by Rosie Hendry
‘It can’t be far away.’ Frankie hoped that Station 75 hadn’t suffered any damage. So far, they’d been extremely lucky, any incendiaries that had fallen during the Blitz had been quickly put out and even when an unexploded bomb had landed in the courtyard, it had been successfully dug up and defused with no damage done other than a large hole, which was easily filled in and the cobbles redone.
‘Wish they’d hurry up and get back,’ Winnie said stroking Trixie’s head. ‘Sitting in here not knowing what’s going on isn’t fun.’
It was only a matter of minutes, though it seemed much longer, before Station Officer Steele returned. ‘Paterson, you go straight out, Sparky’s waiting to go in your ambulance.’ She waited until Sparky’s attendant had gone before addressing the rest of the crew. ‘The rocket came down just the other side of the railway line, a short way up the Minories from us. Several buildings have been destroyed and we need to send out some more ambulances.’ She paused for a moment, grabbing hold of the back of her chair where she always sat beside the telephone waiting for call-outs. ‘We have been extremely lucky, it missed us by a matter of tens of yards, and the fact that Station 75 is enclosed within the courtyard has saved us from the effects of the blast. Our first actions now are to attend to the injured, so, Frankie and Rose, Winnie and Bella, you take your ambulances out onto the Minories ready for any casualties. I don’t know how many there will be, and we haven’t officially been asked, but since we’re the nearest station it’s common sense to send ambulances from here. As for the rest of you, I’ll organise some of you to go out and help too, keeping some crews here on standby as well.’
Frankie, Rose, Winnie and Bella got up and hurried out to the ambulances.
‘The boss looks pretty shaken up,’ Winnie said, carrying Trixie in her arms.
‘She ain’t the only one,’ Frankie said. ‘If that doodlebug’s engine had cut out a mere fraction of a second earlier, it would have plummeted down right on top of us.’
‘Don’t say that.’ Bella winced.
Frankie put her arm through Bella’s. ‘It’s true though; there but for the grace of God, go I. So, come on, girls, let’s go and do our job, we’ve got casualties to help.’
Chapter 33
As soon as Winnie opened the front door of Connie’s house, Trixie rushed in, her claws clattering on the black and white tiles on the floor, before she suddenly halted, her nose held high as she sniffed and then growled low in her throat.
‘What . . . ’ Winnie began as she stepped inside but paused as the familiar scent of Chanel No. 5 hit her, making her stomach instantly knot. Her mother was here. She turned to go out again, silently beckoning Trixie over to her with her hand, but before she could slip out of the front door and escape, the sitting room door opened and Connie came out, a warning look on her face, and all hope of running away vanished.
‘Hello,’ she said, before mouthing silently, ‘your mother’s here to see you.’ She indicated with a flick of her eyes towards the sitting room, where her visitor was waiting.
Winnie pulled a face, she had no desire to see her mother. ‘What does she want?’ she whispered.
Connie leaned close to her, speaking softly into her ear. ‘She hasn’t said, we’ve just been talking about Harry’s new baby.’ Winnie’s brother’s wife, Meredith, had given birth to their first son last week.
‘Right, I just need to go and powder my nose and I’ll be right down,’ she said loudly, playing for time. She needed to prepare herself for battle because, from past experience, going right back to when she was a little girl, time spent with her mother was rarely pleasant, and certainly over the past few years had been downright awful. Why she’d arrived today, Winnie didn’t know, but she wasn’t optimistic about her visit because her mother never came to see her without some hidden agenda and, right now, with worrying about Mac being at the forefront of her mind, she definitely wasn’t in the mood to deal with any of her mother’s nonsense.
‘All right, I’ll go and make some more tea, it will be ready by the time you come down.’ Connie said, laying a hand on Winnie’s arm and squeezing it sympathetically. She added in a whisper, ‘Don’t be long, better to get it over and done with as she’s already been waiting for over an hour.’
Upstairs, Winnie stretched out her reprieve to ten minutes, her mind going over different scenarios of why her mother had arrived, none of them good. The only way that she could get her mother to leave was to go down and face her. Picking up Trixie and tucking her under her arm she slowly went downstairs, her legs feeling like they were filling up with lead with each step she took.
