Today she chose to pay a visit to Campfield Market. There were many markets in Manchester including Smithfield, Shudehill, Grey Mare Lane and others, places she’d regularly investigated, but this was her favourite. One she’d regularly attended when a child with her mother, as she had done several times over the summer, feeling very much alone. It was a chilly September morning with rain drizzling down as she hurried into the market hall where it was more dry and warm. She could hear stallholders calling out their wares, children laughing and people chatting. Joanne began to search for a small gift for Megan, intending to visit her again the following week in time for her birthday. Staring at the lovely dolls her sister had once adored, their mother having bought her one here, she sighed with regret that it had been sadly broken on the train. Megan was now far too grown-up to be interested in such toys any more. Instead she bought her a lovely beaded purse with a silk lining and a chain handle, something Joanne was quite sure she’d love.
Thrilled with this and seeing that the rain had stopped, she went out to look around at all the market stalls lining the pavement from Tonman Street to Deansgate. Joanne treated herself to a few sweets, these still being on ration, and a new lipstick she felt in need of. Having enjoyed exploring the market she then went over to the café to treat herself to a coffee and a cake. As she settled herself at a table she suddenly heard the sound of a familiar voice. Turning around she stared in stunned amazement at her cousin.
‘Cathie? Goodness, I can’t believe it’s you,’ she cried.
Whipping around to return her gaze in equally astonished delight, Cathie jumped up to fling her arms around her. ‘Oh, Joanne, I can’t believe you’re here. How wonderful to see you, my long lost cousin.’
Hugging each other tight, they both wept, then finally sat together and Joanne quickly asked the question that had haunted her for years, explaining how she’d been searching for her mother since the end of the war. ‘Do you know if Mam is still alive and if so, where she lives?’
Cathie beamed. ‘I do indeed. Would you believe that dear lady is currently exploring the Lake District in search of you. We’re expecting her back sometime late tomorrow. I’ll go and see her on Monday and will so enjoy giving her the news that you’re home. I’ll take you to see her whenever you’re granted any time off work.’
‘Oh, that would be wonderful. What a special day this has proved to be.’
They went on to share issues of the war and how her mother had been obliged to constantly move around having lost her home and her job. Joanne was also sorry to hear of the loss of her cousin’s sister as she cuddled Cathie’s adopted baby Heather. She made little mention of what she and her sister had suffered, preferring to speak of the happy time they’d spent in Blackpool and how she’d now found employment at a local hotel here in Manchester. Making no comment on the reason for that either, she handed Cathie the address. ‘It’s not far from Castlefield and I’ve been searching months for Mam, with no luck. How wonderful to see you.’
It felt so good to have at last found a member of her family, and hopefully soon her mother, father and young brother.
When Evie arrived home late on Sunday afternoon, she felt very much in need of a private conversation with her son and was quite relieved when Danny told her that Cathie had provided them each with a good chicken lunch and soup and sandwiches for tea. His dad had now gone off to the pub for a drink, as he so loved to do. ‘Good to see you, Mam. I assume you found no sign of my sisters, which doesn’t surprise me. Don’t worry, they’ll ’appen turn up one day,’ he said, giving her a peck of a kiss on her cheek. ‘I’m off now to meet up with my mates.’
‘Hold on a minute, lad, I need to tell you something.’ Sitting him down at the kitchen table, Evie patted his hand and explained how she’d called at the farm where’d he’d been billeted. ‘I only met the farmer’s wife and she told me you were sent to that camp having been accused of committing another offence. So what was it that you never mentioned? Were you caught up in some misdemeanour, love?’
A flush of fury pitted his face, turning it ash pale. ‘No, I did nowt! Don’t believe a bloody word that woman said.’
Leaping to his feet, he looked as if he was about to run off, but Evie pulled him back down onto his seat. ‘If you were innocent, why were you not able to convince them of that?’
‘How could I? It were far too bleedin’ complicated and I were wrongly charged.’ Obstinately refusing to discuss the details, he stormed off, paying no attention to his mother’s call for him to stay. Giving a sigh, Evie almost regretted asking him this question. The last thing she wanted was to upset her son, absolutely convinced he was not guilty of whatever that so-called other offence was. At least she sincerely hoped that was the case.
