Authors: Joan Jonker
There was a spring in Sadie’s step as she set out to walk to the market on Saturday afternoon. It was a long walk, but she wasn’t going to spend any of her precious one and sixpence on tram fare in case she saw something she wanted and was a couple of coppers short. She didn’t notice the heads that turned to look at the pretty blonde whose mouth was turned up at the corners in a half-smile. She wasn’t expecting miracles, but she had a feeling that today was going to be a lucky day for her.
A twenty-minute brisk walk brought her to the bustling market. It was packed with people seeking bargains, and the air was filled with the shouts of the Mary Ellens selling their flowers and vegetables, and the stall-holders vying with each other to attract customers to their wares. You could buy anything at the market, from clothes pegs to furniture, but today Sadie was only interested in seeking out second-hand clothes stalls.
With her tattered purse gripped in her hand, Sadie elbowed her way through the mass of people. The brilliant sunshine had brought more folk out than usual, many of whom were just passing an hour away browsing. But the atmosphere was cheerful and good-natured, and Sadie’s spirits were high as she glanced at the goods on offer on the stalls she passed. It was when she came to a stall where women were pushing each other out of the way to sort through clothes piled high on the makeshift table, that her interest was roused.
‘How much is this?’ A middle-aged woman with a black knitted shawl covering her shoulders held up a child’s
crumpled
dress. ‘It can’t be much ’cos the bleedin’ thing’s nearly worn out.’
‘Are yer askin’ me, or tellin’ me?’ The stall-holder, a small wiry woman with bright red hair, had a voice like a fog-horn. ‘If yer askin’ me, then it’s tuppence. If yer tellin’ me it’s no good, then put the bleedin’ thing down an’ see if yer can do better anywhere else.’ She looked to another potential customer for understanding. ‘Honest to God, she’ll be askin’ me to give her money next, to take the bleedin’ thing off me hands!’
‘There’s no need to be bloody sarcastic,’ said the woman, still holding the dress aloft. ‘I’ll take it, but I still think it’s a downright swindle.’
‘Just give us the tuppence and sod off.’ The stall-holder was smiling as she held out her hand for the money. ‘See yer next week, Aggie?’
‘Yeah, I suppose so, Mary Ann. Our Billy’s got no arse in his kecks.’ The woman called Aggie looked down at the overflowing basket at her feet. ‘I don’t suppose yer’ve got a bag for this dress, Mary Ann?’
‘What? Yer get a dress for tuppence, an’ yer want a bag to put it in! Where d’yer think yer are, Aggie – George Henry Lee’s? It’s a wonder yer don’t ask me to wash and iron it for yer.’
‘I would if I thought yer were soft enough.’ Aggie took a deep breath before lifting the heavy basket. ‘If I were you, I’d wash and iron it for me. But then, some folk are not as obligin’ as others.’
‘Sod off, Aggie! If I come across a pair of trousers for your Billy, I’ll put them to one side for yer. Can’t have him goin’ around bare-arsed.’
Sadie grinned as she inched her way forward. How she was going to find anything in that pile she didn’t know, but her optimism remained high.
‘Can I help yer, girl?’ Mary Ann had noticed the pretty blonde girl who was allowing the older women to push her out of the way. If two women spotted something at the same time, and both went for it, they’d think nothing of coming to fisticuffs. ‘Anythin’ in particular yer lookin’ for?’
Sadie tried to get nearer, not wanting to have to shout over all the noise. ‘A dress for meself, and a brassière, if yer’ve got one.’
‘What size are yer, girl?’
Sadie looked at her blankly. ‘I don’t know. Yer see, I’ve never had a brassière before.’
‘Come round to the side an’ let’s have a look at yer.’ Mary Ann waved a few customers back. ‘Let the girl get through.’
Feeling all eyes on her, Sadie stood before the stall-holder who weighed her up with an experienced glance. ‘Hang on a tick, I’ve got two here that should do.’ She bent down and rummaged in a box by her feet. ‘These are both the same size, love, so either of them will fit yer.’
Sadie took them both in her hands. One was white cotton with a lace inset and the other was a pretty pink with a satin bow between the cups. ‘Ooh, er, I like them both.’ She grinned at the woman. ‘Yer spoilin’ me for choice.’
‘I keep them down there, otherwise, sure as eggs someone will nick the bleedin’ things.’ Mary Ann was keeping a close eye on her stall, and when she saw a woman with a pair of trousers in her hand, looking around furtively, she whispered, ‘They’d steal the bleedin’ eye out of yer head and come back for the socket. You make up yer mind while I sort this woman out.’
