by Carol Rivers
Where was Eddie? Rose craned her neck to look for him. Why hadn’t he appeared?
Then suddenly he stepped through the door, his gaze going over the gathering of wives, mothers and children filling up every inch of the room. Rose sat up, smiling at him, her heart pounding inside her chest. As he walked towards her, she saw him pull back his shoulders and beam that wide and wonderful smile at her. It diminished the shock of the rough grey uniform that covered his tall, slim body. As he sat down she saw the collar of the jacket was frayed and his shirt was crumpled and a wave of panic swept over her. Eddie was a smart dresser and would never be caught dead in such clothes. But his lovely dark hair, which was always immaculate, was still combed neatly over his head, the rich thickness tapering down his neck making her want to reach out and stroke it.
‘Eddie . . . Eddie . . .’ was all she could say, reaching for his hands.
He grasped them tightly. ‘You got here then,’ he said as his continuing smile lit up every lonely corner inside her.
‘It took me longer than I thought. I should have started earlier.’
‘It doesn’t matter. You’re here now. It’s good to see you, sweetheart.’
She couldn’t speak. They held hands across the table and looked at each other with tears in their eyes. Rose knew she had to be strong.
‘I don’t know where to start,’ she whispered breathlessly.
He laughed softly. ‘That’s unusual for you.’ He still had his sense of humour. ‘How are you and the girls? Tell me everything.’
‘We’re all right. We miss you.’
‘And don’t I bloody miss you!’ He didn’t speak for a moment, then it all came out in a rush. ‘That custard and jelly was kosher, honest.’
‘Yes, but where did you get it?’
‘I bought it off a bloke called Syd who was drinking at the pub. He said he had some stuff in his van and I went out to have a look. All he wanted for the telly was twenty quid ’cos he needed the cash quick. So I got him down to ten and asked Ted, the landlord, if I could keep the telly in his lockup out the back. Well, the following night, when I was walking home from the rub-a-dub I saw Leslie Parker. Talking we were, about this and that, and I happened to mention the telly. He said he’d buy it for Olga to keep her sweet. And that was that.’
‘No it wasn’t,’ Rose said in a hurt tone. ‘I tried to persuade you not to get involved.’
‘I know. And I regret I didn’t listen. It just seemed too good to pass up. That telly was a big mistake.’
A fifty-pound mistake she was about to add but didn’t as he looked at her with contrite eyes. ‘I couldn’t get to the magistrates’ court,’ she said regretfully. ‘The girls were home from school.’
‘I didn’t expect you to be there,’ he said with a sudden urgency. ‘I got meself into this mess and I’ll get meself out. Not that I’ll get much help from that copper Williams who objected to bail because, he said, of the seriousness of the assault charge. But it wasn’t assault, at least not on my part. I’d just gone back to the house after leaving you at Olga’s and there was a dirty great thump on the door. When I opened it, they were all over me like a rash.’
‘Did you tell the magistrate that?’
‘No, this was just a hearing. You have to wait until you go before a proper judge and jury and then you can speak your piece. Meanwhile, me solicitor is trying for holy nail again.’
‘Does he think he can get you bail this time?’ Rose asked hopefully.
‘Yeah, while I’m waiting for me case to come up.’
‘When will that be?’
‘Dunno. There’s a bloke in here called Christie. The one that killed all them women? They expect his trial to last weeks, even months. It’s messed up a lot of dates. Me solicitor is on the case.’
‘How much does a solicitor cost?’
‘If you ain’t got no money, they can’t get blood out of a stone, can they? And you’ve got to have legal representation, so they give you one. I told him I was innocent and I intend to speak me mind before the old Barnaby Rudge.’
She looked at him and imagined having him close against her, nuzzling his face into her neck as he loved to do and telling her silly but lovely things that made her feel a beautiful and wanted woman. She couldn’t wait until they were reunited again and she promised herself she would buy something new to wear on his release. Then the thought of money brought her back to reality.
‘Eddie, I understand about the telly,’ she hesitated, ‘but well, one night I looked under the gram—’
He leaned forward suddenly, giving a little shake of his head. ‘Sh, Rose!’ She watched his eyes swivel as a prison officer walked past. They waited until he was gone and he breathed out slowly. ‘They’ve got ears like magnets round here.’
