Stay as Sweet as You Are

by Joan Jonker

  ‘Happy is one word I’d use, Titch. Along with thankful and grateful. I’m not very good at expressing meself, but I want yer all to know that me and Steve appreciate everything yer’ve done for us. And when I find meself a little job, and we’re in the money, we’ll throw a big party as a thank you to yer.’

  ‘Are yer really going to look for a job, sunshine?’ Irene asked.

  Olive nodded. ‘Not a full-time one, I couldn’t manage that yet. Just a couple of hours a day to earn a few bob for things we need for the house.’

  ‘Then hang on for a few weeks. I’ll be packing my job in soon, so I could put in a word for yer with Alec. I’ve been paying off some new furniture and I reckon I’ve got another four payments to make. How would that suit yer, sunshine?’

  Olive’s face glowed. ‘That would be marvellous, it’s so close to home. But Alec might not think I’m suitable for the job.’

  Titch grinned at George and Bob before saying, ‘Oh, yer’ll have no trouble with Alec. He’ll be only too happy to give yer the job.’ He didn’t say that he would be having words with the pub landlord that night. ‘And talking about the pub has made me realise me mates must be as thirsty as I am. So we’ll get off now, ’cos I haven’t got much time.’

  ‘Ye’re not going drinking on an empty tummy, me lad,’ Aggie said. ‘I’ve made a stack of sandwiches, enough for you, George and Bob. So come on, before yer tell me yer haven’t got time to eat.’

  ‘I’ll have to go, as well,’ Irene said. ‘The boys will be starving.’

  ‘You take care of yerself, Olive.’ Titch kissed her cheek, causing her to blush and his mother to raise her eyebrows. ‘I’ll see yer next time I’m home.’ He stretched his hand out to Steve. ‘I don’t need to tell yer to look after yer mam, ’cos I know yer will.’

  ‘I will, Mr Titch.’ Steve looked at each face to show his words were for everyone in the room. ‘Like me mam said, we both appreciate what yer’ve all done for us. Ye’re good people, and true friends.’

  Olive and Steve stood at the door and waved their neighbours off. Then they went back to admire the white paintwork and bright wallpaper with little sprigs of pink flowers on.

  ‘While you’re putting the kettle on, Aggie, I’ll slip home and take me overalls off,’ Bob said. ‘And I’ll have to tell Ruby I’m going for a pint. She won’t be too happy because Saturday is her night for going out with her mates.’

  ‘Lucy can come to us if Ruby wants to go out,’ Irene said. ‘After all, yer won’t be late home and it’s Sunday tomorrow so no school for Lucy.’

  ‘Thanks, Irene, I’ll send her in. She’ll be made up.’

  When Bob got home it was to find Ruby with a face like thunder. ‘Where the bleedin’ hell d’yer think yer’ve been? It’s turned eight o’clock and I’ve been walking the floor like a bloody fool.’

  Lucy was sat at the table, as quiet as a mouse. She could see her mother getting more angry by the minute and had been careful not to speak or move in case the anger was directed at her. She had been expecting a full-blown row when her dad came in, so was surprised when he ignored his wife, and said, ‘I’m going for a pint, would yer like to go next door for a game of cards, pet?’

  Lucy scrambled off the chair. ‘Oh yeah, I’d like that, Dad.’

  ‘Go on, then. I won’t be late because Titch has to leave at half-nine.’

  Lucy was near the front door when she heard her mother, and she stood to listen. If she thought her dad was going to be upset, she’d go back in the room to him.

  ‘I asked yer where yer’ve been until now. Yer know I like to be out by half-seven.’

  ‘I don’t ask you where ye’re going, or who these mysterious friends of yours are, so I don’t see why I should tell yer where I’ve been. Just go about yer business, Ruby, and leave me to mine.’

  Lucy could tell by her father’s tone that he wasn’t prepared to argue, so she skipped the few steps to the house where she knew she’d be welcome and would never hear a voice raised in anger.

  Ruby watched her husband step out of his overalls before walking past her as though she wasn’t there. His lack of emotion angered her even more and her fists curled in readiness to rain blows on his back. But a little voice in her head told her she would be unwise to start anything that would jeopardise her night out. Anyway, why bother? In half an hour she’d be with her mates having a good laugh.

