Authors: Carol Rivers
âI'm all done in, gel. Don't fancy kipping on them
rush mats, but it's better than nothing. Reckon I'd kip on a bed of nails tonight.'
Eve suppressed a yawn. âDo you think Jimmy is all right? He disappeared after rowing the boys to safety.'
âYou can understand why. He probably spotted them grasshoppers.'
âHope he's not up to mischief.'
âNo more than anyone else in this day and age,' replied Peg. âAnd a blue uniform is enough to send chills down anyone's spine.'
âAt least they rescued us.'
âTook their time, though.'
Eve knew that Peg distrusted the police as did most of the islanders. Old Bill was not well regarded in the East End. Tradesmen and flower-sellers were often targets, moved on from corner to corner by an unsympathetic constable. If there was a problem to sort, it was kept amongst the community where rough justice was preferred to the long arm of the law.
Peg gave a loud cough and her hair shivered like a windblown bush. âRight, let's get our heads down,' she sighed. Reaching under her skirt she began to loosen her stockings. âWhat you lot looking at?' she growled to the family next to them who were all eyes.
âThought you was gonna produce a golden egg,' laughed a man in a woollen hat and overcoat.
âWish I could, mate,' responded Peg good-naturedly. âI'd flap me arms and cluck like a chicken all night long if gold was the prize.'
Everyone joined in the joke; they were the lucky ones and they knew it. The atmosphere in the church hall was one of relief and hope, despite the incoming bad news.
Soon Peg was snoring loudly on her mat, but Eve couldn't sleep. Her mind was full of the events of the last two days. First the storm and then the flood. And finally the rescue by a smiling policeman who had courteously helped them on to dry land at Westferry Road.
Just as Eve's eyes began to close she heard Albert cough. Sitting bolt upright, she looked across at him. He turned over, snuffling under his blanket. She hoped this wasn't the start of a cold.
She lay down again listening to the coughs and sneezes filling the hall. The germs would be having a field day in the damp and confined space. Eve sighed, what would tomorrow bring?
Breakfast consisted of porridge and a slice of dry bread with a mug of weak tea. The windows of the hall were no longer streaked with rain but condensation; a grey but dry morning had dawned. Everyone was waiting for news of their homes as the Army members came round.
A young girl dressed in uniform, but with her bonnet tied rather crookedly, approached. She carried a notebook and pencil.
âI'm Clara,' she told them hesitantly. âHave you eaten breakfast?'
Eve, Peg and the two boys nodded. They had been told that there was to be a service for flood victims in the room next door. The congregation was going to pray for all the casualties of the storm. But no one paid attention. There were more important things to get on with, like going home.
âWhere is it you live?' Clara sat down by the boys who shuffled up to make space for her.
âIsle Street,' Eve replied.
âOh, dear.' Clara's pale cheeks flushed. She glanced down at the notebook.
âGo on then, gel,' said Peg sharply. âSpit it out. What's the damage?'
âThe captain's made a list of the streets that are still flooded. I'm sorry to say that Isle Street is one of them.'
âBugger,' muttered Peg, then sniffed. âSorry.'
âHow bad is it?' asked Eve.
âI don't know. But it won't be possible for you to return yet. And even when you do â well, there will be a lot of clearing up.'
âYou mean the lavs overflowed?'
Clara blushed again. âIt was unavoidable, I'm afraid. In such a storm.'
âSo is it gonna be like the Great Stink?' Albert looked shyly up at the pretty young girl beside him.
She smiled gently. âNo, not as bad. London's got a better drainage system now. But the water rose so high, no one could have anticipated the damage that we're hearing about.'
âIs it true people have died?' asked Eve.
âYes, I'm afraid so.'
âWas it just the storm that done it?' Peg wrinkled her brow.
âThe newspapers say it was a sudden thaw after Christmas and the heavy falls of snow at the river's source, in the Cotswold Hills, combined with the storm.'
âThat don't help us, much,' said Peg crossly. âWhat are we going to do now?'
Clara shifted uneasily. âWe're trying to re-house the most needy first. That is, the children and the agedâ' Clara stopped and went scarlet as she glanced at Peg.
âYou're calling me old and decrepit?'
