Peace In My Heart

by Freda Lightfoot

  Joanne was thrilled to hear that the charge against Danny had thankfully been dropped when she called in to see her parents on Monday afternoon. ‘What a relief that is. I’m sure you must have won this battle with the police. Well done, for what you achieved,’ she said, giving her mother a warm hug and a kiss. She appeared oddly silent, despite having resolved Danny’s issue. She was, of course, fully occupied with her lacemaking. No doubt desperately worrying about her young daughter too, let alone her sick husband. What a dreadful mess she was in as a consequence of that blasted war. It made Joanne wonder if this was the moment she should risk explaining how Megan had suffered too, stating what that man’s dreadful son had done to her lovely sister, not simply on one occasion. Steadfastly she said nothing on the subject, not wishing to create further problems for her mother. Joanne wondered if she’d sought assistance from Willie’s father, probably not an easy experience.

  To her surprise she heard her father mutter that as well as the police she’d also spoken to her employer, Harold Mullins, who was furious over the charge she made upon his son but did manage to persuade the police to drop it.

  ‘Oh dear, how did he manage that, Mam?’ Joanne asked.

  As if attempting not to give any details in answer to this question, Evie said, ‘Danny is free, that’s all that matters. I am hoping to resign from this job soon so have again spoken to the local authority at the city hall on Albert Square, asking if they can find us a house as we’re in danger of losing this one.’

  ‘Did he threaten you with that?’ Donald shouted sharply. ‘He can’t chuck us out even if you do resign, as I reckon you should since I can go on paying the rent out of my war pension. I’ll tell him that, next time I see him in the Dog and Duck.’

  ‘No need for you to do that, darling,’ Evie tactfully pointed out. ‘I’m sure the local council will find us somewhere to move to.’

  ‘Stuff and nonsense!’

  ‘They promised they would, dear, don’t panic. I also approached the manager at Campfield Market and he has agreed I can occupy a stall out on the street, the inside market being full. I’ve booked it for six weeks to give it a try.’

  ‘Oh, that would be great! What a brave and determined lady you are,’ Joanne said.

  ‘She is indeed,’ her father agreed, a sparkle of admiration and a flicker of tears in his dark eyes.

  ‘When do you reckon you’ll manage to start working for yourself, Mam?’

  ‘Fairly soon, having no wish to remain with Mullins. Since I now have a number of products, I intend to start this Saturday. As you can get that day off I’d like you to join me, lovey, as I’d greatly welcome your assistance.’

  ‘I will be delighted to help. Now where is Danny?’ she asked.

  ‘Out fishing, of course, in his favourite spot by the canal.’

  Going at once to speak to him, Joanne settled on the towpath beside him watching the narrow boats with their brightly painted bows drift to and fro. She asked if he was feeling better now that he was free and he quietly assured her that he was. ‘The farm work taught me the value of the weather and season, animals, the demand and right way to supply food so why would I steal summat? I’ve never done that. Willie had no bloomin’ right to accuse me of anything. I’m an honest lad. Yes, his bossiness towards me did make me feel miserable at times over being away from home and my family, having no one to support or protect me. Sadly, not even you, Joanne, after we’d both been moved on, although I know you battled for us siblings to remain together. I confess that being an evacuee has made me a more confident and independent person.’

  ‘There is a degree of logic to that, but feeling separated from our family can be a bit depressing. I felt sorry about that and, as you know, Megan too was in a mess. You are now much stronger in spirit, as well as good at fishing,’ she said with a chuckle, watching him pull a fish out of the water and drop it in his jar. ‘I’m so hopeful you’ll deal better with life in future.’

  ‘Oh, aye, I certainly will. I hope Megan will too.’

  ‘Don’t have anything more to do with that stupid Willie Mullins. He needs to grow up and learn to behave better, so steer clear of him until he does. I’m planning to go and see Megan again soon and will try once more to persuade her to come back home to join us, though I’m not convinced she will.’

