The Pride of Polly Perkins

by Joan Jonker

  He rose from his chair when Charles entered the room, bringing a draught of cold air with him. ‘This is a surprise, Charles. Are you so rich you don’t have to work like us poor devils?’

  Charles laughed as he unwound the scarf from his neck. He was a very successful shipping merchant, and although he did go down to his office most days, it was only to fill in his time. He had very good managers and the business would go on without him. ‘Have you any of that excellent whisky left, John? It’s jolly cold out there and I could do with something to warm me up.’

  ‘Come through to the lounge, it’s more comfortable in there.’ John motioned for Charles to precede him. ‘And more importantly, the whisky is in there.’

  When they were seated in front of the roaring fire, Charles crossed his legs and cupped his hands around the glass. ‘I’ve come to ask about your housekeeper, Ada Perkins. I believe housekeeper is the right word?’

  John looked surprised and none too pleased. ‘If you are asking if she is my mistress, the answer is no. I’d be a very happy man if she was, I have to admit, but if she were here now she would tell you she is my cleaning lady. And being the person she is, I’m afraid that is all she will ever be. So if your interest lies in that direction, I must warn you that you would be wasting your time.’

  Charles’s look of shock turned to one of amusement. ‘My dear fellow, I am perfectly happy with the wife I have! Victoria and I may have our differences from time to time, but she satisfies my needs, if you follow my meaning. I have no call to look elsewhere.’ He swirled the whisky around in his glass as he brought to mind the face and voice of Maureen Roscoe. He’d only seen the woman a few times, that was on the rare occasions their gentlemen-only club was open to lady visitors. A most unpleasant woman, he recalled, both physically and socially. No one would blame John for taking a mistress – in fact, most people probably thought he did have one. ‘She’s a very attractive woman and I for one wouldn’t blame you. Like Polly, she’s a bit rough around the edges but a little polishing would have them both shining like diamonds.’

  ‘I wouldn’t want to change a thing about Ada,’ John said. ‘I like her just the way she is – lovely, warm-hearted, funny and down-to-earth. What you see with Ada Perkins is what you get. She doesn’t pretend to be anything but a working-class housewife who has been forced to go out to work to keep her family together. No lies, no fancy trappings.’ He thought for a while before adding, ‘For instance, when she told you she got her dress off the rag and bone man, she wasn’t joking as you thought. That is precisely where she did get it, and another one which looks just as attractive on her. And she wouldn’t be ashamed to tell you that the rag man lives in the house next door. They are both tenants of mine and that is how I met Ada. Her husband had been taken into hospital and she wasn’t able to pay her full rent. She didn’t try and hide like other tenants would have done, she faced me and told me she didn’t have enough to pay her rent, and asked if I would give her some time. She’d found a cleaning job for a few hours each morning, but the pay was only twelve and six a week. An amount you and I would pay for our cigars. I was impressed by her honesty and offered her a job here. And that is the whole story, except I have to say it was the best thing I ever did in my life.’

  Charles looked dazed as he shook his head. ‘You and I live in ivory towers, don’t we, John? It’s a case of – I’m all right, mate, to hell with everyone else.’

  ‘Perhaps I see a little more of life than you, Charles, because I have property in the poorer parts of the city. I do what I can to help, but with the best will in the world you can’t help everyone.’ John refilled their glasses before settling down again in the comfortable brown leather upholstered armchair. ‘So there you have the full story of Ada Perkins. I hope that satisfies your interest?’

  ‘Oh, it’s not Ada I’m interested in – it’s her daughter, Polly.’

  ‘What!’ John went to rise from his chair, his face flushed. ‘But the child is only thirteen years of age!’

  Charles saw by John’s face that his words had been misconstrued, and he hastened to put things right. ‘I say, steady on, old man! I am not a bounder, I do not abuse young children! I can assure you that my interest in Polly Perkins is one of a desire to help her. She’s very intelligent, pretty as a picture, has a good head on her shoulders and has an easy, graceful manner. With a little help she could make her mark in the world, become someone, instead of leaving school and going to work slaving in a factory for a pittance. And what a waste that would be.’

  He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, his glass between his hands. ‘So now I’ll tell you how I think I can help Polly, and see if you agree.’

