Pru stood outside, waiting on her doorstep, as excitement churned her stomach. The letter had arrived a few days ago. Short and very sweet, it had just said:
Landed in England, safe and sound. Have lots to tell you. Be with you on Tuesday afternoon, as I am having to give an account of events to the Red Cross director and await orders. I have already been told that I will be given two months’ leave to give me time to assess what I want to do in the future, and to give them time to evaluate all we tell them. Can’t wait to see you, darling Aunt Pru.
Flora x
At last, her Flora was coming home. Oh, it had only been nine months, but she’d feared every day for her safety. She’d counted the days, the hours, and now, at last, Flora came round the corner.
‘Eeh, me little lass.’ Flora ran into her arms. ‘By, I’ve missed you, and worried over you till me hair threatened to turn grey. But, lass, you look fine. I’d even go as far as to say more beautiful than you did afore you left. Oh, Flora, I’m that happy.’
‘I’m so happy to be home. These tears are tears of joy. I take after you for that – you always cry when you are happy.’ They both laughed as they dabbed their eyes.
‘Aw, you are like me, in a lot of ways. But then I brought you up, and I’m proud of that. Now, come on in. I’ve a big gangly lad waiting to greet you, but he’s too embarrassed to do so. You know what lads are like when they are fifteen. Not a man, but not a boy.’
‘Freddy! How did you get so big and so handsome, in such a short time? I missed you so much.’
Awkward and a little red-faced, Freddy stood up. His greeting started in a high voice, but dropped to a throaty growl. Poor Freddy, his voice was breaking, his skin was spotty, his body was all gangly and as tall as a man’s, making him unsure how to behave towards her.
Not giving him any choice, Flora ran to him and hugged him. ‘My lovely brother, it’s good to see you.’
Freddy’s arms wrapped around Flora and the tension broke. ‘Good to have you back, Flors. I’ve been worried about you. And, I know it’s late, but happy birthday.’
‘Ahh, thanks, little brother. I’m getting old now – twenty-one, I can’t believe it. Sorry you had so much worry, but all’s well now, though I had some hairy moments.’
‘Ma’s baked you a cake, and I got you these.’
‘Daffodils! They’re beautiful, and let me know that spring is truly here.’ Flora once more hugged Freddy, and this time, Pru noticed, there was no hesitation on his part.
More tears pricked Pru’s eyes at the sight of the love shown between the two most precious people in her life. To cover up her emotions, she bustled about as she listened to Flora’s tale. Most bits filled her with horror, and she felt glad that she hadn’t known the extent of the danger Flora had faced. As she passed a mug of tea and a wedge of cake to Flora, Flora asked how they had all fared and whether there was news of her family.
Pru had worried about this moment. She did have news, and it wasn’t good. ‘Your father isn’t well, Flora, lass. And it’s my fault. I told Freddy about his real dad, and Freddy wanted to see him. Not to talk to him, but just to clamp eyes on him. I – I took him to your home and we waited outside for a bit. Your dad came out, and as he went to get into his car, he tripped. Without thinking, Freddy and me, we rushed forward to help him. At that moment your ma came out of the gate. She got hysterical when she saw me. And – and, well, your dad took one look at Freddy and keeled over. I – I’m sorry, lass. I – I didn’t mean to be seen . . .’
‘No! Oh, Aunt Pru, it isn’t your fault. Oh, God, when was this?’
‘A few days back. I were that worried that I got in touch with your old cook. We were allus good mates, and I knew where she lived. She told me that your dad had a heart attack and, well, it ain’t good, lass. Eeh, I’m reet sorry.’
‘I’ll have to go right away. I’d thought I would send a message to Daddy first, get him to make arrangements.’
Pru could almost touch the pain in Flora’s words. That the dear girl had to make arrangements to meet her own parents beggared belief, and broke her heart. She didn’t think that, for all the face Flora put on to cover her hurt, the lass would ever come to terms with it.
‘You go, love. And insist on your rights as a daughter. Don’t let your ma have you turned away.’
‘I’ll be back later, Aunt Pru. And you two are not to worry. I don’t hold you responsible. It was only natural that you would want to see your father, Freddy. I’m only sorry that he is like he is. He has never fully accepted his responsibilities. I have been an outcast in my own home all my life, because of Daddy’s sins. But for all that, I love him very much and must go to him.’
‘I understand, Flors.’ Freddy had never seemed so grown-up as when he said, ‘I want to go to him, too, but I can’t. If he mentions me, tell him that I’m all right and don’t expect anything of him. Tell him . . . well, that I love him.’
‘Oh, son – I’m sorry, lad.’
‘No, Ma. Don’t be. I’ve not missed out on anything. I wouldn’t have it any different. It’s just that when I saw him, I felt an immediate connection to him.’
Pru helped Flora on with her coat. Her heart felt heavy. George didn’t deserve any of these wonderful young ’uns, and it was his loss that he’d never known her Freddy. ‘Take care, lass, and stay strong.’
Flora held her as if she would never let her go. Pru hugged Flora with all the love she felt for this girl, who had become as much her life as Freddy was. ‘It’ll be all right. I’m sure. Off you go. I’ll get supper for about six, but I’ll keep yours hot, if you’re later than that. Oh, look at me. I nearly forgot. A letter came for you, lass. Here it is. Shove it in your bag – you can read it later.’
Pru didn’t miss the look on Flora’s face as she took the letter. She knew that blush, if she wasn’t mistaken!
As she closed the door on Flora, Pru sat down and lifted her now-cold tea to her lips. ‘Eeh, lad, I’ve brought sommat down on the pair of you. I just hope them brothers of hers treat Flora right, when she gets there.’
‘I can’t believe these men you told me of are my half-brothers, Ma.’
