Chapter Seven

Having received a phone call from her father the previous evening, Cadi knew all about Jez’s accident and subsequent act of heroism. Delighted yet surprised to hear that he would still be travelling to Portsmouth, she was up betimes the next morning, so that she could meet his train when it arrived.

Now, as she stood on the platform, she peered along the track to see if there was any sign of the train. Seeing a cloud of white smoke puffing towards her, Cadi beamed. Jez was here at last. As the train pulled alongside the platform she desperately glanced into each carriage for a sign of her beau, but the passengers were crammed in like sardines, which she supposed was hardly surprising, considering that today was Christmas Eve.

After everything they’d been through, spending Christmas with Jez was going to be the icing on the cake. She gave a small gasp as she caught a glimpse of his smiling face. Waving excitedly, she walked alongside his carriage until the train came to a halt. Clasping her handbag in both hands, she squeezed her way to the front of the crowded platform, where she waited with bated breath for the carriage door to be opened. To her delight, Jez was the first one off. Striding towards her, he dropped his kitbag to the floor before enveloping her in his arms and kissing her deeply. As Cadi melted into his embrace, she found herself wishing that the moment would last for ever. Lost in their love for one another, it was only when someone tripped over his kitbag that Jez reluctantly broke away. Apologising to the young man, Jez picked his bag up, swung it over his shoulder and placed his arm round Cadi. ‘I’ve been waiting to do that since’ – he puffed out his cheeks – ‘since I got back from Africa.’

As they walked away towards the concourse, Cadi leaned her head against his chest. ‘What a dreadful waste of time it’s been.’

He nodded. ‘But never again. What seemed important once is insignificant now, and if I can’t learn from my own mistakes, then I should be paying more attention.’

Cadi nuzzled her cheek against him. ‘I think that’s a rule we could all abide by.’ She glanced up at the underneath of his chin, flecked with the merest hint of stubble. ‘Good journey? Apart from the first bit, of course.’

He kissed the top of her head. ‘Dreadful. Every time the train pulled into a new station, it was all I could do to stop myself from being carried onto the platform.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘I lost count of the times someone had to apologise for stepping on my toes or elbowing me in the ribs. As for getting a seat, there was no chance – not with the number of women on board.’

Giggling softly, Cadi squeezed his waist. ‘Ever the gentleman, that’s my Jez.’

He glanced down at her. ‘Don’t you want to know what happened between myself and Aled?’

She shook her head. ‘As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.’ She stopped outside the entrance to the Castaway.

Looking up at the sign, Jez pulled her into his arms. ‘I’d have done anything to spend Christmas with you.’

Cadi gazed into the depths of his eyes. ‘I’ve missed you more than you’ll ever know.’

‘Oh, I know all right,’ said Jez, ‘because I feel the same way.’ He brushed her hair back from her face before kissing her.

With his lips gentle against hers, Cadi dreamed of them running away together, leaving the war far behind them. She always felt safe in his arms and, with the familiar scent of his soap filling her senses, she was reminded of the first kiss they had shared on the dance floor of the Grafton. Oh, what she’d give to be back there right now.

Leaning away from the embrace, Jez kissed the tip of her nose. ‘Shall we go in?’

Her arms still wrapped around his waist, she rested her cheek against his chest. ‘Can’t we stay just a moment longer?’

The answer to this came in the form of Kitty, who called to them from the door of the B&B, ‘Coo-ee!’

Chuckling softly, Jez’s eyes glittered as he gazed into Cadi’s. ‘I think we’re wanted.’

Smiling, Cadi turned to face her friend. ‘Kitty, meet Jez.’

Beaming from ear to ear, Kitty hastened down the steps that led to the front door. ‘Hello Jez.’ She jerked her head in a backwards motion. ‘C’mon inside. I’ve left me cardie upstairs and it’s brass monkeys out here.’

Following Kitty into the B&B, they joined her in the dayroom whilst they waited for Mrs Wiggs to come and show Jez to his room.

‘What’s gone on with Izzy’s mam?’ asked Jez. He was warming himself in front of the coal fire that burned merrily in the grate. ‘Have you been to see her yet?’

Cadi shook her head. ‘We thought it might be best if we waited for you.’

Jez’s brow shot toward his hairline. ‘Me? Why me?’

Cadi screwed her lips to one side before answering, ‘To be on the safe side.’

Frowning, Jez looked from Cadi to Kitty and back again. ‘What on earth do you think she’s going to do?’

Kitty was staring at Cadi. ‘Have you not told him?’

Jez was intrigued. ‘Told me what?’

Both girls stepped towards him in a conspiratorial fashion. ‘The house where Izzy’s mam lives is a house of ill repute,’ said Cadi. She had purposely lowered her voice when speaking the last two words, so much so that Jez had difficulty hearing her.

‘It’s a what?’

The girls immediately hushed him into silence. ‘You know,’ said Kitty, nodding frantically, ‘it’s a …’ she blushed crimson, more mouthing the word than speaking it aloud, ‘brothel.’

The smile vanished from Jez’s lips. ‘Flippin’ Nora, Cadi! Your mam never told me about this. Are you sure?’

‘Pretty much,’ confirmed Cadi, ‘and Mam wouldn’t have told you because I never told her.’

Jez asked the next question on his lips. ‘How do you know?’

Cadi explained everything that had transpired from Ronnie’s visit to Hillcrest House.

Jez eyed them from over the top of steepled fingers. ‘You knew all this before I arrived, yet you were still intending to go?’

‘We were pretty sure we’d be all right, with the three of us going,’ said Cadi. ‘But as soon as we knew you were coming, we figured you might as well come too.’

Kitty nodded fervently. ‘We’ve got no experience when it comes to these types of places.’

‘Neither have I!’ cried Jez indignantly.

Hushing him into silence, the girls checked that they hadn’t drawn any attention, before continuing.

‘We know that,’ said Cadi. ‘What Kitty’s trying to say is: we’d feel more comfortable with you there, in case things get heated.’

‘I see.’ He leaned back in his chair. ‘So when are you planning on calling by?’

‘Not tomorrow,’ said Cadi. ‘I don’t think anyone would appreciate being knocked up on Christmas Day …’ She rolled her eyes as Kitty broke into a fit of the giggles. ‘I don’t mean in that way!’ She glanced at Jez, who was looking stern. ‘What’s up?’

Shifting in his seat, he eyed her candidly. ‘I could understand if you didn’t want to get Izzy’s hopes up unnecessarily, but that was before I knew her mam’s profession, as it were. In my opinion, that changes everything, especially if it turns out to be true – it’s not the sort of thing you want to hear second-hand. For a start, I think Izzy would want to play her part in rescuing her mam.’

Cadi looked at Kitty. ‘We thought it would be kinder if we got her mam out of the situation first …’ She was about to continue, but she could see by the look on her friend’s face that Kitty appeared to be having second thoughts. ‘Kitty?’

Kitty sighed irritably. ‘I can see things from both sides of the coin. Originally I thought it best if we saved Izzy from seeing her mam in those surroundings, but now I’m not so sure. If Jez is right, Izzy might feel as though everyone’s in on it bar her – and that’s not on, not when it’s her mam.’

Cadi stared fixedly at Kitty, before sagging dejectedly. ‘Once again I’ve put my oar in where it’s not wanted.’

