Big Dreams for the West End Girls

by Elaine Roberts

  Peter smiled at the old lady. ‘I ’ope you’re going to be able to carry all these. They’re going to be quite ’eavy.’

  The old lady beamed at him. ‘I’m stronger than I look.’

  Peter chuckled. ‘I’m sure that’s true – most women are.’

  The lady cackled. ‘Anyway, that’s what I’ve got the baby’s pram for. Yer didn’t fink I ’ad a baby in there, did yer?’

  Peter looked over to the large wheeled carriage. ‘Well, yer never know, I reckon yer young enough to.’

  The old lady threw back her head and gave a loud cackle. People strolling past stopped to glance in their direction, smiling before moving on. ‘Get on wiv yer.’

  Peter tipped the potatoes into the bag before picking up a couple of extra ones and throwing them in. ‘I’ve given yer extra to make up for all the dirt that’s on them.’

  The old lady nodded. ‘That’s very generous of yer, dearie, thank you.’

  Peter smiled. ‘Anytime, we got ta look after yer now ain’t we.’

  The old lady handed over a couple of copper coins and Peter walked round the barrow with the bag. ‘Now try it, if it’s too ’eavy I’ll bring it to yer ’ome for yer.’

  The old lady took the handles of the bag. ‘That’s very kind of yer but I’ve been carrying potatoes for as long as I can remember so don’t yer go worrying now.’

  Peter nodded. ‘I’ll lift them into the pram as long as yer can get them out again.’

  The woman peered at Peter. ‘I will, even if it’s only one potato at a time, I shall get them out.’

  Joyce watched the woman as she walked away. ‘You’re very good with the customers – you even speak like them sometimes – no wonder you’re so popular.’

  Peter chuckled. ‘If they don’t like you then they’ll go somewhere else and soon word gets about.’ He nodded to a stall further up the road. ‘Old Fred up there is a miserable so and so and I’m convinced that’s why he doesn’t sell much.’

  Joyce followed Peter’s gaze. ‘Do you mean the flower seller?’

  Peter nodded. ‘Yep, I would imagine when people buy flowers they’re usually for some kind of occasion or other, or maybe a centrepiece at home, but you’re also selling the fragrance and happiness.’

  Joyce glanced at him and laughed. ‘Hark at you, getting all poetic.’

  Peter gave her a sideways glance. ‘Are you saying I’m wrong?’

  ‘No.’ Joyce looked up the road again. ‘I must admit he doesn’t seem very busy.’ She gasped as she noticed a little boy holding a girl’s hand just up the road. She took a step to run up the road but stopped suddenly. ‘Sorry, Peter, I won’t be a minute.’ She sped up the road, muttering as she went. ‘Excuse me, sorry, excuse me.’ She kept focused on the children as she weaved in and out between people strolling along.

  The little boy peered over his shoulder and saw Joyce running towards them. He stopped and stepped aside.

  Joyce stopped in front of them gasping for breath. ‘I’ve … I’ve been keeping an eye out for you two.’

  The little girl stepped forward, but stayed close to her brother. ‘Are you all right, miss?’

  Joyce took several deep breaths. ‘I’ve been worrying about you both. You never came to the café.’

  The boy gave her a wide-eyed stare. ‘We don’t like to get to know people because they always want to split us up.’

  Joyce nodded. ‘I remember you saying that before. I have no desire to split you up; I just want to make sure you’re all right.’ She paused. ‘My friend has a stall. Do you want to come and get some food?’

  The children looked at each other for a moment before looking back at Joyce and nodding.

  Joyce held her hand out to them then thought better of it. ‘Follow me and I’ll bag you up some bits.’ She started walking away from them but kept glancing over her shoulder. ‘Do you like pies?’

  ‘Yes, we both do.’ The boy hesitated. ‘Not that we’ve eaten anything like that since our ma died.’

  Joyce stopped at the stall. ‘Thank you, Peter, I’m sorry for dashing off but I had to catch these two.’

  Peter frowned as he tried to understand what was going on.

