The Uncertain Years Read online

  The Uncertain Years

  BERYL MATTHEWS

  Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  About the Author

  By Beryl Matthews

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Stepney, London, 3rd September 1939

  The friends stood silently outside their terraced houses, each deep in their own thoughts. The news they had just heard would change their lives in ways they could hardly imagine.

  Rebecca Adams – Becky to her friends – glanced at her brother Will’s tense expression, and saw the same look on Bob Walker and Jim Prentiss. They had been talking about the possibility of this happening for a long time now, but like everyone else, they’d been hoping a solution would be found. It hadn’t, and now they were at war with Germany.

  ‘Well, that’s it then!’ Bob Walker was the first to speak. ‘I’m going in the navy. You coming with me, Jim?’

  ‘No fear! I’m going to keep my feet on firm ground. It’ll be the army for me. What about you, Will?’

  William Adams grimaced. ‘No one’s going to take me.’

  ‘Course they will. They’re going to need everyone they can get.’

  ‘Not me, Jim. They don’t want cripples.’

  ‘You’re not a cripple!’ Becky glared at her brother. ‘Your left arm’s three inches shorter than the other, that’s all. It doesn’t even draw attention, and you’re as strong and capable as any man.’

  ‘I’m only stating the truth, Becky. The medical is strict and they only want the fittest.’

  It hurt to hear her brother talk like this. At twenty-one he was tall with dark hair and gentle grey eyes. She adored him. ‘There’ll be something you can do. You’ve got more brains than the rest of us put together. News will be very important, and the paper you work for are going to need you.’

  ‘I’m little more than an errand boy,’ he laughed.

  He looked relaxed, but she knew him well enough to realise this was far from the truth. The disappointment showed in his eyes and she wasn’t going to see him depressed about this. ‘Don’t be daft. Of course you’re not.’

  ‘Everything’s going to change,’ Bob said, wanting to offer his friend encouragement. ‘They printed your piece about Hitler after Chamberlain came back and said there wouldn’t be a war. You said the Nazis couldn’t be trusted, and you were right. They’re going to lose a lot of their reporters, and you’ll be badly needed, Will.’

  ‘I suppose you’re right, but I’m going to hate being left behind.’

  ‘You won’t be alone.’ Jim’s smile was teasing. ‘Becky will be here.’

  ‘No I won’t! I’m joining the ATS.’

  The three boys burst into hilarious laughter.

  Standing with her hands on her hips she glared at them, her expressive hazel eyes glinting. ‘What’s so damned funny? If you lot think I’m staying at home knitting socks, then you’re very much mistaken!’

  ‘We’re going to need socks,’ Jim spluttered, not able to control his amusement.

  That was too much for her and she lashed out, just missing Jim as he ducked. He’d done a bit of boxing and knew how to move. ‘How can you stand out here in the street laughing when we’ve just been told we’re at war? Mum’s worried sick because Dad might still be young enough to be called up – and I bet your mums are in the same state. You’re acting like kids instead of twenty-year-olds. But I tell you what, once you’re in the forces you’re going to have to grow up quickly.’

  ‘Don’t upset yourself, Becky.’ Her brother ruffled her short dark hair. ‘Our messing about is just in reaction to the devastating news, that’s all.’

  ‘That’s right, and we’re sorry,’ Jim told her. ‘I expect the women’s army will be pleased to have you. You’ll make a good sergeant.’

  ‘Don’t start again,’ she warned. ‘And I don’t care what you all think. I’m going to the recruiting office in the morning.’

  Bob, the tallest of the group, studied Becky carefully, looking her up and down. ‘Why don’t you join the Wrens? You’d look good in navy blue.’

  She gave an exasperated sigh. ‘I’m not interested in looking good! I’ll have more chance of doing something useful in the army.’

  ‘Such as?’ Jim asked.

  ‘I don’t know. I’ll have to go to the recruitment office first and see what there is.’

  ‘Well, it looks as if we’ll all be joining up straight away.’ Bob shoved his hands in his pockets, looking apprehensive.

  ‘Hold on a minute!’ Will stopped his friends talking. ‘Don’t you think you’d better wait for your call-up papers?’

  ‘No.’ Bob was shaking his head. ‘If we volunteer now we’ll have more chance of getting into the service we want. If we wait we’ll probably have to go where they send us.’

  ‘I agree,’ Jim said. ‘And the sooner we do it the better.’

  ‘I still think you ought to wait,’ Will continued. ‘Both of you have only a year to do of your apprenticeship, and you’ll be qualified toolmakers then. That will be something to come back to.’

  ‘That doesn’t seem important now.’ Bob kicked a pebble up the empty road, frowning deeply. Then he shook his head. ‘No, my mind’s made up.’

  ‘In that case you’d better go and tell your parents what you’re intending to do.’

  Both boys pulled a face. ‘Did you have to remind us of that, Will?’

  ‘Yes, I did, Jim.’ He took hold of his sister’s arm. ‘And that’s a job you’ve got to do right now. There could be a hell of a row; you know that, don’t you, Becky? You’re only nineteen.’

  ‘You’ll support me though, won’t you?’

