‘That was fun. I reckon three strong blokes like us can push this free.’ He grinned at the shaken driver. ‘Okay with you, mate? We’ll get you out of this mess and you take us where we want to go?’
‘I ain’t happy about this. But I need the cash and I don’t suppose you’ll still pay me if I leave you on the side of the road.’
‘We certainly won’t. We’re paying double the usual fare and expect to arrive at our destination however difficult it is for you,’ Neil said.
By the time the taxi was back on the road and facing in the correct direction they were all covered in snow but at least they were a good deal warmer.
‘Ellie will be worried if we don’t get a move on. She’s expecting us to be there by three o’clock and it’s already a quarter past,’ Greg told the others.
The remaining couple of miles could have been walked more quickly, but he didn’t blame the man as the lane down to the farm was treacherous.
He was first out of the vehicle and left the others to pay the fare – he would cough up his share later. He didn’t want to waste another minute of the time he had to spend with the woman he loved.
Not a glimmer of light showed through the blackout curtains which had been drawn even though it wasn’t quite dark. He was about to go to the back as usual when the front door was flung open and Ellie ran out and threw herself into his arms.
*
‘I’m so glad you’re here, now Christmas can really begin.’ She tilted her face to receive his kiss. His lips were icy and there was snow embedded in his eyebrows and hair.
Someone shoved him and they were sent staggering backwards. ‘Keep the canoodling for inside, you two, it’s brass monkeys out here and we want to get in the warm.’ Jack winked at her as he walked past carrying two crates of beer. No wonder he was eager to get inside as they must weigh a ton.
‘Merry Christmas, Jack, Neil, sorry if we got in your way.’
‘Blithering idiot! We could have gone right over if I hadn’t been so close to the door,’ Greg said. He hadn’t found the incident at all amusing – maybe Jack had pushed them a little harder than was necessary.
She remembered his kiss when he’d left three weeks ago and thought maybe Jack had done it because he was jealous. In future, she would keep out of his way, make sure he understood she was in love with Greg.
The tree was admired as were the decorations. Neil drew her to one side whilst the others were devouring fairy cakes and sausage rolls in front of the sitting room fire.
‘Things look pretty serious between you and Greg. I don’t want to put you off, Ellie, but you’d be marrying into the upper classes. Do you think you can be the sort of wife someone like him expects? Remember, it didn’t work out so well with our parents.’
‘I love him, and if he asks me to marry him again, then I shall say yes this time. He might come from the same sort of background as Mum did but he’s no different from you really. He doesn’t see his family at all.’
‘Is he independently wealthy, do you know? If he isn’t, what will you live on once the war’s over?’
‘I wouldn’t dream of asking him something so personal. Dad has already given him his blessing so he must think Greg’s in a position to take care of me. Thank you for caring, but you don’t have to worry. Even if we do get engaged I’ve no intention of getting married until after the war.’
Neil hugged her. ‘That’s all right then. I notice that Mrs B and Dad seem very chummy – is something going on there too?’
‘I’m certain there is, and I’m happy for them both. Mum’s no longer part of this family and I don’t see why he shouldn’t be happy after being miserable for the past twenty years.’
*
Going to midnight service was abandoned as by ten thirty there was a blizzard blowing outside. ‘I don’t think we’ll be able to go to matins either, it’s too far to walk and the lane will be blocked,’ Dad said, trying to hide his smile of relief.
‘I’m sure it won’t matter just this once,’ Mrs B said cheerfully. ‘As long as it’s cleared so folks can get here on Boxing Day afternoon for the party, it would be a shame if that had to be cancelled.’
‘Don’t fret, Mabel, I’ll get out there with the tractor and do it in the morning. Neil, son, can you give me a hand with the milking in the morning? I’ve given the men the day off.’
‘Be happy to. Presumably this means that Jack and Greg are doing the pigs.’
Jack pretended to scowl. ‘What about Ellie? I suppose she gets a lie in.’
