by Gloria Cook
There had been no demurrals from Alec and Ben. Ursula’s tragic death, and their continuing interest in Julian’s adopted ward, the birth-marked, but otherwise thriving Louisa May Hetherton–Andrews, had softened their stubbornness. Since then Ben had called at the farm occasionally to see Lottie and Jonathan, and Emilia was hopeful the two brothers would one day be on old terms again. Ben was civil and non-confrontational towards her, and she treated him in the same manner, wanting nothing more.
‘Daddy sounds quite happy, although he says he’s going to have to stay on a bit longer in the Army. Why isn’t he coming home yet?’ Jonny suddenly asked.
‘It will take time to demobilize the troops. I’m afraid there’s going to be a lot for all of us to do to put the world right, Jonny. Your daddy is serving the country where he thinks it’s best.’ And it’s best for him, she thought, until he can face life again as his old self, quietly content and optimistic. Somehow he had found the beginning to a new purpose and self-respect, and hope and a measure of peace, all of which he so richly deserved. ‘I’m sure you won’t have much longer to wait.’
Satisfied with the answer, Jonathan grew exited. ‘They’re coming to the party. Vera Rose and the others. Will I have to dress up, Em?’
‘Everyone’s going to dress up.’ She ruffled the boy’s hair. Jonny was at his happiest when scuffed and scruffy.
‘Ohhh–ah.’ He scowled, a habit he had picked up from Jim, to show his toughness.
‘You should be proud to wear your suit, the Armistice was hard won, you’ll understand one day. Cheer up, I’m sure I’ll be sending you up to get changed before you end up in your usual mess.’
‘I’ve got some brilliant games planned.’ He gave her a sideways grin. ‘We’re going to have a flipping good time.’
‘Nothing too rough, I hope. The village children don’t play as wildly as you do, and don’t forget little Vera Rose is a young lady.’
‘Uh, uh, there’s nothing prissy about her.’ Jonathan pressed the healing edges of a cut together on the back of his hand, caused by his high jinks. ‘Uncle Ben says I’m just like him when he was a boy.’
Emilia studied his untidy black hair, the broadness of his body, his shooting height and sturdy limbs, the stubborn but affectionate stamp of him. ‘Oh, you’re a lot like your Uncle Ben, and your Uncle Alec, but most of all like your dad.’
‘And William’s just like me, and here he comes with his granny.’
Emilia looked up and saw Dolly carrying her four-month-old son towards them. Dolly was tickling his chin and receiving a lusty chuckle in reply. Emilia was always chiding her mother for spoiling William, and chiding Alec too, but she didn’t really mind. Her labour had been quick and easy, but it had not prevented Alec from being a mess of nerves throughout, fearing, understandably after the tragic event in Ford House, he might lose them both.
‘I wish William was old enough to play with me now.’ Jonathan pursed his lips and frowned in the manner of an ancient sage. ‘He won’t really know about the end of the war, will he? That we finally beat the Kaiser? And the party we’re having?’
‘We must make sure we have a wonderful time, then we can tell him all about it when he’s older. Despite the rationing, we’ll make a feast.’ She reached out her arms for William, and Dolly, knowing she would get him back when Emilia continued her work, gaily handed him over.
‘He blows bubbles just like Billy did,’ Dolly said proudly.
William Henry Harvey knew his mother and contentedly snuggled into her neck. Emilia kissed him. ‘Billy knows he’s here. He watches over all of us.’
With a sad intake of breath, Jonathan pressed his face against Emilia, and she gathered him in to the comfort of a shared hug with William. ‘Does my mummy watch over me?’
‘I’m sure she does.’
The boy lapsed into a thoughtful silence, reminiscent of Tristan. ‘My sister never really was, was she? Tilda says she went straight back to heaven.’ He was suddenly all rough and playful again. ‘I bet they have brilliant games up there.’
Alec trotted into the yard on the nag, greeted everyone, but his eyes were on Emilia.
Jonny jumped down from the steps, ran to him, and both laughing, they shadow-boxed for a while.
Dolly watched her daughter’s eyes widen in joy and appreciation and love as Alec advanced on her and their son. Emilia hadn’t been expecting him home for hours, but he had a habit of turning up unannounced.
Dolly grabbed Jonny’s hand and tugged him towards the hay house. ‘Let’s go see the new kittens.’
‘What new kittens? There aren’t any.’
‘Let’s pretend there are.’
‘Why?’
Dolly glanced back. Alec and Emilia had their arms round each other, William cuddled in between them, and they were kissing.
‘Just because, Jonny.’
‘Because of what? No, don’t tell me. It’s another thing I’ll understand when I grow up, isn’t it?’
First published in the United Kingdom in 2003 by Severn House
This edition published in the United Kingdom in 2018 by
Canelo Digital Publishing Limited
57 Shepherds Lane
Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 2DU
United Kingdom
Copyright © Gloria Cook, 2003
The moral right of Gloria Cook to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781788630641
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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