  Chapter Seventeen

  Fanny was scurrying along the hall with a full bucket of water when the knocker sounded. ‘Sod it! The same thing happens every time the bleedin’ bucket’s full. They couldn’t knock when it was empty – oh no, they ’ave to wait until it’s flaming well full.’

  Ada tutted when Fanny opened the door. ‘Yer slowin’ down, Fanny. I’ve been standin’ here all of twelve seconds.’

  Tufts of grey hair had freed themselves from the confines of Fanny’s mobcap and were sticking out in several places. She tucked them in as she waited for Ada to pass. ‘Yer bleedin’ lucky I answered the door at all. Why d’yer always turn up when I’ve got me hands full? D’yer do it accidentally on purpose?’

  ‘Yeah,’ Ada laughed. ‘I lift the letter box to see what yer doin’ and pick the time when it’s most inconvenient.’

  ‘Awkward bugger, that’s what yer are, Ada Perkins. I’ve never worked with no one as awkward as you.’ Fanny winked as she lifted the handle on the bucket. ‘Ay, have yer been misbehavin’ yerself ? I wouldn’t be surprised if yer in for the chop ’cos Mr John’s waitin’ for yer upstairs. He said as soon as yer put yer foot in the door, I ’ad to tell yer he wanted to see yer.’

  ‘Then why didn’t yer?’

  ‘Why didn’t I what, girl?’

  ‘Tell me as soon as I put me foot over the door? It’s you who’ll get the sack, Fanny Delaney, not me! Keeping me here natterin’ instead of passing the message on. I’ll tell Mr John it was your fault. I’m not takin’ the blame.’

  ‘God, but yer can’t half talk, girl! If yer not careful, Mr John will think yer late an’ dock half an hour off yer wages.’ Fanny eyed the stairs with disgust. She was no more fond of them than Aggie had been, even though she was younger and far more sprightly. ‘You go up first, girl, then I can take me time.’ When Ada was halfway up, she called, ‘Ay, remind me to tell yer about the picture I saw this afternoon. It was called The Gold Diggers, with Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell. Dead funny it was, had me laughin’ sacks.’

  Ada turned around when she reached the landing. ‘You won’t half miss me if I get the sack. Yer’ll have no one to tell about the pictures yer see.’

  ‘Don’t worry, girl, Frances Delaney is here, I’ll stick up for yer. If Mr John sacks yer, I’ll have a word in his ear. He thinks very highly of me, does Mr John, he’s always asking me for advice.’ She put her foot on the next stair, muttering, ‘He doesn’t bleedin’ take it, like, but I appreciate him askin’ for it.’

  Ada was smiling when she knocked and entered Mr John’s office. ‘You wanted to see me?’

  John stood up and her happy face brought a smile to his. ‘You look full of the joys of spring, Ada.’

  ‘Anyone would be hard put to be miserable when Fanny’s around. She’s a real case.’

  ‘What’s she been saying now?’

  ‘She said if yer sack me then she’ll have a word with yer ’cos yer think very highly of her. Always asking her for advice, yer are.’ Ada then gave a very good impersonation of Fanny’s voice. ‘He doesn’t bleedin’ take it, like, but I appreciate him askin’ for it.’

  ‘There are times when I could do with some advice, so I’ll keep Fanny in mind.’ It’s strange, John was thinking, that the only time I can enjoy a good laugh is
when I’m in the company of my cleaners. Then he told himself there was nothing strange about it. They were normal, down-to-earth people who had learned to laugh in the face of adversity. You didn’t need money to laugh. ‘Will you close the door, Ada, I have something to discuss with you.’

  ‘I hope it won’t take long, Mr John, ’cos I haven’t even started work yet.’ Ada closed the door then sat facing him. ‘Yer not gettin’ yer money’s worth out of me.’

  John chuckled. ‘If you never did a tap, Ada, I’d get my money’s worth just from looking at you. I won’t embarrass you, suffice to say you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’ He moved a pile of papers to the side of his desk to give him space to rest his elbows. ‘Now what I have to say has nothing to do with me, I’ve merely been asked to be the messenger.’

  ‘A messenger for who, Mr John?’

