EG01 - When One Door Closes

by Joan Jonker

  Mary gasped. ‘You didn’t!’

  ‘I bloody did!’ Eileen’s dimples appeared at the same time her eyes disappeared. ‘Can yez imagine it? Me lyin’ in the gutter, with me backside stickin’ up and showing everything I’ve got? Must have been a sight for sore eyes! But it was worth it to see his face when I handed him his “bobby dazzler”. I was filthy, his new kecks were filthy, an’ he couldn’t have cared less. He ran in to wash it under the tap, then he polished it on his sleeve till it was shinin’.’

  ‘It’s lovely!’ Mary’s gaze swept the room. ‘I don’t know how to thank you.’

  Eileen gave her a gentle push. ‘Just remember us in yer will.’

  ‘It’s a pity I didn’t have time to put the border up.’ Harry looked disappointed. ‘And I still say the ceiling spoils it! One thing’s laughing at another.’

  ‘Oh, God, here he goes again,’ Eileen groaned. ‘It’s too late now, so just forget it!’

  Harry ignored her. ‘I’m on days on Saturday and Sunday, so I could put the border up and see what I can do with the ceiling.’

  ‘No!’ Mary flashed. ‘I’ll be going in to see me mam.’

  ‘That doesn’t matter! I can do it while you’re out!’

  ‘For Christ’s sake, stop arguing.’ Eileen pushed between them and made for the door, muttering, ‘I bet they don’t have as much trouble decoratin’ the bloody Adelphi!’

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was half past six when Mary opened the door to Harry on the Saturday night. She had her coat on, and after telling him she’d mixed the paste ready for him to put the border up, said she’d have to go or she’d be late at the hospital. ‘I’ll be back about eight o’clock.’

  ‘I’ll have the border up by then.’

  ‘OK!’ Mary slammed the front door shut at exactly the same time as Danny Jackson came out of his house. His face broke into a smile as he fell into step beside her. ‘Hello, Mary! How …’ his words petered out as Mary took to her heels and fled down the street as though the devil was chasing her. ‘What the hell’s up with her?’ Danny asked aloud, as he watched Mary fly round the corner. ‘Stuck-up little bitch!’ He kept on walking, still muttering to himself, till he reached the pub where he spent most evenings. He was early tonight because he had to go back to work to finish loading the ship he was working on, which was due to sail with the early tide.

  Not that Danny felt like going back to work, but the extra money would come in handy. The fifty shillings a week he gave to Vera didn’t leave enough for his ciggies and beer money. He never gave her any extra when he worked overtime, because he figured that if he did the work he was entitled to keep the money.

  ‘A pint of bitter, Sid!’ Danny lit a Woodbine and leaned both elbows on the bar counter. Into his mind flashed the picture of Mary running away from him, and a frown crossed his swarthy features. He hadn’t been bad looking when he was younger, but the years of heavy drinking and smoking had taken their toll. His face was bloated, his once white teeth were yellow with nicotine and lack of cleaning, and he had a beer belly.

  Gulping down his first pint fast, Danny pushed the glass across the counter. ‘Same again, Sid!’ It was too early for any of his cronies and having no one to talk to, the second pint was downed as quickly as the first. ‘Fill her up!’ Danny’s big mouth didn’t make him one of Sid’s favourite customers, and he pulled the pint and served it without saying a word. He then walked to the other end of the bar to continue his conversation with an elderly man who came in every night for his two glasses of stout and a chat about the progress of the war. There were only a few customers in the pub, and Sid was taking it easy before the crowd came in and he’d be rushed off his feet.

  Left on his own, chain smoking and drinking pint after pint, Danny started to get moody. The target of his dark thoughts was Mary Bradshaw. Who the hell did she think she was, snubbing him like that? Miss High and Mighty needed taking down a peg or two! By the time he left the pub he’d drunk six pints of beer and his bad temper was smouldering. All it needed to reach boiling point was to see Carol sitting on the floor tearing up pieces of old newspapers. ‘Get ’er up to bed, where she should be,’ he growled.

  ‘She’s not doing any harm!’ Vera could see the rage on his face and thought, wearily, Oh, God he’s going to start again and I don’t think I can take any more.

  ‘I’m not ’aving her under me feet,’ Danny thundered. ‘I’m goin’ to work soon, an’ I’m not sittin’ lookin’ at her gormless face.’

