Sign of the Times (40 page)

The young couple exchanged a worried glance as George continued, “Elise. A beautiful girl, just like her mother, petite with huge eyes and a heart of gold.
 
She went to Canada and came back engaged.
 
Of course we were happy for her, but they’ve only been back twice in the last five years. My grandchildren are all grown up now. Stevie, he’s a dad now. I’m a great-grandfather and I haven’t even seen her.
 
Sophie.
 
Elise calls regularly, but something always stops them coming over.”

Wojciech and Czeslawa listened to the soap opera unfolding in front of them. How sad.
 
Czeslawa hoped when Angelika grew up, she wouldn’t forget her parents and move far away. It was one thing for children to fly the nest, quite another for them to disappear off the face of the earth.
 
George suddenly realised how sombre he had rendered the atmosphere. With a forced smile, he asked about their life in Poland.
 
Czeslawa sensed it was an act, for their benefit.
 
For his sake, they fed him tales of Gdansk, Wroclaw and the countryside.
 
She noticed George had stopped drinking.

“More beer?” she asked him.

Shaking his head, George said, “No thanks. I really best go.”
 

“Tea?”
 
The British never refused tea.

Looking at his watch, George said, “OK then, one cup.”

As Czeslawa and Wojciech lay in bed, spooned into each other, Wojciech whispered in Czeslawa’s ear, “
Najdrozsza
, we need to look after George.” Czeslawa turned towards her husband and said,

“I agree. He’s lonely.
 
He came out of his shell a bit today.”

“Yes he did, thanks to you inviting him to dinner.”

“I wanted to.”

“Goodnight Czeslawa, I love you.”
 

“I love you too,
moj najdrozszy
.”

Chapter Fifty Eight

Over the coming weeks, they settled into their new home. Angelika spent most of the time with her mum, or next door with George.
 
Wojciech was working a lot, as he had to prove himself in his new position.
 
Her husband was ambitious and anxious to make their move from Poland to Scotland work. They aimed to save enough to buy a house when they returned to Poland.
 

As Angelika played, Czeslawa made their house into a home. She bought material and sewed pretty curtains for the living room
.
 
On the few sunny days they had, she sat in the garden.
  
She felt blessed, as if it were a good omen for their new life. George continued to accept
their invitations to dinner.

Whilst Angelika played and Wojciech worked, Czeslawa read the newspapers.
 
As her English improved, she asked Ian’s advice on the better newspapers to buy.
 
She knew that the next step was to get a job.
 
Now her broadband was connected, she could use the net to search for jobs.
 
Once Angelika started school next week she would have more time.

She came across dozens of websites offering jobs. She didn’t really know where to begin. She was aware her English wasn’t really good enough yet to go for interviews. She didn’t want to be turned down at the first hurdle.
 
Picking up her bag, she called Angelika in from the garden, and told her they were going to Kilburn.
 

In Kilburn, Czeslawa tugged Angelika along, threading her way through the pedestrian precinct, past elderly men seated on benches and mothers taking a break from pushing prams.
  
She passed the travel agent and the greengrocer, the pharmacy and the newsagent and finally, when she’d all but given up hope, she came across a bookshop.
 
Czeslawa was in luck.
 
They had the book she was looking for.
 
It was on special, so with her meagre income she could just about afford it.
 
Without better English she was unlikely to get a decent job.
 

Czeslawa decided it was time to find out what Angelika would need, when she saw the outfitter’s sign, ‘School Uniforms.’ Venturing inside, she waited patiently, as a woman with three school age children in tow had them measured.
  
Then it was Czeslawa’s turn.
 
The matronly woman peered at them and said,

“How can I help you today?”

“My daughter’s going to Kirk Field.
 
Can you tell me what she needs?”

“She’ll need two grey skirts, thick grey tights and several pairs of grey socks.
 
Black plimsolls and shorts, two red jerseys and two red polo-shirts.”

“OK. Can you give me prices please and do you have her size?”

After ascertaining what size Angelika took, the woman rattled through the prices, which horrified Czeslawa.
 
