by Jill Barry
That afternoon, Don was despatched to pick up Pearl and to drive her to Randalls, the popular ballroom built on the headland and approached by a winding road leading up from the old harbour.
Charlotte hoped her brother would enjoy his afternoon. He worked very hard, often taking things very seriously indeed. She knew he was concerned about the effect a war would have on them. Everyone faced the same situation but their own little family was already missing a very vital and much-loved member. It was good to see Don go off looking so handsome. He might even meet some nice girl and forget all about Cruel Kitty as Charlotte privately dubbed his former girlfriend.
“I’m sorry you couldn’t go dancing too, love.” Mr Moore looked round as she wandered into the workshop between customers at the pumps.
“It’s all right Dad. I thought Don could do with a bit of a treat. I was much more anxious for him to go than for me. Especially as … um, I mean …” She was left floundering, hands in the pockets of her hard-wearing overalls.
Mr Moore’s head was hidden once again by the bonnet of the car he was fixing. It hadn’t stopped him from hearing what his daughter said, though.
“I suppose you mean the Costello boy’s working this afternoon so he can’t go either.”
Charlie looked down at her dirty fingernails and wrinkled her nose. “Robert’s asked me to go out with him, Dad. I’m sorry I haven’t mentioned it to you but he only asked me last night, down at the fair.”
“You need a social life, love. As long as he doesn’t try any Wall of Death stunts on that bike of his, I don’t have a problem with you walking out with him.”
“Walking out – how old-fashioned that sounds, Dad! But thanks for not saying I shouldn’t go.”
“I am old-fashioned, love. I like the old-fashioned values and that’s why I want to see them preserved. But don’t let me get on my hobbyhorse. What I want to say to you is that the Costello family are grafters. They’ve been hit hard by the slump and now the war’s increasing the damage. Very soon, I think we’ll hear a formal announcement from Mr Chamberlain. Decisions will need to be made.”
He paused then smiled at his daughter. “In the meantime, you young folk should try to enjoy yourselves while the going’s good. I don’t mean you should ever forget you’re a decent young lady, Charlotte. Lads will be lads and I’m sure I don’t have to spell it out to you. Now, pass me that screwdriver will you?”
She obeyed, her cheeks hot with embarrassment. Phew. She hadn’t expected her father to show quite so much understanding about Robert but she was delighted to hear he respected him. So much for Robert’s uncertainty! She had both her dad and her brother on her side and that gave her a wonderful feeling. In fact, it was almost like being in love.
A car cruised on to the forecourt and hearing it, Charlotte hurried outside, ready to approach the driver’s window. “Hello, Sir,” she said. “Is it your usual two gallons of Super, today?”
Don came home later, in good spirits. In fact it was much, much later than Charlotte had anticipated. She saw him drive the family car past the garage, ready to park round at the back and hurried through, to open up the double doors for him.
“Did you enjoy it? How many dances did you have? What was the tea like? Did you have a cocktail?”
“Hey, let me get out of the car first,” said Don. “I’ll shut the doors. You’d better go back outside in case a customer arrives without you noticing.”
“All right, but don’t you dare disappear in the house. I want a full report. Immediately.”
Sunshine still bathed the forecourt so Charlie went back and perched on one of the stools that, in fine weather, they put out either side of the entrance to the office. Her father was in the house, having finished his tricky repair task and gone to get cleaned up.
Don joined his sister. “The band played In the Mood and your friend and I had a circle round us when we were jitterbugging.”
“Oh, I wish I’d seen you,” Charlie wailed. “I’m so glad you had fun though. I bet Pearl enjoyed being the centre of attention.”
“She seemed happy enough. I think I surprised Philip too. He complimented me on my technique. We got on quite well, especially after we found we both liked cricket. After all, he can’t be too bad a bloke if Dad enjoys his company.”
Charlie raised her eyes heavenwards. “First engines, now sport. Poor Pearl – I hope you didn’t ignore her too much.”
