A New Day (13 page)

‘Well, I know what I’m going to do,’ Frank said. ‘Sleep!’

‘Pity we aren’t docking in London, but I’ll be able to see Hanna for a couple of days.’

‘And we could all do with the rest. This trip has been hell, and things aren’t going to get much better any time soon.’

‘I’m afraid you’re right, Bill.’ Frank gazed up at the planes circling overhead. ‘But if our country is going to survive, we’ve got to keep bringing in vital supplies. The trouble is the Germans know that as well, and they’re going to be after us all the time.’

Jack and Bill nodded, their faces drawn and tired.

When what was left of the convoy reached Liverpool, the dock workers were waving and ready to unload as soon as they could.

‘They’re pleased to see us,’ Jack said, waving back. ‘But not as glad as we are to see them.’

As soon as they had docked, a line of ambulances turned up next to them. Everyone watched in silence as the injured survivors were carried off the ship.

‘They picked up a lot of men. From the state those poor blokes are in they must be from the tanker, but I thought the escort ship was doing that?’

‘It was hard to see,’ Bill said, ‘but she might have been providing protection while the cargo ship hauled the men on board.’

Jack nodded and turned away from the distressing scene. ‘Where are we going to get a bath? I can’t get on a train like this.’

‘There might be a public baths here, if not we’ll find somewhere. We all need a good brush-up before we’re presentable again.’

It was an hour before they could leave the ship, and Bill asked the first dock worker they met where they could get a bath.

‘There’s a place just outside the gates, mate. It’s been opened to help sailors when they come ashore. You’ll be able to clean up there and get a meal. They also have beds if you’re stuck for the night.’

‘Thanks, that sounds perfect.’

The dock worker studied the three men, his eyes resting on Jack. ‘You’ve had a rough trip by the looks of it.’

‘Hah.’ Jack grinned and turned to his companions. ‘It was a pleasure cruise, wasn’t it?’

‘Never had one like it,’ Frank replied with a perfectly straight face.

‘Some pleasure cruise when you need a fleet of ambulances to meet you.’ The man shook his head, frowning. ‘I don’t know how you do it, but we’re grateful you do.’

Bill hoisted his bag on to his shoulders, thanking the man again, and the three of them headed for the gates.

The Women’s Voluntary Service running the centre was very helpful, and they were soon clean and sitting down with a tasty meal of vegetable pie in front of them. Feeling refreshed and more presentable they made for the station to catch the first train to London.

Jack was looking forward to seeing Hanna again, and although he was feeling exhausted, there was a smile on his face as he rapped on the kitchen door and stepped inside.

Mrs Potter was busy at the sink and she turned. ‘Jack! How lovely to see you.’

‘It’s good to be here. Is Hanna around?’

‘No, she’s in Suffolk with the family. The captain insisted that they take the children out of London to a safer place. Didn’t you receive her letter?’

He shook his head. ‘I’m afraid not. Do you have the address?’

‘Of course.’ She looked him over carefully. ‘But you can’t go today, Jack. You look as if you can hardly stand. Stay here for the night, and then you can catch an early train in the morning. Mrs Harcourt left instructions for your room to always be kept ready, in case you wanted to stay here when you came home.’

‘That’s good of her.’ Eager as he was to see his sister, he knew Mrs Potter was right. He was in no condition to make another journey today.

‘Sit down, son, and I’ll get you something to eat.’ Mrs Potter ushered him into a chair. ‘And then you can go and have a nice sleep.’

Jack didn’t even remember getting into bed, and he slept so soundly that he woke up feeling more refreshed. He hadn’t caught a train as early as he’d intended because Mrs Potter had let him sleep until he woke at nine o’clock.

Stopping at the gate of the farm he gazed around, drinking in the beauty and tranquillity of the place, pleased his sister was staying in such a safe place. His stay would be short, but he was glad he’d made the journey.

There wasn’t a sign of anyone around as he walked towards the house, so he made his way round to the back. It was then he heard children laughing and he followed the sound to a walled garden. He opened the gate and stepped in. Hanna was on her hands and knees planting something with the twins chatting and laughing as they watched. A young boy was with them, obviously giving advice. It was such a happy, normal scene after the mayhem at sea that he watched for quite a while before one of the twins turned and saw him.

