Winter on the Mersey(36)
Danny smothered a grin. ‘You did it because you were asked to, as one of the best-qualified Wrens, and the whole point of you being back here is to help with training, and you’re the best woman for the job. So you’ll just have to get on with it, Frank or no Frank.’
Kitty sighed. It was too hot to be cross, and it wasn’t fair to take it out on Danny, who’d had his own tough day at work. Besides, they were all on edge. Last night there had been a broadcast by the king telling them all that the Allied troops now faced their toughest test, and everyone was keen to have news of what was happening. She glanced at her watch and saw it was nearly nine o’clock.
‘Better switch on the wireless, Danny,’ she said, steadier now. ‘The news will be on in five minutes.’ She shook her head, trying to get thoughts of Frank Feeny from her mind. It had been a shock to realise she was expected to sit on the same committee as him, closeted in a small room in the underground complex of Derby House. He’d sat there, immaculate in his uniform, seeming to know exactly what he was talking about, fully in command of his brief, and had made her feel like a total newcomer with no idea about anything. All her years of work and hard-earned expertise seemed to desert her. She’d have to be more careful in future – she hadn’t been posted all the way back up here to fall at the first fence. She had to get a grip and maintain her professional attitude, not let it be waylaid by Frank’s cool and commanding presence. She had to do better next time – the more junior Wrens depended on it and she couldn’t let them down.
Danny turned to the old wooden Pye wireless set and switched it on, but all that came out of it was a hiss of static. ‘Damn, I must have knocked it earlier on and lost the station,’ he said, turning the dial.
‘Let me, I’m better at it than you,’ Kitty offered, and then it was Danny’s turn to grow annoyed.
‘Don’t be daft, our Kitty. How do you think I managed all those years when you were hardly ever here?’
Kitty groaned. ‘Well, never mind, just hurry up, the headlines will be on in a couple of minutes now.’
There was a tap at the back door and Sarah let herself in, her expression revealing that she’d overheard their heated discussion. ‘Give over, the pair of you. We’re all listening at home, so come across now and you’ll catch the news. I was coming to ask to borrow a loaf tin, but it’ll wait.’
‘Thanks, Sar,’ said Danny, abandoning the dial and switching off the set, the hisses and buzzing stopping as swiftly as they’d started. If he was honest, it was true that Kitty had the knack of finding the Home Service more quickly than he could, but he wasn’t going to admit this now.
The three of them hurried across to the Feeny household, where Pop and Dolly were standing by their large wireless in the kitchen, while Violet peeled potatoes for tomorrow’s stew at the sink, her faded apron splashed with muddy water. Dolly looked anxious. ‘You’re just in time,’ she said. ‘Sarah, did you get that tin—’
‘Hush now,’ said Pop gently, putting his hand out to Dolly.
At that moment a clear and calm voice filled the room. ‘Here is the news, read by Joseph Macleod.’
They all stood totally still to take in Churchill’s statement about what had happened that day in France, and what was still going on. The big offensive was under way at last, on the beaches of Normandy. Violet put down her peeler and leant against the sink, her hands clasped tightly, the last of the evening light falling through the kitchen window and on to her anxious face.
Kitty stared at the floor, wondering where her friend Laura’s boyfriend was now – somewhere in the thick of it, most probably. She thought about Marjorie, setting off so steadfastly, unsure where she would be going or what she’d have to face. Maybe she was in Normandy too. They had no way of knowing. Despite her earlier mood, she found herself relieved that Frank Feeny wasn’t caught up in the action but was safe in the underground bunker in Liverpool’s city centre. No doubt he’d still be at work, just in case information came through that he was best placed to deal with, even though his shift should have ended by now.
Nobody spoke until the broadcast drew to a close, then they let out a collective sigh of breath.
‘Sounds as if it’s all going as well as it could do,’ said Pop staunchly. ‘Better than some might have hoped, in fact.’
Danny nodded. ‘Well, like he said, they’ve reached inland as far as Caen already. And there hasn’t been much loss of life.’ Of course he knew that the reality behind the headlines might not be so rosy, but he wasn’t going to say that here, not in front of this group of people, who meant more to him than just about anyone else in the world. He was acutely aware of those missing from the company: Eddy and Jack.
Dolly nodded solemnly, her face etched with worry, but saying nothing about her fears.
‘Right, then.’ Violet pulled down the blind on the back window as Sarah moved to light the gas lamp. ‘I’ll get back to the spuds.’ She picked up her peeler once more.
Danny looked at Kitty. ‘We’d best get back – we’ve got work in the morning. Thanks for fetching us, Sar.’ He took a moment to observe her face, checking to see how she felt about the latest news.
Sarah smiled, taking it in her stride. ‘You’re welcome. Shall I pick up that tin tomorrow, Kitty?’