The East End Girl in Blue

by Fenella J Miller

  ‘I’ve got a car coming. Someone who works at the war office is going as well and they have their own car and driver. Door-to-door service – what more could you ask for?’

  ‘Very well, you’ve persuaded me. What time?’

  ‘Seven o’clock and you’ll be back by midnight. We’ve both got a long list tomorrow and it wouldn’t do to go in with a hangover and no sleep.’

  This was such a ludicrous statement considering what they’d just been through that he laughed thinking Digby was being facetious. He wasn’t and looked puzzled by his amusement.

  ‘I’ve operated after being on my feet for a day and a half but I must admit I’ve never done so with a hangover.’

  ‘Jolly good show. I heard a rumour that you were engaged – I take it that’s not true.’

  ‘Free as a bird, old boy. It’s six o’clock now so I’ll finish my drink and toddle off and get ready.’

  *

  The car dropped them at the front door of a massive house. There were two flunkies at the door checking invitations and he didn’t have one. He would be relieved if he was turned away as he doubted that he was going to enjoy himself. This just wasn’t his kind of thing.

  Digby pulled out a square of gold embossed card, one of the men checked it and waved them through. The party was obviously up the wide staircase as the noise was coming from the first floor. The room was filled with elegant guests – the women in evening dress, the men in dinner jackets like him.

  Waitresses were circulating with trays of champagne and he helped himself as one went past. He did his best to be charming, to smile and respond when spoken to, but the longer he was there the more he realised he was as out of place amongst these sorts of people as Nancy would be. He would rather stay at home with his feet up, listening to the wireless, with a good book to read.

  Julia came from the same background but she’d never liked occasions like this. With hindsight he understood that she preferred to be the centre of attention, the wealthiest and best dressed woman in the room. This was why she had insisted on moving to a country practice where she’d have no competition.

  He was stuck here until midnight unless he was prepared to find his own way home. Walking about the streets of London looking like a penguin wasn’t something he was keen to do. He found himself a corner where he could observe without being seen himself.

  The conversations he overheard were about the start of the shooting season, hunting, scandals, the lack of staff because so many of them had been conscripted or volunteered – but scarcely a mention of the devastation surrounding them in London, of the fifteen hundred or so people who died in the last night of the Blitz and the thousands and thousands who were now homeless.

  The more he heard the less he wanted to be there. Even the constant flow of champagne wasn’t enough to keep him where he was for the remainder of the evening. He stepped into the mêlée and looked around for Digby, but he was nowhere in sight.

  He dodged the amorous advances of a beautiful young woman who was definitely inebriated and headed for the exit. There was still a trickle of late arrivals, which meant a doorman would be on duty.

  ‘I’m Mr Denny and I have to leave. Mr Digby will be expecting to take me home. Could you make sure he knows that I have already left?’ He slipped the man a ten-shilling note and he appeared satisfied with the exchange.

  ‘I’ll make sure that Mr Digby gets your message, sir. You might be lucky and find a cab if you walk down to Oxford Street.’

  The doorman had been correct and he was able to hail one almost immediately. The journey would probably set him back five shillings including the obligatory tip but he wasn’t going to quibble at the cost tonight.

  When he hung his dinner jacket in his wardrobe later that night he hoped that he’d never have to wear it again. The only invitations he was going to accept in future would be to places where a smart suit was all that was needed.

  A couple of days later he returned to Primrose House after a long day, looking forward to a relaxing evening and then three days to himself.

  Jensen was waiting for him in the vestibule. ‘A WAAF is waiting to speak to you, Mr Denny. She is in the dining room.’

  ‘Thanks, did she give a name?’

  The concierge had vanished through the staff door and ignored his question. He only knew two girls in the WAAF and both of them were friends with Nancy. Something had happened to her – there could be no other reason why they’d come in search of him.

  Charlotte saw him enter and was on her feet and holding out her hand by the time he reached her side. She didn’t look devastated so the news couldn’t be as bad as he’d feared.

