The Foyles Bookshop Girls

by Elaine Roberts

  ‘Hello, miss.’

  Startled, Alice turned around. An old lady was grinning in front of her. Her time-ravaged face was lit up with a smile that showed off several crooked brown teeth with intermittent gaps, while her smoky-grey hair had been combed into soft curls. One gnarled, weathered hand held the edge of the wooden counter, while the other rested heavily on a walking stick. Her brown tweed coat was almost threadbare.

  ‘Good afternoon, and what can I do for you?’ Alice looked at her, wondering how warm her coat was, and why she looked familiar.

  ‘I don't expect you to remember me, but I remember you and the wonderful police sergeant who was so chivalrous to me. He made my day.’ The lady giggled. ‘Mind you, I did flirt outrageously with him.’

  Alice frowned for a moment, before the memory came flooding back. How things had changed. Tears glistened on her eyelashes. ‘Yes, I do remember you.’ She gave a watery smile. ‘You did flirt with him. I think you were trying to steal my man.’

  The old lady cackled. ‘He was very kind to me and, if I’d been forty years younger, you’d have had a fight on your hands.’ Her eyes twinkled. ‘You know, it stays with me, because it isn't something you witness every day; such kindness.’ She stared at Alice. All signs of the smile had vanished. ‘I suppose he's with all the other brave men, fighting the bloody Germans.’

  Words failed Alice. Her breath caught in her throat. She couldn't trust herself to speak. Tension formed a band around her chest.

  The old lady nodded. ‘I'll be glad when it's over; it's just wrecking lives and families. Do you write to him?’

  Alice nodded. ‘We got married,’ she whispered.

  ‘Ahh, is that why I haven't seen you in here for a while?’ The old lady leaned heavily on her stick. ‘I’ve been looking out for you, wondering where you were.’

  ‘That's very kind of you.’ Alice smiled. ‘It's nice to be missed.’

  The lady's eyes clouded over. ‘We all want to be missed by someone.’

  Alice wanted to ask if she’d be missed by anyone, but didn't. ‘I must admit, I’ve never really thought about it, but I suppose that's true.’

  The crooked teeth showed, as a smile spread across the lady's face. ‘I think it's something you think about more when you’re coming to the end of your time.’

  Alice shook her head and frowned at the woman standing in front of her. ‘Don't say things like that. You’ve many more years of flirting in you yet.’

  The old lady cackled loudly and customers looked around to see what was happening. ‘You could be right.’ She grinned as she turned to leave the shop. ‘Take care of yourself, young lady.’ She held up her hand to wave, as she hobbled forward. ‘I'm sure your man will be home soon.’

  Alice waved, but the lady didn't look back.

  Victoria caught Alice's attention and waved from the payment booth. ‘All right?’ she mouthed.

  Alice nodded and waved back, fighting the urge to cry.

  Molly gave a spluttering cough from behind one of the racks of shelving, stacked high with books. Her eyes flitted around, as she pulled at her neck. ‘Oi, old Leadbetter's on his way.’

  ‘Old Leadbetter's right behind you, Miss Cooper.’

  The deep voice made Molly jump, and the urge to fan her face told her she had gone a lovely shade of red. ‘Yes, sir, sorry, sir, I was just…’ She bit down on her lip.

  ‘I know what you were doing, but more importantly, I know what you weren't doing.’ Mr Leadbetter gave her a stern look, his jaw clenched tight.

  ‘Sorry, sir, I'll get on. It won't happen again, sir.’ Molly turned and quickly moved amongst the customers.

  Mr Leadbetter raised an eyebrow, as he tried to contain his laughter. He felt sure it would happen again, and probably before the shop shut that day. He strolled over to Alice. ‘Entertaining the customers, Mrs Leybourne?’

  Alice smiled. ‘Apparently, I’ve been missed, or at least Freddie has.’

  Mr Leadbetter glanced towards the entrance of the shop. ‘I don't know who she is, but she does come in here regularly; mind you, she doesn't always buy anything.’

  ‘Sometimes, people just want some company, sir. It must be hard, living on your own.’

  ‘I'm sure.’ Mr Leadbetter nodded. ‘How have you found coming back to work here?’ he asked, lowering his tone. ‘Is everything all right? You seem to have been miles away today.’

