‘Dad, we’re sorry,’ Frank said, his head held high.
‘I know, lad, but come on I’ve someone I want you to meet.’ Bill threw an arm around the shoulder of each boy and began to lead them away.
‘Wait… our bags,’ John said grabbing the two carpet bags, one in each hand.
The boys watched their father jump nimbly aboard a boat and catch the bags thrown up to him. The boys followed.
Once in the belly of the boat Frank’s mouth gaped.
‘Boys, meet your grandparents,’ Bill said with a huge grin.
‘I bloody knew it!’ Frank gasped before apologising for his language.
Margy Mitchell could contain herself no longer and launched herself at the boys smothering them in kisses.
Everyone screamed with laughter at the boys’ reaction. Trying not to push the woman away and hurt her feelings, they endured the kisses Margy had saved for many years.
Abner greeted his grandsons with a firm handshake before he too hugged them tightly.
Hot tea and steaming lamb broth with chunks of fresh bread was served after which they all settled down to excited chatter.
The boys slept that night on the deck of their grandparents’ boat. They were bone weary but happy.
*
The discussions over the breakfast table the following morning however, became heated. Bill thought the boys should go home to their mother with him but the twins had other ideas. They wanted to stay around the wharf to earn enough to eventually buy their own boat which they would work between them. Abner told them it would be years before they could earn enough money for that, if ever at all, but Margy suggested they look around the boat graveyards, as maybe they could find something they could salvage.
Bill mentioned Betty’s boat the ‘Sunshine’ and that she was looking to sell it on, unable to manage it herself. However, even if they all pooled together they couldn’t possibly afford it.
Suggestions became arguments until Margy shouted, ‘This is getting us nowhere! I’ve just got my family back and I won’t ’ave this tear us apart again. Now, Bill and Abner, get this old tug moving back to Wednesbury. I think I know someone who might be able to help.’
Before her husband and son could move, the boys were up and running. John fuelled the fire box and Frank took the tiller. Jumping down John released the hitching ropes and nimbly leapt aboard again. The boys deftly worked the boat as she slipped her mooring and set off to her next destination. Their father and grandparents watched in proud fascination as the twins worked together laughing heartily as they did so.
Thirteen
Rosie feared she had not seen the last of Jake Harding. As she sipped her morning tea she thought back to the incident on The Coppice. It was a foolish thing to have done, to stand up to a man who was far stronger than her. However, she had trusted to luck that the others present would support her argument and it was fortunate for her that they had. She shivered when she considered what could have happened. She would be very careful in the future when dealing with Jake; certainly she would ensure she was never alone with him.
‘You all right, Rosie?’ Betty asked a look of concern etching her face.
‘Yes, Betty. I was just thinking about that Jake Harding I told you about.’
‘Oh ’im! You ask me, you should steer clear of that one!’ Betty harrumphed.
‘That could prove difficult. Not only did I refuse to marry him, but he was made to look a fool in front of the others.’ Rosie screwed up her mouth in consternation.
‘Ar well, he brought that on ’imself if I ain’t mistaken.’
‘I agree. However, it’s my contention he won’t let this matter rest.’ Rosie sighed heavily.
Pouring more tea Betty said, ‘There’s gotta be a way.’
‘Oh there is – I would have to get married to someone else!’
‘Christ girl! You can’t just marry somebody to shake off this bugger!’ Betty was aghast.
‘I know. I’ll just have to make sure I’m with other people and keep a keen eye out. Now, what time is the assessor coming?’ Rosie felt the need to change the subject quickly.
‘Any time now, we should get up top and look out for ’im,’ Betty said heading for the three small steps leading to the deck of the boat.
Rosie and Betty had gone into town the previous day to see Mr Horton, the dentist in Victoria Street, and he had promised Betty a new set of dentures by the following week. The women had then walked back along Leabrook Road before turning off and sauntering down the towpath towards the Monway Branch of the Birmingham Canal. Crossing over the railway bridge had brought them to the boat builder’s yard. The man in charge had said he would visit Betty’s boat at Gospel Oak and give her a fair estimate of the boat’s worth.
