Nobody’s Girl (27 page)

His thoughts continued to turn. The café was in a prime location and should fetch a pretty penny. When they brought a small tearoom they’d have plenty left over and maybe he’d be able to persuade Dolly to drop Pearl a few bob. After what she’d been through she deserved it, and maybe they could put some money in trust for Johnny.

Bernie went into the café, locking the door behind him and then gazed around the dining room. For a moment it seemed to echo with memories – the customers, the waitresses that had come and gone – and seeing that the room looked dusty and unused, he smiled sadly as he thought about their cleaner, Nora. Like Madge and Gertie, they hadn’t given a thought to the poor woman and her wages, something he was ashamed of but had now put right.

With a shake of his head he headed for the stairs, hoping they had all managed to find jobs. Dolly was waiting, and he smiled, glad that he was able to give her some good news.

‘Pearl is letting us have Johnny for a couple of hours tomorrow afternoon.’

‘Well done, love,’ she said, and Bernie’s chest swelled. ‘In the meantime, let’s get this place on the market.’

Pearl was enjoying herself as she reorganised the shop. Bessie was happy to give her a free rein, and with Johnny in his pram behind the counter, he got most of the old woman’s attention.

She had given the place a good clean, afterwards putting the stock into sections: clothes racks in one area, furniture in the other, arranged to resemble a room. Most had been improved with a good polish, and already they had managed to shift a dining-room table and a sideboard.

The clothes got her attention next, and Pearl made sure that everything on offer was clean and pressed. Bessie had moaned at the garments spread over lines in the upstairs flat to dry, but it resulted in more sales.

Pearl’s nose wrinkled. There was still a musty smell in the air and she knew it came from the piles of old blankets and quilts, but washing such large items presented a problem.

She turned to Bessie. ‘Maybe we should get rid of this lot. They won’t sell in this state.’

‘Get rid of them! Leave it out, girl. Not everyone is as fussy as you, and the blankets are worth a few bob each.’

‘In the two weeks I’ve been here they haven’t sold. Is there any way to wash them?’

‘I suppose you could take them to the laundry baths, but if you ask me it’s a waste of time.’

‘You said that about the clothes.’

‘Yeah, well, I must admit we’ve shifted a lot since you sorted them out, but look at you. All this washing is wearing you out and you’re up half the night ironing.’

‘It’s been worth it, and I’ve nearly finished now.’ Pearl frowned. ‘I suppose the laundry is the answer for these blankets, but I’d be stuck down there for hours.’

‘Well, I ain’t taking them. That place is full of gossiping old biddies and—’

The door opened, cutting Bessie off in mid sentence, and both smiled as Nora came in.

‘Hello,’ Pearl said.

‘Hello,’ she replied, her eyes puzzled. ‘What you doing here?’

‘I work here now. What about you? Have you found another job?’

‘No,’ she said, her eyes flicking to the pram. ‘That your baby?’

‘Yes, and his name is Johnny.’

Nora leaned over the counter, and as she pulled faces at him, he chuckled, dribble running from the corner of his mouth. ‘He likes you, Nora.’

‘What can we do for you, love?’ Bessie asked.

‘Want new coat. Mummy gave me this,’ she answered, holding out two shillings.

Involuntarily Pearl glanced out of the window. September was drawing to an end, but thankfully it was still mild. They didn’t have many winter coats, and with just two shillings Nora’s mother must be expecting a miracle. Moving across to the racks, she flicked through them, finding only one that might fit the short, chubby woman. Now that everything was priced, she checked the tag, but it was too expensive. ‘I’m sorry, Nora, but at the moment we’ve only got one that will fit you and you haven’t got enough money. We may get more in later.’

‘Mummy said get coat now.’

Pearl glanced at Bessie but, obviously reading her mind, the woman shook her head.

‘We can’t reduce it. I paid good money for that coat and there’d be no profit if we let it go for two bob.’

With an appeal in her eyes Pearl continued to look at Bessie, but to no avail.

‘Now don’t look at me like that. We’re not a charity and we’ve got to eat.’

With a sigh, Pearl put the coat back on the rack, but was then struck by an idea. ‘Nora, do you know how to use the machines at the laundry?’

‘Yes. I does our washing.’

‘Bessie, she could take the blankets. Freshly laundered, they’re sure to sell and we could let her have the coat for two shillings as payment.’

‘Oh, all right then. Gawd, if I ain’t careful I’ll end up as soft as you.’

‘I tell Mummy, then come back,’ Nora said.

