The Docklands Girls

by June Tate

  ‘Come along, honey, drink up, I’m going to take you home,’ he said seeing the distress etched on her face. ‘Gee, I’m sorry I asked. It was stupid of me.’

  She gave a wan smile. ‘No, I wanted you to know. Now you do.’

  They walked silently through the unlit streets, using Cora’s torch to light their way in the blackout, ignoring others who were out enjoying their evening, through The Ditches and to her room. When they were inside, she put on the kettle to make some tea. They were sitting side by side on the bed, waiting for the kettle to boil, Hank holding her in his arms as she cried silent tears. He stroked her hair and patted her back as you would a child, making soothing noises until she stopped grieving. Then he kissed her gently.

  ‘I understand so much more now,’ he told her. ‘You have so much courage for someone so young; I only wish I could take the hurt away from you. I feel so useless.’

  She looked up at him. ‘Hank, will you make love to me?’

  And he did, gently, with great tenderness and as he felt her relax, he hoped he went some way to help the mental anguish she’d been through that night. He prayed that being able to talk about it would be therapeutic for this lovely young woman who’d come to mean so much to him.

  Olive couldn’t wait for the invasion to begin. The event would bring an end to her worries. All those damned Yanks would be gone and her life would be back to normal. What she really meant was that she would once again have control over her daughter.

  Ever since Hildy had taken up with ‘that GI’, as she thought of him, things had changed considerably. Hildy was out of the house more often and sometimes all night. When she’d accused her daughter of being a loose woman, no better than those on the streets, Hildy had not battered an eyelid, but had just looked at her mother.

  ‘What I do is not any of your business, Mother. I’m a grown woman, not a child and you don’t run my life for me.’ Then she’d walked out of the room leaving Olive speechless.

  Whenever Milt Miller came to the house, Olive was on edge. The young man was polite to her, but she knew that he could see through her duplicities and was aware of the emotional games she played, so she was very careful about what she said. Once when she’d questioned Hildy about an opinion she’d voiced which didn’t agree with hers and had said as much, Milt had intervened.

  ‘You forget, Mrs Dickson, that Hildy has a mind of her own.’

  After that, she said little in front of him, keeping her spiteful and negative remarks for when she was alone with her daughter.

  That evening, Milt and Hildy were taking a walk through the park together. The evening was pleasantly warm. They strolled slowly, holding hands and chatting about inconsequential things to keep both of them from thinking that soon they would have to part, knowing the future would be uncertain.

  They sat on a bench and lit cigarettes. Milt placed his arm about her shoulders.

  ‘Gee, Hildy, I can’t tell you how happy I am that we got together. These past few weeks have been some of the happiest in my life, I want you to know that.’

  There was an underlying sound of finality about his words that made her look at him.

  ‘Have you heard something about the invasion?’ she asked, tensing within his hold.

  Feeling her stiffen, he kissed her cheek. ‘No, honey, nothing definite but things are moving. More troops are being brought into the port daily. Something is going on, that’s for sure and I’ve a feeling we’ll be off before very long, so every moment we spend together is precious.’

  ‘Oh, Milt. I’ll miss you so much,’ she said, her voice choking in her throat.

  He cupped her face in his hand and looked at her. ‘I know in the beginning we said we’d get together with no strings, but I don’t want it to end when I leave.’

  She was puzzled. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You know there isn’t anyone in my life and, until now that’s been just fine, but Hildy … will you write to me while I’m away and wait for me to come home? I want us to have a future together. How do you feel about that?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I want you in my life after the war too, not just for now.’

  She looked puzzled. ‘How can that be?’

  He burst out laughing. ‘I thought that was fairly obvious. Will you marry me, Hildy?’

  Her eyes shone as she held his gaze. ‘There’s nothing I’d like more, Sergeant. Of course I will!’

