‘Yes, I can and I will,’ Mrs B snapped. ‘What else have I got to spend my money on?’
After Ida had gone, Mrs B fetched a pen and paper and said, ‘Now, you give me that little one and get on with writing to your parents. From what you’ve told me, they’re a good sort and I’m sure they wouldn’t see their lovely daughter and grandson out on the streets.’
While Kate wrote, Mrs B nursed Ronnie and talked.
‘It’s a real treat to see you, Kate,’ Mrs B said. ‘And Ronnie too, of course. He’s the best news we’ve had in a long time. Goodness knows, we need some. The whole house has been on tenterhooks waiting for any word from the front. There’s not been a letter from Master Philip in weeks. Then we heard the news that his friend, Mr Carnforth, was badly injured. That’s made the mistress even more jittery. Living on her nerves, she is.’
Kate swallowed hard and concentrated on her letter. Was there no end to the loss? She just had to hang on to the hope that Philip was still alive.
* * *
When Ida entered the kitchen, half an hour later, she was so excited she couldn’t get the words out fast enough.
‘It’s good news, Kate, but you’ll have to get yourself over to Brook Street right away if we’re to beat the curfew. Mrs Philpott says that she’s sure Edith won’t turn you away, that’s her daughter-in-law. There’s no time for me to go and ask her if it’s all right and get back in time to serve supper, so we must go now. She’s told me how to get there. I’ll come with you.’
‘Oh, you will, will you?’ said Kate.
‘If that’s all right with you, Mrs B?’ Ida asked looking expectantly at Mrs B with just a hint of pleading in her eyes.
Mrs B paused just long enough to make it seem as if she was in charge and then announced, ‘Well get along with you then. I suppose I can manage until you get back, Straight there and back, mind. I don’t want to have to ask that Dora to help me. She’s not a patch on you, Kate, a right dopey-drawers!’
Kate smiled, pulled on her coat and hugged Mrs B.
‘Thank you, Mrs B. I’ll never forget your kindness,’ Kate said, taking Ronnie.
‘Oh, go along with you,’ Mrs B replied, through misty eyes. ‘Now get on your way and all the best to you, Kate and your Ronnie, God bless him. Oh, I almost forgot. We’ve been keeping a letter for you. It arrived a few days ago. What was the woman’s name Ida? Marks, was it?’
‘No, Mabbs, Mrs Mabbs,’ Ida replied.
‘Now where did I put it?’ Mrs B said.’ Ah, yes, on the dresser.’
As Kate took the letter, she noticed a tear slip out of the corner of Mrs B’s eye. Kate placed the letter in her skirt pocket and took Mrs B’s hands in her own. They stood for a while, looking at each other until Ida reminded them it was time to leave.
‘Look after that little one,’ Mrs B said.
‘I will,’ Kate replied. The streets were busy with people rushing home. They took so many twists and turns that Kate’s head was all of a confusion. Ida walked quickly and Kate found it hard to keep up. They eventually arrived at number thirteen Brook Street and Ida knocked on the door.
A young woman answered with huge black circles under her eyes and a baby could be heard howling somewhere behind her. She swiped her straggling hair out of her eyes and asked them short-temperedly what they wanted. Ida explained that Mrs Philpott had sent them and that Kate needed a bed and lodging for a few nights. The young woman looked as though she was going to close the door on them, so Ida took out the purse.
‘We’re not expecting you to do it for nothing,’ Ida said.
The young woman grabbed the purse, stepped back and held the door open.
‘You’d better come in then,’ she mumbled.
Ida hugged Kate and kissed Ronnie on the forehead.
‘Take care of yourself and your little Ronnie,’ she said. ‘I’ll be back to see you in a few days.’
‘I left a letter to be posted, back at the house, to my parents in Hampshire,’ Kate said. ‘Could you please make sure you put a stamp on it and post it for me?’
‘Don’t worry, I will,’ Ida replied.
Kate was so relieved to be out of the workhouse that she didn’t mind Edith Philpott being snappy and unfriendly. Edith said that she would have to make do in the spare room which was all cluttered up at the moment because she hadn’t had time to think.
‘He insisted we got married before he went off and then he left me with a load of his stuff to sort out and a swollen belly. God knows when I’ll see him again. Three shillings and six pence a week, that’s what I get. How’s a person to live on that, with a babe to look after and all?’
Kate thanked Edith and said she was happy to sleep anywhere.
