A Nest of Singing Birds Read online

  ‘Isn’t that the truth?’ Pat said. ‘To the devil with Minnie anyhow. The lad’s right. She’d only have one of her nasty remarks to make.’

  ‘But she’ll have a cob on because she hasn’t been told,’ Julia said nervously.

  ‘Let her,’ Pat said. ‘I know she’s your sister, Julie, but I don’t think she’d be the way she is now if everyone hadn’t given in to her moods all her life.’

  Tony went to the bathroom then went out for a long walk to think over his conversation with his Aunt Carrie. It had been a queer day, he thought. First the elation when he heard that his job was safe, then the scene in the kitchen and his feelings of despair, then the talk with Aunt Carrie when so much had been cleared in his mind.

  He walked for several hours along Low Hill and up Kensington and Prescot Road until he came to Green Lane then back in a semicircle down to West Derby Road and home. He felt physically tired when he arrived home, but his mind was at peace.

  * * *

  Joe arrived home on the following Thursday and the party was held on the Saturday, which was Tony’s twenty-first birthday. It was a great success. Although it had been arranged at short notice almost everyone who had been invited came: all Tony’s friends from the cycling club, a few friends from work, as well as friends of other members of the family and the usual aunts and uncles and cousins.

  The exceptions were Dympna and Brendan. Minnie simply said that they were busy, but later she told Bridie that Dympna was out with her young man. ‘She wouldn’t bring him here,’ she said. ‘They’re such a lot of skits.’

  ‘It’s only fun, Minnie,’ Bridie said. ‘They don’t mean any harm.’ But Minnie sniffed and pursed her lips.

  Bridie seemed to glow with happiness as she proudly introduced Jack to various people. The two little boys were with them, but they had fallen asleep soon after arriving and been put to bed in Maureen’s room which was near the bathroom. Most people who visited the bathroom peeped in on them, but they slept soundly curled up close to each other.

  Julia had made a cake and iced it but hidden it away from Tony.

  After supper Maureen and Eileen slipped away and put twenty-one candles on the cake, then put it on the trolley with an array of clean glasses.

  Eileen stepped into the parlour with a cry of ‘Attention!’ then she and Maureen wheeled the trolley in with a flourish amidst cries of ‘Happy Birthday, Tony’ from the guests.

  Fred and Pat filled the glasses with wine and everyone cheered when Fred proposed a toast of ‘A happy birthday and many more to follow’ to Tony as he cut the cake.

  His mother, Maureen, Eileen and Anne kissed him, and his father and brothers shook his hand and clapped him on the shoulder, but Tony was amazed when Bernadette, who was there with the cycling club members, suddenly pushed through his family and pulled his head down to kiss him passionately.

  An ironic cheer went up from the young people but his friend Jerry said quickly, ‘That’s from all of us, Tony. Best wishes from the club, mate.’

  Tony’s face had gone red, but he gave Jerry a grateful glance and said, ‘Thanks, everyone.’ Jerry was a cartoonist on a local paper and now he asked Tony to stand between his parents while he did a lightning sketch of them.

  They stood smiling, Tony with his arm round his father and his mother holding his other arm, Pat’s arm round Tony’s shoulders. Tony caught Aunt Carrie’s glance and smiled at her wholeheartedly. The sketch was a good likeness and someone said jovially, ‘Better keep that, Tony. Might be worth something one day when Jerry’s famous.’

  ‘It’s worth a lot now as far as I’m concerned,’ he said. ‘Thanks for the souvenir, Jerry.’

  The older people drifted into the kitchen, but before they went Tony heard Minnie say to Maureen, ‘You never had a “do” like this for your twenty-first, did you?’

  ‘I didn’t want one,’ she said cheerfully. ‘I was made up to get this watch though.’ She held out her hand with the tiny gold watch on her wrist. ‘Times were bad for Mum and Dad, so I know they must have had a job to afford it.’

  Tony felt a stab of shame. I wish I was more like Maureen, he thought. Minnie’s tongue has no chance against her. Later he heard his aunt talking to Fred and thought that he was another who was impervious to Minnie’s spite.

