by Mary Wood
When she thought of Paddy she tried to remember the good times and the good things about him. She missed his love-making to this day; and aye, she knew there was many a lass that probably did, too. But Paddy had been a good daddy to his lads, in the way he’d loved and cared for them. Even though he didn’t provide well for them, they were his world. Though it was always in his character to be a rough diamond, and selfish with it, she had to admit he hadn’t been that bad until he lost his lads. He couldn’t handle that, and she should have been more understanding. Well, he was with them now. Eeh, me lads . . . me lads.
The smoke from the train swirled around, reminding her of other memories: catching the train to the munitions factory, the long hours, the danger – and the explosion! She still had nightmares about it. But it was good to know that Lady Eloise’s charity was making a difference to all those who remained in Low Moor.
There were times when she missed Low Moor and the lasses there, and she often missed Beryl. Not the Beryl of today, who sent her vile letters. But the sister of her youth, before she found out about the affair Beryl was having with Paddy.
Taking her seat on the train didn’t stop the thoughts. She supposed it was because she was at last going to see Joe. It had triggered her memories of the past and made her mull over what was happening now.
Looking in her handbag once again, to make sure she had her visitor’s pass safe, the crinkle of paper as she moved Beryl’s latest letter out of the way reminded her that she hadn’t finished reading it. Pulling it out, she smoothed it and read:
So you think you’re rid of me, our Ada. Well, you’re not! I’ll get out of this hellhole and, when I do, I’m coming to get you.
Murderer! Child-stealer! Eeh, you’ve had your revenge, but that’s nowt to what I’ve planned for you and your murdering boyfriend.
A shudder of extreme sorrow went through Ada. How did Beryl become so ill? But then her feeling changed to one of horror, as she read on and wondered just what her sister was capable of doing. She feared that Beryl had truly entered a state of madness, for now she seemed to think she was writing to their mam:
Eeh, Mam, I miss you. I wish you would come and see me. I ask for you every day, but these cows here, who call themselves nurses, say as you are dead. Well, I know you’re not. Please come, please.
This tugged at Ada’s heart. What must it be like to have some of your past wiped away and to think that your dead mam is still alive, and to long for her to come and see your She felt such pity and she determined to find a way to have Beryl near to her, so that she could rebuild the loving relationship they used to have, as far as that was possible with Beryl’s altered mental state.
She would ask Lady Eloise to help. Eeh, it was nice to see Lady Eloise and Lord Jay so happy. She blushed at her forthrightness when she’d discovered them kissing. Ha, they didn’t ask me to be a bridesmaid! Better than that, she and Annie and all of the other workers and volunteers had attended a wonderful party held in the ballroom of Lady Eloise’s home in Holland Park. Eeh, it were grand as owt. The family waited on them all, as the servants of the house and of the family’s Leicestershire home were guests, too. By, it were the best thing I’ve ever been to in me life!
The lift these thoughts gave her spirit didn’t last long, as she read more of Beryl’s letter:
Mam, our Ada has changed. She’s bad, evil. She took me man and she took me babby and had me incarcerated here! But don’t worry, I’m going to get her. I know where she lives. Can you believe she’s moved to London? Well, nowhere is too far. If I get out of here, she had better watch out. I have a plan. She is going to die!
I love and miss you, Mam. Please come to see me.
Tour loving daughter, Beryl xxx
Ada could only guess at what their mam would have thought. Eeh, Mam. Like Beryl, I wish you were still here, though I wouldn’t want you to go through what I’ve been through. Or what any of us are going through, for that matter.
Edith came to her mind then. And the twist in the tale that might mean Edith’s twins were right here in London! Oh God, what shall I do if I don’t hear from Edith? Ada had to admit it was highly unlikely that she would hear from her in time.
It had been a shock to be preparing the list of possible attendees at the clinic next Thursday and to see a note asking that a Polish lady be added to it. There was some doubt as to whether she would attend, as she had appeared to be afraid when the charity workers went to her door. But her notes had said that she was caring for her motherless grandchildren: twin girls! The notes also said that she had escaped Poland via France.
