The Girl From Number 22 (18 page)

‘If I waited that long, it wouldn’t be worth telling yer, ’cos it would be over. There’d be nothing to see, and yer’d have a cob on with me for not telling yer.’

Ada scurried down the yard to draw the bolt back on the door. If it was a choice between getting her washing done
or hearing a bit of news, then the washing would lose every time.

Hetty slipped through the half-open door. ‘Hurry up, girl, put a move on if yer don’t want to miss anything.’

‘Hold yer horses, sunshine, give me a chance to bolt me door. I don’t want to look out of the window later to find some kind person has waltzed off with me washing.’

‘I’m sorry I bothered to call yer,’ Hetty said, her feet moving quickly over the uneven tiles on the ground. ‘I thought I was doing you a favour, and now I’ve probably missed all the excitement meself.’

Ada hastened after her. ‘What’s all the fuss about, sunshine, have the King and Queen come to visit us?’ She reached the living room to find Hetty moving the aspidistra plant from the little table under the window to the dining table. ‘What are yer doing, missus? Talk about making yerself at home isn’t in it. I know ye’re me best mate, but aren’t yer carrying things a bit too far?’

Hetty beckoned her over to the window. ‘Will yer shut up, girl, and take a look. Our new neighbours are moving in.’

‘Oh, yeah! Move over, sunshine, and give someone else a look in. Don’t be hogging the whole window for yerself.’ The two mates jostled for the best speck. ‘Have yer forgotten yer live next door, Hetty Watson, and this is my house? Now shove over, or go home and have yer own window all to yerself.’

‘I don’t want to watch on me own, it wouldn’t be the same. Besides, Ada Fenwick, have yer forgotten that yer wouldn’t even know this was going on if I hadn’t told yer? Yer’d still be hanging yer washing out, with yer mouth full of pegs.’

The net curtain was moved slightly, to give Ada a clearer view. ‘Come this side, sunshine, and if yer sit on the arm of the
chair, I’ll be able to see over yer head. Pretend ye’re sitting in the stalls at the Atlas, and I’m in the dress circle.’

‘I haven’t seen anyone that looks as though they belong to the family yet,’ Hetty said. ‘There’s only the two removal men so far.’

‘The family are probably inside, directing the men where to put the furniture. If the men were left to themselves they’d plonk it anywhere for the easiest.’

‘The husband will be at work, and yer can’t blame him. He’d lose a day’s pay, and that would put a dinge in his wage packet.’ Hetty took her eyes from the house opposite to ask, ‘Didn’t yer say Mr Stone told yer the two children work as well?’

As Ada nodded, she gave her friend a nudge. ‘Ay, look over to Jean’s house, and yer’ll see her curtain twitch. And I bet Edith’s watching, too. They’ve got more interest in what the new family are like than we have. They’re the ones who have to live next door to them.’

‘I hope we can be friends with them, like we were with Eliza.’ Hetty turned her head to add, ‘It makes life worth living when yer’ve got friendly neighbours. A smiling face never fails to cheer me up.’

‘I must be a godsend to yer, then, sunshine,’ Ada chuckled, ‘’cos I’ve always got a smile on me face.’ She saw a movement opposite and moved forward quickly, knocking Hetty’s head sideways, ‘Look, there’s a young girl come to the door to talk to one of the removal men. Mr Stone said there was a daughter, but he didn’t mention her age. I’d say she was about seventeen, what d’yer think?’

‘I think that if yer knock me head sideways again, like yer just did, yer could end up breaking me flipping neck.’

‘Ah, yer poor thing,’ Ada said, giving Hetty’s neck a quick rub. ‘There now, I’ve made it better. Can yer move it?’

Hetty’s nostrils flared. ‘Of course I can move it, yer daft thing. But if yer decide to lunge forward again, without any warning, I might not be so lucky. And I’ll tell yer now, girl, that if yer break me neck I’ll never speak to yer again.’

Ada screwed up her eyes, wondering whether she should leave well alone. But no, she couldn’t resist a joke. ‘Yer do realise that if yer were to break yer neck, it would bring an end to our friendship, don’t yer? For yer’d have to spend the rest of yer life in bed, lying flat on yer back. And me being the good mate I am, I’d feel obligated to visit yer every day. But I couldn’t cope with that, and I’d have to put sentiment behind me, ’cos if I had to stand looking down at yer, hour after hour, day after day, then I’d be doing me own ruddy neck in. And much as I love yer, sunshine, I don’t fancy spending the rest of me life lying next to yer in bed.’

