by Joan Jonker
Molly leaned forward and tapped Jack on the leg. ‘D’yer feel like goin’ for a pint with George?’
Jack’s eyes appeared over the paper. ‘No, I don’t feel like goin’ out. I’m glad to sit down and relax after a day’s work.’ He looked at her suspiciously. ‘What brought this on? You know I never go out through the week.’
Molly glanced at Ruthie. ‘Will yer run up to the corner shop for me, sunshine? I need a small tin loaf for our breakfast. It’s still light, so yer’ll come to no harm. An’ yer can ’ave a ha’penny for sweeties.’
Ruthie scrambled off the chair. ‘Can I ’ave a penny to buy a yo-yo?’
Molly reached for her handbag. ‘Five years of age an’ already she’s a ruddy blackmailer.’ She put a shilling into the eager hand. ‘Keep tight hold of me change an’ come straight back.’
Jack folded the paper. ‘Out with it. What ’ave yer got up yer sleeve now?’
As Molly got into the story, Jill put the needle down and sat back to listen. With so much to tell, and so little time to tell it in, Molly didn’t even pause for breath. ‘Mary’s comin’ over when she’s got Bella to bed, an’ she’s goin’ to wash and cut Ellen’s hair so she’ll look tidy tomorrow. She’s got a coat she can ’ave, too. It’s not new, but it’s a damn sight better than the thing Ellen’s wearing.’
‘Mam, she can have that navy skirt of mine,’ Jill said. ‘There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just that I’ve had it over a year and I’ve had me money’s worth out of it.’
‘Ooh, thanks, love!’ Molly was delighted. ‘Yer a bit fatter than Ellen, she hasn’t got a pick on ’er, but we can move the waist button.’
Jack was shaking his head. What would this wife of his get up to next? Still, he told himself, everything she did was to help someone. ‘Does George know he’s goin’ for a pint, or is he gettin’ his marching orders, like me?’
Molly grinned. ‘He’s goin’ to volunteer, like you just did.’
‘I can’t get over you two!’ Mary Watson was winding Ellen’s hair into dinky curlers. She’d washed it three times with carbolic soap, then trimmed it. It was as straight as a die, no perm in it, so it was probably a waste of time putting curlers in. Still, if they could just get a kink in it, it would be worth it. ‘Fancy goin’ in two shops an’ asking if there were any jobs going! I wouldn’t ’ave had the nerve.’
‘It wasn’t nerve we ’ad, it was cheek!’ Molly and Nellie looked at each other and giggled. ‘Tony Reynolds was a push-over, wasn’t he, Nellie? It was like leadin’ a lamb to the slaughter.’
‘Yer should ’ave heard her with the feller from the Maypole,’ Nellie gurgled. ‘I nearly wet meself when she told ’im he looked like Clark Gable. He grew ten inches before me very eyes.’
‘That’s until I asked ’im if there were any jobs goin’,’ Molly laughed. ‘He shrank down to size then.’
‘What did he say?’ Mary thought the whole thing was hilarious, like something out of a Keystone Kops film.
‘They didn’t need anybody.’ Molly doubled up with laughter. ‘And he really thought they didn’t until me an’ Nellie ’ad a go at him. Then he decided that perhaps they could do with someone to make the orders up. And with a bit more persuadin’ we convinced ’im it would be handy if the bags of loose tea and sugar were weighed out, save them a lot of time when the shop was busy.’
‘Was he glad to see the back of us!’ Nellie’s eyes disappeared in the folds of flesh as she rocked with laughter. ‘Saw us to the door before we took his own job off him.’
‘I don’t know about ’im being glad to see the back of us,’ Molly said, ‘I was glad to get out before he changed ’is mind.’
‘Not bad goin’, eh, Ellen?’ Mary bent to look into Ellen’s face. ‘Two interviews tomorrow, that can’t be bad.’
Ellen didn’t answer. She was gobsmacked, stunned into silence by the speed of events. She’d never sleep tonight, she was so nervous and worried about the interviews tomorrow. Please God, let me get the jobs, she prayed silently. I need the money badly, but I also need me pride back.
‘There, that does it.’ Mary patted Ellen’s head. ‘I’ll come over in the mornin’, and if the curlers haven’t done the trick, I’ll have a go with me curling tongs.’
‘Our Jill’s left yer a skirt an’ blouse, Ellen, so with them an’ Mary’s coat, yer’ll be done up like a dog’s dinner.’
