Stay as Sweet as You Are

by Joan Jonker

  ‘It’s business, Ma. Yer can’t afford to have a heart when ye’re in business.’

  ‘Aye, well, bad cess to them, I say. If I was them I wouldn’t be able to rest me head on me pillow at night. I know they’ve got to make a living, but they don’t have to fleece people who are on their uppers.’

  Titch’s eyes were looking over his mother’s shoulder to the back window. He could see Steve busy at work and veered the conversation back to the lad’s mother. ‘Any ideas over Olive, Ma? I was talking to Steve when I took him his tea out, and he seems very confident you and Irene are going to work miracles with her. He’s got in his head she’ll soon be up and about.’

  ‘I’m not making any promises, son, ’cos that wouldn’t be fair. If Olive can be helped at all, then there’s a few of us will be there for her. But I’m no doctor – I don’t know whether she’s let herself go down so much there’s no turning back.’ Aggie stopped the rocking motion of the chair and stood up. ‘I’m nipping to Irene’s after dinner, and we’ll see what the two of us can come up with between us. But right now me potatoes must be browning nicely and I don’t want them too crisp.’ She bent to smile into her son’s face. ‘After all, me reputation is at stake here. I’ve been blowing me trumpet to Olive about me roasties being the best she’ll ever taste, so I’d never hear the last of it if she ends up with a plate of burnt offerings.’

  ‘It would be the price of yer, though, Ma, for bragging. Ye’re always telling me yer can’t stand bigheaded people who never stop bragging.’

  ‘Yeah, but I didn’t mean meself, son, I meant everybody else. I’m not daft enough to call meself bigheaded when I know I’m not. Shame on yer, son, for thinking that of yer poor old mother. I’m hurt to the quick, I really am.’ With that, Aggie flounced out to the kitchen before allowing a smile to crease her face.

  Steve placed the basket carefully on the table. ‘I’ve carried it straight all the way, Mam, and Mrs Aggie packed some newspapers down the side, so I don’t think any of the gravy will have spilled out.’ His pleasure and excitement was such, Olive felt she could stretch her hand out and touch it. ‘I’ve had this wonderful smell wafting up me nose all the way home and me mouth is watering.’

  Olive slipped her legs over the side of the couch. She didn’t have any appetite, never did these days because usually there was nothing to eat. And after a while your tummy got accustomed to not eating and didn’t send out the hunger pangs. But for her son’s sake she would eat the meal Aggie had sent down, even if she had to struggle. ‘You get the knives and forks, son, and I’ll take the plates from the basket.’

  ‘I’ll do it, Mam, you stay where yer are.’

  ‘This is one day I’m sitting at the table to eat, Steve. If I don’t do the thing proper, Aggie will have me guts for garters. And I don’t want it to get cold, not after her going to all the trouble. So hurry up, sweetheart.’

  When Steve came back from the kitchen it was in time to see his mother taking the covering plates off. And they stood together and gazed down at the slices of lamb, mounds of carrots and turnips, and the crispy potatoes. ‘That looks and smells really good,’ Olive said. ‘I just hope I can do it justice.’

  ‘Yer will, Mam, once yer get started. Even if yer don’t eat it all, do yer best.’ He gave a start as he remembered something and pushed a hand into his pocket. ‘I almost forgot! Mrs Aggie gave me this little bottle with mint sauce in. She said to tell yer the bottle had been well washed and that she wasn’t trying to poison yer.’

  Olive pulled out a chair. ‘Come on, son, let’s get stuck in.’ As she sat down she gave a half-smile. ‘It’s a wonder the table doesn’t collapse with shock. It’s the first time in years there’s been a proper dinner on it.’

  ‘Things are going to get better, though, Mam, I know they are.’

  ‘I’m sure they are, love, I’m sure they are.’

  Watching anxiously as his mother picked at her food, Steve asked, ‘Yer will let them help yer, won’t yer, Mam? Yer won’t send them away?’

  ‘Of course I won’t send them away, that would be unkind and ungrateful. And I’ll let them help us until we get on our feet. That’s as long as I know they’re not going without themselves, just to give to us.’

