Authors: Ellie Dean
She quietly told him about her achievements, and then admitted she’d probably done too much and was now in danger of getting an infection in her stump. ‘But I’ve learned my lesson,’ she assured him. ‘I’m going to rest and be patient, and then take things at a much slower pace from now on.’
She took his hand and held it to her cheek. ‘I’m just so thankful that you’re back, Freddy,’ she murmured. ‘Please, please don’t do anything foolish. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.’
‘Don’t worry about me, Kitty Cat,’ he replied affectionately. ‘I’m not planning on being a hero for a while yet. How about we make a bargain? I’ll be patient, just as long as you are – and then we’ll see where we go from there.’
‘If it will keep you grounded, then it’s a deal.’
Peggy watched the brother and sister as they quietly talked, and felt quite tearful. It was clear Freddy had been through the mill, even though she suspected he’d made light of it by turning it into a sort of Boys’ Own adventure. But it was also clear that Kitty and her brother had a deep affection for one another, and she was glad, for they were far from home and fighting a war that seemed endless and cruel.
She finished dishing out the enormous shepherd’s pie, relieved that she’d managed to get enough minced meat to make it a good one. Meat was rationed by cost not weight all the time it was available, so she’d managed to get three whole pounds of mince thanks to Alf the butcher, who’d put it by for her. Potatoes weren’t rationed either, so there was a good thick topping, and she’d added a small knob of butter so it had gone all golden in the oven.
As chairs were pulled up to the table and the dogs banished to the rug in front of the range, Peggy smiled with contentment. Everyone was here and they were talking nineteen to the dozen as they ate the delicious food. It was quite like old times, but the best thing of all was that Jim would be home soon, and then her joy would be complete.
She listened to the happy chatter and saw how the two handsome young pilots had enlivened the evening. It was lovely to see how at home they were, but her heart was heavy at the thought that soon they would be returning to Cliffe and risking their lives again.
Her gaze drifted from one smiling face to another as she finished feeding Daisy and lifted her out of the high chair. And then she caught the expression on Roger’s face as he watched Kitty, who was in animated conversation with Freddy.
That boy’s in love with her
, she realised suddenly,
but Kitty seemed oblivious to the fact. Oh, dear
, she thought with an inward sigh
. Life just gets more and more complicated. I do so hope it won’t all end in tears
.
KITTY WOKE EARLY
the next morning. Finding the ever-vigilant Harvey had once again spent the night outside her door, she gave him a quick stroke behind the ears then went into the bathroom. Sitting on the chair, she carefully examined her thigh and felt a twinge of alarm as she noted the redness and swelling in the scar tissue. Deciding it probably wouldn’t do it much good to be soaked in a hot bath, she had a strip wash with a flannel and soap, and then smeared the doctor’s cream over her stump and wrapped it back in the dressings and sock.
Having dressed and packed everything she might need for the rest of the day into her shoulder bag, she picked up her gas-mask box and carefully slid down the stairs. With Harvey following every step of the way, she went into the kitchen to find Ron finishing his breakfast, and Peggy already bathing Daisy in the sink.
‘You’re both up early,’ she said as she poured out a cup of tea.
‘This one wakes at the crack of dawn,’ replied Peggy as she lifted Daisy out of the water and wrapped her in a towel. ‘And once she starts grizzling, there’s no peace.’ She smiled at Kitty as she sat and dried the baby, who was wriggling and trying to reach for Harvey. ‘I bet you had the best night’s sleep now you know Freddy’s safe,’ she said.
‘Yes, I did.’ Kitty put two slices of bread on the hotplate and kept a close eye on them so they didn’t burn while she boiled an egg. ‘I’ve told him not to say anything to our parents when he next writes. Having come through unscathed, there’s little point in worrying them needlessly.’
‘To be sure, you’re looking well this morning, despite the late night,’ said Ron as he finished his mouthful of toast. ‘Now, I’ll be taking these two for their walk, and then I have other things to do.’ His expression became very solemn for a moment. ‘I’ll be seeing you both later,’ he said gruffly, then clipped the lead onto Monty’s collar.
Kitty patted Harvey, who then willingly followed Ron and Monty down the steps and out into the garden. It would have been lovely to go tramping the hills, she thought enviously as she watched them leave – but such pleasures were beyond her now, and she had to accept the fact.
‘I don’t know what’s up with Ron this morning,’ said Peggy as she dressed Daisy in a clean nappy, rubber pants and a cotton vest. ‘He’s usually a bit of a live wire first thing, but today he hardly had a word to say.’
