by Mary Wood
The warmth of the cab soothed her. Art held her to him in a gentle hug. ‘Rest against me, ma’am. We’ll soon be there.’
It seemed no time at all before he told her they had arrived at Vauxhall. Molly opened her eyes. She hadn’t remembered anything of the three miles or so they’d travelled, and yet she hadn’t thought she’d dropped off to sleep.
‘There – look, that’s the van I told you about. Hold on to my arm.’
There was a queue at the van, but Molly didn’t care. At last it was possible that she would have a connection to Flo. She only hoped that those who helped out on these vans knew of Flo, even though they were miles from where she’d met her.
Two women manned the van. One had a WRVS band on her arm. Molly felt a pang of guilt as she looked at her. Though she’d wanted to, she hadn’t done anything for the war effort, and yet here was this woman doing her bit, and she must be sixty if she was a day.
The other one was a younger woman, smallish and hardly able to see over the counter, but with a nice, homely face. A real cockney, she was having plenty of banter with her customers.
‘Last time I was here I saw a girl,’ Art told Molly. ‘She was tall and had chestnut hair and the bluest eyes, and a cute little chink in her nose. I sat over there and watched the girls working, and I fell in love with her and was hoping she’d be here again today.’
‘Crikey, Art, I think that’s the same girl I’m looking for. Her name’s Flo. I’m hoping these women know where I can contact her because when I met her Flo said she’d be willing to help me, if I needed it. And I’m sure she meant it.’
‘You know her? That’s incredible! Gee, what’s she like? I’d give my right arm to meet her.’
‘You have got it bad, mate. But do you know what? I’d give my right arm, an’ all, just to see her again. She’s got a kindly way and makes you feel as everything will be all right, if she’s helping you.’
‘The queues are getting smaller. Go forward and ask.’
Molly started to go forward, but on letting go of Art’s arm she found that her legs wouldn’t hold her. Her body swayed. Everything near her swivelled round, as though she was on a merry-go-round.
‘Blimey, girl, you’re in a state. Let’s help yer up.’
Molly knew she’d been carried somewhere, but was still disorientated. ‘Where am I?’
‘Yer in the back of the Salvation Army van. What’s your name, lav?’
‘Molly.’
‘I’m Pauline. Yer all right now, Molly. We’ll sort yer out.’
‘I – I want Flo.’
‘I know yer do. That nice bloke who was with you told us. He’s had to go and catch his train. But he said if ever yer need him, or if yer find Flo, you can write to Biggin Hill RAF station. He said to let him know where Flo is. What’s he want with her, then?’
‘He fancies her.’
‘Blimey, he’d better get in the queue then, as she’s smitten with another. Anyway, he left his name and address on a piece of paper for yer. Here, get a sip of this tea into yer. I’ve even managed to put some sugar in it. We had some given to us today, and I’ve been letting the neediest have it. It’ll give you some energy.’
As Pauline had said, the energy seeped back into Molly, the more she drank of the delicious tea.
‘Now then, we know what that bloke wants with Flo, but what is it you’re after? Only she ain’t here till tomorrow.’
‘She said if ever I was in trouble, she’d help me. I’ve got nothing, and nowhere to go.’
‘If Flo said that, then I’ll help yer. I can do that much for Flo. Have yer been bombed out, lav?’
Molly hesitated. She didn’t want to tell the woman why she was homeless and down on her luck.
‘Makes no odds, lav. I’ll sort yer out. I’ve to finish up here first, though. You sit there a mo. We close up in a bit, then you can come back to me house with me. I live on me own, so there’s plenty of room. I’ll make you up a nice clean bed – that’s if you don’t mind sharing, as we only have one up and one down. And I’ll soon have some hot water on the go, so yer can have a good wash down and put one of me winceyette nighties on. Then we’ll see what’s to be done. I’ve a nice bit of stew simmering on me stove as well. How does all that sound, eh?’
Molly was struck dumb. Her tears spoke for her as she smiled through them. Part of her smile was for the comfort that she felt coming from Pauline, and part of it was for the thought of that nightie. A feeling of being overwhelmed by the woman’s kindness took hold of her. How things had changed. But for small pockets of communities, Londoners never used to give each other the time of day, and now they opened up their homes to strangers in need.
