by Pam Howes
Bella looked at the others, her eyebrows raised. ‘Wonder what that’s all about then?
‘No idea,’ Fran said. ‘But whatever it is, it’ll take our minds off worrying about Bobby and Frankie.’
Nails painted, hair styled into immaculate waves and their dresses as neatly pressed as was possible, Bella and the girls flung their hearts and souls into the final song of their first spot. ‘Apple Blossom Time’ was always a popular song to end a first spot with. The pianist pounded the keys and a saxophone-playing mate of Chas’s had been brought in tonight to swell the backing. As they took a bow and Chas got up onstage to thank them, the audience went wild, cheering, clapping and shouting, ‘More!’
‘You’ll get more later,’ Chas announced, smiling gleefully, as the girls trooped offstage and into the dressing room. He went to the bar and got their usual jug of squash and took it over to a table where a smartly dressed man sat on his own, smoking a cigar. ‘What did you think?’ he asked.
‘Spot on,’ the man replied. ‘Exactly what I’m looking for.’
‘I thought that might be the case.’ Chas nodded. ‘I’ll be sorry to see them go, but I’d never stand in their way.’
‘They haven’t said yes yet,’ the man said as the girls came across to the table, all smiles and waving at people they recognised.
‘They will,’ Chas said confidently. ‘Girls,’ he addressed them. ‘Take a seat. I’d like to introduce you to a pal of mine, Basil Jenkins. Baz, mate, this is Bella, Fran and Edie, otherwise known as the Bryant Sisters. I’ll leave you three in Basil’s capable hands while I go and do the lotto. See you later.’
Bella smiled. ‘Nice to meet you, Mr Jenkins.’
‘Basil, please,’ he said, shaking her outstretched hand. ‘And it’s nice to meet you three as well. Tell me a little about yourselves and how you came to form the Bryant Sisters act.’
‘Well,’ Bella began. ‘We started singing in the school choir years ago and always sang in church.’
‘And then Bella won a Maia Choir scholarship,’ Fran took over. ‘Along with her friend Bobby, and they did festivals and shows and then we started singing at work to keep people’s spirits up and our foreman invited Chas to the Christmas do and announced us as the Bryant Sisters.’
‘That’s cos we work at the match factory, Bryant & May’s,’ Edie continued. ‘And that’s it really; it’s how it all started. Chas asked if we’d do some shows for him, and here we are.’
‘And here you are, indeed,’ Basil agreed. ‘And may I say what a polished and professional show you ladies put on.’
‘You’re not from Liverpool, are you?’ Fran said. ‘That accent sounds a bit too posh for up here.’ She reached for the squash jug and poured herself a drink. She filled the other glasses and gestured with the jug towards Basil, but he declined and held up a tumbler with what looked like whisky in it.
‘Kent,’ he said. ‘Tunbridge Wells. I’m visiting family living on the Wirral. I’ve known Chas for a number of years and I always pop in to see him when I’m up this way. I’ve driven in through the centre of the city, dear Lord what a mess. But London is the same. Such devastation everywhere you go.’ As Basil finished speaking, the familiar loud wailing of the air raid warnings sirens sounded and an angry woman jumped to her feet.
‘Bleedin’ ’itler. I only wanted two more numbers for a full house on me lotto card,’ she yelled. ‘I’ll swing for ’im.’
‘Me and you both, Nellie,’ her friend said, picking up her coat and handbag from the seat next to her. ‘Come on, queen, let’s go get in that shelter.’
Chas, Basil and the girls huddled together at the bottom end of the shelter in the grounds of the Legion. As planes droned overhead and bombs whistled down on parts of Liverpool that really didn’t need any more, Basil said, ‘I didn’t get a chance to talk properly before Hitler put his oar in, but I’m really impressed with your act, ladies, and I’ve got a proposition to make. I’m currently scouting the country for top-class entertainers like yourselves. I work for ENSA, which I’m sure you’ve heard of.’
All three nodded. They had indeed heard of ENSA and thought it sounded an exciting life. The Entertainments National Service Association was proving popular. It had been set up to provide entertainment for recruited servicemen in and around their base camps and help to keep up morale.
