Homecoming

by Ellie Dean

  Peggy gave a deep sigh. There was nothing she could do to relieve Ruby’s loneliness and fears for the future, and she could only pray that Mike’s parents would do their best to console her. At least, once her baby was born, Ruby would have someone to love and cherish, which would take her mind off her homesickness.

  She decided she would write to her tonight and send her some baby clothes she’d been keeping in tissue paper ever since Daisy had grown out of them, and was about to put the kettle on when Frank came up the cellar steps into the kitchen.

  ‘Hello, Frank. I wasn’t expecting to see you until the rugby match,’ she said, dredging up a smile. ‘What can I do you for?’

  Her smile faded and she dropped the teasing tone as she noted his sour expression, and the fact that he seemed to have dressed in a hurry, with mismatched socks and the buttons of his shirt all askew. She’d heard from Brendon that Frank and Pauline had been arguing furiously all week and that the atmosphere at Tamarisk Bay had become quite poisonous. No doubt he was here for some respite and a bit of pleasant company – which was the last thing she was capable of giving today after those letters.

  ‘You look like you could do with a cuppa,’ she said lightly. ‘Sit yourself down.’

  He plumped into the chair and sat there in silence until she’d placed the cup in front of him. Taking a sip, he leaned back and began to roll a cigarette. ‘You’ve no doubt heard that me and Pauline haven’t seen eye to eye lately,’ he muttered.

  They hadn’t agreed on anything for years, but Peggy let it pass. ‘Did this latest falling-out have something to do with her new promotion at work?’ she asked.

  He looked at her sharply. ‘So you know about that?’

  Peggy nodded. ‘She mentioned it in passing the other day when I bumped into her at the factory estate.’

  He finished rolling the cigarette and, having lit it, reached into his coat pocket and drew out an envelope. ‘I came home from last night’s fishing to find this,’ he said, tossing it onto the table.

  Peggy eyed the envelope with Frank’s name scrawled on it, and a feeling of dread washed over her. She really didn’t know if she could cope with any more bad news today.

  ‘Go on, Peg. Read it,’ he urged. ‘Dad and Brendon already know what’s in it, so it’s hardly private.’

  She reluctantly took the letter and opened it to find a single sheet of writing paper covered in Pauline’s neat handwriting.

  Frank ,

  It has become clear to me that we cannot go on like this, and I’m exhausted from all the unpleasantness my exciting news has caused. You’ve refused to accept that I need to do something more than keep house for a man who seems to prefer his fishing and the company of others rather than spend time with me. You have shown little interest in my job, have consistently taken the side of those who’ve been against me and caused me hurt – and the time has come for me to follow my dreams and ambitions and make a new life for myself where I will be truly appreciated .

  The new promotion means I have the chance to leave Tamarisk Bay and the house which has become a prison to me ever since the loss of my boys, and to prove to myself that I’m worth much more than people expect of me .

  I will write once I’m settled in the flat the Red Cross is providing, but I have no wish to see you again, which I’m sure will come as a great relief to you. I ask for nothing from you except your agreement to the divorce proceedings which I will begin as soon as possible so we can both be free .

  Should Brendon want to see me, then of course he’d be welcome, but only if he’s alone. Peggy and Ron will no doubt rally round and make a fuss, but that’s only to be expected as they never were able to resist meddling in things that don’t concern them. As for my mother and sister – they’ve never shown the slightest interest in what happens to me, so I’ll leave you to tell them. Personally, I’m glad to see the back of all of them, and am delighted to be shaking off the dust of Cliffehaven and heading for pastures new .

  Pauline

  Peggy dropped the letter as if the barbed words had stung her. She reached for Frank’s hand. ‘I’m so sorry, Frank,’ she murmured. ‘It was a nasty thing for you and Brendon to come home to.’

  ‘Aye. It wasn’t pleasant,’ he said on a sigh. He picked up the letter and shoved it back in the envelope. ‘But neither was it a real surprise,’ he added. ‘Things had come to a head over this promotion, and although I did my best to dissuade her, I can’t say that my heart was fully in it, and she must have realised that.’

