East End Angel

by Rivers, Carol

  ‘Yes, it is.’

  Just then there was another knock on the door. Fitz hurried to open it.

  ‘Fitz, you daft ’aporth,’ shouted his wife, her hands on her hips, ‘I tried to get in the Morrison, but you’ve nailed the bloody thing together.’

  Fitz frowned. ‘Oh dear.’

  ‘And by the time the bomb had gone over I’d broke the bread knife trying to get it open. As far as I’m concerned you can move the perishing thing to the yard and put a couple of rabbits in it.’

  ‘But, Gwenny—’

  ‘Don’t Gwenny me, Fitz Hemsley. I want it out of me way right this moment.’ She stopped, out of breath, her annoyed expression fading as she saw Ruby in Ricky’s arms. ‘Oh, sorry, I didn’t know you had company.’

  Ricky nodded. ‘It’s good to see you again.’

  Gwen smiled uncertainly. ‘You too, love.’

  ‘Well, we’ll be off,’ said Fitz, taking his wife’s arm. ‘I’ll come back to fix that later.’

  Ruby felt like laughing. Was it the relief that the bomb had missed them or was it because Ricky was home and everything was going to be wonderful again?

  ‘You can have my room,’ Pearl said after Cynthia was in bed and they were discussing the sleeping arrangements. ‘The camp bed won’t take two.’

  ‘I won’t hear of you giving up your room,’ said Ricky as he sat beside Ruby, her arm linked over his. ‘I shall be quite comfortable on the couch.’

  ‘For tonight you can sleep on it,’ said Pearl, already having made the decision. ‘And tomorrow we’ll change over.’

  Ruby smiled. ‘I can’t believe you’re home.’

  ‘You won’t have to put up with us for long,’ Ricky said as he smoothed the cloth of his gloves.

  Ruby glanced at her husband. ‘Pearl doesn’t mind.’

  ‘I’m going to the Labour Exchange on Monday. They are sure to offer me something. I can write now, albeit slowly. And although I can’t do manual work I have a good head for figures.’

  Pearl wondered how successful he would be. Even healthy men were finding it hard to get jobs. Though Ricky had eaten his meal wearing the special cotton gloves that the hospital had provided him with, was that acceptable in the real world? The burns on his neck had turned a pale pink and weren’t so noticeable. But he’d told Ruby he had discharged himself from Brawton. Had that been wise?

  ‘Have you any clothes?’ Pearl asked.

  ‘Only these.’ He glanced down at his thick navy twill trousers, jumper and service shoes. ‘But I’ve coupons to spend at a gents’ outfitters.’

  ‘You’ll soon be looking your old self,’ Ruby said eagerly.

  ‘Yes, I hope so.’

  Pearl thought how, if that was Jim, he’d not give a hoot as to how he looked. He’d be off down the market for something cheap and cheerful. But that was not the case with Ricky. He was still very particular about his appearance.

  ‘There’s a jug and basin in the bedroom,’ Pearl said. ‘I’ll put Jim’s clothes away for now. If you want to shave in the kitchen, Jim’s mirror is on the shelf.’

  ‘I’m obliged to you,’ Ricky nodded. ‘And I don’t expect charity as I’m still receiving my officer’s pay.’

  ‘That doesn’t mean you can go back to the navy?’ Ruby asked in alarm.

  ‘No, more is the pity.’

  ‘Well, I’m delighted,’ said Ruby laying her arm lightly across his chest. ‘I’ll have you all to myself.’

  ‘I don’t regret a day in the navy,’ Ricky said tightly. ‘I would do it all over again for my country.’

  Pearl saw Ruby’s eyes fill with pride. ‘You are so brave, darling. But now you don’t have to be. You can get well slowly without any rush. After all, I have my job at the factory.’

  ‘That isn’t the point, Ruby. We can’t live on such a meagre wage.’

  ‘Eventually it will be different,’ Ruby smiled. ‘I’m just so happy to have you home.’ She snuggled against him.

  Pearl stood up. ‘I’ll fetch the bedclothes.’

  ‘I don’t want to be any trouble.’ Ricky stared at her. ‘I owe you and Jim my thanks.’

  Pearl could imagine Jim’s reply: that no amount of thanks was going to square Ricky Winters sleeping under his roof.

