Ida looked after Linda for the next couple of days while Elsie and Fay shared their memories and their grief. But by then Elsie couldn’t wait to have her daughter back.
‘Enough,’ she said, lifting Linda high into the air. ‘That’s quite enough misery for one lifetime. Now we all need to be thinking about the future, don’t you agree?’
To her delight, Linda gurgled in response.
‘At least we’ve got each other,’ Fay said, hugging her sister and her niece at the same time. ‘We can’t bring the others back, but we can live our lives for those that have had theirs snatched away. And we’re going to beat that bloody Hitler, you mark my words.’
Everyone in Coronation Street seemed to feel the same way. News of the tragedy that had struck the Grimshaws had spread, and Elsie was overwhelmed by people’s reactions. She’d lost count of how many stopped to speak to her offering their sympathy and any help they could give. It had been a desperate time for many of the residents. Most families had suffered in some way as a result of what they referred to as the ‘Manchester Blitz’. Though it was a sad event that had brought them together, people were rallying to help less fortunate neighbours, taking time to pop in for a chat or to check if they needed anything.
Frank Barlow was home for the foreseeable future as the wound in his leg was not responding to treatment, but Ida was happy to continue looking after Linda. This left Elsie free to work. As soon as the gas, water and electricity services were restored, the factory reopened. Their war work – assembling parts for rifles – was now more important than ever.
Fay’s shrapnel wound was healing well and she began to wonder what she should do about going back to work. Talbot and Jones’ offices had been hit and whole sections of the building had collapsed. What little remained had been badly scarred by incendiary bombs and had been deemed unsafe.
So it was that Fay was sitting in the seldom-used front parlour one morning after Elsie had gone to work, considering her options. Suddenly, she thought she saw someone she recognized passing the window; moments later there was a knock at the door. She went as quickly as she could to open it.
‘I imagine you’re surprised to see me,’ the visitor said.
‘Oh Terry!’ It was such a surprise to see him, his serious face was in some way so welcome that Fay could not stop herself throwing her arms around him and giving him a hug. Awkwardly at first, but then more tenderly, Terry returned it. Fay felt a brief sense of safety and security in his arms, before they both pulled away. Terry had a flush on his cheek and Fay tugged at her hair self-conciously.
‘Would you like to come in?’ said Fay, and she stood aside to allow him to enter.
He took off his hat as she showed him into the back room where they could sit in front of the fire while she explained about her bandaged leg.
‘I’m very sorry about your family,’ Terry said balancing his hat across his lap, ‘that really is terrible. Please accept my sincere condolences.’
‘Thank you,’ Fay said, ‘but I’m sure that wasn’t the reason you came.’
‘No, I came to see if you’d heard from Mr Talbot that he’s winding up the business,’ Terry said.
‘No, I haven’t, what’s happening?’
‘Mr Talbot has decided to close the office entirely and offer everyone references. I asked him for your address so I could come and tell you myself,’
‘Thank you, Terry. But I’m not sure what I’ll do now. Have you decided yet?’
‘You’re very well qualified – you shouldn’t have any difficulty finding a new position,’ Terry said.
‘But not in the centre of Manchester at this moment.’
‘No. Quite. I’m thinking of returning to Saddleworth to work.’
‘Oh.’ Fay felt her cheeks reddening and looked away.
‘I’ve been offered a good position not far from where my mother lives, so it makes sense for me to move back home permanently.’
‘Oh?’ Fay said again, surprised at the tight feeling in her stomach at this news.
‘The thing is …’ Terry fingered his hat nervously now. ‘I wondered if you might consider coming to Saddleworth to work alongside me, much as we did at Talbot and Jones.’
‘Work beside you?’ Fay, her thoughts and feelings in turmoil, wasn’t sure what he meant.
‘Yes, well, I had hoped we might over time be able to get to know each other better. Perhaps consider courting. But this damned war puts things in a different light.’
Fay nodded. Her heart had begun to beat faster. She didn’t know what to make of his little speech. But he hadn’t finished.
‘So what I really wanted to ask you was … would you consider coming to live in Saddleworth … as my wife?’
Fay sat silently for a moment, breathing hard as the meaning of his words sank in. There had been a time when she wouldn’t have even considered him; Terry had always been so cautious and methodical in his approach. But after the tragedy of recent events she looked at him with different eyes. They may not share the kind of love like in the films. But she could see in his face what he was proposing was a future filled with kindness and affection. He was offering her a new life, and that certainly seemed very attractive right now.
‘I don’t know what to say,’ Fay began. ‘I’m flabbergasted, I mean …’
‘I apologize,’ he said quickly, misunderstanding her hesitation. ‘I’ve been too forward and I’m sorry.’ He stood up, hat in hand.
‘Not at all,’ Fay hurried to assure him. ‘I was going to say … well, I’d be honoured to accept.’
He sat down again abruptly, a smile spreading across his face.
‘And once my leg is better, I can come to see you in Saddleworth so that I can meet your mother and we can begin to … make arrangements.’
Terry stood up again and Fay did too, hesitantly moving towards each other. Terry twiddled his hat in his fingers. ‘You’ve made me so happy, Fay.’
Fay smiled, ‘You’ve made me happy too, Terry.’ And she took his hand in her own.
