New Arrivals at Mulberry Lane

by Rosie Clarke

  ‘I’m fine, really well,’ Maureen said and laughed. ‘Driving will make things easier for all of us. You learned in the Army, didn’t you?’

  ‘I wanted to drive years ago, but I could never have afforded a car, but I took the opportunity to learn when the Army offered to teach me – and perhaps one day we’ll be able to afford a car…’

  ‘We make a few pounds from the shop these days – though not as much as we could if we were able to buy all we need. It makes me wonder why Dad didn’t leave more to Violet. He must have made good money all the time I worked for him, but I don’t know what he did with it,’ Maureen said.

  ‘Perhaps he spent it on his wife?’

  ‘Violet doesn’t seem to think so,’ Maureen said. ‘It’s odd really, but Dad always kept his secrets. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has money hidden somewhere…’

  ‘Have you looked?’

  ‘I’m sure Violet has looked in the flat, but I haven’t bothered. I wouldn’t know where to start…’

  ‘Oh well, it’s a mystery,’ Gordon said and grinned. They heard the bell ring and his smile disappeared. ‘Why does an hour go so fast when you’re here and every minute drags when you’re not?’

  ‘I’m staying overnight, so I’ll be back for the evenin’ visitin’ and in the mornin’,’ Maureen said and bent to kiss him. ‘Have a good rest, love, and I’ll see you later…’

  Maureen smiled as she left him, turning back at the swing doors to wave. He was watching her and she saw the longing in his face, and the pain. Her heart wrenched and she wished she could stay with him, nurse him, and help him through all he had to suffer, but there was nothing she could do until he was allowed to come home.

  *

  Rose left the factory after a busy day, feeling tired and irritable. She wished she’d never had to leave the pub. It had been lovely living with Peggy, cooking and taking care of the kids, but the factory was hard, dirty work and she hated it. Trudging down the lane, she felt the knobbly cobbles through her shoes and sighed, because they needed repairing again.

  ‘Hi, there, beautiful,’ a voice said and Rose halted, looking up at the man in uniform in amazement.

  ‘Jimmy – is it you?’ she asked. ‘Is it really you?’

  ‘I went to see Peggy and she told me you’d taken on factory work…’ He grinned at her as he noticed the turban that covered her hair and the streaks of dust on her cheeks. ‘I was going to ask if you wanted to go to the flicks or something, but you look tired.’

  ‘I was until I saw you,’ Rose said and laughed. ‘Give me fifteen minutes to wash and change and I’ll meet you – in the pub if you like.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Yes, of course. It’s wonderful having you home. I wasn’t expecting it…’ Her eyes travelled over him anxiously. ‘You’re not hurt, are you?’

  ‘No, I’ve been promoted and sent back for some special training. I’ll be a captain after this, Rose – are you impressed?’ His smile made her laugh for sheer joy.

  ‘Very,’ she said. ‘I’ll join you as soon as I’ve had a wash and changed these filthy clothes…’

  ‘What made you change jobs?’ he asked and Rose shook her head.

  ‘I’ll tell you later.’

  She sprinted to her lodgings and hurried in, stopping to say hello to Mavis before rushing upstairs to wash and change into a nice skirt and twinset. She ran a comb through her hair and fluffed it up, thanking her lucky stars that her hair was naturally bouncy even when it needed a wash. Applying a little lipstick and a dab of face powder on her nose, she picked up her best coat and went dancing out to meet Jimmy, feeling happier than she’d been for weeks.

  *

  ‘I’ve missed you, Rose,’ Jimmy said as he walked her home later that evening. They’d been out for a meal at a nice restaurant where they’d actually been able to choose between roast pork and duck in orange sauce with potatoes and vegetables, followed by a delicious bread and butter pudding. ‘I’ve thought about you a lot – and it was great gettin’ your letters and the parcels. You shouldn’t have spent your money on me, though…’

  ‘I’m so glad you’re home,’ Rose said, ignoring his comment. ‘How long have you got?’

  ‘Only a few days and then I’ll be away training, but I may get a few hours off now and then. It means I can at least phone you and send you a card,’ Jimmy said. ‘I’ve got a week’s leave now, so we can go out a few times – if you want?’

  ‘Of course I want,’ Rose assured him. ‘I love being with you, Jimmy.’

