Steve studied his toes, concentrating hard, and when one moved slightly he yelled, ‘Look at that! Oh dear Lord, am I going to walk again? Please tell me I am, Bob.’
‘Don’t get too excited.’ Bob laid a restraining hand on him. ‘There’s an improvement at last, but we don’t know how good it will get. What I’m going to do is exercise your legs more to strengthen them.’
Steve was nodding eagerly. ‘Anything you say. Get me on my feet by Christmas.’
‘Steady on there, that’s only four weeks away,’ he pointed out. ‘But don’t worry. If there’s a chance you’re going to get some feeling back in your legs, I’ll stay on after Christmas.’
‘Oh, thanks, Bob.’ Steve clasped his hand in gratitude. ‘You’ve done so much and I hate to ask you to stay longer.’
‘You’re not asking, I’m offering.’
There was a rap on the door and the captain came in. ‘Do you need a doctor, Bob? I can get one here quickly.’
‘No, thanks, everything is all right.’
‘Look!’ Steve pointed to his feet. ‘I can move a toe, and there’s some feeling coming back to my left leg. All that horse riding must have done some good.’
‘That’s wonderful!’ The captain spun to face Bob, a questioning look on his face. ‘Is this the start of a steady improvement?’
‘All I can say is that this is the most hopeful sign we’ve had so far.’
‘I want to get back on my feet by Christmas,’ Steve insisted, ‘even if it’s on crutches. It would be the best present my family could have, and Bob has arranged to go back to his job in the New Year. I don’t want to delay him; he’s already spent far too much time with us.’
Lilly peered in the room. ‘Mum said would you like tea up here, Daddy?’
‘What do you think, Bob?’
‘No, we’ll come down.’
‘Tell Mummy we’ll be down soon. And Lilly, do you remember Grandpa’s walking stick? The one with the horse’s head in silver?’
She nodded. ‘It’s in the stick stand by the door.’
‘Bring it here for me, sweetheart.’ The captain thought for a moment. ‘You’re going to need crutches as well, but I’m not sure if we have any of those. Perhaps the servants . . .’ He strode to the door and shouted for the butler.
Green soon appeared. ‘Sir?’
‘Have we got any crutches around the place?’
‘I believe there is a pair in the stables. One of the lads sprained an ankle last year and he used them.’
‘Send someone to see if they are still there, and if so, bring them to me.’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Is this what you wanted, Daddy?’ Lilly dodged round the butler as he left the room, nearly tripping over the long cane.
‘That’s it.’ He took it from her and held it out to Steve. ‘I hope you will soon progress to using this.’
‘But I can’t take that. It’s a valuable cane.’
‘I insist. Ah, and here are the crutches.’ He took them from the lad who had just arrived, and propped them against the wall, smiling. ‘Nothing gets thrown away here.’
Steve was about to protest, so Bob stopped him by saying, ‘Thank you, Captain. These items will be returned to you if they are no longer needed.’
‘That isn’t necessary, but if it makes you feel better about taking them, then I agree.’
Steve obviously approved of that arrangement and smiled. ‘We are grateful for your kindness and generosity.’
‘No, Steve, I am the one who is grateful to be allowed to help you. I thought you would never forgive us after what happened to your lovely daughter while she was with us.’
‘That’s past history now, and it wasn’t any of your doing, so there’s nothing to forgive.’
‘Thank you, Steve; it’s a great relief to hear you say that. Now, let’s go downstairs and have tea with Emma. You must both be hungry.’
On the way home it was decided not to say anything about this hopeful sign, except to Alf and Eddie, who regularly helped with Steve. They had to be told because Bob knew that the next weeks were going to be difficult, and he would need their help.
‘How are we going to sneak these in?’ Steve wanted to know, pointing to the crutches and cane.
‘I’ll take them into my house and bring them to your room when we’re on our own.’
‘It was good of Benjamin to lend us these things, and let us ride his horses.’
‘He’s been eager to help from the beginning.’ Bob noted the use of the captain’s Christian name, and was pleased. It looked as if a friendship was forming between the two men.
