The Woolworths Girls

by Elaine Everest

  ‘Hello, my love. Give us a kiss for Christmas.’ George swept his daughter up in a big hug and swung her round.

  ‘Good grief, George. Have you been on the rum again? Put the girl down and hand out the presents.’

  ‘Whatever you say, dear.’ George winked at his daughter and reached under the tree, pulling out two parcels. ‘The large one is yours, Sarah, and this is yours, Alan.’

  Sarah passed two packages to her parents. ‘These are from the two of us. I made them myself.’

  ‘How quaint,’ Irene said as she pulled out a pale pink shawl. ‘Fancy you making this. You’ve turned into a proper little housewife. I’m sure I will find a use for it.’

  George was pulling on the woolly scarf and gloves he’d found in his parcel. ‘Perfect, my love. Just what I need for these cold days.’

  Sarah grinned. ‘I’m so pleased you like your presents. Freda had to help me with the fingers on your gloves, Dad, as I went wrong and you only had three fingers on the left one.’

  George kissed his daughter. ‘I’m sure I’d have loved them with six fingers. You are a clever girl.’

  ‘I’ll never be a perfect knitter, but I wanted to give it a go. The government says we mustn’t overspend, so I thought by making presents I’d be doing my bit.’

  ‘That is very commendable, my dear. Now, open your presents from us. I’m afraid they are not home-made, but I’ve put a lot of thought into them. I wish I had time to be the perfect housewife and make things, but my life is just too busy.’

  Sarah flinched. Mum had long ago perfected the art of the put-down while giving a compliment, but it still hurt. She undid the string round the large box and the paper fell away. She didn’t know what to say.

  ‘They are the best of their kind, Sarah, and should last a lifetime. I always say invest in quality and it will last.’

  Sarah gazed at the shiny set of saucepans and summoned all her strength to put a smile on her face. ‘Saucepans. Thank you very much.’ She did her best to look pleased, but did her mum not recall being told about Alan’s romantic proposal and Mr Benfield’s generous gift on behalf of Woolworths?

  She fixed the smile on her face. It was Christmas; she would try not to get upset. ‘Open your present, Alan.’

  Alan picked at the knot on the small package until a small jewellery box was uncovered. He pulled back the lid to reveal a smart set of gold cufflinks. ‘Thank you, Irene and George. I don’t know what to say.’

  Irene waved away his thanks and reached for her sherry. ‘You have a new social standing, Alan – you need to be turned out correctly. Now, sit down here with me and tell me all about your fellow pilots. Do they come from good families?’

  Sarah sighed. Was this how her future was going to be? She would be the housewife, while Alan was the key to her mother mixing with the upper classes? She couldn’t quite believe that the RAF was full of the upper classes, whatever Alan and her mum seemed to think. Then again, if Alan was mixing with a different class of person, then that could be why he wasn’t happy to be back in Erith or, more importantly, with her. ‘I’m going to help Freda and Maisie with the vegetables.’

  ‘I’ll give you a hand, love. Unless your mother wants to. Irene?’

  Irene Caselton gave her husband a horrified look. ‘Not in this outfit, George.’ She turned to continue to question Alan about social gatherings and mixing with the officers’ families.

  ‘It’s just me and you, then, love,’ chuckled George. In the hallway, he turned to stop Sarah entering the kitchen, where Freda was in control of the women, who were peeling sprouts and scrubbing carrots. ‘I’ve got something else here for you, just in case you weren’t over the moon with the saucepans. I mentioned you already had a set, but . . .’ George shrugged his shoulders. ‘Your mother means well, but she gets some funny ideas in her head sometimes.’ He handed her a small brown envelope. ‘Sorry. You know I’m no good at wrapping presents.’

  Sarah opened the envelope and a pair of earrings slipped into her hand. ‘Oh, they are beautiful.’ She held up the dainty golden hearts so the light caught them, before hugging George. ‘Thank you, Dad. I love them.’

  ‘I know you women love saucepans, so these are just a little stocking-filler,’ George laughed, ‘and you make sure Alan shares those pots and pans – don’t keep them to yourself.’

  ‘Dad, you are funny. I love both my gifts.’

  ‘You don’t have to fool me, Sarah. Now, let’s go sort out those sprouts or we won’t be eating before the King makes his speech.’

