Sadie Was A Lady (19 page)

Geoff bought them an ice cream from a ‘stop me and buy one’ man, and they licked them as they wandered down to the pier. Sadie’s enthusiasm and delight in
everything
was so infectious it rubbed off on Geoff. He’d been to Southport dozens of times, but with Sadie by his side he was seeing things he’d never noticed before. Like the waves gushing around the pier supports and throwing up a white foam. Or the swans on the lake. He’d seen the swans before, but had never noticed how graceful they were until Sadie pointed it out. ‘Aren’t they beautiful?’ she said softly. ‘So calm and … and … I think the word is dignified.’

They were leaning over the railing around the lake when the sun began to set and Sadie thought she’d never forget the sight. The sky was a blaze of colour, from red to gold, and the reflections on the rippling waters of the sea and lake were breathtaking. ‘Yer couldn’t describe it, could yer, Geoff? No one would believe yer unless they saw it for themselves.’ In an impulsive gesture she laid a hand on his arm. ‘Thank you for bringing me.’

‘Thank you for coming with me, Sadie, and showing me Southport as I’ve never seen it before.’ Geoff thought of the one thing he’d always wanted to do but never got the chance because his various girlfriends didn’t want to get their feet wet or their shoes dirty. ‘The tide’s goin’ out now – d’yer feel like having a paddle?’

‘Oh, I’d love to!’ Sadie clapped her hands in glee. ‘I’ve never had a paddle in me life.’

‘Stop pulling me leg,’ Geoff said. ‘Everyone had a paddle when they were kids.’

‘I didn’t.’

Geoff could see she was serious so he didn’t want to upset her by asking questions. Some other time, when she knew him a bit better, then perhaps he could find out more about her. ‘Come on, let’s splash in the water together. I’ll have to roll me trouser legs up and you’ll have to lift yer skirt or yer’ll get drenched.’

They were holding hands as they made their way to the railway station and Sadie looked sideways at him. ‘I’ll have plenty to think about in bed tonight, Geoff.’

‘I hope yer thoughts will all be pleasant ones?’

‘Oh, yes, they’ll be brilliant. If I go over everything, it’ll
be
three o’clock in the morning before I get to sleep. And when I do drop off, I hope I have a lovely dream about that sunset.’

‘My dream will be about something lovely.’ Geoff showed their tickets to get onto the platform. ‘But it won’t be the sunset. It’ll be about a girl with bright blonde hair, eyes bluer than the sea or the sky, and a smile that would warm the coldest heart.’

‘Oh, you, don’t be makin’ me blush!’

‘I don’t want to embarrass yer, Sadie, but I just want yer to tell me that yer’ll see me again, then I’ll sleep a happy man.’

‘Ooh, I wouldn’t want to be the cause of yer not sleepin’, Geoff.’ There was laughter in Sadie’s voice. ‘We can’t have that so I’d better say I’ll see yer again, hadn’t I? Would yer like to make an appointment now?’

‘Tomorrow night,’ Geoff said quickly. ‘And every other night.’

Sadie pulled a face. ‘I can’t make it tomorrow, Geoff, I’m sorry.’

‘Have yer got a date with someone else?’

‘No, it’s nothing like that. I’ve promised to go somewhere.’ Wednesday night was Harry’s free kiss night and Sadie wouldn’t let him down. He was the only man she trusted. Never once had he tried to do more than kiss her and she respected him for that. ‘Either Friday or Saturday would be the best nights.’

‘Friday then, if that’s the earliest yer can make it.’

‘Look, I’m goin’ to be honest with yer, Geoff. I had to walk to Everton Valley tonight from Toxteth, and it’s a long walk.’ She put her hand up when she saw he was about to speak. ‘I did it because I had no money for tram fare. I don’t get much pocket money and it’s usually all gone by Monday. Then I’m skint until I get paid on Saturday.’

‘Sadie, I’ll pay yer tram fare. Good God, it’s only coppers.’

‘This is my night for being honest, so yer might as well get the lot.’ Sadie’s mind was divided into two camps.
One
voice was telling her he was too nice to use, like she used Alec, the other telling her to stick to her resolve because the alternative was years of misery at home. ‘I let Alec pay me tram fare last week and what he expected in return was too high a price to pay.’

‘I’ll kill him,’ Geoff hissed through gritted teeth. ‘I know what he is, he’s noted for it, but I didn’t think he’d try it on with you.’

