by Joan Jonker
‘She is, sunshine, but I can assure yer she’s being well looked after. I’ll tell you how she is, and how she’s managing, when me and Nellie call tomorrow. Right now, though, we’ve got a big favour to ask the family. I want to know if each house can spare any money to put in a kitty for Flora. I wouldn’t ask, but she hasn’t got a penny to her name, and I couldn’t see her like that without trying to help. Going round with a begging bowl isn’t my idea of a good night out, but I’m not too proud to ask for help for a woman of Flora’s age.’
Phil leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. He had a good job as a floorwalker, and earned a good wage. Having gone through a rough childhood himself, he was sympathetic to someone in need. And he never forgot that when he was in need, it was Doreen’s family and friends who took him in. ‘Yer don’t have to beg, Mrs B. We all admire you and Mrs Mac for the good works yer do. And I know yer well enough by now to know yer will have a sum in mind that you would like to be able to give Mrs Parker to set her straight. Would it help if I offered to pay her rent money?’
Molly’s eyebrows shot up. ‘No, sunshine, I couldn’t let yer do that! That’s far too much. I wouldn’t dream of taking that off yer.’
Nellie’s eyes rolled to the ceiling. She couldn’t make her mate out sometimes. ‘Tell him, girl, and get it over with.’ She leaned forward to stare at Phil. ‘She’s hoping to get two bob in each house, lad, but we’ll be sitting here all bleeding night before she’ll ask for it.’
He chuckled. ‘Is two bob enough, Mrs Mac?’
‘Don’t ask me, lad, I’m leaving the money side of this to me mate. But there’s one thing I can tell yer, which might help. She’s not getting a penny more than two bob off me.’
‘I’d like to give something as well,’ Victoria said. ‘Is that all right with you, Molly?’
Molly’s head nearly came off her shoulders when she shook it. ‘Certainly not, Victoria! I’ll give Flora yer best wishes and that’s all. And I hope I don’t have the same trouble in the other houses we’re going to, or it’ll be time for bed, and I’ll be sorry I started. I’m getting a flipping headache now.’
‘Where else are yer going, Mam?’ Doreen asked. ‘Or is that a secret?’
‘Yer don’t think I can have secrets with Nellie around, do yer?’ Molly winked at her daughter. ‘I’m terrified to keep a secret in case she finds out.’
The little woman sat back in her chair, hitched her bosom, and closed her eyes while she mulled over what her mate had said. Then one eye opened. ‘I don’t get that, girl. You are terrified to keep a secret in case I find out? Doesn’t make sense, that. And there’s another thing I don’t get, either.’
‘What’s that, sunshine?’
‘Why we’ve been sitting here for so long, and the kettle hasn’t even been put on. That’s bad manners, that is. Fancy having visitors and not giving them a drink. Some people don’t know what heticat is.’
‘Yer mean etiquette, don’t yer, sunshine?’
The chins went one way, the bosom went the other. ‘No, girl, that might be what you mean, but me, I mean I’m so thirsty I’m spitting bleeding feathers.’
While the others were laughing at Nellie speaking her mind, Molly jumped up. ‘On yer feet, sunshine, before I die of embarrassment. And please carry on spitting feathers until yer’ve got enough to fill a pillow. Then I’ll buy them off yer.’
Nellie hunched her shoulders. ‘Ooh, me mate’s getting a cob on with me. She takes things to heart too much, and I keep telling her she won’t live to a ripe old age unless she learns how to stay calm. Me, I don’t get ruffled like her. I mean, if I don’t get a cup of tea and a custard cream, I’m not going to bawl me eyes out and throw me dummy out of the pram.’
Molly bit on her bottom lip to keep a smile away. ‘Can I have yer two bob, Phil, and we’ll be on our way.’
Phil stood up and put a hand in his trouser pocket. He picked a two-shilling piece from the coins in his hand, and was about to pass it over when he saw what Nellie was doing behind his mother-in-law’s back. She had a thumb in each ear and was wiggling her fingers, while her tongue was sticking out and her eyes were crossed. She looked so comical, he really found it hard to keep the laughter back. ‘Here’s the money, Mrs B, and I hope all goes well with yer good work.’
Molly kissed his cheek. ‘Thank you, sunshine, I’m sure all will go well. And now would yer tell that clown behind me that I’m on me way now, but if she wants to stay for tea and a biscuit she can do. I can manage on me own. In fact, I can get round a damn sight quicker without her.’
