Daisy's War

by Roberta Grieve

  ‘Who else would it be?’ Sylvia threw her handbag down on the dressing table, knocking one of Daisy’s scent bottles onto the floor.

  Daisy didn’t comment. She didn’t want to quarrel with her sister who was only home for a short time. Still, she couldn’t help thinking she’d be glad to have her bedroom to herself again. ‘Have a good time?’ she asked.

  ‘Ooh, it was lovely.’ A dreamy smile crept across Sylvia’s face.

  ‘You enjoyed the film then?’

  ‘What about you? Was it fun sitting in the back row with the boy next door? I bet you and little Bobby didn’t see much of the film.’

  Daisy blushed and Sylvia laughed. ‘Actually, we didn’t go to the pictures,’ she said. ‘Roland’s staying at the Britannia Hotel and we had a meal there. A bit better than eating a bag of chips on the way home.’

  Why does she have to sneer all the time, Daisy wondered. Why does she have to be so toffee-nosed? ‘Well, I enjoyed my chips. Could you put the light out please? I need to sleep, I’ve got an early start in the morning.’

  ‘Don’t you want to hear about the rest of my evening?’

  Daisy shook her head and pulled the covers over her head, but Sylvia wasn’t deterred. ‘We went up to his room,’ she whispered.

  Daisy sat up abruptly. ‘You didn’t...?’

  ‘That’d be telling.’ Sylvia laughed and switched off the light. As she got into bed she pleaded. ‘You won’t tell Mum, will you?’

  ‘Of course not.’ Daisy had always covered for her even when she was annoyed with her. Despite their differences she had always admired and looked up to her clever beautiful sister.

  As she settled down to sleep, she tried not to think of what Sylvia and Roland might have got up to in his hotel room. For a few minutes she had managed not to think about Bob and his news. Now, despair swept over her. Would she ever see him again, would he keep his promise to write? It had been bad enough those weeks he was away at training camp. Now he was off to France and who knew what awaited him over there?

  She could not imagine life without the boy next door. He had always been there, defending her from school bullies, taking the blame when she got into trouble for some mischief. They were grown-up now and their feelings for each other had changed, she couldn’t remember quite how or when.

  She turned over and buried her face in her pillow. ‘Oh, Bob,’ she murmured trying to stifle her tears. She didn’t want Sylvia to hear her crying and start teasing.

  ***

  When Daisy woke the next morning, Sylvia was still asleep. She got up quietly, not wanting to disturb her sister and continue their conversation of the night before. She didn’t want to believe what Sylvia had hinted, although she wasn’t really shocked. Hadn’t she often wondered what it would be like with Bob and been tempted to go a bit further than kisses and cuddles in the seafront shelters? No, she was worried. Suppose Sylvia got pregnant. Their dad would go mad, not to mention she would be drummed out of the WAAFs.

  Downstairs, Dora Bishop was pouring water into the teapot. ‘Got time for breakfast, love? Dad’s had his – gone over the allotment already. Don’t know what he finds to do in this weather.’

  ‘He’s always over there.’ Daisy said.

  ‘I know, but he has to keep busy. It’s frustrating for him not being able to work. He feels he’s doing his bit, putting food on the table. Now then, what about breakfast?’

  ‘Just toast please, Mum.’ Daisy poured herself a cup of tea. ‘Sylvia still asleep?’

  Daisy nodded. ‘She got in quite late.’

  Dora’s lips tightened. ‘Can’t say much to her. She has a life of her own now. Still, I wish...’ Her voice tailed off as the kitchen door opened and Sylvia came into the kitchen, still in her dressing gown, her hair tousled.

  Not so glamorous now, Daisy thought, inwardly chiding herself for her unkind thought. ‘Morning, Sylvia. Shall I pour you a cuppa?’

  Sylvia yawned and nodded.

  Dora turned to Daisy. ‘Here’s your toast, love. Better get it down you if you don’t want to be late for work.’

  Daisy sat at the table and bit into her toast. ‘When do you go back, Sylvia?’ she asked, her mouth full.

  ‘Later today.’

  ‘So soon?’ Dora said, sitting at the table.

  ‘I told you it was a flying visit.’

