Bedlam in a Bedsit

By P.A. Fenning

Following on from 'Sleepless in Soho,' the saga of Amy Brown covers the years 1965 – 1967 and is based on real life events.
She and her best friend Pam are living in bedsits and flats in London, experiencing plenty of highs and also a few lows of London life in the sixties. They eventually go their separate ways after leaving their nightclubbing and teenage years behind on reaching the age of twenty.
Amy embarks on a trip to Paris but loses a friend en route which involves Interpol, She makes new hippy friends and continues to enjoy life during the summer of 1967, appropriately known as the Summer of Love, but the good times don't last forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Nov 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781698704142

P.A. Fenning

After my marriage I lived on a barge on the River Medway until my son arrived. Later, after I was divorced, I worked for many years in Kent as a supervisor in a computer department until the firm closed. I then ran a pet shop and garden centre before moving to rural Norfolk and setting up a breeding cattery specialising in Persians. In retirement I moved to the coast and lived next door to the lighthouse with panoramic sea views. I then met an ex-boyfriend from back in 1969 and now enjoy life in a quiet village with my husband and our cocker spaniel.

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Copyright 2020 P A Fenning.

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ISBN: 978-1-6987-0415-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6987-0414-2 (e)

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Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1   The Holiday

Chapter 2   Seances and a Seedy Bedsit

Chapter 3   Acting Landladies

Chapter 4   The Water Fight

Chapter 5   Lost in France

Chapter 6   A French Lesson

Chapter 7   Hitching a Ride

Chapter 8   New Year in Birmingham

Chapter 9   New House, New Love

Chapter 10   The Technicolour Dream

Chapter 11   End of an Era

This book is dedic

ated

to my long time friend Pat who shared

most of these experiences with me,

both at school, at work and in London

bedsits during the sixties.

Introduction

Following on from ‘Sleepless in Soho,’ the continuing saga of Amy Brown covers the years 1965 – 1967 and is based on real life events as she and her best friend Pam find themselves living in bedsits and flats in London, experiencing plenty of highs and also a few lows of London life in the sixties.

They eventually go their separate ways after leaving their nightclubbing and teenage years behind on reaching the age of twenty.

Finding new friends and experiences, Amy continues to enjoy life during the summer of 1967, appropriately known as the Summer of Love.

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ONE

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The Holiday

Amy sat gazing out of the plane window nervously watching the wings gently flapping up and down as the small plane headed south towards Jersey. This was her first experience of flying and she wasn’t enjoying it one jot. She sucked on a barley sugar which the stewardess had handed round to relieve painful air pressure on the ear drums. Unfortunately it wasn’t working for her as the agonising pains shooting down her neck testified.

Her best friend, Pam, relaxing beside her, didn’t appear to be suffering at all. She had her eyes closed trying to catch up on lost sleep from the previous night. They had been friends since their school days at the technical high school in Kent. Amy, with her long blonde hair and freckles that appeared with the sun, always felt that Pam’s long dark hair and clear complexion, had the advantage when it came to getting boyfriends.

Amy’s thoughts turned to her current boyfriend, Kevin. She was pleased they had made up again after falling out because Kevin hadn’t bothered to contact her while he was away on his holiday.

He had arrived unexpectedly at the girls’ bedsit the previous evening to see her before she left for a week’s holiday, causing Amy and Pam to cancel their plans to go to the Flamingo club in Soho to see Georgie Fame performing with the Blue Flames. They opted to stay in and play cards instead. Then Pam’s younger brother, Ron, also turned up unannounced from Kent so he joined in too. They became so engrossed in their game that they didn’t realise how late is was getting.

Kevin glanced at the alarm clock by the bed and groaned. I’ve only missed my last train home. The bedsit was in North London at Finsbury Park and he lived in Chelsea with his parents and two brothers.

That means I’ve missed my train too, Ron said. Do you think you can put us up for the night, sis?

