by Carol Rivers
Molly glanced out of the cottage window. She had forgotten how quickly it got dark in December. And how, with the blackout in force, there would be no hope of getting back to the island today. Would Cissy be worried about her? At least Spot would be there to keep her company.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said regretfully. ‘I seem to be putting you to a lot of trouble. Without you and Len helping me to get the children off the coach I don’t think the driver would have cooperated.’
‘You gave him quite a fright.’ Roger quirked an eyebrow. ‘And me too.’
Molly blushed. ‘I was desperate to stop him.’
‘Evidently.’
‘Our Andy thought very highly of you,’ said Len with a grin. ‘You did him a kindness and gave him back a bit of faith in – well, in other people.’
Roger went to the cupboard and opened it. ‘You’ll find all the linen you need in here. Betty and Len and the children sleep upstairs in the front room. I’m at the back. It’s only a small cottage but it’s seen many heads pass under its roof.’
‘You do wonderful work,’ Molly said appreciatively.
‘We simply have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,’ he replied with a dismissive shrug, reminding Molly of what the young Salvation Army girl had said to her at the Mission Hall.
Molly looked down at the two tiny heads burrowed under her arms and thought of how close she had come to losing them. She’d said a prayer as she’d been running in the rain to the Crown. A prayer she hadn’t even really known she was saying. And miraculously, tomorrow they would all be on their way home.
At first light, Molly was woken by the tall figure of Roger dressed smartly in his navy-blue uniform, standing over her holding a cup of tea. ‘Good morning, Molly. I hope you slept well.’
Molly nodded, sitting up slowly on the sofa. She was still fully dressed, but dry now, and there was the pleasant smell of woodsmoke lingering in the small room. The embers in the grate, she noticed, had been fanned with the bellows, reviving the tired fire.
‘Yes, I did, thank you.’ She took the cup and saucer. ‘Is everyone up? Have I slept late?’
‘Not at all.’
‘Is it raining?’
‘Yes, I’m afraid so.
Molly’s heart sank. The poor children would get soaked unless she could borrow an umbrella.
Roger went back to the hearth and knelt beside it. He poked the burning logs and drew a bright cloud of spitting orange flames. ‘When we’ve had breakfast, I’ll drive you back to the Isle of Dogs.’
Molly put her feet to the floor. ‘But what about petrol?’
‘I have an allowance for evacuees.’
‘Yes, but not for us.’
‘I’m sure we can squeeze you into our quota.’
Molly shook her head. ‘I don’t know how to thank you.’
‘Our founder, General William Booth, told us that God loves with a great love those whose hearts are courageous. And, my dear Molly, I think you have won that accolade as a widow, having suffered the tragic loss of your daughter and then your husband, as I am given to understand by Betty.’
‘I don’t know that I have courage,’ she said uncertainly. ‘I’m just living from day to day. When Dad was injured, I was frightened he’d die. Just like Ted, and Emily our daughter. And then, in the midst of it all, I met Andy and the children and another woman who had no home. We were all frightened – frightened of something . . .’ Molly swallowed. ‘It was then my thoughts began to change.’
‘By the grace of God,’ Roger nodded.
‘I’m not a spiritual person,’ Molly admitted. ‘But I would like to be.’
Roger’s eyes creased at the corners. ‘I’m sure our Maker will have something to say about that.’
Just as he spoke, two small faces appeared at the door. Mark and Evie ran into her arms. She hauled them up on the sofa beside her.
Mark looked up and yawned. ‘Are we going home now?’
Molly nodded. She felt a wonderful pleasure at the word ‘home’. Molly brought her gaze up to meet the captain’s. He too was smiling, his expression telling her that everything had worked out all right in the end.
Chapter Nineteen
Cissy was worried. Molly had been away all Saturday and hadn’t turned up last night. Spot had assured her Molly could take care of herself. But what if she’d been jumped by a gang? Even worse, what if Ronnie’s men had somehow got hold of her?
And then there was the letter that had plopped onto the mat yesterday after Molly had left. It was postmarked Sidcup. Was it good news or bad from headquarters, as Cissy had privately named Lyn and Oscar’s place of residence? Molly had been waiting on tenterhooks for the answer to her request that the old boy come home for Christmas.
