‘When she first went to London,’ Shirley said, ‘we had long, newsy letters, but now it’s just a short note – and not very often at that.’
‘Perhaps she is on a secret mission.’
Edie and Shirley stared at her. Seeing their startled looks, Ursula said swiftly, ‘I was only joking.’
‘Aye, well, mebbe so,’ Edie muttered and turned back to the scullery, wondering if the girl’s teasing had actually been somewhere near the truth. Where was Beth? Was she safe and would she ever come home? Or was she, too, lost like Laurence?
At first, Sybil Carpenter frowned as she looked Beth up and down. ‘I see you’ve taken it upon yourself to design your own style of dress to fit the cover story.’
‘It’s just a suggestion, Miss Carpenter. I’ll abide by whatever decision is made – if I’m accepted and pass the training, of course.’
‘That goes without saying.’
Sybil Carpenter was tall and thin with short brown hair and smooth skin. She was neatly dressed in a dark blue costume and a white cotton blouse. She had a brisk manner that sometimes bordered on being brusque, but she had an important job to do and it was not melodramatic to say that people’s lives depended on her decisions and on those of her colleagues. She continued to regard Beth thoughtfully, biting her lower lip until Beth began to feel slightly uncomfortable. Had she overstepped the mark? Been too forward?
‘Take your coat off, please.’ Beth removed her coat and then Sybil said, ‘Turn round – slowly.’
When Beth stood facing her once more, the woman’s face suddenly broke into a smile, making her look years younger and far less severe. ‘Actually, Beth, I think it’s a very good idea, particularly in view of what Alan is suggesting. Sit down and let’s talk things through.’
The next hour passed quickly whilst Sybil explained all that would be expected of Beth. When she had finished, she asked the same question that Alan had asked. ‘Will you do it?’
Once again, Beth said firmly, ‘Yes, I will.’
‘We want you to start training straight away. You’re already in the FANYs so it makes it a lot easier,’ Sybil added.
‘What happens about letters to our families while we’re away?’ Beth knew, of course, that she could say nothing to her family.
‘If you wish, we can send postcards, which you will have written before you go. Postcards are easier because you won’t be required to say too much, not like you would if you were writing a letter.’ Sybil smiled. ‘Families expect long, newsy letters, but with a short postcard, they accept you can’t say much.’
‘Mm.’ Beth was sceptical. Her letters had been epistles of the highest order, as her aunt, Jessie, would have said, and the difference between them and a few brief postcards would be markedly noticeable. But just lately she had not written so effusively. It had been difficult when she could no longer talk about what she was doing, let alone what she would be doing in the future. But she still doubted that her eagle-eyed mother, or her perceptive dad, would accept brief postcards as ‘normal’. More than likely they had already begun to ponder the brevity of her recent letters. Anyway, she comforted herself, it had to be done. Training as an agent was what she wanted to do.
Four days later, Beth was on a train to Wanborough Manor in Surrey, dressed once more in her FANY uniform. She was greeted in French by the woman in charge of the establishment and quickly told that she must speak the language at all times. It seemed to Beth that the atmosphere was very relaxed for a training school for agents, but she had worked with Alan long enough to know that this first part of a four-stage training was to weed out any who were unsuitable. Beth knew that the candidates were being observed every minute of the day, yet no mention was actually made about why they were really here. For the following three weeks, Beth took part in the physical training and laughed with the others during the lessons in sabotage, the teacher making the bangs a matter for levity. Yet underneath they all knew there was a very serious reason. They enjoyed throwing each other about in the unarmed combat lessons, but when it came to learning silent killing they all realized the grim reality of what they were undertaking. They were taught map reading and how to communicate in Morse code, in which, much to everyone else’s surprise, Beth excelled.
‘Of course this isn’t enough for those of you who are going on to train as wireless operators,’ their instructor said, ‘but all of you should have a basic knowledge.’
