A Mother's Love

by Katie Flynn

  Contents

  About the Author

  Also by Katie Flynn

  Title Page

  Acknowledgements

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Copyright

  About the Author

  Katie Flynn has lived for many years in the north-west. A compulsive writer, she started with short stories and articles and many of her early stories were broadcast on Radio Merseyside. She decided to write her Liverpool series after hearing the reminiscences of family members about life in the city in the early years of the twentieth century. She also writes as Judith Saxton. For the past few years, she has had to cope with ME but has continued to write with the help of her daughter, Holly Flynn.

  Also available by Katie Flynn

  A Liverpool Lass

  The Girl from Penny Lane

  Liverpool Taffy

  The Mersey Girls

  Strawberry Fields

  Rainbow’s End

  Rose of Tralee

  No Silver Spoon

  Polly’s Angel

  The Girl from Seaforth Sands

  The Liverpool Rose

  Poor Little Rich Girl

  The Bad Penny

  Down Daisy Street

  A Kiss and a Promise

  Two Penn’orth of Sky

  A Long and Lonely Road

  The Cuckoo Child

  Darkest Before Dawn

  Orphans of the Storm

  Little Girl Lost

  Beyond the Blue Hills

  Forgotten Dreams

  Sunshine and Shadows

  Such Sweet Sorrow

  A Mother’s Hope

  In Time for Christmas

  Heading Home

  A Mistletoe Kiss

  The Lost Days of Summer

  Christmas Wishes

  The Runaway

  A Sixpenny Christmas

  The Forget-Me-Not Summer

  A Christmas to Remember

  Time to Say Goodbye

  A Family Christmas

  A Summer Promise

  When Christmas Bells Ring

  An Orphan’s Christmas

  A Christmas Candle

  Christmas at Tuppenny Corner

  Available by Katie Flynn writing as Judith Saxton

  You Are My Sunshine

  First Love, Last Love

  Someone Special

  Still Waters

  A Family Affair

  Jenny Alone

  Chasing Rainbows

  All My Fortunes

  Sophie

  We’ll Meet Again

  Harbour Hill

  The Arcade

  The Pride

  The Glory

  The Splendour

  Full Circle

  Acknowledgements

  Thanks to Liz Dodds and her extensive knowledge on the Auro Lancaster, also to the Lincolnshire Heritage Aviation Society and their virtual tour of the magnificent Just Jane.

  To the brave boys of Bomber Command

  Prologue

  Spring 1940

  A small group had gathered around the open grave in Walton Cemetery. Pulling up the collar on her mother’s old woollen coat, Ellie Lancton clasped the ends tightly together as the sharp bite of the March wind tried to penetrate the nape of her neck.

  The priest’s voice blended into the background as Ellie, tears trickling down her face, mulled over the events which had led to her mother’s untimely death. Winter was always the hardest time of year for those who lived in the courts, and the beginning of 1940 had proved to be one of the worst on record. Millie Lancton had started off with a cough just after Christmas, and for a time it had looked as though that was all it was, but as February neared its end there was no denying that her condition had worsened.

  ‘You know I don’t like wasting good money on doctors …’ Millie had begun, only to break off into a bout of coughing which left her chest heaving as she fought to regain her breath. ‘It’s money what we need to pay the rent, or buy fuel for the fire, or food. Them’s more important than cough medicine, so don’t go spendin’ it on what ain’t necessary.’

  Ellie had frowned at her mother. ‘You’re just like Gran used to be, God rest her soul – stubborn as an ox!’ Taking her mother’s limp hand in her own, she had looked imploringly into her eyes. ‘Please let me call Dr Cotter, Mam. You’re pale as linen and you’ve not been able to get out of bed for over a week. If I’m wrong and makin’ a mountain out of a molehill, it’ll be worth the shilling just to hear him say that I’m worryin’ over nowt.’

  Ellie’s mother had opened her mouth to argue, but once again the dreadful cough had snatched her words. She had waved a weak hand in the direction of the door. ‘I’m in no position to argue, or to stop you, for that matter. Do what you see fit.’

