Daisy's War

by Roberta Grieve

  ‘Well, dancing will help take your mind off worrying. You can’t sit at home brooding. I’ll meet you outside. Better get back to work now.’ June picked up her cup and stood up. Lily and Daisy followed.

  There was little time to chat as the busy afternoon wore on but as they took off their overalls and donned their uniform jackets ready for home, Lily said, ‘I wish I was coming dancing with you two tonight.’

  They walked up the High Street, arms linked as usual, chatting about the coming evening. As they left Lily at the turning to Hope Street she said, ‘Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.’

  ‘Fat chance,’ June said with a laugh. They parted at the Clock Tower, June hurrying up the Broadway to her lodgings, leaving Daisy to walk the rest of the way deep in thought.

  Later, as she sat at her dressing table brushing her hair she thought about her growing feelings for Christopher. Was it possible to love two people at the same time, she wondered. Maybe, but there were different kinds of love. Bob had just been the boy next door until their feelings changed into something more serious. It was that last kiss that had done it, she thought, tracing the outline of her lips with her fingertips. That, and his passionate entreaty to be true to him, to wait for his return. How could she have refused when he was going off to war? And she meant every word of it, she really had. How could she have anticipated that she would be bowled over by a tall, blue-eyed despatch rider?

  She threw down her hairbrush and stood up. This would not do. She would put both of them out of her mind and go out and enjoy a carefree evening with her friend. She ran down the stairs and called out a goodbye to her mother, promising not be late home.

  June was waiting outside the Wheatsheaf Hall, a magnificent building containing a row of shops with two community halls above. Like many of the shops in town they were owned by the Co-operative Society who not only provided goods for the townspeople, but ran community activities for everyone from the children’s choir to the young wives’ groups. Daisy’s dad had often said Sheerness was the Co-op, the first one ever, years before Rochdale set theirs up, despite the Lancashire town’s claim that they were the first.

  The two girls entered the foyer and bought their tickets, then ran up the wide staircase into the hall. The room was already full and the band on its dais at the far end played a foxtrot.

  They sat at a small table and looked around, sizing up the dancers. A group of airmen huddled near the bar which ran along one wall, and there were several sailors and soldiers dancing.

  ‘Is that the Poles?’ June asked, gesturing at the airmen.

  ‘Stop staring,’ Daisy said.

  June giggled. ‘We want a dance, don’t we? I’ll go and get us a drink. Maybe one of them will ask us.’

  ‘Go on then. I’ll have lemonade.’ Daisy watched her friend cross the room, teetering on her high heels as she manoeuvred her way between the dancers. One of the airmen turned as June approached and Daisy gasped as she recognised Roland. But hadn’t Lily said he was on duty?

  ‘Oh, no,’ she murmured. He was walking towards their table carrying the drinks and laughing at something June said. Another airman joined them, and they all sat at the table.

  ‘This is Stefan. He’s Polish,’ June said, turning to the other young man. ‘And Roly.’

  ‘I’m English,’ Roland said.

  ‘I know, we’ve met,’ Daisy said, looking him in the eye.

  He stared at her for a moment and then broke into a laugh, showing his white teeth. ‘Of course. The little sister,’ he said.

  June looked confused. ‘How do you two know each other then?’

  ‘I was stationed in Norfolk before I came here. Met Daisy’s sister on the train on the way down.’ He turned to her. ‘Have you heard from Sylvia lately? How is she?’ The words were polite, almost disinterested and Daisy seethed.

  How could he speak so casually when she had seen for herself how close they appeared? He was lying, too. They hadn’t met casually. Sylvia told her they’d been going out together ever since she arrived in Norfolk. She managed to answer politely and he nodded, then turned to June, asking her to dance.

  Left alone at the table with Stefan, the Polish airman, she tried to contain her anger and, for want of something to say, politely asked, ‘Do you speak English?’

  He smiled. ‘A little only. But I am learning. Lieutenant Hargreaves, he is a good teacher. We are also learning about the English planes and how to mend them. Soon I will go to a squadron.’

  ‘Will Roland – Lieutenant Hargreaves go too?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ He looked embarrassed. ‘I think he does not like it here.’

