Home Front Girls (43 page)

At that moment the two girls appeared in the drawing-room doorway and they too were thrilled to see her, although Dotty instantly noticed that Lucy didn’t look at all well.

They all greeted each other fondly, hugging Robert too in welcome, then while Miranda hurried away to fetch some refreshments, Dotty asked, ‘Are you all right, Lucy? I think you’ve lost some weight and you’re awfully pale.’

‘I’m fine. It’s just these night shifts are taking some getting used to, that’s all,’ Lucy replied. ‘I never realised how cushy we had it at Owen Owen till I started in the munitions factory. It’s damned hard work, I don’t mind telling you, standing on a production line for hours on end. The women I work with are a decent lot though.’

‘And how is your job going?’ Dotty asked Annabelle.

The girl shrugged. ‘Fine. I’ve actually been taken off bedpan duty now and I’m in the operating theatres sterilising the instruments, which is an improvement.’

They chatted about this and that, and as the afternoon wore on they all exchanged presents with promises that they wouldn’t be opened until Christmas morning. It had been arranged that Lucy would spend Christmas Day with Annabelle and Miranda, who had decided to stay at home rather than go to her parents, and Boxing Day with Mr and Mrs P.

‘And what will you be doing?’ they asked Dotty.

When she glanced at Robert uncertainly he grinned. ‘She’ll be spending the day with me,’ he told them with a wink. ‘I’ve got something pretty special lined up for her but I can’t tell you what it is because I don’t want to spoil the surprise.’

Dotty was intrigued as she tried to imagine what it might be, but then Robert looked at the clock and told her regretfully, ‘I’m sorry, darling, but we ought to be heading back to the station now if we’re to have any chance of getting back to London tonight. It was bad enough on the way here,’ he explained to the others. ‘Because of the weather conditions the train got diverted twice and it might be even worse now because it hasn’t stopped snowing.’

‘Well, you’re more than welcome to stay here. In fact, you can stay over Christmas if you like,’ Miranda offered generously. She was actually dreading Christmas without her husband, so it was a case of the more the merrier as far as she was concerned – especially as Annabelle had to return to Haslar the day after Boxing Day. Now that Annabelle had managed to get leave, Miranda was determined to make the most of every second they had together, which was why she had decided to stay at home, for who knew how long it might be before her daughter was able to get leave again? Miranda just prayed that they might get some respite from the air raids. She’d almost forgotten what it was like to have an unbroken night’s sleep, and now even when she did she found that she lay there waiting for the sirens to wail.

Robert told her, ‘That’s really kind of you and I appreciate the offer, but Laura will be in a tizz if I don’t deliver Madam here back home to her.’

Miranda bustled away to get their coats and hats and when the couple were ready, everyone saw them to the door. Dotty hugged them all as best she could with her one good arm. ‘The next time I see you, I hope I’ll have got rid of this thing,’ she told them tearfully, and then she and Robert set off, watched by the others until the thickly falling snow swallowed them up.

Robert arrived at Laura’s bright and early on Christmas morning with a spring in his step and a twinkle in his eye.

‘Merry Christmas,’ Laura greeted him from the hearthrug where she was playing with Simon and his new train set.

‘Uncle Robert . . . look what Santa brought for me!’ Lizzie flung herself at him, proudly showing off her new doll, and he shook his head in mock amazement.

‘Why, she’s just about the prettiest dolly I ever saw,’ he told her seriously. ‘But not quite as pretty as you, of course.’

Lizzie giggled with delight before skipping off to examine her other presents. Robert thought how festive the room looked. A large Christmas tree standing in the corner of the room in a sturdy bucket was decorated with tinsel and paper garlands that the children had made, and glossy sprigs of holly were placed on every surface, the red berries looking festive. A fire was burning in the grate, adding to the cosy atmosphere, and Robert hoped that one day he too would have a lovely family like Laura’s.

‘So, is she almost ready?’ he asked.

Laura nodded. ‘Yes, she’s all spruced up and ready to go, and dying to know what the surprise is. In fact, we all are.’

