Tanner Trilogy 03 - Backstreet Child Page 6

  Terry walked back behind the counter with a satisfied grin on his face. He wanted to start off on the right foot in his new pub, and he considered that banning two harmless pensioners from the place before he had established himself with the locals would not make for very good business.

  One sunny morning in April Jamie Robins walked into the office carrying the Daily Mirror and sat down heavily in his seat. He had read that young men of twenty and twenty-one were being conscripted and he was worried. It would be his turn to go soon and how would his hard-up family manage then? As he set about his tasks he could not get the problem out of his mind and he hoped his employer would remember her promise to help him get an exemption.

  When Carrie came into the office Jamie showed her the paper. ‘I don’t s’pose it’ll be long now before I’m called up, Mrs Bradley,’ he said, hoping for a positive response, but Carrie was preoccupied at that moment and she merely gave him a sympathetic smile.

  Later that morning Rachel made an appearance and Jamie’s eyes lit up. ‘I’d better keep these books up ter the minute, Rachel,’ he said, giving her a smile. ‘I’ll be gettin’ called up soon.’

  Rachel, too, was preoccupied, and his mentioning the call-up only served to remind her of what Derek had told her only last evening. She merely nodded with a smile and busied herself at the other desk, much to Jamie’s disappointment. He had wanted to attract her interest and sympathy, and he went back to his book-keeping feeling suddenly very depressed.

  Rachel tried to sort out a pile of tax forms, aware that Jamie kept sending furtive glances in her direction, but her mind was on Derek. He had decided not to wait for his call-up and had volunteered for the Royal Navy. He had told her that if he waited until he was called up he might be drafted into the army instead. It was the navy for him and on that he was adamant. Derek was a determined young man, and he had argued away her objections.

  ‘If I get called up in the army I might be sent abroad and not see yer fer years,’ he had told her. ‘At least wiv the navy yer get back ter port now an’ then.’

  ‘But yer signed on fer five years,’ Rachel had reminded him.

  ‘If war does break out it could last a lot longer than five years,’ was his reply.

  She had been going out with Derek for almost a year now and their relationship was getting more and more passionate. Now he had surprised her with his announcement Rachel felt vulnerable to his advances. He would be away for some time before his first leave and if war broke out he might be sent away to fight and maybe get killed or maimed before they had experienced full love together.

  Jamie watched Rachel nibbling away at her bottom lip as she sat deep in thought. When he had mustered up enough courage, he put down his pen and turned towards her. ‘Is there anyfink wrong?’ he asked, a nervous tone to his voice.

  Rachel was shaken from her reverie. ‘No, I was jus’ finkin’,’ she said quickly, giving him a smile.

  Jamie tried to appear fatherly. ‘It’s an uncertain time, but I’m not worryin’ unduly,’ he said, leaning back in his chair. ‘There’s nuffink we can do about it anyway.’

  Rachel nodded. ‘My boy friend’s volunteered fer the navy,’ she said turning to face him. ‘’E felt it was better than waitin’ ter be called up.’

  Jamie’s heart dropped. He had cherished the thought that one day he would pluck up enough courage to ask her out and now she had a boy friend it was no use. Maybe there was hope, though, he told himself quickly. ‘If yer ever need somebody ter talk to, I’m ’ere,’ he said suddenly, feeling his face going red.

  Rachel smiled kindly. ‘Fanks, Jamie. I’ll remember what yer said,’ she replied.

  The young man lowered his head over the ledger once more. He was pleased with himself for planting the seed there in Rachel’s mind but he felt he should have been more bold. Maybe she secretly liked him, enough to go out with him. Perhaps she was only waiting for him to ask her, despite the fact that she had a boy friend at the moment. He would be very proper if she did agree to a date with him, Jamie dreamed to himself. He would shake her hand when he said goodnight on the first date and then he would give her a gentle kiss the next time. Later of course she would become passionate towards him and he would be the gentleman and not take advantage of her maidenly desires. There would come a time, however, when she would expect him to make love to her and Jamie started to sweat as he thought about it. He would be very gentle and try not to hurt her. She would lie in his arms and sigh contentedly, then vow her undying love. God, the thoughts were making him feel shaky.

