Winter on the Mersey(28)
‘Sylvia, you haven’t met my friend Jack. Let me introduce you,’ he said, passing his arm through his girlfriend’s. ‘Hello, Kitty, good to see you back home at last.’ His eyes gave nothing away now – they held her gaze steadily. Kitty felt annoyed at herself for being so easily beguiled – Frank Feeny’s blue eyes were of no concern to her now, she told herself.
Before she could reply, he had drawn Sylvia away and Kitty was left unsure as to what she should make of the brief encounter. It didn’t look as if she was going to speak to him properly, and maybe that was just as well. It would give her time to absorb the reality of Sylvia, now she’d met her in the flesh, rather than just imagining her. Then she’d be able to move on, to become comfortable with the idea and not let it get in the way of her work. That was the most important thing. That was what she’d been brought back to do, not to dwell on her old friend and neighbour who just happened to have roused emotions in her that she’d never felt before. But that was a long time ago, she told herself firmly. She had to put that behind her if she wanted to succeed in this new position.
Rita came over, looking as happy as Kitty had ever seen her, her beautiful red hair shining and her blue-green eyes reflecting her deep contentment on this special day. Megan came trotting after her. ‘Kitty, you were wonderful, you spoke so clearly,’ Rita said, giving her friend a hug. ‘Didn’t she, Megan? You remember your Auntie Kitty?’
The little girl looked up at them both. She shrugged. ‘Not really.’
‘Megan!’ Rita gasped, but Kitty smiled and shook her head.
‘It’s no wonder. We haven’t seen much of each other for a long time, have we, Megan? Now I’m back home, I hope we’ll get to know each other properly.’
‘Yes please,’ said Megan politely, then she dashed off as she caught sight of her brother holding some of the cake which had just been cut.
‘Kitty, I am so sorry,’ Rita said, mortified.
‘Don’t be silly,’ Kitty reassured her. ‘She’s not seen me properly since, what, probably your wedding to Jack. She won’t remember – that was over two years ago. She spoke the truth. You should be proud of her.’
‘Oh, I am,’ said Rita warmly. ‘When I think of all she’s been through, seeing her father treat me so badly, being taken off by him and treated like an idiot – it’s a wonder she’s turned out like she has. To think people used to reckon she was slow.’
‘Well, no chance of anyone thinking that now. Just look at her.’ Kitty and Rita turned to watch as the little girl caught up with her brother and loudly demanded that he get her a slice of cake because she couldn’t reach the table. She wouldn’t let him go until he agreed. ‘She’s one to watch, that girl,’ Kitty told her friend, her pulse rate coming back to normal now that Frank and Sylvia were safely on the other side of the room.
‘Oh Eddy, I’m glad you made it back for this,’ breathed Violet, her eyes shining with pride at the sight of her husband in his best suit – to be truthful, his only suit. ‘Aren’t we lucky to have all these friends and family? I feel blessed, I really do, and it’s all because I met you. I’m so grateful they took me in.’
Eddy gave her a squeeze. ‘Of course they did; they love you.’ His expression grew solemn. ‘I tell you, Vi, it makes it easier for me to go, knowing you’re well looked after here. Mam and Pop will see you right, no matter what.’
‘Eddy, don’t say things like that.’ Violet’s eyes clouded with worry. ‘Not when we’re having such a good time. Anyway, you’re going to be all right now. You survived all those crossings with the U-boats coming after you. Things have calmed down now, you said so yourself. You can get over to America and Canada without having to dodge them any more.’
‘Just the weather to worry about,’ Eddy said with a wry grin.
‘And even that’s getting better now summer’s on the way,’ Violet answered stoutly. ‘It’ll be as good as a cruise the next time you make that crossing, you mark my words.’
‘I’ll drink to that,’ Eddy smiled, raising his glass, into which he’d poured a generous tot of rum. ‘Ah, that’s better.’
‘Here, let me have a sip.’ Violet reached for the glass and gingerly brought it to her mouth and tasted the dark amber liquid. ‘Ugh, that’s horrible, that is. How can you enjoy that stuff?’
Frank made his way over and laughed. ‘Our Eddy’s always had a taste for a drop of grog, haven’t you, Ed? That’s why he went to sea in the first place.’ He’d left Sylvia cooing over little Ellen, who was resplendent in her embroidered christening robe, which had been worn by her mother and aunties before her. ‘Didn’t he tell you that, Violet?’
‘No he did not.’ Violet pretended to be cross but her heart wasn’t in it. She slipped her arm around her husband’s waist. ‘I was just saying to him, how much safer he’ll be now doing that Atlantic crossing. He’ll be home with me for good in no time at all.’
‘That day can’t come soon enough,’ Eddy said, his arm around her shoulders. ‘You’ll keep her safe for me meanwhile, won’t you, Frank?’
‘It’ll be my pleasure,’ said Frank, raising his own glass of rum and chinking it against his brother’s. He kept his face cheerful, allowing no trace of what he really thought to show in his expression. He knew, as several others in the room most likely suspected, that there was going to be a big push soon into northern France. He couldn’t say anything about it, and he couldn’t tell from Eddy’s face whether he also knew or not. Violet might presume her husband would be almost out of danger now, having come through the treacherous years when so many merchant seamen were lost in the Battle of the Atlantic. That would be true, if he stayed on that route. But it stood to reason that if the Allies were going into northern France, somehow they would need provisions, armaments, every kind of supplies, and the best way of providing those would be via the Merchant Navy. It wasn’t up to Frank to burst Violet’s bubble of happiness, and he had no way of knowing where his brother would be sent next, but in his heart of hearts he couldn’t rejoice in the assumption that Eddy was out of danger.