A Sister's Shame (23 page)

Elsie beamed her a smile and stood up. ‘There you are then. Now off you go, and, Marie . . .’ She grabbed Marie’s arm.

‘Yes?’

‘Success in life ain’t come as you wanted, but a part of your dream has come true. A pat on the back for your new job, in case nobody ain’t given you one.’

Marie had a big smile on her face as she left. She felt very different from the unhappy girl who had walked in earlier tonight.

As the days went by, and after her talk with Elsie, Marie began to enjoy her new job. She made friends and used her brains to do the necessary calculations. This was very
different from hammering leather in the dusty, noisy cutting room. Every day she felt an improvement.

The same could not be said of the Duke’s. Marie hated it. None of the customers paid any attention to the dancers. The heavy drinking caused brawls so that it was often impossible to
perform. Sometimes the dancers had to run from the stage as chairs and bottles whizzed through the air.

On the Friday before Christmas Pedro told the girls that they wouldn’t be needed until New Year’s Eve. Rose, Shirley and Sal complained bitterly. Walter and Jeff, the drum and bass
players, were dismissed, leaving only Benny.

‘You needn’t worry about your sister,’ said Benny that night as they left the club. ‘I heard from Pedro, who was told by Teddy, she’s bringing in trade.’

‘Is she happy?’ asked Marie, her teeth chattering as they stood in the freezing cold alley, both shivering as the wind blew the rubbish against the walls and over the cobbles.

‘You’d hear if she wasn’t.’

‘That’s true. But I still want to see her and hear it with me own ears.’

‘Take my tip and leave well enough alone, girl. Don’t go chasing her. Look after number one.’

Later, as Bing was driving her home, Marie told him what Benny had said. ‘I just hope she turns up at Christmas and puts everyone’s minds at rest,’ Marie ended on a sigh.

‘She will. As Benny says, if Vesta ain’t happy with something, she’ll soon let you know.’

Marie thought about this. It was true that Vesta never suffered in silence. She was a girl who wanted her own way and usually got it.

‘Have you thought any more about leaving the club?’ Bing asked her.

‘Yes. If things go on as they are, there’s no point in staying. Now the Scoresbys have gone, I don’t think Pedro cares.’

Bing smiled. ‘That’s music to my ears.’

But Marie still wasn’t certain. What if Vesta went to look for her? But wouldn’t she have done that by now, if she was unhappy? Perhaps she was waiting until Christmas, when, in true
Vesta style, she would make a dramatic appearance.

Bing took her shopping the next afternoon. They strolled round the market and Marie bought presents: a pair of plaid slippers for Hector, a scarf and gloves for Ada, and a
shiny pair of dangling earrings for Elsie.

When they walked past the fruit and veg stall Fat Freda called out, ‘You’re looking good, girl. Not still working at that dive, are you?’

Marie only nodded.

‘Heard it’s been dumped by them brothers.’

Marie looked at Bing, who stretched across and turned over the cabbages. ‘Got any bargains, Freda? We ain’t got all day to natter.’

Freda laughed loudly. ‘Nor have I, love. Now what would you like? I’ve got a few apples and pears on the cheap.’

‘That’ll do,’ Bing nodded. ‘And don’t forget to knock a bob off for me smile.’

‘You’ll be lucky, you cheeky devil.’

When they had finished shopping, Bing took Marie to the coffee stall. Despite the cold day, they put down their parcels and sat on the crates provided.

‘Even Freda knows about the Duke’s,’ Marie said with a sigh.

‘Cheer up, it ain’t the end of the world.’

Marie grinned. ‘No, that’s true.’

‘Listen, can I come round to your gaff on Christmas Day? I’ve got a special present to give you.’

‘What is it?’

‘Why, a Christmas kiss, of course!’ He grinned, his lovely smile making her tummy turn cartwheels. He wore his smart heavy coat and a dark blue scarf tucked into the turned-up
collar, which was all the fashion. His hair still stuck up, and there was twinkling mischief in his eyes.

Marie giggled under her new hat, a beige and white shell-like beret that she had bought to go with a beige coat from the second-hand stall. The coat hadn’t been worn very much. And though
she could afford to buy something new, she was being careful. The dancers were still waiting to be paid for last week, a development that Marie felt, after speaking to Benny, was not unexpected. If
they weren’t paid again before Christmas, she would only have her wages from the factory. Not that Marie cared. The money from the club had brought them only sadness.

