MB06 - The Sunshine of your Smile, page 31
‘Just the job, Billy,’ Molly said. ‘If yer’ve got a bit of paper I can write the two orders out for yer. And when the lad delivers them, yer can put a note in each saying how much the order comes to, and if we’ve got enough on our club card to cover it.’ A pencil and a none too clean piece of paper were handed over and Molly began to write. ‘I’ve done mine now, Nellie, so I’ll do yours. Potatoes, veg, and was it a dozen tangerines yer wanted, and a pound of apples?’
‘That’s it, girl, spot on.’ Nellie grinned at Billy. ‘Oh, and a piece of mistletoe, lad, so I can catch a few fellers unawares.’
‘Okay, Nellie, I’ll see it’s a decent piece.’ Billy was saying a prayer of thanks for his good luck. He remembered one year Nellie had chased him around the shop and stockroom with a piece of mistletoe in her hand. Sacks had been knocked over and spuds rolled down the pavement followed by sprouts and onions. A whole box of oranges suffered the same fate. All the other shopkeepers and their customers were out, in the street laughing their heads off, but at the time Billy didn’t see the funny side of it. He did when he got to bed, though. His wife thought he’d gone barmy because he was roaring with laughter over something she thought the police should have been called out for, and the woman taken away in a Black Maria.
Billy eyed the list. ‘The boy will have this weighed out and at your house in an hour’s time. Will yer be back home by then?’
‘I hope so, but give us an extra fifteen minutes just in case.’ Molly took a deep breath and smiled. ‘Well, that’s a load off me mind and chest. We’ll be in tomorrow to sort our club cards out. It we owe yer anything we’ll pay up then. If you owe us, we’ll spend it on nuts and fruit. Thanks, Billy, ye’re a pal.’
When they were outside the shop, Nellie nudged Molly and winked knowingly. ‘Ay, girl, d’yer know when yer said it was a load off yer mind and yer chest? Well, did yer notice Billy’s eyes go to me breasts? It was as if he was hypnotized, couldn’t help himself, like. Mind you, he’s no different to all the other men what see me. All their eyes go straight to me bosom.’
Molly knew she was a fool for taking any notice, she should just carry on walking as though she hadn’t heard. But she couldn’t help herself. ‘Nellie, everyone’s eyes go straight to yer bust because it’s the first thing they see! When you walk into a room, yer bust enters it at least five seconds before the rest of yer body. Anybody that didn’t notice it would have to be blind, so don’t be making out that Billy fancies yer. Just imagine if someone was walking behind yer, heard what yer said and told his wife. She’d play merry hell with him, and the poor man’s done nothing wrong except be as nice to you as he is to all his customers.’
There was a sly grin on Nellie’s face. ‘I knew that would get yer worked up, girl, that’s why I said it. I wouldn’t say nothing to my feller, though, ’cos he’s like you, very straitlaced. The pair of yer miss an awful lot of fun in life.’
‘Listen to me, Nellie McDonough, I’ve saved yer from many a go-along from someone yer’ve insulted. Ever since I’ve known yer I’ve been pulling yer away from a situation that was going to end up in fisticuffs. I’m surprised yer get away with it as often as yer do, yer’ve been a lucky blighter.’
‘That’s ’cos I’ve got you for a mate, girl, and yer always look after me. I’m hopeless on me own, I don’t know what I’d do without yer. Those lists for the butcher’s and greengrocer’s, I couldn’t have written them ’cos I’m hopeless at adding up and spelling.’
Molly chuckled. ‘Yer don’t have to tell me that, sunshine. I can remember once when yer weren’t feeling too good and asked me if I’d get yer something from the butcher’s when I was out shopping if yer wrote it out for me. Well, soft girl that I am, I just takes the piece of paper and puts it in me pocket, I never thought of looking at it. And I couldn’t make out what Tony was laughing at until he passed it over to me. Yer wanted one pound of sosarge.’
‘Well, what was wrong with that, girl? I wasn’t asking for much, was I?’
‘No, yer weren’t, sunshine, only Tony doesn’t sell sosarge ’cos he said there’s no call for it around here and yer’d have to make do with common or garden beef sausage like the rest of his customers.’
‘Yeah, well, we can’t all be clever buggers, can we?’ Nellie pulled up abruptly. ‘What are we walking this way for, girl, where are we going?’
