‘Well, blow me down,’ Ruby said, passing the cake stand to Irene and reaching out to the woman, who was standing there grinning like a Cheshire cat. ‘Pat, it’s wonderful to see you. What are you doing here? The last time you wrote you were down in Cornwall with the kiddies.’
Pat, Ruby’s youngest child, pushed past her sister-in-law and hugged her mother until the pair could hardly breathe. ‘I came home to see John as I missed him so much. The kiddies are still down there,’ she added as Ruby looked past Pat hoping to see her grandchildren.
Ruby’s heart sank. It had been a year since she’d set eyes on her youngest grandchildren. Ruby had supported Pat’s husband when he said he wanted his loved ones in a safe place, away from the bombing, and where safer than Cornwall? He had relatives down that way who had suggested Pat and the children stay. It had been a resounding success with the youngsters who attended the local village school and settled in to living on a farm, as just they might with their own father all but running Moat Farm on the outskirts of nearby Slades Green.
‘John hasn’t been able to leave the farm to come and see us and I missed him so much, Mum,’ Pat said beseechingly, not knowing how Ruby would take the news of her leaving the children behind.
Ruby thought for a moment. Was there more in this than what her youngest was telling her? ‘You know what’s best for your family, Pat, who am I to judge? Now, let’s get this tea party underway before the buns go dry.’ Ruby turned away to remove her apron and straighten her Sunday best dress before picking up a tray that held her best teapot and headed towards the front room.
Pat raised her eyebrows at her sister-in-law, who looked equally puzzled.
‘I do declare the old girl is going soft in her old age,’ Irene whispered as they followed Ruby.
‘Come in, Mike and Bob, I think you know everyone,’ Ruby called out as the police sergeant and his father walked in through the open door. ‘Let’s find you a comfortable chair, Bob. Tea is about ready. Mike, would you give the men a shout before all the grub’s gone? They’re in the garden gassing about something or other. Freda, clear me a space on the sideboard to put this tray down and, you young ones, budge up and give Bob somewhere to rest his bones.’
Maisie jumped to her feet and shook out the skirt of her summery frock. With her blonde hair pinned high on her head and her lips painted deep red she looked the picture of health. ‘Here you go, Bob, ’ave my seat. I can perch on the arm of the sofa or sit on David’s lap when he returns from whatever he’s up to in the back garden.’
Vera, Ruby’s friend from up the road, rushed over to the vacated seat. ‘There’s plenty of room for two. You can sit with me, Bob,’ she said, patting the seat beside her.
‘I’ll ask you not to rush about my front room, Vera Munro, you nearly knocked over Rover.’
Maisie and Sarah grinned at each other. Rover was Ruby’s best chalk dog that she’d won at last year’s Erith Show. It had taken them all umpteen goes on the side shows to have enough vouchers for the large ornament that so resembled Ruby’s dog, Nelson. ‘Where is Nelson, Nan?’ Sarah asked, hoping that Ruby would stop glaring at Vera in such a territorial way as Vera patted Bob’s knee, much to his embarrassment.
‘He’s out the back. I asked your Alan to keep him there in case he pinched our grub. You know what he’s like when there’s food about. Now, let’s all tuck in before the sandwiches start to curl. Would you like to pour the tea, Sarah?’
Maisie nudged her mate as she got to her feet to sort out cups and saucers and pour the amber liquid from her nan’s best teapot. The pair of them were aware that Vera from up the road had set her cap at Sergeant Jackson’s father now he was back home and living in Alexandra Road. Even if Ruby wasn’t aware of it yet, she too had a soft spot for the amiable man, whose eyes followed her as she handed out food and made sure everyone had a fair share to eat.
2
With the delicious Easter tea over and done with and not a crumb remaining of the hot cross buns, the men in the family set to with the washing up while the women waved goodbye to Pat, who wanted to get back to her husband, and Vera, who was none too keen on taking a walk.
‘Let’s take Georgina to see the window display in Woolworths,’ Freda said as she tucked her arm through Sarah’s. ‘The woollen chicks look so cute in amongst the eggshells and straw.’
‘Here, darling, let me push my beautiful granddaughter. I don’t get to see her nearly enough,’ Irene said as she took control of the pram. ‘I must say, this knitted cover is delightful. Is it your handiwork, Freda?’
