by Joan Jonker
‘Right, that does it!’ Molly pushed Corker into the hall. ‘Out yer go, an’ take yer bad mind with yer. An’ you, Steve McDonough, an’ you an’ all, Phil Bradley – yez can wipe those smiles off yer faces.’ She shooed them down the passage and into the street. ‘Be back in half an hour, d’yez hear? An’ if one of yer mentions the word “knickers”, I’ll flatten yer.’
Back in the living room Nellie looked from Jill to Doreen, her head shaking slowly and sending her chins rolling like ocean waves. ‘I’ll get the blame for this, yer know. I haven’t said a word, not a thing out of place, not a dickie bird! But I’ll bet yez a pound to a pinch of snuff I’ll get the blame.’
Molly came back into the room just as Doreen leaned across the table, her eyes alive with mischief. ‘Have yer got yer pink ones on tonight, Auntie Nellie?’
It was past midnight when Molly was standing at the door bidding goodnight to Corker and Ellen and Nellie and George. They’d spent two hours laughing and joking – mostly at the expense of Nellie. They were still boisterous and Molly, fearful for her neighbours, put a finger to her lips. ‘Be quiet, ye’re makin’ enough noise to waken the dead!’
‘Yesh, mishus.’ Corker hiccupped loudly, pretending to be drunk. ‘Don’t forget we’ve got a date for Saturday night, an’ bring Bridie an’ Bob along.’
‘I won’t forget.’ Molly moved a step back into the hall. ‘Now scarper an’ let decent people get to bed. Goodnight and God bless.’ She closed the door quickly and quietly, thinking she’d never get Jack and Tommy up in the morning. Still, it was worth it, they’d had a smashing night.
‘Me dad and Tommy have gone up.’ Doreen was still sitting at the table holding hands with Phil, while opposite sat Jill and Steve.
‘It’s about time you two went to bed – it’s work for you in the morning. You too, Steve!’
‘I’m goin’ now, Mrs B.’
Every bone in Molly’s body was aching and she knew that as soon as her head hit the pillow she’d be asleep. But she wasn’t too tired to miss the pleading in Steve’s eyes when he looked at Jill. Poor beggar, she thought, he’s got nowhere to give her a goodnight kiss. That was the worst of living in a two-up two-down when your children were growing up. There was nowhere for them to do their courting, no privacy.
‘I’m goin’ to bed now because I’m dead beat. But before I do, can I make a suggestion? Instead of sitting lookin’ at each other like stuffed ducks, each hoping the other will make a move, why don’t yez work it out between yer? Toss a penny in the air an’ heads gets a goodnight kiss in the hall, tails gets it in here. OK?’
Steve, blessed with the same sense of humour as his mother, grinned. ‘Can yer lend us a penny, Mrs B.?’
‘Sod off, Steve McDonough! Just be quick about it, ’cos yer’ll be gettin’ up for work in a few hours.’ Molly smiled, ruffled his hair, then turned to Phil. ‘The same goes for you, ’cos milady here can’t afford to miss a day’s pay.’
But something was nagging at the back of Molly’s mind, and she was reluctant to go to bed until she’d got it off her chest. Her brain was seeking a way of saying it without causing embarrassment, when her problem was solved by Jill saying she’d walk Steve to the door. After Nellie’s son had kissed her goodnight, Molly waited until she heard the front door open, and knew that the couple would be too busy kissing and whispering sweet nothings to hear anything she was saying.
‘Phil, I don’t want yer to take this wrong, but I’ve got to say it. Our Doreen might be sixty in the head, but she’s only sixteen years of age. Yer’ll bear that in mind, won’t yer?’
Doreen was mortified. ‘Mam! I bet yer’ve never said that to Steve an’ our Jill was only sixteen when they started courting.’
‘Jill isn’t as headstrong or as impulsive as you, sunshine.’
When Doreen looked ready to protest, Phil covered her hand with his. ‘It’s all right, Mrs Bennett, I understand. You don’t need to worry about Doreen, not where I’m concerned anyway.’
‘I know that, son,’ Molly gave a tired smile, ‘but I had to say it. Yer see, I love the bones of her an’ would lay me life down for her, or any of me kids, but I can still see their faults. And Doreen is very headstrong and too quick off the mark for her own good. But she’s crazy about you an’ I’m hopin’ yer’ll have a stabilizing effect on her.’ She turned her gaze on her daughter who was wearing a mutinous expression. ‘Don’t think I’m pickin’ on you, sunshine, ’cos our Tommy will get the same lecture when he’s old enough to go courtin’, and our Ruthie as well, when the time comes.’
