Alice's Long Road Home

by Rosie James

  ‘Oh dear me, our Rog,’ she said. ‘What’s gonna ’appen now? These girls ’ave gotta long drive ’ome later, ’aven’t they? Dear me, wha’ a shame! An’ wha’ a way to end an evenin’.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Mum,’ Roger said. ‘But…to be honest…I don’t think there’s much I can do about this now, so it’ll have to wait until the morning, ’til it’s light.’ He paused. ‘It’s obvious what the trouble is – the battery’s flat. The headlights are hardly on at all.’

  ‘Haven’t you got jump leads we could use to get it going, Roger?’ Fay said. She had been taught that much since she’d had the car, because this had happened to the Austin before.

  Roger nodded. ‘Yes – we do have jump leads, Fay – but unfortunately I lent ours to Alan at Cogg’s farm last week, and he hasn’t returned them. I can’t possibly go and get them at this time of night.’ He shrugged ruefully. ‘So – it’ll have to wait until tomorrow, I’m afraid. Sorry.’

  But Roger didn’t look a bit sorry. He leaned into the car again.

  ‘So…our Land Girls will just have to stay the night, that’s all.’ He grinned happily in at the anxious faces peering up at him. ‘And in case you’re wondering,’ he added, ‘your bedroom is still exactly as it was when you left…Mum flatly refuses to change a thing!’

  Chapter Seven

  The farmhouse was blissfully warm when they all got back home, and as they trooped into the kitchen Eve said –

  ‘Oh dear, Mrs. Foulkes…are you sure it’s all right for us to stay the night?’

  Mabel stopped her before she could go on. ‘A’ course ’tis all right,’ she said firmly. ‘Like Rog said, your room’s still the same up there…beds all made up.’ She shrugged, clearly happy at this unexpected turn of events. ‘See, I thought – you never know when someone might need to stay, and makes no difference to me. I wash the quilt covers an’ the pillow cases every now and then, case they get dusty…so it’s all nice’n fresh up there.’ She tried to stifle a yawn. It had been a very long, very exciting day. ‘Now then, oo’s for a cuppa tea?’ she asked.

  No one took her up on the offer, and Fay said, ‘Mrs. Foulkes – may I use the telephone? I should ring my landlady to tell her I won’t be home tonight…she usually waits up for me,’ she added.

  ‘Course you can, Fay,’ Mabel said. ‘The phone’s out there in the scullery.’ She shrugged. ‘I ’ardly touch the thing– well I ’aven’t got no need. It’s Rog who mostly finds it useful.’

  ‘Is it all right for me to ring home, too?’ Eve asked apologetically. She knew her parents wouldn’t go to bed until she got back, however late it was.

  And after a moment, Alice said, ‘I don’t need to ring anybody.’ Well, there was no one who would be expecting her home tonight…or any night…

  The farmer had already gone to bed, Roger was apparently outside checking on the animals, and presently Fay and Eve made their phone calls. Then, as the three began to make their way up the rickety staircase to the place which had been their shared bedroom for four whole years, Mabel called them back briefly.

  ‘Look – you’d better ’ave yer candles, luvvers,’ she said, handing them each a saucer and a candle and a box of matches, and Alice, Fay and Eve smiled at each other. Although the lack of decent lighting in their room had been a challenge at the beginning, they’d not only got used to lighting their candles each night – they’d really enjoyed doing it. At the end of a busy day on the farm when night was drawing in, the flickering, golden flames had thrown a comforting light into the room, giving it a cosy esoteric atmosphere.

  ‘Now, I know you won’t ’ave brought anythin’ with you,’ Mabel went on, looking up at them, ‘but I could lend you summat ’a mine…’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry about us, Mrs. Foulkes,’ Alice said hurriedly, ‘we can sleep in our undies for one night!’

  ‘Well, ’ere’s a nice towel each, anyway, and Rog will bring up hot water for you in a minute,’ Mabel went on happily. She chuckled. ‘’Tis like real old times, idn’ it, luvvers?’

  With their lighted candles in their hands, Alice, Fay and Eve went, once again, into the long upstairs room holding their three single beds. Still with the same patterned quilts and plump pillows in place. And they found it hard to believe that this was actually happening…staying the night had never been part of the plan. They stared around them…there was the sturdy iron table holding the massive jug and bowl for their water, the slop bucket underneath. – even the wooden clothes horse in the corner for them to drape their damp towels was still there.

