve become like a daughter to me, but it just isn’t right that you and Derek are sleeping under the same roof.’

  ‘But why?’

  ‘Gawd, girl, do I have to spell it out? My Derek may be a diamond, but he’s still a man. It’s too much of a temptation, love.’

  ‘But he’d never take advantage of me.’

  ‘Pearl, you should listen to yourself. You sound like some sort of old-fashioned heroine in a novel. Derek’s bedroom is next to mine and I’ve heard him tossing and turning all night. He didn’t do that before you came to stay. He loves you and, well, as I said, he’s a man and he wants you. I know you’re an innocent, but surely you understand what I’m getting at?’

  Pearl lowered her eyes. An innocent. No, she wasn’t an innocent now. Kevin Dolby had seen to that. He was leaving her alone, but despite her determination to harden her heart, it still leaped every time she saw him. She had thought about finding another job, but loved the café and was reluctant to leave. As long as Kevin didn’t talk to her, as long as she kept out of his way, she could cope, and surely one day soon she would get over him. She sighed heavily. She didn’t want to leave the safe haven of this house either, but had no choice.

  ‘I’ll find a bedsit as quickly as I can and … and I’m sorry I’ve been so much trouble.’

  ‘Don’t be daft, love. You ain’t been any trouble, and when Derek’s out I enjoy your company. It’s just … well, as I said. Come on now, cheer up. I meant it when I said you can come round as often as you like.’

  That was something, Pearl thought, and maybe, just maybe, she could find a bedsit in a family house this time.

  Pearl found her prayers answered the following day.

  During her break, Mo stuck her head around the kitchen door. ‘Pearl, can I have a word?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  Mo bustled over. ‘I told Dolly what I’ve got in mind and she said to talk to you out here. Mind you, I’d better make it quick. She might be in a good mood at the moment, but there’s no guarantee it will last. Anyway, to get to the point, I’ve been thinking and it’s like this. Since my old man died, there’s only my daughter, Emma, and me. It’s been a bit of a struggle bringing her up on me own and money’s been tight.’ She scratched her head before continuing. ‘I’m daft really and I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. You see, I’ve got a spare room. It ain’t very big so I couldn’t ask much in the way of rent, but if you’re willing to pay me around fifteen bob a week, it’s yours.’

  ‘Oh, Mo.’

  ‘It’s only when I heard that you needed a bedsit that it came to me. I mean, I’ve got an empty room, you need a place, and I’d hate to have a stranger moving in. I had a word with my Emma, and she’s all for it. We’ve done the room up between us, so, what do you say?’

  Pearl grinned with delight. It sounded wonderful. She would be living in a family house, one with a girl of her own age, and who knew, they might become friends. ‘I’d love to move in with you, Mo.’

  ‘Blimey, girl, you ain’t seen the room yet. Why don’t you pop round tonight? I live at number fourteen Pennington Street. It ain’t far, and you’ll be able to walk to work in five minutes.’

  ‘Mo, it’s about time you got back to the kitchen,’ Dolly snapped, her face red as she marched into the dining room.

  Mo pulled a face and then winked at Pearl. ‘Tonight then?’

  ‘Yes, and thanks.’

  ‘There’s no need for thanks. See you later, or as my Emma would say, “See you later, alligator.”’

  Pearl looked puzzled and Mo chuckled. ‘Everyone says it. That Bill Haley and his rock-and-roll band have even turned it into a song. Emma is mad on him. “See You Later, Alligator” is one of his hit records. You’re supposed to respond with, “In a while, crocodile.” Yeah, I know, daft, ain’t it?’ she added, still chuckling as she bustled away.

  See you later, alligator. It sounded silly to Pearl, but it brought a smile to her face. Rock and roll. Yes, she had heard the foot-tapping music, but without a wireless, she rarely heard the latest trends. Oh, it sounded like it was going to be fun living with Mo and her daughter.

  Derek was disappointed when Pearl told him she’d like to go Mo’s house on her own, but she felt it was best. It only took ten minutes to walk to Pennington Street from Derek’s and, slightly nervous, she knocked on Mo’s door.

  ‘Hello, love, come on in,’ the woman said, grinning as she stood to one side.

  The small hall was immaculate, and at the warm greeting, Pearl relaxed. She was taken immediately upstairs and, flinging open a door, Mo ushered her inside. The room was small, but Pearl fell in love with it at first sight. There were lemon flowered curtains at the window, toning with the lemon candlewick bedspread. The floor was covered in rather dull, brown lino, but a nice rug lay beside the bed. She saw a single wardrobe, a small dressing table, and a tiny wicker chair in one corner.

  ‘I know you usually get a sink in a bedsit, Pearl, but the bathroom is only next door. You’ll have to share it with me and Emma, of course, but I’m sure we’ll all rub along nicely. If you want to cook, you can use the kitchen, and as long as you tidy up after yourself there won’t be a problem.’ With an anxious frown, Mo added, ‘Well, love, what do you think?’

