Many a Tear has to Fall

by Joan Jonker

  ‘That would be fantastic! We’re not going to be on Easy Street, but I can see a way of scraping through now. That’s really taken a load off my mind.’

  ‘And there’s a chance that Tess’s five shillings might come through before then.’ George felt hopeful for the first time in months. ‘As my mother used to say, “You never know your luck in a big city.”’

  Ann kissed his cheek lightly. ‘Let’s not expect too much right now. We don’t even know whether we’ll get the house or not yet. Better to just hope that when you come home tomorrow I have good news for you.’

  George didn’t remind her that he’d know before then. Lizzie wouldn’t be able to keep a thing like that to herself.

  Ann was standing outside the landlord’s office in Hawthorne Road when Lizzie arrived. ‘Have yer been waiting long, queen?’

  ‘No, only about ten minutes. I’m a bundle of nerves, though, I can’t stop shaking.’

  ‘There’s no need for that, queen, ’cos Mr Collins is a smashing feller. He’s very understanding and will put yer at ease right away.’

  ‘What if he’s not in? He might have gone for his lunch.’

  Lizzie clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. ‘Ye’re a bleedin’ worry wart, queen, that’s what yer are. Never meet trouble halfway, that’s my motto. If yer see it coming, run like hell in the opposite direction.’ She pushed open the door bearing the name ‘Stanley Collins’ in gold lettering, and with an exaggerated movement of her shoulders from side to side, she swayed in.

  Ann followed, her heart in her mouth. She found herself in a small reception area, bare except for the counter running the length of the room, with a solitary brass bell on top. Lizzie pressed on the bell, then leaned on the counter as though she didn’t have a care in the world.

  A door in the far wall opened and a man came through. He was middle-aged, bald except for fringes of brown hair on either side of his head, and with a ruddy complexion. A suit of fine cloth and a neatly tied silk cravat said that this was a man of substance.

  ‘Well, if it isn’t the man himself,’ Lizzie said, standing upright. ‘It’s not very often we have the honour of seeing you.’

  ‘Lizzie, my dear, it’s a pleasure to see you. And you look very well, I must say. But what brings you here on a Wednesday afternoon? I thought you’d be at work.’

  ‘I’m on me dinner break, so I haven’t got long.’ She gave a cheeky grin. ‘It’s a pity I haven’t got longer, ’cos I know yer fancy me like mad. And ten minutes in yer private office would do us both the world of good.’

  The man chortled. ‘I doubt very much if I would stand the pace, Lizzie, you’re more than I could handle.’

  Lizzie gave a long, loud sigh. ‘That’s the story of my life. Anyway, I haven’t come about meself, I’ve brought a good friend with me who wants to ask yer something.’ She put her hand on Ann’s arm. ‘This is Mrs Richardson, I work with her husband. Ann, this is Mr Collins.’

  Stanley Collins extended a hand and his grip was firm. ‘I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs Richardson. Any friend of Lizzie’s is welcome. And what can I do for you?’

  Ann licked her lips. ‘I believe there’s a house coming empty in Willard Street, and I would be grateful if you would consider my family as suitable tenants.’

  He looked puzzled. ‘I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, Mrs Richardson, because I know of no empty house in Willard Street. Perhaps the rent collector has some knowledge of it, but I’m afraid he’s gone home for his lunch and won’t be back until two o’clock.’

  ‘It’s not empty yet, Mr Collins,’ Lizzie said. ‘It’s number forty-seven, the Caldwells’ house. They’re moving out a week on Saturday.’

  ‘Ah, yes.’ Enlightenment dawned and he nodded. ‘I know about the Caldwells leaving and I’m very sorry, they’ve been excellent tenants. But I didn’t dream you were referring to their house, Lizzie, not when you know who the neighbours are. Surely you’re not recommending your friend to apply for that particular house?’

  ‘Don’t be having a bleedin’ go at me, I’m not recommending nothing! I’ve told Ann all about the Binghams, even taken her to see Mrs Caldwell so she could tell her as well. I can’t do no more than that. She’ll tell yer herself, I’ve warned her not to come crying to me when things start getting tough.’

