Far From Home (46 page)

She was packed and ready to leave. As she stood in the hallway to say goodbye to everyone, she felt a tug of regret. She’d suffered many heartaches in this house, but Peggy and her family had cherished her as if she was their own, and the joys had more than compensated for the tears she’d shed with Peggy. She would miss them horribly. She would probably never return to Cliffehaven, but she would always stay in touch.

Peggy gave her a hug, and a soft kiss on the cheek. ‘You must be so excited at the thought of seeing Alice,’ she breathed, her eyes sparkling. ‘I know I can barely sit still thinking about my boys, and what a lovely Christmas we’ll have together.’

Polly nodded, too emotional for words. ‘I’d better go,’ she said finally when she’d kissed everyone. ‘Adam will be getting impatient, and we don’t want to miss our train.’

‘How will you get to the station?’ asked Peggy. ‘The trolleybus isn’t running today because the rails were blown up.’

Polly giggled. ‘Mr Fortescue has insisted his driver take us in his Bentley. How’s that for a stately departure?’

‘I do wish you weren’t going,’ said Peggy. ‘This house is going to feel very empty without you and Danuta.’

‘I’m sure you’ll find someone to take our places,’ murmured Polly, who’d overheard her on the phone the day before talking to someone at the Billeting Office about her empty room.

She gathered her things and stepped outside. With a smile and a wave, she ran down the steps and headed for Camden Road and the hospital. The wind off the sea was chill, but the sun was shining and all was right in her world. Adam was well again,
and
soon,
soon
, she could hold her precious Alice in her arms.

She stopped and looked back at Beach View Terrace and smiled. She hadn’t known what to expect when she’d arrived here those few traumatic months ago, but the love and solace Peggy and her family had provided had seen her through, and she would hold the memory of them in her heart forever.

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Epub ISBN 9781446492031

Published by Arrow Books 2012

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Copyright © Ellie Dean 2012

Ellie Dean has asserted her right under the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

This novel is a work of fiction. Apart from references to actual historical figures and places, all other names and characters are a product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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ISBN 9780099560470