  ‘What about Roland?’ Daisy asked.

  ‘Didn’t I say? He’s been posted to Eastchurch, just up the Island. I said goodbye to him yesterday. He can’t get away today.’

  She didn’t sound very upset but then, Daisy thought. Sylvia had never been one for showing her real feelings.

  ‘I expect you’ll miss him,’ she said.

  ‘Plenty more where he came from.’ Sylvia said, busying herself with buttering her toast. ‘I’m not like you, Daisy, settling for the first man who comes along. I intend to have fun before I settle down.’

  ‘I thought Roland was special. You seemed very close last night.’

  Dora came in with a fresh pot of tea, putting an end to the conversation.

  Sylvia shot Daisy a warning look. ‘Just because we went to the pictures...We travelled down from Norfolk on the same train, that’s all,’ she snapped.

  Daisy finished her breakfast and stood up. ‘I’m off. Safe journey, Sylvia. And don’t forget to write to Mum and Dad.’

  She hurried off in the direction of the barracks, thinking about Sylvia and the fib she’d told about going to the pictures. She just hoped her sister wasn’t going to be hurt, that’s all.

  The wind wasn’t so cold today and she looked forward to signs of spring. She wondered if Dad was right when he’d said the long severe winter had held up the progress of the war. That was probably why Bob’s regiment was only now embarking for the continent. Most of them had gone as soon as war was declared and were already over there trying to hold back the Germans’ advance on France.

  As she hurried over the moat, she saw a line of Army lorries pouring out of the garrison gate. They turned right and roared through Blue Town, past the Dockyard wall and on to the coast road. As she reached the gate, she saw soldiers hanging over the backs of the lorries, waving. She stopped and waved back, hoping for a glimpse of Bob. And there he was, leaning out as far as he could, waving until the lorry turned the bend.

  She stood there for a few moments, wiping away a tear. When would she see him again? A tap on her shoulder startled her.

  It was Lily. ‘Come on, we’ll be late. Don’t want Mrs G after us.’

  June was already there when they entered the kitchen. She smiled a good morning as Muriel Green came out of her office.

  ‘You, Lily Scott. Potatoes, this morning,’ the supervisor snapped.

  She turned to Daisy and handed her a white overall instead of the horrible beige one. ‘Tables to be laid. June will show you.’

  As Daisy pulled on the overall and followed June out of the room, Mrs Green’s voice followed her. ‘And cover that hair.’ She sighed and fetched the hated cap from where she’d left it the night before.

  She remembered where the cutlery was stored at the end of the counter and went to fetch a handful of forks, but June stopped her. ‘We don’t lay the tables – they fetch their own cutlery when they go up for their food. We have to put out the sauce bottles, salt and pepper on each table. First we have to wipe them all down.’

  She showed Daisy where the cloths were kept and fetched an enamel bowl of hot water. It didn’t take long and she wondered what to do next.

  ‘Come on, Daisy. Stop mooning about. We have to get the plates now, stack them up at the end of the counter. Then fill up the cutlery trays.’

  They’d scarcely finished when the doors opened and their customers started to trickle in.

  ‘I didn’t think there’d be anyone in today. Haven’t they all gone off? I saw the lorries.’

  ‘Some of them stay behind – for maintenance and that. And then there’s the navy blokes.’

  Mrs Green app
eared and took her place behind the counter. ‘No time for idle chatter, girls,’ she said.

  ‘Sorry, Mrs G. I was just showing Daisy what to do.’

  They were kept busy for the rest of the morning fetching cigarettes, sweets and other goods from the stores to replenish the shelves behind the counter. Then it was clearing the tables and carrying the used crockery out to the kitchen.

  When she went through with the next lot Daisy saw that Lily had finished peeling the potatoes and was now chopping carrots. The pile of dirty dishes on the draining boards was growing and Daisy guessed what her next job would be. But first they were allowed a short break and she was glad of a chance to rest her aching feet as well as a chat with her new friends.

  She sipped her tea and gave a contented sigh. She was surprised how much she had enjoyed the morning’s work, bustling in and out. Keeping busy helped the time fly, too.

