Liverpool Annie Read online

  ■Really!' Marie said sarcastically. She threw her >thes on the floor and pulled on her nightdress, oodnight, Annie. Merry Christmas,' she said in the ne sarcastic voice as she got into bed.

  'I saw you in the Grand tonight,' Annie said accusingly.

  Marie hiccupped. 'Did you now! And what were you doing in the Grand, Miss Goody Two-Shoes!'

  'Me friend Hves there. I was helping in the kitchen.'

  'Honest!' Marie sat up. 'You're friendly with that Italian girl? What's she like?'

  'I'm the one asking the questions,' Annie snapped. 'What were you doing with those horrible old men? They looked at least twenty-five.'

  Marie snorted. 'Mind your own business!'

  'No, I won't. I felt ashamed, seeing them paw me sister in public. Things aren't so bad at home that you have to do horrible things like that. You could have stayed in and watched television.'

  'You didn't!'

  'I was working,' Annie said virtuously.

  'And what do you mean, things aren't so bad at home?' Marie guffawed incredulously. 'Are you blind or something? It's Christmas Eve, and if we hadn't put those decorations up, there'd be no sign of it here. There never has been, not even when we were little; no presents by our beds, nothing.' She leaned forward and said fiercely, 'As soon as I'm old enough, I'll be out this house like a shot, and I'm never coming back.'

  Annie sighed. There seemed little she could say because Marie was right. She was drifting off to sleep again, when a small voice tinged with desperation and misery said, 'I've got to have someone to love me, Annie. That's what I was doing tonight, looking for someone to love me.'

  'I love you, Marie,' Annie said quickly. They weren't as close as she would have liked, they were two such very different people, but she loved her sister dearly.

  'It's themV Marie began to cry. 'They make me feel invisible, as if I don't exist. It's all right for you, you do

  hings. You make yourself useful so they know you're here, but if I disappeared tomorrow, neither of them vould notice.'

  Annie got out of bed and climbed in with her sister. Never mind, luv,' she said soothingly. 'Never mind.' ihe tried to think of some comforting words to cheer ler sister, but there didn't seem to be any. 'Never mind,' he said again.

  Minutes later, the two girls were fast asleep in each )ther's arms.

  3n the day they returned to school, Annie and Sylvia net outside so they could face the inevitable storm ogether. They linked arms, marched through the gates ind waited for the fireworks, but there was no sign of luby Livesey and no-one else took the slightest bit of lotice.

  Feeling let down, they wandered around the )layground, arm in arm. After a while, Sally Baker :ame up. 'Hello, Annie. Why didn't you come to my )arty?' She didn't wait for a reply, but went on, 'Hey, '^ou'll never guess. Ruby's left. She's got a job in Jacob's iiscuit Factory. I'm dead glad, I never liked her.'

  They were joined by another girl from Ruby's old ;ang. 'Our Brian went to the Grand on New Year's Eve. i'ou never said your dad was a Count, Sylvia. Isn't it smashing news about Ruby? Who'd like a peppermint ;ream? I got a whole box in my Christmas stocking.'

  Fommy Gallagher married Dawn O'Connell in the summer of 1956, soon after he had done his National service. Dawn was a skinny, darkly dramatic girl who kvore an enviable amount of eyeshadow and too much

  lipstick. As she had no sisters, she asked Annie and Marie to be her bridesmaids.

  'Now, about the dresses,' Dot said, full of importance. 'Dawn fancies blue, which should suit both your colourings.'

  'Blue's fine,' Annie said bUssfully. She would have agreed to black, she was so thrilled.

  'Don't worry about the money,' Dot assured them. 'I'll have a word with our Ken. I think I'm the only one who can get through to him. Bert says it's because I've got the most penetrating voice in the world.'

  The dresses were bought at a discount from Owen Owen's, where Dawn worked in Ladies' Underwear. Pale blue slipper satin, they had a low neck, a gathered skirt and a dark blue sash. 'You can get them altered afterwards,' said Dot. 'They'll do to go dancing in when you're older.'

  'You lucky thing!' Sylvia said enviously when she heard. 'I'd love to be a bridesmaid.'

  'You can be mine,' Annie offered, though she couldn't visualise getting married.

  'And you can be mine! Though that means one of us will be a matron of honour. I wonder who'll get married first?'

  'You will,' Annie said with conviction.