  He smothered her with kisses. ‘You’ve made me the happiest man alive. We’ll have a good life together, I promise. I have the afternoon off tomorrow; we’ll go and buy an engagement ring so, at least when I do ship out, I’ll know it’s official and …’ he chuckled, ‘it’ll keep any other marauding men away from my girl.’ He paused. ‘Wait until you are wearing my ring before you tell your mother.’

  She knew he was right. If she were to spill the beans to her mother when she got home, she’d hear nothing but aggravation and that certainly would spoil her happiness.

  ‘You don’t like my mother, do you?’

  ‘No, honey, I don’t. I won’t lie to you. I think your mother is a selfish woman who bleeds you dry. She would spoil your life, if you let her.’

  Letting out a deep sigh, Hildy agreed. ‘Partly my own fault. I let her rule me during my teenage years and when I began to have a mind of my own and to grow up, she couldn’t handle it and became worse.’

  ‘Now don’t you worry any more. I’m going to be around to sort out all your problems in the future.’

  ‘You just make sure Milton Miller that you keep your bloody head down when you do cross the Channel, you understand?’

  ‘Don’t you worry, darling. I’m a good soldier; I know when to duck. Now come on, let’s find a pub and drink to the future.’

  Later he walked her home and kissed her goodnight at the door. ‘I’ll pick you up at the factory after your shift tomorrow and we’ll go to Parkhouse and Wyatt to buy a ring, then out to lunch. I’m off duty until the morning, shall I book us a room for the night?’

  She readily agreed wanting to spend as much time with him as she could before they were forced to part. ‘I’ll take a change of clothes with me to the factory.’

  Once in her bedroom she pranced about like a teenager, muttering, ‘Mrs Milt Miller. Hildy Miller.’ Then she sat down, found a piece of paper and practised signing her name as Milt’s wife. Eventually she climbed into bed and fell asleep.

  The following morning, she packed an overnight bag and left the house for work before her mother was up, leaving a note to say she wouldn’t be home that night. There was a bounce to her step as she made her way to her machine and she hummed away to herself as she happily contemplated the afternoon.

  The foreman noticed her jollity and said, ‘What’s up with you today, Hildy? You look like the cat who’s discovered a pint of cream.’

  She grinned at him. ‘Oh nothing really, just that life is good.’

  He walked away, shaking his head, unconvinced by her answer, not noticing the small case she carried. Something had happened to her, he was sure, but what? At the end of the shift when he saw that she had changed into a dress and this time saw she was carrying a small case, his eyes narrowed. Was she leaving without telling him? Surely not, she was too professional in her job to do that, but where was she going? He turned away. Women! What man could ever understand them? Certainly not him. He’d been married for several years and they were still a mystery.

  Had he continued to watch her, he’d have seen the GI waiting who walked over to his employee lifting her up in his arms and kissing her enthusiastically before they walked away holding hands.

  Milt and Hildy walked to the jewellers, stopped outside and studied the rings on display in the window for a while, then walked inside the shop. Milt had a quiet word with the assistant, giving her an idea of the price he was prepared to pay and waited with Hildy whilst she chose a couple of trays filled with rings for them to look at.

  Hildy’s heart w
as pounding with excitement as she tried several rings and eventually chose a half hoop of emerald and diamonds. She put it on her finger, holding out her hand to see the effect.

  ‘Oh, Milt, this one is lovely.’

  ‘I like it too, but is it the one you really want, honey?’

  She glanced back at the others before her and looking up, eyes sparkling with excitement, she said, ‘Yes, this is the one without a doubt. I absolutely love it!’

  He beamed at the assistant. ‘I guess that’s the one we’ll take then.’

  Hildy reluctantly removed it from her finger and passed it back over the counter and watched it being put into a ring box and a small bag. She waited patiently as Milt paid for it, put it in his pocket and then they left the shop together.

  ‘Come on,’ he said, ‘I’ve booked a table for lunch at the Polygon Hotel to celebrate and then we’ll go to our room.’

