Sealed With a Loving Kiss (16 page)

‘Of course it is,' she replied warmly. ‘It'll be quite a party, I suspect.'

Mary left for the factory just as Daisy decided to throw her bowl on the floor, which resulted in great spatters of slippery porridge across the lino. ‘Oh, Daisy, did you
have
to do that today of all days?' Peggy groaned and reached for a cloth, wondering what other mishaps the day had in store for her.

Harvey arrived with Ron in tow and shot up the steps to enthusiastically lick the linoleum clean before trying to snaffle the last of Daisy's toast.

‘Get down, ye heathen beast,' rumbled Ron as he grabbed his collar. ‘Sit and stay or go and eat your own breakfast downstairs.'

As Harvey shot off to inspect his bowl, Ron put his arm round Peggy's shoulders. ‘A happy Christmas to you, Peggy, girl.' His bristled chin rasped her cheek as he gave her a smacking kiss. ‘And look what I found up there this morning.'

Peggy eyed the spray of mistletoe and laughed. ‘You'd better hang it up in the hall, though goodness knows we don't want to be giving our American guests the wrong ideas.'

‘Ach, to be sure, every girl likes a kiss at Christmas,' he said with a naughty grin. ‘My Rosie was very accommodating earlier.'

Peggy chuckled. ‘I just bet she was, you old rogue.'

‘Talking of old rogues,' he said as he fished about in his disreputable trouser pocket, ‘Jim asked me to give you this on Christmas morning.'

Peggy's eyes widened as she undid the ribbon and wrapping paper to find a square jeweller's box. As she opened it, she gasped in surprise and delight, for it was the most perfect garnet ring set in gold. ‘Oh, Ron, it's beautiful,' she breathed as she slipped it on her finger.

‘Aye, my boy has always had good taste,' he replied proudly. ‘Takes after his da, of course.'

Peggy smiled. ‘Of course he does,' she murmured with great affection as she patted his grizzled cheek. She gazed down at the lovely ring, wishing Jim was here so she could thank him properly and share this special day with him the way they always had. Yet how lovely that he'd thought to do such a thing when he'd had so many other worries before he'd set sail for India. She would treasure it always, but for now it would be safer in its box until she'd finished preparing the lunch.

She slipped it off her finger. ‘I'll put it away and wear it later,' she said as she blinked back her tears.

The morning passed quickly as the girls and a much more cheerful Cordelia came downstairs to have breakfast and help prepare the vegetables. Ron very carefully carried the wireless into the dining room so they could listen to the morning carol service from Westminster Abbey, and the King's speech in the afternoon, and they all trooped in after him to give Daisy her stocking and to open the presents they'd put under the tree.

Peggy had found a doll amongst the toys at the WVS, and once she'd given it a good wash and made a new outfit for it, it looked almost new, and Daisy spent the rest of the morning cuddling it. She'd also received a rattle which Ron had made out of a piece of hollowed-out wood filled with dried beans, an orange, some soft sweets and a rag book.

The girls had clubbed their clothing coupons together and bought Peggy a lovely pair of fur-trimmed gloves which looked very glamorous. For Ron, they'd secretly unravelled two of his most disreputable old jumpers and used the wool to knit a sleeveless pullover, socks and gloves, which they insisted he kept for best. Ron had asked Rosie's advice and bought Peggy and Cordelia some lovely scented soap.

Cordelia had knitted what purported to be scarves for everyone – it was difficult to tell what they were because they were inches wider at one end than the other, were full of holes where she'd dropped stitches, and had several kinks in the middle. But Peggy knew they would all wear them for, despite the terrible knitting, they'd been made with love.

Peggy watched Cordelia with great affection. She was obviously feeling much better today, for she was twittering and giggling as she cooed over the cheap little brooch, the second-hand silk scarf, the hand-knitted woollen mittens and hot-water-bottle cover that the girls had given her. They had done well too, for Peggy had knitted each of them a pair of socks as well as gloves, and they'd bought each other books, hair-slides, sweets and bath salts.

Ron had brought a bottle of sherry from the Anchor, courtesy of Rosie, and they all sat admiring and showing off their gifts as they sipped it and got into the spirit of Christmas while the carol service came over the wireless. Daisy crawled about the floor and became more interested in the discarded newspaper than her new toys, while Harvey chewed on the bone Alf the butcher had put aside for him.