‘What have you got us into now?’ Bessie complained as the door closed behind Nora. ‘If those blankets don’t shift we’ll have wasted money having them laundered, let alone letting Nora have that coat for two bob.’

‘Don’t worry, they’ll sell,’ Pearl assured her, praying she was right as she bent to the pile, selecting those in the best condition. ‘Poor Nora, it’s a shame she hasn’t found another job. Do you know her mother?’

‘Yes. Lily’s a nice woman. She had Nora late, when she was in her forties and must be getting on a bit now. Let me see, I’m sixty-six, so Lily must be coming up to seventy.’

Pearl looked at Bessie in surprise. Somehow she had thought her older, the woman’s skin lined and her hair grey. ‘What about Nora’s father?’

‘He died a few years ago.’ Her eyes took on a thoughtful look. ‘Lily was often in the market, but I ain’t seen her lately.’

‘Perhaps she’s ill.’

‘Yeah, that could be it. I’ll ask Nora when she comes back.’

Pearl tied the blankets into a bundle, and when Nora returned Bessie was quick to ask the question.

‘I haven’t seen your mum for a while, Nora. Is she all right?’

‘Yes,’ the woman said, taking the blankets from Pearl’s arms.

‘She’s not ill?’

‘No,’ she said brusquely.

With a sigh Bessie took some money from the till and, shoving it into her pocket, Nora bustled off.

‘Well, that was short and sweet. She ain’t one for conversation, that’s for sure. If Lily isn’t ill, I wonder why I haven’t seen her lately.’

Pearl shook her head. ‘I’ve no idea, but maybe you’ve been too busy to notice.’

‘I suppose so.’ But there was doubt in Bessie’s expression.

Pearl was right and, two weeks later, the last of the laundered blankets had sold. There were still loads more unlaundered items, let alone those in the back bedroom so, feeling confident, she suggested that they use Nora again.

‘These quilts would come up a treat, and even if we pay Nora for the hours she spends at the laundry, we’d still make a profit.’

‘I’m not arguing. You’ve achieved wonders in just a month. It was a good idea to display some of our choice pieces in the window and I’ve never had so many customers.’

Pearl smiled with satisfaction, glad that she was earning her keep. She glanced at the clock. Bernie would be arriving to pick Johnny up soon and she wondered if there would be any news. He’d said on Monday that a man might buy the café, but wanted to look at the account books first. She looked out of the window, seeking Derek passing the shop, and as their eyes met he lifted his hand to wave. Living in such close proximity, she often saw him out and about, reminded every time of how much she had hurt him. He looked nice, Pearl thought, smart, and thankfully there was no animosity in his manner. She missed his friendship, missed Connie, and as he moved out of sight, she turned away.

When Bernie arrived a few minutes later he held out a bag and her portfolio. ‘We’ve been sorting out the bedrooms and you left this stuff behind.’

‘Thanks, Bernie.’

‘We’ve got a buyer for the café, Pearl.’

‘Is it the chap you mentioned on Monday?’

‘Yes, and he’s keen to get the purchase through as soon as possible. We could be moving out in less than a month.’

‘Have you found a place in Dorset?’

‘No, and to tell you the truth we haven’t been looking. Dolly thinks we shouldn’t rush into anything so we’re going to rent a little house for a while. It’ll give us a chance to find the sort of premises we’re looking for, and who knows, we might just find an established business.’

Pearl wheeled the pram from behind the counter. ‘Johnny’s had his bottle and he’s taking solids too. He scoffed a bit of rusk mashed down with milk, and then went to sleep.’

Bernie smiled fondly. ‘He likes his kip, that’s for sure. I’ll fetch him back in a couple of hours as usual.’

He called a goodbye and as soon as the door closed behind him, Bessie nodded at the portfolio. ‘What’s that?’

‘I went to art classes for a while and they’re my efforts.’

‘Can I have a look?’

At Pearl’s nod, Bessie began to flick through them. ‘Blimey, girl, these are really good. If you stick them in the window you could make a few bob. They’d look even better in frames and if you have a rummage round, I think you’ll find some.’

‘I miss art classes, and one day I hope to get back to them. I’m not good enough yet and I can’t see anyone wanting to buy these.’

‘Don’t be daft. I reckon the ones of the market will fly out.’

‘I could give it a try, but I won’t be able to sell the portraits.’

‘Why not?’

‘Can you imagine what they’d say? Take Dolly, for instance. I don’t think she’d be happy to see her face displayed in the window.’

‘Yeah, I suppose you have a point, but …’

The door opened, Nora poking her head inside. ‘You got job for me?’

Bessie and Pearl exchanged looks, both wide-eyed with surprise.

