*
Brenda cycled to the factory quite early each morning, arriving before the rest of the staff clocked in so that she could start to get things ready for them. Her goal was to improve conditions for the women workers, and she felt pleased to have resolved various problems. She’d arranged for them to have a ten-minute break morning and afternoon, with tea and biscuits provided, plus an hour for dinner. Access to water was now available in the utility room next to the kitchen where the washing up was done; a stock room had been set up downstairs, much closer to the bakery, and a trolley purchased to transport the heavy bags of flour. In addition, Hugh was in the process of making plans for creating a new kitchen, even if it meant taking out a small loan in order to pay for it.
An increase in the profits of the business was now even more essential. Whether they would achieve that was very much dependent upon the success of the processes she’d put in place. All equipment and ingredients required had to be available when and where needed. In addition to the eggs, milk and fruit that Prue provided, they required various types of sugar, treacle, cocoa powder, raising agents and fat, which weren’t necessarily used for biscuits. These had to be ordered and delivered at the right time. Other jobs too had to be completed on time and within budget. Brenda knew it would not be an easy task and sales of cakes and puddings must continue to increase, as she really had no wish to land Hugh into deeper difficulties. Dare she hope that all of this would work?
The air was growing cooler as summer drew to a close, and this morning, as she crossed the factory yard back to the bakery, having spoken to the coal delivery man, she saw the Daimler car draw up and Hugh climb out.
He instantly came over to her. ‘Ah, Brenda, I am told the new schedule is working very well.’
‘Really? Oh, I’m so pleased to hear that.’
‘The union representative has informed me that the workers are immensely pleased with what you have achieved. The fact that you were prepared to listen to their problems and change the system to suit them, also worked a treat. Sadly, no one has ever asked them their opinions before. Certainly, my father never thought to do so, being entirely obsessed with his own theories and principles. I feel a little guilty for not asking them either.’
‘But then, you have had problems of your own.’
‘As do we all after this dratted war. But yours were much worse than mine.’
‘Maybe that’s why I felt more sympathy for everyone,’ she said with a smile.
‘Good point, but I am learning. Haven’t seen you for a while, Brenda, not even back at the Hall. I dare say because you’ve been very busy getting everything organised. How are you?’
Meeting his gaze, her heart clenched with longing. Brenda had found herself deliberately avoiding him, worried about the emotions he stirred within her, and whether they were quite appropriate. She strove now to remain businesslike. ‘I’m fine, thank you. The question is, are we making the necessary profits?’
‘Ah, let me show you the sales figures.’ And taking her arm he led her into the factory, tipping his trilby hat and saying good morning to everyone they passed along the way, seeming much more cheerful than usual. Once she’d examined the figures, Brenda could understand why.
‘So the business really is doing better?’
‘Indeed we are, thanks to your efforts and care towards everyone. You’re a very brave and determined lady, and have picked up the tricks of the trade amazingly quickly. You’ve also brightened me up too by giving me a purpose to move forward.’
‘That’s good. I’m delighted to hear it. I do like to keep busy and really enjoy new challenges.’
His expression softened as he smiled at her. ‘I’m beginning to see what it was about you that captured my brother’s heart, because I rather think you’re now capturing mine.’
Brenda gazed up into his sparkling eyes in stunned disbelief. Would that be the right thing? she asked herself.
Seeming to read her mind, he gathered her hands in his to gently rub them with his thumbs. ‘That’s not a crime. We are not blood-related. Such a relationship might have been forbidden in the past, but not any more. I live in hope that you might come to feel the same. But if you aren’t yet ready to move on, then please find it in your heart to forgive me. I did apologise for my inappropriate attitude towards you in the past, so we can at least be good friends, can’t we?’
‘Of course,’ Brenda gently murmured, feeling a flush of desire conflict with a small spurt of uncertainty. What kind of relationship was he suggesting? Did he still think she was prepared to spread her favours? Could this be the start of true love between them, or were they simply sharing their sense of loneliness and loss for Jack? What a muddle she felt herself in.
*
Prue and Dino were happily running the farm as well as supplying Brenda with fruit, milk, eggs and flour. Unfortunately they were suffering a few problems of their own. Whenever they walked together through Trowbridge village with their lovely child, they found people would stand watching them in grim silence, their anti-Italian sentiment most evident. It made Prue shiver to her toes to still see the disapproval and indifference in their eyes. ‘I’m quite sure they gossip about us behind our backs.’
‘Don’t worry about it,’ Dino said, tucking her arm into his as they pushed the pram along. ‘Such is war. We have been very fortunate to find each other. This is my home now and I like these people, so smile and say hello.’
Giving a little giggle she did just that, although received no response.
‘According to my mother, some Italian youngsters who were evacuated during the war for their own safety, avoided attending school, as teachers constantly ridiculed them.’
‘Goodness, that’s appalling!’ Prue gazed at her beloved baby, aware of the pain it would cause her if darling Flora were ever to suffer such harassment. And to lose her child as had happened to poor Brenda, would be unbearable.