That hadn’t given Ada any thoughts that these could be Edith’s girls, but the woman’s name had: Tolenski! Searching through Edith’s letters, she had found a reference to that name, as Edith had written, ‘The Tolenskis have gone.’
Oh, the heartbreak that letter had contained!
But if this was the same couple, what could she do? The torment of this question had visited her many times over the last couple of days. She couldn’t confront them, as they didn’t speak English. She couldn’t use the lad who spoke their language, as that would mean telling him about Edith! There was no one she could turn to – no one. If she did, she would break Edith’s confidence, and the secret Edith so wanted to keep would be out.
Anguish over the situation made every muscle in Ada’s body tense. How can I save those children for Edith? Her heart thudded as she remembered reading that the Polish woman intended taking the children back to her homeland when the war was over. Would Edith be home in time?
As soon as she could, she had written to Edith. Now she had no choice but to wait for her reply. If Edith confirmed that these were her twins, by describing the couple who had care of them, then Ada would do all she could to befriend the couple and appear as someone who wanted to help, and maybe find out all she could about what their intentions were.
At last Ada was in the line of visitors. Her pass, which she had at times thought might not be valid for some reason, had given her admittance without any problems. Once the search of their bodies had been completed, an indignation that Ada endured but hated, the main gates were opened.
They clanged as they closed behind her, and the grating of the key in the lock filled her with trepidation. But her excitement won out. There he was: her Joe, behind a grid, but smiling his lovely smile. Oh, aye, she could see it was a watery smile, as hers was, but it was grand all the same.
‘Eeh, me little love, at last.’
Stretching out her hands, she caught hold of his.
‘NO TOUCHING!’ The shout made her jump.
‘Take no notice, love. Keep hold of me hands . . . Agh!’ A whack on the back of Joe’s head cut into his words and made him pull his hands back.
‘Obey the rules, Grinsdale, or go back to your cell and ’ave all visiting passes cancelled for the next year!’
‘Sorry, sir. It was me excitement at seeing me lass. There’ll be no more rule-breaking, that’s not me style.’
‘See that there’s not!’
‘Eeh, Joe, Joe. How do you bear it?’
‘I bear it because I knows thee’s waiting for me, lass. And because me slate will be wiped clean when I come out.’
They didn’t speak for a moment, but just gazed into each other’s eyes. She didn’t miss the slow trail of a tear making its way down his cheek, but she didn’t comment. Instead she told him of her new life and friends. All the bits that she couldn’t put into a letter. And especially about Brendan: how he was growing and what he got up to, now that he was crawling all over the place. And about Rene. Rene had left for France, but as yet Ada didn’t know where she was. But she didn’t tell Joe about the woman she was to meet on Thursday. Or about Beryl. Not even to her Joe could she divulge Edith’s secret, and Beryl’s antics would only worry him.
Joe had tales to tell, too. Most made her laugh, although others brought a sadness to her. Like the one about the prisoner whose daughter had been killed in France; sh
e had been driving a truck carrying the wounded, when a bomb had hit. She and all her passengers had perished. He’d asked to be allowed to spend a few days with his family, but had been refused.
‘That’s a sad tale, Joe. Tell him I will be thinking of him and praying for his wife and for his daughter’s soul. He should be very proud of her.’
‘He is, but he knows that part of what motivated her to join up was to escape the shame he’d brought down on her, so it’s like a double punishment for him.’
‘Aw, naw. Poor fella. Anyroad, let’s talk of happier things, like the future, eh?’
Aye. I’ve been told that if I behave meself, I could be in for having me time shortened!’
‘Eeh, Joe.’
Aye, I thought that would please you. And it could be by as much as a year and a half, so I could be out of here by mid-1920! By, it sounds like a lifetime away, as time passes slowly in here, but it will pass. It will.’
‘It will. And, I’m asking you now, Joe: will you marry me on, let’s see, the first of August 1920? I’ll get everything arranged.’
