Strolling With The One I Love

by Joan Jonker

  Greg nodded in agreement. ‘I haven’t the guts to call to her house, but I’ll wait for her coming out of work. She might refuse to talk to me after all the lies I’ve told, but that’s a chance I’ll have to take. I’ll clock off half an hour early tomorrow so I can be outside the factory where she works before she gets out.’

  ‘And what do yer intend to say to her, son?’

  ‘I don’t know, Dad, I can’t even think straight at the moment. All I know is, I’ve got to do something. And I wouldn’t blame her father if he came round and belted me, ’cos that is what I deserve.’

  ‘I’m not going to say yer don’t deserve it, son, because if I was in his position that’s precisely what I would do. It wouldn’t help but as a father I’d feel it my duty to punish the man who had sullied my daughter’s name.’ Albert sighed. What an absolute mess his son had made of his life. His reputation would be in the gutter. No decent girl would touch him with a barge pole after this. ‘Me and yer mam have only met this girl once, we really know nothing about her. Did she give her consent to what happened? In other words, did she go down the entry willingly?’

  ‘To be honest, she wasn’t very happy about it in case we were seen. But when she did, it was because she thought it was only for a kiss. She’s a nice girl, Dad, decent like the rest of her family. But I’ve certainly messed that up for her. When the neighbours find out, she’ll be called a cheap slut and people will be looking down on her. She doesn’t deserve that, Dad, honest she doesn’t.’

  ‘Then go and see her. At least she’ll know there’s someone standing by her. And when yer’ve done that, me and yer mam will call on her parents and let them know we’re all in this together.’ There was something else on Albert’s mind. He searched for the right words in which to put a question to which he needed to know the answer. ‘Son, I want yer to tell me the truth. Have yer ever done this with any other girl?’

  ‘No, Dad, I swear! I’m shy around girls. That’s why I always danced with Margaret, ’cos she’s on the shy side as well. I’ve walked her home from the dance dozens of times, and we’d never even kissed before – er – before that night.’

  ‘Okay, son, I believe yer. But don’t say a word to anyone until yer’ve met up with the lass herself. And yer must tell her, honestly, the way yer feel, how sorry yer are, and what help yer’ll give her. See what her response is, then me and yer mam will take it from there.’ Albert jerked his head towards the kitchen, and in a low voice, murmured, ‘I think yer need to mend some fences now, son, and yer should start by giving yer mam a big hug. I’ve a feeling she’s badly in need of comfort.’

  Greg pushed back his chair. ‘Thanks, Dad, for taking it the way yer have. I really thought there’d be fists flying, and I’d be sent packing and told never to darken yer door again.’ He put a hand on his father’s shoulder. ‘I’ll go and give me mam a big hug and kiss, though that’s not going to take the pain away, is it? But I swear I’ll make it up to both of yer, and one day yer’ll have reason to be proud of me.’

  Albert wasn’t a man given to tears but he could feel a lump forming in his throat when he told his son, ‘Greg, me and yer mam have been proud of yer since the day yer were born.’

  As soon as John walked through the front door on Saturday, Kate was waiting for him with hand outstretched. ‘I haven’t a thing in for our dinner, sunshine, so yer’ll have to wait until I come back from the shops. Talk about Mother Hubbard having a bare cupboard! I’m in the same boat. Cupboards and purse empty.’

  ‘Yer might at least have let me sit down before holding yer hand out.’ John passed his wage packet over and smiled. ‘I dunno, I’ve slaved all week and I’m not even allowed to hold the money.’

  ‘I won’t have it in my hand for long, sunshine, by the time I put me rent money aside, and coal and gas money.’ Kate slit open the small, square buff-coloured envelope with her finger, and emptied the contents on to the table. ‘I’ll take the ten-bob note for now, it’ll get me everything I need for the weekend.’ She picked up the basket which was placed ready near the door. ‘The kids are out playing so make yerself a drink. I’ll be back as quick as I can to make us something to eat.’

