by Deborah Carr
‘Lady Boot,’ Gladys said, slightly out of breath. ‘They’re ready for you to give your speech to officially open the fête.’
Florence looked over to the gate to see that the general public had been allowed to start making their way into the garden. They looked so smart dressed up in their finest clothes and wearing summer dresses and straw hats, the men in their best suits and those with children grinning down to them and speaking to them – no doubt, she thought, promising treats during the afternoon.
‘Thank you, Gladys. I’ll come with you now.’ Florence gave George a subtle wave to let him know she would be leaving Jesse by himself, satisfied when Jesse’s nurse gave her a slight nod to acknowledge that he had seen her trying to get his attention.
She knew how much Jesse hated people to think him as incapable in any way. She knew as well as anyone that he was perfectly happy to be left to his own devices but she couldn’t concentrate on what she was doing if she didn’t feel reassured that George was at least looking out for Jesse should he need his help for anything.
She bent to kiss Jesse’s cheek. ‘I’m off with Gladys now, my dear. Listen out for my speech, will you? I want to be certain that I cover all that I told you I intended doing.’
Jesse smiled up at her. ‘You will. You always do everything so well.’
Florence laughed, recalling all the mistakes she had made when they were first married and how she had ended up making matters worse in those early years when she hadn’t listened to Jesse’s advice. ‘Well, not everything.’
Florence greeted people as she passed them on her way to the small stage in front of her rose garden. Deciding to wait at the side of the stage for a few minutes, until more attendees had time to arrive, she spoke to Gladys: ‘Are you happy that everything is in order?’
‘Yes, Lady Boot.’ Gladys lowered her clipboard and ran the tip of her covered fountain pen down her long list of notes. ‘Every stall is accounted for, which is good. I was worried that some might have to cancel for one reason or another. One did,’ she added, lowering her voice to a whisper. ‘The poor couple who were going to be selling their jams and pickles lost their younger son last week. However, their kindly neighbour and his wife are standing in for them. They had seen how much work they had put into their products and didn’t want them to lose any sales.’ She looked up at Florence, her eyes sad. ‘I thought that was incredibly thoughtful of them.’
Florence often wondered how anyone found the strength to continue after the loss of a loved one. She knew from experience that a kind word or a thoughtful gesture could mean all the difference in someone’s day. ‘It was very generous of them to give their time like that.’ She glanced over at the stall in question with its bright jars of richly coloured preserves. It was obvious by the sheer amount that the couple must have put in many hours of work to produce so many. ‘I’ll make a point of going to speak to them. I should think that after all the couple must have done to prepare for today the thought of not selling all that they hoped would be too dreadful.’
‘I ensured they had the first stall next to the stage so that people won’t miss it when they come into the grounds.’
‘That was very clever of you, Gladys. Thank you. I’m going to miss your conscientious attitude to your work,’ she said, wanting to take the opportunity at some point during the day to thank her senior secretary quietly without Enid being around. ‘You are a natural organiser and keep me very much in order. I hope you know how much I appreciate all you’ve done for me and for Boots. I appreciate you staying on until now. I don’t know what I would have done without you.’
Gladys lowered her eyes to her clipboard and blushed. ‘Thank you, Lady Boot.’ She looked back up and Florence noticed that the young woman’s eyes were filled with unshed tears.
‘Oh, my dear, I didn’t mean to upset you,’ she said resting her right hand on Gladys’s slim arm.
Gladys shook her head. ‘You haven’t, Lady Boot. Not at all. It’s just that I have enjoyed working for you so very much. I am looking forward to being Cyril’s wife, but I’ll miss working at Boots. I’ve learned an awful lot, you see, and you’ve always been so kind to me.’
Florence hoped it was the case. ‘You have been a treasure, Gladys. However, it’s now your time to marry your fiancé.’
‘Yes, you’re right.’
As locals made their way into the garden and the crowd increased, Florence checked her watch. ‘I think it’s time I welcomed everyone.’
