by Joan Jonker
‘Oh, yeah, of course I’ll ask him. I’d like him to come because he needs the company of kids the same age. But he is a bit shy, and I can’t make him say yes.’
‘You bring him, sunshine, then he won’t feel so shy. Once he’s met Ruthie and the gang, you could come across to Doreen’s with me. And bring Amy with yer, because there’s no school tomorrow and it won’t hurt if she goes to bed late for once.’
‘Haven’t yer had enough of me for one day? I’d love to come, but I don’t want to make a nuisance of meself.’
Nellie struggled to her feet. She knew Molly would be seeing Claire out, and she didn’t want to miss anything. ‘I’ll be here, girl, and I’m not a nuisance, I’m a very welcome guest.’
‘And so say all of us!’ Molly winked at Claire. ‘She’s got no etiquette, my mate, she doesn’t bother waiting to be asked. And if I was to say she couldn’t come, she’d stand outside our Doreen’s window and pull faces at us all night. So to stop the neighbours from talking, Doreen would have to let her in.’
Taking that as a compliment, Nellie grinned. ‘She’s right, yer know. I’d make a holy show of them.’
Telling herself she’d be crazy to pass over the chance of spending a couple of hours in the company of these two friends, Claire said, ‘I’d love to come, Molly, and I’ll be here for half seven with the two kids.’ She started to make her way towards the front door. ‘Come and throw me out.’
Molly was stepping down on to the pavement after Claire when she found herself being lifted off her feet. She looked down into the smiling blue eyes of her neighbour, Corker. ‘Put me down, yer soft nit. Yer’ll have the neighbours talking.’
But Corker wasn’t the type to worry about neighbours. ‘Molly, me darlin’, every time I see yer, yer look prettier.’ He grinned at the man at his side. ‘Next to me wife, Derek, this is my favourite woman. Many is the favour she and Nellie have done for me and my family.’
As he lowered Molly to the ground, Corker smiled at Nellie and then rested his eyes on Claire. She had been watching with eyes wide. She’d seen Corker briefly on one of her visits, but seeing him up close was a different matter. Six foot five, weather-beaten face, bright blue eyes and a huge moustache and beard. ‘Hello, me darlin’. Yer mustn’t think I’m taking liberties, for me and Molly go back a long way, and it’s all in fun.’
As she was straightening her dress, Molly said, ‘Claire, this giant of a man is Corker, from next door, and this is his friend, Derek.’
When Corker shook her hand, Claire felt she was shaking hands with a giant. But a very handsome giant. His mate, Derek, was around the six foot mark, but he looked small beside his friend. ‘It’s nice to meet you both,’ Claire said, ‘but I’m going to have to run. I want to be home for my daughter coming from school.’
The group watched her walking swiftly down the street, and Corker was the first to speak. ‘What a good-looking woman. Have yer known her long, Molly?’
‘Not all that long, but we’ve become good friends. She’s a widow with two children, and her nature is as lovely as her face.’ Molly’s eyes warned Nellie not to reveal any secrets. ‘She calls every Friday afternoon for a few hours, but always leaves in time for her daughter coming in from school. Me and Nellie are very fond of her.’
Derek said, ‘Her face looks as though it was sculpted out of ivory.’
Corker nodded. ‘She’s a rare beauty, all right.’ He turned to Molly. ‘I was going to give yer a knock, me darlin’, ’cos I need to ask a favour of yer.’
‘If it’s within my power, Corker, then consider it done.’
‘Would you ask in the cake shop if we can hire their reception room one evening? I’d do it meself, but you’ve had so many parties there I thought you’d handle it better than me.’
Nellie came to stand beside Molly. If there was a party going, she would demand the job of assistant hostess, which she always was. ‘What’s the celebration, Corker?’ Molly asked. ‘Phoebe and Paul haven’t decided to get married, have they?’
Corker’s loud guffaw rang the full length of the street. ‘No, me darlin’, that’s next year, they tell me. Which I’m glad about, for neither of them are grown-up enough to get married. No, it’s not a celebration for any event in particular, but for several birthdays and whatnots. Phoebe didn’t have a party for her last birthday, and neither did Gordon or Dorothy. In fact, me darlin’, we’ve never had a party for anything before. So I thought of all the parties you and Nellie have had in Hanley’s, where everyone was invited and had a whale of a time. Whereas me and Ellen have never given one. So how does the idea of a real knees-up jars out sound?’