Pam frowned. we’ve still got to get packed – we need to leave at six in the morning, she said, and besides we don’t have enough room for the two of you.

Oh, you wouldn’t chuck us out on the street, Ron pleaded. You’ve got a double bed so I could share with you and Amy could share her bed with Kevin.

Kevin grinned. I don’t mind squeezing into your single bed if you don’t, he said giving Amy a smile she found difficult to resist.

I don’t think we’ve got much choice, Amy said, then added as an afterthought, but we’ll keep our clothes on so there’ll be no hanky panky. Amy didn’t relish the prospect of sleeping fully clothed but felt there was no other option.

Kevin was only fifteen when he had started dating Amy about four months ago. She had been immediately attracted to his large expressive brown eyes which enhanced his handsome features. He was two years younger than her despite his fine manly physique making him look a lot older.

Do you think you could ring my mum to explain why I won’t be home? Kevin asked Amy, it’d sound better coming from you – she likes you so I’m sure she’d accept your story. If I speak to her I know I’ll get yelled at.

Amy reluctantly agreed and took Kevin downstairs to the phone on the wall in the basement while Pam started on the packing. Amy managed to sweet talk Kevin’s mum around and told her that Kevin and Ron were going to share a spare room for the night.

Back up in the bedsit clothes conscious Kevin offered to iron Amy’s trousers before she packed them as a way of returning the favour.

I’m really good at getting a straight crease on the legs, he bragged, setting up the ironing board.

Finally with the cases all packed and the alarm clock set for five in the morning, they all tumbled into bed fully clothed. No-one was feeling very tired so there was a lot of giggling and talking until the early hours. Kevin said he didn’t want to get up in the morning with creased trousers so asked Amy if he could put his trousers under the mattress. Knowing how fussy he was about his appearance, she agreed. He slipped out of bed and carefully laid his trousers under the mattress so they would be neatly pressed by the morning.

Amy felt as though she had barely closed her eyes before the alarm clock was shrilling beside her bed. It had been an uncomfortable night squashed in the bed next to Kevin and not in the least romantic. Being a warm night, some clothes had been discreetly discarded. Now there was a scramble to dress under the covers, wash at the kitchen sink and gulp down a mug of coffee before heading for the station. Ron and Kevin accompanied the girls on the tube to Fenchurch Street where they had to part as the girls were catching the train to Southend and the boys would be making their separate ways home.

Kevin kissed Amy goodbye and told her how much he was going to miss her.

It’s only one week, she pointed out, you went on holiday to Butlins for two whole weeks – and I never heard a word from you!

I did explain about that, Kevin said sheepishly and quickly changed the subject. When you get back I’ll take you to a new club I’ve heard about.

Hurry up you two or we’ll miss our train, Pam said impatiently giving Amy’s arm a tug.

*        *        *        *

The plane juddered as the wheels touched down at the airport. A sigh of relief rippled around the cabin and one little boy piped up with: Well at least we didn’t crash! voicing everyone else’s unspoken misgivings.

The coach from the airport arrived in the main town of St Helier and drew up at the kerb on a side road leading down to the promenade. Amy and Pam climbed out while the driver heaved their cases from the boot and stood them on the pavement. Across the road stood their hotel, White Towers, an imposing large Edwardian mid-terraced house with the name displayed prominently above the door.

Pam gazed down the road to the esplanade and beyond to where the sea could be seen blue and sparkling in the sunshine. At least we’re handy for the beach, she said cheerfully and grabbed hold of her case. C’mon Bat, let’s go and see what this place is like inside. The girls still used their nicknames of Bat, short for Batty, and Tibs, short for Tibby, given to them at school. Amy had hoped for a grander looking hotel but at least it did have steps leading up to the front entrance.

