The Dover Cafe On the Front Line, page 24
Chapter 30
Outside the back gate to the café, Edie paused to catch her breath and compose herself before going in to face the family. Footsteps behind her made her jump as Greg Manning jogged up to her. ‘You’re quick for a girl.’ He grinned.
‘What are you doing here?’ She’d forgotten all about him in her mad dash home.
‘I wanted to make sure you got here safely. You left in such a hurry that I was worried you might not be looking where you were going.’
The noise of aircraft overhead distracted her momentarily and she gazed up at the formation of Hurricanes. ‘Don’t you have a plane to fly or something?’ she asked rudely.
‘My rig needs a new propeller, but the factory in Southampton’s been bombed so . . .’ He shrugged. ‘For now, I’m just hanging around waiting for a plane to become free.’
‘Hadn’t you better go back and do just that then? You can’t come in with me.’
He held his hands up. ‘Don’t worry. I wasn’t about to intrude on your family drama. I just needed to know you were safe. If only for Pavel’s sake.’
‘So now you have,’ she said, pushing open the gate. Then she stopped, feeling guilty. This man was risking his life for her country, he’d just lost his friend, and he’d run all the way down the hill to make sure she was safe. She looked back over her shoulder. ‘But thank you. It was very nice of you to see me home.’ The sound of gunfire floated towards them from the sea and she took a deep breath. ‘Take care of yourself, won’t you?’
Greg grinned at her. ‘I’ll do my best. Can’t promise anything though.’ He held out his hand. ‘Good to meet you, Edith Castle. Maybe we’ll run into each other again.’
She took his hand. ‘Maybe we will. And if we do, my name’s Edie. No one calls me Edith, except my mother.’
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, making her suddenly conscious of her filthy nails and the grease smeared across her palm. She tried to pull it away, but he held on tighter, turning it over and giving it a sniff. ‘Ahh. The scent of motor oil. Reminds me of home.’ Then he tipped his hat and walked towards the square.
She stared after Greg for just a moment, but then dismissed him from her mind as she raced into the kitchen.
The usually busy atmosphere of the kitchen was entirely missing as she walked in. Normally, Marianne would be bustling around the kitchen, while the café would be buzzing with chatter and laughter. But the kitchen was empty, and from the silence, it seemed the café was too.
‘Hello?’ she called.
From upstairs, she heard muffled voices and when she reached the sitting room she found Gladys and Marianne sitting morosely at the table, each nursing a cup of tea.
As soon as she saw Edie, Marianne jumped up and came over to give her a hug. ‘Is it true? Has Lily been arrested for helping a prisoner escape?’ Edie asked urgently.
Marianne nodded. ‘The arrested bit is true,’ she whispered. ‘But there’s no way Lily would have done that,’ she added fiercely.
‘But how? When?’
Gladys shook her head. ‘We don’t know. Your mum and Jasper’ve gone to the police station.’
Edie slumped into a chair at the table. ‘I was told that a nurse had burst in here and shouted it to practically the whole town. I presume that was Pauline?’
Gladys sighed and nodded. ‘And a load of them left. Folk don’t look too kindly on a traitor.’
‘Where’s Pauline now?’ Edie asked. ‘Perhaps she can shed some light.’
Marianne shook her head. ‘She’s asleep. I’ve just been up there and she was flat out. And the room reeked of alcohol. I tried to wake her but she just mumbled a load of nonsense.’
‘She’s drunk at ten o’clock in the morning!’ Edie exclaimed.
‘I know. The girl has a problem. And she got upset after Jasper shouted at her.’
‘Jasper was shouting?’ Edie said, surprised. ‘Was what she did that bad?’
‘Isn’t shouting out that Lily’s been arrested for helping a prisoner escape bad enough?’ Gladys slapped her hand on the table in an uncharacteristic fit of temper.
Edie got up and began to pace around the small room. ‘Everyone would have found out eventually anyway, and Jasper’s usually so calm. There must be more to it. But how did the prisoner escape? And when? And where was Lily when it all happened? And why do they think it has anything to do with her?’
Marianne explained what she knew, which wasn’t much.
‘Right, I can’t sit here doing nothing. I’m off to the police station to find Mum. I want to know everything.’
