ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TO ALL WHO ENCOURAGED ME AND READ VARIOUS DRAFTS
JOYCE STEVENSON, MY SISTER
PAULEEN LANGRIDGE
WENDY MC KECHNIE
TELMA BIAZ
DAVID FOWLER, FOR HIS GENEROSITY, HELP, AND ADVICE
GILLIAN MARTEN, MY FRIEND AND COVER DESIGNER
DEDICATION
TO MY REAL FAMILY WHO HAVE LIVED ALONGSIDE MY IMAGINARY ONE FOR TWO YEARS AND NEVER KNEW.
1 The Waiting Room
CHAPTER ONE
THE WAITING ROOM
On the night of March 15th 1956 the railway station in Edinburgh was a depressing place. The relentless rain and snow poured down without respite and there were few places to shelter.
I am seventy now and I remember the details so clearly. The events would replay in my memory for years like one of those black and white films set in dreary railway waiting rooms in wartime.
I was twenty and had discharged myself from a nursing home in order to escape from my wealthy Italian stepfather Dino Grimaldi.My main luggage had been secreted out of the home the day before by my friend Katie. Jim her boyfriend had volunteered to take me to the station in Glasgow to connect with the Edinburgh train. My valuables were in my holdall which was to stay by my side throughout the journey. He met me at the back of the hospital near the fire escape after visiting time. After the drama of the previous week it was a great relief when he finally helped me into his car. From then onwards my arrangements were flimsy. I had to rely on people I hardly knew who had made promises they may or may not be able to keep.
I had over an hour to wait in Edinburgh but managed to find a porter to escort me to the nearest waiting room with my two cases. I tipped him and he seemed amused.
‘Thanks miss these lads will take care of you won’t you boys.’ he said pointing to groups of soldiers drinking beer around the coke fire. One of them shouted back
‘Of course we will thank you mate, come on in sweetheart.’
I knew I was overdressed as Dino expected me to always wear expensive Italian clothes especially when I was out with him. As I had been expected to go to Milan after my discharge he had sent me a cashmere camel coat and some Italian leather boots. They made way for me. I could hardly see it was so thick with smoke. Conversation stopped as I went through the door. Some of them whistled and two of them grabbed my luggage and made room for me on a large bench by the fire. In a panic I took back the holdall and put it between myself and the wall covering it with my scarf. They pushed the rest of my cases under the seat. I was the only woman and within five minutes there was no way in or out without having to push past the new arrivals.
The noise was deafening. Trains hurtled by at unimaginable speeds. Some were shunting and the railwaymen were loading coal and blowing their whistles, frustrated as the snow turned to ice jamming up the points. That was nothing compared to the noise inside. It was a place I did not want to be in for five minutes. I felt dizzy and faint as the men’s faces all seemed to fuse into one for a while and appeared to be spinning around like a kaleidoscope. I was acutely aware of my designer clothes and expensive luggage and quickly began to realise that I would have to pay a price for my freedom and this was only my first day.
It was a filthy room. The floors were covered in beer bottles, cigarettes and chewing gum. There was a smell of stale urine from the half-open toilet door. The tea bar with half-closed shutters was covered in unwashed cups and plates with half-eaten food and cigarette stubs. The men made a circle around me. Some of them sat on my table and tried to proposition me. One of them came and sat beside me and told the others to move away .They did so quickly but stayed in a circle like an audience at a boxing match. The man had three stripes and took his place as if it was his right to sit there.
At first he didn’t speak but placed a full bottle of whisky on the table. He started to drink and wiped his mouth with his fist. Turning towards me he moved a bit closer running his eyes up and down my body as I pulled my coat tighter to keep warm. He was a strong well built man who towered above the others. He spoke slowly and carefully, weighing his words as some men did when they had too much to drink.
‘What’s a beautiful girl like you doing at this time of night on your own are you going to London?’ I nodded. ‘Well you need an escort; there are a lot of wild Scotsmen out there. We have three carriages booked you’d better come with us. What do you think boys should we make room for this gorgeous young lady.’ he looked around for a response and there was laughter from the boys nearest to us.
‘That’s ok with us Sarge we’ll look after her, she can come in our carriage anytime’, one of them shouted.
These faceless men started getting bolder with their remarks.
‘You’ll be alright there Sarge’ one of them said. ‘We know why girls go down to London don’t we, look at her gear.’
He handed me the bottle ‘Have a drink of this sweetheart you are shivering.’
‘I don’t like the taste of whisky’ I said.
I was fearful that he would insist but he put his arm around my shoulder instead.
His breath smelt of stale beer and cigarettes. He had just stubbed one out and it was still burning falling into a pool of beer making a sticky mess. I felt nauseated. He tightened his grip. His moustache was neatly trimmed and waxed. It was thing a senior NCO often did. It was like a passport to seniority. He grinned at me and his teeth were brown and nicotine stained.
‘Has anyone ever told you look like Bridget Bardot.? We have a 6ft pin-up of her nude over the bar in the Sergeants mess.’
He waited for the men to react watching my face. I froze like an animal trapped waiting for worse to come. I was already cold, tired and afraid. He leaned back in his seat and stretched his legs putting his thick boots on my expensive leather cases. Lighting another cigarette he paused, preparing to entertain his audience at my expense. His arm tightened. He started to whisper to me but it was so noisy I could hardly hear what he said.