Cissy was so distracted she couldn’t concentrate on the egg she was frying for Spot. He had stayed overnight, faithfully keeping watch downstairs. Nibbles had barked several times, but she was accustomed to the racket now. She even liked the noise, in a funny kind of way.
The egg spat fiercely and Cissy removed the frying pan from the gas. Spot appeared at the kitchen door and Nibbles trotted in and sat at her feet.
‘I can smell something tasty,’ said Spot, keeping his distance.
‘It’s one of the eggs you probably nicked,’ Cissy replied without turning round. She slipped the juicy egg between two slices of bread and placed the meal on a plate.
Spot laughed, licking his lips. ‘Can I come in and eat it, then?’
‘Are your hands clean?’
‘Just washed ’em under the pump.’
‘Has the ratter had a wee?’
‘His bladder is as empty as me old granny’s purse.’
‘Here you are, then. And there’s an extra bit of bread to give to the dog.’
Spot bounced forward and took a seat at the table. By the time Cissy had made a strong brew and was filling two mugs to the brim, he’d finished.
‘Blimey, you must have cast-iron guts.’ Cissy watched him plunge the remainder of bread in the yolk stain and feed it to the waiting animal. Then he leaned back and clouted his chest, expelling a ripple of wind.
‘Never ’ad such a flavoursome start to me day.’
Cissy glanced at the mantel clock. It was almost eleven. ‘Do you reckon Molly’s all right? Do you think she found them kids?’
‘The answer to both is yes.’
‘Why’s that?’
‘Gut feeling.’ He tapped his nose.
Cissy spluttered laughter. ‘You and your stomach.’
‘Well, it’s in prime condition this morning after being fed so well.’
She sighed, for even Spot’s teasing was failing to distract her. The more she considered the threatening possibilities for Molly, the more she brooded.
‘Don’t worry,’ Spot advised her, letting his hand creep across the table until it reached hers. ‘Like you, your mate’s got chutzpah.’
Spot’s fingers inched over hers. Cissy wanted to drag her hand away, but she didn’t.
‘Why don’t you let me try standing up for you once in a while?’ he asked. ‘All you got to do is say the word.’
‘What word is that?’
‘I ain’t half taken with you, Cissy. You must know that. Let’s make it official.’
‘What!’ Cissy snatched back her hand. Her eyes bulged out of their sockets. ‘Not in a million years, sonny boy.’
‘I’ll wait, then.’
‘I ain’t having you hanging around me that long!’ She jumped to her feet, almost spilling her tea.
Spot stood up and faced her, pushing his hand thoughtfully around his unshaven jaw. Nibbles barked as she took hold of the greasy frying pan.
‘Don’t you try anything on, you dirty bugger!’ she yelled at Spot. ‘I thought you was after something!’
‘Tell me what I’m after?’ asked Spot holding out his arms innocently. ‘It ain’t yer money, sweetheart. And it ain’t yer tender nature. But I like what I see. You’re a real eyeful with
a bundle of spirit. You’ve captured me heart. I reckon we could make a go of it.’
Slowly Cissy lowered the frying pan. She felt all choked up for some reason. Perhaps she was more worried about Molly than she thought, to bring on this sudden emotion?
‘Listen, let’s tie the knot,’ Spot said reasonably. ‘I won’t let you down. I’ll make you happy.’
‘How do you propose doing that?’ Cissy demanded.
‘I’ve got a good job and rooms over Narrow Street what me mum and dad left me, Gawd rest their souls.’
‘Limehouse?’ Cissy questioned. ‘That’s all Chinese.’
‘Well, I agree it ain’t Pall Mall, but I’ve got the deeds. And me old folks never had no bother.’
‘I don’t know if I can trust your credentials,’ Cissy huffed. ‘You might be making it all up.’
Spot slapped his hand on his chest. ‘I’m as kosher as the King, I swear it.’
‘I don’t know nothing about your past.’
Spot pulled himself up to his full height. ‘I’ve never been in the jug. Don’t owe a penny. And I’m in robust health, although I failed me medical to get into the army. The trouble is me eyes, one looking left, the other right. The doctors was afraid I might shoot our own troops.’
