Wartime Friends, page 30
Forty-Five
During the final months of 1943, the feeling of cautious optimism remained.
‘I believe the tide began to turn in our favour with Monty’s victory at El Alamein about this time last year,’ Eddie remarked to his brother-in-law, Harold, as they came out of church one Sunday morning at the end of November.
‘I think you’re right,’ Harold agreed thoughtfully. ‘And now Italy has capitulated to the Allies . . .’
‘And actually declared war on Germany.’
‘It’s alleged that the Germans are treating them appallingly. There are reports of some dreadful reprisals against the Italians, if the papers are to be believed.’
‘There’ll be some truth in them, I’ve no doubt. But it’s war, Harold. I’ve always said – and Lilian will back me up on this – that it’s not the ordinary German folk who wanted this war, nor, I’m guessing, the Italians, any more than we did.’
‘I agree with you. You know old man Fairbrother, who farms the other side of Spilsby?’
Eddie nodded.
‘Well, I meet up with him at market sometimes and he says he’s got two Italian POWs working on his farm and they’re fine fellows. Hard workers, honest and polite and, just as our chaps must be, they’re missing their families and desperately worried about them. They haven’t got a good word to say for Hitler. Or Mussolini, if it comes to that.’
With the news at the end of November of the first meeting in Tehran of the Big Three – Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin – hopes really began to rise that a concerted effort against the enemy would bring about the invasion of France by Britain and America the following year, with Russia playing its part from the east.
Neither Carolyn nor Peter would be able to get home for Christmas, but Carolyn managed a forty-eight-hour pass at the beginning of December.
‘Things are a lot better at Beaumanor now,’ she told Beryl when they could snatch a few moments alone. ‘The ATS girls we’re getting now are so much better trained than we were and we’re beginning to outnumber the EWAs. We’re able to man over a hundred and thirty sets, twenty-four hours a day now. And I think, at last, we’ve been accepted.’ She laughed. ‘Though that’s possibly because we outnumber the civilians now. And because so many of us have become adept at recognizing certain operators on particular frequencies, they’re letting us handle our own stations. It’s much better.’ She sighed and then lowered her voice. It had been instilled in them all that secrets must be kept and even telling Beryl now felt a little wrong. ‘You won’t say anything to anyone the things I tell you, will you?’
‘Of course not. I’m still bound by the Official Secrets Act.’ Beryl pulled a face. ‘Actually, I expect we will be for the rest of our lives. Go on.’
‘Now things are going badly for the Germans we’re getting more and more messages in plain language. Usually when they’re in a panic about an air raid or something. Bill picked up one recently saying that fires were raging. He knows a bit of German.’
‘And how is Bill?’ Beryl asked archly.
‘Same as always. He’s taking me to the Annual Christmas Party at the end of the month.’
‘He’s a nice man. I know he’s a bit older than you but—’
‘There’s nothing doing there, Beryl. Look, I’ll tell you, but he doesn’t want it to get around Beaumanor.’
Beryl laughed. ‘I’m hardly likely to spread gossip, am I? I’m not even there and the only person I have contact with now is you.’
‘Bill is married.’
Beryl blinked and then frowned. ‘So why is that a dark secret?’
‘His wife – she’s a bit younger than him – is in the Wrens and she doesn’t want anyone to know she is married.’
‘She wouldn’t get discharged though, not just for being married, would she?’
‘I’m not sure. I do know that if she got pregnant she’d have to leave.’
Beryl grimaced. ‘Don’t I know it.’
‘Sorry,’ Carolyn said contritely, but Beryl only shrugged.
‘It happened.’ She paused and then added, a little wistfully, ‘I do miss it, you know. Even the long night hours when nothing much was happening, but we couldn’t leave our sets in case we missed something. Oh don’t get me wrong, Carolyn. I wouldn’t be without Jamie now for the world and your family have been so wonderfully kind, but just now and again I miss my time at Beaumanor.’
