A New Day (19 page)

‘Sorry to disturb you, sir, but I’ve been ordered to find you. You are needed.’

The captain nodded and rose to his feet immediately. ‘It’s been a pleasure spending time with you.’

‘And you, sir. And thanks again for all you’ve done for us,’ Bill said. ‘But I hope we don’t meet you again under similar circumstances.’

‘Amen to that. The U-boats seem to have the upper hand at the moment, but that won’t always be so. We’ll find a way to stop them.’ With a nod to everyone he strode towards the door of the mess and disappeared from sight.

‘I must say I’ve always wondered what kind of a husband Rose Freeman had, and now I know. That is one strong, impressive man, but he has a quiet air about him. They must suit each other admirably.’

‘He seems a good man, Bill, and we were damned lucky he found us.’ Frank drained the last of his beer and stood up. ‘We’d all better get some rest if we’re going to be up to travelling tomorrow.’

‘Where’s your stick, lad?’ Bill frowned when he saw Jack was ready to leave the next day.

‘I don’t need it,’ he protested. ‘The leg is healed now.’

‘But not very strong.’ Bill glared at Jack. ‘Do you want to fall down and break it? If you do a daft thing like that we’ll have to sail without you next time, because I don’t think we’ll have to wait long for another ship.’

‘Ah, I can’t have that.’ Frank was holding out the stick and Jack took it, rested on it and grinned. ‘All right, am I out of trouble now?’

‘For now. Come on, Frank, let’s get this lad home so his sister can take care of him. He looks like a scarecrow in those ill-fitting clothes.’

Jack roared with laughter. ‘Have you taken a look at yourselves?’

The survivors all gathered outside intending to make the journey together. They were all still feeling exhausted after their ordeal and agreed it would be best if they stayed together so they could help each other where and when needed.

‘Which way is the station?’ Harry asked as a truck roared up to them.

‘Hop in. I’ve got orders to take you to the station.’ Two sailors jumped down and helped the men into the back of the truck.

One of them frowned as he looked them up and down. ‘Are you sure you blokes should be travelling yet?’

‘We’ll be all right, and we need to get home. You understand?’ Bill asked.

The sailor nodded. ‘Yes, of course you do.’

When they reached the station the two Royal Navy sailors came on to the platform with them, striding around until they found seats for those of the group still unable to stand for long.

‘Thanks,’ Frank said. ‘We’ll be all right now.’

‘Our orders are to stay with you until you’re safely on the train to London. Captain Freeman tried to get you transport all the way to your homes, but it just wasn’t possible today. He said we were not to leave you until you were on your way.’

‘That was good of him,’ Jack said, leaning on the stick, and glad his friends had made him use it.

‘Fine man, and respected by his crew. Ah, this is the London train.’

As soon as it came to a halt one of the sailors jumped on, moving up and down the corridor until he found two nearly empty carriages together. Then he beckoned to them. ‘It’s crowded, but there are nearly enough seats here for you.’

When they had seated as many as they could, the sailor jumped out, stood on the platform as the train began to move and saluted smartly.

‘I must say the Royal Navy has treated us very well,’ Frank said, sighing as he sat back. ‘It will be good to get home. I began to have my doubts that I was ever going to see my parents and girlfriend again.’

Jack propped himself against the door of the carriage and smiled. ‘How long have you been going out with her?’

‘Nearly three years.’

‘I told him he should marry the girl,’ Bill remarked.

‘I was going to, but war was looming, and I didn’t like the thought that I might make her a widow so young.’

‘That’s a chance thousands of couples are taking,’ Harry told him. ‘Marry her, Frank. We survived this time and you know what they say – lightning doesn’t strike twice. The next time those buggers shoot at us they are going to miss.’

‘Wish I had your confidence,’ Bill snorted. ‘But he’s right, Frank; marry the girl now.’

‘Perhaps you’re right.’ Frank looked up. ‘You all right, Jack? Do you want to sit here for a while?’

‘I’m fine,’ he lied. Frank was looking very drained and Jack didn’t want to make him stand.

‘You can have my seat, young man.’ A woman who had been sitting quietly by the window stood up.

‘Oh, no, madam,’ Jack protested. ‘I wouldn’t dream of taking your seat.’

‘You need it more than I do.’ She smiled. ‘Come on, son, you look as if you can hardly stand.’

