Page 30 of Neighbors at War

‘Something for my father and also my mother,’ Tony said. ‘My father has his birthday a few days before Christmas, too, and I was hoping to find a couple of small gifts for him. He said not to bother this year, but it feels wrong not finding something to give him to mark both occasions, don’t you agree?’

‘I do,’ Babs confirmed. ‘Let me see.’ She gave his request a little thought and then, raising a finger, smiled. ‘I think I might have just the thing.’ She bent down behind the counter and opened a cupboard. Straightening up, she placed two small boxes on the counter and pointed to one. ‘We still have one of these beautiful shaving brushes left.’ She took the other box and opened it, lifting out a small metal contraption: a mirror with a small folding stand.

‘What’s that?’ Peggy asked, intrigued.

‘Let me guess,’ Tony said, as Babs hid the box underneath the counter. ‘May I pick it up to have a better look?’

‘Of course.’ Babs smiled at the two women who had been hovering nearby trying to listen in to their conversation. ‘May I assist you, ladies?’

‘Not at the moment,’ the woman who recognised Tony snapped. Peggy realised she was with a friend. The two of them seemed rather unimpressed by her, which was odd, seeing that they didn’t know her at all. ‘We were just on our way.’

Peggy gave her sister a conspiratorial smile. ‘That was clever. I thought they’d never go away.’

Babs grinned. ‘It was rather, wasn’t it? Actually, I’m used to nosy parkers trying to snoop on other customers. Really gets on my pip and I’m always happy to see them on their way.’ She looked over Peggy’s shoulder. ‘They’ve left the shop. Thank heavens for that.’

Peggy couldn’t agree more. What was wrong with some people?

‘I bet I know what this is,’ said Tony.

‘Tell us, then.’ Babs said.

Peggy suspected he was trying to distract them and, knowing Tony was good at working things out, nudged him. ‘Go on, tell us what you’re thinking.’ She peered at it. ‘I haven’t a clue.’

‘Is it a little night light?’ He held up the small metal object and opened one side to show Peggy the circular holder. ‘I think a candle is placed in there. And this mirror is to reflect the light as much as possible.’

Peggy thought he might be right. ‘But why does it fold up? What’s the point of that?’

‘For travelling,’ Babs said.

Peggy looked from one to the other of them, unsure whether it would be rude of her to point out the obvious flaw in this gift idea.

Tony smiled. ‘I know none of us are going anywhere very soon,’ he said. ‘But my father will love this. He’s always trying to persuade my mother to stay positive and hope that this war will end at some point. He’ll like having something to keep for when we’re all able to travel again.’

Peggy didn’t dare admit that she often thought that time might never come.

‘It’s also something he can easily store away,’ he said, handing the object back to Babs. ‘I’ll have it, please,’ he said. ‘And the shaving brush. Thank you, they’re perfect suggestions and I know he’ll be happy with them.’

Peggy waited while Tony paid for the items and Babs put the boxes in a paper bag. She was glad that her sister had been able to help resolve his gift quandary. ‘Would you be able to make any suggestions for something for Mum?’

Babs nodded. ‘I have just the thing. One minute.’

Peggy was unsure whether to buy something her mother would deem necessary and practical, or a gift that would be more of a luxury. She hoped that whatever it was Babs had in mind would solve her indecision.

‘Here,’ Babs declared, lifting a box that was larger than either of those Tony was carrying. ‘Again, this is the last one we have.’ She lowered her voice. ‘I know we’re probably expected to purchase items that have a more practical use, but I think that while we still have things like these in stock, we may as well give them to those we love to enjoy. Don’t you agree? And I know Mum will love this. I thought we could buy this for her together.’

Babs turned the box to face her and Tony. Peggy studied the three glass tubs.

‘The fragrance is heavenly,’ Babs said, taking out one of them. ‘Lavender. This one is hand cream, this is for the face and this,’ she said proudly, ‘is for your feet.’

‘Feet?’ Tony shot Peggy an astonished glance. ‘Feet?’ he whispered, obviously not understanding why anyone might spend good money for cream for their feet.

Peggy noticed Babs’s amusement at his reaction, glad she wasn’t upset by his surprise.

‘She’ll love this. Although you don’t think she might be a bit cross with us for buying something frivolous?’

Babs frowned. ‘There’s nothing frivolous about looking after yourself,’ she said.

Her sister had a point. ‘Still, it is a time for cutting back and taking care, isn’t it?’ Peggy said doubtfully.