A Rose and a Promise, page 28
‘The telephones have been red hot here, but even so, everyone’s managed to phone home,’ said Poppy, ‘so I should imagine Aled wouldn’t have had any bother. What did they say at Finningley?’
‘The Waaf who answered said that she’d never heard of him, but that she’d leave a message with someone who might know more,’ said Cadi.
‘Perhaps try in the morning when things have calmed down a bit,’ Poppy had suggested. ‘If they don’t put you through to Aled, you could ask for Tom, because he’s sure to know where he is.’
Cadi gave a small cry of triumph. ‘Good thinking that woman! I know that Aled was keen to set a date for Oscar’s christening, so it’s strange he hasn’t been in touch to learn the date.’
‘Sometimes life takes over,’ said Poppy. ‘We’re not busy in Fiskerton, but we know for a fact that other stations are still in full swing. Maybe Aled doesn’t want to call until he knows when he can get leave.’
Cadi had groaned inwardly. ‘Surely they’d allow him some, if only for a short while? The poor man’s not had time off since Christmas, and that’s far too long considering we’ve won the war.’
‘We’ve not been granted any leave either,’ Poppy reminded her friend.
Cadi sighed. ‘I know someone’s got to continue the fight, and I suppose Aled is brilliant at his job. I just wish they’d give him a little bit of time to celebrate with the rest of us.’ Her previous thought came back to her. ‘Do you think he might be home already and he’s saving it as a surprise?’
Poppy had dismissed her suggestion without hesitation. ‘Not a chance. Aled would’ve rung the moment he saw your telegram, and in any case he would definitely have come to see you and Oscar before going back to Rhos.’
Cadi had agreed with her, but it hadn’t made her feel any better. Now, she looked at Bill, who was watching her expectantly. ‘I’ll not bother with the post office, because you’re right, the Davieses will have got the telegram. I’ll call Finningley when we’ve finished baking and ask for Tom. He’ll know where Aled is, and if they say that Tom’s not there either I’ll know that our suspicions are correct and the Ulysses has gone to fight the Japanese.’
With all the baking done, Cadi, Raquel, Bill and Maria were busy celebrating with the rest of the locals who frequented the Belmont.
‘It’s lovely to see so many happy faces,’ said Raquel as she placed another glass of beer on the bar.
‘Oscar thinks it’s all for him,’ Maria cooed, jiggling the baby’s chubby cheek between her finger and thumb.
‘He certainly enjoys a party,’ agreed Cadi. ‘He’s just like his father on that score.’
‘And his mam,’ quipped Bill, who had appeared from the cellar holding a bottle of rum.
Maria took the bottle from his hands and wiped the dust from its shoulders. ‘This’ll put a smile on the face of the Navy veterans.’
Bill grinned. ‘It’s put one on mine too.’
‘Are we going to have everyone in the bar when Churchill gives his speech?’ asked Raquel. ‘I doubt there’ll be a dry eye in the house when he makes the announcement official.’
‘Of course,’ said Maria. ‘We’ll invite them in from the streets and the parks. Everyone’s welcome at the Belmont.’
Raquel glanced to Cadi, who was looking glum-faced. ‘What’s up, luv?’
‘We’re all celebrating, yet I still haven’t heard from Aled. He could be fighting the Japanese, and here I am eating cake and sarnies.’ She sighed irritably. ‘I must say, I’d have thought I’d have heard from his folks by now. Even if he’s not at home, they know I’m looking for him.’
Maria jerked her head in the direction of the hall, where they kept the telephone. ‘Why don’t you give that Tom a call? You did say you would.’
Cadi glanced around the crowded bar. ‘I’ll wait until things have quietened down a bit.’
Bill placed his hand over the pump which she was using to fill a glass with stout. ‘You’ll turn the beer sour with that face of yours. Get you gone and find out what’s what.’
Cadi smiled gratefully as she handed Bill the glass. ‘Thanks, Bill.’ Taking her leave, she slipped into the back and closed the hall door to. Drawing a deep breath, she picked up the receiver and asked the operator to put her through to Finningley. As she waited for someone to come on the other end, she was wondering what she would do if they said that Tom had been demobbed when a Waaf answered the phone.
