Peace In My Heart

by Freda Lightfoot

  ‘I can well understand that. He was totally weird back then and just as bad today, in spite of having grown up. Maybe his brain and common sense were seriously damaged by the loss of his mother. Who knows? I’m so sorry you were charged, Danny. How ridiculous that was. I feel a strong desire to go and give him a good telling-off or complain to Harold Mullins about his bloomin’ son,’ Joanne said, cuddling her young sister close in her arms.

  ‘No, don’t do that, sis,’ Megan cried. ‘That could make things worse.’

  Danny hastily agreed. ‘You might be right. We mustn’t say a word or it could not only risk more danger for our Megan, but also create a problem for Mam since she hasn’t yet found another job. Let’s just keep quiet and protect our sister. That’s what I tried to do by belting Willie Mullins, being her brother. And later I gave that stupid lad a good telling-off, making sure he’d never pester her again. He raged at me but I did receive support from his mates, so reckon I made the point.’

  ‘Let’s be confident that you’re right about that and she will be safe,’ Joanne agreed, giving him a smile. ‘Hopefully, you won’t suffer either.’

  Danny gave a snort of disdain. ‘If I have worse problems with him as a result, like the time he attempted to drop me off a cliff I was climbing, I’ll skin him alive. Right now we need to make a pact to keep our eyes and brains alert to whatever Willie Mullins might do, in order to protect our sister.’

  ‘I don’t wish to set eyes on him ever again,’ Megan said, giving a shudder.

  And giving each other a warm hug, they shook hands to make a pact on this decision.

  ‘Did you enjoy your walk with Danny and Megan? Where did you go?’ Evie asked when Joanne returned.

  ‘We had a lovely stroll along the towpaths of the Rochdale and Bridgewater Canals.’

  ‘And had a good chat?’

  ‘Of course, nothing important just having a laugh and sharing our experiences. Danny told us more about his job, how he helps the barge owner to work the locks. There are apparently nine along what they call the Castlefield Flight, and the last lock on the Rochdale Canal was once owned by the Duke of Bridgewater. He does seem to know quite a lot about the history of these canals.’

  ‘And has Megan cheered up?’

  Joanne smiled. ‘A little. Danny and Megan have now gone on a cycle ride, as she so likes to do.’ Then, jumping to her feet, Joanne offered to put the kettle on and make them a cup of tea, Donald being out with Davie at the local pub.

  ‘He’s always most caring of her, never agreeable for her to go any place on her own.’ What a caring boy he is, Evie thought. Her lovely young daughter was much more friendly with her brother, never sharply disagreeing with him as she frequently did with her. She wondered why Joanne made little mention of the bad experiences they must have suffered during the war, which was possibly what caused Megan to be in such a mess. Evie had still learned little of her children’s evacuation problems, even from Danny. At least Donald had now spoken a little of his own anguish and was slowly recovering, but how could she persuade Megan to calm down? ‘I should ’appen have come with you for some exercise this morning, instead of spending my time busily knitting. I am a bit obsessed with this work,’ she said, feeling a little guilty.

  ‘That’s good for you. What is it you’re making, Mam?’

  As Joanne came to sit beside her, Evie showed her what she was stitching. ‘I’m knitting a lace scarf with one ply soft white wool. You thread the stitches on to double pointed needles. Put the needle purlwise into the first stitch on the front needle and pull the yarn through, then do the same on the back needle.’ She went on to demonstrate and explain what more was involved in this task, showing the pattern she’d designed. ‘I’m really enjoying it. Do you want to have a go?’

  ‘Not sure I’d be any good at this, Mam, but I’ll give it a try,’ Joanne said. She valiantly attempted to follow her instructions to slip the stitch off the knitting needle when required, then put the needle into the next stitch and pull the yarn through. Some of their chatting and laughter came about when what she was doing went badly wrong, and then Joanne spoke of the joy, triumph and family happiness they’d enjoyed back in the past. Evie found it delightful that her daughter loved to dwell on the fun they’d had together when she was young, rather than the misfortunes of today’s world.