  Dominic and Desmond now attended St Edward’s College in Sandfield Park. Desmond had passed the examination for a scholarship to the College, and Fred had decided to pay the fees so that Dominic could accompany him there. They had both come to the party wearing their purple blazers and caps, and Minnie’s eyes gleamed with malice as she looked at them. ‘It’s no wonder your Shaun’s always falling out with them,’ she said to Fred. ‘I suppose he feels it, that you do for them what you wouldn’t do for him?’

  ‘You’ve got the wrong end of the stick there, Minnie,’ Fred said heartily. ‘I thought if anyone could tame that pair it’d be the Christian Brothers, but Shaun was happy in the Parish School. He’s doing well now working with me – a real flair for it he’s got.’

  Tony smiled to see the disappointment on her face, but thought he would have a word with his cousin Shaun in case Minnie succeeded in dropping any poison in his ear. Not many people are as daft as me though, he thought ruefully. Shaun would take as little notice as Fred had.

  Tony had gone into the kitchen to talk to Aunt Carrie, but Eileen was now playing the piano in the parlour and he could hear laughter and singing from the young people there. He soon left Carrie and went back to the parlour.

  As soon as he walked in Bernadette claimed him, slipping her hand through his arm and reaching up to kiss him. They were in a crowd by the door so few people saw her. Although Tony made no move to return the kiss she slipped her arm around his neck and drew his head near to her.

  ‘I thought you would have chosen tonight to settle things,’ she whispered. ‘Then we could have made the announcement when you cut the cake.’

  ‘What announcement?’ he asked in genuine puzzlement.

  ‘Oh, Tony, don’t tease. Our engagement, of course.’

  ‘Engagement? I couldn’t – I’m – I’m only just out of my time,’ stammered Tony, his face scarlet.

  ‘Yes, but you’ll be on tradesman’s money now. We can save up,’ Bernadette said.

  Tony pulled away from her clutching hands. ‘But, Bernadette,’ he began, ‘it’s – it’s not that.’ Before he said any more Jerry suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him through the crowd, leaving Bernadette behind. ‘Where’ve you been, birthday boy?’ he said, laughing. ‘We’ve been looking for you. Eileen’s found some old music.’

  ‘“Can You Dance the Polka?”’ Eileen said, jumping up from the piano stool. ‘Come on, Tony.’ A young man took her place and a space was hastily cleared then Eileen and Tony danced the Polka with abandon, finishing with Eileen giving a high kick and falling back into his arms. There was loud applause, but Bernadette stayed glowering in the doorway.

  As soon as there was an opportunity Jerry drew Tony into a corner. ‘I saw you were being waylaid there, Tony. Watch yourself, mate, that’s a tarantula if ever I saw one.’

  ‘But I don’t know why,’ Tony said in bewilderment. ‘Honestly, Jer, I’ve never given her any encouragement. That sounds lousy, but what I mean is, I’ve never even thought of an engagement, let alone mentioned it. How could I? I haven’t been earning enough to keep a flea.’

  ‘Is that what she’s after?’ Jerry said. ‘I thought it might be. Listen, son, I’m afraid it’s not your handsome face that’s bowled her over. It’s the thought of those tradesman’s wages you’ll be getting.’ He grinned and Tony grinned back. ‘Careful, you’ll be giving me a big head if you’re not careful,’ he said, but Jerry added seriously, ‘Be warned, though, old son. Better men than you have been caught like that.’

  Jerry was called to organise a game of Chinese numbers, and Tony joined Maureen and two girlfriends she had invited to the party. He had decided not to avoid Bernadette but to make it quite
clear that she had made a mistake. He thought of Fred’s phrase to Minnie, that she had got hold of the wrong end of the stick, and smiled to himself as he thought he might try it with Bernadette if she tried to corner him again.

  Whether by accident or design Tony’s friends seemed to surround him all evening and Bernadette sulked in a corner.

  Joe was backwards and forwards between the kitchen and the parlour all night as all the older relations in the kitchen wanted to see him, but he came back as often as possible to the festivities in the parlour.

  ‘Anne’s growing up fast, isn’t she?’ he said to Tony. ‘This is what I hate about being away.’ They both looked at Anne who was talking to one of the boys surrounding her pretty cousin, Theresa.

