Lizzie of Langley Street

by Carol Rivers

  ‘He’s gone upstairs to get Dad and Gertie. Now, if you ain’t drinking, would you like a cup of tea, instead?’ He smiled again, and she had to admit he did have a nice smile.

  ‘All right, a cup of tea,’ she agreed, hoping Danny would be back soon.

  Frank pushed his way through the crowd, disappearing into the kitchen. For a minute she was cross with herself for being suspicious of him, he was Danny’s brother after all. Nevertheless, she felt uncomfortable in his company.

  ‘Making his play, is he, gel?’ chuckled big Reg Barnes, the meat man, coming to stand beside her.

  ‘What do you mean, Reg?’

  ‘Why, I mean old Casanova himself,’ Reg murmured, gulping his beer and looking a little tipsy. You watch that lad – he’s got a reputation to maintain. ’Owever, the same can’t be said for his brother.’ Reg gave her a conspiratorial wink. ‘Young Danny only has eyes for you, gel, getting himself up to the market every Saturday and never wanting to miss, even when there was much better business up the Embankment or Covent Garden.’

  Lizzie went pink. Was it true what Reg said?

  Reg nodded, as if guessing her thoughts. ‘You can take my word for it, Lizzie gel.’

  Lizzie felt a warmth run through her as she lowered her eyes.

  ‘I’d better ’op it,’ Reg said suddenly and nodded towards the kitchen. Frank was coming back.

  ‘What was that all about?’ Frank asked as he arrived beside her carrying a cup of tea. He glanced disparragingly at Reg’s departing figure.

  ‘Oh, you know Reg,’ Lizzie answered, blushing even deeper. ‘He was just chatting.’

  ‘A right old windbag is Reg,’ muttered Frank. ‘You don’t want to believe a word he says.’ He set the cup down on the table and stared into her eyes. ‘Listen, Lizzie. You’re me brother’s girl, I know that. But I’ll tell you this for nothing. If Danny was out of the picture, I’d set me cap at you, and that’s a fact.’

  Lizzie stared into the pale blue gaze and a shiver went through her. She was unable to look away as Frank’s gaze burned down on her. Just then Fat Freda yelled from the piano. ‘Lizzie, how about you and young Flo giving us a song?’

  Flo ran up and grabbed her hand. ‘Come on, Lizzie!’

  ‘What about yer tea?’ Frank asked sullenly.

  ‘I’ll drink it later.’

  Knowing that Frank’s eyes were following her, Lizzie went with Flo to the piano. Fat Freda leaned forward. ‘Well, my lovelies, what is it to be?’

  ‘Do you know “A Beautiful Picture”, Freda?’

  Fat Freda nodded. She took a swig from her tumbler and began to play. The front door opened and Danny, his father and Gertie Spooner walked in. Lizzie felt safe again. When she gazed into Danny’s eyes she forgot about Frank; no one else in the room mattered. It was just her and Danny.

  The room was still as Freda’s fingers paused over the keys. Lizzie and Flo began to sing, their soft voices floating across the room and weaving a tender magic.

  If those lips could only speak, if those eyes could only see, if those beautiful golden tresses were there in reality. If I could only take your hand as I did when I took your name, but it’s only a beautiful picture in a beautiful golden frame.

  Book Two

  Chapter Eleven

  It was 1 January 1921. Lizzie put on a new brown hat with a gathered crown and upturned brim. The hat was a present from Ethel at Christmas, one of Rickard’s display models.

  Lizzie hadn’t been able to afford a present for Ethel. But she’d sent over some oranges and apples that Bert had brought home from the shop. She’d written that she planned to wear the hat on New Year’s Day, when Danny called for her.

  As Lizzie was wishing that she had some nice shoes to match the hat, Flo came down the stairs. She had put on a clean dress and brushed her short brown hair ready to go to Lil’s.

  ‘When’s Danny coming, then?’ Flo asked as she came into the kitchen. She frowned at the old black boots that Lizzie was trying to breathe life into.

  ‘Ten o’clock.’ Lizzie rubbed hard at the leather with a rag.

  ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘Just for a walk.’ Lizzie slipped on the boots and did up the laces. ‘Now don’t go getting in Lil’s way and no arguments with Babs.’

  ‘Lil said we can ’elp her make a cake.’

  ‘That should keep you out of trouble.’ Lizzie hoped Babs and Flo would be on their best behaviour. She was nervous enough about going out with Danny. She hadn’t slept a wink thinking about it and was grateful to Lil for having the girls. ‘You be good till I get back.’