  Pulling his face, he gave his head a shake. ‘I very much doubt you’ll succeed with that, but give her my love and best wishes. Tell her I’ll come to see her too, as soon as I can get a bit of time off work.’

  When they arrived together at Campfield Market early on Saturday morning, Joanne saw many lorries fetching cabbages and leeks, peas and carrots from farms in Cheshire and Lancashire, as well as slabs of wet fish, mackerel, cod and salmon from other places. Stalls that lined the pavement from Tonman Street to Deansgate were packed by various holders selling shoes and boots, socks and clothes, freshly baked pies and cakes, kettles, crockery and many other household goods. The one that Evie had been granted was little more than a trestle table at the far end of the street, upon which she laid out various lace scarves, collars, shawls, tray cloths and ribbons as well as crocheted items.

  The old Victorian, iron-framed market building was soon crowded with people, as it always was on a Saturday. The wind was blowing but the sun shining so hopefully it wouldn’t rain. There was a small-sheeted cover over this stall, which would surely protect these lovely products Evie had made from being damaged, if that were to happen.

  ‘Look at these beautiful patterns,’ her mother called out, holding up a scarf. A woman paused to examine them and to their joy showed an interest in buying one, offering a slightly lower price than the one Evie had named. Happily agreeing, a deal was struck.

  ‘Good for you. You weren’t too disappointed with her offer, were you, Mam?’

  Giving a wink, she said, ‘Nay, love, always ask a bit more than we expect to get.’

  Joanne carefully took note of her instructions on what price to ask for each item, and the lowest they’d accept.

  Campfield had once been a thriving market but now it looked a little derelict with bombed-out buildings and warehouses close by. Children played in the rubble and people hurried by with their collars turned up against the wind, avoiding viewing the desolation all around. Joanne noticed that not far away was a man on crutches selling matches, clearly having been damaged in the war. Many wounded men were having great difficulty in finding work so this was quite a common activity, no doubt the only way for some to make an income. She went over to buy a packet of matches off him. She didn’t smoke but Donald did, and of course her mother needed matches to keep the range fire burning.

  ‘Bless you,’ he said, and as Joanne happily told him how she was helping her mother earn a crust of an income, he wished Evie best wishes too.

  The market at first remained quiet with few sales, but once people had bought the food and essentials they required, interest in these lace items grew, as well as the desire for a warm and pretty scarf. As the day wore on, sales improved tremendously. By the end of the afternoon, Evie was bursting with happiness for the success they’d achieved.

  ‘As I’ve bought us some lovely meat and potato pies, it’s time for us to go home and enjoy a good meal. Then I must get on with knitting more,’ she announced.

  ‘Well done, Mam. I’ll come and join you on this market stall any time,’ Joanne said, giving her a hug.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Joanne was delighted when she was granted a week’s holiday to join her sister who had a week off school, it being Easter. Her wages provided the necessary funds and she wrote to tell Aunt Annie when she’d like to arrive and was duly welcomed and told she could share her sister’s room, as she used to do.

  When Joanne arrived at Central Station she hurried straight to Jubilee House just a few streets away. It felt good to view the sea. Dozens of tourists were enjoying a walk on the beach or a tram tour along the promenade and children a ride on the donkeys. Some would no
doubt be having fun on the Pleasure Beach, Madame Tussauds or climbing up Blackpool Tower. She looked forward to enjoying some of this herself over the coming week. Best of all, it was a joy to see her sister come running out of Jubilee House the moment she saw her walking down the street, and leap into her arms. Joanne happily hugged her then found herself wiping her sister’s tears away when she began to cry.

  ‘Oh, I’m so pleased to see you, sis.’

  ‘Me too, lovey.’

  Later, as they walked arm in arm in Stanley Park, the aerodrome now closed so it was much quieter and with plenty of sports taking place including netball and tennis, which Megan loved to watch or take part in, Joanne quietly listened to her explanation.

  ‘I have grown a bit fond of Mam and do miss her. I miss you even more, so it wasn’t an easy decision to make. I just felt the instinct to run away, to escape that dreadful lad and be safe.’

