Peggy had just pushed the pram into the scullery and turned on the copper boiler to heat the water when she heard voices upstairs. Frowning, she gathered up Daisy and climbed the concrete steps to discover Bertram Grantley-Adams sitting in her kitchen, sipping tea and chatting away to Cordelia as if he owned the place. Cordelia was looking rather flushed, and Peggy immediately wondered if it was from pleasure, fury or embarrassment.
‘Hello, Bertram,’ she said coolly as she divested Daisy of her outdoor clothes and let her totter about the floor. ‘To what do we owe this dubious pleasure?’
Bertram leaped to his feet. ‘I have come to apologise most sincerely,’ he said. ‘My behaviour was unforgivable towards dear Cordelia, and I hope that you will receive this small token as a sign of my heartfelt remorse.’
Peggy eyed the beautiful bouquet of early roses which mirrored the bunch already in a vase on the table. It seemed he was determined to ingratiate himself into the house again – but it would take more than a bunch of flowers to do that.
‘Very nice, I’m sure,’ she said stiffly, laying them carefully on the draining board. ‘But you’ve left it rather late to come round with apologies and flowers, haven’t you?’
‘Yes, I know.’ He hung his head. ‘But I was taken ill later that night when I so shamefully mistreated Cordelia, and have only just been released from hospital.’
‘I’m sorry to hear you were so incapacitated that you couldn’t even write a note, or make a telephone call to Cordelia to apologise,’ Peggy said briskly.
Bertram slumped into the chair, his face suddenly rather pale. ‘I’m afraid I was rather,’ he replied solemnly. ‘They put me into the isolation ward because I had a return of the malaria I contracted during my time in Africa. Ghastly thing does rear its ugly head now and again, and quite knocks me senseless.’
‘Oh, I see,’ said a chastened Peggy, who only now noticed he’d lost weight and looked very drawn and pale.
‘He’s apologised so beautifully,’ chirped Cordelia. ‘The poor man has really suffered quite an appalling attack, so don’t be cross with him, Peggy.’
Peggy realised she couldn’t really carry on defending Cordelia’s honour when she clearly didn’t want her to. ‘As long as there is no recurrence of your behaviour that night, then I’m prepared to welcome you back to Beach View,’ she said stiffly. ‘But if you ever put that silly society above Cordelia’s comfort again, you’ll have me to deal with.’
He looked contrite. ‘You have my assurance that it will not happen again, dear lady.’
‘I’m glad to hear it,’ she replied, still not quite forgiving him. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have Daisy to attend to and a pile of washing to get through.’
April left the surgery comforted by the fact that although he possessed poor taste in women, if Eunice was anything to go by, Doctor Sayer proved to be understanding and not judgemental. He’d asked questions about the baby’s father and hadn’t even raised an eyebrow at her answers, then had examined her, prescribed iron tablets to combat her anaemia, and filled in all the forms so she would receive the extra milk and rations to supplement her diet.
He’d also made arrangements for her to see the midwife, and took time to discuss the options open to her once the baby was born. April was enormously relieved that these important things had finally been dealt with in a kindly manner, for her experience at the clinic in Portsmouth had not encouraged her to talk about anything in the light of the doctor’s brusque disapproval. After he’d listened and advised, they came to an agreement that an appointment should be made to meet a Miss Franklyn from the Church of England Adoption Society early the following week.
April walked slowly down to the seafront, going over the day’s events. Was she doing the right thing by having her baby adopted? After all, she reasoned silently, Shirley seemed to be managing, and if factories were offering nursery facilities to working mothers, then surely she too could cope?
But did she want to be saddled with a baby that would command all her attention and radically change her life – to be reminded every day of Daniel and the way he’d betrayed her? Was she brave enough to snub her nose at a world that would shun her, and give up any hope of marriage? Certainly, no decent man would want to take her on with a brown baby in tow.
