Tin Hats and Gas Masks (10 page)

She hadn’t actually told Janet whom she was meeting, just that it was important for her to be away for the day. She had hinted that she would tell her the whole story soon, and had sworn her to secrecy about the whole thing.

She had a lighter plaster on her arm now, but it was still
a nuisance to her for she couldn’t play tennis, could only have gentle rides instead of exhilarating gallops, and couldn’t swim. The only bright prospect for the summer holidays was being able to see Johnny again, and she knew she would have to play that one carefully or there would be more trouble, and possibly no further meetings. Then, she thought, the future would be bleak indeed.

Saturday was warm and sunny, and Annie, who had woken at 5.30 and forced herself to stay in bed until 6.45, dressed in a lime-green cotton frock which she knew brought out chestnut gleams in her dark-brown hair. She gazed at herself in the mirror and hoped Johnny would find she was pretty.

Mrs Dover came into the kitchen while she was eating her toast. ‘Just to make sure you get away all right, Anita,’ she said. ‘We must be very quiet and not disturb Mr Dover.’

Annie stifled a smile as she thought that by herself there would have been no noise at all, whereas now, with Mrs Dover chattering to her, ‘the master’ as she and Johnny had privately nicknamed him, could well be woken up.

She left the house in plenty of time to catch the five past eight train. Mrs Dover had remarked on this several times during the week. ‘It would cost less if you went after nine, Anita dear.’ And her answer was always the same, ‘Well, Mummy and Daddy are paying and they want me to be there early.’

It was a good job Mummy and Daddy never came to see her and as far as she knew had no contact with the Dovers either. There would be trouble if she was found out, of
course, maybe not so much with her parents, but certainly with her foster-parents.

Johnny was at the station to meet her, looking very smart in long grey-flannel trousers and an open-necked blue shirt. His dark hair gleamed – she thought he must have used some of his dad’s Brylcreem on it. He took both her hands in his as she came through the barrier. ‘Gosh, I kept wondering if you’d be on the train after all,’ he said.

‘I told you I would.’

‘I know, Annie, but someone might have stopped you. Anyway, what do you want to do?’

‘I don’t mind. Just walk and talk and have fun. I’ve got some money with me so we can have something to eat when we’re hungry.’

‘So have I, Annie and it’ll be my treat. I’ve got a job.’

‘A real job?’

‘’Course. After school I help in a shop near us. I’m not allowed to serve – too young or something, but I’m sort of general dogsbody. I think you have to be fourteen really, and I’m only twelve but the woman who runs it needs someone young and strong to lift things sometimes, so she turns a blind eye ’cos I’m useful to her. I fill up the shelves when the stock arrives, and count the coupons and get them ready to go to the authorities. It’s quite interesting really, and I get paid, see. Then there’s me morning newspaper-round too, so even with paying me mum back for damage to that old bugger’s boat I’ve got some left to spend.’

‘You are a goer, aren’t you, Johnny? I bet nothing ever beats you.’ He looked uncomfortable. ‘She wanted me
Saturdays too, the woman in the shop, but I wouldn’t do it, so I can see you then. Come on,’ he said, ‘let’s have an ice-cream to start with while we decide where we’re going.’

It was the first of many Saturday outings for them. Annie invented a cousin who lived in London, and while it didn’t satisfy Mrs Dover’s curiosity there was nothing she could do about it. In case she was ever tempted to check with Mrs Evesham Annie told her mother in a letter that a great friend of hers at school had an aunt whom she visited each week and she usually went with her.

‘Then if they do get together on my story any time I’ll be for it, of course, but if they don’t, then they both think they know where I am each Saturday. Except of course that I’m not.’ She giggled and Johnny, looking awestruck, said, ‘You are so good at this sort of thing Annie.’

Johnny was allowed to keep his earnings once he had given his mother something for the repairs to the damaged boat, and he used it for his fare and spending-money each Saturday. Annie wanted to pay this for him because she knew she had more than he did, ‘and it was as much my fault as yours,’ she argued, but he always refused.

‘The day I’m skint I’ll tell you,’ he said. ‘Now let’s enjoy ourselves.’

They walked and talked, went to newsreels, cartoons, pictures, even once a matineé at the theatre, and that meant Annie had to catch a later train back. She telephoned the Dovers to say she would be late, inventing a friend who had called unexpectedly and invited them for tea.

