The Dover Cafe On the Front Line, page 29
*
Lily sat up, startled, as she heard her name called. Outside the sky was darkening, so she must have been asleep for a while.
‘Someone to see you, love.’ Her mother’s voice floated through the door.
Immediately, she thought of Charlie, and she jumped up, running a brush quickly through her hair before dashing down the stairs. She stopped short in the doorway of the sitting room, disappointed at the sight of the woman wearing a familiar blue dress and glasses on a chain round her neck sitting primly on the edge of the flowered sofa, not a hair out of place as she sipped from one of her mother’s best teacups.
‘Matron,’ she said faintly.
Matron Watson stood up and held her hand out. ‘How are you, my dear?’ she asked solicitously.
‘No different to the last time you saw me. You know, when you told me to leave the hospital?’ she said bitterly.
Matron ignored her comment and looked at Nellie who was sitting in her chair watching the scene avidly.
‘Would you mind if we had a word alone, Mrs Castle.’
‘Please stay, Mum,’ Lily said quickly. If Matron was going to sack her, she wanted her mother here to back her up.
‘I ain’t one of your nurses and this ain’t the hospital. If my daughter wants me here, then this is where I stay.’ Nellie folded her arms and settled further back in the chair.
The woman’s lips thinned with annoyance, as she gestured for Lily to sit. ‘As promised earlier, I have come to apprise you about the events of yesterday. And I have also come to issue the strongest possible apology on behalf of the hospital.’
Lily’s heart leapt with hope. ‘They’ve caught the prisoner? He’s told them I’m not involved?’ she whispered faintly, but her question was drowned out by her mother.
‘A strong apology?’ Nellie mocked. ‘Don’t you think you owe her a bit more than that?’
‘Mum, please,’ Lily murmured faintly, as she sat down in one of the armchairs. ‘Let her finish.’
‘Not only has the prisoner been caught, but Mr Wainwright has been working diligently on your behalf and has taken his findings to the police. As a result, an arrest has been made and you have been fully vindicated.’
‘Dick Brown?’ Lily asked.
Matron looked puzzled. ‘Why do you mention him? As far as we’re aware Richard Brown had nothing to do with this.’ She took in a deep breath. ‘It seems we have had a traitor working in our midst. Dr Ramsay has been found to be a Nazi sympathiser, and he fabricated the prisoner’s illness in order to keep him at the hospital until his broken leg was healed enough to escape.’
‘Dr Ramsay!’
Matron nodded. ‘He has connections in Germany that we were completely unaware of. His house has a radio with which he has been communicating with someone. Apparently, Felix Muller is from a very prominent and wealthy family, close to Hitler—’
‘Bloody man!’
Matron turned and stared in bemusement at the parrot.
‘Shut up, Polly,’ Nellie snapped, while Lily started to giggle.
Matron turned back, her lips twitching. ‘—and who paid very good money for Dr Ramsay’s help.’
Lily sat back. ‘Blimey,’ was all she could think to say.
‘He’s one of them four statues then.’
Matron stared at her. ‘Pardon?’
‘Them Nazi-lovers. Like that rat, Moseley.’
‘Oh, you mean fifth columnists? Yes, it appears he is. And we have Mr Wainwright to thank for his arrest. He put two and two together and realised that the prisoner couldn’t have faked such a serious illness without a doctor’s help. So I’ve come to say that you are free to return to work. In fact, I, for one, will welcome you back with open arms. You have the makings of a very fine nurse indeed, Miss Castle.’ She stood up.
‘And that’s it, is it?’ Nellie said.
‘I’m not sure what else needs to be said.’
‘Oh, I think there’s plenty more to say. For a start, I want a full written apology published in the Dover Gazette. Front page is my preference. You’ve turned my girl’s life upside down with your accusations. And look at her face! Why are your nurses not properly protected? Particularly when they’re expected to look after dangerous Nazi prisoners. So if you think your words are enough, then you can think again. And Lily isn’t returning until I see that apology in the paper. In fact, Lily will be taking a bit of time to recover from her ordeal.’
