Alice's Long Road Home

by Rosie James

  Because the exquisite bridal gown exceeded all their expectations…the neckline with its tiny edging of lace showing off Alice’s fine skin to perfection, the gold anchor and chain at her throat – the only jewellery she was wearing – glinting and sparkling there, in its rightful place. As for that generous, full skirt, it billowed and floated to the floor so that in the lightest breeze it looked as if it could have wafted Alice straight up into the heavens…

  And when Fay moved over to fetch the short veil from the bed to pin to Alice’s hair, tweaking it this way and that so that it fell daintily around her shoulders, Alice’s two bridesmaids were almost lost for words.

  ‘Oh Alice,’ Eve said softly, ‘my mother is going to be so delighted…so proud of you. She’s always wanted to make this particular pattern up – and it…it could not suit anyone better than it does you.’ She went over to Alice and kissed her – very cautiously. Fay had taken a lot of trouble with their make-up… there wasn’t time for her to do it all over again.

  Alice had difficulty holding back her tears. It was Evie, surely, that Mrs. Miles should have made this dress for, not her, Alice. It seemed so unfair…so wrong.

  Fay picked up on the atmosphere straightaway, and she stood back. ‘Well – we’ve admired you, what do you think of us two?’ she demanded.

  ‘God bless Evie’s mother,’ Alice said softly. ‘You both look perfect.’

  Gloria called from downstairs in high excitement. ‘The bouquets have arrived! And they’re lovely…lovely! Are you all dressed? Come down and let’s have a look at you! I’ve made a pot of tea – and Don’s pouring the gin…’

  Before they opened the bedroom door to go downstairs, the girls took one last look at each other thoughtfully, and after a moment –

  ‘Look at us,’ Fay said slowly, ‘the three wise bloody monkeys.’ She paused. ‘In uniform again – sort of. Well, two of us are.’ She grinned suddenly. ‘D’you remember the first day we met on that bus which took us to Home Farm to work as Land Army girls? All that thick stuff we had to wear – and those hats!’

  Then she stopped grinning, serious for a moment. ‘If it hadn’t been for the war, we’d never have met, would we?’ she said. ‘We’d never have become friends. Let’s make a promise that whatever separates us – you know in the future – that we’ll always be the three wise monkeys. Promise?’

  Fay was not being trite, and her comments had charged the atmosphere with sudden, unexpected emotion.

  Alice said quickly – not giving herself time to shed even one tear – ‘Of course we promise. Don’t we, Evie?’

  Eve dabbed gently at her eyes. ‘You know you can always count on me,’ she sniffed.

  They went downstairs, very carefully, and there, laid out on the hall table, were the three bouquets…all of them consisting of only white flowers, interspersed with dainty stems of rosemary, and strands of trailing ivy.

  But when Gloria saw the three girls she could hardly say a word. She just stood there, taking it all in, a beatific smile on her generous, homely face. She’d never thought she would see such a spectacular bride – …not in her house…and those two beautiful bridesmaids…it was so exciting that it was all becoming too much. Too, too much…

  ‘Pour me another gin, Don, will you,’ she said. ‘I feel as if I’m in the pictures or something! All this glamour and excitement!’

  Alice touched her arm. ‘You’re looking lovely, too, Mrs. Travers,’ she said.

  ‘Yes, well – you agreed with me that I thought the outfit I wore when Don and I were married was fine…and anyway, I couldn’t bear the thought of searching for something else. Not in these deprived times.’ She shrugged cheerfully. ‘Anyway, I doubt whether Mr. Christian Dior’s New Look would be suitable for someone like me!’

  It was gone 1 o’clock, and they had just finished their gin and tonics when they heard the cars arrive. And Alice felt her throat tighten as she grasped the hands of her friends. Her longed-for moment was fast approaching.

  ‘See you in a few minutes,’ she whispered.

  Don led Fay and Eve outside and saw them safely into the car – and his wife and Dora into the one next to it. Then he returned to the house, closing the front door behind him.