They were pleasantly surprised when the front door opened into a large bright reception room with a well-stocked bar in the far corner and the reception desk in the opposite corner. Nearby a door led through to the restaurant. The girls lugged their cases across the plush deep red patterned carpet and collected their room key from a pleasant lady at the desk. She directed them down the corridor that led off next to the bar, and up the stairs at the far end.

They arrived at their room and unlocked the door. The room was basic but adequate with twin beds and a wash basin. The bathroom was along the corridor. Amy dropped her case and crossed to the window. It looked out onto an enclosed courtyard surrounded by other hotel rooms.

Not much of a view, she surmised with a sigh.

Oh, this will do us fine, Bat, Pam said throwing herself onto the nearest bed. We shan’t be in here much - just to sleep, so it doesn’t really matter, does it?

Yeah, you’re right Tibs, Amy said brightening up, let’s take a walk down to the beach.

As the girls left their room they met two boys going into the room next door.

The boys grinned and said hello. Have you just arrived? the taller boy asked. Amy just nodded. She had quickly decided they weren’t her type.

We’ve been here since Wednesday and go home next Wednesday, the other boy informed them, adding, by the way I’m Sid and this is Bruce. Pam gave them their names while Amy started to walk away.

We’ve got to go - I expect we’ll see you later, she called over her shoulder.

Pam caught up with Amy and they made their way out into the Jersey sunshine.

I don’t fancy getting too friendly with those two boys, Amy said as they strolled down the road to the promenade.

Pam smiled. They seemed harmless enough. She linked her arm through Amy’s. But I definitely don’t fancy either of them.

Amy felt relieved. When it comes to boys we have fairly similar tastes, Tibs.

They reached the corner where the majestic Grand Hotel in pristine white dominated the promenade in prime position with its sea views. Guests sat in the covered verandah taking afternoon tea served by uniformed waitresses.

It’s a pity our money didn’t stretch to a week in luxury at the Grand, Amy said a little wistfully. She couldn’t help envying the guests being waited on in such elegant surroundings.

Just think of all the money we have saved by staying a hundred yards away, Pam pointed out pragmatically, if we had stayed at the Grand, we would be left with no spending money, which would have been no fun at all.

Amy knew Pam was right so she pushed the Grand from her mind as they crossed the road and wandered along the beach to where there was a rocky outcrop. They sat on the rocks and gazed out into the bay where Elizabeth Island with its ruined castle took centre stage.

We must go and explore that castle one day, Pam said shading her eyes from the glare of the sun. Oh, look Bat, there’s an amphicar coming onto the beach bringing people back from the island.

Amy followed Pam’s gaze and then jumped up. This sun will bring out my freckles if I don’t take care. Let’s go and buy a daft sun-hat. She had spotted a near-by stall selling hats.

Sporting their new sun-hats, the girls whiled away the rest of the afternoon strolling along the beach and dabbling in the rock pools until it was time to return to their hotel and freshen up before the evening meal.

They entered the busy restaurant and a waitress showed them to a vacant table with a clean white table cloth. The girls sat down and watched the bowls of soup being served at the surrounding tables. Then a voice behind them with an American twang said, do you mind if I join you, only I’m on my own. A dark-haired girl, a little on the plump side pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Amy before either of them had time to say whether or not they did mind. She introduced herself as Sophie. There was a mix up with the bookings at the Grand, she explained, so I was left without a room. They rang through to White Towers and they managed to find a single room for me. She grinned. It’s a bit of a broom cupboard up in the attic, but it’s better than nothing.

Fish and chips was on the menu for dinner with fruit pie for dessert so they all tucked in. Sophie was still finishing her coffee when Amy and Pam left the table and hurried up to their room so they could get ready for the evening ahead. They had decided to visit the Tropicano Club in the next bay after seeing posters advertising it down on the promenade.

Outside their hotel they crossed the road to find the bus stop they wanted. After a five minute wait the bus arrived and the girls clattered up the stairs to the top deck.

D’you think we ought to have invited Sophie to come with us tonight? Amy asked as she rummaged for her bus fare.

