by Jonker, Joan
Ten minutes later the three women were sitting around Bessie’s table and she was telling them that Evelyn was getting married in four weeks’ time. The man she was marrying was called Philip, and he was the one who had given them all that money at Christmas. They were getting married in a church in Mossley Hill, and Evelyn was saying she would be buying a wedding dress in ivory, with her being a widow. Milly was going to be bridesmaid, and a friend of Evelyn’s called Gwen had been asked to be maid-of-honour. It sounded like a big posh affair, and she wouldn’t mind going to see it. Then she told her mates a little about the Lister-Sinclairs’ house. How they had carpets in every room, pictures and chandeliers. ‘Yer might get to see it for yerselves one of these days, yer never know.’
Aggie huffed. ‘A snowball stands more chance in hell than we ever do of getting inside a posh house like that! They’d think we were beggars and chase us.’
‘Well, it all depends.’ Bessie sounded mysterious. ‘I’ve got something to tell yer, and I want yer to give me yer honest opinion on what yer think I should do for the best.’ She raised her thumb to the ceiling. ‘Keep yer voices down, for heaven’s sake, or I won’t be able to tell yer if Milly comes down.’
Bessie went over everything that had been said in Cyril’s office, and as the story was unfolding the expressions on the faces of her two best mates changed every few seconds. Aggie nudged Rita so many times her side would be black and blue. But although there were gasps of surprise, they didn’t once interrupt.
‘So there yer have it, and I don’t know what to do for the best. It’s kept me awake half the night. First I think I should go, then the next minute I think I couldn’t leave this little house after living here all me life. So what do yer think I should do for the best?’
‘I’d give it a try,’ Rita said without hesitation. ‘Yer’d be a fool to turn down an offer like that, especially as yer say everyone was friendly and they treated yer like one of their own. I don’t know why yer didn’t agree right away, knowing yer’d be with Milly. Yer’d break yer heart if yer didn’t see her every day, yer know that.’
‘She’s right,’ Aggie said. ‘Yer’d be living in the lap of luxury, with yer own rooms and a bathroom as well.’ She hoisted her bosom and leaned her elbows on the table. ‘Did they really say yer could invite me and Rita?’
‘As often as yer want to come. Mr Cyril knew about yer, ’cos Milly had told him. Oh, and Jack as well.’ Bessie sighed. ‘I think it might be too good to be true. Perhaps I wouldn’t fit in. I can’t speak posh, I don’t know which knife to use first at the dinner table … oh, there’s all sorts of things to think about.’
‘Yer had yer dinner with them last night, didn’t yer?’ Rita asked. ‘Then yer didn’t eat with yer fingers, surely, so yer must have learnt something.’
‘I just followed what everyone else did. Nobody sat watching me, they’re far too nice for that, and not a bit stuck up.’
‘It’s up to you, sunshine, but I think yer’d be mad to turn down an offer like that. Don’t yer agree with me, Aggie?’
‘Yeah, I do! And she’d be selfish, as well. I mean, like, how else are you and me ever going to get into a toff’s house? And to be able to go to the lavvy without having to go down the bleeding yard! I bet they’ve got that posh toilet paper we see in rolls in the shops.’ Aggie’s chins swept from side to side as she told Bessie, ‘I think it would be selfish of yer to turn it down. Ye’re not thinking about us two, are yer? Don’t yer think we’d like to swan up the driveway what yer told us about, in our best secondhand clothes? Don’t be so bleeding miserable and grab the offer with both hands.’
‘That’s something ye’re going to have to learn not to do,’ Bessie said. ‘Yer don’t use any bad language when yer come to visit me.’
Rita smiled. ‘So yer are taking the job?’ When Bessie nodded, she said, ‘I’m glad for yer, sunshine, I know ye’re doing the right thing. Me and Aggie will give yer a week to settle in, then we’ll pay our first visit. And I’ll bring a gag with me to stick in her mouth if she forgets to watch her language.’
Bessie had been living with the Lister-Sinclairs for three days. Although Matilda had told Cyril things were going very well, he decided on the fourth day to come home at lunchtime and see for himself. He knew his wife could be difficult sometimes, having been spoilt by him since the day they wed. He didn’t tell her he would be back, wanting to surprise her and to see for himself how Bessie was fitting in. Milly had gone back to school, but would be leaving it the following week to go to a private school which was nearer her new home. She spent a lot of time in Bessie’s room, and Cyril was hoping that would change when the trial week was over and she’d agreed to stay on. She seemed to be happy enough whenever he saw her and he was keeping his fingers crossed. He would be very upset if she told him she wanted to go back to her own house.
