Christmas at Woolworths

by Elaine Everest

  ‘Well, that sounds a bit soppy but you’re right. Let’s go and find the third musketeer, shall we? There’s no time to lose if I’m to head off to the wilds of Wiltshire tomorrow.’

  Freda pushed open the staff door that led into the Woolworths store. Her eyelids felt heavy, as if she’d not slept in a week. The motorbike ride down to Canterbury and then the search for her friends had taken their toll, and now she didn’t know whether she was coming or going. If someone had offered her a holiday in Margate, she’d have bitten their hand off regardless of whether there was an air raid while she was there. Just to be able to relax and breathe in the sea air would be delightful. If only. She sighed to herself as she straightened the skirt of the wine-coloured uniform and checked her buttons were done up correctly. She was so late this morning she wasn’t even sure she’d dressed herself correctly.

  Deep in thought, she didn’t notice there were people standing close to the door and the first she knew was when there was a loud yelp of pain as the door swung outwards and met with a body.

  ‘My goodness, I’m so sorry. Have I injured you?’ was all she could think to say as she saw a man dressed in an American army uniform rubbing his shoulder, while his friends stood nearby laughing at his discomfort.

  ‘It’s my fault, ma’am. I should be more careful where I stand,’ a familiar voice said politely.

  ‘Why, it’s Sergeant Hank Marshall,’ Freda exclaimed, unable to hide her delight at seeing the handsome American sergeant once more and wishing that she’d taken notice of Maisie, who was always reminding her that a dash of lipstick and brushed hair looked much more attractive than appearing in public as though she’d just been dragged through a hedge backwards. She ran her fingers through her short bobbed hairstyle, hoping to perform miracles with her appearance. ‘What brings you to this branch of Woolworths?’

  ‘I could ask the same of you,’ he said in a deep drawl that made Freda’s skin tingle in delight. ‘Is that where you keep your motorbike?’ he asked with a grin, nodding towards the staff door.

  ‘N . . . no, I keep the bike at the fire station just up the road. This is my other job. I’m a Woolworths girl most of the time. But you haven’t answered my question. Why are you here?’

  One of Hank’s comrades stepped forward and held out a small booklet. ‘We are told that when we reach your shores there will always be a welcome found at any five-and-ten-cent store in good old England.’

  ‘Oh, I remember now, the first ever Woolworths stores were in America.’ She recalled Betty telling them about a famous building in America called the Woolworth Tower and showing them a photograph of it in the staff magazine The New Bond. Betty had enthused about it being the focal point of the company and about how she’d like to visit it one day. For Freda it had been a long enough journey to get to Erith from her home in the Midlands, so she wasn’t so sure about journeying to America. It was so far away. ‘I suppose your Woolworths stores are very different to ours, but you will find us just as welcoming,’ Freda smiled at the young soldier. ‘It must have been a big step to not only join up to fight in a war but to travel so far from home to a strange country.’

  ‘I didn’t expect to come over here and find the girl of my dreams inside a store,’ Hank said gently, not bothering who heard him speak to Freda. ‘There I was thinking you were a one-woman fighting team tearing around England defeating the enemy on your motorbike.’

  Freda blushed. In the few times she’d met the American soldiers she’d found them loud and brash but quite harmless. ‘You will find most women are helping the war effort when they aren’t doing their day job,’ she replied primly.

  Hank’s mates laughed loudly and one even whistled as they poked fun at him for being reprimanded by Freda. ‘Well, that told me, ma’am,’ he replied apologetically. ‘I mean no insult to you and the women of this lovely country.’

  ‘I’m sure you don’t,’ Freda smiled. Inside, her heart was giving another flip as he spoke with such sincerity. ‘If you’ll forgive me, I must get to my counter and work before I get into trouble with my boss.’ She was aware that Betty was on the shop floor somewhere checking on her staff. It was Betty’s first day back at work since returning from Margate and she didn’t appear to be in a good mood.

  ‘We wouldn’t wish to get you into trouble, ma’am,’ Hank said as he nodded to his comrades to move on. I wondered . . . and I hope this isn’t too forward of me . . . would you care to accompany me to the cinema this evening?’

