Lingard034Chapter 5Lingard Estate1972Linen Hall LibraryThursday, March 10, 2016TIFFLingard034ManuscriptMullet, TelevisionEnglishhttps://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard034Linen Hall LibraryLinen Hall LibraryAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SAhttps://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard034_1.jpg32
CHAPTER FIVE
Mrs Jackson was watching a film on television so she did not hear
Mrs Mullet coming inlto the house until she opened the kitchen
door
"I called out," she said Mrs Mullet "but you didn't hear me."
"I was watching the telly," said Mrs Jackson unnecessarily, her
eyes still on it. The film had reached an exciting point andsk
she was unwilling to put if off for the sake of Mrs Mullet whom
she was friendly enough with at times, but at others could have
she saw every day of her life. There were times when
she wished the womaan lived on the far side of Belfast. She had the
longest tongue in the street and seemed to have little else to do
all day but lean against her door jamb and wait for passers-by towith
exchangewhom she could trade bits of news. The news nearly always tended to be rumours ,
and usually scandalous. Mrs Mullet was frequently declaring herself
horrified.
She stood by their kitchen door now, in her high spiky-heeled
shoes, of the kind that ceased to be fashionable years ago. It was
not that Mrs Jackson was fashionable herself, but Mrs Mullet liked
to pride herself on her clothes sense.
"Can II'll take the weight off me feet?" she said. "Me legs are
killing me the day. I've never been off the go."
"Sit down for a minute then." Mrs Jackson got up and turned
down the sound of the television to a low murmur, but kept the picture
as it was.
Mrs Mullet collapsed into Mr McCoy's xaJackson's armchair and kicked off
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her shoes. "That's better."
Mrs Jackson eyed her suspiciously. Mrs M She had either come to
gossip, or to borrow. A quarter pound of tea here, and a couple of
eggs there. She lived off the street, Mrs Jackson had often remarked
to her husband; it was no wonder she could forever be affording to
buy herself new clothes for herself and Linda. She came often
these days to talk about Tommy and Linda. She liked Tommy, thought
he was a nice steady lad, and was hoping for a match. Mrs Jackson
was hoping that Tommy would have more sense.
"Tommy’s out with Linda tonight then," said Mrs Mullet. Mrs
Jackson was not looking at her: she was watching the moving figures
on the screen. ’"They seem right fond of hereach other.”
"They're very young."
"Kids are getting married younger all the time."
Mrs Jackson looked at her now. "More fool theythem!"
"Oh,come now, Mrs Jackson, what a thing to say.’ Why shouldn’t
they if that's what they want.”
"They want to see a bit of life first instead of getting tied down to
a wife and a couple of kids.”
Mrs Mullet pursed her lips. "I married at seventeen and I can't
say I've ever regretted it.”
"Are you wanting a cup of tea?” asked Mrs Jackson, determined
not to have no more of the subject.
"Wouldn't say no.”
Mrs Jackson put on the kettle and laid out a few biscuits on
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a platex.
"Sadie out too the night?"
Mrs Jackson's back stiffened. "Well, she's not in."
"Linda saw her on the way home."
Mrs Jackson infused, th e tea and set it on a low gas. She setplaced
two cups on the draining board. "You take milk and sugar, don't you,
Mrs Mullet?"
"Two sugars please. Yes, Linda was saying she saw hersaw Sadie waiting on a bus."
Mrs Jackson poured the tea and gave a cap to Mrs Mullet. Then
she sat obwn herself and faced the television squarely. "Would you like to
see the film?"
"Not particularly. I've seen it before anyway."
They drank their tea and ate biscuits to the low accompanying hum
of the television set. Mrs Jackson was bracing herself for the next
remark.
"A I know it's none of my business, Mrs Jackson, and y but I'm
right fond of Sadie and I wouldn't like herSadie to get into any harm -"
Mrs Jackson cut her off. "That's all right, Mrs Mullet. You
don't need to worry about Sadie for me. She's got her head screwed
on."
"There's been times when it seems to come a bit loose. Oh I'm
not criticising her, don't think that for a minute. You know I'm
right fond of her and she and Linda have been as thick as thieves
since they were in the cradle."
Mrs Jackson s rose and turned up the volume of the television
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The film was a Western and the sound of gunshots and galloping hooves
drowned out the voice of Mrs Mullet.
The doer scraped open and Mr Jackson put his head round it. "I'm
back, Aggie.O Oh hello there, Mrs Mullet, how are you?"
"I' Not so bad."
"You'll be wanting your supper?" Mrs Jackson said to her husband.
"Could do with a cup of tea at any rate. Your husband's home
from the meeting the now, Mrs Mullet. Looking for his supper too, I bet."sup>
I'll be bound."
"You men never think of anything but your stomachs!" Mrs Mullet
got y up. "I'll be seeing you."
She went out.
Mrs Jackson tunred the television sound right down. "That woman
gives me the bokes!dry bokes!
Mr Jackson laughed and rubbed his hands together. He had had a
pint of Guinness on the way back from the meeting and was in good form.
"Aggie, what a thing to say! I heard you telling Sadie off the
other day for using the words."
