she didn’t want to leave.
On Tuesday evening, over a week later, and whilst Derek was at the gym, Connie flicked her eyes away from the television, clearing her throat before she spoke.
‘Pearl, don’t get upset about what I’m going to say, but I really think it’s time that you found a place of your own place again. Now don’t look at me like that, love. I’ve enjoyed having you here, but you need a proper bed to sleep in. And, well, what with you and Derek courting …’
Pearl gulped, her voice a whisper: ‘All right, I’ll try harder to find a room. Maybe there’ll be something in the local paper this week.’
‘Oh, love, I’m sorry I’ve upset you, but you’re welcome to come round here as often as you like. You’ve become like a daughter to me, but it just isn’t right that you and Derek are sleeping under the same roof.’
‘But why?’
‘Gawd, girl, do I have to spell it out? My Derek may be a diamond, but he’s still a man. It’s too much of a temptation, love.’
‘But he’d never take advantage of me.’
‘Pearl, you should listen to yourself. You sound like some sort of old-fashioned heroine in a novel. Derek’s bedroom is next to mine and I’ve heard him tossing and turning all night. He didn’t do that before you came to stay. He loves you and, well, as I said, he’s a man and he wants you. I know you’re an innocent, but surely you understand what I’m getting at?’
Pearl lowered her eyes. An innocent. No, she wasn’t an innocent now. Kevin Dolby had seen to that. He was leaving her alone, but despite her determination to harden her heart, it still leaped every time she saw him. She had thought about finding another job, but loved the café and was reluctant to leave. As long as Kevin didn’t talk to her, as long as she kept out of his way, she could cope, and surely one day soon she would get over him. She sighed heavily. She didn’t want to leave the safe haven of this house either, but had no choice.
‘I’ll find a bedsit as quickly as I can and … and I’m sorry I’ve been so much trouble.’
‘Don’t be daft, love. You ain’t been any trouble, and when Derek’s out I enjoy your company. It’s just … well, as I said. Come on now, cheer up. I meant it when I said you can come round as often as you like.’
That was something, Pearl thought, and maybe, just maybe, she could find a bedsit in a family house this time.
Pearl found her prayers answered the following day.
During her break, Mo stuck her head around the kitchen door. ‘Pearl, can I have a word?’
‘Yes, of course.’
Mo bustled over. ‘I told Dolly what I’ve got in mind and she said to talk to you out here. Mind you, I’d better make it quick. She might be in a good mood at the moment, but there’s no guarantee it will last. Anyway, to get to the point, I’ve been thinking and it’s like this. Since my old man died, there’s only my daughter, Emma, and me. It’s been a bit of a struggle bringing her up on me own and money’s been tight.’ She scratched her head before continuing. ‘I’m daft really and I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. You see, I’ve got a spare room. It ain’t very big so I couldn’t ask much in the way of rent, but if you’re willing to pay me around fifteen bob a week, it’s yours.’
‘Oh, Mo.’
‘It’s only when I heard that you needed a bedsit that it came to me. I mean, I’ve got an empty room, you need a place, and I’d hate to have a stranger moving in. I had a word with my Emma, and she’s all for it. We’ve done the room up between us, so, what do you say?’
Pearl grinned with delight. It sounded wonderful. She would be living in a family house, one with a girl of her own age, and who knew, they might become friends. ‘I’d love to move in with you, Mo.’
‘Blimey, girl, you ain’t seen the room yet. Why don’t you pop round tonight? I live at number fourteen Pennington Street. It ain’t far, and you’ll be able to walk to work in five minutes.’
‘Mo, it’s about time you got back to the kitchen,’ Dolly snapped, her face red as she marched into the dining room.
Mo pulled a face and then winked at Pearl. ‘Tonight then?’
‘Yes, and thanks.’
‘There’s no need for thanks. See you later, or as my Emma would say, “See you later, alligator.”’
Pearl looked puzzled and Mo chuckled. ‘Everyone says it. That Bill Haley and his rock-and-roll band have even turned it into a song. Emma is mad on him. “See You Later, Alligator” is one of his hit records. You’re supposed to respond with, “In a while, crocodile.” Yeah, I know, daft, ain’t it?’ she added, still chuckling as she bustled away.
See you later, alligator. It sounded silly to Pearl, but it brought a smile to her face. Rock and roll. Yes, she had heard the foot-tapping music, but without a wireless, she rarely heard the latest trends. Oh, it sounded like it was going to be fun living with Mo and her daughter.
Derek was disappointed when Pearl told him she’d like to go Mo’s house on her own, but she felt it was best. It only took ten minutes to walk to Pennington Street from Derek’s and, slightly nervous, she knocked on Mo’s door.
‘Hello, love, come on in,’ the woman said, grinning as she stood to one side.
The small hall was immaculate, and at the warm greeting, Pearl relaxed. She was taken immediately upstairs and, flinging open a door, Mo ushered her inside. The room was small, but Pearl fell in love with it at first sight. There were lemon flowered curtains at the window, toning with the lemon candlewick bedspread. The floor was covered in rather dull, brown lino, but a nice rug lay beside the bed. She saw a single wardrobe, a small dressing table, and a tiny wicker chair in one corner.
‘I know you usually get a sink in a bedsit, Pearl, but the bathroom is only next door. You’ll have to share it with me and Emma, of course, but I’m sure we’ll all rub along nicely. If you want to cook, you can use the kitchen, and as long as you tidy up after yourself there won’t be a problem.’ With an anxious frown, Mo added, ‘Well, love, what do you think?’
‘I love it!’ Pearl cried. ‘It … it’s so pretty.’
‘As soon as I decided to let the room, me and Emma done it up.’
‘It’s lovely, and the wallpaper is smashing too,’ Pearl said, eyeing the tiny lavender and yellow flowers.
‘You should have seen the state we got into hanging it. I think we got more paste on ourselves than the paper. Still, in the end we didn’t make a bad job of it, and now we’re going to tackle our bedrooms. They ain’t been touched in donkey’s years and it’ll be nice to freshen them up. Anyway, Pearl, do you want the room?’
‘Oh yes, and can I move in at the end of the week?’
‘Of course you can. Emma ain’t in tonight – she’s gone out with her mates – but I’m sure the pair of you will get along fine. She’s a bit older than you, and a little wild at times, but she ain’t got a bad bone in her body.’
‘Wild?’
‘Maybe that’s the wrong word. It’s just that things have changed so much since the war. When I was a young woman I dressed like my mum – well, there wasn’t any choice. Now, though, there are all these weird and wonderful fashions aimed at youngsters. Only the other day I saw a group of those teddy boys, and if you ask me they look bleedin’ daft. Tight trousers, long jackets, and their hair! My God, with long sideburns and those daft quiff things hanging over their foreheads, it’s a disgrace.’ She sighed before continuing the tirade. ‘My Emma has taken to wearing some very funny clothes too, and she loves to go out dancing. Still, she’s a good girl really, and if you ask me it’s this music from America that’s causing it. Give me a nice crooner like Dickie Valentine,