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

by Pam Howes

  Basil pulled up outside a large two-storey property at the top of a winding driveway. The house was set in stunning grounds with neat flower beds and tall trees. The bay windows all looked out across the gardens, affording nice views from each room.

  Basil stopped the engine and turned to Bella. ‘Right,’ he said. ‘I’ll leave you here for an hour or so and go and see a mate who lives a few miles up the road. Give me a chance to catch up with him and you and Bobby a chance to catch up with each other. I’ll come back for the last half-hour and see how he’s doing. Is that okay with you?’

  She nodded. ‘Very okay, thank you. I’ll see you later.’ She got out of the car and stared up at the beautiful house as Basil drove back down the drive. She rang the bell and stood back. A nurse in a light blue uniform answered the door and invited her inside. ‘Thank you. I’ve come to see Bobby, er, Robert Harrison,’ she said.

  ‘Ah, young Robert, yes, just follow me.’ Bella couldn’t help but see the look of pity pass over the nurse’s face as she turned away and led her to a room on the ground floor. ‘He’s in here and he told me he’s expecting a visitor.’ She opened the door and stepped back to let Bella inside and then followed her in.

  Bobby was sitting looking out of the window and the nurse turned his wheelchair around so that he was facing Bella. His eyes, still as blue as ever, lit up as she walked towards him. His blond hair had grown out of its regulation short back and sides and he’d got that endearing floppy fringe again that Bella had always loved. He held his hands out as she walked towards him. She grasped them and bent to drop a kiss on his cheek.

  ‘Bella, it’s so good to see you again. You have no idea.’ His voice sounded full of emotion and his eyes were moist with tears.

  ‘Yes I have, Bobby.’ Her heart leapt and she almost choked on her words. ‘I feel the same. Thank God you survived.’

  ‘For what it’s worth,’ he said, pointing to the rolled-up pyjama leg that concealed the stump of his left leg. ‘I’m a bit of a mess here.’

  She smiled and sat down on a chair beside him. ‘You’ll do,’ she said, and he would, because at that moment she knew for certain that she loved him. ‘Have you tried to sing?’ she asked. ‘The smoke and flames didn’t damage your vocal cords or anything?’

  ‘They didn’t, and yes I have and I can. I’ve been doing my scales since I got here. Keeping myself in practice. Did Basil really mean it when he said I might be able to sing with you all again when I’m fully recovered? I’ll be fitted with a false leg in time as well, which means I at least could stand up onstage. Oh I know it’ll be a long job, but it gives me hope that I may have a future.’

  Bella nodded. ‘He did indeed. He’s coming in to see you for the last half-hour of visiting to have a chat with you. Has your mum been here yet to see you?’

  ‘Yes she has. The driver brings her a couple of times a week. She suggested that I might be able to give piano lessons from home. Something else I could look into to earn a living. One of the downstairs rooms at the house is being converted for me and they are getting a ramp put in at the side of the steps to push me up and down when I’m allowed a visit home.’

  ‘That all sounds very promising,’ Bella said, loving the enthusiasm in his eyes. He’d get there; time was a great healer of body and mind. ‘What about Alicia? What’s happening there?’

  ‘Huh, not a lot,’ he said with a scowl. ‘I haven’t heard a single word from her since her one visit to me in London. She’s not even been in touch with my mother; after all she’s done for her as well. Mother’s disgusted at the way she lied about the baby that never was. She covered up for her at first as she found it embarrassing for them both, but eventually Alicia admitted to her that she’d lied. And you know why, don’t you? Because she was jealous of you and me. But now she doesn’t want to know. The sooner I’m divorced the better, but it can take ages.’

  Bella nodded. ‘Yes, I believe so. But while that’s going on in the background you have to concentrate on getting better. Do everything they tell you, take all the treatment they can offer. I’ll write to you as often as I can. Do remember though that picking post up when we’re travelling isn’t always easy, so please don’t worry if you don’t get a reply right away. You’ll most likely get two at once. We’re off down south next month and will probably be in Kent around Christmas and there’s talk of us going over to Europe around the same time.’

  ‘Good for you Bella, you deserve it,’ he said, putting on a brave face.

