Page 4 of Summer of Fire
Her sister told her they had all been to the market to get what provisions they could. Supplies were low and they had to queue for ages. ‘I still can’t believe we need ration books to shop for food. It’s the Jersey butter I miss most,’ she said longingly, as if she could still taste it.
‘Oh, me too,’ said Evie, smacking her lips. ‘What wouldn’t I do for a warm, fresh baguette just out of the oven, slathered with a huge dollop of butter? And fried plaice fresh off the boat, and new potatoes coated in butter and sprinkled with mint for dinner.’
‘Oh, do stop,’ said Juliet, laughing. ‘You’re making me hungry again.’
After supper, the women listened to the radio in the drawing room. They had fallen into the habit of sitting there most evenings since moving into the elegant, buttermilk-hued town house that overlooked the park.
‘Turn it up a little, Ma,’ Juliet said, straining to hear.
A battle was raging in the skies of the south coast. Oliver had volunteered for the Royal Air Force—it was no wonder Juliet looked pale.
Lizzie squeezed her arm. ‘He’ll be fine, Jules. One of the senior chaps in my office said he predicts the war will be over by the end of the year. We’ll all go home to Seagrove soon.’
Even as Lizzie said the words, conflicting feelings ripped through her.
Was she enjoying the war a bittoomuch whilst so many others were suffering? The excitement of being involved in something bigger than herself and being needed in the workplace was intoxicating.
She’d never been encouraged to get a job before and hadn’t expected to have any kind of career.Archie was training as a lawyer and worked in their father’s office since graduating from Oxford.
To be fair to her parents, Lizzie hadn’t been interested in studying for a degree, but if she had, they wouldn’t have held her back. It was a rare thing for a woman to attend university, especially a Jersey girl who would have to move to England to attend. She wasn’t particularly academic, although she enjoyed reading and had a flair for languages.
Juliet couldn’t wait to leave school, so further education wasn’t an option for her either. She loved being outdoors. Oliver’s family owned a farm, and that life would suit her perfectly.
This was the way of things. The girls were expected to marry and spend their days raising a family, running a home, and contributing to the community, just like their mother.
But everything changed with the war—almost overnight. As much as Lizzie missed their wonderful life in Jersey, she wasn’t ready to return to it just yet.
She had discovered a whole new side of herself, whichshe liked. The routine of going to the office each morning and coming home in the evening was invigorating.
She relished her newfound independence and not knowing what each day would bring. Whilst Britain fought for her freedom, Lizzie was discovering hers and the irony wasn’t lost on her.
They all heard the front door close at the same time and looked up to see Pa enter the room.
‘Ah, all my girls together. How lovely,’ he said, kissing them one by one, and settling on the sofa between his wife and Evie.
‘Something to eat, darling?’ Rose said.
‘No thank you, I ate at work. A snifter of whisky would hit the spot though, and then I’d better turn in. Got an early start again tomorrow.’
‘Just as well that you only like a snifter or we’d be out of whisky by now,’ Rose replied.
‘You look tired, Pa,’ said Lizzie.
‘I’m fine. Just need a good night’s sleep and I’ll be right as rain. How’s it going with your job?’
‘Very well,’ she said. ‘Thank you for arranging it for me.’
‘Honestly, I’m not sure I would have thought of it myself, so I won’t take the credit. It was my colleague who jumped all over the idea of bringing you in once I mentioned how proficient you are in French. Can’t get enough French translators apparently, with so much going on over there.’
‘Maybe I should apply for a job too, although my French isn’t half as good as clever clogs’ here,’ said Juliet, poking Lizzie in the ribs and pulling a face.
‘Ouch! What nonsense. You could do my job standing on your head, but I doubt you’d like being cooped up in an office. Although I didn’t think I would either, but I’m enjoying it. Perhaps we can find you something too, Jules?’
‘Women are increasingly in demand, with so many menaway. I’ll keep my ears open for you. There are all sorts of driving jobs, you know. That would be perfect for you, Juliet. And you too, Evie. We need all the help we can get to win this war,’ said Pa, downing his whisky in one.
‘What about Ma?’ Lizzie asked.
‘Ma? I didn’t know you were interested in a job, Rose. But of course, if you want to do your bit, there are plenty of opportunities.’