But Hetty missed half of what was said, for she was too busy watching the goings-on in the house opposite. ‘Ay, girl, that must be the mother. She’s got the same colour hair as the girl, except she’s going grey.’

‘She’s not half thin,’ Ada said, fingering the curtain. ‘There’s nothing of her, she’s as thin as a rake.’

‘Some people are naturally thin, girl, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t eat enough.’

‘I’m not criticising her, sunshine, I’m just jealous ’cos I’d like to be nice and slim. I used to be, until I had our Danny. I piled the weight on when I was carrying him, and I’ve never lost it.’ Ada pointed a finger. ‘There’s the girl again. She’s very pretty, isn’t she?’

Hetty nodded. ‘She looks it from here. And their furniture
looked all right, too. It seems as though we’ve hopped in lucky with the family who have taken over Eliza’s house.’

‘Don’t speak too soon, sunshine, ’cos it’s bad luck. We’ll find out what they’re like when we get to know them.’

‘Ooh, ay, look!’ Hetty pulled on Ada’s skirt. ‘Edith’s just come out of her house and she’s walking towards them. I bet she’s asking if they’d like her to make a pot of tea for them. She’s like that, Edith, very thoughtful.’

‘If she was offering, sunshine, then her offer’s been turned down. Look, the woman is shaking her head.’ Ada watched Edith walk back to her own house with her head lowered and arms folded. ‘Perhaps they’d already made themselves a drink. And they wouldn’t ask Edith in, ’cos they’ll be up to their necks, trying to get the place into some sort of order. It’ll take them at least a week to know where everything is. It’s twenty years since we moved in here, and I can still remember being in a mess for weeks.’

‘I’d go over and ask Edith what that was about,’ Hetty said, ‘but it might look too obvious. What d’yer think?’

‘It would look obvious, sunshine, and it would give the new people the impression we’re nosy pokes.’ Ada grinned. ‘And we’re not, are we? I’d say we were interested, curious even, but never nosy.’

Hetty frowned. ‘What are we sitting here for, girl, if it’s not to nose? We wanted to know what the furniture was like – whether it was in good nick or falling to pieces. And we wanted to know what the family were like.’

Ada feigned an expression that showed both hurt and surprise. ‘Excuse me, sunshine, but if my memory serves me right, I was hanging me washing out, minding me own business, when you came on the scene. I only came along with yer
because ye’re me mate and I didn’t want to hurt yer feelings, or disappoint yer. If it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have wasted me time peeping through a window to spy on new neighbours moving in.’

Ada was a very clever actress when she put her mind to it, and Hetty stared at her in amazement. ‘Well, pardon me for breathing, I’m sure.’ She got to her feet, squared her shoulders and huffed. She wasn’t in the same league as Ada when it came to acting, but right now she was putting on a very passable performance. ‘I know when I’m not wanted, Ada Fenwick, and I won’t be bothering yer again after today. If yer’ll kindly let me pass, I’ll go home and get meself ready to go to the shops. Seeing as I’ll be on me own, just getting me own shopping, then I’ll be there and back in no time.’

‘To show I was brought up proper, and know my manners, I’ll escort yer to the door. As it so happens, I have a very important call to make when I’ve finished my washing, so I’ll be doing my shopping later in the day.’

‘Oh, ay! And may I be so bold as to ask where this important call is to?’

‘It’s none of your business, really, but to satisfy yer curiosity, I’ll tell yer anyway. I’m going to walk down the street, cross over to the other side, and go up the entry to Edith’s house.’

‘Ooh, er, shall I come with yer, girl?’

‘Yeah, yer can if yer like, sunshine. I don’t like going out on me lonesome. I’m always afraid some man will come along and run off with me.’

The two friends grinned when their eyes met, and soon their laughter was so hearty, they had to cling to each other in the tiny hall. ‘That was good, wasn’t it, girl? We both played our parts very well.’

‘I’ll have to watch you, sunshine, ye’re getting too good.’ Ada ran the back of a hand across her eyes. ‘Pretty soon yer’ll be outshining me if I’m not careful.’

‘I’ve still got a long way to go before I catch up with you, girl. But I am learning, and that’s because ye’re such a good teacher. The advice yer gave me on how to go about getting me living room decorated, well it worked a treat. Arthur has promised to make a start at the weekend. Sally and Kitty are paying for the paper if they’re allowed to choose it, and I’ve offered to buy the paint. The girls are really looking forward to seeing the room as bright as I’ve told them yours is. So, all in all, being as devious as you has taught me a lesson.’

