Big Dreams for the West End Girls

by Elaine Roberts

  Joyce took the envelope. She turned it over a couple of times, examining it.

  Arthur smiled. ‘If you want to know who it’s from why don’t you open it?’

  Joyce frowned. ‘That would be the sensible thing to do.’ She slipped her index finger under the seal and ripped the top of the envelope. Pulling the envelope apart she peered inside at what looked like a single sheet of paper.

  Arthur watched her as she pondered whether to actually pull out the letter. ‘Shall I leave you to read it in private?’

  Joyce opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She put her hand to her mouth and coughed. ‘Sorry, there’s no need. I have nothing to hide.’ She pulled out the sheet of paper; it crunched together as it caught on the inside of the envelope. She scanned it quickly before passing it to her uncle.

  Arthur took the thin sheet of paper from her and ran his gaze over it. ‘It’s from a solicitor.’

  Joyce stared at the dancing flames of the fire.

  ‘It says they have written to you before and they are waiting to hear from you.’

  Joyce nodded, but didn’t look away from the fire. ‘I don’t know why they are writing to me.’

  Arthur reached over and clasped her hand in his. ‘It says it’s something to do with your grandma.’

  Joyce turned her head and studied her uncle for a moment. ‘Yes, I know, but why should I care? She threw us out remember? And why haven’t you had a letter, or have you?’

  Arthur’s colour began to rise in his face. He leapt to his feet and walked over to put his cup and saucer on the silver tray that was on the dining table. ‘That’s a long story and one I will tell you when you’re not so worn out.’ The crockery clattered on to the tray.

  ‘Did you have an argument with her?’ Joyce looked down at her clenched hands in her lap. ‘My pa did, but I don’t know what about.’

  ‘Don’t let that spoil any good memories you have of your father, or your grandmother come to that.’ Arthur sighed. ‘From what I remember they didn’t always get on so it was only a matter of time with them living under the same roof.’

  ‘I do know he went off to work on the Titanic and never came back so they never had a chance to talk it through.’ Joyce blinked quickly before looking up. ‘It’s all quite sad.’

  Arthur fidgeted from one foot to the other. ‘It is. We can do a lot of damage to each other in the heat of the moment.’ He sighed. ‘I know that better than anyone.’ He took the couple of steps back to his chair.

  Joyce forced herself to smile. ‘Whenever he went away to work he always brought me a present when he came home.’

  Arthur cleared his throat. ‘Yes, I believe he liked to make people happy by giving presents.’

  Joyce peered over at him. His expression was dire. ‘As I got older, it was no longer a doll or a new dress but jewellery – you know, necklaces and watches.’

  Arthur stayed quiet as he stared into the yellow flames licking at the chimney.

  Joyce gave a little laugh. ‘Thinking about it, I don’t think my mother approved of the gifts. Not that I recall her ever saying anything, but I remember the odd look she give him. The money would have been better spent putting food for the table.’ She gulped down a mouthful of tea. ‘Come to think of it I don’t know what happened to all the jewellery he gave us both. I expect it’s still at Grandma’s.’

  Arthur gave her a sideways look. ‘I think you need to find out why the solicitors want to see you. It might just be about exactly that.’

  A tense silence sat between them.

  ‘I’ll come with you if you want me to but I understand if you would rather go by yourself. Either way you need to make contact with them.’

  Joyce nodded. ‘Perhaps we’ll go together; that’s if you don’t mind?’

  Arthur nodded. ‘Of course I don’t.’

  ‘I just don’t understand why they want to see me. It’s probably all a misunderstanding, unless it is about my mother’s things and those gifts.’

  Arthur frowned. ‘Well, the sooner we go the sooner we’ll find out.’

  4

  Annie pulled the blanket up to her chin, trying to ignore the urge to scratch the irritating itch as it brushed against her skin. The bed creaked as she fidgeted. The wind outside battered against the sash window, the wood rattling in its frame as the gale demanded entrance. The closed heavy curtain at the window fluttered as the wind found its way in. The crash of metal bins being blown over carried in the air. It was hard to hear whether it was raining above the wind. The usual barking dogs were silent and there was no sound of cats rummaging for food. She frowned, hoping all the animals were in hiding from the awful weather they were having. The chimes of the clock downstairs could just be heard. Annie’s eyes narrowed as she concentrated. Was that ten? She couldn’t be sure. The metal bed frame creaked again as Rose sat further back against the footboard of the bed.

