The Foyles Bookshop Girls

by Elaine Roberts

  Lily looked down at Alice's feet; she was standing in a puddle. ‘Mrs Headley,’ she screamed. ‘The baby’s coming. Where are you?’

  Mrs Headley ran into the hall. ‘Upstairs quickly,’ she said breathlessly. ‘Otherwise you’ll be giving birth in the hall.’

  *

  The curtains kept the threads of early morning sunlight out of Alice's bedroom. One of her drawers had been emptied and placed on the floor, next to her bed. Alice looked down at the makeshift crib and smiled. Only Mrs Headley would have thought to line an old wooden drawer with newspapers, before covering them with a sheet folded many times. She vaguely remembered Lily bouncing between groaning with worry, and squealing with delight. The doctor hadn't arrived until after Mrs Headley had cut the cord and she was holding her adorable little bundle. The black curls had been matted with blood but Alice hadn't cared. She was exhausted, but elated; she had given birth to a son. Lily and Mrs Headley had done a good job looking after her.

  ‘Well, little one, what are we going to call you?’ Alice smiled. She stared down at her son's button nose. His long dark eyelashes rested on his cheeks, while the perfectly formed lips pursed as he slept in her arms. His tiny fingers opened when her hand touched his. He stretched them, before wrapping them around her index finger. Lowering her head, she kissed his soft, pink forehead. A tear ran down her cheek. She sniffed, before giving a watery smile. ‘Wait till your father sees you, Master Leybourne.’ Alice cuddled the soft bundle close to her and closed her eyes, allowing his sweet, milky scent to fill her. She jolted at the knock on her bedroom door. Before she had time to respond, the door flew open.

  ‘Good morning mummy, and my wonderful little nephew.’ Lily beamed.

  Alice couldn't resist smiling at her sister. ‘My son and I would like to thank you for last night.’

  Lily laughed. ‘I don't think it’s me you need to thank, but Mrs Headley; she's a bit of a dark horse, that one. Thankfully, she took total control and I just did as I was told.’

  ‘That's a little ironic when you've spent years doing the opposite.’ Alice laughed.

  Lily chuckled. ‘Sometimes you have to admit when you’re in front of a superior being, and that was certainly the case last night.’

  Alice smiled, shaking her head at her sister's logic. ‘Would you like to hold the little man you brought into this world?’

  ‘Of course.’ Lily laughed. ‘You don't think I’m here to see you, do you?’

  Alice frowned as she carefully passed Lily the baby. ‘Be careful.’ She sucked in her breath. ‘Make sure you support his head.’

  ‘Stop fretting, Alice. I promise you, I’ll never let any harm come to this little boy.’ Lily frowned as she looked down at him. ‘I’ll protect him with my life.’

  A light knock on the open door caught the girls' attention.

  ‘Hello, Grandma, have you come for a hold as well?’ Lily smiled at her mother.

  ‘Indeed I have, especially as I wasn't here last night when it all happened, but first I want to see how mum is doing.’ Sarah sat on the edge of the bed. She rested her hand on top of Alice's. ‘How are you feeling today?’

  Alice smiled. ‘I'm all right, although I must admit my body feels like it's been run over by a train or something.’

  Sarah laughed. ‘That’ll pass. I’m sorry I wasn't around last night, but I understand I wasn't missed. Mrs Headley, with Lily's assistance, did a wonderful job.’

  ‘Mrs Headley was amazing,’ Lily chimed behind her mother. ‘I was in a state of panic, even before I knew you were about to give birth.’

  Alice and Sarah laughed.

  ‘That's all right, I thought I just had backache.’ Alice raised her eyebrows.

  ‘Never mind. It all ended well, thank goodness.’ Sarah patted Alice's hand. ‘Right, Lily, let me have a cuddle with my grandson.’ She stretched out her arms, while watching Lily kiss him on the forehead.

  Lily straightened her lips. ‘I don't want to let him go.’

  Sarah shook her head. ‘Well you have to; Mother has spoken.’

  The girls laughed as Lily passed the baby to Sarah.

  ‘He’s gorgeous.’ Sarah stroked his soft, dark curls with her fingers. ‘What are you going to call him?’

  ‘I don't know. To be honest, I haven't thought about names. I was hoping Freddie and I could choose together, but…’ A tear rolled down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away. ‘I’ll have to decide soon.’

