Untitled Josephine Cox 4 Page 6

  ‘You’ll be in trouble if you do, Bob, ’cos he has given us notice.’

  ‘When? Answer me that. When did he give us notice?’

  ‘I don’t know! It was a while ago, some weeks. Some snooty letter asking us to leave. I was that angry I threw it in the bin.’

  ‘You did what?’

  ‘You heard!’

  ‘I don’t believe you were so stupid. What in hell’s name did you think would happen? Did you think it would just all go away – that he’d forget about it? Well, did you?’

  ‘Ah, shut up, Bob. I’ve had it up to here with you, and the landlord.’

  ‘No, you shut up. You just shut up and listen …’ The shouting continued, the language becoming quite shocking, and Dave retreated indoors, having got more than the gist of the situation.

  He hadn’t been inside long before there was a knock at the back door. When he answered it Ronnie, Cathy’s boyfriend, was standing there, a knapsack at his side.

  ‘Come in, Ronnie,’ Dave said. ‘I know about next door.’

  Ronnie gave an ironic smile as he stepped inside. ‘Yeah, I reckon there aren’t many who haven’t heard,’ he said. Bob and Peggy’s raised voices were audible even now and the two men stood listening for a few seconds.

  ‘Thing is, Dave, I’m going to have to find myself a new place. No use waiting a minute longer when it’s this plain which way things are going. So I’m off. Is your Cathy in? I wouldn’t go without saying goodbye.’

  ‘But what about your job, Ronnie? What about Cathy? I know you and our girl have got really close these last few months, and it’d break her heart if you left.’

  ‘I wouldn’t hurt Cathy for the world, Dave. Of course I wouldn’t. She means everything to me. But they’ve just laid me off at the garage as there’s not enough work to go around, and with what’s happening next door it’s time to move on. I mean to find something that pays enough for me to save up, make a future for Cathy and me. I shan’t let her down, but I do need to look around, see what’s on offer, and I know already that there’s nothing here for me. It won’t be long before I’m settled and then I’ll be able to make some plans with Cathy and our future in mind.’

  ‘I’m sorry you’re having to get away to look for a new job, Ronnie, and Cathy will be that upset when she hears. Thing is, she isn’t here now. She’s gone to meet her nan at the station. She’s been there a while but I don’t know how much longer she’ll be.’

  Ronnie looked stricken at this news, but then he had an idea. ‘I’ll go there and see if I can find her. But in case I miss her I’d better leave her a note. I need to find somewhere to stay tonight and I’ve got to see Beth, too, so I best be getting on.’

  ‘Of course,’ Dave approved. Ronnie was a good lad who cared deeply for his sister, the only family he had. Dave couldn’t think of a nicer man for Cathy, though she was very young to be thinking of a permanent relationship. ‘Here, I’ll just get you some paper. I think there’s another cup in that teapot if you can squeeze it.’

  Ronnie laughed and poured himself a cup of the, by now, very strong but not very hot tea while Dave disappeared briefly and returned with a writing pad, a ballpoint pen and an envelope.

  Ronnie dashed off a few sentences in a spikey scrawl while Dave loitered at a polite distance and the muffled sounds of smashing pots and swearing came from next door.

  ‘Reckon you’re well out of that, lad,’ said Dave as Ronnie folded the paper and sealed it in the envelope.

  He wrote ‘Cathy’ on the front and gave it an unselfconscious kiss before handing it to Dave. Then he drank down his lukewarm tea and shook Dave firmly by the hand.

  ‘Thanks, Dave. I’ll see you soon, I hope. Tell Cathy … well, tell her I’ll be in touch. She knows …’ He nodded at the envelope, which Dave had propped behind the toaster.

  ‘If you hurry you may yet see her at the station,’ Dave said, showing Ronnie to the door. ‘Take care, young fella. And best of luck.’

  ‘Thanks, Dave.’

  ‘And we’ll see you again before long.’

  ‘Sure will. Goodbye.’ Ronnie shouldered his heavy bag and, with a smile and a wave, set off down the path to the front of the house, where, next door, the fight had erupted into the garden and Bob and Peggy were yelling obscenities at each other and hurling flower pots.

