Wedding Bells for Woolworths

by Elaine Everest

  Freda leant back in the armchair and closed her eyes, her thoughts drifting back over the final stages of this exhausting evening.

  Rather than watch the fire burn out in what remained of the workshop, most of those at the scene had returned to the Prince of Wales, where the wedding reception was coming to an end. Sitting in the public bar, they had been fortified with drinks by the landlady, who had made hot tea for those who were past drinking alcohol.

  Freda had joined Sadie, who was sitting looking glum. ‘I don’t think Nan will want me back home. She made that clear when I ran after her. She told me I can come to collect Arthur in the morning and muttered about letting her down once and for all. She wouldn’t talk to me any more, as she’d left Arthur with her neighbour,’ She gave a deep sigh. ‘He’s just a friend,’ she added, looking across the bar to where Lemuel was deep in conversation with Mike Jackson. They’d walked into the pub together after seeing Freddie Unthank carted off to Erith police station. As if he could feel Sadie’s eyes on him, Lemuel looked up and gave her a smile. Freda thought that his expression, and Sadie’s pleased response, spoke volumes.

  ‘Look, Sadie,’ Freda offered, ‘I do have the small back bedroom going begging. It would suit you and Arthur at a squeeze. I can’t offer you the larger bedroom as I’m advertising it for a new lodger and, to be fair, I don’t think you could afford it what with only having your part-time job. I’d like to let you stay for free, but . . .’

  Sadie looked shocked. ‘You’d do that for me and my Arthur? It’s not as if we are good friends or anything. It’s right decent of you,’ she said, leaping up to give Freda a hug.

  ‘You can kip down on my settee tonight until you get yourself sorted out,’ Maisie added. ‘It’ll give Freda a chance to get the room aired and ready fer you and the kiddy. I feel a bit responsible as it was me who goaded yer nan. Blame one too many sherries.’

  Sadie looked between the two friends. ‘I’m lost for words,’ she said, looking grateful.

  ‘Well, it ain’t your fault yer nan’s an old battleaxe,’ Maisie said, not mincing her words.

  ‘Mind you,’ Freda put in, ‘I don’t want no funny business under my roof. As much as I like Lemuel and consider him a good friend, he’s not to come around to my house unless I’m there. Do you understand?’

  Sadie nodded vigorously, her blonde curls shaking. ‘I’ll not do anything to upset you. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me,’ she added with gratitude shining from her eyes.

  ‘I wonder where Lemuel will be laying his head tonight? I hear he was kipping down in Alan’s workshop,’ Maisie said thoughtfully.

  ‘I’ll put the lad up,’ Ruby called from where she’d been sitting at the next table, sipping a port and lemon. ‘My Bob’ll agree with me. He’s chatted with him a few times when he’s popped into the workshop to see Alan. Do you know if his property was saved from the fire?’

  ‘He’s got his rucksack with him now, and he didn’t have much else, from what I recall. You could say he was travelling light,’ Freda said. ‘The only problem is, I’m not sure he can pay his board and keep.’ She leant a little closer to Ruby so that those around them couldn’t hear. ‘He was doing bits and pieces for Alan and kipping down in the workshop, as money was short.’

  ‘I’ll not be asking him for money. He was there to help Alan, and Alan being family means we owe Lemuel our thanks. If he wants, I can find him a few jobs around the place that I’ve nagged Bob to get on with for an age – and he can help out up the allotments. With two of them, we won’t have to get rid of one of the plots. It was getting a bit much for Bob on his own,’ she explained as she saw Freda’s quizzical expression. ‘We’re both getting on a bit, you know. Look, here come the bride and groom. They must be ready to leave for their honeymoon,’ she added as she got up to go to her son and daughter-in-law.

  Freda saw Ruby wince as she got to her feet. It saddened her to think that Ruby and Bob were getting older. Ruby was an institution in Alexandra Road. She’d make sure to ask Lemuel to keep an eye out for her while he was staying at number thirteen.

  ‘Hot tea; and I made you a sandwich,’ a voice said from far off.

