The East End Girl in Blue

by Fenella J Miller

  ‘Blooming heck, you took your time, David. What were you doing downstairs – cooking the Christmas dinner?’

  Nancy’s voice coming from the bed startled him and he dropped his torch on his bare foot. ‘Bloody hell – that hurt.’ His surreptitious approach had obviously failed miserably.

  ‘Shush. You’ll wake everybody up. Please don’t use bad language, I’m not comfortable with it.’

  This was exactly what he’d said to her when he’d first met her and he laughed. The remainder of his clothes were dropped on the floor and he joined her in the bed. There was no necessity to remove her nightgown.

  A couple of hours later they lay entangled and sweaty. He was drifting into a satiated sleep when he was poked sharply in the ribs.

  ‘Oh no you don’t, love. I’m not having anyone find you in my bed, even if they all know you’ve been here.’

  With a resigned sigh he rolled out and found his discarded clothes. ‘I’m going to go downstairs as I am. If I’m seen then it’s entirely your fault.’

  She giggled but this changed to a squeak of horror when he did exactly what he’d threatened.

  18

  Nancy sat up in bed holding her breath. Then she heard Billy’s voice. ‘Are you that Father Christmas bloke Auntie Nancy’s telling us about?’

  She tumbled out of bed, snatched up her nightie and dragged it over her head. If it wasn’t so awful it would be funny.

  Quietly she opened the door a crack. It was pitch-dark. Billy wouldn’t be able to see.

  ‘I am and if you don’t scamper back to bed this minute no stocking for you.’ David’s voice sounded deeper, unrecognisable, and she stifled a giggle when he continued. ‘Ho, Ho, Ho.’

  She heard Billy’s door snick shut and was finally able to breathe. She poked her head out but David had strolled off, in his birthday suit, and she could hear him laughing quietly as he went downstairs. Heaven knows what Billy would say to Mary tomorrow morning, but it was funny.

  She was learning more about him every time they met. She’d never known he had such a wicked sense of humour and this was just another thing to love about him. She found it hard to believe that when she’d first met him she’d thought him old and not very attractive.

  Being in bed with him was nothing like it had been with Tommy. Maybe that was because he was older, more experienced – she’d have to ask him. He was a medical man and was bound to know the answer to that sort of question.

  Her alarm went off at six thirty as usual and she tumbled out of bed and hurried to the sink to have a strip wash. She spent a little longer on her appearance than she usually did; after all it was Christmas Day and they would all be going to matins. There was no choir at this service so she needed to look her best if she was going to be in the congregation.

  David pounced on her when she stepped into the kitchen. ‘Merry Christmas, my darling, I can’t tell you how happy I am to be here with you.’

  ‘Not half as happy as I am to have you here. What were you thinking last night? I doubt that Mary would have been fobbed off the way that Billy was.’

  He grinned and kissed her, preventing further conversation for several wonderful minutes. She pulled away and smiled up at him. ‘I hope you haven’t mussed my hair. Don’t forget we’re all going to church at ten o’clock. Don’t you have anything tidier to wear?’

  ‘I was working all day in this outfit and didn’t have time to go back to my digs and change.’

  She wrinkled her nose. ‘You do pong a bit, love, a nasty hospital smell. Didn’t you put most of your clothes up in the attic? If you nip up there and find something quickly then I’ve still got time to give it an iron before anyone else’s up.’

  He kissed the tip of her nose and stepped away. ‘That’s a very becoming frock, sweetheart. I assume you made it.’ She nodded. ‘You’re a very accomplished woman. You can cook, sew, take care of children and are amazing in bed.’

  Her cheeks coloured at his comment. ‘You mustn’t say things like that out loud. You never know who might be listening.’ Then she stretched up and kissed him. ‘You’re not too shabby yourself. Now, buzz off, and let me get breakfast ready. We’re having it all together in the dining room today.’

  He vanished and she went to check that the prepared vegetables for Christmas dinner hadn’t frozen solid in the pantry. The fat cockerel was already stuffed and waiting for the oven. She’d not been able to get enough dried fruit to make either a Christmas cake or a Christmas pudding. However, she’d managed to buy four Mrs Peek’s tinned Christmas puddings. They wouldn’t be as good but better than nothing. The fruit she’d managed to get had been turned into mincemeat so at least there would be mince pies for tea.

