Maggie lay on her back listening to the sound of Liz’s soft snoring coupled with the insistent ticking of the clock on the table by the bed and sighed heavily. She had been trying to get to sleep for hours now, but the harder she tried the more awake she’d become. Flouncing over onto her side she drew her knees up to her stomach and closed her eyes once more. She felt herself begin to drift away, the sound of Liz’s snores became fainter as the elusive sleep took hold. Then, from the other room a loud grunt, followed by a crescendo of nasal snores brought her eyes wide open.
‘Damn and blast,’ she cursed softly, rolling onto her back. Charlie was certainly driving the pigs home tonight. Beside her, Liz turned over smacking her lips noisily, while managing to whistle through her nostrils and scratch vigorously at some unknown spot below her waist. Giving up all hope of sleep, she threw back the blankets and grabbed the old woollen coat that served as a dressing gown from the foot of the bed. She wrapped it around the upper part of her body and padded over to the armchair by the window. Tucking her feet under her bottom, she pulled back the curtain slightly to allow the light from the street lamp to enter the room. Resting her chin in her hand she stared morosely at the deserted street. It had been raining earlier in the evening, and the wet cobbled pavement glistened brightly beneath the lamp-post. Laying her head against the wing of the chair she let her mind wander back over the past five months.
Her first arranged meeting with Harry had proved awkward and fraught with embarrassment. She had told herself before setting out that she would simply meet him, hand over the first instalment of the debt and then go on her way. But it hadn’t worked out like that. When she had arrived at the designated place by the park railings, he had been waiting for her, a welcoming smile on his craggy face. Despite her feeble protests, he had insisted that she sit with him and share the lunch he had brought with him from the wicker hamper by his side on the bench. She felt a smile come to her lips as she recalled Charlie’s face at the sight of the dainty sandwiches and small cakes that had been offered to him.
When asked by Harry if he’d enjoyed his lunch he’d replied truthfully, ‘I’d rather have pie and peas, sir,’ at which Harry had thrown back his head and roared with laughter. She had found herself enjoying his company, and it was only when it was time to leave and she hadn’t given him his money that the embarrassment had returned. Her hand trembling, she had proffered the bank-note, and he, after a moment’s hesitation, had taken the money from her, his face sad as if she had insulted him in some way. Then, just as they were saying goodbye, a maid from one of the houses bordering the other side of the park had approached them, asking Maggie if she’d like to call at the house as the mistress had some clothing she wished to sell.
That encounter had been the ultimate humiliation for Maggie, clearly defining the stark difference between her and the man she had been chatting to so comfortably for the past hour. He was evidently of the upper class, and she, in spite of the effort she’d made with her appearance, was simply a common totter. If Harry had felt any embarrassment he had shown no sign, but she had been mortified.
On the following Saturday she had been tempted to leave the cart at home and go alone to the park, but she knew what Liz’s reaction would have been, as Liz was already far from pleased at having to give up their hard-earned money to somebody who had no need of it. So she had continued to do her rounds with Charlie in tow, and then, just over a month ago, Harry had turned up with a fair-haired young man whom he had introduced as his brother. She had taken an immediate liking to the shy, introverted man, and had marvelled at the fact that he could be related to Harry. They were so different in every way, yet beneath the light-hearted banter they displayed, she had sensed from the start the strong bond that existed between them.
Was it possible to be in love with two men at the same time? Well, maybe not love, exactly, but she was certainly strongly attracted to both men, and she was sure they felt the same way. A gentle rivalry had sprung up between the two men over the past few weeks as they’d vied for her attention, making her feel as if she were someone special. It was only the presence of Charlie and the cart that served as a constant reminder of just how far apart she was from the smartly dressed men.
And now it was all coming to an end. Today was the last time she would have the excuse to go to the park. The final instalment of her debt would be paid today, and unless she happened to meet them on one of her visits to the houses in their street, it was unlikely she would ever see either of them again. Could she bear it? She shook her head sadly. It didn’t matter if she could or not, she would have to. Despite the heavy coat she shivered and, unravelling her feet from beneath her body she walked slowly back to the bed. She wished now she hadn’t agreed to pay a pound a week. If she’d offered to pay back ten shillings at a time, then she would still have had another five months to look forward to. But sooner or later her new-found world would have had to come to an end, so maybe it was best it happened now. Lizzie and Charlie were still snoring loudly, but Maggie no longer heard. Closing her eyes she lay down, and her eyelashes wet with tears, she finally fell asleep.