  Freda came to from her thoughts and sat up, taking the cup and saucer. ‘Thanks. This is just what the doctor ordered,’ she said, giving Anthony a smile. ‘It’s me that should be looking after you, not the other way around,’ she added as he sat down on the edge of his bed and placed the crutch down beside him.

  ‘You look all in. I’m not that incapacitated I can’t make a cuppa and a sarnie,’ he said, taking one of the Spam sandwiches from the tray he’d carried in with his spare hand.

  ‘Oh my goodness,’ Freda spluttered, almost dropping her cup. ‘Your bikes. I forgot to tell you about your bikes. You must have been wondering what happened to them?’

  ‘You mean my bikes were at the workshop that burnt down?’ he said, turning pale and placing his half-eaten sandwich back on the plate.

  ‘Yes. Alan and Lemuel had fixed the one I damaged when I ran into you,’ she said, feeling her cheeks burn at the thought of their accident. ‘The others had been put there for safekeeping after your landlady told us to take them.’

  Anthony was silent as he thought of his bikes. Then he shrugged. ‘They don’t matter. They are only things, and it’s not as if I’ll be able to ride for a long time. At least no one was injured, and that’s what counts.’

  Freda could see that he was disappointed, but any thoughts she’d had of him being unfriendly and miserable in the past were washed away as she witnessed his compassion for those who could have been injured. He’s not as bad as I imagined him to be, she thought. She smiled at him. ‘Don’t worry – I saved your bikes. We got them out, along with Bessie,’ she grinned.

  Anthony perked up. ‘Really? That’s a huge relief. I hope Bessie wasn’t injured?’

  ‘A couple of dents, but the old girl will live.’

  ‘I take it Bessie isn’t a woman?’ he asked.

  Freda giggled. ‘She’s Alan’s pride and joy, and he treats her like his best girl,’ she said, and went on to explain how the motorbike had once belonged to Alan’s late father.

  Anthony listened quietly. ‘It must be good to have something belonging to your father. Mine died when I was a toddler, and my mother not long after. I’ve got nothing to remember them by,’ he said, without seeking sympathy.

  ‘I’m the same,’ Freda said. ‘Me mum only died a few years back, but we weren’t close. Dad died when I was younger. He was a smashing bloke,’ she said, just a little misty-eyed.

  ‘You are lucky to have memories,’ he said, smiling.

  ‘You didn’t have any other family?’ Freda asked, not wanting him to know that Betty had told her he’d been in a children’s home.

  ‘No,’ he said without explaining more. ‘Drink your tea before it gets cold, and eat your sandwich.’

  ‘I’m not really very hungry. Here – you have it,’ she said, holding out her plate and watching him tuck in. ‘Can I ask you something?’

  Anthony gave her a wary look.

  ‘It’s not personal – well, not really. I just wondered why you had so many bicycles. Are you thinking of setting up in business, or something?’

  He laughed, looking relieved. ‘It’s my hobby. I like to cycle.’

  ‘But so many bikes . . .’ she said with a grin. ‘Do you wear them out?’

  ‘No; but I like to ride in races, and it’s best to have a spare or two.’

  ‘I suppose it hasn’t helped, having your leg injured. Do you belong to a riding club? I’ve seen groups of people out on their bikes of a weekend. There must be a club of sorts round here somewhere. You could join when you’re up to it. That’s if head office doesn’t move you on to another store. You trainees get around,’ she grinned before finishing her tea. ‘Another?’

  ‘Not for me, thanks,’ he said, waving away the plate. ‘Mrs Billington informed me that my time at the Erith store will be extended becaus
e of being off work due to the accident.’

  ‘That’s good,’ Freda said, without thinking it might make her look a little forward.

  Anthony was thoughtful. ‘I’ve been told there’s a cycling section of Erith Sports Club. I made a few tentative enquiries before my . . . our . . . the accident. I thought it would be a way to find a training partner. I had one while working at the Liverpool branch, and it helped me stay focused.’

  Freda was confused. ‘A training partner, just to go cycling . . . why would you need that? I know I’m tired, so forgive me if I appear a little confused.’

