A Wartime Christmas (34 page)

Vi paused. She couldn’t help but overhear. Eddie’s voice rose, clearly filled with anger. Vi knew the Chapmans were quarrelling. Not an ordinary quarrel, but the other kind, where
people started to belt it out, careless of their neighbours or anyone who might be in the vicinity.

Vi took a breath and began to walk away. When love, betrayal and jealousy were on the cards, the very worst always came out in human nature. As it was with Babs and Eddie today.

‘Howdy, Kay.’ Said Gene when Kay opened the door early the next morning. She had only just finished dressing in her summer skirt and short-sleeved blouse. Her hair
was unbrushed and spilled untidily over her shoulders. Alfie was still asleep from his late night. And the rest of the family didn’t seem to be about. It took Kay a few minutes to realize who
the caller was. She was surprised to find the young uniformed American of last night, her dancing partner. Stroking a tanned hand over his blond crew cut he smiled broadly.

‘What are you doing here?’ she asked, startled.

‘Your ma invited me round for English tea. Something to do with – ah – eleven, is it?’

‘Oh, I expect you mean elevenses.’

‘That’s it!’ Gene looked apologetic. ‘Am I too early?’

‘Not at all, young man,’ a voice said behind Kay. Lil joined Kay, beckoning their visitor inside.

‘If you’re sure,’ Gene said, waiting for Kay to step back so that he could enter.

‘Course I’m sure, my love,’ said Lil, nudging Kay’s arm sharply. ‘As I said last night, we British are grateful to you American boys for standing with us against
the enemy. You deserve a warm welcome in this country. And you’ll certainly find one in this household. Now come in and we’ll have a nice cuppa, as I promised you, outside in the
sunshine. Bob and Pops are putting out some decent chairs out for us to sit on.’

Lil bustled off, leaving Kay with Gene who gave Kay a guilty frown. ‘I guess my visit comes as a surprise to you?’ he asked.

‘Yes, it has.’

‘Mrs Briggs spoke to me last night when you guys were boarding the coach home.’

‘Oh,’ said Kay again, trying unsuccessfully to hide her disappointment. Her morning would now be taken up with entertaining, when she’d promised Alfie they would pack a picnic
to eat in Alfie’s favourite spot, the wooded hill close by.

‘Gee, now I feel kinda bad,’ Gene said with a sigh. ‘I’m making a darn nuisance of myself.’

Kay pushed back a stray lock of her hair from her face. ‘No, that’s all right,’ she replied. ‘Follow Mum along to the garden. I’ll just run a comb through my
hair.’

‘Your hair looks just dandy to me.’ His eyes roamed over her, studying her with mischievous blue eyes. ‘Reminds me of the forests back home at this time of the year. Kinda
glowing, like they were lit up from the inside somehow.’

Kay felt herself blush. She pointed the way to the garden again, then hurried upstairs. She stood in the bedroom, gazing down at Alfie who was still asleep in bed. She hadn’t expected to
see Gene again. Why had Lil invited him round?

‘Time to get up, sleepyhead.’ Kay pulled back Alfie’s covers.

Alfie woke, rubbing his eyes. ‘Are we goin’ for a picnic.’

‘Yes, but first we’re having breakfast.’

‘Do I have to dress in me new clothes?’

Kay laughed. ‘No, just your shorts and shirt.’

‘That’s all right then.’ Alfie was soon out of bed and when he was washed and dressed they went downstairs. The back door was open and Kay saw the garden table was set with the
best china tea set. A large fruit cake had been carved into slices and Gene, Lil, Aunty Pops and Bob were all gathered round.

‘Come along, you two.’ Lil waved to the empty chairs next to Gene’s. Kay sat down and Alfie climbed on her lap. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and yawned.

‘We sure had a ball last night,’ drawled Gene, grinning at Alfie, then at Kay.

‘Yes, indeed,’ said Lil as she poured the tea. ‘Just what Kay needed to lift her spirits.’

Kay glanced quickly at Gene. She hoped Lil wasn’t giving him fresh hope.

‘Now, tell us about yourself,’ continued Lil, handing round the cake. ‘What part of America do you come from?’

‘I live with my folks in Texas,’ Gene said as he ate. ‘Dad works in construction. Mom works in a local store.’

‘Do you follow in your father’s footsteps and work in the building trade?’ asked Bob.

‘No, sir,’ Gene replied firmly. ‘I work in aircraft engineering. I kinda got a bug for airplanes real early on. Liked to know how they worked from a real young kid.’ He
nodded to Alfie. ‘Not much older than this little guy.’

‘Oh, Alfie loves ’em too,’ said Aunty Pops. ‘We sit here watching them go over every day.’

