The Docklands Girls (15 page)

‘Yes, Belle really looked after me,’ she said reluctantly.

‘I’ve bought some food to see your mother over a day or two until she goes shopping,’ said Belle giving Hildy a knowing look.

‘That’s great,’ she said.

Belle stood up. ‘Well, Mrs Dickson, love, I’m off. I’m taking Hildy with me as we’ve a lot to catch up on. Thanks for your company, you take care of yourself now.’

Hildy, following Belle’s lead, said, ‘Well, I’m really happy to see that you’ve recovered. I’ll pop in in a couple of days to see you.’

‘What about the nurses?’ asked Olive.

‘Oh, I’ve cancelled them, Mum. After all, you’re able to
look after yourself now, thanks to Belle. The hospital said it would take about a month and obviously they were right.’ She walked towards the door.

‘Bye, Mrs Dickson,’ said Belle, ‘remember what I said about getting out and meeting people.’ She gave her a knowing wink and left the house with Hildy.

Outside, Hildy looked at her friend. ‘Bloody hell, Belle! What did you do? Mother looks a different woman.’

Belle started to laugh. ‘Your mother is a snob, did you know that?’

Hildy shook her head.

‘Once she saw my house, she changed. I took her out every day, we ate in pubs and the occasional hotel and she lapped it up. Soon forgot she was supposed to be ill. Now don’t you let her try and fool you, she’s completely recovered. Leave her long enough that she has to go out and do some shopping. About four days should do it. Come on, let’s go to the pub and have a drink to celebrate!’

‘I don’t know how to thank you, Belle.’

‘Just one way. Don’t let her take you for a ride again. Keep your distance, don’t call too often and go on different days. Remember she’s still the same devious woman.’

Olive, now alone, sat drinking her tea. She realised that her game was over; Belle had been too clever for her. But she had enjoyed her stay, she had to admit that. She got up and looked at her reflection in the mirror on the wall. Belle said she was still a good-looking woman. She turned her face this way and that and decided that indeed she didn’t look bad. Her cheeks had filled out so her normally gaunt look had disappeared. Another husband? She wasn’t too sure
about that. But she had to accept that Hildy would soon be leaving Southampton to be with her husband and then she’d really be on her own.

She didn’t want to continue washing floors in the pub, she’d look again for another job. Maybe another lodger. Belle had made her think. Having been out and about and enjoying herself on the Isle of Wight, she realised she needed to change her life, she’d go and buy the local paper and look again at the situations vacant. She didn’t want to go back to staying within her four walls all the time so tomorrow she’d take herself off to the pier for a walk but now she had to unpack.

That evening, Cora and Simon were sitting in a pub having a quiet drink. He was telling her that something big was in the offing, but he couldn’t tell her any more, except to say it would make the headlines in all the national newspapers if it came to pass.

Of course she was curious, but knew better than to question him. Simon was a dedicated policeman and was in the force for the foreseeable future. He was studying for his sergeants’ exam at this moment. He did sometimes tell her little snatches of things that happened, but only minor things, usually about folk who had called out the police for silly things, like the woman who called because her husband came home drunk and was walking around the garden naked.

However, several days later Simon was able to tell her about the case.

‘There are two brothers running a black market business in Southampton,’ he said. ‘But now they have tried to move their stuff to the city in co-operation with another London gang and have been caught red-handed. So we’ve been able
to arrest several men. We’re working with the Southampton police. It’s a real feather in our caps.’

‘Who are these Southampton racketeers?’ Cora asked.

‘The James brothers. They were into everything. Stolen petrol coupons, clothing coupons, foodstuff stolen from the NAAFI. And we found them selling sawn-off shotguns.’

Cora remained silent. She knew of the James boys who used the Horse and Groom regularly and were well known for their criminal activities. It had been rumoured that they had a couple of the police in their pockets and this had kept them out of jail. But she kept this information to herself.

‘I’m off to your old town tomorrow,’ he told her. ‘I’m liaising with the police there so we can share all the information before the case goes to court.’

This made Cora nervous. Simon would probably be visiting the very places she used when she worked the streets and she didn’t like the idea at all.

‘That should be interesting for you,’ she said and changed the subject.

