Harpers Heroes Read online

  Harpers Heroes

  Rosie Clarke

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  More from Rosie Clarke

  About the Author

  About Boldwood Books

  1

  It was now the beginning of February 1915 and the war with Germany had gradually crept closer to Great Britain’s shores. That morning, Sally Harper stood in the doorway of the bedroom of their London apartment and caught her breath as she watched her husband, Ben, packing his suitcase. She felt the now familiar sense of unease that his absences always aroused in her, though she couldn’t have said why. Thus far, Ben had only been called upon to help with the logistics of keeping an army on the move. He was, of course, an American citizen and his country not yet at war with Germany. However, he felt that he owed some service to the country he lived and worked in and had joined the British Army.

  Sally had feared he would be sent off to fight. Thousands of other women had husbands, brothers and sons fighting and dying in the trenches of Belgium and France, in the air, and on the high seas – and the casualties were mounting. So many men were being injured and killed that it brought tears to her eyes. Sally forced herself to read the reports in the newspapers every day, even though they made harrowing reading, but she felt it was her duty to know what those brave men out there were enduring to keep the women and children of Britain safe. These were terrible times and everyone had to do what they could.

  Now, picking up a pile of freshly ironed shirts, Sally moved them to within Ben’s reach and received a smile of acknowledgement. Her heart caught in her breast, because she hated it when he went away on one of his trips for the War Office, even though she knew she was lucky he hadn’t been sent to fight overseas.

  At first, the war had seemed a long way off, but in December 1914, Sally had been shocked when German warships had shelled the seaside towns of Scarborough, Whitby and Hartlepool, killing more than a hundred civilians and injuring many others. To think that British people had been fired on and died while going about their daily lives was shocking. However, the following January the papers had been filled with the triumphant news that the British Navy had prevented another such attack by sinking the most powerful of the enemy’s battle cruisers, SMS Blucher. Yet even this success could not prevent death from the air as the devilish Zeppelins bombed the British towns of Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn. The Allies had celebrated when Paris had been saved the previous October and the German advance bogged down in the trenches, but now it seemed they’d turned their attention to subduing the British people with their frightening attacks from the sea and the air.

  Putting on a brave smile, Sally looked at her husband. ‘Everything all right, darling?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Ben stopped his packing and moved towards her, taking her into his arms to kiss her briefly. ‘I’m sorry this trip was such short notice, but it all came up out of the blue…’

  Sally nodded, accepting his words without argument. She knew better than to ask what had come up, because she was aware that her husband’s work was often confidential and he’d signed the official Secrets Act, which meant he couldn’t tell even her.

  Ben returned to his packing without further comment and she continued to watch in silence, her sense of dread deepening. Storm clouds had gathered over her world and seemed to spread across the whole world as Germany had now declared all ships trying to reach Britain with supplies were fair game and could be sunk. In America, the shipping companies were up in arms, and the British Government had immediately retaliated by ordering the Royal Navy to seize cargoes of grain and flour on their way to Germany, as contraband.

  That didn’t help Sally much, because she’d been accustomed to ordering goods for Harpers’ Emporium from all over the world and now there were all kinds of restrictions on what could be imported or exported. So many raw materials were running short and luxuries were low on the Government’s list of priorities. Food and ammunition were top of the country’s list, naturally – but she felt frustrated by the limitations it placed on her buying power for the store.

  Everyone had expected it to be a short war, over by Christmas; the newspaper headlines had shouted that the Allied forces would win in a few months, but the might of the German forces was proving harder to hold back than anyone had guessed. Yes, there had been victories for Britain and her friends, but there were reverses too and at the moment the Allies were fighting in practically all corners of the world.

  And now the war was taking Ben away from her. She cried out in silent protest, no words leaving her lips, though they burned in her mind, Why must you go? Why? We’ve been married less than two years and our daughter is only just over eight months old… Of course, she couldn’t say the things she wanted to say. Every woman wanted to say them when her husband went off to fight, and Sally was lucky; Ben wasn’t going off to the Front – at least, Sally didn’t think so, but he might tour military installations and they could be attacked from the air as the Zeppelins had demonstrated in those seaside towns.

  ‘Will you be away long?’ Sally asked when the silence and her thoughts had become unbearable. ‘Shall I be able to contact you?’

  Ben turned to look at her, and then, as if sensing her distress, he came to her once more and put his arms around her waist, looking into her eyes with love and understanding.

