by Katie Flynn
Ellie smiled. Ever since Caldecott had granted their leave all Gwen had done was chatter excitedly about their holiday. Now, hoisting her kitbag over her shoulder, she gripped Ellie firmly by the hand, towed her aboard the waiting train, and marched her down the corridor until they found an empty compartment. ‘Window seats! Pass me your bag and I’ll push it under the seat with mine, that way we don’t have to worry about them falling off the rack and bonking someone on the head,’ she said, shoving the bags securely under her seat with her heels.
The compartment soon began to fill up with servicemen and women, and before too long it was standing room only. Outside, the guard blew his whistle and waved his green flag. There was a loud gushing noise as steam hissed between the great wheels, which were squealing as they fought to gain traction on the rails. Leaning her head against the window, Ellie smiled as the rhythmical beat began to pick up speed. She glanced at Gwen, who was beaming with joy, then let the quiet chatter of her fellow travellers wash over her as she gazed out of the window, her mind wandering back to her last telephone call with Arla.
‘When you get off the train, ask for directions to the Stonebow. It’s like a big archway into the city; everyone knows it. When you go through it you’ll see the Saracen’s Head on your left. It’s a huge building right next to Lidgett’s watch shop – you can’t miss it. I’ve booked you a twin room for the week, I hope that’s all right. I wish I could be there to meet you off the train, but of course I’m on duty so I won’t be able to see you until the next morning, so make sure you’re up bright and early, because I’ll be knocking on your door ready to go for breakfast.’
Ellie wondered what news Arla had that she could neither write nor tell her over the phone. She hoped it was more details about Aidan and Evie and what appeared to be their diminishing relationship.
When Aidan had left for Waddington, Ellie had decided that she would not waste any more time mooning over a relationship which could never be, and had decided instead to find herself a partner, someone closer to her own age whom she could go to the cinema and dances with. But even though she had not been short of suitors, she had found herself constantly comparing them to Aidan.
‘They’re like over-excited puppies; that last one was downright sweaty,’ she had told Gwen, rubbing the palms of her hands on her khaki skirt. ‘He must’ve put a handful of that dreadful Brylcreem in his hair, too; it was shinier than my shoes, and when he lowered his head I swear I could see my reflection in it!’
Gwen had giggled. ‘He seemed nice enough, and he liked you; I saw the smile on his face …’
Ellie had grimaced. ‘So did I, and his teeth were all yellow and crooked, not like Aidan’s.’
Gwen had rolled her eyes. ‘Aidan, Aidan, Aidan! Don’t you think it’d be a lot quicker if you just lined ’em up, so that you can see which of them measures up to Aidan? Not that I think any of them will. You’ve got rose-coloured specs when it comes to pilot Officer Murray.’
Ellie had groaned. ‘Don’t call him that. I hate hearing that name, it reminds me of her.’
‘Forget her, and him. You can’t keep mooning over him, Ellie; it’s not good for you – or me, come to that – and you’ve got to learn to move on. I promise you, there is life after Aidan!’
As the train pulled into a small station most of the passengers in the compartment gathered up their belongings and got off the train. Standing up, Ellie opened the top window. ‘Bit stuffy in here. Does anyone mind?’
Apart from Gwen the only other passengers were two young Waafs, who shook their heads simultaneously. Sitting down, Ellie stretched her legs out in front of her. ‘I hope there’s no one else coming in. These carriages aren’t meant for large servicemen with huge kitbags.’
The door to their carriage slid open and an old woman entered. She wore a multicoloured headscarf which only half covered her greasy greying hair, and Ellie was just able to make out a pair of small sharp blue eyes peering out of her deeply wrinkled face. She wondered how old she was, and thought she must be getting close to ninety. I’ve never seen so many wrinkles, she thought, as the woman settled into the empty seat next to Gwen; she reminds me of a walnut. The old woman locked eyes with her, and Ellie, aware that she had been caught staring, was about to turn away when the woman spoke.
‘Mornin’, lady. Would you like to buy some lucky heather?’
Gwen gave Ellie’s shoe a sharp kick and wagged a warning finger that only Ellie could see. Turning her attention to the old woman, she spoke in clipped tones. ‘We don’t want any heather, lucky or otherwise, thank you very much.’