  ‘I can fully understand that feeling, darling,’ Joanne said, pointing out how she and her mother both missed her but tactfully avoided sounding cross, having no wish to fall out or upset her. After giving her Danny’s good wishes, she told her a little of what he’d been through recently, thanks to problems from Willie Mullins yet again. ‘I really feel the need to give that lad a good telling-off and make sure he leaves us all in peace in future. Amazingly, Mam persuaded his father to help convince the police of Danny’s innocence and the charge was dropped.’

  ‘Thank goodness for that. Can we now have some fun?’

  ‘Why not!’

  Joanne revelled in having a wonderful week’s holiday with her young sister, enjoying all the fun and entertainment which Blackpool was expert at providing, as well as swimming in the sea and lazing on the beach. They attended shows on the North Pier as well as the Winter Gardens, the Tower Ballroom and the Grand Theatre, listening to bands playing favourite songs of Joanne’s including ‘We’ll Meet Again’, ‘Always in My Heart’ a song written by Glenn Miller, and heard George Formby, who lived close by, singing ‘Aunty Maggie’s Remedy’ and ‘When I’m Cleaning Windows’. What fun he was, such a star and a great comedian, actor and singer, who’d happily entertained the troops throughout the war. There were many more stars playing including Frank Randle, Jimmy Clitheroe, a young man who looked very like a boy, and Tessie O’Shea who worked most summers here in Blackpool. Joanne and Megan always managed to find cheap seats near the back and would happily join in the singing whenever allowed. What a treat that was.

  There were no troops now staying at Jubilee House but it was fully occupied by many Lancashire folk also enjoying a week’s holiday. Whenever Megan was happily playing some game with her friends, Joanne found herself spending a little time with Bernie. He had never intruded upon the visits they made together but on this occasion suggested they take one of their regular walks along the beach or pier.

  ‘Are you still interested in finding shells?’ he asked, and she laughingly shook her head.

  ‘Where on earth would I put them? Certainly not in the loft bedroom where I live, not at all as large or attractive as the one you created, just simple servants’ quarters,’ she laughed. ‘So no thanks, please don’t find me any more shells.’

  Grinning, he too gave a chuckle. ‘So what are your plans for the future?’ he asked and Joanne told him how she quite enjoyed working at this hotel as well as assisting her mother who’d taken on a stall at Campfield Market. ‘That was fun and she’s good at producing these lacy products, although whether I could ever knit, sew or crochet as well as she does is most doubtful. So how are you doing? What are your future plans?’

  ‘Difficult to decide. My aunts have decided they’ve no intention of retiring for some time yet. They’re feeling perfectly capable of continuing to work through their fifties and sixties, having recovered from the exhaustion they went through during the war. Nor have they any wish to disturb Megan by sending her to a different school. But what I will choose to do is a bit of a puzzle. I’ve enjoyed updating and improving parts of the house and learned a great deal by doing those jobs, such as putting new bathrooms in. I still enjoy helping with the cooking so who knows what I’ll decide.’

  He looked so confused and puzzled that Joanne felt a surge of sympathy and concern rattle through her. She believed she’d done entirely the right thing by refusing his offer of marriage, so what on earth was troubling her? He was a fine young man but she was not in love with him, Joanne stoutly reminded herself. She had no emotion for him at all, had she? Although when he took her on the roller coaster on Pleasure Beach, his arm firmly tucked around her shoulder holding her close to make her feel safe, she was amazed by the delight that sparked within her at their closeness, or perhaps simply a sense of relief. Despite it having been built in the thirties and operational throughout the war she’d always carefully avoided it, feeling something of a coward. Now she felt an excitement glow within her at the fun she enjoyed sharing on this scary roller coaster with Bernie.

  What an accommodating young man he was, as his aunts kept telling her.

