‘You want to marry me?’ said Aunt Edie. ‘You really want that?’
‘You’re my kind of woman, love,’ said Dad, ‘you always were.’
Aunt Edie went moist-eyed. ‘Then give us a kiss, love, would you?’ she said.
Dad gave her the kind of kiss that convinced her once and for all that he wanted her. Weak at the knees, she tumbled backwards on to her sofa. Dad went after her. His old sergeant-major knew a thing or two about women, even if he had come a cropper with a certain Syrian belly-dancer.
‘Women, I’ll ’ave you know, come in various kinds, includin’ women that’s obedient, women that’s a handful on account of bein’ contrary, and women that’s a different kind of handful on account of bein’ comely. Any soldier that ’as trouble with obedient women is gormless and should go home to ’is mother. As for women that’s contrary – stand up straight, that man there. As for women that’s contrary and given to arguin’, what you do with them is let ’em give your earholes a rollickin’. Don’t answer them back, let ’em get it all off their chests until they’re out of breath. Then give ’em a bunch of flowers and knock ’em sideways. Now, women that’s a handful on account of bein’ comely. Just treat the handfuls with due appreciation and lovin’ care. Corporal Andrews will confirm same. Got that, my lads? Right, that’s all.’
Aunt Edie being extremely comely, Dad treated her with extravagant appreciation and very loving care. Aunt Edie wondered where all the bliss was coming from.
‘Jack, oh, you saucy devil – me dress – me legs—’
‘Well, look at that,’ said Dad, mourning at an end and a new future beginning. ‘I knew it. Edie love, you’ve got a pair fit for the pearly queen of old London itself.’
Aunt Edie laughed.
Christmas morning was crisp with frost and winter sunshine. Two knocks on the door of number fifteen Underwood Road, Bethnal Green, brought the upstairs tenant down.
Will Fletcher was on the doorstep.
‘Good morning, Will,’ smiled Celia, ‘and a very happy Christmas.’
Will blinked. She was wearing a new costume of silver-grey over a Christmassy red jumper, and her hair shone as if her brush had spent the morning burnishing it. He coughed.
‘Yes, merry Christmas, Sister Charity,’ he said, and coughed again. ‘It’s like this.’
‘Yes, Will?’ said Celia gently, thinking what a handsome man he was.
‘What?’ said Will, thinking how elegant and out of reach she was.
‘What is it you want to say?’
‘It’s Lulu,’ said Will, feeling mesmerized. ‘The fact is, as it’s Christmas Day, and as she don’t know if she’s comin’ or goin’ because of the present of a new frock and doll’s house you left for ’er last night, she wants to know if you’d take ’er to church with you.’
‘I’d love to, Will, you know that.’
‘Further,’ said Will, and coughed again. ‘Further, Sister Charity—’
‘Celia.’
‘Oh, hell.’
‘I’ll forgive that,’ said Celia.
‘Well, further,’ said Will, ‘Lulu says would you come and ’ave Christmas dinner with us?’
‘Lulu says?’ murmured Celia.
‘Yes. Our landlady’s cookin’ our joint as well as her fam’ly’s, she’s got both ovens goin’.’
‘And Lulu would like me to join you?’
Will cleared his throat yet again. He couldn’t think why life had to be so contrary. After a long period of unemployment and near starvation, it had suddenly handed him a decent-paid job. Then it had upped and clouted him. People talked about the mysterious ways of God. It wasn’t God, it was the aggravating contrariness of life that had landed him with a woman he could never have. Look at her, she could sit for a painter and come out looking like a portrait of a king’s lady, and some rich geezer would pay as much as a hundred guineas for it. Was it fair on a man? Or was it punishment for abusing her? Punishment, he thought.
‘What?’ he said again.
‘Really, Will, whatever’s the matter with you?’ smiled Celia.
‘You’ve got a nerve, askin’ a question like that while you’re lookin’ like that,’ said Will. ‘I’ve got more problems than even Bill Sykes should be landed with on a Christmas Day.’
‘My poor Will,’ said Celia, ‘but we were speaking of Lulu inviting me to share dinner with you.’
‘All right, I give in,’ said Will. ‘I’m invitin’ you as well.’
‘Then I shall come,’ said Celia. Actually, she had been invited to have Christmas dinner with Mr and Mrs Hitchins, but had delayed accepting, just in case. There was no telling with a man like Will, no telling whether or not he would leave her outside his life on Christmas Day, however much he was weakening. ‘Thank you, Will, for thinking of me. Shall we all go to church together?’
