Homecoming

by Ellie Dean

  Doreen grinned back at him, then called the girls to her. Balancing the suitcase across the end of the large, coach-built pram, she hurried out of the station.

  As they walked down the High Street, Doreen was shocked by the number of bomb craters and empty spaces that had once been shops, the cinema and the old Mermaid pub. She noted that the Crown was still standing but looking a bit worse for wear, and that a new restaurant had opened up since she’d last been home. It looked very smart, and a quick glance at the menu board in the window told her it catered only for those with deep pockets.

  ‘Why can’t we go on the beach, Mum?’ asked Evelyn.

  ‘Because there isn’t time today,’ she said, wheeling the pram into Camden Road.

  ‘But I wanna go to the beach,’ whined Joyce, scuffing the toes of her shoes on the pavement.

  ‘Well you can’t,’ said Doreen firmly. ‘And stop damaging those new and very expensive shoes.’

  She ignored their moans and groans as Archie clapped his hands and beamed at everyone they passed. As she approached the Anchor, she saw Ron and Rosie standing in the doorway with welcoming smiles.

  ‘To be sure, it’s grand to see you, wee Doreen,’ said Ron, giving her a bear hug.

  Doreen had always loved Ron and she hugged him back before kissing Rosie’s cheek. ‘How’s married life, you two? I have to say, you both look well on it.’

  ‘We’re doing fine, Doreen,’ said Ron. ‘Are ye looking forward to seeing your sisters again?’ he asked with a naughty twinkle in his eyes.

  ‘Peggy definitely, but I’m not so sure about Doris. We parted on bad terms back in ’43, so it could be a bit awkward.’

  ‘Ach, she’ll have forgotten all about that by now,’ he said airily.

  Doreen wasn’t so sure, but she made no comment. ‘I’d better get on. I promised Peggy I’d get to her by five, and it’s almost half past now. Will I see you tonight, Rosie?’

  ‘Only for a few minutes. I’m babysitting at Beach View so you and Peggy can go out and have some fun. Doris is holding her drinks party at the Officers’ Club, so you should have a good time.’

  Doreen rolled her eyes. ‘Typical. I suppose the Anchor isn’t good enough for her?’

  Rosie didn’t look at all put out. ‘I think she wanted a quiet evening. This place gets quite rowdy on a Friday night now we’ve got a new piano.’

  Doreen set off again, pointing out the new school that was almost finished in the footprint of the old one which she and her sisters had attended, and then the shops that had been there for as long as she could remember. She waved to Fred the Fish and Alf the butcher and hurried on across the main road leading up from the seafront and into the twitten behind Beach View.

  ‘What’s this place?’ asked Evelyn, her nose wrinkling as she turned to look at the bomb site and then regarded Beach View’s vegetable plot, the outside lav and the chicken coop.

  Doreen realised her daughter had become accustomed to the manicured playing fields and formal grounds of the boarding school, and used to living in part of a gracious old manor house, so wasn’t really surprised by her shock at seeing poor old battered Beach View.

  ‘This is the house I was born in.’ Doreen opened the gate and pushed the pram onto the path. ‘And it’s where we’ll be staying with my sister Peggy, so I don’t want you turning up your nose like that, young lady. It’s rude and hurtful.’

  Evelyn had the grace to look ashamed and ducked her chin as Doreen opened the back door and called out to Peggy.

  Peggy had been restless with anticipation as the time had ticked away, but at the sound of her sister’s voice, she leapt to her feet and ran down the cellar steps to greet her.

  Doreen was looking stunning with a bright blue hat on her wavy brown hair, a matching jacket and a sprigged cotton dress. She threw her arms about her.

  ‘It’s so lovely to see you again,’ she said breathlessly after they’d hugged and kissed. Turning to the girls, her eyes widened as she took in their neat plaits and pretty appearance and the coltish limbs of Evelyn who was looking more like her mother than ever. ‘My goodness, haven’t you both grown? The last time I saw you, you were tiny tots.’

  Evelyn and Joyce withstood Peggy’s effusive greeting with awkward grace.

  ‘And this must be Archie,’ sighed Peggy, drinking in the sight of the smiling, chubby little boy. She quickly unstrapped him and took him in her arms. ‘Oh, my, he’s quite a weight, isn’t he?’ she giggled as Daisy came out to see what all the noise was about.

