East End Jubilee

by Carol Rivers

  ‘Enjoying it, are you?’ she asked brightly.

  ‘Oh yeah,’ Cissy and Fanny nodded. ‘We were just talking about you. About the rollicking the police gave your ‘’ubbie.’

  ‘The band’s good.’ Rose was determined not to let Cissy and Fanny get to her as they were experts at winding you up.

  ‘Yeah. Poor bloke. He didn’t deserve to be bashed like that.’

  Rose looked away. ‘The kids are having a really good time.’

  ‘But how are you feeling, gel? You must be dead worried.’

  ‘All right, thanks.’ She pulled Donnie with her, deciding it was time for action. ‘We’re going over there now. There’s a couple of spaces.’

  But they hadn’t gone far when Olga Parker appeared. ‘I want to talk to you, Rose Weaver.’

  ‘What about?’

  ‘The television, of course.’

  ‘Not that again.’

  ‘We want our money back,’ Olga shouted over the music. ‘Leslie said he wouldn’t touch the television with a bargepole now even if the police returned it. In the circumstances this has been a very distressing experience.’

  Rose could hardly believe that two years ago when the Parkers had moved to Ruby Street she had felt sorry for them as newcomers and had been the first to invite them in for a chat. ‘You could give Eddie the benefit of the doubt,’ Rose said knowing that Olga had no intention of doing so.

  ‘Why should we? It was hard-earned money we parted with. Now, are you going to return the fifty pounds?’

  ‘You have to speak to Eddie when he comes home.’

  ‘And when will that be?’ Olga arched a thin pencilled eyebrow. Rose thought that if looks could kill she’d be dead right now. ‘After what he did to those policemen I don’t think you’ll be seeing your husband again for a while.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Assault is a very serious offence, in case you didn’t know.’ Without another word she strode away.

  ‘Eddie didn’t assault anyone,’ Rose called after her but Olga didn’t look back.

  ‘And she didn’t even see the fight,’ a voice chimed in behind Rose. Cissy and Fanny had been standing there listening. ‘She was too busy bossing everyone about to notice what was going on.’

  ‘Yeah. Stuck-up cow.’

  ‘Eddie’s an honest man and he wouldn’t deliberately hurt someone,’ Rose said shakily.

  They both nodded fiercely. ‘We know that, love. But do the police?’

  Rose looked down at Donnie. The sad and bewildered expression in her daughter’s eyes hurt Rose deeply. ‘Come on, pet,’ Rose said softly, knowing without Eddie’s presence beside them tonight would be a halfhearted celebration.

  They sat down at the table and began to help themselves to the food and drink. The shouting, laughing and talking went on around them, but Rose couldn’t help seeing the odd glance or two thrown her way when they thought she wasn’t looking. Did her friends and neighbours believe Eddie was a thief and were too kind to hurt her feelings by telling her? The Pipers from number eighty-two, Mike Price and Heather who lived at thirty-six, Sharon and Derek Green from forty-two and the Patels at the top of the street, all attempting to act as though nothing had happened. Did they know something about Eddie that she didn’t?

  ‘Mum, have a sausage roll.’ Donnie lifted a big plate. ‘They’re lovely.’

  Rose took it and swallowed even though it tasted to her like rubber. She wanted to look as though she was enjoying herself, even if she had to force it down her throat. Donnie was such a thoughtful, sensitive child and so pretty too. Long black hair like Eddie’s mane and brown eyes that were always soft and kind. Rose felt a terrible ache in her heart for what they had undergone today.

  The evening wore on and the drinking got serious. Children crawled into laps or sat on the steps and yawned whilst the tables were pushed back and dancing started.

  Rose recalled what Eddie had whispered to her before they took him away. He was going to dance her off her feet tonight. As the music, dancing and laughter filled the night air, Rose wondered what was happening to him. The miss of him was so strong it was almost a physical pain. Just then she spotted Donnie and Marlene who were playing with the Piper kids swinging on a rope tied round the lamppost. They wouldn’t notice if she went in for a while.