She stepped on to the stage. The chatter quickly petered out as everyone turned to wait for Florence to speak. She never minded these events. It filled her heart with anticipation to know that by the end of the afternoon the stallholders, each of whom had made their own donation by paying a small amount to sell their wares, would return home having made money that would benefit their own families. Hopefully, too, she would have made enough from the cream teas, donations, tombola and lucky dips to be able to pass on money to Margery to buy necessary supplies for her canteen. Thanks to the weather holding, Florence was sure everyone was going to go home happy.
‘Good afternoon, everyone,’ she began, smiling at the happy faces gazing up at her. ‘It is my pleasure to welcome you all here today to my husband’s and my home for our garden fête being held in honour of our daughter Margery’s canteen for wounded soldiers. I would like to thank the stallholders for their splendid array of produce, the Plaisaunce Brass Band, who will be entertaining us, along with the primary school, and everyone who has worked so hard to make today possible.’ She mouthed a thank you at the crowd as a round of applause rang out. ‘I hope you all have a splendid afternoon here on the riverside. So, without further ado, I declare this garden fête open.’
Cheers and applause filled her ears. Florence raised her hands to wave to the jolly attendees. She looked for Jesse to the side of the crowd and spotted him smiling at her. This was looking like being a perfectly wonderful afternoon and she was sure it would be one that she remembered and cherished for a long time.
The only thing that marred her happiness, Florence mused as she left the stage to go and check on the food preparation in the kitchen, was the need for Margery’s canteen, and that her daughter was still in France. She was also sad that that Gladys was to leave soon. Florence was happy to know Gladys was to finally be married and become Mrs Marsh, but she was going to miss the dedicated girl.
The following Monday, Florence was standing in her office bidding Gladys a sad farewell. She thought back to Gladys’s first day working at Boots and remembered a timid girl who she hoped would be able to cope with Miss Tweed’s exacting standards. She was proud to see how confident and capable the young woman had become. Florence was happy to note the difference that Boots had made to this young woman’s life.
‘You’ve been an asset to the company,’ Florence said as she handed Gladys the leather-bound Bible she presented to all her girls before they left the company to be married. ‘I’d like you to know how much I’ve valued all that you’ve done for me.’
‘That’s very kind of you, Lady Boot. I appreciate it.’
‘Not at all,’ Florence said, always finding these moments sad. ‘I’m especially grateful for you stepping up after we lost Miss Tweed and helping train the two new girls who have taken both your places.’ Florence walked over to her office door, so Gladys wasn’t embarrassed about how red her cheeks had gone. ‘I’m sure you don’t want me keeping you any longer from being with your dear Cyril.’ She opened the door. ‘Well, the very best of luck to you, Gladys. I hope that you and Cyril enjoy a long and happy marriage together.’
‘Thank you very much, Lady Boot,’ Gladys said, her voice quivering with undisguised emotion. She stroked the Bible lightly. ‘I’m going to treasure this gift forever.’
Florence’s heart felt as if a hand was clasping it tightly. She was always saddened to lose one of her dear girls, but she would especially miss this sweet, red-haired girl who had been such a stalwart when she needed
it most. ‘I’m glad that you like it, Gladys. I’ve added a postscript to my usual inscription in the front. Now,’ she said before her own emotion got the better of her, ‘off you go. You’ll be missed here, but I’m sure you must know that already.’
‘Thank you, Lady Boot. I do.’
Florence stepped out into the hallway and watched Gladys walk away. Gladys turned to wave, and Florence went to raise her hand in response when Enid Grimes, Gladys’s replacement, stepped out of her office, blocking Florence’s view of the departing girl.
‘Oh, Lady Boot,’ she said, startled. ‘The first three girls coming for interviews for the Gas Mask Department are waiting to see you. They’re in my office. Would you like me to show the first one in, or wait a while?’
