Moonlight and Ashes

by Rosie Goodwin

  ‘I wasn’t plannin’ to,’ he told her sullenly. ‘I’ve asked yer mam to have the little ’un this afternoon while I go out job-hunting.’

  Maggie sighed. She knew that the sudden need to get another job was nothing at all to do with the fact that Sam wanted to be the breadwinner again. He was just fed up with having no money to pass across the bar of the local pub.

  ‘So what time are you likely to be back then?’

  ‘Christ, woman,’ he grunted. ‘You’ll have me on a bloody stopwatch next. How long is a piece o’ string? I’ll keep lookin’ till I find sommat. I could do wi’ some cash fer the tram fares though.’

  Maggie extracted her purse from her bag and counted a few shillings out onto the table. ‘Will that be enough?’

  ‘Huh! It’ll have to be, won’t it? Yer tighter wi’ money than a duck’s arse,’ he complained.

  Planting a hasty kiss on Lucy’s shining hair, Maggie ignored his unpleasant remark and hurried towards the door, snatching the twins’ satchels up on the way. ‘Right then - we’re off. I’ll see you later, eh?’

  At the end of the road, she parted from the twins and hastened on towards Courtaulds. The heat had been unbearable for the last few weeks and although it was only eight-thirty in the morning, it was already becoming oppressive.

  Jo was waiting at the factory gate for her as she’d taken to doing of late, and Maggie waved to her as she approached.

  ‘Looks like it’s going to be a scorcher today,’ she greeted Jo as they went into the cloakroom. She was horrified to see that the girl’s lip was split and a bruise showed across her eye.

  As Jo fastened a hairnet across her fair curls she felt Maggie’s eyes on her. ‘I can see what yer thinkin’ but ask no questions an’ I’ll tell yer no lies,’ she muttered.

  Maggie’s kindly heart went out to her. ‘Oh Jo, why do you do it? Was it one of your er . . . clients who hurt you like this? Surely you earn enough here without having to go out onto the streets, putting yourself at risk?’

  ‘You know nothin’, so why don’t yer just mind yer own business, eh?’

  ‘Because I care about you, that’s why. Who did this to you? They should be bloody locked up an’ someone should throw the key away.’

  Maggie would have said more, but just then Gladys Harper swept past. Gladys, who worked just down the line from them, was a great Amazon of a woman. She had a big mouth to match her massive frame and loved nothing more than a good gossip, but it was well-known that she also had a kindly nature. She had even taken to bringing food in for the cats who kept the rats down in the factory.

  ‘How’s yer mam this week then, love?’ she addressed Jo. ‘Florrie were sayin’ she’s took a turn fer the worse again. Not that I’m surprised, mind. Married to that bullyin’ bastard of a father o’ yourn would be enough to get any woman down. I honestly don’t know why either of yer stick it. Why don’t yer just put him out on the pavement on his arse where he belongs, or better yet, pack up, piss off an’ leave the swine to it.’

  ‘It ain’t quite as simple as that, with all the little ’uns to see to, Gladys,’ Jo mumbled.

  At that moment the factory hooter sounded and the women hastily put out their cigarettes and began to troop towards the clocking-in machines. Maggie’s mind was working overtime as she kept a curious eye on Jo. From what she had gathered, it appeared that Jo had an invalid mother and a bullying father, plus numerous siblings. Could that be the reason why she walked the streets at night, to help keep the house going? Maggie was more than aware that it was absolutely none of her business, but she determined to find out all the same. Jo was little more than a girl, and the thought of her having to sell her body made Maggie shudder.

  Glancing across at her yet again, Maggie realised that Jo could have actually been quite pretty if she did something with herself. She was slender to the point of being thin, boyish almost, but her hair was naturally blond and curly and her eyes, when they weren’t shut with bruises, were a lovely sapphire blue. Maggie decided to do some detective work and try to find out a little more about her. From where Maggie was standing, Jo appeared to be a girl who was in need of a friend - whether she wanted one or not!

