The Dover Cafe On the Front Line, page 13
Charlie took one gratefully. ‘Mmm. Please pass on my compliments to Marianne. Alfie didn’t exaggerate when he said she cooks like an angel.’
‘Well, Dr Alexander, if you’d like to try some more of her food, you must join us for lunch on Sunday.’
Lily elbowed her mother in the side, but Nellie ignored her. Poor Charlie barely knew her and Castle lunches could be hit-and-miss affairs. The last thing he needed was to sit at a table full of her squabbling family.
Charlie shot Lily a questioning glance and she shook her head at him. He hesitated for a moment before turning back to Nellie. ‘I’d be delighted,’ he said, then grinned at Lily, who frowned back. ‘But in the meantime, I need to steal your very clever and capable daughter away.’
Nellie waved her hand. ‘You get on, Lily, love. And I’ll look forward to seeing you on Sunday, Dr Alexander.’
‘Likewise,’ Charlie shot back over his shoulder, as he took Lily’s arm and hustled her towards the ambulance.
‘You don’t have to come, you know. It might be better if you didn’t. It can be a bit . . . Well, just a bit.’
‘In that case, I can’t wait. I could do with some proper grub. Now get going, and I’ll see you on Sunday.’
Lily sighed as she sat between the two stretchers, one containing a boy of about twelve, who was sobbing as he held his injured arm, and the other, the silently staring man she’d helped earlier. She turned her attention to the young boy and tried her best to make him comfortable as Charlie saluted her and shut the doors.
*
‘Well,’ Nellie said to Jasper. ‘He seems nice.’
‘Didn’t look like Lily was too keen on him coming on Sunday.’
Nellie sniffed. ‘Sometimes people need a little push in the right direction.’
‘You can’t be serious? The girl’s eighteen. She’s got her whole life ahead of her. Don’t you think you liking him will be more likely to turn her off?’
‘Man like that? You underestimate the power of attraction, Jasper.’
Jasper grinned down at her. ‘Oh, I don’t think I do, Nel. It’s you that does that.’ He stared at her meaningfully.
Nellie blushed and turned away from him, collecting up the empty tins and depositing them back in the basket. ‘I best be off.’
‘Give me a sec and I’ll walk back with you,’ Jasper said, holding the handlebars of the bike as Nellie lifted her leg over the seat.
‘Don’t be silly. I can manage and it looks like you’ve still got plenty to do here. Oh, and Cecil,’ she called over to the crowd of people who were once again attempting to clear the road of rubble, ‘if I see Mrs Palmer, I’ll send her your way, shall I?’
The man looked round and grinned. ‘You do that. Don’t think I don’t appreciate your grub, but I could do with a cuppa right now.’
Nellie sniffed in annoyance. It grieved her that Mrs Palmer and the Women’s Voluntary Service would always have one up on her, no matter how many tarts and sausage rolls Marianne made.
As she wobbled uncertainly back the way she had come, a green van turned into the road and trundled slowly towards her. With Cecil’s words still stinging, Nellie stopped, got off the bike, and stood in the middle of the road. The woman at the wheel slowed and sounded the horn, gesturing for her to get out of the way.
Nellie went up to the open window. ‘You wouldn’t have a spare cuppa for an old woman who’s been handing out food to the poor afflicted people of our town, would you?’ She grinned at the woman smugly.
Mrs Palmer, her brown hair piled into a topknot and wearing a spotless white apron, stared down her nose at Nellie. ‘As far as I can make out Market Square remains untouched, Mrs Castle. And I doubt very much you ever go short of tea. Now, if you’ll just get out of the way I can get on with my work.’
‘Down there, you mean? Them that have had their houses and businesses shelled to pieces and now have no food and no shelter? Don’t you worry about them. I’ve made sure they’ve all had a bite to eat. Maybe if you weren’t so busy posing for photographs, I might not have been needed. Still, no harm done, eh, Mrs P? S’long as they get help, that’s the main thing.’ She peered into the van. ‘’Ere, you haven’t got a biscuit and all? I’m famished after cycling here with a trailer full of food . . .’
Mrs Palmer sighed impatiently. ‘I wasn’t posing for photographs.’
