Strolling With The One I Love

by Joan Jonker

  ‘No flowers, Charlie. Years ago Nurse Griffith told me that it wasn’t healthy to have flowers in a bedroom as they use up all the oxygen, so they’re out. It’s usual to put a piece of silver in the hand of a new baby. Half-a-crown, Charlie, no more. Most of the neighbours will be giving sixpence, or a shilling at the most, and I don’t want them to think ye’re showing off.’

  He chuckled. ‘Short and to the point, aren’t you, Winnie? You don’t think twice about putting me in my place.’

  ‘We’re friends aren’t we, Charlie? We can say what we like to each other. If I couldn’t say what’s in me mind, then you wouldn’t be sitting in that chair now.’

  ‘Then I have something to tell you that I hope you will consider sympathetically. When my wife died, and you came to look after the children, well, they became very fond of you. They didn’t want a housekeeper, they wanted Winnie. Their complaints when I hired one lasted a long time. They’ve never forgotten you because I wasn’t much of a father at that time whereas you brought compassion mixed with laughter into their lives. When they heard I’d met up with you again, they were eager for news of you and would very much like to see you. As we will be getting together, all of the family, for Christmas dinner, they’ve asked if I would invite you to join us. It goes without saying that you would make me a very happy man if you’d accept, but I know the children would get to your heart before me.’

  ‘That’s not right, Charlie, I’m very fond of you. In fact, I always have been. There was always that spark between us when you used to collect my rent even though I loved my husband dearly. And I would love to see your children again so I’ll accept the invitation if yer promise to have me home by seven o’clock. Yer see, Kate is having a party on Christmas night, not on a grand scale like yours, just a few friends, but there’s no way I would tell her I can’t go to her party because I’m going to yours.’

  ‘Then can we compromise, my dear? I will promise to have you back by seven o’clock if you would kindly ask Kate if I may be invited to her party, which I am sure will be a lot of fun.’

  Winnie left her chair to cross the room and cup his face between her hands. ‘I’m sure she will be delighted, Charlie. As I will be to have you there. And now, let’s go and see my baby.’

  Betty Blackmore wasn’t looking forward to her landlord coming. I mean, how was she supposed to act? She couldn’t pretend he didn’t own the flipping house and could come in any time he liked. But as soon as Charles walked in, a huge smile on his face, he put her at her ease. He shook her hand, saying, ‘I bet you’re the proudest grandmother in Liverpool. I’m very pleased everything went off well.’

  ‘Thanks to Winnie it did. I honestly don’t know what we’d have done without her. Kate and Monica were here too, and the three of us were useless. In fact, we were chased out of the room because we were making Margaret more frightened than she already was.’

  ‘Can I go up and see them?’ Winnie was like a cat on hot bricks. ‘And is Margaret all right about Charlie coming up?’

  ‘Pleased as Punch! She’d invite the whole street in if I’d let her, she’s so proud. And yer’d have done no good if yer’d been here last night when the men got in from work. I thought Greg was going to faint when I told him. Then, when it sank in, I’ll swear his feet never touched those stairs, and nothing would budge him out of that bedroom all night. I even had to take his tea up to him. Wouldn’t leave Margaret and the baby to go and tell his parents. I had to send Jack, and they came back with him. They were so happy, it was good to see them. Maude wants to be called Nana, which suits me because I like Grandma. Jack is Granda and Albert is Gramps.’

  ‘I hope I can be called Aunt Winnie, Betty, ’cos I feel I have a stake in this baby.’

  Betty waved her to the stairs. ‘Up yer go, and Margaret will tell yer what’s been decided.’

  Margaret had the baby in her arms, and her nerves were in a state when she heard footsteps. But Charles’s words on his entrance dispelled her shyness. ‘What better sight could anyone ask to see? A very pretty mother and a beautiful baby. How do you feel, my dear?’

  ‘Apart from feeling a bit weak, I’m fine, Mr Coburn.’

  ‘Can I hold the baby, queen? I’ve been awake most of the night, waiting for this moment.’ Winnie was so gentle as she rocked the baby. ‘This is yer Auntie Winnie, sweetheart. You and me are going to be very good friends.’ She looked to Margaret. ‘Have yer decided on a name yet?’

  ‘Me and Greg talked it through last night, and we’ve decided she’ll be called Beth. But her full name will be Elizabeth Winifred Corbett, after my mam and the woman who brought her into the world.’

