by Pam Howes
‘We wanted to save the surprise for tonight.’ She smiled as Dora’s mam took a seat next to her, her red Christmas dress covered with her best paisley frilly pinny. It only came out for parties, as opposed to the usual faded floral wrap-over that she never took off except on days it spent on the washing line.
‘You all look excited. What’s going on?’ Mam said.
Dora smiled as Joe rejoined them. ‘It’s this pair.’ She nodded at Frank and Joanie. ‘They’ve only gone and got engaged.’
‘Calls for a celebration,’ Joe said and he and Frank went to the bar while Mam admired Joanie’s ring.
Joanie told them how Frank had surprised her with his proposal on Lime Street after the panto. ‘It was very romantic, even though he went down on one knee on the icy pavement.’
‘Well, what a lovely surprise,’ Mam said. ‘And you’re so lucky the ring fitted without having to be altered.’
Dora smiled and tactfully kept her mouth shut.
‘You still look a bit pale, love.’ Mam turned to Dora. ‘Perhaps you’re overtired. Maybe you’ll be giving up Palmer’s soon if they close next year.’
‘I hope so. And then me and Joanie can work at home. We’re hoping we can get more orders as the year goes on.’
‘I’m sure you will. Your new frocks are lovely.’
‘Thanks, Mam.’ Joanie’s dress was a similar style to Dora’s but in a dark pink fabric. ‘See Marlene, over there, in that blue dress?’ Dora pointed to the young woman. ‘That’s one of our designs too.’
Mam nodded. ‘Well I never. It’s gorgeous. And you’ve done a good job of making her look a lot thinner than she really is.’
Dora stifled a giggle. Mam never minced words. ‘She does look slimmer.’
‘Carry on like this and I can see you doing well. Make sure you don’t get too bogged down though. You mustn’t neglect your Joe.’ She got to her feet. ‘Right, I’d best go and help get ready to serve up the buffet.’
The singer had just announced the last song of the first spot as Joe came back from the bar, followed by Frank.
‘We won’t stay too late,’ Joe said. ‘I bet Eric and Dolly’s kids will have them up at the crack of dawn.’
Dolly laughed. ‘It gets earlier each year. We had to send them back to bed last year. Four o’clock young Freddie was banging on our bedroom door. Eric told them presents get taken straight back if Father Christmas sees anyone up so early.’
Eric nodded. ‘Aye, it did the trick. Didn’t hear another peep until half-nine.’
As the evening drew to a close the queue for the phone in the lobby was lengthy and it took Joe ages when he went to ring for a taxi to take them home. The singer had just announced the final song as he came back to the table and he pulled Dora to her feet. They joined Frank and Joanie and Alan and Agnes on the dance floor and waltzed to ‘As Time Goes By’. It was one of Dora’s favourite songs and she and Joe had seen the film Casablanca twice. She used to have a secret crush on Humphrey Bogart, but he wasn’t a patch on her Joe. She nestled her head into his chest as he held her close. The love she felt for him was overwhelming and she just hoped she had enough in her to go around for their baby as well, when it arrived.
Joe handed everyone a glass of sherry as they relaxed in the sitting room after Christmas dinner. Dora had decorated the little room with holly and ivy, fastened up with red ribbons. A small pine tree in a red pot stood next to the chimney breast, filling the room with its Christmassy scent. She eased her shoes off her aching feet and sat on the floor in front of the fire next to Joanie. She rummaged under the tree and handed a gaily wrapped parcel to Joanie, and one to her mam.
‘Just a little extra bit of something for you both.’ They’d already exchanged family presents earlier in the week to be unwrapped at home on Christmas morning. But Dora had been busy with some scraps left over from dressmaking as a surprise for Mam and Joanie.
Joanie unwrapped hers first and exclaimed with delight at the matching patchwork cosmetic and sponge bags in pretty silk fabrics. ‘These are lovely, thank you. You’re so thoughtful.’ Joanie leant over and hugged her. ‘I’ll save them in case I ever go on holiday now the war’s over.’
Dora beamed and watched as Mam unwrapped her parcel. Two pretty patchwork cushion covers in shades of pinks and blues fell onto her knee and Mam smiled with delight. ‘They’re beautiful; just the job to replace the tatty ones on the sofa. Thank you, my love.’
