Riches to Rags

by Beryl Matthews

  John called in a cashier and she soon had ten one pound notes and ten shillings, which she put carefully in her purse. She’d be able to do such a lot with this.

  ‘Any time you need more, just come in and see a cashier or ask for me.’ John stood up.

  She did the same and shook his hand enthusiastically. She had always believed John was lacking in humour and kindness, but this wasn’t true. In their own ways, all the brothers were kind.

  They said goodbye to John and returned to the car. On their way to the market, Jenny twisted round to look at Dwight. ‘When are you returning to New York?’

  ‘I have a passage booked for tomorrow. I sail at three o’clock from Southampton. I shall only just make it back in time for Christmas with my family.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry you can’t stay longer. Would you take a present back for the boys Hal and Rob – my half-brothers?’ she added proudly. ‘There’s a man in the market who sells wonderful hand-made toys. I’m sure we could find something there they’d like.’

  ‘Sure thing. I’d love to have a walk round to see if I can find something cute for my wife.’

  Jenny turned back, felt the money in her purse and grinned at Matthew, who winked at her.

  ‘What else are you going to buy?’ he asked.

  ‘Shoes, coat, perhaps a frock. I can get them at the market quite cheap.’

  Dwight chuckled. ‘I thought you’d be dashing off to the fashionable stores.’

  She gave him a horrified look. ‘Certainly not! Where would I wear such creations?’

  ‘One smart dress might be a good idea, Jen.’ Matthew concentrated on the road ahead as he spoke. ‘Someone might ask you out to dinner and a show.’

  ‘Who on earth would want to do that?’

  ‘I would.’ Matthew stopped the car near The Cut. ‘Would you come out with me if I asked?’

  Jenny had never been taken out by a young man before, though she had often listened to Edna telling her what fun it was. The last two years had been a struggle just to survive. Going out and enjoying herself had never been things she had thought about. But now her life was different. She smiled at him shyly. ‘I’d like that – if you care to ask me, of course.’

  ‘I’m asking. So when would you like to go?’

  ‘Let me see … I have so many appointments.’ She placed a finger on her chin and pretended to be thinking hard, teasing him. ‘I think I’m free any evening between now and Christmas.’

  Matthew gave her an affectionate glance and then laughed. ‘I’m glad you can fit me into your busy social life.’ He got out of the car, came round and opened her door, helping her out and bowing graciously over her hand. ‘As soon as I’ve made the arrangements, I’ll call on you, Miss Winford.’

  ‘Why, thank you, sir,’ she simpered, and they both burst into gales of laughter. She felt almost drunk with happiness.

  ‘When you two have finished fooling around,’ Dwight scolded, his grin firmly in place, ‘we have toys to buy.’

  Jenny slipped between the two men and tucked her hands in their arms, leading them straight to the toys. ‘What do you think they’d like, Dwight?’

  He inspected the array of wooden toys. ‘These are excellent. Something English, I think.’

  ‘What about these?’ Matt held up two London buses.

  ‘Perfect. The boys will love those.’

  ‘How much?’ she asked Ted, the stallholder.

  ‘Half a crown each to you, Jen.’

  She handed over the five shillings, and when the toys were wrapped she gave them to Dwight. ‘With my love, and tell Gracie I’ll keep in touch. I won’t be able to see you again before you leave, Dwight, because I can’t let Bet down, but have a safe journey home. And thank you for coming all this way to see me and tell me the truth about my father’s death.’

  Dwight hugged her. ‘It’s been a pleasure to meet Cyrus’s daughter at last. You’re everything your father said you were – and more. I shall expect a letter every month to let me know how you’re getting on.’

  ‘I promise. Now I must get to work.’ She hugged Dwight again, having become fond of him in the short time she’d known him. Then, so as not to leave him out, she gave Matthew a quick hug as well before tearing off to Beth’s stall.

  34

  ‘What do you think?’ Jenny twirled round to show off her new clothes to Glad and Fred.

  ‘You look a proper picture.’ Fred nodded in approval. ‘Where’s Matt taking you?’