  ‘I’m not quite sure where I’ll be,’ he said. ‘I’ve been told I may be sent here, there and everywhere. We’ve hit some problems with medical supplies out there in France and Belgium and we have to work out the best way to get what is needed to the right areas. We’ve been losing a lot of convoys…’

  ‘Yes, I know,’ Sally said, swallowing hard as she fought to keep her tears inside. ‘I know I’m being stupid, Ben, but I worry and miss you when you’re away – and Jenny notices now. You might think she isn’t old enough to understand, but she looks for you and cries when you don’t come to her…’

  Ben nodded, showing he understood. Their beloved daughter was not quite nine months old, but she did seem very aware of him and sometimes when she cried, Ben was the only one that could comfort her. Perhaps it was because he’d picked her up so often when she was first born, walking with her and singing to her.

  ‘I know, love,’ he said now and kissed Sally. ‘I hate leaving you both – but you know my reasons. We live here and earn our living from the British people and I couldn’t look them in the eye if I sat out the war in safety while their men are dying in their thousands…’

  ‘I know – and I’m proud of you, Ben. You didn’t have to volunteer.’ It was true. Sally was very proud of all he was doing; she just lived in dread of what might happen when he was away from her.

  Ben was an American and as his country was not yet at war with Germany; he
could have sat it out, as he’d said, but his pride and his conscience wouldn’t allow him to do it. So, he’d joined the British Army as a foreign national and at the moment he was being used for special assignments, helping with the tricky business of keeping the country going with food, armaments and medical supplies. A job so important that they’d made him Captain Harper without all the months of training normally expected. It was, she supposed, an honorary title, but it gave him the respect of people who saw his uniform and meant an end to the white feathers well-meaning but ignorant women were giving to all the men not in uniform; they symbolised cowardice and that had irritated Ben so much, but they had stopped now he was wearing the uniform of an Army captain.

  ‘Thank you for being so understanding,’ he said, smiling at her in the way that made her heart catch with love. ‘If it were not for you looking after things at Harpers, I couldn’t have done any of this, because Stockbridge is a good manager, but he doesn’t have your flair – and it would have left a bitter taste in my mouth, Sally. I know it’s putting a lot on your shoulders, but I believe you’re capable of doing it and I want – need – to do all I can to help this country…’

  ‘Mr Stockbridge does his share, as do Rachel and Beth and all the others we employ,’ she said and hugged him. ‘I know how you feel, love. Take no notice of me, Ben. I’ve got the store to look after, lots of friends and Jenny. I shouldn’t complain and it’s selfish of me to want my husband home with me when so many others are suffering. I see you often. I’m lucky…’ Sally smiled at her husband, the owner of the store, who had given her the opportunity to be his head buyer and then married her.

  ‘You’re not selfish,’ Ben soothed. ‘It’s only natural, Sally – but I’ll be in touch as much as I can, my love, and we’ll both rest easier when this is all over, knowing I did my part – small as it is…’

  ‘You’re wonderful,’ Sally said, forcing a smile because she was close to tears and annoyed with herself. This was no way to send her husband off to wherever he was going. It wouldn’t be easy for Ben working in all sorts of locations, moving about and dealing with the many problems she knew he must have. Sally was finding it difficult enough to keep the store supplied with stock, because Britain was struggling to be self-sufficient. What ships did get through the German net needed to carry essentials rather than the luxuries they normally sold at Harpers. She was having to find new small firms to supply her with different ranges. Keeping an Army on the move must be a million times harder.

  Ben didn’t tell her much about what he did, but she knew he was in touch with men he’d known in America and with friends of his late uncle, who had owned other stores in America, which now belonged to Ben’s sister and cousin. Those friends were, many of them, influential and had a voice in Government as well as in the military. His sister Jenni’s husband was a General in the American Army and she knew that Ben had been working on a deal that concerned some ex-American Army equipment over Christmas. He’d received several odd telegrams from Jenni, which he’d understood but made no sense to Sally.

  ‘I’ll write when I can – and I’ll telephone you in the evening whenever I’m able…’ he promised now and she smiled, kissing him softly on the lips, just as a wail issued from the bedroom.

  ‘I know,’ she said. ‘Finish your packing, Ben. Jenny sounds as if she’s woken up – I’d better see if she needs changing…’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ he said and returned to his task.

  Blinking back the ridiculous tears, Sally went through to her daughter’s room and saw that the beautiful little girl was wide awake and looking about her with those big intelligent eyes that were so much like her father’s.

  ‘Yes, my darling, you know, don’t you?’ Sally said and picked her up. Jenny was usually such a good baby, but sometimes when she decided to cry and scream it seemed that nothing could comfort her. Ben had spent hours around Christmastime walking the floor with her in his strong arms until she was soothed. She’d seemed slightly better since then, but now her little face screwed up and she made a wailing sound. ‘It’s all right, Mummy is here with you, and Daddy will come back as soon as he can…’

  As if on cue, Ben walked in carrying his cases. He dumped them on the floor and came to them, taking Jenny from her and kissing her wet cheeks.

