Jessie gave a big sigh. ‘That’s a shame. It could have been a way out for us all. I doubt the old folk would be able to climb over a high wall, even if we had a ladder tall enough.’
Freda thought for a moment. ‘I have an idea. Follow me.’
The two girls carefully climbed down the sloping roof to the window that would take them back into the staff canteen. There were shouts of ‘close that bloody window’ and ‘were you born in a barn?’ as they opened the sash window to climb into the warm room.
‘Stick close to me. I’ll get that coat for you,’ Freda whispered, as she threaded her way through the crowded room, stopping only once as one of the merry guests took her into his arms, singing ‘I’ll be your sweetheart.’ She joined in for a couple of minutes, then slipped away through the door into the long passageway that led to the staircase that would take them down to the shop floor.
Jessie shrugged her arms into the coat that Freda passed to her and buttoned it up to her chin. ‘I’ve never had anything this nice before,’ she said, pulling the knitted beret from her head to pass back to her new friend.
‘No, you keep the beret and mittens. I have another set at home,’ Freda insisted. ‘Now, the back door is just down here off the small downstairs storeroom. It’s where we keep paper bags and wrapping paper.’ She showed Jessie into the small room and closed the door behind her, switching on a single light bulb that swung from the ceiling without a cover. ‘There’s a key up there on a hook.’ She pointed to the key, then bent to move a couple of small packing cases away from the outside door. Taking the key from Jessie, she opened the door and stepped out into the night.
‘Now what do we do?’ Jessie asked, with just a hint of excitement in her voice. ‘Are we close to the shop with the unexploded bomb?’
‘No, we are further away as this is the back of the shops. Over that wall is an alleyway that leads past the church on Queen Street. Follow that and we are back into the high street, not far from the Odeon cinema and the Prince of Wales pub.’
‘I know where you mean,’ Jessie said. ‘So, what’s the plan?’
‘I don’t really have a plan as such. I hadn’t thought much further than getting out of Woolworths. I suppose we’d need to climb that wall.’
‘Then let’s do it,’ Jessie said. ‘Give me a hand with that ladder you’ve just walked past.’
Freda laughed. The kid didn’t miss a thing.
The girls worked together to drag the heavy wooden ladder to the wall. Freda climbed to the top and looked down to Jessie. ‘I’m not able to climb over as there’s too much barbed wire. We need something to put over it.’
Jessie thought for a moment before going back inside and returning with a large package of brown paper bags. ‘If we can get these up the ladder and lay them across the wire it would help. There’s a couple of blankets we could put on top of that but you’ll need to be careful or you’ll be cut to ribbons.’
The girls worked together, heaving the package and then the blankets up the ladder. ‘I think that should do it,’ Freda said.
‘Where should we go once we get over the wall?’ Jessie asked.
‘I’ve been thinking I should go alone. I need you to stay here and keep an eye on things. If Betty asks, tell her I’ve gone to get Alan Gilbert. That’s Maureen’s son,’ she added, as the girl gave her a puzzled look. ‘I’m not sure what he can do but we can’t just sit in Woolworths while those soldiers try to defuse a bomb that may go off and injure us.’
‘You are brave,’ Jessie said with admiration.
Freda gave the girl a hug. ‘I’m not brave but I’ll not stand by and let evil win. I’m just like everyone else in this country that wants to get on with life and not have Hitler take over. Evil people can’t win, Jessie: we can’t sit back and let them try to ruin our life. Alan may have an idea of how we can get everyone out of the store and home to safety. I’m pinning my hopes on him doing just that. Besides, Betty will expect business as usual once that bomb has been removed. It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow and people will be wanting to do their shopping.’ With that she eased herself over the top of the wall landing nimbly on her feet and set off purposefully into the night.
‘Now, what’s going on in here?’ Ruby asked, as she entered Betty’s office, where Sarah was sitting with a tearful Maisie. ‘I think you should go and help in the canteen for a while, love. Betty’s arranged a bit of a sing-song to keep up everyone’s spirits and we’ve sorted out the last of the food and made some tea. I’ll sit here a while and rest my legs,’ she said, taking the chair that Sarah had just vacated.
