they passed Tommy’s house, Amy glanced up at one of the bedroom windows, musing, ‘I wonder how he is today?’
‘How was he last night?’ Carol asked.
For a moment Amy looked surprised at the question, but then she stammered, ‘His … his chest was still bad.’
‘Well then, he’s hardly likely to be much better this morning,’ Carol said, wondering why Amy looked flushed. If Tommy was so ill, they couldn’t have got up to much, but maybe a few kisses had been exchanged. Fancy blushing about that, Carol thought. Now, if they had gone all the way it would be different, but like her, Carol knew that Amy was still a virgin. Moments later they turned onto Lavender Hill, saving on bus fare as usual by walking to Clapham Junction.
When they reached the crossroads Amy was about to turn the corner, as after passing Arding & Hobbs department store they would soon come to the shoe shop, but Carol grabbed her arm, pulling her to the other side of the road, saying, ‘Let’s walk along to the shop that’s being refitted and cross over again in front of it.’
Amy smiled knowingly. ‘I suppose you’re hoping that fitter will see you.’
‘Yes, and I can get a closer look at him.’
Carol wasn’t disappointed. He was there, this time standing outside while rolling a cigarette. She planted a smile on her face and began chatting inanely to Amy about the weather as they drew near.
At last he turned his head, eyes roaming over them and then, best of all, with a cheeky grin, he said, ‘Now there’s a sight to cheer a bloke up in the morning.’
Carol quipped back, ‘Glad to oblige.’
‘Come on, Miss Winters is opening up,’ Amy hissed and after looking both ways, she hurried across the road.
Fuming, Carol did the same, but as she looked back over her shoulder, the shop fitter called, ‘I go to the Nelson Café at around twelve thirty for my lunch. Maybe I’ll see you there.’
‘Yeah, maybe,’ Carol called back, her heart racing. She didn’t know his name yet, and he looked older than she’d first thought, but he was even better looking close up and nothing was going to keep her from the café at lunchtime.
Mabel Povis put her washing in the bath to soak and then went next door to see Phyllis. She used the back entrance, none of them keeping their gates or back doors locked until they went to bed, and going through the kitchen into her friend’s living room Mabel said without preamble, ‘I think Amy should stay away from Caroline Cole.’
‘Why?’ Phyllis asked from her chair by the fire.
‘Because Carol looks, and acts, like a tart. You should have seen her this morning, all done up with her face plastered with make-up. Her mother is little better, vain and full of herself.’
‘Daphne is all right, and Amy has been friends with Carol since they were kids. She’s a nice girl,’ Phyllis argued.
‘I must admit that Daphne has a lot to put up with,’ Mabel said. ‘You know how thin our walls are, and Frank seems to be a bit insatiable on the you know what side. He’s at Daphne every night, and from what I’ve heard he won’t take no for an answer.’
Phyllis chuckled. ‘Are you sure you’re not jealous?’
‘A bit of slap and tickle every night! No thanks,’ Mabel protested.
‘If I had the energy I wouldn’t mind,’ Phyllis said, running a hand tiredly over her face.
Mabel was used to Phyllis being a bit worn out, after all, she was up at the crack of dawn, but this morning she looked exhausted, her complexion grey. Not only that, it was unusual to see Phyllis just sitting, especially on a Monday morning when nearly every woman in the street tackled their laundry. A little worried Mabel asked, ‘What’s up, love? You look a bit rough.’
‘I’m just tired.’
‘If you ask me, it’s more than that,’ Mabel said. ‘You look ill.’
‘I feel a bit washed-out today, that’s all. I think I need a tonic.’
‘Talking of washing, have you made a start on yours?’
‘Not yet,’ Phyllis admitted.
‘Well you stay there and I’ll make you a cup of tea. Then as my stuff is already in soak, I’ll make a start on yours.’
‘No, I’ll do it,’ Phyllis protested.
‘Don’t be daft, it’s no trouble and if I was under the weather you’d do the same for me.’
‘Yeah, all right, thanks, but there’s Winnie’s stuff to put in soak too.’
‘No problem,’ Mabel said, frowning with concern. The fact that Phyllis had agreed to let her help was worrying and she wondered if taking care of Winnie, along with doing two cleaning jobs, had become a bit too much for her friend . . .
Mabel made the tea, determined to speak her mind as she handed a cup to Phyllis. ‘Now listen, it’s obvious that you’re worn out. Winnie isn’t your responsibility and you shouldn’t have to look after her.’
‘Her son emigrated to Australia and with her daughter living in Devon, she’s too far away. Winnie hasn’t got anyone else.’
‘I’ve offered to help out, but you know that Winnie doesn’t like me and she refused,’ Mabel said. ‘It ain’t fair on you and you should get in touch with her daughter. Tell her that her mother needs to go into a nursing home or something.’
‘Winnie wouldn’t stand for that,’ Phyllis said, shaking her head. ‘She’s lived in that house since she got
married nearly sixty years ago and nothing will make her leave it.’
‘If you didn’t put yourself out, her daughter would flaming well have to,’ Mabel snapped.
‘They don’t get on and she won’t do anything,’ Phyllis said, her voice weak with tiredness.
‘Right then, have a word with the doctor. See if he can get her some sort of home help, ’cos I’m telling you now, Phyllis, if you don’t, I will,’ Mabel said, concerned for her friend.
‘Yeah, yeah, all right, I’ll try to sort something out. Now for goodness sake change the subject,’ Phyllis appealed.
‘While you’re talking to the doc about Winnie, you should get him to take a look at you.’
‘Mabel, I’ve told you, I’m fine, and thanks for the tea. As for my washing, I feel up to doing it myself now. You can bugger off and let me get on with it.’
Mabel didn’t take offence. She and Phyllis had been friends for years and in reply she said, ‘Right, sod you then. I’m going.’
The two women smiled at each other, both knowing that another cup of tea would be shared later that day. Mabel left by the back door again and closed it behind her, unaware that as soon as Phyllis stood up, she had swayed for a moment before crashing,
