by Kitty Neale
‘There’s no time. Come on, boys, we’ll be late for school,’ Pamela said, and ushered them from the room.
‘I’m off too, see ya,’ Gloria said and followed her siblings.
‘Aren’t you going to be late?’ Craig asked Jenny.
‘Actually, I’ve got the day off. The dock strike has affected the factory getting parts in time so Miss Aston offered us a day off, unpaid mind.’
‘Well, seeing as I’m my own boss, how about I skive off today and we can spend it together, unless you’ve already got plans?’
‘No, nothing planned, that would be great.’
‘In that case, let’s jump on the underground up to Trafalgar Square and we can have a look in the National Gallery.’
‘At art?’
‘Yes, why? Not your cup of tea?’
‘No, not really. It’s such a nice day, couldn’t we just walk around London and look at the sights?’
‘If that’s what you want. I couldn’t care less what we do, as long as I’m with you.’
Jenny could feel herself blushing again, but she felt the same. In fact, she missed Craig when she was at work and was always eager to get home to be with him. Still embarrassed by his comment, she said, ‘And we could pick up some fish and chips for supper tonight.’
‘Smashing,’ he replied, ‘I’ll get this set up and then we can go.’
He lightly brushed his lips on hers before turning his attention to the television. Jenny was left feeling like an electric current was buzzing through her. Even the slightest of touches from Craig excited her and there were times when she dreamed about creeping to be beside him on the sofa at night. Of course, she wouldn’t dare and Craig had kept his promise about no funny business, so they hadn’t done anything more than kiss. She would have liked to go further and she thought Craig would too, but it wasn’t possible, not unless they were married.
It was odd, living together but separately, but she was so glad Craig had talked her into it. He’d rescued her, saved her life, and she’d never been happier. If only Gloria could be happy too, then everything would be perfect.
Henry woke up. Though his children had left home over a month ago, he hadn’t adjusted to the silence. The house felt empty without them. He’d thought about finding them to bring them back but Jenny and Gloria were old enough to leave home and would probably refuse. That meant there’d only be Pamela to do the cooking and cleaning, along with looking after the boys, and he doubted the jumpy cow was up to it.
So far he hadn’t seen Lizzie, but like a bad penny he knew she’d eventually turn up. When she did, he’d take great pleasure in telling her that all the kids had buggered off and there was no need to show her face at his door again.
Henry put the kettle on the gas to boil and decided that once and for all, he was better off without the lot of them. He had more money in his pockets, and though the house might feel empty, it was nice and quiet. He looked at his watch. He’d have to get a move on or he’d be late for work, but his stomach growled. As he removed the lid from the bread bin, Henry recoiled in disgust at the green, mouldy loaf. The milk was no better – it had curdled – and he doubted the last remaining egg would be fresh enough to eat.
Frustrated, he slumped on a chair, then kicked the one in front of him. His eyes roamed the room and he realised how much he’d let the place go. It was filthy. Plates and cups filled the sink, and flies were buzzing around. He couldn’t stand it, but he had no intention of cleaning it. That was women’s work, and with no daughters at home and a tart for a wife, he decided he’d have to find himself a new one. This time, though, he’d make sure she was barren and wouldn’t be the sort to answer back.
Chapter 9
Jenny walked towards the factory gates still on a high from the day before. They’d had a lovely day, she and Craig, but the time had flown by so quickly. He’d taken her down Carnaby Street, which had been amazing. A new restaurant had just opened that Craig told her was vegetarian. She thought that was very peculiar and couldn’t imagine a dinner with just spuds and veg.
She wished they could have more days like yesterday. She’d been so carefree with Craig and all her worries had felt far behind her. She’d laughed when he’d splashed her with water from the fountain at Piccadilly Circus, and she’d giggled when he’d chased her up and down the steps of Nelson’s Column, threatening to squidge an ice-cream cone in her face. Today, though, it was back to reality and Jenny prepared herself for another tedious day on the factory line.
