Try a Little Tenderness (28 page)

‘Oh, dear God, d’yer think she’s broken anything? If she has, we shouldn’t move her in case we do more harm. Best get an ambulance.’

‘Will yer stop thinking the worst until we know for sure? I’ve got to say, girl, yer can be a right misery guts at times. Yer’ll have her dead and buried before we know it. If she does peg out, it’ll be from being left to lie on the ground, in freezing weather, and catching pneumonia while we’re standing here playing guessing games.’ Her wide hips swaying, Amy made for the door. ‘Get a move on, girl, or
yer’ll be too late for the bleedin’ funeral.’

As she stepped down on to the pavement, Mary said, ‘I’ll give Molly a knock, she’s usually good at times like this.’

‘Okay, but make it snappy.’ When Amy looked to where she’d left Lizzie Marshall, who should she see standing over the frail figure, but her nosy neighbour, Annie Baxter. ‘Wouldn’t yer just know it! There’s never a bleedin’ show without Punch!’ Not bothering to lower her voice, she went on as she hurried along, ‘Never misses a trick, the nosy old cow. I bet she’s licking her lips at the thought of knocking on every door in the neighbourhood with the news.’

‘I’m glad ye’re back, queen.’ There was pleading in Lizzie’s faded blue eyes. Annie Baxter was not a favourite of hers and was the last person in the world she’d want to accept help from. ‘Is Mary coming?’

‘Yeah, she’s knocking for Molly Moynihan. Between us we’ll get yer back in the house and make yer comfortable before we see what yer’ve been and gone and done to yerself.’

‘I offered to help her up,’ Annie said, fussing as she tried in vain to get in front of Amy. She wanted a ringside seat so she didn’t miss anything. ‘But she wouldn’t let me.’

Amy’s eyes travelled the length of her neighbour. ‘I see yer haven’t got yer jungle drums with yer today, Annie. Or are yer using smoke signals, like Big Chief Sitting Bull?’

‘Don’t be so bleedin’ funny, Amy Hanley. I’m just as concerned about Lizzie as you are, yer sarcastic mare.’

Lizzie stepped in before war was declared and Amy lost her temper and landed one on her neighbour. ‘It’s very kind of yer to be concerned, Annie, but there’s no need. I’ll be as right as rain when me friends get me inside.’

But Annie Baxter wasn’t going to be dismissed so easily. She had as much right to stand in the street as that fat nosy cow from next door had. And with her thin arms crossed over her thin chest, and her thin lips clamped together, she stood her ground. Even when Mary and Molly came dashing down, she didn’t move an inch, even though she was
preventing them from seeing to the old lady. Amy stood it for so long, then decided enough was enough and grabbed her arm. She turned her towards the top of the street, saying, ‘That’s the way to Lily Farmer’s. She’s usually first on yer list so yer may as well stick to yer routine. And if yer want to spice yer story up a bit, yer can say Lizzie was wearing bright red fleecy-lined knickers with a pocket in. She’s not, of course, but yer mate won’t know that, and I won’t snitch.’

If looks could kill, Amy would have been a dead duck. ‘Anyone would think yer owned the bleedin’ street, the way yer carry on. But ye’re only the monkey, not the organ grinder.’

‘Go away, will yer, missus, before I lose me temper. If yer fancy lying beside Lizzie on the bleedin’ ground, just say the word because me hands are itching to thump yer one.’

Annie waited until she was far enough away for safety, before calling, ‘I’ll tell my feller about you, Amy Hanley. He’ll be round to see yer.’

‘I’ll look forward to that, Gabby Annie! Tell him I’m free next Tuesday night.’

While this exchange was going on, Mary had opened Lizzie’s front door, while Molly scooped up the old lady and cradled her in her arms like a baby. ‘I don’t think yer’ve broken anything, me darlin’, or yer’d be screaming in pain, so yer would. But let’s get yer inside and give yer the onceover.’

Lizzie Marshall was a spinster. She’d lived in the street since her parents died, many years ago. She’d been forced to move out of the three-bedroomed house that she’d been born in, because with just her wage coming in, she couldn’t afford the rent or the upkeep of it. She was small and frail now, with wispy white hair, faded blue eyes and deep wrinkles on her face. Living on a pittance, she managed to keep her house spotlessly clean and there was never a moan out of her.

‘Put those two cushions together for her head,’ Molly said, laying the old lady down as gently as if she was a piece of Dresden china. ‘There yer go, me darlin’, we’ll soon have yer as snug as a bug in a rug.’ She turned to Mary who was standing wringing her hands. ‘Nip up and get a blanket off the bed, she’s shivering with cold.’

‘I’ll put the kettle on,’ Amy said, springing into action. ‘A cup of weak, sweet tea is the best medicine for shock. And yer could do with a few more cobs of coal on the fire.’