  When Jo disappeared off into the toilets at break-time, Maggie made a beeline for Gladys, who was standing outside drawing deeply on a Woodbine. ‘Gladys . . .’ She faltered suddenly, wondering if this had been such a good idea after all. Then she went on: ‘I know I’m going to sound like a right old nosy-parker, but I’m worried about young Jo. She’s got a shiner on her again. Do you have any idea how she might have gotten it?’

  ‘Well, that wouldn’t take three guesses.’ Gladys hitched her sagging bosoms up and shook her head sadly. ‘A dog shouldn’t have to live as her an’ her brothers an’ sisters do. That father o’ theirs is a right old bastard to the lot of ’em. Rules ’em wi’ a rod of iron, he does. The mother is bedridden, an’ fer as long as I can remember, that poor little sod, bein’ the eldest, has had to carry the burden o’ the whole family. Yer never see any of ’em playin’ out in the street wi’ the other kids. The poor little sods almost shit themselves if yer so much as look at ’em. Makes yer wonder what the world’s comin’ to, don’t it? Anyway, I’d best get back in else I won’t have time fer a cuppa before we have to start again.’ Grinding her cigarette out with the heel of her foot, she asked, ‘Are you comin’ too, love?’

  ‘What? Oh yes, yes, I am.’ Maggie followed the woman back inside with a heavy heart. It sounded as if Jo had had a terrible life. But it still didn’t explain why she’d decided to become a street girl. There and then, Maggie vowed that she was going to find a way to help her, whether Jo wanted her to or not. First of all though, she would have to find out how.

  ‘So what’s up with you this mornin’, then? Did yer get out of the wrong side of bed or sommat?’

  Maggie ignored Sam as she hastily wrapped the children’s packed lunches in greaseproof paper, and pushed them into their satchels. She could hardly bring herself to look at him, let alone speak to him, the way she felt this morning.

  Picking up on her mood, the twins kept quiet as she tugged a brush through their hair, one after the other. Normally their mam was perky in the mornings but it certainly couldn’t be said of her today.

  ‘Me mam will be over later this morning to look after Lucy. I suggest you get yourself off out job-hunting again then,’ she told Sam brusquely as she ushered the twins towards the door.

  ‘Well, what else would I be doin’ wi’ nothin’ in me pockets?’ he retaliated, but when she had disappeared through the door he scratched his head in bewilderment. Something had upset her - that was for sure.

  ‘Is everythin’ OK, Mam?’ Danny gazed up at her as she marched the twins along the street.

  Forcing a smile to her face, Maggie gave him a quick hug. ‘Of course it is, sweetheart. I’m just a bit tired, that’s all. Nothing for you to worry about though. Now off you go, the pair of you, and have a good day. I’ll see you both this evening, eh? And be good for your grandma when you get in from school, won’t you?’

  ‘Yes, Mam.’ The twins watched her stamp away, then shrugged simultaneously.

  ‘Grown-ups can be hard to understand at times, can’t they?’

  Lizzie nodded in answer to her twin’s question then hand-in-hand they hurried on their way.

  Once she reached the factory gates, Maggie took a deep breath. Lately she had taken to standing outside with Jo while she had a cigarette before they started work, but this morning, the girl was nowhere in sight. Maggie headed towards the toilet block where she rinsed her face with cold water at the long row of sinks. Glancing up into the mirror, she was shocked at her reflection. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, which seemed to emphasise her pallor.

  She had just dragged the compulsory hairnet out of the depths of her handbag, when the door swung open and Jo appeared.

  ‘Thought I might find you in here when you weren’t outside,’ she said brightly. ‘What’s
up then? Yer look like you’ve lost a bob an’ found a tanner.’

  Maggie concentrated all her efforts on tucking her hair beneath the hated hairnet.

  The smile slid from Jo’s face. ‘Have I done somethin’ to upset yer?’ she asked.

  ‘No, of course you haven’t. But the thing is . . . well, after seeing that latest bruise I’ve been lying awake all night worrying about you. Don’t you think it’s time you told me what’s going on? I want to help you, Jo.’

  ‘Oh yes - an’ just how do yer suppose yer can do that?’ Jo faced her defiantly. ‘I don’t go out on the streets fer love, yer know. It’s all right fer you to stand there all high an’ mighty.’

