by June Francis
Irene had slept through some of the noise, clasped tight against Grace’s chest. She stirred when Grace stood up and went upstairs to look outside. There was a glow in the sky that told of many fires still burning. The neighbouring door opened, and her uncle stepped out and waved.
‘That’s the worst of the raids I’ve experienced, even the one that did for our Polly,’ he called.
Grace agreed, ‘I hope Ben and Simon are all right. They’ll have been kept busy and will still be at it, so I can’t expect any word from them for hours.’
Much to Grace’s relief Ben arrived at noon, badly in need of a change of clothes and a wash. He had already had something to eat and drink, supplied by the canteen run by the Women’s Voluntary Services. St George’s Hall on Lime Street had been set alight and damaged slightly. Roads were choked by debris and fire engines and rescue worker’s vehicles had had difficulty trying to get through. Simon arrived back shortly afterwards.
Alice told Ben he could have a bath in the bathroom upstairs, so Grace rushed to draw the water. She noticed how painful it was for Ben to lift his arms and offered to wash his back. He did not refuse and so she also helped him undress and get clean. He hugged and kissed her. She held him tight, saying that she wished he didn’t have to go out again.
‘So, do I,’ he said huskily. ‘Oh, for a night in bed together.’
‘It can’t go on for ever,’ she said.
‘No, but this one’s not over yet,’ he said. ‘Keep safe,’ as he went out again in the early morning to assist in clearing rubble.
That evening there was another raid and this one seemed to go on for much longer. Just like the night before, Liverpool, Bootle and Seaforth were bombed and Birkenhead, Wallasey and the docks on both sides were damaged, as well as homes and municipal buildings. Again, Grace was a nervous wreck, despite doing her best to put on a brave face for Irene as she sang hymns with Alice in the cellar.
About an hour into the raid, Simon had turned up on his bike to tell them that Mill Road Infirmary had been hit and that was where Ben was helping to rescue patients and staff. Grace asked him if he had seen any sign of Jimmy, Milly and the twins on his travels. Simon had shaken his head, had a quick cup of tea and a luncheon-meat butty, before heading on his way with a message to the Auxiliary Fire Service post in Anfield where it was known that lots of houses had been hit.
The long night wore on; Ben did not arrive back until three in the afternoon the following day. When he got home, he just sat in a chair, gazing into the fire without moving or speaking. Grace sat opposite him, watching as he slumped in the chair and fell asleep. She had decided not to wake him, but suddenly the sound of their own guns in the distance started up with the wail of the warning sirens accompanied by the sound of enemy planes returning. She watched as Ben sat up and rubbed his eyes. He stared across at her as she stood up with Irene in her arms. He kissed her and their daughter, squeezed Simon’s shoulder, and then was gone. It was not long after that Simon left, leaving the women alone once more.
Chapter 30
A couple of hours later, Grace caught the sound of banging at the front of the house. She wondered if it was a bomb landing. She stepped back to the inner wall and waited in what she always thought of the lull before the next bang. Then she heard her name being called, and handing Irene to Alice, she went upstairs to hear someone kicking the door. For a second, she wondered if the Germans had invaded. Telling herself she was being stupid, as how would they know her name, she opened the door. Simon stood on the step with a bandage around his head and his arm in a sling.
Grace dragged him inside and slammed the door shut before asking, ‘What’s happened?’
He did not reply straight away, but sank onto the bottom stair. She sat beside him and placed her arm about his shoulders, listening to his breathing steadying. ‘I got caught in the blast of a bomb exploding and it blew me off my bike into a wall. A warden found me and took me to the nearest First Aid Post.’ The young lad paused. ‘They wanted me to stay there, but I wanted to find what had happened to me bike and come back here, so I scarpered.’
‘Did you find your bike?’
He nodded and winced. ‘It’s a mess. I’ll never be able to ride it again.’
‘Never mind. You’ve well had your worth out of it and Christmas is coming.’ She took hold of him by his uninjured arm and lifted him to his feet. ‘Let’s get you to the cellar and into a chair – you need to rest.’
