Steel Girls on the Home Front by Michelle Rawlins

Author:Michelle Rawlins [Rawlins, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Saturday, 13 April 1940

Just after midday, Betty, Nancy, Patty and Daisy were grouped together outside Vickers.

‘Well, let’s hope tonight is quieter than last night,’ Nancy said. ‘I could do with a decent night’s sleep. It took me ages to settle our Linda.’

‘Our Polly was the same.’ Daisy nodded. ‘She hates the shelters and screeching of the sirens.’

‘Whereas our Tom Tom can sleep through anything, as long as someone is cuddling him and he has a biscuit,’ Patty added.

‘Anyway, what are you all up to this weekend?’ Nancy asked, trying not to think about the increased frequency of air raids and what that meant.

‘I’m meeting Hattie in a bit for a catch-up,’ Patty said. ‘She’s fretting about her John, so I thought it might take her mind off things for a couple of hours. Then I’m supposed to be seeing Archie and going to watch a picture, but I’m not sure I can face it.’

‘It might do you both some good if you have a nice night out?’ Nancy suggested, trying to repress her own worries about Bert.

‘Maybe,’ Patty responded, rather unconvincingly.

‘And what about you two?’ Nancy asked, turning to Betty and Daisy.

‘Actually,’ Betty beamed, ‘I’m off to the WVS, but I wondered if anyone fancied a cuppa and a cake first?’

‘Oooh, I wouldn’t say no.’ Daisy grinned.

‘I best not,’ Nancy declined graciously. ‘I need to get home to Linda and Billy.’

‘How about you, Patty?’ Betty asked.

‘Normally I’d snap yer hand off,’ Patty said. ‘But I promised m’ mom I’d help her out with some jobs and look after Tom Tom before I meet Hattie.’

‘Well, a good natter will be lovely,’ Betty said, trying to raise her friend’s spirits. ‘It might be just what you need too?’

‘S’ppose,’ Patty sighed.

‘Come on,’ Nancy said, gently tapping her friend on the shoulder. ‘Don’t spoil your afternoon. You will enjoy seeing Hattie and she will appreciate your support. Then you can see how you feel about tonight.’

‘I hope so,’ Patty said. ‘It’s just me and Archie can’t agree on this air raid warden thing, and I just feel so fed up.’

‘I know yer do, luv,’ Nancy sympathized. ‘But give it time. I’m sure you will both find a way through.’

‘I meant to say, I saw him last night,’ Daisy said, turning to Patty tentatively.

‘Did you?’ Patty quizzed, suddenly alert. ‘Archie didn’t say owt this morning.’ But if Patty was honest with herself, she hadn’t really given him a chance. Every time they talked about his new mission to help the war effort, it ended badly, with neither of them being able to accept the other’s point of view.

‘Yes,’ Daisy replied, now wondering if she should have said anything at all. ‘He was on duty with the other air raid wardens on our street.’

‘Oh right,’ Patty replied, her pride taking a dent at the thought of other people knowing what her boyfriend was doing before she did.

‘He looked to be doing a reyt grand job,’ Daisy offered, hoping she wasn’t on the verge of sparking another rift.

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