  Sarah's heart lurched in her chest. ‘He'll be home soon.’ She looked down at the bundle in her arms. ‘And what a surprise he’s in for.’

  There was a cough from the doorway. ‘Sorry to disturb you, Mrs Leybourne.’ Mrs Headley stood in the doorway, carrying a tray. ‘But I thought you might like some tea, and I’ve done a boiled egg for you.’

  ‘Come in, Mrs Headley.’ Alice smiled at the housekeeper. ‘And please, just call me Alice. Nobody calls me Mrs Leybourne. When I hear it, I forget that's me.’ Alice grimaced as she tried to sit more upright. She took a deep breath. ‘Thank you, Mrs Headley, for the little one's makeshift bed, and indeed for everything. You were a star.’

  Lily gave a little cough as she straightened the covers before the tray was laid on Alice's lap.

  Alice smiled at her sister. ‘And so were you, Lily.’

  ‘Thank goodness you weren't on your own.’ Sarah piped up. ‘We should have had a rota in place.’

  ‘Well I wasn't on my own, thankfully, so it had a happy ending.’ Alice took a sip of the hot tea. ‘Thank you for the tea; I must admit I am ready for it. I’ll get up in a minute…’

  ‘No.’ A shrill of ladies' voices filled the room. The baby jumped at the sudden noise. Sarah rocked him up and down. ‘Well, we know there's nothing wrong with his hearing.’ She laughed. ‘Just take it one day at a time.’ Sarah didn't move her gaze away from the baby nestling in her arms. ‘Rest for today and see how you feel tomorrow.’

  No one noticed the housekeeper shuffle out of the bedroom.

  ‘As much as I don't want to leave you, I have to go to work.’ Lily straightened her uniform before strolling around, to give her nephew a kiss on the top of his head. ‘I had no idea I’d feel like this about him; it's hard to tear myself away.’

  Alice laughed. ‘Go on. He’ll still be here when you get home.’

  Lily frowned. ‘I suppose.’ She paused, staring down at him. ‘You do know I shall tell everyone at work, then Daisy will tell Victoria, and that means you’ll have at least one visitor before the day is over.’

  Alice laughed. ‘I’m under no illusions. Once word gets out, I shall be inundated with visitors, or perhaps I should say baby Leybourne will be.’

  Lily gave him another kiss before moving round to give Alice a cuddle. ‘See you later, and take care.’

  ‘Hmm, you smell lovely. Is that another Christmas perfume?’

  ‘It is, but I must dash.’ Lily rushed out of the bedroom, leaving the door open.

  ‘Bye, stay safe,’ mother and daughter chorused.

  ‘I believe the doctor will be in later to check on you both, so get as much rest as you can between this little one's feeds.’

  Alice nodded. She finally dipped a small piece of bread into her runny egg that had gone cold. The golden orange of the yolk covered it and she quickly popped it into her mouth. The doughy mixture wrapped itself around her teeth and stuck to the roof of her mouth. She picked up her teacup and gulped the warm liquid, letting it remove the layers of stickiness from her mouth. It was only then she noticed an armchair in the corner of her room. She frowned. ‘Why is there an armchair in my room?’

  ‘Mrs Headley insisted on sleeping in here all night.’ Sarah frowned as she looked up at Alice. ‘It took all my strength to get Lily out of the room and into her own bed.’

  Alice's hand rested at the base of her slender neck. ‘I don't understand. Why did they both want to stay with me?’

  Sarah’s lips straightened. ‘I wondered if you would remember, but you c
learly don't. You were burning hot. The doctor said to keep you as cool as possible and to keep damping your lips, while trying to get some liquids into you.’

  Alice stared wide-eyed at her mother. ‘I remember being hot when I was downstairs, but—’

  ‘Don't worry, you’re fine now and that's all that matters.’ Sarah smiled. ‘There wasn't a nurse available to sit with you at such short notice, although I have to say there wasn't any moving Mrs Headley. She was determined to stay and watch over you and this little one.’

  ‘Aw, bless her.’ Alice immediately wondered how she could repay the woman that had been around her all her life. ‘Perhaps, when I am up and about, we should take some photographs of the little man.’

  ‘Now that is a good idea, isn't it, little one?’ Sarah smiled.

