Nellie ruffled her grandson’s hair, then collapsed into a chair, too out of breath to answer.

  ‘Well?’ Lily said.

  ‘They’ll tell us when they’re ready,’ Marianne said more mildly. She raised her eyebrows at her mother in silent question, and Nellie shook her head.

  ‘We was just on our way back from the caves,’ Hester said eventually.

  ‘You should have gone back to them, then,’ Edie said.

  ‘We was caught in the middle,’ Nellie responded, grateful for Hester’s quick thinking.

  ‘The only thing that matters is that they’re here safe and sound,’ Marianne interjected. ‘Now, how about I pour you both some tea. You look like you could do with it.’

  Hester gave Nellie a quick wink, then shooed Marianne back into her chair. ‘I’ll do it, love. A woman in your condition needs to look after herself.’

  Nellie watched her friend closely. How exactly had she known where the planes were headed? She put her head on the table and closed her eyes as her thoughts whirled round and round. But what was uppermost in her mind were Ron Hames’s words just a few nights before when the Hippodrome had been bombed. Things have been strange in Dover recently. She’d dismissed him at the time. But together with what he’d said earlier today, now she was beginning to think he might be right. Maybe someone was out to cause mischief in the town. And maybe they were living under her roof.

  But as she watched Hester bustling around making sure everyone was comfortable, she just couldn’t believe it. Surely a woman who painstakingly wrote down names and addresses of POWs so that she could write to their families would never knowingly put anyone in danger?

  Chapter 52

  ‘Bloody hell,’ Lou Carter exclaimed as she walked into the café next morning.

  ‘Everything all right, Lou?’ Nellie asked, trying to keep her tone light, while inside her stomach twisted itself in knots of anxiety.

  Lou walked over to the counter, leaning over it confidentially. ‘It’s my Terence,’ she whispered.

  Nellie went cold. ‘Is he all right?’ she asked faintly.

  ‘You were due to meet him, but you didn’t show.’

  ‘I was on me way when the bloody planes came, so I turned round and came back.’

  ‘Well, the way he tells it, he were under the arches waitin’ when he hears a voice.’ She leant closer. ‘An’ the voice says, “Terence Carter, get out of there!” An’ the thing about my boy that you might not know, is he’s a bit superspicious.’

  ‘Superspicious?’

  ‘Yeah, you know, believes in signs and stuff like that. Gets it from me mum, who swore she used to speak to me dad long after he’d passed. Anyway, so he hears this voice, and he pegs it. Leaves his stuff and runs. An’ you’ll never guess what?’

  Nellie shook her head.

  ‘Ruddy great bomb lands on the railway line, bringin’ bricks and all sorts down on the exact spot he’d been standing. He’d have been a goner for sure if he hadn’t moved.’

  ‘Bleedin’ heck,’ Nellie breathed. ‘Lucky I turned back an’ all.’

  ‘Weren’t it just. I’m that wound up about it, don’t even know if I can manage any breakfast.’

  ‘How about I bring you over a nice slice of toast,’ Nellie said. ‘Go and sit down, love, I won’t be two ticks.’

  Lou regarded Nellie suspiciously. ‘What’s brought this on?’ she asked.

  ‘Just, I know how you must be feeling,’ she said hastily. ‘About nearly losing your son and all.’

  Lou nodded and smiled. ‘See, underneath it all, you’re not so bad.’

  ‘Some toast for Lou, Marianne. Quick as you can.’

  Gladys and Marianne both stared at her in astonishment – since when had Nellie been so solicitous of Lou Carter? Nellie pretended not to notice as she turned back and poured a cup of tea and pushed it over the counter to Lou. ‘There you go, love. Tea’s on the house.’

  ‘And the grub?’

  ‘Don’t push your luck,’ she said sternly.

  Lou laughed and went to sit down at her table.

  The door opened again and a woman wearing a flowery turban came in.

  ‘All right, Mavis. Don’t often see you up and about at this hour. Opening the Oak early, are you?’ Nellie asked.

  Mavis shuddered as she walked up to the counter. ‘No chance. Ruddy great fight in there last night between the soldiers and the sailors. Something about a football match. And guess who was in the thick of it?’

  Nellie sighed. ‘Bert. I hope you gave him a thick ear.’

