‘It’s my pleasure,’ Hillary said, almost preening. ‘I have had to chase up some of the ladies, as they’ve been rather slow completing their items for sale. But hopefully everything will be all right on the day, as they say. I’m so pleased to be able to help the poor animals up at The Grange.’

  Lizzie thought of the women who had come to her complaining about Hillary’s heavy-handedness. ‘Oh well, another few weeks and it will all be done and dusted, and you can take a rest.’ She smiled politely.

  Helen was looking out the window quietly, and Lizzie touched her hand. ‘I thought these might help you stay calm,’ she said, passing over several pieces of cut fabric and paper shapes. ‘I find small tasks like this so therapeutic during long journeys.’

  Helen thanked her, and started to tack scraps of pink patterned cotton to the paper shapes. ‘What are you making with these?’

  ‘A pram cover, to go into the shop when it’s open.’

  ‘I’ve been showing Effie’s girls how to cut the shapes and tack them together. They have both decided they’re making quilts for their beds, bless them. I suggested they start with a smaller project, so we are all making pot-holders and tea cosies. Effie is going to show me how to make a rag rug, which will be fun. To think that only six months ago, I had no idea how soothing hand stitching could be.’

  As Richard’s car approached the capital, Helen fell silent and gazed out the window again. Today was about John and his work in government. For all his shortcomings, he’d done much to ease the lives of the population as war started. Each day when announcements were made, information distributed guiding people on how to eat and how to cope with rationing, she knew that he had been behind it. Soon she would be meeting his colleagues and the people who had stepped into his shoes, and listening to glowing eulogies of him as a Member of Parliament for the area of Oxfordshire he represented. It would be hard, remembering their life together and knowing he was such a loss to the country even though they’d been living a lie. Her emotions were bittersweet.

  She’d been sent a seating plan, so she knew that she would be seated in a prominent position close to John’s family. Hillary would be with her, but Lizzie and Richard were placed elsewhere. She wished both of them could have been closer, as their presence made her feel stronger, but today protocol had to be observed. Now was the time to think of her past – the future could wait for another day.

  ‘Oh my,’ Lizzie sighed as she sat down at the dining table. ‘I hope there won’t be an air-raid warning, because I’ve kicked my shoes off under the table and may have to scramble on my hands and knees to find them.’

  Hillary chuckled. ‘I was thinking of doing the same. It’s all very well dressing smartly, but my feet have suffered too,’ she said as she also removed her shoes. ‘Thank goodness the tablecloth is almost to the floor,’ she added. ‘How are your feet, Helen? You were on the go for most of the afternoon, after the service finished; you must be exhausted.’

  Helen looked up and caught Richard’s eye. Was he thinking of another time she’d removed her shoes because of her aching feet? Or the night at the hotel when they had both removed so much more? ‘I’m all right at the moment, thank you. But who knows, I may join the pair of you before we finish our meal.’

  ‘I felt it went very well,’ Lizzie said. ‘I have to confess to not knowing much about your late husband previously, but I feel as though I know him inside out now after such glowing words. His death is a great loss to the country.’

  ‘Did you meet his mother today, Lizzie?’ Hillary asked as she picked up the menu. ‘I found her quite an obnoxious woman, and such a snob.’

  ‘Mother, please!’ Helen hissed, looking around to make sure no one had overheard. Hillary’s voice was known to travel.

  ‘Thankfully, we won’t have to meet her again. I found the way she spoke to you, and about you, quite appalling. I put her right, I can tell you. I told her my daughter has a very responsible job at the moment and has carried on regardless of what her husband got up to.’

  Helen was puzzled. What was Hillary talking about? At no time had she ever mentioned John and Felicity to her mother – and thankfully Felicity had not shown her face today. Could it be something to do with her striking Felicity’s name through on the seating plan before she sent it back? ‘I’m not sure what you mean?’

  ‘I visited the ladies’ room during the reception after the service, and overheard that woman wearing the atrocious fox fur talking about John carrying on with other women behind your back. You don’t look that surprised, Helen?’

