by Rosie Clarke
‘Tom would know.’ Peggy nodded. Rose had given birth to a little boy in the hospital the evening after she’d visited Sheila. That meant Tom had his hands full looking after two children, the house, his business and visiting his wife. ‘He has so many contacts that his finger is always on the pulse of what is going on in the lanes. I can’t think why she is back here.’
‘Who knows what goes on in a mind like that? She isn’t right mentally. Just be careful, Peggy. Make sure you lock all the doors at night – and don’t leave it too late to walk home from the pub.’
‘You will only be gone one night,’ Peggy said and shook her head, a smile on her face. ‘I’m not afraid of Gillian, love.’
‘No – but perhaps you should be watchful…’
‘Yes, I shall be careful, for the children as much as anything,’ Peggy said. ‘The worst bit will be not having you in bed with me. We haven’t spent a night apart in years.’
‘I’ll miss you,’ he said and his soft eyes held a loving caress, ‘but neither Sheila nor Janet is going to rest until one of them at least has seen Pip. I’ll look after Janet and you look after Sheila – it’s all we can do for him, hon.’
‘I think I shall ask Pam if she will sleep at the pub for a night,’ Peggy said. ‘I know it’s me Gillian is angry at, because she feels I slighted her or let her down. I know I didn’t, but in her mind I did – and I’d feel safer if Sheila isn’t alone with Chris.’ She nodded thoughtfully. ‘At least I have a house full of guests. Gillian isn’t likely to try and get in here.’ She shivered despite the sleepy heat of the day and for a moment or two her mind pictured the dusty streets and the places where a girl with no home might sleep. Gillian was likely to be hungry, lonely and afraid and Peggy couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. It didn’t matter that she’d abused her kindness; she was a child alone and in need of help. ‘Oh, Able – what made her do those things?’
‘We can only guess it was constant abuse,’ Able said and looked serious.
‘I still don’t understand why she stole from us and then ran…’
‘A girl like that might try anything.’
Peggy shook her head in disbelief. ‘I still can’t believe she did those things, Able. She was so small and vulnerable.’
‘Perhaps that’s why she became vicious – to protect herself.’ He frowned. ‘Our friend in the force certainly believes it was her and he thinks he may be close to discovering where she’d been before you found her.’
Peggy looked at him, feeling a weight of sadness. She’d accepted that Gillian had put salt in her sugar pot and stolen a few items from her, but she still couldn’t bring herself to believe that a fragile girl like that had really stabbed a man intending his death and perhaps other crimes. No, it couldn’t be – Sergeant Poole had to be wrong.
Peggy spoke to Pamela about sleeping in the pub while Able was away. ‘Perhaps it might be better if you could move in until we know when Pip will be home?’ She smothered a sigh. They didn’t need the added problem of Gillian on top of everything else.
‘Of course, I can,’ Pamela said. ‘I’ve been thinking about finding myself a room anyway. Dad is always moaning at me these days and my sisters can manage at home without me now.’ She hesitated, then, ‘My cousin is home from college at the moment. She’s looking for a job, so she could help out a bit for a while.’
‘What is your cousin’s name?’
‘Carla,’ Pamela smiled. ‘It’s a bit unusual – she was named for a woman my gran knew in the war – a very brave lady, so Gran says, who endured all kinds of things…’
‘I’ll ask Sheila, see what she feels about it.’
When she saw her daughter-in-law later that day, Peggy asked her how she felt about Pamela’s cousin working a few hours in the pub and perhaps staying overnight.
‘Yes, tell Pamela she can have her cousin to stay. I might take her on if she’s all right – or perhaps you could in the boarding house? But I’m not worried for myself. I don’t think Gillian will come here – it’s you she’ll try to hurt, Peggy, or perhaps Pearl. I think she did those things because she thought you favoured Pearl above her.’
‘Surely she wasn’t so jealous?’ Peggy said, still with that flicker of disbelief, and yet she knew how dangerous jealousy was. ‘I didn’t think twice when I saw her that day and nor did Tom when he carried her home for me. She was so ill and all I ever did was give her food and somewhere to rest.’
