The Factory Girls of Lark Lane: A heartbreaking World War 2 historical novel of loss and love

by Howes, Pam

  Alice was hoping to go over to Crosby on Boxing Day to visit her, but so far there was no one available who could take her there. Very few buses, trams and trains would be running and the next-door neighbour, who had taken them on other occasions, was busy with his family all over the Christmas period. But Alice had promised her mam she would see her, so would need to find a way of getting there somehow or other. Brian wouldn’t be joining her; his school friend’s family had invited him over for tea and he was looking forward to going as he missed spending time with his old pal now he was being taught at home.

  Granny Lomax had told Alice that he was a pleasure to teach, constantly thirsty for knowledge and dedicated to getting his learnings down on paper. School had agreed it would be a good idea, and safer, for Brian to be taught at home. Someone would call in once a week to check on his progress and to bring the lessons round for him to work on. Alice felt very proud of him and what he was achieving. He certainly seemed happier and more settled in himself and even Cathy, young as she was, was learning colours and shapes and recognising numbers thanks to Granny Lomax. She’d be way ahead by the time she started school. Hopefully the war would be well over and done with by then and Terry would be home and they could be a complete family once more. Alice hoped for a bright future for her little daughter, the chance to fulfil her dreams. Maybe she’d even want to be a nurse, like Alice had longed to be before both this flipping war, and the need to be around to look after her mam when Dad died, had put paid to her chances.

  Alice arrived at the Legion with a flurry of snow that she hoped had no intention of sticking. A crowd of people were already queuing outside in the hope of getting the best seats. She’d had to work that morning at Rootes, dash home to help do her bit with present-wrapping and then have a quick bath and rush to get ready for her Legion night shift. The soldiers were just finishing their Christmas meal and the rich aroma of roast chicken and stuffing hung in the air, making her mouth water. Jack was waiting to clear away the tables and chairs in readiness for the evening’s entertainments. Millie and the band hadn’t arrived yet, so Alice joined Arnold’s wife Winnie in the kitchen. Winnie was up to her elbows in hot sudsy water, on washing-up duties.

  ‘There’s a dinner saved for you and Jack in the oven, for when you have your breaks,’ she said, nodding towards the large stove in the corner. ‘Put a pinny on, then you won’t splash water on your nice uniform.’

  ‘I will, and thank you, it smells delicious.’ Alice had only had time for a quick sandwich before she left home and a hot roast dinner would go down very well later. She took a wrapover pinny off the back of the kitchen door, slipped into it and picked up a clean tea towel from the stack on the work top near the sink.

  ‘There’s a cuppa in the pot and a mince pie if you want summat to be going on with,’ Winnie announced after a few minutes of silent pot-washing and wiping. ‘You can pour me one as well, while you’re at it.’

  Alice put down the damp tea towel and poured two mugs of hot strong tea. She milked and sugared them and took a mince pie from a plate on the table where several other plates were waiting for tonight’s Christmas supper, piled high with sandwiches, and covered in greaseproof paper. Winnie certainly knew how to feed a crowd. No wonder the club was popular and always full.

  ‘You’ve been really busy. I wish I could have made it in earlier to help.’

  ‘Don’t worry, love, Jack’s been here all day and he’s been a great help to me. It was his idea to scrape all the left-over chicken meat from the bones and mix it in a bowl with some stuffing. It’s made a lovely filling for the sandwiches, gone much further than we expected as well. Those big pans on the stove are full of stripped bones now boiling up for stock and I’ll make soup for Boxing Day supper as we’ve quite a few that’ll come in. Some poor folk have got no one at home to spend the festive season with. It’s a bit of company coming in here and having a bite to eat as well. But I’m definitely having tomorrow off, although Arnold has asked Jack over for his dinner or he’d have been on his own, poor lad. It’s the least we can do for him. He’s a good help and he’s like a son to us.’

  Alice frowned. ‘Doesn’t he have any family of his own?’ It dawned on her that she knew very little about Jack and his background, apart from the details of his accident, and those were sketchy.