  Mavis laughed. ‘Let’s just say he won’t be fighting in my pub again any time soon. Which reminds me, guess who was with him? Mary’s niece, Susan. Remember her? Nice little thing she used to be, but if the way she was behaving last night’s anything to go by, she’s changed.’ She turned to address the other customers. ‘Any of you hear about the railway?’ she asked. ‘Bomb dropped right on the bridge up by Union Road.’

  Ron Hames, who though he’d pretended not to notice, had been watching Nellie and Lou’s exchange with curiosity, perked up at that. ‘Luckily no casualties, though. It’s a bloody miracle.’ He turned to look at Lou with raised eyebrows. He had known that Terence Carter had been dealing from there last night and was curious how he’d not been caught up in it. When she didn’t respond, he went back to scribbling in his notebook.

  ‘Couple of fried-egg sarnies to go, if you don’t mind, Nell. You all right, Marianne, love?’ Mavis called through the hatch. ‘I heard the happy news, and I’m right glad for yer.’

  Marianne poked her head through. ‘Thanks, Mrs Woodbridge. I’m surviving – you know how it is.’

  ‘Don’t I just.’ Mavis laughed. ‘Here, Nell, you heard anything more about Clive Pearson? Or maybe Edie has?’

  ‘She don’t share much with me, that one. She’s either wandering around like a wet weekend or she’s running off with that Bill Penfold, so I’m guessing she don’t know more than us.’

  ‘So the Canadian pilot’s no more, eh? I thought there might be some funny business going on there when she came in for the phone call a while back.’

  ‘She called Bill?’

  ‘Or he called her; I don’t know the details, but they definitely talked.’

  Nellie shrugged. ‘Like I said, I’ve got no idea what goes on in that girl’s mind.’

  ‘But she must have some idea where Clive’s got to? And if she don’t, Bill will. I just don’t understand it. Thrown into jail just like that.’

  ‘Well, whatever they’re saying he did, I’d bet my life it’s not true,’ Nellie replied. In truth she was burning with curiosity about what Bill and Edie were up to. Jasper clearly knew something but he wasn’t telling and she knew better than to question her daughter, who’d probably tell her to get lost. She glanced over at Jasper’s table and sighed. She’d been up to see him again yesterday, but he’d still stubbornly refused to come to the café.

  Just then, Mavis exclaimed, ‘Jasper Cane! Bless my soul, I were going to come and see you later. Saved you a few bottles of Fanshawe’s brown ale – two a week, just like you always drink. So you’re all set for the next few months. When you comin’ back to the Oak?’

  Nellie’s heart leapt as she turned to see Jasper standing in the kitchen doorway, Hester by his side. She raised her eyebrows questioningly, and Hester grinned and winked at her. How had she persuaded him to come? Nellie thought, a touch resentfully. Still, what did it matter as long as he was back at his table eating breakfast.

  ‘Soon as I can walk further than ten yards without wantin’ to collapse,’ Jasper said to Mavis. ‘Hey, Don.’ He gestured to the little boy who was hovering around, eager to spend time with him. ‘You couldn’t take this message up to Edie.’ He handed an envelope to the boy. ‘There’ll be a penny in it for ya.’ He smiled and ruffled the boy’s hair.

  Donny grinned. ‘You don’t have to pay me, Jasper. I’m just happy to see you,’ he said as he turned to go. ‘But, if you want to, then that’s all right too . . .’

  ‘Cheeky monkey,’ Jasper chuckled.

  The bell above the door tinkled and Bunny Whittaker burst in and sat down at Lou’s table. ‘That were a hairy night and no mistake,’ he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. ‘There were an angel watching over me last night, Lou. If I’d have left the station a few minutes later, it would have been curtains for me. And not just me, but the whole of Union Road could have been blown to smithereens, considering what was in the wagons . . .’

  The journalist looked at him with interest. ‘Mr Whittaker, isn’t it?’

  ‘Who wants to know?’ the man asked suspiciously.

  ‘Ron Hames, Dover Express.’ He patted the table. ‘I’d love to hear all about it. Come on, there’s a free breakfast in it for you.’

  ‘Stop harassin’ my customers, Ron,’ Nellie called, the memory of his words making her nervous all over again.

  ‘You’re all right, Mrs C, I don’t mind havin’ a chat if there’s free grub involved.’

