Family Drama 4 E-Book Bundle (16 page)

‘Yeah, you’re right, it is, and from now on I won’t use it. Mind you, I still think she could do with smartening herself up a bit. Sometimes she lets off an awful whiff.’

Pearl looked down at her own clothes. She
desperately needed some new ones, and as the second-hand shop was at the end of the market she intended to see if she could find a couple of outfits.

Derek had the local paper and she picked it up. ‘Did you see any bedsits to rent?’

‘Yeah, a couple, but there’s no hurry for you to move out.’

‘I don’t think your gran would agree. I’m taking up her front room.’

‘It’s not her house, love, it’s mine. Gran had the tenancy transferred to my name years ago. She wanted to make sure that if anything happened to her, I wouldn’t get chucked out.’

Pearl smiled faintly. The house might be in Derek’s name, but it was obvious who ruled the roost. ‘It’s still time I found somewhere else to live.’ She stood on tiptoe to give him a kiss on the cheek, Derek gripping her hand for a moment before she hurried away.

Her heart was lighter as she opened the door to the second-hand shop, but was greeted by a musty smell that made her nose wrinkle. There was a mishmash of stuff for sale: old books, bits of china, a few pieces of furniture, all covered in dust. She was about to turn tail when an elderly lady came out of a back room, her heavily lined face breaking into a smile.

‘Hello, dear. Can I help you?’

‘I … I’m looking for a couple of outfits, but …’

‘Well, you’re in luck. I’ve just had some stuff in that’s in good nick and looks about your size.’ She shuffled over to a metal rack, her fingers gnarled and bent with arthritis. After riffling through the rail she pulled out a skirt and blouse. ‘Here they are and, as you can see, there ain’t a mark on them.’

Pearl reluctantly crossed the shop floor but when she got closer, she could see what the old lady meant. The blue skirt looked lovely, pleating from the waist into a flare, and the white blouse immaculate. When the old woman pulled out a dress, Pearl’s eyes widened. It was patterned with pink roses on a cream background, the material heavy and of good quality. The skirt flared from the waist too and there was also a matching bolero with short sleeves.

‘You can try them on, if you like.’

‘Oh, yes, please.’

She was led to the back room, finding it piled high with more clothes and old furniture, but there was a full-length mirror. The old lady left, and after trying on the skirt and blouse, finding them an almost perfect fit, Pearl reached for the dress. She twirled in front of the mirror, amazed at how lovely it looked, and now crossed her fingers that she could afford them. Quickly dressing, she then
carried the outfits through to the shop. ‘How much are they?’

‘Well, now, let me see. You can have the skirt and blouse for a shilling, but I want two bob for the dress.’

Pearl gasped, unable to believe her luck. Both outfits would have cost pounds new. Afraid the woman would change her mind, she quickly pulled out her purse.

The clothes were shoved in an old brown-paper carrier bag, and as the old lady handed it over she cocked her head to one side, her eyes narrowing. ‘In the not too distant future, we’ll see each other again.’

‘Yes, I’ll definitely come here again.’

‘I know you will, but it may not be to buy clothes.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Don’t worry about it, duckie. It’s just that I know our paths were meant to cross and one day you and I will need each other.’

There was something all-knowing in the old woman’s dark eyes and Pearl shivered. ‘I … I don’t understand.’

‘You will when the time comes and—’ The door opened, a stout women coming in clutching a bag, garments spilling out of the top. ‘Hello, Maud. I can see you’ve got some stuff for me.’

‘Yeah, and it’s decent gear too. That fancy piece I clean for had a clear-out.’

‘Right, fetch it over here.’ And turning to Pearl she added, ‘No rest for the wicked.’

Pearl knew it was a dismissal, her mind turning as she left the shop. She played the old woman’s words over in her mind. Their paths were meant to cross. But what did that mean?

‘What have you got there?’ Connie asked as soon as Pearl arrived home.

‘I went to the second-hand shop.’

Pearl pulled out her outfits, gratified by Connie’s approval. ‘You’ve done well there, girl. How much did you pay for them?’

‘Only three shillings for both outfits.’

‘Blimey, old Bessie must be losing her marbles. She could have asked for more than that.’

‘Oh dear, do you think I should have offered more?’