‘I’ll keep it short but sweet seeing as we’re stuck in here, but I’d like to sign up the Bryant Sisters. How does that sound?’ He sat back on the narrow bench seat as they all stared at him.
‘Us? You want to sign us up?’ Fran asked. ‘What, you mean to travel with other acts and what have you, like proper entertainers?’ Bella was speechless and Edie wide-eyed.
‘That’s about it, yes,’ Basil replied. ‘I realise you’re all very young and I’m happy to make appointments with your parents to discuss the matter. Oh, and you’ll need to give up your jobs. But we’ll pay you well, feed you and you’ll be billeted wherever we are appearing. Might not be the Ritz, but the places I’ve visited are clean, dry and as warm as can be expected. We’ll provide you with stage clothes and maybe military uniforms for travelling. What do you say?’
The girls were all speechless. Edie’s mouth was actually hanging open.
Basil laughed. ‘I can see you’re all shocked, but we’ll have another chat when we can get back inside and I’ll look forward to the second half of your show later.’
14
Mary Rogers, Fran’s mam Vera Jackson and Edie’s mam Doris Potts sat around the table at Bella’s house. Basil sat in the fourth chair, outlining his plans and trying to reassure the worried ladies that he would do everything he possibly could to take care of their daughters, who were in the front room, anxiously awaiting the parental decision. He assured them that he would make sure they were chaperoned at all times.
‘It really is a wonderful opportunity for them and they are so talented,’ he said. ‘They are England’s answer to the Andrews Sisters. They are going to be so popular, big stars. It would be a shame to rob them of this chance to earn a decent living doing something they enjoy in such an uncertain time. We all need to grab happiness where we can, don’t you agree?’
The mothers looked at each and nodded.
Mary sighed. ‘Well, apart from missing her terribly, the only thing for me is losing Bella’s wages. I need them to keep a roof over our heads. Well, mine at least, if she goes. All my family will be away, apart from my youngest that passed away…’ She tailed off and wiped away a tear that had trickled down her cheek.
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ Basil said. ‘About your little one, I mean. The girls will be paid a good wage; we’ll feed and clothe them. They’ll be able to send money home. You’ll all have one less mouth to feed. Every little helps.’
‘Mary, you can always stay with me if you feel a bit lonely,’ Vera said.
‘And me,’ Doris said. ‘Vera and me are a bit tied because we’ve got the oldies to see to. At least you’ve only yourself to think about at the moment, Mary, and it’d be nice for us to have a bit of company.’
Mary nodded. ‘So shall we call them in and tell them, then? I feel that proud, but sad at the same time. They’ll be doing their bit for the war effort, but in a nicer way than usual. They’re lucky girls to get this chance. You go and bring them through, Basil. You’re the boss now.’
Basil smiled and got to his feet. He tapped on the front room door, opened it and peered inside. The girls looked at him with worried expressions. They’d all voiced concerns that they wouldn’t be allowed to join ENSA. But Basil wasn’t about to let a golden opportunity like these three pass him by. They were good-looking girls and the fact he’d got a brown-eyed brunette, a green-eyed redhead – well auburn, anyway – and a blue-eyed blonde was amazing. The Andrews Sisters were all of very similar colouring, but his girls were striking and unusual and he was certain they would attract a following wherever they played. He couldn’t wait to try them with a big backing band.
‘Come on through,’ he said, trying to keep a straight face and give nothing away as all three stared at him with questioning expressions from the sofa where they were huddled together.
They jumped to their feet and followed him through to the back, each one holding their breath.
‘Tell them, Basil,’ Mary said, looking at the girls, whose eyes were nearly popping out of their heads. ‘Put them out of their misery.’
Basil laughed. ‘Girls, you can relax, it’s a yes from your mothers.’
They squealed and jumped around the room, hugging each other and their mams and Basil.
‘Group hug,’ Basil said, enveloping the lot of them.
They all hugged each other tightly.
