by Joan Jonker
Jeff, whose voice was breaking and covered several ranges, saw the funny side. ‘Now that is something I’d like to see – our Joanne on her knees. Still, as it says in this book, strange things are happening every day all over the world.’
In the Bennetts’ house, Molly was standing patiently waiting for Jack to fasten the top button of his new shirt. ‘The ruddy hole is too small, I’ll never get this fastened.’ He was red in the face and dropped his arms in disgust. Ten minutes I’ve been at it and me arms are tired.’
‘We know how long yer’ve been, Dad,’ Ruthie said, ‘’cos we’re standing here waiting for yer like two lemons.’
‘Come here and let me have a go.’ Molly grinned into his face. ‘Once yer get yerself all agitated yer make it ten times harder.’ She pushed the pearl button through the buttonhole and stood back. ‘See, it’s easy when yer know how.’ She patted his cheek. ‘Now can yer put a move on because Rosie’s probably got the dinner ready and she’ll be calling us for everything.’
Happy now, Jack slipped his arms into his overcoat. ‘I’m glad I didn’t have much breakfast because I’ve got a good appetite and I’ll eat everything in front of me.’ He glanced at his reflection in the mirror. ‘What’s happening to Lizzie if Jill and Steve are going to yer ma’s?’
‘Corker was picking her up at half-twelve, she’s having dinner with them.’ Molly opened her bag to make sure she had the front-door key. ‘Rosie did invite Doreen and Phil, so all the family would be together, but they couldn’t leave Victoria.’ She pushed Ruthie towards the door. ‘We’ve wasted enough time, let’s get our skates on. It’s no joke cooking for seven, Rosie’s probably a nervous wreck.’
When Rosie opened the front door she looked anything but a nervous wreck. She was wearing a floral pinny over a sage green dress and her bonny face was beaming from ear to ear. ‘It’s meself that’s glad to see yer. Come away in out of the cold.’
Molly sniffed. ‘My, that smells good, Rosie, me tummy’s rumbling now.’
‘Hasn’t she been hard at it all morning?’ Bridie said as she lifted her face for a kiss. ‘She wouldn’t let me help, she had to do it all herself.’
‘If that smell is anything to go by, she’s done a darn’ good job,’ Jack said as he draped his coat over Tommy’s arm on top of Molly’s and Ruthie’s. And as he looked into his son’s face, he thought he’d never seen anyone looking as happy and proud. ‘I don’t have to ask how you are, son, yer look like someone who’s just come into a fortune.’
‘I’m on top of the world, Dad, and that’s a fact.’ Tommy lifted his arm and nodded at the coats. ‘I’ll put these on the bed out of the way. Then I’ll give me dearly beloved intended a hand in the kitchen.’
‘Sit yerselves down,’ Bob said. ‘I think the dinner’s ready, we’re only waiting for Jill and Steve now.’
Molly gazed around the room at the brightly decorated Christmas tree in the corner, the coloured bunting criss-crossed overhead and the balloons hanging on string from the picture rail. Then she let her eyes dwell on the table. It was covered in a pure white linen cloth which had a display of hand-embroidered flowers and leaves in each corner and in the centre. Set out on top were shining knives, forks and spoons, each placed with precision, and by each place setting was a brightly coloured Christmas cracker.
‘The room looks lovely, Ma, nice and warm and Christmassy. And the table looks very inviting. Someone has been very busy.’
‘Your son did it all, me darlin’,’ Bridie said, pride and pleasure in her eyes. ‘He can turn his hand to anything, and him and Rosie refused to let me or Bob lift a finger.’
‘Yeah, he’s a good lad and I love the bones of him. But he probably wouldn’t let yer help ’cos yer look too posh to get yer hands dirty.’ Molly felt a surge of love as she gazed down on her parents. They both looked immaculate, happiness and contentment on their faces. And most of this was down to the girl who had come into their lives when she was fifteen and had stolen their hearts as soon as they set eyes on her. ‘I must say you both look very prosperous in yer new clothes, all neat and tidy. I’ll swear ye’re getting younger by the day. Ma, ye’re as good-looking now as yer ever were. And as for you, Da, as Rosie would say, sure, it’s a fine figure of a man yer are, and that’s the truth of it.’