‘Really? That weren’t you pouring tea at the counter while that gent told you to hold the cup higher and smile more? I’m sick of all these journalists poking their noses in our business. Hundreds of them every day standing on the cliffs watching men die. And then they go back to the Grand for a meal and a pint of beer. I had one in the café the other day with his hat and his camera and his smarmy grin.’
‘I was publicising the services offered by the WVS,’ Mrs Palmer replied primly. ‘And if my face reminds people we’re here to help, then who am I to say no to the journalists? But that’s by the by. I’ve been meaning to come and talk to you. Last time we had the pleasure of a conversation you promised to help me in any way you could. And I have just the thing. I’ll pop in one day soon and we can discuss it.’
Nellie’s face coloured at the memory. ‘When I promised that I was under extreme pressure. And if you so much as whisper what you learnt that day, you’ll be sorry.’ The last thing Marianne needed, Nellie thought, was for this woman to start blabbing about who Donny’s real father was. He came from a prominent and well-known Folkestone family and if people discovered the truth it would bring unwelcome attention to Marianne and Donny, especially considering the number of journalists that were hanging around.
Mrs Palmer smiled innocently. ‘You know I’m not one to gossip. But if people ask . . . Well, I’m not one to lie either.’ She shrugged expressively and Nellie took a step towards her.
‘You breathe one word, just one word of what you know, then I won’t be keeping quiet about the skeleton in your brother’s closet. There’s a certain brothel madam in Folkestone who has some tales to tell about him.’
Mrs Palmer blinked. ‘What are you talking about?’
Nellie smiled grimly. She and Marianne had found Donny being cared for in a brothel, and you could have knocked her down with a feather when she’d realised the madam was one of her childhood friends who she’d not seen for years. It seemed she’d left Dover after falling pregnant by Mrs Palmer’s odious brother, Horace Smith, and had had to resort to prostitution in order to support herself and her baby.
‘Your brother might be bashing the Bible hard now, but it weren’t always that way, was it? Remember Hester Erskine?’
The other woman started the engine. ‘I’d rather not know,’ she said. ‘As far as I’m concerned Horace can sort his own messes out. But you can expect a visit from me soon. Like it or not, if the past weeks have been anything to go by, then there’s no point us being at loggerheads when we all need to pull together to help our community.’
Nellie nodded reluctantly and moved out of the road. ‘Maybe you’re right.’
‘Good.’ Mrs Palmer started to drive off, waving cheerily out of the window, leaving Nellie staring after her, a mulish expression on her face.
‘That sounds like one nil to Mrs Palmer.’ Jasper laughed as he walked towards her, having watched the exchange.
Nellie sniffed. ‘We’ll see about that. Still, she’s got a point. We shouldn’t be arguing with each other when we’ve got a bigger enemy to worry about.’
They were nearing the market square when the air raid sirens went off again. Nellie had been vaguely aware of the planes flying towards the Channel, but it was so commonplace that she’d not taken much notice. Now, though, as the familiar wail echoed around she stopped and looked up at the sky.
‘Damn and blast the bloody Waffa and that bloody siren,’ Nellie exclaimed. ‘I expect you need to be off, love.’
Jasper nodded. ‘That I do. So hurry to the shelter now, and I’ll see you later.’ He knocked his knuckles on Nellie’s tin hat. ‘Glad to see you’re wearing this.’
‘Suits me, don’t you think?’ Nellie grinned. ‘Especially with the ribbon.’ She swung her leg over the saddle. ‘See you later,’ she called, waving a hand in the air as she wobbled across King Street, the pink ribbon streaming out behind her like a banner.
Jasper shook his head as he watched her. That woman would be the death of him, he was sure. But he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Chapter 16
Lily hopped down from the ambulance as soon as the driver opened the doors and hurried inside the hospital, leaving a couple of orderlies to help the patients.
As soon as she entered the basement, Sister Mackenzie called her over. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Dr Alexander told me to come back with a couple of the injured from Snargate. Said he thought I’d be needed here more.’
Sister Mackenzie rubbed the back of her neck and sighed tiredly. ‘Noah’s Ark Road’s been hit as well.’ She nodded towards a man in an ambulance driver’s uniform who was sitting on a hard-backed chair by the wall, his head in his hands as his shoulders shook with silent sobs. ‘Poor love,’ the sister said quietly. ‘Sent out to Noah’s Ark to help, only to find his house had been destroyed with his wife inside.’