Nellie’s change of expression was quick. Out came the thumbs, in went the tongue, and the eyes returned to normal. ‘Oh, no, yer don’t, Molly Bennett! I said I’d keep an eye on yer, and I intend to do just that. Two eyes, in fact. The next stop is our Lily’s and I’m going to make sure my family don’t get diddled. Everything has got to be seen to be above board. Two bob here, two bob there.’
‘That’s right, sunshine, you keep tabs on me. And to let Phil see that yer intentions are good, why don’t yer give me your two bob in front of him?’
‘I’ll do that, girl, just to make you look daft.’ Nellie leaned sideways to put a hand down her deep pocket. Unfortunately, Molly failed to notice the sly look on her mate’s face. Nellie had the ability to put on an expression that suited any particular purpose, and when she withdrew her hand from the pocket, her face the picture of innocence, she said, ‘I’ve got a hole in the lining of me pocket, and the bleeding two bob piece must have fallen out.’
And Molly fell for it, hook, line and sinker. ‘Ah, yer poor thing! But we’ve only come across the street, sunshine, so it must be on the cobbles somewhere. Come on, we’ll go back over again and I’ll help yer look for it. And don’t worry if it doesn’t turn up, it’s just one of those things and can’t be helped.’ She pulled on her mate’s arm. ‘Come on.’
‘No, girl, I can’t get on me knees on the cobbles, I’d never get up again. Besides, it could take all night, and you’re in a hurry.’
‘I’m not in so much of a hurry I won’t help yer look for yer money. And you needn’t get on yer knees, I can do that for yer. After all, two bob is two bob. So, come on, before it’s time to go to bed.’
‘No, girl, I’m not going to let me best mate get down on her hands and knees for me, it wouldn’t be right. Particularly when I’ve just remembered I didn’t put the two bob in the pocket with the hole in, I put it in the other pocket.’
Phil’s loud guffaw filled the room, while Doreen giggled and Victoria tittered behind the hand she held to her mouth. And what did Molly do? She put her arms round Nellie and the two mates shook with laughter. ‘What would I do without you, sunshine? I’m going to feel really mean taking the two bob off yer now. But I’ll force meself. So put yer hand in the pocket without the hole, and pass the money over. Then we can thank these kind people, give them a kiss, and tell them we’ll see them tomorrow. And once we’re outside, we’ll have to go like the clappers to make up for lost time.’ As she was walking towards the door, Molly said over her shoulder, ‘Oh, and don’t pull the hole in the pocket stunt again, Nellie, please. I’d like to be in and out of the other houses in record time.’
Nellie was lowering herself down to the pavement when she muttered, ‘Sod off, Molly Bennett. The next stop is our Lily’s house, and I’ll be giving the orders. So there, clever clogs.’
Lily Higgins, nee McDonough, opened the door and waved the couple in. As her mother squeezed past, she gave her a kiss. ‘We weren’t expecting visitors. This is a nice surprise.’
‘I wouldn’t speak too soon, girl, if I were you.’ Nellie screwed up her eyes and her head swayed from side to side. ‘No, let me put that another way.’
Lily’s husband, Archie, came through from the kitchen, a smile on his face at the sound of his mother-in-law’s voice. Over six foot tall, with jet black hair, a winning smile and strong white teeth, he thought the world of Nellie. He often joked he’
d married Lily because of her mother. He thought she was the funniest thing on two legs and they got along like a house on fire. ‘Go on, Mrs Mac, what did yer want to say?’
Nellie craned her neck and grinned up at him. ‘Well, it’s like this, lad. When I said to our Lily that I wouldn’t speak too soon, I should have said it’s never too soon.’
Molly had taken a seat on the couch. Wriggling her bottom until she was comfortable, she asked, ‘Never too soon for what, sunshine?’
‘To make a bleeding cup of tea, that’s what.’
‘Give us a chance, Mam,’ Lily said. ‘Yer’ve only just walked through the door.’ She was a pretty girl, with a nice trim figure and possessing her mother’s gift of seeing the funny side of life. ‘I’ll put the kettle on, but what’s the big hurry?’