‘Come on Serge tell us what you are saying.’ ? The men shouted.
‘I am just telling how gorgeous she is. A bit of class, just what I like. I thought she might like to know a bit about the night life in Glasgow where we were last night. You know when I went on the raids with the police looking for my lost boys. And the privileges we get for our pains. It was a good night for all concerned particularly the girls.’
They encouraged him to tell them more but the noise outside drowned his voice to my relief. I could not move. I turned away from him with my back on my hold all and leaned against it trying to hide it. It was no place for a three week old baby. Safely under his mattress were my passport, bank book and birth certificates. I did not want to explain his presence. I wore no wedding ring and was worried that any moment the police would come looking for me.
‘Come on come on. Give me a smile, say something. I won’t hurt you.’ he said.
I gave him a watery smile ‘Sorry I have just had a long day and I am very tired.’
‘That’s better your warming up a bit, now have some whisky. You need to relax sweetheart we like to have female company don’t we boys. You see those lads they trust me, they do as I say and they know I can make things happen.’
‘Please I don’t want a drink it makes me feel ill.’
‘Now don’t get above yourself darling with your fancy accent.’ he snapped.
He paused for a moment and looked at the men.
‘But I can deal with that can’t I boys?’
They started laughing as if they knew he what was coming next.
He went quiet. ‘I think I will tell you what I do with my girl recruits when they act up. They are about your age and full of fancy ideas. Why you must only be about eighteen. You have a lot to learn yet. Should I tell her what we do.?
They shouted ‘Yeah tell her about the gym Sarge;’
He stared at me closely watching my face as he continued.
‘I put them through their paces in the gym after dinner and then work them hard for an hour. Afterwards I give them a lecture on the evils of VD. Then they have to watch a film on Sex Education When they understand that after viewing it twice I show them a special one from our private collection.’
There was applause from the men at this remark.
‘It is an experience they never want to repeat especially if it becomes necessary to put a couple of them on stage to help us demonstrate a few points. By the end of the session they know exactly where they stand as women in the army and who to respect and who to please.’
They all started laughing taking up the theme boasting about how they humiliated and degraded new recruits of both sexes. It was nasty and violent and I felt sick.
Ignoring them he continued to stare at me. He seemed mesmerised.
Then he pulled off my silk scarf and watched my hair fall to my waist. He stared at it as if in a trance.
‘You really are a beautiful girl. What’s your name’?
‘Jo.’ I said quietly.
‘Jo, well Jo I am Ken your next dance partner.’
One of the men shouted.’ Go on Sarge get on with it. There’s no one here but us. The porter won’t be back. We tipped him again.’
By now my coat had fallen off my shoulders and they whistled as they noticed my tight sweater. I had dressed hurriedly and I was fully aware that it was clinging to my figure as my baby was breast fed. His face was getting redder as he reached for another drink. Then he put the bottle down and went very quiet. The whole room seemed to go into slow motion as the men stopped talking, waiting for his next move.
Then he let me go and slowly stood up taking back his authority swaying and waving his arms.
‘Right out all of you, go on all of you get your kit and go. The show’s over. Come on I mean it out, the train will be here soon’.
They muttered as they started to pick up their kit bags. I tried to get up but he grabbed my arm clenching it behind my back hurting me.
‘No not you young Jo, you are staying here with me to dance the night away. We are catching the mail train. You will get cold out there. I am going to stack up that fire. Where’s Snowy? Tell him I want him. ‘he shouted.
There was a scuffle outside and a good looking black soldier walked through the door. His greatcoat was soaking as he had obviously been standing in the rain for a long time.
‘Snowy is one of my best Sergeants’. You’ve have never met a black man before have you?
Well don’t look so worried he likes white women don’t you Snowy. Just look at this young filly, she’s called Jo. Long legs, blonde hair a true thoroughbred and she has just walked into our stable. Look at these curls all over the place isn’t she gorgeous.’
He lifted some of my hair up and stroked it.
Snowy smiled at me and bowed.
The sergeant roared with laughter and swayed again holding on to the table. His uniform was stained where he had spilled his whisky.
‘He does that to all the ladies, they love it. He had to practice for the Queen. He’s been to Buckingham palace, got a medal so you’ll have to be nice to him too.’
‘Now Snowy I want a favour. I am staying here with Jo. She and I are going to finish this whisky and get close by the fire and then we are catching the mail train in an hour. I want you to stay behind with me, get our kit together and do bit of guard duty. When the train comes we will grab a first class carriage and enjoy her company in comfort. Then we can all have breakfast together. I will need some sleep at some point as I have to meet the Colonel tomorrow at the MOD. Whilst this is happening you can take care of her for me. You can do that can’t you my man for Queen and Country.’?
Snowy pulled him to one side and said something. The sergeant let me go and shook his head and searched his pockets for more cigarettes.
Whilst he did so Snowy leaned over to me and whispered.
‘I’ll be back in a minute get your bag. I will deal with this.’
Later I found out who they were. One of the nurses had talked about the beach being sealed off for army training near Edinburgh. Her brother worked for the forestry commission in the forests and mountains beyond. They were a special service unit.