  Smiling thankfully, Ellie had descended the steep stairs two at a time before her mother could change her mind. Her feet barely touching the cobbles, she had dashed across the court and within a minute or so she was racing down the Scotland Road. When she reached the doctor’s house, she pounded the large brass knocker repeatedly until the doctor himself swung the door open.

  Taking his coat from the peg behind the door, he reached down for his bag as he listened to Ellie’s worries, a look of grave concern etched across his thin face. ‘Your mother never would listen to reason,’ he said impatiently. ‘She must know pneumonia’s been sweeping through the courts, yet she’s still bothered about the expense. I’d wager she only let you come and get me now because she’s too weak to argue.’

  Ellie pulled an apologetic face. ‘I did try before, but you’re right, of course. She only listened this time ’cos she’s got no choice.’

  Passing Ellie his bag, Dr Cotter slid his arm into the sleeve of his coat. ‘Bearing in mind it’s only fifteen years since I brought you into this world, young Ellie, it beggars belief that you’ve more sense than your mother.’

  When they reached the small house in Lavender Court, Ellie led the way up the steep wooden staircase to the room her mother rented. Entering the room behind her, the doctor looked sternly at Millie and wagged a reproving finger. ‘Never mind scowlin’, Millie Lancton; you’re lucky your Ellie had enough sense to fetch me. It’s not often the child has more sense than the mother. How could you be so silly?’

  Leaving him to tend to her mother, Ellie backed out of the room and sat at the top of the wooden staircase with her hands palm down beneath her bottom. From inside the room she could hear Dr Cotter ordering her mother to ‘take a deep breath’ just as the door to the room at the bottom of the staircase opened and Sid Crowther, the landlord of Lavender Court, poked his head round the corner.

  ‘Can’t you get your mam to shurrup? I’m sick to death of hearin’ her hackin’ her guts up night and day. I barely got no kip last night, and I expect tonight’ll be the same. There’s plenty of folk what’s interested in that room, and I dare say I wouldn’t have to listen to any o’ them coughin’ all night long.’

  Fearing eviction, Ellie spoke hastily. ‘It’s not as if she does it on purpose. Besides, Dr Cotter’s in there now; he’ll soon get her right as rain—’ She jumped as the door beside her swung open and the doctor looked out.

  ‘I’ve finished examing your mother,’ he said. ‘You’d better come in.’

  Unsurprised, Ellie heard the door of the land
lord’s room clicking shut behind him. Typical, she thought to herself. The loathsome man was always quick to bully the women of the court, but as soon as a man appeared on the scene he was never slow to scuttle off.

  Dr Cotter stood beside Millie’s bed. ‘I’ve told your mother that she needs hospital treatment. I’m certain she’s got pneumonia, and it could get worse.’ Looking at Ellie over the top of his round spectacles, he rolled his eyes. ‘She’s refusing to go to hospital; reckons she’ll die if we admit her. Try to talk some sense into her, will you?’

  Ellie crossed the small room and sat down on the thin blanket that covered the straw mattress. Clasping her mother’s frail hand, she looked at her with pleading eyes. ‘Mam, you’ve gorra go in. I promise I’ll come and see you all I can, but please listen to the doctor. You can’t stay here, not in this … this …’ She waved a vague hand around the soot-coated walls streaked with condensation, the frost-laced window and the bare floorboards which were riddled with woodworm and mould. ‘You’ve gorra go, Mam. Hospitals are warm and dry, and they’ve got medicine. You’ll get better there …’

  Back at the graveside the sound of a woman quietly clearing her throat brought Ellie back to the present. Raising her eyes, she looked into the anxious face of her neighbour, Mrs Burgess, who in turn looked pointedly towards the head of the grave. Ellie glanced around the sea of expectant faces until her eyes met the priest’s. He nodded encouragingly at her. ‘I believe you have something …’

  Stepping forward, she gently pulled the sprig of lavender from her pocket, pressed it to her lips, then held it over the top of her mother’s coffin. Opening her fingers, she whispered, ‘Goodbye, Mam,’ and let the dried flower fall. It was too much. Her shoulders began to shake and the tears coursed down her cheeks. She felt a heavy arm place itself around her shoulders and glanced up to see Mrs Burgess staring fixedly at the person whose arm it was. Twisting her head to follow the older woman’s gaze, she saw that it was Sid Crowther.

