by Joan Jonker
‘I could ask the rent collector, queen, and I do get on well with him and the landlord, so I know they would be helpful if it was possible. But I can’t promise yer how long yer’d have to wait for a house to come empty, and that’s being truthful. I’ve warned yer about the Binghams, so it’s up to you and George what yer want to do. But don’t ever come to me and say I didn’t tell yer how bad it is.’
Ann looked at her husband. ‘What d’you think, love?’
‘I’m not saying anything, except you might be going from the frying pan into the fire.’
‘I know that, but at least I’d have enough money to pay my ways and put decent food on the table. I can’t carry on the way I am or I’ll make myself ill.’
George held up his hand. ‘Then you do what you want to do, love, and I’ll fall in with you. At least the children wouldn’t have to change school, they’d only have the same distance to walk.’
‘We won’t breathe a word to the children until we have something definite to tell them. I’d like to see the house first, if that’s possible, Lizzie. Or am I being cheeky?’
‘Not at all! I’m quite pally with Peggy Caldwell, so she won’t mind. And with a bit of luck the Binghams will be having one of their ding-dongs and yer’ll know what ye’re letting yerself in for. How about Monday night?’
Ann breathed a sigh of relief. If she had to choose between bad neighbours, and having a splitting headache every waking moment with worry about where the next meal was coming from, she’d pick the bad neighbours any day. ‘Monday’s fine, Lizzie, thank you. And don’t worry too much about the Binghams, I think I’m capable of holding my own.’
George leaned his elbows on his knees and quirked a brow at Lizzie. ‘What about the neighbours on the other side of this family?’
‘Oh, the Hamiltons? They’re an older couple with a grown-up son and daughter. The son, I think he’s about nineteen, is a strapping lad, really well built and able to handle himself. The Binghams leave them alone because they know the son, and father, would give a good account of themselves.’
There came a knock on the front door, and as Ann went to open it she said, ‘Not a word, until we have something definite to tell them. Otherwise they’ll pester the life out of me.’
‘Why can’t we come to Mrs Lizzie’s with you?’ Tess asked, looking glum as she watched her mother putting her coat on. ‘I’d like to see her house and the rose on the wallpaper, and I know she’d be happy to see me and Maddy.’
‘I’ll be staying for an hour or so, Theresa, and it’ll be past your bedtime when I get home. Besides, there’d be nothing there for you, only two women having a natter. You’d be bored stiff.’
The girl put on her stubborn look. ‘I wouldn’t be bored, and I’d really like to come.’
‘And you’d leave your old dad on his own, would you?’ George asked. ‘Sitting here all on my tod with no one to talk to or make me laugh.’
This had some effect. ‘We could tell you all about it when we get back.’ Tess had lost that look of determination. She wouldn’t like her father to be sad, thinking his two daughters had deserted him.
‘I don’t want to go,’ Maddy chipped in. There was something going on, she could feel it, and that was why her mother didn’t want either of them with her. ‘I’ll stay in and have a game of cards with my dad.’
George saw the indecision on his younger daughter’s face and took advantage. ‘Anyway, don’t you think your mother deserves a night out on her own? I don’t think she’s had one since the day Maddy was born, so it’s nice for her to have a friend to visit.’
Tess frowned as she took in this information. Then, deciding her father was right and she was selfish, she put her arms around her mother’s waist and squeezed. ‘I’m glad you’ve got Mrs Lizzie for a friend. Everyone should have a friend they can visit and talk to.’
‘I’ll tell her you send your love and are looking forward to seeing her on Wednesday night. And if the rose has anything to say, I’ll tell you over breakfast tomorrow.’
When Ann reached the top of the road she could see a bus coming. It was tempting, but she mentally shook her head. The fare would be a penny, and she couldn’t afford it. Anyway, the walk would do her good, it wasn’t that far.
Lizzie was all smiles when she opened the door. ‘Ye’re just in time to meet my feller before he skedaddles off to the pub for his nightly dose of medicine.’
Ann got a surprise when she was introduced to Norman. He was a fine figure of a man, tall and well built, with a mop of curly ginger hair and laughing hazel eyes. Shaking his hand, she said, ‘Lizzie’s told me a lot about you.’
