The Woolworths Girls (44 page)

Ruby sneered at the tall man. ‘By “work” I assume you mean more robbing, or perhaps killing another night watchman?’

Vera gasped as Tommy raised a hand to hit Ruby. Lenny stepped between them. ‘I thought that if I told Tommy how we had everything in writing, and we’d give it to the coppers if he hurt Freda, he would go away and leave us alone.’

Ruby thought the lad was foolish to have said what he had, but at the end of the day he was only thinking of his sister’s safety. ‘There’s nothing here for you. I got rid of it all.’

‘I don’t believe you, old woman.’ Tommy pushed Ruby to one side. She staggered against the cooker.

He headed towards the sideboard in the living room, where he pulled open drawers and tipped the contents onto the floor as he looked for anything that resembled handwritten notes. In anger he swept his arm across the top of the sideboard, sending Ruby’s treasured photo of her Eddie crashing to the floor. Ruby felt anger swell up inside her. No one came into her home uninvited and destroyed her property. She looked around her and spied the large iron frying pan on the hob. Grasping the handle, she crept up behind the man, then roared like a lion as she swung the pan into the air and down onto his head. Tommy crumpled to the floor just as she heard a key turn in the front door.

‘What the hell is going on here?’ Maisie exclaimed as she entered the room, followed by Freda and David.

‘Let me introduce you to Tommy Whiffen,’ Ruby said as she examined the dent in her best pan. ‘Maisie, you’ll find some washing line in the cupboard under the stairs. I think we’d best tie this chap up before he comes to. Freda, would you run down to the police station and leave a message for Sergeant Jackson? Tell him that the man I told him about is at this moment being trussed up liked a turkey in my living room.’

Freda looked puzzled. ‘But we didn’t go to the police. Lenny ran away, so we didn’t bother.’

‘Aw, you told the coppers, Mrs Caselton,’ Lenny said, looking miserable.

‘Yes, Lenny, I told the coppers. Something you won’t understand yet, because you are too young, is that we collect good friends as we go through life. Sergeant Jackson has known my family since he was a nipper. I knew I could trust him, so after you ran away I went to ask his advice and I showed him what you and your sister had written down about this nasty so-and-so.’ She tapped Tommy Whiffen with her foot. ‘So pin a smile on your face, because I reckon before too long you can stop looking over your shoulder. I reckon you’ve learnt your lesson. Vera, close your mouth – you look like a goldfish. Is there any chance of that cuppa we promised ourselves a while ago?’

Freda burst into tears and hugged her brother.

‘David, you might want to let Nelson out of the Anderson shelter before he howls his head off; then I’ll tell you all about it.’

Sarah arrived as Tommy Whiffen was being taken away, protesting loudly that Ruby had tried to kill him. She pushed the pram into the hall and picked up her daughter. ‘It looks as though you’ve all been busy while I was out.’

Sergeant Jackson nodded to Sarah. He’d known her since she was a baby, having gone to school with her dad. ‘I’m just going to take Lenny down to the station to tie up some loose ends, Mrs Caselton,’ he called up the stairs to Ruby.

David saw them to the door and came back to where Sarah was standing in confusion. ‘It’s been a little hectic here this past hour. We’ve made your nan have a lie-down for a little while. She’s exhausted.’ Sarah went to go upstairs, but he held her back. ‘Let her be for now, Sarah. Vera and the girls are tidying up. Would you like to come into the front room with me for some privacy?’

Sarah frowned. ‘Privacy?’

‘I have some news about Alan.’

Sarah knew the day had to come when Alan’s death would be confirmed. She followed David into the front room, clutching Georgina close to her chest. She allowed David to help her to a seat and soothed the baby as she murmured in her sleep. ‘It’s bad news, isn’t it?’ she asked fearfully.

David knelt in front of Sarah and looked into her eyes. ‘It’s good news, Sarah. Alan is alive.’

