Stay as Sweet as You Are (18 page)

‘Oh, my God!’ Olive covered her mouth with a hand as she
pulled a knitted shawl across her chest. Her eyes darted around the room, seeing it as she knew Titch would and wishing the floor would open and swallow her up. ‘What possessed you to come after all this time? As yer can see, we’re not exactly ready for visitors.’

‘I haven’t come as a visitor, Olive, I’ve come as an old friend. I’m expecting yer to throw the book at me, so go ahead. Whatever names yer call me, I deserve for not keeping in touch with yer to see how yer were getting on.’

Olive waved a hand around the room. ‘Yer can see how I’ve fared, I don’t need to tell yer. I’ve come as low as it’s possible to come. And I’ve brought me son down with me.’

Titch pulled a rickety chair from the table. ‘I never used to wait to be asked to sit down, and I’m not waiting now. Yer might think I’ve got a bloody cheek to land meself on yer after all these years, and yer’d be right. But we used to be good friends, Olive, and that should stand for something. I’m away a lot, as yer know, but I’ve watched Steve grow up, and he’s a credit to yer.’

Olive’s face softened as she looked to where Steve was leaning on a sideboard that was minus a drawer and had a door hanging loosely on its broken hinges. ‘My son is one in a million. I don’t think I’d have survived without him.’

‘Yer’ve had it hard, have yer?’ Titch asked softly, afraid of overstepping the mark and being told it was none of his business.

‘It’s been a nightmare, a living nightmare. I managed to cope for a couple of years after Jim died, by pawning things. But I never had the money to redeem them, so you can see for yerself how we’ve ended up. Ornaments, pictures, everything we had went to the pawnshop. And I’ve never been able to replace them. The furniture, bedding and curtains, they’re all on their last legs and there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell of me being able to renew them.’

‘I leave school in nine months,’ Steve said, ‘and my wages will help.’

Olive smiled at him, and all the love she felt for her son showed in that smile. ‘Yeah, we’ll be in clover, then, love. And yer never know, I might start to feel better and I’ll be able to look for a little job.’

‘Have yer been poorly for long?’ Titch asked. ‘When I used to come, yer were always the picture of health.’

‘I’ve never been the same since Jim died. I just don’t seem to have the energy or the willpower. And I’ve got to say that we don’t get the right food to keep us strong and healthy. We can only afford the cheapest of everything.’

Titch was thoughtful. She’s not really sick, he thought, she’s still grieving for Jim. And until she accepts that, she’ll spend her life on that couch. And that’s not fair to her son. It was clear that she needed an incentive to bring her to life again. ‘That’s like asking which comes first, Olive, the chicken or the egg. Yer can’t get a job until yer build yerself up, and yer can’t build yerself up until yer get a job! Couldn’t yer get an hour here and there, doing light work?’

‘Me mam can’t go to work,’ Steve said, quickly defending his mother. ‘She’s not strong enough to take a job on.’

‘It was only a thought, son. I had it in mind that if she got out a bit and mixed with people, she might start to feel better.’ Titch smiled at the boy who was left to carry a burden of work and worry that was too great for his young shoulders. He sent a message with his eyes, hoping Steve would understand he wasn’t trying to run their lives for them, he was only trying to help. ‘Your mam used to be a real goer when she was younger. She could dance the feet off anyone. And she was so pretty she could charm the ruddy birds off the trees. The fellers at the Grafton used to queue up to dance with her.’

Steve seemed to grow in stature and his face filled with pride. ‘Me mam’s still pretty. I bet she’s the prettiest woman in the street.’

This gave Titch the opening he was waiting for. ‘She’s pretty all right, but there’s someone else who would be
joining her on the stage if there was a beauty contest. I wouldn’t know which one to choose.’

Olive was now getting embarrassed. ‘Hey, knock it off, you two. Any man who fell for me charms now would have to have very bad eyesight.’

Titch leaned forward, elbows on knees and fingers laced. ‘The other woman I’m talking about is Irene Pollard. D’yer remember her?’

‘Of course I remember Irene! I haven’t spoken to her for years because I never go over the door. But I see her passing the window on her way to the shops.’ Olive’s voice was stronger now and there was interest in her eyes. ‘A smashing woman, she is. One of the best yer’ll find.’ A faraway look came over her face as memories flooded back. ‘God, when I think of the laughs we used to have. Her and George, and me and Jim, used to go out together until the children came along. They were good times, and I remember it was always Irene who was the one who made people laugh.’

