Hannah's War by Fenella J Miller

Author:Fenella J Miller [Miller, Fenella J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-11-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Joan bustled in the next morning her former animosity quite gone. ‘Porridge; after bacon and eggs it’s my favourite breakfast. Aren’t you having any, ducks?’

‘I’m sticking to toast and marmalade this morning. We’re going to go to Pond Farm to borrow some rat traps from Mr Boothroyd, I want to set them this afternoon.’

‘You’re not going to church with me then?’

Hannah had been wondering why Joan was wearing a hat to breakfast but hadn’t liked to ask. ‘I’m sure we won’t be missed, I’ve been in the area for several months and have never been. It would cause a stir if I turned up today.’

Joan tapped the side of her nose. ‘Not ready to announce that you’re courting? Don’t blame you, it’s nobody’s business but yours.’

Jack was strangely silent, he didn’t jump in to agree with their landlady’s comment. She reached over and touched his arm. ‘Are you sure you feel well enough to cycle three miles?’

‘I am not sleeping too well that’s all. I expect it will be better once the funeral’s over.’

Her eyes prickled. ‘I wish I could come with you, I only met your crew a couple of times but I know how much they meant to you.’

‘If I find the missing Nazi pilot I intend to exterminate him.’

He returned to his porridge and she continued to make toast in front of the range. He frightened her when he spoke like that; didn’t he realise he’d be no better than the evil men who’d killed his friends if he shot Kurt in cold blood? Whilst he finished his meal she could make up the flask. ‘Can I take a couple of slices of cake, Joan? We’ll be back for lunch but it’s hungry work cycling three miles.’

‘Finish it up, I’m saving all the dried fruit from now on to make a Christmas cake next month. It’s cold enough for Christmas already. I hope we don’t get a winter like last one, we were up to our armpits in snow for months.’

‘Were Betty and Ruby at the farm then?’ Joan nodded. ‘No wonder they thought I was worse than useless after surviving a winter like that.’

She grinned at Jack, waited for him to laugh but he seemed preoccupied this morning. Hardly surprising really when his two best friends were being buried tomorrow. She would have to tread carefully today, make sure she didn’t upset him. He must be feeling some of the grief she had felt when Giles was reported missing, presumed dead.

The toasting fork shot forward and her slice of bread fell into the flames. She felt as if she’d swallowed a large stone. Jack didn’t love her, not really, he was just reacting the way she had, clutching at the nearest person who could offer him comfort. She didn’t dare look at him, he would know she’d realised he was having second thoughts, regretting his impulsive declaration of love.

Quickly stuffing the bread deep into the flames she stood up. She had lost her appetite, she made the tea and put the cake in greaseproof paper bag.

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