On a Turning Tide

by Ellie Dean

  The tears came and he swiped them away, berating himself for being a soft old fool. It was absurd to feel her loss so deeply when others had died today, but like all his animals, he’d loved and cared for her, and would miss her trotting after him on her three legs, and the weight of her in his pocket as he’d carried her home.

  He eventually turned away and headed for Beach View, knowing how empty it would feel without her.

  10

  Peggy had been dreading the moment Daisy asked where Queenie was, but the child hadn’t noticed her absence until after she’d had a late breakfast. Peggy gently told her that Queenie had gone to Heaven, and because she was very happy there, she wouldn’t be coming back.

  Daisy didn’t really understand and asked a lot of questions about why Queenie had wanted to go to Heaven instead of staying here, and why she couldn’t play with her any more.

  Peggy did her best to explain and gave her a cuddle as she’d shed a few tears, but she knew from past experience with her other children that Daisy would soon forget Queenie, and was thankful that little ones had short memories.

  Ron returned from his sad task and made a huge fuss of poor Harvey, who’d been wandering through the house and garden looking for his playmate. They left shortly afterwards so Ron could help Rosie finish the lunchtime session at the pub.

  The kitchen was quiet, for Fran and Danuta were still at the hospital, Sarah and Rita had returned to their beds to catch up on sleep, and the electricity was still off so they couldn’t put the wireless on. Cordelia sat with Daisy on her lap reading her a story by candlelight as the boarded-up window made the kitchen so dark, and Peggy was trying to concentrate on her mending, but she was all too aware of the empty hearthrug, and kept pricking her fingers with the needle.

  She gave up, lit a cigarette and read the headlines in the paper, which had only just been delivered.

  But after a while she found she hadn’t taken any of it in, so set the paper aside and tried to find the heart to go outside and see what was left of the houses in Victoria Terrace. However, she’d heard enough graphic descriptions from the others, and the thought of becoming one of those people who went to stand and gawp at scenes of others’ tragedy made her shudder, so she picked up her darning again.

  As she sewed, her thoughts turned to the clothing factory and Mavis Anderson – or Whitlock as she was now. Mavis had been due to start there today, and was no doubt already picking out the women she could boss about, and those who would stand up to her – and she’d certainly find quite a few of those on the factory floor. Back in their schooldays, Peggy had never been one of Mavis’s targets, but she’d seen the harm her bullying had done to others and had fought their corner, which was probably why Mavis had left her alone. But Mavis also had a darker side, she remembered. She would sneak to the teachers, steal food from lunch boxes and demand money in return for keeping her mouth shut over some childish indiscretion. Sharp-eyed and nosy, she’d made it her business to find something she could use as a lever to get her own way and show herself in a good light to the teachers – who were taken in by her big eyes and innocent expression.

  She had yet to meet her again since they’d left school, but that dubious joy awaited her tomorrow morning. She did so hope Mavis had changed for the better, but if she still had that vindictive streak in her, Peggy could only see trouble ahead. She would have to keep an eye on things, stop any fights erupting and try not to get caught up in the middle of it all. Thankfully they’d be on different shifts, and she could only hope that Mavis stuck to her hours and didn’t try and interfere in hers.

  Ivy came hurtling through the door to break into her thoughts by shouting out her news. ‘Me two mates were on night shift, so they’re all right,’ she declared, dragging off her coat and scarf and plumping down into a kitchen chair.

  ‘That’s the first bit of good news I’ve heard today,’ Peggy said with a soft smile. ‘I’m so glad for you.’

  Ivy was warming to her subject. ‘Honestly, Auntie Peggy, I’m that relieved,’ she gabbled on. ‘I dunno what I’d’ve done if they’d bought it, ’cos we all lived in the same street since we was nippers with our arses ’anging out of our knickers, and come down ’ere together to get away from the bombs and ’ave a bit of fun.’ She pulled a face. ‘We got that wrong, and no mistake. It’s as bad ’ere as in the Smoke.’

  ‘Where will your friends live now?’ Peggy asked as Ivy stopped talking to draw breath.

