Girls of the Great War

by Freda Lightfoot

  Cecily felt a flurry of excitement that he hadn’t thrown her out, and beamed at him with pleasure. ‘That makes sense. I’d be interested to know what these are.’

  Firmly clasping his hands, he proceeded with instructions. ‘No artist who has a husband in France is allowed to take part in this project. Are you married or do you have a lover there?’

  Cecily drew in a breath and gave her head a little shake. ‘No, my fiancé has just been killed, drowned when his ship was attacked by a submarine.’

  ‘Ah, I’m so sorry to hear that.’ Flicking quickly through his sheets of paper, he regarded her with a stern expression. ‘You need to appreciate that King George has disposed of all German names and titles in the Royal family, realising it could create issues for them. Do you, by any chance, have any German relations?’

  ‘Not at all.’

  ‘Or a German ancestor?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘If this answer proves to be false then you could find yourself suspected of being a German spy.’

  ‘I assure you it is the absolute truth,’ she firmly declared. ‘We have a small family, not connected in any way with Germany or France.’

  ‘Hmm, that’s good to know. You should also be aware that if German officers spot you, they might also demand to be entertained. Could you deal with that?’

  Cecily paused, struggling a little as she searched for a sensible answer, this being a possibility that had never occurred to her. ‘I am aware there may be danger, but having lost my fiancé I’m prepared to support his efforts. I’m a strong, patriotic woman willing to do my bit for other brave men.’

  ‘Excellent!’ Sitting back in his chair, Lieutenant Trevain smiled at her. ‘As you seem perfectly capable of presenting a good concert for our troops, I assure you the War Office regards that as of great importance for their morale. We’re willing to deliver permits that would last for four to six weeks, or several months if you prefer.’

  ‘Oh, thank you so much.’ Cecily could hardly believe what she was hearing. ‘A few months would suit us best, I think, making our work much more worthwhile. Where do you recommend we go, and how do we get there?’

  ‘You’ll be transported by the Navy across the sea to a particular place in north-east France. Thereafter, the Army will move you to different locations on land whenever they deem it to be appropriate. You will be fed and granted free accommodation in billets. Costs will be nil since you are volunteers with no wages paid. On occasion, you may receive a small payment to cover other expenses, should you feel the need for that.’

  ‘That all sounds wonderful!’ she agreed, giving him another beaming smile. ‘And so very well organised.’

  ‘It is indeed, thanks to Her Royal Highness, Princess Helena Victoria, our late Queen’s granddaughter, who is in charge of various committees and organises much that is involved in these projects. She is a lady of great patience, good humour and generosity, and offers to help with any issues suffered by voluntary workers.’

  ‘We’ll do our best to cope with whatever difficulties we may have to face.’

  ‘Let us hope you succeed. You need to be aware, Miss Hanson, that the conditions and accommodation in France will not be easy or comfortable. You could find yourself surrounded by injured men, as bases get struck with bombs on occasions. Are you still of the belief that you can cope?’

  A small quiver of fear flickered in Cecily’s heart. ‘As I said, my sister and I are both eager to do our bit.’

  His smile now was warm as he thrust out his hand to shake hers. ‘Then I look forward to hearing how you get on.’

  Cecily thanked him, then rushed home to give her sister the good news and tell how she’d done a small performance in an attempt to prove her worth.

  Merryn hugged her with excitement, popping a kiss on each of her cheeks. ‘How could that fellow resist making an offer when you’re such an achiever, good at everything you do?’

  ‘I’m not at all.’

  ‘Oh yes you are, darling. I’ve worshipped you since the day I was born. I know Nan looked after us wonderfully, making sure we were properly dressed, bathed and well fed. She also taught us the three R’s whenever we couldn’t manage to get to a new school. But I preferred to think of you as the one in charge. You were so protective of me and made sure I was taught how to play the piano, write poetry, ride a bike, play games, jump and skip. With a mother I rarely saw, how would I have found any happiness without you to love and care for me?’

  Cecily too gave her a warm hug. ‘Why would I not adore my little sister? I loved looking after you and did manage to find people to teach you the things you wanted to learn. I also made an effort to personally teach you how to swim and drive, having been taught the latter by the tram company, but failed that completely. Is it worth my trying again?’

