by Mary Wood
With their laughter ringing in her ears, Molly headed in the direction of Eva’s place in Beak Street. She had a feeling that she’d found some friends who would help her, and when the time was right she could easily find them again.
As she turned into Regent Street and passed the Quality Inn Restaurant, two girls, dressed in smart grey uniforms, were watering the plants outside. When they caught sight of her, they stopped and stared. One nudged the other. ‘Had a heavy night, lav?’
Molly’s face flushed, but she held her head high, ignored them and walked on by. But when she heard the word ‘Scum!’, her high spirits dampened.
What they were doing was something she should be doing; or, rather, she should be living in a quiet suburb as David’s wife. Where are you, my darling David? As soon as the thought came to her, Molly banished it. David belonged to a different life, a clean life; she couldn’t taint what she had with him by bringing him to mind in this sleazy world of hers where she didn’t even have the respect of a couple of waitresses, or of a young mother coping with a baby.
As she turned into the alleyway that would take her up the steps to the brothel above the tailor’s shop, her heart dropped even more. But she straightened herself, patted her bra, where she’d hidden the present she’d nicked from under the punter’s Christmas tree, and prepared herself to face the onslaught of having been out all night and only earning a few bob. Somehow she’d have to find a way of pacifying Eva so that she could go out and meet up with Trixie tomorrow, Christmas Day. It was now or never, in their rescue of Ruby.
Molly had been given responsibility to put part of the plan to save Ruby in place, and she’d done that. She only hoped Trixie had sorted the rest of what needed doing. Molly didn’t know if the plan would work, but they had to try. Ruby couldn’t come back here. She and Trixie had to prevent that.
They both had some money put by. Last night hadn’t been typical of the earnings Molly had managed to make, since she’d cleaned herself up and Trixie had been helping her. Trixie had been true to her word and had brought some decent clothes for Molly to change into each day. And she’d washed and done her hair and cleaned her teeth. Dolly had kept her promise too, and had let Molly change her clothes in a room around the back of the cafe. Though she hadn’t been back there to change this morning, none of the girls would be around this early, and even if Eva was, she’d be drunk and wouldn’t notice Molly’s clothes.
If their plan worked and Ruby was taken to safety, then Molly was going to make her own escape. Now that she had the new friends she’d met this morning, she felt more optimistic about the outcome for herself. The ARPs and the firemen had given her options. She could go to the wife of the kindly older man and get some decent ordinary clothes. Then she would go to the recruitment office and sign up. She’d ask the kindly ARP man and his wife if letters from that office for her could be sent to them. Then the moment she was accepted, she’d leave here. The thought lifted her spirits.
As it turned out, getting out of the flat on Christmas morning had been easy. Eva had been vexed that Molly hadn’t brought much money back with her, despite being out all night. Gus had slapped her a bit, causing her eye to swell. But by Christmas Day all was forgotten. The absence of a bombing raid on Christmas Eve night, due to the armistice agreed by both sides, which was to last until 29th December, had given them all a respite and had meant that even Gus, Lofty and Eva had been in a good mood. This had increased as they’d drunk large quantities of booze, and shared some with the girls, on Christmas Eve.
Molly had gone to bed early and slept well, until Gus had dragged her out and taken her into one of the boudoirs. She’d endured his long-drawn-out pounding of her until he’d fallen asleep, exhausted.
When they’d all woken this morning, Eva had announced that she, Gus and Lofty were going over to Molly’s dad for Christmas Day dinner. All the doors were locked, but this didn’t deter the girls. They had a way of escaping through a window that led onto a flat roof. The window had long been fixed so that it wouldn’t open, but one girl had been the daughter of a builder and knew how to prise out the glass and replace it with little tacks. If you wanted to use the facility it cost you, but today the girl opened it for nothing.
Thinking of this mode of escape made Molly reflect on what kept all the girls here. Some had opened up about their abused lives, while others had been sucked in by Gus paying them attention. But all were held here by fear. Fear of being killed and dumped in the Thames, or fear for a loved one’s safety. In some ways this made for a community feel at times, and today more than at any other time, as they all helped each other. This lessened their fear. Without exception, all the girls were going to Dolly’s for dinner, so there’d be no snitches. It was an ‘all in this together’ feeling.
