‘I need to talk to you,’ Horace said. Ordering a port for himself, he waited until it was poured before indicating a table near the door.
Tom scowled. The man had kept his word and hadn’t offered him a beer, but he picked up his almost empty pint glass and went to sit alongside him. Without preamble, Horace began to speak, and Tom’s eyes rounded.
‘Are you sure you heard right?’
‘Of course I’m sure. I stalled Emma, told her I’d talk to you, but let me make this clear. I have no intentions of housing your bloody horde.’
Tom stiffened. ‘I don’t expect you to.’
‘Huh, according to Emma you’ve no time for your kids, and she won’t leave them to fend for
themselves. I’m sure she won’t marry me unless she knows they’ll be cared for.’
Tom picked up his drink, gulping down the last of his beer whilst his mind turned over. ‘Look, that widow woman I told you about is mad for me, but it’s a bit too soon to talk about marriage. If you delay your wedding for a couple of months it’d give me a bit more time.’
‘If she’s mad for you, surely that isn’t necessary?’
‘Leave it out. I’ve only taken her out once and don’t forget I’ll be asking her to take the kids on. Not only that, my flat ain’t exactly Buckingham Palace and she may not be too keen about sharing the attic with my lot.’
‘Can’t you move in with her?’
‘With only one small bedroom there ain’t room. Mind you, it ain’t a bad little place compared to mine and I can’t see her wanting to leave it.’
Horace was quiet for a moment. Then he said, ‘Would it help if you could offer an incentive?’
‘Like what?’
‘I’ve been to see a house in Balham today, and it’s a fine building. At the moment it’s divided into two flats, both with three bedrooms, a bathroom and spacious kitchen. I had intended to convert it. However, if this woman will agree to marry you right away, you can have the ground
floor. It’s far superior to the flat you have now, and surely enough to tempt her.’
Tom licked his lips. ‘Will it be rent free?’
Horace Bell’s face suffused with colour and for a moment Tom thought he was going to burst a blood vessel, but then the man sighed heavily. ‘Yes, it will be rent free, but in return I’ll expect you to act as caretaker for the house.’
‘What does that involve?’
‘I’ll put tenants in the other flat, and if anything goes wrong with the plumbing, electric or anything else, it will be up to you to put it right.’
‘That’s fine with me. I can turn my hand to most things so it won’t be a problem. Right, you’re on. I’ll have a word with my widow woman later.’
‘Make sure you do. Oh, and don’t mention this conversation to Emma. I don’t want her to think I had a hand in this. I’ll call in to see you at around the same time tomorrow, and if you have good news for me, I’ll go ahead and book the registry office.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll get it sorted. And you never know,’ Tom added with a grin, ‘we may be able to book a double wedding.’
‘I don’t think so,’ Horace said, his face stiff.
Tom watched him leave. Pompous git! But fancy Emma expecting the man to let her move the kids
in. Daft cow. Still, it had worked in his favour and more good things were coming his way. The flat in Balham sounded just the ticket. He hadn’t intended to ask Polly to marry him yet, but if last night was anything to go by, surely she’d agree. The sex had been amazing, and, unlike Myra, the woman had been wanton. With the thought of more of the same, he decided that there was no need to go home. Emma would be there to sort the kids out and now was as good a time as any to go round to Polly’s. He’d wait until she was satisfied and cuddled in his arms, the perfect time to pop the question, and with this in mind, Tom hurriedly left the pub.
‘Do what? Marry you! Blimey, Tom, have you lost your marbles? We’ve only been out together once.’
‘No, of course I ain’t lost me marbles. What does it matter that we’ve only had one date? I’ve known you for years, Polly, since we were nippers, and you’ve got to admit we’re good together.’
Polly hid her dismay as she snuggled closer to Tom. The bed was a shambles, blankets in disarray, but after the sex they had just enjoyed, it wasn’t surprising. Her first marriage had been a disaster, her husband violent and brutal, and she hadn’t been sad when he’d copped it in Burma. She’d vowed never to marry again, never to let another
man rule her, and local gossip had it that Tom’s mind had been badly affected by the war. Mind you, she had never heard that he was violent, but she felt unwilling to take the risk.
With a small shake of her head and stroking his chest, she said, ‘Can’t we just leave things as they are? I mean, why get married?’
‘Is it my kids? Is that what’s putting you off?’