  ‘I’ll take her to bed with me when you go out. You know she’s frightened in the dark.’ Although Vera was frightened herself, she loved her daughter more than she feared her husband. ‘She’s doing no harm.’

  ‘Aren’t you listening to me? Get her upstairs before I give ’er a belt!’

  Vera scooped Carol up from the floor in case Danny lashed out with his feet. Her fear turned to anger. ‘What’s up with you? Was the beer off?’

  ‘Don’t start gettin’ clever with me, or you’ll be feelin’ the back of me hand.’ Danny towered menacingly over her. ‘You’re getting too big for yer boots, like Miss High and Mighty next door!’

  Vera frowned as she pressed her daughter’s head into her shoulder for protection. ‘What’s Mary done to you? You hardly ever see the girl.’

  ‘I saw her tonight and she treated me as though I was a piece of muck.’

  Vera could smell the beer and the nicotine as his face loomed closer. She took in the bloated face, the bleary eyes, and the stomach swollen with drinking too much beer for too long. He never had any money for sweets for the kids, or to mug them to the Saturday matinee, but he always had enough to prop the bar up in the pub every night. Suddenly she was filled with loathing for the man she’d married. The man who’d punched her around for the last three years, treating her like a lackey because she dared to have a child who was mentally retarded.

  ‘Shall I tell you why Mary treated you like a piece of muck?’ Vera’s words were slow and deliberate. ‘She saw me face the last time you gave me a belt, and she probably thinks that’s what you are … a piece of muck!’

  Danny’s head came closer. ‘So you went cryin’ to the neighbours, did yer?’

  ‘I didn’t have to; Mary came here!’ Vera was surprised how calm she felt. There was no fear in her now. ‘Why? You’re not afraid of your boozing pals finding out you hit your wife, are you? The great Danny Jackson’s not ashamed of people knowing he’s a coward, surely?’

  Danny’s nostrils flared as his two hands reached for her.

  ‘Sshh!’ Harry put a finger to his mouth as Mary came through the door. He was standing at the bottom of the ladder with the paste brush in his hand and his head cocked to one side. ‘Listen!’

  Through the wall Mary could hear Danny’s loud voice, and her hand went to her mouth. ‘Oh, God, don’t let him hit her again!’

  ‘Don’t let him what?’ Harry came alive. ‘You mean he knocks Vera around?’

  Mary nodded. ‘Last time he took off she ended up with a terrible face.’ She started to tremble. ‘This might be my fault, because when I went out tonight Danny came out of their door at the same time. He started to speak to me, but I couldn’t bear to be near him after what he’d done to Vera, so I ran away from him.’

  Harry was bending to put the brush on a piece of newspaper he’d spread on the floor when they heard Danny’s cry of rage. ‘To hell with that!’ Harry was at the door when Mary touched his arm. ‘Don’t go in, Harry! You’ll end up fighting with him.’

  He shrugged her hand away. ‘It’ll do him good to have a man to fight for a change! He won’t find it as easy as picking on a woman!’

  Chewing nervously on her lip, Mary dashed out after him. She was on his heels when he reached the Jacksons’ and was surprised to see the door open and young Colin and Peter crying on the step. ‘Me dad’s hitting me mam,’ young Colin cried. ‘Make him stop, mister!’

  ‘Take the boys to your house, Mary.’ Harry�
�s voice was tight with rage. ‘Keep them there till I come back.’

  ‘Be careful! Vera said he’s like a madman when he’s drunk.’

  ‘Don’t worry about me! Take the boys.’

  Mary drew the boys away as Harry stepped into the hall. He threw the living-room door open, and in a split second saw Danny’s clenched fist crash down on the back of Vera’s head which was bent over to protect Carol. Burning with rage, Harry grabbed him by the back of the neck and flung him backwards against the table which moved under his weight. A look of surprised anger crossed Danny’s face. ‘What the hell d’yer think you’re doin’? Get out of my house!’ He straightened up and gave Harry a push in the chest. ‘D’yer hear me … I said get out!’

  ‘I’ll get out, and I’ll take you with me!’ Harry grabbed him by the neck of his shirt. ‘Me and you are going to have a little talk outside!’

  ‘I’ll break yer bloody neck if yer don’t get out of my house!’ Danny blustered as he tried unsuccessfully to loosen the grip on his shirt. ‘I’ll have the police on to you … you’re trespassin’.’

