Stay as Sweet as You Are (60 page)

Nellie leaned forward in her chair. ‘I agree with yer, Aggie. I have the same feeling.’

Titch roared with laughter. ‘Nellie, don’t get too carried away by what me ma says, she’ll get yer into trouble.’ Then he glanced at his mother, and the face he held so dear caused him to shake his head. ‘I didn’t mean that, Nellie. Yer won’t go far wrong with me ma, she only does what’s right. The best mother a son could have, she is, and I love and adore her.’

Olive punched his arm. ‘Ay, it’s me ye’re marrying, Titch McBride.’

Irene followed suit, giving George a hefty punch. ‘How come yer never say nice things like that to me? Yer’ve no romance in yer, George Pollard.’

Bob turned to smile at Kate. Neither would say it, but both were wondering whether the time would ever come when they’d be close enough to act daft with each other.

Aggie and Nellie didn’t miss the wordless exchange. They smiled across at each other and winked, as if to say Bob and Kate might be slow, but they were on the right tram lines.

Bob had his arm across Lucy’s shoulder as they were seeing Titch and Olive off. ‘Only a few weeks before the big day, eh, mate?’

‘Yeah, it’ll fly over.’ Titch tucked Olive’s arm in his. There was a twinkle in his eye when he said, ‘Kate is everything yer said she was, Bob. If ye’re daft enough to let her get away, yer want yer head testing.’

Lucy’s wide green eyes rolled from her father to Titch. What did he mean about Mrs Kate? Then, before she had time to put her foot in it, the penny dropped. She felt a thrill of excitement travel down her spine and a smile played around the corners of her mouth. Oh, that would be the best thing ever! ‘I’ll go back to our visitors, Dad, while you talk to Mr Titch and Mrs Fletcher.’ After a quick hug and kiss, she made her way back inside.

‘Where’s Iris, Mrs Kate?’

‘She’ll be at home now, love. I left her a note explaining I was coming here, and wouldn’t be late. She could see to her own dinner, it only needed warming up.’

‘Will yer come down again one night soon, and bring Iris with yer? She could have a game of cards with us young ones and you can keep me dad company.’

‘Yes,’ Kate smiled. ‘I’m sure Iris would love that.’

Aggie and Nellie looked at each other. ‘Another partner, d’yer think, Nellie?’

Nellie grinned. ‘Most definitely, Aggie. One on the spot, too!’

‘Me and George are going now, sunshine, so you and yer dad can have yer meal in peace,’ Irene said. ‘Will yer see to the boys, they’re talking about a game of cards tomorrow.’

Lucy went into the kitchen. ‘Yer can’t come tomorrow night because I’ve promised to do Rhoda’s hair. But yer can come the next night.’

‘Rhoda won’t mind us seeing her with curlers in,’ Steve said. ‘I bet if yer ask her in the morning she’ll tell yer she couldn’t care less.’

Jack nodded. ‘Tell her we promise not to laugh at her.’

‘I’m not promising anything of the sort,’ Greg said. ‘If she looks funny, I’ll laugh.’

Lucy giggled when Jack went for his brother’s throat. What a wonderful day this was.

‘So, yer mate’s getting hitched tomorrow, eh, Bob?’ Peg Butterworth’s elbows were resting on the table as she held an enormous sandwich between her two hands. ‘Yer should have introduced me to this Titch feller, he sounds right up my street. He wouldn’t be getting married if he’d seen me, I’d have put him off anyone else.’

‘How’s that, queen?’ Elsie asked. ‘D’yer mean that because ye’re a woman, yer’d have put him off all women? Oh, I don’t think so, queen. I mean, ye’re no oil painting but ye’re not exactly ugly.’

‘You cheeky sod!’ Peg huffed with indignation. ‘Have yer looked in the mirror lately? If yer had yer’d know what ugly means. It would be staring yer in the face.’

‘Oh, I don’t ever look in no mirror, queen. Me sense of humour wouldn’t run to that. I can’t understand why you do, it must be very disheartening for yer.’ Elsie narrowed her eyes to look at her friend. ‘Is that why ye’re a bit miserable some days? Down in the mouth, like?’

‘Elsie Burgess, what would yer say if I parted yer from yer two front teeth?’

‘I wouldn’t say nothing, queen, ’cos I’d be too busy knocking the stuffing out of yer. I’m very proud of me teeth, I am. My feller says they’re me best feature.’

‘They’re yer only feature, girl.’ Peg was gloating inside. She’d been dying to use this big word on Elsie, but there’d never been the right occasion to fit it into a sentence. ‘Apart
from them, there’s nothing. Ye’re just nondescript.’

Elsie’s jaws stopped chewing and her eyes slid sideways. Putting on a posh voice, she asked, ‘Would yer kindly explain the meaning of that word?’

