When Wishes Come True

by Jonker, Joan

  ‘That sounds like blackmail to me,’ Bessie said, with a shake of her head. ‘A married man is entitled to his rights, yer know, he shouldn’t have to pay for them.’

  ‘Bessie, I feel in such a good, generous mood now, thanks to you, my feller will think he’s got a strange woman in his bed. By the time I’ve finished with him, he’ll be thinking two pence is a small price to pay.’ Rita pushed herself to her feet. ‘In fact, when it’s over and he’s got his breath back, he’ll probably ask when we’re going into Liverpool again.’

  ‘Have you no shame in you, woman?’ Bessie followed her mate to the door. ‘I feel really sorry for Reg.’

  Rita stepped down on to the pavement. ‘No need to, sunshine, ’cos in half an hour’s’ time my feller will be the happiest man in this street. And that is my solemn promise.’

  ‘Oh, I believe yer, sweetheart,’ Bessie said. ‘Just remember, though, he has to go to work tomorrow.’

  It was only after Rita had left that Bessie realised it might not be possible to take Milly in to town on Saturday afternoon after all, for she didn’t know what time Mrs Sinclair would be going out. If she was meeting a man, it would probably be in the early evening, and that would dash any hope of Bessie and Rita taking Milly into town. Bessie felt really disappointed because she’d been looking forward to giving Milly a surprise, and Rita would feel let down, too! But there was no point in waiting and wondering what Saturday was going to bring, she may as well come right out and ask her neighbour. She could always tell a little white lie and say she was thinking of taking Milly to the park. Yes, that’s what she’d do, she’d ask her neighbour tomorrow night and get it over with. After all, the woman couldn’t expect an eight-year-old girl to spend all her time in the house, it wasn’t healthy.

  Bessie was late getting in from work the following night, and found Milly sitting on the kitchen step waiting for her. ‘I’m sorry I’m late, sweetheart, we had an order to get out in a hurry and there was nothing I could do about it. Come on in, yer must be freezing. I’ll put the kettle on and put a light to the fire. It won’t be long, I’ll soon have you warmed through.’

  ‘I’m not cold, Auntie Bessie, I folded my arms across my chest and put my hands under my armpits, and they’re nice and warm.’

  Bessie smiled down at her with affection in her eyes. This girl was one in a million, never gave any cheek, kept herself clean and tidy and was always well mannered. Her mother didn’t appreciate how lucky she was. ‘I’ve brought some sausages in, we’ll have them with an egg. How does that sound to you?’

  Milly giggled. ‘My tummy says it sounds very good, Auntie Bessie, and when it arrives it will be made really welcome.’

  Bessie threw her coat on a chair and knelt in front of the fire which she’d set ready for lighting this morning before she went to work. After striking a match, she held it to the balls of newspaper laid out under the firewood. ‘I’ll give it a minute to catch, then I’ll pull the damper out and we’ll have a roaring fire in no time.’ She felt the girl’s arms coming round her neck and then soft lips kissing her cheek. ‘Oh, that’s nice, sweetheart, but what have I done to deserve it?’

  ‘That’s ’cos I love you, Auntie Bessie, you’re my very bestest friend.’

  ‘Well, I think you must be a mind reader, sweetheart, because I was just thinking the same thing. That you are my very bestest friend. And you know they say great minds think alike, so you and me must be very clever.’ Bessie disentangled herself from Milly’s arms and used her closed fists to push herself off her knees. ‘Now, while I’m frying the sausages and eggs, you can help me by setting the table. Like your tummy, I’m famished.’

  When Milly had set the table, she went into the kitchen to where Bessie was standing by the stove, leaning as far back as she could to escape the spitting fat. ‘Why are the sausages spitting, Auntie Bessie? Is it because they are angry?’

  Bessie chuckled. ‘No, they’re not angry, sweetheart. It’s not the sausages that are spitting, it’s the fat. So don’t come too close, ’cos yer might get burnt, and then what would I say to yer mother when she comes?’

  ‘She wouldn’t know, Auntie Bessie, ’cos I wouldn’t tell her. But she wouldn’t shout at you, she would scold me for being careless.’

  Not wanting to criticise her mother, Bessie changed the subject. ‘Dinner is ready now, so go and sit at the table, sweetheart. I’ll cut us a round of bread each, to dip in the egg yolk.’