  Winnie shook her head. ‘His mam and dad died a few years ago and he fell out with his only brother not long before the war began. He’s now away fighting God knows where. Jack could do with meeting a nice girl and settling down, like.’

  Alice raised an eyebrow. She didn’t think that was in Jack’s immediate future plans.

  ‘I’m sure he will do, one day when he’s ready.’ She took a sip of tea and bit into her mince pie, savouring the tasty mincemeat that, in spite of rationing, Winnie had made herself. She had done a good job of it as well.

  Jack popped his head around the door, looking smart in his black and white waiting-on uniform that matched her own, apart from the skirt, that was.

  ‘The band has arrived and they’re just setting up on stage. Any chance of a hot drink for them? They’ve come a long way in that old van and they’re freezing.’

  Winnie nodded. ‘Of course. Will you see to that, Alice love? Take a plate of mince pies out to them as well.’

  ‘I’ll start to let the punters in now,’ Jack said as Alice filled the big kettle and put it on the gas hob to boil. ‘It’s a bit too cold out there to keep ’em waiting any longer. The soldiers are all settled now and said to say thank you for a fantastic dinner, Winnie.’

  Winnie blushed. ‘Bless them. Somebody needs to mother them in the absence of their own mothers. Tell them thank you and I’ll be out later to speak to them all.’

  Dying to see Millie, Alice whipped off her pinny, brewed the tea in a large catering pot and carried it through to the concert room. She dashed back into the kitchen for mugs, milk and connie-onnie, as sugar was scarce; there was little left in the sugar bowl and no fresh packets in the cupboard to open either. She looked proudly around the concert room, which looked lovely and festive, decorated with red and green crepe paper streamers. A large tree decorated with tinsel, baubles and lights stood at the side of the stage. A few bunches of holly hung from the beams and Alice smiled as she saw the inevitable bunch of mistletoe hanging as close to the centre of the dance floor as Jack – as there was no doubt it was his idea – could have hung it.

  Millie squealed as she spotted Alice near the tea pot and hurried across to say hello.

  ‘I’m so excited we’re here tonight,’ she began. ‘I couldn’t believe it when I was given a list of places we were playing this month. I didn’t think I’d be back this way for Christmas. And we’re all off tomorrow so I’m staying at my mam and dad’s. Is it okay if I dash round tomorrow afternoon to see you and Cathy? I’ve got a little present for her.’

  ‘We’d love that,’ Alice said, giving Millie a hug. ‘And how nice for your mam and dad that you’re home for Christmas.’

  ‘It is. Mam was thrilled when I rang her. They’re coming here tonight so you can catch up with them. I’ll be off again Boxing Day morning as we’re playing somewhere in Cheshire that night. How’s your mam?’

  ‘Not great.’ Alice sighed. ‘Away with the fairies, for want of a better way of putting it. I’m going to try and get over to Crosby to see her on Boxing Day, if I can get transport, but that’s not looking promising at the moment.’ She stopped, aware of Jack standing behind her, starting to fill the mugs with tea.

  ‘Thought I’d give you a hand as I knew you’d be chin-wagging with Millie and forget about the poor frozen boys in the band,’ he teased, tipping a drop of whisky into each filled mug. ‘That’ll see them right,’ he finished. ‘Right, lads, tea’s up and help yourselves to a mince pie. Enjoy.’

  The night flew by. Alice felt like her feet hadn’t touched the ground from the minute the bar opened until her break time. The band had played background music while everyone did their ca
tching up and drinks ordering. Millie would be on stage later. Alice couldn’t wait.

  ‘You and Jack go and eat your dinner,’ Arnold said. ‘Me and Winnie will see to this lot. We’ll put the buffet out as soon as you come back. Go and sit in the kitchen, and Jack, pour Alice a big glass of sherry, she deserves it.’

  Alice sat at the kitchen table and eased her shoes off her aching feet as Jack folded a tea towel and lifted two plates from the oven.

  ‘Be careful,’ he said. ‘The plates are very hot. Smells bloody lovely though.’

  Alice tucked in with relish, savouring every tasty mouthful. She drank her sherry and sat back feeling relaxed as Jack supped his pint, staring at her over the top of his tankard.