  As he watched his wife walk through the door, John felt so guilty he wanted to call her back. The trouble was, while he was delighted with his good fortune, Kate might not appreciate it. A bloke he worked with, Bill, had a bet on the horses every day. He could afford it, though, ’cos he had three children working. And he was a lucky bloke, winning more in a week than he lost. On Thursday he’d told John he had a dead cert in the two o’clock race, and was putting a shilling on to win. He’d tried to coax his workmate to have a tanner on but John told him he was skint. He could have kicked himself yesterday when Bill had come in all smiles to say the nag had romped home at ten to one, giving him winnings of ten shillings. The bookie’s runner had given him another sure thing for that day, and Bill was gambling half-a-crown on the horse his informant told him couldn’t lose.

  John dropped into his favourite chair and let his mind wander back to yesterday, and the conversation on the factory floor. ‘Have a tanner on, mate, it yer can’t afford any more,’ Bill had said. ‘I got this tip straight from the horse’s mouth, and yer’ll be bloody sorry if yer miss out.’

  ‘Bill, I haven’t a penny to spare, never mind sixpence. Perhaps next week I’ll be a bit better off and I’ll have a flutter.’

  ‘I mightn’t have any good tips next week,’ Bill said. ‘Yer’ve got to strike while the iron’s hot, and I’m having a lucky streak. Tell yer what, I’ll put a tanner on for yer, and yer can pay me back when yer get yer wages. Or next week some time, I’m in no hurry.’

  And that was how it happened. John had had no idea the horse had won until this morning when Bill came swaggering in like a toff and handed him six shillings. ‘Wouldn’t yer be a sorry man now if I hadn’t talked yer into having a bet? She romped home first, at twelve to one.’

  John was over the moon. ‘How come yer always bet on a horse that’s almost an outsider? Yer never put money on the favourite.’

  ‘It’s not worth backing a favourite, mate, unless yer’ve got more money than sense and can put a couple of hundred quid on. If I backed a favourite, I’d only get me money back, and perhaps an extra shilling. With an outsider, yer taking a chance but it’s worth it in the end.’

  And that was how it came about that John had six shillings burning a hole in his pocket. He would willingly give Kate five and be delighted to see a smile light up her face. But he was afraid she wouldn’t take kindly to his having won the money by gambling.

  Kate pressed Monica’s elbow to speed up her pace. ‘I don’t want to be too long at the shops ’cos my lot haven’t had anything to eat yet. I’ll buy bacon and eggs, they’re about the quickest to get ready.’

  ‘Yeah, that’s an idea. And we could ask Sid in the greengrocer’s if he’s got any over-ripe tomatoes. There’s nothing I like better than bacon and eggs with mushy tomatoes. Ooh, me mouth’s watering at the thought of rubbing me bread in the dip. We’ll get a bag between us, and he’ll only charge us a penny or two. He’ll be glad to get rid of them because they’ll be past selling by Monday.’ Monica didn’t see an uneven flag-stone and tripped. If she hadn’t been linking Kate, she’d have fallen face forward. ‘Blimey! I nearly came a cropper there. If I hadn’t been holding on to your arm, I’d have gone flat on me face.’

  Kate grinned at the thought. ‘So what do I get in return for saving yer front teeth?’

  ‘Ay, don’t be getting greedy, girl, I’ve already done one favour for yer this morning.’

  ‘Done me a favour? I didn’t ask yer to do me no favour.’

  ‘There yer are, yer see! You never think of me, but I’m always thinking of ways to help you. So this morning I nipped down to Betty’s, just to see how she was, like, but hoping she’d give me some news of Greg Corbett. But not a word, so I can only think he’s chickened out.’

  Kate shook her head an
d her rich auburn hair bounced with the movement. ‘Give the lad a chance! It’s not even one full day since I saw him, I’m not giving up hope yet.’

  The women turned into Irwin’s grocery store where they bought their bacon, eggs, and other groceries to last them over the weekend. The next stop was the butcher’s where the pair argued with Bob until he found them a breast of lamb each which wasn’t too fatty. Then on to the greengrocer’s where they bought their potatoes, a cabbage and a pound of squashed tomatoes for a penny.

  ‘Let’s make a dash for it now, sunshine, John and the kids must be starving.’ Kate broke into a hop, skip and a jump type of walk as she was hindered by the heavy basket. ‘But I’ll give yer a knock this afternoon, and if the weather stays fine, we could walk to the park for some fresh air.’

