5

‘I’m home,’ Flora called out as they entered Sea View, removing her coat and hanging it on a tall mahogany hall stand along with her gas mask and hat. She kicked off her shoes and stepped into a well-worn pair of slippers. ‘That’s better,’ she sighed. ‘Come along, Jennie, with luck the kettle is on the hob, and someone has peeled the vegetables.’

Jennie wrinkled her nose. ‘We aren’t having fish, are we?’

Flora laughed. ‘I hope not. I know Mildred is generous with her catches, but even I am starting to grow fins, the amount we’ve eaten lately. Come on, let’s go and find out,’ she said, linking arms with the young girl and walking down the short flight of steps to the cosy kitchen.

‘You couldn’t have timed it much better if you’d tried,’ Miss Tibbs chuckled from where she stood at the stove, swathed in one of Flora’s crossover pinnies and stirring the large stew pan. ‘Mildred here queued at the butcher’s and managed to get some scrag end. We will eat royally tonight.’

‘Even I was getting sick of fish,’ Mildred said as she poured their tea from a large Brown Betty teapot. ‘I do have to confess to bartering with the butcher,’ she added wryly.

‘No doubt the poor butcher’s family have fish pie for their tea,’ Anya said, looking glum.

‘And no doubt they will eat it with relish; not everyone is as fortunate as we are to have someone like Mildred in our large Sea View family. We should be grateful,’ Flora said, thinking she should not have joked about eating so much fish; she made a note to think before she spoke in future. ‘Now, where are our babies?’

‘Joyce has gone to collect Pearl from her Girl Guides meeting and will be back very soon. She said to tell you to save her some dinner and she still wants to go to bingo with you this evening,’ Miss Tibbs said, waving the serving spoon. ‘She’d best hurry, as I’m about to add the dumplings.’

‘I’ve put Daisy down for a sleep as she was dead on her feet. I took her out on the boat for a couple of hours to tire her,’ Mildred said. ‘She ran me ragged.’

‘My Alexsy is still at Captain’s Cottage with Katie,’ Anya said, looking at the clock on the wall. ‘It is past his bedtime.’

‘Once we’ve eaten, I’ll drive over and collect him; someone will have to come along to help me,’ Mildred said. ‘I can’t steer my van and hold a wriggling child.’

‘I can come with you,’ Anya said.

‘No, you look all in, stay here and tell Flora about your day in London,’ Mildred instructed her. ‘Jennie here can help me. We’ll only be fifteen minutes, then we can all go to bingo together while Jennie looks after the kids.’

‘Please thank Katie for helping me out at late notice,’ Anya said. ‘She is worth her weight in stone.’

‘Gold!’ they all said together. Even Anya laughed.

‘I need many lessons before I am English,’ she said.

Flora patted her on the shoulder. ‘Please never change, Anya. We love you as you are.’

To their surprise, Anya took a handkerchief from her pocket and began to weep into it. ‘You have no idea how grateful I am for your caring,’ she sniffed.

Flora gave her a hug. ‘What’s brought this on; have you received news of Henio?’

‘No, it has just been a long day. I will feel better once I’ve cuddled my son and had a good night’s sleep.’

Flora knew she needed to persist; there was something troubling Anya and she was determined to get to the bottom of it. ‘Anya, I don’t wish you to think that I’m interfering in your private business. It’s just that you haven’t been the same since Ruth visited; you seem deeply troubled. You know what they say: a trouble shared is a trouble halved.’

Anya looked away from Flora. ‘If you will excuse me, I am going to change out of these clothes so that Alexsy does not make sticky marks on the jacket.’ She reached for the handbag Flora had lent her for the day and removed her purse, scarf and handkerchief. ‘Thank you very much for lending me your best handbag; I took great care of it,’ she said, passing it to Flora.

‘You are welcome to use it any time,’ Flora said as she stroked the brown leather. ‘Rose and Ben gave this to me for my last birthday; wasn’t that generous of them?’

‘You are so fortunate to have a caring daughter,’ Anya said, not smiling as she stood up.

‘Your son will be the same when he is older. That is the joy of motherhood, seeing our offspring grow up to be caring and loving people.’

Anya’s face grew pale. ‘I only hope . . .’ She couldn’t finish her words before hurrying from the room.

They’d not long finished their meal when the front door slammed closed and Joyce rushed into the room. ‘We’re back,’ she said, almost collapsing into the kitchen as she gasped for breath. ‘I never thought I’d make it in time; have the others left yet?’

