‘Freda Smith at yours,’ she said to the fair-haired man.
‘Come on, you lot, there’ll be no seats left if you don’t get a move on,’ Vera grumbled as she walked into Ruby’s front room in Alexandra Road. ‘And you could have got yourself home a bit earlier than this,’ she sniffed at Freda, as Maisie dabbed powder on the girl’s face to cover a scratch while Sarah brushed her short hair to a shine.
‘Go on ahead if you’re that worried, Vera,’ Ruby said, feeling relieved that her nosy neighbour had missed seeing Freda dropped off by a group of handsome American soldiers. She noticed also that Freda had her head in the clouds, even though she was rushing to wash and get dressed for the dance.
‘I’ll wait if it’s all the same,’ Vera huffed as she rearranged the fox fur draped around her shoulders. ‘I thought I might ask Bob to escort me,’ she smiled. ‘A lady shouldn’t have to walk alone in the dark.’
Ruby grinned to herself. So Vera still had designs on Bob, did she? She felt sorry for the man. ‘You’re out of luck then as he’s gone to the pub for a quick half along with the other men. Irene and Maureen are with them. You’ll just have to be brave and walk in the dark, not that’s it’s that dark this time of year, or you can wait and walk with us.’
Vera shrugged her shoulders and sat down. ‘I’ll catch him later,’ she said, making the women present laugh gently amongst themselves.
‘Yer know what this reminds me of?’ Maisie said as she snapped her gold powder compact closed and placed it in a pretty black satin evening bag.
‘Go on then, tell us,’ Sarah muttered carefully, as she had several hairpins in the side of her mouth.
‘Our first Woolies Christmas party and dance,’ Maisie grinned. ‘Surely you haven’t forgotten that, Sarah?’
‘As if I would,’ Sarah said dreamily of that snowy evening when Alan had held her in his arms for the first time.
‘Alan kissed Sarah that night,’ Freda grinned. ‘I spotted them through the letter box.’
‘You were a little minx then and you haven’t changed much,’ Sarah said, trying not to smile at the memory. ‘And you’re a good one to talk, what with being brought home by a lorry-load of American soldiers not an hour ago.’
‘Shh,’ Freda whispered as they noticed Vera listening. ‘Ouch, that hurts. I’ll not bother having my hair clipped up if it’s all the same, Sarah.’ She gave her friend a wink, but already Vera had turned her attention to Gwyneth, who’d just entered the front room.
‘You look beautiful,’ Ruby exclaimed. ‘Red really suits you with your dark hair. Turn round and let’s see the back view.’
Gwyneth spun round and the full skirt flew out around her ankles in ripples of light organza. ‘It’s a wonderful dress but I feel a little exposed,’ she said in her soft voice as she raised her hands to her bare shoulders.
‘Wait here a minute,’ Freda said as she jumped from her seat and dashed from the room. ‘I have just the thing,’ she called over her shoulder as she bounded up the stairs.
‘I hope she doesn’t wake up Myfi and Georgie,’ Sarah sighed. ‘It took an age to get Georgie off to sleep. She’s only known Myfi a few days, but she simply adores her and to be sleeping in the same room has rather overexcited her.’
Vera sniffed and glared at Gwyneth. ‘Leaving your young child here to care for a baby, are you? She couldn’t even call out if there was a problem. Mutes shouldn’t be left alone with babies. Anything could happen.’
Silence filled the room, with all eyes turning towards Vera just as Freda returned. ‘I have this shawl that would be perf . . .’ She looked at Ruby, who charged towards Vera. ‘Is something wrong?’
‘Out now before I do something I’ll regret. You can walk yourself to the bloody dance and if Hitler himself jumps out and grabs you, I’ll be buggered if anyone here will bother saving you.’
Vera dashed from the room, making sure not to get too close to Ruby as Gwyneth sat on the vacated chair and covered her eyes with her hands, the full skirt of her pretty dress spreading out around her. ‘I knew I shouldn’t have come here. It’s happening all over again,’ she cried.
‘Whatever was that all about?’ Freda asked as she wrapped the soft black shawl around the woman’s shoulders and held her as she cried.
