Sweet Rosie O'Grady

by Joan Jonker

Genres: Family Life; Siblings; Friendship; World War II; Sagas

Synopsis

The war creates new demands for Molly and Nellie's families, as well as a few surprises. In Sweet Rosie O'Grady, Joan Jonker brings us another instalment of her hugely popular Molly and Nellie series, as the two friends get up to more mischief in their beloved Liverpool. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Nadine Dorries. Neighbours Molly Bennett and Nellie McDonough are thrilled to see their children settling down. Jill and Steve are making wedding plans and Doreen waits patiently at home for Phil's next leave. But the Second World War is separating loved ones forever and the future looks bleak... Then Rosie O'Grady arrives in Liverpool from Ireland and Molly and Nellie are in for a treat. With her sparkling blue eyes and youthful charm, sweet Rosie O'Grady is like a breath of fresh air. Her direct approach to life soon has everyone crying with laughter; and Molly's son, Tommy, who used to think girls were nothing but a nuisance, is in for a pleasant surprise... What readers are saying about Sweet Rosie O'Grady : 'Carrying on the saga of Molly and Nellie, two extremely funny and big-hearted ladies, this book will not disappoint Joan fans anywhere!... Oh, and fans of Nellie will love all of the tricks that she gets up to in this book!' 'Another great read from Joan Jonker. Her books contain a little bit of everything, sadness and humour in vast quantities, she certainly knew how to put a smile on the reader's face. FABULOUS READ '

Release date: February 2, 2012

Publisher: Headline

Print pages: 299

Sample

Nellie McDonough laced her chubby fingers together, then laid her hands flat on the table. ‘D’yer know what, girl? If I could get me hands on that Hitler feller, I’d wring his ruddy neck! I was sayin’ that to George last night, when we were havin’ a quiet talk before we went to bed.’ She shook her head in indignation, sending her layers of chins swinging from side to side. ‘One man causin’ all that trouble, it fair makes me blood boil.’

‘I agree with yer, Nellie,’ said her friend Molly Bennett. ‘I can’t understand why someone hasn’t bumped him off before now!’

‘Put a gun in me hand, point me in the right direction, an’ I’ll bump him off willingly!’ Once again Nellie’s chins did a dance. ‘Mind you, someone would ’ave to show me how to use the ruddy thing first, otherwise I’d be shootin’ me own toes off.’

A smile played around Molly’s mouth as she eyed her friend with affection. ‘Nellie, isn’t it a pity Chamberlain doesn’t know about you? ’cos if he did, all his troubles would be over. All he’d have to do would be to lock yer in an empty room with Hitler just for five minutes, an’ there wouldn’t be no flamin’ war.’

When Nellie grinned, the fat on her cheeks moved upwards to cover her eyes. ‘Ye’re right there, girl! There wouldn’t be no Hitler, either, ’cos I’d pulverize him!’

‘Pulverize or marmalize, Nellie, I wouldn’t be fussy how yer did it, as long as yer put him out of action for ever. A flamin’ madman, he is! Did yer read in the Echo that some mothers are sendin’ their kids away to places in the country? It’s not natural that, it would break my heart to send our Ruthie away.’

‘So even if a war does start, an’ evacuatin’ becomes compulsory, yer wouldn’t let her go?’

‘Would I heckers like! I’d never know a minute’s peace if I let her go to strangers!’ Ruthie was the baby of the family, and because she’d come along seven years after Tommy, the only boy, Molly was inclined to spoil her. ‘I mean, how would I know if they were good to her, if she was gettin’ enough to eat and if her clothes were being aired off properly?’ The very idea sent a shiver down Molly’s spine. ‘Takin’ a child away from her family an’ stickin’ her in with strangers, it doesn’t bear thinkin’ about, does it?’

‘Don’t let’s think about it then.’ Nellie gazed around the room, a knowing look on her face. ‘But before we stop talkin’ about it, can I say how jammy yer were, gettin’ all this new furniture when yer did? With most of the factories on war work, pretty soon yer won’t be able to get furniture for love nor money.’

