The Royal Station Master's Daughters at War by Ellee Seymour

Author:Ellee Seymour
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bonnier Publishing Fiction

Harry Saward called in to see Maria that evening to enquire after Joey. Ruth made a pot of tea while Maria told him what had happened, and also mentioned Eddie’s cold shoulder towards her.

He listened sympathetically and frowned. ‘You will get through this, you know, Maria. I heard about Eddie from Beatrice, she told me he is in a bad way. He doesn’t deserve this, but none of our men do.’

Ruth said, ‘I’ve said the same, Harry. I can’t offer you much, but I do have some trench cake.’

‘Ah, my favourite.’ Harry smiled, his eyes twinkling. He picked up a slice of the dark, dense cake, which Ruth had put down in front of him. The cake was made without eggs, as everyone had been urged to donate their eggs to the National Egg Collection to be shipped to wounded servicemen in hospitals in France and Belgium. Vinegar was used to react with the baking soda to help the cake rise.

‘You’re in luck, I used the last of my nutmeg in this cake. I’ll ’ave to do without until I can get some more. The cakes won’t be as flavoursome for a while.

‘Tell me Harry, have you heard news of Nellie? I do worry about ’er, seeing as she is my niece, and I don’t believe what the papers say.’

Harry shook his head. ‘None at all. There is a poster up offering a reward, but I can’t see her coming back. Is there any news of that brother of yours, Gus?’

‘Nothing at all. None of our family ’ave had anything to do with him after his shameful treatment of Freddie and Archie.’

Harry sighed. ‘She seems so young and desperate, running off the way she did from that detective. Why would she come to Wolferton? Surely it must have been to try to make contact with you. Are you sure you haven’t seen her?’

Ruth and Maria glanced at each other and feigned ignorance, shrugging their shoulders in conspiratorial silence. Their cheeks flushed and they looked away.

‘Hmm.’ Harry pondered, scratching his head wondering if they were concealing information from him. ‘If you agree, I suggest we wait another day or two, and if there is no news then I will ask my brother Ronald to call in at Gus’s address. He’s a special constable and he’ll put the word out for Gus Harper. It’s a bonus that Ronald lives in London and we can rely on his discretion. The sooner this is resolved all the better for her, and for us too. I’ve noticed some people pointing their finger at me saying we are related to that woman who is on the run from the police. And the last thing I need is that detective returning to Wolferton and pestering me.’

Ruth readily agreed and slumped in her chair, twisting her hands anxiously. She appeared nervous.

When Maria slipped out of the room Harry asked Ruth if anything else was troubling her.

‘I didn’t want to say anything in front of Maria, but yes, there is something on my mind.

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