Jez clasped her hand in his. ‘You’ve done no such thing. You’re the most wonderful woman I know, Cadi Williams. You always put others first and try and do what’s best for them. But no matter how much you try, you can’t protect Izzy from the truth, not this time.’

‘I knew I was right the moment I laid eyes on that note,’ admitted Cadi. ‘I was so excited that I might have found her mam, I didn’t stop to think why she’d lied about her whereabouts. And when Ronnie telephoned, my heart sank into my boots because I knew it was Raquel, and I understood why she was being so evasive – but, without proof, I could kid myself that I’d got hold of the wrong end of the stick.’ She sighed miserably. ‘How on earth am I going to tell Izzy?’

‘Is she working over Christmas?’ asked Kitty thoughtfully.

‘She’s working Christmas Day, but she’s got a couple of days off after that – Poppy too.’ She hesitated before adding, ‘Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?’

Kitty nodded. ‘I think it’s for the best, don’t you?’

‘Only what do I say to her?’ A false smile etching her lips, Cadi pretended that she was talking to Izzy on the phone. ‘“Hi Izzy, it’s me, Cadi. Guess what?”’ Her face crumpled. ‘I can’t tell her over the phone – I just can’t.’

‘Tell her you’ve had your suspicions for some time, and you think she should come down to Portsmouth to see for herself,’ suggested Kitty.

‘And if she asks why I didn’t say summat sooner?’

Kitty shrugged. ‘Explain that you wanted to know for sure, before dragging her all the way to Portsmouth. And whilst you can’t say for definite, you’re fairly certain your hunch is correct.’

‘That doesn’t sound too bad, I suppose.’

‘I agree,’ said Jez. ‘Don’t mention the whole “house of ill repute” thing until Izzy’s here, as it’ll be a lot easier to explain when you’re face-to-face.’

‘But she’s going to be so excited, and for what? Discovering what her mam does for a living will destroy her.’

‘And you can’t stop that from happening,’ soothed Kitty, ‘but you can be there to ease the pain.’

Cadi turned pleading eyes on Jez, then Kitty. ‘Are you sure it wouldn’t be better for us to soften the blow by finding out what’s what first?’

Jez levelled with Cadi. ‘Close your eyes and pretend you’re Izzy.’ Cadi did as he asked, so he continued, ‘Imagine I’m telling you that I’ve rescued your mam from a brothel.’

As a surge of emotions swept through her, Cadi opened her eyes. ‘If anyone’s goin’ to rescue my mam, it’s goin’ to be me.’

‘Precisely,’ said Jez.

Cadi smoothed her hair with the palm of her hand. ‘Poor Mrs Wiggs, I bet she rues the day she had the telephone installed.’

As if on cue, Mrs Wiggs entered the room. ‘Oh, hello! I didn’t realise you’d arrived. It’s Jez, isn’t it?’

Picking up his kitbag, Jez shook the older woman’s hand. ‘That’s right. And you must be Mrs Wiggs?’

Her cheery face broke into a smile. ‘I am indeed. If you’d like to come with me, I’ll show you to your room—’ She broke off as Cadi gained her attention. ‘Of course you can use the telephone, lovey, just leave the money in the box.’

‘Thank you.’ Cadi turned back to Jez and Kitty. ‘Wish me luck.’

Jez hugged his kitbag close to his chest. ‘Good luck.’

Echoing his words, Kitty followed Jez and Mrs Wiggs out of the lounge.

Cadi headed down the hallway and picked up the handset of the telephone. Crossing her fingers, she asked the operator to put her through to Izzy’s base. As she waited, Cadi could feel her nerves rising, and when Izzy’s voice came down the line she found herself at a loss for words. After a moment or two Izzy repeated herself, only louder and clearer, as though she thought Cadi was having difficulty hearing her.

‘I said, “Is that you, Cadi?”’

‘Yes,’ said Cadi, her voice full of trepidation, ‘it’s me.’

Hearing the uncertainty in her friend’s voice, Izzy spoke slowly. ‘Is everything all right, only you sound a bit odd?’

Cadi held a hand to her forehead. ‘I think we’ve found your mam. I’ve not seen her yet, but I’m pretty sure it’s her.’

Cadi’s heart dropped as Izzy gabbled excitedly into the phone, ‘Where? In Portsmouth? Is that where you are?’ She paused so briefly that Cadi didn’t have a chance to answer. ‘Why didn’t you tell me? If I’d known, I could’ve come with you.’

This was the sort of response Cadi had been dreading. She sighed guiltily. ‘I didn’t want to raise your hopes in case I was wrong.’

‘So you really think it’s her then?’ asked Izzy, her voice full of hope.

Cadi nodded miserably, only glad that Izzy couldn’t see her face. ‘Enough to say that I think you should come down, if you can.’

Izzy replied without hesitation. ‘I can be there Boxing Day.’

‘Will you be bringing Poppy?’

Cadi could hear the smile in Izzy’s voice. ‘Hang on a mo, I’ll ask her – she’s here with me now.’

Cadi turned pale as Izzy covered the mouthpiece with her hand. She would have to pray that her best friend wouldn’t let the cat out of the bag until Cadi had had an opportunity to speak to her first. Within moments Poppy’s voice came down the line.

‘It seems we’re coming to see you on Boxing Day. Is there anything I should know?’

‘Yes,’ hissed Cadi, ‘I’ve not told Izzy about the house. We decided it was best to wait until we were face-to-face.’

‘Right you are,’ said Poppy.

Izzy’s voice came back down the line. ‘Talk about Christmas comin’ early, this has to be the best news ever!’

Cadi grimaced. She hated knowing something that her friend didn’t, but there was no way she was going to say anything over the phone. ‘I’ll see you on Boxing Day. Poppy knows where we’re staying.’

There was an appreciable pause. ‘Did Poppy know you’d gone in search of me mam?’

Realising that she had unintentionally dropped Poppy in it, Cadi spoke quickly. ‘Yes, but I swore her to secrecy until we’d had a chance to investigate.’

‘I can’t wait to hear how you discovered me mam,’ said Izzy. ‘I’m that excited I don’t think I’ll get a wink of sleep.’

Cadi cursed herself inwardly. Hearing Izzy sounding so happy was more than she could stand. ‘Can I have a quick word with Poppy before you put the phone down?’

‘Course you can. Ta-ra, Cadi, and merry Christmas for tomorrer.’

Cadi just had a chance to say merry Christmas back before Poppy’s voice came down the line.

‘What’s happened?’ whispered Poppy.

Cadi filled her in on the conversation she had had in the lounge with Jez and Kitty. ‘So what do you think?’ asked Cadi anxiously. ‘Am I doing the right thing?’

‘Without doubt,’ replied Poppy. ‘Jez is right. It’s never a good time to find out these things, but there is a right way, and I think you’re doing it the right way.’

Cadi gave a weary sigh. ‘I hope so, because now I’ve opened the bottle, there’s no putting the genie back.’

‘Well put.’ Poppy’s voice became muffled as she called out to someone over her shoulder. ‘I’d best be off – Izzy wants to chat.’

‘I expect she does,’ said Cadi heavily.

‘Ta-ra, Cadi, and merry Christmas.’

