by Joan Jonker
‘Yer know, Ann, if there’s anything I can do, all yer have to do is ask. Washing, shopping, or minding the girls while yer go to the hospital, anything at all.’
‘I know, and it’s very kind of you. But I’m all right during the day, I just carry on as normal.’ Ann grinned. ‘And it’s normal for me to only wash my step once a week.’
‘That’s something I could do for yer! Blimey, I’d only have to move me bucket a couple of yards. Mind you, I’d be daft to put as much elbow grease into cleaning yours and having you vie with me for the cleanest step.’
‘Thanks for offering, but there’s no way I’d let you get on your knees and clean my step while I’m inside watching you through the window. But there may come a time when I’ll be glad of your help, Maisie, and I won’t let my pride get in the way of asking you. It depends on whether George is confined to bed when they discharge him from hospital. Oh, I don’t mean confined to bed for good, I just mean until he’s able to sit up and walk.’
‘All you have to do, Ann, is knock on the door and ask. And in an emergency, just hammer on the wall and I’ll come running.’ Maisie laughed loudly. ‘In fact, girl, if yer hammered hard enough to make a hole in the wall I could just step through. Home from home, like.’
‘Are you going to the pictures this afternoon?’
‘It’s Monday, so do yer need to ask? Yer’ll see me sneaking down the entry at two o’clock on me way to the Carlton to sit and drool over Robert Donat. And just after four I’ll sneak back to get the dinner on. And while my feller’s eating his dinner, I’ll be wondering why he hasn’t got what it takes to make me drool.’
‘Away with you, Maisie, your Will is a fine-looking man!’
‘So he keeps telling me, but I still ain’t drooling! Perhaps I’m just hard to please.’ Maisie got to her feet and picked up the bucket. ‘It’s time to get cracking on me spuds. But I’ll give yer a knock later to see how Tess got on. Ta-ra for now.’
‘Ta-ra, Maisie. But when you’re watching Robert Donat, remember what I said. Your Will knocks spots off him for looks.’
Ann was standing inside the hall taking the key out of the lock when she head her neighbour mutter, ‘Either she needs glasses, or I do.’ Then Maisie raised her voice to make sure she was heard. ‘And I hope she doesn’t tell Will, ’cos he spends enough time looking in the flaming mirror as it is. The next thing yer know, he’ll be getting his hair permed.’
Ann was smiling as she walked into the living room. But the silence and emptiness made her shiver, as though someone had walked over her grave. The best way to take her mind off things was to keep busy. It was a quarter past ten now, only an hour and a half before she went back to the school. She’d change the girls’ bed and put the bedding in to steep. By the time she’d done that and dusted around, it would be time to leave.
The office door was open when Ann arrived, ten minutes early, but the room was empty and her heart dropped. Surely Miss Bond wouldn’t have taken Theresa through to the juniors without discussing it with her first. She heard footsteps echoing on the wooden floor of the corridor and knew immediately who those footsteps belonged to. She turned, ready to do battle on behalf of her daughter, but the smile on Miss Bond’s face threw her mind into a state of confusion. ‘Where’s Theresa?’
‘Come into the office, Mrs Richardson, I have much to say to you.’
But while Ann followed, she told herself she wasn’t going to be sweet-talked out of what she believed to be right. ‘Where’s Theresa?’
Miss Bond sat down and indicated Ann should take a seat. ‘At this very minute, your daughter is in Miss Harrison’s class, and her essay is being read out to the class.’
Ann’s mouth gaped. ‘I beg your pardon?’
‘You might well show surprise, Mrs Richardson, I certainly did. I asked Theresa what she would like to write about, and she said her holiday in Wales. I gave her a notepad, on the first page of which I had jotted down some sums for her, then I left her to get on with it. I popped my head around the door on a number of occasions and each time she was busy writing.’ The headmistress put a hand to her mouth and gave a slight cough, a movement to hide a smile she couldn’t keep back. ‘Does your daughter always have her tongue hanging out of the side of her mouth when she’s writing?’
‘When she’s concentrating hard on anything, yes, it’s a habit. But I don’t understand what you’re saying to me, Miss Bond. Will you tell me again what Theresa is doing and where she is doing it?’
