MB02 - Last Tram To Lime Street

by Joan Jonker

  Maureen’s eyebrows were raised when she took the bag. ‘That’s one kick I owe yer so far.’

  ‘What did she mean by that?’ Mike asked as he whisked Doreen across the floor. ‘Have you two ’ad a row?’

  ‘No! It’s just one of her little jokes.’ Doreen forced a smile as she looked into his face. ‘If she ever kicked me I’d kick her back.’

  The music came to an end and Mike pulled a face. ‘We came in at the tail end.’

  ‘Never mind, there’ll be another tango later.’ Doreen glanced around the room for sight of her friend. ‘There they are, near the stage.’

  The next dance was a quickstep and Mike was surprised when Sammy claimed Doreen. They’d been going out as a foursome for nearly a year now, only once a week to a dance, and although nothing had ever been said, it was usual for Mike to partner Doreen and Sammy her friend.

  On the surface there was no romantic attachment but Mike was very keen on Doreen and was living in hope. He was only waiting for a sign of encouragement from her and then he would declare his feelings. So far she had never given that sign.

  Sammy performed a set of intricate steps before slowing down. ‘D’yer still go to Barlows Lane, Doreen?’

  Doreen kept her eyes averted. ‘No, we haven’t been for weeks.’

  ‘So yer don’t see that big blond feller now? What was his name, er, Phil, wasn’t it?’

  Doreen ground her teeth together. It was bad enough having Phil on her mind all the time without talking about him. ‘No, I haven’t seen him.’

  ‘I thought yer fancied him.’ Sammy wasn’t going to let it drop. ‘It seemed that way to me.’

  ‘Well yer were wrong.’ May God forgive me, thought Doreen, but I’ve got to shut him up. If he mentions Phil’s name again I’ll burst out crying. ‘Are we goin’ to dance, or just walk around the floor?’

  His curiosity satisfied, Sammy picked up the tempo. He was a good dancer but his arms weren’t the arms Doreen wished were holding her. The mention of Phil’s name had brought back the longing and the pain, and she was sorry now that she’d agreed to come to the dance at Blair Hall. But she couldn’t blame her friends for the way she felt, and it wouldn’t be fair to spoil their enjoyment. So for the rest of the night she hid her feelings well. She laughed, joked and danced every dance as though she was thoroughly enjoying herself and didn’t have a care in the world. She even fooled Maureen, and her friend wasn’t easily fooled. But no one would ever know what the effort cost her. Inside she was heartbroken. She couldn’t wait for the evening to end so she could crawl into bed and cry her grief away.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Molly laid the donkey stone down at the side of the bucket before sitting back on her heels. It was a beautiful spring day, the sky a bright blue with white fluffy clouds bouncing in the warm breeze. It was a day to enjoy a stroll through the park, not to be scrubbing the front step. Pushing a strand of hair out of her eyes, Molly’s thoughts wandered. If only the world was as peaceful and serene as the weather, life would be perfect. But during the last month or so there’d been nothing but bad news, bringing the threat of war nearer each day. First it was that strutting madman Mussolini invading Albania. Then Chamberlain signing a pact with France, vowing to go to their assistance if they were attacked. He’d also pledged to help Denmark, Switzerland and Holland if they were invaded by the German troops massed on their borders.

  ‘Aye, it’s a great life if yer don’t weaken,’ Molly muttered as she reached into the bucket for the floorcloth. She’d held out as long as she could, hoping for a miracle, but the threat of war was becoming more of a reality with each passing day and she couldn’t pretend otherwise. In the last week the Territorial Army had been doubled and the Government had voted to conscript men of twenty into the forces. Only an imbecile could ignore those signs. ‘Bloody men!’ Molly vented her anger on the floorcloth she was wringing out. ‘If it was left to women, there’d be no wars.’

  ‘What ’ave I told yer about talkin’ to yerself?’ Nellie had crept up on her silently. ‘One of these days some tall men in white coats will come and put yer in a straitjacket and cart yer away.’

  Molly grinned as she wiped the step over. Nellie was just the tonic she needed to cheer her up and take her mind off the troubles in the world. ‘Will they be handsome men?’ She threw the cloth back into the water. ‘And will they torture me until I give in to their lust for me body?’

  ‘It’s only them sheikh fellers who ride camels in the desert that do that, girl, an’ yer won’t find many of them livin’ in a two-up-two-down in Walton. I should know, I’ve been lookin’ for one long enough.’

  ‘No luck, eh, Nellie?’