  Alice blushed as she picked up her rag and turned back to her dusting. ‘I’m fine, sir, quite tired, but it is good to be back.’

  Mr Leadbetter eyed her closely. ‘Who was that man yesterday, the one who caused the commotion by the door?’

  Alice blushed as she turned to face him. ‘Sorry, sir, that was my father.’ She took a deep breath. ‘There was a misunderstanding and he thought something had happened to me.’

  Mr Leadbetter raised his eyebrows. ‘No wonder he was agitated.’

  ‘Yes.’ Alice sighed. ‘I’ve never seen him act that way before. It was most out of character.’

  ‘That's what the war is doing to us. He must have thought it was serious.’

  ‘Apparently, there was an accident and he thought it was me driving the ambulance involved in it.’ She paused and looked up at him, wondering whether to apologise, but not wanting to.

  ‘Well, it caused a stir, but all’s well and that's the main thing.’

  Alice returned to her dusting.

  Mr Leadbetter started to walk away, but someone caught his eye. ‘Mrs Leybourne, you might as well pack up and have an early day. I think you are going to need it.’

  ‘I’ll be all right,’ Alice quipped, concentrating on the dusting.

  Mr Leadbetter sighed. ‘I'm sure you will, but I insist.’

  Alice looked round. Her eyes widened, as her gaze became full of wonderment. Her mouth dropped open. She dropped the rag, as her hand flew to her chest. She heard the yelp of a dog being trodden on; was that her? She took a step forward, but stopped. Her eyes didn't stray from the man in front of her. He was leaning heavily on a walking stick and his head was bandaged over one eye. She shook her head, in disbelief. ‘Is… is it true?’ Alice covered her face with her hands, squeezing her eyes shut. ‘Is… is it really you?’ Her voice shook and her body trembled.

  Freddie hobbled towards her. ‘Yes, it is.’

  Molly watched wide-eyed. Her mouth dropped open, just as her eyes glistened with unspent tears, she yelled, ‘Victoria.’

  Alice ran forward and threw her arms around him. His walking stick crashed to the ground, as he picked her up and swung her around. He trembled in her arms. Their heads clashed as their lips passionately sought each other's, over and over again. A groan escaped. He squeezed her tight, taking her breath away. His facial stubble scratched at her skin, but she didn't care. They cried and laughed at the same time. Their tears mingled, as they stayed wrapped in each other's arms.

  ‘I didn't think I was ever going to see you again,’ Freddie gasped.

  ‘Nor I,’ Alice whispered. She pulled back to look at him, but became aware that they had an audience who were cheering and clapping. The old grey-haired lady, with her crooked brown teeth, grinned at her, before turning to walk out of the shop.

  Mr Leadbetter gave her a rare smile. ‘I expect you want to go home now?’

  *

  Alice and Freddie walked slowly along Bloomsbury Street. Alice was bursting to tell him about Arthur. Every time the urge came over her, she bit down hard on her tongue until she could taste blood.

  ‘It's wonderful to be home.’ Freddie stopped to take in the buildings and the trees. ‘Everything feels so different. Perhaps tomorrow, we could sit in the park, any park, just so I can watch the world go by and admire the colourful flowers and blossom.’ He laughed. ‘I sound like a right one.’

  Alice smiled, as she rested her arm in his. ‘You can do whatever you want tomorrow. I can't believe you’re here.’

  ‘No, nor me.’ Freddie looked down at his walking stick. ‘Have
you had any news of Charles?’

  Alice followed his gaze, wanting to ask about the limp and the damage to his eye, but that could wait until tomorrow. She wanted to enjoy the little time they had together, before the family took over. ‘Oh yes. Sorry, with the shock and excitement of seeing you, I forgot to say, Charles is home.’ Alice paused. ‘He has to have an operation on his arm, but the main thing is he's alive. He says he owes you his life.’

  Freddie's face lit up. ‘Thank goodness he’s safe. I don't really have much recollection of what happened.’

  Alice laughed. ‘It doesn't matter, and maybe it's better that way.’ She squeezed his arm. ‘Charles doesn't remember much either. He said you saved his life by throwing yourself over him, but he remembers nothing after that.’

  Freddie's eyes clouded over. ‘You know, one thing I have learnt, war is about innocent people killing innocent people.’

