Bill Bailey

by Catherine Cookson

  They didn’t thank him but they looked at him and he at them, and he smiled.

  It was the evening of the same day. Katie had been home for some hours. She had been greeted joyously by the three children; she had then been put into bed in her own room which was bright with her toys and fresh flowers. She had eaten a light meal but she had neither smiled nor spoken. Willie, the potential actor who already had a sense of timing, had left the presentation of his rag book to a period in the evening when there seemed to be a pause. Leaving his mother and Bill and Mark and Mamie in the bedroom, he went out, and returned bearing in his hands the Ching Lang Loo book, the pages of which were made of rough-edged linen with a poem written on one side and a picture depicting it on the facing page. There were twenty-six poems in all, and the first poem carried the title.

  Advancing slowly towards the bed, Willie placed the quite weighty tome on the counterpane while looking at Katie and saying, ‘It’s for keeps, me Ching Lang Loo book.’

  There was silence in the room. All eyes were turned on the little girl in the bed who seemed, in a way, to have shrunk during her short absence. They watched her look down on the book, then put her hand on it and stroke its rough cover, then lift her hand and put it out towards Willie. And they watched him grab it, then take a big breath before bursting into tears and turning to fling himself against Bill’s knee.

  ‘There now. There now. She’s pleased with it. Be quiet now. Be quiet.’

  ‘What?’ Bill bent his head towards the mouth that was dribbling now, and what he heard was, ‘She…she didn’t laugh.’

  ‘No, no; but she will.’ And Bill now looked up towards the bed where Mark was standing gulping in his throat and he said loudly, ‘Come on, Mark, do us Ching Lang Loo.’ And when Mark muttered, ‘No, you do it,’ Bill cried, ‘Oh, I can’t do Ching Lang Loo like you. McGinty is my piece.’

  ‘Come on, Mark.’ Fiona’s voice brought the boy close to the bed and, looking down on Katie, he said, ‘Would you like me to do Ching, Katie?’ His sister looked at him. Her eyes blinked but she didn’t speak. He now glanced towards his mother, and when she nodded he picked up the book, and it was evident he had to force himself to take the pose of a small sea captain. However, he did so and went into the poem. His voice taking on a pseudo-deep note, he began:

  I said to Ching Lang Loo today,

  What shall we do, O’ mate?

  He said, We’ll board a windjammer

  And feel the fresh sea spate.

  Leav’ee it to me, captain, said Ching,

  And I will take you where the waves sing

  And the breakers, with rolls and tosses,

  Gallop upon their pure white hosses.

  We’ll stand firm upon the rolling decks,

  With coloured hankies round our necks;

  And we’ll shout: Ahoy! there. Sails away!

  Full tilt, my brave lads, for Biscay Bay!

  And dipping down then rising again,

  We plough our way through the mighty main;

  Our hair standing straight with wind and spate,

  We tear along at a mighty rate.

  Then far, far in the distance we spy

  A ship that looks like a little fly,

  Until we look through BIN…OCK…U…LERS…

  Why! She’s a pirate…After her! sirs,

  Ahoy, there! you shipmates, east by northeast;

  We are right on her heels, the nasty beast.

  After her, lads, and into her hold,

  For she’s bound to have treasures untold.

  If she has Oranges, and Lemons too,

  Won’t the galley cook be pleased with you,

  Said my brave Chinese mate, Ching Lang Loo.

  With the exception of Katie they all laughed and clapped; then they looked at the white-faced, big-eyed child staring at Mark. They watched her hold her hands out for the book, and when Mark placed it on her upturned palms, she brought it to her small chest and hugged it; then sliding down in the bed she lay back as if meaning to go to sleep. And at this Fiona made a signal for them all to say goodnight, and in turn the children kissed her and hugged her. Then Bill, leading Fiona to the door, said, ‘See them off, then get yourself to bed; you’re all in.’

  ‘Not half as much as you are.’

  ‘I’m all right. I’ll arrange the bedchair by her side. We must find out how she reacts in the night, and you don’t want her to wake up and find herself alone here, do you?’

  ‘Oh, Bill.’

