The Uncertain Years (10 page)

It was only three weeks to Christmas, and Becky couldn’t believe how fast the months were going, but she couldn’t drum up any enthusiasm for the festive season. Nobody knew where the boys were. The Blitz was still going on, and she didn’t feel a bit like celebrating. Everyone wanted passes at Christmas time, and both Alice and herself had been given four days’ leave. It wasn’t like her to be so downhearted, and she told herself to be more positive and count the blessings. For the moment Hitler had abandoned his plans to invade. Against all the odds this island was still holding out, and that was certainly something to be happy and proud about. And it would be lovely to see her parents. It was some time since she’d managed to get home, and she wondered if Will would be there. She knew he would if at all possible.

She started to sing quietly to herself, her mood lifting quickly, as it usually did. Her mother had always told her to count her blessings if she was ever depressed, and it was
sound advice, for it always worked. Yes, going home for the holiday was something to look forward to, and now she’d see if any letters had arrived for her.

There were five, and she hurried to find a quiet spot to read them.

For the next few minutes she chuckled as she read amusing letters from her parents – they always wrote separately so she received more letters. The next two were from Will and Bob. She slit open the next one without looking at the handwriting, expecting it to be from Jim. Much to her surprise it was from David’s parents, asking if it would be possible for her to visit them before Christmas.

Knowing this was going to be a difficult time for them, she was determined to find the time. David was now listed as ‘Missing, presumed dead’ by the War Office, and it was terrible to realise that they might never know what had happened to him.

Not one to waste time, Becky went at once to see when she could leave the camp for a few hours. And then something must be found to put under the tree for Sara. The little girl needed cheering up because she had been told about her father and was naturally heartbroken.

Becky was pleased she had given Sara the doll because it would have been lost when bombs had destroyed their house. The destruction had been so complete it hadn’t been possible to salvage anything, and her parents had just walked away. She knew it had broken their hearts to lose everything they had lovingly gathered together over the years, but she had never once heard them complain.

The next day she was knocking on the door of the lovely house in Frimley, a small present tucked safely out of sight in her bag for Sara. There hadn’t been time to find the little girl something, so she was giving her a silver charm bracelet. It had been a gift from her parents on her fourteenth birthday, but she was sure they wouldn’t mind. It was the only suitable thing Becky had left. It would be too big for Sara, but she would grow into it, and hopefully, it would give her pleasure looking at the various charms.

‘Rebecca!’ Mrs Hammond opened the door herself, smiling with pleasure. ‘We are so glad you’ve come. Come in and get warm.’

She stepped inside and waited for Mrs Hammond to close the door. ‘I’m sorry to come without giving you notice, but this was the only time I could get off.’

‘Don’t apologise, Rebecca. You are welcome in this house anytime you feel like it.’

‘That is very kind of you.’ She held out the brightly wrapped parcel. ‘That’s a small present for Sara. I didn’t know what to give her, but I think she’ll like that.’

‘Oh, I’m sure she’ll be delighted.’ Mrs Hammond popped the package in the hall cupboard. ‘We’ll put that under the tree for her to open on Christmas Day.’

‘I’m sorry I had to come in uniform, Mrs Hammond, but these are the warmest clothes I have now. I hope it isn’t going to upset Sara.’

‘Don’t worry about it, Rebecca, we do understand.’

Becky breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing she wanted to do was upset them at this difficult time, but all she had at the camp were summer clothes.

There was a lovely wood fire burning in the lounge, and the room felt warm and welcoming. A large Christmas tree was in the corner and covered in decorations. The rest of the room was also decorated with streamers and holly. Becky’s heart went out to this family when she saw how determined they were to make it a bright Christmas.

The only person in the room was Mr Hammond, and he rose to greet her, smiling broadly. ‘Ah, you’ve made it. It’s good of you to come so quickly, Rebecca.’

David looked so like his father that it always gave Becky a jolt when she saw him. She hardly had time to shake hands when the door burst open and the dog threw herself at Becky, nearly knocking her off her feet.

‘My goodness,’ she gasped, fending off the excited animal. ‘Look how you’ve grown, Becky!’

‘Indeed you have, and not a trace of grease.’

