Family Drama 4 E-Book Bundle (21 page)

‘We split them in half, one section at this end, and the other nearest the kitchen.’

‘Well, as I’m the last in, I suppose I’ll be doing this end.’

‘Er … well, no, not if you don’t want to.’

‘Bless you, love, I don’t mind. In fact it’s only fair. Now, what else do I need to know?’

Pearl told Madge all she could think of, both women working happily together as they cleared the tables. Despite her fierce demeanour, Madge turned out to be a friendly soul, and when they took the stacks of crockery out to the kitchen, both Gertie and Mo greeted her with delight.

Dolly told Pearl to fetch them each a cup of tea, and when she returned it was to hear Madge saying, ‘That Pearl seems a nice girl, but where on earth did you find her? She talks like she’s got a plum in her
mouth and certainly doesn’t come from these parts.’

‘As she’s right behind you, why don’t you ask her yourself?’ Gertie chuckled.

‘Gawd, sorry, ducks,’ Madge said, her face red as she turned. ‘Well, at least I wasn’t running you down. I’m a nosy old biddy and must admit I’m curious about where you hail from.’

‘I was brought up in an orphanage in Surrey.’

‘You poor kid. Don’t you know who your parents are?’

‘No. I was left on the steps.’

‘Christ, that’s awful. So you haven’t any family at all?’

‘None that I know of.’

‘Where do you live now?’

‘I have a room in Mo’s house.’

‘Yeah, and she’s fast becoming one of the family. Her and my Emma are now as thick as thieves.’

‘That’s nice,’ Madge said. ‘What about you, Gertie? How are you doing these days?’

‘I ain’t too bad, but my stomach still plays me up now and again.’

Dolly spoke, her voice sharp. ‘You and Mo are both Mrs Neverwells. You’re never out of that doctor’s surgery and he must be sick of the sight of the pair of you.’

‘Now then, Dolly, don’t exaggerate,’ Gertie protested.

‘I ain’t, but enough gossip for now. You can get
on with that washing-up, and you, Mo, get back to the vegetables.’

Madge winked at Pearl, the two of them going back to the dining room. ‘I see Dolly’s as bossy as ever. I know we’re related, but she still scares the shit out of me.’

‘And me,’ Bernie called, ‘but if you don’t want her to hear you, you’d best keep your voice down, Madge.’

The woman’s head shot round, eyeing the kitchen door with fear, whilst both Pearl and Bernie broke out into laughter.

‘Only kidding,’ Bernie spluttered.

‘Oh, you bugger,’ Madge said, but she soon joined in the laugher. ‘Well,’ she said, wiping eyes, which were wet with mirth, ‘at least it’s going to be all right working with you two.’

Pearl placed the tray of cups on the counter, deciding that she already liked Madge, and though she’d miss the extra money in her wage packet, she was glad that the woman had applied for the job.

Madge turned out to be a comic and often had Pearl helpless with laughter. As a local she knew many of the costermongers, giving them as good as she got in light-hearted fun.

Nearly two weeks had passed, and the only problem was Pearl’s continuing ill health. It was becoming a real concern.

When she got up on Friday morning she was once again feeling nauseous, and as she sat opposite Mo at the breakfast table, her food uneaten, the woman eyed her thoughtfully. She then dropped the bombshell.

‘Pearl, have you … well … have you been with Derek?’

‘Been with him? What do you mean?’

‘Er … have you slept with him?’

‘No, of course not.’

‘Blimey, that’s a relief, and I’m sorry for being suspicious. I thought with you being sick in the mornings that you might be pregnant.’

Pearl’s face stretched in surprise. ‘Pregnant! You think I’m having a baby?’

‘No, not now you’ve told me that haven’t slept with Derek. I’m sorry, love, I should have known better. You’re a good girl, but as I said, with you being sick and all …’

Pearl stared at Mo, her eyes transfixed with shock. She couldn’t be – she just couldn’t … Yes, she had missed once, but surely that didn’t mean anything? Her mind tried to calculate dates, but so much had happened in such a short time that she’d lost track. She’d left her first bedsit, moved in with Connie and Derek for a while and then ended up here. Oh God … and as realisation dawned, Pearl’s face drained of colour. It wasn’t just one period she had missed – it was two. With
a gasp she stumbled to her feet and into the hall, taking the stairs two at a time as she fled to the sanctuary of her bedroom

No! Oh, no! She was pregnant. But it wasn’t Derek’s baby she was carrying.

Pearl was lying on her bed when Mo tapped gently on the door but, unable to face her, she buried her head in the pillow. She heard the door open, and hunched her shoulders.