Simon did not argue with her, but leaned against her as they went down the steep cellar steps. Alice exclaimed in horror when she saw him. He gave her a wan smile as he was lowered into a chair, leaned back, and closed his eyes.
Grace covered him with a blanket and prayed for Ben. She wished he would arrive back safely – soon. She was on pins for the rest of the night and then all morning and for most of the afternoon. As the evening drew on, she gazed at Simon who was jogging Irene on his knee. She was aware that his eyes kept wandering to the clock to check the time, just as she was doing. She was not only on edge because Ben had not arrived back, but she was waiting for the siren to wail its next warning of approaching enemy planes. Thankfully, it was the All Clear that they heard, and Ben arrived back half an hour later, exhausted. A smile lit his mucky face at the sight of them, until he spotted his injured son. He rushed over to Simon and soon had the tale out of him. Then he told them that there had been a light raid over on the Wirral, but the planes had been chased off, and hopefully it looked like there was not going to be a raid over Liverpool that evening.
‘Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve,’ said Grace. ‘Maybe we’ll be left in peace over Christmas.’
‘You won’t be able to buy much in the way of presents,’ said Ben. ‘The city centre is a mess. At least we’re still here to celebrate Christmas together. There’s so many who have lost their lives or family and homes.’
‘Which reminds me,’ said Grace. ‘What about Milly, the twins and Jimmy and our street?’
‘Our house is still standing, well, it was when I was coming back here,’ said Simon. ‘In fact, our street and Milly and Jimmy’s were undamaged.’
‘I must go and see if they’re all right, it went on such a long time,’ said Grace, reaching for her hat and coat.
‘It wouldn’t be sensible going there in the blackout, but maybe you’re right,’ said Ben. ‘I’d enjoy sleeping in my own bed tonight. We could all do with having a meal and an early night. I’ll be back helping clear up again tomorrow. The docks and factories have to be able to carry on working as soon as possible.’
As Grace snuggled up to Ben later that evening in their own bed, she sighed contentedly. ‘Is it wrong of me to feel happy despite knowing so many people have lost so much?’
‘No, you’ve got to make the most of the moment. It’s not as if you’ve stood on the sideline. You’ve faced danger along with the rest of them, and were a comfort to Alice.’
‘It was good of Simon to stay with her, while we came home,’ she said. ‘He needs to rest, though.’ Ben agreed in a sleepy voice and then within minutes Grace realised he had fallen asleep.
* * *
Come morning after an undisturbed night, Grace did not rush to get out of bed, but lay in the curve of Ben’s arm, aware of his breath fluttering the hair on the crown of her head. Then she felt his arm tighten about her and turn her over to face him. He began to kiss her, and then in no time at all, they were coupling. It was not until they rolled apart after making love, did she tell herself that he had not taken any precautions. A different kind of thrill went through her as she dared to dream that they could have another child. A war baby!
A few hours later she was on her way to visit Milly to check everything was okay. Ben accompanied her and Irene, making up silly rhymes with his daughter as he did so. He left them outside Milly’s, and carried on to Newsham Drive to see Simon. After that he would report to the nearest post for orders.
Grace watched him go before knocking on Milly’s front door.
It was a while before she heard footsteps coming down the stairs and the door was opened.
‘Oh, I was hoping it might be you,’ Milly said, seizing Grace’s sleeve and dragging her inside.
‘Are you all right?’ asked Grace alarmed; she had Irene by the hand and half-lifted her over the threshold. ‘Are the twins well, and Jimmy and his mam?’
‘The twins are a bit cranky because they haven’t had their breakfast yet. Jimmy is in bed with a broken leg!’ Milly’s voice shook.
‘What happened?’ asked Grace, seizing her friend’s hand and holding it tightly.
‘He was helping out with rescue work when a wooden beam holding up a ceiling gave way and landed on the back of his legs. One leg caught the force more than the other, so is just badly bruised, the other has been put in plaster.’ She paused, tears in her eyes. ‘They wanted to keep him in hospital, but he refused and signed himself out.’