‘I’ve thought about that meself, Nellie! Jack winning that twenty pounds on the pools was a godsend.’ Molly noticed the time and jumped to her feet. ‘I’ve got a few bits of washin’ to peg out, so d’yer want to hang on an’ we can go up to the shops together? It’ll only take me five minutes at the most.’

‘No, I’ll nip home and peel the spuds.’ Nellie spread her hands on the table and pushed herself up. ‘I’ve got me dinner cookin’ on a low light. It’s ham shank tonight, with onions, vegetables and barley.’ She rubbed her tummy and licked her lips. ‘Me mouth’s waterin’ just thinkin’ about it.’

Molly gazed with affection at the eighteen-stone woman who lived three doors away. They’d been neighbours for over twenty years, since the day they’d both moved into the street of two-up two-down terraced houses as newly-weds. But over the years they’d become more than just neighbours … they were best mates. True, they’d had their fights when the kids were little, but their scraps had always ended up in laughter. They’d always been there for each other, sharing the good times and the bad times. And when the kids were little there were plenty of bad times … with not enough money coming in to make ends meet. Molly remembered now the day they’d sat at her table and emptied their purses. Ninepence ha’penny they had between them, and that was to feed two husbands, six children and themselves. Molly was in despair, but Nellie refused to be downhearted. With her basket resting in the crook of her arm, she’d marched down to the shops and come back with the makings of a huge pan of scouse which they shared between the two houses. Admittedly the meat was conspicuous by its absence, but there were no complaints. And for the rest of the week they’d lived on tick from the corner shop. But through it all there had been happiness, laughter and affection. And the bond between the two women had been strengthened a few months ago when Steve, Nellie’s eighteen-year-old son, had become engaged to Molly’s eldest daughter, seventeen-year-old Jill.

‘In the name of God, Nellie, what’s wrong with yer stocking? It’s all wrinkled round yer ankle like a concertina!’

Nellie tutted. ‘It’s me flamin’ garter, girl, the elastic’s gone.’ Gripping the back of a chair for support, she lifted her leg. ‘I can’t see that far down, these get in the way.’ She patted her mountainous bosom with the other hand. ‘It’s years since I saw me feet … in fact if it weren’t for me corns givin’ me gyp, I wouldn’t know they were there.’

‘Ah, yer poor thing, me heart bleeds for yer.’ Molly grinned as she stood up. ‘Do somethin’ with yer stocking before we next go to the shops, I’d be ashamed to be seen out with yer like that.’

‘I’ll walk behind yer if yer like.’ Nellie drew herself up to her full height, pretending her feelings had been hurt. ‘I mean, the last thing in the world I’d want to do is shame yer.’

‘Will yer go home, missus, an’ let me put me washing out? If we don’t get a move on, the shops will be closed for dinner.’

‘I’m goin’, I’m goin’.’ Nellie dropped her eyes to Molly’s legs. ‘Did yer know yer’ve got a dirty big ladder in yer stocking?’

Molly lifted her skirt and twisted her leg. ‘I can’t see a …’ She glanced up to see the sly smile on Nellie’s face. ‘Why you … you!’

Nellie’s chubby face was the picture of innocence. ‘I could have sworn I saw a ladder … must ’ave been a trick of the light.’ She waddled to the door and turned. ‘Ever been had, girl?’

‘One of these days I’ll get me own back on you,’ Molly called after her. ‘Just you wait an’ see if I don’t.’

Standing by the front door, Nellie chuckled. ‘Yer know, girl, after tryin’ for twenty years I think yer deserve to catch me out. Otherwise yer’ll be gettin’ one of those in … infer …’ She dropped her hand from the latch and walked back along the hall. ‘What is it yer get when ye’re always losin’?’

Trying to keep a straight face, Molly said, ‘Yer mean an inferiority complex?’

Nellie fluttered her eyelashes. ‘Aren’t I lucky to ’ave an edicated mate? Anyway, we can’t have yer gettin’ one of them inferiority things ’cos it could be painful.’

Molly picked up a cushion. ‘If ye’re not out of that door in two ticks, missus, yer’ll get this in yer physog.’

When Tony Reynolds caught sight of Molly and Nellie passing the window of his butcher’s shop, a huge grin covered his face. Turning to his assistant, Ellen Clarke, he said, ‘Ay out, here comes trouble.’

