Battles Lost and Won by Beryl Matthews Page A

you’re going to have to let me stay on you long enough to learn how to ride. Is that clear?”’
    ‘And what did Midnight say?’ Ben kept a straight face with difficulty. He could just imagine the scene as the large animal and tall boy faced each other.
    ‘Well sir, you’ll never believe it, but after that he behaved himself. That boy’s got a way with animals.’
    ‘So it seems. Do you know where his home in London is?’
    ‘Not exactly. I did ask him once but all he said was that he lived near the docks. He obviously didn’t want to talk about it, so I dropped the subject.’
    ‘Has he ever mentioned his family?’
    Jim shook his head. ‘He doesn’t talk about himself. I got the impression that he doesn’t want anything to do with his past. But he’s a good, honest boy, sir, I’m sure of that, or I wouldn’t have recommended him to you.’
    Ben nodded. ‘Thank you, Jim. Keep up with the lessons.’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    When the head groom had left, Emma said, ‘If you’re thinking of tracking down the boy’s father, then you’ll have an almost impossible task. The London docks cover a large area.’
    ‘And it’s densely populated. But his father was in the Army, and I might be able to trace him that way. I think I’ll pay a visit to General Hampton. He might be able to help.’
    ‘And what do you intend to do if you manage to find him?’
    ‘That depends on what I find.’
    Emma looked concerned. ‘Robert Hunter won’t thank you for interfering in his life, Ben.’
    ‘Then we’ll have to keep this to ourselves. Excuse me while I go and change for lunch, my dear.’
    After Ben had left the room, Lilly came rushing in. ‘We had a lovely ride today, Mummy. Daddy’s happy again, isn’t he?’
    ‘Yes, sweetheart.’ Emma smoothed her daughter’s hair into place. It never would stay where it should. ‘He’s going to be all right now.’
    ‘Is that because he isn’t drinking now?’
    ‘Yes, and now your daddy will be able to go riding with you often.’
    ‘Oh, goody! I’ll go and see how Bob’s getting on with his riding lessons.’ Giving a giggle she tore out of the room.
    Emma laid her head back and sighed with relief. It had been a worrying time, but it looked as if her husband had come through his troubles. The trauma was still there under the surface, but at last he was coming to terms with it, and was in control again. She could relax and await the birth of their child.

Eight
    Everything seemed so bright and clear. Alfred Hunter took a deep breath and savoured the smells, noise and general bustle of the docks. Such ordinary, everyday sounds were like the sweetest music to him. He had been living in a fog, trying not to remember the terrible things he’d seen and done during the war, but no amount of drink had been able to chase the images away. They were still there, and he now knew that it was something he would have to learn to live with. His friend Steve was managing to do that, and he’d had his ship blown out from under him at Jutland. It must have been terrible to see his shipmates dying in the sea.
    But that was all over now, and he had to pull his life together. He owed it to Helen, who had understood and sacrificed what little strength she had left to support him in his misery. It had taken his son to bring him to his senses. How he wished Bob were here to see the change in him . . .
    ‘Hello, Alf.’ The man in charge of the hiring nodded as Alf reached the front of the queue of men looking for work at the docks. ‘Good to see you. But I can’t give you your old job as charge hand back, I’m afraid.’
    ‘I’ll do anything, Fred. I’ve still got plenty of muscle, and I’m not fussy.’
    ‘Right.’ Fred consulted his papers. ‘You can join Harry Jones’ team. They’re about to unload that ship just docking. The job is permanent.’
    ‘Thanks.’ Alf took off, elated. There were loads of men looking for work and he had only expected temporary employment, but