Always in my Heart (Beach View Boarding House 5)

by Ellie Dean

  ‘Peggy, do you think I could ask you something?’

  Peggy felt a jolt of alarm as she saw the serious expression on her usually sunny face. ‘Yes, of course, dear. What’s the matter?’

  Jane took off the cap and shook out her long hair as she sat at the table. She clasped her hands in her lap and chewed her bottom lip before asking hesitantly, ‘Do you know what Anthony does at Castle Hill Fort?’

  ‘Not really,’ Peggy admitted. ‘His mother goes on about his important, secret work for the MOD, and he does keep things close to his chest, so I suppose it’s classified. Why do you ask?’

  ‘He was waiting outside the dairy when I finished work,’ Jane said quietly, ‘and we went for a walk up into the hills so we could have a long private talk about things. He didn’t want anyone to see us, or overhear what he had to say.’

  Peggy was rather startled that her nephew should think it appropriate to go into the hills alone with such a young girl.

  Her expression must have given her thoughts away, for Jane smiled. ‘There was nothing sinister about it,’ she said. ‘Though I was a bit wary that Suzy might see us and get the wrong end of the stick.’

  ‘So what did he want to talk to you about that he couldn’t say here?’ asked Peggy.

  ‘He seems to think I would be very useful to the MOD, and asked me if I would be interested in going away to do some specialist training.’

  Peggy realised she’d been the one to grasp the wrong end of the stick, and she quickly closed the kitchen door so their conversation couldn’t be overheard by anyone coming into the hall. She sat down next to Jane. ‘What sort of training?’ she asked softly. ‘Was he specific?’

  ‘He said it had to do with my ability to solve mathematical problems and codes, and that those skills were very important in helping to win the war. He didn’t go into any real detail because he said he wasn’t allowed to – but if I was interested in doing something really vital to the war effort, he could arrange for me to see one of his colleagues.’

  ‘And what did you tell him, Jane?’

  ‘I said I would have to think about it,’ she replied. She looked at Peggy, her expression earnest and a mite fearful. ‘I’m not supposed to tell anyone about this,’ she confessed, ‘and I feel a bit disloyal about keeping it from Sarah. But she’s got enough to worry about, and without Mummy and Daddy here, I felt I could come to you, Peggy. I trust you, you see, and I think you’re the best person to give me honest advice.’

  Peggy’s soft heart went out to her. ‘I’m flattered you trust me enough to confide in me, Jane – and I promise this conversation will go no further.’ She took Jane’s cold hands and rubbed them warm. ‘You were quite right to tell Anthony you needed time to think this over,’ she said quietly. ‘It sounds as if it’s a very responsible sort of thing he’s asking you to do.’

  Jane gave a deep sigh. ‘I can only guess that the training must be something to do with breaking codes – and I think I’d really like that, and be rather good at it. But you see I’m only just finding my feet here and getting used to making decisions and holding down a job, and I don’t think I’m ready yet to take such a big step.’

  ‘Did you tell him about your accident, and how you feel about his offer?’

  Jane nodded. ‘He said the accident didn’t matter a jot, and of course I must take my time to think everything through. But he urged me to meet this other person so I had a better understanding of what the training would entail and where it would lead.’

  ‘If you don’t feel ready to do that, then you’ve done the right thing by refusing to meet this man.’

  Jane lifted her chin, her wide blue eyes bright with unshed tears. ‘But I feel I’ve let Anthony down, Peggy,’ she whispered.

  Peggy drew her into her arms. ‘You haven’t let anyone down, Jane,’ she murmured, kissing her soft hair. ‘You simply need time to settle into the way of life here, and it was a bit unfair of Anthony to put you in such a difficult position.’

  ‘I thought so too,’ she said with a sniff, ‘but I can understand why he did. You see, I passed all the tests with flying colours and he said I had a very rare and special talent.’

  ‘I have no doubt of it,’ said Peggy with a sigh, ‘but that doesn’t mean you have to feel guilty about turning down his offer.’

  Jane lifted her head from Peggy’s shoulder. ‘But I do, Peggy. I can’t help it. And yet I know deep down that I must get used to working and being myself before I start to think about being completely independent. I’ve had people telling me how I should think and what I should do ever since I had the accident, and this new freedom is quite a heady thing and it may take some time before I can adjust to it.’

