Monday morning dawned bright and clear, but when Arthur climbed into the car, Joe could tell by his friend’s face that something was wrong. ‘What’s up, mate? You look down in the dumps.’
When Arthur told him why, Joe’s jaw dropped. Until this moment he’d been sure that eventually there’d be a reconciliation, but instead Sally and her family were moving away. ‘Christ, mate, I can’t believe it.’
‘Neither could I at first, but she’s definitely going.’
‘Bloody hell, mate, that’s a crock. I’ve got a bit of news too and at least it means I’ll be around to help you to drown your sorrows. You once suggested that I should find somewhere else to live, and now that Patsy has moved out, I’m taking her flat on.’
Arthur smiled wryly. ‘Well, at least there’s no chance that I’ll be accused of having it off with you.’
During the rest of the journey Arthur hardly spoke and sat slumped in his seat. Joe tried to lift his spirits, but his replies were monosyllabic.
When they arrived at the site it was full of activity and once again Joe felt a thrill of excitement. The development was taking shape, and soon he hoped they’d see a large return on their investment. ‘It’s looking good, Arthur. The first house will be finished in another month or two and we’ll use it as the show house. Mind you, we’ll need to get the décor right.’
‘Sally would have been great at that. She’s got an eye for interior design.’
‘Talk to her again, Arthur. She may still change her mind.’
‘No, it’s too late. She’s leaving for Scotland in the morning.’ Joe sighed, wishing Arthur would put up more of a fight. He was about to voice his thoughts, but his friend had already climbed out of the car, his face etched with sorrow as he headed for the site office.
They had only one visitor in Candle Lane that evening. Mary called round to say goodbye. She couldn’t get time off work in the morning and now clung to them. ‘What time is the van coming?’
‘It’ll be here at eight, but it won’t take long to load. There’s only Mum’s furniture, a couple of cartons and our cases.’
The telephone rang and Sally went to answer it. It was Arthur’s sister, Ann.
‘Sally, I can’t believe you’re doing this,’ she said, without preamble. ‘All right, what Arthur did was terrible, but you can’t take Angel away from him.’
‘I’m not. I’m only moving to Scotland and he can still see her.’
‘Huh, it’ll be once in a blue moon.’
‘Ann, I’m doing what I think is best.’
‘I can’t see how taking Angel away from her father is for the best.’
‘She’ll be living in a better environment, with her family around her.’
‘Your family, not her father’s. Sally, don’t do this. My brother made a mistake, a stupid mistake, but he’s told me that Patsy meant nothing to him. It’s over with, finished.’
‘So is our marriage, Ann.’
‘Sally, you’re being unreasonable.’
‘
I’m
being unreasonable!’
‘Yes, I think you are.’
Sally clenched her teeth. ‘I wonder if you’d say the same if it was your husband who’d been unfaithful.’
‘I think I’d be more forgiving.’
‘Well, Ann, I hope you never have to put that theory to the test,’ Sally said. She’d had enough and didn’t want to talk any more. ‘I’m sorry, Ann, I don’t want to argue with you, and I must go.’
‘All right, go then, but I still can’t believe you’re doing this to my brother.’
She felt a surge of anger and slammed the receiver down, only for it to ring again a few seconds later; this time Elsie was on the line. She could hear the pain in her mother-in-law’s voice, and when the phone was passed to Bert, his voice was thick with emotion too.
Sally spoke to them for a while, her voice cracking, and when the receiver was finally replaced she felt completely shattered.
More followed when Mary rose to leave at ten o’clock. It was an emotional goodbye for all of them, and unable to stand any more, when the door closed on her aunt, Sally went to bed.
An hour later and Sally was still awake, wishing the spiritual presence would come to comfort her, but she saw only shadows cast by the moon. Turning over her eyes drooped, but behind closed lids she recalled the pain she had seen in Arthur’s eyes. Was she being unreasonable? Was this her way of getting her own back for the hurt he’d caused?
Sally’s mind turned to all the things that had been said; Arthur’s words, those of her in-laws, and lastly, Nelly Cox. She had forgiven her husband and gone on to have a happy marriage.
There was also Nelly’s question. The old woman had asked if Sally really wanted to spend the rest of her life without Arthur.
Sally felt as if she’d only been asleep for minutes when her mother was waking her up again.
‘Come on, Sally, it’s six-thirty.’ Blearily she opened her eyes and with a small nod, sat up. So this was it, the day had arrived. In just a few hours they’d be leaving Candle Lane. It was going to be a long day for all of them, and as Angel was still asleep, Sally decided to leave her for another half an hour.
Gran was up when she went downstairs, and as her mother made a pot of tea, she was smiling happily. ‘What do you want for breakfast, Sally?’
‘Nothing, Mum. I’m not hungry.’
‘You should try to eat something. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us.’
Sally sat down, Nelly’s question still on her mind and as her mother handed her a cup of tea, she stirred it absent-mindedly. Unbidden, tears welled in her eyes. ‘Oh, Mum.’