‘I heard that!’ Molly laughed. ‘If ye’re not careful, me an’ Nellie will take our custom elsewhere.’

‘Yeah!’ Nellie’s chins rippled like waves. ‘We’ll get the tram into town and get our half of mince from one of the stalls in St John’s Market. The fellers down there are always pleasant an’ accommodatin’, yer wouldn’t hear one of them insultin’ their customers … especially when they’re paying cash on the nail.’

Tony slapped an open palm on his forehead, nearly knocking his straw hat off. Feigning horror, he pleaded, ‘Don’t do that, ladies, please! I’d have to close the shop if you two took yer custom elsewhere.’

‘Ay, well, we’ll forgive yer this once,’ Molly said before smiling at his assistant. ‘How’s it goin’, Ellen?’

‘Fine thanks, Molly.’ Ellen was Molly’s next-door neighbour and had good reason to be eternally grateful to her and Nellie. Married to Nobby Clarke, Ellen’s life had been hell. He was a drunkard, gambler and wife beater. She had four children and none of them had known what it was to have a full tummy, decent clothes on their backs, or a fire in the grate. They all lived in fear of the violent man who lashed out with his hands or feet whenever the mood took him. But in the end he’d been his own worst enemy. One day he’d drunk himself into such a stupor he’d walked straight into the path of an oncoming tram. His legs had been so badly mangled they had to be amputated. He was in Walton Hospital for months, and although Ellen knew his violence towards everyone was part and parcel of his make-up, the staff at the hospital put it down to the trauma he’d suffered. Eventually though, he’d been diagnosed as being mentally insane and was now in Winwick Hospital.

They had been dark days for Ellen. With no money and nothing of value to sell, it would have meant the poorhouse for her and the children if these two neighbours hadn’t stepped in to help. They’d cadged clothes for her, set her hair, made her face up, then found her two part-time jobs. One had been with Tony, and he’d been so impressed with her work he’d taken her on full-time. It was still hard making ends meet, but at least she had something she’d never had during her years of marriage … an easy mind, pride in herself, happy children and laughter in a house that was now a home.

‘I think I’ll have a tin of corned beef, Tony,’ Molly said, pointing to the tins stacked in a pyramid. ‘We can have corned beef hash tomorrow night … a nice easy meal.’

‘I was sayin’ to Ellen just before you came in, you ladies would be wise to start buying extra tins of food, getting a little stock in,’ Tony said. ‘There’s bound to be a shortage of food.’

‘Oh, ay, moneybags! Who can afford to be buying extra?’ Molly turned the tin upside down to make sure the key was attached. The tins were awkward enough to open with the key, but without one they were impossible. If she had a penny for every time she’d cut her hand on the jagged edge of a corned beef tin, she’d be a rich woman.

‘It’s a good idea, though, isn’t it?’ Nellie puckered her lips, deep in thought for a few seconds. ‘I know a way we could make a few bob … we could try our luck down Lime Street!’

‘Wishful thinkin’, Nellie!’ Molly’s head fell back and she roared with laughter. ‘We’d have to pay the blokes!’

Once again Nellie pondered. Then a smile curved her lips. ‘I know … we could take Ellen! She’s younger than us, an’ she doesn’t look bad when she’s all dolled up.’ The big woman’s tummy rumbled as a laugh made its way up to her mouth. ‘Anyway, we could always find a dark entry, then they wouldn’t be able to see what she looks like.’

Ellen’s face was the colour of beetroot. Fancy them talking like that in front of her boss! It was enough to make a saint blush! Mind you, it was funny … but she’d wait till she got home to laugh about it. ‘Don’t you two be draggin’ me into any of yer crazy schemes.’

‘She’s an ungrateful bugger, that one,’ Nellie huffed. ‘Here we are, out of the goodness of our hearts, tryin’ to help her make a few bob, and look at the thanks we get! I mean, it’s not as though we were expectin’ her to go on her own! Me an’ Molly would have gone along to help her carry the money, wouldn’t we, girl?’

