Peggy laughed. ‘This is the seaside, and there
is
school,’ she said before resuming the drive.
Ernie opened his mouth to express his fury at having been misled, and Sally hurriedly changed the subject. ‘How far is it to Goldman’s factory?’
Peggy frowned. ‘Goldman’s? Is that where you’ll be working? How did you manage to organise that?’
‘Me boss at ’ome arranged it. Mr Goldman’s ’is brother-in-law.’
‘I see.’ Peggy changed down gears as the hill steepened. ‘You don’t look old enough to be working at all,’ she said, glancing at her, ‘and Goldman is a hard taskmaster, by all accounts. I’m sure I can get you something a little less—’
Now it was Sally’s turn to be indignant. ‘I’m sixteen,’ she replied, ‘and I’ve been ’olding down me job at Solomon’s for near on two year now. I know the work, and I’m good at it.’
‘I see,’ sighed Peggy. She seemed to pull her thoughts together. ‘Goldman’s is past the hospital and primary school at the end of that road,’ she said, with a nod of her head. ‘It will be a bit of a walk every day once winter really sets in, but there’s a spare bicycle in Ron’s shed. You can borrow that once it’s been mended.’
Sally was feeling rather ashamed of her outburst. Mrs Reilly was only trying to be helpful – but she didn’t have the first idea of how to ride a bike, and was reluctant to admit it. ‘I don’t mind walking,’ she replied.
Peggy glanced across at her. ‘Well, if you change your mind, Anne or one of the boys will show you how to ride it. It’s a bit of an old bone-shaker, but it’ll get you there and back all right.’ She pulled into a side street and brought the car to a halt halfway along. ‘This is it,’ she said, turning off the engine. ‘Welcome to Beach View.’
‘I can’t see the beach,’ grumbled Ernie, who was kneeling on the seat, looking out of the back window.
Sally was about to admonish him for being rude when Peggy intervened. ‘You will from your bedroom window,’ she said cheerfully. ‘Come on, let’s get you indoors. Anne and the boys will be home from school by now, and we can all get acquainted.’
Sally looked up at the terraced house, and felt even more uneasy. It was really smart, like one of the mansions near Hyde Park, with its portico and wide, white steps leading up to a smart door that had coloured panels of glass which caught the sun. There was a brass knob, and a knocker in the shape of a lion’s head, and at the end of the sweeping white steps were lanterns set into sturdy concrete pillars. She took in the frothy white net curtains at the taped windows, the tubs of flowers beside the door, and knew she and Ernie could never really fit in here.
‘Don’t let outward appearances fool you,’ said Peggy, who must have noticed her uneasiness. ‘It might be big, but that’s because it used to be a guesthouse. Now it’s just a home – a home for me and my family, and any poor soul who needs somewhere for the duration. Now it will be home for you too.’ She put her hand on Sally’s arm, her brown eyes expressive and sincere. ‘Don’t fret, Sally. We might be different to what you’re used to – but we don’t bite.’
Sally wasn’t at all sure how to react, for Mrs Reilly was like no-one she’d ever met before – and yet she seemed to have a warm heart, despite her forthright manner and, unlike Florrie, appeared to really care about her home and her family. She gave her a hesitant smile, for the doubts were still there. Mrs Reilly seemed all right now, but she might not be quite so friendly when Ernie had one of his terrible attacks of the cramps in his back and legs which had him screaming through the night.
Sally hitched Ernie on to her hip and carried him up the stairs as Peggy took the suitcase and opened the front door.
She could hear someone talking in a soft Irish accent as they stepped into the hallway, which smelled strongly of beeswax polish and cooking – scents that reminded her of her grandmother’s house and made her nostalgic for the days when the old lady had been alive. She set Ernie on his feet, aware of his little hand clutching her as they gazed in awe at the sweeping staircase and high ceilings. This was a world away from Bow, and she suspected he felt as disorientated and uncertain as she did.
‘That’ll be my father-in-law, Ron, telling the boys one of his outrageous stories,’ said Peggy, as the voice continued to drift out to them from somewhere at the back of the house. ‘No doubt he’s forgotten he’s supposed to keep an eye on the stew. Come on, no time like the present to meet some of the family.’
Ernie looked up at Sally, his big brown eyes fearful. ‘I’m nervous too,’ she whispered, as they reluctantly followed Mrs Reilly down the hall. ‘Just hold my hand, and we’ll both be all right.’
