Bagwash Blues

I’m goin’ to the Bagwash with me mum today.

She’s got all the washin’ in the pram. It’s under the black apron, clipped down tight. I wonder who’ll be there today. I wonder if Mick’ll be there.

“Mum, does Mrs McGillicuddy go to the Bagwash today?”

“ She might, Why?

“I was just thinkin’ that’s all.”

“Thinking What?”

“If Mick will be there.”

“I doubt very much that Michael will be there today son, he hasn’t really been around much lately, what with the church and all the extra work he has to do now.”

“Why does ‘e have to do all that stuff, it’s not fair.”

“It’s the path he has chosen for himself, he needs to do it to get into the priesthood, you know that.”

“It’s not fair.”

“Never mind that now, get the back gate open for this pram, and look up and down the alley. Make sure Mrs. Kelly isn’t there rubbing up her back step, the nosey old soul.”

“Ok... Why ?”

“Just do it, quickly now love.”

“ALL CLEAR!”

“Shhhhh!....You’ll have her out…. Oh, hello Mrs Kelly. C’mon Jack, We’ll be late with your fathers’ dinner.”

“But I thought we were goin’ to the bagwa...OW!”

Smells like soap and Aunt Sally and I can smell the bleach from the baths next door. It’s all hot and steamy, I’ll take me coat off. I’m goin’ to climb all the way to the top of the racks today, Mick got to the top last time, I’ll do it today.

Mum’s too busy gabbin’ to Mrs Johnson to notice me goin’  off. They could talk all day they could. I wonder if there’s a game of hide and seek goin’ on today?

Where is everyone?

“Jack, quick…in here.”

“Lo’ Jenny, where is everyone?”

“Playing hide and seek, hurry up or you’ll have to be it.”

“In there?”

“Quick.”

“What is this room for?  I’ve never been in here before.”

“It’s where the pool cleaner keeps all the poles and brushes.”

“For the Baths?”

“Yes, you are slow sometimes Jack.”

“Are you goin’ swimmin’ later?”

“No. My Nan’s coming over later. Mum’s cooking a big dinner.”

“Oh.”

“Open the door a bit an’ see if anyone’s comin’ this way”

“Don’t be silly. If there is anybody there they will see us.”

“But we can’t stay ‘ere all day Jenny, it’s not fair on the others, I’ll just ‘ave a quick look.”

“Wait!”

“Why?”

“Just wait, that’s all.”

“I wanted to climb the racks today and if we don’t get out soon me mum will be finished doin’ the washin’ an’ I’ll ‘ave to go.”

“You can do the racks anytime Jack Dooley. My dad is getting a washing machine for my mum next week so this is the last time I can come to the wash house.”

“Have you got lecky then, at your house then?”

“The workmen did our street last week, we’ve got electric lights now, and an electric socket in the back room.”

“Wow, did they say when they’re doin’ our street?”

“Don’t be vulgar Jack, I don’t talk to workmen.”

“Just askin’.”

“We’re getting a telly too, when my dad has paid for the washing machine.”

“You’re dad is well off, bein’ a boss at the docks though isn’t he, he get perks.”

“Who has been saying that about my dad?”

“Nobody, I just bet he is though. I bet he gets twenty pounds a week.”

“Don’t be silly, nobody gets twenty pounds a week, not unless they have a pawn shop.”

“I bet the pawn shop fella gets fifty pounds a week.”

“Yes, and most of from the Dockers wives pawning the men’s going out suits on Monday morning.”

“I bet your mum doesn’t take your dad’s suit down there on Monday does she?”

“I really have no idea Jack.”

“Liar, you’re just sayin’ that ‘cause you’re gettin’ a telly, an’ a washin’ machine.”

“I don’t lie.”

“Pigs might fly.”

“Are you going to chatter all day or are you going to kiss me?”

“What!”

“Kiss me Jack.”

“What for?”

“Don’t you want to kiss me?, I can ask Michael McGillicuddy if you want.”

“Err, I dunno, I think so.”

“Kiss me.”

“Can we go on the racks after?”

“Jack!”

Me mum’s gonna go mad now. She’ll know what I’ve done. She always knows.

She’s gonna be able to tell I’ve been kissin’ Jenny.  She’ll take me round to ‘er house and see Jenny’s dad, I know she will. I wonder what me dad will say when she tells ‘im?

Will I ‘ave to confess to kissin’ her to Father Clancy on Saturday? I bet that’s worth a zillion Hail Marys and a million Our Fathers. Ooo ‘eck, I’m in big trouble now. What am I goin’ to say to me mum?

“Jack……JACK. Oh…there you are. Come on love, all finished. Let’s go home.”

“Ok mum.”

“Are you alright Jack? you look puffed out and all flustered like.”

“I’ve.. err..I’ve been climbing the racks.”

“Oh, and what else have you been doing today?”

“Err…playing hide and seek mum.”

“Did you have a good time then?”

“It was ok.”

“Good, I’m glad.”

“ Why’re you smilin’ at me like that for?”

“Oh, nothing. It’s just good to know that you had such a good time, that’s all.”

“It was just ok, that’s all.”

“I know, just ok.”

“Come on then, hold that door open for me while I get this pram through there.”

“Ok mum.”

“Jack.”

“What mum.”

“You haven’t  said goodbye to Jenny. Gentlemen don’t kiss and run!”

“Mu-um!”