  ‘Joyce, Rose and I had some news about our jobs.’ Annie paused for only a split second, watching the worry flick across Joyce’s face. ‘We have been asked to move to The Lyceum Theatre with everyone for the production of The Royal Divorce.’

  Joyce beamed. ‘That’s wonderful news. I expect you were both wondering what to do next. I assume you’re both taking up their offer?’

  Rose chuckled. ‘It would be if Miss Hetherington wasn’t coming with us, or if she could stop scowling and sniping at me whenever she gets an opportunity, which seems to be every time she sees me.’

  Joyce frowned. ‘Is it that bad? Does it put you off moving theatres?’

  Rose smiled. ‘No, it’s nothing I can’t handle; it just gets me down. It’s always been the same, and I can’t see anything changing all the time we’re working together. The problem is I don’t know what I’ve done to cause it.’

  Annie reached out to her friend and clasped her hand in hers. ‘From what I can gather it’s not personal to you; she’s horrible to everyone.’

  Rose raised her eyebrows. ‘Why would you want to live your life like that? It’s beyond me. Anyway she won’t change so let’s talk about something happier.’

  Annie’s eyes sparkled. ‘I have more news.’

  Rose’s smile gradually spread across her face. ‘What?’

  Joyce giggled. ‘Come on, tell us?’

  ‘Stan has asked me to be an understudy.’ Annie beamed.

  Rose leapt off the edge of the bed and wrapped her arms around Annie. ‘That’s absolutely wonderful news, and so well deserved.’

  Annie smiled as her friend pulled away. ‘I’m not sure I’m any more deserving than anyone else but I’m certainly thrilled to be given the opportunity.’

  Joyce clapped her hands. ‘Don’t be so modest; you were wonderful when we saw you on stage and I’m pleased they realise how good you are. It’s the best news ever.’

  Colour filled Annie’s cheeks. ‘Thank you, although I still have a lot to learn.’ She shifted her gaze heavenward. ‘Someone up there loves me, that’s for sure.’

  The girls nodded.

  Joyce whispered, ‘Amen to that.’

  Rose glanced over at Joyce. ‘Talking of that, your uncle Arthur seems happier these days. He was talking about maybe decorating the house.’

  Joyce smiled. ‘I know. He’s like a different person. He even made me a cup of tea when I got home from work today.’ She chuckled. ‘I don’t think I hid my surprise very well.’ Her smile faded. ‘I have your brother to thank for that, Annie. Whatever words of wisdom he said to Uncle Arthur when he came to see you seemed to work. You two living here has probably made him think about things as well.’

  Rose patted Joyce’s hand. ‘I don’t think we can take any credit but I’m pleased we were able to be here for you.’

  Annie nodded. ‘I think he just told him a few home truths but he’s certainly a changed man, that’s for certain. I wonder if him and Auntie Dot will ever get back together? They clearly love each other, which just makes it so sad. My father and grandfather were so happy
when she returned home after so many years.’

  The girls all nodded.

  Joyce looked thoughtful. ‘I hope they do. I’d like Dot to come back to London. And if Uncle Arthur moves we may not have anywhere to live.’

  Annie peered at Joyce from under her lashes. She knew from talking to her father that her aunt didn’t want to return to London to live but decided to keep that information to herself. There was no point worrying Joyce when her uncle was still here. She looked pensive and glanced up at Rose. ‘Rose, have you had any letters from your brothers recently?’

  Rose raised her eyebrows. ‘I haven’t had any full stop. It’s a good job I know they’re writing to my mother and she keeps me up to date.’ Her eyes screwed up a little. ‘From your question I take it you haven’t heard from your brother either?’

  Annie shook her head.

  Joyce leant forward in her chair and patted Annie’s arm. ‘I expect you will soon. He always writes to you regularly. I expect it’s just difficult or the post has got held up. It can’t be easy for them to write letters on the front line.’

