her a warm smile. ‘To be sure, no-one thinks bad of you here, girl,’ he muttered.
‘We’ll look after Ernie for you,’ Peggy said firmly. ‘But if you have any more trouble at that factory, then let me know, and I’ll be down at Goldman’s like a shot to give that Simmons a piece of my mind.’
Sally gave her a hug. ‘Thanks, but please don’t, Peg. I’m not a kid any more and I’m used to dealing with men like Simmons.’
The words sounded brave, but Sally knew all too well that once Simmons had taken against her, her employment at Goldman’s could be terminated at any minute. There were plenty of other jobs to be had, but sewing was what she knew, and what she was good at. She certainly didn’t fancy working in a munitions factory.
Ernie ate his breakfast, getting crumbs and egg all over the sheet. Sally cleaned him up and then carefully warmed a little of the sweet-smelling oil in her hands and began to gently massage his back and limbs.
He was almost asleep by the time she’d finished, and she gathered up her things and took one last look at him before she left for work. She hated leaving him like this, but had little option if she was to clear her name and keep her job. She just hoped the shift would run smoothly and there were no further upsets – she was too tired to cope with much more today.
Once the overnight honeymooners had gone, Peggy stripped the bed and remade it with fresh linen. They’d been a lovely young couple, and she wished them well, but with him flying Spitfires, and her working as a WAAF at the air-base, they had an uncertain future – but then none of them knew what the next day might bring.
Her thoughts went to Anne and Martin. Was it better to marry in defiance of everything his parents stood for and hope things would turn out all right? Or was Anne wise to break it off? Seeing her daughter’s sad little face this morning she didn’t think so.
The telephone was ringing as she reached the hall and she picked it up. ‘Cliffehaven 329.’
‘Mrs Reilly, this is Martin Black. Could I please speak to Anne?’
‘Hello, Martin.’ This was the fourth time he’d called and, so far, Anne had refused to speak to him. ‘Anne’s out,’ she said truthfully.
‘Mrs Reilly, I know what you must think of me, but I love Anne, and if she’d only let me talk to her, I’m sure we can find some way out of this ghastly mess.’
‘I’ll tell her you called,’ she said. ‘But Martin,’ she warned, ‘don’t be surprised if she doesn’t ring back. She was very hurt.’
‘I know. That’s why it’s so important I speak to her.’ He was interrupted by the pips going. ‘Damn, I’m out of coins, and I’ll be cut off in a minute. Tell her I’m on duty all over Christmas so I won’t be able to see her until the New Year. Please tell her I love her with all my heart, and that I still want to marry …’ The pips drowned him out and the line went dead.
Peggy put down the receiver and sighed. Love was complicated enough without having to deal with toffee-nosed parents as well as the war. It just wasn’t fair.
Sally held her head high as she marched past Simmons and took her place behind the sewing machine. She just wanted to get this shift over and go home to Ernie.
Brenda plumped down next to her. ‘Cheer up, ducks,’ she said, wrapping the scarf over her rollers. ‘I’m calling a meeting with the girls over the tea break. We’ll sort something out.’
‘I don’t want no more trouble,’ muttered Sally.
‘And there ain’t gunna be any,’ said Pearl, sitting on the other side of her.
‘What you doing here? I thought you was on the lates this week?’
‘I was. Then I ’eard about yer trouble and changed shifts.’ She grinned. ‘We’re mates, ain’t we? And mates stick together.’
Sally grinned back. It was good to know so many people believed in her and that, regardless of what happened next, she could always count on her friends.
She returned to Beach View feeling much more positive about things. The shift had gone quickly, Simmons had stayed away from her, and the cheerful, warm support of the other women had bolstered her spirits.
The kitchen still held the reminder of the evening meal and the warmth of the fire in