  ‘Have you been out with anyone since I left – any passionate love affairs goin’ on?’

  ‘No, of course not,’ she said. ‘I’m fussy about who I spend time with, Jimmy.’

  ‘That’s my girl,’ he said and looked pleased. ‘I thought I’d be away for years when they told us we were goin’ overseas, but I only got as far as Anzio – you know the Allies landed in Italy to put Mussolini in his place?’ Rose nodded. ‘And then my promotion came through and they said they were sending me home for trainin’… some sort of special mission later this year, no idea what yet, but I know there’s a flap on, all hush-hush.’

  ‘It’s lucky for me you’ve been sent back for a while,’ Rose said and sighed. ‘I haven’t had much fun recently. I liked living at the pub – but not since Laurie Ashley, Peggy’s husband, came home.’

  ‘He sounds a right monster,’ Jimmy said, because she’d related the whole saga of his rudeness over dinner, and frowned. ‘Why do you think he took a dislike to you?’

  Rose sighed, realising that she had to tell him, because if she didn’t he might hear it from Laurie Ashley and believe the worst.

  She took a deep breath, then, ‘My father killed my mother because she used to flirt with other men. She was unhappy and drank too much – and Dad thought his son Paul was someone else’s. Paul died in his cot and Mum believed Dad had suffocated him and they quarrelled violently after the funeral – and he killed her…’

  ‘That must have been awful for you…’ Jimmy said shocked, then squeezed her hand. ‘You’ve had a rotten time, love – but you’re all right now. You’ve got friends to look out for you here.’

  ‘Thank you…’ Rose paused, tears hovering, then, ‘Some of the men who came to the pub used to try it on with me, because they thought I was like her – but I wasn’t. Mr Ashley had got hold of part of the story. Peggy said he read lots of newspapers and I think he must have read about the murder and believed a lot of lies about me. At the time, there were rumours that my parents quarrelled over me, hints that I had an intimate relationship with him. One paper made me out to be a slut. It wasn’t true – and I think Mr Ashley had his own reasons for wanting me out of the pub…’ She lifted her head, meeting Jimmy’s gaze. ‘He wants to rule Peggy and he knew I would take her side, stand up for her – also he made a pass and I told him no… I haven’t been with anyone. I’m waiting for the right man… someone that I can love and respect.’ Someone who wasn’t disgusted by her story, someone who would understand and love her – and she hoped that someone was Jimmy.

  ‘You don’t have to tell me that, love. I never thought you were like that…’

  ‘Laurie Ashley seemed to think it…’

  ‘Mucky bugger,’ Jimmy said and looked angry. ‘I noticed the way he looked at you this evening when we had a drink at The Pig & Whistle. No wonder you left, love.’

  ‘I don’t like factory work, but the other girls are good fun and the pay is better,’ Rose said. ‘Peggy spoke about getting her own place one day. If she did, I’d work for her like a shot – but not for him.’

  ‘You tell me if he gives you any trouble,’ Jimmy said, looking fierce. ‘I’ll knock his block off if he lays a finger on you.’

  ‘Oh, Jimmy…’ Rose laughed and hugged his arm, relieved that her confession had not given him a disgust of her. ‘Thank you, but I’m sure he won’t. I’ve made it clear I’m not interested. I pop in to see Peggy now and then, but he never come
s near me.’

  ‘Good, because I’d kill any man who upset my girl…’

  Rose stopped walking and looked up at him. ‘Am I your girl, Jimmy?’

  ‘I think so – don’t you?’ he asked. ‘It’s Saturday tomorrow. Why don’t we go down the shops and pick out an engagement ring?’

  ‘Oh Jimmy!’ Rose hugged him excitedly. ‘This is so sudden! Are you really asking me to marry you?’

  ‘Sounds like it,’ Jimmy said and grinned because he sensed her excitement. ‘I know I said I was against it, Rose, because of the risk that I might not get back, and although I fell for you right away we didn’t know each other. Well, that risk hasn’t changed, but while I was away I thought about you all the time. Your letters gave me somethin’ to live for. I love you and I need to know you’re waitin’ for me. None of us know how much longer we’ve got and… well, I’ve realised you’re the one for me.’ He looked into her eyes. ‘That’s if you feel the same?’