‘Sally, don’t start. There’s no time for tears. We’ve got too much to do this morning.’
‘I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing, if going to Scotland is the right choice.’
‘Don’t be daft, of course it is. We’ll all be out of this dump, and living in Edinburgh will be so much better for Angel. She’ll thrive there and I know that Andrew will see that she wants for nothing.’
Sally stood up, her shoulders hunched. ‘All right, I’ll go and get washed and dressed before getting her up.’
‘Good girl, but don’t spend too much time in the bathroom. I’ll need to sort Tommy out too.’
Another hour sped by, and now Andrew had joined them. Moments later, Denis called round, looking hung over as he said goodbye to Tommy. ‘Now be a good boy and I’ll come up to Scotland to see you whenever I get the chance.’
Tommy didn’t seem concerned when his father left, the parting surprisingly easy, and now Ruth began to run around like a headless chicken, checking drawers and cupboards for anything she might have failed to pack.
‘Calm down, darling,’ Andrew said. ‘Look, here’s the removal van.’
Sally felt as if she was in a dream, her head woozy. They were going. They were really going.
Whilst the removal men were shown Sadie’s furniture, Sally stepped outside, memories flooding back as she looked along Candle Lane. In her mind’s eye she could see herself as a child, playing with Ann. She could picture Arthur too, a cheeky boy who often teased her, but he’d grown into a handsome man who’d stolen her heart.
As though her thoughts had bidden him, Sally saw someone turn into the lane. Arthur! She watched him walking towards her, her tummy feeling as though it had turned a somersault.
‘Sally, I had to come, had to see you. Please don’t go,’ he begged. ‘Please give me another chance.’
As she stared up at him, Nelly’s question filled her mind again. Could she put it behind her? Could she trust him again?
‘Sally, I love you, and I swear I’ll never be unfaithful again.’
Her throat constricted with emotion, they gazed at each other, and as Sally took a hesitant step forward, Arthur swept her into his arms. It felt right. This was where she belonged.
‘Please, Sally, please come back to me.’
‘Nelly Cox asked me a question and now I know the answer.’
‘What question?’
‘She asked me if I really wanted to spend the rest of my life without you.’
‘And?’ he asked, eagerly.
‘No, I don’t.’
He lifted her up, his voice loud with joy as he shouted, ‘Nelly Cox, I don’t know how you did it, but I love you.’
‘I don’t think she can hear you,’ Sally said, smiling now. ‘Nelly left Candle Lane and she’s moved into Osborne House.’
‘Then I’ll go to see her with the biggest box of chocolates I can find.’
Sally’s face sobered. ‘Arthur, I must tell my parents, and not only that we had better stop the removal men before they put my cases on board!’
They walked into the kitchen, hands clasped. ‘Mum, Dad, I’m sorry, but I’ve changed my mind. I won’t be coming to Scotland.’
‘Daddy!’ Angel squealed, running up to her father. ‘I knew you’d come. I knew we wouldn’t be going to Scotland with Nanny and Granddad.’
Arthur swept her up into his arms. ‘How did you know?’
‘The lady told me.’
‘What lady?’ Sally asked, but somehow she already knew the answer.
‘The one who comes in the lovely light.’
Andrew spoke, his voice full of wonder. ‘My mother sees something similar.’
‘Me too,’ Sally said. ‘And now it seems my daughter will be following in our footsteps.’
Ruth spoke at last, her eyes sad. ‘I can’t believe you’re not coming.’
‘We’ll visit you as often as we can.’
Andrew moved to Ruth’s side, taking her hand. ‘I know you’re upset, but take a good look at our daughter. She’s happy, and that’s what matters.’
‘Yes, but for how long? You’re out of your mind, Sally. What if he hurts you again?’
‘Ruth, I won’t,’ Arthur said. ‘I’ll never make the same mistake again.’
‘See that you don’t, laddie,’ Andrew growled.
Tommy looked bewildered, his little face puckering. ‘Ain’t you coming wiv us, Angel?’
‘No, I’m staying with my daddy.’
‘I don’t wanna go then. I wanna stay here too.’
Ruth knelt down in front of him. ‘Listen darling, if you want to stay, you’ll have to live with your daddy. If . . . if that’s what you really want, then . . . then of course you don’t have to come with us.’
Tommy’s lower lip was trembling, his eyes full of confusion. Ruth hugged him to her, then said, ‘It’s up to you, darling, but I . . . I love you and would hate to leave you behind.’
Tommy looked at Ruth, his uncle, and then with his head down he plucked his earlobe, obviously deep in thought. The room was hushed, even Angel was silent, and then with a grin the boy looked up. ‘All right, I’ll come wiv you, Auntie Ruth.’
They all heard her sigh of relief, and, after giving Tommy another hug, she turned to look at Sally, her eyes full of unshed tears. ‘Oh, love, I’m so sorry for being selfish. You’re my daughter and I wanted you with me, but I was only thinking of myself. I can see now how happy you are, and . . . and I’m pleased for you.’