  The fire was established now, and the bright, dancing flames gave the room a nice warm glow. And with Milly relating a funny incident in the school playground, and her infectious laughter ringing out, Bessie was feeling really contented. She’d taken on a new lease of life since the girl had been coming into her home, and not for the first time she was questioning the decision she’d made all those years ago when she’d told the boy she was courting that she couldn’t leave her ailing parents to marry him. She’d said it was her duty to care for them, and when in anger he’d asked if she didn’t have a duty to him after courting him for several years, her heart had been torn in two. She was an only child, born when her mother was forty years of age. By the time Bessie was courting, both her parents were old and frail. She chose them over the boy who’d wanted to marry her. Now, looking at Milly’s happy face, she wished she could have married her boyfriend and cared for her parents. Perhaps if she had she would have had a family of her own now.

  ‘That was lovely, Auntie Bessie, and my tummy said to thank you very much.’

  Bessie shook her head to empty her mind of thoughts of what might have been. ‘I’m glad you and your tummy enjoyed it, sweetheart.’ She patted her own. ‘And I have to admit I’ve had an elegant sufficiency.’

  ‘Ooh, those are big words, Auntie Bessie!’

  Bessie chuckled. ‘Yes, I know, I frightened meself ’cos I don’t know where they came from. I’ll have to try them on yer Auntie Aggie some time, I’d love to see the expression on her face.’

  Milly’s laughter rang out. ‘I bet she’d use some words back at you.’ Her deep green eyes rolled. ‘And I bet they’d be naughty ones, too!’

  ‘Aggie means no harm, sweetheart, she’s got a heart of gold. But I admit she uses some words she shouldn’t. Not in front of children anyway.’ Bessie reached for the girl’s empty plate and put it on top of her own. ‘I’ll wash and you can dry. Then when the place is tidy, you can play with Daisy for half an hour before your mother comes.’

  The girl scrambled from her chair. ‘I’m going to tell her about the three bears tonight.’

  Bessie grinned. ‘And I bet she’ll enjoy it. In fact, I might just listen in meself and yer’ll have an audience.’

  When Evelyn called for her daughter later, Daisy was tucked up in bed in the spare room and Milly’s face had lost its sparkle.

  ‘The weather has turned very cold,’ Evelyn said, shivering. ‘I won’t sit down, Miss Maudsley, thank you, I want to get in and light the fire. Get your coat, Amelia, and don’t dawdle.’

  Bessie decided to strike while the iron was hot. ‘Before you go, Mrs Sinclair, there’s something I’d like to ask yer. Do you know what time yer’ll be going out on Saturday? Yer see, I thought it would be nice if I took Amelia to the park for a walk. I don’t like her to be indoors for so long, I think we both need a little fresh air. But it depends on what time you will be going out. If it’s late afternoon, then it will be too late and we’ll leave it for another time.’

  Evelyn stared at her. This woman is either a mind reader or my guardian angel, she thought. Only this morning Philip had asked her why she couldn’t come early on Saturday morning, so they could spend the day together? He would take her for a run to Southport in the afternoon, and they could stroll along famous Lord Street with its many exclusive fashionable shops. He would buy her anything that took her eye, he said. And what she did want was another day coat, so she could have one at home and one in the apartment. She had promised to think about it without knowing how she could wa
ngle it. She’d never dreamed this opportunity was going to fall in her lap. But although she was cheering inside, she didn’t want to appear too eager. She gave a deep sigh and closed her eyes as though deep in contemplation.

  ‘You have been so kind to Amelia and me, I really can’t let you down. So what I’ll do is write to Elizabeth tonight, and tell her I find myself with Saturday free and could she possibly put up with me for a few extra hours. I’m quite sure she’ll be agreeable.’

  Bessie didn’t know how she kept her head from shaking and her tongue from clicking. This woman was the best liar she’d ever known. There was always an answer to everything, and it appeared she made a career out of telling the most exaggerated fibs Bessie had ever heard.

  ‘Oh, no, don’t do that!’ she said, to put the wind up Evelyn. She knew there was now no doubt that Milly would be going into town on Saturday with her and Rita, but she could play games as well as Mrs Sinclair with her posh voice. ‘I wouldn’t dream of putting you or yer friend to any trouble. We’ll leave it until another time.’