  ‘Nope, I’m hopeless at such tasks,’ Merryn said, and they both burst into a fit of giggles. ‘I can cook and sew, which you can’t.’

  ‘There you are then. We’re a perfect team.’

  Later that afternoon, Merryn eagerly hurried over to the Palace Theatre just a short distance away. The young drummer was fully engaged in rehearsal, the bandleader constantly hammering his baton to stop the musicians playing while he issued more instructions to them. She knew she would have to wait a while before he was free, so taking a seat, she watched him. He was a cheerful young man with reddish hair, soft grey eyes that were constantly alight behind his spectacles, a slightly gap-toothed smile and a chiselled chin. Being a bit of a joker, Johnny Wilcox was great fun. When finally he was allowed a break, Merryn offered to buy him afternoon tea at a nearby café.

  ‘There’s something I’d like to discuss with you over a little tiffin,’ she said with a smile.

  ‘That sounds good,’ he grinned, his expression filled with curiosity.

  As they sat enjoying tea and biscuits, Merryn told him of her sister’s plan to create a small concert party and entertain the troops in France.

  He looked a little taken aback. ‘Blimey, that’ll be a challenge. I wouldn’t want anything dreadful to happen to either of you two girls.’

  ‘I don’t think we’ll be anywhere near the front line where the fighting is going on. We just plan to entertain the soldiers at their bases. I know you appreciated how Cecily discovered her talent for singing. Oh, and by the way, I can play the accordion.’

  He gave another wide grin. ‘What a brick you are, a real sport. As you know, I play drums and cymbals, so can I come too?’

  Merryn blinked in surprise, amazed by this instant offer, having fully expected she’d need to persuade him. ‘You most certainly can. I was about to ask if you’d be interested, as we’d welcome your support. I doubt there’ll be any wages paid since we’ll be volunteers fed and accommodated by the army.’

  He creased his lips into a pout then gave a little smirk. ‘I’ll do my best to accept that fact. You’re a girl with great talent, as is Cecily. I’d love to work with you both.’

  The weather being sunny, he walked with her to the beach, talking about the music they loved to play and how long it had taken each of them to learn these skills. ‘I’ve been playing drums all my life, ever since Dad bought me one for Christmas when I was ten. It kept me sane when I was suffering his loss.’

  ‘Oh, how dreadful. How did that happen? I know very little about your past.’

  ‘I was born in Barnsley in Yorkshire, part of a working-class family who became even poorer after Dad was tragically killed in a mining accident. Such bloody bad luck. Following his death, my mam worked as a cleaner, earning barely enough money to feed her six children, all of them younger than me. I eventually was able to help by getting myself a job playing my drum kit at a local pub. I was so thrilled with Dad’s present that I was determined to improve and learn how to play well. Thankfully I succeeded.’

  ‘Good for you, Johnny, I’m glad to hear that. My father sadly drowned in the Thames when we were quite young, although how that happened has never been ex
plained to us and we have little memory of him. Queenie refuses to say anything on the subject, not even explain why her marriage went wrong.’

  ‘My mam didn’t talk much about her early life either. Far too distressing for her.’

  Merryn decided that they had a great deal in common and could be well suited to working together, both being musicians. ‘I’m delighted to hear that you wish to join our team.’

  ‘Why would I not, when you’re so attractive?’

  Merryn rolled her eyes in amusement, having no belief in her own looks. She saw herself as quite plain, a little too round and simply practical, interested mainly in fashion, sewing, make-up and hairstyles. Cecily had always been the pretty one with talent and plenty of young men falling for her, whereas she’d never found a boy who really took a shine to her. Merryn adored her sister and felt quite proud of her famous mother too, readily willing to deal with Queenie’s problems. His next words startled her out of those thoughts.

  ‘Can I give you a little kiss of thanks?’ Johnny murmured.

  ‘I’m not sure that would be a good idea,’ she stuttered. He was a most pleasant young man, if a little flirtatious.

