MB05 - After the Dance is Over

by Joan Jonker

  The corners of Paul’s mouth turned down in a sulk. ‘I don’t want to go on me own, I want to go with you. Can’t yer go and see yer nan tomorrow night?’

  ‘No, I can’t, I’m going tonight.’ Phoebe was adamant. ‘I wouldn’t enjoy meself knowing she was sick while I was prancing around a dance floor. But there’s nothing to stop you from going, she’s not your nan.’

  ‘Why can’t Dorothy go?’

  Gordon was sitting at the table next to his younger brother, Peter, and didn’t see why his sister should have to go through this. ‘Our Dot’s up there now, and me and Peter are going after Phoebe’s been. We can’t all traipse in together when me nan’s sick.’

  Paul ignored him. ‘We had a date, Phoebe.’

  ‘Yes, I know, but sickness doesn’t come just when it suits yer, it can happen any time. If it was someone in your family I bet yer wouldn’t go dancing.’

  ‘I’ll wait till yer get ready, then I’ll walk up with yer. We’ll take it from there, eh?’

  ‘Suit yerself, I’ll be as quick as I can.’

  Later, when Phoebe pulled the door behind her and they stood on the pavement, Paul tried once again to persuade her. ‘It wouldn’t hurt to leave yer nan until tomorrow night. Go on, do it to please me.’ He was coaxing her with his eyes and soft voice. ‘I don’t want to go to the dance without yer, I’d miss yer.’

  ‘We seem to have different priorities, Paul, I’m sorry. There’s no way yer can talk me out of seeing me nan so don’t waste yer time.’

  ‘Then I’ll wait outside for yer. It might not be too late to go to Barlow’s Lane.’

  But Phoebe wouldn’t have given in to him if he’d gone down on bended knee. She’d been well warned by her mam about men who were as sweet as honey on the outside and a devil on the inside. Not that she needed any warning, she’d seen a good example in her father. ‘No, I’d rather yer didn’t. I’d be on pins knowing yer were waiting. You do what yer want tonight and we’ll leave it at that.’

  ‘I’ll see yer tomorrow, then, eh?’ Paul put a hand on her arm, knowing he’d gone too far and wanting to make amends. ‘Ye’re not going to fall out with me over it, are yer?’

  ‘I’m not so petty or childish. Besides I’ve got more important things on me mind right now. Yer can give me a knock tomorrow.’ Phoebe began to walk away. ‘Enjoy yerself at the dance.’

  Paul stood watching her, calling himself all the stupid, selfish articles going. He’d certainly blotted his copybook tonight! Even to his own ears he’d sounded a right prat, trying to talk his girlfriend out of going to see her sick grandma. But from what his mam had said, Mrs Corkhill just had a cold and that didn’t sound serious to him.

  But the situation brought a smile to the face of a certain young girl. For, unbeknown to him, Joanne Mowbray was standing in the side entry only a few yards away, and she’d heard every word that passed between the boy she had her eye on and his girlfriend. She’d been waiting for ages with the intention of accidentally on purpose bumping into Paul and his girl. She’d thought they’d be off dancing ’cos she kept track of his movements and was expecting to just exchange a few words. A case of slowly letting him see she was around and interested. But luck was on her side tonight, and she was bent on making the most of it.

  ‘Hello, Paul.’

  He spun around. ‘Oh, it’s you! Yer gave me a start.’

  ‘Not out dancing tonight, then?’

  He shook his head. ‘Phoebe’s grandma isn’t well and she’s gone up to see her.’ Pulling a face, he joked, ‘She stood me up.’

  ‘I bet that doesn’t happen to yer often, not a nice-looking lad like you. Anyway, can’t yer go to the dance on yer own? Ye’re not engaged to Phoebe, are yer?’

  ‘No, we’re not engaged. She did tell me to go to the dance, and I was in two minds, but I’ve gone off the idea now and think I’ll have a night in. Me mam will wonder what’s hit me ’cos I can’t remember the last time I stayed in but that’s what I’m going to do.’

  Joanne was seventeen in years but much older in worldly wisdom. She knew she needed to be patient to get anywhere with Paul otherwise she’d spoil her chances altogether. ‘It’s a shame really ’cos I’d have come with yer to keep yer company, but I’ve made arrangements to meet a friend and I can’t let them down.’

