The early morning sunshine was already showing its strength as Alice stepped over the threshold into Foyles bookstore. Once inside the shop, her eyes took a moment to adjust to the dullness. She wondered why she insisted on working at all, instead of soaking up the glorious weather, but then remembered her conversation with Freddie. Beads of perspiration were gathering on her forehead. She felt hot and sticky as she walked purposefully to the staff room to clock on, hoping she’d have time to splash her face before heading towards her counter.
Once in position, she took a deep breath. She brushed her hands down the soft black tulip-styled skirt, before straightening the black lace edged collar of her silver-grey blouse. The black buttons down the front added the finishing touch.
‘Morning, Miss Taylor, it is showing all the signs of being a warm day, don't you think?’
Alice turned to see Molly, her face deadpan but her eyes struggling to hide the twinkle in them. ‘Good morning, Miss Cooper.’ Alice's formal tone played along. ‘The weather certainly looks promising; let's hope it stays that way for the weekend.’
Molly beamed from ear to ear. ‘Let's hope so, especially as we’ve an extra day off for the bank holiday. I expect you’ve plans already; what are you doing?’
‘I don't know.’ Alice paused for a moment. ‘There’ll probably be the usual discussions, it’s the same every year.’
Molly laughed. ‘So, what will win?’
‘Ah, let's see now.’ Alice lifted her finger and placed it on her lips, tapping it lightly. ‘The choices will be either the cricket match that's held every year at The Oval, or doing something much more exciting like going to Southend.’ The girls both giggled.
‘Sounds like it's Southend.’
‘Are we going to the seaside then?’ Tony chirped up behind them. ‘Hmm, someone smells lovely, let me guess.’ He paused to sniff the air, leaning into Molly before moving towards Alice and back again. ‘Is it jasmine or rose I can smell?’
‘It's probably rose.’ Molly tucked her arm through his. ‘This is an unexpected pleasure.’ She beamed up at him.
Alice lifted her chin and her eyebrows drew together. ‘You shouldn't be in here, Tony. Molly will get into trouble.’
‘I only wanted to see my favourite girl for a few minutes.’ His eyes flitted from Molly to Alice, giving her a suggestive wink.
The hair on the back of Alice's neck bristled while Molly's smile got broader, as she gazed adoringly up at him.
Alice glared at him. ‘Don't you have a job to go to?’
Molly frowned. ‘I don't want you to go, but Alice is right.’ She quickly looked around her. ‘And anyway, you'll be late for work.’
Alice couldn't stop her smile from forming. It was a good job Freddie wasn't here; it looked like a crime was about to be committed.
Molly moved from side to side as she tried to see down the aisles. ‘We are not open yet and if old Leadbetter catches you, we’ll all be in trouble.’
Tony smiled at Alice before moving his gaze to Molly. ‘We can't have that now, can we, sweet pea?’
Alice shook her head. She didn't consider herself a violent person but she had a strong urge to slap his face. Whatever his game was, she wanted no part of it. ‘Molly, best you get Tony out of here before we get caught.’ Alice walked around the counter in front of her and started preparing for the shop to open. After a few minutes, she looked up to see Molly guiding Tony to the back of the shop. She shook her head again; perhaps she should have a word with Molly, but it wasn't something she relished doing. Tony wasn't good enough for her friend, but Molly was clearly smitten.
‘Is everything all right?’
Alice hadn't heard Victoria approach and gave a weak smile. ‘I don't know.’ She sighed, glancing at Victoria, before watching Molly disappear between the bookshelves. ‘I worry about Molly's infatuation for Tony. I'm sure she could do much better than him; he's such a womaniser.’
Victoria followed her gaze. ‘You can't get involved in their relationship, even if it’s for the right reasons.’
‘I know, but it's hard to do nothing and he’ll hurt her in the end, it's just a case of when and with whom.’
‘You have to remember, not everyone’s as confident as you. Molly feels her parents owe everything to your family.’
