by Ellie Dean
Doris stubbed out her cigarette and got to her feet. She would discover for herself the sort of man he was, and make him tell her the truth about what had gone on between him and his son today – even if it did mean the engagement was over. Going to her bedroom to fetch her jacket, she heard the key turn in the lock of the front door and stepped into the hall, ready to confront him.
‘Doris, my dear girl,’ he said in a fluster. ‘I am sorry I’m so late back. You must have wondered where on earth I’d got to.’
She let him take her hands but wasn’t ready quite yet to forgive him. ‘I was beginning to worry that something had happened to you,’ she murmured. ‘You’ve been gone for four hours.’
He ran his fingers through his thick silver hair, his blue eyes troubled. ‘Goodness me; time really does fly, doesn’t it?’ He reached for her hands again. ‘Oh, my dear girl, I should have telephoned you. Will you ever forgive me?’
She nodded warily and let him kiss her cheek. He didn’t look like a man who was about to break her heart, but what on earth had he been up to all this time? ‘You must be cold after that very long walk,’ she said quietly. ‘Come into the sitting room and warm yourself. I’ve made a pot of tea, but I’ll need to get another cup.’
‘I don’t want tea,’ he said firmly, leading her into the sitting room and pressing her down into a chair. ‘And I haven’t been walking all this time either,’ he admitted, not quite looking her in the eye.
‘Then what on earth have you been doing, John?’ she asked evenly.
‘I did walk for a bit to clear my head after Michael left. Although I love my son, I couldn’t admire his behaviour today, and certainly wouldn’t stand for the way he tried to …’
He faltered and Doris finished the sentence for him.
‘Tell you to finish with me,’ she said. She saw the distress in his face and touched his arm. ‘It’s all right, John. I guessed some time ago that that might be the case.’
‘Doris, darling, I never realised how difficult these past weeks must have been for you, and after the disastrous lunch at the Club I knew I had to take a stand and defend my right to be happy with the woman I love.’
She could feel the prick of tears and the thudding of her heart as she watched him reach into his jacket pocket for a slip of paper and then drop at her feet on one knee.
‘I do hope you won’t be too cross,’ he said shyly, ‘but I’ve been to the Town Hall to arrange our wedding ceremony for the end of August.’ He placed the notice on her lap, his gaze never leaving her face. ‘Please say you’ll still marry me, Doris.’
Doris cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. ‘You silly, dearest man,’ she managed through her tears. ‘Of course I will.’
Charlie burrowed beneath the blankets and eiderdown and gave a sigh of contentment. After all the concerns he’d had over this homecoming, it had proved to be all he could have hoped for – and more.
Grandad had told him his stories as they’d walked with the dogs – just like he’d done all those years ago. And when they’d gone down to the beach, Charlie had drunk the whisky-laced tea and asked for another as he’d sat enthralled by his Uncle Frank’s reminiscences of the days when Charlie had gone out with them at weekends and school holidays.
The whisky had made him feel a bit light-headed, so he hadn’t complained when Ron had silently removed that second cup from his hands and finished it off himself, and the bag of hot, vinegary chips they’d bought to eat on their way home had gone some way to filling the gap that lately always seemed to be there no matter how much he ate.
Charlie’s head buzzed a bit, but it felt quite pleasant, and he was ready to sleep now. He turned off the bedside light and snuggled into the pillows. Tomorrow promised to be even better. In the morning, Grandad Ron would introduce him to the Cliffehaven rugby side, and after lunch, Frank had promised to take him out on the small boat to see if he still had his sea legs and could remember his way around it.
On the very brink of tumbling into sleep, Charlie smiled and wondered why he’d ever dreaded coming home.
27
Peggy had been shocked to hear about Michael’s behaviour, but thrilled to learn that Doris and John had fixed a date for their wedding despite him, and had happily gone with her sister to Plummer’s department store in search of an appropriate outfit.
She hadn’t been quite so happy about the election results, for despite all that Churchill had done for the country, Labour had swept in with a huge majority and Clement Attlee was now the Prime Minister.
Rosie was cock-a-hoop, of course, and already planning her campaign to be voted onto the council in the local elections at the end of the year – though how she’d find time to run the pub and be a councillor, Peggy had no idea. Ron had been phlegmatic about it, bless him, for he was quite happy to let her spread her wings whilst he took charge at the Anchor, but Peggy suspected it wouldn’t be long before they put the pub up for sale.
As July had slipped into early August, Peggy had come to the conclusion that only time would tell if Labour’s radical social changes would come to fruition, but she had far more important and exciting things to deal with than politics.
Peter and Rita would be getting married on the eighteenth, and would then move in with her father until it was safe for them to leave for Australia. Ivy was over her morning sickness now and planning to come down with Andy to stay at Beach View for that weekend so she could be Rita’s bridesmaid; and when Doris and John tied the knot a week later, their younger sister, Doreen, would be coming with her two girls and young Archie to help celebrate the occasion.
