Gaslight In Page Street Part 27

'You Sullivans are all the same,' the club leader shouted. 'What was it over?'

'Well, yer see, we're goin' in the army, me, Michael an' Joe,' the eldest brother replied. 'We didn't want Shaun ter go an' we was jossin' 'im.'

'But Shaun's only sixteen.'

'Yeah, but 'e's gonna put 'is age up,' John told him.

'An' what about the twins?'

'They're signin' on as well.'

'Oh my good Gawd!' the club leader exclaimed. 'Seven Sullivan bruvvers in one army. Yer commandin' officer's gonna end up shootin' 'imself ! What about yer parents? What did they say when yer told 'em?'

'They don't know about it yet,' Shaun b.u.t.ted in.

'They do about us,' John said, pointing to himself, Michael and Joe.

Harold Roberts looked at the boxing coach and raised his eyes heavenwards. 'Well, I'm prepared ter waive the rules this once,' he sighed, shaking his head, 'seein' as yer all gonna be soldiers. Any more fightin' though an' yer out, is that understood?'

The boys all nodded in silence and a smile began to play around the club leader's lips. 'All I can say is, Gawd 'elp the Germans when you lot get ter the front,' he added. 'Now off 'ome wiv yer, before I change me mind.'

Chapter Thirty.

Charlie Tanner leant against the cold iron guard-rail and gazed at Josephine as she stared sadly across the river in full spate. How like Carrie she was in looks, he thought. She had a similar pert nose and shapely lips and her fair hair shone the way Carrie's did. Josephine was shorter and slighter, although her figure was still curvy and womanly. Her eyes were different though. Carrie's were pale blue and wide-set, but Josephine's eyes were an intense blue, almost violet, and oval in shape. Charles studied her round forehead and saw how long her eyelashes were. She was a striking young woman.

There was a deepness to her which he could not fathom, and it had been a new experience being with her during the past few days. They had been wonderful days he would never forget. They had taken long walks in the warm suns.h.i.+ne, down as far as Greenwich and the park. They had climbed the hill and then rested beneath the shade of an old chestnut tree, looking down over the twisting silver band of river and watching the sun dip towards the west, changing the azure sky to fiery hues of red and gold. He had felt relaxed in Josephine's company, listening rapt as she told him about her work and watching that delightful twitch of her nose when she smiled. She was doing it now, he noticed as she smiled briefly at him and then stared back over the river.

It had been a restful week but it was over so soon. The days had flown by so quickly and tomorrow he would be returning to his regiment. He remembered kissing her clumsily that first night when they returned from the music hall, almost missing her lips in his hurry, and she had shyly kissed him on the cheek before walking quickly into the square. He had been taken by her beauty from that first evening when he met her outside the church hall. She had been nervous as she stepped out beside him, he recalled, keeping her distance and laughing too quickly at his jokes. It had all been so innocent and easygoing, but now there was a deep longing for her inside him and he sensed she felt it too.

Josephine was training during the evenings for her nursing certificate. Every night he met her at the church hall when she finished and escorted her home, saying goodbye to her in the quiet church gardens near her square. He held her gently, kissing her warm lips and letting her rest her head against his chest. It was her first experience of being alone with a young man and she had not been ashamed to tell him. He was very inexperienced, too, although he tried to hide it from her. But Josephine would have seen through it by now, he thought. She had laughed at his nervousness and fixed him with those beautiful, mocking eyes, as though daring him, willing him, to grow bold and impetuous. Now, as he watched her staring out over the river, strands of her tied-back hair loosening and blowing in the slight breeze, he became frightened. The war was drawing him away again and he would have to leave her.

Josephine turned to face him, framed by the distant towers and walkway of Tower Bridge. 'It's getting late,' she said softly.

He nodded and sighed deeply as he turned to look downstream. 'It's bin a wonderful week,' he replied. 'I was jus' finkin' 'ow quick it's gone.'

'You will be careful, Charlie,' she urged him. 'I want you to come back soon.'

'Will yer write ter me?' he asked her.