He grinned but shook his head. ‘You’ll know soon enough.’

Dotty came in then looking very pretty in a pink twinset that Laura and Paul had bought her for Christmas, and a smart black skirt. She usually avoided bright colours but they all thought how much it suited her.

‘You look beautiful,’ Robert told her and Dotty flushed self-consciously.

‘I might look better without this,’ she answered, tapping her plaster cast, and everyone laughed. It was very colourful now as Simon and Lizzie had crayoned pictures all over it.

‘Right, well, if Madam is ready, her carriage awaits.’ Robert bowed gallantly, making the two children snort with laughter. They had never seen their Uncle Robert do anything like that before and found it highly amusing.

‘But where are we going?’ Dotty asked as Laura helped her into her coat.

‘Ah, now that would be telling and it wouldn’t be a surprise then, would it?’

He led her out to a waiting car and soon they were manoeuvring through the streets of London as Dotty tried to guess their destination.

When they pulled onto the little road that led to the grand entrance of the Savoy Hotel, Dotty gaped.

‘That’s right,’ Robert told her, looking pleased with himself. ‘We’re going to have our Christmas dinner in the River Restaurant.’

‘B-but Winston Churchill goes there. I know because I read it in the papers. Won’t it be awfully expensive?’ Dotty still couldn’t accept the fact that she was now a wealthy young woman. Robert was rich too, but she didn’t want him spending all his money on her. It didn’t feel right.

‘It’s Christmas Day,’ he scolded gently. ‘Surely I’m allowed to spoil you today of all days?’

‘Well, if you’re quite sure.’

She allowed him to help her from the taxi and before she knew it they were in the most luxurious foyer she had ever seen. Robert looked totally at ease there but Dotty felt like a fish out of water. She was shocked to see how many people were there, many of them officers in uniform with pretty girls on their arms drinking cocktails, smoking and appearing to be having a really good time. As Robert moved to the desk she glanced around in awe at the sweeping staircase and the huge crystal chandeliers that were sending rainbow prisms all about the room. Her feet felt as if they might disappear into the thick-pile wall-to-wall carpet and she was stunned that such luxury existed, especially as there was a war on.

When Robert came back, she whispered, ‘Robert, I’m going to look such a fool. I can’t even cut my own food up with only one hand.’ Dotty was mortified to think of people laughing at her, but he instantly reassured her.

‘Don’t get worrying about that. It’s all in hand, trust me.’

Seeing that she didn’t have much choice, Dotty followed him to the restaurant where they were met by a head waiter in a black suit, white shirt and bow-tie.

‘Ah, Mr Brabinger, how nice to see you again,’ he greeted him smoothly. ‘Do follow me, sir. We have your table all ready for you.’ He then nodded politely at Dotty before whisking them through the tables to a spot near the rear window, overlooking the Thames. So he’s been here before then, Dotty found herself thinking. I wonder who with? She instantly felt annoyed with herself for being so possessive. Robert could have brought lots of women here in the past! What business was it of hers?

Awed, she stared at the table laid with its crisp white cloth, shining silver cutlery and cut-glass goblets. She was still concerned about how she was going to manage to cut up her food, but she needn’t have worried. When the meal was served she found that every morsel in the large silver salvers had been chopped into bite-sized pieces, even the turkey. It seemed that Robert had thought of everything and saved her a lot of embarrassment. It never ceased to amaze her how well Robert coped with his withered hand. But then she supposed that he had had a lifetime to adjust to it and it certainly didn’t seem to stop him from doing most things.

‘Thank you,’ she whispered across the table and he smiled as a waiter approached with a bottle of champagne. Again Dotty tried not to think about how much all this must be costing. After pouring out two foaming flutes, the waiter left them.

‘I hope you didn’t mind me ordering for us,’ Robert said as he raised his glass to her. ‘But I somehow thought you’d be the sort of girl who would like the traditional Christmas fare. I can always order you something else if you don’t like it though,’ he added, hoping he hadn’t overstepped the mark.

