‘Can someone please tell me what in the name of God is going on?’ Ethel Turner called as she walked into the café.
‘Good morning, Mrs Turner,’ Lily said cheerfully. ‘Come for the meeting, have you?’
Ethel came and leant on the counter. ‘Reenie told me some mad story about kids comin’ over in a boat, then she told me to come here, and disappeared off God knows where. I don’t like it, Lily. Not one bit! Where’s your mother?’
‘Mum’s getting dressed, Cissy’s putting the kids to bed, and Marianne, as you can see, is in the kitchen. Go on upstairs.’ She pushed a cup of tea towards her.
The bell above the door rang, and a couple of sailors walked in. ‘Two cups of tea, couple of fried eggs, bacon and tomatoes, please.’
‘Tea’s no problem. Breakfast this morning is one egg and toast. That do?’
‘Whatever you’ve got. No Mrs C today?’ one of them asked.
‘Bit of business to sort out, gentlemen. But she’ll be back to brighten your day soon.’ She turned to call through the order to Marianne.
‘So it’s true. There really are kids! I don’t know what Wilf was thinking dragging my Reenie into something so dangerous,’ Ethel grumbled. ‘He’s gonna get the sharp end of my tongue when I see him, I can promise you that!’
‘Don’t blame him.’ Phyllis Perkins had come in unnoticed behind the sailors. ‘Reenie’s a grown woman, she’s could’ve said no.’
Ethel turned. ‘Sorry, love, I didn’t mean anything against your Wilf. Just . . . she seemed in a right state this morning: jumpy as a cat on hot bricks, then she raced off again. And all this after that lovely night last night. Did you hear that Jim popped the question, and they’re marryin’ today! So you can see why I think it’s odd for Wilf to come knockin’ for her in the middle of the night.’
‘I’m sure he had his reasons. My Wilf’s not the impulsive type.’
Ethel raised her eyebrows and Phyllis cleared her throat. ‘Except that one time, of course. And he learnt his lesson, I can promise you that! No offence, love,’ she added hastily.
Ethel sighed. ‘None taken. June weren’t the easiest of girls, God rest her soul.’ She picked up her cup and saucer. ‘But I’ve never had a moment’s worry with Reenie. Solid as a rock that girl is.’ She sighed. ‘Still, it is her weddin’ day, so I’m prepared to make allowances. Come on, let’s go see what this is all about.’
‘She’s got a point,’ Lily said to Marianne when she put the plates of food on the hatch. ‘It is strange Wilf went to her. And Reenie seemed distracted last night. Barely said a word once she’d explained about the kids.’
‘Wouldn’t you be after what had happened? As for Wilf . . .’ Marianne shrugged. ‘Who knows what goes through that man’s mind?’
Just then, Cissy came down the stairs. ‘Littlest kids are in bed. Phyllis and Ethel are settled on the sofa. But something’s up with your mum. I knocked to tell her they were here, but she snapped me head off. And she had a right go when I asked her about towels. Can you go and have a word, Lily? I’ll take over here.’
With a worried frown, Lily went upstairs and knocked on her mother’s bedroom door. When there was no reply, she turned the handle and walked in. Her mother was lying on the bed staring up at the ceiling.
‘Everything all right, Mum? Ethel and Phyllis are waiting for you in the living room.’ Her mother’s face was as white as the pillowcase, and it looked like she’d been crying.
Nellie sat up. ‘Can’t a woman have forty winks after a night in the basement?’ she muttered.
‘You’ve been crying.’ Lily sat down beside her on the bed.
‘Is it any wonder?’ Nellie pointed up at the ceiling. ‘Those poor little kiddies. What must it be like to be under threat of being shot just for your religion? They’re babies, for God’s sake!’ She wiped at her face. ‘So if you want to know what’s wrong, the answer is everything. The world’s an absolute madhouse. My son’s in hospital just cos he was playing football, his mates are dead. My best friend gunned down in front of me. The windows blown out . . . And sometimes, it gets to me, Lily.’
Lily put an arm around her shoulders. ‘I know, Mum,’ she said softly. ‘It gets to all of us. So if you need a morning off to sleep, I’m sure Cissy and Marianne can manage. And I’ll speak to Muriel Palmer and the others. I’ve still got a couple of hours before I need to be at the hospital. If only I’d known about the wedding, I’d have taken the day off.’
‘It’s all right, love,’ Nellie said, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. ‘I need to make sure those kids are treated right. Don’t want Muriel sendin’ them off to some God-awful dump. I mean, did you see them? Skinny as rakes and terrified of their own shadows. What they need are people to take care of ’em properly.’
Lily kissed her cheek. ‘I think you’re amazing, Mum. Everything you do for people, keeping this place running. I don’t know why Edie’s so cross with you, but I want you to know that I’m proud of you. And I don’t think I tell you that enough.’
Nellie stared at her youngest daughter, tears filling her eyes again. ‘You don’ t know how much that means to me,’ she whispered. ‘I’m proud of you too. But your sister has her reasons, so don’t judge her too harshly. I just have to hope that one day she’ll come round.’
‘Will you tell me what you two have argued about?’ Lily asked.
Nellie sighed. ‘Sometimes, even when you think what you’re doing is for the best, it’s easy to forget that all actions have consequences. And many of them are unseen. All I can tell you is that I regret every day the hurt I’ve caused your sister. I love her, Lily. I love you all.’
Lily pulled her mother into her arms and held her tight. ‘I love you too, Mum. And so does Edie, even if she doesn’t want to admit it. And if there’s anything I can do to help you two make it up, I’ll do it.’
Nellie pulled away and cupped her daughter’s cheek. ‘Bless you, love. You’re just like your dad; always wantin’ to help and fix things, but there’s nothing you can do.’
‘Maybe Dad—’
‘No!’ Nellie’s interrupted emphatically. ‘Not even Jasper can help this time. It’s up to Edie to come back in her own time.’
Lily nodded. ‘All right. But you better get out there before Muriel Palmer comes and tries to take over,’ she said, hoping to make her mother smile. ‘You can’t have your meeting in your dressing gown.’
‘You’re right.’ Nellie walked over to the wardrobe. ‘I think it’s time to bring this one out of retirement.’ She pulled out an orange dress with a green zigzag pattern. ‘Last time I wore this was to the council meeting just before the war. Got me noticed, I can tell you.’
Lily grimaced.
Nellie tutted. ‘You’ve got no taste.’
Lily giggled. ‘That’s more like it, Mum. No more tears, all right? And remember what I said – if you need me to talk to Edie, just say the word.’
After Lily had left, Nellie hunted around the floor for the ring. When she found it, she placed it in the centre of her palm and stared at it for a long time, remembering the day Donald had slipped it onto her finger. One of the happiest days of her life . . . But look at her now: haunted and penniless. She opened the window and flung the ring out as far as she could.