The Wives’ Revenge

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  Four

  Holding her daughter while she slept, Kath had watched as dreams took the girl’s mind to a nicer place.

  She felt lucky John had not kicked the bedroom door down, but then the amount of ale he’d consumed had prevented that; he could barely stand up let alone kick down a door.

  Thinking it through, Kath knew the time had now come to do something about that man. She and Violet could leave, but with no money except the little housekeeping he gave her, Kath knew they wouldn’t survive long. The money Harry had left her after his death had, by law, reverted to John on the day of their marriage. Kath had been a fool to have married him, but love is blind, they say. Was it love though? Did she love him? Thinking back, she realised she did not. Then why did she marry him? So she wouldn’t be alone when the time came for Violet to marry and leave home.

  Kath had been terrified of living alone, but now she wished she hadn’t been so quick to marry and taken in by Sligo, for then none of this would have happened and Violet would have been safe.

  Poor girl, no man would want Violet now – soiled goods. Her heart ached for her young daughter; Kath felt she had failed her, but she resolved to protect her only child in the future, for all her life if need be.

  *

  Hearing John stomp around the house getting ready for work, she’d waited for the slamming of the back door before getting up to make Violet’s breakfast.

  Violet stirred as Kath moved from the bed. ‘Mum?’

  ‘Mornin’, love,’ she said gently, ‘you hungry?’

  Eyes wide with fear, Violet listened and Kath assured her, ‘It’s all right, John’s gone to work, come on we’ll have a fry-up!’

  Violet jumped from the bed; standing before her mother, she said, ‘Oh Mum, I’m so sorry,’ the tears welling in her eyes.

  ‘Bab…’ Kath used the old Black Country term of affection, ‘you have nothing to be sorry for… but that pig John Sligo has! I intend to make sure he gets what’s coming to him. Now, you get ready for school.’

  After a hearty breakfast, Violet set off on her walk to Mesty Croft School with Kath’s words ringing in her ears, ‘You remember what I told you about that Primrose Berry!’

  With Violet gone, Kath wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and set off herself down Hobbins Street and across the town to the marketplace. She knew the miners’ wives would be shopping at the stalls there looking for cheap cuts of meat to make a meal from; they could not afford to buy at the butcher’s shop in Trouse Lane like she could.

  Sidling up to a tall woman dressed in a bottle green blouse and a long black skirt with a green shawl wrapped around her shoulders, Kath heard the jolly banter she was having with the man running the vegetable stall.

  Looking at Kath, the woman nodded. ‘Hello Kath.’

  ‘Hello Martha,’ she replied.

  Martha Slater was an old friend and wife to Geordie who also worked at the pit, and Kath knew he and John drank together, along with others.

  Martha looked at her and said knowingly, ‘I hear there’s cheap meat further along; I think you and me should have a look.’

  Turning, Martha grabbed Kath’s elbow and pushed her forward in order to walk down the market together, nodding their greetings to others as they went.

  ‘Don’t often see you down here no more,’ Martha said as they walked, ‘an’ I can see you’re here for a reason, Kath Sligo.’

  Tears filled her eyes as Kath looked at her friend, saying, ‘Just Kath, if you don’t mind, Martha.’

  The woman stopped and, turning to her, said, ‘I see. Meeting then is it?’

  Kath nodded and Martha resumed, ‘Right. You get off home and I’ll round ’em up. Get the kettle on, we won’t be long.’ Pulling her shawl around her in a business like fashion, Martha pushed her head up to scan the market, then set off in search of the other wives of the coal miners.

  Walking home, Kath reflected on her long-time friendships with the wives; of how she and Harry had enjoyed their company over the years. On Harry’s death, they had rallied around Violet and herself, offering support as well as practical help. However, when Kath had married John, their visits to the house became less frequent until eventually they stopped altogether. Kath knew why, they hated John Sligo. John didn’t like his wife mixing with the other wives, believing he and his wife were above everyone else. Kath had never believed it for an instant and occasionally she would go surreptitiously to the marketplace to catch up with her old friends. They did not hide their dislike of Kath’s husband and she respected them for it.

