Peggy nodded solemnly and flushed. She had also wet the bed, but Edith didn’t tell Sunday that. She didn’t want to embarrass the child. She seemed perfectly at ease with Sunday, Edith and Cook now but they’d all noticed that she was still very nervous around men, even Giles and John, which made them wonder if perhaps it was her father who had inflicted the bruises she had arrived with. They were beginning to fade to pale yellows and mauves now and were nowhere near as noticeable as when she’d first come there.
‘Can I come back to the lodge wi’ you an’ see the babies when yer go?’ Peggy asked suddenly and Sunday nodded.
‘Of course you can.’
Peggy was very taken with the twins and loved going to the lodge, although Sunday wondered if it was perhaps because there were no men there. The child was slowly opening up like a little flower to the sun but all of them realised that neither of the children could have had an easy time of it back in London from the very little they had said about their parents and their home life. Only the day after they had arrived Edith had noticed that Bobby had seemed very nervous about filling in the stamped postcard each child arrived with informing their parents where they were staying.
‘I bet yer ma and dad will be here to see you in no time,’ Edith had said, and Bobby had scowled.
‘Me dad won’t come an’ I doubt he’ll let me ma come eivver,’ he had said solemnly, which Edith had thought rather odd. Surely if their children were living in a strange place with strange people their parents would want to come and check everything out, but time would tell. On a few occasions she had tried to get him to speak of them but each time he had closed up like a clam, so she avoided asking anything now. As Sunday had pointed out, he would open up in his own good time and until then it was best that he was allowed to settle in with no pressure.
Giles and George came into the kitchen for their tea break, closely followed by Bobby, and instantly Peggy scampered to her brother’s side and after ramming her thumb in her mouth, she eyed the men warily.
‘I shall be going out for a couple of hours shortly,’ Giles informed them, as he took a seat at the table and lifted the mug of freshly mashed tea.
‘Can I come wiv’ yer?’ Bobby asked hopefully, but this time Giles shook his head.
‘I’m afraid not but I shan’t be too long and, while I’m gone, I’m sure George will find you something to do.’
‘I certainly shall, you can help me with some diggin’,’ George assured him. He had been clearing some of the lawn in preparation for another vegetable patch as everyone had been instructed to do. After all, who knew when and if rationing would come into force again? They already had a very productive vegetable garden but as George had pointed out, ‘What we can’t eat some of the villagers will be glad of!’
Cook fetched some of her homemade biscuits to the table and everything else was forgotten as Bobby dived in, much to everyone’s amusement.
Once Giles had left to get ready for his outing, and George and Bobby had gone back to work, Sunday went through to see John, who was in his study poring over some paperwork. As always, his face lit up at the sight of her.
‘You must be sick of me dropping in.’ She grinned. She had called in at least once a day since the children had arrived, to check that all was well.
He shook his head. ‘Never!’ His smile faded and standing up he went to close the door quietly behind her.
‘Sunday … there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you for a very long time, and I suppose now is as good a time as any …’
She stared at him curiously. Whatever he was about to say was clearly something serious and she wanted to put him at ease. ‘Ask away then, I don’t bite,’ she told him with an encouraging smile.
He gulped, making his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he ran a finger around the inside of his collar as if it were suddenly too tight for him. ‘The thing is … I, er … I’ve grown very fond of you since I moved here.’
‘And I’m fond of you too,’ she assured him.
‘Ah! So, I was wondering … what I mean is … Oh damn! I’m making a right mess of this so I’m just going to come right out and say it. I love you, Sunday Branning. I think I have since the minute I clapped eyes on you, and I was wondering if you would do me the very great honour of becoming my wife?’
Sunday’s eyes grew wide as her hand rose to cover her mouth and for a moment, she was sure that she must have been hearing things … but no, one look at his face assured her that she hadn’t. John was quite serious.
‘I … I don’t know what to say,’ she faltered. ‘Don’t you think we’re rather old to be contemplating marriage?’
