The Postmistress

by Maggie Sullivan

  ‘Are you still thinking I’m making all this up?’ Stella asked.

  ‘No, I think I’m beginning to understand,’ Rosie said. She was crying now and sat for several minutes letting the tears flow unchecked. ‘Did anything happen to you, after you … did it?’ she asked Stella. ‘Did you get … you know …?’

  ‘No, thank goodness. I was lucky,’ Stella said, ‘but that was no thanks to him. He promised he would “take care of things” but when it came to it he said I shouldn’t expect him to wear one of those johnnies, even though he’d said he would, as it spoiled his fun. I didn’t want to stop and think about how he knew about these things, so I had to take my chances and I’ve since heard of others who weren’t so lucky.’

  ‘Really?’ Rosie couldn’t help shuddering.

  ‘The trouble was,’ Stella said, ‘once it had happened I felt as if I couldn’t say no the next time. Not that he hung around for very long once he’d got his way. He was more concerned with moving on to the next.’

  ‘Did your father ever find out?’ Rosie asked, suddenly picturing how she might fare if her father ever caught wind of what had happened.

  ‘Unfortunately, yes.’

  ‘What did he say?’

  ‘I think you can imagine. But as there was no baby involved he didn’t actually throw me out, though he threatened to.’

  ‘I hardly want to boast but I think I may have had some influence there,’ Penny said, grinning at her sister, and for the first time that morning there was a note of levity in the room.

  ‘I think I should make us all a cup of coffee,’ Claire said, getting up to stretch her legs, but no one wanted any.

  ‘I was thinking that it would be really good if we could warn off his next target before things go too far,’ Stella said. ‘You know, the girl you saw at the cinema. What did you say her name was?’

  Phyllis,’ Penny said. ‘Phyllis Murdoch. I’ve remembered her name. I wonder how many lies and false promises he’s made to her already.’

  ‘Do you think he’s spinning her the same line?’ Rosie said. She didn’t want to admit it but she was feeling a little ashamed that she had been taken in so easily.

  ‘I have no doubt,’ Penny said. ‘I don’t think he can stop himself; that’s how his mind works. And why should he change a winning formula?’

  ‘I feel so helpless, but she deserves to be told, otherwise he’ll keep getting away with it,’ Rosie said.

  ‘So you do believe me now?’ Stella wanted confirmation. She turned to Rosie but it was Claire who spoke up first.

  ‘I know I believe you,’ Claire said, ‘and I think Rosie has had a very lucky escape.’

  Rosie nodded her agreement and Stella beamed. ‘At least you’re one person I’ve been able to save,’ she said. ‘Because that’s how it feels, like I’ve been on a mission and I’ve saved your life.’

  Rosie reached out and squeezed Stella’s hand. She did indeed feel grateful, but she was unable to speak for the tears that were catching in her throat.

  ‘Maybe there is something we can do that might save a few more girls in the future,’ Penny said, looking thoughtful. ‘He’ll be expecting an evening of pleasure tonight, won’t he?’ The others turned to her with interest. ‘There’ll be no need to change any of the arrangements, then. The only difference will be that he’ll find a larger welcoming committee than he bargained for when he arrives …’

  Rosie greeted Trevor as she had originally planned, wearing the pretty, pale-blue lawn dressing gown her parents had given her for her eighteenth birthday. Fit for a film star, her father had said at the time. She had carefully pinned up her fair hair into the usual curls on her forehead, scooping the remaining ringlets into a roll that she pinned behind both ears and she was gratified to see his face light up when she opened the back door.

  ‘Wow! You look terrific,’ was his first reaction as he stepped into the kitchen and he eyed her from top to toe. ‘Even more terrific than usual,’ he added hastily when she frowned slightly. ‘I hadn’t expected …’ He reached out to touch her gown. ‘But first I’ve got a surprise for you,’ he said, and he whipped out a bunch of flowers from behind his back and tucked them into her hand.

  ‘Oh, thanks, they’re pretty,’ she said, deliberately off-hand, for she was thinking that they looked like he’d raided a neighbour’s garden. ‘I’ll find a vase for them later,’ she said and she stuffed the short stems into a jam jar that was standing in the sink.