  They walked across the park to the hotel and were led to their table.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind, darling, but I’ve pre-ordered our meal. I told the head waiter that this was a special occasion and he’s promised to do us proud.’

  Hildy was impressed as they were served prawn cocktail, followed by delicious steak, mushrooms, mixed vegetables and chips. As they tucked into their meal, a bellboy entered the dining room carrying an enormous bouquet of flowers and marched over to the table and presented it to Hildy.

  ‘These are for you, madam,’ he said.

  She was overcome and felt herself blush as she took them from him, aware of the interest this had aroused from the other diners.

  Milt chuckled at her discomfort. ‘No need to be embarrassed, darling, how often does a person get engaged? It’s a special day.’

  ‘Oh Milt!’ was all she could say.

  He took the flowers from her and put them on an empty chair. With twinkling eyes, he said quietly, ‘You can show your appreciation later.’ Which made her blush even more.

  After the meal, they were drinking coffee and talking. Milt was telling her that when he did eventually leave, it might be some time before she heard from him.

  ‘Now you’re not to worry. Troops move around a lot and it’s not easy to get mail collected and posted. You’re more likely to get several letters together so I’ll number them on the back of the envelope so you’ll know which comes first. You do the same.’

  As she gazed at the strong features of the man beside her she realised that there would be a deep void in her life when he was eventually shipped out and she suddenly felt how it must be for those women whose husbands were already abroad; the families of the British Tommies already in the fray. At least she didn’t have children to worry about, that must make the burden even worse. But she was determined not to show her fears. After all, that’s what being an army wife was all about and Milt was a regular soldier.

  Pushing back his seat, Milt said, ‘Come along, let’s go to our room.’

  When they entered the bedroom, he took her into his arms and kissed her, then taking the package from his pocket he removed the ring from the box and placed it on her finger.

  ‘There you are, darling. Now it’s official!’

  The stones sparkled in the sunlight pouring through the window. Flinging her arms around his neck she said, ‘Oh, Milt, I do love you.’

  He grinned broadly. ‘Hell! I sure hope so.’ He kissed her, lifted her off her feet and spun her round until they collapsed on the bed in a bundle.

  She lay in his arms, content. They made love and slept, waking later to drink champagne that Milt had ordered and had been sitting in an ice bucket ready for them.

  Later they dressed and went to the bar for a drink, then ate in the dining room before retiring for the night.

  Waking early the next morning, Hildy didn’t know when she’d been happier. She gazed at the ring on her finger, then at the sleeping figure beside her and prayed fervently that this wonderful man would come safely through the war and back to her because the alternative was too painful to contemplate.

  She washed and dressed in her dungarees, then gently woke her fiancé. They drank a cup of coffee together before she had to go with Hank saying he’d be in touch.

  Hildy knew that when she went home after work that day and faced her mother, there would be a scene, but she didn’t care. She had a future before her with a man she loved and she wasn’t going to let anyone spoil it. Her mother would just have to accept that her daughter was entitled to a life of her own.

  Chapter Seven

  The foreman at the factory was very relieved to see Hildy arrive as usual, dressed ready for work in her dungarees and carrying her case which she put away in her locker. If anything, she looked more chipper this morning than she did yesterday, which made him even more curious. It wasn’t until he did his round of inspections later that he noticed the ring on her finger. He stopped beside her.

  ‘Well, Hildy, you are a sly one. Congratulations! Who’s the lucky man?’

  She was delighted that at last she could share her good news and beamed at him.

  ‘Sergeant Milt Miller, a GI I’ve been seeing. We got engaged last night.’ She held out her hand for him to inspect her ring.

  The foreman was impressed. ‘That cost a few bob, love. Does that mean you’ll be leaving us to live in the States then?’

  ‘Eventually. We have to wait until the war is over, of course, but Milt wanted to make it official before he was shipped out.’

