A Change of Fortune (27 page)

‘Ah, that looks better.’ Ma looked her up and down, then smiled. ‘We’ve saved you a bicky.’

‘Tell us what Mrs Stannard said about the centre.’ Ivy was clearly eager to know about the jobs.

Jenny told them what had happened at the council offices and about her meeting with Mrs Stannard. When she finished, Ma scowled.

‘Didn’t bother to wait for it to stop raining before running home with the news. Lost her ’at, she has.’ This was something that was still bothering Ma.

‘Never mind,’ Glad laughed. ‘We’ll find her another one. Now, Jen, where are your clothes?’

‘In the outhouse. I’ll see to them later. They’ll soon dry in front of the fire.’

‘Got a hole in her stocking as well.’ Ma hadn’t finished with the subject.

‘I’ll darn it for her, Ma.’ Ivy was studying the elderly woman, a deep frown on her face. ‘You know how neat my darning is.’

Ma nodded. That’s right, you look after my girl.’ Then she inexplicably fell asleep.

Glad, Ivy and Jenny went into the kitchen and closed the door so they could talk without waking Ma.

‘She ain’t right,’ Glad said.

‘I know. She called me Bessie.’ Jenny chewed her lips in worry. ‘Do you think she’s getting … erm … confused?’

‘Looks like it.’ Glad glanced back at the room where Ma was sleeping. ‘She thinks of you as her daughter and she’s having trouble keeping you separate from little Bessie.’

‘You call if you need us,’ Ivy told her.

‘And if she calls you Bessie again, don’t tell her no different.’ Glad patted Jenny’s arm. ‘It’ll make her happy to believe she’s still got her daughter. But keep an eye on her.’

‘Oh, I shall.’ Jenny had been out nearly every day trying to find work, but she would stay close to Ma until she knew she was all right. This muddled thinking was so unlike her, and very worrying.

When Glad and Ivy had left, Jenny went back to the front room and stood gazing at Ma, sleeping peacefully. ‘Don’t you worry, Ma.’ She spoke softly. ‘I won’t leave you, and if you want to call me Bessie, then you go ahead. I’m honoured to be your daughter.’

Later that evening, when Ma was in bed, Jenny used every kettle and saucepan to boil water. With her clothes steaming nicely in front of the fire, it was time to clean herself up properly. Hoisting the old tin bath from its hook in the outhouse, she dragged it into the kitchen and managed to fill it enough to have a decent soak in warm water. She settled in with a sigh of bliss.

Leaning back, she closed her eyes, letting her mind drift, thinking of nothing in particular. Only when she realized that the water was nearly cold did she spur herself to wash her body and her hair. She then used one kettle of warm water to rinse away the soap, stepped out of the bath and dried herself.

It was a laborious task emptying the tin bath, but she’d done it a few times and had got the hang of it now. Once most of the water had been bailed out, she
dragged it into the yard and tipped it up to remove the rest. By the time the bath was back on its hook, Jenny was tired – but clean.

Hoping she hadn’t woken Ma, she crept upstairs and listened at her door, pushing it open just a little. The gentle snoring told her that Ma was fast asleep, so she went to her own room, leaving her door slightly open as well. Tonight she wanted to make sure Ma was all right. She had obviously been upset, and for a while had become confused.

Once in bed, Jenny gazed up at the ceiling, eyes wide open, deep in thought. She was weary, but doubted if she’d get much sleep – her mind was in a whirl. She felt so helpless being out of work and not being able to contribute to the everyday expenses. She could only guess at the anguish mothers must be feeling as they struggled to feed the children. That thought brought her mind back to the centre. Thank God something was going to be done!

22

A good night’s sleep had obviously restored Ma, and, apart from a couple of times when she seemed to lose the thread of what she was saying, everything appeared fine. Jenny was relieved and sang to herself as she wiped the dishes and put them away. She had given Ma her favourite sausages for dinner and every scrap had been eaten.

She was just about to put the kettle on the stove to make their tea when she heard Ma’s voice, raised and angry. Jenny dashed into the front room and saw Ma standing up and waving her stick at two people. Concerned about Ma, Jenny took little notice of them until she had hold of the elderly woman and steadied her. Then she looked up to see who was causing the commotion.