  ‘Don’t I always?’

  She nodded. ‘You’re the best brother a girl could have.’

  ‘Oh, compliments.’ He grinned at her. ‘Now I know you’re really worried about telling Mum and Dad.’

  ‘We’d better get this over with,’ Bob said.

  The friends waved as they all made their way to their own homes. They lived in a terraced block of houses right next door to each other, and had been firm friends from the moment they could toddle.

  Becky was near to tears now, as realisation of what they were facing hit her. ‘We’re going to be parted for the first time in our lives.’

  ‘It’s hard, but this sort of thing will be happening right across the country. It’s something we’ve got to accept.’ Will glanced down at his sister, his black hair shining almost blue in the sunlight. ‘If you do go into the ATS, you’ll have to get used to being with other
girls. Lots of them.’

  ‘Hmm. Hope they’re not silly and giggle all the time. It’s always been the four of us, and I’m more used to wielding a spanner than gossiping with other girls. Do you think Bob will let you have his old motorbike if he goes into the navy?’

  ‘He might. I’ll ask him.’

  ‘Good, you’ll find that useful – if you can get any petrol for it. That’s bound to be in short supply soon.’ They reached their front door and she hesitated. ‘Mum’s going to cry, I just know she is.’

  Their parents were sitting at the large, well scrubbed kitchen table with cups of tea in front of them.

  ‘Any tea in the pot?’ Will asked as they joined them.

  ‘Plenty, it’s a fresh pot.’ Mavis Adams gave her children a tired smile. ‘I suppose you’ve all been deciding what you’re going to do?’

  Will poured two cups, pushing one over to his sister, and then nodded. ‘There’s nothing to worry about. Between us we’ve got this war won.’

  ‘Ah, well, we can relax then,’ Bill Adams laughed, lightening the tense atmosphere. ‘When these four get together Hitler won’t stand a chance.’

  ‘We’d better tell him to surrender at once then,’ his wife joked.

  ‘What about you, Dad? You’re still young enough to be called up, aren’t you?’ Becky was stalling, trying to delay the time when she had to tell her parents the decision she’d made.

  Bill pursed his lips. ‘I’m forty-three, so we’ll just have to wait and see.’

  ‘They won’t take you away from your work.’ Mavis looked anxiously at her husband. ‘You’re working on parts for that plane.’

  ‘The Spitfire.’ Will rested his elbows on the table, leaning forward. ‘Mum’s right. You’re on vital work, and at your age you’ll be more valuable helping to turn out fighters than being in the forces.’

  His father’s mouth turned up in amusement. ‘Are you suggesting I’m too old for the forces, Will?’

  ‘Of course not! Look at you, six feet four and as strong as an ox. You’d frighten the life out of the enemy. But you’re also a damned fine engineer.’ Will shook his head. ‘No, you’ll have to stay where you are. Those planes are going to be needed.’

  Mavis nodded, relief showing in her eyes, and then turned her attention back to her children. ‘So, what have the four of you been planning? You probably think this is very exciting, but war’s a terrible thing, and all our lives are going to change beyond recognition.’

  ‘We know that, Mum.’ Becky took a deep breath, knowing she couldn’t delay any longer. ‘Bob’s going to try for the navy, Jim for the army, and I want to join the ATS.’

  ‘I thought you’d all want to stay together if you could.’

  ‘That’s impossible, Dad. For the first time in our lives we’ll have to split up.’ Becky was surprised there hadn’t been instant opposition to her plans, but from her parents’ resigned expressions, she knew they’d expected this to happen. She had grown up in the rough and tumbles of three boisterous boys, and had never been one to stand on the sidelines.

  ‘What about you, Will?’ his father asked.

  ‘I don’t know. The services won’t take me.’

  ‘How do you know?’ Mavis asked.

  ‘Because I’ve already seen all three of them and failed their medicals.’

  ‘What!’ Becky spun round to face her brother. ‘You never told us you’d done that.’

  ‘I knew this was coming and wanted to find out what my chances were. My left arm’s too weak and I’d never be able to tackle an assault course, or hold a rifle.’

  Her brother’s usual placid expression was unchanged, but she knew how painful this was for him. It was going to tear him apart to see his friends join up and leave home. He had never let his slight disability stop him doing the same as the rest of them, and to be honest, they never even noticed his left arm was shorter than the other. It hadn’t mattered before, but now it did.

  ‘You’ve got a talent for words, and news is going to be vital,’ Mavis told her son firmly.

  ‘I’ve already told him that,’ Becky said. ‘He’ll be more useful doing that than running around in a muddy field playing soldier. The rest of us have got to join up because we haven’t got his kind of talent.’

  ‘Quite right.’ Their father smiled encouragingly at his son. ‘I don’t know where you got the brains from, but use them. If the forces won’t take you then that’s their loss. Stay at the paper and let’s see what happens. We’ll all have to do what we can if this country is going to survive.’

  That was something they all agreed upon and so they made a fresh pot of tea. No one knew what they might have to face, and for the moment, all they could do was wait.