  Rachel, too, was dreaming of love as she sat a few yards away from Jamie Robins watching the young man’s Adam’s apple moving up and down his neck. Derek was going to be very pleasantly surprised on their next date, when she would not attempt to remove his hand when they were in a passionate embrace. God, she thought, he had better not let her down or, worse still, get her pregnant . . .

  Across the quiet, sunny yard Carrie was sitting in the parlour with Joe and her mother. Her face was set hard. ‘Yer know ’ow much I love those ’orses, Mum, that’s the reason I’ve decided ter let ’em go,’ she said forcibly.

  ‘Is it?’ Nellie responded with a disbelieving look. ‘I fink it’s the old feelin’s showin’. It’s yer ’atred fer Galloway what’s swayed yer finkin’. I know you, gel. Yer won’t rest until yer put that man out o’ business. It’s bin yer aim ever since yer went inter the transport game. Galloway’s got rid of ’is ’orses an’ now yer followin’ ’im. It’ll turn yer, Carrie. It’ll make yer bitter an’’ard if yer don’t ease orf. Let it be, there’s bin enough grief over the years an’ nobody’s got reason ter detest the man more than me, but I’ve come ter terms wiv it. There’s little room fer revenge inside me any more.’

  Carrie felt the emotion in her mother’s voice and she went to her and sat on the edge of her armchair, putting her arm round her shoulders. ‘I can’t ’elp the way I’m made, Mum,’ she said softly, ‘but I promised that one day I’d see George Galloway out o’ business. I can never change where ’e’s concerned.’

  ‘Galloway is an old man now, Carrie,’ Nellie said, looking up at her. ‘ ’E knows the wrongs ’e’s done ter people all frew ’is life. ’E knows that one day there’ll be a judgment.’

  Carrie caught Joe’s eye and he shrugged his shoulders, not wanting to get involved in the discussion.

  ‘Galloway might not be the force ’e was,’ Carrie went on angrily, ‘but ’e’s still the guv’ nor. All right, Frank Galloway’s in control but the ole man’s still pullin’ the strings. Don’t ask me ter ferget all what’s ’appened, Mum, ’cos I can’t. ’E got rid o’ Dad after all those years o’ loyal service an’ we were chucked out on the street. It was the Galloway firm, too, that was be’ind that trouble wiv our transport. An’ what about Charlie, Mum?’

  Nellie suddenly dropped her head and Carrie could have bitten her tongue off. ‘I’m sorry, Mum, I shouldn’t ’ave said that,’ she whispered, squeezing her mother’s shoulders. ‘It was stupid.’

  Joe got up and left the room, and as the door closed Nellie raised her tear-filled eyes. ‘It’s all right, luv, I know yer didn’t mean anyfing by it,’ she said in a cracked voice, ‘but yer see I’ve never got rid o’ me own feelin’ o’ guilt, an’ Gawd knows I’ve suffered over the years, knowin’ what a good man yer farvver was an’ ’ow I deceived ’im. It takes two ter make a baby an’ Charlie was the result o’ my weakness. I can’t put the blame solely on George Galloway. What transpired was fate. What makes two people come tergevver in the first place? Of all the young ladies around, what made our Charlie fall fer young Josephine, the one gel wiv the same blood? Gawd knows, I dunno.’

  Carrie slipped down on her knees in front of her mother and took both her hands. ‘Dad can’t be ’urt now, Mum,’ she said quietly. ‘An’ yer mustn’t keep blamin’ yerself. Galloway took advantage of yer an’ if ’e’d ’ave bin closer ter ’is poor daughter she’d still be ’ere now. Josephine ’ad nobod
y ter turn to. She killed ’erself out o’ despair. There’s only one person ter blame, an’ that’s George Galloway.’

  Nellie forced a smile. ‘Anyway, don’t let it turn yer mind, gel,’ she said, patting her daughter’s hand. ‘If yer really gonna let the ’orses go, make sure it’s fer the right reasons.’

