by Molly Green
‘It’s not yet official,’ Raine said, flopping back in her chair, ‘so we shouldn’t take anything for granted.’ Then she grinned. ‘Just kidding. Come on, let’s make an early start and get the bunting up.’
Ronnie pretended to cuff her. ‘Don’t do that to us.’
‘Couldn’t help it. You should have seen yourselves.’
‘I can’t believe it’s finally happened after all these years.’
‘Whatever will Maman say?’
‘Let’s hope they have a wireless in the ward so we all know at the same time when we visit.’
The three sisters chattered excitedly as they roped Pierre in to help put up the bunting.
‘I do wish Maman was able to watch the celebrations,’ Suzanne said, as she stood on a ladder to hang one of the strings across the ceiling. Pierre stood at the other end, not needing a ladder as he reached up to fix his end. ‘The village hall and the church have been making preparations non-stop lately for the street party, hoping the news might come any day.’
‘I know. It’s a shame,’ Ronnie said. ‘But when we visit Maman tomorrow we should all wear our lovely new frocks you made us, Suzy. Wouldn’t she love that?’
Pierre beamed. ‘She will like very much to see her beautiful daughters in their new dresses.’ He tapped a drawing pin in the corner of the ceiling for the last streamer.
Raine gave Suzanne a wink. ‘Did you ever think our Ronnie would be keen to wear a frock twice in one year?’ She turned to Ronnie. ‘It wouldn’t be anything to do with the possibility of running into Sergeant Scott, would it?’
Ronnie felt her cheeks warm. ‘I wish you’d stop teasing me, Raine. He’s on duty all this week. And you know jolly well I’m no longer that innocent kid since I’ve worked on the canals. We couldn’t even think of wearing something nice when we were battling locks in the mud and snow blizzards … except that one time when I borrowed May’s dress to go to the jazz concert and had to dance with no shoes.’
‘Wasn’t that where Michael saw you for the first time wearing a dress?’ Suzanne said, smiling.
‘That must’ve been the time when you realised you were a girl after all,’ Raine chuckled. ‘Seriously, I want to thank you, Ronnie, for keeping us all fed since I’ve been home. I feel a bit guilty I haven’t done much, but I’ll get over to the village hall early tomorrow morning and help decorate the High Street.’ She smothered a yawn. ‘I just didn’t realise how exhausted I was.’
‘We’ll all help at the village hall tomorrow morning,’ Suzanne said. ‘Visiting time at the hospital isn’t ’til the afternoon anyway.’ She glanced at her older sister. ‘And you needn’t feel one bit guilty, Raine – not after what you’ve been doing all these years for the country.’
‘It’s just that I hate cooking,’ Raine laughed a little self-consciously. ‘I’m just grateful Alec has promised to take over the kitchen when we finally set up home.’
‘Have you set a date for the wedding yet?’ Ronnie asked.
Raine hesitated, flushing a little. ‘I suppose I’ll have to tell you both sooner or later.’ Carefully, she stepped down from the ladder.
‘Tell us what?’ Ronnie demanded. ‘You haven’t kept something from us, have you? You know the rules—’ She broke off and looked at Suzanne. ‘Even though Suzy kept her secret from us.’
‘Well, it’s nothing quite so dramatic as our Suzy producing her real father out of a hat,’ Raine chuckled. ‘That really was a shock.’
‘So what are you keeping secret?’ Suzanne said.
A smile crept over Raine’s lips. ‘Only that Alec and I are already married!’
‘WHAT?’ Ronnie and Suzanne chorused.
‘Why didn’t you tell us?’
‘Does Maman know?’
‘When did this happen?’
‘One at a time,’ Raine said. ‘No, Maman doesn’t know. And I can’t tell her at the moment. She’s got enough to worry about. But you know me – I hate a load of fuss. And Maman would have made a big thing of it – even with a war on. I couldn’t bear her to take over. Alec didn’t mind either way as long as I married him. We did the deed early in the New Year at the registry office, but it was on my condition we don’t live together until the war ends.’
‘How can you be married and pretend to be single?’ Ronnie stared at Raine.
‘Easy,’ Raine grinned. ‘You just don’t broadcast it, that’s all. It’s far more important for us to concentrate on our jobs. Losing your concentration for a few seconds when you’re flying can have devastating consequences.’
