The Foyles Bookshop Girls

by Elaine Roberts

  Alice took off her white apron, while Charles held up her coat, for her arms to slip into. She buttoned it up and slid her arm through his, her hand gripping the rough wool of his black jacket. ‘I can't believe you’re here.’ Alice giggled. ‘Mother will be so thrilled and shocked to see you. We’ve only just heard from Robert, the only letter since he joined up. I thought he’d forgotten all about us.’

  Charles gave Alice a sombre look. ‘Don't judge him. It's not how we all thought it was going to be. A bloke I met thought he’d be able to meet some French girls; actually, so did I.’ He gave a shallow laugh. ‘He was shocked, to say the least, because we never saw much, outside of a trench, except when we were charging at the enemy and being shot at.’

  Alice nodded. ‘At least you’ve survived it all.’

  Charles gave a long low sigh. ‘Yes.’ His voice thickened. ‘He didn't survive it, so I suppose I’m one of the lucky few, although at times it hasn't felt that way.’

  Alice could feel the tears pricking behind her eyelids, as she quickly blinked. She repeatedly shook her head. ‘I can’t begin to comprehend what you’ve been through.’ She closed her eyes and sucked in her breath. ‘I come to this station most days, to either take the injured to hospital or,’ she gave a little laugh, ‘feed the soldiers tea and cake.’ Her eyes became cloudy as she looked at her brother. ‘But either way, I’ve heard some horror stories, although most of the time, the men act with great bravado and bravery.’

  Charles gave a little chuckle. ‘I can imagine. I suspect most of them probably haven't seen a pretty girl for a long time, so you’ll be a sight for sore eyes.’

  Alice smiled. ‘I can't wait for everyone to see you.’

  Charles closed his eyes for a moment and lifted his face to the sun, soaking in the warmth of the early summer. He looked around at the fine architecture of the tall buildings, seeing everything with new eyes. The barren landscape he had grown used to seemed a long way from the intimidating tall buildings and the general hubbub of people going about their business. It no longer seemed the colourful, exciting place to be. The ladies they passed were mainly dressed in brown or black uniforms. Women police officers walked along the street in pairs, some nodding as they walked by. He shook his head; things had changed for everyone. ‘I had forgotten how noisy London is. If you took away the gunfire and bombs exploding, you could’ve heard a pin drop, on the front line.’

  Alice glanced around, trying to see everything through his eyes. ‘You are here now.’

  ‘I don't know how long I’ll be here for.’ Charles squeezed her hand with his arm. ‘I need to check in with the regiment and the hospital.’

  ‘But,’ Alice's eyes widened, ‘they have you as missing, so you could stay here with us. They don't need to know you’re home.’

  ‘What, hide me in the attic?’ Charles laughed. ‘I’d be lying if I said it wasn't tempting, but this isn't about me or you, Alice, it's about the greater good and the men that have already died. If we give up, they’ll have given their lives for nothing.’

  They walked slowly down Bloomsbury Street. Alice bit her lip. ‘You know, once the family have got over the excitement of having you home, they’re going to want to know why you didn't write, to let us know you were safe.’

  Charles laughed. ‘Nothing really changes, does it?’

  Alice shook her head. ‘I know you’ve had a hard time but, for very different reasons, it’s also been hard for us. When you stand on the train station and watch all the women waiting and hoping, it breaks your heart.’

  Charles nodded. ‘I suppose; I never really thought about it.’

  Alice laughed. ‘And there’s no reason why you should have. It’s more important that your focus is on you and staying alive.’ She paused. ‘I’m just trying to prepare you for the questions that will inevitably come.’

  ‘The truth is, I don't really know what happened.’ He paused for a moment, staring down at the pavement. ‘The last thing I remember is Freddie falling on me; I think he saved my life.’

  Alice could feel her eyes filling up. She came to an abrupt standstill, jerking Charles backwards. ‘Does that mean he's…’ She gulped hard. ‘Dead?’

  Charles took a deep breath and stared at his sister. ‘I don't know what it means.' He pulled in his lips tight for a moment. ‘When I came round, I was lying in a barn, on some straw. I don't even know how I got there. There was an old guy with a pitchfork who used to come in every day, and I felt certain he was going to stick it in me. It was terrifying. I didn't speak French and they didn't speak English, so communication between us wasn't great, but they nursed and fed me, before getting me to England. I owe them and Freddie for my life.’