‘I bet you don’t miss the awful static and interference, or the jamming the enemy sends out deliberately to try to stop us listening to their messages, or when they change frequency suddenly and we have to try to follow them so as not to miss the message.’
‘Even all that sometimes. We were all in it together and we still managed to have some fun, didn’t we?’
Carolyn nodded. She didn’t want to upset her friend by saying that they still had a lot of fun there despite the gruelling work, the changing shift patterns that played havoc with their sleep, and the cold in the winter. But Beryl was more perceptive than Carolyn gave her credit for. ‘I do hope you’re still having fun, though I’ll be terribly put out if anyone gets as close to you as I was.’
Carolyn laughed. ‘No one could ever take your place, Beryl, believe me.’
Now Beryl beamed.
Neither Carolyn nor Peter were home for Christmas and Phyllis refused to sit at the same table as Beryl, so it was a depleted family gathering at the farm.
‘I really don’t know what’s the matter with the woman,’ Frank said as he carved the goose. ‘Still, it’s her loss.’
‘It’s our fault – mine and Jamie’s,’ Beryl said apologetically. ‘We shouldn’t be here . . .’
‘Now, you sit right where you are, lass. I’m still in charge in me own house and I say who’ll sit at my table.’ He cast a quick glance at Lilian. She had condescended to join the rest of the family and she was civil towards Beryl, though she did not make a fuss of Jamie. But Tom and Adam more than made up for it. They kept the little boy amused for the afternoon until Jamie’s eyelids drooped and Beryl took him upstairs for an afternoon nap.
‘Right, Grandad,’ Adam said, ‘you sit by the fire. Me and Tom will see to the animals. High time he got some good, fresh air into his lungs,’ Adam added, teasing his cousin.
By arrangement with George Fox, Tom had most of the day off, although he would be on duty again at six o’clock that evening for four hours while George then took a break.
Just before the families returned to their own homes, Frank filled everyone’s glass and said, ‘I’d like to make a toast. I know it’s a week early, but here’s hoping that 1944 will be a better year for all of us and bring an end to this wretched war.’
‘Amen to that,’ they all murmured and raised their glasses.
And then, in February, lambing time began again.
‘There’s always something happening on a farm, isn’t there?’ Beryl said happily. ‘No time to mope.’
Jamie was now crawling and even starting to pull himself up to stand. As he’d promised, Frank had built him a play pen in one corner of the kitchen.
‘That’ll keep him safe when you’re busy, lass. I don’t want any accidents with the little chap. Now, can you make me some sandwiches and a flask of strong tea, love. I think I’m going to be up most of tonight. It seems several ewes have decided to drop their lambs all together and there’s one who always has a bit of trouble. I don’t want to leave her.’
‘You shouldn’t be sitting up all night in a draughty barn, Mr Frank. Can’t Mr Harold or Adam do it? Or even one of the land girls could sit with her and come and fetch you if you were needed.’
‘Harold and Adam work hard enough in the day.’
‘So do you,’ Beryl retorted, greatly daring.
Frank chuckled. ‘Now don’t you dare say “for a man of your age”.’
‘I wasn’t going to, but now you mention it . . .’
They smiled at each other with the warmth of their mutual growing affection.
‘Of course I’ll do it, and I’ll come out now and again to make sure you’re all right.’
‘Don’t disturb your sleep on account of me.’
But Beryl only laughed. ‘And you think I get a full night’s sleep with a ten-month-old?’
Carolyn got a forty-eight-hour pass in February and came home with exciting news.
‘You’ll never guess what?’ she said as she sat on the floor playing with Jamie.
‘Probably not, so go on, tell me.’
‘The Yanks have arrived in our area now.’
Beryl’s mouth dropped open as she stared at Carolyn. ‘Where? At Beaumanor?’
Carolyn shook her head. ‘No, they’re camped – in tents mostly – in the grounds of the manor house in Quorn.’
