The Dover Cafe Under Fire, page 15
Edie shook her arm free. ‘What about?’
‘Clive Pearson and what’s happened at the garage.’
‘If you’re so curious, why don’t you go up there yourself.’
‘All right, then, perhaps you could tell me about that Walter Penfold.’
‘I don’t know him,’ she said dismissively.
‘Really? Coulda fooled me, the way you two were whispering to each other.’
‘Look, it’s none of your business, all right?’ she snapped as she brushed past him.
‘If Clive Pearson’s been doing stuff he shouldn’t then it’s very much my business,’ he responded persistently.
‘He’s done nothing wrong! He’s got more honesty in his little finger than you have in your entire body. Leave him alone!’
She turned away, desperate to escape upstairs, but her mother was standing in her way. ‘Are you going to tell me what’s going on?’
‘I’ll tell you later,’ she said, very aware of the journalist close behind her. ‘Once everyone’s gone.’ She inclined her head towards the man.
Nellie nodded. ‘All right, love, you get upstairs. You look all in. As for you, Ron, leave Clive Pearson alone. The man wouldn’t say boo to a goose, so before you go printing any of your lies, get your facts straight.’
‘That’s exactly what I was trying to do, but Edie isn’t inclined to talk to me.’
‘Wise girl, my daughter. Takes after her mum. Now, I take it you’re busy and need to get on?’ She indicated the door. ‘And maybe you’ll be too busy to come in tomorrow as well?’
Ron laughed. ‘All right, all right. Even a thick-skinned old hack like me can take a hint. I promise, I’ll be as silent as the grave.’
Nellie snorted. ‘The grave’s the only thing that will shut you up.’
Chuckling, the man left by the back door.
Hester appeared just then wearing her coat and looking pale and anxious. ‘I gotta go out, Nell. Won’t be long.’
She left before Nellie could reply.
‘Where’s she off to in such a hurry?’ Gladys poked her head out of the pantry. ‘There’s something about that woman I don’t trust,’ she said darkly.
‘Yes, Glad, you’ve mentioned that fact once or twice.’ Nellie rolled her eyes.
‘And I might have known she’d disappear just as there’s cleaning up to be done,’ Gladys grumbled.
Nellie sighed and shook her head. ‘Never known Glad to take such a powerful dislike to anyone,’ she said to Edie. ‘Now, go rest and I’ll be up soon as I can.’
Edie walked up the stairs, wondering whether Gladys had a point. Because why was Hester so anxious to go out all of a sudden, and did it have anything to do with Walter?
She’d got only halfway up the stairs when her mother called to her. ‘Edie! Telegram!’
She rushed back down and snatched the paper from her mother’s hand.
‘Who’s it from?’
‘I don’t know, do I?’ she snapped as she tore the envelope open. Inside was a message from Bill.
WILL CALL OAK. 6.30 TONIGHT.
BILL
From the swiftness of the reply and the fact he wanted to speak to her as soon as possible, Edie guessed that he was as worried as she was. It made her feel a bit better to realise she wasn’t completely alone in this. Hopefully he could help her work out what on earth was going on.
Chapter 28
Lily gazed up at the small circle of yellow light on the ceiling of Jasper’s bedroom. She’d taken to using her father’s small flat above the forge in Castle Street to study in and now the collection of Grey’s Anatomy that Charlie had given her – her most prized possession – was lined up neatly on a shelf in the sitting room. But in truth it wasn’t the only reason she came here. She felt a small twinge of guilt as she turned her head on the pillow. Charlie was fast asleep beside her, his long lashes lying against his tanned cheeks, and in repose, the dimples at the side of his mouth had softened. She rolled on to her stomach and stroked his dark hair back from his face, her heart aching at the realisation that this was possibly the last time they’d be together like this. She felt tears rise at the thought.
God, she was a fool. This man had shown her nothing but care and concern and love. Even when she had rejected him, he hadn’t held it against her. So what was holding her back?
Charlie’s eyes opened and he smiled sleepily at her as she leant down and kissed him softly on the mouth.
‘I’ve been thinking,’ she whispered softly.
Charlie didn’t say anything, just stared steadily into her eyes.
‘I made a mistake.’
