a heartwarming WW1 saga about love and friendship (The West End Girls Book 1)

by Elaine Roberts

  Her father stood upright and turned to look at her before looking back at his father and shaking his head.

  William shrugged and carried on walking towards the henhouse.

  Annie’s heart sunk a little more. ‘Pa, don’t let your pumpkin go without a hug.’

  Tom stayed silent.

  Annie gave her mother a pleading look before turning back to watch her father, not knowing what to do to provoke a response from him. ‘I don’t understand. You’ve lived on this farm all your life. Haven’t you ever wanted to know what else there is outside of this?’ She waved her arms around.

  Tom glared at her. ‘I already know what I know, and that is that this farm, thanks to your grandfather’s hard work, has put food on the table for at least the last sixty years. I don’t need to leave to find that out.’

  Annie shook her head. ‘I know that too, Pa, but can’t you understand that I need to see my dream through, to find out for certain before I give up on it? It doesn’t mean I don’t love you or the life you’ve worked hard to provide for us, it’s just something I have to do.’

  Tom turned his back on her and carried on weeding.

  Tears pricked at Annie’s eyes. She blinked quickly. Only the breeze rustling the grasses and the leaves on the trees broke the tension in the air between them. Grey clouds were gathering in the sky, chasing away the sunshine. The birds had gone quiet. Rex sat at Annie’s feet looking up with his sad dark eyes before nuzzling his nose into her hand. ‘I know, Rex. I’ll be back.’ Annie ruffled his soft coat and the dog leant in against her legs. There was a sense of doom and despondency in the air.

  Margaret came running towards Annie. ‘I can’t believe you’re going.’ She sniffed. ‘I’m going to miss you so much.’ Margaret threw her arms around her sister.

  ‘It’ll be all right, Margaret.’ Annie stroked her sister’s back and forced a smile. ‘You smell delicious, have you been baking?’

  Margaret pulled back a little and handed Annie a small paper bag. ‘I’ve wrapped some of Ma’s delicious oat biscuits and some sponge cake I made earlier. I also made a sandwich for you with Ma’s homemade jam.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Annie forced a watery smile. Her sister was a younger version of her mother. ‘I promise I’ll write every day and tell you everything that’s going on.’

  Tom looked up and scowled at his two daughters. ‘No, you won’t. I’ll not have you trying to entice Margaret away from the farm as well. You think you’re going where the streets are lined with gold. Well, I can tell you that ain’t so. It’s this ’ere land that will keep this family fed, not some great city.’

  ‘I’m not trying to entice her away. I wouldn’t do that.’ Annie bit down on her quivering lip.

  Tom pulled himself up to his full height. ‘Once you leave here you make a clean break. I’m not going to have your ma and sister looking for letters every day that won’t come, or waiting in hope of you walking up to the house. I’m not going to stand by and watch it happen.’

  Tears rolled down Annie’s cheeks. ‘Pa, don’t do this, don’t cut me off from my family.’

  Tom’s eyes hardened. ‘This ain’t me, this is your doing. I’m just doing what I’ve always tried to do, protect the people I love, but you clearly don’t want or need that, so off you go and seek your new adventure.’ He turned his back on his daughters and carried on weeding.

  Distraught, Annie looked to her mother who wrapped her arms around her.

  ‘Come on now, don’t fret, I’ll talk to him. He’ll come round, your pa’s just worried about you that’s all.’ Ivy held her daughter tight; fearful this might be the last she saw of her. Ivy stepped back and gazed at her daughter before pushing her hand into her apron pocket. She pulled out a used envelope and spoke in a whisper. ‘This is for you, to start you off. Go careful and be frugal because it won’t last long in the big city.’

  Annie stared at the envelope, mesmerized by her mother’s gesture. ‘I can’t take that, I don’t understand––’

  ‘Did you not think I knew this day would come? I’ve been squirrelling money away for years, just in case.’ Ivy gestured for her daughter to take the envelope.