  Helen took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure a busy restaurant was the right place to explain to her mother about her married life. ‘There have been many rumours, Mother. John had a job that kept him in the public eye, and inevitably stories would be fabricated from time to time. Some people do like to gossip.’

  ‘Oh no, this woman sounded sure of what she was talking about. They mentioned somebody called Felicity. I can’t recollect the surname, but would that have been the girl who was your bridesmaid?’

  ‘I have no idea, Mother,’ Helen said, noticing Lizzie and Richard’s sympathetic glances. ‘Would you mind if we didn’t talk about this just now? It’s not as if John is here to defend himself,’ she said, her last words causing bile to rise in her throat. Why was she sticking up for him?

  At that moment the wine waiter appeared. Richard took control and ordered champagne. ‘I know it may not seem like the natural thing to drink after such an occasion. However, I want to toast you ladies and all you are doing for the dogs up at The Grange.’ When the waiter reappeared and opened the bottle, Richard raised his glass. ‘Being a stray myself who has benefited from your care and generosity, I can say that the county is very lucky to have you. I thank you.’

  All three women chuckled and raised their glasses.

  The meal was a great success and enjoyed in relaxed company. Once the tricky subject of John’s infidelity was out of the way, Helen thought she’d never seen her mother on such good form. They ate, drank champagne and took no notice of the time.

  ‘What is next on the cards for the fundraising, apart from the sale of goods at the airfield?’ Richard asked.

  Lizzie spoke up before Hillary could open her mouth. ‘I’ve had a word with Gerald and we have both agreed the event should be in May,’ she said, trying not to meet Hillary‘s eye. ‘Given the extra time, there will be more goods prepared by the ladies without us harassing them to hurry up. In the meantime, Rita Binks has been doing a marvellous job with the bingo evenings, they’ve become very popular; and again, thank you, Hillary, for helping out.’

  ‘Someone had to,’ Hillary said as she finished her champagne and held her glass out for a top-up. ‘The barn is rather on the large side, and some of the people sitting towards the back could not hear the vicar’s wife calling out the numbers.’

  Lizzie, who had stuck her head in that night to see how the evening was going, had been surprised at how far Hillary’s voice travelled. ‘Your voice projects extremely well.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Hillary smiled. ‘I’ll be offering my services again in future, so the fundraising continues to succeed.’

  ‘That’s so kind of you,’ Lizzie murmured, not knowing what else to say. ‘I’m just going to nip out to the ladies’ room before we set off; does anyone wish to join me?’

  ‘I’ll come with you,’ Hillary said as she got up and followed after retrieving her shoes.

  ‘A coffee while we’re waiting?’ Richard asked Helen.

  ‘Not for me, otherwise I’ll have to join the other two,’ Helen smiled.

  He got up and moved around the table to sit next to her. ‘I know it’s been a big day for you. You’ve had a lot to contend with; but I’ve sensed another sadness. Is there something else worrying you?’

  Helen sighed. She knew she could trust Richard, but even so, it seemed rather petty after his generous offer of dinner. ‘It is so silly, but I’d planned to do something today . . . something I’ve thought about for quite a while. It has nothing to do with John. It’s just – well, it’s Gavin. As you know, he’s been an absolute beast to my mother, but thankfully he’s got his important job at the airfield to keep him busy at the moment, which means Mother comes to The Grange to help out. And you’ve heard that she’s joined in with our fundraising events at Lizzie’s place. I thought after the reception this afternoon, I would get a cab over to the council office and see if anyone could give me some information about him. He’s a terrible man, but I think I’ll need proof before Mother will truly see that.’

  ‘I can see why you want to do it, but I doubt very much whether the council authority would speak to someone outside the department and give away personal details. So, you’d have made the journey for nothing,’ he said, trying to help her see sense.

  She shrugged her shoulders. ‘Oh well, I suppose you’re right; it was just a thought. It’s just that I know he’s lied to Mother.’

  ‘In what way?’