‘Shut up, Nellie, ye’re makin’ the girl blush.’ Molly was searching the compartments in her purse. ‘I could have sworn I had a shilling, but it’s disappeared. Ah, no, here it is.’ She held the coin aloft. ‘I’ll have another tin of that corned beef, Tony. It won’t go to waste if there’s no war.’

‘Oh, there’ll be a war, Molly, yer can bank on it.’

Molly was reminded of Tony’s words when, three days later, on the first of September, German troops invaded Poland. And two days after that, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Newspaper headlines screamed the news, and solemn-sounding commentators on the wireless issued bulletins throughout each day. Everywhere you went it was the topic of conversation, but because people’s lives weren’t being affected, they didn’t feel as though there was a war on.

But on the eighteenth of September, everyone in the country was jolted out of their complacency when the aircraft carrier HMS Courageous was sunk with the loss of five hundred men.

‘They didn’t stand a chance, blown to smithereens,’ Jack snarled through clenched teeth. ‘We’re supposed to have the best navy in the world – how the bloody hell did it happen?’

‘I don’t know, love.’ Molly could sense Jack’s anger. ‘Don’t get yerself all het up, yer’ll make yerself ill.’

‘Don’t get meself all het up! Molly, five hundred men, the backbone of this country, have been killed … or murdered would be more like it.’ Jack gave vent to his rage by banging his clenched fists on the arms of his chair. ‘And every one of those men has left a family behind, don’t forget! A wife, children, mother, girl … can yer imagine what they’re goin’ through right now?’

‘They must be goin’ through hell,’ Molly said softly. ‘I don’t think I could bear it if it happened to one of mine.’

‘By God, that bastard Hitler must think he’s hit the jackpot! I bet he’s struttin’ up and down rubbing his hands in glee.’ Jack ran a hand through his mop of dark hair. ‘D’yer know, if I was a few years younger I’d join up meself.’

‘Over my dead body yer would! I’ve been thankin’ me lucky stars all day that you’re too old to be called up, and our Tommy’s too young! He’s only fifteen, the war will be well over before he’s old enough to be conscripted.’

Jack studied his wife’s face. This wasn’t going to be an easy war, Hitler had been building up his forces for years while the rest of the world looked on and did nothing. And he was a madman, you only had to look at his face to see that. He wouldn’t think twice about using gas or germs, anything to achieve the power he craved. But it was no good troubling Molly with his thoughts. He needed a man to talk to, someone he could open up to and use the bad words that came into his head whenever he thought of the goose-stepping maniac. ‘Would yer mind if I went out for a pint, love?’

‘Why don’t yer give George a knock?’ Molly understood his mood and Nellie’s husband was just the man to meet his needs. ‘I’m sure he’d be glad to get out for an hour.’

‘I will, if ye’re sure yer don’t mind.’

‘Of course I don’t,’ Molly smiled, ‘as long as yer don’t make a habit of it and yer don’t stay till chucking-out time.’

Jack was a fine-looking man. Tall, well built, strong face, thick dark hair and melting brown eyes that could make Molly’s tummy do somersaults. ‘Are yer all right for money?’

Jack grinned. ‘As long as George buys his own pint.’

‘Hang on a minute.’ Molly opened the drawer of the sideboard and brought out her well-worn purse. ‘Here’s a tanner … pay me back at the end of the week.’

Jack pocketed the sixpence before cupping his wife’s face. Gazing into the vivid blue eyes, he said, ‘Ye’re as pretty as the day I married yer, Molly Bennett. Blonde hair, blue eyes, smashin’ figure … who could ask for anythin’ more?’

Molly grinned into his face. ‘They say love is blind. The blonde hair is streaked with grey and the smashing figure went out the door after the children were born. Havin’ three babies in three years doesn’t do much for a girl’s shape, yer know.’

‘Are you blaming me for that?’

‘Well, it wasn’t the feller next door, that’s for sure! Mind you, I have to admit I played a part in it. The trouble is, we both liked playin’ games too much … especially mothers an’ fathers.’

‘I did give yer a long break between Tommy an’ Ruthie though, didn’t I? Yer’ve got to give credit where it’s due.’

‘Uh-uh, Jack Bennett, don’t you be gettin’ ideas! I know you, an’ if yer don’t push off, it won’t be up to the pub, it’ll be up to bed!’