Simon was kept busy the following morning once he’d arrived at Southampton police headquarters. He’d been out with a squad, searching various premises, where they had discovered the James brothers had stowed stuff away and were amazed at the amount of black market goods they’d uncovered. All of which had to be listed and labelled. At lunchtime they went back to the canteen for a meal.

Sitting next to one of the sergeants, he was asked, ‘Is this your first visit to the town?’

‘Yes it is,’ he said, ‘but my girlfriend, Cora, lived here.’

‘Cora,’ mused the sergeant, ‘now that’s an unusual name.
I only ever heard of one before and that was the name of one of the brasses we arrested one night. Pretty young girl.’

‘I best not tell her that,’ laughed Simon, ‘she wouldn’t be very flattered.’

But when he returned to the station that evening to round off the day with his notes and report, the sergeant called him over.

‘Here you are, lad, this is my Cora: as I said she was very pretty so I reckon your girl wouldn’t be too upset if she looked like that. This Cora was arrested with her friend Belle.’ And he handed over the files.

Simon looked at the picture and paled. Then he started to read the report, noting where Cora was picked up, the pub she frequented and her charge for soliciting in Canal Walk along with Belle Newman.

Fortunately the sergeant had been called away so was unaware of the havoc he’d caused. Simon put the file back on the desk and left the building. He asked the way to Canal Walk and the Horse and Groom. He was not in uniform so didn’t cause alarm as he walked into the bar and ordered a half of bitter. At the bar, he looked round the room and saw a couple of women sat drinking, picking up clients and leaving only to return later. He was stunned and still couldn’t quite believe what he’d discovered.

It was a quiet evening and he started talking to the barmaid, asking if she knew Cora. She did.

‘Yes, lovely girl. Lost her parents and her home in the Blitz,’ she informed him. ‘Such a shame to see her on the game. That girl was far too good for the streets. Thankfully I heard she’d moved on.’ She walked to the end of the bar to serve another customer.

Simon left, hailed a taxi and was driven to the station to catch a late train back to London. Tomorrow evening he’d arranged to take Cora out to the cinema.

The next night, Cora had changed ready for her date with Simon. They were going to the West End to see a film and out to a night club, as a treat he’d said, and she was looking forward to it. She made a cup of tea and sat waiting. Simon was late which was not unusual, he was sometimes held up due to some case or other.

In fact, her boyfriend was sitting in a nearby pub drinking half a bitter, trying to make up his mind as to the best way to bring up the devastating discovery of her past. He was finding it very difficult to believe. Cora had behaved like any young lady with morals when she was with him. Yes, their kisses had been full of passion, until that one night when she’d invited him into her bed and their relationship had become intimate … and now he’d been told she sold her body for money.

He sighed deeply and lit a cigarette. There could be no mistake – she had a crime sheet, for God’s sake! He closed his eyes as if to shut out the fact. His girl – a prostitute? He’d taken many of those into custody in the past. It was part and parcel of their lives. They laughed, paid the fine and usually went straight back out onto the streets. How could Cora be involved in something so sordid?

Leaving his drink, he put out his cigarette and walked towards her bedsit.

Hearing his familiar knock on the door, Cora rushed to open it. ‘Hello darling. You’re late, is everything alright?’ She leant forward and kissed him. He hardly responded,
then walked past her and sat on her daybed.

Cora froze. What on earth was the matter with him?

‘What’s wrong, Simon?’

‘Come and sit down, Cora,’ he said, patting the seat beside him.

She did so and waited.

He looked her straight in the eye. ‘I was talking to a sergeant in Southampton and I happened to mention you by name. He told me that he only had ever heard that name once before when a local prostitute had been arrested for soliciting along with her friend Belle. He showed me the files.’ He waited for her reaction.

Cora felt sick. The very thing she’d been dreading had happened. There was absolutely no point in denying it, none at all. She straightened her back and met his gaze unflinchingly. She’d been down this road before with Hank Mason, but she’d not been in love with him. This time it was different.

‘Yes, Simon. I’m afraid that’s true.’

Although he knew that it was true, crime sheets don’t lie, to hear Cora admit to it was devastating. He was speechless.

