East End Angel (25 page)

‘What was that?’ Ruby frowned.

‘Didn’t think I’d said anything.’

‘You mumbled about the war.’

Ruby waved her hands. ‘Some Yanks I met said President Eisenhower has given the thumbs up.’

‘Where did you meet them?’ asked Pearl curiously.

‘It was the day Em and Colin visited. I nearly ran into this Jeep on me bike. They said Hitler’s Fortress was about to come down. Well, that means France, doesn’t it?’

Pearl didn’t want to get up her hopes. Was this just another rumour? And even if the Allies landed in France, it would mean yet another battle. Where would Jim be in all this?

They sat quietly as the train sped on. Pearl’s thoughts turned to Cynthia, whose happy laughter she was missing. She hoped there wouldn’t be any raids whilst she was away. Em and Colin were going to stay the night at Pride Place as everyone thought it would be better for Cynthia to be in her own home. But when she woke tomorrow morning, her mum wouldn’t be there.

‘Mum and Dad should’ve got my letter by now,’ Ruby said suddenly.

‘I hope they’ll forgive you.’

‘It was the only way.’

‘So you keep saying.’

‘They would have tried to talk me out of it.’

Pearl knew they would be shocked and hurt. And even though Amy liked Ricky, Ruby was her baby. She’d had great plans for the day when Ruby got married.

‘I tried to explain that the reason is because of Ricky’s condition,’ Ruby said insistently.

‘Not because you’re worried he’ll change his mind?’ Pearl pointed out.

But Ruby shook her head. ‘They wouldn’t have understood.’

‘They might have.’

‘Don’t be a wet blanket now. Remember, this is my wedding day.’

How could she ever forget it, Pearl thought as she returned her gaze to the countryside. From the very start, Ruby hadn’t wanted any opposition to her plans and had told Pearl many times nothing was going to spoil them. Their parents would have advised delaying the wedding until Ricky was well again, and Ruby knew that.

‘Surrey is such a romantic setting for a wedding,’ said Ruby, unable to keep still. ‘And I don’t suppose there’s many who can say they got married in a manor house owned by a lord and lady. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity for such a special affair.’

A village church and a small cemetery flashed by, then a row of cottages. Ruby had certainly talked herself into this special affair, Pearl reflected as she admired the thatched roofs and tiny windows of the half-hidden cottages. Could she imagine herself and Jim living here? But the Smoke was where they came from, where they’d always be. There was always the hustle and bustle of the docklands, and friends and neighbours to speak to. Perhaps living in the wilds would have its advantages. Especially if you knew a lord and lady to have afternoon tea with!

When they got off the train an elderly man wearing a brown cap and tweeds was waiting on the station platform.

‘Miss Jenkins and Mrs Nesbitt?’

They both nodded.

‘I’m Arthur Forsythe. I live in the village and though I’m retired now, I’ve offered my driving services to the hospital. I understand this is rather a special occasion?’

Ruby blushed. ‘Yes, I’m getting married today.’

Arthur smiled under his walrus moustache. ‘Indeed. Matron has asked me to act as your driver.’

Ruby looked surprised. ‘We thought we’d have to get the bus like I did last time.’

‘Can’t have the bride using public transport on her wedding day,’ Arthur said in a cultured voice as he patted the big pockets of his smart country jacket. ‘Matron tells me you’re staying at the Brown Bear. Have you any bags to leave
en route?’

‘Only this.’ Ruby lifted the attaché case containing their few personal effects.

‘I can stow it in the boot,’ Arthur nodded. ‘We’ll drive straight to the Manor.’

Arthur took the attaché case and led the way from the platform. Outside an old and battered, but sturdy-looking motor car awaited them. Arthur opened the door and Pearl and Ruby climbed in. ‘Welcome to Brawton,’ he said with a grin. ‘Sit back and enjoy the view.’

Once more the trees and fields flashed past and it was not long before they entered an imposing drive. The bushes on either side were glossy and thick. The trees overhead rippled like a green sea. Pearl gasped as the redbrick Manor, its dozens of windows reflecting the sun, came into sight. The roof had many tall chimneys, and two white pillars stood at the big front door.