  Joyce put some pies in one bag and bread rolls in another. She passed them to the boy. ‘Come here every day and I’ll get Peter to give you some food. There’s extra in the bags for tomorrow.’

  Peter watched her and started bagging up some fruit. He handed it over to the little girl.

  ‘Thank you,’ the children said as one.

  The little boy stared at Joyce. ‘Thank you, but why are you doing this for us?’

  Joyce smiled. ‘You shouldn’t be living on the streets, but I do understand your reasons, so all I can do is make sure you don’t starve.’ She paused and gave them both a smile. ‘Besides, you helped me to find my brother so I owe you a big thank you.’

  The boy looked at his sister. She shrugged. He looked up at Joyce. ‘I don’t understand but thank you.’ He took his sister’s hand and they both walked up the road.

  They both turned, smiled and gave her a wave.

  Joyce smiled. ‘That was a good thing you did, Peter.’

  Peter reached out and wrapped his arms around her. He pulled back and smiled. ‘And, you, I expect to hear that story when we’re not so busy.’

  Joyce nodded; she cleared her throat as she began filling the gaps that had emerged because of sales. ‘You know I never expected to be this busy. It’s been quite a week.’

  Peter moved back to his own barrow and shook his head. ‘I don’t really know why. You’re always being told what a good cook you are.’

  Joyce looked wide-eyed at him. ‘I know, but I suppose it’s one thing to be told it and another thing to believe it.’

  ‘Well, now you have the proof and when things settle down I’ll carry on selling your bread and pies for a price.’

  Joyce laughed. ‘You mean I’d have to pay you?’

  Peter chuckled. ‘Business is business. You’re the one who’s always told me I had to stop giving everything away.’

  Joyce looked at the ever-growing crowd wandering up and down between the stalls. ‘Well, joking aside, if it continues you might have to get help.’

  Peter nodded.

  Joyce smiled. ‘Yes, I’ll muddle through with my baking for now. Mornings seem to be the busiest time for me so once Rose and Annie have finished organising things for Kitty’s wedding I might be able to ask for their help. I don’t know what Rose is making. I thought she was only doing the wedding dress, but she appears to be always sewing and embroidering things. Maybe her sewing business has grown and she hasn’t told us. I hope so; she’s very talented.’

  Peter smiled. ‘I’m sure she’ll tell you when she’s ready. Just as I’m sure they will help and be there when you need them.’

  Joyce nodded. She looked at the queue that was forming and realised why Peter had to have help.

  *

  The breeze caught the front door out of Joyce’s fingers, causing it to slam shut, making the key bang and rattle against the back of the door. ‘Sorry, that wasn’t meant to happen, despite how hot it is, it’s a lot windier than I thought it was.’ She turned to Rose and Annie. ‘I wonder where everyone is? I’m a little concerned that Arthur took Philip out ages ago and he hasn’t returned yet. Maybe I shouldn’t leave the house. I mean, what if something has happened to them?’

  Rose pushed her arm through Joyce’s and gently tugged her down the front door step. ‘Stop worrying, though I know you’re not happy unless you’re fretting about something.’

  Annie waved a fly away from her face. ‘Rose is right: it’s a lovely day, the sun is shining, maybe Arthur has taken Philip to Hyde Park or something, letting him run around to tire him out. He’s in safe hands so stop letting your imagination run all over the place.’

  Joyce swung her handbag gently down by her side. ‘I’m so glad you two came to London, and stayed with me. It feels like so much has happened in
, what, just over a year. I couldn’t have got through any of it without you.’

  Rose squeezed Joyce’s arm. ‘You would’ve done because you’re made of stern stuff, and let’s face it, the reality of these things is that you don’t really have much of a choice, but I’m glad we were here for you. But let’s not forget you were here for us too.’

  ‘It’s what friends do, and we must promise to always be there for each other regardless of what’s going on.’ Annie straightened the line of buttons down the front of her pink blouse.

  Joyce watched Annie tugging at her top. ‘I love that blouse; it’s a pretty colour.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Annie smiled. ‘It’s a hand-me-down from Kitty. She has some beautiful clothes, but I suppose when you’re in that position you always have to look good.’