  Joanne gave a grimace. ‘I do have different priorities from other people. Throughout the war I always left folk who didn’t appeal to us, entirely the right decision to make in my humble opinion, in spite of the problems it created by separating us, Mam. Do consider how remaining working for your employer could badly affect you too.’

  Evie gave her a shrewd look. ‘You are making a valid point and, as you see, I am planning to do some work for myself, which I hope will result in earning me enough to eventually resign from that horrible job.’ A part of Evie wondered if she was too old to start a business of her own, now being in her forties, and did she even have the time and energy? She could but hope so.

  ‘Do you have a plan how that will come about?’

  ‘Once I’ve created a number of lace scarves, shawls, tray cloths, curtains and garments to sell I intend to make an enquiry at Campfield Market to see if I can rent a stall. I love crocheting too, so could make some trims that can be attached to pillowcases or tablecloths.’

  ‘That could possibly work well,’ Joanne agreed. ‘You are quite talented at such tasks. Unfortunately, there’s still a depression on, Mam, so it might not be easy to make a lot of money at first but will surely get better once the economy of the country improves. If it doesn’t work could an alternative be for you to attempt to get your job back at the mill? Wouldn’t Mr Eccles, the mill owner, be keen to employ you again?’

  Evie gave a chuckle. ‘Sadly he wouldn’t, love, the mill being in the process of closing down. Yes, it does have some machines that would be excellent for lacemaking and have never been used much throughout the war. The mill concentrated on making parachutes, mosquito nets and camouflage netting, which were useful for the troops but didn’t make the mill a great deal of money. Lace for fashion purposes lost attention, which will hopefully recover. I wish I had the money to buy one of those machines. Wouldn’t that be grand, then I could start my own business.’

  ‘Why don’t you? That might cost more than even I’ve offered to supply you with. You could always speak to your bank manager and ask for a loan.’

  ‘By heck, that’s a fascinating idea. I might give that a go one day. Right now I’ll stick to working by hand. I might buy myself a spinning wheel then I could create my own yarn, twisting and winding it on the spindle to make sure it’s as fine and light as I like it to be with not too much tension in it.’

  ‘That would be brilliant. I do admire your plan, Mam, and would be happy to help any way I can, even if it’s just selling on the market stall for you, since I’m not too good at this job,’ she laughed, still struggling to knit correctly. ‘What a gifted lady you are. But it might be useful to have a word with the mill owner and ask what it would cost were you to buy one of those machines.’

  ‘Eeh, I’ll ’appen try that, love.’

  A day or two later when Joanne went to pick up Megan from school, watching tribes of girls and boys come charging out, she saw no sign of her sister. When they’d all vanished, her heart began to pound in agony. She hurried into the school and looked everywhere for her. Seeing no sign of Megan, she found her teacher and asked where she was. She was stunned to hear that she hadn’t attended school at all that day.

  ‘We assumed she was ill,’ said her teacher, giving a worried frown. ‘Are you saying she isn’t?’

  Now guessing where Megan had gone, Joanne was not at all surprised. Giving a shake of her head, she said, ‘She isn’t at all unwell but I think I know where she could have gone. Back to Blackpool where we both lived as evacuees.’

  ‘Do let me know if she’s all right,’ the teacher called, as she watched Joanne hurry away.

&nbs
p; What if she was wrong about this and something dreadful had happened to her, such as being assaulted again by that Willie? The thought he might have kidnapped Megan was too dreadful to contemplate, causing a nag of anxiety to rattle through her. Rushing to the local post office she bought some paper and an envelope and quickly wrote a letter to the landladies in Blackpool, asking if Megan was safely there at Jubilee House.

  Dear Aunties,

  I was alarmed to find Megan has disappeared, and very worried about her decision to leave without telling us. I suspect she is with you lovely ladies whom she adores. If she is, please take care of her and ask her to write to me, then I’ll come out to see her as soon as I can. We’re desperate to know she’s all right.

  Much love, Joanne.

  Quickly posting the letter Joanne, steadfastly hurried home.