‘Well, Pearl, from your reaction, I think I’m right after all. Come on, it ain’t the end of the world. You’re not the first girl to get herself pregnant before the wedding and I doubt you’ll be the last. At least you’re engaged to Derek and now you’ll just have to get married as soon as possible. You ain’t showing yet, so it won’t be so bad.’

A sob rose in Pearl’s chest. She had expected disgust, censure, but instead Mo was being so kind. What would her reaction be when she found out the truth?

‘Try to pull yourself together, love, or you’ll be late for work. Have a chat with Derek as soon as you get the chance, and don’t worry, I reckon he’ll be as pleased as punch. Anyone can see that he thinks the world of you.’

Pearl gasped, her whole body shaking and, obviously bewildered, Mo continued to pat her back. The door opened again, Emma coming into the room.

‘What’s going on?’ she demanded. ‘What’s the matter with Pearl?’

‘Shall I tell her, love?’ Mo asked.

Pearl fought to bring herself under control, managing to nod her head in agreement, but couldn’t look at Emma as Mo broke the news.

‘Pregnant!’ she gasped. ‘Blimey, you soppy cow. Does Derek know?’

With another sob, Pearl shook her head. She would have to face Derek, but dreaded his reaction. She was carrying another man’s child and there was no way he’d marry her now. Unable to put coherent thoughts in order, her mind raced. Connie would go mad too, and there was Dolly Dolby. What would she say when she found out that Kevin was the father?

Kevin! Kevin was the baby’s father! Her stomach lurched. She had been denying her feelings for him for so long, but now that she was carrying his child they overwhelmed her. Despite the way he’d behaved – despite the flaws in his character – she was in love with him.

When Pearl finally dashed into the café she was half an hour late, but instead of giving her a reprimand, Bernie puffed out his cheeks in relief.

‘I was worried that you weren’t going to show up. Madge is late too, and Dolly’s in a right old state.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Pearl told him, tying her apron hurriedly.

‘You don’t look too good, girl, and you look like you’ve been crying.’

‘I … I’m fine.’

‘If you say so, but perhaps you’re coming down with a cold.’

‘Yes, maybe,’ she said, thankful for the excuse.

The morning rush had just started and Madge still hadn’t arrived. Pearl took her first order through to the kitchen.

‘You look awful.’ Dolly said.

‘I think I’m coming down with a cold.’ Pearl was glad to grasp at Bernie’s comment. Mo wasn’t due in yet, but she dreaded her arrival. She’d promised not to say anything, but Pearl knew how much the woman loved a good gossip. There wouldn’t be a chance to talk to Derek until her break, but if Mo opened her mouth the news would spread like wildfire. Please, God, she prayed, let him hear it from me.

Madge came into the kitchen.

‘Where have you been?’ Dolly snapped.

‘Sorry, but I ain’t feeling well. I’ve got an appointment at the doctor’s but not until eleven thirty.’

‘You look all right to me.’

‘Have a heart, Dolly. When I woke up this morning I was in a terrible state, so wet with sweat that
I had to have a bath. I may be a bit late, but I still turned up for work.’

‘All right, don’t go on about it, and get on with your work.’ Dolly’s eyes flicked to Pearl, ‘and that goes for you too.’

As they scuttled back into the dining room, Madge threw Pearl a wink. ‘Dolly missed her vocation. She should have been a bleeding sergeant major.’

Pearl managed a small smile but her heart wasn’t in it. In truth, tears were just below the surface but she fought them as she tackled the breakfast rush. How had it happened? She’d only slept with Kevin once, yet she was pregnant.
Please let him want me. Please let him want our baby
.

Derek came in at eight thirty but she could hardly look at him, just murmuring that she needed to talk to him later. He looked puzzled, but seeing how pushed she was he didn’t ask questions.

At last the café emptied, and at ten thirty Bernie called out, ‘Pearl, you still look awful. Madge can manage now so why don’t you have a break?’

Pearl picked up a stack of crockery and went to the kitchen. ‘Dolly, I’m just about to take a break. Is it all right if I pop out for a while?’

‘What for?’

‘There … there’s something important I have to do.’

Dolly heaved a sigh. ‘All right, but don’t be long. Madge has to be at the doctor’s for half-past eleven.’

‘Good luck,’ Mo called.

‘Why does she need luck?’ Dolly asked.

Mo and Pearl looked at each other, both stuck for words, Pearl’s face now livid with colour. It was Mo who managed to stutter an answer, ‘Er … she’s going to sort out the wedding date with Derek.’