Dolly had been taking a penny a week off them for months, to pay for everything. Molly and Trixie were going later, but first they had a job to do, and Christmas Day was the ideal time.
Trixie was where she said she would be, on the corner of Regent Street. ‘Merry Christmas, lav. Give us a hug.’ The two girls cuddled up. ‘Here. I’ve brought you a gift.’
Molly looked at the little parcel. She guessed its contents by the shape. Unwrapping it, she wasn’t disappointed. ‘Me own Max Factor lipstick. Oh, Trixie. Ta, love. I won’t ask yer where yer got it.’
They laughed together at this. ‘Ask no questions, get told no lies, girl.’
‘I’ve got sommat for you as well, Trixie.’
Molly was more excited about giving her present than about receiving the one Trixie had given her.
The punter who had kicked her out last night was married. Molly didn’t know where his wife was for the evening, but she’d found out about her existence when she’d gone downstairs to let herself out. There had been presents under a tree by the door. Those she had time to look at were labelled ‘To my darling wife’.
There had also been pictures around the room of the punter and a woman. In the most recent ones, the punter and his wife were in their fifties. Molly had seen that the woman still had a great figure. She had a nice face, too. Happy-looking. Seeing this had made Molly feel guilty for a moment. But guilt hadn’t entered into it when she’d seen a small present on the edge of all the others and had felt how soft it was. She’d ripped the paper back and had seen a pair of silk stockings nestling in blue tissue paper. She’d immediately thought of the delight Trixie would feel at receiving these.
‘Oh, Molly, lav. Silk stockings!’
Trixie encased her in her arms again. Afraid she would cry, Molly eased herself out of the close hug and changed the subject to the reason they were meeting up. ‘Right, love, we have to get on. Have you sorted Ruby’s sister?’
‘Yes. She was glad to get out. It seems the stepdad’s brother started to visit her bed, once Ruby disappeared. Her name’s Mandy, and she should be up in Scotland by now with me mate. Me mate can take them both in for the winter, but then they’ll have to find somewhere. She runs her house as a guesthouse, but at the moment she has soldiers staying, as most of her rooms are commandeered for them because her house is near a training ground. She could do with some help, and has an attic where she can put Ruby and Mandy. I told her they mustn’t stay in one place too long, so she’ll see about getting them to volunteer, once the weather improves. They can be Land Girls, or sommat along them lines. They’ll never be found, deep in the country.’
‘I didn’t expect that. You never said anything about Scotland. How do you know this mate, Trixie?’
‘She was a school friend. She was always a bit better off than us, but not posh. Anyway, her gran died and left her the place. She’s run it ever since. She’s never married, and never been bothered about men. A proper spinster type, with a kind heart.’
‘You should have gone to her yourself.’
‘That life’s not for me. I’m happy doing what I’m doing. I told yer, I want me own house one of these days, where I can take care of the girls that I’ll have wo
rking for me, and make meself a packet.’
They were quiet for a moment. Molly didn’t have an answer to this, as she didn’t understand how Trixie could have such a dream. Eager to put into action the plan to get Ruby safe, she brought the conversation back to that. ‘How was Ruby when you went to see her, Trixie?’
‘She’s not right by a long way, but she’s strong enough to make the journey. When we get to the hospital she should be waiting for us. It’s up to her to get out of the place. We’ll dress her in this coat I’ve brought with me, and get her to Dolly’s. We’ll have to keep her out of sight. If that bloody Delilah sees her, all our plans’ll go up in smoke. Delilah will do anything to further herself, even if it means hurting her mate.’
Molly shuddered, remembering the time that Delilah had snitched on her to Eva when Eva had found her tea-caddy. There were so many risks in what they were doing, so many things that could go wrong.
‘It’ll be all right, Molly, don’t worry. I’ve got an ATS uniform for Ruby to travel in. I’ve even got an army coat for her, so she’ll be warm enough – it’s all at Dolly’s. And Dolly will pack her up some food for her travels. I’ve got a cabby I know who’ll take her to your Aunt Bet’s. Are yer sure she’ll welcome her?’