  Even the thought of that pile of greasy dishes didn’t bother her, especially if she had Lily to chat to. She liked June, too. It was nice working with girls her own age. Most of the women at the factory had been old – well middle-aged she supposed. And they’d been bossy too. She had more in common with these girls and she hoped they’d become real friends in time. And at least Mrs Green left them alone to get on with it - most of the time.

  Lily took her cup back to the counter. ‘Come on. Time to get stuck in again.’

  ‘What about you, June?’ Daisy asked.

  ‘I’m off home – back again this evening.’

  ‘I hate those split shifts,’ Lily said.

  ‘I don’t mind. Anyway, I’m hoping that tall bloke will come in again later. You must have noticed him – over six foot with dark curly hair.’

  ‘Hasn’t he been posted then?’ Daisy asked.

  ‘I hope not. He’s gorgeous, just like a film star.’ June sighed.

  Lily laughed. ‘You’re always swooning over some bloke. It’ll be someone else tomorrow.’

  ‘Why do you think I took this job?’ June grinned and went for her coat, waving goodbye at the door.

  As Lily and Daisy tackled the mountain of washing up Lily said, ‘That June – she’s a regular flirt. No harm in her though.’ She nudged Daisy’s arm, flicking soapy suds over her. ‘Was he really that good-looking?’

  ‘I didn’t notice.’

  Lily gave a disbelieving snort.

  ‘It’s true. My boyfriend was with those who went off this morning and I’ve been thinking about him all day.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Lily said. ‘I didn’t realise.’

  Daisy choked back a sob. ‘Oh, Lily, what will I do if he doesn’t come back?’

  Lily put a comforting arm around her shoulder. ‘You mustn’t think like that.’

  Daisy shook her off. ‘You’re right. No more moaning.’ She picked up a tea towel and carried on drying dishes. But she couldn’t shake off that image - her last glimpse of Bob as the lorry turned the corner. She decided to pop in and see his mum when she’d finished work. Mrs Gardner would be feeling sad, all alone in the house. Bob’s father had died when he was small and there were no other children.

  Chapter Four

  Daisy had been working in the NAAFI for two months and she found she was starting to enjoy life. She had made two new friends and there were always the soldiers and sailors in and out teasing and making them laugh. Not that she took any of them seriously. She was saving herself for Bob.

  But there had been no letters and she was getting worried. Mum said she shouldn’t upset herself. Bob’s mum hadn’t heard from him either.

  ‘You don’t know what it’s like over there, love. You’ve heard the news - I expect writing letters is the last thing on his mind.’

  Daisy had burst into tears. ‘Suppose something’s happened to him, Mum. He might be wounded or...’ She couldn’t bear to think the worst.

  Then a few days later, June said she’d heard from her brother who was in the same regiment as Bob and on the same day, Mrs Gardner had a letter and came round to say Bob was all right. So why hasn’t he written to me? Daisy asked herself.

  As more time passed, she began to be annoyed. All that talk about waiting for him and staying true to him and he couldn’t even be bothered to write. Deep down she knew she was being unreasonable, but it helped to hold on to her anger. No use sitting in a corner and crying.

  When Lily and June asked her to go to the pictures with them she went along, trying not to think of the last time she had been to the Rio, sitting in the back row with Bob and hardly seeing anything of the film at all. To her surprise she enjoyed herself although she wasn’t really a fan of Spencer Tracy. Lily and June were good company and helped to take her mind off worrying about Bob.

  It was still bitterly cold and starting to rain when they came out of the cinema. They ran down the Broadway but instead of turning left to go home, Daisy stayed with her friends and went along the High Street, tumbling through the door of Jacobs’ fish and chip shop and shaking the raindrops from their hair.

  ‘You’re lucky to get any fish, girls,’ Mr Jacobs said. ‘Real shortage now. The lads can’t get out on the boats so much nowadays.’ He shovelled chips into the newspaper. ‘Bloody u-boats,’ he muttered. ‘There - at least there’s plenty of chips.’

  The girls thanked him and walked back along the High Street, eating out of the paper and giggling. ‘Bloody u-boats,’ June said, laughing.

  ‘It’s not funny,’ Daisy protested.

  ‘I know. It’s just the way he said it.’

