‘I’ll make sure to mention it – don’t you worry.’ Sarah picked up the tray of tea and cake, and took it to the table, where she spent the next half-hour running through the duties required of the three young newcomers before heading towards the narrow staircase to show them to the counters where they’d be working.
Arriving at the door to the shop, she bumped into Alan as he struggled through with a couple of boxes in his arms. He placed them on the ground before kissing his new bride soundly, much to her embarrassment. Sarah was proud that her new husband had insisted on returning to work for the few days between their honeymoon and heading off to join the RAF. At least she got to see him while he was at work too.
‘Alan, please,’ she scolded as she wriggled away from him. ‘I’m working.’ She indicated the three young girls, who had burst into giggles. ‘It’s not that funny,’ she insisted, trying hard not to grin and to act as she thought a supervisor should. ‘This is my husband, Mr Gilbert. He is a trainee manager and is about to join the RAF to fly Spitfires.’
This silenced the three young girls, who looked at Alan in awe.
‘Now, let’s get you three working or it’ll be time to stop for your dinner break.’ She ushered the girls through the door as Alan caught her arm and frowned.
‘What’s all this about?’
‘Miss Billington has promoted me to supervisor and I’m helping her by getting the new staff working, as she has a meeting with people from head office.’
He quickly stole another kiss before Sarah could escape through the door. She would love to have lingered in his arms but was aware of her charges waiting and the possibility of being seen by other staff members, let alone the customers. ‘Well done, my love. I’m really proud of you. We will have to celebrate before I leave for Scotland.’
‘Don’t be daft – it’s not important. Besides, we’re off to Margate the day after tomorrow, and you will be leaving early the morning after.’
‘Then we will have to celebrate when we are alone,’ he said, running a finger across her lips.
Sarah shivered with delight. She would miss Alan when he left Erith. However would she cope?
‘You look like a mother hen with yer little chicks,’ Maisie called out as Sarah passed by her counter. ‘Where are you going with the youngsters?’
Sarah stopped and ushered the girls to where Maisie was unpacking teapots from a hamper and wiping each one with a cloth before adding it to an impressive display on the high mahogany counter. ‘These are the latest intake of new staff. Two are working with Freda on haberdashery, and the other is on household goods.’
‘Two more on haberdashery? Whatever is the world coming to?’
‘They’re short-staffed. Freda was thrilled to be transferred to that counter. She’s wanted to work there ever since she joined Woolies. Two girls have gone off to work in a factory. I just hope Freda doesn’t get any silly ideas about joining them.’
‘Too late for that. She’s got some bee in her bonnet about doing her bit for the war effort and reckons working at Burndept’s factory will mean she’s doing something more than working in a shop,’ Maisie said as she blew hard on a teapot lid, sending dust and bits of straw towards the three girls, who stood staring at Maisie, looking as glamorous as ever even though she was hard at work.
‘Oh dear, that’s all we need. I’ll have a word with her. I don’t like to think of her down at the factory. They employ hundreds of staff and it’s hard graft. I’m not sure Freda’s up to it.’
‘She can take care of herself. It’s not as if she’ll be working miles away. The factory is only down the road, and her digs are close by. Then again, perhaps she’ll move in with Ruby now she’s on her own?’
Now that Maisie had mentioned the living arrangements at number thirteen, Sarah couldn’t miss the opportunity to ask if she would move in with Ruby herself. ‘No, I think she’s happy where she is, and if she does go to work at Burndept’s, it’ll be even closer than Alexandra Road.’ Sarah fiddled with a box of silver teaspoons, which Maisie had displayed close to the teapots. ‘Actually, Maisie, I wonder if you’d do me a favour.’ She looked to where the new girls were waiting patiently nearby.
‘Well, spit it out. We ain’t got all day.’
‘I wondered if you fancied moving in with Nan. I’m worried about her now she’s on her own. I know Dad will be popping in when he’s up this way, but with the chance of bombing and all, she shouldn’t be on her own, should she?’
