A Change of Fortune (26 page)

‘What do you think?’ Glad was peering in one of the ovens, and then turned a gas tap. ‘Gas has been cut off, so’s the electricity.’

‘We’ll have to get them connected again, but it might do.’ Matt shoved his hands in his pockets and spun round on the balls of his feet. ‘My mother and her committee will have to look it over first.’

‘Right. I’ll leave that to you.’ Glad was heading for the door. ‘You let me know what’s decided. You knows where we live.’ Then she was gone.

Matt returned to the garage, very subdued. He’d been pleased with his effort to save Jake’s business, but this was only a very tiny part of what was happening all over the country. He read the papers, of course, but today was the first time he’d really been in amongst the suffering. Mayfair was not exactly a deprived area!

They were busy that afternoon and sold two cars, but even this failed to lift his spirits. He could see those men outside the factory, feel their hopelessness, and, even worse, Jenny’s pinched, tired face kept swimming before his eyes. He felt so angry about everything.

Fortunately Matt calmed down in time for dinner that evening. He explained about the hall and wrote down the address for his mother.

‘Sounds like it needs a lot of work before it’s fit for use,’ his father said. ‘You’d better employ a couple of local men to help, Louise.’

‘You won’t have any trouble getting workers,’ Matt said. ‘Once word gets round, you’ll have them queuing ten deep.’

‘I expect we shall, Matt.’ His mother gazed at the succulent meal in front of her as if it were an offence. ‘How was Jenny?’

‘Exhausted, by the look of her. She and a neighbour by the name of Glad had been up all night. The man next door died, evidently.’

His mother’s knife and fork clattered on to the plate. ‘I’ve quite lost my appetite.’

A trickle of rain plopped from the brim of Jenny’s hat and ran down her nose. The heavy drizzle was the kind that soaked you right through, and it couldn’t be a worse day for Ted Roper’s funeral. She watched the coffin being lowered into the muddy hole in the ground. It was a bleak, sad occasion, as Agnes stood white-faced with lips clenched together, and young Jimmy sobbed quietly by her side.

Jenny could feel the damp seeping through the worn soles of her shoes, far too thin to keep out the wet. The whole of the street had turned out for Ted, and, as she glanced around at each one, Jenny saw that they all had the same pinched look. The women were showing the strain perhaps more than the men, as it was on them the burden rested most heavily. Not that the men
didn’t care; they tried every day to get work – any work.

She watched Jimmy place a little bunch of daisies at the foot of the grave, and, stepping back, he gave Jenny a fleeting smile of thanks. She hadn’t been able to bear the thought of no flowers at all and had spent a precious tuppence on the simple bouquet of daisies. They gleamed yellow and white on the muddy ground, and seemed to welcome the rain on their dry stalks, the water running like gleaming tears over their bright petals.

The vicar rushed through a prayer, obviously as wet and uncomfortable as the rest of them, but Jenny glared at him. That wasn’t right. Ted Roper had been an honest, hard-working man and deserved respect, especially on this day. It was as if her thoughts got through, because the man suddenly slowed to a more dignified pace and began to read from the Bible with a little more feeling.

Then it was over and they filed silently out of the churchyard, to the sound of the thud, thud of earth as the gravediggers filled in the hole.

The men wandered off to wait for the Red Lion to open, so they could raise a glass to Ted’s life. No one tried to stop them, and they took young Jimmy with them, at fifteen now the man of the house. Jenny had slipped Jimmy another couple of shillings to buy the men a drink. He wasn’t old enough to go in the pub, but she doubted anyone would object today.

She fingered the pendant around her neck and wondered how much longer she was going to be able to keep it.

The pawnbroker’s was crowded the next day, as expected. These were the busiest shops around. Women were popping bedding, clothes, saucepans, in fact any kind of household goods. One woman told Jenny ruefully that a saucepan wasn’t no good if you had bugger all to put in it.

Jenny waited patiently in line and saw the man in front of her hand over a nice pocket watch, telling Uncle that it had belonged to his father. When the man had the money and turned to walk past her, she saw tears in his eyes. He must have known that the chance of redeeming the watch was very slim.

