MB04 - Down Our Street

by Joan Jonker

  When Ada opened the front door to let Lily out, she said, ‘I’m glad yer came, love, and I’m sorry my son has caused yer pain. But bear this in mind. If you’d married him yer’d have regretted it every day of yer life. Yer see, Joan could tame him ’cos she’s tough, but you never would because ye’re too nice a person and he’d have walked all over yer.’

  ‘He has done for the past two years, Mrs Lofthouse, and like a fool I let him. But it’s over now and I just hope things turn out the way you’d like them to.’ Lily closed the gate behind her and lifted a hand in farewell. ‘Ta-ra, and thank you.’

  Lily walked slowly along Walton Road, stopping to look in shop windows to pass the time away. If she went home so early there’d be questions asked and she didn’t feel up to telling the truth, or lies. The family would have to know soon that she’d finished with Len, but she wanted to be calm when she told them. She wouldn’t tell them the reason, of course, because they’d go mad. She was passing a small café, but as it seemed to be quite busy, she walked on by. It was after she’d gone a little way, she asked herself what did it matter if the café was busy? She wouldn’t know anyone because it was miles away from home, she was hungry, and it would pass an hour away. Besides, she had no reason to avoid people. She hadn’t done anything to be ashamed of and should be walking with her head held high!

  So Lily retraced her steps and pushed open the door of the café. She was taken aback for a few seconds by the noisy chatter, but while her ears were getting accustomed to the din, her nose was welcoming the smell of bacon and chips. She saw all of the tables were occupied and was about to turn heel and walk out, when a woman behind the counter pointed to a table near the window where two men in working overalls were deep in conversation. ‘They’ll be leaving in a minute, queen, so hang on.’ She came from behind the counter with a plate of egg and chips in her hand, and when she’d served them to a customer, she beckoned Lily to follow her. ‘Come on, queen, and I’ll get yer sorted.’

  ‘Oh, don’t chase them on account of me, I’d feel terrible!’

  ‘I’m not going to chase them! They’re two of me regulars and if I tried they’d tell me in no uncertain terms where I could put meself.’ The woman tapped one of the men on the shoulder. ‘Ned, will yer make room for this girl, please, she’s red with embarrassment. I’ve told her yer would be going soon, so yer won’t mind her listening to yer conversation until then, will yer?’

  By this time Lily’s face was crimson. ‘No, please, it doesn’t matter!’

  Ned grinned up at her. ‘It’s no trouble, girl. We’ll just have to watch our language, that’s all.’ His grinning face was turned to the woman who worked behind the counter. ‘I was just telling Bill about the bird I met last night, Nora, she was a real cracker.’

  ‘Oh, had a good dream, did yer, Ned? That’s the only way you’d pull a cracker these days.’ Sticking her hands into her overall pockets, Nora tutted. ‘I don’t know, the older men get the worse they get. Why can’t yer just grow old gracefully like we women do?’

  ‘I’m trying, Nora, but I can’t help it if I’ve got a roving eye.’

  ‘Well, just keep yer roving eye to yerself and pull a chair out for the girl. And you and Bill mind yer manners.’ She waited until Lily was seated. ‘What can I get for yer, queen?’

  Feeling decidedly uncomfortable, and wishing the men would hurry up and leave, Lily said, ‘I’d like egg and chips, please, and a cup of tea.’

  ‘I’ve got a feeling I’ve just served the last egg, but I’ll ask my feller what else we’ve got. How about a slice of Spam with yer chips?’

  ‘That will do fine, thank you.’

  Nora had turned to walk away when Bill said, ‘Ay, Nora, why can’t you lay an egg for the girl? Ye’re good at everything else.’

  ‘Listen to me, smarty pants.’ The woman wagged a stiffened finger. ‘One more crack like that and I’ll bring my feller out to yer.’

  ‘Take no notice of him, Nora, he should know by now that yer finish laying at twelve o’clock,’ Bill said with a huge grin on his face. ‘But do us a favour on yer way back to the kitchen, will yer? Walk gracefully, like yer say all women do when they’re growing old.’

  ‘That’s enough lip out of you, Ned Shearing, and if yer haven’t made yerself scarce by the time I bring the girl’s dinner, I’ll throw yer out meself.’ Nora saw the smile on Lily’s face and with a mock seriousness, warned her, ‘If he tries to act his dream out on you, queen, then either clock him one or shout for reinforcements.’

