by Rosie Clarke
‘So what? He has too much of it,’ she said casually, but her eyes flashed with humour. ‘I thought you had faith in us to run the show while you were off playing soldiers?’
‘It’s not your ability, it’s the war – in war, things can go wrong,’ Ben reminded her. ‘Thank you for what you did, Jenni, but that money won’t be touched unless the worst happens.’
‘Sure, I know,’ she drawled. ‘It’s my business too, remember.’
‘If you two have finished arguing, the chocolate soufflé is ready and it really won’t wait,’ Sally said and smiled at them. They were so alike – passionate, quick to anger, sharp with words, but fiercely loyal. It was just like Jenni to put money at their disposal if they needed it.
‘It may be years before I see you again,’ Jenni said and her eyes filled with tears. ‘Henry didn’t want me to come over at all. He said I could cable the money and send you the paperwork. I said to hell with that – he’s my brother and I haven’t seen my niece yet…’
‘You’re a wonderful person, Jenni, just remind me not to get on the wrong side of you…’ Sally said and went to push her arm through Jenni’s, squeezing it affectionally.
Jenni looked at her and then burst out laughing. ‘You’ve no idea how worried I’ve been for you guys. I hate those damned Germans. Why couldn’t they leave things alone?’
‘Oh, I suppose they think they’re in the right,’ Sally said. ‘It just seems so awful to me – that poor man and his wife shot to death and now all this… Why must people fight each other? I used to buy lovely bread from a German baker, but his shop is closed now, and I’m sure he didn’t want a war…’
‘I don’t mind a scrap now and then,’ Jenni said and threw a look of rueful affection at her brother. ‘But this war is wrong, especially if it hurts the people, I love…’
‘Yes, I agree,’ Sally said and hugged her arm again.
‘Can’t you make him see sense?’ Jenni whispered in her ear as they went into the kitchen to take Sally’s soufflé from the oven. It had risen to majestic heights and smelled delicious.
‘It’s no use arguing, Jenni, he won’t listen,’ Sally said.
‘Couldn’t you shed a few tears or something, use your wiles to bind him to you?’
‘He would hate me if I used tears,’ Sally said honestly. ‘We just have to trust to our luck that he’ll come back, Jenni – and pray…’ She blinked hard to stop the tears falling. ‘Believe me, I’m not the only woman in England feeling like this.’
‘No, of course you’re not,’ Jenni said and bit her lip. ‘I’m an idiot to lose my temper, but Ben means a lot to me…’
‘Yes,’ Sally agreed. ‘I know – but we have to let go, Jenni. It’s the only way.’
34
‘I couldn’t afford a diamond,’ Reggie said as he held out the ring set with turquoise and pearl in a 9-carat gold band. ‘I bought this from Uncle’s around the corner. It isn’t much, but I’ll get you a better one when I’ve saved some money…’
Marion stared at the gipsy band of turquoises and pearls and tears came to her eyes. To some people it might look insignificant, but to her it was beautiful beyond compare. She’d never owned even a cheap string of glass beads and this was exactly right. Reggie slipped it on the third finger of her right hand and she stared at it transfixed, feeling as if she’d been given the earth.
‘It’s not an engagement ring, because yer ma would kick up and we ain’t about ter get married for a few years,’ he said, smiling at her shocked look. ‘Go on, say somethin’…’
‘It is so beautiful,’ Marion said, overcome. ‘I never thought I’d ever have anything this lovely, Reggie. Thank you so much…’ She smiled at him tremulously. ‘I’d wear it on my wedding finger if I could…’
‘It would cause too much bother fer yer,’ Reggie said and took her hand, kissing the palm. ‘Yer know yer mine now, Marion, but we don’t need ter announce it ter the world, not yet. I’ve got ter go in the mornin’ and neither of us knows when I’ll be back. The regular army is engaged in heavy fighting over there in Belgium now and they’ll need us lads once we’re trained.’