  They closed the door behind them, and Fay peered under the middle bed – the one which had been hers. ‘Oh, goodie goodie,’ she said breezily, ‘our potties are still there!’ Then, kicking off her shoes, she lay down on the bed and groaned. ‘And so is the rock-hard mattress!’

  Alice and Eve lay down as well, then – and both agreed with Fay. The beds were as hard as nails, yet despite that, they remembered how well they’d managed to sleep after a day’s work. And after a while had even appreciated the firmness under their aching backs.

  A few minutes’ later there was a tap on the door, and Roger’s voice. ‘Room service! Your hot water awaits you, my ladies!’

  Fay called out, ‘Will you come and tuck us in later, Rog, and kiss us goodnight?’

  But Roger had already gone down the stairs, and Eve said, ‘You are awful, Fay. You’re such a tease…but I think Roger really likes you. You know, really likes you.’

  ‘Course. And I like him,’ Fay replied. ‘But that’s it. And by the way, just because you’re all nicely tied up in the romantic stakes, don’t try and fix me up as well.’ She went over to the door to fetch the water, which she placed by the wash stand. ‘Blimey, with one wedding imminent, and another one on the cards, how much more excitement can we stand, and how much more money is it going to cost us!’

  Although that final comment did make Alice shiver inwardly, she knew there was something she had to say. ‘Of course, naturally, Sam’s two sisters, Rose and Margaret, will be part of the ceremony – but you two…you will agree to be my bridesmaids as well, won’t you?’ she asked, slightly anxiously. Fay had certainly made her opinion of marriage very clear from the moment they’d all met, and maybe she wouldn’t even like the idea of playing a special part in someone else’s either. ‘I don’t think I could face the whole thing if you two weren’t there behind me,’ Alice added.

  Eve’s face shone. ‘Oh Alice…I will love being your bridesmaid!’ she exclaimed. ‘That’s even more shopping we’re going to have to do!’

  Fay slipped out of her clothes and went over to the wash stand in her undies. She poured some water into the bowl and glanced over her shoulder. ‘Of course I’ll be your bridesmaid, Alice,’ she said, ‘try and bloody stop me.’

  It was really late before they finally blew out their candles, and Eve was asleep in no time. But Fay was having a last cigarette, and Alice was staring up at the ceiling, her mind brimming with thoughts…of the past – and of the future. Her future. Fay glanced across at her.

  ‘D’you remember how you often used to take out all your letters and look at them by torch light, Alice?’ Fay said softly. ‘I used to watch your lips moving as you carefully went over and over them.’ She blew out a long column of smoke before going on. ‘I never had many letters myself – but then, I didn’t write many either,’ she added. ‘But you…your letters meant so much to you. I…sometimes…I felt quite envious.’

  Alice smiled across. ‘They meant everything, Fay,’ she said.

  ‘Especially the ones from lover boy?’ Fay said coolly.

  ‘Especially from him,’ Alice agreed.

  ‘Well, whatever was in them, it did the trick,’ Fay said. ‘And by the way – when are we going to meet the saintly Samuel may I ask? I need to vet him first, make sure he’s worthy of you.’

  Alice turned over, pulling her pillow closer. ‘Well – actually – Sam mentioned this himself last week,’ she said. �
��Said he was looking forward to meeting you and Evie. And he suggested that maybe you’d like to come to Clifton – when he’s home, obviously – and have supper. Betty – their cook – will love having extra people to provide for.’ Alice shook her head briefly. ‘Despite the fact that we’re still on ration for so many things, she always manages to make the table groan.’

  ‘I like her already,’ Fay said.

  ‘I’ll find out what Sam’s plans are in the next few weeks, and see if you and Evie can fit in,’ Alice said, yawning.

  Presently, Fay stubbed out her cigarette, then turned over to look at Alice. ‘Did you notice old Foulksie up at the pub?’ she said. ‘After Evie had finished playing that song? He leaned over and gave Mabel a great big smacker on the cheek, didn’t he…and I thought, blimey. I never thought I’d see that.’ Fay paused. ‘He’s a funny old devil, isn’t he?’ she added. ‘But then, marriage is a funny old business, if you ask me. Funny peculiar, I mean, not funny ha ha.’

