The Long Road Ahead

Roger butted in again. ‘Oh well, that’s one off the market, then. Still – there’s two of you left…’ He grinned across at Fay and Eve. ‘I live in hope!’

All three girls smiled at Roger as he spoke. He was so good looking, and so kind and thoughtful…it was surprising that he hadn’t been snapped up by one of the local lasses long before this.

Mabel was still scrutinizing the diamond on Alice’s finger, and Alice said, ‘His name’s Sam, Mrs. Foulkes, Sam Carmichael. I’ve known him and his family for many years.’ She paused. ‘We’ve only been engaged for a few weeks, and I’m still getting used to it. But…you will all come to my wedding, won’t you?’ she said earnestly. ‘I really want you all to be there.’ She turned to Walter. ‘The three of you can leave the farm just for one day – or part of one day, Mr. Foulkes…can’t you?’ she said.

The farmer shifted in his chair. ‘Well…when’s it gonna be?’ he began reluctantly, and Mabel cut in.

‘Don’t matter when it’s gonna be,’ she said firmly. ‘We’ll get ’elp for that day, make no mistake!’ Mabel had not been to a wedding for many years, and Mabel loved weddings. Wild horses would not stop her from going to Alice’s.

‘It’s going to be on 23

December,’ Alice said, in answer to Walter’s question, ‘and will be at St. Mary Redcliffe in Bristol. I expect you know that lovely church?’

Everyone, even those living in the deepest Somerset countryside, knew of the famous St. Mary Redcliffe.

Mabel was clearly delighted at the thought of a day out…a real day out. Something different, something special. Then she frowned as another thought struck her. ‘But I shall ’ave to find somethin’ proper to wear, though, won’t I?’ she said, addressing the question to no one in particular. ‘An’ our village shop don’ do much in the clothes business.’ She paused, looking up at her husband. ‘An’ you’ll ’ave to dig out your best suit – your only suit – Walter,’ she added firmly. ‘You know it still fits ’cos you wore it last year at Ted’s funeral, didn’t you?’

‘Oh come on… I don’ ’ave to dress up, do I?’ the farmer grumbled. ‘No one’s gonna notice me in that great place anyway… I can wear me dungarees, can’t I? You can give ’em a good wash, Mabel,’ he added, ‘an’ a bit of a press.’ But his eyes were twinkling as he spoke, and everyone knew he was teasing. He seemed genuinely happy to be sitting around the table again with his three Land Girls there as well.

Alice, Fay and Eve smiled at each other. Being here like this was just like old times. Nothing had changed. Well, the Foulkes family hadn’t changed. And Alice realized, with a pang of something approaching disloyalty, that she was feeling even more relaxed here, with these particular people around her, than she sometimes felt when she was with Sam. And how dreadful was that, when she thought about it. But the thing was, she had been a lot longer in this present company, had spent more consistent time with them, than she ever had with Sam. He had been away from home so much when they were both growing up, then he’d gone to university and eventually she, Alice, had branched out on her own in business…then the war had intervened…it was a good thing their letters had kept them going…

‘Well, I dunno, I really don’t!’ Mabel said. ‘This year is gonna be a year for weddin’s – what with Princess Elizabeth marrying Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in November…we ’avent ’ad a royal weddin’ for yers!’ She turned to Alice. ‘And I don’t care whether she’s a princess or not, she won’t look as nice as you will, Alice. Even if they can afford the best of everythin’.’

Hmm, Alice thought, I bet Princess Elizabeth won’t have any trouble finding her dress…

Presently, the birthday gifts were brought out and, as expected, Mabel was as excited as any child as she unwrapped everything. And when she read the messages on each of the birthday cards, her eyes filled with tears.

‘Now then,’ she said huskily. ‘This is very, very kind of you all, luvvers.’ She undid the bottle of perfume and dabbed a little behind each ear. ‘I made t’other one you gave me last a long time, but I’m afraid tha’s all used up now, so this is gonna come in very ’andy, an’ the apron…so pretty…and the little dish, as well! I’ve never ’ad so many things before! An’ Walter and Rog ’ave given me presents as well!’

‘And your last treat for this year, Mum, is we’re all going up to the Wheatsheaf for our supper,’ Roger announced. ‘So no one had better eat any more of that cake!’

This was something else Mabel had not been told, and she tried not to show her slight disappointment. There was one of her special goat casseroles in the range, simmering away nicely, which she’d prepared for tonight. Still. Never mind. That would all keep ’til tomorrow.

Presently, Roger went outside with Fay to admire her car…he’d been itching to have a look at it ever since the girls had turned up, and as the others finished the last of their tea Alice said –

‘Talking about what you might wear on my wedding day, Mrs. Foulkes, I don’t even know where to start looking for my dress. I don’t imagine that there’s going to be much choice in the shops – though I haven’t started looking yet.’

Eve broke in. ‘Oh, I’ll come with you, Alice!’ she said. ‘There are two places in Bath that might have something to suit you – or we could trawl the Bristol shops together. And what about Dorchester?’ Eve’s eyes shone. It was going to be fun looking for Alice’s wedding dress.

‘Well, there’s plenty of time yet,’ Alice said, determined not to get carried away by this particular item on the wedding agenda…she had more important things to worry about.