‘I will, Ada. And thank you for asking me, as I didn’t feel I had the right to ask you, with the position I’m in.’
‘By, just think, our Brendan will be coming on four years old then, and he can be a pageboy!’
‘That’d be grand, lass. Grand.’
As the train took her home, Ada was filled with mixed feelings. There was extreme sadness at leaving Joe and not knowing when she would see him again, and trepidation about the situation with the Polish woman, and about Beryl. But there was also the joy at having had her marriage proposal accepted, as she knew, as Joe had said, that he would never have asked her while he was in prison. Oh yes, he’d hinted about her becoming his wife in the past, but this was a firm commitment. She’d buy a ring and wear it on her left hand. It would show that they were engaged. It wouldn’t matter that it hadn’t come from Joe. All that mattered would be what it stood for. Oh, Joe, my Joe . . .
28
Ada
Jimmy’s Hope House, Kensington,
late October 1917
Ada meets the twins, Elka and Ania
Ada couldn’t keep her eyes off the door of the rooms they used for the clinic. These were the basement rooms. There were four in all: a surgery, a waiting room, an examination room and a kitchen.
In the corner of the waiting room was a booking-in desk. It was here that Ada hovered. ‘Michael, I can’t tell you why, but will you help me to speak to Mrs Tolenski?’
‘Of course I will, but what brings you down here? You don’t usually get involved with this clinic.’
‘I knaw. I – I had some spare time, that’s all. Anyroad, her story touched me. I read it when I made up the list of those attending the clinic today.’ She thought quickly for an excuse for her interest. ‘It – it set me wondering if we couldn’t do something for refugees. Many of them have lost their husbands or, as in this case, a young ’un. They must be very lonely. I thought that, with the help of you interpreters, we could teach them English, so they’re not so isolated.’ She thought this sounded plausible.
‘You never stop, do you? You are one of the kindest people I know, Ada, especially after all you’ve been through. Of course I’ll help – between my job as an interpreter for the War Office and my voluntary work for Lady Eloise’s charity, that is!’
‘Aw, you’re a gem, Michael.’
‘Look, Ada, I know that you have a fellow, but how about you come out with me one evening? You don’t seem to have any fun.’
‘Ta, Michael, that’s reet nice of you, but when I’m done here I can’t wait to spend time with me little lad and Annie. We have a lot of fun together. I’m alreet, honest. Besides, what does an educated man like you want to take a working-class girl like me out for?’
‘I – I don’t mean . . . Ada, you can’t think I meant that.’
‘Naw, I don’t. I’m just joking with you. I’d never think that of you, Michael.’ She laughed at him as she pushed his shoulder. He was a tall man who towered over her. His dark good looks had him catching the eye of many of the lasses who worked in or visited the building, so she was flattered that he’d asked, but a little embarrassed as well.
‘Well, I’m glad. And the offer stands, and with no strings attached, I promise.’ He was back to his relaxed, self-assured self. ‘Though I have to say that I do find you very attractive, and would hope you might turn your attentions to me.’
‘Michael! You’ve just knocked yourself off the pedestal I put you on. There’s no chance of that happening. I’m engaged to be married!’ To soften this she laughed and said, ‘Now, stop taking the rise out of me.’
‘I’m not—’
Ada cut him off as she spotted an older, foreign-looking woman enter, pushing a pram. ‘Eeh, there she is! I’m sure it’s her.’
‘Now you have got me suspicious. I think there is more to this than you wanting to start a group for refugees?’
‘Naw . . . Naw, don’t be daft. I – I were just pleased to see that she had come, after you saying she was afraid when you visited, that’s all. Come on, she’s booked herself in. Let’s go and chat.’
A look of fear crossed Mrs Tolenski’s face as they approached. Her eyes shifted from Ada to Michael.
Ada’s heart thumped in her chest as she glanced at the twins. Though they had the reddish hair that she believed Albert had had, they looked so like Edith. One of them smiled at her, and the other glared from under a cross frown. ‘Eeh, they’re bonny.’