  Annie frowned. ‘I know. I just worry, that’s all, and I know we’re all doing that so it’s no different for me than anyone else.’

  Joyce took a deep breath. ‘Well, I can tell you something that might take your mind off it, even if it’s only for half an hour.’

  Annie and Rose immediately looked wide-eyed at Joyce, before speaking as one. ‘What?’

  A slow smile formed on Joyce’s lips. ‘I have good news and bad news. Which would you like first?’

  ‘Good, bad,’ the girls answered in unison.

  Joyce’s smile got bigger. ‘All right, I shall give you the good news.’ She paused, taking a breath.

  ‘What?’ Rose asked.

  ‘A man, Frank Simmons, has been talking to me about doing an article for a newspaper.’

  Annie and Rose stared at each other before quickly looking back at Joyce.

  Rose was the first to speak. ‘What, you have to write the article?’

  Joyce chuckled. ‘No, silly, he wants to write about me and cooking.’

  Annie beamed. ‘That’s wonderful. Oh my goodness you could be famous, like Lloyd George or the King.’

  The girls giggled.

  Joyce couldn’t resist smiling as she shook her head. ‘I don’t think that’s going to happen.’

  ‘Is he good-looking?’ Rose raised her eyebrows. ‘What does Simon think about it?’

  Joyce blushed. ‘He’s quite good-looking and Simon hasn’t said anything about it. Why would he?’

  Rose glanced at Annie. ‘Did I miss something?’

  Annie shook her head.

  Rose turned to Joyce. ‘The last time we saw you two together you looked pretty cosy, so what’s gone wrong?’

  Joyce shrugged. ‘I don’t think anything’s gone wrong. He’s just busy with other things on his mind. I think we will always be very good friends but maybe that’s where it will stop.’

  Rose rested her hand on Joyce’s. ‘But you love him don’t you?’

  Joyce’s lips tightened. ‘It doesn’t matter what I feel if he doesn’t feel the same. Although sometimes I catch him watching me and I think he does love me, other things always seem to get in the way.’ She took a breath, trying to calm the beating in her chest. After all, she might lose him, like she had everyone she loved. No, she mustn’t get carried away. Experience told her she could only rely on herself.

  Rose shook her head. ‘There’s no doubt in my mind he loves you. That evening we saw you through the café window it looked obvious to me, and he’s always encouraged you to bake for the café.’

  Joyce gave a faint smile. ‘He did think my bread and cakes were amazing.’ She blushed. ‘I think it was after that evening that things changed between us.’

  Rose shrugged. ‘Maybe you’re both frightened of ruining everything. Let’s face it, it’s not just a good working relationship that’s been going for years, but it’s also a friendship. Maybe you should be the one to tell him you love him; you know it shouldn’t just be up to the men, especially if we want the vote and all that.’

  Joyce chuckled as she shook her head. ‘That’s never going to happen.’ She paused. ‘Anyway, that was the good news, which I must admit turned out to be not so good.’

  Annie smiled. ‘Oh I don’t know, you’re going to be in the newspaper; that sounds quite grand to me.’

  Joyce chuckled. ‘He even took a photograph of me to go with the article, not that I looked my best.’

  Rose clapped her hands together. ‘It’s an exciting time, so what’s the bad news then?’

  Joyce clasped her hands together on her lap. ‘I received a solicitor’s letter today … actually it’s the second one from them.’

  The girls waited in silence for Joyce to continue.

  Joyce shrugged. ‘There’s not much more to tell, except it’s something to do with my grandma and they want to see me.’

  Rose gasped. ‘Do you think she’s passed away and left you something in her will?’

  Joyce shook her head. ‘I don’t know why they want to see me; you’d think they’d want to see Uncle Arthur rather than me. With my father dying he must be next in line to receive anything. Mind you, I don’t suppose Pa would have got anything anyway because my father and grandma argued badly enough for us to move out of her home; that’s how I ended up here.’

  Annie frowned. ‘Have you ever heard from her?’