  ‘Well, it stands to sense, doesn’t it, girl?’ Nellie’s face was deadly serious as she leaned back against the wall, folding her arms across her tummy. ‘I mean, where the ’ell would they pitch their tent around here?’

  Molly struggled to her feet and picked up the bucket. ‘I think it’s you the men in white coats will be after. Yer definitely not right in the head.’ She put her face close to her friend’s and grinned. ‘Come in an’ I’ll make yer a cup of tea, eh?’

  ‘Thought yer’d never ask.’ Nellie followed her down the hall. ‘If the men in white coats come, let me open the door. If they’re nice-lookin’ I’ll invite them in. If they’re as ugly as sin, I’ll tell them we gave ourselves up last week.’

  ‘Yer know, I’m glad you’re away with the mixer,’ Molly said as she emptied the dirty water down the sink. ‘Everyone else I know is sane, wouldn’t know a joke if it jumped up an’ hit them in the face.’

  ‘Ay, just you watch it, missus! Don’t forget that a week on Saturday my son is gettin’ engaged to your daughter … I’m practically one of the family now.’

  ‘May God preserve us!’ Molly struck a match under the kettle. ‘Yer know, I have nightmares about that. I don’t know how I’m goin’ to live with the shame.’

  ‘Shut yer cakehole an’ get that tea made.’ When Nellie poked her tongue out it seemed such a little thing in her chubby face. ‘I’m goin’ to sit on yer posh couch, just for spite.’ When she turned at the door there was a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. ‘I might even put me feet up on it.’

  When Molly carried the cups through, Nellie was sitting perfectly still, staring into space. ‘You’ve gone quiet! Two whole minutes without a word … that must be a record!’

  ‘I was thinkin’ about our Steve. It only seems like yesterday that he was playin’ ollies in the gutter, an’ here he is gettin’ engaged to be married.’

  ‘I know … makes yer realise how old we’re gettin’. But I’m really made up for them, they’re the happiest couple I’ve ever seen.’ Molly was so wrapped up in her thoughts she forgot one of her own rules and rested her feet on the spindles of her chair. ‘They sat at this table last night counting their money to make sure they had enough for the ring. They’re so young in one way, yet in another they’re very grown-up. When they look at each other yer can see the love shining in their eyes, an’ it makes me want to cry.’

  ‘Let them be happy while they can,’ Nellie said. ‘With the state the world’s in, only God knows what’s goin’ to happen.’

  ‘I know, it doesn’t bear thinkin’ about, does it, Nellie?’

  ‘Then don’t let’s think about it, kid! We’ve got the engagement party to look forward to next week. And because it’s their birthdays as well let’s give them a do they’ll never forget … a real knees-up, jars out. What d’yer say, eh, girl?’

  ‘Right! To hell with bloody Hitler and his toadies.’

  ‘That’s the spirit!’ Nellie had been biting so hard on the inside of her cheek to keep the laughter at bay, she could taste blood in her mouth. ‘D’yer know yer breaking the eleventh Commandment?’

  Molly frowned. ‘What’s the eleventh Commandment when it’s out?’

  Nellie bowed her head and put her hands together as though in prayer. ‘Thou shalt not put thy feet on
my spindles.’

  Molly opened her mouth in horror, jerked her feet back, looked at Nellie’s solemn face, then doubled up with laughter. ‘I’m always tellin’ the kids off for it, then go an’ do it meself! I’d never hear the last of it if they found out.’

  ‘What do I get for keepin’ me trap shut, kiddo?’ Nellie spoke out of the side of her mouth like Edward G. Robinson when he’d played the role of a gangster in a film she’d seen. ‘What’s it worth to yer?’

  ‘Another cuppa,’ Molly stretched out her hand for the empty cup, ‘and if yer behave yerself, I might even run to a ginger snap.’

  Nellie couldn’t be bothered making the effort to get off the couch, so she followed Molly with her voice. ‘Who’s comin’ to the party, kid?’

  ‘Ooh, don’t mention it, Nellie! I’m havin’ sleepless nights just thinkin’ about it.’ Molly handed over the refilled cup. ‘I’ve got the young ones sorted out, that’s one blessing. Ellen’s four, our Ruthie an’ Bella are havin’ their own party in Ellen’s house, with Mary supervising. I feel a bit mean about not invitin’ Mary an’ Harry to the party, but Mary understands the house will only hold so many an’ she’s quite happy to look after the kids. I mean, I don’t know how I’m goin’ to fit everyone in as it is! There’s your crowd, that’s five before we start! Then me ma an’ da, Maisie an’ Alec, Tommy an’ his mate, Doreen an’ her three friends an’ Victoria and Ellen! An’ that’s not countin’ meself, Jack and our Jill!’