“Not at all. Philip seemed to take a fancy to a girl he danced with during the Paul Jones so he brought her back to the table to introduce her. Nice girl. She was there with her brother, apparently.”
“Is she local?”
“She lives in Coynesbury. There weren’t that many familiar faces there. Maybe the tea dances are seen as being a bit posh for most of the people we know. A fellow can’t turn up unless he’s wearing a suit.”
“So, you and Pearl hit it off on the dance floor?”
“Um, yes. I suppose you could say that.”
Charlie looked at her watch. “It’s time to close up. Come to think of it, what took you so long to get home?”
“Um, well, you see, it being a nice evening, I suggested a little walk along the promenade. We didn’t go near the fair.” He shot his sister a sly glance. “So we didn’t see Robert.”
“The three of you went for a walk?”
“Well, Pearl and I walked. The last I saw of Philip, he was still in the bar with that girl he met and her brother.”
Charlie decided to say no more. Knowing Don had enjoyed a few hours relaxation and fun meant a lot to her. Further interrogation could wait until another time.
“Come on Fred Astaire,” she said. “Help me check everything’s locked away then we’ll go and have a bit of supper with Dad.”
Philip, having promised to write to at least ten hopeful young ladies, flew his aeroplane off into the blue yonder, more accurately in the direction of Brighton, his mechanic packing up after him and driving the van sign-written with Flying Circus insignia.
A hint of autumn sharpened the early mornings even though it wasn’t yet September. A hint of menace made Charlotte shiver when she heard a news bulletin or sat down to read the daily paper if she found time. Words like mobilisation, neutrality and ultimatum were sprinkled like currants over the heavy dough of radio broadcasts and newspaper reports. Charlotte hadn’t even heard of the Registrar General but she knew he was the person who announced the distribution of identity cards and numbers for everyone in the event of a full-blown war. Speculation as to what would happen next coloured conversations with customers and with the shopkeepers and café owners when Charlotte managed to meet Pearl for a cup of tea during a break from their duties.
In these days of uncertainty, there was one thing about which Charlotte was absolutely certain. The day of her cinema outing with Robert, she met Pearl for a cup of coffee, each stealing a few minutes from shopping time.
“You know I’m seeing Robert this evening?” Charlotte passed the sugar bowl across the table. ‘We’ll have to get used to rationing soon. I’m trying to cut down on sugar – a tiny bit less each time. Hope it works.”
“Ugh,” said Pearl. “I’ll happily have your share.”
“It’s all right for you – you’re built like a hairpin. I can do with a bit of fine tuning.”
Pearl giggled. “You sound just like a mechanic. Maybe I should learn a bit more about spark plugs and radiators.”
Charlotte leaned forward. “So you can converse knowledgeably with my brother, by any chance?”
“Tut tut,” said Pearl. “Now, did I say that? Maybe I think a bit more know-how would help me when I’m typing up the customers’ bills. Your dad’s writing’s a bit like a doctor’s scribble, seems to me.”
“You have my sympathies. I’d much rather cook for the two of them than decipher their handwriting.”
“Never mind me. Where’s Robert taking you tonight?”
“We’re going to the Tivoli.”
“Is
he picking you up on his bike?”
“He’s coming in to say hello to Dad then we’re walking down. It’s only ten minutes after all.”
Pearl sat back in her chair. “Sounds like he’s getting his feet under the table. Has he kissed you yet?”
Charlie looked around, her expression alarmed. “Shush! Would you like me to fetch a megaphone so you can be sure you’re broadcasting my business to all and sundry?”
Both girls giggled.
“I’m just so pleased for you, Charlie,” said Pearl. “You two make a lovely couple – Robert so dark and you the golden girl. Can I be your bridesmaid when the big day comes?”