  ‘Why not?’ Daisy understood that those not native to the Island might not enjoy the landscape of bleak marshes and the constant bitter wind from the North Sea. But it was a good posting. And he had Lily, who was madly in love with him.

  Stefan took a swig from his glass and did not reply as the music ended and June and Roland returned to the table.

  Roland held out his hand. ‘Your turn now, Daisy,’ he said, pulling her to her feet. She didn’t want to dance with him, still annoyed at his casual talk about her sister. And what about Lily? How would she feel if she knew that while she was baby-sitting her younger siblings, he was flirting with her and June, for flirting he certainly was.

  She tried to pull her hand away and shook her head. ‘I haven’t finished my drink,’ she said.

  ‘Plenty of time for that. You came here to dance, didn’t you?’

  She gave in and followed him onto the floor.

  She loved dancing and with any other partner she would have given herself up to the music and the rhythm. If only it were Bob or Christopher holding her in their arms. Roland’s hand was sliding down her back as he twirled her round. She stiffened and firmly pushed it back where it should have been.

  ‘Relax,’ he said, pulling her closer.

  She wanted to push him away, stalk back to their table but she didn’t want to cause a scene. It’s only a dance, she told herself, trying to ignore him by concentrating on the dance steps.

  He laughed and twirled her round again. ‘That’s better. You’re a good dancer, Daisy.’ He leaned closer and whispered, ‘and a good deal prettier than your sister. I had no idea there would be so many lovely girls on this god-forsaken Island. I was dreading being posted here to a non-operational base. Not my idea of fun at all.’

  ‘You’re not here to have fun, are you?’ Daisy retorted, her anger rising again. She pushed him away and re-joined her friends.

  ‘You all right, Daisy?’ June asked.

  ‘He trod on my toe. Gotta sit down for a bit.’ Daisy slipped off her shoe and massaged her foot.

  Roland followed her and laughed. ‘Sorry, love. An accident.’ He turned to June and held out his hand. ‘Looks like you’re going to be my partner for the rest of the evening.’

  She got up and followed him on to the dance floor, turning back to Daisy with a smug smile. Oh dear, Daisy thought, I hope she’s not falling for his charm and good looks too. Didn’t she realise that ‘Roly’ was Lily’s boyfriend? To be fair, she probably hadn’t made the connection. This evening wasn’t turning out as she’d hoped. Instead of a carefree few hours dancing and forgetting her worries, she couldn’t stop thinking about Lily and how hurt she would be if she discovered what sort of man Roland was.

  She was so lost in thought she was startled when Stefan asked her if she’d like another drink. ‘Yes, please’ she said. ‘But you don’t have to wait on me. Why don’t you ask one of the girls to dance?’

  ‘I don’t dance so good,’ he said. ‘I don’t know the steps.’

  ‘Come on, I’ll teach you,’ she said, holding out a hand.

  ‘But you hurt your foot.’

  She laughed. ‘Not really. I just didn’t want to dance with Roland anymore.’

  He stood up reluctantly and she pulled him onto the floor, showing him where to hold her and explaining the steps of the foxtrot t
o him.

  ‘Foxtrot? Why is this name?’

  ‘I don’t know. But it’s a good dance. Now, come on, follow my steps. No, don’t look down, just listen to the music.’

  They managed one circuit of the dance floor before Daisy gave up. Stefan tried hard but he could not relax, and he stepped on her toes so often that, with a laugh, she led him back to their table. ‘Now, I need that drink,’ she said laughing.

  While he was at the bar, she watched the dancers. There were several girls she’d gone to school with and a few of the men she’d served in the NAAFI. June was still dancing with Roland, smiling at something he was saying. She was wearing a blue dress and looked so pretty with her hair waved and a touch of lipstick, which she’d borrowed from Lily. She’d told Daisy her parents were old-fashioned and didn’t like her wearing make-up. ‘Still, what the eye doesn’t see,’ she’d laughed.

  All the girls were wearing bright summer dresses and contrasted well with the servicemen in their uniforms. The music was jolly and there was a feeling of gaiety in the air as the dancers swirled round the room. You wouldn’t think there was a war on, Daisy thought. But how many of them hid worry or heartbreak under a semblance of gaiety?

