‘They’re at it again, Maggie,’ Charlie moaned sleepily, ‘can’t you bang on their door or summfink? I can’t sleep properly with that racket going on, you’d fink they were doing it on purpose.’
Raising herself onto her elbow, Maggie leaned on the long, grey bolster that separated her from her 14-year-old brother and whispered, ‘That’s just what he wants us to do. He’s like a big kid showing off, and I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of letting him know we can hear them. Now, listen, Charlie, it won’t be for much longer. Just another few months until Liz has the baby and then we’ll be off, I promise. I don’t like it here any more than you do, but I gave Liz my word we’d stay until she was safely over the birth. Now go back to sleep, and mind, not a word to Jimmy about you know what. It would make his day, and I can’t bear to see him happy.’
With a resigned sigh, Charlie answered glumly, ‘All right, Maggie, I won’t say nothing, but I feel sorry for that poor little perisher having ’is head bashed in every night.’
Suppressing a smile Maggie whispered sternly, ‘That’s enough. Now go to sleep, they can’t keep it up much longer. There, what did I tell you?’ she added as the noises from the bedroom suddenly ceased. Getting no answer she lay back on her pillow, listening to the sound of Charlie’s regular breathing, and closed her eyes thankfully.
Charlie was right of course, the situation was becoming intolerable, but what could she do? Liz and Jimmy had been married for over a year now, and she had been all set to leave. She’d even found two rooms for her and Charlie in a house the other side of Whitechapel, and then Liz had found out she was pregnant and had begged Maggie to stay on until the baby was born. Like a fool she’d reluctantly agreed, a decision she’d regretted the moment the words were out of her mouth. For 15 months she had endured the presence of her brother-in-law, 15 months of trying to keep out of the way of his ‘brotherly’ kisses and straying hands. As for his grandiose plans for expanding their business, huh, the lazy sod hadn’t even tried to set up another stall. All he’d done since the day he’d moved in was sleep, eat and give the rest of them tips on how to improve business. Yet in spite of it all, Liz still stoutly defended her husband, declaring that he was just biding his time until the right pitch became available.
There was one area, however, where Liz had remained prudent, and that was keeping a tight rein on the money that came into the house. True to her promise to herself, Maggie had taken half of the money from the tin box and hidden it behind a loose brick in the scullery, adding an extra guinea to her hoard whenever she could. Surprisingly Liz had made no argument when Maggie had told her what she’d done; it seemed as if she’d almost been expecting such an action. Maybe she didn’t trust Jimmy to stay if he got his hands on a large sum of money, but whatever the reason she had continued to give her erstwhile husband just enough to keep him in beer money and a little extra to indulge in a bit of gambling when the mood took him. There had been blazing rows at the start of the marriage when Jimmy had found out his new wife wasn’t as pliable as he’d imagined her to be, but now he seemed to have accepted the situation and was happy enough to be housed and fed without lifting a finger. The only thing Maggie could say in his favour was that he made Liz happy, especially these last few months. For as her pregnancy had progressed her once plain sister had become positively radiant.
Pulling the bolster more firmly into place, Maggie turned over onto her side. Just a few more months, she told herself, and then no matter what entreaties Liz made, she and Charlie were moving out. It wasn’t right for a boy of his age to be sharing a bed with his sister, even with the bolster separating them. It had already been agreed that the business would be passed over to Liz, leaving Maggie and Charlie to set up somewhere else. Liz had offered to pay half of her savings to them, but this Maggie had stoutly refused. She had over £30 hidden behind the brick in the scullery, and that was more than they’d had when they had first started. Besides, the poor cow was going to need all the money she could get. And once they’d gone, Jimmy would have to get off his backside and help. Even he wouldn’t expect his wife to run a stall, walk the streets with a barrow collecting the necessary clothing and look after a child – would he?
Flouncing over onto her back she stared grimly into the darkness. She couldn’t spend the rest of her life worrying about Liz. She’d known what she was taking on when she’d married Jimmy Simms, and there was Charlie to consider. He didn’t like his brother-in-law any more than Maggie did, and she didn’t see why he should have to work twice as hard to help support a man who was perfectly able to work for himself.