When he returned an hour or so later, Evie gave him a cuddle and assured Danny of her belief in his innocence. ‘If you ever wish to discuss this problem with me, love, just let me know. Otherwise, we’ll shut it out of our heads, right?’
‘Thanks, Mam. I blocked it out of mine years ago, knowing very little detail about it and it was just a load of codswallop.’ Then with a frown he said, ‘I feel a bit like Dad at times, not wishing to remember the traumatic effects on my life during the war. He’s told me a little of what he suffered, but not most of it. He says there are scary and horrific things he shuts out. I do see the point of that.’
Evie stroked his head and gave him a kiss. After wishing her goodnight, he went up to bed, not saying another word on the subject.
It was early on Monday morning that Cathie came bouncing in while Evie was clearing up after breakfast. Danny had gone off to work on the tug and Donald still lay asleep in their bedroom. ‘Eeh, hello, love. Good to see you. Would you like a cuppa? Thanks for looking after my family.’ She was about to confess her failure to find out anything about her girls but it was then that her beloved niece gave her an excited hug.
‘Guess what, I have some wonderful news for you. Would you believe that quite by chance I’ve found your darling daughter?’
Dropping the cup of tea on the floor, Evie gave a scream of delight. ‘What? Oh, how amazing! How did you meet her? Where is she? And is she well?’
Laughing, Cathie happily picked up the broken cup and mopped up the tea, then settled Evie calmly down in her chair to briefly explain where they’d met and how Joanne was now working here in a hotel. ‘She looks such a lovely girl, so pretty and lively. Oh, and she’s desperate to see you. I could arrange for you to meet this afternoon when Joanne has her daily break from work. Can you manage to take a little time off too?’
‘I can indeed, with or without Harold Mullins’s permission,’ Evie stated boldly. ‘Oh, I can hardly wait.’
The moment she saw her, Joanne ran to throw herself into her mother’s arms. ‘Thank God you’re alive and well, Mam. I’ve tried so hard to find you for years. How I’ve missed you.’
‘I’ve missed you too, love, hoping and praying my children were all safe.’ Evie’s throat felt as if it was choking with emotion even as joy escalated in her heart. She was thrilled and stunned to see her daughter looking so much more grown-up than the vision she had of her as a child.
Tears ran down each of their cheeks as they sat cuddled together on a bench by the old lock on the River Irwell. Cathie had suggested they meet here, viewing it as a suitably quiet and private place before Joanne went to meet the rest of her family. They’d both approved of this idea and now spent over an hour talking, sharing some of their memories of the war. Evie spoke a little of the anguish she’d had to endure, describing how she’d tragically lost their house, money, clothes and pretty well everything she possessed, living in a bedsit and spending night after night in the air raid shelter. ‘That had a dirt floor, a few benches and no heat or light. I’d sit there listening to sirens screaming and wailing. I reached the conviction that I might lose you for ever.’ When she asked what problems her daughter had faced, a look of confusion came into Joanne’s face, as if these were issue
s she really had no wish to discuss. An attitude very like that of her husband.
‘Megan and I didn’t always find being billeted in some places at all good. Pretty scary at times, even after our second evacuation. Thankfully, things improved when we were taken by train to Blackpool and fortunately fostered by two lovely landladies.’ Joanne went on to say how they’d enjoyed living with Aunt Annie and Aunt Sadie at Jubilee House, and that she’d started working for them once she was old enough. ‘We had lots of fun in Blackpool, dancing in the Tower Ballroom, skating in the Winter Gardens, visiting theatres, piers and riding donkeys on the beach,’ she said with a laugh.
‘That’s good to hear. Finding time for a bit of fun during that dratted war could surely prove to be a great relief. Your brother too has enjoyed walking, climbing and helping on a farm, but also had some problems he’s no wish to speak of. I’ve not told him yet about your return. Danny will be so thrilled to see you, love, and hopefully your dad will be too. Unfortunately, Donald is in something of a sorry state, still an invalid after all he’s suffered,’ she said quietly. She went on to explain how Joanne’s father’s poor health situation had come about. ‘He does have some mental issues too but I’m doing my best to help him recover and get over those. It just might take a little time.’
