by Joan Jonker
‘Of course they will! And as I was saying to meself as I was wrapping mine, it’s too bleedin’ bad if they don’t like them. Yer can only do so much with the money yer’ve got, and we’ve both done that, girl. I mean, me and God are the best of friends, but even He draws the line at performing miracles for me.’
‘He performed one for me last night,’ Mary said. ‘I nearly died when Seamus knocked at the door to say he was getting their Christmas tree today off some bloke he knows who works at the market, and that he’d cadge one off him for us. It’s years since we had a tree, but I’ve still got some decorations upstairs I can use. Apart from brightening the place up, it’ll be nice to come down in the morning to see the presents hanging from it.’
‘Don’t try and hang that pullover of Stan’s on it, it’s so heavy it’ll pull the bleedin’ tree over, then yer’ll have a right mess.’
‘Credit me with some sense, sunshine, I ain’t exactly brainless. Anything too heavy, I’ll put underneath it.’ Mary picked the parcels up and put them on the sideboard. ‘They can stay there until the tree comes. Molly is expecting her men home about three o’clock and she said she’ll send Mick over as soon as they arrive. That gives me time to prepare tomorrow’s dinner and get this place dusted. The girls are really excited, they can’t wait to help me decorate it.’
‘How is your Laura these days? Still playing yer up, is she?’
‘I’m hoping that when she starts work she’ll have some of the insolence knocked out of her. She’s far too forward for her age.’
Amy lowered her eyes. She’d seen Laura in the entry last night, kissing a boy from the top of the street. And it was the girl who was doing the kissing. It wasn’t the first time she’d caught her at it either, and each time it was with a different boy. Other women had witnessed it too, and many tongues had wagged. One woman had seen Laura take her son’s hand and lead him into a side entry that ran through to the next street. She’d done no more than chase after them, boxed her son’s ears in front of the girl and told him if it happened again she’d get his father to take his belt to him. According to the woman, Laura hadn’t run away or shown fear at being caught. Even the threat of her mother being told didn’t make her turn a hair. She’d just stood by and brazened it out.
Amy sighed silently. Laura Nightingale was more than forward, but how did you tell her mother that when she was your best friend? And not only your best friend, but a thoroughly nice person who deserved better from her eldest daughter. ‘I agree with yer, girl, she is a hard-clock if ever there was one. In her case a few smacks when she was younger wouldn’t have gone amiss, instead of being spoiled rotten.’
‘Stan’s to blame for that, he can’t see any wrong in her. Mind you, I’ve seen him taking more notice lately and I think the penny has finally dropped. Let’s hope it’s not too late, or she’ll never have any decent friends.’
‘She hasn’t got any now, girl! That Cynthia is a real hard-faced article, as tough as old rope. She treats her mother like a piece of dirt, but like your Laura, she’s as nice as pie to her father. They’re two of a kind and it would be a good thing if they were split up.’
‘I know, I’ve never liked that girl. Laura wanted to ask her to the party but I put my foot down over that.’
Amy laid her arms flat on the table. ‘I’ve been meaning to ask yer, girl, have yer invited yer dad and his wife?’
Mary shook her head. ‘I’ve had sleepless nights over that. He’s me dad, I love him and we’re getting on fine together now. But seeing him with her would spoil the whole thing for me. Just put yerself in my shoes, Amy, and see how you’d like it. She’s younger than me, hasn’t got an ounce of sense in her head and I know she doesn’t look after him properly. To invite her here and be nice to her would be hypocritical. I can’t, and won’t do it.’
‘I’m not blaming yer, girl, I’d probably feel the same in your place. But it’s such a shame ’cos I’ve always liked your dad. And it’s sad that he won’t see his grandchildren over Christmas. Sad for them, as well.’
‘He will see them, sunshine, he’s coming in the morning with presents for them. And I’ve got socks and hankies for them to give him.’
Amy looked puzzled. ‘How can he come in the morning? There’s no trams or buses running on Christmas Day.’
‘He said he’ll walk. I was honest with him, told him about the party and the way I feel. He said he understood but he wasn’t going to miss seeing us tomorrow, so he’s decided to use shanks’s pony. He’ll do it in half an hour, he said.’