‘To the sweetshop. We may as well do as much as we can today and then we can take it nice and easy tomorrow. I know what I want: ciggies for Jack, baccy for me da, a selection box for Ruthie, and as many small boxes of chocolates as me Christmas club allows.’
‘Get the same for me, girl, except two lots of ciggies instead of tobacco. We’ve got the same amount on our club cards, which is good, isn’t it, girl? I’m glad yer make me put money away each week, otherwise I’d be in a right state and end up having to do all me shopping out of one week’s wages.’ Nellie gave a little hop to keep up. ‘Are we going to Irwin’s as well? If we are, we’re going to have to put a move on to be back for the lad coming.’
There were only a few people in the sweetshop, so they weren’t kept waiting long. For Molly to get everything she wanted, she had to pay a shilling with her club card, and because Nellie felt like a slab of Cadbury’s, she had to fork out one and six. But they left the shop feeling very pleased with themselves.
‘Can’t we leave Irwin’s until tomorrow, girl? Me chilblains are giving me gyp. I need to take the weight off me feet and take these ruddy shoes off.’
‘Yes, okay, sunshine, we’ll head for home. We’ve done well for one day, and tomorrow we only need some groceries from Irwin’s.’ Molly looked down on her friend who was grimacing with pain. ‘Let me carry that bag for yer, then we can walk quicker. A warm by the fire and a nice cup of tea will do yer the power of good.’
Even in pain, Nellie didn’t forget her tummy. ‘Have yer got any biscuits in, girl?’
‘Not for eating now I haven’t, they’re for over the holiday. Anyway, greedy guts, yer’ve got a slab of chocolate which should satisfy yer craving for sweet stuff. And I know yer won’t like me saying it, but yer really should cut down on cakes and chocolate ’cos ye’re carrying a lot of weight, sunshine, and it’s not good for yer. I’m not getting at yer, it’s just that yer are me mate and if I think anything’s bad for yer, I’d be a poor mate if I didn’t tell yer.’
‘I know yer mean well, girl, but I can’t help meself. Our Lily had a go at me a few months ago, and she told me to chew gum to take me mind off sweets. She even bought me a packet of Wrigley’s Spearmint gum, and honest to God I did try, but I hated the bleeding stuff. Me jaw got tired, the ruddy stuff stuck to me teeth and I ended up throwing the packet in the fire. I didn’t tell our Lily that she’d wasted her money, mind, or she’d have gone mad. But I never want to see another stick of gum in me life. And have yer ever watched anyone what does chew gum, girl? I think they look stupid with their mouths going up and down and their faces all shapes. I’d rather be fat and happy than looking gormless all the time.’
‘They say it’s good for yer teeth, keeps them clean,’ Molly said. ‘But I have to admit I don’t like the stuff. Our Doreen used to chew it when she was at school and she knew I didn’t like it, so she’d stick it anywhere I wouldn’t see. I found a piece stuck under the dining table once and raised merry hell when she came in. And the cheeky little madam said she didn’t know where else to put it, and anyway it was my fault for coming into the room without making a noise to warn her.’
When they reached her house, Molly put her bag down while she took the front-door key from her purse. ‘Let’s hope the room’s warm ’cos I banked the fire down thinking we’d be out longer.’ She opened the door and picked up her bag. ‘It won’t take long to get it roaring, though, sunshine, so come on in and take the weight off yer feet.’
The first thing Nellie did was pick up the carver chair, place it at the table, then groaning with pain, she used her big toes to ease off her shoes. ‘Oh, thank God for that! I couldn’t have walked another step, girl, I was just ready to drop.’
‘Well, you take yer coat off, sunshine, and throw it over the back of one of the chairs. I’ll put the poker in the fire to let some draught through to get it going, then I’ll stick the kettle on for a pot of tea. And seeing as yer look so sorry for yerself, I’ll break into a packet of custard creams. But we’re only having one each, and I’m sticking to that even if yer cry yer eyes out. Otherwise all me Christmas goodies will be gone before the day arrives.’
