Waterfront

They've been part of my life, the ships...

...and the river and the tides.

As long as I can remember.

It's what you might call inevitable, I suppose...

...because I was born and brought up in this part of Liverpool.

Right on the waterfront. Almost among the docks.

Some people would call it a slum.

Only I didn't think of it that way...

...when I was a little girl, in the year 1919.

It's just on the boil. How is she? Is there anything else I can do?

You're a good girl and your mother is going to be alright.

It's unnatural to hate your own father, but I just couldn't help it.

I shall never forget the last time I saw him.

He came along to my school.

Hello, Dad.

Yer took your time about it little Nora, didn't ya?

You're off to sea again?

Now, look here - listen careful, Nora. I want you to give a message to yer ma.

Tell her I've signed on a ship, only I... I'm sailing right away.

We gotta catch the tide, see?

- Aren't you going home first? - There's no time for that.

- When will you be back? - It's a long trip.

But tell yer ma, if she doesn't hear from me for a few months...

Have you made out your allotment money for ma?

'Ere, you keep your place.

A kid like you talking about allotment money.

We've got to have something to live on while you're away.

Have you arranged for Ma to get her money?

Tell yer ma I'll send her a postcard and give her all the details.

Can't waste any more time now.

And, uh, give my love to yer ma and to little Connie.

- You're not coming back! - Ah, go on with yer!

Peter McCabe's not the sort to be shipwrecked or washed overboard.

My old man's a fireman...

- Suppose you forget to write? - So long, Laura.

You'll be a fine wench, when you grows up.

He wears gawd blimey trousers and...

You're not coming back!

He wears no blasted collar...

Where's Ma to go to?

Where will she get the money?

Where will she get the money?!

He didn't send a postcard, he didn't even send a sixpenny postal order.

And I wondered if he knew when he went away...

...Ma was going to have a baby.

You've got a baby brother now.

What about Ma?

Oh, she's fine.

She wanted a boy.

Can I see her?

Not yet - she's going to sleep.

Here, when did you eat last?

Connie and me had some bread and marge this morning...

...but...

...we're alright. Both of us.

We're not hungry.

You both go right away and get yourselves something to eat.

Something hot, nourishing. Understand what I mean?

And I'll see about you two girls...

...from tomorrow you'll be looked after.

You're not going to take us away from Ma?

Oh, no, she's a good mother, but she needs help just now.

I help all I can, before I go to school in the mornings and when I get back.

I'll look after the baby so Ma can go to work.

She won't be able to do that for a bit.

Now, away with you.

If Ma lost her job, I don't know what'd happen to us.

- Has the baby come yet? - It's a boy.

Connie!

Connie! We've got a baby brother, and we're going to eat.

Oooooo!

That better, Ma? What are we going to call him?

Peter, I suppose, same as his father.

Oh, no, Ma, no! I won't let you!

I know how you feel about him, love, but... after all, he is your father.

And he always wanted a son.

Any other name you like? Please, Ma, please!

All right love, we'll think of something else.

I know. We'll call him "George Alexander".

That's a funny sort of name.

I saw him once on the stage...

...The Royal Court, it was.

Sir George Alexander.

He was a wonderful actor.

And such a handsome man.

Handsome man! Handsome man!

Be quite, Connie, and get down. You know Ma isn't well yet.

It was the first time your father ever took me to the theatre.

He'd rather have gone to a music hall.

But he let me have my way.

He wasn't sure I was going to marry him then.

I wasn't sure myself.

'Ello there, George Alexander.

When you grow up, you've got to be good to your ma.

She must be proud of you...

...to make up for what Father did to her.

It was a proud day for Mother and me, twelve years later, when that letter arrived.

Nora, come quick!

Look what's come! It's got a coat of arms on it.

We haven't been doing anything wrong, have we?

How on earth did it get like that?

Well, I wasn't to know the postman was coming, was I?

It isn't as if we get many letters.

There was I scrubbing the floor...

