The Forgotten Daughter

by Mary Wood

  ‘Me, too, and I’m bursting for a pee. Let’s make that field before I wet my knickers.’

  Flora laughed at Mags; there was a glimmer of her old spirit still in her.

  ‘I’m ready. We can do this. I feel sometimes that we can do anything as long as we stay together.’

  With this willingness from Ella, too, Flora felt her own confidence boosted. She loved looking after them both, but it did become wearing sometimes. It comforted her to know they were coping.

  The grass crunched under their feet as they trod the crisp frost. As soon as they were behind a hedge, they all three relieved themselves, giggling like school children.

  ‘Come on. We’re nearly there.’

  Mags’s voice had all the command she’d had when they first met. It was good to hear.

  ‘Wait for me, I’m struggling with my corset.’

  ‘You wore a corset, Ella! Ha, that’s the last garment I would have put on.’

  They all laughed as Ella struggled with the ties. ‘Oh, blow it! If you ladies are corset-less, then so shall I be.’ With this, she pulled the boned garment from around her and stuffed it in her bag.

  ‘Throw it away, Ella. Imagine the embarrassment if we are searched!’

  Instead of laughter, this brought back the fear, which hadn’t been Flora’s intention. The mood changed as they moved forward, keeping close together.

  When they came to the barbed-wire fence, Mags said, ‘Well, this is it, girls. On your bellies.’

  The wire caught on Flora’s coat. Untangling it gave her a deep scratch on her hand, but nothing could dampen her joy as she stood up on the other side. ‘We made—’

  ‘Halt!’

  Flora froze. Her stomach turned over. Turning to her left, she looked down the barrel of a rifle held by a sentry. Her body went into flight mode, but she denied it and instead whispered urgently, ‘Don’t run or he will shoot us.’

  In French, the soldier asked for their papers. To Flora’s relief, he only glanced at them and seemed happy with the German stamp, and didn’t notice that the papers only allowed them to travel to Liège. ‘Why are you coming this way? You must go through the checkpoint.’

  Thinking quickly, Flora hoped he would believe her. ‘There was a crowd – carts, bicycles and hordes of people – so we took a shortcut that we always used to take as children.’

  ‘Well, you are out of bounds. Go back and through the correct channels.’ The soldier motioned at them, sending them back through the fence.

  Flora told the others what the soldier had said, then added, ‘We’ll have to walk as if we are going back to the road, then double-back. Once we get under the wire, we must stay down until we are sure it is clear, then run like the wind. There must be another wire fence, but I don’t know how far away it is.’

  ‘It’s hopeless – we’ll be shot!’

  ‘We have to take the chance, Ella.’

  ‘Flors is right, Ella. We can do this. Look how far we’ve come. It’s our last hurdle, then we’ll be safe.’

  Flora felt she would never be safe again. Each time they approached the wire, they saw more and more sentries. ‘Look, we’re not far from the border now. Shall we take our chances? I have money, I’ll try a bribe.’

  ‘I don’t see that we have any choice.’

  ‘We don’t, Ella. Good luck, girls.’

  ‘That’s the spirit, Mags. Now, leave the talking to me. Just do as I do. But, even if challenged, don’t speak. We mustn’t let them know we are English.’

  They stood behind a small crowd. The movement forward had come to a halt. The guard whose queue they were in was questioning a young man’s papers. Flora knew this could be their chance.

  ‘Follow me. Have your pass bent over, so that just the German stamp shows, as that is all the sentry was interested in. Look confident. Come on.’

  Pushing past the crowd, she went straight up to the guard. Waving the German stamp at him, she put an aggravated tone into her voice and told him they were in a hurry. As he moved in front of them, she pressed all the money she had into his hand and smiled. He hesitated, then looked at each stamp and waved them through.

  ‘Walk normally, girls. Keep your heads up, and look as if this is what we do every day.’

  They’d barely walked a hundred yards when a sentry motioned to them that they should halt. Flora thought this was the end. She had no further tricks to pull. No money to bribe with, no papers that gave them permission to cross. Tears of defeat stung her eyes.

  ‘Ha! I gave you a scare there. I’m Dutch, not German – just thought I would have a little fun with you.’