‘I do hope he gets better soon.’
‘I’m sure he will. Now, do tell me about Megan.’
Joanne went on to explain how she was happily attending a high school, now being a most intelligent twelve-year-old girl. ‘The sad truth is that having little memory of you, Mam, her wish is to stay in Blackpool with these aunts whom she’s quite fond of and she does like her new school.’
Dismay pummelled in Evie’s heart. She’d sent her children away as evacuees being anxious to save their lives. Now it sounded as if she’d damaged her own. How could she face not having both of her daughters come home? ‘I’m so relieved to hear that she’s happy and doing well, but so longing to see her again. She was only six years old when I last saw her.’ Tears again filtered down her cheeks and Joanne gave her a tender hug.
‘I shall be taking the train to visit Megan next week, Mam, in time for her birthday. I’ll let you know the exact day if you wish to accompany me, otherwise I’ll hopefully persuade her to come back with me.’
‘I’ll definitely come with you, lovey. Can’t wait to see her. Now I’d like you to come home and meet your dad and brother,’ Evie said softly. ‘I appreciate you may not wish to stay, being accommodated in that lovely hotel and we’re living in a small, messy house, but it will be so good for you to see the rest of your family.’
‘It will indeed, Mam.’
Meeting Danny proved to be an absolute delight for Joanne. Her brother looked utterly enthralled to see her then melted into her arms, pressing his cheek against hers being quite tall now, not at all the small boy he’d once been. ‘It’s wonderful to see you again,’ she said, smoothing her hand over his brown hair, so much darker and shorter than it used to be when he was a young child.
‘How is Megan?’ he asked, a glimmer of concern in his hazel eyes.
‘She’s fine.’
‘Thank God for that. I have worried about her, being so young.’
‘Me too.’
When Joanne approached her father it felt as though she was meeting a stranger. She was astonished to see how thin he was, his dark brown hair having turned grey and his shrunken face creased with wrinkles, a cigarette dangling from his mouth. Seeing a glimmer of affection in his dark eyes, happiness flickered through her. ‘You do remember me, I hope, Dad?’
‘I do, love,’ he said, giving her a warm smile as he tossed the cigarette into the fire. ‘You’ve lived in my head and heart for years. Have I lived in yours?’
‘Of course, every evening I’d look at that photo of you and Mam on your wedding day and would wish you both goodnight. That kept me happy.’
‘I don’t suppose you missed us too much, having fun living in Blackpool?’ he sternly remarked, a severity entering his face.
‘I greatly missed you and was determined to find you both.’
Giving a chuckle, Evie told him how their lovely daughter had enjoyed dancing at the Tower Ballroom. ‘Dare I ask if you did that with a boyfriend?’
‘I don’t have one,’ Joanne stated firmly.
‘I do hope you didn’t lose one you’d fallen in love with at some point these last few years?’ Evie remarked gently. ‘That would be a shame for a pretty girl of your age.’
Joanne found herself blushing, a part of her feeling a sudden desire to reveal the anguish of what she’d gone through while she knew it was important not to do that. She had no inclination to ever admit the fanciful notion that she’d believed Teddy to be in love with her when he’d just wanted fun. Sex was definitely a taboo subject. And she certainly had no intention of risking her good name by revealing what she’d foolishly allowed him to do to her. Firmly shaking her head, she steadfastly insisted that she definitely had no boyfriend. Even as she said this, she could see doubt resonate in her mother’s sharp eyes. Were these elements of anguish she’d no wish to discuss shimmering on her face?
It fleetingly crossed Joanne’s mind that she and her mother could each feel they’d lost the man they loved, if in different ways. Teddy had simply left, but though her father had thankfully survived he was mentally damaged, a disaster that could be even more painful for her dear mother. Giving him a hug, Joanne savoured the fact that at least she’d found her beloved family, and their love for her was most evident, even her father’s. How lucky she was.
