The Girl From Number 22 (57 page)

Ada and Hetty leaned their elbows on the table. ‘I know,’ Ada said. ‘Andy Saunders has asked yer to marry him.’

Annie chuckled. ‘That would be news of epic proportions, sweetheart, but what I have to say puts that in the shade.’ She sat back in the chair and faced the two mates. ‘My husband, Tom Phillips, has left me for another woman.’ She saw two pair of eyes widen. ‘Yes, it’s true. He left home this morning, and he looked rather like Charlie Chaplin as he walked down the street with a rolled-up bundle of clothes under his arm.’

Hetty’s body shook with laughter, thinking it was a huge joke. But Ada kept her eyes fixed on their neighbour from number twenty-two. ‘Well, that’s the second piece of news we’ve had today. But I have to say that yours knocks the other into a cocked hat.’

‘Ah, yeah, but Eliza’s wasn’t a joke,’ Hetty said. ‘Not like Annie’s.’

‘Annie’s isn’t a joke, sunshine,’ Ada said. ‘She means it.’

‘Go ’way.’ Hetty tutted. ‘I’m not as green as I’m cabbage-looking.’

‘It is true, sweetheart,’ Annie assured her. ‘Tom left home this morning, and he’s gone to live with another woman. A woman who, he said, “understands me needs”.’

‘Whoever she is, she’s done yer a real favour.’ Ada’s face was serious. ‘I am so happy for yer, sunshine, and for the kids. Yer can have a real life now, say what yer want, do what yer want, when yer want. But tell us the whole story, how he told yer, and what your feelings were.’ She leaned across the table and patted Annie’s hand. ‘Not that I need to ask yer how yer feel, ’cos I can tell by yer face. It’s sticking out a mile that ye’re happy to see the back of him.’

Annie told them the sequence of events, and apart from a few gasps from Hetty, it was done quietly and quickly. ‘Me and the children are over the moon. We haven’t got used to it yet, but just the thought of him never coming into the house again is enough to make us happy. We can do what we’ve never been able to do, and that’s to walk with our heads held high.’ With a sigh of relief and contentment, Annie sat back. ‘And now yer can tell me what other news yer heard today.’

With her brows raised, Ada said, ‘If yer hadn’t told us your news, then I wouldn’t be telling yer about the letter I had this morning from Eliza. You know, the lady who lived in the house before you. Well, she’s written to say she’d like to see her old house again, just for a visit, if the new tenants wouldn’t mind. She often thinks about it, and would love to see it, just for a few minutes, for old times’ sake.’

‘We weren’t going to tell yer, girl, ’cos we knew yer’d be embarrassed if yer husband was there when she called.’ Hetty took a deep breath and let it out slowly. ‘She’s a real lady is Eliza,
and we love the bones of her. Ada was going to find an excuse to put her off, but she won’t have to now, will she? With yer husband not living at home now, yer wouldn’t have to worry about Eliza visiting yer.’

Annie looked troubled. ‘I couldn’t let her come with the place the way it is. I haven’t done a tap to it since I moved in because I’ve never had the money. I’d be ashamed, for yer’ve always told me she kept her house like a little palace. I’d love to meet her, ’cos she sounds like a wonderful woman, but not with the house as it is now.’

‘Hear me out for a few minutes, sunshine,’ Ada said. ‘In her letter, Eliza said it would be lovely if she could call on New Year’s Eve. Not to stay for any length of time, but just to see once again the house she lived in for sixty years. It’s only natural she’ll pine for a place she’s spent the best part of her life in. She’d be content if she knew there were good people living there now. And there’s over a week to go before then, plenty of time for us all to get stuck in and help yer decorate yer house. We’d all help, and we’d have it done in no time. Jimmy, Danny and Arthur would willingly help, and I know Gordon Bowers and Joe Benson would put their heart and soul into making it look lovely for the sake of Eliza. They all love the bones of her.’

The troubled look was easing off Annie’s face. ‘D’yer think it could be done? I’d love to meet Eliza.’

‘Where there’s a will there’s a way, sunshine,’ Ada said. ‘It won’t cost much for paper and paint, and we could all help with a few coppers if yer were stuck.’

Annie was beginning to get excited. What a wonderful day this was turning out to be. ‘Andy told me, when I started in the shop, that anything I bought there I would get a discount on. So I could probably manage at a pinch.’ She clasped her hands
together. ‘Wait until I tell the kids, they’ll be absolutely delighted. How lucky we were the day we moved into the house across the street. It’s not very long ago, but just think how it has changed our lives. Your Eliza must have put a magic spell on the house, God bless her.’