  ‘I’ll do both!’ Lily was surprised at her own daring. The lively exchange meant she hadn’t thought of Len or her troubles for ten minutes. ‘Then I’ll run like the clappers.’

  ‘Yer’d be knocked over in the scramble, love,’ Bill said as he watched Nora walk back behind the counter. ‘Me and me mate wouldn’t wait around, I can tell yer. I’ve seen men twice the size of us being thrown out by Nora, because they complained or misbehaved.’

  ‘Fair dos, though, Bill, they’ve deserved it.’ Ned put his cigarette out in the ashtray and leaned back in his chair. ‘Some of them complain over nothing. One guy even had the cheek to call her over, moaning because she’d left an eye in a potato and it had landed in one of his chips. All the miserable bugger had to do was cut it out, but no, he had to complain. And he wasn’t quiet or gentlemanly about it either, he was shouting at the top of his voice so everyone in the café could hear. And he used some words that should never be said in front of a lady. If he’d been a regular, he would have known better, but it was his first time in the café.’

  Lily’s eyes were wide with interest. ‘And what happened?’

  Both men roared with laughter. ‘Let’s just say, girl,’ Ned said, ‘that the potato wasn’t the only one to have a black eye.’

  Lily’s mouth was now as wide as her eyes. ‘Go ’way! Yer mean the woman gave him a black eye?’

  ‘A belter! And she escorted him out of the door with instructions never to show his face in here again. She didn’t have to, because some of the regulars were ready to take him on for using bad language to a woman, but Nora waved us aside and said she could manage. And, by God, she managed better than any of us could have done.’ Ned picked up his cigarettes and matches from the table and slipped them in his pocket. Then giving Bill the eye, he said, ‘It’s time we were back at work, mate, while we still have a job to go to.’

  The men bade Lily a cheery goodbye, and she was left alone at the table. But it wasn’t long before Nora was putting a plate down in front of her with a slice of bacon on top of golden chips. ‘That looks very appetising, thank you. I didn’t realise I was so hungry until yer put that plate down in front of me.’

  ‘Yer hopped in lucky, queen, that’s the last slice of bacon. I think my feller had put it away for his breakfast tomorrow, but what he’s never had he’ll never miss.’

  ‘I’m sorry for yer husband, but I’m not going to tell yer to take it back. Bacon is a luxury these days.’

  ‘You muck in, queen, and enjoy it. I’ll bring yer tea in a minute.’ Nora walked away thinking the girl looked a damn sight better than she did when she came in. She’d looked like a frightened rabbit, ready to turn and flee.

  The bacon and chips were tasty, and Lily was enjoying them. But it wasn’t long before her mind went back to the reason for her being here. She had her family to face and lie to, then there was the thought of the lonely nights ahead. She’d stayed true to Len since she’d met him and had lost touch with a lot of the girlfriends she used to go out with. They’d all be courting or married by now, their lives running smoothly. While she, at twenty-one years of age, was going to have to pick up the pieces and start all over again.

  Lily took her purse from her bag and approached the counter. ‘That was very nice, thank you. How much do I owe yer?’

  ‘One and six, queen. And any time ye’re passing, drop in for a cup of tea or a bite to eat.’

  ‘Yes, I’ll be sure to do that.’ Lily h
anded over a two-shilling piece and waited for her change. ‘I’ll try to do it on a day your husband has put a slice of bacon away for himself.’

  Nora laughed as she handed over a silver sixpence. ‘You take care, queen, and look after yerself. Ta-ra for now.’

  ‘Ta-ra, and thank you.’

  ‘Where are you gallivanting off to tonight?’ Steve asked his brother as the family sat around the table having their evening meal. ‘Jazzing as usual, I suppose?’

  ‘Yeah, me and Archie are going to the Grafton.’ There was mischief in Paul’s eyes. ‘Mind you, I’ll swap with yer if yer like. I’ll take Jill out and you can go with Archie.’

  ‘That and cut me throat are the last two things I’m likely to do.’ Steve’s dimples appeared. ‘That’s not being disrespectful to Archie, because I think he’s a smashing bloke.’

