The Docklands Girls

by June Tate

  Milt had teased her telling her how in bygone years tribes of American Indians had ranged in the area, trying to fight off the people who were taking over the territory, but assured her that they were now living in civilised times.

  She punched his arm in fun. ‘I know that!’ she retorted. But she had been horrified to learn that many years before, Louisville had been the centre of the slave trade and when she’d told him how shameful that was he surprised her by telling her that slave trading went on in her own country many years ago. She had no idea.

  They had decided to rent the house, rather than buy. When Milt retired then they would buy their own property wherever they decided to settle, but that wasn’t imminent and they hadn’t given too much thought to it yet.

  She wrote regularly to the girls. Belle was still running her business with outside help now that Cora was again based in London, married to Simon and working, but hoping to start a family of her own. They all exchanged photos. Hildy had been thrilled to see the ones of the wedding and had sent several of Hope and herself and postcards of Louisville, so her friends could get some idea of where she was now living. Hildy’s one regret was that her friends couldn’t see her daughter for themselves. But her in-laws were coming to stay and she was looking forward to that. At least she felt as if she did have some kind of family. She had given up on her mother after her final visit before she left England. But as she gazed at her daughter asleep in her cot, she did sometimes wonder if Olive saw her granddaughter, would she have changed her bitter attitude? Then she would dismiss it from her mind.

  Milt had promised Hildy that when he eventually retired, they would take a trip back to Southampton and visit her friends and she looked forward to that, but she’d become slowly integrated into the American way of life and was no longer homesick – nostalgic maybe for what had been and her roots, but life in America was good for her and her family and now she had her own place, she was content.

  Her in-laws were kind and were thrilled with their granddaughter. They visited occasionally and sent parcels for Hope, nevertheless Hildy was pleased they didn’t live too close, she knew from her own mother just how controlling mothers could be, but at least Milt’s was different in that respect. Hildy just felt more secure with their relationship being long distance. She sometimes thought this was being selfish, but that was the way she liked it and Milt was happy with the situation too.

  The year seemed to speed by. Belle was kept busy and was fully booked throughout the summer. She served afternoon teas in the garden in good weather and in the dining room when it was wet. She’d earned a good reputation and her visitors made return bookings, which delighted her. She had now a small team of local women to take Cora’s place and was making a good living.

  Tom was still running the butcher’s shop and was always on hand if needed for a leaking pipe or any other dilemma that Belle may encounter – and they were happy together. Marriage was no longer mentioned and the locals now accepted their relationship as normal.

  It was a Friday night in late October that things changed. There had been several days of heavy rain and there had been roads flooded, but Tom insisted on making his deliveries.

  ‘People rely on me, Belle,’ he told her when she voiced her concerns. But she always fretted when the shop closed and Tom was on the road in the dark. Then one evening she answered the telephone and all her fears were confirmed. Tom had been involved in an accident and had been taken to the cottage hospital. She called a taxi at once.

  Belle paid the taxi driver and ran into the hospital, heading for the reception where she asked which ward Tom was in, but she was told that he was in the operating theatre. The ward sister was called and, seeing Belle’s distress, took her into the waiting room and sent for a cup of tea, then she sat beside her.

  ‘Mr Harrison has a broken leg, fractured ribs and dislocated shoulder,’ she told Belle. ‘But he’s suffered some trauma to the head and we’re investigating that at the moment.’

  Belle suddenly felt icy cold. ‘What does that mean exactly?’

  ‘Mr Harrison is in a coma and we’re monitoring him constantly. But it could have been much worse.’

  ‘Worse? Bloody hell, it sounds serious enough to me! Sorry, Sister, didn’t mean to swear.’

  The woman smiled. ‘That’s alright, I’ve heard it all before and you’re worried, but he’s in the best hands.’

  ‘He’s not going to die, is he?’

  ‘No, he’s not going to die, I promise. He looks a pretty strong man to me and fit too, which helps. Now you just sit here, when he comes out of surgery and recovery, I’ll come and get you.’