‘Blimey,’ Bessie asked, ‘how did you know that?’

‘Just do,’ Nora replied.

‘Pearl, we only just decided to give her some work. Don’t you think her turning up on cue it a bit strange?’

‘After living with you for a month, I don’t find anything strange.’

‘You cheeky moo.’ But Bessie’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Nora. ‘Maybe she’s a bit psychic.’

‘Goodness, I hope not. I don’t think I could cope with two of you.’ Pearl then bundled up some quilts. ‘Here you are, Nora, you can take these to the washing baths, but I hope they aren’t too heavy for you.’

‘Hang on, I think I’ve got an old pushchair in the yard,’ Bessie said, heading for the back door.

‘She nice,’ Nora said.

‘Yes, she is,’ Pearl agreed. She was happy – happier than she’d been in a long time – and it was all thanks to Bessie.

Bernie carefully lifted Johnny from his pram and, though he stirred a little, he didn’t wake. As he walked into the living room, Dolly indicated the sofa, and as he laid the child down, she looked at her grandson fondly.

‘Bernie, we need to talk. There’s a lot to sort out before we move.’

‘I know that, love. You’ve got so much stuff piled in cupboards that we’ll probably need two removals vans.’

‘No, it’s not that. We need to talk about Johnny. He shouldn’t be stuck in that bloody dump of a shop. If he came with us we could offer him a decent home and he’d want for nothing.’

‘Now then, we’ve been over this before and you know that Pearl won’t come with us.’

‘If Kevin knew what was going on, I reckon he’d agree with me. He’d want the best for Johnny.’

‘Maybe, but Pearl has made up her mind and we can’t do anything about it. At least we’ll be having the lad for the occasional weekend.’

‘Huh, that’s big of Pearl,’ Dolly said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ‘I’ve been thinking, Bernie, and I reckon you should go to see Kevin. Tell him what’s going on and persuade him that Johnny would be better off with us. He must have some say in his son’s upbringing and could sign something to give us guardianship until he comes out of prison.’

‘Dolly, surely you’re not suggesting that we take him away from Pearl?’

‘I am, and what’s wrong with that?’

‘Christ, I don’t believe this. We can’t take the child away from his mother!’

‘Yes we can.’

‘Don’t be daft. Pearl would never agree to it.’

‘She won’t be able to do anything about it.’

‘You’re living in cloud-cuckoo-land. Kevin’s in prison, and even if he agreed to this daft idea, it wouldn’t be legal.’

‘Sod the law then. We’ll just take the boy. We won’t go to Dorset. Instead we’ll go north and go somewhere that Pearl won’t be able to find us.’

‘Bloody hell, Dolly. Now you’re talking about kidnapping!’

‘No I’m not. He’s Kevin’s son, we’re his grandparents, and despite what you say, it isn’t kidnapping.’

‘I think you’ve taken leave of your senses and—’

‘No I haven’t,’ Dolly interrupted. ‘And anyway, if we change our names nobody will be able to find us.’

‘You’re mad, woman!’

Bernie watched her rear up, but stood his ground. ‘Now listen, Dolly, I love the boy as much as you, but I can’t agree to this.’

Red-faced with anger, she glared at him, but then Johnny stirred. Dolly heaved in a great gulp of air, fighting to calm down before picking him up. ‘Shush, Gran’s here,’ she said, rocking him for a minute or two.

At last Dolly looked up at Bernie, her voice quiet now. ‘All right, you win. It was a daft idea, but I’m going to miss him so much.’

‘Me too, love,’ he said.

Bernie slumped with relief. For a moment he thought she’d lost her mind. To take the lad with them was an insane idea, one that could have landed them both in prison. Thank God he’d been able to talk her out of it.

By the time another three weeks had passed, Nora had become almost a fixture in the shop. She turned up every afternoon, and though most of the time they had nothing for the laundry, she stayed until closing time.

At first Bessie had grumbled, but gradually Pearl saw a growing fondness for Nora in the old woman’s eyes. Nora was always cheerful, making herself useful, and Pearl often saw Bessie slipping her a couple of bob.

Luckily the business was continuing to do well, and Pearl had been pleasantly surprised when her paintings sold. Now there was only one left. Cocking her head on one side, she looked at it critically. It was a winter scene and perhaps too bleak. The market stalls were also a little out of proportion, but if she reduced the price someone might buy it.

Nora came in, and Bessie smiled a welcome.

‘Hello, love. We haven’t got anything for the laundry today.’

‘Mummy cross. She chucked me out.’

‘Lily wouldn’t do that.’

‘Kicked me.’