‘Drink up, and then we can buy your present to me.’

He said it with a straight face and Marie laughed. ‘You’ve got a cheek!’

‘Nothing like asking.’

‘I’ll give you the same, a kiss.’

‘That’ll do. Can I have it now?’

Marie pushed him away as he pursed his lips. As the passers-by smiled at them, Marie felt proud to be his girl. And, as he drew her against him, she sipped the last of her coffee, trying to hide
the wonderful feeling inside her. She knew that the more she saw him, the more she liked him. He was a big part of her life, always eager to make her smile and lift her spirits.

When Bing and Marie arrived back, Elsie had decorated the tree. It stood in the hall, a sight to behold; glass balls and trinkets, a lot of them resembling gold, hanging from
the branches. Elsie had kept all her and Joe’s decorations from their days at the pub. On the top of the tree was a sparkling star, tied on with ribbon. The edges were a bit battered and the
white ribbon had turned yellow from age and smoke, but it still looked wonderful.

‘Blimey, where are we, the North Pole?’ Bing grinned as they stood in the hall, staring at the tree, its branches draped with white fringes and balls of white knitting wool.

‘Each year Elsie decorates a tree,’ Marie explained. ‘We used to help her when we were kids. See, there’s a star on the top that we made at school.’

‘Look at what the tree’s standing in,’ Bing chuckled. ‘A pail from the Cubby Hole.’

‘How do you know that?’ Marie stared down at the bucket that Elsie had tried to cover with red crêpe paper.

‘It’s got “Ladies” painted on it under that paper. You can just see the top of the L. There’s another one just like it that’s still in the Gents.’

Marie burst out laughing. In the end they were laughing so much that Marie knew it was, for her, both a release and a relief. This Christmas was certain to be mixed with different emotions, but
she knew Bing would be by her side through it all. And as he drew her into his arms and slowly kissed her, she knew she couldn’t ask for more.

It was Monday, 24 December – Christmas Eve. Marie was surprised when Mr Morton allowed the staff to leave at twelve thirty. He wished them all well and gave them each a
card.

‘They must think a lot of you,’ Ada commented when Marie arrived home. ‘You never got a card before.’ Ada was stuffing the chicken, forcing in the sausagemeat with a look
of determination on her face. Marie knew she was trying, as they all were, to enjoy Christmas.

Ada had hung the hand-made paper-chains in the front room and put holly on the mantel. A sprig of mistletoe hung from the ceiling. The cards they had received depicting Father Christmas and his
reindeers and sacks full of presents, the three Wise Men and the Shepherds were placed on the shelf by the window, lined up against the books. Though the front room looked very festive, Marie knew
that the decorations were a painful reminder to them all of Vesta’s absence. Christmas was supposed to be the happiest time of the year.

‘I sent your father on an errand,’ Ada continued as she pushed at the chicken. ‘Buy a nice bottle of port, I told him, with lemon. Your sister might be glad of a glass of
something fortifying.’

Marie put down Mr Morton’s card. ‘Mum, you mustn’t be disappointed if she doesn’t turn up.’

‘I know.’ Ada’s voice trembled.

‘You’ll push that stuffing out the other end if you’re not careful.’

Ada ignored this, her face set. ‘You can start on the vegetables, since you’re home early.’

‘Give me a moment to take me things off.’

‘And you can bring the pudding from the pantry. We’ll have custard to go with it.’

Marie slipped off her coat and hung it on the peg. She felt like resting her legs for ten minutes after all the stairs she’d been running up and down at work. ‘Christmas Day
isn’t till tomorrow.’

‘I want to have everything ready for her.’ Ada reached for the big china plate. In the next instant it had slipped from her hands.

The crash on the floor echoed noisily. Ada stared down at the broken pieces, scattered far and wide. ‘Oh, that was my best plate!’ Suddenly she burst into tears.

‘Mum, it’s only a plate. I’ll clear it up.’

‘I don’t care about the china. I keep thinking of all those Christmases when she was here. You two in the kitchen with me. My beautiful daughters, helping to prepare for
tomorrow.’ Ada wiped her eyes with her handkerchief. ‘Oh, what’s the use of pretending, Marie? She ain’t gonna come tomorrow, is she?’

‘She might.’

Ada wept again, the tears falling on her apron.