  ‘Charlotte, you’re a most unexpected visitor but a pleasure to see you nevertheless.’

  ‘Sit down, David, we need to talk.’

  He did as she said, unsettled by her tone. She sounded more like a headmistress about to reprimand a pupil than a friend of Nancy’s bringing him news.

  ‘What’s going on? I assumed you’d come because of Nancy as I can’t think of any other reason why you’d have searched me out.’

  ‘For an intelligent man, a surgeon well respected by his peers, you have been remarkably stupid.’

  His eyes narrowed but she didn’t take the warning and continued in the same vein.

  ‘Do you love Nancy?’

  ‘It’s none of your damn business.’

  ‘That’s where you’re wrong. She is a very dear friend of mine; in fact one of only two people that I genuinely care for. Therefore, I’m quite prepared to speak my mind if it’s going to put things right for her.’ Charlotte was a tall girl, striking rather than good-looking, and he decided to let her speak as she obviously had Nancy’s best interests at heart.

  ‘I’ll answer your question. I do love her but we decided it would be best for both of us if we weren’t together.’

  ‘That’s exactly what she said. You need your heads knocking together to put some sense in them. By the way, in case you’re interested, she had a beautiful daughter on the 11th.’

  The constriction in his chest relaxed. He hadn’t realised he’d been so tense expecting the worst possible news, despite the fact that she hadn’t led with bad news. ‘A girl? We both thought she was having a boy.’

  ‘I’m sure you’re well aware that Charlotte Jane is illegitimate because you were too cowardly to marry Nancy when you had the opportunity.’ She stared at him, daring him to comment but he just nodded and let her carry on. ‘Exactly why, David, do you think that a marriage between you is a bad idea?’

  He was about to say that Nancy would be unhappy as the wife of an up-and-coming surgeon but instead said what had really made him agree to end the relationship. ‘I couldn’t marry a woman who thinks so little of me that she believes I would mistreat a child.’

  Charlotte banged the table making him jump. ‘And there we have it. She doesn’t believe that for one moment – she only showed you that letter so you’d leave as she thought that would be best for you.’

  ‘Are you trying to tell me in a roundabout way that Nancy would marry me if I asked her again?’

  ‘I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. She doesn’t know I’m here and would be mortified if she did. I want you to tell me why you now think a marriage to her would work.’

  ‘We’ve both been remarkably dense about this. I’ve no more wish to mix with the upper crust than she has. We’re from very different backgrounds but that’s nothing insurmountable. We love each other, we’re miserable apart and I’m certain we can have a happy life together.’

  Finally, Charlotte smiled, making her look almost beautiful. ‘I take it you still have the licence you got a few months ago?’ He nodded. ‘Then, you buffoon, grab a suit and an overnight bag whilst I book a slot at the town hall.’

  *

  ‘Why has Charlotte disappeared for the day?’ Nancy asked Jane. ‘Is she meeting a young man that she doesn’t want to tell us about?’

  �
��Something like that. Oscar will be here tomorrow. We’ll spend the day with you and then catch the mid-afternoon bus to the vicarage.’

  ‘I’ve got something special planned for lunch. I thought I’d make a nice Victoria sandwich as well as a rhubarb crumble. My gardeners have just uncovered the vegetable plot and there’s loads of rhubarb. You get extra points when you’ve just had a baby so I’ve managed to get enough marge to do both.’

  ‘Charlotte will be back for supper – will there be any of that delicious bread we had earlier?’

  ‘I really fancy a bit of cheese on toast but I’ve not seen any cheese for weeks. I could get some on the black market I expect but I don’t hold with that. Mind you, I spent a fortune on my pram.’

  ‘It would be silly to do without something you need when you’ve got the money to buy it. I bet your family would buy as many luxury things as they could if they had the funds to do so.’

  ‘I’ve arranged for my solicitor to send my ma ten pounds a week. I could afford to give her a lot more than that but my pa would just take it off her and spend it down the pub. It’ll make the world of difference to her and knowing they won’t be short of a few bob at the end of the week is a great relief.’