‘It means ye’re very ordinary.’ Little Ada Smithson’s thin face was twitching. ‘It means yer wouldn’t be noticed in a crowd.’

Elsie pondered for a while, then slowly put her sandwich down. Lifting her bosom to rest on the table, she glared at the little woman. ‘Is that so, now? Well, listen to me, smart arse, and take heed. Me and me mate are having a private fight, and we don’t like anyone poking their noses in. So just mind yer own bleedin’ business.’ She turned to Peg. ‘It’s coming to something when yer can’t have a fight in peace, isn’t it, queen?’

‘Yeah, I don’t know what the world’s coming to, girl. Years ago, folk would go out and pick their own fight, they wouldn’t muscle in on someone else’s.’ Peg winked at Ada to let her see this was all in fun. She felt sorry for the little woman ’cos, God knows, she didn’t have much of a life with that bully she had for a husband. ‘It makes yer think, though, girl, doesn’t it?’

‘What makes yer think, queen?’

‘Well, us fighting so much. Perhaps that’s why we’re both ugly. I mean, you with yer cauliflower ear and me with me broken nose, that’s bound to detract from our attractions.’

‘I haven’t got no cauliflower ear, queen! But if yer don’t stop using those big words, so I don’t know whether I’m coming or going, I’ll break yer bleedin’ nose for yer with pleasure.’

Bob was shaking with laughter. He laughed easily these days. In work, having a pint with George and when the neighbours or Lucy’s friends called. His house was a real home now, not a place where he and his daughter knew nothing but misery. They were happy and contented, and as free as birds. And he felt no guilt over Ruby, because Peg and
Elsie made it their business to find out how she was. From all accounts she’d settled in well with Wally Brown and Bob was pleased about that. For all the heartache she’d caused him, he bore her no ill-will.

‘Ay, Bob?’ Peg interrupted his thoughts. ‘Is Titch having a party tomorrow night? I’m only asking because me and Elsie would come along and entertain.’

‘Sorry, Peg, but it’s only a quiet wedding. Just a few friends for a drink, that’s all.’

Peg jerked her head. ‘Just our luck. But when you get married, Bob, me and me mate will expect an invitation.’

Elsie slapped an open hand on her chest. ‘Ooh, er! Is Bob getting married, queen?’

‘Well, he’s bound to, isn’t he? I mean, it stands to sense, a man as good-looking as him won’t be on the shelf for long.’

‘You and Elsie will be top of the list if I ever get married.’ Bob was grinning like a Cheshire cat. ‘Mind you, yer’ll have to wait a long time.’

Billy Gleeson, nursing a toothache, had his chin cradled in his hand. ‘Are yer taking a full day off tomorrow, mate?’

Bob nodded. ‘Yeah, me and Kate.’

Peg turned to face Elsie, and without a tape measure anyone would be hard put to say whose mouth was opened the widest. ‘Yer mean Kate’s going to the wedding?’ Peg croaked. ‘How come she can go and we can’t?’

Kate spoke for the first time. ‘I’ve been kindly invited by the bride. And I’ve got to say I’m really looking forward to it.’

‘And yer never said a dickie-bird!’ Peg pursed her lips. ‘Ye’re a dark horse, Kate Brown.’

The bell rang to signal the end of their break, and tops were put back on carry-out boxes and chairs scraped back. ‘Enjoy yerselves tomorrow, both of yer,’ Peg said. ‘And don’t forget to have a drink for me.’

‘Yeah, have a really nice time.’ Elsie smiled as she linked
her friend’s arm and they made their way out of the canteen.

‘We’ll have to buy a new dress for the wedding, girl,’ Peg said.

‘What wedding, queen?’

‘Bob’s, of course!’

‘Bob’s not getting married, is he, queen?’

Peg squeezed her arm. ‘My money’s on him marrying Kate as soon as his divorce comes through.’

‘Ooh, er! Ye’re right, queen, we will have to buy a new dress.’

Lucy was up bright and early on the Friday morning, and the first thing she did was draw the curtains. The sky was clear blue and the sun was doing its best to shine. ‘Oh, it’s going to be a beautiful day.’ She was hugging herself when she heard a noise from the living room and knew her dad was already up and about. The cardigan she’d worn the night before was lying on the bed and she slipped it on before tripping lightly down the stairs.

‘Good morning, Dad. It’s going to be a beautiful day for the wedding.’

‘It looks like it, pet.’ Bob plumped the cushions on the couch and picked up last night’s
Echo
ready to take to the bin. ‘Have yer got yer day planned out?’

Lucy stood with her hands on her hips. ‘What are yer doing, Dad? I’ll tidy up in here, I’ve got loads of time. Rhoda’s coming over at eleven so I can curl her hair with the curling tongs, then I’m going next door at twelve so Mrs Pollard can dress me up like a dog’s dinner. I’ve got plenty of time to tidy this place.’