She didn’t mind the work; it was easy enough, and the factory were fair employers. The women she worked alongside were nice enough, though Jenny often found them brash and loud. They enjoyed a good gossip, but she rarely joined in. Now she hoped they wouldn’t discover that she was living with Craig as she would surely become a topic of their conversation.
As Jenny approached the gates, she heard the sound of a large vehicle trundling down the road and glanced over her shoulder. She was suddenly struck with fear when, to her horror, she realised it was a dustcart. She had no idea if her father was on the truck and panicked. Instead of darting for cover, she stood transfixed, staring at the cart as it drew closer. Her breaths became fast and shallow and the world began to spin. Run, Jenny, run, she told herself, but her trembling legs wouldn’t budge.
As the truck slowly passed, Jenny turned her head and followed it with her eyes. Her father wasn’t riding on the back and Jenny’s body slumped with relief. She took a few deep breaths and tried to calm herself. That had been close, far closer than she felt comfortable with. She had no idea how her father would have reacted if he’d seen her, but it was something she’d rather not discover.
Jenny resumed walking but picked up her pace. She was safe in the factory, out of harm’s way. She was safe at home too, thanks to Craig, and wished she was back there now, secure in his reassuring arms. He knew what she’d been through and had sworn he’d always look after her. She believed he would, but he couldn’t be with her every minute of every day, and moments like just now made her realise how much she still lived in terror of her father.
Gloria detested every minute of living in Craig’s flat. Being in such close proximity to everyone drove her mad and she began to dislike them all. Jenny was a goody-two-shoes, Pamela was a wimp, the boys were irritating and Craig, well, Craig was deaf and as far as she was concerned that was a good enough reason not to like him. At least she could make scathing remarks about him behind his back and he couldn’t hear her. It was something she did regularly to amuse herself, much to Jenny’s disgust.
Gloria grimaced. Then there was her gran living downstairs and too close. She was always spoiling the boys and singing Jenny’s praises. Gloria couldn’t stand listening to her, so she’d stopped popping in to see the old woman. She didn’t miss her.
She’d also defied Jenny and was now working part-time in Queenie’s. She refused to hand over any of her wages, using the excuse that she didn’t eat at Craig’s so why should she contribute? Craig didn’t have to pay extra rent because they were living there. And what Jenny gave him would cover any larger bills. The sooner she got out of there, Gloria thought, the better.
That morning, she stood behind the shop counter and smiled wryly when she heard Dennis’s footsteps above. He was out of his bed at last, and Gloria knew he’d be down to see her soon. She quickly grabbed her handbag to pull out a compact and her red lipstick, making the effort as always to look nice for her man. They’d been seeing each other for three weeks now, since the morning when he’d called into the shop and she’d caught his eye. Gloria would often slip up to his room after work. It made working in Queenie’s far more enjoyable.
‘Hello, gorgeous, how’s my favourite girl this morning?’ Dennis drawled as he sauntered into the shop.
‘I’m not just your favourite girl, I’m your only girl,’ Gloria said, and slipped him a packet of cigarettes. She had no intention of putting the money for them in the till. She would often pinch a bob or two
as well. She reasoned it was no more than she deserved, since Queenie paid such crap wages.
‘Are you coming up to mine later when you’ve finished?’
‘Yeah, but can’t you stay down here for a bit and keep me company? It’s quiet today and I’m bored,’ Gloria asked, fluttering her eyelashes.
‘Queenie doesn’t like me hanging about in the shop.’
‘Well, Queenie isn’t here, is she?’
‘All right, but only for half an hour.’
‘Thanks, Dennis. That’s cheered me up.’
‘Why, what are you unhappy about?’
‘Everything! You’re the only good thing in my life. I hate living at Craig’s. Can you imagine what it’s like? Six of us all crammed into a one-bedroom flat. Every time I go in the bathroom, someone starts hammering on the door for me to hurry up. There’s no privacy or anything. Gawd, I could go on, but I don’t want to bore you.’
Dennis put his hand under her chin and tilted her face up, his own just inches from hers. ‘Move in with me then?’
They were the words Gloria had been desperate to hear. ‘But what about your mum? Won’t she mind?’