  ‘Oh, queen, yer don’t have to do that.’ Winnie was near to tears. ‘What about Greg’s mother, shouldn’t yer think about that?’

  ‘Oh, yes, we talked it over with them. Greg’s mam’s name is Maude, and even she said she wouldn’t want the baby to have that name because she doesn’t like it herself. In any case, we were all definite about you, Mrs Cartwright. Greg will be calling to your house tonight to thank you for what yer did.’ Now came the words she’d been rehearsing all morning. ‘And we’d both like yer to be one of the two godmothers when she gets christened. We’d like two godmothers and two godfathers, and Greg wants to ask Kate and her husband. I’m sure he’s got a crush on Kate, he’s liked her from the first time he met her.’

  ‘Yer couldn’t help but like Kate, queen, because she’s as lovely as she looks. And like meself, she’ll be tickled pink. I won’t say anything to her, I’ll let her get a nice surprise when Greg calls. But don’t be rushing the christening, give yerself and the baby time to get over all the hard work yer both did yesterday. It’ll be a few weeks before yer feel well enough to be up and about, queen, so don’t rush it.’

  Betty came into the bedroom. ‘Would yer like a cup of tea?’

  ‘No, thanks, queen, we had a pot of tea and something to eat before we came.’ Winnie held the baby’s tiny hand and wondered how God created such perfection. ‘Don’t forget I’m making the christening shawl, I haven’t much to do on it now, so that’s one worry less for yer. And I know Kate and Monica are knitting more matinee coats and leggings, so yer’ll have enough to take yer through to the summer.’

  ‘I’m really lucky,’ Margaret said. ‘Mrs Corbett is buying nightdresses, binders and vests. I’ve got nearly everything I want now.’

  Charles put a hand to his mouth and coughed softly. ‘I wonder, seeing as Winnie is to be a godmother and she is my closest friend, would you allow me to buy the christening robe? It would make me very happy.’

  Winnie’s smile spread across her face. ‘Oh, did yer hear that, Beth? Uncle Charlie is going to buy yer a beautiful christening robe. Yer’ll be the poshest baby in the church.’ She glanced from Margaret to Betty. ‘Is that all right with both of yer?’

  ‘It’s very kind of yer, Mr Coburn, and we’d be very happy.’ Margaret smiled at her mother. ‘We don’t mind her being the poshest baby in the church, do we, Mam?’

  ‘We’ll be the talk of the neighbourhood, but who cares? Being christened will be a big day in the baby’s life, even though she won’t know it.’

  Kate was surprised when she opened the door to Greg. ‘Well, if it isn’t the happy father! And proud, I bet, ’cos the baby is beautiful.’ She held the door wide. ‘Come in, sunshine, we’re letting the cold air in.’

  John jumped to his feet and pumped Greg’s hand up and down. ‘Congratulations, I’m very happy for yer. All I heard of when I got home from work last night was this beautiful baby of yours.’

  ‘I’ve just called at Mrs Cartwright’s to thank her, I’ll always be in her debt. Margaret and her mother said they’d have been out of their minds only for her.’

  ‘Yer can say that again, sunshine. Me, Monica and Betty were just shaking like jelly. Not a ha’porth of good to anyone. And Winnie was as cool as yer like, didn’t turn a hair. She was absolutely wonderful, and I’m proud to have her for a friend.�
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  ‘Yer know what we’re calling the baby, do yer?’

  ‘Yeah, Winnie told me it’s Beth. That’s a lovely name. And she’s thrilled to bits that yer’ve chosen her name as well. She deserves it, sunshine, she really does.’

  ‘We’ve asked her to be one of the godmothers, too. And I’ve come to ask if you and yer husband would like to be a godmother and godfather to my daughter?’

  Kate saw John’s look of pleased surprise, and answered for him. ‘We’d both be honoured, sunshine, and thank yer for thinking of us. We’ll do the best we can by the baby.’

  Greg stroked his chin. ‘I didn’t have a shave last night, I was too excited and thrilled. But I’ll have to have one when I get home or Margaret won’t let me near her or Beth. The christening won’t be for a few weeks, but we’ll see yer before then.’

