Winter on the Mersey(112)
Violet thought it through. She loved gardening and the satisfaction of producing nourishing food from seed. She also loved dealing with people. Working in the shop made her happy and allowed her to be only a stone’s throw from the twins. Yet long-term it might not be as good for them all. The shop now belonged to Rita and Ruby between them – Winnie and Charlie must be turning in their graves. Rita had confided to her that when Jack came home, she wanted to move out of the accommodation above the shop, as it had too many memories of the years of abuse she’d suffered when married to Charlie. Besides, when Michael and Megan returned, they’d be bursting at the seams. It had been decided that they would finish their school year out at Freshfield, but then move back to be with their mother, baby sister and, eventually, Jack too.
Violet explained all this to Ruby. ‘So you see, if I come and work with you, I’d only have a little time in the shop, as I can’t ask Mam to mind the twins every day. Rita won’t be there full time. So I can’t see what would be best.’
Nancy cleared her throat. ‘I could help.’
Violet’s eyes widened. Nancy had never been known to do so much as move a box in the shop. ‘Really?’
‘Yes,’ said Nancy, speaking quickly now the idea crystallised in her mind. ‘I used to work in a shop, you know. All right, it was the big department store, George Henry Lee, but I dealt with customers and all that. It would be the ideal solution all round.’ She looked at Violet squarely in the eye. ‘If the flat is going to be free, I would be interested in that too. I’m not staying where I am, no chance, not after what the old bag said about me when Georgie went missing. Georgie would love it; he’d be right next to his favourite granny and you, Violet. Sid would have something to watch from the upstairs window as people come and go, and when he’s feeling up to it he might want to help out as well. How about it?’
Violet and Ruby looked at each other and nodded. ‘We’ll have to ask Rita,’ Ruby pointed out, ‘but it might be good for Sid, mightn’t it?’
Violet grinned. ‘Nancy, if Rita agrees, you’re on. I couldn’t let the shop down, but I’d love to grow plants for a living. If we knew you were behind the counter, we wouldn’t have to worry.’
Nancy beamed. She knew she’d just committed herself to a life of hard work. It might not be the glamorous existence she used to dream about with Gloria, or the fantasy of moving to America as a GI bride. However, it would give her little family security. That was the most important thing now.
Kitty watched the children devouring the last of the cake and smiled. As usual it had taken far longer to make than to be eaten, but that was how it should be. It was good to be out of uniform for once, in a full skirt, teamed with a pretty gingham blouse with puff sleeves and broderie-anglaise collar, topped with the rash purchase of a new cardigan. She’d decided that morning she deserved it as she’d scarcely touched her clothing coupons for ages – she was usually in uniform, after all. Laura had teased her about that often enough.
The thought of Laura reminded her of the letter she’d received a few days ago. It was from Marjorie. She was now recuperating at her parents’ house, conveniently close to where Freddy was currently being treated. Evidently their romance, begun in the most testing of circumstances, had survived and was flourishing in the quieter surroundings of Sussex. While Marjorie still couldn’t say exactly what she’d been doing, reading between the lines Kitty could tell that their guess had been right. The quiet, bookish former teacher had been working with a cell of the Resistance, going undercover at great danger to herself. Somehow she had come through it, unlike many other equally brave young women on similar missions. Kitty hoped to visit her soon. Perhaps she could co-ordinate it with Laura, if Marjorie was strong enough to take two visitors at once.
Then Frank brought her out of her reverie. ‘Shall we tell them? Make it official?’
Kitty turned to face him, her expression full of love. ‘Yes, why not, let’s do it while everyone’s here together. It’s not as if you have to ask Jack’s permission or anything. Unless you’re afraid one of us will change our mind?’
Frank laughed and kissed her quickly. ‘I don’t think so. I’ve never felt more certain about anything in my life.’
‘Neither have I.’
Frank reached down to the table and picked up a metal spoon, which he tapped against his half-full beer bottle until everyone looked towards them.
‘We’re here to celebrate the wonderful news that our country is at peace at last,’ he began, ‘but if I may have a moment of your time, I’d like to bring you some extra happy news … we’re getting married!’
Kitty glanced across to where Danny stood with Sarah, and caught the glance that passed between them. So maybe there would be even more happy news very soon. For now, though, this was her moment – hers and Frank’s. She looked around at all the faces turned to them and knew that she couldn’t share it with a better group of people, the brave and resilient inhabitants of Empire Street and their closest friends. The war had destroyed houses, damaged workplaces, killed some of their nearest and dearest and turned all of their lives upside down – but it had not defeated them. On top of all that, it had brought her together with the man she loved most in the world.
‘To Kitty and Frank!’ called Pop, and everyone raised their glasses or bottles or cups and echoed, ‘To Kitty and Frank.’