  Freda froze. The last time she’d gone to the Odeon to see a film it had been with Ginger and that didn’t turn out very well. She wasn’t keen to put herself in the same situation once more. ‘I don’t know. It’s not as if I know you very well, I . . .’ she was lost for words. Although Hank was extremely handsome and she had dreamt about him often since they first met, she was afraid. Not having much experience of stepping out with young men, she could only rely on what her friends told her and Maisie’s comments about some men she’d known having hands like octopuses came to mind. She was aware Hank was waiting for an answer with pleading eyes.

  ‘Look, I’m not sure of the protocol when asking an English girl to accompany me to see a movie but if you’d like to bring a friend, I can do the same and then you will feel safe. What do you say?’

  Freda felt awful. What must he think of her, knowing she didn’t trust him? It must be written on her face. ‘I’d love to come to the pictures with you. There’s a film on at the Odeon that I’ve been longing to see.’

  Hank beamed. ‘Why, that’s just fine. Where can we pick you both up?’

  Oh my, Freda thought with a start. Even though Ruby was away visiting her Pat in Cornwall she most likely would not want men appearing on her doorstep, especially soldiers, even if she had met them. It wouldn’t be right. Besides, she needed to ask someone to accompany her and that could be a problem. ‘It may be best if we meet outside the cinema,’ she suggested. ‘Do you know where it is?’

  ‘I sure do, ma’am,’ he said, taking her hand and shaking it until she thought her arm would drop off. ‘Will seven suit you?’

  ‘Perfect,’ Freda said, retrieving her hand. ‘There is one other thing,’ she added seriously.

  Hank’s face dropped. ‘You have a husband?’

  Freda burst out laughing. ‘No, but please will you stop calling me ma’am. My name is Freda.’

  It was Hank’s turn to laugh as he gave her a bow and then saluted her, making Freda’s cheeks turn red once more. ‘Until tonight, sweet Freda,’ he said with a wink before joining his comrades, who slapped him on the back as they walked from the store.

  ‘Friends of yours?’

  Freda jumped almost out of her skin as she walked slowly towards the counter where she was covering for a colleague who had just heard her husband had been injured in North Africa. Turning round, she spotted Maisie and Sarah. ‘Hello, you two, can’t you keep away from Woolies?’ she laughed as she went behind her counter. ‘Can I interest you in in some darning wool or perhaps a knitting pattern?’

  ‘Don’t think you can put us off the scent,’ Maisie said as she sat down on a chair thoughtfully provided for older customers. ‘Who were those handsome guys? And what was that one saying to you to make you blush so charmingly?’

  ‘For your information that is Sergeant Hank Marshall, he’s part of the American army that’s come over here to save us from Hitler,’ Freda said proudly. ‘He’s invited me to go to the pictures with him this evening.’

  Sarah was alarmed. She’d seen the state Freda was in after her disastrous evening out with Ginger. ‘But you don’t know this man, Freda love.’

  ‘But I do,’ Freda replied defiantly. ‘He’s the American serviceman who ran me off the road and damaged my motorbike.’

  ‘It’s the first time I’ve heard someone fancy a chap after he tried to kill ’em,’ Maisie sniggered.

  Freda ignored the joke and added, ‘He’s nice. He organized for my bike to be fixed and returned to me
before I got in trouble with the Fire Service. If he hadn’t helped me, I wouldn’t have been in Canterbury and been able to find you and Betty. Speaking of which, you’d best buy something as she’s heading in this direction and is in a foul mood today.’

  ‘I do need some darning wool as it happens,’ Sarah said as she started to hold up small skeins of wool to the light so she could check the colour. ‘Mum said that Dad has poked his toes through almost every sock he owns and she doesn’t like darning. I offered to do it for her even though I’m not that good at the job.’

  ‘Leave some with me and I’ll help out. Navy blue or grey?’ Freda asked as she helped choose the colours.

  ‘I’d better have some white sewing thread and embroidery silks if you have any, Freda. I’ve got a couple of orders to make summer dresses for Myfi and Georgie. I thought I could embroider their names on the pockets as I’ll be twiddling me thumbs with nothing to do once I get to the mother in-law’s place. Now we’ve bought something you can tell us about this Yank you’ve taken a shine to,’ Maisie said, taking out her purse to pay for her purchases.