  Ellie could understand the older woman’s dislike of their landlord, who was known for having a short fuse when it came to his tenants, but since her mother’s demise his attitude towards Ellie had changed. Instead of hassling her for rent as he had when her mother had been ill, he hardly ever broached the subject, and on the few occasions when he had he had been far more relaxed and considerate.

  ‘Your mam were allus a month in advance with the rent, so you’ve got that saving grace if you should need it, and if in future you should find yourself running a bit short o’ time or money I’m sure we can come to some kind of arrangement.’

  Ellie, who had half expected to be thrown out into the street, had been thoroughly relieved by the landlord’s empathy, and had said as much when she had paid a visit to Mrs Burgess later that day. ‘He said that I were fine for now, and I weren’t to worry, ’cos in future he’d give me extra time if I should need it.’

  The older woman had looked sharply at Ellie. ‘Are you sure those were his exact words?’

  Ellie shrugged. ‘As good as. He said me mam were a month ahead with her rent, so I’ve got some breathin’ space.’

  Mrs Burgess had laid a reassuring hand on Ellie’s arm. ‘If you ever need help, or if he turns on you—’ She raised a finger as Ellie opened her mouth to interrupt. ‘I only said if. You know what he can be like, so just you be careful, and make sure you come to me.’

  Ellie nodded. ‘Thanks, Mrs B, and I promise, if I can’t find the rent or if he starts, you’ll be the first to know.’

  The older woman had nodded decidedly. No one ever spoke out directly against the landlord’s methods when it came to making sure he got his rent on time, but there were always rumours, unexplained black eyes, and looks of fear whenever his name was mentioned, and as far as Mrs Burgess was concerned there was never any smoke without fire.

  Now, the priest placed his Bible under his arm and walked over to Ellie. His face was stern as his eyes met the landlord’s, and he nodded curtly. ‘Mr Crowther.’ His features softened as he turned his gaze on Ellie. ‘If you should ever want to talk about anything, you know where to find me. My door is always open.’

  Nodding, Ellie cringed as she felt Sid Crowther’s hold tighteen. ‘Same applies,’ he said gruffly. ‘If you ever need a shoulder to cry on—’ He was interrupted by Mrs Burgess, who had linked her arm through Ellie’s and was pulling her away.

  ‘She’s plenty of shoulders to cry on, although I’m sure it’s nice of you to offer, Mr Crowther,’ the old woman said firmly, her lips pursed, before turning to the priest and giving a small nod. ‘Lovely service.’

  Ellie felt Sid’s arm tense on her back, but Mrs Burgess continued to pull and reluctantly, Ellie thought, Sid released his grip. For a moment the three of them stood in silence before Sid, touching the peak of his cap, spoke brusquely. ‘I dare say I shall see you later, Ellie, and don’t forget you know where to find me if you need owt.’ He marched stiffly off in the direction of the cemetery gates.

  Mrs Burgess gave a contemptuous sniff. ‘If you take my advice that’s one offer you should pass up.’ She glanced sideways at Ellie. ‘You all right, dear? I must say I thought it were a lovely service. Millie would’ve liked the hymns you chose.’

  As they walked along the gravel path Ellie nodded towards one of the gravestones. ‘That’s what me mam should’ve had, summat grand like that, then everyone would know who she was and that she was someone special, and well loved.’ She looked over her shoulder. ‘Not stuck in the corner, with not so much as a cross to mark where she lies, forgotten and out of the way where no one ever goes.’

  Mrs Burgess patted Ellie’s ungloved hand. ‘She were someone special – still is in our hearts – and you don’t need no headstone to tell folk so. She’ll never be forgot, your mam won’t, not by the likes of us at any rate.’

  Ellie smiled gratefully at the other woman. ‘Thanks for comin’, Mrs B. It means a lot havin’ you here. I wish Arla could’ve come, but her auntie’s been taken ill, so she had to go with her mam to help nurse her. I don’t know if I could’ve coped if you hadn’t been able to make it either.’

