All About Athene

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20th November 1939

It’s all settled, Lettie is joining up and I’m going to be able to move into Mrs Fraser’s in a couple of weeks.  I’ve just got to break it to Mrs Kelly now.  Joan’s invited me over for tea tomorrow night for a proper look at my room.  I’m not mentioning to Gordon that I’m going.  He still keeps popping up when I’m not expecting it, which is very unnerving.

Letter from Susan, Mum asked her to write and advise me about Gordon because she’s no idea what to say.  Apart from that I should never have left home of course.  Susan says that I should move away – and I didn’t even mention anything about Joan’s house in my letter so that shows that I’m doing the right thing.

16th November 1939

Still not been able to shake off Gordon Leon this week even though our shifts have started at different times.  He pops up all over, wanting me to go to the pictures with him but I’d rather take my chances and sit in there on my own.  Tuesday I spent my break having a cup of tea in the buffet chatting to Joan.  He came in and stood a few feet away, staring all the time.  He never said a word, just stared.  Joan noticed and kept on pulling faces which I had to pretend not to notice.  I popped into see her again on my way home and she did seem a bit worried for me.  She thinks I should move, same as Mr Hardy, because being his neighbour won’t help at all.  She’s going to ask Lettie in her house if she is going to join the Wrens and when it will be.

Letter from home yesterday, Belinda is being a handful.  I hope she isn’t wrecking my bedroom.  I hear that some evacuees have lice and fleas so I’m a bit worried for my mattress.  I wrote straight back to Mum to tell her about Gordon because I’m getting so worried about what to do now.

12th November 1939

Last night was one of the best ever.  Joan called for me at 7.30, much to Mrs Kelly’s disapproval, I could tell.  I think she muttered something about Joan’s feet looking like pigs trotters in her high heels.  She is a plump girl but that wasn’t very nice of Mrs Kelly at all.  Then she told me that if I wasn’t back before 11.30 then the bolt would be going on the door.  Then we went back to Joan’s lodgings to collect her landlady and the other girl who lives there – Mrs Fraser and Lettie.  Lettie is thinking of joining the Wrens – perhaps I could have her room if she does.  That would be wonderful because I really like Mrs Fraser. She’s still young and her husband is in the army and she seems to want to live it up while he’s away.  We all had a really good dance though there wasn’t nearly enough men in uniform to go round!  My feet were killing me when I got in  (at 11.15!) but I didn’t care because I was on air.  That’s the first dance I’ve been to where I haven’t had a relative or friend of the family keeping an eye on every move I make!  I want to go out more!

10th November 1939

This morning I went out the back way feeling all pleased with myself for thinking of it and there he was!  He asked me to go to the pictures with him tonight but I refused and luckily I’m going out dancing tomorrow night. Also luckily I’m working different hours next week.

Had a letter from Edith who has little to say but spent 3 pages saying it.  Apparently Mrs Clay has taken on one of the Backhouse sisters to replace me, and is telling everyone how much better she is than me.  Old misery.

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9th November 1939

Been bothered by Gordon twice today.  First off I had the pleasure of his company as I walked to work again.  He seems to wait for me – I reckon he’s listening for the front door going.  So tomorrow I’m going to try sneaking out the back.  Then, after tea, I went out the back to shake the tablecloth because Mrs Kelly’s bread is ever so crumbly.  There I am with just the moon for company and next thing his head bobs above the wall giving me a right fright.  He called out a hello to me like a daft donkey.  I just shook the cloth and dashed back inside calling out goodnight behind me so that I didn’t seem rude.  I think that’s my trouble.  I’m going to have to start being off-ish with him or I’ll never shake him.

8th November 1939

Joan invited me to a dance on Friday, which was the good bit today.  The bad bit was when Gordon walked to work with me.  Luckily it’s only two streets away because he talked all the way there about his mother.  He popped up in the booking hall later on and started staring at me as well.  Mr Hardy moved him on and warned me to watch him and his mother again.  I told him about them being round for tea and I said that I ought to look into moving. 

Apparently they’ve tried to blow up Hitler but it didn’t work.  I wish they’d come and try it with Gordon Leon next.

6th November 1939

I think I’m going to have a bit of trouble with the boy who lives next door.  He’s called Gordon  and he works at the station cleaning up.  He’s not quite right – a bit soft in the head.  It’s just him and his mother Mrs Leon next door and I’ve heard talk that she’s a witch!  Mr Hardy told me to mind that I don’t get mixed up with either of them and that theirs is a very strange household.  Anyway, Mrs Kelly doesn’t seem to think so because she’s had them both round to tea today.  Gordon wouldn’t stop looking at me and tried to touch my hand when he passed me the bread and butter.  I got all hot and bothered and not in a good way.  I’m sure Mrs Kelly invited them round on purpose to meet me.  I shall definitely avoid them in future.

Had letters from home this week.  Susan is going to have another baby.  Fancy having babies in wartime.  I know I wouldn’t.  Mum and Dad have been nagged into taking in an evacuee who sleeps in my room!  She’s called Belinda.