  ‘I must confess that I’ve always felt the need for more closeness between us.’ Taking hold of her hand, he kissed it gently.

  The golden sun slipped closer to the horizon, bathing the landscape and their entwined figures with a glorious glow, his warm breath igniting a stir of excitement within her. Aware of his gaze sliding over her, his eyebrows flickering in admiration as he studied her feminine curves, Merryn felt a trembling beset her. So badly did she want him that his nearness almost unnerved her. She stepped away from him. ‘It must be time for you to prepare for tonight’s performance.’

  Glancing at his watch, he sighed. ‘You’re quite right, I should go. We could continue with this “discussion” some other time,’ he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

  Merryn felt herself blushing at such a prospect. Thanking him and promising to inform Cecily of his offer, she hastily rushed home.

  SIX

  CECILY AND Merryn were seated on the sofa in the parlour, happily discussing their plans when Queenie arrived home following her matinee performance, her eyes flooded in fury. They glanced at each other in dismay. ‘Oh dear, what do you think her problem is now?’ Cecily whispered.

  Stifling a sigh, Merryn spoke with a grimace. ‘Looks like she’s come a cropper again.’

  Watching her storm back and forth in the drawing room, Cecily’s heart plummeted. ‘Is there a problem, Mama?’

  ‘Yes indeed. Thanks to the director, my career at the Palace Theatre is over. It seems that this time there will be no change of heart from him. That dreadful man has dismissed me.’

  ‘Oh, no! I’m so sorry.’ Catching the warning glance in her sister’s eyes, Cecily carefully avoided asking why this had happened. It seemed fairly obvious, knowing her mother’s issues and recognising her slurring tone of voice, so what was the point?

  ‘I believe it was because neither of you were with me this afternoon. Why neglect me when you know how much I require your assistance?’ she said, staggering a little as she paced back and forth.

  ‘We cannot always be with you, Queenie, as we’re both busy working,’ Merryn quietly reminded her, making no mention of the fact that she’d had a day off.

  ‘Should we try to persuade the director to change his mind?’ Cecily asked, not sure it would work and feeling a degree of sympathy over that man’s decision in view of her mother’s inebriated state.

  Flopping into a chair, her anger finally dissipated in a sorrowful cloud of tears, Queenie shook her head. ‘That upper-class bully never listens to a word I say. I’d only enjoyed a couple of small glasses of fizz before the performance. What’s the harm in that? He’s very pop-wallah, never touches a drop of alcohol himself so shows no tolerance.’

  Merryn and Cecily exchanged a weary glance, each finding it difficult to give the right response. Clearing her throat, Merryn calmly asked, ‘So what do you plan to do now, Mama?’

  Leaping again to her feet, Queenie went to ring the bell. ‘I shall get Nan to help us all start packing. The only answer is to go back on tour.’

  Merryn gasped. ‘We can’t do that. We both have jobs here.’

  ‘We certainly couldn’t accompany you.’

  ‘Rubbish! Your main responsibility is to be dutiful daughters. I accept that the music hall is not as popular as it once was, particularly with this war on. There’s little chance of my finding employment in London so you could send out letters or ring some theatres, Cecily, and acquire new offers for me elsewhere.’

  Going to put her arm around her, Merryn led Queenie back to her chair. ‘Don’t bully my dear sister, she has enough to deal with. Besides, such a request would only work if you finally agreed to turn teetotal,’ she calmly pointed out, which brought a flush of crimson to her mother’s cheeks in addition to a tense scowl.

  Cecily reached over to give her hand a gentle squeeze. ‘You need to accept that too much drinking does you no good at all, Mama. I’ll be happy to write to the many theatres you’ve appeared in across the country, so long as you do as Merryn suggests. However, as we explained, we won’t be available to accompany you.’

  ‘Why on earth not? You can give up those stupid jobs and work for me.’

  ‘No, Mama, we cannot come because we have a tour to do of our own,’ Cecily said, fully aware there was a far more important reason she should mention.

  ‘What nonsense!’

  Merryn grinned. ‘Do tell her, Cecily, how you’ve managed to get the necessary permits for this special tour. How long will we be staying in France?’