The Staff Sergeant was their chief instructor who taught them how to survive in the mountains and live rough. He also taught them to kill mercilessly, anything when they were hungry, and anybody who got in their way when their politics put them on the wrong side of the lines.
The room emptied as the men went out into the snow to catch their train. I was alone with him. He started to shovel coke on the fire and after laying his greatcoat on the floor tried to grab me. I sidestepped him and picked up my holdall. As I did so a large presence in the shape of an army Major came through the door followed by Snowy just as Toby my baby started to cry.
The flat in East Sheen
CHAPTER 2
THE FLAT IN EAST SHEEN
Snowy had brought in the Major as he had felt powerless to break up the situation on his own. I was to learn later that Snowy deserved his MBE.
I was put in the next compartment to the Major who arranged for blankets, drinks and refreshments making sure I was comfortable and private enabling me to feed Toby my baby. Snowy and another trusted Sergeant stayed in the corridor thus preventing any further disruptions.
I was amazingly calm as I allowed myself to fall asleep to the rhythm of the train. I had survived so many precarious situations during the last year that this latest incident in the station waiting room made me more determined to go ahead with my flimsy plans in my search for freedom and independence. I drew my strength from the knowledge that the only strong person in my life my mother would have wanted me to do this, to fight for my survival and that of my son Toby. I slept fitfully and so did he. As he was only three weeks old I was lucky in that he was undemanding and content with his routine of sleeping and feeding. He had been with me day and night since his birth and I was tuned into his needs.
I had planned my escape well and had enough supplies with me. Instead of carrying dirty linen and nappies I disposed of them in waste bins. I had enough money to replace them and in that I counted myself lucky. In the morning we were still in the midlands somewhere as there had been a delay in the night. Snowy knocked on the sliding door and offered to look after Toby whilst I washed and freshened up. When I returned he had him on his knee and had managed to entertain him.
‘What a great baby and good looking too’ he said as he handed him back grinning from ear to ear.
‘The Major said I was to ask you where you wanted to go in London as he will get his driver to take you in the staff car. He is to be met at King Cross and after he has been dropped off at the Ministry of Defence the driver will to take you on to your destination. He suggested I accompany you if that’s all right.’?
I hesitated, as my plans were very sketchy. All I had was the key to a flat owned by one of the nurses sisters who had agreed to help me until I found somewhere else or could locate my cousin. It was in East Sheen. I knew I had to sound confidant and assured. Snowy had rescued me and appeared to have the Major’s trust so I felt that perhaps I should trust him. I agreed to the plan and asked him to thank the Major.
He left the carriage and arrived back a few minutes later with a waiter from the 1st class restaurant with a tray of breakfast.
‘You will share it with me Snowy?’
‘I thought you would never ask’ came the reply’.
He smiled again with the large generous smile I was becoming used to. I had never met a West Indian man before as there were few black people in the Northwest where I had been brought up. I had always loved jazz and he reminded me of musicians I had seen in films. I asked him if he played an instrument.
He laughed ‘I am a pianist, my grandmother taught me. She wanted me to play classical music and go to Music College but I prefer jazz and I had to do my national service. I am being discharged soon and have a scholarship to study law.’
He paused and then quietly said
‘Do you want to tell me about you and Toby and why you are on your own on a winter’s night?’
‘I can’t’ I said.
‘The Major asked me to ask you, if you needed any help.’
‘I will be all right when I get there, I have some money’.
‘Well the he wants me to give you his card and I will give you a contact number.’
I looked into his steady brown eyes and I knew he meant it. I ate all of the breakfast and Snowy had some toast and coffee. He told me stories about when he had first come over to England when he was twelve and how his father had encouraged him to study and go to University to study law. A few minutes later the Major joined us. I was able to see him properly for the first time in the morning light. He was tall and broad shouldered with sandy hair. He had soft pale blue eyes that suddenly sharpened and became alert at times almost changing colour with his mood and state of mind. I felt like a schoolgirl in front of the headmaster waiting for an interrogation.
‘Good morning Jo I hope you and the little chap slept well and that you feel better today. My Sergeant may have told you that we have organised some transport across London if you agree.’
‘Thank you I am very grateful for all your help’ I said.
‘Well it’s the least we could do after your ordeal and believe me there will be an investigation’.
With that he left. I was to learn much later that he was a very highly respected officer who was to be promoted on his next tour to Malaya. I did not see him again until I was escorted to his private car by Snowy who held Toby for me. A porter followed with our luggage. The rest of the men were a long way down the platform so fortunately I missed them. I wondered how they would treat Snowy when they met up again.
There were two policemen standing by the ticket office. I do not think they noticed me as I walked alongside the Major.
They were silent and formal during the journey to Whitehall and when we arrived at the Ministry of Defence the driver removed the Major’s luggage. He nodded to me as he got out and said ‘Well, goodbye you have my card if I can ever be of assistance’.
He told Snowy to take a couple of days off and report to him later.
The driver took his instructions from Snowy and carried on with the journey towards Richmond and East Sheen. I asked them to drop me of at the nearest tube station which the driver agreed to do as he had another urgent pick up.
Snowy jumped out piled our luggage onto the pavement and said
‘I have to make sure you will be ok where is the flat’?
