There'll Be Blue Skies (44 page)

‘You promised you’d stay with me,’ said Ernie, glaring at Sally. ‘You said so, and now you’re trying to get out of it – just like Mum.’

Ernie, I didn’t—’

‘Hush, Sally. I’ll sort this,’ said Harold. He held Ernie against his knee. ‘Now, Ernie, don’t be unkind to your sister. I’ll be coming with you to Auntie Vi’s, and I’ll be staying until I have to get back to my ship. You’re such a big boy now, surely you don’t need your sister to blow your nose every time you sneeze, do you?’

‘Suppose not.’ He kicked moodily at the table leg.

Harold caught Sally’s eye, his silent message clear. Don’t let this display of childish behaviour change your mind. ‘I tell you what,’ he said, ‘why don’t you give it a good go? Bob and Charlie will be there to keep you company, and Auntie Vi’s a whizz at baking cakes, and letting little boys get mucky in the farmyard. I’ll stay with you for as long as I can and show you round the place – perhaps even take you all up into the hills like Ron does now. We won’t have Harvey, of course, but I’m sure Vi won’t mind if we take one of her dogs instead.’

‘Well …’ Ernie was warming to the idea but still reluctant to give in completely. ‘Will Sally come and visit?’

‘With the trains and the bombs and everything else, she can’t promise, Ernie. But I’m sure she will at some point.’

‘I tell you what,’ Sally cut in. ‘I’ll send you a postcard and letter every week, and when I’ve got a few spare pennies, I’ll even send you a parcel.’

‘All right,’ he said, unwilling to express the excitement that now shone in his eyes. ‘I suppose you can stay ’ere. At least then you won’t be able to boss me about no more.’ He hobbled away from them and joined the other boys without a backward glance for his sister.

Sally met her father’s gaze and smiled wistfully. ‘He took that well,’ she said, dryly.

‘He’s a kid,’ he replied. ‘Just because he can be bribed with cards and parcels, doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you as much as I do. Whatever happens in the future, you’re never to forget that.’

Pearl joined them after tea, and she and Sally made themselves comfortable in the deckchairs so they could enjoy the balmy summer’s evening while Harold bathed Ernie and put him to bed. Harold had made quite an impression on Pearl, but Sally had yet to tell her she was staying, and she was bubbling with her secret.

‘I found a letter on the mat when I got in,’ said Pearl. ‘It’s from Edie. She’s well, and enjoying working as a land girl. Who would have thought it, eh? And she’s met some farmer at one of the local dances, so it looks like she’s settled right in. I doubt she’ll ever come ’ere again for a visit.’ She gave a deep sigh. ‘It’s gunna be lonely down ’ere once you’ve gone an’ all.’

‘I don’t think it’ll be that bad,’ said Sally, unable to keep it to herself any longer. ‘I’m not going to Somerset, Pearl – so is the offer of that room still on?’

The blue eyes widened and she flung her arms round Sally. ‘Of course it is. Oh, Sal. I’m so glad you’re not leaving. When can you move in?’

‘I was thinking about the end of the week. Peggy will need time to adjust to the boys leaving, and Anne will be going the day after tomorrow. I want to stay a few days just to make sure she’s all right.’

Pearl nodded. ‘Good thinking, Sal. She’s been so wonderful to all of us – like a second mum, really, so I’ll pop in too. It’s the least we can do for ’er.’

‘I told her she could visit us any time, and promised we’d call in at least once a week to keep up with the news of the boys. I hope you don’t mind?’

‘Course I don’t, silly. I still think of this place as ’ome, even though I don’t live ’ere no more.’ She became thoughtful. ‘Peggy’s gunna find it strange with an empty house.’

Sally laughed. ‘It won’t be empty for long. She’s already been on to the billeting people, and there are four nurses arriving next week. She’ll have plenty to keep her busy.’

‘She’ll have a full-time job keeping an eye on Jim and Ron with all those young women in the house,’ laughed Pearl. ‘Still, if I know Peggy, she’ll keep a tight rein on both of them.’ She fell silent and plucked at a loose thread on her cotton dress.

‘What’s the matter, Pearl?’