  Jane encouraged her to make extra sandwiches and like a magician produced a tin of coffee. ‘Blimey, where did you get that?’

  ‘I did a favour for a friend who gets a food parcel from America every now and again. I think it’s a cousin or something. I thought you’d prefer this to something you’d never use for the baby.’

  She frowned. ‘What sort of something would I never use?’

  ‘A silver rattle, an engraved silver tankard – the usual sort of thing given as christening presents.’

  ‘Not where I come from. A new mum was lucky to get a bottle of stout. I’m trying to buy a sewing machine but I’m not having any luck so far. I really miss not being able to use the one at the vicarage. It takes so long to do everything by hand.’

  Jane was fidgeting, getting up and down and looking out of the window for Charlotte. The front gate had been left unlocked so her friend could get back in.

  ‘Golly, your dog has just streaked across the garden and vanished through the gate. I thought she was in the back garden and couldn’t get through.’

  Nancy was about to go after Polly but Jane waved her back. ‘No, I’ll go. You had a baby two weeks ago and shouldn’t be rushing around as much as you are.’

  ‘I don’t like sitting still. I reckon that’s why I’ve got my figure back so quickly. If it wasn’t for my big bosoms I’d be able to wear my normal clothes already.’

  ‘Why don’t you put the kettle on? I’m sure Charlotte will want a cup of tea if you’re not prepared to share your coffee.’

  Jane dashed off, not bothering to put on her uniform jacket or hat; she would be put on a charge if she was seen improperly dressed in public. She couldn’t imagine why the silly dog had gone out like that. The gate had been left open before and she’d not made any attempt to escape.

  The kitchen faced the back of the house and when the garden was completely cleared Sid had assured her she’d be able to see the river while she did the washing-up. The kettle was singing when she heard voices in the hall.

  She dropped the coffee pot and it smashed on the quarry tiles. David was first through the door and she couldn’t speak. Was frozen to the spot. He closed the gap between them and she was in his arms. He didn’t kiss her, just hugged her so tight she could scarcely breathe.

  ‘My darling girl, this nonsense has gone on long enough. It took Charlotte to bring me to my senses. We’re getting married tomorrow but first I want to see my baby daughter.’

  Her cheeks were wet. She didn’t know what to say, just knew this time he wouldn’t take no for an answer. She glanced across at her best friends who’d brought him to her. She’d never be able to repay them for giving her back the man she loved.

  David cradled Lottie on his lap whilst he munched through several sandwiches and drank three mugs of coffee. ‘I’m so glad you hadn’t made the coffee when you dropped the pot, sweetheart – this is just too good to waste.’

  Jane and Charlotte had gone up a while ago leaving them to talk in private. She didn’t know what to say. Her head was spinning, and she could hardly believe he was actually sitting next to her holding the baby, already as besotted as she was.

  He wanted to know all the details of her delivery, complimented her on her recovery but didn’t ask why she’d run away. She guessed that Charlotte had told him.

  ‘We’re getting married at eleven thirty. Then we can leave it a week and register the baby. I’m not sure how you’re going to explain to your neighbours that you’re actually Mrs Denny and not Mrs Smith.’

  She snuggled into his arms before answering. ‘I’ve told so many lies I can’t see that a few more will make any difference. I told the midwife that Betty and Billy were my husband’s and that he’d married me to be a mother to them.’

  ‘And now I’ve mysteriously reappeared.’ He chuckled and lifted her hand and kissed her work-roughened knuckles. ‘Shall we pretend that I’m an absolute cad and walked out on you for another woman but have now repented and returned? Everyone will just think I’m a bit of a rogue and forgive me.’

  ‘I bet they will. I doubt that anyone where you work will ever hear any of it so it doesn’t really matter. Billy’s determined to call you dad anyway so nobody will be any the wiser.’ She pushed herself up and looked at him earnestly. ‘Do we have to tell Lottie when she’s older?’

  ‘Absolutely not. Why complicate things if we don’t have to?’

