A Cuckoo in Candle Lane (14 page)

‘I only put my arm around her shoulders,’ he replied indignantly as Jenny Jackson ambled up towards them.

‘Wotcher, Ann,’ she said. ‘Why did Sally leave in such a hurry?’

‘She wasn’t feeling well,’ Ann lied.

‘It looked more like she was running away from you, Arthur,’ Jenny said, hooking her arm through his. ‘Don’t yer know she ain’t interested in boys? Maybe she prefers girls, if you know what I mean,’ she sniggered.

‘Well, that’s her loss, isn’t it,’ he said, shrugging his arm out of Jenny’s grasp, his eyes on the other end of the hall. ‘Right – it looks like it’s my turn on the billiard table,’ he added, walking off, his shoulders stiff.

‘Cor, your brother’s gorgeous, Ann. Can’t yer put a word in for me?’ Jenny urged.

‘If you keep throwing yourself at him like that, I won’t need to,’ she snapped. ‘And in future keep your snide remarks about Sally to yourself.’

‘I was only joking, yer silly cow,’ Jenny retorted, and turning around she sashayed up to Billy who had returned to the record-player, her hips swaying suggestively.

Ann watched his eyes light up as Jenny approached him, and her heart sank. She was stupid, stupid! What chance did she have against someone who looked like Jenny? She turned away from the scene, and seeing that Betty was on her own, decided to join her.

Walking towards her she passed a group of boys lounging against the wall, and they all turned to look at her. One of them whispered something and they roared with laughter, another replying, ‘Yeah, you’re right, she’s got a good figure, but you’d have to put a bag over her head to cover those weird eyes.’

Ann felt herself redden and her shoulders hunched. Stricken, she turned on her heels, scurrying back down the hall and out of the door.

Why had she expected it to be any different? Just because she had put make-up on and worn nice clothes, it didn’t change anything. It was always the same – one look at her eyes and boys dissolved into laughter. Oh it wasn’t fair, it really wasn’t. Why couldn’t she look normal like other girls?

As she turned the corner into Candle Lane, she wasn’t surprised to see Sally sitting on her doorstep, and drawing near, forced a smile.

‘Are you all right?’ Sally asked. ‘I had a funny feeling about you on the way home so I thought I’d wait outside for a while, just in case.’

‘You always seem to know when I’m upset. It was just some of the boys in the youth club, taking the mickey out of my eyes as usual.’ She sighed heavily. ‘You’d think I’d be used to it by now, wouldn’t you?’

Sally smiled consolingly as she gazed at her friend, her eyes slightly unfocused. ‘Ann, your mum is going to start teaching me to read auras next week. Would you let me practise on you? You never know, I might be able to find out what’s wrong with your eyes.’

‘You already know what’s wrong with them, Sally. They’re crossed, and nothing can be done about it. Mum took me to a specialist years ago, and he told her that the damage is permanent.’

‘Please, Ann, it won’t hurt to try.’

‘Oh, all right then, but it won’t do any good,’ she insisted.

Sally focused on Ann’s eyes again. There was something wrong, she could sense it. But what?

T
he following Easter, 1958, when both Sally and Ann were fifteen, they left school, delighted at the thought of going to work. Wrapped warmly against the sharp wind they were now hurrying along the main road.

‘I can’t believe it, Ann! Fancy us both getting jobs in Arding & Hobbs.’

‘Yes, but you’re lucky – at least in the record department you’ll be able to listen to the Top Twenty all day. Me, all I’ll be doing is washing hair and sweeping up.’

‘But, Ann, you’ll be learning a trade. Think about when you’re a fully qualified hairdresser.’

‘Huh, that’s years away yet and I’m getting paid a pittance in the meantime. I wish I was earning as much as you.’

‘I’m only getting two pounds ten, and after giving me mum two pounds, I’ll just have ten bob left.’

‘But that’s not fair,’ her friend objected, her voice indignant.

‘Me mum needs the money, Ann. It’s been hard on her for the last five years. She’s had to bring me up on her own with just her wage and a bit of gran’s pension money.’ Shrugging she added, ‘I’ll manage. I got me uniform on tick and I’ll take a packed lunch each day.’

