Fighting with Shadows

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘He mustn’t always give in to her.’ John frowned.

  ‘Oh, he hasn’t given in.’ A deep rumble of laughter ran through Bob. ‘She’s promised he can play with her train set tomorrow.’

  ‘Train set?’ Angie’s eyes opened wide. ‘What’s a little girl doing with a train set?’

  ‘She says they’re more fun than dolls.’ Bob picked up the wooden seat for the swing. ‘Emma might look angelic, but she ain’t no lady!’

  The two men went back to finish the job, grinning widely.

  ‘I think it’s going to be lively living here, Hetty,’ Angie said drily.

  ‘Never a dull moment, but you’ll both be happy. Danny will have children of his own age to play with, and you’ll make friends. And we’ve gained a daughter and grandson. It will give us great joy to watch Jane’s son grow up.’

  Angie felt her eyes cloud with tears. ‘I think Jane knew that was something she would never see her son do. How hard that must have been, but she never said a word, or complained to me about being ill. She covered it so well.’

  ‘I know, my dear.’ Hetty placed an arm around Angie’s shoulder. ‘But she had the comfort of knowing that Danny would have you to care for and love him.’

  Angie banished the sad thoughts and smiled. ‘I’m so glad we came here. Danny’s gathering quite a family around him. Grandparents, and now an uncle. It looks as if Danny has adopted Bob as well.’

  ‘And he’s got Emma as a friend.’

  They laughed at that prospect just as shouts of delight came from the garden. The swing was finished, so they went outside to join in the fun. Bob was trying it out to see if it would hold his weight, and, when he was sure it was safe, Emma clambered on for her turn.

  Two days later the furniture arrived. Much to Angie’s relief everything fitted quite well, and the only thing they had trouble with was her wardrobe. But the removal men were experts and managed to ease it up the narrow stairs.

  Sally had taken Danny next door with her so he wouldn’t get in the way. When Angie had peeked in, he’d been happily playing with Emma’s trains and giving the orders. Allowing her first go on the swing had been a shrewd move, she thought. Her Danny was turning into a smart kid.

  As soon as the cottage was in some kind of order, Hetty and John returned to the farm to tend the animals. They were coming back the next morning to help her unpack the mountain of boxes. Angie gazed around and felt a thrill of pleasure. It was August now, and there was still a little of the summer to enjoy, then the beauty of autumn in the countryside, and when winter arrived they would be very cosy here.

  Bob turned up late afternoon, gave both children a push on the swing, and then joined Angie in the kitchen. ‘Something smells good.’

  ‘It’s only spam fritters, vegetables and bread and butter pudding. Would you like to stay and eat with us?’

  ‘Have you got enough?’

  ‘Yes, I can always do extra veg.’

  ‘Thanks, I will, then.’ Bob leant against the table, watching as she worked.

  ‘I must thank you and your men for all their help. The cottage looks lovely now.’

  ‘No trouble. We’d just about finished at the camp, and they were happy to do it.’ He gave her a wry smile.

  ‘I didn’t have to order them. They volunteered.’

  Angie laughed and glanced at him in disbelief. ‘I’m not sure I believe that, but nevertheless I’m grateful. How’s your leg?’ She changed the subject. ‘You were limping after fixing the swing.’

  ‘I knocked it climbing down the tree, that’s all.’ He gave a rueful grin and rubbed his leg. ‘I should be more careful, but it’s fine now.’

  ‘Good.’ She turned the fritters over in the pan and looked up at him, interested in finding out how he felt about being in charge of the camp. ‘Was it difficult looking after the prisoners? What were they like?’

  ‘It wasn’t a job I enjoyed, but I had been injured and was not considered fit enough to rejoin my unit. As for the prisoners, there were a few hard cases, but the majority were decent young men.’ The expression on his face said that he would have preferred active duty.

  ‘I expect they were all pleased to be repatriated.’

  Bob shrugged and sighed. ‘The poor devils must have had a terrible shock when they did reach their homes. Their country in ruins, with a severe shortage of housing and food – all the basic necessities of life, really. And those in the Russian sector are even worse off.’