  She frowned. ‘What’s up?’

  ‘Nothing.’ He shook his head. ‘I overheard you telling Millie that you need transport to go and see your mam on Boxing Day.’

  She sighed. ‘Yes, I do, but God knows what or how. I hate letting her down, but it may well be that I can’t get there. And then even if I do, there’s the problem of getting back safely in the blackout.’

  Jack nodded slowly and finished his pint. He put the tankard down on the table and folded his arms.

  ‘Well, in that case I just might be your knight in un-shiny armour, although I do promise to polish my boots first.’

  Alice frowned. ‘What are you on about?’

  ‘I told Arnold that you needed to try and get to Crosby and when and why, and he’s offered the use of his car. They’ve got visitors coming on Boxing Day, Winnie’s sister and niece, so he won’t need it as they live in walking distance to here. So he’s suggested I take you. How does that sound? I’ve got nothing else on, just working here at night from seven, but we’ll be back long before then if we spend a couple of hours with her.’

  ‘Oh, Jack, that’s wonderful, thank you.’ Alice’s eyes filled. ‘Arnold is very kind to offer his car and so are you for offering your time. That’s a huge weight off my mind. She’s a bit odd, my mam,’ she warned, ‘but I’m sure she’ll be okay with you.’

  Jack grinned. ‘Don’t worry. Mine used to be the same. I’ll go for a walk outside if she doesn’t want me there. The important thing is that you get there and back safely. Right, we’d best get back out there and give Arnold and Winnie a break. Millie will be singing soon, once the supper has been served.’

  Various members of the Rootes workforce were in the club tonight: Freddie and his wife, and Marlene, all excited to see their Millie performing in her official capacity. Sadie and Jenny were also here and Alice had seen Jenny eyeing up the mistletoe and then gazing longingly over at Jack as he announced the buffet was served. There was no bingo or raffle tonight; Arnold had said not to bother when Jack had brought up the subject of getting prizes. He’d said people would be watching the pennies and he’d rather they put money over the bar. The young soldiers from the convalescent home were eyeing up the available girls in readiness for the dance spot.

  As the buffet tables were cleared away and Jack re-introduced the band and Millie, everyone stood up to clap and cheer. None louder than Freddie, who whistled through his fingers as she walked on stage dressed in a sparkly strappy dress with a full skirt, matching silver shoes on her feet. Her long dark blonde hair curled softly on her shoulders and around her face. Alice thought her friend looked every bit the star as she confidently strode up to the microphone and announced the first song.

  As Millie launched into ‘You Made Me Love You’, a couple of the wounded soldiers approached Sadie and Jenny and invited them to dance. Jenny looked across to the side of the stage where Jack was nodding in time to the music, oblivious to her wistful glance in his direction. She accepted the young soldier’s hand and followed Sadie and her soldier onto the floor. A few more couples got up and joined in. Alice smiled throughout Millie’s performance and clapped enthusiastically as the song came to an end.

  Freddie came dashing over for refills for his wife and Marlene and himself. Alice apologised for not spending any time with them this evening.

  ‘There just hasn’t been a minute,’ she said, pulling his pint of mild ale. ‘We’ve been rushed off our feet.’

  ‘Don’t you worry, Alice; I can see how busy the place is. Isn’t our Millie the best turn to have on tonight though? I feel that damn proud of her. Her mam and dad are sitting just behind us and her mam keeps wiping her eyes. I’m glad they’ve got her back for Christmas Day. Her being an only one, it’s really nice for them. Right, best get this lot over to my ladies.’ He handed her a ten-bob note. ‘Keep the change, gel, put it in your tips.’

  ‘Thank you, Freddie,’ Alice called after him, slipping the coins into a glass behind the counter where she and Jack pooled all their tips before splitting them at the end of the night. Millie was singing ‘That Old Black Magic’ now and the audience loved her; she certainly had them in her spell. Next, she had them wiping their eyes with her rendition of Vera Lynn’s ‘White Cliffs of Dover’. Millie could do no wrong and Alice was certain this was just the tip of the iceberg; her friend was going to be a star, no doubt about it. As the band drew the set to a close and the audience shouted for more, stamping their feet and whistling, Millie beckoned to Alice. Arnold pushed her out from behind the bar.

