MB04 - Down Our Street

by Joan Jonker

  Molly’s eyes darted from left to right. Would Nellie have the nerve? Nah, she was only pulling her leg. ‘If yer find anything interesting, sunshine, let’s know, won’t yer?’

  ‘Go ’way!’ Jack and the three girls had their eyes fastened on Molly. ‘Yer didn’t, did yer?’

  ‘Cross my heart and hope to die.’ Molly could hardly contain herself. ‘Nellie was absolutely brilliant! We got to the Maypole just a few minutes before they closed for dinner and there were no customers in the shop. Nellie nabbed the manager and as soon as she started talking the three girl assistants came over because they knew they were sure of a laugh. And they got one, too! According to my mate, if it hadn’t been for Steve, Tommy and Paul, we wouldn’t have won the war. Everyone in this country would be going around doing the goose-step, giving the Nazi salute and shouting, “Heil Hitler!”. And all the time she’s talking, she’s dabbing her eyes with this piece of old sheet. Honest to God, Jack, if I hadn’t been there to see it with me own eyes, I would never have believed it.’

  ‘The manager didn’t swallow all that, did he, Mam?’ Ruthie asked. ‘If he did, he must have a screw loose.’

  ‘Of course he didn’t, yer soft nit! He said she could have two ounces of tea and half a pound of sugar because she deserved it for the best acting he’d seen in years. And apart from that, he was hungry for his dinner and knew Nellie wouldn’t give up until she got something off him. I was over the moon when he said that, and had made up me mind to give her a big kiss when we got outside. But me mate hadn’t finished with the poor man. Still dabbing her eyes and her voice choked, she pointed to me and said “What about me friend? Yer wouldn’t leave her out, would yer? Not a kind man like you. Don’t forget, her Tommy’s been doing his bit for his country, as well.” I thought she’d gone too far, and yer could have knocked me over with a feather when he told one of the girls to give Mrs McDonough a quarter of tea and a pound of sugar that she could share with her friend. And in case the girls got any ideas, he said he would bring his own ration book in tomorrow and hand over the coupons.’

  ‘I can’t see him doing that, love,’ Jack said.

  ‘Neither can I, but I won’t lose any sleep over it. I didn’t do badly meself with the butcher. I’m getting some stew off him on Thursday to make a dinner for Tommy, and he’s promised to let me have some brawn when we have the party. And I blackmailed Maisie and Alec. I said they would be invited to the do if they helped out with the eats.’

  ‘You and Nellie have got more nerve than me – I couldn’t do it,’ Jack said. ‘Still, it’s all in a good cause, isn’t it?’

  ‘Don’t put me in the same class as Nellie; I’m not in the meg specks compared to her. She gets away with murder! The staff at the Maypole were in stitches at the way she was carrying on, and while they’re doubled up, she manages to fiddle two weeks’ rations off them! After being her mate for all these years, she still never ceases to amaze me.’

  ‘Ye’re good together, Mam,’ Doreen said. ‘I’ve watched yer, and yer just seem to bounce off each other. You start the joke, and Auntie Nellie comes in at the end with the punch line.’

  ‘Yeah, I’ve noticed that.’ There was a smile on Jill’s pretty face. ‘One without the other would be like Laurel without Hardy.’

  Molly screwed her eyes up, hitched her bosom and did a very passable imitation of Nellie. ‘Is that an insult, girl? If it is I’ll clock yer one.’

  Doreen began to collect the dirty plates. ‘If ye’re going up to see Uncle Corker’s mother, yer don’t want to leave it too late, Mam, because she’ll be frightened to open the door in the dark. Me and our Jill will wash up for yer.’

  ‘Ah, I was going to say I’d go with me mam to see Mrs Corkhill,’ Jill said, pulling a face. ‘I haven’t been up there for a while.’

  ‘Oh, go on, me and Ruthie will do the dishes.’ Doreen winked at her young sister. ‘It’s you and me, babe! I’ll wash and you can dry.’

  ‘Let’s go while the going’s good, Jill.’ Molly stood up and looked in the mirror over the mantelpiece. Patting her hair, she said, ‘If a bloke picked me up in the dark he’d soon drop me in the daylight, I look such a mess. Still, I’m not proud.’ She bent to kiss her husband’s cheek. ‘Half an hour, love, that’s all we’ll be.’

