Fighting with Shadows by Matthews Beryl

Author:Matthews, Beryl [Matthews, Beryl]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781405916318
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2013-10-31T00:00:00+00:00

20

The large barn was leaking badly, and Dieter was on the roof, where he could see that it needed extensive repairs. He sat astride the ridge and looked down at John as he appeared at the top of the ladder.

‘You stay there, Mr Sawyer. Slide the planks of wood up to me and I will fix them in place.’

‘Be careful.’ John frowned. ‘Doesn’t look any too safe up there.’

Dieter tested a section with his foot, but it held firm. ‘It is not too bad where I am. The trouble is right in front of me. That is where the rain is getting in. The roof is rotten just there.’

John swore fiercely. ‘I should have checked it before winter set in.’

‘Well, if it stays dry for a few hours we should be able to make it watertight.’ Dieter peered up at the grey sky, threatening heavy rain. ‘We will have to work quickly, though.’

With another muttered curse, John disappeared, and Dieter shoved his hands in his pockets to keep them warm while he waited. There was a biting wind whistling around him in this exposed position. He gazed across the fields and let his mind wander. Christmas would soon be here, and he was looking forward to spending more time with his son. He wanted to give Danny and Emma a present, but he didn’t have much money left after yesterday, so he would make them something. Quite a few of the prisoners in the camp had made wooden toys for the local children, and he was sure he could still do it. The last one he’d made had been the little truck, and as Jane had loved the toy he had let her keep it. He sighed deeply. Little had he known she was going to have a son who would also love the toy. It had brought back many memories when he had seen it on Danny’s bedside table, but also pleasure to know how much he treasured it. He would make Danny a car this time, and perhaps a dolls’ house for Emma. Oh, dear me, no. He chuckled. She was a pretty girl, but she didn’t seem to have any interest in girls’ toys. He had better make her a station house, or a control box for her train set. Yes, that would please her more.

John cut off his musing by appearing at the top of the ladder again, hauling up a stack of planks on a rope. ‘I’ve told Hetty to keep lunch for us later. We’ll never finish before the light fades if we stop to eat.’

Blowing on his hands first to bring some life back into them, Dieter reached out to catch the rope John had thrown to him. Tied in a bag on the stack of wood was a hammer and nails. It was a shame they had to do this today, when Danny and Angie were here for their Sunday visit, but it couldn’t be helped. There had been quite a gale blowing last night, and that had ripped away some of the rotten roof.

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