Page 14 of The Stranger in Room Six

Mabel was still working out her escape plan over breakfast – a solitary occasion at the long mahogany table with just Frannie in attendance – when there was a loud knock on the door.

The dogs, who’d been sitting by her side hoping for a slither of bacon (there’d been a shortage in London after rationing started) leapt up and ran into the hall.

‘Shhh,’ said Frannie, running after them. ‘You’ll wake the mistress and then there’ll be hell to pay.’

Mabel followed. A woman stood on the doorstep in a large floppy hat and skirt down to her ankles. She was carrying a woven bag and in it were some eggs.

‘Here you are, love,’ she said to Frannie.

‘Thanks, but the missus hasn’t left me any money and I can’t disturb her.’

‘What’s new? You can bring it with you when you come home tonight.’

Then her eye fell on Mabel. ‘Is this the maid then?’

Maid? She wasn’t a servant.

‘That’s her, all right.’

Both spoke as if she wasn’t present.

‘Condolences for your loss.’ The woman took off her hat.

‘My mother isn’t lost,’ said Mabel firmly. ‘Nor is my sister. They’re missing but they’re going to be all right.’

‘Let’s hope so, love.’

Then she glanced back at Frannie. ‘I suppose you’ve been left in charge of her on top of your other duties?’

Frannie nodded. ‘Me and Cook.’

‘That’s something.’ Then the woman turned to Mabel with a friendly smile. ‘We’re making camouflage nets this afternoon if you want to join us.’

‘What are they?’ asked Mabel.

‘Nets to hide buildings from Hitler. The idea is that his devil pilots look down and think it’s just shrubbery or trees. Don’t they have them in London?’

Mabel shook her head.

‘Well I never. Anyway, school starts next week. You’ll like that.

You can meet some others your age instead of being all alone here.

’ She glanced disapprovingly up at the staircase and the dark forbidding portraits lining the walls.

‘You’ll be our first evacuee in the village.

Mind you, I expect there’ll be more before long. ’

School? Mabel had never been to school before.

She’d had a governess, Miss Butler. Where was she now?

She might be standing on their doorstep – or rather the rubble that used to be their doorstep – wondering where they all were.

Perhaps Mama and Annabel had turned up there too, dishevelled and confused but still alive.

She couldn’t stay here any longer, she had to find them.

‘Where’s the nearest station?’ Mabel asked.

‘Sidmouth,’ the woman replied. ‘It’s a good forty-minute walk from here, though. Why?’

‘I just wondered,’ she said.

‘Right. Well, I’ll be seeing you later, love. Look after the maid.’

‘I’m not actually a maid,’ said Mabel hesitantly.

‘Bless you. It’s what we call girls around here. It’s a term of affection. It can’t be easy moving somewhere new after everything you’ve been through.’

Then she hugged Frannie, and Mabel felt a terrible aching chasm inside her. ‘Is that your mama?’

‘If you mean my mam, yes.’

A wave of jealousy swept over her. Frannie must have sensed it because she surprised Mabel by taking her hand. ‘Come on, let’s go down to the sea. It will make you feel better. It always does.’

Mabel allowed herself to be led away. Somehow, she told herself, she’d get to the station on the way back without anyone noticing.

‘See that cottage?’ pointed out Frannie. ‘That belongs to the lacemaker. We’re all a bit scared of her ’cos she can tell people’s futures. My mam went to her just after she married me dad and the lacemaker said she’d be getting a big surprise. Then nine months later, my big brother was born.’

Frannie’s face fell as she went on. ‘Dan’s in the army now, fighting for England. We haven’t heard anything from him for five months. My mam’s beside herself.’

‘She didn’t look upset,’ Mabel heard herself saying.

‘That’s because she hides it. You’ve got to, haven’t you? If we don’t keep going, how are we going to expect our men to do the same?’

‘My papa’s in the army,’ Mabel said proudly.

‘Everyone’s in something. At least they should be.’

‘What’s the Colonel in?’

Frannie snorted. ‘He got some dispensation apparently, so he’s not in anything. My mam reckoned he’d had enough of fighting in the last war and pulled some strings. You can do that if you’re lord of the manor.’

They rounded the corner and Mabel stopped, stunned. Before her, the sea seemed to stretch on for ever and ever.

Then Frannie proceeded to take off her clothes.

‘Someone will see you!’ cried Mabel.

‘Not likely. It’s a private beach – part of the Sinclair Estate. Your aunt owns it, doesn’t she? So we’ll be fine. Come on!’

Looking behind her to check there was no one there, Mabel found herself peeling off her dress and her camisole top and stockings and then tiptoeing in.

‘It’s freezing,’ she squealed.

Frannie chuckled. ‘Only for a minute, then you get used to it. Just dunk your shoulders under.’

Ah! Mabel’s breath was swept away for a few seconds. Then she found herself in another world. One where everything was spaceless and there was no war. No fear. No pain.

‘Can you swim?’ called out Frannie with a trace of panic, as though she should have asked earlier.

‘Papa taught me’, Mabel called back, catching up with her new friend using doggy paddle. ‘We used to go down to this spot by the Thames.’

For a minute she was back there. Mama laughing and clapping from the riverside. The gay pink and yellow parasol over a picnic of salmon sandwiches. Happier days, before anyone mentioned Mr Hitler.

Suddenly, a roar broke Mabel’s memories.

‘What in goodness’ sake do you think you’re doing? This beach is out of bounds!’

Mabel turned, terrified. It was Aunt Clarissa, hand on her hips, face red with rage.

‘But I thought it belonged to you.’

‘That still doesn’t give you any right to come down here.

As for you, Frannie, you know the rules.

I’d dismiss you immediately if I could find another maid.

Back to the house this instant. Mabel, you’re to stay in your room until I say otherwise.

I have an important phone call to take and I need some privacy. ’