‘RAF Finningley.’
Cadi was about to ask for Tom when she suddenly realised she had no idea what his surname was.
The Waaf’s voice came down the line. ‘Hello?’
Cadi rolled her eyes. ‘Can I speak to Aled Davies, please?’
Cadi could hear muffled voices whilst the Waaf conferred with those around her before speaking into the telephone again. ‘Are you sure you’ve got the right base? Only there’s no one by that name at Finningley.’
Cadi stood in stunned silence before mumbling an apology and placing the handset down. She walked back through to the bar, deep in thought, and seeing her expression Maria sighed. ‘Don’t tell me Tom wasn’t there either?’
Cadi put a smile on her cheeks for the customer who was handing her his empty glass, and asking her to fill it with Boddingtons. ‘I don’t know Tom’s surname, so I had to ask for Aled, and the Waaf who answered the phone said that there isn’t an Aled Davies at Finningley.’
Maria’s brow shot towards her hairline. ‘So you think he’s been posted elsewhere?’
Cadi nodded slowly. ‘It certainly looks that way, but why didn’t he tell me?’
Bill strolled over to join in the conversation, tapping the side of his nose with his forefinger. ‘Sounds to me like it’s hush-hush.’
Raquel looked at Cadi uncertainly. ‘No matter how hush-hush it is, Aled could call to let you know he’s all right; he doesn’t have to say where he is or what he’s doing. I don’t mean to be pessimistic, but I’ve started to wonder whether Aled has regretted some of the promises he’s made?’
‘Like what?’ said Maria, but Cadi knew exactly what her mother-in-law was getting at.
‘About looking after me and Oscar,’ she said dully. A sudden thought entered her mind. ‘Maybe he’s back with Marnie? If she got wind that I’d left the WAAF after having Jez’s baby, she might have got back in touch with him, asking if they could start over.’ She shrugged. ‘Aled could be keeping his distance, rather than upset her.’
Maria dismissed this idea without hesitation. ‘I can’t see that happening. Marnie was hell bent on going their separate ways.’
‘He might’ve met another woman,’ said Raquel. ‘If so, he might’ve thought it best to break ties with Cadi, in case his new flame got jealous like Marnie?’
Maria acknowledged a customer with the wave of her hand whilst saying, ‘He thinks the world of our Cadi and Oscar. I can’t see him turning his back on them for anyone, but especially not for some woman he hardly knows.’
Cadi flapped her arms in a hopeless fashion. ‘What, then? Because I feel as though I’ve been sent to Coventry without having any idea why, or else Aled’s fighting the Japs. Either way, it’s a no-win situation.’
‘It certainly is a conundrum,’ said Raquel, ‘because I can’t imagine what would make him behave in such a manner. His parents either, come to that.’
‘Exactly!’ cried Cadi. ‘Why on earth are his parents ignoring me? I can’t think of anything I’ve done, except for having Oscar.’ She stopped speaking as another thought presented itself. ‘Do you suppose it’s something to do with my being a single parent? Maybe John’s objected to Aled’s helping me?’
Maria cut her off before she had a chance to continue. ‘And since when did Aled listen to a word his father said? He even signed up for the RAF knowing that his father was dead against it. Besides, I met John and Gwen at your wedding and they seemed lovely to me, not the sort to turn their backs on someone who’s been through hard times. Whatever this is, it’s nothing to do with your being a single parent.’
‘So what am I supposed to do?’ said Cadi, in exasperated tones. ‘Aled’s meant to be Oscar’s godfather, and I need to know whether he still intends to fulfil that role, cos quite frankly it doesn’t look likely at the minute, does it?’
Maria took her aside whilst Raquel served another customer. ‘Telephone your folks; see if they’ve got any ideas. Your brother Alun might be your best bet, cos he’s still working on the Davieses’ farm. If anyone should know what’s going on, it’s him.’
Cadi beamed with relief. ‘Maria, you’re a godsend! I’ve been that moidered it never crossed my mind to try my folks.’ She glanced back to the phone. ‘May I?’
Maria nodded. ‘Course you can.’
Whilst Cadi’s parents didn’t have a telephone, her mother’s sewing shop in Wrexham did, so Cadi dialled the operator and waited to be put through.
