Christmas at the Foyles Bookshop (The Foyles Girls)

by Elaine Roberts

  Molly’s face lit up. ‘That’s wonderful to know he’s alive and safe, isn’t it?’ Her gaze flitted between her two friends before settling on Victoria. ‘I know he’s probably quite badly injured, but you must have been excited to see each other after all this time.’ She fidgeted in her seat as she realised her bad choice of words. ‘Well, I know he can’t actually see you, but he must have been pleased you were there.’

  Silence sat between them.

  Molly gave an exasperated sigh. ‘Does it change things? Him being blind I mean, is it permanent?’ She tilted her head to one side. ‘Remember, love conquers all.’

  Victoria could feel her throat tightening. ‘Yes, but it takes two and he’s told the hospital there’s no one he wants to be contacted.’

  Alice and Molly quickly glanced at each other.

  Alice squeezed Victoria’s arm. ‘I expect there’s a reason, he’s probably frightened.’

  Molly nodded. ‘Alice is right, you just need to talk to him, hold him, let him know nothing has changed for you.’

  Victoria lowered her head and shrugged her shoulders. ‘There’s more to it than that.’

  *

  The sister began to thumb through some papers. ‘Good evening, Victoria, I don’t seem to have you on my list as working tonight.’

  ‘I… I’m not, I… I just thought I could help out on Joan of Arc Ward, as they have a couple of patients that have lost their eyesight.’

  ‘Hmm, they can be tricky patients, because they wonder how they’re going to survive. You know, get a job and look after their family. To be honest, I don’t know what’s worse for them. Mind you, I feel for all of them; to lose an arm or a leg must be awful too.’ The sister looked up. ‘Well, I never turn down a volunteer. I believe Nurse Atkins is up there, but if not, you know what to do. Just tread carefully with them; they have all been through so much already.’

  Victoria wanted to say that conversation was a day too late, but she wasn’t brave enough to make any comment at all. Instead, she nodded and made her way to the ward. She pushed open the heavy doors.

  Mabel looked up from her desk, where she was scribbling her notes. ‘Hello, Victoria, I wasn’t expecting you this evening.’

  ‘I wanted to come along tonight, to chat to Corporal Marsden, to try and keep up the work we did yesterday.’ She craned her neck to see down the ward, but there were too many nurses and patients in the way. A raucous laughter reached Victoria and Mabel.

  Mabel glanced in the direction it came from. ‘Keep it down, boys.’

  ‘Sorry, Atkins, old Dickie here is telling one of his stories.’ The men laughed again, but it was followed by shushing, from the same group.

  Mabel smiled. ‘It’s good to hear the laughter, but I’ve just got to make sure they don’t get too carried away.’

  Victoria nodded. ‘How has Corporal Marsden been today? Has there been any improvement, after last night?’

  ‘None that I can tell.’ Mabel looked at some notes on the desk. ‘He’s not really talking to anybody at the moment.’

  ‘Is he allowed out of bed?’

  Mabel chuckled. ‘You are feeling brave, but I don’t see any reason why not. Just be prepared to have your head bitten off.’

  Victoria nodded and proceeded to stride down the ward. Ted Marsden didn’t look like he’d moved since she was there the previous evening. An untouched plate of food stood on the bed tray. Frowning at the congealed gravy over the pie and mash potato, she fought the urge to wrap her arms around him. To let him know she would always look after him, love him, until she took her last breath. ‘I see you’re still feeling sorry for yourself.’ She reached out and rattled the tray. ‘You know, some children are starving because they have no parents to provide food for them, but you are so wrapped up in yourself, you couldn’t even be bothered to donate it to someone.’

  Ted Marsden sighed but said nothing.

  Victoria pulled up a chair, wanting to clasp his hand in hers so he could feel her love for him. She shook her head before taking a deep breath. ‘You can sit there in silence if you like, in fact, it’s probably preferable for me. I can just carry on chatting about potential food shortages, and the fear that women and children have lived in since 1914, and people dying because they’ve been in the wrong place when a bomb was dropped.’

  Ted Marsden turned his head, to face her.

  Victoria could picture him scowling underneath the bandages.

  ‘Your nursing skills stink. Whatever happened to sympathy?’

