by Joan Jonker
The two women turned to the left, facing the main road, while Corker turned to the right. As he put the key in the lock of the house next door, he could still hear Nellie complaining: ‘That’s not right, that! If I’m yer mate during the day, I should be yer mate at night, too!’
‘Yer can talk till ye’re blue in the face, sunshine, but it won’t make no difference. You and me are clocking off at two o’clock.’
Chapter Fifteen
There was a mad scramble after dinner that night to clear the table away and get the dishes washed. Ruthie, excited about being measured for her bridesmaid’s dress, didn’t need any coaxing to help her mother tidy the living room while her two sisters did the washing up. And they’d just finished, with seconds to spare, when Corker arrived with his two stepdaughters. He had a hand on each of their shoulders and looked as proud as Punch. ‘I know we’re early, but they’ve had me and Ellen moth-eaten. They’re so excited they hardly touched their dinner.’
Jill rushed to hug each of the girls. ‘Well, they’ve waited long enough for it, heaven knows. I was only sixteen, and Steve seventeen, when we asked them to be bridesmaids. That’s five years ago.’
Phoebe’s smile was shy and gentle. ‘It was worth waiting for.’
‘I’ll say!’ Dorothy, at fifteen, was more outgoing than her older sister. ‘I mean, if yer’d got married before, it would be over by now. As it is, we’ve got it to look forward to.’
‘That’s a very sensible way of looking at it,’ Corker said. ‘Now sit yerselves down until Doreen’s ready for yer. I’m going to drag Jack down to the pub for a pint.’
Having in mind the need to save every penny, Jack’s eyes went to Molly. He was about to make an excuse, but Molly got in before him. What was a few coppers spent in the pub when the ham Corker had promised them would have cost pounds? It would be churlish and stingy to refuse to go for a pint with the man. ‘Go on, Jack, it’ll get yer from under our feet. We can’t have men sitting around while the girls have their measurements taken, it would be too embarrassing.’
‘I’m getting thrown out early, too!’ Tommy said. ‘They’re not even giving me time to let me dinner settle.’
‘Hark at him! Any other night he can’t wait to get round to see Rosie.’ Molly gave her son a loving smile while pushing him gently towards the door. ‘Give me ma and da a kiss and say I’ll see them tomorrow.’
‘Hang on, son, we’ll come out with yer.’ Jack moved quickly to get his jacket from the hallstand. ‘We’d be better going out under our own steam than being thrown out.’ He winked at Molly. ‘How long d’yer want us out for, love?’
‘Give us two hours, at least. The measurements won’t take long, but choosing a pattern will. We could hop in lucky and have all five agreeing they like the same dress, but I think the chances of that are pretty remote. So if yer hear raised voices when yer pass the window, turn around again and go back to the pub.’
‘There’ll be no arguments,’ Doreen said with confidence. ‘The two patterns I’ve got for them to choose from are both smashing and they’ll be spoilt for choice.’
‘I’m glad men don’t have the same fuss,’ Jack said, following Tommy down the hall with Corker walking behind. ‘I wouldn’t like to be one of these toffs what has to wear top hat and tails, I’d feel a right nit.’
When the men had gone, Dorothy asked, ‘Have you and Jill got a favourite between the two patterns, Doreen? ’Cos if yer have, then that’s the one me and Phoebe would like. Isn’t that right, our kid?’
‘I think the brides should choose, anyway,’ Phoebe said, in her softly spoken voice. ‘After all, it is their big day.’
‘Well, I’m going to wait and see which one I like the best.’ Ruthie, who was perched on the arm of the couch, firmly believed that being a bridesmaid was a pretty important job. After all, it was no good the brides looking like fairies if the bridesmaids looked like frumps. That would spoil the whole effect. ‘I don’t know why yer won’t let me see the patterns, our Doreen, ye’re dead mean. I could be looking at them while I’m sitting here.’
‘Maureen and Lily will be here any minute, so yer can hang on. Then we’ll sit around the table and yer’ll all see them at the same time.’ Doreen threw her kid sister a warning glance before answering Dorothy’s question. ‘Me and Jill both like the same one, but we’ll wait and see what the majority think.’
