by June Francis
‘That was a close call,’ said the voice behind her. It was the last person she wanted to see.
She turned with her arms protectively around her daughter. ‘Dougie? Shouldn’t you be up north?’
‘Haven’t you heard? Marion was in Mill Road Hospital when a bomb exploded just outside. I’ve got leave to see her.’
‘No, I hadn’t heard. Is she injured? And what was she doing in the hospital?’ Grace thought with regret, that this was probably what her uncle must have wanted to tell her earlier. If only she hadn’t been in such a hurry.
‘She was giving birth,’ he said, smirking.
‘Go on… You’re kidding!’
‘Why should I lie about such a thing? Is it that you believe that golden boy Roddy is incapable of behaving like a cad?’
‘I don’t know him well enough to go about casting aspersions on him,’ she said. ‘Your dad and Beryl have made no mention of Marion being pregnant.’
‘She didn’t want them or me to know, but I’ve been keeping my eye on Roddy. He’s still in the city, so I tracked him down when I first arrived in Merseyside, and I have been following him since… but now I’ve lost him, so that’s why I’m here to see if he’s at the house.’
‘Was it you on a motorbike this morning? Our friend Kyle mentioned someone called on Uncle Douglas.’
His smile vanished. ‘Did you see Roddy then?’
‘No, only Kyle. He came on a motorbike this morning. He’d heard that Liverpool was having a bad time and wanted to help out.’
‘But you’re saying there were two motorbikes?’ Dougie growled. Grace was silent, all she wanted to do was to get away from him.
‘I have to go,’ she said.
Dougie seized her by the shoulder. ‘What’s the rush? Once you couldn’t wait to be alone with me.’
‘Those days are well over,’ she said. ‘As you know! Let go!’ She struggled to free herself, scared of Irene slipping from her grasp.
‘You heard the lady,’ said a voice with an American accent.
‘Yeah, let her go, Dougie, or I’ll punch you,’ Kyle said.
Dougie released her and turned and stared at the two men behind him. ‘I recognise you,’ he said to Kyle. ‘I see you aren’t in uniform.’
‘What’s that to do with anything?’ said the Yank. ‘There’s thousands not in uniform who are fighting this war. Now beat it, before I put your lights out.’
Dougie looked at them with hatred in his eyes and then slouched away.
‘Am I glad you two came along!’ exclaimed Grace in relief. ‘But what are you doing here, Kyle? You always come to me rescue by this lake…’ Her thoughts turned to that long-ago day in the park with Simon and the runaway bath chair. ‘But I thought you were with Simon? And who is this?’ She smiled shyly at the other gentleman to show her gratitude again.
‘This is Lieutenant Graham Campbell, he’s stationed at Blackpool Airport. He’s in Liverpool with the American Food Flying Squad. We’ve just met at the headquarters where the homeless are gathered and are on our way to assess the orphanage’s suitability as a possible refuge.’
‘Have you seen Simon?’
‘He’s helping one of the rescue teams,’ said Kyle. ‘He’s a good kid. His father would be proud of him.’
‘We’re both proud of him. I just wish Ben were here.’
‘I can imagine. Maybe he’ll make it back for the birth,’ said Kyle, nodding to her expanding middle. ‘Jane’s pregnant too. It’ll be a Christmas baby.’
‘This one is the middle of September,’ Grace said. ‘Anyway, I’d better make a move. Alice will be wondering what’s happened to me and I also need to have a word with my uncle. Thanks again – you really saved my bacon, I don’t know why Dougie won’t leave me be.’
‘See you later,’ said Kyle. The American touched his cap and both men moved on.
* * *
After she had made boiled eggs and toast soldiers for Alice, Irene and herself, Grace went next door to see her uncle and Beryl to ask whether they had seen Dougie or heard from Marion.
‘Have you seen him?’ asked Beryl in alarm.
Grace nodded. ‘He came up behind me in the park by the lake and frightened the life out of me,’ she said. ‘He told me some rubbishy tale about Marion being in labour in Mill Road Hospital and that there’d been an explosion.’