‘Ta-ra, Poppy. Merry Christmas to you too.’

Hanging up the receiver, Cadi was about to go to her room when she saw Jez and Kitty descending the stairs.

‘Jez has very sweetly asked if I’d like to join the two of you for an early lunch, but I think someone needs to tell Ronnie that our plans have changed, so I’ve volunteered to do that.’

‘We could all tell Ronnie,’ Cadi began, but Kitty was shaking her head.

‘You and Jez have hardly seen each other since last Christmas.’

Cadi opened her mouth to insist that Kitty join them, but Jez pre-empted her thoughts. Placing his arm around her shoulders, he spoke teasingly. ‘Are you not wanting to spend some alone time with your fiancé?’

Cadi slapped him playfully on the lapel of his jacket. ‘You know full well that’s not what I’m saying.’

‘Then that’s that sorted,’ said Kitty brightly.

Realising that she was outnumbered, Cadi relented. ‘All right, but can we meet back here later, so that I can introduce Jez to Ronnie?’

‘We can indeed,’ said Kitty. ‘Now you two go off and enjoy your meal.’

As Cadi and Jez made their way down the steps of the B&B, Cadi looked down the street that led into the town. ‘I’m afraid I can’t recommend anywhere to eat because we’ve had all our meals in the B&B.’

Jez slipped his arm through hers. ‘Portsmouth is a naval port, so we’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to pubs.’

‘Did they have pubs in Africa?’

Jez laughed. ‘Not that I ever saw.’

Cadi only knew two things about Africa: it was hot, and they had lots of wild animals roaming free. She imagined an elephant strolling past Jez as he worked on an engine. ‘Did you see any elephants?’

‘I don’t think they live in Algeria,’ mused Jez, ‘but even so, we didn’t see any wildlife – which isn’t surprising, considering the conflict.’

Cadi gazed up at him. ‘How bad was it?’

He squeezed her arm in his. ‘It’s how I imagine Armageddon would be.’

She swallowed. ‘That bad?’

He nodded. ‘There’s nowt but sand for miles. The poor sods fighting on the ground are living in holes like rats.’ He gave a brief hollow laugh. ‘They even call them Desert Rats.’

Cadi’s stomach gave an unpleasant lurch. ‘Oh, Jez, how awful! I didn’t realise …’

He shrugged. ‘You wouldn’t, because you‘re too far away. All I can say is this: Bill’s damned lucky he got out when he did.’

Cadi cuddled up to him as they continued to walk. ‘I hope it ends soon.’

He gave a heartfelt sigh. ‘You’re not the only one.’

Hoping to steer the conversation in a different direction, she pointed to a sign above a pub. ‘The Dolphin. That sounds nice; shall we take a look?’

Jez opened the door to let Cadi pass through.

As she entered, Cadi headed straight for the bar. If you wanted to know what an establishment was really like, that was a good place to start. Glancing along the bar’s surface, she gave an approving nod, before turning to Jez. ‘Clean bar, clean pub. I hope we’re not too early for food.’

Jez pointed to a chalkboard that stood on the corner of the bar’s top. ‘Got to be fish and chips when you’re staying so close to the sea, don’t you think?’

Cadi smiled. ‘I do indeed, especially if the batter’s extra-crispy.’

Jez waited until the man in front had finished being served before making himself known to the barman.

‘Can we order two fish ’n’ chips, with a couple of rounds of bread and butter?’

The barman wrote the order down on a slip of paper. ‘Anything to drink?’

Jez nodded. ‘One’ – he quickly surveyed the three pumps – ‘Mild and …’ he looked at Cadi.

‘Just a lemonade for me, please.’

With Jez’s beer poured, the barman left it to settle whilst filling another glass with lemonade. ‘There’s a couple of empty tables on the far side of the bar. If you’d like to take a seat, I’ll bring your food over when it’s ready.’

Jez settled the bill before taking their drinks over to the table that Cadi had selected. ‘The food smells delicious. I think we’re in for a real treat.’

‘Bet it won’t be a patch on the grub we used to serve in the Greyhound, though,’ said Cadi loyally.

Jez smiled. ‘Nothing could ever compare to the meals you served in the Greyhound because it was you who made them, and that makes all the difference.’

She coughed on a sip of lemonade. ‘Still the same charming Jez, I see!’

He gave her a cheesy grin. ‘I guess it’s in my nature, although in this case I was speaking the truth.’ Cradling her hands in his, he gazed lovingly into her eyes. ‘You make everything better.’

She smiled shyly. ‘That’s what I always say about you.’

‘Do you know what that means?’

Cadi shook her head. ‘Tell me.’

‘That we’re made for each other.’

Cadi glanced at his tanned complexion. ‘I see you caught the sun; it looks good on you.’

Leaning forward, he wriggled his eyebrows suggestively. ‘Wanna see my white bits?’

Cadi’s brow shot towards her hairline as she whipped her hands out of his. ‘No, I do not!’ she cried, through smiling lips. She wagged a chastising finger. ‘Honestly, Jez, what sort of woman do you take me for?’

He eyed her hopefully. ‘One who wants to see my white bits?’

Giggling like a schoolgirl, Cadi shook her head. ‘I think that sun must’ve gone to your head!’

Jez grinned without apology. ‘Can’t blame a feller for tryin’. I’ve not seen you properly for months and—’

‘And we’re not yet married, Jeremy Thomas,’ Cadi reminded him.

His grin broadened as he held her hands in his. ‘Would you like to see them, if we were?’

Chuckling softly, Cadi gave in to temptation. ‘Let’s just say things would be different if we were married.’ Seeing the hope rise in his eyes, she added quickly, ‘Although that’s hardly a reason to march somebody down the aisle.’

His grin softened. ‘I respect you too much to do that to you.’ Rubbing his thumbs across the back of her hands, he added, ‘I hope you know that.’

Gazing into his eyes, which sparkled lovingly at her, she murmured, ‘I do.’

A kind-faced woman appeared by their table. Holding her tray up, she looked at them expectantly. ‘Two fish and chips?’

Breaking hands, they leaned back so that she could place their meals down. ‘That looks lovely!’ observed Cadi.

The woman beamed proudly. ‘Made with me own fair hands.’

Jez broke the batter on the fish. ‘Extra-crispy, just how we like it.’

‘There’s spotted dick and custard for afters.’

‘Go on then,’ said Jez, ‘you’ve twisted me arm.’ He looked to Cadi. ‘Are you havin’ any?’

Cadi laughed softly. ‘You’ve not finished your mains yet. How do you know if you’ll still be hungry?’

He winked at her. ‘There’s always room for pudding.’

Cadi smiled up at the woman. ‘Make that two. I’m sure he’ll finish mine if I can’t.’

Nodding, the woman left them to enjoy their meals.

Cadi blew gently onto a forkful of fish. ‘Have you ever been full?’

Taking a slice of bread and butter, he folded it in half. ‘Only when I was in Africa, but I’m not sure that counts.’

Cadi frowned. ‘You told me you didn’t like the food over there.’

He nodded fervently. ‘I didn’t – that’s how you discover whether you’re full or not.’

Laughing, she eyed him curiously. ‘You never did say what it was that you didn’t like; just that they’d eat anything.’