  Molly was standing on the pavement as Jill pulled the door shut behind her, when she spotted Lily McDonough coming out of their house. ‘Hello, Lily, off gallivanting, are yer?’

  ‘I’m going to the pictures with one of me mates from work.’ Lily had inherited Nellie’s mousy-coloured hair and hazel eyes, but there the resemblance ended. She was tall and slim with a nipped-in waist and very shapely legs. And while she was a pleasant girl, she lacked her mother’s quick humour.

  ‘Oh, aye!’ Molly was thinking of what Nellie had said about Lily’s boyfriend. ‘Is it a male workmate, or a female?’

  ‘It’s a girlfriend. I go out with her once or twice a week for company.’

  ‘I’m surprised yer haven’t got a boyfriend,’ Molly said, telling herself she was being nosy and underhanded. But it would be worth it if she was told something that would stop Nellie from worrying. ‘Yer look very smart tonight, a real treat.’

  ‘I’ve got a boyfriend, Auntie Molly, he’s in the army. At least he was in the army – he’s being demobbed this week.’

  ‘Oh, is it anyone I know?’

  ‘I think yer met him last year before he was called up. Yer probably don’t remember ’cos yer only saw him for a few minutes.’

  ‘I remember him,’ Jill said. ‘His name’s Len, isn’t it?’

  Lily nodded. ‘I had a letter from him saying he’d be home one day this week.’

  Trying not to sound too interested, Molly asked, ‘Is he a local lad?’

  ‘No, he lives in Walton.’

  ‘Yer’ll have to bring him to the Welcome Home party we’re having, then we can all meet him. That’s if ye’re going out with him serious, like.’

  ‘Oh, yes, we’re serious.’ Lily sounded very definite. ‘But I don’t know about him coming to the party. He’s a bit shy, yer see.’

  ‘Well, yer can ask him, anyway. Tell him he’ll be welcome.’ Molly linked her arm through Jill’s. ‘We’ll let yer get on yer way, sunshine, yer don’t want to keep yer mate waiting. Ta-ra for now.’

  ‘Ta-ra, Auntie Molly, and you, Jill.’

  Walking arm in arm up the street, Molly asked casually, ‘So yer know Lily’s boyfriend, do yer?’

  ‘I wouldn’t say I know him, I’ve only met him briefly.’

  ‘And what d’yer think of him? Is he a nice bloke?’

  Jill was silent for a few seconds. ‘He’s all right, I suppose. He’s not my type, but then we all have different tastes, don’t we? It wouldn’t do for us all to fall for the same bloke.’

  ‘Yer don’t sound very keen.’ Molly squeezed her daughter’s arm. ‘Come on, sunshine, tell me what yer really think of him. And then I’ll tell yer why I’m being so nosy. And whatever we say is just between the two of us.’

  ‘I didn’t like him at all, Mam! I thought he was miserable, sullen and not a bit friendly. He’s not someone I’d trust. I don’t know what Lily sees in him. But then again, as I said, I really don’t know him well. Perhaps he’s not bad when yer get to know him. But to tell yer the truth, Mam, I wouldn’t want to get to know him. He gave me the creeps.’

  They slowed down when they neared Mrs Corkhill’s house so they could finish their conversation without being overheard. ‘Nellie can’t stand him, sunshine, and she’s worried sick about Lily wanting to marry him. She thinks there’s something shifty about him and said she doesn’t trust him. So what we’ve heard and talked about tonight is not to be repeated to her. Perhaps when Steve and Paul are home they can find out a bit more about him. All Nellie knows is that his name’s Len. She doesn’t know his surname or where he lives. And anyone with any sense can see that’s not right when her daughter’s talking about marrying him. I’d be worried s
ick, too, if I was in her shoes.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Mam, Steve and Paul won’t let their sister marry someone who isn’t good enough for her. They’ll get to the bottom of him.’

  ‘I hope so, sunshine, I hope so. Now, let’s go and see Corker’s mother and keep her company for half-an-hour.’