‘Some Italian young men deserted the army after being ridiculed or attacked. My mother hid a conscript in our home for a while as MPs were searching for him. Yet he wasn’t a criminal or anti-British. Admittedly, the attitude towards Germans is worse, but we Italians are still seen as unwelcome aliens by many, our loyalty towards Britain not always taken seriously. Even those who were against Mussolini have been interned.’
‘How can the government consider that to be fair?’
‘It’s what happens in war. Most people consider internment to be necessary. Don’t worry, my darling, this animosity will pass, although it might take a while, even though the war is at last over. And sadly some internees and PoWs are still being held, particularly Germans. We have been most fortunate.’
‘We have indeed, and I’m sure things will get better,’ she said, hugging his arm close.
They continued with their shopping, thankful whenever anyone chose to smile at them, or say hello, although plenty still crossed the road to avoid them. When they called in at the local grocer to order a slab of butter, Mr Higginson stated he had none available.
‘But you generally do have some for regular customers,’ Prue responded.
‘Not today, sorry,’ he frostily remarked.
And noticing how he cast a scathing glance at Dino, she gave a sad shake of her head. ‘Very well, then we’ll take our custom elsewhere,’ she declared, and swiftly marched out.
‘You shouldn’t have done that,’ Dino said, as he hurried to catch up with her. ‘One of your hasty decisions you might come to regret. They are a good business.’
‘Drat the stupid fellow! Why would I continue to be a customer when he was so rude and refused to supply us? He’d no right to be so dismissive of you. But not to worry, darling, we’ll cope with this resistance, however frightful and unfair it might be.’ And they happily walked home together arm in arm.
*
A few days later Prue received a letter filled with hate. It gave no name and made vile accusations against her marriage. ‘It was stupid and dangerous of you to
marry the enemy. Italians are not to be trusted. Can we even trust you?’ She received one the next day too, and another a few days later. The number of these dreadful letters increased over the following weeks, all anonymous, the handwriting of each different but the language and comments becoming worse and worse.
Dino found her quietly weeping one morning as she read the latest piece of hate mail. Taking it from her, he quietly read it.
‘It’s not the first,’ Prue admitted, and finally revealed the huge bag of vile letters she’d received.
A sad expression cloaked his face as he quickly scanned them, then tossed every letter into the fire. ‘Don’t read these ever again, as they’re only saying nasty things. Most hurtful.’
‘I did get one that seemed to be on our side. It says, “You can’t choose who you fall in love with, so I hope you’ll be happy”, which was good to hear.’
‘And we are happy, darling. I love you with all my heart, so it doesn’t matter a jot what other people think.’
‘Oh, I love you too. But it’s so sad that some people’s attitude towards you is so negative and wrong. It makes me angry, particularly since I’ve known many of these villagers all my life. I wonder, should we invite them round to celebrate our marriage and new life on the farm? We could hold a little party, which would give them the opportunity to really get to know you. Do you think that might work?’
Giving a wry smile, Dino made no comment.
Twenty-Seven
Prue sent off dozens of invitations to all friends and neighbours to join them in celebration of their marriage and the new future they were building together at the farm. She then spent ages planning the party, in particular the food, but felt she was getting nowhere. ‘I don’t think I know what I’m doing. Can you help?’ she asked Brenda.
‘Of course. Just let me know what you’d like to eat and we’ll provide it. No problem.’
‘Oh, thank you so much, but I think you should make the necessary choices. I’m a gardener, not very good at party planning and even worse at baking. What do people like to eat at parties these days, and what sort of food is available? I really wouldn’t know.’
Brenda laughed. ‘We’ll keep it simple: small ham sandwiches, cheese straws, chicken patties, biscuits, of course, and I’ll make you a lovely cake.’
‘That would be wonderful.’
‘It will be good for our business too. Let’s hope you get a good turnout.’
The glance Prue exchanged with her in response to this remark was one filled with doubt, revealing her fear that nobody would come to welcome her new husband. ‘Next question. What do we wear?’
They spent a happy hour trying on clothes, which helped to take Prue’s mind off her worries. This celebration had been her idea, so she must do her best to make sure it worked. In the days following, whenever she came across a neighbour or friend while out shopping, she would remind them of the party. ‘Do hope to see you there,’ she would say with smile. But when the day arrived she felt jittery with nerves. Would anyone at all turn up?
‘I’m sure it will be fine,’ Dino assured her, giving her a kiss as she fussed with her hair for the umpteenth time. ‘People do love a party. Joe and his wife are definitely coming.’
Old Joe did in fact arrive first, quickly followed by Hugh and Melissa, who was making one of her regular visits. She looked as glamorous as ever in a swirling gown of pale-pink silk with an off-the-shoulder neckline.
‘Has anyone else arrived yet?’ Hugh whispered to Brenda in the kitchen, as she set the sandwiches out on a tray.
She shook her head. ‘Not that I know of. I do hope people come. I think Prue feels quite lost without her old friends.’
‘Marrying Dino was her choice. I did warn her there could be problems.’
‘Fortunately there are none between the two of them,’ she firmly responded, ‘which is all that really matters.’