‘Never you mind about Vera, she can be a nasty so-and-so sometimes. Your girl will speak when she wants to so don’t go upsetting yourself, my love. Many a child’s been shy and got over it. The pair of you have settled in well here and we want you to stay, whatever happened in the past,’ Ruby said, wondering if Gwyneth would explain what she meant by ‘it’s happening all over again’.
Gwyneth nodded and wiped her eyes. ‘I should be used to people saying nasty things by now and in a way Mrs Munro is right. Myfi can’t, or I should say she won’t, speak,’ she said, nodding her thanks to Maisie, who held out a clean handkerchief. She looked up to Ruby, who was pulling on her coat. ‘You’re a good woman, Mrs Caselton, but I don’t want to be the reason you fall out with your friend. Do you think we should tell Mrs Munro that you have someone sitting with the girls?’
‘No, let her stew for a while. It’ll be good to see her squirm when she knows she was wrong. As for your troubles, if you want to speak to me about them, you’ll find me a good listener. Don’t let her spoil your evening.’
Maisie, who’d been silently watching what had gone on in front of her, decided to speak. ‘Don’t let ’er get under yer skin or it’ll eat you away. She said some bloody awful things ter me a while back about me not ’avin ’ad a baby and it made me think badly of myself.’ She looked to Sarah and gave a small smile. ‘A friend stood by me and give me a good talking-to and now I can prove Vera wrong. Not that I want ’er knowing me news just yet.’
‘Oh my goodness,’ Freda shrieked and hugged Maisie tightly. ‘How marvellous!’
Ruby wiped her eyes and when Freda stepped aside she hugged the girl she thought of as a granddaughter. ‘I just knew things would work out for you. I’m bloody pleased. Tonight we will have a big celebration,’ she told the girls.
‘Please, can you pretend you don’t know? David really wants to make a big announcement. He thinks Sarah is the only one to know as she was with me when I went to see the doctor. He’d be disappointed if he knew I’d told everyone and spoilt his surprise.’
‘I think we can fake our surprise,’ Freda said.
‘Just don’t squeeze me so blooming tight next time. Now, are we all ready ter go? They’ll be playing the last waltz before we’ve even walked in the door.’
‘And I’ve got to protect Bob or Vera will have her hooks in him,’ Ruby added, picking up her handbag and gas mask.
Gwyneth followed Maisie out of the front door and pulled it closed behind her. ‘I’m really pleased for you,’ she said. ‘A child is a great blessing. If I can help in any way, please do say. Everyone’s been so good to me, and Myfi.’
‘Erith folk are a good sort.’ Maisie smiled at the girl. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without them.’
‘Did you know that Freda insisted we swap bedrooms, as hers is bigger and would give us more room?’ Gwyneth said as she closed the wooden gate.
‘I think of Freda as a kid sister,’ Maisie smiled.
‘Then you lent me this dress. I’ve never worn anything so grand in my life. I’m truly blessed.’
Maisie walked in step with the Welsh woman. ‘Had it bad, have yer, love? My life wasn’t that great before I came ter Erith. Now I’m a new woman with a happy future ahead of me. Life can be good, even in wartime. You can keep the dress, I doubt it’ll fit me again.’
Gwyneth stopped walking and took Maisie by the hand. ‘You really mean it? My goodness! Don’t forget that if you ever need any help, whatever it is, just ask. You don’t know what this means to me.’
Maisie winked at the woman. ‘You shouldn’t ’ave said that as you’ve given me an idea. Now, come on, let’s catch the others up.’
The women hurried on, crossing M
anor Road and passing the Co-op before heading past the Odeon cinema and along the road to Erith Dance Studio, situated above shops in the High Street.
‘Can you see my ’usband?’ Maisie asked Freda as she caught her up.
Freda pointed through the crowd to where David Carlisle was talking with Alan, both smartly turned out in their RAF uniforms. She could see Ginger nearby, leaning against a wall smoking a cigarette. Why was it that the British army uniform was not as smart as the American version? she thought to herself, remembering Hank’s blue eyes and strong hands as he helped her from the lorry when it parked in front of Ruby’s house only hours earlier. Pull yourself together, she thought as she walked over to greet the young man.
Entering the large ballroom, they spotted Maureen and Irene waving to them from across the dance floor. They hurried over, minding the chairs piled high with bags and coats. George got to his feet, then hugged his daughter and mother before disappearing to buy everyone drinks.