Sarah nodded silently and gave her nan a hug before leaving the room.
Ruby watched Maisie for a few minutes. She knew it had been a shock for the girl to lose her baby so soon, and worse, she couldn’t hide away from the world to grieve for a while. But she knew Maisie was a strong character and would bounce back before too long. ‘I know how you are feeling, love. It happened to me too, a long time ago.’
Maisie blew her nose and looked at the older woman. ‘I didn’t know that, Ruby.’
‘It’s not something I talk about. I’ve not even thought about it for many a year.’
‘When . . . ?’
‘A year after I had our George. Me and the old man had such plans for a big family and that changed everything for us. I was frightened to try again and when our Pat came along much later it was a bit of a shock.’
Maisie’s chin trembled as she looked at her friend, Sarah’s nan. Ruby was the backbone of her family and friends, and to think they shared a sorrow gave her a feeling of strength. ‘How did you get over it?’
‘I don’t think I ever have. I often stop and wonder what might have been, then I give myself a bit of a talking to and remind myself I’m blessed in so many ways. You too are blessed, Maisie, so never forget that.’
Maisie nodded. She was truly blessed to have a caring husband and good friends. Even in the midst of war, her life was good. ‘I’ll do my best, Ruby. Thank you,’ she answered, reaching out to hug the woman.
‘Shall we go and join the party? It’s time you gave us another of your songs,’ Maisie said, getting to her feet and heading towards the door.
Maisie wiped her eyes and checked her face in a gold powder compact that had been a wedding gift from her husband. She’d do as Ruby suggested but, unlike the older woman, Maisie had not led a blameless life and perhaps this was God’s way of judging her.
Freda set off at a brisk pace. It felt good to stretch her legs and get away from the Woolworths store. Alan should be at home caring for young Georgie while Sarah worked at Woolies. He’d know what to do, she was sure. Alan was Freda’s hero. She thought of him as a big brother who could solve all her problems.
Reaching the high street, she went to turn left towards Alan and Sarah’s home, but could see that there was a barricade across the road to stop anyone heading up Pier Road to where the unexploded bomb was being dealt with. By the light of a torch being used by a small group of people, she could see the outline of two men in RAF uniforms. Could one of those be Alan? Of course; she was silly to think Alan would be at home when his wife and mother were in danger. She broke into a run and reached them within moments.
‘Alan,’ she gasped, grabbing hold of his RAF overcoat.
Alan looked puzzled to see young Freda by his side as Mike Jackson identified her by the light from his torch. ‘What . . . what are you doing out here? I thought you were working this evening?’
‘I found a way out of the building,’ she explained, as she slowly got her breath back. ‘Do you remember the back door, Alan? I climbed over the wall.’
Alan and David roared with laughter as Freda explained how she’d escaped. ‘Why did I not think of the back yard?’ Alan said.
‘Is everyone all right?’ David asked.
‘We took everyone out of the cellar after the all-clear. They’re having another singsong in the canteen and Maureen and Ruby are still feeding everyone. Someon
e’s had a baby and . . . and . . .’
‘And what?’ David asked seeing the girl’s face look suddenly sad.
‘David, Maisie’s not doing too well. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to get out. She a bit poorly at the moment.’
David swore and turned to head in the direction from where Freda had just appeared.
‘Stop, David,’ Freda called back. ‘You can’t get back in that way. The wall is very high. You’d need a ladder to get over, it’s none too stable. I swear I could feel it wobble as I climbed over.’
‘That wall has been built up and added to over the years. I remember it was only a couple of feet high,’ Mike Jackson joined in. ‘I may have the answer to our prayers. Follow me.’
The three men followed by Freda headed back the way had just come. Mike leant against the wall and gave it a shove. ‘I was right; it won’t take much to pu it down. Come on, lads give me a hand and we may just be able to create enough of an opening to release those imprisoned inside Woolworths.
‘Hang on a minute,’ Freda shouted. ‘There’s someone on the other side . . . Jessie, can you pull down the ladder and get yourself inside? I have some people here who are going to push down the wall.’