  Now she was about to ask their help. Would they give it? Dread descended over her like a shroud as she set out mugs for tea and cut a cake she’d baked the previous day, waiting to see who, if anyone, would turn up.

  *

  Kath heard the chattering of the women before they entered her kitchen. No knock came, for there was never the need to knock on a friend’s door, and her heart lifted at the good omen. These women were here as her friends… to help.

  Around the kitchen table sat Martha Slater, Geordie’s wife; Mary Forbes, married to Jim, and Annie Green, married to Charlie.

  Kath looked at the women one by one. Martha, tall and straight with confidence in abundance. Always dressed in dark colours, Martha never wore any cosmetics or scent. She was outspoken to the point of being rude, caring little for what people thought of her. She was a bossy boots and had always been seen as the leader of their little group. Kath thought she would have made an excellent good witch in children’s stories. Martha cared strongly about people but had difficulty showing her emotions, but to her friends, Martha was the most loyal, honest person in the world. She and Geordie had eight children and she adored them all.

  Kath’s eyes moved to Mary Forbes. Short and a little overweight, Mary was not the sharpest knife in the drawer. She spoke without thinking, which had often caused raucous laughter from the others. Her blue eyes would twinkle as she constantly tried to shove her wayward mousy brown hair back into place as it escaped the confines of its pins. She and her husband Jim had decided not to have any children when they married and Mary made no secret of the fact. It wasn’t that she didn’t like kids, she just didn’t want any of her own. She also had a strong loyal bond to her friends, one they’d shared since being children.

  Then there was Annie Green. Kath’s eyes settled on her friend. She was seen as the lady of the group. Her skin was smooth and fresh, even in winter, and her light brown hair shone as did her blue-green eyes. The slightest dab of rouge on her cheeks, which she wore every time she went out, gave her a healthy glow. Annie often walked on the heath in the summer collecting herbs and flowers to dry for use in her cooking and her skin creams. Her clothes, although old, were always immaculate. She took pride in her appearance at all times. Annie and Charlie had never been blessed with children which Kath knew was what her friend wanted above all else. It was a constant sadness to her which she kept well hidden.

  Tea and cake served and general chat over with, Martha spoke. ‘So Kath, what’s up?’

  Breathing deeply, Kath began with, ‘Firstly, I’m sorry I haven’t been able to socialise as we used to, but John…’

  Mary cut the sentence in half with a sharp, ‘Oh him! Don’t you worry none about that, love, just tell us what’s going on.’

  Kath knew without doubt that these women would keep her secret when they learned of it, and drawing another deep breath, she lunged in, ‘I need to be rid of John Sligo!’

  The faces of the women around the table never flinched. All but Annie, whose hands were placed neatly in her lap, sat with arms crossed over chests and each nodded for her to continue.

  Right, Kath thought, so far, so good.

  ‘I can’t leave him because he has my money, as you all know…’ More nods. ‘So…’ she faltered.

  Annie asked gently, ‘Kath, what’s he done to bring you to this, wench?’ The women leaned forward in order not to miss a word.

  With silent tears ro
lling down her cheeks, Kath said quietly, ‘He’s raped my Violet!’

  Hands flew to mouths in shock as the women’s eyes widened.

  ‘Oh my God!’ Martha gasped.

  Kath nodded, saying, ‘He beat her with a belt first and… I have to stop him!’ She burst into tears, great sobs racking her thin frame.

  Annie shot from her seat to envelop her friend in her arms as she cried. ‘Let it go, Kath, let it go. It does no good to hold on to it,’ she comforted.

  The others sat quietly watching the woman, who at one time was filled with confidence, now a sobbing wreck.

  This was John Sligo’s doing. He had worn Kath down to leave her a shadow of her former self.

  Martha stood using her stock phrase, ‘Right, more tea… this needs a deal o’ thinkin’ on!’

