Page 33 of Neighbors at War

Christmas Day 1941

She read the note that had been popped in through the letterbox earlier, which her mother had placed on the hall table. What could Tony be writing to her about? She had seen him at work earlier in the day and he hadn’t mentioned sending her a letter. She opened it and unfolded the single sheet of paper.

Dear Peggy,

I forgot ask you something earlier and didn’t like to trouble your mother by calling in this evening. Please meet me at the bus shelter along from your house at ten-thirty, if possible. I have a little something for you and would love to be able to give it to you in person. I’ll wait for an hour but will then need to return home to be with my family. I hope to see you.

Tony x

She checked her watch. It was ten-fifteen already and she was only halfway through peeling the few potatoes her mother had queued over an hour for at the greengrocers the previous day. Their lunch was going to be meagre, to say the least, but if they were spending the day together, Peggy didn’t care what they ate. It wasn’t going to be as tasty as the chicken they had eaten for their first Occupation Christmas the previous year, but that couldn’t be helped.

Today wouldn’t be special like her childhood Christmases – and not only because celebrating without her father seemed odd. At least they had baby Bobby to distract them and cheer them up.

She hurriedly finished the potatoes and popped them into a small pan of water, placing the lid on top before drying her hands.

‘I’m just running out quickly, Mum,’ she shouted as she put on her coat, scarf, hat and gloves. ‘I shan’t be long.’

‘Make sure you’re not,’ her mother replied from upstairs.

She had to run most of the way to the bus stop, not wanting to keep Tony waiting in the cold any longer than necessary. As it was she wouldn’t have long to talk to him if she wasn’t to upset her mother. As she neared the stop, two soldiers walked towards her.

‘You’re just my kind of girl,’ the taller one said in German, a sneer on his face. ‘How about coming out with me tonight?’

Desperate to say something to him but aware they probably assumed she couldn’t understand them, Peggy pretended not to understand and focused on the way ahead.

‘I don’t think she likes you very much,’ the other one mocked. ‘Maybe I’m more her type.’

Peggy wondered how they would react if they discovered she did understand. Would they be embarrassed, or frightened she might report them? Either way, she decided, they weren’t going to know. Anyway, she had Tony to see and that was far more important than two silly German privates showing off to each other.

She spotted Tony waiting, his coat collar turned up against the brisk wind, arms folded across his chest. He saw her and smiled, opening his arms.

Peggy ran to him, relishing being enveloped in his strong embrace. She rested her head against the rough tweed of his winter coat, breathing in the scent of the cold sea air and the brand of tobacco his father smoked. He led her further into the bus shelter to keep them out of the worst of the wind.

‘I’m sorry to ask you to meet me out here when it’s barely above freezing.’

She stifled a shiver. ‘I was happy to come.’

He lowered his head and kissed her. ‘I have a little something for you. It’s not much, and when this is all over, I intend to rectify the lack of choice here.’

‘That’s not necessary.’

He handed her the small package. ‘I’m sorry it isn’t wrapped nicely, but I couldn’t find any Christmas paper.’

She stared at it, wondering what it might be. She knew she would love whatever he had given her.

Tony put his arm around her shoulder ‘Are you going to open it, or just look at it?’

She unfolded the paper bag and withdrew a silver brooch in the shape of a daisy. ‘Tony, it’s beautiful,’ she gasped, unbuttoning her coat.

‘What are you doing?’ he asked, looking shocked. ‘It’s too cold to take your coat off.’

‘I wasn’t. I want you to fasten it to my cardigan, so I know it’s properly pinned on.’

She waited while he did as she asked, watching his hands.

‘You like it, then?’ He gazed at her and Peggy was surprised to see how unsure he seemed. Before she had got to know him better she had always assumed this strong, handsome man was briming with confidence.

‘I love it.’ She studied it, loving him even more for his thoughtfulness. ‘It’s such a treat having something this pretty.’