  ‘Ah, so it’s sympathy you’re after.’ Victoria scowled. ‘Well, I can tell you that my nursing skills stink, because I’m not a nurse. I’m a volunteer.’ She held her arms up in front of her. ‘Yes, I know it’s hard to believe, but I’ve volunteered to come here and receive your insults.’

  ‘I might have known,’ Ted muttered. ‘That’s just my luck.’

  Victoria wanted to shake him, but remained in her chair and sat on her hands, just in case she was tempted. ‘What? Do you think you’re unlucky?’

  Ted remained silent.

  ‘Right, so it’s just a “woe is me” comment is it? I can tell you, lots of men have died, bodies haven’t been found and families have been distraught, just at the sight of the telegram boy. You’re here, alive, and your life is still ahead of you. It may not be how you thought it was going to be, but I can tell you, that’s the same for all of us. You have to decide whether you are going to lie in bed, wallowing in self-pity all day, or try and make something of your life.’

  ‘That’s just it, I don’t want to be alive, I’ve lost everything. I have no future. Is that clear enough for you?’

  Victoria’s voice softened. ‘That’s just it, you haven’t lost everything, and you just have to reach out.’ She paused. The silence hung heavy between them. ‘There must be someone.’

  ‘Just leave me alone.’

  ‘I will, but I’ll be back tomorrow, and the day after, so it’s up to you.’ Victoria stood up and pushed the chair to one side. ‘Goodnight, Corporal Marsden.’

  Victoria didn’t wait to see if he responded. She’d been hard on him, but it broke her heart to see him lying so lifeless in his bed. It was with a heavy heart that she strode away from Ted, wondering if she had built him up in her mind to be someone he wasn’t. Was he not the romantic hero she remembered, and was heartbroken about having lost, for the last seven years? She stopped to straighten the bed covers on an empty bed, before picking up a glass vase from the windowsill and peering into it; the flowers needed more water. She examined the different flowers at close quarters, recognising only the roses and lilies, as she pulled off the dead leaves, careful not to drop them on the floor.

  Mabel watched her. ‘They were beautiful when they arrived.’

  Victoria nodded. ‘I think they might be all right for a few more days, if I top the water up.’ She chuckled. ‘Not that I’m an expert. I don’t know what most of them are.’

  Mabel watched her for a few seconds. ‘How was Corporal Marsden?’

  Victoria’s lips tightened. ‘He’s still not talking, except to tell me I’m not a very good nurse.’

  Mabel laughed. ‘I take it you were a little bit rough with him, then.’

  ‘I’m afraid so.’ Victoria turned to look at her. ‘Probably too rough, but I thought if I was too sympathetic, he wouldn’t move on.’ She paused, her mind in turmoil. ‘Having said that, I think I’ve probably made matters worse instead of better, so he’s probably right.’

  Mabel shook her head. ‘Being a nurse isn’t all about being sympathetic, but about trying to make them better, physically and mentally. Give it a couple of days and we’ll soon know if your words of wisdom got through.’ She strode towards her desk.

  Clutching the vase, Victoria trotted behind her. She cleared her throat. ‘There’s just one other thing.’

  ‘Hmm, what is it?’

  ‘I want to show you something.’ Victoria caught up, placing the vase on the desk. ‘I’ll ju
st get it out of my handbag.’

  Victoria opened the clip of her handbag and pulled out the small black and white photograph. ‘I found this photograph at home.’ She paused, not sure whether to continue or not, thrusting it at Mabel, before she could change her mind.

  Mabel took the photograph and stared at it for what felt like a long time, before Victoria spoke again.

  ‘It has names on the back, and I wondered if it was you and your husband, Sid.’

  Mabel didn’t take her eyes off the photograph. ‘Where did you get this?’

  ‘It was at home. Is it your wedding?’

  Mabel nodded. ‘I don’t understand why you have it at your home.’

  Victoria felt a glimmer of hope rise inside her, only to be chased away by the fear of what she might find out. She wiped her damp palms down the sides of her skirt. ‘So… so you know these others in the picture?’

  Mabel frowned, but didn’t look up. ‘Of course I do, they were at my wedding, but I don’t understand why you have it. How have you come by it?’

  Victoria stared at Mabel. It was now or never. ‘It belongs to my parents.’

