The Docklands Girls

by June Tate

  They slept for a couple of hours, had a shower then went downstairs, stopping in the bar for a while until going along the road to a restaurant they had seen earlier.

  Belle asked Tom about his late wife.

  ‘We knew each other from our school days,’ he began, ‘then went our own way until one night at a dance we met up again. I courted her for a year, then we married. My dad was alive then and I worked in the shop with him until he died, then as I told you, he left me the business. We would have liked a family, but it didn’t happen and after several tests, we found that my wife, Ann, was suffering with cancer of the liver.’

  ‘Oh, Tom, I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Yes it was a bad time and then I lost her. She was a good woman; she didn’t deserve to die like that, but that’s life. I’ve been a widower for five years now. I’ve never looked at another woman until you walked into my shop.’

  ‘But, Tom. I’m not a good woman! Not like your wife.’

  ‘How can you say that? You have a good heart; your past doesn’t make you a bad person. You didn’t commit any crime! You’re everything I want, isn’t that enough?’

  She was overcome. ‘Are you absolutely sure?’

  He caught hold of her hand. ‘I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I love you, Belle, and I’m a lucky man to have found you.’

  ‘Will you stop it!’ Belle cried. ‘You’ll have me in tears in a minute.’

  He chuckled, ‘For heaven’s sake, don’t cry. People will think I’ve been unkind to you. Here, have another glass of wine, you’ll feel better!’

  On their first evening in London, Simon and Cora went to the Victoria Palace Theatre to a variety show.

  On the Sunday morning, they walked through Petticoat Lane. As they got there, Simon warned Cora to keep a tight hold of her handbag as pickpockets were notorious in the area. They walked up and down looking at the various stalls, listening to the banter of the stallholders trying to attract customers to buy their wares. They ate cockles from one and chips from another. They looked at the antique stalls and finally made their way to a pub for a drink.

  They were pleased to be out of the cold and undid their coats so they’d feel the benefit of them once they left to explore further.

  ‘That was fun,’ said Cora as she sipped her beer.

  ‘It’s great to get away,’ Simon said, ‘and it’s so good to be able to spend time together without having to worry about ferries to get us home.’

  ‘That’s about the only inconvenience of living on the island,’ she agreed.

  He looked thoughtful. ‘Would you mind coming back to the mainland to live in the future, Cora?’

  She looked puzzled. ‘Why would I do that?’

  ‘Well once I become a sergeant, I want to have my own place and I’d hope you’d come and live with me.’ He saw her consternation and added, ‘I’m not asking you to live in sin with me, darling, I’m asking you to marry me.’

  She was so surprised that all she could say was, ‘Oh, Simon!’

  He looked amused. ‘Is that a yes or a no?’

  ‘But what about Belle? How could she manage without me?’

  ‘Cora! I can’t believe you said that. Are you going to turn me down all because of your friend? She can hire someone.’

  The girl was flustered. ‘No, of course not. I’m sorry; I was so taken by surprise.’

  ‘You still haven’t given me an answer and now I’m really worried!’

  ‘Oh, Simon, darling, I’m so sorry, of course I’ll marry you.’

  He pretended to wipe the sweat from his forehead. ‘For one awful moment I thought you were going to turn me down.’

  She leant forward and kissed him. ‘However …’

  ‘What?’ Now he did look worried.

  ‘I need to be with Belle when she opens at Easter, just to make sure that her business isn’t in trouble after the court case. I know she’ll be worried and frankly so am I.’

  ‘That’s not a problem,’ Simon assured her. ‘We need to get Christmas out of the way and it’ll take time to find a place and plan a wedding, and you’ve yet to meet my parents.’

  ‘Oh dear,’ she said, ‘yes I suppose I must.’

  Laughing, he protested, ‘You needn’t look like that, they won’t eat you, they’re really decent people.’

  Grinning broadly, Cora said, ‘Yes, I’m sure they are. Oh my goodness, I didn’t think our few days away were going to be quite so exciting. I wonder how Belle and Tom are getting on.’