‘Don’t be daft. Bessie Penfold has made a mint over the years. If she’s undercharging for stuff, she still won’t lose out. She buys it for next to nothing and, believe me, I should know. When my Derek was a nipper, things were really tight. My old man died and I had no choice but to flog his clothes. Bessie Penfold gave me a pittance for them, but I was desperate and had to take it. She was as tight as a duck’s arse, and it was only enough to feed us for a couple of days. I’ve never forgiven her and if she’s getting her comeuppance now, I’m glad.’

‘She said some funny things too.’

Connie’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Like what?’

‘She said our paths would cross and that we’d need each other.’

‘There’s people round here who think she’s got second sight. They say she’s from gypsy stock and can see into the future. Now me, I think it’s a load of old tosh. If you ask me you shouldn’t take any notice of anything she said.’

Pearl smiled with relief. ‘I don’t believe that anyone can foresee the future, but I must admit she unnerved me a bit.’

‘Yeah, well, she’s had years of practice. You’re lucky she didn’t ask you to cross her palm with silver. She’s conned a good few people over the years with her so-called predictions.’

Pearl was surprised. Despite her strange words, she had liked Bessie Penfold, and though she was obviously in a lot of arthritic pain, the woman had been kind and cheerful. Yet Connie made her sound mean and conniving, a woman who fooled people into parting with their money. Would their paths cross again, Pearl wondered, and if so, why?

Chapter Seventeen

Pearl scoured the local papers and looked at cards in newsagents’ windows, but her attempts to find another bedsit were half-hearted. She loved staying at Derek’s, and though the sofa was playing havoc with her back, she didn’t want to leave.

On Tuesday evening, over a week later, and whilst Derek was at the gym, Connie flicked her eyes away from the television, clearing her throat before she spoke.

‘Pearl, don’t get upset about what I’m going to say, but I really think it’s time that you found a place of your own place again. Now don’t look at me like that, love. I’ve enjoyed having you here, but you need a proper bed to sleep in. And, well, what with you and Derek courting …’

Pearl gulped, her voice a whisper: ‘All right, I’ll try harder to find a room. Maybe there’ll be something in the local paper this week.’

‘Oh, love, I’m sorry I’ve upset you, but you’re
welcome to come round here as often as you like. You’ve become like a daughter to me, but it just isn’t right that you and Derek are sleeping under the same roof.’

‘But why?’

‘Gawd, girl, do I have to spell it out? My Derek may be a diamond, but he’s still a man. It’s too much of a temptation, love.’

‘But he’d never take advantage of me.’

‘Pearl, you should listen to yourself. You sound like some sort of old-fashioned heroine in a novel. Derek’s bedroom is next to mine and I’ve heard him tossing and turning all night. He didn’t do that before you came to stay. He loves you and, well, as I said, he’s a man and he wants you. I know you’re an innocent, but surely you understand what I’m getting at?’

Pearl lowered her eyes. An innocent. No, she wasn’t an innocent now. Kevin Dolby had seen to that. He was leaving her alone, but despite her determination to harden her heart, it still leaped every time she saw him. She had thought about finding another job, but loved the café and was reluctant to leave. As long as Kevin didn’t talk to her, as long as she kept out of his way, she could cope, and surely one day soon she would get over him. She sighed heavily. She didn’t want to leave the safe haven of this house either, but had no choice.

‘I’ll find a bedsit as quickly as I can and … and I’m sorry I’ve been so much trouble.’

‘Don’t be daft, love. You ain’t been any trouble, and when Derek’s out I enjoy your company. It’s just … well, as I said. Come on now, cheer up. I meant it when I said you can come round as often as you like.’

That was something, Pearl thought, and maybe, just maybe, she could find a bedsit in a family house this time.

Pearl found her prayers answered the following day.

During her break, Mo stuck her head around the kitchen door. ‘Pearl, can I have a word?’

‘Yes, of course.’

Mo bustled over. ‘I told Dolly what I’ve got in mind and she said to talk to you out here. Mind you, I’d better make it quick. She might be in a good mood at the moment, but there’s no guarantee it will last. Anyway, to get to the point, I’ve been thinking and it’s like this. Since my old man died, there’s only my daughter, Emma, and me. It’s been a bit of a struggle bringing her up on me own and money’s been tight.’ She scratched her head before continuing. ‘I’m daft really and I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. You see, I’ve got a spare room. It ain’t very big so I couldn’t ask much in the way of rent, but if you’re willing
to pay me around fifteen bob a week, it’s yours.’

‘Oh, Mo.’

‘It’s only when I heard that you needed a bedsit that it came to me. I mean, I’ve got an empty room, you need a place, and I’d hate to have a stranger moving in. I had a word with my Emma, and she’s all for it. We’ve done the room up between us, so, what do you say?’

