Page 65 of Shadows In Paris
Lizzie pulled a blanket up to her nose, the bitter cold filtering through her nightdress. As she rested her head against the sofa, Jack’s face loomed in her mind, and she was swept back to that morning when he surprised her by callingher at home, which was not something he usually did unless it was an emergency.
Christmas fell on a crisp, snowy day and Lizzie was in the kitchen helping her mother make some strange concoction that would have to pass for mince pies. Her mother said it was the best they could do with the ingredients available, but they should at least attempt to have some festive foods.
Lizzie loved cooking with her mother, and as they buzzed about the kitchen, the radio played Christmas carols, interjected with news about current events. Rose was particularly happy because Archie was on leave for a few days over the holiday. They hadn’t seen Lizzie’s older brother Archie for months and her mother could not stop the tears when he appeared at the door, beaming at them just like the old Archie they knew and loved.
Archie was in the front drawing room overlooking the beautiful snow-white park, playing cards with their sisters, and her father glanced at them occasionally from his chair by the fire, as he flicked through the newspaper.
‘They’re ready to go in,’ Rose said, when Lizzie finished laying the decorative holly shaped pastry pieces on the mince pie tops and she popped the tray into the oven. Violet, their wonderful housekeeper, had gone to her sister’s for the day, and it was rare for just Lizzie and her mother to be working in the kitchen together. Lizzie hummed quietly as she tidied.
The phone shrilled several times, and no one went to answer it, so she dusted her floury hands onto her apron and hurried into the hallway. ‘Marylebone 482,’ she said, wondering who was calling on Christmas Day. Jack’s deep voice echoed over the line, and she smiled.
‘Darling. How fortunate you answered. I want to wish you Happy Christmas,’ he said.
‘Thank you,’ she replied, aware that everyone could hear her side of the conversation.
‘Are you surrounded?’ Jack asked.
‘Yes, something like that. Have a wonderful Christmas, Val,’ Lizzie said. ‘Do you need me tomorrow?’
Jack’s familiar voice rippled over the line, causing goosebumps to erupt on her flesh. ‘Oh yes, I most definitely need you tomorrow, Seagrove. Another day without you will be a torrid way to spend Christmas.’
‘Very well, I shall report for duty first thing.’
‘Report for duty at my flat and let’s celebrate our Christmas tomorrow,’ he said. ‘I miss you too much when you’re away.’
Lizzie laughed at him saying she was away when she was only at her parents’ house. ‘I know what you mean,’ she said guardedly, as her mother crossed through to the drawing room to tell the others when lunch would be served. ‘I’d better go now. See you tomorrow. Have a lovely time at your mother’s.’
‘Thank you, I’m leaving soon.’
‘Bye, then,’ she said, wishing she could declare on Christmas Day how madly she loved him. Lizzie had learnt that secret love affairs were painful, because you couldn’t express your true feelings and had to pretend the person you loved was just another colleague.
She was about to ring off, thrilled he’d called her, but sad that they couldn’t be together on this special day. How wonderful it would be if he could walk over after lunch and join them for a festive afternoon tea.
‘Darling,’ he said, still hanging on the phone. ‘I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Come as early as you can.’
Lizzie said she would, her stomach fizzing at his passionate declaration as she replaced the receiver on the cradle and followed her mother into the drawing room.
‘Work?’ her father asked pointedly.
She nodded. ‘Yes, just Val. I need to go into the office tomorrow.’
Her mother exclaimed, ‘Oh, what a shame. I thought we’d at least have Boxing Day together as well, whilst Archie’s home.’
‘I know Ma, but it’ll give you a chance to mollycoddle him all the more,’ she laughed, winking at her older brother.
Rose replied, ‘The war doesn’t stop for Christmas, I suppose. We’re fortunate to have this one special day together. Let’s hope the Jerries are taking it easy today and we get to eat lunch without an air raid.’
Lizzie looked around at her family. It was unusual to see them together these days, and their life in Jersey seemed more and more like a nostalgic childhood memory.
‘I have good news,’ Pa said, laying his newspaper to one side on the small table. Lizzie looked at him expectantly. ‘Hold on, I must check our pies, so they don’t burn.’
When she bustled back into the drawing room, they were all waiting impatiently for her return. ‘Go on, what is this good news? We could certainly do with some.’
‘It’s about Jersey,’ Reginald said, as if he had read her mind earlier.
‘Oh, tell us, Reg,’ begged Rose, removing imaginary fluff from the sleeve of her dress as she waited. ‘What news?’
‘After Christmas, we can send a note to Nan and Pops through the Red Cross Message Service.’
