Chapter 32

Peggy was astonished to find her mother up in the attic, sweeping the floor. She stood at the top of the narrow staircase her mother always hated using and stared into the large room that covered the entire width and length of the house. ‘You've been working hard up here, Mum. You must be shattered.'

Her mother went to reply but was consumed by a sneezing fit. ‘The ruddy cobwebs are everywhere.' Ida brushed her hand over the scarf she had tied around her head to cover her hair and shuddered. ‘You and Babs can finish off this cleaning, while I go and find something for Helen and that little boy to sleep on. Then we can sort out those bits of furniture in that corner. We need to make this place as cosy as possible for them.'

It was going to take some doing, Peggy realised. It was only September, but it was a cool day and already felt colder up here than it did downstairs. Peggy wondered how the pair of them would cope during the depths of winter but pushed her concerns aside. There was plenty of time in the coming months to find solutions. It wasn't as if Helen had anywhere better to hide.

She stepped into the attic and took the broom and dustpan from her mother. ‘Maybe ask Babs to bring up a mop and bucket with some hot water in it. Then we can wash the floors, too.' As her mother went down to the next landing, Peggy had another thought. ‘You can ask her to bring up the rug from my room and the one from hers too. They'll help make this place a bit more comfortable.'

By the time she and her sister had finished, Peggy thought they had done a decent job.

‘How's it going up here?' Helen asked joining them. Her mouth opened in surprise. ‘Gosh, it's much nicer than our attic next door. We have to climb through a hatch. And it's dusty and full of boxes, bits of furniture and old paintings.'

Peggy laughed. ‘This one wasn't much better a few hours ago.' She leant on the mop handle. ‘How are you doing?'

‘I'm a bit overwhelmed, to be honest, and trying not to think too deeply about everything.' She smiled. ‘You've all been incredibly generous and kind.'

Peggy shook her head. ‘You're our friend, Helen. And we're only doing the neighbourly thing.'

‘I'd like to think that was true of all neighbours,' Helen said. ‘But I suspect it's not the case. Anyhow, I've unpacked the small amount of food we managed to bring from next door and your mum has hidden some of it in her basement. She seemed happy with what I've brought, which makes me feel a bit better about everything.'

‘You need to stop feeling badly about all this,' Peggy said, hoping to reassure her. ‘It's not your doing that led you here and I don't want you to forget that. I'd already come up with the idea last night, actually, before those officers forced us to move a little quicker on it.'

She could see by Helen's concerned expression that she wasn't convinced.

‘It's true, Helen. These are exceptional times. We can only do the best with what we have.'

‘I know you're right, but I already felt guilty about Aunt Sylvia taking me in, and how drastically her life must have changed when I turned up on her doorstep. I feel such a burden.'

Peggy leant the mop against the sloping roof. ‘Now you listen to me. We all know you and Bobby meant the world to your aunt. Imagine how frightening it would have been for her to live alone for the past year. Then, when she became ill, having you there to help her meant an awful lot, and Bobby kept her company. It was plain for us all to see how much joy you both brought into Sylvia's life. You should never feel guilty about that.'

Helen was about to argue, but Peggy raised her hand to stop her, clearly having no intention of letting her continue until she had finished having her say. ‘Babs and I are so grateful for your friendship. We've loved seeing your aunt happy, and I know Mum loves Bobby. Spending time with him has given her a new lease of life.' She smiled, sadly. ‘She struggled for a long time to come to terms with losing Dad, and she dotes on that little boy, so please forget any concerns you have.'

‘I'll do my best.'

‘Good, that's settled then. Now, as soon as this floor has dried you can help me make up a bed for you both.'