The Factory Girls of Lark Lane: A heartbreaking World War 2 historical novel of loss and love

by Howes, Pam

  ‘Why are you standing in the hall?’ Mrs Lomax said. ‘Go on into the sitting room. It should be nice and warm in there. I left the fire well banked up with nutty slack. Give it a good poke for me, Terry love, while I get the glasses out and we’ll have a toast to the pair of you.’

  She hurried off down the hall into the kitchen and Terry opened the sitting room door and led the way.

  ‘Oh that’s better,’ Edith said, sinking down onto the sofa facing the fire. ‘It’s lovely and warm in here. I’m chilled right through with sitting in that shelter. I bet you are too, Millie love, with just that little frock on. That fur jacket won’t keep the cold off your back; you’ll get a chill on your kidneys. You need a long coat on in this weather.’

  ‘I’m okay,’ Millie said, holding her hands out to the fire that crackled and spat sparks as Terry thrust the poker into its middle. The flames roared up the chimney and the heat flowed into the cosy room.

  ‘I’ll take my jacket off,’ Edith announced. ‘Won’t feel the benefit later if I leave it on now.’

  Alice smiled. That was one of Mam’s favourite sayings. ‘You okay now, Mam?’ she asked as Mrs Lomax came into the room with a silver tray and six small schooners of sherry.

  ‘Now then, Jimmy,’ she addressed the tall red-haired young soldier, who, like Terry, looked smart in military uniform. ‘As Terry’s best man, would you like to say a few words before we raise our glasses?’ She handed out the drinks and took a seat beside Edith on the sofa. Milly sat on a chair under the window and Jimmy stood in front of the fireplace and looked at Alice and Terry, who were standing with their arms around each other, their relieved and happy smiles splitting their faces.

  Jimmy coughed and cleared his throat. ‘Well, I’m not used to making speeches in public, and I’ve only known Terry just over twelve months, so I can’t tell you any funny stories or embarrassing anecdotes about his past, but during the time I have known him, we’ve become good pals and he’s told me all about Alice and the life he hopes to make with her here in Liverpool when this blasted war is over. With the likes of Terry on our side, we’ve a good chance of winning this battle and I know he’ll always have my back, as I will his. I’ll look after him the best I can, Alice, I promise you. You’ve got a good one in Terry. So let’s raise our glasses and wish the pair of them a long and loving marriage. I hope it won’t be too long before they’ll be back together and he’s making her happy in that little home he’s promised her.’

  Alice smiled as the others toasted them and Terry pulled her closer, his brown eyes twinkling, and whispered, ‘I’ll be back before you know it.’

  Mrs Lomax got to her feet and summoned Millie to follow her. Within minutes the pair had filled the dining table that was already covered with a white cloth. They’d brought in plates of sarnies, sausage rolls, fancy cakes and a trifle in a cut-glass bowl.

  ‘You’ve been busy, Mrs Lomax,’ Millie said, placing side plates in a pile next to some glass dishes and spoons. ‘This is quite a feast.’

  Mrs Lomax smiled and left the room but was back within seconds, carrying a single-tier wedding cake.

  Alice’s eyes grew round as her new mother-in-law laid the cake in the centre of the table and stood back with a proud smile.

  ‘Did you make it?’ Alice asked. ‘It’s beautiful.’

  The cake was covered in white icing and decorated with tiny silver bells with a plaster of Paris bride and groom standing on the top.

  ‘No dear. I couldn’t get any dried fruit, and sugar is scarce as you know. But the bakery on Lark Lane had put a few Christmas cakes on display a couple of weeks ago. My friend Marjorie works in there and told me about them. So I paid them a visit and asked if they could perhaps alter one as my son was getting married and they agreed. They already had the bridal couple and the bells in stock. They removed the green marzipan tree that was decorating the top and replaced the red ruffle with a silver and white one. Like Marjorie said, the recipe is exactly the same, and we have to do our best in times of need.’

  ‘Thanks, Mam, it’s fabulous. We weren’t expecting a wedding cake at all, so it makes it extra special,’ Terry said and Alice nodded her agreement.