Her head ached with it all and her previous high spirits had ebbed by the time she sat down on a promenade bench to watch the sea and the swooping, raucous gulls. If only Paula was still alive she could talk it over with her and try to make sense of it all – but there was no Paula, and although she suspected Peggy might be the perfect person to confide in, there was no guarantee that she’d forgive her deceit and continue to support her once she knew the truth. The colour bar that existed so clearly in America was also becoming apparent to her here, for although the black GIs were welcomed as part of the Allied forces, and given freedom they’d never experienced before, it was quite another thing for a girl to sleep with one and then present the proof to a world that simply wasn’t ready for it.
April took a deep breath of the fresh air and lifted her face to the weak sun. She had to accept she was on her own, and there was little point in driving herself mad by going over everything in endless circles, for it solved nothing. She must learn to deal with this calmly and sensibly, take each day as it came, look after her health and be guided by the doctor and the woman from the adoption society who had experience in such things.
She sat with her eyes closed, the sun warm on her face, the sounds of the gulls and the waves slowly bringing her an inner calm which strengthened her resolve to face the future and make the best of what lay ahead.
Feeling a little better about things, she opened her eyes and really took in her surroundings. She marvelled that although there were barbed-wire and gun emplacements strung along the promenade and the lovely pier was no more than a ruined skeleton, Cliffehaven seafront hadn’t really changed. The white cliffs still towered over the beach to the east, the tumbling grassy hills to the west still huddled over that end of the promenade, and the sea still rattled over the shingle as it dragged it back and forth.
It was almost as if she could hear the fairground music that had once come from the carousel at the end of the pier, and the laughter and chatter of people enjoying their seaside holiday as the aroma of toffee apples and candyfloss vied with the delicious smell of vinegary fish and chips wrapped in newspaper.
The thought made her hungry, and noting that it was almost two o’clock, she made her way to the Lilac Tearooms which was opposite the hospital, and enjoyed a round of cheese on toast accompanied by home-made pickles, and a small pot of tea. Feeling refreshed and more optimistic, she tidied herself up in the small powder room and set off for the telephone exchange.
The enormous town hall overshadowed the square red-brick building behind it, and as April approached it from the narrow alleyway she shivered in the sudden drop in temperature. There was nothing to alleviate the ugliness of this utilitarian building, for the doors and window frames had been painted a sickly corporation green, a huge telegraph pole strung with numerous wires towered above it, and not a blade of grass or bright wild flower softened the austere concrete courtyard at the front.
She hitched the strap of her gas-mask box over her shoulder, adjusted her sling and then rapped on the door. Her heart was thudding in the most ridiculous manner as she waited, but it was important she got this job, and she just hoped to goodness that Miss Gardener proved to be as pleasant as Peggy seemed to think she was.
‘It’s no good you standing out here,’ said the plump woman who was panting her way towards her. ‘Miss Gardener won’t leave the switchboard until I take over.’
‘Oh. I didn’t realise,’ stammered April.
Curious watery blue eyes trawled April from head to toe as lips were pursed and a bulging handbag was tucked more firmly between sturdy arm and thrusting bosom.
‘I suppose you’re here about the job,’ she said. At April’s nod, she gave a sniff. ‘Then you’re wasting your time,’ she said bluntly. ‘You can’t possibly manage the exchange like that.’ Her gaze fell on the plaster cast. ‘Besides, my niece is coming later, and she has experience.’
This was something of a shock as the woman from the labour exchange had said nothing about a second candidate. ‘Well, I’m here now, so I’d like to give it a go all the same,’ April said firmly.
‘Not from around here, are you?’ The woman’s expression was hostile. ‘These sorts of jobs are best for locals to do, and my niece has lived here all her life.’
‘Your niece is not getting the job, Bertha, so you can stop bullying that girl and get in here to start your shift. You’re three minutes late as it is.’
They turned to see a tall, thin woman standing in the doorway. Everything about her was grey, from her rigidly permed hair, to her low-waisted loose dress, thick lisle stockings and sensible shoes. A pair of wire-framed glasses hung from a silver chain around her neck and her long, pale face was devoid of make-up.
