‘She has pneumonia. She’s been in hospital and the treatment didn’t kill the infection. We have her at home now … she’s very ill.’
‘That’s a worry for you,’ he said. ‘The same thing happened to Winston Churchill, you know. Yes, he was in Cairo at the time, planning the D-Day landings with the Allied commanders – my uncle is Chief of the General Staff, as you may know.’
‘What happened?’ asked Pat.
‘He nearly died.’
‘How did he—’
‘There was a new drug, just been developed. They managed to get hold of it, flew it out to Cairo. He took it with a shot of brandy, joked afterwards it was the brandy that cured him.’
‘Well, I don’t think they had any of that to give my mother.’
‘It was over a year ago that Churchill was treated, it must be available somewhere. Tell you what, I’ll speak to my physician, see what he knows about it. Where do you live?’
Sir Basil Brooke was as good as his word and, by the time Pat arrived home, there was a car parked outside their house and a tall thin man with a moustache in an old-fashioned suit was talking to Irene in the front room. ‘Pat, this is Dr Craig, he came to see Mammy.’
Pat shook his thin, bony hand. ‘You’re Sir Basil’s doctor?’
‘Yes, he asked me to call because I have one or two connections with pharmaceutical companies in England.’ His English accent was not dissimilar to the King’s when he spoke on the wireless. ‘I’ve started your mother on a course of the very latest drugs, not generally available. You must make sure she takes them all, even if she feels better, and most importantly ensure she has a high fluid intake.’
‘I don’t know what to say.’ Pat glanced at Irene who looked close to tears. ‘We are so grateful. We can’t thank you enough.’
‘Not at all, there’s no need, I’m happy to help. Here is my card – contact me if she isn’t showing signs of improvement in the next few days.’
And he took his bag and hat and bid them good day.
By the end of the week Martha was on the mend and Irene made sure she got the best of the rations to build her up. Within a fortnight she was downstairs and happy to receive visitors and Goldstein was first there, with flowers and oranges. Irene took Alexander out in his pram in the spring sunshine, leaving them to catch up.
‘My dear Martha, I am glad to see you looking so well. You had us worried.’
‘Ach, it was a lot of fussing. I’m stronger than they think. Now tell me, how are you, Isaac?’
‘No doubt you’ve heard all about Peggy’s plans for the shop: the painting; the parquet floor; the new counter and cash register.’
‘And what do you think about it all?’
Goldstein shrugged his shoulders and lifted his hands, palms up. ‘She is right, of course, the shop is just as it was when I bought it in the twenties. She has so many ideas to make it modern and that is what people will expect in the new era of peace and prosperity – out with the old and in with the new.’
‘Aye, we’re the old ones now.’ Martha smiled. ‘We’ll be strangers in this new world.’
‘Do you remember that conversation we had a while ago, Martha, when we agreed you have to make the most of the days you are given? Well, that kept coming back to me when you were ill.’
Martha waited for him to continue, but instead he went and stared out of the window. A minute or two later he came back and sat opposite her and continued with his train of thought.
‘I was struck by how sad I was that your days might be slipping away and I thought that if you recovered I would like to …’ He paused and changed tack. ‘I am a bachelor by nature, but I enjoy good company.’ He moved forward in his seat and Martha thought for a moment that he was about to go to the window again, but he went on, ‘May I suggest that you and I, as friends, could enjoy each other’s company as we did when we went to the Ulster Hall recital … only more frequently.’ And he sat back in his chair to await her response.
Martha was dumbfounded. What sort of proposition was this? Thankfully, nothing like Ted Grimes had had the cheek to suggest after Vera’s death. She recalled the advice Bridie had given her about trusting her instincts. Over the years she had come to admire Isaac Goldstein; he was a man of principle, as well as good company.
‘Are we talking about companionship?’ she asked.
Isaac smiled broadly. ‘The very thing – pleasant outings and good conversation. I think that would suit us well, don’t you?’