‘She wanted more,’ Sheila said. ‘Jealousy is a nasty emotion, Peggy. It can make anyone react badly and I think she may have needed love so badly that she fixed on you when you showed her kindness.’
‘Able thinks the same or very similar,’ Peggy agreed. ‘The sad thing is that if she’d been content to just live and work with us, I would have kept her, made her a part of the family and looked after her.’
‘Yes, I know that,’ Sheila replied with an affectionate smile. ‘All those who know and love you, understand that, Peggy – but poor Gillian didn’t. She wanted exclusive access to you and that’s why you need the extra protection, not me.’
Peggy looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Able will only be away for a night, two at most – but I’ll be careful. All this week I have a house filled with guests. Alice and Mr Simpkins and two travelling salesmen who have stayed with me before – so I shall be fine. Besides, I think I know how to handle her.’ She smiled. ‘I just wanted to make sure you and my grandchildren were safe. Pip would never forgive me if anything happened to any of you.’
‘Oh, Peggy—’ Sheila took a sobbing breath. ‘Why did it have to happen now? When I’m like this—’ She gripped Peggy’s hands. ‘I should be the one going down to see him.’
‘I know how you feel, love.’ Peggy looked at her doubtfully and then made up her mind. ‘If you wanted – you could go with them in the car. You know Able has that big Wolsey of his and it will easily take you and Janet comfortably. I’ll have Chris and Maggie, if you feel you can stand the journey?’
Sheila looked at her and hope flared in her eyes. ‘What about Meg? I’d have to take Meg? Would Able put up with having us all to look after?’
‘Able won’t mind,’ Peggy said, though she knew it was a lot to ask her husband to do. Janet was heavily pregnant and needed frequent visits to the toilet. Sheila was breastfeeding, a little fragile and prone to tire easily, so the doctor had ordered another week of bed rest for her, but she was fretting over Pip and Peggy thought it was worth the risk. ‘Pam, Maureen and I will look after things here – and there’s Pam’s cousin Carla, too. She can help out if she’s here, even if it is only washing up for now.’
‘Isn’t that asking too much of you and Able?’ Sheila said, looking at her anxiously. ‘I think I can cope, Peggy, but it will mean more work for him – and lots more for you.’
‘I can manage,’ Peggy told her with a squeeze of her hand. ‘Sarah can do a bit more in the cake shop. Maureen will be back tomorrow and we shall bake the cakes – and Pam will do as much of whatever is needed in the bar. If she wants her cousin to help her that might be a good idea…’
Sheila hesitated again and then inclined her head. ‘Yes, all right, Pam should ask her cousin to help. If you think I shan’t be too much trouble for Able…?’
‘I can assure you he will manage,’ Peggy said and smiled at her. ‘The only reason I’ve been advising you to wait is because you should be resting, love.’
‘I will rest as much as I can – but I can’t sleep here knowing he’s lying there all alone…’
‘Then I’ll speak to Able and he’ll be happy to take you and Meg as well,’ Peggy assured her.
In the end, Freddie decided to go with his father to help with the luggage and other things. Peggy was doubtful, but he looked at her seriously and said, ‘I can help, Dad, Mum. If Aunty Sheila and Janet were ill at the same time, he might need support. If I’m there I can run and get someone – or keep him company if they’re in the hospital.’
The car had a roomy
back seat, so there was plenty of space to fit Janet, Sheila, Meg and Freddie, even with all the luggage they seemed to need for a short overnight stay. Babies always needed a lot of stuff and Janet wanted to be sure she had everything just in case.
‘I’ll try not to be a nuisance to Able,’ she told Peggy and gave her a big hug, ‘but it is best to be on the safe side.’
‘I agree, love,’ Peggy said. ‘Just take care of each other – and give my love to Pip. I shall be thinking of all of you.’
‘Will you be all right, Mum?’ Janet looked at her doubtfully. ‘If Sheila is going, perhaps I should stay here with you?’
‘You would fret the whole time,’ Peggy said firmly. ‘I’ve managed alone before you know – and I have Fay and Chris.’
Janet nodded. ‘Are you sure you don’t want Freddie to stay? He is very sensible…’
‘No, let him come. You might need him.’