  ‘Oh my goodness. I don’t know what to say.’ Sarah looked at the pile of presents in front of her. She’d thought that once she was grown up and married, Christmas wouldn’t be so exciting, but this year was different to the Christmases she’d spent at number thirteen as a child. Ruby, aided by Maisie, had put up the paper chains that had been stored in the loft. Freda had dug up the tree from the garden and decorated it, and Sarah had purchased some new Chinese lanterns from Woolies. With cards hung on string from the picture rail and a roaring fire in the hearth, it was Christmas as Sarah remembered from her childhood.

  Aided by George, the girls had helped Ruby prepare the dinner before sitting down for ten minutes to exchange gifts, while George stepped outside to smoke his pipe. Irene had banned him from the house, as she didn’t like the smell. Alan sat quietly nursing a large whisky that George had poured earlier. He was gazing into space and taking no part in the festivities. He may as well not be here, Sarah thought sadly. He is usually the life and soul of a party. Then she felt guilty for her thoughts. She would hand out the presents she had carefully chosen for her friends and try to remain cheerful.

  Freda gasped as she opened her parcel and found a small jewellery box inside. ‘I love it. Thank you so much, Sarah.’

  ‘You have somewhere to put your pieces of jewellery now, Freda,’ Sarah smiled.

  ‘However did you manage to find this?’ Maisie shrieked, jumping up to kiss Sarah. ‘I’ve not been able to find my favourite face powder for over a year.’

  ‘I spotted it in a chemist’s window in Whitstable when we were on our honeymoon. I’m so happy you like it.’

  Sarah ran her hand over the soft wool she found in her parcel from Freda.

  ‘I know you’re keen on knitting, now you’ve learnt how to do it, but I’ll make up the cardigan if you like?’ Freda said. ‘You too, Maisie.’

  ‘And Maisie said she’d help you run this up into a winter dress,’ Ruby added, as Sarah shook out some deep red woollen fabric, which had been carefully wrapped. ‘I picked it up at Woolwich Market. The colour caught my eye as soon as I spotted it on the stall.’

  ‘It’s lovely, Nan. Thank you so much.’ Sarah jumped up from where she was kneeling by the coal fire to hug and kiss Ruby. ‘Now open your present, Nan. It’s a joint gift from me, Maisie and Freda.’

  Ruby opened the small package to reveal a navy-blue silk scarf with a delicate white pattern round the edge. ‘Why, it’s beautiful. I do believe it is pure silk. Fancy that! Thank you so much, girls. I’ve never had anything so posh before. I can see this didn’t come from Woolworths.’

  ‘Nan, you have to shake out the scarf and see what it’s hiding,’ Sarah urged.

  Ruby carefully removed the whole of the scarf from the wrapping and carefully shook it. Four pieces of paper fell into her lap. ‘Oh my goodness, whatever can this be?’ She peered closely at the wording on the tickets. ‘“Cinderella at the London Coliseum.” Well, I’ll be blowed. I’ve not seen a panto in many a year.’

  ‘It’s for the day after Boxing Day. It’s half-day closing, so we can go up town and have afternoon tea at Lyons Corner House before going to the show, Nan. We’ve got tickets for Betty and Maureen as well, but they are wrapped in their Christmas boxes.’

  ‘What generous girls you are thinking of an old woman and including her in your outing. I’m truly blessed.’ Ruby wiped her eyes on the edge of her best pinny.

  ‘Are you sure you
wouldn’t like to come with us, Mum? I’m sure I can get another ticket. You too, Alan?’ Sarah felt as though she should include Irene in the group trip and was uncomfortable that Alan was home and she was abandoning him.

  Irene Caselton waved away her daughter’s words. ‘I’m not one for comedy theatre. Besides, we will be heading back to Devon that morning.’

  ‘And I’ll be back on duty by then,’ Alan added.

  ‘So soon?’

  Alan got to his feet and knocked back the whisky. ‘Some of us have a war to fight, Sarah. I don’t have time for gadding about.’ He left the room.

  Sarah went to follow her husband, but Ruby placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘You stay there, love. He’ll be all right. It’s the drink talking. I need to check the spuds and call George in before he freezes to death out in the garden. The last time I looked, he was talking to Nelson.’

  ‘Nelson?’

