A New Day (17 page)

‘They are. See if you like them.’

Before the paper was ripped off Hanna noticed the words ‘New York’ all over the wrapping, and realized that must be where her present had come from. She watched with interest as the boxes inside were opened.

‘Gosh! Look at this, David.’ Andrew showed his brother a model of a New York cab. ‘The doors open and there’s even people inside. What’s yours like?’

‘The same.’ David dived into the box again and brought out a small key. ‘What’s this for?’

‘Boys!’ their father said sharply. ‘Don’t you think you ought to thank Jack for the lovely presents?’

They scrambled to their feet, looking apologetic. ‘They’re smashing, Jack. Thank you. Would you show us how they work, please?’

After winding up both the cars, Jack got down on the floor with the twins, quickly joined by the rest of the men in the room, all wanting to see the toys run around the room.

‘Your brother is so kind,’ Jane said quietly, ‘but he shouldn’t be spending his money on the children.’

‘He likes to do it, and it gives him a lot of pleasure so I wouldn’t like to tell him not to buy the little gifts.’

‘No, of course, you’re quite right.’ Jane smiled at the men all crawling around the floor. ‘It’s hard to tell the difference between the men and the boys.’

Hanna grinned, and then was immediately serious again. ‘But those men have been facing dangers we can only guess at, and they need to relax for a while. Playing with the boys is a good way for them to forget the war for a few days.’

Jane picked up a piece of the wrapping and smoothed it out. ‘This tells us Jack has been on the Atlantic run, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s where Sam has been as well.’

‘And that’s a very dangerous place to be, but they’re both home safe and sound, and I’m going to enjoy the holiday season. It doesn’t look as if Alan is going to make it, but I’ve got my brother home for a few days, and I’m grateful for that.’

‘We will all enjoy ourselves, and the war will not be mentioned even once while they’re here.’

It was the happiest Christmas Hanna could remember. She showed Jack what they were doing on the farm, and one day proudly drove him over to meet Pat, Jean and their families. They had only intended to stay for a few minutes, but everyone decided that the visit called for a party and it was midnight before they got back to the house. After a few days Hanna was pleased when the lines of strain disappeared from Jack’s face, and he was relaxed and laughing.

They didn’t see a lot of the Harcourts, but Hanna knew they were enjoying being together for a short time. Moments like this were precious now, and they all made the most of them.

‘Ah, there you all are.’ Jane came into the kitchen. ‘If you haven’t got any plans, we would like you all to join us to see the New Year in together.’

‘That would be lovely,’ they all agreed. ‘Thank you.’

‘Good. Hanna, would you ask Pat and Jean if they and their families would also join us. They can bring the children, of course.’ She gave an amused smile. ‘We are allowing the boys to stay up as a special treat, but if they would prefer the children to be in bed early they can have one of the spare rooms while they are here.’

‘I’ll tell them.’ Hanna stood up. ‘What time tonight?’

‘Ten o’clock. George, would you pick them up and drive them home again after? You might have to make two journeys, but I don’t think Hanna should drive that late at night.’

‘I’ll do that all right, Mrs Harcourt.’

The London families were delighted to accept the invitation when Hanna told them, and decided that the children could also stay up.

On the dot of ten they all gathered in the sitting room where Mildred had laid out enough snacks and drinks to feed twice as many people. Living on a farm did have its advantages, Hanna thought wryly, as did having a cook as inventive as George’s wife.

At first the three children from London seemed overawed by their surroundings, but David and Andrew soon drew them into play with them.

There was a huge grandfather clock in the corner of the room, and as midnight approached they held full glasses ready to make a toast. They watched the seconds tick away.

As it struck twelve they all raised their glasses, and Captain Harcourt said, ‘We don’t know what this year will bring, but I wish you all a safe and happy New Year.’

‘Hear, hear,’ everyone agreed, clinking glasses.

Looking round at the smiling faces, Hanna’s insides tightened. What would 1941 hold for each person here?

‘This is the biggest convoy we’ve been a part of,’ Jack remarked, scanning the sea with binoculars. ‘The ships are spread out over a large area and the escorts have their work cut out keeping this lot in order.’

Bill nodded. ‘And God help us all if the U-boats find us.’