  Annie’s cheeks burnt under her mother’s scrutiny. ‘No Ma, you buy yourself some new clothes and shoes.’ She could feel her body trembling as her shoulders hunched over. Tears began to flow at the realisation her parents weren’t as poor as she thought. Her mother had made some unselfish decisions years ago and knowing she could benefit from them made her so ashamed of her lack of understanding of the love they all felt for her.

  The sound of cartwheels turning and grating on gravel carried in the air, getting louder with each turn.

  Annie glanced over her shoulder to where the sound was coming from and then back at her mother. She looked tense. The envelope was being crushed in her grasp.

  Ivy whispered, blinking rapidly as she spoke. ‘They’ll be here in a minute.’ She took Annie into her arms again. ‘I can’t do much to help but at least you’ll be with Rose. Mind you, she’s a bit too worldly-wise if you ask me but I’m hoping that’ll be a good thing in London. Now, don’t you worry about what your pa says, he’s just upset that’s all. If you want to come home then you get here one way or another, I’ll post you a train ticket if I have to.’ She squeezed her daughter tight.

  Annie held her mother close, breathing in the lavender scent that clung to her clothes. She suddenly had no desire to leave them. In all her dreams and thoughts about this moment it had never occurred to her that her father wouldn’t allow her to write or come back home.

  Ivy pulled back a little, blinking quickly to stop the tears from falling. She took a deep breath and let it out again slowly. ‘I know you’ll be staying at Joyce’s so I’ll write to you to make sure you don’t forget us. Now take this and stay safe.’

  Annie stared hard at the envelope before eventually taking it from her mother. ‘Thank you but I will pay it all back once I have work.’

  Ivy bit down on her lip and nodded.

  The horse and cart rattled and crunched into view.

  Margaret grabbed Annie’s hand. ‘It’s time.’

  Annie sniffed as she turned back to her father. ‘Pa?’

  Tom looked across at the horse and cart being driven by Sam. Rose frantically waved at them all, her face lit up with excitement. Tom stared for a moment before marching away from them all and into the house.

  Annie took a step to follow him but Ivy held her arm firm.

  ‘Trust me when I say he’ll get over it and then he’ll regret his stubbornness. Leave him to me.’

  Annie shook her head. ‘I don’t want to leave like this.’

  ‘I know, it’s a shame David has gone to the village because that might have taken your mind off your father.’

  Annie forced a smile. ‘That brother of mine is lovely but I don’t think he could have solved this one.’

  The gravel crunching let them know Rose and her brother were walking towards them.

  Ivy glanced over to them. ‘Morning, Sam, Rose. How are you and your family doing?’

  ‘Fine, thank you, Mrs Cradwell.’ Sam’s features coloured slightly as he picked up the small suitcase. ‘Is this all you’re taking?’

  Annie forced a smile. ‘I’m afraid so.’

  ‘It doesn’t look like you’re expecting to be gone long then.’ Sam cleared his throat, his face softened. ‘Is everything all right?’

  Annie nodded. ‘Yes, yes, thank you.’

  Sam passed the case to his other hand. ‘Let’s hope you’re doing the right thing, hurting everyone around you.’

  Annie opened her mouth to speak but the crunch of footsteps on the gravel made her turn around.

  ‘Thank goodness I got back in time to say goodbye,’ David gasped. He stopped and placed his hands on his hips as he bent over trying to catch his breath. His white shirt clung to his back revealing the damp patches of sweat on his body.

  Annie ran to him and threw her arms around h
is hot, sticky neck. ‘Look after them both please, make sure they’re all right, especially Pa.’ She pulled back. Tears were in her eyes. ‘He’s ignoring me this morning, no hugs and no goodbyes.’

  David’s face was tense with sadness. ‘I know. Try not to worry; everything’ll be fine. Send us lots of letters and don’t forget where you came from and visit us when you’re a big star.’

  Annie gave her brother a faint smile. She turned and glanced back at the only home she had ever known. Sadness gripped her and her throat tightened as she wondered if she would ever be back.

  *

  Rose and Annie were silent as they stared pensively out of the train window. The sunshine had streamed in on them for most of the journey. Their earlier excitement of starting a new adventure had disappeared with the steam rushing past their carriage.