  Dave hoped the young man would meet up with Cathy to say goodbye in person. She’d be devastated to have missed him.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  MARIE, STILL IMPATIENTLY waiting at the station, placed her case on the bench and took to pacing along the platform, back and forth, until she felt bone weary. After a while, she settled on the bench, content enough to watch another train disgorging its passengers. Feeling weary, she closed her eyes and, leaning back into the cold, iron bench, she mentally took stock of her predicament once again.

  Drifting into sleep, she felt the shiver of a breeze, and in that most private moment her heart leaped, on hearing a beloved and familiar voice calling to her from the far end of the platform.

  ‘Mum, there you are!’

  Marie looked up, smiling happily as her two dear ones, Cathy and Anne, headed straight for her … And now they were running, with wide smiles and arms open for a hug.

  After the damaging and fraught exchange between herself and her two former friends in Blackpool, Marie felt happy, and also hugely tearful on seeing her family.

  With an uplifted heart, she hurried towards them. ‘Oh, look at you!’ she called. ‘How lovely to see you both! I was worried I’d got it wrong, and you might not come and meet me, and here you are!’ Her voice shook with emotion as she continued, ‘You have no idea how I missed you!’

  Feeling somewhat weary, she stopped to drop her little suitcase to the ground, and thanked the Good Lord for the family she cherished. Then again, she hurried towards them, arms opened for a hug, she felt incredibly fortunate to have these two wonderful people in her life.

  As they neared and came into sharper focus, Marie took stock of them. Anne was a young-looking thirty-nine-year-old, a slim and attractive woman with short bobbed fair hair, light green eyes, and a ready smile that would brighten any rainy day. She was kind and loving, and her loyalty to family was fierce. She had a whole-hearted, noisy laugh that Marie loved to hear because it never failed to lift her spirits.

  Hurrying along holding Anne’s hand, Cathy was a pretty, lovely-natured girl, with chocolate-brown eyes, and long, thick brown hair, presently tied back in a blue ribbon. Cathy ran ahead now, calling, ‘I’m so glad you’re home, Nan! Mum wasn’t sure which platform you might be on, so we came early and asked at the desk. Then, of course, we decided to have a drink and next thing, you’re here before we are.’

  After hugging Marie hard, Anne apologised. ‘I know you told me which platform you should be on, but I lost the slip of paper that I wrote all the details on.’ She was relieved to see her mum safe and sound. ‘We’ve been here for ages. There’s that little drinks bar on one of the other platforms. When there was no sign of you, we began to think you might have got on the wrong train.’

  ‘What! You cheeky pair!’

  Laughing, Marie hugged the both of them to her again. ‘As if I would be stupid enough to get on the wrong train. Hmm! I might be knocking on the wrong side of sixty, but thankfully I’ve still got all my marbles.’

  She suddenly grew tearful. ‘I’ve missed you both so much.’ Cradling Anne’s face in her two hands, she admitted softly, ‘It’s so lovely to see you, it really is.’ Reaching out she now took the girl into the curve of her arms. ‘You look tired, Cathy. It seems to me that maybe you’ve had too many late nights?’

  Anne smiled knowingly. ‘Well, I must say, you’ve been getting a bit pally with that family next door, and that has meant a few late nights. Twice I’ve had to come and get you, or have you forgotten?

  ‘But at least you were out in the garden where I could see you all.’

  Rolling her eyes, Cathy informed Marie, ‘Mum tre
ats me like a child, and I’m not a child! I’m eighteen now, and I’m sensible. We were just playing music, having a good time, that’s all. They’re nice people. We weren’t doing anything wrong.’

  ‘I’m sure you weren’t! It’s just that it’s a mother’s place to worry. And besides I’m sure your mother trusts you. So stop fretting, and leave it there, all right?’

  Cathy readily agreed. ‘Yes, all right, I won’t say any more.’

  ‘No, don’t go that far,’ Marie told her with a cheeky little grin. ‘You see, I’m nosy, and I might want to know more. I might need to know what music you were playing, and what they gave you to eat, and what the house is like inside, and everything there is to know. Warts and all, if you don’t mind.’

  ‘I don’t mind at all.’ It didn’t take much to make Cathy happy when she had one arm linked with her mum’s, and the other arm wrapped about her nan’s slim waist.