‘Oh, no you don’t,’ said Will, ‘you’re not landin’ that one on me.’
‘Very well, just Lulu and I, then. In an hour. And thank you again for thinking of me.’
‘Lulu didn’t like it that you might be by yourself,’ said Will.
‘Lulu didn’t?’
‘Lord forgive you for pushin’ me into corners,’ said Will. ‘Well, all right, we both didn’t want you sittin’ in your lodgings all alone, not on Christmas Day. Everyone ought to ’ave someone else on Christmas Day.’
‘Will, how kind you are.’
‘Cut it out,’ said Will, grinding his teeth.
‘But I shall be very happy to be with you and Lulu,’ said Celia, ‘and to have her come to church with me.’
‘She’ll like that,’ said Will, ‘but don’t think you’ll get me in a pew.’
‘No, of course not, Will.’
An hour later, amid the ringing of the bells, Lulu, Celia and Will were all walking to church together.
She’s done for me, thought Will.
He’s collapsing, thought Celia.
‘Isn’t it a lovely Christmas Day, Will dearest?’ she smiled, and slipped a gloved hand into his. ‘Isn’t it simply lovely, Lulu?’
‘I likes Christmas,’ said Lulu, ‘an’ we likes you, don’t we, Uncle Will?’
‘I’m licked all ends up permanent, Lulu lovey,’ said Will, and his hand closed tightly around Celia’s. Her fingers squeezed.
Lord help me, thought Will, what comes next?
Aunt Edie, laden with presents, arrived very early at the family’s new home in Lorrimore Square, Kennington, to be greeted with hugs and kisses from everyone except Jimmy. Jimmy wasn’t there.
‘Where is he?’
‘’E’s gone out, Auntie,’ said Betsy.
‘’E said ’e’s gone on a mission,’ said Patsy.
‘He’ll be back,’ said Dad. ‘After ’is mission’s over.’
‘What mission?’ asked Aunt Edie.
‘To Anerley,’ said Patsy.
‘Oh, that girl Sophy, that’s ’is mission?’ smiled Aunt Edie.
‘Well, ’e’s nearly seventeen, Auntie,’ said Patsy, ‘and says he wants a girl to take out, one that ’e likes.’
‘That boy.’ Aunt Edie laughed. ‘Well, Christmas morning’s just the right time for a mission, loveys.’
‘Yes, ’e’s took some mistletoe,’ said Betsy.
Jimmy was riding a borrowed bike, and whistling as he pedalled through the handsome roads of Dulwich. He had had one more letter from Sophy, back in early November. He’d answered it. He had spoken to Mr Gibbs at the factory two days ago, about his future. Mr Gibbs, as usual, had responded kindly.
It was not yet ten o’clock when he rang the doorbell of the Gibbs’s handsome house in Anerley. Ada, whose duty it was to answer the summons of callers, opened the door and found herself looking at a young man whose solemn expression couldn’t be trusted because of his saucy eyes.
‘Hullo, Ada, merry Christmas.’
‘Jimmy!’ Ada’s perky little white cap seemed to quiver. ‘Jimmy, fancy it bein’ you – oh, merry Christmas yourself.
What’re you doin’ here?’
‘I’m doin’ Christmas collectin’ for the deservin’,’ said Jimmy.
‘Deservin’ what?’ asked Ada.
‘Me,’ said Jimmy, ‘I’ve got some mistletoe in my pocket.’
‘Oh, you’ve come to collect from the young madam?’ said Ada. ‘She’s ’ome for Christmas, but she’s goin’ out in a minute, so you’ll have to—’ She was interrupted by the swift advance of a girl through the hall, a girl in a dark blue winter coat with a fur collar, and a little fur hat on her head. Sophy Gibbs, now fourteen, was so ravishingly dressed up she looked sixteen.
‘Ada, I’m – oh, hullo, Jimmy, you’re a surprise, Daddy was talking about you at breakfast, and Mummy’s pleased about things.’
‘That’s good,’ said Jimmy, ‘merry Christmas, Sophy.’
‘You too,’ said Sophy. ‘I can’t stop, though, I’m going to see a friend. You can do my room now, Ada. Goodbye, Jimmy.’ She sped over the forecourt to the drive.
‘Sorry, Jimmy,’ said Ada.
‘Sorry?’
