‘D’you mean . . . ? There’s really going to be another army?’

‘There is indeed. I’ve had a good think and I’m already pretty set on joining up again. I know it’ll be different – after all, there’s no war on. It’ll take adjusting to, in its way. But I don’t find much joy in civilian life, to tell you the truth. Forces life is more my thing. And what about you, Fox?’

That Phoebe Morrison had already switched back into army parlance didn’t escape Molly.

‘Me?’ she felt giddy. ‘They wouldn’t want me – would they?’

Phoebe Morrison leaned forward and said sincerely, ‘My dear girl, whyever not?’

XIV

EM

Sixty

April 1949

‘Is that you, Em?’ Cynthia called as the front door banged shut.

‘Yep – only me,’ Em said, shedding her wet coat. Talk about April showers.

‘Hello, love!’ She heard Dot’s voice as well. She and Mom were obviously having one of their chinwags.

Cynthia and Dot were in chatting position at the table with the teacups, and Cynthia was already pouring a cup for Em. Dot, their old neighbour, smiled up at her.

‘All right, bab? You’re looking well.’

‘I’m all right – you OK, Dot? What about Lou: is he better?’

‘Oh, we’re not so bad. His Majesty has to take it a bit careful – they say his heart’s weak, but there’s no stopping that one, when he gets going.’ Dot spoke with fond exasperation. ‘I do worry – but what can you do?

Dot’s Italian husband, Lou Alberello, was a big-hearted, vigorous man, a life-and-soul-of-the-party type. It was hard to imagine him ever quietening or slowing down. ‘Norm all right?’ Dot asked.

‘Oh, he’s all right, yes,’ Em said. ‘Where’s Robbie?’

‘Young Jonny’s round,’ Cynthia said. Jonny was one of Robbie’s school pals. ‘They’re out the back. You sit down for a bit. Have a Rich Tea? Oh, I forgot . . .’ Cynthia got up and took an envelope from the shelf. ‘This came for you. Must be from Molly.’

‘Oh, good!’ Em took it, smiling at the address. Molly knew Em was living with Norm’s mom and dad, but she never remembered to address letters anywhere but Kenilworth Street.

‘How’s she getting on?’ Dot asked, before Em had even got the envelope open.

‘Oh!’ Em exclaimed. ‘Oh my goodness!’

WRAC Training Centre,

Guildford,

Surrey.

10th April 1949

Dear Em,

Well, surprise, surprise! I’ve joined up again!

I’ve been at this training centre for a week now and am loving every minute. D’you remember the Gorgon I talked to you about, who I trained under in the ATS? She told me they were forming a proper women’s army again, and she and I have both joined up. She’s gone to the officers’ training centre at Hindhead.

There are a couple of us who’ve rejoined after being in the ATS before, and they’ve talked to us about retraining and how we’d do it. I decided I wanted to start right from the beginning. I know I’m here for the duration, and I want to do it all properly this time. I want to make a real go of this, Em. They’re working us hard. We’ve already done some aptitude tests, and I reckon I did all right. I ant a decent trade – something that’s not cooking. I’ve had quite enough of that! It’s all going to be different from in the war, I know that. We’ve even got a different cap badge, for a start – some of them made a right fuss about that, and it’s a funny thing, but it does feel strange. But never mind, all I know is, I’m in the right place. The army feels like home to me – I can’t see myself as the marrying type.

When I get some leave, I’ll try and come and see you. I hope everyone’s OK and you are all getting on all right. Fancy Joycie being married – and Sid with three kids! Makes me feel very long in the tooth!

Give my regards to your mom and everyone else, and a kiss for Robbie, if he still lets anyone kiss him!

Love from,

Molly