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

by Elaine Roberts

  Annie smiled. ‘We did, but the others thought you looked so happy, which you did, so they didn’t want to spoil it by interrupting.’

  ‘Annie, on the other hand didn’t want to leave you there in case Simon turned out to be another Jack the Ripper.’

  The room was suddenly full of laughter.

  Joyce smiled at them both. ‘It was a good evening.’

  ‘And?’ Rose lifted her eyebrows for her to continue.

  Joyce shook her head. ‘And what?’

  Rose sighed. ‘Did you ask him about baking for the café?’

  ‘I didn’t have much choice after you blurted it out as Peter dragged you out the door.’

  Rose shrugged. ‘If I hadn’t you wouldn’t have asked him.’

  ‘That’s probably true.’

  ‘This is hard work.’ Rose groaned. ‘So, what did he say about it?’

  Joyce giggled at her friend’s frustration but she was enjoying the moment. ‘He was more than open to the idea, the items just have to be priced up.’ Joyce clapped her hands together. ‘He ran through an example with me so I can always do it if need be.’

  The girls cheered and reached forward to hug Joyce.

  ‘That’s fabulous news,’ Annie beamed. ‘Everything is coming together. I’m so pleased for you.’

  Rose squeezed Joyce’s hand. ‘Me too, I must admit when we saw Simon sitting there, I was concerned, because he looked really worried.’

  Joyce’s smile faded. ‘His friend has enlisted and I think he’s riddled with guilt about not doing the same. I told him he had the responsibility of keeping the family business running, but I don’t think he was convinced by my argument.’

  Annie shook her head. ‘It’s not that surprising really, there are posters everywhere asking the men to join up to fight for King and country.’ She frowned. ‘A lot of the men at the theatre have joined up. Kitty was saying they will soon have to use women to take the men’s roles.’

  ‘What I don’t understand from what I hear in the café thousands upon thousands have already enlisted so why do they keep asking for more?’ Joyce bit her bottom lip. ‘How many do they need for goodness sake?’ Her voice got higher in tone. ‘They also said it would be over by Christmas and that’s only a couple of weeks away, and yet men are still joining up, so that doesn’t look like it’s going to be the case. Then there’s the gift for them that Princess Mary organised. Don’t get me wrong, it’s all deserved, I just don’t want Simon and Peter to go and give their lives for something that’s nothing to do with us.’

  Annie leant forward. ‘The suffragettes said the country had to pull together at this time, that’s why they stopped demonstrating and the general strike was called off as soon as it was announced we were at war. It’s about supporting the men fighting, otherwise they are doing it for nothing.’

  Rose nodded. ‘It’s the same with us knitting socks, gloves, balaclavas and scarves for the men, I don’t mind because at least we feel we are doing our bit.’

  Joyce nodded. ‘That’s a good idea, Rose. Apparently, the newspapers are saying the east coast towns like Scarborough and Hartlepool have been bombed and, from what I can gather, many people were killed.’

  The girls were quiet for a moment.

  Rose looked troubled as her gaze travelled from one to the other. ‘That must mean it’s getting worse. The fact we’re an island isn’t keeping the Germans away.’

  Joyce grabbed her friend’s hands in hers. ‘I think it’s time I spoke to my uncle about unlocking the basement. We might need it.’

  *

  Annie rushed in through the stage door of the Aldwych Theatre. She fought for her breath. ‘Afternoon, Bert.’

  ‘You all right, you look like you’ve been running for your life. The devil ain’t chasing yer, is he?’ Bert chuckled. The newspaper he was reading rustled as he folded it in half and pushed himself off his wooden carver chair.

  ‘No.’ Annie gasped for breath. ‘I just didn’t want to be late, and it’s freezing out there. The cold sometimes takes my breath away.’

  ‘Come and sit, give yourself a minute to catch yer breath.’ He rested her elbow in the palm of his hand and guided her over to his chair.

  Annie sat quietly for a moment, concentrating on her breathing; the burning in her chest was beginning to fade away. She eventually nodded at his newspaper. ‘Any news worth mentioning in the paper this morning?’

  He shook his head. ‘It’s terrible. All these innocent people dying and you can’t help but ask why.’

  ‘What? What’s happened?’

