Gordon gasped in shock to find a figure standing in the darkened hallway. ‘What the…?’
Pearl put her finger up to her lips to silence him. ‘I might need your help, pet,’ she whispered as she turned and climbed the stairs. Gordon, catching sight of Mark’s tense face above, followed without a word. When she reached the landing, Pearl put her arms protectively around Mark. He winced in pain.
‘Has he hurt you bad?’ she asked. When Mark did not answer, she shuddered. ‘I’m sorry I left you, pet. Jo wanted me to make sure you were all right.’
‘Please help Mam,’ Mark urged.
The boys followed Pearl into their parents’ bedroom. Matty was sprawled across the bed, half undressed, snoring. At first Mark could not see his mother, then a small voice whispered, ‘I’m over here.’
They turned to see Norma huddled in a chair beyond the chimney breast. She was wrapped in a pale blue dressing-gown, her legs bare, but Mark could see she still wore her party dress underneath. Pearl went straight to her, putting out a trembling hand to her swollen face.
‘My God, what’s he done to you this time?’ she gasped.
Mark saw his mother crumple into Pearl’s arms and start to sob. She could not speak. Her sons stood rooted by the open doorway, feeling a mixture of fear and revulsion. But Pearl acted swiftly.
‘Come here, Gordon, and take your mother’s arm. Mark, you fill a bag with some clothes for you and your brother. I’ll get some for you, Norma. You’re all coming to stay with us.’ Norma shook her head, looking in panic at her comatose husband, but Pearl was firm. ‘You’re not stopping with him – not after what he’s done to you. And look at Mark; he’s covered in bruises too.’
Gordon murmured, ‘He’ll only come and fetch her back. He does when she goes to Nana Ivy’s.’
Pearl was brisk. ‘Just let him try. Now come on, lads, and let’s get your mam out of here.’
Mark hurried as quickly as he could to grab a few possessions and bundled them into Gordon’s haversack. He felt a wave of relief as he led the way downstairs, Pearl and Gordon following with his mother. He grabbed a pile of coats from the closet under the stairs and hobbled out into the night. He marvelled at Pearl’s bravery. She was the only person he knew who seemed willing to stand up to his father, and he felt suddenly close to Jo’s spirited aunt. They would be safe and cared for at the Elliots’. Mark longed for that with a deep, hungry need.
Chapter Four
Jo was amazed to find Mark and Gordon downstairs the following morning, camped either side of the kitchen fire. Gordon seemed awkward about being there, but Mark was cheerful. Pearl came down to say that Norma was still sleeping and made them a large breakfast of sausage, eggs and beans. Jo heard her talking in a low, urgent voice with her father, but no one seemed able to answer her own string of questions: ‘How long are you going to stay here? Does Mr Duggan not mind? Can we all have Christmas together?’
Jo thought it a dream come true to have their best friend Mark to stay. As for waking up to find the handsome Gordon under the roof, looking all surly with his hair ruffled… Jo’s tummy did a somersault. She must have been staring too hard, for Gordon pulled a face at her and said, ‘What you looking at, Beatle wig?’
Jo blushed furiously and he laughed. Vowing she would never wear the hateful plastic wig again, she slunk to the scullery door, where Pearl was washing up with Jack.
‘It’s up to you to go round and have it out with him,’ Pearl was insisting.
Her father looked agitated. ‘You’re in over your head. We can’t go interfering in folk’s marriages.’
Pearl gave him a sharp look. ‘Why not? You’ve seen the state of her like a punchbag. I want Norma to go to the police, but she’s saying no.’
‘There you are,’ Jack said. ‘She doesn’t want us to interfere. There are some things a husband and wife have to sort out for themselves.’
Pearl’s look was withering. ‘And what about Mark?’ she hissed. ‘Who’s going to protect him?’ When Jack gave a helpless shrug, Pearl added, ‘Imagine it was your bairn got thumped last night. Now how do you feel about it?’
Jack flinched with shame. ‘Aye, you’re right. I’m sorry. I’ll go and talk to Matty if you think it’ll do any good.’
Pearl put out a hand and touched his slim face affectionately. ‘Talk some sense into him; he might take it from another man. He certainly won’t from me.’