  Anne had grown taller and her dress of cream silk patterned with brown pansies showed that her figure was beginning to develop. Her cheeks were pink with excitement and her eyes sparkled. ‘She’s going to be a beauty, isn’t she?’ Tony said.

  And Joe replied, laughing. ‘What do you mean? Going to be? She is already.’

  A game of forfeits was played later and Anne chose Joe and gave him a hearty kiss. ‘Hey, that’s not right,’ one of Tony’s friends called. ‘You should have chosen Tony. He’s the birthday lad.’

  ‘I can kiss Tony anytime,’ Anne said, hugging Joe. ‘Our Joe’s not home often.’

  Tony joined in the laughter, pleased to feel only pleasure in Anne’s words and no trace of his old jealousy of Joe.

  Everyone agreed that the party was a big success, and Pat continued to secure orders to keep his business going. Joe was still unable to find a shore job, but said he was determined that this was the last time he would go back to sea. The family agreed but all knew that in spite of the fact that Pat’s business had improved, the general employment position was worse if anything.

  Chapter Nine

  Anne’s friendship with Kathleen O’Neill continued. The time was approaching when they were due to leave school, but Anne had never been able to see her after school hours. Although she sometimes tentatively suggested outings, Kathleen always refused, saying that her mother would not allow it.

  None of the teachers seemed to Anne to show any interest in individual pupils, and she was amazed one day to be told to stay behind by the teacher in charge of the top class, Miss Woods.

  When the class had gone and Anne was standing by Miss Woods’ desk, the teacher told her that she was pleased to see that she was friendly with Kathleen O’Neill.

  ‘Kathleen seems to enjoy the swimming lesson,’ she said. ‘Do you know if she ever goes to the baths out of school hours?’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ Anne said. ‘Her mother…’ She had been about to say that Mrs O’Neill would not allow it but thought it might be disloyal to Kathleen to say so.

  The teacher probed gently. ‘Does Kathleen talk about her life at home, dear? I know her mother has rather unusual ideas.’ Anne was torn, not wanting to betray confidences but feeling that the teacher was truly concerned about Kathleen.

  At last she said in a subdued voice, ‘Kathleen doesn’t go out on her own. The three of them go together, but Kathleen says it’s because her mammy loves them and wants to keep them safe.’

  ‘Poor child, poor loyal child,’ Miss Woods said. She looked down at her desk and Anne heard her murmur, ‘So sad. Obsessive love against the pull of normality.’

  She sighed deeply and looked at Anne. ‘Will Kathleen be allowed to go to work, do you think?’

  ‘If she can get a job, Miss,’ Anne said. ‘We know it won’t be easy. We’ve talked about it.’

  ‘You have? I’m pleased to hear that, Anne. Do you know whether her brother is seeking employment?’

  ‘Cormac. No, I don’t think so. He doesn’t really want to and his mother has three jobs now so she says he doesn’t need to.’

  ‘Three jobs!’ the teacher exclaimed.

  ‘Yes, she cleans offices before Kathleen and Cormac get up in the morning, and she mends umbrellas, and she has another job she goes to at night.’

  Miss Woods closed her eyes as though in prayer and Anne shuffled her feet uneasily. Was she betraying Kathleen? she wondered, but Miss Woods opened her eyes and said gently, ‘You were right to tell me what you know of the family so that I know how to help Kathleen. Try to keep in touch with her when you leave school, Anne. Kathleen needs a friend. Now this is all in confidence, dear, but you’re a sensible girl and won’t mention it to anyone else, will you?’

  Anne promised, but wondered how she could ever see Kathleen, let alone be her friend, if she could never escape from her mother.

  Very occasionally teachers heard of jobs for girls leaving school and were able to recommend one of their pupils for the position. A few weeks before the girls were due to leave Miss Woods gave Kathleen a note to take to her mother. ‘There is a letter of recommendation enclosed in it, Kathleen,’ she said. ‘It’s for a position as a clerk in a coal merchant’s office which is very near your home. The wages are small but there is an opportunity for promotion if you suit.’

  Kathleen told Anne the next day that her mother had been to look at the coal merchant’s office and it was only five minutes’ walk away from their house. ‘Nearer than school,’ Kathleen said, ‘so I’m going today to see the man with Mammy.’