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Things were not going well in Bournemouth. Belle and Tom had been there for several days, walking, talking, making love, enjoying each other in every way. They were happy together until that night as they were climbing into bed and Tom had taken her into his arms.

  ‘God, Belle, I don’t remember when I’ve enjoyed myself so much. We are having such a good time, I always knew you were the woman for me and these days spent together have proved it. Now all we need to do to make it perfect is to get married.’

  He felt her stiffen in his arms.

  ‘No, that wouldn’t do at all,’ she said firmly.

  He could hardly believe what he’d heard. ‘Why on earth not?’

  ‘I tried marriage once before and I didn’t like it.’

  ‘When was that?’

  ‘A long time ago when I was young and foolish. I said I’d never marry again. I’ll be your lover, Tom, but I won’t be your wife.’

  ‘You told me you loved me.’

  ‘And I do. I want to be with you, but not as your wife.’

  He sat up in bed and stared at her. ‘That doesn’t make any sense, Belle.’

  ‘It does to me! I’ve been on my own too long. I don’t want to give up my independence. I know how you said you wanted children, but I never did. Besides, I’m too old now to be a mother.’

  ‘How old are you?’

  ‘Thirty-four and that’s a question no man should ever ask a woman, Tom Harrison!’

  ‘Under normal circumstances, I would agree, but this is different. You are still of childbearing age.’

  ‘There you go! You still hanker after a child and I don’t want to be a mother so we’re not as well matched as you seem to think.’

  He was lost for words and got out of bed. Lighting a cigarette he sat in a chair and faced her. ‘Marriage doesn’t mean giving up your independence; I like that part about you, you’re a strong woman. That’s great.’

  She shook her head. ‘Marriage changes people, I’m happy the way things are between us, let’s leave it at that.’ She turned away from him, pulling the sheet up under her chin.

  Tom was at a loss for words. He put out the cigarette, climbed into bed and put his arm over Belle, but she lay still. He put out the light and lay beside her, unable to understand her reasoning.

  The following morning over breakfast, for the first time, there was a feeling of tension between them. The jollity that had been central to their relationship was no longer there.

  Belle looked at him and said, ‘I think we should go home.’

  He didn’t argue. They packed their bags, checked out of the hotel and drove back to Southampton and the ferry.

  When finally Tom pulled up outside Belle’s house, he got out of the car, picked up her case and began to walk to the door.

  ‘I can manage,’ Belle snapped.

  He glared at her. ‘You will unlock the door and I’ll take a look around to make sure everything is as it should be – then I’ll be on my way.’

  He made a thorough search of the house and when he was satisfied he returned to the kitchen and Belle. ‘No problems anywhere,’ he said, ‘so I’ll go.’ He pulled Belle to him and kissed her hard and long. ‘I will see you very soon,’ he said. ‘This is not yet over.’

  Belle watched him drive away with a heavy heart. He was a fine man and she did love him, but she liked being her own woman, not having to answer to another for anything. She wanted to earn her own mone
y and be in control of her life. And, yes, she did want him around, keeping her company, sharing her bed – but marriage? That was a step too far. She was also concerned that her colourful past was now public and knowing men as well as she did, she knew that if they were married, some man was bound to bring up her past one evening, no doubt in a derogatory way, even if it was in a joke and she couldn’t embarrass him like that. No, it wouldn’t be fair.

  Tom drove home slowly, giving himself time to think. He’d saved his petrol coupons for the trip and saw he still had some petrol left in the tank. As he put the vehicle away, he was still confused. He couldn’t believe that Belle had turned marriage down, not after they’d had such a great time. He knew they were good for each other, but how the hell could he convince her? What was she afraid of? He wasn’t a controlling man. He gave a wry smile. He couldn’t envisage anyone controlling Belle. She was a feisty woman and he liked that. He let himself into his flat thinking he’d leave her alone for a few days, give her time to settle down and then he’d call on her.