I expect she’s got her own plans, Pam said, adding as an afterthought, I wonder why she’s staying here on her own. Maybe we should ask her – she’ll probably be having breakfast with us tomorrow.

It’s not really any of our business, Amy said. Pam gave the matter some thought then nodded in agreement.

The bus trundled around the coast road which afforded scenic views of the sea sparkling in the setting sun while inland the gently undulating hills with woods and meadows made a rustic contrast. It stopped beside a big white sandy beach where the girls alighted and gazed around. A crowd of young people were heading along the beach to a large wooden hut which stood on stilts in the sand. The girls followed and saw a prominent sign above the doorway of the hut announcing that it was indeed the Tropicano.

Looks like a bit of a dive, Pam said dismissively as she surveyed the weather-beaten boarding.

I can hear some good music coming from inside so I think we should give it a try, Amy said encouragingly.

Pam sighed. Well, since it is Saturday night and we don’t know of anywhere else to go, I suppose we might as well.

Inside the place was packed. Music blared from large speakers and artificial palm trees, coconuts, flowers and fairy lights tried to give a tropical atmosphere to the room. The girls made the most of the evening, dancing to the music and drinking cold drinks at the bar in the corner made to look like a mud hut with a straw roof.

The only thing genuinely tropical in there was the heat, Amy said as the emerged at the end of the evening. A warm sea breeze refreshed them as they waited to catch their bus back to the hotel.

Next morning, as predicted, Sophie joined them for breakfast and moaned about the boring evening she had spent in the hotel bar. What do you two intend doing today? she asked as they tucked into a full English breakfast.

We’re spending the day sunbathing on the beach, Pam said before taking a gulp of tea.

That sounds great – d’you mind if I join you?

No, not all, Amy said quickly with a smile. The girls’ conscience had been pricking them for not inviting Sophie to accompany them the previous evening.

Come and get me from my room when you’re ready to leave, she said getting up from the table and giving them her room number.

The three girls strolled down to the beach, Pam and Amy wearing their sun-hats and carrying towels and a bag of essentials for some serious sunbathing. Sophie was envious of their hats so she decided to get herself one from the same stall on the beach. While Sophie browsed through the assorted hats, trying them on, Amy noticed some cameras for sale at an adjoining stall.

I think I’ll get one so we can take some photos of the holiday, Tibs.

Good idea, Bat. I’ll get one too. Pam picked up a small brownie and inspected it. These look pretty simple to use.

Then that’s what we ought to get, Amy said, the simpler the better for me where gadgets are concerned.

With their purchases complete the girls headed off along the beach looking for somewhere to settle down.

What we need is a fat freckly woman to lie near, Pam said gazing around at the various groups of sunbathers, since I’m feeling fat and you hate your freckles, it should make us feel a bit less self-conscious.

Amy laughed. Oh, Tibs, you’re definitely a bit paranoid about your size – you’re not in the least fat.

Sophie walked over to a stone wall at the rear of the beach and plonked her things down in front of it. This will do us fine, she announced firmly laying out her towel on the sand. The girls were all wearing their swimsuits or bikinis under their clothes so quickly undressed and sprawled out on their towels.

Sophie soon became restless and donned a bathing hat. I’m going in for a swim, she announced, do either of you fancy a dip? Amy and Pam shook their heads. Neither could swim and they had no desire to get their costumes wet, and probably make a fool of themselves in the process. They were content to watch the other sunbathers and swimmers from behind their sunglasses and beneath their hats where they felt relatively secluded and anonymous. Amy carefully applied sun lotion to her skin to prevent it from burning whereas Pam, being a brunette and not having fair skin, just tanned naturally, which made Amy extremely envious.

Sophie rejoined the girls, dripping wet from her swim and after drying off, offered to take their pictures with their new cameras.