‘But I was held up because she was here,’ Bertha blustered.
The steely gaze remained fixed upon her until she’d edged over the doorstep and disappeared into the gloomy interior. It was then turned on April.
‘Are you the girl they sent from the labour exchange?’
‘Yes, Miss Gardener.’
The gaze slipped momentarily to the sling before fixing back on April’s face. ‘You’d better come in then, although I doubt you’ll be suitable with that arm,’ she said, turning on her heel.
April’s old headmistress had been a dragon, but Miss Gardener was frightening enough to turn water to stone. April felt as if she’d regressed to five years old as she followed her into the building and closed the door behind her, wondering how on earth Peggy could ever have imagined that they would get on with one another. Miss Gardener had to be seventy if she was a day, and she clearly regarded everyone as children to be bossed about and kept in order.
‘In here.’ The command was imperious as the woman strode into a room off the narrow hall.
April suddenly saw the funny side of things and had to fight back a fit of giggles. She and Paula had spent many an hour waiting in the hall to be reprimanded by Miss Gosforth, their headmistress. As frightened as they’d been, they hadn’t managed to keep from giggling, and the longer they’d had to wait outside that door, the worse it got – and this interlude with Miss Gardener had brought it all back.
She stepped into the room to find it was actually quite cosy, and served as a sitting room as well as a basic kitchen. There was a small cooking range, two sagging couches, a table, two chairs and a stone sink with a wooden draining board and highly polished brass taps. On the rug in front of the range fire lay a vastly overweight bulldog which grunted and snorted and dribbled in its sleep.
‘That’s Winston,’ said Mrs Gardener. ‘He’s getting on a bit now, so sleeps most of the time. He doesn’t appreciate strangers patting him.’
April couldn’t think why anyone would want to touch the dog, for it was the most unattractive animal she’d ever seen.
Miss Gardener sat down on one of the hard kitchen chairs and indicated that April should do the same. ‘Tell me about yourself,’ she said.
It was very warm in the room and there was a foul, lingering odour that April couldn’t identify, but suspected it came from Winston. She loosened her coat and left it draped over her shoulders as she gave an edited resumé of her home life and education, and her short time with the WRNS.
‘A fine institution,’ the woman said with a solemn nod. ‘It was a shame you had to leave due to a family crisis. Will you be returning to the service once your arm is healed?’
‘My family commitments make that impossible,’ she said smoothly. ‘Which is why I’m looking for something in the civilian sector.’
‘And what makes you think that managing a telephone exchange will suit you?’
April sat forward on the chair, eager to emphasise her keenness to have the job. ‘I have had a little experience of working in the small telephone exchange at secretarial college. I realise that the post is only available for a few weeks,’ she said earnestly, ‘but I’m quick to pick things up and am willing to work hard.’
The steely gaze appraised her. ‘You’d need to be quite dextrous with only one good hand, and I do have another candidate coming tomorrow.’
‘That other lady’s niece?’
‘Not on my watch,’ Miss Gardener replied with a delicate shudder. ‘That girl is far too flighty at the best of times, and is positively unreliable as her short interlude here last year proved.’
‘I’d like to be given a chance to at least try and see if it’s possible to work here,’ April pressed.
Miss Gardener was about to reply when a soft hiss came from the other side of the room accompanied by a grunt. Both were swiftly followed by the most appalling stench.
‘Don’t mind that,’ Miss Gardener said airily. ‘It’s only Winston relaxing, and if you prove capable of the task of running the exchange, you’ll soon get used to it.’ She crossed the room to pat the dog and feed it a bit of chocolate.
Winston farted again as he shifted to gobble a second sweet.
The smell was making April feel quite sick, and she doubted she’d ever get used to it. She tried holding her breath, but that only made it worse, and she didn’t have a handkerchief to put over her nose. She tried to breathe through her mouth, but the taste was even worse than the smell and she felt her stomach churn.
