A Mother's Hope

by Maggie Mason

Genres: World War II; Sagas; 20th Century Romance

Synopsis

THE BRAND-NEW NOVEL FROM MAGGIE MASON, AUTHOR OF THE HALFPENNY GIRLS AND THE FORTUNE TELLERS

She'll do anything to protect her family from war . . .

BLACKPOOL, 1914

Seventeen-year-old Maddie has grown up in a boarding house on one of Blackpool's poorest streets. Life is busy, but happy, as she works alongside her mother taking care of their visitors. But when war breaks out, her happiness is shattered as her fiancé is called up to fight for his country, and suddenly Maddie's future is filled with uncertainty.

As Blackpool becomes a training ground for the army, the guesthouse is used as a billet for soldiers, and Maddie soon finds herself drawn to one in particular: Arnie. As the pair grow close and his departure date nears, their feelings for one another intensify. Little does she know, the short six weeks she's known and loved Arnie will impact the rest of her life . . .

As Maddie comes to terms with a future she couldn't have ever imagined, her best friend Daisy, working in her mother's café on Blackpool promenade, promises to help any way she can.

With so much change and uncertainty on the horizon, can Maddie protect her growing family from the hardships of war?

A heart-wrenching and touching wartime novel about motherhood, hardship and courageous women during WWII. The perfect read for fans of Val Wood, Kitty Neale and Rosie Goodwin.

Release date: March 13, 2025

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Print pages: 400

Sample

Beads of sweat stood out on Maddie’s forehead as she bent over the sink full of steaming hot, soapy water.

Brushing away a stray curl, her brow creased with worry as she prayed that Reggie wouldn’t be accepted for the army. She’d pleaded with him not to volunteer, but he’d joined his pals swaggering through the streets to the recruitment office, to the cheers of the crowds that had gathered, and the tears of loved ones begging them not to go.

Wiping her face on her pinny, she sighed.

Washing endless pots was her least favourite job of all those she had to do as she helped her widowed ma run their six-bed boarding house, Fosters House, which stood on Albert Road in Blackpool.

But each morning during the tense wait to hear if Reggie had been accepted, this chore had been a help. Pots and pans could be banged about without others being alerted to your stress. And the sound of the knives and forks being dropped into the jug of boiling water somehow soothed her.

Seventeen-year-old Maddie, who looked so like her ma with her dark hair rolled back and held in combs off her face, her hazel eyes and delicate features, loved Reggie and had done all her life, as they’d lived next door to each other from birth.

As children, that had been in the small town of Preesall, just a few miles from Blackpool. Their homes were in a row of cottages built for the men working in the salt mine – until that fateful day, five years ago, when the mine had caved in, burying both their das under a mound of shifting salt.

Their devastated mas had eked out a living on parish relief money, often pooling what they had, until compensation was awarded and they’d taken the huge step of buying adjourning boarding houses.

To Maddie, Reggie’s ma was Aunt Jean, as her ma was Aunt Sal – short for Sally – to Reggie. They were a family, only lately her and Reggie’s relationship had deepened to more than the sisterly–brotherly friendship they’d always had.

It had started a few weeks back. They’d been to the pictures and had walked to the prom. As the tide was out, they’d gone onto the sand and messed around. She’d tripped and Reggie had caught her. He’d held her longer than was necessary and then had kissed her. She’d liked the sensation, but it had unsettled her. Now she was confused. Everything was moving very fast, and she couldn’t stop it without causing hurt.

Ma and Aunt Jean had picked up on everything being different between her and Reggie, and were thrilled.

‘Eeh, Maddie, me little lass,’ Ma had said, ‘you and Reggie are made for one another. Me and Aunt Jean have allus said so.’

Another sigh caught in Maddie’s throat as strong arms came around her. She hadn’t heard the kitchen door opening. Her heart sank as she leant back into Reggie and heard the crackle of paper.

Turning in his arms, she saw the brown envelope sticking out of his shirt pocket. His grin couldn’t have been wider – it lit his blue-green eyes as his handsome face shone with happiness and excitement. ‘I’ve been accepted, Maddie!’

