The Dover Cafe Under Fire, page 19
‘Of course I meant it,’ Alfie said, exasperated. ‘I just think that maybe—’
‘If you meant it, then there is no “maybe”!’ Marianne interrupted, furious with him.
Alfie sighed deeply. ‘Fine. Do whatever you want.’
‘Don’t worry, I will!’ Marianne snapped, veering off to the right towards Cowgate Steps without even turning to say goodbye.
‘See you New Year’s Eve,’ Alfie called after her.
But she didn’t reply, and he turned away feeling frustrated. His wife could be as stubborn as her mother, which was something he was only just discovering. They’d known each other for over a year, but they’d spent hardly any time in each other’s company. Sometimes he wondered if they’d ever get the chance to lead a normal life. He’d made peace with the possibility that he might not survive the war, but what kept him awake at night was the thought that it could just as easily be Marianne, living right in the line of the shell fire, who might not make it.
Chapter 34
Later that afternoon, Edie was in the pantry doing the washing-up – something she’d always hated, but she welcomed it now, because it meant she didn’t have to talk to anyone. And after the stupid argument that morning about the tea, Gladys and her mother were bickering like schoolchildren. The two had always had their moments, but Edie had always known that they loved each other. This time, though, it felt different. There was real venom in the way they spoke to each other.
Perhaps it would be better if Hester was here, Edie considered. Despite feeling suspicious of the woman, she was brilliant with the customers, and she made her mother laugh. And right now, they could all do with some of her humour to lighten the atmosphere.
As though Edie’s thoughts had conjured her up, Hester came in the back door and poked her head into the pantry. ‘All right, love? How’s Marianne?’
Edie looked round and shrugged. ‘Sleeping, I think. She rushed in a while back and it looked like she’d been crying.’
‘I saw her up Western Heights with that lovely man of hers. Think they might have had a bit of a barney.’
That’d explain Marianne’s tears, Edie thought.
‘Anyway, listen, love.’ Hester looked over her shoulder, then came to stand right beside her. ‘I heard what Lily said to yer this mornin’,’ she whispered.
Edie whirled round to face her. ‘What!?’
‘About . . . you know.’ She gestured at her stomach.
‘You were eavesdropping?’ she said, outraged.
‘No, I were just in my room and I could hear you two rowin’. Then Lily opened the door, didn’t she? I didn’t mean to hear but seein’ as I did, I thought I should have a word with you.’
Edie swallowed. ‘You’re not going to tell Mum, are you?’
Hester snorted. ‘I’m no snitch. So I take it you are?’
Edie shook her head. ‘I don’t know,’ she whispered.
‘Feeling sick? Missed a couple of monthlies? How about dizzy, tired?’
Edie looked away.
‘I think you know, love. And do you want to marry the bloke?’
Edie shook her head vigorously.
Hester put a comforting hand on her shoulder. ‘Look, this ain’t exactly an unusual situation in my line of work. Maybe I can help.’
‘How? Do you know someone who could . . . you know, get rid of it?’ Edie asked hopefully.
‘I do, as it happens. But no way I’d send you to one of ’em. Too risky. But there are other ways.’
‘Like what?’
‘Just a little infusion of herbs. A secret recipe passed on to me by someone who sorted me out on occasion.’
‘Is it dangerous?’
‘Everything comes with a risk. But put it this way, it’s a lot less dangerous than goin’ to one of them women, or even havin’ it, come to that. So have a think about it and when you’re ready, just say the word.’
Edie grasped her arm to stop her walking away. ‘Can you do it now?’
Hester nodded. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’
‘What are you two whispering about in there?’ Nellie’s shrill voice interrupted them. ‘And where the hell have you been, Hester? Get in here, will you?’
‘Duty calls.’ Hester winked at her. ‘And don’t worry about a thing. Auntie Hester’ll sort it out for you.’
Edie stood with her hands in the cold water, staring out of the window that looked into the backyard. For the first time in a while, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this was a sign, she thought. A sign that everything would be all right in the end and her life would go back to normal. And all thanks to Hester, a woman who she’d been previously regarding with suspicion.
Which reminded her. ‘Hester,’ she called.