‘Well, the war’s ended now so you’re safe,’ Ronnie said.
‘It’s not ended in the Far East,’ Raine pointed out. ‘When Japan surrenders Alec and I can start looking for a flat. And then I’ll have to find a new job.’ She sighed. ‘That’s going to be the tricky part. A female pilot trying to get her commercial licence.’ She shook her head. ‘Almost impossible.’
‘I don’t know how you’re going to break this news to Maman that you’re married and never told her,’ Suzanne said.
At that moment Pierre entered the open doorway.
‘Do I understand, Lorraine, that you are already married?’
‘Yes, it’s true.’ Raine paused. ‘Do you think Maman’s going to be awfully cross?’
‘Cross?’
‘She means angry,’ Ronnie said.
‘Ah. Maybe not cross but she will be desolé. But I will tell her it is wonderful news. And we must celebrate now in true French style with champagne.’ He disappeared again and was back, carrying a tray of glasses which he set down on a side table, then went to fetch the bottle.
Expertly extracting the cork with a loud pop, but not wasting a drop, Pierre poured out the four flutes, allowing the foam to almost tip over the edge until it settled when he topped them up again. He handed one to each sister.
‘To Lorraine,’ he said, raising his glass. ‘If you and Alec are as happy as I am with your maman, you will have a beautiful life together.’
‘To Raine and Alec,’ Ronnie and Suzanne chorused.
‘And a toast to the end of the war,’ Raine said. ‘At long bloody last.’ Her eyes flashed. ‘And don’t tell me off for swearing, Pierre. Put it down to being around chaps too long.’
They chatted for a few minutes and eventually Pierre said if he wasn’t needed any more he was going to the dining room for a smoke and read the newspaper.
Raine waited until he left the room before she turned to Suzanne.
‘You haven’t told us your plans yet, Suzy.’
‘No, I haven’t.’ Suzanne bit her lip. ‘You’re right about timing,’ she said eventually.
‘Hmm. Sounds like you’ve something serious to tell Ronnie and me as well.’ Raine’s smile faded as she fixed her gaze on her sister.
‘ENSA has a tour lined up to go to the Far East,’ Suzanne said. ‘And as you say, the war’s not over for our boys there. When they get to hear of all our parties and celebrations, they’re going to think they’ve been forgotten. So if I can help some of them feel closer to home, that’s what I want to do.’
There was a hush.
‘Dear God, you’ve signed up already, haven’t you?’ Raine said, her brow creased with concern.
Suzanne nodded. ‘Don’t look like that. I’m really happy about it. Vera Lynn went out to do her bit in the Far East … and I want to do the same.’
Ronnie gulped. Suddenly she felt sick. It was all very well Suzanne telling them not to worry, but if anything terrible happened …
‘I wish you weren’t going,’ she said. ‘It’s the other side of the world. You might be sent to weird places like jungles.’
‘I know. But I’m really looking forward to it.’
‘What does James say?’ Raine asked.
‘He was worried at first,’ Suzanne admitted. ‘But he said we all have to do what’s in our hearts. He knows I’m pretty sensible.’
‘I don’t feel I’m doing anything half as adven
turous as you two,’ Ronnie said pensively.
‘You’re only eighteen,’ Raine said. ‘Look at how you stuck to the canals. It was rotten work for a girl and I know you never told us half of it. You’d still be working on the boats if that blasted doodlebug hadn’t dropped. And Mr Lincoln told me only the other day when I came to see you how grateful he is that you decided to train to be a qualified vet’s assistant. He needs you more than ever with most of the young people in the forces, and the animals definitely do. He said you were the best assistant he’s ever had.’ She wagged a finger at Ronnie. ‘You never tell us any of all that – and by the way, he told me something else. You seem to have your own secret that Suzy and I don’t know about.’
‘Oh.’ Suzanne’s eyebrows shot up as she stared at Ronnie. ‘What’s that?’
‘If you mean what I think you mean, I asked him not to say anything,’ Ronnie said. ‘I haven’t even told Maman.’
‘What’s happened to our pact?’ Suzanne said.
‘Looks like we’ve all broken it.’ Raine gave a rueful smile. ‘Wait for this, Suzy. Mr Lincoln told me Ronnie gives blood regularly.’