By the time Molly was tucking into the stew, she thought she’d landed in heaven. Pauline was lovely, and even though Molly had told Pauline her story, she didn’t judge her.
‘That’s a lot for you to go through, girl. I’ve been at rock bottom, an’ all, so I know what it feels like.’
Molly listened to how Pauline had been bombed out and had dealt with her husband being away, her mum living by the bottle, and now having her kids away somewhere in Wales.
‘Flo helped me, yer know. She were standing on the bridge back there, when she saw me coming. Loaded up, I was. And she carried some of me things. She even gave me five bob. I couldn’t believe it. I was bleedin’ down, I can tell yer. I was ready for giving up. But that one kind gesture – and someone caring enough to make it – changed things for me. Me mum’s all right now, and me kids are, an’ all. And me old man: well, poor bloke has to take his chances, but I pray every day that he comes back to me. Anyway, after what Flo did for me, I vowed that once I could, I would help others.’
This fitted well with the Flo that Molly had in her mind, even though she’d only met her for a few moments.
‘Flo reached out to me, an’ all, only I couldn’t take up her offer then. But thanks for what you’ve done for me, Pauline. I was desperate. And I feel the same, about helping others. I want to do war work. Sometimes, I have to admit, the idea of joining up was just an escape route, no matter where it took me. But now I really want to do me bit.’
Huddled up as she was by the roaring fire and with the lovely Pauline, Molly felt safe for the first time in many months. She loved the feel of the soft nightdress, and how it hung down to her feet and buttoned up to her neck. It seemed, to her, to wrap her in love and gave her a feeling that she really might have a chance at a new beginning. Well, she intended to take it. She prayed that Delilah would keep her promise and turn in Eva’s evil gang.
With Delilah being on the list of reported missing, the police would have to listen to her. Especially as it would be away from London, where a lot of the coppers were in Eva’s pay. Molly’s thoughts turned to Eva now, and then to her dad. Would he go to prison, too? She didn’t want this to happen, but suddenly she didn’t care any more. He’d turned his back on his own, in order to make money. He deserved to go to jail, and a big part of her wished that he would.
‘Molly. Molly! Eeh, lass, wake up.’
Hearing Flo’s voice made Molly feel that everything was going to be all right with her world. She opened her eyes and looked into Flo’s huge blue ones.
‘By, you’re a sleepyhead, lass. I’ve been trying to wake you these five minutes since. I’ve brought you a cuppa and some breakfast. Can you sit up?’
It wasn’t easy to, but Molly managed to sit up enough for Flo to put the tray she was carrying in front of her.
‘There, lass. I hope you like porridge, as that’s all there is.’
‘Flo! Oh, Flo, it’s good to see you.’
‘And you. You got away then? By, I was reet glad when I called round this morning and Pauline told me you were here. It were like a miracle, as I’d made up me mind to find you, no matter what it took. I couldn’t get you out of me head.’
‘I wanted to take up your offer that night, but Trixie didn’t trust the bloke with you.’
‘Simon?
He’s one of the best blokes you’ll ever meet. He was a bit on his guard that night, as he was being overprotective of me. He thinks I act on what me heart tells me to do, without thinking things through. He’s reet as well, but it’s never landed me in trouble yet.’
‘I hope your heart thinks me worthy of you helping me, Flo, as I’ve no other options at the moment. I will have, once I’m well, as I’m going to join up.’
‘Aye, Pauline’s been telling me. It’ll be the best thing for you. You’ll be taken care of, and out of the clutches of them as have done this to you. Me and Pauline have been having a natter, and Pauline’s willing for you to stay here with her. I’ll help her by paying towards your keep. How’s that sound, eh?’
‘I don’t know what to say. I can’t thank you enough. I’ll pay you back, Flo. Every penny.’
‘We’ll see.’
‘Flo, I have to tell you something. No one must know I’m here. That gang I told you of, they’ll be looking for me. Me life’s in danger. I did a daft thing last night, but I wasn’t thinking right.’
