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

the circumstances and was told that his friend would get compassionate leave and would be at the hospital as soon as it could be arranged.

Ellie was on her way down as he tore up again. ‘I’m just going to grab my kit bag. I’ll need to return to base from the hospital. Good thing I didn’t get out of my uniform.’

They’d been travelling for a quarter of an hour before he remembered he hadn’t let his friends know that they wouldn’t be joining them tonight. Bad form, but it couldn’t be helped.

‘I should never have come. I almost cancelled because we’re so busy. Grandpa died from a stroke and he was in his eighties and Dad isn’t even sixty yet.’

‘My uncle had a stroke in his forties and is still going strong thirty years later. He made a complete recovery within a few weeks.’ He squeezed her knee and she put her hand in his. ‘I’m sure Fred will be up and about in no time.’

She didn’t answer and when he looked there were tears trickling down her cheeks. He hated to see a woman cry but it was far worse watching Ellie. She left her hand where it was until they arrived at the hospital.

He put his arm around her waist to escort her inside. The overwhelming smell of disinfectant and boiled cabbage was unpleasant but everywhere looked pristine and the nurses were immaculate in their uniforms.

The receptionist directed them to the emergency department. She pulled away from him and ran forward when she saw Jack hurrying towards them.

She threw herself into his arms and for a moment Greg thought there was something between them. Then he arrived at their side and could overhear what was being said.

‘It’s not as bad as they thought, Ellie. He’s come round and is able to speak clearly and doesn’t seem to have any weakness in his limbs. I’m sorry I ruined your weekend.’

‘I’m so glad that you were there for him. Greg is going to stay with us – and to tell you the truth I wasn’t really looking forward to meeting his friends. I’d much rather spend time with him here.’

Greg offered his hand and Jack shook it vigorously. ‘Good to see you, mate, but wish it was in better circumstances.’

‘Can I go in and see him?’

‘He’s in there. He’s going to be transferred to a ward in the morning.’

She dashed off leaving Greg with Jack. ‘What’s going to happen with the farm whilst Fred’s incapacitated?’

Jack shrugged. ‘I’m sure something will be arranged. I’m hoping his tenant farmers will look after things until he’s better. I’ll go now you’re both here. I’ll get Mrs B to leave out something on a tray for when you get back. I need to get things organised for tomorrow. The pigs will need feeding and the cows milking and I can’t do that on my own.’

‘I don’t have to be back on base until late afternoon so if you’ve got some old togs I can borrow I’m happy to give you a hand. I’ve mucked out enough horses to know the right end of a shovel.’

Jack slapped him on the shoulder. ‘Right – that means we can do the pigs so all I’ve got to do is find someone who knows how to milk a cow.’

‘I can do that,’ Ellie called from the door. ‘I’ve helped dad hundreds of times. He’s told me to go home so I know he’s feeling better. If he has his way he’ll get himself discharged tomorrow.’ She turned and said goodbye to her dad and then came over to join them.

‘I still think it would be a good idea, Jack, to speak to his tenants. We can manage Sunday but we will have to be back at work the next day so we’ll have to have something in place by then.’

Stepping out into the bright sunshine after the gloom of the hospital made him realise there was still time to take Ellie out to dinner.

‘We’ll see you back at the house later. No need for Mrs B to do anything for us, we can get something to eat before we come back.’

With a casual wave Jack strode off without a backward glance. ‘I don’t want anything fancy, but I am hungry. What about fish and chips?’

‘Perfect – although not quite what I had in mind when I planned this weekend. Is there somewhere nearby we can get a drink to go with our supper?’

‘We can eat them in the garden at the pub – the landlord is quite happy for customers to bring their own food as long as they buy a drink or two.’

Eighteen

By Monday everything was under control at Glebe Farm. Dad was making such excellent progress he was going to be allowed home in a few days and the consultant was hopeful he would be back to work the following week.

Greg had mucked in, literally, and seemed less bothered by being up to his elbows in pig manure than Jack, who’d proved surprisingly squeamish. Anyway, Ellie was happy the livestock had been taken care of satisfactorily by the three of them.

She’d been sorry to see Greg go and when he’d kissed her goodbye she’d responded enthusiastically. He was going to visit when he had another twenty-four-hour pass. He was now officially her boyfriend and she was happy with that – as long as he didn’t pursue the idea of marriage she would continue to go out with him. She rather liked the idea of having a handsome RAF officer as her beau.

*

Everything changed on September 1st as Hitler invaded Poland. She and Jack returned home, after hearing the news, in a sombre mood.

‘I knew there was going to be a war with Germany, but always hoped it wouldn’t happen. It’s inevitable now, isn’t it?’ Ellie said.

‘The sooner it starts the sooner we’ll have that bastard beaten and things can go back to normal. Remember Flight Lieutenant Jackson said it doesn’t change anything for