Girl with Secrets: a coming of age war story and family saga full of romance, mystery and danger in Carol Rivers (readnow .txt) 📖

was called Queenie, because she laid the best brown eggs. The other was Princess because she didn’t. And the others - ’

‘In that case,’ Mrs Webber interrupted gently, ‘You’ve got yourself a job.’

Daisy beamed, pleased her day wasn’t to be spent looking after babies, but the hens instead.

CHAPTER 31

‘IT’S SNOWING HEAVILY,’ the doctor said the next day. ‘If it gets any worse we might be cut off from the rest of the county.’

‘Does that mean that Pops won’t come?’ Daisy asked, disappointed.

‘The government has advised people against long journeys.’ He patted her shoulder. ‘Now I must go and see your aunt and grandmother. They have a nasty bout of flu.’

Daisy had not forgotten her own battle with the flu. She had slept away three whole days and nights. She felt very sorry for Grandma and Aunt Pat.

‘At least we don’t have to go to school,’ Bobby said that night as they made up their beds. ‘Not if it keeps snowing.’

Daisy looked out of the window. Although it was dark, a bright moon lit up the landscape. ’It’s all white out there and very pretty.’

Bobby giggled. ’Even the cows have icicles on their udders.’

‘Do they really?’

‘Of course not.’

Daisy ignored the tease and pushed her cold feet into the warm blankets. ‘Can cows catch the flu?’

‘No, silly. Mr Webber says their milk keeps people healthy.’

‘I hope so.’ She fell to sleep and dreamed of the evacuees screaming and running around school, pushing over the desks and chairs. In the dream she tried to stop them, but they locked her in the cloakroom with a huge key and all the while Mrs Gardiner sat in her chair, undisturbed by the chaos. An icicle grew from her nose.

T  he following day the announcer on the wireless warned of the violent storms battering the country. Dressed in waterproofs and heads down against the icy wind, they fought their way to the barn to collect the eggs.

Once back in the farmhouse, they took off their wet clothes and hung them to drip in the porch. ’Put the kettle on, luv,’ said Mrs Webber as she weighed out the eggs. ‘Your brother and Bill will be in from milking soon. Meanwhile, I’d better go up to see how your gran and aunt are faring.’

‘Shall I make some tea?’ Daisy lifted the big kettle expectantly.

‘Not just yet, dear.’ The farmer’s wife took several bottles and two small glasses from the cupboard. ‘This is a little pick-me-up, for your gran and aunt.’

‘It doesn’t smell very nice.’

Mrs Webber gave Daisy a wink as she took a sip from one of the glasses. ‘Port wine and brandy is an acquired taste, but better than any medicine.’ Smacking her lips she lifted the tray. ‘I’ll be down soon and we’ll do some baking, like I used to do with my Susan.’

Daisy wrinkled her nose at the strong smell left in the kitchen reminding her unpleasantly of the cough syrup Mother administered.

T  he next day, Grandma and Aunt Pat came slowly down the stairs. Mrs Webber waited at the bottom, arms outstretched. ‘Go careful, my dears. Are you feeling better?’

Grandma nodded. ’Yes, thanks to your nursing.’

‘Into the warm you go,’ ordered Mrs Webber.

They all sat in the parlour in front of the blazing fire. Daisy tucked blankets across Grandma and Aunt Pat’s knees.

‘Is it time for your Liquafruta?’ Daisy asked.

Mrs Webber chuckled and Grandma and Aunt Pat smiled.

‘All in good time,’ said Mrs Webber, trying to hide her amusement. ‘I’ll go and make us a nice hot cup of tea first.’

Daisy knelt at her grandmother’s feet. ‘Bobby’s helping Mr Webber with the cows. Did you know, Grandma, that cows can tell when the weather is going to be bad?’

Grandma smiled and gave a little yawn.

Aunt Pat blew her nose.

‘Cows are very clever,’ Daisy continued and went on to tell the story of the mischievous evacuees and how Mrs Gardiner dozed most of the day and how, when the freeze had set in, she and Bobby had battled a great storm in order to reach the doctor.

‘We’re very proud of you,’ said Grandma sleepily. ‘Aren’t we, Pat?’

‘Very,’ sniffed Aunt Pat, blowing her nose once more.

Suddenly a great shudder went through the farmhouse. Daisy jumped to her feet and ran to the window.

‘What is it?’ Grandma asked, waking up.

Daisy narrowed her eyes through the snow. ‘A tree has fallen down. Mr Webber and Bobby are going towards it.’

‘Oh dear,’ said Grandma.

‘Oh dear,’ said Aunt Pat.

Daisy held her breath. Under the tangle of branches she could see a dark shape.

The parlour door flew open and Mrs Webber rushed in. ‘Is everyone all right? I was in the kitchen and everything shook.’

Daisy pointed outside. ‘A big tree’s fallen down.’

Mrs Webber gasped. ’Heavens’ above, it’s the old chestnut. Look, there’s something under it!’

‘What’s happening?’ said Grandma, sitting up in her chair. ‘Is someone hurt? Oh dear. Oh dear.’

‘I’ll go and see if I can help.’ Mrs Webber took off her apron. ‘Stay with your gran, Daisy. We don’t want her fretting not with that bad chest of hers.’ She rushed from the room.

Aunt Pat waved her hand anxiously. ‘What’s going on?’

Daisy returned to her observation post. ‘Mr Webber and Bobby are clearing away the branches that fell on top of a car.’

‘Oh dear,’ said Grandma again. ‘Is it Dr Norton?’

‘There’s someone getting out … ‘

‘And?’ urged Grandma curiously.

Daisy blinked hard. It couldn’t be, could it?

But it was.

CHAPTER 32

THE KITCHEN DOOR flew open and in stumbled four snow-covered figures.

Daisy hugged her parents. ‘Did you get hurt when the tree fell down?’

‘Hush,’ said Mother in a wobbly voice. ‘We’re both a little shaken, but no damage done. Except perhaps to the car.’

‘There, there,’ said Pops as he pulled Daisy to him. ‘We had a lucky escape.’

‘I should say so,’ said Mr Webber, pulling off his wet cap. ‘That tree could have killed someone.’

Daisy gave a muffled gasp at the thought.

‘Bill, you’re frightening the child,’ Mrs Webber