‘He didn’t get what he wanted, Geoff, so don’t worry. In fact, he got something he
didn’t
want, which must have caused him a lot of pain, apart from denting his pride. I’m only telling yer this because yer offered to pay me fare, like he did, and I don’t intend goin’ through any capers like that again.’ Sadie couldn’t resist a grin. ‘Many more like Alec an’ I’ll be breaking me flippin’ leg!’

Geoff’s face creased in puzzlement. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘I’m not going to draw yer a picture, Geoff. I’ll just say that when I left him in the shop doorway that he’d dragged me into, he was doubled up in pain and howling like a baby.’

A slow smile spread across Geoff’s face. ‘Yer didn’t!’

‘Oh, but I ruddywell did! So do yer still want to pay me tram fare?’

‘I’m not Alec, Sadie, so don’t insult me. And why do yer need fare? I can pick yer up from home.’

‘No, yer can’t. I never take any friends home because me mam and dad are funny with people and I get embarrassed. So I’ll meet yer at the Valley on Friday night, as long as I don’t have to walk there.’

‘If I had a pumpkin and a magic wand, Sadie, I’d turn the pumpkin into a coach and horses and yer could ride in style.’

Sadie’s laughter rang out. ‘Go on, yer daft nit! Next thing yer’ll be having me in a ballgown, and how well I’d look walkin’ down our street in a flippin’ ballgown!’

They were still laughing when they arrived back at Everton Valley. Geoff waited at the tram stop with her and when he saw a tram trundling towards them he slipped
a
silver sixpence in her hand and kissed her cheek. ‘Good night, Sadie, and thank you for a lovely night.’

‘It’s me what should be thankin’ you, Geoff. I’ve really enjoyed meself.’

As she stepped onto the platform of the tram, Geoff said, ‘I’m looking forward to Friday. It can’t come quick enough.’

Sadie smiled and waved before taking her seat. If only everything in her life was as pleasant as the last few hours had been, she’d be the happiest girl in Liverpool.

The next day, as Sadie and Brenda left the factory at dinner-time, Alec was once again leaning against the wall with Bobby beside him. Sadie looked straight ahead and didn’t even turn her head when she heard him call, ‘Brenda, can I have a word with yer?’

Brenda stopped in her tracks. ‘I’ll catch yer up, Sadie.’

Sadie closed her eyes but carried on walking. Why couldn’t the stupid girl see he was going to use her to get back at Sadie? Still, if that was what Brenda wanted, then good luck to her. But when her workmate caught up with her, all smiles and bright-eyed, and said Alec had asked her to go out with him that night, Sadie tried to warn her. ‘He’s no good, Brenda, believe me. He’s out for all he can get and you won’t stand an earthly with him.’

‘That’s your opinion.’ Brenda tossed her head. ‘I think he’s nice and I’m goin’ to the pictures with him.’

‘Is he callin’ for yer, so yer mam can see him?’

Brenda coloured. ‘Not tonight. He said he’ll call for me next time and meet me mam.’

‘Well, who are yer going to tell yer family yer going out with?’ When Sadie saw her friend lower her eyes, she gasped. ‘Don’t you dare tell them yer going out with me! I don’t want them comin’ to me if you get yerself into trouble. I’ve warned yer about Alec but yer won’t listen, so leave me out of it altogether.’

‘Blimey! I’m only going to the pictures with him, for heaven’s sake! What harm is there in that?’

Sadie sighed, thinking, She hasn’t the faintest idea what I’m trying to get through to her. She’s so innocent it’s like leading a lamb to the slaughter. Still, I’ve done me best, I can’t do any more.

As Sadie was walking to the park to meet Harry, she was in a thoughtful mood. Why was it that whenever she was happy, something came along to spoil it for her? She’d been in a happy frame of mind this morning when she went to work, still full of the lovely time she’d had with Geoff in Southport. Now she felt down in the dumps worrying about Brenda. The girl wasn’t her responsibility, but still Sadie couldn’t get her out of her mind. Shielded from the world by doting parents, Brenda didn’t understand how wicked some men could be. It was to be hoped she didn’t find out the hard way.

Harry smiled as he walked towards her, happy as always to see her. Then he noted the look of dejection and asked, ‘Why so glum?’

‘I’ve just been askin’ meself what I ever did to deserve the horrible things that happen to me. I never do no one any harm, but I must be jinxed.’

‘Is it yer family again?’

Sadie was silent for a while as she stared down at the grass they were standing on. Then she met his eyes. ‘My family are to blame for everything bad that happens to me. If I had a happy home life, things would be so different. But yer don’t know what it’s like, Harry, to walk into that house every night to be met by the smell of dirt, and listen to your mam and dad coming out with filthy language. And yer don’t know what it’s like to see yer brothers and sisters dressed in rags, their tummies rumbling with hunger, and yer can’t do a thing about it.’