  Paul’s eyes widened. He was about to say it was manners to wait until you were asked, then decided he was reading more into it than there was. Joanne looked as though she was well able to look after herself, but even she wouldn’t be that brazen. The girl was probably only trying to be friendly. ‘You’d better be on yer way, then, ’cos yer don’t want to keep yer friend hanging around. There’s nothing worse than standing on a corner waiting for yer girlfriend.’

  ‘Oh, it’s not a boy I’m meeting, it’s a girl I’ve known since school.’ Joanne tossed her long dark hair and flashed him a smile, showing a fine set of white teeth. ‘I fell out with me boyfriend a couple of weeks ago so I’m footloose and fancy free.’ She turned to face the main road. ‘Anyway, I’ll see yer around. Ta-ra.’

  Paul stood for a while pondering. He certainly wasn’t going dancing, he’d gone right off the idea. He knew Lily and Archie were staying in tonight to have a game of cards with his mam and dad, so should he go home and join them? Or should he hang around and wait for Phoebe? Then, feeling lighter in his mind, he decided to do both. A game of cards and then seek out his girlfriend and try and get back in her good books.

  Nellie looked up with surprise when her son walked in. ‘Have yer forgotten something? I thought yer’d be in the middle of a fandango by now.’

  Paul smiled sheepishly. He wouldn’t half get some stick off his mam if she knew how stupid he’d been. ‘Phoebe’s gone up to see her nan so yer’ve got the pleasure of my company for an hour or so.’

  ‘Don’t tell me yer’ve given the dance a miss?’ Lily said, holding the hand of cards to her chest so Archie wouldn’t steal a peek. ‘They say there’s a first time for everything and yer’ve certainly proved them right.’

  ‘D’yer hear what I’ve got to put up with, Archie? A feller can’t be in his own home without someone making cracks about it.’

  ‘Well, yer must admit it’s unusual, son, we’re not used to having yer around,’ George said. ‘But now yer are, pull yerself a chair out. Yer’ll have to wait for us to finish this hand and then we’ll deal yer in the next.’

  ‘And no crying if yer lose, d’yer hear?’ Nellie gave him a broad grin. She knew her son better than he knew himself, and she’d bet a pound to a pinch of snuff something had happened to discommode him. ‘It’s serious stuff this, yer could lose as much as tuppence.’

  Paul feigned horror. ‘Tuppence! Ooh, I don’t think me bank would stand such a loss. Are yer good for a loan, Mam?’

  ‘I’m skint and happy, son, I’m afraid. All me spare cash has gone into me Christmas clubs at the corner shop, the butcher’s and the greengrocer’s.’

  ‘Neither a borrower nor a lender be, son,’ George said. ‘I suggest yer use the money yer would have spent going to the dance.’

  ‘He won’t need any money the way we’re going on.’ Archie grinned. ‘It’ll be midnight before we finish this hand.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Lily said. ‘Eyes down.’

  Paul sat watching, feigning interest, but his thoughts were not on the game. His eyes kept straying to the window to see if he could catch Phoebe passing, and this didn’t go unnoticed by his mother. He’s had his hand slapped tonight, Nellie told herself, and it’s not before time. He needs taking down a peg or two and telling that he wasn’t put on this earth just to have fun.

  She stuck it for another ten minutes then said, ‘For heaven’s sake, son, why don’t yer go and call for Phoebe at . . .’ Nellie glimpsed a familiar figure passing the window just then. ‘Yer’ll be happy to know she’s just gone past. Which means she’s doing us all a favour ’cos yer fidgeting is putting us off the ruddy game.’

  But Paul didn’t wa
it around to hear all his mam said. He caught up with Phoebe as she was putting the key in the lock. ‘Good evening, Miss Corkhill.’

  Phoebe’s heart missed a beat. She was so glad to see him but afraid to show it in case he thought he only had to smile and all would be forgiven. ‘I’m surprised to see you, I thought yer’d be at the dance.’

  ‘I found I didn’t want to go without yer. I was out of order before, acting like a selfish kid who wasn’t getting his own way, and I owe yer an apology.’

  ‘Then give it to me inside, ’cos the boys are waiting to go and see me nan. Come on in.’

  Gordon and Peter were standing just inside the door. ‘How’s me nan?’ Gordon asked. ‘Is she very sick?’

