The Dover Cafe On the Front Line, page 18
Chapter 22
As Nellie and Mrs Palmer bustled down King Street, a loud whistling overhead made them duck instinctively as they clutched each other by the arm. Moments later, an explosion rumbled through the town, and the windows around them rattled. They stared at each other in alarm as, late as always, the air raid siren started to ring out.
‘We should keep going,’ Mrs Palmer panted. ‘It’s not far now.’
They began to trot down the street, Nellie slightly behind as she struggled to run and carry the basket, before skidding right into Snargate Street. A loud crash sent some roof tiles toppling to the ground and Mrs Palmer grabbed Nellie’s arm to pull her to safety, but not before one of the tiles glanced off Nellie’s helmet with a loud clang, knocking it off her head and sending it flying into the middle of the road. Before she could retrieve it, Mrs Palmer dragged her into a shop doorway, where the two women stood, watching the hat’s pink ribbon fluttering slightly in the dust.
‘Cor, close shave, Mrs C,’ a man standing in a doorway on the opposite side of the road shouted across at them.
Nellie grinned. ‘Jasper always said he’d be the saving of me. Looks like he might have been right.’ She rubbed at her greying curls, the sound of the tile clanging on her helmet still ringing in her ears. ‘You all right, Mrs P?’ She looked at the woman’s pale face with concern.
‘I’m fine, thank you. And now that we’re allies, I think it’s time you started calling me Muriel.’
Nellie laughed. ‘Only you would think of social niceties in the middle of a shell attack.’ She glanced down the road. ‘’Ere, you reckon we should make a dash for it?’ She stared enviously at the people she could see further down the road disappearing into the entrance of Barwick’s Caves. ‘The sight of Massey’s over there makes me nervous to stand in a doorway. Snargate seems to be in the direct line of fire.’
Lined with tall buildings on both sides, the street was usually in the shade, but now, with the jagged hole in the terrace standing out like a missing tooth, there was a puddle of sunshine on the road, glinting off Nellie’s helmet.
‘I’m not sure. We might—’ Mrs Palmer’s words were cut short as an explosion from the seafront made their ears ring.
‘That’s it! I’m not waiting here any longer. Help me with this basket and let’s go!’ Nellie shouted. The two women, the basket bumping between them, broke cover, pausing briefly so Nellie could scoop up her helmet; she gave it a swift kiss, plonked it on her head and they set off again. Soon, they ducked inside the entrance of the cave where they dropped the basket and stood panting for a moment.
‘Hell’s bells!’ Nellie exclaimed finally as she looked around. ‘It’s a whole other world down here.’ The white, rough-hewn walls rose to a curved ceiling, along which ran some electric lights. A group standing at the entrance made way for them, and they ventured further in.
The tunnel widened and Nellie noted the bunk beds and home comforts along each side. Armchairs were dotted here and there and someone had even hung a painting of the white cliffs on the wall and laid a colourful rag rug on the floor. Soon they came to a larger space with a dome-like ceiling where several people were perched on the seats carved into the chalk walls, nattering and sipping tea almost as if they were in the café, Nellie thought. Along one wall, a queue of people stood patiently waiting to be served by a couple of middle-aged women, who stood behind a table pouring tea from a large urn.
‘Looks like you don’t need me after all. This place is set up nice already,’ Nellie said.
‘On the contrary; we do need you. Supplies are tight and volunteers, though plentiful, don’t necessarily have your resources. I think you and I can do a lot of good here.’
Nellie turned on the spot, taking in every detail. ‘Impressive place. Lily said she came down here from Drop Redoubt the other day. But where do all these other tunnels lead?’ she asked, gesturing around her.
‘Everything joins up. That one there runs to Shakespeare Cliff, and that one runs under the town all the way to Pencester.’
Nellie whistled. ‘I knew they were here. We used them last time round, but we never ventured that far in. And now it’s a proper home from home.’
‘Well, it could be. Just needs a bit of thought, and we might even set up a small school in here. What do you think? Seeing as the council aren’t going to reopen the schools.’
‘Sign our Don up,’ Nellie said. ‘He could do with a bit of schooling in something other than planes and bombs.’