  Rose chuckled. ‘That will be you one day.’

  Annie threw back her head and laughed. ‘I have a long way to go before that happens but I’ve been fortunate and had some wonderful support already.’

  Rose nodded. ‘Well, we all need help along the way, sometimes more than others but that’s life.’

  Joyce looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘I can’t believe how everyone has pulled together to help me get back on my feet after the café caught fire. I haven’t told you but I went to see Simon, well, Barbara dragged me along to carry bags full of things from the café.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Anyway, I told him I was wrong in how I acted when he proposed to me. I even told him I love him. It’s lovely that we finally got to talk. He told me he loves me and has done for a long time.’ Joyce sighed. ‘But he didn’t propose again.’ She shook her head. ‘I should never have said no when he asked me, and now I’m frightened the moment has been lost forever.’

  The girls remained silent for a few moments.

  Annie stepped out into the road to avoid an older lady who was walking towards her. She glanced across at Joyce. ‘I don’t think for one minute it is over with. When we saw you and Simon through the café window it was obvious, even all those months ago, that you both loved each other. I cannot believe that either of you will just walk away from that.’

  ‘Do you think he still wants me?’

  Rose shook her head. ‘I can’t believe you’re even asking that question. Do you still want him?’

  ‘Of course I do. I’ve just said that I love him.’

  ‘Then why wouldn’t he want you?’

  Joyce looked down at the pavement and took a deep breath. ‘Rose, I had my opportunity and I threw it back at him, so why would he want me?’

  Annie stepped back onto the pavement. ‘Joyce, what you have to remember is he knew you were going through a difficult time. Do you not think he would forgive you for that? If he can’t find that in his heart would you want to be married to him? Everyone makes mistakes, but your life has been turned upside down in the last few months, so I would think anybody would forgive you anything right now.’

  Joyce nodded, but her frown told them she didn’t really agree. Her thoughts immediately went to Simon’s words in the café. “None of us are perfect.” So would he forgive her for the pain she had caused him? ‘Right, let’s change the subject. Remind me why Kitty wants to see me this late in the afternoon?’

  Annie forced herself to get excited about the up-and-coming conversation. ‘She wants to talk to you about the food for the wedding. She and Stan are eating the food we’ve been taking in every day, and they’ve loved it all. So they probably want to talk about having something similar. They don’t want anything too fancy. They’ve talked about it being wrong with the war still going on.’

  Joyce pursed her lips. ‘I’m not even sure I should be doing the food; I mean where am I going to cook it? The range at home is almost permanently in use just keeping up with the barrow and theatre sales. There’s a need for a proper café kitchen because then there’s more than one oven. Have they decided where they going to hold their wedding breakfast now the café has gone?’

  Annie’s face lit up. ‘You have no worries there; it’s all being taken care of.’

  Joyce shook her head. ‘What does that mean, “I have no worries there”? I have to know where to take the food and the people who run the venue where they’re holding it might want to do it themselves.’ She paused. ‘Where are they holding it?’

  Annie quickly peered under her eyelashes at Rose, who was smiling, clearly finding Annie’s awkwardness amusing. ‘I can’t remember the name of the place now, but I’m sure Kitty will tell you when you see her. Has she mentioned it to you, Rose?’

  Rose’s smile vanished as she scowled at Annie. ‘I’m not sure I’ve ever been told, and if I have I don’t remember.’

  Joyce glanced from one friend to the other. ‘It all sounds a bit strange to me.’ She looked around her, thankful it was quiet, but a Sunday wasn’t really a day off for her. Guilt swamped her; she’d probably regret this outing in the morning when she didn’t have enough produce to sell for the Monday morning customers. She suddenly realised they were walking down Great White Lion Street. ‘Are we popping in to see Charlie?’

  Rose shook her head. ‘As much as I would love to, we don’t really have time to stop for a cup of tea.’