  She smiled back. ‘I don’t know – I’m not keen on going towards the war and I hate sailing too. I might take a month or two out with my mam and Molly towards the end of the year instead as I really miss them. Anyway, we’ll have to see.’

  Bella knew there was no chance of her going anywhere at that time other than to her mam in Wales as her baby would be due. But if she did, she could write to Bobby and him to her a bit easier at least. He didn’t need to know the truth as to why she was in Wales. That would have to do for another time.

  25

  Conwy, North Wales, December 1942

  At the Welsh farmhouse, Bella shifted uncomfortably on the armchair beside the roaring fire and accepted a mug of steaming tea from Audrey, one of the Geordie land girls.

  ‘Why aye, pet, bet you’ll be glad when that’s out,’ Audrey said. It’s a whopper. Bet it’ll be a boy.’

  ‘No doubt,’ Bella said, wincing as the baby kicked. ‘Whatever it is it’s got massive feet. Thank you for the brew, it’s much appreciated.’

  ‘Not much else we can do today. Snow’s coming down thick and fast, can’t even get to the post office to see if my lad’s written to me lately. Ah well, I’ll get it soon enough.’

  ‘You will,’ Bella said, looking out of the window. Outside she could hear excited shrieks from the three little evacuee boys and Molly, who was helping them build a snowman.

  The atmosphere here was lovely. Friendly people who had waited on her hand and foot since she’d arrived, cap in hand, after her mam’s reply to the letter Bella had written, telling her she was expecting and due in December. Mam had told her that she had spoken to Ruth, the farmer’s wife, and Bella was to get herself to Llandudno station as soon as she was able and she would be met there when she phoned to say she’d arrived.

  She’d been made very welcome by everyone and it was so good to see her mam and Molly, who were looking very well. Bella was so glad she’d made her mother come out here. Mary loved being with the kiddies, looking after them and playing with them. They filled the hole left by Betty’s death. It was so much better for her to be here than lonely and fretting in Wavertree. And she and Ruth were the very best of friends. Mam hadn’t pried too much into who Bella’s baby’s father was. Bella had told her he was an airman she’d met doing the shows, who was also a singer.

  ‘Is he a Yank?’ Mam had asked with pursed lips and a slight air of disapproval.

  Bella could see no point in lying. ‘Yes, Mam, he is.’

  ‘Hmm, well you’ll not be the only one taken in with their smooth talk and silk stockings you know. They’re not reliable. Anyway, what will be, eh, Bella?’

  ‘Yes, Mam.’ Bella tried not to smile. ‘And just so you know, I didn’t get any silk stockings, but I know a few that did.’

  Mam laughed. ‘I can’t be angry with you, love. Nothing’s like it used to be. It’s that bloody Hitler’s fault. If he hadn’t started this war them Yankees wouldn’t be over here, causing chaos with our young women. Anyway, how’s young Bobby doing?’

  Bella told her that according to his latest letter Bobby was doing much better, and was being allowed home for Christmas for a couple of days, and Mam had nodded her approval.

  Basil had kept his promise and been to see Bobby several times when he was within driving distance, keeping up his spirits and leaving him sheet music of songs he’d like him to learn for when he was fit and ready. Basil had taken Bella’s baby news as well as could be expected and had kept her secret from Bobb
y, as instructed.

  She’d worked until November but never again with Earl’s band, although Earl had worked with Fran and Edie occasionally. They’d told Basil they would rather not, but sometimes when a show was already booked there wasn’t a choice. Earl did his bit and then kept himself to himself.

  Fran’s last letter had told Bella that he’d asked after her and Fran had told him to mind his own business, even though he’d looked very concerned. Fran was furious that he’d got involved with Bella when he was already married. But Bella knew deep down that, even if Earl had been single, he wasn’t the one for her. Her heart belonged to Bobby and one day, when this war was over and they could all get back to their normal lives, she hoped there would be a way for her and Bobby to be together.

  When Bella had been ready to leave, Basil had dropped her off at a station where she could easily catch a train for Llandudno. Fran and Edie would carry on as the Bryant Sisters until Bella knew what she was going to do once her baby arrived. She’d need a few weeks off at least, and she had to make a decision about her future as well as her child’s.