‘Ye’re a dark horse, Hetty Watson. When did all this happen?’

‘Only the night before last. It wasn’t easy, ’cos I’m not like you, I’m shy and blush at the least thing. But when the time came, I remembered what yer’d said, pictured your nice bright living room in me mind, and plucked up the courage. Arthur agreed without even giving it any thought, for he was too busy with the job in hand. I don’t think he even heard properly what I was asking, ’cos he agreed right away.’

Ada wore a sly look when she said, ‘So, the night before last was a night of passion in the Watson household, eh? And was a good time had by all?’

Hetty blushed. ‘If ye’re waiting to hear all the details, girl, then yer can forget it. Suffice to say it worked and I’m getting me room decorated. I’m very grateful to yer for that, but apart from my thanks, ye’re not getting anything else.’

‘Then yer’ve still got a lot to learn, sunshine, that’s all I can say. Getting what yer want is fine, and I’m delighted ye’re getting yer room decorated – as long as it’s not nicer than mine, that is. But forget the ruddy decorating, ’cos if that’s all yer got out of a
night of passion, then there’s something radically wrong with yer. Somewhere along the line, you are not doing the right thing and ye’re missing the best part.’ Ada knew it was naughty of her to make her best friend wriggle with discomfort, but she couldn’t resist. After all, she’d be doing her a favour by introducing her to the delights to be had in the bedroom. ‘Me now, I always get two bites of the cherry. When Jimmy has agreed to whatever favour I’ve asked of him, I then go on to enjoy meself. After all, why should he have all the fun? Then, when I come down off the cloud, I go to sleep with a smile on me face.’

Hetty’s head quivered with indignation. She couldn’t stand by and let that pass, not without sticking up for herself. ‘I’m not exactly made of stone, Ada Fenwick. Seeing as I have two children, I must have my moments, the same as every other wife. I just don’t think they’re a subject for discussion outside of the house.’

‘In that case I’m not going to give yer any more hints or advice on how to improve yer love life. What’s the use of me giving yer good, sound advice, if I never find out whether the advice was taken, or whether it was successful? If yer went to a doctor or a dentist for advice, they’d charge yer a lot of money. Now I don’t want money, but the least yer can do is let me in on the pleasure and success my advice has given. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, in fact I think my fee is very reasonable.’

The two friends were standing in the tiny hall, and they jumped with fright when there came a loud knock on the door. Ada’s body was almost touching the door, and such was the start she got, her heart began to pound. ‘My God, that was enough to give me a heart attack.’ She opened the door with a hand pressed to her breast.

‘Did I give yer a fright, Ada?’ Edith Benson looked up from the pavement. ‘I didn’t think I knocked hard.’

‘It wasn’t your fault, sunshine, it was me standing right next to the door. I was seeing Hetty out, yer see, that’s why.’

‘Can I come in a minute?’ Edith asked. ‘I won’t keep yer long ’cos I know, like meself, yer’ll have work to do.’

Ada stepped back. ‘Of course yer can come in, sunshine, I don’t charge.’ As she closed the door, she said, ‘Me and Hetty were having a laugh before we go back to our dolly tubs. But go in, we’re not in that much of a hurry. We’ve been watching the new neighbours moving in. That’s how nosy me and me mate are.’ She waved to a chair. ‘Sit down and take the weight off yer feet. I don’t charge for that, either.’

Edith didn’t move from the doorway as her eyes took in the newly decorated room. ‘Ooh, it’s lovely, Ada. I know yer told me yer were made up with it, but I wasn’t expecting it to be so nice and bright. I like the paper, and the white paintwork doesn’t half make a difference.’

‘Yeah, I am pleased with it, but right now I’d like yer to sit down and pretend ye’re at yer granny’s. I may as well tell yer that me and Hetty were going to call over to yours later, to see what yer first impression of yer new neighbours was. Yer see, we saw yer talking to the woman who we thought was the mother.’

‘That’s why I’m here,’ Edith told them. ‘Jean isn’t in, so I’ll see her when she gets back from the shops. The truth is, I don’t know what to make of the new people. At least the two I’ve seen. The girl is very pretty, and I did manage to get a half-smile from her. But not the mother, she didn’t want me at the door, and she made it plain. She only spoke about half a dozen words, and that was because she had to. I’d gone to ask if they’d like a pot of tea,
but the woman couldn’t get me away from the door quick enough.’

‘She was probably flustered, sunshine,’ Ada said. ‘Moving house is no joke, especially if yer husband isn’t there. And it could be that she’s a shy person.’