She smiled sweetly at him. ‘Actually, I’m helping Mrs B. I’m going to feed the birds and then anything else she wants me to do.’
‘Just make sure there’s plenty of hot water. The four of us will need a bath before lunch.’
Dad chuckled. ‘Hardly seems worth the effort as we’ll have to go out again before tea.’
Mrs B choked on her cocoa. ‘If you think you’re sitting down to Christmas lunch in your overalls, Fred Simpson, you have another think coming.’
Dad was laughing so hard he couldn’t answer. Mrs B left in a huff. ‘That wasn’t fair, Dad, you shouldn’t tease her.’
Ellie hurried out and found the housekeeper banging about in the kitchen. ‘Of course everyone will change for lunch, Mrs B. Dad was just joking. Please don’t be upset.’
‘I don’t like being laughed at – never have, never will.’ She paused in her clattering and turned to face Ellie. ‘I suppose everyone thinks I’m a silly old woman now.’
‘No they don’t. Dad’s very fond of you and didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I’ve never seen him so happy and it’s all because of you.’
‘You don’t mind then, love, that Fred and I are getting close?’
‘The closer the better. You’re already one of the family. Is there anything we need to do tonight?’
‘The vegetables are done and in basins of cold water in the pantry. The goose doesn’t have to go on until nine o’clock. The pudding just needs another couple of hours in the steamer. Everything’s ready, thank you, love.’
‘In which case, why don’t you turn in? I’ve got to put the stockings up before I go to bed, but apart from that I’m done too.’
When she returned to the sitting room only Greg was there. ‘The others have gone up. Come and sit with me by the fire for a bit, we’ve not had the chance to talk in private so far.’
Was he going to propose again? Her pulse skipped and she joined him on the sofa knowing that this time her answer would be yes.
Twenty-three
Jack was still awake when Greg came to bed. He’d been reading The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler, a book that one of the guys in his training group had loaned him. Reading an American book made him half-wish he’d not come back. His life had been less complicated and definitely less grim.
He put the book down on the bedside table. ‘Am I to congratulate you?’
Greg’s mouth tightened but then he smiled, but it wasn’t very convincing. ‘I’ve got the ring in my pocket, was intending to ask again, but something she said made me think again.’
Bloody hell! Had the silly girl told him about the kiss?
‘It’s none of my business, mate, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.’
‘I might as well, you’ll hear soon enough in the morning.’ He slumped onto his bed and rubbed his eyes. The poor bloke looked knackered as well as miserable.
‘Ellie loves you and you love her so I can’t see why there should be a problem.’
‘If only it were so easy. Before I could pop the question, she said there were some things she wanted to ask me. Neil had been talking to her about the danger of marrying into a family like mine.’
‘It’s none of his business – just because their mother made all their lives miserable, and never fitted in, it doesn’t mean that Ellie will be the same.’
‘I tried to reassure her that I don’t want her to change but she persisted with her questions.’ He rubbed his ey
es again before continuing. ‘She asked me where we would be living when the war was over and what sort of employment I would be taking.’
This didn’t sound particularly controversial – in fact these questions sounded sensible.
‘However much I dislike my family and my father, when he dies I’ll have to take over the estates. The damn things are entailed so I have no choice. Believe me, I’d cut myself off entirely if I could.’
‘I can’t see Ellie swanning around as lady of the manor. I take it she didn’t react well to your answers.’
‘It was the worst five minutes of my life. She was in floods of tears but nothing I could say would convince her that if we loved each other enough we could make it work.’
‘Sorry to hear that, but I shouldn’t give up just yet. When she’s had time to think about it, realises that life without you would be a bloody sight worse than having to live in a stately home, she’ll come around.’
Greg shook his head. ‘I can’t marry her knowing she might well be as miserable with me as her mother was with Fred. I love her too much. No, I’ve got to let her go.’
When he switched out the light he said quietly. ‘With any luck I’ll get shot down and she can get on with her life.’