  ‘Now, now, stop it. We’ve got her back, and by hook or by crook she’ll talk. Being Katie she’ll talk…you’ve got to believe this, woman.’ He gripped her shoulders. ‘We’ve all got to believe it.’

  He kissed her now and pushed her out of the room, and when he returned to the seat by the bed Katie looked at him and held out her hand, and he sat down and took it in his…

  At two o’clock in the morning when Fiona gently opened the door she saw them both still hand in hand fast asleep.

  Chapter Fourteen

  It was a fortnight later. Katie was up and to outward appearance had apparently returned to normal but as yet she hadn’t spoken a word and except for the movement of her upper lip she hadn’t really smiled, nor had she played with toys, the only thing she seemed to want was the clouty book. And although she seemed to read the poems for herself, each evening she would push the book into either Mark’s or Bill’s hands and listen to them reading and acting the rhymes; but their antics never elicited any laughter from her.

  During the first week too, Fiona and Bill had taken turns of sleeping by her side in the chair-bed, but she’d had no nightmares. So now they were in bed together and Fiona was asking, ‘Who do you think gave them the story about the scent and the school concert?’

  ‘Oh, likely one of the lads.’

  ‘It’ll certainly be a good advert for Chanel…“Kidnapped Child Saved By Chanel Scent”.’

  ‘Well, they deserve it all because that was what she was saved by. He must have held her close to him; likely she was struggling. And that school coat, as you know, was soaked with it. She swanked, didn’t she, about going to school in a scenty coat?’ Then his mind jumping ahead, he said, ‘His case comes up in three weeks’ time. God!’ Then grinding his teeth, he said, ‘They’ll likely give him life, so I’ll have a long time to wait to get at him.’

  ‘Don’t! Don’t!’ Fiona beat against his shoulder with her clenched fist. ‘Don’t carry that hate with you over the years. We’ve got her back, so be thankful.’

  ‘Yes, we’ve got her back, a dumb child, whereas, before, she lived to talk, didn’t she?’

  ‘Well, she will again.’

  He turned from her and looked up at the ceiling, then said, ‘I had an idea today. I don’t know whether it will work. You know the Chinese restaurant in the market place?’

  ‘There are two about there.’

  ‘Chang’s House, the posh one.’

  ‘I know it, but I’ve never been inside.’

  ‘Well, I used to eat there often before I came under your indifferent cooking.’ He slanted his eyes towards her and she said, ‘Yes, go on: before you came under my indifferent cooking.’

  ‘Well, as I said, I have an idea.’

  ‘Well, what is the idea?’

  ‘Oh, I’d better keep it till tomorrow night as you mightn’t see eye to eye with me.’

  ‘Don’t be so infuriating, Bill.’

  ‘Well, I’ll tell you this: I want to buy something from him but I don’t know whether I’ll have enough money to do it, that’s speaking metaphorically.’ He now took his heel and kicked her leg gently as he said, ‘That’s another big one. Surprise you, did it? All right. All right. Well, what I mean is, I’ve got enough money really to buy his business, that’s if I sold mine, but there are things people put value on and no money can buy them.’

  ‘Well, what is it?’

  ‘It’s a Chinaman.’

  ‘A Chinaman?’ />
  ‘Yes, dear, a Chinaman. Now that’s all I’m going to tell you. I’m going to sleep; I’m very tired and I don’t want you to disturb me or make love to me because I’ve got a headache.’ Turning swiftly, he pulled her into his arms and all she could say was, ‘Oh, you! You!’

  Nell had picked up Mark and Willie from school. It was a new arrangement because Fiona felt she couldn’t leave Katie because Katie couldn’t leave her: she followed her wherever she went, even to the toilet, which proved that the fear was still rampant in her, and she always wanted her hand to be held.