  Don Travers was an attractive, tall, broad-shouldered man, his figure perfect for the well-cut morning suit he was wearing. He went forward, took Alice’s hand in his and looked down at her solemnly.

  ‘I am going to say to you, Alice, what I said to Mary – my daughter – when I was about to escort her to the altar on her wedding day,’ he said quietly. He paused, letting his words sink in. ‘Are you sure, Alice, that this is what you want today, my dear? Are you sure that you really do want this wedding to go ahead? Because I know that all the planning that has to go into this particular event can sometimes obscure the true point and meaning, and perhaps disguise a serious anxiety a bride may have.’

  He didn’t let go of Alice’s hand, nor did his kindly eyes leave hers. ‘Because if, deep down, something is worrying you,’ he went on quietly, ‘then it is not too late to stop it. It would not be the end of the world if it was called off – and I would take care of it. Take care of everything. So – just tell me that you are quite, quite sure that you want me to take you to the church. That you do want to marry Sam.’

  The moment before she spoke was the longest moment Alice would ever remember as she let the words lap around her mind. Were they the warning – the warning she thought she’d been waiting for – to think again, to be absolutely sure that she could be the wife that Sam imagined she was going to be? That she would always accept his preoccupation with the profession he’d chosen, that she would be the saint to everyone, as Helena had been? Could Sam ever realize that she may want more…more from life? More than Ada, her own mother, had ever had? Could he accept that she was no longer the girl on the second floor who he’d exchanged all those letters with? That certain doors had opened up her world, had changed things, had made her into someone else, someone he didn’t really know, after all?

  Then, somewhere, a voice in her head – Keep on an even keel and don’t give up…

  Alice took a deep breath, her eyes wide. ‘Yes Mr. Travers,’ she said at last, ‘I am quite sure.’

  Chapter Sixteen

  At exactly l.35, Alice began the long walk down the aisle to join Sam, her hand safely through Don Travers’s arm, with her four bridesmaids following discreetly behind. And strangely, now that the moment had come at last, any nervousness Alice might have felt completely disappeared, leaving her feeling calm. Calm and supremely happy.

  Far, far away, through the hazy mist of her veil, she saw Sam standing at the chancel steps, his best man at his side, and now they both turned to watch her entrance. And even from this distance, Alice could see the admiration on Sam’s face, the look in his eyes, as he took his first glimpse of her in her dress which was billowing out around her in a soft white cloud as she moved.

  And Alice almost faltered as she allowed herself to gaze back at him for a second. He looked even taller, even more handsome, in his formal morning suit, his dark chestnut hair glossy and shining as it caught the lights from above and from the hundreds of flickering candles all around.

  The moment she had dreamed of all her life was here. She and Sam were to be married.

  Sam had insisted that Handel’s ‘The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’ should be the processional which would bring Alice towards him, and now the huge sound from the organ swelled around the church in waves as the whole congregation stood to greet the bride…every head turning to watch the bridal party make its way slowly along the central aisle.

  Alice took a long, deep breath, knowing that her heart was beginning to gather pace…this wasn’t a dream, was it…?

  But there they all were…smiling, smiling at her, nodding at her, encouraging her…and Alice smiled back at each and every one of her guests, her friends, as she moved slowly forward…there was Evie’s Max with Frank and Ellen Miles –
kind, generous Ellen – who was nodding vigorously, and dabbing unashamedly at her tears…in front of them was Walter Foulkes, looking resplendent in his dark suit, and Roger, and darling Mabel (who had stepped out of the pew just a bit to get a better view)…behind them was Valerie, grinning excitedly, with Rex alongside her…and Gloria there next to Dora… Then, a bit further back was the Pennington family – all smiles…and Fay’s relatives in the middle there, her gran’s eyes narrowing as she took in every detail of all the dresses…especially their Fay’s.