  ‘Good thinking, girl, it’ll get us out of the house for an hour. Give a knock on the wall when ye’re ready. Are yer getting changed?’

  ‘Yeah!’ Kate looked down at herself. ‘I’m not going for a walk like this, I’d never get a click.’

  ‘With your face, girl, yer’d get a click even if yer were wearing a bleeding sack. So count yer blessings and shut up.’

  The children were still out playing when Kate got home, and John thought he’d never have a better opportunity. As he was helping his wife take the groceries out of the basket, he took his chance. ‘Listen, love, I’ve got something to tell yer, and I want yer to promise yer won’t fly off the handle until yer’ve heard me out?’

  ‘Oh, lord, what have yer been up to now? If it’s anything serious then of course I’ll fly off the handle! What d’yer expect?’

  ‘It’s not that serious, for heaven’s sake! Anyone would think I’d robbed a bank! Just stand there and listen, before the kids come in.’

  Kate leaned back against the sink and listened as John told her word for word what had happened, and how he came to have six shillings in his pocket.

  She looked sceptical at first, her brows furrowed. ‘Is that the whole truth, or just what yer think I want to hear?’

  ‘If yer don’t believe me, yer can go and ask Bill. Of course it’s the truth! I could keep the money for meself and say nothing, and yer’d be none the wiser. But I wanted to give yer a nice surprise, ’cos it’s not often I can give yer anything.’

  Kate was immediately contrite. Her husband must have been expecting her to be over the moon, as he probably had been. Instead, she’d practically called him a liar. Flinging her arms around his neck, she kissed him soundly. ‘I’m a miserable so-and-so, aren’t I? I shouldn’t have doubted yer. And I’m made up that yer can have a few bob in yer pocket, and I’ll have the same to help with the housekeeping.’

  ‘I’ll just keep a shilling for meself, love, and you can have the other five. I get me tram fare and me ciggie money, so a shilling extra is enough for me.’

  ‘No, we’ll split it.’ Kate thought that was fair. After all, as he said, he could have kept the money for himself and said nothing. ‘Then we’ll both be well off.’

  ‘I want yer to have the five shillings,’ John insisted. ‘Yer can put it towards something for yerself or the kids.’ He waved a hand when she went to argue. ‘No, me mind’s made up. It’s not often I’ve been in a position to give yer a bit extra, so take the money and make me a happy man.’

  Kate put her arms around his waist and squeezed him tight. ‘It won’t be just put towards something, sunshine, yer can get quite a lot from Paddy’s Market for five bob. I bet I can buy presents for the kids and meself for that money. But don’t tell them, let it be a surprise.’ She squeezed him again before letting go. ‘Thank you, love, that’s wonderful and has really cheered me up.’

  They heard footsteps on the lino in the living room and moved apart. ‘This sounds like Billy,’ Kate whispered. ‘Don’t forget, not a word or he’ll be giving me a list as long as yer arm of the things he wants me to buy for him.’

  ‘Oh, ye’re home, are yer?’ Billy, as usual, was sporting a dirt-streaked face and knees. ‘Me tummy thinks me throat’s cut! How long am I going to have to wait for something to eat, Mam? Me stomach’s rumbling.’

  ‘Ye’re not the only one in the house, son,’ John told him. ‘We’re all hungry, but yer mam can’t perform miracles. If she’s got no money, she can’t buy food. So be like the rest of us and show a little patience.’

  ‘Aye, okay, but can I at least know what we’re having so I can picture it in me mind? That should keep me tummy quiet for a while.’

  Standing on tip-toe, Kate reached for the frying pan from the top shelf. ‘We’re having bacon, egg and tomato. It’ll only take me ten minutes, so go and find our Nancy and tell her. And don’t think ye’re sitting down at the table with the dirt yer’ve got on yer. It’s enough to put anyone off their food. Find Nancy, then come back and get a good scrub.’

  Billy’s face held an expression of disgust. What was it about grown-ups that they always wanted you to be spotlessly clean? When he went out to play again after his dinner, he’d be black in no time. Pete’s mam wasn’t so bad, it didn’t seem to bother her. She’d once said that a bit of dirt never did no one no harm. ‘Do I have to?’

  ‘Yes, do as ye’re told,’ John said, trying to look severe while all the time he was thinking the boy wouldn’t be normal if he never got dirty. ‘Go and find yer sister.’

