Homecoming

by Ellie Dean

  ‘It was all a bit boring really,’ she confessed. ‘My husband was in the army and sensed things were about to go horribly wrong, so managed to get me and our daughters on a boat to Australia before the trouble really started. We ended up in Sydney where we lived with his maiden aunt, who rather grudgingly took us in and complained constantly about the inconvenience we were causing.’

  She gave him a wan smile. ‘The poor old duck was very set in her ways and extremely Victorian in her outlook on things, so one could hardly blame her for feeling put out. I eventually managed to find a place to rent in the city and spent most of the war ferrying the girls about and doing the admin for various charities. The only bit of excitement we had was when a Jap submarine was spotted in Sydney Harbour – but that was soon dealt with.’

  ‘So your husband didn’t make it out of Singapore, then?’

  She shook her head. ‘Reginald was a brigadier and of course had to stay on here to defend the island. Unfortunately, he was taken prisoner shortly after the fall of Singapore, so the minute the surrender was declared I came back to try and find him.’

  Her hazel eyes dimmed with sadness. ‘He died in Changi within weeks of being captured – but at least I know what happened to him. I can’t imagine what it must be like for Sybil and her girls not knowing if their loved ones are alive or not.’

  ‘So you knew them well before the war, then?’

  She nodded. ‘The ex-pat community is quite small, and Sybil was a shining light on the social scene. She and her girls were very popular, and they became close family friends. In fact, Reginald made sure they had somewhere to stay while they waited to catch a ship, and even managed to round up a few of their house boys to make their stay more comfortable.’

  She blew smoke and then stubbed out her cigarette. ‘I don’t know what happened to the house boys, as they’d run off at the first sign of trouble, but I’ve heard since that their amah stayed on after they left and got kitchen work at Changi so she could be near Jock.’

  She gave a deep sigh. ‘Singapore was a very different place back then, and I don’t think any of us realised just how pampered and spoilt we all were. The Japanese invasion came as a nasty shock to the system, I can tell you. We thought the place was impregnable.’

  ‘Is there really no chance of tracking them down?’ Jim edged forward in the chair. ‘They were both held in Changi for a while, and then sent to camps.’

  ‘I’ll go through the Changi prison records again and see if the administrators kept a list of where the prisoners were sent from there. But even if there are lists, they could have been sent unrecorded from one camp to another, right across Asia to the shores of Japan itself. It’s a rat’s nest of disinformation, and because the Japs destroyed most of their records the moment peace was declared, it’s like hunting for a needle in a haystack.’

  ‘I see.’ Jim dipped his chin, realising it was a hopeless task.

  ‘If they’re alive, they’ll be picked up,’ said Elsa, setting aside the dishes and reaching for a file. ‘There are teams already out there searching for the camps and liberating them. It’s a vast operation, Jim, and one that can’t be hurried if we’re to find everyone. You’ll just have to be patient and hope they’ve survived.’

  ‘Is it likely?’

  She brushed her slender fingers over the cardboard folder and gave a sigh. ‘The odds aren’t good,’ she said softly.

  He nodded and got to his feet. ‘I’m billeted at the Palm Hotel. Should you get any news of either of them, you can reach me there.’

  ‘Are you sure you wouldn’t like to come and help with all this admin, Jim? I really do need someone to lighten the load.’

  Jim realised he had to say something, although the thought of being stuck in this poky office day after day filled him with horror. ‘I’ll talk to my CO and see what he has to say – but I suspect he might send me elsewhere.’ He reached out his hand. ‘It’s been nice meeting you, Elsa.’

  Her warm smile made her look a decade younger than the tired, overwrought woman he’d first met. ‘It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Jim Reilly,’ she said, shaking his hand. ‘Thanks for the lunch.’

  Jim left the office and wandered through the bar which he found had been taken over by a herd of braying military officers who’d become red-faced and loud through the amount of alcohol they were consuming. He found sanctuary back in the Palm Court, thinking of how Elsa was struggling while her senior officer was no doubt getting plastered, and decided he would have a word with his CO and see if he could round up someone to help her.

  Returning to the heat and humidity of the streets, he hailed another rickshaw to take him to the hospital, and after enquiring fruitlessly about Jock and Philip, left his name and address with the woman in charge, before going back to his billet.