Basil laughed. ‘Right, sit down and we’ll talk business. I’ll need you to sign a contract and your mams to sign it too, to show they give their permission for you to be a part of the ENSA team.’
‘And I’ll make a fresh pot of tea,’ Mary said. ‘It helps keep Liverpool afloat.’
During the usual air raid, when Bella thought it must surely be their turn for a bomb – they expected it every night when the German planes flew low overhead – she and her mam, down in the cellar, talked long into the night.
‘I’m going to miss you, chuck, I really am,’ Mam said. ‘I don’t know. Life’s so strange. I go from a houseful of family to nothing, almost overnight. I’ll write to your dad tomorrow and tell him what’s happening. He’ll be so proud of you. And I’ll write to our Molly as well.’
‘I’ve written a quick letter to Bobby, but he still hasn’t answered the last two that I sent him. So if he doesn’t answer the next one then I’m just going to put him to the back of my mind and get on with my life. There’ll be time enough to catch up when we get back to normal, whatever that is these days.’
‘He might just be really busy, chuck; bet he’s not had a minute to himself. I bet none of them have. Has Fran heard from Frankie yet?’
Bella shook her head. ‘No, and neither has his mam, but he’s abroad so he’s got a good excuse, I suppose. As far as I know and I have been told by Margaret at the Harrisons’, Bobby is still in Oxfordshire. I told you his mother and that Alicia one are down there now as well didn’t I?’
‘You did, love. But that doesn’t mean anything. Just be patient. There’s a war on.’
‘Oh, really?’ Bella giggled half-heartedly. ‘I hadn’t noticed.’
George the foreman called the girls into his office first thing the following morning. ‘Chas has been on the blower with the good news that his mate Basil has signed you up,’ he told them. ‘Congratulations. What a wonderful opportunity for you all. Get out of this city while you still can.’
‘Thank you, George,’ said Bella. ‘And for giving us our name – we’ll always be the Bryant Sisters. I just hope there’s a Bryant & May’s to come back to when all of this is over.’
‘You and me both, queen. I’m terrified they’ll bomb this factory now they’ve done the Litherland one. I know the war’s not confined to just us here, but you might be safer in smaller places and the military bases are not as obvious to the planes, and they’re well-manned, so attack is less likely on them. Enjoy yourselves, have the best time, stay close to one another and watch out for them randy soldiers. Just behave and you’ll be fine. Work the rest of the week on notice and then you’ll be off. I envy you girls, I really do. Give us a few songs before you leave on our dinner breaks and keep ’em all cheerful.’
On Friday dinnertime the girls were led blindfolded into the canteen, where in spite of rationing, a beautiful cake took pride of place, GOOD LUCK piped across the white icing in big pink letters. Plates of sarnies and home-made sausage rolls were handed out and everyone tucked in.
When the tables were cleared the girls got up to sing the only appropriate song they could think of; from the film Shipyard Sally they sang Gracie Fields’ ‘Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye’. Everyone joined in and Bella didn’t bother to wipe away the tears as they flowed freely down her cheeks. She’d miss her co-workers very much and hoped they’d all be safe and still around if they came to do a revue show in Liverpool in the not-too-distant future.
With still no word from Bobby, Bella resigned herself to the fact that he didn’t want to know. She was sitting in the back room with her mam, waiting for the driver Basil was sending to collect her. He was picking up Fran and Edie too and taking them to a lodging house in Manchester. From there they would be rehearsing in a church hall with a military band in readiness for their first show.
Bella could feel her teeth chattering with nerves as she heard an engine stop outside the house. Mam ran down the hall and opened the door. Bella’s small case was packed and standing in the hallway. She picked up her gas mask box, her handbag with her identity papers inside, and the bit of money she’d managed to save since she started working. Mam had written down the secretary’s phone number for Olive Mount Hospital. It was only to be used for emergencies, but was handy to have, just in case.
Bella gave her mam a hug and Mam kissed her on the cheek. ‘Now stay safe, be careful, and write to me as often as you get chance. But above all that, enjoy yourself as much as you can. Keep our lads entertained, especially the ones that are shipped home wounded. They deserve the best. Goodbye, my love.’