  The train driver moved to the other table and soon the two men were deep in conversation, their heads bent close together.

  Nellie frowned. ‘Ain’t that Hester’s mate?’ she asked Gladys as she walked by.

  Gladys nodded. ‘Yup. Used to be neighbours when they were kids.’

  Nellie watched the men, wondering what on earth the journalist could be so interested in. Bombs and shells fell every day and it wasn’t the first time the railway had been targeted. But her mind went back again to what Ron had said. Things have been strange in Dover recently. She looked over her shoulder into the kitchen where Hester was tying on an apron and sharing a joke with Marianne. She shook her head; she was being ridiculous. Dover was Hester’s hometown. And though she’d left under a cloud, since she’d been back, she’d slotted right in. There was no way she would put them all in danger. But despite what her heart was telling her, her head was shouting something very different.

  Chapter 53

  In the bedroom, Edie took out one of the bottles and frowned slightly as she noticed how little there was left. Surely she’d not had that much? She needed to measure the doses out more carefully, she realised, because if she carried on like this, five bottles wouldn’t be enough.

  A knock on the door startled her and she hastily concealed the bottle under the bed. ‘Who is it?’ she called.

  ‘It’s only me, Auntie Edie,’ Donny said, coming in. ‘Jasper asked me to bring you this.’ He held out the envelope to her.

  Recognising Bill’s writing, she snatched it eagerly. They’d had a lovely time yesterday and he’d been so sweet. She couldn’t imagine Greg sitting patiently through that film and then being happy to hold her while she wept all over him. Bill had taken her for lunch afterwards, and they’d reminisced about when they were younger and how impatient Mr Pearson used to get at their bickering.

  ‘We’ll get him back, you know,’ Edie had said comfortingly, putting her hand on Bill’s.

  He’d squeezed it gently. ‘With you on his side, then I don’t doubt it.’

  ‘Aren’t you going to open it?’ Donny asked, interrupting her thoughts.

  Edie nodded and ripped open the envelope.

  Sorry our date yesterday made you so sad. Next time, let’s choose a comedy.

  Bill xx

  Edie smiled sadly, her eyes focused on those two kisses. There wouldn’t be a next time. Because once Mr P was free, she wouldn’t see Bill again – it was the only way she could protect her heart.

  ‘Who’s it from?’ Donny asked curiously.

  ‘Never you mind, nosy,’ she teased.

  Donny grinned as he walked to the door. ‘It must be from someone special, cos you look happier than normal.’

  ‘Yes,’ Edie replied softly. ‘It is from someone special. Hey, have you seen Hester?’

  ‘She’s downstairs helping with breakfast,’ Donny replied. ‘And then she promised that me, Fred and her could go on one of our adventures. Today we’re gonna go up Pudding Hill and if we’re lucky the soldiers’ll give us a lift up in one of their trucks.’ He grinned. ‘Although Hester thinks they won’t want to take her, but I bet me and Fred can make them.’

  ‘Sounds like fun,’ she said, wondering how Hester had the energy to run around with the boys every day.

  ‘It is!’ Donny slammed the door as he left, and Edie waited until she’d heard his footsteps fade, before going out into the hall. Then taking a deep breath, she turned the handle of Hester’s bedroom door and crept in.

  She spotted the suitcase on top of the wardrobe almost immediately and after pulling it down, she turned the label over and gasped. ‘Three Clifton Gardens . . . What the hell is going on?’ she murmured to herself.

  Putting the case back, she went back to her room to throw on some clothes and hurried out.

  Chapter 54

  Bill answered the door at Edie’s knock, wearing his uniform trousers and a white vest. His hair was wet and he smelt of Pears soap.

  ‘Edie!’ he exclaimed with a broad smile. ‘You get my note?’

  ‘I did. Thank you,’ she said, trying to keep her tone cool. ‘But I’m not here to go to the pictures again. It’s about Hester.’

  ‘You’ve got some news?’ he asked anxiously.

  Edie nodded and pushed past him; who’d have thought Pears soap could smell so good, she thought. Then gave herself a mental shake.

  ‘Hester’s address was three Clifton Gardens,’ she said.

  Bill rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Bloody hell, the plot thickens.’

  ‘So it wasn’t a coincidence that she arrived here the same day your dad did. Question is, what are they up to? I mean, she has some funny ideas about the war and stuff, but I just can’t see her doing anything bad.’

