‘You cut it very fine yesterday evening, Miss Gillespie,’ said Gwen at breakfast the next morning. ‘You seem to be making a habit of it. Don’t think I haven’t noticed. One further transgression and you’re in even deeper trouble than before.’ She gave Edith a sharp look. Edith, who’d had very little sleep as she’d been so wound up by yesterday’s events, just shrugged. Gwen could have no formal cause for complaint as she and Mary had come through the front door at three minutes to ten, trying not to make any noise as they did so. Gwen obviously had extremely acute powers of hearing.
Alice, at Edith’s side, wasn’t sure what had happened, as she’d fallen asleep before her friend came home and for once Edith hadn’t gone straight in to wake her. She just smiled politely as she set her tray down and waited for the older woman to pass by. Gwen stacked her used plate and cutlery ready to be washed and left, shooting another look at Edith over her shoulder.
‘What was all that about?’ Alice demanded as soon as she had vanished through the door.
‘She’s making a fuss over nothing as usual,’ Edith said, spreading marmalade on her toast. ‘You’d be proud of me, Alice. We got back just in time. So, she can’t complain. We were quiet as mice and stone-cold sober, models of good behaviour in fact.’
‘Really?’ Alice wasn’t convinced.
‘Well, nearly.’ Edith flashed a grin. ‘It was quite an evening.’
‘How?’ Alice took a bite from her own toast, and listened as Edith explained. Somehow she wasn’t surprised, even though she felt very uneasy about Harry and his friends taking matters into their own hands like that. As a Londoner, part of her understood the urge to protect someone they thought of as one of their own, while the other side of her recoiled from the violence. ‘And Joe was in the pub with you, did you say? He didn’t join in?’
‘No, he stayed with us,’ Edith said. ‘Why, do you think it makes him a coward? I don’t think that was it at all. Harry said he thought it was a big risk and they could make things worse if they weren’t careful. He’s probably more sensible, to be honest.’
‘No, I don’t think he’s a coward,’ Alice said.
‘But you don’t know him that well, do you?’ Edith asked. ‘You only met him that one time in the park … that’s right, isn’t it?’ She came to a halt at the look on her friend’s face. ‘Alice, is there something you haven’t told me?’ Her expression darkened.
Alice shifted awkwardly in the hard-backed chair. She’d chosen to say nothing about the book because there was nothing much to say, but now she realised that by not mentioning it at all it seemed as if she was hiding something – the very opposite of what she’d intended. ‘It’s not really anything,’ she said hurriedly. ‘I met Joe again when I was visiting a patient, the postman – you remember? It turns out he works with Joe, who came over to see how he was. He said he’d lend me a book, which he sent round. That’s all. There’s really no more to it.’
Edith frowned. ‘Then why didn’t you say? Here am I, meeting up with Harry, and all the while you’ve been seeing his brother behind my back. Now I feel like a complete fool. He even asked after you last night – asked what you were reading! He knew all the while and he’s going to think I’m an idiot. Thanks a bunch. Some friend you are.’ She pushed her plate away, the toast only half eaten.
‘Edie! Don’t be like that.’ Alice’s voice was full of regret. ‘Honestly, I’m not seeing him – not like that. He’s not sweet on me or anything. He just lent me a book. It was only because he knew Harry had taken you to see the film. We’d probably never even have mentioned it otherwise.’
Edith looked sceptical, unsure whether to believe her friend or not. If it had been anyone else, the whole thing would have sounded unlikely – a man didn’t go round putting himself out like that if he didn’t like the girl in question. But Alice was usually honest to a fault, and Edith knew all too well that she genuinely had little interest in finding herself a young man. She’d been hurt too badly before. She sighed. ‘But you could have told me. It seems very odd otherwise.’
Alice nodded miserably. ‘I can see what you mean now. I didn’t mean it to look that way. It’s just you were so very keen on Harry, I didn’t want to make it seem as if I had someone too. It’s nothing like the same thing. You do still like him, don’t you?’
Edith sighed in turn, picked up her knife and turned it around before putting it back on her plate. ‘Yes. Even after last night – well, almost especially after last night.’ She raised her gaze to meet Alice’s. ‘When I knew he’d gone after Ray and that there was a chance he’d get hurt, or picked up by the police, or something – I couldn’t bear it. I’ve never felt like that before. I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to him. Does that sound daft? He’s not just some fellow I’ve met in a dance hall and had a bit of fun with. It’s different with him.’ She blushed. ‘It’s as if we belong together.’