Proof of his ability to work was soon evident at the sound of the bedsprings twanging and creaking once more. Poor Liz, how did she put up with it, especially in her condition? The man was a thoughtless pig. If he had to get up and go to work in a few hours he wouldn’t be so keen on using up all his strength. Still, let him enjoy it while he could. A few weeks being on his feet from six in the morning until early evening and he’d be lucky to be able to raise a smile, let alone anything else. The thought brought a smile to her lips. Ignoring the familiar sounds she closed her eyes and immediately Harry’s face floated before her.
‘Go away, please, leave me alone’ she murmured silently. ‘I’ve enough on my plate without you plaguing me. Leave me in peace, Harry, leave me in peace.’
‘Will his lordship be joining us for breakfast, or are you going to bring him his breakfast in bed?’
Ignoring the sarcasm in Maggie’s voice, Liz placed a bowl of steaming porridge on the table, saying, ‘As a matter of fact he’s getting up early today. He’s going to help Charlie on the stall while me and you go shopping for some baby clothes, that’s if you don’t mind.’
The spoon Maggie had been holding clattered back onto the table, her mind not believing what her ears had heard.
‘You mean he’s actually going to do some work! Why, what’s he after?’
‘He’s not after anything,’ Liz replied calmly as she poured out the tea into four tin mugs. ‘It’s my idea – I haven’t told him yet. Like you keep telling me, he’s going to have to do it when you and Charlie leave and I’ve got the baby to look after, and today’s as good a day as any. Anyway, you two eat your breakfast while I bring him in his tea. I’ve put extra sugar in it – I’ve heard it’s good for shock.’ Winking broadly, she walked into the bedroom shutting the door behind her, leaving Maggie and Charlie staring at each other in stunned surprise.
‘Eh, Maggie, he’s not gonna like it,’ Charlie breathed excitedly. ‘I bet he won’t do it, Liz must ’ave gone soft in the ’ead, what do you think?’ Before Maggie could answer, the sound of raised voices came clearly from the bedroom.
Her face splitting into a wide grin, Maggie bounced her head towards the bedroom and said gleefully, ‘I think Liz is finally showing some spunk, and about time too. Because you know, Charlie, I don’t think he really believes we’re going to leave when the baby’s born and set up on our own. He probably thought we’d change our minds when the time came, but Liz knows I’m serious about going. I expect that’s why she’s decided to get him working now – you know, sort of break him in gently. Well, good for her. I won’t feel so guilty about leaving now I know she’ll be all right.’
‘What exactly are we going to do, Maggie?’ Charlie asked, his eyes still on the bedroom door. ‘You never really said. Are we going to get another stall, or do something different?’ Maggie sipped at the hot tea, her face still smiling.
‘I’m not sure yet, love, but don’t you worry, I’ll think of something.’
Seeing she was in such a good mood, Charlie shifted awkwardly in his chair then, his voice hesitant, he said, ‘I saw Harry last week, he asked how you were.’
The smile slid from her face and gripping the handle of the tin mug she said tightly, ‘I told you I wasn’t interested in what Mr Stewart was doing, and what were you doing down there again anyway?’
‘Aw, Maggie, don’t be cross. You know I have to go past where he’s working to get the pies for our dinner. I can’t very well ignore him, can I?’ he muttered, wishing he hadn’t said anything now. Looking at his miserable face Maggie felt a qualm of guilt. What had happened between her and Harry wasn’t Charlie’s fault, and she had no right to take her unhappiness out on him.
It was over a year since she’d last seen Harry, but she’d heard about him and the houses he was renovating. By all accounts there was a waiting list as long as Bethnal Green Road for a chance to move into the rooms in the once derelict houses. The rents were reasonable too, so whatever the reason behind his decision to go into property, it certainly wasn’t for profit. The row he was working on now was only ten minutes away from the market, so it wasn’t surprising that Charlie had met up with him again. And although she had sworn she never wanted to see him again, part of her was still hurt that he had made no effort to come to the market and see her.
Clearing her throat she said gently, ‘Sorry, love, I didn’t mean to snap at you.’ Endeavouring to keep her voice nonchalant she added, ‘How is he?’
Charlie’s face brightened. ‘He’s fine, Maggie. I nearly didn’t recognise him when I first saw him. He wasn’t wearing his fancy togs, I thought he was one of the workmen until he called out to me. Eh, you should have seen him, stripped to the waist he was, chucking old furniture onto a bonfire and laughing and chatting with the other men like he was one of them. They think a lot of him, his men. Most of them have been with him since he started, and they’re hoping to stay with him when he moves on to the next lot of houses down Aldgate way.’
