A Family Christmas (6 page)

‘Spoil sport,’ Lewis Marshall laughed. ‘I’d just like to have known what his reaction was if Robbie had addressed ’im as Smiler.’ Lewis didn’t like the way Lucy was looking at one of the brothers. He’d give anything for her to look at him like that,
but
he was beginning to realise it would probably never happen. Even so he would still look out for her, no matter what. All he wanted was Lucy’s happiness. And he had better start looking for another lass, too. He’d go to Cragstone to the dance on Saturday, get some of the lads to go with him. Perhaps the newcomers would like to go. If the dark one went he might meet a new lass too, leaving Lucy free for him. No, he’d waited long enough for her. Besides, the way she was gazing all cow-eyed, she looked like she was already smitten with John Grey.

‘Would yer like to go to the dance next Saturday? It’s a fair walk but it’s all right once we get there.’ Lewis looked from one brother to the other. John considered himself fortunate to be included in the gang and though he wasn’t too bothered about dancing he decided he wouldn’t throw kindness in his new friend’s face. ‘Well yes, though I’m not much of a dancer.’

James was trying to work out how much money they had left from the sale of the contents of the cottage. Some of the things had been given away to neighbours but a few heirlooms had fetched quite a bit in a shop in Lincoln. They had decided to walk to Millington in order to save on travelling expenses, enabling them to give something to the vicar for their keep until they earned their first wages. Herbert had given them most of it back, saying they must keep it until they were settled in
their
new neighbourhood. He had also advised them to replace their worn-out boots before starting work. He had taken them to Whitaker’s shoe shop and wangled a discount for the lads on three pairs of shoes, two pairs of working boots and a pair of clogs for John. James estimated that there was still ample to last them until payday. So he would take Herbert’s advice and accept Lewis’s friendship. ‘Yes, we’d like to come.’ He glanced at Jane. ‘Will you and your sister be going too?’

Jane blushed. ‘Oh I don’t think so.’ She could imagine her mother’s reaction to them suggesting going dancing.

‘We could, Jane, if we asked our Ben to have a word with me mam,’ Lucy said.

‘No, it wouldn’t work.’

‘Oh come on, Jane, let’s all go,’ Kitty pleaded.

Kitty and her brother were very close and Kitty knew how much of an effort Lewis was making to welcome the newcomers, despite his feelings for Lucy. Still, that was the type of boy her brother was.

‘Yes, let’s all go,’ Lewis added.

‘Not me.’ Robbie shook his head. ‘I can’t dance.’

‘Nor me,’ Dot agreed. ‘I’ve got two left feet. Tell you what though, you and me could go to’t pictures.’

‘Oh yes, I’d like that.’ A visit to the cinema had been a rare treat indeed for the village children.

‘So if we can, we’ll go dancing with you.’ Lucy really wanted to go, and was prepared even to do battle with her mother if necessary.

‘All right, but don’t be surprised if Mam gets in a rage about it.’ Jane knew what her mother’s reaction would be.

‘Our Ben’ll sort her out. Now we’d better be going; it’s getting late.’

‘Aye, and it’s getting dark. Me mam likes me in before dark.’ Dot had achieved her aim, getting to know Robbie Grey.

Poor Robbie had fallen for it and got himself involved in a date with Dot Greenwood and somehow he didn’t care, even if she considered herself his girl.

The walk to church and back had intensified the pain in Annie’s ankle. On their return the girls were shocked at the agonised look on their mother’s face. ‘Mam, you look awful. What’s the matter?’ Jane asked.

‘Nowt. I shall be right as rain when I’ve rested me leg.’

‘You said it was getting better. Let’s have a look.’

‘No, I’ve told yer all it needs is a rest. In fact I’ll be going to me bed if yer don’t mind.’ Annie had never been known to retire for the night until everybody was in and the house locked up.

Jane and Lucy exchanged glances. ‘Let me have a look at your ankle, Mam.’

Annie ignored her daughter and set off towards the stairs but Jane blocked her way. ‘Come on, Mam. Let me look at your ankle.’

Annie sighed and hobbled back to her chair. ‘It’s just a bit inflamed.’

She lifted her skirt and pulled down her stocking, then she began to unwind the bandage, releasing a stench more vile than anything the girls had ever experienced.

‘Oh my God.’ Jane couldn’t believe the sight of her mother’s ankle. It was double its normal size, an open sore was festering, and surrounding it the ankle had already turned purple as if it was already dead. ‘I’m going for the doctor.’ Jane had already reached for her coat.

‘No, not tonight. I’ll go see ’im tomorrow.’

‘But he’ll give you something for the pain.’