‘I don’t think—’
Nellie stood up. ‘Tomorrow, I will send a man called Ron Hames to see you. He works for the Gazette. He’ll know what to do. And only then will she return to your hospital. I’ll show you out.’ She gestured to the door, and, looking perplexed and a little annoyed, Matron followed her.
Lily sat mutely, staring into space, her mind in turmoil. She could hardly believe it was all over, but even so, she didn’t feel the euphoria she had been expecting. Rather, the prospect of going back to the hospital filled her with dread. And now her mother had made matters worse by issuing demands that Matron probably couldn’t meet.
As soon as Nellie walked back in with a triumphant smile, Lily exploded. ‘For God’s sake, Mum! You could have ruined my chances at the hospital for good!’
‘Stuff and nonsense! It’s the least they can do. And as for that Mr Wainwright, he can have free meals for the rest of his life. The man is solid gold. Come on, girl, stop looking so sour! This calls for a celebration.’ She raced across to the kitchen and took down three glasses. Pouring a generous measure of sherry into each glass, she hollered up the stairs, ‘Marianne! Get your arse downstairs now. We’ve got some celebratin’ to do! And I don’t mean your wedding.’
Cackling, she downed her drink in one and poured another. Lily, meanwhile, sat quietly. She felt stunned that a doctor had turned out to be a traitor. And not only that, he’d been willing to throw her to the wolves without a second thought. But, most of all, she was confused. If Dick wasn’t responsible, then what was the meaning behind his strange, threatening behaviour? Rather than relief, she felt renewed dread. She’d been so sure the man must have been involved somehow, but now she knew he wasn’t, she wondered what else was coming round the corner.
Chapter 37
Nellie was as good as her word, and the next day, she sent Don round to the offices of the Dover Gazette with a note for Ron Hames. He arrived at the café at lunchtime with good news.
‘Thanks for the tip, Mrs C. Was only too happy to help. Had a bit of a wrangle with the old battleaxe up at the hospital, but she gave in in the end, and their apology will be in the papers day after tomorrow. They want to keep the good doctor’s name out of it. Had to give my solemn word not to name him.’ He grinned and tapped his nose. ‘Don’t mean I can’t make it clear enough, though, so don’t worry on that score. It’s my civic duty to serve up the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth to the good citizens of this beleaguered town. Speaking of serving up?’ He looked at her hopefully.
Nellie nodded her satisfaction. ‘All right, I reckon you deserve a bite to eat on the house. Just this once, mind. You’re doin’ me a favour, but by my reckoning this is as much a favour to you as it is to me.’
‘Ah, you drive a hard bargain, Mrs C. And you’re right, the boss is right pleased with the scoop. Just think, your girl’s name could soon be on everyone’s lips.’
‘Just as long as they’re good words, Ron. That’s all I care about.’
The journalist leant on the counter, taking off his helmet and running his hand through his greasy black hair. ‘Anyways . . .’ he said. ‘While I was up the hospital, I got accosted by a sleazy bloke by the name of Dick Brown. Said he had a juicy morsel of info about a certain family that runs a café in the town. Anything else you’d like to tell me?’ He raised his eyebrows at Nellie, who stared back at him blankly, although her stomach had dropped.
That man again, she thought. Had Pauline told him something?
‘Seems like I’ve hit a nerve. Anything you’d like to get off your chest?’
She took a deep breath. ‘I got no idea what you’re talkin’ about. And yes, there’s something I want to get off my chest. Like you said, you need to stick to reportin’ the truth. Not idle gossip from some bloke I don’t even know.’
The man grinned knowingly. ‘Fair enough. And I see your Marianne’s cooked my favourite cottage pie, so . . .’ He clamped his lips together and buttoned them. ‘My lips are sealed.’
Nellie frowned as she watched him take his usual seat by the window. She just hoped Pauline hadn’t opened her big gob and that her secrets wouldn’t come out before she’d had a chance to speak to the kids. She sighed. Not so long ago, she’d been looking forward to the wedding. She’d even made herself a new dress – one that reminded her of a kaleidoscope with its swirls of reds, pinks, purples and greens all merging into each other. But with things as they stood, she felt that black would be a more appropriate colour. For while it would be the happiest day of Marianne’s life, it could very well be the day that would break her own heart.
