by Pam Howes
‘Lewis’s staff discount comes in handy,’ she said. ‘And I’ve been saving my Legion tips for weeks. As soon as you mentioned doing the bike up I decided there and then on what I was getting you this year and I had it put away as it was the only one in the store.’
He laughed. ‘Beats the usual socks and hankies into a cocked hat!’
‘Ah, well,’ she said, trying not to giggle, and handed him a parcel from his mother. They both burst out laughing at the contents of black socks and white, initialled hankies.
‘Ah, here’s our Brian. Come on and open your parcels, lad,’ Terry said as Brian stumbled into the sitting room, brown hair standing on end and his old pyjamas at half-mast around his shins. ‘Think we might have chosen the right thing for you, me laddo, eh, Alice?’ He handed Brian a package that contained new navy and white striped pyjamas and a pair of tartan slippers. ‘Just what you need, eh, mate?’ he said as Brian nodded happily.
‘I’ll go and make a start on the bacon sarnies while you lot clear away the wrappings,’ Alice said. ‘Put them on the fire. I’ll call you when breakfast is ready.’
* * *
Granny Lomax admired Alice’s eternity ring but frowned when Terry modelled his new biking jacket.
‘I hope this doesn’t mean you’re going to be tearing around on that contraption again, Terry Lomax. You know how much I hate you riding it. I’m surprised at you, Alice, for encouraging him.’
‘I didn’t. And he’s going to ride it whether we like it or not,’ Alice replied firmly. ‘So it’s better that he’s warmly wrapped up when he goes out on it.’
‘I suppose so.’ Granny pursed her lips. ‘And don’t you go getting any ideas about having a go,’ she said to Brian. ‘You’re too young. Now then, let’s have a look at what Cathy has got in her bag. Oh, aren’t you a lucky little girl. What are you?’
‘A little passion killer,’ Cathy replied with wide-eyed innocence as Alice blushed and shook her head in Terry’s direction. ‘That’s what Daddy said. Didn’t he, Mammy?’
* * *
After a turkey dinner complete with all the trimmings it was nice to relax and listen to the King giving a completely different type of speech than the ones he’d given over the last few years. Afterwards, Brian and Terry announced they were going outside to the garage to take a look at the Harley.
‘Don’t let Brian get on it,’ Alice called after them.
‘Nobody’s getting on it,’ Terry said. ‘Well, apart from having a bit of a sit on it. We can’t go anywhere. It’s got no petrol for starters. I just want to have a look at the tyres and see if they’re still usable. I’m going to start buying the things I need each week now, a bit at a time, and then we’ll get it back on the road come spring. Jack’s really good with bikes. Always the one to go to when something needed fixing. Can’t imagine he’s lost his skills, even if he doesn’t ride one now. He’s the only one of my old mates that can drive as well, so he knows what he’s doing around engines. He should have been a mechanic instead of a barman. He was supposed to be working mainly on servicing tanks when he had the accident with the gun. Shame really. He’s wasted pulling pints.’
‘Well, it can’t be helped, and he’s a good barman,’ Alice said in Jack’s defence. ‘He was telling me the other day that when Arnold retires soon he might consider applying for the steward’s job at the Legion. But he needs to put money down, it’s called a bond, except he’s not got enough saved up yet. It’s a shame, because it would give him a nice place to live as well if he could manage to get the money together. He’ll lose his chance unless he can borrow it from somewhere.’
Terry nodded. ‘Well if he can manage it, it sounds like a good plan, if he doesn’t drink the bar dry while he’s running it. He used to love a drop of the sauce and I doubt that’ll have changed.’
‘It hasn’t,’ Alice said. ‘But I’m sure he’d love helping you with the bike.’
