The Teashop Girls

by Elaine Everest

  ‘You’re miles away,’ Jack said as he returned with two halves of bitter and placed one down on the table close to where she sat. ‘Cheers mate,’ he said as a man pointed out a spare seat, and dragged it over to where Katie was sitting. ‘So what were you dreaming about?’ he asked before supping from his glass.

  ‘Just that it would be wonderful to have a home of our own rather than my pokey, damp little room. It’s not much of a place to start married life.’

  ‘Katie, just to be married to you is enough for me. Once this wretched war is over we will have our own house and the family we’ve never known. Until then, let’s be happy with our one little room.’

  Katie sighed. ‘I know you’re right, Jack, but I can’t help dreaming. If something comes up while you’re away, can I take it?’

  Jack laughed. ‘Why not? But please do remember to write and give me the address, or I’ll not know where to find you.’

  Katie joined in with his laughter. ‘I’m lucky to have you, Jack,’ she said, leaning in to kiss his cheek. As she gazed over his shoulder she spotted a group of sailors starting to get rowdy. ‘Are they some of yours?’ she asked. ‘It looks as though things are getting rough over there.’

  Jack followed her gaze. ‘No, I don’t recognize them, but it looks like that old fool George Jacobs is up to his usual tricks.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Katie asked, trying to look through the crowd to where the pub landlord was manhandling sailors away from the cause of the trouble and shouting for some of them to leave his pub before he called the police. ‘That’s Lily’s stepfather.’

  ‘I spotted him trying to grope a woman when I was up at the bar. He’s his usual three sheets to the wind.’

  Katie frowned. ‘Oh, you mean he’s drunk – why don’t you say so, instead of using such a silly saying?’ she scolded him. ‘Lily lives alone with him since her mum died. I shouldn’t think it’s much fun living with someone who likes to drink. Don’t think you are going to be heading off to the pub all the time once we are married,’ she added pretending to scold him.

  ‘I don’t intend to when I have a pretty wife at home,’ Jack said, still watching as George was hauled to his feet. ‘Has Lily ever said anything about him?’

  ‘No, but she’s becoming more and more miserable these days. I thought perhaps she just missed her mum. I can be a shoulder to cry on for her, but apart from that I have no memory of what it would be like to have a mother, being as I had no recollection of having parents.’

  Jack squeezed her hand. ‘We have each other,’ he said.

  ‘I thank God for you being my friend from as far back as I can remember. Who’d have thought two kids from an orphanage would fall in love and marry?’ she said, giving him a loving look.

  ‘It won’t be long before we have our own children – and then one day we will be grandparents. It will make up for what we missed,’ he said, giving her a tender smile. ‘I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait.’

  ‘I’d like to enjoy my children before I think about being a grandmother. Talk about wishing your life away,’ Katie laughed. ‘And I know I will be a better parent than that horrid man. Look at him now,’ she exclaimed in horror, as they watched George trying to drag the woman he was sitting with by the arm towards the pub door.

  ‘The man’s a monster,’ Jack spat out, incensed. ‘God knows what sort of life Lily has, living with him. I’ve heard talk he’s not choosy who he goes with – and he’d put a woman in hospital rather than pay the going rate. Sorry,’ he added, seeing Katie’s shocked face. ‘I shouldn’t be saying such things in front of a lady.’

  ‘I’m not shocked by what you’ve said. I’m afraid that’s life. What has horrified me is realizing what a monster Lily is living with. She never really spoke about him when her mum was alive. Do you think he has . . . harmed her?’

  ‘I’d not be surprised. Perhaps you and Rose could have a word with her,’ Jack suggested. ‘Talking woman to woman might help her share any problems she is having.’

  ‘I’ll do that. Rose is catching the mid-morning train to London tomorrow morning. I’ll pop round and speak with her before I go in to work. It’s my late shift, so I have time. It’s best I speak with Rose first; then we’ll know what to say before broaching the subject to Lily. She may hate us for asking, but I couldn’t sleep nights knowing what that bully could be doing to her.’

  ‘Have you packed all you need?’ Flora asked as Rose dragged her suitcase to the front door, ready for when Ben arrived.