  Chapter Four

  Steve McDonough was weary as he stepped off the train at Lime Street Station and turned to pull his haversack from the compartment. He’d been standing for five solid hours because the train was overcrowded with servicemen returning home. Packed in like sardines, they were, with every seat taken and every inch of floorspace covered with sprawling bodies. He certainly wouldn’t like to do that journey again in a hurry, it had been a nightmare. He’d been so excited at six o’clock this morning when he and the lads in his unit had climbed aboard the army lorry that was to take them to the railway station. In his mind, every turn of the wheel was taking him nearer to his family and loved ones. But when they’d arrived at the station the train was already full, and he’d been split from his army friends in the mad scramble, rushing from compartment to compartment to find enough room to squeeze in. And now he felt weary and scruffy. The platform was a mass of swaying bodies and the hiss of a shunting steam train filled the air. The sooner he was off here the better. He’d try the station toilets and see if he could at least swill his face and comb his hair to look a bit respectable when he walked down his street for the first time in two years.

  ‘Hey, Steve! Steve McDonough!’

  Steve turned around and scanned the sea of faces. Then he saw two arms waving in the air and made his way towards them. ‘Tommy! Tommy Bennett!’ The two lads dropped their haversacks and flung their arms around each other. ‘It’s good to see yer, Tommy.’

  ‘And you, Steve.’ They were being pushed and shoved from all sides and were forced to break apart. ‘Yer’ve lost some weight, mate!’

  ‘I’m lucky that’s all I’ve lost.’ Steve didn’t want to be reminded of the last two years, so he put it from his mind and smiled. ‘You’ve sprouted up, haven’t yer?’

  ‘Yeah, I’m six foot two now. They didn’t have a demob suit to fit me so they’re going to send one on to me. I’ve got the shirt and shoes, though, and I’m just hoping they fit.’ Tommy grinned. ‘I can’t get over yer being on the same train as me! Where’ve yer come from?’

  ‘Our regiment came back from Germany last week, and although we were officially demobbed then, we were sent to Chatham to be issued with civilian clothes. Otherwise I’d have been home nearly a week earlier.’

  ‘Well, I’ll be blowed.’ Tommy shook his head in disbelief. ‘Our lot came back from Germany last week, too. And we were sent to Chatham. Fancy both being there and not seeing each other!’

  ‘Tommy, there were thousands there. It would have been like finding a needle in a haystack. But I’ve been luckier than you, I’ve got all me demob clothes.’ The dimples in Steve’s face deepened. Seeing Tommy’s familiar face was easing away his tiredness and he could feel his excitement rising. ‘It certainly wasn’t like going to Burton’s and trying things on for size and style. Half the men in Liverpool will be walking around in navy-blue suits with a narrow grey pinstripe. Still, I suppose we should be grateful ’cos the army have got a job on their hands trying to kit everyone out.’ He pointed to his haversack. ‘Everything’s in there ’cos I wanted to go home in me uniform.’

  ‘Is anyone meeting yer?’

  Steve shook his head. ‘I told them not to in case I didn’t manage to get on this train and they had to hang around for a couple of hours.’

  ‘Yeah, same here.’ Tommy looked with envy at the many couples who were kissing and embracing. Mothers, wives and girlfriends, separated from their loved ones for so long were crying with happiness at having their men home safe and sound. ‘I’m sorry I did now, ’cos I’m dying to see me mam and the family, and a kiss from Rosie would go down very well right now.’ He bent and picked up his haversack. ‘Come on, Steve, let’s get out of here and hope we can catch a tram without waiting in a ruddy queue.’

  ‘I was hoping to freshen up,’ Steve said. ‘I feel sticky and grubby.’

  ‘To hell with that, I just want to get home.’

  There was a spring in Steve’s step as they walked from the station into Lime Street. With a bit of luck they’d be home in twenty minutes. His dad and Lily wouldn’t be home from work yet, but his mam would be there, and Mrs Bennett. And then it wouldn’t be long before Jill came home. The thought of her was enough to set his heart pounding. All the time he’d been away he’d felt as though part of him was missing. She was in his mind the whole time, even when his unit was in the midst of heavy fighting. He’d never be parted from her again, he vowed, not for anything or anybody.

  They were sitting on the tram when Tommy said, ‘I didn’t see much fighting. We were stationed in Belgium for a few months, just to help with the mopping up. Then when we got sent to Germany it was all over bar the shouting. How about you?’

