‘Please, do come inside for a moment,’ Abraham Kallinski begged. ‘I want my wife to meet you. She will wish to thank you for coming so promptly to my rescue.’ They had stopped in front of a terraced house at the end of Imperial Street, well-kept with wooden shutters and starched lace curtains. Abraham Kallinski’s face had relaxed, joy in his eyes at reaching his home.
‘I really think I must get back, time is passing. I don’t like to walk home in the dark, not in these parts,’ Emma explained, being absolutely truthful.
‘Just one second, and you can be on your way,’ Mr Kallinski said, then thought to add, ‘My two sons come home around this time of day. They will escort you to your home.’
Against her better judgement, but understanding she could make it only a minute at the most, Emma agreed to his request. She was terribly thirsty.
As Abraham Kallinski led her into the house, Emma experienced a feeling of welcome, kindness and peace.
They entered the main room, which was large and comfortable, an all-purpose room. The air was filled with delicious smells of food cooking.
Janessa Kallinski swung around at the sound of Abraham returning. She was tall, with jet-black hair and large pale blue eyes below dark brows. The welcoming smile on her face slipped, to be replaced by one of concern. She hurried to her husband, exclaiming, ‘What has happened to you, Abraham? Your clothes are dirty and you have bruises on your face. Are you hurt?’
‘It was nothing, really. I fell down and two hooligans threw stones at me, you know what that sort are like. It was Mrs Harte who came to rescue me. She frightened the boys so much they ran away. And then she kindly helped me to come home.’
Janessa swung around and took hold of Emma’s hands, thanked her profusely, then said, ‘Sit down in this chair, Mrs Harte. You look tired and hot. Let me get you some refreshment.’
‘Thank you,’ Emma answered and sat down with some relief. She did feel exhausted and thirsty. ‘Could I have a glass of water, please, Mrs Kallinski?’
‘But of course.’
Emma relaxed in the chair, as Mr Kallinski came over to her and said, ‘Excuse me. I must go and tidy myself up.’
‘I understand,’ she said, smiling at him. A moment later Mrs Kallinski brought her a glass of water, which Emma drank immediately. She then settled back in the chair once more, enjoying the peace and quiet.
Her legs ached and she had a pain in her back. Too much walking the streets this week, she thought. She had tramped around looking for a job since Monday. Now it was Friday. A little rush of anxiety made her think of the baby, and how worry for her child was prominent in her always busy mind. She needed money. She must find a job.
Suddenly, Mrs Kallinski was beside her again, handing her a glass. ‘Here is some hot tea with lemon, Mrs Harte. You’ll enjoy it, and it’s better than the water.’
‘Thank you,’ Emma said and began to sip the tea. It was sweet, and she liked the taste of lemon. She had never had lemon tea before, but she did not say that. She always wanted to behave like a young woman of quality, who would certainly have had this kind of drink many times.
When Mr Kallinski returned, he joined her at the small table near the window, and accepted a glass of hot lemon tea himself.
Janessa looked at the clock on the mantel, and then at Emma. ‘Do you live far from here, Mrs Harte?’ she asked, a hint of worry echoing in her voice.
‘Quite a way. Do you know The Mucky Duck in York Road?’ Emma asked, looking at them. It was Mr Kallinski who nodded his head. ‘Well, I live about half an hour’s walk from there.’
‘I see.’ He too glanced at the clock. ‘It’s getting late. My sons will be here soon now. They will escort you home the moment they arrive.’
About to decline, wanting to leave now, Emma found herself agreeing with him. She saw the common sense of it.
Going to the oven, Janessa opened the door and looked inside, then peered into the pans on the stove. After replacing the lids, she sat down again.
‘It is the least we can do,’ Janessa interjected. ‘We don’t want your husband worrying about you, now do we?’ She then continued, ‘And no doubt you are anxious to prepare your evening meal.’ A good-hearted woman, she smiled at Emma, her face full of warmth and understanding. It was obvious she had taken to Emma.
Cautious as she was, always afraid of revealing too much, Emma found herself saying, ‘I don’t have to prepare supper for my husband. You see, he is a sailor; he’s in the Royal Navy. When he is at sea, as he is now, I live alone.’
‘Alone!’ Janessa exclaimed, sounding alarmed. ‘Don’t you have any family?’ The thought of this young girl being alone in Leeds appalled her; that was quite obvious.
Shaking her head, Emma replied, ‘No. My husband’s grandmother recently died. I live in a respectable boarding house. I rent a room from a nice woman.’
The Kallinskis exchanged knowing glances, and Janessa now leaned forward, her face shining with hope and expectancy. ‘If you don’t have a pressing reason to leave, won’t you stay and have Sabbath dinner with us? It would be our pleasure to welcome you.’
‘Oh, I couldn’t!’ Emma exclaimed, sitting up straighter in the chair. ‘It’s so very kind of you, but I couldn’t. I don’t want to intrude.’
‘You would not be intruding,’ said Abraham. ‘And just think of what you did for me today. You could have been hurt. Please stay for Sabbath dinner.’
When Emma remained silent, Abraham noticed the baffled look on Emma’s face. ‘Our Sabbath is on Saturday. It commences at sundown on Friday. This is when we celebrate the beginning of the holy day with our Friday dinner.’
‘I see,’ Emma murmured, and couldn’t help glancing at the clock herself, as they had done.
Abraham noticed this and exclaimed, ‘Don’t worry, don’t worry. My sons will take you to your home after supper. David is nineteen and Victor sixteen; they are strong. You really will be safe with them, even if it is dark.’
‘But I—’
Janessa cut across her. ‘It is settled, Mrs Harte.’ She smiled and continued in a gracious manner. ‘You look tired, undoubtedly because of those hooligans. The food will nourish you, give you energy. You will enjoy it, I know.’ She reached out and patted Emma’s arm. ‘We have more than enough for an extra person, an honoured guest, and when David and Victor arrive, they will welcome you too.’
