by Joan Jonker
Lizzie Corkhill was sitting in her rocking chair with a smile on her face and anticipation in her eyes. The arrival of the two mates meant there’d soon be laughter in the room. ‘Visitors to this house are not allowed to make their own tea, it’s in the rules. It’s manners to wait on visitors, my old ma used to say.’
Jill came to stand beside her husband and she linked arms with him. ‘Forget about cups of tea and manners, doesn’t anyone get a kiss? Considering we haven’t set eyes on yer all day, I think kisses are called for.’
Steve leaned towards his wife and puckered his lips. ‘I’m ready, willing and able, sweetheart.’
Jill pushed him playfully. ‘You’ve had enough kisses to last yer until yer bedtime kiss.’
Molly forgot about the time; her family always came first. ‘I’m sorry, sunshine, but me and Nellie have had a very hectic day.’ She hugged and kissed her firstborn, who was the most gentle of all her children, and loved by everyone. ‘With a bit of luck we’ll be back to normal tomorrow.’
While Molly hugged and kissed Steve and Lizzie, Nellie made her way to the kitchen, saying, ‘I’m dying of thirst and hunger, and haven’t even got the strength to pucker me lips.’
Jill slid her arm from Steve’s and was about to follow her mother-in-law when Molly stopped her. ‘She’s in one of her moods, sunshine, so leave her to it. She knows where yer keep things, she’ll manage. Leave her to it and sit down.’
They heard the tap being turned on, the striking of a match, then the plop of gas being ignited. A second later, Nellie’s head appeared round the door. ‘I’m not in one of me moods, Molly Bennett, ye’re only saying that to ease yer guilty conscience. If yer hear a noise, it’ll be me pegging out through thirst and hunger.’
Steve chuckled. ‘Don’t pass out, Mam, ’cos we wouldn’t be able to pick yer up. If yer feel yerself going dizzy, hang on to the sink for support.’
‘Come and sit down, Nellie,’ Lizzie said. ‘Jill will make the tea and bring the biscuit tin in.’
Nellie shook her head. ‘I’ll do it, Lizzie. Don’t worry, I’m not in a bad mood. It was only me and me mate having a slight difference of opinion, like what we often have. I’ve been with her all day, and believe me, she’s having one of her good deed days, trying to help someone in need. That’s why we couldn’t come earlier. We’ve been to Doreen’s, and we’ve been to our Lily’s, so I know all about the tale she’s going to tell yer; I’ve heard it twice in the last hour. That’s why I’m making meself a cup of tea. And I warn yer, it’s a sad tale, so have yer hankies ready.’ She nodded to Molly. ‘Go on, girl, the floor is yours. But don’t forget we’ve got to go to yer ma’s house yet, so get on with it before it’s time to go to bed.’
Her eyes on Nellie’s retreating back, Molly said, ‘I don’t know what she’s got against water. It’s cold, quenches the thirst, and is free. Three good reasons for having a cup of clear, fresh water.’
A voice from the kitchen quickly responded. ‘I can give yer three good reasons for not drinking tap water, girl.’ Nellie poked her head round the door. ‘It’s cold, got no taste, and yer can’t dunk a biscuit in it. So there!’
Molly chuckled. ‘I can’t win, can I? She’s got an answer for everything. Still, if she doesn’t want to hear me asking how our granddaughter is, that’s her lookout.’
Now being a grandmother was an honour in Nellie’s eyes, and she delighted in it. So she wasn’t going to miss out on any conversation about the six-month-old baby girl who had been christened Molly Helen McDonough, after her and Molly. ‘The kettle’s not boiled yet, so I may as well rest me legs for a minute.’
Molly smiled inwardly, but wasn’t going to spoil her mate’s pleasure by being petty. ‘How is the baby, sunshine? Me and Nellie didn’t half miss seeing her and Bobby.’
‘She’s fine, Mam. Hardly ever cries, except when it’s getting near feeding time. And she’s getting big for six months.’
Lizzie, who had been granted the honour of being an adopted granny, leaned forward in the chair. ‘She’s the most contented baby I’ve ever known in me life. Jill lets her lie on the floor now, and she loves it. With legs and arms thrashing about, she’s in her element. And if we go near her, she shrieks with laughter, as though to say she’s having a whale of a time.’
Steve couldn’t be any more proud. He thought himself the luckiest man alive, with a beautiful wife and an adorable baby. ‘She’s starting to look like me, isn’t she, Jill? Yer can see the resemblance, and I’ll swear she’s going to have dimples.’