He shot her a dark look. ‘Believe me, you don’t want to know, especially when you’re about to eat.’

A slow smile formed on her cheeks. ‘It can’t have been that bad …’

Jez raised a singular eyebrow. ‘Have you ever known me to refuse food?’

Shaking her head, she opened her mouth to speak, but Jez cut her off.

‘Exactly! Now let’s leave it at that or you’ll not want to finish this lovely meal.’ As a vision of the food that he’d seen in the Algerian markets entered his mind, he hastily turned the conversation to Izzy’s imminent arrival.

‘Have you thought about how you’re going to break the news to Izzy?’

Cadi rolled her eyes. ‘I’ve not thought of much else. I’ve decided to tell her as soon as she steps off the train. Any longer than that and I’d feel like I was lying to her. Does that make sense?’

‘Perfect,’ said Jez succinctly. He dislodged a piece of fish with his tongue. ‘And if I were Izzy, I don’t think I’d give a monkey’s what me mam did for a living. I’d just be grateful to have one, and I’m damned sure she will feel the same.’

‘You see?’ said Cadi. ‘There I was worrying about how Izzy will take the news, and you make everything better.’ She gazed affectionately at him. ‘I’m so glad you’re back from Africa. I hope to God they don’t call on you again, like they did the first time.’

Jez stopped chewing his mouthful. He had been lying to Cadi, and now was the perfect opportunity for him to come clean. He gained her attention by placing down his knife and fork. ‘There’s summat you need to know …’

Cadi’s face dropped. ‘They’re not sending you back?’

He shook his head. ‘No – or at least, not as far as I know. It’s not that. You see, I’m afraid I wasn’t entirely truthful with you about being selected to go to Africa.’

Cadi nodded knowingly. ‘Daphne wasn’t lying, was she?’

Jez shook his head. ‘When you assumed I’d been selected, I hadn’t the heart to tell you I’d volunteered – mainly because I regretted doing so.’

‘Oh, Jez!’

‘I’m so sorry. I should’ve put you straight, especially when Daphne told you the truth, but I couldn’t.’

She smiled kindly. ‘I think we’ve done enough apologising for one day, don’t you?’

‘Aren’t you cross with me?’ he asked, incredulously.

Her smiled broadened. ‘I’m proud of you for volunteering for summat when you didn’t have to. I’m also grateful that you’re back in one piece, because at the end of the day that’s all that matters.’

Picking up his cutlery, Jez continued with his meal, but not before adding, ‘I’ve made a lot of mistakes lately, the biggest one being Aled.’

She furrowed her brow. ‘I don’t understand?’

‘I blamed Aled for all our troubles, but he wasn’t really to blame. I know he’s keen on you, Cadi, but that’s hardly a reason to hang someone. And it’s not as if he actually tried to steal you out from under me – even though I accused him of trying to do exactly that.’

She smiled. ‘He’s a charmer, much like yourself, but Aled would never try it on with a betrothed woman.’

‘I know; that became clear on our journey to the station.’

‘I must admit, I did wonder how the two of you got on, because my dad said that neither of you looked thrilled at the prospect of sharing a car.’

Jez laughed out loud. ‘That’s a good way of putting it, and indeed your father was right, but it did give us a chance to chat, speak our minds and clear the air.’ He shrugged. ‘Aled’s a decent feller and, after our experience, I’d even go so far as to say he’s a friend.’

Cadi was delighted. ‘Now that’s what I call progress!’

‘He could’ve blamed me for wrecking his car – let’s face it, he wouldn’t have been out driving at all, if it wasn’t for me – but it never even crossed his mind,’ said Jez.

‘And you saved his life, by all accounts,’ Cadi reminded him.

‘Sometimes it takes summat disastrous to make you see sense,’ said Jez. ‘I think that’s what happened between me and Aled.’

‘I’m proud of you, Jez, not only for volunteering to go to Africa, but for being brave enough to tell me the truth when you didn’t have to. And not just that, but for getting into a car with Aled when you didn’t want to, simply so that we could spend our Christmas together. It takes a real man to admit his mistakes, but a bigger one to sort them out.’

Jez beamed. It was going to be the perfect Christmas after all.

Izzy had been so excited with the news that Cadi had found her mother, she could hardly wait until Poppy was off the phone before announcing that she was going to phone Mike and tell him the good news.

‘He’ll be cock-a-hoop,’ said Poppy. She glanced at the clock above the door to the NAAFI. ‘Is that the time? I’ll have to dash. I said I’d meet Geoffrey in the camp cinema.’

‘Canoodling in the back row, eh?’ teased Izzy.

‘That’s what back rows are for,’ chuckled Poppy, before hurrying off.

Izzy picked up the receiver and asked the operator to put her through to Mike’s base.

‘Izzy?’

Just hearing his voice made her smile. ‘It certainly is, and guess what?’

He hesitated. ‘Not another promotion?’

‘Better. I’ve found my mam.’

She could hear the exhilaration in his voice when he spoke. ‘Darling, that’s fantastic. But how?’

Izzy went on to explain how she had heard the news from Cadi, finishing with, ‘So I shall be off to Portsmouth on Boxing Day. I don’t suppose you could join me – only I’d love for Mam to meet you, and vice versa of course?’

Mike spoke ruefully. ‘There’s nothing I’d like more, but I think I’ve got more chance of flying to the moon.’

She was disappointed, but not surprised. ‘I didn’t think you’d be able to, but it’s always worth asking, just in case.’

‘I’ll be with you in spirit,’ said Mike, before voicing the thought uppermost in his mind. ‘How did Cadi find her?’

‘I’m not really sure,’ Izzy confessed. ‘She didn’t say much, simply that she was more or less certain she’d found my mam.’

He hesitated. ‘I don’t mean to play devil’s advocate, but if she’s not seen your mam, how can she be sure she’s got the right woman? I’ve always thought of Cadi as being extremely well organised as well as efficient, and this seems a bit …’

Izzy finished the sentence for him. ‘Wishy-washy.’

‘Yes,’ said Mike lamely. ‘I don’t understand why she waited all this time, if she was going to tell you anyway. It doesn’t make sense.’

‘You’re right, it doesn’t, which means that something must have happened to change her mind.’

‘I wonder what?’ mused Mike.

‘I don’t know, but I think I know a girl who might,’ said Izzy softly.

‘Oh?’

‘Poppy,’ said Izzy, ‘because she knew Cadi had gone in search of me mam, but kept quiet.’

‘But if something has happened to change Cadi’s mind in the meantime, I doubt Poppy will be any the wiser,’ said Mike pointedly

‘Maybe, but Cadi asked to speak to Poppy after she’d spoken to me. What do you suppose that was about?’

Mike drew a deep breath before letting it out. He really didn’t like getting mixed up in suppositions, but he thought Izzy had a point and he said as much.

‘There’s only one way to find out,’ said Izzy.

‘I understand that you have a lot of questions,’ said Mike, ‘and quite frankly I’d be the same, in your shoes. But remember, you might not always like the answers.’

‘I know,’ said Izzy, ‘but I’ll not settle until I’ve got to the bottom of this.’

Wishing him goodnight, she headed for the cinema, where she waited for Poppy and Geoffrey to come out of the movie.

Once Poppy had arrived at the cinema, she saw that Geoffrey was already waiting for her.