‘Ah, there you are, at last.’ Her mother glanced at her watch as Winnie entered the room. ‘I’ve been waiting here since two o’clock and I have a train to catch, Margot.’ The use of her real name was jarring as no one else but her parents used it now. She preferred to use her Station 75 nickname which suited her much better. Her mother proffered up her cheek to be kissed and Winnie dutifully approached and, although she felt more like slapping it, her upbringing dictated that she peck briefly on the powdered skin, taking care to hold her breath as she did so to avoid inhaling an extra strong dose of Chanel No. 5. It was her mother’s signature perfume and a whiff of it had the ability to whisk Winnie back to her childhood and the memories of the many reprimands that her mother had given her.
‘I didn’t know you were coming.’ Winnie sat down on the sofa beside Connie, settling Trixie on her lap. The dog was glaring at her mother, a strange sight to see from such a normally sweet-natured animal. Trixie had witnessed her mistress’s distress at the hands of her mother in the past and clearly remembered it and was now in full protection mode.
‘Some tea?’ Connie picked up the teapot, ready to pour her a cup.
Winnie smiled at her godmother, glad that she was here. ‘Yes, please.’
‘I’ll come straight to the point then, since I’ve a train to catch.’ Her mother touched the string of pearls at her neck. ‘Your father has made enquiries about . . . your husband’s disappearance.’ Winnie curled her hands into fists, squeezing them tightly; her mother couldn’t even bring herself to say Mac’s name, and if she wasn’t so desperate to hear the results of her father’s search then she’d have happily walked out of here right now, letting all the rules of polite society that she’d been brought up with go to hell. ‘But I’m afraid he’s drawn a complete blank, there’s no more information to be had, not surprising with the amount of men out there and the fighting that’s going on – the disappearance of one man is rather insignificant in the grand scheme of things.’
‘Not to me it isn’t!’ Winnie snapped. ‘He’s my husband and I love him, and I want to know what’s happened to him.’
Connie put her hand on Winnie’s arm. ‘It doesn’t mean that he’s not still alive though, it’s just that no more word has come through yet.’
Winnie nodded and smiled gratefully at her godmother before picking up her teacup to take a much needed sip. The unaccustomed sweetness hit her straight away – Connie had put some of their precious sugar ration in it.
‘Well, the fact remains that he’s still missing in action and so in that case I think you really should prepare yourself for the worst,’ her mother said. ‘Better to not expect good news than hold on to foolish hope.’ She fixed her pale, icy-blue eyes on Winnie. ‘If indeed you are widowed, it doesn’t mean that you can never marry again; in fact, you might find somebody far more suitable—’
‘Cynthia!’ Connie glared at Winnie’s mother. ‘Your daughter does not need to hear that sort of advice now, or indeed ever. I am shocked and frankly extremely disappointed that you could even think such thoughts.’
Winnie recovered her voice after being left speechless at her mother’s cold and callous words. ‘I am never giving up hope that Mac will be found alive and well.’ She stood up, with Trixie in her arms. ‘My dog has got far more compassion than you have, Mother. Don’t bother calling again unless you have something pleasan
t to say for once.’
Flashing a look of apology at Connie, Winnie stalked out of the room and up the stairs to the privacy of her bedroom, her heart pounding and her blood thrumming around her body with anger and astonishment at the sheer cold-heartedness of her mother. She’d disapproved of Mac from the first time she’d seen him, when they were presented with their George Medals at Buckingham Palace, and had discovered that he was a conscientious objector, so when Winnie agreed to marry him it had been no surprise that her mother had been so against it – and clearly the passage of time had done nothing to change her opinion. The fact that Winnie loved him, and that he was a good, honourable man, did nothing to sway her mother’s bigoted view and for her to come here and suggest that if . . . hot, stinging tears filled her eyes . . . if Mac didn’t come back then she’d be free to marry someone her mother considered more socially suitable was utterly, utterly despicable.
