A New Day (25 page)

Mrs Lucknor had arranged the flowers in a vase and placed them on a small table by the window. Then she sat down, her hands clasped tightly together. ‘Are our boys all right?’ There was a slight tremble in her voice. ‘From what we’ve heard, England’s a dangerous place to be.’

‘They are fine, and Bob is quite safe where he is. I met Greg when he was visiting Bob. It’s a quiet village, and my sister is there, having moved out of London with her employer. Hanna is looking after two young boys, twins, and they moved to the farm to get away from the bombing.’

Warren Lucknor leant forward. ‘We’ve got no idea what conditions are like over there, or exactly where Bob is stationed. Tell us all about it.’

For the next hour Jack told them about the farm and the people living there, and described the pretty little village for them in detail. He explained how he had met their sons, and had them roaring with laughter about the party the Americans had given for the local children. The Lucknors were smiling happily by the time he finished.

‘Thank you, Jack,’ Warren said. ‘You’ve put our mind at rest about Bob, at least. I’m afraid Greg is in the same dangerous business as you. Did you have much trouble coming over?’

‘No more than usual,’ Jack said dismissively.

Knowing that was all he was going to get, Warren smiled at them. ‘Do you know how long you’ll be here?’

‘We’re not sure,’ Bill told him, ‘but it might be for a while.’

‘Wonderful! You must all stay with us until your ship leaves, and we’ll show you the sights.’

‘Oh, but we couldn’t put you to all that trouble,’ Jack protested. ‘We can sleep on the ship, but we’ll come and see you again before we leave.’

‘Jack’s right.’ Bill shook his head. ‘You can’t put us all up. We only came with Jack to help him find your house. You’ve been very kind inviting us in, but we mustn’t impose on your hospitality.’

‘You would be doing us a very big favour by staying,’ Babs Lucknor told them earnestly. ‘This is a big house and far too empty since our boys left.’

‘But we haven’t got any overnight clothes with us, and we would have to let the ship know if we’re not going back there every night.’

‘I’ll drive you back to your ship so you can collect your gear, and let them know where you’ll be.’ Warren stood up, clearly determined not to let them refuse. ‘By the time we get back, Babs will have dinner ready.’

‘Warren, we’ve got room for two more as well.’ Babs’ smile was excited. ‘Might as well fill the house up. These poor boys deserve a little comfort.’

‘They sure do.’ Warren looked at Jack. ‘You’ll find two more of your pals for us?’

Jack glanced quickly at Bill, who shrugged. Frank was grinning and said, ‘We’ll see what we can do for you, Mrs Lucknor.’

While Warren went to get the car out of the garage and his wife had already disappeared upstairs to see about the arrangements, Jack asked his friends, ‘What are we going to do? We can’t let them feed and house all of us, but they’re determined.’

‘They’ll be upset if we refuse, Jack. Didn’t you see their faces when you told them about their sons? You’ve made them very happy, lad, so let’s accept gratefully, and just make sure we don’t overstay our welcome.’

Warren tooted the car horn to let them know he was ready, and they all filed out of the house and got in the very large car. After a much smoother journey than the one they’d had coming, Warren waited outside the dock gates for them.

‘Who else are we going to ask?’ Frank pursed his lips. ‘The first two we see?’

‘Might as well, but most of them will be ashore already.’ Bill strode on to the ship. ‘What about those two over there? They look as if they don’t know what to do with themselves.’

‘Harry and Jim?’ Jack laughed. ‘They’ll jump at the chance.’

And they did.

‘Right, that’s settled. You go and get your gear while I tell them where they can find us, and see if they know how long it will be before we sail.’ Bill strode away, and the rest of them made for the crew’s quarters.

Bill soon joined them. ‘We’ve got permission to stay ashore. It seems there’s little chance of the convoy assembling within the next few days, but if it does then they’ll send someone for us.’

They were all in high spirits when they met Warren at the gates, and looking forward to a few days in the comfort of a real home. When they reached the house it was full of friends and neighbours, all anxious to meet the British sailors.

‘This is Jack.’ Babs dragged him forward as soon as he stepped inside the house, and he was immediately surrounded by smiling people wanting to talk to him. He found the situation hard to cope with, for although he had left the orphanage some time ago now, life had not equipped him for anything like this. While he tried to answer their questions, he thought how fortunate Bob and Greg had been to grow up in a family like this. He really hoped they both came through the war and returned safely to their home.