  Amelia had been standing quietly by, taking it all in. Her face had lit up when she’d first heard about the walk in the park, then when her mother hadn’t seemed too keen her spirits had dropped. They’d been lifted again for a short while. Now, listening to her Auntie Bessie, she looked really crestfallen. This gave Evelyn the way out she’d been looking for.

  ‘Don’t look so sad, Amelia, I won’t do anything to upset Miss Maudsley’s plans. I insist on making myself invisible on Saturday, come what may. And I hope you appreciate what a lucky girl you are, having Miss Maudsley for a friend. I too am lucky in that respect.’

  Wearing the look of someone who has generously put herself out for the sake of others, Evelyn gave a slow, sideways nod of the head to Bessie. The little woman didn’t know whether to laugh in her face or curtsey. But she was prepared to put up with her neighbour’s shenanigans for Milly’s sake. She gave a wide smile while inwardly calling her all the polished buggers under the sun. ‘Oh, that is kind of yer, Mrs Sinclair. You enjoy yerself on Saturday now, and don’t worry about Amelia ’cos I won’t keep her out too long.’

  The wink Milly gave her as she followed Evelyn out of the house told of her pleasure. And Bessie also wondered if it was a wink of victory. If it was, then good for her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Bessie had told Rita not to call for her until two o’clock on Saturday, in case her neighbour had had a change of plan and was at home. Milly still hadn’t been told they were going into Liverpool, she was excited enough at the prospect of going to the park. ‘Will I be allowed to go on the swings, Auntie Bessie?’

  ‘Of course yer will, sweetheart, there’s no charge, the swings and see-saw are free.’

  Bessie looked into the girl’s shining eyes and thought it was time to tell her the truth. There’d been no sight or sound of Evelyn, so it was safe to presume she had kept to her word. ‘Me and Auntie Rita have got a surprise for yer, sweetheart, but I won’t tell yer what until she comes.’ She heard a door bang and, looking through the window, saw her mate crossing the cobbles. ‘Here she is, and I think yer’ll like our surprise.’

  Milly couldn’t think of anything more exciting than going to the park and having a turn on the swings. ‘I would like to go to the park, Auntie Bessie, you don’t need to do anything special just for me.’

  ‘We’ll see, sweetheart, you might have a choice of two options. But open the door for Auntie Rita, there’s a good girl.’

  Rita came in bright and breezy. It was a rare treat to be going into the city on the tram, for she had to stretch her housekeeping like a piece of elastic to make it last the week. But her feller had come up trumps with sixpence for her to pay her fares and buy a cup of tea in a cafe. She patted Milly’s cheek. ‘Hello, sunshine, all ready with yer coat on, eh? Looking forward to seeing the sights with yer aunties, are yer?’

  Milly’s brow creased as she wondered what sights they’d see in the park, and Bessie was quick to notice. ‘I haven’t said anything to her yet, Rita, except that we had a surprise for her. But I said she had two options, and we’d let her choose where we go.’

  Rita’s heart sank. Surely she hadn’t gone through all that with Reg just to go to the swings?

  Milly also looked downcast. ‘I thought we were going to the park, Auntie Bessie, that’s what you said?’

  ‘Yes, I know that, sweetheart, and that’s what I told your mother. But since then, me and Rita have had a little talk and we thought perhaps yer might rather go into town than go to the park? We could get the tram from the top of the street to take us into the city centre, and spend some time there looking in the shops. But it is entirely up to you. Me and Rita will fit in with whatever yer want to do.’

  Milly’s mouth was wide open and her eyebrows nearly touched her hair-line as she gazed from one to the other of them. It was a few seconds before her voice came out in a squeak. ‘Go into town on the tram?’ She knew Liverpool was a big city, but she’d never been there. ‘Are you pulling my leg, Auntie Bessie?’

  ‘Am I heckerslike! I don’t get all dolled up to pull no one’s leg. This is your day, and me and Rita want you to choose where we go. But if you don’t decide soon, all the shops will be closed before we get there.’

  Rita put her hands behind her back and crossed her fingers. Please don’t say you want to go on the swings, sunshine, please!

