the girls if they turned up.’
‘Why ever not? At least they’re family.’
She pulled a face. ‘Ted doesn’t like his routine disturbed, evidently,’ she said scornfully, ‘and of course that precious son of hers is working for the MoD, and can’t possibly risk having his very important – secret – work compromised by strangers moving into the house.’
‘I’ve always felt a bit sorry for Anthony. He’s a nice young fellow – a bit shy, but with a hell of a brain on him. It’s a pity he’s got such a mother. No wonder he’s never married.’
‘Any self-respecting girl would run a mile at the idea of having her as a mother-in-law,’ said Peggy, blowing smoke. ‘Bossy is not the word to describe her. Do you know what she had the nerve to say to me?’ She didn’t wait for him to reply. ‘She said that as I already had a houseful of waifs and strays, she didn’t think that it would make much difference if I took in Doreen and the girls as well.’
‘Has she heard from Doreen then? Is she coming down?’
Peggy shook her head. ‘Doris tried telephoning her this morning with no luck, and I tried this afternoon. The lines are still down, and the operator has no idea when they’ll be fixed.’
‘There’s no point in getting all steamed up over Doris,’ Jim murmured. ‘She’ll never change. As for Doreen, well, there is plenty of room here, and she’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome. Though I doubt she’ll want to leave London for too long.’
The anger had left Peggy and now she felt rather deflated. ‘Yes, I know, and I’ll gladly take them all – as long as Doris doesn’t keep poking her nose in and causing trouble. You know how those two fight.’
Jim grinned. ‘I do indeed,’ he said, ‘and it’s a sight to see, to be sure.’ He gave her a hug and a kiss and left to buy an evening paper.
Peggy finished her cigarette, ordered the boys to clear the mess from the table before she turned on the wireless for their favourite programme, and went to the walk-in larder to find something to cook for the evening meal. She eyed the bags of sugar with suspicion, and popped them into the empty bread-crock so no-one could see them. If she was caught hoarding such things, they’d all be in trouble.
The sirens went off just as they were about to sit down to mince, cabbage and potato. There was the usual bustle to get everyone safely into the shelter, but fifteen minutes later the all-clear sounded and they were back in the kitchen. The food was lukewarm, but it was eaten with gusto anyway.
The newsreader sounded solemn as they gathered quietly to listen to the wireless after their tea. Russia, in alliance with Germany, had attacked Finland. Barrage balloons were being erected above the more important buildings in London, with more to follow as soon as possible.
He continued with the news that the coalition government were about to debate on the subject of enlistment for, despite the number of men who’d voluntarily signed up for service, it was felt that every man between the ages of nineteen and twenty-seven would be needed to swell the ranks and defeat the enemy. The result of the debate would not be known until the House had conducted a vote. The outcome of this should be declared shortly after Christmas.
They cheered as the newsreader continued with the rousing news that the notorious enemy ship, the Admiral Graf Spee, had finally been hunted down by the British naval ships, Ajax, Achilles and Exeter. Following a fierce battle on the Rio de la Plata (the River Plate), the Graf Spee had been blown up and sunk. All three British ships would be returning home for repairs and a hero’s welcome.
There was a great deal of discussion about the battle and it all became too much for Mrs Finch, who thought they were still fighting the First World War. She’d begun to fret because she couldn’t remember where she’d hidden the pistol her husband, Albert, had given her to protect her honour should the Hun invade while he was away fighting on the Somme.
Peggy had soothed her and made sure she knew what war they were actually fighting before helping her upstairs and into bed. If the poor old duck got any more confused, she’d have to watch her more closely, and Peggy hoped it was just today’s unfortunate explosion and the news