Strolling With The One I Love

by Joan Jonker

  But Winnie’s legs gave way when Kate stood her up, and there was no way she was going to attempt the task on her own. ‘Yer’ll have to give me a hand, sunshine, it needs two of us. Otherwise Winnie’s going to end up on the ground, with me on top of her.’

  Between them they managed to get the woman down the yard, each holding her up by an elbow. Monica threw open the lavatory door, and said, ‘Let me lift yer clothes. We’ll sit yer down then wait outside until ye’re ready. Will yer be all right?’

  Winnie nodded, and when the door was closed she gave a sigh of relief. This was the first time she’d been to the lavatory since yesterday, and then she’d been so weak she’d never have made it if she hadn’t steadied herself on the wall. She didn’t know what was wrong with her but it had started three days ago. Everything she ate came back, she couldn’t keep it down, that was why she felt so weak. And today she hadn’t had the strength to do anything but lie on the couch. Nothing to eat or drink, and afraid of knocking for her neighbour in case they thought she was a nuisance.

  Kate opened the door a little and peeped in. ‘Are yer ready to go back in now, sunshine? Monica put the kettle on for a pot of tea before she slipped to the corner shop for some bread and milk.’ She held out an arm. ‘Get hold of that and I’ll pull yer to yer feet, then I can put me other arm around yer waist and see if we can make it up the yard. If not, we’ll just have to wait for me mate.’

  It was a slow process, but they finally made it, and when Monica came back from the shop Winnie was on the couch, surrounded by pillows and looking much better. ‘I’m making bread and milk for yer, girl, it’ll take the wind off yer tummy and it should stay down.’

  When Kate went to feed her the bread and milk, Winnie shook her head and uttered her first word. ‘Me.’

  Monica chuckled. ‘Yer sound like Johnny Weissmuller! “Me Tarzan, you Jane”.’

  Winnie ate quickly, showing the two watching women that she must be starving. When she’d finished, Kate took the plate from her, saying, ‘That should keep yer going until tomorrow, sunshine, but yer need to drink a lot to make up for what yer’ve missed. So would yer like me to stay here with yer for tonight, just in case?’

  Winnie’s lips were cracked and dry. When she spoke her voice too was cracked, and faltering. ‘No, thank you. Stay down here.’ She closed her eyes as though talking was painful. ‘Couldn’t climb stairs. Now you go home to yer families, I’ll be fine.’

  ‘I’ll give yer a drink, girl, to wet yer whistle.’ As she reached the kitchen door, Monica turned and looked at Kate. ‘Oh, I forgot to tell yer, I gave your feller a knock to tell him yer’d be later than yer expected.’

  Winnie reached out a hand. ‘You go home, queen, I’ll be all right now.’

  ‘There’s no hurry, sunshine, John’s perfectly capable of looking after himself. I’m waiting until yer feel up to telling us how yer got in this state.’

  Winnie’s head fell back on the pillows. She felt better than she had now she had clean clothes on and knew she didn’t have to be as frightened of dying on her own as she had been. But all she wanted to do was sleep, she felt so weary. In a faltering voice she told them she’d bought a piece of cod from the fishmonger three days ago and had thought it tasted a bit off but foolishly she’d eaten it. Within an hour she was running to the lavvy and vomiting.

  Talking was taking its toll. She could barely keep her eyes open so Monica gave Kate a nudge. ‘Come on, let’s get her ready for the night before she goes to sleep on us.’ She moved quickly, Kate keeping up with her, and in a quarter of an hour Winnie was settled for the night, a chair set in front of the couch within easy reach with a cup and a jug of water standing on it. ‘That should see yer through the night, girl.’

  But Winnie was already asleep, and didn’t hear Kate say she’d be down at half-seven in the morning. Nor did she feel the kiss dropped on her forehead, or the closing of the front door behind them.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kate rapped on the knocker before inserting the key in the lock. She didn’t want to walk in on Winnie and frighten the life out of her. ‘It’s only me, sunshine, are yer decent?’

  She strained her ears as a faint voice called, ‘Come in, queen.’

  Kate popped her head in, hoping to see an improvement in her neighbour. When she saw Winnie certainly looked better than she had yesterday, Kate closed the front door behind her. ‘I’ve got John off to work, and the kids are getting themselves washed and dressed. They all send their love and hope yer’ll be soon better.’ She was carrying a small bowl with a saucer over it acting as a cover. When she placed it on the table, she said, ‘I’ve brought yer a bowl of porridge to put a lining back on yer tummy.’

