Welcome Home

by Margaret Dickinson

Edie laughed, trying to lighten the moment. ‘Well, then, you’ve nowt to worry about.’

  ‘But – but I might have told her things about here – about Grimsby – when I first met her. After all, I thought she was a journalist.’

  ‘I don’t reckon you knew owt top secret, now did you? The only ship you knew anything about was your dad’s and he was only a fisherman. His trawler wasn’t even a minesweeper, now was it?’

  ‘I suppose not – but it’s a bit scary to think I was going around with – with a spy.’

  ‘The police do want to see you.’ Shirley’s eyes widened fearfully as Edie went on, ‘They asked us to get you to go to the police station.’

  ‘Will you come with me, Mam?’

  ‘It’d be best if your dad went with you. He’ll advise you what to say.’ Edie laughed wryly. ‘I never knew your dad was so good at – well, not lying exactly, but bending the truth a little.’

  Shirley smiled tremulously. ‘I’m glad he did. I still can’t help liking Ursula. She was a good friend to me, when I didn’t have anyone else after Beth and Irene had gone away.’

  Archie and Shirley went to the station later that afternoon. ‘Better get it over with, love,’ Archie said to the anxious girl, ‘and then we can all settle down and enjoy New Year’s Eve and next year things will be a whole lot better.’

  Shirley grimaced. ‘Mam doesn’t think so, if none of us come to live back at home. She’s going to be awfully lonely, Dad. I know that, but I do love the life in the ATS. They’re already saying it might be disbanded but that if it is, there might be some other sort of military service women can join. That’s why I’m so worried I’m going to get a black mark against my name for this.’

  ‘Here we are, love, we’ll soon know now, and don’t forget your mam and me will stand by you whatever happens. We know none of this was your fault. In fact, we’re as much involved, if it comes to that. We welcomed her into our home.’

  ‘But you had your doubts, didn’t you, Dad?’

  ‘Yes, I did,’ Archie admitted. ‘But I didn’t do anything about them – and that’s nearly as bad, if not worse. Come on, lass, we’ll face this together.’

  Strangely, Shirley felt comforted; she had never felt closer to her father than in this moment of crisis.

  ‘I need a drink,’ Shirley said with heartfelt relief as they stepped out of the police station.

  ‘Let’s get home, then,’ Archie began, but Shirley shook her head.

  ‘No, Dad, I mean a real drink – in a pub.’

  ‘Eh?’ For a moment, Archie looked startled and then he grinned. ‘My little girl all grown up. Well, well. Come on, then, we’ll go to our local. It’s nearly opening time. Harry might be there and we’ve something to celebrate.’

  Shirley had told the police all she knew about Ursula, which, when it came down to it, wasn’t very much, but Sergeant Fenton could see that she was being truthful.

  ‘You might be called upon to give evidence if it comes to a trial, but I can assure you that you’re not in trouble, Shirley. Far from it, because you’ve come forward of your own free will. You go home and enjoy your New Year with the family.’

  ‘Except that there won’t be many of the “family” home, will there, Dad?’ she said as they walked towards the pub.

  ‘No, love, but I expect Harry will first foot for us, just like he always has. They’ll be round for a drink just after midnight. In fact, there he is, look, making for the same place as us. We’ll ask him.’

  They sat at a table in the corner, their drinks in front of them, as they filled Harry in on the excitement that had happened earlier in the day.

  ‘Poor lass,’ was Harry’s only comment, ‘she was only trying to do her duty by her country, same, perhaps, as—’ He stopped and glanced at Archie and when the other man gave a slight shake of his head as if to say ‘not in front of Shirley’, Harry said no more.

  ‘I can’t tell you how relieved I am.’ Still wrapped up in her own worries, Shirley hadn’t noticed the look that had passed between the two men. ‘I really love the service life and I don’t want to get chucked out just because I was friendly with her. Though I was a bit naïve, I have to admit.’

  ‘You weren’t to know,’ Harry reassured her. ‘We were all taken in. Even us old ’uns.’

  ‘Well, I know now and I’ll certainly—’ Suddenly, Shirley stopped speaking. She was staring at the door, her eyes wide and her mouth dropping open. ‘Well, well, well, just look who the wind’s blown in.’