They lit cigarettes and chatted while watching a young family fishing around with nets in a nearby rock pool searching for crabs and shrimps.

After a while Sophie strolled down the beach for another swim.

How about tomorrow we go out to Elizabeth Island and explore the castle? Pam suggested, gazing out to sea towards the ruins of the castle shimmering in the heat.

Good idea, Tibs, Amy said, we can walk out at low tide and return by amphicar if the tide turns.

By mid-afternoon Sophie had taken several dips in the sea and the girls were getting bored with the beach. Amy was starting to burn despite the lotion so they gathered up their things and headed back to the hotel. At the desk in the foyer Sophie had a message to say there was now a room for her at the Grand which pleased her immensely.

Must go and pack – can’t wait to get out of that broom cupboard and into a decent sized room, maybe with sea views, she said excitedly. I’ll see you girls around. She waved over her shoulder as she hurried off along the corridor.

I wonder if that’s the last we’ll see of her, Amy mused watching their new friend disappear.

She’s not really our type, Bat, Pam said, so I don’t care much.

The girls spent a quiet evening in the bar and got chatting to a couple of older guests who admitted coming to White Towers every year for the last five years.

We love it here, gushed the grey-haired scrawny woman sitting beside her sad-faced bald-headed husband. We love the straight forward food and clean rooms, don’t we dear? Her husband just nodded meekly. There’s so much to do here and the weather is always good to us, she continued.

Are there any good clubs in St Helier? Pam asked politely, not really expecting these old fuddy duddies to know of anything worth visiting.

The woman gave the matter some thought then exclaimed: Oh, yes, there’s the Golden Cage in the centre of town. I’ve not been there but I’ve heard it’s a good place to enjoy yourselves. There’s live music and a cabaret.

Maybe we’ll go there one evening, Amy said trying to sound interested even though she had grave misgivings about the place. She received a discreet kick on the shin from Pam who was getting bored and wanted to leave.

Next day the girls headed for the beach to visit the ruined castle on Elizabeth Island. It was just off shore and the low tide uncovered a causeway which they could walk on to reach the island. The girls spent several hours wandering around the ruins taking pictures. Meanwhile the tide came in so the girls had to ride back to the beach in the amphicar, a large open topped vehicle with plenty of seating. They enjoyed the brief crossing in the motor boat-cum-car, finding it quite thrilling as neither had been in one before.

The next couple of days the girls spent lazing in the sunshine on the beach. Sophie put in a brief appearance when she spotted them on the beach as she made her way back to the hotel after a swim.

Hi, you two. I really like staying at the Grand – it’s got great service there! she exclaimed breathlessly after struggling up the beach.

Amy raised herself up onto one elbow. So, does your room have a sea view? she asked just for something to say. She didn’t really care whether it did or not.

Sophie shook her head. No, but it is a lovely big room – so comfortable after that cramped broom cupboard at White Towers. Have you two done anything interesting?

We went to see the castle on Elizabeth Island and had a ride back in the amphicar, Pam said, adding, it was great!

I might hire a bike to explore more of the island, Sophie declared almost defiantly as though she didn’t want to be seen as doing nothing interesting. D’you ones fancy coming along – we could make a day of it.

Amy glanced at Pam and caught the slight grimace. Er, we’ll let you know Sophie if we decide to come, but thanks for the offer. Sophie shrugged, said goodbye and continued her trudge up the beach towards her hotel.

Spending a day cycling around the island with Sophie for company isn’t my idea of a good time, Pam said once Sophie was out of earshot.

Does sound a bit too energetic for me, Amy agreed lying back down and placing her hat over her face in a vain attempt to stop her freckles coming out.

Things brightened up back at the hotel when a coach pulled up outside and disgorged a load of new arrivals who crowded into the foyer just as Pam and Amy were heading back to their room to change for the evening meal. Among them were four boys, two of them quite dishy. They wore Fred Perry’s and had Mod hair styles. Amy flashed them a shy smile as she and Pam weaved their way through the crowd weighed down with suitcases.

