The Girl on the Doorstep: from the bestselling author of The Workhouse Children (A Black Country Novel)

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  ‘Don’t bank yer ’opes up cos I can’t see it ’appening,’ Margy said in her inimitable no-nonsense way.

  ‘Truth be told neither can I, but I have to try,’ Rosie answered as she passed the bottle to Abner to feed the now crying Roma.

  ‘You know our John will be mortified when ’e ’ears all this?’ Margy said watching Abner ensuring he was feeding the infant properly.

  ‘I understand that but I should carry out Lucy’s wishes if it’s at all possible. Besides, John has to work and I’m sure he’ll see the sense of it once the shock has worn off,’ Rosie said as she set the table for lunch.

  ‘Ar well, that remains to be seen don’t it?’ Margy raised her eyebrows with her question.

  Sitting alone that evening, Roma sleeping peacefully, Rosie was thinking about John – and Bill. For all she had been busy during the daytime with her readings, it was at night when the loneliness crept in. Her heart still ached for the man she loved; the one she would only ever love. Bill was always in her mind, and she looked out of the window every day in the hope of seeing him coming down the street. Now she prayed he would come with John when her message was delivered.

  Checking the old tin clock on the mantelpiece, she rose with a sigh. Roma would be waking for another bottle before too long, and then maybe she could get a few hours’ sleep before the next feeding time.

  *

  Unaware of the goings on in Birmingham, John had made a visit to his mother over in Bilston. They had strolled around the garden and Sarah had divulged what she’d learned about her other son and that Tad Jenkins!

  John confessed he’d had his suspicions but had seen nothing to confirm they were correct.

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ Sarah blasted.

  ‘Because it’s Frank’s business, Mum. He knows what he’s getting into as well as the consequences.’

  ‘I’ve a good mind to report it to the police!’ Sarah snapped. She had given Frank to understand that she had accepted the whole thing, but that was far from the truth.

  ‘What, and have them cart Frank off to jail? Could you live with yourself knowing your son was in that hellhole suffering God knows what? Could you stand the shame of it all?’ John’s temper flared as he glared at his mother’s sour face.

  ‘John, it isn’t right!’

  ‘Right or not, it’s Frank’s choice. It’s his life and you have to let him live it.’

  Sarah shook her head and blew through her teeth. ‘What will your father make of it? That’s what I want to know.’

  John could see she was not about to let this rest. ‘Look, Mum, it’s no one’s business but Frank and Tad’s. Keep your nose out of it!’

  Sarah was aghast that her boy had spoken so sharply to her.

  ‘Mum,’ he went on more gently, ‘just keep it to yourself. Don’t mention it to a soul and see how it pans out. You might find it’s not what Frank wants after all.’

  ‘I’ll give him six months, John. If in that time he doesn’t come to his senses then I shan’t be responsible for my actions!’

  John nodded, kissed her cheek and left her in the garden still fuming.

  Returning to the ‘Two Hearts’ John didn’t notice his father watching him.

  ‘What’s your mother done to upset you this time?’ Bill asked placing a meal before his son.

  ‘Nothing,’ John answered picking up his fork.

  ‘Look, lad, after the little chat we had the other night about love and women, don’t you realise you can tell me anything?’

  ‘I can’t tell you this, Dad.’ Pushing his peas around the plate John’s appetite had vanished.

  ‘Whatever it is, it can’t be so bad that we can’t sort it out between us,’ Bill urged.

  John looked up, his eyes brimming with tears and instantly Bill went to him. Father and son hugged tightly as John wept. Finally, John relieved himself of the secret he had tried so desperately to keep. His mouth dropped open at his father’s next words.

  ‘I had my suspicions too, that’s why I tried to prevent Frank going on that boat.’

  ‘Oh, Dad, what shall we do? Mum’s threatening to tell the police – we have to do something!’

  ‘I’ll get a message to Frank saying…’ Bill raked his hand through his hair.

  ‘Tell him to… meet us at Rosie’s!’ John said in a flash of inspiration.

  ‘I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. I don’t want her involved in this,’ Bill countered.

  ‘Dad, Rosie’s got the “sight”; it’s my guess she knows already!’

