Molly was touched by Kath’s words. ‘But—’
Kath raised her hand to silence Molly. ‘I won’t say we won’t miss you – it’ll break my heart knowing you’re not working with my George every day – but it’s all for the best. Why, I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you. The day we heard the terrible news of your parents’ accident, I recalled a conversation I’d once had with Charlotte. I promised that if anything should happen to her and Norman, we would both look out for you until the day we drew our last breath. So, no more arguing – let’s get that letter written and in the postbox, shall we? It will be delivered tomorrow and with luck we will hear back within a few days. Don’t forget to give our address as your home. We don’t want that unsavoury pair getting wind of our plan.’
Molly couldn’t speak. Kath and George, along with her friend Freda, were the nearest thing to family that she had. She couldn’t think of Harriet or Simon as relatives, however much she tried. She was heartened that she still had people around her who cared for her future like her parents had done.
George got to his feet and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He kissed his wife’s cheek and patted Molly’s shoulder. ‘Best you don’t argue with Kath when she’s like this, Molly. I learned that a long time ago.’
Kath slapped her husband playfully. ‘Be off with you, old man, and open that shop.’
George winked at Molly and headed off to work.
Molly took the notepaper from Kath and sat down to write. She wasn’t completely sure that Butlins was the right place for her, but as her friends had such faith in her and cared for her future, she would do the best she could not to let them down.
5
Molly tugged the front of her jacket straight, checking her reflection in a nearby shop window to make sure the seams of her stockings were straight. There were still ten minutes before her interview for a job at Butlins.
‘Don’t stand there dithering or all the jobs will be gone,’ Freda said, giving her a shove towards the impressive entrance of the West End hotel. ‘The world and his neighbour seem to be heading into the hotel. I’m surprised they need so many workers for a holiday camp.’
Molly plucked up courage and stepped into the plush foyer of the hotel. Nodding to a uniformed doorman, who pointed to a sign that showed she had to take a lift to the first floor, she gave Freda a weak grin. ‘Here we go. You will come with me, won’t you?’
‘You bet. I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I’m rather tempted to have an interview myself. It’s so exciting.’
Molly laughed at her friend. ‘You know you’ll never leave Woolworths. You have a good job there and know nearly all your customers by their first names.’
‘So do you and you’re planning on leaving the area.’
‘I wish I had a choice and didn’t have to leave the town I love and my home,’ Molly replied as they stepped into the lift, along with four other young women.
Freda could have slapped herself. Why ever did she say that? ‘Me and my big mouth. I’m sorry, Molly. I didn’t mean what I said,’ she whispered as the lift doors closed and they were whisked upwards.
Molly squeezed her arm. ‘Don’t be a chump. I know you didn’t. Regardless of the reasons for attending this interview, it is rather exciting. I didn’t realize this hotel would be so posh. I just hope I don’t have lipstick on my teeth or a ladder in my stockings.’
‘Of course you don’t. You look sophisticated and refined. I must ask Maisie to make up a suit for me like that. You look so different with your hair pinned up.’
‘I’m just grateful your friend Maisie was able to run it up for me. How she has time to do anything with young twins is beyond me. Do you think Mum would have approved of her fabric being made into such a modern outfit?’
‘She’d have loved it. I’m so pleased I dug around a little when your cousin and that son of hers were out. I was only checking to see if there was any more Brownie equipment in the tallboy in your parents’ room when I spied it in a brown paper parcel. Perhaps your mum even meant the fabric to be a gift for you. I feel it was meant to be.’
Molly nodded. It was meant to be. She looked at her reflection in the mirrored wall of the lift, hardly recognizing the elegant, self-assured woman looking back at her. The grey flannel suit, cinched in at the waist with a matching belt, suited her trim figure. She made a mental note to buy something from one of the West End stores as a little thank you to Maisie. ‘I’m a very fortunate person to have such good friends,’ she told Freda. ‘Everyone has been so good to me since Mum and Dad died.’