  Minutes later she was sitting in the kitchen, gazing into space. Everything reminded her of Eddie. The chair he sat on, the mirror he shaved in, the cup he drank from. Her mind flew back to last year when she’d painted the walls in light green distemper and Eddie had bought her a tall cupboard with glass doors at the top and two drawers beneath. There was a drop-down flap to chop the bread and vegetables on. Opposite was the old coal cupboard transformed to a walk-in larder with a meat safe and outside there was still the shed they called the washhouse. In winter she provided the girls with china pots so they wouldn’t have to traipse outside to use the toilet. Rose’s secret wish was to have a bathroom but she knew it was a dream. Number forty-six Ruby Street was her little world and she loved it.

  Suddenly the words of Prime Minister Winston Churchill went through her mind as he rallied the people of the British Isles in 1941. With the help of God, of which we must all feel daily conscious, we shall continue steadfast in faith and duty till our task is done . . .

  His courageous speech had won the hearts of every British citizen and given them hope as Hitler cast his terrifying shadow across Europe. Rose remembered how the nation had fought back so bravely and, squaring her shoulders firmly, she took comfort from the words in her own darkest hour.

  Chapter Three

  Rose looked round and saw two sets of big brown eyes watching her.

  ‘We wondered where you was, Mum.’

  Rose beamed her girls a smile. She didn’t want them to see she was unhappy. ‘I just came in for a cup of tea.’

  ‘The kettle ain’t on.’

  ‘No, I was just going to fill it.’ She lifted the kettle and took it to the sink. ‘Did you have a good time at the party?’

  ‘Yes. But everyone’s getting drunk now.’

  Rose laughed. ‘That’s what parties are for.’

  ‘We saw Auntie Anita. She said she’ll be in soon.’

  ‘She must have got back early.’ Rose sat down on the chair. ‘Marlene, are you all right?’

  ‘No. I feel sick.’

  ‘No wonder,’ Donnie said, frowning at her sister. ‘I told you you’d get a tummy ache if you kept on stuffing yourself.’

  ‘Come and sit on me lap.’ Marlene crawled into Rose’s lap.

  ‘She ain’t gonna be sick is she?’

  ‘No, she’s just tired.’ Rose stroked Marlene’s dirty forehead. ‘Now Donnie, set the cups and saucers on the table. There’s a tin of condensed milk in the larder.’

  Rose glanced at the wall clock. ‘Half past nine. We’ve missed the Queen’s speech. Still, we might hear it later.’

  ‘Can I stay up and listen?’ Donnie’s eyes widened. ‘As a special treat.’

  Rose smiled softly. ‘Well, why not? It is Coronation Day. Now, I’m going to put Marle to bed. Just turn down the gas when the kettle whistles.’

  Upstairs, Rose undressed Marlene’s skinny little body, postponing a good wash. Her daughter was asleep the minute her head touched the pillow. Rose went to her own bedroom and looked out of the window. Donnie was right, there was singing, dancing and general mayhem. The night was going to be a long one.

  Rose sat on the big double bed and looked at the two pillows. Eddie’s head wouldn’t be resting there tonight. His warm, loving body wouldn’t be wrapped round hers. What had the police expected to find in this room? She studied the double wardrobe, chest of drawers, dressing table and treadle sewing machine. If they had searched under the heavy horsehair mattress on the iron bedstead all they would have found were Eddie’s trousers. There were only six inches remaining to the floor. What could be squeezed under there?

  ‘Mum?’ Donnie peered round the
door. ‘Auntie Anita’s here. She’s making the tea. Is Marle asleep?’

  ‘Yes, out like a light.’

  ‘Sally Piper’s called for me. Can we sit on the doorstep?’

  ‘If you like. Do you want some supper?’

  ‘No. I don’t want to get sick like Marle.’

  Rose smiled wistfully. Donnie took her role as the oldest child very seriously. She overdid it a bit sometimes and Marlene resented her bossing. Rose was happy that Sally had called and Marlene was absent for once.

  ‘We might play hopscotch,’ Donnie said as an afterthought.

  ‘All right. But don’t go anywhere near the debris.’ Rose had forbidden the girls to play on the piles of bricks and rubble in Ruby Street. She didn’t want them treading on any nails or broken glass.

  ‘Hello, love,’ Anita welcomed as Rose entered the kitchen. ‘I’ve added an extra spoon for a strong brew,’ she said as she pulled on the tea cosy. ‘I still can’t get used to the fact that tea rationing ended last year and we can make a decent pot now.’