Nellie had a smile on her face as she watched her friend walking through to the kitchen. Things were looking up. One custard cream was better than none, and she still had that slab of Cadbury’s for herself. It was too near Christmas to think of giving up sweet stuff, but she would definitely try when the festivities were over, and even make cutting down on sweets and cakes one of her New Year resolutions. Her head and chins nodding, she decided to tell Molly when she came in with the tea. Then her mate could keep an eye on her and make sure she kept to her resolution.
‘Here yer are, sunshine, a pot of hot tea and a custard cream each. And the fire’s taking off nicely, it’ll be roaring up the chimney in a minute.’
Nellie took one look at the two biscuits on the plate and thought how sad and lonely they looked. That’s how she’d look if she kept to her resolution. So she quickly made up her mind to forget about making promises she knew she wouldn’t keep. There was no point in telling Molly because she’d only nag her, and why should she worry when she was happy? Yer only had to look at Elsie Flanaghan to know that thin people led miserable lives. Nellie wouldn’t want to be like Elsie Flanaghan for a big clock.
There was a knock on the door and Molly pulled a face. ‘It can’t be the coalman or the rent man, and I’m not expecting anyone.’ As she made her way to the door, she said, ‘Don’t you dare touch my biscuit or I’ll kill yer.’
Molly opened the door to find the young lad from the greengrocer’s standing there beside his cart. He looked frozen, with a cherry red nose, pale blue lips and hands he was trying to rub some life back into. ‘Oh, yer poor thing! Haven’t yer got a scarf to put on, or a pair of gloves?’
The lad shook his head. He was only just fourteen and should be still at school, but with him having no dad, the Education Authority had allowed him to leave school two weeks early so he could earn some money to help his mother. He had a young sister, and his mother took on cleaning jobs to keep a roof over their heads. After the holiday he would look for a better job, but he was glad when the greengrocer said he’d take him on as long as he pulled his weight. Well, he wasn’t afraid of hard work and Billy said he was pleased with him. It would mean an extra fifteen shillings for his mam to buy things for Christmas.
‘I’ll be all right, missus.’ The lad, Tommo, cupped his freezing cold hands to his mouth and blew hot breath into them. It didn’t help much, but it was something. ‘I’ve got two orders, are they both for you?’
‘One for me and one for a house three doors away. But the woman is in here now, so she’ll open her door and yer can throw them in the hall.’ Molly looked down into the cart where there were two orange boxes, one on top of the other. ‘That one is for me, so will yer carry it through to the kitchen for me? And I’ll get me friend’s key and open her door for yer. Then ye’re coming back for a cup of hot tea and to get a warm by the fire. Come on, son, bring the box and follow me.’
Nellie watched with interest but wasn’t about to discommode herself. ‘D’yer want me key, girl? It’s in me coat pocket.’
‘Then get it out, sunshine, ’cos the poor lad’s not going to wait around for you, he’s like a block of ice as it is.’
When both boxes were in their rightful kitchens, Molly brought Tommo in and stood him in front of the fire. ‘I’ll bring yer a cup of tea now, lad, and yer can help yerself to one of those custard creams.’
Nellie moved like lightning and one custard cream was off the plate and in her hand without the boy seeing her move. A joke was a joke, she thought. If my mate feels sorry for him, she’ll likely offer him my biscuit. But I’m not as generous or good-hearted as she is. I could make a New Year resolution to be more generous in the future, but it’s something I’m going to have to consider very carefully.
When the cup of tea was handed to him, the lad held it between his hands, savouring the warmth. ‘This tea’s good, missus, thanks very much.’
‘Ye’re welcome, son, you stay there until ye’re warmed through.’ Molly was on her knees rooting through the mass of odds and sods which kept getting thrown in the sideboard cupboard because there was nowhere else to put them. She’d have to have a good clear out when she had a spare hour, because this was ridiculous. After a few minutes of frantic searching she gave a cry of triumph. ‘I knew I’d seen them in there.’
‘Who are yer talking to, girl, and what have yer been doing with yer head stuck in there?’
‘Looking for these.’ Molly scrambled to her feet holding a pair of black woollen gloves aloft. ‘These aren’t much good, lad, they’re donkey’s years old. But they’d keep yer hands warm and they’re better than nothing.’
‘Ooh, thanks, missus, they’re great!’ The lad’s face lit up with pleasure. No one had ever given him anything before and he’d never had a pair of gloves in his life. ‘Just the job for keeping me hands warm. And if yer hands are warm it makes yer forget the rest of yer is cold.’
