by Jonker, Joan
‘I couldn’t agree with yer more, sunshine, it breaks my heart just looking at them. It takes me and Aggie all our time to keep our families going, but we’re not as badly off as some poor buggers. You, Mrs Sinclair, and the man who generously gave the money, are going to make a lot of people happy. I take me hat off to all of yer.’
Aggie nudged her friend. ‘I didn’t know yer had no hat, queen! I haven’t never seen yer in one in all the years I’ve known yer.’
‘No, yer wouldn’t, sunshine, ’cos I haven’t got no ruddy hat. But if yer want me to be precise, I’ll say that if I did have a hat I’d take it off to them. Now then, does that make yer feel better?’
Aggie put on a sad face and even made her lips quiver. ‘No, it doesn’t make me feel better, queen, it makes me feel sad. Fancy, a mate of mine with no hat. Well, that’s really touched my heart. If I wasn’t so bleeding skint, I’d fork out and buy yer one.’
‘Oh, that is kind of yer, sunshine, but yer needn’t worry about little old me. If the occasion arises, like say if our Jack ever decides to get married, I can always borrow yours.’
Aggie grinned. ‘Yer’d have a ruddy job, queen, ’cos I haven’t got no hat. But I have got a mobcap, and if yer stuck a feather in the side of that, it would go down a treat.’
Bessie banged her fist on the table. ‘Ladies, can we get our business sorted out, please? If there’s any money over, I’ll buy yer both a ruddy hat!’
Rita giggled as in her mind’s eye she could see herself and Aggie walking down the street in posh hats with huge ostrich feathers sticking up at the side. Oh, what a field day the neighbours would have! Her hat and feather were in two shades of blue, Aggie’s was bright red. ‘Aggie,’ she said now, ‘don’t ever wear red, sunshine, ’cos it doesn’t suit yer.’
Aggie frowned at Bessie. ‘What’s wrong with this one? She’s not having a funny turn, is she, not in the middle of a business meeting.’
‘If you two don’t stop acting the goat,’ Bessie told her, ‘this business meeting will never get off the ground. Now tell me how much yer think the shopping will come to, and I’ll give yer the money?’
‘Lend us yer pencil, then.’ Rita totted the money up in her head. ‘I can’t tell yer to the penny, sunshine, but I would hazard it’s at least a pound. And I’m going to be very cheeky now, Bessie, and ask, if I see a cheap coat in the market, would yer let me get it for Mrs Ponsonby? I worry meself to death about that woman. She always looks starved of food and heating. Yer never see a coalman there, so she must never have a fire lit. And at her age, God knows, she deserves some comfort. She’s out cleaning and scrubbing steps for people in all weathers, it’s a wonder she doesn’t catch pneumonia.’
Bessie nodded. ‘You get her a coat if yer can, sweetheart, and a pair of gloves and a scarf. We’ve got twenty pound to play with, and she’s as deserving as the rest. I’ll put her down for the coalman to drop her a bag in before Christmas, and yer can tell her the same tale as we’re going to tell all the others. That a very kind gentleman gave us some money to help people out, but wouldn’t give his name. We’ll all tell the same tale and then we won’t get ourselves mixed up.’
‘That’s a good idea, queen,’ Aggie said. ‘Yer know what my mouth is like for running away with itself. But what yer’ve just said is easy to remember, so I won’t get meself in a muddle.’
Bessie opened the back compartment of her purse and took out some pound notes she’d folded over. ‘There’s two pounds to pay for what’s on the list, the coat for Mrs Ponsonby, and the shoes.’ She passed the notes to Rita. ‘Seeing as ye’re going to the market, would yer like some of the money I’ve been saving for you? Yer might see something yer like for yerselves, or something for the kids.’
‘That would be marvellous, sunshine, ’cos both my boys could do with another pair of kecks. And I bet Aggie would be pleased, wouldn’t yer, sunshine?’
Aggie’s nod sent her chins swaying, her folded arms raised her bosom, and her tummy lifted the table off the floor. ‘Ooh, I’ll say I would! Our Kenny’s got no backside in his kecks. He was moaning last night because the wind was getting inside the patch I put on a couple of weeks ago, and is only hanging on by a thread.’
‘Well, I’ll give yer what I’ve saved for yer. And d’yer want the five shillings Mrs Sinclair told me to give yer? Yer can have it now if yer want to buy things for the kids for Christmas.’