Chapter 39
It was still dark and eerily quiet when Pat arrived at the docks. A few people waited on the quayside, their backs against the cold wind that blew up the lough. Pat stamped her feet, blew into her cupped hands and wished she had worn an extra jumper under her coat.
The Liverpool boat was late, but she had waited all these months, so what was an hour or two more? It gave her time to think about what it would be like to see Tony again. What would she say to him? Would he be the same after all he’d been through? Would he still love her?
By the time the boat docked the grey sky was streaked pink with early morning light. The passengers crowded along the rails, jostling to disembark, and Pat searched for Tony among them. There was no sign of him. The gangplank was manoeuvred into place and the passengers, laden with bags and suitcases, descended. Just when it seemed that everyone had left the ship, and she was beginning to worry, he appeared at the top of the gangplank in his cap and greatcoat, with his kit bag balancing on his shoulder. She watched as he slowly descended, leaning on a cane, and her heart went out to him. He caught sight of her and smiled, his eyes never leaving her face until he stepped ashore and took her in his arms.
No words were needed. He was just the same. He loved her still.
They walked to the American Red Cross Services Club where Tony would be staying and dropped off his kit bag. They ate breakfast – eggs over easy, crispy bacon and hash browns – and sitting across the table from him, Pat was surprised to see how well he looked. His skin was tanned and the blue of his eyes more intense. He was maybe a little thinner and there was a pale scar on his right temple.
‘Gee, Patti, it’s so good to be back here. You and me together again, just like it was when we got this whole club started. Every day I was in that hospital and then the camp, I imagined myself right here with you.’ He looked as though he would say more, but instead he stared into space and Pat saw a haunted look come into his eyes. Then suddenly he was aware of her again. ‘I’d remember us pouring over the plans to turn this old building into a home from home for the GIs. Every day we were together overseeing the work, choosing the colours of the walls, ordering furniture, everything to make the club a reality. Hey, remember the day the dance hall floor was finished?’
Pat smiled. ‘“The Blue Danube” was playing on the gramophone and we waltzed, just the two of us, in the empty hall.’
Tony reached out and took her hand. ‘That was when I realised how much I loved you.’
Pat blushed and lowered her eyes. She wanted to tell him she had loved him weeks before that day they danced the waltz, when she had unexpectedly found herself studying him: his dark crew cut; the cleft in his chin; his kind eyes …
Tony squeezed her hand. ‘And what about the night Glenn Miller played here? The night I proposed.’
‘It was wonderful,’ she whispered.
Tony put his head to one side and looked at her. ‘Patti, we’ve been a long time apart, far longer than we were together. I’ve done a lot of thinking about us. Like I said in my letter, I’ve two weeks furlough before I go back to England then I have to decide whether to take the desk job they’ve offered me at headquarters – or, with this injury, I could leave the army altogether.’ He gave a nervous smile. ‘It seems to me we should maybe take that time to get reacquainted.’
Pat tried to hide her surprise. She had thought Tony was coming back to marry her. How foolish she had been to assume such a thing, but Tony saw the look on her face and when he
spoke his voice was gentle. ‘Patti, my darling, believe me – I love you with all my heart. The thing is, I just need to adjust, to spend time with you. I might not be the same as I was and I want you to be sure about us.’
Pat looked into his handsome face and saw how anxious he was. It was odd, she thought, but she was feeling a little awkward, a little shy in his company. Was it possible that he felt the same? ‘If that’s what you want …’ she said.
A smile lit up his face. ‘It’ll be sorta like when we first met, when we didn’t really know each other. All I want is to make you fall in love with me all over again.’ And Pat thrilled at the thought of being wooed by this wonderful man who made her heart sing every time she looked at him.
Later they went out into the sunny Saturday morning and Tony offered her his arm.
‘Is your leg very painful?’ she asked.
‘No, not any more. It hurt like hell when it happened and I could’ve lost it if they hadn’t found me. Now it’s stiff and it aches a bit. The doc says it’ll take a while to build up the muscles, and even then I’ll never see active service again.’
‘If you left the army, what would you do?’