‘No, I worked on a pink blanket for the little bed that Alan made. It’s ready for when she is big enough. This is all Maureen’s doing. She does have a clever nanny, don’t you, my sweetie?’ Freda said as she leant over and tickled the little girl under the chin, before realizing what she had said. Alan’s mum, Maureen, was a lovely lady but Irene could be a little prickly at times. She felt Sarah nudge her side but it was too late, the words had been said.
Fortunately Maureen was at hand and heard Freda speak. ‘My goodness, don’t look too close, Irene, or you will see where I dropped a stitch. If anyone is clever, it is you for finding such a smart new pram for our little angel. Why, there’s nothing new to be found for youngsters these days.’
‘You’ve all been so generous with gifts for Georgina. I’m truly grateful and I know Alan is too,’ Sarah added quickly.
‘Actually, the pram isn’t new,’ Irene admitted nervously.
‘Well, blow me down with a feather,’ Maisie declared before putting her hand to her mouth as she realized what she had said. It was common knowledge that Irene always purchased the best products and the word second-hand was never found in her vocabulary. ‘I’d never have known,’ she added quickly.
‘I wouldn’t have purchased it from just anyone,’ Irene said, pulling on leather gloves before taking control of the pram. ‘Lady Clairmont, from the golf club, had bought the perambulator for her daughter to use when she came to visit. Sadly her daughter has taken the children to Canada for the duration so it has had little use.’
‘Lucky for our Lady Georgina,’ Sarah said with a grin. ‘Fancy you riding in a pram meant for royalty.’
Irene sniffed. ‘Hardly royalty, Sarah. Lady Clairmont’s husband made his fortune in industry. Do you think we should start our walk before it gets dark?’
Maisie grinned at Sarah as they linked arms and followed the entourage of women down the road of bay-fronted terraces towards the town of Erith. ‘She never changes, does she?’
‘Oh, I don’t know. I feel she has mellowed in some ways. Look how she is with Georgina and she loves wearing those siren suits you made for her so that she’s just like the rest of us when we are down in the Anderson shelter.’
‘Has she always been posh?’ Maisie whispered as Freda joined them.
Sarah laughed. ‘I’ve never really known her any other way. Mum just wants what is best for Dad and me. I’ve not long realized that.’
‘I like your mum, Sarah. You get what you see with her and she’s always there for you regardless of whether she’s wearing a fur coat or not,’ Freda said wistfully. ‘You are lucky to have such a caring family.’
‘Have you heard anything from yer mum?’ Maisie asked. They’d met Freda’s brother, Lenny, not long after Freda started work at Woolworths but knew little of her mother.
‘Not a peep since I left home in 1938. We were never close, especially after my dad died and she took up with her current husband. As you know, I send her a few bob in a Christmas card but there’s never a word from her. Lenny sends her money since he’s been in the navy, but she’s not replied to him either.’ Freda shrugged her shoulders in dismissal. ‘That’s life, I suppose.’
Sarah felt so angry. It wasn’t fair that Freda should be treated so badly by her mother. Freda was such a sweet girl and everyone who met her said what a delightful person she was. ‘We are your family now, Freda, so no need to be sad. Why, Georgina looks on
you as her aunty and you are her godmother, just as Maisie is. Even Nan treats you just like another granddaughter. You too, Maisie,’ she added.
‘We were certainly lucky the day we bumped into you at Woolies,’ Freda said, a smile brightening her face. ‘Goodness knows what would have happened to me if I’d not been told they were advertising for staff for the Christmas period and decided to turn up on the off chance they would take me on.’
‘And looking like a right ragamuffin, gawd luv yer,’ Maisie said, giving her a hefty shove with her elbow. ‘Look at you now,’ she added, so proud of how Freda had turned into a pretty young woman.
Freda stopped and spun around. ‘All thanks to you two,’ she said as her pretty floral skirt flew out from her neat waist. ‘Have I said thank you for passing this on to me, Sarah?’
‘Only about ten times,’ Sarah laughed. ‘It’s best going to you as the waistband is just too tight since I’ve had Georgina.’