‘Sounds wonderful, Corker. But I’d have to have date, time, numbers, do yer want music, and what would you want in the way of food for the buffet?’
‘I was hoping you’d help me out there, me darlin’. Derek is home for good now, so any Saturday would suit. We would want music, same as you had. As for numbers, I’ll make a list out when Ellen comes in from work, and she can say what she would like in the way of food.’
‘If yer could let me have the list tonight, Corker, I’ll see Edna Hanley tomorrow. Best to get the date sorted before she gets booked up.’
‘Yer’ll have it tonight. Derek is staying to eat with us, then we’re going for a pint. I’ll pass the list in on the way out. And if Jack, George and Phil would like to join us at the pub, we’d like their company.’
‘It might be best if yer knock at Doreen’s for me. Ruthie is having the gang in tonight for a game of cards, so we’ll have to move camp to let them have the house to themselves. Oh, and Claire’s bringing her son down to play cards, and she’s coming over to Doreen’s with me and Nellie.’ Molly took a deep breath and then blew out. ‘I hope I’ve got all me facts straight there. It sounded a bit mixed up to my ears.’
‘Message received and understood, me darlin’. We’ll be knocking about eight with the list. Oh, and don’t forget to tell the men about coming to the pub.’
Molly caught his arm as he moved away. ‘Corker, have yer given this party any thought? If yer intend to ask all the Bennetts and McDonoughs, plus the Higginses and Jacksons, it adds up to a fair number. Yer might well get a shock.’
Corker put his huge hands round her waist and lifted her from the ground. ‘Molly, me darlin’, when are yer going to stop worrying about other people? Yer’ve done yer fair share over the years, now let me show a little bit of appreciation. Both to you and to Nellie.’ He set her down and bent down to look into Nellie’s face. ‘I’d lift yer up if I could, me darlin’, but I’m sure yer wouldn’t want the neighbours to see those blue fleecy-lined bloomers of yours.’
Nellie stuck out her tongue and pulled on his beard. ‘I’ve got yer there, smart lad, ’cos I’ve got me pink ones on today.’
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ruthie and Bella were in the kitchen making sandwiches, and giggling in excited anticipation as the time drew nearer to half past seven. Molly had given the kitchen over to them and they felt really grown up because they were doing their own thing without being supervised. ‘I think there’ll be plenty here,’ Ruthie said, counting twenty sandwiches in all. They were only small, but no one would be very hungry after their dinner, so there should be enough. And Bella’s mam had given two large bottles of lemonade, while Ruthie’s mam had bought the filling for the sandwiches. The girls themselves had bought a pound of assorted biscuits from the corner shop, and they were quite happy with themselves.
Bella caught Ruthie’s arm. ‘That was a knock on the front door.’
‘Ooh, that’ll be Ken. I’m dying to see what he looks like.’
‘Let him get in first, Ruthie. Yer don’t want to embarrass him.’
So the girls stayed quiet, listening to introductions being made. But Ruthie was nosy, and didn’t have the patience to wait, so she peeped through the opening at the side of the door. When she turned back to her friend, she had a hand over her mouth and her eyes were wide. ‘Oh, yer
should see him, Bella, he’s dead handsome. He’s tall, too, like a film star.’
Bella quickly took over the speck by the door. ‘Yes, ye’re right, Ruthie, he’s gorgeous. He’s even better-looking than Gordon, or Johnny.’
‘I’ll put a cloth over the plates, then we’ll go in. But don’t start going all shy on me, Bella, or he’ll think we’re childish.’
Molly poked her head round the door. ‘Come and meet Mrs Thompson, and her son and daughter.’
Things got a bit hectic right then, as Gordon, Jeff and Johnny arrived, and once again there were introductions all round. But these were greeted with nods, and not handshakes, as the youngsters were shy and ill at ease.
‘Have yer finished in the kitchen, sunshine?’ Molly asked. ‘Come and let’s see where ye’re up to.’