Rose glanced discreetly around, her eyes coming back to rest on his face. ‘I found it,’ she whispered, her gaze full of meaning.
He gave her a slow nod. ‘Well I never. What made you look there?’
Rose shrugged. ‘I was gonna dust underneath and suddenly remembered what you used it for years ago. I can tell you, I had a shock.’
He gave a funny little smile. ‘What the eyes don’t see the heart don’t grieve over, don’t they say?’
‘But what if the police had found the floorboards?’
‘My point entirely,’ he agreed. ‘I didn’t want you implicated. You could look the coppers in the eye with a clear conscience.’
‘What do you mean clear conscience?’ Rose asked in dismay.
‘Just a figure of speech, love. The money’s all legit.’
‘But where did it come from?’
He drew back a little as though shocked she should ask such a question. ‘Where do you think? Me business of course.’
‘But five hundred pounds—’
‘Sh! Keep your voice down,’ he warned, glancing round again. ‘Sweetheart, trading ain’t like the old days when you could barter and swap your stuff to make a few bob, now everyone wants cash up front.’
Rose hesitated. ‘Like you asked Leslie Parker for fifty pounds?’
He shrugged casually at her intended sarcasm. ‘Yeah, well, he got his money’s worth. Do you know that some of them newfangled models go for as much as a ton?’
‘But the telly was stolen, Eddie!’
He rolled his eyes. ‘How was I to know that? The deal was done in good faith.’
Rose sighed. ‘Oh, Eddie, you always come up with an answer.’
He reached over to tilt her chin. ‘What’s the matter, Rose sweetheart, don’t you trust me?’
She melted, as usual. ‘Of course I do, but so much has happened lately. And with you being in here—’
‘What matters is you,’ he cut her short as his fingers dropped away. ‘A monkey will see you over till I’m back on me feet. And there’ll be enough for me bail, too.’
Rose thought how hard it was going to be to tell him about giving Olga her money back now.
Eddie glanced at the big clock on the wall. ‘The bugger is, time’s almost up.’
‘There must be something I can do to help,’ she said as she searched his face. ‘Can’t you remember anything more about Syd?’
Eddie thought for a moment. ‘Only that he works the markets. Watches and stuff is his line, but he never had a stall. Nothing regular like. Sells out of his Peter Pan.’
‘Weren’t you suspicious when he told you that?’
‘Why should I be? Look at me, I don’t have a stall, do I?’
Rose was tempted to point out that not having a legitimate place of work was what had caused all the trouble in the first place. ‘What did he look like?’ she asked instead.
‘Well . . .’ Eddie screwed up his eyes thoughtfully. ‘My height. Older than me, forties I’d say. Long camel overcoat and titfer. Yeah, and a fistful of rings, whopping great knuckle-dusters and a massive bottle of Scotch on his wrist.’
‘What make was the van?’
‘Humber was it, or Morris?
Darkish, could be brown – or blue. Or dark grey. To be honest, I didn’t take much notice. I was keen to do the business.’ Before she could ask another question, he leaned forward. ‘Have the coppers been worrying you?’
She shook her head. ‘No one’s come round.’
‘Was it in the papers?’
‘Only the Evening Gazette, but it was just two lines,’ Rose dismissed as she didn’t want to reveal the trouble at school and add to his worries. ‘No one was interested in anything except the Coronation.’ Before he could ask more she said quickly, ‘I miss you, Eddie.’
He swallowed. ‘Me too.’
‘Look at these.’ Rose took Marlene’s drawing and Donnie’s note from her pocket and spread them on the table. ‘They took ages doing them. Don’t Marlene draw well and look at Donnie’s lovely handwriting.’
He looked at them, pain and pride written over his face. ‘Tell them,’ he said hoarsely, ‘I love them to bits and I’ll stick ’em up in me cell. Well, you’d better tell them I’ve got me own room.’ He grinned.
But she couldn’t laugh. ‘Oh Eddie. You shouldn’t be here, locked up like this.’