‘Crumbs, I hadn’t even considered the kids, but now you come to mention it, the thought is a bit daunting. I’ve never had nippers of my own and I’m not sure how to handle them. Emma wouldn’t be any trouble, or Dick come to that, but the younger ones, well, I’m not sure, Tom.’
‘Leave it out, Polly. You’re a dinner lady at the school.’
‘I just serve the food, that’s all. It doesn’t make me good with kids. Christ, Tom, you’ve got eight!’
‘I know, but you must have heard that James and Archie are living with Alice Moon and I’ve agreed to her adopting them. It wasn’t any easy decision,’ Tom lied, ‘but in the end I felt they’d be better off with her. At the time I had no idea that I’d be thinking of marriage again and it’s too late to change my mind now.’
‘So that leaves six?’
‘No, love. You see Dick is old enough to find his own place, and Luke leaves school next year,
so he’ll soon follow. When he goes, that’ll leave just Susan, Bella and Ann.’
‘You’re forgetting Emma, and I’m not so sure she’d take kindly to the idea. Come to that, your flat must be bursting at the seams.’
Tom took a deep breath. Now was the time to lay his trump card. ‘Emma is getting married shortly.’
‘Married! Your Emma! But she’s only seventeen.’
‘I know, but she had an offer she couldn’t refuse.’
‘Oh, yeah? What sort of offer?’
‘She’s going to marry Horace Bell.’
‘Never!’
‘Yes, in a month’s time too. Bell was so chuffed that he’s offered me a smashing flat in Balham. It’s got three bedrooms, a bathroom, and a lovely big kitchen. Not only that, it’ll be rent free.’
‘Well, stone the crows.’
‘Think about it, Polly. If you agree to marry me, with no rent to pay we’d be sitting pretty.’
She moved slightly away from him, her thoughts racing. Bloody hell, a rent-free flat, and with Emma marrying a rich man, what else might come their way? Married to Tom she wouldn’t have to be a flaming school dinner lady, a job that sometimes drove her mad. Not only that, in Balham she could leave her growing reputation
behind. For a moment Polly chewed on her lower lip. It might be nice to be respectable again, a married lady, and Tom seemed as keen on a bit of slap and tickle as she was. Then struck by another idea, she sat up.
‘Hang on, Tom. With Emma leaving, are you sure you’re not just looking for a replacement to look after the kids?’
‘Leave it out, love. Why would I want a wife for that? Emma’s been at work all day recently, and the kids have been on holiday from school. They ain’t babies and they’ve managed fine with Luke to keep an eye on them.’
‘So why do you want to marry me?’
Tom gathered her into his arms, his kiss passionate. He then drew back, smiling down at her. ‘Do you need to ask?’ Hoping his face didn’t reflect the lie, he added, ‘I think the world of you, Polly, and don’t want to leave you here while I go to live in my posh flat in Balham. Please, girl, say you’ll marry me.’
There was a moment’s silence, Polly’s lashes now veiling her eyes, whilst Tom held his breath. Had he done enough to convince her?
‘When are you moving, Tom?’
‘As soon as I get the keys.’
‘And…and if I agree, when would you want to get married?’
‘I don’t want to wait. I’d like us to move to
Balham together. This flat can be a fresh start for both of us.’
For a moment she still hesitated, but then her head nodded slowly. ‘All right, Tom Chambers, you’re on.’
Tom went home at half-past ten with a spring in his step. Marriage hadn’t been in his plans for a while yet, but needs must, and anyway, it made sense. Despite her reservations he was sure that Polly would be fine with the kids, and she would warm his bed nicely. In fact, more than nicely. Mind you, he hoped her willingness didn’t wane. Things had been fine with Myra at first, but as the years passed she became more and more reluctant until it had become a nightly battle, with her lying like a bloody stone beneath him. Gawd, he hoped it wouldn’t be the same with Polly. Tom brightened. Myra had never been like Polly. She had always been a little reluctant, whereas Polly was like a tigress and he had the scratches to prove it. He grinned, and the grin was still on his face when he walked into the flat.
‘Your dinner’s gone cold,’ Emma said as he made for his chair.
‘I’m not hungry. Are the kids in bed?’
‘Yes, Dick and Luke too. I waited up to talk to you. Have you seen Mr Bell?’
Tom almost said yes, but then remembered that the man wanted their chat kept quiet. ‘No, and why should I?’
‘He said he’d talk to you.’
