by June Francis
Rene smiled wryly. ‘She does actually.’
‘But she’s not always at home,’ said Greta swiftly. ‘You could drop by when there’s just me or me and Winnie. I miss our talks on the way to work.’
‘I miss them, too.’ Rene hesitated. ‘How’s Harry?’
‘Fine. He’s in a lovely part of Wales. He’s training to be a gunner. You could write to him if you wanted. I’m sure he’d appreciate it. Says he loves getting my letters and Gran writes to him, too.’
Rene said, That’s nice for him. I’m sure he’ll enjoy her letters. I’d best go now. Wilf’s waiting for his breakfast.’
At that moment Greta caught a glimpse of Edith as she was leaving the house and seized Rene’s arm. ‘Have a quick look at Edith dressed up to the nines. Joyce is visiting but Edith is going out and is being very secretive about where she’s going. It makes me wonder if she’s got another fella.’
Rene could not imagine anyone who could have Harry wanting someone else but she could not help wondering if perhaps Greta was right and Edith was two-timing him. If so, perhaps there was hope for Rene yet.
18
GNR. H. PETERS,
367 CD. BATTERY RA.
SOLDIERS ROCK,
ST ISHMAELS
NR HAVERFORD WEST,
PEMBROKESHIRE. S. WALES
18th January 1942
Hello Rene,
I was really pleased to get your letter but I don’t agree with you that it was stupid of you to get upset over my offering Edith a place to stay. I should have made the effort to explain how it all came about but I took offence, thought you knew me better than to be carrying on with her “in full view of the neighbours”, so to speak. She and Winnie just turned up out of the blue and found me dead to the world upstairs the day of the accident. There was a raid that night, which I don’t remember at all as the doctor had given me some sleeping pills. The next morning I realised that I could hardly ask them to leave, them being homeless, so suggested to Wilf that I moved into your place. There’s nothing much else to tell about those days before you and Greta came home. I’ve always appreciated your concern for me and mine and hope you’ll keep your eye on Greta for me. Since she’s been living with Edith and Winnie and occasional visits from the “blonde bombshell”, as she calls Joyce, she seems to be casting herself in the role of Cinderella. Can understand how it must be for a girl of her age staying at home and I know she worries about me and Alex. With Winnie and Edith doing shifts maybe it’s time that daughter of mine thought of getting herself a job then maybe she’d have less time to worry. The other two must be around some part of the day to do the shopping so perhaps you can suggest it to her.
You ask what it’s like here. Freezing cold when on guard duty, standing on the seafront on top of cliffs two to three hundred feet high. When off duty we’re miles away from a town. I missed an opportunity the other week. We were asked if anybody wanted a transfer. I was interested but the C.O. put a kindly hand on my shoulder and looked sorrowfully into my eyes and said, “Gosh, Harry, you wouldn’t leave us, would yer?” Well, you know how soft-hearted I am. He told me it was only to another boring Royal Artillery camp in the middle of nowhere and he slipped me ten bob when I said I’d stay put. Only later did I discover he’d tricked me when he picked out six other blokes and I found out they were going to Gravesend London! We’d done a forty eight hour manoeuvre exercise, so I can only think I’d played my part too well.
So what d’you make of the Japs bombing Pearl Harbour and Britain joining America in declaring war on them? At least it seems that the Yanks are in this one with us so I agree with Churchill that we’ll soon have the Jerries on the run. Not sure when next I’ll get some leave. Heard anything from Jeff? Mrs Hardcastle doesn’t mention him.
I hope you’re keeping well.
Yours affectionately,
Harry.
Rene reread the letter, her heart beating erratically, and took special note of three things in it. First and most importantly was what she saw as his need to reassure her that nothing had happened between him and Edith. Which, in light of what Greta had told her about overhearing Edith telling Joyce that she had a man friend, a Mr Lawrence, was probably true. But what proof did she have, herself? She wondered if Greta had mentioned him to Harry. Somehow, Rene did not think it would be right coming from her.
