Secrets of the Shipyard Girls

by Nancy Revell

  As Bel and Joe came out of the Registry Office, Major Black wheeled himself towards them, stopping them on their way out.

  ‘Congratulations! Happiness and health!’ he declared.

  ‘Ah, Major,’ Bel said, bending forward to take his proffered hand and shaking it vigorously. ‘I’ve heard so much about you. It’s lovely to finally meet you – to put a face to a name.’

  As she spoke Bel sensed a flurry of movement behind them and felt a gust of cold air as the front door of the Registry Office opened and closed.

  ‘Ah, but it is even more lovely for me to meet you – and to see that Joe was not exaggerating when he spoke of you.’ Major Black beamed at Bel and then at Joe. ‘And I have to say, Mrs Elliot,’ he paused, his attention flickered to the doorway behind them, ‘… that you have got yourself a very honourable man here.’

  Joe shuffled uneasily. He always hated any kind of praise.

  ‘Well, we’d better get off to the Tatham, have a little knees-up … although,’ Joe chuckled, tapping his gammy leg with his walking stick, ‘that might be hard for the both of us.’

  The Major let out a loud laugh. ‘Aye, that may well be, but, you know, I was never much of a dancer – even before,’ and he looked down at his missing limbs. ‘The women all used to complain I had two left feet,’ he said and chuckled.

  When someone coughed loudly behind Bel and Joe, Major Black edged his wheelchair forward and spoke to the man who stood a few yards away.

  ‘All ready, Private?’ His voice had lost its conviviality and was now unmistakably sergeant-majorly.

  ‘Yes, sir,’ Hector replied, saluting the Major, then looking at Joe and Bel. He was standing to attention, with one arm holding open the front door of the Registry Office.

  Joe looked questioningly at his best man.

  ‘Private Elliot,’ the Major commanded. ‘Time to escort your wife out of the building.’

  Joe put his arm out and Bel, smiling, hooked her arm into his, unsure what was going on but so blissfully happy that she didn’t care.

  As they walked out the front door, they saw what had been orchestrated behind their backs while the Major had been keeping them talking. The half-dozen Home Guard soldiers from Joe’s squad were lining the steps of the Registry Office, and had created a V-shaped canopy of long rifles under which the newly-marrieds were to take their first walk as man and wife.

  Joe felt pride well up as he and Bel made their way down the stone steps.

  ‘Hip hip hurrah!’ the crowd of wedding guests, all now positioned on the pavement, shouted out.

  As the couple neared the last step a shower of confetti and rice rained down on them, amidst shouts and claps, and whistles from the men.

  A spindly, grey-haired photographer called Clement Humphreys, who had his shop just a few doors down from the Elliots, had agreed to take the wedding photos for a small fee, but due to the wartime shortage of film, he was limited to just two photographs. He had chanced it and snapped a lovely, natural shot of the bride and groom walking down the steps, full of smiles and laughter.

  ‘Just a quick group shot of everyone together, please,’ Clement requested, looking up at the sky. Dark clouds overhead intimated that it wouldn’t be long before the heavens opened. Luckily everyone quickly squeezed together.

  ‘Cheese!’ Clement shouted out the time-worn signal to smile. He managed to get the whole wedding party in – everyone, that was, apart from Maisie, who had left the wedding just before the end, telling Kate and Vivian that she was nipping to Joseph’s department store to get a little present for the newly-weds.

  In reality, she was keeping to her well-thought-out plan, and didn’t want to risk meeting any of the other guests until they were all happily ensconced in the Tatham.

  As Clement hurried back to his studio to develop the two photographs, George took over and started to usher the happy couple into the wedding car, which he had left parked up right outside the Registry Office.

  Bel was just about to get into the car when she realised she had forgotten something.

  ‘The bouquet!’ she shouted out. ‘I haven’t thrown the bouquet!’

  George stepped forward. ‘Look out, there’s a lovely bouquet of flowers about to head someone’s way.’