‘Bugger my mother. You’ll be in my room with me. It’s my home too so I can have whoever I want to stay with me.’
‘Oh, Dennis,’ Gloria squealed, and threw her arms around his neck. ‘You’re the best!’
As soon as she’d done her hours in the shop, Gloria rushed to Craig’s flat, eager to collect her things and move in with Dennis. This was a dream come true for her. She’d be living with the man she loved instead of a family who got on her nerves.
When she arrived, the flat was empty. Pamela and the boys were at school, and Jenny and Craig were at work. Before grabbing a bag, she glanced at the television set in the corner of the lounge. How stupid, she thought, there was barely enough room in the place already, without adding that monstrosity.
She quickly shoved some clothes into the bag, then dashed to the bathroom to pick up her toothbrush and bubble bath. The bottle was half-empty, so she guessed her brothers had been using it again. It was just another thing that annoyed her and reinforced her decision to leave.
Gloria was about to leave, but then as an afterthought decided she’d better write them a note. If she just went missing, Jenny would turn up at the shop looking for her and no doubt there’d be an argument. After rummaging in the kitchen drawers she found an old envelope and a pen, then quickly scribbled a few lines about where she was. To appease Jenny, she said she’d pop in to see them soon. That should do, she thought, keen to get back to Dennis, and she left the note on the shelf above the fireplace.
When she flew back downstairs and outside, Gloria paused for a moment, lifting her face to the sun’s warmth. She felt invigorated and free, no longer constrained by her family and their problems. There’d be nobody to tell her what to do or when to do it. No responsibility of young children. Her life was finally her own, and she intended to enjoy it.
Craig arrived home before Jenny to be greeted by Pamela looking more anxious than usual. ‘What’s troubling you?’ he asked as he took off his work boots.
Pamela didn’t say anything but handed him a note. The writing was scribbled, probably rushed, and difficult to decipher, but once he read it Craig’s heart sank. This was sure to upset Jenny. ‘Oh, blimey,’ he said.
Peter and Timmy were playing with their toy cars, but Peter looked up and asked, ‘What’s going on?’
‘It’s all right, mate. Nothing to worry about.’
Jenny arrived home minutes later, breezing through the door looking happy. ‘Hello, you lot,’ she said. ‘It’s a scorcher out there today.’
Craig didn’t want to break the bad news to her, but knew he had no choice. He stood in front of her, and the second Jenny saw his face, her own dropped.
‘What is it?’ she asked. ‘It’s not my father, is it? I saw a dustcart earlier but I don’t think he was on it. Has he been round here on the warpath?’
‘No, love, but come and sit down. Pam, take your brothers to your room or down to see your gran,’ Craig said.
Once the room was clear, Jenny looked at him, searching for answers. ‘You’re worrying me,’ she whispered.
‘It’s not that bad but read this.’
Jenny took the note and gasped. ‘She can’t do this. They can’t live together, they’re not married! I’m going straight round there, and if I have to I’ll drag her back screaming and shouting.’
‘Do you think that’s wise? I mean, you know how strong-willed she is.’
‘Gloria is hardly more than a child and that Dennis is no good for her. Oh, the silly, silly girl. I can’t just leave her there.’
‘Right then, I’ll come with you.’
After ensuring that Pamela and the boys were all right with their gran, Jenny walked beside Craig in silence. Her mind was in turmoil thinking about how she would deal with her sister. Craig was right, Gloria was strong-willed, and Jenny doubted she’d be able to talk any sense into her. If Gloria refused to come home, it was unlikely she’d be able to drag her back.
A narrow door next to Queenie’s shop opened onto stairs that led up to Dennis’s flat. At the top, Jenny rang the doorbell. Thelma, his mother, answered it. She was a skinny woman with a deeply lined and drawn face. Jenny had never seen her without a cigarette hanging from the side of her mouth, and her black hair was always in curlers, covered with a scarf. She seldom cracked a smile, and when she spoke her voice was hard.
‘I guessed you’d turn up when you heard.’
‘Gloria left a note saying she was here. Is she in?’