‘Oh, Edie.’ Alice’s heart went out to her friend. ‘Does he feel the same? Have you told him?’
Edie made a little face. ‘I’ve only just got to know him. I don’t want to seem too serious too soon. That puts a man off, we both know that. But I think he likes me.’ She blinked. ‘I just want the time to get to know him better. He’s asked me to go to see him boxing in a few weeks.’
‘A proper match, you mean?’
‘Yes, he says I’ll be his good-luck charm. Do you think I should go? Will you come too?’
‘Maybe Mary would enjoy it more,’ said Alice diplomatically. It wasn’t a sport she enjoyed. ‘As for whether you should go, that’s up to you, isn’t it? If you want to go, then go.’
‘I think he’d like me to be there,’ said Edith, uncharacteristically shy.
Alice took another quick mouthful of toast. ‘Then you should go. If the thought of watching him hitting someone else and getting hit back doesn’t put you off.’
Edith laughed. ‘I know you don’t like it. But at least with a proper match there’s a referee and everything. It can’t possibly be as bad as knowing he’s gone looking for a fight in the street and anything could happen.’ She shuddered.
‘But he’s back in one piece,’ Alice reminded her. ‘Don’t think about it any more, Edie. It’s upsetting you.’
Edith nodded. ‘Oh, Alice. I don’t want him to be hurt. He’s special, he really is. Are you sure you won’t come to watch him? Promise me you’ll at least think about it?’
Alice hesitated, and then reluctantly nodded, realising that her friend had fallen hard for this young man. This was going to be different. She wondered if it would change their friendship, but it was too soon to tell.
‘He seems like a nice man,’ she said seriously. ‘But, I’d best be off now. Look at the time – I’m late already.’
‘Late?’ echoed Edith. ‘For what?’
Alice grinned. ‘I’ve got a book to return.’
Harry raised his arms in triumph. It was the best moment of his life – his biggest win, in front of his largest-ever audience. Everyone was roaring his name, stamping and clapping, and out of the corner of his eye he could see Edith, along with her friends Alice and Mary. It added an extra-special something to know she was there, cheering him on. His heart swelled.
‘Congratulations.’ Now the officials and dignitaries were in the ring, all keen to shake his hand, give him praise and accolades. He greeted them in turn without taking in their names. That must be the mayor – he wore a large gold chain of office. The lights and the noise were dazzling. Harry knew he should be feeling exhausted after the tough fight but he was riding on a wave of euphoria. He never wanted this moment to end. It was what he’d trained for, making all the early starts and weekend workouts worthwhile. He was about to hit the big time, if he played his cards right.
Still buzzing with the excitement and adrenaline, he allowed himself to be led backstage, to where still more men crowded around, eager to congratulate him. The photographer from the local paper was there and snapped him with the mayor. The president of the local club came to stand beside them and there were more photographs. It took a long time for the uproar to subside, as the dignitaries were ushered back into the main hall, and the people slowly thinned out. He glimpsed Joe making his way through the door and across to him.
‘Well done.’ His brother gave him a bear hug. Joe of all people knew the work that had gone into this, all the nights in the pub Harry had turned down, the family occasions he’d missed, been late for or left early. ‘You deserved to win. The other fellow was tough but you were better.’
‘I was, wasn’t I.’ Harry knew this was true. The right man had won on the night, and it was him.
‘Aren’t you dying to sit down and have a drink?’ Joe asked. ‘I would be.’
‘No,’ Harry protested. ‘Not yet. I couldn’t sit still if you paid me. Where are the girls? Where’s Edith?’ He looked around as if she might have come in without his noticing.
Joe laughed. ‘What, do you think she’s in here with you all sweaty and horrible?’
Harry looked down at his torso and shook his head. ‘No, you’re right, of course not. This is no place for ladies. You haven’t left them alone out there, have you?’
‘Don’t worry, Billy’s with them,’ Joe reassured him. ‘If you get changed then you can soak up their admiration in person. Hurry up, aren’t you meant to put on something warm after all that?’
‘Don’t fuss.’ Harry couldn’t help but notice that Joe was still acting like the big brother who had had a lifetime of being told to look after his siblings. Old habits died hard – even when the younger brother had just won a major boxing championship and was taller and in far better shape. ‘I won’t catch my death of cold, you don’t have to worry. You can pass me that towel if you’re that bothered.’
