The gin palace was closed for the night and all went to their respective beds except Nellie and Nancy. The women sat in the kitchen and every now and then a dry sob escaped Nellie’s lips. Nancy was very concerned for her friend; afraid Nellie had lost her mind with grief.
‘Nell, you have to understand, Jack ain’t dead. He’s only hurt and you sitting there like that is not bloody helping!’ Nancy knew the only way to snap Nellie out of her trance-like state was to act as normal as possible, and the norm for these two was swearing and yelling at each other.
Nancy sighed heavily when she saw her words had made no difference. It was then she feared the only thing to bring her friend back would be for Jack to ask for her.
‘Please, God, make that little lad well so Nellie will come back to us,’ she whispered into the quiet of the kitchen. Then to Nellie she said, ‘That little wench has sat with your boy all day so I’m taking her a hot drink. I won’t be but a minute.’
Nancy left the kitchen and as she opened the door to Jack’s room, she heard Dolly’s soft voice. By the dim gas light, she was reading aloud and Nancy swallowed the lump in her throat.
‘You’ll need this with all that reading, sweet’eart,’ she whispered.
‘Thank you, Nancy. The doctor suggested I read to him, he said it would help,’ Dolly said as she accepted the tea.
‘Good on yer, but if you need a break, I can watch over him.’
‘No, I’m fine. I’d rather stay here with Jack. Nellie…?’
Nancy shook her head. ‘Ain’t moved a muscle since it all happened. I’m that worried—!’
‘It’s the shock,’ Dolly interrupted. ‘It affects some people that way. Oh, Nancy – what about the bar?!’
‘Poppy and Fred will open up in the morning and Matt and Noah are lending a hand,’ Nancy assured her.
‘Wasn’t Nellie going to see the bank manager tomorrow with Mr Sharpe?’ Dolly asked.
‘Yes, she was going to make the landlord of that pub an offer then go to the bank afterwards. I suppose we’ll have to let Mr Sharpe know what’s happened and postpone everything now,’ Nancy replied.
‘No, I’ll go with Mr Sharpe in Nellie’s stead.’
‘But Nell will have to sign the papers, won’t she?’ Nancy queried.
‘Yes. I reckon Mr Sharpe will bring the papers here for Nellie to sign when she feels better. However, we could put a deposit down on the pub if Nellie agrees,’ Dolly explained.
‘Where are we going to get the money from for that though?’ Nancy asked.
‘Leave that to me,’ Dolly answered with a smile. ‘I know exactly what to do.’
Nancy nodded and left the room saying, ‘I’ll tell Nellie you’re still here and reading to him.’
On into the night Dolly read Jack’s favourite story of Leonidas and the 300 Spartan warriors who defended their Greek homeland against Xerxes and his Persian army. Jack had been enthralled when she had told him the tale of the battle to defend the pass at Thermopylae. He loved the courage of the warriors and their sword fighting skills.
Feeling her eyelids drooping, Dolly closed the book and placed it on the bed. ‘I’m a little tired now, Jack, so I’m going to have a nap, but I’m here if you need me.’ With a gentle sigh, Dolly closed her eyes and slowly her head lowered as sleep claimed her.
A murmuring in the early hours had Dolly wide awake in an instant. The fire was dying down and she felt the chill in the air. In the dim yellow glow of the gas light she saw Jack was restless.
‘It’s all right, Jack, you’re safe now,’ she said.
‘Dolly…’ It was barely more than a whisper, but she had heard it and her heart soared.
‘I’m here, Jack,’ she said as she took his hand.
‘Mum…’
‘I’ll fetch her right away.’ Dolly grabbed her cane and hobbled from the room.
‘Nellie! Nellie, Jack’s asking for you!’ she called, walking swiftly into the kitchen.
Nellie seemed to be in a world of her own and Dolly wasn’t sure she’d heard her.
‘Nell…’ Nancy tried. ’Dolly’s been reading to your lad about them Greek warriors all bloody night!’
Dolly limped over to the woman and raised her hand. ‘Look away, Nancy,’ she said and brought her palm down in a resounding slap to Nellie’s cheek. Nancy winced but heaved a sigh of relief when Nellie blinked and rubbed her face.
‘What the bloody hell…!’ Nellie cussed.
‘Jack’s asking for you,’ Dolly repeated.
Nellie was up and gone in a flash leaving Nancy and Dolly hugging each other, tears of joy coursing down their faces.
‘Mum…’ Jack managed with a croak.
‘I’m here. Now have a sip of water then you rest.’ Nellie lifted the glass that covered the carafe and poured a small amount of cold water. Holding it to her son’s lips she repeated, ‘Just a sip now – enough to wet yer whistle.’
Jack swallowed then rested back on his pillow. ‘Mum – what happened?’
‘A bloody cart slipped on the ice and knocked you over!’ Nellie thundered – but quietly.
‘Oh, yes, I remember now.’
With another sip of cooling water Jack gave a little grin then winced. ‘My arm aches.’
‘It’s broke the doctor says,’ Nellie explained. ‘You had a nasty bump on your head an’ all. We all thought it was lights out for you.’
Jack gently shook his head and grimaced at the pain. ‘Hard as nails us Larkins.’
‘Ain’t that the truth.’ Nellie smiled and silently thanked God for his mercy.
‘I’ll build the fire up cos it’s bloody freezing in here,’ she said.
‘I was dreaming about Leonidas and the 300,’ Jack said wearily.
‘That’s the story Dolly told you last night, so Nance said,’ Nellie mumbled.
Sitting by her son once more she said, ‘Fred was all set to do the carter in.’
Jack grinned. ‘Mum, I’m hungry.’
Nellie laughed and kissed his forehead. ‘Nancy’s got some chicken soup on the go, I can smell it from here. Fancy some?’
‘Bostin! Mum, I love you,’ Jack whispered.
‘I love you too lad – more than life itself,’ Nellie said tearfully.