‘Jack!’ he yelled, already running with his brother right behind.

He dropped his bag and braced himself for the onslaught. The next thing he knew he was on the ground with the boys climbing all over him. ‘Let me up!’ he laughed.

Giggling and laughing, they allowed him to scramble to his feet so he could greet Hanna. He engulfed her in a bear hug, holding her longer than he would normally have done, because it was now he realized how close he had come to never seeing her again. That last convoy was the most dangerous they had been on so far, and the next one could be just as bad. But he wouldn’t think about that now. His ship had come through without a scratch, and he would enjoy this short time with his sister.

‘Let me look at you.’ Hanna stepped back so she could look him up and down. ‘My goodness, Jack, you’ve grown even taller. I would hardly have recognized you if I had seen you in the street. Oh, it’s good to see you. How long can you stay?’

‘Only a couple of days because I’ve got to get back to Liverpool.’

Hanna’s disappointment showed for an instant, but was quickly wiped from her face. ‘Never mind, at least we’ll have a little time together.’

He nodded and turned his attention to the twins who were waiting patiently by his side. ‘And what have you two been up to while I’ve been away?’

‘We’re learning to grow things,’ Andrew told him. ‘It’s fun.’

‘I expect it is.’ Jack turned to the young lad hovering near them. ‘Are you the one who has taken on the task of teaching them?’

Pete stepped forward. ‘Yes, sir.’

Being called sir took Jack by surprise. He wasn’t much older than this youngster, but he did feel ancient in comparison. ‘Please call me Jack. I’m Hanna’s brother.’

‘My name’s Pete, and I’m pleased to meet you.’

At that moment the garden gate opened and Mrs Harcourt walked in. ‘Welcome, Jack. It’s lovely to have you home.’

‘I’m afraid it’s only a short visit, but it’s good to be here.’ He had a lump in his throat at her greeting. They’d never had a home before, but everyone here did make him feel welcome, as if he belonged. It was a good feeling.

Jane looked at the would-be gardeners. ‘Why don’t you all rinse your hands under the tap and then we can take Jack inside for a drink?’

‘I think that’s an excellent idea.’

All eyes turned towards the gate, and the twins squealed in delight.

‘Daddy!’

After the greetings had been made and some kind of order restored, Captain Harcourt said, ‘Now we all deserve a drink. You as well, Pete.’

They piled into the large kitchen and Mildred Cooper set about getting the drinks, helped by Hanna. As they all settled down Jack couldn’t help noticing the dark shadows under the captain’s eyes, just like his own. The strain was showing on both of them, and Jack wondered if he had been one of the escort ships on that dreadful voyage. He’d ask him later if he got the chance to speak to him alone, but this happy family scene was no place to discuss such a horror.

That chance came when Mrs Harcourt and Hanna were bathing the boys and getting them ready for bed. They were in the sitting room on their own.

Captain Harcourt held up the whisky decanter. ‘Drink, Jack?’

‘No thanks, sir, but I’ll have a soft drink if you’ve got one.’

‘Orange?’

‘That will be fine.’

He handed Jack the glass with a wry smile on his face. ‘I forgot you are only very young. Are you still on the
North Star
?’

Jack nodded.

‘Glad you made it then.’

‘So am I.’ Jack gave the captain a studied look. ‘Were you part of our escort? The one who stopped when those survivors were picked up from the tanker?’

‘Yes.’

‘That was a brave thing to do, sir. That sub was probably still lurking nearby.’

‘More than one. They are beginning to operate in packs now, and that convoy took a beating.’ The captain emptied his glass and put it on the small table beside him. ‘But we’re not the only ones facing a struggle. The RAF is also fighting a tremendous battle. Hitler can’t invade unless he knocks out our air force first.’

‘He can’t win. Whatever it takes we can’t let him.’

‘No, it’s unthinkable.’ The captain poured himself another small whisky. ‘Are you staying on the Atlantic convoys?’

‘As far as I know. We haven’t been told anything different.’ Jack grinned. ‘I’m hoping to get ashore in New York next time. We couldn’t this trip because the return convoy was already gathering, so we were loaded and on our way back before we had a chance to see anything.’

