Strolling With The One I Love

by Joan Jonker

  ‘Couldn’t we say we’re going to see yer sister Beryl? We could always tell them she wasn’t well and that we were going to do some shopping and housework for her.’

  ‘Oh, our Beryl would love that, girl! Us saying she wasn’t well would be inviting trouble, and she wouldn’t thank us for it. Besides, the least thing after that and I’d get the blame. Every headache or twinge would be put down to me, and there’s nothing our Beryl loves more than being a wounded soldier. It’s the only thing she’s good at, come to think of it.’

  ‘How would she find out? She lives the other side of the city and yer only see her every blue moon.’

  ‘Okay, we’ll use our Beryl as an excuse. But if she does find out by some strange chance, I’ll be pointing me finger at you. She’s got a temper has my dear sister. She’s definitely not as sweet-natured as I am.’

  ‘One thing yer are good at, sunshine, is blowing yer own ruddy trumpet! There’s nowt bashful about you! It’s no wonder there’s not a mirror in the house that’s in one piece, your vanity was too much for them.’

  Monica gave her friend full marks for that joke. ‘Nice one, girl, I couldn’t have thought of a better one meself. And for being so bleeding clever, I’m going to solve all our problems so yer don’t have to worry yer pretty little head about them.’ She sat up straight, laced her fingers and placed her two hands on her tummy. ‘We’ll tell our husbands the truth, use our Beryl as an excuse for the children, and make them wait for their dinner until we get back with a parcel of chips and scallops in our hands.’

  ‘I agree with everything except the last bit,’ Kate said. ‘I’m on me uppers, I can’t afford to go to a chippy for chips and scallops. But I can make them a pan of chips when I get home. It won’t take me long, and it’s cheaper.’

  ‘Yer won’t feel like standing in the kitchen when we get back, so it’s the chippy whether yer like it or not. I owe yer tenpence for that bet, yer’ll have plenty of money.’

  ‘I’m not taking that off yer, the bet was only made as a joke!’

  ‘I was the clever bugger who made it, ’cos I thought yer didn’t know what yer were talking about. I told meself yer were talking through yer hat. So ye’re not going to hurt my feelings by refusing to take the money, are you? If the positions were reversed, d’yer think I wouldn’t take it off you? Too bloody right I would!’

  Thinking of the extra coppers she needed for John to pay his tram fare, Kate didn’t argue. But she’d find a way to make it up to her mate in some way, she’d make sure of that. ‘All we need now is to find out what time Greg finishes work, what he looks like, and where the factory is.’

  ‘I’ll do that, girl, don’t worry. When I see yer in the morning it’ll be in hand. All you need to do is get yer little speech ready for when yer approach him. Not that he’ll hear what ye’re saying, he’ll be too busy thinking his luck must be in with a beautiful woman accosting him.’

  Chapter Five

  ‘Can I go out now, Mam?’ Billy asked as he pushed his empty plate away. ‘I told Pete I’d get out right after me dinner so we can walk to the park and have a game of rounders with some of the lads from our class. The Watson brothers are bringing their bat and ball.’

  ‘Yeah, go on, sunshine, it’s too nice to stay indoors. But watch where ye’re hitting the ball, otherwise yer’ll have the parkie after yer and yer’ll get into trouble.’

  ‘I’ll help yer clear away and wash the dishes before I go out,’ Nancy said, reaching for her father’s plate. ‘Then I’m going next door to play with Dolly. We’re fed up with Snakes and Ladders, so we’re playing schools. Dolly’s the teacher tonight, ’cos she said that’s only right with it being her house.’

  Kate grinned. How innocent children were. ‘Is she better at sums than you are?’

  Nancy pulled a face. ‘No, not really, but I can’t tell her that.’

  Billy punched his sister’s arm. ‘Yer’ll be all right, then, ’cos she won’t know whether yer’ve got them right or wrong.’

  Nancy glared at him. ‘I will get them right ’cos I’m good at adding up and subtracting.’

  ‘That’s enough now,’ John said, ‘we don’t want any squabbling. Yer can both go out and I’ll give yer mam a hand with clearing away.’