  Mrs Burgess smiled reassuringly. ‘You would have, You know. You’ve your mam’s spirit.’ She glanced approvingly at Ellie’s thick black coat. ‘That were your mam’s, weren’t it?’

  Ellie nodded as she fingered the thick collar. ‘It was her only winter one, which was why she always insisted I wore it if the weather turned bad. Probably why she got pneumonia in the first place.’

  Mrs Burgess wagged a reproving finger. ‘None of that talk, young lady. No one is to blame for your mam’s passin’. It were a bad mix between that wicked winter we ’ad and the damp in those bloody rooms we live in.’ She shook her head regretfully. ‘They should’ve been condemned years back, the lot of ’em; should’ve knocked the lot down an’ started afresh.’

  Ellie nodded ruefully. ‘Me mam always said the best thing about Lavender Court was its name. It was her favourite flower was lavender.’

  Mrs Burgess looked at Ellie. ‘Have you got anythin’ other than that coat to remember her by? Any photos, perhaps?’

  Ellie nodded. ‘A couple. We keep ’em in a tin box under the floorboards, so’s they don’t suffer with the damp.’

  The older woman pulled a locket out from round her neck. ‘I gorra picture of my Arnie in ’ere.’ She flicked it open and showed Ellie the miniature photograph of a cheerful-looking man with a bushy walrus moustache. ‘If you got a locket you could put a picture of your mam in it.’

  Ellie nodded thoughtfully. ‘I’d have to save up to buy one, of course, then have one of the photos resized, and I dare say that wouldn’t be cheap …’ She looked across at Mrs Burgess’s weathered face, and the kind blue eyes that sparkled hopefully up at her. ‘It’s a grand idea, Mrs B, just the sort of thing I need at the moment, summat positive to think about.’

  Mrs Burgess beamed. ‘I know we’ve already talked about rent, but have you got any other money to be gettin’ alo
ng with, to buy food and so on?’

  Ellie nodded. ‘I’m workin’ for Mr Wong on the Scottie, and I took Mam’s other laundry job on when she were too ill to do the work and Mrs Wardle reckons I’ve done as good a job as she did, so she’s happy to keep me on as well.’

  The old lady smiled approvingly. ‘The apple didn’t fall too far from the tree when it comes to you and your mam, did it? She were allus a hard worker and never shied from her responsibilities, and you’re just the same. Peas in a pod, that’s what you two are. Were.’

  Ellie nodded. ‘There’s no sense in dwellin’ on if onlys; you’ve got to get on with things. Put your best foot forward and keep smilin’, that’s what me mam always used to say.’

  ‘Aye, an’ she were right there, and whilst you’ve already proved you’re more than capable of lookin’ after yerself, tonight you’re goin’ to have your tea at mine. It’s only blind scouse, but I like to think I mek a good job of it. After that you can try and get your head down for a bit. It’s been a tough day and I dare say your mind won’t want you to rest when you turn in, but you’ll have to try your best. There’s no sense wanderin’ round like a dead dog tryin’ to do a good job of the laundry. And remember, if you need help with anythin’, I’m allus here to lend a hand. She were a good friend to me were your mam, and I’d like to think she can rest in peace knowin’ I’m keepin’ an eye on things. After all, you don’t need anythin’ else goin’ wrong.’

  Ellie’s bottom lip trembled and she wondered how, after the loss of her mother whom she loved so dearly, anything could possibly be worse, but instead of voicing her thoughts she said, ‘Thanks, Mrs B. I could do with a bit of company tonight.’

  Chapter One

  Ellie raced along the jigger, her bare feet sliding painfully over the rain-soaked cobbles, her hair smeared to her face by a mixture of rain, sweat and blood. There was a flash of lightning, followed closely by the booming rumble of thunder. Clutching her coat and boots to her chest as she ran, she reached the end of the jigger before turning on to Blenheim Street, not daring to check for signs of pursuit as she raced on. Despite the lashing rain there were still people about and she was halfway up Limekiln Lane when she narrowly missed a collision with a courting couple.