‘I’m not cold,’ Lizzie said quickly. She could only afford one bag of coal a fortnight but was too proud to say so. ‘I haven’t got much coal until the coalman comes, so I’m having to eke it out.’

Mary came into the room at that moment, and glanced from Molly to Amy. It was only three days since the coalman was round; there was no way Lizzie could have used it all in a couple of days. Unless, of course, the old lady couldn’t afford to buy any. ‘We’ll all lend yer a bucket of coal, Lizzie, so don’t be worrying. The main thing is to get you warmed through to the marrow before yer get pneumonia.’ She shook the folded blanket she’d brought down with her and tucked it around the shivering woman. ‘I’ll tell yer what, sunshine, yer house is a credit to yer. Yer put the three of us to shame.’

‘You ain’t kidding,’ Amy said, coming back after putting the kettle on. ‘Yer could eat yer bleedin’ dinner off the floor out there.’

Lizzie smiled with pleasure, even though every part of her was hurting. ‘I do me best. I’ve never forgotten what my mother used to tell me. “Never let housework get on top of yer. Do a bit every day, then yer’ll never have a dirty house”.’ A look of sadness came to the faded blue eyes. ‘It’s thirty years since she died, but I’ve never forgotten her, or me dad. They were wonderful parents.’

‘Sure, wouldn’t they have to be, to have brought a lovely lady like you into the world?’ Molly sat down on the edge of
the couch and lifted one of the thin hands. ‘Will yer let me run me hand up yer arm, me darlin’? I’ll be as gentle as I can, but shout out if I hurt yer.’

Lizzie nodded. ‘I trust yer, Molly.’

The kettle began to whistle and Amy jumped to her feet. ‘I’ll pour the water into the pot and leave it to brew for a while.’

When Lizzie shuddered, Molly quickly took her hand away. ‘Does that hurt, me darlin’?’

The old lady nodded. ‘It’s very painful.’

‘Right, we’ll have a cup of tea then take yer jumper off to see what’s what.’ Molly smiled into the lined face. ‘Yer haven’t broken anything, sweetheart, so that’s a blessing.’

Mary glanced towards the kitchen. ‘Amy Hanley, have yer gone to China for that ruddy tea? We’re all spitting feathers in here.’

‘Ay, I’m seeing to the invalid.’ Amy appeared, carefully carrying a cup and saucer. ‘You can see to yer ruddy self, ye’re ugly enough.’ She handed the saucer to Molly. ‘You hold it, girl, in case Lizzie spills it on herself.’

The old lady looked flustered. ‘I’ve only got a drop of milk, I was on me way to the shops to get some when I fell.’

‘That’s all right, sunshine, we’re not dying of thirst.’ Mary felt sorry for the proud old lady who’d never been known to borrow or cadge off anyone. ‘We’ll see to yer bit of shopping, so don’t worry.’

The drink seemed to perk Lizzie up. She licked her lips and said, ‘That’s the best cup of tea I’ve ever had.’

Molly took the cup from her and handed it to Amy, who was hovering by the end of the couch. Then she stroked Lizzie’s cheek. ‘Lean forward, me darlin’, and I’ll roll yer jumper up from the back. It’ll be over yer head in the blink of an eye, so it will.’

Lizzie was covered in bruises, particularly down the right side, where she’d landed. They were only just beginning to colour, but as Molly said, ‘Tomorrow they’ll be black and
blue, me darlin’, and very sore. Best if yer stay in and rest for a few days.’

‘I wouldn’t be able to go out, Molly, ’cos I think I’ve broke me ankle.’

‘I don’t think yer’ll have broken it, sweetheart, or they’d hear yer screaming down at the Pier Head. But yer may have sprained it when yer fell. Let’s take yer shoes and stockings off and have a gander.’ Molly sat nursing the painful foot. ‘It’s not broken, me darlin’, or it would be swelled up like a balloon. But yer’ve sprained it all right and yer won’t be able to walk on it for a few days.’

‘How’s she going to get up the stairs to bed, then?’ Amy wanted to know. ‘Or down the yard to the lavvy?’

‘With our help, that’s how,’ Mary said. ‘We’ll make up a bed on the couch so she’s nice and comfy, and we’ll give her an arm to lean on while she hops down the yard.’

Molly saw the worried frown on Lizzie’s face and patted her gently. ‘It’s only for a few days, me darlin’, and won’t it be nice to be waited on hand and foot?’

‘I’m going to be a nuisance to yer, I’m sorry.’

‘Don’t be so daft!’ Amy felt like picking the old lady up and taking her home, where there was a nice fire roaring up the chimney. ‘There’s three of us, we’ll take turns looking after yer.’

