The War Girls

by Rosie James

And for Carrie – who hadn’t heard from Mark for a while – it was a stomach-churning time of fear and anxiety. It was taking Eileen unusual difficulty in convincing her friend that nothing bad would ever happen to Mark Anderson.

  ‘No news is always good news, Carrie,’ Eileen would regularly repeat. ‘Mark could take on the whole German army single-handed and charm his way out of danger. You’ll soon hear something, stop worrying.’

  In fairness to her, Carrie did manage to cheer up, and this was partly due to the diversion of seeing the newcomers at number six on a regular basis. Although Abigail had never meant to stay more than a night or two, Eileen and her mother had persuaded Abigail that not only were they very welcome to live there for as long as they wanted to, but that it was a sensible and safe arrangement in view of all that they might have to face in the coming months. And Eileen knew very well that having Emily around was the reason for her mother’s improvement in spirits. If something worked well, why change it? And Abigail was so sweet – insisting on paying their way despite Gladys Matthews’ protest that it really wasn’t necessary.

  October and November were wet and dismal months, though the rumblings of war were still far away from home with nothing at all to upset the worthy residents of the city.

  One day, downstairs in the kitchen, Eileen was just starting to scramble eggs for breakfast when Abigail came in and joined her at the stove.

  ‘While you’re doing that, let me make the sandwiches for our lunches,’ Abigail said, and Eileen nodded.

  ‘Thanks. The ham is over there on the side.’

  Eileen always took her sandwich lunch to eat at the office, and ever since Abigail and Emily had moved in, they ate theirs with Mrs Matthews before leaving to go to Blackwell’s. Supper, the main meal, was eaten together at about six-thirty.

  Abigail hummed under her breath as she started buttering the bread. Their domestic arrangements had worked seamlessly straightaway and seemed to suit everyone, especially Eileen’s mother who had actually put on a pound or two in weight.

  As for Emily, she was brimming with happiness, especially as she’d become used to having Mrs Matthews’ undivided attention. Not just colouring and drawing together, but doing sums and writing sentences and learning poetry.

  So far, as expected, Abigail had taken Emily to work with her, but now that the days were getting colder and darker, Eileen’s mother thought the little girl should stay at home with her until Abigail and Eileen returned from work at about six o’clock.

  Now, Abigail reached for a jar on the shelf, then spread some pickle on to the ham. They all liked a bit of Branston’s in their sandwiches. She glanced at the clock on the wall. They’d be here for their breakfast in a minute – Emily always insisted on calling for Mrs Matthews, so every morning they’d come in together and sit side by side at the table, usually giggling about something like two naughty children.

  18th December 1939

  Thanks to Mrs Matthews, helped by Emily, the roomy kitchen at number six had been turned into fairyland. The paper chains they’d made hung all around the room, there was holly and mistletoe elegantly arranged on both the deep window sills, and in the corner of the room was a five-foot Christmas tree Eileen had brought home, now bedecked with fairy lights, tinsel and coloured baubles.

  That Sunday as they sat around the table having their lunch, Eileen glanced out of the window. She made a face.

  ‘They warned us we were going to have snow, didn’t they,’ she said, ‘and I think they might be right. Just look at that sky!’

  ‘Well, if it is going to snow, I hope it doesn’t come in time to stop us from going to the carol service,’ Abigail said. ‘Emily and I have been practising “Away in a Manger” and “Once in Royal David’s City” for weeks, haven’t we, Emily?’

  ‘I know you have,’ Mrs Matthews said as she added a little more gravy to her roast pork, ‘because Emily has been making me practise them too.’ She smiled across. ‘We’ve just about managed some of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” haven’t we, Emily? But you are so much quicker at remembering the words than I am. And I’m still getting them muddled up.’

  Carrie had told them that the service of Nine Lessons and Carols at their church was always lovely, and Eileen had promised that she would bring Abigail, Emily and Mrs Matthews to All Saints so that they could join the choir singing the carols, and to stay behind in the hall afterwards for mulled wine and mince pies.