Charlie turned on to his side and propped himself up on one elbow. ‘What are you saying?’
‘I think I’m saying . . . No, I know I’m saying that if the offer’s still open, then I’d like to accept.’
An enormous smile broke out on Charlie’s face and he swept her into his arms, kissing her deeply. Finally, he pulled back. ‘Please tell me you mean it! You won’t get cold feet and send me a Dear John letter?’
Lily shook her head and nestled against his chest. ‘Never. I could never find another man like you. Just because I found you so early in my life, doesn’t mean it’s the wrong thing. It just means I’m very, very lucky.’
Charlie leapt out of bed and hurried to the corner of the room where his uniform jacket had been hastily discarded. After rummaging in the pocket, he pulled out the box that he’d carried with him since Christmas Eve in the hope that Lily would change her mind. She’d never even seen the ring, he realised, suddenly nervous.
He opened the box and took it out. ‘Close your eyes and hold out your hand,’ he said as he walked naked back to the bed.
Lily did as she was told, holding her left hand out towards him.
Gently, he slid the ring on to her finger, pleased to see it fitted perfectly. He kissed her hand. ‘You can open them now,’ he whispered.
Instead of looking down, Lily stared straight into Charlie’s warm brown eyes, mesmerised by the love that was shining from them.
‘Don’t keep me in suspense,’ he urged. ‘Tell me if you like it.’
‘It doesn’t matter. You chose it for me, so I know I’ll love it.’ She grinned. ‘Are you scared?’
Charlie looked sheepish. ‘Not half as scared as I was the first time I asked you.’
Lily reached up her left hand to stroke his cheek. ‘I’m sorry I hurt you,’ she whispered. But then her attention was caught by the ring on her finger and she gasped.
‘Oh, it’s beautiful, Charlie!’ She stared transfixed at the tiny diamonds arranged in the shape of a flower on a slim gold band.
He blushed. ‘I’d have liked to get you something a little more fancy, but . . .’ He shrugged.
Lily twisted her hand, the tiny diamonds throwing multicoloured rainbows around the room. Suddenly, tears came to her eyes and she started to sob.
‘Hey.’ Charlie pulled her into his arms. ‘If you hate it, I can take it back and you can choose your own.’
Lily shook her head. ‘It’s perfect,’ she wailed. ‘I love it so much!’ She fell against him, the tears falling faster now, wetting the dark hair on his chest.
‘Are you sure?’ He kissed the top of her head. ‘I never want to make you unhappy, my Lily.’ He grasped her shoulders and moved her away. ‘Look at me, darling,’ he whispered.
Obediently, she opened her eyes, blinking away the tears.
‘I love you. I could spend the rest of my life searching and I would never find a girl as perfect for me as you are. And when this war is over, you will study to be a doctor and I will help you. And I promise I will never ever hold you back. Do you understand?’
She smiled tremulously. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered. ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you!’ She threw herself back into his arms, feeling happier than she had in months. She knew she was doing the right thing. Because with Charlie by her side, she could achieve anything. Soon, their kisses became more urgent and they fell back on the bed.
Sometime later, Charlie sighed. ‘I have to go.’
Lily nodded. ‘So do I. I can’t bear that this is the last time we’ll be together like this.’
‘It’s not the last time, my love. It’s the first time. The first of many times. If I wasn’t leaving tomorrow, we could get married straightaway. Maybe get a train up to Gretna Green.’ He grinned wickedly. ‘In fact, I rather like that idea.’
Lily laughed. ‘That sounds romantic. Let’s do it next time you’re home.’
‘Whatever you want, love. I’d be happy doing it at the bus stop if that’s what it took.’
Lily pursed her lips. ‘I’m not sure your idea of romance quite matches mine, Charlie Alexander.’
‘Every moment with you is romantic to me.’
Lily kissed him again then reluctantly untangled herself from him. After dressing hastily, they left the flat and went outside, standing in the doorway of the forge for a few moments, holding tight to each other, secure in the knowledge that no one could see them in the pitch-black.
‘Thank you for saying yes,’ Charlie whispered.
‘Thank you for being so patient,’ Lily replied. ‘I promise I will do everything I can to be the best wife in the world.’
