by Joan Jonker
‘We’ve already agreed to have her, Molly; she’s coming over on the night boat next Monday.’ Bridie sighed. ‘I’m sorry we kept it from yer, it wasn’t that we wanted to be underhand. But yer see, I knew fine well you’d not see it our way.’
Molly let out a deep sigh. ‘Well, if that’s what yez want, who am I to argue?’ She could see her doubts had taken some of the pleasure from her mother’s face, so she made an effort to sound enthusiastic. ‘What did yer say her name is? And how old is she?’
Bridie was visibly relieved. ‘Her name’s Rosemary an’ she’s just turned fifteen.’ As she took the letter from the envelope, a photograph fell on to the table. ‘Look, this is her when she was four years of age. Eileen said they didn’t have a more recent one, an’ I can understand that ’cos when there’s no money for food, the last thing yer’d be thinkin’ about is havin’ yer picture took.’
Molly picked up the faded black and white photograph and at once a smile crossed her face. Looking up at her was a child with black curls tumbling over her forehead and cheeks, a chubby face lit up in a wide grin which revealed two missing front teeth, and eyes that were full of mischief. ‘She was certainly a bonny baby.’
‘Sure an’ she’s got a look of the Irish about her, so she has.’ Bridie took the photograph from Molly’s hand and studied it. ‘I’ve got a feelin’ in me bones that she’s goin’ to bring a lot of happiness to this house … and to me an’ Bob.’
‘So there’s no going back?’ Molly asked. ‘No second thoughts?’
‘No second thoughts or doubts.’ Bridie folded the letter and tucked the photograph inside. Then she looked Molly straight in the eyes. ‘An’ Molly me darling, I hope when Rosemary gets here yer’ll make her welcome. ’Tis a big step for a young girl, leavin’ her friends and family behind, and who would be knowin’ that better than meself? I remember as though it was yesterday how afraid I was when I landed in Liverpool. It was so noisy with trams bringing people to the Pier Head, and there were more people than I’d ever seen at any time in me life before. Sure, it was a far cry from the countryside I’d left behind. If I’d had the money I’d have turned tail an’ boarded the boat again.’
‘I’m glad you didn’t, sweetheart,’ Bob said, giving her that special look. ‘What would my life have been like without you?’
‘An’ mine without you, me darlin’?’
‘Oh, don’t start that, you two! Pair of soppy beggars, an’ at your age, too!’ Molly gave them each a smile before saying, ‘Of course we’ll make her welcome, Ma … we all will! Yer don’t think for one moment we’d give the kid the cold shoulder, do yer?’ She put on a pained expression. ‘My only concern now is, if her accent is as thick as yours was when I was a toddler, I won’t understand a word she’s got to say for herself.’ She rested her chin on her hand. ‘Ma, I hope she’s got a sense of humour.’
‘Now did yer ever in yer life know an Irish person that didn’t have a sense of humour?’ Bridie was light-hearted now that her daughter had come around. ‘Isn’t it a fact that we’ve all kissed the blarney stone and have little leprechauns at the bottom of our gardens?’
Molly smiled, remembering the stories her mother told her when she was little. How the mischievous leprechauns used to play tricks on them and sometimes made magical things happen. If this young girl was like her mother, she would bring nothing but happiness into all their lives. ‘D’yer know, Ma, I’m startin’ to get excited meself now! I’ll be there to welcome her when her boat docks next Tuesday.’
Bridie put a hand over Molly’s. ‘Thank you, me darlin’. I don’t want her to feel as lost and lonely as I did when I first stepped ashore in Liverpool. First impressions are important.’
‘No fear of that, Ma! We’ll all make her welcome.’ Molly gently squeezed her mother’s hand. ‘She’ll feel at home in no time.’
Bob had sat quietly listening. He had expected Molly to object because she was very protective of Bridie and himself. Since he’d had the heart attack, she watched them like a hawk. So it was good to hear her and Bridie making plans for the girl. His wife would rest easy now, and anything that made her happy made him happy.
Molly glanced at the clock and pulled a face. ‘I told Jack I’d only be half an hour – he’ll wonder what’s keepin’ me. But how the ’ell did I know yez were goin’ to spring such a surprise on me? I dunno,’ she huffed, ‘I only came round to tell yer not to worry about blackout curtains, I’ll get yours when I get me own.’
