by Joan Jonker
‘I wish it was true,’ Ben said, ‘but I think Jenny’s right, he’s playing a trick on yer. It’s the sort of thing he would do. He’s so twisted in his mind, he’d think it was a huge joke.’
‘That’s what I thought at first, son, and I told him so. But no, he was dead serious, and I am firmly convinced this is the last night he’ll spend in this house. Please God.’
‘D’yer really believe he’s got another woman, Mam?’ Jenny wasn’t totally convinced, even though she knew her mother was sensible enough to know when she was being told a lie. ‘I can’t see another woman wanting him. I mean, he’s not exactly God’s gift to women to look at, is he? And he’s certainly no angel to live with. Who’d put up with his shenanigans? His drinking, and foul language. Not to mention his violent temper.’
‘I’m not going to worry about that, sweetheart, I don’t care who or what the woman is. She’s doing me the biggest favour anyone could. I feel as though a ton weight has been lifted from me shoulders and I feel light at heart. To live a normal life, without having to look over me shoulder all the time, or worry about being shamed in front of neighbours. Since I got married I’ve lived under a cloud that I never thought would go away. Now, perhaps, I’ll be able to live a normal life, like Ada and Hetty, or Edith and Jean. I know they’ve got good husbands, which I’ll never have, but I won’t ever have to feel inferior to them. From tomorrow onwards I’ll be able to laugh and joke without worrying about what Tom Phillips has in store for me.’
‘Oh, wouldn’t it be wonderful, Mam, if it’s true?’ Jenny was slowly beginning to believe her mother, for two reasons. The first was that her mother seemed quite sure of her facts, and the second was because Jenny wanted with all her heart to believe it. ‘We’d be like a normal family, able to invite our friends here. And think of how different Christmas will be without me dad getting blind drunk and spoiling everything for us. If he goes, it will be the first and only good thing he’s ever done for us.’
Ben was smiling as his brain worked overtime to digest the news. Think of the freedom he’d have! ‘I’ll be able to ask me mates round here for a game of cards, save me going to their houses all the time.’ He pulled on each of his fingers and chuckled at the sound of his knuckles cracking. ‘It’s like a dream. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight, but if I do, I hope I don’t wake to find it was only a dream after all.’
‘Talking of sleep, I think it’s time we went to bed.’ Annie scraped her chair back. ‘Don’t get up in the morning until I give yer the wire. Even if ye’re wide awake, stay there until I’m sure yer dad has left the house. It will mean yer being tight for time, and it’ll be a mad dash for yer. But I don’t want to face Tom Phillips before he leaves, and I’m sure you don’t. So it’ll be a case of getting yer skates on. Yer should get to work on time if ye’re lucky enough to catch a tram handy.’
Jenny stood up and pushed her chair back under the table. ‘Ay, Mam, wait until yer tell Mrs Fenwick and Mrs Watson. I bet they’ll get a shock.’
‘I haven’t been able to get Ada Fenwick out of me mind since yer dad told me he was leaving,’ Annie said. ‘I’m sure the woman is a clairvoyant, ’cos only this afternoon she told me I’d never again get any trouble from Tom Phillips. I didn’t pay any attention to it at the time, but she was right. And it’s not the first time she’s told me something which turned out to be true, either! She must have a gift for seeing into the future.’
‘Ay, she could make money telling people’s fortunes,’ Ben said, following his mother to the stairs. ‘There’s a gypsy at the fairground what tells fortunes, and she asks yer to cross her palm with silver.’
With her foot on the bottom stair, Annie put a finger to her lips. ‘Be as quiet as mice, now, we don’t want to wake a certain person up. We’ll have plenty to talk about tomorrow, please God. A little prayer from each of us wouldn’t go amiss, either.’
When Annie heard the front door closing the next morning, she hurried to the window to make sure her husband had actually left the house. And as he passed the gas lamp, she saw he had a rolled-up bundle of clothes under his arm. ‘Thank God for that,’ she murmured as she crossed the cold lino in her bare feet. ‘Come on, kids, it’s time to move. Yer father has just left, so the coast is clear.’