Hester popped her head back in. ‘Yes, love?’
‘Yesterday . . . that man, Walter Penfold. Do you know him?’
Hester grinned and tapped her nose. ‘I don’t kiss and tell. I’ve learnt to be discreet over the years. Which is why you needn’t worry about me mentioning your little problem to a single soul.’
So she’d been right about Walter – he’d been a customer of Hester’s. She shuddered. He was a horrible, sleazy little man and she hoped she’d never see him again. Now if only Hester could help her sort out what had happened to Mr P as well, she’d be laughing.
Chapter 35
By New Year’s Eve, though, laughing was the very last thing Edie felt like doing as she stood behind the counter moodily contemplating her problems. The café was quiet this afternoon and she and Hester had been left to hold the fort while Marianne popped across the square to visit Reenie and her mother had gone to the hospital to see Jasper. As for Gladys, God knew where she’d disappeared to. She’d walked off after yet another row with Nellie; this time because Nellie had told her to wash up some of the pots again. If those two didn’t sort themselves out soon, Edie wouldn’t be surprised if Gladys walked out for good.
But what was worrying her even more was the fact that she’d still not managed to find out where Mr Pearson had been taken or why. Just the thought of him lying in a prison cell, scared and injured, thinking that his friends had deserted him was enough to make her want to sob. What would Bill think when she told him she’d not managed to do anything? ‘Use your imagination,’ he’d said. Well, she’d tried, and it had got her nowhere. Mr Wainwright still hadn’t returned and no one else seemed willing or able to give her the answers she needed. Reluctantly, she had to admit that as a man and a pilot in the RAF, the police might be more willing to talk to Bill than they were to her. Which made her furious, but there wasn’t much she could do about it.
The bell above the door tinkled and she looked up, hoping it was Bill at last, but it was just the messenger boy, who stomped over to the counter and slapped down a telegram.
‘For Edie Castle,’ he said. ‘Any reply?’
Hoping it wasn’t Bill saying he’d been delayed, she opened it and her spirits fell further.
MEET ME AT HIPPODROME. SIX THIRTY SHARP.
LET’S HAVE A NEW YEAR TO REMEMBER.
GREG
As if she didn’t have enough to contend with, now she was going to have to face Greg and tell him she never wanted to see him again. She rubbed her stomach absently, wishing with all her heart she’d never met the man.
Just for a moment she thought of replying to say she couldn’t make it. But then, he’d probably come to the café to find her, so she may as well face him sooner rather than later.
‘No,’ she said faintly. ‘No reply.’
The boy turned sharply and left. Hester, who’d been in the kitchen scrubbing the table, poked her head through the hatch.
‘Everything all right, love?’ she asked.
‘Not really,’ Edie replied, handing the telegram to her.
‘This the father?’ Hester whispered.
Edie nodded.
Hester patted her hand. ‘He gives you any trouble, let me know.’
Edie smiled at her gratefully. Hester and Donny seemed to be the only people unaffected by the poisonous atmosphere in the café. Donny was usually out with Freddie, while Hester was unfailingly good-humoured and helpful. She’d also become a great favourite with the customers – particularly Mary Guthrie, who now came in regularly to have whispered conversations with her, and the train driver, Bunny Whittaker.
Edie sighed and glanced at the clock. Only a couple of hours until she’d have to see Greg, she realised.
The bell tinkled, and once again, she looked up hopefully, and once again she was disappointed as Susan walked in, looking very pretty with her red coat and hat complementing her pale skin and black hair.
Edie closed her eyes in despair. Christ, she thought, the only way this day could get any worse was if Lily walked in.
‘Sorry I’ve not been in sooner, Edie,’ Susan said cheerfully. ‘Been busy at the bakery. Just thought I’d pop in to wish you a Happy New Year in case I don’t see you later.’
Hester came out of the kitchen. ‘Hello, Susan, love. How’s your aunt?’ she asked.
‘Much the same, thanks, Hester. But she’s always cheered after she’s seen you. And thank you for . . . Well, you know.’
‘You two know each other?’ Edie asked in surprise.
‘Course we do. Met her the other day when I went to visit Mary.’