‘Yes, she gave me her phone number in one of the letters she sent to me, before all this happened. I memorized it, just in case, and I’ve spoken to her. I told her everything. She was shocked about what has happened to me, but I was able to persuade her not to do anything about it. She understands. Aunt Bet’s had more than a few run-ins with gangster types and knows the importance of keeping quiet. She wants me to come there with Ruby, but I told her that would be too dangerous, as hers would be the first place they’d look for me if I went missing. Aunt Bet’s promised that as soon as the trains start running after the holiday, she will make sure Ruby’s on her way. She’ll sort out the route and everything.’
‘The beauty of all this is it being Christmas. No one’s expected to get the punters in. The business folk are with their families. The shops are all closed, so there’s no one with any excuse to come to London. Any servicemen who are still around and have some leave will want to go home, so there’ll be no one looking for girls. Talk about a bleedin’ armistice from bombing – we’ve got one of our own. Three days’ rest from opening our legs.’
Molly burst out laughing at this, but then became serious. ‘We just need time to be on our side. We have to hope Gus won’t be sent to check on Ruby for a few days. I don’t think he will. I think they’ll stay at me dad’s tonight.’
‘Well, let’s hope that lasts a few days. Come on, there’s me cabby mate. He’s all right, is Randy. He’ll do anything for me. He wants to marry me one day.’
This floored Molly. ‘What!’
‘Ha, I’m still desirable, yer know. Randy finds me so anyway. He knows all about me game and it ain’t put him off. He reckons he’ll come in with me, when I’m ready to get me own place.’
Molly shook her head. It was beyond her how Trixie could be content with the future she’d mapped out for herself.
Molly looked over at Ruby. Though pale, she looked good in the uniform. She’d put on weight, but her nerves were upset. Her clammy skin told a tale, as did her shaking hands.
The noise from the cafe was deafening, as someone played the old piano that stood in the corner and two of the girls were singing, amidst laughing and shouting.
‘Are you all right, love?’ Molly asked Ruby.
‘Never better, Molly. Thanks for everything. And you, Trixie. Are yer sure that none of the girls will tell, if they do see me? I can’t bear you getting into trouble, Molly.’
‘They’ll not see yer, lav. I promise. They know nothing, lav. Come on, chin up – you’ll be leaving in a mo. Yer should be bleedin’ happy.’
‘Trixie’s right. None of them have a clue. Now, hurry, love. We need to get you on the road, and sharpish.’
‘Ta, Molly, and you, Trixie. I’ll not forget this. You’re real pals. Give us a hug.’
‘Take that bleedin’ fag out of your mouth first, darling.’
They all laughed at this. Just as they did so, the music got louder. ‘Quick, get into the broom cupboard, someone’s coming.’
There was a moment when they heard the music as if all the revellers were in the back room with them, but whoever it was must have changed their mind, as the sound died down to its previous level.
Trixie sighed. ‘Bleedin’ hell, it’s like living in a nightmare. Let’s get you on your way, darling, before someone does come in here.’
Randy, the cabby, put his head around the door leading to the outside. ‘Trixie, a word, lav.’
As Trixie left, Molly put her arm round Ruby. ‘You’re going to have to go now, love. Are you ready?’
‘I am, but I’m going to miss yer, Molly – both of yer.’
‘I know, love. But I’ll write. I have the address. And I’ll give you an address for me, as soon as I have one.’
‘Yer mean it: yer will get out, won’t yer, Molly?’
‘I will. Just as soon as you’re safe, I’ll be joining up. It’s what I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Ah, here’s Trixie. Take the bag with your sandwiches in, Ruby. And good luck.’ Ruby clung to her, and Molly felt the tears prickling the backs of her eyes. She decided, for Ruby’s sake, not to break down. Coming out of the embrace, she spoke to Trixie. ‘All set, love?’