  ‘Put the gramophone on, Terry,’ his mother ordered. ‘A nice bit of music will go down well while we all tuck in. Then you young ones can roll back the rug and have a dance. Might as well do what we can to give you a decent day. George next door will run you down to the Adelphi about half past six. He’s offered, so I said yes on your behalf and I told him you’d need to go back to Alice’s house to pick up her case. Then he’ll run Millie and you home, Edith dear. Is that okay?’

  ‘That’s smashing, Mrs Lomax,’ Millie said. ‘What about you, Jimmy? Where are you staying tonight?’

  ‘He’s staying here in my old room,’ Terry answered for Jimmy as he placed a record on the gramophone turntable and cranked it with the handle. Artie Shaw’s melodic ‘Begin the Beguine’ filled the room as he continued. ‘Then tomorrow we get the train back to Fulwood, unfortunately. Anyway, let’s enjoy the afternoon, or what’s left of it; put the war and the future out of our minds for now.’

  Alice looked around the huge foyer of the Adelphi Hotel, her jaw dropping as she took in her elaborate surroundings. There were thick navy patterned carpets, stunning marble pillars and archways and sparkling chandeliers that hung from the glass-panelled ceiling. She wondered if Buckingham Palace in London where the King lived was as grand. She’d never seen anything like it. She stood back from the polished mahogany desk, beside the cases, while Terry gave the receptionist their details and signed the register. He was handed the keys to the room booked in the name of Mr and Mrs Lomax. A thrill ran through Alice as she heard the receptionist congratulating Terry, and she looked across and smiled and nodded a thank you to the smartly dressed woman. A uniformed porter was summoned and he carried their cases up the wide staircase to the room on the first floor. Terry gave the man a tip and closed the door behind him.

  ‘It’s all so posh, I’m frightened of touching anything,’ Alice said as she gazed in awe around the attractive room whose windows overlooked Ranelagh Place. There were pipes and big radiators too and the room felt warm after the cold day outside.

  ‘Best make the most of it, gel.’ Terry grinned. ‘It’ll be the first and last time we spend a night in a room like this. It’s costing an arm and a leg, but it’s the only night we’ll spend together for God knows how long, and I wanted it to be somewhere special, not in some grotty B&B, complete with a bed full of livestock.’

  Alice laughed. She took off her jacket and laid it on the bed. ‘They’d be bugs with knobs on though, if we caught any here.’ She giggled. She sat down on the bed and sank into the comfort of the blue silk eiderdown that matched the curtains at the window. ‘Oh my God, Terry, it’s so soft and comfy.’ She kicked off her shoes and swung her legs up, revelling in the luxury.

  Terry kicked his shoes off, hung his jacket over the back of a chair and joined her. He traced a finger around her lips. ‘We’ll have a proper honeymoon when I’m home for good,’ he promised.

  Alice smiled and gave herself up to his passionate kisses.

  Alice snuggled down under the blankets and eiderdown as Terry climbed out of bed and pulled back the curtains to reveal more snow falling. A thick cover lay on the ground, and people were doing their best to hurry along the street while trying to stay upright.

  ‘Bloody hell,’ he muttered, ‘let’s hope we can get back to Aigburth in this. Come on, love, we need to get a move on or we’ll miss the breakfast. They finish serving in half an hour.’

  Alice reluctantly opened her eyes and stretched her arms above her head. ‘Do we have to? I want to stay here with you forever. I don’t want this to end.’

  ‘Neither do I, gel, but they’ll have me for desertion if I don’t go back to barracks today. I’ll jump in the shower first while you get your stuff together.’

  ‘I’ve never used a shower before,’ Alice said as sh
e slid out of bed, naked. ‘You’ll have to show me what to do.’

  Terry grinned and pulled her close. ‘Better than that, you can share with me; it’ll save us time for one thing.’ He took her hand and led her into the bathroom.

  Alice’s sponge bag was on a shelf near the sink and Terry rooted inside until he found a bar of her favourite soap wrapped in a pink flannel.

  ‘Camay, the soap for beautiful women,’ he teased, quoting the manufacturer’s slogan, and turned on the taps.

  Alice giggled as the warm water showered down on the pair of them. Her hair would be like rats’ tails when they’d finished, but as Terry lathered her with bubbles and kissed her long and hard, she didn’t care and knew she would remember this precious time all her life.

