by Ellie Dean
Peggy gave a sigh, adjusted a fork and spoon and went back to the kitchen just in time to stop Ron and his muddy dogs from going into her basement.
‘Oh no you don’t,’ she said. ‘Get those dogs out of here and your boots off. I spent half the morning polishing the lino, and I don’t want to do it again.’
Ron puffed out his cheeks and looked at her mournfully. ‘To be sure, Peggy girl, you’re getting too house-proud. A bit of mud never hurt anyone and I’ll be cleaning up after them.’
Peggy relented, but very reluctantly as Bob and Charlie appeared in the doorway, mucky as mud-larks and grinning from ear to ear. ‘See that you do,’ she retorted. ‘And I don’t want any of you upstairs until you’re clean and that floor is spotless again. The mop and bucket are in the scullery cupboard.’
Daisy came excitedly into Peggy’s room at five o’clock on Christmas morning with the stocking Santa had left at the bottom of her bed. She clambered into bed with her and chattered away non-stop as she showed Peggy the spinning top, the set of doll’s clothes and the packet of sweets.
Peggy drew the covers around them both and groggily admired everything, until Daisy finally ran out of steam and snuggled up for a little snooze. Peggy drifted off again, but she was aware of the heavenly smell of the turkey she’d put in the oven to cook overnight, and the huge amount of work she’d have to get through before lunch could be served. But it was lovely cuddling her little girl on this special day.
They were woken by a knock on her door. ‘Yes? What’s the matter?’ Peggy called, quickly disentangling herself from Daisy and pulling on Jim’s dressing gown.
‘We thought we’d bring you breakfast in bed,’ said Bob, pushing the door open as Daisy scrambled off the bed to hug his legs. ‘And to take this one downstairs,’ he added with a chuckle, swinging her up onto his hip.
‘Oh, darlings, how lovely,’ she breathed as Charlie came in with a loaded tray.
‘I want breakfast in bed too,’ demanded Daisy, wriggling in Bob’s arms.
‘Yours is downstairs, pipsqueak,’ he said firmly as Charlie placed the tray on the bed. ‘And if you keep making a fuss, there won’t be any more presents.’
This threat had an immediate effect, and Daisy quietened.
Peggy looked in amazement at the breakfast. There was a plate of bacon, egg and fried bread, a big mug of tea and a sprig of holly bright with red berries in a small vase. ‘Gosh,’ she murmured. ‘That’s a man-size meal.’ She looked up at her two strapping boys, tears of love threatening. ‘But thank you, it’s such a lovely, lovely treat. You are good boys.’
‘We decided you needed feeding up, Mum,’ said Charlie, going a bit pink as she kissed him. ‘So you’ve got to eat it all.’
‘Happy Christmas, Mum,’ said Bob, planting a kiss on her cheek. ‘And don’t worry about Daisy, we’ll keep her busy until you’re ready to come down.’
They closed the door behind them and Peggy nestled against the pillows to tuck into the delicious breakfast, wondering if they’d given her this treat because they remembered their father doing the same thing every Christmas and birthday morning, and wanted to somehow make up for his absence.
She smiled at Jim’s photograph on the bedside chest. ‘Happy Christmas, darling,’ she murmured, blowing him a kiss and raising her mug of tea. ‘Here’s hoping we’ll be together long before the next one.’
Almost an hour later Peggy was bathed, dressed and ready to join the fray. She was wearing her favourite yellow dress with a thick white knitted cardigan, the gold filigree necklace and earrings Jim had sent her from India, and the garnet ring he’d entrusted to Ron to give her on the first wedding anniversary they’d had to spend apart. She’d added a dash of lipstick and some powder as it was a special occasion, and hurried down to see what was happening in her kitchen.
The turkey was very nearly cooked, and the boys had prepared all the vegetables. Cordelia was clearly in charge of the Christmas pudding which was now steaming nicely on the hob, and Danuta was instructing Daisy on how to wrap the sausages in rashers of bacon to put in with the roast potatoes and parsnips which would go in an hour before dishing up.
Peggy found that she had very little to do, so she lit a cigarette, made tea for everyone and then tuned the wireless in to the church service being transmitted from Winchester Cathedral. As the lovely sound of the choir filled the warm, deliciously scented room, it really began to feel like Christmas, and Peggy relaxed, determined to enjoy every moment so she could write and tell Jim all about it.