‘Doctors! What do they know?’

‘I’ll go and ask Mrs Greenwood; she’ll know what to do,’ Lucy said.

‘Aye, that might be best,’ Annie agreed. ‘Boady’ll give me summat to take the pain away.’

‘But it’s all septic, Mam. Why didn’t you do something sooner?’ Jane spooned tea into the teapot and placed the kettle over the fire. ‘I’ll make some tea and then when our Lucy comes back we’ll get you to bed.’

‘Nay, I’ll wait till everybody’s in. I were only going out of’t way so yer wouldn’t see ’ow bad me leg were.’

‘Well, now we’ve seen it and we’re going to get it better.’

Mrs Greenwood was just on her way to bed.
She
was wearing a white winceyette nightgown which resembled a tent. They were an early-to-bed, early-to-rise family. She couldn’t imagine who would be knocking at this time of night. ‘Who the hangment can that be?’ she asked Little Arthur, as if he was a mindreader.

Lucy was nearly knocked down by Bob the dog, who slobbered all over her face the moment the door opened. ‘Hello, Mrs Greenwood. I’m sorry to come at this time of night but it’s me mam; she’s in agony with a bad ankle.’

‘Well, I’d better come then.’ Boadacea set off to get dressed.

‘Oh no, I don’t want you trailing out at this time of night. We just thought you’d give her something to take the pain away. She’ll have to see a doctor tomorrow, it’s really bad.’

‘What’s it look like?’

‘Well, her ankle and foot are both swollen and purple and the sore’s all running with pus and it smells horrible.’

‘Oh I don’t like the sound of that at all. She will have to see a doctor. I can make ’er a poultice of slippery elm powder. It might ’elp for tonight but yer must get ’er to a doctor tomorrer.’

‘What do you think it is, Mrs Greenwood?’

‘Well, it’s hard to say without seeing it. Might be an ulcer but I don’t like the sound of the purple foot, or the stink. ’Ang on love, I won’t be long.’

Lucy was scared. Mrs Greenwood didn’t usually recommend doctors.

‘’Ere you are me love. Warm the poultice and apply the slippery elm powder on the poultice. This ’ere is some camomile. Make yer mam some good strong camomile tea; it’ll ease the pain and calm ’er down a bit. Help ’er to sleep.’

‘Thanks, Mrs Greenwood. How much is it?’

‘Don’t be daft, you’re our Dot’s friend. Besides, I’ve known yer mam for as long as I can remember.’

‘I’d rather pay.’

‘And I’d rather yer didn’t. Now get on yer way. The sooner yer get ’ome the sooner yer mam’ll get a bit of relief, but think on, yer must get a doctor, I mean it.’

‘I will.’ Lucy ran all the way down the hill. It was a bit scary up here with no houses or anything and the sound of clanging metal from the works echoing along the valley. She was relieved when she reached the main road.

Annie didn’t need much persuasion to go off to her bed and when she was made comfortable the two sisters sat down to wait for Ben to come home and discuss Annie’s condition.

‘I think our Ben must be courting,’ Jane said. ‘He’s been staying out much later than usual this last few weeks.’

‘Yes, I’ve noticed. He must be wanting to settle down at his age.’

‘I hope he finds someone as nice as himself.’

‘Yes, so do I. Oh Jane, I do like John Grey, but I don’t suppose we shall be free to go to the dance if me mam’s no better.’

‘It looks awful, her leg I mean.’

‘I know. Mrs Greenwood insists we get her to the doctor, tomorrow, she said. She thinks it might be infected.’

‘Yes, we’ll tell our Ben to make sure she goes. Thank goodness he’s on mornings and he’ll be home by two. There’s a surgery in the afternoon.’

‘I do wish we could go to the dance though,’ Lucy frowned.

‘Yes, so do I, I really like James Grey.’ Jane hadn’t really expected to go. Nothing nice ever happened in the Gabbitas household. Her mother was right: if you didn’t expect anything, you would never be disappointed. But on this occasion she was, very disappointed, so disappointed she felt like crying.

Chapter Five

LUCY FOUND IT
difficult to concentrate on her work the next day. It had been gone midnight when she had finally finished talking to Ben. Her wage had risen to fourteen shillings on her birthday and she could usually add to that being on piecework, but she wouldn’t have made much today. She couldn’t get the sight of her mother’s leg out of her mind and couldn’t wait to find out what the doctor had to say. Lewis Marshall was in an aggravating mood – coming up behind her he blew up a paper bag and burst it, causing everyone to laugh as it startled her. Usually she would have joined in the merriment but on this occasion she snapped, ‘Oh why don’t you grow up?’

