Wedding Bells for Woolworths

by Elaine Everest

  ‘Well, wouldn’t you be?’ Maisie asked. ‘What would you two be doing, if your undertaker’s business went up in flames?’

  ‘I’d be devastated – but I’d also be looking for temporary premises to carry on trading, so as not to disappoint my customers.’

  ‘But what if you didn’t have any customers? Sarah as good as told me the workshop was empty only weeks before the fire,’ Betty said thoughtfully.

  ‘You’re saying he could have set the fire himself ter get the insurance money?’ Maisie pondered. ‘He picked the right time – but why do it and endanger Lemuel’s life, when he’s known the chap fer years? You’d ’av ter be pretty desperate ter do such a thing.’

  ‘No, no. I’m not saying Alan arranged for the building to be burnt to the ground. God forbid!’ Betty said, looking horrified. ‘No, I’m saying that perhaps there’s a reason Alan’s business has not been doing well; and perhaps whoever caused it decided to destroy the evidence.’

  ‘Have you been reading those crime novels you sell in Woolworths that young Freda is so passionate about?’ Douglas asked, giving his wife a gentle smile. ‘You’ve got to admit your idea is pretty far-fetched, my love.’

  Maisie stubbed out her cigarette as a waitress arrived with their food, and grimaced at the pilchard salads placed in from of them. Stabbing the unappetizing meal with a fork, she stopped and thought for a moment. ‘You know how Freda has always hung around Alan . . .’

  ‘They’ve been great mates for years,’ David said. ‘She’s always at the workshop and she’s very loyal to him.’

  ‘So, what if Freda knows something about Alan’s business . . .’ Betty added.

  ‘And he’s sworn her to secrecy?’ Douglas suggested.

  ‘Bingo!’ Maisie declared, stabbing the pilchard on her plate. ‘That’s why the pair of ’em always have their ’eads together whispering, and why Sarah thinks they are carrying on . . .’

  ‘It all makes sense,’ Betty said. ‘But what can we do without accosting Alan and forcing him to inform us what happened to cause this sorry state of affairs? And furthermore, how can we convince Sarah to trust Alan again?’

  The four friends were thoughtful as they ate their food. Waving away the dessert menu and requesting coffee, they made small talk until Douglas thumped the table. ‘Why the hell didn’t I think of it earlier? David, we have the empty shop premises where we store the . . .’

  ‘The brass handles and coffins?’ Maisie said, grinning as she saw Douglas’s attempt not to mention his business in case the other diners overheard.

  ‘Well, yes. We have plans to set up a florist’s shop, as it would fit hand in glove with our other work, but we’ve been that busy there’s not been time.’

  ‘In essence it is a generous idea. However, I’m not sure a motorbike repair workshop would fit into a retail premises,’ Betty said, patting his hand.

  David Carlisle grinned at the two women. ‘There’s a small yard at the back he could make use of, and then he could use the shop front as an office. I’m assuming George Caselton sorted out insurance and suchlike, and now he is home from his honeymoon he will chase everything up. It was George who did all the paperwork when his son-in-law started the business. Alan may be good with his hands, but he has no head for business matters. In Alan’s frame of mind, he wouldn’t have thought of such things.’

  ‘And wiv Sarah’s only thoughts being about her husband having an affair wiv Freda, she’s as much use as a chocolate teapot right now,’ Maisie declared.

  Betty laughed. ‘I couldn’t have put it any better myself. How do we approach this? I doubt Alan will accept charity?’

  ‘Leave it with me,’ David said. ‘I’ll nab George and have a word. I’ll not mention our theory of what’s behind all this. I’ll simply say they can have use of the premises for as long as they want, and at a nominal rent once they are up and running again. As for the rest of the business with Sarah and Freda – let’s just be friends to all concerned, and not take sides.’

  ‘An excellent suggestion, David, well done. If you could inform George, and I’ll have a word with Maureen about the shop and suggest she is kinder to Freda until we know the whole story. I’d hate there to be a fight in the staff canteen. Now, if you don’t mind I have a store to run; and don’t you both have a funeral to attend to?’

  ‘Good grief,’ Douglas exclaimed. ‘We are supposed to be burying old Mrs Green in half an hour. If we don’t put our skates on we will be in trouble with the vicar.’