  Steve suddenly burst out laughing. ‘What yer’ve just said reminded me of Mrs Aggie, and I know what her answer would be if she heard yer saying that. Mr Titch asked her for something yesterday, and what she said didn’t half tickle me.’ He pushed his chair back and jumped to his feet. ‘Pretend I’m her and I’ll show yer how she said what she did.’ Steve’s hands folded over his tummy and his head tilted. ‘“I haven’t got none, son. And if I haven’t got none, I can’t give yer none. I mean, it stands to sense doesn’t it? If I held me hand out, palm upwards, and there was nothing on it, then I couldn’t give yer nothing off it, could I?”’ He was delighted when he heard his mother chuckle. He took his seat and picked up his knife and fork. ‘Honest, Mam, they’re both a treat to listen to.’

  ‘What did Titch say to that?’

  Steve was laughing so much it took a while to compose himself. ‘Mr Titch said, “If I had nothing, Ma, I’d still give yer half of it.” Then Mrs Aggie said, “That’s bleedin’ generous of yer, I must say. But if it’s all the same to you, son, I’ll wait until yer’ve got something and then I’ll have half of it.”’

  Olive was shaking with laughter. ‘They haven’t changed a bit – they could always make a joke out of nothing.’ She looked down at her plate. ‘I know yer’ve been told to watch me like a hawk and report back, so we’ll stop talking for a while and eat this delicious dinner.’

  ‘That’s right, Mam, get it down yer. It’ll do yer the world of good.’

  Aggie took the plates out of the basket and asked, ‘Did yer wash these, lad, or lick them clean?’

  ‘Both, Mrs Aggie. I licked and me mam washed. She ate every bit as well, and she told me not to forget to tell yer that. It was lovely and we didn’t half enjoy it.’

  ‘It does me heart good to hear that, lad, it really does. There’s enough lamb over for tomorrow, so give us a knock when yer’ve finished yer little job at the corner shop and see what I’ve got ready for yer. I might go down and see yer mam during the day, but although Titch will have his Sunday roast at midday, he flatly refuses through the week. So you’ll have to come up for it.’

  ‘It suits me, Mrs Aggie, I like coming here.’ Steve was hopping from one foot to the other, unable to contain his excitement. ‘I’ll be wearing me long trousers tomorrow, and one of the shirts and pullovers. Yer won’t know me when yer see me.’

  ‘In that case, yer’d better introduce yerself in case I mistake yer for the landlord.’ Aggie smiled and patted his cheek. ‘You get on with what yer’ve got to do, lad, ’cos I’m going up to the Pollards’ for a natter. Titch is having forty winks, so if he wakes up, tell him where I’ve gone. He’s like a fish out of water on a Sunday, with the pubs being shut.’

  ‘Think of the money he’s saving, Mrs Aggie.’

  ‘He doesn’t see it like that. As he says, money is round to go round. And God knows he tries to spread as much of it around as he can. He can’t get rid of it quick enough.’ Aggie peeped through the side of the living-room door. ‘He’s well away, so I’ll go out the back to save banging the front door. I’ll be back before yer’ve finished, to pay yer.’

  Steve hung his head. ‘I wish I could say I don’t want nothing for doing it, ’cos yer’ve been so good to me. But we need the money, Mrs Aggie.’

  ‘Ay, lad, yer’ve done a job and yer want paying for it, same as any man would. So don’t be going all soft-hearted, yer can’t afford it. And I’m on me way now, before the queer feller wakes up. I’ll see yer later.’

  Irene was at the sink washing the dinner dishes when Aggie walked up the yard. ‘Yer pick yer time, don’t yer, sunshine? Ten minutes earlier and yer could have helped me with the dishes. I think yer’ve got second sight.’

  ‘I’ll dry the
m for yer, save yer moaning.’ Aggie reached for the tea towel. ‘I sent a roast dinner down to Olive, and she ate the lot.’

  ‘Go ’way!’ Irene rested her dripping hands on the sink. ‘Ay, that’s a good sign, isn’t it? Apart from getting some goodness down her, it means she’s willing to let us help.’

  ‘I think there’s a few ways we can help that won’t cost anything and will brighten the place up. God knows, it needs something doing to it, it’s like a bleedin’ morgue. A couple of days stuck in there and I’d be ga-ga.’

  Irene grinned at her neighbour’s way of putting things. ‘The boys are out so we can sit and talk in peace when we’ve finished these. George has already read the paper from front to back so he’ll be glad of someone to talk to.’

  ‘Oh, he won’t be talking to me, girl, it’ll be the other way round. He’s going to sit and listen to what I’ve got to say first, then he can put his twopennyworth in.’

