The Halfpenny Girls at War by Maggie Mason

Author:Maggie Mason [Mason, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780751580754
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Published: 2022-04-14T07:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

Edith

The atmosphere on Saturday evening was lovely, despite the undertone of everyone knowing that besides an engagement party this was a ‘going away’ party for so many of them.

Edith sat with Sue and Tom, her ma- and da-in-law. Sue was such a different person to the snobbish, spiteful lady Edith had first met and not been accepted by – a time when both Philip was almost, and his sister Patricia was, ostracised by Sue for them having partners well below what she’d considered their station in life.

And yet, she hadn’t come from a wealthy background and Tom was from an even lower standing at the time. But having worked hard and risen to owning the Bradshaw biscuit factory, Sue had gained airs and graces that had turned her into someone who wasn’t nice to know.

All that had changed now and Sue, Tom and Patricia and her husband Wilf and their two children were not just Edith’s in-laws, but part of the family – her wider family who were gathered in this room tonight.

As were Averill and Rod, who were deep in conversation with their son Gerald.

‘Now, my dear.’ Sue had leant in to Edith. ‘I must see you soon to discuss all of my plans. I’m thinking of a knitting group for one; we need to make warm clothing for our men who are freezing out in the fields in northern France and that wouldn’t be too strenuous for you in your condition. But when the baby is born, and you have recovered, well, then you can take more of an active role in all my projects.’

‘You said, all. What other plans have you in mind?’

‘Well, I’m wondering how the poor of Blackpool are coping with their men and sons having gone to war. Oh, and the evacuees – someone ought to check on those left with us and make sure all is well with them. Some will have been left with a woman coping on her own. Ooh, I have so many plans. Besides which, you must know of where help is needed through your schoolwork, so getting our heads together over it all is the first thing to do.’

‘I think you’ve covered everything and are going to need an army of helpers. I can help there, I can ask Marg and I’ve been back to Whittaker Avenue chatting to me old neighbours. I wanted to know how they all were. Some of them could do with some help, but some could help us. It will do them all good to do so. Make them feel they are doing their bit and that someone values them.’

‘Good idea, I knew you would be my best ally – well, you and Patricia. She’s enthusiastic too. Wilf’s volunteered – he’s ex-navy, as you know, and is going into the Merchant Navy – at least, he starts his training in Fleetwood in a couple of weeks. Whether he’ll make the grade awaits to be seen.’

There it was, a little of the old Sue. Every now and then it surfaced – especially where Wilf was concerned.

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