‘Told you, didn’t I?’ whispered Ruby as Arthur brought the car to a halt. ‘Don’t get your hopes up, though. I went on about it to Em and Colin, but it’s a bit of a shock when you get inside.’

Pearl had never seen anything so grand in her life. Brawton Manor was like something out of the films. Perhaps Ruby hadn’t been so foolish; this did seem like a very special place to be married after all.

But when they stepped inside the first thing that Pearl noticed was the strong, sickly odour of disinfectant. Even the cup of tea the matron offered them in the small refectory seemed to taste of it.

‘I don’t want to hurry you,’ the matron said to Ruby as they put down their cups, ‘but your fiancé is waiting. If you’d like to come this way . . . ?’

Looking very official in her dark uniform and white cap, she led Pearl and Ruby briskly over the highly polished wooden floors, their steps echoing loudly. Pearl braced herself for the sight of the ailing patients as Ruby had described, but they saw none.

‘She’s taking us another way,’ Ruby whispered, and Pearl nodded silently.

Ruby seemed very relieved at this and Pearl was left to imagine that, before requisitioning, the Manor had been very splendid indeed. However, most of the carpets, wall hangings and antique furniture had been removed.

Finally the sisters were led into a room where an extended dining table had been covered by a white tablecloth. A wooden crucifix stood in the centre, between two big vases filled with fresh flowers. The long windows were open to the scents of the spring fields. Under the windows were several rows of wooden dining chairs. Pearl sat beside Matron whilst Ruby took her place with Ricky and another uniformed man in front of the makeshift altar.

Pearl felt her heart lurch when she saw Ricky. Was it because he looked thinner and older? He turned briefly to nod. His dark eyes were just the same, black and intense, an expression that haunted her.

‘The man in the next seat is Captain Lockwood,’ Matron leaned close to say. ‘He’s performing the registration ceremony.’

Pearl noted the distinguished-looking older man, who had discreetly put his papers to one side. The vicar then joined them to give his blessing. Ricky, bandaged and burned, showed no emotion but Ruby gazed lovingly into his eyes.

It came as a shock to Pearl to see Ricky for once looking less than immaculately turned out. He wore his naval trousers and a white shirt, but no jacket because of his burns and bandaging.

Pearl’s eyes filled with tears. She couldn’t help it. Ruby looked so much in love. There was no exchange of rings as it had been deemed that only Ricky could put a ring on Ruby’s finger, and he couldn’t manage that with the bandages. Captain Lockwood had suggested it was done at a later date.

Pearl wished that Jim was beside her. His heart would surely soften at the poignant sight. As for herself, what did she feel? Did she still regard Ricky in the same way as she once had? Could she forgive him for what he had done in the past? If he was a changed person and truly loved her sister then the answer was yes.

When the ceremony was over, Pearl hugged her sister as they stood in the dining room where a small buffet had been prepared. ‘Congratulations, Mrs Winters.’

Ruby looked radiant. ‘I’ll have to pinch myself when I wake up.’

Pearl raised her eyes to Ricky. She tried hard to think of him as her brother-in-law and not the man she once knew. It would be a big effort to put the past behind her but she was going to try.

Pearl left everyone to talk and went to the buffet table. A few of the nurses came in to wish the happy couple good luck. Several men, with sticks or on crutches, shuffled around the rather uninteresting-looking food. They didn’t eat but smiled and talked quietly between themselves. What did the future hold for the survivors of this war? How would their disabilities affect their wives and children? Ricky might not entirely recover from his wounds. What kind of work could he do? What was in store for Ruby? She had started her married life by giving up her dreams, even though she insisted she and Ricky had others. If Ricky couldn’t find work, then she would have to stay at the factory. So far, Mr Brewer had been very good about time off, but what if Ricky was ill and Ruby had to be with him?

Pearl saw her sister look up at her husband. Her green eyes filled with love and pride. Would Ricky prove a better husband than the lover Pearl had known? As for their affair, Pearl prayed it would always remain a secret. Jim and Ruby were everything to her and always would be.