‘She hasn’t changed,’ Titch said, fully aware that Steve was drinking in every word. ‘She’s put weight on, but it suits her and she’s still as pretty as ever.’

Olive looked down at her flat chest and skinny arms. ‘Tell her I’ll have some of her fat – I could do with it, God knows.’

‘Why don’t yer tell her yerself? Good grief, if she passes yer door, why can’t yer just invite her in?’

‘Invite her in to this?’ Olive flung an arm wide. ‘No thanks, Titch. Leave me with what little pride I’ve got left.’

Titch raised an eyebrow. ‘I thought yer said yer knew Irene well?’

‘I do! Well, at least I did. We were the best of pals for years.’

‘Olive, if yer think Irene would worry about the state of yer house, then yer really don’t know her at all. At least not the Irene I know. She wouldn’t care if yer lived in a pigsty.’

‘She mightn’t, but I would, Titch. I don’t want anyone to see what I’ve come down to.’ Olive hung her head. ‘Irene did
knock here a couple of times, but I pretended I wasn’t in. That was years ago, mind.’

‘I didn’t know that, Mam!’ Steve’s voice was high with surprise. ‘Why did yer never mention it to me?’

Olive sighed. ‘Because I didn’t want yer to know that yer mother was such a coward she hid behind the door when one of her friends knocked. I wasn’t very proud of meself, I can tell yer.’

‘Would yer still hide behind the door if she knocked?’ Titch asked.

‘I couldn’t face her, Titch, I’d be too ashamed. It’s not only the state of the house, it’s me as well. Just look at me! I haven’t got a decent stitch to put on me back. And me son, who I love more than words could ever say, has to walk around like a tramp. He gets his clothes from a secondhand stall at the market, and they’re worn out when he gets them.’

‘I don’t mind that, Mam! I don’t care what people think, I’ve told yer. If I had a wish, it wouldn’t be for new clothes or a nice house, it would be that you get better.’

Titch sensed the emotion in the air and changed the subject. ‘Talking about Irene, did yer know she has a little job?’

‘Go ’way!’ This was news to Olive. ‘No, I didn’t know that.’

‘Yeah, she does two hours a morning at the corner pub. It’s a cleaning job and she’s made up with it. Apart from bringing in a few extra bob, she said it gets her out of the house.’

‘Well, I never! I didn’t think she’d need to go out to work with George’s wages coming in every week. That is a surprise.’

‘She’s got two growing lads to feed and clothe, so the money comes in useful.’ There was a reason behind Titch’s words. ‘Mind you, her eldest, Jack, leaves school next Friday so she may decide to pack the job in then.’

Olive narrowed her eyes in thought. Many of the things Titch said had hit home. But Irene taking a job to give her
boys a better life had struck home the hardest. ‘Is it a heavy job she’s got?’

‘That I couldn’t tell yer. All I know is that she cleans at the pub. Why?’

‘D’yer think I could do it?’

Steve was about to say it would be too hard for her, but thought better of it. Mr McBride had got his mother talking more than she had done for years and he seemed to know what he was doing. So the boy leaned his elbows on the sideboard again and listened.

‘I don’t know about that, Olive.’ Titch was overjoyed and thanked God that Lucy had spurred him into this visit. ‘Besides, she hasn’t said yet that she’s leaving. I could ask her for yer, if yer like.’

‘She’ll think I’ve got a bloody cheek after not opening the door to her. I’m certain she knew I was in, and hiding.’

‘I wouldn’t know, she never mentioned it to me. But when I see her I’ll ask and let yer know.’ Titch turned his attention to Steve. ‘I believe you do odd jobs, son?’

‘Yeah, when I get the chance.’

‘Have yer ever painted anything? I don’t mean a picture, or a house. I’m thinking of whitewashing a wall.’

‘Yeah, I’ve done a couple of walls, and an outhouse. It’s easy work, that.’

‘Me ma wants her yard wall doing, and she asked a bloke how much he’d charge. He said it would be four bob, including the whitewash. If yer feel like having a go, the money would be better in your pocket than his.’

‘I’ll say it would!’ Steve was beaming. Four bob would keep him and his mam in food for nearly a week. ‘When does Mrs Aggie want it doing?’

‘Hadn’t yer better look at the job first, see what ye’re letting yerself in for?’ Titch dropped his head back and roared with laughter. ‘Me ma’s terrible fussy to work for. Spill a drop of paint on her yard and she’ll have yer guts for garters.’

It was so long since the house had heard the voice and
laughter of a man, Olive and her son savoured the sound before allowing their faces to break into a smile. ‘Will yer ma stand over me with a broom in her hand?’ Steve asked. ‘Or will it be the poker?’