  ‘I’ve been well warned, Mr Collins,’ Ann said. ‘But I really need to move to a cheaper house, it’s vital. My husband met with an accident at work several months ago which resulted in him having to take a lighter job with a big drop in wages. It means I can no longer afford the rent I’m paying on my present house. If things become intolerable living next to the Binghams I may, in time, ask you for a transfer when a suitable house becomes vacant.’

  Stanley Collins was telling himself that this was the voice of an educated woman whom Nellie Bingham would make mincemeat of. ‘Why not wait for a little while, until we have a suitable property for you? I think you would be wise, because we’ve had so many complaints about the Binghams I believe you would have cause to regret your decision very quickly.’

  All this was taking too long for Lizzie. If they carried on at this rate she’d be late back at work. ‘If me mate says she wants the bleedin’ house, Mr Collins, then that’s her look-out. So is it yeah or nay?’

  ‘As long as she understands the situation, then as you say, Lizzie, it’s up to her.’

  ‘Then for crying out loud, can we put a move on? The way ye’re carrying on I’ll be late and get me pay docked. Show him yer rent book, Ann, and then Mr Collins will explain what the rent is and when yer can have the keys.’

  ‘We’d like to move in on the Saturday afternoon, once Mrs Caldwell’s left.’

  ‘In that case, yer can get the keys off Peggy, save coming down here. That’s all right, isn’t it, Mr Collins? She can bring the rent money down on the Monday morning and collect her rent book.’

  He scratched his head in a very gentlemanly manner and smiled across the desk at Ann. ‘Have you ever had the feeling that your presence is not really needed, Mrs Richardson? As though things would go ahead just as well without you?’

  Lizzie banged a clenched fist on the counter. ‘Don’t be so bleedin’ sarky, Stanley Collins! Don’t forget I knew yer when yer had nowt.’ She leaned across the counter and patted his cheek. ‘I still love yer, though, even though yer are too slow to catch a flippin’ cold. Now put a move on and sort me mate out, so I can get back to work while I’ve still got a job to go to.’

  ‘I was beginning to think of asking if you’d like my job? You’d no doubt be better at dealing with awkward tenants than I am.’ He saw a hot retort ready to leave Lizzie’s lips and held a hand up in surrender. ‘I know, speed is of the essence, so I will dawdle no longer. You have my permission to move into number forty-seven Willard Street a week on Saturday, Mrs Richardson.’ He reached under the counter and produced a form. ‘And if you would sign here for me, that will suffice until you bring in your first week’s rent.’

  ‘About bleedin’ time,’ Lizzie muttered. ‘I bet he’s late for his own bleedin’ funeral.’

  This brought a smile to the landlord’s face. It was a pity more people like Lizzie didn’t come into the office to pay their rent, instead of some of the moaning so-and-sos he saw. They’d complain because the latch on the entry door was hanging off, and ask him to send a man out because they were too lazy to turn a screwdriver and do the job themselves. This little exchange now had brightened up an otherwise very dull day.

  He watched the women pass the window, arm in arm, and chattering away fifteen to the dozen. And he let out a chuckle as a thought entered his head. He wouldn’t dare say it in front of Lizzie, but wouldn’t it be an ideal solution if she let Mrs Richardson have her house, and she moved in next to the Binghams? Tough as she was, even Battleaxe Bingham wouldn’t be daft enough to cross swords with the indomitable Elizabeth Ferguson. His imagination took over and his chuckles increased in volume. Now that was something he rea
lly would like to see.

  Ann was feeling a bit sad as she knocked on her neighbour’s door. Maisie had been a good friend over the years and she’d miss her. She was the only one she would miss, apart from the old couple over the road, because most of the people kept to themselves and she hardly knew them except to exchange a greeting when they met at the shops.

  ‘Hello, Ann!’ Maisie lifted her flour-covered hands. ‘I’m in the middle of making a steak and kidney pie for the dinner, so yer’ll have to excuse me. Come on in, I’ve only got to trim the pastry around the edges, then it’s ready to pop in the oven.’

  Ann followed her through to the kitchen. ‘I’m sorry to come when you’re busy, but there’s something I’ve got to tell you and I’d rather you heard it from me than the girls.’

  ‘Oh, ay!’ Maisie was spinning a large, deep plate as she expertly cut away the overhanging pastry. Then she put the plate on the draining board and made three slits in the top of the pie with a large knife. ‘There, that’s done. I’ll just rinse me hands and then I’m all yours.’

