Ghost Soldier by Theresa Breslin

Author:Theresa Breslin
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781448173341
Publisher: RHCP

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

AS OFTEN HAPPENED in Glendale village, it was the postmistress, Mrs Shelby, who was first with the information.

‘Mill House is to be converted into a convalescent home for wounded soldiers,’ she announced to her morning customers. Rob manoeuvred himself nearer.

‘It will be officers only,’ someone said.

‘I’ve heard it’s for ordinary soldiers’ – Mrs Shelby gave her audience a significant look – ‘but it’s for special cases, if you understand my meaning.’

Rob didn’t understand. Did Mrs Shelby mean that it was for soldiers who were dying? When he got to school, he found that Kenneth had more details.

‘My dad says that they’re going to convert Mill House into a nursing clinic, but not for the physically wounded. It’s for those whose nerves have gone. They’re supposed to shake so much they can’t hold a gun to fire it. I don’t believe that shell shock is a real illness,’ Kenneth added. ‘I mean, you’d shake a lot if you were really frightened that you were going to die, wouldn’t you? That’s normal.’

‘I’m not sure . . .’ Rob chewed his lip. He couldn’t say anything about the incident on the hospital train. But after meeting Private Ames and Jack Otterby, he definitely did believe that shell shock was a real illness.

‘It’s not a reason to be sent home,’ Kenneth went on. ‘If everybody who was scared was sent home, then there would be no soldiers left to fight the war.’

Rob longed to discuss the condition of the soldiers on the train with his friend, but he’d given his word to Captain Morrison that he’d remain quiet. The captain was relying on him to do his bit to keep morale high – it was as important to do that on the Home Front as it was on the battlefield, he’d said. And, in return, he’d promised to make it his business to find out about Rob’s father. They’d exchanged a proper salute. It was a bond of honour.

‘I wonder if the patients will be allowed visitors,’ Kenneth went on. ‘I’d like to see someone who’s supposed to have shell shock.’

‘I’ll come with you if you like,’ Rob offered, thinking it would be a good opportunity to try to find out what secret work was taking place inside Mill House.

‘You could take your mum with you when you go, Rob Gowrie . . .’ Jed was eavesdropping. ‘But they might not let her out again.’

Rob shoved Jed violently. ‘You’re worried that they’ll put you in there and throw away the key!’

‘I doubt if the doctors at the new clinic will welcome visitors,’ Miss Finlay commented when she heard what was happening at Mill House. ‘Complete rest and quiet is what’s needed for those with nervous debility. I know that it’s been common practice to go into the woods to snare a rabbit for the pot. But best to stay out of that area and not encroach on the grounds of the estate.’

‘It’s haunted anyway,’ said Kate Ward.

‘There’s no such thing as ghosts,’ Kenneth scoffed.

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