The Woolworths Girls Read online

  ‘Alan?’

  ‘I was worried about you, Sarah. You were so distressed. Miss Billington saw me and said I was to come and speak to you.’

  Sarah smiled to herself. Was her boss pushing her and Alan together? ‘I was just a little upset, Alan. Miss Billington allowed me to sit in her office for a while. Don’t stand there in the passage. Come in.’

  Alan looked uncomfortable. Miss Billington’s office was not somewhere he frequented often. Staff meetings and requests for days off came to mind. ‘Look, Sarah, about Sunday. I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell you about the flying and everything. I just didn’t think straight.’

  Sarah watched Alan. He looked so upset. She felt her love for him surge in her heart. ‘I’m sorry too, Alan. I shouldn’t have run off like that. You must have been so worried. It’s just that it got too much for me.’

  Alan took her by the hand. ‘Will you ever forgive me?’

  ‘Oh, Alan, I should be the one asking for forgiveness. I’m such an idiot. If you have a dangerous hobby, I shouldn’t complain. After all, you did it long before you knew me.’

  ‘Sarah, it’s much more than that. I’ve been trying to tell you that if there’s a war, and it’s more than likely going to happen, then I will sign up. Can you see that it’s something I’ve got to do?’

  ‘But, Alan, there’ll be plenty of people to fly planes and join the RAF. You have a good job here. Why change things?’

  Alan led Sarah to a chair and knelt in front of her as she sat down. He took both of her hands in his. ‘Do you think I really want to fight the enemy and possibly kill other chaps who are no older than me and also have sweethearts waiting for them at home? I’d rather stay here and see you every day and go to the pictures and have a laugh at work. But would you want your boyfriend to be a coward?’

  Sarah snatched her hands away. ‘No one could ever call you a coward, Alan. You’re a decent person. I wouldn’t be seen with a coward.’

  Alan sighed. ‘That’s why I need to sign up. Hopefully these politicians will sort something out and we won’t go to war, but if we do, I need to do my bit. Don’t think I’m not afraid, Sarah. I’m as worried as you are. I want to live to see my children grow up and to watch my grandchildren . . . our grandchildren live in a happy world free of bullies like that Hitler.’

  Sarah stroked his cheek tenderly. ‘Oh, Alan, I want that as well, but I just can’t bear to lose you.’

  ‘Could you bear it if I was branded a coward? Because that’s what will happen if I don’t play my part. Years ago the families of cowards were given white feathers. Do you want that to happen to our families?’

  ‘No, of course I don’t,’ Sarah sighed. She knew then she had to give in. This was one battle she wouldn’t win. She loved Alan for his principles and determination, even if it did mean she may lose him. She held back that fear. Perhaps it would never happen. ‘Alan, go with my blessing, but promise me you’ll never do anything to endanger your life, and as soon as you can, you must come back to me.’

  ‘I’ll do my best, my love. The RAF may not even want me. I’ve only just completed the application form. The chaps at Gravesend will put a good word in for me, but chances are they won’t want a shop boy from Erith flying their planes. They usually have a load of toffs do those jobs. I may not be good enough.’

  Sarah was indignant. ‘Now, none of that talk, Alan Gilbert. I’m sure you are the best at flying planes that there is. They’d be lucky to have you. You go tell them I said so.’ She then went quiet for a moment, before adding, ‘But like I said, you stay safe and come home to me as soon as you can.’

  Alan pulled Sarah into his arms. ‘I promise you I will, my love. Nothing will keep us apart for a moment longer than necessary.’ Alan silenced Sarah’s next words as his lips claimed hers.

  The door opened quietly and Betty Billington entered the room with a tray holding two cups of tea and a plate of biscuits. She smiled. It was good to see that Sarah had made things up with Alan. There were bound to be dangerous times ahead. With all her heart she hoped this couple would make it through and she’d be there to see them celebrate a happy future together.

  She cleared her throat. ‘Drink this up, the pair of you, and then get back on the shop floor. Mr Benfield will be wondering where all his staff have disappeared to. I’ll take my tea in the staffroom. There may at least be a chance I get to drink it.’