The thunder of footsteps on the stairs had them all turning and relief flooded through Edie as Rodney rushed in, closely followed by Marge.
Marianne leapt up and ran into Rodney’s arms. ‘Rod! Thank God you’re here. Maybe you can make sense of all this.’
Though she felt a tiny bit resentful at Marianne’s words, Edie had to acknowledge that if anyone could dig them out of this hole it was Rodney. With his clever mind and status as an officer in the navy, everyone respected him.
‘You didn’t have to come, Marge,’ Edie said.
‘Course I did. I wanted to show my support. Anyway, I saw Rod racing down here and my shift had just finished so . . .’ She shrugged. ‘But bleeding heck! There’s a crowd out in the market square and they seem restless. Me and Rod only just avoided being lynched!’
Edie moved over to the window and looked down on the square. ‘Hell’s bells! And no surprises who’s at the centre of the mob! Lou Carter mouthing off as usual. I thought her stall burnt down yesterday.’
‘Didn’t take her long to find another one. And more fish. Her Terence, no doubt. Fingers in all sorts of pies, that one. None of them good.’ Gladys sniffed.
Rodney joined her at the window and swore roundly. ‘Bloody gossipmongers, the lot of them. Well, I won’t have it.’
He turned and stormed down the stairs. Edie and Marianne looked at each other and a silent agreement passed between them; if Rodney was going out to face their neighbours, he wouldn’t go alone.
They raced after him and stood tensely as he threw open the door.
‘You lot should be ashamed of yourselves!’ he shouted.
The murmuring stopped as everyone turned to stare at him.
‘You’ve known Lily all your lives, and yet you’re ready to believe a load of lies about her!’
‘The police don’t seem to think they’re lies, otherwise why would they have arrested her?’ Lou Carter shouted.
Rodney levelled a hard stare at her. ‘Just yesterday, Lily saved your life. And this is how you repay her?’
Lou reddened. ‘It weren’t that bad,’ she said, rubbing her bandaged arm sheepishly.
Rodney ignored her. ‘How many times has Mum helped you all in the past?’ He stared around. ‘You, Paddy Arnold!’ He pointed at an old man who worked in the pharmacy on Biggin Street. ‘When your wife had pneumonia, who brought her chicken soup?’ The man had the grace to look ashamed. ‘And you, Miss Frost.’ A thin woman with wispy white hair and a long, pointed nose narrowed her eyes at him. ‘Have you forgotten when you broke your ankle a couple of years ago? Who came in to cook for you and clean your house?’
‘Your mum paid Lily well to help me out. And I wouldn’t have let her in the door if I’d known what sort of girl she was!’ the woman retorted.
‘That’s right, my mum used her own money to make sure you were looked after and yet when she needs support, you look the other way.’
The woman shuffled her feet uncomfortably.
‘You should think very carefully before you throw your accusations around,’ he ground out. ‘And another thing: how many of you have sheltered down Barwick Caves recently? Or in our basement? Had a nice cup of tea and a bun and chatted to your friends safe and sound while the shells fell, did you?’
‘What of it?’ Lou Carter shouted. ‘Ain’t a crime, is it?’
‘Do you have any idea—’ Rodney was truly enraged now ‘—who pays for that tea and food? My mother and sister scrimp around trying to find ways to make sure you’re all comfortable and yet here you are looking down on us as if we’re criminals! How could you ever think a single member of this family would help the enemy, even as the town is being bombed and shelled into oblivion!’
‘No one’s accusing you, are they, Rodney?’ Miss Frost said. ‘It’s your sister we have an issue with.’
‘When you slander my sister, you slander me.’ He looked around at Marianne and Edie. ‘And you slander them. And you slander my mother and my brothers who are doing their bit to keep this country safe.’
‘And me!’ Donny shouted indignantly. But Rodney didn’t hear him, instead his angry gaze fell on the journalist in the shabby brown suit, who was scribbling frantically in his notebook. ‘As for you, you can put your pen down. If you print one false word then you’ll be out of a job. I know for a fact you’re on your last warning after you slipped in a weather forecast last month. My commander was all for having you arrested.’
‘Hey, I only print what I see,’ he blustered. ‘And if your sister has betrayed this country, then folk need to know.’
