by Ellie Dean
Peter, who’d had to stay on, told him that Matron had been swiftly replaced by a very pleasant, motherly woman who possessed a marvellous sense of humour and fun, which enlivened the place no end. Ron had been very glad to hear it, for now the atmosphere was lighter, the patients would recover much more quickly.
He was certainly feeling much better now the hated plaster jacket had been removed. The X-rays had shown that the hairline fracture had knitted well and there was very little deformity in the lower vertebrae. His left foot still drooped a little, but intensive physiotherapy sessions at the hospital were slowly improving it, and although it still pained him to lift anything heavy or walk too far, he was able to get about without the hated walking stick – and even managed to take Harvey and Monty for short walks on the lower and easier slopes of the hills.
Ron had moved back into his old basement room at Beach View with Harvey, but as he was capable of walking to the Anchor now, he quite often spent the night with Rosie. The first time had been quite stressful as he’d worried he might not be able to make love to her – and if he could, he might disappoint her. But Rosie, darling Rosie, had let him take his time, and afterwards they’d lain back and grinned at one another like two naughty teenagers before repeating the delightful exercise all over again.
Ron had proposed again that night, and the following morning they’d gone to the Town Hall and booked their wedding for the 7th of May, determined that this time absolutely nothing would happen to stop it.
As March drifted into April and the news from Europe brought hope that the war might really be close to ending, the atmosphere in the town became electric. Every wireless was tuned to the BBC, the makeshift cinema was constantly packed to the rafters with people eager to watch the Pathé newsreels, and newspapers were pored over and discussed at length.
Since the start of the New Year, the Germans had withdrawn from the Ardennes; the Allies had taken Cologne and established a bridge across the Rhine at Remagen, and the Russians had captured Warsaw and Danzig. Dresden had been destroyed by a firestorm after sustained Allied bombing raids, and whilst there was an Allied offensive in northern Italy, the Americans had encircled the Germans in the Ruhr.
There had been other shocking revelations which made the newsreels almost too horrific to watch, for the Russians had liberated the concentration camp of Auschwitz; and the Allies had liberated Buchenwald and Belsen. Ron had thought he’d seen the worst of man’s inhumanity to man, but the horrific scenes had brought him to tears even though he was filled with utter revulsion and rage for what the Nazis had done.
He and a sobbing Rosie had left the cinema before the feature film and gone down to the seafront. They needed fresh air and the soothing sight of the sea to dispel the horrific images that now haunted them.
‘How could people do such things?’ sobbed Rosie. ‘I know there have been rumours for months, but I put them down to propaganda and never really believed such horrors were actually happening.’
Ron had no reply, but put his arm round her and held her close, his vision blurred with tears as he stared out across the calm waters of the Channel. The Red Cross had kept people informed of what had been happening in Europe, but they’d clearly not been given access to those death camps – or if they had, had kept shamefully quiet. They had also had no access to any of the POWs held by the Japs, and he dreaded to think what sort of tortures they must be suffering. He thought of Jane and Sarah, who’d kept the spark of hope alive that their father and Philip would come through, but after reading Jim’s letters about how the Japs behaved, and seeing that newsreel, he doubted very much if any of the prisoners had survived.
They’d walked slowly back to the Anchor and gone to bed where they simply held one another for comfort and reassurance, but mostly in the hope that this really would be the war to end all wars, and scenes like the ones they’d seen that evening would never again be repeated.
Fanny Rawson had been promoted to shop floor manager on the night shifts, and the work at the factory was proceeding at an even faster pace, spurred on by the hope the war was about to end and their men would be coming home. The wireless was on day and night, and when the news came on the machines fell silent – something Peggy and Solly turned a blind eye to in the knowledge they’d work even harder afterwards.
A huge roar of approval almost lifted the rafters when the Americans took Nuremberg and the Russians began to attack Berlin. No one believed the spurious Nazi report that Hitler had died heroically of his wounds at his post in Berlin, for everything they’d learned about him over the past six years pointed to a man who was far from heroic.