‘Take it, lad.’ Bill took his arm and guided him to the seat. ‘Thank you, madam.’

‘My pleasure.’ She stood by the door next to Bill and said quietly, ‘He’s just a boy.’

Bill glanced at Jack already dozing in the corner, and shook his head. ‘He looks that way, but he’s a man now, if you know what I mean.’

‘Yes, I think I do.’

They stopped at a station and Jack woke up suddenly, thinking he was still in the lifeboat for a moment. He straightened up and glanced around the carriage. Some were staring into space, others still asleep, and Bill was now sitting on the floor.

Two young soldiers, obviously new recruits, peered into the carriage hoping to find seats, and stared at the ragged assortment of men in disbelief.

‘Hey, will you look at this!’ one said in a loud voice. ‘Did you ever see such a scruffy bunch of layabouts? Been on the booze all night from the look of you. Too tired to let a lady sit down?’

‘Some people,’ the other one remarked in disgust, ‘don’t know there’s war on.’

Bill slowly stood up. ‘We are very aware of that, probably more than you, and I would suggest you move along the train.’

‘You going to make us?’ they taunted.

Seeing that the two were spoiling for a fight, Jack stood up, so did Frank and a couple of the others. Jack gripped the stick and hobbled over to Bill.

‘Oh, did you fall down the pub steps and hurt your leg?’ The two young soldiers were obviously not going to give up.

‘Do you know I really can’t remember where I did it.’ Jack gave Bill a broad smile. ‘Can you remember, Bill?’

‘Well, I’m not sure.’ He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘I think it must have been when the second torpedo hit the ship and you had to jump overboard.’

‘You’re probably right.’ Jack nodded to the men and shrugged. ‘Does that answer your question?’

The lady who had been watching silently now turned on the young soldiers. ‘You two louts ought to watch your tongues. These men are merchant navy, risking their lives every day to bring in desperately needed supplies to this country. It’s clear to any fool that they are wearing clothes given to them because everything they had went down with their ship. They are still recovering from their ordeal, and you should be ashamed of yourselves.’

‘Er . . .’ They backed away. ‘Sorry, didn’t mean any harm. Just having a bit of fun after being stuck in camp for ages.’

‘Then I suggest you go and have your fun elsewhere.’ The lady waved them away. ‘You are a disgrace to your uniform.’

The survivors from the
North Star
were all grinning as the men scuttled away, and Bill was openly laughing. ‘I thank you, madam, but even though we’re not at our best we could still have defended ourselves.’

‘I don’t doubt that,’ she smiled, ‘but I did enjoy putting those idiots in their place. And I think I can remove this now.’ She unbuttoned the plain navy-blue coat she was wearing, slipped it off and removed a hat from the bag she had with her, placing it at the correct angle on her head.

There was silence when the men saw the Royal Navy nurse standing there, and seeing their stunned expressions, said briskly, ‘The medical officer was not happy about some of you travelling today, but he understood how much you all wanted to get to your homes, so we are here to see that you do just that. There is another nurse in the next carriage.’

‘But why the masquerade?’ Bill wanted to know.

‘The MO thought you might not like being openly escorted by nurses until you were safely on the train. He said you appeared to be a tough bunch and would probably object to have attention drawn to you by having nurses with you. Transport will be waiting for us in London to take each of you to your homes.’

‘But I’m going on to Suffolk,’ Jack told her.

‘We are aware of that,’ she smiled again. ‘Jack Foster, isn’t it?’

He nodded.

‘Captain Freeman was insistent that you were all taken safely to your destinations, no matter where. Now, why don’t you all rest, and sleep if you want to. I’ll wake you when we reach London.’

‘How can we refuse with such a gorgeous guardian angel looking over us?’ Bill muttered, sliding down to sit on the floor once again. He was instantly asleep.

There had been no further news about Jack, and Hanna couldn’t settle to anything, so she was wandering around the farm being of little use to anyone. She knew he was safe, but had no idea where he was, or if he’d been injured. Until she actually saw him for herself she wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything.

‘Give us a hand to get this food to the pigs!’ Pat called.

‘Coming.’ Hanna hurried across the yard. With the boys at school now she was doing more work with the animals, as well as tending the vegetable gardens, and she really enjoyed it.

‘Try to stop fretting, Hanna,’ Pat told her. ‘You know he’s been found, and all you can do now is wait.’