  ‘A new restaurant that opened earlier this year in Piccadilly; it’s called the Monseigneur.’ She fiddled nervously with the frock. It had come from the market, but looked quite good really. The material swirled easily around her legs as she moved, although it wasn’t silk, of course. The dark red suited her colouring beautifully, and there was embroidery around the neck in a brighter red. Her shoes were black with a fashionable strap across the instep; Ivy had cut her hair in the latest short style; and to complete the ensemble she wore the pendant her father had given her and Ma’s brooch. After two years of being so short of money, she was finding it hard to spend on what she now considered luxuries.

  A car pulled up outside and Jenny grabbed her coat, also new from the market. This was black with an imitation-fur collar; she found it so warm after the threadbare one she had been wearing. ‘He’s here!’

  ‘You look like an excited kid,’ Glad said, laughing.

  ‘Well, this is my first date!’

  There was a knock on the door and Fred opened it. ‘Come in, Matt. She’s all ready.’

  Matthew took one look at Jenny and stopped dead. When he didn’t speak, her spirits plummeted. Perhaps she should have bought a better frock.

  ‘She’s a pretty sight, ain’t she?’ Fred looked proud.

  ‘I’ll say.’ Matthew recovered. ‘You look beautiful, Jen. And you’ve had your hair cut.’

  Her hand reached up and touched her shining dark hair. ‘Ivy did it for me.’

  ‘It really suits you.’ He bent and kissed her cheek. ‘All the other men are going to envy me tonight. Shall we go?’

  She was relieved. For a moment she had thought that he wouldn’t want to take her out.

  ‘Just a minute.’ Fred looked pointedly at Matt. ‘What time you gonna be back?’

  ‘I’ll have Jen back by twelve o’clock. Will that be all right?’

  Fred agreed and must have noticed Jenny’s surprised expression. ‘Someone’s got to look out for you. You ain’t got no dad to keep an eye on the young men.’

  ‘I won’t keep her out too late, sir,’ Matt said politely, making everyone laugh.

  ‘That’s the first time I’ve ever been called sir.’ Fred slapped Matthew on the back. ‘Off you go, have a good time and take good care of our Jen.’

  ‘I won’t let her out of my sight.’ Matthew led Jenny to the car, still smiling.

  ‘What’s this place like?’ she asked, as they drove up Forest Road.

  ‘It’s a luxurious restaurant, very popular. So popular in fact I had to get Dad to book a table for us. The Roy Fox Band is there, though Lew Stone is leading it because Fox is ill. But Lew Stone is very good.’

  ‘That sounds lovely.’ This was so exciting. She loved the dance bands and the beautiful music they played.

  Matthew gave her a quick glance as he was driving. ‘The vocalist is Al Bowlly.’

  Jenny gave a squeal of delight. ‘Is he really? He’s got the most wonderful voice. Don’t you think so?’

  ‘Yes.’ Matt chuckled at her enthusiasm. ‘I had no idea you liked him so much.’

  ‘I do, I do!’ Jenny could hardly control herself.

  ‘We’ll park here and walk round the corner.’ Matthew stopped the car and came round to help her out. ‘It will be crowded by the restaurant.’

  It was no more than a couple of minutes’ walk, and Jenny found herself looking up at the name MONSEIGNEUR GRILL in large letters right across the entrance. They went in and, once her coat was taken from her, t
hey were shown to their table. It was obvious that this was a very fashionable place, the clientele smart and well-to-do, but the affluent surroundings didn’t intimidate her. This was the kind of place to which her father had taken her. It was now clear why her mother had never accompanied them on these outings. They were divorced, and her father’s visits here were solely to spend time with his daughter. The pang of sadness was instantly dismissed. It was all in the past, and she was glad she now knew the whole story.

  The waiter held her chair for her and she sat down. Their table was right next to the band and only a couple of steps away from the dance floor. Jenny felt her feet wanting to tap in anticipation. Edna had said that she was lucky because she could fit in with either the working classes or the wealthy. And she realized, looking at Matthew, that he was the same. He came from a wealthy family but was happy working as an apprentice mechanic. After what they had been through together, often it wasn’t necessary to speak – just a look or smile was enough to know what the other was thinking. They had become very close lately.

