Rough Clay

by Chrissie Loveday

‘Course he isn’t. He’s my cousin. Started the band a couple of years ago, and just beginning to make his name around here.’

  ‘I see. And is one of the others your boyfriend?’ He felt himself blushing at the directness of his questions.

  ‘I don’t have anyone special. My friend’s with us tonight. She’s dancing with someone at the moment. There’s quite a few of us go out together. Just friends, sort of. Barry, he’s the singer, often lets me come with them. I tell him what people are saying. Any road up, it’s better than spending the evening with my ’orrible sister.’

  ‘What’s your name?’

  ‘Dora. Dora Marsh. What’s yours?’

  ‘Archie. Archie Barnett. Pleased to meet you.’

  ‘Likewise,’ she said shyly, offering her hand.

  ‘You’ve got little hands, haven’t you?’ he said, holding onto it.

  ‘Have I? I’d never noticed.’

  ‘What do you do?’ he asked, forgetting all about his party at their own table.

  ‘I’m a hairdresser. I work at Stanways.’ He remained unimpressed. Ladies hairdressers were hardly something he knew about. His Mum occasionally washed her hair at the scullery sink, same as the rest of them. All the same, it explained why Dora was so particular about her hair. He suddenly caught sight of Ernie, waving frantically at him.

  ‘I’m sorry. I’ll have to go back to me friends. Tell your cousin I think he’s really good. Will I see you again, Dora?’

  ‘I usually go to Longton now, on Saturdays, when I finish work. Sometimes it’s Newcastle, with Barry and the lads.’

  ‘Maybe I’ll see you at Longton sometime. Hope so.’

  ‘I hope so too. Are you going to the dance next week? It’s Bill Davis and his band. Should be a good do. Me friend’s coming as well. P’raps your mate can come. Will you be there?’

  ‘I will. For definite. Especially if I know you’re going to be there. I’ll see you there then.’

  ‘All right. Bye for now.’

  Archie was blushing to his roots by the time he got back to his table. Ada was looking thunderous. Ernie grinned at his friend and tried to smooth things over.

  ‘Thought I was going to have to come and drag you away,’ he said with a grin. He raised his eyebrows questioningly. As soon as Archie thought the girls weren’t looking, he gave a grin and stuck up his thumb. He could hardly wait for the evening to be over. He dutifully danced with both girls, every time looking out for Dora, and when he saw her dancing with anyone else he looked daggers at her partner. He didn’t manage to spot her friend, who might be at the dance next week and be a partner for Ernie. Ethel wanted to sit by Ernie in the front seat for the return journey and made Archie sit behind with Ada. Each time they went round a corner, she allowed herself to be flung against Archie. He got steadily more embarrassed as the journey continued, especially when she made little or no effort to return to her own half of the seat. She rested her head on his shoulder and he felt himself growing hot and uncomfortable. She turned her face to his and waited for him to kiss her. He closed his eyes, trying to imagine it was Dora sitting close to him on the back seat. Just as he felt there was nothing he could do about it and that he must kiss the girl, the car swerved and he was thrown in the opposite direction.

  ‘Steady on there,’ Ernie yelled at Ethel. ‘You’ll have us in the ditch if you’re not careful. Just hold your impatience till we stop, will you?’

  ‘Who do you think you are?’ she protested. ‘Think a lot of yourself, don’t you, Ernie Draper? Well I don’t offer twice, so you’ve lost your chance. Now drive us home please.’

  Archie gave a wry grin. Thank heavens for Ethel. He could now forget all about the tiresome Ada and concentrate on the next weekend when he would see Dora. She was much more his type. Grumpily, Ernie drove to Ethel’s house and opened the door for her to get out. He pushed the seats forward to let the two out of the back.

  ‘I take it you’re driving back with me?’ he asked Archie.

  ‘Certainly am. Thanks for your company, ladies,’ he said politely.

  ‘Yer. Thanks for the lift, Ernie.’

  ‘Right snooty pair aren’t they?’ Ada, or was it Ethel, said loudly as they got out of the car.

  ‘Can’t stand these types who think they’re God’s gift to women. We’ll show ’em one of these days. Think they might regret turning us down.’