  At six thirty on Christmas Eve, Bella went into labour. She’d been niggling all day with odd pains but her waters broke as she was helping to clear the tea table. The little evacuee boys stared in fascination as water pooled on the flagstone floor around her feet.

  ‘Bella’s peed herself,’ little ginger Georgie shouted gleefully and the other two giggled helplessly. ‘She needs the potty,’ Georgie added.

  ‘Be quiet, cheeky face,’ Molly scolded as Mam and Ruth helped Bella up the stairs and settled her on the bed, where Mam had hurriedly placed rubber mattress protectors and towels earlier when Bella had complained of lower back pain.

  Mam helped Bella out of her wet underwear and clothes and found her a cotton nightdress to put on. ‘Now, that midwife will never get here tonight on her bike,’ she said, going to the window and looking out at the still-falling snow.

  ‘We’ll manage,’ Ruth reassured her. ‘I’ve delivered lambs and piglets and puppies, so I know what I’m doing.’

  ‘And I had all my three at home and the midwife didn’t get there until after two of them were born,’ Mam said. ‘I’m sure we’ll be fine,’ she reassured Bella, who looked panic-stricken.

  ‘You stay with her and I’ll go down and boil some water to sterilise my scissors,’ Ruth said, hurrying out of the room. She was soon back upstairs with a bowl of boiling water and several towels. ‘Just off the drying rack, so they’re nice and clean and warm.’

  Bella groaned and grasped her mam’s hand. ‘It hurts, really hurts,’ she groaned.

  Mam nodded. ‘It does, my love. But you’ll forget all about it when you’ve got your baby in your arms. Now I’ll get the things out that we’ve bought and then they can be airing.’ She busied herself laying out tiny clothes and nappies that had been in a box since they’d bought them in the village a couple of weeks ago. It helped to see the little clothes and know that there would soon be a baby to wear them.

  A small wooden cradle that Ruth’s husband had made for their own children many years ago had been brought back into service, scrubbed clean and painted in fresh white paint. It was waiting in the corner with sheets and blankets cut down from bed sized ones.

  ‘Molly,’ Ruth called downstairs. ‘Can you get the little rascals ready for bed, love, and bring them up to their room? Give them a biscuit with their milk and they can leave one out for Father Christmas and a carrot for Rudolph.’

  Mam shook her head. ‘I can’t believe where this year has gone. It doesn’t seem like five minutes since we were doing that last year.’

  Ruth smiled. ‘I know. And we’re still no nearer to finding out what happened to their mam – or any other family for that matter.’

  ‘They’re so well settled here now though, it would be nothing short of cruel to take them away from you. They love you like a mam, Ruth.’

  Ruth smiled. ‘The twins call me Mam occasionally when they forget for a moment. Ah well, we’ll have to see what happens, once this war is over. I think their mam and grandparents copped it and the authorities may not be able to identify them. Thank God she saw fit to have them evacuated. We love them as our own and while they’re under my roof they’ll always be well looked after.’

  ‘It just shows how you don’t have to give birth to a little ’un to be able to love it and take care of it,’ Mam said and Ruth agreed.

  Between contractions Bella was aware of the conversation going on between her mam and Ruth. What they said was true – this baby didn’t need to be brought up by her; but maybe her mam would help her. They’d have to see. A gentle knock on the door broke her thoughts and Molly popped her head around.

  ‘Right, they’re settled. Georgie wants to know if we can call it Baby Jesus if it’s a boy.’ She grinned. ‘That’s if it arrives on Christmas Day of course.’

  ‘Oh God, it better bloody arrive before tomorrow,’ Bella said, grimacing.

  ‘I hope it does,’ Molly said. ‘Rather you than me, our Bella. Do either of you two want a cuppa? Audrey’s in the kitchen making a pot.’

  ‘We’d love one, thank you,’ Mam said. ‘But we’ll wait a bit to see what happens here. It won’t be much longer now and then Bella can have one after it’s arrived.’

  As Molly left the room Bella put her chin down on her chest and grunted. ‘Oh God, I think I want to push.’