There was even greater jubilation when the Germans surrendered in the Ruhr; the Allies took Venice; the Russians entered Berlin and Mussolini was captured and hanged by Italian partisans.
It had taken a while to get them settled back to work after that, but when it was announced on the last day of April that Hitler’s body had been found by the Allies alongside his mistress Eva Braun, and Goebbels, and that it was clear they’d committed suicide, they were on their feet cheering and dancing around the machines in unbridled delight.
Peggy decided they’d earned the celebration and left them to get on with it. She climbed the stairs to the offices and found that, unusually, Madge wasn’t at her desk. She went through and found her with Solly and Rachel, celebrating the news with large glasses of whisky.
‘Come in, come in, Peggy,’ Solly boomed. ‘We have something to celebrate at last.’ He poured a generous measure and handed her the glass. ‘He’s escaped punishment like the coward he is, but the world is rid of him and he will rot in hell if there’s any justice.’ He raised his glass. ‘Here’s to the victory that is now so nearly within our grasp.’
They drank in silence, and Peggy noticed that Solly had lost weight since the liberation of Auschwitz, and that his smile no longer lit up his eyes. Her heart went out to him – and to Rachel, for the preliminary lists of prisoners had shown that several members of his family had been slaughtered there, with others as yet to be found amongst the thousands of displaced people now wandering all over Europe. She couldn’t imagine how painful that must have been for them both, but the shadows of their sorrow were clearly marked in their eyes.
‘How are the wedding arrangements going?’ Rachel asked. ‘I hope Ron’s not going to do anything silly to postpone it again.’
Peggy dredged up a smile. ‘He’s being very well behaved for a change,’ she replied. ‘And he’s decided not to have a drinking session this time, but to spend his last night at home with us. I think that accident really did knock the stuffing out of him, and although he’s almost back to his old self, he’s aware that any more damage to his back could cripple him.’
‘He was very lucky to recover so well,’ murmured Solly. ‘I look forward to being there when they at last make their vows.’ He drained his glass and put it down on his desk before glancing out of the window that overlooked the shop floor.
‘It looks as if there’s no work being done down there, Peggy. We’ll be celebrating again very soon, I’m sure, but there are orders to fill, and we can’t afford to lag behind.’
Peggy nodded, drained her own glass and went rather tipsily down the steep wooden stairs. A word here and there soon brought order, and the happy chatter mingled with the whirring machines as the wireless broadcast jolly music to sing along to.
Peggy was so excited she could barely sit still on that extraordinary Monday morning. Not only was it Ron and Rosie’s wedding day, but the Germans had reportedly surrendered totally and unconditionally to the Allies, and General Slim’s 14th Army had advanced the four hundred miles down the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay to take Rangoon. The Japanese had at last been all but routed from Burma, and her brave, darling, wonderful Jim had been there playing his part.
‘He’ll be coming home,’ she squeaked in delight. ‘Jim will be coming home before we know it – and so will Anne and the rest of the family.’
; ‘Aye, once the Yanks have cleared the islands in the South China Sea and the Pacific, the Japs will have to surrender,’ said Ron, struggling to fix the stiff collar to his best shirt. ‘Can you help me with this, Peg? To be sure, I’m strangling meself.’
Peggy was all fingers and thumbs, so left the task to Fran and shot off to find the old bunting and flags she’d been storing under the stairs ever since the war had begun. Churchill had promised to broadcast to the nation on the 10th, but the newsreader had said that Victory in Europe Day would probably come before that, so if it really was the end, he’d probably speak to everyone tonight or tomorrow morning.
With her heart full of joy at the knowledge she’d soon have all of her family home again, she brought the box into the kitchen and dumped it on the table. ‘We’ve got at least three hours to get this lot up,’ she said, dragging the dusty and rather ragged strings of bunting out. ‘Come on, everyone, we don’t want to be the only house in Cliffehaven not to be decorated. And, Cordelia, what did you do with the balloons I kept back after Daisy’s birthday?’
Cordelia chuckled and shook her head. ‘I don’t have baboons, dear. All this talk of peace has clearly gone to your head.’