  ‘She is poorly,’ Phoebe told him. ‘But me mam said it might be just a heavy cold she’s got. If not, they’ll have to get the doctor in.’ She turned to Paul. ‘I believe your mam and Auntie Molly have been looking after her all day, which is very good of them. She’s singing their praises to high heaven.’

  ‘We’ll go then, Sis.’ Gordon put his arm across his brother’s shoulder. ‘Then I’m taking Peter to me mate’s for an hour.’

  ‘Don’t keep him out late or me mam will go mad. Don’t forget he’s still at school.’

  ‘Not for much longer I’m not.’ Peter didn’t like being treated like a child. ‘I’ve only got another six months, then I’ll be working.’

  She ruffled his hair. ‘I know, I’m looking forward to it ’cos I won’t have to give yer pocket money every week. Anyway, don’t stop out too late ’cos me mam worries about yer. And don’t stay too long with me nan. Remember she’s not well and needs to rest.’

  When the boys had left, Paul asked, ‘Where’s Dorothy?’

  ‘Out with her friend.’

  ‘Then seeing as we’ve got the house to ourselves, will yer sit on the couch with me so I can tell yer how sorry I am?’

  ‘Is that all yer want me to sit on the couch for, so yer can tell me how sorry yer are?’

  ‘Ah, well, yer see, that’s the excuse I’m most likely to get away with. If I said I wanted to put me arms around yer and kiss yer, I’m not sure whether yer’d clock me one or not. So, being a coward, I went for the safest bet.’

  Phoebe tried to keep her face straight but found it impossible. Those deep brown eyes and the dimples did it every time. ‘Okay, but ye’re not out of the dog-house yet. Yer can’t get around me that easy. So yer kisses will have to be better than yer excuses.’

  ‘They say practice makes perfect. Let’s start now before yer mam comes in and puts me off me stride.’

  ‘She won’t be in until ten o’clock ’cos she wants to see me nan bedded down for the night. Then Jill and Steve said they’d take turns looking in on her every few hours in case she wants a drink.’

  ‘Our Steve will make sure she’s all right, he’s a good bloke.’

  ‘Yes, I know,’ Phoebe said. ‘He’s more sympathetic and understanding than you are.’

  ‘That’s because he’s two years older than I am. He’s had more practice than I have. It’s the same with kissing, he’s had two years’ more experience than me. That’s why there’s no time to lose. So if yer’ll just pucker yer lips for me, I can begin to practise.’

  Phoebe held her head away and looked into his eyes. ‘And what about the sympathy and understanding? That’s just as important as being good at kissing.’

  ‘I’ll start that right now. If yer don’t enjoy me kisses I’ll sympathise with yer and understand.’ He cupped her chin in one of his hands. ‘That was my idea of a joke, but after the way I acted earlier, I can see why yer might not appreciate it. All I can say is, I’m sorry and I’ll try to make it up to yer. So if yer’ll pucker those sweet lips of yours I’ll begin the process.’

  When they broke apart, Paul sighed with the sheer thrill and pleasure. ‘They’ll be having the interval waltz at Barlow’s now, and d’yer know what? I feel sorry for those suckers ’cos they don’t know what they’re missing.’

  Molly arrived at Lizzie’s the next morning at half-seven to be told by Jill that the old lady had slept most of the night. ‘I came down about two o’clock and she was stirring so I gave her a Beecham’s and made her a cup of tea. Steve came down at four and she was fast asleep. I think she seems a bit brighter, but it’s hard to tell.’

  ‘Has she been down the yard, sunshine?’

  Jill nodded. ‘I took her as soon as Steve left for work. I didn’t want to embarrass her by asking in front of him.’

  ‘That’s a good girl.’ Molly closed the front door behind her. ‘Let’s see for meself how our friend is this morning.’ She stood in front of the couch and was heartened to see Lizzie’s eyes were wide open and a lot clearer than they’d been yesterday. ‘Good morning, sunshine, it’s good to see ye’re awake and taking notice.’

  ‘Me head’s a lot better, Molly, thanks to the powders. I’m still shivering even though I’m hot, but not as bad as yesterday. I’ve no strength, and poor Jill had to practically carry me down the yard. It’s a good job I’m only little and thin or she’d never have managed.’

  ‘Of course she would, she’s as strong as an ox, is Jill. Anyway, she can toddle off to work now and I’ll get yer washed and put some clean clothes on yer. Yer’ll feel a lot better then.’