The headmistress was looking decidedly pleased with herself. ‘I’ll start from the beginning, Mrs Richardson, so you have an honest and exact account of what has happened. I only agreed to give Theresa a test because you were so forceful, and I wanted to humour you. I was quite convinced you were inclined to think your daughter was brighter than she really is. My expectations were not high, but I went along with you so that when you came back this afternoon I could say I had tried but that, unfortunately, Theresa must stay in the juniors for another year. Anyhow, the last time I came in, it was to find she had completed the arithmetic exercise and the essay, and was sitting quite still just chewing on the end of the pencil. I had no intention of reading the essay at that particular moment as I was needed in one of the classrooms. However, curiosity got the better of me and I glanced at the first two lines. To say I was surprised would be an understatement, and I became so absorbed I read the whole essay. Your daughter is a natural story-teller, Mrs Richardson, a gifted child. The tale she told was interesting and the words flowed freely. The essay would have been a credit to a child many years her senior. I was so impressed I took it along to a teacher and asked her opinion. She agreed with my view, and suggested that it should be read out to the class as an example of how a story should be told.’ Miss Bond shook her head. ‘I’m finding it hard to believe this is the same girl who seldom attended school, and was far behind the rest of the class when she did.’
Ann sat back in her chair and breathed out a sigh of relief. ‘Me and my husband have always known she was special, but her health kept her back. I am so happy for her, and so proud.’
‘You have every right to be, because from what I’ve seen of her today, I’d say she has a good future ahead of her. And Miss Harrison is looking forward to having her as a pupil. She has assured me she will give Theresa all the help and encouragement she needs in the subjects you say she falls behind in.’
‘I remember Miss Harrison from when she taught Madelaine. And I can’t thank you enough, Miss Bond, for giving my daughter the chance to prove herself. My husband will be delighted when I tell him.’ Ann glanced at the large round clock on the wall behind the desk. ‘I’ll go now, because I don’t want Madelaine to get home before I do as she hasn’t got a key. When they’ve had their lunch, shall I bring Theresa back to Miss Harrison’s class?’
The headmistress tilted her head. ‘I think you should allow Madelaine to bring Theresa back, don’t you? The child might be embarrassed being the only girl whose mother brings her to school. She’s an eleven-year-old now; we should all treat her as one.’
Ann had her coat on when Lizzie came that night. ‘You won’t be able to get a word in edgeways, Lizzie, I’m afraid. Our Theresa has a lot to tell you.’
‘She’s given me an earache already,’ Madelaine said, jokingly. ‘If I’ve got to listen to it all again, I’ll go gaga.’
Tess’s cup of happiness was full to overflowing. Her memories of school hadn’t been pleasant ones, always behind her classmates and constantly feeling sickly and weak. In her own young mind she knew she was capable of more, but didn’t have the energy. But today she was on top of the world because at last her parents, and Madelaine, could be proud of her. And that was all she’d ever craved. ‘I’ll tell you what, Maddy. You tell Mrs Lizzie and I’ll sit back and listen to how clever I’ve been.’
Ann grinned as she kissed each of her daughters. ‘Just don’t talk the poor woman to death, that’s all. Otherwise she might decide she’d rat
her stay home and talk to the rose on her wallpaper than come here.’
‘Nah,’ Lizzie said. ‘Yer know they say familiarity breeds contempt, well, it’s true. Me and the rose know that much about each other, there’s nowt left to talk about. I do miss me little chats with it, though, ’cos our house is as quiet as a bleeding graveyard.’ The swear word was out before she could stop it. Wagging her head, she slapped herself soundly on the cheek. ‘That’s for swearing in front of the children. Do it again and I’ll cut yer ruddy tongue out.’
‘But it’s your own tongue, Mrs Lizzie!’ Tess said. ‘You wouldn’t want to cut your own tongue out, would you?’
‘I’ll have no favouritism, queen, not in my mouth I won’t. Me teeth started to get funny with me a few years ago, started playing me up something rotten. So I taught them a lesson they’ll never forget, I can tell yer.’