‘It’s only once every three months,’ Ronnie said, flushing now her secret was out. ‘You’re not allowed to do it any more than that, so I’ve only done it three times so far.’
‘You’ve saved three people’s lives in as direct a way as anyone could,’ Raine said. ‘If that’s not doing something adventurous and rather wonderful, I don’t know what is. I’d faint if I did it.’
‘It’s nothing really,’ Ronnie said, secretly feeling pleased her sisters now knew. ‘Four of us do it and we have a bit of a laugh in Dr Hall’s surgery. The nurse takes it and then Dr Hall brings us a mug of tea and a tin of really good quality biscuits.’ She giggled. ‘That’s the only reason I do it – to get the biscuits.’
The sisters chuckled.
‘What made you think of it?’ Raine asked.
‘Michael.’ Ronnie felt her cheeks flame as she said his name. ‘He’s given blood for five years now. He started it when he saw his first traffic accident, so I decided I’d like to do it as well.’
‘You should tell Maman,’ Suzanne said. ‘She’d be so proud of you.’
‘She’d worry.’
‘Not now she has her Pierre,’ Suzanne said, her voice softening as it always did when she spoke his name. ‘He’s a wonderful calming influence over her.’
‘He’ll be away again before he’s able to be with her permanently,’ Raine said. ‘But I’m very glad he’ll be around when we all tell Maman our separate news. We need him to help soften the blows. But we’ll wait until she’s home.’
‘And until then,’ Ronnie said, jumping to her feet and going over to the window, ‘I’m taking down these hateful curtains!’
‘You can’t!’ Suzanne said, springing up. ‘It’s not official yet. You’ll have the warden after you.’
‘I don’t care.’ With that, Ronnie tore the blackout curtains off their rings as though she were in a tug of war. She stood back and waved through the windowpane. ‘Come and do your worst, Mr Draper,’ she shouted to the invisible ARP warden.
If the tremendous thunderstorm hadn’t kept her awake practically all last night, then the excitement that the war was definitely going to end today would have done it, Ronnie thought with a rueful grin as she pushed up the sash early the following morning and stuck her head out. She sniffed. The storm had cleared the air. Mmm. She pulled in a deep breath. Even though it wasn’t yet six o’clock there were several people scurrying below, carrying all sorts of baskets and boxes. A couple of girls, heads close together as they gossiped, their baskets piled with bunting, some of it trailing over the sides, made their way towards the High Street and village hall.
How fast things were changing. Her beloved Raine was already married, and her dearest Suzy was about to go off to the other side of the world. She wasn’t happy about that with the war still raging in the Far East, but she knew nothing she or the others would say to try to dissuade her would make any difference to her sister’s decision. And Maman … well, her mother’s life had changed drastically since she and Pierre were married. Ronnie felt as though she was the only one standing in the same spot while the swirl of her family spun around her.
She shook herself. She mustn’t think like this. She had her darling Michael. And today was going to be the best day ever. Victory in Europe. She pulled down the sash and at the sound Rusty leapt from his basket and licked her hand as she fastened his smart Union Jack coat that Suzy had made him. Then she threw on a dressing gown and with Rusty at her heels, barking joyfully, she ran down the stairs.
‘Be good, Rusty,’ Ronnie warned him as she opened the kitchen door. ‘You know you’re not supposed to be in here. Maman would have a fit.’ She stepped in. ‘Morning, Papa.’ She kissed Pierre’s cheek. ‘That smell is making me feel hungry.’
‘Good morning, chérie. There is some toast I have made on the stove. And some scrambled egg – with real eggs,’ he added.
‘Have you had yours?’ Ronnie asked.
‘Only coffee. I could not eat a thing.’
‘It’s a lot to take in,’ Ronnie laughed, scooping some egg from the saucepan and placing it on a slice of toast. ‘Anything exciting makes me eat double my usual.’
He gave her one of his warm smiles. ‘You have a very physical job,’ he said. ‘You need extra nourishment.’
Ronnie grinned. ‘I must say it’s good to see you’ve put some weight on since the wedding,’ she said, ‘but it wouldn’t have happened if Maman was in charge of the kitchen.’