  ‘They’re going into the hostel at Collington and will get bussed in every day,’ said Ivy, distracted by Daisy who’d come to lean against her knee. She ruffled her dark curls. ‘Hello, love, what you lookin’ so gloomy about?’

  ‘Keenie gone to Heaven,’ the child replied solemnly. ‘Mumma said I can’t go and play with her.’

  Ivy’s eyes widened and she shot a questioning glance at Peggy who nodded back. ‘I’ll explain later,’ she murmured.

  Ivy hugged Daisy and gave her a kiss before encouraging her to return to Cordelia’s story-telling. Once the child was settled, she leaned towards Peggy and became quite tearful as Peggy explained what had happened.

  She took a moment to compose herself, and then reached for Peggy’s hand. ‘I’m sorry I got carried away earlier, Auntie Peg,’ she said softly, ‘but there is more bad news, I’m afraid.’

  Peggy’s heart thudded with dread as Ivy pulled a piece of paper from her trouser pocket and placed it on the table.

  ‘This is the list of five of the girls who died today. They all worked for Solly.’

  Peggy wondered when this awful day would end, and reluctantly picked up the list to read the names with deepening sorrow. They’d been a young, jolly group of girls who’d gone everywhere together and were the life and soul of every party. They’d always been ready to tell a rather off-colour joke or start a singalong to the music on the wireless – but they’d also been hard-working, adept at their jobs and true team players. To think of all that youthful exuberance being wiped out, was almost too much to bear.

  ‘The Colonel doesn’t have their details, and the telephone lines are still down, so he wondered if you’d be kind enough to tell Solly so their families can be informed.’

  Ivy bit her lip. ‘I’m sorry to ask you, Auntie Peg, it’s been an ’orrible day all round, but as shop floor supervisor, you’re best placed to deal with this.’

  Peggy took a deep breath and then got to her feet. ‘If you could help Cordelia keep an eye on Daisy, I’ll go and tell Solly now.’

  At Ivy’s nod, she pulled on her coat, tied her scarf over her head and grabbed the umbrella in case it decided to rain again. Kissing Daisy goodbye and promising to return as soon as possible, she hurried out of the house and, once she was in the alleyway, broke into a run.

  She needed to escape the horrors of the day; the sadness, and the awful feeling of helplessness that threatened to overwhelm her. Tears were hot on her face, and she stopped running as she approached the factory gates, knowing it was futile, for no matter how far or fast she ran, she could never escape the bitter realities of this war. And yet, as she tried to get her breath back, wiped away her tears and gazed up at the austere red-brick building, she was comforted by the knowledge that some things never changed.

  Solly would be there in his office as he always was on a Sunday which, in his Jewish faith, was regarded as a working day like any other. Friday night to Saturday night was his Sabbath, and it was the only time he stayed at home with Rachel – unless there was an emergency. And Camden Road might look a bit battered, but with everyone pulling together, there was once again the harmony of good fellowship – and that was growing stronger year by year as this war carried on.

  Peggy hadn’t run like that for years, and she was still quite breathless as she trudged up the long flight of stairs to his office and found him with his elegant wife, Rachel, going through the weekly accounts.

  ‘Peggy, my dear.’ Solly rose from his chair immediately, his concern clear in his face as he put
his arm about her shoulders. ‘What has happened to bring you here in such distress?’

  Peggy couldn’t answer, so Rachel pulled out a chair and pressed her into it. ‘Sit down, Peggy, and get your breath back.’ She regarded Peggy’s reddened eyes and gently cupped her face in her hand. ‘Is everyone all right at home?’

  ‘We’re all fine,’ she managed, ‘though the house took a bit of a battering. I ran all the way here, which was a bit silly, considering how out of condition I am,’ she added with a lightness she didn’t feel.

  ‘That was indeed very foolish,’ Rachel replied with a soft smile.

  Peggy had now got her breath back, and she looked into their worried faces. ‘But I do have some bad news and thought you should know straight away.’

  Rachel had poured glasses of brandy for them all, and she set them down on the desk. ‘Is it about the girls from Victoria Terrace?’ she asked gently.

  ‘I’m afraid it is,’ Peggy replied, placing the list on the desk before taking a restorative sip of the warming brandy.

