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

by Elaine Roberts

  That was it, permission had been granted and the tears tripped over and rolled down her cheeks. ‘Pa, things have changed. I’ve changed. Nothing is more important than my family, nothing. You were always important to me but I thought you would all be around for years. I took it all for granted.’ She wiped her fingertips over her cheeks.

  ‘We all take each other for granted.’ Dorothy put her hand on top of Annie and Tom’s and squeezed them tight. ‘What about Peter?’

  Tom scowled and went to pull his hand away but Dorothy pinned it to the table. ‘Who is Peter?’

  Margaret smiled. ‘Yeah, Annie, who’s Peter? You kept him quiet.’

  Annie glared at Dorothy, and knew instantly it was all Rose’s doing. ‘Peter is one of Joyce’s friends.’ She stood up, resigned to the questioning that would now take place. She took a deep breath. ‘He has a fruit and vegetable barrow and would like to have his own store one day.’ She stood looking out of the window. ‘He’s met me from work a couple of times to make sure I got home safely. He also took me to the Foyles Bookshop, which by the way is absolutely wonderful.’

  Tom stood up, his chair scraping across the floor.

  Annie looked round as Dorothy waved at him to sit back down again.

  Tom cleared his throat. ‘You like him though, don’t you?’

  Annie nodded. ‘But I don’t know if he likes me in the same way. As I said he’s Joyce’s friend.’

  Dorothy smiled. ‘According to Rose, he only has eyes for you.’

  Annie shook her head. ‘And what does Rose know about such things?’ She walked back over to the table. ‘We should be making the most of David’s last night with us. Who knows when we will all be together again?’

  Tom nodded. ‘You are quite right, Annie.’

  David smiled. ‘I think this talk has been quite enlightening.’ He looked at them all. ‘I think Aunt Dorothy should stay; admittedly she needs to sort out her stuff with Arthur, who by the way seems to be a different man to the one I met in London. Annie, you need to go back to London and decide what you want to do, with or without Peter. You will always have a home here so you can come back anytime, just always make sure you have enough money in your purse for a train ticket. Margaret has no desire to leave the farm so Pa, or any of us, are no worse off than we were before.’ David sucked in his breath. ‘Except of course that we have all lost an amazing woman, one we all adored.’

  Tom could feel his eyes welling up. He blinked quickly. ‘Your ma wouldn’t want any of you to put your lives on hold for the farm, and of course it goes without saying she was right.’

  A sharp rap on the front door had them all staring at each other.

  Dorothy stood up. ‘I’ll get it. It’s probably Arthur not wanting to barge in on our conversation.’

  21

  Dorothy pulled open the door to see a young man standing there.

  ‘I’m sorry to intrude but does Annie Cradwell live here?’

  Annie stood up. She knew that voice. It didn’t sound as confident as usual but it was music to her ears. ‘Peter? Peter, is that you?’

  Dorothy stood aside and let the young man in.

  Annie ran to the front door and threw her arms around him, before remembering where she was. ‘What are you doing here? Who’s looking after your barrow?’ She stepped back, suddenly aware that everyone was looking at her. ‘Sorry, I don’t mean to be rude; I’m just shocked to see you here. Peter, this is my grandfather, William, my father, Tom, my brother, David and my sister, Margaret.’ She turned back to face him. ‘And the lady that opened the door is my Aunt Dorothy.’

  Dorothy smiled as she shut out the cold evening air.

  Tom watched Annie; her face had lit up and her eyes were sparkling. She looked alive for the first time since she had arrived.

  Peter bowed his head slightly. ‘Good evening, everyone. I’m sorry, I don’t wish to intrude, I understand this is a difficult time for you all.’ He turned to Annie. ‘But I had to know if you were all right.’ He paused to take a breath. ‘Joyce only told me a few days ago so I came as soon as I could.’

  William stood up and, holding out his hand, he walked over to him. ‘Nice to meet you, Peter. As Annie said, I’m her grandfather.’

  ‘Good evening, sir.’ Peter fidgeted from one foot to the other. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t think I thought this through.’ He clenched his hands by his side. ‘I should leave.’

