The Girls of Victory Street: An absolutely heartbreaking World War 2 family saga (The Bryant Sisters Book 1)

by Pam Howes

  She knew that Fran really liked Bobby and the idea that Bella would get to spend more time in his company would annoy her. But Bella also liked him and he seemed to like her. If it came to a choice between Bobby and Fran, though, Bella knew that her loyalties would have to be to her friend – but would Fran do the same for her?

  She left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. Downstairs, Mam smiled as she walked into the sitting room.

  ‘Come and sit down, chuck,’ she said, indicating the seat next to her on the sofa. Dad was seated in his old armchair by the fire, the Liverpool Echo newspaper on the floor by his feet.

  Bella joined her mam. Her stomach was churning, but they looked relaxed and happy enough.

  ‘Now then,’ Dad began. ‘Your mam’s explained about the singing lessons and I gather you’d like to give it a go.’

  Bella nodded, crossing her fingers in her lap. ‘I would, Dad.’

  ‘So if we say it’s all right, and you manage to get a job that fits in, then we’d be happy for you. Let’s see how the next few weeks pan out, shall we? But for now, the answer is yes. We do need you to be working for a living, gel, when you leave school. You understand that, don’t you?’

  Bella nodded. ‘Yes, of course I do. And I will. We’ve got a man coming in to speak to us about jobs and stuff and how to apply for them soon. I’m sure there will be something for me.’

  Her mam patted her hand. ‘Enjoy it while you can, love, the singing I mean.’

  On Tuesday morning Bella was hanging her coat on a peg in the school cloakroom when Bobby caught up with her. She’d hung back as Edie and Fran had dashed away towards the classroom, hoping Bobby would hurry up and show his face.

  ‘Any luck?’ he whispered.

  Bella looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. ‘Yes. They said it’s okay, well at least until I start work and then we’ll have to see.’

  ‘That’s great. We’ll go to the head’s office at first break then and let him know. I’ll leave class first and then meet you at the top of the corridor so that no one realises we’re on a mission.’

  ‘Okay.’ Bella picked up her satchel and made her way to the classroom. Halfway through the first lesson she was conscious of Fran looking at her. She half-smiled and tried to concentrate on the geography lesson but her mind was all over the place.

  ‘What’s up with you?’ Fran hissed as the teacher, Mr Gutteridge, turned and pointed to a map of Europe pinned on the blackboard. ‘You’re miles away and you’ve got a soppy look on your face.’

  ‘Nothing,’ Bella hissed back. ‘And I have not got a soppy look on my face.’

  ‘Sorry.’ Fran rolled her eyes and stuck out her lower lip in a pretend pout.

  When the first break bell rang out, Bella made the excuse that she needed the toilet and dashed out ahead of her friends. She hung back near the cloakroom, ducking behind rows of coats, until they’d gone past towards the playground. She stuck her head out and spotted Bobby waiting for her. He grinned and waved and the pair hurried to Mr Sykes’s office and Bobby rapped on the door. Miss Scarlett let them in.

  ‘Take a seat,’ she said. ‘Mr Sykes has just gone to visit a classroom. He won’t be a moment.’

  Mr Sykes dashed back into his office and beckoned them to follow him to his desk. He looked at them expectantly as Bella began, her words tumbling over one another.

  ‘Yes, er, yes, we are going to accept the scholarships.’

  ‘We are indeed,’ Bobby agreed.

  ‘Well that’s marvellous news,’ Mr Sykes said, beaming. ‘I will let them know. They’ll be in touch soon with details and we’ll take it from there. I’ll make an announcement during Friday morning’s assembly. Just keep it to yourselves for the next few days.’

  On Friday morning before the pupils were dismissed from assembly to make their way to their classrooms, Mr Sykes called Bella and Bobby to the front of the hall. With a smile on his face, he announced the good news of their Maia Choir scholarships and everyone in the room applauded. Everyone, Bella noticed, except Fran, who stared at her with a stony-faced expression. Next to Fran, Edie gave an encouraging little wave and carried on clapping.