Cyril let himself in the front door and put a finger to his mouth when the maid came to take his coat. ‘I will have some lunch, Maisie,’ he said softly, ‘a sandwich will do. This is a surprise visit to see how Miss Bessie is settling in.’
The maid grinned. ‘She’s settling in very well, Mr Cyril. Everyone likes her. She’s very funny, always laughing.’
Cyril nodded and turned away, hoping Matilda appreciated Bessie’s humour too. ‘They’re in the drawing room, are they?’
‘Yes, they finished their lunch some time ago.’
He stood outside the door, listening, and heard Bessie’s voice saying, ‘My mother’s name was Matilda.’
‘Oh, what a coincidence!’ his wife said. ‘I’m surprised they didn’t call you Matilda then, instead of Bessie.’
‘I wasn’t christened Bessie, my real name is Elizabeth. But my mam said it was too much of a mouthful, so from then on I got Bessie.’
Cyril was about to knock when Bessie spoke again. ‘My mam didn’t get Matilda either, she was always called Tilly. It suited her, too, like a pet name.’
‘Tilly!’ Matilda laughed. ‘That’s a funny name!’
‘I didn’t think so, I liked it. It was more friendly, ’cos all our neighbours had pet names for people they liked. Margaret was shortened to Maggie, Clementine to Clemmie, and so on.’
‘Would I suit Tilly, do you think?’
‘Ooh, don’t ask me, sweetheart, I don’t want yer husband giving me down the banks.’
Cyril smiled and turned away from the door. He wouldn’t intrude, not when they seemed to be on such friendly terms. He’d have his sandwich in the kitchen and then go back to the office.
On Friday morning, Oscar called to see him. ‘My wife is curious to know if Bessie has made up her mind yet?’ He sat down in a chair facing Cyril. ‘We are both of the opinion that you have a gem in her, and agree you should do your best to hang on to her. She is down-to-earth, honest, practical, and with a very sunny disposition. The very qualities that will help Milly grow into a sensible girl with her feet firmly on the ground.’
Cyril nodded. ‘She seems to have found favour with everyone, and I’m hoping we have found favour with her. Milly would be devastated if Bessie went back to her own house. In fact, I think she would pine and make herself ill if they were parted. But there’s little we can do, it is up to Bessie. Tomorrow sees her week’s trial over, and I am really keeping my fingers crossed. It’s not only Milly, either. Matilda gets on really well with Bessie, and you know how hard to please my wife is! However, there is little I can do but hope.’
‘Why don’t we bring the matter forward and then you’ll have your mind put at rest?’ Oscar asked. ‘I could come with you, on some pretext, so Bessie won’t feel she’s being ambushed. And if push came to shove, I could always add my plea to yours. I’m quite good at pleading. What do you say, old boy?’
‘I think it would be a good idea, but it would have to be this afternoon after lunch. Evelyn will be there then. She’s visited Bessie a few times this week, they seem to be fast friends. I’d be so glad if Matilda could be close to them too.’
Cyril closed the folder he’d been going through and placed it at the side of the desk. ‘Have you any business to attend to or shall we have a drink at the club and an early lunch? I’d say two o’clock would be a good time to arrive home. Bessie has to leave at three to pick Milly up from school.’
‘So Evelyn calls to see Milly too, does she?’
Cyril nodded. ‘Usually Philip is with her, he wants Milly to get to know him.’
Oscar smiled at him across the desk. ‘Life has changed radically for you over the last few weeks, hasn’t it? And all to the good.’
‘I feel a new man, my boy, and a much younger man. My dear wife and I can’t believe how lucky we are. The house has come alive with Milly and Bessie there. There is a homely feel about it, and when Milly’s laughter fills the rooms, it’s like music to my ears.’ Cyril pushed his chair back. ‘To the club, dear boy, we can pass an hour away talking of how life was, and how it is today.’
‘Hello, Mr Oscar.’ Maisie smiled as she took his coat. ‘It is nice to see you.’
‘Where are the ladies?’ Cyril asked. ‘In the drawing room?’