  Later that evening when their children were fast asleep, Bill turned off the wireless, his brow furrowed with concern. ‘I thought you’d object when Becky told us what she intended to do.’

  ‘I wanted to, but what was the use? Our daughter is strong willed and will do whatever she thinks is right for her.’ Mavis put down her knitting, swallowing hard to keep control of her emotions. ‘And I know how unhappy Will is, but I’m relieved he won’t be able to go into the forces. I know it’s selfish of me, darling, but I’m also praying they won’t take you either.’

  Bill sighed. ‘I wonder how many families are having this same discussion tonight?’

  ‘Just about everyone, I expect. The last terrible war was only twenty years ago, and it still has vivid memories for many parents. There will be sleepless nights as we all force ourselves to watch children and loved ones going off to another war.’

  As Bill closed his eyes, visions of his time in the army flashed through his mind. He’d only been a boy, younger than Will, and like everyone else, eager to join up. The horrors he’d seen had never left him, and he’d never spoken about them. And it was all about to happen again …

  ‘Two wars in our lifetime. Is it going to be as bad as the last one?’

  His wife’s voice brought him back to the present, and he opened his eyes and looked straight at her. She was an intelligent woman and it was no good lying to her. ‘I believe it will be a long, bitter struggle, and no one will be safe. If things get nasty I want you and Will to get out of London.’

  ‘You know neither of us will run for safety and leave you here. Anyway,’ Mavis gave a tight smile, ‘you could be wrong and it might not last long this time.’

  ‘That’s what people said about the last one.’

  ‘I know it’s a vain hope, Bill, but it’s all I have to cling on to at the moment. Don’t volunteer, darling.’

  ‘I promise.’ He stood up and held out his hand. ‘Come on, let’s try and get some sleep.’

  Chapter Two

  The next morning it was chaos in the newsroom, and Will was pounced on as soon as he walked in the door. It seemed as if everyone was shouting requests at the same time.

  ‘Hold it!’ he bellowed at the top of his voice. ‘One thing at a time. You’ll never get anything done if you keep running around like headless chickens!’

  A hush fell over the room as every head turned in his direction.

  ‘Good Lord,’ one man muttered. ‘I never knew you could raise your voice, Will.’

  ‘Sorry, but it was the only way I could make myself heard.’

  ‘Don’t apologise,’ the chief said as he came out of his office. ‘Come with me, Will, I want to have a word with you.’

  Wondering why the boss wanted him, he followed him into the office and stood in front of the desk, waiting while the chief settled in his oversized chair.

  ‘You said war was coming and you were right.’ Ted Dunstan studied the tall boy in front of him. ‘I’m going to lose a lot of my most experienced reporters. What are your plans?’

  ‘I haven’t any at the moment, sir. The forces won’t take me because of my arm.’

  ‘Ah, I can see you’re disappointed about that, but I’ll be honest with you – I’m pleased. I’m hoping you’ll
decide to stay with us. That was a fine piece of writing you did about Hitler. You’ve got a sharp mind and have the makings of a good reporter.’

  ‘Thank you, sir.’ Will was taken aback by such rare praise. ‘I’d like to stay.’

  ‘Good, good, you can go out with Andy for a couple of days, then you’ll have to work on your own.’ Ted Dunstan grimaced. ‘This place is going to start emptying out quite soon and we’ll have to take on some women. What about your sister, would she be interested?’

  ‘She’s determined to go into the ATS.’

  The chief sighed wearily and nodded. ‘Thank God I’m too old for this one, but it’s going to be hard for you to see your friends joining up.’

  ‘It is,’ he admitted.

  ‘Don’t be too down about it. The people are going to want news, and we’ll be here to provide it.’ He stretched his mouth into an unaccustomed smile. ‘Didn’t someone say, “The pen is mightier than the sword”?’

  ‘Bulwer-Lytton, sir.’

  ‘That’s the man. Then let’s prove him right, shall we, and fight our war from here.’ He settled comfortably and waved to a chair. ‘Sit down and tell me what you think is going to happen.’

  ‘You’re asking me?’ He was stunned, but pulled up a chair and sat down. The chief obviously wanted to talk, and who was he to question that?

  ‘Go ahead.’

  ‘Well, no one really knows. All we can do at the moment is guess.’

  ‘All right, guess.’

  Will gathered his thoughts. ‘I’ll tell you what I think, but it could be completely wrong. I’ve watched the rise of Hitler and the Nazis and believe they want domination of Europe. They’ll turn their attention to France, and if they can get a hold there they will throw everything they’ve got at us. Shipping is our life-line so they’ll try to sink as many ships as they can. If he wants to invade us he’ll have to cross the Channel, and that won’t be easy without sustaining heavy losses.’

  ‘So, what will he do?’

  ‘Try to bomb us into submission before he invades. He’s used that tactic successfully before.’

  ‘And will France hold?’

  ‘I expect so.’ Will shifted uncomfortably, feeling he’d been talking too much, but he’d been studying what had been happening in Germany for the last few years. It was a subject he was passionate about. ‘I’ve just outlined the worst possible scenario, but what worries me is that Germany has been re-arming for some time, and they’re looking strong.’