  ‘Beth certainly will, me and Monica will be calling every day. That baby of yours is one of both our families now, with what we went through when she was being born.’ Kate touched his face. ‘Come on, lad, I’ll let you out to get back to that pretty wife and baby of yours.’

  As Greg stepped down on to the pavement, Kate said softly, ‘Yer see, yer did the right thing, sunshine, and wasn’t it worth it?’

  ‘It was you who made me see sense, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful to yer for. There isn’t a man in Liverpool happier than I am right now.’

  Kate watched him walk away. ‘Give them my love, ta-ra!’

  Back in the living room, John was really chuffed. ‘That was nice and thoughtful of them, wasn’t it? I rather fancy being a godfather.’

  ‘I bet Winnie knew all about it when she was here this afternoon, and she said nowt. I could tell she was pleased about something, but the little tinker kept it to herself. She told me she’d taken Mr Coburn round to see the baby, but nothing about being a godmother.’ Kate did a little jig. ‘It is nice, isn’t it? I’d better nip next door and tell Monica, before some other bright spark lets it out. She won’t mind us being asked about standing as godparents, as long as her and Tom are invited to the christening.’

  ‘I bet Nancy will want to come, she was thrilled when yer were telling us about the baby.’

  ‘I won’t leave her out, sunshine. She can sit in the church with Dolly and watch. I don’t know about our Billy, though, he’d say it was only for grown-ups. And I can just see the look on his face when he adds, “They’ll be cooing and crying over the baby.” Still, I’ll give him the chance, the rest is up to him.’

  John reached for her hand. ‘Life’s pretty good now, isn’t it, love?’

  ‘Not just good, sunshine, it’s perfect.’

  Four weeks later, the day of the christening arrived. Betty Blackmore couldn’t hide her pleasure and surprise at seeing so many of her neighbours sitting in the pews. She realized she had more friends than she’d thought, and not everyone was talking about Margaret behind her back. There were some people from the street where Greg had lived, sitting in the pews behind Maude and Albert Corbett. This day was making up for the seven months of worry Betty had endured. Now everything was going just right. Her daughter and Greg made a handsome couple, and the baby looked like a little princess in the most beautiful gown she’d ever seen, a gift from Mr Coburn, and Winnie’s perfect hand-knitted shawl and bonnet.

  The priest was late, and Margaret was beginning to show nerves, so Winnie took the baby from her. They were standing by the font, Kate, John, Winnie, Margaret and Greg. The grandparents would join them once the priest arrived. Beth behaved like a dream. She was fast asleep and there hadn’t been a peep out of her. If only the priest would come before she decided she was hungry, that would be great.

  There were many in the congregation who wondered why there were two godmothers and only one godfather. When the truth came to light, the surprise they’d expressed at seeing their landlord in the church was surpassed by the gasps of surprise when the priest appeared and Charles left the pew to go and stand next to Winnie by the font. He looked so proud, anyone would think it was his granddaughter being christened instead of his goddaughter.

  Beth behaved impeccably until the priest touched her head with the cold water, then she made her presence felt. But it didn’t last long, and soon she was back in her mother’s arms being protected from any more sudden frights while the godparents listened to what the priest had to say, and declared their intention of carrying out the responsibilities attached to being a godparent.

  Charles’s car stood outside the church. He opened the passenger door while Greg helped Margaret and the baby in. The front passenger seat was reserved for Betty, so she could be home before their guests arrived to drink the baby’s health. When Charles said he would come back for the other ladies, Winnie dismissed the idea. ‘Charlie, it’s no more than a ten-minute walk. You just make sure Margaret and the baby get home quickly, out of the cold. We’ll only be a few minutes behind yer.’

  ‘Are you sure, my dear, because it is bitterly cold?’

  ‘And it’ll be bitterly cold when I go to the shops tomorrow, Charlie, but it won’t worry me. So stop fussing and I’ll see yer back at the house.’ Winnie looked into his face and relented. ‘Five minutes, I promise.’

  The tiny living room was overcrowded and noisy. Most of the men were smoking, so after showing her baby off once again, and delighting in the praise being heaped on her, Margaret took her upstairs to her cot. Because Betty was looking tired and flustered, Kate suggested to her friends that when they’d finished their drinks they should leave the Blackmores and the Corbetts to enjoy the very special day on their own. So after much handshaking and back slapping, the three couples said their goodbyes and Greg let them out of the front door. He was still wearing a surprised look, as though he couldn’t believe his own life could be so good. ‘Thanks for yer presents, and for coming. We will see yer again soon, won’t we?’

