The Whisperer of Bubbly

By Parker Lucas

A selection of short stories, poems and ditties. Seven stories thirty poems and sixteen ditties giving an insight into what a young woman hoped and thought life in England should or could have been.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Parker Lucas
• Release date: Jul 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476124445

Book preview

Foreword

Jean Foskett

A woman of few wasted words and a natural ability to see through to the crux of a problem or the very core of a person, a friend to so many, a mother to three boys and a wife to one and only one man. Her life was not the easiest journey but Jean looked it in the eye and met it with strength that belied her diminutive stature.

Her poetry and story writing was illustrative of the thoughtful and sensitive side of Jean’s nature. A place she would go to put the mundane aside for a few hours and dream of simpler things and more romantic times. Her writing is alive with simple truths and old fashioned wisdom.

If you like it she would be pleased and if you don’t she would be pleased you bothered to read it. I think you will be glad you did.

Warren, friend.

Table of Contents

Short stories

History can repeat itself.

From Humble Beginnings.

Not a Cloud in the Sky.

Why are you blind mummy?

My Summer Holidays written.

The Innocents of War.

The Holiday for a Summer the Wedding for a Life Time.

Poems and Ditties

01 Graham at Play School

02 Baby Ryan

03 English Weather

04 Ray’s Boat

05 Ray and His Darts

06 Silly Thoughts

07 My Little Car

08 A Sausage

09 My House

10 My Sister Sylvia

11 Sue

12 What Country Has To Offer

13 Winter

14 Christmas Comes so Quick

15 Remembering a Childhood

16 Mum and Dad

17 Christmas

18 An Off Day

19 My Three Sons

20 A Visit to the Dentist

21 Snow

22 Telephone

23 Money

24 My Nan

25 A Mystery

26 A Restful Hour

27 A Woodland Argument

28 A Dream Came True

29 The Best Things in Life Are Free

30 My First Day at Work

31 Happy Birthday you are twenty one

32 Spanish Farts

33 Happy Christmas Santa is Tied Up

34 Daughter-in-Law Happy Christmas

35 Happy Birthday Daughter-in-law

36 Aunty Pat

37 Get well My Friend

38 Happy birthday, someone to rely on

39 Happy anniversary, the day you said I do

40 Happy birthday, special friend

41 Happy birthday, when you were a kid

42 Merry Christmas, dreaming of Santa

43 Happy birthday, have a lovely day

44 Happy birthday, my family friend

45 The best gift in the world

46 Happy Anniversary the day you both said I do

47 Happy birthday Stephen

Stories

History can repeat itself.

It was two days before Christmas in the year 1911, my name is Victoria Staff and I am getting ready to go Christmas Shopping with my mama. Mama, I called down the stairs, I can't find my white fur muff. Oh why did you let Nanny go on holiday for Christmas? I said in a temper throwing everything on the floor looking for my muff. Stop shouting at once, said Mama.I will ask Agnes to help you look for it. What good is that? I mumbled to myself, She is just a scullery maid, and she isn't allowed upstairs anyway.

Agnes knocked on the door. You may enter, I said in a rather bossy voice. She just stood there looking at my clothes which I had thrown on the floor. Don't just stand gaping like a fish, help me look for my muff, and if you find it don't touch it. I will pick it up, you might make it dirty.

Is this it Miss? she said, and pointed at a hook behind the door. Yes, I said and quickly got it down and put it on. As I was leaving the room I said, Agnes, wash your hands and then you may put my things away. I ran down the stairs because Mama was waiting for me, and she looked a little cross. Come along Victoria the cab is outside.

As we were walking through the town I thought to myself, I hope papa hasn't told Mama to have one of those dirty little Workhouse children for Christmas dinner again. I hate it, last year we had a dirty scruffy boy, even when he had bathed, he still looked dirty. He had the manners of a pig and smelt like one to. Papa says that we should help those less fortunate than ourselves, especially at Christmas, and especially children.

We had finished our shopping and Mama looked quite worn out. Why don't we go home now Mama, I said, you look quite tired, and anyway the parcels will arrive home before we do. That's alright Victoria, she said, Henry will leave them in the sitting room.