‘Mrs Palmer, a moment if you please,’ a familiar voice echoed across the chamber.
Nellie groaned. ‘You can’t be serious. Shouldn’t you be off looking for criminals instead of following me around?’
Roger Humphries pointedly ignored her. ‘I’ve just been telling people to take their furniture away. There are explicit rules for cave use. One of those is that it is absolutely forbidden to stake a claim by leaving furnishings or bedding of any kind. And yet I see that’s exactly what people have done. Aside from taking up room, it’s a health risk.’
‘Constable Humphries,’ Mrs Palmer said in her poshest voice, ‘the more time people are forced to spend here, the more they’ll need some home comforts. Dear Mayor Tilbury agrees, and he is fully aware that people are bringing things here to help make this difficult situation a little more bearable. Now, I know how hard you work, so I should imagine you could do with some refreshment, and maybe one of Marianne Castle’s delicious pies. She made them especially for people taking shelter.’ She picked up the basket and took it to the table, gesturing to one of the women behind it to pour a cup of tea.
Roger stared at the pies greedily, before finally taking one and biting into it. ‘Mmm. Bacon,’ he mumbled appreciatively as he chewed. Then he stiffened, and stared at Nellie. ‘Four ounces of bacon a week and you make—’ he checked the tin ‘—at least thirty cheese and bacon pies, Mrs Castle? Would you care to explain how?’
Nellie snatched the pie from his hand. ‘No one said you have to eat one. There’s plenty here who’d thank me for it.’
He snatched it back. ‘I didn’t say I didn’t want it, did I? I was just asking where you got so much bacon. Mrs Palmer explained the supplies in your basement, but far as I was aware that was a one-off. So, where did all this come from?’
‘There are five of us in the house. And we all donate our ration.’
‘You all donated your ration?’
‘Is that a crime?’
‘As long as that’s all you used.’
‘Any extra supplies are made up by the WVS, Constable Humphries. All legal and above board, I assure you.’
Roger gave an obsequious smile. ‘Of course, Mrs Palmer. Of course. Now, if you could assist me in encouraging people to take their belongings home, I know the chief constable would be most grateful.’
‘I’ll do my best, Constable. In the meantime, why don’t you move along, there’s others who need a cup of tea.’
Roger almost bowed. ‘Thank you for your cooperation, Mrs Palmer. We really are most grateful.’
‘Are you grateful to me for the pie, Roger?’
‘Naturally, Mrs Castle. Please pass on my compliments to Marianne.’
As he turned and left, Nellie grinned at Mrs Palmer. ‘You really could teach me a thing or two about handlin’ the constabulary. Flattery and condescension. I should try that next time.’ She paused. ‘On second thoughts, I won’t.’
‘For the good of the town only, Mrs Castle. Otherwise you know I’d have to report you,’ the other woman said sternly.
‘I wouldn’t expect anything else.’ Nellie grinned suddenly. ‘Who’d have thought, you and me working together, eh, Muriel? Well, now I’ve seen the place, I can see what a job it’s going to be. You’ll need more than one stand, in my view.’
Mrs Palmer nodded. ‘We will. And there are other caves over in East Cliff and more up near Crabble Hill. But I’ll find other people to help there. I’d like you to concentrate your efforts here. But please be discreet about any—’ she waved her hand vaguely ‘—dealings. I have my reputation to think of.’
‘You’re not the only one. Folk see me cosying up with you and the WVS they’ll think I’ve lost my bite.’
‘So we have an agreement?’ Mrs Palmer held out her hand.
‘For now.’ Nellie shook the proffered hand. ‘But like you said; for the good of the town only.’
They were startled as somebody started to laugh. ‘Well, this is a sight I never thought I’d see! But between the two of you, you might just help pull us through. Anyway, if that lot’s quietened down outside, think I’ll get back before the next emergency hits. Told Derek I was only popping out to get a few bits, then got caught out by the siren. Lucky for me and all, or I’d have missed the sight of Nellie Castle and Muriel Palmer being civil to each other.’