‘Cadi!’ cried Jill. ‘How wonderful to hear from you. How’s my beautiful grandson?’
Cadi grinned. ‘Bonny – which basically means that he’s as fat as butter, and as happy as a sandboy. How’s Annie?’
‘Missing you, of course, but she comes to the shop with me during work hours, and after work I take her for a walk up Rhos mountain, so she’s never on her own.’ She sighed happily. ‘I can’t wait to see my little Oscar. I bet he’s changed loads since I saw him last.’
‘I swear he changes on a daily basis,’ said Cadi. ‘He’s already trying to crawl; I dread to think what my life will be like when he finally gains his freedom!’
Jill laughed. ‘You’re going to have to have eyes in the back of your head with that one, cos he’s going to get up to all sorts of mischief.’
‘I must say I’m glad you’re at the shop,’ said Cadi. ‘I did worry you might be in the village.’
‘I was until your brother got the tractor caught on the bunting whilst driving through the village,’ explained Jill. ‘As no one else had any spare string, I said I’d come and get some from the shop so that it can be hung back up.’
Cadi chuckled at the image. ‘I remember Aled doing something similar to me, only it was manure, not string.’ She hesitated before continuing. ‘Speaking of Alun, he’s the reason for my call.’
‘Oh?’
‘I’m trying to trace Aled. I’ve already sent a telegram to the Davieses’ but I’ve had nothing back. I tried calling him at Finningley, but they said he’s not there any more, so I was wondering whether Alun had heard anything from John or Gwen? Only Aled’s meant to be Oscar’s godfather, and I need to know when he’s free so that I can arrange the christening.’
Her mother paused before replying, and when she spoke her tone was grave. ‘Not a word, but we think something bad’s happened because they’ve not come into town since before peace was declared, and Alun says you can’t mention Aled’s name without Gwen bursting into tears.’
Cadi felt her tummy flip. ‘Oh my God, that doesn’t sound good.’
‘I agree. Alun says that the atmosphere on the farm has turned very sombre. Not only that, but they’ve given notice that they’re not continuing with their tenancy.’
When she heard that, Cadi could have been knocked over with a feather. ‘Bloody hell.’
‘Cadi!’
‘Sorry, Mam, but this is bad, very bad. I know that John said he couldn’t manage the farm on his own, so it looks to me as if Aled’s decided to stay on in the RAF.’
‘I’ve heard that a lot of pilots will be going back to their old lives, but maybe Aled’s considering other opportunities now the war has come to an end.’
‘But why avoid me? Because there’s no doubt in my mind that that’s what he’s doing.’
‘Maybe he’s ashamed that his folks have given notice because he doesn’t want to go home?’
Cadi could feel herself getting annoyed. ‘He should know that I’d never blame him for wanting to live his life the way he wanted.’
‘I wish I could help you, cariad, I really do, but if Aled’s decided to keep things to himself there’s not a lot we can do about it.’
‘He’s being damned selfish,’ said Cadi, ‘and I intend to tell him so.’
‘How?’
‘I’m going to pay the girls a visit in Lincoln, and call in at RAF Finningley on the way.’
When Jill responded, Cadi could hear the uncertainty in her mother’s voice. ‘What’s the point, when you know he’s not there?’
‘He may not be, but Tom might, and I shan’t let him fob me off!’
It had been several days since the VE celebrations, and Oscar was being looked after by his doting grandparents whilst Cadi was on board the train heading to Lincoln. Having phoned the girls the previous evening so that she could tell them of her plans, she had asked them to keep her arrival to themselves so that Tom wouldn’t get wind of her intended visit.
‘I think you’re doing the only thing you can do under the circumstances,’ said Poppy. ‘It’s a pity you had to come all this way just to see what Aled’s playing at.’
Now, as the train reached its destination, she gathered her belongings, ready to get off.
As the station came into view, Cadi wasn’t surprised to see a throng of people waiting to board. All going home, she thought, to pick up the pieces of their lives and adjust to life outside the services.
Seeing her friends waving madly to her from the platform, Cadi made her way to the nearest carriage door and waited eagerly for the guard to open it. Jumping down on to the platform, she hurried over to greet them.