‘You’re welcome.’
Frank got to his feet. ‘That holiday you mentioned, Joanie, maybe we could go somewhere nice next year on our honeymoon.’
Joanie blushed as Frank dropped a kiss on her lips.
Joe smiled at Dora as the pair drew apart.
Dora got to her feet and took his hand. ‘Joe and I have something we’d like to share with you all.’ She caught Joanie’s eye and winked. Her friend was the only one privy to the closely guarded secret, but she’d kept it to herself, as Dora knew she would.
Joe took a deep breath as they all looked expectantly at them. ‘Dora is having a baby,’ he announced proudly. ‘Your first grandchild is due in July.’ He laughed as Dora’s parents gasped and then cheered along with Frank and Joanie.
Mam clasped her hands to her chest and beamed. ‘What a wonderful Christmas this has turned out to be. The best one ever.’
‘Aye, it certainly is,’ Dad said shaking his head. ‘We’re getting rid of our Frank at last,’ he teased, as Joanie laughed. ‘Gaining a new daughter-in-law. And blimey, to top it all, a new babby too. What a smashing year to look forward to, eh, Mary?’
‘I’ll say. We need a drop more sherry for another toast, Joe. Well, I’ll go to the foot of our stairs. That blooming tummy upset was a baby all along.’
Dora laughed. ‘It would seem so, Mam.’ Joe topped them all up and she raised her glass. ‘Here’s to a successful new business, a wedding to plan and a new baby to keep us all on our toes. Cheers, everybody.’
CHAPTER 11
Joanie basked proudly in the excited oohs and aahs of her workmates as they took it in turns to admire her lovely engagement ring. She’d just spent the happiest few days of her life as Frank’s fiancée, and felt content in the knowledge that she had a lifetime of being loved to look forward to.
Joanie had never felt so important, and couldn’t wait to start planning their wedding day properly. She wanted it to be just like Dora’s had been, and they’d talked about it last night, making tentative plans to marry in the same church. Frank said he’d look out for some nice fabric for her wedding dress and Dora had offered to help as much as she could, though she’d be too fat to be a bridesmaid. Joanie said because she was now a married woman she could be the matron of honour. On the walk home, Frank had suggested they get married in May, a couple of months before Dora’s baby was due, and they could go to Blackpool for a honeymoon. She’d never had a holiday before, just the odd day trip to New Brighton on the ferry before war had broken out. It was all so exciting.
The factory girls were in the canteen on their dinner break and the happy news had cheered them all up, as no one really wanted to work today. It seemed pointless, opening for one day only this week, but with the promise of their wages, there’d been no choice. Up to now the money hadn’t been forthcoming and the machinists were getting restless. Jack Carter had kept his distance all morning, after telling them to stop mithering; they’d get paid as soon as the wages clerk had finished doing her job.
Joanie dug Dora in the ribs and smiled encouragingly. ‘Dora has some good news to share with you too,’ she announced with glee.
All eyes switched to Dora, whose cheeks flushed slightly. She got to her feet and ran her hands over her stomach as eagle-eyed Peggy blurted out, ‘’Ere, are youse in the family way, gel?’
Joanie smiled. Trust Peggy.
‘Well spotted, Peggy,’ Dora said, beaming. ‘I am, and my baby’s due in July.’
She sat back down as further congratulations filled the air and m
ugs of tea were clinked together.
‘Well at least you two have got summat to look forward to next year. Lucky buggers,’ Peggy said, laughing.
Jack Carter appeared in the doorway and clapped his hands together to get the attention of his workforce. ‘If you’re back upstairs in the next ten minutes you can all finish at four. You’ll be paid just before you leave. No need to come back in then until the sixth of January.’ He turned and walked away, ignoring the indignant shouts of, ‘And about time too.’
Joanie shrugged and beckoned to Dora. ‘Finishing at four’s better for us,’ she began, closing the door. ‘They’ll all be rushing off as soon as the bell goes. We’ll get the bus when I’ve finished the dresses and go straight back to your place.’
‘Okay,’ Dora said. ‘You and Frank can stay for tea if you like.’
