Betty shivered as she stepped outside on Friday morning. Her thoughts drifted as she walked to the bus stop, hands in pockets. Cheryl and Paula had finished the packing on Wednesday but, as Paula was going to pick up her budgie tonight, she had telephoned to say she wouldn’t be round. Cheryl had rung Val, saying that she was going to be busy looking for a house this weekend, but hoped to see them one evening during the following week. After that Cheryl was on nights again, but as she wasn’t needed for the plan, Val had assured her that it didn’t matter.
Betty still couldn’t help comparing her life now to how it had been before she had met Val and the others. She’d been a sad, lonely woman with only Anne and John’s visits to look forward to, but now look what she’d achieved. She had helped to put Ian Parker behind bars. Cheryl had her money back, and soon it would be Richard’s turn. Betty shivered again, but this time with anticipation.
However, when Betty arrived at her employer’s house half an hour later, her mood immediately lowered. Another day on her own, without a soul to talk to, but her conversation with Val last night had inspired her. She
would
look for another job, something different, but she’d wait until Richard had had his comeuppance. There was a little over five weeks to go, but then it would be over. Not long after that it would be the start of a new year. The perfect time for a fresh start.
Paula was working on Charlie’s machine. It was his last day at work, and she’d been told that a small party was planned for him at the end of the day. It would mean a delay in going to get the budgie, but hopefully not a long one. She couldn’t see anyone wanting to hang around on a Friday. For a start the married women would want to get home to see to their husbands and kids.
When Charlie walked to her side, she asked, ‘Is Keith still giving us a lift later?’
‘Yeah, but you’ve no need to worry. I told him the budgie might be a bit nervous in the car so, when he drives you home, I’d best come along to keep him calm.’
‘He fell for that?’
‘Why wouldn’t he, especially as it ain’t far from the truth? That bird hasn’t been out of the house since the day we bought him. He’s bound to find it a bit upsetting.’
‘Blimey, we should have thought of that before. I’m glad you’re coming. Hearing your voice is bound to help.’
Charlie’s expression saddened. ‘People don’t think birds have feelings, but when my wife died, Charlie went quiet for days. He missed hearing her voice, I’m sure of it. When you get him home he’s gonna be in strange surroundings, so he might well do the same. Just keep talking to him and I’m sure he’ll come round.’
‘He’s going to miss you too.’
Charlie’s voice was gruff with emotion. ‘I know, but I can’t take him to New Zealand. I know it sounds daft, he’s only a budgie, but my wife loved him and he’s been hard to part with. I’m just glad that you’re going to look after him.’
‘I won’t only look after him, I’ll spoil him rotten.’
Charlie sniffed, then pulled out a large handkerchief as he walked away, hiding his emotions as he fiddled with something on the machine.
Paula worked steadily until lunchtime and was glad for the break. She rushed outside to smoke a cigarette, finding Greta and a few other girls already huddled in a group.
‘Watcha, Paula,’ Greta greeted. ‘We was just saying that it’s a bit of a pain having to hang around later for Charlie’s presentation.’
‘Yeah,’ Doreen agreed. ‘I’ve got a date tonight so I ain’t staying long.’
‘Me neither,’ said another.
Paula took a long drag on her cigarette. ‘Keith is giving us a lift back to Charlie’s place, so I’ve got to wait until they leave.’
Greta’s eyebrows shot up. ‘You and Keith? When did this happen?’
‘No, no, it’s nothing like that. He’s only taking me to pick up Charlie’s budgie. That’s all.’
‘Oh yeah, but knowing Keith, I should think it’s you he wants to pick up.’
‘He ain’t got a hope in hell,’ Paula snapped.
‘If I didn’t already have a bloke, I wouldn’t say no. It’d be nice to have a feller with a car.’
Doreen grimaced. ‘With his looks it’d take more than a car to tempt me.’
‘He ain’t that bad,’ Greta protested.
‘Yeah, in the dark.’
Paula smiled at the banter, but then dropped her cigarette to grind it underfoot. ‘I’m off to grab something to eat.’
‘Yeah, me too,’ Greta said.
They all went to the canteen in a small group and Paula caught Charlie’s smile of approval at seeing her with the other girls. Things had changed since she’d made an effort to make friends, and though she didn’t see the girls outside of work, she enjoyed their company during breaks. At first she’d felt a bit guilty for not joining Charlie at his table, but he didn’t seem to mind, and had, in fact, encouraged her to sit with the girls.