They pooled their money once each had paid their train fare, and apart from a sandwich or some crisps and Tizer it
didn’t cost much because when they went to the cinema it was always at the front in the ninepennys.

Each time they parted Johnny said, ‘Next Saturday, Annie?’

‘Next Saturday, Johnny.’

‘Mummy’s coming down tomorrow, Johnny,’ Annie said one Saturday when they met at their usual rendezvous. This wasn’t the only meeting-place, but was the one they used most because it was about halfway for them both and they could get on a train to town or to various other places from that station.

‘What’s she coming for, Annie?’

‘Apparently to discuss my future.’

‘She’s not taken much notice of it for the last few years,’ said Johnny. ‘I suppose now you’re coming up to earning-age she wants to know.’

‘I don’t think it’s that.’ Annie frowned. ‘They’re not hard up are they? I think they’ll probably want me to go on with my education. I mean if the war wasn’t on I would have gone to finishing school in Switzerland or something like
that in a year or so.’

‘Blimey Annie, would you really?’

She nodded. ‘Anyway you couldn’t get to Switzerland now, could you, even though it’s neutral?’

‘I s’pose not.’

‘She might make me go to her sister in America. I don’t want to, Johnny. I just want to stay here and go out to work.’

‘Well tell her that. She can’t force you to do it. Not now you’re nearly fourteen she can’t. And if you don’t want to go you’ll simply be unhappy and it will be like the boarding school over again. I think it should be your decision, not your parents.’

‘If I went to one in this country it wouldn’t be so bad,’ she went on as though she hadn’t heard him. ‘I’d have more freedom than at the Dovers.’

‘You know, Annie, it’s amazing we get on so well because we’re poles apart really.’

They were heading for their favourite café ‘Are we, Johnny?’

‘You just said that if it hadn’t been for the war you’d have gone to Switzerland or somewhere to finishing-school. Then I suppose you’d have been married off to some rich bloke—’

‘Hey, steady on. Mummy and Daddy had a bit of a struggle at first, I think, to keep me at that school and I owe them something. But not that. I’d never let them marry me off, Johnny. When the time comes I shall choose the man I’ll marry.’

‘Good for you. But in the normal way we would never
have met and been friends, would we? When I left school I’d have gone with my dad on the barrow. That’s what both my brothers did before they got their own patch. Now I’ll go into the army, unless the war’s over before I’m seventeen.’

Annie smiled at him, thinking how nicely he talked now and how smart he looked and knowing that the essential Johnny, the one who made her laugh and who looked after her and for whom she was willing to risk the wrath of her parents, the Dovers, or anyone else who tried to come between them, was still there.

‘What about us, Johnny?’ she said.

‘What d’you mean?’

‘Well, we’ll both be old enough to leave school soon. I might have to go on, though I didn’t take the scholarship. I thought that I would suggest a shorthand-and-typewriting course – I’d prefer that to learning to be a lady.’

‘I should just think you would.’

‘What will you do?’

‘Get a job until I go in the army.’

‘The war’s not going to last for ever, Johnny.’

‘No, and when it’s over I’m going to have some fun. Both of us will, I hope.’

‘Together,’ she murmured.

‘Of course. If you haven’t married some rich bloke.’

‘I shan’t do that,’ she said quietly.

They went into the café. The proprietor knew them well now and smiled cheerfully at them. He brought their Tizer and said, ‘A special treat today because you two are such regular customers.
Voilà
,’ and he placed in front of them
two large cream horns.

‘On the house,’ he said. ‘Enjoy them.’

‘Gosh, wasn’t it sweet of that old man,’ Annie said when they were outside in the sunshine again. ‘I suppose we have been coming here a lot.’

‘Mmm,’ Johnny replied.

‘Will you still want to come when you have a job?’

‘’Course. Might not be able to, though, if I have to work Saturdays.’

‘Maybe I could come on up to town and meet you there and we could go out in the evenings,’ said Annie.

‘D’you think you could get away with it, Annie?’

‘Well, we’re hardly children any more. Least, you’ll be earning, and if I can get myself into an office somewhere so shall I. Come to that I could work in London, couldn’t I?’

‘That would make things easier. It’s funny, isn’t it, Annie – we were both evacuated so as we’d be safe, and now I’m back living up here and you come up every week.’

‘Mmm. Where does your mum think you go on Saturdays, Johnny?’

‘Out with me mates. I never actually say. What was the word old man Dover was so fond of— yes, specific, specifically. Sometimes she asks leading questions, but I always fob her off.’