"I'd tell her off if she was here right now. The trouble she
gets us in to! She's always causing talk in this street, Jim,
and it's time she was stopping it. I'm sick of that Mullet woman
coming over here to tell me the latest gossip about Sadie."
"Ah, Sadie's all rightx."
"Hanging about with a Mick? Do you not mind that?"
Mr Jackson's face sobered. "I mind that all right. But there may
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be nothing to it. We've only got Linda's word for it and I wouldn't
take all she said asher word for gospel"
Linda's mother closed the front door behind her after hearing
the first part of the Jacksons' conversation. So ould woman Jackson
was sick of her coming over,was she? Mrs Mullet tossed her head.
She'd not let that pass. She would see to it that the street knew
what was going on and v/ould have no qualms about it. There was
nothing wrong in telling the truth, and they had to protect themselves
from Catholic infiltrators. That's why their men went to their
lodges and walked in parades: they were defending their faith.
xxxxxxxxxShe crossed the street. There was no one in sight
except for four small boys playing at soldiers. They were wearing
khaki anoraks and soldiers berets that they had filched somewhere.
She went in to her own house to tell the story to Mr Mullet. He
was reading the greyhound racing results in the evening paper and
seemed more interested in them than in the treachery of Mrs Jackson.
"She's a decent enough woman," was all he said.
"Honest"My Gawd,you men! What would you say if our Linda was walking
out with a Mick?"
"But she's not, is she?X" he said mildly, not even lifting his
head. "Tommy's a good Protestant even if he doesn't belong to the
lodge."
Mrs Mullet returned to the doorway where she stood watching the
light failing over the street. The only person she was saw was old Granny
McEvoy, wrapped in her grey shawl, out looking for her cat. But
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Granny McEvoy was almost stone deaf and got the whole story wrong so
Mrs Mullet gave up in despair. She had to put up with ten minutes
of the old woman telling her how her man had fought for the Ulster Volunteers
with the Specials at the time of the partitionof Ireland and escaped death
by inches.SheMrs Mullet had heard the story so often that she could have
retold it backwards.
"He was a real patriot," said Granny, gathering her shawl around k
her. "And now you're telling me we've got Micks living in this
street.?"
"No, no, Granny, away ye go and get your cat. That wasn't what
I was saying at all."
Granny shuffled off calling for the cat. Mrs Mullet looked up the
street thinking it was time that Tommy and Linda were coming home.
The pictures would have finsihed half an hour ago at least.
AfterTommy and Linda came out of the cinema they went towere sitting in a cafe
and drinking coffee. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Linda had enjoyed the
film, she had had a good cry at one point, but Tommy had been bored.
He supposed that i was part of the price you had to pay when you took
a girl out. He liked taking Linda out. She could be very soft and
sweet, and it was nice to sit in the cimema holding her hand.
"Here's Steve," said Linda.
Steve was Tommy's friend from schooldays. He was rather keen on
Sadie but she said he bored her, he had no imagination. It was seldom
that she went out more than twice with any boy.
"Can I join you?" said Steve
"Sure." Tommy pulled up a chair.
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Steve sat down.
"We've been to the pictures," said Linda.
"Guess where I've been?" said Steve to Tommy. "I've joined the
Lodge."
Tommy said nothing.
"I keep telling Tommy he ought to join," said Linda. "After all
most of the men round here belong. I'd like to see him walking on
the 'Twelfth'"
Tommy shrugged.
"Why don't you, Tommy?" said Steve. "You could still play in the
band. "
Tommy had once wanted to play the flute in the Junior Pipe band,
but that was before the fight in which Brede had almost been killed.
That night when they thought she might die he had decided not to
walk in the Orange parade. Both Linda and Steve knew that, though
neither could understand it, and he could not quite explain it. It
was not as if he had changed his allegiance: he would never do that.
As far as he was concerned, Ulster w must stay British and Protestant.
"Sure it's good crack apart from anything else," said Steve.
"I like the Twelfth," said Linda. "The bands playing and all
that.»
"I think we should be getting home, Linda," said Tommy.
"You're a stubborn a one, aren't you?" said Linda.
"I think perhaps he isn't much of a Loyalist when it comes to
the bit," said Steve. "There's times when you have to stand up and
be counted."
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Tommy stood up.and pushed back his chair. "Are you coming, Linda?"
She followed him out. "You don’t even speak backup for yourself,"
she said with annoyance.
"I don’t see why I have toshould. Steve doesn't have to tell me what
to do."
"But the other men won't like youit Tommy, if you don't join in
with them."
"Why should I care about that? Anyway, not everybody belongs
to the Orange Order just because they're Protestants. Lots of lads
in the yard don't."
"But most of the men in the street do."
"LeaveForget it, Linda," he said quietly.
"OhhAll right" She sighed.
He saw Sadie and Kevin ahead before Linda did. For a minute
he thought of wheeling Linda about and taking her back along the road
but it was too late. TShe had seen them too.
"Isn't that Sadie?" she said excitedly.
Sadie and Kevin were standing at the end of the street. They
turned as Tommy and Linda approached.
"Hello, you two." Sadie's voice was loud and defiant.