‘I knaw, but you’re not like them. Nothing like them. You’re a good lad, and you’re going to make sommat of yourself.’
Once they’d finished their tea, Pru set about getting what she would need to make a pastry crust for the meat and onions she’d cooked off on the stove.
‘You’ve done me proud at that school you go to, Freddy. Eeh, to think the head teacher said that you’re on course to get a place in university in a few years’ time. By, I’m that proud of you, lad.’
‘Ma, I know you have sacrificed a lot to pay for my schooling, but I told you: if the war’s still on when I’m sixteen, I’ll apply for training. They need all the men they can get. We’re suffering heavy losses, and now the Germans are infiltrating our waters. I—’
‘Stop it, lad, I can’t bear it. I knaw how bad it is, but I ain’t letting you go, no matter what you say. They won’t take lads of fifteen and sixteen; they can’t.’
‘Ma. I know you’re scared, but at school we had a general visit us. He told us that it may come about that they need young lads, and that we should be ready. He said that on reaching sixteen, we can apply for officer training. I want to, Ma. I want to do my bit.’
Pru felt defeated. She’d heard of young ’uns running off and lying about their age and being accepted. She’d hardly believed it, as she felt sure that checks would be made, but a lad from their own street had gone, who had only just turned sixteen. Fear had her swallowing hard. ‘All right, son, we’ll see. We’ll not fall out about it. Let’s pray that this awful war ends before you’re needed.’
But deep down, she knew it wouldn’t end. The talk now was of the whole world joining in, even the Americans, who had been neutral until now, but were upset and angered by the loss of one of their ships, fired on by the bloody Germans. Why? Why?
She didn’t have long to ponder this as she began to roll out the dough she’d mixed, because the door opened and Abe walked in, cutting short her thoughts. His huge frame filled the doorway. His handsome good looks did nothing for her now. Any love she had felt for him had died within her. His bullying ways, and the control he had over her, had taken their toll.
Freddy made an excuse and left the room. He’d become embarrassed of late about her relationship with Abe, and constantly asked his mother to leave him. She knew that would make him happy. If only Freddy knew how much she longed for that to happen an’ all. But Abe had made it clear what he’d do to Freddy, if she ever left him.
She knew now about his business dealings, and how he got the riches he had, although they never spoke about them. Not after she’d found out about one of his pursuits – prostituting young lasses – and had tackled him about it. That had caused her to suffer the worst beating of all the beatings she’d suffered at Abe’s hands.
On the other hand, he could be gentle and kind. He was generous in his support of her school, and towards her, if she needed anything; and he cared for Freddy, and looked on them both as his family.
‘What’s to do with the boy? Every time I come in, he goes out! That’s disrespect.’
‘Naw, Abe. The lad’s growing up. He looks on things differently to us. He loves you, I knaw that, but he’s . . . well, there’s things about us that he’s no longer comfortable with, and he’s a lot on his mind.’
Pru told him of Freddy’s leaning towards the military. ‘How will I bear it, Abe?’
Abe took her in his arms. Normally she’d yield to him and take comfort, even if she had no feelings for him, but her fear for her son ran too deep.
‘Anything can happen. We’ve talked about this, Pru. Where’s my spirited girl who can take on anything that comes her way, eh? You have to prepare yourself, darlin’. Even I might have to go, in the end. The news is full of how the number of volunteers is dropping. Can they wonder at it? It seems like signing your own death-warrant to me.’
‘I knaw. I’ve read how there’s talk of forcing men to go. Oh, Abe, it’s all a nightmare.’
‘We don’t know the half of it, love. And it’s bloody inconvenient. It’s affecting imports now, and that has a knock-on effect on my business.’
Once more Abe held her close. She could feel his need, but she wasn’t in the mood. Pulling from him, she moved away.
‘What do you think you’re doing? You ain’t refusing me, are you?’
‘It’s the middle of the afternoon, Abe.’
‘That’s never bothered you before. Come here, I want my dues.’
‘Your dues, is it? Abe, I’m not one of your prostitutes, and I’m not a never-ending supplier of your pleasure, whenever you need it! I’ve a lot on me plate and—’
Abe rushed at her and grabbed her arm. His grip hurt her, his voice a threatening growl. ‘Don’t say things like that, ever! I don’t use you. I never have. I love you. And don’t you use what we have for your own gain, neither. I won’t stand for it.’
Love, huh – does he even know the meaning of the word?
‘A – Abe, let go, you’re hurting me. I don’t knaw what you mean. I – I . . . Abe!’
Her body hit the table. Resisting his strength was useless. He turned Pru and bent her over.
‘Abe, naw. Don’t. It’s alreet. We’ll go to me bed. I’m reet sorry. I didn’t mean . . . Abe, naw!’
Not heeding her words, he shoved her head down, banging it on the table. Memories of him raping her in the past came to her, and she knew it gave him pleasure beyond what was normal. Her fear increased, as she thought of him tearing her as he pounded the back of her. ‘Naw, naw, Abe!’
‘Leave my mother alone! Get off her. You pig!’
Shock held Pru unable to move, as she felt Abe jarring from her.
‘Get out of here, kid!’
‘No, you get out – and don’t come back. You’re not welcome, and my ma isn’t going to be your mistress ever again!’
Humiliated in the extreme, Pru lifted herself in time to see Abe jump towards Freddy. Her scream hurt her own ears, as she saw his fist smash into Freddy’s face. Freddy’s eyes rolled and his body slumped to the ground. Lifting the rolling pin, Pru brought it down on the back of Abe’s head. Where she found the strength, she didn’t know, but the force of the blow caused a loud cracking sound on impact.
She stood staring down at the two bodies on the floor. A moaning noise, which she knew she was making but couldn’t stop, filled the space around her as her mind screamed, ‘Freddy, Freddy! Naw! Naw . . . !’