Strolling With The One I Love

by Joan Jonker

  His handsome face seemed to relax now the part he’d been dreading was over. ‘Yes, I’ve seen you around, too. I believe ye’re coming back to the house for a drink?’

  ‘Yes, me and me two mates. We’ll be neighbours of yours when yer move in with the Blackmores.’ Kate tried to put him at his ease. ‘Yer know the one yer were introduced to as Monica? Well, watch out, she’s a holy terror. She’d pick a fight in an empty house, and that’s a fact.’

  ‘You cheeky article!’ Monica looked put out. ‘Take no notice of her, Greg, because behind that pretty face she’s a dangerous woman. Don’t trust her as far as yer can throw her.’

  Greg, his arm around Margaret’s shoulders, glanced down at Winnie. ‘Which one is telling me the truth? Or are they having me on?’

  ‘They’re both telling yer fibs, lad, take no notice of them. It’s me what’s the devil in disguise, they’re angels in comparison.’

  Greg looked down at the little woman who only came up to his chest. ‘Oh, I think I can handle you. What d’yer say, Margaret?’

  The bride looked a little more settled now, and managed a shaky smile. ‘Even I could handle Mrs Cartwright, there’s nothing of her.’

  Betty put a hand on Winnie’s shoulder. ‘You tell them, girl, that good stuff comes in little parcels.’

  Winnie’s eyes slid sideways. ‘Aye, so does poison, Betty. But we’ll stick with what you said, I don’t want people pointing at me behind me back and saying I’m poison. If it got to the washhouse, they wouldn’t let me in. Or if they did, the place would go dead quiet when I walked in and the women would steer clear of me. That’s what poison does for yer.’

  The registrar approached the group. ‘I’ll have to ask you to leave now, we have another wedding in five minutes.’

  Outside the building, Greg said, ‘I’ll keep an eye open for a taxi and flag it down.’

  Monica had a question that had been bugging her. ‘How did six of yer get in that taxi? I thought the most they were allowed to carry was five people.’

  ‘They do, really,’ Jack Blackmore said, ‘but the driver was very helpful when he knew it was a wedding. We were a bit squashed, but it was only a ten-minute ride, if that!’

  ‘That’s the mystery solved, then. I couldn’t make it out when yer appeared one after the other. I thought it was one of those tricks magicians play. You know, where the people go round the back and keep coming through the door.’

  Albert Corbett started to enjoy himself. His wife might be a nervous wreck, worrying about losing her beloved son, but the lad was only going a few streets away. And if all the folks around there were as funny and friendly as these three, their son would be well catered for.

  ‘We’ll leave yer, then, and go for the tram,’ Kate said. ‘We’ll see yer back at the house.’

  ‘You will not!’ Betty was determined. ‘The very idea! We’ll get two taxis and all go home in style. It’s not every day yer daughter gets married, so we might as well push the boat out and do it proper.’

  The first taxi took Greg, Margaret and her parents, and a couple of seconds later a second taxi was flagged down. The three friends shared this with Maude and Albert Corbett. When Winnie sat back in the seat, her legs were so short her feet dangled in mid-air, but there was a fixed smile on her face as she inwardly gloated. This was what she called living it up, and she intended to make the most of it because she may never have the opportunity again.

  Kate, hoping to break the ice, said, ‘They made a very handsome couple, didn’t they? I thought they looked well together.’

  Maude Corbett sniffed up. She was sad inside because her son would never again sleep at her house, or come in from work to find his dinner on the table waiting for him. But she had to admit that he seemed to be really fond of Margaret, and they did indeed make a lovely couple. ‘Yes, they seem well suited. Greg is very mature for his age, and understands what his responsibilities are.’

  ‘And she’s a nice lass.’ Albert knew his wife would go on forever about how good her son was, and although he loved Greg just as much, she had to learn that he was married now and his wife must never be made to feel left out. ‘We’ve got to know Margaret well over the last couple of weeks, and I think she’ll make him a good wife.’

  ‘Oh, she will,’ Kate said. ‘Because her parents have set her a good example. She’s kind, capable, and not afraid of work. I reckon she’ll make a marvellous wife and mother.’

  ‘Aye.’ Albert was holding his trilby between his legs and running a finger around the brim. ‘Me and Maude were shocked at first, but we’ve come round to it now. We’re looking forward to having a grandchild.’