  They heard the rustling of paper, then George’s voice boomed. ‘I heard that, Aggie McBride. Don’t yer be coming here throwing yer weight around. On the Sabbath, too!’

  Aggie put the last plate on the shelf before hanging up the towel. ‘Ye’re going to listen to me whether yer like it or not, George Pollard. I’m pulling rank here, being the oldest, like, and the one with the most sense.’

  Irene finished drying her hands and pushed Aggie through the living-room door. ‘If you two are going to argue, at least do it in the same room.’

  ‘Argue? Me, argue!’ Aggie looked hurt to the quick. ‘Me, what’s as quiet as a mouse and as timid as a rabbit? Well, that’s a new one on me.’

  Irene pulled a chair out and motioned for her neighbour to sit down. ‘Would yer like to take yer wings off first, sunshine, so they won’t stick in yer back?’

  ‘I left them at home, queen, ’cos I didn’t want yer to feel inferior.’ Aggie chuckled before sitting down and becoming businesslike. ‘Olive said she’ll accept any help except money. Now there’s a few little jobs that want doing that will only need a couple of nails. One is the sideboard cupboard that’s hanging on one hinge. The other hinge is still on, but the screws are missing. It wouldn’t take a man two minutes to fix that. And the drawer that’s missing, I noticed it standing up under the stairs, with the handle beside it. That would be another two-minute job.’ She looked at George. ‘Those two things alone would improve the appearance of the room. Yer can’t expect Steve to know what to do, he’s only a lad. And when he’s not at school he spends most of his time trying to earn a few coppers. So are yer still prepared to help, George?’

  ‘Of course I am. And I know someone else who’d pitch in, and that’s Bob from next door. Yer’d be doing him a favour by asking, ’cos sometimes I think he’d like to get out of the house for a while.’ George pushed himself out of the chair. ‘Just hang on, Aggie, and I’ll give him a knock. More hands make light work, and he knows Olive and Steve.’

  Bob was indeed glad to get away from the house. Lucy was out with Rhoda and the place was like a graveyard with never a word passing between him and his wife. He’d been in bed last night when Ruby came in after midnight, reeking of drink. The pubs closed at ten o’clock so she must have gone back to someone’s house. He’d been so disgusted he intended to have it out with her this morning, but changed his mind in the light of day. What was the use, it wouldn’t achieve anything.

  Aggie gave him a smile of welcome. ‘How’s the world treating yer, Bob?’

  ‘So-so, Aggie, I can’t complain.’ Bob had only been in the room a matter of seconds but already he felt a different man. What a change it was to see smiling faces and know those smiles were genuine. ‘And yerself and Titch? Are yer both okay?’

  ‘I’m fine, but I can’t speak for me son. He was out on a bender last night and I’ve left him sleeping it off on the couch. He never tells me anything about where he goes, and I don’t ask. But I’ve no doubt you and George will hear all about it.’ Aggie laced her fingers and rested them on her knee. ‘We’re having a conflab about Olive, and George said you wouldn’t want to be left out.’ She quickly brought him up to date on the situation. ‘So, d’yer want to join our gang, Bob?’ Before he could answer, she held up her hand. ‘There’s something yer should know before yer decide. I’m the gaffer, and I’m a hard taskmaster. If yer step out of line, yer get punished. Yer’ll have to write out a hundred lines saying, “Aggie is the boss”. So speak now or forever hold yer peace.’

  ‘Yer can be my boss any day, Aggie.’

  ‘Right, let’s get down to business then.’

  Chapter Twelve

  ‘Will you stop running in and out every minute?’ Ruby grabbed hold of Lucy’s wrist and held it in a vice-like grip. ‘Ye’re getting on me nerves and yer’ll know it if I lose me temper.’

  ‘I only want to know the time.’ Lucy didn’t meet her mother’s eyes. It was her birthday but it had never been mentioned. There’d been a card for her this morning with both her parents’ names on, but the girl knew it was her dad who bought the card and wrote the greeting. He’d left it propped up on the mantelpiece before he went to bed after finishing his night shift. Lucy had thanked her mother because her name was on it, but all she got in reply was a grunt. ‘Me dad said he’d get up about one o’clock to take me into town and I thought I’d start to get meself ready about twelve. I want to look clean and tidy for him.’

