by Joan Jonker
The sound of the key in the door had her reaching for two plates. ‘Hurry up, son, we’ll be having visitors soon.’
Steve gave her a hug and a kiss. ‘Who’s coming?’
‘Mr Mellor and Mr Titch.’
‘Mr Titch!’ The lad’s voice was high with surprise. ‘Is Mr Titch home?’
Olive nodded as she spooned potato on to the plates. ‘The ship developed engine trouble and had to turn back. He reckons he’ll be home for a few days. Him and Bob have been here all afternoon, rubbing down. They asked if we’d make everywhere clean so they can start on the undercoating tonight.’
Steve took a plate from her and sniffed up. ‘It smells good, Mam.’
‘Yeah, thanks to Mrs Aggie. She brought the mince down early on and I only had to heat it up. But we’ll have to wolf it down, son, ’cos they’ll be here before we know it.’
The men were a quarter of an hour late, for which Olive was thankful. The extra minutes gave her time to wash up after their dinner and then really get stuck into the woodwork. She started one side of the room, her son the other.
Steve sneaked a look at his mother as she stretched up to reach the top of the door. Just a few short months ago, she wouldn’t have had the energy to do that. Even washing the dishes would have tired her out. So she really must be getting better. His spirits lifted, he went back to washing the windowframe with renewed vigour.
When the knock came, Olive said, ‘This’ll be them. Open the door, love.’ She stood with the wet cloth in her hand and listened as her son welcomed his hero. But she was proud to hear Bob get as warm a welcome. She waited for the two men to enter, then said, with mock severity, ‘You are late.’
‘It’s his fault,’ Bob said, nodding at Titch. ‘I called for him on time.’
‘And I’d have been ready if it hadn’t been for me ma. We had fish for tea, and didn’t I go and swallow a bone this size.’ He held his hands about two foot apart. ‘I’m not kidding, I nearly choked to death.’
Steve, never happier than when he was in this man’s company, chuckled. ‘And the bone was really that big, Mr Titch? It must have been some fish.’
‘I told me ma it must have been a whale, but she would have it that it was a piece of cod. And this’ll tell yer how serious it was. When I was choking to death, instead of hitting me on the back to dislodge the thing, me ma was searching the sideboard drawer for the insurance policy.’
‘Titch McBride, yer can’t half tell some whoppers,’ Olive said, shaking with laughter. ‘And yer have to drag poor Aggie into it.’
‘“Poor Aggie”, did yer say? If that bone had finished me off, it would have been “rich Aggie”. Mind you, she did say she was pleased when I coughed the thing up. And I know she meant it ’cos there were tears in her eyes.’
‘I thought yer were having mince and onions for yer dinner.’
‘Yeah, we did. But I had to have some excuse for being late and I couldn’t very well say I’d choked on a bit of mincemeat. I mean, yer wouldn’t have believed that, would yer?’
‘No, not really,’ Olive said, her face deadpan. ‘The two-foot bone was far more believable.’
‘We came to work, mate,’ Bob reminded him. ‘Or had yer forgot?’
And work they did. Stopping only once for a cuppa and a smoke. And by half-past ten, all the woodwork had been undercoated. Titch was as pleased as Punch. ‘Not bad going, eh, mate?’
Bob nodded, satisfied they’d achieved their goal. ‘Ruddy good going, mate.’
‘It’s brilliant,’ Steve said. ‘Yer’ve done wonders.’
‘The room looks brighter already.’ Olive was tired, but it was a nice tiredness. ‘I didn’t realise how horrible that brown paintwork was.’
‘Wait until the room’s finished, love, yer won’t know yerself.’ Titch was glad he’d be here to see her face. ‘We’ll make tracks now ’cos Bob’s on early shift. But I’ll make a start on the gloss paint in the morning and should have it in hand by the time he gets home from work. Would nine o’clock be too early for yer?’
Olive tutted. ‘Titch, no woman looks her best at that time of the morning – at least, I don’t. So could yer make it ten? I’ll have tidied up by then.’
‘Vanity, thy name is woman.’
‘Okay, Titch, come at nine and take me as yer find me. But don’t say I didn’t warn yer, ’cos I’ll look like death warmed up.’
