by Joan Jonker
Halfway down the street, Amy asked in a muffled voice, ‘How d’yer think it went, Molly? Did I do all right?’
Molly squeezed her arm. ‘I’m proud of yer, me darlin’, so I am. Yer were that convincing I got carried away and almost offered to take the girl in meself, so I did. It’s an actress yer should have been, Amy.’
‘And did yer notice, girl, I did it all without using one swearword? That’s a record for me. If I told my Ben, he wouldn’t believe me.’
‘Yer could hardly swear when yer were doing yer Christian duty, Amy. Sure, wouldn’t that have been very unChristian of yer? And wouldn’t yer have had the Good Lord frowning?’
‘D’yer think it worked, though? Or have I given the performance of me life for nothing? I should have had an audience – I was wasted there.’ Then came her mischievous chuckle. ‘I know, I’ll go over it again tonight for my Ben. He can take the part of Hettie, ’cos she didn’t have much to say for herself, did she?’
‘Sure, the poor woman didn’t have much chance, not when you were in full flow. She was flabbergasted, and that’s putting it mild. I’ll bet a pound to a penny she’s sitting in that rocking chair wondering whether she imagined it all.’
‘I hope not, Molly, I hope it sunk in. Otherwise Mary will have me guts for garters.’
‘Oh, it sunk in, right enough. Charlie might be in for an earbashing when he comes home, but I doubt if she’d turn Celia away. It was the use of the words “religious” and “Christian” that did it. Did yerself not notice the statue of Our Lady on the sideboard? Sure, the woman’s a Catholic and she’ll not be tempting the wrath of God.’
‘I wonder how Mary’s getting on?’ Feeling as though her mission had been accomplished and successful, Amy’s thoughts went to her best friend. ‘We got the easy bit – she’ll have a fight on her hands. Celia is one tough cookie; she won’t leave like a lamb, all meek and mild.’
‘Then let’s get to her side as quick as we can.’ Molly tugged on her arm. ‘We’re in luck – there’s a tram coming.’
‘It’s a fine how-d’yer-do, isn’t it?’ Monica Platt had thought nothing that Celia did would surprise her any more, but this latest news had knocked the stuffing out of her. ‘All the neighbours thought yer dad was mad at the time for marrying a woman half his age, but if it had worked out, we’d have been glad for him. But the queer one didn’t even try, she wrapped him around her little finger from day one. And he’s too much the gentleman, he let her get away with it. But this latest trick goes beyond the pale. He wants his head testing if he doesn’t throw her out, bag and baggage.’
‘I don’t want to give him the option – I don’t think he could stand up to it. So I want to do it for him, and I was hoping you, and some of me mam’s other old mates, would help me.’
‘I will, queen, I wouldn’t hesitate. And I know three or four others who would rub their hands in glee if they were asked.’
‘The thing is, I want to do it today, before she can get her hands on him. I’ve seen marks on his face that couldn’t have got there by accident, and I’ll swear it was her that put them there. Yer see, if she went for him, he wouldn’t fight back because he thinks any man who lifts his hand to a woman is a bully and a coward.’
Monica looked at her with sympathy and understanding. ‘Yer don’t need to tell me anything about yer dad, Mary – I’ve known him since before you were born. And as for Celia, yes, she would have put the marks on his face. These walls are very thin and we’ve heard her carrying on. She shouts and yells at the top of her voice, and her language, for a woman, is terrible. Sure enough, the next day we’d see Joe with scratches on his cheeks, or bruises.’
Laura hadn’t said much, but now she ground her words out. ‘If I get my hands on her, I’ll give her a good hiding for doing that to my grandad.’
Mary patted her hand. ‘Let’s be content if we can get her out of me dad’s house and out of his life.’ She appealed to the woman who’d been her mam’s best friend. ‘How about it, Monica, will yer help?’
‘With the greatest of pleasure.’ The older woman smiled. ‘Besides, I’ve got nothing on today, so it’ll fill in me time and I’ll consider it time well spent.’
Mary explained what she had in mind, and also what Amy and Molly were doing right this minute. And while she was speaking, Monica was nodding her head in agreement. ‘Good planning, queen, yer’d make a good army captain. Now if you’ll put the kettle on and see to a pot of tea for yerselves, I’ll go and make a few calls.’
