Stay as Sweet as You Are (17 page)

‘Yeah, okay, Steve, I’ll see yer.’ Lucy waited until he was out of earshot before turning to her friend. ‘I’m surprised at you, Rhoda Fleming. That was really mean and cruel of yer.’

‘It’s true, what I said. Everyone in the street knows the Fletcher house is filthy. He’s probably got fleas as well, and I don’t want to catch them off him.’

‘He can’t help being poor! He’s got no dad and his mam’s too sick to go out to work. They barely have enough money coming in to pay the rent, never mind clothes and food. His mam’s a lovely woman, and he thinks the world of her. He goes around asking people if they want any jobs doing so he can earn a few coppers. He helps the coalman after school, lugging heavy bags of coal, and he chops firewood for the
corner shop. I admire him for that, and I think he’s a nice boy.’ Lucy was sick at heart for the way her friend had belittled someone who, through no fault of their own, wasn’t as well off as they were. ‘I’m surprised at yer, Rhoda, I really am. I just wish I hadn’t been here when yer said it, ’cos I’m ashamed for yer.’

‘Yer’ve no need to be ashamed for me, Lucy Mellor, nobody asked yer to. Steve is dirty and I said so. And if he ever comes near me, I’ll tell him again.’

Lucy sighed as she untied the knot in the rope. This was the first time she and Rhoda had ever argued, but she wasn’t going to let it pass. Her friend was wrong to make a fool of Steve the way she did. He was a friendly boy, always had a smile when he saw you. He didn’t deserve to be insulted and he must be feeling terrible now. ‘Here’s the rope, Rhoda, I don’t feel like playing any more.’

‘I don’t know why ye’re getting a cob on over him for.’ Rhoda snatched the rope from her friend’s hand. ‘He’s not worth it.’

‘That’s what you think, I think different. Yer don’t judge people by what they’ve got, but what they’re like inside.’ Lucy was so upset she could feel the tears welling up behind her eyes. ‘I’m going in now.’

Rhoda was feeling sorry inside, she didn’t want to fall out with Lucy. But she wasn’t going to give in. ‘Suit yerself.’

As Lucy crossed the cobbled road, tears blurred her sight. She was wiping them away when she walked headlong into Titch, who was standing outside his front door.

‘Hey, young lady, watch where ye’re going.’ He looked closer. ‘Have yer got something in yer eye?’

Lucy shook her head, and in a muffled voice, said, ‘No, I’m all right.’

‘Are they tears I can see in yer eyes?’

So full up she couldn’t speak, Lucy nodded and made to walk past him. But Titch barred her way. ‘I don’t think I’ve seen yer cry before, Lucy, so something bad must have
happened to upset yer. Come inside and tell me all about it.’ He cupped her elbow and propelled her into the house. ‘Things don’t seem so bad when yer talk them over with someone.’

Aggie was sitting in her rocking chair and at first sight of Lucy, her face lit up. Then she saw the red eyes. ‘What is it, queen? Has someone hit yer?’

‘No, I’m all right, Mrs Aggie, honest.’ But Lucy’s trembling voice said otherwise.

Titch pulled a chair from the table. ‘Sit down, love, and tell me and me ma what’s happened to make yer unhappy.’

Lucy sat down and wiped a hand across her eyes. ‘It’s nothing, really, I’ve got meself all upset over nothing.’

‘Tell us what the nothing is, queen,’ Aggie coaxed, ‘and we’ll tell yer whether ye’re making a mountain out of a molehill.’

‘Yer’ll think I’m a big baby when I tell yer, but it didn’t half upset me at the time.’ Lucy sniffed up. ‘Yer know Steve Fletcher from the top of the street?’

Aggie looked puzzled. ‘Of course we know Steve! He hasn’t done anything to upset yer, has he? I’ll be surprised if he has ’cos he’s a lovely boy, wouldn’t hurt a fly.’

‘Me and Rhoda were playing skipping, and I was tying the rope to the lamp-post when Steve came up and asked if I needed any help. And for no reason at all, Rhoda told him we didn’t need his help because he was dirty and had scabs on his legs.’ Lucy closed her eyes as she relived those few awful seconds. ‘I didn’t know where to put meself, Mrs Aggie, I felt so sorry for him. It was a horrible thing for Rhoda to say and he must have felt terrible.’

Aggie leaned forward in her chair. ‘It was a terrible thing for her to say, and she needs her bottom smacking for it. If she was my daughter, I’d drag her by the hand and make her apologise to Steve. Him and his mam have a hard time, and everyone in the street feels sorry for them. And God knows the lad does all he can to bring a few coppers into the house.’