  ‘The stray. I’ve named him Nelson and given him a new home for Christmas. He’s good company, but don’t tell your mum.’

  Sarah smiled at her nan. Yet another mouth to feed. She was such a caring person. Sarah dared not speak about Alan or she knew tears would soon flow. It was Christmas and she didn’t want to spoil the day for her family. She started to flatten the paper and roll up the string and ribbon. ‘Waste not, want not. We may as well save this for another occasion.’

  Freda joined in and soon the floor was clear of the mess. ‘What did you give Sarah, Maisie?’ she asked. ‘I didn’t see her opening anything.’

  ‘Let’s just say she had her Christmas early, shall we?’ she said, giving Sarah a large wink and a nudge with her elbow. ‘I just hope it worked its magic, eh, Sarah?’

  Sarah blushed bright red. ‘It was appreciated, thank you, Maisie.’

  She looked around the room at her happy friends and family. Alan’s empty glass was still balanced on the wide arm of the armchair where he had left it. She just wished she had the husband she knew back with her once more. Perhaps now he’d spent time away from his home town and the people he’d grown up with, he wasn’t happy with his lot. Maybe he’d met someone else. No, he wouldn’t have, would he? Sarah didn’t know anymore, but she tried to push the thought firmly from her mind. She just hoped that whatever had caused Alan to change wouldn’t bring a wedge between them. After all, it had only been three months since they vowed to stay together until parted by death. Perhaps they shouldn’t have married so soon. What was that saying? Marry in haste and repent at leisure? She shuddered. She’d had too many of these feelings lately.

  The family and friends sat round the table, the remnants of their meal not yet cleared away, as they listened to King George address the Commonwealth on the wireless.

  ‘. . . I believe from my heart that the cause which binds together my peoples and our gallant and faithful allies is the cause of Christian civilization. On no other basis can a true civilization be built. Let us remember this through the dark times ahead of us and when we are making the peace for which all men pray.

  ‘A new year is at hand. We cannot tell what it will bring. If it brings peace, how thankful we shall all be. If it brings continued struggle, we shall remain undaunted.

  ‘In the meantime, I feel that we may all find a message of encouragement in the lines which, in my closing words, I would like to say to you.

  ‘I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied, “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

  ‘May that Almighty hand guide and uphold us all.’

  George raised his glass as the last bars of the national anthem faded on the wireless. ‘After that rousing speech, I just want to say good luck to us all and may we face with fortitude whatever the year ahead throws our way.’

  The family and friends raised their glasses as one.

  ‘That was a grand spread, Mum,’ George said, rubbing his stomach.

  ‘I didn’t do it on my own, George. The girls were a great help to me. Many hands make light work, as they say,’ Ruby replied.

  ‘They also say that too many cooks spoil the broth, Mrs C., so thank goodness I only ’elped with peeling the veg or we’d all have stomach ache tomorrow,’ Maisie added with a grin. ‘Now, shall we clear the table and then we can play some games?’

  ‘You ladies stay where you are. The washing-up is man’s work today. Come on, Alan, shift yourself. I’ll wash and you dry.’

  Alan managed to raise a smile as he headed to the scullery, his arms piled high with empty dinner plates.

  ‘That was a lovely meal, Mrs Caselton,’ Freda said. ‘I’ve never tasted turkey before.’

  ‘I’m glad you liked it, love. We usually have a chicken, but with more of us here this year, I thought I’d have a big bird instead. It should see us through a few meals yet and then I’ll make a stew.’

  Maisie groaned. ‘Please stop talking about food. I don’t think I can eat for another week I’m so stuffed. Who fancies a walk?’

  Sarah stretched her arms and yawned. ‘That is such a good idea. I’m feeling quite sleepy. How about you, Nan and Mum?’

  ‘Not for me, love. I’m going to have ten minutes on my own in the front room if you all don’t mind. You go and enjoy yourselves,’ Ruby said.

  ‘I’ll decline. I’d like to listen to a music programme on the wireless. You might remove your paper hats before you go out,’ Irene added.

  ‘Oh, I don’t know. I think mine’s quite fetching,’ Maisie laughed as she patted the green crown that sat on her head at a jaunty angle. ‘Come on, Freda, Sarah, let’s go get our coats before it gets too dark to see a foot in front of us out there.’