  Flo giggled. Her large brown eyes were mischievous. ‘That’s what Ma used to say.’

  Lizzie put her arms round Flo. It was the first day of the New Year and there was a big gap in it for them all without Ma. ‘Happy New Year, in case you’ve forgotten,’ she whispered.

  ‘Happy New Year, Lizzie.’

  Lizzie held Flo at arm’s length. ‘Don’t forget to wish Lil and Doug a happy New Year.’

  Flo skipped to the back door, then stopped. ‘Has he kissed you yet?’

  Lizzie’s green eyes opened wide. ‘Has who kissed me?’

  Flo giggled. ‘Danny, of course.’

  ‘You cheeky little devil—’

  ‘Bet he has. Bet he’s given you a big one right on the lips.’ Laughing, Flo ran out into the yard and squeezed through the fence.

  Lizzie smiled to herself. She hadn’t seen Danny since Christmas night, when he’d brought them home on the cart. She had missed him so much, counting the days – and nights – until she saw him again on New Year’s Day.

  ‘I’ll be back this afternoon, Pa,’ she called out as she slipped on her coat.

  As usual, no reply. If only Ma was here, Lizzie thought sadly. The house seemed so empty, especially with Vinnie staying away. Lizzie sighed. If Ma was alive, things would be different . . .

  A knock on the door brought Lizzie up sharply.

  ‘Happy New Year,’ Danny grinned as she opened it. He smiled, showing lovely white teeth.

  ‘Happy New Year, Danny.’

  He slipped off his cap and stuck out his elbow. Lizzie slid her hand through his arm. He made her feel like a princess as she stood beside him. Her wavy black hair fell over her shoulders, brushed so much it was gleaming under Ethel’s hat.

  ‘Eyes left,’ Danny grinned as they passed Vi Catcher’s. The lace curtain shook and Danny squeezed her arm. ‘Now everyone will know Lizzie Allen is my girl.’

  Danny’s girl. She said it over and over again in her mind. Danny’s girl. She felt as if she was walking on air. She didn’t know when she had ever felt so happy. She wished the feeling could go on for ever. Everywhere looked bathed in a glow of sunshine, though in reality it was a cold and rather grey day.

  They walked down Westferry Road and into Manchester Road towards Island Gardens. The mist was clearing from the river. A few boats chugged along, mostly barges, empty of goods, mooring quietly on the cold, dark waters lapping up to the wharves. There were no tall ships sailing by. The river was calm and uncluttered. Later in the day, when the mist had cleared, bigger vessels would cut through the water. A strange quiet lay over the river. A few early risers passed by, nodding and smiling.

  They sat on a wooden bench under a shelter. The park spread out before them, a little piece of green heaven amongst the drab factories. There were swings and even a sandpit. No one had buckets or spades, but they all loved to play in it when they were younger. Lizzie sighed. Those days were gone. Not even Flo played here now. It was the open air baths that took her fancy, and the older kids hanging round it.

  ‘Well, we never did get to the Queens or the Lyric,’ Danny said suddenly, rubbing her cold hands between his. He asked her the question she had been dreading. ‘Have you thought any more about Australia?’

  ‘Danny, I can’t the leave the family.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘Flo needs me – she’s only a kid. And there
’s Pa. Who’d look after him?’

  ‘Babs. She’d have to if you wasn’t there.’

  ‘But she’s only fourteen. They’d take Flo away, put her in an orphanage or something. And Pa would—’

  ‘But you’ve got yer own life to lead, gel. Like I told you, it wouldn’t be for ever. We’ll come back when we’re rich and look after them all.’

  Lizzie looked away.

  ‘You don’t believe I’ll make me fortune, do you?’

  Lizzie didn’t know what she thought about Australia. It was too far away to have an opinion on, another world. But she knew that Australia was causing them to argue. They sat in silence, until Danny said suddenly, ‘Well, I’m going to prove I can do it!’

  Tears sprang to Lizzie’s eyes. ‘You don’t need to prove anything to me, Danny. I like you just the way you are.’

  He bent close to her ear and whispered, ‘I hoped you’d say that.’

  ‘Oh . . . you!’ Lizzie couldn’t be angry with him for long. She loved him so much. He could always make her laugh, even when she was on the point of tears.

  ‘Think of it as if I’m just going on ahead,’ he said softly as he drew her close. ‘I’ll write and tell you what it’s like. Tell you all the things about Australia that you never knew. Then, in a year or two’s time, if you want, you can follow me out.’