  Kate was glad to see the back of the children because she needed to explain to her husband what was happening. But she managed to contain herself until everywhere was tidy and the dishes washed and put away. Then she sat down facing him. ‘I’ve got something to tell yer, sunshine. I couldn’t talk in front of the children because I don’t want them to know, for reasons yer’ll understand when I bring yer up to date.’

  ‘It sounds very cloak and dagger, love, what have yer been up to? Don’t tell me yer’ve found yerself a rich sugar daddy, or yer’ve robbed a bank?’

  ‘There’s nothing funny about what I’m going to tell yer, as yer’ll soon find out for yerself.’ Kate wasted no time in getting it all off her chest. She was nervous and agitated, worrying how John would take it. She could tell by his face he was having difficulty believing it. But she didn’t stop to explain her reasons or make excuses for what she had been party to. She knew what she was planning was the right thing. Even if John disagreed, it wouldn’t put her off. ‘So now yer know why I didn’t want the kids to hear. I’ll tell them I’m going with Monica to her sister’s ’cos she’s not well, and yer’ll have to wait for yer dinners until I get in. I shouldn’t be much after you, and I’ll bring chips in with me.’

  John struck a match and lit his Woodbine. ‘Isn’t it amazing the things that go on around yer and yer don’t know anything about them? I feel sorry for the girl, and I do think the boy should shoulder some of the responsibility, but I don’t know whether I like the idea of you getting mixed up in something that’s really got nothing to do with yer! What will yer do if the lad tells yer to go to hell and mind yer own business?’

  ‘Is that what yer’d tell our Billy to do if he got a girl into trouble when he grows up? I wouldn’t think much of yer if yer did. And I wouldn’t think much of meself if I didn’t tell this boy there was a witness in the entry that night who recognized him. If he tells me to go to hell after that, I certainly won’t take his advice. What I will do is tell both sets of parents.’ There was determination in Kate’s voice and in the set of her chin. ‘And I don’t care whether yer like it or not, John, my conscience wouldn’t allow me just to walk away from what I see as an injustice.’

  He was taken aback by his wife’s firm stance. She was usually so easy-going, just taking things as they came and never really losing her temper. He’d never known her feel so strongly about anything in all the time they’d been married. ‘All right, love, don’t bite me head off! It’s just I feel a bit concerned about yer facing this lad on yer own. Yer never know, he might lash out at yer.’

  ‘I’m not going on me own, love, I’m going with Monica. She’ll be there to jump in if things turn nasty. I don’t think they will, though, ’cos I’m not going to have a go at the lad, I’ll not be raising me voice or calling him bad names.’

  John leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. ‘If he so much as laid a finger on yer, love, he’d have me to answer to. And that is not an idle threat either. See how he liked facing a man.’ He grunted in disgust. ‘Mind you, from what yer tell me, he’s not a man, he’s a coward.’

  ‘D’yer know what I think, sunshine? I think he’s a young lad who got carried away, and now he’s worried sick. Frightened of what he’s done and frightened of telling his parents the truth because he doesn’t want to hurt them. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt until it’s proved otherwise. After all, he isn’t the first young lad to get a girl into trouble, and he won’t be the last. But if there’s a slim chance of him standing by her, then I’m going to make sure he knows what that chance means, to his future and to Margaret’s. Plus the two sets of parents and an unborn baby. I think that’s worth sticking me neck out for. Don’t yer agree with me, lov
e?’

  ‘I do think ye’re doing right, love, and I admire yer for it. The only reason I said that about yer getting mixed up with something that doesn’t concern yer was because I was afraid of how the lad would take it, and if he’d turn nasty with yer.’

  ‘Well, this time tomorrow we’ll know how much of a man he is. But don’t forget, ye’re not to breathe a word to the children. And when I come in, don’t ask me how I got on unless the kids are out playing.’ Kate stifled a yawn. ‘I feel dead tired. It must be because me head’s been going around and around. I’m not cut out for an exciting life, I much prefer to plod along, looking after me family, with just enough money to put food on the table and have a laugh.’ A picture of her friend flashed before her eyes and she grinned. ‘There’s never a dull moment with Monica, yer couldn’t be miserable if yer wanted to. I was trying to get her to be serious this morning, and in the middle of it she pulls one of those faces, with her tongue touching her nose and her eyes crossed. Honest, yer can’t help laughing at her even when ye’re not in the mood.’

