Page 43 of Neighbors at War

‘Nasty piece of work, that one,’ he said. Peggy assumed he had had a run-in with the man before. ‘He should have been looking where he was going. He was too busy sneering at me to notice you before it was too late.’

‘I should have been a little more careful, too,’ she said, doing her best to brush snow off the seat of her coat and her knees. ‘I must look a mess.’

‘You’ll soon dry when you’re somewhere warmer.’ He considered something for a moment. ‘Would you like me to accompany you to wherever it is you’re going?’

Peggy didn’t think that wise. ‘There’s no need. I’m on my way to Newgate.’

He looked aghast. ‘The prison?’

She nodded. ‘I have a letter to deliver.’ When the man eyed her suspiciously, she thought it best to elaborate further. ‘I work for an advocate and one of his clients has been arrested. We’re hoping to secure his release.’

‘I see.’ He looked around, seeming uncomfortable. ‘I really should be on my way. My son will worry if I’m late.’

‘Thank you again for helping me, it was very kind of you.’

Determined to be more careful, Peggy set off again and shortly afterwards reached the junction where Seaton Place met Gloucester Street. She was about to cross the road when she spotted someone she thought she recognised, walking with head bowed and his hands deep in his coat pockets.

‘Tony?’ She breathed his name, barely daring to hope he had been released. Realising he wasn’t coming in her direction but heading towards the Esplanade, she picked up speed until, slipping slightly, she had to grab the wall beside her to keep her balance. She slowed her pace, hoping not to lose him. She was about to call out to him when she saw two officers coming in her direction from Newgate Street.

She crossed Gloucester Street, doing her best to follow Tony, wishing he would slow down and allow her to catch up. Damn this ice, she fumed. If only she could run, she would catch up to him in no time. Where was he going, anyway? His father’s office was in the opposite direction.

Eventually, seeing the road was clear of soldiers, Peggy called out to him. She kept her voice fairly low, not wishing to draw attention to herself, but when he didn’t hear she shouted again, this time a little louder.

‘Tony, wait.’

He stopped and turned, looking surprised to see her there and immediately hurried to join her.

‘Where were you going?’ she asked as he slipped his arms around her in a brief hug. ‘Your father will be waiting to hear from you.’

‘I was going straight to see him but changed my mind.’ He smiled, looking a little sheepish. ‘I wanted to let you know what had happened.’ He took her hands in his. ‘I knew you’d be worried.’

‘I was.’ She slipped her arms around his waist and clung to him for as long as she dared until a military vehicle passed and she let go, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention.

‘Never mind me, what are you doing here?’

She quickly explained about taking a letter from his father to the prison governor. ‘Well, that was the plan, but it doesn’t matter now you’re free.’ She brushed away a tear. ‘We never dared expect you to be out this quickly.’ She saw him studying her.

‘You’re trembling.’ He noticed her damp skirt. ‘And you’re soaking. Did you fall?’ He took her arms and held her away from him as he inspected her knees. ‘Your tights are ripped.’ He took her hand and began leading her along the road.

‘Where are we going?’

‘I’m taking you home. You need to change into something dry before you catch a chill.’

She tugged at his hand trying to stop him. ‘I must go to the office first,’ she explained, her voice rising when he didn’t slow down. ‘Your father will be waiting to hear from me.’

‘That can wait. He won’t be expecting you to be very quick, anyway.’ He held her tightly to his side. ‘It’s because of me and my actions that you’re out here in the freezing cold wearing wet clothes. I’m not going to have you falling ill and on my conscience.’ He led her towards St Aubin’s Road. ‘And before you argue, I can assure you my father would expect me to do this.’

She gave in, aware that he was right and grateful to be going home. Her head ached with the cold and her knee throbbed. She looked up at him as they walked and, sensing her gaze on him, Tony smiled at her. ‘When you’re changed, you can tell me what you intended saying to the jail Kommandant.’

‘Happily,’ she agreed. ‘And you can tell me what you were doing to cause your arrest.’

They reached her home and Peggy opened the front door, beckoning him inside.

‘Are you certain your mother won’t mind?’ he asked looking past her towards the kitchen.

Peggy loved that her tiny mother barely five feet in height intimidated a man as big as Tony. She was about to tease him when Ida marched through from the kitchen, a wooden spoon in one hand and a towel draped over her other arm. ‘Won’t mind what?’

‘Tony, you’re out?’ Babs cheered from halfway up the stairs. She ran down to join them.