  Two days later, Cora returned from her break in London, full of tales of where they’d been and what she and Simon had done. Belle listened intently, pleased for Cora but when she was asked how her trip to Bournemouth had been, she was somewhat reticent in her answer.

  Cora stopped her chatter and looked at her friend. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.

  ‘Nothing,’ Belle said tossing her hair back, ‘we had a good time; it was lovely.’

  ‘But what?’ Cora persisted, ‘there is a “but”. I know that tone of voice.’

  Her friend sat down by the kitchen table. ‘Tom asked me to marry him!’

  ‘But that’s wonderful, I hope you said yes?’

  ‘No, I didn’t. I refused his offer.’

  There was silence, then Cora asked softly, ‘Why, Belle? He’s such a lovely man and he thinks the world of you.’

  ‘I know that and I really like him, but I am too independent to be tied down.’

  ‘That’s a load of bloody rubbish! You love him, I know you do, he would make a great husband. You’ve told me how lonely you are at times, how you want a man to sit with in the evenings, to look after you. Tom would do anything for you and you know it!’ She stopped her railing and studied her friend. ‘There’s something you’re not telling me. What other reason do you have?’

  ‘How can I marry him when everyone knows about my past? Someone is going to bring it up. How do you think he’ll react when they do?’

  ‘If it’s a bloke he’d probably punch out his lights.’

  ‘Exactly! And don’t forget the women. The men would probably think he’s on to a good thing, but the women …’

  Cora could understand her point of view, hadn’t she been down the same road with Simon? But when she’d discussed it with him, he said people soon forget and in time no one would remember anyway.

  ‘Have you told Tom about this?’

  Belle shook her head. ‘Of course not.’

  ‘That’s hardly fair, is it? He’s offered to spend the rest of his days with you, how do you think he feels? Devastated is how. He has a right to know why you really turned him down.’

  Belle ran her fingers through her hair in despair. ‘Yes, I suppose he does. When I see him, I’ll tell him.’

  Cora didn’t think it was the right time to tell her friend about her engagement and her future plans, instead she said, ‘Right, I’m off to unpack and have a bath. I’ll see you later.’

  The following morning, Belle left the house to shop for food. After leaving the grocery store, she walked into the butcher’s shop. She needed some sausages and, after thinking over the conversation she’d had with Cora, had decided to invite Tom to her house to explain her fears. The shop was full and she stood at the back of several women, waiting her turn.

  ‘Nice to see you back, Tom,’ one said.

  ‘Thank you. I took a break and went to Bournemouth.’

  ‘Yes, I saw you driving off with that woman, Belle Newman,’ said another.

  A third woman joined in the conversation. ‘I read about her house being burnt and the court case. Sorry to hear about your brother. Especially after you gave him a home.’

  Belle saw the tightening of Tom’s jaw as his smile faded.

  Before he could comment the first woman spoke again. ‘Imagine her being on the game! You never know who your neighbours are, do you?’

  Belle stepped forward and into sight. ‘You don’t have to worry, my dear, I have a new career now so you won’t have to worry about your husbands calling on me!’ She stormed out of the shop.

  Tears of anger stung her eyes as she hurried back to her house. All her fears had erupted that morning, now surely Tom would understand that they could never marry.

  After Belle’s exit, the three women were flushed with embarrassment and indignation at Belle’s outburst and they twittered like a lot of birds in an aviary after being disturbed.

  Tom glared at them. ‘That remark was uncalled for,’ he told the woman who’d made it. ‘Miss Newman’s past is nobody’s business but her own. She is here to run her B&B and she works hard to do so.’ His icy look stopped the gossip.

  ‘Right, who’s next?’

  Early that evening Tom called on Belle, who opened the door, looked at him and said, ‘You’d better come in.’

  He followed her into the kitchen and watched as she poured them both a gin and tonic. She handed him a glass and said, ‘Sit down, Tom.’ When he was seated she stared at him and said, ‘Now perhaps you’ll understand why it isn’t possible for me to be your wife.’