  ‘Go on then, chuck,’ Mam encouraged. ‘Here, squeeze my hand if it helps you to concentrate.’

  Ruth moved to the end of the bed and lifted the sheets. She moved Bella’s legs and examined her. ‘I can see its head. Not long now. It’s got a lot of very dark hair.’

  ‘Oh, so did all mine,’ Mary said. ‘Thick and dark brown, just like their dad. Bet this one will be just like its granddad, eh Bella.’

  Bella grunted and pushed again. Not a chance, Mam, she thought and gave another huge push and her chunky little boy shot into the world. There was silence as Mam and Ruth stared at him and then at Bella. But only for a moment, and then the baby opened his mouth and exercised his lungs. They sprang into action, cutting the cord and rubbing him dry on a fresh towel. He had light-brown skin and stared at them with big chocolate-brown eyes that looked as though they already held a wealth of knowledge, his button nose wrinkling as his face was wiped clean and his generous lips pouting as he objected strongly.

  ‘Typical boy, doesn’t like his face being washed,’ Ruth said. ‘Look at those little rolls on his legs and arms, what a chunky boy he is. Do you know, Mary, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful baby.’

  Mary nodded, lost for words. She hadn’t been expecting this little fellow at all, but the moment she clapped eyes on her new grandson, Mary fell in love. ‘He’s gorgeous,’ she said softly.

  ‘Can I see him please?’ Bella asked.

  Mary laughed. ‘Of course you can, queen. Well done, my love. He’s just bloody lovely.’

  Bella looked down at the bundle in her arms. He stared back at her with eyes big and wide, browner than hers, Earl’s eyes. He was a miniature Earl and he was hers. A feeling of love overwhelmed her and tears ran down her cheeks. At times she’d thought that she might not have any feelings at all for her baby and that her decision to maybe get it adopted was the best idea all round. But that wasn’t an option now.

  He was family; hers, and she couldn’t part with him. But she still needed to work. That was something she’d need to talk to her mam about, but not right now. She felt exhausted and just wanted to sleep. But another wave of pain washed over her and Ruth announced that the afterbirth was ready to be delivered. Mam took hold of the baby while Ruth attended to Bella.

  After Ruth had cleared everything away and Bella was settled with a cup of tea and Molly was sitting on the bed holding her new nephew, Mam asked, ‘Do we have a name for this little lad yet?’

  Bella nodded. She’d love to give him Earl’s surname of Franklin but that wasn’t possible as Earl would need to
give his permission when the baby was registered and that wouldn’t be happening. She was still feeling a bit angry with Earl, but she felt she should give their child a family name.

  One of Earl’s brothers was called Levi and another one was Scotty. The names had stuck with her. She liked them and, looking at her boy, they’d suit him. If, at a later date, Earl was ever in their son’s life, his name could be added, but for now Bella would choose. ‘He’s going to be called Levi Scott Rogers,’ she said with pride. ‘It has star quality, as Basil would say. He might be a singer one day with a name like that.’

  When Fran and Edie rang the farm on Christmas Day to speak to Bella and wish her a merry Christmas, they got the surprise of their lives. Mam helped Bella down the stairs to speak to her friends and made her sit down on a chair.

  ‘You shouldn’t even be out of bed,’ she chastised. ‘But just this once.’

  ‘Happy Christmas,’ Fran’s voice came over the crackly line. ‘How are you?’

  ‘I’m fine, thank you,’ Bella replied. ‘Well, we both are.’

  ‘Both?’

  ‘Yep, me and my little boy are just fine,’ Bella teased.

  ‘Oh my God, you’ve had the baby. It’s a boy? Is everything okay?’

  ‘Just wonderful,’ Bella said. ‘I’m being well looked after by Mam and Ruth, who delivered him. Well I’ll tell you all about it in a letter. Where are you now?’

  ‘Amazing. Congratulations, Bella. Believe it or not we are in Warrington, at Burtonwood. Then we’re off down south and will be in Kent for February.’

  Bella was silent for a moment. ‘Do me a favour then. Tell Earl he has a son and all is well with both me and the baby. That’s all he needs to know for now.’