‘As I’ve recently discovered, you’re never too old to fall in love,’ he said, coming to gently take her hands in his. ‘I must admit I never even thought about another woman after I lost my wife. Until I met you, that is. And what’s wrong with wanting to spend our twilight years together? We get on well, don’t we? And I’d love to see you back here in Treetops where you belong.’
‘Oh, John, I’m flattered,’ Sunday told him when she finally managed to find her voice again. ‘And yes, we do get on … very well. But the thing is … I loved my husband dearly and …’
As her voice faltered, he held his hand up. ‘Please, you don’t have to give me an answer right now. But will you just agree to give it some thought? I know that wasn’t the most romantic of proposals. I’m afraid I’m a bit rusty at this sort of thing, but I think we would do very well together.’
She nodded, still numb with shock. ‘Very well, I will think about it. Just give me a little time.’
‘As long as you need,’ he assured her, bending forward to kiss her cheek.
Sunday made a hasty retreat, her mind in a whirl. John’s proposal had taken her completely by surprise. Admittedly, Cissie had told her that she thought John had feelings for her, but she had never believed it for a minute, until now!
Cissie popped round to see her later that afternoon after finishing work at Treetops and seeing that Sunday was rather quiet and preoccupied, she asked, ‘Are you all right?’
Sunday chewed on her lip as she wondered whether she should tell her or not, but she and Cissie had never had secrets from each other so haltingly she told her of John’s proposal.
‘Didn’t I tell you he had feelings for you?’ Cissie crowed delightedly. ‘John is such a lovely man and just think, you’d be the mistress at Treetops again!’
In that moment Sunday made her decision. ‘Yes, you’re quite right I would,’ she agreed. ‘But the trouble is Tom wouldn’t be the master there. I still love him, Cissie, and as much as I care for John as a dear friend, he could never take Tom’s place – no one could. So, I’m afraid I’m going to have to tell him that the answer is no.’
Cissie sighed but she understood. She knew how much Sunday and Tom had meant to each other. It’s a shame, though, she thought. She would have loved to see Sunday back in what she considered was her rightful place.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Giles returned from his outing late in the afternoon and he strode through the kitchen without acknowledging anyone, his expression stern.
The children were sitting at the kitchen table with a colouring book each and some crayons that Sunday had bought for them and Cook frowned as she popped a meat and potato pie into the oven.
‘Looks like someone’s upset him good an’ proper,’ she commented to Edith.
‘Hm, he were a bit preoccupied, weren’t he?’ She went on peeling the potatoes for supper.
In the hallway Giles paused, then drawing himself up to his full height, he straightened his back and made for his grandfather’s office. He was usually to be found in there at that time of day.
‘Hello, lad,’ John greeted him when he entered. ‘Fancy a glass of port before dinner?’
Giles shook his head. ‘No thanks, Grandpa. I have something to tell you.’
‘Oh yes? And what would that be to make you look so serious?’
But already John had a good idea and he was praying that he was wrong.
‘The reason I went into town today was to sign up,’ Giles told him. ‘I’ve put my name down to join the RAF. Tomorrow I have to go to London to do some exams and if I pass those and get accepted, I’ll be leaving to start my training very soon after.’
‘I see.’ John carefully placed his glass down. His hand was shaking so much he was afraid he would spill his drink if he didn’t. ‘Then all I can do is wish you good luck. I’m not going to lie to you, you’ll be sorely missed, and I shall worry every second that you’re gone, but I’m very proud of you.’
‘Thanks, Grandpa.’ There were tears in their eyes as John strode over to hug him but then John stepped back from him and asked, ‘What made you want to join the RAF?’
Giles shrugged. ‘Well, you know I’ve always been fascinated with planes.’
‘And where will you be doing your training?’
‘Somewhere in Wiltshire, I believe. That’s if I pass my exams, of course. It’s a three-month course and then when I’ve passed the tests, I’ll be sent to one of the airbases.’