  When Pearl undressed that night, she gazed at the bed. It was very dear to her, full of memories. She and Jim had nearly worn it out. Lovemaking was a big part of their lives. She might have been put off it for ever if it had been left up to Ricky. But Jim had turned sex into love. She hoped that would happen for Ruby too. With the right man, marriage was wonderful. Pearl smiled as she thought of the time Jim had come home and it had been so cold they’d jumped into bed right away. She also remembered the time when Jim had tried to tell her they couldn’t solve all their problems in bed. But to Pearl, that was the perfect place. As she climbed between the sheets she hoped that it wouldn’t be long before she was back here, and Ricky and Ruby had begun the new life that Ruby was dreaming of.

  Over the next few weeks, Pearl’s worst fear was not of the doodlebugs, but what Jim would write back after reading the letter she’d sent, telling him Ruby was married.

  Amy and Syd hadn’t taken the news well. There had been several letters back and forth between Ruby and Amy. Each time one came, Ruby just said the same thing to Pearl: that it was done and done with, and eventually they would accept it. But Pearl had her doubts. When at last she found the courage to write to her parents herself, she only referred to the wedding briefly. The rest of the letter she filled with her news of Jim, Cynthia and the raids. She told them not to worry, that everyone was getting used to the bombs. But she knew her mother had been hurt by the snub of the wedding and was worried about the doodlebugs.

  Each evening followed the same pattern. Pearl and Ruby cooked dinner, and Cynthia sat at the Morrison with her chalks. Ricky would sit by the fire and scour the newspaper for any news of prospective work. Ruby would talk about her day, telling Pearl that Ricky was determined to find a job.

  ‘He goes to the Labour Exchange and waits every morning. Then he walks round, asking if there are any vacancies. I’m so proud of him as he doesn’t just mope around but goes to help at the Disabled Servicemen’s Centre.’

  Pearl was beginning to think that Ricky really had changed. He did what he could to help around the house and, despite his hands, made an effort to play with Cynthia and had even taken her for walks. Pearl could see he was trying to be a good husband and slowly her feelings towards him were changing.

  One evening after work, Pearl had a letter addressed to Ruby. ‘It’s from Mum and Dad, by the looks of the handwriting.’

  Ruby tore it open.

  Pearl paused as she peeled the potatoes. ‘What do they have to say?’

  ‘Mum wants to know if Ricky’s got a job.’

  Pearl could see that their mother’s constant enquiries made Ruby irritable. ‘They’re bound to be concerned.’

  ‘Why does she keep on, though?’ Ruby said crossly.

  ‘She wants to see you settled.’

  Ruby dropped the letter. ‘You want to get rid of us, is that it?’

  ‘No, course not.’

  ‘Ricky tries everything to get a job. But I don’t think they appreciate how difficult it is, even for someone who’s well.’

  Pearl wiped her hands on her apron. She didn’t want to get into an argument, especially as Ricky seemed to be doing his best.

  ‘Ruby, it will all work out in the end.’

  ‘I hope so.’

  ‘Now go in with your husband. You’ve had a long day at work and I don’t expect you to help with the chores.’

  Ruby sniffed and slid the turban from her head. ‘I had a bad day. The bombs are driving me mad. One of the girls in the machine shop was killed in the Co-op over Dulwich last Saturday. I only knew her vaguely but it’s very upsetting.’

  ‘Yes, but you and Ricky still have each other.’

  Pearl watched her walk slowly away. She
wasn’t coping with the doodlebugs. When Lewisham market had been bombed and sixty people had died, she had brooded over it for days. Even now she refused to shop at the market. She never used to have bad days at work. She always enjoyed the factory. But could there be something more?

  ‘Mummy, look!’

  Pearl turned to her daughter, who was waving her drawing in the air. ‘What’s this, sweetheart?’

  Pearl gazed at the drawing of the group of stick figures with happy faces and big smiles. How wonderful it was to see life through a child’s eyes. Why couldn’t it be like that in real life?

  A thought that Pearl quickly forgot as a familiar whine began in the distance and Ruby ran, ashen-faced, from the living room.

  Chapter 19

  Pearl was trying to make space in the little bedroom that she and Cynthia were now squeezed into when she heard shouting. Going into the living room she lifted the sash to look down. Gwen rushed out of the shop and her customers followed. Percy Flint was sitting on his cart and waving his arms. Then he slapped the reins and moved off. Pearl took Cynthia downstairs.