Jo felt sure Pearl was about to kiss her father, but he caught sight of her hovering in the doorway and stepped abruptly away. They both eyed her, wondering how much she had overheard, and then busied themselves quickly.
That day, Mark went with them to Sunday School, though Gordon refused and went out on his own. ‘Bet he’s gone round to Barbara’s,’ Mark snorted, hobbling along on his bandaged ankle.
‘Aye, for a snog,’ Colin laughed.
But Jo did not like to think of it and changed the subject. ‘Remember Auntie Pearl says we’ve to go round to Grumpy Bewick’s after church.’
Strangely, the idea seemed more appealing than it had done the night before, for it would get them out of Jericho Street all day. The boys seemed happy too. They went the long way round to the chapel so as to avoid Mark’s house, chattering expectantly about what it would be like inside Bewick’s place. By the time they headed home, it was getting dark. Grumpy had put them to work clearing leaves, but they had had a grand bonfire and his wife had treated them to crumpets and lemon sponge cake for tea. They decided Grumpy was not so grumpy after all. They found Norma sitting by the fire smoking with Pearl and Jack.
‘You all right, Mam?’ Mark went over to her at once.
Norma nodded, her face puffy and bruised like a boxer’s.
‘We’re just telling your mam you can stay as long as you need,’ Pearl smiled.
‘We’re not going back, are we?’ Mark asked, his face tense. Norma’s face crumpled and she began to cry. Mark patted her awkwardly on the shoulder.
Jack said, ‘I went to talk to your father. He doesn’t remember much about last night. Says it’s all been a mistake. He thinks we’re making too much fuss,’
‘Too much fuss!’ Pearl snorted.
‘But he’s agreed to let you stay here till you feel like going home,’ Jack added quickly. ‘He’ll not bother you here.’
‘Mam,’ Mark said, his look urgent, ‘I don’t want to go back.’
She gazed at him bleakly. ‘I’m so a-ashamed,’ she whispered through her tears.
Pearl said at once, ‘You’ve nothing to be ashamed of! You’ve had to put up with that man for too long. He’s a drunkard and a bully−’
‘Pearl!’ Jack warned.
‘Well, she can’t possibly go back to him,’ Pearl exclaimed. She touched Mark on the arm. ‘I’ve told your mam you’re welcome to live in the flat I’m renting. It’ll be ready in a fortnight and I’ll be back to sea at the end of the month, so it’ll be nice for me to have someone keeping an eye on the place.’
Mark smiled in relief. ‘That’s great, isn’t it, Mam?’ Norma tried to smile, but it hurt her face too much. ‘Can me and Gordon go up and see it after school tomorrow?’
Jo noticed a look pass between the adults. Jack answered, ‘Your brother’s gone back home. He was there when I went round. Says he’s stopping with your father.’
Mark’s face fell. He put his hand on his mother’s shoulder again. ‘Mam? That doesn’t mean we have to, does it?’
Jo was puzzled by the look Mark’s mother gave him. It was almost resentful. She pulled away from him and with a querulous ‘No,’ started to cry again.
***
For a week, Norma did not venture outside, though all the neighbours knew where she was. At first Matty kept away, but by Friday he was drunk and ranting outside the house.
‘You get yourself back home, woman! You’ll not make a fool of me. Come out, do you hear?’ He cursed foully then shouted for Jack. ‘Show your face you coward! You’ve no right to keep me wife in there.�
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Pearl stuck her head out of the upstairs window and threatened to call the police. Matty released a string of invective and she banged the window shut so the children could not hear. Eventually, after the Leishmans complained about the noise, Gordon appeared and helped his father home.
That weekend, Ivy came to visit, but she grew so distressed at the situation that Pearl could see she was just upsetting her daughter-in-law the more. Pearl coaxed Norma upstairs to lie down. ‘Can’t you have words with your Matty?’ she demanded when she returned to the kitchen. ‘He’s been round here calling us all worse than muck.’
But Ivy grew defensive. ‘It’s not all his fault. I know he’s got a bad temper, but Norma’s not always been the perfect wife to him either, by any means. She’s had affairs, you know.’
‘No, I don’t know. Anyway, that’s no excuse to raise his fists to her,’ Pearl retorted. ‘And he shouldn’t take it out on Mark either.’