  ‘Doesn’t mean she wouldn’t though. So what do we do now?’

  ‘We tell Mr Wainwright,’ Edie replied. ‘And maybe talk to Hester.’

  ‘No. She might run off if we start asking her questions.’

  ‘You’re probably right,’ Edie agreed. ‘So hurry up and get dressed and let’s go.’

  *

  Outside Mr Wainwright’s house, Bill and Edie took a moment to catch their breath before knocking. The door was answered by the same fearsome secretary they’d met before.

  ‘Do you have an appointment?’ she asked before they’d got a word out.

  ‘No. But he’ll want to see us.’

  ‘Sorry, no appointment, no meeting. Anyway, Mr Wainwright is on the telephone. Come back tomorrow morning at nine a.m. I will put it in the diary.’

  Bill pushed past her. ‘I’m sorry, this is urgent. We’ll wait for his call to end.’

  The secretary gasped in outrage.

  ‘Who is it, Mrs Frobisher?’ a voice called through the door of the office.

  ‘It’s Bill Penfold,’ Bill replied.

  ‘Give me five minutes and I’ll be right with you,’ he called back.

  Edie smiled smugly at Mrs Frobisher. ‘See? We told you he’d want to see us.’

  The woman huffed and gestured to a couple of chairs against the wall. ‘Please sit quietly. Mr Wainwright is on a very important call.’ Then she disappeared into an adjoining room from where they soon heard the click-clack of a typewriter.

  It wasn’t long before Mr Wainwright appeared wearing an old-fashioned red velvet smoking jacket. ‘Bill, Edie,’ he said jovially. ‘Funny you should turn up now. I was just having a most intriguing conversation. Come in, come in.’ He ushered them into his office. ‘Apologies for Mrs F. Her heart’s in the right place, but dear me she’s a stickler. Life was much simpler when Marge worked for me.’ He sighed and plumped down on his chair.

  ‘Right, well, what can I do for you?’ he asked.

  ‘We’ve just found out that Walter Penfold lived with Hester in Folkestone,’ Edie burst out.

  Mr Wainwright’s eyebrows rose. ‘Hester? I take it you mean the woman who’s currently lodging at the café?’

  At Edie’s nod, he murmured, ‘How fascinating. Do you have any other information?’

  ‘We were hoping you would have some for us,’ Bill said. ‘About my uncle?’

  ‘Patience, lad. Things are happening, but what you’ve just told me is very useful.’

  ‘We were thinking of going there to see if she lied about her house being destroyed by a shell,’ Edie said eagerly.

  Mr Wainwright sat back and smiled slightly. ‘I really do admire your persistence and enthusiasm, but there’s no need. I suggest you go home and wait. Like I said, everything’s in hand.’

  ‘But what about Hester?’ Edie exclaimed.

  ‘Don’t breathe a word to her. Act completely natural. Please, Edie, Bill. If you say anything about your suspicions, you could ruin everything. Do you trust me?’

  They nodded.

  ‘Good.’ He slapped his hands on the table. ‘Off you go, then.’ He opened the door and ushered them out. ‘And here’s hoping that next time I see you I have more news for you.’

  ‘What do you think he meant that it could ruin everything?’ Edie asked once they were outside.

  ‘I don’t know, but it sounds to me like we were right. Hester is involved somehow, and maybe things are moving at last and Uncle Clive will be free soon.’

  ‘Please God you’re right,’ Edie said softly. ‘I hate the thought of what he’s going through.’

  Bill put his arm around her shoulder. ‘Me too,’ he said. ‘But I’m sure he knows you’ll be doing your best to help him, so I’m sure that gives him comfort.’

  ‘I hope so.’ Edie kicked the pavement despondently. ‘So what now?’

  Bill sighed. ‘I don’t know. I want to go see Dad again, but after last time I don’t think they’ll even let me in the drive . . . Anyway, from what Mr Wainwright said, it might be a bad idea. So how about I treat you to a cup of tea and a bun in the Pot and Kettle? Hopefully that won’t make you cry.’ He grinned and held out his arm.

  Edie hesitated. She knew it was a bad idea to spend too much time with him, but surely a cup of tea couldn’t do any harm, she thought, taking his arm with a smile.

 

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