The Leaving of Liverpool (26 page)

‘Yes, I did win. Quite often too. You see I always picked a horse with a name that was connected to the sea and ships and they never let me down. It’s all to do with Papa . . .’

‘Nesta! I don’t want to hear another word!’

Again, speculative glances were exchanged by the policemen. Quite obviously the old lady was a bit strange.

‘So, where is this money?’ Miss Millicent demanded.

‘I gave it away. It was no use to me and I didn’t do it for the money anyway.’

Emily breathed a sigh of relief. She was still ‘an accessory after the fact’ but at least Miss Nesta hadn’t said she’d given her money which would have been called ‘receiving’.

‘Who did you give it to?’ Miss Millicent asked stridently.

‘I don’t like to say.’

‘Oh, my sainted aunt!’ Miss Millicent exploded.

‘I’m afraid we’ll have to know, ma’am.’

‘Oh dear. Can I whisper it to you?’

‘You have been carrying on this low . . . common deceit for months and now you are overcome with false modesty! You’ll tell us all – no whispering!’ Miss Millicent stated.

‘I gave it to . . . to . . . low women.’

Millicent Barlow uttered a scream. ‘Oh, dear God! Don’t tell me you’ve been walking up and down Lime Street or Canning Place! I just can’t bear it! I can’t!’

‘Don’t be silly. Stockley took it.’

‘That’s almost as bad! Oh, he hasn’t been consorting with . . . !’

‘No. He took it to a very nice lady in the Salvation Army, you know, they wear lovely bonnets and sing quite a lot.’

‘I know who they are, Nesta!’

‘They have a home where those . . . er . . . tarts, can go, if they want to stop being . . . er . . . tarts.’

‘Nesta Barlow! Wash your mouth out with carbolic soap!’

Emily was having trouble concealing her amusement and so was Costello. The two policemen looked decidedly uncomfortable.

‘This Stockley person, can he verify all this?’

‘Oh, yes. He’s been with us for years. Now what will happen?’ Miss Nesta seemed only mildly distressed.

‘Oh, what will Richard Mercer say when he finds out about all this!’ Miss Millicent was shaking her head.

‘Is that the Richard Mercer of Cunard?’

‘Yes, he’s our nephew. The husband of our dear departed niece, Adele. Thank God she’s dead, Nesta Barlow, so she can’t see how depraved you’ve become.’

Miss Nesta looked bemused. ‘Oh, she knew, Millie. Sometimes she gave me money herself. She said it was such a good cause.’

Millicent Barlow didn’t think she could stand any more shocks and said so.

The detectives huddled together, whispering, while Emily looked down at her feet and Costello looked around the room, eyeing up the furnishings.

Again the sergeant cleared his throat. ‘Under the circumstances, we feel that there is nothing to be gained by prosecuting this matter further. But, you must swear never to indulge in such actions again, ma’am.’

‘Oh, I do! I promise on the grave of my mama! She was the dearest person in my life!’

‘What about him?’ Miss Millicent pointed at Costello.

‘If he sets foot within a mile of here, he’ll be nicked!’

‘Black Jack’ Costello looked as though he’d come into an inheritance, mentally swearing never to have anything to do with daft old bats like Nesta Barlow.

‘I think you should show these kind officers out Emily, after giving them a drink, if they will partake of one. I feel quite ill,’ Miss Millicent instructed.

Emily nodded, much relieved.

Miss Nesta made to follow her.

‘Not you, Nesta! I have quite a lot of things to say to you before I retire to my sickbed!’

Emily cast a consoling look at Miss Nesta as she closed the door. Miss Nesta was full of surprises for a lady from such a sheltered background. The whole episode would keep the family amused for weeks, she thought.

D
ESPITE JAKE’S OFFER TO ‘stand by her’, Phoebe-Ann decided she’d tell her family alone. Jake had promised to buy her a ring, an expensive ring, in New York and she hoped that she could make them understand that Jake had changed. Also things may not deteriorate into a full-scale row if he wasn’t beside her. She’d manage better on her own, she told him.

