The Sunday Girls (5 page)

She took a small bottle from her large message bag and proceeded to take a drink from it. ‘I’m just taking my medicine,’ she explained. ‘I’ve to take it often or this flares up again.’ She tapped a point somewhere between her bosom and her hips.

‘Aye a swig of Johnny Walker does wonders for the digestion so share it around,’ said Kit.

Bella ignored her. ‘No, as I aye say, it’s better to be safe than sorry so a wee taste of this medicine calms down all my complaints.’

I was taken aback at Kit’s remark. Surely this old woman wasn’t swigging whisky from a medicine bottle. No, I thought, Kit was just inventing it but, as Bella leaned towards me, I smelled her breath and I knew it was true.

She glanced over again at the window. ‘That chap that’s been gossiping to your father is leaving now so go over and tell him I want to see him.’

Mr Pringle was shaking hands with Granny while Hattie hovered again at his shoulder like a guardian angel – much to Kit’s amusement – before he left he came over and once again offered his help.

‘Goodbye, Ann. Now remember what we spoke about.’

As soon as he went out the door, I passed on Bella’s command to Dad. He groaned. ‘What does that devil want? No doubt all the ins and outs of your poor mother’s death.’ He wiped his eyes with his hand. ‘What a day it’s been.’

I agreed with him. It was a terrible day. Granny came over and I saw lines of tiredness on her face. ‘Yon Mr Pringle is a real gent. Still I expect Hattie is making sure that he knows she doesn’t live here in the Overgate. Probably telling him about her top-floor flat in the Westport with its great view. Heavens, her window looks over roofs and chimneys but she’ll make it sound like some airy-fairy Alpine scene.’

‘Johnny, Johnny – over here,’ cried a querulous voice from the direction of the comfy chair.

‘Aye, he’s a right nice man,’ said Dad. ‘Now for Bella.’

Granny groaned. ‘It looks like she’s here for the duration.’

‘What are your plans for Ann and the baby?’ asked Bella. ‘You’ll have a lot on your plate …’ She stopped as Rosie approached. Glaring at her briefly, she turned her back on the younger woman’s presence and pointedly ignored her. ‘I’m just asking what arrangements have been made for your kids.’

‘Are you offering to help out, Bella?’ said Dad wearily.

Bella almost collapsed, her complexion turning a pasty white. ‘Oh, I would help out if I was able but, with my ill health, I wouldn’t have the strength to look after two kids! No, no, with my varicose veins, I’ve to rest my legs for most of the day and no’ to mention my heartburn and my …’

Dad held up his hand as if warding off something contagious. ‘I’m just kidding you, Bella. I know what a sick woman you are and we wouldn’t throw ourselves on your mercy. Anyway it’s been settled for a wee while at least. Ann and Lily will stay here with Granny and Ann will help to look after her, the wee soul.’

He glanced at Rosie and Kit. ‘Rosie and Alice plus Danny’s aunts from Lochee have all offered to help out – to give Granny a break. Aye they’re a great bunch of folk, just like ourselves with not a shilling between them.’

By now the colour had returned to Bella’s cheeks and she took the bottle out again. ‘Just my medicine,’ she said, holding it aloft this time so we could all see the chemist’s well-worn label.

I heard Kit murmur something about the bottle looking like it had originated at the turn of the century but Bella was still talking.

‘Aye, Johnny, it’s one thing to want to help out but another thing to be able.’

Rosie, who had been standing patiently in the background, put her arm around Dad’s shoulder. She looked so wholesome, if somewhat old-fashioned, with her straight dark hair tied back in an untidy bun. There was no doubting the sincerity in her well-scrubbed appearance and in her brown eyes behind their steel-rimmed spectacles. ‘Mum and I are away back next door, Johnny,’ she said, ‘but we’ll do all we can to help out.’

‘Thanks for all your help, Rosie, getting Major Borland to do the service. We really appreciate it.’ He turned to Alice who was an older copy of her daughter. ‘The sandwiches were lovely and you’re both good friends to us.’

It looked as if Rosie might burst into tears but she gave Dad a hug and she hurried through the door, followed by her mother.

Bella, meanwhile, was settling back in her chair. She had no intention of moving by the looks of it. ‘I’ll just have another cup of tea and a meat paste sandwich before I go.’