27

‘Well, the sun certainly shines on the righteous,’ Vera said, before biting into a salmon sandwich. ‘I must say they’ve put on a good spread.’

Ruby could only agree. The bride had looked radiant in her ivory silk gown as she’d walked down the aisle towards her handsome husband in his smart RAF uniform. Beams of sunlight had shone through stained-glass windows as they’d spoken their vows. In attendance had been her granddaughter, Sarah, and Freda. Young Lenny, now a free man, dressed in a new suit, sat in the pew proudly watching his sister. The two bridesmaids looked pretty in pale pink, carrying flowers grown in Irene and George’s garden, which had been carefully transported up from Devon the day before. Even little Georgina wore a matching gown, though she sat on her granny Irene’s lap gurgling contentedly.

Ruby was pleased to be able to meet David’s parents and thank them for the Christmas hamper. They seemed a decent lot considering their posh accents. It had been David’s mother who’d insisted on taking charge of the wedding breakfast in the absence of Maisie’s relatives. Even a wedding couldn’t mend a broken family. It had been a proud moment when Ruby watched George walk Maisie down the aisle to give her away. He was recovering well from his injury, although there would always be a slight limp. Things could always have been worse, she thought to herself.

The wedding reception was being held in the hall of the Prince of Wales. Mrs Carlisle had suggested a local hotel, but Maisie insisted that the pub had played an important part in the lives of her and her friends, and she wanted to hold the reception in the large hall at the back of the building. Colleagues from Woolworths were there to help celebrate their friend’s happiness, including Maureen, who had returned to Erith when they heard that Alan had not perished while serving his country. Even Hitler had managed not to upset the proceedings by sending his planes to the wedding.

‘Fancy another sandwich?’ Vera asked as she rose to her feet.

‘Not for me, thank you, Vera. I’m going outside to get a bit of fresh air before the band starts playing. Maureen’s going to sing a special song for Maisie and I don’t want to miss that.’

She headed out into the small garden, where the landlord had placed a few benches for the guests. Although early evening, it was still warm and she fanned herself with her handbag. It would be stifling once they had to close the doors and the blackout curtains were in place. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her face.

Ruby heard the band starting to play and then Maureen’s voice as she serenaded the happy couple. ‘. . .
I found a million-dollar baby in a five-and-ten-cent store.
’ She smiled to herself. The song was about a five-and-ten-cent store. In America, that was what they called the Woolworths stores. Maureen was so clever to think of that song. She hummed along to the tune as David took Maisie into his arms for their first dance as a married couple.

Through the open door, Ruby could see Sarah, with Georgina in her arms, swaying in time to the music. The happiness was catching and Ruby found herself humming along to the tune until there was a tap on her shoulder. ‘Can I have the next dance, Mrs Caselton?’

Ruby turned in shock as she recognized Alan’s voice. ‘Oh my goodness. Alan, it’s you. After all this time.’ She was trembling violently with the shock and Alan led her back to the bench she had vacated to watch Maureen sing. She reached out and touched the young man to make sure he was really there. Alan kissed her cheek. ‘Does your mum know you’re home? What about Sarah?’

Alan laughed. ‘Mum knew I’d be here. I wrote to her as I wanted her to do something for me. I swore her to secrecy.’

‘No wonder she’s had such a grin on her face today. Why didn’t she say something?’

‘I asked her to keep it a secret.’

‘She’s certainly done that. I’m all of a fluster. Go in and see Sarah. She’s just inside the hall holding your daughter, Georgina.’

Alan stepped towards the door to look at the wife he hadn’t seen for over a year and the daughter he’d yet to meet. He turned back to Ruby. ‘Would you mind sending her out to me – and not telling anyone else?’

Ruby nodded and went into the hall. Alan watched as she whispered into Sarah’s ear and took the baby from her. Sarah left the dance floor and walked into the sunshine, looking around to see why her nan had sent her out.

‘Sarah?’