‘How much are they?’ Sadie asked the retreating figure.
‘Thruppence each – an’ that’s a good buy ’cos they’re in good nick.’
Sadie’s brain was working overtime. She liked them both, and really she could do with two so she could wear one while the other was being washed. If she bought them both, she’d be left with a shilling. Would that be enough to buy a half-decent dress?
‘Made up yer mind, love?’
‘I’d like them both, but I need a dress badly and I’ve only got one and sixpence. I don’t know what to do.’
‘Yer’ll get a dress for a bob, girl! Have a root through there, yer’ll find something.’ The stall-holder held out her
hand.
‘Here, give us those, I’ll keep them here for yer.’
But Sadie was too shy, no match for the older women who were desperate for clothes for their children and kept pushing her out of the way. The stall-holder watched with growing impatience. In the end, she bawled, ‘Hey, girl! Use yer bleedin’ elbows on them or yer’ll never get a look-in! If yer too polite, they’ll walk all over yer.’
So Sadie got stuck in. She watched the other women delving into the piles and turning them over, so she did the same. It was then she glimpsed a piece of blue and white material. As she pulled it from the bottom of the stack, she prayed it wasn’t a child’s dress or an overall. And her prayers were answered. It was a summer dress in pale blue, patterned with small white leaves. It looked just about her size and Sadie could feel her excitement rising as she held the dress up. It had short cap sleeves, a sweetheart neck, fitted bodice and a flared skirt.
‘I told yer, didn’t I, girl?’ Mary Ann was almost as pleased as Sadie. ‘All yer needed was a bit of patience. It hasn’t been worn much, either; it’s in good condition.’
Sadie held the dress to her shoulders. ‘D’yer think it’ll fit me?’
‘I’ll bet yer a pound to a pinch of snuff that it fits yer like a bleedin’ glove.’ The stall-holder was thinking that the blue of the dress was exactly the blue of the girl’s eyes. ‘If it doesn’t, yer can bring it back next week an’ I’ll swap it for yer.’
‘How much is it?’
Mary Ann stared hard for a few seconds, thinking she must be going soft in her old age. Then she decided she liked the look of the girl – and what the hell, anyway! You had to be tough, working the markets, otherwise you’d never make a living. But you couldn’t go through life without showing some charity. ‘Come and stand behind here with me. Bring the dress with yer.’
Looking puzzled, Sadie made her way to stand beside the stall-holder. ‘How much is the dress?’
‘I’ll give yer a little lesson in life, girl, and next time yer come to the market, think on what I’m going to tell yer. I
know
yer’ve got a shilling ’cos yer were daft enough to tell me. Rule number one, never do that because many of the people selling on the market would tell yer the dress was a shilling, even though it might not be worth it. Wait for them to tell yer how much it is, then bargain them down.’
‘But I’ve got a shilling,’ said a bewildered Sadie, ‘and I think the dress is worth it.’
‘Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!’ Mary Ann tutted. ‘Yer haven’t listened to a word I’ve said, have yer? I know yer’ve got a bleedin’ shilling! How do I know yer’ve got one? Because yer ruddywell told me! Why I’m bothering I don’t know, but I’m trying to get through yer thick head that yer should never tell anyone who’s trying to sell yer something, how much money yer’ve got ’cos they’ll take it all off yer. Now, is that clear?’
Sadie nodded. ‘I understand what yer saying, and I’ll be more careful in future. But yer still haven’t told me how much the dress is.’
‘Wait until I go an’ serve that woman before she has a fit. She’s blue in the face shoutin’ for attention.’ Shaking her head, Mary Ann left her to see to an elderly lady. ‘Yes, love?’
Sadie felt someone tug on her arm and turned to see a fat, grey-haired woman holding up a pair of washed-out, blue fleecy-lined bloomers. ‘How much is she askin’ for these?’
‘I don’t know.’ Sadie hesitated, then looked along the table to where Mary Ann was serving a couple of people at once. ‘I’ll go and ask for yer.’
‘Tell her I’ll give her a penny for them, they’re not worth any more.’
When Sadie relayed the message, Mary Ann looked to where the fat lady was standing. ‘Oh, it’s you, Florrie, I might have known. The bloomers were tuppence, but seein’ as it’s you, we’ll split the difference and yer can have them for three ha’pence.’
The deal suited Florrie, but she wasn’t going to let the stall-holder know that. ‘Yer a hard woman, Mary Ann!’
‘Oh, I know, Florrie! I’ve been to the doctor about it
but
he said it’s incurable an’ I’m goin’ to have to live with it.’ Mary Ann winked at Sadie. ‘Give her the bloomers and take the money.’