Gulping, she ordered the uniforms and the lady handed her a receipt and told her to collect them on Thursday.

“How was your day?” Czeslawa asked her husband.

“Strained.”
 

“Strained?” Czeslawa asked puzzled.

“There was some trouble.”
 

“Involving you?”

“Yes, although I didn’t do anything.”
 

“So, why did it involve you?”
 

“Because I’m Polish.”

“What?”

“Some guy started mouthing off about Poles taking their jobs.”
 

“That’s terrible!” Czeslawa said.
  

“Yes and our boss gave him hell, but I’ve made an enemy.
 
He’s angry because my team is more productive. He’s just a bad manager.”

“What happens now?”

“He’s been given a warning.

“Can he push you out of this job?” Czeslawa asked anxiously. They’d only just got here.

“No, but he can make life uncomfortable.”

“He wouldn’t hurt you, would he?” now Czeslawa was afraid.”

“I don’t think he’s that stupid.”

“You’ve obviously had a dreadful day. Why don’t I make us some nice
zrazy
?

“That would be wonderful.”

As Czeslawa seasoned the beef, Angelika read to her.
 
She placed the bacon, cucumber, breadcrumbs and mushrooms inside the beef and then rolled it shut.
 

“That was delicious,” Wojciech patted his stomach.
 
As Czeslawa cleared away the plates, Angelika climbed onto her father’s lap and started reading. Smiling, she left them to it.

When she returned, they were asleep. Lifting Angelika off her father’s chest, she carried her through to bed.
  
She lifted the blanket and sheet and placed her daughter underneath, then covered her again
.
 
It was seven thirty.
 
Czeslawa went into the kitchen and made a cup of tea. She’d let Wojciech sleep.
 
He was obviously worn out. She’d make a start on her English course.

The next few days were busy.
 
Fortunately Wojciech had no further problems at work.
 
George and Angelika spent a fair bit of time together, since she was starting school on Monday.
 
He even offered to look after her, whilst Czeslawa went into town.

*

Finally the day arrived. Angelika was overjoyed. She wriggled as Czeslawa tried to tease the tangles out of her hair.
 
Dressed in her little grey skirt, red polo shirt and black shoes, she was ready.
 
Taking her mother’s hand,
Angelika waved to George and they set off.

Reassured by Miss McKenzie, Angelika’s teacher, that she would be fine, Czeslawa left.
 
Her little girl was growing up.
 
She would make friends no problem. Reluctantly, Czeslawa walked out of the school building and made her way home.

“Mummy!” Angelika shrieked excitedly, as her mother crossed the playground towards her.

“Hi darling. Did you have fun?” she pushed her daughter’s hair back from her face.

“Yes.
 
We played games and read books and I made lots of new friends.”

“That’s wonderful,” Czeslawa’s heart lifted.

“I have a special friend. His name’s David. He’s five.”

“That’s great.
 
Is David here?” Czeslawa asked, looking round.

“No. His mummy took him home.”

“Are you hungry?”
 

“Yes,” Angelika said, “but can we go to the park after lunch?”

Angelika settled in well at Kirk Field.
 
By her second week, she already acted as if she’d been there for months.
 
Since Angelika wouldn’t be out of school until after three, Czeslawa headed into Kilburn.
 

The bus deposited her in Main Street.
  
She crossed the road and was about to push open the door to the dry cleaner’s, as she’d need to get her interview suit cleaned
,
when a woman coming out barrelled into her.

“Oh, so sorry.”

“Is OK,” said Czeslawa.”

“You’re Angelika’s mum, aren’t you?”

Czeslawa was surprised, “Yes, Czeslawa,” she said, holding out her hand. The woman introduced herself as Maria, saying her son; David was in Angelika’s class.
 
So this was David’s mother. Maria invited her for coffee.
 
Czeslawa decided this was the way to make friends.
 
Maria led them to a tearoom and asked Czeslawa what she would like.
 
Czeslawa had five pounds.
 
Everything was so expensive and she knew she’d have to be frugal until Friday, so she settled for just tea, but then Maria coaxed her into having a cake, announcing today was her treat.
 
Czeslawa would return the favour some time.
 

