Across the Mersey

by Annie Groves

  The more Grace enthused about her rescuer the more Jean felt inclined to mistrust him. It was typical of Grace that she always thought the best of other people, but Jean knew what Sam would have to say about a young man who bought his daughter an expensive frock – if she were to tell him, of course.

  ‘Wasn’t that a wonderful thing of him to do, Mum?’ Grace was demanding.

  ‘I don’t know about wonderful, Grace. In my day a young man certainly didn’t buy a girl a frock, not if she was a decent girl, that is, and he respected her,’ she added warningly.

  Grace flushed and gave her a reproachful look. ‘He isn’t that sort at all, Mum,’

  ‘Well, it’s plain you don’t want to think so, love, but you’ve only met him the once and here he is buying—’

  ‘He didn’t buy it for me, Mum. He bought it because he wants me to train as a nurse,’ Grace told her. ‘That’s what he said to me, and he made me promise that I would. Oh, and I shall, and I want to be the very best nurse there is, Mum.’ Grace clasped her hands together, the look of shining dedication in her eyes making Jean’s heart miss a small beat at the sight of so much vulnerability.

  ‘He said that if there is war then men like him will need girls like me, girls who are trained nurses … and then he gave me the dress and … oh, Mum, I can’t believe it. I was so sure that I’d gone and spoiled everything. But now…’

  Jean watched her worriedly. What Grace had done was very wrong and yet, as her mother, she couldn’t help but feel relieved that she was not going to be denied her chance to do what she so desperately wanted to do, even if she also knew that Sam would not approve, and would think that Grace should endure her deserved punishment. He had such strong moral values, did her Sam, and she respected him for that, but a mother was still a mother, and now that Grace had let slip that this Seb was about to rejoin his unit and hadn’t made any attempt to suggest they meet up again, she was beginning to feel a bit less worried.

  ‘Well, let this be a lesson to you, Grace,’ she told her daughter sternly. ‘You’ve been very lucky to have things work out as they have, but think on in future, and don’t go letting yourself be persuaded into doing what you know isn’t right. We’ve brought you up to know better than that and, like I said, your dad would be that disappointed if he knew what you’ve done.’ Jean paused. The last thing she wanted to do was to encourage any of their children to think they should keep secrets from their father but she knew Sam, and if he were to be told the full tale she suspected he would insist on Grace owning up to what she had done, even if it meant she lost her opportunity to do her training.

  ‘Your dad’s got a lot on his mind at the moment, what with being in the ARP as well as having to do his own work, so there’s no need to give him any more to worry about by telling him any of this. It would only upset him and he’s that proud of you.’

  Jean reached for her overall and sprinkled it with water before unrolling it and starting to iron it. The colours were beginning to fade but there was plenty of wear left in it yet.

  ‘Yes, Mum,’ Grace agreed meekly.

  ‘Now you’d better take that box upstairs and get it out of the way. We can have a look at the frock later and see if there’s anything that can be done with it.’

  Grace gave a small shudder, and looked conscience-stricken. ‘I could never wear it again, Mum, not after what I did.’

  ‘Maybe you can’t, but some other girl might be glad of the opportunity to wear it,’ Jean told her firmly.

  ‘The service is to be at eleven o’clock three weeks on Saturday, after the banns have been read, and the wedding breakfast will be at the Splendide Hotel.’ Vi took a sip of her tea, and then dabbed delicately at the corners of her mouth with a snowy white starched napkin. Really, one would have thought that Alan’s mother would have made a bit more of an effort with her appearance. Vi would have been ashamed to go out wearing such a dull-looking tweed skirt, not a Jaegar by the looks of it, and what looked like a hand-knitted twinset. The colours didn’t even match. The skirt was brown and the twinset navy blue. She looked down at her own teal-blue jersey afternoon frock with its lace cuffs, and felt happily superior to Bella’s mother-in-law-to-be.

