by Jill Barry
“Robert,” she whispered after a while. “Look at the price of these – you mustn’t even think of paying out so much money.” He didn’t answer.
“I really don’t need diamonds. They’re not my style. If they were, I’m sure Dad would let us have Mum’s engagement ring. Let’s go to Woolworths.”
“Charlotte, don’t be daft. I’m not going to force you to have a diamond ring, whether it’s your mother’s or a new one, but you’re going to have something a bit up together so you’d better make up your mind to do as you’re told.”
“Well, can we go and look in the other jeweller’s window then? I’d like something a bit different and I truly don’t mind if it’s second hand.”
“I give up. All right then, let’s go and look. But no Woollies ring for my fiancée. Is that clear?”
“Yes, but I never knew you could be so bossy.”
He grinned and took hold of her hand. “Some things are important and you’re one of them.”
Charlotte insisted upon calling at Eleanor’s Hair Salon to show off her ring.
“But you’ll see her at teatime. Won’t that do?” Robert looked puzzled.
“Just a quick pop in. She’ll be busy but I’d like her to be the first person besides you to see me wearing my lovely ring.” Charlotte held out her finger so the wintry sunlight made the tiny seed pearls look extra lustrous.
“I’ll stay outside,” said Robert, planting his feet firmly apart.
His new fiancée grinned. “You look terrified. I promise I’ll only be moments. Then maybe we could get the bus over to the prom and call in on your mother?”
She watched his face light up. “Ma would love that.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” said Charlotte, pushing open the salon door.
Eleanor was at the desk, booking an appointment for a customer. Charlotte stood patiently until she’d finished then stepped forward and held out her left hand.
“Oh, love, it’s beautiful. It suits you, it really does. Where did you get it?”
“Woollies! Only joking, Auntie El. It’s an antique ring we spotted in that little place round the corner from Pinkham’s. Honestly, the prices in there were outrageous. I’ve never been one to press my nose against a jeweller’s window so I got quite a shock.”
Eleanor laughed. “I can imagine. Where’s the lucky man?”
“Lurking outside and I must go. We’re off to show his mother now. Is it all right if Robert has tea with us this evening?”
“Of course it is. I’ve got something planned. Now off you go and enjoy the rest of your day.”
Charlotte joined Robert as he was consulting his wristwatch.
“There, I wasn’t long, was I? Now for your mum.”
“We could pick up some bread rolls and a bit of ham down the road and eat them with her if you like.”
“Good job I’ve brought my ration book! Afterwards we could take Smuggler for a walk around the headland. What do you think?”
“I think Smuggler would be overjoyed. We won’t walk too far though. I want to take you dancing tonight.”
She stopped walking. “Dancing? Are you sure?”
He laughed. “Are you afraid I’ll tread on your toes?”
“No, I’m afraid I might tread on yours. I haven’t been dancing for ages.”
He gently drew her towards the baker’s. “Nor have I. We can make mistakes together but I want us to have fun.”
“I am having fun.”
“Good,” he said.
“What did your mother think of Charlotte’s ring, Robert?”
The happy couple were sharing a meal with Eleanor.
“She seemed very taken with it.”
“I’m not surprised,” said Eleanor. “It’s very delicate though. You’ll need to take care of those seed pearls, Charlotte.”
“Don’t worry, Auntie El, it’ll be on a chain round my neck while I’m at work.”
Robert’s face glowed. “I shall think of you wearing it when I’m charging through the French countryside.”
There was a pause, each of them doubtless considering the implications of the remark.
“But tonight you’ll be steering me round the dance floor,” said Charlotte.
“Quite right too,” said her godmother. “Saturday nights are meant to be spent having fun when a chap’s home on leave.”
“That’s what I told her, “ said Robert. “You could always come with us, Mrs Bennett.”
Eleanor smiled. “Oh I don’t think so, Robert, thank you. I shall curl up by the stove and listen to the radio while I write a letter. Should I mention your ring to Raymond, Charlotte? You might prefer to tell your dad yourself.”