‘It’s perfect,’ Dotty said happily, giggling as the champagne bubbles went up her nose. ‘Merry Christmas!’ They toasted each other, and suddenly it was really Christmas!

Each course was perfectly cooked, and within an hour Dotty groaned and rubbed her stomach as she told Robert, ‘That was really delicious but I think I shall burst if I eat so much as another mouthful.’

‘I’m glad you enjoyed it,’ he replied as the waiter removed the dishes that had contained their Christmas pudding. ‘But you must make room for some coffee and a mince pie before we leave, just to finish it all off.’

‘If you insist.’ Dotty was really enjoying herself now that she had relaxed and knew that she would never forget this day. It had been perfect. And then Robert did something quite unexpected and amazing as they waited for their coffee to be served: he produced a small velvet box from the pocket of his jacket and took a deep breath as he looked Dotty in the eye.

‘Dotty, I . . .’ He gulped then forced himself to go on. ‘I have something here that I’d like you to have.’ He snapped the lid open and she found herself gazing down at a beautiful emerald and diamond ring. ‘It was my mother’s and—’

She held up her hand to stop him as she fingered the locket about her neck. ‘I’m afraid if you were planning on giving it to me, I shall have to refuse,’ she told him primly. ‘I already have her locket and I treasure it, but I really can’t accept any more of her jewellery. It just wouldn’t be right.’

‘But you don’t understand,’ he flustered. ‘This was Mother’s engagement ring.’

‘Then that is all the more reason why you shouldn’t be giving it away.’

‘Oh dear.’ Robert ran a hand through his thick wavy hair which would not be tamed by any amount of Brylcreem. ‘I’m afraid I’ve handled this all wrong. You see, Mother always said that she wanted the woman I chose to marry to wear this ring. What I’m
trying
to say is . . . Dotty, will you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife?’

When Dotty simply stared vacantly back at him, he stumbled on, ‘I wanted to give this to you as an engagement ring – but of course, if you didn’t like it you could choose another one. Any one you liked. If you’ll only say you’ll marry me, that is. I mean, I know I’m not much of a catch with this arm and being so much older than you, but . . . Oh Lord. I’ve made the most frightful hash of this, haven’t I? I suppose I should have gone down on one knee and done things properly. And I so wanted everything to be perfect.’

He looked up to see tears in Dotty’s eyes as she reached across to take his hand, hardly able to believe her luck. This dear man was asking her to be his wife.

‘You, Robert Brabinger, are the most
wonderful,
kindest man I have ever met and I would be honoured to be your wife.’

‘What? Do you really mean it?’ he asked incredulously, and when she nodded, he slipped the ring onto her finger and kissed it tenderly, heedless of the glances they were attracting.

‘Perhaps sir would like me to pour some more champagne,’ the waiter who was standing at the side of the table with a tray of coffee asked with a broad smile. ‘It appears that a celebration is in order. May I be the first to offer my congratulations?’

‘You certainly may,’ Robert answered as he leaned across the table to give Dotty a smacking kiss on the lips, and when a cheer went up from the other diners he beamed like a Cheshire cat while Dotty blushed to the roots of her hair.

Everyone raised a toast to them as Dotty stared at the magnificent ring on her finger and wondered if she was dreaming. Finally she would have someone to call her own. Sadly, she had thought the same when she discovered her mother – but that had not been meant to be. Surely with Robert it would be different?

In the cab back to Laura’s, Robert spoke excitedly about their wedding.

‘Of course you’ll want a church wedding, won’t you?’ he assumed. ‘I believe every girl dreams of that, and you can have whatever you want just as soon as you want.’

She tapped her plaster. ‘Actually, I’d quite like to have this off first.’ And then she shocked him when she went on, ‘And to be honest I’d much prefer a very quiet affair. It is wartime, after all and . . . Well, I suppose finding my mother and losing her all in one night made me realise just how fragile life is for everyone at the moment. And as neither of us have any close family there wouldn’t be much point in a big do. Why don’t we just go to the Register Office and have Laura and Paul as witnesses?’