she is,’ Pearl agreed. She was happy – happier than she’d been in a long time – and it was all thanks to Bessie.
Bernie carefully lifted Johnny from his pram and, though he stirred a little, he didn’t wake. As he walked into the living room, Dolly indicated the sofa, and as he laid the child down, she looked at her grandson fondly.
‘Bernie, we need to talk. There’s a lot to sort out before we move.’
‘I know that, love. You’ve got so much stuff piled in cupboards that we’ll probably need two removals vans.’
‘No, it’s not that. We need to talk about Johnny. He shouldn’t be stuck in that bloody dump of a shop. If he came with us we could offer him a decent home and he’d want for nothing.’
‘Now then, we’ve been over this before and you know that Pearl won’t come with us.’
‘If Kevin knew what was going on, I reckon he’d agree with me. He’d want the best for Johnny.’
‘Maybe, but Pearl has made up her mind and we can’t do anything about it. At least we’ll be having the lad for the occasional weekend.’
‘Huh, that’s big of Pearl,’ Dolly said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ‘I’ve been thinking, Bernie, and I reckon you should go to see Kevin. Tell him what’s going on and persuade him that Johnny would be better off with us. He must have some say in his son’s upbringing and could sign something to give us guardianship until he comes out of prison.’
‘Dolly, surely you’re not suggesting that we take him away from Pearl?’
‘I am, and what’s wrong with that?’
‘Christ, I don’t believe this. We can’t take the child away from his mother!’
‘Yes we can.’
‘Don’t be daft. Pearl would never agree to it.’
‘She won’t be able to do anything about it.’
‘You’re living in cloud-cuckoo-land. Kevin’s in prison, and even if he agreed to this daft idea, it wouldn’t be legal.’
‘Sod the law then. We’ll just take the boy. We won’t go to Dorset. Instead we’ll go north and go somewhere that Pearl won’t be able to find us.’
‘Bloody hell, Dolly. Now you’re talking about kidnapping!’
‘No I’m not. He’s Kevin’s son, we’re his grandparents, and despite what you say, it isn’t kidnapping.’
‘I think you’ve taken leave of your senses and—’
‘No I haven’t,’ Dolly interrupted. ‘And anyway, if we change our names nobody will be able to find us.’
‘You’re mad, woman!’
Bernie watched her rear up, but stood his ground. ‘Now listen, Dolly, I love the boy as much as you, but I can’t agree to this.’
Red-faced with anger, she glared at him, but then Johnny stirred. Dolly heaved in a great gulp of air, fighting to calm down before picking him up. ‘Shush, Gran’s here,’ she said, rocking him for a minute or two.
At last Dolly looked up at Bernie, her voice quiet now. ‘All right, you win. It was a daft idea, but I’m going to miss him so much.’
‘Me too, love,’ he said.
Bernie slumped with relief. For a moment he thought she’d lost her mind. To take the lad with them was an insane idea, one that could have landed them both in prison. Thank God he’d been able to talk her out of it.
By the time another three weeks had passed, Nora had become almost a fixture in the shop. She turned up every afternoon, and though most of the time they had nothing for the laundry, she stayed until closing time.
At first Bessie had grumbled, but gradually Pearl saw a growing fondness for Nora in the old woman’s eyes. Nora was always cheerful, making herself useful, and Pearl often saw Bessie slipping her a couple of bob.
Luckily the business was continuing to do well, and Pearl had been pleasantly surprised when her paintings sold. Now there was only one left. Cocking her head on one side, she looked at it critically. It was a winter scene and perhaps too bleak. The market stalls were also a little out of proportion, but if she reduced the price someone might buy it.
Nora came in, and Bessie smiled a welcome.
‘Hello, love. We haven’t got anything for the laundry today.’
‘Mummy cross. She chucked me out.’
‘Lily wouldn’t do that.’
‘Kicked me.’
‘What did she do that for?’
Nora shrugged. ‘Dunno.’
Bessie came out from behind the counter. ‘Pearl, there’s something fishy about this. I think I’ll pop round to see Lily.’
Nora headed for Johnny, distracted by the baby as Bessie left the shop. A happy baby who rarely cried, and growing rapidly, he chuckled when he saw her. Bernie would be here shortly, and then on Saturday, he and Dolly would be leaving.
‘Hello,’ Bernie said as he pushed open the door. ‘And how’s my grandson?’
‘He’s fine.’
‘Well, Pearl, only two days to go now before we move. It’s been a bit chaotic sorting all our stuff out, but Dolly’s on top of it now. Once we’re settled, maybe by the following Friday, can we have Johnny for the weekend? In fact, why don’t you come too? A bit of country air would do you both good.’
‘Oh, no,’ Pearl blurted, covering her rudeness with a tight smile as she added, ‘but thanks for asking.’
‘Pearl, I know you’re worried about Dolly, but there’s no need. She’s accepted that your marriage is over now, and I’m sure she’ll make you welcome.’
Pearl doubted that was true and fobbed Bernie off. ‘I’ll think about it.’
‘Right, see you later,’ he said, wheeling the pram from the shop.
No sooner had the door closed, than Nora asked, ‘Where Johnny going?’
‘Bernie’s taken him to see Dolly.’
‘No like her.’
‘Nor me,’ Pearl agreed. She still didn’t trust Dolly and had no intention of letting her have Johnny for the weekend. When Dolly found out, there was no doubt that she’d kick up an almighty fuss, and Pearl’s stomach flipped at the thought. She stiffened her back. She could stand her ground with Dolly now, and would cross that bridge when she came to it.
Bessie returned, frowning worriedly as she drew Pearl to one side. ‘Lily’s gone a bit strange. At first I don’t think she recognised me, and she got a bit aggressive. She stank rotten too and I reckon she’s wetting herself.’
‘Oh dear. What are you going to do?’
‘I think I’ll get the doctor to take a look at her. In fact, I’ll go to the surgery now.’
As Bessie made to go out again, Nora ran to her side. ‘Where you going?’
‘I’m just popping along to the doctor’s, love. I won’t be long.’
‘Take Mummy away.’
Bessie’s eyebrows rose. ‘Of course not. Now I won’t be long, and when I come back we’ll have a nice cup of tea and some biscuits.’
‘Yes,