‘Oh, that would be grand … save me the journey into town.’ Bridie stood up, returned the letter to the drawer and took out her purse. ‘Have yer any idea at all how much it’ll be?’
‘Not a clue, Ma! Don’t give me any money yet, I’ll let yer know when me an’ Nellie are goin’ in for it.’
Bridie’s eyes ran down the length of the curtains on the front window. ‘I’d say yer’d need two and a half yards for each curtain, ’cos there’s hems top an’ bottom. That’s four curtains for these two windows, an’ the same for upstairs. Then there’s the kitchen, but that’s only half the length.’
Molly scratched her head as she mentally reckoned up. ‘It’s over twenty yards! Bloody hell, they’ll cost a fortune! We’ll be livin’ on fresh air that week!’
‘Twenty-three yards to be exact,’ Bob muttered softly, while Bridie bristled. ‘Will yer not be using bad language in my house, Molly Bennett?’
‘Ay, ay, sir!’ Molly pushed back her chair, stood to attention and saluted smartly. ‘Permission to leave, sir?’
‘Away with yer, yer big daft ha’p’orth.’ Bridie was smiling as she opened her purse. ‘I’ll give yer a pound, then it’s off me mind. I’ll settle up with yer if it’s any more.’
Molly took the pound note, because to refuse would dent her mother’s pride. ‘It won’t be any more than that, Mam! I’m goin’ to leave it to Nellie … she’s the one who gets the best bargains. If she hasn’t lost her touch, yer’ll be gettin’ change out of this.’ She bent to kiss her father. ‘Goodnight an’ God bless, Da, I’ll see yer tomorrow. I’ll get me coat on the way out.’
Molly’s brain was running round and round as she made her way home. What with Phil coming home on Monday, and now Rosemary arriving on Tuesday … it was going to be a busy week! She just hoped her ma and da weren’t taking on more than they could cope with. They’d been right about one thing – she would have tried to talk them out of it if she’d been told earlier. In fact, she’d stop it now if she could. They were too old to be taking on something like this. Still, they weren’t on their own; the whole family would give a hand. And her ma wasn’t daft, not by a long chalk – she wouldn’t agree to anything she wasn’t sure about. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts, Molly didn’t see the figures standing outside her front door until she was upon them. ‘Good God, yez frightened the life out of me!’
Jill and Steve had been too busy kissing and cuddling to notice Molly’s approach and they broke apart, embarrassed to have been caught out. ‘Doin’ a bit of courtin’, are yez?’ Molly grinned as she put the key in the lock. ‘It’s a pity we haven’t got a parlour, then yer could do it in comfort and privacy.’
‘Ye’re right there, Mrs B.!’ Steve was glad of the darkness, it hid his blushes. ‘I keep tellin’ me mam the same thing, but she won’t budge from here because of her best mate.’
‘I wonder who that can be?’ Molly chuckled as she stepped into the hall. ‘If yez stand there much longer, yer’ll be catching yer death of cold. Why don’t yez stand in the hall? I promise I won’t peek.’
‘No, I’ll be coming in now,’ Jill said. ‘It’s getting near bedtime.’
As soon as the door closed, Steve took her in his arms. ‘It would be nice to have a bit of privacy, wouldn’t it? The nearest we get to bein’ on our own is on the back row at the pictures.’
‘Never mind.’ Jill rumpled his hair. ‘We’ll be married in a couple of years with a little house of our own.’
‘I can’t wait!
’ Steve held her close. There’d never been anyone else for him: he’d loved Jill since she was a baby, before he even knew what love meant. ‘When the time comes, Mr Henry might get us a house around here, near our families.’
‘Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be far away from them.’ Jill gave a soft sigh. ‘I hope the war’s over soon, before they call you up.’
Although he didn’t think so, Steve kept his thoughts to himself. ‘It will be, don’t you worry yer pretty little head about that! Our lads will soon sort Hitler out when they get goin’, you mark my words.’
‘I hope so! I don’t know what I’d do if you went away.’
‘I wouldn’t leave yer, I’d put yer in me pocket an’ take yer with me.’
Steve bent his head to cover her lips in a gentle kiss. He didn’t want to talk about the possibility of being parted from the girl he adored. It didn’t bear thinking about.
Chapter Five
Molly sat back on her heels and pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. Putting a bit of elbow grease into the scrubbing certainly warmed you up. She’d been freezing when she came out to whiten the front step but now she was sweating so much her dress felt soaked. It was a good job she’d done the outside of Victoria’s house yesterday, she wouldn’t have the energy to do it now.
