Alan hadn’t heard a thing from the RAF, but Sarah knew it wasn’t worth getting her hopes up that he would not be accepted for training, as she knew he’d be bitterly disappointed. Whatever she thought of her future husband joining the forces, she had to keep it to herself. It was just a matter of time before he received the official letter. She only hoped that it wasn’t before the wedding.
Another problem that kept her awake at night was Irene. Her mother wanted the wedding breakfast to be catered at a hotel, or even a nearby golf club. Each time a letter arrived from Devon, her mother had included more suggestions for posh hotels and fancy food. Sarah considered taking her nan’s advice and using her mother’s favourite fancy pink notepaper as tapers for the coal fire that Ruby had ready to be lit if the nights should turn cold. As it was, she tried to placate her mother by explaining that everything was in hand. Ruby had told her not to worry so much and that the day of her wedding and her twenty-first birthday would be one she would always remember. Every bride had worries before the big day and Sarah was no different.
It was with a heavy heart that Sarah pulled on her hat and coat, and picked up her handbag to head for work. Tomorrow was the carnival, and try as she might, she could not find the enthusiasm required to be Erith’s carnival queen. Pulling the front door closed behind her, she was surprised to see Alan standing at the gate.
‘Thank goodness I didn’t miss you,’ he said, kissing her cheek and putting his arm through hers. ‘I have a surprise for you.’
Sarah’s heart skipped a beat. ‘You’ve heard from the RAF?’
‘No, darling girl. It’s a special treat. I’ve arranged it with Betty. You’re taking the day off from work and we are going on a little trip.’
‘But where and why?’
‘Why? Because I love you to distraction and want you to myself for the day. You are constantly fussing over dresses with your friends and being drilled on your royal duties as carnival queen. I can see you look tired with so much on your mind. It’s time we stopped thinking about weddings and me joining the RAF and everything, and just acted like two young people in love with each other. Where? Just you wait and see.’
Sarah felt the weight she’d been carrying on her shoulders almost vanish. She was the luckiest girl in the world to be engaged to such a caring, thoughtful man. ‘Oh, Alan, a day to ourselves would be lovely. Wherever you are taking me, I’m sure I’ll love it.’
‘Well, come on, my love, our transport awaits.’
Although puzzled, Sarah happily walked the short distance to town before heading down the High Street towards a small jetty by the River Thames, where passengers were boarding The Kentish Queen paddle steamer. A wooden board announced, ‘Day trips to Margate.’
‘Oh my goodness, this is so exciting. I’ve wanted to go on a trip on the Thames for ages. Freda will be so jealous when I tell her what I’ve been up to.’
‘Don’t you worry about Freda. She knows about your surprise, and I’ve promised that once the wedding is over, we can all have a day out together. Now, mind your step – I don’t want to have to dive in and fish you out of the water.’
Sarah hung on to Alan’s hand as she climbed aboard. The steamer bobbed slowly up and down as gentle waves lapped against its sides. A smiling young woman took the tickets Alan held out and welcomed them aboard. She pointed out where they could sit and admire the view.
‘Do you think that she works on the boat?’
Alan nodded. ‘The Sayers family have run the paddle steamer for generations. Gracie works with her dad, Ted. They’re a local family just like us.’
‘I do believe I’ve seen her shopping in Woolies,’ Sarah said as she looked out over the Thames towards Essex.
Seagulls flew overhead, dipping and diving and calling out to each other. The river was a hive of activity, as around her, ships that had travelled from exotic locations around the world unloaded their goods at the many warehouses and jetties. She felt the warm morning sun on her face and visibly relaxed from the worries that had kept her awake for so many nights.
‘This is lovely. I feel better already. Will it take long to reach Margate?’
‘I’m not sure, but let’s just enjoy the journey and some time to ourselves. There never seem to be enough hours in the day for us to spend time together.’
Sarah snuggled up against Alan. ‘You’re too generous with your time. How many people have you helped erect Anderson shelters? You must be an expert at the job. Then you’re busy decorating Maureen’s house. There can’t be an odd job left to do.’ Sarah was proud of Alan, but there were times when she thought he gave too freely of his time.