  Alice slowly nodded. No words would come, as she watched the emotions chase each other across his face.

  Charles glanced at Alice with watery eyes, as he pulled her forward. ‘Freddie will be back. He has to be, even if it's only so I can thank him.’

  ‘He has a son.’

  Charles stopped dead. ‘What?’

  A tear tripped over her lashes. ‘He has a son, Arthur.’ She wiped her eyes. ‘You’re an uncle.’

  His eyes filled up. ‘Wow, I can't believe it. I'm an uncle.’ He pulled her towards him and held her tight. ‘I’ll make it my job to find Freddie; he's alive, I know he is.’

  He stepped back and they walked on in silence for a moment.

  ‘How old is Arthur? Oh wait, I can probably work it out.’ Charles laughed.

  Alice couldn't help joining in. How she’d missed her brother. ‘He's almost six months old. Mrs Headley and Lily delivered him.’

  ‘Gosh.’ Charles smiled. ‘Lily must have settled down; no more demonstrating then.’

  Alice's eyes sparkled as she looked at him. ‘Oh, are you in for a shock.’

  ‘What?’ His eyes clouded over as they came to a standstill, outside their home. ‘She's all right, isn't she?’

  Alice laughed. ‘She's a policewoman.’

  Charles looked stunned for a moment, before breaking into a hearty laugh. They walked up to the front door and Alice inserted her key, quietly turning it in the lock.

  Alice gently pushed the door open and a strong aroma of coffee greeted them. She turned to Charles and put a finger on her lips. ‘I’ve a surprise for you all,’ Alice yelled out, before she had walked through the front door. ‘I hope you’re sitting down.’ She ran down the hall and into the sitting room, where Sarah was just rising to her feet. Her father looked up from the small writing desk he had recently bought. Lily was already wrapping her knitting around the needles she was holding. ‘I think you need to sit down for this, Mother.’ Alice laughed. ‘Trust me on this one, you are all going to love it.’

  Sarah frowned, but lowered herself back into the armchair. ‘You look too happy for it to be bad news.’

  Alice grinned as she waited for her mother to get comfortable. ‘A surprise isn't bad news, and I’ve already told you, you’ll love it.’ She clapped her hands together and did little jumps on the spot, as the excitement became too much to bear.

  Sarah laughed. ‘Oh yes, you’re quite right, how silly of me.’

  ‘What is it?’ Lily asked, a smile spreading across her thin features. ‘It must be big for you to be this excited.’

  ‘Stay there,’ Alice instructed everyone, as she briskly walked into the hallway. She grabbed Charles' hand and pulled him into the sitting room. ‘Ta da.’ Her arms made an exaggerated introductory movement towards her brother.

  Sarah's hand rested on her chest, as she gasped for breath. ‘I can't believe it.’ She quickly stood up, as he bounded towards her. ‘Charles, is that really you?’

  Lily's eyes widened, as she stared at the man who had walked through the doorway. She jumped up and grabbed Alice's arm, as her vision became blurred.

  He wrapped his arms around his mother. They clung to each other. She didn't notice the jacket scratching her skin, as she sobbed into it. Charles pulled away and stared at her. �
��It’s unbelievably wonderful to be home.’ He pulled her back in his arms. ‘Don't cry.’ He rubbed his hand up and down her back. ‘I’m here now, safe and sound.’

  Unable to contain herself any longer, Lily threw herself on them both. Her arms stretched around them. ‘I can't believe it. Thank God you’re safe.’

  Alice smiled, as she watched them all laugh and cry at the same time. She noticed pain flicker across Charles' face, but he never said anything. She tightened her lips; perhaps she should have warned them about his arm. Alice glanced over at her father, who was also on his feet smiling. The sheet of paper was screwed up in a ball, on his desk.

  Charles pulled back from Sarah and Lily, his eyes feasting on them, before he turned. ‘Hello, Father.’ He frowned as he looked at the man grinning, not knowing what he expected from him. Charles wanted a hug, but he assumed he’d prefer a handshake. He stepped towards him and held out his hand.

  His father looked down at Charles' hand.

  Alice held her breath. His smile had vanished and her father's expression was unreadable.