"Hello, Tommy," sai Kevin spoke more quietly.
"Hello, Kevin."
For a moment there was silence. Tommy and Kevin looked at one
another, each wishing to spokespeak, h not knowing what to say.
"How've you been?" asked Kevin at last.
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"Fine. "
There was a further silence and then Tommy said,"How’s Brede?"
"O.K."
"Tell her I was asking afterfor her."
"I will." Kevin scuffed his foot against the edge of the kerb.
"Well, I suppose I'd better be going. Nice to see you again, Tommy."
He nodded at Linda. "Good night, Sadie."
"Good night, Kevin." said Sadie
He walked quickly away.
"He'd need to walk fast in case any of our boys goet the hold of
him," said Linda.
"You shut up, Linda Mullet," said Sadie.
"hy Why should I shut Up?" demanded Linda.
"Stop itPack it in, both of you," said Tommy.
"You don't seem to care that your sister's been consorting with a
Mickey." Linda tossed her head. Tommy knew he had nettled her by
sending his regards to Brede.
"Let's go home, " he said. They began to walkAs they came down the street, they
saw the shape of Mrs Mullet outlined in her lit doorway. "And don't
you say anything to your motherMa, Linda."
"I'll say what I like."
"If Iyou do you won't see me again."
"That'll gi make her pausestop to think," said Sadie. "She doesn't
want to lose hold of you now that she's got her claws into you."
Linda flew at Sadie. Tommy separated them. "For heaven's sake,
cut it out!" He cursed Sadie under his breath. She had the devil
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in her at times.
Mrs Mullet crossed the street. "What's going on here?"
"Nothing, Mrs Mullet," said Tommy.
"We were just fooling aroundcoddin', Mrs Mullet," said Sadie with false
sweetness in her voice.
Linda was quiet. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Are you wanting to come in forWhat about coming in. Would you like a cup of tea?" asked Mrs
Mullet. "I've one on the gas now."
"No thanks," said Tommy. "I've to be up for my work in the morning."
"See you tomorrow, Tommy?" said Linda.
"AyeAye. Good night."
He and Sadie left Linda and her mother. When they heard the
Mullets' door shut, Sadie said, "There's times when I could spit in that woman's eye.
at times. And what you see in Linda I'll never know]"
"Oh give over, Sadie," said Tommy wearily, feeling he had had
enough of women for one day. "Think You'd think you might have
learned it's better to keep your motuhuthshut. at times"
"Easier you mean. Not the same thing"You're all for a quiet
life."
"You're in a real aggressive mood."
She shrugged and then said, "I'm getting ready for the storm.
I've no doubt that Linda has brought the news home about Kevin and
me."
The storm broke as soon as they came into the kitchen. Sadie
stood with her head up listening to her mother's tirnade. At the end
of it she said, "All I've done is go for a walk with aboy."
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"All?" said her mother.
"You're not to see him again, do you hear?" said her father.
"I'll see him if I want to." Sadie turned and opened the kitchen
door.
"Come, you back here," roared her father.
She hesitated. Mr Jackson walked across to her. He put his hands
on her shoulder.
"You'll do what I tell you as long as you're living under my roof."
"I don't have to stay under your roof. I'm sixteen, going on 17 I can go if
I want to. You can't get the police to bring me back."
Mrs Jackson caught iat her breath. Sadie eased herself out of her
father's grasp and walked up the stairs. He made to follow her
but his wife said quietly,"Let her be, Jim. She's headstrong, you'll
only turn her against you."
Tommy closedshut the door. His mother sniffed and wiped her eyes with
the back of her hand.
"That girl needs taught a lesson," said Mr Jackson. Tommy had
never seen him so angry.
"I don';'t think there's anything into it, dDa," he said Tommy. "She just
met Kevin by chance."
"But what's she going to do now, that's what I'd like to know," said
his mother. "I hope she won't see him again. You go on a up and talk to her, Tommy. Maybe She'll often
listen to you." ,
Tommy went up the narrow staircasefound Sadie was sitting on her bed.
He closed the door of her room and sat down beside her.
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"Don't do anything rashstupid Sadie."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I don't think you should see Kevin again."
"That's up to me, isn't it?"
"Look, you know that I like Kevin. He's a nice fellow but if you
start to go out with him it'll just lead to trouble. Look how much
there's been already."
Sadie got up and walked over to the window. She opened it and
leaned out. "I'm sick of this street and all the people in it. I'm
going to make up my own mind. There was a time when you agreed,
Tommy. We spent some good days together, the four of us, didn't
we?"
He stirred uneasily. "But it became difficult ,didn't it? We
always had to slip away, pretend we were going somewhere else.
We had to give it up."
"Perhaps we gave up too easily." Her voice was quiet now, all
aggression gone from it.
"You're not going to change anything by going out with Kevin McCoy."
He left her still leaning out of the window looking down on the s
street. She stayed there for a long time, with her elbows on the
sill, thinking of Kevin s dark eyes and infectious laugh. The thought
of him stayed with her whilst she preparedgot ready for bed and eventually fell asleep.
TextJoan LingardTuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:48890