‘It’s half past six, Maggie, time to get up.’ Charlie shook his sister’s shoulder gently. ‘Here’s your tea – don’t let it get cold.’
Maggie opened her eyes slowly, then hitching herself up onto her elbow she reached out for the steaming mug that Charlie had placed on the bedside table.
‘Thanks, love,’ she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.
‘I’ll start the breakfast, shall I, Maggie?’
‘What? Oh, all right, just give me a few minutes to come round, will you? I, oh…’ A loud yawn smothered the rest of her words.
‘And I’ve put some hot water in the pitcher for you and Liz,’ the young boy added proudly.
‘Oh, ta, Charlie, that was thoughtful of you.’ Placing her hand over her mouth to stifle another yawn she swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet searching for and finding her slippers.
‘Come on, Liz, wake up,’ she said prodding the figure lying on the other side of the double bed. A muffled grunt came from beneath the blankets.
‘It’s gone half past six, Liz,’ Maggie said loudly, giving the prone form another nudge.
‘All right, all right, I’m getting up,’ Liz muttered irritably, her arm shrugging away the insistent hand.
Wrapping her woollen coat across her shoulders, Maggie left the bedroom and made her way to the yard, thinking as she did every morning how wonderful it would be to have an indoor toilet.
When she returned a few minutes later, she was surprised to find Lizzie up and already dressed.
‘Bloody hell!’ Maggie exclaimed. ‘You were quick. I hope you’ve left me some hot water, it was freezing out in the yard.’
‘It’s not exactly warm in here,’ Liz retorted, her body shivering in spite of the thick brown dress she was wearing. ‘Anyway, I didn’t use any of the water, it’s too cold to stand around washing.’
‘You dirty cow,’ Maggie replied good-naturedly. ‘You’re getting as bad as Charlie.’
‘Well, I don’t have to be so particular, do I? I don’t have a fancy gentleman to meet for lunch like some I could mention. Still, it’s the last day today, isn’t it? I don’t suppose you’ll see him again once you’ve handed over the last of the money, or his brother for that matter. Will he be there today, or is it just you and…’
‘Don’t start, Liz. I’m warning you, I’ve had about enough of your spiteful remarks.’ Maggie had finished washing, and was now buttoning up the front of a dark blue woollen dress. ‘You’ve already made your feelings painfully clear, and I’m sick of hearing you griping on about it. I know you didn’t want to give back the money, but you were quick enough to take it, weren’t you?’
‘Maybe I was,’ Liz answered sullenly, ‘but like I said at the time, the likes of him wouldn’t miss £20, and I still think you’ve made a mistake. There might come a time when we’ll be grateful for that money.’
Maggie sat down heavily on the bed, her head shaking from side to side. ‘You don’t understand, do you, Liz?’ she said sadly. ‘It wouldn’t matter to me if he had millions, it still doesn’t mean we’re entitled to any of it. But if you don’t understand that, then there’s no point in me trying to explain. Anyway, as you just said, today’s the last time I’ll be handing over any money, so there’ll be no more cause for arguments.’
Rising from the bed she threw back the blankets to let the sheets air while they had breakfast, then walked past Liz and sat down at the scarred walnut dressing table to brush her hair. She waited until Liz had left the room, then laid down the brush and gazed at her reflection in the mirror. One more day, one last chance to see them, and then it would be back to the same mundane life with nothing to look forward to from one week to the next; how would she be able to bear it? She felt the tears spring to her eyes, and quickly picked up the brush and began to pull the bristles through her long, wavy hair.
‘You nearly ready, Maggie? Your breakfast will be cold if you don’t hurry up,’ Liz’s voice called from the adjoining room.
‘Yes, all right, I’m just coming,’ she shouted back. Pushing back the stool she stood up, then taking a deep breath she stretched her lips into a smile and walked into the sitting room.