‘It’s all lies, lass, honest! According to her I’m a lazy so-and-so who won’t do a thing in the house. She probably told yer the heaviest thing I’ve ever lifted is a pint glass of bitter.’
Ann laughed. ‘No, she always speaks well of you.’ She cast her eyes around the spotlessly clean room, which was warm and comfortable. ‘You have a nice home, so I can’t believe you’re a lazy so-and-so.’
Norman scratched his head. ‘Well, I cannot tell a lie, it’s Lizzie what does most of the decorating. She’s better at it than I am, yer see, although I do hold the ladder for her.’
‘Take no notice of him, he’s having yer on!’ Lizzie said. ‘I cut the paper and paste it, but he’s the one what gets up the ladder. That’s when the mood takes him, like. And the mood had better take him quick, ’cos this room is crying out to be redecorated.’
‘I must be going deaf, because I’ve never heard any crying. Yer don’t half exaggerate, Mrs Woman.’
‘There’s none so deaf as those what don’t want to hear.’ Lizzie began to shoo him towards the door. ‘On yer way, light of my life, and leave me and Ann in peace.’
Norman turned at the door and winked. ‘She’s a terrible woman, my wife. But it was nice to meet yer, Ann, and I’ll see yer again, no doubt.’
When Lizzie came back after seeing her husband out she was shivering and rubbing her arms briskly. ‘I’ll have to warm meself through, Ann, then we’ll go up to the Caldwells’. Sit yerself down for five minutes.’ Standing with her back to the roaring fire, Lizzie lifted her skirt and let out a moan of pleasure. ‘Ooh, that’s just the job, I can feel the heat going right through me to warm the cockles of me heart.’ She turned her head to look down at her legs and saw she was showing a couple of inches of her knickers and elastic garters. ‘This was a habit of me ma’s, and I used to get really embarrassed when I was courting Norman ’cos she would show more than a few inches of bloomers. I remember asking her one night not to do it when Norman came, and I can just see the look on her face when she told me, “Listen, queen, if ye’re ashamed of me, meet him at the door and don’t bring him in. ’Cos I’ll tell yer straight, I’m not having a cold backside, Norman or no Norman.” And here I am doing exactly what I asked her not to do. I bet she’s looking down from heaven now and saying to the angel next to her, “Just look at that flamer! She used to call me fit to burn, and now she’s doing the same thing. She must take after me, a chip off the old block, ’cos I always had a cold backside in the winter.”’
Ann looked at the flames roaring up the chimney and mentally compared it with the miserable fire she’d left at home. And she promised herself that one day soon they’d be able to have a fire that not only warmed but comforted as well. ‘Did your mother have red hair, Lizzie, or your father?’
‘I’m the spitting image of me ma, God rest her soul. And I couldn’t take after a better person, ’cos my ma was a real cracker. Loving and generous she was.’ Lizzie dropped her skirt and walked into the hall to fetch her coat. ‘She died a year after me da, which is ten years ago now, but never a day goes by I don’t think of them. The best parents anyone could ever have.’
‘I had good parents too!’ Ann said. ‘They were strict, though, particularly with my education. While most girls I knew were playing out, I was stuck with my nose in a book and a pencil in my hand. Still, it ne
ver did me any harm and I loved my parents dearly.’
‘It’s a pity yer education is going to waste. If yer could get a job teaching, all yer troubles would be over, yer’d be laughing sacks.’
‘It’s too long ago, Lizzie, nearly seventeen years. Teaching methods must have changed a lot in that time. The only way I’d get back would be to start my education all over again, from scratch, and I’m too old for that. I don’t want to teach now anyway, I just want to be a good housewife and mother.’
‘When I got married that was all I wanted to do.’ Lizzie jerked her head. ‘Let’s go, I’ll tell yer the rest on the way up.’
Ann stood on the pavement and watched her close the door. ‘How far away from your house is it?’
‘Near the top on the opposite side, number forty-seven.’ Lizzie linked arms and they set off. ‘I’ll finish what I was telling yer, shall I?’
‘Yes please, it’ll take my mind off things. I’m feeling nervous.’