‘Yes, Mr Cyril. They finished their lunch half an hour ago. Shall I bring a tray in?’
‘No, my dear, Oscar and I have just come from the club.’ He walked towards the drawing room with Oscar close on his heels. Cyril opened the door to hear Bessie say, ‘I think a colour like hyacinth blue would suit Milly, and it would look nice with your ivory.’
The men had entered quietly, and the women started when Cyril said, ‘Do you think I would suit hyacinth blue, Bessie?’
She shook her head. ‘No, Mr Cyril, it wouldn’t go with yer complexion at all. Far better stick with the grey top hat and tails that Matilda was saying yer’ll be wearing.’
Oscar kissed each of the ladies in turn. ‘Plans for the wedding going well, are they, Evelyn? Gwen and I are looking forward to it. Her parents have agreed to have the two boys for the day.’
When Evelyn smiled, he thought how much she had mellowed. All from her love of Philip, who clearly adored her in return. ‘Yes, we seem to be organised. Invitations have gone out, the reception has been booked, flowers ordered and cars attended to. I have had a fitting for my dress, and you probably know that Gwen had hers at the same time. There is only Milly to worry about now. She is being very stubborn, insisting that Bessie should make her dress.’
‘I don’t mind, Evelyn, as long as you show me a pattern and get the same material as Gwen’s. I’d need three yards, ’cos I wouldn’t want to skimp it. And there’s no need to worry, I’ll make sure she looks as lovely as she is.’ Then she said something that brought a smile to every face. ‘I’ll see if I can manage to get me sewing machine up here tomorrow so I can make a start as soon as I have the material. It’s only a hand machine, I think I could manage it on the tram.’
‘Does that mean you’ve decided to stay with us?’ Cyril asked. ‘To make this your home?’
‘Of course it does, yer daft thing! There was never any doubt of that. I’m happy here, I get on with everyone. That is, if you’re satisfied with me?’
There was a chorus of approval and Oscar said, ‘I’ll take you home tomorrow and help you with the sewing machine. And there must be other things you want from your home?’
‘I don’t need any furniture, seeing as my rooms here are already furnished, but there are a few things I must have, sentimental things that belonged to my parents. I wouldn’t part with them. And I’ll have to ask me two mates to give the rent collector a week’s notice for me, and pay him the two weeks’ rent. Oh, and they’ll stop the coalman and the milkman too, and that’s the lot.’
‘What about your furniture?’ Oscar asked. ‘Won’t you try and sell it?’
‘I’ll let my two mates do it. It isn’t worth much, but they’d get a few bob for it and they’d be grateful ’cos they aren’t well off. One of the local secondhand shops will empty the house so the landlord won’t have any complaints.’
‘That’s something I’ll have to think about, too,’ Evelyn said. ‘I’ll come with you to meet Milly, and we can talk about it on the way.’
Cyril put his hand on Bessie’s shoulder. ‘We’ll leave you ladies now, but I’m delighted you are going to stay with us. I shall go back to my office a very happy man.’
Oscar went as far as kissing Bessie’s cheek. ‘I’ll pick you up at ten o’clock in the morning and we’ll sort out your affairs then. And for now, welcome to our circle of friends.’
Chapter Thirty-Two
‘I’ll make us a cup of tea to warm us up,’ Bessie said, ‘it’s freezing in here ’cos the fire hasn’t been lit all week. Would yer rather just take the sewing machine and I can come back another day for the other things?’
Oscar shook his head as he looked around the small room. ‘No, Bessie, this is a very warm overcoat, I don’t feel the cold. We may as well get it all done in the one journey.’
She had seen his eyes going around the room, and chuckled. ‘Bit of a difference to the Lister-Sinclairs’, eh? But it was home to me mam and dad, and it’s been home to me all me life. I’ll miss it, for the memories it holds, but we can’t have everything we want in life, can we? Being with Milly is the best thing in my life.’ Bessie took a deep breath then blew it out slowly. ‘The sewing machine is on the floor in the bedroom on the right. While you’re doing that, I’ll make us a drink.’
Oscar came down with the Singer hand-sewing machine, which was housed in a wooden case with a handle on top for carrying. ‘You would never have managed this on the tram, Bessie, it’s heavy.’