Peggy was too excited and happy to correct her, and as the bunting was unravelled and given a good shake, and everyone helped to tether it above the front door and windows and along the back wall, she couldn’t resist hugging and kissing each of them in turn. When it was done and they stood back to admire their handiwork, she swung Daisy onto her hip and held her close. This was the happiest day of her life, and from now on there would always be sunshine.
Rosie’s hairdresser had come in very early to do her hair and nails, and had then stayed on to help Brenda and the other two barmaids string the bunting above the door and windows. Rosie had stood on the pavement in her nightclothes to watch as her nails dried, for on this very special day, it was wonderful to see that every shop was bedecked in flags and balloons, making the whole town look very gay. It was as if Cliffehaven was celebrating not only the promise of victory in Europe, but her wedding to Ron.
She’d returned the happy greetings, waving and smiling at those who wished her luck, then when Dolly had driven up and emerged bearing a large and mysterious box, she’d followed her indoors.
‘Oh, Dolly,’ she breathed after giving her a hug of welcome. ‘I can hardly believe this really is our wedding day.’
‘It most certainly is,’ she replied, ‘and I suspect that if victory is announced, it will be a day that every-one will remember.’ She drew off her gloves and fur wrap before reaching for the box. ‘I know you have something old, new and blue, so I wondered if you’d like to borrow this.’
Rosie gasped at the sight of the stunning mink wrap nestled in tissue paper. She drew it almost reverently from the box and draped it over her shoulders. ‘Oh, Dolly, it’s perfect,’ she sighed, running her fingers through the thick caramel-coloured fur. ‘But it must be worth a fortune and I’ll be terrified of damaging it.’
‘Nonsense,’ said Dolly. ‘When you described the dress you’d decided to wear instead of the other outfit, I just knew this would add the finishing touch. Your white fox is beautiful, and would have been ideal with the pale blue – but this will set the right tone, don’t you think?’
Rosie gazed at her reflection in the mirror above the mantelpiece and grinned. ‘It’s glorious, but I think the dressing gown rather lets the side down, don’t you?’
They both giggled like schoolgirls as Rosie did a twirl.
Dolly looked at her watch. ‘You’d better start getting ready, Rosie. You don’t want to be late and give the old rogue a scare.’
‘It would serve him right after all the times he’s kept me waiting,’ she replied. ‘Help yourself to tea or a drink whilst I get dressed.
Rosie took her time, for she wanted everything to be perfect – or as perfect as it could be. Her underwear wasn’t at all alluring, but she’d sewn on strips of lace and tiny blue ribbons to make it prettier and less utilitarian. The silk dress was new because the blue dress and coat brought back too many sad memories. It had been beautifully made by the seamstress that lived behind the Town Hall, and once she’d slipped her feet into the gold sandals and placed the mink over her shoulders, she dared to look at herself in the wardrobe mirror.
Delighted with what she saw, she picked up the small brown leather-covered Bible she’d been given by her mother on her first communion, and went into the sitting room.
‘Oh, Rosie, you look so lovely,’ said Dolly with a sigh. ‘Ron will be bowled over.’
Rosie felt herself blush. ‘It’s not too much, is it?’
Dolly gently held her arms. ‘It’s perfect.’ She softly kissed her cheek. ‘You and Ron are a perfect match, and if the old so-and-so misbehaves, you call on me, Rosie. We sorted him out last time, and we can do it again.’
Rosie giggled, caught sight of her reflection in the mirror and was quite stunned by how sophisticated, calm and radiant she suddenly appeared to be. ‘Oh, Dolly, I’m so very happy. Thank you for being such a good friend.’
‘It’s my pleasure,’ said Dolly, picking up her own fur from the couch and glancing out of the window. ‘Brenda’s been up to take Monty home with her, and Bertie’s waiting downstairs with his car, so I must fly if I’m to get to the Town Hall before you.’ She blew her a kiss and ran down the stairs.
Rosie stood in the silent room for a moment, and then fetched the single rose Stan had brought from his allotment earlier this morning. ‘Well, Rosie, girl,’ she murmured. ‘This is it. This is the day you’ve been waiting for. The sun is shining, the war looks to be at an end, and with any luck Ron will be waiting at the Town Hall by now.’
