Molly Zero by Keith Roberts

Author:Keith Roberts
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

At least the reactions are fascinating to watch. Mac drops his cigarette butt at last, Dougal falls over a crate. Paul just straightforwardly grabs you; but by that time you’re yourself again. Mr Jerrold is the only disappointment. ‘‘Ad your hair done, lass?’ he says amiably in passing. ‘Looks quite nice . . .’

Dear Mr Jerrold. The voice of wisdom, and calm experience.

Saturday’s queer. You feel odd all day, you’ve got the butterflies. You sweep through finally and wash your hands, take your overall off and hang it up. Mr Jerrold’s putting his coat on; you walk through the shop with him and he closes the street door and rattles it to make sure it’s locked. He says. ‘See you Monday, lass,’ and trudges away.

‘Yes,’ you say. ‘Goodnight.’ But you won’t see him on Monday. You won’t ever see him again. He’ll have to go back to painting his prices on the windows. Like he did man and boy.

You bathe, and pack. You can wear the windcheater but a lot of your stuff you’ll just have to leave. You make room in the top of the holdall for Savaina. Then you’re ready. It’s twenty two hundred.

You carry the bag down to the hall. It’s Arthur’s Club night, and the girls are at the Fair. You go through to the kitchen. Mrs Cranstal is sitting at her endless ironing. You swallow. You say, ‘Mavis, I’ve got to leave.’

She adds a handkerchief to a neatly folded stack, and picks up another. She says, ‘I know.’ She doesn’t look up.

‘What?’

She says, ‘I know what you’re doing. I’ve known all along. I only hope you do.’

You stare. ‘But how . . .’

‘You can always tell,’ she says. ‘Just little things. But they add up. You’re not from Mercia at all, are you? Neither you nor Paul. You’re from the Blocks.’

You feel helpless. And your mouth’s gone dry. You say, ‘I’m sorry we had to lie to you. It’s a bit late now to ask a favour.’

‘Don’t worry,’ she says. ‘I’ll not let on.’ She shakes her head. ‘It’s a crime and cruel sin . . .’

‘W-what is?’

She sets her jaw. ‘Nothing.’ She gets up. ‘Is Paul going with you?’

‘Yes.’

‘That’s something anyway,’ she says. ‘He’s got a good head on him for a young ‘un. Where will you make for?’

‘London.’

‘London,’ she says. ‘That’s a fair step. Never been to London. Not in all me life.’ She shakes her head again. ‘It won’t be easy getting used to somebody fresh. Not after you. We wouldn’t do it at all if Arthur brought more in. But I expect we’ll manage.’ She looks at you. ‘Mr Jerrold’s going to be upset. He put a lot of store by you.’

There’s so much you want to say. But there aren’t any words. ‘Will you go and see him for me? And explain to the others?’

‘Aye,’ she says. ‘I’ll do that much.’ She walks through to the hall with you. ‘Have you got everything you need?’

‘I’ve had to leave some bits and pieces.

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