Joanie nodded. ‘That’ll be lovely: it’s Friday so we’ll treat ourselves to fish and chips. I told Frank to meet me at yours tonight and Mam knows I’m going home with you. We can do some planning for our wedding. I’ve got an idea for a dress; it’s been in my head all day, so if I describe it, you can draw it, seeing as you’re better at that than me. Then see what you think and whether we can manage to make it, or something similar. But don’t let Frank see it.’
Dora smiled at Joanie’s excitement. ‘I’ll look forward to it. Whatever the style, you’ll look beautiful and our Frank will be so proud of you. While we’re at it, we’ll design a tent for me to wear!’
The afternoon passed slowly, each girl pulling her weight to get the current shirt order finished. Wage packets were handed out and faces screwed up with disappointment when realisation hit that although they’d been told there’d be no festive bonus this year, it was now an actual reality. As the bell rang early, machines were switched off and belongings gathered together in readiness for the mass exit. Joanie glanced out of the window at the already dark fields and the light snow that had started to fall. Heavy snows had been forecast for the last few days but it never seemed to get beyond a dusty-looking sprinkle. Hopefully it would stay that way for the next couple of hours until they got safely back to Dora’s.
‘I’ll go and distract Jack in the canteen while he has his last ciggie and brew,’ Dora said as Joanie picked up the bag with the dresses. ‘Good luck.’ She gave Joanie a hug and hurried off the factory floor with the rest of the girls.
Joanie breathed a sigh of relief as no one hung back. They all seemed to be in a rush to make the most of the extra hour while the shops were still open and they had a bit of money to spend. She dashed up the flight of stairs to the next floor and manoeuvred a lamp into place beside one of the over-lockers at the back of the room. The lamp cast a pool of light that was just enough to see by, but wouldn’t be spotted through the windows if someone looked up from outside. She fished in the dress bag for the spools of thread and set about threading up the machine, confident that she’d have the job completed in no time at all. It felt spooky up here all on her own, the lamp casting shadows in the corner of the room, but she kept her eyes down and concentrated, rather than let her mind get carried away with the thoughts of ghostly beings jumping out at her.
Dora caught up with Jack in the canteen where he was seated at a table, hugging a mug, a ciggie dangling from his lips and a weary expression on his face. She parked herself opposite him and waved to Mavis at the counter, who brought her a mug of tea across.
‘Hiya, Dora,’ Jack said, blowing a cloud of smoke above his head as she took off her coat. ‘What’s up, gel?’
‘I wanted a private word with you,’ she said, and took a couple of sips of tea to gain a few seconds.
‘Rightio, make it quick then,’ he said, flicking ash carelessly onto Mavis’s freshly washed quarry-tiled floor, earning him a glare and shake of the mop. ‘I’ve a lot to do before I get off home and I’ve to ring Mr Kane when I’ve done my final lights-out check.’
Dora nodded and took another leisurely sip of tea. She could make the time spin out a bit longer by waffling, something her dad had told her she was good at. He always said she could talk the hind legs off a donkey.
‘I was just wondering,’ she began, aware she was speaking a bit slower than normal. ‘Do you really think the company will shut down next year? I mean, has Mr Kane said for definite, or has he maybe decided to employ some of the old reps to get us more work in?’ Dora chewed her lip, hoping she sounded as though she knew what she was talking about. ‘Mind, you, I suppose they’ve all found new jobs now, those reps that survived the war, that is.’ She looked at Jack over the rim of her mug. ‘Because if there’s any chance it will close, well, it was just that I, er, I’m thinking of the future for me and Joanie and I wanted to ask you something while the other girls aren’t around. I don’t want to cause any upset or ill feelings with anyone… Would it be at all possible for us to buy one of the over-lockers from the company if they sell the equipment off? As long as it’s not too expensive, of course, because we haven’t got a lot of spare money.’
He looked surprised at her question and scratched his chin thoughtfully. ‘Well, I don’t see why not. If they do decide to close, and there’s nothing definite yet mind, Mr Kane will probably sell all the machines at auction. Let me see what I can do, chuck. I’ll ask him in the New Year, and if he says it’s okay, I’ll make sure one’s kept back for you if and when they clear the place out. It’s nice that you and Joanie are making an effort to better yourselves for the future. You deserve a chance.’
