by Dilly Court
‘Shirley’s bringing a young man home for tea, so make sure that you leave the shop on time, and tell your dad not to stop off at the pub. We don’t want to create the wrong impression.’
‘Which boyfriend is this?’
‘Don’t say things like that, dear. It makes it sound as if Shirley’s flighty. She’s a very pretty girl and she can’t help it if she attracts a lot of attention.’
‘She’s had more boyfriends than I’ve had hot dinners. Anyway, I thought she was going steady with Charlie Crisp.’
‘Charlie’s a lovely fellow, but I think Shirley deserves more in life than to marry a man who works for the water board.’
Ginnie knew very well that in reality Charlie’s job was at the sewage works, but to mention it at the table would offend her mother’s delicate sensibilities. ‘So who is she bringing home today?’
‘Olivia Mallory’s brother. Shirley was at school with Olivia and the family are very well-to-do. Olivia introduced Shirley to the tennis club.’
‘I remember her,’ Ginnie said, frowning. ‘I always thought she was a snooty cow and she treated Shirley like dirt.’
‘Her father is a solicitor and he’s on the council. He’s a magistrate too, so I believe, and they have a house in Monk Avenue. I’ve seen Mrs Mallory in church, but I’ve never spoken to her. She has some lovely clothes, Ginnie. I daresay she bought them in posh shops up West.’ Mildred sighed and smiled. ‘Some people have it all. Anyway it’s Olivia’s brother, Laurence, who’s coming round tonight. He’s in the Navy. He’s an officer.’
‘That must make him a very nice chap.’
Mildred shot her a suspicious look. ‘Are you laughing at me, Virginia?’
‘Of course not, Mum.’ Ginnie rose from her seat and dropped a kiss on her mother’s turbaned head. ‘Bye. See you later.’
At six o’clock that evening Ginnie was standing outside the bathroom, banging on the door for a second time. ‘Hurry up, Shirley. I want to wash the plaster dust out of my hair before tea.’
‘I won’t be long.’ Shirley’s voice was accompanied by the sound of running water.
‘Are you washing your hair, Shirley Travis? If you’ve used the last of my precious Amami shampoo I’ll never forgive you.’ Ginnie waited anxiously until at last the door opened and Shirley breezed out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped round her head.
‘I think I might have used the last drop. Sorry, love, but I’m sure your friend Fred Woollies will let you have another bottle.’ Shirley sailed past her, leaving a waft of Amami shampoo and Lifebuoy soap in her wake.
Speechless and knowing that it was useless to argue, Ginnie took a deep breath and counted to ten. Even so, she was still angry and she followed her sister into the large, airy back bedroom. ‘You selfish beast. You might have asked first.’
Towelling her hair, Shirley looked up and smiled. ‘I know, I’m a cow sometimes, Ginnie, but you are a sweet little sister and you wouldn’t begrudge me my big night, would you?’
‘What are you talking about?’
Shirley let the towel fall to the ground and stepped into her parachute silk camiknickers, fastening them at the waist with a single mother-of-pearl button. ‘I want you to be nice to my new chap.’
‘It’s only Olivia’s big brother. I never liked her; she’s stuck-up and she used to get you in trouble. What’s so special about Laurence Mallory, anyway?’
‘Don’t say nasty things about Olivia. She was my best friend at school and I had a bit of a crush on Laurence. We met again at a tennis club dance a couple of weeks before Easter when he was home on leave. He made me feel like one of the Monk Avenue set and it was lovely.’
‘Don’t, Shirley. You sound snobby, just like Mum.’
‘I’m not a snob. Laurence is super and I know he really fancies me, but his leave is up tomorrow and he has to return to his ship, so I want him to take fond memories of me back to sea.’
‘But what about poor Charlie? He’s totally devoted to you.’
‘I know, and I’m very fond of him too, but it only takes a moment to fall in love, Ginnie. You’ll know when it happens to you.’ Shirley made a moue and tossed her head so that her strawberry-blonde hair formed Medusa-like curls around her face. ‘You’ll love Laurence, but only in a sisterly fashion because he’s mine.’
Ginnie rose to her feet. ‘Well, good luck. That’s all I can say.’
