Page 121 of The Girl from the Tea Garden
‘And Josey must be performing in London then,’ Derek replied with dark humour.
They knew that however bad it was in Newcastle, it was worse in London, which was being hit night after night. Adela hoped fervently that her friend was on tour and out of the capital. She would be forever grateful to Josey for her caring attention of the previous summer, when life had never seemed so tough. Adela’s body and emotions had still been in shock after childbirth and giving away her baby, and grief for her father had swamped her anew on the anniversary of his death. Josey had not pried into her unhappiness or fussed over her, but her warmth and humour had helped her through the worst of it.
More children were evacuated to the countryside, and Libby’s school was relocated to a rambling stately home north of Alnwick. She wrote impatient letters to Adela about how she wished she was in Newcastle being useful and vowed that once she turned sixteen, she was determined to leave school. Tilly was renting a terrace house in South Gosforth to provide a home for the children and, at Libby’s insistence, had taken in two Polish refugees through the Red Cross. Tilly had thrown herself enthusiastically into war work, volunteering with the Women’s Voluntary Service, helping at rest centres doling out clothes and food for those made homeless by the bombing.
Although the cinemas had reopened again after being closed at the beginning of the war, Adela had gone part-time at the Essoldo so that she could help out more at the services canteen and at Herbert’s. The latter was staying open till late to provide a fuggy haven for the flood of new workers at the armaments factories. Any spare time she had was spent at the theatre on Rye Hill.
Just before Christmas, as they were rehearsingCinderella– Adela was playing Prince Charming– in walked Josey. Adela flew at her and they hugged tightly.
‘No, you can’t have my part,’ Adela said, laughing, ‘so don’t even ask.’
‘Love the long boots, Miss Robson.’ Josey grinned. ‘Derek never let me wear anything that fetching.’
‘You’d never fit those thighs in them, that’s why,’ Derek grunted, but couldn’t resist giving her a peck on the cheek.
They celebrated in the green room with a bottle of whisky Josey had been given by a grateful quartermaster at the barracks in Ripon, and she regaled them with stories of her touring.
‘It’s not all whisky and after-show parties in the sergeants’ mess you know,’ said Josey. ‘It’s damn hard work, and some of the places we’ve stayed in I don’t think they’d changed the sheets since the Napoleonic War.’
‘Remember it, do you?’ said Derek.
‘No, but I remember you talking about it,’ she said, sticking out her tongue.
Josey had two weeks off before her next contract.
‘Florence has let my room to two munitions workers,’ she said with a grimace. ‘I don’t blame her, and she’s been good about storing a trunk for me, but it means I’m homeless.’
‘Stay and have Christmas with us,’ Adela urged. ‘You can have the camp bed in my room.’
Lexy was as accommodating as ever, agreeing at once to Adela’s request that they take in a friend in need of a home. The three of them got on well, Josey and Lexy sharing a sometimes bawdy sense of humour. For Christmas, Lexy suggested cooking a meal at the café for the Brewises, as well as Tilly and her family.
‘Won’t you be expected at one of your sisters’ or nieces’ homes?’ asked Adela.
‘I can see them any day of the week,’ Lexy said, ‘and I’d only end up doing all the washing up. If I stay here, you and Josey can do that.’
Tilly accepted with alacrity. ‘Ros is going to Duncan’s parents in StAbb’s for Christmas. Strachan’s seem to be able to get hold of petrol without too much trouble. She invited us along, but the children would rather be in Newcastle.’
‘So you’re intent on staying and seeing the war out here?’ Adela asked her.
Tilly’s expression was pained. ‘I know James is hurt that I haven’t gone beetling back to him and India. But I couldn’t do it. Not while all three children are here. And I won’t risk a sea voyage.’ She put on a brave smile. ‘Besides, we’ve survived so far, haven’t we? And the Nazis haven’t invaded. So this Christmas, at least, we have something to celebrate.’
‘Yes, we do,’ Adela agreed. She wondered if Tilly woke each morning with the same queasy anxiety that she did. Would today bring further bombing raids or news of another ship sunk? For one day at least they could try and forget the ever-present dangers and join together to lift each other’s spirits.
Aunt Olive, however, took a strong dislike to Adela and Lexy’s plans and refused to leave Lime Terrace. Jane was apologetic but loyal.
‘Mam’s better where she feels safe, and that’s at home. It’s not really her fault. She can’t stop fretting that our George is going to volunteer– he’s been talking about wanting to join the Fleet Air Arm.’
‘No wonder she’s worried,’ Adela sympathised, dismayed to think of George going away. ‘But won’t he get called up soon anyway?’
‘That’s what George keeps saying,’ Jane replied. ‘And he wants to be able to choose where he goes.’
‘What does your dad think he should do?’
Jane sighed. ‘Father just says whatever he thinks will stop Mam worrying. He says George is needed to run the business, and he’ll say so in front of any tribunal. It’s causing a bit of friction at home I can tell you.’
‘What about Joan? She won’t want George joining up either, will she?’
Jane pulled a face. ‘Joan’s putting pressure on him to get wed– says all her friends are doing it– but I think that’s another reason he wants to up and off.’