‘Gawd love you. That’s the best thing I’ve been asked in a long while. I’d go home and pack right now if I didn’t have these bleeding teapots to sort out. I swear if the old bat reminds me one more time that her son has done me a favour by marrying me, I’ll swing for ’er.’
Sarah was relieved that her friend accepted the invitation so quickly. She knew that behind Maisie’s bravado there was a very sad woman who was missing the man she loved. She looked at the large clock on the wall of the store. If she didn’t get a move on and get the new girls to their sections, she would be stripped of her supervisor status before she’d even done a whole day’s work. ‘Look, I need to get cracking. Do you mind if I tell Nan a little white lie?’
Maisie grinned. ‘As far as I’m concerned, you can tell her a whopping great big lie as long as I can move into number thirteen and escape the mother-in-law as soon as possible. She does nothing but harp on about how her Joe could have done so much better than me. She thinks I’ve got nowhere to go.’
‘Well, she’s wrong, isn’t she? Look, I just want Nan to think that you are moving in because of Joe being away and the situation with his mum. I need to know she won’t be alone if anything should happen.’
‘It’s hardly a lie, is it, ducks.’
Sarah felt a tug of guilt. Was she really tricking her friend into moving in with Nan? Really, it was all for the good. ‘As long as you don’t let on to Nan. You know how independent she is.’
Maisie tapped the side of her nose. ‘A nod’s as good as a wink, ducks. Now, you go sort yer young brood out, while I finish stacking the crocks. I’m supposed to get this job finished before dinner break and it’s a bit touch and go as it is without standing here chatting to you.’ She gave Sarah a broad wink before turning to the task of displaying her teapots.
Sarah ushered the girls through the queuing customers, content that she’d done her best to keep her mate cheerful and her nan with a companion during the dark days ahead.
‘What time are you off, Alan?’ George asked as he handed his son-in-law a pint of bitter.
Alan took a gulp of the dark brown liquid and wiped his mouth. ‘Early tomorrow morning. They’ve given me a train pass, so at least Sarah won’t be worried about me riding Bessie all the way to Scotland.’
George patted Alan’s shoulder. ‘It’s for the best. Women don’t take to motorbikes like we do. They fuss about their hair and their clothes. I always fancied one myself. I told Irene we could have a motorbike with a sidecar and she nigh on went through the roof. She was hell to live with for weeks until I bought the car. Don’t tell her I said so, but I’m glad now we got the car. It’s handier for when I have to drive up from Devon. I’m not as young as you, Alan. I like to keep dry and warm these days.’
Alan nodded. He could see George’s point. No doubt when he was older and had a couple of nippers, he’d feel the same. He looked at his watch. ‘I suppose we’d better go find the womenfolk. Is Irene in Dreamland with the others?’
‘There’s no rush, lad. We’ve got time for another pint. Irene went for a walk. She’s not one for funfairs. She said she’d meet us all for tea later before heading back to The Kentish Queen and home. Ted Sayers was telling me there won’t be many more leisure trips on the steamer. He’s talking about carrying cargo up and down the Thames instead.’
‘I can’t see many people wanting to take pleasure trips. There’s no knowing how safe it’s gonna be on the river.’
The two men gazed out over the Margate seafron
t deep in thought. The mild September weather had drawn families out for a day on the beach. Children were digging in the sand making castles, while their parents sat on deckchairs and enjoyed the warmth of the autumn sun. If it weren’t for a number of visitors in uniform and most people carrying gas masks, it could have been any sunny day at the popular Kent seaside resort. Behind the pub where George and Alan were enjoying a pint could be heard the screams of excitement from people tasting the delights of Dreamland.
‘Do you think they’ll all be here this time next year enjoying the sunshine?’ Alan asked.
George finished the last of the beer. ‘There’s no point in asking things like that, lad. Who knows? As long as Dreamland is open and people are allowed onto the beach, there’ll be those who will come and enjoy themselves like they always have. This war could run on for a few months or years, but people won’t let it get them down. Fancy another?’