  Winnie could see that Greg’s mother hadn’t come to terms with it as easily as his father, and felt a certain pity for the woman. So she shuffled to the edge of the seat and spoke directly to Maude. ‘That’s one thing I’ll regret all me life, that me and me husband never had any children. Because I think Grandma is one of the nicest words yer’ll ever hear.’

  ‘Ay, hang about a bit,’ Albert said, ‘what about Granda? Don’t we men get a look-in?’

  ‘Oh, yeah, yer come in handy for rocking the pram or giving the baby a dummy.’ Winnie chuckled. ‘But yer all run like hell when it comes to changing a dirty bleeding nappy.’

  The ice was well and truly broken when they saw Winnie’s screwed up face as she held an imaginary dirty nappy between two fingers. By the time the taxi stopped outside the Blackmores’ house, Maude and Albert were no longer strangers to the other three.

  Kate pulled Monica and Winnie aside as Greg’s parents entered the house, and quickly said, ‘I know we said one of us would go round for the presents, but on second thoughts it might be embarrassing for everyone concerned if we give them now. The presents are all for the baby, and they’ve only just got married.’

  ‘Ye’re right, girl,’ Monica said, while Winnie nodded. ‘Come on, let’s go in or they’ll wonder what’s keeping us.’

  ‘Yer’ve done well, Betty,’ Maude said, her eyes running over the table laden with food. ‘Yer must have been up at the crack of dawn to make this lot.’

  ‘I had help, Maude, I can’t take all the credit. Monica and Kate did all the baking, I only made the sandwiches with Margaret’s help.’

  ‘Yer’ve got good neighbours, lass.’ Alfred dropped into a chair, crossed his legs and felt quite at home. The room was cosy, comforting and welcoming. ‘Ye’re lucky.’

  Maude’s nostrils flared. ‘Are yer going to leave that trilby of yours in the middle of the couch? Other people want to sit down, yer know.’

  Her husband jumped to his feet. ‘I’m sorry, I never thought.’

  ‘That’s all right, Albert.’ Betty moved like a flash and whipped up the hat. ‘You make yerself at home, and we’ll have no cross words today.’

  As soon as the hat disappeared, Greg led Margaret to the couch where they sat holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes. This certainly didn’t look like a shotgun wedding, the bridal pair appeared to be really in love.

  ‘Me and Monica will see to the tea, Betty, you rest yer feet. We know where everything is, so don’t be flapping about.’

  ‘What can I do to make meself useful?’ Winnie asked. ‘I don’t want to be standing here like a lemon.’

  ‘Yer can pass the plates and serviettes around, sunshine.’ Kate couldn’t help laughing inside when she thought of the look on the little woman’s face as she’d pretended to hold a dirty nappy at arm’s length. It had put a smile on Maude’s face, too, which was a blessing. ‘Then yer can hand the sandwiches around.’

  Winnie turned to Betty and spread her hands. ‘If I’m going to wait on, I want one of those frilly aprons like they wear in the Kardomah and Reece’s. When I do a job, I like it done proper, no half measures.’

  ‘I’ve got just the thing!’ Betty looked very pleased with herself. ‘Come upstairs with me.’

  After a few minutes the loud laughter that came down the stairs was so infectio
us everyone had a smile on their faces. ‘What’s the wife up to now?’ Jack said. ‘I bet her and Winnie are planning something.’

  And sure enough, when Winnie came down she was wearing a short white pinny trimmed with lace and matching head-piece, just like the waitresses in Reece’s. Her face was deadpan, as though being a waitress was her usual job. Even when Kate and Monica came out of the kitchen to join in the laughter and clapping, the little woman kept her face straight. ‘If you will all take your seats, I’ll serve you,’ she said.

  Greg and his new bride were in stitches. This was just how it should be when two people got married, friends and laughter all around them. It was the best present they could get. Now Winnie was into her stride, she showed what a bright little spark she was. ‘I’ll serve the bride and groom first, ’cos that’s only etiquette. And in case ye’re ignorant and don’t know what that long word means, I’ll tell yer. It means good manners. And how do I know that? Because I’m not just a pretty face, yer see.’ She stood in front of the bridal pair, who were shaking with laughter, and said, ‘If yer’d put yer bride down now, Mr Corbett, I’ll put a plate in yer hand for yer to put a sandwich on. The kitchen staff will be serving tea.’ It was then that she spied two bottles on the sideboard. ‘Oh, dear, how remiss of me. I almost forgot that we should first lift our glasses in a toast to the happy couple. The wine waiter for the occasion is Mr Jack Blackmore, and I’ll leave you in his capable hands until you are ready to eat.’