Jack kissed her full on the lips before dropping his hands. ‘You should be happy that yer still have that effect on me after all these years.’

‘In case yer’ve never noticed, I’m not exactly an ice-maiden meself! Me heart’s goin’ fifteen to the dozen.’ Molly gazed at him, loving every bone in his body and every hair on his head. ‘But there’s a time an’ place for everything, and it isn’t here and now … not with three grown-up children likely to walk in any minute.’

‘We’ll discuss that later, upstairs.’ With a broad wink, Jack made for the door. ‘Ta-ra for now.’

‘Ask Nellie to come down for half an hour,’ Molly called after him, ‘she can keep me company.’

‘Blimey! Yer’ve seen her half a dozen times today!’ Jack’s head appeared round the door. ‘What the heck can the pair of yer find to talk about all the time?’

‘Everythin’ and everyone.’ Molly straightened the chenille cloth covering the table. ‘This afternoon we got as far as how many blankets the woman in number two has on her bed.’

Jack raised his brows, feigning astonishment. ‘Women! Well, they do say small things amuse small minds.’

‘Ay, Mrs Waterman will have your life! Her blankets aren’t small, they’re all double-sized.’

A deep chuckle came from Jack. ‘You’ve got an answer for everythin’, haven’t yer?’

‘I’ve also got a ruddy big rolling pin that will be makin’ contact with your head if yer don’t move.’ Molly shook a fist. ‘Now skedaddle!’

Jack had only been gone a few minutes when Molly heard the yard door close and looked through the window to see Nellie swaying up the yard.

‘My God, you’ve been quick! Did yer have yer shoes on, ready?’

‘I’m not sittin’ in the house on me own like one of Lewis’s.’ Nellie eyed the couch enviously. It looked so comfortable and inviting she almost succumbed to temptation. Then she pursed her lips and told herself that although it looked comfortable and inviting, in reality it was like a flaming mousetrap. Once she got herself down there, they’d have to prise her out. ‘The three kids are out and your feller is leading my feller astray down the pub. So when Jack suggested I come down, I didn’t need askin’ twice.’

‘I’ll stick the kettle on an’ we’ll have a nice quiet hour on our own, eh?’ Molly ruffled Nellie’s already untidy thin, straggly, mouse-coloured hair. ‘I hid a packet of custard creams at the back of the larder, where Ruthie couldn’t find them, so we’ll spoil ourselves.’

‘Ay, isn’t it lovely an’ peaceful?’ Nellie reached across to the plate of biscuits. ‘It’s always so noisy in our ’ouse, yer can’t hear yerself think.’

‘Jack was askin’ me what we found to talk about all the time!’

‘Nosy, isn’t he?’ Nellie dunked the biscuit in her tea. ‘What did yer tell him?’

Molly repeated the part of the conversation that wasn’t private, ending with the number of blankets on Mrs Waterman’s bed.

Nellie tittered as she picked a crumb from her pinny and popped it in her mouth. ‘Just out of curiosity, girl, in case someone should ask, like – how many blankets ’as she got on her bed?’

‘Go on, yer daft ha’p’orth! Jack says we’re both crazy, an’ he’s not far off the mark.’

For once Nellie was serious. ‘No, girl, we’re not crazy. Just because we laugh a lot doesn’t mean we haven’t got anythin’ between our ears. If yer think back to the years when we were so poor we didn’t know where the next meal was comin’ from, would we ever have made it through those days if we hadn’t been able to see the funny side of everythin’?’ She lifted her huge bosom and rested it on the table. ‘Your feller an’ mine have just walked down the road talkin’ about the war … the terrible things that might happen. An’ they’re probably right, ’cos it’s terrible those poor sailors gettin’ blown up.’ Nellie made the sign of the cross and sighed deeply. ‘I’ll lie awake tonight thinkin’ of those poor souls an’ their families, an’ I’ll be prayin’ for them. An’ when yer see me laughin’ tomorrow, an’ acting the goat, it won’t mean I don’t care! But if yer can’t laugh, girl, or see the happy things in life, then life wouldn’t be worth living, would it?’

