The Girl From Number 22 Read Free

who held herself straight and was always neat and tidy. She was the oldest resident in the street, both in years and in the time she’d lived in the same small two-up-two-down house in the narrow street. Gentle and kind, she was very much loved by all the neighbours, old and young alike. She was smiling when she asked, ‘You’re not on your way there now, are you, Ada? You haven’t called to say farewell?’
    Ada was really fond of the old lady, and she felt like putting her arms round her and holding her tight. But Eliza was so frail, Ada had to be content with a kiss on the cheek. ‘I did try the nunnery last week, Eliza, but they wouldn’t have me. I didn’t have the right qualifications, yer see. And me and me mate haven’t come to wish yer a fond farewell, but to ask if yer want anything from the shops.’ She gave the old lady a sly wink. ‘I’d have been there and back only for Tilly Mint here. I was soft enough to invite her in, just while I combed me hair, like, so I’d look respectable, and she’s done nothing but gab for an hour. Honest, I couldn’t get a word in with her.’
    ‘Why, you cheeky article!’ Hetty said with fire in her voice. ‘Yer’ve talked the ear off me without stopping to take a breath, and ye’re standing there like little Miss Innocent, putting all the blame on me. It’s the last time I call to see if I could do yer a favour.’
    ‘Which brings us to why we came and knocked on Eliza’s door.’ Ada was pleased to see the old lady smiling. ‘If yer want anything from the shops, sunshine, me and Hetty could go on a message for yer. We’ve got to go to the butcher’s, the greengrocer’s and the bread shop. Anything yer want, all yer have to do is say, and we’ll be only too happy to get it for yer.’
    ‘That’s very thoughtful of yer to think of me, ladies, and I appreciate it. But I’ve got all the food in that I need to last me a few days. My son and his wife came yesterday, and they brought tea, sugar, bread, margarine and some biscuits. And Edith, next door, she was kind enough to get me some stewing beef this morning, which will do me today and tomorrow. There’s really nothing I need, but I’m beholden to yer for asking.’
    ‘That’s fine, girl. As long as yer larder is full, yer can’t come to any harm.’ Ada smiled. ‘How are John and Vera keeping, and yer granddaughter?’
    ‘They’re very well, Ada, thanks.’ Eliza’s son and his wife had lived with her when they first got married, and their first baby was born there, a girl they named Patricia. But they found the living conditions cramped in the small two-up-two-down, and they moved to a six-roomed house in Knotty Ash. They never failed to visit Eliza, though, even though they had to get a tram and then a bus from their home. Their daughter was a mother herself now, and Eliza had two great-grandchildren, Brian and Pauline, whom she doted on.
    ‘Next time they come, sunshine, tell them me and Hetty were asking after them. And Pat and the children. Ay, they must be quite grown up now?’
    It was Hetty who told her, ‘They’re the same age as your two younger ones. Don’t yer remember, each time you had a baby, Pat gave birth two months later. We all remarked on the coincidence at the time. Aren’t I right, Eliza?’
    Eliza nodded. ‘Yer’ve got a much better memory than me, Hetty, for I would never have remembered that far back.’
    There was a chuckle in Ada’s voice when she said, ‘My mate has got a good memory, but I wouldn’t want her mind. Yer see, her mind is stronger-willed than she is, and it orders her around.I wouldn’t stand for it meself, but then I haven’t got a good memory. So between the two of us, we’ve got one good mind and one good memory. As long as we stick together we won’t come to any harm.’
    Hetty decided it was time to move before her mate had the old lady blushing. ‘We’re keeping Eliza standing, queen. I suggest we go about our business and let her