It was half an hour before Monica came back, but she didn’t come back alone. With her were four neighbours whom Mary had known all her life. Maggie Smith, Nellie Mitchell, Lizzie Thompson and Ada Bullen. Tears came to her eyes when they stood in a line facing her across the table. They spoke as one. ‘Hello, queen.’
Remembering the laughs her mother had had with these women who, when times were bad, would help each other out with half a loaf, a shovel of coal or a cup of sugar, Mary had to speak through the lump in her throat. ‘If me mam’s looking down on yer now, she’ll be smiling and saying “thank you”.’
‘Ay, girl, we’re doing it for yer dad,’ Maggie Smith said, folding her black knitted shawl across her chest. ‘But we’ll be doing ourselves a favour at the same time.’
‘Ye’re not kidding, we’ll be glad to see the back of her.’ Nellie Mitchell turned her head to make sure her neighbours were nodding in agreement. ‘Have yer seen the state of her bleedin’ house?’
‘Bloody disgrace it is,’ Lizzie Thompson said. ‘Spoils the whole street.’
‘Aye, and that’s what we see when we look out of our window,’ Ada Bullen complained, playing with the long hairs that grew from a mole on her chin. ‘It’ll be good riddance to bad rubbish.’
‘If we can pull it off. Still, we can but try.’ Mary sighed. ‘Has Monica told yer what’s happened, and what I’m trying to do?’
‘Yeah, girl, we know about the baby and what yer friends are doing.’ Maggie Smith took it upon herself to be the spokeswoman. ‘I hate to say this, but the woman yer dad married is no more than a whore. Am I right, Monica?’
‘I’m afraid so. I don’t want to pile the agony on, Mary, but the more yer know, the more determined yer’ll be. Many a night me and Phil have heard her in the entry with a bloke. And we could tell from the noises that they weren’t just having a friendly conversation.’
‘Right, that does it.’ Mary stood up so quickly the chair would have toppled over if Laura hadn’t caught it in time. ‘Me temper’s on the boil now, I’m just in the mood for her.’
‘She’ll still be in bed queen.’
‘She was in bed last time I came, but I got her up. If you ladies will give me fifteen minutes after I get in, then will yer stand in a group outside her window?’ Mary waited for their nods, before tapping her daughter on the shoulder. ‘Come on, sunshine, let’s go.’
Celia heard the banging on the door and pulled the bedclothes up to her chin. ‘Whoever it is can sod off, I’m not getting up for no one.’ The banging became louder but she still ignored it. ‘Bleedin’ cheek knocking like that, I’ve a good mind to go down and belt them one.’
But the sound of breaking glass had her slipping her legs out of bed and struggling into a scruffy dressing gown. ‘Just wait, whoever yer are. Yer’ll be sorry yer signed by the time I’ve finished with yer.’
Celia was prepared for a slanging match, but she was not prepared for the two people who confronted her when she opened the door. Her surprise showed briefly, then an evil smile crossed a face that still bore the traces of yesterday’s make-up. ‘Well, if it isn’t the stuck-up bitch herself, and her lying daughter.’ Her laugh was scornful. ‘I don’t know which window yer broke, but it doesn’t worry me ’cos yer old feller will pay for it. Now, yer can just bugger off to where yer came from, ’cos this time ye’re not getting in.’
Laura moved before her mother. She was in the hall before Celia had time to stop her. ‘Come in, Mam,
it’s me grandad’s house, not hers.’
‘Oh, you’ll be sorry, yer little bitch. Wait until I tell yer dear mother what you’ve been up to.’
Mary squeezed between them and went straight to the living room. She shut her eyes at the sight that met her, but she couldn’t stop the smell of dirt from invading her nostrils. And her beloved father had to live in this pigsty. She shook her head; not any more he didn’t, not after today.
Celia crossed to the mantelpiece and picked up a packet of cigarettes. She lit one and took a few puffs before brazenly staring at her husband’s daughter and granddaughter. ‘I don’t know why ye’re here, but seeing as yer are, yer may as well listen to a few home truths about this daughter of yours. Perhaps yer won’t be so high-and-mighty when I’ve finished.’ She moved to stand in front of Laura and pushed her sneering face close. ‘I wonder where I should start?’
