I'll Be Seeing You

A Bitter Sweet Tea Party

Christmas Eve 1939

I wake up this morning lying next to my handsome husband he looks so peaceful he does in his lovely striped pyjamas, he has his one arm wrapped around me as I look down at his wedding ring that always made my stomach tingle when I saw it, it was a signet ring it was like his dad had that he wore on his little finger but I loved it. I glance across at the clock it was still early and I didn't want to move from here so just stayed snuggled up to Jimmy closing my eyes quite happy to just drift back off.

I must have been in a real heavy sleep as the next thing I know Jimmy has running his hand up and down my arm "Phoebs, Phoebs I got you a cuppa love" he says "oh god why didn't you wake me" I say to him "you looked so peaceful gel I didn't like to" he says, he's lit the fire in the bedroom too as he takes his dressing gown off and jumps back into bed "drink your tea love before it goes cold" he says as I pick up my cup and saucer drinking my tea. "How's your tummy today" he asks "it feels ok at the moment, don't worry Jimmy please" I say to him "I wanna worry alright I'm ure husband it's my job" he says and I smile "I know I canna do much but I can try and make ya feel better" he says "I know" I say touching him on the hand "you look tired Jimmy" I tell him and he does around his eyes "I'm alright nothing that a few nights in me own bed won't cure darling" he says but I'm sure there's summit up.

He takes my cup off me when I'm done popping on the bedside table "Come and give us a cuddle Phoebs" he asks me "Did you sleep well" I ask him "I always do when I'm with you" he says "I'm so excited for Christmas, our first one as husband and wife" he says "Our last one on our own" I tell him "Yeah I know" he says "I can't wait to meet our little baby Jimmy" I tell him "I wonder what it'll be Phoebs a little lad or a little gel" he says "What would you like" I ask him "I don't mind Phoebs just as long as he or she is healthy" he says "And you are alright, that's all I want" he tells me "I will look after you both Phoebs I promise you" he says "I know you will Jimmy" I tell him "and any others we have" he says pulling me to him. "Are we gonna see ya Mam today love" he asks "Yeah I've got a present for her" I say "What about ya Dad" he asks "I ain't got him anything" I tell him "Would you like to see him" he asks and I shake my head "I don't need him" he looks at me "I've got all I need now" I say making him smile.

Later that Morning

Jimmy's Point Of View

The Phone starts ringing, Phoebe is in the kitchen washing up the breakfast dishes. "I'll get it love" I say popping into the hall way "Hello Stepney four two nine one" and i recognises that soft voice at the other end of the line "Oh Jimmy love you're home" she says "Hello Mrs O Connell" I say smiling "Jimmy love call me Mam please your my son in law now lad" she says "Ok Mam" I say whci feels a little bit weird "Listen lovey, Eric is going out with his brother going to the brewrey to get in ale for christmas he'll be gone between eleven and two so you and Phoebe come round for some tea, I've made a cake and everything" she says sounding so excited. "We'd love to" I say "Oh Phoebe is here now do you wanna word" I ask "Yes please love see you soon" "See you soon Mam" I say to her. "Hi Mam" Phoebe says her face lighting up as I head back into the living room I go to pick up the tea pot from the table and notice as I do it shakes, as I grab it with both hands, I don't want Phoebe seeing this, I'd had it since the missions started.

I shut the door behind us as we head out Phoebe carrying her Mam's present and card she'd written so beautifully under her arm "It is so cold" she says and it is it's absolutely bitter, a proper old cold snap had hit. "You just cuddle up to me gel yeah" I say making her smile. We get to the pub and Phoebe stands still on the door step, we hadn't been here since that day her Dad hit her and even though we knew he wasn't there it didn't help. I knock on the door and wait for Phoebe's Mam to come and when she does open the door I'm shocked I hadn't seen her for a few weeks and she suddenly looked Ill and frail "Phoebe my darling girl" she says putting her arms out for her "Mam" she replies giving her a big hug "Jimmy love, you're looking so well" she says "Come on in out of this cold" she says "We'll head upstairs" she says "Derrick" Phoebe shouts it's her cousin, her Dad's sisters boy older than me and Phoebe, Her Aunty Doris had him when she were sixteen quite the scandal because she didn't know who his father was and ended up marrying Frank the local butcher who was like twenty years older than her to save face. "Phoebe" he says "What are you doing here" she asks "Derrick helps your father out love" her Mam says "Oh I see" she says "But don't worry he won't say owt" she says "Not unless he wants paying will ya Derrick" she says "No Aunty Vi" he says as we head past him upstairs he glares at me, me and him had never really got on.

"Come on in here love I'll pop the kettle on" her Mam says "Go on sit down both of ya" she says "Mam can I help" Phoebe asks "No you can't you need to rest my gel, I can see that little un is already wearing you out" she says "Mam I'm fine" she says but she doesn't listen and heads into the kitchen. "Jimmy she looks really poorly" Phoebe says to me "I know love I was shocked when she opened the door" I say "Do you think me Dad has been on at her" she asks "He better hadn't have been or I'll have him" I say "Oh no Jimmy now fighting please" she says as I put my arms around her, pulling her to me kissing her on the head. Suddenly we hear a crash in the kitchen"Mam" Phoebe calls "I'll go love" I say getting up and heading in

"Hey Mam you got butter fingers" I say as I go to help her pick up the cup she's dropped "Oh have i broken it love" she asks "No, no it's fine" I say picking it up wiping it with the tea towel popping it back on the tray. Violet get's all flustered and upset "hey it's alright no harm done hey" I say popping my hand on her shoulder as she looks up at me "What's wrong Mam" I ask her "Tell me please" I say "Promise you won't tell our Phoebe" she asks but I don't like the idea of lying to her "Please Jimmy you have to promise me" she begs "Alright" I say "I'm ill lad, really ill" she says "I've been to see the doctor" she says "and" I ask "it's cancer love" she says and suddenly my eyes are filled with tears, this sweet tea party was about to turn bitter.