  ‘This is yesterday’s newspaper but headlines reckon the east coast towns were bombarded by the Germans and quite a few people have died.’ Bert threw his paper down on to the chair. ‘It’s getting a bit close to home, init?’

  Worry slowly crept across Annie’s face as she nodded her head. ‘I heard about it last night. It’s terrible, isn’t it?’

  ‘Are you all right? I didn’t mean to upset yer.’

  ‘I’m fine, sorry, you haven’t upset me. It’s just, until the last few days, it hadn’t felt like we were at war.’

  ‘I know what yer mean. Apart from Kitchener’s posters everywhere you look and the police constables riding up and down the streets shouting “the Germans are coming” every five minutes, nothing’s changed. Although I’m not sure the Huns ever do come but they sure caught us this time.’ Bert eyed Annie for a moment. ‘You and young Rose don’t come from the east coast, do yer?’

  Annie gave him a small smile. ‘No, no, we’re from a village not far from Worcester.’

  ‘That’s all right then, cos at least yer family is safe. Are yer going ’ome for Christmas?’

  ‘I don’t think I can, what with the show and everything.’ Annie could feel the tears pricking at the back of her eyes.

  Bert studied her for a moment before wrapping his arms around her.

  Annie’s tears tripped over as she snuggled into Bert. The open threadbare jacket he wore was surprisingly soft against her skin, while his woody scent mixed with the carbolic soap he’d used earlier. After a few minutes she pulled away and wiped her eyes with the back of her fingers. ‘I’m sorry.’ She sniffed, reaching in her coat pocket for a handkerchief. ‘I’ve made your shirt wet.’ Annie dabbed at her eyes before squeezing the small piece of cotton tight in her hand.

  Bert ran his sausage fingers through his grey hair. ‘I’m no good at dealing with crying women, not had much experience in that department you understand, but with my roundness I’m told I give a good bear hug. If you ever get upset and yer need a cuddle from yer uncle Bert then you come and see me. I’m a good listener too, what wiv yer being so far away from yer family, so don’t forget that either.’

  ‘Thanks, Bert.’ Annie gave him a watery smile. ‘I think I’ll adopt you as my uncle while I’m here.’

  ‘That sounds good to me.’ Bert smiled. ‘So niece, what were yer getting upset about?’

  Annie chuckled and decided to play along with him. ‘I don’t know, it took me by surprise.’

  ‘Perhaps yer just missing yer family, which is understandable for a young girl like you.’ Bert’s lips tightened. ‘Do yer write to them?’

  Annie nodded. ‘Everyday. Me ma never mentions the war so I don’t know if she’s heard from my brother, David, or not.’ She sniffed again before dabbing at her nose. ‘I couldn’t bear it if something happened to them while I was down here chasing a dream.’

  ‘Perhaps yer should ask her outright.’

  ‘Maybe I will.’ Annie gave a faint smile. ‘Thanks, Bert, I’m sorry I cried all over you. I don’t know what got into me. Thank you.’ She stood on tiptoes and kissed his weathered face; the grey bristles on his cheek were surprisingly smooth against her lips. ‘You’re a gent, Bert, a real gent.’

  Bert beamed. ‘Go on, off wiv yer.’ He frowned for a moment. ‘Yer watch yerself wiv that Matthew ’arris, ’e’s a bad un.’

  Annie reached and squeezed his arm. ‘D
on’t worry, I’ll be fine.’ She turned and walked towards Kitty’s dressing room. ‘I’ll see you later.’

  It was early and the theatre was quiet. Annie smiled to herself. If it wasn’t for her heels you could hear a pin drop. She wondered whether to pop her head in to see Rose.

  ‘I won’t be messed about like this.’

  Annie recognised Matthew’s voice up ahead and ducked into the sewing room.

  ‘Hello, Annie! You look like you’re hiding from someone. That or else you’re up to no good and I can’t imagine that’s the case.’

  ‘Shhh.’ Annie put her forefinger to her lips.

  Rose walked over to her and whispered, ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘I’m hiding from Matthew.’ Annie breathed in Rose’s orange blossom perfume. ‘Well, I say that but I don’t know where he is, I just heard his voice.’

  ‘Does this mean you’re not having your singing lesson this morning?’