  ‘What do we tell the children?’

  ‘We don’t need to tell them anything apart from their name will now be Denny like the rest of us. I’ll get my solicitor to start adoption proceedings immediately.’

  He was quiet and she thought he was thinking but when she looked, he was fast asleep. She slid from the sofa and collected the baby. After putting Lottie in her temporary cot, she dashed back with a pillow and a blanket.

  His glasses would be safe on the coffee table and he’d see them as soon as he woke up. She carefully removed his shoes and lifted his head a little to put the pillow under it. He didn’t stir. He must be exhausted to sleep so heavily on such an important night.

  You weren’t supposed to see the bridegroom the night before your wedding so it was better he was downstairs. The midwife had mentioned in passing that you couldn’t sleep with your husband for at least six weeks after having a baby.

  Getting pregnant again this year, even if it was David’s child, wasn’t something she wanted to do. He was a doctor; he would know how to avoid her catching on. She’d not expected to sleep but for the first time in months she was gone the moment her head hit the pillow.

  Lottie was fed and changed at two o’clock and Nancy didn’t stir until the baby cried for her next feed at six.

  ‘Your daddy’s home, baby. Today we’re going to be a real family.’ Lottie continued to suck greedily and she smiled down at her daughter.

  ‘I wish I had a camera, darling. You both look so beautiful I’d love to capture the moment.’ David stood in the doorway looking somewhat dishevelled, unshaven, but ten years younger.

  ‘You shouldn’t be in here. It’s supposed to be bad luck seeing your bride on the wedding morning.’

  ‘Then you don’t want the tea I’ve brought you?’ He padded across in his socks and put it down so she could reach it. ‘Good God, surely Lottie isn’t sleeping in a drawer?’

  ‘Don’t state the blooming obvious. It’ll do until she’s a bit bigger and I can find a cot. The cribs too heavy to move up and down stairs twice a day.’

  ‘Surely she can sleep in that magnificent perambulator I saw in the hall yesterday?’

  ‘I didn’t think of that – anyway, it only arrived two days ago. Will you bring up the crib for me, please?’

  He leaned over and kissed her hard on the mouth. ‘I’ll do anything y
ou want. I love you and I also approve of our new home. I’ve been exploring and it’s perfect. There’s a regular train service to London so even when I can’t get petrol for my bike I can get to work easily.’

  ‘I’m glad you like it. Why don’t you use the bathroom whilst it’s quiet? Did you bring a clean shirt or will you be marrying me in that one?’

  29

  David took the children and the dog for a walk along the riverbank and was aware that he got several curious stares from those he passed. The fact that Billy and Betty were calling him daddy would no doubt be common knowledge by lunchtime.

  He hoped that their wedding wouldn’t be, as that would somewhat spoil the illusion. He’d been right to think that Nancy could manage without him but that was one of the reasons he loved her so deeply. This was going to be a marriage of equals. His wife would be his closest friend as well as his lover and he couldn’t think of anything better.

  ‘Daddy, Daddy, Polly’s done a big poo,’ Betty said gleefully.

  Billy was about to investigate with a stick. ‘No, don’t do that. Keep your stick for swiping nettles.’

  He checked his watch – in two hours’ time he’d be getting married for the second time. He could barely recall Julia’s face now and Nancy had said the same about Tommy.

  Betty stumbled and grazed her knee and howled lustily. ‘Up you come, sweetheart. Nothing to worry about. Daddy will carry you home and Mummy can take care of it when we get there.’

  Was all this pretence going to come unravelled at some point in the future? Everyone at Chalfont Major knew the true situation, which meant they could never take the children there, which was a damn shame.

  Perhaps it would be better not to live in Chelmsford where there was always a chance Nancy would bump into someone who recognised her when she started going out again. He didn’t care what anyone thought about his private life, but he cared very much about the potential damage to the happiness of his family.

  He handed the children over to Jenny who immediately took them out into the back garden to watch the two old men doing a sterling job clearing the jungle.