Christmas on the Mersey

by Annie Groves

  Gloria watched Giles waiting impatiently for her and the thrill that shot through her was like nothing she had felt before as the hunger to be in his arms overwhelmed her.

  ‘Oh, that was wonderful!’ Giles said as he took her in his arms and they kissed for the longest time. Nancy thought that there was a time and a place for that sort of thing, and she was a bit shocked that Gloria could be so brazen in a room full of people. Gloria positively glowed when she slipped back into her seat beside Giles and was hardly able to take her eyes from him.

  ‘Look what lovely Giles bought for us, Glor!’ Nancy said eventually, trying to get their attention and feeling once more like a spare part.

  ‘Champagne – what’s the celebration?’

  Gloria could barely believe what was happening as Giles went down on one knee and produced the small leather ring box. Her expression was one of absolute amazement as he spoke the words that she had been longing to hear.

  ‘Marry me, Gloria, and you’ll make me the happiest man alive.’

  ‘Oh, Giles, of course I’ll marry you!’ she gasped as he slipped the ring on her finger and she threw her arms around his neck. Then, as the sparkling rock dazzled on Gloria’s finger, Nancy felt a sharp pang of jealousy and realised that Gloria had done it again – she not only had a glittering career ahead of her, she also had an impressive fighter pilot to go with it! But Gloria was her friend, after all, and Nancy tried to push away uncharitable thoughts.

  ‘Here, Nance, have some champagne. Let’s celebrate!’ said Gloria, twiddling her diamond-laden finger so that the beautiful stone flashed in the candlelight.

  Nancy had never drunk champagne before and was dying to see what all the fuss was about. Gloria had once told her that it was ever so posh and film stars like Carole Lombard and Susan Hayward drank it all the time. She took a huge sip and spluttered as it hit the back of her throat. It was like liver salts with a kick, she thought. Although if she drank enough of it she might be able to relax a bit more. Nancy refused to be impressed as she took another sip … then another.

  ‘Let’s get Stan over to help us celebrate,’ Giles said, beckoning Stan over to their table.

  Her mother’s words about being careful now echoed in Nancy’s head but the words soon disappeared when the band’s music filled the air and Stan asked her up to dance.

  ‘It’s lovely to see you, Nancy,’ Stan said, taking her in his arms and gently guiding her around the highly polished dance floor. ‘I heard on the grapevine that you’d married Sid Kerrigan. Away on duty, is he?’

  ‘He’s a POW. We don’t know where he is.’ Nancy affected a brave face, but the last thing she wanted to do right now was talk about Sid. It only brought her mood down.

  ‘I’m sorry to hear that, for his sake, Nancy, but I always thought that you were too good for him and now you’re all on your own, with no one to look after you.’

  Nancy looked up into his eyes. She’d always liked Stan and he’d always liked her. She’d met him through her job in the George Henry Lee Department Store. The girls said he was a cut above the rest of the rabble around Empire Street because he had gone to uni­versity, but Nancy knew his granny lived near Empire Street; it was only his folks who’d put on airs and graces. He was as good or as bad as the rest of them. They’d indulged in a bit of flirting here and there but Sid had gone mad one night when he’d seen her dancing with Stan and that had been that.

  ‘I think there is a bit of unfinished business between you and me. Don’t you agree, Nancy?’

  Nancy looked coyly away. It had been so long since she felt the thrill of a man’s arms around her and, like a starving woman at a feast, she wanted more. Eagerly she listened as he plied her with compliments and enjoyed the feel of his strong hands as they gently caressed the small of her back. The music was loud and she was having trouble hearing what he was saying, so it was only natural she had to lean in to catch his words. Before long Stan was holding her so close, Nancy thought it was a good thing the lights were low. Nancy remembered how, even on her wedding day she had considered writing to Stan, as he had asked her to – just to be friendly, nothing in it – until their Rita persuaded her not to, that was.

  ‘Shall we go on somewhere else after this?’ Stan’s cheek brushed Nancy’s and his voice was warm and enticing. This was what she had dreamed about … yearned for … Yes, she would love to go on somewhere else, the night was young and why shouldn’t they? She was harming no one.