Joe reached for the huge towel that hung on a hook on the back of the door. As he lifted it off, the door began to swing open again and a man who was maybe in his late thirties, dressed in army uniform, came in.
‘Congratulations, Mr Banham.’ The man strode confidently forward, arm outstretched, and shook hands with Harry. ‘That was as impressive a display of prowess as I’ve ever seen, I don’t mind admitting.’
‘Thank you,’ said Harry, draping himself in the towel, wondering what this man wanted.
‘I used to box myself a bit, and I can see you’re very competent,’ the man went on. ‘There are plenty of talented young men who can land a punch but you fight with your brain as well as your body. It’s surprisingly rare, and you’re not very old, are you?’
‘Twenty-one,’ said Harry.
‘Still plenty of time to improve even further, then,’ said the man. ‘I’m so sorry, I haven’t introduced myself. James Ingham. Major James Ingham.’
Both brothers stared at the details of the uniform, suddenly aware of the stature of their guest. Joe recovered first.
‘Joseph Banham, older brother of the champ here,’ he said, offering his own hand.
‘You must be very proud,’ said Major Ingham. ‘Don’t let me interrupt you – I can see I’ve come in at a bad moment.’
‘No, not at all …’Harry began.
‘You need your time to gather yourself after a bout, I know that only too well,’ the major went on. ‘Don’t underestimate the body’s need for that. You take your time but I should like to buy you a drink in the bar afterwards, if you’ll allow me. Both of you, that is. And any special guests you might have,’ he continued smoothly, as if this was only to be expected. ‘I’ll wait for you there.’ He turned and left the room before either of them could object.
Harry was thinking. ‘Ingham … James Ingham … and he’s what, fifteen or more years older than me … God, Joe, you know who that is, don’t you?’
Joe shook his head. ‘He’s a major in the army, he told us that much.’
Harry looked to the ceiling. ‘It’s only bleeding Jimmy Ingham. He was inter-services champion about ten years ago. He’s boxing royalty. Joe, that was Jimmy Ingham, I can’t believe it.’
‘And he thought you were good,’ said Joe. ‘Even better, he wants to buy us a drink. Come on, get your skates on. You can’t go out there and mix with the great and the good if you’re all sweaty with your hair sticking up, and anyway Edith will be wanting to congratulate you.’ He gave his brother a wink.
Harry grinned. ‘You might get a smile yourself of her mate, Alice, thanks to me. You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Joe?’
Joe playfully punched his big little brother on the arm. ‘Mind your own business and don’t be cheeky. C’mon, let’s get out there, before some other spivs get there before us.’
Edith’s eyes shone with pride at Harry’s achievement. It was as if he’d done it just for her, even though she knew that wasn’t really true. Still, he’d been adamant he wanted her there and she felt that might have just made the difference. She hadn’t known what to expect of the fight itself and at first she’d been nervous, flinching every time his opponent had landed a punch on Harry, worried he’d be permanently hurt. Yet, as the bout had gone on, she could begin to appreciate how good he was, how fast his footwork, the sheer power in his arms. She felt a keen sense of delight that those were the arms which had held her close, shielding her from the outside world.
Billy led the three young women over to the bar area in response to the message he’d just received. ‘Through here, ladies,’ he said gallantly, making way for them to pass unimpeded. Mary gazed around, fascinated, her arm linked through Edith’s, basking in the reflected glory of being part of the new champion’s inner circle. She’d put her hair up for the occasion and put on her best summer coat, over a dress with a deeper neckline than she usually wore. She was pleased to see she was attracting plenty of notice.
Alice followed slightly behind, feeling awkward. It wasn’t the sort of place she could be comfortable in, and yet she could see that Harry was good. Possibly more than good. She could sense how proud Edith was of him, and Joe too, even though she hadn’t had much of a chance to speak to him yet. During the fight it had been too noisy, and afterwards he had been swept up with all the crowds trying to talk to his triumphant brother.
Billy was about to escort them to a small table covered in a maroon velour cloth, when there was a commotion from the opposite side, followed by clapping, as Harry came into the area, followed by Joe. Edith instantly sprinted across and flung her arms around him. Harry picked her up and twirled her around, his happiness complete, as the photographer took yet another set of pictures.