Lily gasped. ‘Is she . . .?’
The other woman nodded sadly. ‘I’m afraid so. Could you find the pastor and ask him to come and comfort him? Then get yourself a cup of tea. You look as if you could do with one. The others are on their break at the moment.’
Lily nodded and raced off to do as she was told.
‘What a day!’ Lily slumped down into a chair in the canteen a few minutes later.
‘Oh, so you’re back then,’ Vi said. ‘Have fun with the dishy doctor, did you?’
‘How did you know where I—’
Vi shrugged. ‘Had to help unload an ambulance. Spotted you getting into the van with him. Honestly, I don’t know why you keep getting the best jobs. Just cos you’ve done a bit of bandaging in your spare time doesn’t make you a nurse.’
‘Leave it, Vi. I’m not in the mood,’ Lily sighed.
‘We heard about the shelling. Terrible it is. Got a few injured in already. Did you see any of it?’ Dot asked sympathetically.
Lily nodded and turned to Pauline. ‘I was at Snargate. Do you remember Doris Massey?’
Pauline grinned. ‘How could I forget her? Me and her got done stealing from the sweet shop one day.’ She looked reflective. ‘Dad were furious and banned me from seeing her again, but course I ignored him. Works down her dad’s newsagent’s on Snargate . . .’ She trailed off as she noticed Lily’s expression. ‘Oh no. Not Doris.’ Tears came to her eyes as Lily nodded.
Pauline stared sightlessly ahead of her. ‘Poor little cow,’ she whispered. ‘Oh, the poor, poor cow.’
Dot put her arm around Pauline’s shoulders. ‘Hey. I’m sorry about your friend. Why don’t you sit here for a bit longer? Me, Vi and Lily can cover for you.’
‘Haven’t we got enough to do?’ Vi said. ‘We’ve been covering for her hangover all day; she’ll just have to get on with it like the rest of us.’
Pauline stood up. ‘You’re right, Vi. I do need to get on with it. No point sitting around moping when there’s work to be done.’
Lily watched as her friend walked out of the canteen, her shoulders slumped. She was waylaid at the door by Dick Brown, who said something to her. Lily frowned. Last night he had reduced Pauline to tears, and now she watched as Pauline shook her head and pushed past him. The man stared after her, a slight smirk on his face, and when he turned and saw Lily watching them, he grinned maliciously at her. Lily shivered involuntarily.
She jumped as Dot clapped her on the shoulder. ‘Come on, Lily. Time to get back.’
Lily took a last gulp of her tea and rose. She’d speak to Pauline about Dick later. Something was going on, and she wanted to know what it was.
*
With a stream of casualties coming in from the shelling, it wasn’t until they were walking home that Lily got the chance to speak to Pauline. ‘What did Dick say to you today?’ she asked as they walked under the railway bridge at the end of Union Road. Tonight, the mood was very different from the previous evening when they’d both been looking forward to the dance. But it wasn’t just them; it seemed as if everyone in Dover was moving more carefully, looking warily about them, wondering what else might hit the town. She noticed, too, that, without exception, people had started to wear their helmets. She’d have to remember to wear hers tomorrow as well. She’d laughed when Jasper had brought them round, but he was right. They could save lives.
Pauline shrugged. ‘Dick’s full of it, that’s all. You know what he’s like.’
Lily looked at her friend sharply. Pauline was lying, she was certain of it. If it had just been him being his usual creepy self, it would never have upset her that way. Lily linked her arm through her friend’s. ‘Promise you’ll tell me if he gives you any trouble,’ she asked.
‘I can handle him,’ Pauline said staunchly, her jaw tense.
‘I know you can. But still . . . Promise?’
Pauline softened slightly and squeezed Lily’s arm. ‘But what if it’s something you don’t want to hear?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Nothing. Just asking.’
Lily didn’t answer. Pauline was lying again. But what could Dick have to say that would upset her so much?
They walked the rest of the way in silence, but as they came to the market square, Pauline pointed to the steps of the covered market. ‘Here, isn’t that your Jimmy?’
