Hetty's Secret War Read online

  ‘It’s such a shame,’ Beth said. ‘Arthur isn’t old really, is he?’

  ‘He’s fifty-five,’ Georgie replied. ‘I’m twenty-eight this month. I suppose the gap was too wide, but it’s been a good marriage in many ways.’

  She would miss him terribly if he died, Georgie thought, and blinked back the tears that threatened. Perhaps she wasn’t in love with him, but she did love him very much. No one could help loving Arthur – but it wasn’t the kind of love he’d wanted her to feel.

  Oh Arthur, I didn’t mean to hurt you. Perhaps we shouldn’t have married, but you told me it was enough… you promised me it was all you needed.

  He’d lied because he’d wanted her and he’d hoped she would fall in love with him, and she hadn’t… not as she’d loved Ben, still did if she let herself remember. Except that she wouldn’t think of Ben, couldn’t, because it wasn’t her nature to cheat, even in her thoughts.

  She wandered over to the sitting room window to gaze out at the garden, which was always a riot of colour in the summer. She was a keen gardener and she had found solace working in her flower beds when she was first married, when forbidden thoughts of Ben had come to her all too often. But she had conquered her regret, fought her way to a kind of happiness – and now it looked as if it was going to be ripped away from her.

  Georgie raised her head proudly. She wasn’t going to give way to self-pity. No sense in that. She had chosen her life, chosen Arthur as her husband, no one had forced her. She hadn’t regretted it, despite small disappointments over the years. She wouldn’t start now. Turning, she smiled at Beth who was watching her with those big, serious, grey eyes.

  ‘So what are you going to do with yourself now that you’ve finished college?’

  ‘I’ve only been to tech,’ Beth said. ‘All I’m trained for is secretarial work, so I suppose that’s what I’ll do – unless there is a war, of course. I think I shall apply to join one of the women’s services then.’

  ‘Didn’t Annabel say she would like you to work as a receptionist at the hotel with her?’

  ‘Yes…’ Beth looked doubtful. ‘Don’t you think that’s a bit too easy, Georgie? Annabel has looked after me since I was nine and I think it’s time I stood on my own feet, don’t you?’

  ‘Obviously you do,’ Georgie said. ‘I think Annabel might be disappointed, but it’s your life. I think you should talk to her about it, make her understand that you want some independence.’

  ‘I know it sounds ungrateful, but I can’t lean on her forever. Besides, if there is a war I could be more useful elsewhere – don’t you think?’

  ‘I think we should have our meal,’ Georgie said and put down her empty sherry glass. ‘My advice is to decide what you want to do with your life, Beth, and then talk to Annabel. If you simply announce your intention to go off somewhere she might be hurt and you wouldn’t want that – would you?’

  ‘You know I wouldn’t,’ Beth agreed. ‘Annabel has been like a mother to me and I love her, but…’

  ‘She is a little overpowering sometimes,’ Georgie put in and laughed. ‘She takes after her mother, though she would be horrified if anyone said that, and she isn’t a bit like Lady Tarleton in most ways. She isn’t selfish or thoughtless, but she is a successful businesswoman and she does rather take charge sometimes.’

  ‘That’s exactly it,’ Beth said and smiled fondly. ‘Annabel is so good at running things that she organises us all – Paul too sometimes. He laughs at her and does exactly what he wants of course, but I feel obliged.’

  ‘Annabel would hate it if she realised,’ Georgie said thoughtfully. ‘She doesn’t mean to try and run your life, Beth. She probably still thinks you’re a little girl and is trying to make everything easy for you.’

  ‘Yes, I think that is the problem exactly,’ Beth agreed. ‘She is only being kind and protective, but sometimes I feel smothered. And I can’t say anything because I’m afraid of hurting her.’

  ‘Something of a dilemma,’ Georgie said with a smile. ‘Well, I think you should very gently tell Annabel that you want to spread your wings a bit. I shouldn’t be surprised if she understands more than you imagine. And now we really must have our meal or Mrs Townsend will be on the warpath!’

  *

  ‘War imminent! Children evacuated from London!’