  ‘Charles Denholme. You remember, you met him last night?’

  ‘Of course I remember! Me an’ Polly were talking about him before I left the house. She was dead chuffed when I told her I’d met him.’

  ‘Your daughter seems to have made quite an impression on Charles. He came to see me this morning because he’d like to help her.’

  Ada looked puzzled. ‘How d’yer mean, he’d like to help her?’

  ‘Well, he reckons Polly’s got the brains to get on in life. He said she’s bright, pretty, and excellent with people.’ John rapped a knuckle on the desk top. ‘It’s a funny world, isn’t it, Ada? He’s known your daughter longer than I’ve known you.’

  With a flick of her wrist, Ada brushed this aside. ‘Our Polly is bright – she always comes first or second in class. But what’s that got to do with Mr Denholme?’

  John stretched his arm across the desk and held out an open palm. He waited with baited breath until one of Ada’s hands was lying in his, then he held it tight, not knowing who needed the comfort more, himself or Ada. ‘Remember I play no part in this other than being the messenger. I promised Charles I would put his proposition to you, and there my involvement ends. But I think you should hear the full story before making a hasty decision. What Charles is suggesting is that Polly goes to work in his house as a junior housemaid.’

  ‘What!’ Ada didn’t wait to hear any more. ‘My Polly’s only thirteen – she doesn’t leave school until next Christmas! An’ how does he think being a maid will help her get on in the world? A junior housemaid is only a skivvy!’

  ‘Ada, in fairness to Charles I think you should listen to all he had to say before passing comment. From what I gathered, Polly would not be a skivvy. She would help his housekeeper for part of the day, then she would take lessons with Charles’s two children. They are roughly Polly’s age and they have a private tutor. Her education would be of the best, that is one thing I’m convinced of.’

  ‘But she’d be out of place with Mr Denholme’s children. She doesn’t have posh clothes like they’ll have, an’ my Polly’s too proud to be looked down on.’ Ada squeezed her eyes tight, trying to take it all in. ‘She’d have to make their beds an’ wait on them, then sit next to them in her shabby clothes while they’re havin’ their lessons with this tutor feller! No, I wouldn’t put my daughter in that position, Mr John, I love her too much for that.’

  ‘If you’ll let me finish telling you what Charles had to say, then you’ll have a clearer picture in your mind. She would receive five shillings a week wages, her clothes would be bought for her, and she’d have her own room. Even though she would be expected to do some housework to earn her keep, Charles said she would be treated as well as his own children.’ John ran a hand across his brow. ‘He seems genuinely fond of Polly, and I formed an opinion that he hopes your daughter’s warmth and personality would rub off on his own children. He has no illusions about them; he says they are spoiled rotten and could learn a lot from Polly. Actually, he said she could run circles round them.’

  But Ada was shaking her head. ‘No, I’m not losing Polly. It’s bad enough being without Tommy, I couldn’t bear to be without me daughter as well. Tell Mr Denholme I’m thankful to him, but I need me family around me. We might not have any money, but we’ve got somethin’ that money can’t buy, somethin’ worth more than all the riches in the world. And that’s love, Mr John.’

  ‘Ada, I understand how you feel, but I think there is some merit in Charles’s offer and I don’t think you should dismiss it out of hand. Polly would receive a good education that would enable her to get a decent job, that is something worth thinking about. Also, she’d only be two minutes away from here in Percy Street, and she could see you whenever she wanted. If it turned out she was unhappy there, she could walk out of the door whenever she wished. There is nothing binding to keep her there.’

  ‘I can’t win, can I?’ Ada looked lost. ‘If I say she can’t go I’ll spend the rest of me life blaming meself for keeping her back. But I can’t bear the thought of her not bein’ there every day when I get home. She’s the only one I can talk to. Our Joey’s too young an’ I only see Tommy for half an hour once a week. I don’t know what to do for the best, Mr John, an’ I want to do the best for both me kids.’

  ‘You can always talk to me, Ada, I’ve told you that. But this is a family matter and I don’t want to persuade you one way or the other. All I’ll say is, you must do what you want to do.’