  ‘Fun! You . . .’ Flora couldn’t continue as the tears spilled over. Her temper had released the words in English.

  He replied, speaking in broken English, ‘I’m sorry. Really sorry. You’re English? Are you nurses?’

  ‘Yes. And don’t mind Flors – she cries for joy, more than she does in sorrow.’ With this, Mags jumped forward and hugged the very surprised soldier. ‘So good to see you. Are we really free?’

  Recovering, the huge Dutchman hugged Mags back. ‘You are. And there is an English agent in that office over there. He will help you get home to Britain from here.’

  Flora’s tears flowed freely once more, as she, Mags and Ella hugged one another. They’d made it!

  Inside the office, a man sat bent over a desk. Flora was reminded of her brother Harold, as this man’s hair was in the exact same style, his double-crown causing a few strands not to know which way to lie, so they hovered in the centre, sticking up like two spikes. The colour was the same as Harold’s and her father’s, too: very dark, almost black. He wore a dark suit, with a whiter-than-white shirt collar sticking out above the jacket. For some reason, Flora really wanted to see his face.

  ‘Papers, please. Your real ones, not your fake ones.’

  ‘We don’t have any, sir, only our Red Cross armbands sewn into the hems of our skirts.’

  At this he looked up. Flora jumped back a step.

  For a moment he stared at her. Then he smiled. ‘Don’t be afraid.’ This softer tone, after the commanding one he’d used, put Flora into a flutter. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.

  ‘We’re volunteers.’

  As Mags relayed their story, Flora took in the whole of the man: over six foot, slim, and yet with a power as if, under his clothes, he hid muscles on muscles . . . What’s the matter with me? Making a huge effort, she pulled herself together and asked, ‘W – what happens next?’

  ‘I’m Cyrus Harpinham. I’m an officer in the British army. I’m stationed here on military business, but I am called upon to help out any British refugees who come through the frontier. I’ll first need to see your armbands. What happened to your papers?’

  ‘We had to destroy them before we left, for fear of being searched. There were rumours that threats of execution of foreign nationals were being made. Any member of an enemy country was at risk. We pretended to be Belgian.’ Flora bent down and tore her armband from the hem of her skirt and handed it to him. ‘Our Belgian friends helped us, or we never would have survived or got this far.’

  ‘Very well.’ His eyes bore into hers. It was strange, but somehow Flora felt that a bond joined them as they looked at one another. Her heart missed a beat. He’s beautiful . . . Oh, for goodness’ sake, what am I thinking? Have I gone mad!

  As Cyrus gave them instructions on how they would get a boat to England, Flora turned from him and followed Mags and Ella outside, but he called her back. He looked again into her eyes. ‘I – I hope you don’t think me rude, but I’ll be back in England myself in a couple of weeks. May I look you up? I – I mean, just to check you all got home safely . . . I—’

  ‘I’d like that.’ With shaking hands, she wrote her address on the pad on his desk. ‘It’s my aunt’s address – I live with her.’ He didn’t remark on this, but as he reached out to slide the pad towards him, his hand brushed hers. Something in her wanted to take hold of it and n
ever let go of it. What is happening to me?

  Mags broke the spell. ‘Flors, hurry up.’

  Smiling at Cyrus, Flora went to leave. He caught hold of her arm. ‘You’re very beautiful.’

  Her breath caught in her lungs. She wanted to tell him the same.

  ‘I – I’m sorry. I—’

  Again, that look.

  ‘Flors, are you stopping here all day?’

  Almost running out of the office, Flora wanted to hop, skip and jump. ‘I’ve just met the man of my dreams.’

  ‘What? Have you gone crazy, Flors? You’ve only just set eyes on him. He’s handsome, I grant you, but you don’t know him.’

  ‘I soon will, Mags. He’s coming home in two weeks and is going to visit me!’

  The two girls stood staring at her.

  ‘You really mean it, don’t you, Flors?’

  ‘I do. I really, really do.’

  With that, she clasped their hands and they all twirled around, laughing and crying at the same time. Mixed emotions – relief, joy and, above all, the wonderful sense of freedom assailed them as they came into a group hug. And for Flora, there was the added feeling that her real life was soon to begin!

