Defiance: A Romantic Time Travel Mystery (The Shorten Chronicles Book 4) by Tate Rosalind

Author:Tate, Rosalind
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TOB Publishing
Published: 2023-10-05T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

After Bill’s message about the militia’s weapon, the roof duty guards reported no activity and the road to the town remained deserted.

Rupert monitored their broadcasts, making notes in a book beside the wireless, but the announcements now concerned a nearby city. Derby had recently been seized by a different militia.

Hugo and Charlotte were aware of the militia’s winning card, but Sophie was determined that Freddy — and everyone else — shouldn’t find out. Not yet. Four days before Christmas, this was the calm before the storm, which would surely erupt after the holiday.

Bella was growing in confidence. She used an unsteady walking route from the sofa in the small drawing room to the nearest chair and was undeterred by falling, giggling as she picked herself up. Sometimes she cheated, tottering while holding onto Charlotte’s collar while Charlotte walked slowly — a sight almost as unnerving as her human-like nod.

Lucy was living in the rebuilt families’ building and Sophie visited every day. The head gardener’s leg was encased in a plaster cast, but she could move around using a stick.

Sitting in the tatty armchair, Lucy pulled her injured leg up onto a stool and winced.

‘It still hurts?’ said Sophie.

‘Not as bad. More of an ache.’

‘What’s that?’ Sophie gestured at a side table. On it was a device resembling a miniature satellite dish.

‘Belling electric heater. Reynolds found one in the town.’

Sophie wiggled her hands in front of it, enjoying the wafts of hot air.

The heater gave off a tangy, metallic heat, but most of Lucy’s sitting room smelled of damp plaster and paint. Enlivening the cream walls was a bright paper chain. Tiana’s handiwork.

Her yellow jacket was draped over a wooden chair and Sophie picked it up, sat down, and laid the jacket across her lap. ‘Tiana seems happy.’

‘Knowing she can go home eventually,’ said Lucy. ‘That helps.’

‘I’m glad you get on with her.’

‘Actually…’ Lucy lowered her voice. ‘We’re getting on really well.’

‘Lucy, that’s wonderful!’ A same-sex relationship here, if it ever became public, would be incredibly dangerous, but their secret was safe with her. ‘Happy ever after?’

‘Early days,’ said Lucy, ‘but perhaps.’

‘I’m so glad.’ Sophie jumped up and hugged her, but then drew back. Lucy’s shoulders were stiff. ‘Obviously, you can’t literally jump for joy yet, but … something’s wrong.’

Lucy hesitated. ‘His face is always in my head, Sophie. The lad who died in the ambush.’

‘Once the war’s over, you should go through the lift with Tiana. Have therapy.’ To Sophie’s alarm, a tear ran down her friend’s cheek.

Lucy wiped it away. ‘Nah, I’m old school. Crocodile Dundee.’

‘Sorry?’

‘The 1980s movie.’ Lucy had come to Shorten from 2003. ‘Somebody talks about therapy, and Dundee says, haven’t you got any mates?’

Lucy’s sense of humour was intact. She just needed time.

After lunch, wheeled into the Manor dining room in a bath chair, Lucy supervised gardeners erecting a Christmas tree. More gardeners brought in bunches of holly, fresh from the grounds.

Miss Parry handed round glasses of eggnog. Sophie took a sip and sighed with

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