‘About half a dozen or so, but our neighbours are elderly and can’t manage on their own. Everyone’s doing their bit to make sure folk will be safe when the war starts.’
‘If the war starts.’
‘OK, if.’ Alan squeezed Sarah closer to him. ‘You know it’s going to happen, though, don’t you?’
Sarah sighed. ‘Yes, there’s more chance now of war than I ever thought there would be, but I want things to stay the same and for everyone to be safe and happy, so if you don’t mind, I’ll continue to say “if ” rather than “when”.’
Alan took Sarah by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes. She looked sad and he wished he could make everything right in her world, but it was beyond his capabilities. ‘My love, you must face up to things. Now is not the time to close your eyes to world events. Those Nazis are a pretty bloodthirsty lot and we need to sort them out before they turn our country into another part of their empire. There will be a war and there’s no way we can avoid it.’
Sarah tried to pull away from Alan’s grip, but he was strong and kept hold of her. Why was he spoiling their day with talk of war? She didn’t want to think about it. ‘But, Alan . . .’
Alan placed a finger under her chin, turning her head so she looked into his eyes. He didn’t like to see Sarah upset, but she had to face up to the future. ‘Look, love, I’m going to be away for long periods of time, and when I am, I want you to be brave. Promise me you’ll take care of my mum as well as your nan, and keep an eye on young Freda too? That will keep you busy and stop you worrying so much. Once this is all over, we can plan for the future. Our own home and perhaps even a family. Promise me?’
Sarah blinked to stop a tear from falling. ‘I promise, but I’ll be counting the hours until you’re home and safe. You’re just not to do anything dangerous, do you hear me?’
Alan laughed and pulled her into his arms, holding her close. ‘I hear you, my love. I’m not exactly keen to be shot at by the Hun, you know.’ He silenced any further protest by claiming her lips. Sarah melted into him, content to stay that way for as long as possible, until the sound of tutting from nearby made them part.
‘Well, really. I know a date has been set for the wedding, but there’s no need for such goings-on in public.’
They both turned to see Vera, from up the road, sitting nearby with her daughter.
‘Good morning, Mrs Munro. Isn’t it a lovely day?’ Alan called, before grabbing Sarah’s hand and pulling her to her feet. ‘Let’s go find those refreshments, shall we?’
Sarah giggled. She’d enjoy her day with Alan. Nan had told her how she treasured all her memories of Granddad and how important they were to her now he was no longer with them. She’d do her best to create some of her own memories today to hold close and cherish. Whatever happened in the future, she would remember Alan’s love of life, his smiles and his laughter. Today would be an entry in her album of memories. Hopefully there would be many more to come and she could look back on them in her old age and relive their day together.
‘So, did you go on the waltzer? What about candyfloss? Did it taste nice?’
‘For Gawd’s sake, Freda, stop nattering and wave yer bloody hand like the Queen does and smile at the punters. Anyone would never think you’d been to a funfair or the seaside.’ Maisie beamed around her and winked at the butcher’s boy,
who was pedalling fast to keep up with them.
Freda gripped the side of the lorry as it moved slowly down Pier Road towards Woolworths and waved enthusiastically at the crowds that lined the pavements. Youngsters ran alongside the lorry calling out to Queen Sarah as she sat on her throne on the low-backed vehicle. ‘I’ve never been to the seaside, so of course I want to know all about it.’
‘What, never? Why’s that?’ Maisie asked, grabbing Sarah’s shoulder to balance herself as the lorry bumped over a hole in the road.
‘’Cos I come from the Midlands and it’s in the middle of the country, that’s why,’ Freda hissed back indignantly.
‘Blimey, I never thought of it like that,’ Maisie said, nudging Queen Sarah, who was trying not to listen to her friends and to remember all that Betty Billington had told her about the rest of her duties.