  The children were going to be allowed to have their stockings after breakfast but the gifts under the tree wouldn’t be opened until this afternoon. From the banging about she could hear above her Billy and Betty were now up and very excited.

  The little boy burst into the kitchen, his eyes shining with excitement. ‘I saw him, Auntie Nancy. That Father Christmas bloke was here like what you said he would be.’

  ‘How exciting – have you checked in the sitting room to see if he left you and your sister anything in your stockings?’

  When she’d moved in a couple of weeks ago he’d started calling her Auntie Nancy and she actually preferred that to being referred to as Mrs Smith. The folded blanket was ready on the kitchen table and the electric iron was good and hot. All she needed was the shirt and she could do it before she served breakfast.

  David handed her three shirts, two pairs of trousers, a tie and jacket. ‘I didn’t know which one to wear so I brought all these for you to choose from.’

  Mary had appeared in the door and overheard his remark. ‘It’s not for me to say, Doctor Denny, so I’ll do all of them. It won’t be until after breakfast mind, as the boiled eggs and soldiers won’t keep.’

  ‘It’s very kind of you to do this for me, Nancy. I’ll go and speak to the children. Call me when things are ready.’

  Fred was already outside feeding the chickens and the pigs and she doubted he would actually sit at the same table as everybody else whatever Mary wanted him to do. He was a very antisocial old man, but good at his job so she supposed it didn’t really matter if he wouldn’t talk to anyone.

  Doctor Jones eventually appeared and was suitably surprised to see David. ‘Didn’t know you were coming – good to see you. Did you come on that motorbike?’

  ‘I certainly did and unfortunately I have to return on it. I’m hoping I won’t kill myself as I nearly did so more than once on the way down.’

  ‘Let’s hope you’re not called back in the middle of the night. Hopefully this unofficial truce will hold until after Boxing Day and give us all a break.’

  Nancy wasn’t sure how Dr Jones was helped by the lack of bombs but didn’t comment.

  After breakfast the children rushed into the sitting room and the adults, even Fred, followed to watch them empty their stockings. If they’d been given a chest full of gold coins they couldn’t have been happier.

  Every small item they pulled out was exclaimed over and held out to be examined. ‘Look at this, it’s a sugar mouse. I ain’t – I’ve never had one of those before,’ Billy said.

  ‘Mousy mousy, yum yum,’ Betty chanted and promptly bit off the head and crunched it up.

  The little girl was now proudly out of nappies and had very few accidents. She was also talking and sounded more like Mary every day. It was harder for Billy to correct his speech but he was getting there. Nowadays Nancy rarely made a mistake and Charlotte and Jane would be amazed when they saw her next time.

  She left the children to play with their bits and pieces. Not only did she have to clear away the breakfast, wash the dishes, but also get the Christmas dinner cooking. On top of that David now wanted her to iron and press his entire wardrobe.

  Her eyes filled. It wasn’t fair that she was the only one not having Christmas Day free.


  ‘Don’t cry, sweetheart, I’ll help you. I’m not going to sit about watching you wait on everyone.’

  She turned into his arms forgetting that someone was likely to come in and see them embracing. ‘I don’t know why I keep blubbing, love. The slightest thing sets me off nowadays.’

  ‘It’s your condition, darling. It’s very common for pregnant women to be more emotional.’

  Something small and sticky tugged on the hem of her new frock. She looked down and Betty was standing there holding out a piece of half-chewed sugar mouse. ‘For you, Auntie Nancy.’

  ‘Thank you, that’s so kind. Can I keep it for later?’

  ‘Yes, later. Need a wee wee now.’

  David reacted instantly. ‘Come along, little one, I’ll take you to the lavatory.’ He picked the child up and dashed off to the downstairs cloakroom.