Ann grabbed her arm excitedly as they neared the entrance. They didn’t start work until the end of April, but they couldn’t resist having a look around the Department Store. Pushing open the large glass doors they found themselves in the perfume and make-up department, their noses wrinkling with delight as they sniffed the air, heavy with a combination of expensive aromas. Beautifully made-up sales assistants stood behind each counter, and seeing their sophisticated and haughty faces, both girls looked at them in awe, too frightened to approach them.

‘Come on, Sally. Let’s go and look at the record department,’ Ann suggested.

‘Yeah, all right.’

They eagerly passed through the electrical department, not interested in the display of gramophones, televisions and radios, and stepping down a short flight of stairs, entered the small but busy area tucked at the back of the store. There were several racks of LPs, a few listening booths, but other than that, just a long counter.

‘It’s a bit small really,’ Sally said, unable to hide the hint of disappointment in her voice.

‘It’s all right,’ Ann placated, giving her a nudge. ‘Look at those boys buying records. You’ll meet loads of blokes in here.’

Sally grimaced, feeling uncomfortable at the attention they were receiving from a group of teddy boys. They had their hair slicked back with Brylcreem, leaving a quiff hanging low over their foreheads, and wore long jackets with tight drainpipe trousers. Crepe-soled shoes completed the look, and as one of them grinned at her she tugged Ann’s arm, urging, ‘Come on, let’s go to the hairdressing department.’

With a quick glance over her shoulder and receiving a cheeky wink from one of them, Ann reluctantly followed Sally to the escalator. Stepping onto the slowly moving staircase they passed fashions on the first floor, furniture, household and bedding on the second, before reaching the third.

Losing their way slightly they followed the signs until they came upon a lush area, deeply carpeted, with a small counter beside a curtained section. ‘Hairdressing’s through that curtain,’ Ann whispered. ‘I was shown around after my interview and the manager told me that his customers want privacy when they’re having their hair done. This is just the waiting room.’

Sally saw white wicker chairs, small glass tables topped with magazines, and huge pictures of glamorous models with the latest hairstyles, displayed on walls painted a soft shade of lavender. The whole department appeared uncluttered, calm and elegant. ‘It’s lovely,’ she breathed.

‘Yes, it’s nice isn’t it?’ Ann whispered back. ‘But come on, let’s go, I don’t want them to see me hanging about. Let’s go across to Woolworth’s. I need a new lipstick and somehow I don’t think the make-up department in here will stock Gala.’

When they returned home, Sally sat in front of the dressing-table mirror applying a coat of Ann’s new lipstick. ‘Does it look all right?’ she asked as her friend came to stand behind her.

‘Oh no,’ Ann grimaced. ‘Pink just isn’t your colour. A soft shade of coral would be better.’ She gathered Sally’s thick red hair into a bunch. ‘Can I have a go at putting it up?’

‘Yeah, of course, but what’s the time? I don’t wanna be here when Arthur comes home.’

Ann glanced at her watch. ‘He’s not due for another half hour yet. Look, why don’t you just tell him that you’re not interested instead of running off every time he shows his face?’

‘I ’ave, but he just won’t listen. Can’t you talk to him, Ann?’ she pleaded.

Ann deftly folded the back of Sally’s hair into a sleek French pleat, securing it with grips and teasing a few tendrils from the side to curl round her cheeks. ‘I’ve tried,’ she said, ‘but he still fancies you, Sally, and he’s not used to girls running away from him. I think that makes you a sort of challenge.’

‘Yeah, I’ve seen the way those two over the road throw themselves at him, especially Jenny. I just wish he’d catch one and leave me alone.’

‘I expect he’ll give up eventually,’ Ann told her, putting down the comb and standing back to survey her efforts. ‘There now, what do you think?’

Sally turned her head this way and that, deciding that she looked older with her hair up. ‘It looks great. See, you’d be wasted in the record department, you’ve got a natural talent with hair.’ She looked at her friend’s reflection in the mirror, struck by how pretty Ann looked. ‘Your eyes are much better now. All you’ve got is a very slight cast.’