‘And taking it in means there were a few scraps of material for the patch pocket on your blouse,’ Maisie said, admiring her handiwork.
‘Well, I’m grateful to both of you,’ Freda said, making one more delighted spin as they reached the end of Alexandra Road and turned left towards the shop-lined streets that formed the centre of Erith. ‘I owe you lots of favours for this and will look after Georgina any time you want to go out. You too, Maisie, when the time comes.’ She almost skipped as she went ahead to join Ruby, who was chatting to Betty as they followed Maureen and Irene with the pram.
Sarah noticed a shadow pass over Maisie’s face. ‘It’ll happen soon enough, Maisie,’ she said softly. ‘You’ve not been married a year yet.’
‘But I ’ad that scare at the end of last year. What if I can’t ’ave kids? I’d never forgive myself. David wants them even more than I do.’
‘It’s not going to happen if you keep worrying. I remember Maureen saying that to one of the women at Woolworths and she’s had three since then. So, you never know what’s around the next corner, do you?’
‘I s’pose yer right,’ Maisie said although she didn’t look convinced.
‘Look, Alan’s taking me to the pictures tomorrow evening. Why not come with us? There’s a musical on at the Odeon. It’s a Busby Berkeley. You like them.’
Maisie shrugged her shoulders. ‘Ta, but no thanks. David is back on duty the day after so I really want to make the most of having him to myself if we are ever to ’ave a kiddie of our own.’
Sarah flinched. Even now she wasn’t used to the way her friend spoke sometimes. ‘We’d best hurry up, the others are so far ahead of us.’
‘You’ve certainly done wonders with your window display, Betty. Wherever do you get your ideas, let alone the materials?’ Irene said as she stood gazing into the windows of F. W. Woolworths. Even with the crisscross of sticky paper over the windows, to limit damage if enemy action should shatter the glass, the wonderful Easter scene could be seen.
‘All praise must go to Freda,’ Betty replied proudly. ‘She has such wonderful ideas. Head office sent a photographer down last week to take a photograph for the staff magazine. We’ve not featured in The New Bond since Sarah was carnival queen in 1939. The journalist interviewed Freda about her ideas so I do hope it is published. Staff need a boost at the moment with this awful war going on for so long.’
‘I certainly agree with you there, Betty. In fact, that is why I accompanied George this weekend. We are house hunting,’ Irene said.
Sarah, who was standing just behind, shrieked with glee. ‘You’re moving home?’
‘It’s hardly home, Sarah. Our home is in Devon, not Erith,’ Irene corrected her daughter.
‘Why now?’ Ruby asked. She was trying to keep a straight face as the relief that Irene was not taking Sarah and Georgina back with her was hard to hide.
‘George is to work more hours at Vickers in Crayford, so it makes sense for us to move up this way. We will rent a house for now and let our own home out to one of his colleagues. I accompanied George to make sure he found something presentable.’
‘There’s an empty house near me in Crayford Road,’ Maureen suggested.
‘I saw an advert in the tobacconist for rooms in West Street,’ Freda added.
Irene wrinkled her nose. ‘No, I was thinking of somewhere in Crayford close to St Paulinus Church. It would have to be something tasteful.’
Maisie grinned at Sarah. ‘What was that we were saying about snobs?’
‘Shush, she will hear you,’ Maureen hissed. ‘I’m sure wherever you live you’ll make a beautiful home for George,’ she said, turning to Irene. ‘Crayford isn’t far for you to visit the family.’
‘Or for them to visit me,’ Irene smiled through thin lips. ‘It will be a novelty to have my daughter step over the threshold of her parents’ home once again.’
Sarah didn’t know what to say. Her mother had never understood why she’d preferred to move to Erith and work in Woolworths rather than stay in Devon and be introduced to umpteen chinless offspring of Irene’s friends at the golf club. Maisie, however, had plenty to say.
‘Come off it, Irene. Sarah’s had a lot on her plate since moving here. She has an important job and a baby, and don’t forget that her husband was missing in action for a good few months. Besides, most of her family live in this neck of the woods now . . . and she always sees her dad when he’s working at Vickers.’
Irene adopted an injured expression and sighed. ‘I suppose I am only your mother, Sarah.’