‘Me and Molly will be here to see that for ourselves, lad,’ Nellie said. ‘But please God she doesn’t take after yer, ’cos I’d hate to see me granddaughter with big muscles and a hairy chin.’
The second the kettle began to whistle, Nellie was off her chair like a shot from a gun. ‘You get on with it, girl, and I’ll be ready for the off when you are.’
Molly apologized for having to be so brief with the details, but what she did tell them shocked them to the core. They’d known Mrs Parker all their lives and were horrified by what had happened to her. Particularly Lizzie, who knew Flora well. Although ten years younger, Lizzie hoped she never experienced the same treatment at the hands of a thug. And Jill, tender-hearted Jill, who cared for everyone, was near to tears as she clung to Steve’s arm. In fact Molly wondered if it would have been better not to tell them, with Jill and Lizzie getting so upset, but she realized they would have found out anyway. In such a tight-knit community, where most people cared for each other, nothing could be kept secret.
After letting out a sigh, Molly pushed herself off the chair. ‘Come in now, sunshine. We’d better be making tracks.’
‘Are yer sure two shillings is enough, Mrs B?’ Steve asked. ‘We’re not exactly rolling in money, but we could give a few bob more without starving ourselves.’
‘There’s no need to, lad,’ Nellie said. She’d had her drink of tea and washed the cup and saucer. And three custard creams were now missing from the biscuit tin. But she wasn’t going to tell them; they’d find out for themselves if they kept count. ‘We’ve all given two bob, and when we’ve collected Tommy’s money we’ll have a grand total of twelve shillings. That’ll take care of all Flora’s money worries.’ She could feel Molly’s eyes on her and pulled a face. ‘I’m not taking over from yer, girl, I just thought yer voice was getting a bit hoarse, and I’d help yer out.’
‘There’s something important yer’ve left out, sunshine. I don’t mind yer taking over, but yer must do a proper job of it.’
In trying to remember what had been left out, Nellie’s face contorted into every humanly possible shape. Then, almost as though someone was standing over her with a magic wand, her face returned to normal, then broke into a beaming smile. ‘Oh, yeah, girl, I’ve got it.’ She waved a hand around the room. ‘You lot haven’t got to mention the money to anyone, because it might get back to Flora, and she’d be very embarrassed. So lips tightly sealed, and mum’s the word.’
‘Where will yer tell Flora yer got the money from, Molly?’ Lizzie asked. ‘She’s a very proud, independent woman.’
Molly nodded. ‘I’ll think of something, Lizzie, before we give it to her. I won’t upset her, yer can rely on that. She’s had enough upset without me adding to it.’ Molly gave each of them a kiss, then put Steve’s money in her purse. ‘We’ll have to move, Nellie, it’s half past eight now.’
‘Ready when you are, girl. And I’m refreshed after me drink, so I’ll be able to keep up with yer.’
After hasty farewells, the two mates left, and once outside they walked at a brisk rate. Nellie didn’t link arms, as she could walk faster with her arms free to swing. ‘What are yer going to tell Flora, girl?’
‘I’ve got an idea, sunshine, that might work. I’ll tell yer after we leave me ma’s.’
‘What kind of idea, girl?’
‘It’s only a glimmer of an idea, sunshine. I’ll have to give it a lot of thought before I could even giv
e yer a hint. But needs must when the devil drives, so I’ll come up with something.’
Tommy’s face showed surprise when he answered the knock on the door and found his mother and Auntie Nellie there. ‘What are you two doing out at this time of night? There’s nothing wrong, is there, Mam?’
Molly quickly mounted the step. ‘No, son, there’s nothing wrong. Not with our family, anyway. But this isn’t a social call, and me and Nellie can only stay for about ten minutes for we’ve another last call to make.’
Tommy stood aside and let them pass. ‘Sounds very mysterious, Mam. And seeing as yer haven’t got yer usual happy, glad to see yer smiles on yer faces, it must be serious.’
Molly entered the living room to find her ma and da sitting at the table with Rosie, and they were each holding a hand of cards. ‘Sorry to interrupt, Ma, but don’t put yer cards down ’cos me and Nellie aren’t staying.’
Bridie Jackson laid her cards face down anyway. She sounded anxious when she said, ‘There’s something wrong with one of the babies, isn’t there, me darling?’