  ‘The church is always packed to the rafters,’ Carrie had enthused, ‘and there is a big Christmas tree in the corner, with fairy lights.’ She’d smiled at Abigail. ‘I would love you to meet my parents because I’ve been telling them all about our new country friends. The service starts at six o’clock, so make sure you’re there early enough to get a good seat. In fact, I’m going to put a “reserved” notice on the front pew just for you. I hope I’ll be able to join you before it all starts, but I have to help my mother with the refreshments in the hall first.’

  By four o’clock, the sky was so heavy and leaden that it seemed snow was inevitable. In fact, one or two large flakes were already floating past the kitchen window, and as they were enjoying a cup of tea and slice of cake, Mrs Matthews said:

  ‘I’m sorry to be a wet blanket, but I don’t think I’ll come to church with you this evening. By the look of it, we are about to see a lot more of this white stuff before morning and I worry that we might not be able to get back home afterwards.’

  ‘But I’ve ordered a taxi both ways, Mother,’ Eileen said patiently, ‘and All Saints is not very far away as you know. I’m sure we’ll be all right.’

  ‘Yes, but what if the taxi can’t get up Totterdown Hill?’ Mrs Matthews said. ‘You know what it can be like. I mean, we may get to the church, but if we have heavy snow and it lays, the taxi may not be able to arrive to take us home afterwards.’

  ‘Well then, Mother, if you feel that concerned it would be better if you stayed here in the warm,’ Eileen said. ‘But there’s always next year. And I’m sure Emily will tell you all about it when we come back.’

  Mrs Matthews was obviously relieved. ‘What I’m thinking,’ she said, ‘is if the road is too bad for the traffic, you young people could trudge back on foot – and I would only be a terrible hindrance on my sticks, wouldn’t I? In fact, of course, we would never reach home!’

  ‘Well, never mind,’ Eileen said, passing her mother another cup of tea. ‘Better safe than sorry. Though Carrie will be sorry you aren’t there.’

  Emily, who’d been listening as she’d nibbled one of the mince pies Abigail had made yesterday, jumped down from her chair and leaned against Mrs Matthews. ‘I will take my writing book and pencil and Mummy will help me make a list of all the carols we sing,’ she said. ‘Then we can go over it all again when we come back.’

  ‘Thank you, Emily, that would be very kind,’ Eileen’s mother replied.

  Presently, dressed warmly, and with their scarves wound tightly around their necks, the three left number six where the taxi was waiting for them. Mrs Matthews waved them off at the door.

  ‘I hope you have a lovely evening, my dears,’ she said, ‘and I expect to hear your little voice all the way from there to here, Emily!’

  After they’d left, Mrs Matthews went into her room and closed the door. It was such a delight having the little family living with them. And Emily, that dear little soul – knowing beyond her years – was a total treasure.

  All Saints was a beautiful Victorian church, made to look even more lovely by the fine layer of snow which had already gathered on its roof and window ledges. Eileen and Abigail, with Emily between them holding their hands tightly, walked carefully towards the open church door from which mellow light flooded the area around it. Plenty of other people were making their way along the winding path which was already a couple of inches deep in snow. Eileen glanced across at Abigail.

  ‘Well, it hasn’t taken long for it to settle, has it?’ she said. ‘My mother was right – as usual.
Even the taxi driver said he wondered how long he’d be able to work tonight.’

  They went into the porch and Eileen ushered Abigail and Emily in front of her. ‘Come on – let’s see if Carrie Waters has reserved our places,’ Eileen said.

  Presently, sitting together in the front pew, Abigail gazed around her, full of awe at their surroundings. The glorious notes from the organ reached every corner of the building as the congregation waited patiently for the service to begin, and Abigail cast her mind back to the carol services at their little church in the village. But this was something different. All Saints was so beautifully decorated with Christmas roses and holly, and ivy wreathed around flickering altar candles, and the tall Christmas tree in the far corner was aglow with hundreds of coloured lights.

  She glanced down at Emily who was sitting quietly, her hands in her lap, her eyes wide with interest. She nudged her mother.

  ‘When are we going to start singing the carols, Mummy?’ Emily whispered.

  And just then, all the lights dimmed, and a lone treble voice sang the first verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ before the choir began processing down the long aisle and everyone stood up to join in.