  ‘The vicar said he’d never known so many couples come to him wanting to be married just in case it comes to war,’ she informed her. ‘He’s actually had to turn some people away but he said that of course he could make room for us, seeing as my Edwin is a councillor, and of course your own husband as well, Mrs Parker. Now, I’m seeing the printer tomorrow about the invitations and the order of service. We’re having Evans’s to do the catering.’ Vi gave Alan’s mother an arch look as she mentioned the name of Wallasey’s most expensive catering firm. ‘Mr Firth insists. He won’t have anything less than the best, I’m afraid.’ Vi patted the pearls she was wearing complacently.

  The two women were sitting in Vi’s smart new front room, and so far Alan’s mother hadn’t spoken a single word.

  Well, of course Vi could understand that. After all, she must be feeling that ashamed of herself after the way her son had behaved toward Bella, frightening her like that. But as she’d said to Bella on Sunday morning when she’d taken her up a cup of tea, young men could get carried away with their passionate feelings, especially when they were as in love as Alan obviously was with her.

  Naturally too she had tried delicately to find out exactly how far things had gone but Bella had been so terribly upset that she hadn’t pursued the matter. Fortunately she had managed to ascertain that whatever had happened had only happened for the ‘first time’ so that even if the unthinkable were to result, no one could possibly raise their eyebrows at a honeymoon baby arriving a couple of weeks or so early.

  ‘Bella wants to have her cousin Grace as one of her bridesmaids, of course, and, bless her, she’s said that she’d like to ask Trixie to be the other, just to show there’s no hard feelings. She’s such a thoughtful girl like that. I know already that you’re going to love her as though she were your own daughter. It’s such a special bond, I always think, between a mother and a daughter. Such a shame you only have a son, but then, you’ll have my Bella now.

  ‘I’m afraid that Edwin is still a teeny bit cross with dear Alan for the way he upset Bella. He’s such a protective father, but like I’ve said to him, we knew what was in the wind and that it was only a matter of time before Alan called to ask formally for Bella’s hand.’

  Vi saw the murderous look Alan’s mother was giving her but chose to ignore it. After all, if anyone should be giving murderous looks to anyone it should be her. It was their darling Bella whom they had found in hysterics at the Tennis Club after Charlie had telephoned them and insisted they needed to be there. As she’d told Alan’s mother when they had driven round to see his parents, the minute he had realised what that happened Edwin had been all for forbidding Alan to see Bella again but, like any mother, she had wanted to see common sense prevail.

  Of course, as she had also told Alan’s parents, thanks to the quick thinking of the Tennis Club President no real harm had been done and everyone knew that Alan and Bella were now engaged, but in view of the circumstances they naturally felt that the sooner the wedding took place the better.

  Vi’s mouth hardened as she remembered how Mrs Parker had tried to suggest they call out a doctor to examine Bella to confirm whether or not Alan had a duty to marry her. She had soon put a stop to that.

  All in all she was very pleased with the way things had worked out, especially once she had realised just how close to the Parkers Trixie’s family were.

  ‘Of course, the young couple are going to need somewhere to live, and with your Alan working for his father I dare say you’ll want him close to you. There’s a detached house up for sale five down from you,’ Vi informed the other woman.

  ‘Mr Parker doesn’t like rushing into things,’ Alan’s mother told her coldly. ‘He says no good ever comes of it. There’s no reason why Alan shouldn’t stay where he is.’
/>   ‘Well, personally I think that a young couple should have their own roof over their heads.’

  ‘It wouldn’t be their own roof, though, would it, Mrs Firth, not with Alan’s father having to pay for it?’ Alan’s mother put down her tea cup and stood up. ‘I really must go. I’ve got a committee meeting this evening.’

  ‘Bella will be sorry that she missed you, but what with Alan coming round and insisting that he wanted to take her out to buy her her ring … Of course, it’s only natural that he wants to make it up to her for the way he behaved on Saturday. Bella was shocked at how much he’d had to drink.’

  ‘Drinks bought for him by your son, I believe,’ Alan’s mother told Vi in an arctic voice.

  ‘Charlie is just so very generous. Too generous really, sometimes.’

  Mrs Parker looked pointedly at her watch.