‘I dunno if I should tell you this,’ she said reluctantly, ‘but I saw John Hicks today, and ’e’s—’

‘I know he’s back,’ Sally cut in, ‘and I know about his injuries. I still love him, Pearl, and as soon as I can, I’m going to make him admit he loves me.’ She went on to tell Pearl what had happened the previous night, and how her father had wisely advised her to clear the air.

Pearl frowned. ‘Are you sure, Sal? It’s a big decision.’

‘I’ve never been so sure of anything,’ she replied, and smiled joyfully. ‘But don’t worry, Pearl, I’m not about to rush into anything. We both need time to get to really know one another first.’ She stood and tugged her friend’s hand. ‘Come on, let’s go indoors. I want to spend some time with Dad before he leaves tomorrow.’

Chapter Sixteen

The entire family caught the trolleybus to the station the next afternoon, and even Harvey was allowed to travel if he kept still between Ron’s legs – which he didn’t, of course: there were far too many interesting smells to sniff and people to greet.

The train was already waiting at the platform, the steam billowing from the smoke-stack as servicemen and -women clambered aboard and knots of tearful families made their fond farewells. The station echoed with the cries of children, the hiss of steam and the slamming of train doors. Piles of kitbags and suitcases had to be circumnavigated, and Ron grabbed Harvey just as he was about to cock his leg on one of them.

Peggy tightly gripped the boys’ hands as she slowly made her way through the chaos. Her dark eyes were enormous in her pale face, but it seemed she was determined to be stoic and not let them see just how hard it was to let them go.

Ron kept the dog on a tight leash as Jim and Harold loaded the cases and kitbags into the carriage and took the wheelchair to the guard’s van. He pinched the boys’ cheeks and ruffled their hair, promising to look after Harvey and their precious train-set as Harvey enthusiastically licked their faces. Anne and Cissy kissed them before Peggy swamped them in her embrace.

‘Now, you be good for Vi,’ she murmured to Charlie and Ernie, ‘and remember to wash properly and leave a clean plate at mealtimes. I will write to you every week, and as soon as I’m allowed, I’ll be coming to visit.’

Charlie looked up at her, his little face working as he tried not to cry. ‘Will you come very soon?’ he asked plaintively.

‘As soon as I can, I promise,’ she assured him, her face stiff from the effort of controlling her emotions. She turned to Bob, who was trying so hard to be brave and grown-up about leaving. ‘Try not to grow too quickly,’ she said, her smile faltering. ‘Sally’s already let those sleeves down twice.’ She softly kissed his hair. ‘And take care of the young ones for me, Bob, there’s a good boy.’

‘I’ll look after them, Mum,’ he said solemnly. ‘You don’t need to worry.’ He kissed his mother and gave her a swift embrace before ducking his chin and turning to grasp Charlie’s hand. Without looking at his mother again, he determinedly watched the stoker shovelling coal into the yawning mouth of the fire beneath the train’s boiler.

Jim grabbed all three boys and held them tightly for a moment. ‘I’ll see you soon enough; now you be good and do as Vi and Harry tell you. All right?’

They nodded and he reluctantly let them go.

Sally gathered Ernie to her heart and held him close. ‘Have lots of fun, luv, and the next time I see you, I want you to be nice and fat and strong.’ She kissed his little face and looked deeply into his eyes. ‘Me and Peg will come and visit as soon as we can. I promise.’

‘I know yer will, Sal,’ he replied. ‘I love yer, you know?’

She could only nod as her father gathered her to him and kissed her cheek.

‘I’ll come to see you on my next leave,’ he murmured. ‘Don’t worry about Ernie, he’ll be fine.’ He smiled down at her. ‘Good luck, Sal, and remember – there
will
be blue skies over England again. This war can’t last forever.’

He kissed her again and then swung Ernie into his arms. ‘Come on, son,’ he said softly. ‘Let’s get this adventure started, shall we?’

Jim put his arm round Peggy. Anne and Cissy held hands and Ron chewed the stem of his pipe as Harvey howled and tried to reach the boys. Sally could barely see through her tears, and she flinched as her father slammed the carriage door. The sound of it echoed through the station like a gun-shot.

The guard blew his whistle and they moved as one towards the open window and the beloved faces. The train’s great iron wheels began to turn and the thick white smoke and steam filled the air as they walked alongside the carriage, touching hands and faces, calling out a few last words as they had to run to keep up.