  ‘You find yer own girl,’ Nellie told her youngest son. ‘God knows, there’s enough of them in Liverpool. The trouble is, ye’re too hard to please. If yer tell me exactly what yer want in a girl, I’ll flamin’ well knit yer one! Yer can have her fat or thin, blonde, dark-haired or a ruddy redhead! I won’t give her a mouth, so yer won’t get fed-up with her nattering, she’ll have long legs and feet that can trip the light fantastic like a fairy.’

  ‘Mam, what a brainwave! If yer knitted her tall enough, I could practise me tango with her in the bedroom. Try a few new fandangled steps out, like. Then amaze everyone at the dance with me skill on the floor.’

  ‘Me and Jill are going to the flicks,’ Steve said. ‘We haven’t had a night out for ages with trying to save up. But a few bob’s not going to skint us.’

  ‘I suppose you’re going out too, love?’ Nellie’s eyes squinted sideways to where her daughter was sitting. ‘Off to the pictures, are yer?’

  This is it, thought Lily. It’s no good putting it off, they’ve got to know sometime and the sooner I get it out of me system the better. Trying to keep her voice casual, she said, ‘I’m not going out, so you and me dad are stuck with me. Yer see, me and Len had a row and I’ve finished with him.’

  There was silence as the family digested the news. It was the best thing Nellie could hear, but she was sensitive enough not to say so. ‘Oh, yer’ve had a lovers’ tiff, that’s all.’

  ‘No, Mam, it’s over between us. We’ve been rowing a lot lately, and I reached the end of me tether last night and packed him in.’

  ‘He’ll be knocking on the door any minute,’ George said. ‘I don’t think yer’ll get rid of him that easy. He’ll be round, mark my words.’

  ‘I don’t think so, Dad. I certainly don’t want him to. But if he did, I’d like whoever opens the door to tell him straight I don’t want to see him.’

  ‘It must have been some row yer had,’ Nellie said. ‘Whatever brought it on?’

  ‘It wasn’t just last night, Mam, it’s been building up for a while. I’m not thrilled about it, not after two years, so don’t expect me to go around with a smile on me face. But I will get over it in time.’

  ‘There’s no need for yer to stay in and mope tonight,’ Paul said, hoping to cheer his sister up. ‘Come out with me and Archie.’

  ‘I will not! And don’t yer dare tell him in front of me, either, or I’ll never speak to yer again. It’s my business and nobody else’s. I don’t want people asking me questions and looking at me as though they feel sorry for me.’

  Paul pulled a face at his mother across the table, as though to say he was only trying to help. ‘OK, Sis, keep yer hair on. I just thought yer might enjoy a night out.’

  Lily was already sorry she’d bitten his head off. She shouldn’t take it out on her family because Len had let her down so badly. ‘Take no notice of me, I’m feeling down in the dumps. I’m not fit company for anyone, and I’d only spoil yer night out.’

  ‘That’s all right, kid, I understand.’ Paul didn’t understand, of course, because he’d never been in love. ‘Perhaps some other night, eh?’

  ‘Yeah, some other night.’

  Nellie was dying to know what Len had done that was so drastic her daughter had turned against him. She prayed Lily wouldn’t have second thoughts, but they’d have to wait and see. In the meantime though, she decided silence was the best policy. And to act normally, that was important. So she began to gather in the empty plates. ‘You can give us a hand with the washing up, Lily, seeing as ye’re not going out. We’d better do it now before the boys want to get washed at the sink.’

  As Paul was pulling the front door closed behind him and Archie, Phoebe Corkhill was coming out of her house. She turned to the left to walk up the street, the boys turned right and the three came face to face. ‘Hi, Phoebe, it’s not often we bump into you,’ Paul said. ‘Where are yer off to?’

  ‘I’m going to meet one of the girls from work. We go out together once or twice a week.’

  Archie was eyeing the paper bag under her arm. ‘I’m not going to ask if ye’re going to the flicks, ’cos if I’m not mistaken, there’s dancing shoes in that bag.’

  Phoebe blushed. ‘Ye’re not mistaken, but we’re not going to a dance.’

  Paul chuckled. ‘Well, ye’re not taking them to be soled and heeled, not at this time of night. So where are yer going?’

  ‘Ye’re very nosy, Paul McDonough! I don’t ask yer where you’re going.’

