Rough Clay

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘Bloody daft. You should know better. You with your posh schooling and all.’ Typical Frances reply, Archie thought.

  ‘I thought you’d be pleased,’ Dora said softly, as if she was about to cry.

  ‘We are. love. Pleased as punch,’ Ralph chimed in, putting his arm round her shoulders. ‘I reckon this is really something to celebrate. Now I think we’ve got a drop of port in the cupboard. Left over from Christmas.’

  ‘I never knew you had port at Christmas,’ Archie said in disbelief.

  ‘Things have changed round here since your day. You’re not the only one who’s gone up in the world.’ Frances gave a sniff as she produced the bottle and even some tiny glasses. When he saw the size of them, Archie realised how the bottle had managed to last from Christmas till August. One mouthful and it was empty. He said nothing and lifted his glass as his father made a small toast.

  ‘Here’s to our new grandchild. Did you want a boy or a girl?’

  ‘I want a girl but Archie really wants a boy first.’

  ‘One’ll be enough. Mark my words,’ Frances announced grimly. ‘Once you’ve been through having it, you’ll not want him near you ever again.’

  ‘I’m sure I’ll cope,’ Dora said firmly.

  ‘That’s enough, Mum. I won’t have you upsetting poor Dora like that.’

  ‘Suit yourself. Just trying to put her in the picture. I wish someone had told me what it was like before I’d had either of you.’

  ‘I think Dora’s going to be a wonderful mother,’ Archie said defiantly. His own fears were already quite bad enough to keep him awake at nights.

  Ralph asked after his work and the conversation got onto safer ground. He told them of the possible promotion once his boss had left. It had become official now and once he’d worked out his notice, Leslie was leaving. Archie had heard nothing more yet but he guessed he was in line for something at least.

  ‘I’m proud of you, lad,’ Ralph told him. ‘You’ve done right well for yourself. We’d never have made a proper miner out of you but despite that, you’ve got on. Better than some I could mention.’

  ‘Oh, who’re you talking about?’

  ‘That Billy Machin for one. Right bad one he’s turned out to be. Got arrested for thieving. Blamed it on anything but himself. You know his Mam died?’

  ‘No I didn’t. Used to keep the corner shop they did,’ he explained to Dora. ‘I used to do his sums for him in exchange for the odd smokes. Poor old Billy. Thicker than two short planks he always was. So, is he in the clink?’

  ‘Just out. I couldn’t believe he’d go pinching stuff from his own kind.’

  ‘It was him as killed his mother. The worry of it all was too much for her. Little rat.’ Frances’s eyes narrowed and her mouth compressed into a hard line. ‘Mind you she always was a bit above herself.’

  Ralph leaned forward to the fire and lit a spill, taking the tiny flame to his pipe.

  ‘She was a decent enough soul. Did her best to help them as needed it.’

  ‘How do you mean, Billy killed his mother?’

  ‘The worry of what he did. She mayn’t have been a pillar of the church or anything but she couldn’t cope with the shame.’ Frances couldn’t keep the gleam of delight from her eyes. Having a scandal so close to her door had filled her mind. ‘They still haven’t got anyone to take over the shop.’

  Ralph glared at his wife and turned to his son and daughter-in-law.

  ‘Now, when are you fetching us over to see this new house of yours?’

  ‘When do you want to come?’ Nobody answered him. By the time they were leaving, the subject had been dropped. He could not bear the idea of his mother picking faults with everything, as he knew she would. She’d hate everything, if only to spite herself. He’d never forgotten or forgiven her for selling the plate he’d so lovingly painted. That had been a major milestone in his life and she’d parted with it for the sake of buying a new pair of shoes. His brother may have needed shoes but he’d always had to manage himself. The memory of the holes padded with paper came back to him. Life was never going to be that bad again. Nobody should have to put up with such deprivations. There must never be a war again, not like that last one.

  For the next few weeks, Dora continued with her job at the hairdressers. She grew large quite quickly and soon everyone was noticing. She was finally persuaded to give up working when the boss suggested that she did not present the right image to a beauty salon. She felt sad when she left, knowing she would miss the other girls and the friendly customers. All the same, she was excited about the baby and knew that she could well do with a bit of a rest.