Slumping down on her bed, she held Trixie beside her and picked up the photograph frame with the picture of her and Mac together that she so loved, tracing his dear face with the tip of her finger. ‘Please come back to me, Mac, wherever you are.’
Chapter 34
‘I can stay at home, if you’d rather I didn’t go.’ Bella looked up at Winnie from her stool by the dressing table in her bedroom, where her friend was putting the finishing touches to Bella’s hair for her.
Winnie put a hand on her hip. ‘Absolutely not! You have the chance to go out dancing with a dashing airman and there’s no reason for you not to go. Especially if you have the crazy idea that I need to be mollycoddled and protected because Mac is missing.’ Winnie’s grey eyes met Bella’s. ‘You going dancing isn’t going to have the slightest effect on when I hear about Mac. I suspect you might be feeling rather nervous about tonight and part of you would be quite happy to wriggle out of it.’
Bella’s cheeks grew warm. ‘All right, I admit I am nervous but honestly, Winnie, if you want me to stay with you, I will, I don’t mind.’
‘But I would mind, and so would Stefan.’ Winnie rolled her eyes. ‘For goodness’ sake, Bella, you are going to the ball. Now, hold still, Cinderbella, so I can see what make-up you need.’
Bella submitted to Winnie’s expert hands, closing her eyes as lipstick, powder and mascara were applied. Her friend had put herself in charge of preparing her for her evening out, doing her hair and make-up and giving her one of her pre-war silk dresses to wear, which was a rich emerald colour and swished delightfully as she walked.
‘Now keep your eyes shut until I tell you.’ Winnie put her hands on Bella’s shoulders and turned her back to face the dressing table mirror. ‘Now you can look.’
Bella stared at herself, taken aback by the effect of the make-up that Winnie had applied. It was much more vibrant than she’d ever use herself, with pillar-box red lipstick accentuating the curved shape of her mouth.
‘Well? What do you think?’ Winnie asked. ‘I think you look beautiful, and Stefan’s going to be bowled over when he sees you. Pillar-box red really suits you, with your gorgeous dark-brown hair and creamy skin, probably a lot better than me, actually.’
‘I look . . . well, different, more confident . . . it gives me a bit more courage, I think. Thank you.’ Bella turned and looked at her, smiling. ‘Don’t stop wearing pillar-box red though, will you, Winnie? It suits your personality much more than mine.’
The ring of the doorbell echoed in the hall downstairs and Bella’s stomach clenched. ‘That must be him.’ She reached out and grasped Winnie’s arm. ‘Am I doing the right thing going out with him, Winnie? Having a cup of tea was one thing, but this feels much more . . . ’
‘Do you like him?’ Winnie asked, her tone serious.
‘Yes, I do.’
Winnie beamed at her. ‘Well then, what are you waiting for?’
Stefan was in the sitting room with Connie when they went downstairs, and as soon as she and Winnie entered the room he stood up and bowed from the waist, clicking his heels. ‘Good evening.’ His eyes settled on Bella, smiling warmly at her as he came over and took hold of her hand and kissed it. ‘You look beautiful, Bella.’
Bella’s cheeks flushed at the unaccustomed compliment and the fact that he was still holding her hand. ‘Hello, Stefan.’
‘Doesn’t she just!’ Winnie said before Bella could say anything.
‘That dress really suits you,’ Connie said. ‘It’s the perfect colour for your complexion and hair, and I must say that your lipstick really sets it off beautifully.’
‘Where are you going?’ Winnie asked him.
‘To the Covent Garden Opera House. I hear the dances very good and I love to dance. Will be good evening.’ He smiled at Bella, finally letting go of her hand and offering her his arm. ‘You are ready?’
Bella nodded, and slipped her hand through his arm.
Bella had never been in the Covent Garden Opera House before. She’d passed it many times but never ventured inside until now; the grand building had been converted into a dance hall for the duration of the war and had become a popular destination, with dances held every afternoon and evening most days.
‘It’s beautiful.’ She looked around her, amazed at the stunning building with its three horseshoe-shaped tiers of balconies overlooking the dance floor, and the ornate spoke-patterned roof high overhead. The dance floor was thronged with couples moving in time to the music which was being performed by Ivy Benson’s female swing band.
