Rough Clay

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘I’m very pleased to meet you, Mrs Barnett. Archie’s told me a lot about you.’

  ‘Has he now. Don’t s’pose he had anything to say that was good.’ Dora hesitated, smiled and turned to Ralph.

  ‘Hallo, love,’ he said gently. ‘I’m very pleased to meet you. This is our William. He’s not half as bad as he looks, I promise you.’ They all smiled nervously and William stepped forward to shake her hand.

  ‘She’s a bit of a looker, Archie. Can’t think what she sees in you though. In fact, I reckon she should wait a bit till I’ve grown up. I’d have been as big as he is you know, ’cept I was bad a bit, when I was little.’

  Dora laughed nervously. She glanced at Archie and smiled at him.

  ‘I reckon you could be right. Still, I’ve promised him now and I never break a promise if I can help it.’

  ‘Then promise me you’ll marry me if ever he lets you down?’

  ‘All right,’ she replied. ‘But I reckon you’ve got a long wait ahead.’

  ‘Come and sit yourself near the fire,’ Ralph urged. ‘Then you can tell us all about yourself. Hairdresser, Archie says you are. Now what does that entail, exactly?’

  She talked hesitatingly at first but soon warmed to the gentle man who seemed to be genuinely interested in what she was saying. Frances sat tight lipped, saying little and looking disapproving at her words.

  ‘I could do your hair one day if you like,’ she offered, trying to unbend the steely gaze of Archie’s mother. ‘At home, like.’

  ‘Don’t have time for all that nonsense,’ she said. ‘Besides, who’s going to look at me? This lot scarcely notice I’m even in the house.’ Dora bit her lip. ‘As long as food’s on the table and there’s a fire going.’

  ‘P’raps a new hair do is exactly what you need then,’ Dora said bravely. ‘Then they might notice you.’

  ‘Time I started getting the tea. You’ll get nothing fancy here, I warn you. You have to take us as you find us.’

  ‘Can I help at all?’ Dora offered.

  ‘No thanks. Our William will set the table. You’d best sit and talk. That’s what you’re here for.’

  All the time, Archie was perched uncomfortably on the edge of the table. He was at a total loss as to how to manage the occasion. Dora didn’t look too uncomfortable but as usual, his mother was not showing herself up to the best advantage. Still, it was no more than he’d expected. They talked awkwardly as the clatter of tins in the kitchen indicated that some sort of tea was on the way. William appeared from time to time with various plates and cups. One of the purchases Archie had organised was some cream table ware, all seconds of course and so hadn’t cost too much. There was even a tablecloth covering the coarse scrubbed pine. It wasn’t new but he’d certainly never seen it before. Maybe his mother had borrowed it from one of the neighbours. Give her her due, she’d certainly made some sort of effort and he felt grateful.

  Whether Dora was impressed or not, it was difficult to tell. She smiled a lot and politely joined in with the conversation. He couldn’t help but compare his own home to that of Dora’s. He found his own sadly lacking in all things, primarily in the warmth of the love that her parents showed.

  ‘Is that a real diamond?’ William asked suddenly, when there was a slight pause in the conversation. Dora glanced down at her finger and proudly extended it so they all could see her engagement ring.

  ‘Yes. Isn’t it lovely?’ She smiled warmly at Archie who blushed and looked down at his hands, embarrassed at what he guessed was coming next.

  Frances stared incredulously.

  ‘How could you afford to go buying real diamonds? You could have furnished half a house for what that cost. I s’pose you think you’ll come and live here with us do you? Well, you’ve got another think coming. There isn’t room. So don’t go expecting it.’

  ‘My Mum and Dad have said we can live with them,’ Dora said quickly and very firmly. ‘Just for a while. We wouldn’t dream of imposing on you, Mrs Barnett. There’s plenty of room at our house, especially now my sister’s left home.’

  ‘I see,’ sniffed Frances, her face implacable. ‘And when do you intend to get wed?’

  ‘We haven’t decided just yet. There’s a lot to sort out.’