  It was hardly a gracious farewell but neither of the men minded. They would not be offering either of those girls another chance. As they drove away, they both roared with laughter. Sheer high spirits.

  ‘So, how did you get on with the girl of your dreams?’

  ‘She isn’t my dream girl,’ Archie protested. ‘I just think she’s nice, decent type.’

  ‘So did you get a date?’

  ‘Well, as a matter of fact, I’ve arranged to see her next Saturday at Longton Town Hall.’

  ‘I see. Does this mean the end of our Saturdays?’

  ‘Shouldn’t think so. You might find yourself a girl, anyhow. She’s got a friend. You might like her. Then we can be a proper foursome.’

  ‘Hang on a bit. You’re not exactly courting this girl are you? You’ve only just met her. Any road, I thought you said she had a load of men with her?’

  ‘Her cousin plays in the band and the others were friends, or band members. I thought they were quite good, didn’t you?’

  ‘They were all right. Yes. Not bad at all. So, what’s her name?’

  The short journey back to Ernie’s was barely enough time for Archie to recount every detail of the brief conversation.

  ‘I s’pose I do think she’s a bit special. Did I tell you she’s a hairdresser? Works with her friend.’

  ‘Several times. Oh, Archie. Take it easy. Don’t go pinning your hopes on this one. You’ve only just met her and you don’t know much about women at all. You’re not exactly experienced, are you?’

  ‘I know what I need to know, thank you very much.’

  ‘You know about girls at work. Crowds of ’em, admittedly. But they’re a sight different when they’re not all in a gang. You get on with ’em well enough at work but they’d have you for breakfast if they met you out on your own somewhere. I only want you to be happy, Archie. You deserve it for god’s sake. You haven’t had much of a life, have you?’

  ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

  ‘Think on. Home’s always been a tough place to be. You’ve said so yourself often enough. But you’ve fought your way to get where you wanted to be. Ignored everything your mother’s tried to make you do and you’ve got what you wanted. Don’t throw it all away for some crush on a girl.’

  ‘I’m not throwing anything away. You know summat, Ern? I reckon I’m going to marry this one. Yes, I reckon she’s everything I could ever want.’ He blinked in surprise at his own words. He’d never even thought of it before but suddenly, he knew deep down that Dora Marsh was the girl he wanted to marry.

  ‘I think you’ve had a bit too much to drink my lad. We’ll say no more about this conversation. Pretend it never happened. Now let’s get out of the cold and see if me Dad’s left a decanter out for us. There should be a bite of summat to eat as well. How does that sound?’

  ‘Pretty good, mate. I reckon I could take to life at the Drapers’ house. There’s always food and drink available and you never have to scrub a single pot.’

  On Sunday morning, he went to church to sing in the choir straight from Ernie’s. He enjoyed singing but he’d long realised that was the only reason he ever went to church. He had no faith and the words meant nothing to him but it was the only place he felt free to let his voice ring out. That particular Sunday, all he could see in his head was a vision of Dora. He arrived home for Sunday lunch with the family. His mother had made a few barbed comments but he ate silently, knowing that to tell them anything about the evening would provoke only nastiness from Frances. He did feel sorry for his Dad. Several times, he caught his gaze and wondered if they’d ever be able to
talk again. He was a gentle, hardworking man who did his best for his family and put up with a great deal.

  ‘How about a stroll down to the park this afternoon, son?’ he asked suddenly.

  Archie stared. It was so unusual he wondered if something was wrong.

  ‘Can we have a game, Dad? Will you play football with me, Archie?’ William piped up.

  ‘All right. I’d like that, Dad.’

  ‘And what am I s’posed to do while you’re gone? Wash up and make tea? I’m nobody’s slave you know.’ Frances was also surprised by her husband’s unusual suggestion. Usually, he liked nothing better than to sit in front of the grate with his feet resting on the fender, once the meal was over.

  ‘We’ll do the pots before we go,’ Archie offered. ‘I’ll make a start right away. Come on, our William. Get stuck in.’

  ‘I’m not washing,’ his brother announced.

  ‘All right. I’ll do the washing. Lazy little sod aren’t you? Washing’s always the worst job. Especially on Sundays when there’s a roasting tin as well.’ He cuffed his brother’s ear, noticing for the first time in ages just how much the lad had grown. ‘You must be coming up for the senior school soon. Have you thought about what you’re going to do with yourself?’