‘We found it hard to believe too,’ said Beryl. ‘But apparently she’s got married to Roddy! Dad went along to the hospital to check up on her and find out what is going on. Roddy called this morning on his motorbike to tell us.’
Douglas chimed in at this point, ‘Yes, I got a telephone call about Marion being in the hospital first thing, and then Roddy turned up on the doorstep not much later, and he told me about them getting married. Said Marion had wanted it kept quiet because she feared Dougie finding out about it and then something about how he would be jealous and lose his temper with her…’
Beryl snorted like a pig. ‘Sounds about right!’
‘I can believe it,’ Douglas said, wringing his hands. ‘It’s been the same since the two of them were little. I wish I’d done more to help Marion, but your mother always took Dougie’s side whenever I tried to step in. Her boy could do no wrong…’ He paused. ‘Anyway, Roddy and I set off for Mill Road Hospital – he has a motorbike with a sidecar so managed to get us there. I lost mine when the house was destroyed. It was chaotic though when we got there due to the incendiary going off outside – it took me ages to find someone who could help us. We eventually discovered that Marion’d had the baby and the pair of them were en-route to Oxford Street Maternity Hospital with other expectant mothers, so Roddy took us there on his motorbike. It was almost as chaotic there with ambulances and people coming and going.’
Her uncle took a breath again, excited by his tale.
‘They wouldn’t let us in, and we were just about to leave when Roddy spotted Marion being taken out of an ambulance with the baby. Before I could stop him, he was over there, and the next thing I know, he’s half-carrying Marion and the baby towards me. He helps her and the baby into the side car, and then they’re off!’
‘So, where are they now?’ asked Grace, confused. ‘Here?’
‘You’re joking, aren’t you? I wouldn’t want to have her here to stay!’ exclaimed Beryl.
‘They’ve set off to his sister’s house for now. I think Roddy’s mother was in Kent, but she’s moved in with his sister, who is based in Burford in Oxfordshire,’ said her father. ‘They’re crazy, the pair of them travelling with a newborn with the raids going on.’
‘It’s the war! People do crazy things at such a time. At least she’s had the baby and they are both well, but if it was born early, they could both be in need of medical help,’ said Grace. ‘I hope the three of them make it there safely. I’m glad Marion has Roddy looking out for her—’
‘And what about me?’ interrupted Beryl. ‘I’ve tried to do everything right, be unselfish and brave, and what happens? I’ve lost my husband and home, and maybe the next thing that happens is a bomb dropping on me, dad and the kids…’
‘Stop being so cheerful, girl,’ said her father.
‘I’m going back to Alice and check that Irene is still asleep,’ said Grace, suddenly weary from the day’s drama. ‘Keep your chin up, Beryl. You never know instead of a bomb dropping on you, Prince Charming might drop in.’ No sooner had she spoken, than the warning siren wailed. She wasted no time leaving and headed to the cellar next door.
‘You’ve been an age,’ said Alice, glancing up from her knitting. ‘It’s a good thing I had company.’ She glanced across at Barbara’s mother and smiled.
Grace could not keep things to herself and told them what had happened. She had to raise her voice due to the barrage of noise going on from the planes, guns and bombs exploding. Eventually she gave up because her throat was hurting, and she did not want to disturb Irene who was asleep in the corner. Besides, she needed to rest, she was aware of
the baby kicking her from inside, and suddenly she felt concerned that her fear might affect the unborn child. She then steadied herself and reminded herself of Simon and Kyle, and all the other men and women working hard, despite the danger, and prayed for them with all her might.
She could not help wondering what Dougie was doing at that moment, perhaps he was actually helping out too. Her thoughts turned to Marion, Roddy and their newborn baby and she prayed that they wouldn’t meet with an accident in Roddy’s hurry to get his wife and child to his sister’s. She thought further about what her uncle had said about Marion being scared of Dougie. Maybe Marion had been putting on an act all this time to persuade Dougie she admired him and was on his side, but was, in fact, just trying to stop him picking on her. Grace’s eyelids began to droop as she thought of Ben, and wondered whether he had heard of the battering Liverpool was suffering. Gradually, she dozed off, only to be roused by Barbara’s mother shaking her.