Maddy was giggling as she asked, ‘What did you do to them, Mrs Lizzie?’
‘I had them all pulled out, didn’t I, queen? They’ve never bothered me since.’
Ann was laughing as she pulled the front door shut behind her. What a colourful character Lizzie was. Always a smile on her face and a joke on her lips. In the short time they’d known her, the girls had really taken her to their hearts. They’d miss her when she stopped coming, as Ann herself would. But there was no reason for her to stop coming, she’d always be welcome as a very special friend.
It was as Ann was pulling herself up on to the tram platform that a frown furrowed her forehead. Did Lizzie have false teeth? She’d never noticed.
It was only a few stops on the tram from Orrell Park to Walton Hospital and Ann could see by the huge clock that towered over the hospital that visiting started in fifteen minutes. By the time she’d walked up the very long driveway to the main entrance, then up to the ward, she’d just about make it on time. Some of the pleasure she’d felt during the day over Teresa was starting to fade as she neared the entrance. George would know by now how serious his injuries were and she knew he was dreading what was to come.
The ward doors hadn’t been opened yet, and there was a group of people waiting. Some were holding bunches of flowers, others had paper bags containing fruit. George was fond of oranges and pears, so Ann had brought him one of each, and a small bunch of grapes. She was deep in thought and jumped with fright when a hand gripped her arm with some force. Startled, she turned her head to see Ken smiling at her. He was so like his brother, her heart turned over. ‘I was miles away then, I nearly jumped out of my skin with the fright you gave me.’
Ken grinned. ‘Guilty conscience, eh? Did yer think I was yer club woman, or a moneylender yer’ve been dodging?’
‘Thank goodness I don’t have either. Have you been here long?’
‘About five minutes, that’s all. They’re late opening the doors.’
‘I’m not looking forward to this visit,’ Ann told him. ‘If George has had bad news, and is upset, I’ll probably make a show of myself and start crying.’
‘Yer better hadn’t, girl, ’cos that’s the last thing he’ll need. No matter what happens, you keep yer pecker up for his sake. You’ve got to be the strong one now.’
Ann nodded. ‘I keep telling myself that, Ken, and I will try. I’m glad you’re here and I’m not on my own. It’s all very well saying I’ll be strong and brave, but I can’t make myself be those things, not when it’s my husband lying in that bed and I love him so much.’
They were both pushed along in the surge when the doors were opened, and George, whose head was raised on two pillows tonight, was eagerly looking out for his wife. He lifted his hand in greeting to his brother, who towered above most of the other visitors, but it was Ann his eyes were hungry for the sight of. ‘Hello, love.’ He raised his head further to meet her lips. ‘It’s good to see you.’
‘Don’t mind me,’ Ken laughed. ‘I don’t mind playing gooseberry. Just don’t get too loving or yer’ll have me blushing.’
Ann put the bag of fruit down on the locker at the side of the bed. She didn’t want to get her hopes up, but surely the fact that George was no longer lying flat was a good sign. ‘Well, things must be improving seeing as they’re now letting you see what’s going on around you.’ She tried not to sound too concerned. ‘Did you have all the tests today?’
Her husband nodded. ‘Yes, they really gave me a going-over. They couldn’t give me anything for the pain, ’cos as the head doctor said, they needed me wide awake. So I had to grit my teeth and let them get on with it. But it’s not something I would recommend, I was in absolute agony.’
‘And did the tests tell them what they wanted to know?’ Ken asked. ‘Have they told yer what’s wrong with yer?’
George gripped Ann’s hand as he nodded. ‘I’ve got two fractured bones at the bottom of my spine, and a couple have been splintered. The doctor said they’ll mend in time if I’m patient and do as I’m told. They’ve bound me up and I’ve to keep the binding on until my own doctor tells me otherwise.’ He managed a grin. ‘I know now how women who wear corsets feel, and I think they must be crazy. I’m blowed if I’d get trussed up like this for vanity, to make out I’ve got a slim figure.’
‘So they’ll be letting you home soon, then?’ Ann asked, eagerly. ‘I can do any binding that needs doing, and I’ll make sure you get plenty of rest.’