‘He’s tall and blond, and he has deep blue eyes with little crinkly lines at the corners from constantly staring out to sea.’ Shirley reached for her bra and put it on, struggling to do up the hooks and eyes. ‘Give me a hand, Ginnie. This wretched thing must have shrunk in the wash or else my boobs have got bigger. Come to think of it they’ve been a bit tender recently. Perhaps I should see a doctor.’
Ginnie clipped the two ends together. ‘Mum said you’d been looking a bit peaky.’ She let the elastic go and it snapped against her sister’s back, making her yelp.
‘Ouch, that hurt.’
‘Sorry.’ Ginnie stood back, eyeing her sister thoughtfully. ‘You haven’t had any other symptoms, have you, Shirley?’
‘I hope you’re not insinuating anything improper, my girl.’ Shirley snatched the dress she had laid out on her bed and slipped it over her head. She tugged at the zip fastener, pulling a face. ‘I’m definitely putting on weight. It’s all that hateful stodgy food we’re forced to eat in the works canteen.’
‘Are you sure about that?’ Ginnie gazed at her sister’s voluptuous figure with a sinking heart. ‘You haven’t done anything silly, have you, Shirley?’
‘I don’t know what you mean. Ouch.’ Shirley’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I’ve pinched my skin in the blasted zip. That really hurts.’
‘Breathe in.’ Ginnie held the material together with one hand and eased the fastener into place. ‘Just don’t eat much at tea or you’ll burst the seams.’
‘It’s not funny.’ Shirley did a twirl, examining her reflection in the mirror on the front of her wardrobe. ‘I’m getting fat.’
‘How long is it since you had the curse?’
‘That’s none of your business.’
‘It will be if you’re up the creek without a paddle.’
‘I can’t be. Charlie took care of that side of things and with Laurence it was . . .’ Shirley clapped her hands to her flaming cheeks. ‘I mean, it’s simply not possible.’
Ginnie shook her head. ‘It might be a false alarm. You’ll have to make an appointment to see the doctor.’
‘Yes, I will.’ Shirley dashed her hand across her eyes. ‘The last thing I want is to have to beg Charlie to make an honest woman of me.’
‘At least he won’t get blown out of the water by a U-boat torpedo,’ Ginnie said grimly. ‘I hope you know what you’re doing.’
Shirley moved swiftly to her dressing table and seized a hairbrush, dragging it through her tangled curls. ‘I’ll be all right. I know what I want out of life and it isn’t a terraced house close to the sewage works.’
‘I feel sorry for Charlie. He’s crazy about you. Isn’t that enough?’
‘I can hear Mum calling you,’ Shirley said, pointing to the door. ‘I expect she wants some help with the meat paste sandwiches or whatever she’s laid on for tea. Let’s hope we don’t have to eat them in the Anderson shelter. That would be the last straw.’
‘I haven’t had time to wash and change yet,’ Ginnie protested. ‘You’re nearly ready. You go down and help with the food. It’s your chap who’s coming, not mine.’
‘That would be difficult considering you haven’t got a boyfriend.’ Shirley slumped down on the dressing-table stool, turning her head with an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry. That was bitchy. I didn’t mean it. Please go downstairs and keep Mum happy, and I’ll shift heaven and earth to find you another bottle of Amami.’
‘I’ll do it, but only if you promise to see the doctor tomorrow.’
‘Cross my heart and hope to die, although not literally, of course. It�
�s just a false alarm. It’s got to be.’
Ginnie had just reached the foot of the stairs when the doorbell rang.
‘Answer that will you, Ginnie?’ Mildred called from the kitchen. ‘I’m just taking the scones out of the oven.’
Ginnie opened the door. She had not seen Laurence Mallory since she was a child, but the smiling young man in naval uniform simply had to be her sister’s latest conquest. ‘Hello,’ she said, smiling. ‘You must be Laurence. Do come in.’
‘And you must be Ginnie. You were just a kid when I last saw you.’ He took off his peaked cap and tucked it under his arm as he stepped over the threshold. He handed her a bottle wrapped in brown paper. ‘It’s gin. I’m afraid I couldn’t get anything else, but perhaps I should have got some fizzy pop for you. I’m not very good at this sort of thing.’
She frowned. ‘How old d’you think I am?’
His cheeks reddened beneath his tan. ‘I’m awfully sorry. Have I put my foot in it?’