  ‘Go on, chuck, she gave us fair warning she’d want you to join her for the encore.’

  Alice ran up on stage and Millie grabbed her hand. ‘Tonight, just imagine that Alice and I are the Andrews Sisters,’ she announced. The band struck up with ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’ and they finished with ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ to cheers and shouts and whistles. Alice looked around and saw Jack staring at her, a big smile on his face. She smiled back, feeling elated. Millie must feel like this every time she performed, Alice thought. They hugged each other and Millie thanked her and hugged her again.

  Back behind the bar Alice came down to earth with a bump as Jack and Arnold brought empty glasses over to be washed. Winnie had gone upstairs half an hour ago, saying her feet couldn’t take much more as she’d been on them since the crack of dawn. She’d wished Alice a very merry Christmas and said she’d see her again on New Year’s Eve, if she could work. Alice was sure Granny Lomax wouldn’t mind. The pay was double tonight and would be on New Year’s Eve, and the tips had been plentiful. A few coppers here and there soon mounted up, so she didn’t need to do her weekend shifts as she’d earned enough money to make up for it.

  Jack came to help her with the glasses and between them they soon had the bar area looking shipshape. The punters were starting to leave the club, calling out their thanks for another great night, and Merry Christmas, as they left. Alice hung the tea towels up to dry and went to talk to Millie while the band packed away their instruments. Millie’s parents came over to say goodnight.

  ‘My case and everything is in the van, so I’ll get dropped off in a short while, Mam,’ Millie said. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, Alice. It’ll just be a flying visit, but it’s better than nothing and I wasn’t expecting to be in Liverpool today so it’s a bonus for me to get to see all my favourite people in one go.’

  ‘Hope you include me in that,’ Jack teased. ‘Brilliant night. You’ll go far, you will.’

  ‘Of course I include you, and thank you, Jack.’ Millie stood up on tiptoe and gave him a kiss.

  ‘I knew I should have reached that mistletoe down,’ Jack said with a grin. ‘Enjoy your day with your mam and dad. I’m going to walk Alice home now and leave Arnold to lock up once the lads have finished loading their gear. Get your coat on, gel,’ he said to Alice.

  Outside the snow had fallen, lightly, but enough to make the pavements slippery. Alice felt her feet going from beneath her and Jack grabbed hold of her and slid his arm around her waist to catch her before she went down.

  ‘Whoops, don’t want you breaking anything.’

  Alice blew out her cheeks. Jack’s arm around her felt a bit too intimate, but at least he had saved her from falling. They walked down the road as
quickly as they could, him limping and Alice slithering along. She could smell the drink on him and hoped he wouldn’t fall over himself before he got home. He’d certainly knocked a good few back tonight and he’d had a few before he came into work, as seemed to be his usual practice. Alice worried about him spending a lot of time alone. Maybe drinking was his way of coping with having no one to care about him and coming to terms with his disability. They were soon outside the Linnet Lane bungalow and as she turned to thank him his lips brushed her cheek.

  ‘Just a little Christmas kiss,’ he whispered. ‘Your Terry’s a lucky bugger. Pity he’s away. I mean, one day of marriage and that was it? Why didn’t you wait to tie the knot until after the war?’

  Alice frowned. ‘Terry didn’t want to wait.’

  ‘Well I can’t say as I blame him, but it’s tied you to a life of hard work and the responsibility of a kid and not having a clue what the future will bring. You’re too young; you should be free and having fun, Alice.’

  ‘I enjoy my life,’ she muttered. ‘It’s not exactly how I imagined married life would be, but I’m not the only one with a husband abroad. There are thousands of us.’

  Jack laughed. ‘Well, Terry made sure he staked his claim on you by knocking you up right away. Having a kid could have waited until after the war, surely. What if he doesn’t come back? You’re lumbered for life now.’