‘Well, and it’s about time too. Me stomach thinks me throat’s been cut, so it does.’ Ron turned from the sink where he’d been skinning a brace of rabbits. ‘Hello,’ he said, his piercing blue eyes boring into Sally and Ernie. ‘Who do we have here then?’
From the doorway, Sally took the scene in at a glance. The old man had a weather-worn face and thickset, sturdy figure which was encased in a misshapen sweater and baggy old trousers. The young woman sitting at the table before a pile of exercise books was pretty with creamy skin, dark eyes and hair and elegant hands. The two boys were tousle-headed, with clean faces and bright, intelligent eyes which were studying her and Ernie with unmasked curiosity. A large shaggy dog was stretched in front of the black range. It eyed them disinterestedly and went back to sleep.
‘This is Sally and Ernie,’ said Peggy, drawing them forward. ‘They’re going to be living with us for a while until it’s safe to go back to London.’
‘Are they now?’ Ron wiped his bloody hands down his trousers, his eyes twinkling. ‘And here’s me thinking you were only taking the one, Peggy.’
‘I changed my mind,’ she retorted.
Sally stood in the warm, homely kitchen with its heavenly smell of stew and held tightly to Ernie’s hand as Peggy eyed the gutted rabbits with disfavour and made the introductions.
‘My younger daughter, Cissy, should be home from work soon, and then of course there’s Mrs Finch and the Polish gentleman who you’ll meet at teatime,’ she finished. She smiled and added confidentially, ‘Don’t ask me to pronounce his name – it’s virtually impossible.’
Sally was finding the whole thing daunting, and she was aware of Ernie’s hand clutching her fingers. ‘Pleased to meet yer, I’m sure,’ she said, and only just managed to stop bobbing a curtsy, like her gran used to when she worked as a ladies’ maid in the big house in Hyde Park.
‘Nice to meet you, Sally.’ Anne half stood and shook her hand. ‘I hope you’ll excuse me, but these books have to be marked before I can go out.’
Bob shook hands solemnly before returning to his comic, but Charlie had fewer inhibitions and swung from the table, making a beeline for Ernie. ‘What’s that on your leg, Ernie? Are you a pirate?’
Ernie tried to melt against Sally as he shook his head.
‘I’ve got a bad leg too,’ said Charlie, pointing to a graze on his knee. ‘Got it wrestling a shark.’
‘Charlie, don’t fib,’ said Peggy, as she took off her coat, fur and hat and tied on her apron. ‘And leave poor Ernie alone. Can’t you see he’s tired and out of sorts?’
‘Aw, Mum. Can’t I show him my treasure?’ He didn’t wait for a reply, and turned back to Ernie. ‘D’you like pirates? I’ve got a whole box of treasure downstairs. Want to have a look?’
Ernie relaxed his hold on Sally’s coat. ‘Pirate treasure?’
Charlie nodded. ‘I’ve even got a skull,’ he breathed. ‘D’you want to see it?’
‘A skull?’ Ernie forgot to be shy, and his eyes widened as he took a step towards Charlie. ‘A real one?’
‘It’s from a dead fox,’ muttered Bob. ‘There’re loads up on the hills. Granddad finds them all the time.’
Charlie rolled his eyes. ‘I never said it was a
human
skull,’ he said in exasperation. ‘Do you wanna see it, Ernie?’
‘I dunno.’ Ernie shot a glance up at Sally, who nodded encouragement.
‘Aw, come on. It’s only downstairs …’ He looked at Ernie’s leg, suddenly not so certain of himself. ‘I suppose I could bring it up,’ he said hesitantly, ‘but …’
‘I ain’t a cripple,’ muttered Ernie. ‘A few old stairs don’t bother me.’
Sally was about to intervene when Ron took charge. ‘But why walk when you can get a lift? Will you be trusting me to take you down there into the dungeon, Ernie?’
Ernie eyed him warily. It was clear to Sally that he was longing to see the skull, but was rather daunted by the old man who was now looming over him.
‘Sure, and it’ll not take a minute, and you might find you even enjoy it. Are ye man enough to sit on me shoulders, Ernie?’
Ernie giggled and took a hesitant step towards him. The last time he’d ridden on a man’s shoulders it had been his father’s.