Beryl sat down slowly, her eyes wide with questions. ‘And is it true what they say about them?’
Carolyn laughed. ‘With some, yes, but mostly they’re lovely. They’re very smart in their uniforms, very courteous and always handing out chocolates and sweets to the local kids. Especially chewing gum.’
‘I bet all the local girls are around them like bees around honey.’
‘Well, you can’t blame them. A lot of our lads are away. Mind you, those who are at home are so jealous, you wouldn’t believe.’
‘Are there many fights?’
‘A few in the pubs – when they’ve all had too much to drink, but the American military police soon arrive and break it up. On the whole, they’ve been made very welcome. A lot of the villagers invite them for a meal or do some washing for them. And, of course, they come to all the local dances.’ Carolyn giggled. ‘They’re teaching us all to jitterbug.’
‘To what?’
‘It’s a dance that’s all the rage in America. Very lively, but it’s great fun.’
Beryl tried to swallow her envy. ‘And have you been out with anyone?’
‘We go out as a group, usually. There’s one really nice guy I dance with quite a lot, but I don’t want it to get serious. They’re not likely to be with us for very long. But he’s a long way from home and missing his family.’
‘They must be here for a reason,’ Beryl murmured. ‘Do you think an invasion of Europe is being planned?’
‘I wouldn’t be at all surprised, but we don’t know anything.’
‘No, it’ll all be kept very hush-hush.’
They talked for over two hours until Jamie began to whimper.
‘He’ll be hungry. I must get him his tea and see to Mr Frank’s meal too. Sorry, Carolyn. It’s been lovely to hear all your news but I must get on now.’
Carolyn kissed her cheek. ‘Take care of yourself and keep an eye on Grandad for me, won’t you? He’s looking very tired.’
‘It’s the lambing. He insists on doing his share, but he’s up half the night sometimes.’
Carolyn shook her head. ‘It’s too much at his age.’
Beryl laughed wryly. ‘Well, you try stopping him.’
‘I would, if I thought he’d take any notice.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll look after him, I promise.’
Back at Beaumanor, life was even more hectic than it ever had been. The social life of the ATS girls soon became one long round of dancing, cycling, walking or just going to the local pubs – all with the GIs. Even Noreen, who had adamantly declared she was being faithful to her English boyfriend, was swept into the arms of a tall, handsome, dark-haired Yank and seemed to walk about in a dream. Only when sitting in front of her set did she concentrate fully and do her job as well as she always had done.
‘Noreen, love, I don’t want to pry,’ Carolyn said carefully, ‘but are things serious between you and this Joe?’
To her surprise, Noreen burst into tears. ‘Oh Carolyn, it’s awful. I so wanted to remain true to Alan, but – but – Joe is just wonderful.’
‘You do know they won’t be here very long, don’t you?’
‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘Joe told me as much. He thinks they’re here in readiness for the build-up to the invasion.’
‘I expect he’s right.’
‘I haven’t – I mean – nothing’s happened between us. He’s a real gentleman, but he – he has said that if he survives the war, he will come back for me.’ Her voice rose to a wail. ‘He – he’s asked me to marry him.’
‘You don’t mean now?’
‘No – no, when it’s all over.’
‘Then don’t worry about it. Thing’s will work out.’
‘But what about Alan? I feel so awful about him.’
‘There wasn’t anything really definite between you, was there? I mean, you weren’t secretly engaged, were you?’
‘Oh no, nothing like that. We’ve just been writing to each other, that’s all.’
‘Every week?’
‘Oh no, only about once a month.’
‘Doesn’t sound a very hot romance to me.’
‘No,’ Noreen said, calming down, ‘I don’t suppose it does.’
‘Then carry on as you are. Just enjoy yourself, but don’t get pregnant.’
Noreen sighed. ‘No, I won’t do that. You know,’ she added thoughtfully, ‘I always tried to be nice to Beryl, though I was a bit – well – disappointed in her, but now I have to admit I can understand how she felt. It’s – it’s very hard to not get carried away when you believe you’re truly in love.’