Miss Gardener made cooing noises to the revolting animal and rubbed his fat belly until he’d settled back to sleep. Satisfied that Winston was comfortable, she turned back to April. ‘Come on then. I’ll show you the exchange and you can watch Bertha for a while to get some idea of what the job entails. But let me warn you, Miss Wilton, I do not stand for gossiping on the line, over-familiarity with our customers, or any form of eavesdropping. There’s a war on, and in an emergency, the lines must be kept free.’
April was only too pleased to leave the room and she hurried after Miss Gardener into the hall. Unfortunately the smell seemed to have been absorbed in her clothes and skin and she could have sworn it followed her down the corridor and into the main room.
The exchange was larger than the one at the college and took up most of one wall, but it didn’t appear too daunting, for the set-up looked the same. The large main board consisted of neatly aligned, numbered slots into which Bertha was plugging coloured leads from a panel fixed to a desk in front of her. This panel also contained brass switches and dials, and when someone called the exchange a light went on over one of the numbered slots and was accompanied by a low buzz. Bertha wore a pair of headphones which were attached to a mouthpiece that sat neatly on the swell of her large bosom, the wires from it dangling to what April knew would be a series of plugs beneath the panel.
Miss Gardener ignored Bertha’s glower. ‘Our service is available twenty-four hours,’ she said proudly. ‘There are very few private telephones in Cliffehaven, but of course our businesses and administration offices see it as a lifeline to the outside world, and in these troubled times it is also a vital means of communication for the Allied services.’
She indicated that April should take the spare chair over to Bertha, who clearly resented this intrusion but didn’t quite have the nerve to say so.
April sat down just as a call came through.
Bertha put on a plummy telephone voice that was nothing like her natural local burr and put the caller through to the number they’d requested.
‘I’ll leave you to it for an hour and then I shall supervise you when you take over,’ said Miss Gardener. ‘Winston needs some fresh air and to stretch his legs.’
‘He isn’t the only one,’ grumbled Bertha when Miss Gardener left and the coast was clear. ‘That dog stinks the place out.’
April giggled, relieved that Bertha seemed to be thawing towards her. ‘Do you think she even notices?’
‘It would be hard not to,’ she said flatly, and then concentrated on a flurry of calls coming in.
When the rush was over she turned in her swivel chair and regarded April with open dislike. ‘I’ve been working here for eight years and I’ve seen girls like you before,’ she said sourly. ‘Miss Gardener might like the fact you went to a posh school and talk la-di-da, but I know your type. You won’t last a week.’
April met her disapproving glare and refused to be cowed. ‘Well, we’ll just have to see about that, won’t we?’ she said coolly. ‘And by the way, you’ve got a caller waiting on line four, and number fifteen has hung up.’
The woman reddened, and in her rush to amend her negligence, managed to cut off the caller and had to ring him back.
April sat back and watched her fumbling, calm in the knowledge that given a chance to find her way round the switchboard, she’d be quite capable of doing this job – even with one hand.
The Anchor’s doors were shut for the afternoon and it was warm and cosy in Rosie’s upstairs rooms. Harvey and his pup, Monty, were sprawled in a shaft of sunlight streaming through the window, and Ron and Rosie were having a cuddle on the couch following their late lunch.
‘You’re being very grumpy, Ron,’ Rosie complained. She pushed away from him and began to stack their dirty dishes on the low table in front of the couch. ‘Whatever’s the matter with you today?’
‘Ach, Rosie, me darlin’, I’m feeling me age, so I am,’ he grumbled.
Her blue eyes widened in surprise. ‘You? Never,’ she said, brushing his bristled cheek with her lips. ‘Come on,’ she coaxed softly in his ear, ‘tell me what’s really wrong.’
He slid his arm round her trim waist and pulled her back to his side. ‘There are things I can’t tell you, Rosie – you just have to trust me on that. But what with one thing and another, I feel a bit beleaguered at the moment.’
‘Why? What’s happened?’
He squeezed her closer and kissed her passionately. ‘Women,’ he said when he finally came up for air.