Feeling quite overwhelmed by the eagerness of the people around him to make them feel welcome, he was relieved when he sensed Bill come and stand beside him, resting his hand on Jack’s shoulder, and joining in with the conversation. He took a deep breath and gave his friend a grateful glance.

Babs clapped her hands for silence. ‘OK everyone, the food is ready, so let the boys eat in peace. They’ll be here for a while so you’ll have time to talk to them later.’

Amid much laughter, they all began to file out, and Jack took another deep breath.

‘All right, lad?’

He shook his head and grimaced. ‘I’m not used to anything like that, and it was hard. I felt quite overwhelmed by the people crowding around me. Most of them have sons or husbands away, many in England, and they naturally want news of what it’s like for them.’

‘Something smells good, Mrs Lucknor.’ Frank was drawn towards the food. ‘Can I help you serve? I’m the cook on our ship.’

‘Why, thank you, Frank.’ Babs beamed, clearly happy to have young men filling the house again. ‘It’s lovely to be cooking for a crowd again. Our boys were always bringing friends home.’

They spent a quiet evening sitting around the fire and talking, and the next day Jack and Bill went with Warren to get a Christmas tree for the house. The festive season was only two days away, and the Lucknors were clearly delighted that they could all stay. And so were they. It was going to be a lavish Christmas by the look of things, and it would be a real treat for all of them.

There was a constant stream of people in and out of the house, and the neighbours in the street quickly adopted one of the sailors each, and everyone was going out of their way to see that they all had a good time.

Harry came back late from his adopted house, grinning. ‘This is great, a real family Christmas. That convoy can take its time.’

Much to everyone’s relief, by Boxing Day no one had come for them, and the house was full again. They were all sitting around with drinks in their hands, talking, when the front door opened, making Babs and Warren jump to their feet, yelling with delight. They threw their arms around the tall man standing in the doorway.

‘Who’s that?’ Bill asked Jack.

‘It’s Greg!’ Jack was also on his feet. ‘You’ll like him.’

Disentangling himself from his parents, Greg’s eyes immediately rested on Jack, laughing as he gave him a great bear hug. ‘Jack! It’s great to see you. I saw the British ships and wondered if you were here. What luck!’

‘We arrived some days ago and can’t leave yet. Your parents have kindly taken a crowd of us in. I’m glad you could get home.’

‘Me too.’ He glanced around. ‘Hey, Mom, have you taken in the entire crew?’

‘No,’ she laughed, wiping away a tear. ‘Only five, and the neighbours have adopted most of them, but we’ve managed to hang on to Jack and Bill – just about.’

Harry looked concerned. ‘Mrs Lucknor, I believe I’m in Greg’s room.’

The next-door neighbours who had taken a liking to Harry jumped to their feet. ‘Don’t worry about that, Harry; you can sleep at our house. We’ve got plenty of room.’

‘Oh, thanks. I’ll move my gear now.’ Harry smiled at Greg. ‘Can’t have you sleeping on the floor in your own home.’

‘Good, that’s settled then. You’ll be very comfortable there, Harry.’ Warren smiled and then turned to his son. ‘How long are you here for?’

‘Don’t know. The weather was foul and we were late arriving, so it might be a quick turnaround. The convoy is already gathering, but let’s forget about that for the time being. Jack, his sister, and everyone at the farm made us real welcome, and Bob can go there anytime he wants, so I’d like to show him and his friends some of the countryside around here. Now, introduce me to your shipmates, Jack. And I’m starving, Mom.’

Fortunately they had three more days for Greg to drive Jack and Bill around, showing them places of interest away from the city. The others were with their adopted families being royally entertained. When the recall came it was for Greg as well. After tearful goodbyes, Babs made Jack promise that he would ask Hanna to write to them regularly. They all arrived back at the docks after having had a marvellous Christmas.

‘Looks like we’re on the same convoy.’ Greg clasped Jack’s hand. ‘See you back in Liverpool.’

They boarded their ships, knowing that they would be seeing in 1944 at sea.

The New Year had arrived during a violent storm, and with the ship pitching and rolling so badly, a celebration of any kind had been impossible. But by some miracle they didn’t lose one ship on the return journey, and were jubilant as the entire convoy approached England.

Jack scanned the sea filled with ships and grinned at Bill. ‘What a lovely sight. Do you think the bad weather kept the subs away?’