  PART THREE

  London, 1915

  Flora and Pru

  Losing and Finding Love

  Chapter Twelve

  Pru stood outside, waiting on her doorstep, as excitement churned her stomach. The letter had arrived a few days ago. Short and very sweet, it had just said:

  Landed in England, safe and sound. Have lots to tell you. Be with you on Tuesday afternoon, as I am having to give an account of events to the Red Cross director and await orders. I have already been told that I will be given two months’ leave to give me time to assess what I want to do in the future, and to give them time to evaluate all we tell them. Can’t wait to see you, darling Aunt Pru.

  Flora x

  At last, her Flora was coming home. Oh, it had only been nine months, but she’d feared every day for her safety. She’d counted the days, the hours, and now, at last, Flora came round the corner.

  ‘Eeh, me little lass.’ Flora ran into her arms. ‘By, I’ve missed you, and worried over you till me hair threatened to turn grey. But, lass, you look fine. I’d even go as far as to say more beautiful than you did afore you left. Oh, Flora, I’m that happy.’

  ‘I’m so happy to be home. These tears are tears of joy. I take after you for that – you always cry when you are happy.’ They both laughed as they dabbed their eyes.

  ‘Aw, you are like me, in a lot of ways. But then I brought you up, and I’m proud of that. Now, come on in. I’ve a big gangly lad waiting to greet you, but he’s too embarrassed to do so. You know what lads are like when they are fifteen. Not a man, but not a boy.’

  ‘Freddy! How did you get so big and so handsome, in such a short time? I missed you so much.’

  Awkward and a little red-faced, Freddy stood up. His greeting started in a high voice, but dropped to a throaty growl. Poor Freddy, his voice was breaking, his skin was spotty, his body was all gangly and as tall as a man’s, making him unsure how to behave towards her.

  Not giving him any choice, Flora ran to him and hugged him. ‘My lovely brother, it’s good to see you.’

  Freddy’s arms wrapped around Flora and the tension broke. ‘Good to have you back, Flors. I’ve been worried about you. And, I know it’s late, but happy birthday.’

  ‘Ahh, thanks, little brother. I’m getting old now – twenty-one, I can’t believe it. Sorry you had so much worry, but all’s well now, though I had some hairy moments.’

  ‘Ma’s baked you a cake, and I got you these.’

  ‘Daffodils! They’re beautiful, and let me know that spring is truly here.’ Flora once more hugged Freddy, and this time, Pru noticed, there was no hesitation on his part.

  More tears pricked Pru’s eyes at the sight of the love shown between the two most precious people in her life. To cover up her emotions, she bustled about as she listened to Flora’s tale. Most bits filled her with horror, and she felt glad that she hadn’t known the extent of the danger Flora had faced. As she passed a mug of tea and a wedge of cake to Flora, Flora asked how they had all fared and whether there was news of her family.

  Pru had worried about this moment. She did have news, and it wasn’t good. ‘Your father isn’t well, Flora, lass. And it’s my fault. I told Freddy about his real dad, and Freddy wanted to see him. Not to talk to him, but just to clamp eyes on him. I – I took him to your home and we waited outside for a bit. Your dad came out, and as he went to get into his car, he tripped. Without thinking, Freddy and me, we rushed forward to help him. At that moment your ma came out of the gate. She got hysterical when she saw me. And – and, well, your dad took one look at Freddy and keeled over. I – I’m sorry, lass. I – I didn’t mean to be seen . . .’

  ‘No! Oh, Aunt Pru, it isn’t your fault. Oh, God, when was this?’

  ‘A few days back. I were that worried that I got in touch with your old cook. We were allus good mates, and I knew where she lived. She told me that your dad had a heart attack and, well, it ain’t good, lass. Eeh, I’m reet sorry.’

  ‘I’ll have to go right away. I’d thought I would send a message to Daddy first, get him to make arrangements.’

  Pru could almost touch the pain in Flora’s words. That the dear girl had to make arrangements to meet her own parents beggared belief, and broke her heart. She didn’t think that, for all the face Flora put on to cover her hurt, the lass would ever come to terms with it.

