Chapter Twenty-Three: Childhood Part 23

More locals kept coming up to him and saying how sorry they were. Charlie having to tell everyone that Dot doesn't want the same kind of attention. Which the women understood more than the men. Arthur and Pauline were currently the ones being told this, don't mention this to Dot they were told.

"Is she having one of her episodes, Charlie?" Pauline asked. Everyone knew about Dot's so-called 'episodes' as well.

She would have bad reactions to things, minor things sometimes. This miscarriage had brought it on this time however. She was praying and smoking one cigarette after the other today. That was one thing Nick took from her in later life, an unhealthy dependency on certain things.

"When doesn't she?" Charlie bluntly replied; taking a puff from his own cigarette.

"How is your Nick taking it?" Pauline further questioned.

"He's fine...I wish everyone would stop asking me about him. The answer's never going to change, he's got no feelings"

"That isn't true. That's an awful thing to say about your own son. The way you treat your wife and son is awful-" Pauline went to speak on however Arthur shook his head at her.

He didn't want no trouble.

"No Arthur...It has to be said. Listen to me Charlie, I'm not having a go. I have no right to tell a man how to treat his wife. I know that but you talk badly about them and then wonder why they are both the way they are. Well maybe look in the mirror and you will find the answer" Pauline dared to comment.

"So it's my fault, is it? You keep your nose outta my business, Pauline. You were right when you say you have no right to tell me" Charlie hissed (however he said it slurred).

"You're drunk too, wonderful...What Dot did to deserve you, I will never know"

And with that, she left him to his own devices. Her husband Arthur scolding her but she told him she had to say it. She was a friend of Dot's and didn't like how Charlie treated her. She hoped some of what she said went in. Though it didn't do much besides make him want to go more. Slamming his fag on the table, the man made his way to the bar again.

"Can I use your telephone?" Charlie asked Den.

"Depends on what's it for" Den bluntly replied.

"I want to speak to her, alright? And I don't want to use the house one" Charlie admitted.

Den paused slightly however he just gave a nod. He wanted to speak to his other wife and Den knew that. Though he wasn't exactly one to judge people based on that, he's cheated on Angie a few times. So he understood where Charlie was coming from however he couldn't condone the rest of it. Sharon isn't even his biological daughter yet he loves the bones of however was a bad father and everyone knew it. Den may be a swindler and a cheat however he wasn't a bad father to his daughter. So that was one part he didn't understand but he let Charlie use the telephone anyway. Charlie rang Rose's number as he dialled it...

"Hello?" Rose answered as she picked up the telephone (she was currently in Liverpool).

"It's me" Charlie told her.

"What you ringing me for? Dot's not hanging about is she? Are you coming home? Me and Andrew need you"

"Shut up a minute, woman...I'm using the local pub telephone aren't I? How stupid do you think I am? Look, I'm going to stay for one more night and take some money home with me, how does that sound?" Charlie asked with a small smile.

Thinking he's doing something good. Though he forgot which sister he talks to, Rose wasn't happy being spoken to like a doormat.

"Excuse me but you're the one who needs to shut up for a minute...You said you were only going for a few weeks yet it's been months! When I said me and Andrew need you, I really meant we needed the money. So don't you dare speak to me like I'm some dummy again, Charlie!" Rose shouted.

"Sorry...I didn't mean to speak down to you, love. I'm just going out my mind a little bit"

"You and me both! Do you speak to my sister like this?"

"No"

"Liar...You know what, just get as much money as you can and get back home. Andrew is missing you, even if he doesn't say it. I know he is...How are my sister and nephew doing over there anyway?"

"Well, they have been better. Dot had a miscarriage you see, she's taken it worse than me to tell you the truth" Charlie explained.

This confession made Den pop his head in for he was surprised. He really admitted that to his 'other bird'. He was quietly earwigging on the rest of the conversation now. Rose was generally sad to hear it (even if it did mean Charlie's been in her bed for more than a cuddle).

"Oh...Why you go tell me something like that over the phone?" Rose asked in a whimpering tone.

"Don't start, I'm finding it difficult to take in. I feel guilty if you must know...You all deserve better than me, I know that"

"Well it's a good job you married two fools, Charlie Cotton...Just come home and we can talk about it when you get back. Just be nice to my sister on your last night there, take the money when she's sleeping"

"I always do that"

"Well I'm going to go now but I will see you tomorrow"

"Right. See you soon, love"

Putting the phone down (Den had already returned to the bar now). So he didn't even realise Den had been earwigging. As he turned back around and walked back out towards the main part of the pub. Giving Den thanks for letting him use his phone, he just got a small nod in response.

...

"Your dad is coming back tomorrow" Rose announced to Andrew (who was coming up to twelve this year).

The lad was currently sat on his bed reading 'Dr No' by Ian Fleming. He just rolled his eyes at his mere mention. He had no respect for his father anymore, he knew what he was doing. He was going to Aunt Dot's for money. How could he respect a man who does that? He was trying really hard to not lose respect for his mother at this rate. For she was going along with it (she was happy to steal from her own sister).

"I'd rather he didn't" Andrew bluntly replied; turning over to the next page.

"Don't say that, Andrew. He loves you...You're his favourite. Look, I'm not saying what he's doing is right but he's doing it for us. We are moving to Southend once he comes back, we will get a nice house near the beach and we can start again"

"At aunt Dot's expense! It's not right, ma"

"Yes I know but she's got enough, we haven't. This money will help set us up for life over there"

"She won't have anything once dad's finished" Andrew hissed.

"He's been through a hard time lately. Aunt Dot's had a miscarriage and it's hurt him so much. So he wants to be with us, the last thing he wants is for you be off with him when he returns home"

Though this confession just made Andrew even more disgusted. His face said it all, Rose was taken aback slightly. He didn't even have to say anything to make her see how utterly disgusted he was at the situation. She thought that would make him soften but it did the opposite.

"She's lost a baby and he's going to take her money? That's evil and the fact you support him is gross!" Andrew snapped.

"Andrew! You're only a kid, you don't get to teach us what's right and what's wrong. Yes, I know it sounds bad but we are so close to getting our dream home in Southend. So close...Do you want us to give that up over this?"

"She's lost a baby!"

"Yes I know but there is nothing we can do! Please Andrew...darling. I'm sorry for her, I really am. In fact, I wish I had Dot's good nature at a time like this but your dad is just as sad as Dot is about this. He hasn't told me in so many words but I know him, he's coming home early because he wants to be with us for comfort!"

"And what about Aunt Dot's comfort?"

"She has friends and her son, Nick to comfort her. So it's not like he's leaving her alone, he wouldn't do that"

"I'm surprised by you, ma. I thought you had morals but I guess I was wrong" Andrew replied.

His mother just giving a sigh in response.

...

Just like what he did over two years ago, Charlie waited for night to fall. He still felt somewhat bad for leaving but it didn't make him rethink for even a second. He just got out of bed and quietly put on his clothes. Filling up his suitcase slowly before picking it up to avoid Dot hearing it scrape across the floor. He opened the door and tiptoed across the hallway and down the stairs. He once again took Dot's hard earned money from the fireplace and shoved it in his suitcase. He briefly looked up the stairs for one last time, he did feel guilty but he loved Rose. He wanted to be with her and Andrew, so that is what made him just go. Walking towards the front door, he unlocked it and left. Walking into the dark square (the only light coming from the lone lamppost). He made his way to the tube station and he wouldn't set foot in the square for many more years.

...

TBC