Read the book: «GI BRIDES – June’s Story: Exclusive Bonus Ebook»
In memory of Mary McIntosh
Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
The GI Brides
Copyright
About the Publisher
1
‘Last orders, please!’ Mr Baker called, ringing the bell at the bar.
His daughter June sighed as she finished pulling a pint of Ansells for one of the Irish labourers who were in Birmingham working for the war effort. Not long now, she thought, glancing up at the clock on the wall, which read five to ten. The hordes of drinkers were already well past merry, and she was exhausted from being on her feet all evening after a long day at work.
At the other end of the bar, she could see her dad’s short, stubby arms gesticulating as he recounted one of his favourite stories, prompting a group of regulars to burst into raucous laughter. Mr Baker had only been running the Lister Tavern for a couple of years, after leaving his job making parts for tanks at the Austin car factory, but it was clear that he had found his vocation, and he loved holding court with the punters. At the pub, he was also perfectly placed to conduct his various black-market deals – down in the cellar, secret stashes of anything from petrol to ladies’ coats could often be found amid the beer barrels.
Mrs Baker tottered over in her high heels. With her flaming red hair and ostentatious hat – one of many she owned – she had an air of faded glamour about her. ‘Pour me another brandy and soda, love,’ she said, holding out her glass. June did as she was told, then watched her mother totter off again. Mrs Baker had a tendency to overindulge – not helped by the fact that the punters often bought her drinks. She always described herself as the last of the party girls, and June had often heard stories about her days as a flapper in the Twenties.
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