Page 47 of Neighbors at War

‘Everything’s fine,’ she said, her voice calm but determined. ‘The doctor has been called and he arranged for your aunt to be taken to the hospital.’

Thinking she must have been mistaken earlier, Helen sat up again. ‘She’s alive?’

Peggy shook her head slowly. ‘I’m afraid not. It’s where they take people who’ve passed on.’

Helen let out a sob and squeezed her eyes closed. Then, lying on her side, she brought her knees up into a foetal position, wishing she could go back in time.

Peggy pulled a light, lacy cover over her and stroked her back. ‘I’m so sorry, Helen.’

‘You mustn’t think you’re alone,’ Ida’s voice came from the doorway. ‘We’re here for you. We’ll look out for you and Bobby.’

‘Thank you,’ Helen said, desperately trying to stop crying. ‘Where’s Bobby?’

‘He’s downstairs with Babs.’

Helen wondered why her teeth where chattering when it wasn’t that cold, then supposed it must be from shock. ‘I should go home,’ she said eventually. ‘I don’t want to be any trouble.’

‘You’re not,’ Peggy said. ‘But if you wish to I’ll come with you and help you pack up your aunt’s things, if that’s what you want to do.’

Helen had no idea what she wanted.

* * *

The following couple of weeks passed in a heartbroken, stunned haze. Helen couldn’t face returning to work and sent a message to Cook to let her know what had happened. Not long afterwards, she received a visit from her, and was touched when Mrs Jeune handed her a small package of food for her and Bobby.

‘I want you to know I’m here, if ever you need me,’ she said. ‘And please call me Pearl.’

Helen wasn’t sure why she was surprised that Cook, or Mrs Jeune as she knew her, was called Pearl. She looked at this woman who had only ever shown her kindness, if sometimes in a gruff way, and her heart filled with gratitude.

‘Thank you, Pearl.’

Pearl looked around the neat living room. ‘I know it’s a difficult thing to do but if you need me to come and help you sort through your aunt’s belongings or find a home for them you only need ask.’

‘That’s very kind of you.’

She stared thoughtfully at Helen. ‘Your aunt and I were friends since our first day at the parish school we attended. She was a good woman. Always kind. And I know she loved having you and Bobby living here with her.’

Helen was only aware she was crying when Pearl’s expression changed, and she delved in her handbag and pulled out a neatly pressed handkerchief. Shaking it out she held it to Helen. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.’

Helen wiped her eyes and blew her nose. ‘You didn’t. I’m a bit of a mess and many things set me off. I… I just don’t know how I’m going to face the future without her.’

Pearl patted her hand. ‘You’re not alone. You have me and Mrs Edwards.’ She gave a tight smile. ‘She asked to be remembered to you.’ She sighed. ‘You must keep busy, and vigilant.’ She shifted in her chair. ‘Please don’t think I’m overstepping our friendship when I say I think you must consider what you’re going to do, now that your aunt is no longer here.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘This is a big house for you and Bobby, and a young girl like you should think before deciding to stay here with only the little one for company.’

Helen realised she was suggesting she and Bobby move, but didn’t think she could cope with doing something like that. ‘I can barely stand being in this house without her,’ she admitted. She hesitated and continued, ‘But this place is my only connection to Aunt Sylvia now and I can’t cope with the thought of leaving.’

Pearl Jeune rested her forearms on the table and lowered her voice, as if there was anyone nearby to overhear what she was about to say. ‘I understand, really I do. And I don’t want to worry you but I believe you really must consider moving somewhere where you won’t be by yourself. Will you try to do that for me?’

Fear felt like a lead weight in the pit of her stomach. ‘But where would I go? There’s not many people who’d take a spinster with a child, Mrs Jeune.’

‘I told you you’re not alone, and I meant it. You might not know many people, but I do. When you decide you want to move, let me know and I’ll do my best to find somewhere that suits you.’

Helen saw the hope in her friend’s eyes. ‘Thank you.’

‘I don’t mean to put pressure on you, but I feel a sense of responsibility for you and this little one.’