Christmas at the Foyles Bookshop (The Foyles Girls)

by Elaine Roberts

  ‘Isn’t there?’

  ‘Corporal Peters, I hope you’re not frightening off our volunteers.’

  Victoria turned around to see Mabel Atkins smiling. ‘Don’t mind him; his bark is much worse than his bite.’

  ‘I know that voice; it’s Atkins isn’t it?’ The man smiled and his whole face lit up.

  ‘It is.’

  ‘So where have you been all day?’ His hand pulled at the bed sheet.

  Victoria nodded to the nurse. She moved aside to give them some privacy, but Mabel rested her hand on Victoria’s arm.

  ‘I’ve been visiting my family, which was quite nice.’

  ‘Huh, at least you have family to visit.’ The soldier moved his head to one side.

  Mabel grimaced. ‘You’re not looking for sympathy, are you, Peters?’

  ‘What, from you? There’s no chance of that happening.’ His lips lifted in the corners, showing his smile wasn’t very far away. ‘So I’ve been lying here, pining for you, and you’ve been out enjoying the sunshine.’

  Laughter burst from Mabel. ‘Oh, I’m sure that’s true. You men are such flirts.’

  Victoria awkwardly tried to sidle away.

  Mabel noticed Victoria stepping aside. ‘Anyway, as much as it’s lovely chatting to you, Corporal Peters, Victoria and I have work to do.’

  The man in the bed chuckled. ‘Coward.’

  Mabel moved towards Victoria, whose colour had risen in her cheeks.

  Victoria looked over towards Corporal Peters and back at Mabel. ‘I’m so embarrassed. I didn’t realise he was blind; no wonder he was angry with me.’

  Yes, well you should have checked his notes before offering him something to read, but I suppose you’re new, so you weren’t to know.’ Mabel paused. ‘I probably should have made you aware, or at least someone should have. The trouble is I’ve been caught up with the corporal in the side room – he’s not in a good way and he insists there’s no one we can contact. It’s quite sad, everyone should have someone at times like this.’ She shook her head. ‘Anyway make sure you check, before going to individual beds. Might I suggest that, in future, you just call out in the direction of two or three beds at a time, so it’s not aimed at one patient. That will go some way to preventing this from happening again.’

  Victoria shook her head. ‘I need to become more aware, and not stare. After all, I wouldn’t like it if I was in their position.’

  ‘That’s true. It was lucky that Sister wasn’t on the ward, or all hell would have broken loose, and both our heads would be on the chopping block. But what’s done is done, so there’s no point worrying about it. Corporal Peters is an angry man at the moment, but he’s improving every day.’ Mabel looked at Victoria. ‘No one has told him yet, but I’ve heard said his sight might even come back over time, but they are not sure, so don’t want to raise his hopes at this stage.’

  ‘That would be wonderful news for him.’

  Mabel frowned for a moment. ‘I probably shouldn’t have told you, so please don’t repeat it; you’ll get me shot.’

  Loud laughter came from the men playing cards. Mabel smiled at them. ‘Try to keep it down a little, boys. Remember, we’re a hospital, and that means we have some people here that don’t feel so good.’

  An older man looked over at the girls. ‘Sorry, nurse, we didn’t mean to disturb anyone.’

  Mabel walked over to them. ‘It’s not a problem; I’m glad you’re having fun. Who’s winning?’

  The older man grinned. ‘Jackson; he’s got a great poker face.’

  Another man lifted his head. ‘Some would call it a face that had been hit with a frying pan, or perhaps I should say a poker.’ Laughter erupted from everyone within earshot.

  Mabel chuckled as she walked back towards Victoria. ‘They are all good men. What you probably need to remember is that they will all deal with their injuries in a different way.’

  Victoria nodded. ‘I’ve a lot to learn.’

  ‘Don’t be hard on yourself, it will come with time and experience.’ Mabel smiled at the young girl in front of her.

  ‘You’re very good with the men, quite relaxed and not intimidated by them.’

  ‘I’m a lot older than you, luvvie, so as much as I hate to say it, it probably means I’ve a helluva lot more experience of being in this sort of situation. Also, I have a nephew who’s been sick since he was a baby.’ She smiled. ‘Maybe that’s why I became a nurse – that and my husband dying last year, when the Germans bombed Greenwich.’ She sighed and shook her head. ‘Nursing has put a roof over my head.’