‘For goodness’ sake, Irene, I thought we were here to look at the window display, not talk about your social arrangements,’ Ruby snapped. ‘I for one think it is exceptional and if the people at Woolworths decide to publish a photograph, I’d like a copy to frame and hang at home if that is possible. I’m very proud of all of you. Now, shall we move on and take Georgina to watch the boats on the river before it’s time for her tea?’
A rather subdued group of women followed Ruby, who had taken over the pushing of the pram containing her great-granddaughter. Chin held high, she marched across Pier Road and down the High Street to the banks of the River Thames.
‘I love coming here,’ Maureen said as she breathed deeply, taking in the river smells. ‘I feel so lucky to live in Erith. I couldn’t imagine moving away. Even with the barrage balloons hovering over the river and the threat of air-raid warnings at any time, it is still a great place to live.’
‘I’m with you there, Maureen,’ Ruby agreed. ‘I’ll be here until they carry me off to join my Eddie at St Paulinus.’
‘Oh, Nan, don’t be so miserable. That won’t be for many a year,’ Sarah admonished Ruby as she lifted her daughter from the pram and held her up to see the busy river. ‘Look, Georgie, boats!’
‘Ships, Sarah, they are ships,’ Irene said, ‘and how boring they look all painted in the same awful grey. However can anyone be excited about such a scene? It’s just the same boring river it has always been.’
Georgina replied by excitedly chuckling and pointing as a nearby tug sounded its horn, which made the women laugh.
‘I do wish the grandchildren were here with us. I do miss them. They must have grown a foot at least since I last saw them.’
‘It’s safer for them down in Cornwall, Ruby. Look at how close the farm was to those incendiary bombs that landed at Slades Green sidings last year. If it hadn’t been fer some of the locals putting out the fires, the whole area would have been blown sky high,’ Maisie reminded Ruby.
Ruby nodded thoughtfully. ‘You’re right there, Maisie, but it doesn’t stop me missing them.’
‘Perhaps you could visit them,’ Freda suggested.
‘What? All the way down in Cornwall? It might as well be the end of the earth for all the chance I’d get to travel there,’ Ruby laughed. ‘No, I’ll just have to wait until the war is over and Pat brings them home,’ she added, looking sad.
Freda gave her landlady a big hug. ‘Never say never, eh, Ruby?’
�
�I’ll keep it in mind, love, but for now all I can think about is a nice cup of tea. I don’t know about you lot but I could do with putting my feet up for a while.’
‘Let’s get Georgie back in her pram. I don’t think she can walk all the way home just yet,’ Sarah said, as she lifted her daughter. Georgie immediately started to grizzle as she preferred to toddle unsteadily, holding on to her mum’s hands.
‘Georgina is a perfectly good name. I see no reason for you to shorten it, Sarah,’ Irene sniffed, as she headed away from the river and up the High Street.
The women were quiet as they headed back to Alexandra Road with Georgina still complaining in her pram. Ruby had just put her key in the front door of number thirteen when they spotted Vera, Ruby’s friend from up the road, heading towards them. Maisie, who had taken over pushing the pram, steered around the woman, intent on getting the child inside the house and cheering her up.
‘You’re quite a hand at looking after a kiddie, Maisie. I’m surprised you haven’t got one of your own by now,’ Vera said pointedly. ‘Our Sadie is courting and I’m sure she will have a family as soon as she’s walked down the aisle. In wartime it’s a woman’s duty to bring more children into the world to make for a better future for our country.’
Maisie lowered her head and dashed into the house, only stopping to let Freda take hold of the pram. Sarah rushed after her friend and closed the front door. Ruby could hear Maisie’s sobs from outside the house.
‘Why, Vera Munro, that is the most hurtful comment I’ve ever heard you say,’ Ruby scolded her neighbour. ‘Why don’t you stop to think before you open your big mouth and let your words spew out? For all you know Maisie may have problems and words like yours can hurt someone’s feelings.’
‘Is she having problems then?’ Vera asked with interest.
‘It’s none of your business if she is. Not that she is having problems,’ Ruby added quickly in case Vera probed even more. ‘Now, what can we do for you?’ she asked, folding her arms across her chest and giving the woman a hard stare.
Christmas at Woolworths Page 3