âI didn't mean to offend you.'
But Peg only laughed. âI'm only 'avin an 'at and scarf, love.' She looked the young girl in the eyes, âBut I can tell you this for nothing, your superiors have dropped you in at the deep end with this lot. Bet you ain't been round the pubs yet?'
Clara shook her head.
âThey'll soon toughen you up. You're good sorts, the Sally Army. But don't you go trying not to hurt people's feelings. Just say it like it is.'
Clara gave a hesitant smile. âI'll try to remember that.'
âAnd don't go judging a book by its cover. I still got me wits about me even though me body works a bit slower these days. I may look past me prime, but me noddle is in full possession of its faculties.'
âThe Army is only trying to prioritize the situation.'
âWell, you don't have to worry about me, I ain't claiming priority attention.'
Clara looked hopeful. âIn that case, I'm sure we can find the two boys a bed for the night.'
But now it was Eve who objected. âWe're not splitting up, we're a family and staying together.' She wouldn't be parted from her boys, no matter what.
Clara looked confused. âBut I've got no one on my list that would take all four of you.'
âWhy can't we stay here?' demanded Peg.
âThe chapel is already refuge to the homeless. We have little space now.'
âThat's what we are,' pointed out Eve, âhomeless.'
âYes â temporarily, but you see, even when the water goes downâ'
âIt will mean a lot of clearing up, yes, we know,' said Eve, nodding vigorously. âAnd we're not asking for any help, just somewhere to stay until we return.'
Clara looked at the two boys. She frowned. âDo you have any relatives you could call upon â temporarily?'
âNo,' said Eve. âNone.'
Peg grimaced, then looked at Clara. âMe sister lives up Blackwall in Bambury Street. Council tenement it is. I ain't seen our Joan in years, nor her old man.'
Eve knew that Joan Slygo and her husband were estranged from Peg. She didn't know why, Peg never spoke of it.
âWell, perhaps this is the answer for a joyful reunion,' said Clara, her eyes wide. âThe Lord, you know, works
in mysterious ways. In your case, this storm and its ravages could have been sent for a purpose.'
Peg stared in surprise at the young woman, then threw back her head and laughed riotously. âWell, dearie, if the Lord gets me and mine a bed to kip on under me sister's roof tonight, I'll bloody well go round sellin' the
War Cry
meself.'
Eve couldn't hide her amusement and the boys began to giggle. She knew they didn't understand what was going on, but even Clara began to smile.
âThere's always hope,' she said quietly. âAll the churches on the island are making a valiant effort to help the flood victims. Perhaps I could come with you? Sometimes the sight of our uniform and all that it stands for, helps to pave the way.'
Peg, who had just managed to control her laughter, began to laugh once more. âYou're a card you are my girl! To tell you the truth, I ain't had such a good laugh in years. And if I have another good chuckle standing outside Joan's door, when she hears those pearls of wisdom, then it'll be worth the fag of going over.'
Eve saw the mischievous light in Peg's eyes and prepared herself for another eventful day.
Joan Slygo cautiously opened the door of her fourth floor tenement rooms accessed only by flights of narrow stone steps and peeling iron railings and frowned at the little group assembled on the grime-ridden balcony in front of her.
âNo thank you, don't want none of your handouts, I'm devout C of E.'
âMy name is Clara Wilkins,' said the young Salvationist. âI'mâ'
âI can see who you are and I said no. We go regular to church and are God-fearing Christians, so save your breath for the sinners.' The brown painted door with a small opaque glass window began to close.
âIt's me, you silly moo,' said Peg stepping forward. âYour long lost skin and blister.'
The door stopped. The woman peered out suspiciously. âChrist Almighty, it's you, Peg!'
âBeen a long time, ain't it, Joan?'
âWhat do you want?'
âA good turn,' interrupted Clara sweetly, also stepping up to the door.
Eve watched the expressions that passed over Joan Slygo's face. After the first shock, it was fear. She was certain the door would soon close, but then Peg took hold of Albert's shoulder and pulled him forward. âSay hello to your Aunty Joan, love.'
âHello, Aunty Joan,' said Albert timidly.
âWhy the bloody hell did you tell him to say that?' Joan glared at Peg who merely shrugged.
