‘Do you think he’s got someone else?’
‘Oh no, I think he just got fed up of me saying “no”.’
‘Then you ask him.’
Milly giggled through her tears. ‘Oh I couldn’t. Granny Fortesque would be appalled. She’d say I was “fast”.’ It was the word the older generation now used to describe the independent young women.
‘Pity it’s not a leap year,’ Pips said.
Milly raised her head and stepped back. ‘You know, you’re very lucky. You should snap George up. I don’t know why you’re dithering. Don’t lose him. Don’t you love him?’
‘Yes, I do, but I just don’t want to be – trapped. And then, there’s his daughter. I don’t want to be the cause of a rift between them.’
‘I think that’s for him to decide.’ Milly put her head on one side and regarded her friend thoughtfully. ‘What does George think about all this strike business?’
‘I really don’t know.’
Milly wiped her tears away. ‘I do. He’ll do whatever you do.’
Pips smiled thinly. ‘Maybe, but I can’t imagine that Rebecca will join the strike. She’s a nurse.’
‘Well, I shall do whatever Paul does. At least he’s still around. I think he plans to drive a tram or a bus or something.’
‘You can’t drive.’
‘No, but I could be his clippie.’ Milly made the action of clipping a ticket. ‘Ding ding.’
The two girls dissolved into laughter, their easy friendship restored, though Pips was left feeling a little apprehensive. She didn’t want to fall out with any of her friends and yet, she had to stick to her own principles.
Pips saw George the following day and her first question was, ‘What are your views on this strike? Whose side are you on?’
‘Well, not the strikers.’
Pips stared at him in horror for a moment. ‘So, you’re with Milly and her set, are you?’
George raised his eyebrows. ‘I’d’ve thought you would have been too.’
‘Well, I’m not.’
‘The miners won’t win their battle, you know.’
‘Why ever not?’
‘Because once the country has been plunged into chaos, public sympathy will turn against them.’
‘I don’t think it will cause that much hardship, because Milly and her like will keep things running. Well, for people’s basic needs anyway.’
‘Then it still won’t work, will it?’
‘I see what you mean. No, perhaps it won’t. How sad that we can’t pay a decent wage to men who risk their lives on a daily basis, grovelling for our coal.’
‘Besides, the Government will call in the army if it gets really serious. It’s what we do. Pips, I’m an army man through and through. Although I won’t be involved, I know what I’d be obliged to do if I was still a serving officer.’
‘Blindly follow orders,’ Pips said a little bitterly.
George smiled thinly and murmured, ‘I suppose it must seem like that to outsiders, but it’s what we sign up to do.’
Pips fidgeted for a moment before blurting out, ‘If I’m completely honest, I’m torn. I don’t actually know what my family think.’
‘Would it make any difference?’
Pips had the grace to laugh. ‘Not a scrap.’ She paused and then went on, ‘I was just wondering if there was anything I could do to help, but which would not be classed as strike-breaking.’
George was thoughtful for a moment before he said with a little smile, ‘You could always drive an ambulance.’
‘Paul says he’s going to drive a bus.’ Milly clapped her hands. ‘If he does, then I’m going to be his clippie.’
Pips frowned. ‘He’d be better off driving an ambulance. I’m thinking of setting up a first-aid post.’
Milly blinked. ‘Like in the war?’
Pips nodded. ‘Some of the hospitals are closed and the police have told me that the Poplar area will be the most dangerous.’ She grinned. ‘So, of course, that’s where I’m going.’
‘Those two brothers, who were with us in Belgium – the London bus drivers – didn’t they come from the East End?’
‘Milly, sometimes you are just absolutely brilliant. Yes, I think they did. Now, if I could find them . . .’
‘But – but they’ll be striking, won’t they?’
‘Exactly, but I’m proposing to set up a first-aid post to help the strikers. I’m on their side. Remember?’
Milly nodded. ‘I know, and I so wish you weren’t.’ There were tears in her eyes again as she added, ‘I’m so afraid it’s going to cause a rift between us and between you and George.’