‘Don’t be so bloody daft, man, that’s no way to talk. If you go on a mission with that attitude you’re bound to go for a Burton. You’ve got two blokes in that kite with you – think about them.’
The bed creaked and the light went back on. ‘I need a drink. I brought a bottle of Courvoisier and Johnny Walker as my contribution to Christmas. I’m sure Fred won’t mind if we open one of them.’
‘I never say no to a drink.’
Neither of them had brought anything apart from pyjamas but someone had thoughtfully supplied what they needed. Jack shrugged into his dressing gown and pushed his bare feet into the slippers.
They crept along the passageway like burglars and he was sure neither Ellie nor Fred would have heard them. Greg went ahead of him to find the whiskey and he paused in the passageway outside her bedroom.
There was no sound of her crying so maybe she wasn’t as upset as Greg had thought. He thought a mug of coffee would go down a treat with the whiskey, and maybe a couple of mince pies too.
‘Where are you going?’ Ellie spoke from right behind him and he almost fell down the stairs.
‘Greg and I are going to have a glass or two of whiskey. He’s devastated and wants to drown his sorrows.’
She was looking remarkably cheerful for a girl with a broken heart. ‘I’m going to join you. I think I overreacted, which was a bit silly. There’s no reason why we can’t be engaged and see how it goes, is there?’
‘None at all. I’ve changed my mind; you go down and I’ll go to bed. You don’t need me playing gooseberry whilst you make things up.’
Her smile was radiant and she stretched up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. ‘You’re such a good friend, Jack, I’m so glad that you’re part of this family now.’
He was glad for them, and if he was honest, also a bit envious. He doubted he would ever find a girl like her for himself.
*
Ellie was wearing her comfortable, but highly unflattering, flannelette pyjamas. She hadn’t stopped to put on her dressing gown or slippers. When she’d heard footsteps outside her bedroom door she’d thought for a moment it was Greg coming to comfort her. When they’d continued past her door she’d come out to investigate.
Was Jack correct? Would she be able to put things right with Greg? As she scampered down the stairs her heart was pounding and her feet were already frozen from walking on the uncarpeted boards. Apart from the sitting room, which had a threadbare rug in the centre of the room, the other floors were flagstones. Not ideal for somebody with bare feet.
The kitchen was deserted – where was Greg? He must be looking for the whiskey which Mrs B had put in the scullery along with the other drink that had been left over from the last party. He’d never find it on his own.
She was so cold she might as well nip in and collect the whiskey for him. The best glasses were kept in the sitting room so that was no need for her to hang about any longer. With the precious bottle in one hand she dashed through the house desperate to get onto the carpet.
The room was unoccupied. Before she did anything else she was going to thaw out and she would need to stir up the fire to do that. She chucked a few bits of kindling onto the glowing embers and they caught immediately. Within a few moments there were welcome flames and she tossed a couple of logs into the blaze. The socks she had stuffed full of little gifts were hanging a safe distance from the fire. Each one had the name of the recipient sewn on.
Her teeth were chattering and she bitterly regretted her impulsive decision to come down in just her pyjamas. She put the bottle of whiskey on the sideboard and got out one of the cut glass tumblers from the cupboard and put it next to the bottle.
Greg must have gone back upstairs whilst she was in the scullery. If he came down again at least he would be able to get himself a drink. She pulled a pouffe in front of the hearth and settled onto it and stretched out her legs towards the fire. She wanted to warm up a bit before she went back to bed.
After a while she was sleepy and her feet were no longer ice blocks. The chiming clock on the mantelpiece struck twelve. Christmas Day – and no one to say Merry Christmas to.
The rattle of crockery startled her and she scrambled to her feet just as the door was pushed open and Greg walked in carrying a tray.
‘I thought you could do with another cocoa and a fresh hot-water bottle before you go back to bed, sweetheart.’
‘I thought you’d gone to bed, I couldn’t find you anywhere.’