Trixie didn’t answer for a moment, but when she did, she dropped a bombshell. ‘Randy can’t take yer all the way, Ruby lav. I’m sorry, but he couldn’t get enough petrol and can’t guarantee he can get some on the way. He’s tried all his mates, but with it being Christmas they’ve all used more than normal. He’s only got enough to get him to Leicester and back. You’ll get there around three this afternoon. You’ll just have to go into a bed-and-breakfast till the trains start up again, then catch one to Birmingham.’
‘Oh, Trixie.’
‘I know, Molly, but it’ll be all right – just a hitch, that’s all. Leicester’s five hours from here, so no one’s going to find her. There’s nothing we can do. Bleedin’ shortages.’
‘I’ll be all right, Molly. Don’t worry. I’ll find somewhere to stay. I’m used to looking out for meself. Anyway, in this uniform I’ll be taken in anywhere. If I can’t find lodgings, I’ll knock on the door of a house and tell them I missed me connection and got stranded. Anyone’ll help a girl in uniform.’
‘She’s right. Let’s not put hurdles in places where there might not be any. You’ve got plenty of money, Ruby, you’ll be fine.’
Molly wasn’t so sure, but was determined to put a good face on things. ‘I’ll ring me Aunt Bet in a couple of days, love. You’ll be there by then. She’ll have a plan of where to get the trains, and the times they go for your journey to Scotland.’
Randy popped his head around the door. ‘Are yer coming? I can’t keep me engine running much longer and if I stop it I might have a job to start it again. Hurry up, girls.’
‘Yeah, we’re coming, Randy love. Is the coast clear?’
‘There weren’t anyone out there when I came in. Let’s get going. We’ve a long drive.’
Molly and Trixie stood a moment looking at the closed door. ‘Well, she’s gone. I don’t mind telling yer, I’m worried for her, Molly. I’ll be glad when yer let me know she’s on her way to Scotland.’
‘I know. There’s nothing to link us to her disappearance. She left the hospital on her own. So staff can’t say that we came to get her. And no one here saw her.’
‘Just the same, I reckon I’ll go out and have a look around, make sure they’ve got off all right.’
‘I’ll come.’
Outside the air was damp with the sleet that was falling. The car was visible in the distance, the smoke from its exhaust leaving a smelly trail behind it. The fumes caught in Molly’s throat and made her cough. The cough turned to tears. Trixie held her. Her own face was wet, but she made light of it.
‘Bleedin’ weather, it soaks yer in seconds.’
Neither of them saw a figure jump back into the shadows. Delilah hurried back inside, and out through the back door of the cafe to the yard where the toilet was. No one had noticed her.
Everyone was half-drunk on the cheap whisky that one of the customers had given to the girls. The smell of cooking filled the cafe, and the warm atmosphere hit Trixie and Molly as they walked back inside. One of the girls passed the bottle to Molly. After a swig she began to relax. Trixie took a swig too, then announced that she had a couple more bottles stored at the back of the cafe. Everyone cheered. ‘Fetch it through, Dolly, will yer?’
Dolly looked up from the pan she was stirring. ‘I ain’t got four pairs of bleedin’ hands, yer know. Fetch it yerself. Yer lazy cow – anyone’d think it’s Christmas or sommat.’
This set the girls laughing. Molly went over to Dolly. ‘I’ll help. What d’yer need doing, eh?’
As Molly took over stirring the gravy, others were set the task of laying the tables. Suddenly it occurred to Molly that Delilah was missing. Her heart skipped a beat. ‘Have you seen the bitch, Dolly?’
Dolly knew who she meant. ‘Yeah, she went out the back a bit ago. She should be back in by now; she’s had long enough to do two pees, and anything else an’ all. What’s she up to?’
‘You can never feel safe with her. But Ruby’s on her way, so we’ve no need to worry. Delilah wouldn’t have seen anything from the yard.’
‘Here she is now. She looks a bit wet. Is it raining that hard out there?’
Molly didn’t answer. She left the gravy and went over to Trixie. ‘Look at the bitch, she’s been out to the bog. How d’yer reckon she got that wet? Christ, if she knows anything, we’re done for.’