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