  Peggy regarded the big man sitting opposite her, and wished she had the words to comfort him. He’d tried so hard to keep his marriage going over the years – had been faithful and caring even when Pauline had been at her worst. He must have been shocked by the letter, and seen her desertion as a betrayal.

  ‘Don’t feel sorry for me, Peg,’ he said, shifting in the chair. ‘It’s Brendon who’s been hurt by this. But even he realised things had gone too far this time, and although it might take a while, he’ll accept his mother’s reason for leaving and keep in touch with her.’

  ‘Where’s she going?’ asked Peggy.

  ‘The Red Cross London headquarters where she’s been promoted to the chairman’s office as his private secretary.’ He shot her a wan smile. ‘Despite what she said in that letter, I’m immensely proud of her and wish her well. She’ll be nicely set up there with the flat, a good salary and the opportunity to travel with her boss to Geneva quite regularly.’

  Peggy had a sudden memory of Pauline laughing and joking with the prosperous-looking man outside the distribution centre and wondered fleetingly if he’d had something to do with her promotion and the eagerness with which she’d left husband, home and family. She’d certainly smartened up these past few months, and there had been a glow about her Peggy had put down to her feeling pleased with herself – or had that been for a very different reason?

  The idea of Pauline having an affair was quite shocking – but then her upping sticks and going off to London so abruptly was equally startling. It just went to show one never really knew the people who were so much a part of one’s life.

  ‘How do you really feel about all this, Frank?’ she asked.

  ‘I was stunned at first, but now I’ve had time to think about it, I just feel relieved that it’s all over and I can come home without fear of having to face another row and more histrionics.’ He regarded her rather sheepishly. ‘I’m sorry if that sounds heartless, Peg. But I couldn’t have taken much more of it, to be honest – and there’s been little love between us for years.’

  ‘Not heartless at all,’ she replied, refilling his cup. ‘What was Ron’s reaction?’

  ‘I went round there before coming here. He didn’t say much after reading the letter, but I could tell he wasn’t too bothered by her leaving. They’d never got on, as you know, and he was more concerned about how I was feeling.’

  His smile was easier now and lit up his blue eyes. ‘I think he had visions of me rushing off to London to bring her back – but that’s never going to happen, Peggy. We’ll be very much better apart.’

  Peggy agreed with him, for he’d threatened to leave Pauline many times over the past years, and she suspected he’d soon find his feet and get on with his life without much of a backward glance.

  He drained the remains of his tea and glanced at the clock. ‘We’d better get a move on. The match will start in half an hour and we mustn’t miss our young Charlie’s ninety minutes of glory. I’ve got the truck outside, so I’ll drive you all up there.’

  Peggy knew that despite his smile and cheerful words Frank was hurting inside – not because he loved his wife still, but because she’d abandoned him with barely a thought after all the years he’d stayed with her out of loyalty to his marriage vows.

  She gave him a hug, fastened his shirt buttons in the right order and then reached for her cardigan. She fervently hoped that Pauline achieved all she wished for in London, and never darkened their lives agai
n.

  16

  Peggy had avoided going to the recreation ground ever since the family picnic two years ago which had ended in the terror of an enemy rocket heading straight for them. The V-1 had come down in Havelock Road and completely destroyed the end three houses. Peggy could still remember the shock and horror of that day, and the profound fear that she’d lost Doris in the inferno.

  However, she’d discovered that time was a great healer. Her fear had been unfounded as Doris had not been in the house at the time, and was now due to return to her bungalow tomorrow, fresh from her honeymoon. Life had moved on, and in her sister’s case, it had improved no end and brought harmony between them after many years of strife.

  Peggy had been a bit put out that she hadn’t been asked to help with the tea the club provided after the match, but she soon learned that for the first match tea was always provided by the club chairman and committee members, and that she’d definitely be roped in for future home matches. She recognised some of the other mothers and could see that there were several senior players watching from the clubhouse – one of whom was young Dr Michael Sayer, who’d now taken over the practice from his father.