‘You seem to have heard a lot, seeing as you told me you only spoke to him for a few minutes.’
Charlie bowed his head, a dull flush creeping up and over his neck and
face while he fidgeted with his spoon.
‘Well, you were so cross the first time I mentioned I’d seen him, I thought I’d better keep quiet in future. But when I told him we were leaving here soon, he said we could have a couple of rooms as soon as they’re ready. They’re really nice, Maggie. He showed me round one of the houses, and they’re not dear either. He’s only asking the same rent as we pay for this place, and his are a lot nicer – they’ve even got indoor lavs. Shall I tell him to keep us…’
‘No,’ Maggie interrupted him. ‘I’m sorry, love, I know you’re only trying to help, but I’ve already got my eye on a place for us when the time comes.’ The blatant lie stuck in her throat, and coughing loudly she said, ‘Now finish your tea, and when you’re at the market today, keep an eye on Jimmy – make sure no money goes into his pockets instead of the box.’
‘All right, Maggie.’ Charlie rose from the table, his shoulders hunched as he made his way to the door.
Biting her lower lip Maggie watched the dejected figure walk across the room and called after him, ‘When you see him again, thank him for the offer, but explain I’ve already made arrangements.’
Nodding solemnly, he left the room to fetch the cart from the courtyard.
‘Charlie gone already?’ Liz had come up behind her, the now empty tin mug dangling from her finger. ‘We’ve got another half hour before we
have to leave.’
Moving back to the table Maggie began stacking the bowls and mugs onto a tray. Careful to keep her voice steady she answered, ‘You know what he’s like, he’s afraid there’s going to be an argument so he’s getting out of the way.’ She was already walking towards the scullery with Liz close behind her.
‘Well, he wasn’t far wrong was he? Don’t tell me you couldn’t hear him shouting? Still, I’ve told him from now on, no work, no beer money. He’ll come round, he doesn’t have any choice.’
Maggie looked at her sister in amazement. ‘What’s come over you, Liz? I’ve never heard you talk like this before, especially where Jimmy’s concerned. Why the sudden change?’
The question hung unanswered for a long moment before Liz spoke. ‘Maybe I want this child and any future children to have a father they can respect, or maybe I’ve just got fed up with being walked all over and taken for a mug.’ The words were spoken softly as if she were talking to herself. Then, hearing the bedroom door opening she put a finger to her lips whispering, ‘Shush, here he comes, we’ll talk more later.’
Jimmy Simms stood in the opening of the scullery, his face sullen. Some women would find him attractive, for he wasn’t unpleasant to look at. It was his character that made him so obnoxious, at least as far as Maggie was concerned. His thick blond hair was standing on end, his blue eyes surly as he surveyed the two women. He was wearing a pair of cast-off brown corduroy trousers held up by a pair of black braces. The off-white shirt was unbuttoned, showing off his hairless chest and bulging waistline that hung over the open band of his trousers.
‘Where’s me breakfast then?’ he demanded of Liz. ‘And I don’t want no porridge muck. If I’m gonna do a day’s work I want a real meal, so get the frying pan out sharpish.’
Bristling with anger Maggie made to speak, but the warning pressure of Liz’s hand on her arm stopped her.
‘It’s all ready, love,’ Liz answered him evenly. ‘I put it in the oven to keep it hot. You go and sit down and I’ll bring it to you.’
Grunting loudly he swung round and stomped his way to the table.
‘How can you let him talk to you like that?’ Maggie hissed as Liz bent down to take the plate of bacon and eggs from the oven. ‘I’d give him frying pan, right over the bleeding head.’
‘Oh, take no notice of him, Maggie. It’s his masculine pride talking. I’ve got the better of him already, so I can afford to be generous. Look, go easy on him today, will you? And could you make a fresh pot of tea while I get ready?’
Too angry to speak, Maggie could only nod her head. Minutes later, still fuming at the way he had spoken to Liz, she banged the tin mug down in front of him.
‘Oh, ta, Maggie,’ he looked up at her smiling, happy now he was stuffing his face. ‘’Ere, don’t run off. Sit down and ’ave a cuppa wiv me, I want to talk to yer about our Liz.’ About to refuse, Maggie sighed and sat down opposite him.