I knew what she was going to do the minute we turned down a horrible alley which smelt of lime and dirt. You're not going to, I started to say, but Mama told me to be quiet and to remember what Papa had said. We came to the door of the Workhouse, and an elderly gentleman came out and looked at Mama. Mrs Staff Ma'am, he said, I have four ready for you to make your choice from. They are all orphans, he said, Just as you asked for. Would you like to see them now? We went into his office which was no more than an old hut, but it was quite clean. He asked us to sit down for a moment and said that he wouldn't be long. I was going to say something to Mama, but I knew her mind was made up and that she wouldn't listen to me so I just sat there and waited. After a few minutes the man came back with four rather smelly children. They all looked about the same age as myself, twelve years old. Two boys and two girls. Mama stood up and looked at them. I saw something in her eyes I had never seen before, she really felt sorry for those brats, as if she knew what it was like to work in a Workhouse. I would like all of you, she said, but that is impossible, so I will have you, and she pointed to a scraggy little girl, whose hair looked as if it hadn't been brushed for a month, let alone washed. Mama, I started to say, Be quiet Victoria, she said, she will be company for you over the Christmas Holidays. Oh no, I thought she isn't just having dinner with us like the boy did last year, but she is going to stay with us for two weeks. I felt terrible and dirty, just looking at her.

We got back to town and Mama said she would call a cab to take me home because she had some more shopping to do, and that I looked cold and tired. I will follow shortly with the girl, she said, and then she beckoned a cab, 82 Belgravia Place please, she said to the cabby and then closed the door. She turned to the girl beside her and said, Come on my dear, let’s go and buy you some new clothes. You may call me Mrs. Staff or Ma'am, and what is your name? Ellen she replied very quietly but everyone calls me Nell. Well I won't; I will call you Ellen, it's such a pretty name, now come on or we will be late in getting home.

When Mama arrived home it was very cold and had started to snow. Henry opened the door, and much to my amazement that horrible little girl had a red velvet cloak and a white fur muff on, just like mine. I hated her already and I didn't even know her name. Henry, Mama said, tell Agnes and Rose to take Ellen and to bath her and wash her hair, twice, and put these on her, and she gave him a package. When her things arrive, they can be put in Nanny's room, it is warmer in there and it's close to Victoria's room so they can become acquainted. She then turned and entered the lounge. I went into the lounge a little while after Mama, and she was sitting on the sofa drinking a cup of tea. Mama, I said as I sat next to her, is that girl really staying here for two weeks? Yes she is she replied, and her name is Ellen, and I want you to be nice to her, she is only your age and she has worked since she was six. She has no Mama or Papa and I wouldn't wonder if she ever slept in a bed before. I am putting her in Nanny's room while Nanny is away It's warm in there and she will be close to you, so you can get to know her better. Now promise me you will be on your best behavior, and make friends with her? Yes Mama I said but I didn’t mean it. Come along now she said, let’s see if our parcels have arrived. As we entered the sitting room, I gasped, there were more parcels in there than a store. We didn't buy all these I said to Mama. No dear she said, we brought those over there, and Ellen and I bought these here. What are they? I asked excitedly, and who are they for? They are clothes, boots and one or two Christmas Presents she said, and they are for Ellen. I was really angry and asked to be excused, Of course, my dear, said Mama. I walked out of the sitting room in such a temper; I could have thrown all of those things out into the snow, and her with them. I went upstairs to get changed for dinner because Papa would be home soon, and he liked me to look pretty for him. As I was changing I said to myself, I will look even prettier up against Smelly Nelly. I thought about it and it made me feel better. I came down the stairs and went into the lounge where I heard Papa's voice.Hello my princess, he said and kissed me on the forehead. Don't you look pretty this evening?

Henry knocked on the door, and entered when told. Ellen was with him and she looked lovely, but I should never admit that to anyone. Her hair was the most loveliest shade of blonde 1 had ever seen, and Agnes and Rose had brushed it back at the sides and put two lovely red bows In it, one each side. The red bows matched her dress which was red velvet and it had white lace around the bottom and the sleeves. 1 couldn't believe my eyes, she looked lovely. Well my papa said, two little princesses, as he looked at Ellen. Come here my dear, he said, I won't bite you. I wish he would I thought to myself. You must be Ellen, I have heard so much about you from Mrs Staff, but she was wrong, you are much prettier than she said. Prettier than me Papa? I interrupted. Victoria my Mama said in a stern voice. Well, said Papa, "you both look lovely, as