  Sylvia had been invited to the wedding, and spent an entire evening modelling her vast wardrobe in front of Annie. 'Which dress do you like best? Perhaps I should buy something new. Oh, dear!' Sylvia said distractedly. 'I don't know what to wear!'

  Annie laughed. 'You've got too many clothes, that's the problem. The peachy coloured frock really suits you.'

  'Does it? You don't think it's too old - or possibly too young?'

  'It's just right,' Annie assured her. 'You're dead

  nceited, Sylvia. You don't half fancy yourself.' Their sndship had reached the stage where they could be tical of each other without causing offence. Sylvia ick out her tongue, but otherwise ignored the tnment.

  inie had never heard Mam and Dad argue before -

  ill, not exactly argue, Mam wasn't saying a word, but

  id was going on and on in the voice that had turned

  sky of late and sounded like an old man's.

  'But you've got to, you've got to,' he insisted. After a

  lile, he came into the kitchen and said wearily to

  inie. 'I'd like you to buy your mam a dress for

  immy's wedding. How much d'you think it'll be?'

  So that was it! 'Okay, Dad,' Annie said, in the forced

  eerful tone she used with her father. 'She'll need shoes

  d a hat as well - about fifteen pounds, I reckon. I'll go

  :er school tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll get something

  :e.'

  Dad sighed. 'You're a good girl, Annie.'

  With Sylvia in tow, the following day Annie went to

  aterloo in search of a dress. 'Pink,' she said firmly.

  's got to be rose pink.'

  She'd almost given up hope by the time they entered

  ; final shop ten minutes before closing time. The

  iistant looked up impatiently when they came in and

  gan to go through the rows of dresses.

  'This one's perfect!' Annie had reached the last few

  )cks on the final rack when she took one out. 'And it's

  r size.'

  The dress was deep pink grosgrain with a square neck

  d little puffed sleeves. The bodice was fitted and the

  nels widened into a full, almost circular skirt.

  'It's pretty,' Sylvia said admiringly. 'I'm sure she'll

  ve it.'

  The assistant perked up and became co-operative

  when she reaHsed she was about to make a sale without the garment being tried on. She helped Annie choose a hat from the small millinery selection.

  'This could have been made to go with the dress.' She picked up a pink feather band with a tiny veil. 'It's exactly the same colour.'

  Annie tried it on. 'What do you think?' she asked Sylvia.

  'It looks ghastly with red hair, but the style is very flattering.'

  'In that case, I'll take it,' Annie said thankfully.

  'Shall we put some lipstick on her?'

  'Leave her alone, Marie. She looks fine. She's lovely as she is,' Annie glared at her sister.

  Marie had adopted a proprietorial air with their mother on the morning of the wedding, spending ages combing her hair into a variety of different styles until she settled on a big fat bun at the nape of her slender neck. Mam stood in the middle of the room, a lost, confused figure, whilst Marie prowled around, adjusting the sleeves of the dress, straightening the little rose pendant.

  'A bit of lipstick'll finish her off.'

  'She's not a doll,' Annie snapped.
'Anyroad, why the interest in what Mam looks like all of a sudden? You've never cared before.'

  'I never realised she was so gorgeous. Just imagine, sis, if the girls at school knew we had a Mam who looks more like our big sister!'

  'Hmm,' Annie sighed.

  'You should have got her a pair of lace gloves.'

  'I didn't think.' She was pleased the dress fitted so well, the material clinging to Mam's lean hips, the short sleeves revealing milky-white arms. The hat looked perfect on her dark hair.

  wouldn't mind those shoes afterwards. I mean, 11 never wear them again.' Marie stared enviously at black suede shoes with little narrow heels. 'They're small for you.'

  fou're like a bloody vulture. Would you like her ms, too?'

  wouldn't mind. Or that bag.'

  "hat's Cecy's, Sylvia bought it her for Christmas.

  •un out of money by the time I remembered a hand-

  X^here's Dad?' Marie demanded.

  )utside, waiting for the taxi.'