  Then, glancing quickly to the other side, Alice smiled at complete strangers – friends of the Carmichaels – and some she did know… Betty there on the end, wiping her eyes and nose…and David and John standing in the front next to the professor…all three looking so handsome, so distinguished. Soon, soon, she was going to be part of them…

  The lump in Alice’s throat was so painful she could hardly swallow. On her special day she was surrounded by people of good will, so many of whom she’d come to love like her own family. And of course walking just a little way behind were Margaret and Rose whom she’d known since childhood. Soon to be her sisters-in-law.

  And then there was Fay and Evie.

  Those other two wise monkeys. The best friends she’d ever had in her life. The best friends that anyone could ever have.

  It was at the moment when Alice thought she was going, finally, to break down from almost overwhelming emotion, that something happened to stop her.

  The entourage was still a few moments away from him when Sam raised his arm and held out his hand towards her – they were still not quite near enough to touch – as if he was guiding her across a dangerous pathway. It was a gesture of reassurance – an unusual gesture for any groom to make…

  It was Come on, you’ll be all right with me…we’ll be all right together…

  And then Alice was by his side, his eyes gazing down at her with such tender passion, that every person in the building held their breath. The organ had stopped. There was complete silence.

  Then, tearing her gaze from Sam, Alice turned to give her bouquet to her two chief bridesmaids. And, solemnly, as one, Fay and Eve took it from her.

  “I, Samuel Edward James take thee, Alice, to my wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance: and thereto I plight thee my troth.”

  The groom’s strong, reassuring voice was heard at the very back of the hushed church as every guest listened intently to the time-honoured words. And after a brief pause…

  Mama, Papa…I know you are here…

  “I, Alice, take thee Samuel Edward James to my wedded husband…” Her voice cool and clear, Alice chanted the ritual obediently, all the time gazing up into the dark eyes of the man she had always loved, feeling the firm pressure of his hand holding hers.

  And then…he was slipping the ring on her finger – and she heard the closing, immortal words of the priest:

  “I pronounce that they be man and wife together in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

  The wedding breakfast was almost at an end, the dining room at The Grange humming with happy conversation and the occasional bursts of laughter. Sam got slowly to his feet and looked around him.

  ‘Friends – family – honoured guests,’ he said clearly, and everyone stopped talking at once. Sam was that kind of person, had that kind of voice. ‘My wife…’ he looked down at Alice who was gazing up at him with such adoration that no one in that room could be in any doubt about how she was feeling, ‘my wife…my wife and I feel so well-blessed – so tremendously lucky – to have you all here to share the best day of our lives.’ Before going on, he looked around the room, seeming to home in on every face looking up at him. Then –

  ‘You will be relieved to know that by special request – well, mine actually – there are to be no speeches today,’ he said, and at this there was a ripple of laughter…‘because in a few moments, Alice and I…my darling wife and I…are going to corner you all, to thank each and every one of you for your generosity and kindness.’ He paused for a second. ‘But, most importantly – to thank you for all the love and goodwill you have shown to us both as we embark on our life’s journey together. So – ’ ‘Sam held up his glass of champagne – ‘the only toast is to us: To the assembled company at the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Carmichael…and to wish each other a Happy Christmas – and a peaceful New Year. And – for heaven’s sake – when are we going to see the end of all rationing!’

  The final comment caused a welcome burst of laughter, because the speech, though brief, had been spoken slowly, and with genuine feeling, and almost everyone had to hold back a tear. Well, the handsome groom and his beautiful bride were the epitome of true romance…and little Alice –so strong, yet so vulnerable – bereft for so long of any family of her own – from now on was going to bask in protective, happier waters. No one could watch those two there together, with their heads so close, could doubt that this was a match made in heaven. And nothing was going to stand in the way of their future happiness.

  The Grange, clearly somewhat in awe of their distinguished customers, had left nothing to chance. Everything had been arranged and organized perfectly, the food delicious – passing Betty’s strict rules on how it should be cooked and presented.

  After everyone had eaten and were enjoying the coffee, Alice and Sam, hand in hand, were moving casually between all their guests to chat and exchange news and opinions.

