The Liberty Girls

by Fiona Ford

  For a moment Alice felt stricken. She was sure she would have remembered if Luke had told her something so important, yet she couldn’t recall him mentioning anything at all. She was about to say as much when the warning glance in Luke’s eyes made it clear it was better she kept quiet.

  ‘Yes, of course you did.’ Alice smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring fashion. ‘Do you know what time he’ll be here?’

  Luke scratched his chin. ‘About five, I think. He’s staying at the bed and breakfast on Walworth Road so at least you’ll not have a bed to make up for him.’

  ‘No, of course,’ Alice said, wondering where on earth she would have put Chris had he wanted a bed. ‘I’ll be back in time. I think we’ve got enough in to make cheese jacket potatoes.’

  ‘That’ll be great, love,’ Luke said, picking up his paper. ‘Thanks.’

  Getting up to leave him to it, she suddenly stopped. ‘What are you doing today, darlin’?’

  ‘Just a few errands,’ he said over the top of his paper. ‘The medical officer is coming over next week and I want to talk to him about my rehabilitation, so I’ll be practising my exercise drills trying to get the leg stronger.’

  ‘Anything I can help you with?’ Alice offered.

  Luke shook his head, his eyes suddenly brimming with excitement as he put his paper down. ‘That’s very nice of you but it’s me that’s got to put in all the work. The sooner I’m mended the sooner I can get out of here and back to fighting Hitler.’

  Alice nodded in understanding. ‘All right then, see you later.’

  As she walked out of the door and back down the stairs towards Arthur and her friends it suddenly crossed her mind that it was only when Luke talked about going back to the RAF that he really seemed to come alive.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  By the time Alice returned from helping her friend in Islington she was shattered. Despite the relatively late start, she, Flo and a thankfully sleepy Arthur had endured a long and busy day organising Aggie’s affairs. Not for the first time she found herself marvelling at the strength of her friend.

  Like Alice, Flo had grown up with a good-for-nothing criminal for a father, and, also like Alice, she was determined her own future wouldn’t be damaged because of his ways. The only tears Flo had shed had been the ones around Dot and Alice’s kitchen table, and it seemed that after her nap on the settee her resolve had returned.

  Together the pair had sorted, signed, collected and written to all of Flo’s relatives to let them know of Aggie’s demise. As if sensing the gravity of the situation, Arthur had been on his best behaviour, not even uttering a gurgle, never mind a scream, something Alice was eternally grateful for.

  Now, as she opened the front door and wheeled her son in through to the hallway, all she wanted to do was sit down in the parlour with a very large cup of tea.

  ‘Alice, love, is that you?’ Luke’s voice called. ‘Look who’s here.’

  With a stab of regret, Alice remembered Chris was coming and she was now going to have to make supper for them all. Removing Arthur from his pram she plastered on her best smile as she walked into the parlour.

  ‘Chris! Hello!’ she exclaimed, allowing him to envelop her and her son in a hug.

  Just like Luke, Chris was tall with olive skin, but he was stockier than his older brother and his face was less angular, giving him something of a softer appearance.

  ‘Alice, my darlin’, how are you, sweetheart?’ He beamed, about to squeeze her harder before Arthur’s cries alerted him to the fact he was hugging two people not one. ‘And this here’s my nephew. My God, Alice, he’s a beaut – looks nothing like you, Luke my boy!’

  ‘Get away with you.’ Luke chuckled good-naturedly, waving away his brother’s insults with his half-drunk beer bottle. ‘I thought we’d get fish and chips in tonight – Chris’s paying.’

  ‘Yes, thought it would save you the bother of cooking, especially when this great lazy lummox has been sitting on his backside all day.’ Chris prodded his brother cheekily in the ribs, earning himself a swipe around the head.

  Alice couldn’t help laughing. She hadn’t seen Chris for about two years – his work as a parish vicar near Swansea kept him busy – and she had forgotten how much she enjoyed his easy manner.

  ‘How’s the B and B?’ she asked over the casual insults.

  ‘Fine, thank you! ‘Course, I’d rather have stayed here with Luke so I could keep an eye on him.’

  Luke arched an eyebrow. ‘And you could have done if Alice’s sister wasn’t here.’