‘Left . . .?’ Flora asked, distracted by thoughts of Anya.

‘Wake up, you look as though your thoughts are elsewhere,’ Joyce smiled as she checked her dinner, which was waiting for her on top of a pan of boiling water on the hob. ‘Oh delicious, I’m famished,’ she added, using a tea towel to carry the hot plate to the table. ‘I’ll eat as quickly as I can, as we don’t want to miss the first game. Would you like to share this, Pearl?’

Her daughter, who’d been intently watching Flora, peered at the plate of stew. ‘No thank you. I had my tea before I went to Girl Guides, although I’d quite like to share one of your dumplings.’

Joyce went to get a dish for her daughter.

‘Aunty Flora,’ Pearl said earnestly, ‘I hope you don’t mind my asking, but are you going down with something? You don’t look quite the ticket, as Miss Tibbs would say. I’m learning first aid at pack meetings. Can I help you?’

Flora tried to smile, giving a small chuckle. ‘It’s just been a long day and I’m feeling my age, but thank you for the offer. I’m sure a trip to the tunnels with your mum to play bingo will lift my spirits. Who knows, perhaps we will win something. Rumour has it there’s a tin of pineapple in among the prizes.’

‘Ooh!’ Pearl said. ‘Shall we have it with custard, or perhaps a sponge cake . . .?’ She licked her lips in anticipation.

‘We’ve not even played a game yet, and you’re dreaming of what to do with the winnings. Here, sit and eat your dumpling; I’ve added a spoonful of gravy for you,’ Joyce said as she put the food on the table and sat down to eat her own meal. ‘I do like that handbag. Have you been somewhere nice to use it?’ she asked, noticing Flora’s bag on the table.

‘No, I lent it to Anya as she had an important appointment.’

‘I hope it wasn’t to hear bad news about Henio. I can’t believe it must be almost a year since he went missing. Having lost my husband when Pearl was so young is heartbreaking enough, without having a child grow up not knowing one of its parents.’

‘I can’t remember my dad,’ Pearl chipped in, licking her spoon clean. ‘That was tasty. I’ll go and change out of my uniform before it gets grubby.’ She jumped up and put her bowl into the sink. ‘And I’ll do our washing up when I’ve changed so you aren’t late going out. Can I put your handbag upstairs, Aunty Flora?’

‘That’s very kind of you, my dear; just leave it on my bed. Will you knock on Miss Tibbs’ door to tell her we’ll be leaving soon?’

‘Will do,’ the girl said as she gently placed the bag over her arm. ‘It smells of leather and perfume,’ she said as she unclipped the clasp and peered inside. ‘Oh, you’ve left a piece of paper,’ she added, passing it to Flora before skipping from the room.

‘That daughter of mine – one minute she is a child and the next a young woman. It saddens me that she cannot recall her father . . . Whatever is the matter, Flora?’ Joyce asked, looking at the puzzled expression on Flora’s face as she read the piece of paper Pearl had handed to her.

‘It’s a travel permit for Anya to travel to London – it’s signed by my Rose’s sister-in-law, Ruth.’

‘Why would Ruth wish to see Anya in London when she’s only just been down here? You mentioned you’d met her for lunch?’

‘I’ve as much as asked her what’s going on, but she’s being so secretive.’

Joyce was thoughtful. ‘I wonder . . . no, I’m being daft . . .’

‘Please do say,’ Flora begged. ‘I really have no idea what’s happening and I want to help Anya and Alexsy if I can.’

‘When I applied for my job at RAF Manston recently, it was made clear to me that I would not be allowed to speak to anyone about my work or, come to that, even tell them where I worked. They even had me sign something. I thought it rather fanciful and told them so, as it was only for part-time work in the canteen. I don’t think Hitler especially cares what we have on the menu, do you?’

Flora frowned. It had been a long day and she couldn’t make head nor tail of what Joyce was getting at. ‘Please explain . . .’

‘Well, these days plenty of people are working in jobs that have to be kept a bit confidential, even if the work itself is quite ordinary. Perhaps Ruth is helping Anya to get some sort of new job in London and they can’t tell you about it.’

‘I suppose it could be something like that. It would be one thing if Anya seemed happy in herself, but she was in tears just now. Something isn’t right about all this; and I know she won’t want to ask for our help even if she needs it.’ Flora squared her shoulders, a determined look on her face. ‘I shall have to send my own spy to find out,’ she said. ‘My Rose will have to speak to Ruth; I’ll put this back in my handbag for safety.’

