by Rosie Clarke
‘I was hungry,’ Marco said appreciatively, enjoying the taste of the delicious food. ‘It was quite a walk to the hospital.’
‘You saw my little Maggie?’
‘Yes, she was taking a break and we talked – she is a sensible young woman and told me I had no need to seek her out. She would not have told anyone for she understood my secret.’
Marie nodded, pleased. She’d known it all along, but he had wanted to make certain of Maggie’s loyalty, as much for her own sake as his.
‘So tonight, Jacques will come to the old mill – it is derelict since Paulinus died and his sons went away to foreign parts. He will wait for you there from ten to eleven and if you do not come, he will return for two nights.’
‘I shall be there,’ Marco said. ‘I thought I should have to go to him.’
‘He knows me,’ Marie replied with a nod of satisfaction. ‘So, you will meet and talk – and then what?’
‘I’m not sure,’ Marco replied. ‘They want me to set up a new cell to carry on Pierre’s work, men we can be certain of – but it needs willing young men.’
‘I am sure there are plenty who will be ready to do whatever your Government wants, but I meant what of you, Marcel? Will you stay on – or return to England?’
‘They left that up to me.’ Marco frowned. ‘I think I might stay – if the cell wants me. I could be a go-between and I’m ready to do more, but I won’t endanger the population unnecessarily, unless everyone agrees that whatever we do is necessary for the good of France and the Allies.’
‘You have a conscience, Marcel,’ Marie said and frowned. ‘Sometimes, you have to do things that God may weep for – but if they must be done, they must be done. We must all do what is necessary to protect those we love, Marcel.’
‘I would always do that,’ he agreed, ‘but there are times when our actions may help the war effort and yet bring pain and grief to our friends and neighbours. Tell me, Marie, what do I do then?’
‘You must speak to God in your heart and do what your conscience tells you is more important,’ she told him. ‘Sometimes, that will cause grief – but you have no choice.’
Marco nodded, his expression grim. He would make contact that evening with Jacques and for the next few weeks he would work to set up a group of resistance fighters. After that, he would decide whether to work with them or return to England for further orders. The future was hazy and he could not see beyond the next few weeks – he might be killed before his work was done, but he was prepared to give his life, as Pierre had been. However, he would make certain that the mother of Pierre’s baby would be financially secure.
Marco was not a wealthy man, but his French grandparents had left him some jewellery and paintings, which were in his apartment at home. He would make a will and leave those to Ben Harper, his best friend. He had eight thousand pounds invested in shares and bonds and five hundred pounds in the bank. He would leave six thousand five hundred pounds to Sadie and the rest to Maggie Gibbs. He would send the will to his lawyer in England by special courier and he would leave a copy with Marie, in case the worst happened. If he survived the war, he would support Sadie and help her to bring up Pierre’s child.
38
‘I’m glad we decided to do this.’ Sally looked at her companions. She had booked a dinner for the four of them at an expensive hotel to celebrate Beth leaving to have a child and Jenni joining them. ‘I wish that Maggie could be with us as well – but my last letter from her said she was feeling much better and I feel she is with us in spirit.’
‘Yes, she is,’ Beth said and smiled at her across the table. ‘I know we all care for her and think of her often.’ She lifted her wine glass. ‘To Maggie – may she be happy, find a new love and come home safely.’
‘I shall drink to that,’ Rachel said and touched her glass to Beth’s and Sally’s. ‘We all have something to celebrate, don’t we?’ Her smile touched on Beth and Sally. ‘My William is out of hospital and home at last and feeling better; Beth is having her baby – and you’ve had a real success at Harpers, Sally. Not only that, you’ve helped so many wounded men find the courage to go on living.’ She smiled. ‘I visited the hospital yesterday and they showed me the new library you’d set up in the day room for the men. They said it was just what they needed.’
‘It was just something to help the tedium of their days. I do very little really, Rachel. I think you visit more often than I can.’ She smiled at Jenni. ‘And Jenni is a regular visitor too now. She has a list of consultants that she badgers, when necessary.’