‘That's nonsense, and by all accounts, her father helped save my great uncles, cousins and great grandfather from acute embarrassment. I don’t know the details, because it was a family secret that everyone actually kept. To be honest I think the older generation took it to the grave with them.’ Alice paused; her friend’s vacant expression told her she was rambling. ‘So, by all accounts, if anything, we owe Jack Cooper everything.’ Alice turned and smiled at Victoria. Her heart reached out for her friend as she took in her grey complexion and dull eyes. Her vibrancy had died along with her parents. Alice had been with Victoria when Freddie delivered the tragic news. Although neither of them had met him before that fateful day, he returned daily to check on them both. Alice had stayed with her until after the funeral, but four years on she was still lost in her grief. ‘Anyway, how are you today? I did enjoy our amble to Monico. We should do it again sometime.’
‘Yes, it was lovely to just have a wander. I don't know if I said so at the time, but thank you for the tea and cake. It wasn’t a place I’d normally go into.’ Victoria’s fingers rubbed the material at the side of her black skirt.
‘You did thank me, but it was entirely my pleasure.’
Victoria furtively looked around in case Mr Leadbetter was hovering nearby. ‘I don't know whether you know or not but yesterday, one of the customers told me there was going to be a peace march in Trafalgar Square on Sunday.’
Alice wrinkled her nose slightly and frowned. ‘A peace march?’
‘Yes, apparently they’re trying to persuade the government against getting involved over Germany and Austria declaring war on Russia. I think there’s more to it than that. Belgium is in the mix somewhere. I don't really understand it all.’
Alice frowned. ‘I didn't know.’ She clasped her hands together on the counter.
Victoria’s fingers wrung the side of her black skirt. ‘I'm only mentioning it because of Lily. I know she likes to get involved with these things.’ Her fingers twisted and turned, until they found a small hole by the seam.
Alice tried to laugh, but it fell short. ‘Yes, she’s become quite a little activist, much to my father's annoyance. Perhaps I'll try and get her to come to Southend with us.’
Victoria nodded and relinquished her hold on her skirt.
Alice arched her eyebrows. ‘Thanks for telling me about it.’ She took a deep breath, wondering if she would get a chance to talk to Lily before the march.
‘Is that what you’ve decided to do then?’ Victoria forced a smile. ‘I mean go to Southend.’
‘Probably. Will you come with us? It’s been a long time since we spent the whole day together, outside of work that is.’
Victoria's eyes darted around Alice, before she looked straight at her. ‘I don't think so. My money won't stretch that far, and then there's Stephen and Daisy to think about.’
Alice nodded. ‘I know you have the responsibility of looking after them, but Daisy must be eighteen now. What age do they have to be before you can start going out and having fun again, Victoria? You used to be the life and soul whenever we went out.’
Something flitted across Victoria's face but Alice wasn't sure what it was. ‘If it weren't for my brother and sister, I wouldn't have anything to live for. I don't earn enough to feed us all properly and pay the rent. The day my parents died, I also lost the man I loved, because it was all too much for him. So forgive me if I don't have the urge to be full of fun and laughter.’ Tears tripped over Victoria's long black eyelashes and trickled down her cheeks.
Alice fought the urge to scoop her into her arms. ‘I'm sorry, Victoria, it was quite insensitive of me. I just want to help you, but I don't know how.’
Victoria sniffed and ran her hands over her face. ‘Appreciate what you have, Alice; it can all be taken away in the blink of an eye.’
*
The train trundled towards Southend, the tall grey city buildings gradually diminishing, to be replaced by nature’s greenery. Freddie sat close to Alice. The train swayed them back and forth as it chugged along the tracks. She watched her impeccably turned out man brush his hand down his trouser leg, adjust his position to tug at the ironed-in pleat and straighten his jacket. His leg brushed against hers, hidden under her long pale blue skirt. Freddie reached for her hand; she gazed up at him and their eyes locked. She longed for him to hold her, to rest her head on his chest. Her stomach immediately somersaulted. Alice wondered if he felt the same way. As if he could read her thoughts, he lifted her hand and lightly brushed his lips on the top of it. She shivered at the butterfly touch. Blood raced through her veins. His dark hair was begging to have her hands run through it.
‘I'm so excited,’ Molly burst out loudly.