...and it came straight through the letterbox, into the bucket.

Eee, I wonder what it could be?

You don't think the rent's gone up, do yer?

If it had the collector would tell you himself.

Why not open it?

I'm scared to. I've never seen one like this.

"Corporation of Liverpool".

"Pleased to inform you that your son, George Alexander McCabe"...

..."has been awarded a scholarship"...

..."tenable from September next"...

- ..."at the..." - Eee, let me see!

There's no doubt about it - this is a step up in the world for the McCabes.

Eeee! Fancy our George Alexander wearing a college cap!

I wonder how much they cost?

It says here...

..."full maintenance grant in cases of proved necessity".

Well that's us, isn't it?

It would happen on a Saturday afternoon, when he's out playing football.

Eee, we must give him a treat for his tea. Something tasty.

I tell you what...

George Alexander, what have they done to yer?

Here, sit down.

Who did it?

A chap I know. He said, "there's some who have fathers alive"...

..."and some who have fathers what's dead"...

..."but some don't have any fathers at all."

When a chap says things like that, you've got to go for 'em.

I knocked one of his teeth loose.

That's right George Alexander, you stick up for yourself.

If anyone hits you, you hit back.

What are you saying, Nora?

Another beating like that and the boy'll be dead.

Not him. Not our George Alexander.

- Does it hurt love? - A bit.

Look what's come.

- Nora? - Yes, love?

Why does he stay away so long?

I know other chaps whose dads go to sea...

...but they always come back some time or other.

But only real sailors like your father go on long voyages.

San Francisco... to Shanghai and back.

And then on to South America. Oh, it takes years and years.

Now you read this.

We'll celebrate this in style.

I've got a quid saved up, and we'll blow it all tonight.

Now, Ma - none of that.

We'll go to the Empire, all of us.

It'll be the best evening we've had for years.

"Has anybody here seen Kelly? K.E.L.L.Y..."

"Anybody here seen Kelly? Find him if you can."

"He's as bad as old Antonio He's left me on my ownio."

"Anybody here seen Kelly? Kelly from the Isle of Man."

Come on, boys, all together, now!

I do declare, George Alexander, nobody'd ever think you'd won the scholarship.

- Say you're sorry to the gentleman - Oh, that's alright.

But say it, George Alexander.

I'm sorry. I'm thirsty as well.

Now, what can I get for you?

- We'll wait our turn, thanks. - You'll have to wait a long time.

Oh, come on. I'm not just being fresh.

I'm serious. Honest, I am.

- Serious about what? - About getting you a drink.

Somehow I don't think you'll be able to get one for yourself.

Now, what's it to be? Double scotch for the young man?

Large whiskey and soda please.

Hey, that's enough of that. Don't you dare offer him whisky.

No luck, me lad. It's lemonade for you.

We'll all have lemonade.

- That'll be... - I know. Four and one - five. Miss!

Here you are, Ma.

Shameless little...

- Shameless little what, Ma? - Never you mind.

- Connie. - Oh, really, Ma. As if I was a child!

It's just what you are.

Well, I never!

And you telling me about making eyes at those boys.

Well, fancy our Nora!

Well, whoever he is, I'm sure he's very nice...

...or she wouldn't be speaking to him.

Well, why shouldn't I enjoy myself too?

Talking to one gentleman, like Nora there, is one thing...

...but making eyes at a whole pack of silly, empty headed young louts...

...is quite different.

You know that feeling when something starts to happen...

...and you feel sure that you know what you're going to do next...

...even what you're going to say next?

You mean, it all happened before?

Oh, I don't know about that.

But it's as if you know your destiny.

And you're glad.

Yes, I have felt that sometimes. Not often.

Well, it's never happened to me before. It is now.

It was a real bit of luck for me, coming here tonight.

Oh, there's the bell. I must go.

- Oh, but there's plenty of time. - Oh no, there isn't.

- Goodbye, Mr Satterthwaite. - I wish you'd call me "Ben".