  ‘This is Daisy,’ Peggy said proudly. ‘Daisy, these are your cousins, Evelyn and Joyce, and they’ll be staying with us for a while.’

  As the girls eyed each other warily, Peggy turned to Doreen. ‘I do hope you’ll be staying for more than just the weekend,’ she murmured. ‘It’ll be so lovely to have you home again. I’ve missed you and we have so much to catch up on.’

  ‘I know, and I’ve missed you too. But let’s get indoors,’ said Doreen, lifting the case from the pram. ‘I hope you’ve got the kettle on, Peggy, because I’m gagging for a proper cuppa after that awful stewed offering at Euston Station.’

  The pram proved to be too big to wheel into the scullery, so once they’d had a cup of tea and been shown their rooms, Peggy helped Doreen lug it up the front steps and into the hall.

  ‘Whew,’ breathed Doreen. ‘I don’t fancy doing that too often – especially once Archie’s in it.’

  ‘I could lend you Daisy’s pushchair,’ said Peggy. ‘She’s happy to walk everywhere now as long as it’s not too far.’

  Doreen grinned with delight and headed back into the kitchen, where Daisy and Joyce were helping Cordelia find her glasses so she could read them a story.

  Evelyn clearly thought she was a bit old for such things, and had gone off to find something to read on her own. She returned from the basement with Charlie’s copy of Black Beauty and settled down quite happily.

  ‘I don’t know what he’ll say about her borrowing that,’ murmured Peggy. ‘He’s very protective of his books.’

  ‘She’ll be careful with it,’ Doreen assured her. ‘She’s an avid reader and has great respect for books.’ She lit a cigarette and then grinned. ‘So, tell me about Doris and this chap she’s marrying tomorrow. Has she really changed that much?’

  ‘Indeed she has, and she’s much happier for it,’ said Peggy. ‘John’s a lovely man – a true gentleman, handsome, too, with a bit of money behind him by all accounts.’ She went on to tell Doreen about their plans for the bungalows, and her worries over John’s son.

  ‘If you’re that worried about it, you should have a quiet word with her, Peg. After all she’s been through, she’d be very silly to jump in feet first without giving it a great deal of thought.’

  ‘I thought I might broach the subject this evening, but it’s hardly a happy topic on the eve of her wedding, is it?’

  ‘I could have a word if you’d prefer,’ said Doreen.

  ‘Oh, I don’t think that would be wise,’ said Peggy hastily. ‘You didn’t exactly part on friendly terms, and she might still hold a bit of a grudge.’

  ‘So she hasn’t changed that much then,’ said Doreen waspishly. ‘It’s all water under the bridge as far as I’m concerned, and if she’s willing to make up, then so am I. But I’m not putting up with any of her snooty nonsense, Peg. I’ve had more than enough of that over the years.’

  Peggy heaved a sigh. ‘Oh, Doreen, do try not to wind her up.’

  Doreen giggled. ‘Me? Wind my dearest older sister up? As if I would.’

  Peggy chuckled. ‘You know damned well you would. Honestly, Doreen, you haven’t changed in thirty-seven years.’

  ‘Who else is coming tonight, Peg? Please tell me that awful Pauline hasn’t been invited, because I’d rather stay at home if she has.’

  Peggy shook her head, still smiling. ‘She and Doris don’t get on, so she hasn’t been invited even though she’s family. Anne will meet us there. She’ll be driv
ing in with Brendon’s wife, Betty, and then there’s you, me, Suzy, Cordelia, Sarah, Danuta – and of course Doris.’

  ‘A good number, then. I’m looking forward to meeting Betty after all you’ve said in your letters – and to seeing Anne again. It’s been years since we’ve been in the same place. I feel as if I already know Danuta and Sarah from your letters, so it will be lovely to see them in the flesh as it were.’

  She picked up a grizzling Archie. ‘This one needs his nappy changed and a feed. I’ll be back down in a minute.’

  During a supper of fish cakes, salad and new potatoes fresh from the garden, Doreen tried to come to terms with how much Charlie had grown since she’d last seen him, how old and frail Cordelia had become despite her lively spirit – and how very little had changed at Beach View since Peggy had taken over from their parents. But hearing all of Peggy’s plans to refurbish and renovate, she offered enthusiastic encouragement and urged her to do it before all her ideas went off the boil.