  The three of them went out of the station and into a taxi, catching up with the local gossip and having a giggle as they squeezed into the back seat and the driver stowed Marie’s case in the boot.

  However, when Marie began passing on news of the two workmen who tended the Promenade, Cathy teased her, ‘Which one do you like best, Nan, the Irishman, or the big Scot? Who would you like to be your beau if he asked you?’ Cathy had met them both, when spending a weekend in Blackpool some time back, with both her parents and nan.

  ‘Well, I like them both.’ Marie had never thought about the two men in a romantic way before. ‘I must admit, it was lovely to see Danny after all this time. He always makes me laugh out loud, while if I’m honest, John used to make me feel just a little nervous, what with his great size and deep, booming voice – not to mention all that thick, dark hair.’ She gave a quiet smile. ‘They’re both good men, though, most polite and kind. I like them a lot, but not in any romantic way. Don’t go getting silly ideas like that. I didn’t even see John this time, only Danny. And besides, I’m sure neither would be the slightest bit interested in me. From the tales that both used to tell, they always had more than enough women chasing after them. It just reminded me of the old days, that’s all. Some happy memories.’

  ‘All right then, so – not in a romantic way – but which one do you just like the best as a friend?’ Cathy was most insistent. ‘I’m sure you must like one of them more than the other, so go on, which one is it?’

  Marie was amused. ‘As a friend? Well, just let me think … ’ She recalled the cheeky, meaningful wink the little Irishman had given her as they parted yesterday morning. ‘To tell the truth, I reckon Danny Boy might be more fun to go out with, and if he was to get some funny ideas about me fancying him, I’m about his size, so I could fend him off. But if it was John, I’d have to run a mile.’

  Both Cathy and Anne laughed out loud, while Anne wagged a finger at Marie. ‘We said you had a fancy for the little Irishman, and we were right!’

  Marie blushed bright pink. ‘Give over, you two. And anyway, I’m not in the market for a man – not any man, not taxi drivers or ticket inspectors, or any other man who thinks he’s God’s gift. I’m well past all that silly business. In my experience men are trouble and I’m better off on my own.’

  She had to smile, though, when the other two exchanged looks that said they did not believe her.

  ‘Oh, Nan.’ Cathy hugged Marie close in the taxi. ‘I’m really happy that you’re back. Next time you go away, can I come with you? I do miss you when you’re not here.’

  ‘Well, I missed you as well, sweetheart, all of you.’ Marie gave a little groan. ‘ … I even missed your father’s scary snoring in the early hours of morning.’

  They all laughed at that and Cathy agreed that his loud, invasive snores were enough to wake the dead.

  The traffic was always heavy at that time of day, and today was no exception. The family were tired and ready for a cuppa, and after the long journey Marie in particular longed to put her weary feet up. Everyone gave a sigh of relief when the taxi reached the quieter, more familiar streets, and finally pulled up outside their house.

  ‘Oh, thank goodness, home at last!’

  ‘I need a nice, fresh cup of tea, and ten minutes or so to soak my poor old feet.’ Marie gave a long, weary groan. ‘Right now it’s like they’re on fire! My bones are aching, and it seems like I’ve been away for months, instead of just a couple of days!

  ‘It’s all right, Anne. I’ll settle with the driver,’ Marie quietly instructed her daughter, who was dipping into her handbag for the fare. She took her purse out ready. ‘Meantime, can the two of you get my case?’

  ‘Yes, Mum. We’re fine, and look, you don’t have to do that.’ Anne gestured to Marie’s open purse. ‘I’ll deal with the driver.’

  ‘No you won’t!’ Marie protested. ‘You’ve done enough already.’

  ‘But Mum, Dave’s given me the money for the taxi.’

  The taxi driver chuckled heartily. ‘It don’t bother me, ladies! I’m sure I don’t care who pays me so long as I get paid. I wish all my customers were that eager to put their hands in their pockets or purses, as the case may be.’

  Anne thanked her mother and then handed her the money she had been given by Dave. ‘If you see to the driver, Mum, Cathy and I will sort out your case.’