Rosie’s head appeared round the kitchen door, her lovely face flushed with the heat from the gas stove. ‘What yer say is true right enough, Auntie Molly, but if I were saying it, I’d say he’s a foine figure of a man.’
Molly grinned. ‘I stand corrected, me darlin’, so I do. Wouldn’t yer think by now I’d have a perfect Irish accent?’
‘Yer do very well, Auntie Molly, and I’m proud of yer, so I am.’ Her eyes rolled when she heard the knock on the door. ‘Would yer answer that for me, please? It’ll be Jill and Steve.’
‘I’ll go,’ Jack said, ‘you sit down, love.’ When he opened the door and looked into his daughter’s smiling face, his mind went back over the years to when he was courting Molly. Jill was the spitting image of her, as were Doreen and Ruthie. Same long blonde hair, blue eyes and slim figure. Molly’s hair was peppered with grey now, and her waistline had thickened, but she was still beautiful in his eyes. ‘Yer timed it nicely, the dinner’s just about ready to be put on the table. And if the smell’s anything to go by, we’re in for a treat.’
Tommy was ready to receive their coats. ‘I think yer can all take yer places at the table now, Rosie’s got everything under control.’
Molly did a quick count. There were nine of them, and the table had been set for nine. But they’d never be able to sit in comfort, there’d be no room to move. ‘Ma, would yer mind if I moved the aspidistra off that little table so Ruthie can have her dinner on it? Otherwise we’ll be squashed like sardines.’
‘Move the plant by all means, me darlin’, as long as the child doesn’t mind being left out.’
‘You wouldn’t mind, would yer, sunshine? We can pull the little table nearer so yer won’t feel as though ye’re out in the cold.’
‘I don’t care where I sit as long as I get everything you get.’ Ruthie had been sitting on the floor near her granda and now she winked at him. ‘I’ll rely on you to tell me how many roast potatoes everyone’s got, Granda, and I want yer to count the sprouts as well.’
‘I’ll make sure yer plate is as full as the others, sweetheart, I won’t let yer down.’ Bob pulled out a chair at the head of the table and offered a hand to his wife to help her to her seat. ‘And if I’m in any doubt about the size of the portions, I’ll get a tape-measure out and measure them for yer. How about that?’
Ruthie beamed. ‘Ye’re a pal, Granda, a real pal.’
Molly popped her head into the kitchen. ‘Where d’yer want us to sit?’
‘You and Dad are to have pride of place at the end of the table, facing Nan and Granda,’ Tommy said. ‘And Jill and Steve facing me and me dearly beloved intended. Rosie wants to sit near the kitchen so it’ll be easier for her to pop in and out.’
‘D’yer need a hand with anything, sunshine?’
‘No, thank yer, Auntie Molly, we can manage. It’s always you running around after everyone, so today we’re going to wait on you. Sit down and let us spoil yer.’
Molly was rubbing her hands as she sat down. ‘Sounds good, that does. I could easily get used to being spoilt.’
‘It’s a pity Doreen and Phil couldn’t be here to make the family complete,’ Bridie said. ‘But I can understand them not wanting to leave Victoria, so I can. And anyway, we couldn’t fit any more around the table.’
‘Oh, we’d have made room, Ma! I could have brought a little table from our house, it would have served the purpose. But, as yer say, they couldn’t leave the old lady on her own. We’ll call over there on our way home so I can satisfy meself that all is well.’
Conversation stopped and eyes widened when Rosie came through carrying an enormous platter upon which sat a huge turkey, all nicely golden and surrounded b
y crispy brown roast potatoes. With a look of pride on her face she placed it in the centre of the table, then stood back while Tommy came in with two vegetable serving dishes in his hands. One was piled high with sprouts and the other with mashed carrot and turnip.
‘Oh, yer have been busy, sunshine,’ Molly said, full of admiration. ‘It looks lovely and very appetising. Yer’ll make someone a very good wife.’
Tommy touched his mother’s shoulder. ‘And that someone is me, Mam! Am I, or am I not, the luckiest bloke alive?’
Ruthie was standing behind her mother’s chair. ‘That looks the gear, Rosie, it’s making me tummy rumble.’
‘You’ve put me to shame,’ Jill said. ‘My cooking is certainly not up to your standard, nowhere near.’
‘You do very well, love.’ Steve was quick to defend the girl he’d loved all his life. With his arm across her shoulders he asked, ‘Yer’ve never heard me complain, have yer? And yer haven’t poisoned me yet ’cos I’m still here to tell the tale.’