  ‘Would they have done better to stay here?’ Angie had no love of the Germans after what they had done to her family, but she could put herself in their place and understand their plight.

  ‘Many did.’ Bob moved to allow Angie to lay the table. ‘And many more must wish they had, but the need to see their families again was overwhelming.’

  ‘I expect it was. It must have been terrible for prisoners of both sides to spend so much time behind barbed wire.’ She glanced at the clock. ‘I’ll collect Danny and then we can eat.’

  In fact she didn’t have to, as Danny was scrambling through the hedge when she stepped outside. The hole was getting larger with constant use, but it might be an idea to put a proper gate there later on. It would certainly be easier on the children’s clothes and knees.

  Danny was excited to see Bob, telling him all about Emma’s trains while they ate their meal. After helping her to wash up, Bob returned to camp. He would be leaving in two days’ time and heading for his next posting in Berlin.

  She was going to miss him, and she knew Danny would. He had become fond of the big man, and so had she. He said he would write, and it was a promise she hoped he would keep.

  9

  With the last of his kit packed, Bob glanced around the camp office. The important papers had been shipped for storage and the rest destroyed. The buildings and huts had been cleared and securely locked. The men assigned to help him had already left, leaving only himself and his driver. The camp was now completely empty, and the army could do what they liked with it. He was pleased to see it closed down at last.

  There was only one more thing left to do and that was say goodbye to John, Hetty, Angie and Danny. He’d go to the farm first.

  ‘All done, sir?’ His driver, Corporal Hunt, came into the room.

  Bob nodded. ‘Yes, thank God. I’d like you to drive me to the Sawyers first.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’ He hoisted Bob’s kit on to his shoulder and they went out to the car, locking the office behind them.

  ‘You won’t be sorry to see the back of this place, sir.’

  ‘No, I never wanted to come here, but the top brass had other ideas.’

  ‘Ah, well,’ Hunt said, grinning as he opened the car door for his officer, ‘you’re going to see Berlin at last.’

  ‘About bloody time.’ Bob slid into the back seat and wondered why he was so irritable. He was looking forward to his new posting. The army hadn’t had any choice but to take him out of the fighting; his leg had been too badly injured and he would have been a liability. Nevertheless, as soon as it was healed, he had put in for a transfer, and done so time and time again, only to have each one turned down. They had been frustrating years. At the end of the war repatriation had taken ages, and he had felt sorry for the poor sods as they’d pleaded to be sent back to Germany. So many had been worried out of their minds for their families – and with good reason. What they had found when they finally arrived home must have been terrible. Bob sighed. What a mess.

  It was the ordinary people who were suffering in the aftermath of this conflict. During his time at the POW camp he had come to know a lot of the prisoners. They were young homesick men yearning to see their families.

  The car pulled into the yard, and John and Hetty came to meet him.

  ‘Hello, Bob.’ John smiled. ‘On your way, then?’

  ‘Yes. I’ve just popped in to say goodbye.’

  ‘It’s been lovely to see you again.’ Hetty hesitated.

  ‘We’ve been wondering
if you’d do something for us.’

  ‘If I can.’

  ‘Would you make inquiries and see if you can find Dieter?’

  ‘I’ll try, but it will probably be hopeless.’ Bob noted their concerned expressions. ‘If I come across him, do you want me to tell him that he has a son?’

  ‘No!’ John spoke firmly. ‘That isn’t up to us. Angie must decide about that, but if you can find him, would you try to persuade him to come back here?’

  Hetty held out an envelope. ‘This is for his fare and other expenses. We liked Dieter.’

  ‘He shouldn’t have made our Jane pregnant, though.’ John scowled and sighed deeply. ‘But Danny’s a lovely boy and ought to have the chance to meet his father. Angie told us that Jane had doubts about whether she had done the right thing by not telling him.’

  ‘I expect she thought she was doing right at the time.’ Bob waved the money away. ‘If I find him, I’ll take care of his expenses.’

  Hetty pushed the envelope into his hand. ‘No, we insist you take this. If you can’t find him, then you can give it back to us sometime.’