Charlie knew her cheeks were turning to beetroot. It was far too soon to think along those lines, yet as soon as the suggestion fell from Pearl’s lips, she knew that’s where she hoped her destiny would lie. As to whether Robert felt the same, that was another matter. Their romance was too new, too fragile, for her to be totally confident. She felt sure of her own feelings but some might say she and Robert were rushing into romance as a respite from the dark days lying ahead.
“All right, you don’t have to answer that,” said Pearl, a little smile upturning the corners of her mouth. “But it can’t hurt to dream, surely?”
Charlotte glanced up at the clock. She and Robert needed to start walking to the cinema if they were to be sure of seeing the start of the show. Her father was talking about his recollections of the funfair, at a time before The Costello family took it over. Robert was either fascinated or making a very good attempt at seeming so.
She waited for a pause in the conversation. “Dad, I’m sorry to interrupt but time’s going on.”
Mr Moore pushed back his chair. “I need to get round to the garage anyway. Sorry, Robert, I didn’t mean to monopolise you.”
Robert rose too and held out his hand. “Thank you for the tea and scones, Sir. I’ve enjoyed talking to you.”
“Charlotte’s a dab hand at scone making. Drop in any time you like. And you won’t forget to mention my idea to your father?”
“I certainly shan’t. I understand your feelings and I know he will too. It’s as well to be prepared, I think.”
Charlotte reached for her cardigan.
Her father cleared his throat. “From now on, you should call me Raymond. Then I won’t feel quite so ancient.” He winked at Charlotte. “Enjoy the show.”
The three of them left the kitchen together, Mr Moore locking the door behind them. Charlotte and Robert set off towards the high street. She felt a bubble of joy as he reached for her hand and clasped it firmly in his. They were still in sight of the garage and Robert’s seemingly small gesture meant a great deal to her. She couldn’t really explain how she felt but it was as if they truly were courting now, not merely as though stepping out to the cinema.
“Did you see that brother of mine on your way, earlier?”
“I did. We had time for a quick chat,” said Robert. “He told me to take good care of you.” He squeezed her hand.
“My word. I’m surprised you didn’t get teased.”
“Oh, there was a bit of that as well. I can take it.”
“Hmm. Next time, I shall have to get out some photographs of Donald as a baby.” She gasped. “Oh dear, I’m sorry, Robert. That sounds very forward of me. You mightn’t want to repeat the experience.”
Gently he released her hand and put his arm round her waist. She held her breath and in her turn moved her own arm, adjusting her step, so they walked smoothly together. Neither said a word. Neither needed to.
When they reached the cinema Robert purchased two seats in the dress circle. Charlie, very aware of his family’s precarious position, had to bite her lip, wanting to offer to pay her share but worried she might embarrass him.
He smiled at her as he turned from the ticket office. “Would you like some bonbons, Charlie?”
“Oh, no thanks,” she said. “I’m trying to curb my sweet tooth.”
“You’re not on one of these new-fangled diets, surely?”
They walked towards the staircase.
“I could do with losing a few pounds,” she said, unwilling to bring up the subject of war.
“What rubbish. You’re fine as you are.”
They took their seats just in time for the newsreel. The usherette, leading the way with her torch beam, showed them to the back row, much to Charlotte’s embarrassment. They whispered apologies, squeezing past two pairs of knees before they could sit down.
As Charlotte might have anticipated, the newsreel contained quite enough on the subject of Germany and those countries determined to stand up to her. Seeing the images of troops and warships on the big screen highlighted the situation in no uncertain way. A quick glance at Robert’s profile showed his clenched jaw. As if sensing her feelings, he reached for her hand and she let it lie, lightly clasped in his, on the arm of the seat between them. It was only when the familiar roaring lion emblem disappeared from the screen and the main film began that Robert placed his arm round her shoulders. She snuggled closer to him as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
I wish Mum could know how happy I am with this young man, thought Charlotte. Once more, she prayed for sanity in the world although she feared this was too much to hope. Meanwhile, she intended to enjoy Robert’s company as much as possible.
Charlotte and Robert walked back together, hand in hand through the darkened streets, to her house.