  When they left for church Nancy was satisfied everything that needed to be done was done. The children had helped Mary lay the table and put their home-made crackers next to each place. The cock had been in the slow oven for two hours already and would be absolutely perfect when they sat down to eat at one. Mrs Andrews was joining them and they were meeting her at church.

  Mr and Mrs Stanton had gone to stay with family and the curate took the service. The carols were sung with gusto, the curate’s sermon was brief and the congregation trooped out in just over an hour. There was a watery winter sun giving no warmth but bathing everything in much-needed light.

  It took far longer to get away today as they had to wish everybody merry Christmas. David and Dr Jones were particularly popular and from Mrs Andrews’ expression she took a dim view of the ladies simpering and smiling at them. Goodness knows what she was going to say when she eventually discovered that she and David were involved.

  *

  Christmas had always been a subdued affair and David now realised what he’d been missing all these years. Maybe things would have been different if Julia had had children but somehow, he doubted she’d ever have sat on the carpet playing with them the way that Nancy was.

  The telephone rang halfway through the afternoon and as he was nearest he went into the hall and picked it up, fearing it might be from Billings asking him to return immediately.

  ‘Doctor Denny, I didn’t know you were returning for the holiday. Merry Christmas to you,’ Mrs Stanton said. ‘Could I speak to Nancy please?’

  ‘I’ll get her for you. Happy Christmas to you and the vicar – I hope to be back again in a few weeks and actually see you in person.’

  He turned and Nancy was watching from the doorway. He shook his head and smiled. ‘It’s Mrs Stanton for you.’

  He thought now would be a good time to put the kettle on. The sandwiches were made and resting under a damp tea towel and from the delicious aroma wafting from the oven the mince pies were heating up ready for tea.

  ‘Uncle David,’ Billy said from behind him. ‘I wasn’t lying about Father Christmas. Auntie Mary says I mustn’t tell lies but I never did.’

  ‘I believe you and so does Auntie Nancy. Are you enjoying Christmas Day?’ It was strange but it was as if Violet had never existed. Like dropping a pebble into a pond, the ripples had spread and disappeared leaving no trace behind.

  ‘It’s the best day ever. I never knew Father Christmas gave us things. I reckon he never found us where we lived before. And we got more presents just now.’ He waved the patchwork teddy bear, that Nancy had made him, in the air. ‘This is my favourite.’

  ‘He’s absolutely splendid. Does he have a name yet?’

  ‘I’m calling him Teddy. Betty likes her dolly ever so much. I like it better here now that Auntie Nancy lives with us. Are you going to live with us all the time soon?’

  ‘I hope so, Billy, but I have to be in London to help the people who get hurt by the bombs. One day I’ll be back and we can be a family.’ He spoke without thinking and prayed that the little chap wouldn’t rush off and announce this to the others.

  Unfortunately, Jill decided to help make the tea and take it into the dining room and did overhear.

  ‘Good heavens, David, I didn’t know you were intending to keep the children.’

  Thank God she hadn’t grasped the fact that he was including Nancy in his comment. ‘Why wouldn’t I? I always wanted children and now I’ve been blessed with a ready-made family. Violet, on her deathbed, asked that I would become their guardian, but I would have done it anyway.’

  ‘They are quite pleasant as children go, but as I didn’t even want any of my own I couldn’t possibly consider taking on anyone else’s offspring.’ She looked around and then pulled the door almost closed behind her. ‘I wanted to speak to you about something personal. Has Simon said anything about me?’

  ‘No, he hasn’t. However, this is only the second time I’ve been here since I left so there’s hardly been time for confidential conversation of any sort. I noticed the two of you seemed a bit more than casual friends.’

  Her smile told him everything he wanted to know. ‘Oh, do you think so? I feared the interest was on my side alone. I know Simon’s quite a lot older than me but that doesn’t matter at all.’

  ‘I think you will make the perfect couple. I think he’s the sort of chap who will take his time to make up his mind but from what I’ve seen he sees you as a potential partner.’

  The door swung open with a bang and Betty came in waving her new doll. ‘My dolly. See my new dolly, Uncle David.’

  He dropped down to her level and solemnly examined it. ‘It’s absolutely beautiful, sweetheart. Does she have her own name?’