‘Would she mind, do you think? You and me meeting, I mean?’

He shrugged. ‘Why should she?’

‘No reason,’ Annie answered quickly, ‘but you know what grown-ups are?’

Annie always wore the ring Johnny had bought her on
her finger on Saturdays when they met, but during the week at school it stayed comfortingly on the silver chain around her neck.

‘Still got it,’ he said now, awkwardly taking hold of her hand.

‘Mmm. It’s pretty.’

‘So are you, Annie. I’ve always thought so. Prettier than any other girl in the school.’

She squeezed his fingers in appreciation, and he let go of her hand so suddenly she laughed. ‘Sorry, Johnny, did I hurt you?’

‘No, ’course not.’ He touched her clumsily. ‘What would you like to do today?’

‘Go to Buckingham Palace.’

Afterwards she wondered whatever had induced her to say that. She had seen the palace before, several times, yet once the words were out she felt excited at the thought.

‘Don’t expect the King and Queen are there, but come on, then, and afterwards we’ll go and feed the pigeons in Trafalgar Square, shall we?’

They returned to the station for the next train into town. It was crowded, soldiers, sailors and airmen of all nationalities, WAAFS, ATS and WRENS as well as a smattering of the civilian population.

‘I should like to go in the Wrens when I leave school,’ Annie said, ‘but you have to be seventeen, I checked. That’s why I thought about a job in London for a few years …’

‘Seems funny to think of you in a uniform,’ said Johnny.
‘You know how I always think of you before I go to sleep at night?’

She held her breath. ‘No Johnny, how?’

He bent his head low, so it was almost touching her shoulder and he didn’t look at her face as he said, ‘In that pink dressing-gown, and your hair all loose and hanging round your shoulders. You looked like a film star, Annie, honest you did.’

The train jerked to a stop and they both shot forward. They were nearly into the station, and Johnny was glad of the chance to change the subject. He hadn’t meant to say anything along those lines to Annie, they were his nighttime thoughts, and sometimes his dreams.

‘Wonder what we’ve stopped for?’ he said loudly, and at that moment they started again, puffing steadily into the terminus.

On the platform a couple of American airmen went by and gave them a friendly grin. Johnny felt for her hand. ’I could lose you in this crowd otherwise,’ he said, his face flushed. She smiled at him as she returned the pressure.

Both knew their way about London well, Johnny possibly better than Annie. She knew the monuments and famous buildings, and he knew these and lots of smaller interesting places too. Alleys that led to elegant squares where they sometimes walked, gazing at the houses.

‘Aren’t they wonderful?’ Annie would say. ‘Can’t you imagine them when people wore crinolines and horse-drawn carriages pulled up outside to take sir and madam for a drive or to the pleasure-gardens?’

Johnny didn’t know about the pleasure-gardens, but he
listened to Annie and asked questions and one week she brought up a library book about them. He was fascinated.

‘Reckon I could have worked in a place like that, Annie,’ he said when he returned it the following week, ‘and you’d have been the fine lady who came to watch and buy.’

But today they headed for Buckingham Palace. They weren’t surprised to find a small crowd gathered there, many in uniform, but to their great delight within minutes of their arrival the policeman on the gate strode forward and held up the traffic to allow a large black car through. It happened very quickly, and they had a wonderful view of the King and Queen and two princesses.

‘Golly, gosh,’ Annie said, ‘that’s the very first time I’ve seen them except on the newsreels. Weren’t they lovely? Princess Elizabeth was nearest to me and she looked right into my eyes. Gosh, Johnny I’m so thrilled I – I think I’m going to cry.’

‘Aw, don’t cry, Annie, not with all these people about. You liked seeing them, didn’t you?’

‘Yes, of course I did.’ She looked at him with shining eyes. ‘How lucky we were, Johnny. Just that very moment.’

‘I’ve never seen them before either,’ he said. ‘They’re more beautiful than their photographs, aren’t they?’

‘Mmm. Such blue eyes the princesses have. Oh Johnny, what a perfect day. Shall we go to Trafalgar Square now?’

They turned from the palace gates and almost bumped into a lady and gentleman who gazed at them with amazement showing clearly in their faces.

‘Anita. What are you doing here?’

‘Mummy.’

Johnny found the next few minutes very confusing indeed. Annie touched his arm and he could feel her hand trembling. ‘Johnny, these are my mother and father,’ she said.

