by Joan Jonker
‘No, I’m as free as a bird. There were plenty of girls before I went in the army, but not one I could fall flat on me face for. Anyway, I was only eighteen, too young to tie meself down. So I’ll be out playing the field, in me new demob suit, as soon as I’ve sorted a few things out. Like going to see me old boss to ask whether I can have me job back.’ Paul and Steve were very alike in looks. They had the same thick mop of black hair and deep brown eyes. But Paul’s dimples weren’t as deep and he was about two inches shorter than his brother. He was the most carefree of Nellie’s children, and she often said he wouldn’t worry if his backside was on fire. With mischief dancing in his eyes, he winked at Steve. ‘I can’t play the field if I’ve no money to put on the horses.’
Nellie poked him on the arm. ‘Ay, buggerlugs, don’t you be classing girls as horses.’
‘Come on now, Mam. Even you must admit that all females are nags.’
‘That does it!’ Nellie’s chins quivered to show they agreed with her. ‘Yer’ll not be coming to me party now, so there!’
‘What party’s that, then, Mam?’
‘It’s a Welcome Home party me and Molly are having. But yer wouldn’t enjoy it, ’cos there’ll be a lot of nags there.’
‘Ah, let him come, Mam!’ Steve said. ‘Go on, don’t be mean.’
Paul put his hands together and begged, ‘Can I come if I bring a peace offering?’
Nellie shuffled her bottom on the chair, her face alight. ‘Oh, yes! What will yer bring?’
‘A nosebag of hay!’
Mother and sons doubled up with laughter. ‘Mam,’ Steve said, ‘it’s good to be home.’
Paul nodded. ‘No place on earth like it. And no mother could compare with you, Mam, ye’re a smasher.’
Nellie smiled, happy and contented. ‘My life is complete now you two are home. And because me and Molly always share good things, I’m going down to give her the news and make arrangements for the party.’ She stood up and wagged a stiffened finger. ‘Now behave yerselves, d’yer hear? I don’t want none of yer army cursing and swearing in this house while I’m not here, and definitely no dirty jokes.’ At the door she turned and grinned. ‘Save them for when I get back.’
Chapter Six
There was much noisy chatter and laughter around the McDonough table that night. George was so happy now that both his sons were home. They were boys to be proud of, and he was like a dog with two tails. He fired question after question at them, wanting to know everywhere they’d been and everything they’d done since he last set eyes on them. ‘I can’t get over how yer’ve grown! Steve is the same height as me now, if not taller, and Paul’s not far behind! Yer old clothes won’t be a ha’porth of good to yer now.’
‘I know,’ Paul chuckled. ‘I tried a pair of me old trousers on, ’cos I don’t want to get this suit ruined, but the trousers were at half mast. I’ll have to get down to TJ’s tomorrow and buy a cheap pair.’
‘I’ve got the same trouble,’ Steve said. ‘I can just about get into me overalls because they were always too big for me. But the rest can go in the bin.’
‘They will not,’ Nellie said on a high note. ‘The bin indeed! There’s plenty of men would be made up to have any of yer old clothes. Don’t forget, we’ve had clothes rationing for five years now, and none of us are particularly well dressed.’
‘I wouldn’t say that, Mam,’ Steve said. ‘You had a nice dress on yesterday and yer’ve got another one on today. I thought yer must have come into money.’
George set his knife and fork down on his empty plate. Then, with a loud chuckle, he pointed to his wife. ‘Tell them how yer got the dresses, love.’
Nellie gave him daggers. ‘I’m sure they’re not interested in where I got me flaming dresses from, George McDonough! Men don’t want to know that sort of thing.’
‘I’m interested, Mam.’ Paul knew by his mother’s face that there was a story behind the dress she was wearing. ‘Where did yer get them from?’
Nellie’s head and chins quivered. ‘If yer must know, Doreen made them for me. She’s a wizard on the sewing machine, that girl, and can run a dress up in a day.’
‘Even Doreen’s not clever enough to make a dress without material, Mam.’ Lily was trying to hide a smile. ‘Tell the boys about the friends yer’ve got that let yer have things without coupons.’
‘This is a set-up!’ Nellie said. ‘Ye’re all ganging up on me, so I’m keeping me trap shut. It’s four against one, but I’m more than a match for the lot of yer put together.’