‘Now that’s daft, ’cos there’s nothing to be nervous about. Yer either like Peggy’s house or yer don’t. If yer do, then yer have to decide whether yer could put up with the Binghams. It’s as easy as that. Now, let me finish what I was telling yer. When I got married I never thought I’d have to work again, I was all set for being a lady of leisure. But Norman was on very low wages then, and we just about managed. Then when our Vera was born, we were living from hand to mouth until she started school. That’s when I decided to get a job to help out. I tried for a part-time, but there was nothing doing. Then I got the chance of the job I’m doing now, and one of the neighbours said she’d mind Vera for an hour in the morning, see her to school and look after her when she came home. She was glad of a couple of bob a week, so it worked out fine for both of us. As yer know, I’m still working there even though we don’t need the money any more. I’d be lost without it now, ’cos staying at home isn’t for me, it would drive me round the ruddy bend.’
Lizzie steered Ann across the road and stopped outside a house that, even in the dark, looked well cared for. Lifting the knocker, she said, ‘This is it, queen, and next door is where the neighbours from hell live.’
There came a rustle from inside, then the door was opened and a woman wearing a wide smile welcomed them. ‘Come in, Lizzie, out of the cold.’
Ann blinked, dazzled by the brightness after the darkness outside. There was a fire roaring up the chimney, and the grate and hearth were shining. The wallpaper was very light, and the furniture well polished. These things she noted in the few seconds before she was shaking hands with Peggy Caldwell. ‘It’s very good of you to let me come, I hope I’m not putting you out too much?’
‘Not at all, any friend of Lizzie’s is welcome. Sit yerself down and I’ll stick the kettle on.’
‘Oh, please don’t bother, I don’t want to be a nuisance.’
Lizzie hooted. ‘Ay, you speak for yerself, queen! I could just go a nice hot cuppa, and a custard cream if there’s one going.’
Peggy was a small, plump woman, with a round happy face and mousy, naturally wavy hair. She was very neat and obviously took a pride in her appearance. Grinning at Ann, she said, ‘She’s not backward in coming forward is our Lizzie. Then again, I’ve probably had more cups of tea and custard creams in her house than she’s had in here. So I’d better go and see if I can give her what she wants, or I’ll never hear the last of it.’
When she went out to the kitchen, Ann was able to take stock of the room without seeming nosy. It was warm, comforting and welcoming. A room that was cleaned and polished with love and care. And she knew right away that she could live in this house and be happy.
Lizzie was watching her through narrowed eyes. ‘I told yer she kept it like a little palace, didn’t I?’
‘It’s lovely, Lizzie, it really is. I have a feeling about the house, I know I could live here.’
‘Don’t set yer mind on it so quick, queen, wait and see what Peggy has to say.’ Lizzie raised her voice and called through to the kitchen, ‘Where’s all the family, Peg?’
‘The children are over the road playing cards, and Jack’s probably standing next to your Norman in the pub. He’d never be able to sleep without his pint.’ Peggy came through with a tray set with cups, saucers, milk jug, sugar basin and a plate of custard creams. She set it on the table, which was covered with a deep maroon chenille cloth. ‘I hope that makes yer happy, Mrs Ferguson?’
‘Couldn’t be happier, queen, couldn’t be happier.’
The tea was poured out and they sat around the table. ‘I told Ann yer might be moving house, Peg, and she was interested as she wants to move to a smaller house.’
‘There’s no might about it, Lizzie, we’re definitely moving a week on Saturday.’
‘It’s a shame,’ Ann said. ‘You’ve got it beautiful, it’s a credit to you.’
‘It’s not a case of wanting to, girl, it’s a case of having to. I couldn’t put up with the shenanigans from next door any longer. And that’s something you’ve got to consider if ye’re thinking of asking the landlord for the tenancy of this house. The family next door are out-and-out troublemakers, and it’s only fair to warn yer.’
‘Not the whole family, Peg,’ Lizzie said, ‘only the mother and father. The two lads are no trouble and yer can’t blame them for what their parents get up to.’
‘Ye’re right, Lizzie, I’ve got nothing against Jack and Willy. In fact I feel really sorry for the poor beggars. They’re fourteen and thirteen, and they stick together like glue because all the other lads in the street give them a wide berth. I might be wrong, but I think Jack leaves school at Christmas, and with a bit of luck his life might improve when he gets a job and he’s mixing with other blokes. It’ll give him confidence and bring him out a bit.’
