by Joan Jonker
‘Ay, love, don’t be building yer hopes up. Even if the lad has been to see Margaret, it doesn’t mean he wants to marry her. And there isn’t a law in the land that would make any bloke marry a girl if he doesn’t want to. I know the law is one-sided and unfair, but that’s the way things are and we can’t change them.’
Kate clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. ‘You men have an easy life, yer’ve got everything going for yer. Yer get away with flaming murder, and that’s a fact. Get a girl in the family way, then just walk away and leave her stranded. There’s no shame attached to the man, only the poor girl.’
‘It takes two to make a baby, love,’ John reminded her. ‘Yer can’t put all the blame on the bloke. A girl can always say “no”, and chase him.’
‘Aye, I know,’ Kate sighed. ‘I remember someone saying to me once that only good girls have babies, the bad ones don’t get caught ’cos they’re too wise. And it’s right, ’cos Margaret isn’t wise at all. She’s a quiet girl, on the shy side, and I’ll lay odds that Greg Corbett is the first boy ever to kiss her or touch her where he shouldn’t. And I don’t think I’m far off in saying the boy has never been with another girl. I could be completely wrong, of course, but I’m a pretty good judge of character, and that’s the impression I got. Just a case of two young people losing their heads for a short time without realising what the consequences could be.’
‘It does happen, love, and people do get over the gossip and learn to cope. After all, it’s not the end of the world.’
‘It’s all very well for you to stand there saying that, John, ’cos this doesn’t affect you. But if yer were in Jack Blackmore’s shoes, yer’d be feeling just as bad as he does.’ Kate tilted her head. ‘Would yer be so easy-going about it if it was our Nancy? No, yer’d be singing a very different tune then, because yer’d be weighed down with worry and grief.’
‘I think ye’re getting ahead of yerself, saying that, love. The chances of it happening are very remote, and there’s no point in worrying over something that’s not going to happen.’
Kate put her hands on his chest and smiled up at him. ‘Ye’re right, sunshine, I’m being a real misery. It was Betty that got to me, seeing the sadness in her eyes. But my carrying on about it isn’t going to help her, so I’ll keep me feelings to meself and not upset you.’ She made a quick movement with her hands and was tickling his ribs before he knew what was happening. He was very ticklish and in between roars of laughter begged her to have mercy and stop.
‘Give me a break, will yer?’
The children kept their eyes on each other even though they wanted to run to the kitchen and join in the fun. But as the laughter and begging continued, Billy couldn’t stand it any longer. ‘Let’s both stand up at the same time, so there’s no cheating,’ he suggested.
Nancy would much prefer to have fun than a potato, even if it was big and golden and crispy. She pushed her chair back, telling him, ‘Yer can cheat if yer want to, Billy, I’m going to see what me mam’s doing to me dad.’
Billy stayed just long enough to pick up the dice. His had been the last throw and the dice had come down on a two. So now he quickly turned it over so the six was on top, before following Nancy to join their mother in reducing their father to a helpless, laughing, curled-up figure on the kitchen floor.
There was nothing John liked better than the whole family having fun together. So he rolled from side to side, supposedly convulsed with laughter. Then he opened one eye and fixed it on his son. ‘Ay, I thought we men were supposed to stick together? Ye’re not allowed to join the opposition!’
Billy thought about this for a second then nodded his head. ‘Yeah, ye’re right, Dad, we men must stick together.’ With that, he turned on Nancy and soon had her rolling on the floor with her legs kicking wildly, letting out loud shrieks of laughter.
‘I’ll get you, our Billy! Stop it, will yer, I’ve got a pain in me side now.’
Kate pushed herself to her feet. ‘We can all stop now before somebody pulls the hot pan over or bangs their head on the oven. Come on, kids, I think yer dad’s had enough and it’s time for me to see to the dinner.’
‘That was good, that was, Mam,’ Billy said. ‘Now I know what to do to get me own way with our Nancy. Just tickle her ribs.’
‘Yer caught me when my guard was down,’ Nancy told him. ‘Yer won’t find it so easy to catch me next time.’
‘Go in and finish yer game,’ Kate said. ‘Let me have the kitchen to meself.’