For the first time, Molly noticed the thin coat the boy was wearing, and the scruffy worn-out shoes she’d bet any money had holes in the soles and pieces of newspaper inside to keep some of the cold out. The sight took her back to the days when she was often so skint she couldn’t afford to have her shoes mended. ‘Have yer got any brothers or sisters, Tommo?’ She smiled at him. ‘That’s what Billy called yer, so I hope yer don’t mind me being friendly?’
‘I don’t mind, missus, ’cos I’ve always been called that with me name being Thompson. I’ve got one kid sister at home, and me mam.’ He drank a mouthful of tea so they wouldn’t hear the emotion in his voice. Big boys didn’t cry. ‘Me dad died when I was ten.’
Molly had the sense not to show pity. ‘You stay there until yer feel warm right through, ye’re not in anyone’s way.’ She glanced over at Nellie and mouthed, ‘Kitchen, please?’
Now Nellie didn’t like being disturbed once she was in her carver chair, especially when her chilblains were settling down. So she heaved a sigh at the same time as heaving up her body. ‘What is it, girl? I was nice and comfy there.’
‘That’s just too bad, sunshine.’ Molly kept her voice low. ‘I know yer’ve got a silver sixpence in yer purse, so will yer hand it over to me without asking any questions?’
Nellie looked puzzled. ‘Yer can’t expect me to hand over sixpence without asking what it’s for. What’s the big secret?’
‘I want to put it to the sixpence I’ve got and give it to that boy.’ Molly’s hand shot out to cover her friend’s mouth. ‘Take a good look at him. He’s half-starved and the clothes he’s got on won’t keep him warm. And he’s got no dad. Now does that answer yer questions, and will yer give me the tanner?’
Nellie wasn’t in a position to refuse, not with Molly’s hand clamped over her mouth. Although she nodded, her eyes told Molly she wasn’t in favour of handing over her sixpence. However, her friend knew how to get round her. She hugged the little woman, kissed her cheek and said, ‘Ye’re a pal, sunshine, and I love the bones of yer.’
That of course cut off any argument Nellie might have put up. After all, when someone tells you they love the bones of you, you really can’t tell them to sod off, it doesn’t sound right somehow. But this being generous was getting out of hand. There’d definitely be no New Year resolution, she couldn’t afford it. The way her mate was going on she’d be wearing a halo soon.
But Nellie’s mood changed completely and she was filled with good will when Molly gave her the two sixpences to hand over to the lad. ‘You give them to him, sunshine, and when yer see his face, it’ll be all the thanks yer need.’
‘Here yer are, lad,’ Nellie felt six foot tall and her heart was at bursting point when tears came to the lad’s eyes. ‘Yer can buy yer mam and yer sister a small box of chocolates to give on Christmas morning.’
Tommo couldn’t get over it. He’d been delighted with the cup of tea, then over the moon with the pair of gloves, old as they were. But to get a shilling on top was just unbelievable. ‘Thanks, missus, that’s very kind of yer. Me mam and our Amy will get a surprise ’cos they won’t be expecting anything.’
Molly’s mind was working and she thought of another way to help the lad. ‘Listen, if yer’d like to call here when yer finish work, I might have some clothes for yer that me son’s grown out of. That’s if yer don’t mind wearing cast-offs? They’ll be in good condition, it’s just he’s grown out of them.’
Tommo’s eyes were like saucers. ‘Ooh, thanks, missus! I’ll come straight from work, but it’ll be after six ’cos I’ve got orders to make up. Will that be all right?’
Nellie would never have thought of that, but now her friend had mentioned it, she said, ‘I’ll have some for yer as well, lad, ’cos my son’s got some he’s grown out of too.’
The lad couldn’t believe his luck. ‘Thanks very much, I’ll definitely come after work. And, d’yer know, this is one of the best days I’ve ever had. That’s since me dad died, because when he was alive we used to have good times and lots of fun.’
‘We’ll be glad to do what we can for yer, Tommo,’ Molly said. ‘Now I think yer should be getting back to work or Billy will think we’ve kidnapped yer.’
The boy who walked out of the door was very different from the one who had entered. Pulling on the gloves, and with head held high, he lifted the cart handles and walked down the street whistling.