She caught a glimpse of herself in the hallstand mirror. Thanks to Shirley, she had not had time to change out of the open-neck blouse and slacks she had worn to work, and her face was innocent of make-up. With her hair still tied in the ponytail she realised that she could have passed for a schoolgirl and it was her turn to blush. ‘I’m older than I look, but thank you for the gin.’ She ushered him into the front room. ‘I’ll call Shirley. She won’t be long.’
‘I am sorry if I embarrassed you just now.’ He smiled, and Ginnie noticed that his eyes did crinkle rather attractively at the corners, just as Shirley had said.
‘That’s all right. I don’t always look such a mess, but the blast from the doodlebug brought some of the ceiling down at the shop and I haven’t had time to change.’
‘You look fine as you are. I was afraid you might all be dressed up and it was going to be terribly formal.’
‘What would you like to drink, Laurence?’ She opened her parents’ much prized cocktail cabinet and realised her mistake when she saw the row of empty shelves. ‘Oh dear, I’m afraid there’s no choice. It’s going to be gin and water or just gin.’
He grinned appreciatively. ‘I’ll take gin and water, but only if you’ll join me.’
‘Thanks, I will.’ She selected two glasses and poured a measure of gin in each. ‘I’ll fetch some water.’
In the kitchen she found her mother red-faced from the heat as she took the second batch of scones from the oven. ‘What’s he like, Ginnie? Where’s Shirley? She should have been the one to greet the poor man.’
‘She’s getting dolled up, of course. He’s nice, Mum. You’ll like him and he’s brought a bottle of gin. I just came to get some water.’
‘He’s obviously a gentleman. Shirley could do worse.’
‘She’s only been going out with him for a short while.’
‘I’d only known your dad for three days and I knew he was the one for me. That’s all it takes sometimes, dear.’ Mildred tipped the scones onto a cooling rack. ‘Mrs Martin gave me her last jar of strawberry jam so that we could have a proper tea. Take the water and keep him company, while I finish up here. Your dad should be home soon.’
Ginnie filled a jug with tap water and took it to the front room where she found Laurence looking at a framed photograph of herself and Shirley on the beach at Frinton. ‘I was nine there,’ she said, adding water to their drinks. ‘And Shirley was twelve.’
‘This is how I remember you,’ he said, grinning. ‘You’ve both changed quite a lot since then.’
‘Shirley said that you’re going back to your ship tomorrow. That’s a pity. I mean it would have been nice to get to know you properly.’
He raised his glass to her. ‘I’ll drink to that, Ginnie.’
The door opened and Shirley swanned into the room, arms outstretched. ‘I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to greet you, Larry darling.’
He put his glass down and stood up to give her a brief embrace. ‘That’s quite all right, Shirley. Your sister has kept me entertained.’ He met Ginnie’s amused gaze with a hint of a smile. ‘I’m afraid I was a bit early.’
Ginnie was about to offer Shirley a drink when a movement in the front garden caught her eye and she saw her father running up the garden path. ‘Here comes Dad, and he’s in a tearing hurry.’
‘Is that gin?’ Shirley said, eyeing the bottle. ‘I’d love a drink, Ginnie. Pour me a stiff one, there’s a dear.’ She sent her a warning glance. ‘Please.’
Ginnie was about to pour the drink when the door opened and Sid burst into the room. He came to a sudden halt when he saw Laurence. ‘Oh, you’re here already, son. I’m afraid you’ve arrived at a bad time.’
Mildred had followed him into the room and she clutched his arm. ‘Not now, Sid. Whatever it is can wait until after tea, can’t it?’
‘I don’t think so, love.’ Sid patted her hand. ‘This concerns you mostly, Shirley. During the air raid this morning a buzz bomb fell on the sewage works. I’m afraid there were casualties.’
Chapter Two
‘Casualties?’ Shirley stared at her father in disbelief. ‘Not Charlie?’
‘I’m afraid so, love.’
‘Is he badly hurt?’ Mildred demanded, clutching her husband’s arm. ‘Is he in hospital?’
‘I’m sorry, but it’s worse than that.’ Sid cleared his throat. ‘There were seven killed, and Charlie was one of them.’