  ‘Where the ’eck have you been?’ Maisie peered at Sarah. ‘You may be smiling, but yer eyes are puffy. Something’s happened. You’ve been really strange the last couple of days. What’s up?’

  ‘Sshh! I’m sure Sarah will tell us when we have a break,’ Freda said as she pushed Maisie back behind her counter. ‘We’ll be for it if we’re caught off duty.’ She could tell from Sarah’s happy face that whatever had been troubling her friend had been resolved. She’d abided by Ruby’s request not to speak to Sarah when she’d come home in tears at the weekend, and now she too wanted to know. However, the shop floor of Woolworths was not the right place. Not when there were so many customers about and they were already behind with their duties due to the regular Tuesday-morning fire practice.

  ‘Well, roll on dinner time, ’cos me tummy’s rumbling and I won’t do an ounce of work until I know what’s going on,’ Maisie muttered as she picked up a feather duster and half-heartedly flicked it across a row of brown earthenware teapots.

  Sarah returned to her counter and turned her attention to the customers who were waiting patiently to be served. She’d not long been working on the stationery counter and was enjoying being in charge of keeping the stock tidy and helping customers with their numerous enquiries. She could see Maisie across the aisle making pretty displays with cups and saucers, and knew that Freda was only yards away working hard on her counter.

  ‘What the ’eck is that?’ Maisie asked, rubbing her head as a bell started to ring long and loud from the other end of the store. ‘I was under the counter fetching some bags and banged me blooming ’ead with fright.’

  ‘It’s the fire bell,’ Sarah said as she counted change into a customer’s hand and thanked her.

  ‘I can’t smell smoke. Why would anyone be ringing it now?’

  Freda dashed up and took Sarah by the hand. ‘You’ve got to come now. It’s Alan.’

  Both the girls followed Freda to the centre of the store, where Alan was standing on a chair, ringing the fire bell as if his life depended on it.

  ‘Gawd, whatever is he up to?’ Maisie puffed as she pushed Sarah past customers who had stopped to stare. A few ladies had rushed to the front doors alarmed at the prospect of a fire. Mr Benfield was holding the door open and trying to explain that to his knowledge there was nothing untoward happening in his store. He was not having much luck.

  Sarah wriggled past the last of the shoppers and headed to where Alan had stepped from the chair onto a counter piled high with saucepans. ‘Alan,’ she hissed as she tugged at the hem of his brown warehouse coat. There was no point in shouting, as he wouldn’t have heard her above the din of the bell. ‘Alan, whatever are you doing?’

  Alan stopped swinging the bell as he saw Sarah. He jumped to the floor, leaving the handbell behind. Sarah’s ears were still ringing. ‘Sarah, my love, sit down.’ He pushed her towards the chair he’d used to climb onto the counter, first wiping the seat clean with his sleeve.

  ‘For heaven’s sake, Alan, what are you doing?’ Sarah felt her cheeks burning as dozens of customers stood in a semicircle watching with puzzled looks on their faces. Colleagues had left their counters to see what the fuss was about. Sarah could just see Alan’s mother, Maureen, on the edge of the crowd. She must have come down from the staff canteen to see what was causing the noise. Sarah couldn’t understand why she had a smile on her face. Surely Mr Benfield would sack Alan for causing such a disturbance?

  ‘Look, Alan, I think we ought to get back to work, don’t you?’

  ‘Stay right there, Sarah.’

  To Sarah’s
utmost embarrassment, Alan went down on one knee in front of her. All around her she could hear people sighing. Sarah just wanted to dig a big hole and hide in it. Whatever would Mr Benfield say about this?

  Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small, square box. Taking a ring from the box, he held it out to her. ‘Miss Sarah Caselton, will you do me the honour of taking my hand in marriage? I may not have much to offer you, but I swear to love you my whole life through and never give you cause to question me.’

  ‘I’d be worried already if a man surprised me in Woolies like that,’ someone shouted from the back of the crowd.

  ‘Ignore them – say yes,’ Maisie urged from nearby.

  ‘Yes, yes, yes!’ Freda exclaimed.

  Sarah closed her eyes. Was this really happening? It had been a strange day and she hadn’t slept properly since the weekend. Perhaps it was a dream? She opened her eyes. Alan was still there, waiting for an answer. It wasn’t a dream after all.