Lily looked over. Two figures were standing behind one of the pillars; the man was tall with dark hair and wearing a corporal’s cap. She watched in astonishment as he bent forward and kissed the woman he was with. It was Reenie, she realised, noting the trousers and curly blonde hair. So it hadn’t just been a little bit of flirting last night, she thought wonderingly. He really was interested in Marianne’s friend.
Pauline whistled. ‘I wouldn’t have put them two together in a million.’
‘Nor me. But it’s none of our business. Come on, I don’t want to spy.’
Nellie had the wireless on and was listening to the news as they walked in.
‘Here she is,’ she said. ‘The angel of Snargate. You did good today, girl. Jasper was tellin’ me how you helped.’
‘I just did what I could, Mum. Like everyone else.’
‘Still, you made me proud, love. Go and wash your hands and we’ll have dinner.’
*
‘So,’ Nellie said once they were all seated, ‘tell me about this Dr Alexander.’
Lily groaned. ‘Oh God, I forgot you invited him to lunch.’
Marianne started at that. ‘You didn’t, did you, Mum? And Rodney’s bringing Marge . . . How can I make one chicken stretch between—’ she counted on her fingers ‘—eleven of us.’
‘Oh hush. We’ve got plenty. And anyway, we got Pauline’s rations now as well.’
‘Reckon it’ll be twelve,’ Pauline said with some relish. ‘We just saw Jim and Reenie canoodling on the steps by the market hall.’
Marianne gasped. ‘What?’
‘Yeah. Right cosy they looked, didn’t they, Lil?’
‘What? Uncle Jim and Auntie Reenie? Really? Are they getting married?’ said Donny excitedly.
‘No, they’re not!’ Marianne said sharply.
The others looked at her in surprise and she blushed. ‘I mean, well, I’m just surprised, is all.’
‘I’d have thought you’d be happy,’ Nellie said. ‘Almost as much as if Rod and Marge ever manage to get it together.’ She waved her fork around. ‘Which is why I got Donny to make sure Marge was invited on Sunday. Rodney’s always needed a poke in the ribs to show him what’s right beneath his nose.’ She took a mouthful of corned beef.
‘Are you saying you invited her?’ Marianne said.
‘Well, Rodney wouldn’t do it off his own bat, would he? It’s stuck too far up his arse.’ She cackled at her own joke while Donny let out a snort of laughter.
‘Gran, that’s rude!’
‘Ah, but it’s the truth. Although I can’t deny Jim and Reenie’s a bit of a surprise.’
‘Well, people go for all sorts, don’t they, Mrs C?’
Lily was surprised by Pauline’s tone; as if she was angry with Nellie about something.
‘They do. I mean, look at your mum and dad. Odd couple if ever I saw one. Your mum was always the life and soul back in the day, and pretty as a picture. But your dad was a bad-tempered so-and-so—’ She stopped abruptly, suddenly aware that she was talking to the man’s daughter. ‘Sorry, love. Didn’t mean anything by it.’
Pauline shrugged. ‘It’s no secret that he’s got a temper. But at least he never hides who he really is.’
‘What do you mean by that, Pauline?’ Marianne asked.
‘Just that some people aren’t honest, that’s all. They can trick you into believing they’re one thing, then it turns out it was all a lie.’
‘You’re not wrong there,’ Nellie said. ‘Some of the stuff I know about folk round here would make your hair stand on end. But I’m not one to gossip.’ She chortled.
‘I just bet it would, Mrs C, I just bet it would,’ Pauline said.
Nellie glanced up at her sharply. ‘If you’ve got something to say, madam, then come out and say it.’
Pauline blushed and shook her head.
‘Good. And I’ve not forgotten your behaviour last night, neither.’
‘I’m sorry about that. It won’t happen again.’ Pauline seemed genuinely contrite.
Nellie patted her hand. ‘Don’t worry any more about it. We all make mistakes, after all. Important thing is we don’t repeat them.’
‘I won’t touch another drop. Scout’s honour.’ She held up three fingers and Nellie nodded.
‘Then we’ll say no more about it.’
Marianne pushed her plate back and stood up. ‘Right, well, I’m going down to make some bread and to see how I can scrape together enough for a Sunday roast for twelve people. Don, you’re on washing-up duty.’