Just then there was a knock on the door and Ruthie flew off her perch. Usually she pulled a face if asked to open the door, but not tonight. ‘I’ll go.’ She was back within seconds. ‘It’s Maureen and Lily, they came together.’
‘Where’s your manners, young lady?’ Molly asked sternly. ‘Yer don’t leave visitors at the door to let themselves in.’
‘It’s all right, Mrs B.’ Maureen Shepherd’s white teeth flashed in a wide smile. She had been Doreen’s friend since the day they’d met at Johnson’s Dye Works where they’d gone for an interview after leaving school. They’d been best mates ever since and Molly treated her like one of the family. She was a vivacious girl, with short black bobbed hair, a rosy complexion and an attractive, slim figure. ‘I wasn’t left to close the door, it was Lily.’
Lily McDonough slipped out of her coat and draped it over the back of the couch. ‘At least she didn’t bang the door in me face.’
‘There’s no excuse for bad manners,’ Molly said, pulling the chairs out from the table. ‘Sit yerselves down. Come on, Phoebe and Dorothy, yer’ve got as much say in this as anyone else. And don’t be afraid to speak up.’
They were a chair short, so rather than go upstairs for the one in the bedroom, Jill and Doreen decided to share, even though it meant only half their bottoms were seated. ‘I’ve got two patterns,’ Doreen said. ‘And I’m hoping the five of yer will agree on the same one to save me a lot of work.’ She handed the packets, with pictures of the made-up dresses on the front, to Lily, who was nearest. ‘See which one yer like, then pass them around. Don’t say anything until everyone has seen them.’
Molly, sitting on the couch with her feet under her, watched and listened with interest. Both dresses were nice, but she knew which one she’d pick if she had her way.
Finally the patterns were back in Doreen’s hands. She looked at Lily ‘Well?’
‘They’re both lovely, but I’d go for the one with the heart-shaped neck.’
Maureen didn’t wait to be asked. ‘Yeah, me too!’
When Phoebe felt Doreen’s questioning eyes on her, she blushed as she said, ‘I think it’s really beautiful.’
Dorothy couldn’t keep still she was so excited. ‘Really, really, beautiful.’
Molly was over the moon and felt like clapping. Until she saw her youngest daughter’s stubborn expression. Oh dear, she thought, if that little madam is the odd one out, so help me, I’ll clock her one.
But Doreen had her sister weighed up. ‘What’s wrong with your face?’
‘I think I like the other one better.’
‘That’s all right, kiddo! I’ll make the sweetheart neck for these four, and I’ll make the other one for you.’ Doreen knew she would never be required to do this, or she wouldn’t have been so generous. ‘No problem.’
This wasn’t going Ruthie’s way; she’d expected to be coaxed. ‘I only said I think I like the other one better, I didn’t say definitely.’
‘Well, make up yer mind because we haven’t got all night.’ Doreen expected capitulation within two minutes or her patience would run out. ‘It’s no skin off my nose which one yer have. But it’ll be too late to change yer mind after tonight because I’ll be measuring up for the material, and the dress you like wouldn’t need as much because it’s not as full.’
‘I’ll have the sweetheart-neck one.’ Ruthie’s surrender came through knowing Doreen wouldn’t put up with any messing from her. Jill would, ’cos she was more patient, but Doreen was a different kettle of fish. Anyway, in her mind the young girl had visions of the other four with sticky-out skirts, an
d hers being dead straight. ‘I don’t want to put you to no bother.’
‘That’s very thoughtful of yer,’ Doreen said with a smile on her face as she reached down to pick up her handbag from the floor. There was never any doubt that Ruthie was going to have the same style as the others, but there was no point in rubbing it in. ‘I nipped into town in me dinner-hour and went to Blackler’s. Since we all decided on blue, that’s the colour I looked for. I liked two of the materials I saw, one satin and one a type of silky crêpe. The assistant was smashing and cut me a piece off each of the bales.’ She pulled two strips of material from her bag and laid them in the centre of the table. ‘Different shades of blue and different material. Which one is it to be?’
Molly, from her ringside seat, watched the pleasure on each of the faces as the strips of material were fingered. And there was happiness and laughter in the raised voices as opinions were exchanged. When they’d been asked to be bridesmaids it had seemed too far off to start getting excited about. But tonight it was different. Seeing on paper how beautiful the dresses were going to be, and the lovely blue of both pieces of material, they were overjoyed in hearts and minds.