‘Helen Theresa McDonough, yer’ve got me crying.’ Molly wiped a tear with the back of her hand. ‘It’s not often ye’re serious, but when yer are then ye’re worth listening to. And you’re right, we’ve got a lot to be thankful for an’ we should be counting our blessings.’

‘That’s the spirit, girl! Now can I have another biscuit because I was that busy talkin’, I don’t remember eatin’ the others.’

Tommy was the first home. At fifteen, he was as tall as his dad and the spitting image of him. Fifteen is an awkward age for a boy … too old to play footie or kick the can in the street, and too young for going to dances or taking a girl to the pictures. Not that Tommy wanted to take a girl out: he’d had enough of females with his two elder sisters. Proper nuisances they were, always hogging the sink first so he had to wait to get washed, then preening themselves in front of the mirror so he couldn’t even see if his parting was straight when he’d combed his hair. And they were bossy and talked too much. But, having said all that, they were his sisters, and if push came to shove, woe betide anyone who tried to hurt them.

‘Been playin’ cards at yer mate’s, Tommy?’ Nellie asked.

‘Nah! We’re fed up playin’ cards, Auntie Nellie, so me an’ Ginger went for a walk.’ She wasn’t really his auntie, but she’d been part of their lives for so long, all the children regarded her as a favourite member of the family. He gave her a wide grin. ‘As per usual, we’re skint an’ happy until pay day.’

‘Join the club, son,’ Nellie laughed. ‘I can’t remember a day when I wasn’t boracic lint.’

‘You shouldn’t be so badly off, Nellie!’ Molly said. ‘You’ve got all yours working.’

‘Huh, hark at her! You’ve got three workin’ as well!’

‘Yeah, but I’ve got Ruthie to feed an’ clothe, don’t forget.’

‘Ay, that’s your lookout, girl! Don’t be blamin’ me for gettin’ yer in the family way when yer mind should have been on other things.’

Molly’s face flamed and her eyes shot daggers at her friend. Fancy saying that in front of Tommy! But she wasn’t the only one embarrassed because Tommy decided it was his bedtime and bade them goodnight.

‘Why don’t you watch what ye’re saying, Nellie McDonough! Fancy sayin’ that in front of a fifteen-year-old boy.’

‘Oh, ye gods!’ Nellie huffed. ‘If he doesn’t know what it’s for at fifteen, then he never will!’ She leaned across the table and whispered, ‘I bet he knows it’s not to stir his tea with.’

Molly tried to look stern but it didn’t work and she ended up laughing her head off. ‘I don’t know what I’m goin’ to do with you, Nellie, you’re past redemption.’

‘What does that mean, girl? I know what past the post means, but yer keep bringin’ in these big words an’ I don’t know whether to feel pleased or insulted.’

They were laughing so much they didn’t hear the door open. It was Steve’s deep voice that brought them upright. ‘Has me mam been at the milk stout again, Mrs B.?’

‘Oh, God, yer gave me the fright of me life! I didn’t hear yez comin’ in.’ Molly smiled up at Nellie’s son. He was a handsome lad, over six feet tall, dark hair, eyes that changed from hazel to green, a strong square jaw and deep dimples in his cheeks. He had his arm around the waist of her eldest daughter Jill, and Molly thought for the umpteenth time what a lovely couple they made. Next to Jill stood Doreen, the next-to-eldest. The two girls had their mother’s colouring, long blonde hair and vivid blue eyes. They were both very attractive with slim figures and long shapely legs. But they had different natures. Jill was gentle and caring, and wouldn’t argue if she could avoid it. But Doreen was a different kettle of fish. More outgoing, sure of herself and quick to say what she thought even if it meant a telling-off. Many’s the time when she was younger she’d earned herself a cuff round the ear for giving cheek.

‘Where’s me dad?’ Jill asked.

‘He’s gone boozing with Mr McDonough. An’ if he’s not in soon I’m goin’ to bolt the front door, the dirty stop-out.’

‘Mam.’ Doreen’s eyes were shining, her face alive and eager. ‘Have you heard Glenn Miller on the wireless playing “In the Mood”?’

‘Not that I know of.’

‘I’ve heard it,’ Steve said, ‘it’s a crackin’ tune.’