  ‘Such a shame you have to go when we haven’t finished discussing all the arrangements yet. I’m taking Bella to choose a wedding gown next week, and then there’s the bridesmaids’ frocks. I’ve telephoned Trixie’s mother to tell her that Bella wants Trixie to be her bridesmaid. It’s a pity she’s such a plain girl. Not a patch on Bella, of course.’

  ‘Mr Parker and I are very fond of Trixie.’

  ‘Well, yes, I’m sure you must be, but of course you’ll love Bella – everyone does. She’s going to make such a wonderful mother.’ Vi sighed sentimentally, but her eyes were cold as she watched the anger burn in Alan’s mother’s eyes.

  She had known the minute they had driven round there on Saturday night that Mrs Parker was one of those mothers who thought their sons could do no wrong and who was prepared to defend and protect him no matter what. Well, she had soon made sure that Edwin let them know exactly what Alan had been up to with their Bella and how distraught she was. Far too distraught to come into the house. She had told Mrs Parker very bluntly that had her Charlie behaved like Alan then she would have insisted he do the right thing by the poor girl involved – not that Charlie would ever behave so badly.

  Even then, knowing the whole situation, Vi suspected that the Parkers would have wriggled out of admitting that Alan had no option other than to marry Bella, if it hadn’t been for the fact that their engagement had already been announced in front of the President of the Tennis Club.

  Vi couldn’t believe that Mrs Parker actually thought that that Trixie, with her horsy face and moony expression, would be a better wife for her son than her own Bella. Stupid woman. And mean too, suggesting that Bella move in with them.

  The sight of Sam beaming from ear to ear when he came in from work was enough to make Jean feel less guilty about not telling him what had happened. He had such a lot on his mind at the moment that it wouldn’t be fair to add another burden to the ones he was already carrying.

  ‘You look pleased with yourself,’ she told him. ‘You’re a bit later than I was expecting, though. The others have already had theirs, and I’ve got to go out to my WVS meeting tonight, so you’d better get washed up and sat down at the table.’

  ‘Sorry, love,’ Sam apologised, rolling up his shirtsleeves over the sink and turning on the tap. ‘Fred Wilson collared me when I was on me way home, He’s our Group Warden.’

  Jean nodded as she removed the cottage pie she’d plated up earlier for him from the oven. By the time Sam had washed his hands and was sitting down, Jean had put his dinner in front of him and had the kettle on.

  ‘Aye, Fred had a bit of good news he wanted to tell me,’ Sam continued. ‘Seems that the Government has decided that it’s going to pay us a bit of summat for being in the ARP, even though it’s only part time. It’s not much, mind,’ he warned, but Jean could see how pleased he was. Luke will be getting it as well, and I reckon it won’t do any harm to carry on as we have been doing and put it to one side for the future. Where are the kids?’

  ‘Luke’s out at band practice,’ said Jean. ‘Grace has gone to find out what she needs to do to get started with her nursing training, and the twins have gone off to the park with that friend of theirs. They’ll be back at school next week so they might as well enjoy what’s left of their holidays. I had a message earlier saying that they wanted volunteers down at the school to help get the kiddies evacuated, so I’ve said I’ll go and give a hand. Poor little mites, and their mothers as well.’

  ‘It’s for their own good, Jean. If it does come to war then the Government wants them to be safe.’ He put down his knife and fork and looked at her. ‘I’ve bin thinking meself, about the twins and you.’

  ‘You’re not the only one. I’ve bin thinking about it too, but, like I’ve already said, Sam, I’m staying put and so are the twins. I’d never have a minute’s peace, worrying about you, if I didn’t, and I’d never have any peace if the twins weren’t here with us.’

  ‘Well, I can’t say that I wouldn’t prefer to have you here because I would, but the Germans are going to be out to get Liverpool, lass – we all know that, what with the docks and everything – and I’d feel a lot easier in me mind, know that you and the girls are safe.’

  ‘We’ll be as safe here as anywhere,’ Jean said to him firmly. ‘We’ve got that shelter in the garden, and besides, how can you be expected to help fight a war if you aren’t getting a decent meal to eat and clean clothes to wear? No, Sam, my mind’s made up. We’re staying.’ She paused. ‘I do hope that our Vi doesn’t really mean to send Jack away. I’d have him here rather than let her do that, but of course there’d be a ruckus if I offered.’