‘I think it is round the corner on the main road.’
I had written the instructions carefully and drawn a map and had a key to the flat, which was over a shop.
Sarah who owned it was in New Zealand and was away for six months. She however decided to stay over there and I eventually bought it. I still own it today. We found it between a coffee bar and a second hand book shop. The entrance was in between and clearly marked 21A. The shop below was boarded up.
I’ll see you inside’ said Snowy dragging my big case and his kit bag.
He seemed superhuman and no doubt he was. He was over six foot tall and reminded me of an Olympic athlete. He told me later about his sporting career in the army, Athletics, rugby, squash and downhill skiing in Germany in which he had won championships.
I must have looked a forlorn sight in the rain clutching the key and Toby.
He smiled at me. ‘Don’t look so worried I will be off later once you are settled. I am here to help. My orders from the Major are to make up for the way you were treated by our Staff Sergeant.’
He opened the door clearing the post and newspapers letting me lead the way up the dingy staircase. He quickly found the kitchen and some heaters. Once they were on we explored my new home. I suddenly burst into tears and hugged my sleeping baby and my six foot hero in relief.
‘It’s not that bad’ said Snowy.
‘It’s wonderful, wonderful! I said.
In spite of the scabby paint on the stairs it was better than I had ever hoped for. The kitchen was white with blue gingham curtains with a window a overlooking a large park. It had a large dining table and six chairs. There was a gas fire and a double stove with brass pans hanging over it. A welsh dresser was stacked with blue and white crockery .There was an enormous bathroom with an airing cupboard complete with white towels and a clothes-drying rail. It even had a little electric washer with a wringer and a new-portable spin dryer. In the sitting room there were two sofas, a record player and records. There was a sideboard with a drinks cabinet and four bookcases packed with books. In the large period fireplace was a modern gas fire, which warmed up the room instantly. The bedroom contained a white four poster bed with floral drapes and lace bed linen. There were two built in wardrobes and a white dressing table. More bookshelves lined the room and the large window overlooked another part of the park. There was a smaller bedroom with another large bed in it and ample room for a cot.
Two hours later the flat was warm and cosy. Snowy had been to get groceries. Toby was fed and fast asleep and we sat down by the fire with our warm soup, and egg and bacon sandwiches. As it began to get dark Snowy said
‘I really have to go now to visit my parents. I would like to call again tomorrow. Perhaps I can make myself useful.’
I hesitated ‘Yes I would like that if you have time; you have already been so kind and helpful.’
He left leaving me a phone number and shouted.
‘Don’t forget the hot water bottles.’
Next morning I was surprised to find that I had slept until ten am. Toby had slept even longer and before he woke up I had lit the fires and had a bath and unpacked my belongings. I found a locked drawer and put my bank book and the documents in it and hid the key. After I had fed Toby we ventured out and explored the neighbourhood.
Everything I needed was in walking distance. I bought food and then went to the park with Toby in a sling. I watched the children on the swings and tried to imagine Toby on them when he was older. I liked the area and a suburb of a large city seemed an ideal place to get lost in. As I sat on a bench I began to feel calm and felt able to work out a few survival strategies. It felt exhilarating to be free, to think for myself and take charge of my own destiny at last. I banished any negative thoughts and replaced them with thoughts of my mother Ruth who had died the year before. I felt she would guide me out of the tangled mess that had been my life in the last year. I blessed her for the importance she had put on saving for me for just such a day as this.
Snowy arrived at midday. Bounding up the stairs he seemed to bring the sunshine in. No longer in uniform he wore a navy duffle coat and a multicoloured scarf. From behind his back he produced the largest bunch of daffodils. I gazed at them and thanked him. They gave me a feeling of renewal and hope in the spring and the future.
He said. ‘You both look fresh and bright today did you sleep well?’
‘Yes thank you we slept until ten. We also went for a walk to the shops so I have got my bearings. It is an interesting neighbourhood I have a good feeling about it. Thank you for coming you have been so kind. Come through. I have lit a fire and I will make some coffee’.
As I carried the tray through he was reading a paper and as I sat down he looked at me and said
‘Jo I think you should read this. It is an article on the second page and there is a small picture of you.’
The headline said.
Millionaire Searches for Stepdaughter.
Josephine Grimaldi step daughter of Dino Grimaldi left a private nursing home in Glasgow and is believed to have travelled to the South and of England. Mr Grimaldi says she is in an unstable state of mind and suffering from severe depression. He is offering a reward for information of her whereabouts and has informed the police.
He handed me the paper. I froze when I read it and panicked as I tried to explain.
‘Yes it’s true but I had to leave as they were taking Toby away to Italy to be brought up by the family. I am not unstable but upset and disturbed by the situation they have placed me in. I come of age soon and should have a legacy left to me by my mother. I suspect that there may be a problem with that and this nursing home story and my so called ‘instability’ is an excuse on Dino’s part to prevent it from happening.
He threatened to commit me. There may be a lot of money at stake. He wants total control and his new wife is extremely jealous of me and likes her own way. I am relieved to be out of their reach. I hope you believe me. During my pregnancy I made friends with my fellow students. They supported me and one of them found me this flat. I am determined now to succeed on my own.’