  While Cathy and Anne went to get the case from the boot, Marie paid the driver with Dave’s money, silently thanking her lucky stars that she was home again. The taxi driver thanked Marie. ‘You’ve got a lovely family there, m’dear,’ he told her. ‘Three generations of good-looking women.’ Marie smiled her thanks and waved him off. In some ways it had become so easy to keep the secret. People saw and they just assumed.

  As everyone bundled towards the front door, Cathy suddenly stopped in her tracks. ‘Look there,’ she said, and pointed towards the neighbours’ house and the massive board that was fixed to a wooden pole by the path.

  Marie could hardly believe what she was seeing. ‘It says next door’s house is to let! But it can’t be! How can it be to let when there are people living in it? What about Ronnie and the others? They can’t throw them out, can they?’

  ‘Oh, Nan!’ With tears flowing down her face, Cathy turned to Marie. Anne and Marie were every bit as surprised as Cathy, especially Anne. There had been no sign up when they left and there hadn’t been a word about moving out from Peggy or Bob. ‘It can’t be right, can it, Nan? What does it mean?’

  When her father came to the front door, she ran to him. ‘Daddy! What’s going on? The house next door can’t be to let. It must be a mistake. What about Ronnie? Is the landlord throwing Bob and Peggy and the boys out? He can’t turn them out, can he?’ She was getting herself in a fret. ‘Why does it say the house is to let when it can’t be?’

  ‘Hey!’ Marie took hold of her hand. ‘Calm down, sweetheart. Like you say, it must be a mistake. I’m sure someone will be back to collect the board, and put it up at another house where it should have gone in the first place.’

  Marie took her inside the house, while Dave relieved Anne of Marie’s case, then hesitated to let them go ahead.

  ‘What’s happening next door? It must be a mistake,’ Anne said to her husband. ‘The family have only been in the house for, what, a few months and they seemed intent on staying there.’

  ‘There’s definitely no mistake,’ Dave said darkly.

  Anne lowered her voice. ‘Are they still inside?’ she asked Dave.

  ‘For the moment, yes, but Ronnie’s gone. He came round to say goodbye. He was sorry to miss Cathy and said he’d try to catch her at the station.’

  ‘Oh no!’ Anne was disappointed. ‘We didn’t see him. Cathy’s going to be terribly upset.’

  ‘Of course she is, poor lass. She thinks a great deal of Ronnie.’

  Dave and Anne went inside, where Marie had already got the kettle on. She told them Cathy had gone up to her room and that she was just going to take her up a cup of tea. Dave took Marie’s case up and then came down to find
the tea poured and Anne putting a plate of biscuits on a tray for Marie to take up to Cathy.

  When Marie had gone up, Anne sat at the kitchen table in eager anticipation. ‘Tell all!’ she said.

  Dave told Anne all about the drama she had missed earlier, about the sign going up and the argument between Bob and Peggy. ‘You could hear the pair of them shouting and arguing, accusing each other of Lord knows what. It was like World War Three in there!’

  He went on to explain, ‘Things were being thrown across the room … I could hear a lot of what they were saying … I should think the whole street heard them. Yelling and screaming at the top of their voices. It was like Bedlam in there.’

  He shook his head in disgust, ‘I don’t mind telling you … I really thought the pair of them had completely lost it. They obviously didn’t get official notice that the board was going up … or maybe they did and they decided they were not having it, because when he caught sight of that poor fellow out there … Bob was on him like a shot … threatening him, and demanding to know what the hell was going on. Like a maniac he was.’

  ‘Well I for one will be happy to see the back of them. I mean, Ronnie was never any trouble, in fact he was out working most of the time. And, on the whole, whenever I’ve asked the young ones to turn the music down, they have.’

  ‘They are a noisy lot, aren’t they?’

  ‘Well, yes, if I’m honest, it can get a bit noisy, and they do fill the garden to capacity. They don’t kick up a riot or anything like that, but last Saturday when the record-player went on, it did get a bit loud and intrusive until I went out and gave them a ticking off. Mind you … on the whole they all seemed well-behaved, sometimes you have to give people the benefit of the doubt.’

  He shook his head in disbelief, ‘Honestly though, Anne … you should have heard the two of them going at each other. Both of them were convinced that it must have been the neighbours who complained, and then he was threatening to find out who it was that complained to the landlord, because he would be sure to teach them a lesson. Whatever that might be, I dread to think!’