  Her poor mother looked utterly stricken when she heard that Megan had not attended school that day and was now missing. ‘Why would she leave when we were getting on a little better? I admit she would sometimes fall into a sulk and be a bit dismissive on occasions of some request or suggestion I made. I once asked her to set the table for lunch and she tartly told me she wasn’t employed by me so why would she do such things. I confess I gave a bit of a chuckle at that comment, pointing out I wasn’t running a boarding house, which didn’t go down well either. I can but hope she is safely with those landladies and not in any danger. Thank you for writing to them and do please let me know as soon you have word.’

  ‘I will, Mam, don’t worry. It was a silly thing for Megan to go off without telling us. I’m quite cross with her, but assuming that’s where she’s gone I’m sure she’ll be perfectly safe.’

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Evie heard a knock on the door and was shocked to find a policeman standing there. He coolly informed her that her son had been arrested for shoplifting.

  ‘What?’ She met his strong gaze with panic in her own. ‘Where is he?’

  ‘He’s at the police station being questioned. We reckoned you’d wish to come and support him.’

  Grabbing her coat, she hastily agreed, seriously aware that many lads were guilty of theft and looting during the war, their lack of parental control often blamed for this. They’d been given heavy fines or a short sentence while others could suffer a beating with a birch rod on their back or shoulders, a punishment often handed out by the courts. A most worrying prospect that some of this might happen to Danny.

  At the police station, the desk sergeant was taking a few particulars in a desultory way. Stepping forward, Evie gave her son a good telling-off. ‘Speak up and tell him what you can. Why the hell would you do such a stupid thing?’

  ‘Not guilty,’ he firmly announced.

  Hearing the desk sergeant give a snort of disbelief, Evie turned to him with a frown. ‘What proof have you got that he’s guilty? I appreciate many young lads have been stupidly involved in petty crimes throughout the war, often when shops were damaged or air raids were taking place. Or even stealing a bit of food if they were hungry. I don’t believe my son has done any such dreadful things, so he could be innocent.’

  ‘He was seen hanging around at Woolies by an assistant who then noticed the disappearance of several watches, which were found in his pocket. That’s a most serious theft.’

  Staring in stunned shock at Danny, Evie saw how he quickly hung his head down. If this was true he could be jailed for years. Valiantly attempting to protect him, she said, ‘Presumably these watches can be returned to Woolies, since they’ve been found. I’ll happily pay a fine if that would help and make damn sure my stupid son never does such a dreadful thing ever again.’ Noticing the disapproving expression on the policeman’s face, she realized this was not at all a sensible suggestion to make.

  ‘I’m afraid that decision will be up to the local magistrate, not to you, dear lady. This lad will be called upon to appear at court on Monday morning. You can now take him home and give him another good telling-off.’

  Filled with dismay as she knew how severe courts could be, once outside Evie actually gave her beloved son’s hand a sharp smack. ‘Why on earth would you do such a dreadful thing, you stupid lad?’

  ‘I’ve said that I did nowt. Please believe me, Mam. It were other members of the gang, not me. I was appalled by what I saw ’em doing, although you were right to say why some lads did daft things like pinching biscuits, being poverty-stricken and hungry. I’ve seen ’em do that but why they nicked these watches, I’ve no idea. When that assistant approached, one of that gang must have shoved them watches in my pocket. I didn’t realize that until they’d all disappeared and I was searched.’

  Evie gave a groan. ‘So why didn’t you tell that to the police?’

  A bleakness penetrated his face. ‘Because I fear what that gang might do to me if I told the police what they were up to.’

  ‘Oh, love, I can sympathize with that. Why did you become involved with them, and who do you think was guilty of this crime, as well as shoving those watches in your pocket in order to put the blame on you? You can tell me and I promise I won’t mention it to the police but will try to find some other way to save you.’

  Now he was looking very sheepish. ‘I reckon it were Willie Mullins. He’s been a pain in the ass for years. I thought we’d at last made friends again and joining my mates in his gang would put some fun in my life. I’ve regretted that decision ever since, as it was obviously a bad mistake even though I am still friendly with the other lads.’