I realised that I was going to have to trust Snowy.
He replied, ‘I have nothing planned today. Why don’t we have another drink and a sandwich and you can relax when Toby has his rest and tell me all the details. I already have some experience of the law. Perhaps I could help.’
CHAPTER 3
MY CHILDHOOD
During that chilly March afternoon whilst Toby was asleep I gave Snowy an account of my life up until our meeting.
‘It’s a long story Snowy but I will start at the beginning. My father died in the war and my mother Ruth ran a large haberdashery shop in a town in the Lake District. My grandfather started the business and when he died it was left to my mother to manage. She had grown up working for him and when she married she continued. My father was a teacher. He taught maths at the local high school for a few years before he was called up. He had always liked sailing so he chose the navy and served on submarines. He died in the Battle of the Atlantic. It was a sad and dark time for us but we had become used to living on our own. It was the way it was for all of us then, not many children had a father around.
Ruth was only in her late twenties and was pretty, smart and clever. She managed the business successfully all through the war and it sold just about everything. It was a large building on four floors and we lived in a flat above. In spite of shortages and clothing coupons she managed to stock clothes and materials for dressmaking and as much other stock she could acquire bearing in mind it was war time. She had mostly women on the staff but employed a handy man cum cleaner for the heavy work. From an early age she encouraged me to help and taught me all she knew. I was aware that I was privileged. I never went without as some of my friends did. We also escaped the bombing as our town was ten miles inland. We had no other relatives only a distant cousin in the South of England who sent us a Christmas card every year. She is my father’s brother’s daughter and is ten years older than myself. I want to contact her.
I went to the local school and later to a girl’s boarding school. I did have friends but when school was over I was needed to help at the store. On Saturdays when we closed we always had a special meal and listened to the Radio. Sometimes went to the Cinema called the ‘Rialto’ which was an unusual name. When we read Shakespeare at school I found out that the real Rialto was a bridge in Venice and much more glamorous than a rundown wartime cinema. I could never imagine that I would stand on that bridge and become fluent in Italian.
Sometimes Ruth would bring some of the new clothes upstairs and we would try them on. Fridays we would wash our hair. She loved brushing and combing my long fair hair. Hers was dark and also long almost to her waist but she always wore it in a bun. I longed to see her with it combed out but she said she was too old. She had a beautiful face and bone structure but she liked to look severe and businesslike. She was proud of mine and encouraged me to wear it in different ways but at school I wore it in one thick plait. Sundays was our day off and in the summer we often caught the bus to the countryside or the sea where we would picnic and lie in the sun as we had no garden. We would talk about everything and she would discuss my future.
‘One day this business will be yours and I want you to learn as much as possible about finance so try and do well in maths at school. Your father taught maths and would have encouraged you go to University to study economics. I was only eleven then but knew instinctively that she was right. For as long as I can remember I had a bankbook and when the wages were done on Fridays she always put money in it for me. I still have it and hopefully it will provide me with all I need until I decide what to do next.
Snowy asked me several questions throughout my preamble.
‘And did you do well at maths.’?
‘Yes I always came top of my class and did go on to University to study economics’.
‘Did she have any men friends?’
‘Not really, she loved my father. They were childhood sweethearts and went to the same school. When he died I was only five yrs old. She missed him and tried not to show her grief openly but I heard her crying at night sometimes. I would often creep into her bed and cuddle close to her. She devoted all her time and energy to the business and my education. We had we six years on our own until Dino came along.
‘How did that happen and where did they meet’? Snowy asked.
‘He was an Italian prisoner of war in a camp about two miles out of town. Two of them were allowed to help on one of the local farms and they brought the animals to market. He used to come into the shop to buy materials as he was allowed to do some tailoring as a sideline on the camp. He was very popular and the prison staff often asked him to make clothes for their families. Sometimes parachutes were available and he did make some remarkable outfits. He designed and made a wedding dress once for one of their daughters. He was very handsome and he and his younger fellow worker Tony created great excitement with the girls when they came to town. Even in their work clothes they had style and smart haircuts.
It was quite a while before he met Ruth as she spent a lot of time in the office or the stock room. Also her clerk and cashier Gloria monopolised him when he did come in and would not let the other girls serve him. She told them that he was a prisoner and that they were not allowed to ‘fraternise’ as she called it. She was a plump blonde girl and very glamorous. She wore lots of make up having access to our stock as she took charge of the demonstrations. She also ran a successful corset fitting service. Her rooms were on the second floor. Like Ruth she wore the latest styles when they came in. She also entered beauty pageants and often won prizes. Soon after the war when they opened up the restaurant in the back of the shop she organised fashion shows twice a week. She loved life and spent every weekend going to dances at the local army camps. She longed to meet an American serviceman as some of her friends had done. The odd one or two became GI brides and that was her dream too. Her destiny however like ours went in a different direction.
Once when Dino came in on his own she invited him up for a cup of tea in the main office when Ruth was out. Bob Gray the caretaker saw them once and was not very pleased. He had been wounded in the early part of the war and knew my father and grandfather so he was protective of us. He clearly did not like Dino from the beginning. We put it down to jealousy. Ruth was the sort of woman everyone seemed to like and admire.