‘Yeah. She’s just like your mother, that one, as bold as bleedin’ brass. I told her I don’t want her here but the pair of them are in Dennis’s room and taking not a blind bit of notice of me. Come in. You can try talking to her. I hope she’ll listen to you, but I somehow doubt it.’
As Jenny stepped inside, Craig behind her, Thelma asked, ‘Who’s this then? Your boyfriend? I’ve heard talk that you’re living together.’
‘Er, yes, but it’s not like that. We share a flat but sleep in separate rooms.’
‘It doesn’t matter to me what you do. It ain’t none of my business and all I care about is getting that sister of yours out of my house. Go on through there, second on your left.’
Jenny and Craig stood in the hallway outside Dennis’s door as Thelma disappeared into another room. Jenny tapped nervously, then waited.
‘Go away,’ Dennis shouted.
‘It’s Jenny … I’d like to talk to Gloria.’
‘Tough. She doesn’t want to talk to you.’
Jenny looked at Craig, but he couldn’t hear what was being said through the door.
‘Gloria … please open the door. We need to talk.’
She heard some muffled giggles and frantic whispers, then the door eventually opened. Gloria stood there, her chest pushed out defiantly as she said, ‘I’m not coming back with you, so if that’s all you’ve come to say, forget it.’
She went to close the door again, but Jenny pushed against it and pleaded, ‘Wait. At least listen to what I’ve got to say.’
There was a pause, then Gloria prompted, ‘Go on then, spit it out.’
‘I know it’s not easy, the six of us in a small flat, but we’re working hard to change that. We think we’ll have enough money saved for a deposit on a bigger place soon, maybe even a house. Please, Gloria, come home.’
‘No way. I’m happy where I am.’
‘But you can’t live here. You’re not married.’
‘That’s rich, coming from you,’ Gloria sneered. ‘You and Craig are living together too.’
‘That’s different and you know it. Craig and I don’t share a bed.’
‘No, you’re too bloody prudish for anything like that!’
Jenny heard Dennis snigger. ‘You can’t stay,’ Jenny insisted, ‘Anyway, Thelma doesn’t want you living here.’
‘Well I do, so tough,�
�� Dennis said as he came to stand next to Gloria.
Jenny ignored him. ‘Please, Gloria, come home. You can help me to find a nice house and Dennis can start courting you properly.’
Gloria laughed. ‘Listen to yourself. Courting! Next you’ll expect to be our chaperone.’
‘Don’t be silly. It’s a bit late for that.’
‘Yeah, it is, and I’m staying put, so see ya!’ Gloria snapped as she slammed the door in their faces.
Jenny banged on it again and again, but Dennis just shouted for them to bugger off. She felt Craig’s hand on her arm and then he said, ‘Come on, love. She’s not going to come back with us, so we might as well go home.’
As Craig led her along the hallway, Thelma appeared, leaning against a doorway. ‘Waste of time then?’ she asked.
‘Yes, but I had to try. I’ll see you at work tomorrow, Thelma.’
‘Yeah, whatever.’
Once they were back outside, Jenny found herself having to fight back tears. She felt she’d failed her sister and worried about the girl’s future. Her own reputation was probably ruined, and now Gloria’s would be too. She had to do something. ‘Gloria won’t listen to me, but maybe she’ll take notice of my mum,’ she said.
Craig looked surprised, then asked, ‘Do you know where she is?’
‘No, but if she went round my dad’s to see the boys, he’d have told her we’ve all left home. You’d have thought she’d look for us, maybe wait for me outside the factory to find out where we’re living.’
‘Perhaps she hasn’t been round to your dad’s.’
‘It’s possible. When she gets a new boyfriend my mother becomes too wrapped up in him to bother about us. She’s probably shacking up with one now, but I’ll find her,’ Jenny told him, determined to do just that and keep her family together.
Chapter 10
Timmy came running from the bedroom with one of Jenny’s stockings over his head and a bag over his shoulder. He began creeping around the front room and putting ornaments in the bag. Jenny watched, wondering what her brother was up to. Next came Peter, running in from the kitchen, and she saw with amusement that he had a saucepan on his head, and his hand clutched a rolling pin.