Peggy kissed and hugged them all.
Able held her close for a moment, looking down at her with his serious gaze. ‘Just remember to be careful, hon…’
‘Yes, I shall,’ she agreed. ‘Take care of them all, love – and yourself. Come home to me safe.’
‘We shall,’ he said and laughed softly. ‘Anyone would think we were going for a month.’
Peggy stood in the lane and watched them drive away. A stray dog was hunting in the gutters and one of her neighbours shooed it away with a broom. She saw a sparrow cheerfully dive on a crust left behind by the mongrel and bear it off with a flutter of wings. It was all so normal and natural, just another day in the place she loved as home, despite some of the shabby paintwork. Most of the front doorsteps had been scrubbed recently and the curtains at the windows looked clean, though in many cases the glass was coated with a film of dust, ever-present in hot, dry London streets.
She sighed as she turned to go in. She was at home here, surrounded by neighbours and friends. It was foolish to feel lonely just because a big chunk of her family had gone off. A chill touched her nape as she felt a flicker of fear. What would she do if they never returned?
In an instant, she pulled herself up sharply. Able was a good and careful driver. Nothing would happen and in a couple of days at most they would be home again.
She went back into the boarding house and through to the kitchen. Pearl and Alice had finished the washing-up and were sharing a cup of tea.
Alice looked up and smiled at her. ‘Did they get off all right, Peggy?’
‘Yes, they did. I don’t think anyone forgot anything…’
‘It will seem quiet without young Freddie,’ Alice said reflectively. ‘He’s such a thoughtful lad, Peggy.’
‘Yes, he is,’ Peggy agreed and smiled. ‘Any more tea in that pot?’ she asked, just as they heard a thump from outside in the hall. ‘That sounds like Fay…’
‘I’ll go,’ Alice said. ‘She was arguing with Chris over something earlier. I told them to be good or the bogeyman would get them.’
Peggy laughed and let her elderly friend go to sort out the little crisis. Freddie and Chris got on well, but Fay was a little jealous of anyone who took her twin’s attention from her. She always had needed more love and attention than any of Peggy’s other children. Peggy frowned as she realised that Gillian must have felt the same, although she was an outsider. Perhaps it was just insecurity that had made her do those spiteful things…
‘What are you cooking today?’ Pearl asked. ‘I saw you had some stewing beef and a bit of kidney. Are you making a stew or a pie?’
‘I thought I might make a steak and kidney pudding for dinner this evening,’ Peggy said. ‘I have three men staying and they all like a hearty meal and they’ve all booked dinner.’
‘I haven’t had that for ages,’ Pearl said and smiled. ‘We had it when Dad was alive but not since.’
‘You could stay for dinner if you wish?’
‘No, I need to get back. Mum is doing a shift in the pub this evening, so I’ll be with my daughter. I’ll watch how you do it, though, and maybe I’ll make it one evening.’
‘I’ll give you my recipe,’ Peggy offered and smiled at her. She went to the pantry and took out the ingredients she needed, checking that the salt pot contained salt and nothing had been added to the flour. The meat and suet were still tightly wrapped, so all was well.
She shook her head at herself. It was foolish to let Able’s cautionary words bother her. Gillian had no reason to come back here. She’d felt neglected or threatened so she’d taken what she could and run away. Why would she return? The answer was, she wouldn’t, of course.
Peggy’s mind turned to her family on their way to the hospital not far from Winchester. She prayed they would have an easy and safe journey and wondered what they would find when they got there. It would be the first time any of Pip’s family had visited him since the accident and Peggy was glad they’d gone down to see him. He had recovered enough from his surgery to have visitors, so the hospital had told them, but was still in his coma. Would the sound of his wife’s and his sister’s voices be enough to make him wake up?
Peggy was confident that everything would be fine.
18
Shirley was serving a table when she saw Mrs Raiment enter the dining room, but she was too busy to take much notice. All the customers seemed to be talking about the new royal princess and it was a happy mood in the restaurant. The elderly couple she liked showed her their paper, which had featured pictures of Princess Elizabeth on her wedding day and other family photos as well as the article on the birth of the new baby.
