Page 51 of Neighbors at War

‘Something must have happened,’ her mother whispered. ‘She’s never usually out this early.’

The two of them hurried to the hall.

Peggy saw Helen’s puffy eyes and ashen face, and knew that whatever it was must be bad. Hadn’t the poor girl already suffered enough?

Ida stood in front of Helen looking at Bobby. ‘Is there something wrong with the little one?’

Helen sniffed and shook her head. ‘He’s fine.’

‘That’s a relief.’ She took Bobby from Helen’s trembling arms and handed him to Babs. ‘Take him through to the living room while your sister and I chat with Helen.’

Peggy could tell Babs was disappointed not to be included in the conversation, but she knew Helen needed to have the freedom to show her emotions without worrying about frightening her little boy.

‘Let’s sit down,’ Ida said. ‘Peggy, fetch this lamb a cup of tea.’

Helen raised a hand. ‘No, please. I don’t want to take your rations. I’ve had a cup already this morning. Water will be fine, thank you.’

‘Tell us what’s happened,’ Peggy heard her mother say, as she held a glass under the tap and half filled it with cool water. ‘You clearly haven’t slept a wink.’

‘I’ve been up all night fretting about what I should do.’

Peggy couldn’t understand how Helen had heard about the deportations when she knew Tony wouldn’t have told anyone, and she certainly hadn’t shared the information with anyone other than him. She joined them at the table and listened miserably as Helen relayed all that had happened the evening before. ‘I can’t understand why we didn’t hear them banging.’

So that’s what had happened, she mused, wishing Helen could have come to them the previous evening but knowing she would have been unable to because of the strict curfew.

‘I’m at my wits’ end,’ Helen said before taking a sip of water. ‘They said that the house is too big for just me and Bobby.’ She began to cry, and Peggy wished she didn’t have to tell Helen about having to leave the house, anyway. She listened as Helen continued. ‘They’re moving us elsewhere but wouldn’t say where. Apparently Aunt Sylvia’s house has been requisitioned to house officers.’ She sobbed into a hanky before looking up at Peggy, then Ida, her large eyes bloodshot. ‘Nazis sleeping in my aunt’s house. She would be horrified.’

Peggy gritted her teeth. ‘How dare they do this, and to a grieving woman, too.’

‘Never mind that,’ Ida snapped. ‘We can waste time going on about how dreadful it is later.’

‘What do you mean?’ Helen asked, clearly thrown by Ida’s reaction.

Peggy watched as her mother took Helen’s hand in both of hers. ‘Helen, dear, the most important thing to your aunt, and to me, is yours and Bobby’s safety. She spoke to me a few weeks before she died and asked me to promise to look out for you both, which I have done and will continue to do. I always keep my promises.’

It was the first Peggy had heard of her mother speaking with Sylvia.

‘I don’t understand,’ Helen said, looking from Ida to Peggy.

Peggy sensed exactly what her mother was about to say. She was glad that the three of them had already worked out a plan.

‘You’re going to move in here,’ Ida insisted in a voice that Peggy recognised as one that didn’t invite argument.

‘Pardon?’ Helen looked startled. ‘I don’t understand.’

Ida sat back and focused on Helen. ‘Peggy was coming over to see you shortly to explain about everything.’ She reached out and rested a hand on Helen’s arm. ‘Peggy’s learned there’s to be deportations from the island.’

Helen turned to Peggy. ‘When?’

Peggy felt deeply sorry for her friend and willed her to find the strength to cope with this unexpected turn of events. ‘Imminently, I’m afraid,’ she said in the gentlest voice she could muster. ‘I was translating the order yesterday and the three of us decided then that the best thing for you and Bobby would be to move in here.’

‘Here? But you don’t have room for the two of us.’ A look of hope crossed her face. ‘Do you?’

Ida smiled. ‘We’ll make room. It will be safer for you and Bobby to hide in the attic, especially now those parasites are moving in next door.’

They watched as Helen thought about their offer. She didn’t seem convinced.

‘Don’t you like the idea?’ Peggy asked, wondering if it was the prospect of living in the attic that had put Helen off. ‘I promise it’ll be fine when we clean it up.’