  ‘Now, now, Luke,’ Dot called warningly as she bustled in from the hallway. ‘We’ll have none of that. Family’s family.’

  Chris took a sip of his beer and nodded before he spoke. ‘Quite right. Dot, it’s a pleasure to see you again.’

  ‘And you. Always said you had better manners than that Luke.’

  At that everyone roared with laughter. ‘Told you.’ Chris chuckled, hands in his pockets.

  ‘How was work today?’ Alice asked. ‘Was Mr Button all right about Flo?’

  Dot frowned as she noticed the half-empty beer bottle in Luke’s hand but didn’t comment on it. ‘’Course he was. You know Edwin, soft as snow. Said she shouldn’t rush back. Old Beatrice has volunteered herself, hasn’t she, to help out in the office and the silly fool’s only said yes.’

  A look of alarm passed over Alice’s face as she digested this piece of news. ‘Typical Beatrice, getting her feet under the table.’

  ‘I’d be lying if I said the same thought hadn’t crossed my own mind. Honestly, Liberty’s just don’t seem the same these days,’ Dot sighed as she sank into the remaining chair.

  Alice nodded. ‘I know. Flo was saying the same thing.’

  ‘I thought you loved your job?’ Chris looked at her quizzically.

  ‘Yes, you seemed to last night – surrounded by all your Liberty family,’ Luke said in a tone she couldn’t quite read.

  ‘I do love it,’ Alice replied, choosing to ignore her husband for the moment. ‘But we’ve got a new boss, and she’s made some changes. The new girl she’s brought in, Jean, knows next to nothing about fabrics, though I’ll confess she does seem nice enough. As for Mary, she’s miserable as sin in carpets.’

  ‘Cor, it all goes on up Liberty’s, doesn’t it?’ Chris marvelled.

  ‘And don’t we know it.’ Luke said, laughing along with his brother.

  Dot nodded. ‘You’re not wrong there. Anyway, I’ve invited Mary for supper; she’ll be here in a minute. I think she needed cheering up; she’s not exactly having an easy time of it at Rose’s neither, what with Rose’s mood swings.’

  ‘Mood swings?’ Alice quizzed.

  ‘You must have noticed. I swear the happiest I see that girl these days is when she’s out with your Joy. Anyway, I’ll give you a hand with the supper, Alice.’

  Chris got to his feet. ‘Actually I said I’d treat us all up the chipper.’

  ‘Oooh, lovely.’ Dot beamed. ‘You can come again. Alice, go and give him a hand, why don’t you? The poor lad’ll never carry all that on his own.’

  ‘You sure you don’t mind?’ Luke asked as Alice stood up.

  Chris shook his head. ‘’Course not. As long as you don’t mind me stealing Alice for a bit.’

  ‘Take her.’ Luke grinned, taking another sip of his beer.

  Out on Bell Street, Alice and Chris sauntered down the road together, a warm summer evening breeze blowing between them. The longer evenings were a real treat for them all. With the nightly air-raid sirens seemingly a thing of the past, kids played out on the street, couples walked hand in hand through the parks and everyone seemed to be a good deal happier, despite the fact that more and more was becoming rationed. The cruellest cut back had been soap rationing back in February, but recently Joy had come home from work with a face like thunder. She had spouted on about a new law that said all hotel and restaurant meals mustn’t cost any more than five shillings per customer and cou
ldn’t be any more than three courses. While Alice balked at the fact that anyone could eat more than one course during this time of austerity, it seemed that many of Mayfair House’s customers were furious and wrongly taking it out on the staff.

  ‘Penny for them,’ Chris said, bringing Alice back to the here and now.

  She grinned up at him. ‘I was just thinking how nice the weather is now – gives us a bit of cheer with this war.’

  ‘I was thinking only the same thing last week. I’d spent all day writing a sermon and it was lovely to come out of the vicarage into bright sunshine.’

  His positivity was refreshing, especially when everyone at work seemed so miserable. ‘How’s Barbara?’

  Chris’s face lit up. Barbara and he had got married at the same time as she and Luke, and it was clear to everyone who knew the couple how they worshipped one another. ‘She’s very well. Sends her love, of course, and is sorry she couldn’t come down as well, but the journey’s a bit much for the kids.’