‘I’m dying of thirst, that’s what the big hurry is. My mate has got me running around like one of those flies what have a blue bottom. Her and her good deeds will be the death of me.’ She spread out her hands and appealed to Archie, knowing he would be sympathetic. ‘I mean, lad, it should be a pleasure to go visiting. A nice cup of tea, a few custard creams and light conversation. All sociable, like.’
‘I’ll stick the kettle on, Mam, ’cos I’ve got a feeling we’re in for one of yer tales.’ Lily winked at Molly. ‘I hope it’s not a woeful one, ’cos all me hankies are in the wash.’
‘It’s not my tale we’ve come with, and don’t yer be so sarky, Lily McDonough. Yer won’t be laughing when yer’ve heard what we’ve come for. Me mate will tell yer, ’cos all this is her doing.’
Archie smiled at Molly. ‘What is it, Mrs B? Not bad news, I hope?’
When Molly began to tell the tale of why they were there, Lily came in from the kitchen to listen. ‘That’s terrible!’ she said when Molly had finished. ‘I’ve known Mrs Parker since I was a baby. I can remember she always gave me a biscuit if she saw me playing in the entry. She’s a nice quiet woman who wouldn’t hurt a fly.’
Archie, who had been mentioned in dispatches for his bravery during the war, looked grim.
‘The lout who did that is a coward. If I knew who he was, he’d be sorry he’d been born. A couple of years in the army would sort him out, make a man of him. I’ll be happy to help the old lady out, Mrs B. How much d’yer want?’
‘I’m hoping for two bob from each house, Archie. That will be plenty to keep the wolf from Mrs Parker’s door.’
‘Me and Archie will give yer two bob each,’ Lily said, reaching for her bag. ‘We can afford it; we’re both working.’
But Molly was adamant. ‘No, we all pay the same. Phil wanted to give more, but I think it only fair if we stick to the two bob. The old lady doesn’t know I’m doing this, and I’d rather she didn’t find out I’ve been going round with the hat. I’ll have to be very careful how I explain where we got the money from. But if I have to lie to save her pride, then I’ll do that. She hasn’t got much left in material possessions, so I’d hate to take her pride and dignity from her as well.’
‘That’s right, Mrs B,’ Lily said. ‘And she won’t find anything out from us. But yer know we’re always here if yer want us, and in a case like this we’d want to help.’
‘I knew I could count on our gang.’ Molly shuffled to the edge of the couch. ‘We’ve got another two calls to make, and I want to be at Mrs Parker’s before it gets too late. So although it looks awful to take yer money and run, I know yer’ll understand.’
Nellie’s face was a picture, and her voice a squeak. ‘What d’yer think ye’re playing at, girl? We haven’t had a cup of tea yet!’
‘Listen, sunshine, will yer think of something else beside yer ruddy tummy? Yer don’t want to be knocking on Mrs Parker’s door too late, yer’d give her a fright.’
‘Five minutes won’t make any difference.’ Nellie turned to Archie for support. ‘Aren’t I right, son?’
‘I’m going to have to let yer down for once, Mrs Mac, ’cos I think Mrs B is right in not wanting to be out late. Any other time, I’m on your side, yer know that.’
Through narrowed eyes, Nellie glared at him. ‘Turncoat, that’s what yer are,’ she said, following Molly out into the tiny hall. ‘I had yer down in me will, but I’m going to see me solicitor and have yer crossed off.’
‘Oh, don’t tell me I’ve missed a fortune, Mrs Mac? Me and my big mouth. Were yer going to leave me one of the family heirlooms?’
‘That’s for me to know and you to find out, smart arse.’ Nellie linked Molly’s arm. ‘Yer’d kick yerself if yer knew what ye’re missing.’
Molly grinned up at the young couple standing on the step. They hadn’t been married very long, and their joy in each other was there for all to see. ‘I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it, Archie, because I already know what’s in me mate’s will. And none of us are mentioned in it. All her money is going to a home for stray cats.’
‘No, it’s not, girl, I was only pulling yer leg.’ Nellie chuckled. ‘It’s going to a home for loose women.’