Tears ran down her face, and anger knotted her breast. She wanted to shout at him, You’re breaking my heart, and all you can do is grin! But she yielded to him pulling her closer and laid her head where she could hear his beating heart.

‘Aw, Maddie, love, I’ve got to do this. Them Germans must be beaten, and we’re the boys to do it … Like the sergeant told us, “You men will turn into soldiers. You’ll fight for your country, your families, and for your own futures too.”’ Reggie’s body straightened. Pride shone from him. ‘I’m doing it for you, Maddie, and me ma and Aunt Sal, and aye, for me da an’ all.’ His eyes filled with tears as he finished with, ‘By, he’d be proud of me, you knaw.’

With this, Maddie clung to him, wanting now to give comfort, and to do as she’d read in the newspapers not long after the declaration of war in August: The women left behind will be called upon to support their men, and to help keep this great country of ours going.

‘Eeh, Reggie, I’m proud of you an’ all. We can’t help but win with the Blackpudlians fighting!’

‘Let’s marry before I go, Maddie. I want to truly make you mine, lass.’

‘But … Reggie! We’ve only just—’

‘You love me, don’t you? Eeh, Maddie, lass, you’re me girl and allus have been. We don’t have to wait … I don’t want to wait … I love you, Maddie … And you love me.’

Confused, Maddie sought an answer that wouldn’t sound as if she was unsure of her love for Reggie. ‘Will we have time?’

‘Aye, we will. We can have our wedding afore I leave. We’ve been told that we’ll go next week to Aldershot – that’s somewhere down south – and then be home in six weeks and will be given three weeks and two days’ leave before going overseas … Eeh, I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like. I’ve only ever seen the Blackpool area!’

‘But—’

‘Aw, lass, no buts. I love you with all me heart, and I want you as me bride when I go. It’ll be grand. I’ve got it all planned. As soon as I get home, we post the banns, and then we marry the day before I go back to barracks … For one night, you’ll be me bride, but that memory will keep me going, as will knowing that you’re me own little lass.’

All doubts left Maddie as his lips came onto hers and she lost herself in the lovely feeling of this different Reggie. He was everything to her and always had been. She loved him.

When they came out of the kiss, Reggie said, ‘I’ve to go and tell me ma. She’ll be thrilled. She’s allus said me and you would end up together. Though I ain’t sure how she’ll be about me letter. She’ll be upset, I reckon, but she’s allus stood by me decisions.’

‘Shall I come with you?’

‘Naw. It’s best I tell her on me own, but then when you’ve got your break later, shall we go into town and get your ring? … A wedding ring, I mean. I knaw it should be an engagement ring first, but that’ll come later as I’ve only enough money for one.’

Nodding her head, Maddie’s face stretched into a wide grin as she said, ‘Yes, oh, yes, and by, me lad, I can’t believe it. Me and you getting wed!’

A shyness came over her then, as the implications of them being married hit her.

Since that first kiss, Reggie had gone further, touching and caressing her in places he shouldn’t, but she hadn’t stopped him. Not straight away. She’d enjoyed it and had discovered feelings she’d had no idea she could feel – she had longed for more even. But along with all of that, she’d had a niggly feeling of being unsure … Oh, God, that will happen now. I’ll be Reggie’s wife and …Her thoughts set up mixed feelings – fear, embarrassment – but she couldn’t deny the longing deep inside her.

Reggie’s eyes clouded. In a low and husky voice, he said, ‘I’m not sure I can wait till we’re married to … well, you knaw, lass.’

His kiss told her what he meant. It flamed the feelings she had, but then a now familiar doubt crept in, and she eased herself away from the feel of his desire.

‘We – we must, Reggie. It ain’t right. You knaw that.’

And yet as she said the words, it puzzled her as to why she always had this need to hold back. She loved Reggie, she did. So why? Why did something niggle at her when they became as close as they were now?

Feeling his disappointment, she made a joke as she turned and picked up the tea towel and wafted it at him. ‘Eeh, lad, this ain’t getting the dishes done. Go and tell your ma that you’re going, and then see if she’s got time to come round so we can tell me ma and her together what our plans are, eh?’

