The Lost Soldier by Diney Costeloe

The Lost Soldier by Diney Costeloe

Author:Diney Costeloe [Costeloe, Diney]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781784972561
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Published: 2015-06-30T23:00:00+00:00


14

Sarah stood looking at the empty road for a few moments. She dashed the tears from her cheeks and turned resolutely into the convent, wondering as Freddie headed back to his regiment at the front, if she would ever see him again.

She spent the half hour before the evening meal in the chapel, and, much comforted, was able to face the refectory feeling a little less lonely. She was further cheered by the way Molly received the news that though Tom was now in the convalescent camp, he was not likely to be sent back to the front until the early New Year.

“Did you have a lovely time with your brother?” Molly had asked. She could call Sarah by her Christian name quite easily now, but she couldn’t do the same for Freddie.

“Yes, really lovely,” Sarah sighed. “I couldn’t believe he was really here, and the time just flew.” She told Molly about their lunch and the Christmas shopping and then said, “I bet you can’t guess where else we went.”

“No, where?”

“When I was talking to Freddie, I told him about Harry Cook, because of him coming from home and being your cousin and things.” She paused.

“And?”

“And, he said he knew Harry had been wounded because they were in the same company. Freddie was Harry’s company commander!”

Molly still didn’t guess what was coming. She looked puzzled and said, “So, you told him Harry had died.”

“I did, but I also told him there was another man from his company here, Tom Carter, and I suggested he should visit him in the convalescent camp while he was here… so that’s what we did.”

At last there was animation in Molly’s face. “You went to the camp?”

“Yes, and Tom was there. The padre had him brought to the chapel, and we talked with him for several minutes.”

“But what did Mr Freddie think of you wanting to see Tom? Didn’t he think it strange?”

“Not at all, because he didn’t know I wanted to see Tom, he thought he did. He asked how Tom was getting on and what the MO had said to him about rejoining the company.”

“And what did Tom say?”

Molly sounded fearful and Sarah said reassuringly, “Don’t worry, he’s been told he’ll be fit for light duties in two weeks’ time, so that doesn’t even mean he’ll go back to the front. It also means he’ll be here for Christmas. Didn’t I hear they have special Christmas dinner in the camp? A bit of a party?”

Molly stared at her and repeated slowly, “He’ll be here on Sunday.”

“He’ll be here for at least two more weeks, so you’ll see him before he goes.” She saw Molly’s face light up and added, “But do be careful, Molly. Don’t get too involved. You’ll only get hurt.”

Christmas crept upon them. Released from their duties one crisp December afternoon, Molly and Sarah went out together to gather holly and ivy from the wood on the hill above the village. They returned with armfuls and all the wards were decorated.



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