‘There is something else,’ whispered Freda, passing her an envelope as the lift doors silently slid open onto a long hallway carpeted in deep red with plush velvet wall hangings and large oil paintings in ornate frames along the wall.
‘Oh my God. Look at all this. Can it get any posher?’
‘You’ve been in a similar place.’ Freda grinned.
‘I don’t think so,’ Molly declared, fanning herself with the envelope that Freda had just passed to her.
‘Yes, you have. Doesn’t it remind you of the foyer of the Erith Odeon?’
Both girls giggled, as indeed the posh St Claire Hotel was decorated in the same rich red colours as their favourite local cinema.
They shuffled forward in the queue, getting closer to the open double doors at the end of the hall. Up ahead, a young woman and a few suited young men were directing applicants either left or right as they reached them.
‘Open your envelope,’ Freda insisted as they approached the head of the queue.
Molly didn’t feel it was quite the place to do so but didn’t wish to upset her friend. She pulled out a card and smiled. ‘Thank you. It’s lovely. But you didn’t need to buy me a birthday card. Having you accompany me to London and going for tea at Lyons Corner House is enough of a treat.’
‘Open the card,’ Freda whispered as the girl in front of them was directed through the doors.
‘Oh, I don’t know what to say. Tickets to see the show Me and My Girl. I’ve always wanted to see that musical. Isn’t it closing soon?’
‘Tonight is the last performance. We were lucky to get them.’
Molly hugged her friend and jumped up and down in excitement. ‘I can’t believe it. Thank you, oh, thank you, Freda. I thought perhaps we’d have time to fit in a film, but never a live musical, and one of the best in town.’
A man appeared at the open doorway and raised his eyebrows at Molly. The two girls froze, then composed themselves.
‘This way, please. Give your name at the table and collect a name badge. You will be directed to the correct interview desk.’
Freda and Molly walked towards the area he’d pointed out, now extremely subdued.
‘I’m sure I’ve seen him somewhere before,’ Freda said.
‘You have,’ Molly whispered back in case he heard her.
Freda looked over her shoulder. The man’s eyes were on them, or rather on Molly. ‘I don’t . . . Oh my goodness. Surely it’s not . . .’
‘Yes. It’s Secret Agent Clive Danvers, also known as actor Johnny Johnson,’ Molly said, grinning at her friend’s shocked face.
‘Surely a film star doesn’t work at Butlins. It must be a mistake. They do say everyone has a double somewhere,’ Freda considered.
Molly looked back to where the man was standing. She’d know the actor anywhere. She saw him most nights in her dreams. The way he stood. The way his eyes twinkled in the moonlight. The arrogant line of his jaw when questioning his foe . . . Yes, that was most certainly Johnny Johnson. As she watched the movie star across the room, their eyes met. Molly’s stomach gave a little flip. He was as attractive in real life as he was on the silver screen.
The next hour was spent filling out a long application form about her hobbies and home life as well as previous jobs. She was pleased that she was able to mention the years she spent as a land girl and how much she’d enjoyed helping her mum with the Browni
es and Guides. She remembered to give George and Kath’s home as her current address. That part was easy, as in the weeks since Kath’s pretend illness, when Freda had called Molly from her bed to help the stricken older woman, she had not set foot inside her family home in Avenue Road. Often the urge to walk up the long footpath to the front door, place a key in the lock and step into the house overwhelmed her. To be able to go into the kitchen, touch familiar objects and imagine Charlotte Missons baking a cake or simply sitting at the table chatting about the day’s events was something Molly longed to do just one more time.