  As Charlie had delivered her car earlier, Doris had driven Suzy up to the Officers’ Club, and they were already settled in the members’ lounge with drinks when the others arrived. She was rather surprised that Peggy had come by taxi, but then she supposed Cordelia would never have managed the hill otherwise.

  ‘Hello, Doris,’ said Doreen with a bright smile, but making no attempt to kiss or hug her. ‘What a lovely venue. Are you having your reception here as well?’

  ‘We’re having it in the private reception room at the golf club, actually. John is up for the captaincy next year, and they think most highly of him there.’

  Doris didn’t see Doreen’s expression harden as she turned to wave rather imperiously at a waiter who came to take their drink orders, then settled back in the comfortable chair, curious to discover more about Doreen’s life in Swansea and the lover Peggy had hinted at.

  ‘I’m just the headmaster’s secretary,’ Doreen replied, aware that Peggy had tensed beside her. ‘But the job comes with a lovely ground-floor flat in the school grounds, and there’s a generous discount on the girls’ fees, so I’m extremely lucky.’

  ‘Indeed you are,’ said Doris. ‘Your girls are the first in our family to have the privilege of going to a private school. I hope they are taking full advantage of it – seeing as how intimate you seem to have become with a particular member of staff.’

  Doreen ignored the sly jibe, having absolutely no intention of talking about her new man to Doris. ‘They’re both bright, and Evelyn is at the top of her year, so they’ll do all right, Doris.’ She changed the subject by raising her glass. ‘I’d like to propose a toast to Doris and wish her all the very best for her new life with John.’

  The toast was drunk, Peggy relaxed, and as Doris chatted to Anne, she turned to Suzy for a lovely long catch-up.

  ‘Ladies! How wonderful to find so many beautiful ladies all in one place!’

  Doris twisted round and glared at the enormous man with the waxed moustache who was making his way slowly into the room on two walking sticks. ‘This is a private party,’ she said frostily.

  He ignored her admonishment completely, took her hand and kissed it, his brown eyes regarding her with great amusement. ‘Baron Stanislaw Kowalcyzk at your humble service, dear lady.’

  There were stifled giggles from the others and Doris went scarlet. ‘I doubt you were ever humble, Baron,’ she stuttered, retrieving her hand and not daring to look him in the eye. She’d heard rumours about this man, and it was clear he was an absolute terror with women.

  ‘That is probably so,’ he agreed and smiled. ‘But I have come to wish the bride the very best of happiness for tomorrow and all her life – and to buy you all champagne.’

  Doris cleared her throat. ‘That’s very kind of you, Baron, but it’s really not necessary.’

  His dark eyes widened and he clasped her hand again. ‘Oh but it is, and for such a beautiful bride only the very best champagne will do.’

  He nodded to the hovering waiter who popped the cork expertly and began to pour the champagne into glasses.

  Once everyone had a glass, he took one for himself. ‘To the future Mrs White. Long life and much happiness,’ he bellowed before downing it in one, and only just resisting the time-honoured ritual of smashing the glass onto the floor.

  Danuta tutted and rolled her eyes, Doris blushed an even deeper scarlet and the others just about managed to stifle their giggles enough to return the toast and sip the delicious champagne.

  ‘I will leave you now,’ he said grandly, before winking at Danuta. ‘But I shall see you again.’

  ‘Good heavens,’ breathed a flustered Doris once he was out of earshot. ‘Who on earth was that? Is he really a baron?’

  ‘He is Polish baron,’ said Danuta, her eyes twinkling with mirth. ‘He is very loud, I think, but has good heart and the manners of all Polish gentlemen.’

  ‘Gosh,’ said Doris, hugely impressed. ‘A real baron living in Cliffehaven. Who would have thought it?’ She eyed Danuta sharply. ‘How did you get to meet him?’

  ‘At Rita’s wedding,’ said Danuta rather coolly. ‘He is my friend.’