Bob yawned. ‘I’m off, folks, or I’ll never get up in the morning. Goodnight and God bless, everyone. Sleep well.’
‘Thanks for everything, Bob. I’ll never be able to repay yer for what yer’ve done. And you, Titch, yer’ve been brilliant. Now go home and get yer beauty sleep. I’ll see yer tomorrow.’
‘I’ll see them out, Mam, and bolt the door.’ Steve was afraid his mother might be overdoing it. ‘You get yerself off to bed.’
When the two men stepped into the street, Titch said, ‘That’s right, lad, you take good care of yer mam.’
‘I’ll always take care of her, Mr Titch, because she’s a good mam and I love her very much.’
Aggie was with her son when Olive opened the door next morning. ‘I know it’s early for visitors, queen, but I thought I’d bring yer up to date on what’s happening.’ Her basket in the crook of her arm, she marched through to the living room. ‘Me and Irene trimmed all the rolls of paper yesterday and we’re starting the border when she gets home from work. Oh, and young Lucy’s been a great help. She made as good a job at trimming as any grown up could have done.’
‘Ma, where’s yer manners? Good morning, Olive,’ Titch said with a wink.
Aggie snapped her fingers. ‘Yer know, I knew I’d forgotten something. I left me manners on the table, and if yer don’t behave yerself I’ll send yer down to get them.’
Olive grinned. ‘Titch, yer might know yer’ll never get one over on yer ma. She’s got an answer for everything.’
‘I’ll catch her one of these days, when she’s not looking.’ Titch folded his coat and laid it on the couch. ‘I’ll get the ladder out of the yard and make a start.’
‘Yer said yer had to report to yer ship,’ Aggie said. ‘What time are yer going?’
‘I’ll go about one. I should have a fair bit done here by then. And I’ll be back for when Bob arrives.’ Titch shook his head, a look of doubt on his face. ‘I still can’t see us getting this room finished tomorrow.’
Aggie tutted. ‘Oh ye of little faith. Would yer like to have a bet on it?’
‘Not with you, Ma, ’cos I’ve tried that before. I never win.’
‘I wouldn’t take yer money off yer, son, ’cos it would be like taking sweets from a baby. Yer’ve never seen George Pollard working, have yer? He’s that fast, yer eyes can’t keep up with him. And I’ll be cutting the paper to size, ’cos this room’s exactly the same as ours. So if you or Bob do the pasting, all George has to do is put it up. And as I’ve said, the man is like greased lightning.’
‘I’ll take your word for it, Ma. Now, if yer don’t mind, I’m going to get the ladder. And once I make a start, I don’t want no interruptions.’
‘I’ll be going anyway, I’m off to do some shopping. But before yer put the silence board up, can I just say one thing? I’ll be down at half-twelve with some sandwiches for you and Olive. I can’t have me one and only son working on an empty tummy.’
When Aggie had gone, Olive felt uncomfortable being alone in the house with Titch. He was busy working away, and she didn’t know where to put herself. ‘I’m going upstairs to give the bedrooms a clearout, Titch. If yer want anything, just holler.’
It was eleven o’clock when he shouted up the stairs. ‘Ay, Olive! I know I said I didn’t want any interruptions, but a cup of tea wouldn’t go amiss. Everybody has a break this time in the mornings. Even ruddy slaves! Get yerself down here, woman!’
As Olive walked down the stairs, she was thinking how strange it was to have a man in the house. Strange, but somehow comforting. ‘There’s still only co
nny-onny, Titch.’
Titch, back on the ladder and painting the picture rail, said, ‘If it’s wet and warm, it’ll do me fine. Yer should try the tea we get on the ship, it’s so thick yer can stand yer spoon up in it. And yer won’t hear one complaint from the crew because the cook’s six foot six. And that’s in his stocking feet.’
When they were facing each other across the table, Titch admired his handiwork. ‘Not bad going in two hours, is it?’
‘Yer’ve done well, Titch. I won’t know meself when it’s finished.’
‘Well, at least you and Steve can sit in comfort. Ye’re a lot better than yer were a few months ago, aren’t yer? Yer’ve put a bit of flesh on yer bones and yer face has filled out.’