  ‘Be good for Mummy,’ he said to the baby, talking to her as if she could understand every word he said. ‘Daddy loves you and he will be thinking of you, Jenny sweetheart. I’ll soon be back with you and Mummy…’

  Jenny’s wailing stopped magically and she blew a bubble at him, her mouth forming a perfect O to show off her tiny teeth, of which she now had four.

  ‘There, that’s better,’ Ben said and popped Jenny back in her cot, where she lay kicking and laughing up at him. ‘I’d better go, Sally – if I delay any longer, I’ll miss my connection, and I’ll have to drive all the way there…’

  Sally nodded silently. Ben was right, delay was pointless. He had a car arriving any moment to take him to the station and if he missed his connection it would mean frustration and perhaps a reprimand from his superiors. Even though he wasn’t in a combat unit, he was still expected to obey orders.

  ‘Yes, of course, you must go…’ She moved forward, kissing him and stepping back before he could take her in his arms. ‘Go on, Ben – leave now!’

  Ben inclined his head, glanced at the cot once more and left without another word. She knew it was as hard for him to leave them as it was for her and Jenny to see him go.

  Her daughter started to grizzle as soon as Ben had closed the door behind him. Sally picked her up and cuddled her, but she screamed, refusing to be comforted. Obviously, Sally’s unease had communicated itself to her baby and she blamed herself rather than her child. Jenny was distressed because she knew her mother was upset.

  Pushing her own emotions to the back of her mind, Sally sang softly to the little girl. It was one of the songs Ben often sang to her and after a few moments she quietened and was soon sleeping. Sally smiled and placed her baby gently back in her cot. She went through to the sitting room, leaving the child’s door open slightly so that she would hear if Jenny cried out. It was six o’clock on Sunday evening and now that Ben had gone, she knew the hours would drag until Mrs Hall came the next day and Sally could leave for her work at Harpers. Thank goodness, she had work she loved and good friends, because otherwise she didn’t think she could bear the enforced parting from Ben.

  Sally had spent so much of her life alone and unloved. She hated having to be on her own now. Living with Ben, being loved and loving him had spoiled her, giving her a taste of happiness that she didn’t want to lose. Suddenly, she laughed and shook her head. What an idiot she was! She was being too morbid! She mustn’t dwell on her fears. She should find something to do!

  There were plenty of new catalogues to look through for new stock – and she was constantly searching for new suppliers now, because her usual sources could not keep Harpers’ shelves and rails fully stocked. They’d been fully stocked at Christmas, because of Sally’s industry before the war began, and that had led to really good trading over the festive period. Many women had bought more than normal – perhaps more than they needed – because everyone feared the shortages that were undoubtedly on the way. The newspaper reports left no one in doubt that Britain would have to supply most of its own food and goods for the foreseeable future. The Germans were sinking too many merchant ships and that meant supplies stocked before the war would start to run out… everyone would need to tighten their belts.

  Most of the male staff were already in one of the forces and some of the girls had joined the VADs, like Maggie Gibbs. However, Sally had plugged the gaps with older men, women and young girls straight from school. Her senior staff like Rachel Bailey, Beth Burrows and Mr Brown from the men’s department trained the newcomers and standards were still high.

  Sally frowned, a new worry on her mind now. How would they keep Harpers going once the new regulations and the s
hortages of raw materials started to bite? The clothes manufacturers she’d used from the beginning were finding it difficult to replenish their cloth, a great deal of which had come in from overseas. Some firms that had always used British wool were not feeling the pinch just yet, but silks, cotton, and other materials that were mostly imported or relied on imported ingredients were harder to come by.

  ‘I’m sorry, Mrs Harper,’ one of her regular suppliers had told her the previous week. ‘I can only supply half of your order – I’ve been told that I have to regulate my orders so that everyone gets a fair share…’

  ‘Yes, I do understand,’ Sally had agreed. ‘But Harpers have been one of your best customers – couldn’t you make that two-thirds instead?’ She’d smiled at him winningly. ‘We sold rather a lot over Christmas…’

  ‘The Government will be rationing us soon,’ the representative had replied. ‘Then I’ll be forced to stick to the rules – but since it’s you, I’ll up your order to two-thirds. You’ve been good to me in the past, Mrs Harper, and I’ll do my best for you now…’

  Sally had thanked him. She knew that stocking her store was going to be an uphill battle for a while and thanked her lucky stars for the containers Jenni had sent from America before the war started. Some of the stock probably wouldn’t have been her first choice in normal times… but they were far from normal at the moment…

  Hearing her doorbell ring, Sally went to answer it, slipping the door chain on before she opened it to see who her visitor was. A smile touched her face as she saw the woman standing outside and she quickly removed the chain, opened the door and invited her in.