Mrs Myra Lee Dino’s employer was a widow in her fifties. She was very grateful to him and found both men good and reliable workers. Dino had an eye for business and got her the best prices. He also did a few odd jobs around the house and made her some curtains for her kitchen and covers for her chairs. After the war she wanted him to stay on and help her but Dino had other plans. Myra often came into the shop on market day and was a friend of Ruth’s having known her father and mother. She often had coffee with her.
One day they were both outside the bank manager’s office chatting. Dino was with her with the day’s takings. He was very charming and Mrs Lee introduced him to Ruth as ‘my saviour and my right hand man.’ People seemed to have forgotten about his status at times, as he was very popular around the town. The camp was about to close so the rules became very lax. I think my mother must have looked lovely as Dino always said that she dazzled him with her beauty and her smart clothes. Dino knew about such things.
‘I would like to see her picture’, said Snowy.
‘I have one in my bedroom, I take it everywhere. I will show it to you later.’
Once introduced Dino lost no time in contacting her. Two days later Gloria feeling very put out escorted him up to Ruth’s office on an appointment he had made with her. He explained that as the war had ended he was due to go back to Italy during the next few weeks but wanted to return and start up a tailoring business in the town.
He said that he there would be a market for demob suits.
Being a self confident man he lost no time in putting a business plan to her and asked if he could lease a couple of rooms in the shop and set up in business. He said would pay a rent agreeable to both parties and hopefully help increase her trade. He explained that his family all had contacts in Italy in the fashion industry. He also had two brothers who would want to join him at a later date.
Funds would not be a problem and after a while they could expand moving into their own premises maybe opening a factory.
Ruth was excited about the idea but being cautious said she would think it over and would meet him again when she had consulted her solicitor. A month later Myra Lee allowed them to meet in her sitting room for a business meeting. He had already told her about his ideas and much as she wanted him to stay on with her she approved and offered to let him lodge with her on his return.
He had also talked to her about getting her some help. He asked around the camp for a likely man who on being demobbed would need a job nearby. She was very grateful to him when he found her a couple who had not been married long. In fact it she was the girl for whom he had made the wedding dress. Her new husband needed a job and was used to farm work. There was a cottage available so it was a perfect arrangement.
Again Myra Lee felt beholden to Dino.As she was included in his future plans Dino allowed this to happen. It worked out very well for all parties as Sonia and her husband Jack stayed with her for years and became like her own family. When they had children she quite happily fell into a grandmother role.
About this time Dino found out about the terms of his repatriation and was given a date. Within in three months he was gone and Ruth was busy reorganising the third floor using the plans he had drawn up before he left. He was to use the rooms adjacent to Gloria’s fitting room.
I was told nothing of this until he arrived back and was asked to Sunday lunch. At that time they sat me down and explained it all to me. I knew then that our lives would change. I always wondered why she never discussed it with me. I think it was too personal. She must have been feeling confused and disloyal to my father. This turned out to be the case as she had fallen in love with Dino.
I of course knew a little bit about Dino as I had seen him come into the shop and heard the girls talk about him. To them he almost had film star status. The months back in Italy had obviously done him good. He was relaxed and sun-tanned and seemed even more handsome. No longer a prisoner he exuded self-confidence. He talked non-stop about his plans and new ideas.
In some ways I was pleased as he was friendly and nice to me and brought some fun into our lives. Even on his first visit he sang to the radio when he heard something from La Traviata. ‘Opera you will learn to love it as we Italians do. One day I will take you both to LA SCALA in Milan.’
Ruth seemed to light up when he spoke and as he brought plenty of Italian wine even I was allowed a glass occasionally.
‘How did you really feel’, said Snowy.
‘At first I experienced some strong feelings of bewilderment and jealousy. When other shops struggled with coupons and supplies Dino magically had them imported from Italy and many ready mades too.’
‘I wonder how legal that was,’ said Snowy.
‘Probably highly illegal but Ruth was very naive. He was right about the demob suits however and word soon got around the county. Men travelled long distances to have a suit made by Dino.
‘He had it all planned didn’t he.’
‘Yes and he soon became impatient and wanted to hurry the marriage along and take charge completely. Ruth stood firm at first but her simple upbringing and unworldliness was no match for his charm sophistication and powerful personality. He bought her flowers weekly and we always had wine with our food. He also bought her the most exquisite clothes from Italy even though we were still using our clothing coupons.
His brothers played their part as they came and went on their trips to and from Italy. There were three of them in all Dino, Paulo and Roberto. All took part in the charm offensive. They visited the flat made magnificent meals, drank lots of wine and danced and sang to us. They included me in all of this.
Later I saw photographs Roberto had taken of us all in the early years laughing and dancing with the staff at the Christmas party. The girls in the shop loved it and Gloria in particular. She always favoured Dino when Ruth was not around.
Bob Gray the caretaker was retired soon after Dino arrived but to keep Ruth happy Dino saw to it that he had a financial reward for his loyal service.
Dino was meticulous in business and just as meticulous in his relationships with people. His determination to be respected and liked matched his determination to make his fortune. They finally married a year after Dino had arrived back from Italy to the day. I was eleven and the only bride’s maid. The townspeople had a lot to say at first but generally they were welcomed as everyone seemed to want their goods. In time Dino very cleverly supported all the charities and became a member of the Round Table and golf club.