  ‘You can get the police after we’ve had our little talk.’ Harry couldn’t remember ever being so angry as he was now. ‘In fact I’ll get them for you; I’m sure they’d like to know you beat your wife.’

  ‘You’ve no right interferin’ between man and wife.’ Beer had so dulled Danny’s senses he didn’t heed the warning in Harry’s eyes. ‘Now get!’

  Grasping the shirt neck tighter, Harry pulled him forward until their faces were almost touching. ‘Are you coming outside, or do I have to drag you out?’

  ‘I’m not going …’ That was as far as Danny got before he was pulled through the door and into the street. Harry slammed him up against the wall then deliberately let his own arms fall to his sides. He didn’t move or speak, and his calm lulled Danny into a sense of false security. Roaring like a bull, he pulled his arm back, and throwing all his strength into the punch, aimed at Harry’s head. When Harry neatly sidestepped, the blow landed in mid-air, throwing Danny off balance. Harry waited for him to regain his balance, then said, quietly, ‘Well, you started it!’ He aimed a right-handed punch to Danny’s face and heard the blow land at the same time as Danny cried out in pain. ‘Explain that to your mates in work!’ Harry turned on his heels and walked back into the house, where Vera was sitting in the chair crying as she rocked gently with Carol held tight in her arms. ‘Come on, Vera! The boys are in Mary’s.’

  ‘Where is he?’

  ‘Outside! I don’t think he’ll be hitting anyone again.’

  ‘He’s going to work tonight.’ Habit made Vera hesitate. ‘I should be doing his carry out.’

  ‘Let him do his own!’ Harry pressed her towards the door. ‘You can bring the kids back when he’s gone.’

  Vera shot a glance at Danny, who was still standing against the wall nursing his face. She knew she should feel pity for him, but couldn’t. He’d shamed her too often. As soon as she’d reached the safety of Mary’s house, Harry went back to Danny.

  ‘They’ll stay in Mary’s till you’ve left for work. And don’t try and take it out on Vera tomorrow, because what you’ve had tonight is only a taste of what you’ll get if you ever lay hands on her, or the kids, again.’

  All the neighbours were standing at their doors. They’d come out to see what the noise was about, but not one had interfered as Danny Jackson got what someone should have given him years ago. But Danny knew he couldn’t let Harry get away with it or he’d never be able to lift his head up again. So Danny did what Danny always did … he tried to bluff his way out.

  ‘I’m not frightened of you, mate! If I didn’t have to go to work I’d give yer the hidin’ of yer life!’

  ‘I’ll be here any time you like!’ Harry’s voice was low. ‘Just remember you’ve been warned!’

  Vera’s face looked weary as she lifted the sleeping Carol from Mary’s couch. ‘Thanks, Harry! I’m just sorry you had to get involved in my troubles.’ She looked across at her sons. ‘It’s time you two were back in bed. Say thank you to Auntie Mary and Uncle Harry.’

  Harry ruffled the boys’ hair as they passed. ‘Sleep well.’

  ‘Thanks, mister!’ From that night on Harry Sedgemoor took over from Tom Mix as their hero.

  When Vera was thanking him again at the door, Harry grinned as he made a fist of his right hand.

  ‘I quite enjoyed it! But I’ll tell you what … if his face is as sore as these, he’ll have a right shiner!’

  Vera managed a weak smile. ‘I can see him now, explaining to his friends how he walked into a door!’

  ‘Well, that bit of excitement put a halt to me gallop!’ Harry faced Mary across the room. ‘At least I got the border up, but I was hoping to get the ceiling done as well! Still, it’s too late now, so we’ll leave it for another day, eh?’

  ‘Yes, please! I’ve had enough for one day.’ Mary was collecting the Jacksons’ used tea cups and she felt worn out. She’d gone to work that day to get some overtime in and was ready now for bed. ‘I’ll just rinse these through, then it’s up the wooden hills for me.’

  There went Harry’s hopes of a quiet chat with her. ‘I’ll clear up then, and leave you in peace.’ He carried the ladder down the yard, cursing Danny Jackson for spoiling his chances.

  Eileen had never seen Mary so animated for a long time. They were on the bus on the Sunday morning and Mary was talking fifteen to the dozen as she described the events of the night before.

  ‘I met Mr Williams from across the road this morning, and he said it was about time someone taught Danny a lesson.’

  ‘Ooh, I wish I’d been there! Why is it that I miss all the fun?’