Jill’s blue eyes smiled at him. ‘I wouldn’t poison you, love, I’d rather starve yer than do that.’
‘It’s too modest yer are, Jill, and that’s a fact. Sure, doesn’t Steve look the picture of health on yer cooking?’ Rosie said. She was very fond of the Bennett girls, never forgetting how they’d welcomed her into the family from day one. They were like sisters to her. ‘And now, Tommy’s to have the honour of cutting the turkey, seeing as he’s me beloved intended. I’ll get the gravy boat and then we can start.’
Molly winked across at her mother. ‘I haven’t seen that big meat plate since I was a girl, Ma, I didn’t think yer still had it.’
‘Your mother never throws anything away, sweetheart, yer should know that.’ Bob reached for his wife’s hand. ‘The plate has been well wrapped up, with several other things, for many years. She’s over the moon that it’s being used after all that time.’
Tommy stood with a long pronged fork in one hand and a large carving knife in the other. ‘Well, folks, here goes. I’ve never carved anything before so if I make a hash of it I’m going to pass it over to me dad.’
But he did very well, almost like an expert, and soon everyone was served with turkey and a spoonful of stuffing, and told to help themselves to potatoes and veg.
Ruthie looked on with dismay. ‘What about pulling the crackers?’
‘Oh, yes, I nearly forgot!’ Tommy slapped a hand to his forehead. ‘We can’t have a party without paper hats.’
There was much laughter as crackers were pulled and paper hats put on heads before the slips of paper were unrolled and each motto read out. Then it was time to eat the food that looked so mouth-watering.
Rosie had worked very hard that morning, sometimes thinking she’d taken too much on. Her head was in a whirl with so many things to think of and she seemed to be meeting herself coming back. It was the first time she’d attempted a meal for nine people, and she wanted so much for everything to be perfect. And now she watched carefully as knives and forks were put to use. Had she put salt in the sprouts? Were the potatoes too crisp? Was the stuffing tasty?
But her fears were all put to rest when the praise and compliments began and she told herself it had been worth all the worry and hard work, because she cold tell by the way they were all tucking in that the compliments were sincere.
Tommy glanced sideways. ‘Rosie, why aren’t yer eating?’
‘I’ll not be telling yer a lie, me beloved, that I’ll not. I’ve been worrying meself to death in case I made a mess of the whole meal. Me tummy is all wound up, so it is.’
Jack rested his knife and fork. ‘I can honestly say, Rosie, that this is a feast fit for the King. What do you say, love?’
Molly, her mouth full, nodded and pointed to her cheek to indicate she couldn’t speak right then. When she could, she said, ‘Yer’ve done us proud, sunshine, the meal is absolutely delicious. It couldn’t be bettered.’
Jill said, ‘Me mam’s right, it’s lovely. When we get our own house, Rosie, I’ll be coming to you for cookery lessons.’
Steve agreed. ‘I don’t know why yer were worried, Rosie, everything’s perfect.’
Tommy pulled her close. ‘And you are perfect, my beautiful wife to be. So come on, eat up and enjoy the fruits of yer labour.’
Bob and Bridie looked at each other and smiled. Rosie deserved every compliment she got because she was a wonderful girl. They said beauty was only skin deep, but not with this lovely Irish girl. She was kind, thoughtful, compassionate and loving, and gave a piece of her heart to everyone.
Steve pushed the empty trifle dish back and patted his tummy. ‘I am absolutely stored. Not another crumb could I fit in. But it was really delicious and can I come back tomorrow for another helping, please?’
‘Don’t talk about tomorrow, son,’ Jack said, ‘it’s back to the grindstone for all of us.’ He smiled fondly at his future daughter-in-law. ‘But every time I go to moan I’ll think about the meal I’ve just eaten and it’ll get me through the day.’
‘I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Dad, but I’m afraid it’s a case of singing for yer supper,’ Tommy said, straight-faced. ‘Only it wasn’t yer supper, it was yer dinner. Anyway, the men have been delegated to do the washing-up. All except Granda, of course, he’s got special dispensation from Rosie ’cos she’s got a soft spot for him.’
Steve pulled a face. ‘What about me, Rosie? Haven’t yer got a soft spot for me?’