  She found herself looking forward to receiving an invitation for them to attend a dance together in the Tower Ballroom, as had happened many times before. When no offer came forth, she couldn’t resist going with Megan, who loved dancing too, and they were on holiday. It was as they laughingly enjoyed a dance together that Joanne saw Bernie dancing cheek to cheek with a pretty young girl. Something inside her pounded with surprise and a flicker of disappointment. Obviously this was the reason he’d not been interested in taking her dancing. ‘Gosh, I wonder who she is?’ Megan whispered, also catching sight of him.

  ‘No idea, have you?’

  ‘Nope, but he surely has the right to find himself another girlfriend, you having dumped him.’

  ‘And no doubt he wishes to keep this date private. I think we’d better disappear.’ Feeling slightly guilty at having no wish to be introduced to this girl or interfere in his new relationship, Joanne grabbed her sister’s arm and they quickly slipped away. Yet she felt oddly jealous seeing him with a new girlfriend and a deep sense of regret that despite them having enjoyed some fun time together this week, he had not invited her to dance with him.

  Evie deeply regretted not being able to accompany Joanne, greatly missing her young daughter but unable to take a week off, let alone leave her husband. She did hope to pop over one day to see Megan and was delighted when she received a letter from the landladies inviting her to call whenever she wished.

  ‘Will you come with me?’ she asked Donald, who gave a sad shake of his head.

  ‘No thanks, I’d love to see Megan but the prospect of travelling by train and walking around an unknown and busy town just fills me with horror. I allus feel the need to stay quietly at home as my legs can’t walk far and, as you know, I tend to get into something of a state if I go somewhere I know nowt about.’

  Giving him a hug and kiss, she promised to ask Cathie to look after him on the day she went, saying she’d probably go at the end of the week so that she could come home with Joanne.

  When the time came for her to leave she chose to wear her burgundy floral dress with a neat navy blue jacket and brimmed hat, wishing to appear smart. The moment she arrived at the Central Station in Blackpool she found Joanne and Megan had come to meet her and felt delighted when her young daughter gave her a warm hug and a kiss, at last displaying a fondness for her. Oh, but how she regretted that Megan was happily living with these landladies and not with her. Not at all easy to come to terms with.

  ‘I’m hoping I can persuade you to come home, darling,’ she said softly.

  ‘Sorry, Mam, I’ve nothing against you, honest, but this is where I happily live with my aunts and enjoy going to school.’

  ‘I’m sure these lovely landladies will be delighted to meet you and explain how things are,’ Joanne quickly assured her, linking her arm. ‘Now we’ll walk along the promenade to meet them.’

  When they reached Jubilee House and Evie saw the ladies her daughters
thought of as aunts, she was again pleased to see how lively and pleasant they looked. Both sisters were dark haired with spectacles over their bright brown eyes, dressed in most sensible long tweed skirts and pretty white silk blouses neatly tied at the collar with a bow. They politely shook her hand, welcoming her into their private parlour where they had set out tea and cakes in florally designed crockery on a polished table beside the window. Noticing this was covered with a white lace tablecloth she was most impressed.

  ‘How beautiful this is,’ Evie said, giving it a gentle stroke with her fingers. ‘I’ve been involved in creating textiles of this nature for years, apart from during the war when we spent most of our time making parachutes. Now I’m starting to sell tablecloths like this as well as other lace products.’

  ‘How wonderful to hear that,’ Annie said. ‘Do sit down and tell us more.’

  Evie happily did so, saying how she created such items by hand. Smiling, she thanked Sadie as she handed tea and cakes to her. Her two daughters came to sit beside her, listening as they chatted about this subject for some time. Annie showed her other domestic lace cloths they had, which had apparently been in their family for years, and Evie spoke of her own mother’s skill at this task.

  Eventually, Joanne got up and started to collect the empty cups and plates to place them on a tray. ‘I shall leave you in peace to chat with our aunts, Mam. Megan will come with me to help wash these up.’

  Watching as the girls dutifully departed to allow her some privacy, Evie felt she’d at last been granted the opportunity to discuss what had haunted her for some time. ‘I would like to thank you both for caring for my darling daughters. I do hope that hasn’t been a nightmare for you, Misses Fairhurst.’