'Every day, as soon as you let me know where you are,' she replied, smiling.

He moved away from the rail and realised that the riverside path was deserted. She had noticed it too and suddenly she was in his arms, her lips pressing against his, arms about his neck as her fingers moved through his short cropped hair. His arms were wrapped around her slim waist and shoulders and he squeezed her, feeling her warmth as she cuddled up against him. 'I fink I'm fallin' in love wiv yer, Josie,' he said in a voice he hardly recognised.

'I already have with you,' she replied in a breathless whisper.

They walked slowly back to Tyburn Square through the quiet summer evening, hardly speaking, dwelling on their imminent parting and trying hard not to think about the dangers ahead. They walked close together, and as Josephine held his arm tightly Charlie treasured the feeling of her beautiful slim body close to his.

They reached the square and stood for a few moments, holding each other close and dreading the moment when they would say goodbye. Suddenly Josephine stiffened and broke away from his embrace. They both heard it, the sound of trotting hooves on the hard cobbles, and quickly hid themselves beneath the overhanging branches of a large tree. The trap came into view and they saw George Galloway slumped down in the side seat, holding on to the reins as the gelding steered the conveyance into the square. He had not seen them but Josephine seemed uneasy.

'I'd better go now,' she said quickly.

They kissed briefly and she looked into his sad eyes. 'Come back soon, Charlie,' she told him. 'I'll pray for you every night.'

He smiled and watched her back away from him, waiting until she had reached her house and hurried up the steps. He saw her wave to him and then she was gone.

Charlie walked home slowly, his mind full of the young woman with whom he had shared his wonderful week. They had been discreet and secretive about the time they were spending together which seemed to make it more romantic. He had not told his family about Josephine and she had kept their meetings secret too. He had agreed with her that it might be better that way, at least for the time being. Their families were linked through the business and it was possible that there could be problems. Josephine had told him that her father could be difficult at times and she did not feel close enough to him to speak openly about herself and her friends. Charlie shared her fears. He too found it difficult to feel that his family completely understood him, although their home was a happy one. They would all have to know in time, he realised, but until the war ended and he was home for good, the romance would remain a secret.

The early summer of 1916 saw the exodus of thousands of young men from Bermondsey, bound for the battlefields of France. Every day Red Cross trains brought more casualties from the seaports and fresh recruits took their place in France to join the forces ma.s.sing for the Somme offensive. German Zeppelins flew over London and the newspapers carried stories of civilians being killed and injured. In early June Lord Kitchener, the man who stared down from countless war posters, was drowned when his s.h.i.+p struck a mine off the Orkneys. The war was becoming real for those at home now, and as more young men left for the front, more families waited and worried.

The three elder Sullivan boys had enlisted and Sadie sought comfort from her good friends in Page Street. 'I still can't believe it,' she said tearfully. 'Four of 'em in uniform, an' now the twins are talkin' about goin'. Gawd 'elp us, what am I gonna do?'

'There's nuffink yer can do, Sadie,' Florrie told her. 'They're all grown-up now. Yer can't keep wipin' their noses an' molly-coddlin' 'em. All yer can do is pray.'

Maisie nodded. 'My two wouldn't listen ter me or their farvver. They couldn't wait ter go. It's upset my Fred. 'E don't say much but 'e idolises them boys. 'E was only sayin' last night, if 'e was younger 'e'd go. I didn't 'alf coat 'im. "Ain't I got enough worry wivout you goin' on about joinin' up?" I said to 'im. It's enough ter put yer in an' early grave.'

Nellie pa.s.sed round the tea. 'When I see my two walkin' off up the turnin', I could 'ave bawled me eyes out,' she told her friends. 'It's funny, but I don't worry so much about James. 'E's always seemed ter be the strong one. It's young Charlie I worry over. 'E's so quiet. D'yer know, that week they were 'ome on leave Jimmy got drunk every night. 'E come in lookin' like 'e was gonna fall inter the fireplace, but young Charlie 'ardly touched a drop. 'E was out wiv a young lady friend, by all accounts.'