‘Don’t be too long, George, the band will be starting the first dance soon and I don’t wish to sit here like a wallflower,’ Irene called after him.
‘That’s not going to happen, Irene,’ Ruby said, sitting next to her daughter-in-law. ‘Not in that ball gown.’
Irene patted the voluminous skirts of her turquoise frock. ‘This old thing? Why, I’ve had it years.’
‘It’s very nice, Mrs Caselton,’ Freda said. ‘Did Maisie make it for you?’
She raised her eyebrows. ‘Certainly not. One of my friends at the golf club owns a couture establishment. This is a one-off, I’ll have you know.’
‘Thank goodness for that,’ Ruby muttered to no one in particular.
‘What did you say?’
‘I said, the band seems to be warming up,’ Ruby said.
‘Thank gawd for that.’ Maisie grinned at Ruby and they burst out laughing.
‘I do hope they speed up the tempo or we’ll be doing slow foxtrots all evening,’ Irene sniffed.
‘Have you met, Ginger, Mrs Caselton? He’s home on leave,’ Freda said, nudging the lad sitting next to her to shake hands with Irene.
‘I do believe I know you from somewhere,’ Irene said with a disdainful look at the young soldier.
‘I worked at Woolworths with your son-in-law. No doubt we’ll be back there once this war’s over,’ he said as he picked up his pint of pale ale and took a mouthful.
‘My son-in-law is an RAF pilot. I doubt he will return to such a mundane job,’ Irene replied.
‘Oh, I do hope he does,’ Sarah joined in. ‘I want everything to be as it was before the war. Not to see Alan at work every day is too terrible to think about. Besides, F. W. Woolworths are paying the men’s wages all the time they are away serving their country. I think that’s rather splendid of them. To not return to work after all that is absolutely not on.’
‘Oh, I do hope Alan returns to Woolworths. I’m sure he will one day have a store of his own to manage. He has such a bright future with the company,’ Betty Billington announced.
Sarah turned round to welcome Betty and gasped. Her boss looked wonderful in an oyster satin gown that looked familiar. As the penny dropped she saw Maisie give their boss a wink. Of course, it was the gown Maisie had worn to their very first Woolworths Christmas party four years previously. ‘Why, Betty, you look wonderful.’
It was true. Betty’s eyes were shining as she stood there still holding the arm of Douglas, who was looking extremely smart in his best suit. ‘Hello, everyone, may I introduce Douglas Billington?’ Douglas shook hands with the ladies and asked if they’d like a drink.
‘Thank you very much, but Dad’s getting a round in,’ Sarah explained, before adding, ‘I do hope you will accept our apologies for the way we manhandled you when we first met?’
Douglas laughed loudly. ‘Apology accepted. If it wasn’t for you, I’d still be loitering outside Woolworths.’
‘My goodness,’ Irene declared. ‘Sit here and tell me all about this handsome man. I take it he is a relative?’ she asked as she moved her handbag from the chair next to her and patted the seat for Betty to sit down. ‘And where did you obtain that delightful gown? I so love oyster satin and the button detail is just beautiful.’
Betty ran her fingers across the soft skirt. ‘This is one of Maisie’s creations that she kindly lent to me. I’m not one for going out much so don’t have a wardrobe of party frocks. She came to my rescue when Douglas invited me out.’
‘You look lovely. The best-dressed woman here,’ Ruby said. ‘I’m always telling Maisie she should make her living from dressmaking.’
George and David arrived at that point, balancing trays of drinks and dodging couples who were now on the dance floor waiting for the band to start playing.
‘I’ve said the same, Mrs C., but she’s not interested. No offence, Betty, but she’s not making use of her talents stuck in Woolworths behind a counter,’ David Carlisle said.
‘I like Woolies and I like a bit of dressmaking for meself and friends,’ Maisie said, looking embarrassed by the attention. ‘Betty was welcome to the dress. It only needed bit of altering, what with ’er being shorter than me. Besides, I’m never likely to fit into it again,’ she added, patting her stomach gently.
‘Oh my, you’re not . . . are you . . . ?’ Irene said with delight, rising to her feet to give Maisie a hug before looking pointedly at Vera. ‘I’m sure everyone is really pleased for you.’
