Free Private Sorrow, A by Maureen Reynolds Page A

because the factory take their quality satisfaction very seriously.’
    Mary was issued with a white overall and set off with the Greek god. ‘We’ve got the enrobing department this morning,’ he said.
    Mary was alarmed. It sounded as if she would have to take her clothes off but when they reached it, Phil explained. ‘This is where all the soft centres are coated in chocolate. That’s what enrobing means.’
    ‘Oh,’ said Mary, suddenly feeling relieved.
    Phil strode over to the large vats of chocolate that lay at the edge of the floor and took a small ladle and metal container out of his bag. One of the men in charge of the vat took a small sample of chocolate and handed it over. Then it was over to a large conveyer belt, where the fruit centres slowly marched under a stream of chocolate before disappearing into a tunnel. Mary was then taken into a cold room next door, where the sweets were deftly taken off the belt by a bevy of women and packed into wooden trays. Mary was quite overcome by the sweet, hot smell of chocolate. Another thing she noticed was the looks the machine girls were giving Phil. They obviously found him as handsome as she did.
    At dinner time, Phil said, ‘We have a good canteen here with hot meals at reasonable prices. I always go there, so I’ll show you the way.’
    They reached the canteen, which was warm and bright and filled with workers. Mary chose a steak pie and mashed potatoes and a cup of tea from the self-service counter and was amused to see Phil had chosen the same thing. They managed to get an empty table by the wall and Phil pointed his knife at her plate. ‘Great minds think alike,’ he said with a laugh.
    Mary could barely eat her dinner because the eight girls sitting at the next table kept looking over and making eyes at Phil while giving her some hard stares.
    One of the girls, a very pretty blonde, said, ‘Are you going dancing tonight, Phil?’
    He smiled at her. ‘No, I never go on a Monday night, Linda.’
    ‘Well, I’ll be out on Saturday at the Palais. I’ll maybe see you there.’
    Phil said. ‘Do you go dancing, Mary?’
    She nodded. ‘I go to Kidd’s Rooms with my chum every Saturday.’
    He gave her a look with his limpid eyes and Mary felt herself blush. ‘To change the subject,’ he said. ‘How long have you been hired for?’
    ‘Two weeks, with an option of another week in case your colleague hasn’t been replaced by then.’
    He gave her another look. ‘Well, let’s hope she isn’t.’
    Mary asked him, ‘Why did she give up such a great job?’
    Phil smiled. ‘She left to have her baby and the job has been advertised in the Courier . I think the interviews are at the end of the week. Then they’ll have to advertise my job.’
    Mary was surprised. ‘Are you leaving as well?’
    He shrugged. ‘I have to do my National Service soon. I’m expecting my call-up papers in a month or so.’
    ‘Oh, I see,’ she said. ‘What branch of the Services will you be in?’
    ‘I would like the RAF, but I suppose it’ll be the army.’
    They had each finished their meal so they got up and walked towards the canteen door, followed by the eyes of the eight girls. Mary overheard one saying to Linda, ‘You’ll have to work fast before he goes away. Just think of all the good looking fräuleins and señoritas abroad.’
    ‘Oh, just shut up,’ said Linda crossly.

    Edna was unhappy. It had been a whole week since she had left John’s house and she really thought he would have come to the house to see her and explain this strange situation. However, there had been no word from him and she had to stay away another week before going back to work at the house. She was enjoying working in the large office in town but she missed John so much that it felt like an ache. At night she would toss and turn, wondering if and when he would deal with this mess. Sometimes she would wake up at 3 a.m. with the thought that it would never be sorted out, and she