‘What about?’
Emma lowered her head, her hands fidgeting in her lap. ‘I asked him if the kids could move in with us and he said he’d discuss it with you.’
‘Do what?’ Tom cried, acting surprised.
‘Dad, they’d be better off living with us. It’s a lovely house with seven bedrooms and…well…when I marry Mr Bell, they can’t be left to fend for themselves. I know Luke has tried, but they’re running wild. Mrs Dunston collared me when I came home, doing her nut about the racket they’re making. She said she’s going to report us to the landlord.’
Tom’s laugh was loud. ‘I’d like to be there if she does. I reckon my new son-in-law to be would put her in her place.’
‘Dad, please, I’m serious. If you agree, I’m sure Horace will too.’
Tom feigned anger. ‘Now you listen to me, my girl. It’s up to me where the kids live, not you,
or
Horace Bell.’
‘I know that, Dad, but who’ll look after them when I’m gone?’
‘I’ve got that sorted.’
Emma frowned. ‘How?’
Tom decided that he might as well tell her, but he’d have to keep the news of the flat in Balham quiet for now. ‘If you must know, I’m getting married again.’
‘Married! But Mum’s only been dead for eight months. You…you can’t.’
‘I can do what I bloody well like!’ Tom softened his tone. ‘It’s for the best, girl. You said yourself the kids are running wild. They need taking in hand, looking after, and Polly Letworth is just the woman to do it.’
‘Polly Letworth? You’re going to marry
her
!’
‘Yes, that’s right.’
‘I didn’t know you were seeing her.’
‘I don’t have to report my movements to you. Anyway, it’s sorted and if you ask me, it’ll be the best for all of us.’
Emma said no more as she rose to her feet, then disappeared up the ladder. Tom sat back in his chair. Well, he’d told her now, and no doubt she’d pass the news on to the kids.
Undressing, Emma lowered herself onto the mattress, gently nudging Susan to one side. She still had little room but, with her mind racing,
hardly noticed. Her father’s news had shocked her and she still couldn’t take it in. Her dream of them all living in that lovely house was shattered. For a moment she wondered if this meant that she wouldn’t have to marry Mr Bell, but then found herself unhappy with that thought too. With Polly Letworth living here, she’d have to listen to her father’s nightly battles again, this time with Polly protesting as her mother had. At that image she blanched. God, married to Horace Bell she’d face the same nightly battle with him!
Emma’s mind continued to race, keeping her awake as she went over the pros and cons, but always Mr Bell’s lovely house won–that and memories of the life her mother had led. Polly Letworth might be happy to live here in poverty but she wasn’t. She
wanted
Mr Bell’s house, wanted a life of luxury. The only problem being that she
didn’t
want the man! Could she do it? Could she share his bed?
The question continued to plague Emma, until at last she knew the answer. Anything would be better than living like this, and as she finally drifted off to sleep, she at last knew, without a shadow of doubt, that her marriage to Mr Bell would go ahead.
The morning brought more problems for Emma when her father left for work without a word. She
fed the children, putting the moment off, but knew they would have to be told. Gossip soon spread, and she didn’t want them to hear the news from anyone else. She wanted to break it gently, to take her time. Surely it wouldn’t hurt to be a little late for work? Horace was a kind man and would understand. Dick had already left, but she’d pop to the market on her way to Clapham Common. Goodness knew how he’d react to the news, but in the meantime, she had to tell the others.
Emma sat down and they looked at her in surprise when she told them to do the same.
Luke paled, still on his feet when he said, ‘You’ve got something important to tell us, ain’t you?’
‘Yes, love, I have.’ Emma fought for words, a way to make it easier for them to accept. ‘You see, when I get married, I won’t be here to look after you and it’s been worrying Dad.’
‘Why? He never bothered about us before, and anyway, you said we can come to live with you.’ Luke sat down, his mouth grim. ‘I told you it wouldn’t happen. Did Bell say no?’
‘Horace agreed. It’s just that Dad has sorted something else out.’
Susan’s voice was high. ‘Harry Warton was put in a home when his mum died. Dad ain’t gonna do that to us is he, Emma?’
‘No, of course not,’ Emma said hastily. ‘Harry’s
father was killed in the war and when his mum died there was no one to look after him. That’s not going to happen to you, because, well, you see Dad is getting married again and…and you’ll have a new mum.’
There was a shocked silence.