Secrets of the Singer Girls (12 page)

‘Oh, I don’t give a fig about that,’ she gasped. And to the absolute amazement of Poppy and everyone else in the room, she flew across the ward and into his outstretched arms.
The force of her hug nearly knocked the six-foot soldier off his feet and dislodged the packet of sweets he had been holding out in his hands.

‘Whoa there,’ he chuckled, as a shower of gobstoppers bounced onto the floor. It was all too much. The kids on the ward went wild, hollering and clapping as nurses scurried about
collecting the runaway sweets.

Poppy was struck dumb at Daisy’s display, but there was no denying that the exuberance in the air was infectious. She was still grinning madly when she felt a little hand tug at her sleeve
and found herself looking down into the orphan’s inquisitive eyes.

‘Excuse me, miss,’ the child babbled excitedly, ‘but is this part of the show?’

‘No,’ muttered the despairing voice of Ivy from behind Poppy’s back. ‘But after that little performance, you can bet it’ll be curtains for Daisy when Vera finds
out.’

Daisy left the hospital in such a giddy whirl she felt as though her feet had barely touched the ground.

‘Can you believe it, girls?’ she gabbled to Sal and Poppy as they clattered down the tiled corridors. ‘What are the chances of bumping into Robert like that? I knew he and his
comrades had to visit hospitals in the East End to boost morale, but I never imagined for a minute it would be that one.’

Her hand flew to her heart. ‘Fate has a role in this,’ she gushed breathlessly. ‘I just know it. Meeting Robert has to be my destiny, and better yet, he’s invited me for
tea later.’

Sal smiled at her friend’s happiness, but her voice was guarded. ‘I’m pleased for you, Daisy, but what about Vera? She won’t like this one little bit.’

Daisy tutted. ‘oh, don’t take the shine off this for me, Sal. I’ll tell her I’m going out with you.’

Sal frowned. ‘I’m not comfortable lying to Vera.’

Daisy looked like she might burst into tears. ‘oh, Sal, I beg of you. This could be my one chance at true love. You surely wouldn’t deny me that, would you?’ Her green eyes
misted over. ‘I’ll simply die of heartbreak if I don’t get to see Robert later.’

Sal’s shoulders sank. ‘All right, then, but promise me you won’t stay out late.’

‘Oh, Sal, I promise,’ Daisy cried, flinging her arms around her. ‘You’re the best friend a girl could ever have.’

‘Yes, I am,’ she sighed ruefully, untangling herself from Daisy’s embrace and turning to Poppy. ‘What do you think, Poppy? Should Daisy sneak off to meet this GI chap
later?’

‘Don’t ask me,’ she replied with a tremor in her voice. ‘I should never have the nerve.’

‘Well, you two might be too scared to follow your heart, but I’m not,’ asserted Daisy.

As they went to part ways, Sal gripped Daisy’s arm. ‘Please don’t make me regret this.’

Sal’s words were long forgotten, as two hours later, Daisy found herself facing Robert across a starched white tablecloth, nervously holding his hand. The image of her
slender white fingers laced through his strong black ones painted a sharp contrast. She knew they stuck out like a sore thumb and the thought made her giggle nervously.

‘Hark at me, sitting in a Lyons Corner House with you,’ she babbled. ‘Talk about posh. They’ve even got carpet on the walls in the lav. I’m all in a lather. You
sure you can afford this?’

Daisy realized she was starting to sound like an overexcited schoolgirl and her voice trailed off. But Robert didn’t mock her. Instead, he gently returned her smile.

‘I’m not exactly used to this level of refinement either, Daisy, and yes, don’t worry – this is my treat.’

She watched his brown eyes scan the room and take in the glittering chandeliers and the men in tuxedos serenading them from the orchestra.

‘Back home, I wouldn’t even be
allowed
to sit in a fine place like this, much less with a girl like you.’

At that moment, a waitress in a white apron and white-peaked cap delivered the most mouth-watering afternoon tea Daisy had ever seen. Dainty scones and silver dishes oozing with strawberry jam.
If Robert hadn’t been there, Daisy would have torn into it, but she was so nervous she was sure she could scarcely eat a thing.

The waitress paused as she gently placed the silver tray on the table and looked pointedly from Daisy to Robert.

‘That’ll be all, thank you,’ said Daisy in the haughtiest voice she could effect. ‘Daft little bint,’ she muttered under her breath when the waitress left.
‘Hasn’t she ever seen a black man and a white woman eating sandwiches together before?’

