A Daughter’s Sorrow

‘I thought …’ I stopped, remembering why I’d never told him about the attempted rape. ‘It’s dark and I was nervous.’

‘You shouldn’t be out on your own at this hour.’ Jamie frowned as he saw what I was carrying. ‘So, she’s still up to her old tricks then? I might have known. She must be losing her mind, sending you out on a night like this for that.’

‘I don’t mind. It’s so good to see you, Jamie. Where have you been? Did you find regular work?’

‘That I did and more of it to come. What do you think these are, me darlin’?’

He was carrying several parcels and I smiled as I sensed his pleasure. ‘Presents for Tommy I hope.’

‘And for you, Bridget,’ he said. ‘I’ve money in my pocket for Mam and some to spare.’

‘You sound as if you’ve done well, Jamie?’

‘I have that, Bridget. It was good advice you were after givin’ me. I’ve been workin’ up Canning Town way.’

‘Canning Town?’ I looked at him in surprise. ‘What were you doing there, Jamie?’

‘A bit of building,’ he said and grinned. ‘Takin’ the inside of a shop to pieces and puttin’ in new counters.’

‘That must have been a good job. You were lucky to find it.’

‘That I was, me darlin’.’ Jamie was cock-a-hoop at his success and it made me feel good. ‘Joe Robinson leased the shop and he’s going to open it after Christmas – or his sister is. It’s to be a flower shop.’

‘A flower shop like Maisie’s stall on the market? I didn’t know people sold flowers in a shop.’

‘Nor did I until I met Mary Robinson,’ he said. ‘They’re nice people, Bridget – Mrs Robinson, too. She’s a widow but pleasant and cheerful … Mary’s like her mother, but she’s not very strong. She had rheumatic fever a few years ago and it left her with a weak chest. Not that she complains. She’s always wanted a flower shop and Joe rented it for next to nothing, so he hired me to do it up for her.’

Jamie was full of himself and his new friends. I wondered if the Joe Robinson who had hired my brother was the same one who had been there the night I was attacked in the lane. It seemed unlikely and I hoped the name was just a coincidence.

The sparkle faded from Jamie’s eyes as we went into the house and he heard Mam yell from the kitchen. ‘Where’s that jar? You’ve taken your time, you little …’ She broke off as she saw Jamie, her face screwing up in temper. ‘Come home at last, have you? And I suppose you expect me to feed you over Christmas?’

‘No, Mam. I’m not stopping. I’ve friends to visit and then I’m back off where I came from for Christmas.’ He took four gold sovereigns from his pocket and laid them on the table in front of her. ‘That’s for you and these parcels are for Bridget and Tommy.’

‘Trust you to waste good money …’ She stopped as she saw the look on Jamie’s face. ‘It’s about time you gave me something … Weeks with nothing it’s been.’

‘The money is for food and coke,’ Jamie said. ‘Not whisky, Mam. By the looks of it you’ve had far too much of it recently. You’ll kill yourself if you’re not careful.’

‘And who asked your opinion?’

‘No one, but that’s never stopped me giving it yet. I’m telling you, that stuff will do you in if you don’t give it a rest.’

‘You keep your mouth shut. Go back where you came from and leave me alone.’ She gave him a surly look and grabbed the jar from me, holding it to her protectively as though she thought he might snatch it from her. ‘Go on, clear off.’

‘I’m going. I only came for Bridget’s sake. If it wasn’t for her and Tommy you wouldn’t get another penny from me.’

‘It’s little enough I get now! That slut of a sister of yours can go scrubbin’ floors after Christmas. It’s about time she earned her keep, sittin’ around in that office all day while I slave me fingers to the bone.’

‘Well, don’t expect any more from me for a while,’ Jamie warned her. ‘Make it last, Mam. I’ll be back when I’m ready and not before.’

Jamie turned and left the kitchen, striding to the front door where I caught up with him, holding his arm to prevent him leaving.

‘Won’t you even go up and see Tommy? He’s always asking after you.’

‘It would only upset him if I said I was leavin’ again. Besides, I’m expected.’

‘Tommy isn’t well …’ I faltered as Jamie frowned and then I went on, telling him everything. ‘I want to make this the best Christmas he’s ever had …’

‘In case it’s his last? Poor little bugger. I could kill Mam for what she’s done to him!’

‘It isn’t all her fault, Jamie. Tommy isn’t the only one around here … and I’m going to see Father O’Brien soon. He says there may be a place for Tommy … at the seaside.’

Jamie nodded grimly. ‘I can’t tell you not to take charity when it’s for Tommy,’ he said. ‘If I gave you everything I earned I couldn’t give him all he needs, but take this for his Christmas.’ He reached in his pocket and gave me thirty shillings.

‘That’s your money, Jamie. You’ve already given us so much. I can’t take that.’

‘I’ve another sovereign in my pocket,’ he said and took it out to show me. ‘I’ll manage and I want Tommy to have it. Just don’t let Mam know you’ve got it.’

‘She’s not getting a penny of it,’ I said fervently and tucked it down the front of my bodice. ‘Thank you, Jamie. I’m glad you came to see us, and I wish you could stay.’

‘I’d do for her before the night was out. If I had to stay here I’d not be responsible for my actions. No, it’s best I go, Bridget darlin’. Besides, I’ve got to see Rosie. I’ve a present in my pocket for her. Many’s the time she’s helped me out …’ He saw the look in my eyes and laughed. ‘No, I’ve finished with all that, but I owe Rosie. I’ve bought her something nice. She wouldn’t take money but she’ll like this.’ He showed me a little velvet box with a gold brooch inside.

‘That must have been expensive?’

‘Joe got it second-hand for me. That’s his business, Bridget – buying and sellin’. It was far less than I’d have paid in a shop. He got me one for Mary too …’

Something in his voice then made me look at him sharply. ‘You like Mary Robinson, don’t you?’

‘Sure – anyone would like Mary,’ he said. ‘Mrs Robinson told me to bring you for tea one afternoon on a Saturday. Would you like to come if I fetch you?’

‘Yes, please … but it depends on Tommy.’ I caught back a sob. ‘He doesn’t know he’s going away yet. I’m not going to tell him until after Christmas.’

‘Poor little bugger,’ Jamie said again. ‘If you need me, Bridget, you can find me here …’ He gave me a scrap of paper with an address in Canning Town. ‘This is Joe’s house. He’ll always know where to find me. I’m going to be working for him on one of his barrows after Christmas.’

‘I thought you said he bought and sold second-hand goods?’

‘Joe’s got his finger in a dozen pies,’ Jamie said and grinned. ‘He’s a bit of a goer, Bridget. I like him and I think you will.’

‘Thank you for all you’ve done,’ I said and tucked the paper away safely. ‘When shall I see you again, Jamie?’

‘Not for a while,’ he said. He hesitated, then kissed my cheek awkwardly. ‘Keep your chin up, Bridget. Things will get better. I’ll do what I can for you.’

‘You’ve done enough already.’

‘I’ve a bit put by if you need it,’ he said. ‘I was savin’ it for something but it will keep. Have a good Christmas – you and Tommy.’

‘I’ll be getting him some new boots with what you gave me. His old ones let water.’

‘Buy what you think right. I went to see Bridie Macpherson earlier. She says Lainie doesn’t work there now. Do you know where she went? Was it with Hans?’