‘Sorry I’m late,’ she panted. ‘We had an unexpected phone call.’

‘We?’ queried Geoffrey as the pair took their seats inside.

Poppy quickly told him of the phone call with Cadi. ‘I had no idea that Cadi was going to call,’ she confessed, ‘and I’m rather surprised at how well Izzy took the news. If I were her, I’d have asked a lot more questions.’

‘Perhaps she was just happy to hear that Cadi had found her mam,’ said Geoff reasonably.

‘Undoubtedly,’ agreed Poppy, ‘but that’s because she didn’t have time to think.’

‘Are you worried she’ll start asking questions when she has?’

Poppy nodded. ‘Because I don’t want to lie to her, but on the other hand, I don’t want to be the one to break the awful news.’

‘And Cadi’s sure it’s Izzy’s mother?’

‘I think she’s always known,’ mused Poppy. ‘I reckon we both did, but hoped we were wrong.’

‘Well, there’s no going back now,’ said Geoffrey. ‘And you can only do your best. If she asks you summat outright, you’ll have to answer truthfully. Better that than try and skirt around the issue or change the subject. Izzy’s not soft – she’ll soon realise summat’s up.’

‘I know she’s not, which is why I’m not looking forward to the next couple of days,’ confessed Poppy.

With the lights dimming, she leaned in to Geoffrey as he placed his arm round her. She was aware of the film starting, but her mind was still on Izzy. If she purposefully avoided her friend, then maybe she could get away with it. On the other hand, that wasn’t fair on Izzy. If the boot were on the other foot, Poppy knew she would definitely have a question or two, after having time to think. By the time the credits rolled, Poppy had decided that she would have to grin and bear it, should Izzy come asking questions. She said as much to Geoffrey as they vacated their seats.

Stepping outside, Poppy wasn’t altogether surprised to see Izzy leaning against the fence.

Seeing her friends, Izzy stood up. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve time for a quick chat?’

Poppy nodded. ‘Always.’ As she kissed Geoffrey goodbye, she heard him whisper ‘Good luck’ into her ear.

‘I thought it best if we chat on the parade ground,’ said Izzy as she led the way. ‘It’ll be empty at this time of day and I don’t particularly want to be overheard.’

A sudden thought entered Poppy’s mind. What if Cadi had telephoned Izzy whilst they’d been in the cinema? Fearing that her friend might already know the truth, Poppy spoke with anticipation. ‘Has summat happened?’

Izzy shook her head. ‘Only I’ve had time to think, and it doesn’t make sense that Cadi would try and bring me down to Portsmouth before she’s seen my mam.’

Poppy ran her tongue over her lips. ‘I thought Cadi was more or less certain it was your mam?’

‘More or less isn’t certain, though, is it?’ said Izzy almost accusingly. ‘And that’s why it doesn’t make sense.’

Poppy groaned inwardly. She might have agreed it would be better to not shirk the issue, but now that the time had come, she found herself doing just that. ‘If Cadi says she’s more or less certain, then I’d say the odds are stacked in your favour.’

Izzy looked at Poppy kindly. ‘I’m sorry to ask, Poppy, but what did Cadi say to you after I got off the phone with her?’

Poppy was sunk. It was the outright question she had been dreading. She heaved a resigned sigh. ‘You’ve heard the expression “Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies”?’

Izzy’s face fell. She had suspected something was amiss, and Poppy’s answer had confirmed her worst fears. ‘Please, Poppy. I’ve been going out of my mind wondering what it is that’s so bad Cadi can’t tell me. Has my mam got another family? I wouldn’t mind if she had; I suppose I’d kind of expect it, after all this time …’

‘Not as far as I know,’ replied Poppy truthfully.

‘Then what? Because something’s not right.’

Poppy slipped her arm around Izzy’s shoulders. ‘As long as we find your mam, does it really matter?’

‘It shouldn’t, but I can’t help the way I feel. And whilst I know I shouldn’t keep asking, I can’t help but think summat terrible has happened to her …’ As the last words left Izzy’s lips, a truly awful thought entered her mind. She looked at Poppy, grey-faced. ‘Is she dead? Is that what Cadi’s found: a tombstone with my mam’s name on it?’

‘No!’ cried Poppy. ‘It’s nothing like that – honest to God it’s not.’

Izzy’s mind began to race with possibilities. ‘Is she seriously ill? On her deathbed in some hospital? Or … or …’ She buried her face in her hands. But Poppy had had enough. Watching Izzy speculate, when she had the answer, was torturous for them both.

‘Cadi thinks your mam might be living in a house of …’ Try as she might, Poppy couldn’t bring herself to say the words.

Izzy’s tear-stained face appeared from between her hands. ‘Of what? Lunatics?’

Poppy was blushing madly. ‘Women who work for their living.’

Izzy furrowed her brow. ‘That doesn’t sound so bad …’ But the intensity of the look on Poppy’s face caused her to think again. ‘You mean a workhouse?’

‘No,’ said Poppy, her eyes pleading with Izzy to get the answer right.

Izzy turned the words over in her mind, and looked up at Poppy sharply. ‘Women? As in the plural?’

Hoping that her friend had formed the correct conclusion, Poppy nodded. ‘Sorry, Izzy.’

‘You say she’s living there, but what you really mean is she’s a working girl – the same as the others.’

Poppy held up her hands. ‘I can’t honestly say, because we don’t know for certain that she’s living there at all.’

‘By “there” do we mean Hillcrest House?’

Poppy nodded. ‘I’m afraid so.’

‘But what made Cadi go looking for my mam there, especially when we’d already received a letter stating the contrary?’

‘It was the letter that first caused Cadi to think …’ Poppy went on to explain how Cadi had examined the handwriting, drawing the conclusion that they had been penned by the same person. She then told Izzy of Ronnie’s involvement and the subsequent outcome. ‘Which is why Cadi went to Portsmouth,’ concluded Poppy, ‘as she needed to be sure before saying something.’

‘So what made Cadi change her mind – about telling me, I mean?’

‘Throughout this whole affair Cadi’s been trying to protect you, hoping against hope that she was wrong. She’s realised she’s been kidding herself, and that no matter how hard she tries, you’re still going to get hurt.’

Izzy’s bottom lip trembled as she gave Poppy a rather watery smile. ‘Typical Cadi, always putting others first.’

Poppy sagged with relief. ‘I’m so sorry, Izzy. None of us wanted it to be true, but we don’t always get what we want.’ She eyed her friend through thick lashes. ‘Are you mad at us for not including you from the start?’

Izzy shook her head fervently. ‘All you and Cadi have ever done is look out for me. Had Cadi suggested the handwriting was similar, I would have dismissed the idea as being a fanciful waste of time.’ A slight frown creased her brow. ‘Was that the only thing that caught her interest – only it does seem a bit of a long shot?’

‘That and the fact that whoever wrote on the envelope had opened it first, which is unusual in itself.’

‘Unless they’d opened it by accident, only realising they’d made a mistake when they read the contents,’ said Izzy simply.

Poppy’s mouth fell open. ‘We didn’t think of that.’

Izzy smiled reassuringly. ‘You see? I’d have put a spanner in the works straight off the bat. It’s far better that Cadi went about this under her own volition.’