The wizened woman narrowed her eyes. ‘Was I askin’ you?’
Ellie cleared her throat. ‘Sorry, but I don’t want any, though thanks for the offer.’
The woman grinned, revealing her two remaining teeth. ‘’Tis no matter, child.’ She rummaged around in one of her pockets. ‘Lucky sixpence?’
Ellie shook her head.
‘With the luck my charms will bring you, you’ll have more money than you have now.’ She nodded encouragingly at Ellie, but Gwen was having none of it.
‘If they’re that lucky why are you so keen to sell them?’ she said pointedly.
The woman’s blue eyes stared icily at Gwen. ‘Because I like to share the luck around, but if you don’t want none then that’s your business.’ She began to search around in her large knitted bag. Ellie watched as the woman’s arthritic fingers, the nails black with dirt, rummaged through the contents. ‘Clothes pegs!’ she cried triumphantly, flourishing the pegs towards the four girls. ‘Everyone needs clothes pegs.’
Frowning, Gwen folded her arms. ‘We’re in the ATS, and they’re in the WAAF. Why on earth would we need clothes pegs? They do our washing for us.’
‘Wouldn’t know. Never been in the services,’ the old woman said. Thrusting the pegs back into her bag, she closed it up and glared out of the window.
Ellie fished around in her purse. ‘Is a penny all right, for the heather I mean?’
The woman’s face lit up with a broad grin and she nodded eagerly. ‘Bless you, my child, and don’t forget to give it a rub for luck whenever you need it most.’
Avoiding Gwen’s reproving stare, Ellie tucked the heather into her purse. If buying a piece of heather really did bring good luck then she needed as much of it as she could lay her hands on.
Shooting a defiant glare at Gwen, the old woman crossed her feet and made herself comfortable. Within minutes a soft snore emanated from her gummy lips. Quietly getting to their feet, the two Waafs took the opportunity to leave the compartment.
‘I see they’ve got some sense,’ said Gwen. ‘You shouldn’t buy anything off women like her, Ellie. It just encourages them. We used to get a lot of ’em where I lived, and whilst some of them are fine the rest can be really nasty, especially if you don’t buy anything off them. They stand on your doorstep shouting, cussing and cursing you fit to burn. My uncle always said it’s better not to get involved in the first place.’
‘She never cursed either of us when we turned her down the first two times, so she’s obviously one of the nice ones,’ Ellie said matter-of-factly.
Gwen looked accusingly at the old woman and felt positive that she saw the sides of the snoring lips begin to curl into a smile before relaxing again. Leaning back in her seat, she folded her coat into a sort of pillow then placed it between her head and the window. ‘I s’pose you could be right.’
With the matter put to rest, Ellie turned her attention to the passing scenery. Two large cobs just like Samson and Hercules were being used to plough a meadow, and watching the magnificent beasts tirelessly pulling the heavy plough reminded Ellie of her days in Springdale. Glancing at her wristwatch, she wondered what the Murrays were doing. It was nearly a quarter past eleven, so Mr Murray and the farmhands would have finished milking long since, the livestock would have been fed and water troughs checked, and any animals which were housed, like pigs and hens, would be getting mucked out. To
day was Monday, which was a baking day for Mrs Murray who would be in the kitchen, her apron covered in flour, baking bread and pies. Lunch would probably be cheese, pickles, and any leftovers from the previous evening’s meal. Ellie’s mouth began to water. Rather than bring sandwiches, which would end up getting squashed in the kitbags, they had decided to buy something at one of the stops. She peered ahead of the train in the hope of seeing a station.
‘If you got another one of them pennies I could read your palm and tell you what your future holds.’ Ellie jumped at the sound of the woman’s voice. She looked across at Gwen and saw that her eyes were tight shut and her lips slightly parted. Quietly, she produced another penny and placed it on the woman’s outstretched palm. Hiding the penny in the depths of her skirts, the woman leaned forward eagerly, indicating that Ellie should do the same. She pulled Ellie’s hand towards her and started to trace the lines on the palm with one grubby finger.