Molly glanced at the red-raddled window-sill which had been given a good polish and looked a treat. Then her eyes dropped to the step. It was nice and white now, but wait until the gang came home and stepped all over it. She’d once asked them to learn to walk on their hands, but they weren’t having any. A very uncooperative lot were her family, she thought with a chuckle.
‘Ah, well, I’d better move.’ Molly struggled to her feet. ‘I want the place lookin’ nice for Phil today, and Rosemary comes tomorrow. An’ we’ve got to be at the dock first thing in the morning, so if I don’t get it all done today, I’ve had it.’
‘Talkin’ to yerself again, eh, Molly Bennett? Haven’t I warned yer time an’ again about it? Yer’ll be gettin’ carted off to the loony-bin one of these fine days.’
‘Hiya, Nellie!’ Molly pressed her hands into the small of her back and let out a groan. ‘I’ve never stopped since I got out of bed, I’m worn to a frazzle.’
‘Serves yer right!’ Nellie swayed towards her. ‘The way ye’re carryin’ on, anyone would think the Queen was comin’!’
‘You’re a fine one to talk! Who was up at the crack of dawn, eh? An’ whose ruddy step was as white as snow by eight o’clock?’
‘Mine needed doin’, yours didn’t.’ Nellie pushed her arms through the front of her floral wraparound pinny. ‘I’m not a glutton for punishment like you are … you spend yer time lookin’ for work while I spend me time lookin’ for ways of avoiding it.’
Molly stooped down to pick up the donkey stone and threw it in the bucket. ‘Yer know, Nellie, anyone listenin’ to you would think yer house was filthy.’
‘I couldn’t give a monkey’s uncle what they think, girl! They’ve no right to be listenin’ in to me private conversation anyway!’
‘Have yer been over to Miss Clegg’s this mornin’?’ Molly asked. ‘She’ll be a nervous wreck if yer haven’t ’cos she wants everythin’ to be just right.’
‘It’s all under control, so don’t be gettin’ yer knickers in a twist. Her place is like a palace an’ she’s done up like a dog’s dinner. But she’s so nervous it rubs off on yer! Every time she looked at the clock, which was every second, I looked at the ruddy clock. Every time she plumped a cushion, I plumped a cushion that didn’t need plumpin’ in the first place! I’m tellin’ yer girl, if she doesn’t calm ’erself down she’ll be good for nothin’ by the time Phil arrives.’
‘Well I’m goin’ to tidy meself up, then go an’ see Mrs Corkhill.’ Molly placed the bucket inside the hallway and ran her wet hands down the sides of her pinny. ‘We haven’t been up since Friday, an’ we did promise Corker we’d keep an eye on her.’
‘OK, OK, I get the message!’ Nellie backed away. ‘I’ll give yer fifteen minutes, then give yer a knock.’
Molly moved the curtain in Mrs Corkhill’s living room to study a house on the opposite side of the street. ‘What are the new people like in Bradley’s old house?’
‘They seem a nice family and they keep the outside of the house spotless. The woman is out every day either cleaning the windows or swilling the pavement. She’s not the size of sixpence-worth of copper, but she’s wiry, always on the go.’ Mrs Corkhill gave a half-smile. ‘A definite improvement on the Bradleys; they didn’t believe in cleaning anything. The lowest of the low they were, biggest gang of ruffians I ever had the misfortune to meet. I don’t think there was one house this end of the street that didn’t have something pinched by them. If they hadn’t moved when they did there’d have been a riot, ’cos everyone was up in arms over them.’
Molly let the curtain fall and moved towards a chair by the fire. ‘If it hadn’t been for Phil Bradley, they’d still be there.’
‘When yer come to think about it, it was that swine of a stepbrother of his that brought things to a head.’ Nellie nodded her head knowingly. ‘If Phil hadn’t caught ’im red-handed tryin’ to break into Miss Clegg’s house an’ given him a good goin’-over, they’d still be here makin’ life hell for the neighbours.’
‘Yeah, that sly, thievin’ little bugger did everyone a good turn,’ Molly agreed. ‘When Victoria offered to let Phil sleep there that night because he couldn’t very well go ’ome after beatin’ his stepbrother up, it was the best thing she ever did. He started off as a lodger but he’s more like a son to her now … she idolizes him. An’ it gave Phil the opportunity of finally breakin’ away from the Bradleys.’