Rosie was immediately on alert and pushed away from him. ‘Women? What women?’
‘Ach, to be sure, not that sort of woman,’ he blustered. ‘I’m talking about the ones at Beach View. Cordelia’s decided to forgive Bertie Double-Barrelled, which will only lead to complications. He’s out with her now in his car, no doubt charming her into believing he’s God’s gift and filling her head with nonsense.’
Rosie regarded him squarely. ‘Ron, it’s you who’s talking nonsense. Why shouldn’t Cordelia make up with Bertie? He might be a little fulsome in his flattery, but he seems harmless enough, and at least he gives her the chance to get out and about.’
‘Aye, he does that, but there are things about that man . . .’ He fell silent and fiddled with his pipe. ‘He’s not suitable for Cordelia, that’s all I’m saying,’ he finished rather lamely.
‘Why ever not?’
Ron took his time to fill his pipe. ‘I’m just concerned about Cordelia,’ he said. ‘She’s flattered by his attentions, and he’s already proved to be unreliable. Look what happened when he left her high and dry at the Conservative Club that time.’
‘You’re a real old softy, aren’t you?’ she teased.
‘Hmph. I just like to look after my own, that’s all, and despite her age, Cordelia can be very naïve at times.’
‘Well, I think it’s marvellous that she’s found someone to escort her to dinners and bridge parties. She must get awfully bored sitting around at Beach View.’ She lightly kissed his lips and patted his cheek. ‘Don’t worry so much, Ron. With you watching over her, she won’t come to any harm.’
He sat there in silence, puffing on his pipe, his thoughts unreadable.
‘You said women,’ Rosie reminded him. ‘Who else has upset you?’
He gave a deep sigh and tamped down the smouldering tobacco with a calloused finger. ‘It’s the new girl, April,’ he confessed.
‘I’ve yet to meet her, of course, but Peggy said she sounded like a nice girl when they spoke on the telephone.’ She smiled at him. ‘Good heavens, Ron, she’s only just arrived, how on earth could she possibly have upset you?’
‘It turns out she’s in the family way,’ he muttered. ‘Something Peggy decided to keep to herself until the girl was already in the house.’
Rosie nodded. ‘Peggy did actually tell me after the girl had telephoned – in strict confidence, of course. I really don’t see why you should be so concerned, Ron.’
‘She’s not married, Rosie, that’s what concerns me.’ He glowered at the sleeping dogs. ‘It’s not right, Rosie. Not right at all, and I don’t want the other girls getting ideas.’
Rosie chuckled. ‘I hardly think they’ll all rush out and get pregnant just to keep April company. They’re all far too sensible. Besides, Peggy said she was engaged to be married. It’s hardly April’s fault the army sent her chap off somewhere before they could have the wedding ceremony.’
‘I’m not convinced about any of it,’ he muttered. ‘Why wouldn’t her mother keep her at home, and where is this chap’s family? Surely they wouldn’t just abandon her like this without a valid reason?’
‘It’s really none of our business, Ron,’ she said firmly. ‘We don’t know the girl’s background, or anything about her chap’s circumstances, and I have to confess that I’m a bit shocked by your attitude. I never suspected you were a prude and hidebound by old-fashioned ideas.’
‘You make me sound like a churchgoing maiden aunt,’ he complained.
‘Well, you’re acting like one,’ she countered. ‘Whatever her story, the poor girl clearly needs support. She’s amongst strangers, Ron, and is looking to you and Peggy and the rest of the girls to help her through what can only be a very trying and distressing time.’
‘So you think I should just accept her story and carry on as if none of it bothers me?’ He shook his head. ‘I don’t know if I can do that, Rosie, not while I suspect she’s not telling us the whole truth.’
Rosie folded her arms and regarded him squarely. ‘Well, you’re hardly in a position to do anything else, are you?’ she said flatly. ‘As for the truth – you’ve been a stranger to that for all the years I’ve known you. It’s a bit late to set yourself up as a paragon of virtue, when I’ve lost count of the times you’ve tried to get me into bed without the presence of your wedding ring on my finger.’