‘Yeah, come on, our kid.’ Billy was practically rubbing his hands in glee. The biggest roast potato was as good as on his plate. ‘We’ll have the game finished by the time me mam has the dinner ready.’
‘I’m not playing with you, ye’re a cheat, Billy Spencer.’
His eyes flew open in pretend surprise. ‘I haven’t cheated! How could I when we’ve been together the whole time? Tell her, Dad, that she’s got to finish the game. Trust her to be a spoilsport ’cos she knows I’m a better player than her.’
‘If that’s the case, why did yer have to change the dice?’ Nancy was looking down her nose at him. ‘Anyway, cheats never prosper.’
‘I’m not a cheat.’ The biggest golden-brown crispy potato seemed to be getting further away and Billy was determined not to let that happen. ‘Come and finish the game, and don’t be a blinking cry baby.’
‘I know yer cheated, I saw yer through the crack in the door!’ Nancy would never knowingly get her brother into trouble, so she thought she’d meet him halfway. ‘I’ll tell yer what, if that dice is on a two, I’ll play with yer. If it’s not, then yer can finish the game all by yerself.’
Neither of the children noticed their father leaving the kitchen. But they heard him call, ‘I don’t know what difference it makes, but for what it’s worth the dice is showing two.’
The children looked at each other and grinned, knowing their father had solved the argument and saved the situation. Nancy was aware her brother had cheated, he always did. And when he got a bit older, she’d not let him get away with it because she didn’t want her brother to be known as someone you couldn’t trust. As for Billy, he took it for granted that everyone cheated. All his mates did, otherwise they’d never win a game of marbles, footie or rounders. They’d never get all their sums right at school, either, if they didn’t copy off the boy next to them.
Billy winked at his mother before following Nancy out of the kitchen. His philosophy of life, at ten years of age, was that if girls didn’t cheat then that was their look out, and just went to prove they were as daft as he’d always said they were. There’d be no excitement in any game if you didn’t cheat.
‘Dolly, you go next door and have a game of something with Nancy so me and me mates can have a chin-wag in peace.’
‘Ah, ay, Mam! There’s a play on the wireless this afternoon that I want to listen to.’ Dolly rolled her eyes. ‘Anyway, Auntie Kate won’t want me there on a Sunday, yer know that.’
‘That’s where ye’re wrong, young lady.’ Monica was standing with her hands on her hips. ‘I’ve told yer Auntie Kate is coming here, and seeing as she can’t be in two places at once, she won’t care whether ye’re in her house or not. And Nancy’s been told ye’re going so she’ll be disappointed if yer let her down.’
Dolly knew all her mother’s mannerisms, and the hands on the hips were a sure sign she meant business this time and no amount of coaxing would make her change her mind. The only thing to do was save your breath and give in gracefully. ‘I hope they’re going to listen to the play on the wireless, ’cos it’s a murder mystery and I’ll go mad if I miss it.’
Tom raised his head from the News of the World. ‘Yer’ll be all right there, sweetheart, ’cos yer Uncle John loves a good thriller so he’s bound to be listening.’
‘Same as you,’ Monica told him, trying to keep her face straight. ‘Kate said she’ll leave a pot of tea ready for yer.’
Tom lowered his paper. ‘What are yer on a
bout, woman! Yer know I spend every Sunday afternoon reading the paper from front to back page. I certainly won’t be listening to the ruddy wireless.’
‘I’m afraid you and I aren’t going to see eye to eye over this, love, but a little understanding on your part wouldn’t go amiss.’ Monica went to stand in front of his chair and looked down into his puzzled face. ‘Every night except Sunday, without fail, you’re off to the pub. I never complain that yer leave me here like a grass widow, do I? No, because I believe that after working all day, yer deserve a pint, or two. But I’m not allowed to go off gadding every night, am I? And I work just as bleeding hard as you do, even though I know nothing on God’s earth will get that through that thick head of yours. As far as you’re concerned, after I’ve given the place a quick flick with a duster, I’m free for the rest of the day to stand having a good gossip to all the neighbours, with me arms crossed and leaning back against the wall. That’s until half an hour before ye’re due in from work when I dash in to throw something on the stove for yer dinner. Oh, yeah, it’s a real easy life I’ve got. No worries over work or money, eh? Wouldn’t yer just like to swap places with me?’