George and Kath treated her like the daughter they’d never had. Their home was her home. She was given a key and told to bring her friends round whenever she wished. Molly felt truly loved. They also made sure that Molly was never alone when she left their little terraced house in Cross Street just in case she bumped into her father’s cousins. Better to be safe than sorry, George often said. Indeed, it was George, accompanied by Freda, who would walk to Avenue Road to collect items of clothing that Molly required or to find Brownies equipment for the meetings. Fortunately, Freda had cupboard space in the church hall to store the pack’s equipment so she wouldn’t need to visit Avenue Road after Molly left Erith.
Molly did continue to work at the shop with George, but they made sure she stayed in the storeroom or in the little office as much as possible. If she didn’t have to talk to Harriet or Simon, she couldn’t be tripped up over the story they’d concocted and was safe from Simon’s grasp. There was still no news from Mr Denton, the family solicitor, who remained out of the country, according to his nephew.
Molly met with Freda after handing in her completed form and headed to the end of the long room, where refreshments were being served. Freda had brought along her knitting but found herself chatting to family and friends of other hopeful candidates when shown to a side of the room away from where the interviews were taking place.
‘I must say the Butlins uniform looks rather smart. I really like the red blazer and white pleated skirt female staff are wearing. So much better than my Woolworths uniform. The outfit alone tempts me to try for a job,’ Freda said.
Molly knew her friend was joking. She was settled in Erith and her job as a supervisor at Woolworths. Freda loved living with Ruby Caselton in Alexandra Road and was a popular member of her extended family. ‘I’d like you to join me at Butlins for a holiday if I secure a position, but I’d rather you stay living in Erith and keep me posted on what is happening. Who knows, once the summer season is over, I might be able to return and live in my own home. Things might go back to how they used to be when Mr Denton returns to his office and a will can be located.’ A shadow fell across her face as she realized things would never be quite the same without her parents, but she dashed the thought away. Today was hopefully the beginning of her new life. It was also her twenty-fourth birthday and she had a special treat to look forward to at the theatre.
Freda smiled. She’d like nothing better than her friend to own what was rightly hers and not be fearful of the nasty Simon or his grasping mother. She knew there was something not quite right about the couple turning up out of the blue as they had done. However, until they knew what was happening, it was better Molly stayed away. Her friends would do all they could to find out the truth and protect what rightfully belonged to her. She helped herself to a toasted teacake from a smiling waitress. ‘What happens next?’
‘We have to report to another room, where we will be given a talk about Butlins and how we are expected to behave on and off duty. Family and friends are allowed to sit in and listen, as they will no doubt be visiting the camp during the summer and will have some idea of what we have to do. After that, I find out if I’ve been selected and what job they have decided would best suit me.’
‘Count me in. I really want to know more about Butlins. I think we ought to make a move. It looks as though people are heading towards the meeting.’
Molly placed her coffee cup on the table being used for refreshments and thanked the waitress. The waiting staff also wore Butlins uniforms and had friendly smiles on their faces. Everyone seemed so happy, whatever work they were undertaking.
The two girls followed a small crowd into a side room and were ushered to their seats. Molly was dismayed to find herself in the front row. She would have preferred to be nearer the back, but it looked as though everyone else had the same idea. In front of Molly’s seat was a small raised area with a table and two chairs.
Silence descended over the room as a side door opened and a woman dressed in the red Butlins uniform appeared. She stepped onto the stage and smiled at the eager faces in front of her. ‘Welcome, my friends. I am sure that before too long I will be calling many of you colleagues. My name is Connie Sinclair. I am chief staff officer at Butlins, Skegness. For those of you chosen to work in the camp, I am the person you will come to with work queries. My office processes leave applications and work rotas, as well as what most of you are interested in, pay packets.’
There was a small round of applause at this point and Connie Sinclair waited until the noise had subsided before continuing with her talk about working at Butlins. ‘I’m sure there will be many questions about employment and we have five minutes to take a few questions before I introduce another new member of the team.’ There followed a few questions from the floor, ranging from where staff ate to what their medical facilities were like and what time off they were entitled to. Connie looked a little stern when she replied that it was customary to start work before requesting leave.
