Dearest Charlotte by Audrey Lockyer (mobi reader TXT) 📕

“I won’t because you’re not going to be there.” “You will,” He pulled her away and held her by the shoulders, “listen to me, child. I will come and visit you when I have I have leave, I don’t know when it’ll be but I’m sure I’ll get some. I don’t want you to worry about me, I want you to enjoy this; Lady Darling will fuss over you and give you pretty clothes, you’ll get to wear the dresses!” “I’ll get to wear the dresses?” She smiled a little at that thought. He wiped her tears away with the tip of his thumb and smiled. “You will. So, when you’re on that train, don’t think of me and the War, think of the beautiful dresses you’re going to wear and your future!” The train began to pull in. “Papa, I love you.” She said and kissed him goodbye. “I love you too.” He kissed her goodbye too. Then, she picked her suitcase and ran onto the train, just as it was pulling away. She sat in her seat and looked out the window, waving goodbye to her father who was running beside the train and calling: “Remember! Eyes wide open!” She smiled and waved, but the train kept moving and her father was soon out of sight. She leaned back into her chair and shuddered. Thinking about it, she knew it was for the best; even if, she didn’t want to believe it. Her mother had been taken from her and her father probably would be too. She heard about the war, all the horrific tales, she could just imagine her father lying dead in a ditch, dying knowing no one around him loves him. Wondering why he ever went away... “You alright, love?” a woman’s voice drifted into Charlotte's thoughts.
Charlotte looked round and realised voice was of the lady sitting opposite her. She looked quite old with warming eyes and a comforting smile.
"Err, yes, I'm fine thank you." replied Charlotte, smiling at her. “Would you like a sweet? It’ll help with train-sickness.” She held out a paper bag with lots of pinkish coloured sweets. Charlotte said “thank you” and took one. “Going up to Oxford, are we?” the lady said, after awhile.