Molly told Flo about the Canadian airmen, Art and Spike, and how she’d sent one of them to Eva’s. ‘If he tells them a woman sent him, they’ll be curious and will ask what I looked like.’
‘Eeh, Molly, it’s a frightening world you live in. Are you sure they’ll be asking him? And even if they do, how could it lead them here?’
‘Because they’d know that all of their girls are in the house, so a woman sending a man to their brothel at that time in the evening would raise their suspicions as to who it was. They’re always on their guard, but will be even more so, as two of us have now absconded. If they asked Spike if he knew where I was, he would know that I was heading for the Salvation Army van, as Art told him.’
‘Don’t worry, love. I’m sure nowt will happen. Though it were an amazing coincidence that you were brought to the very van Pauline was working in, and where I’m to work today. Eeh, I’m reet glad, though.’
Molly laughed, then winced at the pain it caused her. ‘Not such a coincidence as you might think. Art’s seen you working there and took a fancy to you. He was hoping to see you again. They’ve been past the van when they’ve come up to London, as Art always makes for the Thames from Victoria station, before they go anywhere.’
Flo blushed. ‘Eeh, go on with you! Though, I can remember two Canadians stopping by to say hello, when Simon and me worked with Pauline. It was our first time helping out in her van. I remember that the tall one asked how they could donate some money to help our cause; he was reet good-looking. Pauline showed him the box we keep for contributions and he put a whole pound note in it.’
‘That’ll be Art. I reckon you’ve made a conquest there.’
‘Ha-ha. Not such an ugly duckling then.’
‘Course you’re not – you’re beautiful, Flo.’
Flo blushed again, then changed the subject. ‘Anyroad, try not to worry. The woman as took care of me from when I was a youngster allus says that half of what you worry about has already happened, and the other half will probably never happen. I’ll have a word with Pauline. I’m sure she won’t be changing her mind about you staying with her, but like you say, it’s better that we knaw. Now, eat up your porridge. As much as you might not like it, it’s good for you.’
As Flo left the room, Molly felt glad she’d found Flo. Even if it was in the most unlikely way. Flo was a good person, and Molly looked on her as the only one who could help her. But there was more to it than that. Molly felt an affinity with Flo, as if she’d known her all her life – and hoped she would do for the rest of it.
21
Simon & Roland
Devastation
Simon stretched out his legs. By jingo, he’d be glad to get off the train. There’d been a delay when he’d changed at Crewe. His welcome to Leeds had been hailed by the dawn, as the pale-blue sky gave way to a spectacular fire-red splash that bathed the tops of the snow-covered buildings.
A flurry of snow was still falling as he alighted. Roland should be waiting for him. He’d been on duty all night with the ARP. They planned to have a good breakfast together in a cafe that Roland often used, then go to bed for a few hours to catch up on their sleep. Simon couldn’t wait to cuddle up, and wondered to himself how he could ever have thought he might be different from the way he’d always known himself to be. But then he had a confusion of feelings; when he thought of Flo, he knew he loved her with an intensity that sometimes hurt and, yes, he did fancy her.
Banishing these thoughts from his mind, as they didn’t do him any good and felt disloyal to Roland, Simon collected his bag from the luggage rack and went out into the corridor to wait for the train to pull into the station.
A figure caught his eye. A man looked at Simon emerging from the train, and jumped back into the carriage just along the corridor. His movement seemed furtive. Strange. But then he might have forgotten something.
As the snow crunched under his feet, Simon soon forgot the incident and hurried for shelter, hoping that Roland wasn’t delayed.
‘You’re here at last.’ Roland stepped out of the waiting room and shook Simon’s hand. Simon so wanted to hug him. ‘Good to see you. I heard you had a diversion due to the weather. Well, at least you got through.’
‘Yes, though I’m a bit nervous about getting back in time tomorrow. I might try to change my ticket and go early in the morning.’
‘Might be prudent, but disappointing, as it will cut down our time together. Anyway, how are you? And how’s Flo?’
They chatted in a light manner as if there was no emotional, invisible thread tugging at them both.