  ‘That venison was very good,’ Betty said, somewhat patronizingly, ‘nice and pink, not red and bloody…not many folks like it like that, do they…and the roast potatoes were nearly as good as mine, and the vegetables were good, too,’ she added, smiling at Alice. Then – ‘But…just look at you, Alice,’ she said slowly. ‘When I saw you come down the aisle I’d never seen anything so beautiful in my life. You looked like a queen…or a princess…where did you get your dress from? And the bridesmaids, too…how elegant they all looked!’ She gazed up at Sam. ‘And you look wonderful too, Sam…I love men in formal dress,’ she said firmly, ‘and you look particularly good in yours. I felt very proud when I saw you up there at the altar,’ she added.

  ‘Thanks, Betty,’ Sam said. He looked away for a moment. He’d been thinking, too, about his mother, Helena, and of how proud she would have been to see her eldest son marry Alice. To bring her into the family at last. And he’d been fully aware, too, that Alice would have been thinking of her own mother, of Ada. And wishing she was there, today of all days…

  Now, Alice could only agree about Betty’s opinion of the bridesmaids. Rose and Margaret had been waiting for her in the porch as she’d arrived, and the dresses they had chosen to wear had complemented Fay and Alice’s to perfection. In fact, the ensemble could not have been better, and it had been such a relief after all the agonizing…Mrs. Miles had been their salvation.

  As Sam had been determined, he and Alice spent the next couple of hours speaking to every person there, and Alice’s heart almost burst with pride as she introduced him to all her friends who were there to support her. The dear Foulkes family…even Walter, who looked quite dashing in his dark suit, seemed delighted to be amongst the guests and to meet Alice’s new husband. Mr. Pennington’s wife and daughter spent quite a long time admiring the bridal gown –at which point Alice took them over to introduce them to Mrs. Miles – while Mr. Pennington took Sam aside to tell him what a lucky man he was to have Alice as his wife. All the Gates family – and Rex Meredith were there together, all smiling and clearly enjoying what was more like a Christmas party than a wedding reception. Because the room had been decorated with fairy lights everywhere, and there were candles at every possible point. Most of the guests had started smoking cigarettes or cigars, and it was a relaxed, festive atmosphere of happiness and goodwill, encouraging complete strangers to get up and make themselve
s known to other guests…while the bridesmaids all took it upon themselves to go and talk and mix everyone up.

  Fay went over to her mum and gran who’d been sitting near the Foulkes family. They were all in deep conversation, occasionally interrupted by waiters reappearing with more champagne and coffee, and now Fay sat down and looked across at her mother.

  ‘Well – does my dress come up to your expectations, Mum?’ she enquired, and before her mother could reply, her gran exclaimed –

  ‘Oh, don’t you ever look lovely, our Fay! Well, I mean, you all did – but I thought that dress looked better on you than on Evie. Mind, it was nice on ’er, too, but – I did reckon you looked the best.’

  Mrs. Foulkes, who hadn’t stopped smiling since the moment she’d arrived that morning, cut in – ‘Oh, Fay luvver…wha’ a gorgeous time we’re all ’avin’! And don’t she look lovely, Rog?’ She glanced across at her son. ‘A little bit better’n we’ve seen ’er down ’ome, at times, i’nt she?’

  Roger nodded in total agreement, and grinned at Fay. Even though she was not the central character in today’s performance, he’d had his eyes on Fay throughout the occasion…well, there’d always been something about Fay that intrigued him, and he’d admired her from that first day when he’d instructed their three Land Girls on how to dig potatoes. She had a mind of her own, Fay did, as if nothing and no one could ever upset her apple cart. Oh yes, you had to watch it with Fay. Yet Roger remembered that time he’d met her off the train at the Halt after she’d been to visit her sick father. In fact, Roger had never forgotten it. Fay, the redoubtable, self-sufficient Fay, had wept bitter, bitter tears of helplessness, and all he’d been able to do was to hold her tightly. Neither of them had ever mentioned it again, but it had upset Roger so much to see her in that state, that afterwards he’d had to go for a long walk before he eventually went to bed. And if he ever saw anyone hurt Fay Reynolds, he – Roger Foulkes – would not be responsible for his actions.