Alice's attention was immediately pulled from him; the moment had been ripped away from them. She frowned. Would he ask for her hand in marriage today? Had he asked her father’s permission to do so? Why had no one mentioned it to her? Maybe that wasn’t what they’d been talking about. He was a policeman after all, so they could have been talking about anything.
Freddie looked up; the love and want was clear. He sat up straight and gave a slight nod. A smile crept across her face.
‘What are you excited about?’ Alice laughed.
Molly's eyes sparkled with happiness. ‘Look out of the window.’
Alice did as she was bid. The clear sky bounced off the blue of the sea; it looked inviting. ‘It does look beautiful,’ she murmured to herself.
‘We have to go paddling.’ Molly tapped Tony's arm next to her. ‘Tony, can we go paddling, can we?’
Tony opened his eyes and stared blankly at Molly, before following her gaze out of the window. He adjusted his sitting position and leant forward. ‘It certainly does look inviting.’
Molly turned her adoring eyes to him. ‘Can we please?’
Tony leant back in his seat and smiled at her. ‘You can do whatever you want, love.’ He looked over at Alice. ‘Are you going to take a dip?’
Alice felt her colour rise. ‘It does look like you could throw yourself into it, so I may paddle with Molly.’
Freddie laughed. ‘I may join the pair of you.’
It wasn't long before the train began to slow down, gradually coming to a standstill at Southend Victoria station. They gathered their things together and proceeded to alight from the train. The heat of the day took Alice's breath away and seared her skin, but the sea breeze immediately gave a cooling effect.
Tony grabbed Molly's hand. ‘Come on, let's go to the pier; someone told me you can get a train that runs the full length of it.’
Molly raised her eyebrows as excitement took hold. ‘I wonder if there is a Punch and Judy show on there. I love watching them.’ Her laughter bubbled over. ‘How does it go? “That's the way to do it.”’
The four of them giggled at Molly's impression of the puppets.
Alice caught her breath. ‘You can't come to the seaside and not have an ice cream, so that's what I’d like to do before we go home.’
They walked along, each with a spring in their step, until the pier came into view. Alice and Freddie joined others leaning against the wrought iron railings, soaking in the view.
Molly pushed herself back off the railings. ‘We are going to move on. Shall we catch up with you later?’
‘If we miss each other, I think there is a train around four o'clock.’ Alice sighed; she could look at this view all day.
Molly nodded and pulled Tony away.
Alice returned her attention to the intimidating brick-built archway that led onto the pier and to the pavilion. She watched the small sailing boats bobbing up and down on the waves. Children screamed with delight as the sea lapped around their feet. Dads were helping to build sandcastles, while the mums unpacked the picnics. Alice smiled. ‘Isn't it beautiful? I could stay here forever.’
Freddie straightened his back. ‘It is certainly idyllic. You could forget there were any problems in the world, standing here.’
‘Not today, Freddie. Let's just enjoy what we have.’
He put his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. He forced a smile. ‘Let's go find an ice cream, shall we?’
*
Alice laughed as she placed her dessertspoon in the dish in front of her. ‘So Grandpa, which cricket match won today, was it Canterbury or the Oval?’
‘I followed tradition and watched Surrey take on Nottinghamshire at the Oval.’ Edward gave Jane a sideways glance before continuing. ‘I thought, as it's Canterbury Cricket Week, I might be able to sneak down there in a few days, but don't tell Jane.’ He smiled before winking at Alice.
Jane laughed. ‘I can hear you, you know.’
Edward laughed. ‘I always used to go to the cricket with your great grandfather; I could tell you some stories. He thought he was a regular ladies’ man.’
‘Grandpa, you’re always telling us funny stories about your father. I’m sure they can't all be true.’ Alice picked up her glass of dessert wine and sipped it, shuddering as the sweetness wrapped itself around her mouth. She glanced around the rectangular mahogany table, hoping no one had noticed.
The dark wood of the table was barely visible underneath the crockery and glassware. It was a contrast to the dove-grey on the walls, which had white mouldings at the top, hiding where they met the ceiling. Artwork and photographs were hung around the room to break up the colour. The fireplace was surrounded by blue brickwork-style enamel tiles, which were protected by a wooden mantel. A black marble hearth twinkled in the candlelight, casting shadows around the room. The heavy winter curtains at the large sash windows had recently been replaced with lighter, red floral ones.