‘My feelings exactly,’ he joked.
‘I want to put my arms round you and cuddle you.’
‘Now that’s an offer I can’t refuse.’
‘I’ve been counting the hours till today. Your letter was so short. I was worried about you.’
‘You know me, love, I can’t think of what to say. ’Sides, they censor everything so watch what you write and don’t ever mention the bees and honey.’ He tapped the side of his nose and Rose knew he was referring to the five hundred pounds.
‘When will I see you again?’
‘I’ll send you a permit in the post, but don’t bring the girls.’
‘Don’t you want to see them?’
He reached for her hands. ‘’Course I do, but not like this. It’s degrading. I don’t want them here, as much as I long to see them. And anyway, it won’t be long before I’m out.’
‘I hope so.’ Rose’s eyes were filled with deep longing.
‘I’ll come when you send for me,’ she assured him.
A loud buzzer sounded. ‘That’s it,’ he sighed heavily.
‘Oh Eddie, don’t go!’
‘I have to, sweetheart.’ He quickly bent to press his lips against hers, all the pain of parting written in his eyes. She yearned to hold on to him but he stood up and walked away, his tall body clad in the unfamiliar grey prison garb. All the women and children filed out, eager to return to freedom.
Eddie disappeared through the door and she remained alone, knowing that she wouldn’t be properly alive again until they were reunited.
‘Mummy, did you see Daddy?’
‘Yes.’
‘Is he coming home?’
‘He sends you his love and sends a cuddle. Like this.’ She wrapped her daughters in her arms and kissed the tops of their heads, hoping they wouldn’t ask again if he was coming home. She was lucky. They didn’t.
‘Did he like me picture?’ Marlene asked.
‘And my letter?’ Donnie cried as she sat beside her sister at Rose’s feet.
‘Yes. He’s going to stick them up on the wall.’ Rose drew in a deep breath, relieved to be home. Or at least, almost home. They were sitting in Anita’s front room; Alan and David on the couch and Benny in the chair by the fire. Anita had gone out to the kitchen to prepare supper.
‘Auntie Anita made us a cake. A chocolate one. It was lovely.’
‘I hope you said thank you.’
Marlene nodded. ‘We had seconds too.’
‘Go and see if you can help Auntie Anita in the kitchen.’
The girls ran off and Rose, seated on one of the wooden dining chairs, looked at Benny and the boys. ‘Thank you for looking after them.’
‘How’s Eddie doing?’ Benny asked looking at her solemnly with his dark, almost black eyes. His wiry black hair was beginning to recede, but he was still a handsome man.
‘He’s trying to get bail until his case comes up.’
‘So he might be home soon?’
‘I hope so.’
‘It’s a long way over by bus. I would have taken you in me lorry if I’d been local.’
She smiled. Benny was kind, but she couldn’t impose. Today had been an education. Her heels were still smarting where she had worn no stockings and the shoes had rubbed holes in her skin. The buses had been slow or full up, forcing her to change several times. She had arrived late in spite of starting off before midday. All in all, it was an uncomfortable experience but she would go through it all again for Eddie.
‘I wouldn’t want to bother you, Benny.’
‘It ain’t no bother if I’m working this way.’
‘What’s the prison like, Auntie Rose?’ David asked.
Rose glanced at Benny. Did he want his sons involved in knowing about such things? But they were all looking at her and she felt obliged to answer.
‘Prison is not nice at all,’ she said quickly. ‘It’s the last place on earth anyone would want to be.’
‘What did Eddie say about the television?’ Benny wanted to know.
‘He said he bought it from a man called Syd at The Lock and Key and had no idea it was stolen.’
‘But if that’s the case,’ Benny pointed out, ‘the police should trace this Syd.’
‘Yes, but the law has been very unhelpful. It was Inspector Williams who opposed bail.’
Benny shook his head slowly. ‘I don’t know anyone called Syd at The Lock. I’ll ask Ted when I go up next.’
Rose sighed. ‘If this Syd was selling stolen stuff he wouldn’t want to be seen there again, would he?’
‘No, but you never know.’