  ‘We could have supper in my hotel?’ Stan asked. ‘Or maybe just a nightcap – it’s up to you.’

  ‘You’re ever so forward, Stanley Hathaway!’ Nancy tried to sound shocked but she was thrilled; this was so sophisticated. The next time he turned her, weaving her so gracefully around on the dance floor, Nancy had to move to his right slightly, not being tall enough to see over his shoulder, just to see if her best friend was watching. Gloria would be so put out that she was not the only centre of attention tonight.

  Maybe it was the effect of the champagne that caused Nancy to rest her head on his shoulder. Or, maybe it was just plain devil-may-care, she was not so sure. However, for a moment she was happy to entertain the thought that Stan was her man and she was his sweetheart.

  Nancy felt as if she was the most desirable woman in the room when Stan, his hand still resting on the small of her back, accompanied her back to her seat. Pouring the champagne, Giles handed everyone another glass to toast his future bride. Earlier jealousy forgotten, Nancy felt her face glow, feeling proud and pleased to be in such glamorous company. As the night wore on Nancy got even more tipsy and could not help but giggle as the champagne bubbles went up her nose.

  ‘You have the most beautiful laugh, Nancy,’ Stan said in a dreamy voice, and Nancy had to crush the desire to gaze back into his eyes. He’d had a few, she was sure of that, and maybe he was a little merry, but why shouldn’t he appreciate a nice-looking girl like her? These brave men needed all the encouragement they could get, didn’t they? Who was she to dash his dreams?

  She giggled some more, realising the champagne, which she had drunk far too quickly, had gone straight to her head. Stan moved towards her and for a wild moment, Nancy thought he was going to kiss her. She edged back in her seat. She was a married woman! She had a wedding ring on, for goodness’ sake! But maybe just a little kiss wouldn’t hurt … After all, if it hadn’t been for Stan she would have been sitting on her tod, because Gloria wasn’t taking a blind bit of notice of her now. Nancy decided that if Stan did try to kiss her, perhaps she would just let him have a little one: friendly, like. It wasn’t fair of her to rebuff him completely, not after all his generosity. It was lovely that her admirer wanted to spend his money so lavishly when it was obvious he would get nothing in return!

  Not used to being pampered, Nancy realised that she liked the champagne lifestyle – she liked it a lot.

  ‘Another dance?’ Stan asked, and Nancy could think of nothing she would like to do more.

  Giles smiled into Gloria’s deep blue eyes and Gloria returned his longing gaze, unable to speak when he looked at her like that. Suddenly she felt as if she was drowning in his eyes … and she did not want saving.

  ‘I want to make love to you right now,’ he whispered, and Gloria nodded. Tonight was the most special night of her life. She was going to be Giles’s wife! Giles leaned in to kiss her and when the chair beneath her trembled she couldn’t be sure it wasn’t her whole body shaking with desire.

  ‘Oh my God!’ she gasped.

  Breaking through her reverie was the banshee wail of the air raid siren, and the crash of masonry as it started to fall all around them.

  ‘Ladies and gentleman, there is an air raid taking place and I must point you to the shelters …’ Gloria’s thoughts were now cotton wool. She was unable to think straight. The wonderfully magnetic gentle pressure on her lips made her hungry for more, much more … all she wanted to do right now was to be with Giles and nothing was going to stop her.

  �
��Nancy? Nancy, over here!’ Stan was standing on the other side of the dance floor – the explosion and the subsequent exodus of people had separated them.

  ‘Stan, I’ve got to get out of here!’ Nancy cried as he hurried to her and pulled her towards him protectively, leading her away from the rubble of the bombed dance floor with its fallen ceiling. ‘Don’t leave me, Stan!’ she cried.

  The air was thick with smoke and dust as she stumbled through the debris, turning her ankle in the process, but that did not matter now. Within moments, as her legs no longer felt strong enough to support her, Nancy lurched forward and was relieved to feel Stan’s strong arms around her, helping her to clamber over the rubble and make her way through a sea of people, all with the same idea. Escape.

  Dear God, thought Nancy, this wasn’t real. It couldn’t be happening to her, not in this beautiful hotel.