“I really enjoyed that,” she said. “Even though I found it a bit of a tear-jerker.”
“It’s possible,” said Robert, “the British government are well-pleased to have that film on general release at a time when lots of people are considering their positions.”
“How do you mean?”
“Mr Chips has to surmount lots of obstacles in order to prove his worth. When the First World War breaks out, he puts aside his retirement and takes up teaching again because so many younger teachers have to join up. The message is, experience tells.”
Charlotte bit her lip as she realised what Robert was getting at. Her father might well be contemplating this very situation, though of course he was a long way from retirement. Changes were definitely on the cards and lots of people would be taking up new roles not just in their own locality but much further afield.
They walked in silence, Charlotte wondering what the plan was that her dad had mentioned to Robert before they all left the kitchen. Suddenly Robert stopped walking and took both her hands in his.
“Whatever happens, Charlotte, I want you to know you mean the world to me. I never imagined feeling like this but I do and I just want you to know it, that’s all. I’m not one for fancy talk but when the day comes for me to go away, I’d like to leave, knowing you’re my girl. Knowing we’ll write to each other, with the understanding that one day, God willing, I can ask you to marry me.”
Charlotte’s heart bump bumped in her chest and her mouth dried. “We haven’t spent much time in each other’s company,” she said, “but I feel the same, Robert. We have no idea how everything will work out but somehow I feel it will.”
“My lovely girl,” he whispered, taking her in his arms right under the streetlamp. “I hope your dad’s not peeping through the curtains because I really do have to kiss you.”
After their brief but sweet kiss, he opened the gate for her and watched her take out her door key. “Come and see me at the fair as soon as you can? I don’t want to keep you out late.”
“I’ll come the first afternoon I can,” she said. “Goodnight, Robert.”
She heard him drive away as she locked and bolted the door behind her and walked through to the kitchen.
Her father looked up from his newspaper. “There’s a drop of cocoa left in the saucepan if you want to warm it up. Did you enjoy your film?”
She moved to the stove. “Very much but it was thought-provoking. Speaking of which, Dad, don’t you think it’s time you came clean with me about your intentions once war’s declared
?”
Mr Moore put down his paper and twisted round in his chair as Charlotte lit the gas. “It’s not done just to annoy you, love – not broaching the subject, I mean. I suppose I’ve been hoping for a miracle but quite honestly, I’m just prolonging the agony.”
She stirred the chocolate mixture in the pan. “Where’s Don?”
“He went out to play football, came home and had a bath then decided on an early night.”
“I bolted the door so that’s OK then.” She watched steam rise from the pan and switched off the gas.
Her father waited while she carried her drink to the table. “You deserve to hear the truth from my own lips. Fact is, love, I’m determined to offer help in some form or other when the time comes.” He held up his hand. “No, please hear me out. If my old regiment will have me, I’ll probably be deployed to help train young recruits as mechanics. That’s something I know I can do and at least I’ll feel I’m needed.”
“But you’re needed here, Dad. The business needs you. I need you!” She lifted the mug to her mouth, her hand trembling. She took a gulp of cocoa and thumped her drink down on the table again. “How the heck could I run the business all on my own? Just tell me that, would you?”
“Yes, I will tell you, my girl. First of all, you’re more than capable of doing the job. If I didn’t have faith in you, I’d not be volunteering. I’d sit tight here and swallow my pride. After all, I want to have something to hand down to you and Don. But of course you can’t do the job all on your own. You must take me for a right chump!” He waited for her to smile back at him.
“I’ve spoken to your young man’s dad.”
Charlotte’s mouth opened in shock.
“George Costello, as you probably know, has decided to cease trading – not just over the winter months but for the foreseeable future. He’s a bit creaky in the joints but more than capable of serving petrol and oil. He’s got a good business head on his shoulders and his wife’s used to bookkeeping so you wouldn’t have to worry about that side of things, love, after Pearl leaves.”