‘I hope they pick the crêpe,’ Jill whispered in her sister’s ear. ‘I think it’s lovely.’
‘Yeah, me too!’ Doreen grinned as she whispered back. ‘If they don’t we’ll have to try a little gentle persuasion. And if that don’t work, kid, we’ll get out the rolling pin.’
Lily tapped her on the arm and passed the strips of material back. ‘Maureen and meself like the crêpe the best. I don’t know about the others.’
Out of the corner of her eye, Doreen caught the mutinous expression on Ruthie’s face. Oh Lord, the little minx was going to be awkward again. She would have to try and nip it in the bud right away or they would be here till all hours. ‘That would be the best choice, girls, ’cos the crêpe will fall into folds beautifully. What about you, Phoebe, and Dorothy?’
Phoebe nodded. ‘That’s the one I like.’
Dorothy, who wanted to be the same as the grown-up girls, agreed. ‘Me too, I think it’s beautiful.’
In an effort to remove the look of mutiny from Ruthie’s face, Doreen played her trump card. ‘I’m glad about that. I think satin is more for children, don’t you?’
Molly chuckled. My God, she’s getting as crafty as Nellie McDonough! I just hope it does the trick or the little article is going to cause ructions.
Ruthie was still feeling mutinous, but now it was for a different reason. She wasn’t a child, she was nearly thirteen! And their Doreen needn’t think she was going to be treated like one. ‘Am I the invisible woman, or something? Aren’t yer going to ask me what I think?’
‘I certainly am, dear. What do you think?’
‘The same as the others, of course! I am not a child, even though some of yer try to treat me as one.’
‘Thank goodness that’s settled,’ Jill said. ‘Now Doreen’s got what she wants, except for yer measurements, it’s my pleasant task to discuss what sort of headdress yer’d like. I’ll tell yer what I’ve got in mind, and see whether it appeals to yer.’ Her pretty face radiated the happiness she felt in talking about her marriage to her childhood sweetheart. ‘I thought if yer wore hair-bands, and they were decorated with the same blue and white flowers as yer posy they would look really attractive. But perhaps some of yer might have other ideas.’
There was not one voice which objected. Not even Ruthie’s. A smile like the rising sun came to her face and it was still there when she climbed the stairs to bed. She didn’t even complain when Doreen was telling her off for not keeping still while she was trying to take her measurements. All the girl could think about was bragging to her best friend, Bella, who was bound to be dead jealous.
Doreen had written all the measurements down in a notebook. ‘Maureen, you and Lily are exactly the same in height, waist, hips and bust. The dresses are going to be identical, yer won’t know which is which.’
‘That’ll make it easier for you, won’t it? And while me and Lily will be putting them on in here, we won’t be taking them off here because Lily will be going home in hers.’
Phoebe, who was blissfully happy but too shy to show it, asked, ‘Will we all be getting dressed here, Jill?’
‘It’ll be a tight squeeze, but we’ll have to. We wouldn’t want the neighbours to see yer until the wedding cars come. We’ll manage somehow, using the two bedrooms.’
Molly groaned when she heard a rap on the knocker. ‘This can’t be yer dad and Corker back already, surely? The two hours are not up yet.’
Doreen made for the hall. ‘I’ll go.’
Molly had an ear cocked, and when she heard a man’s laughter her face lit up. ‘It’s Archie!’ She tutted when Tommy’s army friend walked into the room. ‘What lousy timing, Archie! Yer’ve just missed the girls getting measured for their bridesmaids’ dresses.’
Looking as happy as ever, Archie snapped his fingers. ‘Just my luck, Mrs B.! That’s the story of my life.’ His eyes travelled the room and when he spoke it was with a posh accent. ‘I say, what a bevy of beauties! Jolly hockey sticks, what!’
‘Keep yer eyes off them,’ Molly laughed. ‘They’re being kept under wraps until the big day. And, oh boy, will yer get an eyeful then!’
‘I shall await the day with great eagerness.’ Archie spotted Phoebe who was sitting as far back on the couch as she could get. ‘Are yer going to dance with me at this wedding, Phoebe?’
The girl seemed to shrink with embarrassment. ‘I can’t dance.’