‘Oh, I have that, right enough, Steve. But sure, the soft spot I have for yer is in me heart, not in me feet. And it’s me feet that are telling me to sit down and give them a break.’
‘You stay right where yer are, sunshine, and me and Jill will clear the table.’ Molly nodded to her daughter. ‘We’ll take the dishes out and then the men can get cracking.’
‘I’ll help, Mam.’ Ruthie’s paper hat was too big for her and had slipped sideways, giving her a drunken appearance. ‘I’ll collect all the cracker papers and put them in the bin.’
‘Okay, sunshine, there’s a good girl.’
The table was soon cleared, the men were busy in the kitchen and Bob was sitting in his armchair, ready for a snooze. Within five minutes of his bottom hitting the chair, he was fast asleep and snoring gently. ‘Let’s keep our voices down,’ Molly said, ‘and let him have half an hour, he needs it.’
‘Time flies, doesn’t it, me darlin’?’ Bridie said. ‘It doesn’t seem like six months since the wedding, it’s flown over.’
‘Ye’re right, Ma, it has flown over. And next year I’ve got a lot to look forward to, the first thing being Ruthie leaving school. Makes me feel old that me baby is only a few months off being old enough to start work.’
Ruthie was sitting on the floor with her knees drawn up to her chin. ‘I can’t wait to leave school and get out of that gymslip and the thick black stockings.’ She put a finger to her lips and whispered so the men couldn’t hear, ‘And the navy blue fleecy knickers with a pocket in.’
‘Don’t be wishing yer life away, sunshine, the time passes quick enough. Anyway, that’s one milestone in our lives. Then in May, please God, Doreen will be having her baby and me and Jack will have our first grandchild.’
‘And for me and Bob it will be our first great-grandchild. That is something we’re really looking forward to.’ Bridie’s still handsome face smiled. ‘And only a few months after that Rosie and Tommy will be getting wed.’ She leaned forward to take her daughter’s hand. ‘Yer’ve got a lot on yer plate in the next six months, me darlin’, that’s for sure.’
Molly nodded. ‘I’ll be happy for Ruthie when she leaves school because I think she’s ready for it. And I’ll be happy for Doreen once the baby’s born. But until then I’ll be worrying meself sick over her.’
‘Doreen will be all right, Mam,’ Jill said. ‘There’s no need to worry. She feels fine and is really looking forward to the baby. And the time can’t go quick enough for Phil.’
‘I don’t want yer
worrying about the wedding, Auntie Molly,’ Rosie said. ‘Sure, me and Tommy have it all in hand. It’ll be a grand wedding, so it will, and I’ll spend the rest of me life loving him and taking care of him.’
‘Rosie, sunshine, I don’t have any doubt about that. He’s getting the girl of his dreams, and I know he couldn’t have chosen anyone better. Ye’re like a daughter to me already. But that won’t stop me crying me eyes out for weeks before the wedding comes off.’
‘Why is that, Mam?’ Ruthie asked. ‘I know people cry at weddings, but not for a whole week before. It’s supposed to be a happy occasion.’
‘And I’ll be the happiest person there, sunshine, but I think I’m entitled to weep because me only son will be leaving the family nest. I cried over the girls, and I still miss them, so don’t begrudge me a few tears for me son.’
While Jill and Rosie moved to hug Molly, Ruthie’s face wore a thoughtful frown. Then she brightened up. ‘Yer’ll still have me, Mam! I won’t be getting married until I’m at least twenty.’
Molly smiled as she wiped away a stray tear. ‘Is that a threat or a promise, sunshine?’
Chapter 15
‘I hate these days between Christmas and New Year, girl, don’t you?’ Nellie hitched her bosom, rested it on the table and folded her arms around it. ‘It’s neither one thing nor the other. I don’t know why they don’t have New Year’s Eve straight after Boxing Day so we can have all the parties in one go instead of having us twiddling our thumbs for five days. Yer’d think one of these clever buggers in London would have thought about that by now, wouldn’t yer? It would be better all round, I think.’
Molly bit on her bottom lip. Her mate didn’t half come out with some things, and most of them were cock-eyed ideas. ‘Except that we’d lose five days in every year. That would shorten our lives quite a bit.’
‘How d’yer make that out, girl?’
‘Well, if yer went from the twenty-sixth of December to the thirty-first, we’d lose those five days in between.’