  ‘Oh, my goodness!’ Gazing at him in stunned dismay, it came to Evie that she would have to speak to Harold and explain that her son had been put into this dreadful mess by his. Heaven help her, that would not be easy. Would this save Danny or so infuriate that dreadful man that her own life could be ruined too?

  When Joanne dashed over later that morning to inform her mother that Megan was indeed in Blackpool with those landladies, she was disappointed to find her absent, only her father sitting by the fire with a gloomy expression on his tired face.

  ‘Are you not feeling well, Dad?’ she asked, an anxiety curling within her.

  ‘I’m not doing too badly, at least sleeping better. The trouble is we now have a more serious problem.’ She was shocked when he told her that Danny had been charged with shoplifting, his face glowering in fury. After making him a mug of tea, she settled on the sofa to listen as he went on to explain how Evie had been called to attend the police station, his son having been arrested.

  ‘Oh no! I can’t believe he would do such a thing.’ Joanne gave his hand a squeeze, expressing her hope that Danny would hopefully prove his innocence and would soon be released. Not being in a happy frame of mind she felt a strong desire to reveal who she suspected might have charged him with this crime. She’d always felt close to her father. Why would she not? If she was right and Harold Mullins’s nasty son had wrongly charged Danny with theft yet again, as he had done in the past, it could create even worse problems for her brother, being sent to jail rather than that camp for problem evacuees.

  As for her mother, it could be bad for her too if Harold Mullins found his son accused of both these catastrophes upon their family. He could take his revenge by sacking Mam and throwing her out of this house, making them all homeless. And whether it would be right or wrong to reveal what her sister had suffered early in the war, as well as more recently, was hard to decide. She too had felt in danger. Thankfully, Megan had written a letter in which she’d said:

  This is where I can happily live and be safe. I assumed you’d object to my leaving but I’ve no wish to risk that nasty lad ever choosing to touch me again. I shall miss my family but please don’t tell Mam and Dad the real reason why I came back here, just say that I prefer this school. I no longer have the courage to stay in Manchester since I don’t trust him one bit.

  Escaping might have been a sensible solution for her. Thank heaven she was now safe. As both Danny and Megan had insisted, Joanne knew she must remain silent and not sp
eak of this problem. Having no wish for their mother to lose her job until she’d established a business for herself, she must agree with this decision. What a mess it would be if she learned the truth. Nor could she tell her father either.

  Stifling a sigh, feeling a mix of relief and despair at the situation her beloved sister was in, she briefly assured him that Megan had safely returned to the landladies whom she thought of as her aunts in Blackpool. ‘I’ve received a letter from her saying she’s delighted to be back at the school she used to attend, having felt a certain homesickness for it and her friends, and those dear ladies, of course.’

  ‘By heck, that’s a relief to know,’ he murmured.

  ‘I have written back, indicating that I’m on my way over to see her. I’ll be off first thing tomorrow, Dad, to speak to her and check she’s all right and ask what took it into her head to dash off like this. I really think she should try harder to settle here and be more friendly with you both, a point I’ll most certainly make. I’ll also inform her teacher at the school here, who was concerned about her absence.’

  ‘I’ll tell your mam where she is but she will be disappointed and upset at losing Megan again. We’ll both miss her, although right now we’re more concerned about our son.’

  ‘I appreciate that Mam must be seriously distressed but has other problems too. Do let me know if I can help.’

  Saying goodbye and kissing him on his pale hollow cheek, Joanne urged her father not to worry, reminding him that her mother was a strong woman good at battling for her kids. ‘I’m sure she’ll do her best to save Danny.’

  She then cycled away back to her loft at the hotel near Victoria Station, tears running down her cheeks as she feared the worst could happen to her brother.

  Later, returning from the police station, Evie sat by the fire in the kitchen her mind whirling round in sheer panic as she briefly explained to Donald what had happened and how she felt desperate to save Danny from jail. ‘Why on earth would our son agree to join this gang, being aware of what a problem that Willie Mullins could be? It sounds as if that lad’s now in charge of a gang of criminal youths. Did Danny join them because he was bored or feels he’s been neglected by us, his loving parents who haven’t seen him for years?’