‘There, that wasn’t so bad, was it? All family together, eh Maggie?’
She watched in silence as he wiped his plate clean with a thick slice of bread and waited for him to speak.
‘Ah, that’s better,’ he sighed, pushing the plate away from him. Then, hitching his thumbs in his braces he leaned back on his chair.
‘I’ve been meaning ter have a chat wiv yer, about Liz. I don’t fink she should be working for much longer, that’s why I’m gonna start helping out. It’s a nuisance though, ’cos between you and me, Maggie, I got a deal going wiv some old mates of mine. I can’t say too much at the moment, you know ’ow it is, but once it’s settled we’ll all be better off. Fing is, Maggie, it might take some time to get started, you know ’ow these fings are, and what wiv you and Charlie going as soon as the nipper’s born, well… He spread his hands wide. ‘I’ll ’elp Liz all I can, ’course I will, but there’ll be some days when I won’t be ’ere, and I’m worried that it’s gonna be too much for her. You can see the spot I’m in, can’t yer, Maggie, love? I can’t let me mates down, and I can’t be in two places at once, now can I?’
Maggie gazed at him steadily, then with a mirthless laugh she rose to her feet. ‘Good God, Jimmy, you must think I came down in the last shower. There’s no “deal”, never was, and the only mates you have are those cronies you meet down the pub. If you think you can blackmail me into staying on, you’ve got another think coming. I got your measure the first time I met you, and now at last Liz has come to her senses. But even knowing what a lazy, artful slob you are, she still loves you. Thankfully I don’t, but you know that already, don’t you, so let’s not play any more games. I don’t like you, never have, and after what’s happened this morning, maybe I won’t stay until the baby’s born. I don’t think Liz needs me any more, so maybe I’ll be going sooner than you think, and Charlie alongside me.’
‘All right, all right, there’s no need ter shout,’ he muttered, his eyes darting towards the bedroom. And Maggie, watching him, felt her eyes widen in surprise. He was afraid of Liz hearing, this big, blustering hulk of a man was actually afraid of his wife. Relief flooded through her body. Liz was going to manage very well without her, in fact she might even manage better without her presence in the house. Feeling more light-hearted than she had done for months she sat down again and poured herself a mug of tea while she waited for Liz.
Jimmy sat silently, his face downcast as he considered his future. He’d played his last hand and lost, but he could still have some fun with the snooty little bitch sitting opposite him. Burping loudly he leered across at her.
‘I ’ope we didn’t keep yer awake last night, but yer know ’ow it is wiv married couples.’ Maggie felt her stomach tighten with distaste, but refused to rise to the bait.
Still smiling she said sweetly, ‘Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that, Jimmy. Liz has always snored, even before she got married. I’ve got used to it over the years, so you needn’t worry about disturbing me, I can sleep through anything.’
His eyes clouded with anger and scowling furiously, he scraped back his chair and marched towards the bedroom just as Liz was coming out. Brushing her aside he slammed the door after him.
‘You two been at it again?’ Liz asked wearily.
‘Sorry, Liz, but he gets my back up,’ Maggie replied, a little shame-faced.
‘Oh forget it and let’s get going before there’s any more arguments.’
Pulling down a pale blue coat from the back of the door, Lizzie struggled with the buttons before giving up with a resigned sigh.
‘We’d better look for another coat for me while we’re out – I seem to grow bigger by the day.’
‘Is it worth it? I mean we’re in March now, the days are getting warmer, and besides, we don’t want to give our trade to the opposition, do we?’
‘No, I suppose not,’ Liz agreed gloomily. ‘But wouldn’t it be nice, just for once to have something brand new? Something no-one else has ever worn? Still, my baby isn’t going to be dressed in someone else’s castoffs. He or she is going to have everything spanking new. Jim doesn’t understand, that’s one of the reasons he’s in such a bad mood. He can’t see the point in paying for new clothes when we could pick up the same for a fraction of the cost.’
‘Well, men don’t, do they?’ Maggie was dressed for the outdoors in a lightweight beige coat with matching bonnet. She was well aware that although still in good condition, both the coat and hat were out of date and for a moment she shared in Liz’s wish for something brand new. One day, girl, one day, she told herself. Comforted by the thought she followed Liz from the room.