  ‘Nah. I’m not clever like you. I reckon it’ll be the pit for me.’

  ‘I thought you were s’posed to have a bad chest? The pit’ll be no good for you if you have.’

  ‘Dunno. My chest’s been all right for ages. Haven’t bin poorly at all. Maybe you can get us a job at your place when the time comes? I shan’t be staying on at school any longer than I can help.’

  William found some of his mates when they got to the park and Archie watched as they kicked a ball around. His Dad stood with him, sucking on his old pipe.

  ‘How’s it going then, lad?’ he asked.

  ‘Real well, Dad. I love me job and I’ve got definite prospects. I’m being promoted to under manager of the decorating shop soon.’

  ‘Manager eh? By heck. That’ll mean a good rise I expect.’ Archie blushed. ‘Under manager, Dad.’ He was speaking out of turn. He felt suddenly guilty about keeping back some of his wages for his own use. His dad had worked hard all his life and yet he’d never heard him complain about anything. ‘I expect there’ll be a rise. Dad, I’m sorry.’

  ‘What about, lad?’

  ‘Well, you know how things are with me and me Mum. She’s always wanting every penny I earn. I’ve been keeping a bit back each week, for me spends. I didn’t say as I’d had a rise last time. I know it’s wrong of me and everything but I had to. She doesn’t give me enough back for anything I want to do. I like going out with me friend. I can’t let him pay for me, can I? Specially when it’s his Dad who’s paying me wages. He must have a pretty good idea of what I take home.’

  ‘There’s things the women folk don’t have to know about, lad. I let her think she’s getting my wage packet unopened but there’s ways and means.’ There was a twinkle in his father’s eye. Archie stared.

  ‘You mean . . .you?’

  ‘Course I do, lad. Always have. I like to have a bit put by for the hard times. You never suffered during the General Strike, even though I didn’t get paid for two or three weeks.’

  ‘Yer crafty old bugger,’ Archie burst out. ‘Sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean that.’

  ‘Yes yer did. And you’re quite right. Pays to be a crafty old bugger from time to time. Take my advice, son. Get yourself a safe place and put summat by for the rainy days. You’ll be wanting to get wed before you’re much older. You’ll need money for that. Don’t let it happen too soon though, before you’re ready. It’s my one regret that we got wed too soon. But then if it hadn’t happened the way it did, you’d never have been born. And that would have been a loss. I’m very proud of me eldest son. You’ve got where you wanted to be despite everything.’

  ‘Thanks, Dad,’ Archie replied, touched by the unaccustomed words from his usually taciturn father. ‘What did you mean about things happening before you were ready?’

  ‘I probably shouldn’t mention it but well, we jumped the gun a bit. Your Mum and me. Let’s say it was best we got married when we did, for your sake. Don’t let on to her that I’ve told you. Proud woman your mother. Wouldn’t like to think anyone knew of any weakness.’

  ‘I see. Well, I can’t pretend I’m not shocked.’ Perhaps the greatest shock was that his Dad had wanted to do it with his Mother in the first place. Let alone before she’d got him safe behind the marriage lines.

  ‘She wasn’t always like she is now, you know. Used to enjoy nights out and well, she was a good looker in her younger days. She’s had a few problems to put up with. Couple of miscarriages. Makes a woman feel bad. As if there’s summat wrong with her. She’s never been the same since.’

  ‘I see. I never knew. I have wondered sometimes, though. How you stand it, I mean?’

  ‘You just do. So, have you got a young lady then, son?’

  ‘I’ve got one in me sights. Haven’t exactly been courting her but I intend to put that right. Very soon.’

  ‘Just mark my words. Don’t let yourself get caught out. It i’n’t worth it. If you can’t be good be careful. That’s what they say and it’s true. You understand what I mean, don’t you, lad?’

  ‘I guess so. Thanks, Dad. For talking to me straight. And you don’t mind if I keep a bit of my wages back from now on?’

  ‘Be fair with your mother. That’s all I ask. Give her what’s fair for your keep and get yourself some savings behind you. Maybe we should go out to the pub one evening soon. How d’ya feel about drinking with an old man?’