‘He’s probably got a hangover,’ said Kitty. ‘I noticed that Roger was very heavy-handed with the whisky measures last night.’
‘Roger seems to be an extremely nice young man,’ said Peggy casually as she popped Daisy in her high chair and tied the bib round her neck. ‘Have you known him long?’
Kitty turned the toast and spooned the egg out of the water. ‘Ever since he and Freddy joined the RAF,’ she replied. ‘He’s a bit like a second brother really, and can always make me laugh. But I worry about the pair of them. They’re far too gung-ho for my liking, and one day they’ll run out of luck and come a cropper.’
She picked up the browned slices and dropped them onto the plate next to her boiled egg before reaching across to put it on the table.
‘Does Roger have anyone special waiting for him back at home?’ asked Peggy as she dipped a bread finger into Daisy’s boiled egg and fed her. ‘He obviously comes from a good family and must be considered quite a catch.’
Kitty laughed. ‘Roger’s family owns most of Wiltshire, and he always has some woman hanging on his arm, but so far he’s managed to avoid anything too serious. I think he’s having far too much fun to get tied down just yet.’
She opened the waxed packet of National Margarine and spread some on her toast. Taking a bite, she grimaced at the greasy and unpleasant fishy flavour. ‘Yuck. This truly is awful stuff.’
‘Yes, isn’t it? And they have the cheek to advertise the fact that it contains marine oils, which are supposed to be good for us, and then charge ninepence a pound for it because it’s got “Special” written on the label.’ Peggy sighed. ‘Oh, for the days of proper butter – all golden and melting into soft, white, crusty bread.’
‘Don’t, Peggy,’ giggled Kitty. ‘The thought just makes this taste even worse.’ She followed Daisy’s lead and dipped the toast into her egg in the hope it would make it taste better. It did a bit, and with a pinch of salt it was quite palatable.
‘So, who’s taking you to the hospital this morning?’
Kitty realised with a jolt that with all the excitement over Freddy’s surprise appearance, she’d said nothing about the new arrangements. ‘There’s been a change of plan,’ she said hastily, and then went on to explain, leaving out the bit about possible further surgery.
‘Oh, my dear,’ breathed a worried Peggy. ‘I do hope it’s not too serious.’
‘It’s just a precaution, I’m sure I’ll be fine,’ she assured her lightly. ‘And at least I won’t have to ask people to give up their precious time ferrying me about for a while. I can easily make my own way down there.’
‘Oh, no, you won’t,’ said Peggy firmly. ‘It’s further than you think, and I won’t have you struggling all that way on your own.’ As she saw Kitty was about to protest, she silenced her with a wave of her hand. ‘And I’ll take no argument from you, young lady,’ she said quite sternly. ‘Rita and the lads from the fire station will see you there and back as planned.’
Kitty knew Peggy well enough now not to argue when she used that tone, so she ate her breakfast and drank her tea. ‘I’ll telephone the fire station in a minute, if I may,’ she said once she’d finished the egg and toast. ‘I don’t have to be at the clinic until eleven, and it will mean changing things about in their roster.’
She gave a deep sigh. ‘Honestly, Peggy, it’s asking too much of everyone – and they’ve all been so good to me.’
‘I’ll telephone John right now,’ said Peggy. ‘Finish feeding Daisy for me, will you?’
As Peggy hurried out into the hall, Kitty handed Daisy an eggy soldier of bread and giggled as the baby grabbed it and smeared it over her face before eventually finding her mouth. ‘You like that, don’t you?’ Kitty said. ‘Well, there’s plenty more, but eggs are for eating, not wearing, Daisy, and you’re making a terrible mess.’
Daisy chortled and dribbled egg and toast down her bib as she slapped her hands on the tray of her high chair in delight.
Peggy came back into the kitchen just as the final bit of egg and bread disappeared into Daisy’s greedy mouth. ‘It’s all sorted,’ she said. ‘You’ll be picked up at ten-thirty.’
Kitty was profoundly grateful for all the help and kindness she’d been shown since coming to Beach View, but having been self-reliant for so long, she did wish she wasn’t quite so dependent on everyone. ‘I’ll be glad when I’m back on two legs again,’ she said wistfully.
‘And you will be soon enough if you take things slowly and do as you’re told,’ said Peggy with an understanding smile. ‘I can only guess how frustrating it must be for you to have this setback, but for now, just try and be patient.’
