The Liberty Girls

by Fiona Ford

‘Well, yes, though we haven’t spoken in a while.’

  ‘A minor detail, Alice. You’re excellent with people – isn’t that right, Mrs Claremont?’

  ‘Hmm,’ Mrs Claremont replied non-committally.

  Alice thought for a moment. She would love the opportunity to visit the agents; she hadn’t done so since war broke out. Not only that, Mr Button was right: she did have an excellent relationship with the head of drapery in Jolly’s; of all things, the two had bonded over the fact they had both brought up their sisters.

  ‘There’s just one issue,’ Alice said. ‘Can I bring Arthur?’

  Mrs Claremont tutted under her breath and Alice felt irritated as she turned to face Flo and Mr Button square on.

  ‘We were rather hoping that you would agree to let Mrs Hanson look after him for the evening,’ Mr Button replied, his copper eyes roaming over her face hesitantly. ‘I have taken the liberty of discussing this with her and she has agreed as long as you don’t mind.’

  ‘Dot really doesn’t mind?’ Alice whistled. ‘It’s a big ask.’

  Mr Button smiled. ‘I rather think Dorothy will enjoy it. I have never seen her look more content than I have when she’s settled in the kitchen bottle-feeding Arthur.’

  Alice leaned back in her chair. She hadn’t left Arthur once since he had been born. It had been hard enough leaving him to come to work yesterday. Was she really ready to leave him overnight? Just the thought of spending a night away from him made her feel queasy. Only – smoothing a lock of hair that had escaped from her chignon – she knew without doubt this wasn’t a request. Women were doing more for this war than they had ever imagined, and if it wasn’t for Arthur she had no doubt that she would be in the services doing whatever she could for her country. She glanced across at Mrs Claremont, and saw her give a nod of encouragement: it was time to be brave.

  ‘I would be delighted,’ she said gravely. ‘Thank you for thinking of me.’

  ‘You’re quite welcome,’ Mr Button said, getting to his feet and signalling that the meeting was over. ‘You’ll go on the last Saturday of this month. Although the trip isn’t very long, there are of course so many problems with train travel, and speed restrictions, that parts of the line will be slow. I suggest you leave on the first train although Mrs Downing won’t be expecting you until the afternoon.’

  ‘Very good, Mr Button,’ Alice said, getting to her feet. ‘And thank you all again for the opportunity.’

  ‘It was Mr Button’s idea,’ Mrs Claremont replied stiffly. ‘He feels that you are the best person for this job. You’re fortunate to have someone like Mrs Hanson on hand to help you with your son.’

  Alice nodded in agreement; she knew how lucky she was and she wasn’t about to make a mistake. ‘I can assure you I will give the job my all,’ she said as she turned to walk out of the door.

  ‘We know you will, Mrs Milwood,’ Flo said with an air of confidence. ‘We can’t wait to hear how you get on.’

  Flashing a smile at her friend, Alice returned to the shop floor feeling elated. This was her chance to shine and she was determined not to let the Liberty family or herself down.

  Chapter Seven

  There was no other way to describe it, Alice thought as she clambered aboard the crowded Tube carriage at Oxford Circus, she was downright exhausted. As a GI got up to offer her a seat, Alice thought she might pass out with gratitude when she sat down. It had been just over a week since she had returned to her job, and during that time she had been working her fingers to the bone, determined to prove her worth to Mrs Claremont.

  Following their conversation in the café last week, Alice, much to her surprise, found she was almost enjoying the extra challenge. Her working days were different now than they had been as not only had she become responsible for organising the break times of each staff member, something that had traditionally always been done by Flo, but she had also volunteered to keep an eye on Rose. At first, Alice had been worried as to how Rose would cope with it all; however, she had taken it all in her stride and appeared to be adjusting well to life back in the store, even if it was only for two days a week.

  Still, Alice thought as the train arrived at the Elephant and Castle, for the moment things were going well, even if she was shattered. But none of that mattered now: the only thing Alice wanted in that moment was a strong cup of tea and a good long cuddle with her son.

  Slipping her key into the faded black wooden door, she unlocked it with practised ease. Once inside, she all but threw her coat and bag on to the floor in her rush to see Arthur. Although she was getting used to time away from him, every moment spent apart seemed like an eternity.