‘Might have helped.’ Bill pursed his lips thoughtfully. ‘But the air cover we’re now getting for part of the way is also helping. Those planes can see the subs better than we can, and they’re sinking a few.’

Nodding in agreement, Jack said, ‘I wonder if we’ll have enough time to get home?’

‘Won’t know until we dock. If we can, and Greg’s free, will you take him home with you?’

‘Oh, yes. His brother would be pleased to see him, and I’m sure Greg could stay at the farm with us. Mrs Harcourt’s good like that.’

‘That would be nice, because his family were certainly kind to us. It made being away from home at that time easier to take. They’re good people.’

With so many ships arriving it was some time before they were docked and unloaded. Then they heard the good news that they had five days’ leave before sailing again.

‘Terrific!’ Jack was pleased. ‘That means three days at home. Now I must see if I can find Greg. Hope they haven’t been sent somewhere else to unload.’

‘Off you go then, lad.’ Bill slapped him on the shoulder. ‘We’ll see you in five days. Have a good leave.’

‘And you.’ Jack grabbed his bag and practically ran off the ship. ‘Do you know if there are any American ships here?’ he called to a group of dock workers.

‘Think there’s a couple further down,’ one man pointed.

‘Thanks.’ Jack was off running. If he couldn’t find Greg he would have to go without him, but he didn’t want to do that. He had really enjoyed spending time with Greg and his parents in America, and he wanted to repay that kindness in some way, if he could. He stopped for a moment to look around him, and then through the milling crowd of activity he caught sight of a tall figure striding towards him. He waved, breaking into a broad smile. There he was.

‘Hi, Jack, I’ve been looking for you. I’ve got five days before I sail again. How much time have you got?’

‘The same. That’s marvellous; you can come home with me and stay at the farm. Bob and everyone will be so pleased to see you.’

‘That would be great. Thanks, Jack.’

It was eight o’clock in the evening when they reached the farm. And when Jack opened the kitchen door and looked in, everyone was there, including the boys, who launched themselves at him.

It was chaos for a while as they all greeted the returning sailors, and then Jack pulled Greg forward. ‘Mrs Harcourt, could Greg stay here? It will only be for three days, and then we have to return to our ships.’

‘Of course he can. Welcome, Greg.’

‘Are you sure, ma’am? I could get somewhere in the village.’

‘I wouldn’t hear of it. We have plenty of room and you are very welcome. Your brother comes here whenever he can get away. And please call me Jane. That goes for you as well, Jack, as I’ve told you time and time again. We don’t stand on formality in this household.’

‘Thank you,’ they both said.

Mildred was already at the stove, and glanced over her shoulder. ‘You boys must be hungry. I’ve got a hearty stew here and some fresh bread, and it won’t take more than a few minutes to heat through. So sit you down now.’

‘We’re starving, actually,’ Jack laughed.

‘Of course you are.’

The three days flew by and Hanna had never seen Jack so happy. She had gained the impression that Bill had become a father figure to her brother, but in Greg it looked as if he’d found a friend. They laughed and joked together, enjoying the same things. They came from different countries, but had such a lot in common, and it delighted her to see them together.

They were still smiling as she waved goodbye to them at the station. Bob was standing beside her and was quite upset to see his brother go, so she slipped her arm through his. ‘Come back to the farm, Bob. The boys aren’t at school today and they’ll cheer you up.’

His gloom lifted and he nodded. ‘I’d like that. You will write to our folks, won’t you, Hanna? They would love to have letters from you.’

‘Of course I will.’ She smiled up at him. ‘It sounds as if Jack and his friends had a lovely Christmas with your family. That was so kind of them, and I’ll write tonight thanking them.’

‘Oh, we always had a house full. Mom loves that.’ He looked down at her, a puzzled frown on his face. ‘How do you do it, Hanna?’

‘Do what?’

‘Keep seeing your brother off, knowing the dangers he is facing at sea, and going back to your life, still smiling. You all do it. How?’

‘Because we have to, Bob. Jack made his choice to stay in the merchant navy when the war broke out, and I respect that. He’s doing what he has to, and I’m supporting him by being here to welcome him back with a smile on my face. The same goes for when he leaves again. It would disturb him to see me breaking my heart every time he goes back to sea. But because we keep our worries and fears hidden it doesn’t mean we are unfeeling. I’ve looked after my brother since he was five years old and tried to protect him, but now I can’t. I’ve had to let him go. He is his own person now, and I’m proud of him, but it’s still hard – very hard. Do you understand?’