The Girl From Number 22 (52 page)

‘Yeah, ye’re right, girl, as usual. She would probably get all hot and bothered if we walked in.’ Hetty took a sip of tea. ‘The goings-on in her house are funny, don’t yer think so, girl? I’ve never known anyone like her husband, he’s queer. For years he’s knocked Annie and the kids around, done some terrible things to her, and then suddenly he’s as quiet as a mouse and doesn’t open his mouth to them! There’s something fishy there, if yer ask me.’

‘I’ve got me own ideas on what the queer feller is up to,’ Ada said. ‘People like him, who think they’re the pig’s ear, and lord it over everyone, they don’t change. Not unless there’s a good reason behind it.’

‘What d’yer mean, girl? What good reason could Tom Phillips have for changing from a loud-mouthed drunkard to a quiet man who doesn’t go to the pub every night or knock his wife and kids around? I mean, I’m glad he has changed, for Annie’s sake, and the two children’s, but I still think there’s something fishy going on.’

‘I agree with yer, sunshine, there is definitely something fishy going on. Men as old as Tom Phillips don’t suddenly change. As I said, I have me own ideas on what he’s up to, but I’m not saying anything in case I’m wrong.’

‘What d’yer think it is, girl? Go on, yer can tell me. Yer know I won’t repeat it to anyone. I’ll be the soul of discretion.’

‘What about when ye’re in bed with Arthur, and having a little natter before yer put the light out? And yer think to yerself, well Arthur doesn’t speak to no one, so there’d be no harm done.’

Hetty got on her high horse. ‘My Arthur doesn’t go round telling tittle-tattle! He hardly speaks to anyone. He doesn’t even go for a pint unless it’s with your Jimmy. So who would he have to gossip to?’

‘Don’t be getting yer knickers in a twist, sunshine, ’cos I know for certain that Arthur has got more to do than gossip. And you have my heartfelt apology for bringing his name into the conversation.’

Hetty made a clicking sound with her tongue. ‘Yer’ve no intention of telling me what yer think, have yer, girl? If I had something to blackmail yer with, then I would. The trouble is, ye’re too ruddy good to be true.’

‘Listen, sunshine, ye’re me best mate, and if I had anything to tell, then yer’d be the first one I’d tell it to. But I honestly don’t know why Tom Phillips has changed. What I do have is an idea of what he might be up to, but I don’t know anything for certain. And Annie, God bless her, hasn’t a clue about what’s going on.’

‘Well, why can’t yer tell me what yer think? If ye’re not right, then there’s no harm done, ’cos no one but me would know what yer had in yer head.’

‘We’ve got Christmas on top of us, sunshine, and that should be enough to keep our minds occupied. A few weeks after the holiday, I’ve got a feeling we’ll all know what Tom Phillips is up to. Whether it’ll make life better for Annie and the kids, well, we’ll just have to wait and see. It’ll all come out in the wash, sunshine, believe me.’

‘And yer think ye’re going to do all right in the shop, do yer, Mam?’ Jenny’s face was alive with interest. That the mother she adored was going to have a life of her own made her feel very happy. ‘And the man was nice with yer?’

‘He’s a real gentleman, sweetheart. His name is Mr Saunders, but he told me right away to call him Andy.’

Ben’s eyes were shining. ‘Did yer serve any customers, Mam? I’d love to work in a shop, but with being a boy, I suppose I’m better off serving me time as an apprentice. The money’s good when I get to twenty-one, and I’ll always be sure of a job.’

‘Ye’re much better off having a trade, son, yer did the right thing. I know yer don’t earn much now, but yer’ve always got to think ahead, to the future.’

‘Me dad still doesn’t know about yer working, does he, Mam?’ Jenny asked. ‘Are yer going to tell him?’

Annie shook her head. ‘Not unless I’ve got to. If he knows I’m earning a few bob, he’ll give me less housekeeping every week. He’d be the one to gain by me working, not me. So unless he finds out for himself, I ain’t going to tell him. My few bob every week will make life a lot easier. I’ll be able to pick and choose what we have for our meals, and spend a few coppers on meself. I could do with something decent to wear.
The few clothes I’ve got make me look like a real frump.’

‘It’s not before time, Mam,’ Jenny told her. ‘Ye’re still a young woman, yer’ve got a nice face and figure, and it’s about time yer started to do yerself up.’

Annie chuckled. ‘The few bob I earn isn’t going to stretch like a piece of elastic, sweetheart, but if I put some coppers away each week, I’ll soon have enough saved to buy something half decent for meself. And I’ll be able to help you and Ben out if yer find yerselves skint in the middle of the week.’