  Beth shivered as she heard the strident tones of the newspaper boy standing outside the railway station. She’d had to change trains in London and, having an hour to spare, had gone for a quick shopping trip. Now she saw that the station was crowded. A party of young children were being herded at one end by a harassed-looking woman, who was obviously in charge of getting them to their destination in the country. But most of the travellers appeared to be young men; several of them dressed in army uniforms. Some were saying goodbye to family or girlfriends; others were obviously together and in a boisterous mood.

  As she watched them jostling and shoving each other in a good-natured manner, she wondered if one or two had been drinking a little too much. Or perhaps it was a mixture of excitement and nerves. One of them had noticed her glance their way and a loud wolf whistle made her turn her head aside, her cheeks pink.

  It wasn’t the first time she’d been whistled at, but being a reserved girl, except with her close friends, she didn’t particularly care for it and decided to make sure she entered a different carriage to the one picked by the party of boisterous young men.

  When the train arrived, Beth chose a carriage already occupied by a woman and teenage boy and another young man, who was dressed in the uniform of an army officer. He didn’t look at her as she sat down and Beth settled herself to read a magazine she had bought. However, the train had a corridor rather than being individual closed carriages and she heard the laughter of the noisy young men as they made their way along the train but thankfully bypassed her carriage.

  ‘Terrible news, isn’t it?’ the woman sitting opposite said to Beth, obliging her to lower her magazine. ‘All those children being evacuated. I shouldn’t want my Marcus to be shipped off to strangers like that. I’m taking him to my sister’s and I’m going to stay put until all this nonsense is over.’

  ‘I think that’s a good idea,’ Beth said. ‘But I think you may be in for a long visit.’

  ‘Oh, don’t say that!’ the woman exclaimed. ‘My husband says once they get to grips with the Germans it will all be over in a matter of months. He joined up a couple of days ago, but he’s sure he’ll be home for Christmas. That’s what Daddy said, isn’t it, Marcus?’

  ‘I want to go and fight the Germans,’ the lad said, giving her a mutinous look. ‘Don’t want to stay with Auntie Peggy.’

  ‘You’ll like it when you get there. It’s nice in the country.’ She nodded at Beth. ‘Ask that young lady – it’s nice in the country, isn’t it?’

  ‘I like it,’ Beth replied, eyeing the sullen lad doubtfully. ‘You’ll enjoy exploring and climbing trees, I dare say.’

  His mother looked horrified. ‘For goodness’ sake, don’t put ideas in his head. Climbing trees is much too dangerous.’

  ‘Want to go to the toilet,’ Marcus said. ‘And I feel sick.’

  ‘You went before we came,’ his harassed mother said and frowned at him. ‘I suppose I’d better take you.’ She looked at Beth. ‘Would you mind keeping an eye on my parcels? I don’t want to cart them all the way to the toilet and back.’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Beth said and smiled as she went out.

  She happened to glance at the man in army uniform sitting opposite and he grinned at her. ‘I wouldn’t be in her shoes,’ he said. ‘That young chap has been spoiled, if you ask me.’

  ‘Yes, I think he has,’ Beth agreed and looked down at her magazine. She was just beginning to get interested in one of the articles when the door was thrust back and three of the noisy young men she had noticed on the platform entered.

  ‘Don’t mind if we sit here, do you, darlin’?’ one of them asked with a cheeky grin.


  ‘Two of the seats are taken,’ Beth said, ‘but there are two available.’

  ‘Thanks, darlin’,’ the soldier replied. ‘That means you’re out, Charlie. Get orf down the train and we’ll see yer later, mate.’

  ‘Who are you givin’ yer orders?’ the other replied, but seeing that neither of his friends were about to oblige by giving up the seats they had taken, he scowled and went out.

  The soldier with the cheeky grin had chosen to sit next to Beth, his companion sitting in the corner near the door. She felt the pressure of the soldier’s warm body as he deliberately pressed his thigh up against hers. She resisted looking at him, returning to her magazine, although it was only a pretence now, because she was conscious of the leering looks the soldier was sending her way.

  ‘All on your own then, darlin’?’ he asked. ‘Me and me mates are on our way to Torquay. We’ve got a couple of days leave before we join our units see – going to make the most of our time, if you get my meaning?’

  ‘Really,’ Beth said, her heart sinking as she realised that she would have to endure his presence all the way home. ‘That will be nice for you.’