Peggy sat in her factory office and watched the women at their sewing machines, but her thoughts were still on the sleeping arrangements at Beach View. It wouldn’t be too much of a squash, for there was still that double room on the first floor for them to sleep in since Brendan and Betty had now moved into their lovely new house, and Charlie was very content to stay where he was in the basement. However, the thought of five small girls and a little boy rampaging about the place was a daunting prospect. Daisy and Anne’s two made enough noise with their screeching and squabbling, and it had become almost a pleasure to come into work where it was a good deal quieter and more orderly.
She snapped from her thoughts and noticed the women were packing up for the day, so she quickly collected her handbag, just as eager to be home. The atmosphere at Beach View had improved enormously now Martin was fully involved in setting up the air transport business which they’d decided to call PMB Air, using the initials of their last names. Martin was almost back to his old self, Anne was looking radiant, and within a few short weeks they’d be moving back into their own little house just in time for Anne to start her job at the new junior school with young Betty.
Peggy checked everything was locked, and headed across the estate. She’d barely seen Charlie these past few weeks, for he was always busy. His voracious appetite was quite a problem, though, and it seemed that no matter how much she fed him, he was constantly hungry. And yet it was hardly surprising, she reasoned as she approached Jack’s lock-up, for he went with Ron onto the hills each morning to walk the dogs, and again at night if he wasn’t on the rugby field with his new friends training for the next season.
He’d spent hours with Ron, who’d been a terrific and steadying influence, and with Frank on his boat, and had even gone out night-fishing in the trawler to make up the crew numbers when one man had fallen ill. He’d loved it so much he’d hardly stopped talking about it, and Frank had been full of praise, even suggesting he might take him on permanently once he’d left school.
Peggy had been dubious about that idea, for although Charlie came from a family of fishermen, he was academically very bright, with an aptitude for mechanical engineering that had impressed Jack Smith no end. Her hope was that when he passed his school certificate, he’d go to technical college and hone those skills so he’d have a stable, well-paid job in the future.
Peggy had been r
elieved that he’d settled back home so well, but still couldn’t quite get over how much he’d grown – and how quickly he’d lost the burr of his Somerset accent. She’d quite liked it, but understood that Charlie had deliberately toned it down because he didn’t like being thought of as different to the other boys.
She arrived at Jack’s workshop and grinned. Charlie was in his element as he leaned beneath the bonnet of a car alongside Peter discussing what should be done with the engine.
‘He’s a clever lad,’ said Jack appreciatively, sliding out from beneath another car as Rita continued to hammer something metal at the back of the workshop. ‘I wouldn’t mind taking him on when these two skip off to Australia.’
‘Thanks, Jack, but he’s got to finish school first.’ She looked over at her son who was so involved beneath that bonnet that he hadn’t seen her. ‘Charlie. I want you home by six for your tea,’ she said. ‘It’s toad in the hole, so don’t be late.’
He replied with a wave of a filthy hand and a broad grin then disappeared beneath the bonnet again.
Peggy clucked her tongue and left him to it. She would pick up Daisy from the factory crèche and go straight home tonight to listen to the early newscast.
The fighting in the Far East was still raging, with the Americans now bombing mainland Japan itself. Several days ago, Truman had sent a stern and very threatening message to the Japanese, warning them he would bring death and total destruction to their country if they didn’t surrender immediately. Peggy prayed with all her being that the Japs would see sense and give in, for it would mean Jim could come home at last, and her family could spend their first Christmas together in six years.
Beach View was quiet for once, with only Cordelia waiting for her in the kitchen, the wireless already switched on in the corner.
‘Anne has taken the children to Briar Cottage, and will be back for tea,’ she said, the silk flowers bobbing merrily on the sunhat she’d forgotten she was wearing. ‘They were inspecting the airfield today, as they’re hoping to get government permission to use it again.’
‘From what I’ve heard it’s not in a very good state at all,’ replied Peggy, letting go of Daisy’s hand so she could go into the garden and play in the makeshift sandpit Ron had made for her. ‘Where are the three girls?’
‘Danuta’s gone to see Rachel and Solly to talk over their Warsaw plans, and Jane and Sarah have decided to buy fish and chips for supper before they go to see Brief Encounter again.’
The wireless hummed and spluttered with static and Peggy twiddled the knobs until the children’s programme came through clearly. There were still a few minutes to go before the news. ‘This could be it, Cordy,’ she said excitedly. ‘The Japs might have taken Truman’s threats seriously and surrendered. Oh, just think, Cordy. Jim could be home for Christmas if that’s the case. Wouldn’t it be wonderful?’
‘I wouldn’t count your chickens, dear,’ she replied. ‘The Japs have proved time and again they can’t be trusted to do what the rest of the world expects of them.’
Peggy sat down at the table next to her and lit a cigarette, fervently hoping that this time the war really would be over.
The announcer was introduced, and his solemn tone did not augur well.
‘The President of the United States of America, Harry Truman, has delivered a statement from the White House.’
There was a pause and Peggy tensed.
‘“Following the refusal of the Japanese to surrender immediately, I have had no recourse but to carry out my determination to bring an end to the war in the Far East, and to save the lives of millions.