  To everyone’s amusement, Winnie walked over to the sideboard, took off her cap and apron, and then turned to face them with a huge grin on her face. ‘This is me being a guest, now, so I don’t have to be polite to yer or speak in me posh voice.’ With hands outstretched she appealed to those who were hanging on her every word, ‘What I’d like to know is, how do these toffs manage to talk posh all the time? If it was me now, well, I couldn’t be . . .’ She saw Kate’s set face and said, ‘Ah, I know what yer were thinking, queen. Yer thought I was going to say I couldn’t be arsed, didn’t yer? But I wouldn’t dream of saying that in front of company, I’ve got better manners than that. I was going to say, I couldn’t be bothered.’

  And so it was that Winnie was the life and soul of the party, aided and abetted by Kate and Monica. The house was filled with joy and merriment. No awkward silences between the young couple today. They held hands whenever they didn’t have a plate in them, and laughed until the tears fell. The sadness, hurt, anger and animosity of the past weeks were forgotten now, and they would look back on their wedding day as being a very happy one. So, too, would Betty and Jack Blackmore. They could hold their heads high now, and when the whispering and nudging began would ignore those who had nothing better to do than gossip.

  And as glasses were raised, Maude and Bert Corbett were realizing they hadn’t lost a son. Greg would only be a stone’s throw away from them, and they could see him whenever they liked. They had gained some good friends, too. Already the two families were talking about which house to have Greg’s birthday party in. And nobody in the room that day was in any doubt about the true feelings the young bride and groom had for each other.

  The three women linked arms as they walked up the street later on. ‘Ay, I haven’t half enjoyed meself,’ Winnie said. ‘And I’ve got you two to thank for getting me an invite.’

  ‘That was the best thing we ever did, girl.’ Monica squeezed her arm. ‘Yer didn’t half liven the proceedings up.’

  ‘I’ll say! Yer were the star of the show, sunshine,’ Kate said. ‘And I for one will never have a party without inviting you.’

  ‘Ooh, yer’ve got yer feet in there, girl, without a doubt.’ Monica’s face did contortions. ‘Yer don’t have to worry about Christmas now, yer’ll be coming with us to the Spencers.’

  ‘Don’t you start that again, Monica Parry, or I’ll spit! Will yer get it through yer head that I am not having the Christmas party this year! That is definite, that is, so yer’d better start getting your guest list ready. And on the top of that list yer should have all the Spencers and Winnie Cartwright.’

  ‘To save any argument, I’d have yer all down to my house,’ Winnie said, ‘but I’ve only got three cups and saucers to me name, and three plates. Yer see, I’ve never had any call for more so it seemed a waste to buy them.’

  That got through to Kate, but she wasn’t prepared to give in just yet. ‘Don’t you worry, sunshine, wherever the party is, you’ll be top of the guest list.’

  They came to a stop outside Winnie’s house. ‘Here yer are, girl, home safe and sound.’

  ‘Oh, I promised Maggie Duffy I’d sit with Miss Parkinson for a few hours, to give her a break. So I’ll walk up with yer.’

  ‘Would yer like me to come with yer to see if she’s all right?’ Kate asked. ‘I could give John a knock and tell him, he won’t mind.’

  ‘No, I’ll be fine, you go home to yer family. If anything untoward happens, I’ll be over like a shot. I’m usually practical if anyone is sick, and not the type to panic, but I think I might in the case of Audrey.’ Winnie stepped off the pavement, saying, ‘I’ll give yer a knock later, when Maggie takes over, and let yer know how she is. And thanks again for today, it was a real pleasure and I appreciated it.’

  ‘Ye’re welcome, sunshine, it was a treat to have yer.’

  Monica nodded in agreement. ‘The star of the show, yer were, girl, and I bet everyone there would agree with me.’

  Winnie was pleased with the compliment. ‘I’ll see yer later, ta-ra for now.’

  ‘So it went off all right, did it?’ John asked, happy to see his wife. It had seemed strange coming home from work and her not being there. ‘Yer had a nice time?’