He was soon in a strong position to further their interests and made many business contacts. Within two years he had negotiated with the Ministry of Defence to buy some land and hangars on the old camp where he had been interned. Also the airfield and the landing strip which would prove very useful to them. They then opened a factory with Paulo in charge. Unlike his brothers he was an introvert and very serious. He was an accountant and had been interned near London but had managed to study during this time. He married much later to a local sports teacher called Helen.
His younger brother Roberto lived in America during the war with his Uncle Jo who was a dentist in New York. He went to university and studied journalism and photography. He was a talented photographer. At twenty four he was put in charge of setting up the mail order business and the in house catalogue. He was very good looking with black curly hair and the whitest teeth I had ever seen. When he smiled I wanted to smile with him because he lit up the room when he walked in. I suppose people in England at that time did not always have access to good dentists and their diet was poor. When they visited he would always come over and talk to me. He taught me to play cards using pennies.
‘Let’s pretend we are going to a big casino in Italy.’ he would say and often let me win.
I loved him dearly and still do. At the time he was married to a girl called Rosa who was American. They had two daughters aged one and two. They joined him later and I enjoyed going to see them when they moved into their new house.
Dino bought some land from Myra Lee and helped him get planning permission to build a large house overlooking the lake next door to her farm. All of this of course affected my life greatly and I began to feel an intruder in our home as Dino monopolised Ruth who adored him. Handing over most of her business interests she retained the ladies fashion part herself and managed her own books. Then even in that area Dino seemed to surpass her and helped her make it more successful.
The fashion dept became a magnet. They attracted buyers sometimes from London who came to look at their stock and see their monthly fashion shows.
They also ordered from their catalogues which were an astounding success. Gloria was included in this expansion and her loyalty was rewarded. She however was never popular with the staff but was a good businesswoman working closely with Dino. She had got to know him well working on the third floor together.Dino wisely needed to keep Ruth busy to allow him freedom to pursue his ambitions. In the end she lost track of all of his business dealings and had to trust him. She gradually did less and less but did keep an eye on her own accounts and always made sure my bankbook was topped up.’
Snowy said ‘You sounded as if you were all one happy family. How old were you then?’
‘Coming up for seventeen and yes we did have some good times. We went to Italy a lot and I became fluent in the language. They had lots of relatives and large family parties in Tuscany.’
‘What happened next.’ said Snowy?
‘We moved into the new house by the lake designed by Dino. Roberto bought an old house next door adjoining Myra’s farm when his family finally joined him. In my eyes it was the perfect house. It was Edwardian with dormer windows and wisteria growing up its walls. It had views of the lake and the fells .The kitchen had an Aga and the life of the house seemed to revolve around that warm log burning stove. I still love it today it is like a poem in itself.’
‘I would like to see the Lake District. I hope I will one day and go fell walking.’ said Snowy.
‘But tell me about your life in the new house.’
CHAPTER 4
THE HOUSE
The house was finished a few months before Ruth’s fortieth birthday and she was very excited. It was very large with eight bedrooms, a dining room, breakfast room, games room and two sitting rooms. It had a swimming pool and a cottage attached.
Gloria moved into our old flat. This suited her as she had started to take over some of Ruth’s work and even went on buying trips to Italy with Dino.
When we moved in Dino wanted Ruth to take more responsibility in the home and play golf and tennis. He wanted to have dinner parties and improve their status in the community. They also entertained people from London who were in touch with the large fashion houses. Directors came up and often brought their models.
Ruth would do anything he asked of her as she adored him till the day she died.
She was a good hostess and enjoyed her new role. She had a few secrets though and one was my nest egg.
The house was always full of people when I was home. Dino’s family kept coming and going there were lots of parties and outdoor meals. Ruth embraced their way of life and spoke fluent Italian.
By this time I was at an exclusive girl’s boarding school. I was awarded a scholarship and was determined to do well with the opportunity. It was I suppose my father’s legacy as it was his wish that I had the best. I knew it was important to Ruth. It was a relief to go in the end as our old life was finished and our new one was dominated by Dino. Occasionally one of my friends from school would come and stay which led to talk at about our exciting life particularly the parties and the glamorous people.
Roberto by this time had set up a photography studio in the hangars and had started to develop the in house magazine and a mail order company. The two hangers were extended and more land was bought from Mrs Lee who was still a friend and a shareholder.
Once day Roberto was talking by the pool to a director of a model agency who was organising his next shoot with for the summer catalogue. I was quietly studying in the corner at a table under an umbrella. I was wearing my swimsuit which was still wet. He asked who I was. Roberto explained that I was Dino’s stepdaughter. Jack the visitor said. ‘Jesus Rob why don’t you introduce me to the most beautiful girl I have ever set eyes on. I bring them the best of them up here from London and you have a star in your own back yard.’
Roberto brought him over and introduced him .He looked at me as if he had never seen me before. He stared at me as if he had never danced with me, played cards with me, swam with me and sat under the stars at outdoor parties in Tuscany. He had watched me play with his children, cook pasta and laughed at my Italian accent.
‘I will give you my card young lady, as I would sign you up anytime.’ said Jack.