‘Ha! Cooling me off again! Eeh, Maddie, it’ll be good when you don’t have to do that, lass. I want that day so much.’

He moved towards her.

Ducking her hands in the now much cooler water, Maddie splashed him. ‘There, that should help!’

They both burst out laughing as a blob of soap suds landed on the end of Reggie’s nose.

Then Reggie shocked her as he grabbed her from behind and his hand came onto her breast. Suddenly, he seemed to have changed from the caring Reggie who respected her to someone wanting to get a cheap thrill, every time he was with her.

Twisting in his arms and displacing his hand, she said, ‘Reggie! No!’

His look was that of a hurt child. ‘But you like that, lass. We’ve been doing it a lot lately.’

‘I – I … Look, it’s different when I’m not working, and we’ve been out together.’ She didn’t say that even then she had doubts and that they held her back. ‘Anyroad, me ma might come in at any moment, and I’m in me pinny … Oh, I don’t knaw … I just don’t want to spoil things.’

Reggie hung his head. ‘Sorry, lass. I were out of order. It’s just … well, the excitement and everything.’

Softening, Maddie told him. ‘Later, eh? We’ll go for a walk tonight and … well, you knaw.’

‘Eeh, me little lass.’

As he turned, Reggie opened the door to the hallway and called out to her ma, ‘See you in a mo, Aunt Sal. I’m just going to fetch me ma round.’

Maddie clung on to the edge of the sink, trying to get her thoughts to calm, but almost immediately Ma opened the kitchen door. ‘What was all that about, lass? Why’s Reggie fetching Aunt Jean? Mornings are a busy time for us all, we’ve naw time for chatting. We’ve the beds to make and … Eeh, love, what’s that grin about?’

‘I’m just happy, Ma … Well, not altogether happy.’ It wasn’t her doubts that made her hesitate. Her grin had been because they had suddenly gone. But now mixed feelings entered her as the thought came to her that Reggie was going to war!

Shaking this from her, she said, ‘Anyroad, Reggie will tell you later. But aw, you needn’t worry, Ma, Aunt Jean won’t drop everything even if Reggie begs her. Anyway, I’ve just finished the dishes, I’ll leave them to drain and nip upstairs. I’ll soon have the beds done, while you do the sinks and the bathroom, how’s that?’

‘I’ve one more table in the dining room to set up for the evening meal and then I’ll be up, lass. But eeh, I expected more tears than smiles, as Reggie told me the other day that he’d passed his medical. You do knaw what that means, don’t you, lass?’

Maddie straightened from where she’d bent to retrieve the basket that contained all they’d need for getting the upstairs spick and span – dusters, scouring powder for the sinks and their mainstay, bleach tablets. Once more her eyes filled with tears and as she nodded, one escaped and trickled down her cheek.

‘Aw, lass, come here.’

Enclosed in her ma’s arms, Maddie’s emotions broke. Sobs racked her body.

‘There, there, lass. I’ll help you through it … Anyroad, it might not be for long. Our boys’ll soon sort that Kaiser’s lot out … And, well, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Come on, let’s busy ourselves, eh?’

Feeling better, Maddie thought to give a hint as to why there was something pressing to tell so that her ma wouldn’t have too much of a shock. ‘It ain’t all bad news, Ma. Me and Reggie have something to tell you, but we’ll wait for Aunt Jean to be here, eh?’

Ma pulled her lips in, but showed with her glinting eyes that she was excited. As she closed the door, she said, ‘Mmm, that sounds intriguing.’

Maddie laughed, and her usual happy self came to the fore as she took the stairs two at a time and began to feel the joy of her wedding day coming much sooner than she had ever imagined.

But there was the fear too, as questions came to her: what would it be like? And now her wedding was so close, should she give in to Reggie’s demands?

But no. She’d always wanted to honour what her ma had taught her, that a man and woman coming together was for marriage only. Reggie would have to be patient.