  ‘Oh, for some months.’

  ‘France! What on earth are you talking about?’ Queenie yelled.

  Turning back to her mother, her face lit with excitement, Cecily briefly outlined their plan to entertain soldiers in the war with music concerts.

  Queenie blinked in amazement. ‘Good heavens, is this a joke? I thought I’d made it clear what you girls should do with your lives: be good wives and mothers, not engross yourselves in unsuitable jobs. Although I’d have my darling younger daughter stay with me forever.’

  Cecily froze, feeling the usual stir of annoyance at her mother’s dictatorial attitude. Hadn’t she made it very clear that she had no desire to sacrifice herself to a Prince Charming, or a knight on a white charger? Nothing of the sort would ever happen. And hadn’t she helped to campaign for votes for women as well as better rights for them? ‘This is a decision I’ve made because of losing Ewan. I need a new purpose in life.’

  ‘You certainly can’t sing,’ her mother scornfully remarked.

  Cecily gave a weary sigh. ‘You are fully aware, Mama, that is not strictly true. The Army Lieutenant was sufficiently impressed by the little performance I gave him at my interview and has happily provided the necessary permits and instructions. I think my talent must be developing quite well.’ Then turning to her sister, she asked, ‘Oh, did you speak to Johnny, our drummer friend?’

  Flushing a little, Merryn nodded. ‘I did, and he’s very keen to join us. He feels he was rejected by the Army for no good reason and has readily agreed to do his duty for the soldiers.’

  ‘That’s good to know,’ Cecily said with a grin. ‘He seems to be a lively and helpful fellow.’

  ‘Oh, he is, very much so,’ Merryn said, not quite meeting her sister’s enquiring gaze.

  ‘I didn’t realise you were friends with that working-class lad,’ Queenie said.

  Here we go again with her snobby disapproval, Cecily thought, but before she could defend her sister, Queenie’s next words left her speechless.

  ‘Well, if this Johnny boy has offered to go with you, dear Merryn, then I will too. You’ll certainly be in need of parental protection with all those fit young men around. In addition, as your talent is limited, Cecily, having me as a star performer would make this project much more likely to be a success.’
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br />   Cecily blinked, appalled by the threat Queenie was making to stamp over her plans to build herself a new life. She’d paid little attention to her needs when she was young, being far too engrossed in her own destiny and success. Cecily remembered being constantly bullied by a girl at whatever school she’d been attending at the time. Her mother didn’t listen to a word she’d said about that, dismissing her pleas as fussy. The bully would tug her hair, trip her up, pinch her shoes, and once tied her to a tree close by a river when the tide was coming in. Thankfully, Merryn had found and freed her. Thanks to her brave young sister, who punched the girl in question on her belly and kicked her bottom, the problem was resolved. She and Merryn had always been strong on protection of each other, with little support ever offered by their mother. So why on earth was Queenie declaring they needed her protection now? The more likely reason was that, in a fit of jealousy, she strongly disapproved of not taking the top role. Cecily felt a knot of fury grow within her. Such an attitude and proposition could destroy all hope of building a career for herself.

  ‘I believe you’re being too dismissive of me, Mama. You should appreciate this foreign tour will not provide the comforts you are accustomed to. Neither will it be entirely safe. There is a war on in France, remember.’

  ‘I’m sure we will be perfectly safe and well, dear, otherwise no permission would have been granted,’ Queenie firmly remarked. ‘And if I can no longer work here, why would I not wish to join you and perform for the troops? Otherwise, what else can I possibly do with my life? And how would I cope if I were left all alone?’

  Cecily caught a glimpse of warning in Merryn’s hazel eyes, recognising a message that she should take into account the fact that if left in such a situation, Queenie would become more inebriated on gin.

  Slamming down her despair, Cecily gave a little nod of agreement. ‘Very well, Mama, you could come for the first few weeks, if you wish. However, I cannot allow you to sing. You don’t perform as well as you used to because of this foolish indulgence of yours. Your obsession with drinking must stop, then I’ll give you due consideration. We are required to give the best possible performance, so you could instead help to train us. If you’d be willing to do that, then you may join us.’