  ‘Oy vay,’ breathed Solly, his dark eyes bright with the ready tears Peggy had witnessed many times over the years. ‘We were afraid of this when we saw the fire,’ he said gruffly. ‘It would have been a miracle if anyone had survived – but we’d hoped for that miracle and that they were elsewhere. I can’t believe they’re gone. This place won’t feel at all the same without them.’

  Rachel gripped Solly’s hand, her expression equally sorrowful, for those girls had been very popular with everyone. ‘Did anyone survive?’ she asked.

  Peggy sipped some more brandy before answering. ‘Sadly, there were over thirty killed this morning; the only survivors were six girls on the night shift at the armaments factory. Colonel White is evidently dealing with everything up there, but these girls’ families will have to be informed.’

  ‘Solly and I will do that, Peggy,’ Rachel murmured. ‘And all the other workers will also need to be informed before the rumour mill starts grinding.’

  ‘I suggest we do as we’ve always done in these awful circumstances,’ said Peggy. ‘Each shift is told by their supervisor before they start work, and after a short eulogy and prayer, we hold a minute’s silence.’

  ‘I disagree entirely,’ said Mavis Whitlock, who’d approached so silently that no one had heard her come to the door. ‘It’s all utter nonsense, and totally inappropriate in a workplace.’

  Peggy realised that Mavis had missed the start of what she’d been saying as she’d eavesdropped, but it seemed everyone was so shocked by her outburst and sudden appearance, they were in no mood to correct her.

  Mavis bustled in, the picture of efficiency in her tweed skirt, immaculate white blouse and sensible shoes, her expression purposeful, not one hair out of place in the tight victory rolls.

  ‘Hello, Mavis,’ said Peggy without enthusiasm. ‘I’m sorry you don’t agree, but if you had …’

  Mavis butted in. ‘You always were a milksop, Peggy Dawson,’ she said briskly. ‘Allowing your heart to rule your head when only discipline and order is called for.’

  Peggy heard Rachel’s gasp of astonishment and got to her feet to face Mavis, eye to eye. ‘Five of our most popular girls were killed this morning,’ she said evenly. ‘It’s only right we should acknowledge their passing – just as we’ve done for all the others we’ve lost.’

  ‘Sentimental claptrap,’ snapped Mavis, her grey eyes hardening beneath severely plucked eyebrows. ‘I might have known you were behind such ridiculous self-indulgence. The dead are dead and the living have a duty to get on with helping to win this war.’

  Peggy noted Solly’s expression darkening and was about to reply, but Mavis clearly hadn’t finished airing her views, so she let her dig herself into an even deeper hole.

  Mavis squared her shoulders and looked down her nose at Peggy. ‘There’s no place for mawkish sentiment when we’re on a very tight schedule. Wasting time with silly prayers and unnecessary eulogies will achieve nothing but provide an excuse for those half-witted women to hang about gossiping and feeling sorry for themselves instead of getting on with their work.’

  Peggy felt her hackles rise as she looked at the mean little mouth, the hard eyes and stubborn chin. The years had clearly not softened Mavis, but sharpened her sense of self-importance and honed her skill for being bossy and nasty with it. She could see the storm gathering in Solly’s eyes, and Rachel’s look of disgust, and decided to help Mavis talk herself into trouble.

  ‘So, what do you suggest?’ she asked.

  Mavis pushed Peggy roughly to one side and addressed Solly directly. ‘With your permission, Solly, I shall get your secretary to type out an announcement first thing tomorrow and pin it to the noticeboard next to where they clock in and out. That way, everyone will be informed without a minute’s work being lost.’

  Solly rose slowly from behind his desk, his imposing height and width made all the more daunting by the fury in his eyes. ‘I don’t know what my brother does in these circumstances, but that is not the way we do things here,’ he said flatly. ‘We work as part of a team from the youngest porter to the most senior staff, sharing our joys as well as our sadness, and when one of us is taken, we mourn them as part of the family.’

  Mavis took a step back as his face reddened, the storm broke and his voice thundered out.

  ‘No member of Goldman’s will ever be a name on a list tacked to a bloody noticeboard!’ he roared, slamming his fist on the desk. ‘They will receive the full courtesy of a short eulogy, a prayer and a minute’s silence!’