‘The All Clear has sounded, Grace. I was thinking of going upstairs and having a look outside to see if there’s been any damage nearby.’
‘I’ll follow you up.’ Grace yawned.
She checked Irene was all right and then slowly followed Alice upstairs. She went down the hall and eased herself around the vestibule door. The front door was ajar, and she caught a glimpse of a woman standing on the step. Grace thought it must be dawn, because it appeared light outside and she could hear birdsong, but then she realised the light was coming from a glow in the sky from distant burning fires. She looked across towards the park over the road and thought she could hear people talking. She crossed the street to have a closer look and saw that soldiers were erecting a marquee and some smaller tents. At that moment, she thought she recognised one of the soldiers, but told herself that her eyes were playing tricks on her. Then he turned and she saw it was her husband.
Chapter 34
‘Ben!’ she called, a tremendous wave of joy sweeping over her and she began to run towards him, even as he came towards her. Ben swung her off her feet and kissed her.
‘How?’ Grace asked, once she got her breath back.
‘I had leave due,’ he said, smoothing the hair back from her face and gazing into her eyes. ‘The Commanding Officer said he was expecting my request and had my travel pass ready. News had been passed on that Liverpool was desperately in need of help.’
‘It’s marvellous to see you,’ she said.
‘Likewise,’ he kissed her again more slowly and deeply. ‘Everything all right?’
‘It is now,’ she answered. ‘Although, I’d like to see Simon arrive back right now.’
‘Kyle told me earlier that Simon had been ordered to go home because he was falling asleep on his feet. I thought I was imagining things when Kyle came over to me on Lime Street. I couldn’t understand why he was there… Oh, and Lewis’s is almost completely gutted.’
‘What a shame,’ said Grace, thinking of the grand store in happier times.
‘St Luke’s at the top of Bold Street has been hit as well, some of its walls are still standing, but the roof has gone,’ continued Ben. ‘Anyway, I can’t stand here talking. The marquee is for the homeless and we’re setting up field kitchens to feed them. You go back across the road and I’ll see you as soon as I can.’
‘But what about Simon? I don’t think he’s back yet.’
Ben bit his lower lip. ‘It could be that it’s taking him longer to get here if he’s tired.’
Grace nodded and then she had an idea. ‘Or it could be that he’s gone home! To our house! It is closer and he’d get to a bed quicker—’
‘Is it still standing?’ asked Ben, seizing her by the shoulders.
‘It was last time I was there,’ she said. ‘I’ll go and see if he’s there now.’
He glanced in the direction of the tents and workmen and looked hesitant for a second. ‘I’ll come with you.’
She beamed at him. ‘I was hoping you’d say that. I’d best go and let Alice know what’s happening as she’s keeping an eye on Irene – she’s still asleep in the cellar.’
‘I’ll come and have a quick look at her,’ said Ben.
* * *
After Ben had pressed a gentle kiss on his daughter’s cheek, and received a warm welcome from Alice, they left and hurried in the direction of West Derby Road and then up their street, which once again was unscathed by the Luftwaffe, although there was debris and dust everywhere. They arrived at their house and found the neighbour standing in her doorway, although dawn was still way off. She stared at Ben in amazement. ‘I thought you were in training.’
‘I’m on leave,’ he said. ‘Have you seen any sign of our Simon?’
‘I don’t know if it was him, but I did see someone climbing up your back gate earlier.’
‘Maybe he didn’t have his front door key with him,’ said Grace. ‘Hopefully, he had the back kitchen one.’ They hurried inside the front door calling his name.
As it was, they saw a body lying flat out on the kitchen hearth rug. Simon’s metal helmet had slipped sideways and a trickle of blood was running down the side of his face.
Quickly, they knelt either side of him on the rag rug.
‘Simon, can you hear me?’ said Ben.