  ‘You go, love. And insist on your rights as a daughter. Don’t let your ma have you turned away.’

  ‘I’ll be back later, Aunt Pru. And you two are not to worry. I don’t hold you responsible. It was only natural that you would want to see your father, Freddy. I’m only sorry that he is like he is. He has never fully accepted his responsibilities. I have been an outcast in my own home all my life, because of Daddy’s sins. But for all that, I love him very much and must go to him.’

  ‘I understand, Flors.’ Freddy had never seemed so grown-up as when he said, ‘I want to go to him, too, but I can’t. If he mentions me, tell him that I’m all right and don’t expect anything of him. Tell him . . . well, that I love him.’

  ‘Oh, son – I’m sorry, lad.’

  ‘No, Ma. Don’t be. I’ve not missed out on anything. I wouldn’t have it any different. It’s just that when I saw him, I felt an immediate connection to him.’

  Pru helped Flora on with her coat. Her heart felt heavy. George didn’t deserve any of these wonderful young ’uns, and it was his loss that he’d never known her Freddy. ‘Take care, lass, and stay strong.’

  Flora held her as if she would never let her go. Pru hugged Flora with all the love she felt for this girl, who had become as much her life as Freddy was. ‘It’ll be all right. I’m sure. Off you go. I’ll get supper for about six, but I’ll keep yours hot, if you’re later than that. Oh, look at me. I nearly forgot. A letter came for you, lass. Here it is. Shove it in your bag – you can read it later.’

  Pru didn’t miss the look on Flora’s face as she took the letter. She knew that blush, if she wasn’t mistaken!

  As she closed the door on Flora, Pru sat down and lifted her now-cold tea to her lips. ‘Eeh, lad, I’ve brought sommat down on the pair of you. I just hope them brothers of hers treat Flora right, when she gets there.’

  ‘I can’t believe these men you told me of are my half-brothers, Ma.’

  ‘I knaw, but you’re not like them. Nothing like them. You’re a good lad, and you’re going to make sommat of yourself.’

  Once they’d finished their tea, Pru set about getting what she would need to make a pastry crust for the meat and onions she’d cooked off on the stove.

  ‘You’ve done me proud at that school you go to, Freddy. Eeh, to think the head teacher said that you’re on course to get a place in university in a few years’ time. By, I’m that proud of you, lad.’


  ‘Ma, I know you have sacrificed a lot to pay for my schooling, but I told you: if the war’s still on when I’m sixteen, I’ll apply for training. They need all the men they can get. We’re suffering heavy losses, and now the Germans are infiltrating our waters. I—’

  ‘Stop it, lad, I can’t bear it. I knaw how bad it is, but I ain’t letting you go, no matter what you say. They won’t take lads of fifteen and sixteen; they can’t.’

  ‘Ma. I know you’re scared, but at school we had a general visit us. He told us that it may come about that they need young lads, and that we should be ready. He said that on reaching sixteen, we can apply for officer training. I want to, Ma. I want to do my bit.’

  Pru felt defeated. She’d heard of young ’uns running off and lying about their age and being accepted. She’d hardly believed it, as she felt sure that checks would be made, but a lad from their own street had gone, who had only just turned sixteen. Fear had her swallowing hard. ‘All right, son, we’ll see. We’ll not fall out about it. Let’s pray that this awful war ends before you’re needed.’

  But deep down, she knew it wouldn’t end. The talk now was of the whole world joining in, even the Americans, who had been neutral until now, but were upset and angered by the loss of one of their ships, fired on by the bloody Germans. Why? Why?

  She didn’t have long to ponder this as she began to roll out the dough she’d mixed, because the door opened and Abe walked in, cutting short her thoughts. His huge frame filled the doorway. His handsome good looks did nothing for her now. Any love she had felt for him had died within her. His bullying ways, and the control he had over her, had taken their toll.

  Freddy made an excuse and left the room. He’d become embarrassed of late about her relationship with Abe, and constantly asked his mother to leave him. She knew that would make him happy. If only Freddy knew how much she longed for that to happen an’ all. But Abe had made it clear what he’d do to Freddy, if she ever left him.