 

Before he’d sailed they’d gone to look for rooms, but she’d been disappointed with the ones offered until Alice’s mother unwittingly provided the solution by telling her that old Mrs Garner had gone to live with her daughter and that, if anyone got in quick, they would have a good little house. ‘Got its own privy an’ wash house,’ Mrs Wainwright had told a very bored Alice but a very interested Phoebe-Ann.

Phoebe-Ann hadn’t even bothered to go and see the house, instead Jake had given her the money and she’d gone straight to the landlord and, by lunch time that day, number fourteen Florist Street was hers and Jake’s.

Her spirits had lifted when she’d gone to see it and planned how she could transform it. It wouldn’t cost a fortune, she told Jake. A lick of paint, and Great Homer Street market was a wonderful place to pick up things cheap and nice pieces of second-hand furniture could be had from pawn shops. By the end of the day she was in high spirits as she kissed him goodbye at the landing stage.

‘Oh, it will be wonderful, Jake.’

He held her close, unable to believe his luck. He’d gone along with all her proposals for the house and his admiration of her had increased, as had his pride. He’d be someone to be reckoned with. A nice place of his own, all done up and kept spick and span and a smart wife to boot. Of course they’d all jeer at him going ‘posh’ but to hell with them! For the first time in his life he’d have respect. People would look at him when he came home from sea or when he took Phoebe-Ann out and they’d nudge each other and say ‘There’s Mr Malone with his wife. Nice, respectable couple they are.’ Yes, Phoebe-Ann had given him much more than just her love.

‘Just wait until they all see the ring I’m going to get you Phoebe-Ann. It will make your eyes stand out.’

‘’Ere! Lover-boy! Get yer skates on or the Chief will ’ave yer guts fer garters!’ Vinny Malone shouted as the usual crowd of last-minute drinkers rushed out of the Stile House and towards the waiting liner whose stentorian whistle blasts fortunately drowned out the rest of Vinny’s remarks.

‘Bye, Jake! Take care!’ Phoebe-Ann called after him.

‘You’ve put me ma in a right black mood,’ Vinny complained as they made their way up the crew gangway.

‘Tough shit! We’ve just been an’ put down the rent on a house an’ we’re goin’ to get married when I get back. So, tell ’er to stuff that in her bleedin’ old pipe and smoke it!’

‘Jesus! She’ll murder yez!’

‘Aye, an’ you an’ all ’cos you’re goin’ to be me best man and just because I’m givin’ you that honour, you can lend me the money for the ring. In fact, you can all chip in, seein’ as you’re so lucky gettin’ a girl with a bit of class for a sister-in-law. That rent money nearly cleaned me out but she was set on it.’

‘What rent money?’ Peader asked, catching the last of Jake’s words.

‘’E’s goin’ to marry that judy from Lonsdale Street. Wants me to be best man. Wants us all to lend him a few bob towards the ring, she’s just cleaned ’im out.’

‘You bleedin’ eejit! She’ll bleed yer dry if yer let ’er! I’ve met ’er sort before!’

Jake lunged at him. ‘Don’t you talk about Phoebe-Ann like that!’

‘Oh, for God’s sake don’t you lot start before you’re even on board! Get below before I have to dock your pay!’ the Master-at-Arms yelled at them.

‘Don’t expect us all ter come round callin’ on yer. You’ll be lucky if me ma lets us go to the weddin’!’ Franny stated.

Jake aimed a blow at him. ‘Listen to Mammy’s baby! Shit-scared of his own shadow!’ he jeered.

Franny Malone lashed out at him but Peader and Vinny pulled them apart. ‘We’ll none of us ’ave any bloody money if you two don’t pack it in!’

 

Phoebe-Ann watched until the tugs had the
Mauretania
well out into the river, then she turned away to make her way home. Some of her enthusiasm had waned, she thought, as she got off the tram and began to walk up towards Lonsdale Street. Then she brightened when she thought of the house in Florist Street. That would show Mam that she really did mean to get married and that she didn’t care whether they approved of Jake or not.

In a way she was glad that everyone was at home when she walked in.

Emily smiled at her. ‘You’ve been up to something, Fee. You’ve got that look on your face.’

‘I’ve got something to tell you all.’

Albert and Jack stopped mid-conversation. Jimmy put down the
Echo
and Lily wiped her hands on her apron.

‘What is it? Out with it?’

‘Our Emily’s not the only one who’s getting married. I am.’

