black skirt and faded ecru twill blouse which strained over her matronly bosom. She had a faded wrap-around apron over the top, and her greying hair was scraped into a tight bun at the back of her head.
She was looking very anxious as she blurted, ‘That amb’lance is tekin’ its time, in’t it? Win’s breathing’s got worse since you came back down here, Doctor. I’m really worried she won’t make it if we don’t get her to the hospital soon.’
He responded matter-of-factly, ‘And I am doing my best to arrange that, Madam.’
Fanny Cook eyed him strangely for a moment as he didn’t appear to be doing anything that remotely resembled urgently summoning an ambulance. She then looked at Cedric and the truth of the situation registered. Face screwed up in angry disbelief, she challenged him, ‘Am I to understand the amb’lance hasn’t bin called yet ’cos you …’ she wagged one fat fist at Cedric ‘… ain’t happy about the fact yer might have ter bung someone a few shillings to tek care of you and the kids while Win’s getting better?’
She spun round to face the children then and ordered them, ‘Go next door and tell my Rosie to get you each a slice of bread and dripping, and some milk for the bab.’
They didn’t need telling twice. The eldest scooped up the baby and fled. Once they were all out of earshot, Fanny shook her head in disgust at the children’s father. ‘What I have to say to you ain’t for your kiddies’ ears.’
Fixing him with her eyes, she blasted him. ‘I’ve always kept me gob shut ’cos I knew Winnie would suffer at your hands if I spoke me thoughts aloud, but enough is enough. You’ve always put yourself before your family, Cedric Simmons. My old man insists on a pint on his way home of an evening, to wash the dust from his throat after his shift in that filthy factory, but he wouldn’t put that, or his betting money for that matter, above food on his family’s table. Unlike you.
‘You might think yer clever ’cos you only thump Winnie and the kiddies where it doesn’t show, but don’t think for a minute we neighbours ain’t aware you’re handy with your fists. Win and the kids live in terror of you! They’d have starved more times than I can remember if me and the other neighbours hadn’t fed ’em with what we could spare, and helped clothe the kids with our lots’ cast-offs. You’re just a bloody bully, and selfish to the core! Words like that ain’t strong enough to describe you, in my opinion, but what you’re doing now amounts to murder and I won’t stand by this time and say n’ote about that.
‘And don’t you look at me like that! Refusing to send Win for proper treatment at the hospital is as good as sticking a knife in her heart. Win’s sick. Real sick. She ain’t suffering from an ailment that can be eased by a couple of doses of one of the old woman’s potions. And what she’s got might not have turned so nasty in her if her stamina hadn’t been so low … ’cos the housekeeping you give her each week would hardly keep a dog, let alone a growing family.’
Without pausing for breath she went on, ‘Not that you deserve it, but I can’t stand by and watch your kids suffer more than they do already. So me and the other neighbours will mek sure yer all seen right while Win’s away, and we won’t tek no payment for it neither.’ She paused just long enough to eye him contemptuously before adding meaningfully, ‘Now, if you don’t give the doctor the go ahead to call the ambulance, I’ll personally sling Win over me shoulder and get her there meself. But be warned … I’ll let everyone around here know that you was prepared to let her die, sooner than go without yourself.’
Cedric stared back at her murderously for several long moments before he gave a grunt, spun on his heel and left the room. Seconds later the back door was heard to slam shut. Fanny knew that he’d gone to one of two places. Either to spend what money he’d got in his pocket in the local pub or else under the arches over on Great Western Road for an illegal game of cards.
She realised the doctor was still there and shot him a quizzical look, wondering why he hadn’t