Major Ingham indicated that they should all join him at the larger table where he had installed himself, along with another man in army uniform. ‘Well done again, Banham,’ he said, slapping Harry heartily on the back. ‘And may I ask who is your very beautiful friend? I beg your pardon, friends?’
Harry introduced Edith, Alice and Mary, then took a seat in between Edith and the major.
‘Some champagne, I think,’ said the major. He waved to the barman, who had obviously been prepared; he hurried over, carrying a tray, on which he’d balanced an ice bucket containing a glistening green bottle and an assortment of fluted glasses.
Edith eyed it in amazement, but Mary nodded as if she was rather more used to such goings-on. ‘Don’t mind if I do,’ she said as the other officer popped open the cork.
Harry accepted a glass, as it would clearly have been rude not to, although for two pins he’d as soon as had a pint of bitter. Joe exchanged a look with his brother, evidently wishing the same, but he too accepted a flute and raised it. ‘To Harry,’ he said.
‘To Harry,’ everyone echoed, and Harry beamed in appreciation, one arm around the back of Edith’s chair.
Mary turned her smile on the officer who’d opened the bottle and began to charm him, while he seemed only too happen to listen.
Joe, who had wondered if this might turn out to be an awkward occasion, breathed a low sigh of relief. He’d had champagne exactly once before in his whole life, and he suspected Harry had never tried it. He was pretty certain Billy hadn’t either, although their old friend was slugging it back as if there was no tomorrow and the officer had already topped him up. Mary was perfectly at home, but then, Joe had clocked her accent on their first meeting and could assume she had been brought up in a very different social circle to that of Jeeves Street. He looked down the table at Alice, who was tentatively sipping at her glass, hardly drinking anything. He hoped he could catch her eye … Joe guessed this wasn’t the sort of night out she was normally used to and was keen to talk to her, to put her at her ease, though she and Edith seemed to be enjoying themselves. Joe supposed that as nurses they were accustomed to meeting all kinds of people and instantly establishing a rapport so maybe she didn’t need to be put at ease. It wouldn’t do to be shy and bumbling if you had to persuade a patient what was in their best interests and had only a short time in which to do it. At that moment, Alice looked down the table towards him and saw him looking at her. He smiled and mouthed, ‘Are you all right?’ at her and she shrugged and nodded, returning his smile with a wry one of her own.
Reluctantly, he turned his attention back to the conversation.
‘… in the event of war breaking out in the near future,’ the officer was saying earnestly.
‘Oh, surely not!’ Mary exclaimed. ‘It’s too bad. I can’t believe that’s really going to happen.’ Her hand flew to her throat.
Joe suppressed a groan, as everyone else looked at Mary in sad amazement. Did she really think that it could still be avoided? Joe’s limited knowledge of the young woman had taught him that she was a perpetual optimist, not exactly switched on when it came to current affairs – unlike Alice, who he’d swiftly realised followed them obsessively, or, by the looks of it, Edith, who might not come across as the studious kind but was proving herself to be very quick on the uptake in all manner of ways.
‘I would love to agree with you, my dear,’ said the major, his serious grey eyes resting on Mary, ‘but I am afraid it is merely a question of when, not if. We would do well to make what preparations we can, with what little time is left to us before it all begins.’
Mary paled and bit her lip.
Major Ingham turned back to Harry. ‘This brings me to one particular reason I wanted to speak to you,’ he said. ‘Forgive me for being so direct but, as I just said, we might not have the luxury of time. Have you thought what you will do once hostilities are underway? Have you joined any of the reserves?’
Harry shook his head. ‘Not yet, but I won’t chicken out if it comes to it,’ he said. ‘I want to do my bit. I hate that Hitler, and those followers of his who’ve been running all over the East End and stirring up trouble. We catch any of those on our patch, we throw them out of the pub.’
The major nodded, as if he’d expected nothing less. ‘Then you’ll probably have worked out that there is likely to be conscription of one kind or another. You’ – he gazed at Harry, Joe and Billy in turn – ‘are just the sort of young men who’ll be in demand. If you act now, you stand a better chance of getting a choice in what you do, rather than being forced into a situation that doesn’t suit you.’
Joe cleared his throat. ‘What do you mean, exactly?’ He met the major’s eyes and didn’t back down.