  Alice understood only too well. Coping with one small baby was enough of a challenge, never mind two young boys under the age of five. ‘It was good of you to come down from Wales on your own. I know Luke’s thrilled to have you here.’

  ‘I am too.’ Chris beamed as they turned the corner into Walworth Road. ‘I thought he was dead – I won’t lie to you. When I got that telegram to say he was alive, well, it was like all my Christmases had come at once. I couldn’t believe it.’

  ‘Neither could I. I still can’t. For so long now, I’ve been used to it being just me and Arthur; now Luke’s here too and we’re a family – a proper family, I mean.’

  Chris nodded. ‘Behaving himself though, is he?’

  ‘How do you mean?’ Alice bristled at the question.

  ‘I don’t mean nothing by it. Just that he doesn’t seem quite his usual self. Bit grumpy, bit on edge. But then I suppose his leg’s giving him a lot of gyp.’

  ‘That and he can’t wait to get back to the RAF,’ Alice said grimly.

  Chris stopped in the middle of the street. ‘You can’t be serious. He’s been missing for goodness knows how long and now he wants to get back to fighting again?’

  ‘Wants to defeat the Jerries single-handed.’

  There was a silence as Chris digested this. ‘Bloody stupid boy,’ he seethed. ‘He should be grateful he’s not only back in one piece but that he’s got you and a lovely baby to come back to.’

  ‘True. But I suppose it’s natural for him to want to get back to doing what he loves – and of course he does love his country too.’

  ‘We all do,’ Chris said proudly as they arrived at the fish and chip shop. ‘But we all try and make time to appreciate what we have as well. I’ll try and have a word with him while I’m here, Alice. Knock a bit of sense into him.’

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Flo was noticeably absent from Liberty’s some ten days later when Mr Button called an emergency staff briefing before the store opened. Everyone from all the departments gathered under the chandelier in the atrium and Alice struggled to hide her disgust as she watched Mrs Claremont stand proudly alongside Mr Button, as his right-hand woman.

  ‘Now, as you know, we are proud to have many special friends here at Liberty’s,’ Mr Button began, rocking backwards and forwards on his heels as he caught everyone’s attention. ‘And one of our very special friends is Princess Valentina.’

  At the mention of the Russian princess’s name the crowd let out a little gasp of excitement. The princess was a firm favourite amongst the staff, particularly as she had single-handedly saved their Christmas party last year. Rose nudged Alice excitedly in the ribs, and the two grinned delightedly at Mary.

  ‘She will be here after lunch today,’ Mr Button said, cutting through the noise. ‘And I want you to ensure she receives the finest of Liberty welcomes.’

  With that Mr Button walked back up the stairs, closely followed by Mrs Claremont whispering relentlessly in his ear.

  ‘Well, I wasn’t expecting that,’ Mary said as everyone returned to their departments. ‘Flo will be sorry she’s not here.’

  ‘So will Joy.’ Rose sighed. ‘She loves Russian royalty.’

  Alice snorted in exasperation. She was getting fed up of the way Rose and Joy were seemingly joined at the hip. ‘Why would Joy be here? She doesn’t work at Liberty’s.’

  ‘I’m only saying it would have been nice for her,’ Rose replied sulkily. ‘She deserves a treat after all she’s been through.’

  Alice glanced at Mary, who looked as blank as she did. ‘What do you mean “all she’s been through”?’ Alice asked warily.

  ‘Just that she’s had an old friend get in touch, that’s all,’ Rose replied. ‘She says she’s from her past and she’s a bit worried.’

  ‘Did she say who it was?’ Alice demanded.

  Rose coloured at Alice’s tone. ‘I think she said her name was Shirley.’

  Shock coursed through Alice’s veins at the sound of a name she hadn’t heard in a long time. Shirley Allbright was trouble with a capital T and an old pal of their father’s who had taken Joy under her shoplifting wing. Now it seemed that after eighteen months the woman was not only out of prison but determined to drag Joy back down to her level.

  ‘Thanks, Rose,’ Alice said eventually, aware that both she and Mary were gawping at her. ‘I’ll talk to her, give her a bit of support.’

  ‘I think you should,’ Rose said stiffly. ‘She’s finding it hard enough with Luke at home now.’

  ‘Rose!’ Mary scolded. ‘That’s a dreadful thing to say. Luke’s only been back five minutes and already you’re helping Joy find fault with him.’

