Home Front Girls

the slumbering figure in the chair, and after receiving a grunt as an answer she slipped out of the back door and crossed the yard. The house appeared to be in total darkness as she had expected, but after trying the back door with her spare key, she was surprised to find that it was unlocked. She inched it open before shouting, ‘Lucy, are yer in, pet?’
    There was no answer so she went inside, and after ensuring that the blackouts were in place in the scullery, she clicked the light on. Everywhere was neat and tidy so now she entered the back room and did the same in there. She then noticed an envelope propped up against the cruet on the table and sucked in her breath when she saw that it was addressed to her. She slit it carefully open with a hairgrip, and then as her eyes scanned the page she sank heavily onto the nearest chair.
     
Dear Mrs P,
     
I know this will come as a shock to you and I’m sorry if it upsets you, but by the time you read this letter I shall be miles away and I shan’t be coming back. I hope that in time you’ll come to understand that it’s for the best. I know that Joel and Annabelle are in love but whilst I am about he will never leave me to begin any sort of life of his own and he deserves that. He’s the best brother in the world and I want both him and Annabelle to be happy.
I have left another envelope on the mantelpiece with enough money to pay the rent until Joel returns home and would be grateful if you would pay the rent man for me until that day arrives. I have also written to Joel and Annabelle to tell them what I am planning to do, but I don’t want any of you worrying about me. I have already got somewhere to live and another job lined up in another part of the country and one day I shall come back to see you all.
I hope you will forgive me for leaving this way and one day when you know the whole story of my past you may understand. In the meantime I hope you will adopt Harry for me. I know you love him as much as I do. He will be happy with you and Mr P, and will keep you company until your children come home.
You will never know what your kindness has meant to me since we had the good fortune to come to live next door to you, and I will always think of you with affection.
     
With much love,
Lucy xx
     
    ‘Aw lass,’ Mrs P muttered to the empty room as her face crumpled and tears rolled down her cheeks. ‘I knew somethin’ were up this mornin’, so why didn’t I stop yer goin’?’ And yet even as she said it, she knew that there was nothing she could have done. Lucy had obviously made her mind up to go and there would have been no stopping her.
    ‘Poor little sod,’ she breathed as she looked about the room. The girl hadn’t had much luck in life up to now, but perhaps this would be a new start for her.
    When she got back to the warmth of her own room and showed the letter to Fred, he patted her arm comfortingly. ‘Well, yer know, I’ve seen this comin’,’ he remarked. ‘She ain’t been right for a while. A blind man on a gallopin’ donkey could have seen how unhappy she’s been. An’ in a funny sort o’ way, this might be the makin’ o’ the girl. What I mean is, it’s a whole fresh start fer her, an’ happen that’s just what she needs. It’ll be the makin’ o’ young Joel an’ all now, an’ he can live a more normal life as well.’
    Mrs P nodded, hoping he was right – but oh, how she would miss her young neighbour!
     
    Joel and Annabelle both received their letters the following week and after opening them it would have been hard to say who was the most shocked.
    ‘I can’t believe she’s done this,’ Annabelle groaned, waving the letter at Hilary who was crouched by the stove in their dormitory painting her toenails. They were off to a dance in Portsmouth that night and she wanted to look her best, seeing as it was her first evening off in three weeks. The VADS had been rushed off their feet after tending to the sailors whose ship had been bombed out at sea, or at least those who had survived it. Over half of the men aboard had perished in the ocean or died of their injuries shortly after arriving at Haslar.
    ‘Can’t believe who’s done what?’ Hilary asked as she stuck her tongue out and tried to reach her little toe.
    Annabelle read the letter out to her and when she was done, Hilary grinned. ‘Didn’t I say that Joel had a soft spot for yer?’ she beamed. ‘Seems like yer mate knew it too, so now you’ll