‘Try them on,’ Nellie coaxed. ‘Let’s see what yer look like.’
Ellen’s eyes widened in fear. She couldn’t get undressed in front of them, her underclothes were in rags! ‘They’ll be all right.’
Molly had seen the look and understood. ‘Yer’ve got nothing we haven’t got, Ellen, but if yer embarrassed go in the kitchen and get changed.’
When Ellen came through the kitchen door the three women were pleasantly surprised. The coat was a loose swagger, so it didn’t look out of place on the thin frame, and the blouse and skirt showed up well beneath it. ‘Yer look a different woman, Ellen,’ Molly said, to accompanying nods from the other two. ‘Wait till . . .’ Her words petered out when Jill’s navy skirt parted company from Ellen’s hips and fell in a heap around her ankles. She looked so comical, Molly turned her head away so her neighbour couldn’t see the laughter in her eyes. Not for the world would she want Ellen to think she was making fun of her.
Molly felt Nellie’s grip on her arm just as a strange, high-pitched laugh rang out. She turned to see a sight she never thought she’d ever witness. Ellen was standing with her head thrown back, laughter gurgling from her throat and tears streaming down her face.
‘Oh, my God, she’s gone hysterical!’ Molly rushed to Ellen’s side. ‘It’s all right, Ellen, just calm down, there’s a good girl.’
Ellen shook her head, wiping at the tears with the back of her hand. ‘I’m all right, Molly, honest! It’s just that it’s ages since I ’ad anythin’ to laugh about.’ Again that shrill sound rang out. ‘I haven’t been to the pictures for years, but listenin’ to you an’ Nellie, imaginin’ the pair of yez with that feller from the Maypole – well, it reminded me of Laurel an’ Hardy.’ She pointed to the skirt around her ankles and doubled up in a fit of giggles. ‘This was the last straw . . . I must look a scream.’
‘Well, I never!’ Molly was flabbergasted. ‘D’yer know, it’s the first time I’ve heard yer laugh, or seen a proper smile on yer face?’ She turned to Nellie, her hands on her hips. ‘I’m beginning to see what Corker meant! She looks a different woman with a smile on ’er gob.’
‘Wait till her hair’s done in the morning.’ Mary was happy and sad at the same time. ‘Yer won’t know her.’
‘An’ I’ll be here with me powder, rouge and lippy.’ Nellie wasn’t going to be left out. Ellen’s plight had touched her, and she’d made up her mind to do all she could to help. ‘She’ll look like a million dollars when she goes out of this ’ouse temorrer.’
‘Get the skirt off.’ Molly’s voice was gruff with emotion. ‘I’ll put a tuck in it.’
Nellie and Mary sat at Molly’s table making desultory conversation while every few seconds their eyes strayed to the clock on the mantelpiece. ‘I thought she’d be back by now,’ Molly said gruffly. ‘Me nerves are on edge.’
‘She didn’t half look smart when she walked down the street this mornin’.’ Nellie’s arm was red where she’d been pinching at the fat. ‘I wish she’d hurry up an’ put us out of our misery.’
‘In bed last night, I was thinkin’ she wouldn’t be a bad lookin’ woman if she paid some attention to herself.’ Mary’s finger was making patterns in the chenille tablecloth. ‘A bit more flesh on her bones, a perm and some make-up would work wonders.’
‘All that takes money, somethin’ that’s been in very short supply in Ellen’s life,’ Molly said. ‘In fact everything’s been in short supply as far as I can see. I wonder ’ow long it is since someone held her close, gave ’er a kiss and told ’er they loved her?’
‘If yer don�
��t shut up, yer’ll ’ave me in tears.’ Nellie transferred her pinching to her other arm. ‘I hope she gets the jobs, that’ll cheer us up.’
When the knock came, Molly had the door open in two seconds flat. ‘About time!’ She pulled Ellen along the hall, asking, ‘How did yer get on?’
‘I got both jobs.’ Ellen was all smiles. ‘Five bob a week each.’
There were sighs of relief and pleasure. ‘Thank God for that!’ Molly said. ‘But what took yer so long?’
‘I called at the ’ospital. I can’t go tonight ’cos I’m startin’ at the butcher’s. I’ll ’ave to try an’ fit me visits in when I can.’
‘How is Nobby?’ Nellie asked.
‘Still the same. He opened ’is eyes when I sat down, but he looked through me, as though I wasn’t there.’