  Annie sighed. ‘No, I was later getting here than Matthew likes, so I’d rather avoid him than him make me feel bad.’

  ‘Good job too, he’s just a rat.’

  Annie jerked round to see Dot sitting at a table with a needle and thread in her hand. ‘Hello, Dot. Sorry, I didn’t see you there.’ She walked further into the room and sat at one of the tables.

  ‘That’s all right, I like to hide in the corner out of the way.’ Dot stood up. ‘I’ll make us a cup of tea.’ She wandered over to the sink; the water gushed and rattled inside the kettle.

  Rose followed Annie and sat down next to her. ‘Is everything all right? He hasn’t tried anything, has he?’

  Annie frowned; she looked down at her hands intertwined in her lap. ‘No, nothing like that but I just get a bad feeling since after the show the other evening, when you and Peter came to meet me. He made me feel quite uncomfortable.’ She paused. ‘Bert keeps warning me about him and I don’t think he would be saying things just to cause trouble.’ She peered up at Rose. ‘I thought he genuinely wanted to help me but I’m not so sure now. I think I’ve been stupid, so now I’m just avoiding him until I figure it out.’

  ‘You haven’t been stupid at all. You might have been too trusting but that’s all you’re guilty of.’ Rose pursed her lips together. ‘Perhaps you could complain to Stan about him, he seems a decent enough man.’

  Dot glanced over at the two girls as she spooned tea leaves into a large teapot. ‘I don’t think it will help you.’ Her lip curled in disgust as she looked down at the teacups. ‘Everyone knows what he’s like but nothing ever happens. He gets away with it because of his position and he tells everyone he doesn’t force himself on the girls, which is probably true but he plays with their dreams to get what he wants.’ She glanced up. ‘You’re prime material for him: you’re young, pretty and, from what Rose tells me, you want to be on the stage.’ She paused. ‘Also, you have no family around here.’

  Annie scowled. ‘You make him sound quite evil. He’s been good to me and never tried anything. Day after day he’s helped me with my singing and projecting my voice.’

  Dot frowned. ‘But at what cost?’

  Annie stared down at her hands. Her voice began to wobble. ‘It’s only lately he’s made me feel uncomfortable, that’s why I’ve missed a few.’

  *

  Annie tightened her scarf around her neck as the cold breeze found its way through her long black coat. The rain had stopped but cars squelched their way along the road, some spraying puddles of water onto the pavement. The posters that appeared to be on every available space were the only daily reminders that the country was at war. Annie’s mind drifted to her home, her real home, the muddy fields and the chickens. She breathed in and could almost smell the land. She wondered how her parents were managing, and if they would tell her if they weren’t coping. With David enlisting they could definitely be struggling. Would they tell her if they were struggling? Should she go home and give up on her dream?

  ‘I’m sure it’s getting colder.’ Rose pulled at her coat collar and gave Annie a sideways glance. The corner of her lips lifted a little. ‘I’ve noticed we always seem to come the same route every day, no matter where we are going. Is that so you can see Peter, or is it because this is always the right way to come?’ She glanced across at Annie, who looked troubled, but there was no response from her. A mischievous smile slowly formed on Rose’s face. ‘Do you think you and Peter will get married and have lots of children?’

  Nothing.

  ‘Morning, Annie.’

  Rose peered over her shoulder to see Peter striding towards them.

  Oblivious, Annie was locked in her own thoughts and jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

  ‘Morning, Rose.’

  Rose sighed. ‘Morning, Peter. I’ve been talking to myself this morning so good luck.’

  Annie glared at Rose. ‘That’s not true so stop causing trouble.’

  Rose laughed at her friend. ‘I know you’ve been locked away inside your head because some of the things I’ve been saying you definitely would have told me off for.’

  Peter’s voice was anxious when he spoke again. ‘Is everything all right, Annie?’

  Annie turned round to face him and forced a smile. ‘Of course, how are you this morning?’

  Rose looked from one to the other before quietly stepping away to glance in a shop window.

  Peter studied Annie for a moment. ‘Yer were miles away when I shouted morning to yer, that or else yer were ignoring me. I must admit I prefer to fink your mind was miles away.’ He paused for a second. ‘Are yer sure yer all right?’

