Winter on the Mersey(76)
Gary stepped across to the reception desk and spoke in a low voice to the smartly dressed woman on duty. She smiled and gave him a key.
‘Come on,’ he said, returning to Nancy. ‘I’ve told her our luggage is coming along later. So we don’t need no porter to follow us up to our room.’
‘Oh, Gary.’ Nancy shivered in anticipation. This was a big step up from their previous assignations in pubs far from the centre, even more special than the hotel after Gloria’s concert. She felt as if he no longer cared if they were seen together either – that he was proud to have her on his arm, to be seen in public with her, like a proper couple. He must really care about her, to bring her somewhere like this. ‘Come on, then, show me where this room is. I can’t wait to see it.’ She widened her eyes at him and it was all he could do not to break into a run while picking her up in his arms then and there. Eagerly they hurried upstairs.
Frank passed through security clearance at Derby House and made his way down the chilly corridor towards the two underground floors that held the Western Approaches Command. It was the day after Boxing Day but security checks were still rigorous. Plenty of people were on holiday or in holiday mood, but the business of communications for the war effort continued day and night nevertheless. He straightened his back. He didn’t want to be caught looking sloppy just because he’d had a distinct lack of sleep over the past couple of days, thanks to the shock of the twins’ arrival. He could have gone back to his billet, of course, but somehow he’d felt his place was with his parents and wider family, knowing they were all sensing the absence of Eddy, even as they welcomed the arrival of his children.
The Feeny house had been bursting at the seams, what with two extra babies and a non-stop stream of visitors keen to give their good wishes and catch a glimpse of the twins. Frank had realised again just how popular his parents were and, by extension, their children and grandchildren. Dolly’s WVS friends and Pop’s ARP colleagues all stopped by, bringing little trinkets of goodwill. He’d suggested sleeping on the settee in the parlour, but Rita would have none of it. ‘You’ll stay with me,’ she’d insisted. ‘There’s plenty of room. In fact I’d be grateful if you could, as Michael and Megan won’t be going back to the farm for a few days and, now Violet’s not able to see to them, I’d really appreciate it. They don’t need much, but if I knew you’d be here overnight it would be a weight off my mind.’ Frank could hardly say no after that.
Derby House was quiet, the corridor echoing as he made his way along it. At least it meant he wouldn’t be stuck in meetings for half the day. The downside, he reluctantly admitted, was that this also meant he wouldn’t have an excuse to seek Kitty out. The sight of her face in the firelight at Christmas had stayed in his memory, along with the sound of her singing. But he’d hardly spoken to her since, as the arrival of the babies had put paid to all the household routines. She’d been on shift yesterday and was unlikely to be back in today. Firmly he turned his thoughts elsewhere, to the pile of memos that had built up for him in the brief time he’d been away from the desk. He was sifting through them, putting them in order of priority, when he heard footsteps approach.
Glancing up, he saw it was Sylvia. Instantly he felt a wash of guilt, that she’d been dealing with such difficult circumstances at home and here he was thinking about Kitty. Sylvia’s expression was strained, although she smiled at the sight of him. ‘Hello, Frank.’
‘Sylvia!’ He moved swiftly around the desk, hesitating to put his arms round her as he wasn’t sure who else was in that part of the office. ‘Did you have a good Christmas? I didn’t know you’d be back so soon.’
She tried to maintain her smile but it didn’t work. Her mouth trembled and she looked away, reaching for her handkerchief. ‘No, not really.’ She took a moment to gather herself. ‘Dad died. It’s all right, I was there, and so was my brother. He didn’t suffer. We were all prepared.’ She let out a deep breath. ‘Even so, it came as a surprise.’
‘Of course.’ Frank put his hand on her arm. ‘I’m so sorry. He was a good man, and he was lucky to have you all around him. Why are you back here? Didn’t you want to stay at home with your mother?’
Sylvia shook her head. ‘My brother has leave at the moment and so I’d rather come back here, do something useful, and then take more days when it’s time for the funeral and then after when my brother can’t be there. Mum will need me more then. I’ve talked to my superior officer, she agrees.’
Frank nodded slowly. That was a practical way of looking at it. He admired Sylvia for thinking so clearly while, if he knew her at all, wanting with every fibre of her being to be there with her mother in the family home. ‘You’re very brave,’ he said warmly. ‘We all have to carry on as best we can, don’t we.’
Sylvia shrugged. ‘Oh, I don’t know. It’s not brave. It’s just the best thing to do. But thank you, Frank.’ She looked up at him sadly.
‘Over Christmas as well. You poor thing.’ He took her hand and held it between both of his. ‘Is there anything I can do? Make you a cup of tea? Take you for a drink after work?’
Slowly she pulled her hand free. ‘I … I don’t think so. I don’t really feel like going out.’