  Anthony laughed. ‘I didn’t explain myself very well. I participate competitively in races and cycling events. It is something that gives me an interest; otherwise I’d go home from work to another dingy room, and sit and think about where my life is going. Not that this is a dingy room,’ he added quickly.

  ‘Oh! I had no idea about your hobby. I had you down as just another of the annoying trainees who come and go through our doors. We’ve had quite a few in the past couple of years. Are you any good – at this racing, I mean?’

  Anthony laughed, and agreed that some of the younger trainees were annoying. ‘Yes – without blowing my own trumpet, I’ve done quite well. In fact . . .’

  ‘Go on, please tell me,’ Freda said as he fell silent and looked more than a little embarrassed. ‘I am interested – honest I am.’

  ‘There’s a chance I could be competing in the next Olympic Games. Well, I should say there was, before I had the accident. I may have missed the boat now.’

  Freda felt a pang of guilt. ‘Isn’t it next year? Surely there’s time for you to get well and participate? I’ve never known someone who took part in the Olympics. Is it right that they are holding them in London?’ she asked, excited at the prospect of such an important event taking place almost on their doorstep. ‘You’ve got to get well for this – you really have to,’ she added earnestly. ‘I’d come along and cheer you on.’

  He laughed at her enthusiasm. ‘It’s not just a case of turning up. I would have to compete in other trials and reach a certain level of competence before the selection committee invited me to participate. But now it’s not going to happen, and none of this is your fault,’ he added sternly as the smile on Freda’s face disappeared.

  ‘But your bikes are safe and look as good as new. I checked them over to make sure. The landlord of the Prince of Wales has put them all in his shed for safekeeping. We can collect them tomorrow and put them in my back garden, and you will soon be back on your feet,’ she added earnestly. ‘I didn’t want to see them damaged, as they mean so much to you.’

  The look of happiness on Anthony’s face had her heart pumping nineteen to the dozen. ‘I’m so relieved, I could kiss you,’ he said, giving her a big grin.

  Freda’s first thought was that she wished he would, and she was surprised by the feelings coursing through her body. Instead, she said, ‘Shall we have another cup of tea to celebrate?’

  ‘I’ll make it. It’s the least I can do,’ he said as he pulled himself to his feet. Grabbing the crutch, he left the room to put the kettle on once more, but on returning a few minutes later, he found Freda sleeping soundly. Reaching for the eiderdown on his bed, he tucked it round her and went out to turn off the kettle.

  He had never imagined, when Freda sent him flying from his bicycle outside the Woolworths store, that she would change his life so much. With luck, perhaps he could stay around to change hers – if she’d let him.

  9

  Freda stepped into Betty Billington’s office with some trepidation. Although they were good friends, she knew that during working hours at Woolworths, Betty could be a formidable boss. It was Monday morning and she’d only been in the building for half an hour. ‘You wanted to see me?’ she asked, trying to assess whether Betty’s expression suggested there was something wrong.

  ‘Come in and sit down,’ Betty said as she closed a file on the desk and removed her spectacles. ‘I hope you’ve recovered from that terrible fire. It was such a shame George and Maureen’s wedding reception was spoilt, but at least no one was hurt.’

  Freda breathed a sigh of relief. Why was it she always felt worried when being summoned to the manageress’s office? It must be because it brought back memories of schooldays, she thought to herself.

  ‘I went to the workshop to help out on Sunday, but there wasn’t much I could do. Your Douglas was there, and David Carlisle too, helping Alan clear up the mess. And Mike Jackson popped in to check up on a few things.’

  ‘I take it he was on duty?’ Betty asked, looking thoughtful. ‘Was there any news about the man who set fire to the building?’

  Freda shrugged her shoulders. Mike had already mentioned the coincidence of her having been at Frank Unthank’s office, and then his son turning up the worse for wear at the workshop on Saturday night; he had actually asked her if there was a connection. She’d laughed it off as pure coincidence, but Mike was no fool, and she knew he’d want to know more very soon. ‘I didn’t ask, but I would think he’s still locked up. Lemuel caught him in the act, after all,’ she said, feeling uncomfortable and hoping Betty didn’t ask any more questions. She didn’t like having to keep things quiet, but until Alan solved his money problems and spoke to his family, she’d have to go along with things – and that meant keeping his secret, as it wasn’t hers to share. ‘Is Sarah not in work today?’ she asked, hoping to change the subject.