Amy sniffed up. ‘It’s sad, that is. I’ll be crying in a minute.’
‘If yer do, it’ll be in yer own house. I want yer to be a good girl and go home, so I can start on the spuds.’
Amy’s bottom shuffled to the edge of the chair. ‘Bleedin’ marvellous, isn’t it, when yer best friend tells yer to bugger off. I mean, even though yer said it nicely, it still means the same, doesn’t it? So I’ll do as yer ask and take me body elsewhere. But before I go, what about tomorrow? Are we all sorted out?’
‘Yeah. Molly’s making a jelly and a dish of trifle, you’re making two dozen fairy cakes and I’m doing the sandwiches. If yer’ll bring them in about six, I can get the table set for seven o’clock.’
Amy swayed towards the door. ‘D’yer want any help making the sandwiches?’
‘No, I’ve got the girls to help me.’ Mary put her arms around her friend and hugged her tight. ‘A Merry Christmas, sunshine.’
Amy hugged her back. ‘And you too, girl. And you too.’
Mary sat back and watched the girls decorating the tree. ‘It looks nice, doesn’t it, love? I’m really grateful to Seamus.’
Stan returned her smile. ‘Yeah, it looks great. It’s a good one, too, nice thick branches. Did yer say he got it for nothing?’
‘That’s what he told me. Off some feller he knows at the market.’ Mary was pleased to see her two daughters laughing as they hung the strips of red and green bunting on the tree. It was a rare sight to see Laura being friendly and close to her sister. ‘You can spread the big presents out underneath now, and hang the small ones on the branches.’
The girls elbowed each other out of the way to be first at the sideboard. As usual, Jenny gave way to her sister and let her take the big presents. ‘This is for you, Dad,’ Laura said, balancing the parcel on her hand. ‘It’s not half heavy.’
‘D’yer think it could be two bricks?’ Stan laughed. ‘They’d be handy to put in the oven to warm, and I could take them to bed with me to put me feet on.’
‘This one’s for me.’ Laura fingered the parcel before looking at her mother. ‘I hope it’s not one of those frumpy, old-fashioned dresses yer usually buy me.’
In a split second, Stan saw the pleasure leave his wife’s face and Jenny’s happy smile turn to sadness. ‘Don’t you dare talk to yer mam like that.’ His voice was sharp. ‘Now say ye’re sorry, go on.’
‘I didn’t mean nothing, Dad, it was only a joke.’
‘I didn’t think it was funny, Laura, so do as ye’re told and apologise.’
‘I’m sorry.’ The words were said with ill-grace as Laura shrugged her shoulders and turned back to the tree. ‘It was only a flippin’ joke.’
When Mary saw Stan’s face redden and his hands grip the arms of the chair, she touched his lightly. ‘Leave it be, love, we don’t want any rows, tonight of all nights.’
‘If you say so, love.’ He took her hand and held it in his. ‘But she is getting too big for her boots and I should have listened to yer years ago.’
Mary was up very early the next morning and her first task was to spoon the stuffing into the turkey before putting it in the oven on a low light to cook slowly. Then she set about cleaning the grate and lighting a fire. Soon the coals were burning brightly and she put a kettle on the hob ready to make a pot of tea. There was no sound from upstairs so she sat in Stan’s armchair enjoying the peace of the house. The tree looked lovely, and with the p
resents spread out beneath its branches it gave the room a real festive air. She’d done a lot of moaning in the last week with the extra work and worrying about whether she was going to be able to eke her money out. But right now she felt it had been well worth it. A spark from a coal hissed as it spurted out, bringing Mary to her feet to stamp it out before it had time to singe the hearthrug. Not that another scorchmark would be noticed, the poor mat had put up with a lot of wear over the years. It had been made from bits of old clothes, and she remembered how her mother had sat with her many a night pegging the strips of cloth through the canvas.
Mary shook herself to chase away the sadness. This was a day for happiness and she didn’t want the family to come down and see her looking miserable. She hugged herself as she gazed into the dancing flames. There was a lot to look forward to, with her dad coming this morning and then the party tonight. She had never had a party before, but she was going to take Amy’s advice and not worry. So what if her friend’s fairy cakes did turn out as hard as rocks, or Molly’s jelly hadn’t set properly? The world wouldn’t come to an end, they would still enjoy themselves.