  ‘Can I have another cuppa?’ Ralph asked to fill the sudden silence that had fallen. ‘And perhaps Dora would like one as well. And how about another slice of this cake?’

  ‘I’d love some more tea but nothing else to eat, thanks,’ Dora replied politely. ‘Then I must be getting back. I’m not keen on driving in the dark.’

  ‘I’m sorry I haven’t got me own transport,’ Archie said shyly.

  ‘Just hark at him,’ Frances snapped. ‘Who does he think he is? Own transport indeed. The likes of us never have anything like that. So you’ve got your own car ’ave you?’

  ‘Mum and Dad helped me buy it. I needed to get to work and there isn’t a bus where I have to go.’ Frances clamped her mouth together again and looked away.

  ‘I shall have me own car before long. Just you wait and see,’ Archie replied through clenched teeth.

  ‘Will you teach me to drive?’ William asked to anyone who was listening.

  ‘You’ll have to wait and see. It’ll be a long time before you’re old enough.’

  ‘It’ll be a bloody long time before you have a car,’ Frances told him. ‘I don’t know where you get your grand ideas from. That Ernie Draper, I don’t doubt. Always knew he’d be a bad influence on you.’

  Archie bit his lip to stop himself starting a row in front of Dora.

  ‘I’ll walk you to your car. I’ll get your coat.’ He went into the tiny hallway and unhooked her coat from the peg. He was shaking inside. How could his mother show him up like that? Always talking about what they hadn’t got or didn’t do. At least she’d managed to put on a passable spread. Some of Mrs Machin’s ham and a few bits of pickle. There was even a chunk of slab cake, as he’d hoped. But it wasn’t half as good as Mrs Marsh’s home made cakes.

  ‘I’m sorry about my Mum,’ Archie said. ‘But I did warn you.’

  ‘She wasn’t too bad. She has to get used to the idea of her son leaving home and getting himself a wife. It’s tough for anyone.’

  ‘You know you said your parents wanted us to go and live with them? Did you mean it?’

  ‘Course I did. Me Dad said it only last week, right after you’d gone home. I haven’t had a chance to tell you before.’

  ‘I see. And would you like that?’

  ‘It may not be ideal but it would mean we could get married a bit sooner. Think about it.’

  ‘I don’t have to, love. I can’t think of anything better than being with all of you. Say thanks to them, will you? And next week, we’ll start planning our wedding.’ He leaned over to kiss her and pulled her into his arms for a proper hug. ‘I do love you, Dora.’

  ‘And I love you. And I think your parents are all right. Your Dad’s lovely and that little brother of yours, well he’s quite a character.’

  ‘I’m glad they haven’t put you off me.’

  ‘Hang on. Like I’ve said, it’s you I’m marrying you know, not your family.’

  ‘Well, I can see I’ve got myself a pretty good deal.’

  CHAPTER TEN

  The wedding was arranged for early August. As Dora’s Mother was a staunch Methodist, it was her local chapel that was selected for the ceremony. It was to be a quiet family affair, the only non-family member being Ernie, who was Best Man. Dora’s sister was unable to attend as she was heavily pregnant with her second child.

  Dora wore a smart cream felt hat with a black trim, pulled down over one side, as was the current fashion. She had a cream wool suit, trimmed with black braid. Archie thought she looked wonderful and told her so.

  ‘It will come in useful afterwards as well. I didn’t want something that would only be worn once and then have to be kept in mothballs.’

  The newly weds went to Bournemouth for their honey
moon, the train fare paid by Dora’s Mum and Dad as part of their wedding gift to the couple. Archie’s parents attended the ceremony, though neither of them said very much. His father noticed the obvious affection between his son and his new family and felt saddened. He would have loved to show similar affection but knew that his bad tempered wife would only mock.

  ‘Enjoy your life, son and make the most of it,’ he said quietly, as the guests were waving off the happy pair. ‘Take care of her. I reckon you’ve got yourself a good ’un there.’

  ‘I know I have, Dad. Thanks for everything. Bye our William. Mind you behave yourself now I’m not there to keep you in line. Bye, Mum.’

  Ralph remarked that it seemed the end of an era.