It was a large room, serving as both dining room and bedroom for Charlie. The brown, horse-hair sofa and armchair stood in the middle of the room opposite the open fire range and the door leading off into the scullery. The table and four chairs they used for their meals were placed a couple of feet further on, giving the impression of two separate rooms. At the far end, where the room narrowed into a corner, lay Charlie’s bed and tallboy hidden from view by the dark, grey curtain Maggie had hung between the two opposite walls.
The long floorboards were partly covered by an assortment of brightly-coloured mats that blended in with the pale pink flowered wallpaper that Maggie had painstakingly pasted over the white-washed walls. It was the room Maggie had dreamed of during the long, dark days of the basement, but today it held no joy for her.
Liz and Charlie were already halfway through their breakfast as she sat down at the square, wooden table and the plate of sausages and egg that Charlie had set for her. Aware they were both watching her, she began to eat, each mouthful sticking painfully in her throat as she endeavoured to swallow the food past the lump lodged in her throat. When she had finished she laid down her knife and fork and looking round the table said brightly, ‘Well, I suppose we’d better be making a move. I’ll just put these plates in the sink before we go.’
‘I’ll bring the cart round to the front, Maggie,’ Charlie said, springing to his feet.
‘Wrap up warm, love, it’s bitter out today,’ Maggie called after him.
Left alone, a silence fell on the two young women until Liz said awkwardly, ‘I’m sorry, Maggie, I mean about what I said before. I suppose I’m a bit jealous about you being so friendly with someone from the gentry. But it’s not just that, I’ve been worrying about you ever since you started meeting him. I’ve seen the way you look on Saturdays, and I don’t want you getting hurt. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?’ Maggie opened her mouth to protest but the look of concern on Liz’s face silenced the words of denial hovering on her lips.
‘You don’t have to worry about me, Liz,’ she said lightly. ‘I know my place, and I know that men like Harry and Doctor Stewart aren’t for the likes of me. I won’t deny that I’ll miss their company, even if it was only for an hour a week.’
They were in the scullery now, and as Maggie took down their coats from the wooden rack, Liz once again felt a surge of resentment and envy towards her younger sister. Maggie had paid five shillings for the olive-green fitted coat and matching bonnet trimmed with sable, but it had been money well-spent. It isn’t fair, Liz cried silently as she gazed at the well-dressed trim figure, miserably aware of her own bulky form crammed into a dull grey coat. Yet she was honest enough to admit that even if their attire was reversed, Maggie would still look smarter than she ever could.
‘That really suits you,’ she said with grudging admiration. ‘But then anything you wear looks good on you. Not like me, I wish I had a figure like yours, but I only have to look at food and I put on weight.’
Maggie looked up in surprise, it wasn’t like Liz to hand out compliments. Resisting the temptation to say that if all she did was look at food instead of eating it, then she wouldn’t be so plump, she smiled broadly. ‘It wouldn’t suit you to be thin, anyway, men like a woman with a bit of meat on them, ask your Jimmy.’ At the mention of his name, Liz jumped, her cheeks colouring in confusion.
Then, her fingers pulling nervously at the front of her brown coat, she said hesitantly, ‘About Jimmy, Maggie, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about him. I think he might be going to ask me to… well, you know, to marry him. He hasn’t said it in so many words, but I’ve just got an idea he’s leading up to it, and I wondered if he did… ask me, I mean, well, would you mind? I know you don’t like him very much, but if you could try and get to know him a bit better, I’m sure you’d change your mind.’
Maggie felt a cold chill settle on her chest at Lizzie’s halting words, yet why was she surprised? Hadn’t she been waiting for something like this to happen? Good Lord, the man had hardly been off their doorstep for the past few months. But the thought of him wangling his way into her family made her blood run cold. Still, if it was what Liz wanted then she wouldn’t put any obstacles in her way.
Forcing a smile to her lips she said cheerfully, ‘It’s nothing to do with me, Liz, I won’t have to live with him. Besides, you’re a grown woman, you don’t need my permission or approval. If you think you’ll be happy with him, well then…’ She shrugged her shoulders, not knowing what else to say.
‘That’s just it, Maggie,’ Liz licked her lips nervously. ‘You know Jim hasn’t got a job at the moment, he only gets a bit of casual now and then down at the docks. What I mean is… well, we wouldn’t be able to afford a place of our own to start with, and I wondered if maybe…’
Maggie looked at her in horror. ‘You don’t mean you’d want to move in here surely? Is that what you’re getting at?’