  After finishing her breakfast in the opulent dining room, and eating far more than she normally would – she probably wouldn’t see bacon again for years, never mind a real egg – Alice sat back in her chair and stared at Terry as he popped the last morsel of sausage into his mouth, rolling his eyes in ecstasy. She loved him so much and their one night had been wonderful. He’d been tender but passionate with her and when they’d eventually fallen asleep in the early hours, wrapped in each other’s arms, she’d felt complete and loved like never before. Then earlier, in the shower, his lovemaking had left her floating on clouds. How was she going to live without him, and for how long? All she’d have to keep her going were memories and his letters – when he got a chance to write them. What if he didn’t come back? She didn’t think she could bear it. Her chest felt tight and, as she took a deep breath, hot tears rolled down her cheeks. Terry smiled and took her hand. His own eyes looked moist.

  ‘I don’t want you to go,’ she sobbed.

  ‘I know, and I don’t want to go, darling. But I’ve got no choice. I hate leaving you. I’ll be back, I promise. Nothing will keep me away from you. Not even bloody Hitler and his cronies.’

  He led her away from the dining table and back to the room to collect their belongings. They handed the key in at reception and left the warmth of the hotel for the cold and snowy street outside.

  Lime Street station was busy and Alice looked around at the people bustling past as Terry checked the departures board. They weren’t the only couple saying goodbye that day by the look of things. Sobbing women in the arms of uniformed men, not much older than she and Terry, dotted the station foyer, some holding young babies sandwiched between them. Well, at least that was one problem she didn’t have, bringing up a child on her own while its father was stationed God knew where. And she had at least another hour with Terry on their journey home before he dropped her off at her mam’s and made his way back to collect Jimmy.

  Terry held Alice close on the doorstep and kissed her long and hard.

  ‘Write soon, please,’ she begged, tears falling again as he picked up his case from the path. ‘And take care of yourself.’

  ‘I will, I promise. And you please look after yourself too, Alice. I love you more than life itself. Make sure you take shelter as soon as the warning sirens go off. And be careful at work with all the explosives lying around. Don’t take any risks.’

  She nodded through her tears. ‘I’ll be very careful. I don’t go near the explosives. Millie and I are on a different floor, riveting the framework for the Halifax wings.’

  ‘Right, well you and Millie get those planes built and help us lads to win this war. I’m relying on you, gel. Build the one with Hitler’s name on it. Let’s finish him off good and proper. Goodbye, my darling, I’ll write as soon as I can. I love you.’

  ‘And I love you.’ Alice watched as he strode off down the road towards Lark Lane. At the corner he turned and waved one last time. Her heart broke as she closed the front door and made her way into the back sitting room. The fire was lit but there was no sign of her mam. She must have gone to church with Mona from up the road, but as it was now almost one o’clock she should be back soon. Alice flopped onto the sofa and sobbed her heart out.

  4

  Alice tossed and turned for most of the night, alternating between sobbing into her pillow and telling herself not to be a mardy baby. Thousands of girls like her were parted from their loved ones and just had no choice but to get on with it. Her Terry would be fine. He’d miss her just as much as she’d miss him and there was nothing they could do about it. She decided to get up and get ready for work. Millie would be knocking on for her in an hour so at least she had time for tea and toast first. She rolled out of bed and dashed to the bathroom for a quick wash and to pin up her hair, ready to go under the dreaded turban that was waiting in her locker at Rootes.

  As she made breakfast she thought back to what her mam had said over tea last night when she eventually arrived back from church and her usual cuppa afterwards at her pal Mona’s. Mona had worked at the Princess Steam Laundry on Lark Lane with Mam and now it was closed because of serious bomb damage they were at a loose end. Mona had suggested they get together on a regular basis in the church hall and form a knitting group that would make socks for the soldiers. Mona thought it would be a good idea to get them both out of the house for a few hours a week. And also Mam said the newsagent’s wife had asked her if she’d do a couple of mornings in the shop while her husband was doing his ARP duties. It would give her a bit of extra money so she’d said she’d love to help out.

  Alice thought it was a great idea. It would do Mam good to have a bit of company again instead of sitting alone wallowing in aches and pains that would probably vanish once her mind was occupied. Most of the women she’d be spending time with were a similar age, so would all be going through the change, and Mam would realise it wasn’t life-threatening and you could still live a normal life.