When they went out in the evenings, there was always a member of the staff with them, observing their behaviour, as Beth well knew, for she had done it herself several times at Alan’s request. But now she was being observed. At the end of the three weeks, Beth was one of those chosen to proceed to one of the paramilitary schools based in north-west Scotland.
Now it was getting serious.
‘You can all go home for Christmas,’ their instructor told the chosen few, ‘but not a word about what you have been doing or what you are training for. Not one word. Being in the services’ – he nodded towards the small number of women, who were now all in the FANYs, to include them – ‘you have the protection of what that stands for.’
Beth felt torn. She longed to go home to see her family, but she was nervous too. Her family – and her father in particular – were very astute and she doubted her own capability of keeping such secrets. Still, she reminded herself wryly, it’ll be good practice. If I can dupe my nearest and dearest, I can fool anyone.
Thirteen
‘1941’s been a funny year, hasn’t it, Lil?’ Edie mused as they sat together to finalize their plans for Christmas.
‘Irene and the little one – and Reggie, of course – have been away such a long time and we haven’t even been able to get out to see them.’
‘I know, duck, but Archie’s adamant that we shouldn’t upset Reggie and, of course, we’re not encouraged to make unnecessary journeys, are we?’
‘I don’t think seeing our family is “unnecessary”,’ Lil replied with surprising asperity.
‘Tell you what, you write and ask Irene to come home for Christmas and I’ll write to Reggie. Surely he’s been there long enough not to get “unsettled”, as Archie calls it.’
That decided, the two women turned their thoughts to how the war was going.
‘Most of the year seems to have been taken up with Rommel’s siege of Tobruk. Thank goodness the Allies won in the end.’
‘Yes, but to me the worst thing that’s happened this year has been the Japanese attack on America’s fleet in Pearl Harbour last week. Who’d have thought anybody could be daft enough to attack a huge country like that?’
Lil laughed wryly. ‘Only Hitler, when he attacked Russia. If he beats them, Edie, I’ll eat my hat.’
‘He won’t – but at least we’ve got both the big powers on our side now.’
‘That’s true – we’re no longer alone, are we?’
Edie sniffed. ‘Only here at home without our families.’
At the end of his final trip to sea before Christmas – the third Christmas of the war – Archie stepped into the back door of his house to be greeted by Edie waving a letter under his nose.
‘She’s coming home for Christmas. Beth’s coming home.’
‘Ah, now that’s the best news I could have had, love. We’ll make it the best Christmas we’ve had since all this started, eh?’
‘Aye, we will – as much as rationing will let us. It’s going to be even harder this year. I don’t reckon it can get much worse. I just hope Beth brings her ration book home with her.’
‘She will,’ Archie said confidently.
‘But there’ll be no sherry for Norma this time – even if she was joining us this year, which she isn’t – and hardly any chocolates or fruit. And I’ve had such a job to get you even a bit of baccy, Archie.’
He patted his wife’s shoulder. He could see that the shortages were bothering Edie. She couldn’t look after her family any longer in the way that she always had.
‘I’m
sure you and Lil will work miracles. You always do. And chin up, love. Things are looking better than they did this time last year. Adolf was an idiot to invade Russia – at least from his point of view. I don’t know what he was thinking of but at least it diverted his Luftwaffe away from us. And he’s had to abandon his attack on Moscow now. I expect the Russian winter defeated him just like it did Napoleon. And it’ll have depleted his resources and lowered the morale of his troops. And we’re not alone now, Edie. We’ve got the Yanks with us. You mark my words, love, it’ll take us a while yet but we’ll win. One day – we’ll win. And best of all, Beth’s coming home!’
For the rest of the day, the smiles never left either of their faces and Lil, when she heard, clasped her hands together and breathed an ecstatic ‘Oh!’
Shirley, too, grinned from ear to ear. ‘I’ll be able to introduce her to my friend.’ Shirley had had few real friends in her life other than Irene and, of course, her sister, but she seemed to have found one in Ursula.
‘Oh aye.’ Archie smiled as he sat down in his armchair with a satisfied sigh and shook open his newspaper. ‘And who’s this, then? A boyfriend?’