‘Let’s pray they don’t.’ Jack lowered the glasses. ‘We’ve been lucky so far and survived the winter. There’s even a bit of warmth in the sun.’

‘Hmm, but the sea’s still mighty cold.’

Jack gazed down and then looked up, grinning. ‘Still pretty though.’

Laughing with amusement Bill gave Jack a playful shove. ‘Even with evil predators lurking beneath its depths you’re still in love with the sea.’

‘Of course. It isn’t the sea’s fault.’ Jack hung the binoculars around Bill’s neck. ‘Come on, it must be time for dinner. Did you hear we could have as much as seven days’ leave when we reach Liverpool? It will be good to see Hanna again. I’m glad she isn’t in London. They’ve been taking a real pasting, according to the reports.’

‘Yes, there was an all-night raid in April apparently. My wife and mother won’t leave London, though I’ve tried to make them.’ He gave a grim laugh. ‘They said I was a fine one to tell them what to do when I kept going back to sea, and anyway they were quite safe in the Underground stations. Much safer than I was. I do wonder though if my house will still be there when I get home this time.’

They reached the mess, sat down, and Jack looked at the men around the table, knowing that many of them were worried about their families, and probably cursing the delay they’d had in New York, waiting for this convoy to form up. Finally they had sailed two days ago, but the going was slow. Their ship had a respectable turn of speed if need be, but others were slow and they had to match their speed. If any dropped behind they were likely to be picked off by the subs.

‘Hey, Frank!’ one of the men, Tim, called, pointing to his plate. ‘What’s this?’

‘Spam fritters. What did you expect, steak?’

‘Would have been nice,’ he muttered. ‘Those steaks in America were huge and delicious.’

‘I’ll say,’ another one of the crew agreed. ‘They don’t seem to know there’s a war on.’

‘That’s because they are not at war, Harry. They’re doing what they can to help us out though. Our cargo hold is full of desperately needed food.’

‘Let’s hope we can get it home safely.’

‘Amen to that!’ Tim muttered, taking a bite of his fritters. ‘Hey, Frank, these aren’t bad. Quite tasty in fact.’

‘Praise indeed.’ Frank raised his eyebrows, and then winked at Bill and Jack. ‘I’ve got a blueberry crumble for afters. Now we don’t get those at home.’

That announcement brought murmurs of approval.

‘Bill, did I tell you my sister’s got a regular boyfriend?’ Jack said, as he tucked into his dinner. He was always so hungry he never questioned what was put in front of him.

‘No, you didn’t. What’s he like?’

‘Seems a nice bloke. He was a copper before he got called up. Now he’s in the army, but they seem really keen on each other. Hope it works out for them. Hanna deserves to be happy and have children of her own. She’d make an excellent mother. She loves kids.’

‘You think the world of her, don’t you?’

‘Of course. I was only five when our parents were killed, and I don’t know what would have happened to me without her. I want her to be happy now.’

‘I’m sure she will be.’ Frank put a large dish of crumble in front of Jack. ‘You eat that. Can’t have you going to bed hungry.’

Everyone laughed. Jack’s appetite was a standing joke with the crew.

Jack did sleep quite well that night, and after another quiet day he was preparing for bed again. Removing his shoes he began to unfasten his trousers – and stopped. He had a niggling feeling that he should keep his clothes on. Many of the men already did, but until now Jack had undressed at night. He stretched out on the bunk. Not tonight though. Silly, but he would follow his instinct and laugh about it in the morning.

At the first explosion his feet were on the floor and he was running before the sound had finished reverberating through the ship.

They were already listing badly by the time he reached the upper deck. A fire was raging at the stern and Jack ran to help crew members trying to launch lifeboats and rafts. Once they had managed to get two over the side he began to look around frantically for Bill and Frank. It was impossible to single out anyone in the chaos going on around him. The two friends had told Jack that if this happened he was to save himself and not worry about them, but he had hoped he would be able to find them. He wasn’t at all happy about the thought of leaving them behind.

The ship was now at a perilous angle and going down fast when the ‘Abandon Ship’ call came. There was nothing for it so Jack stood on the rail and jumped, then began to swim away from the sinking ship as fast as he could. The next thing he knew hands were plucking him out of the sea and dragging him on to a raft. Gasping, he muttered his thanks and sat up just in time to see the bow of the ship rise out of the water, shudder, and then sink out of sight.