  Alice finished her breakfast and poured a cup of tea for Mam and took it upstairs. If she woke her now it might spur her on to get up and go and talk to Mona some more. It would take a bit of pressure from Alice’s shoulders if she wasn’t the only breadwinner in the house again. She might even be able to save a bit of money for her and Terry’s future home. She could have a nice little nest egg saved for when he got home that would give them a start at least.

  In spite of the cold morning and the snow still falling, Millie was smiling happily when Alice answered the door.

  ‘I’m ready,’ Alice said, shivering as she closed the front door behind her. She flicked the collar of her warm red coat up and pulled her knitted scarf, one of Mam’s creations, tighter around her neck.

  ‘Flipping heck, it’s cold enough to take your breath away!’ she exclaimed, linking Millie’s arm as they slipped and slithered along Lucerne Street and onto Lark Lane. The snow wasn’t as thick here and the pavements had been cleared a bit, ashes scattered on them by kindly shop owners to thaw the ice and snow so customers wouldn’t slip and injure themselves. Alice made a mental note to do the same to their front path when she got home tonight.

  They stood by the bus stop on Aigburth Road, stamping their feet, teeth chattering. Millie nudged Alice. ‘So, how did it go?’

  Alice smiled and felt her cheeks heating. ‘We had a lovely time, thank you.’

  ‘And the Adelphi? Is it as nice as they say it is?’

  ‘Very posh,’ Alice replied. ‘Never seen anything like it. Shows you how the other half live.’

  ‘I’ll bet. You look very happy anyway. Sort of glowing.’

  Alice smiled. ‘Think that’s down to the cold weather. And I’ve done nothing but cry all night, so I’m all blotchy. It was awful saying goodbye to him.’

  Millie squeezed her arm. ‘I’m sure.’

  Alice blinked rapidly as the works’ bus trundled slowly to the stop. ‘I’ve just got to get on with it, haven’t I? I’m not the only one. There were loads of girls saying goodbye to their husbands at Lime Street yesterday. Some even had little kiddies and babies with them. It’s so sad.’

  Millie nodded. ‘Well at least you haven’t got that problem and there’s only you to think about.’

  �
��True,’ Alice said as they climbed aboard the bus and sat down, calling out hellos to the other passengers.

  Millie rooted in her bag and pulled out a sheet of paper. She showed it to Alice. ‘Jimmy gave me this,’ she whispered. ‘He wants me to write to him. Do you think I should?’

  The paper had Jimmy’s name and address at Fulwood Barracks written on it.

  Alice’s eyebrows shot up. ‘But what about Alan? I thought you were madly in love with him? I mean, Jimmy’s very nice, but, well, we don’t know that much about him.’

  Millie sighed. ‘I am in love with Alan. But I felt sorry for Jimmy. And I like him. When he asked me if I’d got a boyfriend I lied and said no. Do you think that was really bad of me?’

  Alice puffed out her cheeks. ‘Crikey, I’m shocked. I wasn’t expecting this.’

  Millie shrugged, her blue eyes clouding. ‘Alan hasn’t written for ages, but his mother had a letter from him two weeks ago so nothing bad has happened to him. He could have spared the time to write to me too. I feel he doesn’t really care that much about me. He was blowing hot and cold before he was sent abroad. Everyone else we know is either engaged or married. But Alan hasn’t even suggested it for us. I don’t want to be left on the shelf.’

  ‘You’re only eighteen, Millie, for goodness sake. But I suppose you’ve not got a lot to lose if he’s being like that with you. And if you like Jimmy, it will be nice for him to have someone to keep in touch with back home. They all need to feel someone cares.’

  ‘That’s what I thought,’ Millie said. ‘No point in having all my eggs in the same basket, is there?’

  Alice laughed as the bus picked up more passengers and the driver started to whistle Flanagan and Allen’s ‘Underneath the Arches’ as loud as he could, with the passengers joining in and singing along to the chorus. He always gave them a tune on the journey in and by the time they pulled onto Speke Road and through the gates of the munitions factory, everybody was in a happy mood and bid the driver thank you and goodbye as they got off the bus.