  As he spoke Bel turned her back on her wedding guests and threw the bouquet into the air. It went higher than she had meant it to go. Some of the crowd were still chatting, others like Vivian, Dorothy and Angie were watching with eagle eyes as the colourful bouquet of wild flowers dropped down – and straight on to the balding head of one of the Home Guard soldiers who was engrossed in conversation with Lily.

  The bouquet proceeded to bounce off him – and landed straight on Lily’s ample bosom.

  Lily jumped in shock, instinctively catching the bouquet before it dropped to the ground.

  Everyone cheered and Lily looked mortified, turning and desperately trying to give it away to one of the younger girls – but with no joy. No one would take it off her. It was against tradition, after all.

  As George closed the passenger doors and made his way around to the driver’s side, he looked over to Lily who stood, looking more than a little flushed, still awkwardly holding the wedding bouquet. As he caught her eye he gave her a smile and a wink.

  It was a good omen.

  As Joe and Bel sat with their arms wrapped round each other in the back of George’s MG, Bel could feel her heart hammering. She looked up at Joe and thought how attractive he was, and how it amazed her that she hadn’t noticed how handsome he was until recently – despite knowing him just about all of her life.

  Of course, that was probably because she had only ever had eyes for Teddy. She had never even looked at another man once they’d started courting. For the briefest of moments Bel’s mind slipped back to her previous life, and she allowed it – but just for a second.

  As the car turned into Frederick Street, Joe bowed his head to Bel and kissed her, before sitting back and sighing.

  ‘Ah, my first proper kiss as a married man,’ he smiled. ‘I think I’m going to enjoy this marriage malarkey.’

  Bel looked at her husband and let out a gasp of mock outrage, before lifting her face up to his and kissing him back. She then sat back and sighed equally dramatically.

  ‘You know what? I think I am too,’ she said with a cheeky smile.

  Joe chuckled and put his arm round his new wife and held her close.

  ‘So then, George –’ he turned his attention to their chauffeur for the day ‘– what did you think of the ceremony. Short and sweet, eh?’

  George kept his eyes on the road, but let out a loud laugh. ‘Absolutely perfect, I’d say!’

  ‘And now for the good part,’ Joe joked, as they pulled up outside the Tatham Arms. Bel nudged him playfully.

  ‘You can say that again …’ George said, clambering out of the car and opening the door for Bel. ‘I don’t know about you two – but I’m parched!’

  Joe hauled himself out the other side with the help of his stick and as he hobbled round the back of the car he noticed the ‘Just married’ sign that had been strapped to the boot, along with three long strings of cans, which they had heard clanging behind them during their short journey.

  ‘Right,’ George commanded. ‘You two lovebirds get yourself inside, while I go and pick up a few more guests. I do believe Pearl and Agnes – being the bride and groom’s mothers – are top priority and, of course, Lily, as it’ll be a complete shock to her system to actually have to walk anywhere.’

  He was still laughing to himself when he got back into the driving seat and sped off. As he did so some of the cans broke free and were left rolling in the middle of the road.

  Watching the car drive away, Bel and Joe looked at each other, knowing this would probably be the only part of the day they would get to be totally on their own.

  ‘I never thought I would feel this kind of love,’ Joe said in all seriousness. ‘Thank you for giving me that.’

/>   Bel put her arms round her husband’s neck and kissed him. She didn’t need to tell him that she too had never expected to feel this kind of love again, and that she loved him even more for it. They knew that what they had was very special and that – in these uncertain times – they were a very lucky couple.

  As they stood for a moment and gently kissed each other, Bel felt it really was the start of a new life.

  Their quiet moment together, however, lasted just a few minutes before it was broken by the sound of the pub door banging open and Bill’s gruff voice telling them to ‘Get yerselves in here – there’ll be plenty of time fer smooching later on!’

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  The Tatham Arms, Tatham Street, Sunderland

  Half an hour later the bar was heaving with the guests from the wedding and other friends and neighbours from around the doors. Mavis and Maud had brought the wedding cake over and it had taken pride of place in the middle of the buffet and been admired by just about all the guests, who were equally keen to sample a slice.