  Victoria was suddenly swamped with her emotions of seven years ago and could feel the tears pricking at the back of her eyes. ‘I’m so sorry. I didn’t realise. You seem so happy all the time.’

  Mabel forced a smile. ‘Nobody wants to be around someone who’s miserable all the time, and look around you. These men are so brave, it puts what we are going through into insignificance.’

  Victoria nodded, as she looked around her. ‘That’s true, but when something happens, you can’t help the way it affects you.’ She looked down at the floor. ‘I was devastated when my parents died unexpectedly. It’s taken me seven years to pluck up the courage to go through their things, and that was only with the help of my friends and my sister.’

  10

  Victoria turned the key in the front door, before looking round at Molly and Alice. ‘Thank you for coming round again, especially straight from work.’

  Molly smiled. ‘As long as there’s a brew going, I’m happy.’

  The girls laughed as they stepped inside and the door thudded shut behind them.

  ‘I noticed young Edith wasn’t in today.’ Alice took off her lightweight, summer jacket and glanced across at Victoria. ‘Is she all right? I was quite concerned about her yesterday.’

  ‘So was I.’ Molly removed her jacket. ‘I tried talking to her but she just kept crying, so all I could do was cover her work every time she disappeared. I hope she’s all right.’

  Victoria was aware that both her friends were staring at her. ‘Look.’ She sighed. ‘If you’re waiting for me to tell you other people’s private problems, you’re in for a long wait.’

  Molly stuck out her bottom lip. ‘I ask you, what’s the point of having a manager for a friend, if you don’t get to hear something you shouldn’t?’

  Victoria glared at Molly. ‘Don’t start; you wouldn’t like me to tell other people your personal problems, would you?’

  ‘But we’re not other people. Alice and I are your friends, doesn’t that make a difference? Does Mr Leadbetter know she isn’t in work?’

  ‘No and no. Now will you please stop asking me questions.’ Victoria could feel the anxiety wrapping itself around her. ‘I’m hoping she’ll be back before Mr Leadbetter notices.’

  Molly turned to Alice for support. After all, she had started this conversation.

  ‘Victoria’s right, it’s none of our business and we shouldn’t be putting her in this predicament – although you’re taking a bit of a risk with Mr Leadbetter.’ She turned and hung her jacket on the coat stand before continuing. ‘It’s lovely and cool in here. I’ve been so hot today. Perhaps we should go straight upstairs, otherwise we’ll be sitting around chatting for ages, and won’t get anything done.’

  Victoria knew Alice was right but couldn’t bring herself to think about it. She forced a smile. ‘I expect you’re right; we do like to chatter. How do you both feel about getting started, while I put the kettle on and make a cup of tea?’ She glanced at Molly, waiting for her to make a comment, but nothing came.

  Alice nodded. ‘That sounds good to me.’

  The girls ran up the stairs, leaving the creaking and groaning of the treads in their wake. The bedroom door was ajar and they pushed it wide open. The room had a fresh smell about it, now all the dust was gone.

  Alice walked straight over and unlocked the sash window, pushing it open a little. Warm air rushed in and the curtains gave
a little dance as it touched them. ‘The window really needs to be opened every day, because it’s quite stiff and hard to push up. I think it might loosen, with use.’

  Molly chuckled. ‘Hark at you; when did you become so grown up?’

  Alice laughed. ‘I don’t know; it’s crept up on me.’

  The girls looked around the room. The bed was covered with folded clothes from the wardrobe and the chest of drawers.

  ‘I’ve only emptied one drawer, but there seems to be an awful lot of stuff here.’ Molly paused. ‘It’s going to be difficult for Victoria to decide what to do with it all.’

  Alice nodded her agreement and went back to the wardrobe she was clearing. ‘There are some beautiful dresses and expensive men’s shirts here; too good to just throw away, that’s for certain.’

  Molly glanced into the wardrobe. ‘I didn’t think they were that well off, not that I knew them very well, at least not in the same way you did.’