“I’m happy for you to tell him. Give him my love and say I’ll meet him at the station if he rings up to let me know the time.”
“How’s the petrol situation?” Robert offered the bread plate to the other two then snaffled the remaining slice.
“I’m being very careful. Apart from special occasions like trips to the railway station and with a certain person being on leave, I try to walk everywhere. We’re still getting grocery deliveries and the butcher’s boy brings meat twice a week.”
“That’ll stop next year,” said Eleanor. “Apple pie for pudding?”
Charlotte groaned. “I can’t resist but how am I going to get round the dance floor?”
“You’ll be like Ginger Rogers floating round in my arms,” said Robert. He jumped up to clear the used plates.
Eleanor bent her head towards her goddaughter. “You’ve got a good ‘un there. He’s a lovely boy.”
“I know,” said Charlotte. If only he didn’t have to go away from me was the thought unspoken.
Charlotte hadn’t been to Randalls since Pearl’s parents invited her to join them at a tea dance on the day her friend became sixteen years of age. On that occasion she’d been petrified at the thought of being asked to take to the floor yet equally petrified at the thought of becoming a wallflower. As it happens, she and Pearl must have looked younger than their real ages, dressed as they were in white socks and simple cotton dresses, so didn’t face the problem of beating off prospective partners. They each had a dance with Pearl’s father then circled the floor with one another, enjoying the chance to gaze round the sumptuous ballroom, a palace of dreams to two girls poised on the brink of womanhood.
“One day, we’ll come here with our two handsome young escorts,” Pearl had said, gazing up at the balcony, supported by ornate scrolled columns, its rich cream paintwork decorated with gold leaf. “We’ll drink cocktails spiked with cherries on sticks and blow the expense.”
Charlotte had been concentrating on moving her feet where Pearl led. “I suppose we’ll wear silk stockings and shoes with straps and high heels.”
“Turquoise satin to match my gown,” Pearl had responded dreamily.
Dancing in Robert’s arms that afternoon, Charlotte wasn’t dressed like a fashion plate but wore a simple navy blue wool dress. Eleanor had tamed her goddaughter’s blonde curls by styling them into a velvet snood. The white socks and girlish sandals were missing of course, replaced by silk stockings and navy blue suede shoes with little heels and crossover straps. The floor was crowded and for one moment, Charlotte could have sworn she caught a glimpse of Pearl in the arms of a tall young man. Maybe she’d conjured her friend up, reminiscing as she had been about that earlier occasion.
“Enjoying yourself?” Robert’s mouth was close to her ear.
The band was playing a waltz and so far Charlotte thought she and Robert were acquitting themselves fairly well.
“I’m having a lovely time,” she said.
“What’s this tune?” He asked
“Falling in Love with Love.”
He held her a little tighter. They hovered on the edge of the crowd of dancers. Robert seemed to prefer not taking them into the midst of the action, though Charlotte wondered if it might be safer to be hidden from the onlookers’ eyes. He distracted her when he began c
rooning in caramel tones.
She pulled back from him in disbelief. “You’ve got a really lovely voice, even if you don’t know the words.”
He chuckled, drawing her closer once more. “Did I not tell you I used to be a choir boy?”
Seamlessly he moved her on, following the flow of the dance. Suddenly a gap emerged between two waltzing couples, allowing her sight of a nearby table. A pair of brown eyes beneath a familiar cap of sharply styled auburn hair met hers. The owner of the pair of eyes sat alone at a table. Charlotte promptly pulled against the tide, disrupting the rhythm of the dance.
“Hey, the man’s supposed to lead,” said Robert, jerking back to stare at her.
“I know. Just steer us to the right a bit and you’ll find out why we need to stop dancing.”
“But I was enjoying it,” he protested. “We’re getting the hang of it now.”
Charlotte disengaged himself from his embrace, clutched his hand and dragged him after her. They pulled up at a nearby table.
“Pearl,” she said. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Charlie! I couldn’t believe it when I caught sight of you.”