‘Andrew is still the best in my opinion,’ Jenni said and smiled. ‘However, I don’t let him know that.’ Her eyes twinkled with mischief. She still had times when the sadness was in her eyes, but she was recovering her old self, little by little.
‘We all do what we can in our own small ways,’ Sally said. ‘I know I couldn’t do half of what I manage if it weren’t for all of you?’ Her gaze moved over the faces of her closest friends. She lifted her glass. ‘Shall we drink to all Harpers’ heroes? Marco and Maggie and all the others out there. Whoever they are and wherever they are at this moment? We know they are doing what they have to do to keep us all safe and we love them all.’
‘Yes, we do,’ Beth replied, ‘but Maggie most of all.’
‘We’ll drink to the day they all come marching home,’ Rachel said. ‘My William is out of the fighting now so I’m lucky. He will be tied to a desk job in future because of his leg. He’s grumbling about it and I dare say his leg will ache in the wet weather, but I’m so glad he won’t be fighting again.’
‘Of course, you are,’ Beth said, smiling at her. ‘I’m glad you’ve got him home at last, Rachel. You had so little time together – you were married and then he was off to the war. Now at last you’ll be able to begin your proper life together.’
‘Yes, and I’m so excited,’ Rachel said. ‘It makes me feel a bit guilty, because I’m so happy and other people aren’t as lucky.’
‘William did his duty,’ Sally told her. ‘I’m not a bit ashamed to say that I’m glad Ben isn’t in a fighting unit. He might regret it, but I don’t, not at all.’ She looked at Beth. ‘You must worry so much when Jack is away, Beth…’
‘Yes, I do,’ Beth agreed, ‘but it is what he chose to do – and he is lucky enough to get home every few months when his ship docks for a refit or just to pick up new cargo. I consider myself lucky too – it’s girls like Marion, whose menfolk are in the Army and they don’t see them for months on end that I feel sorry for. Sometimes, when she comes to work in the morning, she looks so sad that I feel like putting my arms around her, but of course I don’t – it would just upset her.’
‘I know how you feel.’ Sally’s eyes clouded for a moment. ‘Ruth’s fiancé was wounded last month and she’s waiting for news of when he will be transferred back to England so that she can visit him.’
‘I think we all know someone who has a lover, husband, son or brother away,’ Rachel agreed. ‘That is why your contributions for the wounded had such marvellous results. Have you thought what your new campaign will be?’
‘Yes, I’m going to have a special day when every purchase in the store will contribute one shilling towards sending gifts to the nurses and the troops,’ Sally said. ‘I’m going to time it for a few weeks before Christmas and we’ll have special windows and a flag day too, collecting up and down Oxford Street – and every penny of that will go to the wounded.’ She smiled at her friends. ‘We’ll have special themes every week and lucky dips inside the store and raffle tickets and all the money we raise will go to the troops.’
‘Well, it looks as if Harpers is going to be busy.’ Beth gave a little sigh. ‘I shall be sorry to miss it all.’
‘You can pop in and see what we’re up to,’ Sally told her, ‘and we’ll be visiting you. I might give you a few small projects to do at home, if you feel like it…’
‘So, I’ll still be a part of it.’ Beth smiled. ‘Thank you, S
ally. I should like that; I know I have to rest for the sake of the baby and Jack is adamant that I mustn’t work after this week, but I’d like to be a part of things.’
‘You’ll always be a Harpers’ girl,’ Sally told her. ‘I shan’t let you slip away and be forgotten, Beth – or you, Rachel. You’re both my friends and I need you.’ Her smile caressed them both. She raised her wine glass again. ‘To friends and Harpers ’ girls.’
Rachel and Beth touched their glasses to hers. Rachel and Sally sipped their wine and Beth sipped her fruit juice.
‘To friends and Harpers’ girls,’ they said in unison. ‘And to the end of the war,’ Rachel added. ‘May it be soon…’
Ben was sleeping in his favourite armchair when Sally got home that evening; Jenny, peaceful and sound asleep on his lap. She bent down to kiss him, feeling a surge of happiness as he woke and smiled. She was so lucky to have the man she loved and all her friends.