  ‘Who?’ Archie glanced up towards the door. For a moment, he, too, stared and then he was on his feet and shouting across the room. ‘Frank! Frank, lad – over here.’

  Frank, dressed in his army uniform, removed his cap and threaded his way amongst the tables, his progress hampered by greetings from all those who knew him. At last he reached their table and was hugged by Shirley and shaken hands with by his father and uncle.

  ‘What’ll it be, Frank? This one’s on me,’ Harry said, slapping him on the back. ‘By, it’s good to have you home.’

  ‘It’s not for long. I don’t get demobbed for a few months yet. But I asked for leave. I needed to come home.’

  There was silence; none of them knew quite what to say and Frank’s expression gave nothing away as to how he was feeling about his wife as he sipped his beer and closed his eyes for a moment with obvious satisfaction. ‘By, I’ve waited a long time for that, I don’t mind telling you.’

  ‘Are you back in this country now?’ Shirley asked. ‘You won’t be going abroad again, will you?’

  Frank turned to her and seemed to realize for the first time that his little sister was in uniform. ‘Hey, you joined the ATS, Shirl. Good for you. What about Beth? Did she join up? Is she home yet?’

  So many questions and yet they were all shying away from the one topic that was uppermost in all of their minds; Irene and her baby. Even Shirley, for once, held her outspoken tongue in check.

  Archie sighed as he said heavily. ‘Beth went off to London, we thought to work for that feller whose kiddies she looked after. Alan Forster. But he was something in the war office and I – I have my suspicions she might have ended up working for them too.’

  Frank stared at his father and then at Shirley as she added, ‘We haven’t heard from her at all for ages and before that, it was only a measly postcard about once a month.’

  Frank frowned. ‘That’s not like Beth. She was always writing home when she was in France. Long newsy letters about all she was doing, about the children and – oh, everything. Postcards, you say? Was that really all she sent?’

  Shirley nodded and added quietly, ‘I don’t think the last ones were from her. You know how she always used to sign off with “Stay safe”? Well, that wasn’t on any of the last few cards.’

  ‘Ah.’ Frank was thoughtful, gazing down at his beer and twisting the glass round in his hand.

  They were silent for several minutes as if not one of them wanted to be the first to voice their fears. At last, Archie said, ‘I just wonder if she was involved in some sort of secret work in France. You know, because she could speak the language so well.’ He glanced at Shirley as he added, ‘We’ve just had a bit of that sort of thing here, haven’t we, love? You tell Frank all about it.’ So, haltingly at first and then with increasing confidence, Shirley told him about Ursula.

  ‘It’s possible, I suppose,’ Frank said slowly. He looked straight into his father’s eyes as he said softly, ‘And you haven’t heard from her recently, not even since the war ended?’

  Unable to speak now for the lump in his throat, Archie just shook his head.

  ‘Look,’ Harry said, getting up. ‘It’s time I was going. And your Aunty Jessie will be so pleased to hear you’re home safe and sound, Frank.’ He put his hand briefly on the young man’s shoulder. ‘Night, all.’

  ‘Shirley, love, would you go home ahead of us and tell your mam?’ Archie said, ‘She’ll be thrilled, but it’ll be a bit of a shock all the sam
e.’

  ‘Oh – yes, right you are, Dad.’ Where once she might have argued, Shirley now understood what Archie meant. Edie needed to be prepared to greet Frank and perhaps, too, Archie wanted a quiet word with his son before going home. ‘I’ll tell her to get the kettle on, shall I?’

  ‘And tell her I’m famished, an’ all,’ Frank said, grinning up at his sister. ‘That’ll keep her busy.’

  As she passed by his chair, Shirley paused and looked down at him. ‘Frank, I’m sorry if I did the wrong thing writing to you like that, but . . .’

  Frank looked up and smiled at her. ‘I’m glad you did, Shirl. It helped me get things right in my head before I came home. I know now what I’m going to do, so thanks.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Really.’

  It was the second huge wave of relief that Shirley had felt that day.

  Left together in the pub, Archie leaned forward and said, ‘I know it’s nowt to do with me, lad, but if you want to talk things over, I’m here.’

  ‘Nowt to talk about, Dad. I’ve made me mind up and no one’s going to persuade me different, so let’s have another one and then we’ll get going.’