Peggy left them to it and went into the kitchen to check on the chicken and the steaming pudding. There was condensation streaming down the windows and walls, so she risked freezing to death by opening the window and the back door to try and dry everything off. She could feel the damp of it on her face and in her hair, and hoped it hadn't spoilt her set or made her make-up run. Deciding that her hair and face repairs would have to wait until later, she drained the potatoes and parsnips and dropped them in the roasting tin of hot lard.

The front door slammed and she glanced up at the clock in panic. If that was the Yanks, they were early. She quickly shoved the tin into the oven, ripped off her apron and patted her hair in the hope it didn't look too straggling and limp. But she hadn't reached the door when a beloved little figure raced in and threw herself into her arms.

‘Cissy,' she squeaked as she held her tightly. ‘Oh, Cissy, I didn't think you could come.'

‘Super, isn't it?' Cissy said breathlessly. ‘The Air Vice-Marshall changed his mind about me having to be on duty when he heard Randy had been invited.' Her face was alight with happiness. ‘And I don't have to be back until midnight. Isn't that just too brilliant for words?'

Peggy laughed and hugged her again. Her daughter had picked up the lingo of the upper-class men and women she worked amongst, and she sounded very posh and grown-up. ‘So where is he then? You haven't left him stranded in the hall, have you?'

Cissy took off the neat uniform cap, unpinned her blonde hair from the regulation victory roll and shook it out so it fell over her shoulders. ‘He and Matt are just bringing in stuff from the car they managed to borrow. You won't believe the special ration pack Randy's been given.'

‘Matt's here too? How lovely. Rita will be thrilled.'

Cissy grinned. ‘She's already in seventh heaven because she saw him out of the window and dashed down to greet him.' She leaned closer. ‘I think they're having a bit of a canoodle on the doorstep. I do hope the neighbours won't be too shocked.'

Peggy giggled. ‘My neighbours have witnessed far worse than canoodling, believe me. Do you remember when your father and I came back from the pub one night and he carried me in over his shoulder? I swear they must all have seen my underwear that night.'

‘Happy Christmas, ma'am,' said Randolph as he came in laden with a box, which he placed on the table. ‘It's sure nice of you to invite me into your home on this special day.'

Peggy was horribly flustered and could only hope he hadn't overheard her talking about her knickers. ‘It's lovely to see you too, but I won't invite you again unless you start calling me Peggy,' she teased. ‘Come and give me a hug, and then show me what you've brought.'

He was tall and sturdy and his hug almost squeezed the breath out of her. Once she'd gained her equilibrium she turned to Matt, who'd appeared similarly loaded with a box, with Rita following close behind him. ‘Goodness,' Peggy managed after he too had kissed and hugged her. ‘What a lovely surprise, Matt. Rita thought you couldn't make it.'

‘I hope it's all right,' he said with a frown. ‘But it was a last-minute thing and I didn't have a chance to warn you.'

Peggy waved away any concern she might have had about stretching the chicken even further than it already had to be. ‘The more the merrier,' she said gaily.

‘Well, that's jolly good, because I'm afraid you're going to have to put up with me too,' said another voice.

‘Martin! Oh, how lovely.' She hugged him tightly, her mascara in danger of smudging as her eyes filled with tears. ‘But why didn't you tell me you were coming?'

‘Like Matt, it was all a bit last minute.' He twirled his moustache and his eyes twinkled. ‘And don't worry about stretching the food too thinly. The Americans have been incredibly generous to the families who've invited their boys for the day, and I think you'll find there's more than enough in there to keep us all well and truly fed.'

Randy opened his box to reveal fruit juice, evaporated milk, a huge pack of bacon rashers, powdered coffee, sugar, rice, peas and lard. Matt's box contained bottles of the American drink Coca-Cola, along with tins of spam, several bars of lovely chocolate, two cartons of cigarettes, a bottle of gin and another of whisky.

Peggy had to sit down to get over the shock. ‘Gosh,' she breathed.