‘Poppy was a fine man, wasn't he, Sarah?’ Edward smiled at his daughter sitting next to him at the end of the dining room table. ‘Although he wouldn't understand why you’ve never employed more people to help with the cooking and cleaning.’
‘No, and I don't think you do either, although I do have help come in every day and Mrs Headley is a wonder.’ Sarah laughed. ‘When I think about it, he put up with quite a lot from me.’ Her smile faded and her eyes looked sad for a moment. ‘When mama died and you went away, he worried about me so much. Poppy was concerned about cousin Emily too; that dreadful, although extremely handsome, man she was about to marry, but thankfully didn't.’
Alice leant forward and clasped her hand over her mother's. ‘It must’ve been awful for you.’
‘It was a terrible time, but Emily was very good to me; she and my mother were very good friends.’ Sarah's face lit up as she looked across at Jane. ‘As much as I hated losing my wonderful mother when I was so young, I’ve been fortunate to have Jane step into the breach.’
Luke raised his eyebrows and sighed at the other end of the table.
Jane laughed. ‘I think at the time, we all needed each other. I'd say we’ve all been very lucky.’
Luke picked up his wine glass and gulped down the contents. ‘So, Edward, all this sentimentality is fine, but forgive me, I have heard these stories a hundred times before.’ He peered into his empty glass. ‘I feel a more important discussion right now is whether you think we will be at war tomorrow? Now that's a burning question we all want to know the answer to.’
The room fell silent. Alice's stomach churned. Her eyes darted to Lily, who was biting her bottom lip and fiddling with the pendant around her neck. Charles opened his mouth to speak but flinched when Alice kicked him under the table.
Edward's eyes widened as he lifted his chin. ‘It might be a burning question, Luke, but I don't think it is appropriate to ask it now, especially not in front of the children.’
Alice frantically searched her mind for a safe subject to discuss, as she noticed her father swilling back the wine.
‘They are not children anymore. They are fully grown; even young Charles is sixteen…’
‘Seventeen,’ Charles whispered.
Luke glared across at Charles. ‘That's what I said, seventeen. If there is going to be a war, then they are very much a part of it.’
‘Charles is too young,’ Sarah cut in, blinking rapidly, trying to stop her eyes from welling up. ‘Isn't it enough we have one son that couldn't wait?’
Edward clasped her hand in his.
Luke picked up the carafe. ‘I've heard it said there were crowds outside Parliament, trying to find out what was going on, and the Foreign Secretary, Edward Grey, sent the Germans an ultimatum. Nearly everyone seems to be in favour of going to war, well everyone except this household that is.’ Luke poured himself another glass of red wine.
‘That’s not true, Father.’ Lily took a deep breath. Her eyes held his. ‘There’s been a peace rally in Trafalgar Square. Those people don’t want war. They don’t want senseless killing, because some politician or other has decided their sons, brothers, and fathers should fight.’
There was a sharp intake of breath from around the table, but Lily didn’t flinch.
Luke drained his wine glass before placing it back on the table. ‘I suppose you were participating, ready to bring more problems to our door?’
Lily lifted her chin. ‘Actually, I didn’t.’
Luke stared at her for a few moments before he took in the rest of the occupants around the table. ‘Robert did the right thing. You should be proud that we have a patriotic son who wants to fight for his king and country.’
Edward's nostrils flared as he tightened his grip on his daughter.
Sarah pulled her clammy hand away from her father's and rested it on her lap. ‘He’s my baby, so I struggle to be proud.’ She looked down; under the table, her fingers were busy twisting a napkin.
Luke shook his head. ‘Well, he’s not your baby, he is twenty-eight years old. I had moved away from home, across country, and was working for your father before I was his age.’
‘Yes, I know, but that is not the same as going off to war.’
The room fell silent.
‘Maybe it’s time we left.’ Jane picked up her napkin and started to fold it neatly into a square, before placing it on to the table.
‘Nonsense, Jane, you haven't had coffee yet.’ Sarah forced a smile to her lips, but she glared at her husband. ‘I'm sure everything will be all right. I’ll just go and make the coffee, then we can move away from such talk.’ Sarah stood up. Alice and Lily followed her lead and started to clear the dessert dishes from the table.