  Freda all but slammed the door behind her as she arrived home. The day was hot and sultry, and she felt tired and limp. She was glad to be home, but recent events lay heavily on her mind.

  ‘Welcome home,’ Anthony said, as he stuck his head around the door of the kitchen. ‘Dinner is ready, so go wash your hands or whatever it is you women do and I’ll put it on the table.’

  Freda perked up at once. ‘Where is Sadie this evening?’

  ‘She’s looking after Maisie’s children and has Arthur with her.’

  ‘Oh, that’s good. As much as I enjoy their company, it will be good to have a quiet evening. I’m exhausted.’ She went to the kitchen tap and washed her hands under the cold running water before splashing her face and neck. ‘That feels better,’ she said, taking the towel from him and going into the living room to sit down. ‘What are we eating?’

  ‘Sadie made Scotch eggs, and there are tomatoes and cucumber from the box Lemuel brought in from Bob’s allotment. Sadie sliced the cucumber and mixed it with an onion, then soaked them in vinegar. I’ve had mine and enjoyed it all. It’s a rare treat to be fed such good food. I’ve always had to fend for myself before now. I take it your day hasn’t been good?’

  Freda explained about Maureen’s attitude, and how cold Betty had been towards her.

  ‘You can’t blame them when they don’t know the truth,’ Anthony said as he watched her tuck into her meal. ‘Am I really the only person who knows the truth?’

  ‘Apart from Alan, although Lemuel knows about the business with Frank Unthank, yes. Please don’t get any silly ideas in your head about telling Betty. Alan would be so disappointed, and he doesn’t need this right now.’

  ‘I won’t,’ he assured her. ‘You really are a good friend to put up with so much when you could so easily tell your friends the truth. I’d kill for a friend like that.’

  Freda put her fork down and gave him a smile. ‘You do have a friend right here.’

  There was a sudden stillness in the air as they gazed at each other. It ceased only when Freda said, ‘My biggest problem at this moment is to find a nice photograph to give to Betty for that wretched cover girl competition. I don’t think I have one that will suit the occasion.’

  Anthony grinned. ‘Finish your meal. I’ll not be more than a few minutes.’

  Freda was thoughtful as she finished her meal. It would be delightful to have a romance with Anthony, but at the moment she felt as though every friendship she’d ever touched turned to dust, and previous romances had hurt her deeply.

  True to his word, he appeared just as Freda was taking her empty plate to the kitchen. ‘This should solve your problem,’ he said, showing her a camera. ‘You go put on your prettiest frock and powder your nose, and then I’ll take your photograph.’

  ‘But where can we take it?’ she asked, looking around.

  ‘Why don’t we take a stroll down to the river front and find a nice spot there?’

  ‘But your leg . . .?’

  ‘The doctor has told me I can extend the distance I walk each day. If I tire, then we can stop for a drink along the way. In a few weeks I’m going to be able to take short bike rides. Would you care to come with me and make sure I don’t get hit by mad women on motorbikes?’

  ‘I’d like that,’ she grinned before dashing upstairs to change. As she peered into the mirror of her dressing table, she had a sudden thought. Perhaps Anthony being around would be a blessing in disguise? With Anthony taking her to the b
ike club dance, and them being seen out together cycling, her friends would think she had a beau. It would stop all the unpleasantness, and give Alan time to sort out this business with Frank Unthank. As she headed back downstairs, she thanked her lucky stars that Anthony had moved into her house.

  12

  November 1947

  ‘No! It will be too dangerous to sleep out on the pavements of London overnight. Anything could happen to you girls. It’s not safe to be in London,’ Bob said as Sarah, Maisie and Freda sat looking downcast, while Ruby tutted in disapproval.

  ‘Young women should not be alone in London in amongst the crowds. I remember what it was like when the old King died, and we went up to pay our respects. I was pushed and shoved all over the place, and that was by people who were grieving. God only knows what it would be like with them celebrating a royal wedding.’

  ‘But all the people I know who went ter London on VE Day said it was fun and there wasn’t any problems,’ Maisie said. ‘We stayed here for your wedding and someone was killed,’ she added, knowing she was pushing her point a little too hard.