  ‘Everything but the kitchen sink,’ she grinned. ‘I may only be going for two weeks, but I have no idea what is expected of me.’ Rose didn’t add that if Ben was to take her out for the evening it was important she had the right clothes to wear. She wouldn’t want to embarrass him, and she’d heard that Londoners could be very posh, especially when going to the theatre or dancing.

  ‘Now, do you have your gas mask? I know what you girls are like for leaving them behind.’

  ‘You’ve asked me that already, Mum. I also have my torch, a clean handkerchief, change for the telephone, and I’m wearing a clean pair of knickers. Are you happy now?’ Rose laughed. She checked her wristwatch. ‘Ben should be here by now; I wonder what’s held him up? It’s a long drive to London, from what I’ve been told. I’ve never travelled that far in a car before, and with it still snowing I must admit to being little worried.’

  ‘Why don’t I make us a cup of tea? We can drink it in the front room and watch from the window, so you’re all ready when Ben arrives. And I’ve made you some sandwiches for the journey – there’s plenty for the two of you.’

  Rose gave her mum a quick peck on the cheek. ‘You think of everything. There wouldn’t be a slice or two of cake as well, would there?’

  Flora grinned. How could she forget her daughter’s sweet tooth? ‘I’ve wrapped two slices of the Bakewell tart you brought home from work the other day. I’ve put them on the top of the parcel of sandwiches, so be careful,’ she said.

  They’d not quite reached the kitchen when there was an urgent knock on the door. ‘I didn’t hear a vehicle pull up. Open the door, love, and I’ll still make that tea. Ben’s bound to want one before you set off. It’s nigh on perishing out there,’ Flora said, hurrying down the long passage.

  Rose checked her hair in the mirror of the hall stand and licked her lips. There wasn’t time to touch up her lipstick. Pulling back the blackout curtain they kept close during the day to stop any cold draughts, she quickly opened the door with a bright smile pinned to her face, which faded somewhat when she saw it wasn’t Ben standing on the doorstep. ‘Hello Katie – you don’t normally come visiting this time of the morning. I thought you’d be at work?’ she said, ushering her friend inside and closing the door. ‘I see there’s been a fresh fall of snow overnight,’ she added, noticing the deep virgin snow that lay down the road and across the park. The only footsteps marking it were Katie’s, as even the milkman and postman had yet to visit the street.

  ‘I’m on a later shift today,’ Katie said she stamped her feet on the hall mat before pulling off her headscarf and woolly mittens. ‘I’m glad to have caught you before you set off for the station. However are you going to get your suitcase up there?’ she asked, noticing the suitcase propped up by the wall. ‘Are the trains running?’

  ‘Ben’s driving me to London, thank goodness – otherwise I don’t think I’d have reached there by train.’

  ‘Is he really?’ Katie said, raising her eyebrows. ‘Have I missed something here? I didn’t realize you knew him so well.’ She smiled with a mischievous glint in her eye.

  ‘Don’t you start. Mum’s as good as got us walking up the aisle. I like him. Between you and me, I like him a lot, but it’s early days. Come down to the kitchen and warm yourself up. So much happened here last night. Would you believe Mr Cardew has been arrested? They think he’s a spy,’ she said excitedly as they headed into the kitchen. ‘Mum, it’s Katie – get another cup out,�
� she called.

  ‘Hello, hello, my love,’ Flora said, giving Katie a quick peck on the cheek. ‘Do you have news about the wedding?’

  ‘I do, the vicar has been so kind and understood the situation. It’s two weeks tomorrow. I do hope you’ll be back, Rose,’ she said, looking anxious.

  ‘I’ll make sure that I’m back, even if it’s the night before,’ Rose promised. ‘Miss Tibbs and Anya said they’d be happy to make the two bridesmaids’ dresses, and it seems wedding dress alterations are almost finished. You’re going to make a beautiful bride.’

  Katie wasn’t one for accepting compliments, and laughed off the remark. ‘If you’re going to be away, how can we fit you for your dress?’