‘That was during the war in another life. I came to London to put that all behind me and start again. Don’t look at me like that, Simon, I can’t bear it!’

‘How do you expect me to look?’ Now he was angry. ‘I meet a girl, fall in love with her and discover she isn’t at all who I think she is.’

Cora heard the words of love spoken and her heart was breaking.

‘Don’t you see, you idiot! How could I tell you? I love you too, I didn’t want anything to spoil that.’

He just stared at her. ‘But don’t you see? It has spoilt it.’ He rose from the daybed.

Cora sprang to her own defence. ‘You haven’t even asked me why. It wasn’t something I did willingly, I can assure you!’

But he was walking to the door. He opened it and turned towards her. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, then he walked out of her room.

Cora burst into tears.

When there were no tears left to shed, she left her bedsit and walked to the nearest phone box and rang Belle. When her friend answered, Cora broke down again and between sobs managed to tell her what had happened.

‘Oh, Cora, love, I’m so sorry.’ She was really upset because she knew how important Simon was to her and there was nothing she could do to change the situation.

‘Can you take a few days off and come over here? A change of scenery will do you good and we can talk and try and sort out this mess. If Simon really loves you, he’ll come back.’

Wiping her nose and sniffing, Cora said, ‘I doubt that, Belle. You should have seen the look on his face when he left me. I’m not sure he’ll ever get over it.’

‘You’ll just have to wait and hope, love. I’ll get a room ready for you. Come over tomorrow. I’ll see you then.’

She sat down and considered the situation. There was never a way to escape your past. Somehow, somewhere it came back to bite you. Always at the wrong moment. For women like her and Cora, it was a millstone they had to carry all of their lives.

Whilst Cora was trying to run away from her past, Hildy was planning her future. The first ship of GI brides was due to sail for New York in January and she had a berth booked. She’d had a medical, filled in pages of forms, showed her marriage certificate as proof and started to gather her things. In two months’ time, she’d leave these shores for ever.

Her only problem was her mother. After Olive’s stay on the Isle of Wight with Belle and now fully recovered from her operation, Hildy had taken Belle’s advice and stayed away from her for a while, once she was convinced that she was well enough to look after herself.

Olive had found a new job in a Lipton’s grocery store which she felt was much more fitting than scrubbing pub floors. She had managed to find another lodger, an older man, returned from the war and working in a local garage as a mechanic. He was quiet and kept himself to himself which suited Olive very well. Through judicious questioning of Olive’s neighbour, Hildy had gleaned these facts and therefore had felt free once again, but now, she
felt she ought to make an effort before she eventually sailed away. She was unsure how to go about it, knowing her mother’s possessive nature. She didn’t want to leave with any animosity between them and to this end, on Sunday morning she went to her old home and, holding her breath, knocked on the door.

Olive opened it and was taken aback when she saw Hildy standing there.

‘Hello Mum. Just thought I’d pop in and see how you are.’

‘Did you? You couldn’t have been too concerned. It’s been three months since I’ve been home and I’ve not seen much of you lately, but I suppose you’d better come in.’ She walked away.

Hildy’s heart sank. This wasn’t going to be easy, but she felt she had to try.

‘I thought we might have a cup of tea and a chat, that’s all. You know, catch up.’

Olive looked at her with raised eyebrows. ‘Really, how nice of you.’ But nevertheless, she filled the kettle and put out two cups and saucers. ‘Better sit down then.’

‘You’re looking well,’ Hildy ventured.

‘I’m alright considering I have to manage alone.’

Hildy ignored the remark. ‘I heard you were working at Lipton’s,’ she said.

Olive glared at her. ‘Has that mouthy woman next door been talking to you?’

‘We bumped into each other in the street,’ Hildy said. ‘I was pleased to hear it.’

‘Did she tell you I had a lodger too? Don’t answer, of course she did. She’s more interested in other people’s lives than her own.’

She made the tea, poured two cups and pushed Hildy’s over to her. ‘So, what’s the real reason for you calling today? It wasn’t just for an idle chat, was it?’

There was no reason to lie so looking at her mother, Hildy said, ‘I wanted to say goodbye really. I’m sailing to America in January.’

