CHAPTER TWELVE

The following week was an awful one for Queenie. The atmosphere at work was toxic. Doreen wouldn’t speak to her at all and Queenie could tell Eliza was on Doreen’s side.

On her day off, Queenie went to visit Ida, and spotted her drunken father going inside the bombed church with a dirty old brass. She was shocked to her core. Queenie debated whether to march in there and catch him in the act, but decided not to. Hopefully he’d leave her mum alone tonight if he’d sown his oats elsewhere, the dirty disgusting bastard.

On the Friday, Queenie couldn’t face work, so took a day off sick. Albie’s attitude had started to annoy her and she’d stomped off in a huff last night on their date. She needed to speak to Mrs O’Leary, get some advice.

‘What’s up, darling? Why you not at work? You mustn’t let that Doreen get to you,’ yawned Mary. She couldn’t stop sleeping just lately, was forever tired. Patrick wanted her to see a doctor, but Mary wasn’t keen on being prodded and pulled about. She insisted she felt OK in herself.

‘It’s not just Doreen. It’s everything. I had a row with Albie last night. He’ll never discuss marriage or kids, treats both subjects as a joke. I know he was engaged to that other girl, so why won’t he propose to me? I wanna settle down and have a family while I’m young, Mary. I’m not sure Albie’s taking our relationship as seriously as I am. He’s too laid back.’

‘Give him an ultimatum. Tell him you’re keen to get married and start a family and if he doesn’t feel the same, then perhaps you should call it a day. Talk to his mum as well. You know she’s very fond of you. She might give him the kick up the arse he needs to put a ring on your finger.’

‘But what if he says he isn’t ready to settle down?’

‘Tell him it’s over. That’ll give him food for thought. You’re beautiful inside and out, Queenie. Albie’ll do no better than you, and if he can’t see that, best you finish with him and court a man who appreciates you more.’

‘Do you think I’m being a bit rash? I mean, we haven’t been together that long, have we? I just hate my dad so much, I need to get out of there. I want a home of my own.’

‘Then you gotta take the bull by the horns, darling. Have it out with Albie once and for all. Life’s too short to be wasting your time on a man who is not willing to commit.’

Queenie smiled. ‘Yes. You’re right. I’ll have it out with him tonight. Thanks, Mary. I dunno what I’d do without you at times.’

Queenie took a special effort to get ready that evening. She put on her classy black frock, knowing that was Albie’s favourite. Mary did her make-up and she finished it off with bright red lipstick. The price of cosmetics had gone through the roof during the war, but luckily Patrick and Daniel could get hold of them on the cheap. She and Mary got theirs for nothing.