  They sobered up and walked on eating their chips in silence, each busy with their thoughts, until they reached the Clock Tower. The war was becoming more real to them now. For so long the papers had been calling it the ‘phony war’ and nothing much seemed to be happening, but just lately the wireless news bulletins were becoming more sombre. Each of them had someone to worry about – June’s brother, Lily’s cousin and Bob. However hard she tried he was never far from her thoughts.

  When she’d said goodnight to her friends and let herself in the back door, the light was still on in the kitchen. Mum always waited up for her however late she got in.

  ‘Good film, love?’ Nora asked.

  ‘Not bad. Spencer Tracy.’

  ‘My favourite, I should have come with you,’ Nora said with a smile, turning to the dresser and picking up an envelope.

  Daisy’s heart leapt for a moment and then she sighed as her mother said, ‘From Jimmy. Poor lad. He sounds really fed up. Wants to come home.’

  ‘Well, Mum, I don’t see why you don’t let him. There’s been no bombs. And if he’s unhappy...’

  ‘But they say we must keep them out of harm’s way, just in case...’ Nora sighed. ‘I’ve seen a poster about it.’

  Daisy didn’t know what to say. She gave her mother a hug and said, ‘I’m going up. Early start tomorrow.’

  As she lay in bed, she said a prayer for Bob’s safety as she did every night. But her last thought as she drifted off to sleep was ‘why is everyone getting letters except me?’

  ***

  The next morning she had just hung her coat up and was tugging on the dreaded cap when Mrs Green called her into the office.

  ‘I’ve been keeping my eye on you,’ the supervisor said.

  Daisy trembled. Had she done something wrong?

  But Mrs Green was smiling. ‘You’re a good worker. I think you’re cut out for more than washing up and peeling spuds. How do you fancy going on the till?’

  ‘Really? Yes, I’d like that,’ she stammered. ‘Yes please.’

  ‘Well, I’ll give you a trial period. See how you get on.’

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Green I won’t let you down. When do I start?’

  ‘Tomorrow, but it’s time you had a proper uniform, although you’ll be wearing your white overall behind the counter.’ She stood up and said, ‘Come with me. We’ll get you measured up.’

  As they made their way through the kitchen, Lily looked up from chopping cabbage and fr
owned. But Daisy gave her a reassuring smile.

  Mrs Green strode across the parade ground to the stores and Daisy hurried to keep up with her. A proper uniform instead of that horrid brown overall, she thought, and a hat with a brim and a maroon badge, a belted jacket with epaulettes. Dressed in that she would really feel that she was ‘doing her bit’, a proper war worker. Of course, it couldn’t compare with her sister’s WAAF uniform – a uniform she’d hoped to be wearing herself one day until Sylvia crushed her hopes.

  ‘Come along girl. I haven’t got all day,’ Mrs Green chided. ‘And stop looking at the men.’

  ‘I’m not, I wasn’t,’ Daisy protested. She had been so lost in thought she hadn’t even been aware of the group of squaddies marching past. But as she looked up she couldn’t help noticing the one June had been raving about – the tall one they called Lofty. He stood head and shoulders above the rest of them and he was smiling at her.

  She hastily looked away and followed Mrs Green into the stores. Half an hour later she was kitted out in her new uniform and marched proudly back to the NAAFI building. Only then did it occur to her that her new friends might be a bit put out by her promotion. After all, they had been there longer than she had.

  ***

  Back in the kitchen, Daisy had to finish her shift and would start her new job the following morning. She could hardly face her friends but to her relief, Lily congratulated her on her promotion. June, however, was obviously upset.

  ‘I’ve been here over a year and you come in and take over,’ she said.

  Daisy didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t her fault.

  Lily came to her rescue. ‘She had no say in it. You know what Mrs G’s like, she makes her own rules. If you don’t like it, complain to Sid Browning. He’s the one in charge.’

  ‘Oh, yes, and then Mrs G will take it out on me. You know she hates us going over her head.’

  ‘Well then, just put up with it. And don’t go being nasty to Daisy. I thought she was your friend,’ Lily said indignantly.

  June sniffed and gave a tentative smile. ‘Sorry, Daisy. I know it’s not your fault. It’s just Mrs G has been promising me...’