Mrs Corkhill looked from Molly to Nellie. ‘I still can’t believe he lived there all that time an’ nobody knew he even existed. I mean, I live right opposite an’ I never laid eyes on him.’
‘That’s because he didn’t want yer to.’ Molly stretched her legs towards the glowing fire. ‘He used the back door all the time. He was ashamed of them, yer see. Of course yer know that Tom Bradley wasn’t his real father, his mam was pregnant when she married him. From all accounts the boy she was courtin’ was a fine man, honest as the day is long. He got killed in an accident at work just weeks before they were to get married, and never even knew she was in the family way. So when Tom Bradley offered to marry her, she must ’ave jumped at the chance.’
Deep in thought for a moment, Molly pinched her bottom lip. Then she gave a deep sigh. ‘Who knows that we might not have done the same thing? When ye’re in trouble, it’s any port in a storm.’
‘Blimey! She’d ’ave been better off out in a ruddy storm!’ Nellie huffed. ‘I’d ’ave put up with all the waggin’ tongues an’ the shame rather than marry a thieving swine like Bradley! Scum of the earth, he is!’
‘Phil’s mother doesn’t think so, she thinks the sun shines out of his backside!’ Molly leaned forward. ‘When push came to shove, she took his side against Phil, her own son, didn’t she?’
‘Some mother she is to do that!’ Nellie was getting herself all worked up. ‘Fancy goin’ against yer own flesh an’ blood! If I ever come face to face with ’er, she’ll not half get a piece of my mind, I can tell yer!’
Molly gave a throaty chuckle. ‘Don’t give her too much, sunshine, ye’re short on top as it is.’
‘Ho, ho, very funny.’ Nellie looked fierce, but the creaking of the chair told her friend laughter was on its way. ‘I’d be just about on a level with you then, girl, wouldn’t I? We’d both be as thick as two short planks.’
Lizzie Corkhill was really enjoying the exchange as her eyes swivelled from one woman to the other. They were real comics these two, just the tonic to brighten a miserable day. ‘If you two are goin’ to come to blows, will yer go out in the yard? I don’t want blood all over me carpet.’
‘There’s no fear of that, Mrs Corkhill, I’m not as green as I’m cabbage-lookin’.’ Molly pursed her lips and
made blubbering noises as she blew out sharply. ‘One go-along from Nellie an’ me feet wouldn’t touch the ground until I ended up on the landin’ stage at the Pier Head! She packs a powerful punch, does Nellie Theresa McDonough.’
‘Ay, an’ yer’d do well to remember that in future before yer start givin’ me any of yer lip.’ Nellie turned her head to wink at Mrs Corkhill. ‘D’yer know she’s makin’ me get up at six in the mornin’ to go and meet the Irish boat? I must be barmy!’
‘I didn’t ask yer to come!’ Molly said, rising to the bait. ‘You insisted on coming, and d’yer know why? ’Cos ye’re terrified of missing anything.’
Nellie grinned. ‘If a seagull is goin’ to spend a penny on your head, girl, then I want to be there to see it.’
‘Mind yer bring a piece of paper with yer, so yer can wipe its bottom when it’s finished.’
Laughing softly, Mrs Corkhill stood up. ‘I’ll make a pot of tea.’
‘Have yer heard when Corker will be home?’ Molly called. ‘He should be due any day now.’
‘I had a letter last week, but he didn’t say where he’d been or when he’d be home.’ The gas popped as the old lady held a match under the kettle. ‘Mind you, with the war bein’ on I don’t suppose they’re allowed to say much.’
Molly opened her mouth to say that Ellen Clarke had had a letter, too, but a warning voice in her head told her to keep quiet. She wasn’t sure if Corker’s mother knew how close he was to her neighbour, so least said, soonest mended. The last time Corker was home on leave he’d persuaded Ellen to go and see a solicitor about getting a divorce from Nobby, but chances were he hadn’t told his mother. ‘He’ll walk in on yer one day soon, sunshine, an’ yer can spoil him with yer apple pies.’
‘I hope he rings Maisie at the corner shop when his ship docks, like he usually does, so I can get a decent meal ready for him. I like everything to be just right for him when he gets home.’ Mrs Corkhill walked through with the teapot and stood it on the hob at the side of the fire. ‘I’ll get the cups.’ She was reaching up to where the cups were hanging from hooks screwed into the edge of a shelf, when she heard Molly’s voice.
