The girls were content to stay inside and play with the dolls that Father Christmas had brought them, but the boys wanted go outside. So, wrapped up warm in their winter coats, hats and gloves, the boys trundled off to build a snowman.
They hadn’t been outside long when 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 with instructions from Mrs Hartley to bring the boys back for tea, while Ena’s father and Mr Porter followed on a tractor.
By the time the soldiers arrived, Mrs Hartley and Bess’s mother were laying trestle tables with chicken and ham sandwiches, fruitcake and Christmas puddings. Ena and Claire brought in two pots of tea and a tray of cups and saucers – and giggled when the soldiers flirted and teased.
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 everyone 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 further 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,’ Ena’s father said.
The Dudley family – except Bess, who lived-in at Foxden Hall – said goodbye and put on their outdoor clothes.
The walk home was pleasant. Ena and Claire, arm in arm, followed their parents along the lane, leaving their footprints in the newly laid snow.
The following morning, Bess arrived in Lady Foxden’s Rover to take Claire to the station. Ena and her parents waited by the front door to say goodbye. ‘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.’
He put the bag on the back seat of the car. ‘Come home and see us soon, love,’ her father said, opening the front passenger door.
‘I will.’ Claire kissed her father and mother goodbye, promising to write soon. Hugging Ena, Claire whispered, ‘Keep up the sensitive work. I’m proud of you, our Ena.’
The relationship between Ena and Claire had always been competitive. They were close in age but opposites in temperament. No sooner had Claire arrived home on Christmas Eve than she and Ena were arguing. Both did work they couldn’t discuss – Claire’s secret, Ena’s sensitive. Once that was established, they quickly became friends again.
Reading between the lines, Ena understood that Claire did a dangerous job. ‘Be careful,’ she said, doing her best not to cry.
Claire winked at her youngest sister. ‘I always am,’ she said, dropping onto the passenger seat. Bess put the car into gear and pulled into the lane. Ena waved until the Rover turned onto the main Lowarth road and disappeared.
The winter was harsh. Snow fell almost every day, and for much of the time, the temperature was below zero. Because of black ice, which was causing havoc on the roads, Ena and her friends from the factory decided to stay in Lowarth and go to a dance for New Year’s Eve.
Ena’s friend, Beryl Clark, persuaded her father to take them into Lowarth before the dance and pick them up afterwards. He was one of only three taxis in the area, and as the Clarks lived in Woodcote and had to drive past Ena’s parents’ cottage on the Foxden estate, Mr Clark was often called upon to give lifts to the Dudley sisters.
Ena and Beryl met Freda and Madge in the smoke room of The Hind Hotel. Freda, already at the bar, shouted, ‘Port and lemon, ladies?’
‘Not for Beryl,’ Ena mouthed.
‘Yes please,’ Beryl said, standing on Ena’s toe. ‘Sorry,’ she giggled.
‘It isn’t funny, Beryl. You’re underage. If Freda’s caught buying alcohol for you, she’ll be in trouble.’
‘I’m not underage. I’m almost not.’ Beryl leaned forward and looked into Ena’s face. ‘If I can drive Dad’s taxi, I’m sure I can have one drink,’ she said, her nose almost touching Ena’s. The next round’s on me,’ she laughed, as she and Ena joined Madge and Freda at a table near the fire.
The four friends chatted animatedly, telling each other what they had done over Christmas. Madge told them about a boy she’d met at her aunt’s house on Boxing Day. ‘He’s the son of my aunt’s neighbour, on leave from the navy,