  Seeing her determination, he slipped the envelope into his pocket. ‘Does Angie know that Cramer is the man her cousin was in love with?’

  ‘We haven’t told her yet, and, unless he can be found, we don’t see the point in her knowing. We’ve been avoiding her questions, because she has no love for the Germans after losing her family.’ Hetty shook her head sadly. ‘I’m sure she’s realized that we’ve guessed who Danny’s father is, but she’s holding back from demanding an explanation. Part of her wants to find him for Danny’s sake, but part of her is frightened about having a stranger come into their lives who has a claim on the child.’

  ‘It’s a dilemma, I agree,’ Bob said.

  ‘We’d be grateful if you would do what you can. He ought to come back and sort this out with Angie.’

  ‘All right, John, I’ll write if I have any news.’

  ‘Where to now, sir?’ Hunt asked when he reached the car.

  ‘To the village. I want to see Angie and Danny before I leave.’

  ‘Nice kid, that.’ He held the door open. ‘Wonder if that little girl next door has got the better of him yet?’

  Bob laughed as they drove out of the yard, remembering the man who was the boy’s father. Cramer had been quiet, artistic, but no weakling. There had been a strong character under the surface. ‘I doubt that very much.’

  His driver nodded in agreement as he negotiated a tight corner.

  As soon as they arrived, Danny came running out of the house, giving a salute; when he received one from the driver as well, he went into peals of laughter. He caught hold of Bob’s hand. ‘Come and give me a push on the swing. You give the bestest pushes.’

  ‘Will you be long, sir? Only I’d like to see someone if there’s time.’

  Bob consulted his watch. ‘I’ll be about an hour. Will that suit you?’

  ‘Plenty, sir, and thanks.’

  ‘Sound the horn when you get back.’

  ‘Right, sir.’ Hunt hurried up the street.

  Probably found himself a girl while he’s been here, Bob thought as he allowed Danny to drag him indoors, through the kitchen and into the garden. He only had time to wave at Angie. As if by magic there was a rustling in the hedge and Emma appeared just as Danny sat on the swing.

  ‘Five minutes each,’ he told them. ‘That’s all I’ve got time for.’

  Bob was scrupulously fair and timed the sessions so each child had exactly the same and couldn’t argue about it. ‘Now you push each other,’ he said. ‘I’m going to talk to your auntie, Danny.’

  ‘Thanks, Uncle Bob,’ they both said.

  He stooped down in front of Danny. ‘I won’t be able to come to see you for a while, as I’m going away.’

  ‘Oh.’ The pleasure faded from Danny’s face. ‘Will you be long?’

  ‘I might be, as it’s a long way away, but I’ll come as soon as I have leave.’

  ‘Promise?’

  ‘I promise.’ He stood up, pleased to see the boy smiling again. It was a good job he was being posted, because he was becoming far too fond of the child – and his aunt – he had to admit.

  He could see Angie watching him from the window as he strolled towards the back door. She really was quite lovely with the sun streaming in and turning her dark chestnut hair to red and gold. Not only was she attractive but she also appeared to be a sensible girl, able to cope with life’s difficulties without panic or resentment. He hesitated, with his hand on the door. He was finding her very appealing, but he really didn’t want any permanent commitments.

  Turning the handle, he walked in, and his resolve not to get involved faded as Angie smiled at him.

  ‘Have you told Danny you’re going away?’

  ‘Yes, he took it quite well after I promised to come to see him when I was on leave.’

  ‘He’s going to miss you.’ She folded the last little shirt and put it on the top of the pile of clean clothes.

  ‘And what about you, Angie, are you going to miss me?’ He reached out and turned her to face him.

  She held his gaze as she spoke. ‘Yes, I shall.’

  He liked the way she had responded to his question. No awkwardness or fluster, just a straight answer. Pulling her gently towards him, he lowered his head. As he felt the softness and warmth of her lips on his, he slipped his arms around her, deepening the kiss, revelling in the closeness of her body against his …

  A shriek from the children playing in the garden cut through his aroused senses. Releasing her, he stepped back. She was flushed and staring at him, eyes wide.