  Since receiving the money she’d had a sense of confusion. One minute she had been scrimping to find enough money for food, and the next she had money in the bank. But, as she gazed around the restaurant, the feeling melted away. Rich or poor, she was who she was, and her experiences had moulded her into a stronger, more secure person. She was a girl who knew she could survive whatever life threw at her.

  ‘Jen.’ Matthew touched her hand. ‘You were miles away. What would you like to drink?’

  She came out of her musing and smiled brightly. She was being rude, and this was no time for sombre thoughts; she was here to enjoy the evening and Matthew’s company. ‘I’d like some wine, please.’

  ‘Not champagne?’ he asked. ‘I think our first proper date should be special, don’t you?’

  She laughed. ‘I’ll leave it to you. In fact, you can even choose what we shall eat.’

  He beckoned the waiter over and ordered champagne, then studied the menu.

  The rest of the evening was one of pure delight: the food was excellent, the band terrific and Al Bowlly a dream. They danced the evening away. All too soon it was time to leave.

  As they made their way back to the car, Jenny slipped her hand through Matthew’s arm and smiled happily up at him. ‘Thank you for a really lovely evening.’

  He bent and kissed her nose. ‘It was my pleasure. Will you come out with me again – to the pictures perhaps?’

  ‘I’d love to, but it will have to be after Christmas. On Christmas Eve we’re giving the children a party at the centre, and with only three days to go there’s a lot to do.’

  ‘I know. Mother’s roped us all in to help, even Father!’

  They reached the car and were soon on their way back to Lambeth. The moment they arrived, Fred opened his front door. ‘Had a good time?’

  ‘Lovely, thanks.’ Matthew whispered to Jenny, ‘He’s checking up on me.’ Then he looked at his watch under the light of the street lamp and said, ‘It’s five to twelve.’

  Fred grinned. ‘If you’re going indoors with Jen, I’ll expect you out sharpish – no more than five minutes.’

  ‘Fred,’ Jenny giggled, feeling quite light-headed from the champagne. ‘Or should I call you Dad?’

  Glad’s head appeared in the doorway. ‘Leave them alone, Fred. We can trust Matt to act like a gent.’

  ‘I was a young man myself once.’ He leered at his wife. ‘I knows what’s going on in his head.’

  Glad couldn’t stop her smile spreading. ‘But you was never a gent! Come inside, you daft old fool.’

  ‘Not so much of the old, woman! Come on, I’ll show you just how old I am.’

  Matthew and Jenny doubled over with laughter as Fred and Glad disappeared from the doorway.

  ‘Don’t worry, sir,’ Matthew called, ‘I’ll stay only five minutes, I promise.’

  Fred’s head appeared briefly, and he winked. ‘I’ll be watching. And you’d better not make it longer ’cos at this time of night you’ll come out and find all your wheels gone. There’s a lot of tea leafs round here.’ He jerked and disappeared, after obviously having been pulled indoors again.

  ‘What’s a tea leaf?’ Matthew asked.

  ‘A thief.’ Jenny opened the front door. ‘Are you coming in for a minute?’

  ‘Five minutes!’ he protested. ‘I’ve been given five minutes.’

  They were laughing as Matthew closed the door behind them, but, gazing around the empty room, he became serious once again. ‘I don’t like the thought of you living here on your own, Jen.’

  ‘I’ve been thinking about that, and if I can manage to buy this house, I’m going to ask Ivy and her family to move in. It’s much too crowded next door, but Fred and Glad took them in when they got chucked out of their place by a greedy landlord. They couldn’t possibly have afforded the rent he was asking.’

  The frown left his face and he drew her into his arms. ‘That’s a great idea. I’ll get Luke moving.’ Then he dipped his head and kissed her very gently. ‘Thanks for a lovely evening.’

  Jenny was flustered by the kiss and didn’t know what to say. That was the first grown-up kiss she’d had, and it had quite made her head spin. At eighteen she was a late starter at this dating lark. It was exciting, though. ‘I’ve enjoyed myself,’ she managed to say. ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’

  He shook his head, stepping away and glancing at his watch. ‘I’ve had my five minutes, and if I don’t leave now Fred will charge in here and throw me out!’