  ‘Hello, I’m home,’ she cried, padding down the corridor to the kitchen in the half-light, aware that she and Dot would have to start getting ready for blackout in a few moments. She heard the quiet chatter of voices and quickened her pace. Dot was obviously talking to Arthur, so perhaps he was still wide awake following his afternoon nap.

  She was about to rush straight to the cot and revel in the sweet, warm smell of her son, when the sight of a familiar petite woman sitting at the table caught her by surprise.

  ‘Joy!’ she hissed. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’

  Alice’s sister swung around, a smile plastered across her angular face, her blue eyes dancing with delight as she got up to greet her sister. ‘There you are. I was just passing and thought how nice it would be to come and say hello to you and little Anthony.’

  ‘Your nephew’s name is Arthur,’ Alice said, trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice as Joy wrapped her arms around her older sister.

  Wriggling free from her sister’s embrace, Alice stepped back to take a look at her sister. ‘So what brings you all the way out here? We’re a long way from Claridge’s.’

  ‘Oh, Joy don’t work up Claridge’s any more, do you, love?’ Dot said by way of explanation as she placed Arthur into Alice’s arms and turned back to the kettle to make a pot of tea. ‘She’s got herself a new job now.’

  ‘That true?’ Alice asked bluntly. ‘What happened at Claridge’s?’

  Joy waved away Alice’s concerns as she reached out a finger to stroke Arthur’s chin as if he were a cat rather than a baby. ‘Oh, it wasn’t right for me. So I’m working at Mayfair House now.’

  Alice let out a low whistle as Arthur waved his chubby fists in the air and smiled at his mother. ‘That fancy hotel all the film stars stay in?’

  ‘That’s the one,’ Joy said with a lazy smile as she leaned against the table. ‘We see a lot of them GIs as well.’

  ‘I thought they all hung about up the Savoy?’ Dot quizzed.

  Alice looked at Dot in surprise. ‘How do you know that?’

  Dot’s eyes twinkled. ‘You’d be surprised what you pick up when you listen, Alice Milwood.’

  ‘Anyway,’ Joy said impatiently, clearly keen to bring the conversation around to herself again. ‘I thought it was high time I paid you and Arthur a visit.’

  ‘Well, it’s lovely to see you,’ Alice said brightly, getting ready to show her sister out. ‘We’ll perhaps come and see you at your digs, Joy, when you’re a bit more settled.’

  At the mention of digs Joy’s face flushed bright red. Her reaction wasn’t lost on Alice and in a funny way she felt a sense of relief. Her younger sister always had an ulterior motive and it looked as if they were finally about to discover what it actually was.

  ‘The thing is …’ Joy began hesitantly. ‘I haven’t actually got any digs at the moment.’

  Alice felt a flash of annoyance. Here it was: the real reason for her sister’s unexpected visit. ‘What happened? You were only in the last ones five minutes.’

  ‘It wasn’t my fault,’ Joy protested, looking at Alice pleadingly, which only served to deepen Alice’s anger. How many times had she heard those four little words from her sister’s mouth?

  ‘What happened, Joy?’ she said again, this time through gritted teeth as she turned around to set A
rthur back down.

  Joy rolled her large blue eyes. ‘Oh, it was something and nothing. The landlord thought I’d been stealing from the other lodgers.’

  ‘And had you?’ Alice asked, getting straight to the point.

  ‘Of course not! I told you at Christmas I’m not like that any more, Alice.’

  ‘You’ll forgive me if I don’t believe you,’ Alice replied, hands on hips as she eyed her sister with suspicion.

  ‘You never do.’ Joy replied, unable to keep the hurt out of her voice. ‘You’ve never put a foot wrong in all your life, yet you always judge me.’

  ‘Don’t be so ridiculous! You were nicked by the police last year for pick-pocketing so don’t act as though I’m barking up the wrong tree. Between you and Dad, Joy, I reckon I’ve spent half my life down the nick getting one or the other of you out of trouble.’

  Joy took a step towards her sister, her eyes full of determination. ‘All I’m saying is – is it too much to expect your own sister to believe in you?’