‘I told Rhoda all that, Mrs Aggie! But she said she didn’t care. He was dirty, their house was filthy, and everyone in the street said so. And if he comes near her again, she’ll still tell him he’s dirty.’ Lucy swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘We had a row about it and I gave her the skipping rope back and said I didn’t want to play no more. And that’s the first row we’ve ever had in all the years she’s been me friend.’

‘It’ll blow over, queen, don’t fret. She’s probably feeling worse than you do, ’cos after all it was her what caused the row. But I’m glad yer told her off because she was very naughty to say what she did, she had no right. She must have upset the poor lad something terrible.’

‘I won’t sleep tonight for thinking about him,’ Lucy said. ‘I hope he doesn’t tell his mam because it would upset her, and with her being sick, she shouldn’t be disturbed.’

Titch, who had been listening intently, now said, ‘When his dad was alive, things were different in that house. They were the most loving family yer could meet. He was a fine man, was Jim Fletcher. A good husband and a good father. It was a tragedy that he died so young, and losing him nearly killed Olive, his wife. She’s been ailing ever since. And hearing all this has put me to shame. I used to call there often when Jim was alive, but it’s years since I knocked on their door. Some friend I’ve turned out to be.’

‘It’s never too late to put a wrong right, son. I’m sure Olive would love to see yer. And it would do the boy good, ’cos they don’t seem to get many visitors.’

‘Oh, yes, Mr Titch, please call and see them,’ Lucy said eagerly. ‘Steve hasn’t got many friends because he’s always busy doing jobs for people. He’ll do anything to earn some money, turn his hand to anything. He’d be made up to have a man to talk to.’

‘I’ll go tomorrow, I promise.’

‘Never put off till tomorrow what yer can do today,’ Aggie told him. ‘Ye’re only sitting on yer backside twiddling yer thumbs, so make the effort now. The lad must be at home if
Lucy’s just seen him, and if yer leave it until tomorrow he might be out.’

‘He will be out tomorrow, Mr Titch. He helps the milkman on a Saturday morning, then takes orders out for the corner shop.’ Lucy held out her palms as though pleading. ‘If yer go now, it will help him feel better after what Rhoda said. Cheer him up a bit.’

Titch lifted his own hands in surrender. ‘Okay, okay! I’m not going to argue with two women because I know I wouldn’t stand an earthly. So I’ll go out of the door with you, Lucy, and yer can watch me walk up to the Fletchers’ house. Then yer can sleep contented in yer bed tonight.’

It was on impulse that Lucy threw her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. ‘Oh, thank you, Mr Titch, it’s no wonder Mrs Aggie loves the bones of yer. But yer won’t let on about Rhoda, will yer? Otherwise he’ll think that’s the only reason yer called to see them.’

Titch grinned, and with a stiffened finger made a cross on his chest. ‘Cross my heart and hope to die, sweetheart. Yer can count on me, I’ll be the soul of discretion.’

Across the street, Mrs Fleming was eyeing her daughter. ‘What’s up with you, coming in before ye’re shouted? And why have yer got a face on yer like a wet week?’

‘I’ve had a row with Lucy, that’s what, and we’ve fallen out.’ Rhoda was feeling angry with herself. Deep down she knew she was at fault; she should never have said that to Steve. She didn’t even know why she had done so, except that it was always Lucy he spoke to, never her. Not that she was jealous. I mean, why would she be jealous of
him
?

‘It’s not like you two to row. What have yer fallen out over?’

‘It was over that Steve Fletcher. He was hanging around and I told him we didn’t want him because he was dirty and he’s got scabs on his legs. Lucy didn’t like what I said, and when he’d gone yer should have heard the way she took off
on me! Called me for everything, she did. Then she gave me the rope back and said she wasn’t playing out no more.’

Jessie Fleming folded her arms and hitched up her ample bosom. ‘Are you telling me that yer told Steve to his face that he was dirty?’ She didn’t wait for an answer because guilt was written all over her daughter’s face. ‘You little flamer! Just wait till yer dad gets in and hears that. He’ll tan your backside so hard yer won’t be able to sit for a week.’

‘I don’t know what all the fuss is about,’ Rhoda said defiantly. ‘He is dirty and their house is filthy. Everybody knows it and I was only speaking the truth.’

‘Oh, aye, and who is everybody, pray? Yer’ve never heard me speak ill of the Fletchers because I’ve had no cause to. They’re down on their luck, there’s no two ways about that, but we were in the same boat ourselves a couple of years back, when yer dad was out of work. You won’t remember because yer were too young, but we were living from hand to mouth then, just like the Fletchers are now. Only it’s worse for them because they’ve no man in the house. So don’t you go looking down yer nose at anyone, Lady Muck, ’cos that person could very easily have been you.’