  All morning and most of the afternoon was spent discussing ways of dealing with John Sligo. It was decided that Kath pack Violet’s things and she would go to stay with Martha and her family. They lived halfway down Hobbins Street, so it was not far, but she was away from Sligo. All the kids got along fine so that wouldn’t be a problem for Violet. John was to be told Martha had invited Violet to stay over with her kids for a time, and Kath promised if he got antsy with her she would go to Annie Green’s house. Kath explained she needed to remain in the house to have it out with John once and for all. Annie and Mary lived at the end of the same street, next door to each other.

  It was also decided that the women would talk over Kath’s problem with their men. Confidentiality assured, she reluctantly agreed.

  ‘We’ll need another meeting at the end of the week,’ Martha said in her usual bossy way. The others nodded, and she continued, ‘It looks like we, the Wednesbury Wives club, have quite a task ahead of us.’

  *

  By the time Violet arrived home from school, her things were packed and Kath told her she would be staying at Martha’s house a while for her own safety. Relief showed on the girl’s face as she checked she had all the things she would need.

  After an early tea to avoid seeing John, Violet and Kath walked down the street to Martha’s house. Kath explained on the way that Martha was aware of what had gone on and she assured Violet that their secret would be safe. She watched as her daughter relaxed a little knowing she would be welcomed by Martha.

  Violet had no problems settling right in amongst the hoard of laughing children in the Slater household.

  Martha hugged Kath as she left, saying she and the others would be round on Friday morning and not to worry about Violet, she was now out of harm’s way.

  Walking home, tiredness overcame her as Kath thought about what would happen when John returned from work. Sitting on the sofa once she got back in, she fell asleep through pure exhaustion.

  *

  It was a while later when Kath woke to the sound of John slamming the door and marching into the living room. He had gone straight to the pub from work and had by all accounts quite a skinful.

  Standing with legs astride, he looked around and sniffed audibly.

  ‘I don’t smell anything cooking,’ he said spitefully.

  ‘That would be because nothing is cooking,’ Kath said sarcastically, remaining on the sofa and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

  ‘Oh I see! Gone on strike have we?’ His accusatory tone lanced into her. Striding across the room, he raised his hand high.

  ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you, John Sligo!’

  The hand came down hard and hit Kath’s face with such force she toppled sideways on the sofa as he said, ‘Well you ain’t me!’ Stepping back to look at her, he went on, ‘Now, woman, get my tea ready, and make it bloody quick!’

  Kath jumped to her feet and lashed out at her husband, her hand catching him sharply on his cheek. Anger rushed through her in a torrent. ‘I’ve had about as much of you as I can stand!’ she yelled. ‘First you force your filthy ways on my girl, and now you think to set about me? No Sligo! You’ve had the last fun you’ll ever have with my family!’

  Shocked at her outburst, John wavered as Kath’s raging continued.

  ‘I warned you John…’

  Coming quickly to his senses again, he began to rain blows down on his wife.

  With a surge of adrenaline and a screech like a banshee, Kath launched herself at him. Absolute fury fuelled her actions as she kicked out at him; her fists pummelled him at every chance she got.

  ‘I want you out of this house!’ Kath yelled. ‘I don’t ever want to see you again, you filthy swine!’

  John tried to grab her wrists in an effort to quell the anger he saw for the first time in his wife, but Kath was too quick for him.

  On and on they battled until tiredness began to take the place of anger.

  With a last show of strength, the palms of her hands struck his chest, which forced him backwards. Her last-ditch attempt to get him away from her. She watched, as if in a daze, as he toppled backwards in slow motion and she heard the sickly crack as his head bounced off the corner of the stone mantelpiece. She heard his strangled cry as he landed hard on the stone hearth.

  ‘Get up you horrible little man! Get up and get out!’ Kath berated her prone husband but John had stopped moving.

  Slowly her anger began to subside and as she looked at the body on the floor Kath’s first thought was – had she killed him? As she stood staring down at him, she saw the blood begin to pool around his head which still lay on the hearth. Fear gripped her and she turned and fled from the house.

  As Kath ran to Annie Green’s house, she felt her face swell and her eye begin to close. That would be black come morning, but all Kath could think about was John lying unmoving on the floor.