  ‘When that sister is you, Joy Harris, then yes it is,’ Alice hissed.

  Dot took a step between the sisters and pushed them gently apart with her hands. ‘Look at the two of you. You’re both grown women, not a pair of little kids. Now calm down for Arthur’s sake if not your own.’

  Turning to her landlady, eyes still glowing with anger, Alice gave an imperceptible nod of her head and walked over to the range. She took a deep breath and looked at her sister. ‘So what is it you want?’ she asked, doing her best to keep her voice even.

  Joy looked cautiously at Dot before glancing back at her sister. ‘What I was hoping is that I could perhaps stay with you for a bit. Just until I get myself sorted,’ she added quickly.

  At that Alice snorted with laughter. ‘You must be joking. I haven’t got time to police your behaviour. I’ve got a job and child to raise alone. I don’t need the grief and I certainly wouldn’t wish it on Dot.’

  ‘Please, Alice,’ Joy said in a wheedling tone. ‘I promise I won’t be any trouble.’

  ‘And how many times have I heard that?’ Alice replied with a firm shake of her head. ‘No, I’m sorry, I’ll help you find somewhere else but you can’t stay here, there’s no room. And besides, aren’t we a bit far for you to travel into work?’

  ‘Not on the Tube,’ Joy protested. ‘The thing is I don’t have any money until I get my first week’s wages. Nobody will take me.’

  As Alice’s eyes drifted to the overstuffed suitcase propped up by the doorway a fresh round of fury pulsed through her. Joy had assumed she would help her out. Well, this time she was too tired to deal with her sister’s antics.

  ‘And whose fault’s that?’ Alice snapped. ‘If you hadn’t gone thieving at your last place then maybe you wouldn’t be in this mess.’

  ‘And how many more times have I got to say it wasn’t me,’ Joy yelled so loud she caused Arthur to grumble in his cot. ‘Alice, I’m begging you. I promise I’ve turned over a new leaf. This new job’s a proper fresh start for me, I really want to make it work.’

  There was a pause then as Alice turned to look at Dot, who was observing the exchange from the pantry. The landlady knew Joy of old, but instead of the unforgiving glance Alice was expecting, she saw a look of helplessness in her eyes.

  ‘Look,’ Alice said, turning back to face her sister. ‘It’s not that I don’t want to believe you, Joy; trust me, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see you make something of yourself – settle down, find a nice fella, have a family. But I just can’t trust you.’

  ‘Can’t you give me a chance?’ Joy tried again, her cheeks reddening with the effort of begging. ‘If I make a mistake then I’ll go, no questions asked and no bother neither.’

  At that it was Dot’s turn to roar with laughter. ‘Get on, you’re Jimmy Harris’s daughter, you don’t know how to do anything without bother. No matter what your sister says, Joy, your Alice is just the same in that regard.’

  ‘Oi!’ the sisters chorused in protest, before exchanging a smile.

  Alice sighed as she looked at her sister. Joy was her flesh and blood; she had a duty to take care of her, didn’t she? ‘What do you think?’ she called to Dot. ‘Can we put her up for a bit?’

  Dot peered around the pantry door holding a tin of peaches – Alice knew better than to question where they had come from. ‘I suppose so. She’s family, Alice; you have to say yes to family, more’s the pity. She can go in Mary’s old room for a bit until she gets herself sorted. But I warn you, lady’ – she turned to Joy and narrowed her eyes – ‘there’ll be no trouble here or you’re out.’

  ‘And no taking advantage neither,’ Alice pointed out sharply. ‘The moment you get your wages you pay Dot your bed and board immediately, no excuses or I’ll kick you out myself.’

  ‘Deal.’ Joy smiled, unclipping her long blonde hair and hugging her sister in one fluid movement. ‘You won’t regret it, Alice, I promise.’

  As Alice breathed in the scent of her sister’s cheap perfume, she already felt a pang of regret. Trouble usually had a way of finding Joy, and she couldn’t help wondering just how long it would be before it made its way to her again.

  Chapter Eight

  Unusually for Alice she arrived at Liberty’s in a bad mood. Not only had she not got to bed until after midnight as she had suddenly remembered she needed to wash Arthur’s nappies, but she had also been disturbed by Joy moving her things about as she settled into the room next door. Then it had struck her that today was Luke’s thirtieth birthday.