*
On the day the apology was due to be printed, Lily got up early and raced across the square to the news kiosk next to Perkins’ Fish.
‘Two copies of the Dover Gazette, if you don’t mind, Mr Gallagher,’ she said to the old man standing behind the counter. One was for her mother, the other she intended to take to work with her the next day. Something she was alternately looking forward to and dreading.
Mr Gallagher smiled around the pipe sticking out of the corner of his mouth. ‘I always said it were a load of codswallop.’ He held up the paper he was reading, opening it to the third page, where a headline stood out:
‘Casualty Hospital apologises to nurse wrongfully arrested after prisoner escaped’
Lily stared at the man disbelievingly. ‘Did you really? Don’t remember you popping over to offer your support.’
The man looked shamefaced. ‘Well, I couldn’t, could I? Not till I was sure.’ He reached under the counter and brought out a battered-looking chocolate bar wrapped in distinctive purple paper. ‘Have this by way of an apology. Been savin’ a few, special like.’
Lily looked at the box of fresh chocolate bars on a shelf behind him then back at the battered offering. ‘How long have you been saving this? Since Armistice?’
He sighed and put the chocolate back, taking down one of the new bars. ‘Fussy little madam, ain’t yer? But I suppose I owes you. ’Ere, fancy me knowin’ someone in the papers.’ He chuckled, revealing toothless gums.
Lily smiled weakly. ‘Yeah, aren’t you the lucky one.’ Nodding, she took the papers and the chocolate and skipped back to the café.
‘It’s here!’ she shouted, waving the paper above her head as she raced through the door. ‘A full apology.’
Nellie rushed over and snatched the paper from her hand, tearing open the pages.
‘All right, you lot,’ she shouted over the breakfast hubbub. ‘Listen to this.’ She cleared her throat. ‘“The Casualty Hospital have issued a full apology to Miss Lily Castle, eighteen, of Castle’s Café, Market Square, Dover. Early in the morning of the seventh of September, Miss Castle was on night duty at the hospital where she is a trainee nurse, when she was attacked by one of the German prisoners and left unconscious while the man made good his escape. She was later arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting the enemy. All charges against Miss Castle have since been dropped thanks to an investigation by Mr Harold Wainwright, of Wainwright and Wainwright Solicitors in the High Street. Hospital staff have been left shocked at the discovery that there has been a Nazi sympathiser working amongst them. Miss Castle has now been reinstated and will resume her training forthwith. It begs the question: why did the police not discover this for themselves? When this reporter asked Inspector Forrest, he declined to comment.”’
Nellie smacked the paper back down on the counter. ‘Oh, nice touch, Ron Hames. I’d like to know that and all. But they’re not the only ones who owe Lily an apology,’ she said loudly, glaring around at the customers.
‘But we never accused her of anything. Sure, I’ve always had a powerful fondness for the girl.’
Nellie nodded at the soldier. ‘You have always been a perfect gent, Sergeant O’Malley. In any case, I can forgive those as haven’t known Lily since she was born. But there are others—’ she glared at Lou Carter, who was sitting at a table by the window ‘—who should have known better.’
‘Mum,’ Lily hissed, her face red with embarrassment, ‘leave it, will you?’
Lou Carter stood up then. ‘No, she’s right, love. I’m happy to hold me hands up and say we was wrong. It was just in the heat of the moment, you know.’
‘Heat of the moment?’ Nellie exclaimed. ‘Don’t talk rot. You just couldn’t help gettin’ involved in the scandal, could you? Even though she saved your life the day before.’
Lou flushed and looked away. ‘Don’t push it, Nell. I’ve said I’m sorry, ain’t I? I never really believed it, truth be told. And your Rodney’s speech convinced most of us. Better than Churchill, he was. But by then, well . . .’ She shrugged. ‘I suppose we all got a bit carried away.’
The door opened then and Roger Humphries walked in, his helmet under his arm. He’d not been in the café since Lily’s arrest, and the sight of his weaselly face and wispy moustache infuriated Nellie. Folding her arms, she counted to ten as he approached the counter, trying her best to control her temper.
