by Joan Jonker
‘I don’t remember getting it, Mam,’ Ruthie said, feeling slightly better. ‘And I should do, shouldn’t I?’
‘Not really, sunshine, yer were too young to remember. The girls and Tommy will remember when you had it, ’cos they didn’t get much sleep with you crying all through the night. They’d forgotten Tommy had been as bad when he had it. I can laugh at it now, but I didn’t think it funny at the time, the way Jill and Doreen gave yer a wide berth in case they caught it off yer. I told them they wouldn’t, but looking at you covered in spots and a rash, they weren’t taking any chances.’
Ruthie’s legs began to swing back and forth. ‘That was mean of them. I couldn’t help having spots. Just wait until I see them, I’ll tell them off.’
Jack chortled. ‘I think ye’re fourteen years too late to tell them off, sweetheart. Don’t forget there’s seven years between you and Tommy, then a year extra between him and Doreen. And as yer well know, Jill is a year older than Doreen. They’ll have long forgotten your spots. Besides, yer mam exaggerated a bit. They all felt sorry for yer. That’s ’cos they knew what yer were going through.’ He reached for Molly’s hand. ‘And for every pain you had, yer mam suffered with you. She nursed every one of you; wouldn’t even let me take over so she could get some sleep.’
‘Yer didn’t have to sit all night with me, did yer, Mam?’
Molly nodded and squeezed her husband’s hand. ‘I sat up with each of my children. Nursing isn’t a man’s job, that’s what mothers are for.’
‘Will Doreen have to stay up all night, Mam?’ Ruthie’s mind was ticking over. ‘I’ll sit with her tonight, and I could look after Bobby while she has a sleep. Would she let me do that, ’cos I want to help.’
‘Ah, that’s a lovely thought, sunshine, and I’m really proud of yer. I’ll be giving Doreen a knock later, and I’ll tell her about yer kind offer.’ When Molly looked into the face of one of her daughters, it was like looking into a mirror. Through them, she could see herself at different stages, from Ruthie at nearly sixteen to her eldest, Jill, who was now twenty-three. And looking at her wonderful son, Tommy, she could see her husband, for they were very alike, both in looks and nature. ‘I know Doreen will be grateful to yer, sunshine, for being so thoughtful, but my girls all take after me. And when one of yer were sick or in pain, I would never have let anyone but me nurse my babies better. When you are older, and married to the man of your dreams, the day will come when you’ll understand what I’m telling you now.’
Jack leaned across the table and ruffled Ruthie’s hair. ‘Yer’ve got a long way to go before then, love, and I hope yer get a lot of pleasure out of life while you’re young. Plenty of time before yer worry about meeting the man of your dreams.’
Ruthie giggled. ‘I hope I’ve learned to do the waltz before then, Dad. And the quickstep.’ Her eyes brimming with mischief, she asked, ‘How d’yer know I haven’t met the man of my dreams already?’
‘Ay, young lady, we’ll have less of that.’ Molly tried to put on a stern face, but her effort was in vain. ‘Me and yer dad have to vet any boy you go out with. And if he wants to steal yer away from us, he’ll have to pass a very hard test.’
‘Even if he comes down our street riding a white horse, and he wants me to hop on behind him?’
Jack chortled. ‘Hop on behind him? Ay, sweetheart, a knight of old wouldn’t be talking to yer like that. He’d jump from his horse, sweep yer up in his arms and place yer tenderly on the saddle. Then he’d jump on himself, take off the hat with an ostrich feather on, and wave a farewell to me and yer mam.’
‘Oh, it would be more exciting than that, love,’ Molly said. ‘I mean, it would be a rare sight to see, a man wearing a big hat with an ostrich feather on, riding a white horse down this street. The word would spread like wildfire and everyone in the street would be out. In fact I’d go as far as to say the whole neighbourhood would hear, and the people would be coming from all directions. They’d have to send for the police to form a cordon, so no one would be trampled under the horse’s hooves. The poor thing would be frightened by all the people shouting. Especially if yer Auntie Nellie tried to stop the knight from capturing you. If she stretched up to pull yer off the horse, and he caught sight of her knickers, well, it would scare the life out of him and he’d bolt.’