The morning sped past, with Stanislaw arriving by taxi armed with some of the bottles of champagne that Martin and Roger had smuggled over from one of their flights to France. Frank brought a huge pot of winkles and whelks for tea and looked very smart in a tweed jacket and twill trousers, and Peggy noticed he’d had a haircut and was looking rather chipper for a man whose wife had deserted him.
Betty and Brendon brought bottles of wine and had dressed baby Joseph in a scarlet and white knitted romper suit with a matching bobble hat which made him more adorable than ever. Bertie Double-Barrelled brought a box of cigars for the men, a lump of cheese and two bottles of very good port. Ron and Rosie arrived armed with beer and gin, the collars of the two dogs adorned with red and green ribbon bows. And last but never least, Jack Smith brought a cooked joint of beef for the Boxing Day buffet, a sack of potatoes and two pounds of carrots and two cauliflowers.
All the presents had been placed beneath the tree in the dining room, and Daisy was in a fever of excitement as she sat by them and tried to guess which ones were hers and what could be in them.
Ron had just begun to carve the turkey when the telephone rang. Peggy dashed into the hall and had to plug one ear against the noise coming from the dining room where Stanislaw was regaling them all with one of his tall stories.
‘Hello?’
‘Happy Christmas, Mum,’ said Cissy. ‘I’m sorry I can’t make it down, but I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you all.’
‘Oh, darling, thank you. We miss you, but do understand you must be very busy up there.’
‘It’s absolutely hectic,’ she replied. ‘With all the parties going on, we’re non-stop from morning until very late. I’m exhausted, if the truth be told, but it’s all so exciting, Mum. London really is spiffing at this time of year.’
Peggy smiled at her daughter’s plummy tones. ‘Did you get the present I sent? I’m sorry it’s not much, but there’s so little choice in the shops.’
‘The blouse is absolutely lovely,’ Cissy enthused. ‘I’m actually wearing it now with a black skirt and jacket.’ She paused for breath. ‘I’m terribly lucky, because I’ve had some really super presents this year, so really feel guilty about not being with you all. Dad sent me the most amazing red and gold silk wrap from Singapore which will look quite stunning with the new dress I bought in Harrods.’
Peggy raised an eyebrow. Harrods indeed. Her daughter certainly knew how to spend her hard-earned money.
‘Will you thank Grandad and Rosie for my lovely earrings – and Anne for the absolutely spiffing gloves. They’re all beautiful, and every time I wear them I shall think of you all.’
The pips started. ‘I have to go, sorry, Mum. Have a lovely day and give my love to everyone.’
Peggy smiled as she replaced the receiver. Cissy was happy with her new life – that was all that really mattered – and she’d cared enough to make the call, so she wasn’t lost to them, just on loan to the bright lights of London for a while.
The lunch was a noisy, very jolly affair as they ate the delicious food, drank copiously, pulled crackers and wore the paper hats Peggy and Danuta had made. Baby Joseph joined in the racket by banging a spoon on the high-chair tray, his paper hat over his eyes. Harvey and Monty had been surreptitiously treated to bits of turkey, sausage and ham by Ron, and when it was clear there would be no more, flopped down on the rug in front of Ron’s seasoned applewood fire which Bob had lit earlier.
After lunch the presents were handed out and soon the floor was littered with paper and string and bits of ribbon which Joseph crawled through in great delight. Daisy had been given a doll’s pram and she had to be forestalled from trying to put Joseph in it, and to avoid a temper tantrum, was distracted by Charlie showing her how to spin her top properly.
Bob and Ron pushed back the table and chairs and Frank started the gramophone so everyone could dance. Ron grabbed Rosie and swung her onto the floor, as Bertie led Cordelia in a stately foxtrot. Charlie jigged about with Daisy in his arms as Bob took Danuta onto the floor for a jive. Brendon danced with Betty, their son between them, while Frank and Jack kept Stanislaw company over the remaining cheese, crackers and port.
Peggy’s heart was full as she gazed with love and pride at the sons she and Jim had made together. Seeing them enjoying the first Beach View Christmas for years was something she’d dreamed about, and although Jim couldn’t be here, it was as if he was present in those two boys who looked so very like him.