‘Lily,’ he said obsequiously. ‘I’m delighted to hear that you have been cleared. Of course, I never believed a word of it and, thanks to the local constabulary, justice has well and truly been served.’
Lily stared stonily at Roger. She’d not forgotten how he’d spoken to her when she was brought in to the station. She shot a glance at her mother, and saw she was about to explode. Well, he deserved it. But she’d rather it came from her. ‘I think you better turn round and go straight back out again,’ she said. ‘Because after the way you spoke to me, you’re no longer welcome in here.’
His eyes widened and he looked at Nellie nervously.
‘You heard her. Hop it.’ Nellie pointed at the door.
‘But you must understand—’
Suddenly, Marianne came out of the kitchen, her blue apron dusty with flour and a tea towel over one shoulder. ‘Didn’t you hear what Lily said, Roger? You’re not welcome here, so get out!’
Roger’s face paled. ‘B-b-but you can’t mean that? We’ve been friends for years. Why, we were even courting before you got your head turned by that trumpeter.’
Marianne laughed. ‘Don’t flatter yourself. We were never courting. And if you want the truth, I was only nice to you cos I felt sorry for you. But I don’t any more.’ She walked to the door and opened it. ‘So, like Mum said, hop it. And don’t come back.’
Roger stalked towards Marianne, pausing to stare hard into her face, before hissing, ‘You’ll regret this.’ He glanced back at Nellie. ‘Or rather, your mother will. Because I know she’s up to no good and sooner or later, I’ll get to the truth.’
Marianne’s face blanched, but she held her ground. For years the man had pestered her, and she’d let him. Well, soon she’d be a married woman, and it was about time she started sticking up for herself and her family. As Roger stepped out of the door, she slammed it behind him, then turned back around, dusting her hands together. ‘Right. Anyone else? Cos like Rodney said, if you’re not for us, you’re against us, and we don’t take kindly to those that slag us off.’
The café was dead silent as people stared at Marianne in shock. Lily glanced at her mother, eyebrows raised, but Nellie was watching Marianne, a slow smile spreading across her face as she started to clap. ‘At bloody last the worm turns.’
Marianne pointed a finger at her mother. ‘And don’t you forget it, Mum,’ she said. ‘Cos I have had it up to here—’ she held her hand above her head ‘—with the temper tantrums and the outbursts and the grudges. And that includes whatever you’ve done to drive Jasper and Gladys away. So you better sort that out, cos I don’t want my wedding ruined because you can’t keep your gob shut.’
She flounced into the kitchen and started to clatter the pots and pans around.
Lou Carter gave a cackle of laughter. ‘I never thought I’d see the day that girl said boo to a goose. But, by God, I’m glad I did.’
Marianne stuck her head through the hatch. ‘As for you, Lou Carter, it’s about time you stopped gossiping. If I see you out there one more time with your gaggle of cronies gathered round you, then you’ll have another burnt stall to deal with.’ She withdrew her head, her chest heaving. What had happened to her? she wondered. Just the other day she’d snapped at Alfie, and now she was taking on Roger and Lou. She took a deep breath as she realised her hands were shaking. Was it the pressure of the wedding? But it couldn’t be. She loved Alfie and couldn’t wait to marry him. So why did she feel so wound up and tense? She put her hands on the table and bent over it.
‘Marianne?’ It was Lily.
She looked up and smiled as her sister came into the kitchen and gave her an enormous kiss on the cheek. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘For sticking up for me, and for giving Roger, Mum and Lou a piece of your mind.’
Marianne gave a laugh. ‘Is she cross?’ She nodded her head towards the café.
‘Nah. I think she’s just stunned. And you were right to have a go about Jasper and Gladys. She’s not said any more to you about what it’s all about, has she?’
Marianne shook her head. ‘Not a word. But whatever it is, it must be bad for them not to be talking to her.’ She sighed. ‘And only ten days to go before the wedding. I can’t help feeling it’s a bad omen. Perhaps I should have called it off after all.’
Lily kissed her again. ‘Don’t be daft. How could you keep a bloke like Alfie waiting?’