Laura put her hand in the middle of Celia’s chest and pushed with all her might, sending the woman reeling backwards. ‘Don’t come near me, yer smell dirty.’
Mary stood in front of her daughter when, mad with rage, Celia went to grab her. ‘Take yer filthy hands off her. And I know about the underskirt, the lies, the smoking and Gary. So that leaves yer with little to say to me. But I have a lot to say to you. We’ll start off with the baby ye’re carrying, and its father, Charlie.’ She heard Celia gasp and smiled. ‘Oh, there’s much we know about you. Down the back entry with every Tom, Dick and Harry, like a woman of the streets. Well, yer heydays are over, at least from this house. It’s up to Charlie to look after yer now, ye’re his responsibility. So I want you out of here now. And I mean within the next half-hour.’
Celia’s lip curled. ‘Some hope you’ve got, yer stupid bitch. I’m not going anywhere so yer can forget it and bugger off.’
‘Ye’re leaving, Celia, if I have to kick yer out.’
‘Just you try it, yer bleedin’ cow! Wait until Joe hears about this.’
Laura lunged forward. ‘Don’t yer call my mother names.’ She smacked Celia across the face. ‘Ye’re not fit to be in the same room as her.’
Mary pulled her daughter back. ‘She’s not worth it, sunshine, just leave her. She’s got half an hour to pack her things and get out. Then we can clean this place up before yer grandad gets home.’
‘Are yer deaf or something?’ Celia asked. ‘I’m not going anywhere, and you can’t make me.’
Mary’s eyes went to the window. ‘The neighbours can make you.’
‘Neighbours! They’re not going to chase me, why should they?’
‘Because they don’t like yer. And they can chase yer, don’t worry. They’ll be glad to see the back of yer.’ Mary jerked her thumb. ‘Look out of the window, Celia – can yer see them? They know all about yer baby, and Charlie, and what ye’re trying to do to me dad.’
Celia saw five women, all with their arms folded across the handles of stiff brushes. And she no longer felt sure of her ground. ‘They can’t throw me out, it’s my home.’
‘Shall we invite them in and yer can ask them? But I’d take my word for it if I were you, ’cos they don’t think very kindly of yer at the moment and I wouldn’t vouch for yer safety. If I don’t go out there in the next five minutes and tell them yer’ve agreed to leave, then heaven help yer. And if ye’re wondering why they’re doing it, it’s because they know ye’re an out-and-out rotter, not fit to lick me dad’s shoes.’
‘I’d better go and tell them what’s happening, Mam,’ Laura said. ‘Otherwise they might break the door down.’
‘Yes, okay, sunshine. Tell them to give me another five minutes.’
As soon as Laura was out of the room, Mary turned on Celia. ‘If yer know what’s good for yer, yer’ll leave without fuss. And yer won’t show yer face in this street again.’
‘How the hell can I leave? I’ve got nowhere to go.’
‘Oh yes, yer have! Yer can make a home with the father of yer baby. In fact, Hettie Owens will probably be expecting yer any time.’
The colour drained from Celia’s face. ‘You cow. You bleedin’, stuck-up, toffee-nosed cow. One of these days I’ll meet yer when ye’re on yer own and I’ll scratch yer bleedin’ eyes out.’
‘I’ll give yer two bits of advice before yer go upstairs to pack yer things. Don’t even think of retaliating ’cos yer’d come off worse, I promise. And secondly, keep away from my father. Don’t be waiting for him outside work to wheedle money off him, because I’ll find out and yer’ll live to regret it. From this day, you and the baby are Charlie’s responsibility. He’s had his fun, now let him pay for it.’
Laura came running in. ‘Mam, the neighbours said they’re coming over.’
‘Go and tell them to wait, Celia’s just going upstairs to pack her things.’
Mary and Laura got home five minutes before Stan was due. Jenny was already there and had set the table. ‘I didn’t know what yer had in for tea, Mam, otherwise I’d have got it ready.’
‘That’s all right, sunshine, we’ll have to make do with egg and chips. Yer can start peeling the spuds if yer will, to give me time to get me breath back.’
‘Tell me how yer got on first, I’m dying to know. I’ve been a bundle of nerves all day, I couldn’t settle to work.’