He held out his hand. ‘How do you do.’

‘This is Johnny Bookman,’ Annie told them.

Mrs Evesham barely acknowledged him, but Annie’s father held out his hand too. ‘Glad to know you, Johnny,’ he said.

‘What on earth are you doing in London, Anita?’

‘Well, Mummy …’ She drew a deep breath, trying frantically to find the right words.

‘Anita, I’m waiting. I want the truth. Why aren’t you in Winchurch or Bushton – wherever it is you go on a Saturday?’

Johnny burst in then. ‘I can explain that, Mrs Evesham. I asked Annie to come to London with me today.’

‘You did?’ The scorn in her voice made Johnny wince.

‘Yes, I did.’ He strove to keep his tone low, smothering his natural indignation at being spoken to in that manner. ‘Annie is a friend of mine and I invited her out for the day.’

He thought Mrs Evesham was going to burst wide open. She seemed to swell all over, her face grew rounder and pinker, she waved her arms about, and she looked just like a barrage-balloon about to break from its moorings.

‘Look, Mummy, I can explain …’ but Annie’s mother didn’t allow her to get any further.

‘You’ll have to, my girl, you’ll have to. Come along.’

‘Oh, I say, Eunice, let the young people have their chance. How about a cup of tea somewhere and we can
sort this out.’

Johnny warmed to Annie’s dad, but Mrs Evesham was tugging at Annie now, and she shot her husband a look of such venom that Johnny wasn’t surprised when he said quietly, ‘You had better come with your mother, Anita.’

Annie touched Johnny’s arm gently. ‘Might be better if I do,’ she whispered.

‘But …’ Already Mrs Evesham was almost dragging Annie away.

‘They could force me, Johnny,’ she hissed, ‘and you’d be in trouble too.’

‘I don’t know what your parents are about,’ was Mrs Evesham’s parting shot to Johnny, ‘but I’ll warrant they don’t know about this. Wandering about London at your ages and in these times.…’ She hustled her husband and Annie away, and Johnny stood there afterwards and wondered whether he was dreaming and would suddenly wake up and find himself in bed instead of outside Buckingham Palace, where the gold of the day had suddenly turned to grey. He was standing there still when Annie broke away and rushed back.

‘Next week, Johnny – I’ll be there.’ She turned and slowly, with great dignity, walked back to where her parents were waiting.

Johnny went home. His thoughts were all of Annie. She was certainly some girl. It took courage to defy her parents, especially that old dragon of a mother. He felt a surge of gratitude that his mother wasn’t like that.

On his way back he saw nothing of his surroundings, his thoughts were all for Annie. What would happen to her?
What would her parents do to her? He berated himself for not being able to protect her – if only he was a few years older it couldn’t have happened, he thought, but she was still a minor and neither she nor he would have a leg to stand on if anyone decided to part them.

He was so worried he almost went past his bus-stop. The clippie smilingly chided him for day-dreaming when he jumped up as she had her hand to the bell.

His sister-in-law Doris and her mother were there when he got home. He had forgotten this was his mother’s Saturday off – she worked two out of three.

‘You’re early,’ she said.

‘Yes.’ He walked through to the hall to go upstairs to his bedroom.

‘Where’ve you been?’ she said.

‘Out.’ His voice was belligerent.

‘Johnny. I asked you a civil question and I expect a civil answer. Where have you been?’

‘Messing around.’

‘You said you were going to someone’s house for dinner and tea. You haven’t been sent home, have you?’

He held back the words that sprang to his lips, and glancing at Doris and her mother he said, ‘Mum thinks I’m still a little boy in short pants.’

‘Never mind what I think.’ She came and stood in front of him, so he would have to look her in the face. ‘You made a point of saying not to save dinner or tea for you today because you were going to be at some boy’s house – Dave’s, wasn’t it? all day. It’s half past three, so what happened?’

‘For crying out loud, Mum. Do I have to account for my movements as though I’m a criminal? I didn’t stay as long, that’s all. No reason, I just didn’t.’ He slammed out of the room.

He heard the babble of talk as he entered his bedroom, but he was left in peace. He flung himself on to the bed and swore.

Over half an hour later he heard sounds downstairs and realized that Doris and her mother were leaving. Now he’d be for it. He wished he’d kept his mouth shut, but his mother’s questioning had been the last straw in a day that had begun so well and finished so badly. And he was worried over Annie. What if they beat her?