  Not in the least put out, Paul said, ‘Yer don’t need to ask, it’s no big secret so I’ll tell yer. Me and Archie are off to the Grafton.’

  ‘Where I’m going is no big secret, either,’ Phoebe was stung into saying. They must think her very childish and immature. ‘If yer must know, I’m going to a dancing class with one of me mates. Now, are yer satisfied?’

  ‘Connie Millington’s?’ Archie asked. ‘I bet it is.’

  Phoebe looked surprised. ‘Yer know it?’

  ‘That’s where I started off. I couldn’t put one foot in front of the other until I went there. I was as stiff as a board, with no rhythm in me head or me body. But three months after starting with Connie, I could flap me wings like a butterfly. If she can’t teach yer, nobody can.’

  This news lifted Phoebe’s spirits and she didn’t feel so self-conscious when she said, ‘I’ve only been a couple of times, but already I’m getting the hang of it.’

  ‘I know why ye’re learning,’ Archie said, pulling her leg. ‘It’s so yer can dance with me at the wedding.’

  ‘Well, if yer ask me, at least I won’t make a fool of meself.’

  ‘Me and Archie can teach yer to dance, yer don’t need to go to no dancing school, does she, Archie?’

  ‘I know you, Paul McDonough! If I tripped up, yer’d laugh yer blinkin’ head off.’

  ‘Cross my heart, I wouldn’t even titter,’ Paul told her. ‘Come with us to the Grafton and we’ll mug yer to a tea in the interval.’

  ‘No chance!’ Phoebe was quite definite. ‘I wouldn’t let me friend down for one thing, it would be mean. And I’ll not be going to the Grafton before I feel ready for there. So you go and enjoy yerselves while I go and learn how to waltz without looking down at me feet.’ She walked around the side of them. ‘I’ll be seeing yer, ta-ra.’

  ‘She’s a pretty little thing,’ Archie said as they continued down the street. ‘Give her a bit more time to gain confidence, some stylish clothes and make-up, and she’ll be a stunner.’

  ‘I must be losing me touch.’ Paul sounded surprised. ‘She’s the second girl to knock me back in the space of one hour.’

  ‘Why, who was the other one?’

  ‘Our Lily. She’s packed that Len in, thank goodness, and I thought I was doing her a favour asking her to come with us. But she wasn’t having any.’

  Archie pulled him to a halt. ‘Your Lily’s packed that bloke in?’

  ‘That’s what I said. What have we stopped for?’

  ‘Because yer’ve just given me the best news I could hear. I’ve liked your Lily since the first time I saw her, but I didn’t think I had a chance with her cour
ting. Me luck might change now.’

  ‘Our Lily?’ Paul looked stunned. ‘Nah, yer don’t fancy her, do yer?’

  Archie’s face couldn’t have been happier. He’d taken a shine to Paul’s sister at the Welcome Home party, and each time he saw her his feelings of tenderness grew. He didn’t take to the bloke she was with; didn’t think he was good enough for her, and was hoping for a miracle. But he didn’t expect it like a bolt out of the blue. ‘I thought she was out with him tonight when I didn’t see her.’

  ‘No, she was upstairs in her bedroom ’cos she wasn’t in the mood for talking to anyone. She’ll come round, me mam said, but it might take a few weeks.’ Paul was thinking of all the dancing time they were missing and pulled his friend along. ‘If that’s what love does to yer, then I don’t think I’ll bother.’

  ‘When love hits yer, yer don’t have much choice.’ Archie lengthened his stride to keep up with Paul. ‘Anyway, to answer yer question, yes, I do fancy your Lily. And as a mate, I’m expecting yer to help me get in her good books. Without being obvious, like, ’cos that would put her off. If yer could coax her to come dancing with us one night, that would be a start.’ He glanced sideways. ‘I am serious, Paul, so don’t be making a joke out of it. I don’t want yer telling her that I fancy her, ’cos that would be goodbye to any chance I might have.’

  ‘I might act daft, mate, but I’m not daft.’ Paul was beginning to realise that Archie was indeed serious. And what a hundred per cent improvement he was on that Len bloke. Always a smile and a joke, ever courteous and gentlemanly with women, and very handsome into the bargain. ‘I’m on your side and will do what I can. But as yer say, I mustn’t overdo it.’