  His first day on the island had certainly been an eye-opener, but at least he’d made a friend – and if things went according to plan, he could very well have eyes and ears in that office and be at the heart of things when the prisoners were brought in.

  12

  Cliffehaven

  Peggy, Danuta and Cordelia had prepared the special supper for Sarah and Jane’s last night at Beach View, and had then sat down with Charlie to listen to the wireless as the scenes in Singapore were described on the early evening news.

  They could hear the sounds of hooters and horns in the background, and of people cheering as the Catalinas roared over the vast fleet and into the harbour, so it all felt very real. Peggy was thrilled to think that her Jim was actually there on this historic occasion, and could only hope that he remembered to take lots of photographs. And yet the Japs seemed to be dragging their feet about the whole thing, as this appeared to be just the start of the peace process and it wouldn’t be finalised for another nine days.

  She turned to Jane and patted her cheek before once again admiring the gorgeous diamond engagement ring the girl had shown off so excitedly on her arrival home from London. ‘The British will sort things out by the time you reach Singapore,’ she said. ‘And now Jim’s over there, I’m sure he’ll do everything he can to help you.’

  ‘It’ll be nice to see him again,’ said Jane. ‘Is there anything you’d like us to take to him? It would have to be light and small, I’m afraid. We’ve been restricted in the amount of luggage we can take.’

  ‘I have, as it happens,’ Peggy replied, reaching for the large brown envelope she’d tucked behind the photographs on the mantelpiece. ‘I’ve written him a long letter and Daisy has drawn him a picture. I’ve enclosed a number of photographs from the past few weeks of weddings and so on as Jim loves seeing pictures of us all – and he’ll adore the ones of Daisy, Rose and Emily all togged up for Rita’s wedding. I’ve added a couple of Doris and John as well, just to prove to him how well Doris looks and how happy she’s become. There’s also letters from Anne, Doreen and Charlie, and I suspect Ron might have something too.’

  ‘I’ll keep them all in here so they stay safe,’ said Jane, taking charge of the envelope and tucking it away in her handbag. ‘Jeremy sends his regards, by the way, and I already have a letter from him to Mother asking formally for my hand in case … Well, you know,’ she tailed off.

  ‘Indeed I do,’ murmured Peggy as she caught sight of Sarah looking wistfully at Jane’s beautiful ring which had caused such surprise and delight. She wished she could do something to ease the girl’s pain of knowing she’d burnt her boats as far as Delaney was concerned.

  Unwilling to linger on such sad thoughts, Peggy went to check on the evening meal. Jack had brought a chicken over earlier this morning and it was now roasting in the oven with stuffing and potatoes; the vegetables had been freshly picked from the garden and they’d have the last of the bottled plums for pudding, so there would be quite a feast.

  Soon after, Jack arrived with Rita and Peter, who would be leaving for Australia in a matter of days, but despite the air of sadness that lay beneath the jollity of the evening, it seemed everyone
was determined to make this last night for Sarah and Jane special.

  Peggy sat back in her chair and lit a cigarette once the meal was over and listened to the excited chatter going round the table, all too aware of the impending loss in Jack’s eyes and the ache in Sarah’s heart. She wished she could console and comfort them, but it was impossible, for she too was beleaguered by the knowledge that soon these young ones would stretch their wings and fly the nest – perhaps never to return – and she was finding that very hard to deal with.

  She glanced across at Cordelia, and as their eyes met, she realised she was not alone in her sadness. Reaching out to take the elderly woman’s hand, she gave it a gentle squeeze to let her know she understood how difficult she was finding all this upheaval and loss.

  ‘Whatever happens out there, our girls will be all right,’ said Cordelia quietly beneath the chatter. ‘And they’ll come home again, I’m sure of it.’ She glanced across at Rita and Peter and gave a shallow sigh. ‘But we must make the most of those two while we can, Peggy. For once they’re gone, I doubt we’ll see them again.’

  Nodding her agreement, Peggy caught the look on Jack’s face as he watched his daughter with such tenderness, and knew his heart was breaking. ‘We’ll have to take very good care of him once they’ve left, Cordy.’

