Chapter 5

 

The longcase clock standing against the wall at the bottom of the stairs in the dark hallway struck twelve thirty with a single tuneless dong as Suzie opened the front door. The light from the moon creeping from behind the clouds illuminated the man standing there. Moments later the clock on the parlour mantel piece struck twelve thirty with a delicate ding making him look round. “Shush,” she whispered, putting a finger over Dave's lips as he was about to speak, “You’re deep voice you’ll wake mum. You know she sleeps light…. In here,” and she pulled him through the door shutting it silently and into the front room. Then moved into the bay window to draw the curtains.

“Leave them. The moonlight’s nice.” said Dave.

The stones had gently rattled on her bedroom window. She had not been asleep. Dave was expected. She knew who he was meeting and when he had left her last night he had said, “I’ll be round late tomorrow. You OK with that?” and she had said there was no problem and that was the truth. There was something about this big American that made her just want to keep seeing him. He was tough, she had no doubts about that. His deep voice had a rough edge that some found disconcerting. But she had seen his other side. A soft side with a surprising amount of affection. A gentle touch with a change of voice, mellowing into a slow tender almost murmur.

She pulled him to her and stood on tip-toes with her cream frilly dressing gown open revealing a low-cut blue petticoat she used as night clothes. Taking his head in her hands she kissed him passionately on the lips. “How’d it go?” she said.

“Fine. Four big fellas with no nonsense attitudes but they were no problem.”

Fidgeting with the belt on her dressing gown and looking up into his face, she said, “You sure it’s OK? I worry about you.”

“Like I said, no problems. We can handle them alright,” but the smile he gave her told a different story. It was one of those weak smiles. Those smiles that said all was alright when it wasn’t. The sort of smile that would fool most people but not her with her intimate intuition. But she let it go. There was no point questioning further. She knew the answer would be the same.

She let go of the belt and taking his hand she drew him with her to sit on the wide sofa. The moonlight was shining through the front window lighting the room with a silvery glow. Bouncing off the glass fronted cabinet next to the fireplace. “What about Frank and that Lucy he’s seeing?”

He felt her hand trembling a bit and could feel a tenseness that was unfamiliar. “She was with another guy and that got Frank all riled up but I managed to calm him down. For now at least. One time soon though I’d not want to be in that fella’s shoes for sure. Frank had a real mean look. That sort of look that hangs about. And it’ll hang about as long as it takes and that won’t be long if I know anything about Frank.” 

Suzie was stroking his hand. She had her head down and was very quiet. Letting go of his hand she started to fiddle with the dressing gown cord again. Twisting it around her fingers and then unwinding it. It was obvious something was bothering her. Her long blond hair was hanging down and she flicked it away from her face as he lifted her chin so she had to look into his eyes, “What’s wrong,” he said softly with amazing tenderness.

There was a long pause. “It’s the war,” she said, “It’s going to ruin everything.”

“It won’t last forever though, will it? Then we’ll be able to settle down and….”

“But you’ll be going soon. To fight and I’ll be on my own.”

“Not for long then I’ll be back. Once we're over there we’ll quickly get 'em on the run so it won’t be too long for sure.”

“What if you don’t come back though?” and there were tears in her eyes which she wiped away with the back of her hand. “And what about all your dealings? What if you get caught? or worse those London fellas catch up with you. What then?”

“That won’t happen. There’s this last load then that’s it. We’re packing it up. Frank and me have agreed. You don’t need to worry about that ‘cause we’ve got it all covered. We’ll stay on the base until we ship out so they won’t be able to get to us.” 

“Then I won’t see you, will I?” and she looked at him with those tear filled eyes.

“But I’ll be shipping out anyway. Anytime soon. So there’s not a lot of difference, is there? It'll all be swell. You’ll see. Everything will work out just fine.”

“I hope so. I really do hope so. It’s got to work out now. You know why?” And she looked at him with a worried face and tears on her cheeks.

“Sure so we can be together.”

“That’s right. So the three of us can be together.” She was still looking at him but the tears had stopped and she was smiling. 

She saw his face change. His concerned look faded into a wide smile, “you mean…..?”

“Yes Dave,” she said, “You’re going to be a father.” she took hold of his hand and squeezed it hard then kissed him hard, “A father Dave. Seven months is not long to wait.”

She had never seen anyone so excited. Dave started rambling telling her all the things he would do with their son. “It’s gonna be a boy for sure,” he said.

“And if it’s not?” she said laughing.

“Don’t matter. She’ll come to the beach just the same and we’ll fish for flatties and we’ll chat and I’ll tell her things while we wait for the fish and she’ll look real cute with blond hair just like yours and all snapped up in a pink dress with white frills. This is just the best.” And he grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her to him and hugged her real tight, “You’re just the best,” he said again.

She kissed him on the lips and said, “You’re just the best as well Dave.” Then kissed him some more and her dressing gown fell wide open as she pulled him down on top of her, “Just the best,” she said again undoing his shirt buttons and pushing her hand inside against his warm skin pushing his shirt apart. Her voice dropping a couple of octaves and going all husky.