  Alice reached out and rubbed her fingers and thumb on the sleeve of a white shirt. ‘I’m not sure I knew them well. You have to remember, I wasn’t very old myself when they died, so I wouldn’t have been privy to the way they lived their lives.’ She scrunched the material of the shirt in her hand and let go, but there were no creases. ‘I think this shirt is made of silk.’

  The clattering of china told them Victoria was close by. She stepped into the room with a tray, heavy with crockery, teapot and a milk jug. ‘Good job none of you take sugar, because I’m out of it.’ Victoria placed the tray on top of the chest of drawers and gave a sigh.

  Alice looked over at her. ‘I was just saying to Molly how these clothes look too nice and expensive to just throw away.’

  A puzzled look crept over Victoria’s features. ‘I don’t have any memories of them wearing expensive clothes, not that I would have necessarily known they were expensive.’ She walked over to the wardrobe as Alice pulled out the man’s shirt. ‘Hmm, perhaps it was Pa’s Sunday best, not that I remember him wearing it to church, but then why would I?’

  ‘Well, you probably wouldn’t, but some of the clothes are too good to just throw away, so you’d better get your thinking cap on.’ Alice took the shirt off the coat hanger and began folding it.

  Victoria glanced across at the clothes covering the bed. ‘Perhaps I should sort them into piles, to go to different places.’

  Alice touched a couple of the dresses on the bed. ‘Maybe some of them could be altered or unpicked to make outfits for you and Daisy, or for Molly’s wedding.’ She hesitated. ‘I don’t know I just thought it’s a shame to just get rid of them.’

  Molly nodded. ‘And, don’t forget there are people that have lost everything, and not that long ago either.’

  ‘Of course, they are both excellent ideas.’ Victoria sighed. ‘I was thinking of the poor, but with that munitions explosion, families lost everything.’

  ‘Yes, Grace was lucky Andrew’s sister was so generous with her clothes, albeit they all needed altering. I don’t know what we would have done without her, at the time.’

  Victoria hugged Molly. ‘It was a terrible time. I’m annoyed at myself, because having witnessed the devastation and destruction, those families should be at the forefront of my mind.’

  Alice walked over to the tea tray. ‘Don’t be hard on yourself, Victoria. What you are doing here is tough for you to deal with and we’ll make sure it all goes to the people that need it.’ She lifted the lid off the teapot and stirred the dark liquid. ‘Right, who wants tea?’ The crockery clattered, as the china cups were put onto the matching saucers, followed by teaspoons.

  Molly smiled. ‘I think it’s safe to say we all do.’

  Victoria lifted her eyes from the spectacle of the bed, hidden under the clothes. ‘Is Grace still doing well, with her land work?’

  Molly chuckled. ‘She still loves it. Going by her weekly letters, she sounds so happy. It’s clear that her reading and writing has improved, no end.’ Molly took the cup of tea from Alice. ‘I might send her some books, because I’m not sure how often she gets out to the shops. Also, it’s always lovely to get a present in the post, or otherwise actually.’

  The girls laughed at Molly’s ramblings.

  *

  ‘So has Constable Albright asked you out yet?’ Lily chuckled as Daisy’s face flushed with colour.

  ‘No, I’ve told you, we’re just friends.’

  Lily grinned. ‘Is that why he gazes at you from across the police station?’

  ‘He doesn’t,’ Daisy snapped, but she forced a smile at a woman passing by. She squinted as they turned the corner, into the bustle of New Oxford Street. ‘I’m hot already today; it’s going to be a scorcher.’

  Lily ran her fingers around the neck of her collar. ‘We could do with a summer and winter uniform.’

  Daisy grinned. ‘Perhaps we should put it forward as a suggestion for next year.’

  ‘That would go down well.’ Lily scanned the stallholders, as they walked past, smiling and nodding as they caught her eye. The waft of hot soup and jacket potatoes followed them down the street. The aroma of fresh bread made her stomach gurgle with hunger. ‘I love this street but hate it all at the same time.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I love the atmosphere of the stallholders and people going about their business, but the smell of hot food always makes me feel so hungry, even when I know I can’t be.’

  Daisy laughed. ‘You are funny.’

  ‘I’m serious.’ Lily chuckled. ‘If we were allowed to eat while we walked, I’d be huge.’