Annie was first down the stairs, followed closely by Jenny and Ben. ‘I’ll make the toast while you two get washed and dressed.’ It was when she was picking up a plate which bore the remains of toasted bread that she saw the half-crown at the side of it. ‘Ay, look at this!’ She held the silver coin in the palm of her hand for the children to see. ‘I’m beginning to wonder whether yer father has lost his marbles, or seen the light!’
‘Don’t worry about him any more, Mam,’ Jenny said. ‘From the looks of things he’s done what he said, and gone for good.’
‘Good riddance to bad rubbish,’ Ben said with feeling. He’d suffered at the hands of his dad, been the whipping boy when things didn’t suit. He’d been wishing his life away, wanting to grow up quickly so he could square up to the father who had no love for him, his mother or his sister. He’d always promised himself that when he was older, he’d protect the two people he loved most in the whole world. But he wouldn’t have to worry any more now, there’d be no more clouts lashed out, no more rows or filthy language. In their place would be love, warmth and laughter. ‘It’ll be a good Christmas, Mam.’
‘Yes, it will, son.’ Annie turned the bread over under the grill. ‘And this half-crown will help things along just fine. Plus I get me first week’s wages, so that’s five shillings and sixpence I’ll have.’
‘And our money, Mam,’ Jenny reminded her. ‘There should be enough for the extra food, and to buy each other a little present.’ On impulse she wrapped her arm round her mother. ‘Things are looking up for the Phillipses, Mam.’
‘And not before time, sweetheart. But if yer don’t leave go of me, it’ll be burnt toast you and Ben will be having for yer breakfast.’
‘Are yer going to see Mrs Fenwick before yer go to work, Mam,’ Jenny asked, ‘to tell her the news?’
‘Oh, no, sweetheart, I won’t have time. I’ve got this place to tidy and dust, the dishes to wash, and meself to see to. But my first priority is the bed in the front room. I’m going to strip every stitch off it and put the lot in the dolly tub to steep in warm soapy water while I’m at work. Then when I’m putting all clean bedclothes on the bed, I’ll have the window open to get the smell of yer father out of the room. For tonight I’ll be back in me own bed, and I want it to smell nice, clean and fresh. Then I’ll be able to enjoy the best night’s sleep I’ve had in twenty years. And, oh boy, am I looking forward to it.’
Annie worked like a Trojan for the next hour. But it was work done willingly, with a heart that was lighter than it had been for many a long year. And she sang while she worked, something else she had never done before. Tom Phillips had only been out of the house two hours, and already it had a different feel about it. There was no trace of him, or smell, when Annie had finished the bedroom and took the bedding downstairs to put in steep. She was hard pressed for time, so when she finally left for work, she could only glance at the house opposite. She would have loved to tell Ada and Hetty what had happened, but she didn’t want to be late for work. And she’d be having tea with them at three o’clock.
As Annie hastened down the street, she felt like a young girl again. There was a new life ahead of her, and she felt she was walking on air. And adding to her happiness was the knowledge that her two children would be sharing her lightness of heart and feeling of good will. She vowed to live her new life to the full, but her real priority was to make up to Jenny and Ben for the dreadful childhood they’d suffered at the hands of Tom Phillips.
Andy Saunders was serving a customer when Annie entered the shop, and after passing the time of day she quickly made her way to the stockroom to don a coarse apron. When she came out there were several customers waiting to be served. It seemed e
veryone was intent on brightening up their living rooms for the festive season. And because she was feeling so happy, Annie was more outgoing than usual, and laughed and joked with the customers she served. Both she and her boss were kept busy for the first half-hour, and then, when the shop was free of customers, Andy looked down the counter to where Annie stood, her face showing traces of a smile.
‘Ye’re looking very happy with yerself, Annie. Has Father Christmas come early to your house and left yer a nice present?’
Annie had never mentioned her husband to her boss, and wasn’t going to do so now. ‘I’m looking forward to Christmas, Andy. It’s my favourite time of the year. In fact it seems to have an effect on most people, for everyone seems more happy than they do the rest of the year.’
‘I’m looking forward to it meself,’ Andy told her. ‘I’m going to me son’s for the two days, and I’m really looking forward to it. I always think Christmas is a time for children, and I’ll be in me element with me two grandchildren. I’d be a lonely old man without them. Me son and his wife are very good to me, and I’m lucky. But it’s the grandchildren who have brought light into my life.’