‘Oh, I’m on your side, Mam.’ Steve nodded for emphasis.
‘Me too,’ Paul said. ‘A man should never go against his mother.’
‘That’s my boys!’ When Nellie tried to lean forward, the table got in the way of her bosom. For a few seconds there was a fight for supremacy between wood and flesh. But the table never stood a chance and in the end gave it up as a bad job and moved a few inches. Then, feeling more comfortable, Nellie beckoned to her sons to come closer. ‘I’ll let yer into me little secret, but don’t tell these two miserable buggers because they don’t appreciate my bargaining skills.’ Her eyes darted around the room. ‘Yer can’t be too careful, ’cos yer never know who’s listening. Anyway, it’s like this. Me and Molly made a friend of a feller in the market, and he lets us have things without coupons.’
Steve lifted his hands and feigned horror. ‘Mam, don’t tell me yer’ve been buying things from a spiv on the black market?’
‘No, not the black market, son. Great Homer Street market!’
Despite himself, Steve couldn’t help smiling. But he had strong views about people making money on the black market and couldn’t hold them back. ‘Yer shouldn’t buy off those blokes, Mam, it’s not right! Spivs have been lining their pockets all through the war, while the likes of me and our kid have been away fighting, and being paid a couple of bob a week. They’ll be rolling in it, while we’ve come home with nothing and will be lucky to get our jobs back.’
‘I’ve been telling yer mam that,’ George said, ‘but she doesn’t take a blind bit of notice of me.’
‘Blimey! Anyone would think me and Molly had spent a fortune getting things from under the counter, but we haven’t. A few fiddling little things, that’s all. No one would make a fortune on what we spent.’ Nellie’s nostrils were flared when she glared at her husband. ‘See what yer’ve done now, George McDonough? We were all laughing and happy before you put yer twopennyworth in, now everyone’s as miserable as sin. I hope ye’re satisfied.’
‘I’m not miserable, Mam,’ Steve said. ‘In fact, I’ve never been so happy and content in all me life.’
‘That goes for me, too.’ Paul looked down the table to where Nellie was sitting, looking really down in the mouth. ‘I haven’t stopped loving yer, Mam, even if yer have been keeping some spiv in the lap of luxury.’
Nellie looked decidedly more cheerful. ‘I’ve got something to tell yer that will please yer, but first there’s two points I want to make. First, I promise I won’t buy no more black market stuff. Secondly, d’yer see that shirt yer dad’s wearing? Well, that came out of the battered case Mr Spiv used to keep his stuff in. He had to be on the move all the time, yer see, in case the police nabbed him.’
George’s heavy frame shook with laughter. ‘I should have known yer’d bring that up. I’ve never been able to get the better of yer yet, Nellie, and I don’t know why I bother.’
‘Oh, you have yer moments, love! And don’t stop bothering, ’cos I like it when yer get the better of me.’
Steve lowered his head to hide a smile. He was thinking if Mrs B. was here she’d say his mam was talking about bedroom activities. So, as Molly would have done, he steered her away from the subject. ‘Mam? Did this bloke in the market wear a long raincoat and a trilby hat pulled low over his eyes?’
Nellie looked surprised. ‘How did yer know that, son?’
‘Because that’s how all spivs dress. Yer can tell them a mile away.’
‘Go ’way! Well, yer learn something new every day, don’t yer? I bet if I live to be a hundred, I’ll be using words with thirteen letters in, like me mate.’
Paul’s curiosity finally got the better of him. ‘Yer said yer had something to tell us that would please us, Mam, so what is it?’
When the lads had been called up, Nellie had made herself a promise. There’d been times when she nearly broke that promise, but right now she was glad she’d resisted the temptation. ‘Yer said before that the pair of yer had come home with nothing. Well, perhaps yer have come home with nothing. But neither of yer are completely skint, ’cos the few bob a week army allowance yer left me, I’ve never used. Every week, without fail, it went into the post office. There’s a savings book for each of yer in the sideboard drawer, and while it’s not a fortune, it’ll be enough to buy whatever clothes yer need.’ Her two sons were looking at her as if they didn’t know whether to believe her or not because she was always pulling someone’s leg. But she wouldn’t pull their legs over something like this. She leaned towards them, rubbing her hands and beaming. ‘Honest, it’s the truth! So that’s a few bob Mr Spiv didn’t get his black-market hands on.’