The major clasped and re-clasped his hands, which rested on the deep red tablecloth. ‘I suppose what I’m trying to do is get my bid in before anyone else does, or at least with regard to your brother. You, Harry,’ and he swivelled around again, ‘are a genuine talent in the boxing world and I’d hate to see that go to waste because you are called up to serve your country.’
Harry bridled. ‘I just said, I intend to serve if it comes to it. I won’t ask for a way out just cos I’m a boxer.’
‘No, no, that’s not what I had in mind,’ said the major hurriedly. ‘You may know that I was inter-services champion myself when I was not much older than you. You may also know that the army produces most of the champions in that competition. That’s not to say that the Air Force and Navy don’t have good coaches, or that they don’t take boxing seriously – but if I say so myself, the army does it better. You may want to take that into consideration.’
Harry took a slow sip from his glass. This wasn’t how he’d expected the evening to go. He glanced down at Edith, who had an alarmed expression on her face. She fiddled anxiously with the stem of her flute and looked swiftly away, and already he knew her well enough to understand this was because she didn’t want him to see she was afraid.
‘Harry,’ said Joe, ‘we can’t make any sudden decisions. What the major has to say is valid but we have to talk to Ma and Pa.’
‘Of course,’ said the major. ‘Don’t rush into anything – but don’t leave it until it’s too late, either.’ He reached into his pocket. ‘Here’s my card. I’ve written an address on the back. If you do decide to take my advice, go to that recruiting office and explain I have sent you. I’m sure your local office is very efficient but, if you do sign up with us, I want to know that I can personally oversee your progress.’
Harry blinked slowly as he tucked the card into his own pocket. To be under Jimmy Ingham’s wing – that was more than he could ever have hoped for. He hadn’t really thought about signing up yet, but it made sense in many ways. He didn’t mind his current job, in the local hardware store, but he only worked there to give himself lots of time for boxing. It wasn’t exactly a reserved profession and nor was it something he wanted to continue for the rest of his life.
‘I want to talk it over with Edith too,’ he said, squeezing her hand.
Edith’s chin went up. ‘You must do what you think is right, Harry,’ she said with just the smallest shake in her voice. ‘I’ll be proud of you whatever you do. You’re a brave man, I knew that already, but you showed us all this evening. I’ll support whatever decision you make.’
Joe nodded, impressed by this young woman who’d so recently come into his brother’s life, but who was showing herself to be mature beyond her years. Again, he brought himself up short. As a nurse, she must have seen things that most women her age would have known nothing about. Also, if it came to war, she’d be in the thick of it. Mary, meanwhile, looked as if she might cry at any moment.
He glanced along to where Alice was sitting. She’d calmly listened while all of this was going on and Joe was struck again by her poise and demeanour. Watchful and unruffled. She was the sort of person this country would need when the going got tough, he thought. He’d seen her only once since she’d returned the book, and that was just briefly, but what she’d said had stuck in his mind. She’d been with her teacher friend, Janet Phipps, and he’d bumped into them on what turned out to be the last day of the school term. Alice had told him that all the parents had just been given a letter, asking them to listen for announcements on the radio that would tell them when the children needed to be evacuated. She and Janet had prepared a plan for the junior classes of St Benedict’s. Mary might not want to believe it, but people all around her were getting ready for war.
Edith swallowed a gulp of champagne and quietly prayed that it would give her courage. She’d been so proud of Harry when he’d won, and for a wonderful few minutes she’d entertained the idea of another kind of life – being feted as the girlfriend of a champion, her picture in the papers, going to parties and having one long good time. Already that bubble had burst. Reality was staring her in the face. War was coming, but Harry would fight for his country just as hard as he’d fought in the ring. Maybe this way he could do both. She had to be glad that he’d been given the chance to make that choice.
She didn’t want to think about what it would be like without him, waiting to hear how he was, what he was doing, if he was unhurt, or even if he was still alive. It had been bad enough for that hour or so in the pub garden. How much worse would it be to endure months of not knowing? She clenched her jaw, trying not to give way to her emotions. She’d only known Harry for a couple of months but it was as if he’d always been there, an essential part of her existence. Now she was just going to have to learn to be apart from him. It wasn’t fair. But she couldn’t break down and show her disappointment now. It was the night of his triumph: he was her hero, and she had to remember that, hang on to it, whatever the future was about to bring.