  Alice held her hand up and smiled at Mary. ‘That’s enough. Thanks, Mary, but it’s no secret Joy and Luke have never seen eye to eye. I hoped that things would be different now; it certainly seems to me Luke’s done nothing but be civil to Joy but she obviously sees it differently.’

  Alice’s words seemed to make Rose squirm. ‘Look, I’m not saying Joy’s a saint,’ she began, ‘I just think she puts on this tough front and actually she’s quite fragile inside.’

  ‘Aren’t we all,’ Mary muttered.

  ‘She’s coming along to the last of the first-aid nights tonight,’ Rose said, ignoring Mary’s barb. ‘Maybe talk to her then?’

  ‘All right,’ Alice ventured, seeing Mrs Claremont reappear on the stairs. ‘Leave it with me, Rose.’

  Back in her department she spent much of the morning ensuring that the princess’s preferred fabrics were all out on display for her to admire, even bringing up the few scraps they kept back in the stockroom that were too small for anyone to do anything with.

  By the time she’d finished stowing them under the counter she saw the princess was on her way towards the department. Watching her walk in that stately way of hers, black hair swinging over her shoulders, Alice found she was almost dizzy with excitement as Mrs Claremont rushed to greet her.

  ‘What can we show you?’ she asked, practically falling over herself to curtsey before the princess.

  Princess Valentina smiled coolly at Mrs Claremont and looked around. ‘Where is Miss Wilson? She runs the fabric department, yes?’

  Mrs Claremont shook her head. ‘I’m afraid not any longer. I’m in charge now.’

  A flicker of confusion passed across the princess’s face. ‘I see. But what about Mrs Milwood behind the counter?’

  At the mention of her name, Alice beamed at the princess, and was about to speak, only for Mrs Claremont to interrupt her. ‘Not any longer. Now, can I just say that I’m not sure what we are going to show you as most of our fabric is utility?’

  ‘Please,’ the princess snorted as she brushed past Mrs Claremont and Jean. ‘Alice here knows I love to look at all the fabrics. Now, Mrs Milwood, what have you got for me?’

  Alice smiled. ‘Mrs Claremont is right, we don’t have much but I did take the liberty of bringing up some of this lovely 1930s floral teal print.�
��

  Mrs Claremont hissed in her ear. ‘A princess doesn’t want to see the old tat we have to sell on ration.’

  At the use of the word ‘tat’ it was all Alice could do not to gasp in shock. ‘Of course I would,’ Princess Valentina said firmly. ‘Mrs Milwood knows I adore all prints.’

  With that Alice marched her over to the latest rolls of fabric and admired them together, with Valentina itching to buy something suitable for a siren suit.

  After an hour the princess bade Alice a fond farewell. ‘Thank you, my dear, a pleasure as always.’

  ‘You’re more than welcome, your highness,’ Alice said warmly. ‘It’s always such a treat for us when you visit.’

  The princess paused then, as if she was wondering if she ought to speak. ‘Alice, what has happened to this department?’ she said finally once Mrs Claremont was out of earshot. ‘Where is your other friend, Miss Holmes-Fotherington? And why is this awful woman in charge? Things are not the same!’

  ‘I know,’ Alice said softly, keen to try and calm Valentina down. ‘I’m so sorry you found us this way.’

  The princess reached down to clasp Alice’s hands. ‘No, it is I who am sorry for you, Alice. Your precious fabric department has lost its soul.’

  That night there was standing room only for Rose’s final first-aid training and it was just the tonic Alice needed after Valentina’s visit. Customers, people from neighbouring businesses, as well as residents who had apparently travelled across London were ready to learn how to save a life and Alice was thrilled for her friend. With a turnout this big, Alice had high hopes it might give Rose a much needed boost in confidence and convince her that the first-aid nights needed to be a regular thing.

  Watching her now up on the stage chatting to the Red Cross volunteer who was organising the talk, Alice felt pleased that, even though Rose was not herself at the moment, something was going right.

  Rose clapped her hands together for attention; she welcomed everyone to the event and then introduced the guest speaker. As Alice continued to listen she became aware of someone taking a seat beside her. Turning to look at the latecomer, she realised it was Joy.