  Mabel eyed Victoria for a few minutes, before she handed her back the photograph. ‘Of course, your parents; it all makes sense now. How is that brother of mine? You can tell him from me, it’s about time he visited his son.’

  Victoria’s eyes widened. ‘You mean John?’

  ‘Who else? He’s quite poorly with his asthma, although I think it’s developed into something else.’

  A young nurse came running towards them. ‘Nurse Atkins.’

  Mabel glanced towards the nurse, and back to Victoria before scowling down at the photograph. ‘I can’t believe they’ve just abandoned him like that. I worry about him and my mother.’

  The young nurse’s words tumbled over each other, as she got nearer to them. ‘I’m so sorry, but Nurse Atkins, you’re needed by Sister. It’s urgent.’

  Mabel shook her head and sighed before passing the photograph back to Victoria. She turned away to follow the young nurse.

  Victoria called out, desperate not to let the moment go. ‘Wait.’

  Mabel stopped and peered over her shoulder, giving her niece a tearful look.

  Victoria’s voice was barely audible when she spoke. ‘I need to know where he is.’

  ‘Brighton, of course, with my mother and father.’

  Without another word, the two nurses trotted down the ward. Victoria held her breath. Was it Ted? She shook her head. Was Nurse Atkins really her aunt?

  17

  As she leant across Alice’s wooden counter in Foyles, Molly clutched an old rag in her hand. There were another ten minutes before Mr Leadbetter would open the shop doors to its customers. Alice moved her bill payment pad and pen from one spot to another.

  Molly peered over her shoulder. ‘So this Nurse Atkins is your father’s sister, your aunt?’

  Victoria picked up a wooden chair and settled it nearer to Alice’s counter. ‘Here, sit down, while you can. I swear you’re bigger this time than you were with Arthur. What are you, six months into your pregnancy?’

  Alice lowered herself slowly. ‘Yes, and I must admit I feel huge.’ She laughed. ‘This will be you soon, Molly.’

  Molly immediately flushed with colour.

  Victoria patted her hair back. ‘‘Yes, I suppose she must be my aunt, but what’s more worrying is that I don’t think she knows my mother and father died in the train derailment at Stoats Nest.’

  Alice frowned. ‘But why would she? You didn’t tell anybody, because you didn’t know there was another part of the family.’

  Molly nodded. ‘That’s true.’

  Victoria’s gaze flicked from side to side. ‘Apparently, John is in Brighton with Mabel’s mother.’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘My grandmother. But why haven’t they written to ask why they haven’t visited or sent money?’ Her eyes widened and a look of horror trampled across her face. ‘Do you think that’s what all that money was for? Oh my goodness, he could be out on the streets, if no one has been paying for his keep.’

  A deep cough came from behind them and Molly automatically flicked her rag across the countertop. ‘That’s better. I don’t mind cleaning it every morning, for you Alice, especially in your condition.’

  Victoria couldn’t look at either of the girls, for fear of the bubbling laughter spilling out from inside her. She stood up straight, giving a small nod. ‘You just need to take it easy, Alice. Remember, you haven’t got that long to go now.’

  Mr Leadbetter cleared his throat.

  Alice kept her eyes fixed firmly on the floor. Molly and Victoria turned around at the same time.

  Molly twisted the rag in her hands. ‘Good morning, sir, how are you feeling today?’

  Victoria thought she saw a glint of a sparkle in his eyes.

  ‘I’m very well, Miss, er, I should say Mrs Greenwood. Is everything all right here?’

  ‘Oh yes.’ Molly gave her best smile. ‘We were just making sure Alice wasn’t overdoing it, in her condition, sir.’ She absently swooshed the rag in front of her.

  ‘Excellent.’ Mr Leadbetter gave a wry smile. ‘But please forgive me if I don’t trust you three when you’re huddled together; it usually means something is amiss.’

  Molly giggled. ‘Charming, sir, and me a reformed character as well.’ She turned to walk away but looked back at them. ‘I would like to stop for a chat, sir, but I have to get to my counter before the doors open.’ Her shoulders were shaking as she walked away.

  Mr Leadbetter chuckled as he watched her. ‘It’s good to see marriage hasn’t changed Mrs Greenwood.’ He turned back to Victoria. ‘I don’t think Albert is feeling too good today, so can you keep an eye on him for me.’ He glanced across at Alice. ‘And please do sit down if you need to. I don’t mind, as long as the customers can see you are here to serve.’