‘Mam, that’s brilliant!’ Steve was elated. There’d been a nagging at the back of his mind since he found none of his clothes fitted him. All he had to his name was an old pair of overalls and his demob suit. ‘I’ll be able to get meself some gear, now. Thanks, Mam!’
‘Yeah, thanks a million, Mam!’ Paul said, thinking he’d be walking tall with money in his pockets. ‘I wasn’t expecting anything like that.’
‘Well, it’s not a fortune, but it’s better than nothing,’ Nellie said. ‘I think you’ve got about twelve or thirteen pounds, Steve, and Paul’s got about nine.’
Steve’s spirits were high. ‘I can’t tell yer how grateful I am, Mam. But I hope yer didn’t leave yerself short by doing it.’
‘Of course I didn’t! I’ve had yer dad’s wages coming in every week, and Lily’s. I’m better off for money than I’ve ever been in me life. So buy yerself some new gear and enjoy yerself.’
Steve thought it was his birthday and Christmas all rolled into one. His mother had certainly come up trumps. ‘Any money over I’ll give to Jill. She’s been saving up all the time I’ve been away and it’ll be nice to give her something towards it. We’d like to get married, but it won’t be this year ’cos we’ll not have enough money. I just hope to God I can get me old job back so I can start saving in earnest.’
George struck a match, lit his cigarette and took a long draw on it. ‘I went to see Mr Hargreaves today, and yer can have yer old job back. Ye’re to go and see him in the morning at ten o’clock, just to sort a few things out.’
Steve shook his head in disbelief. ‘That’s another thing I didn’t expect, Dad. You and me mam are full of surprises, and I hope yer realise how grateful I am. I can’t take it all in at once, but I’ll definitely be at Mr Hargreaves’s office at ten in the morning.’
‘D’yer think yer heart will take another surprise?’ George asked, watching the smoke from his cigarette spiral towards the ceiling. ‘Or would yer rather leave it so yer’ve got one to come tomorrow?’
‘What! And lie awake all night wondering what it is?’ Steve was imagining the look on Jill’s pretty face when he told her all this. She’d stunned him when she told him she’d got nearly a hundred pounds saved up towards their wedding. He’d been thrilled to bits, but also a little sad that he hadn’t any money to add to it. But he would soon be pulling his weight from the sound of things. ‘Come on, Dad, out with it.’
‘Well, I told Mr Hargreaves that yer were twenty-two now, and should be going on full money. I also mentioned that when yer were called up, yer were only eighteen months short of finishing yer apprenticeship, and it wouldn’t be fair if fighting for yer country stopped yer from being classed as a skilled worker.’
‘Good for you, Dad!’ Paul said.
‘I should damn well think so!’ This was Nellie’s firm opinion.
Steve was wide-eyed. Fancy his dad talking to the big boss like that! ‘What did he say, Dad? Did he tell yer to get lost?’
George shook his head. ‘No, he was very understanding. He’ll tell yer all this himself in the morning, so don’t let on I’ve jumped the gun. But from what I gathered, although yer’ll be starting on full pay, it will only be on the same rate as the labourers. Then, after six months, he’ll reconsider. If yer pass the test with flying colours, yer’ll be classed as a skilled worker and will be paid the going rate.’
‘I’m absolutely stunned! Ye’re a hero, Dad, and so is me mam. And one day, I’ll pay yer back for all yer’ve done, and that’s a promise. I can’t wait to tell Jill, she’ll be dead chuffed.’
‘I hope I can get me job back,’ Paul said, with a grin. ‘Would yer like to come down to the works with me Dad, and sort the boss out?’
‘I would if I knew him, son, believe me! But I’ve got a feeling yer’ll do very well without me holding yer hand.’
Lily had been listening very intently. She was touched that her parents had done so much to help her brothers, and felt mean that she hadn’t contributed a thing to their homecoming. ‘I’ll buy yer a shirt each, as a little gift that says I’m proud of both of yer.’
‘That’s good of yer, Lily,’ Steve said. ‘I’d like that.’
‘Yeah, that’s great, our kid! If I have a choice, I’d like a beige one to go with me new suit.’ Paul leaned his elbows on the table and laced his fingers together. ‘Me and our Steve have been that busy nattering about ourselves, we’ve never even asked how you are. Yer haven’t gone and got married while we’ve been away, have yer?’