‘It’s all the rage.’ Doreen’s pretty face was animated. ‘Maureen bought the record and we’ve been listenin’ to it on her gramophone. And we’ve been practising jiving, like we’ve seen them doin’ it at the Grafton.’

‘Give us a demonstration,’ Jill begged. She couldn’t dance herself but admired the poise and grace of her sister. ‘Go on, be a sport.’

‘No chance!’ Doreen blew out a sharp breath. ‘I haven’t got the hang of it yet ’cos it’s not half hard to do. And anyway, yer need a partner for it.’

‘Don’t look at me!’ Steve shook his head. ‘Yer know me with me two left feet.’

‘What did yer say this song’s called?’ Nellie asked, her folded arms resting on the ledge made by her tummy.

‘“In the Mood”.’ Doreen started to hum the tune. ‘It’s great.’

‘Funny name for a song … “In the Mood”. Could mean all sorts of things.’ Nellie’s eyes slid to the clock on the mantelpiece. ‘I mean, our fellers have been out long enough to have supped enough ale to make them in the mood … what d’yer say, girl?’

Steve bit his lip to keep himself from laughing, Jill blushed, Doreen raised her brows questioningly, and Molly jumped to her feet.

‘That’s it, now, everyone … time for bed.’ She gave Doreen a push in the direction of the stairs, then nodded to Jill. ‘See Steve out, sunshine, then turn in.’

‘Ah, ray, Mam!’ Doreen protested. ‘What’s the hurry?’

‘There’s a hurry because I say there’s a hurry … OK?’ The look on her mother’s face warned Doreen not to argue and she quickly climbed the stairs.

Molly closed the door and faced Nellie with her hands on her hips.

‘Nellie McDonough, yer’ll be the death of me yet! Yer’ve no right to make suggestive remarks in front of the children.’

‘Make suggestive remarks! Me!’ Nellie put a hand on her heart as she struggled to bring a hurt expression to her face. ‘When ’ave I ever said anythin’ suggestive in front of the children? Me, what goes to church every Sunday … I’d never do a thing like that.’

‘You just did!’

‘Why, what did I say? Now, come on, what did I say?’

Molly blew her breath out. ‘Yer know ruddy well what yer said! That the men might be in the mood when they come in. It doesn’t take a brain-box to figure out what yer were insinuating.’

Nellie looked around her as though seeking support from the furniture. ‘Molly Bennett, yer’ve got a bad mind or yer wouldn’t ’ave miscon … mistru … oh, yer wouldn’t have taken what I said the wrong way. Only people with bad minds think bad things.’

‘The word yer were lookin’ for is misconstrued … an’ I haven’t got a bad mind, either! Sometimes I don’t know where to put meself, the things you come out with.’ But Molly was running out of steam. When it came to acting, her friend could out-act Greta Garbo any day. ‘We both know damn well what yer meant when yer said the men might be “in the mood”.’

With a look of angelic innocence on her face Nellie said, ‘I only meant they might be in the mood for a cup of tea, girl, or a jam butty. What’s the harm in that?’

Molly was beaten and she knew it. She couldn’t hold out much longer anyway – the laughter was bubbling in her tummy, ready to explode any second. Throwing her hands in the air she said, ‘I give up! It’s like floggin’ a dead horse.’

Nellie preened, and a smile was spreading across her chubby face when they heard the key turn in the lock. She leaned towards Molly and whispered hurriedly, ‘You carry on bein’ a good, clean-livin’ girl, Molly, it’ll definitely earn yer a place in heaven. But me, I’m doomed for damnation anyway, so I’ve nothin’ to lose. I’m hopin’ my feller’s in the mood for more than a ruddy jam butty.’

Jack pushed the front door open and was greeted by peals of laughter. ‘Just listen to them,’ he said over his shoulder as he slipped the key out of the lock, ‘have yer ever known any like that pair in yer life?’

‘No, thank God,’ George chuckled. ‘I don’t think the world is big enough for another two like them.’

‘Six more goes, then that’s me lot,’ Molly muttered through clenched teeth as she plunged the dolly peg up and down on the clothes in the tub. ‘If they’re not clean by now after bein’ in steep all night, they never will be.’

Her muscles aching, she re