She was so wrapped up in her thoughts, Mary didn’t hear the stairs creaking and jumped when her two daughters burst into the room, chorusing, ‘Merry Christmas, Mam.’
‘Oh, I must have been miles away, I didn’t hear a sound.’ Mary hugged and kissed each of them. ‘Merry Christmas, sunshine, and I hope yer both like what Father Christmas brought for yer.’
Laura’s face was eager. ‘Can we open our presents now?’
‘Not until yer dad’s up, I don’t want him to miss any of the fun. Give him a shout while I see to a pot of tea.’
When Stan came down he was carrying a parcel which he put with the others under the tree. He grinned at his wife. ‘That’s for you, love. I hid it under the bed last night.’
Mary clapped her hands together. ‘Ooh, what is it?’
‘Yer’ll find out soon enough, just be patient. And if yer don’t like it yer can tell yer mate off, because she got it for me.’
‘Oh dear, in that case it’ll be a joke. When I open it, it’ll probably blow up in me face.’
Stan’s head dropped back and he gave a hearty chuckle. ‘Fancy thinking that about yer best mate! I admit I had doubts meself about asking her to get yer something, but I think she’s done yer proud.’
‘Dad, can I open my presents now?’ Laura asked. ‘I can’t wait.’
‘Just hold yer horses, sunshine.’ Mary pushed Stan gently down on to the couch, then handed him a cup of tea. ‘Me and yer dad will sit and watch. I think the youngest should go first, so let Jenny open hers.’
Jenny opened the small parcel first, and much to Laura’s annoyance, insisted upon trying the woollen gloves on. Then she laid them to one side and ripped open the large parcel. Her shriek of delight as she held the dress up brought a glow to Mary’s heart. The dress was deep blue with a round collar, long sleeves and belted waist. It was in a heavy cotton, suitable for wear in any weather. The style was plain, but it was the simplicity that made it attractive. ‘Oh, it’s lovely.’ Jenny held the dress close to her chest as she bent and kissed her parents. ‘Thank you, Mam and Dad. Can I wear it today?’
‘Of course yer can,’ Mary said. ‘Yer can get all dolled up for yer grandad coming. He won’t know yer, think he’s come to the wrong house.’
‘I’m opening mine now.’ Laura’s face was set with impatience. But when the small parcel revealed her first pair of grown-up long rayon stockings, she jumped for joy. ‘Just what I wanted. I’m over the moon, Mam, they’re brilliant! I was frightened I’d have to go to work in me school socks.’
‘I hope yer like yer other present as much.’ Mary had her doubts. She’d spent a long time choosing a dress for her eldest daughter, trying to find a style that was neither too young, nor too old. And it was with apprehension she watched her daughter undo the parcel. But when she saw Laura’s face, she knew her fears were groundless.
The girl was lost for words when she held up the cherry-red dress. She gazed with open mouth at the sweetheart neck, the long sleeves and the full flared skirt. ‘It’s beautiful! It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. I bet Cynthia doesn’t get anything as nice as this.’ She twirled round, holding the dress to her. ‘I’m going to put it on right now.’
‘Excuse me, young lady,’ Stan said. ‘Have you lost yer manners? Don’t yer ever thank anyone when they give yer a present?’
‘I’m sorry, Mam, I’m just that excited.’ The tone of her voice and the offhand peck on her mother’s cheek made it clear Laura’s heart wasn’t in it. She was doing what she was told to do, but her mind was elsewhere. ‘I’m going upstairs! I can’t wait to see what me dress looks like on.’
Jenny stepped into her sister’s path, barring her exit. ‘Aren’t yer going to wait and see what me mam and dad got for Christmas?’
Laura looked surprised by the question. ‘No, I want to go and try me dress on. Anyway, I know what me dad’s got so there’s no point.’
Laura tried to sidestep her sister but Jenny anticipated the movement and stood her ground. She knew how her mother had struggled to buy those clothes and she thought the least her sister could do was show some gratitude and not be so selfish. ‘Me mam knew what we were getting because she was the one who had to find the money for them. But it didn’t stop her from being interested enough to want to see our faces when we opened the presents. You’re not the only one in the house, yer know, Laura.’