âThought it would break the ice.'
âThe ice is thick round this way,' replied Joan sourly. âIt don't melt easy.'
Eve watched Peg's sister visibly bristle. Her frizzy hair, identical to Peg's, was coloured red. The close-set
eyes and thin faces of the two sisters were alike, but there the resemblance ended. Joan was plump and dressed in a smart green tailored suit. âSo what do you and them kids want?' she demanded, ignoring Eve and scowling at the boys.
âMrs Slygo,' interrupted Clara once more, âas members of the Church of England we are hoping that you might consider helping your sister. She and Mrs Kumar and her two sons are victims of the recent flood. They need shelter â as did the good Lord himself â just for a night or two, until the water recedes.'
âYou mean they
all
want to stay
here
?' croaked Joan, clutching her chest. âAnd where am I supposed to put 'em? Hang them all from me ceiling?'
âAs I said, it's quite a temporary arrangement. A space on the floor would be sufficient. And surely at times like this we are all members of God's family?'
Eve saw Peg smile wickedly as Joan Slygo stumbled back as though someone had physically hit her.
âJoan? What is it?' A portly man came to the door. He was of average height and wore a Sunday suit, stiff collar and tie. âNo thank you,' he said to Clara. âWe don't want converting round here.'
âI told her we're C of E,' said Joan flatly.
âIndeed we are,' he agreed, âand proud of it.'
âHello, Harold,' said Peg with a chuckle.
âGood Lord!' he gasped. âJoan, it's your sister!'
âI ain't blind, Harold,' Joan snapped as she folded her arms across her chest.
âBut we've not seen you in years!'
âJust after the war to be precise,' said Peg tartly. âGive or take a month or two.'
Harold Slygo stretched his neck in his tight collar. âIf I remember correctly, there was an epidemic at the time. We all had to be careful of our health, didn't we Joan?'
His wife sneered, looking her sister up and down. âYou ain't changed a bit, Peggy.'
âNor have you by the looks of it. Older and fatter, but then you was always prone to a belly.'
Eve closed her eyes in dismay. When she opened them, Joan was mouthing a reply that seemed stuck in her throat.
Quickly Eve stepped forward. They had to have a place to sleep for the night and this was their only hope. âPerhaps I'd better introduce myself,' she began in a friendly manner. âI'm Eve and lodge with Peg. These are my boys, Samuel and Albert.' She added politely, âWe're sorry to put on you, but the Salvation Army have no room for us and we've no one else to ask . . .' She looked hopefully into Harold's eyes.
âCome on now Harold,' said Peg suddenly drawing everyone's attention. Eve saw a curious light in her eyes. âYour wife might not have no Christian charity, but if me memory serves me right, you was always a champion of the poor and needy. Church warden, wasn't it? Still doing all them good deeds and serving the community are you?'
For a moment all was silent. Then to Eve's surprise, Harold smiled, his fat hands clasped together in a pious gesture. âWell,' he mumbled vaguely, âyes, yes . . . I see you've not forgotten that er . . . me and Joan are always to be relied upon in an emergency. And, of course, this terrible disaster does throw a different light on things, doesn't it Joan?'
âNo it flamin' doesn't,' answered his wife angrily.
âWe can't refuse our Christian duty.'
âYou must be joking, Harold.'
âIt's only for one night.'
âOne night!' Joan shrieked. âWhere would we put them?'
Harold smiled again at Eve, giving her a cold shiver. âIn mother's room dear. We could move the furniture around.'
Joan glared at him. âWell, be it on your own head, because I ain't going in there and breaking me back, I can tell you that for a start.' She turned and walked away.
There was a long silence before Clara Wilkins began to thank Harold. Eve noted that she was soon dismissed as they entered the dark hall of number thirty-three Bambury Buildings.
Chapter Four
T
hey stood in the front room of the tenement flat and gazed at the faded rose-patterned wallpaper, the ugly wooden dresser adorned with Sunday best china and a draw-leaf table under which stood two wooden straight-backed chairs. A pair of elderly upholstered armchairs were positioned either side of a hearth filled by an iron fireguard. The brown linoleum floor was covered by a thin, multicoloured carpet and the room smelt of mothballs and stale food.