  ‘You and Monica have been very kind, queen, I don’t know what I’d have done yesterday without yer.’ A faint smile crossed Winnie’s pale face. ‘I really thought I was dying – it certainly felt like it.’

  ‘I can’t understand why yer didn’t knock on the wall for Peggy? Yer should never have let yerself get so bad without asking someone to help yer.’

  ‘Well, I thought after the first day it would get better, and the next day I thought the same. But yesterday I felt too bad to knock for anyone. I was so weak with going to the lavvy and vomiting, I didn’t have the strength to get off the couch. I was frightened, queen, ’cos I really thought I was a goner.’

  ‘Ah, yer poor love.’ Kate gave her a hug. ‘Anyway, let’s see if I can get yer down the yard. One thing about it, sunshine, it’s a beautiful morning.’ She helped Winnie to her feet but the older woman’s legs buckled and Kate let her fall back on to the couch. ‘I’ve got a brainwave, we’ll use the brush as a walking stick. I’ll hold yer tight on one side, and yer can use the brush for support with yer other hand.’

  They were halfway down the yard when Kate burst out laughing. ‘I’ve just been thinking about a saying Monica has when she trips up, and I only hope it doesn’t apply here. She calls it going arse over elbow.’

  It was only a half chuckle, but when Kate heard it, she felt heartened. ‘Actually, I’m being very kind to me mate, telling yer that, because she’s not so refined. What she really says is, “arse over bleeding elbow”. And she doesn’t care who hears her, either. Sometimes I don’t know where to put me face.’

  They reached the lavatory at the bottom of the yard, and Kate opened the door. ‘D’yer want me to help yer with yer knickers?’

  ‘No, I’ll manage.’

  ‘Then take the brush with yer to help yer keep yerself steady.’

  After closing the lavatory door, Kate flew up the yard to put the kettle on to make a pot of tea. She wanted to be home by eight to make sure the children got their breakfast, and to be certain Billy hadn’t got a tidemark big enough for the Queen Mary to sail in.

  In the kitchen Kate found the tea and sugar and raised her eyes to thank God there was just enough milk left in Monica’s jug for a cup of tea. She put a light under the kettle, set a cup and saucer ready, then flew back down the yard. ‘I’m outside when ye’re ready, sunshine.’

  The wooden door was pushed open, and there stood Winnie with both hands around the top of the brush for support. ‘Well, where there’s a will, there’s a way.’ Kate just couldn’t hold the laughter back. ‘Oh, if only yer could see yerself, sunshine. I know I shouldn’t laugh, that to you it’s not funny, but yer put me in mind of a nosy, lazy woman, standing gassing to a neighbour while leaning on the brush instead of using it on her step.’

  ‘I’m glad yer haven’t got a camera, queen, ’cos I haven’t got me best dress on, and I haven’t had me hair Marcel-waved.’

  ‘No, but ye’re showing a bit of knicker, though, yer brazen hussy.’ Kate found it easier going back up the yard because the brush was proving to be a blessing. When they were back inside the house, she led Winnie to the couch. ‘You sit there, sunshine, and I’ll get yer a bowl of water to wipe yer hands and face over. Then yer can eat the porridge before it gets cold.’

&
nbsp; Winnie grabbed her arm as she went to walk away. ‘Ye’re spoiling me, queen.’

  ‘I hope ye’re not complaining! Make the most of it while yer’ve got the chance. I’ve often wished I’d been born into a rich family, so I could be waited on. Like yer see in the pictures where Claudette Colbert has this beautiful negligee on, and sweeps across the room to where her maid is running a bath for her. But some people are born lucky and others are not.’

  ‘If Claudette Colbert could see you, she’d be the jealous one, ’cos ye’re far more beautiful than she is. And I bet she’s not as kind as you.’

  Kate put her hands on her hips. ‘Just listen to the pair of us, and we’ve got the cheek to talk about people what jangle. We’ve had a go at Claudette Colbert and we’ve never even met the woman. She’s probably a very nice person.’

  Time is marching on, she thought, and made a hasty trip to the kitchen to pick up the bowl of warm water and the flannel and nice scented soap. ‘Here yer are, sunshine, give yerself a wipe over while I make the tea.’ She reached the kitchen door, then turned back. ‘Eh, how come yer’ve got scented soap? I’ve never had any since the kids were born! Proper posh, that’s what yer are, just like our friend Claudette.’