Trying not to think of saying goodbye to him, Maddie got on with making the beds in the rooms occupied by two families who had originally booked for the switch-on of the illuminations – a spectacular light show that had sadly been cancelled this year – but who, now that the early September storms had passed, were enjoying the late summer sunshine despite the doom and gloom hanging over the country.

Maybe, she thought, it was a way of forgetting for a few days, as one family’s chat over breakfast had been about the father having joined up.

She wished with all her heart that this war hadn’t happened. And yet, she didn’t really understand the implications. She wouldn’t let herself think of them, as the fear was too much to bear.

A little later, Reggie stood with an arm around her shoulder in the guests’ dining and sitting room – a long room that had tables and chairs in neat rows at one end and beige-coloured armchairs around the walls at the other, and in the bay window, a huge red and beige rug on which stood a small occasional table.

When Reggie finished telling Ma and Aunt Jean their plan it seemed they were shocked into silence. It took a long minute for them to absorb the news.

Aunt Jean, smaller than Maddie and her ma, spoke first.

‘But how will we get ready for it?’ Her head, clad in a bright red scarf to hide her rarely removed curlers, bobbed from side to side. Her bright, dark brown eyes dimmed with worry and sadness, when Maddie had expected to see joy.

Feeling for a chair, Aunt Jean sat down and burst into tears.

Rushing to her side, Maddie took her hand and patted it as she crouched down beside her.

‘Eeh, I’m sorry, Maddie, me lovely lass. I’m overjoyed, but I can’t take everything in. Me lad’s going to war, and now he says he wants to get married first!’

Ma saved the day. ‘Aw, Jean, love, it’ll all work out. It’s a shock, I’ll give you that, but I can understand the hurry.’

‘You mean … Eeh, Reggie, you haven’t made Maddie—’

‘Naw, Ma! It’s not like that. I’m going away for I don’t knaw how long and I want to go knowing Maddie’s me wife. It’ll sort of settle me.’

At this, Ma looked at Maddie. For a moment, it seemed that she had her doubts. But then she smiled. ‘Well, I think it wonderful news and we should all concentrate on it, rather than the sad news of Reggie going to war.’ She turned to Reggie. ‘Though I say sad as I’m sorry to see you go, but eeh, lad, I’m right proud of you an’ all.’

Reggie grinned as Ma hugged him and this seemed to give Aunt Jean a way of coping, as she stood up. ‘Your ma’s a daft old biddy, Reggie, me lad. Come here and let me congratulate you an’ all. I were just taken aback by it all when I hadn’t had time to take in that you were really going to war. But I’m proud of you too, and proud of the both of you for coping with it like you have … Let’s have the best wedding we can put together, eh?’

The talk then turned to wedding preparations – where they would hold the reception, and what they should do about her wedding dress.

‘Maddie, lass, I’ve still got my wedding gown, you knaw, and it were made of silk, and is still in good condition. I could alter that to fit you.’

Maddie laughed. ‘Aw, Aunt Jean, that would be lovely, but you’re so much smaller than me!’

‘Eeh, but I can add a frill around the bottom and extend it into a short train. That way it will look like part of the frock.’

Unsure, but not wanting to hurt her lovely aunt’s feelings, Maddie said, ‘Well, I can have a try on and see what I think, eh?’

Ma chipped in, ‘I remember it, Jean, love. It’s a lovely gown. I was so envious of you as all my ma could afford for me was a calf-length white frock that we bought from the market!’

‘Aw, you looked lovely, Sally, lass. Barry was so proud of you.’

Both swallowed hard. Always when talking of their lost husbands they became emotional. Ma put her arms out to Aunt Jean, who willingly went into them. The two women hugged, their pain lining their faces, and yet their love for each other shining from them.

Reggie stepped closer and his arm came around Maddie’s waist. He whispered, ‘I can’t believe I’m going to make you mine.’ This sent a shiver down her back. Never had she known a feeling of things not being right between her and Reggie, always they’d had an easy-going relationship, but suddenly, he seemed possessive of her and for some reason this frightened her.

Turning towards him, the feeling left her. She loved him and, yes, she wanted to be his wife. It was natural for him to feel the urgency he was showing. He loved her and faced going away from all he knew and to goodness knows what!