Molly put her arm around the thin shoulders. ‘Yer’ve done well today, kid, an’ we’re all proud of yer. Now it’s up to you to get the best out of life that yer can for yerself an’ the kids.’ She smiled across the table at Nellie and Mary. ‘If she ever gets stuck, needs a bit of help like, she can always come to us, can’t she? After all, what are mates for?’
Chapter Fifteen
The postman sauntered up the street at his usual pace, whistling softly as he deposited letters through the appropriate letter-boxes. His peaked cap pushed to the back of his head, his bag of mail slung over his shoulder, he was thinking that this was the kind of morning when his job was a pleasure. The sky was a lovely clear blue, with white fluffy clouds floating like balloons. It’s going to be a real scorcher, Tommy Maher thought, slipping a letter under a door that had no letter-box, I should have left me vest off.
Molly was standing on her front step watching Tommy’s progress with impatience. ‘Get a move on, slow coach!’ she called. ‘Yer late this mornin’, where the hell ’ave yer been?’
‘I’m not late, I’m dead on time!’ Tommy was proud of his timekeeping. Never late, and never a day off since he’d started work. ‘Anyway, what’s the hurry, Molly, expectin’ somethin’ important, are yer?’ He pulled a wodge of mail from his bag and began rifling through. ‘Nothin’ for yer today, I’m afraid.’
‘Oh, come off it, Tommy Maher, of course there is! I posted four meself, yesterday.’
Tommy burst out laughing as he handed a batch of envelopes over. ‘Only pullin’ yer leg, Molly.’
‘Aye, well, pull the other one, it’s got bells on.’ She flicked through the envelopes, counting. ‘Ten cards. Not bad, eh?’
‘How old is Jill today?’
‘Sweet sixteen and never been kissed,’ Molly laughed. ‘At least not in my presence.’
‘Smashin’-looking girl, your Jill,’ he said, moving off. ‘If I was a bit younger I’d be chasing her.’
‘Yer’d be too late, she’s spoken for.’ Molly waved goodbye and as she stepped into the hall saw Jill halfway down the stairs, yawning and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. ‘Happy birthday, sunshine!’ She waited till Jill was on the bottom stair then handed the envelopes over. ‘Sixteen today, eh, love?’ Molly gave her a hug. ‘I hope yer ’ave a lovely birthday.’
‘Thanks, Mam.’ Jill put the cards by her plate on the table. ‘I’ll swill me face and clean me teeth first, wake meself up.’
‘Yer toast is ready so don’t be too long. I’m dyin’ to see who the cards are from.’
When Jill came back from the kitchen, washed, dressed and wide awake, Molly brought a plate of toast in and placed a jar of jam near to hand. ‘Now hurry up an’ open yer cards, I’m dyin’ of curiosity.’
Jill took a bite of toast then reached for the top envelope. She was alert now and beginning to feel excited. Being sixteen was a big step in a girl’s life, she was a young woman now. ‘It’s from Mrs Watson and family.’ She read the verse in the card before passing it to her mother. ‘Read the verse, Mam, it’s lovely.’
Ruthie’s card had a fluffy kitten on the front, and Jill was delighted when she saw her sister’s childish scrawl. ‘Ah, bless her, she’s written it herself.’
‘First card she’s ever sent,’ Molly said proudly. ‘Yer’d ’ave died laughing if yer’d seen her writin’ it. Her tongue was hangin’ out of the side of her mouth, and the concentration on her face . . . well, yer’d ’ave thought she was makin’ her last will and testament.’
Tommy’s card brought loud guffaws from both of them. It was covered in dirty finger marks and ink stains. ‘Don’t know why he bothered to sign it,’ Molly said. ‘It couldn’t be from anyone else. Still, the thought was there.’
Jill picked up the next card, saw the handwriting and put it to one side. ‘You’re not seeing that, it’s from Steve.’
‘Spoil-sport,’ Molly laughed. ‘It would ’ave brightened me day.’
‘I’ll have to read the others on the tram,’ Jill said after glancing at the clock. ‘Otherwise I’ll be late for work.’
‘Yer lucky it’s half day closing.’ Molly was flicking through the remaining envelopes. She picked out two and handed them to Jill. ‘Open these, it’ll only take a minute.’
When a ten shilling note dropped out of the first card, Molly was rewarded by the look of surprise and pleasure on her daughter’s face. ‘You can’t afford this.’ Jill handed the note over. ‘It’s too much!’
