Page 54 of Neighbors at War

It was going to take some doing, Peggy realised. It was only September, but it was a cool day and already felt colder up here than it did downstairs. Peggy wondered how the pair of them would cope during the depths of winter but pushed her concerns aside. There was plenty of time in the coming months to find solutions. It wasn’t as if Helen had anywhere better to hide.

She stepped into the attic and took the broom and dustpan from her mother. ‘Maybe ask Babs to bring up a mop and bucket with some hot water in it. Then we can wash the floors, too.’ As her mother went down to the next landing, Peggy had another thought. ‘You can ask her to bring up the rug from my room and the one from hers too. They’ll help make this place a bit more comfortable.’

By the time she and her sister had finished, Peggy thought they had done a decent job.

‘How’s it going up here?’ Helen asked joining them. Her mouth opened in surprise. ‘Gosh, it’s much nicer than our attic next door. We have to climb through a hatch. And it’s dusty and full of boxes, bits of furniture and old paintings.’

Peggy laughed. ‘This one wasn’t much better a few hours ago.’ She leant on the mop handle. ‘How are you doing?’

‘I’m a bit overwhelmed, to be honest, and trying not to think too deeply about everything.’ She smiled. ‘You’ve all been incredibly generous and kind.’

Peggy shook her head. ‘You’re our friend, Helen. And we’re only doing the neighbourly thing.’

‘I’d like to think that was true of all neighbours,’ Helen said. ‘But I suspect it’s not the case. Anyhow, I’ve unpacked the small amount of food we managed to bring from next door and your mum has hidden some of it in her basement. She seemed happy with what I’ve brought, which makes me feel a bit better about everything.’

‘You need to stop feeling badly about all this,’ Peggy said, hoping to reassure her. ‘It’s not your doing that led you here and I don’t want you to forget that. I’d already come up with the idea last night, actually, before those officers forced us to move a little quicker on it.’

She could see by Helen’s concerned expression that she wasn’t convinced.

‘It’s true, Helen. These are exceptional times. We can only do the best with what we have.’

‘I know you’re right, but I already felt guilty about Aunt Sylvia taking me in, and how drastically her life must have changed when I turned up on her doorstep. I feel such a burden.’

Peggy leant the mop against the sloping roof. ‘Now you listen to me. We all know you and Bobby meant the world to your aunt. Imagine how frightening it would have been for her to live alone for the past year. Then, when she became ill, having you there to help her meant an awful lot, and Bobby kept her company. It was plain for us all to see how much joy you both brought into Sylvia’s life. You should never feel guilty about that.’

Helen was about to argue, but Peggy raised her hand to stop her, clearly having no intention of letting her continue until she had finished having her say. ‘Babs and I are so grateful for your friendship. We’ve loved seeing your aunt happy, and I know Mum loves Bobby. Spending time with him has given her a new lease of life.’ She smiled, sadly. ‘She struggled for a long time to come to terms with losing Dad, and she dotes on that little boy, so please forget any concerns you have.’

‘I’ll do my best.’

‘Good, that’s settled then. Now, as soon as this floor has dried you can help me make up a bed for you both.’

Chapter Thirty-Three

HELEN

That night, as Helen lay on the mattress cuddling Bobby, she stared out of the window at the stars in the inky black sky and wondered at how quickly everything had changed. The day had passed in a blur. Her mind was still spinning from the drama of having to pack essentials and sneak them over to this house, which was so similar in layout to number 2.

It helped to know her aunt’s home was on the other side of the stone wall separating the properties. Although, she mused, it was also painful to think that it was within touching distance and yet permanently separated from her.

She looked around the attic space, which now held a small table and a clean leather suitcase with her and Bobby’s clothes folded neatly inside. Babs was going to help her make it more homely the following day, and Ida had promised to cut down a pair of old curtains, so that Helen could shut out the night whenever she wanted to. Now, though, she was happy to be able to lie here as the rest of the house slept and watch the same stars that she had always seen from her own window.

Bobby stirred in her arms and Helen realised she needed to try and sleep. There was still a lot to do if she and her little boy were to make this cavernous room their home for the foreseeable future.

She woke to Bobby giggling and poking her gently in the eye.

‘Ouch,’ she said, pretending to be shocked and making him curl up in amusement. ‘Cheeky boy!’ She laughed, tickling him and wishing he would stay like this, unfazed by all that was going to happen to them over the coming months and, she thought, feeling sick, possibly years. She shook her head to banish the troublesome thought and tickled him again.

Bobby jumped out of bed and ran off across the wooden floor. It occurred to Helen how noisy his footsteps might become as he grew. She would have to find slippers or footwear with a soft sole if she was to ensure he wasn’t heard downstairs. Thoughts raced through her mind as she realised that the two of them would need to make many adjustments if they were to remain hidden from the Nazis.

Helen sighed and wondered if she was doing the right thing, putting Bobby into this prison, albeit one looked over by friends.

‘What’s that sigh for?’ came a voice behind her. She turned to see Babs at the attic door carrying a jug of water. ‘Mum sent this up so you can wash.’ She opened her arms for Bobby to run into them. ‘How’s my favourite boy?’

Helen took the jug and set it down on the deep windowsill, where Peggy had left a bowl, two facecloths and neatly folded towels.

‘How did you sleep?’ Babs asked, giving Bobby a cuddle before letting him go and watching him run off to find his toy bunny.

‘Well, actually. The mattress is comfortable.’