The breath caught in her throat when she saw her Aunt Gertrude and Greaves with looks of distaste on their faces. Jenny’s first reaction was fury that these people should dare to turn up their noses at Ma’s front room. The furniture might be shabby and well worn, but the place was spotlessly clean.

‘There you are!’ Aunt Gertrude stepped forward as if to take hold of Jenny, but Ma fended her off with her stick.

‘You keep your hands off my girl, you evil old hag!’ Ma brandished the stick menacingly, leaving no one in any doubt that she would love to give the glowering woman in front of her a good whack. ‘I’ve heard all about you. You’re a right nasty pair, and that’s for sure!’

Gertrude Osborne stepped back. ‘Get your things, Eugenie, you are coming with us.’

‘No, I’m not!’ Jenny coaxed Ma back to her chair, but held her hand all the time. She wasn’t going to let them upset Ma like this.

‘How did you find me?’

‘You were seen outside the Town Hall yesterday by someone who knows you. They followed you to be sure of where you lived, and then they came to me,’ Greaves said with some satisfaction.

Jenny could guess who that was and gave a snort of disgust. ‘That must have been Gerry, mother’s old footman. Still after the reward, is he?’

‘Of course.’ Greaves had a smug look on his face. ‘One hundred pounds is a temptation to any young man. I’m surprised it’s taken this long.’

‘Well, you’ve wasted your time coming here, because I’m not leaving. And I’ve certainly no intention of coming to live with you!’ The expression on her face must have shown her distaste, for she saw him clench his fists in anger. It wouldn’t take much to make him lash out, she realized. This was the confrontation she had dreaded – and yet, now it had happened, she wasn’t frightened of them. The only emotion she felt was loathing.

‘Has her mother asked her to return home and live with her?’ Ma spoke to the aunt again, calmly this time.

‘Of course not! She’s far too content with her new life to be bothered with a wilful daughter.’ Mrs Osborne glared at Ma. ‘Though I can’t see what business it is of yours.’

Ma ignored that last remark and winked at Jenny. ‘If her mother don’t want her, then unless you’ve got something written on paper to say you can take her away, you can get out of my house. But we’ll let Jen say what she wants to do, shall we?’

‘I’m staying here. If my mother wants to talk to me, then I’ll listen, but you’re only my aunt and can’t force me to do anything against my will.’

Albert Greaves went red in the face with anger. ‘Be quiet, and do as you are told!’

As he grabbed at Jenny, Ma rapped three times on the floor with her stick. Glad and Ivy immediately appeared.

‘You having a spot of bother, Ma?’ Glad asked.

‘Me and Jen want this pair chucked out, please, Glad.’

‘I’ll go and get the men, shall I, Mum?’ Ivy suggested.

‘No, don’t bother.’ Glad eyed the two interlopers. ‘I’m sure we can manage them between us.’

‘Eugenie’s not staying in this hovel.’ Greaves was now shouting loud enough to alert some of the neighbours, and the pavement outside was becoming quite crowded.

Jenny almost laughed out loud. Her aunt and Greaves didn’t stand a chance. If they didn’t leave soon, they would be marched away. She rounded on Greaves. ‘Stop
calling me by that ridiculous name. I’m called Jenny, and I’m not coming with you – ever!’

Ma hauled herself out of her chair again, glaring at Gertrude Osborne. ‘You’ve heard her. Get out, and take that blob of lard with you.’

‘You haven’t heard the last of this,’ her aunt called, as they left.

There was silence in the small room for a few moments, then Glad chuckled. ‘The neighbours are following them to make sure they leave the street.’

Jenny gave Ma a cheeky glance. ‘I didn’t know you knew anything about the law.’

The familiar cackle was a welcome sound. ‘I don’t, but I figured those two don’t know much about it either.’

Jenny laughed in delight and immense relief. That’s the last I shall see of them. They won’t risk coming here again.’

Glad pursed her lips and frowned. ‘Don’t be too sure, Jen. Those two must be desperate to get you back.’

‘But why?’ Jenny knew they had been pursuing her for the last two years, but they couldn’t force her back now. She was certain Glad was mistaken. It was probably their pride that had kept them searching. There wasn’t any other reason. ‘There isn’t anything they can do, Glad, I’m eighteen, and I hope, wiser. They can’t touch me now.’