  Annie looked at her as Kath walked into her kitchen, saying, ‘Christ girl! Come on in, look at the state of you!’ Pulling Kath inside to her glowing fire, she called, ‘Charlie, pour a cuppa for Kath!’

  Kath sat in front of the fire, shaking from head to foot.

  Annie asked, ‘What’s happened, wench? Mind you, looking at your face I can see for myself!’

  Kath couldn’t speak, she was in shock. Taking the cup offered by Charlie, her hand shook so badly the tea slopped onto her skirt.

  Annie grasped the cup and helped move it to Kath’s lips. ‘Come on, sip this. It will help a bit.’

  Kath did as she was bid and very slowly the shaking left her limbs.

  ‘What’s caused this?’ Charlie asked as he sat in his armchair.

  Kath shuddered violently as she heard Annie’s words. ‘Sligo’s raped Violet!’

  ‘Bloody hell!’ Charlie said, sitting bolt upright.

  Annie nodded as she continued to help Kath drink her tea.

  ‘Where’s Violet now?’ he asked as he got to his feet.

  ‘Martha’s house,’ Annie answered.

  Charlie sat down again, saying, ‘Kath, I ain’t saying nothing you don’t already know… but I ain’t got no time fer that man!’

  Giving an understanding smile which only raised the corners of her mouth, Kath answered with a sob, ‘I know, Charlie, no one has.’

  ‘We are having a meeting on Friday mornin’… to decide what’s to be done about all this,’ said Annie.

  ‘Well wench, you know yer can rely on us blokes if yer need us, and Kath…’ patting her hand, Charlie went on, ‘yer secret is safe with us.’

  The silent tears rolled down Kath’s cheeks unchecked and feeling uncomfortable at the sight of her crying, Charlie stood to say goodnight and head for his bed.

  ‘Charlie… I think John is dead!’ Kath blurted out.

  Five

  Martha’s children jostled to sit next to Violet on the floor around a set of rough-hewn building blocks. Three sets of twins, all boys, and two girls were quite a handful, but Martha loved them all the same.

  They were excited that Violet was staying with them and she was to sleep top to toe with the eldest girl Nancy. She always got on famously with the whole family and the joy of her being there raised
no questions as to why, they just enjoyed being with her, and she with them.

  After a hearty supper, Violet snuggled down beneath the eiderdown, her head by Nancy’s feet, and sighed. Her belly was full, she was in a warm bed, and she was safe with friends. Nancy wiggled her feet when she said goodnight and they both giggled.

  Violet woke in the night with terrible pains in her stomach and she got up to visit the lavatory outside. Lighting the lantern hung in the toilet building with the matches kept at its side, she saw blood in her pyjamas. She began to panic but then realised… she had started her monthlies. Back indoors, she changed quickly into clean nightwear and made her way to the sink in the scullery. As she was trying frantically to wash the blood out of her clothing, she fretted. This would have to happen now, her first time and being away from home. Then a hand touched her shoulder. Jumping out of her skin, Violet cried out, ‘Please… don’t!’

  ‘It’s alright, bab, it’s only me. I heard you get up and I was worried.’

  ‘Oh Martha! I’m sorry I woke you but…’ Violet held up her pyjamas and Martha saw the blood stains.

  ‘Ah right, welcome to the club, Violet, seems you have now become a woman.’ With a smile, she led Violet to a cupboard where she kept all the necessities.

  ‘The “women’s cupboard”…’ she whispered, ‘help yourself. You know what to do?’ Violet nodded and as Martha turned, she added, ‘Leave those pyjamas in the scullery and I’ll boil them tomorrow.’ Then she returned to her bed.

  As Violet lay in bed once more, she reflected. Her mother had told her all about ‘becoming a woman’, of pregnancy and childbirth. A shudder ran through her when she thought about John Sligo and what he’d done to her. She said a silent prayer of thanks that her periods had only just now started. God knows what might have happened had she become pregnant by the ghastly man! Closing her eyes tight, she sent up another silent prayer of thanks to the Almighty. Grateful she didn’t have to remain living under the same roof as that monster, Violet still worried for her mother. She hoped with all her heart her mum would be alright.