Pearl waited in the car with Arthur Forsythe. Ruby was saying good night to Ricky. The sun was setting through the trees of Brawton Manor. The day had ended with a sky of burnished gold. Even with such beauty, Pearl was eager to get home. She was missing Cynthia. This was about the time she would tuck her into bed. Em and Colin had assured her they would follow instructions to the letter. But was Cynthia missing her? Pearl couldn’t help but wish her little girl was in her arms. She wanted to breathe her in, to feel Cynthia’s plump little body tucked warmly under the bedclothes. Absence was certainly making her heart grow fonder. And that was true of Jim too.

Again, the question came to mind: what would he say when he knew Ruby had married Ricky? One day she would have to tell him. She must break the news gently . . .

The car door opened. Ruby was clutching a hanky. Her hat was askew and her eyes very bright.

‘It all went very well,’ Pearl said as Ruby sat beside her.

‘’Spose so.’ Ruby glanced at the back of Arthur’s head. ‘Thanks for waiting.’

‘Congratulations, Mrs Winters.’

Ruby smiled.

As the car went along, she was quiet. Pearl knew she was missing Ricky. But he couldn’t come out of the hospital. Leaving her husband at the end of the day was the price Ruby had paid for instant marriage.

‘Cheer up.’ Pearl took her hand.

Ruby stuck out her chin. ‘It just feels strange.’

‘It’s bound to be.’

‘I’m leaving me husband behind on my wedding night. Not many brides do that.’

‘It’s what you wanted.’

‘Yes, I know and I don’t regret it. I just want him home with me.’

Pearl thought to say, yes, but you haven’t got a home to go to. But she couldn’t be unkind.

‘Did Matron tell you when he might leave?’

‘No. I’ll ask tomorrow.’

The Brown Bear came into sight, an old pub with a thatched roof and swinging sign, under which stood wooden seats. The street was bathed in dusk and a few stars had already begun to twinkle.

Arthur stopped the car and helped them out. ‘I hope you’ll be comfortable here. It’s not a bad place to stay, but it can be a little noisy sometimes. There are a lot of Americans still around.’

‘We don’t mind that. We was lucky that Matron managed to get us a room,’ Ruby said gratefully as Arthur handed her the attaché case.

‘Ten in the morning, shall we say?’

‘Yes. I’ll be waiting.’ Ruby glanced at Pearl. ‘Do you want to come too?’

‘No. I’ll walk to the station and meet you there.’

They watched Arthur drive off and stood for a moment in the still, spring evening. The smell of newly mown grass filled the air. Sounds of loud laughter came from inside the pub.

‘That’s the Yanks Arthur told us about,’ said Ruby.

‘We’ll give the bar a wide berth,’ nodded Pearl. ‘They don’t mean any harm.’

‘I hope our room’s at the back,’ grinned Ruby.

‘Look, isn’t it pretty?’ The narrow street was filled with tiny cottages and lattice windows. Thick, flowery vines grew up to the eaves, and most of the gardens had white picket fences. ‘Don’t half look like Gloucestershire,’ said Pearl on a nostalgic sigh.

‘Yes, it does. I could quite get used to this.’

‘You mean you could live in the country?’

‘I don’t see why not.’

‘This does take me back to Gloucester. We used to play in fields like those ones, remember? There was always real birds in the bushes and trees, not gulls, but little ones with red chests and pretty whistles. And the farmer’s wife let us collect the eggs from the barn. Real lovely eggs they were, all warm and brown. I used to feel a bit sorry for the chickens.’

‘Why was that?’

‘Well, it was their babies.’

Ruby giggled. ‘You daft thing.’

Pearl was glad she’d brought a smile to her sister’s face. ‘Come on then, let’s go inside.’

Ruby opened the heavy, creaking pub door. They could see American uniforms through the window of the public bar as they went up to the tiny desk and said who they were. A large, red-faced woman wearing a white blouse and black skirt handed them their key. ‘Congratulations, Mrs Winters.’