  Stefan came back with the drinks and she tried to think of something to talk about. ‘Why did you come to the dance if you don’t like dancing?’ she asked.

  ‘Roly said we would meet girls.’ He took a sip of his drink and shook his head. ‘I don’t want to meet girls. I have girl friend at home.’ He fumbled in his pocket and drew out a photograph. ‘This is Maryka. She is beautiful, no?’

  ‘Oh, yes, lovely.’ Daisy handed the photo back. She wondered if Bob still had the photo she’d given him before he left. Did he show it to his pals and tell them she was beautiful?

  ‘You look sad,’ Stefan said. ‘You have someone?’

  ‘He’s in the Army – over there. I haven’t heard from him for a long time.’

  ‘Maryka also. I pray she is safe.’

  Neither of them got up to dance again, Stefan becoming more animated as he told her of his life in his homeland and his longing to help free his country from the invaders. ‘I join air force, learn to fly. Soon I leave here to go to squadron.’

  He asked about Bob and her work in the NAAFI and she made him laugh with her impersonations of the cook and her supervisor.

  June and Roland danced the whole evening, only coming back to the table for a quick drink. All too soon the band was playing the National Anthem and they all stood till the music died away. In the cloakroom, Daisy said, ‘I suppose you’re being escorted home then?’

  June looked taken aback by her friend’s sharp tone. ‘What’s it to you? Anyway, looks like you’ve got someone to walk you home.’

  ‘Stefan? Not on your life. He’s nice but...’

  ‘Actually, Roly and his mate have gone. Got the chance of a lift back to the aerodrome.’

  Daisy was relieved. ‘You seemed to be having a good time.’

  ‘You know I love dancing and Roly’s a good dancer. But that’s all.’ She took Daisy’s arm as they descended the stairs and went out into the balmy summer evening. ‘To tell the truth, I don’t like him very much. He thinks he’s god’s gift. And oh, those wandering hands.’

  ‘I know. That’s why I sat down. He didn’t really tread on my toe. I just wanted to get off that dance floor and away from him.’

  They both laughed, then June sighed. ‘Oh, but he is good looking though. Film star looks.’

  ‘Looks aren’t everything though.’

  ‘True.’ She paused. ‘Daisy, I’ve been thinking. We’ve had a good time and poor Lily’s stuck at home baby-sitting. Let’s not say too much about what fun it’s been. Don’t want to upset her.’

  Daisy had worried how Lily would re-act if she discovered that Roland hadn’t really been on duty that evening, so she was relieved that June wouldn’t go in to work tomorrow gushing about the handsome airman she’d danced with all evening. She nodded. So June had twigged that Roly was the man Lily was in love with after all and didn’t want to hurt her friend’s feelings.

  But as she undressed and got into bed, Daisy wondered if perhaps it would be better if Lily did find out. Surely it was better to discover that the man was a two-timing rat.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Daisy sat at the kitchen table peeling potatoes for the hotpot her mother was making.

  ‘Not much meat I’m afraid. They only had a bit of scrag end when I went to the butcher’s,’ Dora said. ‘Thank goodness for Dad’s allotment.’ She turned to Stan in his chair by the range. ‘About time you caught another rabbit for us,’ she said.

  ‘I set a snare last night. I’ll go over later and see if I’ve had any luck. Not many around now,’ Stan said. ‘Just as well meat’s not rationed yet then,’ Dora replied.

  ‘Maybe, but it will be before long.’ Stan folded his newspaper and stood up. ‘They don’t tell you everything in the paper but reading between the lines, we’re losing a lot of ships.’

  ‘Trying to starve us out, are they?’ Dora said. ‘Just let them try.’

  Daisy smiled at her mother’s belligerent tone. But what could they do? Just make the best of it, she supposed. She finished slicing the potatoes and passed them over to her mother. ‘Smells good, Mum.’

  ‘You’ll be in for dinner, love?’ Dora asked.

  ‘Yes, I’m not going out. Got some mending to do and letters to write.’

  ‘Not much fun for you on your day off, is it?’

  ‘I can’t think about having fun. Too much on my mind.’

  ‘Worrying about that lad still?’ Stan joined in the conversation.

  ‘Can’t help it, Dad. It would be easier if I knew for sure what had happened to him.’