‘It’s lovely to see her so happy,’ the gentleman said. ‘She was such a comfort to us all during the war – just like one of us.’
Shirley nodded and smiled at him, because he really was a dear and they were enjoying their holiday so much. She cleared her tables and went back to the kitchen to unload the dishes at the washing-up area. It was as she was about to return to the dining room that she saw the manager walking towards her.
‘Miss Hart,’ he said and he was frowning. ‘Would you step into my office please?’
Shirley’s heart sank. It looked as if she was in trouble, but she couldn’t think what she’d done wrong. However, when they reached his office, she saw her landlady, Mrs Raiment, sitting there and she was invited to sit down.
‘Mrs Raiment tells me you have twice been the victim of theft, Miss Hart?’
‘Yes, sir,’ Shirley said. ‘Some things were taken from my room – and, yesterday, when I was paid, I left my wages in my coat pocket when I was asked to speak to the head waitress and when I returned it had gone.’
‘And you told this good lady?’ the manager asked her.
‘I was so upset when I got home last night, losing a bracelet and a blouse from my room was bad enough – but my wages were taken too.’
‘Why didn’t you report it to me?’ he asked, frowning at her.
‘I didn’t want to cause trouble,’ Shirley said and hung her head. ‘I should have told you, shouldn’t I?’
‘Yes, because we too have had thefts – and as it happens, the person we suspect has been named by Mrs Raiment as being the person who entered you room with a key she kept last year, and therefore is likely to be the person who took your wages. She works here and that makes me responsible.’
Shirley looked at him anxiously, wondering what he was going to say, but he merely nodded at her.
‘Return to your station. You may safely leave this to me now.’
Shirley glanced at Mrs Raiment, but she just nodded and looked grim. Shirley went back to work and got on with serving her customers.
Rita glared at her. ‘Slacking as usual,’ she muttered. ‘We don’t have time to do your work as well as our own.’
Shirley ignored the barb. She knew Rita didn’t like her and wondered if she was the thief but wasn’t going to say a word; it wasn’t up to her to accuse and Mrs Raiment hadn’t told her who had entered her room. Instead, she’d gone to the manager.
/> It was as she was taking an order some minutes later that she heard a voice asking Tosy to go to the manager’s office. She glanced round and saw the girl shoot a look of such dislike at her that it felt like an arrow had pierced her heart.
No, surely it couldn’t be! Shirley felt nothing but disbelief as she watched the girl leave the room. It couldn’t be her! She had worked here before, because she’d known about all the tricks the other girls got up to. Tosy had warned her to look out for Rita and seemed to be a friend… surely, she couldn’t be the thief?
Biting her lip, Shirley got on with serving her tables. It was out of her hands and she could do nothing about what was happening in the manager’s office. She served some lovely families, who kept her running back and forth, so she had no time to think about what had happened to Tosy.
It was only as she prepared to get ready to leave when she’d finished teas that Rita came up to her, a gloating look on her face. ‘Did you know your friend was a thief?’ she demanded harshly. ‘Or were you in on it, too?’
‘No, I wasn’t,’ Shirley retorted. ‘And I didn’t know—’
‘Just shows you should be careful who you make friends with,’ Rita said and flounced off with a triumphant toss of her head.
Shirley looked for Richard when she left, but he didn’t appear, and so she went back to the boarding house alone. Mrs Raiment welcomed her in and offered a cup of tea in the kitchen.
‘Well, dearie, that’s sorted your little problem,’ she said with a satisfied nod. ‘As soon as I remembered who had the key I went straight round to the restaurant and asked to speak to the manager. You won’t have any more trouble – they’ve got that wicked girl locked up and I hope they keep her…’
‘The police put Tosy in a cell?’ Shirley was shocked because somehow she hadn’t thought that would happen. Dismissal and shame were inevitable but being held in a cell for possible trial seemed harsh to her for the small thefts she’d suffered.
‘It seems the restaurant has been losing money too,’ Mrs Raiment said. ‘Small amounts from the kitchen cash box and other little things. One of the guests lost a purse she’d left on the table and when she went looking for it, that girl denied all knowledge.’