‘If I end up in prison because of this I will never forgive you. I said so, Biddy, didn’t I? I would not have a drop stored in my establishment.’
‘You did, Malcolm, but you would also hate to see the carnival cancelled because there was nothing to hold it on the back of, wouldn’t you? Now stop your moaning and help stack these crates.’
Malcolm, defeated, did as he was told and grumbled all the way through until the call went out for everyone to assemble at the top of the steps, to break open a crate. Callum passed around the bottles, one to each man who had passed the crates up the steps and helped with the operation.
‘One for now, fellas,’ Jerry said. ‘And would you look at this, the best haul ever and a carnival in just over a week.’
Those who had been unable to help and had bided their time in the Anchor, sauntered across the road to hear Jerry speak.
‘Give a bottle to everyone here, Eugene, we have plenty to go around.’
‘Eh, don’t be giving it away for free, Jerry Deane! You’ll be putting me out of business,’ came the call from Babs, there to collect her own bottle, while Malcolm nursed his close to his chest and, looking sideways, saw Biddy grinning.
‘What are you laughing at?’ he said.
‘You,’ said Biddy. ‘You and all your moans and groans and look at you, can’t wait to open that and see what it tastes like, can you?’ Malcolm looked affronted and, not for the first time, wondered was Biddy a mind reader.
Callum saw Mary standing alone. She was tired, but she didn’t care. When the streets suffered, they were all in pain. The good times were few and far between and, when one arrived, she was happy to be in the middle of it. Callum moved across the back of the crowd and stood next to her.
‘You’ve worked hard tonight,’ he said.
Mary suppressed her desire to laugh. ‘All women work hard,’ she said.
Callum looked hurt. ‘Aye, but not many work like you do. I’ve watched you for a long time and I’ve always liked you, Mary, but you were always working.’
Mary turned to look at him. ‘You’re right,’ she said. ‘It’s been my lot but I’m going to change something, Callum, I’m going to choose myself what work it is I do from now on. Someone else has always decided for me.’ She smiled, to reassure him that she meant no offence.
‘Sure, why wouldn’t you?’ he said. ‘I chose my life. I chose the docks, not the jail. Being in control of your own way, that’s the path to happiness.’
‘I have a plan, Callum. I’m going to go and work for Cindy and I haven’t told me ma yet, but I’m going to leave home and live in the flat above the salon. Cindy is going to teach me and I’m going to be a hairdresser.’ Even though she was tired, her eyes were bright with excitement.
‘Does that mean I’ll be getting free haircuts for the rest of me life then?’ said Callum. Mary blushed to her roots and looked down to her feet. ‘Mary, I’ve asked your da and he says I can take you to the picture house tomorrow night. I wouldn’t have felt right calling at your house if I hadn’t asked him.’
Mary looked back up and her eyes met his. She had never been to town in her life at night. ‘I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘It’s the four streets, not Carnaby Street and Da would like that you asked him.’
Callum grinned as he slipped his hand into hers. ‘Good, because I can’t wait to kiss you, Mary.’
Mary shook his hand playfully away, but her stomach did a somersault at his words. She couldn’t wait either – but it would all be on her terms and Cindy would be her guide.
*
‘Are you going to tell them about the money?’ Tommy asked quietly as they handed the bottles around.
‘No, not yet. Them bizzies will be all over the docks like a rash tomorrow, so we’ll wait for it to die down before we let them all know about that.’
They walked Peggy back to her house, Kathleen, Maura and Alice – the rest of the women were already in there and the house was spotless. Even Deirdre was soft-spoken as they made their way in.
‘I’ve brought the settle in from yours, Maura, and made it up by the fire, for she’ll be better off down here. I had to use your spare bedding, though.’
‘Don’t be worrying about that, Deirdre,’ said Maura. ‘’Tis only blankets.’
‘Has anyone told Paddy yet?’ asked Alice and they all turned as her husband answered, ‘I have and he’s here.’
They parted to let big Paddy through and he removed his cap to sit on the side of the settle. Peggy’s daughter lay in her arms; she’d refused to put her down since Shelagh had given the baby to her.
‘A girl, Pegs?’ Paddy said, looking at his wife, who had eyes only for her daughter.
‘It is,’ she said, ‘she’s a beautiful colleen.’
‘Have we a name?’ asked Paddy, who felt as though he were looking at their firstborn.
‘I do. Kitty. I’m calling her Kitty.’
Maura, watching the scene from the side, blinked away the tears that sprang to her eyes.
‘Jerry’s going to be the new gaffer,’ said Paddy. ‘He’s putting me on the sheds and I’ll be working every day now, I promise.’
Peggy looked up at her husband and smiled and then around at the women who had saved her. Jerry had told Paddy how close he had come to losing his wife and instead of the angry reaction he had expected, Paddy had been filled with remorse. Little Paddy came into the room, still wide awake at one in the morning. He sat on the opposite side of the settle and peered over the blanket at his new baby sister.
‘Did you say her name was Kitty, Ma?’ he asked.
‘I did,
