Read Online Martha's Girls by Alrene Hughes - Free Book Online Page A

neck to cover her face in anger.
‘You didn’t want to sing that boring ‘Mountains of Mourne’ rubbish,’ Peggy said matter-of-factly. ‘We needed a big closing number.’
‘We were supposed to close with ‘Whispering Hope’. They loved that,’ shouted Pat.
‘Yes, but ‘T’aint What You Do’ was miles better. They’re out there now drinking their cups of tea, talking about us and how good we are.’
‘I don’t care! You can’t just change the programme!’
‘Leave it for now, Pat,’ said Irene. ‘Let’s go and find Mammy. She was in the wings watching us. Did you see her?’
‘I couldn’t see anything,’ said Sheila. ‘I was too scared to look anywhere but the back of the hall. Wasn’t it brilliant?’
Pat marched off backstage, but Peggy lingered as though reluctant to sever her connection with the stage and the performance.
‘You two go on. I’ll see you in a minute.’ She had revelled in the final applause and her eyes had swept the audience, taking in their excited faces as they cheered, including a tall, dark figure who rose to his feet with applause and a smile just for her.
Backstage Martha was bursting with pride. If only Robert could have been there. She had been as shocked as the others by Peggy’s switch of songs and had a difficult moment watching the girls struggling to recognise the introduction. She’d have a few words to say to Peggy when she got her on her own. Pat would be angry, of course, and would no doubt give Peggy a piece of her mind, if she hadn’t done so already.
At the end of the evening the Reverend Lynas made a point of seeking Martha out to thank her for allowing the girls to take part. ‘We’re going to need plenty of community spirit, before this war is over. Morale boosting events like this could be our secret weapon, Mrs Goulding, believe you me. Well, I must be off before it gets too dark to see. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the black out.’
Peggy appeared. ‘Mammy, come and meet Mr Goldstein.’
He smiled broadly, his eyes crinkling behind his gold-rimmed glasses and offered a neat, well-manicured hand. ‘I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Mrs Goulding.’
‘Nice to meet you, Mr Goldstein, did you enjoy the concert?’ asked Martha.
‘I thought it excellent entertainment and best of all were the Goulding Sisters. You must be very proud of them.’
Martha blushed. ‘Yes I am.’
Goldstein went on. ‘Now, it is getting late and the rain continues to fall very heavy outside. So, if you ladies do not mind being a little cramped, I could offer you a lift home.’
‘Oh no, we couldn’t take you out of your way,’ Martha said politely.
‘Not at all, I live on the Antrim Road. It is but a little detour. I insist.’

Chapter 5

Pat stood in front of the iron railings of May Street National School and watched the boys at one side of the playground kicking a small bundle of rags around, jerseys marking out the goals. On the other side the girls were playing games Pat recognised from her childhood: hopscotch, giant steps, the farmer wants a wife. Two girls broke free from a circle and ran up to her. ‘Can we help you?’ they sang in unison.
‘I’ve come to see Miss Goulding.’
‘We’ll take you,’ said the one with a pudding basin cut.
‘We know where she is,’ said her friend with pigtails.
Her friendly guides led Pat down a long echoing corridor with half glazed walls giving her a view of the classrooms on the other side, then up a winding staircase.
‘She’s in here.’
Pat was amazed to find herself in what looked like a parlour. Kathleen stood in front of an open fire and around her half a dozen pupils were dusting, sweeping, polishing.
‘Good afternoon, Pat.’ If Kathleen was surprised to see her, she didn’t show it. Instead, she added without a moment’s hesitation, ‘You’re just in time for lunch.’ They went through to the next room where children were laying a damask covered table with crystal glasses and