‘That all depends, son, on the mood she’s in. If her corns are giving her gyp, she’ll likely as not have both broom and poker. And every twinge she gets, she’ll lash out at yer. But ye’re lucky, ’cos her eyesight’s not what it used to be and I guarantee she’ll miss yer more often than she hits yer.’

‘I’m good at ducking and running, Mr McBride, so unless Mrs Aggie’s nifty on her feet I should be safe.’ Steve was thinking that for four bob he’d work for a maniac, never mind Mrs Aggie, who was liked by everyone. ‘But what about the bloke she’s asked? Won’t he be expecting to get the job?’

Titch was safe in saying what he was going to say because there was no such bloke. And he’d have a lot of explaining to do to his ma, as well. ‘No, there was nothing definite arranged so he won’t know the difference. Anyway, come up and see the yard for yerself. I’ve got another week at home, so if yer decide yer want to do the job, I can get the whitewash for yer on Monday. I need to make a call on someone now, so will yer give me fifteen minutes and then follow up?’

The pleasure on Steve’s face was a joy to behold, and wasn’t lost on his mother. ‘Thanks, Titch, yer’ve made him a happy lad. And d’yer know why he’s happy? Because he’ll have a few bob to give me. He won’t keep a ha’penny for himself no matter what I say. There’s not many mothers can say that about their sons.’

Titch chuckled. ‘Me ma would argue with yer on that, Olive. She’s always saying that I’m a gift from God.’

‘Your ma always doted on yer. Spoilt yer soft, she did.’

‘Well, yer must admit, I’m a very lovable bloke. Yer don’t get many like me in a pound.’ Titch got to his feet. ‘I’ll see Irene tonight and have a word with her. I think the pub job might be too much for you, but we’ll see. I’ll give yer a
knock tomorrow and let yer know. And I want to see yer off that couch, Olive, even if yer’ve got to wear a curtain to hide yer modesty. I’ve got a kink in me flippin’ neck looking down at yer.’

There was a trace of colour in Olive’s thin face now, as she said, ‘Still the same old Titch. Yer haven’t changed a bit, have yer?’

‘Now who would want to change perfection, Olive?’ Titch grinned as he picked up one of her hands and held it in his. All he could feel was skin and bones, and this saddened him. But not for the world would he let this once proud woman see how her appearance had affected him. ‘I’m glad I came, it’s been great seeing yer. There’s no friends like old friends, eh?’

Olive’s eyes were shining with unshed tears. ‘I’m glad yer came, Titch, yer’ve bucked me up. And I’m glad yer were cheeky enough to barge in after being told I didn’t want to see no one.’ She gave his hand a squeeze. ‘Yer didn’t give me time to hide behind the door.’

‘Now I’m up to yer little tricks, I’ll come the back way in future.’ He laid her hand down on her lap. ‘I’d better skedaddle, but I’ll see yer tomorrow. And you, Steve, I’ll see in fifteen minutes.’

The boy followed him to the front door. ‘Thanks, Mr McBride. Not just for the job, which I’m grateful for, but for cheering me mam up. She looks better than she has for ages.’

‘Don’t thank me, Steve, because I feel like a heel for not coming to see her before now. But we’ll talk about yer mam, later, eh? Right now I’ve got to be on me way. Ta-ra for now.’

Titch covered the ground quickly. He could do with more than fifteen minutes to talk his mother round. She’d lay a duck egg when she knew what he’d done. Still, it was all in a good cause so he’d just have to try and out-talk her. A grin covered his face as he told himself it would take some doing to out-talk his mother. She said herself she’d been born with the gift of the gab. To which she’d added, with a smile, that she’d passed the gift on to him.

He let himself in and, as he was taking the key out of the lock, he called, ‘It’s only me, Ma! Yer don’t need to put yer false teeth in or take yer knickers off the fireguard.’

‘Well, I know it’s not the bleedin’ coalman, yer silly bugger.’ Aggie was sitting watching the door when he came in. ‘Well, how did yer get on? Was Olive pleased to see yer, or did she die of shock?’

‘I’ll tell yer that in a minute, Ma, but tell me this first. Didn’t yer once say that yer’d like the backyard wall whitewashing?’

‘Yer what? I’ve never said I wanted no backyard wall whitewashing!’

‘Yes yer did, Ma, I distinctly remember. Some time last year it was.’

‘Ye’re imagining things, son, ’cos it’s never entered me head. I don’t want me wall whitewashed, and as it’s my wall, I should know.’