  Michael was with his snooty wife, Eunice, who was trying to keep their toddler amused and losing the battle. Peggy had never taken to Eunice, because she’d been perfectly horrid to Julie Harris when she’d come to Beach View as an evacuee and worked at the surgery. Eunice had pursued Michael quite vigorously and seen poor Julie as a rival, even going so far as to endanger Julie’s position at the surgery with her spiteful talk. Peggy watched the lack of interaction between Eunice and her husband and wondered fleetingly if either of them was happy.

  The match was finally won by the Cliffehaven side. Charlie had played well, even scoring a try, so he was very pleased with himself, and both Frank and Ron were so hoarse after shouting encouragement they’d had to down several cups of tea so they could speak.

  Peggy left Cordelia with Frank, who would drive her home, and walked slowly back to Beach View with Daisy. The early clouds had melted away and as the afternoon had waned to evening, the air was soft and warm. Her thoughts turned to Frank, who seemed to be holding up well, despite the shock of Pauline leaving him so suddenly. She rather hoped he’d find a nice little woman who could love him as he deserved – but that was for the future.

  Daisy ran on ahead to greet Rosie, who was sweeping the first of the autumn leaves from the pavement with much hindrance from Monty, and Peggy smiled at the sight. Rosie was dressed up to the nines, with high heels and a figure-hugging frock. ‘You’re a bit overdressed for that job, aren’t you?’ she teased.

  Rosie grinned and her blue eyes sparkled. ‘I suppose I am, but Ron’s taking me out dancing tonight, and I just needed to clear this lot away so they don’t get trampled into the bar.’

  Peggy’s smile hid her envy, for she couldn’t remember the last time Jim had taken her dancing. ‘Where’s he taking you?’

  ‘The Pier Hotel,’ Rosie replied. ‘They’ve opened up the basement and the dance floor is rumoured to be marvellous.’ She lifted Daisy into her arms and perched her on her hip so the child could inspect her sparkling earrings. ‘Why don’t you ask Danuta to babysit and come along with us, Peg? I’m sure you could do with a night out.’

  ‘I’d feel a bit of a gooseberry, Rosie.’

  ‘You could always ask Frank to come with you,’ said Rosie with a naughty grin. ‘He’s footloose and fancy free at last, and is quite the dancer.’

  ‘It’s a bit soon, don’t you think?’

  Rosie shrugged. ‘Probably, but he should start getting out and about and enjoying life again. Living with Pauline can’t have been much fun.’

  ‘I don’t expect it was,’ agreed Peggy. ‘But her leaving like that came as a nasty shock, and he’ll need time to find his feet again.’

  Rosie winced as Daisy tugged at her earring. ‘Don’t pull, darling,’ she said. ‘That hurt.’ Daisy looked mutinous, so Rosie put her back on her feet so she could pat Monty.

  ‘Changing the subject,’ she said, rubbing her ear and clipping the earring back on, ‘all the paperwork has gone through on Doris’s purchase of the bungalow, so I expect they’ll start the building work any day now. How are your renovations going, Peg? I hope Ron’s getting on with it and not spending half his time drinking tea.’

  ‘He’s been very good, really. There’s only Danuta and Cordelia’s bedrooms to do now and upstairs will be finished but for the landings. The big upheaval will start on Monday when the men begin work on the basement.’

  ‘It will all cost a pretty penny, Peggy. I hope you’re not stretching things too far and leaving yourself short.’

  ‘I have been a bit over-ambitious with all my plans,’ Peggy admitted. ‘The cost of everything is terrifying, and now there’s only Danuta and Cordelia paying rent things are tight.’ She gave a sigh. ‘I might have to shelve some of my bigger ideas until next year.’

  Rosie nodded. ‘That’s a shame, but understandable. The rationing is worse than ever and the cost of everything is rising almost daily. It’s one of the things I plan to argue against once I’m on the council. We’re in the heart of the countryside with fields and farms all around us, but even the most basic things like butter, eggs, potatoes and bread are rationed so we can send food to Europe. It’s simply not right.’

  Peggy grinned. ‘There’s no need to get on your soapbox for me, Rosie. I’m in full agreement. But what will you do with the Anchor if you get on the council?’

