The English Girl: A heartbreaking and beautiful World War 2 historical novel by Sarah Mitchell

Author:Sarah Mitchell [Mitchell, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bookouture

Chapter Seventeen

‘I’ve told you before,’ Vivien says with a sigh, ‘I don’t remember how I came to be on the Sculthorpe bus. I must have taken the wrong one from Fakenham and been making my way back.’

On the other end of the telephone, her mother seems unable to drop the subject.

‘Yes, I am a lot better now, but it doesn’t make any difference. The afternoon of the accident remains a complete blank. I can barely recall going out in the first place. I suppose I must have been doing some Christmas shopping…’ She leans back against the hall table. ‘Well, maybe I didn’t find anything to buy, or perhaps the bags were lost in the wreckage of the crash!’ Viv’s hand goes to the left side of her scalp and her fingers brush the soft stubble that is newly visible and itching in the place where the surgeon shaved her head. Although she examines the horrid bald patch every morning in the bathroom, it’s still too early to tell whether the hairs will retain their chocolate lustre or, as the doctor has warned, the trauma will turn them grey. ‘Alice is a little better… Yes, beginning to get over the shock… No, not this evening. It’s nearly nine o’clock and she’s fast asleep in bed. You can speak to her in a few days’ time. Anyway, I really must go and see what Toby is up to… Of course, that would be…’

The front door opens.

Viv’s voice suddenly hardens. ‘Actually, Mother, I have to hang up right now… No, there isn’t a problem exactly. Only that Toby needs help with something rather urgently.’

The receiver clatters into the cradle.

Viv gapes at her husband. ‘What on earth are you doing?’ Framed by the lintel of the porch, he is standing with a rifle slung casually over his right shoulder.

‘We’ve got intruders. There’s somebody outside, I’m certain of it.’

Reluctantly, Viv comes forwards and peers into the inky depths of the garden. For all she can see, she might as well have her eyes closed. ‘Did you actually spot anyone?’

Toby shakes his head.

She reaches behind him for the brass handle, waits for him to step into the hallway before shutting the door quickly. ‘Why would we have intruders? We’re almost in the middle of nowhere. I’m sure it was nothing.’

‘I heard noises. I think someone’s after us, coming for us tonight.’

Viv swallows. The intensity of his gaze is disconcerting and, if she doesn’t concentrate, make an effort to stay sane, almost believable. She has to remind herself that her husband is plainly not himself these days and there is no conceivable reason why anyone should be prowling around the exterior of their house.

‘I expect you heard the neighbour’s dog. He probably got the scent of a rabbit or a fox and found a hole in the hedge. He’s not much older than a puppy and doesn’t understand that he’s supposed to stay in his own garden. It wouldn’t be the first time!’ She takes Toby’s elbow, ushers him a little way forwards.

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