The Girl From Number 22 (58 page)

Tony raised his brows at Jane. ‘Would yer like to have this dance with me, or have yer got to find yer friend?’

Thinking the blond boy was quite handsome, Jane said, ‘I’ll have this dance with yer. My mate has probably got a partner by now.’

Sure enough, Jane’s friend, Eva, was enjoying a waltz with a slim, dark-haired, good-looking young man. And when the dance was over, she walked hand in hand with him to join the other two couples, and introduced him as David. From then on it was fun and laughter all the way. Three young couples out to enjoy themselves and have fun. And if Jenny was a little more subdued than the others, nobody noticed except Danny. They swapped partners now and again, but after the interval, when tea and biscuits had been served, they stayed with the same partner. This was brought about by Danny, who was feeling very protective towards Jenny, and was reluctant to part with her. But nobody cared, for they were enjoying themselves so much. Tony was definitely smitten with Jane, and they’d already made a date for the following week. And the signals coming from Eva suggested she’d found a soulmate in David.

Jenny was enjoying the freedom, and the fact that she didn’t have to worry about her mother now, with her father gone. But it would be a while before she was able to let herself go, and be as outgoing as Jane and Eva. The inferiority complex she’d carried all her life would take more than a few days to disappear. She had no idea how pretty she looked, with her thick mop of rich auburn hair, deep brown eyes glistening with happiness, and a permanent smile on her face. Nor did she notice the looks of admiration which came her way from some of the men standing near. And Danny was completely captivated. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She wasn’t as smooth a dancer as Dorothy or Betsy, but he wouldn’t have cared if she had two left feet. She was the only partner he wanted. But he couldn’t tell if she shared his feelings, and he was afraid of pushing things too quickly in case he scared her off.

When the last waltz was announced, there was a mad dash to
get on to the dance floor before it became too crowded. It was a romantic number, sung by a member of the band, and the men were holding their partners close, dancing cheek to cheek. But Jenny drew back, putting a little space between herself and Danny. He was sensitive to her feelings, having been involved with her father during two of Tom Phillips’s drunken rages. And the words he’d uttered about his own daughter had so enraged Danny he would never forget them. So he understood it would take time for Jenny’s wounds to heal, but he didn’t mind, she was well worth waiting for. That’s if she would have him, of course. ‘Have yer enjoyed yerself, Jenny?’ he whispered in her ear. ‘Are yer glad yer came?’

Jenny wasn’t to know that when she looked up at him his heart flipped. ‘Oh, yes, Danny, I’ve really enjoyed meself. Thank yer for bringing me.’

‘It was my pleasure. And I’ll make sure yer get home safely. And don’t forget we’ll be seeing a lot of each other in the next few days.’

Jenny looked puzzled. ‘What makes yer think that?’

‘Didn’t yer mam tell yer? Me and me dad, and Mr Watson, are decorating yer living room. I thought yer mam would have told yer.’

‘Me mam did say something about decorating the room, but I was busy getting ready and not really listening. I did hear her say something about the lady who used to live in the house, though.’

‘Yeah, that’s Mrs Porter. She’s coming to see all her old friends sometime over the holiday. I’m looking forward to seeing her, she’s a little love.’

The dance came to an end then, and, to Jenny’s surprise, people were hugging and kissing and wishing each other a
merry Christmas. She didn’t mind when Danny gave her a bear hug, but when she saw his lips coming towards her, she turned her head quickly and his kiss landed on her cheek. ‘That was mean, that was,’ Danny told her, pulling the corners of his mouth down to look like a brokenhearted clown. ‘Christmas Eve and not even a kiss.’

Jane was standing near with Tony, who, having been well and truly kissed, was looking like the cat that got the cream. And Jane took pity on Danny. ‘Don’t be so miserable, Jenny, give the lad a kiss. It won’t hurt yer.’

Not wanting to appear a spoilsport, Jenny lifted her face. ‘Oh, go on, then, but only a peck.’

The meeting of the two pairs of lips was more than a peck. It was a kiss that took Jenny’s breath away, and left Danny believing his heart was doing somersaults. He understood what his dad meant now, when he’d said he knew Ada was for him as soon as he kissed her.

‘That was a nice peck, that, Jenny,’ Danny said. ‘I’d say it was the best I’ve ever had.’

Jenny was about to say it was the only one she’d ever had, but thought better of it. Jane was standing near and she didn’t want her to think she was childish. ‘I’m glad yer enjoyed it, Danny. I aim to please.’