Jenny’s mouth set in a stubborn line. ‘Mam, me and Ben get enough pocket money for the time being, so forget us and see to yerself. And I hope me dad never finds out, ’cos as yer said, he’d drop yer housekeeping.’ Her brow creased. ‘Speaking of me dad, what’s happened to him the last week or so? No shouting or bawling, no clouts or blows, and no rolling home blind drunk. I thought he was sickening for something at first, but there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with him.’

‘Your guess is as good as mine, sweetheart. But I have to say I don’t care what’s happened to make him change, I’m just hoping he stays that way and doesn’t go back to being a drunken bully. I’d be the happiest woman in the world if he never spoke to me again, and I didn’t have to be looking over me shoulder all the time.’

‘It is queer, though, Mam,’ Ben said, his mouth half full of mashed potato. ‘If he’s working overtime every night, then he must be rolling in money. And having money in his pocket, why isn’t he out boozing every night like he used to be? It makes yer think.’

‘Your father has always been a dark horse, son. I didn’t realise before I married him that he was a loner. I never noticed he had no friends then, and to my knowledge he’s never, ever, had a real
mate. He treated me all right when we were courting, so I never gave any thought to such things. I certainly had no inkling he would turn out the way he has. And it was only after we’d been married for a while that it struck me he didn’t have one friend, and didn’t allow me to have one.’

‘I’m not surprised he’s no friends,’ Jenny said, ‘he’s a miserable man, with no sense of humour. He goes out on his own and comes back on his own.’ She nodded to the clock on the mantelpiece. ‘Look at the time now, it’s half seven and there’s no sign of him. He must know yer’ve got a dinner ready for him, and it won’t be worth eating by the time he shows his face. It serves him right if it’s all dried up.’

‘It’s all right you saying that, our Jenny,’ Ben said, ‘but it’s me mam he’ll take it out on.’

Annie shook her head. ‘No, son, he won’t be taking his spite out on me. Not ever again.’

‘But what if he walked in now, Mam, and started throwing his weight around? You know, like, if he went back to how he was before.’ Ben set his knife and fork down on his now empty plate. ‘What should we do? Sit quiet and say nothing, or what?’

‘If he does decide to honour us with his presence, and he starts any shenanigans ’cos his dinner isn’t fit to eat, then we’ll all move away from the table. And without saying a word, we’ll put our coats on and walk out of the house. If he’s spoiling for a fight, then let him fight himself. And if his dinner is ruined, then let him starve. I’ve given up worrying about what mood yer father’s in, for I’m not afraid of him any more.’ Annie glanced across to the window. ‘I haven’t drawn the curtains over yet, and with the light being on, anyone can see in. Not that there’s much to see, but I always feel uncomfortable thinking people passing can see in.’

‘Stay where yer are, Mam, I’ll draw them.’ Jenny scraped her chair back. ‘If folk are nosy enough to peep in, they wouldn’t be able to see much through the net curtains because the aspidistra is in the way.’ She was pulling the draw curtain over when the door opposite opened and Danny Fenwick stepped down on to the pavement. Her breath caught in her throat for a second as her heartbeat raced, but she quickly drew the curtain while telling herself not to be stupid, she hardly knew the lad. Besides, although he’d been friendly towards her on the few occasions they’d met, it was only because he was that type of person. He was the same with everyone. And knowing what her father was like, he probably wasn’t really interested in her as a person. Not as a girlfriend, anyway. And who could blame him for that? ‘Danny’s just come out, Mam. He must be off to a dance as usual.’

‘Are you not going out tonight, sweetheart?’

Jenny shook her head. ‘No, I’m having a night in.’

‘Why don’t yer go to the dance? Yer don’t have to go with Danny, yer could follow him on. He wouldn’t think anything if yer walked in a quarter of an hour after him. I’m sure lots of girls go on their own. And boys.’

But Jenny wasn’t persuaded. ‘No, I’ve made up me mind to stay in tonight. I’ll be going out with me mates from work one night this week. I always have a good laugh with them, they’re really good company.’

Annie sighed. She’d done her best, she couldn’t do any more. But her daughter would never meet a nicer lad than Danny Fenwick.

Danny was gliding down the dance hall with Dorothy, really enjoying the strains of a slow foxtrot, and the harmony of his
partner’s steps. They were dancing as one, and it was bliss. But his concentration was broken when Tony danced alongside him and called, ‘Ay, Danny, I had Jenny all to meself on Saturday night, it was great.’

Danny’s step faltered and he trod on Dorothy’s toe, causing her to groan. ‘Oh, thanks very much, Danny, yer’ve only broken me blinking toe.’

‘I’m sorry, Dot, but it wasn’t my fault, it was that stupid nit for putting me off me stride.’ Danny glared at Tony, who was dancing on the spot with a pretty brunette. ‘What did yer do that for? Yer should have more sense than to act daft in the middle of a dance. Yer’ve got a queer sense of humour, that’s all I can say.’