‘It’s good to hear yer laughing, love,’ Jack said. ‘When I came in yer looked worried to death.’
‘I was, love. Have been since I knocked on Doreen’s front door this morning. My heart went out to her ’cos she was out of her mind. She’s only young, it’s her first baby, and she didn’t know what to do. And of course, seeing her in such a state, well, I lost all sense of proportion. But sitting here now, going back to when our kids were Bobby’s age, it’s put me back on an even keel. Doreen will fret with her baby, but it will teach her how to cope in future. Every mother goes through it, and she is no exception.’
‘I doubt if Doreen will see it like that, love. She’ll be too worried to think rationally.’
‘Don’t I know it! I’ve been through it four times, don’t forget. In fact, six times because two of them got chickenpox as well.’
This gave Ruthie food for thought. ‘It’s not easy being a mother, is it, Mam?’
‘It’s all worth it in the end, sunshine. It would be a lonely life without a family. I wouldn’t change my life for anything in the world. My ma couldn’t have any more children after me, but just think of the huge family we’ve got now, thanks to her.’
‘Ooh, I didn’t know that, Mam. Grandma’s never mentioned it.’
‘There was never any reason to. Anyway, me ma wouldn’t discuss such a delicate matter in front of a youngster.’
‘I’ll soon be sixteen, Mam, and then I won’t be a youngster any more. I’ll be a young lady, like you were when yer courted me dad. Sweet sixteen yer were when he fell for yer at a dance.’
Molly tutted. ‘I should never have told yer about that, ’cos yer’ll keep harping on it.’ She could almost see her daughter’s mind ticking over. ‘And before yer ask, the answer is the same as the last time yer asked. Me and yer dad have given in to yer having the birthday party here, but don’t ask any more favours or yer’ll be pushing yer luck.’ She smiled to soften her words. ‘Quit while ye’re ahead, sunshine, and take my word for it, that is good advice.’
‘Always take yer mam’s advice, pet,’ Jack told her, ‘and yer won’t go far wrong. And shall we offer to clear up for her, ’cos I’m sure she’ll be going over to Doreen’s.’
Molly pushed her chair back. ‘No, I’ll wash up tonight. I can’t expect you and Ruthie to do it all the time, not after yer’ve both been working all day. It won’t take me long once I get stuck in. I will be calling to Doreen’s to see how things are, and make sure she’s got everything in that she needs, then I’m going to me ma’s, to put the family there in the picture. They’d have me guts for garters if I didn’t tell them. Yer know what me ma and da are like, their lives revolve around the family. She’ll give me the third degree tonight, right down to the last detail.’
‘I think I’ll come with yer, love,’ Jack said. ‘I know it’s not far, but the walk and fresh air will do me good. I know I see our Tommy every day, but I don’t get to see yer ma and da, or Rosie, that often. We could have a game of cards.’
‘Hey, hold yer horses, love, what about our daughter? We can’t both go out and leave her. If we start playing cards at me ma’s, it could be well after ten before we get back, and I’m not leaving Ruthie to come into a dark house from Bella’s.’
‘Mam, if it makes yer feel better, I could bring Bella over here to sit with me until yer come in.’ Ruthie thought that a good idea because it meant she and Bella could talk freely without grown-ups listening. ‘Me dad could walk her home and her mam wouldn’t worry if she knew that.’
‘Okay, sunshine, as long as none of the lads are coming in, ’cos Mary wouldn’t be happy about it.’
‘They won’t be, Mam, I pro
mise. Me and Bella are going to do each other’s hair, see what we look like with a different style.’
‘Go and ask her now, sunshine, while me and yer dad clear away. We’ll be ready for the off in ten minutes, so don’t stand gabbing.’
Ruthie was off like a shot, leaving Molly and Jack grinning at each other. ‘They’ll be made up having the house to themselves,’ Molly said. ‘I bet their tongues will be going fifteen to the dozen with no old fogies listening in. Hair, make-up, shoes and clothes, in that order. They can’t wait to be old enough to buy and wear what they want. I was the same at their age, and I didn’t listen when me ma told me I was wishing me life away.’
