A Sister's Shame (18 page)

‘I am pleased of course. Just surprised.’

‘Thought it was about time I brought you more songs,’ he said, holding out a bundle of papers.

Marie grinned. ‘I hope these are not as difficult.’

‘I could play them for you? Elsie will let us use her joanna.’

‘Vesta’s not here.’ Marie hesitated.

‘You could learn them and teach her.’

Marie didn’t want to miss the opportunity. ‘I suppose I could.’

As they knocked on Elsie’s door, Marie wished she’d had a chance to change. She was wearing an old skirt and blouse. Bing looked very handsome. She wondered if he was going to take
out those friends again to Epping Forest. Or could it be one particular friend?

‘Course you can use it, son,’ Elsie agreed immediately, and led the way to the upright piano. Taking a pile of old newspapers from the stool, and brushing the seat, she frowned.
‘It needs a bit of tuning, mind.’

‘Good enough for us, Mrs G,’ said Bing as he seated himself and placed the music in front of him.

‘Right, you two, I can’t stop to listen,’ said Elsie, winding her gold turban around her head. ‘I’m off to my friend Sophie, at Bethnal Green. The Rabbi is calling
to discuss help for our friends who are fleeing from Germany. Since President Hindenburg died in August, Hitler has given himself the title of Führer. He is making life very difficult for all
those who don’t conform to his ideas.’

‘Elsie, that’s terrible. But surely he won’t be allowed to continue in that way?’ Marie asked.

‘I’m afraid that he will,’ sighed Elsie as she turned to pick up her bag. ‘Anyway, nothing for you two to worry about. Just close the door when you leave, my
darlings.’

When Elsie had left, Marie looked at Bing. ‘Do you think that Elsie’s right about Hitler?’

‘Ramsay MacDonald should have the measure of him,’ Bing said hesitantly. ‘After all, it’s only sixteen years since the last bash.’

They were silent for a moment, but soon Bing’s face broke into a smile. ‘Come on, let’s give this one a try. It’s called “Crazy Feet”.’

Marie was surprised at how easy it was to pick up the tune as Bing played. He seemed to know exactly when to pause and race on, so that when she tried a few steps, it was easy to perform
them.

‘Very nice,’ he grinned when she’d finished. ‘Fred Astaire, eat your heart out.’

Marie laughed. ‘What’s the next one?’

‘ “All Of Me” by Ruth Etting. Do you know it?’

Marie nodded. ‘I like her singing very much.’

Bing turned the pages of the music. ‘Do you want me to run through it first?’

Marie leaned on top of the piano. ‘Yes, please.’

Placing his fingers lightly on the keys, he began to play. As the opening chords gave way to the rhythm, much slower than ‘Crazy Feet’, he began to hum, glancing up at her from time
to time, until at last, in his rich baritone voice, he began to sing the words.

Marie closed her eyes. This was a beautiful song. It was about someone who was so lovesick, they had decided to give themselves to the one they loved, even though this love couldn’t be
returned. Suddenly it reminded her of Vesta and she opened her eyes.

Bing stopped playing. ‘Is something wrong?’

‘The words remind me of someone.’

‘Then perhaps it isn’t for you?’ he asked uncertainly.

‘No, I’d like to try to sing it.’

He turned back to the music and Marie took her position behind him, looking over his shoulder so she could easily read the words. The melody was soft and gentle, and although she was nervous,
soon Bing’s voice carried her along. Finally, when she was confident enough, he let her sing alone.

It was a song she knew would always remind her of that moment, when Bing sat at Elsie’s piano and there seemed no one else in the world but them. Just as she remembered the day by the
river when Bing had first sung to her.

When it was over, he closed the sheet of music. ‘You’ll be all right now. I’m sure you’ll be able to teach Vesta.’

Marie wanted to say she could listen to him playing and singing for ever, but he stood up to go, and smiled. ‘You have a good voice, Marie. Don’t ever forget that.’

‘Thanks.’

He looked around the room. ‘Well, don’t want to outwear me welcome.’ They left Elsie’s and went into the hall. ‘See you around then,’ he said as he opened the
front door.

‘Have you been to Island Gardens lately?’ she asked.

‘The last time I was down that way, I was with a friend. But she’s been too busy to come out again.’ He grinned. ‘I might call on her sometime.’

Marie smiled. ‘I hope you do.’

‘Do you?’

‘Yes.’ Marie couldn’t bring herself to say that she missed his company and hoped that he would ask her out now. That would be much too forward. She was very disappointed when
he walked away.