“I wonder why that would be. Mind if we join you?”
“Um … of course not,” said Pearl, her cheeks rivalling the bright pink of her dress. “Hello, Robert.”
“Good to see you, Pearl.” He pulled out a chair for Charlotte and took his seat too.
“No turquoise satin?” Charlotte couldn’t resist the dig.
“What do you mean?” Pearl frowned.
“Can I get you two ladies a drink?” Robert asked.
“I, um, my partner’s fetching one for me.” Pearl’s cheeks were beyond pink now.
“And he would be?” Charlotte’s voice was cool.
“Philip McGirr. You remember the Flying Circus?” Pearl didn’t wait for an answer. “Phil’s been posted to RAF Kimberley.”
“Phil the Pilot? Oh, Pearl, how could you?”
Robert rose. “I’ll go and find him while you two say what you have to say to each other. We should all have a drink together, Pearl. Charlotte and I are here to celebrate. I’m not sure what you’re up to but please don’t spoil my fiancée’s evening. Or mine, for that matter!”
He made his way through the tables towards the bar.
Pearl turned to her friend. “You two have got engaged?”
“Yes,” said Charlotte. “I planned to call round your house and tell your mum and dad. It’s all happened in a hurry.”
“It’s called war,” said Pearl. Her tone was bleak. “That’s why I’m here with Philip and not with Don. Please believe me, Charlie. Don’s got Christmas leave and I can’t wait to see him. Tonight’s just a night out. I don’t mean anything bad by it. It’s long hours and hard work in the NAAFI and the chance to put on a pretty dress and some lipstick was too much to resist.”
Charlotte bit her lip. “Couldn’t you have waited a few days longer? I’m not sure I trust you, Pearl.”
“Please don’t look at me like that. Let me see your ring.”
Charlotte held out her left hand. Could not resist smiling with pure joy.
“Oh, it’s so pretty, Charlie. Am I supposed to congratulate you or is that not etiquette?”
“Don’t change the subject. Do you and my brother have an understanding or not?”
“We do. We really do.” Pearl leaned forward. “I know as well as you do how much of a flirt Phil is. Surely you remember that’s really how Don and I got together when the three of us came to the dance here?”
Charlotte nodded slowly. “He met up with a girl from Coynesbury and you and Don were jitterbugging.”
“Yes. We went for a walk afterwards. Phil’s still seeing that girl. They’ve been writing to one another but she’s a nurse and they don’t often get time off together.”
“Well, I hope she’s an understanding sort of person.”
“The two most beautiful girls at the ball!” Philip the Pilot, looking debonair in his air force blue uniform, balanced a tray of drinks, elbow bent professionally as he arrived at the table.
“Hello, Philip,” said Charlotte. “Fancy you being posted to Kimberley.”
“Quite a coincidence, ay?” He placed glasses before Charlotte and Pearl. “One gin fizz and one – ta da – Pink Lady for the lady in pink!”
Pearl beamed. “Thank you. I’ve just been explaining to Charlie how we’re two lost souls, keeping each other company while our loved ones are elsewhere.”
Phil handed Robert his drink and the men took their seats.
“Your friend’s entirely safe in my hands, Charlie. I’ve already explained the score to Robert so you can relax and enjoy yourselves.” The pilot raised his glass. “Here’s to the happy couple.”
Pearl echoed his words.
Robert squeezed Charlotte’s hand beneath the table. “Thank you,” he said. “How about a toast to absent friends and loved ones?”
“Definitely,” said Charlotte. “Maybe we should make a pact to meet here after peace is restored. “All six of us,” she said, glancing at Pearl.
“Terrific idea,” said Philip. “May I borrow Charlie for a dance, Robert? If she’ll allow it of course.”
Robert looked slightly worried but said, “Have a dance, lovey. Phil’s probably more expert than me.”
The couple took to the floor, leaving Pearl and Robert together.
“Um, would you like to …”
Pearl smiled. “You don’t have to dance with me, Robert. I’m happy sitting here. And very happy you and Charlie are engaged. Don will be really pleased for you, you know.”