Now she looked forward to telling Megan that she’d found them and that this could be the time for her to consider coming home.
‘I have some wonderful news for you,’ Joanne whispered, holding her sister’s hands, when they sat together on the edge of her bed the following Saturday. Whenever she visited Megan they would enjoy some fun time together. They might visit the Tower Ballroom, the Derby baths or the Odeon cinema. Her sister would sometimes be involved in the odd sport activity with the other girls from her school, which Joanne would happily watch and cheer her on as she played. Today she’d wished her a happy birthday and been pleased to see how she loved the beaded purse she’d bought her. Before offering to take her out to celebrate this some place, she happily announced how she’d at last found their mother.
Megan blinked, staring at her in stunned silence for some seconds, then finally asked, ‘Where and how did you manage to do that?’
Joanne quickly explained how it was quite by chance that she came across her cousin Cathie at Campfield Market, that she’d been delighted to see her and had happily arranged for her to meet her mother first, so they could have a quiet chat together. ‘That was wonderful! You know how I’ve sorely missed her all these years. Mam then took me to meet Danny and Dad. That was a delight too. I’m pleased to tell you that she’s here now at Jubilee House, and is desperately waiting to see you, lovey, hoping you’ll agree to return home with us. She has, of course, promised to find you a good high school. Won’t that be lovely for you to be back home with your family after all this time?’
‘Why would I do that when I’m perfectly happy here?’
‘Because she’s your mam and loves you dearly.’
Megan gave a frown. ‘I’ve no memory of her, nor of my dad.’
‘But you do remember Danny, your beloved brother, and he too can’t wait to see you either.’
‘Oh, has he come here too?’ Megan asked, a flicker of excitement at last lighting her eyes.
‘No, darling, he works on a tugboat and wasn’t granted any time off today for this journey. Mam only works part-time so didn’t feel the need to get permission or say a word about this trip to her new boss, being desperate to see you.’
It was then that the bedroom door opened and Evie stepped in. Gazing in delight at her young daughter, she said warmly, ‘Hello, Megan. How wonderful it is to see you at last after all these years of searching for you si
nce the end of the war. I’m here thanks to your sister.’
Megan gazed at her, not saying a word or moving an inch.
Coming over to kneel beside her, Evie gave her a warm hug, tears of joy sparkling in her eyes. ‘You are my darling youngest child. I love you dearly and have badly missed you, as well as Joanne and Danny. I’m aware you have the wish to stay here, being fond of these ladies, but how could I wish to live without you any more? And, as your sister has pointed out, your dad and brother are equally eager to see you again. I hope you’ll be pleased to meet them too.’
‘Of course you will, won’t you, lovey?’ Joanne said.
Receiving no response, Evie smiled and went on to say, ‘I’ve spoken to the landladies downstairs and they accept that I desperately want you to return home with me. They say you are most welcome to visit them whenever you wish. Miss Fairhurst, your Aunt Sadie, has offered to make us a lovely lunch to celebrate your birthday, which is most kind and generous of her. I’m not able to stay overnight, I’m afraid, as I have to care for Donald, your father. Later this afternoon we must catch the train back home to Manchester at the Central Station. Can I help you to pack, love?’
‘No, I’m not going anywhere.’
Chapter Sixteen
When they arrived back in Manchester, having spent the entire train journey with Megan in a disgruntled silence, Joanne smiled when she burst into tears the moment she saw Danny and flung herself into his arms. They’d always been close siblings. Picking her up to swing her round, he gave a spurt of laughter. ‘By heck, it’s good to see you again. I do hope you’re well, Megan love.’
‘’Course I am, considering all the hockey and netball I play. But I’ve now had to leave my school and sport teams.’
Seeing her fall into a much more distressing burst of tears, he gave her another hug. ‘You might manage to be accepted at your new school although being mixed it’s mainly lads who play sport. I play with my mates,’ Danny explained. ‘So you might have to find yourself some other solution or a new hobby.’
Peace In My Heart Page 13