‘What!’ Lily was so surprised she dropped the spoon into the teapot along with the tea.

‘And I’ve got a house of my own, in Florist Street.’

‘Just hold on a minute, miss! Start at the beginning. Just who are you going to marry?’

Phoebe-Ann looked around at the curious faces and prayed for courage. She took a deep breath. ‘Jake Malone.’

The silence was deafening.

‘Well, say something?’ she pleaded.

Lily sat down. ‘I didn’t hear that right, did I? Someone tell me I must have misunderstood?’

‘No, Mam, you didn’t.’

Something inside Lily snapped. ‘Phoebe-Ann, you can’t mean that you’ve been going around with the . . . that blackguard? How long has this been going on?’

Phoebe-Ann held her ground. ‘I love him, Mam, and he’s not like . . .’

The rest of her words were cut off by Lily’s hysterical laughter. ‘You love him! You love that drunken, worthless, useless sot! No-one but that old battleaxe of a mother could love him! Have you seen the state of them? Never sober! Have you seen the state of the house and her!’

‘Yes, Mam, I have and I hate her but you’re wrong about Jake.’

‘Phoebe-Ann, you’re not serious? They’re hooligans and villains of the first order! They’ve got the whole of Mona Street terrified of them!’ Jack yelled.

‘You won’t even let me explain about Jake!’

‘You’re right! He doesn’t need any explaining, the whole bloody neighbourhood can “explain” about Jake Malone!’ Jimmy cried. ‘You’re not going to disgrace us all by marrying the likes of him!’ Jimmy’s fist crashed down on the table, making the cups clatter.

‘I am! I am going to marry him!’

‘Your da would disown you and so will I if you go on with this!’ Lily cried.

‘Why can’t you give us a chance? Jake isn’t like the rest of them!’

‘I don’t want to hear his name again!’ Lily yelled at her.

‘I didn’t expect you to be happy about it but at least . . .’

‘Happy! I’d be happier if you were dead rather than married to him!’ Lily interrupted.

‘Phoebe-Ann, don’t you think you should give this thing more thought? It’s a big step marriage, to anyone, but someone like him, you can’t really know him.’ Albert’s voice was the calmest and Phoebe-Ann turned to him.

‘I do know him! I’ve been seeing him for ages and I have thought about it.’

‘Dear God in heaven! Why didn’t someone tell me? Why hasn’t someone seen them together and warned me weeks ago?’ Lily groaned, before jumping to her feet, sparks of anger glittering in her eyes. ‘Oh, I can see it all now! You’ve been up to your tricks again, haven’t you? You’ve been lying to me! You haven’t been at Alice Wainwright’s, you’ve been out with him! You’ve been parading around the town hanging on the arm of Jake Malone! Oh, God help us all!’ Lily burst into tears. Her worst fears had been realized. She’d always prayed that Phoebe-Ann would never let her pretty, naive little head be turned by some useless ‘no mark’. Now it had happened. Phoebe-Ann was so trusting she’d believe anything. She’d obviously got carried away by her daydreams and the fact that her sister had got engaged. Jake Malone! Satan himself couldn’t be much worse than any of the Malones!

Albert rushed to comfort her.

‘You listen to me our Phoebe-Ann! If I see you with him I’ll break every bone in his body, I swear I will!’ Jack yelled. He had no intention of becoming the butt of numerous jokes or pitying glances from the regulars of the Grecian.

‘And I’ll help him!’ Jimmy added and for the same reasons.

‘Stop it! Stop it!’ Phoebe-Ann placed her hands over her ears and burst into tears.

Emily hadn’t said a word, she was too shocked, but now, seeing both her mother and sister in floods of tears, she moved towards Phoebe-Ann. The habit of protecting her younger sister instinctive. ‘Stop yelling, all of you!’

‘Oh, Em! You understand, don’t you?’ Phoebe-Ann pleaded.

‘No. I don’t.’

Lily threw off Albert’s comforting and restraining embrace. ‘You see, even your sister is shocked but she still protects you! Your poor sister who was raped because of your stupidity! Now you’re consorting with trash and you’re too dense to see where it will all lead or maybe you don’t care about hurting us all again!’ Lily screamed, too angry to care if her words were like blows.