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Authors: Lyn Andrews
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as Jimmy here.’
Albert nodded. It was a regiment that had suffered as much as, if not more than, most.
‘Never did understand what it was all about. Thought I did at first. King and country . . . all that.’ Edwin faltered. He hated talking about it.
‘We all did,’ Jimmy muttered.
‘You’re not alone in that. I couldn’t grasp all the ins and outs. Seemed such a bloody waste and all for a few miles of mud. Don’t really understand all this treaty business either,’ Albert continued.
‘Maybe it’s best we don’t.’
‘Aye. Let’s just hope they’ve all learned their lessons this time. I was too old to go myself but I heard the stories and I’ve heard you and your brother yelling in your sleep.’ Albert nodded towards Jimmy who looked down at his boots. No-one wanted to talk about their experiences.
‘No need to think I think any the less of you, Jim, and I know how much your mam still grieves for Harry and young Rob.’
‘There’ll be thousands of women who have little to celebrate today.’
They all turned to see Lily standing in the doorway.
Albert looked abashed. ‘I’m sorry, luv.’
‘You all look as though you’ve lost half a crown and found sixpence. It’s supposed to be a party,’ Emily reminded them, coming in behind her mother.
‘You’re right. Let’s go and see how Phoebe-Ann’s doing.’
‘And I’m off to see if the Grecian really is closed.’
Lily began to protest but Albert silenced her with a quick shake of his head. When they’d gone he put his arm around her. ‘Let them go, Lil. Let them look forward, not back. Let them enjoy themselves. God knows those lads went through enough!’
‘We all did,’ she sighed.
By the time the sun had become a huge ball of fire and had dipped below the spire of St Nathaniel’s church and the streetlights were lit, everyone was in a high good humour. Every scrap of food had been eaten and most of the beer had gone too. Children, their faces sticky, their clothes dusty, dodged between the tables that had been placed end to end in the middle of the street. The younger ones sat on doorsteps, thumbs in their mouths, eyelids drooping, leaning contentedly against their older brothers and sisters.
They’d started the day off with “The National Anthem”, then “Rule Britannia”, followed by “Land of Hope and Glory” and on to the popular songs until Albert declared that if he didn’t have a bit of a rest his arms would drop off and his stomach felt that his throat had been cut.
He was instantly deluged with offers of food and drink. Lily leaned against her doorpost and smiled at him. She’d never known him to be so chatty and she’d caught the nudges and raised eyebrows of some of the other women and knew they were thinking the same thing. But he was enjoying himself, she knew that, and she was glad, for he had transformed her life and, although she didn’t have a deep and burning passion for him, she was fond of him and she was grateful. Her smile faded as she caught sight of Phoebe-Ann flirting with the eldest of the Ashton brood from number sixteen. She worried about Phoebe-Ann. She wished she had Emily’s quick, perceptive mind and common sense. Her one dread was that Phoebe-Ann would fall hopelessly in love with some ‘no mark’ who would treat her badly. Still, she comforted herself with the fact that she had little time for gallivanting now she was back with the Mercers.
Lily’s smile returned as she caught sight of Emily and Edwin Leeson leaning on the top of the piano and laughing together. That was a sight that pleased her. He was a good lad and she liked him. She knew the sort of family he came from. His Aunt Sarah was much respected. He was a hard worker, honest and loyal and he had his old job back. She’d raise no objections to that match if it ever came about.
Emily was unaware of her mother’s speculative gaze. She hadn’t enjoyed herself so much for years. All the scraping and making do
Albert nodded. It was a regiment that had suffered as much as, if not more than, most.
‘Never did understand what it was all about. Thought I did at first. King and country . . . all that.’ Edwin faltered. He hated talking about it.
‘We all did,’ Jimmy muttered.
‘You’re not alone in that. I couldn’t grasp all the ins and outs. Seemed such a bloody waste and all for a few miles of mud. Don’t really understand all this treaty business either,’ Albert continued.
‘Maybe it’s best we don’t.’
‘Aye. Let’s just hope they’ve all learned their lessons this time. I was too old to go myself but I heard the stories and I’ve heard you and your brother yelling in your sleep.’ Albert nodded towards Jimmy who looked down at his boots. No-one wanted to talk about their experiences.
‘No need to think I think any the less of you, Jim, and I know how much your mam still grieves for Harry and young Rob.’
‘There’ll be thousands of women who have little to celebrate today.’
They all turned to see Lily standing in the doorway.
Albert looked abashed. ‘I’m sorry, luv.’
‘You all look as though you’ve lost half a crown and found sixpence. It’s supposed to be a party,’ Emily reminded them, coming in behind her mother.
‘You’re right. Let’s go and see how Phoebe-Ann’s doing.’
‘And I’m off to see if the Grecian really is closed.’
Lily began to protest but Albert silenced her with a quick shake of his head. When they’d gone he put his arm around her. ‘Let them go, Lil. Let them look forward, not back. Let them enjoy themselves. God knows those lads went through enough!’
‘We all did,’ she sighed.
By the time the sun had become a huge ball of fire and had dipped below the spire of St Nathaniel’s church and the streetlights were lit, everyone was in a high good humour. Every scrap of food had been eaten and most of the beer had gone too. Children, their faces sticky, their clothes dusty, dodged between the tables that had been placed end to end in the middle of the street. The younger ones sat on doorsteps, thumbs in their mouths, eyelids drooping, leaning contentedly against their older brothers and sisters.
They’d started the day off with “The National Anthem”, then “Rule Britannia”, followed by “Land of Hope and Glory” and on to the popular songs until Albert declared that if he didn’t have a bit of a rest his arms would drop off and his stomach felt that his throat had been cut.
He was instantly deluged with offers of food and drink. Lily leaned against her doorpost and smiled at him. She’d never known him to be so chatty and she’d caught the nudges and raised eyebrows of some of the other women and knew they were thinking the same thing. But he was enjoying himself, she knew that, and she was glad, for he had transformed her life and, although she didn’t have a deep and burning passion for him, she was fond of him and she was grateful. Her smile faded as she caught sight of Phoebe-Ann flirting with the eldest of the Ashton brood from number sixteen. She worried about Phoebe-Ann. She wished she had Emily’s quick, perceptive mind and common sense. Her one dread was that Phoebe-Ann would fall hopelessly in love with some ‘no mark’ who would treat her badly. Still, she comforted herself with the fact that she had little time for gallivanting now she was back with the Mercers.
Lily’s smile returned as she caught sight of Emily and Edwin Leeson leaning on the top of the piano and laughing together. That was a sight that pleased her. He was a good lad and she liked him. She knew the sort of family he came from. His Aunt Sarah was much respected. He was a hard worker, honest and loyal and he had his old job back. She’d raise no objections to that match if it ever came about.
Emily was unaware of her mother’s speculative gaze. She hadn’t enjoyed herself so much for years. All the scraping and making do
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