As the train picked up speed, Sally and the Reilly family were soon stranded at the end of the platform. They waved and called out, but it was impossible to know whether they’d been heard, for the train taking that precious cargo was rapidly moving around the bend – and out of sight.

They stood in silence as, at last, the tears could fall. Peggy collapsed against Jim, and Anne took Sally’s hand. It was a sad and defeated little group that slowly left the station and made its way back to Beach View.

Three days had passed since Harold and the boys had left, and now Anne was firmly ensconced at the OC barracks, it felt stranger than ever for Peggy not to hear their voices, or to have their things littering the house. Anne had promised to return home as often as she could and, despite her sadness, Peggy had acknowledged to Sally that Anne had done the right thing, for her face had been animated, her spirits high as she’d been driven away by Martin.

It worried Sally that Peggy was still pale, with dark shadows beneath her eyes, but she seemed to use her sadness to bolster her determination. She moved about the house with her usual bustling, organising the men, helping Sally to pack, fussing over washing and ironing, and preparing the rooms for the new lodgers. It was almost as if she was afraid to stop – because then she would have to face the stark fact that her family had been torn asunder.

Sally had stayed until the Saturday to keep her company; the nurses were due to arrive the following day. She stood in the bedroom she’d shared with Ernie for almost a year and took one last, lingering look before she closed the door and took her cases downstairs. Pearl’s father-in-law was coming for her in his van, and he would be here in a few minutes.

She kissed Jim and Ron goodbye and patted Harvey, who seemed as bewildered as the rest of them at the rapidly emptying house. Then she turned to Peggy and embraced her. They had talked long into the night since the boys had left, and now she was leaving, there didn’t seem to be anything left to express – except her heartfelt thanks.

‘I’m not far away,’ Sally said, ‘and I promise to call in every week. Thank you for everything,’ she murmured, battling with mixed emotions.

Peggy sniffed and dabbed her eyes. ‘You wouldn’t think a person could cry so many tears, would you?’ she said with a watery smile. She patted Sally’s cheek. ‘Good luck, my dear. I hope everything goes well with John.’

Sally linked arms with her and went into the hall as the horn was tooted outside. ‘I’m going to see him tomorrow,’ she replied. ‘l’ll let you know how things are when Pearl and me come over on Sunday.’

Peggy quickly opened the front door and called down to the man in the van. ‘Can you come in for a minute? Only I’ve got something heavy that needs taking with you.’

Sally frowned as the burly fisherman ran up the steps and Peggy showed him into the dining room. ‘Jim will give you a hand,’ said Peggy, nudging her reluctant husband forward.

‘Peggy,’ breathed Sally, as the two men heaved the sewing machine down the steps and into the back of the van. ‘Are you sure about this?’

‘When was the last time you saw me using that thing?’ retorted Peggy. ‘You’ll make far better use of it than I will, and there’s no point in it sitting here gathering dust.’

‘Oh, Peg, you’re a diamond.’ Sally hugged her hard, grabbed her cases and ran down the steps before she spoilt it all by bursting into tears.

Clambering into the van, which stank of fish, she wound down the window and leant out. ‘I’ll see you on Sunday,’ she called, as the engine growled into life and the gears were clashed.

As the van trundled down the hill and headed for the line of terraced cottages at the far end of the promenade, Sally leant back in the seat and gazed at the sea. She wasn’t leaving home for ever – just making her way in the world like any other much-loved daughter. The knowledge that Peggy and the Reillys would always support and encourage her gave her the strength to look eagerly to the future, and walk towards it with self-assurance.

The terraced house stood in a quiet street that looked over rooftops to the fishing station. There were two bedrooms, the parlour, bathroom and kitchen, with an outside lav in the pocket-handkerchief back garden.

It hadn’t taken long to unpack her cases and organise Pearl’s front parlour into her sewing room, and when she was satisfied, she and Pearl took two deckchairs into the garden and raised their cups of tea in a toast to friendship and new beginnings.

Peggy had steeled herself against the silence of that empty house as she’d watched Sally being driven away. She’d discovered that if she kept busy and didn’t think about things too much, she could cope. But Sally’s leaving had hit her hard, and she closed the front door with the sense that, by doing so, she’d brought a chapter in her life to an end.