‘Whatever yer did, or we did,’ Jack said, tenderness and love in his eyes, ‘it was the right thing. We’ve had a good life, yer must admit. The kids have all grown up well mannered and respectful, and not one of them has caused us any worry or brought trouble to our door.’ He put his arms round her waist and held her tight. ‘And I love yer now as much as the day I married you. More, if it’s possible.’
Molly rubbed noses with him. ‘Ye’re a soppy beggar, Jack Bennett, but I wouldn’t have yer any different. I love the bones of yer and every one of our family. Which of course includes Nellie’s tribe and the Corkhills.’ She gave him a peck on the cheek before pulling away. ‘I’d say we are well blessed, and pray it stays that way.’
Girlish laughter had the couple turning towards the tiny hall, where Ruthie and Bella had their hands across their mouths to deaden the sound of their laughter.
‘How long have you two been there?’ Molly asked, her face flushed with embarrassment. ‘It’s bad manners to listen in to other people’s conversation.’
‘Not when it’s you and me dad, Mam,’ Ruthie said. ‘We’re only laughing because when we were coming out of Bella’s house, her mam and dad were kissing and cuddling. We said it must be catching.’
‘Ay, well, young ladies,’ Jack told them, ‘let’s hope that when you’ve been married as long as we have, you still love your husbands enough to want to kiss and cuddle.’
‘I’ll make sure of that, Dad,’ Ruthie said, pulling a chair out for Bella to sit on. ‘I’ve been watching you and me mam since I was a baby, and I’m a quick learner. And it hasn’t slipped my notice that Jill and Steve, Doreen and Phil, and our Tommy and Rosie have all learned from you.’
Molly slipped her coat on and dropped the door key into her pocket. ‘I hope yer have learned something, sunshine. We’ve tried to set yer a good example.’
‘Oh, yer have, Mam. That’s why I’m not going to marry any boy until yer’ve given him the once over, and tell me he’s good enough for me.’
Jack butted in. ‘If we don’t get a move on the night will be over. We’ll be getting to yer ma’s just as they’re going to bed.’
‘Okay, keep yer hair on, sunshine, we’re on our way.’ Molly turned at the living-room door to tell her daughter, ‘We’ll discuss your future husband another time. But you and Bella make yerselves a drink and we’ll see you around ten to half past.’
When Phil opened the door to his mother and father-in-law, they could hear the baby’s screams of pain and distress. ‘The poor love,’ Molly said. ‘I’d have the pain for him if it was possible.’
Phil pulled the door to behind him, and stepped down on to the pavement. ‘He really is in a sad state. And Doreen is really upset because nothing she does makes it any better. She said the baby is looking at her as though he’s asking what she’s doing to him.’
‘I know it’s not much consolation, son, but it will start to ease off after three days. Not that he’ll be over it, but he’ll be through the worst.’
‘I won’t ask yer in, Mrs B, ’cos Doreen has got her hands full. We’re trying to keep Bobby away from Aunt Vicky, as well, which doesn’t help. The doctor told Doreen not to let her near the baby, because of her age. Not that she’s likely to catch the measles, but, as he said, better to be safe than sorry.’
The screaming continued and Molly linked her arm through Jack’s. ‘We’ll let yer get back in, son, but if yer need us during the night, don’t hesitate to knock. And tell Doreen I’ll be over first thing in the morning.’
‘Once Aunt Vicky goes to bed, I’ll make Doreen go and lie down for a couple of hours while I nurse Bobby. She needs to get some sleep or she’ll be ill herself.’
‘Just keep telling each other it’s only for a few days,’ Jack said, putting a hand on his son-in-law’s shoulder. ‘In a week or so the worst will be over.’
Phil stepped into the hallway. ‘I hope so, ’cos it’s hard to see someone so young in pain and not be able to help. I’ll give Doreen yer message, Mrs B., and she’ll see yer tomorrow.’
‘All right, sunshine, but don’t forget yer only have to cross the street if yer need us. We’ll always be there for yer.’ Molly pulled on Jack’s arm as she added, ‘Goodnight and God bless, son.’
‘Yer feel helpless, don’t yer, love?’ Jack said, as they walked up the street. ‘And yer wonder how Bobby caught the measles when he can’t walk yet, and only ever goes out in the pram.’