‘I know we tried to shut him out of our lives after what happened to Ruth, but he wouldn’t go away. He’s very persistent.’
‘He’s also a good man who cares for Dad and all of you.’
‘It’s hard to understand why, because he’s from the upper-class.’
‘That doesn’t bother him. I’ve seen a bond between men who fought in the war, no matter what their background.’
‘That’s true enough. That conflict did seem to level things out a bit.’ Steve fell silent then, watching the passing scenery as the train puffed its way back to London.
Bob was pleased to see that he appeared more relaxed now. He had been urging caution in an effort to stop Steve from becoming too excited. He wished he could talk to Jack and Doctor Vickers, but he didn’t like to phone again because that could take them away from whatever they were doing at the time. So tonight he would write to Jack explaining what had happened and asking his advice. He needed to know exactly what to do, and when he should start to see if Steve could stand.
He sighed quietly, praying that the improvement would continue. It had been good to come home and put things right with his dad. They were close now – more like friends working together to pull Steve through the bad times – but now he longed to get back to his job. There had been talk about him leaving after the New Year, but to be honest, he hadn’t believed there would be much chance of that happening. Now there was a glimmer of hope, and he was so looking forward to going back and working with everyone again. His first stop would be to sit on his favourite seat and gaze at the river. It was such a restful view, no matter what the weather. He had given up his top-floor rooms, but the boys below had said he could move in with them until he found a place of his own again. The realization that he really could be going back soon made him happy. The only jarring thing about his visit home had been his relationship with Ruth, but even that was better now. Of course, it would never be like it was when they were children; they were different people now, but he still loved her and always would. He had been uneasy when she’d been going out with Dave, and quite relieved when that came to an end, by mutual agreement it seemed. When he left this time he would be coming back regularly, so there would be plenty of opportunity for them to become close again.
A slight smile touched his lips. Perhaps Sister was right and Fate had been guiding him to do the right thing at the right time. The return to London had been good, and useful, not only to Steve, but to Dave and all the others. That wouldn’t have been the case, though, if he hadn’t gained certain skills before coming home. Too much had happened for it to be a coincidence. Since childhood he’d had the burning ambition to do something useful with his life, and had thought teaching might be the way, but he had been led in a different direction. He had found what he’d been looking for. His life was straightened out now, and it was a comforting feeling.
Three days later he received a long letter from Jack, and a short note from Doctor Vickers, explaining how he was to handle Steve’s changing condition. Much happier now he had their advice he began to work as they had instructed.
Improvement was steady, and Eddie could hardly contain his excitement.
‘That boy’s going to give the game away,’ Alf remarked a few days later. ‘We’re never going to keep this a secret until Christmas, Steve. Perhaps we ought to tell the others now.’
Steve s
hook his head. ‘No, I’ve got to be able to stand and take at least a couple of steps. When are you going to let me out of this chair, Bob?’
‘Another couple of days, but remember you are going to have to learn to walk again. It isn’t going to be easy.’
‘I know, and I’m sorry to be so impatient, but I’ll do as you say.’
‘We’ve got three weeks to Christmas,’ Bob pointed out, ‘so let’s make that our target.’
With Bob, Alf and Eddie working together, the days slipped by. Steve swore and cursed, but they ignored his frustration and kept praising him for every small achievement.
Two days before Christmas a van arrived with the name of the Russell Estate on the side. Jim jumped out and lifted his hand to knock on the front door, but Bob was already there, with Daisy right behind him.
Jim peered around Bob and smiled. ‘Hello, Mrs Cooper, I’ve got something for you from the captain’s farm. Give us a hand, Bob.’
The small van was loaded with sacks and boxes, and Bob laughed when Jim told him that it was all for them. ‘What has the captain done now?’
‘He doesn’t want any of you to go hungry over the festive season,’ Jim told him, drily. ‘Come on, let’s get this in the house.’
‘Follow me.’ Bob tossed a sack on to his shoulder and grabbed another with his free hand, and then he made for the scullery.