Tony was enjoying the situation, and intended to milk it for all it was worth. ‘What are yer getting all het up for, Danny? I only told yer I had the pleasure of dancing with Jenny on Saturday night at the Grafton. I didn’t expect yer to be daft enough to stand on one of poor Dorothy’s toes.’

‘Me toe’s all right now,’ Dorothy said, pulling on Danny’s arm. ‘If yer don’t mind, and if it’s not too much trouble, can we get on with the dance, please? It’ll be over before we get halfway round the flipping floor.’

Danny raised his brows at Tony. ‘I’ll see yer when the dance is over.’ Then he smiled down at Dorothy. ‘Sorry about that, Dot, but Tony likes winding me up. He’s always pulling someone’s leg. The trouble is, he’s not grown up proper.’

Falling into step with her partner, Dorothy chuckled. ‘Oh, yer’ll not find many in this room to agree with that, Danny. He’s a very popular lad, is Tony. Almost as popular as you are.’

The dimples in Danny’s cheeks deepened. ‘Yer redeemed
yerself just in time there, Dot. For a minute I thought yer were going to say I wasn’t in the meg specks.’

Dorothy’s timing was perfect as the couple navigated the corner. ‘I’m saying no more, Danny Fenwick, ’cos ye’re big-headed enough as it is.’

When the dance was over, Danny walked Dot back to where her friends were standing, then looked around for Tony. He finally spotted the blond head and made his way towards it. ‘What d’yer think ye’re playing at, Tony? Right in the middle of a dance and yer start acting daft. Dorothy’s going to have a sore toe all night because of you and yer jokes.’

‘I wasn’t joking, mate, I just thought yer’d be interested. I went to the Grafton on Saturday for a change, and blow me if Jenny didn’t turn up with some friends from work. It was a good night, we enjoyed ourselves.’

‘Yer don’t half exaggerate,’ Danny said, while a little voice in his head asked why he was concerned anyway. After all, it was a free country. ‘Yer’ve only met Jenny once, yer don’t know anything about her. Even if yer are telling the truth, which I’m beginning to doubt, I can’t see how yer could spend the whole night with her and her mates.’

Tony shrugged his shoulders as though he couldn’t care less what Danny thought. But inwardly he was smiling. ‘I don’t care whether yer believe me or not, it’s no skin off my nose. I wouldn’t be bothered telling lies about something so trivial. After all, anyone that goes into a dance hall intends to dance. And that’s what Jenny and me did on Saturday. Oh, and I danced with her mates, as well, ’cos she asked me to.’ He forced out a sigh. ‘I don’t know why I bothered saying anything to yer about it. I wouldn’t have done if I’d known I was going to get the third degree. What’s it got to do with you if Jenny happens to be in the same
dance hall as me, and I ask her to dance? I mean, she’s not yer girlfriend, is she?’

‘No, she’s not me girlfriend,’ Danny admitted. ‘She lives in the same street as me, and my mam is a very good friend of her mam. That’s why I like to keep an eye on her, and make sure she’s all right. Just to be neighbourly, like.’

‘That’s all right then,’ Tony said, ‘’cos she’s promised to meet me here one night this week. And seeing as ye’re not romantically linked, I’m going to ask her for a date. She’s a nice girl, is Jenny. The type yer could take home to meet yer mam.’

Danny’s dimples appeared when he laughed. ‘Now I know ye’re kidding. Yer’ve met the girl twice, and now ye’re talking about taking her home to meet yer mam! That’s a good one, that is.’ He turned away when the music started up. ‘I’ll believe it when I see it with me own eyes, Tony.’

‘Ay, Danny Fenwick, if you think I’d let yer come with us when I take Jenny to meet me mam, then yer’ve got another think coming.’

Danny stopped and turned round. ‘Don’t count yer chickens before they’re hatched, Tony, ’cos yer might be in for a surprise. Jenny might have set her sights elsewhere, for she’s a good-looking girl and could have her pick. Yer might find yerself in a long queue.’

After making sure there was no one in the entry, Tom Phillips opened Bella’s door and stepped into the yard. He was a regular nightly visitor now, preferring to spend his sixpence on pleasures of the flesh rather than hand it over the pub counter. He didn’t have to make an appointment with the prostitute, he was a regular and expected. She would tap on the window or come out to him when she was ready, and while he waited he lit up a
cigarette. He’d been instructed to stand in the lavatory, out of sight of prying eyes, and whatever Bella told him to do, he did without question. He was delighted with the way his life was now. His appetite for sex was being fed as it had never been before, and it filled his mind each day. The irony of the situation never entered his head. Where he had once been the slave driver, he was now the slave. And a very willing one.