But Poppy couldn’t stop herself mulling over Izzy’s words. ‘What if we’ve made a mistake?’

Izzy shrugged. ‘Then we’ll find out on Boxing Day.’

Poppy raised a surprised eyebrow. ‘You still want to go then?’

Izzy’s eyes glittered. ‘Too right I do! I’ve not done anything this exciting since the day I done a runner from my dad’s. And if my mam is in that house, then I’m going to be the one that gets her out!’

After the visit of the unknown woman to Hillcrest, Raquel couldn’t shake the incident from her mind. Her first reaction had been to accuse Eric of trying to blackmail her, but something about that had been bothering her. Eric would have to know what went on at Hillcrest before he could even think of blackmailing her. If that was true, then how had he found out? She imagined him standing on the docks where he worked, chatting to a sailor. Her heart sank. Sailors were part and parcel of a working woman’s life. It would only take someone to mention her by name … She shook her head. Too big a coincidence.

Holding Eric’s last letter between her fingers, she watched as a tear fell onto the page, smudging the ink. She’d read it at least a hundred times and could probably recite it by heart. But for some reason, even though the words were cruel, she found herself reading it once more:

Raquel

How dare you make out like you’re the innocent one, after everything you’ve done! Asking me to look after Izzy, as if you think I wouldn’t! But don’t you fret, I’ll look after her all right, and I’ll make sure she knows the truth about her mam whilst I’m at it. Because she needs to know that lies roll off your tongue with ease, and if it weren’t for your sluttish behaviour, she’d still have a mother. You make out like leaving Liverpool is some big sacrifice, yet we both know you’re only going to ease your own conscience. Hardly surprising, when you consider the truth. What sort of mother gives up her child for another man? You disgust me. I hope you rot in hell.

Raquel folded the letter and placed it with the others. Eric’s words had reminded her just how nasty he could be. Blackmail wasn’t beyond his capabilities – far from it. Yet there was still a niggling doubt in the back of her mind. The woman who’d come looking for her was wearing a WAAF uniform and, try as she might, Raquel couldn’t envisage a scenario where Eric would have cause to talk to someone in the services; and even if he had, she felt certain they wouldn’t do his bidding.

She turned her mind back to Izzy’s letter. If it was genuine, then Izzy might really be looking for her; not only that, but it also meant Eric was dead. The girl who called by wasn’t a Scouser, that was obvious from her accent, but that didn’t mean to say she didn’t know Izzy. Especially if Izzy was in the WAAF. Briefly, she imagined her daughter, a grown woman in WAAF uniform. Could she really have escaped the clutches of her father? Hope rising, it quickly faded again as another question came to the forefront of her mind. How could Izzy possibly know her address? She couldn’t – that was the simple answer. The only person who was privy to that information was Eric, and there’s no way he would have told his daughter. He would’ve seen hell freeze over first. The thought of Eric keeping the letters entered Raquel’s head briefly, before being dismissed. He would most likely have burned her letters as soon as he read them, if not before.

She held her head in her hands. Dolly had expressed the opinion that Raquel should at least look into the truth behind the letter, especially if it meant she could get away from the Finnegans. She gave a short, mirthless laugh. The thought of Eric trying to extort money from her was ludicrous. Every penny she earned went straight to the brothers. She slowly lifted her head. She might hate them, but if the Finnegans got wind that Eric was trying to blackmail her, they would pay him a visit and put an end to his shenanigans, perhaps permanently. If she were to write back, she could arrange to meet the letter-writer in one of the cafés. If it was Eric, she’d tell him to sling his hook whilst he still could. And if not? She’d be reunited with her daughter; and she might even escape from the Finnegans. After all, if Izzy never visited the house, she need never know the truth …

Her heart sank as she remembered the WAAF who’d already called by. There was no doubt the young woman knew where she was, and of course she would have told Izzy of her findings. In which case it was too late: the cat was already out of the bag. Raquel nodded decidedly. If she wrote to Izzy and got nothing back, then she’d know that her daughter had changed her mind about wanting to get in touch; if, on the other hand, Izzy did write back … A smile crept its way up Raquel’s cheeks. It would mean that Izzy wanted to know her mother despite everything, and she could then be reunited with her.

It was Christmas Day and Cadi, Jez, Kitty and Ronnie were sitting in the guest lounge of the B&B, discussing their plans.

‘I thought we could go for a walk through the city after lunch, take in some of the sights,’ suggested Ronnie.

‘Are you having your Christmas dinner with us?’ asked Kitty.

Ronnie nodded. ‘I didn’t want to be a burden to Mrs Wiggs, but she insisted, saying that she’d already bought in extra.’

‘She’s a lovely old girl,’ noted Cadi. ‘We fell on our feet coming here.’

‘She lost her son in the first lot – whilst he was fighting in France,’ said Kitty. ‘She said that knowing he was with his friends when he passed brought her great comfort. She likes seeing us all together, because it reminds her of him and his friends.’

‘Poor woman,’ said Cadi quietly. ‘I had no idea.’

Kitty smiled fleetingly. ‘You’ve been pretty busy, what with one thing and another, so me and Mrs W have had plenty of time to chat.’

Jez looked through to the area where their landlady disappeared whenever she wasn’t busy with the B&B. ‘Has anyone seen Mr Wiggs?’

Kitty grimaced. ‘She’s never mentioned him, so I’ve not asked. Sometimes it’s better that way.’

‘Why don’t we ask if she’d like to join us at our table?’ said Ronnie.

Kitty smiled happily. ‘I think that’s a marvellous idea.’

Standing up, Jez stretched. ‘Anyone fancy a walk before lunch?’

Cadi nodded. ‘I’ll fetch my coat and hat.’ She turned to the girls. ‘What about you two?’

Ronnie shook her head. ‘I’ve only just thawed my toes out. Take it from one who knows, it’s brass-monkey weather out there.’

Kitty shivered. ‘Sorry, but I’m also going to give it a miss. After all, I can’t leave poor Ronnie on her own, sitting in front of a nice cosy fire, drinking cocoa.’

Jez finished knotting his scarf. ‘Looks like it’s just the two of us.’

‘Shan’t be a mo,’ said Cadi. She disappeared to her room, where she hastily fished out the socks that she had bought Jez as a Christmas present. Being short of money, the girls had agreed that they would buy themselves a sweet treat instead of splashing out on a gift for each other.

‘That way we get summat we want, without breaking the bank,’ reasoned Ronnie.

Cadi had bought herself a bar of Fry’s Chocolate Cream; Kitty had her favourite, Everton mints; and Ronnie had bought sherbet lemons.

Tucking the socks into her pocket, she headed down the stairs to where she saw Jez waiting for her by the front door.

As they descended the steps of the B&B, Jez breathed in the sea air. ‘You can’t beat that smell! Reminds me of home, so it does.’

Cadi smiled as she tucked her arm into the crook of his elbow. ‘Lovely, isn’t it?’

He twinkled down at her. ‘Beautiful.’

Smiling coyly, Cadi gave him a playful dig with her elbow. ‘Charmer!’

