‘If it’s labelled sensitive,’ Claire said, ‘it’s important war work.’
‘I suppose.’ Ena shrugged, smiling. ‘But we’re not at work now. It’s Christmas!’ she shouted. ‘Come on, let’s go down, it’s cold up here.’
‘Friends?’ Claire said, holding out her hand.
‘Friends,’ Ena said. Taking Claire’s hand, Ena let her older sister lead her from the bedroom.
Christmas morning after church, Claire, Ena and their mother and father walked up to Foxden Hall. The Dudley women went to the kitchen to help Mrs Hartley, Foxden’s house keeper and cook, to prepare Christmas lunch for the land girls and evacuated children.
An hour later Mrs Hartley and Claire’s mother carried two large chickens into the main hall – and Claire and Ena brought in the vegetables. After lunch the little girls played with dolls that Father Christmas had brought them and the boys, wrapped up in winter coats, hats and gloves, went outside to build a snowman.
Not long after they had gone, they came crashing back through the front door. An Army lorry had ditched at the bottom of Shaft Hill on the Lowarth to Woodcote Road.
Bess and one of the land girls dashed off on foot, while Claire’s father and Mr Porter, who was Foxden’s estate manager before the war, followed on a tractor. Claire and Ena cleared the tables while their mother boiled water to make tea and Mrs Hartley began buttering bread for sandwiches.
The soldiers arrived as Mrs Hartley and Claire’s mother were laying the table with chicken and ham sandwiches, fruitcake and Christmas puddings. Ena and Claire brought in pots of tea, cups and saucers, and giggled when the soldiers flirted with them.
While the soldiers ate their meal the children sang a selection of Christmas carols, recited poems and nursery rhymes, and danced jigs. The entertainment ended with everyone on their feet singing “Give A Little Whistle”, followed by “Hands, Knees and Boomps-a-Daisy”. The soldiers, clapping their hands when they should have been slapping their knees, made the children laugh. Coincidentally they conquered the moves at exactly the same time and everyone cheered. Then, after taking theatrical bows, all but one of the soldiers returned to their seats.
The sergeant stood at the top of the table and looked around the room until there was hush. ‘On behalf of myself and the lads, I would like to thank you all. It’s been a long time since any of us have sat down with friends to eat. And, because we’re going overseas in the New Year, it may be a long time until we do it again. I think I speak for every soldier here when I say we will never forget what you did for us today. The next time we sit down with friends, wherever it is and whenever it is, we will remember today and every one of you.’ He looked at his fellow soldiers. ‘Look sharp, lads, it’s time we were on our way.’
The soldiers pushed back their chairs and stood to attention. As they made their way to the door they shook the hands of the children nearest to them and saluted those who were too far away. At the door they turned as one and saluted Bess and the women of the land army, who were gathered around the piano.
‘Time we made a move too,’ Claire’s father said when the soldiers had gone.
The Dudley family – except Bess, who lived at Foxden Hall – said goodbye and put on their coats. The walk home was pleasant. Claire and Ena, arm in arm, followed their parents along the lane leaving their footprints in the newly laid snow.
The following morning Claire was packing when Bess arrived. ‘Knock, knock,’ she said, opening the bedroom door. ‘I’ve come to take you to the station.’ Claire spun round in surprise. ‘What time’s your train?’
‘Twelve o’clock, I think. The man in the Enquiries Office couldn’t say for sure, with it being Boxing Day. He said they were expecting troop trains, so at least the trains are running.’
‘Good.’ Bess looked at her watch. ‘We’ve got plenty of time then.’
‘But I’ve booked Mr Crane’s taxi to take me to the station.’
‘I telephoned from the Hall and cancelled it. I think he was pleased not to have to turn out in this weather. Besides, I want to pay you back for helping yesterday. One good turn deserves another. And I want to take you. We can have a chin-wag on the way and you can tell me all about this trainer chap you’re sweet on. I’ll take your case down, shall I?’ Bess left the room without waiting for a reply.
Ena must have told Bess about Mitch. What made her think she was sweet on him, Claire wondered? By the time Claire arrived downstairs Bess had stowed her suitcase in the boot of Lady Foxden’s Rover and Ena and her parents were waiting by the front door. ‘Your coat,’ her father said, taking it from the hook in the hall and helping Claire into it. ‘Let me take your bag for you. Goodness, it’s heavy,’ he said. ‘What have you got in here, Lady Foxden’s jewels?’
‘Only books, I’m afraid.’
‘You’re as bad as our Bess with your books.’ He put Claire’s satchel on the back seat of the car. ‘Come home and see us soon, love,’ her father said, opening the passenger door.
‘I will.’ Putting her arms round her father, Claire held him tightly and kissed his cheek. Then she kissed her mother, promising to write soon, and hugged her younger sister. ‘Keep up the “sensitive” work,’ she whispered. ‘I’m proud of you, our Ena.’
‘Be careful,’ Ena said.
Claire winked. ‘I always am,’ she said, dropping onto the passenger seat. Bess put the car into gear and drove into the lane. Claire waved out of the window until they turned onto the main Lowarth road.
It started to