  ‘Listen to me, yer selfish little faggot. The world doesn’t stop because it’s your birthday, even though yer seem to think it should.’ Ruby was giving vent to a temper that had been building up all morning. Every time she thought of the money that was going to be spent on her daughter today, she could scream. ‘I don’t want to see yer in here again until yer dad’s up, d’yer hear?’ Her grip tightened and Lucy winced with the pain. ‘I said, did yer hear me?’

  ‘I heard yer, Mam. Will yer let go of me hand now, please, ’cos ye’re hurting me.’

  ‘It’s nothing to what I’d like to do to yer. Ye’re nothing but a spoilt little brat.’ Ruby gave one last squeeze before releasing her grip. ‘Now, get out of me sight.’

  Lucy stood by the front door, squared her shoulders and put a smile on her face before running to join Rhoda. ‘Me dad’s not up yet, so we can have another game.’

  Rhoda was bursting with excitement. She’d been invited over to the McBrides’ to a tea-party, but had been sworn to secrecy. She hadn’t got to say a word to Lucy or the Pollard boys. And she was finding it very hard to keep the secret. ‘What time are yer going into town?’

  ‘About half-one to two o’clock. Whenever me dad’s ready. Don’t forget he’s been on night shift, so he needs some sleep.’

  ‘But yer’ll have to be back for four o’clock.’ Rhoda nearly bit her tongue off. She shouldn’t have said that, she nearly gave the game away. ‘What I mean is, yer’ll be back about four, won’t yer? I don’t want to have to wait until tomorrow to see yer new coat.’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry about that.’ Lucy managed to put her hurt and sadness aside. ‘I’ll be swanking up and down the street in it, yer won’t be able to miss me.’

  ‘Ye’re lucky, you are. I wanted a coat for me birthday but me mam said the two I’ve got will last me a while, ’cos there’s not a break in them.’

  ‘She’s right, too! Yer’ve got a lovely mam, Rhoda, and it’s not often she says no to yer. Yer’ve got more clothes than any other girl in the street.’

  Something caught Rhoda’s eye. ‘Yer dad’s outside your door, Lucy, and he’s waving like mad.’

  Lucy’s face lit up. ‘He got up early! I’ve got a lovely dad, Rhoda, I’m very lucky.’ She gave her friend a grin before turning to cross the cobbled street. ‘I’ll see yer later. Ta-ra.’

  Bob swept her up in his arms. ‘How’s my birthday girl?’

  ‘I’m very happy, Dad.’ Lucy grinned down into his face, thinking how lost she’d be without him and his love. ‘Ye’re up early.’

  ‘Yeah, well, by the time we get read
y it’ll be one o’clock. And we don’t want to be rushed into buying a coat, do we?’ He set her down and they walked into the house arm-in-arm. ‘We have to be sure yer get one yer really like.’

  ‘We will, Dad, I know we will.’ Lucy put a hand over her heart. ‘I’ve got a feeling in here that I’m going to see a coat and fall head over heels in love with it.’

  ‘I hope so, pet. Anyway, yer mam’s made a pot of tea, we’ll have a drink and then get ourselves ready.’

  ‘I’ll use the sink first to get washed, Dad, so yer won’t have to wait. Then I’ll have me drink before I get changed into me best dress.’

  The tea had cooled down by the time Lucy had washed, and she was able to drink it quickly. She didn’t want to be alone in her mother’s company because she knew there’d be sarcastic comments passed, and she didn’t want anything to mar her birthday. It should be a day of happiness and she was determined it would be. To prove her intention, she hummed as she changed into her maroon dress and combed her dark curly hair until it shone.

  ‘Yer look as pretty as a picture, pet,’ Bob said, bending his arm for her to link. ‘Let’s go and search the town for a coat that looks as good as you do.’

  Ruby didn’t even come out of the kitchen to see them off. She didn’t trust herself to keep her thoughts to herself. And a few wrong words now could jeopardise the increase in her housekeeping she was relying on to start next week.

  When they were passing the Pollards’ house, Lucy said, ‘I thought Mrs Pollard would have come out to wish me a happy birthday. She said last night she hadn’t forgotten it and she’d see me today.’

  ‘The day’s not over yet, pet, so give her time. Yer know she works for a couple of hours in the mornings, then she’s got the shopping and dinner to get ready.’ Bob thought of the surprise in store for his daughter and it gladdened his heart. It wasn’t often anything nice came her way.