As Christmas and New Year had slipped by without much celebration, 1941 began without anyone in Coronation Street seeming to notice. So when word went round at the factory that there was to be a bit of a knees-up at the Rovers one night in early January, Elsie looked forward to joining in.
‘We mustn’t go too early, mind,’ Sally Todd said. ‘Why don’t I knock on for you about eight?’
When they arrived, Elsie was surprised to be greeted by Annie Walker, who invited them into the select. She could see almost immediately that it was festooned with baubles, tinsel and all manner of glittering decorations and as she stepped inside she realized it was also full of familiar faces. As she entered, everyone stood up and raised their glasses, and Sally thrust a large glass of gin into Elsie’s hand. Then there was a loud chorus of ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Elsie!’ and Elsie noticed a long table groaning with plates of food in spite of the austere rationing.
Elsie looked around her, bewildered. She had no idea what was going on until Ena Sharples stepped forward and began to speak.
‘Thanks to the bloody Luftwaffe, Christmas and New Year were as good as cancelled. We all suffered, but you, Elsie Tanner,’ she turned to face her, ‘you fared worse than most and we all wanted to acknowledge that fact.’ She raised her glass to everyone in the room. ‘We wanted you to know we’re right behind you. So we all chipped in and we’re taking the opportunity to celebrate Christmas and New Year today. You may have lost your old family, but the people of Coronation Street have always thought of themselves as one big family. Even with all our squabbles and disagreements, we all do what’s right by each other. You’re part of Coronation Street now and that means you’re one of us, so let’s remember absent friends and welcome the new ones.’
There were murmurs of approval and shouts of ‘Hear, hear!’ and glasses were raised again. Elsie was too overwhelmed to respond. She stood with the gin in her hand and looked around the room at the eager faces all wishing her well. When Elsie had arrived at Coronation Street just over a year ago, she never could have guessed at the events that lay ahead or the people that she would meet. Ena was right, they might fight like a bunch of kids sometimes but Coronation Street was a place like no other.
‘This is quite some celebration. I’ve never had a Christmas present like this before,’ she said, finding her voice at last. ‘I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.’
‘And that’s not all,’ Ena added. ‘We’ve kept some food back for a kiddies’ special, a party tomorrow at the Mission. All are invited. We can celebrate Linda Tanner’s first birthday in January and there’s young Billy Walker and Kenneth Barlow to think about – they’re our future now. It’s time to show them how we celebrate, Coronation Street-style. To let them know that we’ll never be beaten.’
Elsie was busy lighting a cigarette to stop herself bursting into tears. She’d never had much of a childhood and had certainly never had any presents as a child but Linda was having a different start in life. One surrounded by people who cared. She was overwhelmed by the generous spirit in the room.
But the night had one more surprise in store. Through the busy crowds of the pub, Elsie saw a young woman pushing through the throng, heading in her direction and calling her name.
‘Elsie, Elsie, is that you? It’s me, I’m all right!’
For a moment, Elsie couldn’t place the young woman. She was dressed smartly in a new brown woollen coat with a touch of fur at the collar and a neat hat cocked sideways on her head, as was the current fashion.
‘Elsie don’t you recognise me?’
Elsie stared open-mouthed at the woman standing in front of her, who had now been joined by an equally smart older man, his arm drapped protectively around the girl. Elsie felt a sensation creep up her spine as the realisation dawned. ‘It can’t be, I thought you were … the bombs down by the arches … Phyllis, is that really you – you look all grown-up?’
The young woman beamed. ‘I’m glad you barely recognise me, I’ve got a new life now, this is Roy Bailey and he got me off the streets. I live with him in Oldham and I was with Roy when the bombs fell. We’re going to get married when I’m old enough, aren’t we, Roy?’
Elsie stood stock still for a moment unable to believe the sight before her, though a small thought niggled away about what the relationship might be between Phyllis and Roy. She wondered at her sister’s new-found affluence – but Phyllis had always been good at getting what she wanted. Well, good for her, thought Elsie. This was no time for speculation so she exclaimed in excitement, ‘Look at me stood here gawping, come here you!’ and she enveloped her sister in a fierce hug. ‘Phyllis, I hate to spoil the moment, I’m right happy to see you but, there’s been bad news …’
Phyllis stopped her. ‘I’ve heard all about it … I know … One of the lads down at the arches heard what had happened to Back Gas Street and came and told Roy. That’s why I’m here now, I wanted you to know I’m safe.’
Elsie and Phyllis regarded each other silently for an instant, joined in the memory of their lost family. But nothing was going to spoil Elsie’s happiness and joy – she had her sister back and that was all that mattered right now.
‘Come on, we’ve got to celebrate and first thing tomorrow we’re going to tell our Fay that you’re alive!’
For a moment, Elsie remembered Stan Walsh and the thrill of her first-ever present, but she knew that tonight she had been given the biggest and best present she would ever receive. Life was definitely looking up.
‘I want to raise another toast,’ she shouted above the din. ‘Here’s to Coronation Street, long may she reign!’
Elsie downed her gin in one gulp, and as Mrs Foyle took up the piano, the noisy cheers drifted out of the Rovers Return, across the cobbles, and into the night.