  Together they signed in the register at the boarding house, Dora smiling shyly at her new husband.

  ‘Mrs Archie Barnett,’ she whispered as they followed the landlady up the stairs. ‘Do you reckon she believed us?’ Archie grinned and put a finger to his lips to silence her. The room was rather small and dark but held a huge double bed.

  ‘Hope you’ll be comfortable here,’ she said with a slight sniff. ‘May I offer you my congratulations?’

  ‘Thank you very much,’ Dora blushed. ‘How did you know we’re newly weds?’

  ‘You’re trailing confetti everywhere. Dinner’s six-thirty to seven-thirty and breakfast seven-thirty to eight-thirty.’ She turned and went out of the room, shutting it carefully behind her.

  ‘I reckon we’ve got just over the hour before we need present ourselves at the dining room door. What do you want to do?’

  ‘First off, I want to kiss my new husband. Properly, I mean. I haven’t had a chance before today. There’s always been people around.’

  When they finally went to bed after a short walk along the prom in the dark, they lay shyly side by side for a few minutes.

  ‘I never thought I could be so lucky,’ Archie whispered. ‘I always promised myself I’d be successful and get away from those back streets and the mines. I promise you, Dora Marsh . . . Barnett, I’m going to make you really proud of me.’

  ‘I am proud of you already. Now stop talking and make love to me.’

  ‘You do know this is the first time for me, don’t you? I never went with anyone else, ever.’

  ‘Nor me.’

  ‘I hope I don’t let you down.’

  ‘You won’t love. We’ll find out together.’

  They came together joyously, gently, satisfyingly.

  ‘I don’t care if we’re doing it all wrong,’ Archie laughed happily the following morning. ‘I like it just this way. How about you?’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure we’ll get even better with plenty of practice. We’ve got our lives ahead to try. Let’s go and take a look at the sea.’

  ‘If we must.’

  ‘Yes, we must,’ chided Dora. ‘You’ve never even seen it properly yet. We can’t waste the whole holiday. You’ve no idea how lovely it can be. I’ve been lots of times, with Mum and Dad and those two maiden aunts of ours. You know, the ones who gave us that lovely Royal Doulton figurine. She’s beautiful, isn’t she?’

  ‘Certainly is. You know, that’s exactly the sort of thing I’m planning to make one day. All sorts of figurines. Mine’ll be just as good as the Doulton ones. Better in fact. I’ve been reading books to see how they make them. You see . . .’

  ‘Archie. This is our honeymoon and while I love all your ideas and ambitions, I want it to be a very special time for us. Now, no more talk of china, painting, figurines or anything to do with them until at least supper time.’

  The week flew by. For Archie, it was the best week he had ever known. Regular meals in the boarding house; long comfortable nights with his beloved Dora and days spent walking or sitting in the sun. Best of all, they talked about everything important in the world.

  ‘You know the big house you’re always talking about?’ Dora asked.

  ‘I’m having it, for definite.’

  ‘I know. Well, could we call it Branksome? After this place?’ They were walking along the area of Branksome Chine, near their honeymoon town.

  ‘Course we can. Anything for you, love. It won’t be for some time though. I’ve got a long way to go before we can afford something really special.’

  Though the two generations got on well together, living in one house was far from ideal. Archie and Dora had little time to be on their own and always spent their evenings in the company of the parents. They played cards and sometimes, Dora’s cousin Barry came round to visit. Occasionally, he gave them tickets to one of his performances. Archie felt slightly jealous of the closeness of the cousins but he said nothing. He was simply not used to having members of the family who actually got on well. He saw little of his own parents and for some months, not a great deal of his best friend, Ernie. He ran in to him occasionally at work but now he was a designer as well as manager, there was precious little spare time for socialising within the working day.

  Archie and Dora walked up to the local park during what remained of the summer evenings. It was some distance away but once they had reached the park gates, they could enjoy a stroll among the flower beds. Sometimes, they hired a boat for a row on the lake to make a pleasant change.

  ‘Let’s go back down the hill out of the front gates, just for a change,’ Dora suggested one evening.