  ‘Everything went off beautiful. Greg’s mother was a bit miserable at first, and I thought she was going to spoil the whole day. But two minutes in the taxi with Winnie and she was laughing her head off. What an asset that little woman is. She may be small, but by God, she’s all there. The day wouldn’t have been the same without her. Oh, we’d have had a nice time, and the bride and groom looked very posh, as yer would expect, but the reception afterwards would have just been tea and talk.’ Kate couldn’t speak without doing the actions, and her impersonation of Winnie had John, Nancy and Billy in stitches. Well, it showed she’d done a good job when Billy decided it was better than playing ollies with his mate.

  ‘And who is having the party at Christmas, Mam?’ Nancy asked. ‘Yer can’t expect Mrs Cartwright to if she’s only got three cups and saucers.’

  Kate chuckled. ‘I wouldn’t put it past yer Auntie Monica to offer to lend her enough to have the party in her house. But I wouldn’t dream of letting her, it costs too much money.’

  ‘Why don’t you and Auntie Monica toss a penny for it?’ Billy thought he was brilliant to think of that. He’d bet no one else had. ‘That would be fair, then.’

  ‘I’m not tossing any coin, sunshine, ’cos with my luck Auntie Monica would have a double-headed penny.’

  John, whose fireside chair faced the window, leaned forward. ‘Here’s Winnie crossing the street now, and she’s coming here.’

  Kate’s chair toppled to the floor as she jumped to her feet. ‘Oh, my God, there must be something wrong with the old lady.’

  ‘I’ll open the door, Mam,’ Nancy said. ‘You sit down before yer faint.’

  ‘Is yer mam in, queen?’ Winnie asked. And when the girl nodded, she said, ‘Could I see her for a minute?’

  ‘Come in, sunshine.’ Kate’s hand was fluttering at her throat with nerves. ‘I hope it’s not bad news yer bring, not after such a nice day.’

  ‘No, it’s not bad news, queen, nothing like it. In fact, it’s excellent news for Miss Parkinson, she’s over the moon.’

  Kate took a deep breath and let it out slowly. ‘Then in future, when ye’re running across the street to my house, would yer mind doing it with a smile on yer face so I know everything in the garden is rosy?’

  ‘I can’t go through life wit
h a smile on me face, queen, or folk will think I’ve lost the run of me senses. But I’ll try and remember to have one when I’m near your house. Will that do?’

  Kate picked up her chair and sat down. ‘That’ll do fine. Now what’s brought yer hot-footed over here?’

  ‘Well, Audrey – I mean, Miss Parkinson – has had a letter from her niece in Essex, to say she’s coming here on Saturday. And as it’s such a long way she wants to stay until Monday and hopes her aunt has a spare bedroom. Now, we all know she’s got a spare bedroom, and we all know it’s spotlessly clean like the rest of the house, but Miss Parkinson has got herself in a state about it ’cos she said it’s weeks since she shifted the furniture to brush underneath. And I remember her niece, she’s very posh. So as I didn’t want Miss Parkinson fretting and making herself ill, I volunteered to give her a hand tomorrow. And I knew you and Monica would be the last people on earth to see an eighty-year-old woman left high and dry with the worry, so I volunteered you two as well.’

  Kate studied Winnie’s earnest face and burst out laughing. ‘Ye’re a ruddy hero, you are, sunshine! But how can I refuse when yer’ve entertained us for most of the day? Of course I’ll help, and I’ll slip and ask Monica. I know she won’t refuse, so yer can count on both of us. But don’t forget tomorrow one of us has to take the presents round to Margaret and Greg.’ Kate thought it best not to say much more about these or the children would be wondering about baby clothes being given as presents on a wedding day. ‘Never mind, I’ll sort that out. What time do yer want us in the morning?’

  ‘How about ten o’clock? That’ll give yer time to tidy up, queen, and make yer beds.’

  ‘We’ll be there, I promise.’ Kate cupped her chin in her hand. ‘Yer know, sunshine, for someone who was at death’s door last week, yer’ve made a marvellous recovery.’

  ‘Fancy yer saying that, queen, when I was only thinking the same meself. Next time I go in that fishmonger’s, I’ll be really nice to him ’cos of the difference he’s made in me life. I might even go as far as to give him a kiss.’ Winnie’s eyes became slits. ‘No, on second thoughts I’d better not or I’d be smelling of bleeding fish all day.’