  ‘Pearl! Pearl!’ Gwen took her arm and squeezed it. Her eyes were wide in her long, thin face.

  ‘What’s up?’

  ‘Paris is liberated!’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Yes, Percy said so. Eisenhower’s troops surrounded the city and the French Resistance helped them. The Nazis were forced to surrender.’

  ‘They just gave up?’

  ‘They knew when they were beaten. Trust the Yanks.’

  Pearl heard an old woman singing ‘La Marseillaise’. Although she didn’t seem to know the words, it was good enough for the others to join in. Gwen and Pearl smiled as they watched the comical scene. The crowd linked arms and swung their shopping baskets, as the tune soon turned into the British national anthem.

  ‘Just think what it’ll be like when we win the war,’ said Gwen as they strolled back to the shop. She waved at Fitz inside, who was surrounded by customers. He stuck up his thumb and Gwen made the Victory sign.

  ‘I suppose this means we’re in with a chance,’ said Pearl hopefully.

  ‘I should say we are,’ nodded Gwen.

  ‘I wonder if Jim’s in Paris? The last I heard he was in Italy.’ She didn’t know whether to be pleased or not. The French women were supposed to be even more alluring than the Italians.

  ‘You’ll get a letter soon, love. There will be lots to write about if he is.’

  Pearl lowered Cynthia to the cobbles. She was getting heavy now. ‘Go and see Fitz, love,’ Gwen said, patting her golden curls. ‘See if he’s got a little sweetie for you.’ Gwen looked at Pearl. ‘August the twenty-fifth is a day the world is going to remember. But when the Allies put Hitler in handcuffs, I reckon the world will go crazy.’

  ‘I hope Jim will be home by then. If he was back by October, he’d be here in time for Cynth’s birthday. And then there’s Em’s wedding the week after.’

  ‘Oh, I forgot to tell you, your friend sent me and Fitz an invitation. Now ain’t that nice of her? But it will only be me, I’m afraid, as we can’t afford to close the shop.’

  ‘Will Fitz manage on his own?’

  ‘He will for one day. It will give me a chance to put me glad rags on.’

  Pearl smiled. ‘We’re going for our fittings tomorrow. Colin’s sister is a dressmaker and has got a place up Poplar.’

  ‘Do you want me to have Cynth for you?’

  ‘But you’ll be in the shop.’

  ‘She can help me sort out the shelves.’

  ‘Well, that would be nice—’ Pearl stopped abruptly as she heard a stomach-sinking noise in the distance. The street went from dancing and laughing to complete silence. Then the whine fizzled out and there was a plopping sound.

  One man threw back his head and laughed. ‘That ain’t no doodlebug, it’s a bloody bilge pump!’

  But the threat was enough to end the celebration and everyone began to disperse.

  ‘Bloody bombs,’ said Gwen, and opened her arms to Cynthia, whose mouth was full. ‘What’s old Fitzy given you?’

  Cynthia chuckled and swallowed at the same time. ‘Sweetie,’ she said, wiping her sticky mouth with the back of her hand.

  ‘Lucky girl. He don’t give Gwenny sweeties. You must be his favourite. Now how is your uncle Ricky these days?’ She addressed the question to Cynthia but Pearl knew it was meant for her.

  ‘He’s much better thanks.’

  ‘Still wearing them gloves, I see. No job in the offing?’

  ‘No.’ Pearl looked along the alley. ‘But he’s trying his best. I know he thinks so much of Ruby that he wants to make her proud.’

  ‘Let’s hope he can, then.’ Gwen smiled hesitantly. ‘Don’t forget to leave Cynth with me tomorrow,’ she called as Pearl took her leave.

  Once upstairs, she turned on the wireless. The news was all about the liberation of Paris. Not only were our troops there, but some of the launching sites of the V1s had been found and destroyed by the Allies. Pearl couldn’t wait to tell Ruby some good news for once. All they needed now was Ricky to find himself a job and life would seem perfect again.

  The following day, Saturday, after Ruby returned from work, she and Pearl caught the bus to Poplar. With the news about the doodlebugs not coming over so much, Ruby was in a good mood. Gwen was minding Cynthia and Ricky had offered to cook supper. Pearl had left vegetables on the drainer and opened a tin of sardines for fish pie, to make it easy. Although he still wore his gloves he said his hands were much better. Each night Ruby washed the gloves out and hung them on the line to dry, making Pearl smile as she tugged at them like cow’s udders.