‘I can’t tell you how good it is to see you both,’ she enthused as she took them in a strong embrace. ‘I’ve missed you terribly, and I can’t wait to show you how much Oscar’s grown since you saw him last.’ She quickly fished out the latest photographs from the recesses of her handbag, and handed them to the girls, who cooed over their nephew.
‘We’ve missed you as well,’ said Poppy now, as she gazed lovingly down at the photograph of Cadi, Oscar and Maria. ‘Oh, I can’t wait to give our Oscar a great big cuddle.’
‘I’m so looking forward to coming home,’ said Izzy. ‘Wherever home is.’
‘It’s wherever we are,’ said Cadi firmly. ‘You can come and work for me in my pub, when I get it.’ She looked to Poppy. ‘You too, although I should imagine you have other plans?’
Poppy smiled shyly. ‘Geoffrey wants us to be married as soon as we’re demobbed, but he lives in Blackpool, which is miles away from everyone I know and love.’
Cadi eyed her friend reassuringly. ‘You’ll soon make friends, and we can always visit. Besides, Ronnie lives in Blackpool.’
Poppy’s smile broadened. ‘I’d forgotten that.’
Izzy nudged Poppy as the girls swapped photographs. ‘I told you you’d be all right.’
Cadi picked up her bag, and the girls made their way out of the station. ‘I’m staying in the Horse and Groom, so I thought I could drop my stuff off, and we could grab a bite to eat in the bar?’
‘Good idea,’ said Poppy. ‘I’m famished.’
As they walked Cadi turned to Izzy. ‘You never said whether you were going to join me in my new venture?’
Izzy grinned sheepishly. ‘You know I’d love to, but I rather think Mike’s gearing up to ask me to be his wife.’
Cadi gaped at her. ‘So that’s what you meant by “wherever home is”!’
‘Exactly. He’s been asking how I’d feel about him staying on in the RAF, and whether I’d like to travel the world.’ She laughed softly. ‘I think he’s testing the water before popping the question.’
Cadi breathed a sigh. ‘I should imagine life would be very different being the wife of a flying officer rather than a sergeant in your own right. And how would you feel about living abroad?’
‘I think it would be rather fun, as long as I don’t have to get up with reveille every morning!’
‘Well, I think it sounds like a marvellous opportunity,’ said Cadi, slowing to a halt before turning to face her friends. ‘I’m happy for you both, truly I am, but with you going to goodness knows where and Poppy off to Blackpool, I’m going to be on my own, aren’t I?’
Poppy shook her head hastily as she saw tears begin to well in Cadi’s eyes. ‘No! We’ll come and see you often, and you can always come and stay with us.’ She looked to Izzy for confirmation.
‘You can come abroad for holidays wherever Mike and I are based,’ Izzy assured her, ‘and we’ll come back to Liverpool whenever Mike gets leave.’
Taking a handkerchief from her pocket, Cadi dabbed the tears from her eyes. ‘It just feels as though I’m losing everyone I love.’
Poppy smiled kindly. ‘You’ve got a beautiful son, and family and friends who care about you deeply. You’ll never be on your own, Cadi.’
As they began to walk the girls spoke of the good times that lay ahead, and even though they included Cadi in their plans she couldn’t help but feel as though she were being left behind. I’ve got Oscar, she told herself, but it’s not the same as having a husband by your side.
It was the following day and Cadi was sitting in a taxi, en route for Finningley. As the car neared the gate, she asked the driver to wait outside for her whilst she talked to the guard. Getting out of the car, she realised that the airman on duty was the one who’d been guarding the gate the day Finningley had come under attack.
‘Sergeant Thomas,’ he said, ripping off a textbook salute. His smile wavered as he remembered the last time he’d seen her. ‘How are you?’
She smiled back. ‘I’m doing just fine, thank you. I’m here to see Tom, the mid-gunner on the Ulysses, but I’m afraid I don’t know his surname.’
The man nodded wisely. ‘I know who you mean. If you’d like to wait, I can ring through and get someone to fetch him for you.’
Cadi was about to ask the man not to mention who was waiting for him when it occurred to her that he’d probably call her Sergeant Thomas. It wouldn’t cross Tom’s mind that he was referring to herself.
