courting, was also mentioned.
Returning to the local history archives she was glancing through an index and saw Cornwall’s secret army. Quickly finding the page she began reading.
This resistance movement comprised self-contained ‘Auxiliary Units’ of six to eight men. As fishermen, farm workers, carpenters, garage proprietors, blacksmiths, and undertakers they were in reserved occupations. Their task was to defend the coast in event of an invasion. Many of the group leaders were schoolmasters or farmers.
The masters would be comfortable with organising and discipline, while the farmers had detailed knowledge of the local area. They would also be good shots familiar with guns.
Following investigation by the police, recruits had to sign the Official Secrets Act. Speaking of their activities to anyone would have been an act of treason punishable by death.
After fitness training, they took part in night exercises, learning to move silently through the countryside. They practised unarmed combat, throwing grenades while lying flat, and breaking into selected targets to plant dummy explosives.
Had John Evans and his uncle been part of this secret army? It would certainly explain why John had told Diane he and his uncle were in a different Home Guard platoon.
Reading on, Jess learned that the Auxiliary Units were disbanded in November 1944. Once the war ended so did the need for secrecy. Wouldn’t the men have wanted a memento of their comradeship? After a short search in the archives, she found a photograph.
‘Yes,’ she whispered, smiling as she read the names at the bottom. She switched on her printer and printed a copy.
Chapter Seven
––––––––
‘Y es, she told me,’ Elsie said when she looked in the following morning while Jess was washing up. ‘Poor little maid. I’d give them what-for if I got my hands on ’em.’ Anger had brought hot colour to her lined face. ‘Anyhow, that’s not why I come, though I’m some grateful, Jess. What it is, Alan have just rung. In some taking he was. He’ve had a letter from the Stantons’ solicitor saying they’re going to sue for defamation.’
‘They’re what? I don’t believe it.’
‘True as I’m stood here. They’re saying Tegan been making false claims about their son. Bleddy nerve! She’s fifteen years old and expecting his baby. There idn nothing false about that. What that boy done is against the law. If they want proof, soon as the baby’s born we’ll have one of they DNA tests done. No need to look at me like that, bird,’ she said as Jess’s brows climbed. ‘I seen it on the telly.’
Jess hugged her. ‘Elsie, if ever I’m in trouble, I want you on my side.’
‘So I will be, my lover.’ She snorted in disgust. ‘Easy to see how the boy come by his arrogance. That apple didn’t fall far from the tree. They Stantons can threaten all they want to. They don’t frighten me. And I aren’t letting them bully Tegan.’
‘Good for you. Can I suggest something?’
‘’Course you can.’
‘Before you go to the police would it help if I find out where Tegan stands legally? I won’t be offended if you say no. This is your private family business –’
‘Nothing private about it after what was writ about Tegan on that there internet.’
‘True, but Alan might already have instructed his solicitor –’
‘Not yet he haven’t. He’s mad because he don’t want his name dragged into it. Him and Carol have always cared more about theirselves than Tegan. Still,’ taking a deep breath she shook off her bitterness. ‘That’s all water under the bridge now. I’d be some grateful, bird. I know how busy you are.’
‘It’s no trouble. I can’t stand bullies either.’ Drying her hands on a towel, Jess followed Elsie to the door. ‘What about Tegan? Legally she’s still a child, but this is her life and her situation –’
‘Don’t you worry about she. Tegan trust you. She told me. She said you always
Returning to the local history archives she was glancing through an index and saw Cornwall’s secret army. Quickly finding the page she began reading.
This resistance movement comprised self-contained ‘Auxiliary Units’ of six to eight men. As fishermen, farm workers, carpenters, garage proprietors, blacksmiths, and undertakers they were in reserved occupations. Their task was to defend the coast in event of an invasion. Many of the group leaders were schoolmasters or farmers.
The masters would be comfortable with organising and discipline, while the farmers had detailed knowledge of the local area. They would also be good shots familiar with guns.
Following investigation by the police, recruits had to sign the Official Secrets Act. Speaking of their activities to anyone would have been an act of treason punishable by death.
After fitness training, they took part in night exercises, learning to move silently through the countryside. They practised unarmed combat, throwing grenades while lying flat, and breaking into selected targets to plant dummy explosives.
Had John Evans and his uncle been part of this secret army? It would certainly explain why John had told Diane he and his uncle were in a different Home Guard platoon.
Reading on, Jess learned that the Auxiliary Units were disbanded in November 1944. Once the war ended so did the need for secrecy. Wouldn’t the men have wanted a memento of their comradeship? After a short search in the archives, she found a photograph.
‘Yes,’ she whispered, smiling as she read the names at the bottom. She switched on her printer and printed a copy.
Chapter Seven
––––––––
‘Y es, she told me,’ Elsie said when she looked in the following morning while Jess was washing up. ‘Poor little maid. I’d give them what-for if I got my hands on ’em.’ Anger had brought hot colour to her lined face. ‘Anyhow, that’s not why I come, though I’m some grateful, Jess. What it is, Alan have just rung. In some taking he was. He’ve had a letter from the Stantons’ solicitor saying they’re going to sue for defamation.’
‘They’re what? I don’t believe it.’
‘True as I’m stood here. They’re saying Tegan been making false claims about their son. Bleddy nerve! She’s fifteen years old and expecting his baby. There idn nothing false about that. What that boy done is against the law. If they want proof, soon as the baby’s born we’ll have one of they DNA tests done. No need to look at me like that, bird,’ she said as Jess’s brows climbed. ‘I seen it on the telly.’
Jess hugged her. ‘Elsie, if ever I’m in trouble, I want you on my side.’
‘So I will be, my lover.’ She snorted in disgust. ‘Easy to see how the boy come by his arrogance. That apple didn’t fall far from the tree. They Stantons can threaten all they want to. They don’t frighten me. And I aren’t letting them bully Tegan.’
‘Good for you. Can I suggest something?’
‘’Course you can.’
‘Before you go to the police would it help if I find out where Tegan stands legally? I won’t be offended if you say no. This is your private family business –’
‘Nothing private about it after what was writ about Tegan on that there internet.’
‘True, but Alan might already have instructed his solicitor –’
‘Not yet he haven’t. He’s mad because he don’t want his name dragged into it. Him and Carol have always cared more about theirselves than Tegan. Still,’ taking a deep breath she shook off her bitterness. ‘That’s all water under the bridge now. I’d be some grateful, bird. I know how busy you are.’
‘It’s no trouble. I can’t stand bullies either.’ Drying her hands on a towel, Jess followed Elsie to the door. ‘What about Tegan? Legally she’s still a child, but this is her life and her situation –’
‘Don’t you worry about she. Tegan trust you. She told me. She said you always
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