‘So, how are you coping?’ Grace asked.
‘It’s early days yet, and he’s already wanting to come downstairs and sit in a chair with his leg up on a stool. I’d have difficulty getting him down though, and wondered if Ben could give us a hand.’
Grace sighed. ‘He came this far with me, but then carried on to Alice’s. I could ring hers from here and ask him. Although, won’t you have trouble getting Jimmy upstairs to bed?’
‘I said that to him, but he said he could stay down here and sleep on the sofa. He thinks it’d be safer if there was a raid.’ Milly bit her lower lip. ‘I said how will I manage to get him and the children to the shelter?’
‘And what did he say to that?’ said Grace aware that Jimmy was probably not thinking straight.
‘That we didn’t have to go to the shelter! But we don’t have a cellar, just like you, so I don’t know what he’s thinking!’
‘What did he say to that?’
‘That you pays your money and takes your choice.’
‘What?’ cried Grace.
‘He rambled on about direct hits on shelters, and cellars only being safe if the walls and ceilings are strengthened with iron or steel supports,’ she said.
‘Oh, my God,’ whispered Grace. ‘I suppose he has a point. I haven’t told you yet, but Simon was blown off his bike yesterday and has a broken arm and a head injury.’
‘At least they’re both alive,’ said Milly, rubbing her forehead. ‘But what am I going to do about Jimmy if there’s another raid?’
‘Let’s see what Ben says,’ said Grace, ‘Why don’t you feed the twins while I telephone him now?’
‘Of course,’ said Milly. ‘I should also phone Jimmy’s mother.’
‘Later,’ Grace said. ‘You don’t want her rushing over here once you tell her Jimmy’s injured.’
Milly agreed, ‘Perhaps we should go over to Dublin and stay with Mam.’
Grace nodded. ‘Although, I’ll miss you,’ she added. ‘And it’s possible I’ll need you.’
‘Why?’ asked Milly.
Grace did not answer but went and lifted the phone receiver and dialled Alice’s number. A male voice answered with the house’s number. Grace did not recognise it, and she gave her name, and asked who was speaking. The man on the other end said, ‘I’ll fetch your husband.’
A few minutes later Ben came on the line. ‘Hello, Grace, is there something up?’
‘Yes, but who was that on the phone?’
‘Alice’s son. His ship’s in dock for repairs up in Scotland, so having heard about the raids on Merseyside he decided to take some leave he was due and come down and find out how his mother is. He couldn’t get through the other day on the telephone as the lines were down, so he was worried.’ He paused. ‘So, what’s wrong?’
Grace told him all that Milly had said about Jimmy being stubborn and what he’d said about the safety of shelters. Grace paused for breath as she heard Ben swear softly.
‘So, what do you think?’ she asked after a minute or so.
‘He had no right to put the wind up Milly like that, by making her believe nowhere is safe, but I can understand him wanting to be at home. One thing is for sure, he won’t be passed medically fit if he gets his call-up papers any day soon.’
‘That’s a lot of help,’ said Grace. ‘But what advice should I give her?’
‘I should tell her to go to Dublin and take Jimmy’s mother with them to help Jimmy manage the journey. Only one questions how safe that is with German U-boats lurking about.’
Grace heard a male voice in the background and then Ben’s answer in reply. ‘What’s going on?’ she asked.
‘It’s the doc… he said that if they were on board a Republican ferry, they should be safe, because the ship would be recognised as being Irish and neutral.’
‘When you say “the doc”, do you mean Alice’s son?’
‘Yes, you’ll probably get to meet him because his ship is going to be in dock for a while. He’s volunteered to help out in a hospital here while he sees something of his mother.’ He paused. ‘Anyway, give my regards to Milly and Jimmy and tell him that he needs to stay in bed for now and hopefully I’ll drop in and see him later.’
‘Thank you… before you go, do you think you’ll have time to do some Christmas shopping with me?’
‘I doubt it. Anyway, you watch your step. There’s still a lot of rubble around. See you later, luv.’