  He was breathing heavily as he glared at Mavis who’d taken another step back, grown quite pale beneath her make-up and was visibly trembling. ‘Is that absolutely clear, Mavis?’ he roared.

  ‘Yes, Solly,’ she whispered, her head bowed.

  ‘Good,’ he barked. ‘Because I don’t wish to have this conversation again – and while we’re at it, you’ll call me Mr Goldman until I tell you otherwise – and show Mrs Reilly some respect for the position she holds here.’

  Mavis dipped her head even further. ‘Yes, Mr Goldman.’

  Like Rachel, Peggy was well acquainted with Solly’s volcanic rages, and because they came and went as swiftly as a summer storm, they no longer had the power to intimidate her. But she was utterly fascinated by the change in Mavis.

  It appeared that, like all bullies, she liked to dole it out but couldn’t take it. The obnoxious, self-important and aggressive woman had been cowed into a quivering wreck. It would be very interesting to see how long she lasted in the job now she’d put Solly’s back up on her first day.

  Solly buttoned his jacket and picked up the list, his temper still simmering but now under tight control. ‘Peggy, I will inform this shift and give the eulogy. I know it’s your day off, but I would be very grateful if you’d stay and lead us in prayer.’

  He turned his flat gaze of contempt on Mavis. ‘Mrs Whitlock, you will accompany us and learn how we do things here.’

  He swept out of the room, and Mavis shot a malevolent glare at Peggy before scuttling after him.

  Rachel softly touched Peggy’s arm as they headed for the door to the outer office. ‘You’re going to have to watch that one,’ she murmured. ‘I have a nasty feeling she’s trouble.’

  ‘You’d better believe it,’ Peggy muttered. ‘I don’t know what Solly was thinking of to take her on.’

  ‘He probably thought she’d improved since schooldays,’ Rachel replied with a sigh. They walked through Madge’s office after the others. ‘It seems his brother has pulled a fast one,’ Rachel continued. ‘I wouldn’t mind betting he’s delighted to be rid of her.’

  The two women shared knowing looks before going down the stairs to join Solly, who was calling for silence on the shop floor and sending someone to fetch the people who were in the warehouse, canteen and storerooms.

  As they waited for everyone to assemble, Peggy could almost feel the animosity radiating from Mavis, and was relieved to know t
hat she had Rachel on her side. Solly might think he was in charge, but it was Rachel who steered the Goldman ship both here and at home, and if she wanted Mavis gone, then she would see it done.

  Doris and John had gone to the canteen for a lunch of hearty soup, and then worked through the long afternoon, sharing the sad list of those who’d been killed and writing letters of condolence.

  ‘I feel very guilty about all this,’ John admitted at one point. ‘When I was in the army I knew every man under my command and could add a personal touch to my letters. Whereas, to my shame, I have no recollection of most of these women – they were just names on duty rosters.’

  ‘At least their shop-floor managers could give us a little insight into what they were like,’ said Doris, trying to read the scrawled handwriting on the notes that had been sent up to the office from the various factories.

  ‘Yes, that helps a little,’ he replied with a deep sigh. ‘But I still feel guilty that I didn’t make it my business to get to know them.’

  ‘I don’t see how you possibly could,’ said Doris, putting down her pen and easing her aching hand. ‘There are over a thousand women working on this estate at any one time. With changing shifts and all the comings and goings of personnel, it would be impossible.’

  He nodded. ‘I know you’re right,’ he said, ‘but from now on I’ll make it my business to visit the factories more so I can put faces to names. I might not still be in the military, but this is a sort of army – an army of men and women who are doing their bit to win this war as much as any soldier – and it’s my duty to look after them.’

  Doris felt a loving warmth sweep through her as she watched him begin another letter. His sense of duty and caring nature were just two of the many qualities that drew her to him.

  She picked up her pen again, but sat there for a moment, her thoughts turning to Ted. He’d been kind too, and very generous throughout their marriage, especially when it had come to her divorce settlement and monthly maintenance payments. But there had been a side to him that no one outside their marriage had seen – a side she’d only witnessed after his death.