  They talked some more over their drinks and then Frank made a move to go. As he stood up, he glanced down at his father. ‘Dad, just between ourselves, I’ve been no angel while I’ve been away. It’s hard when you’re separated for years on end like me and Irene have been.’

  Understanding, Archie nodded and added, ‘You go, lad. If you don’t mind, I’ll sit here for a bit. It’s been a busy old day and I’d just like to be left alone with my thoughts.’

  ‘I’ll see you later, then.’

  Archie sat for another hour and then, reluctantly, he left the pub and walked up the street towards his home, quite expecting to walk into a full-blown row between Edie and Frank. But he opened the back door to the sound of laughter and, walking into the living room, it was to see Frank sitting at the table attacking a huge plate of bacon, eggs, fried bread and sausage.

  ‘Where on earth . . . ?’ he began, but then he looked up to see a grinning Reggie standing behind Frank’s chair.

  ‘Joe Schofield brought him. He’s staying a couple of nights with us.’ Edie was somewhere between laughing and crying with happiness. To have her two boys home unexpectedly was almost too much to bear at once, even if the reason for Frank’s return was not a happy one. ‘And he’ll fetch him again on Wednesday morning.’

  ‘Ah, I see now where all the food’s come from. That was very kind of them.’

  Shirley came in from the scullery carrying a sponge cake filled with cream. ‘And just look at this, Dad. Mrs Schofield sent this too. Would you like some bacon and egg? There’s plenty.’

  Archie pulled out a chair across the table from where Frank was devouring his meal. ‘I wouldn’t say no, lass. Thanks.’

  Shirley disappeared back into the scullery and they soon heard the spitting of bacon frying. The smell drifting into the room made Archie’s mouth water. When Shirley set it in front of him, Archie said, ‘By, this is a meal fit for a king.’

  ‘I’ve done you some fried bread too. I know how you like it.’

  The two women helped themselves to a piece of cake. ‘What about you, Reggie love?’ Edie said. ‘You’ve brought all this and yet you’re the one not eating.’

  ‘I’m fine, Mam, ta. I had a big dinner before we set off.’

  Frank sat back and gave a sigh of satisfaction. ‘I don’t reckon I’ve tasted food as good as that for five years or more.’

  Edie watched him, willing him to talk about the one subject that was on everyone’s mind, but Frank seemed content to drink his tea and talk about the rest of the family. Anything, it seemed, other than about his wife.

  ‘I can’t believe how you’ve grown, young Reg. Are you staying in the country, then?’

  Reggie beamed and his eyes lit up. ‘Mr and Mrs Schofield want me to stay and work on the farm. And it’s what I want to do.’ He glanced at Archie as he added, ‘Sorry, Dad, but I really don’t want to go to sea.’

  ‘I’m glad, Son. It’s been a good life for me, but it’s not for everyone.’

  ‘What about you, Frank? What are you going to do when you come home?’

  It seemed as if everyone in the room was holding their breath, but Frank only smiled and said, ‘I expect it’ll be the sea for me. It’s all I know.’

  Edie could contain herself no longer. ‘What are you going to do about’ – she gestured with her head towards the wall between the houses – ‘her?’

  Frank frowned, but before he could answer, Archie said firmly, ‘Now, now, Edie, leave it, love. It’s for Frank and Irene to talk things through. It’s nowt to do with us.’

  ‘It’s everything to do with us, Archie. She’s no better than a—’

  Edie wasn’t allowed to finish her sentence as Frank put up his hand to silence them all. Then quietly he said, ‘I’ve already made up my mind what’s going to happen and it will all be sorted out in the morning. It’s too late tonight. The children will be in bed. It’ll wait another few hours. In the meantime, can you put me up for tonight, Mam? If not I can—’

  ‘Of course I can. I wouldn’t hear of you going anywhere else. The beds are all made up in the attic bedroom.’

  Shirley chuckled as she put in, ‘Just as they have been ever since you both left.’

  They all stared at Edie, who wriggled her shoulders in embarrassment and said, ‘Well, I never knew when any of you might come home unexpected-like, did I? I’ve kept them well aired.’

  Archie got up and went to kiss his wife on her cheek. ‘And now you’ve got three of ’em home, all at once.’