I felt uncomfortable with this as I was in the middle of a maths problem. I quickly pulled my towel around me.
‘Thank you but no.’ I said ‘I want to go to University. I am not interested don’t want to be a model. We have much better looking girls at my school who would love to model as a career but it is not for me.’
I excused myself quickly and ran to get changed and rushed upstairs to see Ruth who was getting ready to go out. I didn’t tell her.
We ended up going to town together in her new red sports car which was her birthday present from Dino.
Roberto must have told Dino what Jack had said because one evening when Ruth was getting ready to go out he came to my room and sat talking to me. He often did this. I was used to it. I had just got out of the bath and was wearing a dressing gown. My hair, which was normally tied back, was hanging loose and wet. He picked up a towel and came towards me.
‘Let me dry your hair like I did when you were young. Remember when you and Ruth used to have your girls night in washing and grooming your hair.’
I felt strange as he said this and slightly nervous. I was on the stool in front of the mirror and he came up behind me. He lifted my hair and rubbed it vigorously.
‘It’s gorgeous; it’s like gold’ he said.
‘I have not seen it loose for years you always plait it.’
He started smiling and touched my hair.
‘Jo when you became so beautiful, Roberto said Jack wants you to join his model agency what do you think.’
‘Dino please, it is not the life I want. I love studying and I want to go university and get a degree. The headmistress thinks I have the ability to get a first.’
With that he said ‘Yes you are right you are your mother’s daughter and she is proud of you as am I your stepfather. I shall have to protect you from the Jacks’ of this world.’
No more was said as their life was so hectic. Dino had decided to open up another shop in Edinburgh so they were always busy coming and going. The next time I saw Roberto was at our big Xmas party. I had just had my seventeenth birthday and he wanted me to dance. We had a jazz band and I enjoyed dancing to jazz. He often danced with me as we liked the same music.
Being the youngest son he was about twenty six whereas Dino and Paulo were nearly forty. He was also the best looking of the brothers. Dino was short and a compact, a powerful looking man with strong features and piercing dark eyes. Paulo was tall but severe and business like. He had cultivated English ways. He was polite, well mannered was successful in the stock market and in control of the company’s finances.
Roberto was tall and handsome with curly black hair. He was always dressed in black and wore expensive sweaters and leather jackets. Sometimes he wore a scarf in a bright colour. Even when I was young he dazzled me. When we stopped for a drink he said.
‘Jo come over one day to the hanger and let me take some shots of you. I could take a special one and present it to Ruth for her birthday. Bring some pretty clothes.’
I had had one glass of champagne and felt quite giddy so I agreed.
I had been given my horse Bonny the year before by Dino and loved riding out on the fells. The brothers were developing a taste for racing alongside their new business ventures. I kept Bonny in Mrs Lee’s stables along with their horses. She had always had a livery stable so I agreed to let the other children ride her when I was away at school.
I said I would call in the hangar during the following week as I went riding every day during the holidays. I often had coffee at the farm. Mrs Lee was happy with her new family and would still do anything for Dino. In a way she had been partly responsible for some of his success as she had invested in his company and allowed him to buy her land at rock bottom prices. He had rewarded her buy getting Paulo to advise her on other investments so she had no longer to rely on farming for an income.
On the way to the hangar I remembered that I said that I would take some clothes for the photographs. However I did not think it significant as I only wanted one taken for Ruth’s fortieth birthday the next month and my riding outfit would be appropriate.
I had never been in the studio before. At one time the upper floor of the shop had been used. Roberto had made quite a lot of money taking poly photos where a whole sheet was taken for a minimum price encouraging the buyer to invest in larger and more expensive portraits.
A lot of my friends had had them done and I assumed that’s what Roberto intended doing picking out the ones we liked for Ruth.
I tied up my horse and went in. I was amazed by the size of the place and the equipment. It reminded me of pictures I had seen in magazines of film sets. There were several large cameras, lots of furniture and props and sets laid out a sitting rooms and outdoor scenes. There was a bar and several sofas with hundreds of books and magazines lining the shelves.
Roberto was there alone and came to greet me. He stroked Bonny my horse and helped me tie him up outside.
‘Jo I am pleased you came but seeing your horse gives me an idea I could take some shots of you riding. I like the white breeches, they are very smart and your blue tweed jacket matches your beautiful eyes.’
He showed me around. There was a dark room where several hundred negatives were developing. The catalogue was circulated throughout the country and it was from the offices next door they were printed and sent out. I had met several girls from my old school who had managed to get work in the office.
Roberto poured himself a glass of wine and offered me one. Although everyone in their family drank wine regularly I was still at school and Ruth only allowed me to have a drink at dinner parties. I refused but Roberto put his hand on my shoulder challenging me and gave me a glass of vino.
‘Come on drink up there is only the two of us. We can have some fun like we do on the dance floor. We do have music here too. I will play you some Dizzy Gillespie later, now where’s your gear’?
‘I haven’t any I forgot’.
‘It doesn’t matter we have wardrobes full and the very latest models, you could try some on.’
‘I thought perhaps you could take a few of me with my horse, Ruth would like that’.
‘Of course but promise me you will let me take one or two others whilst you are here. Come and look in the wardrobe dept.’ he said.