‘Righto, here ’e comes,’ Betty said as the assessor climbed aboard.
Rosie smiled as she eyed her friend follow the man around, watching over him as she would an errant child. Jumping down onto the towpath once more, the man made a detailed inspection of the outside of the ‘Sunshine’.
Aboard once more, with tea in hand, the man said, ‘She’s a beauty and well maintained.’
‘Ar, ’er is that, but I’m of a mind to sell ’er. So, what’s ’er worth?’ Betty asked.
The man gave Betty his estimate saying he’d be happy to buy the ‘Sunshine’ if Betty was willing to sell to him.
After he’d left Betty asked. ‘Well, what do you reckon to that?’
‘Betty, I have a proposal to make,’ Rosie said feeling the flutter of excitement build inside her.
‘I’m listening.’ Betty shuffled in the bench seat at the tiny table.
‘The person who raised me, Maria, left me some money when she died. So, how would it be if I bought your boat?’ Rosie raised her hands to forestall Betty’s interruption then she went on. ‘I know I can’t work the ‘Sunshine’ alone, so what if you continued to live on her as you have been doing? We could work this boat between us, couldn’t we?’
‘Phew! It’s certainly a thought,’ Betty said before clicking her teeth.
Rosie’s excitement mounted. ‘We could continue to work as you have been with different loads, and I could do my “readings” here too! That way we would both still be earning for her upkeep.’
‘So nothing much would change ’cept you would own the boat and live on ’er with me?’ Betty asked. Rosie nodded. ‘Let me think on it a while, after all we ain’t known each other but a week,’ Betty said.
‘I know but I’m sure we could make it work. It would benefit us both in the long run, surely you can see that.’ Rosie felt the opportunity of owning her own boat slipping away, however she tempered her impatience knowing it was a big decision for Betty to make.
‘I can see the sense of it gel, it’s just that – letting go of her will be a wrench.’ Betty clicked her teeth again as her mouth closed.
‘I understand. As you say, it would be irresponsible not to think about it for a while. Whatever your final decision, I thank you for your consideration.’ Rosie smiled then asked, ‘Shall I put the kettle on?’
At Betty’s nod, Rosie went to make some tea leaving the other woman to mull over her proposal. She then went up on top to enjoy the sunshine so Betty could think in peace. She returned to the belly of the boat when the aroma of cooking bacon reached her nose.
After lunch Betty asked her question again. ‘Everything would be as it is now ’cept your name would be on the deeds instead of mine?’
Rosie nodded. ‘Exactly the same.’
‘All right then, we could give it a go. If it don’t work out, you’d have the boat and I’d have some money to rent a little cottage somewhere.’ Betty nodded once, as if confirming the decision she had reached was the right one.
‘Oh but wait – what about your family, Betty? What would they think? The boat is their inheritance after all.’
‘Bless yer heart gel, I ain’t got no family. I d’aint never ’ave any little ’uns and since the
old man passed away, I’m on me own now, much like yerself,’ Betty answered.
‘I’m sorry,’ Rosie whispered.
Then exchanging smiles the women shook hands over the tiny table sealing the bargain in a ‘gentleman’s’ agreement.
‘We’ll visit a solicitor to get the paperwork and money transferred, that way everything will be legal and above board.’ Both women howled at Rosie’s pun.
*
The afternoon sun beamed down as the two women walked into Wednesbury town once more. They chatted excitedly about their new venture and Betty explained the ways of the canal folk. She told also of how to acquire loads and backloads for the boat, and how difficult it was securing deals. Businessmen preferred to work with other men. They didn’t feel it was a woman’s place to be working their own boats therefore getting a load in the first place could be problematic.
Rosie was at least becoming well known on the canal network for her ‘readings’, so that meant some income could be come by more easily. Women waited patiently in line for a few moments of her time, their coins clutched tightly in their hands.
The solicitor drew up the document for the exchange of the deeds to the boat and witnessed the same with his signature, and the women left his office – Rosie now a boat owner, and Betty a considerably richer widow.
