A 1950's childhood in Moss Side (Floozie) By David Hulson
"Believe it on not I can remember my sister being born in the front room of our house in Bishop street. and I was nearly five year old, my brother was a few years older than I, and he would always refreshed my memory." Come in and close the door son,said my Mum and have a hold of your baby sister. I don't like too, I'll drop her. No you won't said Mum come here , Arthur .....will you help David . Dad picked up my new sister and we shared the holding of the baby . Then the worst thing I could say ! So what's her name. Well Dad looked at Mum ,and before Dad could say anything. Mum said I haven't decided yet ,you mean we haven't decided yet said my Father. For the moment son said my Dad ,we haven't chosen a name for our little Tilly Bud here. Tilly Bud sounds okay to me I said . Come on let's give Tilly back to Mum said my Dad. We passed Tilly back to mum , come on son said Dad lets leave them for a bit while they rest.
Before we left the room dad put an extra shovel of coal on the fire , and whispered to my Mum have a little nap love and I'll do the kids tea. Dad closed the door as quietly as he could and left the room. Back in the kitchen I turned to dad and said so have you and Mum thought about girls names yet. Yes he said as he put the kettle on , Norma, he said I like Norma, but your mum said no way and at the moment she likes the name Christine. I like the name Christine I said . And so do I , said Roger my big Brother who just walked into the room, Norma as a name stinkers he said. No it doesn't said Dad ,it's a lovely name Norma ! Spam fritters, Egg and chips will that do you two said Dad. Sound fine by us Roger and I said . Well go and set the table then Dad said, I'll make your Mum some sandwiches later, I don't want to wake her and Norma up just yet. You said Norma dad ,said a smiling Roger. Just a slip of the tongue said dad ,that's because we were talking about girls names a That's it said Dad let it drop!
"You
know sometimes when you find that
tender spot in a persons mood and you just want to see how far you can keep rubbing them up the wrong way" Well I think Roger found that tender spot . so why do you fancy that name N-O-R -M-A said Roger dragging out the name. Will you Shut up and eat your spams aid Dad in a raised Voice. I still like the name Christine I said while I was dipping a piece of bread into my egg . I said leave it , shouted Dad now standing up .and when you two have finished put your plates in the sink . When dad left the kitchen for the scullery, Roger leaned over towards me Ooooo he said you've touched a raw nerve there our kid ,picking up his plate he left the table. (The next day was a Sunday.) Morning Mum , said Roger And I ,as we entered the front room ,how are you to day . I'm fine said Mum ,and Tilly is awake as well . Hi YA said Roger touching the baby's cheek, and how are you today little Norma. Shes not bloody Norma ,her name is Christine said mum sitting up in her bed.
What's going on in here said dad as he entered the room what's up! You are what's up said mum in a raised voice, I've decided her name is Christine ,And not bloody Norma. I thought said Dad. You thought wrong didn't you replied Mum. Wooooo said Roger , so it isn't Norma, so her name it's now officially Christine ,yes! Yes, said Mum CHRISTINE ,I'm not calling my daughter Norma, after one of your Fathers old girl friends.
Ooooo said Roger looking at me ,Norma was his girlfriend now that explains a lot doesn't it. Shut up Roger, Dad said trying to keep calm ,all I was saying it's, a nice name love that's the only reason I suggested it And don't call me love . Come on our kid let's play out said my brother ,as we left the front room and closed the door behind us, we could still hear raised voices,As we left the house Aunty Inga was crossing the road to visit our house, Hi boys she said is your Mum awake ,oh yes said Roger she's well awake with our little sister Christine .
So your Parents have decided on a name said Aunty Inga. Well Mum has, said Roger smiling. Note years later Mum told me about dads floozie "Norma" but mum didn't mind she said , as Dad went out with her years before during the war years, but as she said I was chosen in the end quality counts she always said with a smile. "And guess what I even found a photograph of Floozie Norma in her uniform" Would you believe it Dad kept this photograph safe for years.