  ‘I’ve got a surprise for you too,’ she said, making sure to meet his gaze and she beckoned him. Trevor peeled off his coat and threw it casually onto a chair. He took his jacket off and loosened his tie and was reaching out towards her when Rosie put a restraining hand on his arm.

  ‘Let’s not go too fast,’ she said with a coy smile.

  ‘Why? What do you mean?’ Trevor frowned. ‘I take it we’re alone?’ he said, lowering his voice. ‘Didn’t you manage to get rid of your mum and your lodger like you promised?’ He sounded anxious as he scrutinised her face.

  Rosie kept up the exaggerated smile and patted his hand. ‘Don’t worry, I promise this will be a very special evening,’ she said. ‘One that you’ll always remember, just like you promised me.’ Her hand was on the handle of the door leading into the living room and she turned the knob and flung it open. As she did so, four girls wearing heavily exaggerated make-up jumped up from where they had been squashed together on the couch and, lifting their arms high above their heads, shouted, ‘Surprise!’

  Trevor stepped back, clearly in shock; he was looking from the girls to Rosie and back again. ‘What’s all this? he cried. ‘Who are you?’ He anxiously scanned the faces of the girls and it was Penny who stepped forward.

  ‘I’m sure you know who I am, Trevor, and you probably also know that I’m one of Rosie’s friends. Well, we thought we’d get in first this time.’

  Trevor looked puzzled.

  ‘You know how you always like to boast to your mates?’ Penny said. ‘Well, we thought we’d let Rosie tell a few of her friends first, this time.’

  ‘Who are all these people?’ He turned to Rosie. ‘Tell them what?’

  Rosie didn’t answer. Stella had moved to stand behind him and she spoke up next. ‘You must remember me, Trevor,’ she said, ‘even though I admit it was a little while ago and I have grown up since then.’ She tapped him on the shoulder and he swung round. ‘You boasted about me for months; you can’t have forgotten that.’

  Trevor looked like he couldn’t believe what was happening. His face one minute was white, the next pink with embarrassment as he switched his gaze from face to face in disbelief.

  ‘This is Claire,’ Rosie said, touching her cousin’s arm. ‘You have met her briefly before but, to set the records straight, she’s my cousin from London, not just any old evacuee.’

  Penny came forward then and took hold of his arm, forcing him to look at the fourth girl in the line-up who had so far remained silent. ‘We thought we’d nip this one in the bud, Trevor,’ Penny said. ‘Before anything had time to get started. I’m sure you’ve not forgotten Phyllis Murdoch yet, now have you? I happen to know you were already lining her up to be next.’

  ‘Hi Trev,’ Phyllis said and she gave him a two-handed, Charleston-like wave. ‘I think these ladies have saved me quite some bother, don’t you? Not least a fight with my dad.’

  Trevor stared at her as though he hadn’t seen her before and looked round anxiously, searching for a way out.

  ‘Haven’t you got anything to say?’ Rosie asked him. ‘Sorry if you didn’t like your surprise but I haven’t had so much fun in ages. And I think you can rely on us to warn off any other potential Mrs Joneses should they appear on the horizon. We’ll be delighted to sort them out and put them in the picture too.’

  Rosie went into the kitchen and came back with Trevor’s coat and jacket over her arm. ‘I do believe these might be what you’re looking for,’ she said to Trevor, the smile back in place.

&n
bsp; Trevor was standing in the middle of the room with his hands on his hips, trying to regain some dignity and he grabbed the items Rosie held out to him, quickly slipping his arms into the sleeves of his jacket. Then he stepped up to Rosie, putting his face as close to hers as possible without actually touching.

  ‘So, the stories are true. I don’t see any actual horns, but you Jews really are so sly,’ he said, his lips twisting into a sneer as he stared down at the top of her head.

  Rosie’s eyes widened. ‘I beg your pardon!’