  ‘I’m happy for you, Hildy. I hope you won’t have to wait too long to get hitched.’ But as he walked away, he was concerned for the girl. War could be cruel, he just prayed that her man would come through unscathed. He’d seen too many families shattered when they opened the door to the telegraph boy, bearing the small envelope with bad news.

  Later that day, Hildy walked slowly towards her home, knowing that when her mother heard about her engagement, all hell would break loose. Fortunately Olive was still at work so she had time to change, make a cup of tea and gather her thoughts, but her heart sank when she heard her mother’s key in the front door.

  As Olive walked into the kitchen, Hildy asked, ‘Want a cup of tea, Mum? I’ve just boiled the kettle.’

  Her mother gave her a scathing look. ‘You decided to come home then!’

  ‘I left you a note telling you I would be away last night,’ Hildy said, pouring the tea into a cup and passing it across the table.

  As she did so, Olive caught sight of the ring on her finger. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at her daughter. ‘What’s that all about?’ she asked pointing to Hildy’s hand.

  ‘Me and Milt got engaged last night,’ Hildy said and felt her stomach tighten as she did so. ‘We’re going to get married when the war is over.’

  ‘How very selfish of you!’ Her mother looked livid. ‘You stand there and calmly tell me you’re going to marry that Yank, without any thought to my welfare. You are just going to walk away and leave me to live alone. How could you do such a thing?’

  Hildy sat down at the table, looking at Olive, she said, ‘Yes, I suppose I am. I do have the right to some happiness, you know. You could be happy for me.’

  ‘Happy? You know what happened to me – to us. Your father walked out on his marriage, how do you know this American won’t do the same to you in another country? What will you do then I’d like to know?’

  ‘Milt is not like my father. He loves me.’

  Olive laughed scornfully. ‘That’s what he says now, you wait until you’ve been married a while, it’ll all change, and in the meantime I have to manage, is that it?’

  Hildy was at a loss as to how to get through to her mother.

  ‘For heaven’s sake, Mum, you aren’t an old woman. You’re only forty-six, in the prime of life. You have a job, you’re earning money, you might even meet another man and get married again.’

  Olive was incandescent with rage. ‘Marry again, after all I’ve been through with your father? I’m just trying to stop you from making the same m
istake.’

  Hildy’s anger erupted. ‘No, you’re not! You’re trying to make sure you keep me here, with you, to spoil my chance of happiness just so you can have me at your beck and call, like I’ve been ever since Dad left.’ She rose from her chair, grabbed her coat and, as she put it on, glared at her mother.

  ‘I’ve had enough of your selfish ways and your emotional blackmail. I’m going to marry Milt and you won’t stop me!’ She walked out of the house, slamming the door behind her.

  Olive sat at the table, outraged at her daughter’s outburst and suddenly swiped the cups and saucers off the table, sending them crashing to the floor.

  Trying to calm down, Hildy walked with her feelings in turmoil, oblivious to her surroundings, until she came to the pier. She entered and strolled along the walkway, looking out at the horizon wishing she could get away, to escape from the woman who for years had bled her emotionally dry. She sat down, lit a cigarette and admitted to herself that she hated the woman who’d given birth to her and was then filled with guilt. No one was supposed to hate their mother – it wasn’t natural. Tears of frustration brimmed in her eyes. She had been so happy yesterday and now her mother had spoilt it for her yet again, as she had done consistently over the years whenever Hildy had a boyfriend. Her mother had so cleverly found something about them to criticise. A mention here, a word there, until the relationship would fail. But not this time.

  This time, Hildy told herself, this time she’d met the man with whom she wanted to share the rest of her life and no miserable, self-centred woman was going to come between them. She’d move out if she had to. The more she thought of it, the better that idea became. She should have done it years ago. It would be good for Olive, make her stand on her own two feet for once. After all, she could afford the rent on their two-up two-down with the wages from her job. She could take a lodger, too, with the room that would become spare.