Lily of Love Lane (31 page)

Lily stared up at him. She couldn’t believe it. He was giving her a way to solve all her problems. She could look after her father until he was well and provide for her family in a very
good way. They would be out of debt and life could begin again. For her own part, she could be near Charles. After all this time, her heart’s desire had really come true.

‘If you are willing, Lily, let us go into the drawing room and drink another cup of tea to celebrate our good fortune at finding one another again.’

Lily could hardly contain her excitement as he offered her his arm.

Ben dug the tobacco tin out from his pocket. ‘Here’s a couple of ounces of the best, Mr Bright.’

‘Thank you, son.’

‘Do you want me to roll you one?’

‘Yes, if you don’t mind.’

Ben occupied himself with the task of making the thin cigarette. He was trying not to let his shock show. Bob Bright looked a shadow of the man he used to be. Now that he was up and sitting in
his chair, the difference was noticeable. Even in the week he’d been home, he looked thinner and his skin was a funny yellow colour. But saying all that, he wasn’t beating down the door
to get out, something he’d tried once or twice since he’d come home, so old Mr Kelly had told him. It must have been a rotten week for the Brights. Reube wouldn’t believe what he
had to tell him when he saw him tonight.

‘How are you going on then?’ Ben enquired gently as they both took a puff on their cigarettes.

‘All right, thanks.’

‘You got everything you need?’

‘Lily sees to it all.’

Ben sat back and enjoyed the smoke. ‘Gone out, has she?’

‘For an hour or two,’ said Bob, coughing and clearing his throat.

‘You got a bit of jollop for that tickle?’ asked Ben lightly.

‘Don’t do any good though.’

‘Better than nothing, though, eh?’

‘That’s what Lily and the wife tells me, son.’

A silence descended, broken by the older man’s coughing. Ben’s thoughts turned to Lily. He missed her a great deal when she wasn’t around. After what had happened, he wanted to
see how she was. That flaming foreman up the factory had been no help. Noah Kelly had told him she’d lost the job. He’d like to give her a couple of bob more to tide her over as
he’d been thinking about how she’d manage. Of course knowing Lil, she’d get on her high horse and refuse, but unless the Brights applied for Welfare, Ben was at a loss to think of
where the money would come from. He was sure that friends and neighbours wouldn’t see them go short. The market traders, if they knew the situation, would have a whip round. All the blokes at
the Quarry too. The trouble being Mrs Bright wanted the whole thing kept stumm. Not that his own mum wouldn’t do the same if put in the same position. But people would help if given half the
chance.

As Ben was considering the situation, his companion broke into a heavy fit of coughing. Ben leaned forward in concern. A light film of sweat beaded his friend’s forehead and his eyes
looked glassy as he gasped for breath. Ben took the cigarette from his hand and put it out.

‘That didn’t do you much good, did it?’ He waited till the cough subsided. ‘Fancy a breath of air, Mr Bright?’

‘Aye, son. Aye.’

‘Let’s give you a hand, then.’ He went to the frail man and lifted him, feeling the sharp jut of his bones under his grasp. Carefully supporting him, they made their way to the
kitchen.

‘Bob, what is it?’ Josie Bright put down the saucepan she was holding. Drawing her hands down her apron, her pale eyes looked apprehensive.

‘He just needs a breather,’ said Ben, giving her a wink.

Outside in the yard he walked with his companion, slow as snails, his heart going out to the ailing man.

‘I’ll make a visit here, son. I’ve still got the trots.’

Ben opened the latch of the closet. Ten minutes later, Bob Bright shuffled out.

‘You fancy a lie down?’ Ben said cheerfully, taking his arm.

‘After the shame I brought on me family, I’d say yes to a permanent one.’

‘Now then, I didn’t turn out last Sunday to hear you say that,’ laughed Ben, trying to make light of it.

Bob stiffened and glanced up at him. He shook his head and as the sun shone over the top of the houses he said, ‘I never did thank you properly for what you did for me. Snatches of it keep
flashing before me eyes, and I know I’d be a gonner without you. Trouble is, I can’t remember what happened half the bloody time.’

‘Good job too,’ grinned Ben. ‘Now, you ain’t feeling up to a jaunt down the Quarry just yet, but I’m willing to lay you a tanner, that in a couple of weeks,
you’ll be supping an ale along with me and the rest of the lads.’