  Carrie kissed her mother’s forehead and sat down once again on the arm of her chair. ‘There’s only one reason, Mum,’ she replied. ‘I don’t want ter frighten yer but as far as I can see there’s gonna be a war before long, an’ this area’s likely ter get bombed. At the meetin’ last week some o’ the transporters were discussin’ their ’orse transport an’ quite a few of ’em ’ave decided ter send the ’orses out o’ London if war starts. I’m not waitin’. I’ve already ordered two more lorries wiv the ’elp o’ the bank, an’ I’m seein’ somebody about the ’orses next week. I’ve got all the work I can ’andle an’ they’re regular contracts, so I can pay off the loan easily.’

  ‘What about the carmen?’ Nellie asked.

  ‘I’ve got ter talk to ’em this Friday,’ Carrie replied. ‘I don’t see any trouble.’

  Nellie stared down thoughtfully for a few moments and then her eyes met Carrie’s. ‘D’yer remember when yer was little?’ she asked. ‘Yer wouldn’t go ter school if there was a chance of a ride out in the country. Remember the time the stable in Page Street caught light an’ yer grabbed that Cleveland that Galloway used ter use? I thought it was gonna trample yer farvver’s ’ead in that night. You got it out safely though. I don’t fink anybody else could ’ave managed that ’orse. Remember Titch, an’ the big Clydesdales? Yer cried all night when Titch died. I ’ope yer not gonna miss the ’orses too much, gel, that’s all I ’ope.’

  Later that morning heavy mechanical diggers and noisy tracked vehicles roared into Page Street. Maisie hurried over to Florrie to find the old lady standing at her front door.

  ‘Well, there’s the start o’ yer monastery,’ Florrie said sarcastically.

  Maisie winced. Ever since the day she carried the false story to Florrie she had been reminded constantly not to be taken in by people. Fred, too, had been quick to give his gullible wife the edge of his tongue. ‘Bloody monastery?’ he shouted. ‘Yer gotta be dafter than ’e is ter believe ’im in the first place. I’ope yer ain’t bin spreadin’ the news about. If ole Florrie an’ Sadie get ’old o’ this they’ll bloody crucify yer fer the silly cow you are.’

  Maisie had felt sick. She had been to tell Florrie and Sadie the news before she went home. ‘I’m gonna go round the council an’ see about this,’ she had raved to them.

  Florrie had been convinced that her old friend had been duped and she said as much to Sadie after Maisie had left. ‘Let’er go if she wants to, but I ain’t gettin’ involved. Besides, me legs won’t stand up ter that bleedin’ walk.’

  Sadie had never been one to pass up a fight, even if it was the borough council, but she had to admit the whole thing sounded fishy. ‘Where did Maisie get the information?’ she asked.

  ‘Well, yer know what she’s like,’ Florrie said, reaching for her silver snuffbox. ‘She felt sorry for the ole nightwatchman an’ she took ’im over a mug o’ tea. It was ’im what told ’er. The scatty ole sod was ’avin’ a game wiv ’er. The trouble wiv Maisie is yer can tell ’er anyfing an’ she’ll believe it.’

  As she stood at Florrie’s front door and watched the activity taking place at the yard, Maisie thanked her lucky stars that her husband Fred had dissuaded her from making a fool of herself at the council offices.

  It was not long before Maudie Mycroft came by. She was carrying a shopping bag and looking more worried than usual.

  ‘Can yer see what’s goin’ on?’ she said, putting her bag down and leaning against the wall for support.

  ‘I might be bad on me legs, Maud, but I ain’t blind,’ Florrie replied sharply.

  Normally the timid Maudie would have retired into her shell at Florrie’s sarcastic reply but on this occasion she moved nearer her and whispered, ‘They’re buildin’ a shelter.’

  ‘Who told yer?’ Maisie asked.

  ‘My younger sister’s ’usband’s workin’ on it. ’E’s a foreman, so ’e should know,’ Maudie said with satisfaction.

  ‘I knew it all along,’ Florrie declared, taking a pinch of snuff. ‘What did I say? Didn’t I say it was gonna be a shelter?’

  Maudie picked up her shopping bag. ‘Well, I best be orf’ome,’ she announced. ‘My ’Arold ain’t none too good.’