They were quiet as they listened to Molly’s weary tread on the stairs, then Phil put his arm around Doreen and held her tight. ‘Come on, it’s not the end of the world!’
‘She had no right!’ Doreen was choked. ‘Fancy showin’ me up like that!’
‘Doreen, she had every right! It shows she’s a good mother, wanting the best for you.’ Phil lifted a length of the long blonde hair and let it slip slowly through his fingers. ‘You don’t know how lucky you are with your mother and your whole family! I’ve never known the love that you take for granted.’
Remembering his family, and the way she herself had turned her back on him at first when she found out who he was, Doreen was immediately contrite. ‘You can be like one of the family, as Steve is. They all like you.’
‘And I want them to carry on liking me.’ Phil gave her a quick kiss then pushed his chair back and stood up. ‘I’ve just heard Jill going up the stairs so it’s safe to go out now.’
‘Stay for just another five minutes,’ Doreen coaxed. ‘Me mam won’t know, she’ll be fast asleep.’
‘No, it’s late an’ you’ve got work to go to.’
‘I wish I could take a day off, but they dock yer pay an’ I can’t afford to lose pay.’
‘You only work a half-day Saturday so I’ll meet you outside work and we can go straight into town.’ Phil pulled her to her feet. ‘We’ll go somewhere nice.’
‘Where’s somewhere nice? Go on, tell us.’
‘No, it’s going to be a surprise. But put yer best bib and tucker on ’cos yer don’t know where we’ll end up.’
Their arms around each other’s waists, they walked down the hall. ‘I’ve really enjoyed meself tonight,’ Phil said. ‘Your family and the McDonoughs have a lot of fun, don’t yer? I’ve never laughed so much in all me life as I have tonight. And Corker, well, he’s great … a fine man if ever there was one.’ He lifted Doreen’s arms to circle his neck and held her close. ‘Is he courtin’ Mrs Clarke?’
‘That’s a long story, but I think they’ll end up gettin’ married. Her husband’s in a mental hospital and they say he’ll never get better, so Uncle Corker has been to see a solicitor to see if Mrs Clarke can get a divorce.’
‘Yer can tell me all about it tomorrow night when we go to the pictures.’ Phil bent his head and kissed her full on the mouth, sending shivers down her spine. ‘Every time I kiss yer me heart turns over.’
‘Mmm, mine too,’ Doreen said dreamily. ‘It’s like goin’ down that big slide thing at New Brighton fairground.’
‘I’m crazy about yer, Doreen.’
‘An’ I’m double crazy about you.’
He unlocked her arms from his neck and held her from him. ‘Tomorrow night we’ll carry on where we left off. But right now it’s goodnight, my darling.’
Doreen was in a daze as she walked up the stairs. She’d never sleep … not after he’d called her darling for the very first time! Oh, wasn’t being in love just the best thing in the whole world?
Chapter Eight
Molly’s head was pounding as she walked along the hall to answer the knock at the door. She didn’t normally suffer from headaches, so she put it down to the late night they’d had. The last thing she needed right now was visitors.
‘Ma! I didn’t expect to see you!’ Molly squinted, wishing she had a couple of matchsticks to keep her eyes open. ‘Hello Rosie, come on in, sunshine, it�
�s nice to see yer.’
‘We’re off to town to buy Rosie a dress,’ Bridie said. ‘Sure she’ll need something decent if she gets an interview for a job.’
After her visitors were seated, Molly pulled a chair out from the table. She looked at the young girl and groaned. The long black skirt and shawl were bad enough, but that ruddy hat looked ridiculous on her. ‘Why have yer got yer beautiful hair hidden under that hat? If I had hair like yours, sunshine, I’d be showin’ it off, not keepin’ it covered up.’
‘I’m wearin’ me hat to look respectable goin’ into the big city, isn’t that the truth of it, Auntie Bridget?’
In her mind, Bridie had the same feelings about the dreadful hat as Molly did. But she couldn’t think of a way of telling the girl without upsetting her. ‘I told you to wear what yer wanted to, sweetheart.’
Molly rubbed her knuckles hard over her forehead. Should she mind her own business, or do what she thought was in the girl’s best interests? ‘Come here, sunshine.’ Molly lumbered to her feet. ‘Stand in front of that mirror.’