  ‘Oh yes,’ Rose said and went into his arms as he pulled her in for a passionate kiss. ‘I’d love to be your wife, Jimmy. And I’d love to go shopping for a ring.’ It was all happening so fast she couldn’t believe it, and yet they weren’t the only couple to marry in a whirlwind these days; the war made everyone grab what happiness they could.

  ‘Good,’ he said. ‘Once people know we’re engaged it will stop jerks like that Ashley bloke from gettin’ ideas – and if it doesn’t, I’ll kill him with my bare hands.’

  Rose snuggled up to him. She’d been afraid to tell him her history, but Jimmy didn’t care. He loved her and he wanted to marry her – and Rose was ridiculously happy. She’d fallen for him right at the start, but she’d had to hide it. Now she could let him see that she thought he was the most wonderful man in the world. Jimmy was right, no one knew how long they had left and you had to grab what you could with both hands.

  ‘I love you, Jimmy,’ she said and lifted her face for his kiss, ‘and I always shall.’

  Chapter 18

  Maureen met Rose as she was on her way to the pub on Monday morning. Rose came bouncing up to her and waved her left hand at her.

  ‘What’s this then?’ Maureen asked as she saw the lovely sapphire and pearl three-stone ring. ‘Who is the lucky man?’

  ‘Jimmy is home,’ Rose told her. ‘They’re making him a captain and he’s having training before he goes anywhere overseas again, so he’ll be home for a while…’

  ‘Well, that’s lovely for him – and for you,’ Maureen said and smiled at her. ‘I’m happy for you, Rose. What did Peggy say?’

  ‘I haven’t seen her yet,’ Rose said. ‘I’ll pop round this afternoon and show her my ring.’ She was about to walk on, but then placed a hand on Maureen’s arm. ‘I haven’t asked about your husband. Is he any better?’

  ‘Yes, just a little,’ Maureen said. ‘He hopes they will be movin’ him to London in a few weeks, which means I’ll be able to see him every day…’

  ‘Oh, that’s lovely. I’m so pleased for you,’ Rose said. ‘I expect he’s pleased about the new baby. If there’s anything I can do to help ever – look after the children – you only have to say.’

  ‘That is kind.’ Maureen gave her an appreciative look. ‘Gran is managing pretty well – and Shirley is marvellous with Robin. She’s not eleven yet but she acts like a little woman, taking her brother for walks and changing his nappy. I never worry about him when she’s around.’

  ‘Well, I’ll let you get on. I’ve got an extra shift this morning. We’ve been on full-time, making cardboard recently. I don’t know what they need it all for, but we never seem to make enough.’

  ‘Someone told me they use it for coffins for the troops,’ Maureen said. ‘We can’t get enough wood for other things, so they’ve been making lots of cardboard coffins somewhere down on the coast. It was supposed to be a secret but it got out… of course, I don’t know if it’s true…’

  ‘Yes, I’m sure that’s right,’ Rose said. ‘I hadn’t thought about it being used for something like that – but it fits the sizes we’ve been making recently…’

  ‘What an awful thought,’ Maureen said and shuddered. ‘Do you think they’re gettin’ ready for another big push somewhere?’ The British had gone into Burma in force recently and every newspaper told of a new action somewhere in the world: each big fighting initiative, meant a lot more wounded men and thousands of deaths.

  ‘I’ve no idea. I just wish it was all over,’ Rose said. ‘I should hate it if…’ She shook her head. ‘No, I’m not going to be negative. Tell Peggy I’ll see her later…’

  Maureen nodded and went under the arch and round to the back of the kitchen. Peggy was sitting at the table nursing Freddie, who had the sniffles, but looked up with a smile as she entered.

  ‘You’re back then, love. Tell me at once – how is Gordon?’

  ‘He’s a little better. His wound still looks raw, but it seems to be healing and responding to treatment. I think he’s in a lot of pain, but he was happy about coming back to London and seemed more concerned about me than himself.’

  ‘Gordon is always like that,’ Peggy said and smiled at her. ‘You were so lucky you married him and not the other one, Maureen. I think he would’ve made your life hell. You would never have been able to trust him.’

  ‘I know.’ Maureen held out her arms to Freddie. ‘Can I hold him for a minute? Have they all got this chill?’

  ‘Maggie was the first, but she’s over it now, but Fay still has a nasty cold.’

  ‘Poor little mite… it makes a lot of work for you if they’re restless.’