For a moment she thought of Maggie and her loss, but then Ben gave her Jenny to hold and the grief for her friend eased. Maggie was brave and strong and Sally was certain she would come through – just as she hoped Mick, Marco, Jack and all the other heroes out there fighting for their loved ones would.
Surely the war would end one day and they would all come home again! In the meantime, she had to keep Harpers strong and viable so they all had their jobs when they did return.
Marion smiled at her sister-in-law as she nursed her baby that evening. Sarah looked so happy these days. Dan was back at sea, but she had stopped worrying if his letters didn’t arrive regularly. He’d told her he would be away for months so she wasn’t to worry.
‘I shan’t be able to write often and I can only send letters when we reach a port so don’t expect them, Sarah. Remember, no news is often good news, so just accept that I’m working and I’ll write when I can.’
His sensible talking had calmed her and she’d settled in happily with her husband’s family.
As for Marion, she was as content as she had ever been in her life, except for her own lack of regular letters. She continued to write to Reggie every week and to send him small parcels. Reggie had told her how welcome letters and parcels were to all the men.
It’s a big moment for all of us when the post arrives. It all gets spread out on a tarpaulin on the ground and put into piles. We line up and our names are called, but some of us can’t get there and then one of our mates brings us whatever comes.
They’re all a little jealous of how many letters and parcels I get, Marion love. They keep telling me I’m a lucky devil – and Pete – he’s a mate – asks me to read him my letters. He only gets one from his mother once a month and so I read him bits – not the private bits, but he likes to hear the news of what is going on back home. He says if I don’t know how lucky I am I can ask you to write to him instead, but I do and I wouldn’t change you or swap you for the world, Marion. I hope you know how much I love you – and long for the moment I can hold you in my arms…
‘What are you smiling about?’ Sarah asked suddenly, making Marion look up from her knitting.
‘I was just thinking of something Reggie said in his last letter.’ Marion sighed and tucked her knitting back in her bag. ‘Do you fancy a cup of cocoa, love?’
‘Yes, please, I’d love one,’ Sarah said and patted her baby gently on the back to bring up her wind. ‘I think I’ll… Oh…’ The reason she stopped was because someone had knocked at the door.
‘I’ll go,’ Kathy trilled and went to the door. ‘It will probably be…’ Her words died away as she saw the tall soldier standing there and then she laughed. ‘Oh, come in, our Marion will be right pleased to see you.’
Marion turned and looked at the man standing there staring at her, gave a cry of delight and rushed to him, throwing her arms around him, and was hugged tightly to his chest.
‘Reggie…’ she cried on a sobbing breath. ‘Oh, Reggie, why didn’t you let us know?’
‘I wasn’t told until the last minute, so I thought I might as well surprise you all,’ he said and grinned down at her. ‘Did you miss me, Marion love?’
‘You know I did,’ she said, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. ‘Oh, Reggie, it is so wonderful to have you home.’
‘It’s just for two weeks,’ he said, ‘and then I’ll have a new posting – somewhere different they reckon, but I don’t have to think about that now.’
‘Two weeks.’ Marion felt as if she was dreaming. She led him into the kitchen, never letting go of his hand. ‘This is Sarah – I told you about her…’
‘I’m pleased to meet you,’ Sarah said. ‘I’ll go upstairs and let you have a little time together. Come on, Kathy. You can help me get Pamela to bed.’
Kathy nodded and followed her from the room.
Reggie took Marion into his arms and looked down at her and then he kissed her. All his love and longing were in that kiss and she clung to him, looking up at him with her own love and longing.
‘I’ve missed you so much,’ he said huskily. He suddenly dropped to one knee, looking up at her passionately. ‘I want you to marry me, Marion – please say you will.’
‘Yes, I will,’ Marion said and hugged him as he rose and took her in his arms, holding her as if she would never let him go. ‘We’ll get a special licence and go away for a few days – I’ve got a few days’ holiday left and I’m sure Mrs Burrows will say I can have it off.’