  ‘Only what I already told you when we last spoke about him. It may not seem like much, but I can’t get his deceit about that bowling club trip out of my mind. I was going to ask if anyone knew why he left the council job. If he is cheating on Mother, I want to find out. Perhaps it was someone he used to work with, and it meant he got fired? Am I putting two and two together and making five?’

  Richard didn’t feel it was the right moment to tell her about his talk with Gavin; Hillary and Lizzie might return to the table at any moment. Besides, he wanted to investigate a little more. ‘Please leave it with me. If I find anything out, I’ll tell you. At least it will put your mind at ease and a smile back on your face. I hate to see you so sad.’ He reached out and took her hand.

  ‘Thank you for listening to me. Even if you can’t find out anything, at least I know I have a friend who cares.’

  ‘I care a lot,’ he said, and was starting to lean forward to kiss her cheek when across the dining room he spotted Lizzie and Hillary returning. Letting go of her hand in case they noticed, he asked, ‘Do you happen to remember when this bowling club trip was supposed to be?’

  ‘I can’t remember the exact date. I feel it would have been just before I returned home after John died; I recall Mother mentioning that Gavin hadn’t brought her a gift. That’s something he’s always done when going away on trips with the bowls team. At the time I could only just function after the shock of John’s death, and felt she was being selfish.’

  ‘It’s understandable,’ he sympathized, ‘you’ve had a lot to think about.’

  ‘Perhaps you could ask some of the women when they come along to Lizzie’s house? Rita Binks may be able to help you. I’m sure her brother is one of the team.’

  ‘I’ll do that,’ he smiled as the waiter brought over their coats and he helped Helen into hers, giving her shoulders a gentle squeeze as he did so. He was keen to know what Gavin was up to, and if it also put Helen’s mind at rest, that was all for the good.

  ‘Thank you,’ she whispered.

  19

  30th April 1940

  On the day of the grand opening of the new kennel block, the spring sun shone down on visitors to The Grange. Jean had dug out some old bunting not used since the coronation, and with Dorothy and Jane’s help she had draped it around bushes and trees close to the paddock where guests had assembled.

  Invitations had been sent out far and wide, to owners of Stan’s Bobtails as well as the ladies from the sewing circles and their families. There was also a scattering of men in uniform, predominantly RAF working out of Biggin Hill airfield. Stan personally welcomed everyone who came in through the large gates of The Grange, shaking hands and pointing out the way to go for the proceedings. A little while later he stepped into the roped-off grass area to make a short speech before inviting Lizzie to cut the red ribbon draped across the main entrance of the new block.

  ‘I now declare these kennels open,’ Lizzie announced with great aplomb as she cut the ribbon, waving her best dressmaking scissors in the air and almost knocking off her wide-brimmed hat.

  ‘She’s had one too many sherries,’ Effie chuckled as she stood behind a long table full of refreshments, helping Jean serve.

  ‘Perhaps give her a cup of tea when she’s finished speaking?’ Jean suggested. ‘We don’t want her falling flat on her nose in her best clothes. I will say she’s dressed the part; that’s such a smart suit. Not everybody can wear green. As for that hat, draped in netting – it could be used for beekeeping.’

  Effie giggled. ‘You are funny. I really do like Lizzie and her husband. People have told me that Americans can be quite loud and brash, but those two are nice.’

  ‘You need to go and look in the children’s atlas in the library,’ Jean scolded her. ‘The Donningtons are Canadian, and very different from Americans – and wait until you meet a few of those, too, before you start judging them.’ She nudged Effie with a grin.

  ‘Oh, silly me. I’m not thinking straight, of course they are,’ she giggled.