Harry could see tears glistening in her eyes and he put his arms around her. ‘You’ll get out of there one day, Sadie, and yer’ll make a good life for yerself.’

‘Oh, I’ll get out of there, Harry, that’s a dead cert! And the day can’t come quick enough for me.’ Sadie sniffed up. ‘I’m sixteen years of age and I’ve never once had a
friend
come to my home because I’m too ashamed. In fact, apart from Brenda in work, I’ve never had a friend!’

Harry squeezed her shoulder. ‘I’m your friend, Sadie.’ But even as he spoke he was remembering his mother, not an hour ago, calling the Wilson family every name she could lay her tongue to. She said the whole street was complaining about the smell that was coming from the house, and the state of the children. So while he was sincere in his feelings for Sadie, he knew he was helpless to do anything about it. ‘I’ll always be here if yer need help, yer know that.’

‘No one can help me, Harry, except meself. I can’t go on the way I am, afraid to get too close to anyone because I know that as soon as they see the way I live they’d be off like a shot.’ The sigh came from deep within Sadie. ‘I went out with a nice bloke last night – a decent, respectable bloke. I’m seeing him again on Friday, but when he asked if he could call for me I had to make an excuse. How long can I go on making excuses? That’s what my family have done for me, Harry. And it’s their fault we’re standing here now, hiding in the bushes so no one will see yer with me.’

‘Oh, Sadie love, what can I say?’ Harry pressed her head to his chest, unable to deny that what she said was true. His anger against her parents mounted. They were to blame. He was afraid of being seen with her and it was no good pretending otherwise. And it was all down to her parents. They should never have had children because it was the children who were suffering from their lack of care, love, pride and the responsibility that went with having a family.

Sadie moved away from him and pulled a face. ‘Poor Harry, always getting me troubles and me moans. I’m surprised yer keep coming back for more.’

‘You need someone to talk to, Sadie, because if yer keep it all bottled up yer’ll make yerself ill. And what are friends for anyway if yer can’t bend their ear now and again?’

‘Now and again?’ Sadie managed a smile. ‘You get it
every
time I see yer! But that’s because yer the only one I don’t have to lie or pretend to. You know exactly what my circumstances are. No one else does.’

‘You can’t help your circumstances, Sadie, and people should like you for what you are as a person.’ Harry put a finger under her chin and lifted her face. ‘I think yer as pretty as a picture and one of the nicest people I know.’

‘You deserve two free kisses for that, Harry Young, and you can make them two of yer famous smackeroos.’

‘Before I do, I want to know who this new bloke in yer life is. If I’ve got a rival for your affections I want to know all about him.’

‘I met him at the dance I went to with Alec. He claimed me in the Excuse Me quickstep. His name’s Geoff and that’s all I know about him, except he’s nice. I don’t ask any questions because I’m always afraid they’ll ask questions back. And I tell enough lies as it is.’

‘Yer not serious about him, then?’

‘How can I be, Harry? Can yer imagine me taking a boyfriend home to meet me parents? They’d run a mile!’

Harry sighed with relief. ‘That’s all right then.’ He claimed his first kiss before saying, ‘I don’t want no competition. It spoils me appetite, puts me off me food.’

The next morning Sadie waited to hear about Brenda’s date with Alec. She thought she’d be full of it, but her friend was so subdued Sadie began to wonder whether she’d been told to keep her distance. She wouldn’t be surprised because it was the sort of thing Alec would do to get back at her. He was like a big soft kid.

When the dinner-bell sounded, Sadie could keep quiet no longer. ‘Are you all right, Bren? Yer’ve not had much to say for yerself this morning.’

‘I’m fine.’ Brenda took her overall off, straightened her jumper and combed her hair. ‘I was late gettin’ to bed and I’m tired.’

‘Did yer enjoy yerself?’

‘Yeah, it was great.’ Brenda gave Sadie a long look, as
though
she wanted to ask her something, but then changed her mind. ‘Yeah, I really enjoyed meself.’

‘Are yer seeing him again?’ Sadie tucked her arm into her friend’s. ‘Takin’ him home to meet yer mam, are yer?’

‘I don’t know yet, we’ll just have to wait and see.’

But when they were passing Alec in the factory yard, and he called, ‘Come here, Brenda!’ the girl practically ran towards him, leaving Sadie to carry on on her own.