Ivy flushed. ‘Oh, the poor lad!’ But then she went on the attack, blaming Pearl for making the situation worse. ‘I don’t think they should be going to live in one of them flats; it’s too far away from family.’
‘Exactly,’ Pearl replied. ‘Where they’ll be safe.’
‘No.’ Ivy shook her head. ‘We should be trying to get them back together as a family.’ Pearl gave a cry of exasperation. By the time Jack came back with the children from the fish and chip shop, Ivy had gone and Pearl was in an angry mood. She announced she would take them ten-pin bowling that afternoon to cheer them all up.
‘Smashin’!’ cried Jo, leaping around the cramped kitchen with the boys. Norma refused to be coaxed out in broad daylight and Jack went off to put a bet on the dogs and have a quiet drink with Mr Leishman. Jo noticed her father was unusually impatient with them and kept muttering that the house was ‘too crowded by half.’
‘Don’t fuss,’ Pearl answered. ‘We’ll all be out from under your feet by next week, when the flat’s ready.’
After Jo’s pleadings, they went round to look at the flat on the way to the bowling alley. They rode up and down in the lift three times before Pearl called a halt to the game. There were workmen in the flat putting up kitchen cupboards, and the rooms smelt of drying paint. Jo gasped at the view. ‘It makes me dizzy!’
‘Isn’t it grand?’ Pearl grinned. ‘And look at the bathroom; all the mod cons. No more heating up water in a copper boiler for Auntie Pearl.’ She took Mark by the hand. ‘You can have this little room,’ she told him. ‘Your mam can share with me until I go back to sea.’
‘What about when we stay?’ Jo queried.
‘I’ll get two settees,’ Pearl promised, ‘one for each of you to sleep on.’
They spent the rest of the afternoon on a high of excitement, planning future stays at the flat together. After bowling, Pearl treated them to pie and peas for their tea, so it was late by the time they got home. Strangely the house was in darkness, and they found Jack sitting in the firelight, listening to the wireless.
Pearl flicked on the electric light, making Jack squint and cover his eyes.
She laughed. ‘Getting a bit of shut-eye while we were out?’
Jo looked at her father’s groggy face and thought he looked much older than when they had left him.
‘Where’s Mam?’ Mark asked quickly. ‘Is she asleep?’
Jack got to his feet and looked at the boy pityingly. ‘Your dad came round while you were out,’ he said gently.
‘What?’ Pearl cried.
‘He didn’t hurt her, did he?’ Mark demanded.
Jack held up his hand to Pearl, who looked about to burst with questions. ‘No, lad, he didn’t hurt your mam. He came round to say sorry; brought her a bunch of chrysanthemums.’
‘So where is she?’ Pearl asked impatiently. Jack continued to address Mark. ‘He’s fetched her home.’
Pearl exploded. ‘You let her go …?’
Jack turned on her. ‘I couldn’t stop,’ her he replied crossly. ‘When she saw how sorry he was, she wanted to go back. He was being nice as ninepence. I could hardly tie her up and keep her here against her will, could I?’ They glared at each other.
Jo looked at Mark and saw his confusion.
‘What am I to do?’ he asked. ‘Is Mam coming back for me?’
Jack struggled to compose his face. ‘She asked if I would keep you here a bit longer – until they sorted things out at home.’
‘How long?’ Mark persisted.
Jack tried to reassure him. ‘You can stay here as long as needs be. Your mam thinks you’ll be better off here until she sees how things go with your dad.’
But Mark was ashen. ‘I can’t believe she’s gone without waiting for me,’ he said.
Jo piped up. ‘Well, I think it’s great, you staying on here. Isn’t it, Dad?’
‘It won’t be forever,’ Jack warned, wanting to curb Jo’s expectations.
Mark tensed and his voice hardened. ‘They don’t want me living with them, do they?’
‘Of course they do,’ Pearl said quickly. ‘Your mam’s just a bit confused at the moment; she’s had a real shock. She’s doing what she thinks is best for you.’
‘No she isn’t!’ Mark cried. ‘Neither of them want me. I’m the reason they fight. It’s me that me dad can’t stand. Now Mam doesn’t want me either.’
Jo reached over to touch him. ‘We want you.’
‘That’s right,’ Pearl agreed. But he shook Jo off, glaring at them all. ‘Why should you when me own family can’t stand me? I can’t stay here for ever, there’s no room for me!’