They lined up to buy a sandwich, then found a table, Doreen asking, ‘What have you got planned for the weekend, Paula?’
‘Nothing much. I’m just seeing some friends.’
‘If you fancy joining me, I’m going to a dance at Battersea Town Hall on Saturday night.’
Paula shuddered at the memory of the last time she’d been to a dance. ‘I’m busy,’ she said, unaware that her tone was terse.
‘Please yourself,’ and obviously in a huff, Doreen turned to talk to one of the other girls. ‘What about you, Mandy? Do you want to come?’
‘Yeah, I’m game.’
Greta leaned closer to Paula, hissing, ‘You were a bit sharp with Doreen.’
‘Was I? Sorry, Doreen, I didn’t mean to sound rude. It’s just that I really am busy.’
Mollified, she said, ‘That’s all right. Maybe some other time.’
‘Well, to tell you the truth, I ain’t keen on dancing.’
‘Yeah, right,’ Doreen said sarcastically before taking another bite of her sandwich.
Paula lowered her eyes. She knew that her excuse sounded lame, and with her appetite now gone she rose to her feet. ‘I’m off for another fag.’
Outside Paula quickly lit a cigarette. She hated her fear, hated being different from the other girls and wished she still had their assurance, their enjoyment of life. They went dancing regularly, kept up with all the latest pop music and, though she tried, she felt out of it, distant from them and their interests. Ian Parker had not only robbed her of her virginity, he had destroyed her confidence. She just hoped he was suffering for it now.
Paula found her mood low for the rest of the day, and when the machines were finally turned off, her shoulders drooped, arms folded defensively as she followed everyone to Charlie’s presentation. She stood apart, but then sensed someone beside her.
‘Look at Charlie’s face. He’s dreading the presentation,’ Keith said.
Paula just shrugged, and then the boss was giving a speech, thanking Charlie for all his loyal years with the company. When it came to an end he motioned Charlie forward and, shaking his hand, gave him a package.
Charlie opened it, smiling as he drawled, ‘A clock, just what I need.’
Keith chuckled. ‘I hope the boss caught the sarcasm in Charlie’s voice. Bloody hell, a clock. How daft is that? Come on: let’s grab a drink and a bite to eat.’
‘No, thanks. You go, I’m fine.’
Keith just raised an eyebrow before walking away, whilst Paula leaned against the wall, watching Charlie as he was surrounded by people, men shaking his hand and women kissing him on the cheek. He looked bemused, and when a glass was shoved into his hand he downed the drink in one go which was soon followed by another. Paula wanted a cigarette and headed outside. She didn’t hurry back, remaining to smoke not one cigarette but two. She then went to the ladies’ room, afterwards washing her hands and at the same time staring at her reflection in the mirror. She’d been a bit late getting up; her face was devoid of make–up and hair lank. What did it matter? Yet, even as this thought crossed her mind, Paula went to get her handbag, applying a bit of lipstick and powder. Why had she bothered? Paula knew the answer, but refused to acknowledge it as she went back to the party, her eyes searching for Keith.
It wasn’t Keith she saw first; instead it was Charlie, his face red and eyes bleary as he walked up to her. She could smell the whisky on his breath, but had to smile when he spoke.
‘Can you find Keith? I think I’ve had a few too many and if I don’t go home now, I’ll fall flat on me face.’
‘All right, stay there. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
Paula searched the room, finally spotting Keith standing in a corner with a few of his mates. She hurried up to him, saying, ‘Charlie’s a bit under the weather. He wants to go home.’
‘I ain’t surprised. He must have had at least six whiskies in under an hour. Come on; let’s get him out of here.’
Keith said goodbye to his mates, but when they walked across the room to find Charlie, he had yet another drink in his hand.
‘Charlie, you’ve had enough,’ Paula protested. ‘You said you wanted to go home.’
‘I do,’ he said, gulping the drink. He raised his arm to wave, calling, ‘Bye everyone, and thanks for the party.’
There was a chorus of goodbyes, shouts for him to enjoy his retirement, and hands thumping his back as they led him outside. Keith helped him into the car, whilst Paula scrambled into the back, and then they were off, Keith saying, ‘Blimey, Charlie, you should’ve eaten something to soak it up.’
‘I didn’t get a chance, mate. As soon as I finished one drink, another was shoved in me hand. Gawd, me head’s spinning.’
‘Oh blimey, don’t throw up in my car.’