  ‘I love it!’ Pearl cried. ‘It … it’s so pretty.’

  ‘As soon as I decided to let the room, me and Emma done
it up.’

  ‘It’s lovely, and the wallpaper is smashing too,’ Pearl said, eyeing the tiny lavender and yellow flowers.

  ‘You should have seen the state we got into hanging it. I think we got more paste on ourselves than the paper. Still, in the end we didn’t make a bad job of it, and now we’re going to tackle our bedrooms. They ain’t been touched in donkey’s years and it’ll be nice to freshen them up. Anyway, Pearl, do you want the room?’

  ‘Oh yes, and can I move in at the end of the week?’

  ‘Of course you can. Emma ain’t in tonight – she’s gone out with her mates – but I’m sure the pair of you will get along fine. She’s a bit older than you, and a little wild at times, but she ain’t got a bad bone in her body.’

  ‘Wild?’

  ‘Maybe that’s the wrong word. It’s just that things have changed so much since the war. When I was a young woman I dressed like my mum – well, there wasn’t any choice. Now, though, there are all these weird and wonderful fashions aimed at youngsters. Only the other day I saw a group of those teddy boys, and if you ask me they look bleedin’ daft. Tight trousers, long jackets, and their hair! My God, with long sideburns and those daft quiff things hanging over their foreheads, it’s a disgrace.’ She sighed before continuing the tirade. ‘My Emma has taken to wearing some very funny clothes too, and she loves to go out dancing. Still, she’s a good girl really, and if you ask me it’s this music from America that’s causing it. Give me a nice crooner like Dickie Valentine, not this flaming rock-and-roll stuff.’ Mo suddenly chucked. ‘Gawd, hark at me, I’m really on me soapbox. Come downstairs and I’ll make you a nice cup of tea.’

  Pearl glanced around the room again before following Mo. The kitchen was small, with a scullery leading to a back yard, and after making the tea, Mo led her into the living room. Like Connie’s, it was stuffed with furniture, most looking faded and old, but again it was immaculately clean.

  ‘I know you’re courting Derek Lewis, but I’m afraid I can’t allow him in your room. My Emma ain’t allowed to bring boys home either, so the same rule applies to both of you.’

  ‘That’s fine with me.’

  ‘Oh, that’s good. I was a bit worried about laying down the law and my Emma says I’m old-fashioned. Old-fashioned! I let Emma stay out until ten thirty, but she still complains. My old dad would have skinned me alive if I wasn’t home by nine thirty in the evening, and that was when I was engaged.’

  ‘With having to get up so early in the morning, I’m mostly in bed by ten. Where does Emma work?’

  ‘She’s got a job in Prices, the candle factory. She’s been there since she left school and seems to like it. Of course, with our surname being Price, she got a bit of ribbing at first, but that soon wore off.’

  Pearl found herself totally at ease in Mo’s company and they chatted for another half-hour. Then, glancing at the clock on the mantelpiece, she rose to her feet. ‘I’d best be off, Mo, and thanks again for letting me have the room. I’ll move in on Saturday night, if that’s all right.’

  ‘That’s fine, and I’ll see you at work in the morning.’

  Pearl hurried along the road, pleased that she had found somewhere so nice to live. It would be easier to leave Derek and Connie now, and she would be living with a small family again. It was odd really. Both Connie and Mo were without husbands and had struggled to bring up a child on their own.

  Pearl’s mind shied away from her next thought. If Mo and Connie could do it – why had her own mother left her on the orphanage steps?

  On Friday, Derek was late coming into the café for his breakfast, and with a few minutes to spare Pearl was standing by his table chatting to him when Kevin appeared.

  His eyes flicked round the room and, seeing them together, he strolled over. Pearl held her breath, but he smiled pleasantly.

  ‘Are you fighting again on Saturday night, Derek?’

  ‘No, not this time.’

  ‘That’s a shame. Nobby Clark says it’s always safe to put a bet on you.’

  ‘There’s no such thing as a safe bet. Nobby should have learned that by now.’

  ‘He loses most of his money on the horses, and it’s a mug’s game. He’ll never learn and I think most of the nags he’s bet on are still running.’

  Pearl listened to the exchange, and as her heart thumped in her chest she cursed that Kevin still had this effect on her. He winked, and she flushed.

  ‘I hear you’re moving in with Mo Price and her daughter. I must say, that Emma’s a bit of all right.’

  ‘Have you been out with her?’ Derek asked.

  ‘No, but I might just sample the goods. What do you think, Pearl?’

  Pearl felt a surge of jealousy, but managed a nonchalant shrug. ‘Please yourself. Anyway, I’d best get on,’ she said, hurrying away and hiding her feelings behind a bright smile as she approached a customer. The order taken, she cast a glance at Derek, glad to see that Kevin had left. He grinned and she couldn’t help but return it. He was like a big, cuddly bear, warm, safe. Kevin was the opposite, a handsome sleek panther, dark, predatory. She shivered, at last realising that she didn’t want to be his prey. Oh, if only Derek would propose soon.