Freda leaned towards Molly and whispered, ‘She may look nice but I reckon she can be a tyrant.’
Molly giggled and was about to reply when she felt Connie Sinclair looking at her. She went quiet at once and felt her cheeks start to burn with embarrassment. She just hoped she hadn’t blotted her copybook before she’d even been offered a job.
Connie looked back to her audience. ‘I’d now like to introduce our entertainment adviser. Whatever your job description, and however many hours you work each day, there will be times when you will be involved in entertaining the holidaymakers. Here is the man Mr Butlin has invited to show us how to carry out our job to the best of our ability. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr Johnny Johnson.’
There were gasps around the room as many women recognized the man they’d seen on cinema screens often during the war years. Molly felt Freda’s elbow in her ribs and heard a snort of laughter from her friend. ‘So he was who we thought he was when we first arrived. Who’d have guessed you’d meet the man of your dreams at Butlins?’
‘I believe many women have,’ Molly replied as she felt her already red cheeks start to glow even more. How would she ever be able to work with a man who made her heart beat faster every time she saw him on the silver screen? In the flesh he was even more handsome. She could see glimmers of the self-assured actor as he shook hands with Connie and nodded to the audience before taking his place on the stage. Molly hoped there was a different side to him and that Johnny Johnson the actor was a different man to Johnny Johnson Butlins entertainment adviser, or there would be holidaymakers swooning wherever he went, not to mention the staff, she thought, as she looked over her shoulder to the twittering females, who would surely be putty in his hands. There would be interesting times ahead with a matinee idol at Butlins.
Johnny cleared his throat and his audience settled down to listen. He made no mention of his acting career, but it was there, like an elephant in the room.
‘Thank you, ladies . . . and gentlemen,’ he added as an afterthought, noticing a scattering of males present. ‘You have already heard much of the entertainment side of Butlins from my colleagues. Perhaps some of you visited Butlins before it closed for the duration. However, my plan is to ensure that the entertainment this season is bigger and brighter than ever before. We will have entertainers visiting the camp each week. Some you will recognize from radio and stage. As well as carrying out their own duties, our staff wil
l have the opportunity to join cabaret spots and shows. We intend Butlins to be at the forefront of holiday entertainment, ensuring our visitors return year after year to our camps. Before too long, there will be more camps spread across the country. Who knows, perhaps one day there will be holidaymakers travelling overseas to be entertained by staff just like you.’
Molly gulped. She knew staff would be expected to mix with visitors and would never really be off duty, but to get on stage and sing or dance, surely not? She didn’t exactly have two left feet, and she could hold a tune, but on stage in front of people was a different matter completely. She felt the compulsion to run away back to Erith and her friends. Her thoughts drifted to the past . . . With a start, Molly realized that Johnny had started to talk again and tried to concentrate.
‘. . . Even when off duty, you will be representing Butlins. How you act reflects upon your employer. Always ask yourself if you need that second drink, or whether you are being just a little too reserved. Keep a smile on your face and try to have a willing attitude.’
A hand was raised in the audience and Johnny nodded to the young man to speak. ‘Can we invite a holidaymaker out to dinner?’
Johnny smiled. ‘We would not be human if we did not fall in love from time to time.’ A small sigh could be heard from the audience. No doubt from a fan of Johnny’s alter ego. ‘As I’ve already mentioned, you are at Butlins to work, so whether you fall in or out of love, be circumspect at all times. Now, let us consider some situations that might arise while we are on duty.’ He stepped down from the stage and walked to the edge of the front row of seats, stopping at a young man. ‘Sir, a young lady is overcome by the summer sun while you are leading a keep-fit class. What should you do?’
The man grinned and mentioned loosening her clothing, much to the amusement of those listening.
Johnny laughed with them. ‘I do not advise it, unless you wish to be visited by the local constabulary and possibly find yourself at the Labour Exchange looking for another job.’
The Butlins Girls Page 6