Kitty Neale - A Family’s Heartbreak

‘Wait for Gloria, then we can all open it together.’

‘I wouldn’t worry about her, she’ll be ages in the bedroom doing her face,’ Jenny said. As much as she loved her sister, she didn’t want Gloria’s mood or scathing comments spoiling the moment when the mystery in the box was unveiled.

‘All right then. Go on, boys, you can open it.’

Jenny watched with delight as her brothers tore at the brown paper, then Craig helped them. She heard Peter squeal, and Timmy jumped up and down excitedly. ‘What is it?’ she asked, intrigued.

Peter spun around to look at her and said, ‘It’s a television set! I can watch Andy Pandy !’

Jenny gasped. Many homes now had televisions, but they’d never had one. Part of her wanted to be annoyed at Craig for being so extravagant when they were supposed to be saving for a home, but seeing the thrilled faces of her brothers melted away her annoyance. ‘Wow, that must have cost a packet,’ she commented, but with a smile.

‘Actually, it didn’t. My uncle sent it for us. He said he hardly uses it and thought we’d appreciate it.’

‘How kind of him. Yes, the boys will definitely appreciate it, I should think even Gloria will like it too.’

‘What will I like?’ Gloria asked as she sauntered into the room.

Jenny thought her sister looked very pretty and glamorous but it was a shame about her miserable face. Perhaps the surprise would cheer her up? ‘Craig’s uncle has sent us a television set and I said you’d like it.’

‘Yeah, right, as if I’d ever get a chance to watch anything that I’d like to see.’

Jenny pursed her lips but didn’t respond. Nothing seemed to be good enough for Gloria lately and her negative attitude was beginning to get on Jenny’s nerves.

‘Can we watch something now?’ Timmy asked.

‘No, not at the moment. I’ve got to set it up and you’ve got to go to school, but when you get home this evening, you can watch the television then.’

‘Please, just for a little while?’

‘There’s no time. Come on, boys, we’ll be late for school,’ Pamela said, and ushered them from the room.

‘I’m off too, see ya,’ Gloria said and followed her siblings.

‘Aren’t you going to be late?’ Craig asked Jenny.

‘Actually, I’ve got the day off. The dock strike has affected the factory getting parts in time so Miss Aston offered us a day off, unpaid mind.’

‘Well, seeing as I’m my own boss, how about I skive off today and we can spend it together, unless you’ve already got plans?’

‘No, nothing planned, that would be great.’

‘In that case, let’s jump on the underground up to Trafalgar Square and we can have a look in the National Gallery.’

‘At art?’

‘Yes, why? Not your cup of tea?’

‘No, not really. It’s such a nice day, couldn’t we just walk around London and look at the sights?’

‘If that’s what you want. I couldn’t care less what we do, as long as I’m with you.’

Jenny could feel herself blushing again, but she felt the same. In fact, she missed Craig when she was at work and was always eager to get home to be with him. Still embarrassed by his comment, she said, ‘And we could pick up some fish and chips for supper tonight.’

‘Smashing,’ he replied, ‘I’ll get this set up and then we can go.’

He lightly brushed his lips on hers before turning his attention to the television. Jenny was left feeling like an electric current was buzzing through her. Even the slightest of touches from Craig excited her and there were times when she dreamed about creeping to be beside him on the sofa at night. Of course, she wouldn’t dare and Craig had kept his promise about no funny business, so they hadn’t done anything more than kiss. She would have liked to go further and she thought Craig would too, but it wasn’t possible, not unless they were married.

It was odd, living together but separately, but she was so glad Craig had talked her into it. He’d rescued her, saved her life, and she’d never been happier. If only Gloria could be happy too, then everything would be perfect.

Henry woke up. Though his children had left home over a month ago, he hadn’t adjusted to the silence. The house felt empty without them. He’d thought about finding them to bring them back but Jenny and Gloria were old enough to leave home and would probably refuse. That meant there’d only be Pamela to do the cooking and cleaning, along with looking after the boys, and he doubted the jumpy cow was up to it.

So far he hadn’t seen Lizzie, but like a bad penny he knew she’d eventually turn up. When she did, he’d take great pleasure in telling her that all the kids had buggered off and there was no need to show her face at his door again.

Henry put the kettle on the gas to boil and decided that once and for all, he was better off without the lot of them. He had more money in his pockets, and though the house might feel empty, it was nice and quiet. He looked at his watch. He’d have to get a move on or he’d be late for work, but his stomach growled. As he removed the lid from the bread bin, Henry recoiled in disgust at the green, mouldy loaf. The milk was no better – it had curdled – and he doubted the last remaining egg would be fresh enough to eat.

Frustrated, he slumped on a chair, then kicked the one in front of him. His eyes roamed the room and he realised how much he’d let the place go. It was filthy. Plates and cups filled the sink, and flies were buzzing around. He couldn’t stand it, but he had no intention of cleaning it. That was women’s work, and with no daughters at home and a tart for a wife, he decided he’d have to find himself a new one. This time, though, he’d make sure she was barren and wouldn’t be the sort to answer back.

Jenny walked towards the factory gates still on a high from the day before. They’d had a lovely day, she and Craig, but the time had flown by so quickly. He’d taken her down Carnaby Street, which had been amazing. A new restaurant had just opened that Craig told her was vegetarian. She thought that was very peculiar and couldn’t imagine a dinner with just spuds and veg.

She wished they could have more days like yesterday. She’d been so carefree with Craig and all her worries had felt far behind her. She’d laughed when he’d splashed her with water from the fountain at Piccadilly Circus, and she’d giggled when he’d chased her up and down the steps of Nelson’s Column, threatening to squidge an ice-cream cone in her face. Today, though, it was back to reality and Jenny prepared herself for another tedious day on the factory line.

She didn’t mind the work; it was easy enough, and the factory were fair employers. The women she worked alongside were nice enough, though Jenny often found them brash and loud. They enjoyed a good gossip, but she rarely joined in. Now she hoped they wouldn’t discover that she was living with Craig as she would surely become a topic of their conversation.

As Jenny approached the gates, she heard the sound of a large vehicle trundling down the road and glanced over her shoulder. She was suddenly struck with fear when, to her horror, she realised it was a dustcart. She had no idea if her father was on the truck and panicked. Instead of darting for cover, she stood transfixed, staring at the cart as it drew closer. Her breaths became fast and shallow and the world began to spin. Run, Jenny, run, she told herself, but her trembling legs wouldn’t budge.