‘Yes, I know,’ Kitty admitted softly. She poured a second cup of tea, her thoughts already on her plans for the day ahead. ‘After the clinic, I’d like to do a bit of washing, if that’s all right, and then I’ve got letters to write. But if I can help you with anything round the house, please ask me.’
Peggy smiled as she wiped Daisy’s face clean and plucked her out of the high chair. ‘I can’t think of anything I need at the moment,’ she said, ‘but if I do find something, then you’ll be the first to know.’
Kitty knew she would do no such thing, so she started to clear the table of the used crockery and, despite Peggy’s soft protest, rolled up the sleeves of her blouse and started on the washing-up.
Cordelia came into the kitchen looking very smart in a cotton frock sprigged with red roses, white sandals and a matching cardigan. She abandoned her handbag, straw hat and walking stick and plumped down at the table with the newspapers which had just been delivered.
‘Good morning,’ she said brightly. ‘Didn’t we have fun last night? Those young men certainly livened things up, and Freddy’s story was utterly thrilling. Will they be coming for another visit soon?’
‘Freddy might pop in now he’s been grounded,’ said Kitty over her shoulder as she washed the dishes. ‘But they’re both very busy, so I doubt we’ll see much of either of them.’
‘To be sure, and that’s a shame,’ said Fran as she came into the kitchen in her dressing gown. She pushed back the tousled curls from her face and grinned. ‘I wouldn’t mind seeing that Roger again.’
‘Good grief, Fran, is no man safe with you?’ sighed Rita as she followed her in and reached for the teapot.
‘Sit down and eat your breakfast,’ said Peggy firmly to both of them. ‘Where’s Sarah and Suzy? If they’re not careful, they’ll be late for work.’
They came in shortly after, and soon there was a clatter of knives on plates and a chink of china to accompany the lively chatter. Sarah left for her long walk over the hills to the Cliffe estate and her WTC office, and a few minutes later, Suzy was on her way to the hospital.
Rita sat for a few more moments to finish her cup of tea and then, with a cheery goodbye to everyone, ran down the cellar steps and headed for the fire station. Kitty realised she would soon learn about the hospital appointments from her work colleagues, but she was glad Peggy hadn’t said anything to the others, for she really didn’t want to have to explain it all over again.
Fran finished her breakfast and Peggy spent a moment having a murmured word with her while she washed her plate and bowl. She turned from the sink with a broad smile. ‘Kitty, to be sure you can’t be going about with that hair. And as it seems you’ll not be off to the Memorial this morning, I’m going to give it a good trim and see if I can make something out of that bird’s nest.’
Kitty was rather startled by this and she ran her fingers protectively over her ragged hair. ‘I’m not sure,’ she murmured.
‘It’s all right,’ said Peggy. ‘Fran’s good with the scissors, and she’ll soon have you looking much tidier.’
‘Well, if you think so,’ Kitty said reluctantly. ‘But don’t take too much off, Fran, it’s short enough already.’
‘I’ll just be fetching me beauty bag and I’ll be right back,’ she said brightly.
Kitty looked at Peggy with a knowing smile. ‘This was your idea, wasn’t it?’
‘I thought it was time you were spoiled a bit,’ she admitted, ‘and Fran is very good, so you’ll be in safe hands.’
Kitty could only nod and wait for Fran, but she wasn’t at all sure she really needed all this fuss with the doctor’s appointment looming.
Fran came back carrying a rolled-up towel and a small vanity case, which she set on the table. She draped the towel over Kitty’s shoulders and then squeezed her arm reassuringly. ‘I’ll just be giving it a wee bit of a trim and tidy up. Don’t worry, Kitty, I’ve been cutting my family’s hair for years, and I’ve had no complaints yet.’
‘We’ve been trying to persuade Ron to let her sort out his hair and eyebrows, but of course he’s having none of it,’ said Peggy as she opened the bottle of Virol and fed Daisy her daily spoonful of the malt extract.
‘Ach, to be sure, I’ll catch him one day,’ said Fran as she opened the little case to reveal comb, brush and scissors, and a collection of nail files, tweezers, hand lotions and small pots of nail varnish. ‘I could also do your nails, if you’d like,’ she murmured. ‘There’s nothing like a manicure to make you feel pampered and special.’
Kitty was still feeling uneasy, for she’d never had a manicure in her life and wasn’t particularly worried what her hair looked like as long as it was neat and tidy and regulation length. But before she could do anything about it, Fran had begun to comb and snip.