‘Just half, thanks, George. Then I’ll go see what the girls are up to. Young Freda’s that excited. You’d think she’d never been to the seaside before.’
‘There you are!’
The two men turned to find Sarah approaching them.
‘I’ve come to see if my husband wants a trip through the water caves with me. Mum’ll have your guts for garters if she finds you the worse for wear, Dad.’
‘I’ve only had the one, love,’ George was quick to point out.
Sarah kissed her dad’s cheek before linking her arm through Alan’s. ‘Why not go find Nan? She said she fancied a plate of winkles. You know you like them, Dad.’
George licked his lips. ‘I might just do that while your mum’s not about. She’s not as partial to seafood as we are.’ He rubbed his hands together and headed into Dreamland ahead of Alan and Sarah.
‘Bless him. Dad likes the simple things in life. Not like Mum.’ Sarah giggled. ‘It’s such a shame they don’t share the same interests anymore,’ she added thoughtfully. ‘You don’t think we’ll ever get like them, do you?’
‘What, me sneaking off for a plate of winkles with your nan, you mean?’ Alan asked, tucking her hand into the pocket of his jacket.
‘No, well, yes, I suppose that is what I mean. Let’s enjoy everything together, Alan. Let’s never have secrets from each other or drift apart. We have to be together forever, just like we said in our wedding vows.’
‘Forever’s a long time, Sarah.’
‘But we vowed we would, and in church too.’
‘I’m sure we will share as much as we can and be as close as any married couple can be, but we also have a war to get through, and who knows how long our own forever is going to last?’
Sarah stopped and faced her husband, pulling her hand away from his. ‘No. I won’t listen to you talking like this. I refuse to think we will be parted for long. This war won’t last forever and then we’ll be together until we grow old and grey. Promise me, Alan?’
Alan could see the fear in his wife’s blue eyes. This wasn’t how he wanted to spend his last day as a civilian. He needed Sarah to be brave and happy. He couldn’t bear to leave knowing she was sad. ‘Darling wife, I promise we will live to be a hundred years old and be overrun with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We’ll be a proper Darby and Joan. How does that suit you?’
‘That’ll do for now. But I’ll hold you to your promise, Alan. Look, here are the water caves. Let’s join the queue before the others find us.’
Sarah cosied up to Alan as the round tub-type boat headed into the darkened caves. It was chilly, and the sound of water dripping down the man-made walls caused her to shiver and hug Alan even closer. She could hear the whispers of other day-trippers in front and behind them, but here, in the darkness, for all intents and purposes they were alone. ‘Say goodbye to me now, Alan.’
‘Darling, I’m not leaving until tomorrow morning.’
‘But this might be the last time we are really alone. Even at Maureen’s house we won’t really be alone, as she will be in the next bedroom.’
Alan understood what Sarah meant and for the next few minutes they whispered their goodbyes and planned what they’d do when they next met. Sarah promised not to cry as she waved him off at the station, and Alan promised to wave to his wife until the train left Erith Station, heading towards London and then Scotland on his own personal adventure. They both fervently hoped that by Christmas Alan would be able to join her in Erith, a fully trained Spitfire pilot.
‘That was so much fun. When can we go again?’ Freda was still excited from her day in Margate.
‘Blimey, ducks, we ain’t even home yet. You’ve just stopped feeling sick from too much candyfloss and chips. It’s a bloody good job you didn’t have those jellied eels as well or you’d be hanging over the side of this boat all the way home to Erith,’ Maisie laughed.
‘Honest, I’m all right, Maisie. I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea, though, if there’s one going?’
‘You stay here and get some fresh air and I’ll bring up the tea. You don’t want to be below deck, as it’s a bit on the stuffy side down there. It’s not the best place to be if you are still feeling a bit rough, and you do look it to me, whatever you say.’ Maisie gave Freda a quick hug and disappeared down the steps to where the refreshments were on sale.