  ‘Of course we will,’ she murmured. ‘He’s family.’

  The quiet moment between them was broken by the arrival of Ron and Rosie with Harvey and Monty. After greeting everyone with great enthusiasm, both dogs flopped down on the old hearth rug to promptly fall asleep.

  ‘We thought you might enjoy a wee dram of the good stuff,’ said Ron, pulling a bottle of Jameson’s Irish whiskey from his coat pocket.

  ‘Where did you get hold of that?’ asked Peggy suspiciously.

  Ron tapped the side of his nose. ‘To be sure, if you ask me no questions, I’ll tell ye no lies, wee girl. Just enjoy it.’

  ‘That stuff’s as rare as hen’s teeth,’ muttered Cordelia, holding out her glass. ‘I wouldn’t say no to a drop or two.’

  ‘And ’tis only a drop you’ll be getting, old girl,’ he rumbled with a twinkle in his eyes. ‘For this is not to be downed the same way you polish off the sherry.’

  ‘Are you suggesting I drink too much?’ she asked with a glare that didn’t quite match the smile tweaking her lips.

  ‘If the cap fits, wear it,’ he replied, splashing a tot into the glass. ‘Get that down you, woman. It’ll put hairs on your chest, so it will.’

  ‘I sincerely hope it won’t,’ she retorted before taking a pleasurable sip.

  Ron poured the drinks – making sure Charlie had only a snifter – and then raised his glass. ‘Here’s to the four of you. May you travel safely and keep us always in your hearts as you shall be in ours. Sláinte .’

  They drank in silence, each lost in their own thoughts until Sarah stood and called for attention. ‘I’d like to say something to Peggy and Ron and Aunt Cordelia,’ she said. ‘You have given me and Jane a loving home, wise counsel and support, making our transition to a new country so much easier than we ever could have expected. I know I speak for Jane when I say we love you all, and we will never forget the warmth and kindness you have shown us.’ She raised her glass. ‘To Peggy, Cordelia and Ron.’

  The toast was echoed by the others, and then their glasses were replenished by Ron who was looking decidedly tearful. ‘If we go on like this the bottle will soon be empty,’ he grumbled.

  ‘Drinking the evidence is the best way to hide your nefarious dealings, you old rogue,’ said Cordelia before knocking back her tot and offering her glass up for more. Satisfied Ron had poured enough in, she stood. ‘Now I’d like to say something, if I may.’

  Ron rolled his eyes and groaned theatrically. ‘Do you have to?’

  ‘Indeed I do, Ronan Reilly, so keep quiet.’ She sent him a glare which had little effect on him and then looked at those gathered around the table.

  ‘I’ve lived a long and very comfortable retirement in this home Peggy has made for us all, and I want to thank her for taking me in and making me feel a part of this wonderful family.’

  Her gaze swept over Rita, Danuta, Jane and Sarah. ‘As for you girls, I want you to know how privileged I feel to be regarded as your grandmother, and how I’ve appreciated the way you’ve made me feel useful and wanted – even if I do drive you all potty at times.’

  Ron grunted and her amused gaze fell on him. ‘For all your shenanigans, you’ve been a rock to both me and Peggy during the war years, Ron, and I will always love you for that.’

  Ron went scarlet. ‘Do get on with it, woman,’ he rumbled, not able to meet her gaze. ‘The whiskey’s evaporating in the glass while you’re rambling on.’

  Cordelia smiled beatifically at him and raised her glass. ‘To you, my family, I wish you long life and the joy of knowing how very much you are loved. Cheers.’

  ‘Cheers!’

  The sound of so many raised voices woke the dogs momentarily and they looked up to see what was going on – but as it didn’t involve food, they went back to sleep.

  The evening continued in the quiet chatter of fond memories – and the not so pleasant ones of enemy raids, queuing at the shops, rationing and factory closures. And then the clock struck eleven, reminding them that they had an early start in the morning.

  Rita was the first to make a reluctant move. Rising from her chair, she hugged Sarah and Jane, wishing them both good luck and a safe journey. ‘Me and Pete will be off in three days, and I’ve barely started on my packing, so it’s an early start for me too tomorrow.’