Molly was quick to reassure her. ‘No, Ma, the babies are fine.’ She kissed Bridie, then her da, Bob. ‘The family are all well, so don’t look so worried.’
Tommy’s beautiful wife Rosie laid her cards down and rounded the table to crush her mother-in-law in a bearlike hug. ‘Sure, it’s a scare yer’ve given us, Mrs B.’ Her Irish accent was like music. ‘It’s very late for yer to be calling, so it is.’
This was all too much for Nellie, who was feeling left out. ‘Excuse me, like, but don’t I get a look in? No welcome, no smile, no kiss? Or are yer trying to give me one of those things what me mate can say, but I can’t get me tongue round?’
‘D’yer mean inferiority complex, sunshine?’
Nellie’s head nodded so fast, her chins couldn’t keep up with her and went their own way. ‘That’s what I meant, girl. Funny how I can never remember those two words! I’ve got a big voculbry, but somehow those words escape me.’
The apprehension on faces turned to smiles. ‘Why don’t yer write it down, Auntie Nellie, and keep the piece of paper in yer pocket? Then yer’ll have the words to hand if yer need them.’
Nellie gave him a narrow-eyed glare. ‘Because, smart Alec, I can’t spell it, can’t say it, and don’t know what it means. So a fat lot of good it would do me to have it written down on a piece of paper in me pocket. Yer mam would soon get fed up with me finding it in me pocket and asking her if it was me shopping list.’
Bob Jackson was holding his wife’s hand when he said, ‘I’d forget about it, Nellie, for an inferiority complex is something you’ll never have, thank God. Don’t you agree, Bridie?’
‘Sure, a truer word yer’ve never spoken, me darlin’. Nellie has a gift more precious than any words. She has the ability to make people smile and be happy, and not many folk have that gift. And that’s the truth of it.’
Nellie’s face was a sight to behold. ‘Oh, what joy to receive such a compliment, Bridie,’ she said. ‘How come yer didn’t pass yer brains and common sense on to yer daughter? Yer see, my mate Molly doesn’t appreciate my gift like what you do. So the way I see it, it’s Molly what should have that piece of paper in her pocket. And for two pins I’d write it out for her. The only thing is, I can’t spell it.’
Rosie’s laughter filled the room. ‘It’s a case yer are, Auntie Nellie, and don’t we all love yer for it? We’d be very sad if yer ever changed.’
Molly was moving from one foot to the other. ‘I’m sorry to have to break this up, for I can see me mate is lapping up all this praise. Much more and she’ll forget what we came for.’
‘No, I haven’t forgotten, girl, ’cos I’ve got Flora and our mission at the back of me mind. I’m just waiting for you.’
The smile faded from Bridie’s face. ‘Is that Flora Parker from down the street? We heard the poor soul had had her house broken into. What a dreadful thing to happen at her age. Sure, I hope the dear lady hasn’t been too affected by the ordeal?’
‘She has, Ma, she’s in a terrible state.’ Molly decided to get it over quickly. ‘Flora is the reason we’re here, and why we’re in a hurry.’ Molly kept it brief, but couldn’t keep the emotion from seeping into her voice when she looked at her mother. For Bridie and Bob had so much to enrich their lives, with grandchildren and now two new great-grandchildren. They had Tommy and Rosie living with them, and were very much loved by all the family and their friends. And Molly was happy, for this was how life should be for the older generation, who had worked hard and scrimped and scraped when times were hard. But Flora Parker had no one to turn to for solace. No shoulder to lay her head on, no arms to hold her tight. It didn’t seem right that someone who had had her fair share of trouble and heartache should be alone in the winter of her life.
‘Ma, you and Lizzie Corkhill have both known Flora for donkey’s years, so wouldn’t it be nice if yer paid her a visit? I’m sure she’d be delighted to see old friends, and talk to people of her own age. I don’t mean yer should be in and out of each other’s houses, but it would do her good to have a visitor now and again. She has no relations of her own.’
‘Sure, wouldn’t I be happy to do that, sweetheart, it would be my pleasure. Me and yer da are very lucky, and we know that. One way of repaying the good Lord for His bounty would be to help someone less fortunate. If yer can find out when it would be convenient, me and Lizzie will pay her a visit.’
While this conversation was going on, Nellie hadn’t been idle. Not one to beat about the bush, she had told Tommy and Rosie of Molly’s determination to help Flora, and soon the little woman was clutching a two shilling piece in her hand, given to her by Tommy, who said, ‘My mam’s a smasher. I don’t half love her.’
