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Authors: Joan Jonker
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d’yer mean, an understanding?’
‘If we’re to live under the same roof, there’s got to be give and take. For Lucy’s sake, we’ve got to try and get on together so she has a decent home life. Show each other a bit of respect and politeness. I’ll say what I would like, then you can have your turn. I’d like good food on the table when I’m home, and I’d like carry-out that doesn’t shame me in front of me workmates. I don’t want yer to use bad language in the house and I don’t want yer pulling the neighbours to pieces.Especially in front of Lucy.’ When Ruby opened her mouth, Bob raised a hand to silence her. ‘No, let me have my say first. Yer don’t leave our daughter alone in the house while ye’re out boozing with yer so-called mates, and I don’t want to see her treated like a skivvy. Other women in the street do their own housework and shopping, there’s no reason why you can’t. God knows, yer’ve got all day to do it in. And last but not least, I don’t want yer raising yer hand to her. She’s a good kid, not cheeky or forward. I’ve only heard her answering yer back twice, and that was called for because yer were saying nasty things about people she likes. She doesn’t deserve to be bawled at all the time, a kind word now and again wouldn’t go amiss. So I’m asking yer to keep yer voice down and yer hands to yerself.’ He met his wife’s eyes and could see the blazing anger there. ‘I’ve had my say, now it’s your turn.’
Ruby couldn’t get her words out quick enough. ‘You arrogant bastard! There’s got to be give and take, yer say, then reel off all the things I can and cannot do in me own flaming home! I’m a grown woman, not a child!’
Bob said quietly, ‘Then act like one.’
‘Everything yer’ve said is what you want, not a mention of what I might want. If you had your way, I’d be stuck in the house like a bleedin’ prisoner. I’m allowed to go to the shops because darling Lucy mustn’t do any shopping. She mustn’t help with the housework, either, ’cos she’s not a skivvy. No, I’m to be the skivvy!’
‘I’m only asking yer to do what every other mother does. Keep the home clean and warm, feed and look after yer family, and be pleasant. Is that too much to ask?’
‘And be the dutiful little wife? How soft you are!’ Anger made Ruby reach for her cigarette packet. And after she’d lit up, she stared him out. ‘And what happens if I don’t agree to this understanding, as yer call it?’
‘Yer’ll find out soon enough.’ Bob pointed to the cigarette packet she was holding. ‘Yer won’t be able to afford them,for a kick-off. And there’s a lot more yer won’t be able to afford. Like the stuff yer bleach yer hair with, and the muck yer thicken on yer face. Yer’ve had it easy with money up to now, buying yerself everything yer wanted while yer daughter walked around in rags. But all that will change if yer don’t agree to mend yer ways.’
Ruby could tell by his eyes and the tone of his voice that he meant every word. She’d be well advised to agree, or pretend to. ‘If I agree to everything yer’ve asked for, what do I get in return? Can I have a night out with me mates now and again, so I get a bit of pleasure out of life?’
‘When I’m on early shift, yer can go out every night if yer want, I’m not that interested. But when I’m working, you stay put.’
Ruby was gloating inwardly. As long as she got her housekeeping, and she had a few bob in her pocket, that’s all she was interested in. She’d found ways of getting out before when he was at work; she could do it again. Even if it was only an hour, after Lucy was asleep. He’d never find out, she thought craftily, so she’d go along with him. ‘What about me money? Do I go back to what I was getting before?’
Bob shook his head. ‘Not for a few weeks, until I’ve got enough saved to buy Lucy a new coat. She certainly could do with one, and I’m hoping to
‘If we’re to live under the same roof, there’s got to be give and take. For Lucy’s sake, we’ve got to try and get on together so she has a decent home life. Show each other a bit of respect and politeness. I’ll say what I would like, then you can have your turn. I’d like good food on the table when I’m home, and I’d like carry-out that doesn’t shame me in front of me workmates. I don’t want yer to use bad language in the house and I don’t want yer pulling the neighbours to pieces.Especially in front of Lucy.’ When Ruby opened her mouth, Bob raised a hand to silence her. ‘No, let me have my say first. Yer don’t leave our daughter alone in the house while ye’re out boozing with yer so-called mates, and I don’t want to see her treated like a skivvy. Other women in the street do their own housework and shopping, there’s no reason why you can’t. God knows, yer’ve got all day to do it in. And last but not least, I don’t want yer raising yer hand to her. She’s a good kid, not cheeky or forward. I’ve only heard her answering yer back twice, and that was called for because yer were saying nasty things about people she likes. She doesn’t deserve to be bawled at all the time, a kind word now and again wouldn’t go amiss. So I’m asking yer to keep yer voice down and yer hands to yerself.’ He met his wife’s eyes and could see the blazing anger there. ‘I’ve had my say, now it’s your turn.’
Ruby couldn’t get her words out quick enough. ‘You arrogant bastard! There’s got to be give and take, yer say, then reel off all the things I can and cannot do in me own flaming home! I’m a grown woman, not a child!’
Bob said quietly, ‘Then act like one.’
‘Everything yer’ve said is what you want, not a mention of what I might want. If you had your way, I’d be stuck in the house like a bleedin’ prisoner. I’m allowed to go to the shops because darling Lucy mustn’t do any shopping. She mustn’t help with the housework, either, ’cos she’s not a skivvy. No, I’m to be the skivvy!’
‘I’m only asking yer to do what every other mother does. Keep the home clean and warm, feed and look after yer family, and be pleasant. Is that too much to ask?’
‘And be the dutiful little wife? How soft you are!’ Anger made Ruby reach for her cigarette packet. And after she’d lit up, she stared him out. ‘And what happens if I don’t agree to this understanding, as yer call it?’
‘Yer’ll find out soon enough.’ Bob pointed to the cigarette packet she was holding. ‘Yer won’t be able to afford them,for a kick-off. And there’s a lot more yer won’t be able to afford. Like the stuff yer bleach yer hair with, and the muck yer thicken on yer face. Yer’ve had it easy with money up to now, buying yerself everything yer wanted while yer daughter walked around in rags. But all that will change if yer don’t agree to mend yer ways.’
Ruby could tell by his eyes and the tone of his voice that he meant every word. She’d be well advised to agree, or pretend to. ‘If I agree to everything yer’ve asked for, what do I get in return? Can I have a night out with me mates now and again, so I get a bit of pleasure out of life?’
‘When I’m on early shift, yer can go out every night if yer want, I’m not that interested. But when I’m working, you stay put.’
Ruby was gloating inwardly. As long as she got her housekeeping, and she had a few bob in her pocket, that’s all she was interested in. She’d found ways of getting out before when he was at work; she could do it again. Even if it was only an hour, after Lucy was asleep. He’d never find out, she thought craftily, so she’d go along with him. ‘What about me money? Do I go back to what I was getting before?’
Bob shook his head. ‘Not for a few weeks, until I’ve got enough saved to buy Lucy a new coat. She certainly could do with one, and I’m hoping to
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