  ‘Are you sure you got the dates right?’ Mary asked her daughter one morning in November. ‘Only you look so big, I can’t think you’re only six months gone.’

  ‘I think so,’ she said biting her lip. ‘Yes I’m sure it is.’

  ‘P’raps you’re expecting twins.’

  ‘Oh, Mum, do you think so?’

  ‘You could be. There’s twins on both sides of our family. Your Dad had twin brothers. Your Uncle Billy was one of twins. Uncle Reg was lost in the war. And your Aunties Lizzie and Annie are twins from my side. And we’ve got some cousins with twins.’

  ‘I never realised. I’d better ask the midwife when I go to see her again. Twins. Just imagine it.’

  When she mentioned the possibility to Archie that evening, he looked more than a little shaken.

  ‘Isn’t that dangerous?’ he asked. ‘I mean, having one’s bad enough but two together.’

  ‘Don’t be soft. You don’t mind do you? I mean, well Mum’s here and she’ll help out. It’s like getting two for the price of one. One pregnancy instead of two. I must say, I certainly won’t mind that. I feel so huge and fat already. And there’s still nearly three months to go.’

  ‘I know. That’s partly why I’m worried. Doesn’t the midwife say anything to you?’

  ‘I haven’t asked her yet. I’m seeing her next week.’

  It turned out to be another month before anyone knew for certain that it really was twins. Dora was so thrilled that she could talk of nothing else. She wrote to her sister and even told her cousin Barry. He was delighted for her and shook hands with Archie.

  ‘Well done, my man. I couldn’t be more pleased if it was my own.’

  ‘You have to find a woman first,’ Dora said acidly.

  ‘You’re right. Now you’re taken . . . Actually, there is someone I’d like you to meet. I’ve been seeing her for a while now. Can I bring her round soon?’

  ‘Oh Barry, that’s really great. I’m so pleased. So, is this the one? You going to ask her to marry you?’

  ‘Hang on. I’ve only just met her. But she is different to the usual hangers on at the gigs. Most of them are hoping you’re someone famous.’

  ‘There’s time for you yet. You’ll get there one day.’

  ‘I reckon we’ll both be famous some day,’ Archie told him. ‘Bring this girl of yours over to see us.’

  At work, things really were coming to a head for Archie. As he’d suspected, someone else had been brought in to supervise the decorating shop. Mr Draper had spoken to him personally, taking the trouble to explain why he had not seen fit to promote the young man.

  ‘Give it a few more years, lad, and you’ll get to the top. Bit more experience handling the workers is what you need.’

  He was naturally disappointed, especially as he’d need every penny he could earn once the twins arrived. When he got an offer from Leslie Sansom to take over the design and management of the decorating shop at his new factory, he was in a great dilemma. He felt he owed loyalty to the Draper family. They’d always been such good friends to him and had given him a job, even when he was little more than a kid with ambition. They’d always treated him as a friend of the family, despite his background. All the same, Leslie’s offer was too good to miss. There was a good salary and plenty of room for him to expand and do some of the stuff he’d been wanting to do.


  He explained it all to Dora, who told him it was up to him to make the decision but naturally, she’d support him in anything he wanted to do.

  ‘Talk it over with my Dad if you like. He’s always one for giving sound advice.’

  Archie and his father-in-law sat up till late, weighing the pros and cons. He was trying to look at the situation in an unbiased way.

  ‘You have to think of the best future for you, lad,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘I mean to say, you’ll never be in line for the top job at Draper’s. Young Ernie will always be there. On the other hand, you wouldn’t want to be just management would you? Waste of good talent. But would you ever be able to do what you really want to do there? From all as you’ve said, they’re a bit stick in the mud. Take a long time to make any changes.’

  ‘You’re right. I’ve got a better future with Leslie. I still feel a bit bad about letting down the Drapers though. I’d hate to fall out with Ernie. He’s been my best mate since we were at school together.’

  Archie spent a sleepless night, tossing and turning as his brain tried to cope with how to tell Ernie and Mr Draper what he wanted to do. He knew he’d have to front up with his boss but he’d no idea what he was going to say. He knew he was keeping Dora awake as he’d been tossing and turning. Poor girl needed her sleep more than he did, She was now growing so big, she wasn’t able to do anything much without getting out of breath.

