ENID'S WHIZ OF HAPPINESS 1957
A Story by Terry Collett
A GIRL AND BOY IN LONDON IN 1957.
Enid barely hears her mothers farewell not given happily not wanting her
daughter to to go out to see the boy Benny whom Enids father doesnt
like but none the less she lets Enid go out of the flat calling out half
heartedly as she puts the boiler on for washing Enid rushes down the
concrete staircase of the flats before her mother changes her mind and
calls her back she takes the concrete steps two at a time to get out of
the flats faster then out into the Square out into the fresh morning
air rushing past the man with his boxer dog not looking back in case her
mother is on the balcony beckoning her back home she runs down the
slope her hair sensing the air going through it where will Benny be? she
muses coming to the end wall of the slope and taking a right turn
through a gap in the wall and waits on the kerb of Rockingham Street
looking up Meadow Row wondering if Benny is on the bomb site up there
behind the green grocer shop she waits her feet on the edge of the kerb
rocking back and forth wondering whether he will be there or whether he
is still at home in the flats after a few minutes of indecision she
crosses Rockingham Street and walks up Meadow Row slowly hoping Benny is
there because she doesnt like going on bomb sites on her own too creepy
and there might be tramps hiding there and she doesnt like them they
frighten her she passes houses and looks up towards the green grocer
shop in case Benny is there waiting like he sometimes does but no he
isnt there she passes the public house on the corner hears a piano
playing and the smell of beer and an old man at the bar drinking and
smoking she walks to corner and turns into the Arch Street where the
back of the coal wharf is and the bomb site opposite she walks up
gingerly hands folding inside each other nervously coal wagons and
lorries are parked by the coal wharf and coal men are busy working
loading up both lorries and the wagons drawn by horses she looks over
the bomb site scanning the ruins and half walls for Benny she screws up
her eyes and puts a hand over her eyes to block out the morning sunshine
and yes there he is she says to herself over by the wall putting cans
on a low wall as targets for his catapult practice she walks over
towards him glad she has found him happy for the first time that morning
despite her fathers temper and rages she had not been touched that
morning no slaps or hidings just the rows and her mothers screams and
cries Benny turns and sees her and waves his hand beckoning her over she
walks over the bomb sites uneven ground until she is next to him he
studies her takes in her face and eyes and scans her body for bruises
and black eyes none good he muses sticking his catapult into the back
pocket of his jeans you all right then? he asks yes she says wondered if
you were here or not been here a while now he says you got out all
right then? he asks noticing apprehension in her eyes yes just about Mum
let me come although I have to be careful Dad doesn't see me with you
or therell be hell to pay Mum said Benny nods his head he knows Enids
old man knows hes a bully and belts Enid but he befriends Enid despite
her old mans dislike of him whered you want to go? Benny asks she shrugs
dont mind where he smiles what about Kennington Park? she looks unsure
is it far? she asks no about fifteen minute walk he says not been there
before she says is it good yes it is good he says we go along Kennington
Park Road and when we get there we can get a drink of pop and maybe an
ice cream her eyes light up then she frowns havent got money she says he
raises his eyebrows so? Ive got a few bob my old man gave me some for
doing a few jobs for him and my mum gave me a bob for getting her some
shopping the last few days Benny says Enid nods her head and wishes her
parents gave her money for doing jobs rather than her fathers hand
across her backside or her mothers sharp tongue well? Benny says want to
go? ok she says it sounds good and Ive not been before but at the back
of her mind she worried about her father what he would say or do if he
found out shed been out with Benny come on then Benny says and they walk
across the bomb site she walking beside him feeling happy to be with
him feeling safe despite them being only nine years old Benny seemed
older seemed like her knight in short sleeved jumper and jeans they
walk on to the New Kent Road and she knows Benny knows his way even if
she doesnt well how was your morning? Benny asks looking at her side
ways on my dad was in a mood and shouting and there was a row so I hid
in my room until he went to work and Mum wasnt happy but she said I
could go out but to be careful Enid says her voice letting the words
flow as much as to inform as to get it out of her mind what set him off?
Benny asks looking both ways before they cross the road dont know he
was rowing first thing their voices loud and then Mum screamed and I was
afraid hed come in my room and give we a whack or something as he does
if hes in a mood but he didnt Enid says they walk on down Kennington
Park Road traffic passing them by hes a git on your old man Benny says I
had him in my sights the other evening when I had my toy rifle on the
balcony I could have blown his head open with one shot but the cap just
went BANG and Enid jumps back and Benny laughs sorry didnt mean to
frighten you he says holding out a hand towards her which she takes and
holds did he see or hear you? she asks no I hid behind the walls but I
reckon he nigh s**t himself and they laugh and she feels a whiz of
happiness run through her and his hand holds hers warm and soft and
secure shes happier now than shes been for age thats for sure.
© 2015 Terry Collett
Author's Note
|
PHOTO BY COLIN O'BRIEN
|
|
|
Author
Terry CollettUnited Kingdom
About
Terry Collett has been writing since 1971 and published on and off since 1972. He has written poems, plays, and short stories. He is married with eight children and eight grandchildren. on January 27t.. more..
Writing
|