‘You will?’ Reggie’s handsome face lit up with relief and pleasure. ‘That’s wonderful, Marion. I’ve spoken to Mum and she’ll put on a little spread for us – and if anything happened, she would look out for you…’
‘No, don’t,’ Marion said, putting her fingers to his lips softly. ‘Nothing will happen, Reggie. You’ve come back to me this time and you will again, I know it.’ She smiled up at him. ‘Sarah is Dan’s wife and he’s my nearest relative now. She’ll give her consent and we’ll be married. I want it as much as you and I’m not going to waste this chance.’
‘You’re wonderful,’ Reggie said and kissed her again. ‘Mum will be over the moon. She loves you, Marion, says you’re like a daughter to her already.’ He kissed her fingers one by one, his eyes caressing her and then he laughed. ‘Pete told me that if I was daft enough to come back without putting my ring on your finger, he was going to cut me out – I think he’s half in love with you himself…’
‘He doesn’t stand a chance,’ Marion said and looked up at him. She felt as if she were glowing with happiness. ‘I’ll go into work in the morning, Reggie. You make all the arrangements for Saturday at the Registry Office and then we’ll have the rest of your two weeks to ourselves.’
‘Yes, that will be just right,’ he said. ‘We’ll go away for a few days somewhere – perhaps to the seaside.’ He touched her cheek. ‘I’m a lucky chap…’
‘I’m lucky too,’ Marion said. ‘I can’t wait to tell them all at Harpers. I know they will be pleased for me, especially Mrs Burrows.’
Beth nodded and smiled as Marion poured out her exciting news the next morning.
‘I’m very happy for you, Marion,’ she said, breaking all the rules by using her given name. ‘It’s wonderful news that Reggie is home and you’re to marry. When I think of Maggie, I believe you’re wise to marry now and not wait – we should all take what happiness we can in these times.’
Marion nodded, her smile dimming a little at the mention of her friend Maggie. Maggie had waited and now she would never marry the man she loved. Marion wouldn’t do that – she would grab her chance of happiness with both hands.
‘You don’t think Mrs Harper will mind my being away for a few days?’
‘She will be delighted for you, Marion. She has big plans for later this year and I know she will be relying on you then, but you’ll be back – and Mrs Bailey will be your supervisor then, as you know. I’m leaving this weekend to put my feet up until the birth.’
‘Will you come to my wedding?’ Marion asked in a breathy voice.
‘Yes please, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ll be there – as soon as I finish up here. I know we’ll all wish you well, Marion. You are liked and admired at Harpers and you have a future here – so don’t think of giving up just because you’re married.’
‘Oh, I shan’t – at least, not until I have a family,’ Marion said, smiling happily. ‘Thank you so much for understanding, Mrs Burrows.’
‘Yes – well, back to your counter now, Miss Kaye. We are about to open the department… Miss Stockbridge, to your counter please…’
Beth nodded to the two younger girls and smothered a sigh. She was going to miss her work here, but it wouldn’t be the end of her being one of Harpers’ girls. She would help Sally with her efforts to raise funds for the troops and keep in touch. Perhaps one day she would be able to return to the store, if only part-time, but that was for the future. In the meantime, she had a baby to look forward to and that was so exciting that it overshadowed everything else.
When she thought of her coming child, even the war seemed to fade into the background. Beth was going to rest and look after herself, because she’d longed for this and now at last it was happening. Soon she would hold her baby in her arms. She would give Jack and Fred a new life – a life that would not replace the one lost but might help to ease their pain. Once there was the sound of a child’s laughter in the house, surely they could all be happy again.
Jack was still shutting a part of himself off from everyone, but perhaps when he held his son or daughter in his arms it would all come right…
‘It has to,’ Beth told herself. ‘Jack will be fine once he sees his child, I know he will.’
Maggie read the news in her letter from Beth. Marion had been married at last and she knew how much that meant to her friend. She felt a pang of regret that she had not been there to see her marry Reggie but then dismissed it. Maggie was needed here, as were all the nurses.