  ‘Oh, Alan, of course I’ll marry you.’

  As the crowd cheered, Alan took Sarah in his arms and swung her round before kissing her tenderly. A cough from Mr Benfield made the happy couple step apart.

  ‘Sorry, Mr Benfield. I don’t know what came over me. I knew that if I didn’t propose to Sarah there and then, I’d lose the confidence to ask her.’

  ‘Don’t you be so sure, Alan. Her friends would have encouraged you,’ Maisie called out to much laughter from the customers.

  Mr Benfield stepped to the front of the cheering crowd. ‘Well, well. I’m not sure quite what the protocol is when a man proposes to his young lady in an F. W. Woolworth store. However, being a forward-thinking company, I’m sure I can speak for the owners when I wish our employees the very best for the future. Also, as our saucepan counter played such a big part in this auspicious occasion, I shall make sure that the happy couple are presented with a full set with the compliments of their employers.’

  ‘Blimey,’ Maisie called out. ‘It’s a shame Woolies doesn’t have a diamond counter!’

  11

  ‘Happy, darling?’

  Sarah snuggled up to Alan as he put his arm around her. Even though it was only mid-afternoon, the sun was hiding behind a few grey clouds and there was a chill in the air as they left Woolworths and headed towards Alexandra Road. ‘I couldn’t be happier if I tried. I want to pinch myself to check I’m not dreaming.’

  ‘If you’re dreaming, then so am I. I must say it was pretty good of old Benfield to let us off work this afternoon, don’t you think?’

  ‘He’s a sweetheart. How many other bosses would put up with what happened in the store today, then give us both the rest of the afternoon off?’

  ‘Don’t forget the set of saucepans.’

  Sarah giggled. ‘I’ll never forget the saucepans. It’s been an unusual day.’

  ‘I should hope so. How often does a man propose to his girl?’

  ‘I didn’t mean that, silly. I was thinking about Miss Billington. It’s her we have to thank for bringing us together. Did you know that she was almost married but her intended was killed in the war? She told me that she would never marry another man and would always respect his memory. That is true love . . . Would you?’

  ‘Would I what? Marry Bossy Billington?’

  ‘No, marry someone else if anything happened to me.’

  ‘But we’re not married yet, you silly thing. Speaking of which, when do you want to get married?’

  Sarah stopped and turned to Alan. ‘Do you know what I’d really like?’

  ‘Another kiss?’ Alan said, pulling her into his arms.

  Sarah pushed him away but held on to his hand. ‘Not here in the street. People will talk. I meant when I’d like to get married.’

  ‘Tomorrow wouldn’t be soon enough for me,’ Alan said as he steered her across the busy road towards number thirteen.

  ‘Me neither,’ Sarah sighed as they reached the gate, ‘but we have to be practical. Weddings need to be planned. What I’d really love is to be married on my twenty-first birthday.’

  Alan frowned. ‘I don’t believe I’ve ever asked you when your birthday is. I hope it’s soon.’

  ‘It’s 3 September and she will be twenty-one, so until then you’d best not make any plans until you’ve spoken to her father, young man.’

  Sarah was startled and turned to see Ruby on her knees scrubbing the doorstep. ‘I didn’t see you down there, Nan. Do you want a hand?’

  Ruby rose to her feet, holding on to the wide concrete ledge of the bay window for support. ‘I’m all done. I think the pair of you have someone else you should be speaking to. Don’t you?’

  ‘Nan?’

  ‘Your dad’s indoors. Don’t forget there are ways of doing things, Alan. I gather from what I overheard that the two of you are making plans. I’m pleased for you both, but you should have spoken to Sarah’s dad first. You’d best do it now before he hears it from someone else in the street. They’ve only got to look at the pair of you to guess what’s happening. Now, you get yourself in there and ask for Sarah’s hand, and when I’ve shaken this doormat out, I’ll go fetch the sherry.’

  Alan turned pale but headed for the front door. Sarah went to follow.

  ‘You stay here, my girl. That talk is for men only. You can help me wipe down the window ledge. I curse those pigeons. Why men want to keep them in the backyard I’ll never know. It just makes more work for us women.’