  Steve sighed and stared out of the window for a few seconds. ‘I was in the thick of the fighting before Germany surrendered. We were on the offensive, though, thank God, because our lads had them on the run. Then after the peace treaty was signed, we were sent into the war camps to liberate the prisoners. That’s when I found out exactly what the war had cost some of our lads. Some camps were worse than others, with men walking around looking like skeletons without any flesh on their bones. They’d been beaten, starved and treated like animals. As long as I live I’ll never forget the sights I saw, Tommy. I would never have believed it possible that there were human beings who could so cruelly degrade another human being. And from what I’ve heard, those camps were nothing compared to the internment camps where people were gassed because of their race or creed. What I saw was bad enough, so God help our lads who had to go into those camps.’

  ‘I know, I heard a couple of the older men talking about it and it turned me tummy. It must have been terrible and doesn’t bear thinking about.’

  ‘I don’t want to think about it, Tommy, and I don’t want to talk about it when we get home. I might tell me dad in time, but I’ll never tell the girls. And I don’t think you should either. They’ll be all excited and happy that we’re coming home, don’t let’s spoil it for them or ourselves.’

  Tommy pointed out of the window. ‘This is our stop. Home Sweet Home, here we come.’

  Ruthie moved away from the wall when she saw two soldiers step down from the tram. She’d been watching out for Tommy and was surprised to see his companion was Steve. With a cry of delight, she took to her heels and ran like the wind.

  ‘Mam, Dad, they’re here! Our Tommy’s just got off the tram and Steve’s with him!’

  ‘Run up and tell Auntie Nellie, quick. We’ll all go outside and give them a rousing reception.’ Molly put a hand on her heart as it pounded inside of her. ‘Jack, I feel sick. Please God don’t let me be sick now.’

  The small living room was full. Jack had taken the day off, so had Jill and Doreen. And Bridie and Bob were there, with Rosie. ‘Calm down, love,’ Jack said. ‘I want yer to welcome our son home with a smile on yer face.’

  Ruthie came running into the room followed quickly by Nellie, George and Lily. ‘They’re just by the bottom entry, Mam.’

  Nellie looked flustered. ‘I’m all of a dither, there isn’t a part of me that isn’t shaking.’

  George put an arm across her shoulders. ‘Now, now, love, pull yerself together. Yer son hasn’t seen yer for two years, don’t let him see yer upset.’

  ‘I’ve just been telling Molly the same thing,’ Jack said. ‘Now come on everyone, let’s go outside to meet them. Bridie, let me give yer a hand.’

  ‘I’ll do that, Uncle Jack.’ Rosie was already helping Bridie and Bob to their feet. ‘You see to Auntie Molly.’

  Jill was sitting at the table and made no attempt to move. Her face was as white as a sheet and she was nervously picking at
her nails. Doreen took one look at her and pulled on her arm. ‘Come on, our kid, don’t yer want to see yer brother and yer sweetheart?’ She gave her sister no chance to argue and dragged her off the chair and out into the street.

  The boys had seen them and quickened their steps. ‘I’m going to cry, girl,’ Nellie said with a catch in her voice.

  ‘Don’t you dare, Nellie McDonough, or I’ll flamingwell throttle yer.’ Molly was so full of emotion herself she thought her head would burst. The sight of her son, and the boy who would soon be her son-in-law, was too much to take. She broke away from the crowd and ran towards them, followed closely by Nellie. Her arms outstretched, she said, ‘Oh, sunshine, yer’ll never know how happy I feel right at this moment.’

  ‘I feel pretty good meself, Mam.’ Tommy held her close, his cheek pressed against hers. Over her shoulder he saw Steve wrap his arms around Auntie Nellie and suddenly the last few years faded away. They were home now and all was right with the world.

  Molly pressed him from her. ‘My God, son, yer must be as tall as Corker!’

  ‘Not quite, Mam, he’s about three inches taller than me. Mind you, I might still have some growing to do.’

  ‘Yer dad will have to look up to yer.’ Molly cupped his face and gazed into his eyes. ‘I haven’t half missed yer, sunshine. So have yer dad and yer sisters.’ She gave him another kiss before calling to Nellie, ‘Let’s swap over, sunshine, so I can say hello to Steve before the crowd get to him.’

  The first thing Steve asked when he was being smothered to death by Molly was, ‘Is Jill all right, Mrs B.?’

  ‘She’s as nervous as a kitten right now, but one of your kisses should cure that.’

  ‘She’ll be getting plenty of those, Mrs B. I intend to make up for lost time.’ Steve’s dimples appeared. ‘Not all in one go, like, ’cos I don’t want her to have sore lips. I’ll double up every night for the next two years.’