  ‘I don't want to shake your hand.’ Luke looked tight lipped at Charles as he dropped his hand. ‘I want a hug.’

  Luke pulled Charles into his arms. ‘I am so sorry,’ he whispered. ‘Thank God you are alive.’ His arms tightened around his youngest son. ‘I am so proud of you.’

  Charles' throat tightened. He tried to take a deep breath and swallow, but a lump had formed.

  Luke pulled back. ‘Not because of the war, but because you are my son.’ He snatched him back into his arms and squeezed tight.

  Charles tried to hold back his tears, but failed.

  *

  ‘Do you feel better for your bath?’ Luke couldn't take his eyes off his son. His face was gaunt, although his frame had filled out, and he appeared to have lost the boyish charm the ladies had loved. His tanned features looked older and etched with pain.

  ‘Much, thank you.’ Charles sat in the nearest armchair and looked around the sitting room. Nothing had changed, yet for him everything had changed. He looked down, wondering if he’d ever fit into his family's lives again.

  Luke watched Sarah. She hadn't stopped smiling since Charles had walked through the door. He looked across at him. He was blankly staring into his teacup, while his mother and sisters chatted around him.

  ‘Charles.’ Lily stood in front of her brother, holding a plate of biscuits. ‘You were miles away.’ She put the plate down on the side table next to his armchair, before kneeling at his feet. ‘I'm sorry. I’ve been wittering on. Are you all right?’

  Charles mustered up the smile everyone expected from him. ‘Of course; why wouldn't I be? I'm home, drinking cups of tea.’ He picked a plain biscuit from the plate. ‘And I'm about to eat this.’ He laughed, but his eyes were dead.

  Alice glanced at her brother. ‘Would you like to meet your nephew?’

  ‘Most definitely.’ Charles placed his cup down on the table. ‘Where is he?’

  ‘Stay there and I'll bring him to you.’ Alice jumped up from her seat and walked out of the room.

  Lily twisted round on the floor. ‘Arthur is lovely. I helped deliver him, you know.’ Everyone laughed. ‘What?’

  Charles' laughter gradually faded away. ‘I’ve missed you all so much.’

  The sitting room door gave the inevitable squeak, as Alice pushed it open with her elbow. Arthur sat up, proud in her arms.

  ‘Can I help introduce him to Uncle Charles?’ Lily stretched out her hands to take him.

  Alice shook her head and laughed. ‘It's about time you found your own man and had a baby, then I might get to keep mine for more than ten minutes at a time.’

  Lily smiled at her sister. ‘That's a little bit difficult these days. In case you hadn't noticed, all the eligible bachelors are off fighting the Germans. We weren't all lucky enough to find a good man before it started.’

  The room fell silent.

  Luke stood up. ‘Perhaps it should be Grandpa that holds him first.’

  Shocked, Alice moved her attention to her father.

  ‘What do you say Arthur, are you going to come to Grandpa?’

  Arthur giggled at Luke, as he spoke in a musical voice. He took him and held him close. Soap and talcum powder wafted around him. Arthur fidgeted to be free, so he could try to crawl around the room. Luke sat down, before putting him down by his feet. ‘Go on then little man, be free.’ He laughed as Arthur stared at him, with his big wide eyes.

  Alice sat on the arm of Charles' chair and tapped her brother's leg. ‘Do you know who this is?’

  Arthur's gaze bounced from Alice to Charles. His arms stretched up to her. She picked him up and sat him on her lap. ‘This is your Uncle Charles.’

  Arthur clapped his hands and shouted. They all laughed, mainly because no one understood what he was saying. He reached forward. His hands gripped Charles' trouser leg.

  ‘Do you want to come and say hello?’ Charles frowned. ‘Erm, I could use some help here. What do you do with babies?’

  Lily smiled. ‘He likes it if you talk in a sing-song voice.’

  Charles arched an eyebrow. ‘Oh yes; I wouldn't feel an idiot doing that, would I?’

  Luke stared at his son. ‘There's no need to feel an idiot. You are among family.’

  Charles nodded.

  Alice laid a hand on her brother's lower arm. ‘Just let him take the lead. He’ll soon let you know if he isn't happy.’