‘And what ’ave you brought me?’ The pawnbroker reached for the package she was holding out. She had decided to pawn the lace and beaded dress. It didn’t fit now, and she wanted to hang on to the pendant for as long as possible. All the time she had that she felt a little more secure, knowing that it would bring in money when desperately needed. Things were bad and going to get worse – except for the pawnbrokers, who were doing very well for themselves. This one was so happy he was almost smiling!

After much haggling, she managed to get four shillings out of him. It was a scandalous amount for such an exquisite and expensive dress, but it was no use to her now. She pocketed the money and headed for the shops. This would feed her and Ma for a few days, if she shopped carefully.

21

After her visit to the pawnbroker’s yesterday, Jenny decided that she was going to make the councillors listen to her this time. But as soon as she walked into the Town Hall, it was obvious that it was hopeless. The place was already packed with people arguing or just standing around looking dejected. The noise was deafening as everyone tried to talk at the same time. Children were hanging on to their mothers and screaming, frightened by the raised voices.

Knowing that she didn’t stand a chance of seeing anyone in authority today, she was about to turn around and leave when she recognized a woman coming out of a room with a determined expression on her face.

Jenny pushed towards her. ‘Mrs Stannard.’

‘Oh, hello, my dear.’ She caught hold of Jenny’s arm. ‘Let’s get out of here. It’s bedlam.’

After a struggle they finally managed to make their way out of the building.

‘Phew! That’s better.’ Louise grimaced. ‘I’ve spent the last hour shouting at the chairman of the council, and trying to impress him with the name of every influential person on our committee.’

‘You’re going ahead with the centre?’

‘Of course.’ Her expression changed from exasperation to triumph. ‘We’ve finally got the go-ahead to use the hall Matt was shown.’

‘Oh, that’s wonderful!’ Jenny’s hopes soared. ‘When will it be open?’

‘We intend to have it running within a week, but it needs a lot of work done on it first. It’s in a terrible state.’

At the mention of work, Jenny said, ‘You’ll need to employ some men, then?’

‘About three.’ Mrs Stannard looked sad. ‘It will only be for a couple of weeks, but there won’t be a shortage of applicants, will there?’

Jenny shook her head. ‘No, they’ll be queuing up once word gets out. Would you give two from Forest Road first chance? There’s young Jimmy – his father died recently. Then there’s Ron – he’s an excellent carpenter.’

‘You send them along to the hall at two o’clock tomorrow afternoon.’

‘Thank you very much.’ Jenny’s eyes shone.

Her former employer smiled gently. ‘You didn’t believe I would bother with this, did you, Jenny?’

‘To be honest I thought I was wasting my time appealing to you, but I’ll try anything to help my friends. I did think you’d forgotten about it, though.’

‘My son Matt wouldn’t let me forget,’ she laughed.

‘Oh?’

‘You don’t know my boys, Jenny, but they’re eager to help in any way they can. They are all fine men.’ She
looked so proud as she talked about her sons. ‘They care. We all care. Even my husband, though you may find that hard to believe after the way he treated you. He still frets about it.’

‘He shouldn’t do that.’ Jenny didn’t feel animosity towards any of them now. ‘It’s all worked out for the best.’

‘Has it, Jenny?’ Louise said softly.

‘Oh, yes, I’m happy where I am.’ And she knew that was the truth. The life she was now living had important things her former existence had lacked: friendship, love and a genuine caring for each other. They were all priceless qualities.

Louise glanced at the clock over the Town Hall door. ‘My goodness, look at the time. I must hurry, Jenny. There’s a great deal to do and not a moment to lose.’ Before rushing off, she kissed Jenny’s cheek. ‘You take care of yourself, my dear.’

Jenny watched her hurry up the road, her stride purposeful. She couldn’t believe that show of affection. Louise Stannard had just kissed her former under housemaid! Completely oblivious to the rain now coming down in a torrent, she laughed out loud as she began to run home with the good news for Jimmy and Ron. What a strange world this was.

Breathless, Jenny tumbled into Fred and Glad’s front room. ‘Oh, good, you’re both here,’ she gasped, seeing Ron and Jimmy there.

‘Stop and catch your breath before you try to talk,’ Glad said, grinning. ‘Whatever are you so excited about?’