  Belle tried to settle but once she’d drank her tea, she walked up and down wondering just how long she’d have to wait. When she did sit down, she was overcome with emotion. If she lost Tom, she didn’t know what she’d do. He’d been a part of her life for so long now that she took his presence for granted. Oh my God! He wouldn’t be able to run his business. Suddenly she realised that she’d have to sort out that problem – and quickly. There was a public phone box down the hall and she rang John, the man who used to take over from Tom when he needed coverage.

  She got through and arranged for him to open up in the morning with a spare key that she had and carry on until they knew exactly the situation. He’d collect the key from her early the next morning. Then she rang Cora.

  The relief of hearing her friend’s voice was such that Belle burst into tears, then she told Cora what had happened.

  Cora was shocked at the news. ‘Oh God, Belle, is there anything I can do? Do you want me to come over?’

  ‘No, love, but thanks for the offer. Obviously Tom will be in hospital for some time and I’ve covered his shop. I’ll let you know what happens after I’ve seen him and the doctor.’

  Belle had curled up on the sofa in the waiting room, trying to doze and after what seemed an eternity, the nurse came for her.

  ‘Mr Harrison is out of surgery and the operation on his leg went well, but at the moment he’s still in a coma.’

  Belle felt sick. ‘How serious is that?’

  ‘We are trying to ascertain the seriousness of the head trauma,’ she said. ‘He’s in intensive care at the moment. It’s late. I suggest you go home, try and get some sleep and come back in the morning, then you can see the doctor after his rounds.’

  Her face devoid of colour, Belle asked, ‘Can I just take a quick look at him?’

  The sister took pity on her. ‘Come with me, but just for a moment now.’

  Belle followed her into the ward and waited for the curtains round the bed to be opened for her. She looked down at the sleeping figure of the man who meant so much to her and smothered a cry. Her Tom, usually big and strong, lay pale and wan, on a ventilator, his leg in plaster, his ribcage bandaged, his shoulder in a sling. She saw there were cuts on the part of his face that she could see, probably from flying glass, she assumed. He looked battered, as if he’d been in a war zone.

  Belle leant forward and kissed his forehead. ‘I’ll be back tomorrow, love,’ she whispered.

  The receptionist called a taxi for her and Belle waited outside, puffing on a cigarette to try and calm her inner turmoil. When she arrived home, she poured a stiff gin and tonic, and sipped it. She leant on the table, with her head in her hands and sobbed. Her cries of anguish, echoing round the kitchen.

  Chapter Forty

  Belle rushed around like a tornado the next morning, getting John organised with the butcher’s shop, cooking the breakfast for a family who’d booked in for three days and prepping the vegetables for the evening meal, giving instructions to her help. Afterwards, she took a bath, changed her clothes and went along the road to the florist for some blooms to take to her man.

  As she walked along the corridor of the hospital leading to the Intensive Care unit, her stomach tightened and her heart was beating that little bit faster as she approached the bed.

  The sister spoke to her, ‘He’s still in a
coma, Miss Newman, but do talk to him. It’s said that the patient can hear sometimes.’ She put a hand on Belle’s shoulder. ‘Try not to worry, he’s being well cared for.’

  Belle sat beside the bed and took Tom’s hand. ‘Bloody hell, Tom! If only you’d listened to me and now look at you. You have no idea how you’ve worried me. You daft bugger, don’t you know I love you?’ She caressed his face. ‘We’ve had such good times together and no way is that going to change. Are you listening, Tom Harrison? You have to recover because I need you!’

  She sat for a further hour talking about the things they’d done together, about her business, the latest news from Hildy and Cora until she was lost for words.

  The sister came along with a cup of tea. ‘Here, drink this and then I suggest you go home. There’s nothing more you can do here today. Come back tomorrow and try and get some rest. When he recovers, Mr Harrison will need you and you need to be fit to look after him.’