  Alice shook her head at her mother. ‘It would be nice to take one of Mrs Headley holding him, don't you think?’

  ‘That would be a lovely idea.’ Sarah laughed. ‘If she’ll allow it.’

  Alice frowned at her mother.

  ‘Mrs Headley is a stickler for the rules.’ Sarah rocked the baby in her arms. ‘Why do you think we still call her Mrs Headley after thirty odd years?’

  Alice shrugged her shoulders. ‘I always thought that was more about us as a family, than her.’

  *

  The china cups were filled to the brim with hot chocolate. Mrs Headley gave them to Alice, who in turn passed them around the family, one by one.

  ‘This is very cosy.’ Alice chuckled as she looked around her, everyone cupping their warm drinks. There were makeshift beds on the floor, lined up like horizontal soldiers. Candles flickered, casting shadows around the room. The flames were mesmerising as the thin white wick turned black. Gradually, the melting wax rolled down the sides. She forced herself to look away. ‘Ooh, you’ve added a couple of armchairs since last night. I can see them tucked away in the corner with that old card table.’ Alice sipped the hot sweet drink. ‘Mrs Headley, you’ve done a good job cramming in supplies and furniture, so we’re all comfortable.’

  Mrs Headley smiled and bent her head slightly. ‘Thank you.’

  Sarah gently blew the steam away from her drink. ‘That’s a lovely basket for Arthur to sleep in as well. He looks quite content, tucked up in there.’

  Luke tutted. ‘I wonder how long we are going to be stuck down here this time; we were down here ages last night.’

  Lily glared at her father. ‘Did you not bring a book to read, or something to do?’

  Alice sucked in her breath. ‘I’ve brought my knitting and my old favourite, Pride and Prejudice.’ She picked up her book, waving it in the air, before dropping it on the floor and folding her hands around the cup she was holding. The warmth spread through her. ‘At least you’re safe. I met an old lady at Victoria Station, whose brother had died in the bombings last month. It was heart breaking. Apparently, there was a lot of damage, homes destroyed and people injured. Some inevitably died.’

  Sarah shook her head. ‘I know the police rang their bells and told us to take cover, but I had no idea. The trouble is, you don’t always get to hear of anything.’ She paused for a moment. ‘It’s very sad, but we were lucky not to get hit.’

  Lily shook her head. ‘We are lucky. Some people have nowhere to go and are apparently hiding under tables, while others try and make their way to the underground stations.’

  The floor vibrated. Alice put down her cup. That was something they hadn’t experienced before. It shuddered again and was closely followed by a loud thunderclap right above their heads. Then another, and another. Alice physically jumped at the loud noise. Her heart started racing and her palms became clammy. With squinting eyes, Alice looked up at the ceiling as another boom cracked through the air. She grabbed Lily and Arthur’s hands. The bombs must be close by. Alice gave a silent prayer, to keep her family safe. She glanced across at her mother, whose eyes were shut, but her lips were moving. She willed her father to give her comfort, by at least holding her hand. He frowned as he caught her stare, his face drained of colour. Was he also afraid? Alice moved her head to silently indicate what he should be doing. He took her lead and took Sarah’s hand in his. Her mother gave him a grateful half smile, but fear held her body rigid. Lily squeezed Alice’s hand and mouthed, ‘I love you.’ Tears pricked her eyes until they hurt. She blinked quickly before shaking her sisters hand. ‘I love you too.’ Everyone sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Arthur slept, as another thunderclap filled the basement.

  *

  The family emerged as daylight filtered through the basement door. All were shaken, but in one piece. Alice was grateful that her son had slept through the whole thing, only waking to be fed. She held him tight in her arms as she gazed down at him, stroking his soft skin, not wanting to let him out of her sight ever again. She now understood the love a parent feels for their child, the need to protect at all costs. Alice was thankful he was too young to know the fear they all felt, sheltering in the basement.

  Sarah turned and frowned at Alice and Lily. ‘The first thing is to find out whether your grandparents are all right.’

  Alice took in her mother’s ashen features. She had aged overnight. ‘I think you should rest.’ She frowned as her gaze was drawn back to her sleeping son. She took a deep breath. ‘But if you and Father keep an eye on the little one, and promise on your lives to keep him safe, I’ll go along to Russell Square.’