Seeing the pleading look in Liz’s face she backed away, crying loudly, ‘Oh, no, definitely not, even if I did get on with him, which I don’t, where the hell would we all sleep? We’ve only got the one bedroom, unless you think I’d be willing to doss down in the sitting room alongside of Charlie. Oh, no, Liz, you can get that idea out of your mind straight away.’
‘But Jim says, that if we…’ Liz began, her voice faltering.
‘“Jim says, Jim says”,’ Maggie interrupted angrily, ‘so you’ve talked it over then. Wait a minute.’ She pulled at Liz’s arm. ‘He’s already asked you, hasn’t he? That’s what this is all about, you’re trying to butter me up so you can both move in here, well, forget it, Liz. There’s no way I’m living under the same roof as Jimmy Simms, not even for your sake, and you can tell him that from me.’
‘Maggie, please hear me out.’ Liz followed Maggie from the scullery into the sitting room. ‘He’s got plans, has Jimmy, he’s very clever you know. And he says that if we all work together, we could set up another stall in a different market and double what we’re earning now. Please, Maggie, give him a chance,’ she entreated, but Maggie remained unmoved.
‘Jimmy seems to have it all worked put, doesn’t he?’ she said, her face set. ‘And as you say, he’s very clever. How many men could find a woman with her own business and able to provide him with a roof over his head. God!’ she laughed derisively, ‘he must think Christmas has come early this year.’
Hearing the scornful words brought Liz’s back straight, and seeing she wouldn’t be able to persuade Maggie she swiftly changed her tack, ‘If you hadn’t given away £20 of our money, we could have afforded our own place, but seeing as you have, it’s only fair that we live here for a while, just until we see how things work out.’
Maggie felt her hackles rise but determined to keep calm she said evenly, ‘For the last time, Liz, it wasn’t our money, and I’m not making any more apologies for giving it back. As for us all living here, the answer’s still no. If your Jimmy’s so clever, he won’t have any trouble finding a place for the two of you, especially if you set up another stall to help pay for it. Now, I don’t want to talk about it any more, we’re late as it is and I—’
‘Oh no, mustn’t be late, must you?’ Liz cut in, her voice sneering. ‘Mustn’t be late meeting your fancy friends, they might decide not to wait, and that would never do, would it?’
Refusing to be drawn further into a row, Maggie calmly pulled her gloves on, saying lightly, ‘I’m not arguing with you, Liz, the matter’s closed. Although why you’d want to live here with me and Charlie is beyond me. You could use the money from our nest-egg to start you off, surely that would be a better idea.’ But even as she said the words she knew the reason behind Jimmy’s planning. From the start he had made it plain he wanted her, and when she had made it equally plain she wasn’t interested, he had switched his attentions to Liz. But still he tried to get close to Maggie at every given opportunity. She had long since given up sitting on the sofa when he was in the room, and had taken to using the armchair to stop him from getting next to her. But that hadn’t deterred him. Now he simply sat on the arm of her chair, his arm accidentally brushing across her chest at every opportunity. Even if she remained standing she would feel his eyes boring into her wherever she went, his gaze seeming to strip the clothes from her body. She shuddered at the thought. Surely Liz must have noticed, or was her sister so besotted she was turning a blind eye to what went on under her nose? Jimmy reminded her of a dog following a bitch in heat, and again she shuddered. The envelope containing the bank-note was lying on the table, and putting it into her bag she walked towards the door. She had decided on this course of action early on; it saved embarrassment if the money was concealed and gave an air of respectability to the meetings.
She was about to open the door when Liz’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
‘It’s all right for you,’ Liz said bitterly, ‘you’ll never have to worry about getting a man. You’ve already got two eating out of your hand. You attract everything in trousers without even trying; the stallholders, customers, even my…’ She broke off, turning her back so that Maggie couldn’t see the tears that had sprang to her eyes. Maggie looked at the rigid back, her mouth open in amazement at the outburst, then her eyes clouded over with pity. So Liz knew about Jimmy, and was still prepared to marry him and bring him here to live rather than take the chance of losing him. Poor Liz, poor, poor Liz.
Putting out her hand she touched Liz’s arm and her voice gentle now, she asked, ‘Why, Liz? Why marry him if you know he’s only…’ She couldn’t finish what she had started to say, but Liz did it for her. Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand she turned to face Maggie.