‘Oh, you get on my wick, you do.’ Laura tried to push her sister aside. ‘Get out of me way and mind yer own business.’
Stan was rising from his chair to intervene when Mary gripped his arm and motioned for him to stay out of it. ‘Let her go, Jenny, there’s a good girl. Yer can’t make anyone be interested if they don’t want to be.’
Laura sneered into her sister’s face before flouncing out of the room, leaving Jenny shaking her head. She always had a vision of families being close on Christmas morning, laughing and joking as they shared the pleasure of presents given and received. But looking back, Laura had always been the first to rip open her presents. They’d been mostly toys when they were younger, and her sister would sit at the table with them and not even throw a glance to see what the others had got. ‘She’s dead mean, Mam.’
‘I know, sunshine, but that’s her problem, and her loss. Now, you can go in the kitchen if yer like, and try your dress on.’
Jenny shook her head as she sat down. ‘No, I want to see what you and me dad have got. I don’t want to miss anything.’
‘Then you can give them out, love.’ Stan was realising he had a lot of ground to make up with his youngest daughter. He’d spoilt Laura by always putting her first, and he could see now that he hadn’t done her any favours. If he hadn’t given in to her every whim, she might have grown up to be as good and caring as Jenny. ‘Yer mam can go first, then we can have a laugh if Amy has set a booby trap.’
‘I’ll kill her if she has,’ Mary said, taking the parcel. ‘This is one day of the year when I can do without me mate’s practical jokes.’ She was tearing at the paper as she spoke. ‘She’s probably wrapped a dead mouse in an old towel, or something.’
‘In that case, I want me money back,’ Stan said, watching his wife’s face closely. ‘She’s not diddling me.’
The only sound from Mary was a gasp, as she stared down at the neatly folded, deep blue fleecy dressing gown. Then came a long drawn-out sigh. ‘Oh Stan, it’s lovely. But how could yer afford it? I hope yer haven’t gone into debt.’
‘That’s the last thing I’d do, love. Yer know how I feel about borrowing money. Once yer get into debt yer never get out of it. No, I was determined that this year I’d get yer a decent present. It’s always you buying for others, never getting much back for yerself.’ Stan took her hand and smiled into her face. ‘So, since September, I’ve only been buying ten Woodbines a day, instead of me usual twenty. And the odd times I
do go to the pub, I’ve only been having a half, instead of a pint. I’ve put the money away each week religiously, and it soon mounted up. I feel dead chuffed with meself – even gave meself a pat on the back.’
‘Oh Stan, it’s beautiful and I do love yer.’ There were tears in Mary’s eyes. ‘But yer shouldn’t have skinted yerself, I know how much yer enjoy yer ciggies.’
‘It hasn’t done me no harm, love, and I won’t be going back to me twenty fags a day. Instead, we’ll go to the pictures more than once every blue moon. The girls are old enough to be left on their own now, and it’s about time you and me got out a bit more.’
Jenny was watching them with her head tilted and a smile on her face. Seeing her parents like this brought a warm glow to her heart. ‘Mam, will yer show us yer dressing gown now, please? I can only see the colour of it from here.’
‘I’ll do better than that, sunshine, I’ll model it for yer.’ Mary felt happier than she had for a long time. Fancy her Stan going without his cigarettes so he could buy her a present. He had to be the best husband in the world. She stood up and passed the gown to Jenny. ‘You undo the buttons, sunshine, while I give yer dad a big kiss.’ She sat on Stan’s knee and put her arms around his neck. Her first kiss was soft and gentle. ‘That’s because I love yer.’ Then she kissed him with passion. ‘And that’s for being so nice I couldn’t help but love yer.’
Jenny coughed gently. ‘When you two soppy beggars have finished, can I see me mam in her new dressing gown?’
Mary sprang to her feet, laughing. ‘Yeah, all good things must come to an end. If we don’t put a move on, me dad will be here before we’ve had any breakfast.’
With her arms spread, Mary was doing a twirl when Laura came in. ‘Ooh I say, the state of you and the price of fish.’ She eyed the dressing gown with envy. ‘I’ll be borrowing that for when I have to get up early to go to work.’