‘Yes, thanks to you. How did you do it, Sally? How did you know that my muscles were weak?’

‘I dunno, it’s hard to explain. I’ve always been able to see people’s auras. When I was a little girl I used to call them lights and thought everyone could see them. Do you remember last year when your mum started teaching me to read auras?’

At Ann’s nod, Sally continued, ‘Well, after a while I began to understand not only what I was seeing, but what I was sensing too. Somehow when I looked at you I could feel that the muscles in the back of yer eyes were weak. Now don’t forget I only told your mum what I thought was wrong. It was her that came up with the idea of using exercises to strengthen them.’

‘It’s so bloody boring and she keeps me at it for ages. I have to sit in front of her following her finger with my eyes for what seems like hours. First one way, then the other, then up, then down. She’s relentless, Sal.’

Sally smiled gently. ‘I know, but it’s worth it. Just look at the difference it’s made.’

Ann hung her head. ‘I sound ungrateful, don’t I, but I’m not, honest. You can’t imagine how wonderful it is, Sally. No more teasing, no more pitying looks. It took a bit of getting used to when boys started giving me the eye. I kept waiting for them to crack jokes.’

‘Well, they’re almost straight now, so you should be able—’ Sally stopped abruptly. ‘Did you hear the front door, Ann? It must be Arthur. I’ve got to go.’ Jumping up in agitation, she made a dash for the door, heading down the stairs.

‘Hello, gorgeous.’

Sally froze; she was only halfway down and Arthur was standing at the bottom, looking up at her. She felt trapped, unable to move as he slowly ascended the stairs, a soft smile on his face.

‘Please, Arthur, let me pass,’ she appealed as he reached her.

‘Give me a kiss, Sally, and I might.’

‘Arthur, just let her go. When are you going to get it into your thick head that she’s not interested in you?’ Ann shouted from the top of the stairs.

‘Shut up, Ann. I’m only talking to her,’ Arthur retorted, glaring up at his sister.

Sally seized the opportunity, and while he was distracted she pushed past him, flying downstairs and out of the house, rushing into her own door breathlessly.

‘Hello, love, been running, ’ave you?’ Ruth asked, turning from the sink and rubbing her hands dry on the tea towel. ‘Your hair looks nice like that, it really suits you. Do you know, I can’t believe you’re fifteen and starting work soon.’

Sally frowned, her eyes flicking around the room. ‘Where’s me gran?’

‘She’s not feeling well. Her arthritis is giving her a lot of pain so she’s ’aving a little lay-down. You can go and wake her now. I said I’d give her a shout when dinner’s ready.’

Sally went into the downstairs front room, where her gran had lived for the past five years, and studied her as she lay dozing.

The old lady’s eyes suddenly shot open and Sally blinked with surprise when she winked cheekily, saying, ‘You’re giving me one of them funny looks again, ain’t yer? Now stop worrying, I’m fine. I was just having a little rest, that’s all.’

‘Oh Gran, I can see you’re not fine, so don’t bother to pretend.’

She chuckled. ‘I never could fool you, could I. You and yer lights.’

‘Listen, Gran, I’ve got an idea. Elsie told me that I’ve got healing hands, and if she’s right, I might be able to relieve some of your pain.’

‘Well, I’m game, Sal, but you had better talk it over with yer mum.’

Elsie watched Ruth wringing her hands, a sure sign that she was agitated. There had been times when her nerves, as she called them, got on top of her again, but thankfully never as bad as that first time.

‘What’s up?’ Elsie asked gently.

‘It’s about Sally and this psychic stuff. I’m just not sure about it.’

‘Ruth, I’ve told you before, I won’t do anything to guide Sally’s gifts without your consent. We agreed that I would help her to understand the ability she had to see auras, and I haven’t done anything more than that, but she’s already able to sense illnesses. She’s an amazing girl.’

‘But she said you’re going to teach her to do spiritual healing.’

Elsie sighed and leaned forward in her chair, gazing intently at her friend. ‘I think there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding, Ruth. Yes, I admit, I did tell Sally that I think she’s got healing hands, but I didn’t say I would help her to develop her skill, and I won’t until we both agree that she’s ready.’