  ‘I’m sorry, love. My brain won’t stop churning round. I’ll go down and make a cuppa. You want one?’

  ‘No ta. I’d like one but it’d mean I’d have to get up and pee again. I really can’t face it.’

  ‘Right, love. You get back to sleep. I’ll have a lie down on the couch in the front room. Then I won’t disturb you.’ He sipped his tea in the kitchen, looking at his reflection in the windows. He knew he had to move and somehow, he had to make Mr Draper understand. In the event, it was much easier than he’d expected.

  ‘I thought you might want to leave us. It was a gamble I took when I didn’t make you manager. I knew I’d be risking losing you. I wish you well, lad. You’ve done us proud here but I think you’re right. Leslie’s new venture will give you more scope in areas we can’t tackle. He’s a new company with new ideas. We have a reputation for the sort of stuff we can’t easily change. I think Ernie will miss you. He thinks a lot of you, does my son.’

  ‘Thanks, sir. I reckon I feel the same. I didn’t want to you think I was ungrateful. You gave me a chance when most others wouldn’t have done.’

  ‘You’ve more than repaid my confidence. I don’t bear any grudges though I’ll not deny, we’ll miss you. I wish you luck. I really mean that. I think you’ve got a natural creative talent. Wouldn’t surprise me to see you going out on your own one day.’

  ‘Oh I doubt that. I’d never have the money to get started.’ Archie found himself blushing at the very suggestion. Hadn’t he always dreamed of being famous on his own one day? Signing his own china with his own name?

  ‘Anyone can always do anything if they’ve a mind to it. Now, I’m about to have my afternoon cup of tea. Will you have one with me? I think Miss Baines will oblige.’

  Archie grinned. It was perfect. She’d made him a drink on his first day in the factory. Now she was being asked to make one, on what was nearly his last day. She came in and placed the tray in front of Mr Draper.

  ‘Seems to be something of a habit, drinking tea with certain of the workers,’ she said with a sniff. Archie could hardly keep his face straight.

  ‘It was coffee last time, Miss Baines. On me very first day here. It was a very long time ago.’

  When his final day at Draper’s arrived, Archie was feeling distinctly odd. He found himself wandering round the other departments, places he’d hardly ever been since his earliest days. He found excuses to go to ask various things, just so he could look for the last time. Ten minutes before knocking off time, Mr Draper and Ernie arrived in the decorating shop. Everyone had stopped work and he hadn’t liked to say anything, as it was his last day. To his amazement, Mr Draper called for silence.

  ‘You all know that Archie here is leaving us today,’ he began. There were murmurs from the girls. ‘He’ll be sorely missed. We all know how well he’s got on during the years he’s been with us. Very different from the scared little lad who came into work that first day. Talented man he is now, designing a number of our best lines all by himself. But the time has come for him to move on. I’m sure you all join with me in wishing Archie Barnett here the very best of luck.’ There was a ripple of applause from the room and Ernie stepped forward holding out a small package.

  ‘For you, Archie. Something to remember us all by.’

  Archie blushed furiously. He felt a lump growing in his throat that was practically choking him. He took the parcel with trembling hands and pulled the string off. Inside was a gold wristwatch.

  ‘Blimey,’ he murmured. ‘Thank you ever so much, Mr Draper.’

  ‘It’s from everyone. They all chipped in to get you something really nice. It’s engraved on the back.’

  Archie turned it over.

  From all your friends at Draper’s China. November 1936.

  ‘It’s wonderful. Thank you. I’ve enjoyed working with you all and I’m really sorry to be going.’

  ‘You can always change your mind. They’ll take th’watch back,’ called out one of the girls.

  ‘Not with writing on, they won’t,’ called another.

  ‘I’ll never forget you. Thanks again.’ Suddenly, Archie knew he had to leave. But someone was calling for three cheers. He had to stand and listen, his eyes desperately wanting to release their watery burden and get rid of the lump in his throat threatening to choke him. Men didn’t cry. But it was the end of an important era, after all.

  At last he was free to go. As he turned away from the factory gates for the last time, he remembered his very first day. He remembered the parcel that contained his working overalls. Mr Draper had been good to him all right, but now it was truly time to move on. He took a breath and walked away.