  ‘Then that is what you must do,’ said Peggy as she gave her a clean handkerchief.

  ‘I do love delivering the milk, and I absolutely adore Mabel and the other horses, but I can see that it isn’t nearly as important as code-breaking,’ Jane muttered as she blew her nose. ‘Do you think I’m being awfully silly to want to stay at the dairy?’

  ‘All jobs are important in times like these,’ said Peggy firmly, ‘so I don’t want you thinking otherwise. And of course I don’t think you’re being silly – you’re still only seventeen, and far too young for anything more responsible.’

  Jane was silent for a moment. ‘Anthony gave me a super reference,’ she said as she pulled the envelope out of her trouser pocket. ‘I thought I’d go and see Vera tomorrow and ask about an afternoon job. I don’t earn much at the dairy, and with Sarah not working, we need the extra money.’

  Peggy smiled. ‘Sarah’s got the job with the WTC – she’s up at the estate now, in fact, and starts properly tomorrow.’

  Jane gave her a beaming smile. ‘That’s wonderful news,’ she breathed. ‘I’m so glad she doesn’t have to worry about it any more.’

  Peggy smiled. ‘And are you happier now we’ve had this little talk, Jane?’

  ‘I am,’ she replied, ‘and once I’ve really settled in and am feeling a bit more sure of myself, I might have another talk to Anthony and then meet his colleague.’ She gave an impish grin. ‘Never say “never”, Peggy. Who knows what I might be doing this time next year?’

  Sarah’s walk home from the estate didn’t seem to take long at all, despite the unwieldy bundle of clothing she carried under her arm. The day was bright, the work at the estate office was manageable, and she was looking forward to welcoming all the other girls tomorrow.

  She strode along the flat ridge which eventually dipped towards the town and Beach View, feeling warm and rather liberated in the WTC jodhpurs, shirt and sweater. Through trial and error, she and Mrs Cruikshank had managed to find jodhpurs that fitted her, and they’d both been pleased and rather surprised at how well they suited her. The new brown shoes that were issued with the rest of the uniform were a bit stiff and needed wearing in, but so far they hadn’t rubbed her heel or pinched at all, and she put that down to the thickness of the knee-length socks.

  She hitched the bundle under her arm and adjusted her handbag and gas-mask straps on her shoulder. Her arm was aching now, for the bundle was heavy, and contained not only her own clothes and shoes, but the newly issued overcoat and mackintosh. The weather was so changeable, it was best to keep both at hand for the following morning.

  Sarah reached the track which led steeply down to the lane that ran behind Beach View Boarding House, and her pace quickened in her eagerness to show off her uniform and tell the others about her first day.

  There was no sign of Ron or welcoming bark from Harvey, and she realised they were probably both at the pub, for it was almost opening time. She ran up the cellar steps into the kitchen where everyone else was gathered for the evening meal.

  ‘Well, look at you,’ said Peggy. ‘Don’t you look smart!’

  ‘You look as if you’re going riding,’ said Jane admiringly. ‘Those breeches are jolly flattering, Sarah.’ She grinned and rushed to give her a hug. ‘I don’t need to ask if
you enjoyed your first day,’ she said. ‘Your face says it all.’

  ‘Goodness,’ muttered Cordelia as she peered over her half-moon glasses. ‘Are you in charge of the stables, dear? I thought you were supposed to be in the estate office?’

  Sarah dropped her bundle of clothing on a chair and bent to kiss Cordelia’s cheek. ‘I am in the office,’ she said, ‘but I will be expected to muck in when there’s a delivery day, or if someone needs help.’ She grinned. ‘I was worried the uniform would make me feel as if I’ve dressed like a boy, but actually it’s very comfortable and lovely and warm.’

  Cordelia looked from Sarah to Rita and then Jane. ‘I don’t know what the world’s coming to,’ she muttered, ‘with you young things rushing about in trousers and boots – riding motorbikes and cutting down trees and delivering milk. Whatever next?’