Sally ran across the room, wrapping her arms around her mother. ‘You’re not selfish. You’re the best mother anyone could have and I love you. I’m going to miss you so much, but you’re getting married soon, and no matter what, I’ll be there. We all will,’ she said, turning to look at Arthur.
He nodded, and now Sally went across to her gran, kneeling by her side. ‘I’m going to miss you too.’
‘And I you, but you’re doing the right thing.’
‘The van’s loaded,’ a voice said.
‘Right, thanks,’ Andrew replied brusquely. ‘And if I’m not mistaken, that sounds like our taxi.’
Sally’s breath caught in her throat and rising to her feet, she found herself in her father’s arms. ‘Be happy, my bonny lass.’
He let her go abruptly, his eyes moist, and Sally watched with tears as they all said goodbye to Angel. Her daughter looked upset, and as Arthur swept her up again, she clung to his neck.
Arthur crooked her with one arm, whilst he took Sally’s hand. ‘Come on,’ he urged, leading her outside.
Sally watched as her father helped her gran into the taxi, then Tommy climbed in, followed by her mother. She felt torn in two, one part of her wanting to be here with Arthur and Angel, the other half wanting to dive into the cab and go with her family. ‘No, no,’ she cried, unconsciously moving forward.
Andrew came to her side, hugging her again. ‘I know how you’re feeling, lassie, but I can see that your heart is here with your husband. We’ll all see each other soon, so hang on to that.’
He then turned swiftly, climbed into the taxi, and as the door closed behind him, the engine started.
They were all waving as the car pulled away, Sally watching and waving back until it turned the corner.
Arthur took her hand. ‘Don’t cry, darling. As your father said, we’ll see them all again soon.’
Sally drew in juddering breaths. She looked up at Arthur, saw the love reflected in his eyes, and knew that she had made the right decision.
Her place was here, with her husband. They loved each other, and just like Nelly and George Cox, many happy years stretched ahead of them.
The Battersea I see now is different in some ways to the one I grew up in, yet in others there is much that is still familiar. Battersea Town Hall as I knew it then is still there, but is now an Arts Centre. Battersea Power Station is a landmark, though it wasn’t visible from where I lived, nor was the Dogs’ Home.
All the shops I remember on Lavender Hill are gone, but when I was sent to do my mother’s shopping it was a trip to the butcher’s, the grocer’s, baker’s, greengrocer’s and the ironmonger for paraffin. Now of course we can buy all we want under one roof in a supermarket. I was always in trouble for eating the crust off one end of the freshly baked bread before I arrived home, and worse, one Easter I picked all of the fruit out of several hot-cross buns.
It was mostly a working class area, and the streets were our playground, along with bombsites left over from World War Two. We had Clapham Common close by, and a little further away, Battersea Park where there was once a funfair and small zoo. I loved the park and spent many hours playing there, though I rarely had the entrance fee for the funfair so I had to stick to the swings.
My parents worked in local factories and I became a latch key kid. I don’t remember feeling deprived, after all, our friends and neighbours were in the same boat, and in fact I felt we were rich when we got a black and white television in 1953, just in time to watch the Queen’s Coronation. We didn’t have a telephone, nor did any of our neighbours, and of course mobiles didn’t exist.
It’s only in retrospect that I realise what a hard life my mother had, working full time and then coming home to cook and clean for a family of five without all the wonderful gadgets we have nowadays. There were no ready meals or microwaves, and mostly everything had to be prepared from fresh produce. To give my mother a break from cooking we occasionally had fish and chips, or I would be sent to the pie and mash shop with a jug which they would fill with green, parsley liquor.
Our kitchen was nothing like the fitted ones seen nowadays. There was just a sink in one corner, and a cooker in the other, with a large cupboard for a larder. We mostly lived and ate in this room, with the sitting room kept for best.
Of course I remember lovely summers, but I also recall cold winters, coal fires, and without heating in our bedrooms, there would be ice on the inside of the windows every morning. No duvets either as they were unheard of, just blankets, and for extra warmth I had my dad’s old army overcoat thrown on top.
Washing was put in the bath to soak and then came what must have been a backbreaking job of rubbing it up and down on the scrubbing board, let alone all the rinsing and wringing out before it could go on the line. A little later my mother got a Baby Burco boiler complete with electric mangle and she felt very modern.
I came into contact with many local characters, from my extended family to those that lived around us, and of course they are an inspiration for my books. I tend to use just one trait, like an old lady who used to mix up her words and appeared in one of my books, to a man who used to abuse his wife.
We heard stories of the Kray brothers in East London, but in our area, South London, it was the Richardsons who were considered the local villains. All I heard was gossip and none of these characters touched my life. On the whole the locals were a mixture of good and bad, funny and sad, and all, I am sure, had stories to tell.
It’s their stories that I imagine, that I draw my inspiration from, and so a little of each of them goes into every book.