‘Using me? That’s what you were going to say, wasn’t it? Well, I’ll tell you why. I’m plain and fat, and he’s the only man ever to take any interest in me, let alone ask me to marry him. It’s probably the only chance I’ll ever get to have a husband and family of my own. Women like me can’t afford to be too particular.’
‘No, oh, no, Liz, you’re being too hard on yourself. You’re not plain, no you’re not,’ she repeated loudly, refusing to let Liz contradict her. ‘As for being fat, well, you lost weight before, didn’t you? You can do it again. You’re worth more than the likes of Jimmy Simms. Liz, don’t throw your life away. There’ll be other men, men who’ll want you for yourself, not for what you can give them, please, Liz, think about it.’
‘I have thought about it, Maggie, and I’ve made up my mind.’ Liz’s voice was sombre. ‘I’m 21 years old, and until Jimmy came along, I thought I’d spend the rest of my days alone. Because, let’s face it, sooner or later you’ll meet someone, that’s if you haven’t already.’ She glanced sharply at Maggie. Seeing the frown that passed over her sister’s face she added good-humouredly, ‘And as for me losing weight, well, I didn’t have much choice, did I? We were all bloody starving if you remember.’
‘Maggie…’ the pleading note was back in her voice. ‘Please, do this for me. I know I could use the money we’ve saved to tide us over, but… but Jimmy says he doesn’t want to use our money, he’d rather earn it for himself. He’s got his pride, has Jim, all he wants is a chance to make a living. We could move in with Mrs Simms, I know she’d have us, but, oh, Maggie I’d much rather stay here with you.’ Her eyes gazed at Maggie imploringly. ‘Please, do this for me. It won’t be for long, a year at the most. Once me and Jimmy have got a few bob saved we’ll move out, I promise you.’
Maggie looked into the pleading face and sighed heavily. What could she say? Even the thought of living under the same roof as Jimmy Simms caused her stomach to tighten. Yet if she refused and he moved on, Liz would never forgive her. Furthermore, if Liz didn’t meet anyone else then she, Maggie, would feel obliged to remain with her sister for the rest of their lives. Still, if they did move in here at least she could keep an eye on her elder sister. Maggie had a strong feeling that if Liz went ahead with her plans to marry Jimmy Simms, she would need a friend – and what better friend than her own sister? She’d just have to make sure she was never alone with her future brother-in-law.
Tying the ribbons of her bonnet under her chin she looked steadily at the anxious face in front of her and said quietly, ‘Just for a year, Liz, no longer. Charlie’s getting too big to have to share a bed with me, he’s…’
‘Oh, thank you, Maggie, thank you.’ Liz was ecstatic, her round face beaming with gratitude and relief. ‘You won’t regret it, I promise you, you won’t regret it.’
Twirling around gaily she picked up one of the bundles of clothing that lay by the door, leaving the smallest one for Maggie to carry. Their arms full, they left the house. The sun was just beginning to rise as they joined the waiting Charlie on the pavement, and without a word they began to pile the clothes onto the cart.
‘Gawd, I thought you two were never coming out,’ Charlie exclaimed, stamping his feet to keep warm.
‘Would you mind walking on ahead of me, Maggie?’ Liz asked self-consciously. ‘I thought maybe I’d go and see if Jimmy’s awake, you know, to tell him about…’
‘Yes, all right, but don’t take all day about it. I don’t want to have to hang round the market waiting for you, I’ve got my own work to do.’ Maggie cut her off impatiently. She was already regretting her decision, but the sight of Liz hurrying down the street bursting with happiness created in her a feeling of helplessness. She couldn’t go back on her word now, yet the need to release the tension that seemed to be consuming her entire body was overpowering.