‘We’ll make room.’ Jack tried to calm him. ‘Listen, I’ll do us all some hot milk and we can talk about it tomorrow. I’ll have another word with your father.’
‘No!’ Mark cried angrily. ‘What’s the use? You didn’t manage to stop me mam going, did you?’ Abruptly, he turned and fled out of the kitchen and down the passageway.
Pearl moved to follow him, but Jack stopped her. ‘Leave the lad be. He wants to be on his own.’ They heard him running upstairs. Jo looked at her brother in desperation. If anyone could comfort him, it was Colin.
He nodded. I’ll go up and see he’s all right.’
By the next day, Mark was calmer, and after Sunday School they went off to see the Bewicks again. But the following week he was in trouble at school, and Jack found him increasingly difficult to handle at home. The boy seemed intent on disruption, enticing the others to roam the Burn instead of coming home, and challenging them to dares. Soon, Colin and Jo were answering back like he did, challenging Jack’s orders and trying his patience. Even Pearl was finding it difficult to keep her temper, and she spent her time out of the house buying furniture and crockery for her new flat. Neither Matty nor Norma came near them, and on the Saturday, Gordon was sent round with another bag of Mark’s clothes.
‘Thought he might want these,’ Gordon said awkwardly, thrusting the parcel at Jack. ‘There’s a pair of me old football boots he can have. Will you tell him I’m playing this afternoon? On second thoughts, he better not turn up in case me dad’s there.’
Jack was appalled. ‘How’s your mother?’ he asked.
Gordon gave him a cautious look. ‘Canny.’
‘Have things calmed down with your dad?’ When the boy nodded, Jack continued, ‘Mark’s missing his mam. If things are better now, he should be with his own family. When’s she going to fetch him?’
But Gordon merely shrugged. ‘Better be off.’ He glanced over his shoulder as if he was being watched.
‘Stay and wait for Mark,’ Jack urged. ‘He’ll be back from the baths any minute. Pearl’s taken them.’
‘Sorry,’ Gordon answered, with a toss of his shaggy fringe, ‘I can’t stop.’
Jack stared after him, worried by the boy’s words. For the first time it seemed possible that the Duggans might never reclaim their youngest son. He determined to have words with Matty before any more damage was done.
That afternoon, Colin had
his first real fight with Mark. Jo was sure it had something to do with the bag of clothes that Gordon had brought round, for they had both been in high spirits at the baths. So much so that the attendants had threatened to ban them from the pool for dive-bombing each other, before Pearl had intervened. But after Mark had discovered the bag of crumpled jumpers and his brother’s old boots, he had gone into a mood and started baiting Colin. Finally, he got hold of Colin’s bugle and began to play it, though Jo knew her brother hated anyone else to touch it. When Colin told him to stop, Mark blew it harder and then ran out of the house, taking the instrument with him.
Colin chased him, shouting furiously, ‘That belongs to the Brigade! Bring it back, man!’
But Mark was faster than his friend and soon disappeared into the park. Jo had followed. ‘I think I know where he’ll be. Do you want me to go after him?’ Colin looked at her, out of breath, his square face puce with anger. ‘He better bring it back or I’ll kill him!’
‘I’ll make sure he does,’ Jo promised. She ran on down the bank and found Mark where she expected, in their favourite tree. It was easy to spot him now that the leaves had almost fallen. He was swinging his legs disconsolately, the bugle hanging round his neck.
As Jo began to scale the tree, he shouted down, ‘Colin sent his little sister after me, has he? Crying like a baby, I bet.’
Jo stopped and squinted up into the low wintry sun. ‘Give it back, Mark man. You know what he’s like about the bugle.’
‘Come and get it then,’ Mark grinned.
Jo continued to scramble up, but he edged along the branch and dangled the bugle out of her reach. ‘Don’t be daft!’ she called. She knew she could not climb out after him, so she tried to divert him. ‘Eeh, look at that spaceship landing over there!’
Mark did not even look round. ‘Not fooled,’ he laughed.
Jo regretted her next words almost before they were spoken. ‘Hey, there’s your mam, behind you!’
THE TYNESIDE SAGAS: Box set of three dramatic and emotional stories: A Handful of Stars, Chasing the Dream and For Love & Glory Page 89