  ‘That’s a different thing completely, and well you know it,’ Ruby said, putting her hands on her hips and then wincing.

  ‘Are you all right, Nan?’ Sarah said as she noticed a flash of pain cross Ruby’s face.

  ‘I’m an old woman. That’s what’s wrong with me,’ she said, dismissing the girl’s concerns. ‘And don’t try to get round me by being nice,’ she added. ‘I know what you’re up to.’ The three girls had the good grace to look ashamed.

  ‘What can we do to have your blessing for us to go to London to watch the wedding?’ Freda asked Bob, who seemed not to have noticed Ruby’s pain. Even though she no longer lived under Ruby and Bob’s roof, she knew better than to incur their disapproval.

  It had been touch and go for a while after Sarah’s outburst in Betty’s office, but in the months that had followed Freda had found that Betty and even Maureen had mellowed towards her. Maisie had seemed her old self, and it had been she who proposed their trip to London to wave and cheer with the rest of the country as the young Princess was married. Freda had wondered why, but thought it prudent to keep her head down. She was just pleased not to be the cause of so much unhappiness. As much as she still longed to reassure Sarah that her relationship with Alan was purely platonic, she had to keep being careful, as the problem of Frank Unthank hung heavy over their heads. But time had crept by, and she’d spent much of her leisure time helping Anthony regain the strength in his damaged leg. She’d even taken short bicycle rides with him and accompanied him to a few dances. They remained strictly friends, although it suited her to have Maisie and Sarah think she was romantically attached to the young man. Perhaps that was why their attitude towards her had mellowed. Besides, she rather enjoyed Anthony’s company.

  Bob sat and thought carefully about Freda’s question. He loved these girls like they were all his granddaughters, and he never wanted any harm to befall them. When he thought back to Freda going into that fire, it still put the fear of God in him. He’d been one of the first to scold her, even though he was proud of her for showing such courage. ‘If I had a choice, I’d want you to stay here where I can see you. We could go to the pub to celebrate and if we wanted to watch the wedding, I’ve heard it will be shown at the Odeon before too long. However –’ he said quickly, looking at the disappointment in her eyes – ‘however, I’m not an unreasonable man, so instead I’d say that as there are a group of you going together, I’ll give you my blessing as long as there are two men in your party. What do Alan and your dad say about this?’ he asked, turning to Sarah.

  Sarah felt herself blush under Bob’s scrutiny. ‘Alan’s not really bothered, as long as I find someone to look after Georgina and Buster. He’s going to be busy working at the shop and getting it decorated,’ she added quickly, in case her friends questioned Alan’s attitude. None of them dared. ‘I’ve not mentioned it to Dad.’

  ‘So, you’d like me to have the kiddies for the day?’ Ruby asked, trying not to smile, although she felt she’d been stitched up like a kipper.

  ‘But where are we going to find two men?’ Maisie wailed. ‘My David has the kiddies, and he could also be called in to work if too many people pop their clogs that day.’

  Sarah laughed. ‘Maisie, your David works in the office, so no need for the dramatics.’

  Maisie shrugged her shoulders. ‘Yer never know,’ she grinned.

  ‘We could invite Sadie to join us, as long as someone can care for young Arthur,’ Freda suggested, looking at Ruby.

  Ruby bristled. ‘Not that I mind having Arthur, but the poor little lad has his own grandmother,’ she said, thinking of Vera. ‘It’s about time she stopped moaning about her daughter’s romance with Lemuel.’

  ‘But you know she’s not going to accept him. And if we could get Sadie to join us then Lemuel would come along, and we’d have one of the men Bob insists we ought to bring with us,’ Sarah said, in the wheedling voice she’d used since childhood to twist her nan around her little finger. ‘Please, Nan,’ she grinned, trying not to laugh.

  Ruby sighed dramatically, and Sarah rushed to give her a hug. ‘I’m happier knowing Lemuel will be with you. And speaking of the devil,’ she said, turning to greet him as he entered through the back door.

  Lemuel looked at the expectant faces smiling in his direction. ‘I feel you are wanting me to do something?’ he grinned. ‘Your washing isn’t dry yet, Mrs C. I checked on my way in from the shed. I have cleaned your gardening tools and hung them up,’ he said, nodding in Bob’s direction.