Ron’s eyes twinkled and he winked at Sally before bending down and swinging little Ernie on to his broad shoulders. ‘Right, me hearties,’ he cried, as the child squealed with a mixture of terror and delight and clutched at his hair, ‘let’s be going in search of Charlie’s plunder.’ He ducked as he reached the entrance to the basement steps. ‘Mind your head, there, shipmate!’
‘You’ll have to excuse him,’ said Peggy in a fluster, as Ron and the boys thundered down to the cellar. ‘He means no harm, but I sometimes wonder if he’s ever grown up.’
Sally’s smile was nervous. ‘He will look after him proper, won’t ’e? Only Ernie ain’t strong.’
Peggy set the kettle on the hob. ‘Ron knows what he’s doing, dear. Ernie will come to no harm with him.’
‘Mum’s right,’ said Anne, closing the last of the exercise books with a thankful sigh. ‘Granddad’s the best playmate any child could have, but I should warn you, Sally, he’ll get all of them into mischief.’
Sally had little doubt of it but, as she returned Anne’s smile, she realised how nice she was, and wondered if they could become friends despite the differences in age and background. She glanced round the homely kitchen and took off her coat. It was wonderfully warm in here. ‘Can I help with anything, Mrs Reilly?’
‘Bless you, no. Everything’s almost done, and once Cissy gets back, we can eat.’
‘That’s your other daughter, ain’t it?’
Peggy nodded as she set out cups and saucers and filled the warmed teapot. ‘Cissy’s a year older than you, so I’m hoping you’ll get on. But she’s a strange one, and takes a bit of getting used to.’ She sat down, pulled a packet of Park Drive out of her apron pocket and lit up the first of the two cigarettes she allowed herself each day.
Sally sat beside her, intrigued. ‘Strange?’
Anne closed the bulging briefcase and set it on the floor before she too lit a cigarette. ‘What Mum means is that although Cicely works in Woolworths on the High Street, she’s convinced her destiny lies in Hollywood.’ She laughed softly, and shook her head, making her shining hair bounce on her shoulders. ‘She spends hours in front of the mirror and makes the house shake when she practises her dance routines.’
Peggy poured the tea. ‘Cissy models herself on Judy Garland but, so far, she’s had to be satisfied with the back row of the chorus.’ She gave a deep sigh. ‘Where she gets it from, I have no idea.’
‘She must be very glamorous,’ said Sally wistfully, as she dug her careworn hands into her coat pockets to hide them. The sight of Anne’s manicured nails made her self-conscious.
‘She likes to think so,’ replied Peggy, clattering cups and pouring tea. ‘Personally, I think it’s time she settled down to something more sensible.’
Their conversation was interrupted by whoops and pirate yells from the basement.
‘It sounds like Ernie’s fitting in all right.’
‘I hope you’ll soon feel the same way,’ said Peggy, her brown eyes speaking volumes. ‘Go on, love, drink that before it gets cold, and then I’ll take you up to your room so you can settle in before we eat.’
There were two flights of stairs, with a runner of carpet held in place by shining brass rods. She followed Peggy, noting the fresh paint and the ornate coving on the ceiling.
‘I hope Ernie is going to be able to cope with these stairs,’ said Peggy. ‘Perhaps I should change things around and put you on the first floor?’
‘He’ll manage fine, Mrs Reilly. I can carry ’im up and down.’
‘Well,’ said Peggy, ‘if you think that will be all right. I suppose you’ll only be sleeping up here, and if you want to go out for the evening, I can always sit with him in case there’s an air raid.’
‘I won’t be going out, Mrs Reilly.’
Peggy eyed her quizzically. ‘But you’re young. You have to have some fun.’
‘Ernie relies on me,’ she said firmly, ‘and I’d never forgive myself if anything ’appened and I wasn’t ’ere.’ She didn’t like to confide that, although this was true, she actually couldn’t afford to go out. Ernie’s medicines cost a lot of money, and if he got ill, then the doctor had to be paid too. What with his clothes and shoes and everything else, her wages were stretched to the limit.
Peggy seemed to accept her explanation and said no more until they reached the top landing. ‘Here we are, dear,’ she said, as she approached the middle door of three. ‘Anne and Cissy share the other room, but the third is empty for now.’ She unlocked the door and pushed it open. ‘I’ll get my Jim to bring up another bed for Ernie. I wasn’t expecting to have two of you, you see.’
‘It’s all right,’ said Sally hastily. ‘Me and Ernie are used to sharing, and I expect ’e’ll feel a bit strange for a while till he gets used to it ’ere.’