‘What did she do that for?’

Nora shrugged. ‘Dunno.’

Bessie came out from behind the counter. ‘Pearl, there’s something fishy about this. I think I’ll pop round to see Lily.’

Nora headed for Johnny, distracted by the baby as Bessie left the shop. A happy baby who rarely cried, and growing rapidly, he chuckled when he saw her. Bernie would be here shortly, and then on Saturday, he and Dolly would be leaving.

‘Hello,’ Bernie said as he pushed open the door. ‘And how’s my grandson?’

‘He’s fine.’

‘Well, Pearl, only two days to go now before we move. It’s been a bit chaotic sorting all our stuff out, but Dolly’s on top of it now. Once we’re settled, maybe by the following Friday, can we have Johnny for the weekend? In fact, why don’t you come too? A bit of country air would do you both good.’

‘Oh, no,’ Pearl blurted, covering her rudeness with a tight smile as she added, ‘but thanks for asking.’

‘Pearl, I know you’re worried about Dolly, but there’s no need. She’s accepted that your marriage is over now, and I’m sure she’ll make you welcome.’

Pearl doubted that was true and fobbed Bernie off. ‘I’ll think about it.’

‘Right, see you later,’ he said, wheeling the pram from the shop.

No sooner had the door closed, than Nora asked, ‘Where Johnny going?’

‘Bernie’s taken him to see Dolly.’

‘No like her.’

‘Nor me,’ Pearl agreed. She still didn’t trust Dolly and had no intention of letting her have Johnny for the weekend. When Dolly found out, there was no doubt that she’d kick up an almighty fuss, and Pearl’s stomach flipped at the thought. She stiffened her back. She could stand her ground with Dolly now, and would cross that bridge when she came to it.

Bessie returned, frowning worriedly as she drew Pearl to one side. ‘Lily’s gone a bit strange. At first I don’t think she recognised me, and she got a bit aggressive. She stank rotten too and I reckon she’s wetting herself.’

‘Oh dear. What are you going to do?’

‘I think I’ll get the doctor to take a look at her. In fact, I’ll go to the surgery now.’

As Bessie made to go out again, Nora ran to her side. ‘Where you going?’

‘I’m just popping along to the doctor’s, love. I won’t be long.’

‘Take Mummy away.’

Bessie’s eyebrows rose. ‘Of course not. Now I won’t be long, and when I come back we’ll have a nice cup of tea and some biscuits.’

‘Yes, biscuits,’ Nora agreed, and, placated, she didn’t protest when Bessie hurried out again.

Dolly was jiggling Johnny up and down on her lap, singing a little ditty that made him giggle. Oh, he was gorgeous, just like Kevin at this age. When she stood him up, strong little legs pummelled her lap. ‘Look at that, Bernie. He’s less than six months old and is trying to walk already. Did Pearl say we can have him next weekend?’

‘Yes, and I invited her too.’

‘That’s nice,’ Dolly said, playing her game and pretending she was pleased. She grimaced then as Johnny grabbed a chunk of her hair – ‘Oh, you little bruiser’– and whilst doing her best to disentangle his hands she asked, ‘What time are you picking him up on Saturday?’

‘At nine o’clock, but it’ll be chaotic with the removal men here too. Still, it’s our last chance to see him before we go.’

Dolly hid a smile. It was all going to plan, everything in place, and both Pearl and Bernie had a shock coming. As far as she was concerned it served her husband right. He should have gone along with her plans, but he’d always been a weak, soft and useless bugger.

Come to think of it, he and Pearl were two of a kind, neither of them capable of bringing up Johnny. Children needed discipline, and that had been her mistake with Kevin. She’d spoiled him, been too soft, but she wouldn’t make the same mistake with her grandson. Oh, she’d love him, but she’d be strict too. Johnny was her second chance, and for Kevin’s sake she’d make sure that his son turned out right.

The doctor had examined Nora’s mother, and now Bessie looked at him worriedly as she answered his question.

‘I don’t know if she’s got any family. Why do you ask?’

‘I’ve given her a thorough examination and in my opinion she has dementia.’

Dr Baxter’s expression was grave. He’d been Bessie’s doctor for many, many years and she trusted him – but dementia …? ‘Christ, poor Lily. Are you sure?’

‘Yes, Bessie, I’m sure. Not only does she seem confused and agitated, there’s memory loss. She also has difficulty with reasoning and communication. There are signs of malnourishment too.’

‘Gawd, no wonder Nora always seems hungry.’

‘Yes, well, her mother is incapable of looking after her now. In the circumstances, and until other relatives can be found, I’ll make arrangement for Mrs Dobbs to be admitted to hospital immediately.’