Bob Bright gave a wan smile. ‘You’re a good man, Ben James. But if I had a tanner I’d not be down the pub. I’d be putting it where I should have years ago, in
Josie’s apron pocket. Not taking it out.’

The intimacy embarrassed Ben. ‘We’ve all done a trick or two in our time,’ he dismissed as the door of the kitchen opened.

‘Come in you two,’ said Josie as she wiped her work-worn hands on the bottom of her apron. ‘Before next door sees you and start asking questions.’

Ben gave the older man a conspiratorial smile and together they went inside.

‘You just leaving, young man?’ Noah Kelly came down the stairs, relieved to see a friendly face. He had been upstairs in his room, turning out his records. The ugly
mug of the Receiving Officer had appeared like a ghost to haunt him as he’d sat on his bed thinking of any way possible to cheat the RO. He’d put the pile of His Master’s Voice
classical records that he loved so much beside the Talking Machine. After polishing the big horn and making it shine like a new sixpence, he’d not had enough energy to go to the piano. That
could be done tomorrow, because he’d be damned if he was going to let the RO take them. His mate, the coalie, would put it on the cart and take it to his yard, where they could be kept and
sold on the QT. At least he’d have the satisfaction of cheating the buggers – they wouldn’t find much to interest them under the roof of number thirty-four Love Lane when he was
done.

‘I’ve left Mr Bright in the parlour,’ said Ben as he stood at the door. ‘Don’t seem too bad, does he?’

Noah looked into the boy’s eyes. ‘He’s bearing up, but it ain’t easy. Now, whilst we’re alone, I have something to tell you.’

Ben moved closer, as the old man took his arm. ‘Me mate Charlie, the coalie, took a gander up Limehouse.’

‘Blimey, did he see anything?’

‘Not the ruin we expected.’

‘You mean, the fire didn’t spread?’

‘Charlie asked around and was told the man and woman was got out. Those bloody Chinese have got nine lives.’

Ben let out a long sigh. ‘Thank Gawd for that.’

‘Being that the place is illegal, the upset was kept quiet. Charlie says she upped sticks and moved on.’

‘So if Bob ever returned there . . .?’

Noah shook his head slowly. ‘He ain’t gonna do that, son. You seen what he looks like? Can hardly put one foot in front of the other now he’s weaned off it.’

‘A bit of time and he’ll shine up.’

‘We’re all banking on that.’

Ben smiled as he laid a hand on his shoulder. ‘Give us a call if you need me.’

‘When are the happy couple back?’

‘T’night.’

‘What you gonna tell them?’

‘Reube can be trusted, Mr Kelly.’

‘I hate to ask yer to lie, if anyone quizzes you, son, but it’s Josie. You know how she is.’

‘I’ll tell any nosy parker to sling their hook,’ grinned Ben. ‘The secret’s safe with me.’ He went to open the door then stopped. ‘The only other one to
know is the doc.’

‘I’ve had a word in his ear.’

Ben nodded. ‘’Spect Lil will tell Hat, though. They’re best mates.’

At this Noah smiled. ‘They’re gonna have a lot to chat about, ain’t they? But Lil will make sure Hat keeps stumm.’

‘All right, then, I’ll be off. Oh, er . . . tell Lil I said hello, won’t you?’

‘I will indeed.’ Noah saw the young man out. Was there still hope for him in the romance department? Bob’s troubles may have brought them closer . . . in which case, thought
Noah, the Brights could have no finer man take the hand of their daughter in marriage than Ben James.

Lily had so much to tell Hattie, but she wasn’t sure when she’d be able to speak to her privately. She knew that Hattie would be settling into her new home this
week. Lily had come home from Dewar Street, but hadn’t told anyone about Charles. She would keep her plans to herself until her father was a little better. On Monday, Lily gave her mother the
last few shillings from Ben’s money.

‘I’ll give it to the landlord,’ said Josie. ‘But he won’t wait for ever for the rest.’

‘Something will turn up.’ Charles had advanced her half her wage, but she couldn’t explain about this until she told them the whole story. And she wasn’t ready to do that
just yet. She wanted to have everything ready in her mind.

‘I hope so, as we haven’t got much in the larder.’

‘I’ve enough in me purse for a few things.’

‘We can’t go on like this.’

‘Stop worrying, Mum.’

‘It’s all right for you to say, but how?’

The two women had just finished the washing and were hanging it on the line to dry. Lily glanced over the fence at the long line of yards. Monday was wash day and most had washing billowing on
the lines.