‘We’re hoping to persuade our daughter to leave the Smoke and come and live here,’ said Lil. ‘It would be safer for Alfie.’

‘Mum, you know that me and Alan haven’t any plans to leave the island,’ Kay said quietly.

‘The Smoke?’ interrupted Gene. ‘What’s that?’

‘The Smoke is another name for London,’ Bob told him. ‘We’re from the East End originally. Kay still lives there. But East Enders have had a rough time of it and we worry
about her.’

‘Yeah, we heard all about the Blitz,’ Gene said, looking at Kay. ‘It must be rough on you.’

‘It was,’ said Kay. ‘But the raids aren’t so bad now.’

‘Even so,’ said Lil, folding her hands tightly in her lap.

‘My dad’s a soldier,’ said Alfie, grinning at Gene. ‘’e’s fighting the en’my and when he’s bashed ’em all to bits, ’e’s
comin’ home to take me down the river again.’

Gene laughed, ruffling Alfie’s hair. ‘Your dad sure must want to get home quick, son.’

‘He’s gonna build me a boat an’ all.’ Alfie was all smiles.

‘Is it wise, Kay, to encourage Alfie to think that?’ Lil said shortly. ‘You don’t know for sure about the future. Things could turn very dark indeed.’

‘Hey, Alfie, you gonna walk me out and show me some of them big carrots your grandpa is growing?’ Gene rose and smoothed down his uniform. ‘Thanks a bunch, Mrs Briggs, for a
great English cuppa and cake.’

‘You’re not going yet?’ Lil asked in surprise.

‘I gotta get back to base.’

‘Well, feel free to call again.’

Kay stood up. ‘I’ll see you out too.’

Farewells were said and Gene accompanied them through the house to the allotment at the front. In the bright sunshine, Gene lifted Alfie into his arms. ‘You look after your ma,
now.’

Alfie nodded, grinning.

‘Thank you, Gene,’ Kay said quietly.

‘What for?’

‘You don’t really have to rush off to base, do you?’

‘Not really. Kinda felt in the way a bit.’

‘I’m sorry about that.’

‘Guess I’m feeling homesick. The way you and Alfie talk about your Alan – well, I sure as heck hope my folks are missin’ me that much.’

‘I’m sure they are.’

‘Take care of yourself, honey.’

Kay watched as Gene lowered Alfie to the ground. The big American bunched his knuckle and gently touched Alfie’s cheek. ‘You take care now. Your pa’s gonna be real proud of you
when he comes home. And you can tell him from me, his American brother, that I think he’s a lucky guy. A very lucky guy indeed.’

Kay smiled. ‘You take care of yourself too.’

He gave her a cheeky salute, swinging his broad shoulders as he swaggered away.

Alfie tugged at Kay’s skirt. ‘Is ’e really Dad’s bruvver?’

‘Not blood brothers. But brothers in spirit.’

‘What’s that mean?’

‘Well, it’s like being a close relative because you admire each other a lot.’

Alfie’s dark eyes widened. ‘You mean like me an’ Sean?’

Kay’s heart squeezed. She knew Alfie loved Sean as much as she did. ‘Yes, like you and Sean.’

‘Is Sean gonna come back one day, like me dad?’

‘I don’t know the answer to that, Alfie. But I do know that wherever Dad and Sean are, they’re thinking of us, just like we’re thinking of them.’

‘Can we go ’ome?’ Alfie asked, wriggling free from her grasp and kicking the dirt.

‘Are you missing your pals?’

‘An’ Vi-Vi.’

‘Me too.’ Kay gave him a big grin. ‘Can you wait a few more days?’

‘If we ’ave a picnic, I can.’

‘Come on then.’ She held out her hand and in the warm September morning, heavy with the scents of the countryside, they strolled lazily into the house.

It was Monday 13 September and they were, at last, going home. Lil and Aunty Pops had bid them a fond farewell and Bob stood waving on the platform as the train pulled out of
the station.

Once again, the countryside rushed by, the never-ending fields, trees, hedgerows and small towns and villages. But it wasn’t until they had boarded the bus from London city centre to
Poplar that Kay allowed herself to be really excited. As bad as the bombing had been and as wounded and blighted by ruins as London was, it was home. Kay knew Alfie was excited too. He
couldn’t stop talking about Tim and Gill. He wanted to show Tim the screwdriver that Aunty Pops had allowed him to keep as a souvenir of his first holiday. It was stowed safely away in the
brown case along with a few souvenirs: a quarter of a pound of boiled sweets for Tim and Gill, a knitted tea cosy from the whist stall for Babs, and for Vi, a new flowered headscarf. Lil had been
very disappointed to see them leave. But in the end, she had accepted defeat. Kay smiled to herself. Twelve days spent in the countryside was quite a feat. But, to her surprise, she and Alfie had
enjoyed a good time.