  ‘I’d like to go into town on the tram, please. I’ve never been there, but some of the girls in my class have, and they’ve told me about the shops that are as big as the Queen’s palace.’

  ‘Well, not as big as Buckingham Palace, sweetheart, but ten times bigger than the shops around here. I think your friends were bragging a bit. But yer can put them straight when yer go to school on Monday.’

  Milly’s chest seemed to swell with pride as she held out a hand to each of her adopted aunties. ‘You are very kind to me, and I do love you.’

  Over her head the eyes of the two women met, and it wouldn’t have taken much more for the tears to appear. ‘Come on, let’s be on our way and make the most of the time we have,’ Bessie said gruffly.

  They walked down the street with Milly between them, each holding one of her hands, and she smiled at the other children who stopped in their play to watch the girl they knew by sight but had never spoken to or played with. Rita’s youngest son, Jack, skipped alongside them, his socks crumpled around his ankles and patches of dirt on his face.

  ‘Why can’t I come with yer, Mam?’ Jack was skipping backwards now, so he could see their faces. ‘Go on, I’ll behave meself.’

  ‘Some other time, son, not today.’ When Rita saw the disappointment in his eyes, she felt so guilty. Her boys, like all the other kids in the street, didn’t get much out of life because of the shortage of money. But, like Jack now, they didn’t whinge when they were told they couldn’t have everything they asked for. Nevertheless, he must be feeling a bit jealous, and she couldn’t blame him. ‘Yer can’t come now, sunshine, just look at the state of yer. Yer knees and face are as black as the hobs of hell. But next time I have the chance to go into town, I’ll make sure I take you and Billy with me.’

  They’d reached the top of the street by now and Jack grinned. ‘I don’t mind, Mam, ’cos yer’d only make me wash me neck. I’ll go back to me mates and me game of marbles.’

  Milly’s heart went out to the boy, for she knew what it was like to be left behind. She still remembered hearing the key turn in the lock of the room she was confined to while her mother went out shopping. Still remembered the feeling of fear at being left alone in the house. ‘I’ll tell you about it when we come home, Jack, and if Auntie Bessie ever takes me out again, I’ll ask her to let you come. I know she will, she’s very kind.’

  Jack grinned, then turned to run hell for leather back to his mates with his mother’s voice following him. ‘Pull yer socks up, for heaven’s sake, yer make a holy show of me!’

  ‘Leave him be,
Rita,’ Bessie said. ‘He’s only a lad, yer can’t expect him to be spotlessly clean all the time.’

  ‘Bessie, I’d settle for him being clean for half an hour. Sometimes he’s got that much grime on his face, I don’t recognise him! A while back I passed him in the entry and wouldn’t have known it was him if he hadn’t said, “Hello, Mam”.’

  Milly thought that was really funny and she was still giggling when the tram came trundling along. She begged to be allowed to go up to the top deck, and when Bessie nodded ran up the stairs with the speed of a whippet while the two women pulled themselves up by the rail, fighting to keep their footing while the tram rattled from side to side. When they finally reached the top it was to see Milly sitting in a seat by the window, her smile bright enough to bring out the sun in a sky that was overcast with dark clouds.

  ‘Can I sit by the window, please, Auntie Bessie, so I can see all the people rushing in and out of the shops? They look really small when you look down on them, like little diddy people. They look cold, too, but I don’t feel cold at all.’ Milly fingered the beige scarf Bessie had wrapped around her neck. ‘This is keeping me nice and warm.’

  Bessie sat beside her, while Rita sat in the seat in front. ‘It is cold out today, sweetheart, it seems winter is coming early.’ She heard the conductor coming, clicking the handle of his ticket machine and calling, ‘Fares, please. And try to have the right money ready if yer can.’

  Rita was opening her bag to get her purse out, when Bessie tapped her shoulder. ‘I’ve got the fare ready, girl, so put yer purse away.’ She took sixpence from her pocket which she handed to the conductor. ‘Two twoppenny returns to Church Street, and one child’s fare.’

  Milly was intrigued to see the conductor turn the little handle at the side of the machine which hung down from a wide leather strap over his shoulder. And when three tickets came out from a slot in front, she thought it was magic. ‘Ooh, isn’t that clever, Auntie Bessie? I’d like to be a conductor when I grow up, and have one of those to give people their tickets.’