Secondly was his signature Yours affectionately, when what she longed for was All my love, Harry. She sighed. Was that just down to his believing there was something between her and Jeff? Or was affection all that he felt for her? Should she risk putting a love Rene on her next letter and telling him the truth about Jeff? Or should she keep things light? She was uncertain. Although, what did she have to lose after all? Thank God that she hadn’t heard from Jeff since that last postcard!
Thirdly, Harry’s mention of Greta needing a job could not have come at a more opportune moment. One of the younger women in the office had joined the forces and there was a vacancy. Rene decided not to waste time and immediately went next door to speak to Greta.
Immediately she was pounced on, not only by Greta but Winnie, also. ‘Rene, how would you like to go to a dance at the Grafton?’ they both chorused.
‘Mum said we couldn’t go without someone there to keep their eye on us!’ Winnie sounded disgruntled. ‘But she wasn’t prepared to do it herself, said that she had other fish to fry and went out in her best frock.’
Rene said ruefully, ‘It’s years since I danced.’
‘Then it’s time you took it up again,’ said Greta, smiling. ‘So go and put your glad rags on and let’s go before it gets that full we can’t get in.’ And she pushed Rene towards the door.
‘But I came to tell you I’ve had a letter from Harry,’ blurted out Rene.
‘Good,’ said Greta. ‘You can tell us what he had to say on the way. I want to get dancing practice in before Alex comes home.’
With a smile on her face Rene did as she was told. She needed cheering up and it was nice of the two younger girls to want her company. She searched in her wardrobe for a frock and a pair of shoes that she hoped would be suitable, wondering as she did so whether Harry would approve of his daughter going dancing. From what she’d heard the girls discussing in the office there were plenty of servicemen on the make at these dances. Still, she would be there to keep her eye on Greta and besides the girl obviously loved Alex. Anyway, Harry was no spoilsport and the three of them could do with a change from the pictures.
They managed to get to the Grafton by seven o’clock and the talk on the way was of different dance steps, so Rene didn’t get a chance to speak about the job at their place. The dance started at seven thirty but the queue outside the dance hall was already past the pub on the corner. ‘We’ll never get in,’ cried Winnie, who was desperate to have a good time. Despite Edith having moved back into the house, Winnie had managed to refrain from stuffing herself thanks, not only to Greta taking her side when Edith got stroppy with her, but also because her mother was less moody than she used to be. Maybe her good mood was due to Edith having a man in her life!
Greta nibbled on her lower lip. ‘I just dread the commissioner on the door putting his arm out when he gets to us and saying “No more!”’
But he didn’t, and instead said, ‘Have a good time, girls!’
They were inside and, as soon as they had left their coats in the cloakroom, they bought themselves soft drinks and made their way to the dance hall. The three of them were instantly mesmerised by the music, the glistening ball overhead and the whirling figures of the dancers. ‘Wow!’ cried Greta.
‘Lively, isn’t it?’ said Winnie, her eyes sparkling.
‘It’s jumping, doll,’ said a voice behind her.
The three girls turned and gazed at the American sailor. Crew cut, square jaw and bold blue eyes and youthful. ‘Wanna cut a rug?’ he asked, looking straight at Winnie.
‘Pardon?’ she said, with an expression of wonder on her face.
&nbs
p; ‘Wanna dance?’
‘Yes, please!’ She grabbed his hand and dragged him on to the dance floor.
Rene and Greta exchanged a wink and watched Winnie and the sailor as they began to jitterbug; the dance was a quickstep but that didn’t appear to bother either of them. ‘Let’s find somewhere to sit,’ said Rene. But that proved difficult and they both ended up standing on the edge of the dance floor. Rene watched the different couples, interested in how they reacted to each other, noticing how close some danced and how others kept several inches between them and their partner. Some chattered away ten to the dozen, others were silent, dancing as if in a dream.
The music came to an end and there were a few minutes respite while the band replaced their sheet music and people left the dance floor. A British sailor came up and asked Greta to dance. The girl looked at Rene, who smiled and nodded. She was content to be left on her own to watch others dance. She noticed Winnie gazing about her and presumed she was looking for them and waved; the girl’s eyes lit up and she waved back before the band struck up again with, Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else But Me.