  ‘And you thought I didn’t know!’ His eyes flashed in triumph. ‘Everyone warned me to watch out because there was no telling what a Jew might do. More fool me for not heeding them. But it seems you can’t hide something like that for very long. Truth will out. Mean, grasping, and power hungry. Tsk.’ He made a tutting sound. ‘Thought you could land yourself an easy husband? Well, you’ll have to think again. I would say Mr Hitler’s got the right idea about keeping you lot in your place.’ He looked from one to the other. ‘You’ve no need to worry, I shan’t be wanting anything to do with the likes of any one of you ever again. And I’ll make sure none of my mates have anything to do with yous either. You’re like witches, the lot of you.’ He stood in front of Rosie, arms akimbo as he struggled to save face. ‘You or your poxy cousin,’ he said scornfully, eyeing Claire up and down. Then he turned to Penny. ‘And you and your sister are no better, for sticking with them.’

  ‘Do I look worried?’ Rosie said, and she laughed loudly though her heart was pounding and her pulse racing. She had never been called names like that before and all she really wanted to do was to curl up into a ball, but she was determined not to let him see how much he had upset her.

  ‘How about that for a performance, ladies? Penny said. ‘What a nasty creature he turned out to be. Fortunately we can go back to our coven now,’ she teased, as Trevor all but ran out of the door. Rosie closed it firmly behind him then leaned against it and closed her eyes. She felt as if she had been punched. ‘See, Rosie, you should have trusted us sooner, but at least we were able to rescue you in time.’

  ‘He’s nothing short of a rotter. You’re well rid of him,’ Claire said with relief.

  ‘I’m glad you finally listened.’ Stella grinned.

  ‘And thanks to you all for taking the trouble to find me,’ Phyllis said. ‘I feel like I really have been saved, thankfully before I got into trouble.’

  ‘Delighted to have been able to help,’ Penny said.

  Rosie felt a hand touching hers and looked up to see Claire staring at her with concern. ‘Are you sure you’re all right?’ she asked, squeezing Rosie’s hand.

  ‘I am now,’ Rosie said. ‘Thank you for helping to bring me to my senses.’

  ‘Don’t thank me,’ Claire said. ‘After all, I’m family so it’s to be expected. I think you should be thanking your real friends.’

  Chapter 24

  September 1939

  Roger Buckley was home on leave when he heard the Prime Minister’s declaration of war on Germany in the special eleven o’clock BBC news bulletin and he sat drumming his fingers in agitation on the leather arms of the old couch, anxious to get going. His bags were already in the hall, packed and waiting, as he had been due to go back to his unit that night. But now he’d been told there were extra trains being organised from Manchester to his base and there was a new urgency surrounding his return.

  His company had been on standby at a base in the south of England where they had been preparing to be shipped over to France as soon as the call came, so he had been expecting to go back today but he had been alerted earlier that morning that he should be prepared to leave the country earlier than originally planned. He had already said his final farewells to the family; Julie, fortunately, didn’t seem to understand that it might be quite some time before she would see him again. He was waiting now for the taxi to take him into Manchester.

  When the broadcast finished, his father got up and switched off the radio.

  ‘Here we go again,’ the older man said. ‘I never would have believed I would have to live through yet another war in my lifetime.’ He shook his head in disbelief.

  ‘The question is, how long will this one last?’ Roger said.

  ‘Shall we give it till Christmas?’ his father said.

  ‘Isn’t that what they said about the Great War?’ Roger said.

  ‘I was being sarcastic,’ his father said. ‘Who knows?’

  ‘Let’s hope it’s no longer,’ Roger said, ‘for everyone’s sake.’

  ‘Well, war or no war, I have work to do,’ the older man said. ‘Right at this minute I believe I have two new patients to see.’ He got up and headed for the hall.

  ‘Who’s that?’ Roger asked, frowning. ‘Anyone I know? I didn’t think anyone new had come to the village recently, unless it’s a visitor I don’t know about with an emergency?’

  ‘No, I imagine it will be fairly routine.’ He handed Roger the piece of paper he had picked up from the hall. ‘Violet Pegg telephoned earlier this morning while I was out,’ the doctor said. ‘You know, the school teacher.’

  ‘Yes, of course I know who Violet is, but she and her mother are already on the books, so who’s new in their household?’

  ‘I believe they’ve offered a home to two children who arrived on one of those special trains that came to London from Poland.’

  ‘You mean the Kindertransport?’ Roger said. ‘I’ve been reading about that.’