  The pub was packed and Ruby’s eyes were everywhere, searching for her friends. Then she saw Wally Brown waving his hand in the air. ‘Over here,’ he shouted above the din. ‘We saved a seat for yer.’

  Ruby pushed her way through the crowd, flattered that he must have been watching out for her. She was surprised he wasn’t married because he was a good catch – tall and slim, with fine sandy hair and deep blue eyes. He had plenty of clothes, too, and was always well dressed. She knew he was a flirt because he was always chatting the women up. But he’d told her it was only a bit of fun and they meant nothing to him.

  ‘I’m a bit late ’cos I just missed a tram.’ Ruby smiled at Jessie Armitage and her husband Harry. She’d gone to school with Jessie but had lost touch until they’d bumped into each other two years ago. It was a lucky encounter for Ruby, because the women had arranged to meet one night in the pub and through that came her escape from the boredom of married life. And it brought her into contact with friends of the Armitages, Mabel and Jim Bowler, and of course, Wally Brown.

  ‘We thought yer weren’t coming,’ Jessie said. ‘Didn’t we, Harry?’

  Harry merely nodded. He wasn’t keen on Ruby and didn’t know why his wife bothered with her. He knew she was married and couldn’t understand why she came out drinking without her husband. She looked like a fly turn with her dyed hair and painted face, and he felt sorry for the bloke she was married to. And the way she wallowed in the compliments Wally plied on her was pathetic. He was like that with all the women, but none of them took him seriously because it was so obvious he was a womaniser. All except the silly cow standing there waiting for a space to be found for her to sit down. And ten to one when she sat down it would be next to Wally. Then the flattery would start and Ruby would simper as her eyelashes fluttered, her bright red lips pursing and her giggle that of a teenager.

  Harry picked up his glass and gulped down several large swallows of his bitter beer. They’d been enjoying themselves until this stupid woman came on the scene. Just looking at her was enough to put anyone off their drink.

  ‘Can yer slide along a bit, Mabel, and make room for Ruby?’ Wally asked. ‘Just about six inches will do, she’s only got a small bottom.’

  Mabel gave her husband a dig. ‘Shove up, Jim.’

  Wally waited until she was seated, then bent down to smile into her face. ‘What would the lady like to drink? Name it and it’s yours.’

  ‘I’ll have a port, please, Wally. And the next round’s on me.’

  ‘There’s no need for that, Ruby,’ Jessie said, ‘we’ve got a kitty going. We’ve put two bob each in.’

  ‘If yer want to buy yer own drinks, yer can do,’ Harry said gruffly. ‘If not, throw two bob in that ashtray with our money.’

  ‘I’ll do whatever you’re doing.’ Ruby took her purse from her handbag. ‘We’re all pals together.’ She tossed a silver coin into the glass ashtray then took a packet of twenty Capstan from her bag. ‘Anyone like a cigarette?’

  Both men shook their heads, but Jessie and Mabel leaned forward. ‘Ooh, I’ll have one,’ Jessie said. ‘It’ll be a change from Woodies.’

  ‘Yeah, not half.’ Mabel drew deeply as Ruby held a match to the cigarette. ‘I can only afford five Woodies a day.’

  ‘Yer should consider yerself lucky yer can afford any,’ Jim said. ‘With only my wages coming in, and two children to keep, I think yer do very well with yer five Woodies a day and at least two nights out.’

  ‘Ye’re dead right there, Jim,’ Harry said. ‘These two don’t know they’re born.’ He gazed at Ruby’s face for
a few seconds before saying, ‘Your husband must have a good job, yer never seem to be short.’

  ‘Who never seems to be short?’ Wally set the glass of port down. ‘What am I missing?’

  ‘You wouldn’t understand, mate, being footloose and fancy free. The only one you’ve got to worry about is yerself.’

  ‘My husband does shiftwork, so he probably earns a bit more,’ Ruby said. ‘And we’ve only got one child, that makes a difference.’

  ‘I’m not complaining, love.’ Jessie was on the plump side, with a round face, rosy cheeks and a happy disposition. She now linked her husband’s arm and squeezed. ‘I’m more than happy with what I’ve got, Harry. I wouldn’t swap you for a big clock.’

  ‘And I wouldn’t swap you, Jim Bowler,’ Mabel said. ‘I know when I’m well-off.’

  ‘Oh lord, listen to the lovebirds.’ Wally winked at Ruby as though they were two of a kind and shared a secret. ‘Make yer sick, wouldn’t it?’

