Day Will Come by Beryl Matthews Read Free Book Online

George exclaimed when he met them heading for the office. ‘What have you two been up to? You’re covered in mud.’
    Grace laughed. ‘We’ve been on manoeuvres with the Local Defence Volunteers, sir.’
    ‘Really Dan! Couldn’t you have found Grace a nice, clean observation post?’
    Dan looked at her, his eyes glinting with amusement. ‘Would you have preferred that?’
    ‘Oh no, sir. I couldn’t have done my job – and I enjoyed it. In fact, I’ve loved the whole trip.’
    ‘There you are, George. We’ve had a great time.’
    George eyed them up and down again and shook his head. ‘I give up! Just wait until I tell James what you are making his secretary do. And he thought she would be safe with us.’ He began to walk away, calling over his shoulder, ‘He wants her back when this blasted war is over – in one piece!’
    They were both laughing as they reached their office.
    ‘Put the kettle on, Grace, while I order in some sandwiches. It’s going to be a very late night, I’m afraid.’
    The report was long and detailed. As each page was finished, Dan checked through it, making changes here and there, and handing it back to Grace for re-typing. When the final draft was accepted, she prepared the documents for distribution.
    ‘I don’t know how I would have managed without you this week.’ He stretched out his long legs and relaxed. ‘I would have had to make my own notes, and then found someone to type them for me. You’ve done an excellent job. Thank you.’
    ‘I’ve enjoyed the challenge, sir.’
    ‘I do believe you have. It’s very late, so I’ll drive you home. Do you want to change first?’
    She looked down at the filthy fatigues she was wearing, and shook her head. ‘I’m too dirty to put on clean clothes. I’ll stay as I am, and wash these before returning them to you.’
    ‘Keep them.’ He grinned. ‘They suit you – and so does the mud! You might need them again, anyway. Come on, let’s get you home.’
    The moment the car stopped outside her house, her father appeared holding a dimmed torch.
    Dan was immediately out of the car and holding the door open for Grace. ‘I apologise for keeping your daughter so late, sir.’
    ‘No need to apologise.’ Grace’s father peered at the tall man. ‘Are you Major Chester?’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘Ah, it’s good to meet you. Come in for a moment and have a drink with us. My wife would like to meet you.’
    ‘That’s kind of you, but I haven’t cleaned up after a day tramping through fields.’
    ‘Don’t worry about that. You look fine.’
    Dan laughed. ‘How can you tell, sir? It’s dark out here.’
    Jean called from the door. ‘Tell them to come in, Ted. I’ve saved dinner, and there’s enough for two.’
    Grace knew her parents were very curious about the officer she was working for, but the major probably didn’t feel like being sociable after the week he’d had – especially at this time of night.
    ‘I’m sorry, sir,’ she whispered. ‘They are itching to meet you. I’ll tell them you have another appointment.’
    He touched her arm, and she could just make out a slight shake of his head.
    ‘Well, if you don’t mind me trailing mud through your house, then I would enjoy a home-cooked meal for a change. We have been surviving on sandwiches.’
    ‘Good, good. In you come then.’
    Ted ushered them straight into the kitchen, where Jean was already busy at the stove. She turned and smiled as soon as they walked in and shook hands with Dan.
    ‘It’s good to meet you, Major Chester. I’m Jean and my husband is Ted. Do sit down. It’s only stew and dumplings, but it’s tasty and filling.’
    ‘It smells delicious. And please, call me Dan.’
    Grace watched her parents carefully. They gave noindication that they had noticed their dishevelled state.
    ‘Hope you don’t mind eating in the kitchen?’ Jean said, as she put large plates of piping hot stew in front of them. ‘There, you tuck into