  Annie pressed her face against the window. The dome of London’s Paddington Train Station was just visible. ‘It looks so big.’ Her stomach churned. ‘Do you think it’s because London is such a busy place?’

  Rose gave a small smile. ‘From what my father says, it’s a place where all the power is held.’

  Annie turned away from the window as the train began to slow down. ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Rose shrugged. ‘I think he means because it’s where Prime Minister Asquith lives.’ She giggled. ‘I think he’s been reading the newspapers more because he also warned me not to get involved with the suffragette movement. He told me he didn’t want to find out I was in prison.’

  Annie laughed. ‘Can you imagine?’ She lowered her lashes as her sadness took hold momentarily. ‘My father didn’t want me to come to London but he never even mentioned the suffragettes.’

  Rose patted Annie’s arm, her thick coat rough under her slender fingers. ‘It’ll be all right. We’re going to have fun and you’re going to be famous.’

  Annie giggled. ‘You’re a good friend, Rose, I don’t know what I’d do without you.’

  Rose smiled. ‘It won’t be long before we see Joyce. Now that has been a few years.’

  Annie frowned. ‘Do you think we’ll recognise her and will she realise it’s us when we do find her?’

  Rose threw her head back and roared with laughter. Her narrow-brimmed hat wobbled on top of her mousey blonde hair and she lifted her hand and pushed it back into place. ‘You haven’t changed that much you know.’

  ‘No, I’m just nervous.’ Annie peered out of the window.

  The platforms seemed as big as the dome covering the station. The steam engulfed the train and filtered through the open windows as it chugged into the station. A large glass-fronted clock hung down from the metal dome. A black sign hung nearby, which told them they were on Platform No.1. There were many arched black doorways with white signs above them, telling customers what was behind each door: the Telegraph Office, Gentleman’s Lavatory, General Offices, and Cloakroom were just a few. Black-framed notice boards sat between each door. Annie fleetingly wondered what they said, but was distracted by the ornate ironwork. Every few feet round glass lights hung down from the domed roof. A bird had flown in and was pacing and flying up and down trying to find its way out. It stopped and perched on top of the platform sign, peering down at everyone. The arrival of the train caused a breeze and a scrunched-up newspaper fluttered along, taking flight only to float back down again a little further along.

  Annie breathed a sigh of relief. ‘We must stay together. There are lots of signs so hopefully we won’t get lost.’

  ‘Don’t forget Joyce will be meeting us off the train. She said to wait at the end of the platform and she will find us.’

  There was a screech of brakes and the train jolted to a stop. Carriage doors thudded against the train as they were swung open and the empty platform was suddenly full of people marching along it.

  Annie didn’t move. She carried on peering out of the window, watching the hustle and bustle their train arriving had caused. The quiet, empty platform was now full of noise. People were calling out to each other. The shrill of a woman’s voice carried through the air as she told someone to hurry up. Some children looked sad and forlorn while others cried, which only angered their parents more. ‘Everyone seems to be in such a hurry and they don’t look happy,’ she said.

  Rose jumped up and reached for her case in the overhead luggage rack. Groaning, she jerked to the side to stop it bouncing on top of her. ‘I didn’t think this through, I should have brought a smaller case.’

  Standing up, Annie laughed. ‘You mean like I did.’

  Rose gave her a sideways glance. ‘Come on, let’s get off this train.’

  Annie followed Rose shuffling along the walkway to the carriage door. Rose stepped down off the train and Annie passed her the cases before stepping down herself. Annie looked up and down the platform, her jaw dropping as she stared at everything around her. She tugged at the long sleeve of Rose’s white cotton blouse. ‘I think there’s more people on this platform than live in our whole village.’

  Rose looked around at the throng of people. Children were running alongside their mothers. Men in bowler hats carried briefcases with newspapers stuffed under their arms. ‘Come on, let’s find Joyce. Hopefully she’ll be waiting for us at the end of this platform.’

  ‘Let’s hope so.’ Annie gave a faint smile. ‘It already feels a bit scary, but I suppose if Joyce has managed to live here then so can we. After all, we are bright, intelligent women.’