  Eileen immediately lifted Emily to stand up on the seat so that she could see everything better, and at that moment Carrie slipped into the pew beside them, glancing up and smiling.

  Abigail had to take a deep breath to hold herself together because she could never ask for a better Christmas than this. The first Christmas away from their old life. And to have friends – friends who had so easily become trusted friends – standing either side of her and her daughter, as if drawing them together in a gentle, human chain.

  Abigail reached into her pocket for her handkerchief. Luke had been right. She could make friends … she’d proved it.

  It was quite a long service but Emily was enchanted as she joined in all the singing, and during each lesson, with Abigail’s help, she carefully printed in her notebook the name of the carol they’d just sung.

  Abigail gazed at Carrie’s father as he stepped up into the pulpit to read the last lesson. He was very tall, and had such a lovely, gentle voice which seemed to go with the kindness in his face. He was so obviously Carrie’s father with a twinkle in his blue eyes – just like hers. He must be a wonderful dad to love, just as Abigail’s had been …

  When it was all over, everyone went next door into the hall which soon resounded with chatter and laughter as mince pies and mulled wine were handed around. Carrie, who had hurried ahead of them as they’d left the church, suddenly appeared with a plate of refreshments.

  ‘That was a lovely service, as usual, Carrie,’ Eileen said, helping herself to a mince pie, and Carrie nodded.

  ‘Yes, it never fails,’ she said, ‘and I’m so glad that Abigail and Emily are here with us as well. But it’s understandable that Mrs Matthews preferred to stay at home.’ She looked down at Emily. ‘Did you enjoy all the singing, Emily?’

  Emily nodded. ‘Yes, but I didn’t know all the carols,’ she said.

  ‘Never mind,’ Carrie said, ‘the ones you did know you sang at the top of your voice, didn’t you? I heard you!’

  Just then, Carrie’s parents came up to join them. ‘Dad, Mum – come and meet our new friends,’ Carrie said, ‘the ones I’ve been telling you about. This is Abigail – Mrs Wilson – and her little girl Emily.’

  Smiling, Carrie’s mother bent down to say something to Emily, and Jonathan Waters took Abigail’s hand and held it gently.

  ‘We’ve been hearing all about you, my dear,’ he said, looking straight into Abigail’s eyes, ‘and I do hope you are managing to settle into your new life in Bristol – in spite of the dreadful situation the world is in once again.’

  Abigail didn’t hesitate. ‘My daughter and I could not be happier,’ she said, before swallowing and continuing, ‘in spite of the fact that my husband cannot be with us yet. But we have been so lucky, so blessed to have met Eileen and Carrie and Mrs Matthews. In fact, it has been something of a miracle.’

  Reverend Waters, who had not let go of Abigail’s hand, smiled his twinkly smile.

  ‘Well, miracles do sometimes happen,’ he said gently. ‘After all, we’ve been celebrating that this evening, haven’t we?’

  Gladys Matthews had been right. Heavy snowfall prevented any traffic from going anywhere, and after their visit to All Saints, Eileen, Abigail and Emily slipped and slithered all the way home. It did take them some time, but Emily, who didn’t seem at all tired, enjoyed every minute, singing all the carols she knew as they made their way back.

  But now in bed much later with Emily fast asleep beside her, Abigail remembered what Carrie’s father had said.

  ‘I hope you will come and see us again very soon, Abigail, because we would love you and your dear little girl to be our regular visitors. Any time you like,’ he’d added.

  But what would he have thought if he’d known she was an unmarried mother? Abigail asked herself. Would he have been quite so generous minded?

  Yes, I think he would, Abigail thought, answering her own silent question. He would know, instinctively, that she was not a wicked sinner, she was just another human being who wanted to be loved and valued.

  Chapter 17

  1st February 1940

  ‘Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Emily, happy birthday to you!’

  It was only 7 a.m., and despite it still being dark outside, everyone at number six – including Mrs Matthews still in her dressing gown – was already in the kitchen singing the famous verse and waiting for Emily to open her presents. And almost at once there was a rap on the front door and Carrie let herself in, all smiles.