  )oesn't he think the driver's capable of finding the

  se himself? Keep still, Mam. I think I'll comb her

  loose, after all.'

  he taxi would drop Mam and Dad off at Dot's, then I the girls to Dawn's house where they would nge into their bridesmaids' frocks.

  wonder if she realises what's going on?' Marie ibed their mother's hair loose and began to curl the s under her finger.

  hope not. She'll think she's turned into a tailor's imy.'

  yid you see Dad's face when he saw her dressed?' rie giggled. 'It went all gooey and stupid, as if he was ut to cry.'

  innie didn't answer. She had also noticed Dad's edulous expression, as if he were seeing his wife the first time and had fallen in love all over again, lie had looked away, feeling as if she were intruding something intensely private. Unlike Marie, she n't find it the least bit funny.

  lie stared at her reflection in Dawn's wardrobe ror. 'Gosh, I look strange.' She was growing taller, Marie had predicted, and filling out. She'd been

  wearing a brassiere for more than a year and took a thirty-four, though suspected she'd soon need a bigger size. Her hips were quite broad, but shapely, she told herself, because her waist was narrow, the narrowness accentuated by the wide sash of the dress. She placed the coronet of blue flowers on her hair.

  'Do you want this straight?' she asked Dawn, who looked radiant in her white satin wedding gown, 'or tipped towards the back?'

  Dawn pursed her lips as Annie placed the coronet in various positions on her red curls. 'Straight, I think, almost on your forehead. It looks sort of regal.'

  Marie sidled up. 'Are you sure you've got the right frock? This one feels really tight.'

  'Mine's bigger. If that feels tight, it wouldn't go near me.'

  'I'd better not eat anything, else I'll bust the zip.' Marie mopped her brow. 'I wish it wasn't so hot. I'm sweating like a cob already.'

  'Tara, Tommy, lad,' Dot screamed. 'Have a nice honeymoon. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!'

  As the newly-married couple's car turned into the traffic. Dot and the bride's mother burst into tears and fell into each other's arms.

  Everyone began to drift back into the big room above the pub where the reception was being held. The musical duo, pianist and drummer, started to play 'Jealousy', and seconds later Bert swept a still tearful Dot across the floor. In no time the wooden floor shook as more couples began to tango. The children played tick, darting in and out of the dancers, and the room rapidly turned into a steambath with the heat.

  'Oh, Bert,' Dot sobbed when the dance had finished. 'One of these days, I'll have no boys left. The house'll be empty.'

  Never mind, luv, you'll still have me,' Bert said nfortingly.

  Vt this. Dot began to cry even more. Bert grinned, e always gets maudlin when she's been at the isky. Fetch us some of that fruit punch, Annie, luv. ist if she's got a glass in her hand she mightn't notice non-alcoholic'

  Vnnie helped herself to another glass at the same le. The punch was an invention of Alan's, who was at ering college training to be a chef. He came up and ;arded the nearly empty bowl with satisfaction, lother lot gone! I'd better make some more.' It's delicious,' Annie said. 'I could drink gallons in s heat.'

  I bet our Mike'll be gone within the year,' Dot ffed when Annie returned. 'He's dead serious about It Pamela girl.'

  He was until today,' said Bert. 'Pamela's been given r cards. Ever since our Mike laid eyes on Annie's ;nd, he's gone as soppy as a puppy. Look at them ncing together!'

  Mike was staring at Sylvia fixedly, an expression of :al adoration on his face. A girl of about seventeen ired at them from the side of the room. Sylvia caught inie's eye and winked.

  'Have you noticed our Ken?' Dot was saying. 'He )ks like a skull and crossbones. I'll have a word later, ike him get a tonic off the doctor. Give them some nch, Annie. Our Alan's brought a fresh lot.' 'Isn't she lovely?' Dad said brokenly when Annie peared. 'Isn't my Rose a picture?' 'Jaysus, Dad, have you been drinking?' He looked ghtly idiotic, his head poised in a peculiarly stiff, psided way as if he were scared it might fall off. Tears ;re trickling down his hollow cheeks. 'Only that punch. Your mam really likes it.'

  'Everybody's crying,' Annie complained. 'Dot, Dawn's mam, now you!'

  The evening wore on. Night brought no respite from the sticky, suffocating heat. The men forced open the old sash windows, to such an extent they would probably never close again, but there was still no breath of wind to relieve the perspiring guests, and Dawn's grandma fainted in the middle of the Hokey Cokey.

  Annie was dancing with the best man, Colin Donnelly, when Sylvia tugged her shoulder. 'Come quickly. Your cousin is in a state!'

  'Which cousin?' Annie asked irritably as she reluctantly detached herself from Colin's arms. She'd actually found herself flirting for the first time in her life.