After changing into dresses the girls emerged from their room at the same time as the two dishy boys from the foyer were about to enter a room further along the corridor. The boys quickly introduced themselves as Tony and Brian and said they were staying for a week with their other two friends who had a room on the next floor.

We’ll be going home on Saturday, Amy told them, wishing they still had a whole week of holiday left now that things were looking up.

We’re gonna hire a car tomorrow and drive to St. Brelade’s Bay so if you girls would like a lift why not meet us in the foyer after breakfast, Tony suggested with a smile that revealed even white teeth.

Neither of the girls stopped to hesitate. That sounds like a great idea, Pam said quickly glancing at Amy for agreement.

Amy nodded, then had slight misgivings. Will we all fit in the car, though? she asked a trifle anxiously.

Oh, we’ll make sure we get a car big enough for us all, Brian said confidently.

He’s the driver, Tony added, so we’ll leave it up to him to get the right car.

After thanking the boys for their generous offer, the girls headed off to the restaurant. Over dinner they talked excitedly about what tomorrow might bring.

It’ll be great to visit St Brelade’s on the other side of the island, Pam said. It’s the biggest bay with masses of sandy beach.

Yes, but do you think the boys will expect to spend the whole day with us or just give us a lift there and back? Amy asked pensively, stirring her coffee.

Pam shrugged. I dunno – I don’t really mind. We’ll enjoy ourselves on the beach whether they hang around or not.

Amy nodded. Mmm, ’course we will. She glanced around the packed restaurant. They aren’t in here tonight having a meal, so I suppose they’ve gone out to explore the town and visit the local hostelries. After dinner they decided on a quiet drink in the bar followed by an early night.

The girls were up bright and early next day eager to meet up with the boys. They were the first to arrive in the restaurant for breakfast and after some toast and coffee, hurried back to their room to pack a bag with the things they were going to need for a day on the beach.

They reached the foyer at five to nine and the boys arrived at nine o’clock on the dot, as arranged looking spruced and smiling.

All set? Tony asked. The girls just smiled back and nodded. Brian introduced them to their other two mates, Doug and Chris, who were loitering somewhat shyly in the background.

Did you manage to hire a car? Pam asked as the boys didn’t seem to be in any hurry to leave the foyer.

Brian produced a key ring and waved it excitedly above his head. Come outside and take a look, he said proudly. They all made for the main doors, Brian leading the way, and at the top of the steps he paused and pointed to a gleaming white car with its hood down parked by the kerb.

Ooh, that looks terrific! Amy gasped and Pam could only nod in agreement, lost for words.

Come on then, let’s get going, Tony said. He leapt down the steps and opened the rear door for the girls. There was plenty of room for the six of them. Pam and Amy sat in the back seat with Tony between them, the other three sat on the front bench seat. Brian started the engine and it purred smoothly as he slipped into first gear and slid off down the road. St. Brelade’s here we come, he yelled as the car gathered speed. Out on the main coast road the cool breeze felt good as they drove along. Pam and Amy briefly regretted not bringing scarves for their carefully coiffured hair which was now flying all over the place. They looked at each other and burst out laughing, but they didn’t care; it was great to be going off for the day in a lovely car with a bunch of nice lads.

They arrived at the vast sweeping bay of St. Brelade’s and Brian parked the car. At the rear of the beach large Victorian hotels lined the promenade offering magnificent sea views to their guests. Amy and Pam were wearing their bikinis under their clothes, prepared for a day spent mainly sunbathing. They all trooped across the fine white sand to an empty area of beach in front of one of the hotels where the girls laid out their towels, sat down, and began brushing out their hair. The boys hovered uncertainly, looking around as though they were expecting something to happen. Only now did Amy notice that the boys hadn’t brought anything with them: towels, trunks and such like.

"Aren’t you ones going to do any