  His father nodded.

  ‘Gosh, that sounds like quite an undertaking,’ Roger said. ‘What a terrific responsibility.’

  ‘Yes, it is, particularly as I believe the children are very young and hardly speak a word of English. But people have been doing some amazing work rescuing these children from the horrors of what’s going on over there.’

  ‘Well, they couldn’t be going to a better home. If anyone knows about kids, Violet does,’ Roger said.

  ‘She only offered to take one child initially, but she ended up agreeing to have a brother and sister who were desperate not to be separated. They’ve been in the country a few weeks already, in London, but they’ve only recently been sent north so they’ve not been with Violet very long. You can imagine the kind of paperwork that’s attached to taking in kids like that. Anyway, she says she wants me to take a look at them and check out their general health, make sure they’ve not picked up anything nasty on their journey – which in itself sounds pretty horrendous. Apparently, the girl’s had a bad cough since she arrived so I might have to try and trace some of the other kids who were on the train with her to make sure no one has any serious infection.’

  ‘Poor kids. Tough enough to have been shipped off like that, leaving behind their families, without getting ill on top of everything,’ Roger said. ‘Weren’t they checked out before they set off? I thought they had to be screened for things like TB.’

  ‘From what Violet told me they only made it out of the country in the nick of time so who knows what tests got done and what didn’t,’ the older man replied. ‘I believe they were among those who were on the last children’s train out of Poland.’

  ‘Let’s hope they can be reunited with their family soon,’ Roger said. ‘Roll on Christmas!’

  ‘OK, son,’ his father said, and he came towards Roger with his hand extended. ‘Let’s not make this any more protracted than it needs to be. I’m going to see to Violet’s new children, while you go and sort out Mr Hitler. I’m sure I can leave him to you,’ he said and he left the room with a sardonic smile.

  As he stepped out into the sunshine, a high-pitched whining sound screamed through the air.

  ‘Oh, my goodness, what was that?’ he called back into the house, and he shielded his eyes as he scanned the empty sky. ‘I didn’t expect the Jerries to be arriving this soon,’ he said to himself and he shook his head and heaved a sigh. ‘Don’t panic!’ he called out when he saw the front door opening wide. ‘I’m coming back in. Everyone head quick
ly for the basement.’ And he locked up the car and made his way back into the house.

  When Vicky heard the siren going off for the first time she hadn’t realised what it was and she had run around the Post Office trying to find out what alarm had been triggered to make such a noise, until her father had appeared at the top of the stairs.

  ‘It’s an air-raid siren, girl. We’ve got to get out of here,’ he cried desperately. ‘Blooming heck! We’ve only just declared war and they’re sending planes over here already?’ He was wheezing badly and shouting at her to get out to the shelter.

  ‘You’d best get into that Anderson thing double-quick, girl, if you value your life,’ he shouted anxiously.’

  ‘I’ll not go without you, Dad,’ she said and she stood waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs.

  ‘Is this what we’ve got to look forward to?’ Arthur said, shaking his head, and he began to cough as Vicky took his arm and led the way to the shelter.

  They made their way down the steps into the damp underground hole to find the neighbours they shared with were already there.

  ‘Is this what it’s going to be like from now on, alarms going off every five minutes?’ Arthur grumbled.

  ‘I won’t mind so much, so long as we have time to get into a shelter,’ Vicky said.

  ‘Well, this suddenly makes it all very real,’ Sylvia Barker from the Knit and Sew shop grumbled. ‘Now we know we are actually involved in a war.’

  At that moment, Vicky heard the door of the shelter rattle open and someone shout inside. She couldn’t make out the words but a moment later a face appeared. With the light of her torch she made out Lawrence Boardman, the newsagent on the parade, looking very official with his ARP armband and his ARP warden’s helmet and something that looked like a rifle that closer inspection revealed to be made out of wood.

  ‘False alarm! False alarm! It’s all right, folks, it was only a false alarm,’ he was shouting. ‘Someone must have panicked and pressed the wrong switch.’ He tutted. ‘It’s just as well it was a false alarm because it seems that most folk didn’t even know what it was anyway. They would all have been bombed in their beds.’