Home Front Girls

petticoats. ‘And don’t start getting the notion that you can go running to them for handouts either, because even they are going to have to tighten their belts for the foreseeable future.’
    Annabelle put the sugar bowl on the table so angrily that some fell on the lino and she had to bend down and sweep it up, which did not improve her temper.
     
    Lucy hurried towards Mrs P’s house, eager to see how the first day of her caring for Mary had gone. A lot rested on it because she had no intention of farming Mary off on just anybody. Joel and Mary were all she had left in the world now – well, almost – and there was nothing she wouldn’t have done for them. She tapped at the door tentatively and when it was opened by Mrs P herself seconds later with a broad smile on her face, she sighed with relief.
    The woman placed a finger on her lips, ‘Shush, pet, the little ’un is fast asleep, bless her heart. She went out like a light not ten minutes since, so you’ve got time fer a nice hot cuppa while yer tell me all about how your first day’s gone.’
    Lucy gratefully flopped into a chair while Mrs P hurried away to return seconds later with two mugs.
    ‘I guessed you’d be back about now so I just made a brew,’ she said cheerfully as she tugged down the brightly coloured knitted tea cosy on the heavy brown teapot. She then lifted the strainer and carefully poured out the tea before pushing the pressed glass milk jug and sugar bowl across the table to Lucy.
    ‘Help yourself,’ she told her, and as Lucy spooned sugar into her tea she thumbed towards Mary and went on, ‘That one has been as good as gold. Hardly known I’ve had her, I ain’t.’
    Lucy glanced towards the child who was curled up fast asleep on the sofa with her finger jammed in her mouth. When she was asleep she looked no different to any other child her age, and Lucy’s heart ached afresh for her. She had already been told that Mary would never be able to lead a normal life and would always need someone to care for her, which placed a huge burden on her own young shoulders. Not that she minded. She would have walked through fire for the little girl if need be, but it seemed unfair that Mary would have to miss out on so much.
    ‘Take that tea an’ go an’ sit over by the fire, yer look frozen through,’ Mrs P told her now. ‘You’ve no need to rush away. Mary’s had her meal an’ I’ve got you a plate o’ stew an’ dumplin’s ready. I didn’t think you’d be in the mood to stand cookin’ when you’ve been on yer feet all day.’
    ‘Oh, Mrs P, whatever would I do without you?’ Lucy said almost tearfully. She was pleased not to have to rush off. The house felt so empty now with Joel gone.
    It was some time later when she was finishing her meal at the table that the door opened, letting in a blast of icy air, and Mr Price walked in. Like his wife, the man had a heart of pure gold and he beamed at Lucy.
    ‘Hello, luv, come an’ have a brew,’ his wife welcomed him as she helped him off with his coat. Fred was the love of her life and she had insisted on naming their oldest son after him, so now the two men were referred to as Big Fred and Little Freddy.
    Mr Price worked at the Dunlop, a large factory in Holbrook Lane, and he sighed with pleasure as he kicked his heavy boots off and massaged his aching feet.
    ‘Had a good day, have yer?’ Mrs P asked as she scuttled over to the oven to fetch his dinner, which she had kept warm.
    ‘Same as always. We’ve been workin’ on parts fer tanks today.’
    Mrs P shook her head sadly. Almost all of the large factories were making either aeroplane or tank parts now, which only made them all think of how things had changed since the outbreak of war. It seemed that there was no getting away from it.
    Lucy rose and carried her plate to the sink, but when she started to wash it Mrs P shooed her away. ‘Leave it in soak,’ she told her. ‘You’ve done enough fer one day.’
    ‘Well, if you’re sure.’ Lucy began to put her coat back on. ‘I’ll get madam there round home now then and get her ready for bed.’
    Mrs P chuckled. ‘That’s if you can wake her up. Here, let me help yer get her coat on. Better still, rather than disturb her we’ll just wrap it around her, eh? You’ve only got to go a few steps an’ she looks so peaceful it’s a shame to disturb her.’
    With Mary clutched to her chest, Lucy stood aside while Mrs P opened the back door for her, then after