  Alice nodded. ‘Don’t worry, sir, I’ll be fine.’

  Mr Leadbetter nodded as he walked away.

  Victoria turned to Alice. ‘That was close. Molly does make me laugh; I couldn’t look at either of you, for fear of bursting.’

  ‘I know what you mean.’

  Victoria moved the bill payment pad and pen nearer to Alice. ‘I’d better go and see what’s wrong with Albert. I hope he’s all right.’ As she turned away, she heard the bolts on the shop doors being pulled across. ‘If anyone’s looking for me, I’m in the basement.’

  A few minutes later, Victoria, trying not to spill the mug of tea, pushed open the heavy basement door, the creaking signalling her arrival. As the door slowly swung shut, the noise was repeated. ‘I think we should see about getting something done about this door.’

  Albert chuckled. ‘Good morning, Miss Appleton, you know me, a bit mutton, so it lets me know when I’m being visited.’

  Victoria couldn’t resist smiling at the old man as he dusted and checked the books. ‘Morning, Albert, so it’s your own personal alarm, then.’

  Albert stopped work and looked over at her. ‘Well done for remembering, the trouble and strife back ’ome, says I should stop trying to teach you youngsters, but I tell ’er it’s your ’eritage, and cockney slang should never be forgotten.’ He raised an eyebrow as he watched Victoria’s concentration.

  ‘Trouble and strife, wife.’ She beamed, placing the mug of tea in front of Albert.

  Albert nodded. ‘Yer a quick learner.’ He looked down at the pile of books in front of him. ‘Thanks for the brew, always appreciated.’

  Victoria smiled. ‘Mr Leadbetter tells me you’re not feeling too good today. Is there anything I can get you?’

  ‘Nah, he’s just fussing.’ Albert moved the stack of books to one side and pulled another pile in front of him. ‘I’ll tell yer what though, these books are never-ending. ’Ere, while I fink of it, I still ’ave yer book ’ere.’

  Victoria frowned. ‘Book? What book?’

  Albert stretched up to a shelf and grabbed it. He chuckled. ‘It’
s the one yer liked the cover of, cos it ’ad Father Christmas on it.’ He turned it so she could see.

  ‘Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry, I totally forgot about it.’ Victoria took it from him. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. She ran her hand over it. ‘It is a beautiful cover. I’ll take it up with me and get Alice to write me out a bill payment. With Christmas just a few months away, I don’t want to risk someone else buying it.’

  Albert laughed. ‘You girls and yer fishhooks.’

  ‘Hooks, books.’

  ‘That’s right; yer learning.’

  Victoria watched him working for a second, before pulling herself up on to the counter. ‘I should really get back to work.’

  Albert looked over at her. ‘What’s the matter wiv yer, girl?’

  ‘Have you got any family, Albert?’

  ‘Nah, just me and the wife.’ Albert’s eyes narrowed a little. ‘I ’ear yer’ve only got yer bruvver and sister.’ He picked up a piece of rag. ‘There ain’t no secrets ’ere, yer know. By all accounts, yer’ve ’ad a lot to deal wiv, in yer young life.’

  ‘Well, it seems I might ’ave… have family I didn’t know about.’

  Albert stopped what he was doing and stared at Victoria. ‘That’s a good find, ain’t it?’

  Victoria stared down at the book she was holding. ‘I don’t know. I suppose it must be, but I don’t understand why I didn’t know about them already.’

  ‘Don’t fink bad of yer ma and pa; they were probably trying to protect yer.’

  Victoria nodded. ‘Protect us from what? That’s what I don’t understand.’

  Albert shrugged. ‘Who knows, but I tell yer one fing, they’ll ’ave only done what they thought was right at the time.’

  Victoria jumped off the counter and wrapped her arms around him. ‘Thank you, Albert.’

  Albert flushed with colour and shook Victoria away. ‘Aww, come on, yer don’t ’ave to fank me. In fact, I ain’t done anything.’

  Victoria smiled. ‘I’m thanking you for your words of wisdom, and for reminding me we all do what we think is right at the time, even if we get things totally wrong.’