  Winnie was wiping her face and neck with the warm flannel. ‘I mugged meself at Easter. I had no one to buy an egg for, so I mugged meself. And I don’t use it every day, mind, only now and again, ’cos it’s got to last.’

  ‘And I’ve got to be home for eight to see to the kids. So I’ll take the bowl out now, sunshine, and pass yer the porridge. While ye’re eating that, I’ll make yer a cup of tea, then I’ll have to vamoose. But Monica will be here at nine to see if yer need anything.’

  ‘There’s no need, queen, I’ll be all right now.’

  ‘Of course yer won’t be all right now! Ye’re as weak as a flaming kitten, and it’ll be a few days, getting some goodness down yer, before yer’ll be anywhere near all right.’ Kate’s hands went to her hips. ‘D’yer hear me, Mrs Woman? Me and me mate are going to look after yer whether yer like it or not. And this afternoon we’ll be coming to visit so we can give yer the news we were going to give yer last night, only yer’d gone and got sick on us.’

  ‘What news is that, queen?’

  Kate put a finger to her lips. ‘I can’t tell yer that without me mate being here or she’d have me guts for garters.’

  ‘How did yer think Winnie looked?’ Kate asked as she walked towards the main road with her friend. ‘I was wondering whether we should call the doctor in, just to be on the safe side.’

  ‘I don’t think there’s any need for that, and I’m bloody sure Winnie wouldn’t thank yer if a doctor walked in on her.’ Monica shook her head. ‘No, girl, let’s give it a day or two and if she’s no better, then it’ll be time to call someone in. What we’ve got to do meanwhile is feed her up with the likes of rice pudding, sago, and custard. Just for the next day or two, until her tummy’s settled down. Then she can go back to eating what she usually eats.’

  ‘She’s terribly thin, though, sunshine, not a pick on her. I know she’s always been thin, but not like she is now.’

  ‘Three days of being sick can take the weight off yer like nobody’s business, girl, take it from me. But she’ll be a bit better each day, you’ll see.’ Monica glanced sideways. ‘By the way, have yer told her about the wedding yet?’

  ‘No, I haven’t, except to say we had some news for her. I wouldn’t tell her without you being there, so I said we’d call this afternoon.’

  ‘Yeah, she told me. That’s why she’s asked me to get a pint of milk in with the other bits she’s asked for. And d’yer know what I’ve been thinking, girl? Listen and see if yer agree with me. She must be missing her nightly jug of stout if she’s been getting it every night for years, and stout is reckoned to be very good for yer. I mean, they recommend pregnant women to drink it because of the goodness there is in it.’

  ‘Yes, I’ve heard that, sunshine. I tried it meself when I was carrying our Nancy, but it was too strong for me, I didn’t like it.’

  ‘But yer agree with me that it would do her good?’

  ‘It would probably do her the power of good! Certainly wouldn’t do her no harm.’

  ‘Then yer wouldn’t mind going down to the pub with her jug, and asking them to fill it?’

  ‘What! I’m not walking into no pub full of men and asking the barman to fill a jug with milk stout! Only loose women go in pubs on their own, and I’m not having meself looked over by a gang of boozers. John wouldn’t like it, either!’

  ‘But yer wouldn’t be on yer own, girl, I’ll come down with yer.’ There was a wicked gleam in Monica’s eyes that Kate couldn’t see. ‘So how does that suit yer?’

  ‘Oh, I wouldn’t mind the two of us going in, we wouldn’t be so conspicuous.’

  ‘I think yer misunderstood me, girl! I didn’t say I’d go in the pub with yer, I said I’d go down with yer. I meant I’d stand outside.’

  Kate gasped. ‘Well, yer know what yer can do, Monica Parry, yer can sod off! How soft you are – waiting for me outside indeed! Yer must take me for a right lemon!’

  ‘Ha-ha-ha, ooh, ha-ha-ha.’ Monica doubled up. ‘I knew that would get yer going. I told Tom this morning yer’d lose yer rag. Honest, girl, yer’d fall for anything.’

  Kate really got on her high horse now. ‘Oh, and why, pray, were you and yer husband discussing me? Have yer got nothing better to do?’