‘Is that what you call these?’ Robert smiled quizzically as he held up a tiny cucumber sandwich. Daisy giggled helplessly. It looked like a postage stamp in his hands.

‘If you’re well-to-do, you eat them with the crusts cut off in this country,’ she grinned, suddenly feeling more at ease. ‘And that little madam of a waitress is called a
“nippy”, and when you drink your tea, you cock your finger just so.’ Picking up her china cup, she raised her little finger like she had seen Vera do at the Jubilee street
party.

Robert laughed so loudly the ladies taking tea nearby interrupted their restrained chatter to look their way and raise their eyebrows.

‘Guess I have a lot to learn about your British customs,’ he smiled, lowering his voice. ‘Though I think I’m going to struggle to get my finger through the hole in this
cup,’ he added, cradling the delicate cup of tea in both his hands instead. ‘Back home, it’s coffee us Yanks drink, not tea.’

Daisy gazed at Robert’s face through the fragrant steam. He was so handsome in his uniform he looked like a Hollywood actor of the silver screen.

‘Why did you not get in touch?’ she blurted suddenly. ‘I waited for you.’

His face fell. ‘Believe me, Daisy, I wanted to,’ he said in his soft drawl. ‘You’re just about the prettiest girl I ever saw.’ Slowly Robert raised his eyes to meet
hers and Daisy felt her heart melt like warm butter. ‘You’re so brave. I never met anyone like you. Moreover, and I know this is going to sound crazy, Daisy, but darn it all, what have
I got to lose now? I felt that first night we met as if you and I are cut from the same cloth. I know we come from very different places, but we want the same things out of life. We’re not
content to just play the cards that fate has dealt us, do what’s expected of us—’

‘I get that,’ interrupted Daisy breathlessly, her face lighting up like a string of fairy lights. ‘Truly I do. Most men I know in Bethnal Green just want to tie me to the
kitchen sink and expect me to pop out a brood of babies, but I want more out of life. So, so much more. I want to work, to travel, to explore life beyond the East End and have amazing
adventures.’

‘Me too, Daisy,’ replied Robert. His voice was soft and tender, turning her insides to caramel. ‘If you were my wife, I should never want to confine you to the kitchen. Hell,
I’d want to show you off in every city on earth. I guess what I’m saying is, I don’t want to die in the place I was born, and I certainly don’t want to pick apples for the
rest of my life like my poor daddy. I want to leave my mark on the world, and I sense that need in you too. This war is going to change the future for the likes of me and you, Daisy, I just know
it. We can rise above our station in life, aspire beyond the ordinary. Anything is possible.’

And just like that a golden thread wound its way round Daisy’s heart, connecting her to Robert. A deep current of understanding flowed between the soldier and the seamstress, and Daisy
knew she had met a man with whom she could happily end her days.

But then Robert hesitated and Daisy watched his giant shoulders sink two inches.

‘But I’m so sorry, Daisy. For all that I really do feel about you, when it comes to you and me, I’m afraid it just can’t be.’ With that he dug around in the pocket
of his smart green uniform, pulled out Daisy’s necklace and slid it back across the tablecloth towards her. Daisy’s heart started to thump painfully, and her eyes filled with tears.

‘But why?’ she replied tremulously, frustrated and offended in the same moment. ‘Unless, of course, you already have a sweetheart back home?’

‘Oh no,’ he said, shaking his head vigorously. ‘I swear I haven’t.’

‘Then why in heavens not?’ she blurted.

‘Because, Daisy,’ he sighed, ‘men like
me
can’t go out with women like
you.
After we left the dance, my buddy Sam pointed out the trouble I’d get
us both in. White women ain’t supposed to fraternize with Negro Americans. He said it could lead to ill feeling. And he’s right. I don’t want to make trouble for anyone while
I’m in someone else’s country.

The British folks have been awful kind to me, but I’m not sure that hospitality would stretch to me walking out with one of their women. Besides which, our posting in London is coming to
an end soon. We’ll be getting moved someplace else to continue our training.’

Daisy felt her body stiffen in frustration.