Turning to the unfortunate Charlie she snapped, ‘Well, don’t just stand there gawping, we’re late enough as it is.’ Charlie shot his sister a startled glance. It wasn’t like Maggie to be bad-tempered, and why was Lizzie going to see Jim this early? He was tempted to ask what the matter was, then seeing the set look on her face he decided against it. His shoulders hunched, he pushed the laden barrow over the bumpy cobbles, his eyes flickering every so often to the dejected figure by his side. Then suddenly comprehension dawned. Of course, the two gentlemen were going away tomorrow, somewhere abroad so Maggie had said, and they wouldn’t be back for months. His face cleared. So that’s why Maggie looked so miserable, this was the last time she was going to see them. Whistling under his breath Charlie concentrated on the street ahead. He felt sorry for Maggie, for he knew how much she enjoyed her Saturdays outside the park, but he wouldn’t be sorry to see an end to them. Even though the two men had always tried to make him feel at ease, he had never quite managed to feel comfortable in their presence. It still didn’t explain why Liz had dashed off to see Jim, but he wasn’t bothered about what his eldest sister did. Maggie was the only one who mattered to him.
Maggie trailed alongside the barrow, her forehead furrowed with thought. She had planned to make the most of today, to try and cram as much as possible into the precious hour that would be her last. And now the entire day was ruined. She wouldn’t be at all surprised if Liz left her to set up the stall while she dallied with her precious Jim. She felt her lips tighten in anger and despair. Damn Liz, and damn Jimmy Simms. Why couldn’t he have remained at sea instead of intruding into their lives? And all that tripe about him being too proud to use their money to set him and Liz up was a load of rubbish. Maggie couldn’t see him putting himself out to start a business of his own; more likely he was planning to live off their savings for as long as possible, while she and Liz carried on working. And the way he drank the money they had worked so hard for would soon be gone, and him along with it, if she was any judge of character.
Well, one thing was for sure, the day they got married she was going to take half of the money from the tin box beneath the floorboards and hide it somewhere safe. If Liz was happy to give her share of their nest-egg to him that was up to her, but she’d be damned if she was going to let him get his grubby hands on hers.
So lost in her thoughts was she, she didn’t realise they had arrived at the market until the sounds and smells assailed her ears and nostrils. Keeping her eyes skinned for an opening, she walked down the middle of the road careful to avoid stepping on the squashed tomatoes and fruit that littered the cobbles. Both sides of the road were already filled with stalls and barrows displaying their wares, their owners ready and waiting for the first customers of the day. Some of the more established market traders had canopies placed high over their stalls to protect their wares from the elements, but these were few and far between.
Behind the stalls on the pavement stood rows of open-fronted shops where goods of finer quality could be purchased by those fortunate enough to afford it. Because of the vast selection, Whitechapel Road was one of the busiest markets in London. Passing by a stall piled high with boots and shoes, Maggie made a mental note to get Charlie another pair of boots – he could do with a spare pair. Holding onto the side of the cart, they continued to make their way down the road, their noses wrinkling at the overpowering smell of fish and stale cabbage that seemed to fill the air, while answering greetings from the many friends who called out to them.
Just as Maggie was beginning to panic, Charlie shouted, ‘Over there, Maggie, between Fred an’ Ma Jenkins.’ Quickly they pushed the barrow into the empty space, their cheeks puffed out in relief.
‘Wot ya, Mags, no Liz today, ain’t she well or summfink?’
Fred Thompson grinned at her over the top of his fruit and vegetable laden barrow, a battered cap set on the back of his head and the inevitable cigarette dangling from his lips. Old Fred was a man of indeterminate age, his lined face always cheerful and his voice never seeming to grow hoarse, despite his constant yelling to the crowds that thronged the long, winding street. In spite of her bad mood, Maggie felt herself returning his grin.
‘She’ll be along later, Fred. I’m just going to get the stall ready for her – she shouldn’t be long.’
While Charlie went to fetch the thick plank of wood and four orange crates that served for their stall from the grocery store a few shops down the road, Maggie began to fold the clothing into a tidy pile.
‘Don’t know why yer bothering wiv that, love,’ Ma Jenkins called out to her. ‘They won’t stay that way fer long. Most a the buggers just rummage through the lot fer summfink ter do. Got no respect fer ovver people’s fings, some a them. Lizzie just bungs the ’ole lot on the stall and lets ’em ’elp themselves.’
Maggie’s mouth settled into a grim line. That lazy cow. Liz had promised to lay out the clothes neatly to make a better impression. She might have known her sister wouldn’t put herself out if she didn’t have to.
‘’Ere, don’t look like that, love. It ain’t worth the effort trying ter arrange ’em nice. The people wot come down ’ere ain’t looking fer fancy displays, they just want a bargain.’