Despite her happiness, Freda was still feeling a little green around the gills, but she didn’t want to be a bother to her friends. The mention of jellied eels hadn’t helped. All the same, it had been a grand day and she swore to visit the seaside again soon, regardless of Hitler and the war. She gazed out across the darkening sky towards the riverbank on the Essex side of the Thames. If only she knew where her brother, Lenny, was. It had been over nine months since she arrived in Erith, and apart from the letter postmarked ‘Erith’ and sent while she was still at home, and that dodgy-looking chap arriving at her old digs, she was no closer to knowing where he was. However, she did know he was not in prison, or whatever it was they called the place where he’d been locked up, otherwise that bloke wouldn’t have come looking for her to get to Lenny.
Shifting her view of the river to look towards London, past the many ships that were on the skyline, she could see barrage balloons high in the sky like giant elephants, waiting to stop any enemy plane that dared get near the capital. She sighed. Was she wrong in coming to Erith? Should she instead be looking for her brother elsewhere? And was it safe for Lenny now that war had been declared? How would a young lad cope alone at a time like this? She knew the one place he wouldn’t be, and that was at home. No, neither of them was likely to return to the Midlands if they could help it. She would have loved to have moved back into Ruby’s house at Alexandra Road, but she didn’t want to bring any trouble to number thirteen if the dodgy bloke came calling again. It was best she stay put for now. Besides, she liked her digs, and if she did decide to work at Burndept’s, it was closer to the factory. She may hear something about Lenny if she worked among hundreds of people rather than at Woolworths. She’d give it some more thought once she felt a bit brighter.
‘Why the glum face, Freda? Are you still feeling sick?’ Ruby stood beside her and sniffed the air. ‘It can be a bit ripe on the river sometimes, but today ain’t so bad. Although, if you aren’t so used to the pong, it can turn your stomach.’
Freda shook herself. She didn’t want the Caseltons to think she had a problem. They were like a second family to her now. In fact, a first family, as she could barely recall her own dad anymore. ‘I’m fine, thank you, Mrs C., just a bit tired what with all the excitement.’
Unbeknown to Freda, Ruby had been watching the young girl as she’d stood deep in thought. There was something on the kid’s mind and she’d be sure to get to the bottom of it or her name wasn’t Ruby Caselton.
17
‘It’s not quite the same, is it? But it’ll have to do.’ Betty Billington stepped back from the front-window display of the Erith branch of Woolworths, carefully avoiding passing pedestrians, and placed her hands on her hips. ‘What do you t
hink, Sarah?’
Sarah tipped her head to one side and looked intently at the main window, as well as the two smaller windows either side of the double doors that led into the store. ‘It’s not the same as last year, but it’s still festive. Not that our customers can see much with all this anti-blast tape stuck over the windows.’
Sarah thought it was a shame that the usually highly polished curved windows, set in dark mahogany frames, blocked out so much of what was on display for the Christmas shoppers. The months leading up to Christmas 1939 had been full of anticipation for the residents of Erith. So far no bombs had dropped, but everyone wondered whether today would be the day that Hitler’s armies tried to invade or a bomb would drop on their home. There was also thought at all times of loved ones who were serving in the forces. Were they overseas or still at home? No one knew for sure, but in each home wives and mothers prayed for their menfolk’s safe return. Daughters, too, were joining the services or volunteering in other ways. The country was prepared, but when would it all really begin?
Gas masks were still diligently carried everywhere, and in each branch of Woolworths staff had been trained in what to do if their store should be damaged in an attack or if there was a fire. One of Sarah’s duties as supervisor was to make sure that all staff knew their place and the part they needed to play if there should be an attack. They already participated in fire-watch duties, although the time was usually spent knitting or playing cards.
‘I do wish we could light the window display more, but the government have been so strict about us illuminating the street and alerting the enemy if they should fly over.’
Maisie, who had been sweeping the pavement in front of the store, another one of her duties since young Ginger had been called up, looked towards the sky. ‘It makes you wonder why Hitler would want his planes to fly all this way just to drop a bomb on Erith Woolies, doesn’t it? A bit of light in front of our shop shouldn’t do any harm.’
The Woolworths Girls Page 18