  Betty frowned. ‘Under the circumstances, she’s helping her husband.’

  ‘Oh, of course she would be,’ Freda stuttered, wondering why Betty had such a serious expression on her face.

  ‘You’re very close to Alan, aren’t you?’

  ‘He’s like a big brother to me,’ Freda smiled. ‘I’d do anything for him.’

  ‘It was very brave of you to go into the burning workshop to look for him. I must say, I was as surprised as Sarah was when you disappeared round the back of the building like that rather than simply advising Mike or one of the firemen.’

  ‘I didn’t think about it,’ Freda answered. ‘I’ve had some experience of the Fire Service during the war, and besides, Alan was in there somewhere and I was worried about him.’

  Betty nodded thoughtfully. ‘Just be careful, Freda,’ she said as she reached for a card on her desk and picked it up.

  Freda frowned. ‘That’s my card from the staff noticeboard in the canteen. Is there something wrong with it?’

  ‘On the contrary,’ Betty smiled. ‘I took it down because I have a new staff member who I feel would be suitable as your new lodger.’

  ‘I take it you know Sadie Munro and young Arthur have moved into my small back bedroom?’ Freda said.

  ‘It was good of you to take her in. Goodness knows Vera Munro can be an obstinate woman. I really felt for Sadie when I witnessed her grandmother telling her off like that. I do wonder, though, if you’ll be able to cope with a full-time job and a house full of guests? I’d hate for you to overdo things and make yourself ill.’

  Freda relaxed. Betty always looked out for her staff and friends. ‘Thank you. I had been wondering about asking Sadie to take on some of the day-to-day housework and cooking for my lodgers, in exchange for a lower rent. I know she finds it hard to make ends meet, and it would give me time to help Alan out once he finds a new workshop.’ Betty’s smile froze, and at once Freda sensed that she’d said the wrong thing. ‘Is there something wrong?’

  ‘Well . . . I do feel you should give Alan and Sarah some time to themselves, Freda. It has been a difficult time, and now they have to plan for their future. It’s no secret that Sarah is keen for Alan to return to Woolworths, and he did enjoy working here before the outbreak of war,’ she said, although privately she still thought it wouldn’t work out.

  Freda couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The Alan she knew and loved relished working for himself, even if recently he’d become down in the dumps over the mess with the Unthanks. It wouldn�
�t be right for her to argue with her boss, so she simply nodded her head and kept her thoughts to herself. ‘You said you knew someone who would be interested in my spare room?’ she asked, indicating the card Betty still held in her hand.

  ‘Oh, yes,’ Betty said as if her thoughts too had been elsewhere. ‘Effie Dyer, who you and I discussed the other day, is looking for somewhere to live. She comes from the Kent coast and it seems she expected to live with a relative in Erith, but it all fell through. She is working on the vegetable counter at the moment. Would you take it from here?’ She handed the postcard to Freda as her telephone started to ring.

  Freda mumbled her agreement, not sure what to say to Betty as this was the young woman she’d seen coming out of the house of ill repute when they’d gone to collect Anthony’s belongings. She left the office to head back downstairs to the shop floor, where she was supervising the counter staff. She’d pop over to the counter where fresh vegetables were being sold and see if she could catch Effie and have a few words. Deep in thought, she didn’t at first hear her name being called until someone poked her in the back and wheezed, ‘Didn’t you hear me call you?’

  ‘Oh, Ruby, I’m sorry. I was miles away. Are you all right? You look a little flushed.’

  Ruby leant against a nearby counter and dabbed at her hot face with her handkerchief. ‘It’s a bit on the warm side out there, and I hurried to catch you up as I wanted a word.’

  Freda reached for a chair that was kept for customers and made the older woman sit down, although she protested. ‘Couldn’t it wait until later, when I was home? You’d have only needed to cross the road to have a word,’ she scolded.