  ‘You should be out enjoying yourself. You can’t do anything about it.’

  A pang of guilt struck her. She had enjoyed herself the night of the dance. ‘How can you think I should be enjoying myself when poor Bob...?’ Daisy gulped back a sob.

  ‘Oh, love, don’t take on. It won’t help to sit indoors moping. Come over the allotment with me, do some weeding. See if we’ve caught a rabbit.’

  ‘I thought Jimmy was going to help today.’

  Stan laughed. ‘Some hopes. He was off out straight after breakfast.’

  She didn’t feel like it, but she gave in. ‘All right. I’ll give you a hand then. The mending can wait.’

  When they reached the allotment, Stan looked round and sighed. ‘We need some rain. Better get started on the watering.’

  Daisy fetched a watering can and filled it from the water butt next to the shed. As she walked up and down the rows of carrots and swedes she found she was almost enjoying herself. It was easy to forget the war, out here in the sunshine, listening to the birds singing and watching the butterflies.

  They worked in companionable silence for a while until Stan stopped and stretched. ‘I’ll just check the snares,’ he said.

  Daisy half hoped he wouldn’t find anything. Much as she enjoyed her mum’s rabbit pie, the sight of the limp bodies upset her.

  Stan came back dangling a rabbit in his hands and she pulled a face. He laughed at her squeamishness. He put the animal in a sack and said, ‘Come on, have a cup of tea and don’t think about it.’

  They sat on a box outside the shed and Stan poured tea from his flask. ‘You’ should go out dancing more often,’ he said.

  ‘Not much point. There’s no one to dance with. There’s only a few soldiers left behind in the garrison and they’re always on duty.’ She didn’t mention having seen Roland. Dad hadn’t taken to him when they’d met.

  ‘I suppose they’ve got to man the guns night and day, just in case, but it’s my guess there won’t be an invasion now. Hitler’s missed his chance.’ Stan took a swig of tea and turned his face up to the sun. ‘It won’t be over yet though. It’s this loss of shipping that’s more worrying. Bloody u-boats.’‘That’s what Mr Jacobs said.’ Daisy couldn’t
help laughing. ‘Don’t let Mum hear you swearing though.’‘Well, Hitler’s enough to make anyone swear.’ He stood up. ‘Better get on with it.’ He looked along the rows of plants. ‘I don’t know about “Dig for Victory”. It’s more like “weed for victory”. Let’s do a bit more before dinner.’As she bent to her weeding again, Daisy let her mind wander. It was true, she still worried about Bob, but it had been so long. Christopher occupied her thoughts these days - guilty thoughts, she knew. With most of the soldiers deployed elsewhere, she half hoped that he had gone too. Out of sight, out of mind, she told herself. But then, when she was sure he must have left, he came into the NAAFI, all smiles.‘I’m staying,’ he said. ‘They need a despatch rider to carry messages between the garrison and the RAF station.’‘What’s wrong with the telephone?’ she asked sharply, trying to hide the joy that flooded her heart. Despite what she tried to tell herself, she dreaded his departure.‘Unreliable,’ he’d replied. ‘Communications are always breaking down. And sometimes I have to deliver important papers.’Since then he came into the NAAFI several times but hadn’t asked her out again. Too busy, she thought, but she had to admit she was disappointed. It would be good to go to a film and have him walk her home afterwards like last time. Just as friends, she told herself.Her thoughts were interrupted when Stan threw a clod of earth at her. ‘Stop day-dreaming, girl. It’s time we got home for dinner. I’m ready for that hotpot.’Daisy carried the basket which Stan filled with early peas and a few sun-ripened tomatoes.As soon as they got indoors, Stan switched on the wireless.‘Oh, no, Stan, not the news again. Don’t we hear enough doom and gloom?’ Dora complained.‘I like to know what’s going on.’‘They don’t tell us everything anyway. Let’s eat our dinner in peace.’ She dished up generous portions of steaming hotpot, the potatoes on top brown and crisp, the meat and vegetables underneath swimming in a rich gravy.

  Daisy sat down and tucked in with relish. Being out in the fresh air had sharpened her appetite and she ate with more enjoyment than usual. Dad was right; she should get out more.