‘I wonder if Hattie has seen her mum yet?’ Lily mused as she pegged out the last sheet.

‘Could have called by last night when they came back.’

‘She wouldn’t have had much time before she went to work this morning.’

Josie looked up at the sky. ‘Looks like rain.’

‘We’ll keep an eye on the weather.’ Lily picked up the laundry basket. ‘Is Dad up and dressed yet?’

‘No, he’s sitting in his pyjamas. Won’t come down.’

Lily pulled back her shoulders. ‘We’ll see about that.’

‘Don’t upset him.’

Lily turned to her mother. ‘He’s got to get back to normal. At least make an effort to cheer himself up.’

‘Yes, but we don’t want him running away again.’ Josie glanced over her shoulder as though she was being overheard. ‘It was a miracle no one saw him go off that
day.’

Lily knew her mum was still worried about the neighbours seeing or hearing something untoward. ‘Well, no one appeared to.’

‘What are you going to tell Hattie?’

Lily shrugged. ‘The truth, of course.’

Her mother looked like a frightened mouse. ‘She might tell her mother or someone else.’

‘She won’t if I ask her not to.’

‘What about Ben?’

‘He’s doing the same with Reube.’

‘So Betty James and the Parks won’t know?’

‘No, Mum. You can stop worrying.’

‘That’s a relief,’ Josie looked round furtively again, then hurried indoors.

Lily smiled to herself. It was not only her mum who wanted the secret kept now, it was her too. Charles depended on her to be discreet, and she had every intention of being so.

When a knock came on the door that night, it was Hattie. Lily flung her arms around her old friend. ‘Oh, Hat, I’ve missed you.’

‘I couldn’t come over before, I had me wifely duties to attend to.’

‘Come in and tell me all about it.’ Lily stepped back, but Hattie shook her head.

‘I can’t Lil. I told Mrs James I’d cook the supper tonight.’

‘What, on your first day back?’

‘I thought I’d try to get off to a good start. And anyway, I want to flaunt me culinary expertise to me husband.’

‘In that case, good luck. Have you seen your mum and dad and Sylvester?’

‘Yes, briefly, when we came home. But only to say hello.’

‘Being married you don’t half get busy.’

Hattie giggled. ‘It’s fair wearing me out. Now have you any good gossip?’

Lily couldn’t help blushing. ‘A bit, but don’t you know some already from Ben?’

‘What do you mean?’

Lily could tell from her expression that she didn’t. But before Lily could reply, Hattie gasped, ‘I know what’s different. You don’t stink of paint!’

Lily nodded. ‘That’s right.’

‘You ain’t at the factory?’ Hattie spluttered.

‘No, but it’s a long story. I’ll tell you another day.’

Hattie rolled her big brown eyes. ‘I ain’t gonna sleep tonight now.’

‘Yes you will, in a pair of strong arms.’

‘Cripes, I’d forgot that for a moment!’

Both girls burst into laughter again. Lily gazed at her dewy-eyed friend. ‘Married life seems to suit you.’

‘Something certainly does,’ said Hattie, causing them to fall about once more.

‘Let’s meet next Saturday,’ Hattie finally suggested. ‘Go over to Greenwich to the café.’

‘All right. But me dad . . . well, he ain’t been well.’

‘What’s been wrong?’

‘That, too, is a long story. But if he’s all right, I’ll call for you.’

Hattie hugged her again. In the pale light of the August evening, she ran across the road. Lily felt grateful to Ben that he hadn’t said anything, although she was certain he must have
told Reube.

A
s the days passed, Lily watched her father carefully. He lacked an appetite and his cough was troublesome, but he seemed slowly to accept reality.
He preferred to stay in bed, but it was her uncle who persuaded him to wash and shave himself. Lily knew that the two men were becoming close. Her uncle still felt responsible for what had happened
and was doing everything in his power to put the mistake right.

Lily couldn’t wait for Saturday and prayed the weather would be fine for her outing with Hattie. When eventually the day came, it was sunshine and showers. Lily left Josie with strict
instructions to lock the front door behind her.

‘What are you going to tell Hattie?’ her mother asked anxiously, as she was about to leave.

‘Nothing you need worry about, Mum.’

‘I saw Mrs Parks at the corner shop. She asked how your dad was. I said his cough was bad.’

‘What about the mystery illness?’ Lily asked flippantly.

‘I thought I might have to explain it. So I kept to the cough.’

Lily smiled. ‘Don’t worry, this will all blow over.’