‘It was a delicious meal.’ Jane smiled at Sarah.
‘Indeed it was; the beef was most succulent and that suet pudding and custard means I can't possibly move for at least six months.’ Edward laughed, keeping his focus on his daughter.
Sarah forced a smile. ‘Thank you both. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Now for coffee.’
Alice frowned and her lips thinned as her father poured another glass of wine. She frantically searched her mind for a safe subject to talk about. ‘Oh, I forgot to tell you, Freddie took me to see Pygmalion at His Majesty's Theatre.’ Alice smiled as she remembered Freddie holding her hand under the darkness of the show. ‘It's about Professor Higgins trying to educate a flower girl, to pass her off as a duchess. It was wonderful, Grandpa; you should take Grandma to see it.’
‘I’ve read the reviews on it and they’re all very good, but I think it’s ending its run soon.’ Jane frowned. ‘Perhaps we should try and get tickets for it.’
Edward smiled at his wife. He never had the intense love for Jane in the way he had for his first wife, Alexandra, but she knew that when they married. They were happy together and had produced two more wonderful children, Aimee and James, who in turn had given them grandchildren. ‘I’ll try to buy some tomorrow.’
‘Grandpa, I haven't told you about our day in Southend.’ Alice beckoned Lily to join in. ‘You should’ve seen the children queuing up to jump off the pier.’
‘It was a warm day, so I expect they all wanted to cool off.’ Jane smiled.
Lily raised her eyebrows in disbelief. ‘And believe it or not, Alice told me they were charging the boys a tanner each for the privilege.’
‘Sixpence, shocking, there’s always someone ready to take advantage of the situation.’ Jane shook her head. ‘It’s all about making money.’
Lily nodded. ‘I’ve heard said it’s a sign of the times.’
‘Did you go as well, Lily?’ Jane looked down the table. She admired Lily, but hoped her modern outspoken views wouldn’t mean she would end up a lonely spinster.
Lily’s laughter filled the room. ‘What, and act as a chaperone for the love birds? No thanks.’
‘You could have come, we weren’t on our own, Molly and Tony were with us.’ Alice forced a smile, aware her father was sitting at the table and, thanks to Lily, it was no longer a safe subject.
‘Is she still with that womaniser?’ Lily frowned, unable to hide her disgust.
Alice glared at her sister, before shrugging her shoulders. ‘They seem happy enough.’
Lily nodded. ‘Well, that’s all that matters.’
‘It’s a lovely pier though; we had great fun.’ Alice smiled at her grandparents. ‘We got on the train that took us the full length of it; it's very long. I read somewhere, it's over a mile.’
Edward's silver spoon clanged against the blue and gold-rimmed porcelain dish as he placed it inside. He leant back in his chair and took a deep breath, before placing both hands on his stomach. ‘I don't think I should’ve had seconds.’ He pulled himself upright. ‘Southend is popular and I understand the pier gets a lot of use.’
‘It was certainly busy. I wish I could’ve persuaded Victoria to come along with us.’
‘How is she? I do feel for her, carrying such a heavy load on her own.’ Jane frowned. ‘It's a shame we can't help in some way.’
‘She struggles to make ends meet, not earning enough to pay the rent and buy food. I don't think she wants to move to a smaller place because it’s full of childhood memories, although she may have to.’ Alice sighed as sadness engulfed her. ‘She won't accept any help from me; she's too proud.’
Jane nodded. Glancing at Edward, she remembered how difficult it had been to tell him her family had money problems. ‘Is that why she didn't go to Southend with you?’
Alice lowered her eyes for a moment. ‘That, and going on a train would’ve probably reminded her of the crash that killed her parents.’ She sighed. ‘The problem is, I didn't think of that when I asked her to come with us and she did get upset. I felt dreadful.’
Jane reached across the table and rested her hand on Alice's. ‘It's not your fault. That derailment at Stoats Nest was a tragic accident.’
Alice shook her head. ‘I couldn't disagree more. I’m meant to be her friend, so I should think of these things. The trouble is, I don't know what to do to help.’