‘I’ve just seen Mrs Stannard at the Town Hall. She’s going to open the centre in about a week. She said that if Ron and Jimmy go along to the old community hall at about two o’clock tomorrow, there might be a job for them.’ When Jenny saw their faces light up with hope, she added quickly, ‘It will only be for a couple of weeks, though.’

‘That don’t matter!’ Ron laughed and kissed her cheek. ‘You’re soaking wet!’

Jimmy was hopping around in excitement. ‘Let’s get there early, Ron. When word gets around, there’ll be dozens fighting for the jobs. Let’s be first in the queue.’

‘Ask for Mrs Stannard. Tell her you’re from Forest Road and I’ve sent you.’ Jenny was as excited as they were with this bit of good luck.

Jimmy kissed her shyly on the cheek and shot out of the door, red-faced.

‘My goodness, everyone’s kissing me today.’

‘Ah, what it is to be young and beautiful,’ Glad teased. ‘Thanks for putting them up for the job. They’ll be right grateful for anything. Fancy a cup of tea?’

‘No, thanks, Glad, I must go and get Ma’s dinner.’ With a cheery wave, Jenny went next door, to find Ma fidgeting anxiously when she arrived.

‘You’ve been a long time! And what the blazes have you been up to? Where’s your ’at?’

Jenny recoiled at the sharpness in Ma’s tone, but she answered gently. ‘I’ve been to the council offices. I told you that was where I was going. My hat must have come off as I ran home and I didn’t notice.’ She edged towards
the kitchen. She had expected Ma to laugh at the mess she was in, not react like this.

‘You stay where you are, my girl. I ain’t finished with you yet!’

Jenny sighed. ‘Ma, I’m wet through and gasping for a cup of tea.’

The elderly woman ignored her plea. ‘You should have waited until it stopped raining. You’ll catch your death of cold, Bessie.’

Nearly at the kitchen door, Jenny stopped and spun round so fast she nearly toppled over. Bessie? Ma’s eyes were brimming with tears, and her mouth trembling.

‘You could ’ave caught pneumonia,’ Ma cried. ‘And I couldn’t have stood that. You mustn’t leave me, Bessie.’

Jenny rushed over and knelt beside Ma, taking her trembling hands in hers. ‘I’m only wet. Don’t upset yourself, Ma. I’m never going to leave you.’

Ma closed her eyes for a moment and Jenny stayed where she was, terribly alarmed that she had called her Bessie – the name of the little daughter she had lost so long ago.

When Ma opened her eyes again, the tears had gone and she smiled. ‘I know you won’t leave me. You’re a good girl, Jen.’

Relief flooded through Jenny. It had obviously been a momentary lapse. She stood up. ‘Would you like a cup of tea first, and I’ll clean myself up after?’

Ma nodded, and gave her usual infectious laugh. ‘You’d better get in the tin bath with all your clothes
on. You’ve got a hole in your stocking and mud all over your legs.’

Jenny joined in the laughter and went to make the tea. That had been a fright, but Ma seemed all right now.

‘Ma,’ Ivy said, rushing in. ‘Have you heard? Jen might have got Ron and Jimmy a job at the centre!’

The kitchen was only a few steps from the front room, and Jenny could hear them talking quite clearly. Ivy sounded excited. The tea was nearly made when Glad came in as well, so she put two more cups on the tray and a plate of biscuits. Ma always loved a biscuit with her tea.

‘Ah, that’s grand, Ivy. Jen’s in the kitchen and she’s in a right state,’ Ma said. ‘All wet, and lost her ’at.’

Glad walked in and took the tray from her. ‘I’ll see to this. You go and get out of those wet things.’

‘I’ll do it when we’ve had tea.’

‘You’ll do it now.’ Glad gave a look that said don’t argue with me. ‘Go on, strip off, dry yourself properly and put your other dress on. It won’t take a moment and the tea will stay hot.’

Knowing it was useless to argue, Jenny dashed upstairs for her frock and nipped down again to the outhouse. There she peeled off the wet clothes and towelled herself dry until her skin was pink and glowing, put the dry clothes on and returned to the front room. All this had been done quickly and she was now badly in need of a cup of tea.