Chapter 52

Peggy leapt to her feet.

‘What are you doing, lovey?' her mother said, frowning as she turned from chopping the few carrots she had managed to buy that day. ‘Sit down and stop acting edgy. You're making me nervous.'

‘Sorry, I thought I heard them coming back.'

‘It was them rotters going out from next door.' Ida waved the knife at their small ration of French meat. ‘If you need a distraction you can chop that lot up. I'm making a stew. There's not much else I can think to do with meat this stringy.' She pulled a face. ‘I miss decent beef.'

So do I, Peggy thought. She disliked eating the only food they could buy now but knew she needed to force herself.

She found a sharp knife in the drawer and began cutting the meat into small pieces. As she worked she glanced at her mother and noticed how much weight she had lost over the past few months. She had grown up listening to her mother complaining about being too curvy for her liking, and how difficult she found it to lose those extra pounds. Peggy herself had taken in her own skirt waistband twice recently and she hadn't had any pounds to lose in the first place.

The front door closed. ‘They're home,' she said, dropping the knife onto the chopping board and following her mother into the hall, relieved to have them back safely. She was eager to hear how Helen's venture had gone but refrained from asking until they had removed their outer clothes and hung them on the coat stand.

‘Your cheeks are all flushed from the cold,' Peggy said, delighted by Helen's happy expression. ‘Did you enjoy yourself?'

‘It was incredible,' Helen gushed, clearly happier than she had been in months. ‘How was Bobby while I was out? Did he ask for me?'

‘He was fine,' Ida said, pointing up the stairs. ‘Fell asleep down here about half an hour ago so Peggy took him up to his bed.'

‘That's good.'

‘Come through while I finish preparing supper and you can tell us all about it.'

‘I'd better go,' Tony said. ‘My mother will be wondering where I am.'

Peggy went to follow him out, but he pressed his hand against the door. ‘No, it might look odd if you come out with me when we've only just returned.'

He had a point, she thought, anxious not to slip up.

‘Babs, why don't we go through to the kitchen with your mum and leave Peggy and Tony to have a moment together.' Helen rubbed her hands together. ‘Thank you both so much. This evening has been very special. It really is very kind of you, especially when I know you have both given up time you'd otherwise have spent together to do this for me.'

‘It was my pleasure,' Tony said. ‘I'd be happy to do it again whenever you like.'

‘Yes,' Peggy agreed, stroking her friend's arm. ‘I think we've all probably felt as much enjoyment as you have, being able to do this for you.'

Peggy watched Helen and Babs go into the kitchen and then stepped into Tony's arms. ‘I'm so happy this worked,' she said. ‘I don't think I'll ever meet anyone as kind as you.'

‘Nonsense,' he said kissing her. ‘It was your idea, don't forget.'

It was and she was glad it had occurred to her. ‘I think this will make all the difference to Helen. At least she now knows she can go outside, if only occasionally.'

* * *

The following morning when Peggy entered the kitchen Helen was already there, cutting up a slice of toast for Bobby and chattering to him. It cheered Peggy to hear her friend sounding much happier than she had in months.

‘Good morning,' Peggy said. ‘How are you today?'

Helen smiled and Peggy noticed how bright her eyes looked, the dark circles less obvious.

‘I slept more soundly than I've done since before the invasion. It must have been all that fresh air.'

‘And exercise,' Babs said, bringing a pot of tea over to the table. ‘It was fun to be out together, wasn't it?'

‘It was. I really can't thank you all enough.'

Ida walked in from the scullery drying her hands on her pinny. ‘I think we're all more cheerful this morning. It was a good idea of yours, Peggy. Well done, love.'

‘Thanks, Mum.'

They ate their breakfast of toast and a scraping of margarine, each lost in her own thoughts.

‘I know you'll probably think me silly,' Helen said eventually. ‘But I wish he could have a run around somewhere.' She sighed deeply. ‘Don't get me wrong, I'm aware there's no way that could possibly happen.'

Peggy looked at the little boy. She realised her friend hadn't used his name so he wasn't aware they were talking about him. ‘I must admit I'd love to see that, too.'

‘Is there no way?' Babs gave Peggy a questioning look before turning to her mother.

‘Don't look at me,' Ida said. ‘Your sister's the clever one when it comes to making plans.'

Peggy didn't want to give Helen false hope after such a successful outing. ‘I don't see how that can happen when we're not supposed to have a child in the house. We don't want nosy neighbours reporting us.'

‘Yes, I've heard of some people grassing on people they know, to pay them back for silly grievances.' Babs scowled in disgust. ‘We already have those neighbours at number 2 and they'd be delighted to catch us out.' She rolled her eyes. ‘It is a shame, though.'

‘It is,' Helen agreed. ‘I shouldn't have said anything.' Her muscles still ached after walking so far, and that made her think about how Bobby was missing out on valuable exercise while his body was growing. She didn't know what she could do about it. She just hoped that it wouldn't have a lasting effect on her little boy.