  Jill bent down to kiss the old lady who’d become like a mother to her and Steve. But a thin hand waved her away. ‘I don’t want yer catching whatever it is I’ve got, sweetheart, so don’t come too close.’

  ‘I’ll save all me kisses until ye’re better, then, Auntie Lizzie. I’ll keep a tally and give yer them all in one go.’

  After seeing her daughter off, Molly set to work. And when Nellie came at eight o’clock, it was to see Lizzie resting on pillows with clean slips on, wearing a nice fresh nightdress and with her hair neatly combed. ‘My word, things are looking up, girl! Yer look like a film star lying there all done up like a dog’s dinner.’

  ‘Molly’s been very good, she’s washed me from head to toe. And I do feel better with all clean clothes on, I was beginning to smell with all the sweating I’ve done.’

  After a broad wink at the old lady, Nellie turned to her mate. ‘Ay, girl, if I was sick would yer wash me down?’

  ‘Don’t even think of it, sunshine, I’d need a block and tackle to lift yer. I mean, there’s things even a best friend won’t do.’

  ‘Yer’d soon get the hang of it, girl, it wouldn’t be that bad. All yer’d have to do would be lift a layer of fat at a time. Mind you, there’s all the creases as well, they’re a bugger to get at. But yer could do it over two days, then it wouldn’t be so bad.’

  ‘Forget it, sunshine, and make yerself useful now ye’re here. Yer can put the kettle on for a cuppa while I give Lizzie a Beecham’s.’ She saw the old lady shiver and knew it was because she hated taking the powders. ‘I know they don’t taste nice, medicine never does. But yer’ve got to put up with it if yer want to get better.’

  ‘She doesn’t half like ordering people around,’ Nellie said, throwing her coat over a chair. ‘It’s a wonder she doesn’t have a whip and make us jump to it.’

  ‘It’s a case of having to with you, otherwise yer’d never get anything done.’ Molly pointed to the coat thrown carelessly over the chair. ‘And yer can just hang that up, sunshine, ’cos our Jill tidied up before she went to work.’

  ‘Oh, God, here she goes.’ Nellie tutted as she picked up her coat and hung it on the hook behind the door. ‘It’s no wonder poor Jack looks worn out all the time, he’s henpecked.’

  Molly chuckled. ‘I always think your George looks worn out, but I don’t think it’s your nagging what does it.’

  Nellie pretended to be surprised. ‘Molly Bennett, shame on yer! How do you know what goes on in our bedroom?’

  ‘I don’t know, sunshine, and I don’t want to know. Neither does Lizzie, who like meself would prefer a cup of tea to tales of your marital bliss.’

  ‘All right, slav
e driver, one pot of tea coming up.’ As Nellie waddled to the kitchen they could hear her muttering. ‘I wonder if Maisie in the corner shop sells arsenic?’

  Molly whispered to Lizzie, ‘They don’t sell arsenic, but they do a good line in rat poison.’

  Nellie’s head appeared around the door. ‘What was that yer said, girl?’

  ‘I said I was dying for a cuppa, me throat’s parched.’

  ‘Oh, I could have sworn yer said Maisie sells rat poison. I was interested because I saw two ruddy big rats in the entry when I came up. They were outside your yard door and I’m not exaggerating when I say they were as big as cats.’

  Molly wasn’t going to fall for that. ‘Oh, yeah, I’ve seen them. They’re playful things, friendly too! I feed them any leftovers I’ve got.’

  Nellie flared her nostrils. ‘Ye’re a big liar, you are, Molly Bennett.’

  ‘Not as big as you, sunshine. I’d have to go some to beat you for telling fibs.’ Molly cupped a hand to her ear. ‘Isn’t that the kettle I hear boiling? Or is it the two rats singing in harmony outside the back door, hoping yer’ll feed them?’

  ‘I wish yer’d stop talking about rats, I hate them. Dirty buggers, they are.’

  ‘None of us likes rats, Nellie, but most us enjoy a cup of tea. Especially when we’ve had to wait so long for it we’re spitting feathers.’ Molly clapped her hands. ‘Look sharp, will yer, before Lizzie gets up to make it herself.’

  When Nellie brought the tea through, Molly sat on the side of the couch to hold the saucer steady for the old lady whose hands were shaking. ‘Ye’re not out of the woods yet, Lizzie, but yer don’t seem to have the high temperature yer had yesterday. Keep this up and yer’ll be better for Corker coming home, and for Christmas.’