Rita shook her head. ‘No! We want yer to keep that towards the party yer said we’re having. You hang on to it, Bessie, there’s a good girl.’
‘Ahem!’ Aggie put a hand to her mouth as she’d seen posh people do when they cough. ‘Don’t I get a say in this? You speak for yourself, Rita Wells, and let me do me own talking.’ She smiled sweetly at Bessie. ‘This is me what’s telling yer to keep the money for the party. I haven’t been to a real knees-up, jars-out party since me wedding, and I’m really looking forward to it.’
‘You’ll have the party even if yer take the money what I’ve got saved up for yer,’ Bessie said. ‘I’ve been doing a lot of working out in me head, and this money I’ve got will cover all I’m expecting it to, and a damn sight more. Yer have my word on that.’ She pushed another pound note over the table. ‘Take this, Rita, and if you and Aggie see something yer’d like for yerselves to wear at Christmas, then buy it. Yer might see some nice, decent, secondhand dresses, and yer can titivate yerselves up for the party. So spoil yerselves for once. It’s not often yer get the chance.’
‘And what about you, sunshine, what are you getting yerself for the party?’
‘I’m making a dress for meself, when I get the time to nip into town for material. I won’t leave meself out, don’t worry. And I’m making a dress for Milly, as a Christmas present.’
‘Will yer be having her over Christmas?’ Rita asked. ‘Or don’t yer know yet?’
‘It hasn’t been mentioned, but I’m keeping me fingers crossed. Milly keeps asking me, but I haven’t the nerve to bring the subject up with Evelyn. Not after she’s turned out to be a much nicer person than we thought. I’ll have to see how the land lies over the next few days. If she seems in a good mood when she calls one night, I might mention it to her.’ Bessie hadn’t told her mates anything about Evelyn’s private life, and had no intention of doing so. She was told in confidence, and that’s the way it would stay as far as she was concerned. As for having Milly for Christmas, her hopes were quite high for she thought Evelyn would want to spend time with her man friend. But it wouldn’t do to take anything for granted. To do that could mean heartache and disappointment, not only for herself but for Milly too. So best keep things close to her chest for the time being until she picked up the courage to ask Evelyn.
‘Look, we know ye’re rushed off yer feet, we can see that for ourselves,’ Aggie told the very flushed and irate stallholder. ‘Me and me mate aren’t blind, and we’re not bleeding well daft, either.’ She nodded her head vigorously to add weight to her words. ‘Of course yer think we are, otherwise yer wouldn’t be trying to tell us those shoes are worth two bob! No one will give yer that much for shoes what are well worn.’
The stallholder thought it best to do business with the one who hadn’t opened her mouth yet, for he knew he’d never win with the big woman. She was some size, and he wouldn’t stand an earthly if she clocked him one. ‘The shoes are not very well worn, missus,’ he said to Rita, ‘yer can see for yerself there’s still plenty of wear in them. I’m not trying to diddle yer into paying more than what they’re worth.’
‘Oh, I’m going to let me mate deal with yer, ’cos the shoes have nothing to do with me.’ Rita thought she’d go for the sympathy touch. ‘Yer see, she’s got a big family, her husband earns buttons, and she’s only got so much to spend. After all, she wants eight pair of shoes, and her money will only stretch to eighteen pence a pair at the very most. But if yer can’t do a deal with her, don’t worry, we’ll try another stall.’
Aggie’s mouth opened wide in surp
rise. What did her mate think she was doing? But a kick in the shin warned her to be quiet. It was a painful warning, and if anyone else had done it they’d have been flat out by now. But Rita had a way with people so Aggie told herself to go along with her. That was why, when the man turned to her, he thought he was looking at a different woman. There was no sign of the battleaxe of a few minutes ago. ‘Is it right that yer’ve got a big family, missus, and yer want eight pair of shoes?’
‘That’s right, lad, but I don’t want to plead poverty. It’s my feller’s fault we’ve got so many kids, but he doesn’t have the flaming worry of trying to feed and clothe them.’ When Aggie sighed her bosom almost touched her chin. ‘Still, that’s not your worry, lad, so we’ll try another stall. There’s one not far from here.’
