The Forgotten Orphan: The heartbreaking and gripping World War 2 historical novel
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Misty Morn
Oh, glistening stems of dawn’s delight
Bring forth the warmth, remove the night.
Shimmer on leaf and stem,
Shine as nature’s precious gem.
Touch gently each floral cup
And offer roots God’s ale to sup.
Warm rays, allow them a passage through
To drink the early morning dew.
And on the warmth of their soft kiss,
Rise up to become the morning mist.
Golden Caress
Misty veil lifts, revealing sun-tipped fields –
Aarm, appealing.
The miracle of new day touches all,
The wonder of sunrise –
Bird to bird they call.
Hazy warmth on tender skin,
Let a new dawn show its readiness to begin.
Sunset: task is done,
Crimson sky, slow sinking sun.
Rest, restore each golden ray
Then slowly climb and alight new day.
Arouse each bird with a song to sing,
Dawn choruses to ears softly bring.
The joy each morning of a sunshine smile,
The gift to those who watch awhile.
Laying down her pen, Maisie took another moment to watch the mists roll across the water and dance across the grass in front of their house. She adored where they lived and marvelled at how easily she’d made the place feel like home and how quickly she’d settled in to Blue Rocks. She was proud of how far she’d come.
Although it had been tough, she’d survived the sweltering heat of their first summer, and worked alongside Cam during the honeymoon period. Her fishing skills improved each time they took out their boat, and by the autumn – or fall as she’d learned to call it – Maisie had settled into a gentle routine of work and homemaking.
Cam had proved to be a good man, true to his word, and he worked hard to provide her with modern luxuries for their home, producing each one with great flourish. Electricity was one of his main aims for their home, but Maisie knew it would be years before she’d flick a switch for light. She was content with oil lamps.
All was well until the first of the snow fell and the temperature had dropped to a level she’d never experienced before. Although the scenery was transformed into a picture-postcard image, Maisie felt like she’d never feel warm again. Cam had stacked the fires high and she’d huddled around them for a few days, allowing a deep melancholy to set in. She’d tried to hide it from Cam, but he’d often questioned her mood. Not wanting to worry him, Maisie had worked hard to find a way of adapting to her surroundings; she knew she couldn’t huddle in front of a fire forever.
Her first trip outside had been to join Cam chopping wood and loading the store with logs. Her arms and legs ached, and her woollen mitts proved useless. They repaired the roof of another small barn, and Cam worked with his uncle to make a large pine table for their home. By the time the temperature dropped so low she couldn’t bear to work outside anymore, Maisie retreated inside and felt hemmed in and miserable. Again, she hid her feelings from Cam and kept herself busy. She baked, cleaned, and read endless books, but they didn’t satisfy the deep-seated restlessness she felt at being cooped up inside. Even her poetry failed her – a feeling she shared with Aunt Sarah when she managed to walk over for a visit. Her in-laws were planning to move to the bay in the summer and Maisie was delighted that she’d have Cam’s family around her, though she wasn’t yet sure her mother-in-law would become her confidante in personal matters.
She missed her chats with Joyce and one day, unable to bear the distress she’d stored inside any longer, she broke down to Cam’s aunt. To her surprise, Maisie found herself in the presence of someone who listened without judging and from then on, they often talked of such things, about the world and their heartbreaking losses. She trusted Sarah with all her worries and concerns over her mood.
‘I know exactly what your problem is, Maisie. You’re ready for a family. You’re feeling broody, that’s what it is. I have a feeling a baby will make the winters more bearable. I know Larry made me feel complete,’ Sarah said.
Maisie didn’t argue but she could not imagine bringing up a child in such a climate. Also, she was worried that she and Cam would never have children. They’d certainly tried hard enough. Sarah laughed and told her to relax and let nature take its course – and not to worry about children in winter because they loved the snow. They learned to endure and thrive.
Maisie smiled remembering Sarah’s words as she marked the day off on the calendar. Quietly, she approached the barn where Cam was working on new railings for their porch. She stood in the doorway and watched as he stroked the wood to a smooth grain. She’d experienced his gentle touch the previous evening, and a shimmer of pleasant memories shimmied through her. Stepping inside, she smelled the sliced pine and an overwhelming feeling of calmness enveloped her. A sense of belonging.
‘Hello, you,’ Cam said as she entered.
Maisie nodded. ‘Hello, you. I’ve come to ask you something.’
‘Fire away,’ Cam said and stopped what he was doing.
‘I was wondering if you could make a crib before next year’s snowfall?’
Cam stared at her as Maisie placed her hands over the front of her coat and smiled back at him.
‘About Christmas Eve would be handy,’ she said and giggled.
With one wild whoop, Cam was at her side and lifting her off her feet.
‘I love you, Mrs Cameron. Thank you. Thank you for making me the happiest man alive.’
Maisie kissed his cheek.
‘Thank you for my family, Harry Cameron. And thank you for loving me.’
THE END
Don’t miss The Secret Orphan, the enthralling WWII saga of Cornish farmer’s daughter Elenor Cardew, heroic Canadian pilot Jackson St John, and the little girl they rescue from the ruins of London …
Get your copy here!
You’ll also love The Orphan Thief, a sweeping historical romance of hope and resilience following Coventry Blitz survivor Ruby Shadwell and the family she finds amidst the rubble …
Get your copy here!
Be sure to follow Glynis on Twitter @_GlynisPeters_, on Facebook @glynispetersauthor, and check out her website www.glynispetersauthor.co.uk for all the updates on her latest work.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Where do I start?
My family, friends and Team Glynis aka One More Chapter and HarperCollins (worldwide), are in my thoughts always, but even more so now as this book was written during the Covid-19 pandemic, when my mind was mush. You’ve all pushed me forward to become the best I can be when the odds seemed stacked against me.
Thank you with love
Stay safe.
Terri Nixon, Christie Barlow, and Deborah Carr
What a journey we follow together – Authors of The WGW Society will reunite before 2020 fades away – I hear the champagne corks popping as I type!
Thank you for being my sounding board during lockdown.
To you the reader.
Without you, I am nothing. Thank you for your continued support.
To those who fought for freedom during WWII
You have my gratitude and respect – always and forever.
Also by Glynis Peters
The Secret Orphan
The Orphan Thief
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