  ‘I’ll come with you.’ Lily’s voice came from lower down the stairs.

  Mrs Headley eyed her employers. ‘I can watch the young sir while Mrs Taylor rests. It will be my pleasure, and I promise nothing will happen to him.’

  Sarah smiled at her grandson, but her eyes were cloaked with anxiety and tiredness. ‘He’s a wonderful shining light in these difficult times.’

  Mrs Headley smiled. ‘He is that, ma’am.’ She glanced towards Alice. ‘Shall you be taking breakfast before you go to Mr and Mrs Gettin’s?’

  Alice turned to Lily who shook her head. ‘No thank you, Mrs Headley. The sooner we know everything’s all right, the sooner we can all relax.’ She bent and kissed Arthur on his forehead, her lips lingering, before she passed him over to Mrs Headley. ‘You can sort it out between you.’ She laughed. ‘Although I do think Mrs Headley is right, Mother, you should go and have a lie down.’

  Sarah nodded, unable to deny how exhausted she felt.

  Alice and Lily both grabbed their coats from the hallway and rushed out the front door.

  Squinting, Alice took a deep breath; smoke hung in the air. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Her shoulders were tight, as her gaze darted up and down the road. There was no obvious sign of damage. With silent consent, they sped along Bloomsbury Street, past Bedford Square on their left, before turning right onto Montague Place. ‘I should have splashed my face before we came out. I feel a right mess.’

  Lily ran her fingers through her hair. ‘You’re fine. Remember, everyone’s had a rough night, so you don’t look any worse than they do.’

  Alice laughed. ‘Thanks for that, you’ve made me feel so much better.’

  Lily frowned as she looked across at her sister. ‘Mother looked terrible. I hope she’s going to be all right.’

  Alice nodded. ‘She’s exhausted. I think she spent most of the night praying, as I’m sure we all did.’

  Lily nodded. ‘I’ve never been so frightened, although this is also terrifying me.’

  The old lady immediately jumped into Alice’s head. Were they going to find something similar? They turned into Russell Square, both of them gasping as one. The gardens were flooded with water, rivulets rolled down the path. Mud was where beautiful plants once thrived. They were now blackened and strewn across the paths and flowerbeds. The grass was rutted and scorched. They immediately quickened their pace, as glass crunched under their feet.

  Alice tried to speak, but nothing came out.

  Lily looked down, before quickly taking in the houses around h
er. ‘The houses I can see appear to be undamaged.’ She paused and looked down again. ‘But where has all this glass come from?’

  ‘I don’t know, but it looks like something exploded in Bedford Place.’ Alice pointed to the fire damage. ‘Perhaps the glass has come from there.’

  Lily’s lips straightened into a thin line. ‘They are going to be all right, aren’t they? They have to be.’

  Alice nodded, trying to slow down her breathing and ease the pain that was gripping her chest. ‘Come on, let’s get it over and done with.’

  They turned up the other side of Russell Square.

  ‘Thank God, Mother’s prayers have paid off,’ Lily yelled as she started running towards her grandparents. ‘You’re safe, thank goodness, you’re safe.’

  Residents were busy sweeping the glass off the pavement, while others chatted.

  Edward, leaning on a broom, stopped talking to George to look in their direction. ‘I was coming round to see if everything was all right with you all, but George waylaid me.’ He grinned and dropped the broom handle to wrap his arms around Lily.

  George beamed at the sight of the girls.

  A man rounded the corner. ‘Great Ormond Street Hospital was fortunate. Two bombs exploded nearby, one of them in Queens Square. Everyone’s out sweeping the mess up, but there only appears to be broken windows.’

  Alice stood and watched Lily throw herself at their grandfather. Tears rolled down her cheeks. They were safe. She didn’t care about the house. They were safe and that was all that mattered. The old lady’s words echoed in her mind. Life is precious. She hoped she could protect her son from the evil that was in their midst.

  Chapter 19

  October 1915

  Alice had waited until the last moment to register her little boy, in the hope Freddie would come home, or she’d at least have news of him. She had pored over boys' names and had considered calling him Alfred, after his father. That appeared to be the done thing, but she decided to name him after her great grandfather and her husband. Arthur Alfred Leybourne. Despite her grandfather’s teasing for not calling the baby Edward, he had been touched by her decision.