‘Of course,’ Edie said distractedly, the small emerald on Susan’s ring finger winking at her mockingly. ‘You managed to track down your fiancé yet?’ she asked.
Susan nodded sadly. ‘Sort of. Bert told me he left the day after we were in the pub.’
‘Oh, so you’ve seen Bert again?’
Susan blushed. ‘Once or twice. The first time was when he came to tell me about Charlie. He was so lovely about it. Took me for pie and chips at the Oak. Said he wanted to break it to me gently.’
Edie smiled inwardly; good old Bert, aside from Vera Lynn, there were few women who could resist him. ‘Ah,’ she said. ‘Maybe it’s time to break it off with this Charlie then.’ She stared at the ring pointedly.
Susan hid her hand behind her back. ‘Maybe I would, if I could find him.’
Edie smiled sympathetically. ‘Really? You’d give him up for Bert?’ she asked.
‘To be honest, Edie, I’m so confused. Bert looks like a film star and he makes me laugh so much. And the way he kisses . . .’ She shivered dramatically.
Edie grimaced.
Susan giggled. ‘Sorry, but he really is something special. All the girls fancy him, but he’s chosen me. Whereas, Charlie . . . Well, he’s an officer and a doctor. If I was with him my future would be secure, and he loved me, Edie, I know he did.’
‘The man’s been ignoring you for months! Surely you don’t really believe that.’
Susan looked away, clearly upset. ‘I don’t think he’s been ignoring me as such,’ she said. ‘He’s just been busy. He’ll come back to me. And when he does, I can decide what I want to do.’
Edie searched Susan’s face, puzzled. Why would any woman insist on waiting for a man who clearly wasn’t interested in her? Charlie’s words came back to her. She’s a bloody fantasist!
Had he been telling the truth? Lily had already received a couple of telegrams from Charlie telling her how much he loved her. Whereas Susan claimed not to have heard a word. Maybe Charlie’s only crime was to change his mind and not tell her. It still made him a toerag, but perhaps she’d been too harsh on him.
‘How are your parents?’ she asked suddenly.
Susan shrugged. ‘They’re fine. Why?’
‘Just wondered. They still in Cambridge?’
‘Bleedin’ heck, Edie, what is this? An interrogation? Poor girl’s come in for a cuppa and a friendly chat, and instead she gets you firin’ questions and upsettin’ her. Go and sit down, love, and I’ll join you in a tick.’
Susan smiled uncertainly at Edie, then did as she was told.
‘What’s got into you?’ Hester hissed. ‘I thought she were meant to be your friend. Poor girl’s lost her fiancé and her cousin to this flamin’ war and she don’t need you going on at her.’
‘She’s not lost her fiancé, though, has she? He’s run away.’
‘All the more reason to be gentle.’ Hester poured out a cup of tea and went to sit down with Susan where they proceeded to have a hushed conversation. Edie couldn’t begin to imagine what the two women had to talk about, but she didn’t have time to think about it for too long as Lily, still wearing her uniform, walked up behind her.
Edie sighed inwardly. Of course Lily had come back. What else had she expected?
‘Who’s that?’ Her sister nodded at Susan.
‘Oh, talking to me now, are you?’ she sniped, desperate to turn Lily’s attention away.
‘I was never not talking to you,’ her sister responded coolly.
‘Coulda fooled me.’
Lily folded her arms across her chest. ‘Tell me this, if you said you’d got engaged to Greg and all I could do was scowl, how would you feel?’
‘I’d wonder why,’ Edie said. ‘Maybe you should too.’
‘All right. Why?’
Edie looked away. ‘Well, you know . . .’ she stammered, searching for inspiration. ‘You were always on about wanting to qualify as a nurse and stuff, be independent . . . But now you’re just giving it all up for a man. I thought better of you.’
Lily stared at her sister, hurt by her words. ‘I don’t believe you,’ she said finally. ‘Like I said before, I think you’re jealous. Because the best you’ve managed is a married man and some bloke who’s probably only seeing you so he can get his leg over in the basement.’
