Kitty Neale - Sins of the Father

‘Yes, but I’m still useless at it.’

‘You’ll learn.’ As her eyes raked the room, Alice added, ‘Where are the youngsters?’

‘Dad made them go out to play.’

Alice’s lips tightened momentarily, but then she focused on Tom. ‘Do you mind if I sit down?’

‘There’s only a stool.’

‘That’ll do me,’ she said, making herself comfortable. ‘Look, I won’t beat about the bush. I’ve seen the way Emma struggles to look after the kids, and to help her out I’ve had the two youngest for a couple of hours in the afternoons.’ Shifting a bit on the stool she rushed on, ‘I’ve grown fond of them, Tom. They’re lovely boys, and Cyril and I would like to take them on permanently.’

There was a stunned silence, but then Emma’s voice rang out. ‘Alice, it…it’s good of you, but we can’t let you take James and Archie.’

‘Shut your mouth, girl. This is my decision, not yours,’ Tom barked.

‘But, Dad—’

Tom felt his face redden. ‘I said shut up!’

‘Now then, Tom, there’s no need to shout. It must be a shock for her, but listen, love,’ Alice turned to Emma. ‘They’ll be better off with Cyril and me. I love them and we can give them a good home. They’ll want for nothing, I’ll see to that.’

‘Oh, Alice, I know your place is like a palace compared to this, but Dad can’t break the family up.’

Tom surged to his feet. ‘I’ll do what I bloody well like.’

‘Please, Tom, calm down,’ Alice cajoled. Then she spoke softly to Emma again. ‘It’s for the best, love. I’m only downstairs and you can see the lads whenever you want.’

‘Hold your horses, Alice,’ Tom protested. ‘It’s me you should be talking to, and I ain’t said you can have them yet.’

‘Surely you can see the sense of it? Emma is run ragged.’

Tom flopped onto his chair again, running a hand over his chin. There was no denying that it made sense. With the others at school, Emma had only James and Archie to worry about, and without them she could go out and earn a few bob, if only part time. After all, the girl had turned seventeen in February and it was about time she earned her keep. The rent owed was piling up, he knew that, and he doubted the landlord would put up with it for much longer. Tom knew he should pull himself together, cut down the booze, but he had a craving inside, eating away at him and driving him to the pub whenever he earned a few bob. A wave of self-pity washed over him. Bloody hell, no wonder he’d turned to drink! Any man would. He’d fought a war, and instead of things getting better, they were still stuck with bloody rationing. Work was tight, and on top of that he’d lost his missus. All he had left was a horde of bloody kids that drove him mad with their constant noise.

It was the thought of having two less to worry about that made Tom’s decision. Looking up, he nodded at Alice. ‘All right, you can have ’em, but I can’t give you anything towards their keep.’

‘None’s expected, Tom.’

‘Right, that’s settled then.’

‘But, Dad…’ Emma protested.

‘If I hear one more word from you, my girl, you’ll be sorry. I’m doing what I think is best and that’s that.’

‘She’s bound to be upset, Tom,’ Alice placated.

‘Do you want the kids or not?’ he said, his tone threatening. He could change his mind, and Alice knew that.

She nodded. ‘You know I do.’

‘Right then, when do you want to take them?’

‘I’ll have to get beds first. After all,’ she chuckled, ‘I can hardly stuff them in with me and Cyril. I’ll buy them tomorrow, so how about Tuesday?’

‘Yeah, that’s fine with me. It’ll give Emma time to prepare them, not that I think they’ll mind. After all, as you said, they’ll only be downstairs.’

Alice rose to her feet, her voice high with excitement. ‘Thanks again, Tom. I can’t wait to tell Cyril.’ She then turned to Emma and her face straightened. ‘Oh, love, don’t be upset. They’ll be fine with me, I promise.’

‘Leave her to me, Alice,’ Tom said, pleased when the woman left. He’d soon sort Emma out and she could start looking for work. Dick was already earning a fair few bob on the market, and with his daughter bringing in money too, things would finally start looking up.

Emma sat quietly. She should be heartbroken, but instead was disgusted with herself for feeling relief. When Dad told her to look for work she’d felt a surge of excitement. God, it would be wonderful to get out of this flat, to find a job, if only part time. She’d be earning money, her own money, and maybe she could find a way to go out a couple of evenings a week. She missed her mates, missed sharing confidences, having a laugh, talking about boys, fashions, the latest records.

Nowadays she felt like a staid old woman, her life revolving around cooking, cleaning and taking care of the kids. Once again Emma felt a wave of excitement. With Luke coming up to his fourteenth birthday, maybe he could see to the others after school, and then she could work full time. Come to that, he could see to them during the school holidays too. Without James and Archie, that left only the girls, and they wouldn’t be much trouble. Well, Susan maybe, with her constant moaning and petty illnesses.

Emma’s mind continued to whirr, wondering what sort of jobs might be available. The sound of footfalls on the stairs interrupted her thoughts and she looked up with a start when Dick walked in.

‘Hello, love.’

Their father offered no greeting, and Dick ignored him, saying to Emma only, ‘Watcha,’ before looking round the room and adding, ‘Where are the kids?’

‘Playing outside. Didn’t you see them?’

‘No, but I saw a gang running wild on the bombsite and no doubt our lot are with them. Hang on, where’s Archie?’

‘He’s playing outside too.’

‘What! But he’s only a nipper.’

‘He’ll be all right. Luke will keep an eye on him.’

‘I still think he’s too young. You should have kept him in, Em.’

‘It wasn’t me who chucked him out.’

Dick’s expression soured as he turned to look at his father, but the man rose to his feet, saying, ‘I’m off out. You can tell him about the kids, Emma.’

‘I suppose the pub’s beckoning,’ Dick said, his voice thick with sarcasm.

‘Watch your mouth! Money’s tight and I’m only having one pint–not that it’s any of your business.’

‘How come you’re skint already?’

‘’Cos I had to stump up some of the rent arrears.’

‘If you paid the rent every week it wouldn’t mount up. I’m not surprised that Mr Bell put his foot down.’

‘I told you to watch your mouth. Like Emma, you’re getting too big for your boots and I ain’t standing for it. Now as I said, I’m off, and I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself in future. I’m the man of the house, and don’t you forget it.’

As the door slammed, Dick said, ‘What’s this about the kids?’

‘Alice Moon came to see Dad. She’s grown fond of James and Archie. Dad has agreed that she can have them permanently.’

Dick looked thunderstruck. ‘But he can’t do that!’

‘I felt the same way at first, but since then I’ve had time to think about it. The boys will be better off with Alice. She’ll look after them and they’ll have the life of Riley. Not only that, they’ll only be downstairs so we can see them whenever we want.’

‘It still ain’t right.’

‘Without James and Archie to look after, I’ll be able to get a job. I’d like that and I’ll be able to put some money in the pot too.’

Dick sighed heavily. ‘Yeah, I suppose you’re right, but I’m gonna miss the little tykes, especially Archie.’