Ginnie’s hand flew to her mouth as she stifled a gasp of horror. No one moved and it seemed as though time itself had stood still. The colour drained from Shirley’s face and her eyes were wide with shock as she crumpled to the floor. Mildred uttered a shriek and slumped down on the nearest chair while Sid looked on helplessly. Ginnie and Laurence moved at the same time to help Shirley to the sofa, where she lay amongst the cushions with her forearm covering her eyes.
‘I should go,’ Laurence said in a low voice. ‘This isn’t the time for entertaining guests.’
‘I’ll see you out.’ Ginnie followed him into the hall. ‘I’m so sorry about this. Charlie was a good friend.’
He took his cap from the hallstand. ‘I understand. You don’t have to explain.’
‘I’m sure that Shirley will tell you so herself when she’s feeling better. It was a shock.’
He laid his hand on her arm. ‘Of course it was. Tell Shirley that I’ll call in tomorrow on my way to the station.’
‘Yes, of course. I’m so sorry, Laurence.’
‘Don’t apologise, Ginnie. It’s just one of those things.’
She opened the front door and watched him as he walked to the gate. He paused, turning to give her a sympathetic smile and then he was gone. She leaned against the door jamb, taking deep breaths of the warm summer air. The fragrance of mock orange mingled with the sweet aroma from the bed of night-scented stock that her mother had refused to turn over to vegetables. The front lawn had been dug up and planted with potatoes, but there were some things that were sacrosanct and her mother’s favourite flowerbed was one of them. The Germans, should they ever cross the Channel, would find that Mildred Travis was equal to Boadicea when it came to protecting her own. Mum might criticise and grumble about small things in life, but when it came to her family and her cherished home and garden, she would give her life’s blood to protect them.
In an uncertain world some things never changed, but Ginnie wondered how her mother would react at the prospect of increasing their family number with an illegitimate child whose father had died at the sewage works. It was a prospect that was almost as terrifying as the moment when the engine of a flying bomb had cut out overhead. She closed the door, hoping against hope that Shirley had kept her mouth firmly shut. Tomorrow she would take time off work and make certain that her sister sought medical advice. She was about to enter the front room when Shirley blundered past her. ‘I’m going to be sick,’ she said, heading for the kitchen.
Next morning they had just arrived home from the surgery when Ginnie spotted Laurence walking tow
ards them with a bunch of flowers clasped in one hand and a rather battered leather suitcase in the other.
‘Oh, God,’ Shirley groaned, thrusting the gate open. ‘I can’t face him, Ginnie. Tell him I’m dying of something horrible. Tell him anything but the truth.’ She ran up the path and let herself into the house, slamming the door behind her.
Ginnie waited by the gate, wondering what she could say to explain her sister’s odd behaviour. ‘Hello, Laurence.’
‘I just wanted to see how Shirley was this morning, but I can see she’s still very upset.’ He pressed the bouquet into Ginnie’s hand. ‘Will you give her these from me?’
‘Of course, but won’t you come in?’
‘No, thanks all the same, but that would be intruding.’
She met his candid gaze with a feeling of chagrin. ‘I’m really sorry it’s worked out this way. Shirley isn’t quite herself.’
‘It’s all right. I understand. My family has lost friends too.’
She nodded her head, struggling to think of an excuse for Shirley’s apparent rudeness and failing miserably. ‘Yes, war is ghastly.’
To her astonishment this made him smile. ‘That’s one way of putting it.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Look, I know this sounds a bit cheeky, but would you like to walk to the station with me? I’m a bit early so perhaps we could have a cup of tea in the buffet or something.’
She knew that she ought to go to the shop or at least go inside and utter words of comfort to Shirley, but she had a sudden need to do something for herself, and Laurence obviously wanted company. ‘I’d love to, if you could just wait a moment while I take the flowers indoors. I don’t want them to die on me.’ She hesitated, realising what she had just said. ‘I’m afraid that sounded a bit crass in the circumstances.’
‘If I had a pound for every time I said the wrong thing I’d be a rich man,’ he said with a sympathetic smile. ‘Go ahead, Ginnie. I’ll wait here.’
Entering the station buffet was like stepping into an old-fashioned sepia tint. Everything in it seemed to be painted in shades of brown and beige, including the tea and the toasted teacake that the woman behind the counter slapped in front of them. ‘My old man was a submariner,’ she said grimly. ‘He left from this platform and that was the last I saw of him. Torpedoed by a U-boat, he was. No survivors.’ She waddled back to her position behind the tea urn.