Danny was cupping Jenny’s elbow as they walked down the street. He was so elated he couldn’t stop talking, and the words poured from his mouth. ‘There’s so many things happened in a matter of two days, I can’t take it all in.’ He had programmed his brain not to mention the leaving of Tom Phillips in case it upset Jenny. Actually it was his mother who had put the idea into his head, by telling him it was Christmas Eve, a time for enjoyment, and he shouldn’t spoil it by saying anything out of place. ‘It’ll take me a few days to get me head round the changes.’

‘Danny, will yer slow down a bit?’ Jenny asked. ‘I don’t know what ye’re doing the fastest, talking or walking. But I do know yer’ve got me out of breath.’

‘That’s ’cos I’m so excited, Jenny. I don’t usually talk so much. But with it being Christmas Eve, and taking you to the dance with me, well, I feel like a little boy who’s just seen Father Christmas go past on his sleigh.’

Jenny clicked her tongue as she shook her head. ‘We’re only going to Blair Hall, Danny, not to a ball. And in case yer haven’t noticed, I’m not Cinderella.’

But nothing could dampen Danny’s high spirits. ‘I’m glad ye’re not Cinderella, ’cos she had two ugly sisters. And another thing, you are much prettier than Cinders.’

Jenny was just as excited as Danny, and just as happy to be in his company. There were hundreds of butterflies in her tummy, and her mouth was dry. She told herself it was because she wasn’t used to going out on her own with a boy, and was too shy to let him see how she really felt. ‘It’s dark here, Danny, yer can’t see very well. When we get to the dance, in the bright lights, yer might find I look more like one of the ugly sisters. If so, I won’t be upset if yer want to dance with one of yer regular partners.’

‘Not on yer life! I’m taking you to the dance, and I’m staying with you all night. Dorothy and the others will understand. And if Tony thinks for one minute he can hog yer for every dance, then he’s got another think coming.’

‘Danny, ye’re doing it again!’

Looking puzzled, Danny asked, ‘Doing what again?’

‘Talking too much.’

‘If me mam was here, she’d be nodding her head to agree with yer.’ Danny was so overjoyed to have her walking next to him, touching his elbow, he couldn’t contain himself. ‘She once told me that when I was born and the nurse put me in her arms for the first time, I was talking then.’

Jenny couldn’t keep the giggle back. ‘And did yer mam tell yer what yer were talking about?’

‘Apparently I didn’t hold a full conversation, but yer have to remember I’d only just been born. All I said was, “Can I have a drink, Mam, ’cos that was thirsty work.” ’

‘Here’s a tram coming,’ Jenny said. ‘Let’s make a dash for it.’ She would have run on ahead, but Danny’s hand pulled her up short.

‘Hang about a minute, Jenny, till we get something straight. There’ll be another tram along in a couple of minutes.’

‘What is it yer want to get straightened out? Before we left
the house yer said yer wanted to get to the dance early, and now ye’re making us late.’

‘I just want to remind yer that this is the season of good will to all men. No arguing over little things like a tuppenny tram ticket. So don’t be making a scene on the tram when I stop yer from getting yer purse out. You’re my date for tonight, and no date of mine is going to sit next to me on the tram and pay her own fare.’

‘But yer’ve paid for the dance ticket, Danny. I can’t let yer pay for everything.’

‘I bet yer’ve never been out on a date with a boy who let yer pay yer own tram fare. If he did, he must have been a drip.’

Jenny looked up into his face, and wondered whether to tell a lie, or tell the truth and shame the devil. ‘Danny, I’ve never been out on a date with a lad before.’

Danny’s surprise had him stepping back a pace. ‘Are yer trying to pull me leg, Jenny Phillips? If yer are, then it’ll be your fault if we miss the first few dances.’

Jenny’s pride began to make itself heard. ‘It’s not that I’ve never had the chance, Danny, ’cos I’ve been asked out on dates loads of times. But I’ve always turned them down before. Not because there was anything wrong with the lads, but because I knew I would never be able to bring one of them home with me because of me dad. I know it’s wrong of me, and I shouldn’t class everyone the same, but my dad is so horrible he’s put me off boys for good.’

There was a catch in Jenny’s voice, telling Danny that if he wasn’t careful about the words he chose, tears would soon be running down her cheeks. And his heart went out to her. But sympathy wasn’t the answer, it would only make her more miserable. ‘Jenny Phillips, are yer telling me yer think I’m
horrible? If yer are, I’m going to set me mam on to yer. She’d give yer a right ticking off if she thought yer’d insulted her lovely son.’