  Dorothy and Angie were chatting to Lily and Vivian while George bobbed about, replenishing their glasses. He brought a plate of sandwiches and napkins over to them, but all four women shook their heads; they were far more interested in having a good chinwag. Hearing that the conversation was still on all things fashion and hair, George veered off with his plate of food to introduce himself to Ronald and some of the neighbours.

  ‘I don’t know where Maisie’s got to,’ Vivian said. She looked towards the entrance of the bar. ‘Surely it doesn’t take that long to get a wedding present?’

  ‘Perhaps she had a change of heart about coming,’ Lily suggested. She knew that she herself had certainly thought of a few excuses to back out of the wedding, although she was glad she had summoned the courage to brave the real world; she was actually fitting in better than she would have thought. If the north-east accents around her were to be replaced by cockney she would feel like she was back on her home turf.

  On the other side of the room Bel stood chatting to some of her old workmates from the Corporation, as well as her old boss, Howard, but her mind was only half on the conversation as she had been watching her ma and Kate chatting away while they looked after Lucille. The two of them had really bonded these past couple of weeks in the run-up to the wedding.

  As Kate caught a giggling Lucille as she raced around their legs, and hauled her up into the air, Bel looked at her ma, who had a large Scotch in her hand. Bel was relieved to see that she didn’t look too far gone, but she knew there was still plenty of time for her to get plastered.

  Bel’s eyes strayed, looking for her new husband, and she found Joe behind a hazy blanket of cigar smoke, at one of the small pub tables, chatting with Major Black and a couple of the other soldiers. Bert, the younger of the two farmer boys, was spluttering as he half choked on a cigar that the Major had just given him.

  Seeing the small group of uniformed men, Bel remembered the day Joe had returned home after joining the Home Guard, and how she had stupidly thought he had re-enlisted with the army, in spite of his medical discharge. She had nearly been in tears. Looking back, it was then she had started to have feelings for Joe, although she hadn’t realised it until much later.

  ‘Order! Order!’ Major Black had moved his wheelchair away from the table and was chinking the side of his glass with a knife he had borrowed from the buffet table.

  ‘Before everyone starts to enjoy themselves too much, I think it is time to formally toast the happy couple.’

  There was a murmur of agreement and everyone picked up their glasses, as Joe stood up and looked around to find his wife. On seeing her, he strode over to where she was; his gait lopsided due to his reliance on his walking stick, but strong and determined nonetheless.

  ‘To a long and happy married life together. Joe and Bel,’ the Major said simply.

  Everyone raised their glasses and there was a general shout of, ‘Hear! Hear!’ as everyone took a sip of their drinks.

  ‘Speech!’ Hector shouted out. His demand was seconded by various other guests.

  ‘Come on, Joe! It’s not like you to be shy!’ Polly shouted.

  Bel chuckled to herself as she knew Joe was dreading having to make a speech, but it was clear he wouldn’t be able to get away without giving one.

  ‘All right … all right,’ Joe said, leaning a little on his walking stick and taking Bel’s hand with the other.

  The chatter in the room dwindled as everyone looked towards the groom.

  ‘As you all know, I’m not the best talker ever …’

  His words met with a few jeers from the Home Guard, who knew Joe could be as verbose as the next person when he wanted.

  ‘I think you all know just how happy and how lucky I feel … how lucky I am … having persuaded Bel to marry me.’

  There were a few quiet ‘ahs’ from the women.

  ‘I never thought in a million years,’ Joe continued, ‘that I would be stood here now – having wed the woman of my dreams …’

  Heads turned to Bel, who blushed and smiled back at Joe.

  ‘There is only one other wish I have now – and I’m sure you will all agree with me – and that is that this damnable war is won, and that there is not another single life lost.’

  ‘Hear! Hear!’ The whole room agreed with fervour.

  Just as everyone raised their glasses in another toast, Maisie slipped into the bar. She had been standing quietly in the narrow hallway by the entrance to the bar, listening intently, waiting for the right moment. On hearing the start of the toasts, she had quietly opened the glass partition door and slipped into the room, which was now clouded with a mixture of cigarette and cigar smoke.