''E never brought 'er 'ome ter meet yer, then?' Florrie remarked.

'Not 'im,' Nellie replied. ''E's a proper dark 'orse is Charlie. I couldn't get much out of 'im at all. Apparently 'e met 'er on the station when 'e got off the train. She's a Red Cross nurse. That's all 'e'd say. I fink 'e liked 'er. 'E was out wiv 'er every night.'

Florrie sipped her tea noisily. 'Joe Maitland's upset,' she said presently. 'There was a letter waitin' fer 'im an' when 'e opened it 'is face went the colour o' chalk. It was one o' those white feavvers. Poor sod was really upset. Trouble is, 'e looks fit as anything. Yer wouldn't fink there's anyfing wrong wiv 'im ter look at 'im, would yer?'

'Who'd be wicked enough ter send them fings frew the post?' Maisie asked.

Florrie put down her teacup and reached into her ap.r.o.n pocket. 'There's plenty o' wicked gits about, Mais,' she replied, tapping on her snuff-box with two fingers. 'I dunno about the sign o' cowardice - they're the bleedin' cowards, those who send 'em. They never put their names ter the letters.'

Nellie refilled the teacups and made herself comfortable in her chair again, stirring her tea thoughtfully. 'I know yer won't let this go any furvver,' she said, looking up at her friends, 'but Frank Galloway got one o' those white feavvers. The ole man 'imself told my Will.'

Florrie shook her head slowly. 'I dunno where it's all gonna end, what wiv one fing an' anuvver.'

'Is 'e workin' in the yard regular, Nell?' Maisie asked. 'I've seen 'im go in there a lot this last year.'

'Yeah, 'e's took young Geoffrey's place,' Nellie replied. 'I liked Geoff. 'E was a quiet fella, an' very polite. Frank's different. There's somefing about 'im I don't like. I can't exactly put me finger on it but there's somefing there. Mind yer, I ain't 'ad much ter do wiv 'im, 'cept pa.s.s the time o' day. Funny 'ow yer take a dislike ter some people.'

Florrie nodded. 'I know what yer mean, Nell. I took an instant dislike ter that Jake Mitch.e.l.l first time I clapped eyes on 'im. Right box o' tricks 'e is. 'Ow does your Will get on wiv 'im?'

Nellie shrugged her shoulders. 'Will don't say much but 'e's bin quiet an' moody ever since that Mitch.e.l.l started work fer the firm. I reckon 'e's worried in case Galloway forces 'im out an' puts Mitch.e.l.l in 'is place, that's my opinion.'

'But your ole man's bin wiv the firm fer donkeys' years,' Maisie cut in. 'Surely they wouldn't do that?'

'Don't yer be so sure,' Nellie said quickly. 'Galloway's got Jake Mitch.e.l.l in fer a reason an' they're thick as thieves. Will was tellin' me they're gonna start that fightin' up again at the pubs. They stopped it when the war started, yer know. I s'pose George Galloway's finkin' of 'ow much 'e's gonna earn on the bloke. There's a lot o' bettin' goes on at those fights.'

'It's a wonder the police don't stop it,' Maisie remarked. 'They did before, so yer was tellin' me.'

Nellie smiled cynically. 'Those publicans are prob'ly linin' the 'ead coppers' pockets, if yer ask me.'

Florrie took another pinch of snuff and blew loudly into her handkerchief, eyes watering. 'Joe Maitland was tellin' me the ovver night that there's 'undreds o' pounds changes 'ands at those fights. 'E used ter go an' watch 'em at one time. Nasty turnouts they are, accordin' ter Joe.'

Maisie got up and stretched. 'Well, I better be off,' she announced with a yawn. 'I got some was.h.i.+n' in the copper.'

Florrie nodded. 'I've got a load ter wring out. I seem ter be was.h.i.+n' an' ironin' all b.l.o.o.d.y day since I took Joe in. Still, never mind, it's nice ter see a man around the place again,' she said, grinning slyly.

