The Bells of Bow (47 page)

‘I’ll go and freshen the pot,’ she said.

There was a knock at the street door.

Babs put the pot back on the table. ‘Sorry, Clara, I’ll get it in a minute. It’s probably Dad.’

‘I’ll get it,’ said Evie, jumping up.

‘No. Yer all right, I’ll get it.’ Babs dived from the room.

‘Tell yer what,’ Evie said to Clara, ‘I’ll fetch the tea.’

‘So long as it’s no trouble.’

When Babs opened the door, it was not her dad standing there, but Nellie. She practically dragged her inside. ‘Nellie, am I glad to see you,’ she whispered. ‘It’s like a bloody funeral in there. Evie’s got a gob on her like a wet weekend and Queenie’s doing her best to start a fight.’

‘Good job I’m here then to sort out the old bag,’ fumed Nellie. ‘And on that little angel’s birthday and all.’

She strode into the front room with a determinedly friendly grin on her face. ‘Hello, all.’ She crouched down by Betty. ‘Look what Auntie Nellie’s fetched for yer, sweetheart.’ She kissed the baby on her head and put a big oblong box on the floor next to her.

Janey clambered down from Minnie’s lap and rushed to help Betty open it.

When the two little ones saw the brightly coloured wooden building bricks, they promptly tipped the lot onto the floor and got on with playing with the box.

‘So much for that present,’ sneered Queenie.

‘Typical, bless ’em,’ laughed Nellie. ‘Right, that’s the kids. Now for something for us bigger girls.’ Nellie produced a bottle of port from her voluminous handbag just as Evie came back into the room with the tea.

‘That looks just what the doctor ordered, Nell,’ she said, putting the pot on the table.

‘We ain’t got enough glasses, I don’t think,’ said Babs. ‘All right if I just rinse the cups up, everyone?’

Everyone except Queenie smiled their approval at the idea, but Evie snatched Queenie’s cup from her anyway and handed it to Babs.

Babs soon returned from the kitchen with a tray of damp cups and Nellie, her face set in a rigid I’m-going-to-be-happy-if-it-kills-me grin, poured them all a generous measure of the thick, dark port.

Minnie took a sip of her drink and then handed her cup to Clara to hold for her. ‘I think it’s present time,’ she cooed at Betty. She handed Evie a parcel roughly wrapped in brown paper. ‘Me and Clara thought this might come in handy for her, Eve.’

Evie opened it and held up a pale pink hand-knitted cardigan. ‘It’s lovely, Min. And thanks, thanks to the both of yer. It’s just the job. I’ll put it on her now, shall I?’

‘No, don’t disturb her,’ said Minnie, obviously pleased with Evie’s reaction. ‘Let her finish her game.’

‘Looks a bit small to me,’ Queenie grumbled. ‘Would have done better a few sizes bigger, but I don’t suppose you lot round here know how to get the wool.’

Clara shook her head and touched Minnie’s arm to silence her.

Babs went to the sideboard and opened one of the drawers. ‘I got this done for her birthday.’ She took out a framed photograph of Betty and gave it to Evie. ‘It’s as much for you as for Betty, really.’

Evie smiled at the lovely image in the picture, a miniature version of her and Babs. ‘When d’yer have this taken?’

‘I had it done the other Saturday, in that studio near Chrisp Street. I’d gone in with that old photo of us from the passage, to have the glass put back. It was about time, and all; it was getting all faded from the light.’

‘Was it broke then?’ Evie asked, her face a picture of innocence.

Babs nudged her playfully. ‘Yer know very well it was.’

‘I’ve got loads of photos of my Albie,’ Queenie said flatly. ‘He was such a lovely, handsome boy.’ She stared at Evie. ‘Everyone said so. No one had a bad word to say about him. But it ain’t much comfort to a mother, looking at pictures. Not when yer flesh and blood’s been taken from yer.’

The room fell into another uneasy silence. Then the door opened and everyone looked round, glad for the distraction. It was Georgie.

Betty squealed with pleasure when she saw her granddad. He scooped her into the air and then kissed her. ‘This is nice,’ he said, putting her back down next to Janey, ‘seeing all you girls together and enjoying yerselves. Having a right old natter, I bet.’

Maudie put her hand to her face and pulled a face at him, trying to signal that he could be on very dodgy ground if he continued in that vein.

But Georgie either didn’t understand her message or he had chosen to ignore it. ‘Right little tea party this, ain’t it? But I can smell that ain’t tea yer drinking.’ He winked broadly at Clara who hurriedly looked away and stared wide-eyed into her cup, wishing fervently that she was a million miles away from both Evie and Queenie Denham.

‘Nellie fetched it.’ Babs held up the bottle of port. ‘Fancy a drop, Dad?’