  ‘OK. Sure you’re not too tired? You must have been on your feet all day.’

  ‘No. It’s such a lovely evening.’ They walked slowly, looking over the fields beyond the houses. ‘Nice up here, isn’t it?’

  ‘I don’t know why this is always called Longton Park. I mean, this is Dresden, isn’t it?’ Archie said.

  ‘It’s still a part of Longton I suppose. Still, it doesn’t matter does it? It’s a lovely spot. You could really think you were out in the country here.’

  ‘Haven’t ever had much to do with the country I s’pose. Hallo. Someone’s got a nice spot to build a house.’ Three modern houses were being built on a corner plot. ‘Art deco aren’t they? Wonder how that’ll hold up?’

  ‘I like them,’ Dora said, studying the white buildings through half closed eyes. ‘Bet they cost a packet.’

  ‘More than we’ll ever afford.’

  Dora said nothing more but mentioned them to her parents when they got back.

  ‘Have you heard how much they’ll fetch?’ she asked her Dad.

  ‘I’ll make a few inquiries. Why? Do you think you might be interested?’

  ‘Eh, hang on a minute. They’ll be far more than I can ever afford. Don’t get carried away. We’ve only just seen them being built. They’re miles away from being finished.’ Archie suddenly felt afraid. For all his assertions of buying his own big house one day, things were moving a little too fast.

  ‘No harm in finding out,’ Henry said to him. ‘We all seem to get along pretty well, don’t you think? S’pose we were to all buy a bigger house between us? It’d make a lot of sense wouldn’t it? We’d have space to spare and not get on top of each other like we do here. Mary can carry on cooking for all of us, until our Dora gives up work and wants to do her own cooking.’

  ‘I don’t know. I’ve never given that angle much thought. It might work. I’d have to ask at the bank of course. But if you were to put in some capital, heck, we might just do it.’

  Dora’s smile of pleasure was enough for him. Somehow, they’d be getting that house and much sooner than he’d planned. The asking price seemed very reasonable and they chose the house at the end of the three, the one overlooking the road, with the garden wrapping round it on three sides.

  ‘Are you sure you want something this modern?’ Archie asked her doubtfully one day.

  ‘Course I do. It’s just beautiful, don’t you think? I love that stained glass window on the lower landing. Makes everywhere look sunny. And fancy having a balcony leading off the bedroom. It’ll be like living in a posh hotel somewhere on the coast. And that terrace on the roof. We can have parties up th
ere. Sit out there in the summer.’

  When the building was finally finished and the keys were finally handed over, Dora, her parents and the proud Archie stood in the hall. The parquet floor gleamed as the sunlight fell on it through the coloured glass window.

  ‘What d’you think then?’ he asked.

  ‘I really love it,’ Dora said happily. ‘How about you, Mum? Dad?’

  ‘It’s very modern,’ Mary replied. ‘Takes a bit of getting used to.’

  ‘Handy for work though. I’ll be able to drop you off on the way to my job,’ Dora offered.

  ‘I should get a car of me own as soon as I can. I don’t like being driven everywhere by my wife. Doesn’t seem right somehow.’

  ‘You can drive the car any time you want. You know you can. Anyway, a Standard Eight is hardly a posh car. Maybe you could drive over to your parents one Sunday. Bring them back here for their teas.’

  ‘Let’s not get carried away. We have to move in first. That’s going to be a lot of work for all of us.’

  ‘You haven’t been to see your Mum and Dad since the wedding. It’s weeks ago now,’ Dora chided. ‘You ought to go before we start packing up for the move.’

  ‘I know. But I know what they’ll be like. Especially now we’re moving up here. Let’s get the move over and done with and then we’ll think about socialising. We’ll have to have a house warming won’t we?’

  ‘Great. We can ask Barry and his lads to play for us. Have a proper do. It’ll be nearly Christmas by the time we’re straight. I’ve always wanted to have a great big tree. Let’s make our party for Christmas as well.’

  ‘I’ve never had a Christmas tree before,’ Archie said. How he’d moved up in the world, he thought. The big house. The job in management and now a proper party with him as one of the hosts.