Nobody In Particular by Cherry Simmonds

Author:Cherry Simmonds [Cherry Simmonds]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781407068732
Publisher: Transworld
Published: 2011-07-07T00:00:00+00:00

14

MARCH 31ST 1962, our BIG day. After today we’d be living in our own little house, with our precious few sticks of furniture including the treasures Eric had brought from abroad.

The wedding was at three o’clock. I didn’t know how I was going to get through the day. I seemed to be the only one working, cleaning the Littledale Road house from top to bottom, scrubbing the step, donkey-stoning the window sills and polishing brass. The resentment I felt started to melt as I remembered that after today I wouldn’t have to do this any more. But I still needed to spend some time alone with Mam.

I found her, as usual, lapsed into a preoccupied silence. I took her hand and looked into her tired face. ‘I do love you, Mam. Tell me truly, you will miss me, won’t you?’

‘Don’t ask daft questions.’ She muttered some sort of embarrassed apology. After removing her trembling hand from mine Mam bristled back to life, then quickly got changed and left in one of the earlier cars.

Alone in my room I got dolled up in my wedding dress. A pearl crown for my head and a pair of satin winkle-picker shoes completed the ensemble. Proudly, I carried a white Bible with a spray of real flowers, all paid for in full by selling my sewing machine.

My father’s hands, warm and strong, covered mine. We were alone, the last to leave. ‘Oh, Topsy darlin’, it does me heart good to see you standin’ there, lookin’ just like a princess. No, no, girl, you look like Veronica Lake.’

The familiar tightening in my throat when faced with kindness threatened to overwhelm me. I laughed through the tears. After all these years, he’d remembered my childhood fantasy of looking like Veronica Lake.

‘Thanks Dad for helpin’ pay for the reception, and, you know, for everythin’.’ My eyes burned, as I forced back further tears that threatened to spoil my make-up.

‘Don’t talk bloody daft. Anyway I don’t suppose I’ve been much of a dad. I wish I could have afforded a better send-off, especially since you’re the last one to bugger off, if you know what I mean?’ He gave me a hug and wiped his eyes, tried to blow his nose on his hanky, but forgot it was only three fabric points glued onto cardboard, sticking out of his top pocket to look real.

‘Let’s see a smile from me special baby.’

As was the custom, all the neighbours were gathered round the front door calling out, waiting for a glimpse of the blushing bride.

Dad braced himself. ‘Let’s knock ’em dead, Topsy.’

March 31st also happened to be Grand National day. To make matters more complicated, the wedding ceremony was due to start at the same time as the big race. Dad and me arrived late at the church, having decided at the last minute to watch it on telly. By the time I was ready to walk down the aisle Eric was distraught, fearing my earlier emotional state.

I gazed into his loving face, squeezed his hand and whispered, ‘Kilmore won.

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