  ‘Ricky wants to show he’s still useful,’ said Ruby as they sat on the back seat of the bus. It was hot and the sun shone through the windows onto their bare arms. ‘It’s just that he don’t like showing his missing fingers.’

  ‘What about his burns?’ Pearl paused. ‘Don’t answer if it upsets you.’

  ‘It’s not that,’ Ruby shrugged. ‘It’s just that he don’t say much about what happened. The scars are still red across his chest and he don’t take his vest off.’

  ‘The pain must have been awful.’

  ‘He said he was lucky. Some of his mates didn’t make it, although they tried to hold on to the lifeboats.’

  ‘Didn’t the rescue ships come along?’

  ‘No, they didn’t want to be torpedoed themselves. If your ship goes down, you don’t stand much chance in the sea. And sometimes the merchant ships only have four escorts and the German wolf packs are huge.’

  ‘Wolf packs?’

  ‘That’s what they call the subs when they hunt in packs.’

  Pearl sighed softly. ‘Little did we know what was going to happen at the beginning of the war when the City of Benares was torpedoed.’

  ‘Yes, all them poor kids on a harmless refugee ship sailing to Canada! It was said that even the Germans were sorry to have killed so many youngsters.’

  Pearl nodded. ‘But our side has done bad things too, only we ain’t told about them.’

  ‘You sound like a right rebel.’

  ‘I don’t believe everything I hear on the wireless.’

  Ruby shuddered visibly. ‘For myself, it wasn’t the Blitz that terrified me, it’s these doodlebugs. It’s that noise they make. It’s worse than the Luftwaffe. God, I’ll remember it all me life.’

  They were silent for a moment, considering this, until finally Ruby said slowly, ‘Pearl, me and Ricky feel it’s not fair to put on you much longer. I mean, you’re sleeping on a camp bed and there’s us in the lap of luxury.’

  ‘I don’t mind.’

  ‘If this war does come to an end, Jim will be home.’ Pearl glanced at her sister. What kind of reply should she give? But Ruby was quick to continue. ‘If Jim is demobbed, he’ll want his bed back.’

  ‘It’s not happened yet.’

  Ruby held up her hand to shield her face from the sunshine. ‘
Actually, Mum and Dad want us to go and visit.’

  ‘I didn’t read that in her letter.’

  ‘Mum gave me her neighbour’s telephone number to ring. A girl called Patty.’

  ‘You kept that one quiet.’

  ‘I wanted to talk to Ricky before I said anything, as I didn’t know if he’d want to go there until he’s well enough.’

  ‘And does he?’

  Ruby looked down. ‘No, he don’t, not yet.’ Once again they were silent until Ruby said, ‘I can’t wait to see our dresses.’

  ‘What will we do for shoes?’

  ‘Don’t know. We’ll have to see the colour first.’

  ‘I can’t afford new ones but I’ve still got me wedding shoes, so perhaps they’d be all right.’

  ‘The ones that looked as if the person who had them before had bunions?’ asked Ruby.

  Pearl turned to see a big smile on her face and they didn’t stop laughing until the bus stopped in Poplar.

  * * *

  ‘The measurements Emily gave me were perfect,’ said Hope Haskins in a quiet voice, pushing her spectacles along the bridge of her nose with the tip of her little finger. ‘The dresses fit perfectly. Look in the mirror.’

  Pearl and Ruby stood side by side in front of the long mirror hanging on the wall. They had been surprised at how nice Hope’s house was inside, even though outside it was over the High Street tobacconist’s. The building was three floors high and the attic room was for Hope’s dressmaking business. It was a long climb up the narrow flights of stairs but was worth it. Amidst the rolls of materials, overflowing shelves and drawers was a long worktop stretching from wall to wall. Beside it stood a full-sized headless mannequin. In the corner was a treadle sewing machine and another counter hidden under a mountain of cotton, scissors, threads and boxes of pins.

  ‘Oh, this is lovely!’ exclaimed Ruby as she twirled around and the skirt of the plum-coloured dress opened in full.

  ‘And look at this embroidery on the waistbands,’ Pearl said as she smoothed her hands over her dress. ‘It’s so well finished.’

  ‘I’m glad you like them. The shade is enhanced by your colouring.’