Rodney stepped forward, fists clenched, more than ready to punch the man’s lights out. But a shout from across the square stopped him and he looked up as Ethel Turner, wearing a flowered overall, her hair covered with a blue scarf, pushed through the crowd, Phyllis Perkins and Reenie by her side.
‘Rod’s right!’ Ethel Turner shouted, coming to stand beside him. ‘You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Lily Castle is as honest as the day is long and you all know it! We’ve all seen her grow from a nipper. And weren’t it your little ’un—’ she pointed at a woman wearing a loose summer dress and holding a wriggling toddler by the hand ‘—what nearly died of the flu last winter? And who was it sat by his bedside at the hospital till the fever left him?’ The woman looked away. ‘Lily, that’s who. And it weren’t even her job. She was doing it out of the goodness of her heart.’
‘I’d have done the same,’ the woman muttered.
‘Would you?’ Rodney fumed. ‘I remember you from school, Prue Jackson. You were in the same class as Marianne.’ He glanced at his sister, who despite her shyness was standing with her head up as she stared unflinchingly at the crowd. These people were meant to be their friends and neighbours, but Marianne knew very well how it felt to be shunned by them. ‘I don’t remember seeing so much of you when our Donny came along. No, you scurried off like the rat you are. Like the rats you all are!’ He paused. ‘But seeing as we’re neighbours, I’ll give you one more chance to do the right thing.’ He gestured at Phyllis, Ethel and Reenie. ‘Anyone else want to join us?’
‘I will!’ A high-pitched squeak cut through the murmuring of the crowd as Freddie pushed through and came to put his arm around Donny’s shoulder. Brian Turner and Reg Perkins also walked over to stand with their wives.
Nobody else moved and Rodney nodded his head jerkily. ‘As the saying goes: “If you’re not with us, you’re against us.” So you lot better be ready to grovel when the truth comes out!’
He shook Reg and Brian’s hands, and smiled briefly at the women, before turning to go back inside, Edie, Marianne and Donny close on his heels.
Marge had been standing by the window watching the action and listening to his words through the open door. She clapped as he came in. ‘Bravo, Rod! That was some speech.’
He smiled grimly. ‘Much good it did us.’
Gladys was sitting at a table towards the back of the room. ‘Your mum would be proud of you, Rodney. But where are they? They’ve been gone for ages!’
‘I’m sure it won’t be long. Let’s have some more tea while we wait.’ Marianne hurried into the kitchen to put the kettle on while the others sat down.
‘What if they keep her in prison?’ Gladys asked querulously.
‘They won’t,’ Rodney said forcefully. ‘Or they’ll have me to deal with, and I’m more than ready to take the lot of them on. Do Bert and Jim know?’ he asked.
‘I can go and tell them,’ Donny said eagerly.
Rodney nodded. ‘If they can get away, I think Mum and Lily are going to need all our support today.’
In the kitchen, Marianne stood by the range contemplating the pans full of congealed eggs and bacon that she’d abandoned when Pauline had run into the café. What a waste, she thought. She’d be able to use the sausages and bacon, but the eggs were inedible now and the porridge would have to be thrown away. Suddenly, the shock of it all hit her, and she leant against the range, taking comfort from the heat radiating from it. Footsteps made her swiftly wipe her eyes as she turned to see Donny.
‘Don’t worry, Mum,’ he said comfortingly. ‘I’m going to get Alfie; he’ll make everything right again.’
She smiled and dropped a kiss on his head, then took him by the shoulders so she could look into his face. ‘Are you all right, love?’
Donny’s usual cheerful expression was absent and he looked tired. ‘I just don’t think it’s fair that they’re blaming Auntie Lily when she’s the nicest nurse in the whole hospital,’ he said fiercely. ‘But now Uncle Rodney’s here, he’ll make sure she comes home.’ He wiped his sleeve across his nose. ‘And so will Alfie,’ he said decisively. ‘He’ll tell them what’s what.’
She pulled him into a hug. ‘Go on then. Go and see if your uncles can make it back. We’re all counting on you.’
He nodded against her chest, then marched purposefully to the back door while Marianne set about making the tea.