  ‘The whole street was out! I was terrified, but I popped me head out to see what was happening, and was just in time to see Harry give Danny a fourpenny one!’

  ‘Wasn’t it a blessing that Harry was in your ’ouse? Yer see, kid, I told yer Harry would come in useful, didn’t I?’

  ‘I was frightened in case he got hurt.’

  The bus came to a stop and Eileen stood up. ‘I wouldn’t worry about Harry Sedgemoor! He’s no mammy’s boy, that’s for sure!’

  They’d been in work an hour when Eileen saw Harry approaching Mary and she cupped her hands to her mouth. ‘Yer’ll be takin’ Joe Louis on next, will yer?’

  Harry grinned. ‘Don’t you start or I’ll have you outside!’

  ‘Yer wouldn’t have to drag me out, big boy! I’d come willingly!’ Eileen laughed at her own joke. ‘But I’ve got a bone to pick with yer, so when yer’ve finished with Mary, get over here.’

  ‘I’ll be round in a minute.’ Harry’s face straightened. ‘Did you hear anything, Mary?’

  ‘Not a sound! I kept me ears open, but didn’t hear a thing. Mind you, I don’t know what time Danny gets in, so I might have left for work before he got home.’

  ‘If you do hear anything, or if he comes near you, you let me know.’

  ‘Don’t worry … if he came near me I’d scream the place down!’

  ‘Don’t be frightened of him. He only picks on those in his own house, where no one can see him.’ A sheepish grin covered Harry’s face. ‘If my fingers are anything to go by, he should be sporting a black eye by now.’

  ‘Have you hurt your hand?’

  ‘No, not really! But me fingers feel as though they’ve been in contact with a brick wall! Anyway, I’ll see you later.’

  Eileen was waiting for him. ‘I believe yer gave him a belter.’

  Harry waved his hand dismissively. ‘What do you want me for?’

  The trolley for faulty shells was usually emptied half way through each shift by Willy Turnley. But they’d only been in work an hour and Eileen’s trolley was nearly full. She nodded towards it.

  ‘What’s the matter with the dozy buggers in there? Are they all asleep or something? If we were as dozy as them, our soldiers would be tryin’ to fight a war with dud shells! Tell ’em to get off their ars
es if they don’t want Hitler to win this bloody war!’

  Harry shook his head at the loaded trolley. ‘I’ll go and see them now.’

  They were at their dinner break when Mary started to feel sick. Telling Eileen she was going to the toilet, she locked herself in one of the cubicles and, just in time, bent her head over the lavatory. Afterwards, feeling as weak as a kitten, she leaned against the cool, tiled wall, wiping her mouth on a piece of toilet paper. She took half a dozen deep breaths before opening the cubicle door and felt a sense of relief when she found the place empty. Quickly rinsing her mouth out with cold water, she made her way back to the canteen.

  ‘Bloody hell, kid! I was beginning to think yer’d flushed yerself down the lavvy!’ Eileen screwed her eyes up as she took a good look at Mary’s face. ‘What’s the matter? Yer look as though yer’ve seen a ghost.’

  ‘Having a baby doesn’t seem to agree with me. I’ve been sick.’

  ‘I think yer should go home, kid.’ Mary’s white face frightened Eileen. ‘Yer not fit to stand beside the machine in case yer ’ave an accident.’

  ‘I’ll be all right! I should have gone to the doctor’s yesterday but I came in to work instead, thinking I could go and see him tomorrow with us starting nights. I’ll ask him if he can give me anything to stop the sickness, because I’m sick every morning.’

  Eileen looked doubtful. ‘If yer feel the least bit faint, for God’s sake give us the wire, won’t yer?’

  Every few seconds Eileen looked across the machine, worried for her friend. She was doing this when she saw Harry walk up to Mary. ‘Oh, bloody ’ell,’ she muttered. ‘He’s all she needs right now!’

  If Mary’s hair had been loose, Harry probably wouldn’t have noticed her pallor. But with the turban dragging her hair back from her face, he’d have had to be blind not to notice.

  ‘Feeling OK, Mary?’

  She nodded without lifting her head. ‘Fine, thanks.’

  Harry rounded the machine quickly, and when Eileen saw him walking towards her she asked herself, ‘What do I do now? I’d better tell him the truth and put him out of his misery.’ But as he came closer and she saw the anxiety on his face, she knew she wouldn’t be putting him out of his misery … she’d be dropping him right in it!