None Stood Taller: A gripping WWII story to make your heart soar. (Historical fiction) by Peter Turnham

Author:Peter Turnham [Turnham, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: P&C Turnham
Published: 2020-09-09T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The Long March Begins

I made my way home without really seeing or hearing anything around me. When I was halfway, I was even unable to remember who had been on guard at the barrier. The girls had everything ready for dinner when I arrived, and nobody complained that I had not been there to help. Even Spencer seemed to sense that I wasn’t in the mood to fuss over him that night.

“You’re really preoccupied, Lily, are you sure you’re okay?” asked an obviously concerned Fiona.

“Bless you, Fi, I’ve had such a day, my brain feels like custard.”

“Tell us about it, Lily, a trouble shared and all that,” Dotty said, trying to cheer me up.

I told them His Lordship was there, and how we had spent the day together talking about what we would be doing at Middlebourne. I told them as much as I could, which was very little.

“So what’s going on then, Lily?”

“I can’t, Dotty, I just can’t. Maybe that’s why my brain has turned to custard.”

They laughed and joked and did everything to raise my spirits and slowly but surely, they nearly succeeded. Dotty looked as if her efforts to cheer me up had exhausted her, as she sat at the table fighting against the weight of her eyelids. Fiona and I smiled at each other as we both placed an arm under hers.

“Come on, Dotty, it’s bedtime.”

She offered no resistance as we helped her to the door. Nobody else I knew worked as hard as Dotty; she would push herself until she dropped. They both put themselves to bed, as I washed and changed in the scullery. By the time I arrived upstairs, Dotty was fast asleep. I said goodnight to Fi, but just couldn’t drop off. Tired as I was, I just lay there.

“Are you still awake, Lily?” asked Fiona.

We talked for a while, as far as I could, without telling her anything. I hadn’t realised I was referring to His Lordship as Edward.

“You like him, don’t you?” Fiona said, casually.

“Do you know, Fi, I didn’t even realise, but I do. I used to loathe him; he can be so smug, he used to infuriate me. I’ve met nobody like him, he’s incredible.”

“I told you that the first time you met him; you were all gooey-eyed.”

“It’s not like that, Fi, really, he’s an Earl and I’m from Stepney. I like him very much, and I know he likes me, but it can never be like that.”

“I suppose you’re right, it’s a shame though, isn’t it?”

“How is it with Johnny?”

“It’s wonderful, Lily, I love him.”

“I’m so happy for you, Fi, I really am.”

“It will happen to you, Lily, you just wait and see.”

“I hope so, I want it to. What about Dotty, does she still not have anyone?”

“She’s got dozens of them, you know Dotty, but then again she’s got no-one.”

“Why is that Fi, do you know?”

“I really don’t know. She’s all over them until one of them wants to take it a bit more seriously, then she drops them like a stone.

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