Carrie had resigned herself to the dull, monotonous routine at the cafe. The days seemed to drag by, the next one just like the last. The same old faces came in every day, and when it became quiet Bessie Chandler sat down at a table and went on endlessly about her friend Elsie Dobson and the man in the next flat who played his accordion at all hours of the day and night and would never be quiet, no matter what her husband threatened to do to him. Fred Bradley tried to stay cheerful but the constant and inane chatter from his indomitable helper usually put an end to that, and more than once Carrie found him out in the back yard, drawing deeply on a cigarette and muttering under his breath.

Soapy Symonds and Sharkey Morris sometimes put in an appearance, and they helped to put a smile back on Carrie's face with their comical tales. It was Soapy who revealed the secret life of Bessie Chandler one afternoon when he saw her coming out of the kitchen to run an errand for Fred. The cafe was quiet at the time and Soapy beckoned Carrie over.

'I didn't know Bessie Bubbles worked 'ere,' he said in surprise.

'Bessie who?' Carrie laughed.

'Bessie Bubbles,' Soapy said, grinning. 'Cor blimey, everybody round our way knows Bessie. It was the talk o' the street a few years ago. Yer remember me tellin' yer, don't yer, Sharkey?'

The long lean carman nodded dolefully, winking at Carrie as he raised his eyes to the ceiling. 'Yeah, I remember,' he said without enthusiasm.

Soapy leaned forward on the table and clasped his hands together. 'Yer see it was like this,' he began. 'Bessie's ole man works nights at Peek Frean's. Worked there fer years 'e 'as. Every night after 'e'd gone ter work, Bessie used ter go out o' the 'ouse carryin' a shoppin'-bag. Same time every night it was an' it was late when she got back. People started ter talk an' everybody reckoned she'd got 'erself a fancy man. Anyway, one night a few o' the lads went up town fer a night out an' one of 'em suggests they 'ave a walk roun' Soho jus' ter see the sights. Well, ter cut a long story short the lads are lookin' in a shop winder when this ole bra.s.s comes up an' asks 'em if they want a good time. They turns round an' who should it be standin' there but Bessie. She's all dressed ter the nines an' she's got this bubbly blonde wig on. The lads said she did look a sight. Now Bessie's reco'nised 'em, yer see, an' she don't know what ter do. She pleads wiv 'em not ter let on back in the buildin's an' one o' the lads, Mickey Tomlinson it was actually, comes up wiv a suggestion. Bessie wasn't too 'appy about it, but there was nuffink else she could do. They all ended up 'avin' a good time an' poor ole Bessie didn't get paid.'

Carrie tried to keep a straight face. 'Yer said it was the talk o' the street. Did they let on after all?'

Soapy chuckled. 'Nah, it wasn't them. What 'appened was, unbeknownst ter Bessie, 'er ole man was 'avin' it orf wiv this woman at work. Bin goin' on fer years by all accounts. Anyway, Bessie's ole man buys 'is fancy piece a new dress an' 'e brings it 'ome in a bag an' 'ides it under the bed. That night before Bessie gets 'ome from work, 'er ole man takes the bag from under the bed an' leaves 'er a note sayin' 'e's gotta go in early on overtime. Now when Bessie comes ter go out she finds 'er make-up an' wig is missin' an' there's a nice new dress in its place. 'Er ole man 'id the dress in the same place, an' in the 'urry 'e picked up the wrong bag. A couple of hours later in 'e walks wiv a nice s.h.i.+ner an' lookin' all sorry for 'imself. Apparently 'is lady friend didn't go a lot on the present 'e bought 'er. 'Im an' Bessie 'ad a right bull-an'-cow but they soon made up. There was nuffink else they could do, after all. They was both in the wrong. Bessie showed 'im 'ow she looked in 'er wig an' 'er ole man seemed ter fink it suited 'er. 'Im an' 'er ended up goin' out fer a drink. She was wearin' the dress 'e bought fer 'is lady friend an' 'ad the wig an' make-up on as well. She did look eighteen-carat. Mind yer, she didn't wear it fer long, not after all the kids in the street kept on callin' 'er Bessie Bubbles.'