  'Mike. He wants to kill himself because I won't marry him,' Sylvia burst out laughing. 'I don't think he means it, but what are we to do?'

  'I'll see to him,' Colin said manfully. 'Where is he?'

  Mike, usually so cheerful and full of beans, was in the kitchen, beating the wall with his fist and sobbing hopelessly. 'I love her, Annie,' he cried when they arrived, 'but she won't marry me.'

  'Is he drunk?'

  Sylvia shook her head. 'He's only had the punch, like me.'

  'Come on, old chap, pull yourself together.' Colin slapped Mike on the back. 'Act like a man!' He glanced covertly at the girls to see if they were impressed. Annie and Sylvia burst out laughing.

  Colin looked hurt. 'What's so funny?'

  'I've no idea,' Sylvia giggled. She and Annie ran back into the main room and watched the revellers, trying not to laugh. Mike joined them after a while. He sat beside Sylvia and watched her soulfully. Every now and then he gave a pathetic sniff and the girls tried not to

  ^h even more. The discarded Pamela had gone home

  ears hours ago.

  !^oUn returned and gave Annie and Sylvia a cold look

  are asking Marie to dance.

  ^he lights darkened for the 'Anniversary Waltz', and

  lie was amazed when her mam and dad danced past.

  m's eyes were closed, but she was smiling, her head

  ked on one side, and holding the hem of her skirt in

  right hand so that it fell like a fan. Dad was :ching her, his mouth half open and a glazed, inane k on his face.

  'o Annie's horror, she felt an overwhelming urge to ^le! What on earth was wrong with her? She clapped and over her mouth and tried her best to keep a light face. She became aware that, beside her, Sylvia ; sobbing quietly. 'What's the matter with you?' she pped.

  Your mother and father! She is so incredibly utiful. It's so sad, Annie.' Mike slid his arm around

  shoulders and she collapsed against him. Mike an to cry, too.

  Bloody hell!' Annie said disgustedly. She went into kitchen, where she found Alan pouring a bottle of Ika into a bowl of punch. 'You bugger!' she cr
ied. ) wonder everyone's crying, they're drunk!' dan looked unperturbed. 'Seemed like a good joke. 3se who don't drink are more pissed than those who

  I got the vodka off this mate at college, a whole teful. It fell off the back of a lorry.' A.11 of Bootle'll have a head in the morning, including !' No wonder she'd flirted with Colin and laughed at )r Mam and Dad.

  klarie came bursting into the kitchen, red-faced and spiring. 'Eh, Annie, our dad's just had a nervous akdown,' she panted. But he was dancing with me mam a few minutes

  ago!' Annie said dazedly. She wondered if the world had gone insane.

  'I know, but he suddenly slid down on the floor and began crying his eyes out. Dot and Bert are seeing to him in one of the bedrooms.'

  'I'd better go and look after Mam.'

  'There's no need. She's doing the rumba with the best man, though she's got a face on her like a zombie.'

  'Jaysus, Mary and Joseph! This is a madhouse, not a wedding. It's all your fault!' Annie turned accusingly on Alan. 'None of this would have happened if you hadn't spiked the bloody punch.'

  'No-one was forced to drink it!' Alan departed with another bowl.

  Marie turned her back to Annie. 'Undo the zip will you, sis, I can hardly breathe.' She wriggled uncomfortably as Annie struggled with the zip. 'I can't understand it. This dress fitted perfectly a few weeks ago. Even me breasts feel bigger, all swollen.'

  'Oh, Marie!' A terrible suspicion swept over Annie. 'You're not, you're not . . .' She couldn't bring herself to finish.

  'Pregnant?' Marie said calmly. Then her pretty face wrinkled in horror. 'Jaysus, Annie, that explains it!'

  The sisters stared at each other without speaking for several seconds, then they both burst into tears.

  'What are we to do?' asked Annie. It was the day after the wedding, Sunday; they were in the bedroom discussing Marie's predicament.

  'I've no idea,' Marie said sullenly.

  'How far gone are you?'

  'I've no idea,' Marie said again. 'I've never been regular like you. That's why it didn't cross me mind.'

  'Didn't you take - what are they called, precautions?' Annie was still in a daze of shock. Marie had been going

  it with boys since she was Uttle, but even after seeing ;r with those awful men in the Grand last Christmas, le'd never imagined her doing that thing with them.