‘That was bloody quick!’ one man cursed. ‘Wonder how many managed to get off in time?’

‘Let’s see who we can find.’

Jack spun round at the sound of the familiar voice. ‘Frank! Do you know where Bill is?’

‘Afraid not. We can only hope he got off before she went down.’

Turning his attention back to the sea Jack could see men everywhere, so he began to yell. ‘Bill . . . Bill!’

For an hour they dragged as many men on to the raft as it would take, but there was no sign of Bill. Jack was getting frantic. Dawn was just beginning to lighten the sky when he spotted two lifeboats, and they paddled towards them.

‘Bill . . . Bill!’ Jack was calling when they got close. ‘Are you there?’

When a figure waved back, he grabbed Frank’s arm. ‘He’s there. He’s all—’

‘Catch him! Hell, the boy’s bleeding. Why didn’t he say he was hurt? We need a bandage here. Have you got any in the lifeboat?’

‘Tie the raft to us and pass Jack over. We’ve got a medic with us.’

Jack felt himself being lifted up and wondered who was hurt. Bill and Frank were safe, and that was a relief. Wouldn’t like to lose his two friends. Lost his drawing though. Still, Andrew would do another one for him . . . Why did his leg hurt?

‘I’ve stopped the bleeding, but goodness knows how much blood he’s lost. Try and make him drink some water, Bill. And keep him awake.’

Someone’s in a poor way . . . so tired . . . must sleep . . .

‘Jack! Wake up!’

‘What?’ He opened his eyes and smiled at Bill. ‘Been looking for you.’

‘Well, you’ve found me. How did you hurt your leg? Talk to me.’

He frowned and peered at his legs. One trouser leg was ripped up to the thigh and a bandage wrapped around the lower part of his leg.

Bill shook him. ‘How did you do that?’

‘Don’t know. Only a scratch . . .’

‘Drink this and listen to me, Jack. You’ve lost a lot of blood and we must get some fluid into you. Come on, lad, do it for me and Frank.’

A couple of sips was all he could manage before he began to drift off again, conscious only of the murmur of voices around him, and the rocking of the lifeboat as someone else came and sat beside him.

‘Sit him up straight and prop that leg up.’

Who was that? Ah, it sounded like Harry. He’ll be busy looking after the men who have been injured.

‘Thank God it’s morning at last. Only hope it’s not too long before we’re picked up. I’m worried about the boy, Bill. He might not last long if we’re adrift for days. All you can do is try to keep him awake and give him as much water as we can spare.’

He was being told to wake up again. Why did they keep doing that? He only wanted a little doze . . .

‘Are you listening to me, lad? Open your eyes.’

With a mighty effort he dragged his eyes open and looked around him. He was in a lifeboat with Bill and Frank holding him up. He took a deep breath. ‘How did I get here? I was on a raft.’

‘You passed out, lad, and we lifted you over so Harry could see to you.’ Bill held a tin mug to his mouth. ‘Drink this.’

Jack peered at the scene around him, his mind clearing as he recalled the disaster and horror of seeing their ship sink below the waves. There were two lifeboats and three rafts lashed together with rope, and packed with men. This was by no means the entire crew and his heart ached with sadness for the loss they were all feeling, but not showing. He turned his head away from the mug. ‘No! We must be careful with water. The convoy’s long gone and it might be days before someone finds us.’

‘And if you don’t drink you could die,’ Bill said bluntly. ‘That gash on your leg is deep and should have been seen to immediately.’

‘I didn’t know I’d been hurt nor when it happened. You needn’t worry about me, I’m already feeling better.’ His eyes began to close and he forced them open again.

‘That’s a good thing,’ Frank said. ‘But you must try to stay awake, Jack.’

‘Why? I’m tired and there’s nothing to do but wait. Unless you’d like me to swim away and try and find help?’ he joked.

Bill shook his head, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly. ‘Be serious, Jack. Harry said that if you go to sleep you might not wake up again, and we’re not going to let you drift away like that, lad. All three of us are going to come out of this alive. So drink the water. It’s been allocated to you.’

He was too tired to argue so he obediently took a few sips, and it did help a little . . . Just a little . . .

‘All right, let him sleep now, Bill. He’s over the worst, I hope.’