Georgie shook his head. ‘Too sweet for me. But I know something that could never be too sweet. This beautiful little darling of mine.’ He reached into his coat and pulled out a little wooden fire engine. He squatted close to Betty and put the toy in her hand. Betty looked at it for a moment and then stuck it in her mouth and started gnawing it.

Georgie looked over his shoulder at Evie. ‘I got Vic Johnson to carve it for me. He’s so clever with his hands, that feller.’

Queenie snorted. ‘Homemade cardigans and boys’ toys. Whatever next? This is a more suitable present for a girl.’ She held out a tissue-covered packet, waiting for Evie to take it from her.

Evie stared at her, not moving until she had no choice in the matter because Babs had shoved her forward.

‘It’s a gold bracelet,’ said Queenie, watching as Evie let it dangle from her fingers.

‘I ain’t blind.’

‘Hallmarked, it is. Good quality eighteen carat.’

‘She’s too young for it.’ Evie wrapped the bracelet back in its tissue and threw it carelessly onto the mantelpiece.

‘It’s to put away for her till she’s older. Bit of security. And mind you don’t wear it in the meantime. It’s for me granddaughter, not for you.’

Evie shook her head in wonder and said loudly to Babs, ‘I don’t believe her.’

Queenie didn’t even blink. ‘I noticed you ain’t wearing the pearls my boy gave yer.’

Evie looked her mother-in-law straight in the eye. ‘Didn’t like the memories, did I? So I pawned ’em.’

Queenie half rose from her chair. ‘You little …’

Georgie stepped over to the hearth, placing himself between Evie and Queenie. ‘You heard the news, Maud, about women up to forty being conscripted for work now?’ His laughter sounded hollow. ‘Yer nearly legal at last, girl.’

Maudie tried a little laugh in return, but it sounded equally unconvincing.

Georgie rolled his eyes at Maudie and mouthed, ‘Say something.’

In desperation, Maudie turned to Blanche. ‘You’ve been very quiet this afternoon, Blanche. How are things going with you and your family?’

As Blanche sighed and shrugged, Babs buried her face in her hands. Of all the people to ask at a time like this.

‘I’m worried about my Archie.’ There was a dull resignation in Blanche’s voice. ‘There’s still been no word from him.’

‘Oh,’ said Maudie, a frown forming on her forehead. ‘I didn’t think, I’m sorry …’

‘And my sister, Ruby,’ Blanche continued. ‘She’s the one whose kiddie died. She seems a bit better now she’s gone back to work but she still won’t talk about it or come to visit me. It’s all so sad. And then there’s our Len, down in Cornwall. He wrote to me and he said even though the raids have stopped, he still don’t wanna come home. Not yet, anyway. Not while his dad’s still away.’ Blanche’s bottom lip trembled and she brushed at her eyes with her fist. ‘I miss ’em, to tell yer the truth, Maud. I miss ’em all.’

‘We all have our suffering to bear,’ intoned Queenie.

‘Well,’ said Evie, her voice dripping sarcasm. ‘As nice as this is, I’m gonna have to love yer and leave yer, everybody.’ She walked over to the door.

‘Hang on.’ Babs jumped up and put her hand over Evie’s to stop her turning the door handle. ‘Where d’yer think yer going?’

Evie craned her neck to look round Babs and stared challengingly at Queenie. ‘Didn’t I tell yer? I’m going to a dance. And you’re coming with me, Babs. We’ve gotta be out in half an hour and it’ll take me that long to get me face on.’

‘This is news to me. What makes yer think I’m going?’

‘Remember that little favour yer promised me earlier?’

‘That’s not fair.’

‘I think it is. And I also think yer’ll never find yerself a feller while yer stuck indoors all the time.’ She kept her eyes fixed on Queenie. ‘Yer’ve gotta be like me. Make an effort. And anyway, yer’ve gotta come ’cos yer making up the foursome.’

‘You make me laugh. When I wanted you to go out with me to that dance on New Year’s Eve, yer wouldn’t hear of it.’

Evie turned her gaze onto her twin. ‘These are men, not boys,’ she said deliberately.

‘Have you two finished?’ Georgie demanded.

‘I’ve never heard such talk from a widow in all my life. My Albie’d turn in his grave if he could see how his baby’s being dragged up.’ Queenie’s face was scarlet.

Babs grabbed Evie’s arm. ‘Leave it,’ she hissed.

‘I think we’d better be going.’ Minnie stood up and nodded at Clara to do the same.

‘And I’ll have to be opening up soon,’ said Nellie briskly. ‘That Jim’s useless without me.’ She bent down and kissed Betty. ‘Happy birthday, angel.’