Cissy resisted the urge to smile. ‘So you’re giving me to understand you’ve got potential?’
‘Me only liability is him,’ Spot said, nodding down at the dog. ‘The bugger needs feeding and costs a fortune in leftovers.’
Cissy was torn between laughter and tears. This funny little man had somehow got under her skin. In comparison to Vince and his philandering and Ronnie and his violence, he probably was lily white. But doubt still tugged at her insides. She hadn’t known a bloke who didn’t want her for her services. So was this little squirt just trying to trick her into bed?
‘Here’s the deal,’ he continued in a serious tone. ‘You gotta be better off when you slide me ring on your finger, cos I’ll write out a letter for the beak, stating if ever you’re displeased with the goods, it’s you who take me gaff and all that’s in it. And after you give me the boot, you won’t ever set eyes on me again.’
‘What you going on about?’ laughed Cissy, astounded.
‘I’m telling you, I want to marry yer and it’ll be signed and sealed in your favour.’
All the bravado went out of Cissy. She was weakening in her resolve against men – one in particular – and she didn’t like herself for it.
She stared belligerently into his lopsided eyes, although now they were up close she could see they were attractive in their own way, and his generous lips, perhaps his best feature, were pursed. They were coming closer, and she wanted to retreat, but she didn’t. For some reason she couldn’t explain to herself, her eyes were closing. And when they’d closed, she felt his hands lightly touch her arms and his mouth cover hers. To her further surprise she enjoyed the taste and the feel of the kiss. From being a reluctant kisser, she turned into an eager one, her heart leaping about inside her chest as if it too wanted to be loved.
They were cuddling quite strongly when suddenly the back door rumbled open downstairs. Nibbles shot off barking and Cissy nearly died of shock, as the two kids came running up the stairs and into the kitchen to fling their arms around her.
‘I’ll just pay my respects,’ Roger said, sweeping off his Army cap and tucking it under his arm as Molly led the way from the back door and up the stairs. ‘I mustn’t dally, for as you know, Betty and Len are leaving tomorrow for Wales.’
Molly nodded, remembering with fondness the Denhams’ last tearful goodbyes at the cottage. ‘They’re good people. I hope they get a decent billet and don’t miss the kids too much.’
‘The Army will do what we can to help.’
‘So you’ve decided to turn up again!’ Cissy exclaimed, one arm around Mark and the other Evie, when she saw Molly and the captain walk into the kitchen.
‘I thought you might be worried.’
‘Why should I be?’
Molly guessed by the look of relief on Cissy’s face that she was hiding her concern. ‘Cor blimey, you two have grown!’ Cissy said as she sat on a chair, hugging Mark and Evie against her. ‘You both must be at least two foot taller than when you went away.’
Molly was pleased to see that children’s faces were wreathed in smiles. It had been upsetting for them to leave Betty and Len.
‘I’s hungry,’ giggled Evie, glancing at the yellow stains of egg on Spot’s plate. ‘You got eggs for us ’n’ all?’
Cissy looked at Spot. ‘You’ll have to ask him.’
Spot jumped to attention. ‘Give us a tick and I’ll nip away for some.’ He walked over to Molly. ‘Nice to see yer back, gel.’
‘And it’s nice to be home.’
Spot grinned at the tall figure of the Salvation Army officer. ‘Mornin’, squire.’
‘This is Roger,’ Molly introduced. ‘He was kind enough to put me up for the night and drive us back from Romford.’
‘Well, I told her you’d be all right,’ said Spot, nodding at Cissy. ‘She’s bitten her fingernails down to the quick with worry.’ With that, he hurried out of the kitchen.
‘Roger, this is my friend Cissy,’ Molly said after he’d gone.
‘Glad to meet you, Cissy.’
Cissy nodded. ‘You an’ all.’
Roger smiled at Molly. ‘It’s been a pleasure, Molly. God bless you and your little tribe.’ He put on his cap, said goodbye to the children and dashed down the stairs.
‘Well, isn’t this wonderful,’ Molly said as she joined everyone at the table. ‘Here we are, all together again. We missed you two when you were in Southend.’