She led the way, followed by her daughter and Bella. ‘They look good enough to eat, girls. Ye’re getting a dab hand at it. There should be plenty there.’ She put the cloth back over the plates and lowered her voice. ‘I want yer to look after Ken, ’cos I think he’s feeling a bit out of it. It can’t be helped, the other boys have known each other all their lives, but try to make him feel at ease.’
‘Ay, Mam, yer were right about him being good-looking, he’s really handsome. I think me and Bella are going to have a fight over him.’
A blush came over Bella’s face. ‘Don’t be saying that, Ruthie. I’m not going to fight over any boy. They’re all nice. No one is better than the other.’ Bella surprised herself by being so outspoken. ‘Anyway, as me mam says, looks are not everything.’
Ruthie put a hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle. ‘They help though. I mean, you wouldn’t go out with a boy whose face was covered in pimples, would yer?’
‘If I liked him, yes, I would! Most boys get spots or pimples, but they grow out of them.’
Molly put a finger under her daughter’s chin and lifted her face until their eyes were on a level. ‘Bella is right, sunshine. Yer can never judge a book by its cover. And before yer criticise someone else, don’t forget ye’re often moaning yerself because yer’ve got a spot or pimple on yer face.’
‘Yes, but I’m not going out with meself, am I?’ There was mischief in the girl’s eyes. ‘I don’t have to look at meself.’
‘You, young lady, get more like yer Auntie Nellie every day. Like her, yer’ve got an answer to everything.’
Jack’s voice floated through to them. ‘What’s going on out there? Yer’ve got visitors standing here like statues. Show some manners, will yer?’
‘Coming, Dad! It’s me mam who’s keeping us. She’s giving us a lecture on how to behave and how not to behave.’
Molly hurried through to the living room. ‘Take no notice of her. Bella doesn’t need a lecture on how to behave, and if I was of a mind to give our daughter one, I’d pick a time when I had a few hours to spare.’ She pulled all the chairs from under the table. ‘Sit yerselves down, lads, and Ruthie will fetch another two chairs. Is your Peter coming, Gordon?’
‘Yeah, when he’s finished doing himself up.’ Corker’s son sat himself down, a grin on his pleasant face. ‘Honest, every hair has to be in position before he goes anywhere. And he goes through a jar of Brylcreem every week.’
‘Ye’re only jealous,’ Ruthie said, ‘’cos he’s got more hair than you.’
Molly winked at Ken, who had chosen a chair facing Gordon. ‘If they start fighting in earnest, Ken, yer know where our Doreen lives, so nip over and tell us before the neighbours call the police in.’
Ken was feeling more relaxed now, happy there were three other lads there. ‘If yer see me running hell for leather down the street, Mrs Bennett, yer’ll know there’s a free-for-all going on and yer’d be advised to get over quick before they start breaking up yer happy home.’
‘I know it’s a daft question, son,’ Claire said, ‘but why would yer be running hell for leather down the street, instead of over the road to where we’ll be?’
‘Think about it, Mam! My first time here and a fight breaks out! I’d be the one the finger of guilt would be pointed at, so it would make sense for me to disappear.’
‘If a fight broke out, you and me would get stuck in the door, then.’ Johnny laughed. ‘I’m not very good at fisticuffs, and besides, like Peter I’m fussy about me hair getting upset.’
Jeff Mowbray wasn’t going to be left out. Not when there were two pretty young girls there who would be giving them points on looks. ‘Yer’ve got straight hair, Johnny, so no one would know whether it was upset or not.’
‘Okay, that’s enough. Ye’re all as vain as one another,’ Molly said jokingly. ‘We’re going to have to leave yer to it, or Doreen will think we’ve changed our minds.’ She held out a hand to Amy. ‘Come on, sunshine, so yer can see the baby before he goes to bed. And Jack, are you calling for Corker?’
Jack nodded. ‘I’ll come out with you. I’ve only got to take me jacket off the hook.’
‘Yer won’t forget to call for George, will yer? I wouldn’t like him to be left out. And Phil will probably follow yer up.’ Molly gave the youngsters one more warning. ‘On yer best behaviour, kids. No throwing cups at the wall and no rowdy songs. All right?’
‘We’ll be as good as gold, Auntie Molly,’ Gordon said. ‘When yer come back, yer won’t know anyone has been.’