  ‘Yes, out of habit I’m still a bit on the stingy side too,’ Rose agreed with a wistful smile as she pulled out a chair. ‘To think we can have unlimited cuppas for the first time in thirteen years.’ She nodded to the sugar bowl. ‘And in another four months sugar followed by meat next year.’

  ‘Benny likes his Sunday roast,’ Anita nodded. ‘But in the week I stick to stew or mince. It’ll be nice to have a choice whenever the fancy takes me.’

  Rose nodded slowly. ‘What’s it like out there?’

  ‘Pandemonium. I’m surprised we managed to stay on our bikes what with all the celebrating. There’ll be a few sore heads tomorrow. Last piss-up we had like this was VE day, remember?’

  ‘Don’t I just.’ Rose sipped the strong tea. ‘We were married the month after, in June. You’d just moved back in with your mum then.’

  Anita sank down on the other chair. ‘That’s right. Dad had died and Benny and me came back from me mother-in-law’s to look after Mum. Didn’t think me poor old girl’d be popping her clogs so soon after Dad.’

  Rose nodded, her mind going back to Mr and Mrs Norton next door. They had survived the war, only to have Mr Norton suffer a heart attack at the end of it. Mrs Norton had never recovered. The only good thing was that Anita and her family had moved back from Stepney and brought the house to life again.

  Anita smiled reflectively. ‘I was ten when you came along. I remember it as if it was yesterday. The midwife turned up at breakfast. And by dinner time you was here. Your dad came into our house looking for all the world as though he’d won the pools. Rose, that’s what we’re going to call her, he said. ’Cos your cheeks was like roses from the moment you was born.’

  ‘I don’t know where time has gone.’

  ‘Bloody quickly is the answer to that.’

  ‘I’m twenty-five this year. Em’s thirty-one.’

  Anita laughed. ‘I feel blooming geriatric when I look at you. All that lovely brown hair and big brown eyes. And a figure I’d give me right arm for. Eddie’s a lucky bloke. What the hell has he got himself into, that’s what I’d like to know.’

  ‘Wouldn’t we all,’ Rose agreed quietly.

  ‘He don’t help himself, that’s the trouble,’ Anita continued relentlessly. ‘Why doesn’t he buy a shop or run a proper market stall?’

  ‘You need a licence for the market. And we can’t afford a shop.’

  ‘Why don’t he get a licence?’

  ‘They’re usually handed down in the family. Either that or they cost a fortune.’

  Anita softened her tone as she looked at Rose. ‘No word, then?’

  ‘No. Tomorrow I’m going to ask the Wrights if I can use their phone. I know they were waiting for one to be installed.’

  Anita leaned back. ‘Tell me again what happened.’

  Rose obliged starting from when they were watching the television in Olga’s house to the part where she found the police inside her house and Eddie sitting in the back of the police car. ‘He said something about a job in Whitechapel,’ Rose ended breathlessly. ‘I don’t know what that meant, either.’

  Anita looked furious. ‘They had no bloody right, the bastards!’

  ‘They had a search warrant.’

  ‘Is that why Eddie got clobbered?’

  Rose frowned. ‘I didn’t have time to ask him.’

  ‘Did you read this here search warrant?’

  ‘What was the point? They were already inside.’

  ‘I’d have kicked them all out again,’ Anita growled. She was seething, her lips tightly compressed.

  Rose finished her tea waiting to drop the next bombshell. ‘Olga Parker wants her money back.’

  ‘Do me a favour!’ Anita exploded, her eyes bulging. ‘Does she think you’re made of money?’

  Rose shook her head. ‘I wish I’d had time to speak to Eddie without the inspector listening.’

  ‘Do you think someone put the finger on him?’

  ‘Why would they do that?’

  ‘I dunno. Has he got any enemies?’

  ‘None that I know of. But then, I’m beginning to think I don’t know very much.’

  Anita paused. ‘A search warrant ain’t no ordinary piece of paper, love. That copper must have thought he’d find something here. He didn’t plan on walking away with egg on his face, did he?’

  Rose stared into her friend’s eyes. ‘Do you know something I don’t, Neet?’

  ‘’Course not.’

  ‘Would you tell me if you did?’

  ‘Yes, you know I would. It’s just that—’

  ‘You think he stole that telly, don’t you?’ Rose wavered. ‘Why don’t you just come right out with it?’

