Page 65 of Neighbors at War

‘That’s a shame.’ Ida held up the bottle for him to see. ‘Do you have time to join us for a glass of wine?’

‘French? Where did you get that?’

Ida tapped the side of her nose. ‘Ask no questions and I’ll tell you no lies.’

‘This is turning out to be a far better day than I expected,’ Babs said before glancing up at the ceiling.

Peggy realised she was asking if it was safe to let Helen join them. ‘Yes, it’s all right for them to come down now.’

‘This is so exciting,’ Babs enthused, immediately running back upstairs to fetch their friends.

Helen walked into the room holding Bobby’s hand. ‘Merry Christmas, everyone.’

‘Tony’s brought us a chicken,’ Babs announced.

Helen beamed at him. ‘Did you hear that, Bobby? That’s so kind of you.’

‘I hope you enjoy it.’ He stood. ‘I’d better dash. Mum will be expecting me for our Christmas meal, and she’ll never forgive me if I’m late.’

‘But where did you get it from?’ Ida asked.

He tapped the side of his nose, a wide grin on his face. ‘Don’t ask me questions and I won’t have to lie to you, Mrs Hamel.’

‘You didn’t pinch this from somewhere, I hope?’

Peggy knew her mother was teasing but saw by the look of shock on Tony’s face that he didn’t realise it.

‘It was one of Dad’s patients, a farmer who gave him the chicken in payment for helping his family.’

Peggy hated to think they were taking good food from Tony’s family. ‘But why are you giving it to us?’

He smiled. ‘Because another patient gave him a goose and that’s what we’re having for our lunch. I thought it greedy for us to enjoy both so I asked if I could bring the chicken to you. Dad was thrilled to give your family something for Christmas.’

She thought of her boss and what a kind-hearted man he was. ‘I’m so lucky to work for your father, Tony. Please thank him from us, and your mother, too. We’re very grateful and it will make all the difference to our day.’

‘It certainly will,’ Ida assured him.

Chapter Forty-One

HELEN

That evening Helen helped Babs with the washing up while Ida and Peggy watched over Bobby as he played on the floor with the teddy Ida had made for him out of an old felt skirt and stockings for stuffing. The day had been far better than she had expected, thanks to Bobby receiving a present and the delicious meal provided by Tony’s family. She didn’t recall her stomach feeling this comfortably full for months now and it was such a treat.

‘It wasn’t such a bad Christmas, all things considered,’ Babs said, placing a clean wet plate onto the wooden drainer for Helen to dry.

Helen agreed. ‘It cheered me up watching Bobby eat so well and he had so much fun. I worry that he isn’t getting enough nutritious food, but today helped.’

She wondered why Babs had stopped washing crockery and turned her head to look at her. She was surprised to find her friend studying her. ‘What is it?’

‘You seem a little down today.’ Babs shook her head. ‘Or rather troubled. Yes, that’s what it is. Has something happened?’

‘I wasn’t sure whether to mention it.’

Babs placed her hands on her hips. ‘Go on. Tell me.’

Helen explained about the Hauptmann making her feel uncomfortable at Villa Millbrook and hearing his voice coming from her aunt’s house the previous night. ‘There’s something vicious about him,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘You can see it in his eyes. I don’t mind admitting it shook me up.’

‘I’m not surprised.’ Babs rested a wet hand on Helen’s forearm. She gave a sharp intake of breath. ‘You don’t think he’s the one who’s taken to calling on Peggy?’ she asked. ‘I was hoping he was more annoying than dangerous. Do you know his name?’