Molly Green - An Orphan’s War

Maxine laughed. ‘I don’t think it’s all people make out.’

‘Hmm … maybe not, if it’s not with the right person.’ Pearl frowned as she measured out one-and-a-half level teaspoons of tea in the pot and poured the boiling water over the leaves. She popped a tea cosy over the teapot and looked up. ‘I always thought Johnny was more a brother than a boyfriend. No one was more surprised than me when I got the invitation to say you were marrying him. Sounded like a hurried decision to me. I even wondered if you’d got a pea in the pod.’

Maxine couldn’t help laughing. Pearl always prided herself on calling a spade a spade.

‘Not then or now,’ she said. ‘I’ve little time for that, though Johnny would love it if I did. But I want to continue my training and eventually do my finals before I even think about starting a family.’

She felt Pearl give her a sharp look. ‘And how does Johnny feel about that?’

‘He’s not keen,’ Maxine admitted. ‘But I think I’ve talked him round.’

Pearl shook her head. ‘It’s impossible to talk any man round,’ she said firmly as she set out the tea tray.

‘Let me help,’ Maxine offered.

‘No, you sit there. I know what it’s like to be on your feet all day.’ Pearl brought the tray over and poured out the two cups. ‘Biscuit?’

Maxine shook her head. ‘I had an early supper in the canteen.’ She paused. ‘Anyway, enough of me. It’s you I’ve come to talk about.’

‘You got my letter?’ Pearl sucked in her breath as though bracing herself for her cousin’s answer.

‘Yes, I did. And congratulations for getting through the audition. That was marvellous news. I know it’s what you’ve always wanted, ever since you were a little girl and made us act out your stories with strange costumes and props.’

‘Being an only child, I had to make do with you as my nearest playmate.’ Pearl grinned. ‘We had fun, didn’t we?’

‘We certainly did.’ Maxine chuckled. ‘Until you moved over the other side of town. I can’t believe how the time’s gone. All those years ago. And now you’ve become a real actress. What did your parents say when you told them?’

Pearl’s face fell. ‘They’ve washed their hands of me. My father said he’s not going to come and see it. Mam didn’t exactly say that, but you know how she always does what he says.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that. But they’re a bit old-fashioned. You have to see it from their point of view.’

‘Well, I’m not letting them stop me. It’s my dream and I’m going to grab it with both hands.’

‘Have you started rehearsals yet?’

‘Next week.’ Pearl gulped her tea and set down her cup and saucer on a small table by her chair. ‘I’ve met most of the cast. They seem a nice crowd.’ She looked at Maxine. ‘I’ve had to give my notice in at Woolworth’s.’

‘What did they say?’

‘Oh, they were sorry to lose me … that sort of thing. They did give me an extra week’s wages, which I didn’t expect.’ She withdrew a packet of cigarettes from her handbag and took two out, offering one to Maxine who shook her head. Pearl lit it and inhaled deeply. ‘I hope you didn’t mind me asking, Max … about the money.’ She looked directly at Maxine.

‘No, I didn’t mind. The only problem is, I’ll need some extra money myself because I’m thinking of transferring to St Thomas’ hospital in London.’

Pearl raised her eyebrows. ‘Oh? Any particular reason?’

‘I want to specialise in heart diseases, and they’re known for it.’

Pearl narrowed her eyes. ‘The truth now.’

Maxine’s face flooded with heat.

‘You’ve been married less than a year and Johnny’s away practically all the time so you can’t feel stifled.’ She stared at Maxine. ‘Or is it Aunt Edna and Uncle Stan?’

‘Well, it’s time I broke from them,’ Maxine said, a little pink that Pearl had grasped the main reason for going. ‘After all, I am married, and if Johnny hadn’t joined up we’d have our own place by now. It doesn’t even feel as though I’m married when I’m still living at home.’

‘I can’t blame you there.’ Pearl was thoughtful for once. ‘No, of course you need your bit of cash. I’ll manage all right – something will turn up – it always does.

‘I’ve got nearly thirty pounds put by.’ Pearl’s mouth opened in amazement. Maxine looked at her cousin. She had to do a bit more to help her. ‘So I’m willing to share it with you – fifteen pounds each. Will that help?’

Pearls’s face broke into a beam. ‘That would be marvellous, Max … but are you sure?’

‘Yes, I’m sure. Far be it from me putting obstacles in the way of my cousin’s forthcoming fame.’ She smiled.

Pearl jumped from her chair and hugged Maxine. ‘You’re a real pal, besides being my favourite cousin.’

‘I believe I’m your only cousin.’ Maxine grinned, hugging her in return.

Pearl laughed. ‘You know I’ll pay you back.’

‘You don’t have to. Regard it as a present … my faith in your acting and singing abilities. Just make sure I get given a ticket to this first show. What’s it about anyway?’

‘It’s a musical called Better Days . I do a bit of singing and dancing, mainly in the chorus. Thanks so much.’ She kissed Maxine’s cheek. ‘I really mean it, Max. You’re a darling. And if I can ever return the favour … you know you’ve only got to ask.’

Maxine rushed upstairs to read Johnny’s latest letter in the privacy of her bedroom. Sometimes they were censored and someone would black out words or even whole sentences. In the last letter, he mentioned he was going abroad but couldn’t say any more, but in this one he sounded excited and told her not to worry if she didn’t hear from him for some time. Something big was on. He finished off:

But if anything should happen to me, Max darling, be happy knowing I wanted to do the right thing and fight for my country. And don’t waste a minute of your life.

All my love, and can’t wait to see you again.

Always your Johnny xxx

She looked at the date – 8th May, but the postmark was blurred. It had taken nearly three weeks to arrive. This was the first time Johnny had hinted that he might not make it. Maxine chewed her bottom lip as she carefully folded his letter and put it back into the envelope. What if he was severely injured? Needing her. She’d never forgive herself if she wasn’t there for him. Momentarily, she closed her eyes. London was out of the question.

The following day, she was in the nurses’ common room when she picked up the Daily Express one of the other nurses had tossed aside . The headlines shouted triumphantly:

TENS OF THOUSANDS SAFELY HOME ALREADY

Many more coming by day and night

SHIPS OF ALL SIZES DARE THE GERMAN GUNS

Conscious she was due back on the ward in ten minutes, she skimmed the article. Every possible vessel which sailed had been sent out to rescue the men … the British, French and Allied troops trapped on the French coast. Her heart missed a beat. She knew without a shadow of a doubt that Johnny was on the other side of the Channel – in Dunkirk. And try as she might, she couldn’t picture him stepping into one of the rescue boats. He would always see that others go before him – inherent in his medical training.

Maybe she was allowing her imagination to run wild. She turned the page, desperate to read more, but there were other stories of battles and no more mention of Dunkirk.

Maxine scanned the papers every day, obsessed with the story. It was the longest week and by the 4th June over 300,000 soldiers had been brought back to British shores. Lists of names of those rescued were published every day, but she never saw Johnny Taylor’s name amongst them. Of course she had no proof he was even at Dunkirk. But she didn’t need proof. His letters had stopped and, as far as she was concerned, that was enough. She was only thankful she’d never applied to St Thomas’. Johnny would need to know she was close by when he returned.