‘Hang on a minute, don’t let’s be too hasty.’ The man was thinking if she bought eight pairs of shoes he’d still make a good profit even if he let them go for eighteen pence a pair. ‘Perhaps we can reach a mutual agreement. If yer buy eight pair of shoes, then I’ll let yer have them for the one and six a pair. Now I can’t be fairer than that, can I? I’m robbing meself at that price, but I’m all heart when it comes to children, I’ve got four meself.’
Aggie could afford to grin now. ‘Not as active as my feller, then? Mind you, ye’re on yer feet all day, while my feller thinks the only reason we were born with backsides was to sit on them.’
The stallholder managed a smile. If he’d been a brave man, he’d have said she probably thought we were born with mouths so we could talk all bleeding day. But he wasn’t a brave man, so he said, ‘Have a look around and see if yer can find what yer want, but they must be children’s shoes, not adults’.’
‘God bless yer, lad, there’ll be a place in heaven for you, that’s for sure.’
Rita smiled at the man while pulling her mate away from the stall. If she hadn’t, she’d have burst out laughing. When they were out of the man’s hearing, she chuckled, ‘What a two-faced cow I’ve got for a mate! Yer were on the point of clocking him one five minutes ago, now yer’ve promised him a place in heaven.’ She doubled up with laughter. ‘What a pity you won’t be there to see him.’
‘Ay, I wouldn’t be too sure about that if I were you, queen, ’cos I think I’ll have the last laugh when the time comes. God has a sense of humour, yer know, and He might think I’ll brighten the place up.’ Aggie had just had a thought that pleased her. ‘Anyway, ye’re always saying I tell lies. Well, what about yerself? It was you what told that man I had eight kids, queen, not me.’
Rita had a joker up her sleeve, which she now brought into play. ‘I bet your feller will get a laugh when he hears that yer told the stallholder he was very active in bed.’
‘Oh, I won’t tell him that, queen, I’m not daft. He’d do his nut if he thought I’d been speaking to a man about … er … about … well, you know, personal things.’
‘You might not tell him, but that doesn’t mean no one else will.’ Rita saw a mound of shoes on one of the trestle tables, and was making her way towards it when she was pulled up sharp. She’d been expecting it, and quickly dropped the smile from her face. ‘What was that for, sunshine? Yer frightened the life out of me.’
‘A fine mate you’d be if yer snitched to my feller! Yer know he’s got no sense of humour, particularly when if comes to what happens behind bedroom doors.’
‘I was pulling yer leg, sunshine, I’d never tell Sam anything like that! And if anyone else told him in front of me, I wouldn’t know where to put me face, I’d be wishing the floor would open and swallow me up.’
Aggie’s smile was wide. ‘Ye’re not the only one who can pull legs, yer know, queen, so don’t be getting those fleecy bloomers in a twist.’ Her eyes lighted on the piled-up shoes. ‘Ooh, eh, queen, let’s get stuck into that lot. I’ve got a feeling we’re going to have a lucky day today.’
Rita agreed. ‘I was just thinking the same thing. If we get the eight pair of shoes, which I’m sure we will out of that lot, then fate is on our side and we’ll find what we want for our kids, and ourselves. I’d like to get meself a nice dress to wear on Christmas Day, just to remind Reg what I used to look like when we were courting. It’s years since I’ve had anything nice to wear.’
‘Oh, yer’ll have no trouble finding a dress to suit you. You’re so lucky, if yer fell down the lavvy yer’d come up smelling of roses.’ Aggie had a pair of boy’s shoes in her hand, joined together by one of the laces. ‘Whereas I’m so bleeding fat I need a tent to fit me. And there’s not much chance of finding a tent with sleeves in.’ Then she saw the funny side, and grinned. ‘Not in a colour that would suit me, anyway.’
Rita didn’t like to hear her mate making fun of herself, for she knew that deep down Aggie would give anything to be thinner. ‘We’ll find you a dress, don’t worry. There’s lots of big-made women around, ye’re not on yer own.’ She changed the subject, but made up her mind that they would look for a dress for her mate first, then she’d try for one for herself. ‘Let’s get the shoes, and that’ll be one job off our mind.’
Rita had brought a big, well-worn canvas bag with her, thinking it would be large enough to hold everything they’d be buying in the market. It took the shoes with room to spare. The two friends left the stall in a happy frame of mind. They’d got what they wanted at the price they wanted. The next priority was trousers for the boys. They were in luck at that stall as well, for they walked away with three pair of decent trousers for the grand sum of two shillings and threepence. The trousers were all in good nick and had plenty of wear left in them. A good pressing with a hot iron and a wet cloth, and they’d come up like new. The boys would consider themselves very lucky.