Rene tapped her foot to the music and then suddenly, to her amazement, spotted Edith being twirled around the dance floor by an elderly man dressed in a penguin suit; the kind she had seen Fred Astaire wearing when dancing cheek to cheek with Ginger Rogers on the silver screen. She could scarcely believe her eyes.
She was soon to find out who it was because Edith had also seen her and when the dance ended she brought him over. ‘What are you doing here? I’m really surprised to see you,’ she said.
Only for an instant did Rene consider telling Edith that she was there with Greta and Winnie but instead she kept her mouth shut. Let the girls have their fun for now; Edith might just put an end to it all too swiftly! ‘I’m with a woman from work,’ said Rene lightly. ‘She thought it would do me good.’
Edith raised her sooty eyebrows. ‘Well, it’s not going to do you any good standing there. You have to get on the dance floor! Here, have my partner. I could do with a smoke! Teddy, show her how to do it!’ And she deserted them both.
Rene and Teddy weighed each other up. He had a head of thick salt and pepper hair, faded blue eyes, a distinctive mole on his cheek and a smile that revealed perfect teeth for a man of his age. ‘Please, do give me the pleasure?’ he said, offering his hand.
Rene said regretfully, ‘It’s ages since I danced. I’ll probably step on your toes.’
‘Then I’ll stand this one out,’ he said with a twinkle in his eyes. ‘A pity, though. It’s fun. I’ve never lost my love for it. I could teach you if you could afford me. Right now there’s plenty on the floor who could do with a lesson or two.’
She smiled. ‘I thought you danced very well.’
‘That’s because, dear lady, I am a professional dancer. Haven’t always been … used to go cruising after the Great War and that was where I took to it like a duck to water. Marvellous! But sad! Lots of pretty girls who’d lost their young men. Dance, dance, dance, little lady, they were frantic, trying to forget, to escape life because they couldn’t make sense of their existence anymore.’
She was fascinated. ‘It’s sad, as you say, but did you go anywhere interesting? Like Egypt?’
He smiled, flashing his white teeth. ‘I’ve danced my way around the world since then. Rich widows, as well as young girls, enjoyed nothing more than a cruise up the Nile to see the pyramids and experience the romance of the desert as depicted in The Sheik by Rudolph Valentino.’
Rene was delighted to hear the great Valentino mentioned. ‘I was mad about him. Cried my eyes out when he died.’
‘My little lady adored him. We met on a cruise before I turned professional. Then we both lost all our money and dancing was the only thing I knew. My parents hadn’t had me trained for anything.’
‘A wife! You have a wife!’ In a way Rene felt she was reliving that moment when Fred had told her Jeff’s wife was still alive. She had not considered that Edith would carry on with a married man.
‘Had. Sadly Mrs Thomas was killed in the blitz.’ His eyes were bleak for a moment and then he squared his shoulders. ‘But I come here most nights although, professionally, I only dance twice weekly for exhibition purposes.’
He had silenced her. Even so Rene’s head was full of questions. So this man wasn’t Edith’s Mr Lawrence but a Mr Thomas. Suddenly, Edith reappeared in front of them as the band struck up I’ve Got You Under My Skin and she seized Teddy’s hand and drew him on to the dance floor without a word to Rene.
Rene stared after them, annoyed with Edith and almost wishing that she had not come. On the way home she took the opportunity to tell Greta what Harry had said about her getting a job and that there was an invoice clerk’s position going in their office. The girl’s eyes brightened. ‘If Dad’s in favour then I’d like to apply for that. Edith mightn’t be too keen but I don’t take orders from her.’
‘Then I’ll put a word in for you and you can apply for the job.’ Rene turned to Winnie and said, ‘Did you spot your mother at the dance?’