‘Oh, thank you so much,’ Dora gushed. She looked up at the clock above the counter. Joanie should have at least one of the dresses done by now. ‘It would make all the difference to us,’ she continued. ‘You’ve no idea how long it takes us to finish the seams by hand, especially on satin material with it fraying so much…’ She looked up as Mavis waved the tea pot in her direction. ‘Thanks, Mavis, I’ll have a top-up and then I’ll get off for the bus.’
Jack opened his mouth as if to say something, and then closed it again. Dora took the opportunity to fiddle with her handbag clasp and accidentally-on-purpose drop something on the floor that rolled away under the rows of tables and chairs.
Jack jumped up and scrabbled around before retrieving her lipstick, buying her a few more seconds. ‘Now, hurry up and finish your tea then we can get out of Mavis’s hair,’ he said, an edge of impatience creeping into his voice as Dora finished her drink. ‘She’s waiting to go and she’ll want to lock up in here.’
Mavis didn’t seem in a rush and was leaning on the counter as Dora got to her feet and carried both her and Jack’s empty mugs across. ‘Thanks for the tea, Mavis. Shall I wash these for you?’
‘No, chuck, I’ll stick them in the sink.’ She went out to the kitchen area and sauntered back, pulling on her coat and a brown woolly hat that she tugged low over her ears. She picked up her bag and rattled a bunch of keys. ‘Be careful you don’t slip when you get outside. I emptied the mop bucket out the back earlier and the snow was starting to come down a bit heavier. Don’t want you falling and hurting yourself, especially now you’re expecting. Congratulations by the way. I heard you talking to the girls earlier.’
‘Come on now, ladies. I’ll see you both out,’ Jack said, jigging from foot to foot with impatience. ‘I’ve still to check everything’s off upstairs and make my phone call before I can go home.’ He practically pushed Dora and Mavis to the front door and manoeuvred them outside. Mavis waved and set off across the front to the lane. Jack waved goodbye and shut the door, leaving Dora standing on the step, still fastening up her coat. Joanie should be with her any minute. She stared at the closed door and frowned. Not like Jack to be so impatient with his workers, and he’d always had plenty of time for her and Joanie.
The uncertainty of all their futures must be getting to him. Hopefully he’d be talking for ages on the phone to Mr Kane, and Joanie would be able to sneak out before she was spotted. There were only three seams on each dress to neaten; they’d already done the bodices by
hand, so it was just the skirts, two side seams and a back seam on each one. She huddled in the doorway, stamping her feet and willing Joanie to hurry up. The door creaked open and her friend slipped outside, closing it quietly behind her, a big grin on her face.
‘Mission accomplished,’ she said, waving the bag with the dresses in the air. She slid her arm through Dora’s as they hurried across to the bus shelter on the lane, just as the bus rumbled into view. ‘Bang on time as well. Now we’ve got away with it, I can do that again. I didn’t even see sight of Jack. Well done for keeping him out of the way.’
CHAPTER 12
JANUARY 1947
Dora stared out of the window as the large snowflakes, thick, swirling and lacy, like heavy net curtains, obliterated everything in her view. It was the second bad snowstorm this week that had kept her trapped inside, with a forecast of more on the way. It was a good excuse not to go out though, and not even bother getting dressed. Joe had lit the fire before setting off for work on foot. Buses, trams and trains had been cancelled and the roads were too treacherous to ride his bike. According to the news on the wireless, the country was virtually at a standstill. Dora flopped down onto the sofa and curled her feet up beneath her. Her mind felt hazy and it bothered her. She’d been plagued with terrible sickness again since New Year and the doctor had ordered her to rest. She’d lost a bit of weight, although her baby bump was growing a bit, and she struggled to keep down anything that wasn’t liquid.
She’d been off work now for over two weeks trying to get herself right. The doctor had suggested a very mild sedative to help control the bouts of vomiting but she worried about taking it and planned to tell Joe tonight that she wanted to stop in case it harmed the baby. Almost two weeks of being in a foggy haze was long enough. She didn’t like being off work either, but Joanie had been to see her a few times and told her she was better off at home for now as there wasn’t much doing. A few staff members had been unable to get in due to the weather. There was still no sign of any new orders, although there was a bit of good news in that George Kane had hired a rep who was supposed to be visiting stores up and down the country, though the weather had prevented him from travelling too far.