  ‘You don’t need to worry about that. Miss Tibbs has my measurements from when she made me a dress to wear at Christmas. Lily and me are about the same size, so she can try it on if need be. What I was wondering was how you felt about your bridesmaids having dresses that would double up as summer frocks? It wouldn’t be so expensive, and we’d get so much more wear out of them. Miss Tibbs was telling us that the fabric shop didn’t have the stock they usually hold, and things could get worse if this war goes on too long.’

  ‘Food rationing has started, so God knows what will be in short supply next,’ Flora said as she placed a hot drink in front of the girls.

  ‘If that’s what you want, then I’m happy,’ Katie said, appreciating Rose’s point about the expense.

  ‘And we want to pay for our own dresses,’ Rose added, raising her hand to fend off the look on Katie’s face. ‘No arguing,’ she continued quickly as Katie started to protest. ‘Lily and I discussed it last night. It can be our way of chipping in towards the wedding. Our dance shoes will be suitable, and Mum suggested we both carry the bibles we were given on the day we left school. What do you say to that?’

  Katie’s eyes sparkled with delight. ‘That’s a great weight off my mind,’ she said, taking a sip of tea. ‘However, you mentioning Lily reminds me of why I came to see you.’ She started to explain what she’d seen in the pub the night before, and also what Jack had said about George Jacobs. ‘So you see, I do believe that is why our Lily has been so miserable lately. I’m also worried that is why she came into work so dishevelled. I dread to think what he’s been doing to the poor girl.’

  Rose and Flora listened in horror. ‘It would certainly explain a few things,’ Rose said. ‘However, with what happened here last night we may have solved the problem, and Lily should now be safe. Mum, would you tell Katie about last night while I go into the front room to see if Ben has arrived?’

  As Rose pressed her nose against the cold window, trying to see down the road through the frosty panes, she could hear hoots of laughter from the kitchen. No doubt Flora was explaining about Mildred’s participation in detaining the spy. As a lorry pulled up outside and Ben climbed out, Rose felt comforted that Katie was happy with her wedding arrangements while Lily was safe upstairs in the room vacated by Mr Cardew – even if it was against his will. Although his property was still in the room, Flora had quickly changed the bed linen and Lily had gratefully fallen into bed wearing one of Rose’s flannelette nightgowns. Today Flora had promised to accompany her to collect a few possessions and carry them back to Lily’s new home at Sea View guesthouse.

  Rose screwed up her face in concentration, holding onto the steering wheel while staring ahead at the snow-covered road.

  ‘That’s it, Miss,’ the soldier closest to her open window called out.

  ‘You do know I’ve never driven a motor vehicle before,’ she replied, surprised that her voice wasn’t quaking in fear.

  ‘Well, the engine isn’t running and we are still in this snowdrift, so you’ve nothing to worry about yet,’ the soldier replied, putting his shoulder back against the side of the army lorry and shoving with all his might as Ben gave the command to push.

  There was a resounding cheer from the six soldiers as the lorry lurched forward out of the drift.

  ‘You can hop down now, Miss,’ the same soldier said as he half lifted her from the hard leather driver’s seat down into the snow, which came up to her knees and over the top of the wellington boots loaned to her by Mildred. They’d seen better days, but had kept her feet dry up to that point.

  ‘Oh blast,’ she said, wondering how to remove the freezing snow before it soaked into the thick socks she’d used so that her feet fitted the larger-sized boots. She looked pleadingly at the soldiers. ‘I’m stuck,’ she declared. This was the final straw . . .

  When Ben had entered Sea View earlier that day, he’d taken one look at Rose’s attire before advising her to go and dress in something more suitable for travelling in an army lorry. She’d been astounded. Before he had time to explain there was a knock on the door, which she opened to find two corporals who immediately saluted when they spotted Ben. ‘We are ready whenever you and the young lady are, sir,’ one of them said.

  ‘Thank you, Corporal,’ Ben said. ‘Take Miss Neville’s suitcase out and we will be with you shortly.’

  Rose watched as the soldier took her suitcase down the footpath. She felt so disappointed. Any thoughts of a romantic journey up to London alone with Ben were dashed.

  ‘I’d hoped to be able to drive you, but the weather is closing in and we might well have been stranded before we reached London,’ he explained. ‘The lads have orders to collect an important piece of equipment, so it made sense to go with them. It will take a lot to get caught in the snow with that vehicle.’