Granny groaned again. ‘Well, it will just have to be a quick cup because we’ve to pick Lily up at the Hilltown and then get her settled.’

As it turned out, we didn’t have to go because Nellie turned up with her. ‘I thought you would have enough to do without having to come for the wee lass.’ She suddenly stopped. ‘Or maybe you would like me to keep her for a wee while longer.’

‘Not at all,’ said Granny, taking the tiny bundle from the younger woman’s arms. ‘No, Nellie, you’ve been a right gem and we’ll never be able to thank you for all you’ve done.’

Nellie’s face flushed a bright red. It was obvious from this look that she was unused to getting compliments or even to be thanked for anything. Her husband, although not an unkind man, was just like lots of other men on the Hilltown – a bit thoughtless and selfish with the idea that life revolved around him.

‘It’s been no bother, Nan, and you know you only have to ask and I’ll look after her at any time for you.’

We all crowded around the baby who lay peacefully asleep.

‘What a bonny wee lass she is,’ said Kit, as she and her two sisters gazed down at Lily. ‘Let’s hand her over to Bella for the night – just to give her a treat.’

‘Now, Kit …’ Granny said reprovingly.

‘Well, she’s more healthy than you, Nan, and you’re so good to everybody, especially in a crisis,’ said Kit brusquely.

Lizzie looked thoughtful. ‘Well, maybe she really is not well. Even a hypochondriac can sometimes be ill.’

We all looked over to Bella who had settled back in her chair with her cup of tea and it looked as if it would take a crane to remove her.

Once again, I thought this interminable day would never come to an end but, like all things, it did. With the timely arrival of Lily, the mourners departed singly or in groups, all trooping down the stairs. Their sympathy and regretful murmurs lingered behind like a sincere afterthought.

With the departure of Danny, who left in the wake of his aunts, a despondency settled on me like a dark cloud. There was also the added worry of Dad who was planning on going home to the Hilltown, a move that not only upset Granny but me as well. Neither of us had lived there since the night of Mum’s death – Dad had been staying with his pal Joe – but he was adamant that the Overgate house couldn’t possibly accommodate us all. He was right of course but that didn’t soothe Granny.

Dad and I walked through the streets that were still busy with people. It was early evening and the storm had long since passed over, leaving a cool breeze that had dried up the wet puddles on the pavements. It was as if the heatwave was over and we would never again see the sun.

I was dreading going into the house. After a few days’ absence, it would feel musty and damp and I couldn’t erase my last sight of it from my memory. On entering the door, my first glance told me that my dread was unjustified and it came as a pleasant shock to see a bright fire burning in the grate. The bed was made up with bedclothes smelling as if newly washed, a kettle was simmering on the gas and everything was as neat and tidy as it had been in Mum’s time.

Although Dad had said little on the journey home, I knew he was also dreading his return – no doubt feeling the same as me. When he saw the neat cosy room, tears formed in his eyes.

‘Would you look at what the neighbours have done for me? I bet this is Rita and Nellie’s work. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay them.’ He brushed the tears away with the frayed end of his jacket sleeve.

I was also grateful to the women but still unsure of how he would cope on his own. ‘I’ll stay here for a wee while, Dad. Granny will manage Lily during the night and I’ll be there to do all the heavy work during the day.’ I removed my coat but he made me put it on again.

He also wouldn’t hear of it. ‘No, Ann, your granny needs all the help she can get. No, just you go back and I’ll be fine – honest.’

I shook my head and was about to argue with him when a gentle tap sounded at the door. A familiar face appeared around it. It was Joe.

‘Can I come in? I saw you coming up the close,’ he said, hesitating when he saw my face. ‘Well, maybe I’ll come back later, Johnny. I see you’re busy with Ann.’

Dad almost threw himself at the retreating figure like a drowning man grasping a rope. ‘No, Joe, come in. It’s good to see you and Ann is just leaving.’ I knew he didn’t mean to be curt but it still sounded like a dismissal.

Joe looked wary and unsure. ‘Well, I thought you would maybe like a wee bit of company. The lads and me didn’t come back to the house after the service because we felt you had enough folk to feed without us as well.’ He glanced kindly at me with such a look of concern that tears stung the back of my eyes.

‘It’s good of you to come round, Joe. Dad does need some company tonight,’ I said before hurrying out through the door. ‘But not my company,’ I thought bitterly.