Carrie was laughing aloud and Sharkey had a smile on his face as Bessie came walking into the shop, and they tried not to look too guilty. When she had disappeared into the kitchen Carrie leaned forward across the table. ''Ow did yer come ter know all what went on?' she asked curiously.

Soapy grinned. 'Elsie Dobson told my ole dutch. Elsie gets ter know everyfink. She's Bessie's next-door neighbour.'

'Yeah, I've 'eard Bessie mention 'er once or twice,' Carrie said, grinning back at him.

Trade had picked up at the Galloway yard during the early summer and more casual carmen had been employed. William Tanner was hard put to it to keep the horses and carts on the road and there were always lame animals to take care of. Jack Oxford made himself as inconspicuous as possible but even he found it difficult to take his afternoon nap now without someone calling for him. There was more chaff-cutting to do and more harnesses to clean and polish. The yard had to be swept clean of dung at least twice every day and the stables needed frequent mucking out. Sometimes Galloway left the trap standing in the yard and Jack made sure that he gave the gelding a wide berth. The cart-horses did not trouble him but the trap horse was different. It reminded him too much of the wild stallion that had almost trampled him to death all those years ago. The gelding had a fiery nature, and sometimes as it was driven into the yard in the morning Jack was sure that it looked at him with an evil glint in its devil eyes, just to let him know that it was going to get him.

Life had changed very little for Jack over the years. He still slept in the lodging-house, although the owner was taking in more strangers than usual now and some of them were young men who looked to Jack as if they were on the run. The police often called and many times he had been woken from a deep sleep by a torch flas.h.i.+ng in his face. He had wondered whether he could sleep in the stables during the summer months, like he had before on occasions, until the trouble over the watch-and-chain. With all the extra carts and bales of hay stacked in the yard it seemed to him that he could easily loosen a fence plank without its being discovered. It would mean being extra careful, though, that no one saw him and no one came back with him. It was his good deed that led to his being found out the last time, he remembered. William had been good about it that time but the old man's other son was different to young Geoffrey. He would not think twice about sacking him if he was found out. He would have to decide soon, though, if things got much worse at the lodging-house.

Jack walked over to the harness shed and sat down on an upturned beer crate. It was mid-afternoon and soon the carts would be coming in. He might be able to get the yard swept before he left if they were not too late, he thought to himself. Then he could get on with those pieces of harness first thing next morning. Jack leaned back against the wall of the shed and waited. He liked things to be clear in his mind and once he had made a decision he felt happier. It had been miserable lately, he reflected. Frank Galloway was always grumpy and Jake Mitch.e.l.l was forever taking the rise out of him. He was a nasty bloke and it wouldn't do to upset him. Even William Tanner seemed to be gloomy lately. Everything was dreary now. The war seemed to have made everyone miserable, and since Soapy and Sharkey had left no one laughed any more.

Jack stretched out his legs and closed his eyes. It was all quiet and there was nothing he could do for the time being, he reasoned, unless he started on cleaning the harness. No, he couldn't do that now. He had already said he was going to start on that in the morning. Maybe he should take a short nap. He would hear the carts coming in and he would feel a bit more fresh and ready to get the yard swept.

It was late afternoon when Jake Mitch.e.l.l drove into the yard behind another cart and jumped down from his seat holding his aching back. 'Where's that b.l.o.o.d.y idiot Oxford?' he moaned at the carman who was just about to unclip the harness-chains from the shafts. The carman looked at him blankly and Jake stormed off towards the small shed at the end of the yard. As he strode into the dark interior, he stumbled over the yard man's outstretched legs and fell against a wooden bench.

Jack woke up with a start. 'Wa.s.sa matter?' he mumbled, still not properly awake.

'Wa.s.sa matter? I told yer ter fix that seat fer me last night,' Jake growled. 'Yer never done it. I've got a poxy backache over that seat. It wouldn't 'ave took yer five minutes.'