  ‘Oh, Stan!’ Nancy could hold back the tears of shock no longer as another wave of bombers flew over the rooftops, drowning out any further words. Stan, holding tightly to her hand, pulled her towards the shelter where dozens of equally terrified and dis­traught people were all wanting to take refuge.

  ‘Gloria!’ Nancy said, suddenly remembering her best friend. ‘I’ve got to find Gloria!’

  ‘She was with her fella. He’ll make sure she is all right. We have to get you somewhere safe,’ Stan said, urging her forward.

  ‘I can’t stay in here; I have to get home to George, my baby boy!’

  ‘It’s too dangerous, Nance!’ Stan took hold of her hand now and pulled her quickly into the shelter. ‘We’ve got to stay here now.’

  ‘He’s with Mam.’ Dazed, Nancy allowed herself to sink into the comfort of his arms. ‘He’ll be crying for me. He doesn’t like the noise.’ She should never have left him.

  ‘He’ll be fine with your mam, Nance,’ Stan said. ‘Just stay with me where it’s safe, for God’s sake!’

  Nancy buried her head in his shoulder, but nothing could blot out the terrible thunder of the bombs that were crashing down outside. It sounded as if the world was coming to an end. Nancy clung to Stan, and prayed.

  Gloria was aware of the crash of the ack-ack guns pounding away, and the sickening thud of bombs exploding somewhere close. Any minute they could be blown to bits! She felt a strange combination of fear and exhilaration; she had never experienced anything like it in her life.

  Holding her hand, Giles pulled her towards the exit door.

  All around them, women in furs and jewels picked up their skirts and raced for the safety of the exit doors. Chairs and tables were upended in haste as another blast brought down a glittering chandelier.

  Gloria felt the ground shake below her and in the mêlée she lost one of her silk shoes. Hopping and hurrying she could still feel Giles’s hand in hers. As long as she was with Giles she’d be safe. Another crash and she let out a small scream. Keep Calm and Carry On, she told herself, just like the posters said.

  ‘Giles, I can’t see!’ Gloria’s voice trembled as the lights went out. Distant cries and the rush of freezing air on her bare shoulders told Gloria that they were near the exit and within moments they were out in the street. In the darkness, with the dust and the noise, it was hard to get a sense of where they were or where they were going.

  ‘Where’s Nancy?’ Gloria began to panic. The last time she had seen Nancy she was on the dance floor just where that chandelier fell. ‘Nancy!’ However, her cries went unanswered as she and Giles made their way to the shelter. It was packed and there was no more room.

  ‘We’ll never get in there!’ Giles said, seeing people crowding ahead of them round the door. ‘Come with me. I know a place near here.’ Gloria, having discarded her other shoe, did not feel the splinters of glass nor the hot cinders burrowing into her bare feet as she fled, dodging falling masonry and shooting flashes of flame, along Lime Street towards another shelter. A loud whoosh sped past her face and she ducked out of the way of a fiery piece of wood.

  ‘In here!’ Giles called, pulling her into the deep recess of a shop doorway. ‘This will have to do, I’m afraid, darling.’ They burrowed deeper into the long entrance, glad to be alive as Liverpool burned around them.

  ‘We’ll be lucky to get out of here tonight,’ Giles said distractedly, leaning out a little to watch firemen desperately trying to contain the flames further down the street. A small whimper escaped from Gloria and he put his arms around her. She must be strong. She could not cave in now.

  ‘It’s all right, my darling. I won’t let anything hurt you.’ Gloria felt safe in his arms. If they were going to die tonight, surely it would be better if they died together, she thought as he whispered soothing words in her hair and stroked her tear-stained face. Giles removed his RAF greatcoat and placed it over them like a blanket. They sat in the darkness, and all the while he talked to her, soothing words about what they would do and where they would go once they were married. After a while, she didn’t feel scared any more but she clasped herself around him tighter, enjoying the feel of his chest and back as her arms encircled him. The bombs continued to fall, but set back from the street the fugitives were well hidden, though there were now precious few people; just the occasional cry of an ARP warden or a fire watcher. Gloria felt Giles’s lips search for her in the darkness. Then, gently, he folded her in his arms and her pliant body cleaved to his. She belonged to Giles now, that engagement ring on her finger said something more than mere words could. She was his. Yielding to his touch, she felt as if all her life had been leading to this point. She and Giles were bound together for ever now and she knew for certain that her life lay way beyond the limited confines of Empire Street.