‘I’d hardly be sitting here having me dinner if I was married, yer daft nit!’
‘Have yer got a feller, though? I mean, are yer courting?’
After a quick glance at her mother, Lily said, ‘Yeah, I’ve got a boyfriend.’
‘Well, come on, give us the low-down on him.’ Paul had no idea the rest of the family were all sitting with their ears cocked. ‘Is it serious? Like, is there a wedding in the offing?’
‘He’s been in the army for eighteen months, so give us a chance!’ There was a flush to Lily’s cheeks. ‘He was only demobbed yesterday.’
‘What’s his name?’
‘Len Lofthouse.’
‘Ye’re not very forthcoming about this boyfriend of yours, are yer?’ Paul grinned teasingly. ‘I mean, how long have yer known him?’
Lily was wishing she’d gone out earlier and saved herself this grilling. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of Len, but he was very shy and not good at mixing with people. She’d prefer him to be more outgoing, like her brothers, but as he said everybody wasn’t alike, and he couldn’t help the way he was. ‘I was going out with him for about six months before he got his calling-up papers.’
Paul turned to Nellie. ‘Yer didn’t tell us our Lily was courting, Mam.’
‘He’s only been here a couple of times, son, so I can’t say we know him. And our Lily doesn’t tell us much. Tonight is the first time I’ve heard his name!’
‘I’ve told yer he’s shy with strangers, Mam. He goes all tongue-tied in company.’
‘Well, he’s got to meet us sometime if ye’re courting him,’ Steve said. ‘And a good chance would be if he came to the party on Saturday night. Bring him along and he’ll soon find out we’re not going to eat him.’
Lily lowered her eyes. ‘I’ll ask him, but I don’t think he’ll come. As I’ve told yer, he’s shy and feels uncomfortable with strangers.’
‘We’re not strangers, Lily, we’re yer family. If he takes you on, he takes us on with yer, whether he likes it or not!’ Steve was beginning to understand why his mother and father were worried. ‘Yer can’t go through life not meeting people just because he’s shy. He’ll never be any different if he doesn’t make the effort. Invite him to the party and say your brothers want to meet him. If he thinks anyth
ing of yer he won’t refuse.’
Lily made a move to get up from the table. ‘As I said, I’ll ask him. But if he says no I can hardly drag him along.’ She pushed her chair back under the table. ‘Can I leave yer with the dishes, Mam? I should be out by now.’
‘Of course yer can, love, you just poppy off. I’ve got two big strapping men here who are just dying to wash up. Then they’re going to make me and yer dad a nice pot of tea.’
It wasn’t until the front door closed on his sister that Paul pulled a face. ‘Sounds a queer sort of boyfriend to me. If he was shy when he went in the army, he most certainly wouldn’t be shy when he came out!’
‘Aye, well, it takes all sorts, son,’ Nellie said. ‘If he comes on Saturday we can judge for ourselves what he’s like.’
‘I’m surprised at our Lily giving in to him.’ Steve could see his mother didn’t want to elaborate on her daughter’s courtship, so he didn’t let on that both parents were concerned. ‘She wants to start putting her foot down with him, otherwise life won’t be worth living.’
‘She’ll come to her senses, don’t worry.’ In her mind, Nellie was giving this Len Lofthouse until Saturday. If he didn’t show his face then, she’d be having sharp words with her daughter. ‘Me throat’s dry, boys, so how about making me and yer dad a cup of tea? That’s after yer’ve washed the dishes, of course.’
Paul winked at Steve. ‘Who won this war, anyway?’
‘Ah, yeah, but Hitler was a doddle compared to me mam. Come on, before she takes me dad’s belt to us.’
Lily was thoughtful as she made her way to the Astoria picture-house, where she was meeting Len. She could understand why her family found it strange that her boyfriend didn’t call at the house for her, or that he wouldn’t want to go to the celebration party. She’d thought it odd herself at first, until Len had explained that he hadn’t had a happy childhood. His parents were very strict and used to beat him if they thought he’d been naughty. He wasn’t allowed to play out or have friends, and was never given pocket money for sweets or to buy a comic. He’d been a lonely child, with no brothers or sisters, and that is why, now, he was ill at ease in the company of strangers.