Jez produced a small package from the pocket of his greatcoat and passed it to Cadi. ‘I know it’s short notice, so I don’t expect anything in return.’ Stopping in her tracks, Cadi removed her gloves so that she could peel back the delicate tissue paper. Staring at the brooch in the palm of her hand, she looked up at him. ‘It’s beautiful, Jez, but it must’ve cost you an arm and a leg!’

Jez beamed. ‘I’m glad you like it. I wasn’t sure if it was your thing, as I’ve never seen you wearing a brooch before.’

Her brow shot toward her hairline as he pinned the delicate-looking brooch of roses to the lapel of her jacket. ‘Only because I can’t afford summat this beautiful.’

Jez’s beam broadened. ‘You’re worth every penny – or should I say franc, because I bought it whilst I was in Africa.’

Blushing, Cadi handed him her present. ‘I’m afraid I haven’t got you anything anywhere near as grand …’

Jez unfolded the socks. ‘Nonsense! These are perfect, and much needed, I might add.’

Cadi lowered her gaze. ‘Not the same as a brooch, though …’

Jez nudged her playfully. ‘I’d look silly sporting a brooch, don’t you think?’

Cadi giggled. ‘Possibly.’

He placed his arm around her shoulders. ‘Besides, it’s the thought that counts, and I’d far rather have summat practical. And if you could smell my old ones, you’d know I really needed socks.’

Cadi gazed down at the brooch, the petals of which caught the winter sunlight beautifully. ‘Why roses?’

He smiled wistfully. ‘I remember you saying how being the Rose Queen had made you feel special, and I rather hoped this might have the same effect.’

She smiled happily. ‘It certainly does – especially coming from you.’

He kissed the top of her head. ‘Are you looking forward to seeing the girls tomorrow?’

Cadi pulled a face. ‘Yes, because I haven’t seen them for ages, but I’m worried for Izzy.’

‘I think she’ll cope better than you think. Living with Eric for all those years has toughened her up.’ He shrugged. ‘She’s probably realised summat’s amiss. After all, if we’d thought harder, we’d have asked more questions, and maybe the answer wouldn’t have come as quite such a surprise.’

‘You’re right, as always. Why didn’t we question how Izzy’s mam was supporting herself? No one can afford to do a moonlight flit to the other end of the country and live there without money.’

‘Do you think she might have been doing the same sort of thing in Liverpool?’ asked Jez, his brow rising sharply.

‘No,’ said Cadi decidedly. ‘She probably worked as a maid or cleaner, summat like that. The pay wouldn’t be great, but it would be enough to get her to Portsmouth.’

Jez nodded slowly. ‘That makes sense. I wonder what happened when she got to Portsmouth? I’d have thought the city was in need of maids and cleaners?’

‘Of course, but maybe it’s a case of who you know? Arriving in a different city with no friends might have been harder than Raquel thought.’ She shrugged. ‘Women don’t have the same opportunities as men. That’s why I wanted to go to Liverpool in the first place, so that I could make summat of my life, be my own boss and pay my own wage – one that’s equivalent to a man’s.’

‘Do you still want to run your own business?’ enquired Jez. ‘It’s summat me and Aled talked about before we had the accident.’

She eyed him curiously. ‘You did?’

He pushed his free hand further into his pocket. ‘Aled reckons he’ll probably end up back on the farm, because it doesn’t look as though he’s going to pilot a plane any time soon, and I said I’d get a job as a mechanic.’ His eyes glittered down into hers. ‘I know you’ll make a huge success out of whatever it is you choose to do.’

Cadi smiled. ‘That’s what my mam said before I left for Liverpool.’

‘And she was right. You’ve hardly been in the WAAF more than five minutes and you’ve already made corporal.’

‘If you’re going to do a job, do it well,’ said Cadi. ‘I must admit I’m surprised to hear that Aled’s decided to go back to the farm. Daphne’s got a lot to answer for.’

‘That woman’s poison,’ said Jez, ‘and whilst I hate her for interfering in our relationship, it’s nothing compared to what she did to Aled.’ He gave a hollow laugh. ‘And Daphne reckons she loved him.’

‘I’m glad he’s got himself a new girlfriend,’ conceded Cadi. ‘Aled deserves some happiness, after what Daphne put him through.’

‘Just think,’ said Jez, ‘a year ago today we were in the park singing carols. Little did we know then how much our lives were going to change.’

‘God, yes!’ said Cadi. ‘From Izzy putting Eric in his place, to learning the truth – at least in part – about her mother’s disappearance.’

‘An awful lot can happen in a year,’ said Jez. ‘That’s why I reckon you should act now, as you may not have a tomorrow – or, to put it another way, strike whilst the iron’s hot.’

‘Too true,’ said Cadi.

He smiled down at her. ‘Does that mean you’ll agree to be my wartime bride?’

She shook her head sadly. ‘I know you think I’m being silly, but I feel like we’d be tempting fate, which is why I’d rather wait until we can do it properly. Besides, who wants to be walkin’ up the aisle one minute and leggin’ it down the nearest air-raid shelter the next, with moanin’ Minnie instead of wedding bells?’

‘As long as that’s the only reason,’ said Jez.

‘You know it is, Jeremy Thomas,’ chided Cadi. ‘Besides, I want my whole family present when we marry, and I’m including Maria, Bill and the girls in that. The way the war’s going, who knows when that will be.’ She tutted beneath her breath. ‘I rather hoped the whole thing would be over when America joined, didn’t you?’

He shrugged. ‘It’s going to take a lot more than their presence to bring this thing to an end.’

‘But surely there can’t be any doubt?’ said Cadi, her eyes full of hope as she stared eagerly up at him. ‘The Americans have got a huge army, and loads of money. Quite frankly, I can’t see how we could lose, with them on our side.’

‘Only the Krauts have dug themselves deep into the heart of Europe, and they won’t be easy to winkle out,’ said Jez. Seeing Cadi’s downturned mouth, he smiled reassuringly. ‘But, yes, I do think we’ll win. It’s just going to take time.’

‘Well, let’s hope it’s sooner rather than later,’ said Cadi.

‘Indeed,’ agreed Jez, ‘even if it’s only to get you to walk down the aisle.’

Cadi laughed. ‘Perhaps you should write a letter to that Roosevelt feller – tell him your dilemma and see if you can get him to pull his finger out.’

Jez shrugged as though this were the easiest thing in the world. ‘If that’s what it takes!’

Izzy and Poppy took their place on the train that would take them on the final leg of their journey. ‘I’m glad I don’t have to do this every day of the week,’ muttered Izzy, turning her face away from a soldier’s outstretched armpit.

Poppy tried to swallow the smile that was threatening to grace her cheeks. Only when Izzy shot her a look of reproach did she allow the smile to form. ‘I’m sorry, but it’s better than the last train we were on.’

‘Only because you were the one squished in the middle,’ hissed Izzy, ‘and you weren’t facing someone’s’ – she grimaced as she glanced towards the soldier who was holding on to the rack above her head – ‘armpit.’

‘Maybe not, but I did have that rotten little boy, covered in goodness knows what.’ She pulled a disgusted face as the vision appeared in her mind’s eye, and glanced down at her skirt. ‘I swear he was using me as a hankie.’

Izzy relented slightly. ‘All right, mebbe this isn’t so bad …’ She fell silent as the soldier’s distinctive body odour wafted towards her. Surreptitiously placing her hand over her nose and mouth, she spoke through her fingers. ‘How long before we arrive in Portsmouth?’