‘She’s right, Mags,’ Fred chimed in. ‘And Liz don’t do too bad, yer know. She can shout and ’aggle wiv the customers as well as any of us. She works ’ard, Mags, so don’t be too ’ard on ’er when she gets ’ere, eh? After all, yer wouldn’t like it if she told yer ’ow ter run your part of the business, now would yer?’
The muscles in Maggie’s face relaxed. ‘No, you’re right there, Fred. And look, could you remind Liz to bring home some potatoes and a bit of fruit, we’re running low.’
‘Don’t yer worry, Mags, I’ll put ’em aside now. And it’ll be me best, no rubbish fer me two favourite girls. Yes, missus, an’ what can I get fer yer? I got some lovely Cox’s, came up from Kent this mornin’ they did. Oh, oranges is it? Well now, love, yer won’t find any better than ole Fred’s.’ Fred had turned to a customer, his nimble hands tipping four large oranges into the woman’s basket.
Maggie turned to face Ma Jenkins, her eyes twinkling with laughter. ‘Up from Kent this morning,’ she whispered to the old woman. ‘They must have been travelling all night.’
‘Ah, yer can laugh, Maggie, but ’e’s the best in the business is Fred. Why, ’e could sell a pair a frilly drawers ter a nun if ’e put ’is mind ter it.’ The wrinkly face stared up at the young girl as if daring her to contradict her words.
Smothering a laugh with the back of her hand, Maggie leant towards the old woman. ‘And where did your cakes and biscuits come from, Ma – Harrods?’ she teased the indignant woman.
‘I’ll give yer ’Arrods, yer sarky little cow. I bakes me own, an’ well you know it.’ The black, crochet shawl she always wore over her head and shoulders slipped, revealing wispy white hair. With a swift movement the elderly woman pulled the edge of the shawl back into place over her head. Maggie looked at the stall laid out with cakes and biscuits of every description, her eyes lingering on a box of chocolate-covered cakes.
‘Sorry, Ma, only joking, I wish I could bake, it would save me having to buy them.’
‘Listen ter her. First she insults me, then tries ter do me out of a living,’ Ma retorted quickly, her natural good humour coming to the fore. The two women were still laughing when Charlie returned, the wooden plank held awkwardly under one arm, while manoeuvring the four stacked boxes along with his foot.
‘Mr Ball says he’s putting ’is price up ter a shilling a week. He says ’is back yard’s getting too crowded, an’ if we want ter leave the stall there in future, we’ll ’ave ter pay more.’
‘A shilling a week!’ Maggie and Ma exclaimed in unison.
‘Why that old skinflint, yer bit a wood and boxes can’t take up that much room. Yer ain’t gonna pay it, are yer, Maggie?’
Maggie shook her head angrily. ‘No I’m not. We’ll load them on the barrow in future and take them home with us. It was handy having them stored – it’s awkward loading them onto the barrow with the clothing, it makes the barrow harder to push. I didn’t mind paying sixpence a week, but I’m definitely not paying a shilling. It’s daylight robbery, the tight old sod.’
Another outburst from Ma was interrupted by the arrival of two woman at her stall. Giving Maggie’s arm a reassuring squeeze she turned to her customers.
Ten minutes later the makeshift stall was covered with an assortment of dresses, blouses and skirts and still there was no sign of Liz.
‘Where the hell has she got to? She promised she wouldn’t be long. If I have to stay here all…’
‘Ere she comes now, Maggie. You ain’t gonna start a row, are yer?’ Charlie asked anxiously.
‘No, I won’t start a row,’ Maggie muttered, her teeth clenched.
‘Sorry, Maggie, I didn’t mean to be so long. You’d better get started or you won’t get much work done today.’ Liz was standing by the stall, her face dreamy as she remembered the time spent with her Jimmy. Charlie looked at Maggie’s face and quickly grabbed hold of her arm, steering her away from Liz.
‘Come on, Maggie, we’d better get going,’ he pleaded, knowing that if he didn’t put some distance between his sisters there would be an argument. Darting a baleful glance at Liz’s back, Maggie called out her goodbyes to Ma and Fred before striding off down the road. Gripping the handles of the now empty barrow a relieved Charlie followed the retreating figure.