‘Don’t be daft, Dad,’ Shirley laughed wryly. ‘Who’d look at me?’
‘Aw, don’t do yourself down, love.’ Archie glanced up at her over his paper but couldn’t for the life of him think what to say to encourage his plain-looking daughter without sounding patronizing. ‘Beth’ll help you with the make-up and curl your hair and all that when she comes home. Your hair looks pretty when it’s curled up.’ Now he could be truthful, for it did.
Shirley felt a lump in her throat. It wasn’t often her dad took much notice of her and he hardly ever commented on her appearance. But she was honest enough with herself to know that it was a difficult task to pay her compliments when she was compared to her lovely sister!
They were all at the station to meet Beth on Christmas Eve, but this time it was a happy occasion. And Lil was there too. After she’d hugged them all and Archie had picked up her suitcase, Beth glanced around her. ‘Where’s Reggie? And Irene and Tommy? Have they come for Christmas? Are they waiting at home?’
Edie bit her lip and shook her head but it was Shirley who said, ‘They’ve not come, Beth. Irene said that little Tommy’s got a cold and she doesn’t want him riding on draughty buses or trains. And Reggie, well . . .’ she paused and glanced at her mother, then took a deep breath and said bluntly – ‘he doesn’t seem to want to come home.’
‘Of course he does,’ Edie said, valiantly trying to persuade herself as well as everyone else. ‘Mr Schofield brought a letter from him when he brought us two birds – geese this time – and a lovely piece of ham this year. Oh, we’ll have a feast, Beth, and no mistake.’
‘And what did Reggie say in his letter?’
Edie shrugged, trying to make light of it, but she’d been hurt. ‘He said that the land army girls are going home for Christmas and Mr Schofield won’t have anyone else to help him on the farm, so – he felt obliged to stay. I’m sure he really wanted to come home, though.’
‘Of course he did, Mam,’ Beth said gently.
Comforted, Edie linked her arm through Beth’s and Shirley took her sister’s other arm and they walked along the road arm in arm, leaving a smiling Archie and Lil to bring up the rear.
‘You’ll meet my friend Ursula,’ Shirley chattered. ‘She’s got no family in this country and the woman she lodges with at the top of our road is a right old misery. There’ll be no merrymaking in that house.’
‘Ursula? Who’s Ursula?’
‘I told you – my friend.’
‘I know, but who is she?’
‘She’s Swiss and came to live in England years ago.’
‘She’s got a funny accent,’ Edie murmured, ‘but she seems nice enough.’
‘And what about you?’ Shirley asked. ‘What have you been doing? I must say, I like the uniform. You look awfully smart, though I’m surprised they’ve let you grow your hair even longer. I thought you had to have it all chopped off when you went into the services.’
Beth laughed, her low, deep chuckle that had everyone smiling. How they’d all missed Beth and that laugh of hers. ‘All sorts of things,’ she said, answering the first part of Shirley’s questions and deliberately keeping her replies vague. Neatly, she avoided any comment on her hair. She was growing it longer for a reason, but she didn’t want her family to know what that was. ‘I’ve been taking a first-aid course.’ This at least was true and Beth felt she was on safe ground. It fitted in with the nursing theme that the FANYs stood for. ‘And it’s been very useful knowing how to drive. I must remember to thank Uncle Harry tomorrow. They are coming to us for Christmas Day, I take it?’
‘Yes, but Norma’s got other plans this year,’ Edie replied.
‘Well, she won’t be missed,’ Shirley said, without stopping to think that Lil was walking close behind them. Edie shot her younger daughter a warning glance, but Lil called out merrily, ‘It’s all right, Edie. Actually, I quite agree with Shirley.’
And all five of them burst out laughing, attracting some curious glances as they walked home.
‘Poor Norma,’ Beth said kindly. ‘Just so long as she’s not going to be on her own for Christmas Day. I wouldn’t like to think of anyone being on their own at Christmas.’