  ‘Yes, yes, I have,’ Edie said happily, trying hard to keep her mind off what would happen the next day.

  Frank had still given them no clue as to what he intended to do.

  Fifty-One

  Lil rushed into the house and slammed the back door behind her, leaning against it. She was trembling, her heart hammering nineteen to the dozen, as the saying went. She put her hand to her chest. The shock of seeing him was so unexpected. And now she must tell Irene.

  When she’d calmed herself a little, though her hands still shook, she opened the door into the living room and sat down opposite Irene, who was giving the baby her last night-time feed beside the fire. Tommy was already in bed. Irene glanced up and saw the anxiety in her mother’s eyes.

  ‘What is it, Mam? Has that old biddy next door been having a go at you again?’

  Lil shook her head. At last she burst out, ‘He’s home, Irene. I’ve just seen him going in by their back door.’

  The colour drained from Irene’s face as she whispered. ‘Frank?’

  Lil nodded.

  ‘Then – then he’ll be coming here.’ There was a slight pause before she added, almost pathetically, ‘Won’t he?’

  ‘I – I expect so. But probably not tonight. He – he’s a thoughtful lad. He’d not want to upset Tommy this late.’

  Lil and her daughter stared at each other, both knowing that neither of them would sleep this night.

  His decision made – and he intended to stick to it whatever anyone said – Frank slept soundly, but in the next room, Edie lay awake, staring into the darkness and listening to the baby crying through the wall. What was Frank going to do? Surely, surely he wouldn’t think of taking her back, would he? No, no, she wouldn’t let him. He’d listen to his mam. She still knew what was best for him – for all her family. And yet, Edie was forced to admit that one by one they seemed to be slipping away from her, making their own decisions and living their own lives.

  But Frank was different; he would take notice of her. Shirley had always been a bit of a madam and as for Reggie, well, she blamed the Schofields. He’d gone to them at an impressionable age and impress him they certainly had!

  Edie slept restlessly and woke with a headache. Frank was late up and both Shirley and Reggie had gone out by the time he appeared downstairs
, needing a shave at the sink in the scullery.

  ‘Breakfast?’ Edie asked sharply, her nerves on edge. She could see trouble coming today. There’d be tears from Irene and that would likely set Tommy off and she wasn’t even sure that Archie agreed with her. He’d been round to Lil’s a lot recently – ostensibly to see Tommy or to take him out – but he’d seemed to stay sometimes far longer than was strictly necessary to collect the boy or see him home again. Archie was sitting in his chair reading the morning paper when Frank, clean-shaven and dressed in his uniform trousers and shirt, sat down at the table.

  ‘So,’ Edie said bluntly, as she pushed a cup of tea towards him. ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘Talk to Irene,’ Frank said, ‘and then we’ll see.’

  ‘I think I’ll have a walk up to the pub,’ Archie said, heaving himself out of his chair. Coward, Edie thought to herself, wanting to snap at him, but she remained silent. Archie hated family rows and there was every possibility that there was going to be some sort of ruckus today. He reached for his muffler and cap and left by the back door.

  Frank finished eating, stood up and went out into the backyard. Edie held her breath as she heard the wooden door between the two houses open and close again. Then there was silence as she waited – and waited. After what seemed an age to her, though in reality it was only a few minutes, Frank came back.

  ‘Well?’

  ‘Irene’s coming round here in a minute, Mam.’

  Edie stared at her son and pursed her lips. ‘I don’t want that little trollop in my house, I—’

  ‘Mam.’ There was a warning note in Frank’s tone. ‘Me and Irene have got some serious talking to do.’

  ‘You are going to divorce her, aren’t you?’

  Frank shook his head.

  Edie sank down into a chair and rested her arms on the table. ‘Aw, Son, you’re never thinking of taking her back. Not after—’

  Frank held up his hand, palm outwards, to halt whatever his mother had been about to say. ‘That’s for me and Irene to sort out, Mam, there’s a love.’

  Edie opened her mouth, but whatever she might have been going to say – and Frank was sure he knew just what it was – was halted by a tentative knock at the back door. That alone spoke volumes. Ever since she could walk, Irene had come into Aunty Edie’s house, often without even knocking, but now . . .