  Jenny gurgled. ‘I think he’s taken on the role of my father.’

  ‘I’m pleased he has. You are so lovely, and if some of the men around here find out you’ve now got money, they might start pestering you.’

  He thought she was lovely! ‘Fred and Glad were afraid of the same thing when I told them, so we’ve decided to keep it just between ourselves.’

  ‘Very wise. Now I really must go. I’ll see you at the children’s party, and after Christmas we’ll go out again.’

  ‘I’d like that.’

  He gave her another kiss and left. Before driving away, he stopped outside Fred’s and tooted his horn to let him know he was leaving – on time.

  As Matt drove home, he couldn’t help smiling. Jenny was financially secure now; they’d had their first real date, which had been a great success; he was fully recovered and already back at work. The future looked good for both of them.

  The next day at the market was busy, and Bet was well pleased with the takings, so she gave Jenny six shillings. Jenny didn’t feel guilty about taking the money because she’d worked hard for it, and she was going to put it to good use. She ran along to the toy stall and caught Ted as he was packing up; she spent her earnings for the day on toys. Ted promised to have them wrapped and delivered to the centre in time for the party. She would do the same tomorrow and the next day until she had bought enough presents for all the children.

  On arriving home, she found the three brothers waiting for her, stamping their feet trying to keep warm.

  ‘Come in, please.’ The fire was ready to light, and she put a match to it straight away. ‘I’m sorry it’s cold in here, but it will soon warm up.’

  Matthew smiled. ‘Don’t worry about that, Jen. Luke and John have some business to discuss with you. I’ll put the kettle on, shall I?’

  ‘Please. I’m gasping for a cup of tea.’

  Luke settled in Ma’s chair. ‘I’ve managed to track down the owner of these houses. I’ve had a real tussle with him, and he refused to sell.’

  Jenny was disappointed and it must have shown on her face, because Luke leant forward. ‘Don’t worry. I could see he wasn’t as disinterested as he made out, and we settled down for some hard bargaining. I pointed out that the house was badly in need of repair. I had a strong feeling that he would like to sell the whole street, but he finally began to give way when I suggested that we might be interested in two houses, and no more.’
/>   ‘Two?’ she gasped. ‘How much is that going to cost?’

  ‘He gave the price of £300 for your house and next door, Fred and Glad’s. But that’s just a starting price; we should be able to get them for less than that.’

  She pushed a strand of hair away from her eyes and looked at John, who hadn’t said a word up to now. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘The houses might not be in a desirable area, but they are sturdy places, and would be a sound investment.’

  Jenny’s mind was racing, and she dipped her head as she thought this through. She had only considered buying this house, but to own Fred and Glad’s as well sounded like a wonderful idea. However, she had better be honest with John. The businessman in him would naturally think of any purchase as being an investment, but that wasn’t what she was planning. It wasn’t a huge amount out of her money. ‘I would like to buy both houses, but I’m not thinking of this as a way to make money. I owe Fred and his family a great debt of gratitude, and I wouldn’t collect rent from them.’

  It was clear that John didn’t agree with this, but he stifled his objections and nodded. ‘That would be entirely up to you. The houses are freehold, and I suggest you make an offer of £250 and be prepared to go up to £270 or £280 at the most.’

  ‘Do you think the owner will accept that?’ she asked Luke.

  ‘I’m sure he will. Do you want me to go ahead with the purchase?’

  ‘Yes, please. As John thinks it’s a good idea, make the offer.’

  ‘Tea’s up!’ Matthew came back carrying a tray of tea and a plate of biscuits.

  They sat chatting for a while about the Christmas party for the children, and then they left, leaving Jenny excited and praying that her offer would be accepted. She nibbled on a biscuit, revelling in the idea that she might soon be the owner of not one but two houses!

  The noise was ear splitting as Father Christmas came in the hall with a sack over his shoulder. The children screamed and hurled themselves at him, almost knocking him off his feet.