He put the tray on the sideboard before answering. ‘I was looking for the whiskey in the music room and heard you come in here. You shouldn’t have come down without your slippers.’ He tossed over the hot-water bottle and she caught it and hugged it eagerly. He was being very matter-of-fact for a man who was supposed to be devastated.
‘Thank you. I’ll take my drink up with me and leave you to have your whiskey in peace.’
He turned. ‘No, we need to talk. Sit over there. Do you want some of this?’ He gestured to the bottle in his hand. She shook her head and nervously perched on the edge of the sofa, not sure if she liked the new, authoritative Greg.
He strode across and handed her a mug and a plate with two mince pies. She took them both. How was she supposed to deal with these at the same time? She couldn’t put the plate on her lap as it was already occupied by the hot water bottle. She didn’t want anything to eat anyway, her stomach was churning and she felt a bit sick.
This was hardly a romantic interlude. In fact, it was far more like being summoned to the principal’s office. Not enjoyable at all. She pushed herself back and then put the plate down beside her. This meant he couldn’t sit there, but she wasn’t sure she wanted him to.
He carried on over to the side table and then returned for his glass, mug and plate. He didn’t seem perturbed about the positioning of her mince pies and settled himself comfortably at the far end of the sofa.
‘Why did you come down, Ellie? Have you changed your mind about marrying me?’ His tone was even, as if he was speaking about the weather, not something so emotional as a rejected proposal.
‘I have and I haven’t.’ Two could play this game and she wasn’t going to allow him to boss her about. She took a sip from her cocoa trying to look nonchalant and hide the fact that her hands were shaking.
‘For God’s sake, don’t speak in riddles. I was suicidal an hour ago and intended to drink myself into a stupor.’ He no longer looked calm – in fact he looked desperate.
She put her drink down and launched herself towards him. ‘I’m sorry, I do want to marry but not until after the war. I love you and can’t bear to see you so unhappy.’
He met her in the middle, his face transformed by happiness, and pulled her onto his lap. She put her arms around
his neck and when he kissed her his mouth was hard, demanding, his tongue pressed against her closed lips until she opened them allowing him access. Her skin was on fire and when he slid his hand underneath her pyjama top she didn’t protest.
Then, abruptly, he raised his head. ‘I’m squashing your mince pies, sweetheart, you’d better move before we ruin the sofa.’
He tumbled her from his lap and stood up. He peered over his shoulder and laughed. ‘What a waste – they didn’t deserve to be sat on.’
He carefully removed his dressing gown and together they scraped the mess into the fire. ‘Your virtue was saved by a mince pie, darling, I bet there aren’t many girls who can say that.’
‘Good thing they were on a plate, there’s nothing to see on the sofa. I didn’t think I wanted one, but I’m hungry now so can I share yours?’
Solemnly he held out his plate and she resumed her place, but this time tucked her feet under her bottom. ‘As we’re now officially engaged, shouldn’t I have a ring on my finger?’ She waved her right hand at him.
‘Strangely enough I didn’t come down with it in my pocket. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow.’ His smile made her pulse skip. ‘Merry Christmas, sweetheart. I don’t care if we have a long engagement, as long as I know you’re waiting for me, that’s okay by me.’
*
Ellie overslept and when she eventually made it downstairs the house was empty – even Mrs B was absent. Hastily she pulled on her overalls and gumboots and ran out to see what she could do to make up for her tardy appearance. It didn’t matter that it was Christmas Day, that it was still snowing, the livestock must always come first.
The cows were almost milked, the pigs happily rootling in their troughs, and Mrs B was just returning from feeding the poultry, geese and ducks.
‘Merry Christmas, love, you go along indoors. No need to hang about out here as everything has been done.’
‘I’ve never been late before. I’m so sorry that I wasn’t here as I promised I’d help you today.’
Heartwarming and emotional story of one girl's courage in WW2 Page 21