Michael said something in Polish to Mrs Tolenski.
Realizing that she was frightening the woman even more, Ada asked Michael to explain her idea.
Mrs Tolenski’s head shook from side to side as Michael spoke, and she clung on tightly to the handle of the large pram. The twins, one sitting at each end, stared at Ada. The one who had glared started to scream.
‘Elka, you will upset Ania!’
Oh God! Elka and Ania. Eeh, they are Edith’s for sure. But what can I do? What can I do?
‘Are you all right, Ada? Mrs Tolenski is screaming that you are scaring the babies.’
‘What? Oh, yes. Tell her I don’t mean to. By, the young ’un has a grand voice on her – she shocked me!’
As Mrs Tolenski picked up Elka, Ania began to cry, only her little sobs sounded fearful rather than angry.
Ada picked her up and held her to her. ‘There, there. It’s alreet – naw one is going to hurt you.’
Hardly able to believe she was holding Edith’s child in her arms, she had to swallow hard not to let her emotions get the better of her. Panic shook any trace of them away, as Mrs Tolenski put Elka back in the pram and grabbed Ania. Though she didn’t understand the words she said, Ada knew the woman intended to leave.
‘Tell her she must stay. Michael, tell her . . . tell her!’
‘But . . .’
‘Do it, Michael: tell her it is the law!’ Past caring what he thought, Ada only knew that she must keep them here, and that she must gain the woman’s confidence.
Sitting back down with a look of defeat, Mrs Tolenski dabbed at her eyes with a rag she’d fetched from her pocket.
‘Ada, that was bad form. What’s going on?’
‘Nothing. I’m sorry. I just felt that I had scared her away. Eeh, Michael, I couldn’t have that on me conscience – these babbies need us.’
‘Look, I’ll talk to her for a moment. Explain that you only want to be her friend and help her with the children. You leave us for a minute and, if she is willing to talk to you, then I will fetch you.’
Knowing that he was right, but finding it difficult to lose sight of the children, Ada moved away.
Half an hour passed before Michael came to her. ‘I couldn’t find you. I never thought to look by the entrance! What is your intention: to barricade them in or something? What is going on, Ada?’
‘Eeh, Michael, I can’t say, but I need your help. I need to stop them leaving the country, a
t least for a few weeks.’
He stared in astonishment and disbelief. ‘How am I going to do that?’
‘Is she still saying that she is going?’
‘Ada, I am losing my patience with you and will speak to Lady Eloise about this. There is something dreadfully wrong, for you to be behaving like this.’
A feeling of despair came over her. Edith would be disgraced if her secret got out, so Ada would have to make something up. ‘I’m being silly. I just have a funny feeling about those twins. As soon as I heard about them, I thought of me friend back home. Her husband was killed, and the shock and distress caused her to lose her twin babbies. They came too early and died at birth. I thought that if Mrs Tolenski couldn’t cope, I could get me friend to adopt them, and the Tolenskis could still be their grandparents; they could all help each other.’
‘Of all the ridiculous notions, Ada! Mrs Tolenski loves those babies and lives in fear of anyone taking them off her. She would never agree to such a plan.’
Ada’s despair deepened and she could think of nothing to say.
Sensing this, Michael said, ‘Sorry, old thing, but it just isn’t on. Oh, here they come. Now don’t go upsetting her. She was quite happy by the time I had settled her, and she went in to see the doctor without a murmur.’
Standing close to the wall, Ada waited for Mrs Tolenski to reach the exit. When she did, she smiled a friendly smile. ‘Was everything alreet with the babbies?’
To Michael’s interpretation, the woman smiled back and nodded, saying in English, ‘Thank you, yes’ and then switched to Polish, which Michael told Ada meant, ‘Her little darlings were very healthy, and she was grateful for the help and the vaccinations.’
Smiling widely at her, Ada thought to get a better response by doing as the woman had done and speaking directly to her, rather than to Michael. ‘I wondered if I could call on you and help you out? I have a little boy. He is a little older, about a month or so, and it would be good for them to play together.’