‘Oh phooey,’ Pips began and then, seeing that her friend was genuinely upset, she hugged her. ‘We’re not going to let this come between any of us. It’s just that we have different opinions, that’s all. We’re allowed that, aren’t we?’ She laughed. ‘And just like we did in the war, first aid will be available to the “enemy” too.’
Milly dried her tears and tried to smile. ‘I can see your point of view, truly I can, but I still don’t think the workers should hold the country to ransom.’
‘They wouldn’t – if the authorities gave them a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. They’re trying to make the miners work longer hours for less pay, so they’re getting hit in both directions. That’s hardly fair, is it?’
‘I suppose not,’ Milly said reluctantly.
‘And other industries are only coming out in support of them. Now, I’m going to drive to Poplar and find a local police station. I’ll ask for their help not only to set up a first-aid post somewhere, but also to ask if they can help me find the Enderby brothers.’
‘Do – do you want me to come with you?’
Pips shook her head. ‘And for Heaven’s sake, don’t tell George where I’ve gone, if he should call.’
Milly’s eyes widened. ‘Oh Pips, he’ll wheedle it out of me. I know he will.’
Pips chuckled. ‘Milly darling, you were wonderful at the front, but you would never have made a spy. Don’t worry,’ she added airily, as she went towards the door. ‘He’ll find out eventually anyway.’
Only half an hour after Pips had left, George arrived.
‘Hello, Milly dear. Is Pips in?’ he asked when Milly answered the door. He was very fond of the scatter-brained girl and whilst he had never met her out in Belgium, he had heard from Pips what an asset she had been to the flying ambulance corps, even though she’d not had much nursing training.
Milly pressed her lips together and shook her head.
‘Where is she?’
‘I – um – don’t know – exactly.’ Then she rushed on. ‘Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?’
George regarded her thoughtfully, his head on one side. ‘Milly – there’s something you’re not telling me. I can see it in your face. Where has she gone?’
‘Oh, George, please – don’t ask me.’
He took her hands in his and made her face him. ‘I won’t be angry – I promise.’
‘No, but Pips will. She said I wasn’t to tell you.’
George couldn’t help chuckling at Milly’s anxious face. ‘But she knew you would tell me, didn’t she?’
Milly smiled thinly. ‘She said I would never have made a spy.’
Now George threw back his head and laughed aloud. ‘That’s true. So, tell me where she’s gone and what she’s planning.’
‘She’s gone to Poplar to try to find Hugh and Peter Enderby. You remember them?’
George nodded. ‘Indeed I do. They were brave men. But why?’
‘She’s heard Poplar is one of the dangerous areas – or could be – during the strike and she wants to set up a first-aid post there.’
‘Then I’d better go and find her and help her.’
‘But – but you’re on our side. You don’t agree with the strikers.’
‘Pips has been very clever. She’s found a way to help in a neutral capacity. She’ll give first
aid to both sides, I’ve no doubt.’
Milly nodded. ‘She said that.’
‘Do you know where she was going initially?’
‘The local police station there, I think.’
‘Then that’s where I’ll go too.’
Travelling to the east of the city was difficult: there was already a feeling of unrest in the air. For the first time in his life, George was relieved that he was not in uniform. He suspected he would have been seen as an ‘enemy’. At last, he found a police station.
‘Ah yes, sir, there was a young woman in here a few hours ago. Inspector Kenny went out somewhere with her. The nearest bus station, I believe.’
Receiving directions from the helpful desk sergeant, George set off once more. Already the bus service was at a standstill – the depot was crammed with vehicles that should have been out on the streets. The drivers and conductors stood around in small groups, looking unsure as to what they ought to do. George approached the nearest gathering. ‘I wonder if you can help me?’
‘I doubt it, mate. Buses aren’t running today.’
George shook his head. ‘It’s not that. I’m looking for a young woman – possibly in the company of a police inspector – who is looking for two of your colleagues. The Enderby brothers.’
The man’s face cleared and, despite the seriousness of the situation, he laughed. ‘Aye, she found ’em and they greeted her like a long-lost sister. They’re around somewhere.’ He looked about him and one of his colleagues jerked his thumb over his shoulder, volunteering the information, ‘They all went towards the office. Over there, mate.’