  Bob and Ruby both protested. ‘Lad, you don’t have to do all these odd jobs for us,’ Bob scolded.

  Lemuel shook his head. ‘My mother would not be happy if she knew her son was not helping out. As a lad she would chase me around the house with her broom if I was cheeky, and if I hadn’t completed my allotted chores. I live by what my mother taught me, and now I have another mother,’ he grinned, putting his large arm round Ruby’s shoulders. ‘What a funny family we look, with me being twice the size of you and you having the wrong colour of skin,’ he teased.

  Ruby compared her pale white arm to that of Lemuel’s deep brown one. ‘I can’t see what you’re going on about, lad. We are both the same inside and out.’

  Lemuel roared with laughter and hugged his landlady. ‘My mother is so like you, Mrs C. Perhaps one day you will meet each other.’

  ‘I’m not one for travelling. A trip to the coast is enough for me. You invite your family to visit us. They are more than welcome to stay here. In fact, next time you write I will give you a letter to put into the envelope, so your mother knows she is welcome.’

  Lemuel reached into his pocket for a handkerchief and blew loudly into it. ‘Everyone has been so kind to me. It has been a long time since I saw my family. My brother James and my sister Esther and her family are saving hard to come to England, but my mother . . . I too will save hard and send her the money. They will have a good life in this blessed country,’ he said emotionally.

  ‘And they will be welcome. Now, I do believe these girls have something to ask you.’ Ruby nodded towards Sarah to speak.

  Lemuel listened with interest as the three girls explained their trip to see the royal procession, and how they wanted Sadie and Lemuel to join them. ‘We will see the Royal Family?’ he asked in wonderment.

  ‘There’s going to be many royal families from around the world,’ Sarah said. ‘This country may be hard up since the war, but we know how to celebrate a wedding.’

  ‘Then I thank you – and I’ll make sure all the ladies are looked after while I’m with them,’ he assured Ruby and Bob. ‘I will go and tell Sadie right now.’

  ‘Tell her I’ll have Arthur while she’s in London,’ Ruby called after him.

  ‘Lemuel’s a nice lad,’ Bob smiled. ‘We are all the better for knowing him. The things he’s told me about his childhood in Trinidad – I’ve written some of
it down to tell the kiddies when they are older.’

  ‘Why, you talk as if Lemuel won’t be here for long,’ Ruby scolded him.

  Sarah shivered and rubbed her arms. It felt as though someone, or something, had walked over her grave.

  ‘It’s good of you to come with us,’ Freda said as she sat next to Anthony on a wooden bench at Erith train station.

  ‘Did I have much choice?’ He grinned. ‘With Lemuel informing me none of you could go to London if you didn’t have adequate protection, I couldn’t really refuse.’

  ‘Budge up, you two. A mother of five needs to sit down, as her varicose veins are playing up,’ Maisie said as she squeezed in between them.

  ‘Don’t listen to her,’ Freda scoffed. ‘If she’s got varicose veins in those legs I’m Charlie’s aunt. She’d not be able to totter about in those shoes, either. How the heck do you intend to be on your feet all tonight and most of tomorrow in those?’ she demanded.

  Maisie reached for her cigarettes. ‘I was born wearing high heels,’ she grinned. ‘So, what’s the plan for tonight?’

  ‘I’m not sure. Sarah’s got the details. I’m just going to follow you all. You know what I’m like when we’ve been to London,’ Freda said. ‘Once I forgot to get off the underground train and had no idea where I was going. I had to get off at the next stop and wait for them to find me. I’ve never been so frightened in my life,’ she said to Anthony, who roared with laughter.

  ‘Perhaps we should tie a piece of string to your belt, and one of us always hang on to the other end,’ he suggested.

  ‘Nah, she needs a label tied to the lapel of her coat,’ Maisie hooted with laughter. ‘Mind you, we won’t lose you with that hat stuck on your head, will we?’

  Freda was indignant. ‘I knitted this specially for the wedding,’ she said, patting the top of the bright red beret. ‘I have a white scarf and blue mittens. I thought it would be patriotic.’

  ‘You look very smart,’ Anthony said, giving her hand a squeeze. ‘But if you do get lost, can you wave your beret up high?’