  Pearl was surprised at how hard it was to leave Derek’s on Saturday evening. She had tried not to grow too fond of them, but still found the parting a wrench, particularly with Connie. It had been like having a mother: a woman who cared about her welfare, showed her affection, and greeted her with pleasure when she came home from work. Now she was moving out and there would be no quick hugs at bedtime, no lovely meals, and no cosy evenings sitting in front of the television.

  ‘Well,’ bye then,’ Pearl choked, picking up her bags, only for Derek to take them out of her hands.

  ‘’Bye, love. See you tomorrow,’ Connie said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

  ‘Tomorrow?’

  ‘Well, yes. You’ll be round for dinner, won’t you?’

  ‘Oh, yes, I’d love to,’ Pearl said, her heart lifting.

  ‘Blimey, I thought we’d sorted this out. You’re moving to Pennington Street, not Outer Mon golia, and can come round as often as you like. If you want to pop in to see me after work each day, that’d be lovely, and you can share our meals as usual.’

  ‘Oh, Connie.’

  ‘Well, let’s face it; you’ll become as skinny as a rake again if I don’t feed you. Now off you go, and don’t worry, you’ll be fine with Mo. She’s a good sort.’

  Pearl nodded, following Derek outside. She was on the move again, but this time reluctantly. It hadn’t been hard to leave the orphanage, the hostel, or her first bedsit, but leaving Derek’s was like leaving home.

  ‘You can always change your mind,’ Derek said as if reading her thoughts. ‘You’re welcome to stay at my place.’

  ‘No, Connie’s right. It’s time I moved out.’

  ‘What do you mean? What’s Gran got to do with it?’

  ‘Well … er … she sort of said I should try harder to find a bedsit.’

  ‘She what? When?’

  ‘We had a chat when you were at the gym on Tuesday. She’s right, though,’ Pearl said hurriedly. ‘I couldn’t sleep on the sofa indefinitely.’

  ‘She had no right to force you out without discussing it with me. Wait till I get back. I’ll have a few words to say to her.’

  ‘No, Derek, please don’t fall out over me. She’s only doing what she thinks is for the best.’

  ‘Huh, best for who?’

  Pearl glanced up at Derek’s face, seeing anger, and decided that this might be the ideal opportunity to hint about marriage. ‘Connie’s concerned about you. We … we’re courting and it isn’t right that we were living under the same roof. I don’t know about you, but it kept me awake, knowing that you were in the bedroom above me.’ Pearl’s face reddened with shame as she told the lie, but consoled herself with the thought that it was only a little white one. If Derek loved her and proposed, she’d do her best to be a good wife. She coul
dn’t love him in return, but she liked him, and surely that was a good basis for marriage?

  ‘Bloody hell, I had no idea you were laying awake, and I must admit it was the same for me.’

  ‘Yes, Connie told me that she heard you tossing and turning.’

  Derek suddenly stopped walking and, dropping her bags on the pavement, he turned to face her. ‘I ain’t much good at fancy words, Pearl, but I think a lot of you. In fact, more than a lot.’

  Pearl’s breath caught in her throat. Was this it? Was he going to propose? ‘I … I think a lot of you too.’

  His huge arms reached out, enfolding her, crushing her to his chest. ‘You’ve made me a very happy man. I can’t say I’m pleased that you’re moving out, but if both of us aren’t getting any kip, perhaps Gran’s right. We’ll still see each other every day, but if you ain’t happy at Mo’s, just say the word.’

  No proposal, Pearl thought, disappointed as she pulled herself out of Derek’s arms. ‘I’m sure I’ll be fine,’ she whispered, and as he picked up the bags again, they continued their journey to Pennington Street.

  18

  It was Sunday morning before Pearl met Mo’s daughter. She had gone down to the kitchen to get a drink but, seeing Emma, her jaw dropped. She had blonde, tousled hair, and was wearing Capri pants with a red, off-the-shoulder sweater. To Pearl she looked the ultimate in sophistication.

  ‘Watcha, Pearl, it’s nice to meet you at last.’

  ‘Hello,’ Pearl replied shyly.

  ‘So, you work in the café? Rather you than me.’

  ‘It’s not too bad.’

  ‘What, you must be kidding. That Dolly Dolby is a right old dragon.’

  ‘Now then, Emma,’ Mo admonished. ‘Dolly might be hard, but she’s fair.’

  ‘Yeah, if you say so, Mum. Anyway, Pearl, what sort of music do you like?’

  ‘Er … I don’t know really. I don’t get the chance to listen to much music.’

  ‘Well, we can soon sort that out. If you ain’t got anything planned, come up to my room and we’ll play some records.’