Gladys disappeared around the corner and Florence shook her head. She needed a distraction from her emotions, and this was perfectly timed. ‘No, Enid. Show the first woman through to me.’
Chapter Fourteen
27 September 1915
Florence stood next to Jesse as they gazed down at the baby girl in John’s arms. She felt comforted to see him there with his little family and wondered how many children he and his lovely wife Margaret would go on to produce.
‘Barbara Jacqueline,’ Florence repeated almost to herself. ‘What a very pretty name and for such a beautiful baby. I think it suits her very well.’
‘As do we,’ John said. ‘In fact, it was Margaret’s idea.’ He looked down at his wife and bent to kiss her forehead. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy as I am now.’
‘Nor me,’ Margaret said gazing up at him.
Seeing the pair so happy together made Florence’s heart swell with joy. After all the years she had fretted about John and his occasionally rocky relationship with Jesse, it was a relief to see him so settled and in love with his wife and baby girl.
‘How are you enjoying serving with the Reserves?’ Jesse asked.
John shrugged. ‘It’s not the same as being at the Front but –’ he hesitated, gazing down at his baby daughter snuggled happily in his arms – ‘I’m happy enough doing what I can.’ He looked at Jesse. ‘Did you hear that Viscount Chetwynd is building an arms factory at Chilwell?’
‘Yes,’ Jesse said, solemnly. ‘He was given the go-ahead in August. I don’t like to think of the thousands of staff they’re going to need, and hope we don’t lose many of our girls to their factory. Munitions is a dangerous business.’
‘As do I,’ Florence said, thoughtfully. She had been waiting to find out if any of her girls would be leaving to earn the extra money that working at the arms factory would bring them. She hoped there wouldn’t be any, but she knew the attraction of extra wages to poor families, especially those with husbands and sons either at the Front or invalided out who needed all the financial support they could get.
‘How are your new manufacturing processes coming along?’ John asked his father.
Florence knew Margaret didn’t mind them chatting about business, even at a time like this. She rolled her eyes heavenward to indicate her amusement at how typical it was of them to take this opportunity to chat about the latest company projects. ‘Sorry,’ she mouthed.
Margaret reached out to take Florence’s hand. ‘It’s no matter. Honestly, I’m just happy to have him back here with me.’
‘What was that, darling?’ John asked glancing from his wife to Florence and back again.
‘Nothing for you to worry about,’ she assured him.
John looked briefly at her and then turned to look at his father, waiting, Florence presumed, for him to answer his question.
‘We have developed seventeen analytical tests,’ Jesse said, the excitement obvious in his shining eyes. ‘I’m proud to say that our aspirin is the purest on the market and we’re already sending stocks to British field hospitals along with our new water-sterilising tablets. We’ve found that even the tiniest concentration of it can kill cholera, typhoid, dysentery and other bugs in around thirty minutes.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘Yes, deadly.’
Florence saw Margaret wince. The last thing a new mother needed to hear about was deadly organisms. She needed to change the subject. ‘We received another letter from Margery, yesterday,’ she said, focusing her attention on Margaret.
‘Oh? How is she?’ The baby woke and began to grumble. Margaret held her hands out to John to pass baby Barbara back to her.
He did as she asked and settled back onto his chair next to her bed. ‘Did Margery or I remember to tell you that I stopped at her wooden hut on my way home?’
‘Wooden hut?’ Florence recalled reading in their company magazine about Margery’s canteen and was surprised to hear it described as such. She was disappointed that neither of her children had thought to mention their meeting to her before now. ‘No,’ she said, wishing she had the chance to visit her daughter and see her in action. ‘Why didn’t one of you tell us?’
‘I suppose because we’ve all had so much going on that we must have forgotten.’ He gave his mother an apologetic smile and she immediately forgave him the omission. He had indeed had far more pressing matters to contend with, she thought, glancing at her tiny granddaughter.
‘Let the boy speak,’ Jesse said, gently, reaching out for her to take his hand.