Rosie stood in front of the fireplace, and as she looked in the mirror she saw Molly’s reflection appear behind her.
‘Take a real good look at yerself, Rosie.’ Molly waited a while, then said, ‘Now take yer hat off.’
The long hatpins were drawn out and handed to Bridie for safe keeping before the hat was removed and the rich abundance of hair cascaded down to form ringlets around the girl’s shoulders. ‘And you want to keep this covered up,’ Molly said, her fingers lifting the dark, luxuriant tresses. ‘Yer must be crazy, sunshine.’
Rosie’s bonny face with its permanent smile turned to Bridie. ‘And does yerself think I’m crazy, Auntie Bridget?’
‘Yes I do, sweetheart,’ Bridie told her. ‘If I had a head of hair like yours, sure wouldn’t I be wanting everyone to admire it?’
‘Then I’ll not be wearing the hat.’ Rosie nodded at her reflection in the mirror before meeting Molly’s eyes. ‘Will Tommy think I’ve got nice hair, Auntie Molly?’
‘Tommy’s still got a lot of growing up to do, sunshine, he’s not interested in girls, or their hair.’ Molly grimaced as a sharp pain hit her between the eyes. She stumbled to her chair. ‘I’ll have to sit down.’
Bridie’s eyes narrowed. ‘’Tis pale yer are, Molly me darlin’, are yer not feelin’ too grand?’
‘I’m all right, Ma, just a bit under the weather.’ Molly quickly told of the impromptu party. ‘So yer see, I’m paying the price for too many drinks and too late to bed.’
‘Well now, just you sit there an’ me and Rosie will make yer a nice cup of tea an’ yer’ll soon feel better.’
Molly grunted and closed her eyes. She just felt like dropping off to sleep. There’ll be no more nights like last night, she vowed. Any parties in future would be on a Saturday night when everyone could have a lie-in the next day.
‘Here yer are, me darling, drink that up.’ Bridie placed the cup in front of her daughter. ‘Hot and sweet, so it is.’
Molly took a sip and tried to collect her wits. ‘I’m supposed to be callin’ for Nellie soon, to go for the material. But right now I feel more like flying.’ She had her hands curled around the cup when she remembered something. ‘Oh, I forgot to tell yer, we’re all goin’ to the pub on Saturday an’ Corker asked if you an’ me da would come.’
‘Well thank Corker kindly for me, but we won’t be able to go on account of Rosie. We couldn’t very well leave her on her own.’ Bridie raised her finely arched brows and added, ‘I’ve got to say, me darlin’, ye’re not a very good advert for hitting the bottle. A sorry sight yer are an’ no mistake. One look at you an’ most sane people would join the temperance movement.’
A grin finally appeared on Molly’s face. ‘I tried to join that club once, but they wouldn’t accept me on account of me mate, Nellie. They thought she wasn’t suitable, yer see. So I told them straight, Ma, wherever I go she goes. If yer won’t let her join, then I’ll just have to stay on the booze.’
Rosie’s clear, sweet laughter filled the room. ‘Oh, you are funny, Auntie Molly. Sure I’ve a lot to write an’ tell me mammy, so I have.’
‘While ye’re at it, sunshine, ask if she’s got a saying that will cure me of the demon drink.’
‘Oh I’m sure she has, Auntie Molly! Hasn’t me mammy got a saying about everything under the sun?’
Molly and Nellie stepped off the tram in London Road and linked arms as they crossed to T. J. Hughes’s. ‘I didn’t see Ellen to get any money off her, so I’ve borrowed a pound off Mary till she calls tonight.’
‘Waste of bloody money,’ Nellie moaned, her hips brushing Molly’s as she waddled from side to side. ‘The flamin’ government should pay for it, seein’ as how it’s them what’s tellin’ us we’ve got to have it.’
‘I don’t think we’re goin’ to be able to carry it all in one go,’ Molly said. ‘It comes to a hundred and thirty-odd yards for the six houses.’
‘Gawd’strewth! We’ll need a ruddy handcart for all that!’ Nellie pushed the wide door open and sighed with pleasure as the warm air of the shop greeted them. ‘How about a nice cup of tea while we’re here, girl?’
‘Uh-uh,’ Molly grunted, pulling her friend towards the board which would tell them which floor the materials were on. ‘We can’t afford it. Remember we’ve got the wire runners to buy, as well.’
‘What a bloody life! If I ever lay me hands on that Hitler, I’ll kick him from here to eternity.’