The summer sun began its descent towards the horizon as the women strolled back to Gospel Oak wharf.
‘I wonder ’ow Bill Mitchell is getting on and whether he’s found those boys of ’is.’ Betty muttered.
‘Oh I hope so, Betty, for the sake of the whole family.’
By the time they reached the ‘Sunshine’ the sky was streaked with red and orange and both were hungry and tired. Scrambling aboard, they sat on the deck enjoying the last of the daylight before preparing an evening meal. Neither noticed the figure skulking further along the towpath, but Jake Harding had noticed them.
The light faded as the evening wore on. Sitting on the deck of her boat, a shawl wrapped round her against the chill, Rosie suddenly realised she was now a proper ‘cut-rat’. Betty was dozing oblivious to the sounds of other boat owners laughing and talking. Rosie watched the activity on the boats; loads being made ready for an early morning departure. She heard the banter being exchanged and she smelled the aroma of cooking as it drifted across the water.
All at once, a loud steam whistle brought both women to their feet. ‘That’s the “Pride of Wednesbury”!’ Rosie said in a rush.
Scrambling from the boat the women walked briskly along the towpath as said boat moored up. Rosie was surprised to see a handsome young man at the helm, and even more surprised to see an identical young man looping ropes over the metal bollard. The twins! They had found the boys!
Aboard the Mitchells’ boat, the twins were introduced to Rosie and Betty. Laughter and chatter sounded in the cramped space, and the boys told of their adventures on the inland waterways.
Rosie listened but eventually she could contain her excitement no longer and said in a rush, ‘I’ve bought a boat!’
Abner Mitchell looked at his wife when Margy asked, ‘’Ow you gonna run it on your own?’
‘I’m not! I’ve bought the “Sunshine”. Betty and I will run it together!’
Laughter and chatter resounded and congratulations were offered. The only one not smiling was Bill Mitchell.
‘I had hoped, Betty, that you and I could have reached an agreement about the “Sunshine”,’ he said almost sulkily.
‘I know, Bill, but I couldn’t afford to pay your lads for working her, I’m sorry, lad.’ Betty saw the disappointment on his face.
‘I understand,’ Bill replied, but his heart wasn’t in it. He knew now that there was no way he and his sons could remain on the canals and that they would have to return home.
The thought of going back to his wife and working on land again filled him with dismay. As the chatter resumed, Bill slipped from the cabin to stand on deck in the quiet darkness.
A voice behind him made him start.
‘I’m sorry, Bill,’ Rosie said softly. Bill shook his head and turned away from her. ‘Betty explained your proposal and that it was beyond her means. She had made up her mind to sell and this seemed the obvious solution.’ Rosie stood by his side as she spoke.
‘I can understand, it makes sense but… I can’t bear the thought of working on the land again now!’ He knew he sounded like a petulant child, but he was at a loss as to how he could stay working the waterways. ‘The boys have decided they will remain on the “cut” even if it’s loading and unloading, and I have to try and explain that to their mother. She will be livid! Of course, it will be all my fault – again!’
Rosie touched his arm by way of comfort and she felt the thrill run through her body. What was it about this man made her feel so alive?
Bill shook his head again and walked away from her disappearing into the cabin. Standing alone in the darkness Rosie felt the sting of disappointment. Bill Mitchell clearly did not share her feelings of attraction. Why would he? He was a married man after all.
Whilst everyone had come together on the ‘Pride of Wednesbury’, Jake Harding continued his vigil on the towpath.
Now he was sitting in The Tavern on the Lea Brook Road, Jake Harding snorted his disgust. He had watched the reunion of friends from both boats and then Rosie and her companion return to their own boat. She’d certainly made herself some acquaintances quickly.
It’s not right, she’s one of us! She should be travelling with her own! He thought.
Swilling back the last of his ale he called for another.
The barman sneered, ‘Come and fetch it, I don’t wait on Gypo’s!’