  The following morning the message was sent via the ‘cut’ grapevine. Gypsy Dancer – important meeting at Rosie’s. Then the ‘Two Hearts’ chugged her way out of the basin and out onto the inland waterways.

  For John the day turned from bad to worse, for the afternoon brought Rosie’s message.

  ‘Why is Roma with Rosie?’ John asked as he and Bill sailed for Birmingham; both agreed their load of nuts and bolts for Wolverhampton would just have to wait.

  ‘I don’t know, son, but we’ll find out when we get there. Feed the firebox for a good head of steam and we’ll be in Brum in no time at all.’

  John did as he was bid, all the time wondering what was going on. Was Lucy ill? Was Roma poorly? This had to come now straight on top of the Frank and Tad scenario.

  It never rains but it pours, he thought as he shovelled coal into the firebox and gave his father the thumbs up. Making a cup of tea he took one to Bill steering the boat.

  ‘No stops today; we should be there by this evening. Now stop worrying and get the lunch started.’ Bill encouraged his son to keep busy.

  As he manoeuvred the boat along the canal, Bill felt the excitement build in him. Despite the reason for going he couldn’t help being pleased he would see Rosie again. He pondered John’s suggestion about revealing his feelings for her and the dichotomy weighed heavily. Should he tell her? How would she react? Should he stay silent for a while longer? All he could do for now was to wait and see what was occurring with the baby first, and then maybe he would try to find time alone with Rosie. Without realising Bill began to whistle a little ditty as the ‘Two Hearts’ coursed down the shiny ribbon of waterway.

  Forty-seven

  Frank was worried. The message regarding the meeting at Rosie’s had reached him and the ‘Gypsy Dancer’ was now on course for Birmingham.

  Tad had said, as it was probably family business, he would secure a backload while Frank made his visit.

  This message and the one to John with regard to Roma had also reached Margy and Abner, who were on their way too. It seemed Rosie was about to have a full house.

  ‘You should come with me,’ Frank said.

  ‘No, you go and sort out what needs doin’. I’ll be fine – we need to keep the boat workin’,’ Tad reassured him. They shared a quick hug before moving up on deck after a quick stop-over for a bite to eat.

  Important meeting… Important meeting… The words looped round and round in his mind as Frank steered the boat. What was going on? Had someone died? Please God, not that – anything but that!

  Frank tried to concentrate on the task in hand; traffic on the canal was busy. He knew they would have to wait their turn at the locks which interspersed the waterway system, and this only added to his frustration. He wanted to be in Birmingham as fast as possible.

  Hearing Tad singing below deck, Frank smiled. That boy had a terrible voice but he enjoyed singing nevertheless, and Frank would never upset the love of his life by suggesting he should refrain. Somehow, despite the voice sounding like cats fighting, it calmed him and Frank settled to the job he loved – driving the boat.

  By noon the next day, all had descended upon Rosie, John and Bill being the last to arrive.

  Fanny and Molly had joined them, bringing extra chairs from next door and they sat squashed up like sardines in a tin.

  Rosie explained firstly about Roma and passed Lucy’s note to John. She watched the colour drain from h
is face as he stared at the words.

  ‘I’m so sorry, John,’ she said.

  ‘I had a feeling she would do this,’ he replied. ‘She was miserable all the time. I could see she was yearning for her freedom. In fact, Dad and I talked about it the other night and I then made up my mind to let her go. I was going to suggest a divorce.’

  Surprise showed on every face except Rosie’s. ‘I wondered if you might. The question now is – what to do with Roma.’

  ‘Says here she should go to yourself or Jake.’ John threw the note on the table, his eyes full of pain.

  ‘John, I’m not a traveller anymore, I can’t bring her up in the true Romany tradition.’

  ‘You know what, Rosie, I don’t care anymore.’ John’s words elicited yet more surprise.

  ‘This has been a big shock, John, you need time to come to terms with it,’ Rosie said trying to placate the boy she could see was full of pain and fury.

  ‘Get over to the back of the wharf and seek that bugger Jake out and give him a lamping!’ Molly threw in.

  ‘Shut up, yer daft bleeder!’ Fanny countered.

