A Bespoke Murder by Edward Marston Read Free Book Online Page A

was taken out of her hands. Ellen came awake with a start.
    ‘Oh!’ she exclaimed, seeing Alice. ‘What are you doing here?’
    ‘I might ask you the same thing, Mummy. There’s no point in staying up for Daddy. He might be hours yet.’
    ‘I’m not tired.’
    ‘Then why did you fall asleep?’
    ‘I just dozed off for a few minutes.’
    ‘I couldn’t get off at all,’ said Alice. ‘I’ve got too many things onmy mind. In the end, I thought I’d sneak down here and finish the marking. The children will expect their books back tomorrow.’
    Ellen was concerned. ‘I think I can guess what’s on your mind.’
    ‘Vera Dowling and I talked about it at school yesterday. If I will, then Vera will. She just needs me to take the lead.’
    ‘You know what your father and I think, Alice. We’re against the idea. You’ve got a good job – an important job. Why do you need to run off and join the Women’s Emergency Corps?’
    ‘We want to help in the war effort.’
    ‘But, in a sense, you’re already doing that. You’re taking the children’s minds off the horrible things that are happening on the front. A lot of them have fathers who are fighting over there in the trenches. Your pupils must be so worried.’
    ‘They are,’ agreed Alice. ‘Most of them are too young to realise the full implications but, deep down, they’re very afraid. So are the mothers, of course. You can see it in their faces when they drop the kids off. Some, of course, have already lost their husbands. I feel so sorry for them. This war seems to be about nothing else but loss.’
    ‘That doesn’t mean you have to give up your job.’
    ‘I could always return to teaching later.’
    ‘I can’t bear the thought of you in uniform, Alice.’
    ‘Paul is in uniform.’
    ‘That’s different,’ argued Ellen. ‘Your brother is a man. He felt that it was his duty to enlist.’
    ‘Joining the WEC doesn’t mean that I’ll be in any danger,’ said Alice. ‘I’d still be based in this country – in London, probably. There’s a whole range of jobs that need doing.’
    ‘Teaching is one of them,’ Ellen reminded her.
    She stifled a yawn and put her knitting on the kitchen table. Itwas too late to reopen an argument that she’d been having with her daughter for some weeks now. Ellen’s position was simple. She was proud that Alice was a schoolteacher. Having been denied a proper education herself, she wanted her daughter to pursue her studies and gain qualifications. It had involved dedication and many sacrifices. She could not understand why Alice was ready to turn her back on a job she’d striven so hard to get.
    ‘One more uniform in the family won’t make any difference,’ said Alice with a teasing smile.
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘I was thinking about Uncle Raymond. He’s been wearing a uniform for years in the Salvation Army. And he has to put up with far more hostility than I’d have to face in the WEC.’
    ‘I know,’ said Ellen, ruefully. ‘He’s been called names and pelted with stones time and again. He’s only trying to help people. I don’t agree with everything he believes in but I think your Uncle Raymond is a very brave man.’
    ‘Perhaps I should talk it over with him.’
    Ellen was firm. ‘This is a matter between you and your parents, Alice. We don’t want to drag your uncle into this. Now why don’t you forget all about that marking and try to get some sleep.’
    Alice touched her mother’s arm gently. ‘Let’s go up together.’
    ‘Your father can’t be all that long now.’
    ‘Daddy can’t expect you to wait up for ever,’ said Alice, helping her mother to her feet. ‘You leave your knitting and I’ll leave my marking. Off we go, Mummy.’
    Feeling another yawn coming, Ellen put a hand to her mouth. Then she let herself be led out of the kitchen, leaving the light on. When they got to the bottom of the stairs, she grasped Alice’s wrist.
    ‘I want you to promise me something,’ she