‘I don’t know what we’ll do without you…’ she said, a catch in her throat. ‘Oh Reggie, I wish—’
‘I know – and I wish we could be married too, but it ain’t possible, love, not yet. I know what yer father’s like, Marion, and he might start hittin’ yer if he thought we was plannin’ ter get married and leave yer family in the lurch. We ain’t goin’ ter do that and we’ll work it out when we’re ready – but this is just between you and me…’
‘You spoil me,’ Marion said and clung to his hand as he took hers. His fingers were big and strong and the way they curled about hers made her feel wanted and loved, something she’d never really felt before. She smiled at him shyly, loving him for understanding that she was too young to be his wife but wanting her just the same and prepared to wait, because she was worth it.
‘Shall I see you in the mornin’?’ she asked as they lingered outside the back door.
‘No, I’ll be off to catch the early train and you’ll be too busy gettin’ them lads off ter work,’ Reggie said. ‘I’ll send yer a postcard sometimes – just ter let yer know I’m OK and keep in touch.’
‘Can I write to you?’
‘I’ll let Ma know if there’s an address,’ Reggie promised. ‘We’ll keep the way we feel to ourselves fer a bit, Marion love, though I reckon my mother has guessed how I feel and mebbe your Robbie thinks he knows…’
Maggie nodded, holding back her tears as he kissed her softly on the mouth. He was very gentle with her and she knew he was holding back, but he was looking after her.
‘Some of the lads are risking the lives of the girls they love,’ Reggie told her. ‘They don’t think past what’s inside their pants, but it won’t be them left holding the baby when they’re over in France and they won’t be the ones gettin’ the bad looks and trouble from their folks. I want yer, Marion, but I’m goin’ ter wait until me weddin’ day…’ He stroked the side of her face gently and then kissed her so sweetly that Marion was sure she would have done anything he asked in the magic of that moment.
She let go of his hands at last and he walked away from her. He didn’t look back and Marion went quickly inside the kitchen. Her brother Robbie was making some cocoa in a saucepan.
‘Ma asked for a drink,’ he said. ‘I’ll take it up if yer like – give yer a minute to get over it…’
‘Thanks, Robbie,’ Marion said.
He’d made enough for her, himself, Ma and Dickon. Kathy was already in bed and had hers earlier. Marion was sipping the last of her cocoa when her brother returned.
‘Ma said fer yer to go in afore yer go to bed.’ Robbie picked up his mug. ‘Off to bed then, Dickon.’
‘I want ter hear…’
‘Off ter bed or I shan’t ask fer yer.’
Dickon threw him a dirty look but took his mug and went. Marion put her empty mug in the sink and looked at him.
‘What was all that about then?’
‘Dickon is fourteen next month and he wants ter leave school and start on down the docks. I told him I’d have a word with gaffer…’
Marion nodded. ‘I’d hoped he would stay at school for a bit longer…’
‘Dickon is like me; he can add up and write what he needs to and he’ll work with his hands. He’ll make a good carpenter, but they’ll have him sweeping up fer a bit. He knows that, but he still wants to start work next month.’
‘Ma might not like it, but she won’t interfere and Dad won’t care,’ Marion said. She kept looking at him as he fiddled with the handle of his mug. ‘What else, Robbie? I know that isn’t everything.’
‘I’m goin’ ter sign on,’ Robbie said and raised his hand as he heard her indrawn breath. ‘I know I ain’t quite seventeen, but they’ll take me in the cadets, ’cos I asked… I shan’t be fightin’ fer a while, but I can help wiv a lot of stuff – digging trenches and shor
ing them up wiv wood and stuff. I know how to do all that and it’s easier for someone like me to tunnel…’
‘Robbie, no!’ Marion burst out before he went any further. ‘You’re too young, love – and how shall I manage if you go too?’
‘Dickon knows he’s got to help and he’s prepared to take over my chores in return for gettin’ what he wants, and he’ll be earnin’ a few bob. Not much fer a start, but he’ll give yer half and yer earnin’ more now…’
‘Yes, I know…’ Marion shook his head. ‘Don’t you realise that you could be killed? You’re my brother and I care about you.’
‘Yeah, I know – and that’s why I’ve told yer instead of just clearin’ orf and leavin’ yer ter find out,’ Robbie said, his grey eyes meeting hers steadily. Robbie was the most like her, the one she relied on for so much, and it made Marion feel hollow inside to realise that he’d grown up. Her little brother was a man and she couldn’t stop him doing what he wanted. Yes, she could go down the recruiting office and make a fuss about him being too young, but if she did that, he would just go somewhere else and sign on again.
