Lizzie's War by Rosie Clarke

had lost.
    *
    â€˜We’ll ask one of our constables to walk past a couple of times on his beat,’ the police sergeant told Lizzie when he came to interview her later that day. ‘But I’m afraid we haven’t time to do more than that, madam. With the war on, we’re at full stretch. All the best men are at the front and we have to make do with special constables, grandfathers what ought to be sittin’ by their fires of an evenin’. We’re supposed to be a reserved occupation. They don’t ’ave to go, but there’s no stoppin’ them when they get the urge. Half strength that’s what we’ve been for months.’
    â€˜Yes, of course I understand and thank you for coming to see me,’ Lizzie said. ‘I wouldn’t have troubled you, but it isn’t the first time.’
    â€˜I dare say one of your competitors has it in for you,’ the constable said. ‘We’ll have a word with Bert Oliver – hear what he has to say…’
    â€˜I don’t think he did this. He’s not really well. I’d rather you didn’t upset him too much…’
    â€˜We shan’t do that, Mrs Oliver, but it sounds to me that he might have a grudge. A word to the wise could be all that’s needed here…’
    â€˜Yes, perhaps.’
    Lizzie sighed as he left. She wished it hadn’t been necessary to call the police. It was just too unpleasant and she didn’t hate Harry’s uncle – in fact she felt sorry for him.
    *
    Beth came through from the showroom that afternoon. From the look on her face, Lizzie knew something was wrong and her heart sank. Not another cancelled order!
    â€˜It’s Harry’s Aunt Miriam. She is demanding to see you, Lizzie.’
    â€˜Ask her to come through,’ Lizzie said, wondering why Harry’s aunt had decided to visit her. Surely she hadn’t come to quarrel as well? She hoped not, because she’d had enough of it. ‘I’ll talk to her in private.’
    â€˜She’s upset and angry,’ Beth warned as she went back through to the showroom.
    Lizzie prepared herself for the worst. Aunt Miriam’s face looked pale, but there were red circles under her eyes and Lizzie knew she’d been crying. She’d hardly seen her since Harry’s funeral and felt upset to see the woman she was quite fond of looking so distressed.
    â€˜Come and sit down, Aunt Miriam. Jean, go and put the kettle on please – and knock before you bring the tea into the office.’ She took the older woman’s arm and led her through. ‘We can be private in here…’
    â€˜Oh, Lizzie,’ Aunt Miriam said and sat down in the comfortable old wing chair that Lizzie kept for visitors. ‘I thought you would be so angry, but I had to come. It wasn’t Bertie that did all those things. I give you my word. I know he’s put a few customers off recently by telling them things he shouldn’t – but he was shocked and hurt when the police came. He would never do such a thing, Lizzie. He gets angry and says things he ought not, but he wouldn’t harm you. I was upset when he sent you away. You know I think of you as family – and I love little Betty…’
    â€˜Yes, I know you do,’ Lizzie said and smiled at her. ‘I wish you could see her more often, but I didn’t like to bring her round, because Bert would be angry. I didn’t think Bertie was to blame for the red paint and the smashed windows, but really they aren’t the worst of it – it’s the customers leaving me because of his lies…’
    â€˜I know and I’m sorry.’ Aunt Miriam dabbed at her eyes with a large handkerchief. ‘It’s very bad of him and I’ve told him not to do it. I’ll make him stop, Lizzie – and I’ll make him tell those customers that he was mistaken.’
    â€˜I don’t think he will listen,’