  The two women faced each other like opponents in a boxing ring until Jo’s shoulders suddenly sagged and she leaned heavily against the sink.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Maggie. I wouldn’t upset you fer the world. Yer about the only friend I’ve got, or ever had if it comes to that.’

  She looked so small and vulnerable that Maggie’s heart went out to her before she asked softly, ‘Why do you do it, Jo?’

  ‘’Cos I ain’t got a lot o’ choice.’

  ‘Of course you have a choice. No one makes you go out onto the streets, surely?’

  ‘Huh! That just goes to show how much you know then, don’t it? If I don’t go out an’ tip the money up to me dad when I gets back in, me mam an’ the kids cop it.’

  Maggie’s face mirrored her horror as she took a step towards her. ‘You mean to tell me, your own father makes you prostitute yourself?’

  ‘That’s about the size of it, though to be honest when he first sent me out it was almost a relief. At least I get to choose who I go with when I’m out on the streets.’

  As the implication of what she was saying sunk in, Maggie’s hand flew across her mouth. ‘You can’t mean that your father . . .’

  Jo laughed; an empty laugh that echoed around the toilets. ‘Oh yes, I can. Me mam has been poorly an’ confined to her bed fer almost as long as I can remember - so that left me to step into her shoes . . . in all ways.’

  ‘Oh, my God.’ Maggie could barely believe what she was hearing. She stepped towards Jo, but the girl pushed her away.

  ‘So now yer know, don’t yer? If it weren’t fer the little’uns an’ me mam, I’d be long gone, but what am I supposed to do? If I don’t do as he says, they suffer, it’s as simple as that. An’ as long as I do as I’m told, he leaves me younger sisters alone.’

  ‘Oh Jo, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.’

  ‘No, nor does anyone else, an’ I’d prefer it to stay that way.’ With that she turned on her heel and marched away as the full horror of what she had just disclosed washed over Maggie in waves.

  Until their confrontation she had always felt a little sorry for herself. But now that she understood what Jo was forced to endure she felt almost lucky. Compared to Jo’s father, Sam was a saint and she vowed to try harder to love him. On legs that suddenly felt like lead weights she slowly made her way to her machine and so began another monotonous day.

  Chapter Nine

  One balmy evening in late June, Maggie and her mother sat with their feet up in the kitchen as a cool breeze wafted through the open back door. After the intense heat of the day it was a welcome relief. The children were all fast asleep in bed, and both women were feeling relaxed, especially as Sam was out at the pub.

  ‘I reckon I might go over home an’ get meself a nice early night,’ Ellen Sharp remarked.

  ‘I think I might do the same. I have to say, this hot weather takes it out of you. It’s awful in the factory. By dinnertime it’s like a furnace in there.’ Maggie would have said more, but suddenly a steady droning overhead broke the stillness of the early evening.

  ‘What’s that?’ The words had scarcely left her lips when the air-raid siren wailed and the colour drained from her face. ‘Oh, my God. Mam, what’s happening?’

  Seeing that her daughter was on the verge of panic, Ellen took control of the situation. ‘I think this might be it, love, God help us. Now listen to me. We have to get the children into the shelter - an’ quickly. Do you understand me?’

  When Maggie merely stared at her blankly she crossed to her and quickly shook her arm.

  ‘You get the twins an’ I’ll get Lucy. Then, when we’ve got them into the shelter, we’ll pop back in’ an’ fetch some bedding. Now come on, there’s not a minute to lose.’ She pushed Maggie towards the stairs door, and despite the fact that she was almost crippled with arthritis, she sprinted up them two at a time.

  Seconds later, she reappeared on the landing with Lucy, who was still fast asleep, tucked warmly in a cot blanket. Maggie had hold of the twins, who were knuckling the sleep from their eyes and complaining loudly.

  ‘Good girl,’ Ellen encouraged. ‘Now, get them out into the yard an’ into the shelter.’

  Ignoring the twins’ questions, which were coming thick and fast, Maggie pushed them ahead of her, and soon they were all out in the yard. She could hear doors banging and neighbours scurrying everywhere as they too headed for their shelters.