Tom folded the newspaper slowly and neatly before looking up with laughter in his eyes. ‘What time did yer say the play started? And did Kate say there’d be a gingersnap biscuit with the cup of tea?’
Monica cupped his face and kissed him soundly on the lips. ‘Haven’t I always told everyone that I’ve got the best husband in the world, bar none?’
‘Okay, okay! I give in! What time are they expecting me and Dolly? Oh, and how long are we to stay out?’
Monica glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. ‘Yer were expected there five minutes ago. And I think it’s safe to say yer’ll be allowed back in an hour’s time. I’ll give a knock on the wall to tell yer when the coast is clear.’
‘Bloody marvellous, getting chucked out of me own home on the only day I have off.’ Tom put his arm across his daughter’s shoulder and walked her to the front door. ‘Kicked out by a wicked, cold-hearted woman, sweetheart. She doesn’t care that there’s thick snow on the ground and neither of us has soles to our shoes. Heartless, that’s what she is.’
Dolly giggled. ‘Yeah, I’m going to tell me teacher on her on Monday. And I’ll tell her I get beaten every day and never get anything to eat.’
‘And don’t forget to tell her about how yer old dad gets treated, either.’ Tom stepped out into the sunshine. ‘Orphans of the storm, that’s what we are.’
‘Ah, yer poor buggers, me heart bleeds for yer,’ Monica called after them before closing the door and dashing to make herself presentable for visitors. Her pinny was folded and put in a drawer, and she’d just run a comb through her hair when there was a knock on the back door. ‘Ooh, that was good timing.’ She mentally gave herself a pat on the back. ‘I wonder who it is?’ She opened the door to find both Kate and Betty looking up at her. ‘Come in, ladies.’ She stepped aside to let them pass. ‘I’ll stick the kettle on.’
Betty’s eyes went to the living-room door and she mouthed, ‘Is yer husband in?’
‘Nobody in but me, girl, I’m all on me lonesome.’ Monica closed the door behind them. ‘I’ve sent Tom next door to keep Kate’s husband company. If he can have his pint or two every night with his boozing pals, then I’ve told him I can entertain my friends for a couple of hours every now and again. So go through to the living room and make yerselves at home. Yer can put yer feet on the mantelpiece, if yer like, Betty.’
The woman smiled. ‘I think I’ll keep them firmly on the floor, lass, I wouldn’t want yer to see everything I’ve got.’
‘Yer’ve got nothing we haven’t got, sunshine, but I think yer’d be more comfortable on a chair.’ Kate, who felt as much at home in her mate’s house as she did in her own, led Betty through to the living room. ‘Sit down, sunshine, while Monica makes the tea.’
Her friend’s voice came floating through to them. ‘No talking until I’m sitting with yer, d’yer hear, Kate Spencer? I don’t want to miss a word.’
Kate rolled her eyes to the ceiling before calling back, ‘Is it all right if we talk about the weather, and the price of fish?’
‘As long as yer speak up and I can hear what ye’re saying. I know you, yer can be a sly one when it suits yer.’
In a loud voice, Kate said, ‘It’s a lovely day, isn’t it, Betty? I think we’re in for a scorching summer, don’t you?’
Monica popped her head around the door. ‘Not so flaming loud, please, or next door will think we’re having a row.’ The neighbour next door was the street gossip, who spent most of her life finding out how her neighbours lived. Her name was Thelma Robson, married but childless, just her and her long-suffering husband Arthur in the house – the only man in the street who couldn’t get out to work quick enough every morning to escape his wife’s never-ceasing whining. He’d told Tom one day, as they walked down the street on their way to the tram stop, that he’d even work Sunday if he could. Without pay!
Monica came to stand in the centre of the room, and nodded to the wall separating the two houses. ‘I can just see her now, ear pressed to the wall, telling her husband in that whingeing voice of hers that we must be the lowest of the low to be rowing on a Sunday. This will be her.’ Monica was marvellous at impersonating her neighbour. She seemed to shrink in size, her lips became a thin line, there was a deep frown on her forehead and her eyes were like slits. ‘Just listen to them, on a Sunday as well! I don’t know what the world’s coming to. They’ve got the cheek to go to church then come home and start swearing like troopers. I bet the air is blue in there.’ Monica tutted and pulled a comical face. ‘And they call themselves ladies! My mother would turn in her grave if she heard carry-on like that on the Sabbath. But, of course, my mother was a real lady.’