He put an arm across her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. ‘Go and get yer coat, babe, I don’t want yer mam after me for keeping yer out late.’ But that wasn’t strictly true. There was method in Danny’s madness. In his mind’s eye, he could see himself standing outside the Phillipses’ front door, and he had his arms round Jenny, kissing her. And it was a proper kiss, not a peck. And, oh boy, was he enjoying it.

‘I’m ready, Danny. What are yer waiting for?’

Danny shook his head to scatter his thoughts. He’d been miles away. And now, the girl he’d been dreaming of was standing in front of him. ‘I’m sorry, Jenny, me mind was elsewhere.’

She tutted and shook her head. ‘That’s not very complimentary, Danny Fenwick, telling a girl yer mind was anywhere but on her. Are yer trying to give me an inferiority complex?’

Danny’s hand cupped her elbow as he led her from the hall into the street. ‘If yer must know, Jenny Phillips, I was standing outside your house, saying good night to yer, and yer were giving me a kiss that was taking me breath away.’

‘Yer were dreaming, were yer, Danny?’

‘I was enjoying meself, yeah! Not for long, though.’

‘Why, what happened?’

‘Yer mam came out and hit me over the head with a frying pan.’

Jenny was giggling when she pulled him to a halt. ‘Danny, I want to thank yer for a lovely night. I’ve really enjoyed meself.’

‘Will yer come out with me again, then?’

‘Ye’re a sucker for punishment, Danny, but if yer want me to come out with yer again, then I will.’

‘How about New Year’s Eve? That’s the best night of the year to go out and enjoy yerself.’

‘Why do yer have to pick the one night of the year that I won’t come out with yer? I’d never leave me mam alone on New Year’s Eve. Especially not this one.’

A tram came along and Danny helped Jenny on to the platform. ‘I understand, and I think ye’re right. All the neighbours get together that night, and they have a knees-up and sing-song in the street. We could join them.’

‘I’ll see what me mam and Ben are doing before making any
arrangements. It’s a week off. I’ll see yer loads of times before then.’

‘Jenny, yer’ll be sick of the sight of me next week. I’ll be in yours every night helping to decorate. But just to keep me spirits up, will yer at least promise me another of yer pecks on New Year’s Eve?’

Keeping her voice down, so the people in the seat behind them couldn’t hear, Jenny said, ‘As long as yer make a good job of papering our living room. Is that a deal?’

‘More than a deal, babe, a promise. Your living room will be the best in the whole street. In fact, yer’ll be able to sell tickets just to let people see it.’

Jenny held out her hand. ‘Let’s shake on that, Danny.’

‘Ah, ay, babe! Why can’t we seal it with a kiss?’

‘Let’s wait and see what sort of a job yer make of the room first.’

‘Yer drive a hard bargain, Jenny Phillips. I can see I’ve got some ground to cover before I get a real kiss off yer. But we Fenwicks never give up, I warn yer. We fight to the finish.’

Danny didn’t see as much of Jenny the following week as he’d hoped. For while the men worked like Trojans, scraping, papering and painting, she and her mam went to sit with his mam and Auntie Hetty. Apart from taking drinks over to the men, the women left them alone so they could work to get the room finished by New Year’s Eve. But Danny’s disappointment was forgotten when the room was finished. The looks of surprise and pleasure on the faces of Annie and her two children made the wait and hard work worthwhile.

Annie had a hand to her mouth as she surveyed the room. In all her married life she’d never been allowed to live in a house
long enough, or given enough money, to have a room looking like this. The wallpaper was light beige, with a small green leaf pattern, and the glossy paintwork and ceiling were white, making the room look light and airy. It was all too much for her, and she couldn’t keep the tears back. ‘God was certainly looking after us when we got this house. We’ve never before had neighbours who befriended us like you have.’ There was a catch in her voice. ‘I haven’t got the words to thank you enough.’

Ada went to stand beside her and put an arm across her shoulder. ‘Come on now, sunshine. Just look at the faces on my feller, and Arthur and Danny. They’ve worked their guts out for the last four nights, and what happens? You cry yer ruddy eyes out!’ She could feel Annie’s body shaking, and gave her a squeeze. ‘It’s been our privilege and pleasure to get to know yer, sunshine, and you and the kids are part of our gang now. But if yer don’t stop crying, yer’ll have us all at it. The room looks lovely, the men have done a grand job, so let’s all be happy that everything has turned out well. And finished in time for Eliza’s visit.’