25
The festive season had been exhausting, but great fun as Beach View rang with the sound of children, music and the happy voices of friends and family each day. Peggy had been in her element, delighting in being mother and grandmother again, and catching up with everyone’s news. It had been a real treat to see how motherhood had made Suzy blossom, and her new baby girl was utterly adorable and looked just like her.
The day after Boxing Day there had been an excited telephone call from Robert to say that Fran had just delivered a son, Peter, and mother and baby were doing very well. And then on New Year’s Eve, Gloria had rung from the Crown, almost incoherent with joy as Ivy and Andy were now the proud parents of Eve, who’d come early that morning. Peggy felt as if she’d become a grandmother all over again now two of her precious chicks had little ones of their own.
The celebrations were now over and January was its usual anti-climax, for the new year of 1946 had dawned with the same dreary wet weather as the old one, with nothing much to look forward to since February and March would no doubt be just as depressing. The household bills had come in, work had begun again, the schools were back, and all in all, Peggy was feeling rather deflated.
She watched the rain come down from her kitchen window that mid-January Sunday lunchtime and wondered if it would ever stop, but at least now she had her twin-tub washing machine, she could guarantee her washing would be dry and ready for ironing every Saturday.
She turned from the window and finished her solitary lunch, thinking sadly how much she missed Bob now that he’d returned to Somerset. Daisy and Charlie missed him too, for he was a very dear, thoughtful, caring young man, and they’d all loved having him here. He would come back one day – probably to welcome his father home and stay a while – but she knew his heart was really with the farm, and that was where he would make his life.
Peggy washed up her soup bowl and mug with the wireless on for company. It was peaceful in the house, for Anne had taken Daisy off for the day to play with Rose and Emily at the cottage; Charlie was upstairs doing his homework now the new term had started; Cordelia was out to have lunch with Bertie, and Danuta was with Stanislaw. Danuta’s workload had been eased considerably now a third district nurse had been taken on, and she’d been looking much brighter and less tired lately.
Peggy smiled while she dried the china and stacked it away in her lovely new cupboards. She guessed this healthy glow was down to the way Danuta’s strong feelings for Stanislaw were reciprocated, but she did worry that the girl would be taking on rather a lot if she married him. Stan wasn’t the easiest of men to persuade to take things slowly and be patient, but at least he’d cut down on the drinking, and was looking healthier for it.
As yet, there had been no engagement announcement, but Peggy suspected it would come as soon as Stan was released from Cliffe and could lead a more independent life. His ability to walk unaided was improving by the day, so much so that he’d taken Danuta to a dance on New Year’s Eve and managed a short turn round the floor which had thrilled them both. There was little doubt he adored Danuta, but how on earth would he be able to provide for her? Surely he wasn’t really contemplating getting back into a cockpit again?
Peggy set these worries aside when she heard the knock on the front door. Whipping off her apron, she hurried to see who was calling on this murky Sunday afternoon. When she saw the telegram boy on the step and the brown envelope in his hand, she felt light-headed and had to steady herself against the door jamb. She’d been here before, and really didn’t know how she’d cope if it was bad news from Jim.
‘Sorry, missus,’ the boy said, the rain dripping from his cap. ‘Is there a reply?’
She took a deep breath and ripped open the envelope. Reading the few words, she gave a screech of joy, grabbed the startled boy and hugged him. ‘Thank you, thank you,’ she babbled, tears of happiness rolling down her face. ‘You can’t possibly know what this means to me.’
He looked at her warily as he disentangled himself, straightened his cap and dug in his bag for his notebook. ‘Is there a reply, missus? Only I got to get on.’
‘Yes. Tell him, “I can’t wait, stop. Love you, stop. Peggy, stop.”’ She scrabbled for her purse which she’d left on the hall table and found the appropriate money. Adding a few coppers as a tip, she grinned as the boy dashed off down the steps and disappeared round the corner. ‘He must think I’m absolutely potty,’ she giggled.
She closed the front door and read the telegram again, hardly daring to believe it could be true. But there it was, as clear and definite as it could be.
Home by May * Love you * Jim
‘Oh, Jim,’ she breathed, sinking onto the hall chair. ‘Such wonderful, wonderful news. You must be over the moon.’