‘You’ve had a lot of sorrow in your life; I see that clearly by this line ’ere.’ She peered closely at Ellie’s hand. ‘Your mam’s gone, but she watches over you, allus has, allus will. That’s a mother’s love for you; it don’t know no boundaries.’ She smiled kindly at Ellie, then returned her attention to her palm. ‘This’ll please your mam. The man you’re goin’ to visit will end up bein’ your hubby, an’ you’ll ’ave lots of kiddies and live in the country.’
Ellie looked at her own hand. ‘Do you see anything else?’
‘Yes. Your pal sittin’ there – the one what’s listenin’ but thinks I don’t know it – she’s goin’ to end up with his brother.’
Ellie glanced at Gwen, who had surreptitiously opened one eye, and saw the other girl’s cheeks redden. Leaning away from the window, Gwen looked at the old woman through narrowed eyes. ‘What a load of old tosh! He hasn’t got a brother, so that blows your nonsense out of the water.’
Without replying, the woman turned back to Ellie’s hand. ‘Whether you believe me or not, I’m tellin’ you what I see, and you’d best take heed, because they’re both in grave danger.’ Releasing her grip on Ellie’s fingers, she sat back in her seat.
‘Is that it? Can’t you tell us—’ Ellie began.
‘Don’t take no notice of her, Ellie, she’s makin’ it up as she goes along. Aidan hasn’t got a brother.’ She paused for a moment. ‘Has he?’
Ellie shook her head. ‘No, but maybe it’s not Aidan I’m going to marry.’
Gwen scowled at the old lady. ‘You shouldn’t be tellin’ people a load of mumbo-jumbo just to earn a penny. It’s not nice.’
The old woman pulled a face. ‘Like I said, I tells what I see.’ She looked past Gwen. ‘Ah, we’re stoppin’.’
Ellie and Gwen looked out of the window. The train was indeed stopping, and seeing a sign for a café Ellie pointed towards it. ‘Come on, let’s go and get summat to eat. I’m starvin’.’
Gwen hesitated as she remembered the kitbags under her seat. The old woman rolled her eyes. ‘You think I’m goin’ to nick two honking great big bags full of your tat?’
Gwen bridled. ‘My things aren’t tatty …’ she began, only to be interrupted by Ellie who had raised a hand.
‘Come on, you two, we’ve still got a while to go before we reach Lincoln. I’d like to finish the journey in peace if it’s all the same to you.’
‘I’m not the one …’ Gwen began, but Ellie had opened the carriage door.
‘You comin’ or stayin’ here? Only we don’t know how much time we’ve got before the train leaves.’
‘You got a good ten minutes at this station,’ the woman said knowledgeably. ‘I do this route all the time, and the driver always stops for a wiz here.’
‘Charming!’ Gwen said, before being ushered out of the carriage by Ellie. On the platform she tugged at Ellie’s elbow. ‘I’ve gorra go to the lavvy too. Get me any sarnie and a sticky bun, an’ a bottle of lemonade.’
By the time Ellie had neared the top of the queue Gwen had returned. Both girls were aware that the guard kept glancing at his wristwatch. ‘I hope we manage to get summat before he blows his whistle,’ Ellie said, looking back at the train again. ‘It’s a good job I don’t need the loo. But hang on – isn’t that the woman from our carriage?’
Gwen turned. ‘Bit of luck the train’ll leave without her.’
Watching the old woman disappear through the small gate that led from the platform Ellie noticed a small pony just like Spud outside. When he moved off the old lady was sitting on a small cart behind him. Ellie frowned, feeling her stomach lurch. The old woman had not said anything about leaving the train. Whilst she had not had either of the bags with her, something about her departure made Ellie uneasy.
‘All I got left is corned beef and tomato, corned beef and pickle, or corned beef and onion.’
Turning, Ellie met the gaze of a middle-aged woman who had a cigarette dangling from the corner of her mouth. ‘I’ll take one with pickle and one with tomato, a small bottle of lemonade and two sticky buns, please.’ She looked back at Gwen and nodded to where the pony had been standing. ‘No need to worry about her missing the train. She’s just left the station.’