  ‘No you wouldn’t.’ Daisy frowned. ‘I was thinking, maybe we should check on Mr Wilson today, to see if that young lad…’ She caught Lily’s puzzled expression. ‘You know, the one that stole the apple, the day we went into Foyles’ basement.’

  ‘Aah, yes, I remember.’

  ‘I wondered if the lad kept his word and went back to talk to Mr Wilson.’

  ‘That’s a good idea.’ Lily’s mouth straightened for a moment. ‘I wonder what happened to his ma; I hope she got well. It’s a shame we never got his address, because we could have called on her and maybe organised a doctor.’

  Daisy nodded. ‘If he was stealing food, I don’t think they could have afforded a doctor or medicine.’

  ‘I know, but I’m sure, between us, we could have offered some help. I’d have collected money from everyone back at the station, if need be.’ Lily paused. ‘It’s so unfair that people can’t afford hospitals and doctors, yet the country is spending millions on bombs and guns.’

  Daisy grinned at her friend. ‘Let’s hope we get the vote, when this is over and done with.’

  They walked along in silence for a few minutes, watching everyone rushing to get to their places of work, some stopping to buy sandwiches or hot food from a vendor. The sellers’ voices rang out, each competing to be heard over the other, with the cars coughing and spluttering along. Two young boys ran towards a horse and cart, parked outside a public house, giggling as they asked a man if they could stroke the horse’s neck. The man gave a toothless grin, nodded and produced a carrot from his pocket. Daisy smiled as she watched him break it in two, so they could each feed the horse.

  Lily cleared her throat. ‘So, how’s sorting out your parents’ room going?’

  Daisy groaned. ‘There’s so much stuff. I can see why Victoria never wanted to do it.’

  Lily nodded. ‘It must be difficult for you both, even knowing where to start.’

  ‘The clothes that were in the wardrobe are now strewn all over the bed, and I know that’s nothing in itself, but Lily, some of it looks very expensive. We can’t understand it, because most of the clothes we don’t remember them ever wearing. They were never rich, so where did they come from?’

  ‘Perhaps they were gifts. Our cousin, Emily, always buys Alice and me expensive perfume for our birthday or Christmas, so maybe they had their own Emily.’

  Daisy frowned, her eyes darting from side to side. ‘They c
ould have, I suppose, but we just don’t remember anyone like that, or actually any relatives at all. It’s not as though anyone has come visiting since they died, so I find it hard to believe there was anyone like that.’

  ‘That’s true, I suppose.’ Lily paused. ‘Maybe the clothes were what they owned before they had children. My father has always said we bled him dry, well, us girls did.’

  Daisy cast Lily a sideways glance. ‘How are things at home now?’

  Lily laughed. ‘Surprisingly good since Alice lost her temper with him; he almost seems a reformed character.’ She smiled. ‘I think he was totally shocked at Alice, whereas he always expected some lip from me.’

  Raised voices caught the girls’ attention. They both looked along the street and saw two men pointing and yelling at each other. Without a word, they quickened their pace.

  Lily was the first to reach them. ‘What’s going on?’

  Children stared up at the men as they walked past, clutching their mothers’ hands.

  The weatherworn, grey-haired burly man looked at the policewomen standing next to him. He waved his hand at them. ‘Aww, nothing to concern yourselves about.’

  Lily felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. ‘I think we should be the judge of that, don’t you?’

  Daisy stepped nearer. ‘You’re yelling at each other on the street and children are frightened as they walk past you. So, I repeat the question, what’s going on here?’

  The younger, thinner man only looked about twelve, close up. He fidgeted from one foot to the other. ‘It’s nothing. We’re sorry; we just got carried away. It won’t happen again.’

  Lily eyed them both suspiciously. ‘It’s enough that we have to fight the Germans, without us all fighting each other as well.’

  The burly man sighed. ‘We weren’t fighting; we were just talking, that’s all.’

  ‘Really, well, we heard you down the other end of the street.’

  Daisy tried to hide the smile that was threatening to break through, at Lily’s exaggeration of where they were when they heard the yelling.

  The burly man tightened his lips for a second. ‘Look, I just wanted to know why he hadn’t enlisted, when everyone else had, that’s all.’