‘I’m only doing it to occupy meself, pet.’ Bob grinned and spread his hands. ‘Anyone would think it was me getting married, not Titch. I’m a bundle of nerves and God knows what me tummy’s up to, it’s fluttering like mad.’

‘Today will be good practice for yer, Dad, for when you get married.’

‘Yer mean
if
I ever get married, pet! Nothing is certain in this life.’

‘Oh, that is, Dad. If yer don’t believe me, ask Mrs Aggie or Mrs Nellie. We all think yer’ll get married and we can’t all be wrong.’

Bob lowered his head and pretended to straighten the chenille tablecloth. ‘And have the three of yer decided who I’m going to wed?’

There was no hesitation. ‘Mrs Kate, of course.’

‘Lucy, me and Kate have never discussed the future. She probably doesn’t think of me in that way.’

‘Yer’ll never know if yer don’t ask her! Don’t tell me ye’re not taken with Mrs Kate, ’cos I wouldn’t believe yer.’

Bob pulled out a chair and sat down. ‘Of course I’m taken with her, she’s everything any man could wish for. But I’m still a married man, pet, and likely to be for another year or so. I’m not in any position to ask Kate to marry me.’

‘Yer could ask her to wait for yer and see what she says. Then at least she’d know how yer felt about her and could decide for herself. But she does like yer, Dad, anyone can see that. And there’s nothing to stop yer taking her out and courting her. There’s no law against that.’

Bob couldn’t keep the smile back. ‘Who was it told yer that?’

Lucy giggled. ‘Me two partners, Mrs Aggie and Mrs Nellie. And Mrs Nellie’s son-in-law who’s helping yer with the divorce. He said that me mam is the guilty party and there’s nothing to stop you courting. Yer can’t get married, though, not until the divorce is through.’

‘I didn’t realise my life was of such interest to people.’

‘They want what’s best for yer, Dad. They all love yer and want yer to be happy.’ Her head tilted to one side, and her hands on her hips, Lucy said, ‘Mrs Kate’s only waiting for yer to say something, so don’t keep her waiting.’

‘This is all supposing Kate would have me, but would you be happy if I married her?’

‘Oh yes, Dad! She’s kind and caring and I couldn’t ask for anyone better for a step-mother. And Iris said she’d be made up to have you for a dad and me for a sister.’

Bob puckered his lips and let out a whistle. ‘So, Iris is in this too!’

Lucy dropped her head back and her laughter filled the room. ‘Dad, you and Mrs Kate are the only ones
not
in it! So yer’d better pull yer socks up unless yer want to be the only one not at yer own wedding.’ She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. ‘I’m going to get washed now, but you sit and think about it. If yer don’t put a move on, Mrs Aggie and Mrs Nellie will get fed up waiting and propose for yer.’

Irene stepped back for a better look at Lucy. ‘Yer look beautiful, sunshine, a real treat. What do you say, George?’

‘Yer look good enough to eat, love.’ George wasn’t a person for showing his feelings but he had to fight hard to keep them hidden when he looked at the young girl from next door. She made a beautiful picture in her pale blue dress which fitted her to perfection. And Irene had made her a bandeau for her hair with pale blue flowers sewn on. But it was the smiling face that would capture anyone’s heart. And for the umpteenth time, George asked himself how any mother could walk away and leave her. ‘In fact, love,’ he told her, ‘I think yer’ll steal the show today.’

Lucy shook her head. ‘No, I won’t, Mr Pollard. Mrs Fletcher will do that.’

‘Well, I think yer look lovely, Lucy,’ Jack said. ‘Like a film star.’

‘Yeah, I think I will marry yer after all, Lucy.’ Greg was leaning against the sideboard. ‘Yer are pretty, and on top of that yer’ve got stacks of buttons.’

Jack glared at him. ‘She’d have to be hard up to marry
you
.’

‘It’s only me buttons he’s after, Jack,’ Lucy said. ‘I’ll give
him half of what I’ve got and that should shut him up.’

‘The only thing that will shut my youngest son up, is a gobstopper.’ Irene looked down at herself. ‘I’d better get a move on, I’m the only one not ready. And don’t forget, Lucy, you won’t be leaving with me and the boys. You are going in the wedding car with Olive and Steve.’

Lucy rolled her eyes. ‘Aren’t I going to be the posh one!’

‘Is there any chance of a cuppa, Ma?’ Titch stood at the kitchen door moving from one foot to the other. ‘Me mouth’s not half dry.’

‘Listen, son, will yer go and sit down. Me and Nellie are up to our eyes in it and we can’t work with you under our feet.’

‘I’ve tried that, Ma, and it won’t work. I can’t sit ’cos me nerves are shattered.’ Titch held his hands out and started shaking them. ‘See, I’m a wreck.’