The light was starting to creep over the rooftops as they stirred. Suzie was laying alongside Dave with one arm around his shoulder the other with her hand on his shirt front resting on his chest. He was playing with her hair, twiddling it around his fingers and kind of staring into nothing. Then stroking her shoulder. Then fiddling with her dressing gown cord. Still just staring at nothing in particular. 

She said, “What time is it? The mantel clock’s stopped.”

Dave replied, “I don’t know. I’ve lost my watch. The strap must’ve broke or something.”

“What that nice one you had that’s engraved?”

“Yeah that’s it, the Rolex my mum gave me. For good luck she said. It was engraved cause they kept getting stole and she said if anything happened they’d know who I was. It don’t matter. I’ll soon enough get another.” He went quiet and was thinking. 

Eventually he said, “it’s your birthday Saturday.  Saturday 22nd April 1944. That’s right, isn’t it?”

“That’s it alright and I’ll be twenty one. Why?”

“I want to give you something special. Being twenty one and all.”

“What’ve you got that’s so special?” she said with a little titter.

“Me. I’m gonna give you me. Saturday we’re gonna get married. I’ll ask your mum if it’s OK. But you’ll be twenty one so you can make your own mind up if you have to. What d’you say?”

She sat up and looked at him, “You mean it Dave? And not just because of….well you know.”

“Sure I mean it and because I love you. Like I said you’re the best thing that’s happened to me. Ever. The baby - that’s a bonus and a real nice bonus at that.”

Then the door burst open and Suzie’s mum came in dressed in a floral dress with an apron tied tight and her hair up in a bun. She said, “So this is how you spent your time, is it?” then laughed, “Now’s as good a time as any to ask me. What’s it to be? Are you going to ask and make an honest woman of my daughter?”

Dave said, “Have you been lurking there long?”

“As long as I needed to hear you say the words.”

“So mum,” said Dave, “What do you think?”

“I think you’ll make an alright sort of son-in-law, that’s what I think and I’m real happy for you both.”

The glow flew through the air with an arching flight to land on the road with a few sparks then it die away. The cloud of grey white smoke swirling from the doorway drifting on the gentle breeze. The last draw from the army issued cigarette. Frank was standing back in the darkness watching the street. The moonlight casting shadows from the few trees. The road was silent. Windows were open and people were asleep. He was standing still but inside he was buzzing. Just waiting and buzzing. He pulled his jacket tight. It was starting to get chilly.

He had heard the clip-clop of heels and stomp of heavy boots echoing around the tall brick walls. Then had pulled the cigarette from his lips and flicked it away. The two shadows came around the corner. The tall lanky one walking casually by her side. They were talking, that was all. No laughter. No fooling around. Just talking. That sight made Frank huff and he clenched his fists letting his jacket flop open 

They were a few paces from him when he stepped out. “Hey Lucy,” he said with a low smooth voice, “Who’s your dopey looking friend?” That was just talk though. He already knew who he was.

“Frank….it don’t mean anything.” Lucy said with a sudden fright in her eyes. She stopped and stood in front of him standing between him and the man. She saw he was tense and ready. “Don’t do it Frank. Please Frank.” 

“Don’t do it, don’t do it. If it don’t mean nothing why’s he here with you?....You seemed real pally earlier. Swinging in the dance hall. Showing all you've got.”

“Just been dancing is all,” Lucy said, “and now he’s seeing me home. Aren't you Benny?” She stepped closer to Frank reaching out an arm trying to touch him. Shaking her head. Trying to say something more that would not come out. Then weakly said in an almost whisper, “No Frank. Don’t….”

But Frank was pushing past her and he grabbed Benny by the front of his uniform jacket, twisting it a bit to tighten it up around his neck. “What sort of name is that then? Benny’s a tough guy name, Ain’t it? You ain’t no tough guy though, are you Benny?” and he slapped him. A firm back hander that made his nose bleed.

“Frank….no Frank,” pleaded Lucy, grabbing Frank by the arm and trying to pull him away. “Listen to me Frank. Please just listen to me,” and Frank stopped and turned and looked at her. She had hold of him frantically pulling him by his jacket sleeve. “He’s nothing to me. You’re who I want. I realised that when I saw you earlier. I saw you looking. Saw that look on your face. I made a mistake. That’s all. I’ve told him….haven’t I Benny?” and she looked at Benny. Then at Frank. Her face all stressed and worried. “I’ve already told him. He’s just walking me home. That’s all ‘cause I’ve already told him.”

Benny said, “What Lucy says is right Frank. She told me right after you left the dance. You can slap me about. I sure deserve it. But it won't change nothing. She’s your girl Frank.”

Frank raised his fist aiming a punch at Benny’s face….but then just pushed him away, “You ain’t worth it anyway. Get outta here and don’t pester her no more….You hear that? No more.” Frank shouted as Benny walked quickly back the way they had come. And a light came on in the upstairs window of a house across the street. Just visible down the side of the blackout curtain.

“Come on Frank, take me home before we wake up the whole street.” she said, taking his arm wrapping her arms around it holding him tight. Her shoulder she squeezed right up close. Snuggling in. Feeling his strength and feeling safe. And she thought that this was where she belonged alright. “I’ve missed you Frank. I want you so much tonight. You’re my man and from now on there’ll be no more trouble. I promise.” She had to know was all it was about. She had to be sure and now there was no mistake. Frank was definitely her man.