  ‘I think Mr. and Mrs. Foulkes love each other very much,’ Alice said slowly. ‘But some people don’t know how to…well…how to show it, I suppose.’ There was a long pause. ‘I know that my mother and father meant everything to each other – although it was often at a distance, because he was away at sea so much.’

  ‘Hmm,’ Fay said enigmatically. ‘Well, it’s obvious that you and your Samuel have a watertight relationship – after all, you’ve known each other long enough – but in my opinion, marriage is an extremely tricky business and should be approached with caution.’

  ‘Thanks for the warning, Fay,’ Alice said, turning over to face the other way.

  After Fay had drifted off to sleep, Alice lay quite still, wide awake and thinking…thinking of all the decisions she was having to make. But most of all, thinking of the commitment she and Sam would be declaring in front of everyone. Could they – could she – honour that commitment for perhaps the next forty years, as Mabel and Walter had? It seemed such a huge thing to envisage, despite her immense love for Sam. What, or who, might come between them in the future? Anything was possible these days, it seemed, and Alice’s cheeks coloured – even now – as she remembered the wave of unexpected sensuousness she had experienced when she and Marvin had been together that night, just three years ago. His good looks, his masculinity, had only been part of the thing which had melted her heart for that brief interlude. It had been his innate vulnerability, and she had wanted to comfort him – to more than comfort him, if she was honest – and she admitted that it was she who’d invited him to kiss her, lifting her face to his so that his lips could reach hers. And he had responded eagerly. How many times must Sam, too, feel drawn towards someone who touched his heart during his working day? A woman, no doubt a young, pretty woman, whose infant child’s life was in his hands? Wouldn’t he sometimes want to hold this parent to him, to “comfort” her…?

  Alice sat up quickly, afraid of all her thoughts. This would not do, she told herself. Stick to other, far less important things…keep your mind on those and stop torturing yourself!

  After a few moments, Alice’s heart rate settled down and she lay back and started to tick things off on her list. First was her number of guests, the people who’d be asked to sit on her side of the church on the day. She had no relatives, and didn’t have hundreds of friends, like Sam and his family did. But – anyway – one thing was now certain, Alice reminded herself. The Foulkes family were going be there in force. Mabel had left her husband in no doubt that on Alice’s wedding day, someone else would be doing the milking, thank you very much.

  So, Alice thought, ticking the names off in her head…there were the three of them…and Valerie Gates her office assistant – and possibly Valerie’s brother and his wife. And of course Rex Meredith, her ex-superior at the Bristol branch would want to be there. That would make seven people on her side. Alice frowned to herself. The life she’d always led had tended to be insular, not giving her the opportunity to make many friends, and she hadn’t been drawn to any of the others doing the Pitman secretarial course.

  Then, with a start, Alice remembered Gloria, who’d been Alice’s landlady after she’d left Clifton, and Gloria’s second husband Don Travers. Their lovely, simple marriage had taken place just a few years ago, and Alice had taken a very special part in that one…how could she have forgotten Gloria and Don! Oh goodness, Alice hadn’t told them about her engagement yet. She must ring them next week.

  And then there was Dora, Gloria’s next-door neighbour who read the tealeaves. Dora would love to be invited to a wedding at St. Mary Redcliffe – and would no doubt read all sorts of exciting things in the cups when they were next having tea together. Of course Dora would be invited as well…

  So – Alice pressed her lips together as her thoughts ran on. That made just ten guests on her list, with Fay and Evie making it twelve. Which was a bit pathetic when you thought about it.

  Still, that left lots and lots of space for the Carmichael clan and all their important friends, neighbours and colleagues. They would fill all the gaps with no trouble at all.

  The following morning, the girls woke up to the familiar sound of Roger’s voice herding the cows towards the milking sheds, with Tessie the sheep dog adding to the din, and for a few moments no one spoke a word as memories flooded in. Then Fay sat up, rubbing her eyes blearily. She glanced at her watch and looked across at Alice and Eve.

  ‘D’you think we should offer to take our turn down there?’ she said, yawning widely. ‘And d’you think we’d remember how to do it?’

