‘Gotta go down ‘n’ see how Fran’s coping with the boys,’ Tilly brusquely interrupted. ‘Reckon her wound needs stitches but doctors ask questions. See to Lucy for me if she wakes before you leave. I’ll see you later.’
* * *
‘I hoped you wouldn’t go without saying goodbye.’
‘Nah … wouldn’t do that,’ Geoff said and smiled at her through the iron railings. ‘Got time for a little walk?’
Alice nodded vigorously. It was her dinnertime at the factory and she’d hoped and prayed that he’d be there as she emerged into autumn sunlight. Throughout the morning she’d worked like an automaton, shutting dreadful memories from her mind. She’d concentrated solely on whether she’d get a chance to see Geoff before he went away. She desperately wanted to see him and try to make him change his mind about going off to fight. As they started to walk along, Alice slipped her hand through the crook of his arm. Geoff glanced down then placed his fingers over hers.
Last night Geoff hadn’t taken much notice of his injuries. He’d let Alice bathe away the blood and cover the wounds in clean rag. He’d taken up the offer of one of her dad’s shirts too. He couldn’t go home wearing his own and risk inevitable questions so he’d left it, torn and bloodstained, on the floor.
‘Are your cuts hurting?’ she asked in quiet concern. She had felt him wince just now as she touched him. ‘Are they worse than we thought?’
‘Nah … just scratches. Sting more’n anything.’
‘I don’t want you to go … you don’t have to go,’ Alice burst out with quiet passion.
‘I do … you know I do, Al.’ Geoff blinked to clear the moisture that had sprung to his eyes. ‘I can’t get locked up … or worse. I could swing for it if a jury saw it different to how it was.’ He sniffed. ‘I’d sooner take me chances in France, and if it’s me turn to die …’ He smiled down at her. ‘At least it’d be for something worthwhile. At least me mum could feel proud instead of ashamed. Jimmy Wild ain’t worth dying for.’
‘Has your mum gone mad over you leaving?’ Alice croaked through a throat that felt blocked with tears.
‘Just a bit,’ he said ruefully. It was his way of letting Alice know there’d been ructions in the Lovat household. His expression grew sober. ‘They know I mean it. That’s all I want them to know.’ He slanted a glance down at Alice.
She nodded her understanding of what he’d left unspoken whilst the heel of a hand smeared over her wet cheeks. ‘We all agreed, only us lot that was there will ever know what went on.’ She paused before gulping out, ‘Jeannie’s done it somehow.’
‘Yeah, I know. I was up watching for ’em. Looked like professionals. Knew what they was doing alright. In ‘n’ out real quick ‘n’ quiet. Used a handcart.’
Alice felt sick at knowing it, and immensely relieved. ‘I’ll do what I can for your family, promise,’ she choked out through the painful lump in her throat. ‘There’s vacancies in Turner’s. I’ll ask the supervisor if you like; put in a word about your dad getting a job. You can earn well on nights.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Me mum’ll do what she can for Margaret too, I know it.’
They passed an alley and Alice’s step faltered. She tugged Geoff towards it and down the narrow path then looked up at him earnestly. ‘Got so much I want to say to you,’ she gasped out. ‘Don’t know how. Don’t know how to say thanks or sorry or anything. I know I’ve not always been fair to you.’ A rosy bloom warmed her cheeks. ‘We could’ve been proper sweethearts sooner. I know that’s what you wanted and it’s not too late.’
‘Thanks for the offer.’ Geoff raised a hand to her face and cupped it tenderly. ‘But I got a train to catch. Ain’t got time for no canoodling with you, Alice Keiver.’
She flung herself at him, hugging him fiercely about the neck.
‘Ain’t risking getting you in the family way, much as I’d like to take you up on it,’ he whispered against her soft hair. ‘I ain’t me brother, remember it. I love you and when I come back for you it’ll be with a wedding ring.’
Alice plunged her mouth against his, trying to show him how much he meant to her and with sweet restraint he kissed her back.
‘Make it up to you when you come back on leave, I will,’ she said with a watery smile.
‘I’m gonna keep you to that … so do you want to change yer mind?’ Geoff asked hoarsely whilst a finger trembled, outlining her lips.
Their eyes locked and Alice felt a thrill ripple through her. She shook her head and went on tiptoe so their faces were close.
‘Love you, I do,’ she whispered, then plunged her mouth firmly on his. ‘You’re the best friend I ever had,’ she murmured against his cheek when their mouths had parted.
Geoff gazed deep into her eyes and a tinge of sadness was in his voice as he croaked, ‘Yeah … I know …’
‘Just come by to see how you’re doing.’
Tilly had cautiously opened the door a fraction, peeped around it, then let Jeannie in.
‘You look better than expected, all things considered,’ was Jeannie’s verdict once she’d given Tilly the once-over.
Tilly grunted a humourless laugh and instinctively probed at her tender cheek with her finger. ‘Just brewed. Want one?’
Jeannie nodded and took the tea. ‘People are gonna be asking why you’re in the state you are. Best give ’em an answer rather than let them find their own.’
It was sensible advice. Tilly knew that she and Fran couldn’t hide indoors for many weeks till their faces healed.
‘It’s well-known round here that I done a runner a while back. Well-known too that you was well ‘n’ truly narked about it. Good enough reason for a fight between us, I reckon.’
Tilly chuckled faintly. ‘So how come you got off so light? I’m known as a bruiser and you ain’t got a mark on you.’
‘Caught you at a bad time, didn’t I?’ Jeannie replied. ‘On an evening when you was legless.’
Tilly’s smile faded and she looked away. She knew if she hadn’t been drunk when Jimmy turned up things might have turned out differently. She’d not been able to think straight or defend herself when he’d crept up to her door. Yet Jimmy was dead now and she couldn’t but be thankful for that. ‘I was pissed alright, so we’re halfway there.’
‘When I go I’ll call you a few choice names and make it seem we’re still at loggerheads. A bit of pushing ‘n’ shoving outside might be useful. Old Beattie’s on watch, so let’s give her something to look at. Your sister will need her own story. How’s she look?’ Jeannie tacked on the end.
‘Bad; nose is broke and her belly needs to be stitched. She won’t go to hospital. Best not to anyhow. Doctors’ll be suspicious.’
‘I