‘Maybe not,’ Jake said hauling himself to his feet, ‘but you’ll gladly take my money!’
Slamming the glass of beer on the counter the barman said, ‘Business is business.’ Snatching up Jake’s money the man turned away with a sniff.
‘Bastard!’ Jake muttered as he retook his seat at the table in the corner of the room lit only by well situated gas lamps.
His mind drifted back to Rosie. He had noticed her at the ‘Gathering’ when he surmised she was about fifteen years old. Watching her closely all through the evening and noting she abstained from joining in the reverie, he had made his mind up there and then. One day he would marry the girl with the raven black hair. He had asked members of other kumpanias about her and learned she was called Rosie Harris. She had attended three further ‘Gatherings’ but again had sat out of the festivities, and over those years, thoughts of Rosie had been his constant companion.
Now the time had come to make her his, so he felt he had to do something about her soon. If that boat moved on, he may never find her again. He couldn’t risk losing her now, somehow he had to get her away from those friends of hers. She would never become his wife while she remained on the canal.
Jake’s brain ached with trying to formulate a plan. Try as he might, all ideas eluded him. All he could do was wait and watch in the hope an opportunity would present itself.
‘Time gentlemen please!’ the barman called and seeing a very drunken gypsy sitting in the corner, prepared himself for the inevitable brawl.
‘I ain’t finished drinkin’ yet!’ Jake shouted.
‘Oh yes you have,’ the barman said dragging the drunk to his feet.
Before Jake knew what was happening he felt himself propelled out onto the street. Landing with a bump, Jake shot up and launched himself at the big brawny barman standing in the doorway. Head down, elbows out Jake ran at the man who deftly sidestepped the oncoming attack. Jake’s head hit the closed door with a resounding crack. Crumpling to the ground Jake stared up at the barman who laughed loudly before going inside and locking the door behind him.
Holding his throbbing head, Jake carefully got to his feet and staggered down the street muttering obscenities as he went.
Somehow finding his way back to his caravan, the noise of his arrival woke everyone in their ci
rcle. Shouts and jeers greeted him as he attempted to open the lock on his vardo door. Unable to do so, he lay down by the steps and fell into a drunken sleep.
Fourteen
‘Somebody needs to go back and tell Sarah ’er boys am safe,’ Margy said at the breakfast table.
The twins shared a look and shake of the head. ‘Not us!’ they chorused.
Margy tried to hide the smile that lifted the corners of her mouth.
Bill muttered into his teacup, ‘I can’t, Mum, not after what she’s done to this family. I can’t forgive her for that!’
‘She is your wife son,’ Abner said.
‘Dad! She stopped you seeing your grandsons, you missed their growing years because of her! She tore this family apart and didn’t give a bugger!’ Bill retaliated sharply.
Abner nodded in agreement.
‘Dad, calm down…’ Frank said.
‘You’ll have a heart attack!’ John added.
‘Sorry, boys, but you see my predicament. If I go back and tell your mother you’re both safe, she’ll want you home tied to her apron strings again. I know you both want to stay on the canals but how can that be achieved? I want to as well, but – what about Sarah? She’ll have no money coming in – how will she live?’ Bill raked his hands through his hair then down his face.
‘Well it ain’t fair on ’er not to let ’er know you’m all safe,’ Margy said.
‘Mother, you’ve a good heart, but can you imagine what she’ll say when I tell her the boys aren’t going home? And, if she knows they’re here with you? My God! It doesn’t bear thinking about!’ Bill said as he gave her a hug.
Sighing loudly Margy conceded. ‘I see your point, Bill.’
The twins shared a grimace causing Margy to smile again.
‘Right, the only way around this as I see it is for us all to go!’ Margy said with firm conviction.
Everyone stared in disbelief. Was she serious? Judging by her stance, hands on hips, they concluded she was indeed – deadly serious.
Without another word, John went to stoke the fire box, Bill moved to cast off and Frank stood by the tiller.
The Girl on the Doorstep: from the bestselling author of The Workhouse Children (A Black Country Novel) Page 10