  As Molly was speaking, Nellie was ticking the names off on her fingers but gave it up as a bad job when more than two hands were needed. ‘Bloody hell, girl! That’s over twenty!’

  ‘I know that, soft girl, I can count! If it’s a day like today it’ll be all right, the young ones can dance in the yard. But if it’s raining, then all I can say is God help us!’

  Nellie squinted. ‘Is Phil comin’ with Victoria?’

  ‘Uh, uh! That would put the cat amongst the pigeons … spoil it for the lot of us. I’ve explained to Phil, an’ he says he understands. He probably wouldn’t come even if I invited him, ’cos he knows he’d get the cold shoulder.’

  ‘Your Doreen’s stickin’ to her guns, isn’t she? Me, now, I think he’s a crackin’ lad! An’ he’s marvellous with Victoria! Pays his whack every week even though she’s told him she doesn’t want it. An’ he practically carries her around … won’t let her lift a finger when he’s home. She thinks the sun shines out of his backside!’

  Molly nodded. ‘I know! Now I’m goin’ to tell yer somethin’ on the quiet, Nellie, so keep it to yerself. I think our Doreen’s cuttin’ off her nose to spite her face. She goes out nearly every night with Mo, and a couple of times a week they go dancin’ with Mike and Sammy. She lets on she’s havin’ the time of her life, but I’ve a sneaking suspicion she’s still carrying a torch for Phil.’

  ‘Aye, well, she’s only young. Happen she’ll come to her senses one of these days.’

  ‘It would serve her right if she left it too late an’ he found himself another girl.’

  ‘I’m surprised he hasn’t got one!’ Nellie shuffled to the edge of the couch. ‘Fine-lookin’ feller like him, there must be plenty have their eye on him.’

  ‘He never goes out to meet any. Works late nearly every night and then sits talking to Victoria until it’s time for bed. The pair of them get on like a house on fire.’ Molly could see her friend struggling and went to give her a helping hand. ‘Grab hold an’ I’ll pull yer up.’

  ‘Don’t know what I’d do without yer, girl.’ Nellie grinned up into her face. ‘Of course, I could sit here all day.’

  ‘Not on yer ruddy life, sunshine! Yer can just poppy off while I get meself washed and changed. I’m goin’ to walk round to Ma’s … get a bit of fresh air.’

  ‘I’ll come with yer.’ Nellie made for the door. ‘I’ll nip home an’ swill me face, comb me hair, an’ be back in ten minutes.’

  ‘Oh, gawd!’ Molly groaned. ‘I can’t get rid of yer, can I?’

  ‘Ay, just watch it, missus! Remember, I’m family now.’

  ‘Yer won’t let me forget it, will yer?’ Molly smiled as her friend swayed down the hall. Softly she added, ‘I wouldn’t want to, either. The best friend in the world, yer are, Helen Theresa McDonough. Just seein’ yer brightens me day.’

  ‘Oh, sunshine, it’s beautiful!’ Molly gazed at the ring nestled in the padding of the small square box. It was a cluster, with a diamond in the centre surrounded by garnets. It was a very pretty ring, and as Molly moved the box she gasped as the diamond changed colour in the light from the gas lamp overhead. ‘It’s gorgeous.’

  ‘It certainly is.’ Jack was inspecting it over his wife’s shoulder. ‘You’ve done her proud, Steve.’

  ‘Come on, Mam, let’s have a dekko.’ Doreen was inching her mother out of the way. ‘Yer not the only one in the house, yer know.’

  When Molly and Jack stepped back, their arms around each other’s waists, Doreen and Mo moved in for a closer look. ‘Ooh, it’s lovely, our kid!’

  ‘It certainly is,’ Maureen agreed, ‘one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen.’

  ‘Try it on,’ Doreen coaxed, ‘let’s see it on yer finger.’

  ‘Uh, uh!’ Jill’s hair swayed around her shoulders. ‘I’m not putting it on until we get engaged. Steve’s taking it home with him and he’s not going to let me see it again until the big day.’

  Doreen tutted, ‘What harm would it do to let us see it on yer?’

  ‘No, don’t do it!’ Maureen knew she’d get a sly look from her friend but she threw caution to the winds. ‘I think it’s dead romantic … like yer see in films.’