Daisy, with Steve beside her in the wheelchair, watched in astonishment as the room filled up with goods.
‘Hope you’ve got a nice big larder,’ Jim said as he dumped a large box on the table.
She opened a door and showed him a walk-in cupboard with a marble cool shelf in it.
‘Perfect, and there’s plenty of room.’ He began to unpack the box. ‘You’ve got two pork joints, two beef, sausages, chops and two fine chickens, a pudding and cakes. In the sacks you’ll find all the vegetables we grow, and also apples and pears from the orchard.’
‘But . . . but . . .’ Daisy couldn’t get the words out; she had never seen so much food in her life.
Steve and Bob were roaring with laughter at her confusion.
‘You can’t refuse it, Mrs Cooper,’ Jim told her. ‘Captain Russell said if I came back with so much as one potato he’ll sack me. He also said you were to have a damned good Christmas, and thank you for the letters, Bob.’ Jim gave him a sly wink.
Steve was laughing so much he had to wipe his eyes. ‘I’m going to have to have a word with that man. A little help is one thing, but this is ridiculous!’
‘You’ve got off light.’ Jim was laughing along with the others. ‘He wanted to load two vans.’
That was too much for Daisy and she had to sit down. ‘Where are we going to put it all? We can’t move in here for sacks.’
‘Can we stack some of it in your old shed, Bob? It’s cold out there.’ Steve was shaking his head, unable to believe what was happening.
‘That’s a good idea. We’ll put it outside the door for the moment and let Daisy sort out what she wants, then I’ll move it.’
Once the scullery was cleared a cup of tea was ready. ‘Tell Captain Russell we’re very grateful, if somewhat overwhelmed with his gift,’ Daisy said. ‘And we’ll do as he says and have a terrific Christmas. We’ll all be writing letters to him tonight.’
‘Ah, he likes receiving letters.’ Jim smiled at them.
Bob nodded, knowing that Jim was referring to the regular updates he’d been sending on Steve’s progress.
That evening they all sat around the table discussing what they could do with all the food.
‘We can’t possibly eat all of it.’ Daisy was shaking her head. ‘We must spread it around.’
A list was quickly made of all the needy families in the street, and then they began making up parcels for each one. They all contained two chops, two sausages, a variety of vegetables and fruit.
Then Alf and the children went out delivering the gifts. It was a happy task and they all returned glowing with pleasure.
Christmas day arrived and the house was filled with the aroma of prime meat being cooked. They had decorated the house with paper chains the children had made, and everyone was in the mood to have a lovely time.
‘Ready?’ When Steve nodded, Bob straightened his tie, squeezed his shoulder, and walked into the scullery where all the family were gathered preparing a sumptuous meal.
‘Happy Christmas, Bob,’ they said together when he walked in.
‘And to you. Eddie, Dad and myself have been working hard over the last few weeks, and we now have a special present for you. Eddie, would you like to go and get our gift?’
Eddie was so excited he nearly tripped over in his haste to get out of the door.
‘I wonder what it is?’
‘Something you’ll like, John,’ Alf told him. ‘Something really special.’
The door opened and Steve stood there, using only the cane for support, and he walked a few steps into the scullery.
Pandemonium broke out. Daisy sobbed, holding on to her husband. ‘This is the best present we could possibly have been given. What a wonderful Christmas this is turning out to be.’
‘How did you manage to keep this a secret?’ Ruth had tears of joy running down her cheeks as she kissed her dad, who was now sitting in a chair.
The other kids were jumping up and down, yelling with excitement, and Daisy shouted for them to be quiet. When she could hear herself talk, Daisy turned to Bob. ‘Is Steve going to be able to walk properly again?’
‘I’ve consulted with Doctor Vickers and he says there is no reason why Steve shouldn’t now get back the full use of his legs and be able to live a normal life.’
‘What a celebration this is going to be.’ Daisy couldn’t stop smiling through her tears.