She wiped away the tears. ‘Keep your silly head down then,’ she said and dashed her hand over her eyes. ‘I want my brother to come back and not a dead hero in a box…’
‘They won’t let me fight yet,’ Robbie said. ‘The recruitin’ officer said I was a brave lad and he wished he’d got another thousand like me. He says they can use my talents and I’ll be as safe as if I were tucked up in me bed at ’ome.’ He grinned at her.
‘You daft idiot,’ Marion said and smiled through the tears.
His smile was tearing her heart open, even more than Reggie had earlier. Reggie was a man and although she didn’t want to lose him before she’d even had a chance to know and love him; her brother was like a part of her. She felt as if she’d had a limb torn away.
‘I shan’t stop you; I know I couldn’t, but remember I love you, dope.’
‘I love you too, snub nose,’ he said affectionately and Marion’s emotion nearly choked her. Robbie often teased her about her nose, which was a little shorter than she’d like, even though Reggie said it was beautiful – but he thought everything about her was beautiful…
‘When will you go?’ she asked.
‘I’ll sign on tomorrow,’ Robbie said, ‘and they’ll take me in a couple of weeks – that’s what he said. ‘I’ll be sent orf down the coast somewhere and they’ll teach me things, and then I’ll come back fer a visit.’
Marion nodded. ‘All right, love. If it’s what you want…’
Robbie came around the table and gave her a brotherly hug. ‘Thanks, Marion. Yer the best. I knew yer would understand. Some of the lads said their mothers and sisters screeched like barn owls and started howling, some of me mates couldn’t face them at all until they’d signed up…’
Marion gave a laugh that might have been a sob. ‘Thank goodness Dickon isn’t old enough to go…’
‘He’s already been down and got himself kicked out,’ Robbie said and grinned at her. ‘I gave him a clip round the ear and told him when he’s strong enough to put me down he can sign on and not before – that’s when he said if he couldn’t sign up, he wanted to start work.’
‘I might have known,’ Marion sighed. Robbie had always kept Dickon in line and she wouldn’t find it as easy without him. True, it meant less washing, but she would have rather he’d stayed home for a bit longer. However, she knew when she was beaten.
Robbie looked at her uncomfortably. ‘I’ve asked fer some of me pay ter be sent ter to you. Yer me next of kin – the name I put down – and if they need to contact anyone it will be you…’
Marion felt chilled, but she just nodded. ‘Keep most of it for yourself, love. I can manage…’
‘Why should yer have to put all your money in?’ Robbie said and looked grim. ‘Yer courtin’ now, Marion, and yer will need to save fer when yer get married – and ter send Reggie a few fags and sweets wherever he is.’
‘So that’s why I love you,’ Marion said and smiled. ‘I’m going up now – see you tomorrow.’
‘Reggie will come back and so shall I,’ Robbie said and grinned in the way that was so infectious. ‘I’ll make yer proud, sis…’
‘Of course, you will, you always have.’
‘You look a bit worried,’ Becky said to Marion when they had a few moments to spare mid-morning the next day. ‘Is something wrong at home?’
‘My brother Robbie is signing up today – and my youngest brother has decided to leave school and start work next month. I’d hoped he might stay on and pass a few exams like I did, but Robbie says it isn’t right for him – Dickon, that is…’
‘Dickon is older than Kathy, isn’t he?’
‘Yes, nearly fourteen. Kathy is thirteen, and Milly is six – she had a birthday last week. I bought her a little wooden doll and made some extra clothes for it. She was so excited, you wouldn’t believe. Robbie got her sweets and a paint box, Dickon bought her some sweets, and Dan sent her a picture book and a lovely card from Southampton.’
‘What did your mother buy her?’
Marion shook her head. ‘Ma forgot it was her birthday, but I got her a card and a bar of chocolate and said it was from her. I think Milly knew, but she didn’t say – anyway, she was lucky. Mrs Jackson next door gave her a dolly’s pram that had belonged to her daughters. Reggie painted it and made it look like new for her.’
‘That was lovely of him,’ Becky said and smiled. ‘Is he your boyfriend?’