‘“Sixteen hours ago an American airplane dropped one bomb on Hiroshima, an important Japanese Army base. That bomb had more power than 20,000 tons of TNT. It had more than two thousand times the blast power of the British ‘Grand Slam’ which is the largest bomb ever yet used in the history of warfare.
‘“The Japanese began the war from the air at Pearl Harbor. They have been repaid many fold. And the end is not yet. With this bomb we have now added a new and revolutionary increase in destruction to supplement the growing power of our armed forces. In their present form these bombs are now in production and even more powerful forms are in development.
‘“It is an atomic bomb. It is a harnessing of the basic power of the universe. The force from which the sun draws its power has been loosed against those who brought war to the Far East.”’
Peggy and Cordelia exchanged looks of horror as the news reader carried on talking about the secret scientific work that had been carried out since the very start of the world war, with Churchill and Roosevelt agreeing that the production plants should be based in America and as far from the war in Europe as possible.
As Charlie, Anne and Martin came quietly into the room and slid into the other chairs to listen, he continued reading the statement which extolled the achievements of the scientific brains which had put together infinitely complex pieces of knowledge held by many in different fields of science into a workable project. The Americans had spent two billion dollars on the greatest scientific gamble in history – and won.
‘“We are now prepared to obliterate more rapidly and completely every productive enterprise the Japanese have above ground in any city. We shall destroy their docks, their factories, and their communications. Let there be no mistake; we shall completely destroy Japan’s power to make war.
‘“It was to spare the Japanese people from utter destruction that the ultimatum of July 26 was issued at Potsdam. Their leaders promptly rejected that ultimatum. If they do not now accept our terms they may expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth. Behind this air attack will follow sea and land forces in such numbers and power as they have not yet seen and with the fighting skill of which they are already well aware.
‘“The Secretary of War, who has kept in personal touch with all phases of the project, will immediately make public a statement giving further details.”’
Peggy switched the wireless off and turned to look at the others through her tears. ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t bear to hear any more.’
‘Let’s hope that really is the end of it,’ said Anne, taking her mother’s hand. ‘And please don’t worry about Dad. He’ll stay in Burma, I’m sure, and not get involved in any of this new bomb or fighting.’
But their hopes were dashed when the news came three days later that the Japanese had still refused to surrender, and President Truman had ordered a second atomic bomb to be dropped, on the city of Nagasaki.
Peggy managed to get through six endless days of fear and rising hope, before the glorious news came that Japan had finally surrendered, and would sign the agreement on 2nd September.
Having never known such joy, Peggy decorated the house with flags and bunting and threw a party which lasted until the early hours of the following day. She was so excited and happy that her Jim would soon be coming home that she’d gone out and spent a fortune on a new outfit, which had taken most of her clothing coupons, and then gone to have her hair cut and styled in the local salon. But she didn’t care that she’d spent money on herself for a change. Jim was coming home at last, and soon, very soon, they would be a family again.
It was now the eve before Rita’s wedding, and the house was alive with chatter and running feet as Rita and Ivy dashed about with Sarah, Danuta and Jane to prepare for their evening party at the Anchor. Anne, Cordelia and Peggy would follow later, as Ron and Martin had promised to babysit the children.
Peggy was just putting the finishing touches to her make-up when she heard the knock on the door. Everyone else was still upstairs getting ready, so, with a cluck of annoyance, she went to find out who on earth it was.
The sight of the telegraph boy standing there with a brown envelope in his hand sent a wash of cold dread through her. This was the moment she’d feared all through the war – for telegrams rarely brought good news.
Her heart skipped a beat and beg
an to thunder and her hand was trembling as she took it from him and closed the door. She stumbled over to the chair, feeling unsteady and faint, and had to pause for a moment to recover before she was able to tear it open and read the few stark words which shattered all her hopes and brought a cry of anguish.
New orders * not home for Christmas * letter to follow * Jim
MEET THE CLIFFEHAVEN FAMILY
PEGGY REILLY is in her early forties, and married to Jim. She is small and slender, with dark, curly hair and lively brown eyes. As if running a busy household and caring for her young daughter wasn’t enough, she also runs the local uniform factory and still finds time to offer tea, sympathy and a shoulder to cry on when they’re needed. She and Jim took over the running of Beach View Boarding House when Peggy’s parents retired. When war was declared and the boarding house business no longer became viable, she decided to take in evacuees.
Peggy can be feisty and certainly doesn’t suffer fools, and yet she is also trying very hard to come to terms with the fact that her family has been torn apart by the war. She is a romantic at heart and can’t help trying to match-make, but she’s also a terrible worrier, always fretting over someone – and as the evacuees make their home with her, she comes to regard them as her chicks and will do everything she can to protect them.
JIM REILLY is in his mid-forties and was a young Engineer in the last days of the First War, where he served alongside his elder brother, Frank, and father Ron. Now he’s fighting for King and country in India and Burma.
Jim is handsome, with flashing blue eyes and dark hair, and the gift of the Irish blarney he’d inherited from his Irish parents; which usually gets him out of trouble. He enjoys the camaraderie of being a soldier, but the conditions and dangers he’s encountering in the jungles have somewhat dampened his enthusiasm, and he treasures the letters and cards from home.