  She handed Sarah a slip of paper. ‘This is the address where we’ll be staying in Cairns until we buy a place. Promise you’ll write and tell me how you get on in Singapore.’

  ‘Of course I will,’ said Sarah, ‘though it might take a while before we find out anything.’ She hugged Rita again, and kissed her cheek. ‘Stay safe, Rita, and have a wonderful life in Australia.’

  Rita was unable to hide her pent-up excitement. ‘Oh, we will, Sarah,’ she breathed. ‘Pete and I have so many plans, we can hardly wait to get there and make a start on them.’

  Sarah caught the flash of pain in Jack’s eyes, and unable to bear such stark misery, quickly turned to hug Peter. ‘You never know, Peter, we might come and look you up if we have to go to Cairns with Mother.’

  ‘Fair go, Sarah, you know you’d both be very welcome.’

  Everyone trooped out to see them off, and Ron rounded up the dogs. ‘We’ll be off too,’ he said, giving both girls a hug. ‘Would you be after giving this to my Jim when you see him? It’s just a wee letter and a few snaps of our wedding.’

  ‘Of course I will,’ Sarah replied before giving Rosie a hug. ‘Goodbye, Rosie. Thanks for all the marvellous nights we’ve spent at the Anchor. We’ll always remember them.’

  Ron embraced both girls swiftly and then stomped down the garden path with Rosie and the dogs following him. He clearly hated saying goodbye as much as Peggy did.

  Much later that night when everyone else was asleep, Sarah lay awake and thought about the journey they were about to make within the next few short hours. There was a modicum of excitement at the thought of returning to Singapore and seeing her mother, but it was overshadowed by the knowledge that the homecoming would not be an easy one however things might turn out.

  She turned and snuggled beneath the blanket, praying for sleep to come, but every time she closed her eyes she saw Delaney. How she longed to see him just once more – to hear his voice and feel his arms around her. Yet she knew that all the wanting in the world wouldn’t change things, and she had no choice but to carry on without him.

  13

  It was barely light when Sarah and Jane came downstairs with their cases to find Peggy and Cordelia waiting for them in the kitchen. ‘Oh,’ breathed Jane. ‘You didn’t have to get up so early.’

  ‘Of course we did,’ said Cordelia rather brusquely. ‘We weren’t about to let
you leave without saying goodbye.’

  ‘Sit down and eat something. You’re going to need it for that long journey,’ said Peggy, hurrying to pour cups of tea and put cereal in the bowls.

  Jane and Sarah were too keyed up to eat much, but they managed a cup of tea, their eyes constantly darting towards the clock. Their train left at six-thirty and they couldn’t afford to miss it.

  ‘I’m driving you to the station, so there’s no need to fret,’ said Peggy. ‘Please try and eat something.’

  They nibbled a piece of toast with little enthusiasm, and Peggy realised it was too early and they were too tense to enjoy anything at the moment. She left the table and set about making a pile of tomato sandwiches which she wrapped in newspaper and tucked into a string bag.

  ‘You can take these with you and enjoy them later,’ she said, handing the bag to Sarah.

  ‘Thanks, Aunt Peggy,’ she said softly before pushing back from the table to embrace a tearful Cordelia.

  ‘I do wish you didn’t have to go,’ whimpered Cordelia. ‘I’m going to miss you both so much, and I hate the thought of you being so far away.’

  ‘We’ll come back, Cordy,’ Sarah soothed. ‘I promise. And I’ll send you a telegram as soon as I know anything about Pops and Philip.’

  Jane joined in the embrace. ‘We love you very much, Cordy, so you make sure you stay fit and well for when we see you again.’

  ‘I’ll do my best,’ sniffed Cordelia, gently easing from their embrace. ‘Now, I want you girls to take care out there and look out for one another. The place will no doubt be swarming with soldiers and sailors, and two pretty young things like you need to stay alert.’

  Jane bit down on a smile. ‘I’m sure we’ll be fine, and don’t forget, we’ll have Mother to chaperone us.’

  Cordelia tutted and dug in her apron pocket for two envelopes. ‘Take these. As you can see, one is addressed to your mother, the other is for you. Wait until you’re on the plane before opening it, please.’