‘That’s why I want to invite Ursula,’ Shirley said promptly.
‘What about the lady she lives with, though? Does that mean she’s going to be alone?’
Shirley shook her head. ‘She’s going to her sister’s, but they didn’t ask Ursula.’
‘Then she must come to us,’ Edie said firmly. ‘You can pop up the road and ask her before the blackout needs to go up.’
Later that night when Lil had gone home and Edie, weary with all the preparations for the following day, had gone to bed – Shirley too – Beth and her father sat together in front of the dying embers.
‘Now, love,’ he said gently, ‘are you really all right? You can tell your old dad, y’know.’
‘Dad, I’m fine – honestly.’ And Archie had to admit she looked it. Her skin was clear, her long brown hair was glossy and her eyes were shining as if she were thoroughly enjoying her life in the FANYs.
‘Er – what is it you do exactly?’
‘All sorts, Dad.’
‘But it’s nursing, isn’t it? Is that what you’re doing?’
‘Not exactly.’ Beth shook her head. She’d rehearsed her answers to any probing questions so they slipped glibly off her tongue with no awkward hesitation whilst she concocted an answer. ‘I’m a general dogsbody, I suppose, but thanks to good old Uncle Harry, I can drive an ambulance if needed.’
Archie leaned forward and tapped his pipe out on the hearth and then set it on the mantelpiece. He avoided looking directly at Beth now as he stared into the fire and said softly, ‘Well, whatever it is you’re doing, lass, just take good care of yourself and – and come back safely to us, won’t you?’ He was on the point of asking her to write more often, to keep them posted about where she was and what she was doing, but Archie Kelsey had his own instincts – just like his daughter – and he remained silent.
Beth felt a lump in her throat and she was on the point of confiding in her father, but she stopped herself just in time and instead whispered huskily, ‘I promise.’ She stood up and kissed the top of his head. ‘I’m off up now. I need my sleep to cope with a heavy afternoon of charades tomorrow. Night, night, Dad.’
As the door closed softly behind her, Archie sighed. Her replies to his gentle probing hadn’t fooled him for one moment.
Despite the absence of several members of the family, they all enjoyed Christmas Day. At first, Ursula seemed shy and somewhat disconcerted by having to meet several more members of the family at once for the first time. She seemed especially nervous when she found that Beth had joined one of the forces.
‘Shirley says you’ve been living in this country for some time.’ Beth smile
d at her, trying to make the girl feel welcome and yet, she was puzzled by her. She wanted to find out more. ‘But where are you from originally?’
‘I told you, Beth, she’s from Zurich.’
Beth grinned. ‘So you did, Shirley. Sorry, Ursula, I’m just naturally nosey.’
Archie, carefully carving one of the geese from the Schofields’ farm, pretended to be concentrating on the job in hand, but his sharp ears were missing nothing of the conversation around the table. He was wondering what Beth was playing at. He’d always thought her the least ‘nosey’ person he knew and yet here she was asking the stranger in their midst quite probing questions. Maybe she was just trying to make the girl feel welcome and at home – or was it something else? Had Beth’s training – whatever that had been – taught her to ask questions of anyone and everyone?
‘So how long have you been here? You speak wonderful English.’
‘I came when I was twelve,’ Ursula said. Suddenly, her foreign accent sounded more acute. Perhaps, thought Archie, Beth’s questions were unnerving her and she was feeling under pressure.
‘Here? To Grimsby?’ To the casual observer, Beth’s questions sounded innocent enough, as if she was merely making conversation, involving the girl in their midst, but Archie wondered . . .
‘No, I was in London for many years, but when the bombing started I came north.’
‘Not the safest place you could have chosen, duck,’ Edie said, piling potatoes and carrots on to Ursula’s plate. ‘They’ve sent folk out of Grimsby – not to it.’ And she added under her breath, ‘As if we didn’t know.’
‘So, what made you come here?’ Beth laughed and, trying to lighten her probing questions, added, ‘It can’t be that you like the smell of fish.’
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