‘I’ve a buddy back home, known him for years; his family own a construction company.’ Tony was suddenly animated. ‘We always said we’d do something together after the war. Now he’s got this crazy idea about building new homes for returning GIs, wants me to manage the construction workers. We’ll turn potato fields in Long Island into a town of lovely homes. Never mind home from home, it will be “homes at home” for the guys.’ He laughed. ‘You know, Patti, I was never happier than when we made the whole American Services Club thing happen and this’ll be the same kind of thing.’
They walked towards the City Hall and Pat told him about the parade on the first anniversary of the arrival of American troops in Northern Ireland and showed him the monument to mark the occasion.
‘Yeah, I got that letter you wrote me about the parade and that other time when Eisenhower got stranded here and you sang for him. I was real proud of you. Then when I was liberated, the officer in charge recognised my name, said Eisenhower had put out a call after I was reported MIA to say he wanted me found – heard you had something to do with that, as well.’
When she explained her visit to Bangor to ask Eisenhower for help, Tony stopped walking and looked at her in amazement. ‘Wow, Patti, you did that for me … ain’t that something.’
They sat on a bench a while and Tony put his arm around her and she laid her head on his shoulder, both of them content to be together at last.
They went to the Pam-Pam for lunch and Pat wasn’t surprised to see heads turn at the sight of a US Army captain in his immaculate uniform. At one time the city had been full of GIs, but since the D-Day landings they had been few and far between.
‘I see the ration situation hasn’t improved much,’ said Tony when a plate of curled-up cheese sandwiches appeared on the table. ‘And still the worst coffee in the Western Hemisphere, I guess.’ He took a sip and shuddered. ‘Tell me about your family. How’re they doin’?’
‘They’re fine now. My mother was very ill with pneumonia and it was touch-and-go for a while.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that. Is she better now?’
‘Almost back to her feisty self, getting stronger every day, thank goodness. I’ve strict instructions to invite you round to the house tomorrow for Sunday dinner. Will you come?’
‘Sure will. It’ll be good to catch up with them all.’
‘You’ll meet Alexander as well. He’s a lovely wee boy.’ Pat’s face lit up just thinking about her nephew. She caught the look on Tony’s face. ‘What is it?’ she said.
He shook his head.
‘Tell me.’
‘I know I said we should kinda pretend that we’re just getting to know each other but, Patti, I have to say, you’re so lovely when you smile.’ And both of them laughed at the strangeness of it all.
They sat talking into the afternoon, ordered tea and cake, and all the time the conversation never flagged. The diners in the restaurant glanced now and again at the redhead and the handsome American, heard their laughter and saw quite plainly that they were in love.
As soon as Pat arrived home she was bombarded with questions.
‘Well, how did you get on?’ asked Martha.
‘Where is he?’ asked Irene.
‘When are you getting married?’ asked Peggy.
Pat pretended to be annoyed. ‘Can I not even get my coat off before you all start poking your noses into other people’s business?’
‘We want to hear all about it.’
Pat hung up her coat, took her shoes off and settled herself in the armchair by the side of the fire. ‘We got on really well. We’ve been talking all day. He’s staying at the American Services Club and I’ve invited him for his Sunday dinner tomorrow.’
‘And?’ said Irene.
‘He’s asked me out on a date tonight and we’re going to the Imperial Hotel. I’ve to meet him there at seven o’clock.’
‘A date?’ said Peggy. ‘That sounds a bit odd.’
‘Well, it’s like this,’ said Pat. ‘We’re getting to know each other again. We’ve been apart for so long and we don’t want to rush into things …’ She looked at the faces around her. ‘What?’
‘But the wedding …’ said Martha.
‘There’s no hurry, we’ll see what happens.’
‘I’ve never heard the like,’ said Martha. ‘You’ve been through all those months and months of worry, not knowing whether he was alive or dead – and now he’s here, you’re back to square one and going on a date.’
‘Ach, Mammy, you don’t understand,’ said Pat and she stood up. ‘I’m away to have a bath now and wash my hair.’