‘Who is anyone to say whom we should and shouldn’t see?’ she blazed. ‘If this war has taught me anything, it’s not to give a fig for what I ought to do. I’ve
spent the last year of my life terrified out of my wits, always wondering if today’s the day I’ll cop it. Well, excuse me if I want to grab my chance at happiness. I don’t care if
you’re black, white or purple quite honestly, Robert. I love the colour of your skin. Everything in London’s grey, from the buildings to people’s faces. Even the bleedin’
bread’s grey. What’s more, I’m sick to the back teeth of people telling me what to do. I can’t even have a bath in more than five inches of water, and I can’t remember
the last time I saw a banana. Well, I’m tired of going without. I won’t go without love!’

By now the tears were streaming down her face, but she couldn’t hold back.

‘My life was dull and boring, and you brought me hope,’ she wept. ‘I actually thought I had finally met someone I liked and who liked me back. Anything is possible, you just
said. So why not us?’

After her little outburst, Daisy trembled. She had not opened her heart like that to anyone before, but by golly, she had meant every word. She picked up her cup, but her hands were shaking so
much tea sloshed over the sides and into the saucer.

Robert gently took the cup from her and set it down on the saucer. Then he leaned over the table, took her face in his hands and kissed her. Right there in the middle of a Lyons Corner House,
over the scones and the dainty sandwiches, with the orchestra and the nippies looking on, this handsome, strong man actually kissed
her,
and Daisy knew she had lost her heart for good.

By the time his lips left hers, Daisy was so breathless she could scarcely speak.

‘All right, then, Daisy,’ he said softly. ‘What else can I say to that but maybe we
should
grab our chance at happiness? I’m only stationed here for a brief
time, but I want to see you again when I next get a pass out.’ His face clouded. ‘Beyond that, I can’t make any more promises. Once we leave, I don’t know when – or if
– we will return to London.’

Daisy refused to be brought down. That kiss had sent her soaring to the heavens and she wasn’t ready to face reality just yet.

‘We can write, can’t we? And you’re bound to get leave at some point surely. Besides which, let’s not worry about the future. Let’s live for the moment.’

Her green eyes shone with possibilities. ‘There’s plenty of sweethearts coping with separation the world over, and trust me, I’m tough enough to cope with it.’

Robert shook his head in amazement. ‘You’re an incredible girl, Daisy Shadwell. I never met a girl with such fire.’

All too soon tea was over and Daisy glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘Crumbs, I ought to be getting home. My sister, Vera, will be getting herself in a right tizzy if I’m
late.’

‘Tizzy?’ Robert smiled, baffled, as he walked round to Daisy’s side and pulled out her chair.

‘British saying,’ she laughed, while marvelling at what lovely manners Robert had.

When they stepped outside onto the busy London street, Daisy’s heart sank. ‘How much longer are you in London for?’ she asked.

‘Ten days. After that, who knows . . . ? I couldn’t say even if I did, I’m afraid. Loose lips . . .’

‘Sink ships,’ finished Daisy, with a smile. ‘I know.’ She took a sharp intake of breath. ‘Well, in that case, I see I’m going to have to make the most of you
while I’ve got you.’ She smiled brightly, shivering slightly as the early evening sun started to dip behind a tall building.

Robert gently turned up the collar of her jacket to keep her warm.

‘Yes, you will,’ he murmured. ‘While we’re here training, we’re also under orders to visit hospitals, rest stations and Red Cross centres in the East End to boost
morale. ‘Say,’ he added with a grin, ‘why don’t you try and time it so your singing coincides with our visits?’

‘What a wonderful idea.’ Daisy beamed back. If he could boost her spirits this much in two hours, think what he could do for the sick and injured.

‘Now, if you please –’ Robert held out his arm with a flourish ‘– I’d be honoured to escort you home safely.’

‘Don’t be daft,’ she chided. ‘It’s a long walk from here to Bethnal Green.’

As deliriously happy as Daisy was, she wasn’t sure if she was quite ready to face Vera’s wrath if her sister spotted her in the neighbourhood with Robert.

‘Well, no girl of mine is going to go out walking after dark on her own,’ he retorted, carefully placing his coat around her shoulders.

No gesture had ever left Daisy feeling more loved or safe, and as they stepped out in the direction of the East End, she felt as if she were walking on little clouds.

Robert made sure to walk on the side of the traffic, and on his arm she felt like royalty. When they reached the Thames, they paused to take in the view and his jaw dropped. Tower Bridge and the
Tower of London loomed larger than life through the hazy spring evening. Dusk was creeping through the sky, drenching the river in a soft orange glow.

‘Oh my,’ he marvelled, his eyes widening at the historical landmarks he had only seen on picture postcards.