  The doctor had called earlier in the day and suggested that the child be taken for psychiatric treatment. Even the word sounded ominous. What was more, she had become puzzled all day about the Chinaman that was coming. What did Bill expect her to do with a Chinaman? Did he mean her to take him on as a kind of daily help? Likely it was a Chinese boy or young man he meant. She had nothing against Chinamen, they were always so very polite, but she didn’t know how she was going to go on with one in the house even for a few hours a day. She wished he was home, and that she knew what he was up to; whatever it was, he was thinking of Katie …

  Bill was a little late in arriving home. It was close on six o’clock. Nell had just taken the children up to the playroom and she herself was on the point of leaving the kitchen when the back door opened, and there he was by himself, no Chinaman, except he was carrying a very long box. It was all of four foot.

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘Wait and see. Here, hold it.’ He put it into her arms, and she was surprised it wasn’t as heavy as it looked. He pulled off his hat and coat, then took the box from her, saying, ‘Come on. Where are they, in the sitting room?’

  ‘No, in the playroom, with Nell.’

  ‘Good.’ He bounded up the stairs before her, burst open the door, crying, ‘Abaft there! shipmates.’ Mamie, jumping down from Nell’s knee, ran to him, crying, ‘Uncle Bill. A present for me?’

  ‘No, not for you, dear, not for you.’ He wagged his finger at her. ‘And not for you.’ He pointed to Willie. Then to Mark, ‘And not for you either. This is for who?’

  The three children now looked towards the sofa, and one after the other they cried, ‘Katie!’

  ‘Yes, this is special for Katie. Stand aside everybody.’ He thrust out his arm, and it accidentally pushed Nell back against the chair and she, joining the chorus, said, ‘Yes, sir. Yes, sir. As you say, sir.’ And the children laughed.

  Before whipping the paper from the long box he glanced at Fiona who was staring at him; then he looked fully at Katie and said quietly, ‘Who do you think I’ve got for you, Katie, eh? Who do you think I’ve got in here?’ He patted the box.

  She was sitting forward on the edge of the couch now; her eyes were wide but she said no word, nor did she smile.

  Slowly now Bill lifted the lid and exposed a long colourful object. Then in standing upright he slowly drew it forth and there emerged a beautifully clothed Chinese figure, held upright by strings attached to wooden rods that Bill was now slowly manipulating. The figure was that of a Chinese boy with a long pigtail and dressed in a blue satin gown with an orange sash and black calf shoes. When the arms were lifted it looked as if the gown had wings. But what had been added to the figure’s head was a pirate’s scarf. They all stood spellbound as Bill awkwardly, yet definitely, moved the legs and so walked the Chinese pirate towards Katie. And as he did so he almost let go of the strings for the muscles of her face were moving upwards into a smile. And when he made the Chinaman bow to her she thrust out her arms and grabbed the puppet to her, and her mouth going into a gape and her small breast heaving, she brought out the words:

  ‘Ching…Lang…Loo.’

  The room was in an uproar; they were all crying now both verbally and tearfully.

  ‘Ching Lang Loo. Yes, Katie, it’s Ching Lang Loo.’ Bill was sitting on the couch beside her, holding both her and the puppet tightly in his arms.

  ‘Mine?’ The word was whispered as she looked up at him.

  ‘Yes, love, yours, all yours.’

  Her mouth now opened and shut three times; then she swallowed before she said, ‘Mr Bill.’

  ‘Aw, lass. Aw hinny.’

  Bill knew there was something about to happen to him and that he must do something quick to prevent it, and so, pulling her upwards, he shouted to Nell, ‘Put her on a chair Nell, and get her to work him.’ Then thrusting the puppet into Nell’s hand, he hurried from the room, and Fiona after him and into their bedroom. And there, dropping on to the dressing-table stool, he covered his face with his hands and let the tears flow, and as she held him, her tears joined his; and after a while he turned his head from her, saying, ‘Bloody fool I am.’

  ‘And the best bloody fool in the world. And that’s their sign, isn’t it? It used to hang in the window sometimes, and someone worked it, and everybody used to stand and watch it. It’s a beautiful thing. How on earth did you manage to persuade him to let you buy it?’

  ‘I didn’t.’

  ‘You didn’t?’ She moved away from him in a sort of horror, then said, ‘You didn’t?’

  ‘No, no woman, I didn’t.’ His voice sounded more like himself now. ‘Pinched the damn thing? No! of course not. But he wouldn’t take a penny for it; he said he can get another one made quite easily. And what’s more, he’s invited us all to dinner. That’ll save a bit.’ He grinned at her before again wiping his eyes and blowing his nose.