‘She does not like the cooking,’ Pierre said. ‘Lucky for her that I love it.’ He looked at his watch. ‘Well, I must be going. I said I will help to decorate the church.’
‘Surely it’s too early.’
‘I will first have a walk,’ he said. ‘I am used to having time alone.’
Not for the first time Ronnie wondered how he’d coped in the war. But she didn’t like to ask. He probably wanted to forget it.
‘That sounds a good idea,’ she said. ‘But don’t forget the bus goes at a quarter to two so we’ll be at the hospital dead on half past.’ She looked at him. ‘I don’t want to waste a minute of visiting hours.’
‘Nor do I,’ Pierre smiled, and it made his face light up.
Ronnie grinned back. What a handsome man he was. No wonder Maman had fallen for him the first time they met. He was different from Dad, of course, but Pierre was just as thoughtful and kind. Ronnie had to smile. Suzy was his spitting image.
‘But you must be prepared when you see her,’ Pierre went on. ‘Your maman has been very weak. But now she becomes more strong each day. She will be looking forward to this afternoon with all her daughters.’
The bus to Bromley was packed with people, laughing and cheering, knowing that Mr Churchill would be making his announcement at three o’clock. Ronnie was amazed to see the villagers had already put the bunting up in the streets like a canopy, flags waving victoriously from lampposts and windows. Mothers, still in their aprons, were carrying trays of food, chattering and laughing, ready to prepare for the biggest village party they knew they were ever likely to attend, and the men, nearly all in uniform and wearing rosettes, were setting up the trestle tables. Shrieking children darted in and out, kicking balls in the empty road, and throwing their caps in the air, the older ones blowing up balloons and dangling them from trees.
‘Gosh, they’re even bringing out a piano!’ Suzanne said, twisting her neck round as the bus began to move.
‘You’ll have to give them a tune when we get back,’ Raine grinned.
‘Bromley General Hospital,’ the conductor finally called out.
Pierre alighted first and held out his hand to steady the three girls as they jumped onto the pavement. Suzanne linked her arm through his as he strode impatiently in front, Raine and Ronnie behind.
‘Look at those two – they even walk the same,’ Raine said, maki
ng Ronnie laugh.
As soon as they walked through the hospital door, the first thing Ronnie noticed was the bunting and balloons strung up in the foyer.
‘They’re really getting into the party spirit,’ she said.
‘Your maman is in Ward 8,’ Pierre said. ‘We go through those grand doors.’
A nurse stopped them. ‘Whom have you come to visit?’
Pierre stepped forward. ‘My wife, Mrs Simone Brunelle.’
It still sounded strange to Ronnie’s ear that her mother was no longer a Linfoot.
‘I’m afraid only two visitors are allowed at a time,’ the nurse said. ‘It’s the rule.’
‘You go with him, Suzy,’ Raine said under her breath.
Suzanne frowned and shook her head.
‘May I ask for an exception to the rule,’ Pierre said. ‘These are my daughters.’ He gestured to the three sisters, and Ronnie felt a surge of warmth that he embraced all of them in his smile. ‘I promise we will not stay too long.’
She pursed her lips. ‘I’ll have to check with Sister.’
It was the stern-faced but sympathetic Sister who walked briskly along the corridor with them. ‘We’ve put Mrs Brunelle at the far end by the window,’ she said. ‘As we’ve stretched the rule I’m only giving you forty-five minutes.’
‘Is she all right?’ Ronnie asked anxiously.
‘She’s doing very well,’ Sister said, ‘but we don’t want to tire her.’
‘Is there a wireless in the ward?’ Raine asked as Sister opened the door to Ward 8. ‘I’m asking because the Prime Minister is going to make an announcement at three o’clock and we’re longing to hear it.’
‘We are all waiting for that news,’ Sister said, taking out her watch, ‘and I intend to have it broadcast over the tannoy so everyone can listen.’
Ronnie practically tiptoed past several beds, the stringent smell of disinfectant in her nostrils. She smiled at several women who glanced up from their books and magazines, no doubt waiting for their own visitors. Heart in mouth she prepared herself for her mother not looking as good, having been so dangerously ill and not allowed any visitors except Pierre. But there was Maman, propped up by two pillows, her dark hair cascading to her shoulders, and her lipstick beautifully applied.