Chapter 72

‘Come along Mum,' Peggy called, willing Ida to hurry. Tony was waiting impatiently, eager to go and celebrate.

As soon as they were outside, she noticed a strange look on her sister's face. ‘What's the matter?'

‘Um, there's a soldier.' Babs stared at the man in front of her.

A soldier? She stepped past her sister, surprised to see a British uniform. ‘I didn't think they were disembarking until a bit later.' The man was staring at them. A lieutenant. Her heart raced.

‘I'm sorry to interrupt you, when you're probably on your way to the celebrations,' he said.

He was looking at each of them in turn, clearly searching for someone. She barely dared to believe what she was thinking.

‘I'm Lieutenant Richard Stanley.' None of them spoke, and his hopeful expression faded.

Finally, Tony reacted. ‘I'm Tony Le Gresley.' He gave a wide smile. ‘It's good to meet you finally, Richard.' He stepped forward and shook Richard's hand vigorously.

‘I have so much to thank you for, Tony,' Richard replied, one hand on Tony's shoulder. ‘So very much.'

‘You can buy me a drink to celebrate one day, if you like.'

‘I'd like that very much.'

Peggy couldn't believe it. Helen's Richard was standing in front of her. Outside their home.

Babs squealed, ‘This really is the best day.'

Peggy studied the man's weary face. ‘Bobby has your eyes,' she said almost to herself.

Realising what his presence would mean for Helen and Bobby, she turned to Tony. ‘Why don't you accompany Mum and Babs to the Royal Square. I'll find you there as soon as I can.'

Tony hesitated. ‘I'm not sure you'll be able to spot us in the crowds.'

Richard took off his cap. ‘Please, if you don't mind me going into your home, I'm happy to find Helen and Bobby myself.'

Streams of islanders passed them on both sides of the road, singing and cheering and waving the Union Jacks and Jersey flags they had kept hidden since the island was occupied.

Peggy sensed Richard's desperation to see the two people he loved. ‘Tony, take Mum and Babs. I promise I'll be a couple of minutes and will catch you up.'

They hesitated briefly and then left.

‘Come along, Richard,' she said, beyond excited to imagine how much this would mean to Helen. ‘I'll show you where to find them.' She ran back up the steps to the house. ‘This way.' She led him some way upstairs, then pointed upwards. ‘You'll find them up there in the attic.'

He glanced up, then looked at her for a moment. ‘Why are they still there?'

Peggy cleared her throat. ‘I don't think Helen believed they were truly safe just yet.'

He nodded. ‘I see.'

Not wanting to delay him a moment longer, she said, ‘I'd better catch up with the others.'

She ran out of the house trying to take in all that was happening. She almost tripped as she struggled to pass islanders making their way to the town, intoxicated with excitement.

She didn't know whether to cheer, sing or cry as she hurried to catch up with Tony and her family. She thought she spotted the top of Tony's head, then the person turned and peered back through the hordes of people and waved. It was him. Ecstatic, she shouted her apologies and pushed her way past people until she ran into his arms.

‘You found us,' he shouted, grabbing hold of her hand.

‘I told you she would,' Babs said, laughing and rolling her eyes at Peggy.

‘We should go to the harbour,' Tony insisted.

‘Why?' Ida glared at him. ‘Everyone's going to the Royal Square, or that's what I heard anyway.'

‘Which is precisely why we shouldn't waste our time,' he argued. ‘The British soldiers will be coming ashore at the harbour and if my contact there is right, then the place where we should wait to see them is the North Pier.'

‘Come along, Mum,' Peggy said. ‘It's closer to where we are anyway.' Her mother didn't argue. Peggy could tell she was already slightly weary despite her excitement.

‘Fine, we'll do that, then, but if you're wrong, Tony?—'

He pulled a face at Peggy making her laugh. ‘You'd better not be,' she teased.

They arrived and found a good place to stand just as the Tommies disembarked. An enormous cheer filled the air. Peggy didn't think she had ever cheered so loudly or with such delight. She clung to Tony's hand and waved wildly with her free one. Smiling soldiers made their way through the crowd, slowly because everyone was trying to shake their hands, thank them and welcome them to the island.

‘I can't believe it really has happened.'

‘It has, my darling. We made it.'

She saw the exhaustion in his eyes and pulled him down to kiss her. ‘I always knew we would,' she fibbed.

* * *

‘I'm going to take Mum home,' Babs said after almost an hour of excitement.

Peggy looked from her sister to her mother. ‘Mum, are you unwell?'

Ida shook her head. ‘Only footsore,' she said wincing. ‘These shoes are pinching something terrible. I'm not used to walking this far anymore.'

‘Would you like us to come with you?'

‘You two stay here and have some fun. It's been a long time coming and you have the energy to enjoy it all.'

Tony slipped his arm around Peggy's shoulders. ‘I'll look after her, Mrs Hamel.'

‘I know you will, my love.'

Peggy put her arm around Tony's waist so that she didn't lose him in the crowds. ‘I'll see you in a bit,' she shouted after them, though wasn't sure if her mother or sister heard.

His arm dropped and he took her hand in his. ‘Come with me,' he said, leading her away from the crowds.

‘Where are we going?' Peggy laughed as she ran next to him.

‘Not far. I only want to take you somewhere quieter.' He glanced down at her, a twinkle in his eyes, and she suspected he wanted to kiss her.

She stumbled but he kept her from falling. Peggy laughed at the feeling of freedom. He led her past the crowds celebrating in front of the Pomme d'Or, down Mulcaster Street and into the Town Church garden, where fewer people were congregated.

‘Here will have to do,' he said – looking a little nervous, she realised.

‘Do for what?' They were out in the open – not really a place for a passionate kiss.

He let go of her hand and pushed his fingers through his hair, then straightened his jacket. Peggy was about to ask him what he was doing when he got down on one knee.

Her hands flew to her mouth and she gasped, barely able to take in what was happening.

From one of his pockets he withdrew a ring box and, after taking a deep breath, opened it.

‘Peggy Hamel, I've loved you from the first moment I saw you. I told you when we first began courting that I wouldn't ask you to marry me until the war was over and we were liberated.' He beamed at her. ‘Which we now are.'

‘We are,' she whispered, delighted he hadn't wasted any time asking her.

He stared at her. ‘You haven't answered me,' he said.

Peggy reached out and touched his cheek lightly. ‘Because you haven't actually asked me anything yet.'

‘No?' She shook her head. ‘Peggy Hamel, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?'

‘Yes, Tony Le Gresley. I can't think of anything I'd rather do.'

He took the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger. It was a little too big, so Peggy put it onto her middle finger for the time being. ‘Just so I don't lose it,' she explained. She looked at the pretty sapphire with several small diamonds around it and didn't think she had ever seen anything quite so perfect before. ‘It's exquisite.'

‘It was my grandmother's. I hoped you'd like it.'

She pulled him to his feet and flung her arms around him, kissing him over and over. ‘It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.'