  She knew he meant what he said but she couldn’t see herself leaving Flo, at least not till she was fifteen. She gave a little sniff. Danny took her chin in his hand.

  ‘And if all else fails, I’ll come home for my girl.’

  ‘Would you really?’

  ‘Cross me heart and hope to d—’ He didn’t finish. Lizzie put her hand on his lips.

  ‘Shh. Don’t say it,’ she told him quickly.

  He took hold of her hand and kissed it, murmuring softly, ‘I’ve got to go soon, gel, or else I’ll never get there.’

  He slipped his hand round her waist and she knew that she would go on loving him for ever, across all the oceans and continents that seemed a world away.

  That night in bed she couldn’t sleep. As Flo and Babs snored softly beside her, she thought of Danny. Even though she loved him, she couldn’t leave the family. She prayed that if she never got to Australia her Danny would come home again to find her.

  ‘We’ll have to celebrate on the fifth,’ Lil said one morning at the end of January. They were sitting in Lil’s kitchen and the topic of conversation was Lizzie’s birthday in February. ‘I’ll make a lovely big cake. Ethel and the kids will come over. Your Danny too. You’re only sixteen once, gel.’

  Lizzie wasn’t sure she felt like celebrating. Ma wasn’t there and Danny was going away. He might even have sailed before the fifth of February. But she knew Lil wanted to do it and she couldn’t refuse. There was enough money in the cocoa tin to put on a little spread. Bert’s wage at the shop was regular. And now he was away from Vinnie’s influence, he didn’t spend so much money down the Quarry. There was always fresh fruit and vegetables, too, provided by Danny.

  ‘Vinnie might bring you a present,’ Lil said sarcastically. ‘Where’s he living now?’

  Lizzie shrugged. ‘Up Poplar, near the bookie, he said.’

  ‘Well, I hope he doesn’t forget the roof he was born under.’

  ‘He always leaves a bit of money when he comes,’ she said in her brother’s defence. But the reality was that Vinnie hardly ever called now and when he did it was only to look prosperous and flash. Lizzie hoped Lil would never bump into him. She would fire questions and the answers wouldn’t be what she wanted to hear.

  Lil flicked her ash into a saucer. The subject of Vinnie was dropped.

  ‘What about the authorities?’ she asked. ‘Still checking on you, are they?’

  Lizzie grinned. ‘Flo is behaving herself and I haven’t let us all sink into ruin, so I think we’re in the clear.’

  They sat together until Lil stubbed her cigarette out and stood up. ‘Well, that’s settled then. I’ll start yer cake today. Do you want fruit or sponge?’

  ‘Fruit would be nice.’

  ‘Fruit it is then, gel. And we’ll buy a few bottles of beer for the blokes. Your Pa won’t drink, but Doug and Danny’ll have a tipple.’

  ‘If Danny’s still here,’ Lizzie sighed.

  ‘He will be, love, you mark my words.’

  It was a hope Lizzie clung to as the week went by.

  ‘Ethel, it’s beautiful!’ Lizzie gazed in wonder at the miniature chest of drawers on the table. She opened the top drawer full of cottons and threads, and the next one, brimming with thimbles, sewing needles and buttons. The bottom drawer was filled with darning wools and skeins of pretty embroidery silks; she had never been given a present like it.

  ‘Happy birthday, Lizzie,’ Ethel said, giving her a hug. Ethel was wearing a soft green frock and had her fair hair pinned back from her face, accentuating her big blue eyes.

  ‘Ethel, this must have cost a fortune!’

  ‘No, it didn’t. To be honest I got the box separately and filled it with stuff from Rickards.’

  ‘Well, it’s lovely.’

  ‘I’m glad you like it.’ Ethel glanced at Lizzie. ‘Is Danny coming this afternoon?’

  They were sitting on the chairs in Lil’s front room, and Rosie and Timmy, Ethel’s two, were in the backyard with Flo and Babs, playing hopscotch. Doug had taken his beer into next door with Tom, and Lil was in the kitchen preparing tea.

  ‘He’s coming over about five. Bill said he could knock off a bit early if Bert stayed on to help.’

  ‘I bet you’re glad he’s here for your birthday.’

  Lizzie smiled. ‘Yeah, I am, Ethel.’

  ‘It’s a shame you can’t go with him, you know.’

  ‘Well, I can’t and that’s that.’

  ‘What about Babs? Why can’t she stay at home? You had to do it when you was her age.’

