Soldier Girl by Annie Murray Page B

go. I wanted a piece of the action. No good staying at home when it’s all happening, is there?’
    ‘No, that’s brave of yer,’ she flattered him.
    ‘What about you then?’
    ‘Beats being at home.’ She took a long drink. The beer was already making her feel mellow.
    ‘Oh I see,’ he laughed. ‘Like that is it? Tell me about yourself then, Molly. Where’d you grow up?’
    ‘Round Ashted, Vauxhall . . . in a palace!’ She gave her full-hearted chuckle.
    ‘Course you would round there! Like the Green where I come from – from another palace!’
    They had an understanding then. Molly suddenly realized she genuinely liked Billy. She gave him a limited outline of her childhood – two brothers, father shell-shocked, leaving school for a series of factory jobs. She mentioned the Buttons, the neighbours who’d been kind, and Em, her best friend. All in all, she thought, she’d made it sound not too bad really.
    ‘I’d’ve liked Em to join up with me really,’ she said. ‘But her mom’s not too good with her health and she’s sweet on this bloke called Norman. Shame really because he’s the most boring so-and-so you’ll ever meet – great big ears—’ She waggled her hands behind her ears, making Billy laugh. ‘He’s a copper and you can’t even have a laugh with him. Takes everything all serious, as if ’e’s about to have you arrested.’
    ‘She must see summat in him.’
    ‘Well – each to their own,’ she said, smiling winningly at him. ‘Now – you tell me about you.’
    Billy talked about his widowed mother and sister Jean who he was evidently fond of. ‘Jean’s a bit like your friend Em – sticks with our mom. I sometimes wonder if any bloke’ll be able to win her away from Mom.’
    ‘Shame really,’ Molly said. ‘How old is she?’
    ‘Twenty-six next birthday.’
    ‘Shame,’ Molly said again. Half her mind now was taken up with thinking how to get Billy outside. Sitting here talking was all well, but she wanted to move things along. It was as if something was driving her that she had no control over.
    They had a second drink. While Billy was fetching it, Molly glanced along at Honor. Honor’s tall back was slightly slouched, one of her long arms bent up languidly to her face, holding a cigarette. She was talking to one of the young soldiers, who seemed deeply fascinated by her. Honor gave him a lovely smile. Molly was truly taken aback. Honor obviously had hidden depths that she hadn’t realized.
    Molly and Billy talked longer, amid the loud conversation and bursts of laughter, about home and the things they had in common. Molly didn’t swear in front of Billy. She realized that he was quite a straight, respectable lad. After a time she drank up and leaned closer to him again.
    ‘Fancy getting some fresh air for a bit?’
    ‘Yes, all right,’ Billy said easily.
    He led the way out of the thronging canteen and they were out in the bitter air. There was a half moon, smudged with cloud. Once more, Molly took his arm and they strolled slowly, not aiming for anywhere in particular, but ending up heading towards the far end where the catering company and food stores were.
    ‘Out on the town next week then,’ she said.
    ‘If you like. Not everyone’s friendly though, you know. They’re not too happy to have their park taken over by the army!’
    ‘I thought it was a racecourse?’
    ‘Used to be. They used to hang people there at one time as well!’
    ‘Ooh they daint, did they?’ Molly pretended to shudder. ‘You’re scaring me now.’
    She nuzzled close to Billy and he put his arm round her shoulders.
    ‘Maybe we’ll see a headless ghost!’ he chuckled.
    ‘Don’t say that. I get scared easily!’
    ‘You? I don’t believe yer!’
    Over in the deep shadows of the huts she turned to him, inviting him to put his arms round her.
    ‘Blimey Molly – you’re hot stuff, ain’t yer?’ He sounded taken aback.
    ‘There’s no need to be like that,’ she said