  John chuckled. ‘I’ve seen her do that and she is funny. But she’s been a good mate to yer over the years, hasn’t she?’

  ‘I couldn’t have had a better one. We’ve never had a falling out in all those years. We can go at each other hammer and tongs, but we always end up laughing.’

  ‘I hope ye’re laughing when yer come in tomorrow night,’ John said. ‘If yer’ve got a smile on yer face, I’ll know all has gone as yer hoped.’

  ‘Keep yer fingers crossed for me, sunshine, ’cos what comes out of this meeting with Greg Corbett will affect a lot of people.’ Kate reached down and picked up her sewing box from the side of her chair. ‘Our Billy’s only got two pairs of socks, and they’ve both got ruddy big holes in. I’ll see if I can get one of the pairs darned tonight. Oh, and by the way, he always has a jam butty when he comes in from school, to keep him going until his dinner’s ready. Will yer make sure he doesn’t scoff the whole loaf or there’ll be none for yer carry-out or our breakfast.’

  ‘You’d better warn him about it tonight, love, because he’s got two hours to go before I come home from work. In that time he could eat us out of house and home.’

  ‘I’ll tell him, but it’ll be in one ear and out the other. I’ll ask Nancy to keep an eye on him.’ Kate broke off a length of darning wool and licked the end of it so it would go through the eye of the needle easier. ‘While I’m doing this, sunshine, make us a nice cup of tea, eh? Me mouth is dry with all the talking I’ve been doing. But go easy on the milk, there’s barely enough to last until the milkman calls in the morning.’

  ‘I’ll make yer a cuppa if I get a kiss in return.’

  Kate smiled and lifted her face. ‘A price I will gladly pay, my lord and master. I insist on giving you one kiss in advance and another when you have completed the task to my satisfaction.’

  ‘Could I swap the kisses for one early night in bed? Surely as your lord and master I can make this an order if you refuse to comply.’

  ‘I’ve got a feeling I’m going to have a headache tonight, sunshine, there’s too much on me mind. But I’d say yer were in with a good chance if all goes well for me tomorrow.’

  John shook his head. ‘I think I’ll pinch a kiss now, and take me chances on what tomorrow holds in store for me.’

  ‘I don’t know much about the gee-gees, love, but I think the bookies would say that was an each-way bet.’ Kate tapped a finger on her temple, as though she was thinking something through. ‘Or, should I say, yer were hedging yer bet?’

  John bent down and claimed her lips for a second. Then, as he pulled away, he sighed. ‘Are yer sure ye’re going to have a headache tonight? Couldn’t yer put it off until another night?’

  ‘No, I couldn’t, so don’t be trying to get around me. And how long am I going to have to wait for this cup of tea? Me throat’s as dry as a bone. If I don’t have a headache tonight, I’ll definitely have a sore throat.’

  ‘All right, love, I’ve got the message. One cup of tea coming up, but no early night.’

  The two women stepped down from the tram platform and linked arms. ‘I’m shaking like a leaf, Monica,’ Kate said. ‘I can’t stop meself, I’m so nervous.’

  ‘Yer don’t have to tell me, girl, I can feel yer!’ Monica looked both ways before leading her friend across the road. ‘If yer like, I’ll swap places with yer. I’ll meet Greg while you be the lookout.’

  ‘No, I’ve got to do it, otherwise it’ll haunt me for the rest of me life if I chicken out now.’ Kate’s lips were quivering, like the rest of her body. ‘I’m determined to see it through to the bitter end.’

  ‘And make yerself sick into the bargain! Don’t be so bleeding stubborn, girl, and give in. The state of yer, yer wouldn’t get yer words out proper, yer’d be stammering and stuttering. I’ll do the necessary and you keep watch in case I need yer.’

  Kate’s voice sounded stronger when she said, ‘I’m not giving in! Once I start talking to the lad I’ll be all right. If I think there’s any danger of me not being able to go through with it at the last minute, I’ll give yer the wire and we’ll swap places. But I really don’t think that’s going to happen. All I need to strengthen my resolve is to remember Betty’s face and the despair in her eyes.’