As I reluctantly retraced my steps, I had the feeling that Dad was lucky with such good neighbours and friends around him. They wouldn’t see him stuck.

Lily was awake when I returned. Granny was testing the water in the basin by dripping her elbow in the water. ‘Just seeing if the water’s the right temperature and, while I bath the baby, will you heat up her milk in yon pot on the stove?’

I did as I was told, pouring the liquid into the boat-shaped bottle and fastening a rubber teat over the narrow opening. It was a hard job and some of the hot milk spilled over my hands but, after a few futile attempts, I was successful.

‘Now hold the bottle under the cold tap till the milk cools down. When you think it’s cooled down, shake some on the back of your hand and it should just be warm.’

Granny deftly placed the small pink creature on her ample lap. This tiny body was now shrieking with hunger and indignation, her little fists and legs kicking wildly.

Grandad came through. He looked a lot better now than when he came home from the funeral. The sleep and the hot-water bottle had done a power of good and he now carried his pipe and evening paper in his hands. He stopped dead when faced by Lily howling like a pack of wolves. ‘Now, now my wee pet, what’s the matter with you?’ He took her tiny hand in one of his rough callused ones. ‘Now Grandad will give you your bottle and I’ll sing some songs to you.’

We were both flabbergasted but he sat down with the now dressed-for-bed baby on his lap and the bottle in his fist, the pipe and paper completely forgotten. ‘There now, my wee lassie, here’s your supper. Then tomorrow I’ll take you for a walk along the Esplanade. Will you like that? Of course you will.’

As we looked on in amazement, Lily settled back and sucked noisily on her bottle. It would seem that she had given the old man a new lease of life. As if guessing this, she opened her eyes in a funny unfocused and squinting way. I then noticed with surprise that they were blue – just like Danny’s.

Danny had a job. He had been hounding all the shops in the area looking for work. After months of disappointment, Lipton’s grocery shop in the Overgate finally had a vacancy for a message boy and Danny happened to be in the right spot at the right time.

I was standing by the window, waiting for Grandad to come home from his daily walk with Lily, when I heard a sharp, piercing whistle followed by someone calling my name.

Danny was standing under the window beside a solidly built black bike. It had a square iron frame at the front that held a wicker basket. A brightly painted panel between the two large wheels extolled the virtues of shopping at Lipton’s. Danny looked so pleased with himself that he was in grave danger of exploding with smugness.

‘Come on down and see my great bike,’ he called up.

I gazed at him with pleasure. ‘Oh, you’ve got a job, Danny!’ I cried. I hurtled through the house like a whirlwind and, in my haste, I almost knocked over a couple of elderly ladies who were passing the close at the time. After their initial shock at nearly being flattened, they went on their way muttering, ‘Bairns today have no manners. That lassie almost knocked us sideways.’

Danny looked very workmanlike. ‘I can’t stay long,’ he said, taking a rag from his pocket and giving the nameplate a quick wipe. His face was a picture of pride and satisfaction. ‘I’ve got to deliver these messages to the Hawkhill – right to the very top. It will be a long climb but I can always push the bike if it gets too steep.’

Being built on the slopes of the Law Hill, a lot of Dundee’s streets were very steep but I knew Danny was just teasing me. A big strong lad like him could tackle any steep braes.

I saw a large collection of brown packages nestling in the big basket. ‘You’ve been really lucky to get this job, Danny.’ I tried hard not to sound envious. I didn’t want to spoil his pleasure. ‘I’ve been hunting for months now and there’s not a glimmer of work – the entire country is in a depression. At least that’s what everyone tells me.’

He grinned a large smile that almost sliced his face in half. ‘I know I was lucky. The manager at Lipton’s said I was spending more time in his shop than some of the assistants so he gave me the first chance of a message boy’s job. The other lad became ill and had to give the job up. It’s a terrible shame and I hope he gets better soon and manages to get another job.’

‘Oh, I hope so too,’ I said, ‘but it’ll not be easy. Every week I go along to the dole office in Gellatly Street and there’s aye queues of folk waiting there. The jute mills are laying off more workers and we’re all in the same boat – jobless.’ I tried not to sound sad but I gave a wistful sigh.

Danny agreed with me. ‘Aye, you’re right. All the Ryans are on the dole as well. They all worked in Cox’s mill until the lay-offs.’