  ‘Well, I think we all look jolly good,’ declared Jane, ‘and as the men aren’t about to do these jobs, it’s only right we should take over.’

  ‘So, what’s it like up at the estate?’ asked Suzy as she finished laying the table.

  Sarah described the house and the forest and how peaceful it was up there. ‘They’ve got a lot of people working on the estate already,’ she said finally. ‘There’s a farm as well as the forest to manage, and ten more lumberjills are due to arrive tomorrow.’

  ‘Lumberjills? Is that what you’re all going to be called?’ asked Fran.

  Sarah nodded. ‘Why not? The men are lumberjacks, after all – and Jack and Jill went up the hill – and cut down all the trees.’

  There was a murmur of laughter at this. Sarah picked up her bundle of clothes. ‘I’ll take these upstairs and out of the way,’ she said. Then she turned in the doorway and grinned. ‘Oh, I almost forgot,’ she said. ‘The American Army officers are to be billeted at the manor house. They’re due to arrive quite soon.’

  ‘Oh, you beast,’ squeaked Fran. ‘You left the best bit of news until last. How many will there be, and will you get the chance to meet them?’

  Sarah shrugged. ‘I have no idea,’ she replied, ‘but I’m sure they’ll be far too busy to take much notice of anyone.’

  ‘But they’re bound to have dances and things,’ persisted Fran. ‘The Canadians and Australians do – it’s all part of introducing them to the area and giving them a bit of entertainment before they have to go off to some beastly battle.’ She hugged herself and giggled. ‘Goodness to mercy, how thrilling. Yankee officers – and right on our doorstep.’

  ‘We’ll have none of that,’ said Peggy, trying to look stern. ‘They’re here to help us win the war, not to provide you with dancing partners – and I don’t want any of you girls having your heads turned. You’re to keep your hands on your ha’pennies and your knees together, you hear me?’

  ‘It’s only Fran getting excited,’ said Rita dryly. ‘Personally I think they’re overrated if the ones at the old airfield are anything to go by.’

  Sarah left the kitchen as Fran and Rita argued about the merits and pitfalls of having the Americans stationed in Cliffehaven. She was still smiling as she unpacked her bundle and carefully hung everything in the wardrobe. The arrival of the Yanks had been a talking point for ages now, and the expectation and excitement was almost tangible. Sarah had a feeling that Cliffehaven was about to see great changes.

  Having put everything away, she changed back into her own clothes and brushed out her hair. The precious photographs she’d brought with her were displayed on the narrow mantelpiece above the gas fire, and she took them down and sat on the bed as she looked through them.

  They were snapshots of sunny, careless days when life had been easy and the dark shadows of what was to come had yet to appear in those cloudless skies. She looked at her parents standing on the veranda, captured in the moment just before their guests were to arrive for dinner, smiling and happy as they raised their glasses to the camera. There was one of Amah with baby Jane in her arms, and another of herself with both of them on some lovely palm-fringed beach. She’d been a skinny little girl with fair plaits, a freckled nose and a wide smile.

  She set them aside and picked up the photograph of her and Philip. They were celebrating their engagement, and he looked so handsome in his tuxedo that it brought tears to her eyes. The Americans could come in their droves for all she cared, for Philip was the only man she wanted; the only man who could touch her heart and make her feel treasured.

  ‘We’ll be together again one day soon,’ she whispered to him as he smiled back at her from the photograph. ‘Just keep me in your heart until then.’

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  ‘The Yanks are coming,’ announced Tuppence Bailey excitedly as she crashed into the office and stood panting in the doorway, ‘Molly Douglas saw their jeeps coming down the lane. Hurry up or you’ll miss them arriving at the house.’

  Sarah grinned. Tuppence Bailey was a sturdy country girl of eighteen whose real name was Maud. She had told everyone that on the day she’d been born her father had decided she looked as bright and shining as two pennies, and the nickname had stuck. She much preferred it to the rather dreary Maud, but her mother had insisted upon it in the hope that her wealthy, ancient spinster aunt Maud might leave her part of her fortune.

  Tuppence was an energetic, fresh-faced girl who always seemed to be excited about something, and Sarah had come to like her very much over the past four weeks, for she was great fun to be with. So she left her desk and locked the office door behind her before following Tuppence down the path.