‘Well, mind you don’t. He’s American and however nice he is, he’ll be gone soon and he might not come back for whatever reason. Now, come on, cheer up. We’re on duty in twenty minutes and the troop carrier will be waiting.’
Forty-Six
The banging on the back door startled Lilian. ‘Oh no, not the police again,’ she whispered and hurried to open the door.
It was not the police; it was Beryl. Lilian stared at her and then her glance went beyond the young woman to the pram standing just behind her.
‘I’m sorry, Mrs Holmes. I got here as fast as I could. It’s Mr Frank . . .’
‘Dad? What’s happened?’
‘He’s had some sort of seizure.’
‘Oh my! I’ll come at once.’
‘There’s no need. I telephoned for an ambulance. They’ve taken him to the local hospital.’
‘Then I must tell Harold.’
‘I think he’ll know by now. Aunty Eve will have told him. I went there first.’
‘Why? You should have fetched me.’
‘Her place is nearer and I thought Mr Harold might be there, but he wasn’t. That’s why Aunty Eve has gone to look for him.’
At that moment the baby in the pram began to whimper. ‘I’d best be getting back,’ Beryl said and turned away.
‘Wait a minute, I’ll come with you. If Harold decides to go to the hospital, I want to go with him. Can you just hang on a minute until I get my hat and coat? Oh, and I’d better leave a note for Tom and Eddie for when they get home. I’ve no idea how long I might be.’
Beryl hesitated for a moment but then said, ‘If – if you want to leave a message for them both to come to the farm, when they get home, I can cook tea for them. Then you won’t have to worry about staying at the hospital as long as you need to.’
Lilian stared at her. ‘That’s – very thoughtful of you. I won’t be a moment.’
As they walked back along the rutted lanes to the farm, Lilian said, ‘Tell me exactly what happened.’
‘He’d been up all night with a ewe that he told me always has difficulty lambing. I – I tried to tell him he shouldn’t be doing that but . . .’ She sighed. ‘Anyway, this morning, he ate all his breakfast just as usual and then sat down in his chair to put his boots on to go out to the barn again. The ewe had had her lamb in the night and he just wanted to go and make sure she was all right before catching some sleep. And then suddenly he just fell forward out of his chair onto the hearth rug. I put him on his side and put a blanket over him and telephoned for the ambulance. They weren’t long in getting to us and they said they thought he’d had what they called apoplexy.’
‘I think that’s how his own father died,’ Lilian murmured. ‘Maybe it runs in families. I don’t know.’
When they got back to the farm, Harold, Eve and Adam were standing in the yard.
‘We thought you’d come back with Beryl,’ Harold said. ‘Shall you and me take the truck, Lilian, and go to the hospital?’
Lilian nodded.
Harold glanced at Beryl and gave her one of his rare smiles. ‘Thanks, lass. I reckon your quick thinking could’ve saved his life. Good job you was here. If he hadn’t been found for hours . . .’
He left the words hanging in the air, but his meaning was clear.
Moments later, as the truck drew out of the yard and headed towards the town, Eve murmured, ‘He’s right, you know, Beryl. If you hadn’t been here, he might not have been found yet.’
‘Mrs Carter would have been here by now.’
‘Funny you should say that, Beryl, because she isn’t.’
‘What?’
‘Here. She’s not arrived yet. Milking’s all done. The land girls have done it as usual and the milk’s all in the dairy, but there’s no sign of Phyllis.’
‘Then I’d better see to it,’ Beryl said. ‘We don’t want all his precious milk going to waste, do we?’
‘I’ll help you, lass, but first I need a good strong cup of tea with plenty of sugar. And so, by the look of you, do you.’
‘Thank you, Aunty Eve. That’d be lovely. I’ll just see to Jamie and then we’ll make a start in the dairy together.’
Frank was in hospital for two weeks and came home during the first week in March.