‘We made sure the girls was all right, Auntie Rose.’ Alan stood up and combed back his hair, causing his father to grimace.
Rose smiled. ‘That’s nice of you, Alan.’
‘We’re going out now, Dad.’
‘Where to?’
‘Down the park.’
‘Be in before dark.’
‘But it’s almost dark now.’
Benny stood up, his strong, broad-shouldered body filling the room. ‘No it ain’t. You’ve got an hour. And if you’re not home before ten, watch your backs, because I’ll be standing right behind you. With me belt.’
The two boys went out and Benny rolled his dark eyes. Rose smiled. ‘I’m sure they can be trusted.’
‘Well, I ain’t about to take the chance.’ He gave her a grin. ‘Don’t forget. I’ll take you to Brixton next time, Rose. Just give me a few days’ notice. Eddie’s been a good mate to me.’
‘That’s nice of you, Benny.’
Rose was left alone, listening to the sounds of the Mendoza household. Benny was off for a quick pint, the boys to chat up their girls. Anita came in with a tray, Donnie and Marlene following.
‘Thank the Lord, we’ve got a bit of peace at last. Girls, give your mum a plate. Rose, help yourself to a sandwich.’ Anita set the tray down on the table.
Rose grinned. ‘This looks lovely.’
‘Bet you haven’t eaten all day.’
Rose hadn’t had the stomach for food lately. In fact she’d been feeling very queasy, no doubt the result of all the shocks. But as she swallowed the soft white bread and tasty cheese, the food tasted like manna.
As they ate the two girls excitedly told her how David and Alan had escorted them home and entertained them with stories about the Travers sisters.
‘More than I blooming get to know,’ Anita scowled, winking at Rose.
‘You girls can go out and play for half an hour if you want,’ Rose offered and glanced at Anita.
‘Thanks, Mum.’ They jumped to their feet. ‘Thank you for the nice tea, Auntie Neet.’
‘Don’t go far,’ Rose warned as they bolted.
Anita grinned as she moved to sit next to Rose. ‘Right, now you can tell me all about it.’
Rose relayed
all the events of the afternoon now that the girls were out of earshot. As she talked, relaxing at last from the tension of the day, she felt so grateful to her neighbours.
What would she do without friends like these?
Chapter Seven
On Friday morning Rose went to buy bread at the corner shop. Charlie was serving, his lean frame bent over as he rummaged in the boxes behind the counter. Cissy and Fanny were in front of her but turned as the doorbell tinkled.
‘Hello there, love.’
Rose nodded. She hoped she wasn’t going to be drawn into conversation. But before anyone could speak there was a shout from the storeroom.
‘For Gawd’s sake, get a move on, Charlie!’ Joan’s command caused her husband to pass the bottom of his apron across his forehead. ‘We’ve had a delivery and it needs to be brought in out of the rain.’
‘’Ang on a minute, love, I’m trying to find them matches.’ He lifted the wooden boxes that were stacked in front of the shelves and sighed. ‘Where are those blessed things?’
‘You need yer specs.’ Cissy was watching the situation closely.
‘No he don’t,’ Fanny disagreed as usual. ‘Look, there they are.’
‘Them’s the lav rolls. Them soft ones that don’t scratch your bum.’
‘What a waste of money too,’ Fanny sniffed. ‘You can’t do better than newspaper.’
‘You gotta move with the times,’ Cissy argued as the grocer unearthed more boxes. ‘And at my age you like a bit of comfort.’
‘Which you pay for,’ Fanny noted, tugging the collar of her old tweed coat up to her ears. ‘Don’t make sense to me. Your arse is as hard as nails by now. You could wipe it with glass and you wouldn’t feel a thing.’
‘How would you know what me bum is like?’ demanded Cissy coarsely. ‘It ain’t you that wipes it.’
‘Who wants the matches?’ Joan entered the shop breathlessly, carrying a brown paper bag.
‘Me.’ Cissy smiled broadly. ‘Have you found where they were hid?’
‘They weren’t hidden.’ Joan frowned at her husband who was now kneeling on the floor. ‘They were in the storeroom where they always are.’