When Brian and Terry went outside, she did the washing up while Granny played with Cathy. Through the kitchen window she watched Brian sitting on the Harley, pretending to rev it up, his delighted grin splitting his face. Alice sighed. The wind was whipping his hair into his eyes as though he was riding along. She thought about Sadie and how she’d left Luca Romano, Gianni’s father, because of her fear of the Wall of Death ride that he worked on at the family fairground. She didn’t blame Sadie one little bit. It was bad enough thinking of Terry riding daily to Vauxhall and back on a flat road, without thinking about him doing it for a living. The walls of the wide barrel that Luca rode his bike around were steep, according to Sadie, several feet off the ground, and he climbed from the bottom, circling round and round until he arrived at the top, where the crowd cheered him on. Alice shuddered, thinking about it. If Luca fell from that height he could break his neck. It really didn’t bear thinking about.
Brian clambered off and Terry climbed up onto the seat. He stood up on the pedals and waved at her. She felt an involuntary shiver run from head to toe. A little ghost running over her grave, as her ex-workmate Marlene would have said when anyone got the goosebumps.
Millie and Jimmy were joining them at five o’clock for a turkey sandwich and a glass of sherry. It would be lovely to see them. Millie – who had left her job working with Alice at Rootes to sing with a band that went from base to base, entertaining the troops – had said over a recent cuppa that she was hoping to return to singing full time in dance halls up and down the country now that the war was well and truly over. She was a good hairdresser though, and in Alice’s opinion, she’d be better off trying to get a job in a professional salon and training properly once she and Jimmy had decided where they were going to live when they were married. With Jimmy being a Blackpool boy they might even want to move away from Liverpool. How on earth the marriage would work if Millie did choose to sing professionally again, Alice didn’t have a clue.
She finished the washing up, wiped the pots and hung the tea towel up to dry. She popped her head around the sitting room door. ‘Shall I butter the bread ready for tonight’s sandwiches?’
‘Yes please, Alice.’ Granny, whose head was swathed in bandages, looked up from the sofa, where she was lying down. ‘That would be lovely. We’re playing doctors and nurses. I’m the patient, as you can see. I do hope Cathy’s bedside manner improves if she decides to take up nursing for real when she’s older!’ She stopped talking as Nurse Cathy rammed a toy thermometer into her mouth and said, ‘Just be quiet, lady.’
Alice laughed and went back into the kitchen, leaving them to it.
* * *
‘Canada? But what about your mam and dad, and your singing?’ Alice stared open-mouthed at Millie and Jimmy, who were seated side by side on the sofa and had just calmly announced they planned to emigrate to Canada in a year or two.
‘I’m sure she’ll be able to sing over there, and her parents can visit us whenever they want to,’ Jimmy said, taking hold of Millie’s hand and lacing his fingers through hers.
‘But why Canada?’
Jimmy shrugged. ‘I met some real nice Canadian servicemen while I was in the army and they said their country is crying out for skilled tradesmen. I’m a bricklayer by trade, even though I worked in the family fishing business for a while before the war. I could get a really good job out there. Millie can work if she wants to, but probably won’t need to. The houses look lovely on the pictures we’ve seen, and they’re cheaper than here. I just think it will be a great start for us and a good place to raise any family we might have.’
Alice sat back and chewed her lip. She looked directly at Millie, who didn’t quite meet her eye.
‘But they need skilled bricklayers here with all the rebuilding that’s going on.’ She shrugged as Millie stayed quiet. ‘Ah well, if it’s what you both want, then I’m sure it will be a good move for you.’
Alice wasn’t really convinced it was what her friend wanted. Millie was a real home-body and hadn’t even got further than one station down the line from
Aigburth in an abandoned attempt at joining the Land Army a few years ago. She’d travelled about with the band, but had always known she would be back in Liverpool every few weeks. There’d be none of that if she moved to Canada.
Jimmy nodded eagerly for them both. ‘It is, and we’ve talked long and hard about it.’
Alice jumped to her feet and hurried into the kitchen before tears fell. Now that her friend was no longer on the road, she’d got used to Millie being at home; if she left Alice would miss her all over again, as would Cathy.
Millie appeared at the kitchen door. ‘Why don’t you and Terry think about emigrating? It would be amazing if we ended up in the same place.’