  ‘Well, I never,’ sighed Doris before taking another sip of champagne to steady her racing pulse. She’d never met a baron before, and to think that he was Danuta’s friend was quite extraordinary, for the girl didn’t have much going for her. She would invite him to dinner once they’d returned from their honeymoon, she decided. But what on earth did one feed Polish royalty? She’d have to go to the library and do some research.

  The mood lightened and once the bottle of champagne was empty, they were presented with another, compliments of the baron, who they could hear talking and laughing in the bar.

  Consequently, Doris was a bit squiffy by the time they had to go home, so Suzy drove the car back and then went to bed leaving poor Anthony to listen to his mother’s excited chatter about the baron. It seemed that Doris could still have her head turned by a title, so not that much had changed, after all.

  Jack had delivered Peggy’s car earlier that morning, before hurrying back to make inroads on the number of vehicles still waiting to be serviced and repaired. Even with Rita and Peter doing their bit, they were inundated with work. He’d told Peggy that when Jim came back there was a job waiting for him, as he couldn’t manage on his own once Rita and Peter had left for Australia.

  Peggy was delighted to think that Jim could walk straight into a good job on his return home, and her spirits were high as she carefully drove her lovely, shining car up to the Town Hall with Doreen and the children in the back and Cordelia in the front.

  Martin had left earlier with Anne and their two children because he was John’s best man and needed to be there to keep him steady should he need steadying. Peggy smiled at this thought as she helped Cordelia out and up the Town Hall steps, for it was probably Doris who would need steadying after her run-in with Stanislaw last night.

  It was almost midday, the sun was shining, and although there were a couple of clouds in the sky they didn’t look too threatening, so it was very possible they could hold the start of the reception in the golf club garden. She made sure Cordelia was safely in the lift with Evelyn, who’d clearly decided she needed to look after her, and then they trooped up the stairs to the familiar wedding room.

  John and Martin were in their best suits and John looked remarkably calm as he chatted to Bertie Double-Barrelled and gave everyone a welcoming smile. Brendon and Betty came in with baby Joseph, followed by Frank and a rather sour-faced Pauline who glared at Doreen and then blatantly snubbed her by turning her back to talk to the registrar.

  All the little girls looked very sweet in their best dresses, and Archie was utterly adorable in his blue romper suit and matching sunhat – although that didn’t stay on for long as he preferred to chew it rather than wear it.

  Peggy doubted she’d cry at this particular wedding, but she’d brought several handkerchiefs just in case. There were lollipops in her handbag
should the children start to fidget, and Doreen had brought a bottle and several clean nappies for Archie. Peggy sat down next to Cordelia and smiled at Danuta and Sarah as they quickly took their places in the row behind them.

  Ron turned up without Harvey for once, but with a very glamorous Rosie on his arm. ‘We’ve left the dogs at home,’ he told Peggy, who’d been worried that something might have happened to them. ‘They’ve had their walk, and the mayor made it very plain that Harvey was no longer welcome. To be sure, I’ll be having a word with that man, so I will.’

  Rosie tugged his arm and pulled him down to sit beside her. ‘Don’t keep on, Ron,’ she sighed. ‘Honestly, Peggy, anyone would think his dog was royalty the way he pampers that animal.’

  ‘Well, it looks as if everyone’s here,’ said Peggy as Suzy came in with little Teddy, and sat next to Sarah and Danuta. ‘All we need now is the bride. I hope she isn’t going to be late like Ivy was.’

  ‘She’ll be waiting to make a grand entrance, so she will,’ muttered Ron.

  ‘Well, it is her wedding day, and all brides want to make an entrance,’ defended Peggy.

  Ron waggled his brows. ‘Aye, and none more so than your sister,’ he said with a grin.

  The registrar switched on the piped music as the doors opened and Doris appeared on her son’s arm. She held him back for a long moment to make sure everyone had realised they’d arrived, and then they slowly made their way down towards John and Martin.

  Peggy didn’t think she’d ever seen her sister look as lovely or as radiantly happy as she did today. The beautiful cream linen coat and jacket were discreetly piped with the same navy blue as her broad-brimmed hat, and her slender, well-shaped legs were enhanced by the navy peep-toed high heels. She carried a small bouquet of cream roses that were nestled into dark green ferns, and there were pearls in her ears and round her neck.

  John’s gaze never left her as she walked slowly towards him, and it was clear to all that he simply adored her.