  George puffed on his pipe thoughtfully. ‘You’ve placed me in a bit of a quandary, Alan.’

  Alan ran his finger round his collar. He felt as though he was being choked, and the room felt extremely warm for March. ‘I’m sorry, sir. I love Sarah and I wouldn’t do a thing to harm her.’

  ‘I’m sure you wouldn’t, son, but we have another problem.’

  ‘Sir?’

  George tapped his pipe into the ashtray on the arm of his chair. ‘Sarah’s mother is the problem.’

  Alan frowned. ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘It may be customary for the man to ask his girlfriend’s father for her hand in marriage, but in reality it is the mother who has the final say. Mrs Caselton, as you know, is in Devon. She would be most hurt to know that such an important decision in her only child’s life was being discussed without her.’ George knew his life would be unbearable if Irene was not in control of the situation.

  Alan breathed a sigh of relief. At least George had not sent him packing with a flea in his ear. He’d heard talk of Sarah’s mother always wanting the best for her family. Would she want him, a shop boy from Erith, as a son-in-law?

  George cleared his throat. ‘I think it’s time to call Sarah and her nan in. They’ve been polishing that window for the past ten minutes. If it’s not clean by now, it’ll never be,’ he smiled as he beckoned to Ruby through the heavy net curtain.

  Ruby stuck her head round the front parlour door. ‘Do I fetch the sherry?’

  ‘In a minute, Mum. Come in and sit yourself down. You too, Sarah.’

  Sarah walked in behind Ruby. She glanced from Alan to her dad, but wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. What had been said to make Dad look so serious? She sat on the edge of the sofa next to Alan. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. Ruby took one of the hard upright chairs and fiddled with the polishing cloth she still held in her hand. She had a feeling she knew what George was about to say.

  George looked at Alan and how tenderly he held Sarah’s hand. He knew that this man would care for his daughter long after he and his wife weren’t around.

  Ruby nodded, encouraging George to speak. ‘Come on, son, spit it out.’

  ‘I’m pleased, very pleased that Alan feels he wants to marry our Sarah.’

  ‘Oh, Dad, don’t make it sound like you never thought I’d have a husband,’ Sarah exclaimed.

  Alan shushed Sarah. ‘Let your dad speak, love.’

  ‘As I was saying, I’m pleased that Alan wants to marry Sarah. I’m grateful that he came to ask for her ha
nd in marriage. There’s nothing wrong in doing things the right way. However, we have to consider your mother, Sarah.’ He held up his hand for silence as Sarah tried to interrupt him. ‘Sarah, one day you will be a mother. How would you feel if your own daughter became engaged to be married and you were hundreds of miles away and couldn’t contribute to the discussion? So, I’ve made a decision.’

  Sarah chewed her lip and waited for George to have his say. Please don’t let him say no.

  ‘I’ve decided that we should keep your engagement a secret until you have visited your mother and made your request to us both. Do you think you can manage that? I’d hate your mother to feel left out.’

  ‘That seems fair to me,’ Ruby nodded. ‘You don’t want to leave your mum out of things, do you? Why not go down on Sunday, see your mum for a few hours and get back here in the evening? We can have a little party here next week and tell your friends at the same time.’

  Sarah and Alan looked at each other. ‘That does sound like a good idea, Mrs Caselton, but there’s one problem,’ Alan said.

  Sarah continued. ‘It’s just that when Alan proposed to me, a few people overheard. So it’s not quite our little secret.’

  ‘I’m sure a few people won’t make any difference to your mum knowing. After all, you do have friends in Erith,’ George said.

  Ruby frowned as she looked at Alan and Sarah’s serious faces. ‘How many people, exactly?’

  Sarah looked down in embarrassment. ‘All the staff in Woolies and the customers. Alan stood on the saucepan counter and did it.’

  George and Ruby burst out laughing.

  ‘Oh my, I’ve never heard anything like it,’ Ruby gasped as she wiped her eyes on the cloth she’d been using to clean the window ledge, leaving a large black smudge on her cheek.

  ‘Oh, Nan, you look as though someone’s given you a right old shiner.’