  Conversation was general after that, until a bloke standing by the bar started to sing ‘The Rose of Tralee’. This was what the crowd had been waiting for, and soon the rafters were ringing with the popular songs of the day. And the loudest voice belonged to Harry who, with his head thrown back, sang with gusto. And a fine voice he had, too. Requests were shouted from every corner of the room and there wasn’t one song he didn’t know. With his arm across Jessie’s shoulder, he had everyone singing and swaying. Mabel and Jim couldn’t sing for toffee, so they let themselves go by clapping their hands and stamping their feet.

  When Harry stopped for a breather and a swig of beer, he noticed Wally bending down to whisper in Ruby’s ear, while his hand rested on her knee. To hell with them, they’re both as bad as one another, he thought, wiping the back of his hand across his mouth. They make a fine pair, neither of them are any bloody good. With that he put his glass down, cleared his throat and to everyone’s delight, began to sing ‘Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie’.

  There were howls of disapproval when time was called, but the manager didn’t fancy a visit from the police, so he was strict. ‘Towels have been on for fifteen minutes now, plenty of time to finish yer drinks. Out yer get, before I lose me licence.’ He held the door open while disgruntled customers filed out, then when the last one was through, he shot the bolts. Turning to the barman who was collecting the empty glasses, he said, ‘There must be an easier way of making a living than this, Brian. I just wish I knew what it was.’

  Standing on the pavement, Ruby said, ‘I’ve had a smashing night, thanks very much. I’ll see yer next week some time.’

  ‘Yeah, okay, kid.’ Jessie linked her husband’s arm. He’d been looking at her with passion in his eyes for the last hour, and she knew he was eager to get home. ‘We’ll see yer.’

  ‘Be careful going home, now,’ Mabel said. ‘Yer never know who’s lurking about these dark nights.’

  ‘I’ll walk Ruby to the tram stop.’ Wally cupped her elbow. ‘I’ll make sure she gets on the tram safely.’

  ‘Come on, let’s go.’ Harry’s mind was on bed and his wife’s voluptuous body. ‘Are yer coming, Jim?’

  ‘Yeah.’ Jim’s mind was running along the same lines. Only Mabel wasn’t voluptuous. She had slim legs, a neat bottom and a small waist. But she was well-endowed where it mattered. As he had once said to Harry, it was like nestling his head down on a feather pillow. ‘I’m ready for me bed.’

  As goodbyes were exchanged, Ruby and Wally began to walk in the opposite direction. ‘I’ll be all right, yer know. There’s no need to walk with me.’

  ‘I’m coming because I want to, not because I need to. We never get any time on our own, we’re always in company.’

  Ruby’s heart quickened. ‘There’s not much we can do about that.’

  ‘Of course there is, if we really wanted some time on our own. I know ye’re married, Ruby, but I get the feeling you and yer husband are not exactly crazy about each other.’

  ‘No, we’re not. He’s a good bloke, but dull and uninteresting. He’s quite content to sit in every night, but I’m not. I want to get some fun out of life.’

  ‘Then meet me one night and we’ll go for a drink, just the two of us.’

  ‘Oh, I couldn’t do that. We might be seen, and then all hell would break loose.’

  ‘But the idea appeals to yer, doesn’t it?’ Wally had decided that this was the night he’d make his move. He’d played her along until now, and felt sure she was ready to respond to his advances. ‘Tell the truth.’

  ‘Yeah, it would put a bit of excitement back in me life. But I wouldn’t want to get caught.’

  ‘Meet me one night next week and I’ll take yer to a little club where no one will know yer. We can have a drink, just like friends. That wouldn’t harm anyone.’

  Ruby did some quick thinking. Was she prepared to take such a risk? The thought that Wally might walk away from her if she refused, was enough reason to say, ‘Bob’s on afternoon shift next week, he’s home about half-ten. The most I could manage is an hour.’

  ‘That’s enough time for a drink and to get to know each other a bit better.’ Wally was gloating inside. She was just the ticket for him. A married woman who wouldn’t tie him down. He’d lived alone since his mother had died and left him a comfortably furnished house, and it suited him fine. He wasn’t the marrying kind, he’d rather love them and leave them. ‘How about eight o’clock on Wednesday, outside the Rotunda?’

  ‘As long as it’s only for an hour. I’ve got to be home by half-nine.’