‘I’m not clever enough to answer that, sunshine. All I know is it’s a germ which can be passed on just by standing by someone. And once caught, there’s no getting rid of it until it’s run its course. I’m just hoping baby Molly doesn’t get it, ’cos she’s a lot more delicate than Bobby. I couldn’t bear to see both me grandchildren in pain.’
‘Are we calling to Jill’s?’
Molly nodded. ‘I promised to let her know. Yer know how close all our children are. When one hurts, the others feel the pain. We won’t stay long, though, ’cos I want to call and see how me ma and da are.’
The first words out of Steve McDonough’s mouth when he saw his in-laws on the step were: ‘How is young Bobby, Mrs B.?’
Molly squeezed past him. ‘I haven’t seen him, sunshine, but there’s no change since this morning. He’s very much out of sorts, poor little beggar.’
Steve gave his father-in-law a pat on the back before closing the door. ‘Keeping yer wife company tonight, Mr B.?’
‘I like to keep in touch with all the family, son.’ And, to Jack, Steve was just like a son. He’d been part of their family since the day he was born, and they couldn’t have wished for a better husband for Jill. He was honest, straight as a die, a good worker, and could be trusted to take care of their daughter. ‘If I don’t keep coming now and again I’ll forget what you all look like. And when one of yer opens the door yer’ll think I’m a stranger and ask me what I want.’
Jill was delighted to see her beloved parents, and hurried towards them. It was well over a year now since she’d left home, but she still missed them. And she missed her sisters and brother, for their lives had been filled with love, warmth and laughter. Mealtimes had been the best, when they all sat round the table vocally recalling the events of the day, and exaggerating at times to make their tale funnier than it really had been. No matter how funny they all were, though, none could beat their mother, who kept them in stitches as she impersonated Auntie Nellie in words and actions. Those scenes would never be forgotten. They were etched on her memory for ever, together with the warmth and love of her parents.
‘How is Bobby, Mam?’ Jill held her mother close as she kissed her. ‘I was going to walk down to see her, ’cos I feel mean for not showing my face when she’s in trouble. But Auntie Lizzie said Doreen probably wouldn’t thank me for calling when she’s got so much on her plate.’
‘I haven’t seen the baby, sunshine, never mind you. Me and yer dad called before we came here, but we only saw Phil. We could hear Bobby crying, and I just wanted to push Phil out of the way so I could hold the baby and give him a kiss. But I know I’m daft for a woman of my age, who has had four children who went through what Bobby’s going through now. I’ll have to learn to be patient, and tell meself that in a few days the worst will be over.’ Molly smiled over Jill’s shoulder. ‘How are yer, Lizzie?’
&nb
sp; ‘I’m fine, Molly, thank God.’ Lizzie Corkhill planted her feet firmly on the floor to stop the rocking of the chair. ‘It’s a shame for Doreen’s baby, though, him being so young. Corker was about four when he caught it. At that age he could tell us where he hurt, and how to make him comfortable. Not that he didn’t cry so loud the whole street could hear him.’ She smiled as she conjured up an image of her son as he was at that age, then as he was now. ‘He was big for his age then, but I never dreamt he’d grow into the giant he is today.’
Jack was leaning against the sideboard, having refused his daughter’s offer of a chair. He knew Molly didn’t want to stay long, and if they sat down and made themselves comfortable they’d be late getting to her ma’s. ‘Was yer husband a big man, Lizzie?’
She shook her head. ‘Not as big as Corker is. He wasn’t small, mind, about the same height as you I’d say at a guess.’
Steve came and stood shoulder to shoulder with Jack. ‘I’m the same height as you, Mr B., there’s only an inch in it either way. If I had a penny for every time I wished I’d grow to be as tall as you, I’d be a rich man.’
Jill slipped her arm through her husband’s, her blue eyes showing her love for him. ‘Yer’ve never mentioned it before, love. Why were yer wishing that?’
‘I’ll only tell yer if yer promise not to laugh. I don’t mind making a fool of meself as long as nobody tells me I am a fool.’ Steve’s dimples were deep in his handsome face. ‘And I need a promise that what I say won’t be repeated.’
Four heads nodded, and Molly acted as spokeswoman. ‘Yer’ve got our word on it, sunshine, so let’s into the big secret.’