As he neared the building, George could see Pips through the window talking animatedly to four men, two of whom he knew. As he opened the door and entered, they all looked up.
‘Captain Allender.’ Peter was the first to get to his feet and hold out his hand. ‘How good it is to see you again.’
George shook his hand warmly and that of his brother too. ‘You too. Are you well?’
‘Very well, thanks, though we’re not too happy about what’s going on at the moment.’ He turned towards the man sitting beside a desk. ‘This here’s our depot manager, Mr Bradley. We knew Captain Allender at the front, sir.’
George nodded towards the depot manager and the police inspector and took a chair beside Pips.
‘It’s Major Allender now, by the way,’ Pips said, before turning towards George. ‘I knew Milly would tell you. I hope you’ve not come to try and stop me.’
‘If you’re attempting to set up a first-aid post, of course, I wouldn’t dream of trying to prevent you. Sadly, I think it will be needed.’
‘But – but you don’t agree with me.’
‘As always, my dear, you have cleverly found a way to assist whilst remaining neutral because, knowing you, you will treat both sides of the conflict with equal care and attention.’
‘But I’m not sure the locals will see it that way, major,’ the inspector sighed. ‘Nevertheless, I have just been telling Miss Maitland here that there is an empty shop only a short distance from here. I know the owner and I am sure he would be willing to let her use it.’
‘It might suffer damage, if there’s rioting,’ George said.
‘He’ll understand that and I’ll make sure that there is at least one constable on duty whenever Miss Maitland is there.’
‘We’ll be with her,’ Hugh and Peter chorused.
‘As will I,’ George murmured.
‘And I think some of our colleagues will join us,’ Hugh Enderby said. ‘Once word gets around that we’re not taking sides but just helping the injured. After all, we treated the enemy with the same consideration as we treated our own lads, didn’t we, Miss Pips, if we got one of their casualties? And we’ll do the same this time.’
‘You’re talking as if we’re going to war,’ the depot manager murmured.
Pips turned her green eyes upon him. ‘Well, aren’t we, Mr Bradley?
Thirty-Three
The vacant shop that Inspector Kenny had found for her was ideal. Not only did the frontage look out over a main street, but there was also hot and cold running water and a stove in the back rooms. Above the shop were living quarters, again with water and cooking facilities. ‘I can move in,’ Pips said delightedly. ‘Be here on hand all the time.’
‘I don’t want you staying here on your own,’ George said. ‘I’ll come too.’ He glanced around the bare room. ‘We’ll need to get beds from somewhere.’
‘I’m sure Hugh and Peter will be able to source whatever we need in the way of medical supplies, but surely,’ she added archly, ‘we only need one double bed.’
‘Wicked woman,’ George murmured, but he was smiling. They had been lovers for almost five years now and the thought of being able to spend several days and nights with her made George hope that at last he might be able to persuade her to name a date for their wedding. He was beginning to think that he’d really have to go ahead without his daughter’s blessing if he wanted to marry this wonderful woman.
‘And now,’ Pips was saying, ‘I’d better don the apron I’ve brought, pick up my brush and get scrubbing.’ And that was how Milly, Paul and Mitch found them.
‘I never thought I’d live to see the day.’ Mitch grinned. ‘Pips on her knees and Major Allender, with his sleeves rolled up, doing a housemaid’s work.’
‘She can be very persuasive,’ George said mildly.
‘Don’t I know it,’ Mitch said. ‘Anyway, we’ve marshalled the troops. Muriel and Pattie are collecting whatever medical supplies they can lay their hands on. And we’ve made a start. We’ve several boxes in my car outside.’
Pips stood up and eased her aching back. ‘You never fail to surprise me, Mitch Hammond. I thought you’d have been driving a bus or a train.’
He chuckled. ‘You’re right, I should be. But when we all heard what you were doing, we thought we’d help you instead.’ His brown eyes looked deep into hers as he said solemnly, ‘I owe my life to you, Pips, and I’ll never forget it. Whenever you need help, you can be sure I’ll be there. Now,’ he said briskly, as if suddenly aware he was becoming too sentimental in front of onlookers, ‘where do you want all the stuff?’