The youth’s eyes fluttered open and he groaned. ‘Dad?’ he said in a strained voice. ‘Is it really you?’
‘Yeah, it’s me, son. What’s happened here, then?’ Ben choked on the words.
‘Help me to sit up,’ said Simon.
Grace removed his helmet all the better to see where the blood was coming from and Ben eased Simon into a sitting position against his knee.
‘It was him again – that swine Dougie!’
‘What was he doing here?’ asked Ben.
‘I had the impression that he thought he’d find Mam here,’ said Simon, glancing at Grace.
Ben stared at his wife. ‘And why would he think that?’ he asked slowly.
‘Wishful thinking,’ said Simon, glancing at his father’s face. ‘You can’t really believe that she’d arrange to meet him here, would you, Dad? She has been missing you like crazy.’
‘If your father thinks so little of me that he could countenance such a thought, that’s up to him,’ said Grace hotly.
‘I didn’t think anything of the sort,’ protested Ben, although the thought had entered his head before he dismissed it utterly out of hand.
‘Not even for a second? I bet Kyle told you about my encounter with Dougie in the park yesterday and now you’re jumping to all sorts of unfounded conclusions?’
‘He told me nothing,’ said Ben, looking uncomfortable.
‘Well, perhaps you’d better ask him…’ Grace continued crossly.
Before Ben could ask anything more, Simon said, ‘Will you two stop squabbling and pay me some attention? I’m bleeding here! It’s a good job I still had my helmet on or he could have split my head open as it is he had a huge splinter of glass in his other hand.’ He moaned. ‘It’s not that long ago since he scarpered. You should get after him, Dad.’
‘No, your dad might kill him and end up in prison. We’ll phone the police from Alice’s,’ said Grace.
‘I might as well go to the police station in Tuebrook now,’ said Ben. ‘It’s not that much further than Alice’s.’
And before they could try and stop him, Ben had got up and left.
Simon said, ‘I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Most of the bobbies could be out helping with the after-effects of last night’s raid.’
‘But Ben might also find one patrolling on the main road,’ said Grace. ‘Anyway, there’s nothing we can do about your dad now – let me have a proper look at your injury.’
She was relieved to see that although the cut was about two inches long, it was not very deep, so she cleaned it, and then dabbed on iodine and stuck on a plaster. She refrained from asking any more questions after she found a large splinter of glass so instead settled Simon comfortably on the sofa where she could keep he
r eye on him. Then she found a packet of cocoa in the cupboard and put the kettle on to make a warming drink for him. It was nice to be back in her own kitchen, surrounded by all her things, but all the time her hands were busy, Grace was worrying about Ben and what he might do; that was when she wasn’t cursing Dougie and wishing him to high hell.
* * *
Two hours later Ben returned with a policeman, and he and Grace were able to hear the full story of the attack on Simon. Simon explained that he had returned to the house to get some kip following the raid, but had been confronted by Dougie soon after he had entered the house. He reported that Dougie had been acting oddly – swaying around the place, as though he was drunk. He had been ranting something about being let down by Grace and his sister Marion, and her new fella Roddy, and how he was going to do for them. Grace then spoke to the policeman about her earlier encounter with Dougie in the park and how Kyle and the American lieutenant had come to her rescue. She confirmed what Simon had told them about Dougie feeling duped by Roddy and his sister, and how it appeared that Dougie had been following Roddy all over the city and becoming increasingly outraged.
‘He sounds like a right nutter, besides having past form,’ said the policeman, staring at the large splinter of glass that Grace had given him. ‘I just wish we knew where he was heading.’
‘Roddy’s mother lives in Kent, so he might head there,’ said Grace. ‘Although my uncle said earlier that Roddy was planning on taking Marion to his sister’s, who lives in Oxfordshire. His mother was going to stay with her daughter, you see. I’m not sure Dougie will know that.’
‘You have the address in Kent?’ asked the policeman.
Ben took a small notebook out of a pocket and read it out. Grace recalled how he and Roddy had got into conversation way back in February. Then Ben saw the policeman out and when he returned, he sat down and stared at Grace.
