The Carpenter's Children by Maggie Bennett

Author:Maggie Bennett [Maggie Bennett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780749014124
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2013-08-28T04:00:00+00:00

When he was judged to be on the road to recovery, Ernest had been shipped home in February with other men who had survived the Gallipoli landings, and was overjoyed to see England again. His appearance shocked his parents, and Grace thought he looked worse than some of the admissions to Hassett Manor. His reunion with Aaron had to be somewhat restrained in company, but their hand clasp and the look in their eyes conveyed their thoughts as well as any embrace. Their happiness was short-lived, however; Aaron had orders to return to active service in May, and he would soon be followed by Dick Yeomans, called up under the new Military Service Act of January that year, as a single man not in a reserved occupation. Farmer Yeomans protested in vain, and Mary Cooper was heartbroken, for by now their mutual attachment was common knowledge, and Dick was in favour of a quick, quiet wedding before he went for training at Aldershot. His parents had disagreed, however, thinking him too young to make such a commitment in a hurry; but when he marched away to war, Mary wore a silver engagement ring, and carried a promise that they would be wed when he came home. Meanwhile two land army girls had been sent to assist on the farm, and both the farmer and Mary had their work cut out, she told her father, to train and supervise them in the daily rigours of life on the land.

‘The poor girl’s upset, o’course,’ said Eddie worriedly. ‘It sounds as if there’s goin’ to be one hell of a battle when the British and French charge at the Jerries eye-to-eye. Dick Yeomans’ll be takin’ his chance along of all the others, and God help us all if…I don’t ’old with farmers bein’ called up, Tom. They’re more use at ’ome than out there, riskin’ their lives.’

Tom found this difficult to answer. He and Eddie had in a way changed places, now that Ernest was at home and Eddie’s probable son-in-law was away.

‘Did you hear about the Goddard boy, what’s his name, Sidney?’ he asked. ‘Got called up but didn’t pass his medical, seems he can’t see without spectacles. He seems a pretty fit bloke otherwise.’

‘Yeah.’ Eddie nodded. ‘I s’pose they’ll draft him into some reserved occupation, so he could end up in one of these munition factories, turnin’ out guns an’ whatnot. In which case he’ll stand a better chance o’ comin’ home than Dick Yeomans,’ he added bitterly.

‘Old Goddard’ll miss him, though. He’s not been so well lately, and they’ve been looking to Sidney to take over the shop if – er…’ Tom sighed. ‘Seems to be trouble everywhere you look. Young Neville’s gone back, and his poor mother keeps herself going with Hassett Hospital, as they call it.’

‘What about her husband and the elder son? Still out in India, aren’t they?’

‘Yes, Sir Arnold’s even more of a bigwig out there, recruiting local native chaps to join in the fun. And

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