‘I know,’ she sighed, helping to fill the troughs, ‘but I don’t know if he’s injured, and the waiting is hard. I wouldn’t even know he had been rescued if it hadn’t been for Mrs Freeman. I would have expected a letter or telegram by now to say he was all right.’

‘The authorities seem slow to deal with these things, but you think about the amount of notifications they have to send out. You’re not the only one in this situation,’ Pat told her gently.

‘Pat, I’m so sorry to be making such a fuss.’ Hanna lifted her hands in exasperation. ‘Don’t take any notice of me. In my mind he’s still the little brother I’ve been looking out for since we went to the orphanage, but he’s all grown up now and out in a dangerous world. I feel so helpless, but I know he’s safe, and should be jumping for joy, instead of carrying on so.’

‘It’s understandable that you still feel responsible for him, but he’s decided what he wants to do with his life, and he’s a sensible and mature lad for his age. This is a difficult time for all of us, Hanna, but we’ll get through it.’

‘Of course we will.’ Hanna smiled at Pat, appreciating her kind words, and the reminder that she had much to be grateful for. ‘Would you and Jean like some vegetables for the weekend?’

‘Please.’

‘Right, let’s go and get them now.’

They headed for the walled garden, and were just about to open the gate when a lorry rumbled into the yard.

‘That’s Royal Navy,’ Pat said, shading her eyes against the sun. ‘Wonder what they want? Let’s go and find out.’

Hanna had only gone a few yards when she saw a familiar figure get out of the cab, and with a cry of delight ran as fast as she could to reach her brother. ‘Jack!’ She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight, and then stepped back in alarm as he swayed and she saw the stick he was holding. ‘Oh, you’re so thin, and you’re hurt!’

‘He’s going to be fine, Miss Foster. It’s been a tiring journey, but all he needs is rest and regular meals.’

Hanna stared at the nurse who had just climbed out of the cab.

‘Let’s get Jack to his room so he can have a nice long sleep.’ The nurse took Jack’s arm. ‘Come along, young man, you can talk to your sister when you’ve had a rest. And don’t try to argue with me,’ she scolded when he looked about to protest. ‘You’ve had quite enough excitement for a while.’

Jack winked at Hanna, and although the ordeal he’d been through was clear to see, the amused glint in his eyes was still the same.

Taking his other arm they went into the house and straight to his room, not giving anyone a chance to say much to him. His bed was ready for him and he sat on the edge with a sigh.

Mildred came in carrying a tray laden with tea, sandwiches and cakes. ‘Welcome home, Jack. I thought you might like something to eat and drink before you have a rest.’

‘Thank you.’ He reached for a sandwich immediately and smiled at Mildred when she put a cup of tea beside him on the small table.

‘Would you like something as well, Nurse? Your driver is in the kitchen having a snack.’

‘That is kind of you.’ The nurse took one of the sandwiches, and then bent down to remove Jack’s shoes. Seeing he could hardly keep his eyes open she took the cup from his hands. ‘Sleep now, young man,’ she ordered.

‘I am tired,’ he admitted, giving an apologetic smile, lifting his legs on to the bed and stretching out. ‘Thank you for all you have done for us, Nurse.’

‘It has been a pleasure, Jack, and Captain Freeman would have our hide if he thought his orders hadn’t been carried out to the letter. You rest now.’

‘He’s already asleep,’ Hanna whispered, and they all left the room quietly.

Nurse collected her driver from the kitchen and Hanna went with them to the truck. Before getting in the nurse took hold of Hanna’s hand for a moment. ‘Don’t be alarmed by your brother’s appearance. A few days’ rest and he’ll be back to his usual self. He’s had an injury to his left leg, but it’s healing well and shouldn’t give any trouble. Don’t try to make him talk about it – he won’t – and don’t fuss too much over him. Treat him as you normally would, and let him heal in his own way and time. I have dealt with men who have suffered in this way. Only a few of the crew of his ship survived, so the loss is greatly felt. Give him the time he needs to come to terms with the tragedy.’

‘I’ll do that, Nurse, and make sure everyone else understands as well. Thank you for your advice.’

She hesitated before climbing into the lorry. ‘Your brother won’t tell you this, but I think you ought to know. He has spent many days in an open boat with no food and precious little water. They were in a poor way by the time they were picked up. They have all made light of their ordeal, but don’t be fooled by Jack’s jokes. He’ll be hurting inside, so give him space.’