  Belle thanked her, drank her tea, kissed Tom and reluctantly made her way home.

  For Belle, the following days were a nightmare. She visited Tom every day and talked to the comatose figure, trying to be cheerful when her heart was heavy, wondering what the outcome would be.

  The next day, to stop her thinking, she cleaned the house from top to bottom, washed the linen that had been used by her guests, turned out cupboards, drank gallons of tea and walked along the beach, praying silently.

  Eventually it was time to go to the hospital.

  Just outside the ward the sister met her. ‘I’ve some good news, Miss Newman. Mr Harrison has come round from the coma, but you’ll find him slightly confused and his memory will probably be impaired. Don’t worry about it, it’s quite normal. Just try and keep him quiet.’

  Belle walked to his bed. There was no ventilator she was relieved to see. She took his hand. ‘Hello Tom, how are you?’

  He looked up at her and for one awful moment she thought he didn’t know who she was and her heart sank – but then he smiled.

  ‘Hello Belle.’

  ‘How are you feeling?’ She waited for his answer with some trepidation.

  Tom frowned. ‘I’m a bit sore and I’ve got a headache but I don’t remember how I got here.’

  ‘You had a car accident,’ she told him.

  ‘I did?’ He looked at the sling on his arm. ‘Well that explains it then. I only remember leaving the shop and climbing into the van.’

  She squeezed his hand. ‘Well don’t you worry about it, at least you are in one piece even if a bit battered.’

  The sister came along. ‘I think you should leave Mr Harrison to rest now,’ she said.

  Belle rose from the chair. ‘I’ll be in tomorrow,’ she told Tom. Looking at the sister, she said, ‘I put some clean pyjamas and toiletries in the locker the other day.’

  The sister smiled at her. ‘Yes, we found them, thank you.’

  Belle kissed Tom goodbye and left the ward.

  It was a week later that the doctor decided that Tom could go home but a nurse would call every day to check on him for a while. Mentally he was getting better, but he still didn’t remember having the accident and Belle thought that was probably just as well. He was now aware that John was looking after the shop and was grateful.

  She’d made a bed up for him in the dining room, having moved the furniture to another room. There was a downstairs toilet he could use so he didn’t have to tackle the stairs with his broken leg. With the use of crutches he was able to move about. He still looked pale and drawn, but he had recovered his sense of humour.

  ‘I can’t see me chasing you round the bedroom for a while, Belle,’ he said when she took him a cup of coffee.

  She could see it took an effort for him to try and be light-hearted. ‘I think I can wait for you, you daft bugger,’ then she added, ‘when you’re better, you should think of taking on a helping hand and he could do the deliveries as well as help with the butchery side. I can’t possibly have you wearing yourself out before your time.’

  ‘You’re right, of course, and I had meant to have someone in after Kev left – now I don’t have a choice.’ He closed his eyes for a moment.

  She made him comfortable in a chair. ‘You have a doze,’ she said. ‘I’ve things to do.’ She walked quietly away.

  Around noon the following day, hearing the slam of a car door, Belle rushed to greet her friends who had arrived by taxi. They had called the night before to ask if it was alright to come over and visit. Cora rushed forward and hugged her friend. Simon kissed her cheek and they all went into the kitchen.

  ‘How’s Tom?’ asked Cora.

  Belle gave them all the information she had. ‘It will just take time for his recovery. He’s having a nap now so I’ll make you a cup of tea and you can tell me all your news.’

  It was so good to be able to relax with friends and forget her troubles for a while and later when Tom woke, they all sat together and ate, then listened to the wireless until Belle could see that Tom was tiring and put him to bed.

  The three of them sat in the living room until it was bedtime.

  ‘Is there anything I can do in the morning?’ asked Cora.

  ‘If you could see to the breakfast for us all whilst I wash and dress Tom that would be a help,’ Belle told her gratefully.