Nellie beamed. ‘Mavis, me and Mrs P— Muriel – was just discussing trying to set up more refreshments stands and you could be just the person to help us. You’re only down the road and you got a nice big kitchen. You been in the Royal Oak, Muriel? Good grub, and better company.’
Mrs Palmer smiled primly. ‘Hello, Mrs Woodbridge. Actually, I was going to try to enlist your help.’
‘There you are then. I done the job for you.’
Mavis sighed. ‘All right, pop in any time.’ She cocked her head. ‘But now I need to get back.’
‘It’s advisable to wait an hour before venturing out after a shelling, I’ve been told,’ Mrs Palmer informed them.
‘Huh! And what if the hour’s nearly up and another one drops? Then you’re stuck waiting another hour. No, I’ll take my chances. What about you, Nell, you coming?’
Nellie put her helmet back on. ‘Definitely. This place is better than I thought, but it still gives me the heebie-jeebies. I’ll send Don to collect the basket later, Muriel.’ She held out her hand to the woman. ‘And no offence, but here’s hopin’ that you and I don’t have to work together for too long.’
Mrs Palmer took her hand and smiled. ‘None taken, Nellie. And remember what I said: just the once, so please be a little more circumspect.’
Nellie grinned. ‘Course I will, Muriel, love. You know me, circumcision is my middle name.’
Mrs Palmer’s eyes widened for a moment, then she shook her head, as though at a naughty child.
Nellie laughed uproariously as she took Mavis’s arm and they made their way back to the entrance.
Once the two women were out in the open again, Nellie breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I don’t mind telling you, Mavis, if it’s between being buried in a collapsed tunnel or beneath my own house, I know which one I’d choose.’
‘Too right. I’ll just keep taking my chances in the basement at the pub. Advantage being there’s a bar down there. It gets busy during night raids, I can tell you. Those pilots don’t half know how to put it away.’ She paused and looked up to the sky. ‘You know, back in June there were around a dozen that came in regular. Only six of ’em left now. Lovely young lads. Brave as lions.’
‘Bastard buggering Waffa,’ Nellie said. ‘One hour in a room with that Hitler, I’d sort him out.’
Mavis smiled sadly. ‘If only it were that simple. You an’ me would see ’im off.’
Nellie grunted. ‘By the way, Mave,’ she said as they came to the junction with New Bridge. ‘Marianne and Alfie have set the date for the twenty-first next month and I was wondering whether I could buy some beer and bubbles off you for the wedding party?’
Mavis beamed. ‘Oh, that’s wonderful news! And as if I’d make you pay. Me and Derek’ll be happy to give it as a wedding present. Oh, and I bet Daisy and Stan’ll come back with little Maggie!’ Mavis looked delighted at the prospect of seeing her granddaughter again. ‘Just think, Nell, this time last year you never thought you’d see your Marianne wed. And after all those years of trying, I never thought my Stan and his Daisy would give me a grandchild. Yet here we are. It just goes to show, don’t it, that there’s always a ray of light, no matter how dark the times.’
Nellie nodded. ‘You’re right there, love. The world’s gone stark staring mad, but there’s still joy to be had in the little things.’
Chapter 23
As Pauline and Lily hurried home at the end of their shift, Pauline, who had persuaded Lily to give her back the hip flask, took a long drink.
‘Do you reckon Bert’s serious about me?’ Pauline asked, wiping her mouth.
Lily sighed. ‘You’ll have to ask him, but if you want the truth, I’d say no.’
Pauline huffed and took another swig while Lily eyed her warily. She couldn’t wait to see Charlie again, but if Pauline went on at this rate, she’d have to spend another night looking after her. Actually, she thought, bloody Bert could look after her – he’d invited her, after all.
‘Here, Paul, no offence, but would you mind if I met Charlie on my own? I mean, you and Bert don’t want to sit with us at the cinema, do you?’
‘Don’t worry about that. Last thing I want is to watch you two canoodling when I’ve got my own bloke to see to. Anyway, me and Bert are meeting for fish and chips before it starts.’
Lily breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Although I won’t be canoodling. I’ve only just met the bloke.’
Pauline snorted a laugh. ‘What’s that got to do with the price of tea in China?’