  ‘Luckily for me, the bus came straightaway,’ she said breathlessly, going across to hand over her contribution. ‘I didn’t want to miss the fun!’

  It was still bitterly cold, with the snow lying thick on the ground, but the early start to the day had been unavoidable as Eileen and Carrie both had to be at work at nine o’clock. But Emily had been so excited, she’d been awake long before anyone else. And now, in the warm kitchen and with the kettle singing for their first cups of tea, and with a plate of sugary biscuits already on the table, everyone sat around to see Emily open all her prettily wrapped presents.

  Eileen and Carrie had been determined that Emily’s first birthday in Bristol would be one she would remember, and it wasn’t long before the table was strewn with cards and presents and discarded wrapping paper and ribbon, with Emily hopping around excitedly showing them all what she’d been given.

  As Abigail watched her daughter open one thing after another to add to the growing pile, she couldn’t help comparing Emily’s birthdays before this one. Of course, Abigail herself had made sure there’d always been little gifts, but they never had special days at Coopers, Edna declaring that there was far too much to do to waste time on such things. And Abigail’s own birthday, when Dada was there, had been happy but subdued occasions. Aunt Edna never gave presents to anyone, and Emily’s two birthdays before this one had been so quiet, they’d passed almost unnoticed. It didn’t do to remind Edna Wilson of her great-niece’s shameful first day on Earth.

  But today was certainly different, and Emily now had yet more colouring books, reading books, crayons and paints, there was a box of beautifully carved little wooden animals, pink satin hair ribbons, two pairs of pretty socks and a dainty pinafore, together with a box full of sweets and chocolates. Mrs Matthews’ gift was a large jigsaw, the picture on the box showing all the sights of London.

  ‘I’m sure you will go there one day, Emily,’ Eileen’s mother said, ‘and you will see the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace where the King and Queen live.’

  But more was to come when Carrie handed over a card and little present from her parents.

  ‘Mum and Dad were so pleased to meet you both at the carol service, Abigail,’ Carrie said, ‘and they wanted to give Emily a little present from them, wi
th their love and best wishes.’

  And when Emily opened the prettily wrapped gift, Abigail had difficulty in holding back her tears. It was a necklace, a tiny gold cross on a fine chain and it was going to look beautiful on her daughter’s smooth neck.

  ‘Look, Emily,’ Abigail said huskily, ‘you’ve never had anything as lovely as this before. Let me put it on for you – the first jewellery you’ve ever been given.’

  Emily’s delight was infectious as she went around for the others to admire it, and then Abigail read out what was written on the card. In Reverend Waters’ handwriting were the words, ‘Happy birthday, Emily. May you receive every blessing as you continue on life’s journey.’

  Seeing that Abigail was visibly moved, Eileen said cheerily, ‘Come on, Abigail. Mummies need spoiling sometimes and Carrie and I are dying to watch you open a little present we’ve bought you!’

  ‘But it’s not my birthday!’ Abigail protested.

  ‘Open it!’ Eileen demanded.

  Doing as she was told, but completely mystified, Abigail took off the coloured wrapping paper before moving aside several layers of fine tissue, to reveal a turquoise cotton dress. She looked up.

  ‘What have you two been up to?’ she said quietly.

  ‘For goodness’ sake, put us out of our misery!’ Carrie said. ‘Hold it up against you!’

  It was a full-skirted dress with a boat-shaped neckline, nipped-in waist, and it was embellished with fine white lace at the sleeves and hem. Accompanying it was a pair of strappy sandals. Abigail looked up, clearly amazed.

  ‘This is gorgeous,’ she said slowly. ‘You shouldn’t have gone to all this expense.’

  ‘’Course we should,’ Eileen exclaimed, ‘because you deserve it.’ She wasn’t going to say that she and Carrie had noticed how few clothes Abigail seemed to own or to have brought with her. ‘Carrie and I have been plotting this for a while, and we roughly worked out what size you were. And don’t worry if it doesn’t fit, because we can take everything back and have our money refunded.’ She grinned at Abigail’s obvious delight. ‘You’re going to look smashing in that dress, Abigail.’