  ‘Oh, well, we’re nearly there now, those are the factory gates over there. We’re about ten minutes early, but it’s better than being late and missing the lad.’ Monica pulled her friend to a halt at the corner of a street facing the factory gates. ‘We’ve got a good view from here, and I’ve been given a very clear description of what he looks like. Not that Betty knew she was giving me a description or she might have twigged. I just asked a few questions casually, as though they were of no importance. Anyway, he’s nearly six foot, well-built, with light blond hair and blue eyes. From that he sounds like a nice-looking bloke.’

  ‘Let’s hope his nature is as good as his looks then, eh, sunshine? I lay in bed last night and willed meself to believe he’ll think we’re doing him a favour. That he really does love Margaret and wants to marry her. That it’s his parents who are the wicked ones.’

  It didn’t seem to be ten minutes before they heard the sound of a hooter coming from the factory. ‘This is it, girl,’ Monica said. ‘All the workers will be laying their tools down and taking off their overalls. In a few minutes they’ll be coming through those gates. We’ll have to keep our eyes peeled so we don’t miss him.’

  ‘When yer spot him, sunshine, give me a good push ’cos me feet will be stuck to the ground with fright. Don’t give me time to think.’

  And Monica did as she was told. There weren’t many blokes coming through the gates with blond hair, not six-foot well-built ones anyway, so Greg Corbett was easy to pick out. ‘That’s him, girl!’ The push nearly sent Kate flying. ‘Make it quick before he gets too far away and we lose him.’

  Kate couldn’t feel her feet, but she knew she was crossing the road quickly. The young man she approached had his back to her, calling to a workmate who was going in the opposite direction, ‘See yer tomorrow, Mike!’

  She touched his arm. ‘Excuse me, are you Greg Corbett?’

  He looked down at her in surprise. He was struck by her beauty, but she was a complete stranger to him. ‘Yes, that’s me.’

  Kate licked her dry lips. ‘Could I have a word with yer? I won’t keep yer long.’

  Greg moved to the side of the gates, out of the way of the other workers coming through. This woman didn’t look like a gypsy, but you never knew. ‘I don’t know who yer are, but if ye’re trying to sell something yer’ve come to the wrong person, I’m skint.’

  ‘I’m not selling anything, sunshine, and although we’ve never met before we don’t live far from each other. I haven’t come to cause trouble. In fact, just the opposite, I’m trying to help. I know something I think you should be made aware of, and after I’ve told yer it’s up to you what yer do with the information.’

>   Greg was now looking at her with suspicion. ‘I don’t know what ye’re talking about! I don’t even know yer!’

  Afraid he might walk away before she had a chance to explain, Kate said, ‘No, yer don’t know me, but I think yer know Margaret Blackmore, don’t yer?’ She saw his face drain of colour and felt a pang of pity for him. But she’d got this far and had to carry on. ‘Please don’t think I’ve come looking for trouble or to lay blame. I’d just like yer to know what I’ve been told, then the rest is up to you. So will yer hear me out, please? Yer’ll find it a lot easier coming from me than anyone else.’

  ‘Did Margaret ask yer to come and talk to me?’

  Kate shook her head. ‘No, she knows nothing of this. In fact, I have never spoken to Margaret. But she and her parents will be told what I am about to tell you unless yer do what yer should have done when Margaret first told you she was expecting a baby.’

  When Greg spoke there was no conviction in his voice. It was as though he was saying what he thought he should say, but his heart wasn’t in it. ‘Margaret says the baby is mine but it’s not, it could be anybody’s.’

  ‘I don’t know Margaret but I do know her family, and I doubt very much that she’s the type of girl who goes with every Tom, Dick or Harry. By all accounts she’s a very shy and reserved girl.’ Out of the corner of her eye, Kate could see Monica standing on the corner of the street opposite, shifting impatiently from one foot to the other. ‘Do you think Margaret is a good-time girl?’

  He was shaking his head as he lowered his eyes to the ground. ‘No, she’s a nice, quiet girl. I would talk to her but me parents have forbidden me to go near her. If I did, and they found out, I’d get a dog’s life.’