Kate and Betty were in stitches as Monica had every one of the nosy woman’s actions off to perfection. ‘Yer missed yer vocation, Monica,’ Betty said, wiping away her tears of laughter. ‘If I’d closed me eyes, I’d have sworn it was the woman herself.’
‘I’d hate to be her,’ Kate said, ‘she leads a miserable life. Not one friend in the whole neighbourhood, but she seems to thrive on gossip. I bet she knows more about us than we know ourselves. No matter what time of day yer pass her house, yer can see her peering through the net curtains. I think she’s sad, doesn’t know what it is to enjoy herself. In all the years we’ve been here, I’ve never once heard her laugh.’
‘Have yer ever noticed,’ Betty chuckled, ‘how quickly a shop empties when she walks through the door? I was in the Maypole one day, and when the queer one walked in all the girls behind the counter fled in different directions. And I heard the manager groan as though he had a bad pain.’
‘It’s her husband I feel sorry for, the poor bugger must have a dog’s life.’ Monica shivered as though to rid herself of an unpleasant thought. ‘Anyway, there’s the kettle whistling away so yer’ll have a cup of tea in yer hands in a few minutes.’
‘I can’t stay very long, yer know, lass,’ Betty told her, ‘’cos we’ve got visitors coming.’
Kate watched her mate hurry to the kitchen, and laughed. ‘If you can talk quickly, Betty, we can listen just as quick. Especially if it’s good news, which we’re hoping it is.’
There was a loud rattling of crockery then Monica’s head appeared. ‘I’m warning both of yer, one more word and I’ll have yer guts for garters.’
Kate was the first to put a hand over her mouth, followed quickly by Betty. Their action brought a nod of approval from Monica. ‘That’s better. Now I can pour the tea without spilling it and making a mess everywhere.’
The cups of tea were carried in on a tray and Monica handed them out before sitting down with her own. ‘That’s better. Now, we’re all ears, Betty. We know the knitting pattern was only an excuse, so bring us up to date with the news.’
Betty took a mouthful of tea before resting the saucer in her lap. ‘Yer’ll never gu
ess what’s happened. Greg Corbett met our Margaret outside work yesterday, and they had a good talk. It ended up with her bringing him home, and I got such a shock I nearly fainted. I wasn’t the only one, either, ’cos the lad looked green around the gills. Me and Jack were polite with him. I mean, it took some nerve to walk into our house after him denying he was the father of the baby. But he told us that everything Margaret had said was true, and he was really sorry he’d lied to us.’ She sat back in her chair, remembering just in time to right her cup and saucer which almost toppled over. ‘So what d’yer think of that?’
‘I think it’s marvellous news,’ Monica told her. ‘And I can see by yer face that it’s taken some of the load from yer shoulders.’
‘I’m glad the boy came round, sunshine, and I admire him for it.’ Kate meant it sincerely, and it raised her hopes of this story having a happy ending. ‘What’s going to happen now, have they said?’
‘Well, I’ve got another little surprise for yer.’ It was a long time since Betty had felt so light-hearted. ‘The visitors I’m expecting at four o’clock are Greg’s mam and dad.’
Both listeners leaned forward, eyes wide with surprise. And as though it had been rehearsed, they spoke as one: ‘Go ’way!’
Monica fell back in her chair. ‘Well, I never! That certainly is a surprise. It’s the last thing I expected after the way they carried on.’
‘I can’t hold that against them,’ Betty said. ‘They were only protecting their son because he’d lied to them and told them he hadn’t been with Margaret. They thought we were trying to blame him for something he didn’t do, and there’s not a parent breathing who wouldn’t want to protect their child. But he’s told them the truth now, and he’s bringing them around so we can sit down together and clear the air.’
‘I’m so pleased for yer, sunshine, I really am. And for Margaret, of course, because the last few weeks must have been hell for her.’ Kate was afraid it might sound nosy, but because of her involvement it was something she desperately wanted to know. ‘Has Greg said anything about marriage?’