‘Then there’s nothing to be said,’ John said with a catch in his voice as he slapped his grandson on the shoulder. ‘May God go with you, my boy!’
Later that evening as Giles settled the horses, Livvy strolled in and made for the stall where her horse was stabled.
‘Evening,’ Giles said shortly, and she glanced at him, surprised. Normally he went out of his way trying to engage her in conversation but this evening he had been as short with her as she normally was with him.
Giles continued to fork straw into one of the stalls and when he was done, he said abruptly, ‘I shall be going to London tomorrow so I’d be grateful if you could give George a hand with the other horses as well as your own while I’m gone.’
‘Why are you going to London?’ She was curious despite the fact that she kept telling herself she didn’t give a damn where he went.
‘I’m hoping to join the RAF, as it happens, so I have to go and sit some exams and see if they’ll accept me. If they do, I’ll be leaving shortly after to begin my training.’
Livvy’s eyes grew round as she stared at him incredulously. ‘Then, er … good luck.’ She could think of nothing else to say and he gave a wry grin.
‘Don’t you mean good riddance?’
She felt herself blush and was instantly on the defensive with him again. ‘Of course I don’t! I like to think I’m a little more adult than that. In actual fact I’ve been thinking of signing up myself.’
‘You!’ Now it was his turn to look shocked. ‘Doing what?’
She sniffed and shrugged her shoulders. ‘I haven’t really given it a lot of thought yet but there’s bound to be something I can do.’
As he stared at her standing there looking so dainty and delicate, he doubted it, and if truth be known he didn’t like the thought of her being actively employed in the war at all, though he had no idea why he should feel that way – she’d been nothing but a pain to him since the day they had met.
‘In that case good luck to you too,’ he answered, and much to her chagrin he turned and marched away without another word.
The following afternoon, Sunday went to see John and found him reading the newspaper. ‘Have you seen this?’ he asked. ‘It says that Hitler has ordered the flogging of Jews and there are barbarous and systematic tortures being inflicted on them in both the Dachau and Buchenwald camps. Some of the poor devils have gone mad and others have pretended to try and escape so they will be shot rather than have to face the agony of living there! It’s despicable! What sort of a monster is this Hitler, for God’s sake!’
He took a deep breath and smiled apologetically. ‘I’m sorry about that little outburst, my dear, but how could anyone read of such atrocities without becoming upset?’
‘I quite understand. But now I’d like to speak to you about the proposal you put to me yesterday, if I may?’ She’d had to force herself to come and get this over with because she knew if she put it off it would stand between them being friends.
Instantly his eyes were hopeful, and she looked away guiltily before she forced herself to go on.
‘I’m most terribly flattered … but the thing is …’
Being the gentleman he was, John took it graciously. ‘I understand,’ he said softly when she had mumbled her way through her refusal and the reasons why. But it didn’t make her feel any better, so she was feeling pensive as she went to the kitchen to see the children.
With every day that passed they seemed a little bit more settled and Peggy’s eyes were slowly losing the haunted look they’d had when she first arrived, although Edith was concerned that the children still insisted on sleeping together. They were tucking into large dishes of rice pudding when Sunday entered and as soon as they had finished, they scampered off to find George in the stables, leaving Sunday to chat to Edith and Cook.
‘I suppose you’ve heard about Giles goin’ away? He’s in London taking his exams today,’ Cook said miserably.
Sunday nodded as she took a seat at the table and smiled as her eyes fell on the children’s empty dishes. They were so clean they didn’t look as if they’d been used. ‘Livvy told me last night and strangely enough she seemed quite concerned about it, which is surprising seeing as those two are usually at each other’s throats.’
Cook shook her head. ‘I ain’t at all happy about it either,’ she confided. ‘The thought of him flyin’ across Germany droppin’ bombs on the enemy scares me to death – not that there’s anythin’ I can do about it. What if the Germans drop one on him? I’ve known him since he was just a little boy, see? So, I’m bound to be worried about him.’