Lily giggled. ‘You’re right. Absolutely nothing.’
Spurred on by the thought of the evening ahead, the girls quickened their pace and were soon clattering up the stairs towards the bedroom.
‘Oy!’ Nellie called out as they ran past the sitting room door. ‘Before you get changed I want a word with the both of you.’
‘What’s up?’ Lily said, leaning on the door frame and shooting a questioning glance at Marianne, who grimaced in reply.
‘Someone got the police round here looking for black market goods.’
Lily’s eyebrows rose. ‘You’ve been buying illegal stuff?’
‘Never you mind about that; what I want to know is who told them to come here.’ She stared hard at Pauline, who flushed a deep red.
‘You think I did it?’
‘Did you?’
‘No! Of course I didn’t.’
Nellie gave her a searching look. ‘If I find out any different, then I’ll have to ask you to go. And while we’re on the subject, I want you to tell me about that bloke who turned up here yesterday. He were in the café when Roger and his gang came round today. Why did you run out to speak to him like that?’
‘Cos I thought he was out of order. He had no business staring at us like that. I don’t like him.’
‘Mum, you can’t seriously believe . . . ?’
‘All I know is the other night, when Jasper and me were in the kitchen downstairs, someone was listening to us.’
‘When was Jasper here the other night?’ Lily asked.
‘Oh, he popped in for a nightcap a few of nights ago,’ Nellie said airily.
Lily raised her eyebrows at Marianne, who shrugged.
‘Was that you, girl?’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. Honest, Mrs C, I’d never bring trouble to you. Especially given that me and Bert is going out.’
Nellie looked sceptical at that. ‘I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt for now. And I’m sorry to upset you. But if it weren’t for Mrs Palmer, things could have gone badly for me.’
‘Blimey! Are you telling me old Nosy Palmer helped you out?’
Nellie pointed at Lily. ‘Don’t you go being disrespectful about Muriel. She’s doing her best for this community, and I can name a few that might take a leaf out of her book. Now, Pauline, go and get me a glass. I need a drink.’ Nellie held up her bottle of sherry.
Pauline looked relieved to be dismissed and crossed to the little kitchen.
‘Mum,’ Lily whispered, ‘how could you accuse her like that?’
Nellie shrugged. ‘I was just asking the question.’
Before they could say any more, Pauline bounded back in holding a couple of glasses.
‘I brought two. Hope you don’t mind if I have a little tipple too?’
Nellie’s lips tightened in annoyance as Pauline poured a small measure of sherry into each glass.
‘I don’t think you’ve got time,’ Lily said hastily as Pauline took the glass.
‘Just a quick one. Then I’ll get changed.’ She threw the drink back.
Nellie cackled. ‘When I sent you to the Citadel all them years ago, I thought I was protecting you from Bert. But you carry on like that and I might have to start protecting him.’ She drained her drink, then pointedly poured more sherry into her own glass, ignoring the fact that Pauline was holding hers out for more.
‘I have to hand it to you, though; in my day we weren’t so forward. Do you reckon you can keep your hands to yourself tonight? Or will I have to pull him away from you again?’
‘I didn’t hear Bert complaining,’ Pauline snapped. ‘Anyway, I better get on. You coming, Lily?’
‘I’ll be up in a minute.’ As soon as she heard the bedroom door closing upstairs, Lily rounded on her mother.
‘Mum,’ Lily hissed, ‘what are you playing at? Pauline’s my friend and she wouldn’t do that to me.’
‘You sure about that? I’m not saying she did do it, but all the same, keep an eye on her. Edie told me what she done to her friend, so she’s got form.’
‘But this is different—’
‘Like I said, keep an eye on her. That’s all I’ve got to say on the matter.’ With that, Nellie switched on the wireless and turned her head away.
In the bedroom, Lily found Pauline pulling up the zip of a red dress that she’d been planning to wear, then she picked up Lily’s brush and began to pull it violently through her dark hair. ‘The cheek of your mum, thinking I’d dob anyone in to the police.’
Ignoring the comment, Lily stared pointedly at Pauline’s hairbrush on the dresser, then looked back at her. ‘Something wrong with your brush?’