‘Ay, less of the lonely old man, Andy,’ Annie said. ‘Listening to yer, anyone would think yer were in yer dotage. I bet there’s not many years between you and me, and I’m blowed if I’m going to think of meself as old.’
‘I’m a lot older than you, Annie. I was fifty last birthday.’
‘Ye’re still a young man, so stop feeling sorry for yerself.’
A customer came in then, and for the rest of the morning the shop was quite busy. In fact at one o’clock, the time they closed for the dinner hour, there were still customers there. ‘You finish now, Annie,’ Andy said. ‘I can manage. As soon as I’ve served these few, I’ll put the bar on the door.’
‘Are yer sure? I don’t mind staying, yer know.’
‘I’m positive. You get off and I’ll see yer tomorrow.’
Annie flew to the butcher’s and was just in time to stop Ronnie from locking the door. She put her hands together as though in prayer, and begged him to let her in. ‘I only want a pound of sausage, lad, it won’t take yer a minute.’
‘I’ve been working all morning, missus, rushed off me ruddy feet! Can’t yer come back when I’ve had me dinner?’
‘I’ve been working meself, sweetheart, ye’re not the only one. And if yer don’t serve me, I’ll go somewhere else for me turkey tomorrow, and I’ll take me mates Ada and Hetty with me.’
Ronnie rolled his eyes to the ceiling. ‘Ruddy blackmail now! Come in, but be quick about it. Otherwise, as sure as eggs, a few other customers will come along and I could say goodbye to me dinner.’ He dragged Annie in by the arm, then pulled the blind down on the door. ‘One pound of sausages yer asked for, and that’s what yer’ll get. So don’t even think of adding anything else.’
‘God love yer, son,’ Annie said when the butcher handed the sausage over. ‘Yer’ll get paid for yer kindness when yer get to heaven.’
‘Yer can pay me back tomorrow by bringing yer mates with yer for their chickens or turkeys.’ Ronnie grinned. ‘I’m only pulling yer leg, girl, ’cos Ada and Hetty have got their order in. They’re picking their birds up in the morning.’
‘Put a small turkey away for me, if yer will, and I’ll ask Ada to pick it up and pay for it when she comes for hers. I’ll be working in the morning, so I’ll be pushed for time.’
As he opened the door to let her out, Ronnie said, ‘Have a nice Christmas if I don’t see yer before, girl, but keep off the gin. Mother’s ruin, that is.’
Annie waved as she hurried away. ‘That’ll be the day when I have a glass of gin,’ she muttered under her breath. The most she’d ever drunk was a glass of sherry. She had more to do with what little money she had than spend it on booze. Besides, one drunkard in the family was enough. Tom Phillips had put her off drink for life.
It was half past two when Annie decided she couldn’t keep the news to herself any longer. Ada was very easy-going, she wouldn’t mind her being early. And all she had to do to bring Hetty running was to knock on the wall.
‘I know I’m early, sweetheart, but don’t shout at me ’cos I’ve got news for yer.’
‘No need to apologise, sunshine, ’cos ye’re not the only early one. Hetty came in half an hour ago, and without so much as a by-your-leave she plonked herself down as though she owned the place.’ Ada held the door wide, a welcoming smile on her face. ‘It would have been all the same if I’d been in me nuddy, splashing away in the tin bath in front of the fire.’
Hetty was chuckling when Annie walked in. ‘What a sight for sore eyes that would have been, eh, girl? My best friend in all her glory. It’s enough to make yer go giddy.’
Ada stuck her tongue out at her mate. ‘There’s worse sights I can think of than seeing me in me nuddy. And don’t ask me what, or yer might hear something yer don’t like.’
After pulling a chair out, Annie sat down. ‘Now don’t you two start an argument, for I want to take centre stage. Yer see, I come bearing news of epic proportions, and I want your undivided attention.’
Ada and Hetty leaned their elbows on the table. ‘I know,’ Ada said. ‘Andy Saunders has asked yer to marry him.’
Annie chuckled. ‘That would be news of epic proportions, sweetheart, but what I have to say puts that in the shade.’ She sat back in the chair and faced the two mates. ‘My husband, Tom Phillips, has left me for another woman.’ She saw two pair of eyes widen. ‘Yes, it’s true. He left home this morning, and he looked rather like Charlie Chaplin as he walked down the street with a rolled-up bundle of clothes under his arm.’