‘Alan? Oh my God, Alan!’ She rushed into his arms and he held her close, breathing in her familiar scent, scarcely believing he was home once more. He took her by the arm and walked her to the side of the building, not wanting anyone to know he was there until he had time alone with his wife.

‘Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home today?’ Sarah asked when she had gathered herself together after the shock.

‘I wasn’t sure. There’s been so much debriefing, people to talk to, and I’ve not been back in England very long.’

‘I don’t understand. I’ve not seen you in eighteen months . . .’ She looked at his face for the first time. There were a few lines around his eyes. His cheeks were thinner. ‘What happened to you, Alan? Did you know you would be going away from us when we last met?’

‘I think we’d better sit down. It’s a long story.’ He led her to a low wall that surrounded the garden. They sat close together.

‘I thought you didn’t love me anymore. My letters were never answered. You were so distant . . . different, even.’

Alan gazed out across the garden, deep in thought.

‘Alan, please tell me what happened.’

‘I knew I was going away that last Christmas we had together. I knew it would be dangerous. I would have told you if I could, but you know the rules. It was just too much for me seeing everyone so happy and coping with the war and having to walk away from you all and return to God knows what.’

‘I should have realized. I was just being selfish. I’m not a very good wife, am I?’

Alan turned to her almost in anger. ‘Don’t ever say that. I couldn’t have done half of what you’ve managed in these past months and coped with what you’ve all been through. Then you were alone with our daughter and I should have been there for you. I didn’t even see your letters through some God-awful mess-up at HQ. If only I’d seen them, I would have known we had a daughter. Can you ever forgive me?’ He took both her hands in his and looked at her. She could see in his eyes that he was begging for forgiveness.

Sarah pulled her hands away. ‘It is me who should be asking for forgiveness. Alan, I almost left you for another man.’

Alan looked away. ‘I know. David told me.’

‘You spoke to David?’

‘Yes. He was instrumental in getting me back to England. He was able to pull quite a few strings. He has friends in pretty high places.’

‘Back to England? Where were you?’

‘In France. I was supposed to drop some people behind enemy lines, but we were shot down. If it wasn’t for the French Resistance, I wouldn’t be here now. They hid us for months. It was touch and go at times. I feared I would never see you again.’

‘Thank goodness David could help. Wherever you were, we all wanted you back. I didn’t love him, Alan. Nothing happened between us. He truly loves Maisie.’

‘I wouldn’t have blamed you if something had happened. This war is playing hell with so many people’s lives. If I hadn’t been such a bore that Christmas, then our parting would have been easier.’

‘No, Alan. I think perhaps being so angry with you made me stronger.’

He stroked her cheek. ‘So where do we go from here?’

She sighed. ‘I want the old Alan back. Is he still there? I don’t think I could stand it if I lost him again.’

Alan pulled Sarah to her feet. ‘Come, let me prove it.’ He led her inside the hall, only stopping to hug his daughter before heading towards the dance floor, where Maureen was still singing with the band. Her face lit up as she spotted her son. She nodded as he waved his hand.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, please indulge a very happy mother as she welcomes back her son.’

To loud cheers from everyone in the hall, Alan opened his arms. ‘Dance with me, Sixpenny?’

The band started to play and Maureen sang a familiar song.

‘
Goodnight, sweetheart . . .
’

‘My goodness, Alan, it’s the song we danced to at the Woolworths Christmas party.’

Maureen sang on. ‘. . .
Goodnight, sweetheart . . .
’

‘Did you think I’d forget?’ he whispered in her ear.

The crowd on the dance floor parted as the young couple, oblivious to their surroundings, relived the night Alan had first held Sarah in his arms.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a thin silver chain with a small coin attached to it and placed it round her neck.

Maureen wiped a tear from her eye. Her son was home and safe. It was hard for her to keep singing. ‘. . .
Goodnight, sweetheart . . .
’

‘Oh, it’s a sixpence. A silver sixpence.’

‘. . .
Goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight.
’

‘Can I walk you home, Sixpenny?’