  ‘Yeah – find ourselves a few girls, have a bevvy or two,’ he said. ‘Do you come from round there, darlin’?’

  ‘I think that is my business,’ Beth said frostily. ‘And I would prefer it if you didn’t call me darling. I don’t know you.’

  ‘Hoity-toity type, are we?’ he said and reached across her to open the window on the door. ‘Let a bit of fresh air in, shall we?’

  Beth ignored him and tried to read her magazine once more. He pressed his leg even harder against hers, then placed a hand on her knee and squeezed it.

  ‘Please don’t do that!’

  ‘Only a bit of fun, darlin’,’ he said and leered at her. ‘Nothing wrong with that, is there?’

  ‘Remove your hand from the young lady’s knee, private,’ a clipped order came from the army officer sitting opposite. ‘If you can’t behave, I suggest you take a walk down the corridor and find yourself suitable company.’

  ‘And who are you when you’re at bleedin’ home?’ The soldier had hardly glanced at him when he entered the carriage, but as the officer placed his cap on his head he blanched and stood up, saluting. ‘Sorry, sir. Didn’t realise you were an officer. We’ll take ourselves orf. Come on, Fred. Sorry, miss. Didn’t realise you were with him.’

  As the pair departed, the officer smiled at Beth and leaned across to offer his hand. ‘Captain Drew Bryant – short for Andrew. I’m sorry they were troubling you – high spirits.’

  Beth took his hand, liking the firm cool grasp. ‘Thank you for your help. I don’t suppose he meant any harm, but I prefer not to get involved in things like that…’

  ‘I should think not, nice girl like you,’ Drew said and smiled. ‘I suspect our hero has been celebrating a little too much.’

  ‘Yes, I did wonder when I saw them on the station. I expect it’s a mixture of nerves and excitement. I’m Beth Rawlings by the way. I’m going all the way to Torquay, so I was afraid I would have his company the whole journey.’

  ‘Couldn’t have that,’ Drew said and got up to sit next to her, leaving a decent space between them. ‘Just in case some of his friends decide to join us. I’m going to Torquay too – to stay at Kendlebury, which is an estate just outside the resort.’

  ‘Oh yes, I know it very well. I visit often.’

  ‘Do you? Then perhaps you may know the family? Harry Kendle and his wife Jessie – and their two sons?’

  ‘Yes. Jessie is a special friend of ours. She and Annabel, my adoptive mother, have known each other for years.’ She laughed as she saw the expression in his eyes. ‘It is a small world, isn’t it?’

  Drew looked amazed. ‘It isn’t surprising that you know the estate, of course, because Kendlebury is pretty well known these days, because of Jessie’s efforts to bring in the visitors. But to know the family so well…’ He shook his head. ‘Jessie is marvellous, isn’t she? The way she turned that estate around almost single-handed!’

  ‘Yes, I’ve always thought so. Harry would be lost without her.’

  ‘I know. Well, that makes it much easier. You see, I’m a friend of their eldest son – Jonathan Kendle. I’m also a sort of cousin of Harry Kendle’s sister’s husband. Would you happen to know that side of the family at all?’

  ‘Oh yes, of course,’ Beth said and laughed, relaxing as she realised who he must be. ‘You’re related to Georgie’s father, aren’t you? Georgie Bridges – she was a Barrington.’ Beth was thoughtful for a moment. ‘Now you mention it, I think I’ve heard her mention your family a couple of times. I didn’t make the connection at once because I don’t think she has ever spoken of you.’

  ‘I doubt if she would. We’re very distant cousins,’ Drew admitted. ‘Several times removed as far as I can make out. The families don’t know each other well, but I met Jonathan at boarding school and we became friends. He rang and asked me to come down for a few days before I join my unit. He’s a year or so younger, but I know he’s hoping to join up shortly and wants to talk about the possibilities.’

  ‘Jessie won’t be very happy about that,’ Beth said and sighed. ‘Oh, it’s all so horrible, isn’t it? Do you believe it will all be over in a few months? I can’t see how it can be – look what happened last time.’