‘I can’t walk yet, love. The nurses tried me with a few steps this morning, after I’d had the tests, and I couldn’t do it, the pain was unbearable. But the sister said it’ll get a bit better every day, and by the end of the week the doctor might consider discharging me.’
‘That’s good news, George,’ Ken said. ‘Things could have been a lot worse.’
‘Don’t I know it! My biggest fear was being confined to bed, or a wheelchair, for the rest of my life, so I’ve got a lot to be thankful for. I’ll be able to live a normal life, except there’ll always be a weakness at the bottom of my spine and I’ve been told I shouldn’t do any work which required heavy lifting.’
‘But the job you do does require heavy lifting!’ Ann said. ‘Did you tell the doctor that?’
‘Yes, I did, love.’ George averted his eyes. ‘We’ll worry about that when the time comes, eh? My main concern is getting home, so let’s just concentrate on that. I’ll persevere with walking a few steps every day, even if it’s torture, so by the weekend they may think I’m fit to be discharged.’
‘Walking a few steps isn’t climbing a flight of stairs,’ Ken reminded him. ‘Don’t go rushing things, our kid, because yer might end up a damn sight worse than yer are now. Once ye’re out of hospital, yer won’t want to be carried back in again just ’cos yer didn’t have the patience to do as yer were flamin’ well told.’
George grinned. ‘That’s my big brother giving orders. But you’re right, Ken, I certainly wouldn’t want to be brought back here again. I can’t wait to see the back of the place, even though everyone is so kind and they’re helping to make me better. I mean, where would I have been without them? But still, there’s no place like home.’
‘Neither of you need have any fear of you not doing as you’re told, George, because me and the girls will make sure you do.’ Ann nodded to show how determined she was. ‘And you don’t have to let the stairs put them off sending you home, ’cos I’ll bring the bed down and put it in the front parlour.’
‘See, she’s got everything figured out,’ Ken said. ‘She’s dying to get yer home so she can wait on yer hand and foot.’
‘Just like Milly would do for you, if it was you in this bed and not your brother. And she’d not be sleeping at night for worrying about you.’
‘You’re not losing your sleep, are you, love?’ George asked. ‘There’s no need for that.’
‘I won’t tonight! I’ll sleep like a top, knowing you’ll soon be home.’ Ann groaned when the bell rang. ‘I hate that ruddy bell, it’s got no sympathy, no feelings.’ She slipped a hand under her husband’s head and raised it to meet her lips. ‘I
had such a lot to tell you, all good news, but we haven’t had enough time for anything. But just quickly, so you’ve got something to smile about, Theresa started in the senior school today. And tomorrow night, when I’ve more time, I’ll tell you what a surprise she was to Miss Bond.’
‘Roll on tomorrow night, it’ll give me something to look forward to.’ George kissed her soundly before stretching an arm to shake hands with his brother. ‘Thanks for coming, Ken, it’s always good to see you. Give my love to Milly and the kids.’ His eyes followed his wife and brother to the ward door, and he waited until they were out of sight before allowing his thoughts to go back to his and his family’s future. If he couldn’t keep on with the job he’d had since he left school, what other work could he do? He was only a labourer, had no trade or skill. And there were so many men out of work, jobs were hard to come by. But he’d have to be honest with Mr Fisher when he came in to see him again. He’d been a good boss, and it wouldn’t be fair not to tell him the truth. Perhaps there was a lighter job he could do, anything to stay with the same firm and same workmates. It would be a bitter blow if it turned out that wasn’t possible.
Chapter Ten
When Ann and Ken walked towards George’s bed on the Friday night, it was to see him smiling broadly at them. He was raised from the shoulders now, and could see everything that was going on in the ward. Ann felt this was a great stride forward. ‘Well, things are really looking up,’ she said, giving him a kiss. ‘You must be on the mend.’
After greeting his brother, George said, ‘I’m not only on the mend, I’m on my way home tomorrow, all being well.’
‘Good for you!’ Ken had brought the Liverpool Echo in, and he laid it on the bedside locker. ‘I didn’t expect yer to be discharged until next week, at the earliest.’