‘Folk are still a bit prejudiced,’ Mrs Harding said with a sniff as she busily set the cake on to a stand, topping it with a tiny posy of silk flowers. ‘Yet, why would they when he’s such a lovely young man?’
‘Even I now appreciate that,’ Hugh acknowledged, and with a wry smile he left the kitchen to go back into the sitting room. The door bell rang at that moment, and everyone fell silent. ‘Shall I go?’ he asked his sister.
Prue shook her head and cheerfully smiled. ‘No, this is my party, I’ll go.’ She walked to the door only to be stopped by Dino.
‘Let me, darling.’
Stepping back, she gave him a smile and a nod, watching with pride as he looked so handsome in his smart grey suit. He pulled open the door to find a darkly clothed man standing on the step. Prue cried out in horror as Dino was instantly swamped with muddy water tossed from a bucket. She at once ran for a towel, while Hugh rushed out after the perpetrator. Unfortunately he’d quickly escaped. ‘Drat the fellow,’ he snapped, and stormed back into the cottage to slam the door shut.
‘I shouldn’t have bothered buying myself a new suit,’ Dino said, giving a little chuckle as Prue attempted to rub off the messy mud and pat him dry.
As he dashed off to his room to change, the doorbell rang a second time and they all jerked back, half-fearing the same thing could happen again. Hugh opened the door to find a crowd of friends and neighbours gathered there.
‘Hello, hope we aren’t late?’ one lady said.
‘Really looking forward to celebrating your wedding,’ said another.
Prue gazed upon them in disbelief. ‘Oh, how wonderful to see you all. Of course you aren’t late. Do come in.’ She dashed to hug each of them in turn as the room quickly filled with people, her heart exploding with relief and happiness.
‘I told you everything would be fine,’ Dino murmured, returning to her side with a big grin on his handsome face. ‘Now let’s enjoy ourselves.’
*
The evening proved to be a great success. Brenda felt so pleased for Prue that it was going well, and happily carried trays and plates around for people to snack from.
‘You’re an absolute treasure,’ Hugh whispered, coming to join her on the back porch where she was taking a short break.
Gazing up at the star-filled sky and feeling her heart glow almost as brightly, she smiled. ‘Only too pleased to help, and so thrilled that things are going right for them at last.’
‘I hope they will for you too eventually,’ he told her, then pulling her into his arms, softly kissed her.
How content she felt in his arms, as if she truly belonged there. Brenda arched her neck enticingly as he smoothed his lips over her bare throat, then down to the swell of her breast beneath her blouse, giving a little gasp of pleasure. What was happening between them? She did feel an increasing attraction towards Hugh, but would that mean abandoning her love for Jack?
‘I think I may be misbehaving a little,’ he said, and releasing his hold, gave an apologetic little smile. ‘I’m going to fetch you a glass of wine. You deserve it after all your hard work and I need one to calm myself down. Stay right here, I’ll be back in a moment.’
‘I see you are winning him round,’ a cold voice stated, seconds after he disappeared through the door.
Spinning round to face Melissa’s caustic gaze as she approached from the garden, Brenda stifled a sigh. ‘Hugh does now believe in me, so what’s wrong with that? And we’re good friends, nothing more.’
Sauntering into the porch, a glass of champagne in her hand, Melissa gave a snort of disbelief. ‘You’ve been planning this from the moment you first got a job here all those years ago, determined this would be the best way for you to get out of the gutter. And since you’ve lost Jack, why would you not try to snap up Hugh instead?’
Brenda felt an all-too-familiar sense of inferiority echoing within her, and valiantly attempted to banish it. She was in no way responsible for what had happened to herself as a child. Everything this woman accused her of was entirely false. But then, Melissa had a grandiose sense of her own importa
nce and a strong desire to feel superior. ‘I’ve no wish to snap up any man right now. I’m quite enjoying the peace and a new sense of freedom and independence.’
‘As well as trying to seduce my darling Gregory. You even encouraged him to pay you a visit, now you are living at the Hall.’
Shock reverberated through Brenda. ‘I did no such thing! He attempted to kiss me. I expect he was a bit drunk and didn’t realise who I was, although as a married man, he shouldn’t be doing that to any woman. I slapped him off. He also attempted to visit my room and I threatened him with a poker. If he comes near me again, I swear I’ll report him to the police for harassment and assault.’
Melissa’s lips curled into a sceptical glower of disbelief. ‘He is obviously convinced a whore like you would welcome his attention, as you’d no doubt flirted with him.’
‘I most definitely had not!’
‘And now you want to get your greedy little mitts on our business.’
‘No, I’m just involved in the work, doing what Jack would expect of me,’ Brenda said, finding it difficult to come up with the right words to defend herself. Perhaps this entire enterprise had been a bad mistake. She really was growing tired of this haughty madam.
‘It is such a pity you managed to escape from France,’ Melissa caustically remarked. ‘A real shame you weren’t on that bridge when it blew up. That would have spared us all the trouble of having your filthy hands attempting to get hold of our cash. We really don’t want you here.’
Brenda gave a puzzled frown. ‘How do you know about that bomb? I’ve never spoken of it.’
Always In My Heart Page 21