‘’Ard luck, I mean. The young madam’s got a new friend. His family live on the other side of Anerley, he goes to a boys’ boarding-school that’s near hers.’ Ada wrinkled her nose. ‘Are you heart-broke again, Jimmy?’
‘Not much,’ said Jimmy, who had always felt he was a game to Sophy.
‘Never mind, Jimmy, it’s Christmas,’ said Ada. ‘D’you want to come in and see cook and Ivy and Mr ’Odges? We’re ever so busy, but madam won’t mind you.’
‘Well, Mr Gibbs said I could pop in. I asked if I could, just for ten minutes. But first—’ Jimmy stepped in, taking his cap off. Ada closed the door to keep the cold out. ‘First – well, look here, Ada, if it’s not serious with Percy, and seein’ I feel serious myself, can I take you out on your next day off?’
Ada’s little cap seemed to quiver again. ‘Me?’ she said.
‘You’re the nicest girl I know.’
‘Me?’
‘I knew I’d got complications,’ said Jimmy, ‘but I thought blow Percy, why should he ’ave all the luck?’
‘I ’aven’t been out with Percy for ages,’ said Ada, ‘there’s someone I like much better.’
Jimmy looked sternly at her. The spacious hall was empty, but the house was alive with the vibrations of Christmas Day.
‘I’ve lost me Christmas spirit now,’ said Jimmy. ‘Who is the bloke? Ask ’im if he wants his block knocked off.’
‘You’d better ask yourself, then, ’adn’t you?’ said Ada, eyes dancing.
‘Ada?’
‘Oh, come on, Jimmy, you silly.’
‘Ada, would you be my girl, then?’
‘Oh, crikey, you and me, Jimmy? Honest?’
‘You and me, Ada, honest.’
‘Lovely,’ said Ada, and Jimmy produced a little sprig of mistletoe. Ada lifted her face. Jimmy kissed her. Ada did a shy, blushing act, just in case Jimmy thought she was too eager. Her mum had said ages ago that it wasn’t wise for a girl to let a boy think she wants to be kissed. Best to make him think you’re doing him a special favour. Then you can ask a favour of him, like when you want a new hat. Mind, that’s only when you’re married, of course.
‘I’m comin’ back here to work,’ said Jimmy, thinking Ada lovely to kiss. ‘I spoke to Mr Gibbs about it, I told him factory work’s all right, but that I like outdoor work best. He said fine. So in the New Year, I’m startin’ here as a junior gardener.’
‘Oh, it’s goin’ to be the best Christmas of me whole life,’ said Ada. ‘Jimmy, let’s go and tell cook and Mr ’Odges and Ivy I’m your girl before I tidy up the young madam’s room.’
‘All right, Ada,’ said Jimmy. ‘I think I’m goin’ to have new problems, not bein’ able to say no to you. Still, I’ll grin and bear it.’
‘I bet,’ said Ada. ‘Come on.’
On their way through the hall, Jimmy said, ‘Do you and cook and Ivy and Mr Hodges know what an oggle box is?’
‘Yes, course we do, Jimmy love. Oggle, oggle, oggle.’
The End
About the Author
Mary Jane Staples was born, bred and educated in Walworth, and is the author of many bestselling novels, including the ever-popular cockney sagas featuring the Adams family.
Also by Mary Jane Staples:
The Adams Books
Down Lambeth Way
Our Emily
King of Camberwell
On Mother Brown’s Doorstep
A Family Affair
Missing Person
Pride of Walworth
Echoes of Yesterday
The Young Ones
The Camberwell Raid
The Last Summer
The Family at War
Fire Over London
Churchill’s People
Bright Day, Dark Night
Tomorrow is Another Day
The Way Ahead
Year of Victory
The Homecoming
Sons and Daughters
Appointment at the Palace
Changing Times
Spreading Wings
Family Fortunes
A Girl Next Door
Ups and Downs
Out of the Shadows
A Sign of the Times
The Soldier’s Girl
Natasha’s Dream
Nurse Anna’s War
Other titles in order of publication
Two for Three Farthings
The Lodger
Rising Summer
Sergeant Joe
The Trap
The Ghost of Whitechapel
Escape to London
The Price of Freedom
A Wartime Marriage
Katernia’s Secret
The Summer Day is Done
The Longest Winter
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PEARLY QUEEN
A CORGI BOOK 9780552138567
Version 1.0 Epub ISBN 9781446488041
First publication in Great Britain
Printing History
Corgi edition published 1992
Copyright © Mary Jane Staples 1992
The right of Mary Jane Staples to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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