Chapter Four
When the door closed on Lily and Archie, the two mates headed for their next port of call, which was a house opposite. It was a house in which the two women had an equal footing, for it was the home of Molly’s eldest daughter, Jill, and Nellie’s son Steve. They had been married on the same day as Doreen and Phil, in a double wedding which was still talked about in the streets. It had been a big affair, the like of which had never been seen before in the neighbourhood. With the two sisters being so well known, and very popular, the neighbours had lined the streets and filled the church to give them a good send-off. And what a pretty pair they were, with their long blonde hair and vivid blue eyes, and looking radiant in their long flowing dresses. The handsome grooms with their smart clothes, buttonholes and smiling faces completed the perfect picture. Even the weather had been kind, the sun shining in a bright blue cloudless sky.
As the two friends reached the far pavement, Nellie put her hand on Molly’s arm. With her feet firmly planted on the ground, and a determined expression on her face, she said, ‘Yer can’t give yer orders to me in this house, girl, so bear that in mind.’
Molly gasped. ‘When have I ever ordered you around, sunshine? Yer wouldn’t let me, even if I wanted to, which I don’t.’
‘Well, I can only say, girl, that yer’ve got a very short memory. Twice tonight yer’ve given me orders which stopped me from having a cup of tea. Me mouth is as dry as that sandpaper what’s used for rubbing paint down, and I can hardly speak.’
‘Ye gods and little fishes, sunshine, for someone hardly able to speak, ye’re not doing so bad. And if ye’re so thirsty, have a cup of water. That will quench yer thirst.’
‘I don’t want a bleeding cup of water, I want a nice cup of tea and a custard cream biscuit. And as this is my son’s house, I’m going to do as I like. So there!’
‘There’s a small detail yer’ve overlooked, sunshine.’ In the glow of the street lamp, Molly could see the determination on her mate’s face. Lips were clamped together and eyes narrowed to slits. ‘Two little details, in fact. My daughter also lives here, and has as much right to her opinion as Steve has. But leaving them aside, it seems to have slipped your memory that neither of them have the right to say what goes on. Lizzie Corkhill is the tenant, and it’s her name on the rent book. It was through the goodness of her heart she offered to share the house with Jill and Steve when they got married. And I have to say I will be eternally grateful to Lizzie for her kindness.’
Nellie’s eyes widened as her expression changed. ‘I know that, soft girl, I haven’t forgot. She’s one in a million is Lizzie, and the last person in the world to begrudge anyone a cup of tea.’ She held out her chubby hands. ‘Now yer can’t say yer don’t agree with that!’
The two women were so intent on staring each other out, they failed to notice the door opening and a figure appearing on the top step. ‘I thought it was your dulcet tones I could hear, Mam.’ Steve was smiling, happy as ever to see
the mother he loved and the mother-in-law who had always been like a second mother to him. She’d been part of his life from the time he was born, and the one he ran to for comfort when he was little and fell over and hurt himself. It was she who wiped his tears away. And he loved her more than ever now, since he’d married her beautiful daughter and became one of the family. ‘What’s me mam been up to, Mrs B? It must have been serious by the looks on yer faces.’
Nellie put a hand somewhere in the region of her heart. ‘Yer daft nit, yer nearly gave me a heart attack! Why didn’t yer cough, or something, to let us know yer were there?’
Steve was blessed with the same sense of fun as his mother, and with a straight face he said, ‘I did knock on the door, Mam, but yer were too busy gassing to hear me.’
That gave Nellie food for thought, and she closed her eyes for a few seconds to sort it out in her head. ‘What was the good of you knocking on the door, soft lad, when me and Molly are in the street talking? How did yer expect us to hear yer?’
‘Jill heard me.’ Steve’s dimples were deep. ‘She’s been to the door three times to see if yer’d come to blows yet.’
Nellie was quick to take advantage. ‘Well, next time she comes out, tell her to put the bleeding kettle on, ’cos I’m dying of thirst.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry to disappoint yer, Mam, but we don’t possess a bleeding kettle. We wouldn’t want to, either, because me and Jill go weak in the knees at the sight of blood. But we’ve got a very nice whistling kettle, if that’ll do.’
Molly was thinking of the time ticking away, and what they still had to do before nine o’clock. ‘Shall we all go inside and discuss the advantages of an ordinary kettle which serves the purpose?’ She pushed Nellie towards the door. ‘And we can also discuss why a cup of tap water does yer more good than ten cups of tea.’
‘You can discuss what yer like, girl, and for as long as yer like.’ Nellie pushed her son aside. ‘Me, now, I’m going straight to the kitchen to make meself a cup of tea. And while I’m waiting for the water to boil, I’m going to rummage in the biscuit tin.’
