A Mother Forever by Elaine Everest (free children's online books txt) 📕

the war, now that she was imagining George out there risking his life for his country, she didn’t like the thought that some men wouldn’t fight to keep him safe and make the same sacrifice he was prepared to make. But then again, she agreed with Frank’s views. She felt so confused at times. ‘Did the white feathers you’ve been given not prick your conscience?’ she asked.

‘Don’t tell me you think like those women?’ Frank asked with anger in his voice. ‘I thought you were better than that?’

‘No, you’ve got me wrong. I don’t agree with giving white feathers to men. That’s an awful thing to do. No one has the right to insist that every man signs up. All the same, Frank, don’t you want to play your part in this war?’

‘I do, I do. But I refuse to carry a gun or do anything to antagonize the enemy.’

Ruby looked hopeful. ‘Can you do that?’ she asked. ‘Surely there’s some way you can contribute?’

‘Yes – I could ask if I can work helping the injured. I know I don’t have the skills of a doctor or nurse, but perhaps they would let me carry stretchers or read to the injured . . . hold the hands of the dying. I know I can be of help if I do that.’

Ruby thought for a moment. ‘I do know that if I was injured, having someone like you hold my hand and talk to me would give me great strength. If you decide to do this, you have my blessing,’ she said, kissing his cheek before picking up his bowl of food. ‘Now, eat up before it gets cold. I do believe that’s my children I hear coming in the front door,’ she said with great relief.

Pat came rushing into the room, pulling off her scarf and gloves as she did so. ‘Guess what we saw?’

Ruby bent to unbutton her coat. ‘It must’ve been something exciting to make your cheeks glow like that. Now sit yourself down before you burst, and tell me all about it.’

Pat leapt onto the spare armchair that was set the other side of the hearth and grinned with delight. ‘We saw one of those German planes. It was flying over Slades Green – but we didn’t see it dropping any bombs,’ she added regretfully.

George’s face twitched in amusement as he joined his sister sitting on the arm of the chair. ‘The despicable child was disappointed because no one was blown up. Wherever did this bloodthirsty girl come from? Only the other day she was petrified of the Hun,’ he chuckled before noticing his mother’s concerned face. ‘It’s all right. We took cover, just in case there was more than one.’

Ruby gave a deep sigh of relief. ‘Thank goodness for that – perhaps we will all get a good night’s sleep for once.’

‘Mummy, Uncle Frank – did you know that people sleep in train stations in London? Why do they do that?’

Frank wiped a piece of bread around the bowl, collecting some gravy as he spoke. ‘They go to the stations where the platforms are underground. That way, if a bomb drops, most of them will be safe.’

‘It’s a shame we don’t have any stations like that in Erith, isn’t it?’ Pat replied.

‘I told you, you’ll be safe if you sit in the cupboard under the stairs,’ George explained. ‘It is the safest place in the house.’

‘Unless the bomb explodes as it lands on the roof, or comes down the chimney,’ she said making a bloodthirsty noise.

‘Oh, you disgusting child,’ George said as he started to tickle her until she cried out for Ruby to rescue her.

‘Come on, you two, let me get you some food. And you can sit at the table,’ she said as Pat started to whine. ‘No, you’re not eating in here. I can’t trust you not to spill your food.’ She gave Frank a little nod as she spoke, indicating that he’d spilt gravy down his tie.

‘When you’ve had your supper, would you like to come over with me to see your Nana Stella?’ he asked them both. ‘She is rather upset at the moment, and seeing the two of you might just cheer her up a little.’

‘That’s a splendid idea,’ Ruby said, ‘but please, don’t ask her any questions. Pat, your Nana Stella doesn’t want to talk about Donald at the moment. I want you to be a good girl and just be nice. Tell her about Brownies and school.’

Pat gave Ruby a smile. ‘I know she is very sad about Donald. I am too,’ she said, going quiet for a couple of seconds. ‘But what happens if the planes come back while you’re here on your own?’

‘I’ll go and hide in the cupboard under the stairs. I’ve put a few rugs in there, and an old pillow. There’s also a couple of candles so if we have to sit in there any length of time, we will be able to read our books if we can’t sleep,’ Ruby added, trying to be cheerful about what was quite a horrid experience.

‘But if I went over Nana Stella’s, wouldn’t it be better to get under her staircase instead?’ Pat asked.

‘Don’t worry about it, Pat. I’ll decide if that should happen,’ Frank said, pulling one of her pigtails.

Ruby was thoughtful as she dried up the plates and cutlery after Frank had left with the children. She hoped Pat wouldn’t be too inquisitive about Donald’s death. Perhaps I should’ve kept her here instead, she thought. There again, Stella needed cheering up, and what better than her favourite little girl? The two had formed a close bond, with Stella still allowing the child to call her Nana even after it was explained to her that Pat’s father was really Eddie Caselton. The relationship between Ruby and Stella was still strained; part of Stella still badly wanted Ruby and Frank to be a happily married couple, and Pat to be their offspring. She’d only ever seen Eddie as a ne’er-do-well,