‘What do you think “midland” means, you dunce? We lived miles from the sea, and not having much money, we didn’t get to have days out and such. I spotted the poster for Margate and Dreamland at Charing Cross Station and thought that it was somewhere I’d go to one day. Fat lot of chance of that, what with working all hours.’
‘All right, keep your hair on,’ Maisie hissed back. ‘It’s only the seaside.’
‘It might be “only the seaside” to you, but it would be heaven to me. I’ll most likely never get to paddle in the sea or eat cockles and all.’ Freda looked sad.
‘Well, pin that smile back on yer face or you’ll be for it if Mr Benfield catches you looking miserable. I’ll see what I can do to get you to the seaside.’
‘Really? You’d do that for me?’ Freda jumped up and down, waving to the crowd frantically as the lorry pulled to a halt in front of Woolies. ‘I can’t believe it. When? When can we go?’
Sarah looked around for Mr Benfield. Surely he would see that Freda’s mind wasn’t on her duties. ‘Look out, you two. Mr Benfield is on his way over. Freda, we’ll sort out your trip later. Let’s finish the job in hand, shall we?’
Freda calmed down as they alighted from the lorry, assisted by their beaming manager. They stood on the pavement watching as the Dagenham Girl Pipers marched by, resplendent in their brightly coloured kilts and playing well-known marching tunes on the bagpipes. Following behind were local groups of Brownies and Scouts, as well as the nurses that could be spared from Erith Cottage Hospital, where the fete was in progress. The plan was to return to the hospital and attend the fete once Queen Sarah had toured the store and greeted the staff and customers. Mr Benfield, accompanied by the mayor, led Sarah and her entourage into the shop, to much cheering from the staff. Sarah blushed with embarrassment. If she’d known that there was going to be so much fuss, she would have declined the invitation to be the carnival queen. Inside the shop, she sat on a specially made throne, while the mayor made a speech thanking F. W. Woolworth, which was followed by Mr Benfield and staff demonstrating their skills with firefighting material and gas masks.
Betty sidled up to Sarah as she was watching Alan skilfully putting out a pretend fire, much to the mirth of the Brownies, who were enjoying a bag of sweets each courtesy of Woolies. ‘You do look pretty, Sarah. You all do,’ she added, turning to Maisie and Freda. ‘I can’t thank you enough for volunteering to help.’
Maisie gave the girls a wink behind their boss’s back. All three knew that if there had been any volunteering involved, they’d have been hiding at the back of the queue. ‘I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say we wouldn’t have missed this for all the tea in China, ducks . . . er, Betty . . . I mean, Miss Billington.’
Betty patted Maisie’s hand. ‘Betty will be fine for today, and please, you must think of me as a friend, as we will all be bridesmaids together very soon.’
‘Only three weeks to go now,’ Freda added. ‘It will be Sarah’s twenty-first birthday as well, so it’s twice as special.’
Betty nodded. ‘Yes, the third of September will indeed be a day for rejoicing. I haven’t looked forward to something so much since I don’t know when. Now, let’s get you girls a cool drink before you climb aboard your chariot and head back to the cottage hospital and the fete.’
Maisie rubbed her backside and grimaced. ‘Chariot? I could have sworn it was Clarke’s coal lorry we were riding on, and it was none too comfortable either. I’m sure my seat was a bag of nutty slack.’
14
‘Now, now, love, you’ve got to stop this crying. Your Alan is not going to be too pleased to see his bride walking up the aisle with puffy eyes and a red nose, now is he? Just unlock the door and let me in, there’s a love. You still have birthday presents to open downstairs and a few more cards to read. People have been so generous. I’ve got a nice cup of tea for you with a dash of brandy in it to perk you up. There’s a couple of slices of toast as well, as you missed your breakfast with all this hoo-ha going on.’
Ruby heard muttering from behind the bedroom door and then the key turning in the lock. A worried Freda opened the door and whispered, ‘It’s gonna take a lot to convince Sarah to get married today. I hope you can talk her into it. She’s refusing to put on her wedding dress.’