Pearl grinned with delight. It sounded wonderful. She would be living in a family house, one with a girl of her own age, and who knew, they might become friends. ‘I’d love to move in with you, Mo.’

‘Blimey, girl, you ain’t seen the room yet. Why don’t you pop round tonight? I live at number fourteen Pennington Street. It ain’t far, and you’ll be able to walk to work in five minutes.’

‘Mo, it’s about time you got back to the kitchen,’ Dolly snapped, her face red as she marched into the dining room.

Mo pulled a face and then winked at Pearl. ‘Tonight then?’

‘Yes, and thanks.’

‘There’s no need for thanks. See you later, or as my Emma would say, “See you later, alligator.”’

Pearl looked puzzled and Mo chuckled. ‘Everyone says it. That Bill Haley and his rock-and-roll band have even turned it into a song. Emma is mad on him. “See You Later, Alligator” is one of
his hit records. You’re supposed to respond with, “In a while, crocodile.” Yeah, I know, daft, ain’t it?’ she added, still chuckling as she bustled away.

See you later, alligator. It sounded silly to Pearl, but it brought a smile to her face. Rock and roll. Yes, she had heard the foot-tapping music, but without a wireless, she rarely heard the latest trends. Oh, it sounded like it was going to be fun living with Mo and her daughter.

Derek was disappointed when Pearl told him she’d like to go Mo’s house on her own, but she felt it was best. It only took ten minutes to walk to Pennington Street from Derek’s and, slightly nervous, she knocked on Mo’s door.

‘Hello, love, come on in,’ the woman said, grinning as she stood to one side.

The small hall was immaculate, and at the warm greeting, Pearl relaxed. She was taken immediately upstairs and, flinging open a door, Mo ushered her inside. The room
was
small, but Pearl fell in love with it at first sight. There were lemon flowered curtains at the window, toning with the lemon candlewick bedspread. The floor was covered in rather dull, brown lino, but a nice rug lay beside the bed. She saw a single wardrobe, a small dressing table, and a tiny wicker chair in one corner.

‘I know you usually get a sink in a bedsit, Pearl, but the bathroom is only next door. You’ll have to
share it with me and Emma, of course, but I’m sure we’ll all rub along nicely. If you want to cook, you can use the kitchen, and as long as you tidy up after yourself there won’t be a problem.’ With an anxious frown, Mo added, ‘Well, love, what do you think?’

‘I love it!’ Pearl cried. ‘It … it’s so pretty.’

‘As soon as I decided to let the room, me and Emma done it up.’

‘It’s lovely, and the wallpaper is smashing too,’ Pearl said, eyeing the tiny lavender and yellow flowers.

‘You should have seen the state we got into hanging it. I think we got more paste on ourselves than the paper. Still, in the end we didn’t make a bad job of it, and now we’re going to tackle our bedrooms. They ain’t been touched in donkey’s years and it’ll be nice to freshen them up. Anyway, Pearl, do you want the room?’

‘Oh yes, and can I move in at the end of the week?’

‘Of course you can. Emma ain’t in tonight – she’s gone out with her mates – but I’m sure the pair of you will get along fine. She’s a bit older than you, and a little wild at times, but she ain’t got a bad bone in her body.’

‘Wild?’

‘Maybe that’s the wrong word. It’s just that things have changed so much since the war. When
I was a young woman I dressed like my mum – well, there wasn’t any choice. Now, though, there are all these weird and wonderful fashions aimed at youngsters. Only the other day I saw a group of those teddy boys, and if you ask me they look bleedin’ daft. Tight trousers, long jackets, and their hair! My God, with long sideburns and those daft quiff things hanging over their foreheads, it’s a disgrace.’ She sighed before continuing the tirade. ‘My Emma has taken to wearing some very funny clothes too, and she loves to go out dancing. Still, she’s a good girl really, and if you ask me it’s this music from America that’s causing it. Give me a nice crooner like Dickie Valentine, not this flaming rock-and-roll stuff.’ Mo suddenly chucked. ‘Gawd, hark at me, I’m really on me soapbox. Come downstairs and I’ll make you a nice cup of tea.’

Pearl glanced around the room again before following Mo. The kitchen was small, with a scullery leading to a back yard, and after making the tea, Mo led her into the living room. Like Connie’s, it was stuffed with furniture, most looking faded and old, but again it was immaculately clean.