‘I would have had a go. I might be little and thin, but I’m quite strong.’ She grinned up into his face. ‘I’m glad I didn’t have to, though, ’cos it would have been hard going lifting it on to the tram. So thank you, Mr Oscar, I’m beholden to yer.’
He placed the sewing machine on the floor before asking, ‘Why “Mr” Oscar? We’re getting very formal, aren’t we?’
Bessie scratched her head. ‘To tell yer the truth, I don’t know what to call anybody! All the servants call yer Mr Oscar, and they say Mr Cyril, and address Matilda as Madam. And I’m only a servant, so I should do the same, I suppose.’ A picture came into her head and she put a hand over her mouth to try and keep the laughter back. But it didn’t work and she began to chuckle. ‘Can yer imagine it, Oscar. I’m sitting at the dining table, and as yer know it’s a very long table, almost as long as from here to the Pier Head. Anyway, Cyril sits at one end, Matilda at the other, and I’m somewhere about halfway down. And I want the cruet set. Do I leave my chair and fetch it myself, or do I call, “Ay, Madam, would yer pass the cruet set down, please?” Or perhaps, “Shove the salt down, Matilda, there’s a good girl”. Or do I keep me mouth shut and do without the ruddy salt?’
Oscar was shaking with laughter. ‘Oh, Bessie, you are absolutely priceless. I can quite see why Milly won’t be parted from you. You are really going to be an asset to everyone in that house.’
‘Ay, ay, ay! It’s all right for you laughing, but that doesn’t help me, does it? I want you to tell me how to address people, before I get the sack after only being there a week.’
‘You are treated as one of the family, so you address them by their first names. They don’t call you Miss Maudsley or Miss Bessie, do they? And for friends like myself and Philip, it is the same, strictly first names.’
‘Right, that solves that little problem.’ Bessie’s grin appeared. ‘If I get the sack for being too familiar, I’ll expect yer to find me another job, okay?’
He moved towards her and put his arm across her shoulders. ‘I think you can safely say that your home will always be with the Lister-Sinclairs. They know how lucky they are to have you. However, if it will make you feel any better and put your mind at rest, you will always find a job with my family.’
The kettle began to whistle and Bessie made haste towards it, shouting over the noise of the kettle, ‘Yer can always put an offer in, yer know. I’ll go
to the highest bidder.’
Thinking there would never be a dull moment in the Lister-Sinclair household while Bessie was there, Oscar followed her in to the kitchen. ‘I’ll put the machine in the car out of the way, then you can see what else you wish to take with you.’
Bessie poured the hot water into the teapot before following him. And, sure enough, there were dozens of kids around the car. It was so unusual to see one in the street, particularly a big posh one, they were curious. But they weren’t touching it, and moved out of the way to let Oscar put the machine on the back seat. ‘Ay, mister, that’s a smashing car, what make is it?’ one lad asked, eagerly eyeing the leather upholstery and the clocks on the polished wooden dashboard. ‘I bet that cost a lot of money.’
Oscar noted the holes in the boy’s woollen jumper, and the trousers which were far too small for the size of the lad. His shoes were well worn, and he was without socks. ‘It’s a Bentley, made in this country,’ Oscar told him. ‘And one day, when you’re a man, you might have one.’
‘I wish I could,’ another boy said, wistfully, ‘but I never will, ’cos I’ll never have that much money.’
A front door on the opposite side of the street opened and Rita appeared. She’d seen the car, and her two sons were among the crowd of boys. ‘Bessie, if my two are in the way, chase them.’
‘They’re not doing any harm, Rita, don’t be worrying.’ Bessie waved her friend over. ‘Rita, this is Oscar, he’s helping me take some of me things. Oscar, this is Rita, one of me best mates.’
Rita shook his outstretched hand. ‘Pleased to meet yer. Yer’ll have to excuse the way I look, I’m up to me neck in housework.’
Bessie tutted and huffed. ‘Rita Wells, will yer stop making excuses for yerself? Oscar isn’t a snob, and he’s not daft either. He knows yer can’t do housework without getting dirty. I was going to come over to see you and Aggie, ’cos I want yer to do me a couple of favours. But seeing as ye’re here now, yer might as well come in.’ Bessie’s keen eyes spotted Kenny Gordon, and she called, ‘Kenny, go and ask yer mam to come over too. Tell her not to bother putting an evening dress on, or her tiara, it’s only an informal cup of tea.’