Business was brisk and Sadie found herself serving more customers. Her nervousness soon vanished and she began to enjoy the experience. You certainly saw life working in a market; it beat slaving in the factory every day. All life passed you by here – people of every size, shape and disposition. The people were poor, they wouldn’t be there if they weren’t, but what they lacked in money they made up for in humour, and Sadie had a permanent smile on her face.
Trade slowed down and Sadie stood back with the dress over her arm, waiting for Mary Ann. She could have been home by now, had the dress washed and on the line. Then she could have worn it tonight when she went to meet Harry.
‘Nice little rush, eh, girl? That should keep my feller in ciggies for the week.’
‘I enjoyed it, it was very interesting.’ Sadie opened her purse. ‘Now, how much do I owe yer?’
‘Well, let’s see if we can come to some agreement. What are yer most in need of – a blouse or a skirt? Have a look through and see if there’s anything yer fancy, an’ I’ll let yer have it, with the dress, for that bleedin’ shilling which is goin’ to come between me an’ me sleep.’
‘I haven’t got a blouse or skirt.’
‘Oh, don’t yer wear skirts? I like them meself, feel more comfortable in them.’
‘It’s not that I don’t like them, I just haven’t got any.’ Sadie felt at ease with the woman. She’d often wished she had a mother figure to confide in, especially when she’d been growing up and the changes in her body were frightening her. But there’d been no one to turn to. Her parents’ families had disowned them years ago, disgusted and ashamed of the conditions they were living in. So Sadie warmed to the stall-holder, the first woman who’d treated her like an adult and showed interest. ‘To tell yer the truth, the dress I’ve got on is the only one I possess.’
‘Go ’way!’ Mary Ann looked shocked. ‘Are yer an orphan, girl?’
‘Oh no, I’ve got a mother and father, and three sisters and two brothers. But I haven’t got good parents. All the money me dad and I earn goes in the pub. Me and the other kids don’t get a look-in.’
Mary Ann shook her head as though dazed. She believed every word the girl said ’cos yer could see in her eyes that she was telling the truth. ‘They don’t deserve yer, girl. If yer were mine, I’d be that proud of yer I’d have yer dressed up to the bleedin’ nines.’
‘Well, I will be dressed up to the nines tomorrow, in me new dress.’ Sadie opened her purse. ‘How much do I owe yer?’
‘Give us a tanner for the two brassières and a tanner for the dress.’ When Sadie went to protest, Mary Ann said, ‘I’ll take the other tanner off yer when yer come next week. By that time I’ll have a nice skirt an’ blouse for yer.’
‘I didn’t tell yer about me mam and dad so yer’d be sorry for me. I only told yer because yer’ve been very kind to me and I’m not used to kindness.’
‘D’yer know, me blood’s boiling! Your mam and dad want stringin’ up by their flamin’ feet!’ Mary Ann’s dander was up. Fancy having a daughter who looked like a film star and dressing her like a tramp. My God, she’d tell them a thing or two if she ever met them. ‘Do as I tell yer, girl, give me a shillin’ and come back next week. I’ll root something nice out for yer.’
Starved of affection for so long, Sadie put her arms around the startled stall-holder and gave her a hug. ‘I wish me mam was like you.’
‘You don’t know me when I’m in a paddy – I can be a real she-devil when I want. Now, give us the shilling and scarper, I’ve got to make a few more bob here before I go home.’ She took the shilling and put it in the big pocket of the apron she wore. ‘I hope the dress looks nice on yer.’
‘I wish I’d got it yesterday, then I could have washed it to wear tonight. I’m not goin’ anywhere special, it’s just
that
the boy I’m meeting has never seen me in anything other than this old rag I’ve got on.’
‘That’ll be all right to wear, yer know.’ Mary Ann pointed to the dress draped over Sadie’s arm. ‘It looks clean enough to me, and I can promise yer there’ll be no bleedin’ fleas on it. Just give it a good shake, hang it on the line for an hour in the fresh air, then run the iron over it. Yer’ll have all the lads fallin’ over themselves when they see yer all dolled up.’
‘They needn’t bother themselves, I’m not interested in fellers.’
‘I thought yer were seein’ one tonight?’
‘Yeah, I am, but I’m not going out with him. He’s not a boyfriend or anything, just the lad from next door.’
‘Enjoy yerself, anyway, girl, an’ I’ll see yer next week.’
Sadie smiled. ‘Thanks for bein’ so good to me, I really appreciate it. Not many people would have taken the trouble you have and I’ll definitely be back next week,’ she grinned, ‘with another bleedin’ shilling.’