‘Go on, then. I want you to tell me every detail.’ She sat back in her chair and waited to hear his news of Margery. She was missing her daughter very much at the moment. Probably because, Florence thought, it was such a special time for the family having John back and two grandchildren now in the family. It made her want to group her flock together once again, home and safe where she could look out for them all. She realised John had begun reminiscing about his meeting with Margery and focused on what he was saying.
‘She’s a hard worker,’ John said as if he had only just realised. ‘And what’s more she’s very organised. The others who work with her are also kept on their toes, night and day. I’m not sure how they keep it up week after week.’
‘I suppose they’re spurred on knowing that they’re making a much-needed difference to all those soldiers,’ Margaret suggested.
‘Yes, you’re probably right,’ John replied, thoughtfully. ‘There are seven of them and they work from a wooden hut, which was built for them in the stationmaster’s garden by the engineering section at the station. They seem to have all they need to run it. There’s a stove, their food and drink stores, and a supply of drugs. As you can imagine everything is immaculate. As the trains arrive at the station the ladies serve drinks and food, dressing wounds with fresh dressings, that sort of thing.’
Florence was fascinated. ‘They are providing an invaluable service by all accounts.’
‘They certainly are. Everyone seemed to have a role to play. Even for me who wasn’t wounded or in pain, I found it comforting to stop there for a bite to eat, a cup of tea and a soothing word. It wasn’t too bad either.’ He glanced at Florence. ‘The food, that is. They don’t only serve British soldiers as you can imagine but also French soldiers and refugees passing through the station.’ Florence listened with interest, proud of both her children for all they had achieved in their own ways. ‘I have to admit I was extremely impressed with my little sister. To think she came up with this idea, sourced all the supplies and found the women who now help her run it. It’s a triumph. The difference in the men’s spirits from when they arrived to when they left was remarkable,’ he said, dreamily, as if he was back reliving his time there. ‘Everyone who visited left revitalised.’ He looked from Florence to Jesse. ‘I know you’re both enormously proud of Margery, but you would be especially so to see her in action in her canteen.’
‘I wish I could see her there,’ Florence admitted. ‘She did write to say that between the beginning of February and mid-March this year they had served almost twenty thousand people. I think that’s a remarkable achievement for only seven women.’
‘They must be exhausted,’ Jesse said thou
ghtfully. ‘I hope she doesn’t overdo things.’
Florence caught John’s amused reaction to his father’s comment. ‘I’m sure she won’t,’ Florence said, hoping to reassure him.
‘Margery really was incredible. It was as if she had done this for years, not only a few months.’
Florence was deeply touched to hear him talk so proudly about his little sister. ‘I’m relieved she’s doing well over there. She would have hated for the canteen to have been a failure in any way.’
‘Well, it’s certainly not that,’ John said with a laugh.
‘They have nursing skills too, didn’t you say, John?’ Margaret asked as she cuddled her baby.
‘That’s right. Some of the women were already medically trained, and Margery said that she and the others have undertaken training from them to be able to help with changing bandages and generally doing small things to help make the soldiers as comfortable as possible.’ He looked at his parents. ‘She was impressive. Really, very good.’
Florence was delighted to hear such praise for her daughter. It was satisfying to know that Margery had found work that meant so much to her and that made such a difference to others who needed it. ‘I knew that whatever she put her mind to she would make a good job of it. Margery’s always been determined; all three of you are.’
Florence noticed Margaret stifle a yawn. Then, straight after, the baby began to wail. ‘I think she’s hungry,’ Florence murmured to Margaret. Then, in a louder voice, she added, ‘We should be going. I think you three need to be left in peace to enjoy a little time together.’
Florence and Jesse said their goodbyes and she called Arthur in to help take Jesse out to settle him in their motor. Once the car was making its way along the road Jesse turned to her. ‘Do you know, Florence, despite none of us being soldiers on the Western Front, we’re all of us doing something to fight this war.’
