Heartwarming and emotional story of one girl's courage in WW2 Fenella Miller (best books for 8th graders txt) 📖

‘In which case, I need another drink. Shall we go and upset a few of the guests? I got a few snotty looks when I came in because I wasn’t dressed appropriately.’

‘I don’t think so. I’m going in, thank you for coming.’ She remembered to pick up her skirts before she hurried away. As Jack had only come because she’d asked him she shouldn’t really desert him like this, but she wasn’t in the mood for his kind of fun.

She half expected him to call her back but he didn’t. With the front and back doors open the house was pleasantly cool. The kitchen was out of bounds as the temporary staff were busy in there but she could really do with a sandwich and a cup of tea.

As she passed the sitting room she decided she would hide in there until the kitchen was empty. She hadn’t had any lunch and breakfast was hours ago. The room was dark and she was about to switch on the light when a voice spoke from the gloom.

‘Is that you, lovey?’

‘Dad – you shouldn’t be in here. Mum will be livid. I don’t care, but you have to live with her.’

‘Come and sit down, nobody will find us if we don’t put the light on. Your mum’s having far too good a time showing off to her grand friends to miss either of us tonight.’

It was tricky curling up in one of the comfortable armchairs in her long dress but she managed it eventually without tearing the material. Her uncomfortable shoes had been kicked off already.

‘Jack says you knew that Joe was a criminal so why did you let him have the fields?’ She hadn’t intended to blurt it out so bluntly but somehow it was easier to say what she was thinking when they were both sitting in the darkness.

‘I was expecting you to ask me that question when I heard that Joe was being investigated again.’ There was a long pause before he continued. ‘I’m sorry, Ellie, but I can’t tell you the reason. You’ll have to trust me. Joe’s dishonest, but he’s not a bad man. I would never have let you anywhere near him if I thought differently.’

This wasn’t the answer she wanted but she would have to respect his wishes and not push for more. ‘If Mum ever finds out – well – I just hope she doesn’t.’

‘As long as your Jack’s in charge down there and Joe keeps his distance, I reckon nothing will come out.’

‘He’s not my Jack – he’s my boss. I don’t particularly like him, if I’m being honest. I must have more of Mum in me than I realised. He’s too much of a rough diamond for me. I much prefer Greg, and if I went out with anybody it would be him.’

‘Funny you should mention that, he rang when you were out and he’s coming tonight. In fact, he should be here anytime. So good thing you haven’t gone up or you would have missed him. He is exactly the sort of young man your mother and I want you to walk out with.’

‘Hang on a minute, Dad, I’ve only met him once. Don’t have us marching up the aisle already.’

He chuckled. ‘Don’t worry, lovey, you’ll get no pressure from me. Eighteen is far too young to think of getting married. I don’t want to lose you for another few years.’

‘That’s a relief then.’ She carefully stood up and shook out her dress hoping it wasn’t too creased. It took her several minutes to locate her shoes and ram her feet into them. ‘I’d better go and look for him I suppose. Why hasn’t Neil come?’

‘Your brother hasn’t got a pass tonight. I think Greg has taken a shine to you, Ellie. It’s not that far from his London home to Romford in a fast car like his. He said he’d be here by nine and it’s later than that already.’

‘It’s a good thing you told me or I’d have been in bed by now. Are you coming out again? Jack’s spoiling for a fight and I dread to think what would happen if he causes a fuss this evening.’

With a loud sigh he emerged from his chair. ‘I’ll find him and bring him back here. To tell you the truth, he’s more my cup of tea than Greg Dunlop. I’ve got a decent bottle of whiskey tucked away somewhere, we can share that and he can tell me about his daring deeds in America.’

*

Greg was regretting his impulsive decision to drive thirty miles on the off chance that he’d get a look in with Ellie Simpson. He’d had a couple of relationships, but both had been with debs. He’d never met anyone quite like Neil’s sister and he was inexplicably drawn to her.

He saw the lanterns swinging in the wind a couple of miles from the farm and that made finding the place so much easier. A local appeared and offered to park his car. As he was already late, Greg hopped over the door and left him to it.

Where would he find the girl he’d driven so far to see? He hadn’t expected to see so many guests – this party looked more like one of the grand affairs his mother held than an informal country get-together. His lips curved. He’d hardly be wearing a dinner jacket if it was informal.

Violin music mingled with the sound of the blackbirds in the trees and he could see dozens of immaculately clad couples mingling in a smart marquee, a barn now doubling as a bar.

He couldn’t see Mr or Mrs Simpson or Ellie. He wasn’t sure he’d actually recognise her in an evening dress but she would be the only one with cropped hair so should stand out. She was probably one of the tallest women here as well.

Then he saw a slender girl in a lavender silk, figure-hugging dress coming towards him. She