‘The gin and whisky are from me,' said Martin. ‘Couldn't let our American cousins have it all their own way,' he said heartily as he patted Randy's shoulder. ‘Now, where are Daisy and Cordelia? I have a little something for each of them.'

‘They're in the dining room,' Peggy managed, her gaze still fixed to the bounty that now covered her kitchen table.

‘Peggy,' said Sarah rather nervously from the doorway. ‘This is Captain Delaney Hammond.'

The tall, broad-shouldered American soldier held a box in one arm as he gave a smart salute to everyone in the room and advanced on Peggy with his hand stretched out. ‘Delighted to meet you at last, ma'am,' he drawled.

Peggy's hand was clasped in his strong, warm fingers and she looked up into startlingly blue eyes, and the rugged, very attractive face of a man who looked as if he was more at home riding the range than standing beside one in her kitchen.

‘It's very nice to meet you, I'm sure,' she stammered. If she'd known how handsome he was she'd have had even more misgivings about this friendship and no mistake.

‘Thank you for inviting me,' he said, ‘and I hope you'll accept this special ration pack on behalf of the United States Army.'

As he drew out yet more tins of spam, ham and fruit, packets of sugar, flour, real butter, rice and more peas, Peggy wondered if she was dreaming.

‘I knew that Flight Lieutenant Stevens would also bring one of these, so I added a few bits and pieces which I hope you and the other womenfolk might appreciate as more personal gifts,' he said quietly. He placed a dozen pairs of nylons on the table, along with yet more cigarettes, twelve gold-coloured powder compacts and matching tubes of lipstick.

‘I hope I have the numbers right,' he said with a frown. ‘But if I haven't there's plenty more at the PX, which I'll give to Sarah to bring back.'

‘It's more than enough,' Peggy said as she tried to take in all this largesse. ‘I'm overwhelmed to see so much food and lovely luxuries all in one place – and to think you've been so kind …' She was almost in tears.

‘Ma'am, please don't cry,' said Captain Hammond softly. ‘I think I speak for all of us when I say we are most honoured by your invitation. Being so far from home and family, we really do appreciate you sharing your Christmas with us, and this is really only a very small token of our thanks.'

Peggy could no longer hold back the tears, and she gave him a tremulous smile in an attempt to ease his concern. ‘I always cry when I'm happy,' she said distractedly. ‘Please don't worry.' She dabbed her eyes, wondering if she looked like a panda, for her mascara must be smudged by now.

‘Take those lovely compacts, nylons and lipsticks into the other room and make yourselves comfortable while Sarah and I put everything away. I'm sure Ron would be delighted to share out that whisky.'

As Rita and Cissy led them out of the room, Peggy set aside one of the packets of bacon and a tin of ham before handing Sarah the tins of spam and packets of rice. She had no fear now that she might run out of food for everyone.

‘Captain Hammond's very handsome,' she said casually as she carried the rest of the goodies to the larder. ‘How old did you say he was?'

‘I don't think I did,' said Sarah, her eyes twinkling. ‘But seeing as how interested you are, he's thirty-eight, very married, has two children and a ranch in Wyoming. His passions are horses and cattle, and in his younger days he used to ride the bucking broncos at the rodeos. He likes country folk music, is a prolific reader and enjoys walking in our English countryside and going to the cinema and theatre.'

Peggy's smile was wry. ‘It seems you know him very well,' she replied. ‘Just be careful, Sarah. He's very attractive and you're both far from home and—'

‘He's a friend, Auntie Peggy, and that is as far as it goes,' Sarah interrupted firmly. ‘He knows all about Philip, and because he's such a gentleman, I've never had to say anything else. He gives me a lift home sometimes, or comes into the office for a chat – but please don't see more into this than there is. I'm still in love with Philip and prepared to wait for as long as it takes until I can be with him again.'

There was no mistaking the truth in the girl's expression and Peggy was able to relax a bit – yet she knew from experience that friendships between men and women rarely worked, for sooner or later the spark that had attracted them in the first place could turn into something far more complicated.

‘You finish putting all this away while I add more water to that saucepan under the pudding before it boils dry. Then we can go and join the others. The meal won't be ready for another hour, and I could do with a drop of whisky and perhaps try some of that fizzy dark drink with it.'