by Joan Jonker
‘Trust Uncle Corker to be so thoughtful,’ Jill said, thrilled at the news. She had been dreading more smutty jokes like the ones she’d heard from the girls in work. They’d thought it was funny, but she didn’t and was really embarrassed. ‘When I see him I’m going to hug him to death.’
‘It’s a secret, love,’ Steve told her. ‘We mustn’t even tell our parents, or the whole exercise will have been a waste of time.’ He bent to kiss her lips. ‘Just think, our wedding night in the Adelphi Hotel. Who’d have thought it?’
There were plenty of people walking past, out for a stroll on a beautiful summer’s evening. And many curious glances were directed at the doorway of the Maypole, where two pretty girls, who looked like twins, were being held aloft by two strapping lads and twirled around. Their laughter told of their happiness, and it was contagious. Many passers-by looked and smiled, before walking on with a fresh spring in their step.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Jack took one look at his brother and the years seemed to roll away until they were young boys again. As they were shaking hands and patting each other on the back, he said, ‘It’s good to see yer, Bill, it’s been a long time.’
‘Too long!’ Bill felt quite emotional as he too was recalling years gone by. ‘I was made up when I got yer daughter’s letter.’
Molly gave her sister-in-law, Annie, a big hug and kiss. ‘It’s lovely to see yer. But yer’ll have to excuse the place, it’s upside down. And I haven’t pawned the table, in case yer think we’re poverty-stricken. It’s up at me mate’s, to give us a bit of room.’ She stood back and smiled. ‘I’ve got to say yer look very smart, Annie, and the picture of health. The years have been kind to yer.’
‘It’s all the fresh air I get, Molly. We’ve got a small farm and me and Bill manage it between us. The kids help out, but they’ve got jobs and farm-life isn’t their cup of tea. It’s a very healthy life and I enjoy it.’
‘Well, sit down and I’ll put the kettle on. And will you let Bill sit down, Jack, instead of gawping at him?’
‘I’m counting the white hairs in his head, love, and he’s got hundreds more than me.’
‘I can give yer a few years, that’s why.’ Bill dropped on to the couch and ran a finger down the creases in his trousers. He and Jack were alike in looks, and both had an even temperament. ‘Is Nellie Mac still yer mate, Molly?’
‘She certainly is, and the best mate anyone could ask for. Yer’ll be seeing her soon, ’cos when yer’ve had a cuppa, I’ll be chasing yer up there. Ye’re going in the wedding car with them.’ That had been a hasty arrangement because Molly wasn’t as organised as she thought and had completely forgotten that it was only proper that Jack’s brother and his wife should go in the wedding cars. She, herself, was now going with Miss Clegg and company. ‘I don’t want yer to think that after all these years, ye’re getting chased from yer brother’s house. But upstairs I’ve got two brides in one bedroom, and five bridesmaids in the other. And they’re determined that no one is going to see them before they arrive at the church.’
‘Five bridesmaids!’ Annie looked stunned. ‘It’s going to be some wedding, isn’t it?’
‘Two weddings really, Annie, don’t forget,’ Jack said. ‘Me and Molly are losing two of our daughters today.’
‘Don’t start me off, Jack Bennett,’ Molly said, heading for the kitchen. ‘I don’t want to arrive at the church with me eyes red raw. I’ll make a pot of tea, then when they’ve had a drink I’ll take Bill and Annie up to Nellie’s.’
Molly stood in front of her husband and did a little twirl. ‘How do I look, love?’
Jack’s eyes started at her shoes, moved up her still-shapely legs until he reached her hat. ‘Nellie was right, yer do look like a film star. I’m very proud of yer and the girls will be. And I love yer to bits, Molly Bennett.’
‘And you look very handsome in yer new suit with the red rose in yer lapel, Jack Bennett. If I wasn’t already crazy about yer, I’d certainly fall for yer now.’
They heard footsteps on the stairs and their eyes were on the door when Doreen came in. She was clad in an old wrap-around pinny of Molly’s, and grinned when she saw the shock on the faces of her parents. ‘The bridesmaids are coming down now, Mam, so yer can see them before yer go over the road. But me and Jill are not coming down until everyone has left. We want yer to see us for the first time in our dresses at the church. Yer don’t mind, do yer, Mam?’