Alice shook her head. ‘We can’t do that. I don’t want to uproot Brian right now. He’s got important exams soon and we’re hoping he’ll go on to college and maybe university in a few years’ time. And Cathy starts school in two weeks. It’s okay when you don’t have responsibilities, like you and Jimmy.’ She stopped as Millie frowned. ‘Sorry if I sound all defensive, I don’t mean to. But there’s Terry’s mother to think about too. He’d never leave her alone here. No, I’m afraid it’s not for us, but I hope it works out for the pair of you. And I also hope it’s what you really want, Millie, and you’re not just going along with it for Jimmy’s sake. You didn’t seem too sure back there.’
‘It is.’ Millie nodded, her dark blonde hair bouncing on her shoulders. ‘I got used to travelling around with the band. I feel a bit hemmed in when I have to stay in one place. It will do me good. Broaden my horizons.’
‘Really?’ Alice said. ‘Two words: Land Army!’
Millie smiled. ‘Ah well, that was different. The thought of cows and things, you know.’ She changed the subject before Alice could say anything more. ‘Here, let me help you take the sandwiches through and we’ll celebrate what’s left of Christmas.’
Alice shook her head after her as she waltzed out of the kitchen with two laden plates.
4
January 1946
Alice looked at the little school uniform that lay over the back of the sofa and smiled proudly. Cathy would look a treat tomorrow, her first day at school. Alice had just finished stitching name tapes in everything. Two navy blue cardigans knitted by Granny Lomax, two navy gymslips that she’d bought a size bigger so that, with the hem taken up, they’d do at least a couple of terms, and two little white blouses. The navy blue coat with a hood she’d got from Paddy’s Market; it was in good condition and spotlessly clean. That had been a stroke of luck as she was almost out of money, even after using her staff discount and a couple of clothing coupons for the rest. Christmas had taken a chunk out of what bit she’d put by. Terry had come home the other night with a tiny leather satchel that a workmate had passed on. It had a bit of ink-staining inside but he’d set to and given it a good clean. With a coat of wax polish, it was looking perfectly good enough for a little one just starting school.
‘She’ll look a picture tomorrow,’ Terry said, looking up from his paper and flicking ash onto the hearth. ‘I hope she settles okay.’
They were sitting in the front room with a roaring fire and the radio playing quietly in the background. It felt warm and cosy inside, but bitter cold outside with a fine dusting of snow. Alice hoped the snow stayed off for tomorrow at least. Cathy wanted to wear her new black shiny shoes and had put them by her bed ready. When Alice had told her she might have to wear her wellies there’d been tears before she’d fallen asleep.
‘She will do,’ Alice said. ‘Keep your fingers crossed there’s no more snow or I’ll have a right time getting her ready.’
Footsteps sounded on the stairs and Brian popped his head around the door.
‘Any chance of a mug of cocoa and some supper, our Alice?’
Alice smiled. ‘I was just about to make some. Have you got your satchel packed ready and your uniform laid out?’
Brian nodded and came to sit beside her. ‘All done. Can’t wait to get back to it. I like the holidays, but it gets a bit boring after the first week, especially in the winter.’
Alice pushed his floppy fringe from his eyes and gave him a hug. He was a clever boy, her brother, and she was very proud of him, as she knew their late mother would have been too.
‘Well, there’s no more now until February half-term and that’s only a short break. And we’ve got Millie’s wedding to look forward to.’
* * *
‘Can’t believe she’s starting school tomorrow,’ Terry said as he and Alice lay snuggled together in bed later. ‘I feel like I’ve missed out on so much with her. She’s more comfortable with me now, but I wish I’d been there from the word go.’
Alice kissed him. ‘It can’t be helped, love. You’re here now and that’s all that matters. And when we decide to try for another, maybe later this year when we’ve got a bit more money behind us, you’ll be with us all the way. And believe me, when the baby starts screaming with teething and colic, you just might regret what you wished for! You’ll be desperate to get out of the house and go to work.’
He laughed. ‘Never, surely? Although I’ve got to say, I do love my job. It was the right decision to accept it. They’re a grand bunch of workers at Tate and Lyle’s. All I need now is the bike on the road to save some time in getting back and to. I know it’s only a few miles, but the bloody tram is stop–start all the way and I could get there and back in a quarter of that time.’
