Home Front Girls

her.
    ‘You look beautiful,’ Robert told her and Dotty flushed self-consciously.
    ‘I might look better without this,’ she answered, tapping her plaster cast, and everyone laughed. It was very colourful now as Simon and Lizzie had crayoned pictures all over it.
    ‘Right, well, if Madam is ready, her carriage awaits.’ Robert bowed gallantly, making the two children snort with laughter. They had never seen their Uncle Robert do anything like that before and found it highly amusing.
    ‘But where are we going?’ Dotty asked as Laura helped her into her coat.
    ‘Ah, now that would be telling and it wouldn’t be a surprise then, would it?’
    He led her out to a waiting car and soon they were manoeuvring through the streets of London as Dotty tried to guess their destination.

Chapter Thirty-Three
     
    When they pulled onto the little road that led to the grand entrance of the Savoy Hotel, Dotty gaped.
    ‘That’s right,’ Robert told her, looking pleased with himself. ‘We’re going to have our Christmas dinner in the River Restaurant.’
    ‘B-but Winston Churchill goes there. I know because I read it in the papers. Won’t it be awfully expensive?’ Dotty still couldn’t accept the fact that she was now a wealthy young woman. Robert was rich too, but she didn’t want him spending all his money on her. It didn’t feel right.
    ‘It’s Christmas Day,’ he scolded gently. ‘Surely I’m allowed to spoil you today of all days?’
    ‘Well, if you’re quite sure.’
    She allowed him to help her from the taxi and before she knew it they were in the most luxurious foyer she had ever seen. Robert looked totally at ease there but Dotty felt like a fish out of water. She was shocked to see how many people were there, many of them officers in uniform with pretty girls on their arms drinking cocktails, smoking and appearing to be having a really good time. As Robert moved to the desk she glanced around in awe at the sweeping staircase and the huge crystal chandeliers that were sending rainbow prisms all about the room. Her feet felt as if they might disappear into the thick-pile wall-to-wall carpet and she was stunned that such luxury existed, especially as there was a war on.
    When Robert came back, she whispered, ‘Robert, I’m going to look such a fool. I can’t even cut my own food up with only one hand.’ Dotty was mortified to think of people laughing at her, but he instantly reassured her.
    ‘Don’t get worrying about that. It’s all in hand, trust me.’
    Seeing that she didn’t have much choice, Dotty followed him to the restaurant where they were met by a head waiter in a black suit, white shirt and bow-tie.
    ‘Ah, Mr Brabinger, how nice to see you again,’ he greeted him smoothly. ‘Do follow me, sir. We have your table all ready for you.’ He then nodded politely at Dotty before whisking them through the tables to a spot near the rear window, overlooking the Thames. So he’s been here before then, Dotty found herself thinking. I wonder who with? She instantly felt annoyed with herself for being so possessive. Robert could have brought lots of women here in the past! What business was it of hers?
    Awed, she stared at the table laid with its crisp white cloth, shining silver cutlery and cut-glass goblets. She was still concerned about how she was going to manage to cut up her food, but she needn’t have worried. When the meal was served she found that every morsel in the large silver salvers had been chopped into bite-sized pieces, even the turkey. It seemed that Robert had thought of everything and saved her a lot of embarrassment. It never ceased to amaze her how well Robert coped with his withered hand. But then she supposed that he had had a lifetime to adjust to it and it certainly didn’t seem to stop him from doing most things.
    ‘Thank you,’ she whispered across the table and he smiled as a waiter approached with a bottle of champagne. Again Dotty tried not to think about how much all this must be costing. After pouring out two foaming flutes, the waiter left them.
    ‘I hope you didn’t mind me ordering for us,’ Robert said as he raised his glass to her. ‘But I somehow thought you’d be the sort of girl who would like the traditional Christmas fare. I can always order you something else if you don’t like it though,’ he added, hoping he hadn’t overstepped the mark.
    ‘It’s perfect,’ Dotty said happily, giggling as the champagne bubbles went up her nose.