  Joyce scowled. ‘It’s a shame some of these businesses have closed down; hopefully when the men come back they’ll reopen. My father was telling me that he and Ma enjoyed a couple of lovely meals in a restaurant down this road but I think it’s all boarded up now.’

  Rose felt her body temperature rise. ‘Yes, Charlie mentioned it had a change of ownership a few years ago, and the food wasn’t so good after that.’

  Joyce frowned. ‘It’s a shame when that happens. Mind you if the café was anything to go by it’s hard work. I do miss it though, all the characters who liked to stop by and have a chat.’

  They all walked on in silence for a moment.

  Joyce glanced at Rose. ‘You do know this isn’t the quickest route to the theatre, don’t you?’

  Rose smiled. ‘We’re going the long way round, especially as it’s got all the makings of a lovely day.’

  Joyce gazed up at white clouds blowing across the blue sky. ‘Hmm, it does look good at the moment.’

  Annie cleared her throat, giving Rose the sign that she had seen Simon limping out of a doorway just up the road.

  Rose nodded.

  Joyce turned her head to look at Annie but stopped halfway. ‘I … I hope … you’re not…’ She stopped walking and stared straight ahead, her voice barely a whisper. ‘Simon?’

  The girls turned to watch Joyce. Her eyes were shiny and damp; the tears didn’t look far away.

  Rose took Joyce’s hand. ‘Come and talk to him.’

  Joyce slowly took a step. What was she going to say to him? Hadn’t they already said everything that had to be said? A voice screamed in her head, “Tell him you want to marry him. Tell him it doesn’t matter about his injuries or what you’ll do for money, just don’t let him go again.” She nodded, stepping up her pace. ‘Simon.’ She beamed as she got nearer.

  Simon’s face broke into a broad smile. ‘Joyce.’

  Tears rolled down her cheeks. ‘I really wanted to come and see you again but I wasn’t sure what to do. If I’m honest I was frightened of messing things up again. There was so much I didn’t say when I came to your house…’

  Simon dropped his walking stick and wrapped both arms around her, squeezing her tight. He pulled back before slowly lowering his head to lightly kiss her lips.

  Joyce’s stomach immediately did a somersault as she pulled him closer to passionately return his kiss. Her fingers moved up his back, feeling every muscle through his white shirt.

  They were breathless when they pulled away from each other.

  Joyce’s lips felt swollen with passion.

  Simon traced her lips with his fingers. ‘We need to talk. There are things I should have said but I was too afraid. I was too worried I’d send you running out of my life.’

  Joyce nodded. She
didn’t want to talk; she just wanted to be held in his arms forever.

  ‘Hello, Simon, Joyce.’

  Joyce couldn’t help the groan from escaping from her. She peered over her shoulder. Her father looked tense as he held Simon’s walking stick. ‘Hello, Pa, you never were very good with your timing.’

  Simon tucked his hand under her chin. ‘Give your father a chance; please just listen to what he has to say.’

  Joyce stared into his eyes. ‘But we need to talk. There’s things I want to say, which I should have said before.’

  Simon nodded; the love he felt was shining bright from his eyes. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll step back for a moment but I’m not going anywhere, not ever again.’

  Joyce nodded.

  Simon lifted his hand and gently thumbed away the lone tear rolling down her cheek. ‘Go on, you can do this, and I’ll be waiting.’ He nodded to Ted as he reached out and took his walking stick from him.

  Joyce took a deep breath before turning to her father. ‘Is this how it’s going to be now, you just popping up when you feel like it?’

  Ted tightened his lips. ‘I deserve everything you say or think about me but please just let me explain.’

  Joyce shook her head. ‘Explain what? You’ve obviously already gambled your mother’s money away. I’m afraid I’d worked that bit out when you disappeared as soon as you got it.’

  Ted nodded. ‘I have gambled with the money, but I’d rather think of it as a sound investment and I did win this time.’

  Joyce looked down at the pavement, wishing she was alone with Simon and not having this conversation. ‘Pa, there’s no such thing as a sound investment. You have to work hard to get anywhere in this life. I was hoping after everything that’s happened you would have left the gambling behind.’