Pattern of Shadows by Judith Barrow

Author:Judith Barrow [Judith Barrow]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781906784553
Publisher: Honno Press
Published: 2012-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Though some days had a hint of spring that day hadn’t been one of them. Despite a weak glimmer of sunlight a dismal greyness draped the streets, a reminder of the threat of war that hung over the country. Her final exams were coming up: between studying and working on the wards in Bradlow General, Mary was exhausted.

She’d heard the angry voice of her father as she walked down the alleyway to the house and pushing through the group of women standing by her back gate, had run across the yard and into the kitchen. ‘By God I’m glad he’s not my son … dirty yellow coward.’

Even now Mary could picture her father pacing the kitchen, his braces dangling down on either side of his trousers. His face was blood red with rage while her mother’s was grey and impassive. But Mary saw the distress in her eyes.

’Dad, the whole street’s listening outside!’

‘Well, bloody let them. You know what’s happened? What your Nancy boy of a brother has done now?’ He rolled up the sleeves of his collarless shirt, usually a precursor to one of then getting belted.

‘Dad!’

‘Only declared himself a bloody Conchie at a bloody tribunal, the soft-arse. A bloody Conscientious Objector; been all the way to Birmingham to do it and all. Now he’s going to jail. And this one here knew all about it and didn’t tell me.’ Bill jerked his head towards his wife and glared at her.

He wrenched a small crumpled packet of Woodbines from of his shirt pocket, took one out and put it between his lips. ‘You buy more fags today?’ Winifred moved her head once. ‘Bloody useless. I’ll have to go to the pub for more, now. How will I hold my head up in there, I ask you.’

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