He reddened and refused to look at her. ‘Aye, well, that’s different,’ he mumbled.
‘No, it isn’t. It’s human nature, Ron, and you can’t blame the young ones for breaking all those old rules when the future is so uncertain. And in my experience, it’s the innocent ones that get caught – not the flighty ones – so think on, Ron, and give the girl the benefit of the doubt.’
He looked at her rather shamefacedly. ‘I’m an old fool, aren’t I?’
‘Yes, but you’re my old fool, and I love you despite everything.’ She wound her arms round his neck and kissed him hard before letting him go again and becoming businesslike. ‘Let’s have another cup of tea, and then we can talk about more important things – like the outfit I’m planning to wear to Stan and Ethel’s wedding.’
Bertha had jealously guarded her switchboard during the hour they were alone, but April had taken careful note of all she did, and was feeling fairly confident by the time Miss Gardener returned from her dog-walking.
‘You may go and make us some tea while I sit with April,’ Miss Gardener said imperiously. ‘Use the leaves I’ve left to dry in the saucer, there’s still plenty of flavour in them.’
Bertha pushed back from the exchange and removed the headphones with a distinct lack of grace.
Miss Gardener waited until she’d clumped out of the room and then closed the door behind her. ‘It’s regretful that Bertha has yet to learn some manners,’ she said coolly, ‘but she is an excellent telephonist and you’d do well to learn from her.’
April took Bertha’s place, settled the rather unpleasantly warm headphones over her ears and adjusted the mouthpiece to suit her smaller bosom. She was suddenly very nervous, for although the board was familiar, she was all too aware of Miss Gardener watching her like a hawk.
The click of a light above number eighteen told her a call was coming in and she hesitated momentarily before connecting and asking the caller which number they wanted. Four calls later, she felt a little more relaxed, and by the time Bertha had returned with a tray of teacups, she was managing without being prompted by Miss Gardener.
‘You did very well,’ Miss Gardener said some time later as April swapped places with Bertha, who was clearly disgruntled by the whole episode. ‘Come with me into the other room, and I’ll discuss your hours and the rate of pay the Post Office provides.’
April gathered up her coat and gas-mask box and reluctantly followed her into the other room where Winston was shuffling about on his bottom.
‘Poor Winston,’ crooned Miss Gardener. ‘He’s a martyr to worms – nasty things. The vet’s pills don’t seem to work at all.’
April doubted that giving a dog chocolate was much help either, but she said nothing and tried to concentrate on Miss Gardener’s long list of rules and regulations as the dog continued to shuffle and squirm.
She finally made her escape and took a deep, refreshing breath of the cold air outside before she headed back to Beach View to tell Peggy her good news.
Peggy and Fran had finished preparing the evening meal by the time April arrived back at Beach View, and Peggy could see instantly that April was in a celebratory mood. ‘You got the job?’ she said, smiling.
‘I start tomorrow at eight in the morning until three in the afternoon, which is when Bertha takes over. Miss Gardener lives on the premises, so she’s there to answer any calls during the night.’
‘Ach, to be sure, that’s brilliant,’ said Fran. ‘I’m so glad you’ve found something. How did you manage with your bad arm?’
‘I can still use those fingers, so it wasn’t too difficult at all,’ April said. She shed her coat and gas-mask box and hung them on the back of the door.
Peggy dished out some of the stew for Fran, who was about to go on night shift at the hospital. ‘How did you get on with Vera Gardener?’
April grinned. ‘She’s definitely still a headmistress, but she seems fair. It’s Bertha who’s taken umbrage, because she wanted her niece to have the job.’
‘Bertha’s always been a rather disagreeable woman,’ said Peggy. ‘Take no notice of her, dear. That niece of hers probably doesn’t want the job anyway. She’s a lazy piece.’