  ‘We’re more advanced militarily than we were then,’ Drew said, but he looked serious, his grey eyes the colour of slate. She noticed that a lock of dark hair had fallen forward over his brow and felt a sudden urge to brush it back out of his eyes. Drew did that himself. ‘This will have to go when I get back to my proper job. I’ve been off for a few weeks, seconded to deskwork for some bigwig in London. Now I’ve got a couple of weeks’ leave before I move on to further training.’

  ‘Are you a career soldier?’ Beth asked. ‘You haven’t joined up recently, have you?’

  ‘The army has always been my ambition,’ he said. ‘It runs in the family, all the way back to Wellington’s era, from what I can make out of the archives. I’m a younger son and that’s what we do.’

  ‘I think a lot of the gentry are like that,’ Beth said. ‘I’ve been brought up with a rather privileged set, but I don’t really belong – my mother was an actress.’

  ‘Really?’ His eyes lit up. ‘Now that’s splendid. I wish I had the talent. I always admire anyone with real talent.’

  ‘Yes, so do I,’ Beth agreed. ‘Annabel’s sister is an artist. I always wanted to paint, but I realised years ago that I’m not good enough – so I’m just a secretary, or I shall be once I can find a job. I’ve been at college until this summer.’

  ‘We can’t do without secretaries,’ Drew said and smiled at her. ‘Did you say you were adopted?’

  ‘My mother died when I was not quite ten and Annabel took me into her family.’ Why was she telling him all this? She wasn’t sure, except that he was the kind of person she felt she could talk to in a way she seldom did to anyone.

  ‘I’m sorry you lost your mother so young. That’s rotten luck. I should be devastated if anything happened to mine. I’m afraid I’ve been spoiled all my life.’

  ‘It hasn’t affected your manners,’ Beth said and laughed softly. ‘Your mother must have brought you up properly.’

  ‘Oh yes, she did,’ he agreed. ‘All six of us. There are two sons and four daughters – and all of them married apart from me. I’m the baby of the family, you see.’

  ‘Ah yes, I do see,’ Beth said. What a pleasant young man he was, she thought, and was a little disappointed when the woman and her sulky son came back to the carriage.

  ‘Marcus, stop fidgeting,’ the woman said and glanced across at Beth, noting the change in seating. ‘We had to fight our way back; the corridor is full of rowdy soldiers.’

  ‘Yes, the train is rather crowded,’ Beth agreed. ‘I think more soldiers got on at the last stop.’

  As if to prove her point, two young men came in
and took the spare seats, both of them armed with newspapers, which they immediately began to read.

  Drew Bryant had lapsed into silence beside her, and Beth went back to her magazine, managing to read the article she had started, though she wasn’t truly interested.

  It was about an hour later when the train drew into a station and the other occupants of the carriage got off, Marcus whining and grizzling at being forced to carry some of the parcels.

  ‘I think the crush has finished now,’ Drew said, glancing out of the window. ‘There were only a handful of new passengers to get on this time.’

  ‘Yes, I noticed that,’ Beth agreed. ‘I suppose it was just the crush in London and everyone has gone their separate ways now.’

  ‘I’m staying with Jonathan’s family for five days,’ Drew said, hesitating slightly. ‘I don’t suppose you would consider coming out with me – tomorrow?’

  ‘I…’ She was surprised and blushed, but then found that she rather liked the idea. He was such an easy companion and she’d liked him at once. ‘Yes, I should like that very much. I live at Rowntree House Hotel, which is nearer to Torquay than Kendlebury, but easy enough to find.’

  ‘I think I’ve heard of it. Some of Mother’s friends stayed there and said how pleasant it was – almost like visiting with friends apparently.’

  ‘That’s the way Annabel runs things,’ Beth told him. ‘She really likes people and she enjoys having them to stay. It is more of a private country house than a hotel, and we have the same people staying every year.’

  ‘Sounds wonderful,’ he said. ‘Better than some of the places I’ve been unfortunate enough to stay at. I’ll pick you up at about twelve then and we’ll go for lunch somewhere, then take a spin in the car I hope to borrow.’

  ‘I have my own if you can’t manage it,’ Beth said. ‘Annabel insisted I learn to drive as soon as I was old enough and I was given a small car for my birthday this year. I drive myself most of the time, but Georgie’s home is a long way and Annabel thought I would be better to go by train.’