‘No!’ Winnie gasped. ‘I didn’t know she was going to be there. She never said, the mean thing. Still, if we’d gone with her she’d have had something to say when that Yank asked me to dance. I was perfectly safe with him, although I was a bit sad at having to refuse his offer to see me home. Still, there’s plenty more fish in the sea. Did you speak to Mum? Did you tell her we were at the dance?’
Rene shook her head. ‘She came over and introduced me to her partner. A professional dancer called Teddy Thomas.’
Both girls raised their eyebrows. ‘I wonder what’s happened to Mr Lawrence?’ said Greta.
Winnie smiled slowly and said tartly, ‘Nothing might have happened to him. Our Joyce said he’s down at a camp in the South training recruits. Mum skips off to see him once a month when she can work having a few days off with him. Looks to me like Mum wants to have her cake and eat it.’
Rene agreed but considered it wiser not to say anything more. She wrote Harry a friendly letter, telling him about the dance but made no mention of Edith’s Mr Lawrence or Teddy and all she said about Jeff was that she had heard nothing from him. Let Harry make of that what he would.
Greta applied for the job with Rene’s firm and, due to her recommendation, was taken on. They both felt it was like old times when they set off for work together.
Harry wrote back thanking her for helping Greta get a job, and suggested that Rene do a refresher course in dancing so that when next they saw each other perhaps they could go dancing, and to keep him posted on Greta’s progress at work. Rene liked the idea of dancing with Harry and decided that she would do as he said. There was a dancing school half an hour’s walk away. She told him that Greta was very popular in the office. You know your daughter, warm and friendly and so caring towards people and she wants to do well, too.
Edith had made no comment about Greta going out to work until she and Rene met one Saturday afternoon in late Spring when they were leaving their respective houses. ‘It makes more work for me but as it means more money coming into the house, I suppose I’ve got no complaints,’ she said. ‘The cheeky madam had the nerve to tell me that it’s only Harry she has to answer to and that as he wrote to you and made the suggestion that it was OK.’
Rene sensed her irritation, and said, ‘You don’t object to Harry writing to me, do you?’
Edith shrugged, settled a shoulder against the door jamb and took a packet of cigarettes out of her bag, then lit up. ‘I’ve a feeling it wouldn’t make any difference to you if it did. Besides you must have realised by now there’s nothing serious going on between Harry and me.’
Rene hesitated. ‘I hoped not. I take it you’ve got other fish to fry.’
Edith smiled and blew out a smoke ring. ‘I know Teddy’s a good few years older than me but he’s a smashing dancer and a bit of charmer, takes me out of myself, but Lawrence is my first love.’ She added pensively, ‘
His sister was my employer when I was in service. That woman! She’s so unlucky with her husbands. The last one died of a heart attack. I saw it in the Echo and went along to the funeral, hoping Lawrence would be there … and he was.’ Her voice softened. ‘I don’t feel for him the same as I did in that first girlish flush of love but I do care about him.’ She waved her cigarette about as if to emphasise what she was about to add, ‘I know he’s middle class but the war’s breaking down barriers. If he was to ask me to marry him I’d say yes.’
There was a long silence but it was not the strained silence of the times when they had lived under the same roof. Edith flicked ash from her cigarette and appeared to hesitate a moment before saying, ‘What about you and Harry getting together? He did mention you having someone called Jeff but from the way you behaved towards us when you returned from Wales, I thought you must feel something more than sheer neighbourliness. I think Harry’s the one for you. Not that I know anything about this Jeff except he’s a seaman.’
Rene’s eyes glinted. ‘Jeff is a married man and I have no time for him. I should have told Harry that but I was too hurt when I came back from Wales and thought you and he … ’
‘He loves you,’ said Edith abruptly.
Rene’s heart seemed to flip over and she could not take her eyes from Edith’s face. ‘How … do … you know?’
Edith laughed. ‘Your name was the first on his lips when I woke him! There he was lying on the bed, out for the count with a broken arm and scratches on his face. I thought he’d be glad to see me, but what did he whisper before opening his eyes? Rene! I was mad, I can tell you! So you go and write to him and put him straight about that Jeff.’