‘Then let’s start now,’ Molly said briskly. ‘Mary, if Lizzie doesn’t mind, will yer see to the bedding? Oh, and bring a nightdress and something to wrap around her shoulders. And Amy, will you bank the fire up, me darlin’, then make Lizzie another cup of tea?’ The Irishwoman winked at Amy. ‘Sure, I can see in yer eyes what yerself is thinking, Amy me darlin’. So I’ll answer yer and save yer the trouble of asking. I’m off home to get a bucket of coal to fill the scuttle and some milk to keep Lizzie in drinks until one of us goes to the shops.’

The small house became a hive of activity and Lizzie began to enjoy herself. It was nice to have people for a
change, to hear a human voice instead of just the steady ticking of the clock. She never had visitors and sometimes felt very lonely as each dreary day dragged on to another dreary day. But the house was ringing now with the sound of Mary’s laughter and Amy’s antics, and although she was in pain, the old lady was thinking her fall was a blessing in disguise.

When Molly came back with the coal and milk, it was to see the old lady looking much brighter and contented. She had a clean nightdress on, with a maroon cardi over her shoulders, and her head was resting on three feather pillows.

‘Well, now, don’t you look the posh one? Sure ’tis the life of Riley himself yer’ll be having for the next few days.’ Molly placed a jug of milk on the table before emptying the bucket of coal into the brass coal scuttle at the side of the hearth. ‘That should keep yer going until tonight.’

‘I’ll send our John down with another bucket when he’s had his dinner,’ Amy said. ‘He’ll bank the fire up so it lasts all through the night and keeps the room warm.’

‘There’s no need,’ Lizzie said, afraid she’d never be able to pay these women back. ‘I don’t feel the cold.’

‘While ye’re lying there, Lizzie Marshall, yer’ll do as ye’re told. I’ll ask our Jenny to come down and sit with yer for an hour, keep yer company. And when it’s time for bed, one of us will come and help yer to the lavvy before settling yer down for the night.’

Molly turned her head away so they couldn’t see the grin on her face. John and Jenny coming here tonight, eh? Didn’t that give Amy’s son an unfair advantage? She’d have to pass that bit of information on to Mick, so she would, otherwise he’d be left at the starting post.

‘Look, Mary and Amy, you two go and get yer shopping done. I’ll stay with Lizzie until dinnertime, then one of you can take over.’

‘Are yer sure, Molly?’ Mary asked. ‘I feel a bit mean, leaving yer.’

‘Nonsense!’ Molly shooed them out of the room. ‘I couldn’t pass me time in better company than Lizzie’s. We’ll have a great time, altogether, pulling everyone to pieces.’ But her face became serious when she was showing her neighbours out. ‘She seems fine, but I think we should keep our eyes on her for a few days. I’m not worried about the bruises, they’ll not kill her. But Lizzie is eighty years of age, so she is, and a fall can be a terrible shock to the system.’

‘Yeah, I’ve been thinking of that meself.’ Mary sighed as she linked her arm through Amy’s. ‘We’ll get her a few groceries to keep her going, and go half each with the cost. Is that all right with you, sunshine?’

‘Yer’ve no need to ask, girl, yer know that.’ Amy’s voice was choked. ‘She’s a ruddy hero, that old lady, d’yer know that? She keeps her house beautiful, like a little palace. But her cupboards are bare. There’s nowt to eat in the kitchen, not even a crumb to give to the birds. It’s no wonder she fell, she must be as weak as a kitten and light-headed with hunger.’

‘We’ll feed her up in the next few days,’ Molly said, ‘and watch out for her in future. But we’ll have to be careful how we do it. She’s a proud old lady and would be offended if she thought we were doing it out of pity.’ She began to close the door. ‘I’ll get back to her now and see if she wants to spend a penny.’

In the Nightingale house, the family were seated around the table eating their dinner as Mary told of the day’s events. ‘Honest to God, there’s not a pick on her, she’s as thin as a rake. Molly picked her up as though she was a baby. But what a little love she is. I felt like hugging the life out of her.’

‘Yeah, she’s a nice little thing, always got a pleasant smile for yer,’ Stan said. ‘And she does well for her age, her windows and step are always the cleanest in the street.’

Jenny’s eyes were full of concern. ‘I hope she wasn’t hurt bad, Mam? I think she’s lovely, like a little doll.’

‘She’s full of bruises, and they must be sore because she’s got no flesh on her. But a week’s rest, staying in the warmth, should see a great improvement.’ Mary pushed her plate back and rested her elbows on the table. ‘I want one of yer to sit with her for a few hours tonight, just to keep her company so she’s not dwelling on things.’

For the first time, Laura showed interest in the conversation. It was Thursday, her night for Barlow’s Lane and Gary. She hadn’t seen him since last week and she was going tonight come hell or high water. ‘Ah, ay, Mam! I’m going dancing tonight – I’ve made arrangements! Anyway, I don’t want to sit with an old woman, I wouldn’t know what to talk about.’