Evie climbed on her lap. Her blonde curls dangled over the coat that Molly had given her from Emily’s suitcase. ‘Gert clipped me round me ear and said a rude word.’
‘That’s because you cheeked her,’ admonished Mark, frowning at his sister.
Molly and Cissy hid their smiles.
‘We didn’t have no bed,’ continued Mark as Cissy straightened the collar of his dirty shirt. ‘So we had to sleep on the floor.’
‘Never mind,’ said Molly. ‘You don’t look any the worse for wear.’
‘Gert died,’ said Evie, still eyeing Spot’s empty plate. ‘And we didn’t have nowhere to go. Nuffink to eat either.’
‘Well, now,’ Molly said gently, ‘this is your home and will always be for as long as you want to stay here.’
‘Can we have our room back?’ asked Mark.
‘Course you can.’
‘Can we go down to Simon and Susie’s?’
‘What, now, this very moment?’
Both children nodded.
‘All right. But Spot’s coming back with your eggs, don’t forget.’
Mark grabbed his sister’s hand. They ran from the kitchen and Molly smiled as she heard their footsteps on the stairs.
‘It’s nice to have ’em home,’ Cissy said when the back door slammed. ‘The poor little buggers have been through the mill again.’
‘I didn’t think you liked kids.’
‘I don’t. But these two ain’t bad. Now tell me what happened to keep you away all night.’
‘So you were worried, then?’
‘I knew you could take care of yourself.’
Molly grinned. It was nice to be worried about, even though Cissy wouldn’t admit to it. ‘By the time I reached Romford it was pouring,’ she explained. ‘I found Roger’s cottage and Betty told me that Roger and Len had taken the children up to the pub I’d just left, where they were to get a coach bound for Yorkshire. I was just in time to run back and stop it.’
‘That’s what I call cutting it fine.’
‘It was getting dark, so Roger said I could sleep on the sofa and in the morning he’d drive us home. Being a captain in the Sally Army, he had an allowance for petrol.’
‘What’s happened to Betty and Len?’
‘They’re evacuating to Wales tomo
rrow. The Army is going to help them.’
‘Well, that’s the good news; now you’d better prepare for the bad.’
Molly sat up in alarm. ‘Did Ronnie’s men show up?’
‘No, but a letter from your sister did. What’s the betting she won’t let your dad come for Christmas?’ She nodded to the mantel and the envelope stuck behind the clock.
Molly went to open it. Lyn’s note, as usual, was brief and to the point. She read the few lines over once and then once more, and a third time for good measure. Folding the letter back into the envelope and replacing it behind the clock, she returned to her seat.
Cissy stared at her expectantly. ‘Well? What excuse did she use this time?’
‘I wish I had taken you up on that bet.’ Molly kept a straight face.
Cissy’s grey eyes flashed. ‘Why?’
‘Dad will be here on the night of the 24th. Oscar’s driving him.’
Cissy screamed her surprise. ‘Never! You sure you read it right?’
Molly nodded.
‘How long can he stay?’
‘They want him back for New Year. The church have got a special blessing for invalids.’
The two women stared at each other, then burst into laughter. Molly couldn’t believe what she’d read, but it was true! Now they would have a very special family Christmas with her dad and the children and Cissy, just as she had hoped.
At last, things were beginning to go her way.
Wearing her dressing gown and slippers, Molly pulled back the curtains in the front room and looked out across the many chimneys of the Isle of Dogs. It was 25 December 1941 and just getting light. There was a bank of low cloud over the docks, bringing a fine but dirty rain that spattered lightly on the glass. Not very seasonal, but the weather didn’t matter. Her dad was home and that was what counted!
She went to the kitchen and made two cups of tea, using the best china. Then she crept downstairs with the tray to the glory hole, which was now completely transformed. Red and green paper chains that Evie and Mark had made at school were pinned from wall to wall. The scrubbed floor on which the bed stood, and in which her dad lay snoring, was covered with the rugs from the front room. All the furniture was on loan from Mr Stokes and installed by Dennis and Spot. For the next six days this was to be the heart of the household.