Without giving Dolly a chance to speak again, Pearl swiftly left the kitchen, still wearing her apron as she made for Derek’s stall.

He saw her coming and grinned. ‘Watcha, love.’

‘I … I need to talk to you,’ she stammered.

Frank’s voice rose raucously from the next stall, ‘Apples – Bramley apples. Come on, ladies, only sixpence a pound.’

Derek glanced at Frank and said sadly, ‘I still can’t believe that Frank’s leaving the market. He’s been pitched next to me for donkey’s years. Anyway, love, what do you want to talk to me about?’

‘Alone … we need to be alone.’

‘There ain’t much chance of that. Can’t it wait until tonight?’

‘No … it must be now.’

‘Frank,’ Derek called, ‘can you watch me stall for a while?’

‘Yeah, all right.’

‘We’ll go for a walk, will that do?’ Derek asked as he took Pearl’s arm.

She nodded, feeling sick inside. She may not be in love with Derek, but was very fond of him and if this hadn’t happened she’d have married him. Unbidden, a thought popped into Pearl’s mind.
Yes, but would you really have gone through with it?
Pearl shook her head against the question. She’d been enjoying life, loved living with Emma and Mo, and had been relieved when Derek offered a long engagement. A year was a long way off, and she had avoided thinking about marriage. Now everything was going to change and stark reality was staring her in the face. She was going to lose Derek, lose his friendship, his protection. Tears gathered, but she managed to hold them back. She had betrayed this lovely man, she was going to hurt him badly, and however bad his reaction, it would be no more than she deserved.

They walked to the end of the market, and along Shuttleworth Road, Pearl’s head low. There was a pub ahead and as they drew alongside it, Derek stuck his head inside.

‘The snug’s empty. Come on, we can talk in there.’

With her head still low, Pearl sat at a table, and when Derek asked her what she wanted to drink her throat felt as if it was closing. She managed to speak, a croak, ‘Nothing, thanks.’

He walked to the bar, soon returning with half a pint of beer to take the seat beside her. ‘Now then, what’s this all about?’

She couldn’t look at him, she just couldn’t, her voice still a strangled whisper when she finally was able to spit out the words. ‘I … I’m having a baby.’

There was a moment of silence, but then Derek’s voice was loud in protest. ‘Don’t be daft. Talk sense, Pearl. You can’t be having a baby. We ain’t … well, done it, if you know what I mean.’

‘Yes, I know, but I … I’m definitely pregnant.’

There was another moment of silence and finally Pearl was able to glance at Derek, a swift look that showed his face white with shock.

‘Who was it, Pearl? I’ll bloody kill him.’

‘I can’t tell you. He … he doesn’t know yet.’

Derek seemed to slump in his seat, his head shaking in denial. ‘I can’t believe this. Here, wait a minute, did he force you?’

With all her heart, Pearl wished she could say yes. At least that might ease this lovely man’s pain, but with a sigh she said, ‘No, he didn’t force me.’

‘I’ll still kill him.’

‘No, Derek, please don’t say that. I’m so sorry, I really am. It only happened once, that was all.’

‘Huh, it only takes once. Bloody hell, Pearl, we’re engaged. I was gonna marry you.’

Pearl looked at him at last and, unable to bear the hurt she could see in his eyes, tugged the ring
from her finger. She then laid it on the table and rose to her feet, choking back tears as she ran out of the pub, leaving Derek slumped in his seat, looking like a whipped dog.

‘Here, Pearl, where’s Derek?’ Frank called as she hurried through the market.

She couldn’t answer him, couldn’t speak. It had been awful, dreadful, Derek’s pain terrible to see. He would never forgive her and she didn’t blame him.

The café was almost empty when Pearl stumbled through the door and sank down at the nearest table. Head buried in her arms, a huge sob rose, a dam of tears bursting as she finally broke.

‘Pearl, what’s wrong?’ Madge asked, hurrying to her side.

Unable to answer, she was aware only of Madge tugging her arm, urging her to the kitchen. ‘Come on, girl, let’s get you out of here.’

Somehow Pearl managed to drag herself up and as they entered the kitchen Madge said, ‘Dolly, I’ve got to go now, but Pearl’s in a right old state.’

‘All right, get yourself off.’

Madge patted Pearl’s back before hurrying out, Dolly then saying, ‘Now then, what’s all this? Mo’s told us that you’re pregnant and I must say I’m shocked. Still, it ain’t the end of the world and I can’t see why you’re so upset. Surely Derek has
said he’ll marry you as soon as possible.’