‘Good grief, Flora. I feel you are overreacting to Anya being a little quiet of late.’

‘It’s more than that; I can feel it in my waters. And I must see Rose anyway because of young Jennie.’

‘Why? Rose manages the Margate teashop, so surely if Jennie has done something wrong it is Katie you should be having a word with?’

‘It has nothing to do with her work, apart from the girl having met a man while she was on duty.’

‘What man? You can’t stop a girl Jennie’s age from courting.’

‘I can if it happens to be Tom White . . .’

‘Bloody hell,’ Joyce exclaimed, not noticing her daughter enter the room.

‘Mother, language!’

Rose grabbed her mother to stop her in her tracks. ‘Here, let me take Daisy,’ she said, sweeping the child into her arms. ‘Come on, let’s hurry before we’re blown to smithereens. Why you wanted to go back for your handbag I don’t know; it’s not like you to take your best handbag down into the tunnels. I’m not saying anyone will pinch it, but . . .’ she scolded as they reached the entrance to the tunnels and were ushered inside.

‘I’ve brought it along for a reason. There’s something I want to show you,’ Flora said as she did her best to catch up with Rose, who was striding along briskly. ‘Once we’ve dropped off our things with the girls, along with Daisy, do you think we could find a quiet corner where we can talk?’

Rose stopped and turned so sharply that Flora nearly walked into her. ‘Is there something wrong, Mum?’ she asked, concerned.

‘Not as such, although I’m worried about something and you may be able to help me.’

‘All right, let’s go down to our space in the tunnel and if no one else is there we can chat.’

They moved along smartly, at times almost propelled along by the stream of other families hurrying towards their places in the tunnels to settle down for what could be a long stay. The two women had only just found their bench and bunk beds when Miss Tibbs joined them, huffing and puffing. ‘I was calling out to you,’ she said once she could catch her breath. ‘Didn’t you hear me?’

‘I’m afraid not, with all the commotion down here,’ Flora said, helping the old woman clear a space where she could sit. ‘I’ll make a brew in a minute . . .’ she said, digging about in a large shopping bag that had seen better days. ‘Ah, here it is.’ She pulled out a glass bottle with a cork stopper. ‘If we’re careful, there should be enough milk to last, even if we end up down here for a long stay.’

As if on cue, there was the earth-shattering sound of a bomb hitting its target not far away. Few people took any notice, as by now they were used to the sound of the bombing raids, although there was still the very real fear of emerging from the tunnels that ran under Ramsgate town to find their homes had been reduced to a pile of rubble.

‘How anyone can sleep through this din,’ Rose said, glancing to where an elderly man was snoozing in a deckchair.

‘He’s as deaf as a post,’ Miss Tibbs said, giving him a disdainful look. ‘Honestly, he gives us old folk a bad name.’ She delved into a battered tin they kept under the bunk. ‘Did you bring any biscuits, Flora? This tin’s almost empty.’

‘Bless her, she’ll never change,’ Flora smiled as she helped Rose settle Daisy onto one of the beds. It was a little early for the child to go to sleep, but she was clearly tired out by all the activity. At last the two women sat down, and Flora sighed. ‘Well, so much for our plan to play bingo.’

‘What was it you wanted to talk to me about?’ Rose asked, watching her mum pull out a paper bag containing homemade biscuits. Flora murmured that they were a little burnt around the edges but beggars can’t be choosers, and tipped them into the tin. She glanced about her and then leant closer to Rose. ‘Look in my handbag and tell me what you think; but keep it to yourself. I brought it with me for you to check; I’d not usually bring my best bag into the tunnels.’

Rose frowned. Whatever was her mother talking about? She lifted the bag from where it had been placed on the bunk bed and peered closely at it. There was lighting in the tunnels, but it was dull; they often found it was better to rely on candles or the light from their torches.

‘There appears to be some scuffing on the underside, but that’s to be expected. A little brown boot polish will cover it.’

‘Oh dear, I never noticed that.’ Flora stepped closer to examine the marks. ‘I meant for you to open the handbag and check inside . . .’ she said in a low voice, turning away to see if anyone was watching.

Rose snapped back the pearl clasp and looked inside. Apart from a piece of paper there was nothing to see, although she could smell the scent from Flora’s powder compact. ‘What am I looking for?’