  The next five minutes were taken up with everyone speaking at once. Suddenly all were silenced by baby Roma’s howl. She was hungry – again.

  It was John who fed her saying it could be the last time he would do so. After a good feed, Roma settled into a sleep only the innocent could experience.

  Then once more the discussions began.

  ‘Frank, I need a quiet word with you,’ John said.

  ‘What about?’ his brother asked.

  ‘In private, Frank…’ John stood up to go into the kitchen but dropped back on his chair as Bill stood up.

  ‘Oh for God’s sake!’ he blasted. ‘We are all friends are we not?’ He saw the nods. ‘Right well, cards on the table. Frank and Tad Jenkins have been working the ‘Gypsy Dancer’ as you all know. Well, Sarah is none too pleased about it, and the reason is – she knows that the boys have formed a relationship which is more than just a working partnership.’ Bill waited a moment for his words to sink in. ‘She is threatening to report them to the police and believe me when I say she will do it!’

  Shocked faces turned to stare at Frank who lowered his head in embarrassment at having his business shared with all and sundry. ‘I’m not ashamed,’ he said as he raised his eyes to the congregation once more. ‘I won’t give Tad up, no matter what mother decides to do!’

  ‘Oh, lad, you must know it’s illegal,’ Fanny said.

  Frank nodded. ‘Yes, I know.’

  ‘Yer mutha will ’ave the coppers down on yer, lad,’ Fanny said quietly.

  ‘Bitch!’ Molly spat.

  ‘I agree with both your sentiments,’ Bill said, ‘so that’s the first problem to tackle. Then we have John’s wife who has done a runner and left her baby here with Rosie. None of us believe Jake Harding, Roma’s birth father, will take her even if he believes she belongs to him. That’s the second difficulty.’

  It was agreed thereafter that all would return to their respective homes and Rosie would seek out the gypsy camp the following day. She insisted on going alone, just taking Roma with her as Jake would be more amenable to discussions that way.

  Early the next day, Rosie fed and wrapped Roma in a shawl and with the child’s bag packed, just in case, she walked briskly to where the gypsies were usually camped. Sure enough the vardos were in place and the horses grazing nearby.

  The camp children came to greet her amid squeals of delight as she walked amongst the kumpania.

  ‘I’ve come to meet with your Bandolier,’ she called out formally.

  Jake strolled towards her and he eyed the bundle in her arms.

  Rosie saw the hurt in his eyes and she knew he thought the child belonged to her. In a loud voice she said, ‘I’ve brought your daughter Roma to meet you.’ She felt the people drawing closer, the better to see and hear. ‘Lucy left her with me to raise in true Romany fashion, but as I no longer travel – I cannot comply with her request. Foreseeing this, she said to bring Roma to her birth father.’

  Jake laughed. ‘I don’t have a daughter.’ Looking around he raised his voice for all to hear. ‘This baby could be anybody’s. Who’s to say it’s mine?’

  An old croaky voice spoke up. ‘Let me see the child.’ Queenie, the old gypsy woman, hobbled over and looked at the sleeping baby. Laying a gnarled and bony hand gently on Roma’s head, she closed her eyes. After a moment, her rheumy eyes opened and she turned to Jake. ‘Rosie speaks the truth. Take your daughter and raise her well.’

  Jake spluttered about to protest but Queenie’s arthritic forefinger was raised in front of his face. ‘Do not question my ability, Bandolier, for what I say is true.’

  Knowing in his heart she was right, Jake nodded.

  Placing the baby in his outstretched arms Rosie said, ‘I would not dupe you, Jake. Take care of her, marry and give her a new Romany mother.’

  With that Rosie turned and walked away, tears coursing down her cheeks. During the time Roma had been with her, Rosie had become very fond of her and it was a wrench to let her go. However, having been brought up by a Romany, she knew the child would be well looked after.

  By the time she reached home, all were gathered in the street. As she neared the small crowd her heart tightened. What had happened now? She heard sobbing and saw Bill holding up his son. Frank’s heart was breaking.

  Opening the door quickly Rosie ushered them all inside. Everyone rallied round: Margy fed the fire to boil the kettle; Fanny and Molly brought in bread, butter, cheese and chutney and cake.