Jack stood up. 'I didn't 'ave time, Jake. Mr Galloway told me ter sweep the yard up before I went 'ome,' he said quickly.

Jake Mitch.e.l.l leaned forward until his face was inches from the yard man's. 'Yer got time ter doss in 'ere though, yer lazy long b.a.s.t.a.r.d,' he snarled.

Jack's gaunt face took on a pained look. 'There's no need ter start callin' people names. I told yer I didn't 'ave time,' he said placatingly.

Jake's large hand shot out and gathered up a handful of the yard man's coat lapels. 'Why yer saucy ole git,' he growled. 'I've a good mind ter put one right on your chops.'

'I ain't scared o' yer,' Jack croaked. 'I ain't gonna let yer bully me.'

Mitch.e.l.l suddenly let go of Jack's coat lapels, raised his arm and swung it down in a long swipe, the back of his hand catching Jack a sharp blow across his cheek. The yard man stumbled sideways and fell on all fours by the door. He blinked a few times then painfully staggered to his feet.

'I ain't frightened o' yer,' he said with spirit, moving around just out of Jake Mitch.e.l.l's reach.

'Yer will be when I'm finished wiv yer,' Mitch.e.l.l snarled, grabbing Jack and drawing his hand back for another swipe.

The unfortunate yard man closed his eyes and clenched his teeth as he waited for the blow, but it never landed. There was a sudden scuffle and his coat lapels were released. Jack opened his eyes and saw William Tanner standing between him and his tormentor.

'What the b.l.o.o.d.y 'ell's goin' on?' the foreman asked in a loud voice, looking from one to the other.

'I ain't takin' no lip from 'im,' Mitch.e.l.l sneered.

'I wasn't givin' 'im any lip,' Jack said ruefully, rubbing his cheek.

'Right, that's it,' the foreman shouted. 'Get in the office. Sharp!'

Jake stood his ground, glowering at William. 'What about 'im?' he asked.

William stepped a pace closer to the red-faced carman. 'I'm talkin' ter you, not 'im,' he said menacingly. 'Now get in the office or I'll sack yer meself an' we'll see what the guv'nor's gonna do about that.' He turned to the yard man. 'You an' all.'

Frank Galloway was checkin' over a ledger, with his father peering over his shoulder. They looked up in surprise as the three men walked into the office.

'I've jus' stopped 'im settin' about Jack Oxford,' the foreman announced, jerking his thumb in Mitch.e.l.l's direction. 'Yer better get this sorted out. I'm not puttin' up wiv fightin' in the yard.'

George puffed loudly. 'Look, Will, we're tryin' ter sort these books out, can't yer deal wiv it yerself?'

William's face was white with anger as he stood in the middle of the office. 'If it was left ter me I'd sack Mitch.e.l.l 'ere an' now,' he said loudly.

George sat down at his desk and swivelled his chair around to face the men. 'Right, you first, Mitch.e.l.l. What's bin goin' on?' he asked wearily.

When the two men had finished giving their differing versions and William had told how he came across Mitch.e.l.l attacking the yard man, George leaned his heavy bulk forward in his chair and stared down at his feet for a few moments. 'Right, Will, leave this ter me,' he sighed. Then he turned to the yard man. 'Yer better get orf 'ome, Oxford,' he said. 'You too, Will. I'll talk ter yer in the mornin'.'

Once the two had left, George rounded on his carman. 'What did I tell yer about causin' trouble?' he shouted. 'Yer shouldn't 'ave slapped the stupid git. Yer puttin' me in a very awkward position. I told yer ter bide yer time, Jake. The fight circuit's startin' up any time now an' yer'll 'ave plenty o' chance ter paste someone's face in. It ain't the time ter cause any trouble 'ere.'

'Sorry, Guv', I wasn't finkin',' Jake mumbled, staring down at the floor.

'So yer should be,' George said, slightly mollified by Mitch.e.l.l's show of remorse. 'Now p.i.s.s orf 'ome, an' first fing termorrer yer'll apologise ter Will Tanner an' that idiot Oxford, understand?'

'But, Guv'. . .'