  He spoke softly. ‘You would let a bunch of village gossips spoil the happiness we could have together? That’s not the woman I know. She was there this morning giving them hell … where did she go, Belle?’

  ‘Oh I can still stand up for myself and don’t you forget it – and I’m prepared to take them all on if I have to, but I can’t have you embarrassed because of me.’

  ‘Don’t you think that is my decision? Yes, there would be a few who would not be able to miss the opportunity in the beginning, that’s the downside of human nature but don’t you understand in time, it would all be water under the bridge?’

  She sat sipping her drink, thinking. ‘Perhaps you’re right, so let’s wait a while until that water dries up. There’s no rush. Let’s give it time.’

  He could see she was adamant. ‘Very well, if that’s the way you want it.’

  She walked round the table and sat on his knee, running her fingers through his hair. ‘That’s settled then.’

  He put his arms around her and kissed her. ‘You are going to give me so much trouble, but Miss Newman, know that you’ve met your match!’

  Laughing she said, ‘I wouldn’t have it any other way.’

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Back at Fort Knox, Milt and his men were home from Germany and all their wives were overjoyed, none more than Hildy. She had cleaned their home from top to bottom, baked some cakes and was in a state of nervous tension until he walked through the front door, carrying a large bunch of flowers.

  Flinging herself into his arms, she kissed him until he could hardly breathe.

  ‘I must go away more often,’ he teased.

  ‘Like hell you will! That was the longest three months of my life.’

  He held her away from her looking at her swollen stomach and, placing a hand on it, asked, ‘How’s the baby?’

  ‘Fine, absolutely fine. I think it’s a boy the way it kicks me.’

  ‘How are you, darling? Are you going to the doctor regularly?’

  ‘Of course, don’t fuss, I’m fit and well, just very lonely.’

  He put the flowers on the table and said, ‘How about making your old man a cup of coffee then we can sit and catch up with each other’s news?’

  Soon they were sat at the table, cutting into one of her cakes and drinking the welcome brew.

  Milt sat looking at his wife. ‘God, I’ve missed you,’
he said. ‘The days seemed never-ending.’

  ‘For me too, but the other wives have been great. We go shopping together and to antenatal classes … you should see me bathing the doll.’

  ‘Bathing a doll?’ he looked bemused.

  ‘Yes, it’s the same size as a newborn baby, so when ours is born, I’ll feel competent.’

  Shaking his head slowly, he said, ‘I can’t imagine you being anything else but competent, Hildy.’

  ‘Oh I don’t know about that, I’ve never been a mother before.’

  ‘Nor I a father, but we’ll be great, you’ll see.’

  He then told her about being in Frankfurt, how the country was trying to build itself again after the war. ‘We are so lucky here in America,’ he said, ‘you’ve lived through the same devastation as Germany, but here, apart from the troops who have been involved, civilians have no idea.’

  Hildy laughed. ‘I do know. When I was asked about the war in England and told the wives about the Blitz and the rationing and clothing coupons, they found it hard to understand. But thank heavens for that, enough folk have suffered.’

  She told him the news from England, the fire and the court case, but didn’t mention Belle and Cora’s past; it was their business after all.

  The following weeks passed by as Milt and Hildy returned to their normal lives on the base. They had decided to wait until the baby was born and then look for their own house as Hildy was so near her time.

  The other wives had arranged their shower for her, which was a revelation. So many lovely gifts: clothes, nappies, soft toys, a bassinette. She was overwhelmed by their generosity and thanked them profusely.

  These they brushed aside. ‘We army wives stick together, Hildy,’ one said and she realised how true that was, knowing that without their company when Milt was away, her life would have been very different.

  One morning when she was alone tidying the house, Hildy doubled over from a pain that was so bad she cried out: then her waters broke. For a moment she was in a panic, knowing that the wives living either side of her had gone into town. She managed to crawl to the phone and rang the duty office. When she told the soldier on the end of the line what was happening, he told her not to move, he’d send someone over.