‘Mrs Bentley thinks they’re dirty,’ Rhoda said, feeling sorrier with every second the clock ticked away. ‘She won’t let her Andrew even talk to Steve, never mind play with him. And she said they’ve got fleas and bugs.’

‘That stuck-up cow! Listen to me, young lady, that Sheila Bentley thinks we’re all dirt beneath her feet. She reckons she’s a cut above the rest of us, but it’s all show. Her husband is only a labourer, like yer dad, but to hear her talk yer’d think he was a bleedin’ director or something. She gives the impression they’re rolling in money, but yer should stand behind her in the shops and yer’d soon realise very little money goes on food. Outward appearances are more important to her than putting food in their bellies. Her husband’s not a bad man, but he’s under her thumb and jumps when she tells him to. And as for Andrew – well, he’s a proper little
snob. Any other kid around here would be called Andy, but that’s too common for him. He has to have his full title.’

Rhoda hung her head. ‘I’m sorry I said what I did, Mam. Me and my big mouth have got me into trouble. I’ve lost me best friend, and now me dad will start on me when he comes in from work.’

Jessie tilted her head. ‘Are yer truly sorry, or just saying it to get out of being given a hiding off yer dad?’

‘I was sorry as soon as I’d said it. I could have bitten me tongue out.’ The girl looked the picture of misery. ‘And when Lucy took off on me, I felt really ashamed.’

‘She’s got a head on her shoulders, that girl. She’s kind and wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone for the world. It’s a pity ye’re not more like her.’ Jessie saw her daughter’s face crumble and held out her arms. ‘Come here, yer daft nit. What am I going to do with yer, eh?’ She patted Rhoda’s back as sobs shook her body. ‘Come on now, be a big girl. I won’t tell yer dad if yer promise me two things. One, that yer’ll say sorry to Lucy and make up with her. And two, that when yer see Steve yer’ll give him a nice, big, friendly smile.’ She held her daughter away and looked into her red-rimmed eyes. ‘Is that a deal?’

Rhoda wasn’t so sure about the whole deal. ‘I’ll see Lucy ’cos I don’t want to fall out with her for ever. We’ve always said we’ll be friends all our lives. But I don’t think Steve will want to have anything to do with me after what I said.’

‘You’re the one who started all the trouble, so it’s up to you to sort it out. And don’t forget, ye’re twelve years of age now, and it’s time to grow up. Steve’s had to grow up quick, he had it thrust upon him. The day his dad died, he became the man of the house. And God only knows, he’s done his level best to be just that.’

With every word her mother spoke, Rhoda became more ashamed. Her voice choked, she said, ‘I’ll do what yer said, Mam. I’ll see Lucy and Steve, and I’ll tell them both how sorry I am. And in future, when I hear that Andrew Bentley
calling Steve names, I’ll clock him one.’

Jessie smiled and gave her a hug. ‘That’s my girl. But I wouldn’t go as far as clocking him one, I don’t think yer dad would like that. Just call him Andy – that should get his goat.’

Steve opened the door and gaped when he saw who was standing there. He vaguely remembered, when he was a toddler, this man used to come to their house when he was home on leave. But that was all he could remember, and it was years ago. He knew who he was, though, ’cos everybody in the street knew Titch, he was such a colourful character. ‘Did yer want something, Mr McBride?’

‘I want to offer an apology to yer mam for not coming to see her for so long. If it’s possible, Steve, I’d like to have a word with her.’

Steve hesitated. He knew his mam didn’t like visitors because of the state of the house. ‘I’ll have to ask her. She’s not been well and she’s lying down on the couch.’

‘I understand that, son, but a visit from an old friend might just cheer her up. Don’t you agree? She used to be full of spirit, your mam, so she’ll probably tear a strip off me for staying away so long.’

Steve was torn. He knew if he asked his mother, she’d tell him to make an excuse to this man and send him away. But she never went over the door to meet people to talk to. She said he was all the company she needed, but he worried about her. She was too young to shut herself away from the outside world, and he was too young to know how to change things. If he let this chance slip, he might never get another. ‘Step inside, Mr McBride, and I’ll give her a shout.’

Titch stepped into the hall and waited for Steve to close the door. Then the boy called out, ‘Yer’ve got a visitor, Mam.’

‘Oh, don’t let anyone in, son, I’m not fit to be seen.’

Titch took over. ‘Then cover yerself up, Olive Fletcher, ’cos I’m coming in whether ye’re respectable or not.’