  ‘That looks very appetising,’ Ann said. ‘Unfortunately for my family, I’m not the best pastry cook in the world.’

  ‘Ah well, we can’t all be good at everything.’ Maisie dried her hands as they walked through to the living room. ‘When it comes to making fairy cakes, I’m hopeless. They come out as hard as rocks.’ She sat at the table facing Ann. ‘What was it yer wanted to tell me, kid?’

  This wasn’t something you could lead up to, so Ann blurted it out. ‘We’re moving next weekend, Maisie, and I’ve only just found out for sure, so I couldn’t let you know before.’

  ‘Moving!’ She looked shocked. ‘What are yer moving for? Yer always said yer love living here!’

  ‘I do, and I wouldn’t be leaving if I didn’t have to. But the drop in housekeeping money since George’s accident means we just can’t afford to stay here. So, sad though it is, there’s little I can do about it.’

  ‘Ah, I’m sorry, kid, I had no idea. We have a bit of a struggle but we manage to hang on by the skin of our teeth.’

  ‘I can’t even do that, I’m afraid.’ Then Ann felt a pang of guilt. She seemed to be putting all the blame on her husband, and that wasn’t fair. ‘But it won’t be long before our circumstances improve. George is getting a small increase in pay this week, and they’re going to review his position again in a few months. And then Madelaine leaves school next summer, that will make a big difference.’

  ‘Yeah, our Nita leaves the same time, and will I be glad?’ Maisie leaned forward. ‘Ay, she won’t half be upset when she knows ye’re leaving, and our Letty. I’ll have a crying match on me hands tonight when I tell them.’

  ‘They can come and visit us, we’re only moving to Willard Street. And I know my girls will want to come and see them ’cos they’re good friends. And it wouldn’t hurt to come for a cuppa one afternoon when you’re not going to the pictures. You could bring Freda and Arthur with you, the walk would do them good.’

  ‘Do they know yet?’

  ‘Not yet.’ Ann pushed her chair back. ‘I’m going over to tell them now.’

  ‘They’ll be upset.’

  ‘Not if I tell them you’re going to bring them down to see me. That will give them something to look forward to.’ Ann planted a kiss on her cheek. ‘That’s for being a good neighbour. And I hope we’ll never stop being friends.’

  ‘No chance of that, kid.’ Maisie stood at the door and watched Ann cross the cobbled road. ‘I’ll be down to see yer that often yer’ll be sick of the sight of me.’

  ‘It’s all happened so quick I can’t think straight. In a matter of two days I’ve been to see the house, been accepted as a tenant by the landlord, and broken the news to Maisie and the Critchleys. Telling them was the worst because I got a lump in my throat and I thought I was going to cry. We’ve been neighbours a long time and I’ll really miss them.’

  ‘Lizzie told me when she got back what happened at the landlord’s office,’ George said. ‘So I went to see Mr Fisher and told him we were definitely moving next Saturday afternoon and would be grateful for his help. He told me to see Jim and Harry to give them the addresses and time. And as I was leaving the office, he told me he would pay the lads overtime for doing the job.’ He grinned and twirled his moustache. ‘We did pretty well between the pair of us today.’

  ‘Lizzie can take the credit for what happened at the office, she was a blinking hero! Honest, the way she talked to Mr Collins you wouldn’t dream he owned her house and most of the others in the street. She took over, the poor man didn’t have a chance! But you could see he had a lot of respect for her, even though she did say, “About bleedin’ time! I bet he’s late for his own bleedin’ funeral.”’

  The girls had been sitting quietly, drinking in every word. Now Maddy gasped, ‘She didn’t say that, did she, Mam?’

  ‘She jolly well did, and he was tickled pink! I didn’t get the tenancy of the house, Lizzie did! I wasn’t even asked one question.’ There was laughter as Ann related some of the things her friend had said. ‘You’ve got to take your hat off to her, she’s priceless.’

  ‘I’m glad we’re going to live in the same street, Mam, ’cos I do love Mrs Lizzie,’ Tess said. ‘She always makes you laugh and feel happy.’

  Ann nodded. ‘She’s a real character, a breed apart. She certainly proved a friend today the way she sorted things out. Everything’s organised now, all we have to do is start packing.’