“Thank you.” Robert fidgeted with his glass. “Look, Pearl, you won’t play around with Don will you? He’s big enough and ugly enough to look after himself but I wouldn’t want you to hurt him.”
“Goodness,” she said. “I’ve no intention of hurting him.” She leaned across the table. “Surely Phil’s made it clear he and I aren’t courting. I was serving breakfasts the other morning and he suddenly appeared with his tray. I’d already put sausages, egg and bacon on his plate before we looked each other in the eye. You can imagine how surprised I was.”
Robert nodded. “War time can throw people together as well as drive them apart,” he said.
“There’s such a thing as trust,” said Pearl quietly. “I’ll be true to Don. But if there’s a bit of harmless fun to be had like this tea dance with friends, I’m not going to turn down the chance. Nor do I expect him to.” She twirled the cocktail cherry around in her Pink Lady.
Robert smiled. “Funny how different we all are. When Don’s home, I can’t expect Charlotte not to go out with you and him if that’s what you all want to do. But I hate the thought of other fellows dancing with her.”
“Other fellows as in Philip? He’s the one who’s based nearby.”
“He’s the one she had a bit of a crush on. I know that for a fact.” Robert’s face was pensive.
“Rubbish! You’re being silly. You should know what she’s like about speed. Charlie’s the last person in the world to be a flighty piece. You just keep yourself safe and sound when you’re off doing your despatch riding or whatever it is you do. Come back to her in one piece. That’s an order.”
“One I’ll happily obey – if that’s what’s meant to be.”
They stared at one another. Neither said a word and suddenly the other two were at the table.
“Why so serious?” Philip guided Charlotte back to her chair.
“Um,” said Robert. “We were just trying to remember the name of a film star … I expect Pearl would like a dance now.”
Philip held out his hand. “How’s your foxtrot?”
Pearl giggled and got up. “Only one way to find out.”
Left alone, Robert reached for Charlotte’s hand. “Nothing to worry about, I fancy.”
“Pearl and Don? It would seem not. To be fair, she’s never been a racy kind of girl. It’s just she seems to have altered her philosop
hy on life over the last months.”
“That’s not surprising, is it? None of us can say with certainty how things will work out. All we can do is hope for the best.”
Charlotte smiled at him. “Come on, let’s try our hand at this. We should get our money’s worth.”
“It’s not my hands I have a problem with,” he said. “Come on then. Let’s go and shake a leg.”
Chapter 11 - Goodbye Till We Meet Again
It was hard to say goodbye to Robert, especially with Christmas so near. Charlotte summoned up all her resilience as she stood on the platform with him at Coynesbury Junction, awaiting his train.
“Your leave seems to have gone by in a flash,” she said.
“We packed a lot in.” He smiled down at her.
He looks so handsome, so very young, she thought as Robert reached for her left hand and gently removed her glove. “Just one more look at you wearing my ring,” he said.
She felt the tears well up and had to bite her lip. “You know I’ll keep it close to me, even when it’s not on my finger because I’m working.”
“You won’t forget to send me a photograph?” Gently he pushed her glove back into position.
“Of course not. As soon as they’re back from the chemists I’ll put one in the post. Might even write you a letter too.”
“Charlotte … I …”
“There’s your train,” she said. “Oh, you did pick up that pack of sandwiches your mum made you?”
“I did. Charlotte, there’s so much I want to say but … you do know how much I care for you, don’t you?”
She closed her eyes and buried her face in his shoulder, breathing in his essence. He put his arms around her and they stood quietly while the big steam engine huffed its way towards them. She knew this was not the moment for words. The closeness they’d achieved summed up the situation and like countless other couples, they faced separation and yearned for fate to look kindly upon them.
Charlotte broke away from her fiancé’s arms with reluctance. The moment had arrived. Robert took both her hands in his and mouthed ‘goodbye’ before planting one quick kiss on her mouth. He hoisted his kitbag over one shoulder and pulled open the door to the nearest compartment.