  They exchanged looks, and then Sam cleared his throat.

  ‘Aye, poor lad. But he’s their lad, love, and it’s not up to us to interfere.’

  ‘But, Sam …’

  ‘I know, love but there’s nothing we can do. You know that.’

  Jean straightened her shoulders and poured them each a cup of tea.

  ‘Do you reckon then that it’s going to be war?’ she asked.

  Sam pushed back his chair and stood up, going over to her. Jean stood up as well, her anxiety shadowing her eyes as he put his arm around her and she laid her head on his shoulder.

  ‘Yes, and there’s no point in me pretending that there isn’t,’ he told her gruffly. ‘You’ve got far too much sense to be teken in by summat like that.’

  For a few seconds they simply stood there in silence, Sam’s arm around Jean, and her head resting on his shoulder. Sam could feel her tears seeping through the fabric of his shirt. There was a huge lump in his throat. Jean so rarely cried.

  ‘At least we’ll have our Luke here with us, not like some families who’ve got to watch their lads going off to fight,’ Sam tried to comfort her.

  ‘I’m worried about him, Sam,’ she responded. ‘Something’s bothering him. Has he said anything to you?’

  ‘No, not a word. What do you reckon’s up with him then?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Jean admitted.

  SIX

  Sunday 3 September

  The sound of the twins’ muffled giggles had Jean looking along the pew and giving them a warning shake of her head. Dust danced in the long bars of sunlight striking through the high windows and onto the stone floor. She hoped the vicar’s sermon wasn’t going to go on for too long this morning. She’d got a nice piece of beef in the oven and she didn’t want it spoiling, and besides, she needed to sort out what she and the twins were going to wear for Bella’s wedding. A turn-up for the books, that had been and no mistake. And Vi could say what she liked about them getting married fast because there might be a war; it still wouldn’t stop folk putting one and one together and getting three, as the saying went.

  From the pew she could see where the Boy Scouts were standing. Jack had told her all about the badges he’d got when she’d seen him at Vi’s. It didn’t seem two minutes ago since their Luke had been marching off proudly in his own Scout’s uniform, his hair slicked down straight.

  She’d telephoned Vi yesterday from the telephone box at the end of the road, after the postman had brought the wed
ding invitation, and she’d been a bit taken aback when Vi had told her that Jack had been evacuated already.

  ‘His headmaster said we should, since they’ll be closing his school down if there is a war.’

  Jean bent her head and said an extra special prayer for her young nephew, and then another one for all those other children who had been sent away from their homes, and for their mothers as well.

  In the pew in front of them old Mrs Knowles from round the corner had fallen asleep, her hat coming down over one eye, its feather trembling in time with her snores, which was no doubt the cause of the twins’ mirth, Jean recognised ruefully.

  Dutifully Grace tried to concentrate on the vicar’s sermon, but the warm beams of sunshine striking through the Sunday morning torpor of the worshippers, combined with the excitement that was fizzing away inside her, was too much of a temptation, drawing her thoughts outside the church to more exciting things. This time, next week she’d have started her training. She was to report to the nurses’ home next Saturday morning and, like her mother had said, they were going to have to get their skates on if they were going to get in time everything on the list she’d been given.

  Lewis’s had been ever so good to her as well, giving her a day’s leave without docking any of her pay. Oh, she just couldn’t wait, although of course she was going to miss home and her family. She just hoped though that she’d be able to be Bella’s bridesmaid. A real surprise that had been, to all of them.

  ‘Perhaps the young man that was so kind to you will be at the wedding,’ her mother had suggested.

  Grace knew that she had coloured up and she knew too that her mother had noticed, but she was determined to be realistic about Seb and his kindness to her, and so she had said determinedly, ‘Well, he could be, Mum, although he told me that he isn’t really related to Alan at all. And… well, I got the impression he wasn’t very keen on him, and if he’s already back with the RAF, he may not be able to be there.’