  The toddler screwed up her face, closed her eyes and swayed from side to side. She did this when she was thinking and he found it absolutely charming.

  ‘Polly dolly, she’s my Polly dolly.’

  The dog, hearing her name, bounded over and sent both of them sprawling. Nancy arrived whilst he was still attempting to disentangle himself from the dog and Betty. Jill was making absolutely no effort to help but had wandered off to get the mince pies out of the oven.

  ‘What a palaver! Come on, Betty love, come to Auntie Nancy and let Uncle David get up. Polly, on your bed, silly dog.’

  ‘Thank you, I came in to make the tea and didn’t expect to be flattened by my stupid animal. Nancy, take Betty back into the sitting room. Jill and I are getting the tea ready and will call you when it’s on the table. You’ve done enough for today.’

  She didn’t argue. ‘Ta ever so, I could do with a sit-down for half an hour.’ She glanced across at Jill. ‘Thank you. Everything’s ready; you just have to take it through and put out the plates and so on. There’s jelly and evaporated milk for the children for afters.’

  Jill pulled a face and this annoyed him. ‘I hope there’ll be enough for me; jelly and evaporated milk is my absolute favourite,’ he said firmly.

  Betty was wriggling to be put down and rushed off banging the walls with her rag doll as she went and singing Polly dolly at the top of her voice. Only by sticking his foot out did he prevent the dog from dashing after her.

  ‘I can see her choice of names is going to be a problem. Maybe you can persuade her to think of something else?’

  ‘I’ll do my best. Your dog’s going to be very confused if we don’t.’

  *

  The remainder of the day was equally enjoyable and even the curmudgeonly Fred actually smiled a couple of times before he and his wife retreated to their own domain. The children went to bed with no fuss, Simon offered to walk Jill home and she accepted with alacrity, which left him to spend some time alone with Nancy.

  They sat together on the sofa and he dipped into his pocket and handed her the pretty velvet box containing the locket. He’d decided not to put it under the tree as this would draw attention to its value when it was seen by everyone else.

  ‘You shouldn’t have got me anything, I don’t have anything for you.’

  ‘I don’t need you to give me a present. I just need you to love me.’
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  She raised her eyebrows and giggled. ‘None of that saucy talk, David. It’s the Lord’s birthday and we should be suitably devout, not talking about you know what.’

  ‘Open the box, darling. I do hope you like it.’

  Instead of laughing in delight she burst into tears when she saw the gold locket. ‘It reminds me of Tommy. He gave me a lovely engagement ring – real gold and a diamond – it belonged to his grandma.’

  ‘Don’t cry, sweetheart, I want you to be happy.’ He didn’t dare put his arms around her as Simon could come back at any moment.

  ‘It’s really lovely. Put it on for me please.’ She dried her eyes and put her head down so he could reach round and fasten it.

  ‘There, it’s absolutely perfect on you. You didn’t open it but it has places for you to put photographs.’

  ‘Have to be a blooming small photo to go in there.’ She reached up and touched the heart. He saw that she was no longer wearing either of her rings. He wasn’t sure if this was a good sign or not. She noticed him looking at her bare finger.

  ‘They were getting a bit tight. I didn’t want to have to have them cut off.’

  Immediately his professional side took over. Any swelling of fingers or ankles was a bad sign of pregnancy and especially so early on.

  ‘Let me see your hands.’

  She understood immediately he was talking as a doctor not a lover, and held them out. ‘Nothing to worry about. No discernible puffiness. Can I see your ankles too?’

  Before he could lean down and look she lifted both feet and put them in his lap.

  ‘All splendid, my love; sorry to have alarmed you.’

  ‘I reckon I’m fatter all over and not just my belly. I’ve always been curvy, but not fat. It’s because I’m eating better. Even in the WAAFs food wasn’t as good as it is here and often I didn’t fancy anything after spending all day cooking.’

  ‘You’re on your feet all day so I’m certain you’ve not put on any weight apart from your pregnancy. And anyway, as far as I’m concerned every inch of you is flawless.’

  ‘You’re not too bad yourself.’