‘No, sunshine, I don’t mind. But aren’t you cutting it a bit fine for time?’
‘I’ve only got to put me dress on. Me face is made-up and me hair’s been brushed until me scalp is sore. It’ll only take me a quarter of an hour to get ready.’ Doreen wasn’t a crier, and she tried to keep the catch out of her voice when she said, ‘Mam, yer look really beautiful. I am so proud that you’re my mother.’ With that she turned tail and fled up the stairs.
Molly was wiping a tear away when Ruthie led the bridesmaids into the room. ‘How do we look, Mam? Dad?’
‘Yer look lovely, sunshine, all of yer.’ Maureen and Lily were the same height and they stood together. Then came Phoebe and Dorothy, with Ruthie, the smallest, in the front. ‘I’m trying not to cry, but I have never seen such a pretty picture as you five make. The dresses are really beautiful, and the flowers in the hair-bands look beautiful. But it is the beauty of the faces that completes the picture.’
‘Thank you, Mrs B.,’ Maureen said. She had known the family since she was fourteen and had started work in Johnson’s the same day as Doreen. ‘And if we’re giving compliments, I’d like to say you look stunning.’
‘You certainly do!’ Lily said. ‘The dress is perfect on you and the hat very eyecatching.’
For Phoebe and Dorothy it was the most exciting day of their lives and they were loving every minute of it. They’d had little to say for themselves, being too nervous, but now Phoebe ventured to say, ‘Yer look lovely, Mrs Bennett.’
Dorothy wasn’t going to be left out. ‘Yes, yer look smashing.’
Ruthie, who thought her mother always looked lovely, said, ‘I love you, Mam!’
‘And I love you, sunshine.’ Molly decided it was time to leave before things got too emotional. ‘The posies are in the kitchen when ye’re ready. I’ll have to scarper now because the car is due at Miss Clegg’s any minute. I’ll see you all at the church.’ She glanced at her husband, and knowing what this day meant to him, said softly, ‘Good luck, love.’
Steve and Paul were sitting in the front pew at one side of the church, with Nellie sitting at the end of the pew behind. Next to her were George, his sister Ethel with her husband Johnny, and Archie. Nellie looked splendid in the dress and jacket Doreen had made for her, and the hat was such a huge success she was feeling on top of the world. Not one swearword had left her lips since she’d put the feathered creation on her head. George, God love him, thought his wife had got a bargain with her thirty-bob hat from TJ’s. Nellie would tell him the truth one day, when he was reading the newspaper and not really listening. I mean, it was no good asking for trouble if it could be avoided.
On the opposite side of the aisle sat Phil and Corker. And behind them were Molly, Miss Clegg, Lizzie Corkhill, Archie’s mother, Ida, and Jack’s brother and his wife. The row behind was occupied by Bridie and Bob, Tommy and Rosie.
There was no sign of the priest, and being nosy, Molly wanted to see if any of their neighbours were there. She stood up and glanced around the church. The first familiar face she saw was Tommy’s friend, Ginger, with his girlfriend. As she waved, she thought the lad hadn’t changed much over the years. His hair was still bright ginger and his face covered with freckles. But he was a really nice lad and Molly was very fond of him. Then, near the back of the church she spied Mary and Harry Watson, with their daughter Bella. And beside them sat Ellen, with her two sons. They shouldn’t be sitting back there, they were guests! Ellen’s two daughters were bridesmaids, so she should be right down here at the front of the chu
rch. And so should the Watsons – they’d been invited as guests. Bella had been Ruthie’s friend since they were toddlers and Ruthie spent more time in the Watsons’ than she did in her own house. So Molly waved them forward to sit with family and friends.
Then she glanced across the aisle to where Nellie was sitting. I’ve never known her be so quiet, Molly thought. It must be that hat – it’s literally gone to her head. I’ll have a word with her. ‘The church is filling up, Nellie, have yer noticed?’ She spotted Maureen’s boyfriend, Sammy, and waved. ‘I think everyone from our street is here, and a few other streets.’
‘I haven’t looked, girl, ’cos I’ve found that if I turn me head, me hat doesn’t turn with it. So I’d end up with me facing one way, and me hat the other!’