‘Are you all right, Marianne?’ Reenie’s voice made her jump as she was laying out cups and saucers on a tray.
‘Just about.’ She smiled shakily. ‘And thank you for standing by Rod just now.’
‘Where else would I be?’ she asked simply.
Marianne nodded as tears gathered in her eyes.
‘We’ve always stood together, haven’t we? And that’s not going to change. Even if—’ She stopped and shook her head.
‘Even if?’
Reenie sighed. ‘Even if you don’t approve of me and Jim going out.’
‘Oh, Reens. It’s not that I don’t approve; it’s just . . . Do you love him?’
Reenie hesitated. ‘It’s early days. I can’t say what I feel. All I know is that since we started walking out, I’ve felt happier than I have for years. And I want you to be happy for me too.’
Marianne held her friend’s gaze for a long while, then finally looked away. To be honest, right now she no longer cared. They were both adults, and if Jim wanted to live a lie, then let him. ‘Then I am happy for you, love.’ She rubbed her friend’s arm. ‘Why don’t you come and join us for tea?’
The group around the table were sitting in silence when Marianne and Reenie came through. Edie was staring at the clock on the wall, as though willing the hands to move faster, while Gladys had collected her knitting and had made a start on a pair of socks, the needles flying as she sniffed back tears.
Marge and Rodney, meanwhile, were staring out at the square, though Marge’s hand was resting on Rodney’s arm in a comforting gesture.
Silently, Marianne started to pour the tea while Reenie handed round the cups. ‘Do you think we should try to wake Pauline again?’ she asked.
Edie shook her head. ‘I went to check on her. She’s still passed out from whatever she’s been drinking. I don’t blame her, though. I’ve half a mind to crack Mum’s brandy open myself.’
‘Hardly the answer, is it?’ Rodney said, taking a sip of his tea.
Edie rolled her eyes. ‘I didn’t say I was going to, did I? God, Rod, I mean, I love what you did just now, but sometimes . . .’ She shook her head.
‘No need to snipe, Edie,’ Marge snapped. ‘If it weren’t for Rod, here, then that lot would probably have stormed the café by now.’
‘Hey,’ Marianne said. ‘The last thing we need is to be arguing between ourselves. What happened to standing together?’
Edie huffed and folded her arms, staring broodingly at her brother. ‘Sorry,’ she said begrudgingly.
Rodney nodded briefly. ‘And Marge, you don’t have to stick up for me. This is family stuff, you can go if you want.’
Marge looked as if he’d slapped her and Marianne put her hand over her friend’s. ‘Please stay, Marge,’ she said gently. ‘I need you.’
Marge gave her a weak smile and reached for a cigarette. ‘Just for you, then, Marianne. And for Lily.’ She lit the cigarette and puffed out a long plume of smoke while the room once more descended into silence.
Chapter 31
Nearly an hour later, Lily, Jasper and Nellie finally stumbled in, and Marianne immediately ran through into the kitchen, pulling Lily into a hug.
‘Oh, love. My poor Lily,’ she soothed as Lily began to sob into her shoulder. ‘It’s all right now,’ she said, as though she was comforting Donny. ‘We’re all with you and we know you did nothing wrong.’ She held Lily away from her and gasped as she looked at her face. ‘You’re hurt!’
Lily put her hand to her cheek self-consciously. ‘Does it look very bad?’ she asked. ‘I may have to cancel my date with Charlie at the Grand tonight.’ It was a weak joke and made her feel even worse. She wouldn’t be going anywhere with Charlie any time soon, she realised; there was no way he’d be allowed to associate with a woman under suspicion of helping German prisoners. She wiped her eyes. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered. ‘I don’t know what I’d do if you thought I was somehow to blame.’
‘As if we would.’ Rodney leant against the kitchen doorway, gazing at his sister with a gentle expression.
Extricating herself from Marianne, Lily threw herself into his arms, clinging to him tightly. To have Rod’s calm, steady presence here now brought her more reassurance than her mother’s blustering and Jasper’s emotional concern.
‘I didn’t know you’d be here.’ She gazed up at him. Unusually for him, he looked slightly dishevelled; his hair not as immaculate as it usually was, his jacket unbuttoned.