She was to look forward to being his wife, she told herself. Everything would be fine. She loved the feelings he gave her and on more than one occasion had nearly given in to him as his caresses of her had driven her to a point of yearning for more. When it happened, it would be wonderful and not something to be afraid of.

With this, she kissed his cheek – the only sign of their love they were allowed to show in front of their mas, but one that said she loved him. She was rewarded with a beautiful smile from Reggie and a secret squeeze that thrilled her.

Standing on the station a week later, Reggie held on to her as if he’d never let go. Clinging to him, the pain of parting wrenched at her heart. His lips on hers felt like a desperate plea. And this was in his words as he lifted his head from hers.

‘You do love me, don’t you, Maddie, lass? Everything will be all right, won’t it?’

‘Of course. And you knaw I love you.’

These uncertainties Reggie displayed had marred some of the time they’d been together in the last few days. Maddie supposed it was because he was going away. Though she didn’t like it.

‘Eeh, Reggie, you do trust me, don’t you? I’ve never looked at anyone else, and nor would I! Like you say, it’s allus been me and you.’

Reggie looked shamefaced. ‘By, I don’t knaw what’s got into me. It’s a feeling like I’ve never had before.’

Trying to understand, Maddie told him, ‘You’ve naw need to have it. You’re me lovely lad. We’ve allus been close, but now we’ve found sommat deeper … But, oh, I wish you hadn’t got to go.’

‘I do an’ all now. It just seemed the right thing to do … but …’

His body suddenly jerked forward as a huge slap on his back made him laugh. Tommy Arkwright stood there looking down on them. A giant of a lad, Tommy was always a scary figure with his mass of curly red hair, broad shoulders and a look that said no one messed with him.

‘Today’s the day, lad. Come on, I’ve got some fags, we’ll light up in the carriage – that’ll soothe your love lust.’

His laugh echoed around the station, until a loud voice commanded that the lads, ‘Fall in.’

What that meant, Maddie wasn’t sure, but the lads seemed to know as they all lined up in an orderly fashion.

‘Eeh, Maddie, love, I’ve got to go. I’ll write. I love you.’

And then he was gone. Into the crowd of faces that all looked the same now they had donned their regimented brown caps.

Maddie had thought she would cry at this point, but she didn’t. She somehow felt a strange sense of relief.

Late October 1914

The usual quiet period as they anticipated the winter months had been turned into a frenzy of work, as Ma and Aunt Jean had received letters a week ago telling them their boarding houses had been requisitioned as billets for soldiers coming to train in Blackpool.

They were to provide bed, breakfast and evening meal and accommodate as many soldiers as possible.

Maddie’s back ached from moving beds to make room for at least four lads in the family rooms, three in the doubles and two in the singles – this would mean eighteen young men in the house. Maddie dreaded the thought but felt better for telling Daisy, only to find she had a different perspective.

‘Aw, it won’t be that bad, Maddie, lass. I’d love it meself. It’s just a pity that you’ll be a married woman by the time they come … Eeh, Maddie, I still reckon you’re too young to marry – I mean, you won’t be eighteen till Christmas Day! – engaged, aye, but that’s different. Why can’t Reggie be happy with that, eh?’

Maddie knew why, and still felt cross about it – there was one thing and one thing only that Reggie wanted. Her anger at this made her snap. ‘Shut up, Daisy! If you say that once more about me being too young, you won’t be my bridesmaid, and I’ll go home now!’

Daisy giggled. ‘Ha, to more drudgery!’

‘It ain’t drudgery, I love me work, and helping me ma. I want to help her to make it a success. She’s put everything into the Fosters.’

‘Aw, I knaw, love. I’m only teasing. But you’re all on edge. What’s wrong with you?’

Maddie gazed out of the window of The Copper Kettle Café, owned by Daisy’s ma. It stood on the north promenade, and though usually busy, she and Daisy were the only ones in there today. Daisy’s ma had taken an hour off and left Daisy to look after everything.

As she watched the sea Maddie thought it looked as disturbed as she felt, and as angry, as it crashed its waves onto the sand, throwing spray onto the road and the window.