  ‘Rose, sit down. ’Course I don’t think Eddie nicked the telly.’

  Rose walked out of the kitchen. Even her best friend thought Eddie was guilty and didn’t have the courage to say. In the front room she sat on the couch. The lights from the party outside reflected in the room and the music and laughter echoed in the street. The nation was celebrating.

  A hand touched her shoulder. ‘Rose, don’t get the sulks, love.’

  ‘I’m not sulking. Eddie would never have stolen a television. Never.’

  ‘I shouldn’t have said all that about enemies. I know Eddie is straight.’

  ‘So you don’t think he’s a thief?’ she asked again.

  ‘No. But I’m furious with the bugger for putting you through this.’

  Rose drew her hands down her neck and sank against the cushions. ‘That inspector said they wanted him to help with their enquiries. But what does that mean?’

  Anita squeezed her hand. ‘When you ring the police tomorrow, it’ll be a different story. I reckon they’re just keeping him in for a night. Just to prove a point. They don’t want no one ballsing up their day.’

  ‘You think he’ll be home, then?’

  ‘’Course I do.’

  ‘I’ll turn on the gram.’ Rose felt more cheerful. ‘We might hear some of the Queen’s speech.’ She looked out of the window as she went. Donnie and Sally were dancing in the street. ‘The kids are enjoying themselves,’ she smiled softly.

  ‘You bet,’ Anita laughed. ‘My boys have disappeared too.’

  ‘Where are they?’

  Anita grinned. ‘Chatting up the Travers sisters. Necking somewhere I expect.’

  ‘They’re very pretty those two.’ Rose bent to turn the knobs on the big walnut case. The 1940s radiogram had been her father’s and he’d polished the case lovingly all through the war, cursing the bombers for the dust that fell down from the ceiling. Although it once played the heavy His Master’s Voice records, the turntable had long ago refused to operate. But the radiogram was in good working order and had a faultless tone.

  ‘At fourteen, Heather is a year younger than Alan,’ Anita continued in a worried tone. ‘Iris is thirteen, also a year younger than David. And both of them with tits.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Talk
about well developed.’

  ‘They start early these days.’

  ‘You’re telling me. I sent them over to me mother-in-law’s today so I wasn’t going to have them hanging round street corners waiting for an opportunity to blot their copybooks. And I’ve told them to be back home tonight by ten-thirty sharp. They didn’t like it but they’ll just have to lump it.’

  Rose tuned in to the Home Service. ‘Listen!’

  Anita sat forward. ‘Is that her?’

  ‘Yes, our new queen.’

  The noise of the party outside seemed to fade as the eloquent voice coming from Buckingham Palace entered the front room of number forty-six Ruby Street. Rose felt lifted from her worries into that fairyland that had enchanted her so briefly before Eddie had been taken away.

  ‘. . . As this day draws to its close, I know that my abiding memory of it will be, not only the solemnity and beauty of the ceremony, but the inspiration of your loyalty and affection. I thank you all from a full heart. God bless you all . . .’

  ‘And you, love,’ Anita said quietly.

  ‘Yes.’ Rose swallowed. ‘God bless.’

  The National Anthem played and the two women rose, their hands linked. When it was over, they hugged. Rose thanked God for her friends and for what she had been given in her life when so many millions were starving and had miserable, unhappy existences.

  Tomorrow she wasn’t going to shed one tear of self-pity. With a bit of luck the Wrights who owned the corner shop would let her use their new phone and she could find out when Eddie was coming home.

  Mrs Wright was cleaning the shop step when Rose arrived. Her turban bobbed up and down and her muscular forearms went this way and that, the dirty lather rolling over the pavement.

  ‘Joan?’

  The shopkeeper sat back on her heels. ‘Oh, it’s you, love.’

  Rose pulled her cardigan round her. ‘Do you have a telephone yet?’ she asked quickly.

  ‘Yes. It came last week. Our eldest son, Gerry, works for the telephone company and pulled some strings. Do you know, half of London is waiting for a telephone and some of the people have been waiting not months, but years. It’s a bloody scandal if you ask me. My Charlie thinks it’s the old supply and demand ploy, where they get everyone wanting something so badly they’ll pay a fortune to—’ She stopped as she saw the expression on Rose’s face. ‘Not anything wrong love, is there?’