‘I got that impression from Miss Gardener.’ April poured tea into a cup and added a few drops of milk. ‘But you didn’t warn me about Winston, and the awful smells he makes,’ she teased. ‘Was that deliberate?’
‘Oh, lawks, I forgot all about him,’ gasped Peggy. ‘I’m sorry, April, I was under the impression he’d died years ago, otherwise I’d have said something.’ She regarded her keenly. ‘Was it really bad?’
‘I thought I was going to be ill at one point,’ April confessed, ‘but thankfully the exchange is in a different room so I can close the door on him.’ She sipped the tea and gave a sigh. ‘He won’t last much longer if she keeps stuffing him with chocolate and sweet biscuits.’
‘Chocolate?’ gasped Fran. ‘She feeds a dog chocolate? But that’s criminal when there’s so little of it in the shops.’ She finished the bowl of stew and rolled her eyes. ‘Honest to God, some people need their heads testing.’
April agreed, but said nothing as she drank her tea and watched Daisy playing with her dolls in front of the fire.
Fran drew on her cape and gloves and picked up her gas-mask box and handbag. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ she said cheerfully. ‘Don’t worry if I’m back later than usual, though. Robert’s wangled time off and he’s treating me to lunch in a country pub.’
As Fran ran down the steps and slammed the back door behind her, Peggy lit a cigarette and glanced up at the clock. Explaining to April about Bertie Double-Barrelled, she gave a sigh. ‘He’s taken Cordelia out for the afternoon in his car, and I suspect he’ll treat her to supper somewhere. I do hope he’s learned his lesson and will treat her properly from now on.’
April nodded distractedly, for her thoughts were on other things. ‘Do you think I should have told Miss Gardener I’m expecting?’
Peggy shook her head. ‘You’re only there for four weeks, and it’s not likely to affect the smooth working of the exchange, so I’d keep it to yourself, dear. Not that it’s anything to be ashamed of, mind,’ she added hastily. ‘But Vera’s old-fashioned and . . .’ She shrugged. ‘Well, it’s not really any of her business, is it?’
April nodded and finished her cup of tea. ‘I’d planned to meet Shirley Ryan down at the seafront kiosk tomorrow, but I won’t be able to make it now I’ve got the job, which is a shame because I thought she was a very nice girl.’
‘She might have found work at Goldman’s,’ said Peggy. ‘In which case neither of you will be there. Is there a way to get a message to her?’
‘I don’t know where she lives,’ April admitted. ‘But I don’t like the idea of her hanging about waiting for me. She’ll think I’ve changed my mind about meeting her.’
‘I tell you what,’ said Peggy. ‘I’ve got my turn at the WVS tomorrow and I’ll finish at about noon. Why don’t I take a stroll down and see if she’s there? You never know, she might not have turned up either if she has a job to go to.’
‘Oh, Peggy, would you? But—’
‘It’s no bother,’ she said airily. ‘And if she isn’t there, I’ll leave a note with Mabel who runs the kiosk and ask her to pass on your telephone number and address should Shirley turn up there another day.’ She smiled and patted April’s arm. ‘There, see. There’s always a way to sort out these things. But you’d better give me a description of Shirley so that I can recognise her.’
‘She’s my height and very pretty, with brown curly hair and hazel eyes, and a baby boy who is about six months old. I hadn’t got around to telling her that I was expecting,’ April added quickly. ‘We didn’t really have time to do more than realise we got on well.’
Peggy felt a rush of pleasure that April had found someone her own age that she could relate to. ‘Oh, how lovely. No wonder you two hit it off, and of course I won’t breathe a word about your baby – that’s for you to do.’ She stubbed out her cigarette as the sound of Rita’s motorbike rent the stillness. ‘Write that note and leave it all with me, dear. Now I really do have to get on with everyone’s tea.’
April helped Peggy by setting the table, and as the girls returned home and congratulated her on her job, she felt a glow of happiness at being at the heart of this lovely home. Yet despite their warmth and friendship, she couldn’t help but wonder how Peggy would react when she discovered the baby was illegitimate. It could change everything.