‘Goodbye, Mam. And you stay safe too. I’ll see you when I can.’
Mam’s eyes were bright as she hugged Bella tightly. ‘As that nice song goes, “I’ll See You in My Dreams” and if you sing it please think of me. I love you, queen.’
‘Oh, Mam, of course I will. And I love you too, please take care.’ Bella wiped away her tears, picked up her case and went out to the waiting car, where the patient driver and a tearful Fran and Edie were waiting. She got in the back seat with them and rooted in her bag for a hanky. ‘Oh, that was so hard. She looks lost standing on the step on her own.’
Fran nodded. ‘So did mine. Oh I know she’s got my gran, but she might as well as be on her own for all the sense she gets out of her these days.’
They waved to Bella’s mam as the driver pulled away and headed for the main road and their destination of Manchester.
Basil was waiting for them at the lodging house in the Manchester suburb of Didsbury. He’d told them it was theatrical digs, and the landlady, Mrs Rosemary Burton, a tall woman with large upper arms and a pleasant smile, was used to acts of all kinds staying with her. She looked a no-nonsense type but friendly enough. Basil said she was a terrific cook and they wouldn’t starve while they got to know the ropes. They’d be having a bit of a snack now and a cooked meal tonight after the rehearsals with a full band this afternoon.
Mrs Burton led them through to a dining room, where the tables were laid with cloths and one was set for them. ‘Take a seat, ladies and Basil. I’ll be back in a minute. Kettle’s already boiled so you can have a nice brew while I make some sandwiches for you.’
She bustled away and Bella looked around. The house was large and standing in its own grounds. It had a grand but faded air and the huge windows with their stained-glass top panels, framed by gold velvet curtains, let in a lot of light. It made her think about Bobby’s lovely home and she swallowed the lump that had risen in her throat.
She couldn’t understand, after all the nice things he’d said to her, why he hadn’t replied to her letters. It didn’t feel right. But maybe he simply didn’t want to tell her that it was over and he wanted to be with Alicia after all. It was a cowardly way of doing things and for now she must put him out of her mind and concentrate on being the best she could in her new career.
15
From her position onstage, Bella watched Basil’s face as they performed with the five-piece band he’d assembled. His grin stretched from ear to ear and as each song ended he was up on his feet cheering and clapping. This rehearsal was one of the best they’d ever done, Bella thought. Working with the band was so different to working with just a pianist and the odd sax or trumpet player
. They had a piano player, a drummer, a double bass player, a trumpet player and a saxophonist.
She smiled at Fran and Edie, who backed her lead vocals on the solo songs. Everything sounded fuller and this allowed all their voices to soar to capacity and blend in perfect harmony. The adrenaline surged through Bella’s veins and she even tackled ‘Over the Rainbow’ as a solo without breaking down. She blocked out the thoughts of singing it with Bobby and instead let her mind carry a picture of Betty with a big smile on her little face. It added to the emotion she put into the song.
As the girls trooped offstage and joined Basil at a table, a lady brought over a tray of refreshments for them. ‘That was fantastic, girls,’ he said as they flopped down in their seats. ‘We’ll have another run-through tomorrow and then I feel we are ready to hit the troops. We’ll be staying in Didsbury at Rosemary’s while we do the north-west, Lancashire and Yorkshire. So at least we have a comfortable base for now and we’ll find others on our way down south, or we’ll stay in the camps if they’ve room for us. We’ll have to play that by ear as we go. I hope that sounds like a good plan?’
They all nodded their agreement. ‘Sounds good to me,’ Fran said. ‘I can’t wait to get going.’
‘Me too,’ Bella and Edie chorused.
‘We’ll get you back to Rosemary’s place now and then you can have a little rest before dinner tonight.’
‘I’m going to get a shower,’ Fran said. ‘I’ve never used one before so that should be fun. We all live in tin-bath-in-front-of-the-fire homes,’ she told Basil. ‘Rosemary’s home is luxury to us.’