  ‘Now, that’s a sight I like to see. My staff here on their day off and buying our stock,’ Betty said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  ‘Ex-staff, Betty. I’m not on the payroll anymore, remember?’ Maisie pointed out.

  ‘Oh, of course you aren’t. I’m so used to seeing you girls together that I forgot you have left our employ. I do hope it won’t be forever, Maisie? In fact, if you’d like a few hours each week helping out, I can find you something that isn’t too strenuous to do,’ Betty offered hopefully.

  ‘Can’t be done, I’m afraid,’ Maisie said sadly. She loved life at Woolworths and although over the moon to be expecting a baby, she did miss shop life. ‘David’s packing me off to live with his mum until after I’ve had the kid. He reckons he can’t trust me to take care of myself after our little adventure in Canterbury.’

  ‘Oh my dear, I’m so sorry. I feel as though I’m to blame. After all, it was my idea we should visit the city for the day. So foolhardy of me. What can I do to help change his mind?’

  Maisie shrugged her shoulders. ‘It’s a done deal, Betty. I’m all packed and ready to head off tomorrow.’

  ‘I feel I’ve let you down, my dear. What can I do to make it up to you?’

  ‘There’s no need. Honest, Betty, it’s not you, it’s David. He’s trying to wrap me in cotton wool and I can’t win until he’s got this kiddie in his arms. I’ll be home by Christmas and we can make up fer lost time then. Besides, you can all visit me in Wiltshire.’

  ‘Where’s that?’ Freda asked.

  ‘A bloody long way away,’ Maisie sighed.

  ‘It’s a beautiful county, you will love living there, and we will all write to you and send parcels to relieve the boredom. I promise,’ Betty said generously.

  ‘As long as it’s gin and fags I’ll be ’appy,’ Maisie joked as Betty looked shocked.

  ‘Now, why don’t we all go out this evening to say goodbye to Maisie properly?’ their boss suggested.

  Sarah and Maisie looked at Freda expectantly. ‘But I can’t go with you. I’ve been invited to go to the pictures with Hank Marshall and I’ve accepted. Sorry, Maisie, but I really want to go. He’s a sergeant in the American army,’ she added as Betty gave her a puzzled look.

  ‘Are you sure about this?’ Betty asked. ‘After last time . . .’

  Freda sighed. ‘It’s very kind of you all to be concerned about me. I have to admit to being a little worried after last time but I won’t be alone. Hank is bringing a friend with him and I said I’d do the same. I do need to ask Gwyneth if she can come along with me.’

  ‘Oh dear,’ Betty exclaimed. ‘I’ve not long sent Gwyneth home. She is under the weather and I told her to get herself home and in bed until she is fighting fit. The last thing we need is to share germs with those doing important war work. Is there someone else you could invite?’

  The girls looked at each other. There was only one other single woman in the group. Sarah raised her eyebrows at Maisie, encouraging her to speak.

  ‘It’s like this, Betty, it only leaves you as you’re still, er . . . still single. Even though we know you have Douglas,’ she added quickly.

  Betty didn’t know what to say. The mention of Douglas had hurt her like a spear to her heart but she couldn’t blame her friends for that. It had been her decision to not see Douglas again even though she had regrets. ‘I’m flattered you should think I could join your outing to the cinema, Freda, but the poor men would think they were out with their mother. Had you not thought about the age difference? I must say I’m a little flattered,’ she chuckled. The girls could be such a tonic at times.

  ‘That just leaves you then, Sarah,’ Maisie said.

  ‘What? I have a husband and a daughter if you’ve forgotten. Why, I don’t think Alan would be too impressed to hear I’d been out with another man while he was away fighting for King and country.’

  Freda held her breath. She wouldn’t have dared suggest anything that might cause a split between a man and his wife. Whatever was Maisie thinking – especially after what had happened in the past . . . ?

  ‘Look, I don’t see anything wrong in you accompanying your friend to the pictures. Make sure you tell the men straight off that you have an ’usband and then things will be all right. Then,’ she added quickly, ‘we could all meet for a cuppa at Mitchell’s tea room tomorrow before I ’ead off to gawd knows where. After all, yer won’t see me fer an age . . .’ She nudged Sarah, indicating she should go along with her idea.