‘I know what you mean.’ Sunday’s face was grave. ‘Since David left for France a couple of weeks ago Kathy has been walking around with a face on her like a wet weekend. Surprising really, seeing as she insists she feels nothing but friendship for him.’
At that moment the children bounded back into the kitchen and Bobby was almost beside himself with excitement.
‘Cor, George just told us Giles is going to be flyin’ planes in the war,’ he said admiringly. ‘I reckon he’s really brave, don’t you?’
‘Yes, he is,’ Sunday answered. Thank goodness Bobby didn’t seem to realise what danger Giles and all the rest of the RAF pilots would be putting themselves in.
Bobby’s words suddenly reminded Edith of something, and hurrying over to the fireplace she fetched a postcard she had placed there. ‘Look what came for you today.’ She waved it at the children, ‘It’s a postcard from your mammy. Do you want me to read it to you?’
Bobby’s face became solemn as he took it from her, saying, ‘I can read it meself, fanks.’
Tongue in cheek he peered at the words and began.
Deer children, I ope yu are both settlin in to yur new place. Everyfin is all right ere so don’t get worryin about me. I’ll cum an see you when I can, love Ma xxx
Bobby blinked and just for second his slight shoulders sagged but then he forced a smile again. ‘See, our ma’s fine,’ he told Peggy and she nodded. Still clutching the postcard, Bobby took Peggy’s hand and as they wandered away again, Cook sighed.
‘Poor little devils. It can’t be easy fer ’em bein’ so far away from home. But I wonder why their mam didn’t mention their dad?’
‘From what I can make of it their dad’s a bit of a bad ’un,’ Edith confided. ‘Last night as I was tucking them in Peggy started to talk about him and Bobby came down on her like a ton o’ bricks an’ told her to shut her trap! Between you an’ me I reckon he were the one who gave ’em all the bruises they had when they first arrived.’
‘Hmm, an’ from the bits I’ve picked up it sounds like their mam’s a bit of a one an’ all,’ Cook commented. She glanced around quickly to make sure that the children weren’t within earshot and went on, ‘It sounds to me like their mam is on the game. You know … on the streets …’
‘Surely not!’ Sunday looked shocked but Cook was quite adamant. ‘They dropped it out that she goes out after dark … to work. An’ if she comes back an’ she’s got no money their dad wallops her. When she has, he takes it all off her and goes to the pub.’
‘Poor thing.’ Sunday looked distressed. ‘Perhaps that’s the only way she knows of making money, so who are we to judge her? If their father is a bully the poor soul probably doesn’t have any choice.’
‘That might be why the children were in such a state when they arrived,’ Edith chipped in. ‘If he’s takin’ all their money no wonder they didn’t have anythin’ decent to wear.’
‘Well, at least they do now,’ Sunday said kindly. A couple of days before Giles had driven Edith into town and she had come back loaded with new clothes for them, so with those and the ones from the attic the children were now very well rigged out. Sunday had a sneaking suspicion that Edith had bought some of the clothes with her own money and she could hardly believe the change in the woman. Since the children had arrived, she seemed to have blossomed and already it was clear that she adored them. Sunday just hoped that this wouldn’t lead to heartache for her when the children had to return home, but for now she was content to see Edith so happy. They would face the separation when they had to.
Chapter Twenty-Six
‘My, don’t you both look just beautiful!’ Edith said proudly as she surveyed the children dressed and ready for their first day at the village school, the following week.
Peggy’s hair was tied into two neat plaits with red ribbons that matched the little kilt she was wearing, while Bobby was squirming in his smart shirt, tie and grey trousers.
‘Why’s we ’ave to go anyway?’ he muttered, rubbing the toe of his highly polished shoe across the flagstones in the kitchen. He would much sooner have spent his time in the stables with Giles and the horses.
Time to Say Goodbye Page 15