  ‘Yer have my word on it.’ And Wally meant it. He had no intention of scaring her off by rushing things. He’d take it nice and easy until he had her eating out of his hand. ‘Is that a date, then?’

  Ruby thought of Lucy. She shouldn’t have any problem there, ’cos the girl wouldn’t tell tales for fear of hurting her father. ‘Yeah, it’s a date.’

  Wally lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, sending a thrill running down her spine as he knew it would. Here was a woman ripe for excitement, and he’d see that she got it. But all in good time. ‘I’ll look forward to Wednesday.’

  Chapter Seventeen

  Aggie came bustling through from the kitchen with a tea pot in one hand and a cup and saucer in the other. ‘I told Irene I’d give her a knock when yer got home, so she can have a cup of tea with us and hear yer news first-hand.’

  Titch had been away for four months, much longer than he’d expected, and his eyes had been following his mother’s every move. He worried about her when he was away so long and was relieved to find her looking well and in high spirits. ‘It’s your news I want to hear, Ma. I’m sure yer wouldn’t be interested in anything I’ve got to say, ’cos nothing much happens when ye’re on board. The only thing of note that happened during the trip was that the skipper had a gumboil and was like a raving lunatic for a week. I did offer to punch him and burst the thing, but he didn’t appreciate the offer.’

  ‘A hot poultice is the best thing for that. It brings the boil to a head and draws the pus out.’ Aggie put a cosy over the tea pot before making for the door. ‘I’ll give Irene a knock. She comes in every afternoon for a natter, ’cos with not working now she has plenty of time on her hands.’

  Titch sat back and his eyes swept the room. Everywhere was spotless, as usual. Even the leaves on the aspidistra plant standing on a table in front of the window looked as though they’d been polished. His mother had always been house-proud and she hadn’t let age change the habits of a lifetime.

  ‘Well, here is the sailor, home from the sea.’ Irene breezed in like a breath of fresh air. Her face was beaming and her arms open wide. ‘Come and give us a kiss, sunshine. And seeing as my feller’s not here, yer can take as long as yer like.’

  ‘Oh, no he can’t,’ Aggie said, laughing. ‘We’ll have no hanky-panky in this house.’

  Titch hugged Irene and pecked her cheek. ‘One of these days we’ll meet down a dark entry and I’ll finally get to give
yer a proper kiss.’

  ‘In the meantime, will the pair of yer sit down while I pour the tea out?’ Aggie said. ‘Any longer and it won’t be fit to drink.’

  When Irene sat down facing him, Titch asked, ‘Did Olive get the job when you packed it in?’

  ‘Yeah, she’s been there three months now.’ Irene’s brows drew together. ‘Apparently someone told Alec that if he didn’t give her the job he’d lose three good customers. Now I wonder who that could have been?’

  ‘Don’t be looking at me, I’ve been away for four months. I can only think it must have been your George, or Bob.’

  Irene shook her head. ‘No, Alec said good customers, and yer could hardly say George or Bob were good customers. The pub would shut down if it was relying on their couple of pints a week.’ Again she shook her head. ‘No, I think Olive has got a secret admirer.’

  ‘Secret admirer or not, Alec isn’t the type to do someone a favour. If she wasn’t up to the job she’d be out on her ear.’

  Aggie sipped her tea as she took it all in. It was funny that the first person her son should ask about was Olive. Was there an attraction there, or was he just asking out of interest for a friend? Well, he said he had three week’s leave, that was plenty of time to find out how the land lay.

  ‘She’s doing fine. I went with her for the first week to show her the ins and outs,’ Irene told him. ‘There’s so many jobs to do, I couldn’t see her thrown in at the deep end. But she’s taken to it like a duck to water and likes it. And the few extra bob a week certainly mean a lot to her. Her and Steve are not living in the lap of luxury, but there’s a definite improvement in their standard of living. And it’s brought her out of her shell. Yer’ll notice a big difference to the last time yer saw her.’

  ‘And young Steve has been a godsend to me.’ Aggie nodded to emphasise her words. ‘Every night without fail he comes up to get me coal in and see I’m all right for paper and firewood for the next morning. I was glad of him when we had snow six inches deep, I can tell yer. And he’s never without a smile on his face. He’s a cracking lad, one in a million. And Olive calls in every morning on her way home from work and has a cuppa with me.’