  ‘All right, I’ll do it, but I’m going to show them a photo of Alan so they know I’m not a good-time girl,’ she said, glaring at Maisie and rubbing her arm where her friend’s elbow had made contact.

  ‘I don’t think anyone would ever think you were a good-time girl,’ Betty smiled at Sarah. ‘Now that is all sorted out I must get upstairs and catch up on my paperwork. Perhaps you would be a dear and pop into the tea rooms and book a table, Sarah? Let’s have lunch, it will be my treat. No, I insist,’ she added as the girls started to protest. ‘We won’t get to meet together until Christmas so we should celebrate our friendship before Maisie leaves Erith. Freda, it looks as though you have a customer,’ Betty added before heading off to do her work.

  ‘Thank you very much,’ Sarah hissed at Maisie. ‘You’ve really put me on the spot now, haven’t you? What were you thinking, shoving me in the arm like that?’

  ‘I needed you to agree,’ Maisie said, ‘before Freda changed her plans.’

  ‘You’ve lost me now.’

  ‘For ’eavens sake. You’d never make a good spy, would you? Now that Betty thinks we are all meeting tomorrow she’ll be looking forward ter her lunch and when Douglas arrives out of the blue, like he’s going ter do, she will fall into his arms and all will be right again.’

  ‘You’ve been watching too many soppy films. We still need to find Douglas and convince him to meet Betty.’

  ‘A piece of cake,’ Maisie grinned. ‘Freda can fill in the details and Bob’s yer uncle! There’ll be wedding bells before the year is out. You mark my words.’

  17

  ‘You have a chutney stain on your tie.’

  ‘We’ve travelled hundreds of miles through the night together. Ducked a bombing raid near Plymouth and stepped out of the station into a glorious sunny day, and all you can say is I have a chutney stain on my tie. You’re some woman, Ruby Caselton.’

  ‘And your one grumpy bugger first thing in the morning, Bob Jackson. Come on, we’re late and our Pat’ll be waiting around here somewhere.’

  ‘I’m a creature of habit, Ruby. I just need a cup of tea and my breakfast and then I’ll be as right as rain,’ Bob said as he looked up and down the narrow country lane. ‘I don’t see any cars waiting, do you?’

  ‘We are three hours late. What do you expect?’

  ‘Now who’s grumpy? Why don’t we ask the stationmas
ter if there’s been a message left for us? It seems the sensible thing to do at a time like this. It’s not as if we know which way to walk. There aren’t any signposts that I can see.’

  ‘Sea? I can’t even see the sea. I thought we were near the coast. There’s not even a pond round here,’ Ruby said as she sat on her suitcase and rubbed a foot. ‘I shouldn’t have travelled in my best shoes. My feet are killing me.’

  Bob could see that Ruby was tired and she was also out of her comfort zone. With no family to organize or home to run she was lost. She’d expected her daughter Pat to be there with a big hug and grandchildren running around their gran’s legs in excitement. Instead they had arrived to nothing. He felt a little deflated. ‘I’ll go see if I can find someone who can help us. There’s a bench over there, why not rest your legs for a while?’

  Bob went back into the one railway station building after settling Ruby comfortably on the bench and leaving their suitcases by her side. She was admiring the pretty pots of flowers on the window ledge, and thinking Cornwall wasn’t such a bad place if only it wasn’t so far from Kent, when she heard the clip-clop of a horse’s hooves and spotted a horse and cart coming up the slight slope of the lane leading to the station. The scene looked like something she’d seen on the calendars she received as Christmas gifts from the girls. They were very popular in Woolworths, along with views of thatched cottages. She started to wonder if houses had thatch in Cornwall when the horse and cart came to a stop close to where she was sitting.

  ‘Good morning, sir,’ she said as the person controlling the cart walked towards her. He was certainly a strapping lad, she thought. Sun-bleached hair and the muscles that showed through the rough cotton shirt must surely attract the young maidens in these parts. However, it was strange that he wasn’t in uniform.

  ‘Good morning,’ he said politely, wiping his hands down the sides of his trousers and holding one out to Ruby. ‘I take it you’ll be Mrs Caselton, Pat’s ma? I’m Jago Trevellyn.’