Stefan smiled at her and took hold of her hand. ‘May I have pleasure of this dance?’
‘Don’t say I didn’t warn you about my two left feet, I’m a terrible dancer.’ She’d already cautioned him about her lack of coordination when she’d telephoned to accept his invitation, giving him plenty of chance to change his mind about taking her dancing, but he’d been adamant that he still wanted to.
‘Just follow me, you will be fine.’ He led her onto the dance floor and put his arm around her waist as she put her hand on his shoulder. ‘Do not think too much, relax, listen to music, let it . . . ’ he paused to search for the right words, ‘sweep you away.’ He smiled warmly at her and they began to dance.
It wasn’t the music that did the sweeping away, Bella thought a short while later, it was most definitely Stefan. He was an excellent dancer and led her around the dance floor with such grace; after treading on his toes a few times, she found herself gradually improving and, by following his lead, actually began to enjoy dancing – something that had always evaded her before. James had had two left feet like her, and their attempts at dancing together had never worked well. The sudden thought of James startled her and for a moment she faltered on the edge of tears but recovered herself because he’d want her to be out enjoying life. He’d been gone for a year and a half now and it was time to let go. She would never, ever forget him and what they had but she shouldn’t let his loss stop her from enjoying her life now.
‘Bella, are you all right?’ Stefan’s face was concerned, he’d obviously sensed her hesitation.
She smiled at him. ‘Yes, I’m fine and glad I’m here with you.’
‘As am I, with you, Bella.’
By the end of the dance, which finished at midnight, she’d danced more than she had for the whole of her life put together. She had finally overcome her belief that she couldn’t do it, because tonight, with Stefan’s expert guidance, she had danced and had enjoyed it very much. She’d discovered the delight of letting herself go, feeling the rhythm of the music and the thrill of dancing with someone who was enjoying it too, and, even better, who she was growing to like very much.
Walking back to Connie’s house through the blacked-out London streets, with the milky light of a full moon shining down on them, Bella felt happy and relaxed. This evening that she’d been so unsure about had been a delight and when they reached Connie’s house and Stefan stopped on the steps leading up to the front door, taking both of her hands in his, she didn’t want the evening to end.
‘I would
like see you again?’ Stefan asked.
‘I’d like that.’
He lifted one of her hands and kissed it. ‘It is good, makes me very happy to see you again. Thank you for delightful evening.’ He bowed from the waist and clicked his heels.
‘Thank you, I’ve never enjoyed a dance so much before.’
He smiled. ‘We go again, I think. Now I say goodnight.’ Once again, he kissed her hand and then with a last look turned and left. She saw him stop and look back at her when he got to the end of the street because she was still watching him.
Bella had gone inside and just closed the front door behind her when Trixie came bounding down the stairs, skittering across the tiled floor, her claws clicking as she ran and her tail wagging rapidly from side to side in greeting. She bent down to greet the little dog, ‘Hello Trix,’ then she looked up to see Winnie not far behind, tying the belt of her silk dressing gown around her waist as she hurried towards her.
‘Well?’ Winnie looked expectantly at her. ‘How did you get on? You certainly looked like you were happy when you got back.’ She sighed. ‘I love how he kisses your hand, it’s so romantic.’
‘How . . . ’ Bella frowned. ‘Were you watching from your bedroom window?’
Winnie looked uncomfortable. ‘Not really . . . I was just looking out for you coming back and I saw him kiss your hand and bow, I wasn’t spying on you, just looking out for you, making sure you were all right.’ She put her hand on Bella’s arm. ‘I don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all.’
‘But you’re the one who pushed me into going for a cup of tea with him in the first place. I said no, remember?’ Bella paused for a moment and then smiled at her friend. ‘I’m glad you did though, I’ve had a marvellous time, and do you know, I can actually dance after all.’ She laughed. ‘My two left feet are cured, thanks to Stefan – he’s a wonderful dancer. Not sure I could do it on my own but with him leading, all I have to do is follow and it feels like I’m floating around to the music.’