Jenny sniffed, a shaky smile on her face. Tears had been very close, and for one dreadful moment she had thought she was going to blubber like a baby. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I had no right to say what I did, and I regret it. Tonight of all nights I should be feeling on top of the world, not miserable. I should put me dad out of me mind now, and get on with me life. I know all men are not like him, Danny. I shouldn’t have said that to yer.’ Again she sniffed, at the same time thinking she’d have to powder her face when she got to Blair Hall, and do it before Danny saw her in the light. Her nose must be as red as Rudolph’s, the reindeer. ‘Here’s another tram, Danny, and I promise I won’t take me purse out.’

He put his arm round her waist and helped her up on to the platform. Then he whispered in her ear. ‘Yer might have to, Jenny, ’cos if I’m not mistaken, I’ve left all me money on the table at the side of me bed.’ His dimples deep, he chuckled. ‘Only kidding, don’t look so worried. We are going to have the time of our lives tonight, Jenny Phillips, I promise yer.’

Danny’s forecast started to come true for Jenny the moment she went into the cloakroom to hang her coat up and repair the damage to her face. For standing in front of one of the mirrors on the wall was Jane Bowers, her next-door neighbour. The girls had never been in each other’s company, they’d only ever exchanged smiles, waves, and the time of day. But as they titivated themselves up in the cloakroom they chatted as though they were old friends. Jane was very like her mother in looks, having Jean’s colouring, dimpled cheeks and friendly disposition. She
knew Jenny hadn’t had a happy life because of her father, and when she was told last night that Tom Phillips had left home, she had been pleased for the family in number twenty-two. But Jane was a very sensible girl, and to her Christmas Eve wasn’t the time to rake up something best forgotten.

‘I didn’t know yer came here,’ Jenny said. ‘D’yer come often?’

‘Now and again,’ Jane told her as she patted her nose with a powder puff. ‘But me and me mate like to go to New Brighton Tower, or Barlows Lane.’

‘Is yer mate with yer tonight?’

‘Yeah, she was going out of the door when you came in. She said I was taking too long to get ready, and she’d see me inside.’ Jane grinned at Jenny’s reflection in the mirror. ‘Are you with a mate?’

Feeling embarrassed, Jenny said, ‘My mates from work had brought tickets for the Grafton, so Danny Fenwick offered to bring me here, save me staying in on Christmas Eve.’

Jane’s mouth was as round and wide as her eyes. ‘Well, you lucky beggar! He’s a smashing dancer is Danny, and really handsome. Yer’ll be getting cow eyes off some of the girls tonight, for there’s a lot who fancy him.’

‘There’s nothing in it,’ Jenny was quick to say. ‘I think he just felt sorry for me.’

‘Listen to me, kid.’ Jane’s blue eyes were twinkling. ‘If you get the chance to nab Danny Fenwick, then go for it before somebody else gets their claws into him. A feller like Danny doesn’t come along very often.’

Jenny didn’t think she should be discussing Danny in his absence, so she closed her handbag and turned towards the door. ‘I’d better go. I’ll probably see you inside.’

‘Hang on,’ Jane said. ‘I’ll come in with yer.’

Leaning against the wall facing the cloakroom were Danny and Tony. And as soon as the girls walked out, the lads came towards them. Danny’s face showed surprise when he saw Jane, but he didn’t express it until he’d laid claim to Jenny by putting his arm round her waist. ‘Hi, Jane, this is a surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here.’

‘I’m with my friend. We knew everywhere would be packed tonight, so we bought tickets for here to make sure we had somewhere to go.’

Tony had been weighing up the two girls. He’d come to the dance in a fighting spirit, intending to win Jenny’s hand by fair means or foul. But if he was to be honest with himself, he’d have to admit he didn’t stand much chance against Danny Fenwick. And the new girl on the scene was really pretty. ‘Where are yer manners, Danny Fenwick? Are yer not going to introduce me to yer friend?’

Danny was full of apologies. ‘Oh, I am sorry, Tony, please forgive me for my lack of manners. This young lady is a neighbour. She lives in the same street but on the opposite side.’

‘How come that two very pretty girls live in the same street as you, but on the opposite side?’

‘Ah, well, yer see,’ Danny said, grinning, ‘they were crafty. They reckoned they would see more of me if they lived opposite than they would side by side. But let me introduce yer, so we can get in the hall for some serious dancing. Tony, meet Jane. Jane meet Tony. And I can vouch for him, Jane, he’s not dangerous.’