  ‘Where’ve you been?’ Vivian hurried over to her friend as soon as she spotted her sidle into the bar. She looked down and saw that Maisie was empty-handed.

  ‘And where’s the present?’

  ‘Long story,’ Maisie said. ‘I’ll tell you later.’

  The room was starting to fill with the sound of chatter, when Joe spoke up again.

  ‘Sorry, everyone –’ he had to raise his voice to be heard, ‘there is one more thing I want to say … and that is a big “thank you” for everyone who has come today to help us celebrate – and for everyone’s hard work in making it happen … and for all your lovely presents … Mavis and Maud and Beryl for the wonderful cake … Bill, for allowing us to run riot in his pub … and Rosie,’ Joe looked over a few heads so he could speak directly to Polly’s boss. ‘You have been so kind. It’s thanks to you – and Kate, of course – that my wife – and my new mother-in-law,’ Joe looked over to Pearl who stood up straight as the spotlight fell on her momentarily, ‘… are wearing dresses that not only look amazing, but,’ he added, looking back at Bel, ‘have made this day even more special for them both.’

  As he spoke a resolute-looking Maisie stared at Bel, then her angry-looking eyes sought out Pearl.

  ‘And,’ Bel chirped up, squeezing Joe’s hand, ‘Polly has just told me that she has done something which she really shouldn’t have done – something that is over-generous and totally exorbitant – she has booked us into the honeymoon suite at the Grand Hotel.’ Bel’s voice rose with excitement. She really could not believe her sister-in-law had done that.

  The expression on Joe’s face showed just how taken aback he was. He had certainly not expected this. He looked over to his sister, who he knew must have spent every penny she had to afford such an extravagance, and mouthed thank you.

  Bel turned to Joe and gave him a quick kiss. Her wedding day was turning out so much better than she could ever have wished for. She had never imagined she could be so happy.

  As everyone started to chatter once again amongst themselves and make their way over to the buffet to replenish their plates, Maisie’s refined voice could be heard as she weaved through the guests to reach the newly-married couple.

  ‘Excuse me,’ her polite voice sounded out. She was
smaller than most and so could not be seen.

  It wasn’t until Maisie came into view at the front of the line of guests that Pearl saw her for the first time – and when she did she took a sharp intake of breath.

  Kate turned her head sharply to look at Pearl and saw that she was as white as a ghost. Lucille also immediately sensed the change in her grandmother and started tugging at her arm for reassurance. But Pearl was as still as a statue – unresponsive to either Kate’s concerned look or the demands of her perplexed granddaughter.

  ‘Sorry, excuse me,’ Maisie repeated as she finally made it through the crowd and stepped forward.

  Bel looked at her, wondering why this woman, who she had met only very briefly twice before, was making a beeline for them both.

  ‘Isabelle,’ Maisie said with the most winning smile.

  Bel couldn’t help but flinch for the second time that day at the use of her full name, and again was reminded of the unease she’d felt earlier on when Maisie had wished her a ‘Happy Wedding Day’.

  Maisie looked around her; she knew how to work a crowd and how to ensure she had everyone’s attention.

  Towards the back of the room, Lily was standing stock-still, her drink halfway to her mouth, wondering what on earth Maisie was about to do. Vivian, too, was staring at her friend with a puzzled look on her face. Maisie didn’t really know Bel or Joe, so why was she approaching them now – in front of the entire wedding party?

  ‘You’re all probably wondering what I am doing here,’ Maisie’s voice sang out as she gave another enchanting smile, scanning the room until finally she found who she was looking for.

  Pearl.

  For a fleeting moment the two stared at each other before Maisie turned her attention back to the bride and groom.

  ‘Well,’ she said with a deliberate hint of mystery, ‘I have rather a special – or should I say a somewhat unusual – gift for the happy couple – and for the bride, in particular.’

  Bel was looking at Maisie, her face questioning. Alarm bells had started to ring in her head. Something wasn’t right.