The Guardian of Secrets by Petken Jana

Author:Petken, Jana [Petken, Jana]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: JCP Publishing
Published: 2014-11-07T05:00:00+00:00

June 1916

Dearest Celia,

John and Arty Weisman have been called once again for active service. I don’t know where they will be sent, but for the moment at least, I know that they are safe here in London. John looked splendid in his officer’s uniform, and he has been made captain now, after his gallantry at the Battle of Artois. He came to see me last week and told me that he had received his new orders, but of course he didn’t say where he’d be going. I feel as though he’s just returned, and I’m quite perplexed at his being sent away again. He could have done with a longer rest, in my opinion. Even so, I tried to be strong when I saw him, and we had a jolly good time at Claridge’s, where we had tea and scones, of course. Pip and the children are going to stay with her father in the country, and she kindly asked if I would like to join them. I said no, as I’m actively involved now in doing my own bit for the war effort.

The Germans hit London the other night. We knew that a Zeppelin air raid against us was not impossible, as Paris has already been bombarded twice, but when it finally happened to us here at home, we were all in a total state of shock, and we’ve been told to expect more of the same. I wish you could see us here, my darling. London is an abysmal place, and as you can imagine, everyone has long faces. Their fear is written in their eyes, and they are filled with war weariness, as am I.

Prices have soared out of all proportion, and I just don’t know how the poorest of families are managing. I fear this war will eventually attack the very fabric of our society, I really do. Most of all, I feel sorry for the children. They are wondering why their fathers and schoolteachers have left them for so long, and it saddens me to think that many of them will never return. I am now working in one of the schools in Bermondsey and it’s giving me a great deal of satisfaction. The children are so innocently unaware of the dangers we face every day, and they make such a welcome change from the continuous depression that we adults feel and cannot hide.

I heard the sad news last week that John Malone’s youngest son, David, died in the Battle of Loos. Of course, poor John is absolutely devastated, and his wife took to her bed with laudanum. My John’s friend Mathew Gates was also killed a couple of months ago, as was Mr Ayres’s office boy, Jack. You remember him, don’t you? He was the one with all the freckles. We don’t know about anyone else from Goudhurst, as news filters through so infrequently, but I’m in contact with Mrs Baxter, and she’s more reliable than the newspapers, of course!

Simon is busier than ever,

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