‘I’ll be all right. Just get me home.’
Paula saw that Keith kept glancing worriedly at Charlie, but at last they were pulling up outside his house. She got out of the car, Keith running round to help Charlie, and after he managed to find Charlie’s door key in his pocket, they took an arm each to guide him inside. Charlie managed to make it, but his legs were wobbly as they led him to a chair. Paula glanced around. The room looked bleak, piled with boxes ready for the storage firm to pick up in the morning, but Charlie hardly seemed aware of it as he slumped down.
‘I feel rough.’
‘If you ask me, the best place for you is bed,’ Keith said.
‘Yeah, I think you’re right.’
‘What about the budgie?’ Paula asked.
‘If I have to get back in that car I’ll throw up. Take him, love, and don’t worry, you’ll be all right with Keith.’
‘Charlie,’ Paula wailed, mortified.
‘What’s he on about? Why wouldn’t you be all right with me?’
‘She’s a bit nervous of men and I ain’t surprised. Do you know what happened to the poor—’
‘No, Charlie,’ Paula quickly warned.
‘Sorry, girl. It’s the drink, it’s loosened me tongue, but every time I see you and Keith together, you remind me of me and my Nora. You could do a lot worse, love,’ and with that Charlie closed his eyes, groaning softly.
Paula’s face flamed, but Keith just grinned, saying, ‘Come on, Charlie, let’s get you up to bed.’
He didn’t resist as Keith pulled him up, but then weaved his way over to the budgie’s cage, unsteady on his feet as he leaned forward to peer at the bird. ‘Bye, old feller.’ He then managed to focus watery eyes on Paula. ‘There’s a bag of seed and such, so make sure you take it with you.’
Paula nodded, but then found tears filling her eyes. She ran forward to throw her arms around the old man. ‘Thanks for giving him to me, and…and bye, Charlie. Have a safe journey.’
As she removed her arms, Charlie staggered and his voice slurred as he said, ‘Take care of him, and…and yerself.’
Keith took his arm, leading him from the room, whilst Paula fought the hammering in her chest at the thought of getting into Keith’s car. Stop it, she told herself, stop being silly. As Charlie said, she’d be all right. She covered the bird’s cage with the cloth, then found a bag containing a box of seed, millet and a new cuttlefish.
It was a while before Keith returned, shaking his head as he walked into the room. ‘I had to undress the silly sod, but if you’re ready, we can go.’
‘I’m ready,’ she said and, taking the cage whilst Keith picked up the bag, she gently carried it outside.
Keith held the front passenger door open, but tensing she said, ‘I’ll sit in the back. Instead of balancing the cage on me lap, it can go beside me on the seat.’ Without waiting, Paula climbed in, relieved that she’d found a way to avoid sitting beside Keith.
He went round to the driver’s side, saying as he got behind the wheel, ‘Charlie’s gonna have a sore head in the morning.’
‘I hope he’ll be all right.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll pop round to check on him.’
Her eyes widened. It was nice of Keith to do that, but now as he spoke again, her ears pricked.
‘Did Charlie tell you there’s another party tomorrow night?’
‘Yes, he invited me.’
‘Are you going?’
‘No, I’m busy,’ she lied.
‘I’ll be there, but if he gets in the same state, I dread to think what he’ll be like when he boards ship on Sunday. It’s a shame you’re not coming to the party though.’
Keith was looking at her in the driving mirror, and she said churlishly, ‘Don’t you think you should keep your eyes on the road?’
‘Yeah,’ he said, glancing at her in the mirror again, ‘but I’d rather look at you.’
Flushing, she looked away, lifting the cloth a little to check the budgie. He was sitting on the floor of the cage, his feathers looking ruffled. ‘I hope Charlie’s going to be all right.’
‘He’ll be fine; as I told you, I’ll check on him in the morning.’
‘Not that Charlie. I’m talking about the budgie.’
‘Oh right,’ Keith said, and then laughed. ‘Daft name for a bird–no wonder I got confused.’
Paula smiled, but shortly after they were pulling up outside her house. She quickly grabbed the cage to scramble from the car. Blast, Keith was getting out too.
‘I’ll carry him if you like,’ he offered, ‘while you bring his bag of stuff.’
‘No, no, it’s all right, I can manage. Just hook the bag over my arm.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, and thanks for the lift.’
‘You’re welcome, but are you sure you can’t make it to Charlie’s party?’