  Maisie left soon after and Florrie went into her parlour and threw a small knob of coal onto the fire, although the day was mild. Standing at the front door had become tiresome lately, she sighed, and there were things to do. She sat down in the fireside chair and reached for a tin box at her elbow. From the bottom of a pile of old photographs and dog-eared papers she removed a large green document and put the rest of the bits and pieces back in the box. With a groan she stood up and placed the document against the side of the mantelshelf clock. For a moment or two she stood staring down at the smoking coals, then she reached up to the mantelshelf again for her purse and took out a florin which she slipped into her apron pocket. ‘I mustn’t ferget,’ she said aloud as she settled herself down in the chair once more.

  On Friday Carrie held a meeting with her four carmen and told them that she intended to replace the horses with two new lorries. The news was greeted with a stony silence at first and then Paddy Byrne cleared his throat.

  ‘Well, ter tell yer the trufe, Mrs Bradley, we’re not surprised,’ he said, looking round at the other men. ‘We’ve ’eard that some o’ the ovver firms are doin’ the same, but if yer don’t mind me sayin’ so, ain’t yer bein’ a bit ’asty? After all, nobody knows if there is gonna be a war fer sure. It might all come ter nuffink.’

  Carrie gave Paddy a brief smile. He was always the optimist, the most happy-go-lucky of her men. ‘Look, Paddy,’ she began. ‘I’m sure in my mind that before long war’s gonna be declared. I ’ope ter God I’m wrong, but I’m convinced it’s gonna come to it. I can’t keep those ’orses in a place like Bermon’sey. It’d be cruel wiv the bombin’ that’s sure ter come. Yer can see fer yerself all the air-raid shelters that’s goin’ up round ’ere. All right, I could wait fer a while, but once war is declared it’ll be too late. A lot o’ transport’s certain ter be commandeered an’ then it’s unlikely I’ll be able ter move the animals.’

  Jack Simpson, the eldest of the carmen, shuffled his feet and looked up at his solemn-faced employer. ‘So we’re bein’ laid orf?’ he said.

  Carrie folded her arms and looked round at the men one by one. ‘There’ll be a job fer two of yer, if yer want ter learn ter drive,’ she told them. ‘I’ve spoken ter Tubby Walsh an’ Tom Armfield an’ they both said they don’t mind teachin’ yer.’

  Jack shook his head vigorously. ‘Yer wouldn’t get me in those lorries, missus, not fer anyfing,’ he said emphatically.

  Percy Harmer, the youngest member of the group, grinned. ‘Well, that settles it fer me,’ he said. ‘I’m not married an’ I ain’t got any ties so I bin givin’ it some thought about volunteerin’ fer the army. That’s what I’m gonna do now.’

  Paddy looked at the others, then he turned to Carrie. ‘All right, I’ll give it a try,’ he said cheerfully. ‘I’ve always fancied meself as a lorry driver.’

  Carrie looked at the remaining carman. ‘What about you, Lofty?’

  Lofty Bamford shook his head slowly. ‘I ain’t cut out fer lorry drivin’, Mrs Bradley,’ he replied. ‘I’ll stick wiv ’orses. I’eard the railways are keepin’ their ’orses, so I’ll try there.’

  Carrie nodded. The meeting had been better than she had anticipated. Only Jack showed any sign of ill feeling. The rest seemed to understand the position, she felt.

  While the meeting was taking place in the office, Jamie Robins had gone over to the house to help Rachel and Joe plough through the mass of forms that had recently arrived. Along wit
h the applications for road licences, there were government forms which required information on the number of vehicles owned and the current contracts, as well as applications for petrol supplies should rationing be necessary. Jamie was very relieved when he saw an exemption form that was among the pile of incoming mail. He knew that Carrie would do her best to keep him and he settled down to work happier in the knowledge.

  Chapter Five

  During the early summer the Dawsons moved into Page Street, and their neighbours the Smiths got to know them much quicker than they might have expected. It started innocently enough when Mrs Dawson finished unpacking her bits and pieces and then went next door to ask Alice Smith for change for the gas meter. Being an inquisitive person by nature, Alice was keen to find out a little about her new neighbour and she invited her in.

  ‘I’ve got a tanner ’ere somewhere,’ she said, going through her various hiding places before eventually finding it. ‘Would yer care fer a cuppa while yer ’ere?’

  ‘That’s good of yer,’ the buxom Dolly Dawson replied, her large green eyes widening. ‘I’ve just about got straight before the tribe comes ’ome from school. I’m just ’opin’ they find their way ’ere.’