Just then, Hector walked in. He looked thin and gaunt, and wore the dirty old coat he used for work.

‘What’s the matter?’ he asked, blinking.

‘Nothing,’ said Ada sharply.

He stared at the broken china. But before he could speak, Ada snapped, ‘Hector, you’re letting yourself go. Vesta won’t want to see you like that.’

‘Have you heard? Is she coming tomorrow?’

‘How should we know?’ Ada shrugged.

Marie went towards him. ‘Is this the port, Dad?’

‘Yes, but I forgot the lemon.’ He handed her the bottle.

‘Your father can’t be trusted with the smallest thing lately,’ Ada muttered as she began to clear up the china.

Marie thought her father looked ill. All his good spirit had vanished and he wore a forlorn expression. Ada’s sharp tongue was getting on even Marie’s nerves.

Christmas Day would be miserable if Vesta didn’t show up. As Marie kneeled down to help her mother, she said a silent prayer that Vesta would.

‘Teddy, how do I look?’ Vesta turned sideways, her hand sliding down the soft pink chiffon of the gown that she and Teddy had bought in the West End. It was a
stunning dress, small pink and silver sequins scattered over the heart-shaped bodice and a few hidden in the folds of the full skirt. When she moved the dress caught the light. Vesta had never worn
anything like it before. In the six weeks since she had left home, Teddy had made her so happy! He catered for her every need, and had introduced her to so many wealthy, friendly people at the Blue
Flamingo that her head was still spinning. And tonight they were invited as a couple to a party, somewhere in the country, where, Teddy had told her, she would be introduced to many people in the
entertainment world.

How lucky she was to have Teddy! There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. Since she had moved into his rooms on that terrible Sunday in November, when that bully Bing Brown had tried to
stop her leaving, her life had changed unbelievably.

Teddy came to stand beside her. He was the most handsome man she had ever met. Ever seen! And tonight in his black dinner suit, white shirt and bow tie, with his dark hair brushed smoothly back
across his head, he looked like an actor from one of those Hollywood films. This thought sent even more shivers along her spine.

‘You look perfect,’ he told her, running his dark eyes over her and making her go weak at the knees. ‘Just remember, tonight you must make a good impression. This is your
chance to meet some influential people. Actors, directors, producers; the type who will give you a start in show business.’

‘You and Mr Scoresby have done that already,’ she murmured gratefully, linking her arms around his neck. ‘I love singing at the Blue Flamingo. Though I do feel a bit rotten
about Marie.’

‘She had her chance.’

‘I know, but she is me sister.’

‘Vesta, watch your language. It’s not “me”, but “my”.’

She giggled. ‘Oops, sorry.’

‘You’ve been drinking, haven’t you?’

She giggled. ‘Only one to calm my nerves.’

‘There’s a time and place for everything,’ he told her, kissing her nose.

‘Like when we’re in bed?’ Vesta was shocked at her boldness, but she didn’t care. Teddy had liberated her, made her a woman. His lovemaking had been incredible;
he’d taught her well and she had loved every moment. He had also shown her what to do for him, which had at first embarrassed her. Nevertheless, after a few drinks, she had soon lost her
shyness. There had been other women who wanted him too, but he had chosen her. She still couldn’t believe it! Perhaps flirting with Charlie had worked. When Charlie had turned up at the Blue
Flamingo a few nights ago, demanding to see her, Teddy had instructed the doormen to get rid of him.

A mischievous smile played on her lips as Teddy studied her critically. She had pinned up her hair to one side to show off the diamanté earrings that were his most recent gift to her. He
took a great interest in her appearance, buying her clothes, shoes and jewellery that now filled their large white wardrobe in the bedroom. Some of his choices hadn’t been quite what she
would have chosen, but that didn’t matter. If he told her she looked beautiful in them, then that was enough to make her happy. She loved their life together in the apartment that Wally had
given them off the Commercial Road. Though the district was a bit shabby the interior was luxurious, with art deco furniture, carpets and even a bathroom with a bath in it so big that they could
both fit in it together.

Vesta blushed. Teddy had certainly taught her how to have pleasure. What would Marie think of all this? What would her family say if they could see her now?

Vesta felt a tremble of misgivings as she thought of them. She hadn’t even written to Ada to let her know how she was. But her mother and Marie had made her very angry, treating Teddy in
the way they had. She would never forgive them for nearly causing her to lose out on her biggest chance in life.