Claire dropped a kiss on Ken’s head. ‘We’ll be back just before ten, love. I believe that’s the time the card game finishes.’
‘Around that time,’ Molly said, ‘give or take a few minutes. But let’s move, or we’ll be here all night.’
Ruthie brought a chair down from her bedroom, and Bella carried in the one from the kitchen. The two packs of cards were on the table and the six youngsters settled down. Ruthie had cleverly manoeuvred herself on to the chair next to Ken, much to the disgust of Gordon and Johnny. Although they didn’t know it, they were both of the same mind. When the break came for refreshments, they’d make sure positions were changed. ‘Who’s going to deal?’ Ruthie asked. ‘Shall we all pick a card from the top of the pack and the one with the highest number gets to deal?’
Before anyone could answer, the back kitchen door opened and in walked Peter Corkhill. ‘I came the back way, save any of yer getting off yer bottom.’
‘Oh, we’re a chair short,’ Ruthie said, stating the obvious, while at the same time determined not to give up the one she’d cleverly bagged. ‘Gordon, would you share yer chair with Peter?’
‘I’ll share with him,’ Bella said, having always had a soft spot for Peter, and thinking he was the nicest of the lot. ‘I’m the smallest, so we’ll easy manage on one chair. But that’s as long as he promises not to cheat.’
That arrangement suited the boy, who had spent ages in front of the mirror making his hair neat and tidy to impress Bella. ‘I promise I won’t look at the cards in yer hand, unless yer stick them right in front of me face.’
‘Yer won’t get the chance,’ Bella told him as she edged along her chair. ‘I’ll keep me hand over them.’
Gordon had other ideas. It was bad enough having to vie with Johnny for Ruthie’s attention, but it was going too far to have another bloke to contend with. So perhaps if he paid a little attention to Bella, Ruthie would get jealous. ‘Let’s push both of our chairs together and Bella can sit in the middle. She’ll have more room then.’
Ruthie did feel a pang of jealousy, but it only lasted a couple of seconds. She lived next door to Gordon and saw him every night, while she wouldn’t get the chance of seeing Ken very often. She didn’t know where he lived but it couldn’t be local or she would have seen him before now. ‘If we’re settled at last, let’s all pick a card to see who deals.’
Ken picked a queen, which turned out to be the highest, and when he began to deal it was easy to see he was no novice. ‘I’d say this wasn’t the first time yer’ve dealt cards,’ Johnny said. ‘Yer handle them as though yer play often.’
Ken nodded, as he tried to keep an eye o
n the number of cards he dealt to each one. ‘Me and me mam have a couple of games most nights. Not for money, just to pass the time. Me dad died five years ago, and I don’t like me mam being on her own every night, so we play cards for the sake of something to do.’
‘Your mam is beautiful,’ Gordon said. ‘And she doesn’t look old enough to be yer mam. She could pass for yer sister.’
‘I know yer were paying me mam a compliment, and ye’re right she is beautiful. And I’m very proud of her. But I don’t know whether to clock yer one for saying she looks like me sister. That doesn’t say much for me, and I feel as old as the hills now. Next thing, I’ll be buying meself a walking stick.’
‘Gordon didn’t mean it that way,’ Ruthie was quick to tell him. ‘And I was going to say the same about yer mam. She is lovely. Yer should be proud of her.’
None of the friends could imagine being without their father, and their sympathy went out to Ken. And from that moment, he became one of the gang.
‘Will yer be looking for a shore job now, Derek?’ Jack asked, as the friends sat round the small table in the smoke-filled snug. ‘Or are yer giving yerself a break first?’
‘I’ll take it easy for a week or two, spend a bit of time with me ma.’ Derek drank from the pint glass then placed it on the table. ‘Corker is going to ask his boss if there’s any jobs going where he works. That would suit me fine, because he’s out in the open all the time, with the smell of the sea in the air.’
‘I don’t think I’ll have any trouble getting him a job with the company I work for.’ Corker wiped the froth from his moustache. ‘I get on well with me boss, and without wanting to sound as though I’m bragging, I have about ten men working under me now.’
‘What is it yer actually do, Corker?’ George asked. ‘I know yer work for a shipping firm down at the docks, but don’t know what the job entails.’