  Bella sighed inwardly. Why couldn’t her friend be happy for her? She knew that sulky face wasn’t anything to do with the singing, because Fran was never that bothered about it, despite also being in the church choir. It was all to do with her spending time with Bobby. Bella took a deep breath and went to join her classmates, who patted her on the back and wished her well, as did Bobby’s friends to him over the other side of the hall.

  During break time the three girls huddled together under the bike shelter. It was still cold but the snow was beginning to melt. Fran ignored her while Bella chatted to Edie about this and that, anything rather than bring up the subject of singing.

  ‘So when do you start the lessons?’ Fran interrupted, surprising Bella.

  ‘Er, next Tuesday I think. It’s just two evenings a week for now in the church hall.’

  ‘And I suppose Bobby will walk you there and back, will he?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know. That’s not been decided yet,’ Bella answered as lightly as she could.

  ‘You know how much I like him,’ Fran spat.

  ‘Yes,’ Bella replied. ‘And I’m sure he likes you too. We’re only singing, you know, it’s nothing else.’

  ‘Give it time.’

  Bella and Edie stared as Fran stomped away from them. ‘I’m sorry she’s being like this, Bella,’ Edie said. ‘She’s jealous. She knows that Bobby never looks at her like he looks at you.’

  Bella shrugged, feeling her cheeks heating at the thought of Bobby looking at her in any special sort of way. ‘I don’t want to fall out with her over this. And it might only be for a few weeks. I’ll be working soon and might not have the time. I just want to enjoy it while I can and Bobby feels the same.’

  The bell for end of break time rang out and Edie linked her arm through Bella’s as they made their way indoors. There was no sign of Fran until they got inside the classroom, where she was already sitting at her desk, her arms folded and a mutinous expression on her face. Bella’s heart sank as she sat down beside her. She really didn’t want to fall out with her lifelong friend over this, but unless Fran was willing to talk to her, there wasn’t much else she could do.

  4

  March 1939

  On Tuesday, the day before Bella’s fifteenth birthday, Bobby called for her to walk to the church hall for their singing lesson. This was their third week and both were enjoying the challenge. They’d fitted in well with the rest of the Maia Choir in the group they’d been assigned to and last Thursday the leader had told them how very pleased he was with their progress so far.

  Bella was thrilled, but Fran had still not spoken to her properly since the announcement in the assembly hall and she felt hurt that her friend couldn’t be happy for her. Mam said it was because Fran had always had her own way, being the only girl in the family, and she’d been spoiled, Bella shouldn’t let it bother her. Edie had said the same. But it did bother her. After the Easter holiday next week all three would be starting work at the match factory in the packing department and she’d rather the air be cleared between them before then.

  Bryant & May’s match factory in Garston was a bit of a trek at nearly four miles but there wasn’t a lot of choice. The tram or train would take them there if no one could offer a lift. The days would be long and it would be difficult to get home in time for her singing lessons. Tate and Lyle’s had no vacancies and nor did Littlewood’s Pools or Hartley’s, which were all a bit closer to home. There were no nice office jobs around that didn’t require typing qualifications and a bit of further education, but that was out of the question for Bella. It was their final day in school on Thursday. Next week Bobby was starting at the Liverpool Mechanics’ School of Arts to continue his education until he was old enough to be recruited into the RAF. Bella envied him and wished she could have the same opportun
ities.

  She smiled as she let him in while she put on her coat. ‘Bye everyone,’ she called as they left the house.

  She and Bobby walked along the street in silence, Bella swinging her small black handbag with her key and purse tucked inside. She could have put them in her coat pocket but she felt the bag was a nice touch and most of the girls in the choir carried a small handbag, so she’d dug out an old one of Mam’s from the bottom of the wardrobe and cleaned it up a bit. With a little silk scarf tucked around her neck, it made her feel a bit more grown up.

  ‘Are you looking forward to your birthday tomorrow?’ Bobby asked, breaking the silence.

  ‘Yes, I am. Mam’s doing a little tea party after school for the family. We always do that for each one of us. Why don’t you call in for a slice of cake?’ She invited him before she could stop herself, then felt really embarrassed as he paused walking. She was so relieved when he looked at her, a big grin splitting his face.

  ‘I’d love to. What time?’

  ‘Oh, er, well about half past five. Is that okay?’