She winked at her reflection in the mirror and went down the stairs, the butterflies of excitement fluttering just a little even though she felt calmer than she’d ever done before.
Ron was feeling nervous, but also excited as he slipped on his suit jacket and pinned the single rosebud onto the lapel. Rosie wanted to make an entrance on the arm of Bertie Double-Barrelled, who would also be driving her car up to the Town Hall, so he was planning to walk there with everyone from Beach View.
The house was in chaos and Harvey wasn’t making things any calmer by dashing about and getting in everyone’s way. Frank arrived with Pauline in time for Ron to take him outside for a quiet drink before they had to leave and to check that Frank hadn’t forgotten to bring the ring Rosie had taken so long to choose at the jeweller’s.
‘Don’t worry yourself, Da. I’m not that addle-headed,’ Frank said, patting his shoulder with a heavy hand. ‘It’s grand to see you in one piece and all ready for this special day, and when Jim and the rest of the family come home we’ll have an even bigger knees-up.’
Everyone had made a special effort for the day, the girls wearing their prettiest frocks, the men freshly barbered and shaved and in their smartest suits. Cissy was wearing her uniform as she’d yet to be discharged from the WAAFs, Cordelia was in her favourite lilac and white outfit, and Peggy was in the blue silk suit that she’d worn for Anne’s wedding to Martin. Daisy was dressed in a frock of white lace with a coronet of flowers in her hair, and would carry a basket of confetti once the service was over.
They left the house together, Harvey trotting alongside Ron in a smart new collar decorated with a green ribbon. The town was a riot of colour with flags, balloons and bunting everywhere, and they arrived en masse at the Town Hall to find a young bride and groom posing on the steps for photographs. After congratulating them, they trooped inside and up the red-carpeted stairs to the largest of the wedding rooms which was redolent with the scent and colours of the many flowers Stan had provided from his allotment as his wedding present to them both.
Ron walked towards the front row of chairs and grinned in delight when he saw Dolly sitting alongside his old pals. ‘This is a pleasant surprise,’ he murmured, admiring the elegant silk suit and outrageous hat before carefully kissing he
r scented, powdered cheek.
‘Well I couldn’t miss the wedding of the year, could I?’ she teased, kissing him back. ‘I don’t need to wish you luck, Ron. You’ve struck gold with Rosie, and I just know you’ll be very happy.’
Ron ordered Harvey to sit and be quiet as he took his seat beside Frank and looked back towards the doors where Fran was waiting with her violin to serenade the bride as she walked down the aisle. He gave her a wink, which she returned, and then let his gaze roam over the gathering. Although Jim, Anne and the others were missing, these were the people he loved best in the world – even Doris now she’d changed for the better – and his heart swelled as he took in the happy faces. They were here for him and Rosie, he thought in a haze of joy. And then he looked at his watch and began to panic. Where was she? It was now five minutes past eleven.
He was about to send Frank to look for her when the sweetest violin note trembled and soared, bringing a breathless hush to the room.
It was the opening notes of an old Celtic song, the name of which he couldn’t remember, but he knew it told the story of Ireland’s mountains and valleys and majestic sea shores, and spoke to his heart just as Fran and Rosie had known it would.
His legs were trembling with emotion as he got to his feet and turned to look at his beautiful bride slowly coming towards him on Bertie’s arm. Her long shot-silk dress gleamed gold and green and copper in the bright lights as it fell in a sheath over her curves to the gold sandals. The pale brown mink stole was draped elegantly over her shoulders, held in place by a sparkling clip. A band of green velvet decorated with shamrocks of silk and lace nestled on her crown, the delicate veil not quite hiding her glorious blue eyes and radiant smile. She carried a single red rose and the leather-bound Bible he knew she’d been given on her first communion.
Ron was stunned by her beauty, her grace and the fact that this glorious woman was about to be his wife. ‘You look … You’re the most beautiful woman in the world,’ he managed as she came to stand beside him. ‘Are you sure you want to be tied to an old wreck like me?’