Ruby entered the crowded bedroom and placed the tea and toast on top of a chest of drawers, moving a photograph of Sarah and Alan in the process. The image showed the young couple standing close together. Their eyes were full of love as they gazed at each other, caught by a photographer in Dreamland. Was it only weeks ago that her granddaughter had returned from her day trip to Margate so full of plans for the future?
She sat beside Sarah on the bed and took her hand. ‘Now, love, there’s no reason for you not to go ahead with the wedding. The whole day is planned, and who is to say that this radio announcement is going to tell us war has started with Germany? I reckon it’s all a load of rubbish.’
Maisie reached for her cigarettes and offered them to Sarah.
‘Not in here, Maisie. The smoke will make my dress smell.’
‘It’s not going to matter if you ain’t wearing it,’ Maisie pointed out as she put a cigarette between her own lips and reached for her lighter.
‘Perhaps go downstairs and smoke that, eh, Maisie?’ Betty said. ‘You could let Sarah’s mother know how Sarah is feeling.’
Maisie sniffed but did as she was asked. She wasn’t keen on going to chat with Irene Caselton, but Betty was still her boss, even if she was sitting in Sarah’s bedroom covered from neck to toe in her dressing gown and admiring her recently polished nails.
She looked at the dainty watch on her wrist. ‘OK, but don’t forget the prime minister is on the wireless before too long and we don’t want to miss that.’ She saw Sarah’s startled look and added quickly, ‘Not that we know what it is he is going to tell us. He might just be telling the country that it’s Sarah and Alan’s wedding day.’
Sarah’s face broke into a sad smile. She knew her friend was trying to cheer her up, but it would take a lot to make her happy today, and even more for her to step into her wedding gown. Why of all days did this have to happen today? She’d woken early in such good spirits, only to hear that the prime minister, Neville Chamberlain, was going to broadcast to the nation at a quarter past eleven. Everything had gone downhill after that, with Vera dashing round full of excitement to tell them all that war was going to be declared this very day and that no doubt no one would want to go to a wedding. Nan had sent their neighbour packing with a flea in her ear, but by then Sarah had fled to her bedroom, followed by her bridesmaids, where no amount of coaxing would convince her that the wedding should go ahead. How could she celebrate the happiest day of her life when the country was possibly going to war? It didn’t seem right somehow, and it seemed wrong for her to be happy when so many people would be waving off loved ones as they joined the forces and left home – possibly for good.
‘Someone ought to let the guests know that the wedding has been cancelled.’ She looked at her nan, who was still holding her hand. ‘Can you let Alan know, please, Nan?’
Ruby n
odded and got to her feet, beckoning Freda to follow her.
‘Well, this is a right to-do,’ Ruby exclaimed as she joined her son and daughter-in-law in the front room. ‘I’m at my wits’ end trying to think how we can convince Sarah to go ahead with the wedding. I feel for the girl, I really do, and on her twenty-first birthday as well.’
‘Thank goodness we didn’t book the golf club for the wedding breakfast. I wouldn’t have been able to face my friends after all this. At least there’s been no money wasted.’
Ruby puffed up her chest ready to give Irene what for, but George beat her to it.
‘Now, Irene, I’ve kept my mouth shut these past few weeks, but I think this time it needs saying. You’ve just insulted not only my mother with your words but also young Freda here. Everyone’s worked hard to put on a wedding fit for a queen, and whether it’s at a bloody golf club or Buckingham Palace it doesn’t matter. What concerns me is that our daughter is upstairs right now crying her eyes out and wants to cancel what should be the happiest day of her life. Now stop being such a snob and put your thinking cap on so we can decide what to do.’ He ignored his wife’s gasps and his mother’s snort of laughter and looked at the clock. ‘There’s still three-quarters of an hour before the broadcast. Let’s listen to what Neville Chamberlain has to say and then we can move forward. The wedding’s not until three o’clock and I’m of the opinion that we have time to make Sarah change her mind.’
The Woolworths Girls Page 14