Christmas with the Surplus Girls by Polly Heron

Author:Polly Heron
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atlantic Books

Chapter Twenty-One

AFTER THE REMEMBRANCE Day assembly, Nancy felt the tug of home. Today of all days, it was important to be with your family and appreciate them, even pesky younger sisters. After the Sunday roast in Wilton Close, she set off for Bailiff’s Row.

Beneath the layer of tobacco that lay for ever in the air in the Pikes’ cramped flat was the smell of – oh, she recognised it, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She sniffed.

‘Corned beef fritters,’ Emily told her.

Corned beef fritters – for Sunday dinner. It showed how she had gone up in the world. She thought nowt these days of having chicken on a Sunday or pork with crackling and apple sauce. She experienced a moment of shame.

‘Eh, we do miss the day-old pies you used to fetch home from the pie shop, our Nancy,’ said Lottie, ‘but that was before you got above yourself and went piking off to live in yon posh place.’

‘That’ll do, Lottie,’ Mam chided. ‘Don’t begrudge your sister her chance to better herself. We’ll all benefit from it in the long run, when she’s earning a decent wage.’

Oh aye, if she ever managed to cope with clerical work!

‘Did you go to church this morning, Mam?’ Nancy asked.

‘Aye, love.’

‘Your mother was determined.’ Pa smiled fondly at Mam. ‘Weren’t you, Marjorie?’

‘It’s the least I could do for Eddie and Les.’

There was a sorrowful silence. Nancy thought of her uncles. Twins ran in the family.

‘Let’s talk about summat cheerful,’ said Mam. ‘What have you been up to this week at that orphanage, my lass?’

Nancy glanced away as guilt tugged at her. It didn’t feel right to talk about her job. Mam and Pa would worry if they knew how unsuited she was. If she made out she was coming along nicely, would that be sparing their feelings or would it be outright lies?

‘If you want to hear summat cheerful, the Miss Heskeths and the other pupil-lodger, Mrs Atwood, are going to a wedding next Saturday. The ladies’ niece is getting wed somewhere near Southport.’

‘Oh, a wedding.’ Mam sounded sentimental, but then her eyes narrowed. ‘Is this the niece you mentioned to me once before?’

Nancy nodded.

Mam’s face cleared. ‘I’m pleased to hear she’s getting married and I wish her well. Do you know what the Miss Heskeths and the other lady are going to wear?’

‘Mrs Atwood always dresses well.’ A smile caught at Nancy’s lips as she went on, ‘Miss Hesketh will look smart, but she won’t have any frills or fuss.’ If it had been just her and Mam, she would have shared Miss Patience’s fears about mutton dressed as lamb. As it was, she said, ‘Miss Patience is such a sweet, gentle lady. I hope she has summat nice to wear.’

When it was time to leave, Pa put on his threadbare coat to walk Nancy to the bus stop.

‘So it’ll be you on your own in Wilton Close next Saturday?’ he remarked as they walked along Bailiff’s Row. The afternoon was drawing in.

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