Back indoors, she curled up on the couch. Bing had told her she had a good voice and, taking the sheet of music, she hummed ‘All Of Me’. She could hear his voice in her head and
remembered the way he had looked up at her as he played. Was there a message in his eyes? A warm feeling inside her told her there might be. But was this really what she wanted? She felt confused
and excited all at once.

She closed her eyes and soon drifted off.

Marie woke in a cold sweat, her heart thudding violently. The woman in her dream cowered fearfully in the corner, away from the man who threatened her. Each time Marie tried to
see her face but it was always hidden. The baby in her belly was what she was protecting and Marie knew how precious this infant was to her. As much as Marie willed someone to come to their rescue,
the dream always ended with her terrible cries.

Marie shivered, trying to clear her mind. How long had she been asleep? Slowly she got up and walked to the window. Outside, Teddy’s car was parked there, its engine rumbling, and Vesta
stood on the pavement waving goodbye.

Marie was still trying to throw off the unpleasant feelings the dream had left her with when Vesta walked in. She was wearing a new coat and carrying two parcels.

‘Just look at me!’ she exclaimed, dropping the parcels on a chair. She began to parade around the room. ‘Do you like my coat? Black astrakhan is the latest fashion.’ She
lifted the collar to her face. ‘Just like you see on the films.’

Marie rubbed her eyes, finally coming awake. ‘It must have cost a fortune.’

‘Teddy didn’t mind.’

‘Did Teddy buy it?’

‘Of course.’ Vesta pointed her toe. ‘See? New shoes as well. Not those horrible common shoes like we make at Ellisdon’s, but smart fashion shoes with high heels. And you
should see our new costumes!’ Vesta drew out two green sequined costumes from the bags. The first thing that Marie noticed were the low-cut necks and flimsy straps. ‘Aren’t they
gorgeous?’ Vesta said, holding one up to her. ‘The assistant in this shop said they are just like the Ziegfeld Follies dancers wear.’

‘But we’re not a vaudeville act,’ Marie reminded her.

‘No, but Teddy liked them.’

‘They’re not our style.’

Vesta laughed, shaking her head. ‘You’re as bad as Mum, you are!’

‘She definitely won’t like them.’

Vesta rolled her eyes. ‘Grow up, Marie! This is what we have to wear to get noticed. As for Mum, she won’t even be seeing them. Teddy said he’ll drive us to the club tonight
and we can take them in these bags. I’ll put everything away till we leave. And when you see Teddy, try to be grateful. He spent a lot of money on us today.’

‘Mr Scoresby’s money, you mean.’

Vesta pouted. ‘And what’s wrong with that? We’re young, pretty and talented. So why don’t you just enjoy our success? Think what this means for the future. Now, I’m
going to hide these before Mum comes in and starts nagging.’

Vesta hurried to the bedroom and Marie sat down with a sigh. What was happening to Vesta? She didn’t seem to be the same person any more. She would never have lied so easily in the past.
What would they look like in those costumes? The last time they had been laughed at when they wore those red outfits. These green ones didn’t seem much better. Should she refuse to wear hers
or would that only cause more trouble?

Marie was surprised that night when Mr Scoresby, and not Teddy, entered the dressing room.

‘You did good,’ he told Shirley, who gave a nervous laugh as he walked across and peered at her. ‘You ain’t no oil painting, gel, but you’re a marked improvement on
that clumsy tart Joanie.’

He turned to Vesta and nodded. ‘I’m glad to see me money wasn’t wasted in forking out for new gear.’

‘Thank you, Mr Scoresby,’ said Vesta, her eyes wide and fluttering. ‘They’re really lovely costumes.’

Marie didn’t think they were lovely at all. She had felt naked and self-conscious after she’d changed into the new costume, with its low neck and high-cut legs. To keep from exposing
too much of her breasts she had managed to pin it tighter. Wrapping a sparkly green scarf from the clothes rail around her waist, she had felt able to sing and dance without embarrassment. Vesta
wouldn’t hear of any changes to hers. Rose, Sal and Shirley had encouraged her, saying how much better she looked.

Wally Scoresby puffed on his cigar as he moved slowly round the room. Marie had forgotten how ugly he was until he came closer. He narrowed his small eyes, one side of his face showing up under
the light, as though he had shiny red worms under his skin. ‘What’s that?’ he demanded, pointing his cigar.

‘A scarf, Mr Scoresby.’