Molly put a hand across her mouth to stifle her laughter. Trust her mate to put humour into a serious occasion like this! ‘I’m going back to me seat, Nellie, or folk will think I’m laughing ’cos I’m getting rid of two of me daughters.’
Corker looked around when she sat down. ‘What’s Nellie up to now?’
She beckoned him closer and repeated in a whisper what Nellie had said. She wasn’t to know that Corker was of the opinion that churches should be places of joy, as well as sadness. And when his loud guffaw rang out, she knelt down and lowered her head as though in prayer.
‘I’m going to tell Phil that little gem.’ Corker’s whisper was almost like the roar of a lion. ‘He needs something to take his mind off the wait, he’s getting nervous.’
‘He’s not the only one,’ Steve said, walking on tiptoe across the aisle. ‘I need something to take me mind off things. This is the longest quarter of an hour I’ve ever known.’
And so it was, when the organ struck up with the Wedding March, that thanks to Nellie’s hat, the two grooms had broad smiles on their faces.
No father had ever been more proud than Jack Bennett was as he began the walk down the aisle with a daughter on each arm. There were gasps and smiles of admiration from the congregation for the two sisters who wore beautiful matching dresses of ivory silk which rustled with each step they took. And the ivory veils covering their faces were held in place with a band of flowers which matched those in their bouquets.
‘Oh, my God, they’re beautiful!’ Molly clutched at her handkerchief but willed herself not to cry and spoil something so perfect. What she was seeing now, her beloved husband looking so proud and walking tall, with an angel on each arm, was a picture that would stay in her mind for ever. She looked behind to see her mother and father crying, and knew it was the same pride and happiness she felt.
Corker moved to stand at the side of Phil, while at the same time, Paul closed in on Steve. And the four men turned to see a sight that left them breathless. Behind the visions in ivory silk, came the five lovely bridesmaids. Maureen and Lily came first as chief bridesmaids, then Phoebe and Dorothy, followed by a happy, smiling Ruthie. It truly was a sight to behold.
His voice choked, Steve said, ‘She’s the most beautiful dream I’ve ever had.’
‘Ye’re a very lucky bloke, our kid,’ Paul said, and meant it.
Phil was too full of emotion to speak. Everything became a blur, and when the priest asked who was giving the brides away, his voice seemed to come through a long tunnel. The brides’ bouquets were passed to someone, but he didn’t know who. He began to worry that he’d faint, or wouldn’t be able to repeat the vows after the priest. Then he felt his hand being squeezed and he saw Doreen smiling at him through her veil. She felt so happy she wasn’t nervous at all, and with the touch of her hand she passed her confidence over to Phil.
Nellie stepped from the pew and touched Lily on the arm. ‘Yer all look lovely, girl. I’m proud of yer.’
Lily smiled and let her eyes go along the pew to where Archie was staring at her with his admiration clear for all to see. She gave him a broad wink before turning back to listen to the priest and to carry out her role as chief bridesmaid to Jill.
Molly and Nellie managed to keep their emotions under control until the brides lifted their veils and their beauty was exposed. Then the tears started, but even as Molly was dabbing at her eyes, she couldn’t help a thought entering her head. Had Nellie managed to get the man’s hankie out of the pocket of her knickers?
The service was longer than a usual marriage ceremony because the priest had to ask each couple to repeat the vows. But eventually he declared them man and wife and said the grooms could kiss the brides. Then the foursome were led through a door at the side of the altar where a registrar was waiting to complete their marriage certificates. Corker and Paul were asked to accompany them as they were acting as witnesses for both couples, also Molly and Jack, and Nellie and George.
‘Where is everyone?’ Corker was surprised to see the church empty except for the bridesmaids and several people sitting at the back. ‘The church was packed before.’
‘They’ve all gone outside so they can see us coming out,’ Lily told him. ‘We’ll probably get pelted with confetti and rice.’ She grinned. ‘And perhaps a few old boots for luck.’
‘I’m going outside then,’ Molly said. ‘I don’t want to miss anything. Come on, Jack, the boys have taken over from yer now.’
‘Wait for me and George, girl, we’re coming with yer.’
‘Don’t get mixed up in the crowd, Mam,’ Steve warned. ‘The photographer will be taking pictures when we get outside.’