  Alice looked up at him with troubled eyes. There were no words to offer reassurance. The black front door came into view. She wanted to help him forget. ‘I’ve a surprise for you.’

  Freddie looked down at her. His eyes had a distant look in them and his lips were set in a grim line.

  ‘You’ll love it.’ Alice cleared her throat. ‘At least, I hope you will.’ She pressed her lips together, as anxiety ran across her face.

  ‘It doesn't look like a pleasant surprise,’ Freddie whispered.

  They reached the front door. Alice turned to him. ‘I love you, Mr Leybourne, and don't you ever forget that.’ She leant in and kissed him. All fear and doubt was forgotten, as the butterflies in her stomach took control.

  Freddie pulled her in tight. His lips pressed hard on hers, as the urgency grew between them.

  Alice reluctantly pulled away, flushed with colour and her eyes full of passion.

  ‘I love you too.’ He smiled, wondering if they could book in somewhere for a couple of days.

  ‘Are you ready?’ Alice held his hand tight. She had no urge to let him go, ever again.

  ‘I was born ready. What did you have in mind, Mrs Leybourne?’ Freddie grinned, as Alice's colour became heightened.

  She shook his hand. ‘You'll see.’

  They stepped inside the house. Alice was tempted to sneak him upstairs for a few days, but they were not alone in the hallway.

  ‘Oh my God, Freddie.’ Charles blinked and rubbed his eyes. ‘I'm not hallucinating, am I?’

  Freddie laughed. ‘No, it's me.’

  Charles ran forward and hugged Freddie. ‘I can't believe it.’ He pulled back, to stare intently at his brother-in-law. ‘Thank God you’re all right. You are all right, aren't you?’

  Freddie laughed. ‘I'll live, and I'm certainly better off than most.’

  Charles nodded. ‘That's very true. It's good to see you, and to have you home, looking so well.’

  ‘Hopefully, things can only keep improving, although Alice said she had a surprise for me, but her face told me otherwise.’ Freddie laughed, as he turned to see Alice shaking her head at her brother. ‘What's going on?’

  Charles laughed as he stepped aside. ‘Nothing. My sister is warning me not to spoil things, that's all.’

  Freddie arched his eyebrows, giving them both a suspicious look. ‘Why don't I believe you?’

  Alice stepped forward. ‘Your leg must be aching; let's go into the sitting room.’

  Freddie laughed. ‘Mrs Leybourne, are you trying to change the subject?’

  ‘No.’ Alice grinned up at her husband. ‘I am trying to guide you to your surprise.’

  ‘Hmm, I'm not so sure.’ Freddie followed her into the sitting room.

  Alice immediately saw Arthur lying on the floor, happily kicking his arms and legs. She stepped aside, allowing Freddie to see inside the room.

  Freddie stepped inside and his mouth dropped open.

  Charles grabbed an armchair, manoeuvring it behind Freddie's legs, so he could drop into it.

  Alice's eyes filled with tears. ‘We have a son.’

  Freddie dropped like a stone, thankful for the chair behind him.

  Alice walked over to Arthur, who squealed with delight at seeing her. His arms and legs thrashed about with excitement. ‘He's called Arthur, after my great grandfather.’

  Freddie held out his arms.

  ‘Arthur, allow me to introduce you to your wonderful father.’ Alice placed him in Freddie's waiting arms.

  ‘I'm a father.’ He looked down at the boy that was staring at him intently. ‘Hello, Arthur.’ Tears rolled down Freddie’s cheeks.

  ‘I know I should have told you, but I wanted you to concentrate on looking after yourself, and not worrying about me or Arthur.’ Alice rambled; she had thought about this moment so many times.

  Freddie stroked Arthur's hand and kissed his forehead. ‘It doesn't matter.’ His gaze never moved from his son. ‘He is handsome.’

  Arthur gurgled and gripped his father's hand.