  ‘I’d be proud to, Dad. And the first drinks are on me.’

  ‘Course they are. Wouldn’t have asked otherwise. Now, where’s that brother of yours? Time we were off home.’

  To Archie it was the first acknowledgement that he was now accepted as a man.

  CHAPTER NINE

  When 1930 dawned, Archie and Dora were invited to a New Year’s Eve party at Ernie’s house. They kissed at midnight and were still kissing when it was five minutes after midnight.

  ‘Break it up you two. You have to come up for breath sometime, you know.’ Ernie had his arm round his girlfriend, Mab Pearce. There were several couples, all contemporaries of each other. The parents had gone for a more civilised evening, as they put it. Dinner and dance at a local hotel.

  ‘Put some more music on, Ernie, Darling,’ Mab urged. ‘Everyone’s necking all over the place. What would your Ancients think if they came home suddenly? Come on everyone, let’s dance.’

  Mabel Pearce and Dora were good friends, both working together at Stanway’s. It was lucky Ernie had taken to her the way he had as they shared pleasant times together as a foursome. Ernie went to the gramophone and selected a noisy number and soon everyone was jumping around and singing at the tops of their voices.

  ‘Dora,’ Archie said quietly. ‘Come out here with me a minute. There’s something I want to ask you.’ This was it. This was the moment he’d been waiting for, for almost two years.

  ‘What is it, love?’ she asked.

  ‘I want you to marry me. Will you?’

  ‘What, now?’ she teased.

  ‘I’m serious, Dora. I’ve wanted to marry you ever since I first saw you at that dance. I told Ernie right there and then. He thought I was mad. But I’ve never wanted anyone else.’

  ‘Oh Archie, I don’t know. I’m not even twenty yet. And how can you afford to get married? You don’t earn enough, do you?’

  ‘I don’t mean right away. I’ve got a bit of money put by. We’d have to save for a bit. But at least we can get engaged. Shall I ask your Dad?’

  ‘I don’t think they’d let me, get engaged I mean. Not till I’m twenty at least.’

  ‘But they like me, don’t they?’ Archie had been invited home to her parents for Sunday tea on a number of occasions. He always felt comfortable there, even though their home seemed very much mor
e up-market than his own. For once, he didn’t care. His own home was little more than somewhere to sleep now. He was waiting to move out at the first chance.

  ‘Course they like you. You’re not me first boyfriend you know. I’ve taken other lads home. My parents like to know who my friends are.’

  ‘You don’t mean there’s someone else, do you?’ Archie asked in alarm.

  ‘There might be,’ Dora said with a grin.

  ‘Oh heck. Have I made a fool of myself?’

  ‘No course you haven’t. My Mum said that you were the right one for me. “You should marry that young artist boy, if he asks you.” That’s what she said. Happen she’s right. But don’t say anything for now. I’ll have to talk to them. They can be a bit funny. So, you think you can afford to keep me in the style I know, do you?’

  ‘I shall be able to, give me a few months. Besides, you go to work as well. P’raps you wouldn’t want to give that up. Not right away.’

  ‘Me Dad doesn’t hold with women working after marriage. Says it reflects on the man. He thinks it looks like a husband can’t support his wife.’

  ‘I see. Well . . .’

  ‘But I don’t think I would like to give up work though. Not really. I’m going to be made up to manageress soon. Mr Stanway’s going to open another shop. I shall be in charge of the one I work in now and Mabel’s going to go to the new one. How about that for a bit of news?’

  ‘Well done, love. I’m proud of you.’

  ‘What’s going on out here,’ boomed Ernie’s voice from the doorway. ‘You keep disappearing. If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you were trying to avoid me. Us. Everyone.’

  ‘Just coming. We had a few things to sort out. This is going to be a great year, I can feel it in me waters.’

  ‘I hope so,’ Ernie said. ‘About time we had something good happen. After the last two years, we need something to turn us round. But I don’t have to tell you how things are. Sales have been right down in the dumps. At least the government are still trying to help a bit. The tax on imported china saved us a lot of competition.’

  ‘I’ll never understand how they make china so cheap in them other countries. Still, as you say, it saves the competition from cheap copies. Nothing like the quality of our stuff. And I think once the new lines are coming into production properly, we stand as good a chance as anyone.’