‘The Germans are going to sink as many cargo ships as they can, Jack,’ the captain told him, studying him carefully.

‘I know that. Thank goodness I’m a strong swimmer, eh?’

‘Well I’m not.’ The captain gave a dry laugh. ‘So if you see me in the water give me a hand up, will you?’

‘That’s a promise, sir.’

They both laughed, relaxing for the first time in a long while.

All the excitement had tired the boys out and they were fast asleep in no time at all. Hanna and their mother crept out of the room.

‘They couldn’t even stay awake to say goodnight to their father,’ Hanna said.

‘Yes, that’s a pity, but I didn’t want to disturb Sam. I had the feeling he wanted to have a quiet chat with Jack.’

A worried frown crossed Hanna’s face. ‘They both look so tired, and although Jack appears the same, making quiet jokes as usual, he’s changed. Now and again there’s a look in his eyes I’ve never seen before – like sadness. I don’t know how to describe it. Neither of them have said where they’ve been or what happened on their last trip.’

‘And they won’t, Hanna. We mustn’t press them. They’ll talk if and when they want to. They are only home for a short time and we must make it as happy and enjoyable for them as we can.’

It had been wonderful to see Jack and the captain, and Hanna sang to herself as she dug over another piece of vegetable garden. She was getting so good at this now that Pete was allowing her to use another small plot. Much to her surprise she loved gardening, and the farm was a constant delight to her and the twins. After living all of her life in London, this place was paradise, but she couldn’t help feeling guilty about being so happy here when others were suffering. The men at sea were facing terrible dangers, and the airmen were engaged in a desperate fight in the skies. And when Alan had finished his basic training he would also be facing all kind of unthinkable dangers.

Slamming the fork into the ground she leant on it. Was she doing enough? Should she have joined the forces, or something else? She shook her head. No, producing food was absolutely essential, and she was working very hard to do just that.

‘Had enough of digging?’

She looked up and smiled. ‘No, Pete, I was just thinking. I love the farm, and growing food is vital to the war effort, but I was wondering if I should be doing more?’

‘That’s how I feel. I tried to join the Home Guard, but they won’t take me because I’ve only just turned fifteen. They told me that we all have a different role to play in this war, and being a farmer is very important. Still, your brother isn’t much older than me and he’s in the merchant navy bringing in needed supplies on the Atlantic convoys.’

‘Did he tell you that?’ She had guessed that was what he was doing, but he hadn’t said anything to her.

Pete nodded. ‘I was telling him how frustrated I was not being allowed to fight, and he said I was already doing a great job, but it didn’t make me feel any better about it. I just wish I was a few years older.’

‘You mustn’t feel like that, Pete. This could be a long war and we are all going to be needed. There’s a place and a right job for all of us. We just have to find out where we fit in.’ Hanna looked around the garden that was flourishing with every kind of vegetable. ‘And I believe this is where we belong.’

‘You’re right, of course.’ He smiled then. ‘And the country has got to be fed. If we starve we can’t fight, can we?’

‘Exactly!’ The conversation with Pete had settled her own mind, and she went back to her digging with renewed energy.

The sound of children’s voices and running feet made Hanna grin. ‘The twins are awake and need me.’

‘We’re going to have a party!’ They hurtled towards Hanna and Pete, shouting with one voice.

‘How exciting,’ Hanna laughed, catching them before they trampled all over her freshly dug ground. ‘When?’

‘Saturday!’

Hanna kept the smile on her face although she felt a pang of sadness when she remembered that her brother hadn’t been much older than them when she and Jack had been put in the orphanage. But when she looked at the two identical, happy faces, it was a joy to know that these precious little boys wouldn’t have to face such an ordeal.

‘Mummy said we could ask the children from the village school to come.’ Andrew couldn’t stand still he was so excited.

‘Ah, I see they’ve told you.’ Jane joined them. ‘I was trying to keep it a secret, but I was discussing it with your grandmother, Pete, and they came into the kitchen. The little imps can move very quietly when they want to.’

David and Andrew gave each other knowing glances, looking smug.

‘I’ve made an appointment to see the head teacher at the nursery school in the morning, Hanna. We’ll take the boys with us and they can meet some of the children. It’s time they had others of their own age to play with. They can start attending the school next term.’