‘An’ what about bridesmaids?’ Mabel said. ‘I ’spec Eve and Fay’ll be walkin’ behind you on the great day, luvver, won’t they?’

Alice swallowed quickly. But of course she would ask her best friends to be her bridesmaids. So – four bridesmaids, four dresses to pay for, four bouquets, four presents to buy…

Much later, they all sat around the big round table in a corner of theWheatsheaf finishing their coffee, and Mabel said happily –

‘Well, Rog, that wer’ a really good meal – an’ it was quite nice not to ’ave cooked it meself!’ she added.

‘That was the general idea, Mum,’ Roger said, really pleased to have set this whole thing up for his mother. And the pub had made a big fuss of the occasion – after all, the Foulkeses had farmed here for years, were well known in the locality. And the farmer’s wife was loved by everyone. Which was why a huge, complimentary bottle of champagne had been brought to the table for the family to enjoy at the end of the meal, and why other locals also eating there had joined in the singing of the usual birthday song. Mabel looked as if she was about to burst with happiness. She looked over at Alice.

‘An’ you still down there in Dorchester, Alice?’ she enquired. ‘Still in charge of that office?’ Alice had written a couple of letters to Mabel, explaining where she was now working.

‘Yes, Mrs. Foulkes,’ Alice replied. ‘But of course I shall have to give in my notice – though I’m not sure when I’ll do that because when I leave, I’ll lose the little house that goes with the job.’ She paused briefly. ‘I don’t have any other home to go to, so I shall hang on as long as I can – before the wedding, I mean.’

Mabel pursed her lips. ‘Well, luvver…don’t ever say you ’avent got no‘ome to go to – because there’s always a ’ome for you with us – you know that. All of you,’ she added, looking at the others. ‘A’ course, we’re such a long way away from everythin’ – that’s the trouble…’ she added ruefully.

‘That’s so kind of you, Mrs. Foulkes,’ Alice said warmly. ‘But I’m sure I shall be able to find something in Bristol…’

‘Don’t forget you can always hitch up with me in my room at Miss Downs’s place,’ Fay said. ‘I know she’d have no objection.’

‘And I know my mother and father would be more than happy for you to stay with us, Alice,’ Eve cut in eagerly. ‘We’ve two spare rooms that are never used.’

Alice looked around her, aware that her throat was tightening. One minute she thought she could be homeless, the –next – there were three offers of somewhere to stay with the kindest set of people you could ever hope to meet. Why had she been worrying unnecessarily?

‘Thanks…thank you all so much,’ she said, picking up her glass and taking a sip.

After a few moments, Walter Foulkes leaned back in his chair and looked up at the big clock above the bar. Then he yawned, loudly, not bothering to put his hand in front of his mouth. He’d enjoyed that meal, but enough was enough. It was time to leave.

‘Roight then, Mabe,’ he said, half standing. ‘drink up – ’s’time to be goin’.’

Mabel looked up at him, folding her arms. ‘Sit down, Walt,’ she said firmly. ‘It’s not time to be goin’! I ’aven’t finished my champagne yet!’ This was her birthday treat, and she was making the most of it – thank you very much. Because she was enjoying it with her “family”. When they’d turned up at the farm in 1941, she’d soon considered Alice, Fay and Eve, their three Land Girls as her extra children…part of the large family she’d always longed for. Not that she was complaining…their Roger was the best son in the whole world. The son sent to her by God.

But still, He could have added one or two more while He was at it…

Walter did as he was told and sat back down, and conversation continued in the usual, amiable way it always had when this group of people had been together.

‘So, then, Fay…’ow long ’ave you ’ad your car, then, luvver?’ Mabel enquired. ‘It were very comfortable, I must say,’ she added. ‘Very nice indeed.’

Fay had driven Mabel, Alice and Eve to the pub, while Roger and his father had come in the van, and Fay said –

‘I’ve only had it a few months, Mrs. Foulkes, but of course with petrol on ration I can’t use it too much. Still, nothing would stop me driving here today,’ she added.

Mabel sat back contentedly, folding her arms across her ample stomach. ‘Well, well, well…you’re all so ’appy, now…aren’t you?’ She turned to Eve. ‘An’ what about you, luvver?’ she said. ‘Working in that music place over in Bath? An’ are you ’appy there still?’

‘Oh yes, Mrs. Foulkes,’ Eve said, glancing quickly at Alice and Eve. ‘We’re quite busy at the moment…things seem to be picking up a bit…and…’

Fay broke in, grinning. ‘Go on, tell them, Evie! Tonight is good news night!’

Eve took a deep breath, and all three of the Foulkes family looked at her with interest. ‘It’s just that I’m seeing someone…Max…he works in the shop as well, and we’re…we’re going out together. And we…like each other…very much.’

‘Ooooh,’ Mabel said enthusiastically, ‘so is there goin’ to be another weddin’ soon, then?’

Eve shook her head quickly. ‘Not that soon, Mrs. Foulkes,’ she said. ‘I think it’s going to take us a little time…but one day…’ There was no need for her to say any more. It was still early days for her and Max.

Roger banged his fist on the table in mock surrender. ‘Well blow me down, that’s two of you gone!’ he said. ‘What hope in ruddy hell has someone like me got?’

‘Now, don’t go swearin’ Rog,’ Mabel said. ‘It’s not the night for bad language.’