we’re all having to get used to saying goodbye to people we care about because of this damn war.’
The bus swayed to a stop then and the girls clambered down the steep metal staircase and hopped off into the chilly evening air.
‘Right then, I’ll see yer in the mornin’,’ Ruth shouted as she set off for home, and waved as the two girls went their separate ways.
The kitchen was bright and cheery when Briony entered a few moments later and an appetising smell hung on the air.
‘Hello, love, I thought I’d do us all a nice chicken dinner seeing as it’s my last night home for a while,’ her father greeted her as Briony tugged her outer clothes off. There was a fire roaring up the chimney and she noticed that the clothes-horse was heaving with freshly ironed clothes, placed by the fire to air. Her dad had obviously been busy. The lights on the Christmas tree were twinkling and the two younger children were happily engaged in doing a jigsaw on the hearthrug. Lois looked immaculate, her hair freshly waved following a trip to her favourite hairdresser’s that afternoon and there was a broad smile on her face as she watched her husband adoringly. Lois loved looking her best and Archie Carmen, her hairdresser, always ensured that she did. James would often tease her about going all the way down to Coton Road when there were other salons so much closer, but Lois insisted that none of them could hold a candle to Archie. ‘Why do you think all the local businessmen’s wives go to him?’ she would say. ‘It’s because he’s the best, of course.’
James was greatly amused by Archie, who was a well-known local figure and something of a curiosity to the townsfolk as he was the only man they knew who dared to walk out wearing make-up. He could often be seen strolling about the market with his rouged cheeks and his brass-topped walking stick, with not a whisker of his waxed moustache out of place. He was a dapper little man, but as James had found out long ago, his customers adored him pandering to them and he had long since accepted that Lois would go to no one else, even if Archie was considerably more expensive than the rest.
A large bowl of holly with shiny red berries was placed in the centre of the table and Briony glanced at it admiringly.
‘Me and Alfie got that when I went to collect him from school this afternoon,’ her dad informed her, and once again Briony’s heart ached as she thought of him going away again. Lois was thinking much the same thing as she looked fondly at her family. She was under no illusions and knew that she wasn’t always the best wife and mother. Sometimes she thought she had never been cut out to perform domestic duties but she did do her best and she loved them all dearly.
In no time at all they were enjoying the tasty meal that James had cooked, and even little Sarah did it justice tonight. Her cough finally seemed to be easing and there was a little colour back in her cheeks, but Briony had a sneaky suspicion that this was down to the fact that her dad was home. His presence had done her far more good than any of the medicine that the doctor had prescribed, and Briony just prayed that she would continue to improve even when he had gone again.
Once the meal was over, Briony helped her father to wash and dry the dishes and he told her quietly, ‘I heard on the wireless this evening that HMS
Nelson
was struck by a mine off the coast of Scotland today.’ He shook his head sadly. ‘Between you and me, I think things are going to really hot up now. Rumour has it that Hitler is only waiting for the milder weather before he begins his raids. If that happens I want you to promise me that you’ll get the children away to Cornwall to your grandparents, Briony.’
‘I will, Dad,’ she said sombrely, as she didn’t relish the thought of going there one little bit.
They all settled down to a game of snakes and ladders, which Alfie cheated at abominably until it was time for the
The bus swayed to a stop then and the girls clambered down the steep metal staircase and hopped off into the chilly evening air.
‘Right then, I’ll see yer in the mornin’,’ Ruth shouted as she set off for home, and waved as the two girls went their separate ways.
The kitchen was bright and cheery when Briony entered a few moments later and an appetising smell hung on the air.
‘Hello, love, I thought I’d do us all a nice chicken dinner seeing as it’s my last night home for a while,’ her father greeted her as Briony tugged her outer clothes off. There was a fire roaring up the chimney and she noticed that the clothes-horse was heaving with freshly ironed clothes, placed by the fire to air. Her dad had obviously been busy. The lights on the Christmas tree were twinkling and the two younger children were happily engaged in doing a jigsaw on the hearthrug. Lois looked immaculate, her hair freshly waved following a trip to her favourite hairdresser’s that afternoon and there was a broad smile on her face as she watched her husband adoringly. Lois loved looking her best and Archie Carmen, her hairdresser, always ensured that she did. James would often tease her about going all the way down to Coton Road when there were other salons so much closer, but Lois insisted that none of them could hold a candle to Archie. ‘Why do you think all the local businessmen’s wives go to him?’ she would say. ‘It’s because he’s the best, of course.’
James was greatly amused by Archie, who was a well-known local figure and something of a curiosity to the townsfolk as he was the only man they knew who dared to walk out wearing make-up. He could often be seen strolling about the market with his rouged cheeks and his brass-topped walking stick, with not a whisker of his waxed moustache out of place. He was a dapper little man, but as James had found out long ago, his customers adored him pandering to them and he had long since accepted that Lois would go to no one else, even if Archie was considerably more expensive than the rest.
A large bowl of holly with shiny red berries was placed in the centre of the table and Briony glanced at it admiringly.
‘Me and Alfie got that when I went to collect him from school this afternoon,’ her dad informed her, and once again Briony’s heart ached as she thought of him going away again. Lois was thinking much the same thing as she looked fondly at her family. She was under no illusions and knew that she wasn’t always the best wife and mother. Sometimes she thought she had never been cut out to perform domestic duties but she did do her best and she loved them all dearly.
In no time at all they were enjoying the tasty meal that James had cooked, and even little Sarah did it justice tonight. Her cough finally seemed to be easing and there was a little colour back in her cheeks, but Briony had a sneaky suspicion that this was down to the fact that her dad was home. His presence had done her far more good than any of the medicine that the doctor had prescribed, and Briony just prayed that she would continue to improve even when he had gone again.
Once the meal was over, Briony helped her father to wash and dry the dishes and he told her quietly, ‘I heard on the wireless this evening that HMS
Nelson
was struck by a mine off the coast of Scotland today.’ He shook his head sadly. ‘Between you and me, I think things are going to really hot up now. Rumour has it that Hitler is only waiting for the milder weather before he begins his raids. If that happens I want you to promise me that you’ll get the children away to Cornwall to your grandparents, Briony.’
‘I will, Dad,’ she said sombrely, as she didn’t relish the thought of going there one little bit.
They all settled down to a game of snakes and ladders, which Alfie cheated at abominably until it was time for the
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