Outside the station the snow was even deeper. ‘Hope you’ve brought your wellies. We’ll need to clear a path to my door.’ Roland’s laugh was superficial. Simon knew that beneath the small talk and throwaway remarks Roland felt just as he did: frustrated that they couldn’t show how much they’d missed each other.
‘I’ll crank the engine. You get in the car, Simon.’
Simon watched Roland’s tall elegance and knew he would always love and desire him. The other feelings he had couldn’t interfere with that. As soon as Roland got into the car, Simon reached for his hand. ‘I’ve missed you.’
They held each other’s eyes. ‘Christmas seems a long time ago. I can’t believe it’s only a few weeks.’ Roland’s voice showed his feelings. ‘I’ve missed you, too. I love you, Simon.’
The words provoked a nice feeling, though it was tinged with guilt. For a moment Simon felt as though he had betrayed Roland with the love he’d expressed for Flo.
The squeeze on his hand seemed to say ‘Don’t worry’, before Roland released him and took off his glasses to wipe them clear of condensation. Before he set off, he smiled his lovely smile. It was as if he was saying that he knew, and understood. Simon relaxed.
The cafe gave off an aura of welcome. Bright red-and-white-checked cloths covered the tables and looked well against the mustard-coloured walls and cream linoleum. Lots of pictures completed the look and were of peaceful English countryside scenes. Simon felt a longing to go back to those times, and visions of picnics and long walks assailed him.
Silver cruets stood proudly on each table, which was laid with shining stainless-steel cutlery. The atmosphere drew you in, as if you’d entered a homely living room. The fire crackling in the huge fireplace added to that sense. The other occupants were all gentlemen, some reading papers, others tucking into eggs and drinking from china cups. Most were smoking.
‘Mmm, real eggs. That will do for me.’
‘They have a garden out the back and grow a lot of produce, as well as keeping chickens. Very fertile chickens, apparently.’ Roland laughed at his own joke.
The over-loud bell clanged as the door opened behind them. A cold wind blew in from outside. As Simon turned, he recognized the man who entered as the one he’d seen on the train. Telling himself that he was being silly, he followed Roland and sat at a table in the windo
w. He knew that his job, his encounter with Aldric, and Kitty Hamlin’s threats had all contributed to him being more on edge than usual. There was no reason in the world why the man should be a threat to him.
As Simon thought of Kitty, Flo’s words telling him what Kitty had said came to him. Flo had seemed to take them seriously and had warned him to be careful. He looked over towards the man. Simon was relieved to see that he wasn’t paying any attention whatsoever to him and Roland, but sat reading his newspaper.
‘Is anything wrong, Simon?’
‘No. Sorry. Well, I do have things to tell you. I couldn’t write about them, or speak of them on the telephone. It’s concerning Lucinda.’
‘Oh, I thought you were going to say Flo.’ Roland sounded relieved. ‘I think of Lucinda all the time. I still can’t believe she won’t be waiting to greet me when I come down next time.’ He took a huge white hanky from his pocket and blew his nose.
Simon lowered his eyes. Just the mention of Lucinda caused him hurt. Would the pain of her loss never lessen?
‘I hope to get down to London soon,’ Roland continued, ‘so we can go ahead with the service that we have planned. I think we’ll all feel better after that, and maybe begin to accept it really happened.’
‘I know. I think that, too. But there have been developments as to why she really went to France.’
Roland showed the same shock Simon had felt, when he’d first learned the truth of Lucinda’s boyfriend’s identity.
‘I’ll give you all the detail when we get back to yours. Our voices might carry in here, and it’s quite sensitive.’
They ate in silence for a moment, as both gave their attention to enjoying the rare treat of real, not powdered, eggs. Roland spoke first. ‘When I asked if you were all right, for a moment I thought you knew that man who came in. His appearance seemed to upset you, or shouldn’t I ask?’
‘Oh no. I don’t know him; and yes, you can ask. He was on the same train as me. What’s he doing now?’
‘Ha, whatever it is you do at Bletchley gives you an overactive imagination. I bet there were a hundred people on the train, and most would want breakfast when they arrived. He’s looking quite innocent, and is eating his eggs. He did glance over here a couple of times and I caught his eye once, but he didn’t look away in a guilty way.’