‘Does the mother keep them clean and dress them decent?’ Ann asked, wanting as much information as she could get to tell George. Troublemakers for neighbours were one thing, but if they were dirty as well, she couldn’t tolerate that. ‘Or do they go around like tramps?’
‘Oh, no! For all her faults, and she has many, Nellie Bingham keeps the house and the family clean and reasonably dressed. But that’s the only thing in her favour. She’s pulled some stunts in the five years she’s lived next door, believe me, which hasn’t made her very popular with folk.’
‘What sort of stunts?’
‘Depends on the mood she’s in. She’s never laid a finger on me or mine, but there’s many a man and woman been at the receiving end of her fists. If she hits yer, yer know it ’cos she packs a mighty punch. If I ever knock on the wall to tell them to stop making such a racket, she doesn’t take a ha’p’orth of notice and the fighting and shouting goes on. But she finds some way of getting her own back the next day. If it’s a wash day, she’ll wait until I peg me clothes on the line and then she’ll throw her ashes over the wall and I’ll end up having to wash the clothes again. So most of the time I hang me clothes on the ceiling rack in the kitchen. It’s a bloody nuisance because the windows get steamed up with condensation, but at least me clothes are clean. If she’s got a cob on when I haven’t got washing out, she doesn’t bother going to the midden with her trash, she just throws it over our wall.’
‘I don’t know how she’s got the nerve,’ Ann said. ‘Is she a big woman?’
It was Lizzie who answered. ‘That’s the funny part about it, ’cos she’s not the size of sixpennyworth of copper! She’s little and thin, but by God, she’s wiry. And believe me, there’s some strength behind her punches. Even her husband’s had a few belters off her and he’s a big bloke! He must be nearly twice her size, eh, Peg?’
‘Yeah, but it’s mostly flab with him. He drinks like a fish and he’s got a big beer belly. I don’t know how true it is, but I believe she was bragging in the butcher’s one day that when he gets out of hand all she has to do is punch him as hard as she can in his tummy. Apparently that takes the wind out of his sails.’ Peggy placed her empty cup on the tray and s
miled at Ann. ‘If we haven’t already put you off this house, would you like to see upstairs?’
‘I’d love to, if it’s no bother.’
‘I won’t come with yer,’ Lizzie told them, ‘it’s exactly the same as me own house. And Ann can tell me later what colour yer eiderdowns are.’
Peggy led the way, telling Ann to keep hold of the hand-rail because the stairs were narrow and steep. Downstairs Lizzie sat in contemplation. Her mind was divided on this issue. She’d like nothing better than to have the Richardsons living so near, and she could see Maddy and Tess every day. But it would be selfish to persuade Ann to move here, because living next door to the Binghams would be no joke. The language and the fighting would frighten the girls, they weren’t used to it.
Lizzie’s finger made patterns in the deep plush of the chenille tablecloth while she was telling herself not to interfere but say a little prayer tonight that whatever decision Ann and George made, it would be the right one.
Chapter Fifteen
‘Are you sure about this, love?’ George asked. ‘It’s a big step to take if you’re not.’
‘This will be a move of necessity, and of course I’m not sure we’re all going to be happy about it. But we can use it as a stopgap until I get myself financially on an even keel and we can look around for another place.’ Ann had just come back from Lizzie’s and was dismayed to find George had let the fire go out because he thought it would be a waste of coal to put another shovelful on when they wouldn’t be long out of bed. ‘At least we’ll be able to keep a decent fire in the grate and I won’t be afraid of the rent man knocking.’
‘And you really liked the house?’
‘Mrs Caldwell keeps it lovely and clean, and it’s warm and cosy. There’s no hallway to speak of, like we have here, and of course no parlour or bathroom. But I don’t have to tell you this, George, because as you said, you were born in such a house and you have very happy memories of it. I know I’d like the house because I felt at home in it. We wouldn’t have to decorate because it’s not long since the Caldwells did the whole house from top to bottom. And there’d be no need for scrubbing because it’s spotless.’