  ‘Of course. Thank you. I’ll look forward to it.’

  Bella took a deep breath as they walked into the church hall. Why had she done that? Edie was going to call in for cake and she’d invited Fran on the way home from school the other day. Her invite had been snubbed, but what if Fran did decide to turn up? She’d think Bella was rubbing her nose in it on purpose when Bobby arrived too. She couldn’t un-invite him now as that would look rude. She’d just have to pray Fran didn’t come round. It was all mixed up because she’d really like Fran to be at her birthday tea so they could be good friends again. Oh why was life so complicated at times?

  Bella and Bobby were greeted by the other choir members, who were hanging their coats in the cloakroom and making their way into the wide hall. They took their seats and the pianist sat down and shuffled through her music case. She took out a book, opened it and placed it on the piano’s music stand. The leader picked up his baton and they started with a few hymns and then moved onto modern songs that were popular at the moment.

  When Bella was asked to take a solo lead in ‘Over the Rainbow’ she felt sure her throat would seize up and choke her, but the lovely melody carried her through and the others sang along with her, filling the room with their beautiful harmonies. She felt quite broken when the song finished, but the leader clapped and smiled at her. ‘Bravo,’ he mouthed, filling her with pride.

  They took a break at that point and a lady with a steel urn on a trolley pushed it into the room and proceeded to pour mugs of steaming tea. ‘I was stood near the door when you was singing, gel,’ she said to Bella. ‘And the ’airs on me neck stood on end. It were really beautiful. You’ll go far with a voice like that, queen.’

  Bella thanked her and took a seat beside Bobby. ‘I wish,’ she said quietly.

  ‘You wish what?’ he said, his head on one side.

  ‘Well, what that tea lady said, that I could go far with my voice, which would be much nicer than packing matches into boxes for a living.’

  He smiled and squeezed her hand. ‘Bella, you may well do just that. None of us know what the future holds. I know you have to start at the matchworks after the Easter weekend, but if you try your hardest to get here in time for the lesson, both of us that is, and we work as hard as we can, you never know. It’s a chance of a lifetime and we have to try and make it work.’

  She nodded and finished her tea, hoping with all her heart that he was right.

  Bella had just blown out the candles on the birthday cake that Mam had made her when Molly said she’d heard a knock at the door. They’d almost missed it, with them all singing ‘Happy Birthday to You’. ‘I’ll get it,’ Molly yelled, shooting out of the back sitting room.

  ‘It’s your friend Bobby,’ she announced, leading him into the room.

  Bobby smiled as all eyes turned to him. He held out a parcel wrapped in pink paper and a white envelope. ‘Happy birthday, Bella,’ he said, handing them over to her.

  ‘Thank you.’ Bella smiled. ‘I’ll open it with my other presents when Dad comes home from work. He’s on a late shift today. Have a seat next to Edie.’ She felt herself gabbling and gestured to the sofa. ‘I’ll get you a cup of tea; unless you’d rather have orange squash.’ She pointed to the glass jug on the table. ‘It’s a bit watered down though,’ she whispered finally.

  ‘Tea would be lovely,’ he said.

  ‘I’ll get Edie another cup too.’ Bella dashed into the kitchen, where a freshly brewed pot of tea stood on the small countertop. Fancy Bobby getting her a present. She hadn’t been expecting that. In fact, she’d half thought he’d change his mind and wouldn’t come. Edie had already told her that Fran wasn’t coming, but she’d sent a birthday card with Edie after ignoring Bella all day in school. That didn’t make sense really. She hadn’t read it yet as she had put it with the others to wait until Dad got home later.

  Mam was cutting up the cake and handed slices round on small plates to Bobby and Edie. ‘What a shame we haven’t got a piano,’ she said. ‘You and our Bella could have given us a song.’

  Bobby laughed. ‘I should have brought my squeezebox. But I suppose we still could. That’s if Bella would like to.’ He raised an eyebrow at her as she came into the room with a tray of cups.

  ‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Bella began. ‘We need accompaniment.’

  ‘Comb and paper,’ suggested Molly. ‘I know how to play that new “Jeepers Creepers” song.’