  Gloria could feel the passion rise in her and Giles felt it too. His hands moved across her body, caressing her breasts through the thin material of her gold lamé evening dress. Gloria hadn’t led a sheltered life and had let men have their way with her when it suited her, but she had never felt like this before. As Giles gently but insistently lifted her dress she did nothing to stop him. The intense feeling was overwhelming and all she could think of was how much she wanted him; how much she wanted him to want her. As he entered her, Gloria clung to him, small cries escaping her lips with each powerful thrust of his body.

  ‘Oh, Giles!’ The ground shuddered beneath them, her body cleaving to him as another explosion matched her own climactic rapture.

  Both spent, they gasped for breath as tears rolled freely down Gloria’s cheeks. She had never felt anything like it. Giles, his eyes full of tender love, wiped away her tears with his finger.

  ‘Gloria, my darling, are you all right? Did I hurt you?’ He was leaning on his elbow, looking down at her through the flickering light of a distant blaze. Gloria leaned against the cool marbled doorway and shook her head. ‘No, you didn’t hurt me,’ she whispered. ‘It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful.’ Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper, and he leaned down and, very tenderly, he kissed her tears away.

  ‘Oh, Giles I do love you so much.’ Gloria’s lips were still tingling from his ardent kisses.

  ‘I love you too, my darling, I have from the moment we met – even before I knew your name I knew you were the girl for me.’ Giles took her hand and as her engagement ring sparkled he kissed her furled fingers.

  ‘Everything is perfectly right,’ Gloria smiled, and little rainbows of colour flashed in her tear-filled eyes. This was the happiest night of her life. Never mind that they hadn’t used precautions, she was going to be his wife, wasn’t she? Now she was going to be the wife of an RAF officer with all that it entailed. Her mother would have to take notice of her now, wouldn’t she? Instead of propping up the bar every night she could help pick out a wedding dress. Her mother would like that. Being the mother of the bride she would be the centre of attention. Yes, she’d like that.

  It was a pity she had not met the London agent before the hotel was hit and she wondered if he would still be around when the all clear went. She was sure that Giles w
ould let her carry on with a singing career once they were married. They weren’t like these small-minded types such as Nancy and Sid Kerrigan. Nancy … Gloria remembered the last sight of her friend and prayed that Nancy was all right …

  Another explosion drowned her terrified scream as Giles moved forward, throwing his body against hers, protecting her from the blast. He was gallant, Gloria knew, so brave to protect her like this, risking his life as he so bravely did fighting to defend the skies above Britain, as he and men like him had done so successfully.

  For the first time in her life she felt truly wanted. Her mother had always been too busy working behind the bar to give her much time, but things were going to be different now. She knew that tonight was going to be the beginning of something wonderful.

  ‘We have to move. That fire is getting closer,’ Gloria said. ‘Let’s make our way to the shelter.’ If they were quick they would be away from here before this building went the same way as the rest.

  ‘Shall we make a run for it, Giles … Giles …?’ He felt like a dead weight on top of her … so different from when they were making love. Gloria nudged him and tried to push him off her but he made not a sound. ‘Giles, come on! We haven’t got time to hang around now.’ She wanted to get out of here; find Nancy … Poor Nancy, she could be anywhere, poor love, and she had only that gormless Stanley to get her out of the hotel. Gloria hoped she was all right. She didn’t fancy going back to Empire Street and telling Pop and Dolly she could not find their daughter.

  With a sense of rising panic, Gloria gave Giles another push and his body slipped a little. His chin was resting on the wings of his insignia badge and she could not see his face. Dipping slightly, she lifted his chin. Another cascade of roof slates crashed onto the pavement and Gloria winced, letting out a little squeak of distress.

  ‘Giles! Wake up! We have to go.’ Something was very wrong. There was something in the way he held his head that made Gloria shiver and the cold night air had nothing to do with it.