  Lizzie finished her speech and Helen stepped forward, looking nervous. ‘I’ve been called upon to thank Lizzie and her husband Gerald for their generosity in arranging for this kennel block to be built. You are welcome to take a look around, but could we do it in groups, please, because some of the dogs are a little timid. There are collection buckets placed in prominent spots, so please be generous, because we are still desperate for money. All these dogs need feeding and caring for, as well as veterinary fees for those who are poorly. We would also like to thank the ladies who supplied this delicious buffet today, and – I know he will hate me naming him, but Stan Trentham is the man behind saving all of these dogs, and also helping our small community. If anyone hasn’t seen the allotments, I suggest you take a walk up the lane and look around. They’re a sight to behold. Six months ago the field was scrubland, and nothing like it is now.’ She looked at her notes. ‘Thank you also to the men from the airfield who set out the allotments, cleared the ground, and in some cases helped to build a few sheds out of old doors and planks of wood. It’s quite miraculous what has been achieved.’

  Effie’s elder daughter, Dorothy, went over and tugged at Helen’s sleeve. She bent down to listen, and the little girl whispered in her ear.

  ‘I’ve been reminded that we also need to thank the husbands and sons of the members of our craft circles for digging the area over and building an air-raid shelter close to the allotments, so we can safely grow our produce and feed our community’. She coughed nervously and looked at her notes again. ‘When you’ve had your fill of the delicious refreshments, may I suggest you walk over towards the house, where we’ve set up a farm shop? It’s a little sparse at the moment as we await our first crops, but the ladies who are members of our craft circles held at Mrs Donnington’s home have used the shelves to display items that they have made. Some are for sale, so please dig deep into your pockets, as all profits go to the upkeep of the dogs in the Donnington kennel block. I’ve almost finished speaking, you’ll be glad to hear,’ she chuckled. ‘We will have, with the help of Major Gerald Donnington, a sale of work, which will be held at the airfield on the fourteenth of May over three days, again with proceeds going towards the stray dog fund.’

  She waited until the applause stopped before turning over her page of notes. ‘Finally, we thought it would be fun to hold our own dog show. As you know, Stan Trentham is a top dog show contestant, and as proper dog shows aren’t running during the war, we thought, with the kennel full of cute-looking dogs, those who wished could rent a dog for the next hour and enter it into our fun classes. There will be rosettes presented to the winners of the classes, made especially for the event by our Mrs Rita Binks. Rita – stand up and take a bow.’

  Everybody cheered and clapped as the popular Rita Binks took a curtsy and headed to one side of the roped-off area where Helen was standing.

  ‘Rita will be our judge for the afternoon. There will be four classes. One will be for the scruffiest dog, another for the dog with the biggest smile, the third for the dog with the waggiest tail and the fourth for the dog who can sit down for the longest time without moving. If you would like to register to be a handler, you can go over to where Mrs Green is in charge of handing over the dogs. Just one thing . . .’ she called out, as most of the visitors started to move toward the kennels. ‘If you don’t want to give the dog back at the end of the day, please speak to us about adoption!’ she laughed. ‘We’d be grateful if anyone could give a dog a good home.’

  Leaving the roped-off area after stopping to thank Rita, she accepted the glass of lemonade Effie handed to her.

  ‘You wouldn’t catch me standing up and talking in front of so many people,’ Effie commented. ‘For one thing, I could never wear a hat; I’m so short I look rather like a mushroom in anything that has a brim, whereas you look so elegant,’ she said, admiring Helen’s floral dress and pale-green straw hat.

  ‘But then I can’t bake such delicious cakes, or concoct fancy fillings out of nothing for the sandwiches. Considering what we had to hand, you’ve created a miracle.’

  ‘Oh, it’s nothing,’ Effie said. ‘Look, take this tea over to Lizzie; we think she needs it.’

  ‘You could be right; her nerves got the better of her. She was worried about cutting the ribbon and speaking in front of all these people. It’s wonderful how many have turned out to support us. This is something really special.’

  ‘It helps having a nice warm day,’ Jean said as she added a dash of milk to the tea. ‘You’d best go before it gets cold, and mind how you carry it as we don’t want tea spilling down that pretty frock of yours.’

  Helen carried the cups and saucers over to the grassy area Stan had carefully nurtured over the past few weeks, in readiness for today. She stopped for a moment to watch as people began to enter the ring for the dog show. Stan was in charge of the ring today and was handing out a number to each participant, which was pinned to their chest. He looked resplendent in his best tweed suit and cap.