Hetty’s body shook with laughter, thinking it was a huge joke. But Ada kept her eyes fixed on their neighbour from number twenty-two. ‘Well, that’s the second piece of news we’ve had today. But I have to say that yours knocks the other into a cocked hat.’
‘Ah, yeah, but Eliza’s wasn’t a joke,’ Hetty said. ‘Not like Annie’s.’
‘Annie’s isn’t a joke, sunshine,’ Ada said. ‘She means it.’
‘Go ’way.’ Hetty tutted. ‘I’m not as green as I’m cabbage-looking.’
‘It is true, sweetheart,’ Annie assured her. ‘Tom left home this morning, and he’s gone to live with another woman. A woman who, he said, “understands me needs”.’
‘Whoever she is, she’s done yer a real favour.’ Ada’s face was serious. ‘I am so happy for yer, sunshine, and for the kids. Yer can have a real life now, say what yer want, do what yer want, when yer want. But tell us the whole story, how he told yer, and what your feelings were.’ She leaned across the table and patted Annie’s hand. ‘Not that I need to ask yer how yer feel, ’cos I can tell by yer face. It’s sticking out a mile that ye’re happy to see the back of him.’
Annie told them the sequence of events, and apart from a few gasps from Hetty, it was done quietly and quickly. ‘Me and the children are over the moon. We haven’t got used to it yet, but just the thought of him never coming into the house again is enough to make us happy. We can do what we’ve never been able to do, and that’s to walk with our heads held high.’ With a sigh of relief and contentment, Annie sat back. ‘And now yer can tell me what other news yer heard today.’
With her brows raised, Ada said, ‘If yer hadn’t told us your news, then I wouldn’t be telling yer about the letter I had this morning from Eliza. You know, the lady who lived in the house before you. Well, she’s written to say she’d like to see her old house again, just for a visit, if the new tenants wouldn’t mind. She often thinks about it, and would love to see it, just for a few minutes, for old times’ sake.’
‘We weren’t going to tell yer, girl, ’cos we knew yer’d be embarrassed if yer husband was there when she called.’ Hetty took a deep breath and let it out slowly. ‘She’s a real lady is Eliza, and we love the bones of her. Ada was going to find an excuse to put her off, but she won’t have to now, will she? With yer husband not livi
ng at home now, yer wouldn’t have to worry about Eliza visiting yer.’
Annie looked troubled. ‘I couldn’t let her come with the place the way it is. I haven’t done a tap to it since I moved in because I’ve never had the money. I’d be ashamed, for yer’ve always told me she kept her house like a little palace. I’d love to meet her, ’cos she sounds like a wonderful woman, but not with the house as it is now.’
‘Hear me out for a few minutes, sunshine,’ Ada said. ‘In her letter, Eliza said it would be lovely if she could call on New Year’s Eve. Not to stay for any length of time, but just to see once again the house she lived in for sixty years. It’s only natural she’ll pine for a place she’s spent the best part of her life in. She’d be content if she knew there were good people living there now. And there’s over a week to go before then, plenty of time for us all to get stuck in and help yer decorate yer house. We’d all help, and we’d have it done in no time. Jimmy, Danny and Arthur would willingly help, and I know Gordon Bowers and Joe Benson would put their heart and soul into making it look lovely for the sake of Eliza. They all love the bones of her.’
The troubled look was easing off Annie’s face. ‘D’yer think it could be done? I’d love to meet Eliza.’
‘Where there’s a will there’s a way, sunshine,’ Ada said. ‘It won’t cost much for paper and paint, and we could all help with a few coppers if yer were stuck.’
Annie was beginning to get excited. What a wonderful day this was turning out to be. ‘Andy told me, when I started in the shop, that anything I bought there I would get a discount on. So I could probably manage at a pinch.’ She clasped her hands together. ‘Wait until I tell the kids, they’ll be absolutely delighted. How lucky we were the day we moved into the house across the street. It’s not very long ago, but just think how it has changed our lives. Your Eliza must have put a magic spell on the house, God bless her.’
Chapter Thirty-One