They heard a crash as the ladder was pulled away and a small voice called back: ‘I’ve done that. I’m going in now.’
Freda stepped back as the three men leant against the high wall. Before too long it began to sway slightly. Again and again they worked at the wall until slowly it toppled over with a resounding crash.
‘I’ll go up and check that everyone is all right, and get them organised to leave the building,’ David said, as he started to climb over the rubble.
‘Where will we take them?’ Mike asked. ‘It will take a while to arrange transport to get the old boys home.’
‘What about the Prince of Wales pub? It’s away from the bomb and everyone will be warm while they wait,’ Alan suggested.
‘Good idea,’ Freda agreed. ‘I’ll go and knock up the landlord. He’s a good sort and won’t mind at all.’
‘Mike and I will clear a gap in the rubble for people to walk through,’ Alan said, as he started to lift bricks and throw them to one side.
‘Whatever was that noise?’ one of the retired Woolworths workers exclaimed. ‘Do you think it was the bomb going off? P’raps we can go home now.’
Betty stopped accompanying a tearful Maisie as she sang ‘It’s only a shanty in old Shanty Town’ and got up from the piano seat. If that was the bomb exploding it meant people would be injured. She hurried downstairs, intent on heading out into the street to see if she could be of any help, even though she thought the explosion would have been much louder. Racing along the long corridor that led to the top of the staircase and down to the shop below, she didn’t bother turning on the light as she knew the layout of the store better than the back of her hand.
‘Whoa there, you’ll have an accident running in the dark like that,’ a familiar voice said, as she ran into two strong arms that held her as she almost tripped over.
‘David, is that you? However did you get in here?’ she asked, as she felt along the wall for a light switch. ‘Did you hear the bomb explode?’
David frowned. ‘Bomb?’
Betty sighed. ‘Yes, the unexploded bomb. We’ve all been trapped in here while the army made it safe and we heard the most awful rumbling noise and thought that the bomb had been detonated. Those poor men, we must try and do something,’ she said distractedly. ‘David . . . ? What are you doing here?’
David roared with laughter. He’d never seen Betty Billington dishevelled and in such a tizz. ‘It wasn’t a bomb – that was us pushing down the wall at the back of the yard. That’s how I got in here. Freda came and found Alan and me waiting by the safety barrier down the road. Mike Jackson’s also with us. It’s time to take your guests to safety.’
Betty froze for a moment and then it dawned on her that she could finally go home. ‘That’s marvellous news. As much as I love my job, and this store, there’s a limit to how long I’m prepared to stay here.’
‘Let’s collect up your flock and lead them to safety. That is, we’ll lead them to the Prince of Wales until we work out how to get them home.’
Betty clapped her hands in delight. ‘Then let’s get cracking. I’ll round up the staff and have them sort out hats and coats.’ Her face took on a serious look. ‘I must say, the responsibility of caring for so many people during such a dangerous situation has hung heavy on my shoulders. For once I will be glad to walk away from Woolworths.’
‘Betty, what’s wrong? You left the staffroom in such a hurry . . .’ Sarah said as she caught up with her boss. ‘. . . Oh, David . . . how did you get in here? Are you on your own?’ she asked, looking past her friend’s husband to the empty passageway beyond.
‘Alan’s downstairs in the back yard. We’re here to take you all home,’ David said, giving Sarah a quick hug. ‘Now, where is that wife of mine? No doubt she’s kicking up her heels and entertaining the troops.’ He laughed.
Silence fell as Betty and Sarah looked at each other. How could they tell this lovely man that his wife had lost her baby? It was best left for a wife to tell her husband such things. Betty laid her hand on the man’s arm. ‘David, Maisie’s been rather poorly this evening. She’s trying hard to be her normal self but she needs you to take her home right now.’
David frowned at Betty’s words and was about to ask what she was talking about when the door to the sick room opened and young Mary appeared, holding a wailing baby in her arms. ‘Meet my nephew, Winston,’ she announced proudly to the two women. ‘He must be the first child to be born in Woolworths.’ She grinned.