‘So do I, lad, so do I.’ Nellie grinned up at him. ‘Yer don’t think I’d pick a rotter for a mate, do yer? I might look daft, but I know a good thing when I see it.’
Chapter Five
‘We’re nearly there, girl,’ Nellie said, puffing as she tried to keep up with Molly. ‘Have yer decided what ye’re going to tell Flora about how yer came by the money? If yer haven’t it’s too late, ’cos we’re only two doors away now.’
‘I’ve got one idea, sunshine, but how it’ll sound I haven’t a clue. I’m going to play it by ear, and make it up as I go along. And I hope yer’ll go along with whatever I say, Nellie, even though I’ll be lying through me teeth. We’ll both have to say a prayer when we go to bed, and ask God to forgive us. After all, we’re only doing it to help someone, so I think He will understand.’
They were outside Flora’s front door when Nellie said, ‘Oh, He will forgive us, girl, ’cos He’s a friend of mine.’
Molly lifted the knocker and tapped softly. ‘I hope we get away with it, and Flora believes what I tell her. If she does I’ll sleep with an easy mind.’
A voice came from behind the door. ‘Is that you, Molly?’
‘It is, Flora. Me and Nellie.’
They heard the bolt being drawn, then as the door was opening a frail voice said, ‘When it got so late, I thought yer weren’t coming and I bolted up for the night.’
‘We got held up, sunshine.’ Molly pushed Nellie ahead of her. ‘I’m sorry we’re late, but with promising to come, I wasn’t going to let yer down. We won’t stay long, though, ’cos yer must be worn out after the day yer’ve had.’
The living room looked cold and unwelcoming. The gas light was turned down low, and the few dying embers in the grate were giving out no heat. But the mates made no comment, as they were well aware the old lady had no money for the gas meter or the coalman.
‘I’m sorry I can’t make yer a cup of tea,’ Flora told them as she sank into her chair with a weary sigh. ‘But yer can sit down; at least that doesn’t cost any money. And I am glad of a bit of company.’
Molly was nervous, worrying she might use the wrong words and make Flora think they were there because they felt sorry for her. And pity was the last thing
she needed, ‘It’s money we’ve come to talk about, sunshine, and I don’t want yer to get the wrong idea and fly off the handle. Listen to what me and Nellie have got to say.’
Nellie’s eyes widened with surprise. Why did her mate have to bring her name into it, when she was in the dark about what was in Molly’s mind? In fact she knew no more than Flora did! ‘I’ll leave the talking to you, girl. It’s no use two of us talking at the same time.’
Molly sat forward on the wooden chair and took hold of one of Flora’s hands. ‘We’ve thought of a way to get round yer money worries, Flora, but it’s up to you whether yer agree or not. We don’t want to talk yer into something yer don’t agree with; yer must do what is best for you.’
‘I don’t know how anyone can help me, queen, for I’ve nothing of any value to sell, and if I borrowed I couldn’t pay them back. Everything in the house, like the furniture, was bought when I got married. I’ve looked after it well, but if I sold or pawned it I wouldn’t get enough to pay me way for this week. And I’d be in the same boat next week. In fact I’d be worse off ’cos I’d have an empty house. Besides, I couldn’t sell it. It’s all I’ve got left to remind me of me parents and husband.’
‘Just listen to what I’ve got to say, sunshine, and yer may find there is a way out. Far better than selling yer home up. The only one to gain from that would be the pawnbroker.’ Molly shook her head. ‘No, what me and Nellie have in mind would make it much easier for yer, and no one would be any the wiser. So just listen until I’ve finished, and then yer can say yes or no. Will yer do that?’
Flora nodded. ‘Go on, Molly. I know yer mean well, and Nellie. But I doubt anyone can help. Still, I will listen to yer.’
‘Well, it’s like this, sunshine. Me and Nellie always put a bit of money away each week to help towards clothes, and birthday presents, or for Christmas.’ Molly shot a warning glance at Nellie, who had sat forward in her chair with her mouth open. This was all news to her, and the warning was to remind her not to interrupt or show surprise. ‘Now we’ve got twelve shillings in the kitty, six shillings each, and right now we have no need of it. So me and Nellie have had a good talk, and as the money is just lying in a box, not doing anything, we thought it would help you over this difficult time. It would be better to put the money to good use, rather than have it sitting there doing nothing.’