  ‘There’s one other thing, love,’ George said. ‘We’ll have to tell our Ken and Milly. We can’t just up sticks without telling them.’

  ‘Oh, good heavens, I’ve had so much on my mind I forgot them! I’ll go down tomorrow and see Milly. I was going to call to Mrs Caldwell’s to ask for the measurements of the windows so I can cut these curtains to fit, so I’ll call to Milly’s while I’m down there.’ Ann tilted her head. ‘I could leave it until tomorrow night if you’d like to see the house, love?’

  There were loud calls from the girls saying they’d like to see the house, so George shook his head. ‘We can’t all walk in on the woman, it wouldn’t be right. You go on your own in the afternoon, love, and call to our Ken’s while you’re down there. They only live about three streets away, it’s not far.’

  ‘When are you going to start packing, Mam?’ Maddy asked. ‘Me and Tess can help.’

  ‘We’ll start in your bedroom when you come home from school tomorrow. Clothes you’ve outgrown we can give to the rag-man, and the others we’ll stack neatly on top of the dressing table until I can find something to pack them in. I could do with a few big boxes, ’cos there’s all the bedding as well as the clothes, and all the ornaments. Plus the crockery, cutlery, pans, brushes, bucket and mop, and heaven knows what else. There’s loads to think of.’

  ‘I’ll come down to the Vale with you on Saturday,’ George said. ‘And we’ll ask in the shops if they’ve any large boxes. Tea chests would be ideal, but where you’d get them from I don’t know. And I imagine they’d be expensive.’

  ‘Ooh, isn’t it exciting, Maddy?’ Tess couldn’t sit still on her chair. ‘My tummy is jumping up and down and going around and around.’

  Her sister grinned. ‘Is it doing all that at the same time?’

  Ann’s head was splitting with the thought of all she had to do in the next eight days. But she couldn’t help smiling at her younger daughter. ‘D’you know what, Theresa, the only emotion I don’t feel is excitement. But I’m sure it won’t be long before it joins all the others.’

  Chapter Sixteen

  Ann picked up her rent book from the sideboard when a knock came on the door. It would be the rent collector, who came at half past ten every Friday morning without fail. He was so punctual you could set your clock by him. She wasn’t relishing facing him this morning, though, for not only was she giving a week’s notice, she was only able to pay a shilling off the five shillings’ arrears. He was a nice, quiet bloke, always polite a
nd friendly. And as she made her way along the hall, Ann whispered to herself, ‘Let’s hope he believes me when I tell him I’ll definitely make the arrears up next week.’

  ‘Good morning, Mrs Richardson.’ Bob Sinclair stood with his collection book open at the right page, and his fountain pen at the ready. He was middle-aged, with sandy hair, blue eyes and a healthy complexion from working in the fresh air most days of the week. He was a family man with two grown-up sons and one daughter. ‘Weather’s not too bad this morning, a bit on the cold side but better than it’s been.’

  ‘No, it doesn’t feel as cold as yesterday, but when you’re polishing and mopping it’s hard to tell.’ Ann passed over her rent book with the money inside. ‘Bob, I’ve got something to tell you and I’d like to get it off my chest quick. I want to give the landlord a week’s notice. We’re moving next Saturday. But I’ll clear the arrears next Friday, I promise. I wouldn’t leave with a debt hanging over my head, I’d never sleep.’

  Bob marked the book and handed it back to her. He’d known for some weeks now that Mrs Richardson was struggling, so the news came as no surprise. He was sorry, though, because they were nice people and good tenants. ‘You won’t need to pay any rent next week, only the arrears, so that should be a help.’

  ‘How d’you mean, I won’t need to pay any rent? We’ll be living here all week, until the Saturday.’

  ‘You pay your rent a week in advance, Mrs Richardson. If you remember when you took the tenancy you were asked for a week in advance. So the money I’m taking off you today is next week’s rent. As long as you’re out of this house before the following Monday, you will only need to pay me the four shillings’ arrears when I call next Friday.’

  It seemed too good to be true and Ann didn’t want to get her hopes up. ‘Are you pulling my leg, Bob?’

  ‘Good heavens, no! If you look at the rent book I’ve just marked, you’ll see the date I’ve written in is next Monday’s, the start of your week. I’m surprised you didn’t know that.’