  Smiling at him now through her own tears, she said, ‘What gave you the idea?’ And to this he answered thoughtfully, ‘I don’t know. I just don’t know. The same thing I suppose that made me look up to the trapdoor into that tank room. Funny that. D’you think I could be physic, or psychic?’

  Her smile was soft as she said, ‘No, I don’t think you could be physic or psychic, Mr Bill Bailey, only overflowing with love.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  ‘I’d never thought I’d miss him so much.’

  ‘Well, it was your idea.’

  ‘Aye, I know it was. But you were for it, weren’t you?’

  ‘Yes; yes, of course Bill, I was. And it’s early days; we’ll get used to it. And don’t forget there’s another three upstairs.’

  ‘Aye well; they’re missin’ him an’ all, the kingpin’s gone.’

  ‘Oh, Katie’s taken over I think. She had a row with Willie in the car, so that’s healthy.’

  ‘D’you think they’re settling down in the new school?’

  ‘Yes, I do. And it’s different altogether, there’s more personal attention. Yet they did very well at Beecham Road.’

  ‘Aye. But Beecham Road is a good mile and a half away whereas this place is practically on the doorstep, and no matter what time you turn up there’s a teacher there with them.’

  ‘Bill.’

  ‘Yes, love?’

  ‘This is going to cost a packet, not just this year but every year, three of them to pay for. Mamie’s will come out of her trust, but…’

  ‘Look, woman; we’ve been into this. But, mind you—’ he laughed now and pushed her in the shoulder as he said, ‘a thousand quid a term! When he said that I let out so much surprised air me trousers nearly dropped down.’

  She was laughing as she said, ‘Yes; and by the look on your face I was expecting them to. But I warned you before I went. Then there are the others…’

  ‘Well, they’re two for the price of one really.’

  ‘Yes; but they are just day pupils; you’ve go to take that into consideration. And I told you what it would be…’

  ‘Look! who’s grumbling, woman? Not me. I want to do it. And I’ll go on doin’ it. But I’m saying what these blokes and blokesses charge. And what about Katie’s and Willie’s Miss Widdle! Did you ever hear of a name like that? It asks to be called wet pants, doesn’t it? And a private school at that, kids calling their headmistress, wet pants. I wonder if she knows.’

&nb
sp; ‘Very likely; they’ve got to be broad-minded.’

  ‘How long will it be before half-term?’

  Fiona burst out laughing. ‘He’s only been gone three days. It’ll be some time in November.’

  ‘And we’re still in September.’

  Fiona’s voice now changed and she said softly, ‘Look, if you think we’ve made a mistake we can always bring him nearer home; he can go into Newcastle as a weekly boarder and be home at the weekends.’

  ‘No, no; we’ve made no mistake. What was good enough for Sir Charles Kingdom’s sons is good enough for mine.’ They fell against each other and laughed. ‘That’s what made me want to send Mark there, ’cos the elder one, Sir Percy went and Norman, the one that’s in America on the films now, he was there an’ all. And the old boy’s a nice fella, no side.’

  ‘You know something, Bill Bailey?’

  ‘What, Mrs Bailey?’

  ‘You’re a snob at bottom.’

  ‘Is that what I am? Oh, I’m so pleased; it’s much better than being a brash ignorant slob. Of course slob and snob don’t seem very far removed, do they? Oh! Who’s that now?’

  The phone bell was ringing, and Fiona went out into the hall and picked it up and heard Nell’s voice saying, ‘Fiona?’

  ‘Yes, Nell.’

  ‘Can…can I come round?’

  ‘Nell, what a question to ask, of course you may come round.’

  ‘Well, you know how I feel about coming round at night when…’

  ‘Don’t be silly. Get yourself round here. What’s the matter anyway?’

  ‘I’ll tell you in a minute.’

  As she re-entered the room she said, ‘That was Nell. She asked if she could come round. She sounds as if there’s something wrong.’

  ‘She asked if she could come round? Why? She doesn’t usually ask.’