‘Read the piece of paper,’ Flora hissed before calling hello to a neighbour who was setting up nearby.

‘It’s just a travel pass,’ Rose retorted as she unfolded it.

‘Oh, for goodness’ sake,’ Flora said, taking it from her and holding the typed side close to Rose’s face. ‘Read the words – but quietly,’ she scolded, as Rose opened her mouth to speak.

A few seconds later Rose stared at her mother. ‘Why has Ruth supplied Anya with a travel pass to go to London?’

‘That’s what I want you to find out. You’re related to Ruth, so can you ask her?’

‘Why can’t you ask Anya?’ Rose said. ‘After all, it’s her business, and it could be something to do with Henio.’

Flora shook her head. ‘No, Anya would have told me if she’d heard news of Henio. This is something else. She’s been acting strangely ever since that conversation she had with Ruth at the teashop.’

‘Even so, surely we’ve no reason to interfere?’

‘She was awfully upset earlier,’ Flora said emphatically. ‘I can’t help feeling something out of the ordinary is going on. And if anything were to happen to her, with Henio still missing . . . well, what would become of little Alexsy? We’re all Anya’s got at the moment and I’d just like some reassurance that things are all right. Won’t you please speak to Ruth?’

‘I suppose so, but I can only do it when I have a good reason to go to London. Perhaps when Ben is home and has a twenty-four-hour pass. Last time we took in a show and stayed in a posh hotel, so we could have some time alone; but it could be weeks, probably months, before he is on leave again.’

Flora sighed. ‘We’ve got to find out sooner than that, in case Anya needs our help.’

‘What do we need to find out and who are you helping?’ a booming voice asked from behind Rose, causing both women to almost jump out of their skins.

‘Oh, Mildred, you gave me such a shock creeping up like that.’

Mildred gave a belly laugh. ‘The pair of you were so intent on disagreeing with each other, I’m surprised you even heard me. I only popped out to check the boat hadn’t been hit. Now, what are you two falling out about?’

Flora shared a glance with Rose and hoped her daughter wasn’t about to spill the beans. She thought quickly and decided that although she wasn’t keen on announcing it here, she had no choice. ‘Tom White is back,’ she said, raising her eyebrows.

‘Good grief, what does that man want?’ Mildred groaned. ‘Didn’t he cause enough problems for our Lily before he got the sack from Lyons?’

Rose made an effort to conceal her surprise, aware that Mildred would assume her mother had just been telling her the same news. She simply shook her head. ‘Surely he knows he’s not welcome in these parts. I thought he’d been carted off to the army when his so-called ailments were found to be fake? The ones that kept him from joining up?’

Mildred had gone red in the face. ‘What happens now and who is going to run him out of town?’

Flora did her best to placate her. ‘Mildred, dear,’ she said, placing her hand on the fisherwoman’s arm and hoping there was no grease on the sleeve of Mildred’s boiler suit. Although she always took off her work overalls on arriving home at Sea View, Mildred seemed to feel it was sensible to wear them while down in the tunnels. ‘Do please try to calm down. It will do you no favours to get het up over the situation.’

‘How did you find out, Mum?’ Rose asked. She was wondering if Tom was likely to walk into the Margate teashop and confront Lily. He had such a high opinion of himself, he was liable to do anything.

‘Oh, well, you are bound to find out before too long. It seems he is courting our Jennie.’

‘Oh, for goodness’ sake,’ Mildred spluttered with anger. ‘He must be twice her age. Does she not know about what happened between him and Lily?’

‘We tried to keep everything quiet, and as Jennie had only just moved in with us around that time, I doubt she knows anything. Young Mary’s father has never been discussed and with Lily living at Captain’s Cottage while Jennie is living with us, we don’t really talk about Mary’s parentage; it just hasn’t come up in conversation.’

‘If you don’t have a word with Jennie, I will,’ Mildred said. ‘Goodness knows what will happen if he gets his dirty mitts on her. To my knowledge she’s never had a boyfriend; this man will be the ruin of her. Where is she now? There’s no time like the present for putting her straight.’

‘She came down to the tunnels with us. We never did get to the bingo. She’s further down the tunnel with Joyce and Pearl, so please, Mildred, be sensible and stay here with us,’ Flora urged. ‘Rose, we should have a little sing-song. It will lift our mood and we need that so much at present.’