Olive’s mouth tightened and she glared at her daughter. ‘Going out to live with that man, well I wish you luck!’ It was said with such venom that Hildy snapped back.

‘That man is Milt, my husband and yes, I’m off to start my married life. And what’s more, I can hardly wait.’

‘Well, don’t come running back to me when it all goes wrong that’s all!’

Hildy calmed down. What was the point, it was exactly how she thought it would be. Olive was as vindictive as ever.

‘You know, Mother, “that man” as you insist on calling him once told me he felt sorry for you.’ She saw the surprise on Olive’s face. ‘Yes, he did. When I asked why, he said because you were such a bitter woman that you had missed so much happiness in life that he felt sorry for you.’

Olive’s face flushed with rage. ‘I don’t need his sympathy or yours for that matter. I am perfectly happy with my life; I don’t need anybody feeling sorry for me. Not him and certainly not you! Go and find out for yourself how difficult married life can be, then you might understand me better.’

With a sigh, Hildy rose to her feet. ‘I’m sorry we have to part this way, Mum. I had hoped we could have parted as friends, but I can see I’ve wasted my time. Take care of yourself.’

She picked up her handbag and walked out of the house. At least she’d tried, from now on all she needed to be concerned with was getting ready to sail and she could do that now with a clear conscience.

Back in the kitchen, Olive sat staring into the fire. A bitter woman? Yes, she was, and with good reason. These youngsters think they know it all. Now Hildy had made her choice. Well, good riddance! But as she sat, knowing she’d never see her daughter again, tears filled her eyes and she sat silently crying.

On the Isle of Wight, Belle rushed to the front door, opened it and hugged Cora as soon as she saw her.

‘Come in, love. I’ll put the kettle on, or would you prefer something stronger?’

‘Oh yes, Belle. A stiff drink would really go down well.’ Cora followed her into the living room, sat in a comfortable armchair and looked around the room with its newly painted cream walls, comfortable furniture, cheerful curtains and potted plants on a small table. It was cosy and attractive.

‘My word, you have been busy,’ she said.

Belle handed her a drink and sat in another chair nearby. ‘I’ve painted myself silly,’ she said. ‘The furniture is a bit old, but it will do until I make enough to replace it. How are
you
, love?’

With a shrug, Cora said, ‘Much as you would expect. I’ve lost the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.’

‘But you don’t know that.’

‘I think I do. If you had seen the look on Simon’s face, you wouldn’t have any doubts.’

‘Did you ever sleep with him?’ Belle asked in her usual straightforward manner.

Nodding her head, Cora answered. ‘Yes, eventually. We took things slowly, I’m sure Simon thought that if he’d suggested such a thing any earlier, I would have been upset. In fact, it was me that asked him. Ironic, isn’t it? I wanted to be courted, like any young woman. I wanted his respect as well as his love. Now I’ve lost both.’

‘That’s men all over,’ Belle raged.

‘Well, there you are.’

‘Come on, let’s go out to the pub, have a couple of drinks and get a meal. The sea air will do us both good and I’ve some interesting news to tell you.’

It appeared that Belle had received a letter from Jackson in New York and it had been forwarded on to her from the post office.

They sat at a table with a couple of drinks and Belle took out a letter from her handbag. She started to read the contents.

Belle folded the letter and grinned broadly. ‘My boy is doing just fine and I’m so happy for him. I hope he and his girl get married eventually – he’d be a great husband because he cares.’

‘That’s lovely news, Belle. I know how fond you were of him.’

Belle stared off into the distance, looking wistful. ‘I’d like to find a man like that you know, Cora. I know I rejected the idea before, but being alone isn’t a lot of fun once you stop working and the evening closes in. That’s when you need male company with a man that cares about you.’ She
looked across at her friend and saw the pain reflected in her eyes. ‘But, of course, you already know that.’ She leant over and squeezed Cora’s hand. ‘Don’t give up, love. He may come back, just give him time.’

Cora tried to make light of the situation. ‘Just think, Belle. I could have been Joe Keating’s mistress if I’d a mind to.’

‘That would have been a big mistake!’ Belle said, looking askance at her friend.

Laughing, Cora said, ‘You should have seen the look on your face then, Belle. Come on, you know me better than that. I’m never cut out to be an old man’s darling.’