  Ruthie, hopping from one foot to the other, had a pain in her neck from trying to see into the box. Jill’s my sister as well, she thought, and they’ve forgotten all about me! Near to tears, she pulled on Molly’s skirt. ‘Ah, ray, Mam! What about me?’

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry, sweetheart!’ Molly scooped her up. ‘There yer are, now yer can see what all the fuss is about.’

  Ruthie ran her fingers over the stones, a look of wonder on her pixie-like face. ‘It’s lov-er-ly, our Jill. The most bootiful ring in the whole world.’

  ‘Thank you, love.’ Jill kissed the rosebud mouth before snapping the box closed. Then she handed it to Steve. ‘Here you are, you take it.’

  Feeling ten feet tall and bursting with happiness, Steve pocketed the box. ‘We’ll go an’ show me family, then yer won’t see it again until the day I put it on yer finger.’

  Ruthie sighed with pleasure and went back to her picture book … where the fairy princess looked just like their Jill, and the handsome prince bore a remarkable resemblance to Steve.

  ‘Oh, it’s a real beauty, girl!’ Nellie was lifting the ring from its cushion when Steve smacked her hand.

  ‘No one’s touching it until I put it on Jill’s finger.’ He was adamant. ‘An’ before yer ask, Mam, the answer is no, Mrs B wasn’t allowed to take it out.’

  ‘Ay, if he starts puttin’ his foot down like that when yer married, girl, stamp on it.’ Nellie’s face creased. ‘He’s just like his dad, the strong he-man type.’

  ‘What!’ George gaped. ‘I’m terrified to open me flamin’ mouth, let alone put me foot down!’

  ‘There, d’yer hear the way he shouts at me? Now yer know what I’ve got to put up with.’ Nellie’s face was straight but her shaking tummy gave her away. ‘He started that just after we got married, an’ I thought, aye, aye, I’m havin’ less of that! So I put me foot down with a firm hand.’ She gave Jill a broad wink. ‘It did the trick … he’s been as good as gold since.’

  The house was bursting at the seams and the roof seemed to lift when a rousing cheer went up as a blushing Steve slipped the ring on Jill’s finger. Everyone had a drink in their hand to toast the happy couple, and after taking a sip, they all surged forward to offer their congratulations.

  Molly was the first to reach her daughter, and she enveloped her in a bear-like hug.
‘Oh, I’m so happy for yer, sunshine. This is the best day of me life.’

  ‘Then why are you crying, Mam?’

  ‘Because I love you so much.’ Molly sniffed and laid her head on her daughter’s shoulder. ‘An’ yer couldn’t have picked a better man … I love him as one of me own.’

  ‘And I love you, Mam.’

  The words threatened to bring on a fresh outburst, and Molly, mindful that this was supposed to be a happy occasion, gave a tearful smile before turning away and walking into the comfort of Jack’s outstretched arms.

  Nellie, waiting to get near her son’s fiancée, made herself a promise that she wasn’t going to get sentimental. But when she finally stood in front of Jill it was a promise she found hard to keep. Her future daughter-in-law was everything any mother could wish for. She was as pretty as a picture and had a kind and caring nature. Nellie would have welcomed her into the family no matter who she was. But she was her best mate’s daughter, and today was the day the two families were joined together. The day the two friends had hoped for since the children were little. Nellie opened her arms wide. ‘Come here, girl, an’ give yer future ma-in-law a kiss.’

  Jack patted Molly’s back as she buried her head in his shoulder. ‘Come on, love, there’s no need to carry on like this.’

  ‘I can’t help it,’ she sobbed. ‘I love them both to death.’

  Jack chuckled. ‘Why is it that when women are happy they cry?’

  Molly pulled away, wiping the backs of her hands across her face. ‘I know, we’re crazy, aren’t we?’ She held out her hand. ‘Be a pal and lend us yer hankie.’

  ‘I can’t help yer there, love, I haven’t got one on me.’

  ‘I’ll nip up and get one … I can’t keep sniffing all night.’ Molly stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. ‘Yer a smasher, Jack Bennett, an’ I’m crazy about yer.’

  There was laughter in Jack’s brown eyes. ‘Shall I come upstairs with yer to look for a hankie?’

  ‘Behave yerself, we’ve got company.’ Molly grinned as she pushed through the crowd and made her way upstairs. If ever anyone was lucky, it was her. She had a husband and children she adored, and now her family was to be extended to include the McDonoughs. Definitely a cause for celebration. She’d make herself presentable, then go down and have the time of her life.