  Sarah was curious enough to want to see what these Americans actually looked like, for the rumours about how handsome they were had been circulating ever since the first influx had arrived in Ireland and Liverpool – but it was almost an idle curiosity, for she hadn’t looked properly at another man since she’d waved goodbye to Philip in Singapore harbour.

  Tuppence joined the other lumberjills who were already hiding in a giggling huddle within the foliage of the enormous rhododendrons, and Sarah eased in beside her. She felt faintly ridiculous squatting there, but the other girls were such fun, and their excitement was infectious, so it didn’t seem to matter a jot.

  ‘They’re coming,’ hissed Molly Douglas, who was so excited she could barely keep still and kept treading on the others’ toes in her heavy studded boots.

  Sarah heard the rumble of several engines and then the crunch of wheels on the gravel driveway. She leaned forward with the others as three jeeps roared into view with the yellow star of America painted on their bonnets. A gasp went up as they saw the soldiers sitting rigidly in the front, the officers in the back lounging in a much more relaxed manner. Two staff cars arrived with the American flag fluttering from the wing mirrors, and these were followed by four more jeeps.

  ‘Cor, I don’t ’alf fancy that one,’ growled Eastend Shirley, her eyes like saucers as a tall and very handsome Colonel stepped out of a jeep and returned the soldiers’ snappy salutes.

  ‘He wouldn’t fancy you or any of us in this awful get-up,’ retorted Tilly Rogers. ‘But I have to say that if this is an example of what the Americans look like, then we’re in for a treat, girls.’

  ‘That one over there looks like Clark Gable,’ breathed Tuppence.

  ‘They all look like film stars,’ replied Sarah as she took in the immaculate uniforms which fitted the broad shoulders and slender hips to perfection. Even the ordinary soldiers looked dangerously attractive in their camouflage battledress as they stood to attention in front of the mansion.

  As the oohs and aahs went through the other lumberjills like a breeze through a field of wheat, Sarah gazed in awe at the tanned faces and lovely white teeth of these Americans. By contrast, the English soldiers who came into town from their barracks nearby were a pasty lot in their ill-fitting and unflattering uniforms, and they all seemed to have bad skin and teeth. And although the Canadians were regarded as quite dashing, and the RAF boys could still command huge attention, they didn’t begin to compare to these gla
mour boys.

  ‘I tell you what, girls,’ whispered Tuppence, ‘our chaps are going to have to smarten up if they’re to get a look-in from now on.’

  ‘I know who I’d rather dance with,’ sighed Molly as her adoring gaze followed one of the Lieutenants. ‘I bet his hands don’t get sweaty – and I wouldn’t care if he stomped all over my toes.’

  There were stifled giggles and they all shifted forward to get a closer look. The soldiers were now standing guard around the perimeter of the turning circle as the officers climbed the steps to the front door where the robust Lord Cliffe was waiting to greet them. He was a man in his vigorous sixties, with a snowy moustache and thick white hair, and the medals on his chest glinted in the sun as he gave the senior officer a smart salute before shaking his hand.

  ‘I didn’t realise the old boy was back from London,’ whispered Tilly. ‘And where did he get all those medals from?’

  ‘He was awarded them in three of the deadliest campaigns during the first war,’ said Sarah, who’d been told the history of Lord Cliffe by Mrs Cruikshank. ‘One of them is the Victoria Cross.’

  There was an appreciative murmur and then all eyes turned back to the driveway where more jeeps and several lorries were drawing up. Soldiers jumped down and ran smartly to the back of the house with cases and bags as others unloaded heavy packing crates, their voices twanging with the accent they all recognised from Hollywood films.

  The Americans had arrived and had more than fulfilled every expectation. Cliffe estate was coming alive with their noise and bustle, and as the girls watched enthralled, it was clear the old place would never be quite the same again.

  Despite having told Cordelia a month before that she had passed her check-up with flying colours, Peggy knew that sooner or later she would not be able to avoid the truth. She was feeling decidedly under the weather today, but she didn’t have time to be ill, there were too many more important things to be getting on with. Things would sort themselves out one way or another – they always did.