  Frank sat in the chair by the fire with his head in his hands. His brother, father and grandfather stood close by.

  Rosie knelt down in front of the sobbing young man. ‘I’m so sorry, Frank.’ Looking up at her he realised she had ‘seen’ what had occurred. ‘I couldn’t tell you, I didn’t know how. Besides, I wasn’t sure when and I wanted you two to be happy for as long as possible.’

  Frank nodded as his tears continued to flow. ‘Well at least Mother will be happy now!’ he spat between sobs and sniffs.

  ‘How did it happen? I didn’t see that – only that heart-break was imminent.’ Rosie thought it might help for him to talk about it.

  ‘Tad was on the boat – on deck – when another idiot crashed into it. The bloke wasn’t watching what he was doing and he was only just learning to pilot. Tad… Tad fell into the canal. Rosie, he couldn’t swim! He worked the boat and had never learned to swim! By the time they got him out he had drowned!’ Frank broke down again and Rosie held him while he cried.

  Fanny and Molly were hugging each other as were Margy and Abner; all were sobbing quietly at the boy’s distress. Bill held John as he cried for his brother’s loss as well as his own. The fact that Rosie had returned without baby Roma confirmed the child was now with her father, a role John would have gladly taken on. Now he was alone again as was his twin.

  Rosie felt a shiver as she held Frank.

  ‘I see…’ she began and everyone’s attention was instantly drawn to her. ‘Twins – a boat – together again. Smiling faces – happiness. You will both love again.’

  In Frank’s ear she whispered, ‘I heard singing, but the voice was dreadful!’

  Frank smiled through his tears. ‘Tad, he had the worst voice ever!’

  Rosie nodded.

  *

  Some months later everyone had agreed to meet up to take a picnic to share on board the ‘Two Hearts’. The summer sun was full and strong and all were looking forward to enjoying a Sunday afternoon of rest.

  Fanny, Molly and Rosie were packing a couple of hampers when Margy and Abner arrived. Shortly afterwards Bill and the twins joined them.

  ‘We’ve moored up in Gas Street basin so we can watch the boats come and go while we eat,’ Bill said.

  ‘Ar, we’m there an’ all,’ Abner said flinging an arm around his son’s shoulder.

  The twins grabbed the hamper baskets and they all
set off for the basin. Quiet chatter ensued as they walked through the town, eventually coming to their destination.

  Rosie and Margy laid out the lunch of cold meats, cheese, pickles, freshly baked bread and cake. Bill pulled out a crate of ale for the men and some jugs of lemonade for the ladies.

  Each with a drink and a plate of food in hand, they sat on deck basking in the good weather and watching the activity of others working.

  Bill looked at the young woman sitting opposite him. His heart melted as he stared into her dark eyes.

  Suddenly he put down his drink and moved to her. Taking a knee, he said quietly, ‘Rosie Harris, you stole my heart the first time I met you and I’ve loved you ever since. Marry me, Rosie, and travel the canals with me.’

  The audible gasps echoed across the water and Rosie saw mouths open and close like fish out of water. She flushed to the roots of her hair.

  ‘Yes, Bill! Yes, yes yes!’ she said on a breath.

  Looking round at the astonished faces, Rosie threw back her head and laughed. Applause rang out as the couple shared a chaste kiss.

  ‘I love you Bill, with all my heart I love you,’ Rosie whispered.

  Heaving a sigh of relief Bill went on as the applause died down, ‘I tried to make it romantic and thought this would be the ideal time and place. Besides I needed to say it while I still had the courage.

  Margy, Fanny and Molly were sobbing joyful tears into the hems of skirts and pinafores. Abner hugged his son as well as Rosie. The twins congratulated their father and his bride-to-be; they were pleased their father had taken the bull by the horns and declared his love at last.

  Forty-eight

  It was a year later and Rosie sat by her fireside thinking over what had happened in the previous twelve months.

  Frank had found a new partner who worked in a bar in Birmingham. She wondered if he loved this new man as much as he had Tad, but they appeared to be happy together. They were extremely discreet about their relationship lest anyone should discover them.

  John had sought and gained a divorce from Lucy and was courting a fine young lady called Maisie. They were planning to be married in a couple of years’ time when their finances improved.