‘In the back room – but it really needs cleaning first.’
‘I’ll do that, darling,’ Milly said. ‘I’ve brought my apron.’
‘You’ll ruin your nails,’ Pips warned, but Milly only laughed, flapped her hands and, using Pips’s favourite word, said, ‘Oh phooey!’
They all laughed and Paul, taking off his jacket and rolling up his shirt sleeves, said, ‘We’ll all help. We’ll follow the major’s example.’
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the ‘working party’ enjoyed setting up the first-aid post and when Hugh and Peter arrived with more medical supplies, food and the furniture they needed for the upstairs, they were ready.
‘Well, there’s no point in me hanging about,’ Mitch said. ‘I’m no nurse, but I’ll call in each day to see if there’s anything else you need.’
‘And I’ll come every day, darling, to help where I can. I learned how to do basic dressings, Pips, so maybe there’ll be something I can do, even if it’s only making tea.’ There was a pause before Milly added, ‘Is Alice coming down to help you?’
Pips shook her head. ‘I wouldn’t dream of asking her. She has enough to do looking after my brother and Daisy. Besides, to be honest, I’m not sure where my family’s sympathies lie.’
‘I don’t think they could disapprove of what we’re doing,’ George said mildly. ‘We’re not taking sides, are we?’
‘True. But I don’t think my mother will be best pleased.’
‘Edwin – what on earth does Pips think she’s doing?’
‘What’s that, Hetty my love?’ Edwin asked as he sat down at the breakfast table.
Henrietta prodded the newspaper she was holding. ‘It says here that she and a few others have set up a first-aid post in Poplar to help any ca
sualties during this wretched strike.’
‘I – um – don’t quite understand your concern . . .’
‘Good morning, Mother – Father,’ Robert said as he entered the room, with Daisy and Alice following him.
‘Have you seen this, Robert?’ Henrietta asked.
‘If that’s this morning’s paper, then, no, not yet. Why?’
‘It’s Pips.’
Robert looked up sharply, his face suddenly anxious. ‘What’s happened? Is she all right?’
‘I really have no idea, except that she seems to have lost any shred of common sense she ever had.’
‘What has she done now?’
When Henrietta had explained, Robert said, ‘If you want my opinion, she has been extremely astute. She’s helping, yet no one can accuse her of taking sides.’
Henrietta gave a click of exasperation. ‘But we all know she’ll be on the side of the strikers, don’t we?’
‘More than likely,’ Robert said cheerfully. ‘I only wish I could go and join her. Don’t worry about Pips, Mother. I’m sure Milly will be with her and,’ he added pointedly, ‘George too.’
‘Don’t try to deflect my concern, Robert.’ Henrietta turned towards her daughter-in-law seeking her support. ‘What do you think, Alice?’
‘Pips will be fine. She knows how to look after herself. For two pins, I’d go to help her.’
‘Can I come too, Mummy?’
‘No, darling. It’s no place for you or for me now.’
‘But I’d like to help Aunty Pips too.’
Alice patted the little girl’s hand. ‘I’m sure it’ll all be over very soon and then perhaps she will come home for a holiday.’
Henrietta stood up and threw the newspaper onto the table in disgust. ‘Not before she’s got herself into trouble with one side of the dispute or the other. Probably with both.’ And she marched out of the room.
Daisy turned wide eyes upon her grandfather, sitting at the end of the table. ‘Gramps, is Granny cross with Aunty Pips?’
‘Just a little, sweetheart, but don’t worry. It’s not the first time and I doubt very much that it’ll be the last.’
‘I’ve managed to persuade someone in the Red Cross to allow you ladies to wear their uniform,’ George said the morning after they had set up the post. There had been no patients for them that first evening. ‘So at least we’ll look official now. They’ve also lent us a car and offered a driver, but I said we didn’t need one.’ He turned towards the Enderby brothers, who had arrived back early that morning. ‘I thought you two could manage that between you, though you must wear the Red Cross emblem too.’
The Brooklands Girls Page 22