Secrets of the Shipyard Girls by Nancy Revell

Author:Nancy Revell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2017-09-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Gourley & Sons, John Street, Sunderland

Friday 31 October 1941

The following morning, at ten minutes before nine o’clock, Gloria was waiting at the bottom of the stone steps leading up to Gourley & Sons, solicitors. The wide, cobbled street was lined with grand Georgian houses, most of which were inhabited by the town’s shipyard owners and important Wearside businessmen and their families. Some, however, like Mr Gourley & Sons had converted the three-storey town houses into sumptuous offices. There was no mistaking that the street was the embodiment of middle-class respectability, which was exactly why Gloria was standing feeling terribly self-conscious and like a fish out of water.

It was now the back end of October and this morning was particularly bitter. Gloria was shuffling from one foot to the other and banging her gloved hands together partly to keep warm, but also because her nerves were making her feel jittery.

She had arrived early as she was worried about being late, but now regretted getting here quite so prematurely as she felt she was sticking out like a sore thumb. Everyone she had seen so far, mainly men, coming in and out of the various houses and offices, looked very dapper, verging on aristocratic. It was obvious by the looks she’d got from a few passers-by that they were wondering what on earth she was doing here.

With each minute, her resolve to be the strong and independent woman she was determined to be seemed to dwindle and dissolve. Talking about divorcing Vinnie and taking control of her own life was so much easier said than done – she was beginning to feel like just giving up now – and she hadn’t as much as set foot inside the solicitor’s office.

‘Gloria!’

Gloria turned to see the man she guessed was George hurrying towards her. His gait was uneven due to his bad leg, but his speed was aided by an extremely ornate walking stick.

‘At least … it is Gloria, I assume? Have you been waiting long?’ As he spoke trails of vapour streamed from his mouth. ‘Honestly, you should have gone in, you’ll catch your death out here.’

Gloria smiled nervously. ‘Ah, I don’t feel the cold now – not after working in the shipyards for the past year.’

George could see that not only did Gloria look frozen to the bone, but she was also very nervous. He was glad Rosie had suggested he come along for moral support.

‘Anyway,’ he said, stretching out his hand, ‘as I’m sure you’ve deduced, I’m Rosie’s friend George. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gloria.’

Gloria took his hand. ‘And you too, George.’ She hesitated a moment before adding, ‘And I have to say thank you so much for sorting this out for me – and for taking the time out to come here today.’

George waved his hand as if to dismiss Gloria’s comments. ‘Not at all, you’ve done me a favour. I haven’t seen old Rupert for ages. It’ll give us a chance to catch up over a little snifter after you’ve had your appointment with him.

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