She stilled at the sound of the voice, all the air rushing out of her lungs in shock. That sounded just like David’s teasing tone, but it couldn’t be. Steeling herself for disappointment, she turned to face the door.

At first she didn’t recognise the man standing there. He was gaunt and leaning on a stick, but Sara was beside him, clutching his other hand, and her brilliant smile said it all.

‘Daddy’s home!’ Sara jumped up and down in excitement.

‘David,’ was all she managed to say.

‘You said he would come back one day, and he did!’ Sara was bubbling with joy. ‘I told him you came to see us, and showed him the dolly you gave me. He said it was a beautiful gift, and it is because I love it. Grandma’s made
more clothes for it and now we’re going to have a happy Christmas because my daddy will be with us. He can’t go back to work yet. He’s got to rest …’

‘Sara.’ Mrs Hammond laughed at her granddaughter’s antics. ‘Stop gabbling and let Rebecca say hello to your father.’

The girl giggled and rushed over to hug Becky. ‘Grandma says I talk too much.’ Then she turned and tore back to her father. ‘Sit down, Daddy. You know you mustn’t stand up for too long.’

David ruffled his daughter’s hair. ‘And you stop bouncing around and give me a chance to thank Rebecca for being kind to all of you.’

‘Sorry.’ She was still smiling as she went to sit with her grandmother.

Speechless, Becky watched the scene, not being able to believe her eyes. The little girl obviously adored her father even though he was away for long periods at a time. But the grandparents were wise; there were photographs of him all over the place so that his daughter wouldn’t forget what he looked like.

‘Oh, where have you been?’ she managed to say at last, determined not to cry, knowing instinctively that he wouldn’t like that. ‘You’ve given us such a lot of worry.’

‘Is a reprimand the only kind of welcome home I’m going to get?’

His eyes were shadowed with exhaustion, but they still held the glint of amusement she remembered, and she was happy to keep this meeting light-hearted. Although he was in casual clothes, she was in uniform, so she snapped to attention and saluted smartly. ‘I’m very relieved to see you
home safely, Colonel … even if you have given us a terrible fright, sir.’ His laughter was infectious, and she stood there smiling. ‘Oh, it’s wonderful to see you again. As you’re not in uniform can I hug you?’

He reached out his hand and pulled her towards him, and then she reached up and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. ‘Welcome home, David,’ she said quietly.

‘Thank you for looking after my family while I’ve been away.’

‘I was pleased to do what I could. They’re lovely people.’ When he released her she stepped back and turned towards his parents and Sara. ‘I’m so happy for you all.’

‘Thank you, Rebecca.’ Mr Hammond looked years younger. ‘You’ve been a tower of strength to us during these worrying months, and at a time when you’ve had your own heartaches and losses to cope with. You have a generous heart.’

‘Losses?’ David frowned. ‘What’s happened?’

Mrs Hammond urged her son into a chair. ‘Rebecca’s house was bombed and two of their close friends were killed. The bomb completely destroyed their houses and they’ve lost everything, but she never once stopped caring about us, or you.’

‘That’s terrible.’ David’s mouth set in a grim line. ‘Where are your parents now?’

‘They’ve found a house to rent in East Sheen. They’re sharing it with our next-door neighbours.’

‘You tell me if they need anything.’

‘Thank you, but there’s no need. They’ve settled in the new house, and are coping well.’

‘Can we have tea soon, Grandma?’ Sara couldn’t stay still for much longer. ‘Rebecca must be hungry, and Daddy’s got to eat lots.’

‘In a few minutes.’ Mrs Hammond smiled at Becky. ‘Can you stay for a while?’

‘I’m not on duty until tomorrow morning.’ She was bursting with questions, but she knew the subject of his survival would not be discussed in front of the little girl. And David might not even be able to talk about it at all. Many who had traumatic experiences were never willing to talk about them.

Tea was a lively affair, with Sara making most of the conversation. At seven o’clock, Mrs Hammond and David disappeared to put Sara to bed, and Becky took her chance to speak to Mr Hammond alone.

‘How badly is he hurt?’ was her first question.