‘Yes…’ Marion took a ribbon from inside her dress and showed Becky the ring Reggie had given her. ‘We’re not engaged, but it’s a friendship ring – until he comes home and we can think about getting married…’
‘It’s very pretty,’ Becky said. She looked a bit wistful. ‘I don’t have a boyfriend yet. My father wouldn’t let me even think about it, because he said I was too delicate, but Minnie told him I’m perfectly strong and healthy and if I meet someone nice, he might let me go to tea with him if he asks…’
Marion smiled and nodded. ‘I think a lot of young people are rushing into marriage before the men go away, but I’m too young and I have to look after my family…’ They both looked serious because the British Army was retreating from Mons, fighting every step of the way before the overwhelming might of an efficient German force.
‘Oh, I don’t want to get married for ages,’ Becky agreed, ‘but it might be nice to have a boyfriend to take me out to tea…’
‘Look, we’ve got customers,’ Marion said, nudging her as three women walked in. ‘I think we’re going to be busy now.’
35
Marion noticed the lights were on in her house when she got to the end of her street that evening. It wasn’t really dark yet and it was unusual for Robbie to light the gas, and even more so for him to be home before her. She didn’t think he’d given in his notice at the docks yet, because he planned to keep working until he got his orders.
As she went into the kitchen, Marion caught the smell she associated with her father – beer and pipe tobacco – and her heart sank. She could hear raised voices from above stairs and knew that her parents were having a row again. Should she go up and try to remonstrate with her father – or would that just make things worse for Ma? She hesitated with her foot on the bottom stair and then shook her head. Pa would only lose his temper if she interfered.
Deciding to keep clear for fear of making things worse, Marion filled the kettle and put it on the stove. She was just about to peel the potatoes for their supper when the kitchen door opened and Robbie entered, together with their older brother Dan. Marion gave a cry of pleasure and ran to embrace him.
‘It’s lovely to see you,’ she said and hugged him. His strong arms held her for a moment and then he let her go as they all heard a terrible scream from upstairs. ‘Dan…’ she tried to grab his arm as he started towards the stairs. ‘Be careful. Don’t let him hurt her, but watch out…’
‘It
’s time that bugger was taught a proper lesson,’ Dan muttered and pulled open the door that hid the staircase from view. Now the screams and cries were louder, becoming more and more desperate, and Dan’s feet pounded up the uncarpeted stairs. Robbie and Marion looked at each other and she moved towards the stairs, but he grabbed her arm and held her.
‘No, Marion,’ he said. ‘You can’t do anything. Leave it to Dan. He went orf the last time they quarrelled rather than kill him, but he’s not goin’ ter let ’im get away wiv it…’ His mouth set grimly. ‘I can’t stop ’im, but Dan will…’
Just then they heard another scream from their mother, followed by a shout from their father, some grunting, and furniture being overturned as a fight took place, and then silence.
‘Do you think…?’ Marion ventured and then a few moments later Dan came back down, his face bearing a few red marks and a cut lip. ‘Dan… what happened?’
‘Ma is hurt bad,’ Dan said. ‘She needs to go to the hospital immediately. Robbie, go down the road and ask Mr Brandon if he will run us to the infirmary in his van. I’m goin’ ter carry her downstairs and I’ll go with her.’
‘Dad?’ Marion asked and Dan looked at her hard.
‘He was drunk and I put him out for a few hours. He’ll have a sore head, but he’ll live. When he comes to, I’m going to tell him – he goes and he doesn’t come back or next time we meet I’ll kill him for sure…’
‘We should get the police…’
‘They won’t interfere,’ Dan said bitterly. ‘I tried that years ago and was told they don’t intervene in domestic quarrels.’
Marion ran up the stairs in her elder brother’s wake. Her mother was lying still on the bed with her eyes closed, her face covered in blood and bruises all over her body. Her father was stretched out on the ground. His face showed evidence that he’d been hit a few times, blood on his mouth and his head lying at an angle. She bent over him, fearing for a moment that Dan had killed him already, but a faint groan told her that he was still living but out for a while, just as her brother had said. She felt a surge of regret, wishing she’d tried to stop her father when she first got home, but she knew from experience that he would just go on hitting them both if she’d said a word.