‘Yer don’t think I’d miss getting me picture took in this hat, do yer, son? Not ruddy likely I won’t!’ Nellie hurried to catch up with her mate, leaving Jack and George to follow.
‘Jack, I’ve never seen anything like it in me life,’ George said. ‘Everything was perfect, yer couldn’t fault it.’
‘Yes, Molly and the girls did a good job. It was worth all the worry.’
The mass of people outside the church frightened Molly. ‘In the name of God, they’ll never be able to take photographs here!’
But Nellie had seen the photographer with his camera and she took charge. As she was to say later, what was the good of wearing a posh hat if you couldn’t take charge? So she pushed her way through the crowd. ‘Yer’ll have to move some of these people out on to the pavement, lad, or yer’ll never stand a chance.’
The photographer, whose name was Sam, eyed her up and down and decided she was a woman who could take care of herself. ‘Will yer give me a hand?’
‘Of course I will, lad! Only too happy to help.’ Nellie’s eyes moved over the mass of people until she saw a few near neighbours. ‘Mrs Robinson, Mrs Cleary, will yer try and get some of these good folk to stand outside? They’ll still be able to see through the railings. But if they don’t move, there’ll be no wedding photographs.’
About six voices answered. ‘OK, Nellie, consider it done.’ And, ‘Leave it to us, queen, and you go and get yer photy took.’
Ida Higgins elbowed her way towards Molly. ‘I’m worried about the two old dears, Molly, they’ll get killed in the crush. Lizzie’s not so bad, but Miss Clegg can’t stand all these people.’
‘Bring them back into the church, will yer, Ida? They can sit down and just be brought out to go on the photographs. The first car is for the brides and grooms, so they’ll be at the hall first to welcome the guests. But I’ll make sure Victoria and Lizzie are in the second car.’
The next half-hour was a flurry of activity, with the newlyweds being photographed as a foursome and separately. Then each with their best man, and then the bridesmaids. After that it was immediate family, then friends. No one noticed that on each of the group photos, Archie managed to be standing close to Lily, and Paul as near to Phoebe as she would allow. It would probably be noticed when the photographs were developed in a week’s time, but by then a lot of water would have flowed under the bridge.
Molly and Nellie stood inside the door of the reception room over Hanley’s cake-shop. They both had their hands laced in front of them and looked the picture of pride and contentment.
Edna Hanley had certainly lived up to her promise because the room looked lovely. The seating arrangement had been made for the top table to take the newlyweds, bridesmaids, best men and immediate family. Then a long table ran down from each side to cater for the guests. The three-tier wedding cake stood proud in the centre, and there were three vases of flowers on each table. The glasses standing by each place setting were gleaming, as was the cutlery, and the paper serviettes had Congratulations printed in each corner.
‘Yer couldn’t fall out with it, could yer, sunshine?’ Molly asked. ‘Edna has certainly done us proud.’
‘Ye’re not kidding.’ Nellie turned her head to look up at her friend but her hat didn’t bother moving. ‘If yer were rolling in money yer couldn’t have done any better.’
Molly silently agreed as her eyes roamed the room. Jack was in animated conversation with his brother and his wife, and she knew he was asking them to come for dinner one Saturday, so they could really have a good talk about the old days, and how they’d fared in the years since they’d last met. ‘I’m glad your George is looking after his sister and her husband. It’s hard when there’s so many people, to make sure no one is left out.’
‘Lizzie and Victoria seem to be enjoying themselves, girl, so yer don’t have to worry about them. Ida’s keeping them amused, and the Watsons, too.’
‘Have yer noticed anything else, sunshine?’
‘Yes, I have girl, I’m not blind! Archie’s never left our Lily’s side since we came out of the church. She’s not exactly falling over him, but she’s not chasing him away, either. So I’m keeping me fingers crossed.’
‘Is that all yer’ve noticed?’
Once again Nellie’s hat stayed put. There was no point in trying to keep up with a head that was always swivelling around. ‘No, I’ve noticed young Phoebe putting our Paul in his place. It’s about time someone did, ’cos he thinks he’s God’s gift to women. It’ll be interesting to see if he stays the course, ’cos he’s not used to running after a girl; it’s usually the other way around.’