  ‘I’ll be with you in a minute. I just want to see if Dad and Alan want to join us.’ Sarah slipped out to where her dad was up to his elbows in pots and pans, and Alan was drying cutlery. ‘You look quite fetching in Nan’s pinny, Dad. Some of us are going for a walk. Do you want to join us?’

  ‘Needs must, Sarah. Your mum will kill me if I mess up my Sunday best. I think it suits me, don’t you?’ George said, spinning round with the washing-up brush in his hand. ‘I’ll be a while finishing up here. You go with the girls, Alan.’

  Alan shrugged. ‘No, I’ll help you, George. You go out with your friends, Sarah.’

  Sarah had been looking forward to holding her husband’s arm as they took a brisk walk through the quiet streets. She wanted to spend as much time as possible with Alan before he disappeared from her life once more. ‘Are you sure?’

  Alan just nodded and turned back to the draining board and the pile of crockery.

  Taking her coat and scarf from Maisie, Sarah headed to the front door. ‘Ooh, there’s a letter on the doormat. Someone must have delivered it. I wonder why they never knocked.’ She picked up the small envelope and peered at the writing. ‘It’s for you, Freda. Looks as though it was delivered to your old lodgings. The landlady must have remembered you came to live here. Why, you haven’t lived there since last Christmas.’

  Freda took the envelope and slipped it into her coat pocket. Her stomach flipped as she recognized the handwriting. It belonged to her young brother, Lenny. She’d read it later when she was alone.

  ‘Do you remember that awful landlady and how rude she was to you?’ Sarah asked as she opened the door and the girls stepped out into the darkening afternoon.

  ‘And how she charged you extra for a bit of hot water and a slice of toast? Gawd, it’s a good job you’re shot of her,’ Maisie laughed. ‘Thank goodness you found Mrs White and her lovely house, even if it does resemble a wool shop. Blooming ’eck, it’s brass monkeys out here!’

  The girls linked arms and carefully walked along the icy street. ‘Where shall we go?’ Sarah asked.

  ‘How about up Pier Road past Woolies and then down to the riverbank?’ Freda suggested.

  ‘Blimey, can’t you keep away from the
place for one day?’ Maisie joshed the young girl.

  Freda smiled but thought that Woolworths had been her saviour this past year and she had much to thank God for now that she had a regular pay packet, good friends and a happy life. If only she knew where Lenny was and if he was safe.

  Maisie, too, was thinking of life since joining Woolworths. She had no idea what Joe was doing right now. He’d been her rock these past few years. She knew if it wasn’t for her mates and Woolies, she’d be back in that dark place she tried so hard to forget.

  Sarah smiled. ‘Woolies and the river it is, then. Best foot forward, girls, and mind the icy patches.’ She would look at the window display that Betty had been so worried about and report back to her friend on how it looked to passers-by on the most magical day of the year. But was it as magical this year? Just one year ago she had fallen in love with Alan, the old Alan, not the silent, angry man who had returned. Was it her fault he was like this? A small shiver ran down her back. Again she felt as though something was amiss. Was it an omen?

  Freda decided to make her excuses and head up to bed early. Sarah had left, hand in hand with Alan, to go back to Maureen’s house in nearby Crayford Road. Ruby, her feet propped up on the settee, looked cosy and it wouldn’t be long before she fell asleep, going by the way her eyelids were dropping. George was already snoring quietly in his armchair, his paper hat falling down over his eyes. Freda straightened his hat and picked up the book that had slipped to the floor. She was very fond of Sarah’s dad. His caring ways reminded her so much of her own dad, although she had been a mere child when he passed away.

  Maisie and Irene were in the living room, listening to A Christmas Cabaret on the wireless, so the coast was clear for Freda to head upstairs and open up her own Christmas surprise.

  Quietly closing the bedroom door, she sat on the bed and looked at the envelope that had been burning a hole in her pocket since that afternoon. It had been posted a week ago, and the postmark was smudged. Perhaps this letter would disclose where Lenny was and what he was up to. She realized then how desperate she’d been to find her brother and prayed that within the envelope her questions would be answered. Most of all, she needed to know he was well. They weren’t much of a family for writing letters, so this had to be important. She pulled the single page from the envelope and quickly read the words, her heart beating as she worried what Lenny had to say.