  David called out. ‘Come and sit down, Peter, you must be frozen. Have you come all the way from London?’

  Peter took a tentative step forward. ‘Yes, sir.’

  Dorothy stepped forward. ‘Let me take your coat and I’ll put the kettle on.’

  Peter unbuttoned his jacket and passed it to her.

  Annie took his hand and squeezed it. ‘Come on, they won’t bite, not even my father.’ She didn’t take her eyes off Peter as she pulled him to the table.

  Tom eyed Peter wondering what it was about him that his daughter was smitten with. Ivy’s voice suddenly played in his head. Play nice, Tom, he’s come a long way so he must care a lot about Annie. He nodded.

  Annie frowned. ‘You all right, Pa?’

  Tom nodded. ‘Of course, it’s lovely to meet you, Peter. You must care a lot about my daughter to travel up to see her.’

  Colour crept up Peter’s neck.

  ‘Pa.’

  Everyone laughed, with the exception of Annie and Peter.

  Dorothy rested her hand on Annie’s shoulder. ‘Don’t worry, he’s just doing his big brother and father thing.’

  David chuckled. ‘Oh, does that mean I should be doing it as well?’

  ‘No!’ Annie scowled at David.

  Peter glanced at Annie and forced a smile. ‘Don’t worry, Annie, I’d want to do the same thing if it was the other way round.’ He turned to Tom. ‘Mr Cradwell, I have been looking forward to meeting you. I don’t know if Annie’s mentioned me—’

  ‘I don’t believe she has.’

  Peter frowned and looked over at Annie.

  Annie shook her head. ‘For this very reason, and anyway there’s nothing to tell.’

  Peter nodded. ‘Right, well, I have a fruit and vegetable barrow on the street near where Annie lives with Rose and Joyce. They walk past it every day.’

  Tom nodded. ‘Then we probably need to talk, but not tonight. My son, David, goes back to the front line tomorrow.’

  Peter’s face immediately coloured. ‘Oh, I’m sorry.’

  David smiled. ‘Don’t be sorry, you weren’t to know. Also I’m absolutely delighted to meet you.’

  William glanced at the young lad. ‘Don’t worry, Peter, she may not have told any of us about you but Annie has been babbling on to the chickens about you and her life in London.’

  The room erupted with laughter as Annie’s face turned crimson.

  Peter grinned. His smile faded when he turned to Annie. ‘I wasn’t sure if you were coming back, and Joyce didn’t know and neither did Kitty.’

  Annie opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.

  Tom was watching them together and was immediately transported back to the early days of Ivy and him. His eyes glistened; if they cared as much about each other as he and Ivy did, they would be in for a life of happiness together. ‘She will be going back to London. She still has a dream to make happen.’

  Annie felt the tears pricking at her eyes. ‘Pa, we’ve had this conversation, and that’s not what was decided.’

  Tom frowned. ‘I can always throw you out you know.’

  Peter gasped. ‘Oh please, sir, don’t do that. Annie missed you all so much when she was in London.’ He turned to Annie. ‘I’ll move up here, and I could find work and help your father with the farm.’

  Annie’s mouth dropped open. ‘You would do that?’

  Peter nodded.

  Annie shook her head. ‘No, you have your ma to think about, remember?’

  Peter lowered his eyes as sadness washed over him.

  Tom wat
ched the worry trample down on Peter. This was going to be his future son-in-law, of that there was no doubt. ‘Stop worrying, Peter, Annie is going back to London, and not because I’m throwing her out either.’

  Tears spilled over onto Annie’s cheeks.

  Tom grabbed her hand across the table. ‘Listen to me, young lady; your mother will haunt me for the rest of my days if I don’t get this right. I didn’t encourage you when you left but this time I am. I was wrong then but I’m right this time. Dorothy is staying and who knows about Arthur but your grandfather and I can manage. If not, we’ll get a young lad to help from the village. So decisions have been made and it’s no longer up for discussion.’

  David nodded. ‘Well done, Pa, that was a good decision. Ma would be proud of you.’

  William stood up and scowled at Annie. ‘There’s a condition that goes with it, mind.’

  Annie stared wide-eyed at him. ‘What is it, Grandpa?’

