Chapter 50

December 1943

Another Christmas was on its way but, like everyone she knew, Peggy had little enthusiasm for it. What was there to be cheerful about? And it must be worse for poor Helen, not being able to go outside. Peggy could tell her friend was finding each day more difficult, despite the respite of receiving the two telegrams from Richard. That had been three months ago now, though. She wondered when another one might arrive.

She was looking forward to spending the day with Tony. They planned to walk to his parents' house and cycle to Grouville together to deliver a birthday present to his aunt. His mother had offered Peggy the use of her bicycle when Tony suggested she join him for the ride and she had been delighted to accept. She had something she wanted to talk to him about. She wasn't sure if it was a silly idea or not.

She arrived at his home and sat with his parents enjoying a glass of water before they set off. She let Tony lead the way, glad she had wrapped up warm. The weather was much cooler lately and she wasn't sure if snow was on its way. As long as it didn't arrive while they were out, she would be happy.

‘I think we could have chosen a better day to do this,' she said with a laugh as they rode along St Clement's Coast Road, his aunt's present wrapped in a cloth bag sitting in the basket attached to Peggy's handlebars. ‘It would have been more fun in the summer.'

‘Certainly would be,' he agreed, waving at a friend who was coming in the opposite direction.

Several German military cars passed them going towards the town and Peggy wondered if there would ever be a day when they could go out and not see these stark reminders of their unfortunate circumstances.

They arrived at Gorey Village in good time, no doubt because they were too cold to want to stop for a break.

‘It's this way,' Tony said, getting off his bike in front of a sweet little cottage and wheeling it through the small gate before propping it up next to the front door. ‘We don't have to stay long,' he said, lifting the gift out of Peggy's basket and giving her a quick peck on the lips.

Forgetting the cold and happy to be spending this time alone with the man she loved, Peggy said, ‘It's fine. She's your aunt and it's her birthday. We'll stay for as long as you like.'

‘I suppose you're right. She's a sweet lady, although she can be a little over the top sometimes.'

He knocked on the door and soon afterwards a woman who looked almost exactly like his mother but with grey hair opened the door and pulled Tony into a tight hug. ‘It's marvellous to see you, young man.' She noticed Helen standing behind him. ‘And who is this pretty girl?' She let go of him and waved them inside. ‘Come inside, it's perishing out there, and I'd rather not let the cold in.'

Helen followed them into the living room, which was only slightly warmer than outside, and was glad she had raised her body temperature with the cycle ride.

Not wishing to use up any of his aunt's rations, they both insisted they were happy with a glass of water.

When they were seated in the pretty, floral living room, he passed the present to his aunt.

‘This is for you. Mum said to make sure you open it when we're with you so that she knows for certain you like it. Apparently you'll know what it is.' He grinned. ‘I'm interested to see it.'

‘As am I,' his aunt said, placing the gift on her lap and slowly withdrawing it from the cotton bag. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with string and Peggy noted how carefully she untied the string and paper and put them aside before looking at her gift.

Perched on the edge of their seats, Peggy and Tony exchanged amused looks, wishing his aunt would hurry up and let them see what his mother had given her.

‘It's a wooden box,' Tony said, forced enthusiasm in his voice. ‘How nice.'

It was a mahogany box, well polished and beautifully cared for, with exquisite mother-of-pearl inlay in a flower pattern on the top. Peggy didn't think she had ever seen anything quite so lovely. ‘It's beautiful,' she said, fascinated.

‘You have good taste,' his aunt said, then pursed her lips. ‘It's more than a box, dear boy, as I think your friend already realises. Let me show you.'

They sat watching in silence as she made a production of slowly turning the box to face them then gradually lifted the lid.

‘A sewing box,' Peggy said, delighted. ‘My mum would love something that beautiful.'

‘It was my grandmother's,' the older woman explained. ‘I was away when she died and our mother gave it to your mother, Tony. She loves it but knew I'd always adored it and told me that one day she would pass it on to me.' She sighed and smiled at them. ‘And now she has.' She sighed again. ‘Please, wait here while I write her a thank-you note for you to give her, if you don't mind.'

‘I'll be happy to take it, Aunty.'

Peggy was enjoying herself. It was a joy to watch someone as happy as his aunt was at that moment. But it reminded her of her friend's troubles and she was determined to speak to Tony and put forward her idea to help pull Helen out the rut she was sliding further into.

As they pushed their bikes through the village back to the main road, she decided to broach the subject. ‘May I ask you something?'

He stopped walking, concern crossing his face. ‘Of course, anything.'

‘It's about Helen.'

‘What about her?'

‘I think we need to find a way for her to spend some time outside the house.'

He stared at her. ‘You do?'

‘Yes.' She saw the anxiety on his face. ‘I know it's probably a silly idea.'

‘It's a dangerous one,' he said. ‘But I understand why you're suggesting it. I just can't think how to make it happen."

Peggy had spent days devising different scenarios and trying to find one that had a chance of working. ‘I thought we could try to do something with her hair so it resembles mine. Then, if I gave her my papers and she wore my clothes, you could come to the house and take her, and maybe Babs, out for a walk. Nothing too much. I just want her to have some freedom outside.'

He frowned and stared thoughtfully at her. ‘Why not dress her in Babs's clothes? Why yours?'

Peggy took his hand in hers, aware he would rather spend time with her than her sister. ‘Because Babs is very fair, whereas Helen's hair is auburn.'

‘Yours is darker than hers.'

Peggy had expected him to use this argument. ‘It is but in the dark it will be harder to notice the difference.'

‘I suppose you're right.'

‘I'm glad you agree with me.'

He nodded thoughtfully. ‘I think it's a brave and clever idea. We must be careful not to be caught, though, especially by those two officers from next door. We can't risk them recognising her.'

She dreaded the thought. ‘I know, and I can't deny I'm anxious about even suggesting this.' She rested her hand on his arm. ‘I haven't mentioned anything to Helen yet, so I don't even know if she'll agree to go along with it, but I wanted to run it by you first.' She frowned. ‘Especially as you will be accompanying them both, so you would be taking an enormous risk, too.'

‘Sweetheart, I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy, and if your sister and Helen are willing to give it a try, then I'm happy to accompany them.'

‘I love that I can always rely on you.'

They mounted their bikes, and as they set off Peggy knew the easiest part of the plan had been completed. She still needed to approach Helen with her idea and, if she agreed, to arrange everything and hope for the best outcome. It was a risk, but in her eyes it was one that was worth taking.