Ben was struck dumb. He was too young to know what to say, and could only look around the room with wonder. But Jenny was so happy that something nice had happened for her mother, she wiped the tears away with the back of her hand, then plucked up the courage to cross the room and stand in front of Danny. ‘We had a deal, Danny, and you kept your part.’ She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. ‘Now I’ve kept my part.’

‘Blimey!’ Danny feigned a look of disgust, but deep down he was thrilled that Jenny had kissed him in front of everyone. And after all, a peck was a kiss really, wasn’t it? ‘Yer don’t call that a kiss, do yer?’

Jimmy and Arthur were grinning. ‘Ay, son,’ Jimmy said, ‘don’t push yer luck. A kiss from a pretty girl is not to be sneezed at. What do you say, Arthur?’

‘Oh, I agree, Jimmy. If it was me what had been kissed, I’d be going to sleep tonight with a smile on me face.’

Jenny didn’t hesitate. She crossed to where the two men stood and planted noisy kisses on their cheeks. ‘Thank you, from me, me mam and our Ben.’

Ada gave a little nod, well satisfied at the way everything had worked out. ‘I think it’s time to call it a day. And Hetty’s not going to be too pleased at me leaving her with my two children for longer than the minute I promised. Yer know how she hates to miss anything. So let’s away to our homes, families and beds. We’ll all sleep soundly, knowing there’s been a job well done.’

On New Year’s Eve, Eliza’s son, John, brought his mother by taxi to the house she would always look on as home. She was well looked after where she was now, with her own room for privacy, and well cared for and loved by himself and his wife. But the small two-up-two-down terrace house had been her home for sixty years, and there were times when she pined for the house and the memories it held for her. And when she was helped from the taxi her eyes lit up at the sight of the number twenty-two.

Ada and Hetty were in Annie’s waiting for Eliza, and they were pushing each other out of the way to get to the door first. Edith and Jean knew she was coming, but had wisely said they would wait for half an hour to give the old lady time to settle down. And Annie and Jenny waited in the kitchen, so Eliza could be welcomed by two of her best-loved neighbours.

‘Come in, sunshine, and get a warm.’ Ada and Hetty had
taken an arm each, and their faces were lit up with pleasure. ‘Hasn’t Vera come with yer, John?’

John was gazing around the room as he took his hat off. And out of habit he was about to put it on the sideboard when he realised this was no longer his mother’s home, or her sideboard. ‘Our grandchildren have some friends coming to see the New Year in, so Vera thought she’d better stay to help out. But she sends yer her best wishes, and she’ll be up to see yer soon.’

‘The house looks well cared for.’ Eliza was nodding her head in approval. ‘I’m glad the new people are looking after it.’

‘Talking about the new people,’ Ada said, once the old lady was seated, ‘I think it’s about time yer met them. They’re standing in the kitchen waiting to be called in.’

‘Oh, they shouldn’t have done that. This is their home.’

Hetty called, ‘Come in, Annie, and meet the woman we’ve been talking about all week.’

Annie came in, followed by Jenny and Ben. She took one look at Eliza and fell in love with her. The old lady was frail, but her eyes were alert and friendly. No wonder she’d been well loved by everyone in the street. You only had to look at her to know she was a real lady. ‘I’ve heard so much about yer, I feel I know yer. And yer’ve given me the hard task of trying to live up to yer.’

Her hands folded in her lap, and looking completely at home, Eliza smiled. ‘I’m sure yer’ll do well here, my dear, and be as happy in this house as I was for most of my life.’ She looked past Annie to where Jenny and Ben were hovering. ‘And yer have a very pretty daughter and a handsome son. I bet they’re looking forward to the jollity there’ll be in the street tonight when the bells ring in the New Year.’

It had been decided that Tom Phillips’s name wouldn’t be mentioned in case it upset Eliza. She belonged to an age where if you got married, you stayed married for life. So Ada helped to skirt round the issue by changing the subject. ‘Edith and Jean will be on pins, sunshine, they were just giving yer time to settle down before coming in. I’ll knock on the walls and let them know ye’re ready to receive them.’ She grinned as she hammered on Jean’s wall with her fist. ‘That’s what the Queen does, Eliza, she receives people. She doesn’t have mates in, like us common as muck folk.’