‘Me an’ yer dad didn’t know what to buy yer, so we thought it best to give yer the money so yer can get what yer want. And don’t worry, I’ve not left meself skint.’ Molly moved across to the fireplace and took down a parcel from the mantelpiece. ‘That card in yer ’and is from Doreen, an’ she left yer this, as well.’
‘Isn’t it exciting!’ Jill tore at the paper wrapping. ‘I wouldn’t mind having a birthday every day.’ She let out a squeal. ‘Oh, Mam, look, a blue velvet hair band! Isn’t it gorgeous? I’ll wear it when I go out with Steve tonight.’
‘Yer’ll suit it, love, it’s the same colour as yer eyes.’
‘I’ll have to scarper, or I’ll never get to work on time.’ Jill put her arms around her mother and kissed her. ‘I’ve got the best family in the whole world and I love all of you.’
‘Away with yer,’ Molly sniffed. ‘Get off to work while I go an’ wake Tommy an’ Ruthie. Can’t ’ave them being late for school.’
‘I’ll be home about two,’ Jill said, happily picking up her cards to show the girls in work. ‘I’ll see you later, Mam, ta-ra.’
Molly slapped her bottom playfully. ‘Ta-ra, sunshine.’
‘Have yer got a minute, Molly?’ Ellen was looking much better these days. Her face had filled out a little, there was colour in her cheeks and she had more confidence. She walked with her head held high, and even had a word for the neighbours, something she’d never done when Nobby was home. ‘I won’t keep yer a minute.’
‘I’m not stuck for time,’ Molly told her. ‘I’ve done all me work, the washing’s on the line and the dinner only needs a match under it.’ She pointed to a chair. ‘Just finished work, ’ave yer?’
‘If yer can call it work! It’s a dead cushy number at the Maypole.’ Ellen sat down and folded her arms. ‘As yer know, I usually go straight from there to the ’ospital, but I couldn’t bring meself to go today, somehow.’
When Ellen started to pick at her nails, Molly knew there was something bothering her. ‘What’s up? Nobby’s still improving, isn’t he?’
‘So they tell me, but I can’t make ’im out. If yer saw him, yer’d think he was gettin’ better. The sister says he’s eating all right, he’s propped up in bed an’ his eyes are open all the time now. But he frightens the life out of me. He looks me up and down with a sneer on his face. Never says one word, but if looks could kill, I’d be dead.’
‘Ellen, yer expecting too much! He’s not goin’ to be full of the joys of spring, not after what he’s been through.’
‘I keep tellin’ meself that, but I still can’t help feelin’ there’s something not quite right. I mean, why doesn’t he ask after the kids, or ask me to bring things in
for ’im? The old Nobby would be screamin’ and shoutin’, blaming everyone but ’imself for what’s happened! But he’s never said one word to me, I may as well not be there!’ Ellen shook her head. ‘I’m not clever, not even good at explainin’ what I mean, but I’ve lived with ’im long enough to know him inside out, an’ I’ll swear the man in that bed is not the Nobby I knew.’
‘And he’s not, is he!? The Nobby you knew ’ad two legs, this one hasn’t! How d’yer think we’d feel if we’d ’ad our legs cut off, eh? The poor man must be out of ’is mind.’
‘Yer’ve hit the nail on the head, Molly, ’cos that’s just what I think. He is out of ’is mind.’
‘Ye gods and little fishes, Ellen, what’s the matter with yer? The man’s in ’ospital. If there was anythin’ wrong, don’t yer think the doctors would know?’ Molly clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. ‘I think yer expecting too much too soon, an’ yer letting yer imagination run away with yer.’
Ellen leaned forward, her eyes pleading. ‘I know I’m always askin’ favours of yer, Molly, but can I ask yer just one more? Come to the ’ospital with me an’ see what you think. See if I am imaginin’ things.’
‘I can’t come today! Our Jill’s home at two, an’ I want to be with her ’cos it’s her birthday. I’ve iced a sandwich cake, an’ I’ve got a jelly setting in a bowl of cold water. It’s not much, we’re not havin’ a party or anythin’, but I can’t let her birthday go without putting a little spread on.’ Molly sighed inwardly when she looked at Ellen. Oh, dear, here I go again, a sucker for punishment. ‘I’ll come with yer tomorrow.’
‘Oh, thanks, Molly, yer a real pal.’
A ruddy fool more like, Molly told herself when Ellen had gone. She’s got this cockeyed idea in her head, and I’m dafter than she is for going along with it. They say there’s a fool born every minute and I must be the biggest fool of all. I’d fall for the flaming cat, I would!