  ‘That’s it, in you go.’ Ellen pushed the children in front of her and after yanking the Anderson door open she nudged them inside. It smelled of damp earth, but there was no time to worry about that now. After depositing Lucy onto one of the makeshift bunk beds that Sam had knocked up out of any old pieces of wood he could get his hands on, she told the twins, ‘Now you sit there an’ keep your eyes on your sister. Me an’ yer mam will be back before you know it.’

  Swinging about, she dived back into the house, closely followed by Maggie, and between them they soon had two feather mattresses and a pile of pillows stacked at the top of the stairs.

  ‘You get those into the shelter an’ I’ll grab some beddin’,’ Ellen commanded in a voice that brooked no argument. Minutes later, when she staggered back across the yard with her arms full of blankets, she dared to glance up at the sky. It seemed to be full of planes and she shuddered. It looked as if they were in for it tonight, all right.

  Once inside the shelter she hastily closed the door, and for the benefit of the children, who were all wide-eyed with fright, she fixed a smile to her face.

  ‘Now then, we’re going to camp out tonight. That will be nice, won’t it?’

  ‘Don’t want to camp out in here. It smells funny - an’ where’s me dad?’ Tears were glistening on Lizzie’s long lashes and she had to shout to make herself heard above the steady drone of the planes.

  As if Maggie had only just thought about Sam, she glanced fearfully at her mother.

  ‘Your dad will be fine,’ Ellen assured the little girl.

  Maggie was full of admiration for her mother, who was as calm as could be.

  ‘He’ll go into the pub cellar, no doubt,’ she added. ‘Right - let’s get these beds made up for now, eh? We’ll have you as snug as a bug in a rug in no time.’

  For all the world as if this was an everyday occurrence, Ellen Sharp swung the mattresses onto the bedframes and in no time at all she had tucked the children in.

  ‘There, now. You all snuggle down and try to get back to sleep. Everything will be OK, you’ll see.’

  Lizzie, who was lying next to Danny in the top bunk, cuddled up close to her brother, her eyes wide and fearful in the light of a candle that Maggie had lit.

  ‘Are they goin’ to drop bombs on us, Gran?’ she whispered.

  Her grandma smoothed her cheek. ‘I don’t know, sweetheart,’ she answered truthfully. ‘But even if they do, they can’t hurt us while we’re all in here.’ Crossing to Maggie, who was perched on the edge of the old easy chair her mother had given to her, she pressed her hand reassuringly and whispered, ‘Try an’ stay calm now, love. For the sake o’ the kids, eh?’

  She squeezed onto the chair at the side of her daughter and wrapped her arms around her. Maggie nestled her head on her mother’s shoulder as terror swept over her in waves.

  ‘What about me dad?’ she said.
‘He’s over at the house all on his own.’

  ‘He’ll be all right,’ Ellen soothed. ‘Bill is big an’ ugly enough to take care of himself. He’ll go into the cupboard under the stairs, an’ he knows I’m here with you, so stop worrying.’

  The two women fell silent as the racket overhead grew louder by the minute. And then they heard a loud whistling noise followed by the sound of a huge explosion. Maggie almost jumped out of her skin.

  ‘Sshh.’ Ellen cuddled her even closer. ‘Don’t get panicking. They’ll be aiming for Ansty Aerodrome an’ the factories. We should be safe enough. We’ve just got to sit it out.’

  Amazingly, after a time the children drifted off back to sleep. Maggie felt as if she was trapped in a nightmare as she clung to her mother for dear life. The candle sputtered, casting an eerie glow about their tiny sanctuary, and the two women began to pray as they had never prayed before.

  After what seemed an eternity, Ellen rose and approached the door. Inching it open, she peered out into the night and the sight that she saw made her mouth gape in amazement. The sky overhead was as bright as day, as thousands of tiny incendiary bombs drifted down, like tiny multi-coloured fairy-lights on parachutes. The bombs that were raining down shook the ground and she hastily elbowed the door back to.

  ‘What’s happening out there?’

  When Maggie’s terrified voice floated to her she shrugged. ‘Can’t really say. But it’ll be all right. You’ll see.’ But despite her encouraging words, Ellen Sharp’s heart was heavy. She had an awful feeling that many people would lose their lives this night.