‘I was going to say there’s only our dresses to get now, but I’ve remembered we said we’d get a coat for Mrs Ponsonby.’ Rita changed the heavy bag over to her other hand. ‘She’s about my size, near enough, so what fits me should fit her.’
‘We’ve passed a few stalls with coats on so yer should find something suitable.’ Aggie put her hand on the handle of the bag. ‘Give it to me, it’s heavy and we’ll take turns carrying it.’
Rita was glad to pass it over for the canvas handles were digging into the flesh of her palms. ‘Anything would be better than the coat she’s wearing now. It’s nearly falling to pieces, and it’s always so crumpled I’m sure she sleeps in it.’ She sighed. ‘We’re not exactly well off ourselves, but yer can always find someone worse off than yerself.’
They reached a stall with coats spread out on top of each other, and Aggie stood the bag between her legs. ‘You have a root, queen, and I’ll keep me eye on the bag, If yer see anything exciting, give us a shout.’
It took Rita five minutes to find a really nice coat for Mrs Ponsonby. It was a heavy tweed with a trim fur collar, and although the cuffs were slightly frayed, they could easily be turned up a little. She tried it on to show Aggie, and they both agreed it was a bargain at two shillings. But it wasn’t the only coat Rita spotted. There was a navy blue heavy winter coat which seemed in good condition from what she could see of it. So she handed the first coat to Aggie, and pulled the navy blue one from under the pile to hold up against her.
‘That’s no good, queen,’ Aggie shouted, ‘yer’d get two of Mrs Ponsonby in that, it’s miles too big.’
‘The coat yer’ve got over yer arm is for Mrs Ponsonby, sunshine, I was thinking this one would fit you.’
Aggie pulled a face. ‘Nah, it wouldn’t.’ She was so used to not being able to buy anything to fit her, she shook her head. ‘Yer need glasses, queen, if yer think that’ll go anywhere near me.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with my eyesight, Aggie Gordon, and I’ll bet yer a penny that this coat will go on yer.’
‘Away with yer, and don’t be acting the goat.’
Rita huffed and she puffed. Grabbing the tweed coat off her mate’s arm, she pushed the navy blue one at her. ‘I’m not asking yer to try it on, sunshine, I’m telling yer
to. Now do as ye’re told and don’t be so ruddy stubborn.’
And didn’t the coat fit Aggie like a glove, and didn’t the smile on her face show how pleased and proud she was? ‘Ay, queen, it feels as though it’s been made for me. Do I look posh in it?’
‘Only like a million dollars, sunshine, or else Mae West.’
‘Ooh, I wonder how much it is?’ Aggie asked the question, but in her mind was already telling herself that no one was going to separate her from that coat. She loved the colour, it was a thick, warm material, and she felt at home in it. ‘You go and ask how much it is, queen, ’cos yer seem to have more luck than me.’
The stallholder was an elderly woman with white hair plaited into a bun at the nape of her neck. A thick black knitted shawl covered her shoulders, and her heavy black skirt reached down to her sturdy buttoned boots. She had been watching the two women, and when Rita approached, said, ‘That coat fits yer friend like a glove. Good quality, too, and never been worn much.’
Oh, dear, thought Rita, it sounds as though she’s after a good price for it. It was probably worth it, too, but could Aggie afford it? ‘She loves it, and with her being so big it’s unusual for her to get anything that fits her. She’s conscious of her size, too, so I had to talk her into trying it on.’ There was no way Rita could tell even little white lies to this stallholder who was no doubt having to work hard to keep body and soul together. ‘It depends how much yer want for the coat, ’cos my mate doesn’t have much money.’
Faded blue eyes moved from Rita to where Aggie was standing. ‘I couldn’t let it go for less than three shillings. It’s worth a lot more than that, it hasn’t been worn much. Came from a house where the people can afford to throw clothes out after wearing them only a few times. My son goes out with his cart to the rich areas in the city, and sometimes gets a real bargain like the coat yer friend has taken a fancy to. I hope she can manage the three bob. She looks good in it, and looking at her I’d say she was a warm-hearted woman.’