‘Sorry, I was only trying to cheer you up a bit. Yer’ve been a bit of a misery all day, Lucy.’ Lewis looked crestfallen.

Lucy felt a bit sorry for Lewis. ‘Aye well, I’ve things on my mind.’

‘What things? Yer know you can always talk to me about yer worries.’

‘Yes, I know that. Thanks, Lewis.’ Just then Mr Blackmore came striding down the shop.
‘What’s
going on up ’ere then? What was that noise all about?’

‘Noise? What noise? I didn’t ’ear a noise Mr Blackmore.’ Lucy looked the picture of innocence.

‘Was it thee? Lew Marshall, tha’ll be getting sack one o’ these days if tha not careful.’

‘Not me, Mr Blackmore, I didn’t ’ear any noise either.’ Lewis looked at his sister on the next bench. ‘Did you ’ear a noise, Kitty?’

‘What sort of a noise did it sound like?’

‘I don’t know, I didn’t ’ear owt.’ Lewis looked questioningly at his boss. ‘What sort of noise was it? Mr Blackmore?’

‘Oh, get on with thi work.’ Exasperated, Mr Blackmore walked away. ‘Get on with thi work, I said. NOW.’

Lewis hurried away in the direction of the gitting shop, carrying a bundle of ribs and stretchers he had already inspected, wondering as he went what it was Lucy was worrying about. No doubt he would hear about it sooner or later. There weren’t many secrets to be kept amongst the families on Top Row.

‘Your mother will have to go to hospital; I’m afraid there isn’t anything I can do for her, Mr Gabbitas. You should have called me sooner.’ The doctor turned to Annie. ‘How long has it been like this?’

‘A few years, but not as bad as this.’ Annie frowned. ‘Can’t yer give me owt without me leaving me kids?’

‘No! I only wish I could. I believe you might need surgery.’

‘What do yer think it is then?’ Ben asked, becoming alarmed at the mention of an operation.

The doctor stood up and walked round the room. ‘I’ll be honest with you, Mr Gabbitas. I think your mother is suffering from Necrosis, commonly known as fever sore. If this is the case it must be dealt with urgently. In your mother’s case it has been neglected for far too long. She needs to see a specialist and I shall arrange this immediately. You must take a letter to the Royal Hospital. Your mother will be seen today.’ He sat at his desk and began to write. ‘If you will wait in the waiting room I shall be with you directly.’

‘How much will it cost?’ Annie worried.

‘Oh Mother, what does it matter? Come on, let the doctor get on with his letter or we’ll never get anywhere, let alone Sheffield.’

Annie sighed. ‘Aye, I guess I shall ’ave to go whether I like it or not.’

The Royal was a spooky place. A nurse led them into a room and ordered Annie to take off her stocking and lie on the bed. Then the nurse undid the bandage and took off the matter-encrusted lint, releasing the stench of rotting meat which seemed to be growing stronger by the minute.

‘Bloody ’ell.’ Ben felt sick. ‘Sorry, nurse.’

The young nurse gulped. ‘It’s all right. I agree it is a terrible smell.’ She left the room and when
she
returned she was accompanied by an elderly white-haired man who took one look at Annie’s leg and left the room. He obviously needed a second opinion. The second man, this time in a white coat, put on a pair of surgical gloves and examined Annie more closely. ‘Mortification, sir.’

‘Yes, good man. What are we to do about it?’

‘Remove the dead bone, sir.’ The elder man nodded.

‘We shall operate first thing in the morning as a matter of extreme urgency,’ the specialist told Annie. ‘The nurse will attend to you now.’

‘Come with me, Mrs Gabbitas. We’ll find you a bed and make you comfortable.’ Annie followed her out of the room, speechless with shock.

‘Mr Gabbitas.’ The elderly man, immaculate in a black suit, white shirt and black tie, addressed Ben. ‘Your mother’s condition is extremely serious. If we are fortunate we shall be able to remove all the infected bone. If, as I suspect, it has been neglected too long and the necrosis has spread too far, we shall have no alternative but to amputate the affected limb. Even then it could prove fatal to your mother. Be of good hope; we shall do our best. And now I must proceed with my work. Good day to you, Mr Gabbitas.’

‘And to you. Thank you for treating my mother so promptly.’

Nodding, the man left the room with the specialist. Ben wondered what to do now and waited until the nurse came back.

‘I should go home now if I were you. Your mother’ll be kept comfortable until her operation. You can come at visiting time tomorrow, but I should wait until the day after – she’ll be all day coming round after surgery. Visiting is seven till eight and two till three at weekends.’