  Anne wondered whether Cormac would be taken too, but she said nothing about him and wished Kathleen success in getting the job. As soon as she saw her friend’s face the following day she knew that all had gone well, and was sincerely pleased for Kathleen.

  ‘The money will be a help for Cormac’s clothes,’ she told Anne innocently. ‘He’s growing so fast, you see.’ Anne was pleased to hear it, if that was what had swayed their mother to allow Kathleen to take the job.

  Anne had applied for several jobs without success so she felt that she was very lucky when she obtained a job in a cake shop in Kensington, within walking distance of her home.

  Anne enjoyed school and in many ways was sorry to leave but she looked forward to the excitement of the new job and of earning a wage. She said goodbye to Kathleen in the classroom and asked her to keep in touch.

  ‘Perhaps we could go to the pictures together sometimes now that we’ll both be working? I mean, if your mother will let you go to work…’

  Kathleen agreed eagerly, ‘Yes. Mammy might feel differently if I’m working. I’d like to go to the pictures with you, Anne.’

  ‘I’ll look out for you at Mass,’ she promised.

  * * *

  Anne started work on the following Monday and soon changed her mind about the pleasures of working. Her employers were Australians. In theory Mrs James was in charge of the shop and Mr James of the bakehouse, but in practice Mrs James paid only fleeting visits to the shop. While she was there she seemed to prefer talking to the customers to working, which left far too much work for Anne and the senior assistant, Jessie.

  Mr James was a small swarthy man with a large paunch and a rough aggressive manner. He was never satisfied, no matter how hard his staff worked, and his constant cry was, ‘Carm on, jump to it.’

  The bakehouse was behind the shop and he had a habit of suddenly appearing in the shop when Mrs James was absent. Anne felt nervous and clumsy with his beady eyes fixed on her, and thought he must put the customers off too.

  He always wore a stained singlet and cotton trousers with a belt slung low under his paunch, and gave off an unpleasant smell. The other assistant, Jessie, was his favourite and often he told her that she could go as soon as the shop closed at six o’clock, even though the window might be only half cleared.

  Anne was often left to finish clearing the window and cleaning the shelves and counters while Mrs James appeared only to cash up the money in the till. Often Anne felt almost too tired to eat her meal when she arrived home, but none of the family realised how hard she was working.

  Her mother thought that she was finding it hard to adjust to the longer hours after the short school day, and that she woul
d soon become accustomed to them. At that time of high unemployment a job was not lightly surrendered and Anne struggled on for several months, thinking that all employment was like this.

  Saturday was always a busy day at the shop and Anne and Jessie came in at 7:45 a.m, to fill up the shelves and window before the shop opened. One Saturday was particularly hard for Anne.

  There had been a noisy row between Mr James and one of the bakehouse girls the previous day, culminating in the girl’s demanding her insurance cards and walking out. Jessie had been in the bakehouse filling custards and blackcurrant tarts, and helping to weigh dried fruit and other ingredients, all Saturday morning.

  Mrs James had leaned indolently on the counter gossiping while Anne had scurried about trying to serve several impatient customers at once.

  Jessie came back into the shop briefly then went for her lunch. When she returned Mrs James said to Anne, ‘You’re not going home, are you? You can manage with half an hour for lunch. I’ll have to go out when you get back.’

  Anne stayed to lunch on Saturdays because she was too tired to walk home and back, but realised that she was not going to gain by staying that day. She sat in the storeroom to eat her sandwiches and drink from her flask of tea, and when she returned to the shop after half an hour Mrs James immediately departed and was not seen again.

  The shop was still full of customers at six o’clock and when the doors were finally closed at six twenty Anne felt as though there were lead weights on her feet. The shop was a daunting sight as there had been no time between serving to tidy it.

  Jessie had taken only a few of the empty glass dishes from the window when Mr James appeared. He was obviously in a furious temper but said to Jessie, ‘You can go. You’ve done your share, helping in the bakehouse. Pity I haven’t got more like you instead of these lazy cows.’

  Jessie departed with a smug smile and he said roughly to Anne, ‘Carm on, carm on, jump to it. Get them dishes washed and this place cleaned.’ Anne was near to tears but she took the dishes to the sink in the bakehouse and washed them, then cleaned the window and replaced them.