‘About half an hour or so, so not too long,’ replied Poppy. ‘Have you any idea what you’re going to say to your mam? Assuming Cadi’s suspicions are proved right, of course.’

‘That I love her, and I don’t believe a word that left me Dad’s lips.’ Izzy removed her hand from her face as the soldier shifted his position. ‘I’ve made enquiries at our hotel to see if they’ve got a spare room, and they’ve said they’ll pencil me in.’

‘What did you tell them?’

A faint smile crossed Izzy’s face. ‘That my mam might be joining me.’

‘That’s all very well, but we’re only stopping the one night,’ said Poppy. ‘Where’s your mam goin’ to stay after that?’

‘According to Cadi, Maria’s been having trouble getting help, and I reckon my mam would be perfect for the role.’

‘How do you think your mam would feel about goin’ back to Liverpool?’

‘She’s bound to feel apprehensive,’ mused Izzy, ‘but West Derby Road is miles away from where we used to live. So she’s hardly likely to bump into anyone she used to know. Besides which, Maria can offer bed, board and a wage. I can’t see her turning an offer like that down, can you?’

‘I can’t,’ Poppy agreed, ‘but going back’s not going to be easy, no matter how far she is from Eric’s old stomping ground.’

‘Maybe she’ll sign up, like we did?’ suggested Izzy.

‘I wonder why she didn’t do that already?’ supposed Poppy.

Izzy stared at her. ‘Are you deliberately throwing obstacles in the way?’

‘No,’ Poppy assured her, ‘but I think we need to think these things through before we go wading in.’ She smiled sympathetically. ‘If we have a decent plan in place, then your mam’s far more likely to agree to leave.’

Izzy’s eyes rounded. ‘Surely you can’t be suggesting she’d want to stay?’

Poppy raised her brow. ‘A roof over her head? Somewhere to sleep? Food? Some things are preferable to a life on the streets – even I can see that.’

Izzy fell silent as Poppy’s words sank in. ‘Do you reckon we should telephone Maria first?’ she ventured. ‘To be on the safe side?’

‘It’s not Maria that’s the problem,’ said Poppy, ‘as we both know she wouldn’t dream of turning your mam away. It’s getting your mam to go there in the first place.’ She drew a breath. ‘When your dad attacked me, I was scared of my own shadow for a long time afterwards. In fact I wouldn’t go out of the pub unless someone was with me, and it took longer than I’d care to admit for me to feel safe. If I were your mam, the thought of going back would fill me with dread, which is why we need a plan B.’ Staring at her feet, she drummed her fingers against the wall of the carriage as she tried to come up with an idea that would work. Her head jerked up suddenly. ‘The bakery!’

Izzy stared blankly at Poppy. ‘The what?’

‘It’s where me and Cadi used to work when we lived in Rhos,’ gabbled Poppy. ‘I know for a fact that they’re crying out for workers there, because all the young girls have joined up.’

‘Only where would Mam live? It’s all very well having a job—’ Izzy stopped speaking to allow Poppy, who was shaking her head, to interrupt.

‘My mam and dad would put her up, no problem. It’s not the biggest house in the world, but if your mam wouldn’t mind sharing, she’d be more than welcome – I know she would.’

Izzy drew a deep breath before letting it out in a staggered fashion. ‘How can you be so sure?’

Poppy smiled proudly. ‘Because my mam’s got a heart of gold. She knows how hard it was for me after the attack. There’s no way she’d turn someone away who’s been in a similar position.’

Izzy relaxed. ‘So we’ve got a plan A and a plan B: do we need any more than that?’

Poppy shook her head. ‘Like I say, I could see that your mam might object to Liverpool, but not to Rhos. It’s a world away from all she once knew.’

‘Then that’s us sorted,’ said Izzy in a satisfied manner. ‘Now all we have to do is see whether my mam really is living in Portsmouth.’

Feeling her toes beginning to go numb, Ronnie tried to stamp the life into her feet. ‘I thought they’d be here ages ago!’ she complained to Kitty.

‘It’ll be the trains. They’re dreadful at the best of times, but at Christmas?’ She pulled a face. ‘Hell on earth.’

‘So what should we do?’ asked Ronnie. ‘Freeze to death?’ She glanced in the direction of Hillcrest House. ‘I’m sure I’ve seen someone peeking at us from behind the curtains. What are we meant to say if they come over before Izzy arrives?’

‘Tell them the truth: that we’re waiting for our friends.’ She shrugged. ‘I don’t see what else we can do.’

‘We could always head over to the station and see what’s what,’ suggested Ronnie. ‘For all we know, their train might’ve been cancelled.’

Kitty shook her head. ‘They’d have rung the B&B and told us, if that were the case.’

‘Well, I wish they’d hurry up,’ said Ronnie, adding as an afterthought, ‘although I suppose one good thing’s come out of this.’

Kitty looked curious. ‘Oh? What’s that then?’

‘I’m that cold I’m not bothered about knocking on the door, not any more – in fact I can’t wait to get inside.’

Kitty placed her arm round Ronnie’s shoulders. ‘You must be really cold to say that—’ She stopped speaking as a man came out of the building, holding the door ajar for another man to join him.

Kitty tutted with disgust. ‘On Boxing Day too – they should be ashamed …’

Seeing the men heading towards them, Ronnie went rigid in Kitty’s arms. ‘Is it me or are they coming this way?’

Kitty instantly looped her arm through Ronnie’s. ‘If they ask, we’re in the WAAF and we’re waiting for our friends.’

Ronnie nodded before hissing, ‘But we are in the WAAF.’

‘I know,’ replied Kitty, ‘but I want to make sure they know that too – I certainly don’t want them mistaking us for … you-know-whats.’

As the men approached, Ronnie instantly made up her mind that she didn’t like the look of them. They might be smartly dressed, but there was something in their features that she found unsettling. She glanced at the one who seemed to be taking the lead. His mouth might be smiling, but his eyes read differently.

‘Can I help you ladies?’ he asked in a thick Irish accent.

‘We’re in the WAAF,’ said Kitty, her voice shrill, ‘and we’re waiting for our friends.’

‘Oh, you are, are you?’ said the second man, who had drawn level with the first. ‘And why would you be wantin’ to meet your friends here, I wonder?’ He waved an expansive arm, whilst continuing to speak in a sarcastic fashion. ‘Not a lot round here for girls like yourselves.’

‘That’s our business,’ snapped Ronnie, who was too cold and tired to carry on being scared. ‘What’s it got to do with you anyway?’

The first man licked his lips. ‘This is our patch, and anyone wantin’ to work it had better be sure they know what they’re lettin’ themselves in for.’

Kitty puffed out her chest. ‘You don’t own …’ Seeing the man nodding, she followed his finger, which indicated the building behind him.

‘I rather think we do, and we own everything in it too. And if you don’t want to become part of that, I suggest you leave. And believe you me,’ his voice lowered to a menacing growl, ‘that’s me askin’ you nicely.’

‘And who might you be exactly?’ asked Ronnie primly.

The man stepped forward abruptly, but Ronnie held her ground. Smiling approvingly, he leaned forward until his nose was inches away from hers. ‘We’re the Finnegan brothers …’