  Bella laughed. ‘Go on then. Let Bobby have his cake and brew first. Edie can sing as well so she can harmonise with us.’

  Molly dashed upstairs to find a comb, and got some tissue paper from under the kitchen sink.

  ‘Don’t you be wasting that toilet paper,’ Mam warned. ‘It’s Izal that, and it’s not cheap. One sheet only, Molly.’ She collected up the plates and cups and took then through to the kitchen while Molly did a few practices on her comb and paper instrument.

  Bobby counted them in and he and Bella got to their feet and sang a rousing version of ‘Jeepers Creepers’, Edie joining in occasionally and Bella opening her eyes wide to stare into Bobby’s blue ones. When they’d finished a cheer went up and everyone clapped.

  ‘You three are dead good,’ Molly said. ‘What else do you know? You’re like the singers in some of the films I’ve seen.’

  ‘Oh, that reminds me,’ Mam said. ‘My workmate Ethel Hardy told me that new Abbey picture house on Church Road is lovely. It opened the other week and she went last Saturday night.’

  ‘Oh,’ Bella said, sitting down next to Edie. ‘We’ll have to see what’s on.’

  ‘Shall we have a go at “Thanks for the Memory”? Bobby suggested. ‘Can you play that, Molly?’

  ‘Yes, I can.’ She gave a little blast on her comb and Bobby started to sing, pulling Bella back onto her feet. They harmonised together, looking into each other’s eyes again.

  ‘Sing the rainbow song,’ Betty said, her eyes shining. ‘I like that.’

  ‘Okay, just for you then, Betty,’ Bobby said, smiling at the little girl, who clapped her hands as they began.

  ‘You’re really good, you two,’ Edie said as they finished. She got to her feet. ‘It’s no surprise you won that scholarship. And those lessons are paying off well. I can see you onstage at a theatre in time.’

  ‘Thank you, Edie, you’re a gem,’ said Bella. ‘But you’re good too. It was so fun to sing together.’

  The girls smiled at each other and Edie came over to give Bella a hug. ‘ Right, I’m going to get off now so I can help Mam with me granddad. He gets a bit cantankerous around teatime. She says she thinks it’s when he’s hungry and it plays havoc with his system. Whatever that means.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Thanks very much for the sandwiches and cake, Mrs Rogers. I’ll see you tomorrow, Bella. Last day of being schoolgirls for us. Sad in a way, isn’t it? But still we’ll be working girls next week and bringing in a wage.’

  Bobby sm
iled. ‘I’d better get off as well. My godfather is visiting tonight and Mother said I should be there. Thank you very much for the invite to tea. I’ll see you tomorrow, Bella.’

  Bella showed her guests out and waved them off down the street, watching as Edie went one way at the end and Bobby went the other. He turned and waved one last time and then vanished from sight. Bella shut the door and leaned against it, smiling. That had been a lovely hour. She couldn’t wait for her dad to get home now and then, when he’d had his tea, she could open her presents.

  Bella sat by the fire and watched her dad wolfing down a plate of scouse, dunking bread into the last of the gravy. He sat back with a satisfied sigh. ‘I needed that. Right then, come on, gel. I know you’ve waited patiently for me and you must be dying to know what’s in them parcels.’ He pointed to the small pile of gifts at the end of the table.

  Bella smiled and opened her mam and dad’s parcel first. Inside was a black wool skirt with a kick-pleat at the back and a neat white cotton blouse with pearl buttons down the front and on the cuffs of the long sleeves. Mam looked pleased as Bella exclaimed that they were lovely.

  ‘I thought you could do with a nice smart outfit for when you do the singing. I saw a picture of a Maia Choir and the ladies all seemed to be wearing something similar.’

  ‘They do at that, Mam. Thank you. Those are really nice.’ She opened Edie’s gift of lavender-scented bath cubes and matching talc next, and then Bobby’s parcel last. She smiled as she saw the Dairy Box milk chocolates inside. She’d never had a box of chocolates before, never even seen one close to, just on the shelf in shops.

  ‘Oh you lucky girl,’ her mam exclaimed. ‘And you know what the advert says don’t you? “She’ll love you if they’re Dairy Box.”’