* * *
Dressed in her new uniform, and looking as smart as Alice had hoped she would, Cathy stood with her arms folded across her chest, a mutinous expression on her face. Alice had just told her to put her wellies on and the new shoes could be taken in a bag so she could get changed when they got to school. There’d been another snowfall overnight and although it was thawing a bit now, the pavements were slushy and slippery. Brian had already left for his tram to the grammar school, calling over his shoulder as Alice waved him off that it was a bit dangerous underfoot and to be careful. Cathy plonked herself down on the bottom stair and refused to budge.
‘Right, well I’m just going to go without you then,’ Alice threatened. ‘I’ll miss my tram to work and I don’t want to be late. You’ll just have to stay here on your own.’ She put her coat and a warm scarf on and picked up her handbag. Calling Cathy’s bluff might just do the trick. They had plenty of time, as Alice was going in a bit later today with it being Cathy’s first day at school. But her daughter didn’t know that. She went to the front door and opened it as Cathy let out a loud wail.
‘I’m sorry, Mammy, I’m coming with my wellies on.’ She ran down the hall, her plaits bouncing on her shoulders, dark eyes filled with worry at the thought of being left alone.
Alice lifted Cathy’s coat down from the hall stand and Cathy slipped her arms into it. She pulled on her wellington boots while Alice put the shoes in a bag.
‘Right, pick your satchel up and we’ll slip the bag with the shoes inside it.’ The satchel only just fastened with the shoes in it, but at least there was less chance of them getting left behind at the end of the school day. ‘Come on then, let’s go.’
They walked slowly up the street and out onto Lark Lane. The pavement was a bit clearer here and they picked up speed, crossing busy Aigburth Road and onto St Michael’s Road and Neilson Street, where St Michael’s Primary School was situated. The pavement was busy with mothers hurrying older children along, some pushing prams and dragging reluctant toddlers by the hand. Alice thanked God that, at the moment, she’d only got one to get ready in the morning; Brian was capable of seeing to himself. That would all change though when they decided to have another. But Cathy would be a bit older by then and more able to see to herself.
A tall woman with auburn hair was standing by the gate holding onto the hand of a little girl with the same colour hair. The little girl was crying and the woman also looked close to tears.
‘Come on, Deborah,’ the woman coaxed. ‘See, here’s a nice little girl who looks new too.’ She smi
led at Alice, who smiled back. Deborah peeped out from behind the woman and stared at Cathy.
‘First day?’ Alice said. ‘Same here.’
‘It’s so hard,’ the woman said. ‘I’ve been dreading this day. I’m sure she’ll be okay, but, well, you know. She’s my only one.’
‘I do. Cathy’s an only one too. Cathy, say hello to…?’
‘Deborah, or Debbie, as we call her,’ the woman replied. ‘I’m Clara, Clara Jones.’
‘Alice Lomax, and this is Cathy. Hello, Debbie. That’s a very pretty name. And what beautiful hair you have.’
Debbie smiled and her face lit up. ‘It’s not ginger,’ she said.
Her mother rolled her eyes. ‘A boy on the playground called her “ginger nuts” last year and she’s not got over it yet!’
Alice nodded. ‘It’s auburn, and that’s a very special colour.’
Cathy stood silently, staring at Debbie, and then moved forward to take her hand. ‘Will you be my best friend?’ she whispered.
Debbie smiled again. ‘Yes please.’
Alice and Clara looked at each other. Clara waved her crossed fingers in the air and the foursome made their way into school to meet the teacher.
Sadie was waiting for Alice as she came out of the school fifteen minutes later with Clara Jones.
‘How did it go?’ Gianni had already been at school two years and had just started in class three today.
‘Better than I was expecting,’ Alice admitted. ‘This is Clara, Cathy’s new best friend Debbie’s mum. This is Sadie, my friend and workmate. Her little boy Gianni is a bit older than our two so she’s an old hand at this. Debbie and Cathy have gone in hand in hand and have been given desks next to each other. I think they’ll be just fine.’