The Girl in the Pink Raincoat by Alrene Hughes

Author:Alrene Hughes [Hughes, Alrene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788543958
Publisher: Head of Zeus

Chapter 20

It was clear to Gracie that Alan had fallen out with her. She didn’t see him on the bus either going to work or coming home; nor did he come into the canteen. At first she wasn’t that bothered. He had hurt her feelings with his blunt dismissal of her storytelling but, when the girls insisted they wanted to hear more about the film, she felt confident enough to do her best to please them. By the end of the week the story had been told and there was still no sign of Alan. She was worried about him, and she missed his company. The more she thought about it, the more she realised that the way he had spoken to her was not like him at all.

The Metrovicks’ hooter sounded the beginning of the weekend and Gracie and Trixie left work together.

‘You’re very quiet, Gracie. Is something the matter?’

Gracie shook her head.

‘I take it you still haven’t heard from Jacob,’ said Trixie.

‘No.’

‘Not much of a writer, is he?’

Gracie was about to make up some excuse, but she was tired of pretending. She had wanted to tell Trixie the truth about Jacob a few times and always stopped herself, but Trixie was a good friend and it would be a relief not having to lie any more. ‘He doesn’t write because they won’t let him,’ she said.

Trixie gave her a puzzled look. ‘What do you mean?’

‘He’s not a soldier, he’s being held in a prison camp because he’s German.’ There, she’d said it.

‘A German?’ Trixie stared at her in disbelief. ‘Really, you were going to marry a German?’

‘Yes, but he’s not a Nazi. He’s a Jew and he’s lived in England on and off since he was a boy. He loves England. It’s his home.’

‘A Jew, Gracie? I don’t know what to say.’

‘You don’t have to say anything, I’m just telling you. He’s a lovely person, he wouldn’t harm anyone, but they rounded up all the Germans and put them in camps and they’ll have to stay there till the end of the war.’ Gracie’s voice cracked with emotion.

‘Oh, Gracie, don’t get upset.’ Trixie put her arms around her friend. ‘I’d no idea you were going through all that. I wish you’d told me sooner.’

‘I wanted to, but…’

‘Is there anything I can do to help you?’

Gracie wiped her eyes. ‘No, not really, but I feel better now I’ve told you.’

‘Can you visit him?’

‘No, but I go to the camp every Sunday and sometimes we see each other from a distance.’

‘That must be really hard for you. If he hasn’t done anything wrong, maybe they’ll let him go.’

Gracie shook her head. ‘I know now that they won’t.’

They walked in silence until they were outside the gates where Gracie’s bus was waiting. ‘Trixie, you won’t tell anyone, will you?’

‘Of course not, don’t worry. See you on Monday.’

But Gracie did worry. Trixie had said all the right things, yet there had been something in her reaction, not exactly disapproval, more a lack of understanding.

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