  Annie frowned. ‘Yes, I’m sorry.’ She sighed as she looked up at him. ‘I was thinking about my family back home.’

  Peter looked over his shoulder at his barrow. ‘Yer ’aven’t had bad news, ’ave you?’

  Annie shook her head. ‘No, as far as I’m aware everything is fine.’

  ‘That’s good.’ Peter glanced over his shoulder again, a queue was forming, and he had to get back to work. ‘Look, I’m sorry I can’t talk now but maybe I could meet yer after you’ve finished work and we can chat then.’

  Annie nodded. ‘I’d like that.’ She smiled. ‘Don’t look so worried, I’m all right, just letting things get on top of me.’ She looked over at his barrow. ‘Go on, I don’t want you losing business because you’re chatting to me.’

  ‘I’ll meet yer after work, maybe we can have a coffee somewhere.’

  Annie smiled. ‘That would be lovely, I’ll let Bert know you’re coming.’ She watched him turn around and run back to his barrow.

  He leant over and smiled at a customer before shoving potatoes into a metal bowl for the scales to weigh. Peter looked up and waved in her direction before tipping the potatoes into the customer’s shopping bag.

  Annie sighed. She could watch him all day, but that wasn’t going to get her Christmas shopping done. If she went home and was needed then all her imaginary thoughts of a future with Peter would be lost forever. She shook her head; turning round she scanned the ever-growing throng of people, looking for Rose.

  Rose turned round from the shop window and waved at Annie to come over.

  Annie waved and began threading her way through the people. ‘What’s caught your eye?’ She reached her and peered in to see what she had seen. The window was a splash of colour. Hats rested on stands at jaunty angles, scarves draped next to matching gloves. ‘Are you thinking of buying a new hat or something?’

  Rose chuckled. ‘I was thinking I could buy my ma a scarf with matching gloves. I don’t think she’s ever had anything that’s matched before.’

  ‘That’s a good idea, wish I had thought of that.’ Annie leant in to get a better look. ‘Do you want to go in and get them?’

  Rose tilted her head to one side as she gazed inside the shop. ‘I shall get it on the way back.’

  Annie nodded. ‘If there’s time. Having said that you can always get it tomorrow if not. They’re lovely colours; it reminds me of the
leaves on the trees back home, all the browns, gold and reds.’

  Rose turned to Annie. ‘Come on, let’s go or we’ll never get this shopping done.’ She pulled Annie along until she fell into step with her. ‘You’ve been very quiet this morning, are you all right?’

  Annie sighed. ‘You’re the second person to ask me that in the last ten minutes. I’m all right.’

  Rose was quiet for a moment but she glanced across at her. ‘I’ve known you long enough to know that’s just not true. I’m sorry, whatever it is you probably don’t want to talk about it, I get it, but we’re friends and have been all our lives so I’m not going to let it go. You might as well save hours of me keeping on and just tell me.’

  Annie could feel her tears pricking at her eyes as she stared straight ahead but she said nothing. Her throat tightened and her heart was pounding in her chest.

  Rose grabbed Annie’s arm. ‘I’m not leaving it. It’s clearly something because you look like you’re going to cry.’

  Annie shook her head before taking a deep breath. ‘I can’t tell you because I don’t really know.’ She paused for a moment expecting Rose to comment but she said nothing. ‘I miss my family, I miss home.’ She swallowed hard. ‘Those bombs that killed all those people… what if it had been our families? Right now, it feels like we’re a million miles away from them.’

  Rose pushed her hand under her friend’s arm and squeezed it tight. ‘You can’t think like that. It could happen to any of us, and not necessarily because of a war going on. If we all thought like that none of us would ever leave each other’s side. You wouldn’t have even walked to the village.’

  A tear escaped and rested on Annie’s cold face. ‘I know you’re right, it just frightens me.’

  Rose nodded. ‘Me too, but we can’t dwell on it otherwise we will drive ourselves mad. Come on we need to have some fun.’

  A watery smile slowly lifted the corners of Annie’s lips. ‘Where do you want to go?’

  Rose’s eyes lit up. ‘We could start with John Lewis. I understand it’s a haberdasher’s and I love looking at ribbons and lace, let alone material.’