Glad didn’t look too convinced, but she had to agree. ‘I suppose you’re right. Still, I should keep an eye out for them.’

‘I will,’ Jenny said, not feeling at all concerned. They’d
found her and she’d sent them away. That was the end of it; now perhaps she could get on with her life!

‘And I’ll watch out for them as well.’ Ma scowled. ‘If they take one step inside my door again, I’ll clout them good and proper next time.’

They all laughed as the tension eased.

‘Now, where’s my cuppa?’ Ma looked around expectantly. ‘You make it for us, Ivy. And I think we might have a few biscuits left to celebrate chasing off that nasty pair, eh?’

Glad, Ivy and Ma were enjoying their tea when Ron and Jimmy erupted into the room, flushed with excitement.

‘We’ve got a job!’ Jimmy danced up and down.

Ron hugged Ivy. ‘We was first in the queue, but when others saw us they twigged that something was going on. By the time the women turned up, there was a couple of dozen men waiting.’

Glad had found another two cups and poured tea for the happy men.

‘But Mrs Stannard came out and asked for us.’ Jimmy was too excited to sit down. ‘They took us on, and two more. We start tomorrow!’

‘Of course it might not be for long,’ Ron said, obviously trying to calm Jimmy down. ‘Mrs Stannard warned us that it could only be for a couple of weeks.’

‘There’s always a chance they’ll keep us.’ Jimmy gulped down his tea, not allowing anything to dim his joy. ‘They’re going to pay me fifteen bob a week, and Ron and the others are getting eighteen bob. Isn’t that great!’

‘That’s wonderful news.’ Ivy was nearly in tears.

‘Do you know what their plans are?’ Glad asked Ron.

‘They’re going to serve hot food Monday to Friday, free for those unemployed, and a small charge for the women and children of them in work.’

Glad nodded in approval. ‘That makes sense. If they can make a bit of money from them as can afford it, then they can help them as can’t.’

‘That’s right.’ Ron continued. ‘We’re going to make one room comfortable with a warm fire, so it can be used during the day by anyone who can’t afford to heat their own home. They’re going to keep the place open from eleven to four. The mums with little ones will be pleased with that.’

‘It sounds wonderful.’ Ivy was holding her husband’s hand and smiling with relief now.

Ron gazed at her affectionately. ‘Don’t get too excited, darling. It’s a job, but in a couple of weeks we could be back where we started.’

‘I know.’ Ivy sighed. ‘But even two weeks will help.’

‘Of course it will.’ Ron winked at Jimmy. ‘We’ve got another surprise for everyone, haven’t we?’

The young boy’s grin spread as his mother came to join them. ‘One of the women gave everyone in the queue two bob each, but me and Ron got another two bob from Mrs Stannard.’ He jingled the coins in his pocket. ‘So me and Ron are going to get fish and chips for all of us.’

‘You ought to save that money,’ Jenny told him.

‘Nah, I’ve already told Mum and she agrees. Don’t
you, Mum?’ When Agnes smiled and nodded, he said, ‘Mum said it’s a fitting way to thank you and Glad for what you did for us when my dad died. And if it wasn’t for you, Jen, we wouldn’t have got this job.’

Ma touched Jenny’s hand. ‘Let them do it. They want to celebrate this bit of good luck.’

‘All right, but you must get only one portion of fish for Ma and me. We’ll share it.’

‘Oh, Jen,’ Ron said suddenly, ‘I nearly forgot, Mrs Stannard said would you pop in the hall some time. She’d like to see you.’

‘She might have a job for you as well.’ Jimmy couldn’t stop smiling.

‘I’ll go there tomorrow, and you’d better come with me, Ivy, just in case there’s work available.’ She saw the happy faces and marvelled at what a difference the chance to earn some money had made. Just for a little while they could enjoy the luxury of knowing they had a job and could share their good fortune with friends.

As soon as Fred and Stan were home, Ron and Jimmy went to the fish shop in the next road, returning loaded with packets wrapped in newspaper. There was a glorious smell of crisp batter, and salt and vinegar on the piles of chips.