Harry and Stuart worked at spreading a fresh blanket of straw on the floor of the wool shed. Together, the two boys made quick work of cleaning and preparing the small barn. Outside, they heard Erin pumping water from the well into pails for the thirsty sheep gathered in the holding pen. Everything was ready for shearing in the morning.
Leaning on the rake he used to even the layer of straw, Harry watched Stuart straighten some tools laying on a bench.
"Thanks for your help," Harry told Stuart while wiping beads of sweat from his forehead. "Without you and Erin, I would never have finished this in time. And, Mother would have been furious with me."
Done with sorting the tools, Stuart replied, "Well, Harry, we were having so much fun, we kept you from your work. And after all, aren't friends supposed to help each other?"
Harry smiled and nodded at Stuart. They were not only friends, they were best friends. Over the years, Harry, Stuart and Erin played and worked together. They were thick as thieves and loyal to each other through and through.
Erin's voice suddenly rang through the shed, "Stuart! Harry! Come quick!"
Alarmed, Harry and Stuart ran from the dimly lit barn into the crowded pen of sheep. Outside in the dark, ewes and lambs playfully surrounded the two boys. Erin's voice bellowed from down by the well.
"Look! Look at the airfield!" Erin shouted.
Both boys looked past the fenced pen and into the distance. To their surprise, Harry and Stuart saw something they had never seen before. The airfield was illuminated. Brilliant in the darkness, two rows of lights marked the length of the runway.
"I've never seen it lit before!" Harry shouted to Stuart.
"Me neither!" Stuart replied, amazed by the sight.
"Isn't it glorious?" Erin asked, invisible in the pitch black night.
Harry and Stuart started to push their way through the flock of sheep in order to reach the gate to get a better look. Out in the distance, the lighted airfield beckoned. Standing by the gate, Harry and Stuart looked at each other, and then at the field.
"Come on!" Erin begged. "Let's go down there and see what's happening."
Harry swallowed hard. Every ounce of him wanted to bolt to the airfield. Except, he remembered what Susan had told him earlier. His mother expected him home. There was no time for dawdling by the hardstand. Regardless of the amazing sight, he knew he needed to respect his mother's wishes. She had given him the latitude to play with his friends and finish his chores, but wanted him back soon. Harry knew it would be wrong to disappoint her and shirk his responsibility.
Abruptly, the sound of Spitfire engines roared over the fields. Out of habit, the children looked up. Gazing into the dark, they realized they couldn't see a thing in the black sky above them. All they could do was listen.
"Erin," Harry shouted in the direction of the well, "it's too late for us to go to the airfield. Let's watch from here for a minute. Maybe we'll be able to see the Spits land in the lights. Then we need to go home before we get in trouble."
Stuart nodded his head, agreeing with Harry. He knew a couple more minutes wouldn't matter. But, Harry was right. After that, they should all be getting home or else there would be a price to pay with their mothers for staying out too late.