Edie’s temper rose. ‘That’s not fair—’
‘It’s true, though,’ Lily interrupted. ‘And what about that other thing?’ Her eyes dropped to Edie’s stomach. ‘Are you finally able to face the truth?’
‘Yes,’ she hissed. ‘I’m pretty sure I am. But don’t worry, I’m not keeping it!’
Lily’s manner softened. ‘Oh, Edie, I’m sorry. But you might change your mind once you have it. You know we’d all stand by you.’
‘That’s not what I mean. You don’t have to stand by me cos it will never be born!’
She whirled round and rushed upstairs, leaving Lily stunned.
‘What’s up with her?’ Hester asked.
‘It’s nothing,’ Lily said hastily. ‘You couldn’t close up, could you, Hester? Edie’s a bit . . .’
‘That’s all right, love. Leave it all to me and go look after your sister.’
Lily gave her a grateful smile before heading upstairs.
‘I’m sorry, Edie,’ she said when she went into the bedroom. Edie was standing in front of the wardrobe, flicking through the clothes. Lily tried to give her a hug, but Edie pushed her away.
‘No, you’re not. You’re delighted to get your revenge on me for not being happy about your engagement.’
Lily sighed. ‘I’m sorry I was a bitch. But I was hurt.’ She tried to hug her again and this time Edie let her.
‘How sure are you?’ Lily asked.
‘About as sure as I can be,’ she replied. ‘Oh God, Mum’ll kill me! What am I going to do?’
Lily stroked her hair. ‘You’re going to have to talk to Greg.’
Edie shook her head. ‘I can’t. I don’t want it! And I don’t want him! And now he wants to meet me tonight!’
‘So tell him tonight,’ Lily said. ‘If he really likes you, he’ll stand by you.’
‘No! I don’t want him to stand by me. Anyway, like you said, all he wants is to get his leg over; you really think a man like that would do the honourable thing?’
Lily didn’t reply. In truth, she didn’t know Greg well enough to judge.
‘But it’s all right. Hester heard us talking the other day and she thinks she can help me.’
‘What?! No! She’ll send you to some awful old woman who might kill you!’
Edie pushed away from her and sniffed, rubbing her sleeve over her nose. ‘It’s not up to you. This is my body, my decision. I will do what I like.’
Lily was silent for a moment. ‘You should at least tell Greg. Give him a chance,’ she said softly.
‘No, I shouldn’t. This has nothing to do with him. In fact, when I see him this evening, I’m going to end it with him.’
Lily stared at her sister’s tearful face, knowing there was nothing she could do to change her mind. ‘All right,’ she said eventually. ‘I can’t stop you doing anything. But please, Edie, promise me one thing: whatever Hester suggests, talk to me about it. I’ve seen a girl die after trying to abort her baby, and I don’t want that to happen to you.’
‘Right now dying seems like a very good solution.’
Lily pulled Edie back into her arms. ‘How about we forget all our troubles tonight and try to have a good time? We can pick it all up again tomorrow.’
‘How can I have a good time when I’m meeting Greg? Will you go and tell him I’m not well?’ she asked hopefully.
‘No way! Anyway, I might be tempted to tell him why you’re not feeling well.’
Edie scowled at her. ‘Well, if Bill turns up before I go out I won’t be going.’
‘All about Bill now, is it?’ Lily teased, hoping to lighten the atmosphere.
‘For God sake!’ Edie turned on her. ‘It’s all about Mr Pearson! I need Bill’s help because no one will talk to me. As for Greg . . .’ She sighed. ‘I wish I’d never met him.’
‘Well, we’ll all be at the Hippodrome so if you need some moral support, just say the word,’ Lily said sympathetically.
Edie clapped a hand over her mouth as a thought occurred to her. ‘Where’s Bill going to stay? The garage has been boarded up and I bet those flaming policemen made a right mess when they searched it.’
‘In the basement?’ Lily said, straight-faced.
In spite of everything, Edie let out a huff of laughter.
There was a knock on the door just then and Hester popped her head in. ‘Everything all right, loves?’ she asked.
Lily glared at her. ‘Edie told me what you said, and if you do anything to put her in danger, then I will personally chuck you in jail and throw away the key.’