  Rose nodded. ‘I can see that. Thank you for still including me in your plans. I don’t want to put anyone out. I still have time to catch the train,’ she offered.

  ‘The trains are all cancelled, so I’m afraid it’s me and the lorry – or stay here in Ramsgate.’ He grinned.

  Rose couldn’t be upset for long. At least she’d have time to spend with him before they parted company. ‘I’ll be just a few minutes changing into some warmer clothes. Go to the kitchen and say hello to Mum. Katie’s with her, and there might be some tea left in the pot,’ she called, hurrying upstairs to find socks to pull on over her stockings. She dug into the wardrobe and pulled out a thick tweed skirt she hadn’t worn in a while. ‘Not exactly stylish, but it will keep my legs warm,’ she said to her reflection in the mirror before rifling through a chest of drawers for a cardigan that would fit over her jumper. She glanced at her reflection one more time to check her hair. ‘You’ll not win any beauty competitions, Rose Neville,’ she grimaced before hurrying downstairs.

  Mildred was in the kitchen and getting on like a house on fire with Ben, who was holding a large china mug that hadn’t been in use since her dad had been alive. ‘You can borrow my wellington boots. I have another pair; it will save your shoes getting wet and spoiling,’ she told Rose with a smile. ‘Your young man will understand why you aren’t your usual smart self,’ she added.

  Rose was mortified and felt her cheeks start to burn as she spotted Ben grinning. ‘Thank you, Mildred; it’s very kind of you. I’ll make sure to bring them back at the end of my training. I’m sorry I won’t be here to help with the wedding plans,’ she apologized to Katie, ‘and for not being able to help move Anya into Mr Cardew’s old room,’ she added as she hugged Flora. ‘If you put my things into the box room, I’ll sort them out when I get back.’ Life was moving on at a fast pace, and as she prepared to leave home it was suddenly becoming clear to her that nothing would ever be the same again.

  Ben stepped in and lifted Rose off her feet, leaving the wellington boots still buried in the snow. He carried her with ease to the rear of the lorry and carefully placed her down. Even with them both wearing numerous layers of clothing to fend off the cold, Rose swore she could feel his heart beating close to hers. With six soldiers watching, it still felt intimate. Her boots were passed to her, and after shaking out the powdery snow she was soon as snug as before.

  ‘Time for a hot drink and some food, I should think,’ Ben said, nodding t
o the men.

  ‘Mum packed sandwiches and cake, if you’d all like some?’ Rose offered, knowing that it wouldn’t go far with so many hungry men to feed.

  ‘Save them for later,’ Ben smiled as the soldiers set to with a spade. They dug out an area of snow until they had a flat part of the road where they set a paraffin stove. Soon they had a kettle on the boil, and a frying pan busy sizzling fat sausages and sliced onion.

  ‘Can I help?’ Rose asked, feeling she should be doing something.

  ‘You stay in there and keep yourself warm, Miss,’ one of the soldiers said while another passed her a blanket to wrap around her shoulders.

  ‘I must say, this is so much more fun than it would have been travelling by train,’ she smiled at Ben as he appeared with a map.

  ‘We can’t offer you the same service you give at Lyons, but I can assure you Corporal Jenkins is a very good cook,’ he said before going back to studying the map once more.

  ‘I ’ope I can keep up the standard of service once we are over in Fr . . .’ the soldier started to say before faltering.

  Rose knew he had spoken out of turn and would be in trouble if he had said where the regiment would be posted. ‘I’m sorry, Corporal, I didn’t catch a word you said. Everything seems muffled when I wear this headscarf. Did you ask for my help?’

  ‘No Miss, I wondered if you wanted onion in your sandwich?’ he replied, giving her a grateful smile.

  ‘That would be super, thank you,’ she grinned back. ‘I am impressed with how you cope in such conditions.’

  ‘We have to cope, Miss. Sometimes we can be feeding ’undreds,’ he said, before a cough from Ben had him put his head down and get on with the cooking.

  ‘We are a little over halfway through our journey,’ Ben said, looking up at the brooding sky. ‘There’s plenty more snow up there. We’d best eat and be on our way, or we’ll never get to London before nightfall.’