‘Yes, yer can, our Phoebe!’ Dorothy piped up. ‘Yer’ve been practising with me when no one’s looking.’
Her blushing sister gave her a dig in the ribs. ‘That’s not proper dancing, we were only acting the goat.’
‘Then yer’ll have to act the goat more often,’ Archie said. ‘Because I intend to dance with every pretty girl at the wedding.’ He looked across to where Jill and Doreen were standing next to each other. They were alike as two peas, with their long blonde hair, vivid blue eyes, peaches and cream complexion and stunning figures. Girls that would turn any man’s head. ‘And that includes the brides.’
‘Oh, yer’ll have to ask my new husband about that,’ Doreen said. ‘I don’t think he’d like me dancing with another man a few hours after we become man and wife.’
‘Yer wouldn’t want to dance with me anyway, Archie,’ Jill told him with a smile. ‘I’ve got two left feet.’
‘Oh dear, knocked back by two of them already! Never mind, that still leaves four. And I know you can dance, Maureen, so yer’ve no excuse. Nor have you, Lily, ’cos I’ve heard ye’re pretty nifty on yer feet.’
‘I don’t know who told yer that, but if yer don’t mind having yer feet trodden on, then I’m game.’ Lily thought, why not? She might be able to talk Len into coming to the wedding, but she’d never get him on the dance floor. And she didn’t want to look a spoilsport by refusing a pleasant bloke like Archie. ‘Take a bit of advice and ask me up for a slow waltz.’
‘Me and our Phoebe will keep practising, Archie.’ Dorothy could feel her sister pinching her arm but she ignored it. After all, they’d never been to a wedding before, never mind being bridesmaids. And they were going to look lovely in pretty dresses and flowers in their hair. She wanted to show off, not sit down on the sidelines like a wallflower. ‘And when the time comes we should be good enough to dance with yer.’
‘I’m sure yer will. And if not, I’ll lift yer off yer feet and twirl yer around the room.’ Archie grinned at the wide-eyed, open-mouthed expression on the young girl’s face. ‘You see if I don’t!’ He turned his head and winked at Molly who was pleased Ellen’s girls were being included. ‘I suppose Tommy’s round at your mother’s, Mrs B.?’
‘Yeah, he’s round there most nights. Him and Rosie usually have a few hands of cards with me ma and da. Why don’t yer slip round there? They’d be glad to see yer.’
‘I think I will. I might e
ven have a game of cards with them. I won’t stay long though, ’cos it’s such a lovely night I’m going to walk home instead of getting the tram. The exercise will do me good, I’m getting lazy since I came out of the army.’ He saw Lily lift her coat from the back of the couch and immediately hastened to help her into it. ‘Since we’re leaving together I’ll escort you home.’
‘That’s very gallant of you, sir! But are you sure you won’t tire yerself out before your long walk home? After all, I live all of three doors away.’
‘Yer should be flattered, Lily.’ Molly was thinking it was a long time since she’d seen Nellie’s daughter so relaxed. ‘He’s a handsome lad, is Archie.’
Lily gave a slight curtsey. ‘I am suitably honoured.’ She was giggling when she turned to Molly. ‘I’m not very high up on etiquette, so what do I do now? Do I offer him my hand or does he cup my elbow?’
Jill and Doreen were looking on with amusement, as was Maureen. But the two young girls from next door were listening with wonder and taking in every word so they could repeat it to their mother when they got home. They weren’t as shy as they were a few years ago, before their real father died and their mam married the man they adored and now called Dad. But the violence and abuse they’d endured as youngsters had left them with a low opinion of themselves and the inability to mix in company. The scars might have faded, but bad memories still came back now and again to hurt them and their younger brothers.
‘Don’t worry about etiquette, Lily, I’m quite good at improvising.’ Archie bowed and made a wide sweep with his hand. ‘I’m sure I can come up with something in the twenty yards I’ll have at my disposal.’
‘Ooh, er, that sounds very interesting,’ Doreen said. ‘I won’t make a show of yer by coming to the door to watch, but I’ll be looking through the window.’
‘Me too!’ Maureen was leaning on the table, her face cupped in her hands. ‘I could do with a few hints.’
‘Mrs B. I’m relying on you to keep them in their place. I’m not at me best when I know I’m being spied on.’