  Alice beamed at the pair of them. While she had stumbled a couple of times, she had kept her faith and now she felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

  Chapter 27

  The unfamiliar steady breathing, and Freddie’s arm resting across her stomach, told Alice it hadn’t been a dream. She opened her eyes and blinked at the early morning sunshine peeking through the edges of the bedroom curtains. Arthur gurgled in his cot, peering through the wooden slats at them. She snuggled further into Freddie’s body, enjoying the warmth of his skin next to hers. After a few moments, Alice slowly rolled over, so she could gaze at her husband and touch his soft skin, to soak up this moment of heaven. He looked so peaceful, so rested. She fought the urge to touch the rough bristles on his face, not wanting to wake him. The lines that were etched on his face the day before were no longer visible; sleep had given him the release he needed. Alice smiled, knowing Mrs Headley wouldn’t be able to wait to fuss and build him up again.

  Alice leant forward, giving in to the urge for her lips to brush his forehead. ‘I love you, Freddie Leybourne.’ She pulled the blanket up over her bare shoulder and snuggled down again, not letting her gaze leave him. Was it wrong that she didn’t feel guilty for having this happiness? Images of Molly and Victoria popped into her head. She frowned.

  ‘Morning, Mrs Leybourne.’ Freddie peeped through half opened eyes. ‘What’s wrong?’

  Alice smiled. ‘What could possibly be wrong, I’m lying in bed with the man I love, and our son is content in his cot.’

  Freddie scanned her face. ‘And yet you were frowning.’

  Alice’s lips straightened into a thin line for a moment. ‘Just guilt, for not feeling guilty about being so happy.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I have it all, when Molly and Victoria have been having such a miserable time.’

  ‘Their moment will come, you’ll see, and it’ll be when they least expect it.’ Freddie’s lips lifted. ‘Look how we met. If I hadn’t had to come to give Victoria news of that terrible tragedy, we probably would never have found each other.’

  ‘Yes, I know, but that makes me feel worse, we are a constant reminder of her loss. The three of us have always been there for each other but the war has made that bond even closer, if that’s possible.’

  ‘And I’m sure you will all continue to do that.’ Freddie wrapped his arms around her. ‘It’s all out of our control, sweetheart. Their time will come, you’ll see.’

  ‘I know, I’m sorry.’ Alice smiled at him. ‘I love you so much. I can’t believe you are here in my arms.’

  Freddie closed his eyes and breathed in her scent. ‘I’ve not thought about anything else for so long.’ His voice was husky as his hand caressed her back. ‘This feels so good.’ He pulled back, to look at Alice. He brushed the hair from her face. ‘I love you so much. I never want to leave you and Arthur ever again. We’re going to have hundreds of children, and if we don’t, we will have fun trying.’

  Alice giggled as he pulled her in close.

  We hope you enjoyed this book.

  E
laine Roberts’ next book is coming in 2019

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  Acknowledgements

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  Acknowledgements

  I have had a lot of help, encouragement and support since I started writing, so I would like to thank everyone in the order they have joined my journey.

  Firstly, I would like to thank my wonderful family for their support, encouragement and role-playing that took place in my front room. My son started my creative journey by finding an on-line course and The Write Place creative writing school, which was held just up the road from where I live. It was there I met the tutor and author Elaine Everest. She, and her students, have encouraged, and supported by giving critical feedback on my writing. Elaine has always led the way by example and always been there when advice has been needed. It was through her, I joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) New Writers Scheme, which gave me valuable feedback and introduced me to many budding and established authors. It was also with Elaine’s encouragement that I started blogging, on the WriteMindsWritePlace Blog. The original cast was Elaine Everest, Vivien Brown, Natalie Klienman, Francesca Capaldi Burgess and of course me. I would like to thank them for their endless encouragement and support. Viv also had a big part to play in encouraging me to join the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. I am lucky to be a member of such supportive organisations and groups.

  I have attended many talks, events and conferences, locally and through the RNA. It was through a local talk that I met Ian Castle, who was a font of all knowledge when it came to WW1, so I owe him a big thank you. It was at an RNA event that I met and want to thank Felicity Trew, of the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency, and Natasha Harding, of Bookouture. They both gave me valuable advice at different times in my journey. The RNA conferences gave me the experience of having one to ones with agents and publishers. It was through those that Natasha was the first industry professional to love this story and I can’t thank her enough for passing her wisdom on to me. It was also through the one to ones that I met Rosie de Courcy (Head of Zeus), who loved my writing and suggested I send it to a contact at Aria, which is also part of Head of Zeus.