  He grinned from ear to ear. ‘You write at least once a week and come back as often as you can.’

  Annie jumped up and hugged him. ‘That goes without saying.’

  Her grandfather pulled back and looked at her mischievously. ‘And make sure we’re all invited to your wedding; don’t do a Dorothy.’

  Annie gasped, her face instantly beetroot red.

  Everyone in the room laughed.

  Peter chuckled. ‘Don’t worry, sir, all of those conditions will be met but first I would need to ask Mr Cradwell’s permission.’

  Annie looked horrified.

  Peter grinned. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not going to do it right now in front of everyone. I shall at least wait until I’ve spoken to the chickens about it.’

  Everyone laughed at Annie’s embarrassment.

  Margaret stood up and wandered round the table. ‘Give me a hug, Peter. You are going to be a good addition to this family as and when that time comes. It’s lovely to meet you.’ She threw her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek before stepping back. ‘Welcome to the madhouse.’

  Annie shook her head and sat back down again. ‘You’re all mad, and I can’t believe you went to the theatre.’ She shook her head. ‘How is Kitty?’

  ‘She’s fine. She’s very proud of the fact she’s managing, but I’ll tell you more later.’ Peter smiled. ‘I almost forgot, Kitty asked me to tell you they are now doing The Earl and the Girl at the Lyric Theatre.’

  ‘My goodness they’ve moved again. She must have been in a pickle.’

  Peter shook his head. ‘I believe she said Stan was looking after her but she’ll be glad when you’re back because he makes terrible coffee. Oh and she was insistent that I didn’t forget to tell you Matthew Harris has gone and apparently won’t be back.’

  Annie’s eyes widened.

  Tom had been listening to the exchange with interest. ‘You look shocked.’

  Annie swung round to face her father but didn’t say anything.

  Dot forced herself to smile. ‘Matthew was the Musical Director but he was known for overstepping the mark with some of the young girls, so they’ve done well to get rid of him.’

  Tom frowned. ‘Did he try it on with you, Annie?’

  Peter opened his mouth to speak but was stopped by Annie’s foot hitting his ankle under the table.

  Annie looked at Peter and rested her hand on his arm. ‘Oh, I am sorry, was that your leg?’

  Dot smiled at the couple.

  ‘In answer to your question, Pa, he didn’t. Kitty was always looking out for me. I was very fortunate.’

  Peter nodded. ‘I don’t mean to change the subject but Joyce has come up too. She’s at Rose’s home.’

  Annie breathed a sigh of relief. ‘How wonderful, it feels like ages since I last saw her.’

  *

  Annie stared out of the window as the train pulled into Paddington Station. ‘Rose, do you remember our excitement when we first came into this station? I don’t think I had ever seen so many people milling around in one place before.’

  Rose laughed. ‘And that excitement quickly turned to fear, or maybe it was panic.’

  Annie turned round as the steam whirled passed the window. ‘While I have you all in one place, I want to thank you all for being such good friends when I needed you the most.’ She smiled at Joyce. ‘I don’t know what’s happened to your uncle but he’s a different man now, and who knew your aunt was our Dot at the theatre.’

  ‘I know, I think he intends to stay a few more days and then he’ll have to make a decision about what he’s doing.’ Joyce frowned. ‘I suppose we could end up homeless if he moves back to the village.’

  Annie shook her head. ‘I think he will give us time to find somewhere else to live and I do think him and Dot have a lot to sort out before that happens, if it ever does.’ She smiled. ‘Mind you, I think they do still love each other so I hope they do get back together.’

  Peter smiled. ‘You old romantic, but I must admit they all seem very nice people, even your father, although I can’t deny he frightened me a little at first.’

  Rose laughed. ‘That’s what fathers are meant to do for any potential suitors.’

  The train screeched to a stop and the whistle blew loudly. Doors were opened and swung against the carriage, banging as it made contact. Peter stretched up and pulled down the three small cases from the overhead racking.

  Peter gazed at Annie. ‘Yer know, I ’ad to buy this case especially to come to see you.’

  ‘I’m sorry, you could have written instead of taking a couple of days off work, and saved the expense.’