  ‘Not if, Peggy, but when,’ she chided softly. ‘We shall have to sell it. Ron prefers to be out and about rather than standing behind a bar, and since his accident, his back really isn’t up to lifting barrels and being on his feet all evening. Though he wouldn’t thank me for telling you,’ she added with a wink.

  ‘I suppose the brewery would take it on like a shot. The Anchor’s become a real little gold mine since you took it over.’

  ‘That would be my last option, Peggy. I’d really prefer to keep it freehold so that whoever buys it can do what they want with it. Once a brewery takes over they make demands for changes and start charging high rent, and you’re tied to buying all your beer from them.’

  She gave a little sigh and caught Monty’s collar to stop him jumping up at Daisy. ‘I was hoping a young family might take it on, or a returning serviceman, but there’s simply no money about, Peggy. So it looks as if we’ll be here for a long while yet.’

  ‘Well, I for one am glad. I really don’t like the thought of you and Ron moving away from Cliffehaven.’

  Rosie giggled. ‘There’s no chance of that. If we do sell, we’ll find somewhere here to move into.’ She gave Peggy a hug. ‘You don’t get rid of us that easily.’

  Peggy hugged her back, then rounded up Daisy and headed for home, thinking how lucky she was to have such a good friend in Rosie.

  Daisy was tired after her long walk, and once she’d had her bath and some cocoa, she was soon asleep.

  Peggy stood and watched her for a while and then quietly opened the bottom drawer of her tallboy and drew out the baby clothes she’d kept wrapped in tissue paper. Most of Daisy’s layette had been donated to charity, but she’d held back these few pieces because Daisy was the last baby she’d ever have. It had been through nostalgia and a sense of time slipping away that she’d needed to keep these mementos, but it felt criminal to hang on to them when they could be put to good use elsewhere.

  She carried the matinee jackets, bootees and knitted bonnets into the kitchen and carefully put them on the table while she made a pot of tea, and hunted out a writing pad and pen from the dresser drawer. Once she’d taken a restorative sip of the rather weak tea, she parcelled up the baby clothes, thinking about how to answer Ruby’s sad letter.

  Peggy decided to keep it light-hearted and full of gossip, so she started by congratulating her on her terrific news and telling her there would be a parcel in the post for her very soon. She sympathised over the
morning sickness but consoled her by saying it wouldn’t last for long, and she’d soon be feeling fine. Then she told her about Charlie’s first week at the grammar school, and his rugby match.

  She wrote about the work she was having done on the house, and Rosie’s plans to sell the pub once she was on the council. Making light of Pauline doing a flit, she went on to tell Ruby that Rita and Peter were now on their way to Australia, and that Sarah and Jane would arrive in Singapore very soon and finally discover what had happened to their father and Philip. There was the news that Danuta was courting a Polish baron of all things, and that although he’d lost both legs during a dogfight over Holland, it was clear the pair of them were over the moon with each other, and she was expecting an engagement to be announced any day now.

  Peggy finished off by saying that once her baby was born, Ruby would feel much more settled as she’d have someone other than herself to care for during those lonely days when Mike was away, and not to be too downhearted in the meantime. Everything resolved itself in the end, and as long as she had Mike, she’d soon find her feet and start enjoying life in Canada.

  Peggy read the letter through and couldn’t think of anything else to say, so she signed it and added a few kisses in the hope Ruby would know she was loved and missed.

  She had just finished a similar, newsy letter to Jim when the back door crashed open and Charlie came up the stone steps. ‘What time do you call this?’ she asked mildly.

  Charlie squinted at the mantel clock. ‘Five past seven,’ he replied, giving her a cheeky grin before he sank into a kitchen chair.

  ‘I’ll have less sauce from you, you young rapscallion,’ she said affectionately. ‘What’s happened to Frank and Cordelia?’

  ‘They stopped off at the Anchor for a drink with Grandad before he takes Rosie out dancing. I think Uncle Frank’s a bit reluctant to go home to an empty house, so he’s chatting to Brenda.’