  This had been Danny’s suggestion, but Lizzie couldn’t see Babs washing the clothes and scrubbing the floor, let alone looking after Pa and Flo. ‘I don’t think she’d give up Hailing House. The ladies count on her.’

  Ethel gave a sharp tut. She looked up from under her lashes like Lil did. ‘Well, charity starts at home, Lizzie. Why shouldn’t Babs take her turn? I mean, it’s not like she’s indispensable to Hailing House. They’d soon find someone else to fill her place. But Danny ain’t going to find someone to fill yours, is he?’

  Lizzie had been trying not to think like that. Inside her there was always a niggling little voice whispering that she was missing her opportunity. Absently Lizzie smoothed the soft blue pleats of her dress. Ethel’s cast-off had been brought out once again. Deep in her heart she wanted to have nice new clothes and look beautiful for Danny. To live a life that wasn’t always overshadowed by poverty. It seemed all this was possible in Australia.

  She suddenly heard Ethel’s voice again. ‘. . . so I said I’d mention it, Lizzie. At first you’d just be keeping check of the stock in the warehouse, but that would lead to a job in the shop. Our manager has a keen eye for a good worker.’

  Lizzie blinked, hearing Ethel’s last words. ‘You mean there’s a job going at Rickards?’

  ‘In a month’s time when someone retires. They’ll want a person who’s good at sewing and can sell to people. Just up your street, I thought, but as Mum pointed out, Blackheath is on the other side of the river, a blooming long way to go. Still, I thought I’d mention it, as I could put a word in for you.’

  ‘Is it full time?’ Lizzie asked curiously.

  ‘Yes, Monday to Saturday.’

  ‘I appreciate you thinking of me, Ethel, but—’

  Just then there was a scream from outside. Both girls jumped to their feet and a moment later they were in the yard staring down at Flo. She was squirming on the ground, holding her knee. Babs was standing over her, hands on her hips. Lil was bending down examining the wound. Rosie and Timmy peered over their granny’s shoulder.

  ‘What happened?’
Lizzie demanded, looking at Babs.

  ‘She was showing off,’ Babs declared. ‘I told her not to jump off the wall but she did, right on Doug’s spade.’

  ‘She pushed me!’ yelled Flo in tears.

  ‘Liar!’ Babs’ face went scarlet. ‘I never touched you.’

  ‘Yes you did. When no one was looking.’

  ‘You little—’

  ‘That’s enough!’ Lizzie bent down beside Flo.

  Lil raised her eyes. Her handkerchief was soaked with blood. ‘I reckon it’ll need a stitch or two. It’s a deep cut . . . caught the sharp edge of the spade.’

  Flo began to bawl even louder. Lizzie stood up and looked at Babs. ‘You’ll have to run round for Dr Tap.’

  ‘I get the blame for everything round ’ere,’ she screeched. ‘Go and get the doctor yourself.’

  At this, Timmy and Rosie started crying. Ethel took their hands and led them indoors, as Lil furiously mopped up the mess. Lizzie tried to decide whether she should make Babs go or run for old Tap herself.

  The problem was solved by Ethel. ‘Danny’s arrived, Lizzie,’ she shouted from the kitchen. ‘And Frank.’

  ‘What’s up?’ Danny hurried across to where Flo was lying. ‘Blimey, Flo, how did you do that?’ Flo sobbed, piling on the agony, and Danny glanced at Lizzie. ‘Don’t think that little lot will stop by itself.’

  ‘I know.’ Lizzie sighed, giving Babs a black look. ‘We – I was just going for the doctor. She can’t walk round to his place like that.’

  ‘Well, that ain’t no problem, I’ll take her,’ Danny said, giving Flo a big grin. ‘We’ve got the cart outside. Come on, young miss.’

  But as Danny bent down, Frank stopped him. ‘I’ll do the honours,’ he said quickly, jerking his head towards Lizzie. ‘It’s your girl’s birthday, ain’t it?’

  Danny grinned, his blue eyes meeting Lizzie’s. ‘And I ain’t said happy birthday yet, have I?’

  Frank slipped his hands under Flo and lifted her up. ‘Right, young lady, let’s get you round to the old quack. You’ll be as right as ninepence soon.’

  ‘I’ll help, Frank,’ a sweet voice suddenly said. Babs went to stand beside Frank, looking up at him with a smile. Lizzie was speechless. She could hear everyone talking at once as they followed Frank, Flo and Babs out to the cart. But nothing was registering. Lizzie’s fingers were itching to throttle Babs!