  ‘Freddie isn’t too bad.’ Peggy put her son into Maureen’s arms. ‘I’ll pour us a cup of tea and I’ve made a carrot cake. Try a piece and see what you think; it’s a new recipe.’

  ‘All your baking is good,’ Maureen said and smiled at the little boy who was patting her face and attempting her name. ‘Yes, Auntie Maureen… aren’t you a clever boy then…’

  Freddie burbled at her and then clamoured to be put down. Maureen put him into the playpen and looked round for his twin.

  ‘Where is Fay?’

  ‘She’s upstairs in her cot. Her cold is worse than Freddie’s, so I left her to sleep, because she was grizzling half the night…’ Peggy brought the teapot to the table. ‘You must be pleased that Gordon is coming to a London hospital soon.’

  ‘It makes things so much easier for me, but I haven’t pressed for it because they’re so good with wounds down there. I just hope the improvement continues when he’s transferred.’

  ‘I expect it will,’ Peggy said, ‘or are you worried about it, love?’

  ‘Not worried, just a little anxious,’ Maureen said. ‘It was touch-and-go for a while whether he would lose his leg…’

  ‘No wonder you’re upset,’ Peggy said and reached for her hand to give it a squeeze. ‘Try not to dwell on what might happen, love. I firmly believe that Gordon will come through whatever. He’s a strong man and he has you, so he’s going to fight even if the worst happens.’

  Maureen wiped a tear from her cheek. ‘That’s more or less what Gordon said to me. He’s so brave, Peggy. I’ve seen other men weep when they were in the kind of pain he is, but he doesn’t let me see his despair – and I’m sure he feels it sometimes. Even if his leg heals it will take ages before he’s anythin’ like back to normal…’

  Nellie entered the kitchen then, bringing Fay with her. ‘This one was demanding milk and cake so I brought her down, Peggy. I think she’s feelin’ better.’ She looked at Maureen. ‘Hello, lovey. How’s that husband of yours?’

  ‘He’s a little better, Nellie. I was just tellin’ Peggy that he hopes to be transferred to a London hospital before the summer.’

  ‘That will be better for all of you,’ Nellie said and sat Fay in her high chair, busying herself with cutting a tiny slice of cake for her. ‘I’ll be glad when we can have all our lads and lasses back home.’

  The talk turned to the war, whic
h had been looking better for the Allies of late. Since the landing at Anzio, the British and American troops had made good progress, and the Russians had smashed the siege line at Leningrad in January. The RAF had some wonderful new jet engines, which were giving them the advantage in recent skirmishes with the enemy, and the Government had even turned its thoughts towards what needed to change at home after the war.

  ‘I read in the paper that Mr Churchill says over sixty German U-boats have been sunk since last summer – I reckon that’s more than in the rest of the war,’ Nellie said. ‘The tide is turnin’ – you mark my words. We’ll ’ave them buggers on the run soon enough…’

  ‘Let’s hope you’re right…’

  Nellie gave Fay her milk just as Janet entered the kitchen with Maggie. ‘What do you reckon, Jan – have we got them bloody Germans on the run at last?’

  ‘Let’s hope so,’ Janet said. ‘Ryan says there’s somethin’ big on the cards, but no one knows what – so we just have to hope for the best.’ She’d set Maggie down, and she was now pulling at her skirt and asking for cake. Janet didn’t respond immediately and Maggie darted to where Fay was sitting and snatched her half-eaten cake, stuffing it into her mouth and eating it so fast that she almost choked herself. Fay started screaming and threw her glass of milk over Maggie. ‘You naughty girl,’ Janet said, pouncing on her daughter and giving her a good slap on her bottom. ‘You mustn’t take what belongs to Fay. Say you’re sorry now.’

  Maggie set her mouth stubbornly, then hid her face against her mother’s skirt and started to sob noisily.

  ‘Stop it, Fay,’ Peggy said and tapped her on her hand. Fay’s eyes opened wide and she gave her mother a look of such indignation that Maureen would have laughed if she hadn’t sensed that it was a sensitive situation.

  ‘I’ll take Maggie for a walk,’ Janet said and scooped her daughter up; she bundled her into her coat and bonnet and fastened on leading reins, because Maggie had a habit of darting off if she could. ‘Sorry, Mum. I don’t know what got into her. She can’t be hungry. She had bread and jam before I brought her down.’