  Rose shook her head. ‘Stop worrying so much. It’s what you wanted, isn’t it?’

  Annie glanced at Rose’s pained expression and chuckled. ‘Yes, it is. I’m just panicking that’s all. I didn’t expect to see so many people.’

  They stepped forward in unison, keeping their eyes peeled for Joyce.

  Rose lifted her arm and waved her hand vigorously. ‘There she is.’ Rose beamed at Annie. ‘Let the adventure begin.’

  Annie giggled. ‘I can only see a hand waving. How do you know it’s her?’

  ‘You’ll see.’

  Joyce rushed forward on to the platform and wrapped her arms around Rose and squeezed tight. ‘It’s so wonderful to see you, it’s been ages.’ She moved to do the same to Annie.

  Annie smiled as her body was engulfed in Joyce’s embrace. Annie clung to her, feeling her thinness through her threadbare coat. She wrinkled her nose at the smell of fried food that was resting on her skin, which was at odds with the clinical smell of disinfectant also wafting from Joyce.

  Joyce pulled back and grinned at the two girls. ‘I’m so pleased you’re here. Come on, let’s get out of this station and I’ll show you a little bit of London.’

  The girls grabbed their cases and followed Joyce off the platform and onto the busy concourse.

  A boy called out. ‘Get yer paper ’ere.’

  The girls kept walking and they were soon walking under the arch out into the street. Annie looked back at the red-brick building with all its impressive arched windows. She smiled, committing this day to memory; she had arrived in London and was one step nearer to living her dream.

  Rose stopped to watch her friend. ‘Yes, Annie, after all those years of dreaming we’re definitely here.’

  Annie looked back at her smiling from ear to ear. ‘I know, I can’t believe it.’ She turned to Joyce. ‘Thank you so much for allowing us to stay with you until we get ourselves sorted out.’

  Joyce giggled. ‘I wouldn’t have it any other way.’ She opened her mouth to say more but thought better of it. ‘You need to be careful because the roads are quite busy. If it’s not horse and carts, it’s cars chugging along coughing out their black smoke. In the mornings, if you’re up early enough, you’ll see men pulling their barrows along the street getting ready to sell their goods.’

  Annie strolled along gaping up at the tall buildings. ‘I can’t believe how big everything is.’

  Joyce smiled. ‘There are places to escape to. Hyde Park is coming up, which has the Serpentine River r
unning through it, so it’s not all tall buildings.’

  The girls grinned at each other.

  Rose tucked her arm in Annie’s. ‘We’ll have to go there before we leave.’

  Joyce frowned. ‘I hope you’re not thinking of leaving soon. I want to show you the sights like Buckingham Palace and all the museums and galleries.’

  Rose giggled. ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we actually got to see King George while we are here.’

  Annie raised her eyebrows. ‘I shouldn’t think that’s likely, do you?’

  Rose glanced from Annie to Joyce. ‘I expect not, but you never know.’

  A young boy in patched short trousers and a grubby shirt yelled out across the street. ‘Get your papers here. Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria shot in Sarajevo. Read all about it.’

  Annie frowned. ‘Who’s that then, and why is it making news here? I’ve never heard of Sarajevo.’

  The girls shrugged.

  ‘I have no idea but it must be big news because usually they’re all talking about the suffragettes wanting the vote for women. That’s all people talk about, well that and the threat of a general strike. Apparently if that happens it could bring the country to its knees.’

  *

  Annie’s eyes were darting everywhere as the three girls strolled along. The buildings were all taller than she had ever seen before, each one shutting out the sun and the breeze. She couldn’t hear any birdsong, and there was no greenery or trees, just cars chugging along next to the horse and carts that were making deliveries to the shops and public houses. Shops had awnings pulled down protecting their wares against the heat of the day. She took a breath and immediately wrinkled her nose; the air wasn’t the same as back home. Annie sniffed again trying to decide what it did smell of, but her nose felt under attack with several different unidentifiable smells assaulting her. Shuddering, she closed her mouth as the smells were hitting the back of her throat. She looked around; maybe it was the cars, or horse dung, mingled in with hot food. Shrugging, she hoped she would get used to it in time.