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

*

The weather worsened and Greg was glad of his thick greatcoat as he waited on the platform for his train to steam in. The station was busy and most people were huddling against the wall in a vain attempt to stay out of the arctic winds that whistled down the exposed platform. Many were dressed as he was, in RAF blue. He wasn’t the only one going home for the holiday.

On the train, he wedged himself into a corner of the corridor and perched on his kit bag.

‘Mind your feet, mate,’ a surly erk said as he shoved his way past.

‘That’s, "mind your feet, sir," to you,’ Greg replied to the Lance Corporal.

‘Bleedin’ ‘ell – trust me to step on an officer’s toes,’ the man replied with a grin and a sloppy salute.

Greg laughed. ‘Are you at Wattisham?’

‘I’m with 110 Squadron, same place as you, sir.’

‘I thought you looked vaguely familiar. Where do you get off?’

‘Stratford, lived there all me life. Was a car mechanic so didn’t take much training to look after your aircraft. You going all the way?’

‘Romford.’ Greg yawned. ‘Night flying’s a bugger, I’m going to get a bit of shuteye. Could you give me a kick when we get to my stop if I’m asleep?’

‘Happy to. Not often I get the chance to kick an officer.’

Greg settled back, pulled his cap over his eyes and immediately dropped off. He was wakened with a jolt when someone grabbed his shoulder.

‘Next stop is yours, sir.’

The train was already slowing down and Greg had to fight his way to the door through the crush in the corridor. ‘Thanks, Merry Christmas.’

He almost fell flat on his face as he stepped from the train when his left foot slid out from under him. He only managed to keep himself upright by grabbing hold of a snow-encrusted pillar. A cascade of loose snow landed on his head and provided a bit of light relief to the watching passengers.

‘This bloody platform is lethal. Here, let me take your kit whilst you brush yourself down,’ a familiar voice said from beside him.

‘Where did you spring from? I didn’t recognise you in uniform.’

‘I arrived a few minutes ago on the other platform. Neil was already here and has grabbed a taxi. We’ve got to stop at the pub and pick up the beer, hope that’s alright.’

Greg followed Jack and was waved through by the ticket collector without having to produce his travel docket. He strode across and slapped his friend on the shoulder. ‘It’s good to see you, Neil, you look well. A bloody sight better than I do, I expect.’

‘Life of Riley for me – not worth risking our kites on training flights so we’re spending a lot of the time playing cards and reading.’

‘I’ve been flying most nights for the past week. I’m surprised they haven’t got you bods doing the same.’

They piled into the taxi, made a detour to the pub, and were then finally on their way to Glebe Farm. The car skidded violently and the driver muttered under his breath but continued.

Suddenly the cabbie lost control and the vehicle slid sideways ending up stuck in the hedge. For a moment no one spoke and then Jack laughed. The unexpected sound released the tension.

‘That was fun. I reckon three strong blokes like us can push this free.’ He grinned at the shaken driver. ‘Okay with you, mate? We’ll get you out of this mess and you take us where we want to go?’

‘I ain’t happy about this. But I need the cash and I don’t suppose you’ll still pay me if I leave you on the side of the road.’

‘We certainly won’t. We’re paying double the usual fare and expect to arrive at our destination however difficult it is for you,’ Neil said.

By the time the taxi was back on the road and facing in the correct direction they were all covered in snow but at least they were a good deal warmer.

‘Ellie will be worried if we don’t get a move on. She’s expecting us to be there by three o’clock and it’s already a quarter past,’ Greg told the others.

The remaining couple of miles could have been walked more quickly, but he didn’t blame the man as the lane down to the farm was treacherous.

He was first out of the vehicle and left the others to pay the fare – he would cough up his share later. He didn’t want to waste another minute of the time he had to spend with the woman he loved.

Not a glimmer of light showed through the blackout curtains which had been drawn even though it wasn’t quite dark. He was about to go to the back as usual when the front door was flung open and Ellie ran out and threw herself into his arms.

*

‘I’m so glad you’re here, now Christmas can really begin.’ She tilted her face to receive his kiss. His lips were icy and there was snow embedded in his eyebrows and hair.

Someone shoved him and they were sent staggering backwards. ‘Keep the canoodling for inside, you two, it’s brass monkeys out here and we want to get in the warm.’ Jack winked at her as he walked past carrying two crates of beer. No wonder he was eager to get inside as they must weigh a ton.

‘Merry Christmas, Jack, Neil, sorry if we got in your way.’

‘Blithering idiot! We could have gone right over if I hadn’t been so close to the door,’ Greg said. He hadn’t found the incident at all amusing – maybe Jack had pushed them a little harder than was necessary.

She remembered his kiss when he’d left three weeks ago and thought maybe Jack had done it because he was jealous. In future, she would keep out of his way, make sure he understood she was in love with Greg.

The tree was admired as were the decorations. Neil drew her to one