‘You don’t have to do anything special. I just want you as you are. Don’t change a thing.’
With Charlie’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, they walked down towards Market Square, stopping on the corner of Church Street.
‘When will I see you again?’ Lily whispered.
He sighed. ‘I wish I knew. But even though we’re not together, you’ll always be right here with me. In my heart, in my mind.’
In response, Lily reached up and kissed him on the lips, then he turned quickly and walked away.
Lily stood for a long while staring into the dark, her emotions mixed. She was deliriously happy at the thought of being Charlie’s wife. But tomorrow he would be gone, and she didn’t know when, or even if, she would see him again.
Chapter 29
The smoky fug of the pub enveloped Edie as she walked into the Royal Oak later that evening. Mavis was standing at her usual spot behind the bar, her brown hair in curlers under a blue scarf.
‘Hello, Edie, my love,’ she greeted her warmly. ‘You meeting your handsome pilot tonight?’
‘Not tonight, Mrs Woodbridge, but I am waiting on a phone call from Bill Penfold. I hope it’s all right for him to call here.’
Mavis raised her eyebrows. ‘Two pilots? Some might say that’s being greedy,’ she chuckled.
‘It’s not like that,’ Edie giggled as Mavis pulled a pint of bitter for a grizzled old man in a fisherman’s jumper that smelt as though it hadn’t been washed in a while.
‘What’s it like, then?’ Mavis slid the pint across the polished oak, taking the coins the man held out, then turned her attention back to Edie.
Edie waited for the man to leave, then leant over the bar. ‘I sent him a telegram about the fire at the garage. And now he wants to talk to me. What do you know about Walter Penfold?’ she asked.
Mavis tutted. ‘Walter? He used to come in here when Iris were alive. Finger in every pie and a right one for the ladies. Not many that’d welcome him after the way he treated that poor woman. Don’t tell me he’s back?’
Edie nodded. ‘I saw him yesterday and today. All dressed up in a chauffeur’s uniform and driving a fancy car. An’ he said some stuff about Mr Pearson . . .’
‘Did he now? Well, I can tell you that him and Clive never saw eye to eye. Mostly cos he were such a bad husband. An’ there were some kerfuffle over poor Iris’s will, but for the life of me I can’t remember what. Last time I saw him, he sat over there’ – she nodded towards the end of the bar – ‘muttering darkly about being cheated.’
Edie frowned. ‘When was this?’
‘Ooh, it must have been not long after Iris died . . . About ten years ago, maybe. Then he upped and left, taking poor Bill with him.’
‘What do you mean by a finger in every pie?’
‘Oh, you know . . . wheeling and dealing, this and that.’
‘Sort of like Lou Carter’s Terence, then?’
Mavis nodded. ‘Exactly that. Which reminds me, I heard through one of my regulars – a copper – that the police have got their eye on him.’
‘Surely that wasn’t Roger?’
‘As if Roger would know what was goin’ on. No, another bloke. So if you could just let your mum know . . .’
Edie was surprised. ‘Why does Mum need to know about that?’
Mavis smiled slightly and shook her head. ‘Nothin’, love. Ignore me. Anyway, come on through if you want to wait for the call.’ She lifted the flap in the bar and Edie ducked through to the back where there was a small office with a wooden desk, piled with neat stacks of paper. On one corner, in pride of place, was a large black Bakelite telephone. It started to ring almost as soon as she sat down and she snatched up the receiver.
‘Bill?’ she said urgently.
‘Edie!’ The line was crackly. ‘What the hell’s going on? How’s Uncle Clive?’
‘He’s . . .’ Edie hesitated, not sure how she could break this gently. ‘He’s been arrested, Bill,’ she whispered, glancing over her shoulder to ensure no one was listening.
‘What?! But why?’
Edie explained what she knew, but really it wasn’t a lot. ‘And they’ve seized the garage. I don’t know what to do! When he gets out, there’ll be no business to come back to.’
There was a long silence, then Bill said, ‘You said my dad was there.’
‘Yes. And he’s—’ She stopped, suddenly aware that Bill might love his dad.
‘It’s all right, Edie, whatever you’ve got to say, I won’t be shocked.’