They chatted about the children.
 
Maria asked if Angelika could come to play later that week and Czeslawa was delighted.
 
Angelika had a real friend here already. They chatted about her life in Poland.
 
Although she struggled with some of the words, Czeslawa enjoyed her conversation with Maria.
 
She was reluctant to leave, but knew she had to get back for Angelika. As they left the tea room and Czeslawa started for the bus stop, Maria offered her a lift.
 
Czeslawa had a warm feeling in her heart, when Maria dropped her off.
 
Perhaps Angelika wasn’t the only one who could make friends.

Czeslawa waited until Angelika was in bed and then started to surf for jobs online. There wasn’t a great deal.
 
Maybe it was a bad time of year
.
 
The pay was terrible when you considered how much things cost.
 
She had to start at the bottom again.
 
In Gdansk, she had been Office Manager.
 
Short of working as a cleaner, or a checkout operator, she didn’t know what she could do, without any experience.
 
She felt a little deflated, so made herself some hot chocolate and sat down to read her book. Wojciech was in the bath.
 
He’d been a little distant lately.
 
She hoped everything was OK at work.

On Thursday, Czeslawa spent the morning in the garden.
 
George sat on the step, watching her.

“How’s the job hunting going?”

“Not good,” she replied ruefully.

“You’ll find something.”

Czeslawa realised she had two friends now.
 
All that was missing was a job.

She popped into McAndrew’s and bought some chocolates for Maria.
 
Angelika was having dinner there.
 
It was the least she could do.
 
She had enough food in the house, thank goodness, as she was down to her last two pounds.
 

At five to six, she put on her shoes and jacket and hurriedly scribbled a note to Wojciech.
 
It started to rain as she left the house. She hurried down the road to the address Maria had given her and knocked on the door.
 
Maria’s home was larger, more comfortable than theirs, but all Czeslawa could take in straightaway was the children’s excited chatter and their faces falling when they saw her.

“Mummy, I don’t want Lika to go,” complained David.

“We’ll have a cup of tea whilst you finish playing.”

“Thanks Mummy,” he scampered off.

Whilst Maria made tea, Czeslawa took in the oak floors, the scalloped curtains and the intricate detail of the fireplace. There were no toys here, so the children must have a playroom or be playing in the bedrooms. The furniture was very pretty, much as she would choose herself, if she had the money.
 
A thirty seven inch television graced the centre of the room. Maria returned, bearing two cups of tea. She sat down and Czeslawa remembered the chocolates she had brought.
 
Maria thanked her and as Czeslawa sipped her tea, Maria astonished her by saying,

“You know you said you were an Office Manager?”

Czeslawa agreed this was so.
 
Maria’s next sentence bowled her over. She was offering her a job.
 
It sounded wonderful, an event planning business.
 
Initially she would do admin for Maria.
 
Czeslawa was speechless.
 
She was really excited, but then, like a lightning bolt, a thought struck her. “My English?” But Maria seemed to have the answer to that.
 
There were evening classes in Kilburn.
 
Czeslawa couldn’t wait to tell Wojciech. She wanted to hug Maria.
 
They hadn’t been here a month yet and she was going to have a good, interesting job.
 
Her prayers had indeed been answered
.
 

Over the next half hour, they discussed what would be involved, plus terms and conditions.
 
Then it was time to take Angelika home.
 
Czeslawa thanked Maria and promised to return on Monday for a briefing.
 

“Wojciech,” Czeslawa shouted, as she burst through the door. “I’ve got a job.” She stopped and recoiled in horror, as she saw the livid bruises on her husband’s face and neck.

“What? Angelika, go and get ready for bed,” she said.

“But Mummy…”
 

“Now please.”

Her daughter knew when her mother meant business and retreated to her room, her earlier euphoric bubble burst.
 
Czeslawa would sort that later. Right now, she had to attend to her husband.

She put her arms around Wojciech.

“What happened? Was it the same man?”

“Yes.
 
Again, my team did a better job. The boss has only enough work next week for one team.
 
My team performed better and also because of his recent behaviour, the boss decided he had to go.”