‘I’ll get Maisie. Why don’t you sit in my office, David? You may wish to be alone for a little while,’ Betty said gently.
David nodded silently. His only thoughts were for his wife as he entered the small office and waited impatiently for the most important person in his life.
Chapter 12
‘David, oh David,’ Maisie cried, as she fell into his arms. ‘I’m sorry, I’m so, so, sorry,’ she said between sobs.
‘Sshh,’ he comforted her. ‘I guess . . . ?’
‘I was expecting our baby. It was going to be such a lovely surprise. I’d planned it all for Christmas Day . . .’ She hiccupped and shook between her words – words she’d never hoped to have to say to her husband.
David fought hard to keep the disappointment from showing in his face. ‘Are you all right, my love? We need to get you to a doctor.’
Maisie shook her head violently. ‘No! I just want to go home and be alone with you. I don’t want people interfering in my life and asking questions I’ll find hard to answer.’
‘There will be a baby for us one day, I promise you there will, my love,’ he said fiercely.
Maisie stood very still in the arms of the man she loved. She just prayed he was right.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, we are finally able to vacate this building and take you all over the road to the Prince of Wales public house until transport has been arranged. Please collect your belongings and wait downstairs until you can be escorted to safety.’
Betty’s words were met with cheers and calls of thanks to the staff, who took a playful bow.
‘A most enjoyable time. Thank you for your hospitality,’ the young man with the camera and notebook said as he passed Betty. ‘This should fill a column or two in the Erith Observer.’
Betty couldn’t believe her ears. ‘But . . . but aren’t you the inspector from Woolworths head office, Mr . . . Mr . . . ?’
‘You have me confused with someone else,’ the man grinned, ‘but thanks all the same for the tour. Look out for next week’s copy. “Trapped in Woolies” has a certain ring to it.’ He grinned as he left.
Betty looked to Freda, who was beaming from ear to ear. ‘What was that man’s name, and if he was a reporter whatever happened to the store inspector? Perhaps he never made his appointm
ent? Most strange,’ she declared, as she tried to usher the guests from the staffroom. It was near impossible as five men and the rather tipsy rotund woman were doing a conga around the room. They waved as they passed Betty and reached the door.
‘The best inspection I’ve ever attended,’ the woman declared, stopping to pump Betty’s hand up and down. ‘I don’t hold with any special attention and here I didn’t receive any. The report will be posted to you in due course but it will be a glowing ten out of ten. Goodnight,’ she called, as she danced her way out of the door.
‘Well I never,’ was all Betty could say.
‘Alan!’ Sarah shouted with delight, as she stepped out into the back yard of Woolworths before being swept off her feet by her handsome husband and swung around until she felt giddy. ‘Put me down, you daft man,’ she squealed. ‘I’ve never been so glad to see someone in my life!’
‘Someone? I’m not just someone, Sixpenny,’ he laughed, before pulling her close and covering her face in gentle kisses.
She sighed contentedly. She knew she was safe when Alan held her in his arms and called her by her nickname, Sixpenny – because they’d met in the store where everything had once cost sixpence.
‘Alan, Sarah!’ Mike Jackson came running after the couple as they walked along the now quiet high street.
‘Hello, Mike, are you still on duty?’ Alan asked the affable police sergeant.
‘I’m clocking off shortly. I thought you’d both like to know that they’ve defused the bomb. The army will be loading it onto a lorry shortly to take it down the marshes to be disposed of.’
‘Thank goodness for that,’ Sarah sighed, as the sound of singing could be heard coming from the Baptist church. They stopped to listen as the choir left the building and stood by a Christmas tree.
‘Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright . . .’
Sarah and Alan linked arms and joined in with the end of the carol. ‘. . . sleep in heavenly peace.’
Sarah stood on tiptoes and gently kissed her husband. ‘What a day we’ve had, and our customers can look forward to Woolworths being open as usual for Christmas Eve. It will be a wonderful Christmas after all.’ She gazed up to the sky as small flakes of snow started to fall onto her face. ‘And a white Christmas at that.’
Carols at Woolworths Page 9