  ‘I didn’t mean to do that.’ He lifted his hands in an apology.

  ‘Really?’ The word came out in a croak and she cleared her throat. ‘If you kiss like that when you don’t mean it, then it must really be something when you do.’

  The wry expression on her face made him chuckle, and he was relieved to see her smile spread. Oh, yes, she was special and he liked her. More than that he was not prepared to admit.

  A car horn tooted outside, and he glanced at his watch. ‘I must go. You and Danny take care of yourselves. I’ll return when I can.’

  He strode out without looking back and slid into the car, sighing deeply as they drove away. He had promised himself that he would never get emotionally involved with anyone again, but he hadn’t reckoned on meeting someone like Angie Westwood …

  ‘Here we go, then, sir. Next stop Berlin.’

  Bob pushed away the thoughts of Angie. He could do without that kind of a problem. ‘Glad to be going, are you, Corporal?’

  ‘Yes, sir. The landlord’s daughter at the Crown was getting too serious. Nice girl, but I’m not ready for anything permanent. If you know what I mean.’

  ‘Ah, running away, are you? I hope you were careful?’

  ‘Very careful, sir.’

  ‘I’m relieved to hear it. You don’t want an irate father chasing after you.’ Bob had seen that happen a few times in his career as a soldier.

  ‘Perish the thought, sir!’ Hunt visibly shuddered.

  ‘What about you, sir? Are you sorry to be leaving that nice girl and the boy?’

  Bob frowned. Hunt was chatting away and looking very pleased with himself. He should be feeling the same. This was a posting he’d been longing for. He caught sight of Hunt watching him in the rear-view mirror, his eyes glinting with interest.

  ‘You can take that look off your face. I’m too old for her.’

  ‘Never, sir! You’re not above thirty, surely?’

  Bob tipped his head back and roared. ‘You’re fishing.’

  ‘Who, me, sir?’

  ‘Yes, you, but I’ll satisfy your curiosity, although I’m sure you already know. I was forty last month.’

  ‘I’d never have believed it, sir.’

  ‘You’re a liar. Stop prying into my private life and drive, or you might find yourself as a private again!’
/>   He watched the driver’s shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. They had been together for almost five years, and he was pleased Hunt was coming to Germany with him. If he were going to track down Cramer, then he would need all the help he could get. Hunt might be able to ferret out news better than he could. He was an enterprising young man.

  ‘Do you remember a prisoner by the name of Cramer?’ he asked.

  ‘Cramer? Cramer?’ Hunt shook his head. ‘Not offhand. Give me a clue.’

  ‘He was about as tall as me, fair hair, lodged with the Sawyers after the war until he was repatriated.’

  ‘Ah, played the piano like a dream. Came from Dresden.’

  ‘That’s the one. The Sawyers have asked me to try to find him when we get to Germany.’ Bob had grave doubts of success. Europe was awash with displaced persons.

  ‘That won’t be easy; he could be anywhere by now. God knows if he had any chance of finding his family, if they’d been there during the raids.’

  ‘Yes, poor devil.’ Bob could remember the prisoners’ reactions as the war came to a close. There had been anger at the destruction, shame as the cruelty of the concentration camps had been uncovered, and desperation to know if their families were all right. ‘Anyway, I’m going to need your help.’

  ‘Only too glad to be of use, sir.’

  That was the response he had expected from Hunt, so Bob sat back and relaxed. He might as well forget it for a while because he couldn’t do anything until he arrived in Berlin.

  Long after the car had disappeared, Angie was still standing by the window, and her heart rate had slowed at last. That kiss had been like nothing she had ever experienced before. She’d had a few boyfriends, but now she could see that they had been just that – boys. Bob Strachan was a man. His kiss had urged and coaxed her to enjoy the embrace. And she had. Alan’s kisses had been selfish and only took, not giving anything in return.

  Turning away from the window, she pulled a face. Judging by the speed with which Bob had left, he’d regretted kissing her. And what had he meant when he’d said he would be back when he could? It had sounded rather vague and made her wonder if she would ever see him again …