  ‘Hello, little one. I'm your Uncle Charles and I'm going to be your favourite.’ Charles smiled as Arthur gurgled and shuffled further onto his lap.

  Lily laughed. ‘You can't possibly be, because that's me.’

  Charles stroked Arthur's hand and the little fingers clasped his. ‘Well, Arthur, your aunt has to prepare to lose her crown.’ His face softened, as his eyes became watery. ‘Such innocence.’

  Arthur yawned, before snuggling into his uncle's chest.

  ‘It looks like it’s time for his afternoon nap,’ Alice said. ‘He has snuggled in very nicely, thank you very much.’

  ‘Charles.’ Luke coughed, while he seemingly examined the carpet. ‘I shall be going to the hospital shortly.’ He looked directly at him. ‘I wondered if you would like to come with me?’ He watched his son's head jerk back and he swore his body tensed.

  ‘Here, let me take him upstairs for a sleep.’ Alice gently lifted Arthur, making sure his head was resting on her shoulder, as she carried him to bed.

  ‘Is there…’ Charles took a deep breath. ‘Is there something wrong?’

  ‘No, no.’ Luke stood up and gazed blindly out of the window. ‘I visit patients nearly every day.’ He turned to face Charles. ‘Alice suggested, rather heatedly I might add, that it was something I could do to help, and I have to say she was right. I just wondered if you would like to join me?’

  ‘He’s only just come home,’ Sarah admonished. ‘Why would he want to go to the hospital and see all that pain and suffering?’

  Luke shrugged his shoulders, before shaking his head. ‘Sarah, our sons have already seen all the pain and suffering. This will help him see that some come home and survive. Admittedly, they are not the same men that went away. That will take time, if they ever get back to it at all.’ He thrust his hands deep into his trouser pockets and turned back to the window.

  Charles stared down at his hands, clasped together in his lap. ‘When I went away to war, it was exciting. I thought I was going to be back in a few months. It hasn't turned out that way and I’ve prayed more in the last eighteen months than I have in my whole life.’ His throat tightened and tears pricked at his eyes. The sniffing into a handkerchief made him glance up at his mother. ‘I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.’ He turned to his father, who was staring at him. ‘Thank you. I’d love to go with you.’

  Chapter 26

  Alice's feet were aching. She eyed the old wooden chair, which stood adjacent to her counter at Foyles. It looked inviting. Did she dare to sit for f
ive minutes? She looked around and there was no sign of Mr Leadbetter. Alice flopped down on the chair and straightened her legs, wriggling her toes inside her black court shoes. Looking up, she glanced at her counter and the stack of books waiting to be collected. She had written out a lot of bill payment slips, but they were mainly for second-hand, rather than new books. Her mind wandered to Robert's letter and Charles being home. Things had changed for them both, so if, ‘no when’ a voice screamed in her head, Freddie came home, would he be a different man to the one she fell in love with?

  ‘Excuse me.’

  Alice looked up.

  ‘I'm sorry to disturb you.’ A young woman stood at the counter. ‘But I wondered if you could help me.’

  It took a few seconds for Alice to digest the words. ‘Of course.’ She stood up, despite the pulsating of her aching feet. ‘I'm sorry, what can I do for you?’

  ‘I’d like to buy a second-hand book for my five-year-old niece. Is there anything you can recommend?’ The customer’s friendly smile readily appeared.

  Alice returned her smile. ‘Come with me and I'll take you to someone who can help you.’ She led the lady to the children's section, and Molly's capable hands.

  Alice returned to her counter and began tidying up the shelves that stood behind her. She sighed as she perched on the edge of the wooden chair again. Her mother had been right about being back amongst the many books the shop held. She never tired of the musty smell or the smokiness that some of them carried, where they’d been stored in people's homes. If they could talk, each one would have its own story of how it ended up in Foyles, whether second hand or new. Alice took a couple of deep breaths, before slowly standing up to tidy the books on the shelves. She ran her rag over the spines and covers, not giving the dust time to settle. The temptation to buy more books was as overwhelming as ever, but she had to refrain from spending her money. The savings were steadily growing, so when the war was over and Freddie came home for good, they’d have enough to buy their own place. Her mind kept drifting back to her father, and how he had acted so out of character. She found herself running over it, time and time again. She frowned as she tried to remember if he had ever hugged her before.