No one disagreed with that. They had an abundance of food and best of all Steve was walking again. Not one of them could ask for a single thing more.
Thirty-Seven
New Year’s Eve turned into the biggest party their street had ever seen. Dave and his dad turned up, as did Hannah Law, at Alf’s invitation. The Selby family were also there, and all of the men Bob had been helping. There were so many people that the two houses were packed. Everyone wanted to congratulate Steve.
Daisy had cooked the two chickens and some of the sausages, Dave had brought along a barrel of beer, and knowing Alf and Bob didn’t drink, he also brought along enough lemonade for them and the kids. Food was piled up on the large scullery table for everyone to help themselves.
The fence between the two houses was getting in the way so Alf and Bob were outside trying to remove a section.
‘Can you take these, please?’ Ruth was holding out two plates of sandwiches.
‘Our hands are filthy.’ Bob encircled Ruth’s small waist with his large hands and lifted her over the fence without spilling a thing from the plates in her hands.
She was laughing when he put her down, and he thought he had never seen her so happy or lovely.
‘Me too!’ Sally and John were now demanding to be lifted over, shrieking with delight as he swung each one in the air.
As they disappeared into the house, Bob grinned at Alf. ‘Let’s get this fence down or I’ll have to stand here all night.’
Choosing the weakest section the two big men pulled at the same time. There was a cracking and tearing sound as the wooden posts came out of the ground.
‘That’s better.’ Alf pulled the section away while Bob filled in the holes and stamped the ground level. ‘Now they can wander from house to house. Let’s wash up and get back to the party. I’m hungry.’
At five minutes to twelve everyone crammed into the Coopers’ house, glasses at the ready. When midnight struck a huge cheer went up. ‘Happy 1924 and good riddance to 1923.’
‘Thank goodness that one is over,’ Alf said to his son. ‘It’s been a tough one, hasn’t it?’
He nodded. ‘But it’s also had some good things in it. The misunderstanding I had about you has b
een swept away, and I feel as if I’ve gained a friend as well as a father. It also looks as if Steve will now make a full recovery. We’ve had many battles to fight, but I would say we’ve won more than we’ve lost.’
‘I agree.’ Alf clinked his glass of lemonade against Bob’s. ‘I know the Coopers will have a good 1924, so I think we should toast ourselves. To understanding and friendship. Happy New Year to both of us.’
‘Come on, you two, stop looking so serious.’ Ruth dragged them back to the party.
Around one o’clock people began to drift off home after having a great time. When the last one had left, they sat down amongst the debris and had a quiet cup of tea to recover from all the excitement.
‘Just look at the mess.’ Daisy was now back to full health, and was so happy to know that the man she loved was going to recover from his terrible injuries at last.
‘Close your eyes, Mum,’ Ruth laughed. ‘Just pile it in the sink and we’ll clear it up tomorrow.’
‘It’s tomorrow now.’
‘So it is.’ She smiled, but felt a pang of sadness. This was the day Bob was leaving, and how strange it would seem without him around all the time.
It was ten o’clock when Ruth woke up, and one glance at the clock had her tumbling out of bed. He wouldn’t have gone yet, would he? She couldn’t bear it if she didn’t have the chance to see him before he left.
Dressing hastily she ran downstairs, and was relieved to see him with everyone else. ‘Oh, I overslept, and was so afraid you would have gone without saying goodbye.’
‘I wouldn’t have done that. I’d have dragged you out of bed.’
She laughed with all the others, suddenly feeling shy. He was looking smart in his best suit, and had his bag with him, ready to leave.
Standing up he slung his bag over his shoulder, his attention on Steve. ‘Don’t overdo things, and I’ll see you in four weeks’ time. I’ll stay for two days so I can see you and the other men. Eddie, you know what to do.’
‘Yes, Bob, I’ll keep on massaging Dad’s back like you taught me.’
‘And see he takes it steady. You have my permission to tell him off if you think he’s doing too much.’ When Eddie nodded and smirked, he said, ‘I’ll be on my way then.’
Battles Lost and Won Page 26