‘He’s had bullet wounds to his side and leg. We’ve managed to glean some information from him, but he’s not willing to go into detail. After the last of the boats left Dunkirk, he avoided the advancing Germans and made his way inland. He speaks fluent French, which was a help, and a family gave him civilian clothes and helped him move across the country. Of course being out of uniform was highly dangerous, because if the Germans had caught him he could have been shot as a spy. He won’t talk about the journey, but from the look of him we can assume it was very arduous. It was right on the border with Switzerland that he ran into a German patrol and nearly got caught. The men helping him managed to get him across, even though he was injured. He doesn’t remember much after that, and
as he wasn’t carrying any identification no one knew who he really was, not even the people who had helped him. All anyone knew was that he was a British army officer. The next thing he was aware of was being on a plane. He was taken to Aldershot Military Hospital, and being so close to home, he refused to stay.’

‘He still looks very weak.’ Becky was awed by his courage. ‘When did he arrive home?’

‘Three days ago. We wrote to you at once.’ Mr Hammond’s smile spread. ‘A taxi arrived at the door, and I went to see who it was. Then David got out, hardly able to stand, and all he said was, “Hello, Dad. Pay the taxi for me, I haven’t got any money.” It took me back to when he was a teenager. He used to do the very same thing.’

They were both smiling when David came back. ‘You both look amused.’

His father laughed. ‘I was just telling Rebecca about the times you used to come home in a taxi and ask me to pay the fare for you. Is Sara asleep?’

David nodded. ‘All the excitement has worn her out. She has grown over the last few months, and that puppy is going to be enormous.’

‘She’s been a brave little girl.’ Mrs Hammond joined them. ‘She’s been fretting because you didn’t come home, but Rebecca and the puppy have been such a help.’

‘Oh, I didn’t do anything,’ Becky protested.

‘But you did, my dear,’ Mr Hammond insisted. ‘We had that lovely letter from your brother, and you’ve visited whenever you could. But most importantly, you talked to Sara, giving her hope and comfort. And don’t forget you
gave her that beautiful doll, which I suspect was a treasured possession.’

Becky was embarrassed by the praise. ‘I was glad to do it.’

‘This is the first I’ve heard about a letter.’ David was frowning again.

‘David, you need rest so we haven’t bothered you with too much information,’ his mother told him. ‘The letter was from Becky’s brother to her, but she very kindly allowed us to keep it.’

‘I’d like to see it.’

‘Why not leave it for a while until you’re stronger? It will bring back painful memories of Dunkirk.’

When David glared at his father, Becky could see the steel in his character. It was something she hadn’t noticed before, but guessed he was probably alive today because of that trait.

Mr Hammond obviously knew his son wasn’t going to back down, so without another word, he stood up and retrieved the letter from the bureau. Then he handed it to his son. ‘The last four pages contain William’s account of Dunkirk; the rest is a personal letter to Rebecca.’

‘Thanks, Dad.’ David turned immediately to the relevant pages. When he’d finished reading he looked up at Becky. ‘That young boy in the boat was your brother?’

‘Yes, he’s a reporter and jumped on a boat to help the owner. They made two trips, but had to give up when the owner was injured and the boat damaged. They got the men safely back though.’ She spoke with pride. ‘He’s a war correspondent now.’

David took a deep breath. ‘Those men in the little boats saved a lot of lives. I would like to know more about your brother, so would you allow me to read the rest of his letter?’

‘Of course, if you’d like to. It’s only family chatter though.’ She watched his expression as he read, wondering what on earth he could possibly want with news about people he didn’t know. When she heard him chuckle, she knew. It was ordinary life, and that was something that he had been missing over the last few, dreadful months.

‘Your brother writes well, and I like the sound of your friends.’ He folded the letter carefully and slipped it into the top pocket of his jacket. ‘So, tell me how you’re getting on.’

‘Quite well.’ She pointed to the stripe on her sleeve and grinned. ‘I can drive lorries now, and I’ve learnt a lot about engines. Army life seems to suit me.’

‘You’ve done well, but I knew you would.’

‘Thanks.’ Noticing how exhausted he looked, she stood up. ‘I ought to be getting back.’

Mr Hammond also got to his feet. ‘I’ll drive you back.’

‘Oh, there’s no need, Mr Hammond. I can catch the bus.’

‘I insist.’

David hauled himself out of the chair. ‘You’ll come again? I shall be disappointed if you stop visiting now I’m home.’