  They were all sitting round the breakfast table together, chatting. Belle glanced at her patient, pleased to see that he had gained weight, his face had filled out and he’d lost that awful grey look. She breathed a sigh of relief.

  After breakfast they took a gentle walk to the beach, wrapped up against the cold and sat watching the waves roll in and breathed in the salt air, before returning home, all with colour in their cheeks.

  In the afternoon, Cora and Simon left to return to London.

  ‘Well, they seem content with married life,’ Tom remarked.

  Belle smiled. ‘Yes, they make a good couple. Simon is a lovely chap and they’re deliriously happy.’

  Tom looked at her and asked, ‘What about you, Belle? Are you happy too?’

  She looked at him with some surprise. ‘What sort of a question is that?’

  ‘Well look at me! You’ve been wonderful taking care of me. After all, it’s not as if you are duty-bound, like being married to me.’

  ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’

  ‘I know my memory isn’t great these days, but I do remember hearing you tell me that I had to get better because you needed me.’

  She was floored for a moment. ‘I said that to you when you were in a coma. I had no way of knowing if you could hear me.’

  ‘Well I did.’ He took her hand. ‘Do you need me enough to marry me?’

  She looked shocked, then she started laughing. ‘Hoisted on my own petard, isn’t that what they say?’

  His eyes glistened. ‘You haven’t answered the question, Belle. Will you be my wife?’ She sat gazing at the man sitting before her, remembering how she felt when she thought she might lose him. Leaning forward, she kissed him slowly.

  ‘Yes, you old devil. I will marry you.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Really,’ she replied. ‘I love you, Tom. My life would be nothing if you were not in it.’

  He drew her into his arms. ‘My sentiments exactly!’

  The wedding was a quiet affair in early March. They had waited until Tom had recovered and was able to go back to work. Simon and Cora acted as witnesses and they had the wedding breakfast at a local hotel.

  Tom raised his glass and said, ‘Never ever did I think I could persuade Belle to marry me and I had to have a car accident to do so. Well it was worth it! To Belle!’

  ‘To Belle!’ the other two said and drank to their friend.

  Belle held out her left hand and looking at her new wedding ring said, ‘Mrs Harrison! Who’d have thought it?’

  ‘Are you having a honeymoon?’ asked Cora.

  ‘Not until the end of the year,’ Belle told them. ‘I’m fully bo
oked and I can’t turn business away. Then we’ll go somewhere. Tom will be moving in permanently, of course, and his flat will be taken over by John, the butcher who helped out during Tom’s recovery. He’s staying on.’

  ‘She’ll need the money to keep me in my old age,’ Tom teased.

  ‘Wrong, darling! It’s my fund for if you misbehave and I kick you out of the house!’

  Simon laughed loudly. ‘Now you know, Tom, so keep your nose clean.’

  Later that night when they were in bed, Tom drew Belle into his arms. ‘I can’t tell you how happy I am and I bless the day you walked into my shop. I knew then you were the woman for me.’

  ‘It took me a while,’ she confessed. ‘It was never in my mind to marry again, as you know, but I’m a lucky woman. I know how hard it was to face up to all the gossip after the court case.’

  He stopped her. ‘That is in the past, love, our future will be very different.’

  It was a month later at Easter that Cora and Simon visited them again. Simon produced a bottle of champagne and asked for some glasses. He then opened the bottle.

  ‘What are we celebrating?’ asked Belle.

  ‘I’m pregnant!’ Cora said. ‘The baby is due in November.’

  Belle threw her arms around her friend. ‘But how marvellous!’ Then she kissed Simon.

  Tom kissed Cora and shook Simon’s hand. ‘That’s great news,’ he said, ‘children are a blessing. I’m so happy for you.’

  They all went out to lunch to celebrate and as they ate, they discussed the trauma of the previous year.

  Tom was delighted that he’d been working again since his accident.

  He grinned broadly. ‘I can’t tell you how great it feels for me to pick up my meat cleaver again,’ he said.