‘I know it’s a scarf, but it ain’t on your head.’

Marie felt her knees tremble. She couldn’t think of anything to say, she felt so frightened.

‘Well?’ he demanded, frowning at her.

‘I . . . I thought the audience might like to see me and Vesta dressed a bit different,’ she stammered. ‘We did get more of an applause,’ she ventured to add.

Wally stared at her, tilting his head as he scrutinized her. Marie knew the girls were all waiting to see what happened. She could feel Bev gazing up from the stool where she sat as if begging
her not to say more. Marie knew she couldn’t let any of them see how intimidated she felt.

‘So you’re the brains of the act, are you?’ he said at last, his tone derisive. ‘Well, I don’t pay you to think, I pay you to sing and dance. And as long as the
punters are happy, I’m happy.’ He stepped very close so that she felt his breath on her face. ‘But you were lucky tonight; you gave ’em a bit of a tease and they seemed to
like it. Just don’t forget that the moment you lose me any trade, you’ll have Wally Scoresby to answer to.’

Marie felt the colour burn in her cheeks as she looked down, away from his aggressive gaze.

Wally straightened his back and, very slowly, went over to Vesta. ‘As for you, darlin’, you got the thumbs-up from the gaffer. Carry on as you are and the Duke’s will take good
care of you.’

‘Oh, thank you, Mr Scoresby!’ Vesta gushed. ‘I’m very grateful for all you’ve done for us.’

Wally gave her an ugly grin, then turned his attention to Bev. ‘What are you staring at, you ugly cow?’ he demanded.

Marie saw Bev look quickly away.

‘You’d better smarten yourself up, gel,’ threatened Wally, moving across to where she sat. ‘Cos the same applies to you. If the customers don’t like you, then
you’ll take the consequences.’ He swivelled and looked at Rose, Shirley and Sal. ‘The same goes for you lot. Right?’

All three nodded silently. Glaring at them once more, he blew the smoke from his mouth and left the room. Sal, Shirley and Rose let out sighs of relief.

‘You lucky bitch, Vesta,’ said Rose in a voice filled with envy. ‘Wally will see to it you get on now. He’s got lots of connections in the entertainment world, so they
say.’

‘Do you think so?’ Vesta asked coyly as they gathered round her.

‘You’re his favourite, it’s obvious.’

Marie went over to Bev, who sat ignored by the others. ‘I don’t give a flying fart what he thinks of me,’ muttered Bev. ‘If I could get out of this place, I’d go
right this minute.’

‘Why don’t you just leave?’

Bev laughed emptily. ‘Because he won’t let me. He might not want me, but he won’t let me go, neither.’

A sudden dread filled Marie as she blurted, ‘But what if you gave in your notice?’

‘No one leaves Wally.’ Bev stared at her pityingly. ‘He likes the pair of you, just as he liked me, Irene and Joanie once. We were the first three girls here, but he got tired
of us . . .’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I’ve said too much already.’

‘Bev, did Wally and Teddy have something to do with what happened to Irene and Joanie?’

Bev’s voice was muffled as she looked back at Marie. ‘You don’t want to know.’ Bev’s face became hard. ‘Listen, I admire you, gel, for taking on Wally like
you did tonight. But he won’t forget that in a hurry. As for your sister . . .’ she glanced at the four girls talking and laughing together, ‘she’s playing with fire and can
only get burned. My advice to you both is to get out of this dump whilst you can. Your old man too, if he knows what’s good for him.’

With that, she stood up, ending the conversation as she slipped on her coat and gathered her things. Without glancing back, she left, once again with her head bowed.

Marie tried to think calmly about Bev’s warning. She had to consider if it was to be taken seriously, or if Bev was just jealous of Vesta, like Flo Davis at the factory.

It was almost a month later, on a cold November Sunday, when Bing called round again. ‘I was wondering if you’d like a ride out?’ he asked Marie as he stood
on the doorstep, dressed in a smart overcoat and a trilby hat, which he slid off his head as he spoke.

Marie heard Ada and Vesta’s raised voices coming from the front room. There had been nothing but rows since Vesta had got it into her head she was Wally’s favourite. Marie nodded
quickly. ‘Yes, I’ll just get me coat.’

‘You sure I ain’t come at the wrong time?’ Bing asked, looking uncomfortable as the quarrelling became louder.

‘No, it’s perfect timing.’ Marie hurried in and took her coat from the peg, calling to Ada that she was going out with Bing.