  ‘Oh, Mr John, since when have people like me been able to do what we want to do? I’d like to put a joint of meat on me table every Sunday, that’s what I want. I’d like to take the children into town and buy them new clothes instead of second-hand ones, that’s what I want. I’d like me coal-hole full of coal, me rent up-to-date and money always on hand for the gas meter. Those are all things I want but can’t have.’ As she spoke, Ada had been looking down at her clasped hands lying in her lap; now she raised her head and looked him in the eyes. ‘No, Mr John, there’ll always be people like me, millions of them, who’ll never be able to do what they want to do. Once yer on the bottom of the scrap heap, that’s where yer stay.’

  John shot out of his chair and rounding the desk he dropped to his knees beside her chair and put his arms around her. ‘My dearest Ada, I could give you all the things you want in life, but I know you wouldn’t accept them from me.’ Gripping her shoulders he turned her to face him. ‘There is one thing you can do for me, and that is to stop calling me Mr John. You’ve no idea how it grates every time I hear it. If I can call you Ada, why the hell can’t you just call me John?’

  ‘Because you’re me boss, that’s why. It wouldn’t be right!’

  ‘To hell with what’s right and what’s wrong! If it make you feel uncomfortable in front of Fanny, then by all means stick with Mr John. But in the privacy of these rooms, it’s to be just plain John from now on. Will you do that to please me?’

  Ada nodded. ‘Yes, John.’

  ‘Thank you.’ He held her close for a brief second and then kissed her cheek before straightening himself up and returning to his chair. ‘About this other matter, Ada, why don’t you talk it over with your husband and see what his feelings are? If he’s dead against it, forget the whole thing. If he’s in favour, then the time will come to ask Polly what she would like to do. After all, it’s her life we’re talking about and the final decision must be hers.’

  ‘Yes. I think that’s the best thing. I’ll have a good talk with Tommy on Sunday an’ we’ll take it from there.’ Ada sighed as she pushed her chair back. ‘I’d better get your rooms done, Mr John, or yer’ll be sleeping in an unmade bed tonight.’

  ‘Ada, who is this Mr John?’

  That brought a smile to her face. ‘I’ll have to remember … John.’

  ‘I don’t know what to say, love, I really don’t.’ Tommy had listened in silence, weighing up every word. ‘I can understand how you feel about her bein’ looked down on, but our Polly wouldn’t stand for that, she’d soon put them in their place.’ His pale face broke into a smile. ‘If she’s the same girl I remember, if she couldn’t put them
in their place she wouldn’t stay around to be insulted. She’d put her coat on an’ walk out with her nose and head in the air.’

  ‘I’m sorry she ever met this Charles Denholme,’ Ada said, ‘then none of this would have happened. Not that I’ve anythin’ against the man, he’s probably very nice and his intentions are genuine. I know our Polly likes him – she calls him her favourite customer. But I’d miss her, Tommy, I don’t know what I’d do without her. She’s intelligent enough to have a serious conversation with an’ we get on so well together.’

  ‘This Mr Denholme must think she’s clever or he wouldn’t be botherin’ about her. I wish I’d had the chance he’s offerin’ Polly. Then I wouldn’t have had to work for peanuts.’ Tommy saw the lost look on his wife’s face and wished he could take those words back. With him not at home, she needed Polly, and he should have thought of that before opening his mouth. ‘Look, love, you’re the one who has to make the choice ’cos it’s you that it’ll affect the most. It’s all well and good me lyin’ here tellin’ yer what I think. I’m not the one goin’ to be left with doin’ two jobs and havin’ our Joey to worry about. It would be too much for yer an’ I think yer should forget the whole thing.’

  ‘I’ve tried doin’ that over the last few days, but I can’t. I keep thinkin’ how our Polly could do so much with her life if she had a decent education. It would open up a whole new world to her, Tommy, an’ I’d feel guilty for the rest of me days if I denied her the chance.’

  Tommy didn’t know what to say. Whichever way it went, one of his family was going to be sorry. ‘What does Mr Roscoe think? He knows this Denholme bloke – he should have a better idea than us.’

  ‘Mr John thinks highly of him, but he said he doesn’t want to get involved. He advised me to talk it over with you and see what your reaction was before mentioning it to Polly.’