The trade in blackout material was brisk, keeping the assistants on the run. Molly and Nellie waited patiently until Nellie saw an opening. ‘Quick, there’s an empty speck by the counter – get in before someone beats us to it.’
There were several types of material, ranging from ninepence a yard to half a crown. But Nellie told the assistant not to bother with the expensive stuff because, although they spoke posh and dressed like toffs, they lived in a two-up two-down terrace house, not Buckingham Palace. So it was down to either the ninepence a yard, or the elevenpence-halfpenny.
‘I’ll ’ave the ninepence a yard: it’s enough to pay.’ Nellie had made her decision.
‘But it won’t wash,’ Molly told her. ‘One wash an’ yer’ll be able to see through it.’
‘Wash! Sod off, girl! Who the ’ell is goin’ to wash black curtains?’
Nellie leaned on the counter after successfully elbowing two customers out of the way. For the umpteenth time she pushed back the scarf which was threatening to cover her eyes. It was tied in a knot under her layer of chins, and every movement of her head loosened the knot and allowed the scarf to fall at will. ‘No one is goin’ to know if they’re dirty, are they? An’ besides, the ruddy war could be over in no time!’
Molly dithered while the assistant waited patiently. If the truth were known, she was glad of the break – they could take all day to decide for all she cared. She’d been on the run since the shop opened and her shoes were pinching.
‘Ooh, I don’t know what to do.’ Molly fingered a piece of cloth from each of the bales. ‘I’d better get the elevenpence-ha’penny for me ma, she’s so fussy.’ She looked hopefully at the assistant. ‘Would yer cut it to size for us?’
‘Certainly, madam.’
Molly breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Eight pieces at two an’ a half yards, an’ two at one an’ a half.’
While the assistant was measuring and cutting, Molly whispered, ‘We’ve only got six pounds, it’s not nearly enough.’
‘Well yer will go throwin’ yer money around like a man with no hands,’ Nellie grinned. ‘If yer’d stuck to the ninepenny, we’d ’ave had enough.’
Molly moved down the counter to where the assistant was slicing through the material with a huge pair of scissors. ‘Listen, love, would that cheap stuff be thick enough?’
The scissors stopped halfway across the fabric. ‘People must think so because we’ve sold more of that than any other. Besides, if you leave your other curta
ins up, like my mother’s doing, you’ll have two thicknesses and that should be sufficient.’
‘Thanks, love.’ Molly had a smile on her face when she returned to Nellie. After repeating what she’d been told, she said, ‘So, it’s the cheap one for the rest of us.’
‘We’re not tryin’ Blackler’s then?’
‘It’s not goin’ to be cheaper than here, is it? We could be traipsin’ around all day an’ end up back where we started.’
‘Here you are, madam.’ The assistant passed the wrapped material over. ‘That’s one pound, two shillings and a ha’penny.’
Molly had the six pound notes in a separate compartment in her purse so she wouldn’t get mixed up, and she passed two of the notes over. While she waited for the change, she lifted the parcel. ‘It’s not too heavy, Nellie, try it. I think we could manage the lot between us if it was wrapped in four parcels, one for each hand.’
‘Well for cryin’ out loud, give her the measurements an’ let’s you an’ me go for a cup of tea while she’s gettin’ it ready. Me blasted corns are givin’ me gyp, the flamin’ things.’
Nellie dropped on to a chair in T. J.’s café, and sighed with relief. ‘Thank God for that! Yer don’t know how lucky yer are, girl, havin’ feet that don’t give yer no trouble.’
‘I’m fed up tellin’ yer to buy shoes that fit yer properly! Yer need a wider fittin’, anyone can see that! But will yer listen? No, not you, ye’re too ruddy stubborn.’
‘Oh, shut yer cakehole, missus.’ Nellie eyed the scone on a plate in front of her and licked her lips in anticipation. ‘I’m not half ready for this, me tummy thinks me throat’s cut. Can yer hear it rumblin’?’
‘Oh, is that what the noise is? I thought that bein’ near Lime Street station it was the trains I could hear.’
‘Ho, ho, very funny!’ Nellie bit into the scone and left a smear of jam on her top lip. ‘Mmmm … bloody lovely! Mind you, I’d need a dozen of these to satisfy me hunger.’
‘I’m feelin’ quite chuffed with meself,’ Molly said, a smug smile of satisfaction on her face. ‘With all the curtains cut to size, it means our Doreen’s only got to put a hem top an’ bottom. She’ll have them done in no time.’