‘Can yer wait until yer dad gets in? He’ll be here any minute. If I start telling you, it would mean me starting all over again with him. And it’s a long story, sunshine, I can’t tell it in five minutes.’
Stan popped his head around the door. ‘I’m here now, and I’ll have a heart attack if I have to wait much longer to hear how it went.’
Mary looked surprised. ‘I didn’t hear yer coming in!’
‘One of yer had left the door open.’ Stan slung his cap on the couch and sat down. ‘Ye’re all in one piece, so yer didn’t have a fight on yer hands, thank God. Now tell us, is Celia still at yer dad’s house?’
‘I don’t want to tell it in dribs and drabs, so wouldn’t yer like yer dinner first? Not that ye’re getting anything to write home about, I’m afraid, just egg and chips. But if it’s any consolation, Ben and Seamus are having the same, ’cos Amy and Molly have only just got home.’
‘Me dinner can wait, I want to know what happened.’
‘Okay, let’s all sit around the table and I’ll start from half seven this morning, when I knocked on Amy’s door.’
It took well over half an hour, and in that time Stan smoked three cigarettes. He wasn’t normally a heavy smoker, but his nerves were on edge. He did raise a smile when Amy’s and Molly’s part in the operation was told. But although he had many questions flying around in his head, he never spoke. And Jenny felt as though she was sitting in the pictures watching a sad but exciting film.
Mary was coming to the end of the saga. ‘So the last I saw of Celia, she was walking down the street carrying a suitcase with all her belongings in. And behind her marched five women clutching stiff sweeping brushes. Amy and Molly had arrived by then, and they helped me clean me dad’s house. We sent Laura to the shops for everything we needed because there was no Aunt Sally, no dusters or floorcloths. In fact, there was nothing – she must never have done any housework. Anyway, I left me mates to it and went down to me dad’s works when I knew he’d be on his dinner break. That was the hardest part, because I didn’t know how he’d take it. But he seemed relieved, although ashamed that we’d done what he couldn’t bring himself to do. And he did no more than ask his boss for the rest of the day off, saying there was a problem at home. On our way back, I did some shopping and made a big pan of scouse for him.’
‘I can’t take it all in, yer’ve done so much in one day.’ Stan gazed at his wife with love and admiration. ‘I take me hat off to yer.’
‘I didn’t do it on me own, love. I had all my friends to help, and also me mam’s. I could never have done it without them.’
‘And all without a fight! I thought she’d be like a raving banshee!’
‘Ah, well, I was saving that unt
il the last.’ Mary gazed across the table at her eldest daughter. ‘There wasn’t a fight, but there was a hand raised. Celia called me a not very nice name and Laura gave her a really hard slap across the face.’
Jenny looked at her sister in awe. Then she put an arm across her shoulders and squeezed. ‘I’m glad yer did that, sis. I’m proud of yer.’
‘And me, too, love,’ Stan said. ‘Thanks for sticking up for yer mam.’
Mary was dog-tired, but it was a pleasant tiredness. ‘Me dad’s coming here straight from work tomorrow dinnertime, and he’s staying for dinner and tea. And talking of food, I’d better get cracking on feeding yer, ’cos Amy and Molly are coming over later to go over it all again.’
She stretched her arms above her head. ‘I’ll sleep without rocking tonight, with no worries on me mind. Oh, peace, perfect peace.’
Chapter Twenty-Seven
They were just finishing their meal when Laura saw a figure pass the window. She was off her chair like a shot. ‘I’ll open the door – it’s Gary.’
‘It looks like he’s the one for her,’ Stan said, smiling at his wife. ‘He seems to have done wonders for her.’
‘He’ll do for me, he’s a nice boy,’ Mary said. ‘And we’ve got him to thank for what we’ve achieved today.’
Gary was laughing as he was pulled into the room. ‘Nice to see yer again, Mr and Mrs Nightingale – and you, Jenny. I’ve only heard a few garbled words, but it sounded as though yer’ve had a good day.’
‘A brilliant day, son, thanks to you. But I’ll leave Laura to tell yer the part we played, and Amy and Molly will be here soon to tell yer theirs. I must warn yer though, that me best mate, Amy, has a wicked sense of humour and a vocabulary that includes quite a few words yer won’t find in no dictionary. So I hope ye’re not easily offended.’