  ‘I’ve not spoken to her. I’ve thought about it but it felt like I was betraying my father so I just left it alone and she’s never contacted me.’

  Rose shook her head. ‘Maybe she didn’t know where you and your father had gone.’ She paused. ‘Do you know what they argued about?’

  Joyce’s lips tightened. ‘I never thought of that; my goodness maybe I should try and contact her or at least go to the solicitor’s to find out what’s happened to her, if anything.’ She paused and glanced over at her friends. ‘They were always arguing about money, that was nothing new, but from what I remember the last time was different; they argued over me.’

  Annie reached over and rested her hand on Joyce’s. ‘Why do you think they argued over you?’

  Joyce shrugged. ‘I just recall my grandmother raising her voice about how it’s his responsibility to raise his child, he shouldn’t be shirking it and leaving it for others to do.’ She blinked quickly trying to stop her tears from falling. ‘I must have done something to cause the argument, unless it was about him going to work on the Titanic. I don’t know and my father never spoke about it. I don’t even know if they made up before he died.’

  Rose sighed. ‘I’m sure it can’t be anything you did wrong so I expect it was to do with your father going away to work. I expect it would have been a difficult time for your grandma and your father. The prospect of having the responsibility of a sixteen-year-old in London must have frightened her, and for you not having a mother to guide you.’

  Annie squeezed Joyce’s hand. ‘Do you want someone to go to the solicitor’s with you?’

  Joyce shook her head. ‘Uncle Arthur offered, and I did want to go with him, but the more I think about it the more I feel this is something I need to do by myself, no matter how frightening it feels.’

  *

  Rose pulled the front door shut. The key clanged against the inside of it. She pulled at her thick woollen gloves as she turned to glance at Annie. ‘I’m sure it’s colder in London than it is in our village, especially this early in the morning.’

  Annie gave a shiver and pulled her coat collar up and tightened her scarf around her neck. ‘That can’t be true. We have all that open land for the wind to run through, let alone the rain and snow that drives through it uninterrupted.’

  They linked arms and paced along Great Earl Street towards Seven Dials, their breath coming out in grey swirls as they rushed along. A strong aroma of coffee came at them from all sides.

  A man carrying a crate of fresh b
read on his shoulders walked towards them. The smell of the warm bread immediately transported Annie back home but she said nothing.

  ‘I suppose that’s true, although it definitely feels colder to me.’ Rose stared ahead, stepping out into the road to avoid the people walking towards her. She glanced across at Annie. ‘You know I like Peter. He’s a good man, and I’m so pleased you both managed to work things out.’

  Annie nodded. ‘I couldn’t think about not seeing him again. It upset me so much but I thought I had no choice.’ She paused. ‘When I look back I can’t believe he came all the way to Worcester to see me. I’m so grateful I could come back to London. I have a lot to be thankful for, and Dot being my aunt is one of them.’

  Rose smiled. ‘That’s love for you.’

  ‘My family liked him. I think them living on a farm and Peter selling fruit and vegetables on his stall gave them an instant connection.’ Annie looked at Rose sheepishly. ‘I also think they worked it out we were in love.’ She paused. ‘What about you and Charlie? You were certainly making eyes at each other. Is there love in the air?’

  Rose blushed. ‘Oh stop it, I barely know him.’ She stepped back so a lady holding a boy’s hand could walk past on the pavement. ‘I didn’t hear Joyce go this morning, which is most unusual.’

  Annie gave her friend a knowing look. ‘No, nor me. She must have left particularly early.’ She frowned. ‘I think she’s more worried about this solicitor’s letter than she’s making out.’

  ‘Want some soup, lovey?’ a seller shouted. ‘It’s vegetable, and will set yer up for the day, it will.’

  Annie and Rose shook their heads and carried on walking, peering at the different shop windows as they went past, while trying to avoid people stepping out in front of them.

  Rose pulled the sides of her woollen hat down over her blonde hair, attempting to cover her ears. ‘It’s strange that they haven’t asked to see Arthur though; after all he’s her uncle and you’d think he would receive any inheritance before Joyce.’

  Annie nodded. ‘I know but maybe he was disowned because of his drinking.’