  ‘Well, there’s not much to talk about at seven in the morning, is there? Me and my feller were sitting facing other, chewing toast, and I suddenly understood why people say the gilt soon wears off married bliss. Anyway, for the sake of seeing Tom look halfway awake, I told him I was going to pull your leg. And I told him what yer reaction would be. He didn’t believe yer’d fall for it, but he doesn’t know yer like I do.’

  ‘Ye’re a holy terror, Monica Parry, and one of these days I’ll get me own back on yer. The thing is, I’m not as devious as you.’ Kate could see the joke now and was dying to laugh, but she thought she’d drag it on a bit longer. ‘Yer see, sunshine, all is pure to the pure, and I have a very pure mind.’

  ‘My God, girl, if yer had yer hand on yer forehead, and put on a sad face, yer’d be a dead ringer for Mary Pickford. In that picture where her cruel landlord has thrown her out of her house and she has nowhere to go. It’s cold, the wind is blowing, and snowflakes are beginning to fall. She’s desperate, lost the will to live, when along comes Charlie Chaplin and rescues her from a fate worse than death.’

  Kate began to clap her hands. ‘That’s the best performance yer’ve ever given, sunshine, it’s no wonder the people are standing in the aisles shouting for an encore.’

  ‘Ah, it’s so good to meet someone who appreciates my artistic talents. You are a lover of the arts, I take it?’

  ‘Oh, most definitely! King Lear, Midsummer Night’s Dream, oh, I practically know all of Shakespeare’s work off by heart.’

  People going past were glancing with curiosity at the two women who were holding on to each other while laughing their heads off. It seemed to be infectious because the scene brought a smile to many faces. And even if there were a few miserable souls who found it hard to laugh, the two women didn’t care. They were having their funny half-hour and folks could like it or lump it.

  ‘Come on, sunshine, let’s get our shopping in. I don’t want to be out too long, ’cos I’ve still got some ironing to do.’ Kate squeezed her friend’s arm. ‘I enjoyed that laugh, it was just what I needed. Now comes the serious business of what to get for the family’s dinner. I’m not getting fish, not after what happened to Winnie. I know the man in the fish shop wouldn’t have sold any he thought was off, but nothing keeps for long in this hot weather. So I think we’ll have a salad. Lettuce, some tomatoes, four eggs, and either corned beef or brawn. And a nice crusty loaf from the home-made baker’s.’

  ‘Yer know, yer must be a mind-reader, ’cos that’s exactly what I
had in mind for our dinner. They say great minds think alike.’

  ‘You are one big fibber, Monica Parry! Yer had no idea what yer were getting to eat. At least, not until I told yer what we were having.’

  ‘D’yer know what I do fancy, girl?’ Monica licked her lips. ‘A custard from the baker’s to have with our afternoon tea. Doesn’t the thought of them make yer mouth water?’

  ‘I won’t let me mind dwell on them long enough for me mouth to water, ’cos I can’t afford one. It’s the girls’ birthdays at the weekend, and I need every penny to buy Nancy’s cards and presents.’

  ‘I’ll mug yer to a custard,’ Monica said. ‘Life is a bit easier for me money wise with only having Dolly, a couple of coppers won’t skint me.’

  Kate shook her head. ‘No, don’t tempt me. Yer know I’ve got a sweet tooth and love cakes and sweets, but what I can’t afford I’ll do without. Thanks all the same, sunshine, it was a very generous offer.’

  ‘Well, Winnie asked me to get some biscuits so I’ll get custard creams, ’cos I know they’re yer favourites. And two custard creams are as good as one custard.’ Monica jerked her head. ‘Who am I trying to kid? I’d rather have a custard any day! But if me best friend is fasting, then I’ll suffer with her. On one condition though. That you go in the baker’s for our two crusty loaves so I won’t be tempted. Yer know I’ve got no willpower.’

  ‘When yer’ve got no money, yer’ve got to have willpower, sunshine. I don’t let me mind dwell on things I know I can’t afford. And if we don’t get a move on, I’ll not get the rest of me ironing done before it’s time to go to Winnie’s.’

  ‘Yer want us to leg it, do yer, girl?’

  Kate chuckled. ‘I haven’t legged it since I was our Nancy’s age. In fact, apart from two women our age looking ridiculous going hell for leather down the road, I’d have no breath left by the time we got to the shops.’

  ‘Let’s try a nice sedate pace then, eh? Not fast and not slow. But keep in mind that yer’ve got yer ironing to do, and I told Winnie we’d be there around half-two to three o’clock.’