Special Sub-Topic: 'The Gambling Man' Authored by: ArleneRimmer Sub-topic of: Cookson, Catherine

Who was Rory Connor's mother?

Lizzie O'Dowd. Nellie was Rory's sister, and Ruth was married to Rory's father. Lizzie was Paddy's cousin, who came over from Ireland, and was forced into a relationship with Paddy - Rory being the result. Unwilling to leave her son, she remained with the family, but Rory had great difficulty coming to terms with the fact that she was his mother and blamed her for the sexual relationship which had taken place.

Rory enjoyed his job as a rent collector, except when he had to collect from six homes in Pilbey Street and fifteen in Saltbank Row. These collections were difficult as they dealt with the very poor of the area, and both streets fell to his lot on the same day. Which day of the week was this?

Saturday. Rory deliberately left collecting in these two streets until Saturday as that was the only day he might receive something from the families living there.

How much did Rory 'borrow' to play his game with the Pittie brothers?

five pounds. John George was in the habit of 'borrowing' ten shillings on a Saturday and replacing it on the Monday morning after pawning his suit. This was so he could travel to see his girlfriend each weekend. When the £5 was not replaced because Rory was in hospital, John George was accused of stealing all the money and was consequently jailed.

When Jimmy went to the infirmary to find Rory, he could not identify him straight away. What distinguishing mark did he look for to confirm that the man on the bed was his brother?

a wart on his hand. The Pittie brothers beat Rory up so badly that he was unable to work for weeks, and it was a long time before he learned that John George took the blame for the missing five pounds. By that time John George was in prison.

How often did Miss Kean visit Rory in hospital?

three times. Miss Kean was the only person who correctly interpreted the ravings of the seriously beaten man in the first few days in the infirmary. She realised that the Pittie brothers had been responsible for his condition and started to investigate their activities.

What happened when Rory finally returned to work?

Miss Kean promoted him. Rory was given control of the Shields area, with the new rent collector, Mr Taylor, taking over Rory's old route. Later she was to encourage him to study book-keeping and aim for higher things.

When were Rory and Janie married?

the Saturday after Easter. They were married in the Catholic Church in Jarrow. They moved into the shipyard flat, and after a couple of days Jimmy joined them as he was to live there as well. When Janie told Rory that she wished John George had been present, his entire day was ruined as he was living with the guilt of John George serving a sentence for his crime.

After finding out that Rory had taken the money for which John George was serving a prison sentence, she decided to join her employers on a trip to France. What happened on that trip?

she drowned when the yacht was lost in a storm. Rory was an unhappy widower for over a year; he felt responsible for Janie having gone away at all. When Janie was to return from the dead later he was happily married to Charlotte and was torn between the two women.

What was Miss Kean's given name?

Charlotte. Rory and Charlotte married in spite of the spiteful talk about his money-grabbing, and were happy. When Charlotte proposed, Rory confessed about the five pounds he had taken, and Charlotte told him that she knew all about it. It would take Rory some months to admit to loving his wife, and just as he did, Janie was to reappear in his life.

When John George came out of prison, Miss Kean was prepared to help him restart his life. What business did she provide for him and his new wife and their child?

a shop. Knowing that John George was innocent of £5 of the £5 5/- that was stolen, Charlotte felt responsible for his rehabilitation. His girlfriend had had his child while he was in prison, and happily left the man her father had fixed her up with to return to John George.