‘I think a toast is in order,’ George said as he passed drinks around the table. The men and women present raised their glasses and toasted David and Maisie Carlisle.
‘Good health to you, Maisie, and may your children grow up in peace,’ Betty said as she wiped a tear from her eye. ‘You have no idea how envious I am of your good fortune.’
‘You never know what lies ahead, Betty,’ Ruby said as she looked to where Douglas was gazing at their friend with adoration in his eyes.
‘It’s been a lovely evening and thank goodness there were no air raids. I wouldn’t have fancied going down the public shelter in my best outfit.’
Bob steered Ruby passed a couple of dancers who were blocking their path around the dance floor. The lights had been turned down for the last waltz as the band played ‘Who’s Taking You Home Tonight?’ ‘You look a picture and give the youngsters a run for their money.’
Ruby slapped his shoulder. ‘Don’t be a daft ’a’porth. You’re as bad as my Eddie saying such things.’
‘Then I’m in good company. He was a good bloke was your husband. Do you think he’d have approved?’
Ruby looked puzzled. ‘Of what?’
Bob sighed. ‘Of us, Ruby. Do you think he’d have liked me courting his wife?’
‘Is that what you’re doing, Bob? I thought we was just having a dance.’
‘Come off it, you know what I mean. After all, we do see quite a lot of each other.’
‘Don’t make too much of it, Bob. I like you a lot, but I’ll love my Eddie until the day I die.’
‘And that’s as it should be. I feel the same about my old girl, but they’ve gone now and it would be criminal not to make the most of the time we’ve got left, wouldn’t it?’
‘I suppose it would . . .’ Ruby said as the music came to an end and the light came back on.
Bob’s face lit up. ‘So, do you think . . . ?’
‘I don’t think anything, Bob. I’m just saying.’
‘I’ll take that for now,’ he grinned.
Ruby smiled to herself. Bob was a good sort and she’d become fond of him. Perhaps Eddie would have approved? If the boot had been on the other foot, she’d have wished him to find love again. Love? Is that what she was feeling for Bob Jackson?
‘Well, well,’ Bob said as he led Ruby back to her seat.
She looked to where Bob was gazing at his son. Mike Jackson was still on the dance floor with his arm around Gwyneth and both were in deep conversation, appearing not to notice what was going on around them. ‘She’s a
nice woman, Bob. Mike could do a lot worse. I’ve only known her a few days, but I pride myself on being a good judge of character.’
Bob nodded thoughtfully. ‘Our Mike’s always been one for his work. He’s walked out with a few women over the years, but never found one he wanted to settle down with or who wanted to settle down with him.’
‘Perhaps now’s the time?’ Ruby said as she reached her chair and sat down.
‘I’d like to know a little more about her first,’ Bob said.
‘Come off it, Bob, your Mike’s the same age as my George and he’s a grandfather. Some would say your Mike’s got off light so far. You can’t wrap them in cotton wool forever. All the same, I’ll have a chat with Gwyneth and let you know if there’s anything untoward. I would like to know why her daughter’s like she is. The poor mite’s not spoke one word since she crossed my threshold.’
‘She’s not wearing a wedding ring either.’
‘So you’re already keeping an eye on her?’
‘Once a policeman, always a policeman,’ Bob laughed.
‘I’ll keep that I mind if our Nelson goes missing. I take it you coppers still look out for lost dogs?’
Bob roared with laughter. One thing was for sure, Ruby was a good laugh.
‘I thought your mum and dad would have come back for a cup of tea?’ Ruby said as she sat down to take off her shoes and rub her toes. ‘I can’t remember the last time I danced so much. What do you make of Betty and her beau?’
Sarah looked over her shoulder in case her nan had been heard. Fortunately there was too much chatter from the front room for anyone to have noticed. ‘I’m not sure that Douglas is her beau, Nan. Mum and Dad didn’t want to miss the last bus back to Crayford. Douglas went to Betty’s for his dinner so they could talk about Betty’s fiancé who died in the last war. Douglas was in the trenches with Charlie and saw him die. They have shared reminiscences, that’s all.’
‘Shared reminiscences, you say? Hmm.’
‘Oh, Nan, you’re getting as bad as Vera,’ Sarah said as she placed cups and saucers onto a tea tray. You’ll be planning a wedding next.’
Christmas at Woolworths Page 13