He ended the call and Grace placed the receiver down. She turned and saw that Milly was helping the twins to sit at the table for their late breakfast.
‘So, what did he say?’ asked Milly.
Grace repeated most of the conversation. Milly said, ‘Alice must be over the moon, having her son home.’
‘I imagine so, especially as it’s Christmas tomorrow. He had a nice voice,’ said Grace. ‘So, what do you think you’ll do?’
‘Think about it, and then in a few days I’ll speak to Jimmy and his mam and see what they think. But how do the U-boats know about the nationality of a ship?’ She paused. ‘Anyway, what did you mean when you said that you might need me?’
Grace bit her lower lip and said, ‘You’ll think I’m daft, but I’m hoping we could have another child.’
‘Gosh, what a time for it to happen!’ said Milly.
‘I know! I’m thinking that I shouldn’t mention it to Ben. It’s far from certain yet, and I don’t want him worrying about me.’
‘He probably worries about you, pregnant or not,’ said Milly.
‘Well, worry more then,’ Grace said laughing. ‘Anyway, I thought I’d go to Breck Road and see what I can buy for Christmas.’
‘You’ll be lucky,’ said Milly.
‘I’m not worrying about a fowl because Simon and my uncle Douglas have been looking after the chickens at Alice’s – they’ve promised me one for Christmas dinner.’
‘I’d forgotten about them,’ said Milly. ‘Anyway, I need to phone Jimmy’s mother and see what she wants to do for Christmas now Jimmy’s injured and we won’t be able to go to hers.’
‘Is there anything I can get you? Would you mind looking after Irene for a while, there’s a few things I want to pick up for her.’
Milly nodded. ‘I’ll wait and see what the mother-in-law has to say. No problem about Irene, the twins can play with her, while I see to Jimmy.’
Grace nodded. ‘I’ll see you when I see you then. I won’t be long. Give my love to Jimmy.’
* * *
Grace found that there was little to buy in the shops, although she did manage to buy some dolly mixtures in a box that looked like a little shop, and chocolates from the little sweet shop on Whitefield Road. There were no tangerines to be had, but there were apples, potatoes, carrots, onions, sprouts and bunches of sage for stuffing in a greengrocer’s on Breck Road. In a toy shop on Lower Breck Road she managed to find a few puzzle toys and a small teddy bear with one arm for Irene. The shop assistant was able to produce the missing arm, so Grace bought the teddy and the arm at a reduced price. The bakery had no Christmas cakes, but they
did have some crusty loaves. Grace bought two of them, along with the single bun loaf that was left, thinking it would be nice with custard. She had secretly been knitting a jumper for Ben and a pullover for Simon, but she could not find wrapping paper for love nor money.
When she arrived home, after collecting Irene on the way, it was to be greeted by Simon sitting in the kitchen. ‘Are you staying now?’ she asked, delighted to see him. She missed having him and his belongings around the place. Things weren’t the same with Ben out all hours with his volunteering too. ‘How’s your arm and head?’
‘They’re okay, they look worse than they are. I am just staying for tonight and for Christmas lunch and then they’d like me to go back to the house, if that’s okay.’ Simon took the shopping bags from her with his good arm and placed them on the table. ‘I brought you a few things from the doc and his mam as well. He’s really grateful for what we’ve done for Alice. I’ve got some veggies from the garden and he gave me some treats from Scotland – shortbread and Edinburgh rock!’
‘I love Scottish shortbread,’ said Grace. ‘Perhaps we should save it for New Year’s Eve.’
‘He also gave me a miniature Scotch liquor Drambuie for you and a bottle of whisky for Dad. Dad said he must know the right people,’ said Simon.
‘What did he give you?’ she asked.
‘His old bike,’ Simon said with a big grin. ‘Although, it’s not that old, but he bought himself a motorbike just before war broke out. He’s going to ride it when he returns to Scotland. It’s a bit hard to ride the bike with my arm like this, but I managed all right.’
‘Well, that’s really kind of him,’ said Grace. ‘I know I don’t have to ask you whether you thanked him on all our behalf.’
