Page 77 of Neighbors at War

Peggy clasped it to her chest, closing her eyes, near to tears. ‘This is the best news.’

‘You don’t know what it says yet.’

‘No, but he’s still alive if he can send a telegram, and he cares enough to reply.’ She leapt up and flung her arms around Tony’s neck. ‘You’re so clever to have thought of this. I know Helen is going to be over the moon. Thank you.’ She kissed him again and again. ‘Thank you so much, clever, clever Tony.’

He laughed. ‘Hey, steady on.’ He pulled her into his arms and kissed her slowly and Peggy lost herself in his love for her.

Hearing footsteps they leapt apart and, remembering she was holding the telegram, Peggy quickly pushed it into her pocket, not wishing anyone to see.

‘It must be time to leave,’ she said, hearing more footsteps coming down the stairs.

‘I’ll fetch my jacket and meet you downstairs. I’d like to see Helen’s face when you hand her Richard’s telegram.’

Chapter Forty-Nine

HELEN

Helen was surprised when Babs came to fetch her earlier than usual, insisting she join Peggy and Tony downstairs. She followed Bobby down the narrow attic staircase and down to the kitchen, where Peggy and Tony were sitting chatting to Ida as she filled the kettle.

Everyone seemed in high spirits for some reason, and she wondered what could have happened to cheer them up so much.

‘Good afternoon, everyone,’ she said as they all took it in turns to look at the toy Bobby was waving in the air.

She realised they were all staring at her; Peggy with a strange look on her face.

‘You’re all looking very cheerful,’ she said, as Peggy took something from her pocket. It took a couple of seconds for Helen to see that it was a telegram.

‘For me?’ she whispered, hardly daring to believe what she was seeing. ‘Is it from Richard?’

Tony nodded.

‘It is, Helen,’ Peggy said handing her the buff-coloured envelope and hugging her.

Ida stepped forward. ‘There’s this one, too.’ She held it out for her.

Helen gasped, unable to take in that she had not one but two messages from Richard to read. ‘But I don’t understand.’

‘I presume the one addressed to me,’ Tony said, ‘was in case you didn’t receive the one he sent here.’

Babs started to cry. ‘This is so romantic.’

‘Hush, foolish girl,’ Ida said. ‘We don’t know what they say yet.’

Helen stared at the envelopes in her trembling hands, unsure what to do for a moment. ‘I hope you don’t mind if I take these to the living room to read?’ she said. She would prefer not to be watched while she read his words, at least for the first time.

‘You do that, lovey.’ Ida smiled. Then, addressing Babs, she said, ‘The blackouts are up everywhere, I hope? I don’t want those buggers next door walking past and spotting Helen in there.’

‘Yes, Mum. No one can see inside.’ She grinned at Helen. ‘I’m ever so happy for you.’

‘We all are,’ Peggy agreed.

‘Thank you. May I leave Bobby in here?’

‘Yes, of course,’ Peggy said with a laugh. ‘Now go and see what he’s got to say.’

As soon as she was in the living room, Helen closed the door. She took a deep breath to steady herself, determined not to cry, then read the twenty-five words Richard had written to Tony, wanting to save the one to her for last.

Thank you for excellent news. Missing all. Please send fondest love to all. Am fit and well but longing to see everyone. Your friend, Richard