‘Well, I never,’ said Martha. ‘I just don’t know any more, I can’t fathom you girls at all.’
After their tea, Pat went to get ready and Irene left it a few minutes before she put her head round the bedroom door. ‘Are you all right?’ she asked.
‘Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?’
Irene settled herself on the bed and watched Pat put on her grey dress with the black scalloped collar and shiny buttons. ‘You look nice in that,’ she said. Pat sat at the dressing table to put on her makeup and Irene asked, ‘How did Tony look?’
‘He looked well. It seems there was enough food and they were out of doors a lot. His leg is still troubling him though, and he’s using a cane.’
‘And how was he in himself?’
Pat stopped, the lipstick in mid-air. ‘I think maybe he was … not exactly shy, but sort of nervous about meeting me.’ She gave a half-laugh. ‘Sure, I was a bit the same.’
‘And he didn’t mention the wedding?’
‘Not in so many words.’ Pat saw Irene’s expression change and she rushed to explain. ‘No, it’s all right, don’t worry. He said he loved me with all his heart, but he wants me to be sure. He said I might find him changed and we needed to get to know each other again.’
‘And was he changed?’
Pat shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. It’s more like he’s just feeling his way back into the world.’
‘But how do you feel about him now?’
‘Oh Irene, I love him so much and I don’t mind that we’ll take our time, if that’s what he wants. Today was lovely and I’m so excited about meeting him tonight.’
Irene took the brush from the dressing table. ‘Well, finish your lipstick and I’ll do your hair for you. When he sees you tonight, he’ll think he’s died and gone to heaven.’
Tony was waiting for her outside the Imperial Hotel and he kissed her softly on her cheek. ‘Gee, Patti, you look stunning,’ he said, and held out a small box. ‘I brought you something.’ She opened it to see a corsage of tiny white narcissi and violets.
‘I’ve never had a corsage before. It’s beautiful.’
He pinned it to her dress. ‘It’s something we do in th
e States – for a special girl.’
The lounge bar was warm and comfortable, there was a three-piece band playing and a few couples were dancing. Tony went to the bar and Pat looked around at the people enjoying their Saturday night. Soon, when the war was won, it would be like this all over the country. Normal life would resume, but she would never forget the last time she had been in this hotel. It was Irene’s wedding, the day after the Easter bombing in 1941, when roads were closed, buildings lay in ruins, and people were still buried in the rubble. She couldn’t help but recall the anguish she had felt waiting in church for William Kennedy. They were to sing a duet, but she was convinced he had been killed in the bombing. The opening bars had already begun when suddenly there he was walking up the aisle to join her. Afterwards, they had danced in in this very room …
‘Are you okay, Patti?’ asked Tony and he set their drinks on the table.
‘Yes of course, I was just thinking of Irene’s wedding reception here. It all seems so long ago now.’
He held out his hand. ‘Would you like to dance?’
‘Oh, I thought with your leg …’
‘Aw gee, I can manage a shuffle round the floor to the slow numbers, but don’t be expecting any lindy hopping or jitterbugging.’
It felt wonderful to be in his arms, to feel the nearness of him … to trail her fingers across the back of his neck … look up and see him smile.
The evening flew by and when the last waltz was announced they were surprised to find that it was nearly midnight. Their waltz was slow and languid and, when the final note faded away, everyone applauded the band and Tony gently raised her chin and kissed her until they were alone on the dance floor.
‘Well, Tony,’ said Martha as they sat down to Sunday dinner, ‘I’m sure they serve up far better than this where you’ve been staying, but sure you’ll take us as you find us, won’t you?’
‘Mrs Goulding, it’s a real pleasure to be here. My mom always said it’s not the food, it’s the company that makes the meal, but even so this sure looks appetising to me.’
For dessert, Tony had brought a kind of chewy chocolate cake – a ‘brownie’ – as his contribution to the meal. He cut it into squares and the conversation round the table ceased as soon as it passed their lips …
A Song in my Heart Page 34