‘I feel a lot better. I’m hoping to look for a part-time job soon. A few extra bob coming in would make a lot of difference. Me and Steve could both do with some clothes, and we need new bedding.’ Olive grinned. ‘Actually I could do with throwing every stick and stitch out, and starting from scratch. But we will get there, given time.’
‘Of course yer will.’ Titch looked at her over the rim of his cup. ‘Yer don’t have to hide yerself away upstairs, yer know. I won’t eat yer.’
‘I’m not hiding meself away! I just don’t want to distract yer by walking in and out and generally getting on yer nerves.’ Olive put her cup down. ‘I’m not used to having a man in the house, yer see, Titch. I’m out of the habit of having someone to talk to.’
‘Yer’ll feel different when yer start getting out and about a bit. Ye’re still a young woman, Olive, and a pretty one. The chances are yer might just meet a man and fall for him. Then yer’d never be lonely again.’
Olive shook her head. ‘No, I’ll never marry again, Titch. I had a good man in Jim, and nobody could ever come up to him.’
‘I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the idea, Olive, ’cos there might be a man out there yer could take to. Yer wouldn’t love him as yer did Jim, but love comes in many different ways. So while I’m not saying yer should go out and look for him, I think yer should keep an open mind.’
‘You’re a fine one to talk, Titch McBride. Forty years of age and still unmarried. And yer can’t tell me yer’ve never met a girl yer liked.’
‘I’ve met dozens that I liked, but not one of them set my heart on fire.’ Titch drained his cup and smiled across at her. ‘And I believe that’s what happens when yer meet the one that’s meant for yer. I’ve been told that when yer lips meet, bells start ringing in yer head and yer see stars. Well, so far there’s been no bells, stars or heart set on fire. But being an optimist, Olive, I’ll keep on trying.’ Titch stood up and leaned his two curled fists on the table. ‘Mind you, falling in love doesn’t sound very exciting, does it? Who in their right mind would want to see stars, have ruddy bells ringing in their ears and be dashing around for a bucket of water to put out the fire in their heart?’
‘Go on with yer, Titch. Don’t yer ever take anything serious?’
‘I take this painting lark very serious, Olive. I’ve got an hour before me ma comes with some eats for us, so for that hour I’m going to go like the clappers. ’Cos after that I’ve got to get down to the ship to see what’s happening. So I’ll thank yer not to keep me talking like this, it puts me off me work.’
Peg Butterworth had barely planted her bottom down before asking, in a loud voice, ‘How are the lovebirds today? Enjoying life to the full, are yer?’
Elsie gave her a dig in the ribs. ‘Ay, you! You said they weren’t having no affair.’
Peg gave a sigh. ‘Yer don’t get it, do yer, girl?’
‘What is it I don’t get, queen?’
‘Yer see what I mean? Yer don’t even know what it is yer don’t get.’
‘I will if yer tell me, queen.’
‘I’ll draw yer a bleedin’ picture if yer like.’ Then Peg shook her head. ‘No, yer still wouldn’t get it. Ye’re as thick as two short planks, Elsie Burgess, yer haven’t got the brains yer were born with.’
‘Ay you! Of course I’ve got the brains I was born with.’
‘Yeah, and they haven’t developed since the day yer were born. Now will yer shut yer gob and listen?’ Peg’s expression became all sweetness and light as she looked along the table. ‘Are you two still all lovey-dovey?’
Kate gave Bob a sly kick before answering. ‘No, Peg, I’m sorry to say we’re not. Yer see, our consciences were pricked when Ada said yesterday that it was a sin to have an affair. And because me and Bob don’t want to commit no sin, we’ve decided to end what we had going.’
Peg leaned across the table until her nose was within an inch of Ada Smithson’s. ‘Ye’re a miserable little sod. Why don’t yer mind yer own business? That tale would have given us enough gossip to last a couple of weeks.’
‘Ay, queen, what are yer shouting at Ada for?’ Elsie put on a bewildered expression. ‘It wasn’t Ada what had an affair. Mind you, no one would blame her if she did. Not with the bleedin’ husband she’s got.’
Ada Smithson, the size of sixpennyworth of copper, sprang to her feet and shook a clenched fist in Elsie’s face. ‘You leave my husband out of this. He’d make six of yours.’