With a mischievous grin, Belle said, ‘Well, it would depend how old he was and how much money, then who knows, I might be tempted!’

‘Bloody hell, Belle, you’d kill him off in a month.’

‘Fabulous! Then I’d be a rich widow. Hey! It’s an idea worth considering.’ Then she doubled up with laughter.

During her visit, the two women decided that Hildy and Cora would spend Christmas with Belle. They wanted to see Hildy before she sailed and this seemed a perfect answer for all of them. Cora would be alone as would Belle so why not get together?

Prior to that, Cora was kept busy. The clientele of her shop seemed to be going to lots of cocktail parties and business was brisk. Simon hadn’t contacted her at all, which broke her heart, but didn’t surprise her. Now she was looking forward to Christmas.

The Christmas break arrived at last and Hildy, Cora and Belle sat down to their Christmas dinner, having already
celebrated with glasses of wine whilst opening gifts, but the main topic of conversation was of Hildy and her future in America.

‘Milt is going to meet me when the ship docks in New York. He’s managed to take some leave from the army so we’ll be on our honeymoon. We didn’t have time before apart from one night at the Polygon Hotel,’ she said.

‘Oh how exciting,’ said Cora. ‘Where are you going?’

‘We’ll be staying in New York and in the summer we’ll take off somewhere for a few days, but he wants to take me shopping. Imagine! New York and all those lovely shops!’

‘And no clothing coupons needed,’ Belle remarked. ‘I’m so jealous!’

‘I can’t wait,’ Hildy said. ‘After all, I’ve nothing to keep me here. It’ll be a whole new life, but I am a little nervous, I must confess,’ she said, her smile fading somewhat.

It was strange, thought Belle, to see Hildy uncertain about anything. In the factory, she was so decisive and together. ‘You’ll be fine,’ Belle assured her. ‘Make sure you write and let us know how you get on.’

‘Oh I promise I will. What about you, Belle, what are your plans?’

‘I’ll open for business at Easter,’ she said, ‘and hope to take bookings for the summer. It’ll take a while to get established, but I’m ready for that.’

‘Whatever, it’ll be better than working in a factory,’ Hildy said. ‘At least you have your own home and that’s a bonus. What about you, Cora?’

‘I’ve no new plans, I’ll stay put in London, working at the shop for the time being.’

Simon Pritchard spent the Christmas with his family in London. He tried to join in with the festivities and be cheerful, but he was missing Cora. No matter how much he tried, he couldn’t forget her, nor her background.

During Christmas, Simon mulled over these facts, going over them continuously until his mother asked him if anything was wrong.

‘No, Mum. Why do you ask?’

‘Well, son, all through Christmas you’ve been somewhere else, not with us at all. What’s on your mind?’

He apologised. ‘I’m sorry, I’m just tired and we have a case that’s hopefully coming to a head and I’ve been a bit preoccupied with that.’ He put his arm round his mother’s shoulders. ‘That’s all.’

It was a week after Christmas and Cora was back at work. The change of scenery and good company had gone some way to help her feeling of loss and loneliness. After all, she thought, if I survived the loss of my parents, I can manage without Simon … most of the time, but in bed alone at night, she longed to feel his arms about her, see him smile, hear his voice.

She didn’t do a great deal in the evenings apart from go to a cinema and lose herself in the film that was showing. Despite the fact that in her other life, she’d have walked into a bar alone – usually looking for punters without a second thought – now she didn’t feel comfortable doing it. In winter it was too cold to sit out on the fire escape, so she either listened to the wireless or read a book. Sometimes out of desperation, she’d wrap up warmly and walk. She would go window shopping, pop into a cafe and drink
coffee whilst watching people, but every time she saw a couple together, she felt alone and abandoned.

It was after such a walk one evening, she returned to her bedsit and stoked up the fire. Rubbing her hands together for warmth she then put on the kettle, hoping a hot drink would chase away the chill in her body. She was just about to pour the tea when there was a ring on her bell. She couldn’t imagine who would be calling, but she walked out to the main door and opened it.

Simon stood there, his coat collar turned up against the cold.

‘Hello Cora. May I come in?’