  Peter shrugged. ‘I did think about that but I figured it would ’ave been easier for yer to tell me yer couldn’t see me anymore by letter, so ’ere I am.’

  Annie rubbed her hand up and down the sleeve of his jacket. ‘And I’m glad.’

  Peter jumped down off the carriage and held his hand up to help the ladies step off the train.

  Once on the platform, Annie lifted her head to sniff the air. It was definitely different to back home, there was a freshness missing. ‘Ah, it’s good to be back.’ She looked at the others as they stepped down. ‘It’s been a tough couple of weeks. I miss my mother and I’m going to miss her letters but this feels like home now.’ Her vision blurred. ‘I just wish she could see how happy I am to be back.’

  Rose put her arm around Annie’s shoulder. ‘Don’t you worry, your ma knew, and does know, you’re as happy as you can be in the circumstances.’

  Peter tucked Annie’s arm under his and they all began walking off the platform towards the exit.

  As they stepped outside the train station Annie shivered. ‘Would it be wrong of me to want to go straight to the Lyric Theatre?’

  Rose laughed. ‘I’ll come with you, and fingers crossed, you never know, I might still have a job. I need to tell them about Dot not coming back anyway.’

  Peter nodded. ‘It’s on Shaftesbury Avenue so we’ll be heading in that direction anyway.’

  Joyce nodded. ‘While you do that I’ll go to The Meet and Feast Café and let Simon know I’m back so I’ll see you back at the house.’

  Peter smiled. ‘I suppose I had better check ’arry hasn’t given away all my stock then.’

  They all laughed as they marched along the street.

  ‘It will probably take about an ’our to walk so would you ladies prefer to get a taxi?’

  Annie frowned. ‘I’m not fussed, it’ll be good to walk near Hyde Park, Marble Arch and Oxford Street.’

  Joyce laughed. ‘Hark at you, you’ve become a proper West End girl. You know exactly where you’re going.’

  Annie blushed. ‘I’ve had good teachers.’

  It wasn’t long before the smell of hot food wafted in their direction and they were soon on Oxford Street.

  Rose sniffed the air as she watched a man buy some hot soup. ‘Do you think this road is ever quiet?’

  Peter laughed. ‘I don’t think so, it’s hard to get a pitch for yer barrow here, for exactly
that reason.’

  Annie chuckled. ‘Oh, Peter, you seem to have lost your posh accent now we’re back in London.’

  Peter laughed. ‘Yeah, well, I can’t keep it up forever, can I?’

  The girls all laughed.

  Annie’s laughter faded away. ‘You know you didn’t have to pretend to be something you’re not for my family.’

  Rose looked over at them. ‘And certainly not for mine, we have a reputation to keep up.’

  Again they all laughed.

  Peter squeezed Annie’s hand. ‘I didn’t want your family thinking I weren’t good enough now, did I?’

  Annie shook her head. ‘All my family wants is for us all to be safe and happy, and they liked you.’ She giggled. ‘I think they worked out your speaking voice wasn’t the real you.’

  ‘How? I tried so hard to keep it going.’

  Annie chuckled. ‘It was awful, that’s how. No one talks like you were, and certainly no one I’ve ever met.’

  *

  Rose and Annie stood outside the Lyric Theatre; it was not as grand or impressive as the Lyceum and didn’t have the round shape of the Aldwych Theatre. Rose dropped her small old case on the ground next to her, wishing she hadn’t bothered bringing the extra bits back with her.

  Annie grinned as she looked up at the four-storey building. ‘I’ve got butterflies, my stomach is churning with excitement.’

  Rose picked up her case with one hand and grabbed Annie’s hand with the other. ‘Come on then let’s get inside, and let’s hope we don’t have to sneak in.’ She opened the main door and peered in.

  There was no one in the main foyer. They stood staring for a few minutes at the ornate decor.

  ‘Can I help you?’

  The girls jumped at the officious deep voice. They turned to see an older man in a black suit watching them.

  ‘We’re not open yet, you’ll have to come back later if you wish to buy tickets.’

  Rose watched the man walk towards the main door to let them out. ‘We’re not here to buy tickets, we’re here to work.’