‘I don’t trust him. He’s working as a chauffeur and first time I saw him was yesterday. Then this morning he turns up again . . . I’m sorry, Bill, I know he’s your dad, but there’s something fishy going on.’
Bill didn’t respond to her statement, instead asking, ‘Where’s he working? Last time I heard from him he was in Folkestone.’
‘He wouldn’t say. But I think I might know.’ Edie closed her eyes as she said that, the sick feeling returning to her stomach.
‘Tell me about the fire.’
‘I thought the firebombs caused it, but it doesn’t seem like it was them. And your uncle had a nasty bang on the back of his head.’
‘Listen, see what you can find out. I’ve got my final exam tomorrow, then I have some leave and I’ll come straight down.’
‘How am I meant to find out anything?’
‘I don’t know. Use your imagination!’
Before Edie could reply, a voice came on the line. ‘Time’s up, caller.’
‘I’ll be back New Year’s Eve,’ Bill managed, before the line went dead.
Edie stared at the phone for a long time, wondering what on earth he expected her to do. She replaced the handset and glanced up at the clock, pleased to realise that Susan would be there soon; she’d never needed to see her old friend more than she did now. Even if it was only for the distraction she’d provide.
‘Everything all right, love?’ Mavis asked as Edie walked back into the saloon.
‘Not really. He didn’t know his dad was here either. He doesn’t seem too pleased about it.’
Mavis grunted. ‘I’m not surprised. He led poor Iris a merry dance, and no son likes to see their mother upset. Just like no mother likes to see their child’s heart broken.’
Edie felt guilty as she realised she’d not even asked Mavis about her son. ‘How is Stan? And little Maggie?’
Mavis’s smile slipped. ‘Like I said: his heart’s broken. But they’re as well as can be expected, love. I don’t think he’ll ever get over Daisy, though. And nor will I.’ She blinked back the tears that had sprung into her eyes, before looking over Edie’s head. ‘Yes, love, what can I get you?’
Edie glanced round. The pub had filled up since she’d arrived and a group of men in navy uniform now stood behind her. She spotted Susan sitting in one of the snugs by the door, her eyes fixed on it as she studiously avoided the stares of a couple of soldiers who were hovering nearby; Edie could tell it wouldn’t be long before they made their move.
‘I’ll see you later, Mrs W,’ she said.
Mavis winked at her, then looked back at the man she was serving. Edie was full of admiration for her; she knew she hadn’t imagined the woman’s tears, but looking at her now, no one would ever guess at the tragedy she was hiding.
Hurrying over to Susan, Edie dropped into the seat opposite her. ‘Sorry I’m late,’ she said. Then she glared at the men who’d been leering at her friend. ‘And you two can sling your hook. As you can see, she has company tonight.’
The men nudged each other. ‘We don’t mind watching,’ one of them said with a smirk.
‘I bet you wouldn’t, cos watching’s about as close as you’ll ever get. Now go on, hop it.’
The men scowled and turned their backs. ‘Creeps,’ she muttered.
Susan giggled. ‘I forgot what a temper you had. Even when we was little you used to fly off the handle at the smallest thing.’
‘Did I? I just remember being sad. And after you left I was even sadder.’ She reached over the table and took Susan’s hands in hers. ‘It’s so good to see you, Sue. Tell me everything that’s happened since you left. And why you’ve come back. I mean, it’s not the first place people would choose to come.’
‘Yeah, well . . . I have my reasons.’ Susan blushed prettily as she held her left hand up, showing the gold ring set with a tiny emerald she’d shown Edie earlier.
Edie took her hand and examined it. ‘Lovely,’ she said. ‘I hope he’s worth coming into a war zone for.’
Susan’s shiny black hair gleamed under the electric lights and her brown eyes sparkled as she leant forward, a huge smile on her face. ‘Oh, he’s just perfect. Clever, handsome and everything I ever dreamt of. But . . .’ Susan’s smile faded.
‘But?’
‘I haven’t heard from him in months. He came back from Dunkirk and then got sent here. He promised he’d write, but there’s not been a word. I asked his mum and dad and he’s been writing to them, so I know he’s alive. I love him so much, Edie. I don’t understand why he’s stopped writing. I’m starting to think he might have met someone else.’