  ‘Hang on, Archie,’ he heard and turned to see Ernie rushing after him. ‘I insist on buying you a pint before you go home.’

  ‘Oh heck. Why not? It isn’t every day you get a gold watch, is it?’ They went into a nearby pub and sat with a pint of best bitter each. They reminisced about their schooldays and the dances they used to go to. Ernie was still seeing his girl and was still planning to get engaged.

  ‘Funny old business growing up, isn’t it? I still feel like a kid inside.’

  ‘Aye, well once you get a wife and a baby or two on the way, growing up hits you fast.’

  ‘How is the lovely Dora?’

  ‘She’ll be glad when it’s all over. Another six weeks or thereabouts. It’s harder to tell with twins, apparently. Speaking of which, I’d better get home. She’s getting very tired and a bit emotional to tell the truth.’

  ‘Give her my best,’ Ernie said, draining his glass.

  ‘Ernie . . . well I just wanted to say thanks, like. For everything. I don’t know where I’d be if it wasn’t for you and your family giving me a chance.’

  ‘Shut up, lad or you’ll have me in tears. Just don’t forget me. I expect you to stay my mate for the rest of our lives. Understood?’

  By the time he arrived home, Archie felt exhausted. The house was un-naturally quiet as he let himself in.

  ‘Hallo!’ he called. ‘I’m home.’ A worried looking Mary came out of the kitchen. ‘What’s up? Where’s Dora?’

  ‘She’s all right. At least, we think she is. There’s been a bit of an accident.’

  ‘Oh no. What’s happened? Where is she?’

  ‘She’s in bed, resting. She had a bit of a fall. Silly girl insisted on hanging the curtains in the nursery. I didn’t know what she was doing and she fell off the chair.’

  ‘Why couldn’t she have waited? Stupid girl. Is she all right? What about the babies?’

 
‘We don’t know yet. Now just calm down. You’ll get nowhere by panicking. The doctor’s been and he says she’s to rest.’

  ‘I’ll go up and see her. Oh heck. Why did I let Ernie persuade me to have that drink?’

  ‘I thought you were a bit late. How was it then? Your last day at Draper’s?’

  ‘All right. They gave me a gold watch.’ He was halfway up the stairs as he spoke. ‘Dora? You all right?’ he called as he went into their bedroom. Dora was white as the sheets on her bed, lying back propped up on the pillows.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Archie. I know I was stupid but I wanted to get things ready. Don’t tell me off. I feel so rotten.’

  ‘Oh, love. I’m so sorry. And I was late as well.’

  ‘You couldn’t have done anything. How did it go?’

  ‘OK. They gave me a gold watch.’ He held his wrist out for her to see. ‘Could have knocked me down with a feather. Even the girls chipped in for it. Mr Draper was really nice. Very complimentary. I must say, it was a relief to know they didn’t hold it against me. You know, after all he’d done.’

  ‘That’s good. Just think. My husband with a gold watch.’ Her voice was fainter and Archie sat holding her hand, willing her to sleep. It was probably the best thing for her. He could hardly believe it. Practically eight months gone and she went standing on chairs to put up ruddy curtains. He couldn’t bear it if he lost his Dora. Of course he wanted the babies, perhaps only because she did, but it was her he really cared about. She dozed off and he sat staring at her.

  ‘Come and have a bite to eat,’ Mary called softly to him.

  ‘I couldn’t eat a thing. I’ll stay here with her for a bit.’

  ‘Leave her to sleep. The doctor says it’s best.’ She took his hand away and led him downstairs. He toyed with the food on his plate and tried to eat, for Mary’s sake. It was a tense weekend. Dora was in terrible pain but could take no relief because of the babies. The midwife came to inspect her and listened with a trumpet device pressed against Dora’s belly. She had an expression on her face that made him question her further. She took him out of the room before speaking.

  ‘I think you need to prepare yourself. I’m not sure yet but I can’t hear any heartbeat from the infants. It may not mean anything at present but you must be prepared. It might be that the fall has moved things round and I just can’t get close enough to hear anything. I’ll be back in the morning but just make sure she stays in bed.’