Emma gave in, induced to accepting by Janessa’s persuasive, good-natured pressure. She realized she was hungry, had not eaten much this week, and the bread and dripping had lost its appeal. Furthermore, the pans bubbling on the stove emitted delicious, mouthwatering aromas.
Finally, she said, ‘Thank you. I will be happy to join you.’
Janessa beamed at her, as did Abraham. Janessa said, ‘I am quite sure you have never eaten Jewish food before, but you will enjoy it. First, we will have the chicken soup with matzo balls. They are like Yorkshire dumplings, but smaller. Then a crisply roasted chicken, golden brown and moist, with carrots and other vegetables from the soup. We will finish with honey cakes and lemon tea.’
‘It sounds delicious,’ Emma said, her appetite reviving even more. She could hardly wait for dinner. Earlier she had noticed the table at the other end of the room. It had been covered with a pristine white tablecloth and set for four. Now she watched Mrs Kallinski adding more cutlery and placing another chair for her. She suddenly felt at ease and very welcome in their home.
David and Victor Kallinski arrived home ten minutes later. Both of them were surprised to see a lovely-looking young woman sitting there, and also were instantly concerned about their father’s bruised face.
After introductions had been made, and their father had explained how two ruffians had thrown stones at him and how Emma had rescued him, things settled down.
Janessa asked her sons, Emma and her husband to come and wash their hands in the kitchen sink. As they did so, she ladled chicken soup into bowls and put them on the table.
‘Come to the table, please. It’s almost sundown.’
They all stood around the table. First, Janessa lit the two white candles on the table and blessed them in a language Emma did not understand. Then Abraham blessed the wine; he broke the bread and blessed it, again in the language Emma could not fathom. Later she discovered it was Hebrew.
Finally they all sat down; David courteously pulled the chair out for Emma and Victor for his mother.
As they ate, Emma became aware of the harmonious atmosphere in this house, and an immeasurable love that existed in this family. She began to relax even more. Everyone was so warm to her, congenial, and so she was made to feel completely at home. At one moment, she was so overwhelmed with gratitude, her throat thickened with unexpected emotion. And she kept thinking: Why are the Jews hated? They are loving and gentle people, kind and considerate. It is despicable the way they are treated.
And this was the way Emma Harte was to feel all of her life, staunchly defending her Jewish friends, constantly shocked and grieved by the excesses of naked racism that infected Leeds like the blight for many years.
After the soup, the chicken was served, and Emma enjoyed every morsel, understanding at once that she could not neglect herself and vowing to have a decent meal every day.
There was a lot of conversation at the table, and it was the family who did most of the talking; many diverse subjects were discussed. Emma just listened, fascinated by them all, but David in particular. He was articulate, full of knowledge, extremely intelligent and opinionated. Many of the things he said Emma silently agreed with. She admired him.
Suddenly, Janessa stood up and began to clear the plates. Victor and David helped her to take them to the sink.
Emma stood up to join them, but Janessa said, ‘It’s all right, Mrs Harte. The boys are used to clearing up.’ A smile filled her face. ‘I think you enjoyed our Jewish food, didn’t you?’
‘I did, very much so. It was delicious,’ Emma responded. ‘And please call me Emma.’ Her eyes swept around the table. ‘All of you, please.’
‘We would be honoured,’ Abraham said in his gravely courteous way.
It was when they were drinking their tea that David’s bright blue eyes settled on Emma, who sat next to him. Like everyone who met her, including his family, David had noticed her well-bred air, her good manners, her dignity. Her dress was of cotton, but it was well cut. He was very curious about her, interested in her.
After a moment of silent speculation, he said, ‘I’m not meaning to be rude or nosy, but why was a girl like you in North Street this afternoon? What were you doing there of all places? Thank goodness you were, for my father’s sake, mind you. However, it is not such a pleasant area to be wandering around in.’
Emma was momentarily taken aback, and returned his piercing glance with one equally brilliant. ‘I was looking for a job,’ she said in a calm voice.
The entire room was silent, but four pairs of Kallinski eyes were focused on Emma. It was Janessa who broke the silence. ‘A girl like you looking for work in that awful district!’ she gasped, totally thunderstruck.
‘Yes,’ Emma answered. They were all gaping at her in amazement, so she had no alternative but to explain her need for work, and how unlucky she had been in the arcade and the small tailoring shops. ‘I hadn’t found a job at Cohen’s and was on my way home when I saw those cursed boys assaulting Mr Kallinski.’
Janessa spoke up at once, ‘Abraham! Abraham! You must do something for Emma.’
‘Of course I will,’ he replied, smiling at Emma sitting next to him. ‘You do not have to look for a job any more. I will give you one. On Monday morning, at eight o’clock sharp, come to my tailoring shop and I will take you on. I am sure we can find something suitable!’ He looked at David. ‘Don’t you agree, son?’
‘Yes, Dad. We can start Emma off as a buttonholer. That’s not so hard,’ David responded, thinking she was clever and would soon move on to a more important job.
Emma was speechless in surprise, but instantly found her voice. ‘Why, thank you, Mr Kallinski! That would be wonderful.’ She gave him an intent look. ‘I learn fast and I will work hard. I didn’t know you had a tailoring shop.’
Abraham couldn’t help chuckling. ‘How could you? Anyway it’s in Rockingham Street, near Camp Road. David will write down the exact address for you.’
‘I certainly will,’ David said, unexpectedly filling with excitement about this young woman coming to work with them.
He had no way of knowing that night that he and Emma Harte would become business partners and that their partnership would add to their growing success and wealth. Or that it would last for half a century.