  ‘It’s Christmas in two weeks, lad,’ Monica said. ‘We’ll be knocking with a little present for Beth from Father Christmas. Don’t forget, we three women were here when she was born, yer’ll not get rid of us so easy.’

  ‘We’ll see yer a few times before then, son,’ Kate told him. ‘Now you go in and enjoy the rest of the day, ’cos it’s a milestone in yer life.’

  ‘What a nice bloke he is.’ Tom walked ahead with John. ‘I took to him right away.’

  John nodded. ‘Yeah, yer couldn’t fall out with him. He’ll be a good husband and father.’

  It was as they neared the bottom of the street that the snowflakes began to fall, lightly at first, then the flakes grew bigger and more plentiful. Kate was like a child, lifting her face for the flakes to fall on and laughing when they brushed her nose. ‘Don’t let’s go home, let’s go for a walk. I love it when the snow is clean and white like this is.’

  ‘Yer can’t go for a walk,’ Tom said. ‘It’ll be coming down heavy in a few minutes.’

  ‘I don’t care! I’ll go on me own if none of yer want to come.’

  ‘I’ll come with yer, queen,’ Winnie said. ‘I’ve always liked the first snow of the winter. I’ll hate it next week when it turns to sludge and I’m slipping all over the bleeding place, though.’

  ‘Ye’re not going anywhere without me.’ Monica linked Kate’s arm. ‘Even though I do think it’s crazy.’

  ‘Count me in.’ If Winnie was going, then so was Charles. ‘It’ll be nice and refreshing.’

  Kate brought them to a halt. ‘It wasn’t so long ago that my husband asked me to go for stroll and I thought he’d gone mad. But he said he felt like a stroll with the one he loved. What’s wrong with today, sunshine, don’t yer love me any more?’

  John moved smartly and held out his bent arm. ‘I love you whether there’s hail, rain or snow. Lead on, love.’

  Monica raised her brows and crooked her finger to where Tom was standing with his mouth agape. ‘Now this has turned into a test, my darling husband. A test of whether yer love me or not.’

  Tom heaved a big
sigh, but he was grinning. Enjoying himself, really. After all, if he went home he’d only be reading the News of the World. ‘Come on, light of my life, let’s go strolling.’

  ‘Silly buggers,’ Winnie said, until she caught Charles’s eye. ‘What are you grinning at, Charlie Coburn?’

  ‘Well, this is a test of our feelings for each other, my dear. Do you wish to go home or will you promenade with me?’

  ‘We’ve lost the run of our bleeding senses!’ But Winnie didn’t refuse to take his arm. ‘I’ve heard of going for a walk, but never when it’s ruddy well snowing.’

  ‘The fact that we are walking, and it is snowing, means you do have some feelings for me. Am I right, my dear?’

  Winnie looked at him out of the corner of her eye. ‘That’s for me to know, Charlie, and for you to find out.’

  Charles arrived in his car to pick Winnie up at twelve o’clock on Christmas Day. He didn’t care who heard him when she opened the door and he said, ‘You look very lovely, my dear. No, I won’t come in because the children will be arriving soon. I’ve got a woman in seeing to the dinner so there’s nothing to worry about on that score.’

  Winnie settled herself in the passenger seat. ‘I’m really looking forward to seeing the children, but I bet I won’t know them, they’ll be all grown up.’

  ‘I told you three of them are married? Well, the two eldest boys have babies of their own. They won’t be here today as both have nannies, but my daughters-in-law will. And Rosemary’s husband.’

  ‘Let me get their names right, Charlie. Thomas was the eldest, then Neil, Rosemary and Charlotte. Have I got it right?’

  He nodded. ‘You passed the test, my dear.’ He took one hand from the steering wheel and patted her knee. ‘I can sense you’re nervous, which surprises me. There’s no need for it. The children loved you when they were very young, and they’ll love you now.’

  And Charles was right. There was certainly no reason for Winnie to be nervous. When the car drew up in the driveway of the large detached house its door was quickly opened by a man in his mid-thirties. Three faces were looking over his shoulder. ‘We are the welcoming committee, Mrs Cartwright, and we’re really happy to see you.’