Realising she didn’t have to keep this to herself, she leapt from the chair and bounded up the stairs two at a time, ran along the landing and raced up the second flight.
‘Charlie! Charlie!’ she called breathlessly.
He shot out of his bedroom, his face drawn with anxiety. ‘What’s the matter, Mum?’
She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but had the breath for neither. ‘Your dad’s coming home,’ she managed to gasp, clutching at his sweater. ‘He’s coming home in May, Charlie. Isn’t that wonderful?’
‘Whoopie!’ Charlie grabbed her round the waist and danced her along the landing before swinging her off her feet and planting a kiss on her cheek. ‘Did he say what date? Which port will he be coming into?’ He set her back down and had to steady her.
Peggy felt quite giddy with it all and, unable to speak, handed him the telegram.
‘This calls for a celebration,’ he said decisively. ‘Get your coat, Mum. We’re going to the Anchor to tell Grandad.’
‘I’ll leave a note for Cordy to let her know where we are and why,’ she said, already halfway down the stairs. ‘And I should really telephone Frank, Anne and Doris.’
‘We’ll do all that from the Anchor,’ said Charlie, thumping down the stairs behind her as he dragged on his heavy school winter coat.
Peggy left a scribbled note for Cordelia and Danuta on the kitchen table, dragged on her coat, outdoor shoes and hat and snatched up an umbrella before following Charlie out into the teeming rain.
She ran as if she had wings on her heels, her heart so light and full of happiness, she barely noticed the rain any more. It wasn’t until she arrived breathlessly at the side door of the Anchor that she remembered she could have driven here, and burst out laughing.
‘Are you all right, Mum?’ Charlie asked, frowning.
‘I’m absolutely fine,’ she assured him, ‘but if we don’t get indoors we’ll both drown.’
Charlie pushed through the door, and they were greeted by the two delighted dogs. ‘Grandad! Rosie!’ he shouted up from the dark, narrow hall.
‘What the divil’s the matter?’ Ron appeared in the upstairs doorway looking dishevelled as he tucked his unbuttoned s
hirt into his trousers and blocked their progress.
‘Jim’s coming home,’ said Peggy excitedly, and then realised in horror that they must have disrupted Ron and Rosie’s canoodling. ‘Sorry if we’ve disturbed you, Ron,’ she babbled. ‘But it’s such fantastic news we had to come and share it.’
Ron’s disgruntled expression disappeared into a broad grin. ‘Ach, to be sure that’s grand, so it is. Come up, come up and dry off by the fire.’
He fumbled to fasten his shirt properly and shouted to Rosie. ‘Come away and hear this, Rosie, me darling. Charlie and Peggy are here with news of our Jim.’
Rosie appeared wrapped in a thick dressing gown, her hair mussed, face clean of make-up. ‘What on earth’s going on?’ she asked, attempting to tidy her hair.
‘It’s our Jim,’ said Ron, taking her hand. ‘He’s coming home in May.’
Rosie gathered Peggy to her and gave her a hug. ‘Oh, Peggy, that’s the best news ever.’ She drew back and tightened the belt on the dressing gown as she noticed Charlie admiring her cleavage. ‘You’ll have to excuse my appearance, but we were having a lie-in as it’s Sunday.’
‘Go and get dressed while I fetch everyone a drink,’ said Ron with a loving pat on her bottom. He grinned and winked at Charlie. ‘Come on, wee boy, let’s raid the bar.’
‘Before you do that, can I telephone the others to let them know?’
‘Of course. You didn’t have to ask, Peggy girl,’ he said expansively before clumping down the stairs with Charlie and the dogs.
By the time Cordelia arrived with Bertie, Danuta and Stanislaw, the party had moved down to the bar and was in full swing. Daisy and her little cousins were dressing the patient and rather long-suffering dogs in doll’s clothes while Joseph slept in his pram. Betty, Rosie, Anne and Doris had taken over the bar stools, while the men tried to outdo each other with their war stories as they huddled over their beers in the corner by the inglenook. Rosie had thought to ring Gloria so she could celebrate not only Jim’s homecoming but the new baby, and she’d bumped into Jack who’d been on his way to Beach View, so of course he’d joined in.