The twins stood back to let Nellie out of the room. She was quickly followed by Minnie and Clara and then Blanche carrying the protesting Janey in her arms.

‘I’ll see our guests out.’ Georgie shook his head angrily at his daughters and went to open the street door.

‘I got this for Betty,’ said Maudie, standing up and taking a book of nursery rhymes from her bag. ‘If you’re going out tonight, maybe I could read them to her – if you’d like me to look after her, I mean.’

Evie smiled. ‘Yer’ve got no excuses now, Babs.’

‘Why don’t you leave off, Evie?’

They heard the street door close.

Maudie bit her lip. ‘I didn’t mean to interfere. I just thought I could help, that was all.’

Babs shook her head. ‘It’s all right, Maud, it ain’t your fault.’

Georgie came back into the room; he looked ready to boil over with anger.

Maudie touched him gently on the arm. ‘I’m keeping an eye on Betty tonight, George, while the girls go out for a few hours.’

Babs frowned. ‘But I never …’

George’s expression softened. ‘That’s kind of yer, Maud.’

‘I’m glad to be of help.’

‘I’m not on duty tonight. Maybe we could share a bit of supper?’

Evie turned to Babs and smiled triumphantly. ‘That’ll be nice for Dad, won’t it?’

Babs looked away, not trusting herself to say anything.

Queenie heaved herself to her feet. ‘That child won’t know who her mother is.’ She pulled her black scarf from her pocket, stuck it on her head and stormed out of the house without saying another word.

Evie giggled. ‘What’s got up her kilt?’

Within twenty minutes, the twins were powdered, rouged and dabbed all over with Evening in Paris. They had drawn seams up the back of their legs with eyebrow pencil and had brushed their hair into smooth waves.

Babs stood up from the dressing table stool and put on her coat. ‘Well, that’s me ready. Come on, if yer coming. We might as well get this over with.’

‘No need to sound so bored. We’re gonna really have a good time tonight, you wait and see.’ Evie lifted her chin, admiring her profile in the mirror. ‘With my figure, I reckon I could be a pin-up girl, yer know.’

Babs shoved her out of the way and checked her own image in the glass as she adjusted her hat. ‘I dunno why I put up with you, Evie.’

‘Course yer do,’ she beamed. ‘It’s ’cos yer love me.’

‘You promise yer’ll tell us when we get to our stop, won’t yer?’ Evie smiled winningly up at the fresh-faced young bus conductor. ‘I mean, yer never know where yer might wind up these days, what with the windows being blacked out and everything.’

‘I’ll make sure you don’t miss it, darlings. I’d hate to think of two beauties like you lost out there in the dark.’

Evie flashed a giggling glance at Babs. ‘Makes a change to see a nice feller like yourself, thought it was all girls on the buses now.’

‘Well, I’m waiting to do me bit, ain’t I? Just waiting for me papers to come through then I’m off to the front to be a hero.’

‘Aw, bless him,’ Evie cooed, tweeking his cheek. ‘Didn’t realise you was such a little lamb.’

The conductor, glowing from being in contact with two such stunners, made a big deal of personally helping them off the bus at their stop in Stratford High Road.

As the bus pulled away, Evie waved to him and blew him a kiss.

‘Yer terrible, you,’ Babs admonished her. ‘D’you have to be at it all the time?’

‘Good practice,’ said Eve with a wink and linked arms with her. ‘This dance is in the function rooms over the Oak, but Harry and Alf said they’d be waiting for us in the saloon bar downstairs.’

When the twins entered the crowded, smoky bar, they drew the usual admiring glances from all the men present and sneering, resentful comments about their flashy obviousness from most of the women.

Babs followed Evie as she wiggled her way over to the bar.

‘Babs, this is Harry, and this is his mate Alf.’

Babs smiled at the two tall, handsome young men. Evie hadn’t been kidding, they were both really good-looking.

When they all had drinks in their hands, Babs said, ‘So, what do you two chaps do then?’

‘We’re both on leave from the Engineers,’ said the dark-haired one, the one Babs preferred. ‘Alf here,’ he continued, nodding towards his fair-haired friend, ‘is from the west country, Bristol way, but me, I’m an East Ender like you girls. From Plaistow, I am.’

Babs flashed her dimples. ‘I like to mix with me own.’

Harry held out his arm to Babs and then said to Evie and Alf, ‘We’ll go up and see what this dance is like then, shall we?’

Upstairs, the big function room that took up the whole middle floor of the pub had been decorated with streamers and balloons to make it festive. There was a bar at one end of the hall and a band playing dance tunes on the little stage at the other end. There were chairs and tables dotted round the sides of the floor which was crowded with couples dancing closely together. Some of the women and most of the men – Harry and Alf included – were in uniform.