‘You should be happy marrying the man you love, and having all those other men around you while he’s away!’

‘Daisy!’

‘Well, I’m looking forward to them landing here, I can tell you. Eeh, Maddie, I wish you wouldn’t marry—’

‘Daisy, please stop. I came to you for support, not a lecture.’

‘And that’s what I’m giving you. I’m your best mate, love, and I don’t like to see you get yourself tied to one man so young. Most folk don’t marry till they’re in their twenties! What’s your ma thinking of, allowing this?’

A tear ran down Maddie’s cheek. Ma had only supported her marrying, not tried to prevent it. Her wedding dress was ready, and Ma and Aunt Jean had been hoarding all the food they could for the party afterwards, which had been planned to be held in Ma’s boarding house, though that may change now with the soldiers coming. Reggie’s aunts and uncles had been invited. And friends too. But why can’t I be happy about it all?

Daisy was by her side in seconds and holding her. ‘Aw, lass, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.’

Leaning into her, Maddie told her, ‘I do love Reggie, Daisy. I just don’t feel ready for marriage, but I want him to be happy and settled while he’s away.’

‘Eeh, Maddie, it sounds like you’re sacrificing yourself to make Reggie’s war better. But you can’t. Marrying him ain’t going to change anything … And what if … well, what if owt happens on the wedding night, and you’re left having a babby?’

At last, someone had expressed one of her fears.

‘Can it happen the first time, Daisy?’

‘By, you’re not telling me it’ll be your first time, are you?’

Maddie was shocked by this. ‘Have you done it then?’

‘Aye, a few months ago. I went to the Tower Ballroom one night and met this chap. He did it to me in a doorway. I didn’t really want to, but I was curious. But it was nowt to shout about and was over as soon as it started. I lived in fear for months after that, though.’

Aghast, but not showing it, Maddie asked, ‘Did it hurt?’

‘A little. But, well, I did it again with Mickey Stanton, and it didn’t hurt and was all right, though I felt there was sommat missing. I really liked Mickey, but he seemed to only want me for that, and didn’t call round again once it had happened.’

Daisy plopped down on the chair next to Maddie. ‘I wish I hadn’t now. I feel sort of dirty … But that won’t happen to you, love. I knaw you only have one night of being married before he goes, but you’ll be all right after the first time … Where will that be, by the way?’

A little taken aback, and still thinking about what Daisy had said, Maddie hesitated.

‘You’re not going to be in your bedroom, are you? Eeh, Maddie, that would be embarrassing with your ma the other side of the wall.’

‘Naw, you dafty, we’re going to book into somewhere. Reggie said the Imperial, but that’s too posh and would cost too much, so I’m not sure. Reggie’ll sort it when he gets home.’

‘Eeh, I’m envious now. But one thing, I’m glad it’s winter and I’ll see more of you, Maddie. I don’t seem to yearn for more in me life when I have you.’

Daisy took hold of Maddie’s hand. The same age as Maddie, they’d been friends since school days and next to Ma and Reggie, and Aunt Jean, she was the one person Maddie loved the most.

Daisy was what you would call pretty, with her mop of mousy-coloured hair, and freckles dotted over the bridge of her nose. The curls were like her, bubbly, as she always found something to smile about. And yet, if she was hurt, it really showed, like now.

Squeezing her hand, Maddie said, ‘Well, it won’t be like other winters, when I’m free in the daytime, but we can meet in the evenings once I’ve done the pots after dinner, as I won’t be seeing Reggie.’

It hurt to say that, and Maddie was glad of the emotion. She’d let her worries over marrying Reggie overshadow her love for him and had suppressed her feelings so as not to suffer too much in his absence. Suddenly she longed to see him.

‘Maddie, you’ve gone all wistful.’

‘Well, I am soon to be a blushing bride.’

‘By, you can change like the wind. You look happy about it now.’

Maddie laughed.

‘Aye, well, I can’t say I agree with it,’ Daisy continued, ‘but I’m glad about one thing. I’ve been longing for a chance to wea. . .