Gwen shrugged. ‘Good riddance to bad rubbish, that’s what I say. I know she didn’t threaten us with curses, but—’
‘Sorry for interruptin’, but are you talkin’ about the old girl who’s just left on the pony and cart?’ enquired the woman who was selling the food.
Ellie nodded. ‘That’s the one. Why d’you ask?’
‘You didn’t leave anything behind in the carriage, did you?’
Gwen shrugged. ‘Only our kitbags, but she hasn’t taken them. We’d have seen her.’
‘Did you have anything valuable in them?’
Gwen’s heart sank. ‘Me mam’s locket. It isn’t valuable, it isn’t silver or anything like that, and it’s broken, but it’s valuable to me.’
The woman from the café shook her head in annoyance. ‘She won’t have had time to check it over. She just takes anything she thinks she can sell later on.’
Clutching the bags of food, Gwen trotted along the platform towards the carriage. ‘I told you she was bad news. I knew we shouldn’t have trusted her to be alone with our things.’ As she entered the carriage she let out a groan of dismay. Peering over Gwen’s shoulder Ellie’s heart dropped as she surveyed the contents of both kitbags, which were strewn across the floor.
Gwen placed the food on the seats and started to sift through their belongings. ‘You never know, she might not have seen it,’ she said, her voice tinged with hope. ‘She was old, so her eyesight’s probably quite poor …’ But after every item had been put back into their bags, there was no denying that the locket had gone.
‘I’m so sorry, Gwen. I feel awful. I should’ve listened to you.’
Gwen shrugged. ‘Wouldn’t have made the slightest difference if you had. She’d have taken it no matter if we’d bought all her pegs and heather and lucky coins and both had our fortunes told. She’s a thief, simple as.’
The door to the carriage opened and the guard appeared. ‘I just been speakin’ to Alice from the caff; she told me about Mary. Did she take owt?’
Gwen nodded. ‘My locket. It wasn’t valuable but it was the only thing I had left from me mam.’
He shook his head sadly. ‘Sorry about that, chuck. I’m afraid there’s nowt we can do about it unless we catch her sellin’ it somewhere. She’ll be long gone by now, and what with her havin’ no fixed abode …’
Gwen smiled resignedly. ‘I know, I know, we get them all the time at home. You won’t be able to trace her, and even if you did you wouldn’t be able to prove that she didn’t find it on the floor somewhere. Don’t worry, I know you can’t do anything to help, but thanks for coming to check on us.’
Nodding grimly, he closed the carriage door with a whoosh.
‘What was that?’ Ellie said, pointing to a small piece of paper that had whirled into the air. Bending down, she picked it up, turned
it carefully over in her fingers, and held it out to Gwen. ‘Is that the picture of your mam?’
Peering at the tiny photograph Gwen gave a gasp. ‘Ellie Lancton, you’re a bloomin’ marvel! If I could’ve chosen what to find this would have been it! I can buy a locket anywhere, but the photo is irreplaceable.’ Carefully placing it in her purse, she threw her arms around Ellie and squeezed her tightly. From outside they heard the guard calling out to any passengers still to board.
Several hours and train changes later the girls finally arrived in Lincoln. After asking for directions they soon found themselves at the Stonebow, and walking through the arch Ellie pointed to the large sign on the nearby hotel’s façade. ‘There it is, just as Arla described.’ Inside there was a long passage leading to an ornate staircase. Ellie rang the small silver bell on the counter, and a skinny woman with steel-grey hair pulled into a tight bun poked her head round the door to the office. Smiling brightly, she moved to the counter and peered at them from over the top of her horn-rimmed spectacles.
‘Good evening, ladies. May I be of assistance?’ She eyed the large kitbags and added, ‘If you’re booking in I’ll ring for one of the boys to carry your luggage up to your room.’
Ellie returned her smile. ‘We’ve reservations under the names Lancton and Jones.’ She craned her neck as she watched the woman flicking through the reservations book.
‘Ah Yes, here we are.’ The woman struck the top of the silver bell smartly and a young boy, not much bigger than the kitbags themselves, appeared behind the counter. He smiled cheerfully at Ellie and Gwen, but when his eyes rested on their luggage his face fell.