  ‘I think I’d probably need a refresher course,’ Alice said, sitting up as well now.

  Eve snuggled into her quilt more closely. ‘I couldn’t possibly do it in my new suit,’ she said. ‘I wouldn’t be able to face my mother if I came home with some you-know-what all over it.’

  Alice hugged her knees. ‘I’m pretty certain that the best thing we can do is to keep out of the way until breakfast time,’ she said. ‘And get up as soon as we hear Roger bring up our hot water.’

  Eve dragged herself up into a sitting position. ‘Did you ever think that we…we three…would end up in this bedroom again – like this?’ she said. ‘It really is like living the past, isn’t it?’

  ‘It certainly wasn’t part of any of my plans,’ Fay said, getting out of bed and going over to the window. ‘I thought that having a car was the answer to everything. I’d forgotten that sometimes the things refuse to go.’

  She stared outside. It had actually stopped raining, and there was a weak sun doing its best. She glanced back at the others.

  ‘I just hope Rog’ll be able to fix it soon,’ she said. ‘I’ve got to get us all back home, and you’ve got to catch your train to Dorchester later, Alice.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Fay,’ Alice said. ‘You know Roger – he’ll make sure we get back safely. Even if it has to be in the Morris…that little van must have done many miles transporting us to and from Bath and Bristol during the war,’ she added.

  ‘I refuse to sit in the back of that van, ever again,’ Fay began firmly, and Eve broke in –

  ‘Oh – it wasn’t too bad, Fay! A bit squashed in the front, admittedly, but we always got there, didn’t we?’ she said. ‘And it never broke down, not once,’ she added.

  That stung. ‘No – and as far as I recall, Evie, you never sat in the back of the thing, either,’ Fay retorted. ‘You always used to sit in the front, next to Roger.’ She pursed her lips. ‘Alice took her turn, several times, but it was usually me who sat in the place normally reserved for the pigs, the spuds and the bedding straw. And emerge with bits of it up my nose, and smelling of disinfectant.’

  ‘But I did offer,’ Eve protested.

  ‘Well you should have offered as if you meant it,’ Fay said. But she was only joking, and the others knew it. Of the three of them, Evie had seemed the least likely to fit in as a Land Army girl, and had been treated by Alice and Fay like the little sister they should protect. Yet, against a
ll the odds, Eve had managed to do everything asked of her and had seldom complained.

  Now, Eve got out of bed and went over to join Fay at the window. ‘Do you wish we could do it all again, Fay…turn the clock back, I mean?’ she asked. ‘Because we did have fun, didn’t we…we three here together?’

  Fay put her arm around Eve’s shoulders. ‘If I did have to do it all again, Evie,’ she said, ‘I would insist on it being here at Home Farm with the Foulkeses…and with you and Alice. Nothing else could ever come up to that.’ She glanced fondly down at Eve. ‘But, hey…you’ve got Max the Magnificent now. You’re not going to have time for anyone else in your life.’

  ‘There will always, always be time in my life for you and Alice,’ Eve said stoutly. ‘Don’t you ever forget that, Fay Reynolds,’ she added.

  It was 7.30 before they went downstairs for their breakfast, the pungent smell of frying bacon making their mouths water.

  ‘Oh dear, and there was me hoping for some of Mabel’s lovely thick porridge,’ Fay murmured out of the side of her mouth. ‘I’m sure that stuff could have lined the stomachs of ten elephants.’

  None of them would ever forget the huge bowls of thick, creamy cereal they’d been given to sustain them each morning, but along with everything else they’d soon become used to it, even appreciating it after a while. But not as much as they were going to appreciate Mabel’s delicious bacon and eggs today…

  As Alice, Fay and Eve went into the kitchen, Mabel came over from the range with the teapot in her hands and a huge smile on her face.

  ‘Sleep a’wright, luvvers?’ she enquired, beginning to fill their mugs. She glanced at them each in turn. ‘Well, wha’ a lovely birthday I’m ’avin’!’ she exclaimed. ‘What with my three girls ’ere, sleepin’ upstairs like normal…it’s like ol’ times…like good ol’ times,’ she added. She didn’t actually say that she wished the country was still at war – but she didn’t need to say it.