Page 79 of Neighbors at War

‘It was my grandmother’s,’ the older woman explained. ‘I was away when she died and our mother gave it to your mother, Tony. She loves it but knew I’d always adored it and told me that one day she would pass it on to me.’ She sighed and smiled at them. ‘And now she has.’ She sighed again. ‘Please, wait here while I write her a thank-you note for you to give her, if you don’t mind.’

‘I’ll be happy to take it, Aunty.’

Peggy was enjoying herself. It was a joy to watch someone as happy as his aunt was at that moment. But it reminded her of her friend’s troubles and she was determined to speak to Tony and put forward her idea to help pull Helen out the rut she was sliding further into.

As they pushed their bikes through the village back to the main road, she decided to broach the subject. ‘May I ask you something?’

He stopped walking, concern crossing his face. ‘Of course, anything.’

‘It’s about Helen.’

‘What about her?’

‘I think we need to find a way for her to spend some time outside the house.’

He stared at her. ‘You do?’

‘Yes.’ She saw the anxiety on his face. ‘I know it’s probably a silly idea.’

‘It’s a dangerous one,’ he said. ‘But I understand why you’re suggesting it. I just can’t think how to make it happen.'

Peggy had spent days devising different scenarios and trying to find one that had a chance of working. ‘I thought we could try to do something with her hair so it resembles mine. Then, if I gave her my papers and she wore my clothes, you could come to the house and take her, and maybe Babs, out for a walk. Nothing too much. I just want her to have some freedom outside.’

He frowned and stared thoughtfully at her. ‘Why not dress her in Babs’s clothes? Why yours?’

Peggy took his hand in hers, aware he would rather spend time with her than her sister. ‘Because Babs is very fair, whereas Helen’s hair is auburn.’

‘Yours is darker than hers.’

Peggy had expected him to use this argument. ‘It is but in the dark it will be harder to notice the difference.’

‘I suppose you’re right.’

‘I’m glad you agree with me.’

He nodded thoughtfully. ‘I think it’s a brave and clever idea. We must be careful not to be caught, though, especially by those two officers from next door. We can’t risk them recognising her.’

She dreaded the thought. ‘I know, and I can’t deny I’m anxious about even suggesting this.’ She rested her hand on his arm. ‘I haven’t mentioned anything to Helen yet, so I don’t even know if she’ll agree to go along with it, but I wanted to run it by you first.’ She frowned. ‘Especially as you will be accompanying them both, so you would be taking an enormous risk, too.’

‘Sweetheart, I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy, and if your sister and Helen are willing to give it a try, then I’m happy to accompany them.’

‘I love that I can always rely on you.’

They mounted their bikes, and as they set off Peggy knew the easiest part of the plan had been completed. She still needed to approach Helen with her idea and, if she agreed, to arrange everything and hope for the best outcome. It was a risk, but in her eyes it was one that was worth taking.

Chapter Fifty-One

HELEN

The stormy weather that had blighted their days in October and November made Helen yearn for longer days and warmer nights. It was miserable not having blue sky to look out at for weeks on end. The rain had been depressing enough but now it was colder and she doubted her mood could sink any lower.

The only brightness in her day was her darling Bobby. It amazed her how he managed to stay content in his small world. If only she could do the same.

‘Do you mind if I come and join you both for a bit?’ Peggy asked from the doorway.

Helen was surprised to see her friend standing there. She must have been deep in thought not to have heard Peggy’s footsteps on the creaky floorboards on the stairs up to the attic.

‘Not at all,’ she said, hoping to hear how her friend’s cycle ride to Gorey had gone. ‘Come and tell me everything.’