  As she helped Mrs Claremont finish her morning checks before the floorwalker, whom everyone called Dreary Deirde, arrived, Alice found her mind was still filled with Luke. She wondered where he was, what he was doing and if he was celebrating the milestone in any way at all. All too easily, memories of the last birthday they had spent together flooded her mind. Luke had turned twenty-seven and they had taken the train to Margate. There they had gone for a picnic as the April weather was unusually glorious and they had spent the day on the sands watching the tide come in and out, making plans for the rest of their lives. It had been simple and romantic: a wonderful way to celebrate. Just the thought of it made Alice want to break down and cry for her lost love. As she furiously tidied away a stash of needles, she imagined what it would be like to stab one of these through Hitler’s heart, just as if he were a pin cushion.

  ‘Mrs Milwood, I don’t know what’s wrong with you this morning but I would be grateful if you would alter your face by the time customers arrive,’ Mrs Claremont said crisply, cutting through her thoughts.

  ‘Sorry,’ Alice said meekly, feeling anything but.

  ‘Everything all right?’ Mrs Claremont enquired, her tone gentler.

  Alice looked at her in surprise. Mrs Claremont never showed the slightest interest in her well-being – or her personal life come to that. ‘I’m fine, thank you.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ Mrs Claremont pressed, her grey eyes seemingly filled with concern.

  ‘Well – not really,’ Alice said with a sigh, relieved at the prospect of unburdening herself. ‘My sister moved in with Mrs Hanson and me last night and let’s just say I have mixed emotions about it all. And on top of that, today is my husband’s birthday. I suppose I didn’t sleep very well with so much on my mind.’

  ‘I see,’ Mrs Claremont said, lips pursed. ‘I can quite understand how you have a lot to think about, but I expect you to remain professional and leave your home life at the door, Mrs Milwood. If you’re not feeling up to dealing with customers this morning, may I suggest you spend some time going through our paperwork and ensuring the stockroom is tidy until you feel more able to cope with the shop floor.’

  About to open her mouth to protest, Alice thought better of it. Mrs Claremont might be right, she wasn’t much good on the shop floor at the moment, but the last thing she wanted to do was spend any more time in the stockroom losing out on valuable commission.

  ‘I’ll be fine, tha
nk you, Mrs Claremont,’ she said firmly.

  Before Mrs Claremont could protest, Alice made her way across the shop floor towards one of her regular customers and started to serve her.

  Sneaking a glance at Mary, the two exchanged weary smiles – there was no denying it, life in fabrics just wasn’t the same as it used to be. The department had once been a place of great joy and friendship but in the ten days since Alice had returned she couldn’t help feeling as though something was lacking in the place. It was a dreadful shame, not just because she had always seen Liberty’s as her second home, but also because she had a feeling life at her first home was about to become quite turbulent. She knew Joy wouldn’t be staying forever, and she also knew her sister had promised that she was going to turn over a new leaf. However, the simple truth was that Alice didn’t believe her and she knew it would only be a matter of time before Joy returned to her old ways. She was just like their father – unable to help herself, no matter how hard she tried.

  Just then, Alice glanced up and saw Rose walking down the stairs with Mr Button by her side. The sight of them together gladdened her heart. It was such a pleasure having Rose back at Liberty’s and she moved quickly across the floor to greet them.

  ‘You two are a sight for sore eyes this morning.’ She beamed. ‘What can we do for you?’

  As her eyes scanned Rose’s appearance, she was delighted to see that her old friend looked more like her old self. There was colour to her cheeks and she had even managed to pin up her long auburn hair in a slightly messy knot, giving her a glamorous look.

  Mr Button grinned at Alice, before nudging Rose. ‘We’re looking for reinforcements.’

  ‘Sounds suspicious, sir,’ Mary added as she sidled up alongside. Alice couldn’t resist a smile at the way Mary still sounded as if she were in the army when she was addressing anyone more senior than her.

  The store manager laughed as he released his arm from Rose’s and rocked slightly on his heels with merriment. ‘Not at all. This is Rose’s passion project.’