  ‘I don’t need to go and find her ’cos she’s only next door with that daft Dolly Parry. I’ll knock on the wall for her.’

  ‘Yer will not!’ Kate said, as she laid slices of streaky bacon in the hot fat. ‘Go and knock on the front door, and don’t be so ruddy lazy. And less of the “daft Dolly Parry”, ’cos if her mam hears yer, she wouldn’t think twice about boxing yer ears.’

  ‘I’m not only picking on Dolly,’ the boy growled as he walked away, ‘I think all girls have got a screw loose.’

  When he was out of earshot, John said, ‘I don’t want yer to spend all the money on the kids, I want yer to buy something for yerself as well.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I will!’ Kate stepped back, out of range of the spitting fat. ‘Yer’d be amazed what yer can get from the market for five bob. I might come home this afternoon looking like Lady Muck in all me finery.’ She turned the bacon over and placed the three eggs close to hand, ready to crack into the frying pan when the bacon was done. ‘Yer like yer egg runny, don’t yer, so yer can make a butty with it?’

  ‘I’m so hungry, love, I don’t care how it comes. I’ll slice some rounds of bread while I’m standing here.’

  ‘Don’t cut it too thick, ’cos I’ll make us a piece of fried bread each. The kids love that, and it’ll make up for them having to wait so long.’

  It was half-past two by the time Kate got the dinner over, and John saw her casting an anxious eye at the clock. ‘You get yerself ready, love, I’ll see to everything here. Otherwise it’ll be time to come back before yer get there.’

  Kate didn’t have to think twice. ‘Ye’re a pal, sunshine.’ And because Nancy and Billy were still at the table, she added, ‘Yer never know, I might bring yer a lollipop back.’

  The idea of his dad sucking a lollipop brought chuckles from Billy. ‘I don’t think they make them that big, Mam. But I’ll tell yer what, I’ll give me dad a hand with clearing away and yer can bring me a lollipop. I wouldn’t look as daft as me dad.’

  ‘Ye’re certainly not daft!’ Nancy pulled a face at her brother. ‘Yer only want to help if yer get something for it! If me mam’s going to buy yer anything, it should be a gobstopper, to shut yer up.’

  Kate looked at John. ‘You can sort them out while I change into something decent.’ She touched the skirt she was wearing. ‘This is as old as the hills and makes me look like Orphan Annie.’

  Monica was ready when Kate knocked. ‘I thought yer were never coming! Have yer seen the blinking time?’

  ‘Never mind the time, d’yer feel like coming to Paddy’s Market instead?’

  ‘What have yer changed yer mind for? Yer
were full of going for a walk in the park.’

  ‘That’s before my feller gave me five bob to do what I like with. He had a tanner bet on a horse that came in at twelve to one. So I thought I’d get meself a blouse and something for the kids.’

  Monica turned back into the house. ‘Just hang on a second.’ She stood in front of her husband’s chair and pulled down the paper he was reading so she could see his face. ‘Have yer got two bob to spare, Tom?’

  His eyebrows shot up. ‘No, I haven’t got two bob to spare! Where the hell d’yer think I’d get that from? I’ve only got enough to see me through the week.’

  ‘Oh, I know what yer’ve got, love, yer don’t have to tell me. Yer’ve got enough for yer ciggies every day, and the paper, and we mustn’t forget yer beer money either! Yer won’t let yerself go short of anything, will yer?’ Monica’s face was set. ‘Well, it’s about time yer thought of somebody else. That somebody being me. The woman who cooks and cleans for yer, washes yer clothes, does the ironing, and everything else a skivvy does. But let me tell yer, unless yer cough up with two bob, this skivvy is going on strike. I’ll look after me and our Dolly, you can see to yerself. And don’t for one moment think I won’t carry the threat out, ’cos I ruddy well will.’

  Tom folded the paper over while he lifted the left side of his bottom from the chair to reach into his trouser pocket. He pulled out a silver coin and held it up. ‘Half-a-crown, will that keep yer quiet?’

  ‘As a mouse.’ Monica’s hips did a little wriggle. ‘Like I tell anyone that’ll listen to me, I’ve got a husband in a million.’