Elsie didn’t flinch. ‘Ye’re right there, Ada. He’s six times more bad-tempered, six times more tight with money and six times more handy with his fists. I won’t argue with yer on that, queen, ’cos yer’ve got him bang to rights.’
Kate smiled across at Bob. ‘I told yer it would blow over.’
Bob glanced at Billy to see if he was listening. But his mate was too interested in what was taking place at the other end of the table. ‘I’m sorry, in a way. It would be very nice to have an affair with yer, Kate. Even if it was only a make-believe one.’
Peg didn’t know what to do for the best. She could hear Kate and Bob talking and was eager to know what they were saying. But she had two women near who were spoiling for a fight, and she didn’t want to miss that. So she jerked a thumb at Billy. ‘You see what the lovebirds are up to, while I keep me eye on these two.’
‘Nah, there’s nothing doing down here. Besides, if those two come to blows I want to be ready to separate them before Elsie makes mincemeat of Ada.’
Kate winked across the table. ‘In our dreams, eh, Bob?’
‘Yeah, Kate, in our dreams.’
Six o’clock on Saturday came, and Olive didn’t know whether she was on her head or her heels. She’d never known the house be so crowded or noisy. George was on the ladder hanging lengths of wallpaper and singing at the top of his voice. No one knew what he was singing because he was off-key, but he seemed to be enjoying his work. For such a big man he was very agile on the ladder, and its rocking from side to side didn’t seem to bother him. But young Steve’s heart was in his mouth a few times, so he took it upon himself to stand and hang on to the rickety ladder like grim death. Titch and Bob were kept busy pasting so that when one strip was up there was no delay in waiting for another. To say that George was quick and efficient would be the understatement of the year.
And the women weren’t going to be left out, either. Irene had come up armed with cups, tea, sugar and milk, and she was busy in the kitchen brewing up every half-hour or so. Aggie’s excuse was that she’d just nipped in to see how things were going. But really she’d come to supervise. ‘George, sweetheart, there’s a bubble in the paper, just above yer head.’
‘I’ve seen it, Aggie.’ When George turned, Steve’s hands tightened on the ladder. ‘If it weren’t for yer age, Aggie, and the fact that I love the bones of yer, I’d tell yer to go and teach yer grandmother how to milk ducks.’
‘And I’d do it, George, except for two things. Me grandma’s been dead for fifty years and I haven’t never seen no ducks in Kirkdale. I haven’t seen no ducks anywhere, come to think of it. Wouldn’t know one if I tripped over it.’ Aggie lifted a finger. ‘I’m sorry, George, but I tell a lie. I’ve seen them lying on slabs in the butchers’ stalls in St John’s Market. The poor buggers
are dead, though, so it would be no good trying to milk them. They haven’t even got no bleedin’ feathers, never mind milk.’
‘Ma, will yer let the man get on with his work?’ Titch said. ‘There’s only three more pieces to put up, then the border, and the room’s finished. Don’t forget I’ve got to be back at the ship for ten at latest – we’re sailing on the morning tide. And I dearly want to see the job finished.’
‘If I had something to stand on, I could start putting the border up on this back wall,’ Bob said. ‘I wish we had another ladder.’
Irene came through from the kitchen. ‘We’ve got a small stepladder. Would that be any use, George?’
‘Yeah, that should do the trick. Bob’s tall enough to reach on that. It’s not as though he’d have the lengths of paper to fiddle with.’
‘I’ll nip down and get it.’ Irene was nearly out of the front door when she called, ‘The kettle’s almost boiled, will yer see to it, Olive?’
Half-past seven the ladder was out in the yard, Steve was brushing the floor and Titch was helping Bob move the sideboard back into place.
‘I never thought yer’d do it,’ Olive said. ‘Yer’ve worked wonders, all of yer.’
George had to bend his head to look her in the eyes. ‘It’s not finished yet, lass. If yer look up, yer’ll see the ceiling laughing at the rest of the room. We wanted to get as much done as possible to please Titch, but I’ll be back tomorrow to do the ceiling and frieze. And don’t worry, I won’t splash over yer new walls, I’m a clean worker.’
Titch came to stand next to her. ‘George will finish the job off for yer, don’t worry. But from what’s been done so far, I think it’s going to look a treat. Are yer happy with it?’
