Winter on the Mersey(46)

‘So, got any plans?’ Alfie asked. ‘Smart lad like you, you’re bound to have something up your sleeve.’

Tommy perked up. ‘Well, yes, I have.’ He paused. ‘I might as well tell you, Alfie, ’cos you’ve known me since I was little.’

‘And I saved your life back in that warehouse fire, didn’t I?’ Alfie interjected, almost as if he’d just thought of it, rather than he’d been determined to get that little reminder in as soon as he’d clapped eyes on the boy.

‘Oh, mmm, thanks, Alfie.’ Tommy wasn’t sure what he should say to that. He felt awkward at the subject being brought up.

‘So, you were going to tell me about your plans,’ prompted Alfie.

‘Oh, right. Well. I just went to the GPO for an interview and I got the job.’ Tommy beamed with happiness and pride. ‘I’m starting delivering telegrams next week.’

Alfie raised his eyebrows and gave his big smile again. ‘Is that so? Congratulations. That’s a proper responsible job, that is.’

‘It is,’ said Tommy seriously. ‘I might have to bring people the news that someone they love has died. It’s not going to be easy. But I’m determined to do my bit.’

‘Quite right, Tommy, quite right.’ Alfie nodded solemnly. ‘You’ll do a good job, you will.’

‘I’ll have to.’ Tommy brightened. ‘And I’ll have to ride a bike all over the place. Danny said he’d get me one to have at home an’ all.’

‘Did he now?’ Alfie thought swiftly. ‘That’s kind of him. Aren’t you lucky to have such a kind brother?’

‘Suppose so,’ said Tommy.

‘You tell him that I can get hold of a bike for him if he wants,’ Alfie said confidently, without knowing if that was the case or not. Still, he reasoned, it couldn’t be that hard. If holier-than-thou Danny Callaghan could manage it, then surely he could too, and probably a much better model at a cheaper price. ‘Yes, I’ll do him a mate’s rate, like, seeing as it’s for you.’

‘Blimey, thanks, Alfie.’

‘It’s no trouble to me,’ Alfie said airily. ‘That’s what friends are for, right? And by the way, how’s your sister? She’s back home now, isn’t she?’

Something about the way the man asked the question made Tommy uneasy, even though Alfie’s expression hadn’t changed. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was, but he suddenly felt uncomfortable in his skin. ‘She’s all right,’ he said shortly. ‘I hardly see her, she’s at work all the time.’

‘Oh, that must be hard,’ said Alfie, oozing sympathy, but his eyes didn’t match his words as they stared at Tommy just a little too intently.

Tommy shrugged. ‘She’s happy enough,’ he said. ‘I must get on, Alfie. Got to tell Danny about my interview.’ He couldn’t wait to be gone now.

‘Oh, right,’ said Alfie, covering his disappointment that he wasn’t going to hear any juicy details about Kitty. ‘Yes, you’d best get back right away. Do say hello from me. And to Kitty, of course. Tell her I’m glad she’s back home after all this time.’ He gave what might have been meant as a broad smile, though it didn’t really look like one.

‘Okey doke, then, Alfie.’ Tommy turned and headed off, relieved to have got away from the man, though he couldn’t have said why. Then he brightened again as he rounded the corner into Empire Street. What was he worried about? He’d got the job. He’d have a red GPO bike for work and a smart uniform. He’d have to do PT drill first thing every morning with the other telegraph boys, and he’d be doing his bit. Life was getting better by the minute.

Sarah Feeny was about to go in through her front door when she caught sight of him. ‘Well?’ she demanded, coming across the street to greet him, her nurse’s cloak slung over her arm as it was too hot to wear it. ‘Did you get it?’

‘Course I did!’ Tommy was almost jumping up and down with pride.

‘Course you did!’ Sarah echoed. ‘That’s wonderful news, Tommy. When do you start?’

‘Next week.’ Then Tommy remembered his manners. ‘Please say thank you to Pop for getting Mr Mawdsley to put in a word for me.’

‘I will, but he was happy to do it,’ Sarah said, recalling that Pop had called in a favour from the husband of one of her mother’s close friends. Mr Mawdsley was a respectable civil servant, but he wasn’t above drinking the occasional pint in the Sailor’s Rest. His word would have carried some weight. Sometimes it was all about who you knew.

‘Guess who I just saw,’ Tommy said.

‘No idea.’ Sarah raised her eyebrows in encouragement.

‘Alfie Delaney!’ Tommy announced. ‘I almost didn’t know it was him. He’s gone bald and his head is burnt so it’s like a red snooker ball.’

Sarah drew in a sharp breath. ‘Is it now? That’s a turn-up for the books. No, not his head, the fact that he’s back after all those years away.’

‘Oh, has he been away?’ asked Tommy. ‘He didn’t say. Sounded as if he was back here all right, though. He said he could get me a bike. Mate’s rates an’ all.’

‘Did he?’ Sarah shook her head. ‘You know what, Tommy, if he’s still got the same mates as before he left, I might be inclined to wonder where he’d get a bike from.’