‘But what about Nora?’

‘A home will have to be found for her too. I’ll get on to the health authorities.’

‘No, don’t do that. She can stay with me for a while.’

‘Are you sure, Bessie?’

‘Yes. She’ll be better off with me than stuck with a load of strangers.’

‘I’ll still need to inform the health authorities.’

‘You do that, and no doubt the nosy buggers will be round to check me out.’

‘Yes, they’ll have to, but don’t worry, I’ll vouch for you.’

‘You can do that?’

‘Yes, Bessie, and I’ll tell them that despite your grumpy nature, you have a heart of gold.’

‘Grumpy! I ain’t grum—’ She saw the amused smile on his face and halted. ‘Oh, you …’

‘I’ll go and make the arrangements. Will you stay with Mrs Dobbs until the ambulance arrives?’

‘I’ll suppose I’ll have to,’ Bessie complained.

‘See, I told you – grumpy,’ he said, still smiling with amusement as he left.

When Bessie was finally able to return to the shop, she spoke to Pearl out of Nora’s hearing.

‘The doctor’s had Lily admitted.’

‘Admitted! But why?’

‘She’s got dementia.’

‘Oh dear. What about Nora?’

‘I said she could stay with us while they trace any relatives. I just hope they find someone to take her on.’

Pearl stood back as Bessie approached Nora, gently breaking the news. Surprisingly, Nora didn’t seem upset, only throwing her arms around Bessie. ‘I stay with you?’

‘Yes, love, and I tell you what, how do you fancy a nice plate of pie and mash?’

Nora nodded vigorously and Bessie took some money out of the till. ‘What about you, Pearl?’

‘No thanks,’ she said, unable to understand what the local people saw in it. She could stomach the pie, and the mash, but the thick, green and sickly-looking liquor that was poured over the meal made her stomach turn.

Nora went off eagerly and Pearl found out why when the door closed behind her.

Bessie said, ‘She’s half starved, her mother too. There was hardly any food in the cupboards and goodness knows when they last had a square meal.’

‘But Nora doesn’t look to have lost any weight.’

‘Well, there was a bag of broken biscuits and a loaf of bread. They must have been living on stuff like that.’

‘It’s just as well you went round there.’

‘Yes, but it’s odd when you come to think of it. It was the end of September when Nora first turned up looking for a winter coat, and still mild. Seeing Lily, I doubt she was capable of thinking about Nora’s clothes. In fact the woman hardly knew what day it was.’

‘Yes, it is strange, but it’s just as well she came in. If she hadn’t, I dread to think what would have happened.’

‘Me too, love and you should have seen the state of the place. Still, Nora will be all right now. We’ll take good care of her until someone in her family turns up.’

‘Huh, and you call me soft. You’re just as bad.’

‘Yeah, well, keep it to yourself. I don’t want the customers to think I’m an easy touch.’

‘There’s no chance of that,’ Pearl said, yet smiling fondly at Bessie.

It was only a little later when the door opened with a ping, and Pearl saw that Bernie had returned. ‘Has Johnny been good?’

‘He always is. Talk about a placid nipper. As agreed, I’ll pick him up at nine on Saturday and that will give us a couple of hours with him before we go.’ His eyes saddened. ‘Dolly’s gonna be heartbroken to leave him – me too.’

Bernie leaned over the pram, gently kissing Johnny on the cheek, and he gurgled with pleasure. ‘’Bye, lad. Grandpa will see you on Saturday.’

Johnny’s chubby hands reached out to touch Bernie’s face, and suddenly Pearl felt selfish. Bernie and Dolly were Johnny’s grandparents and, other than her, the only family he had. She’d been an orphan, with no relatives of her own, and now she was depriving her son of his only family. She still couldn’t bear the thought of letting them have Johnny for the weekend, but maybe she could take him to see them occasionally? In the meantime, she still had to carry on with the charade.

‘The rental on the cottage has been finalised now so we’re all sorted,’ Bernie said. ‘It’s a nice little place and we’ll be fine there for a while. We’ll be going down in Kevin’s car. There’s no sense in leaving it to rot.’

‘I didn’t know you could drive, Bernie.’

‘Of course I can, love, but it’s been years since I had a car.’

‘Oh dear, are you sure you’re not out of practice?’

He grinned. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be fine, and when he comes to stay Johnny won’t come to any harm with me.’

Pearl lowered her eyes. Yes, Johnny might be safe with Bernie, but after Kevin’s warning, she still couldn’t say the same about Dolly.