At last the bus arrived at Slater Street and Kay and Alfie stood on the pavement looking around them.

‘Home sweet home,’ Kay murmured appreciatively. Nothing had changed in their absence. The tall black chimneys of the factories were still belching out smoke. Jenny and Alice’s
houses still boasted whiter than white front doorsteps. Slater Street snaked ahead: the untidy, weed-covered remains of the bombed houses, the kids’ chalk markings on the pavements, the sound
of the river traffic, dozens of noisy hooters and the clanking of cranes and machinery. It was all as Kay remembered and oh, so very welcome.

‘Can I call for me mates?’ Alfie couldn’t wait to run down the street.

‘We’ll have something to eat first.’

‘I ain’t hungry.’

‘Yes, you are,’ Kay told him, happy to see the cheeky smile on his face again.

From the front room window, Vi spotted Kay and Alfie. She’d had a card from Kay to say that they’d be arriving back on Monday afternoon. And sure enough, here they
were, right on time!

Vi had cooked a nourishing mutton stew, with split peas, pearl barley and two large onions. The smell was drifting out into the road as she opened the front door.

‘Oh, Vi, it’s so good to see you.’ Vi was smothered in hugs.

‘You an’ all, love.’

‘Are you all right?’

‘Course I am.’

‘Something smells good.’ Kay sniffed the air.

‘Thought you’d need a good square meal after all that gallivanting.’

Kay laughed, dropping her case inside the door. ‘I don’t think we did much of that!’

‘Well, now,’ said Vi as Alfie slid his hand over hers and pulled her into the house. ‘What’s all the rush for?’

‘I wanna see Gill and Tim.’

‘Ain’t I good enough for you?’ Vi held his face between the palms of her hands. ‘It’s all right, son, I’m not about to slobber over yer. Just pleased to see
you again, that’s all.’

‘So are we,’ said Kay with a grin.

Vi glanced quickly at Kay. ‘Plenty of time for Alfie to see his mates. I want both of you to tell me about your holiday.’ She crooked her finger and led the way to the front
room.

Reluctantly, Alfie sat on the couch and dutifully relayed his news. ‘I got a lot of posh clothes. And Aunty Pops gave me a screwdriver. I’m gonna show it to Tim. Can I go
now?’

‘No, not yet.’

‘It was a lovely holiday.’ Kay sighed and kicked off her shoes. ‘But it’s wonderful to be home.’

‘Can I play with me train set?’ asked Alfie restlessly.

‘Good idea,’ said Vi. ‘You occupy yourself for a bit whilst me and your mum get dinner.’

‘Can I go out after?’ Alfie said with a pout.

‘We’ll see.’ Vi raked her hand through his hair. ‘You’ve got ants in your pants, young man.’

‘I ain’t. Me pants are new. Me gran bought ’em.’

Everyone laughed and Vi made the most of the moment; after all that had happened to poor Babs and the kids in Kay’s absence, there hadn’t been much, lately, to laugh at.

‘Poor Babs,’ said Kay with a gasp as she stood at the sink with Vi, listening to the story of Eddie’s return.

Vi nodded. ‘Eddie only stayed the night.’

‘Have you seen Babs and the kids since?’

‘I spoke to Babs over the fence. She told me the kids kept talking about Uncle Paul and Eddie confronted her. Asked if there was anything going on. Babs told him and then the balloon went
up. As for the kids, I’ve seen Tim picking fights with his pals in the street and young Gill’s not had a word to say for herself.’

‘Oh, Vi, how awful.’

Vi turned down the gas. ‘The kids must have heard everything. The row went on all day. I heard ’em at it when I left in the morning and they was still at it when I came
back.’

‘Did you see Eddie again?’

Vi shook her head. ‘Babs told me he left in the early hours threatening to go round Paul’s and knock his block off.’

‘Did he?’ Kay gasped.

‘Dunno. Reckon Babs will tell you when she sees you.’

‘I’ll call round tonight after Alfie’s in bed.’

‘Reckon it’s best Alfie don’t go round there today,’ said Vi. ‘And you have a word with Babs first.’

‘Has Paul called?’

‘I ain’t seen him, no.’

Kay shook her head sadly. ‘What a mess!’

‘Come on now, tell me all about your holiday.’ Vi stirred the delicious-smelling stew. ‘Did your mum behave herself?’

Kay rolled her eyes. ‘No, but then, it was no surprise. She kept dropping hints and especially in front of Gene.’

Vi stopped stirring. ‘Jean? Do you mean Jean Pearson?’

‘No. It’s Gene with a G.’ Kay told Vi all about the young serviceman and Vi’s eyebrows rose until they almost touched her scarf.