Past Remembering by Catrin Collier Read Free Book Online Page A

solemnly. ‘Come on, hurry up. Both of you look as though you could do with a good rest.’
    Charlie hesitated but only for a moment. ‘I’ll get my kitbag.’
    Alma went upstairs. She checked on her mother before throwing a few things into an overnight case. It was only when they were walking out through the door that she realised she still didn’t know exactly how much leave Charlie had been given.
    ‘Sorry, mate, this street is closed. You’ll have to walk around through Empress Avenue.’
    ‘You don’t understand!’ Haydn confronted the ARP warden who was standing guard over the ruined block.
    ‘You live here?’ the man asked with a gentleness that irritated Haydn more than his earlier refusal to allow him to pass.
    ‘Of course I bloody well live here. Why else would I be trying to get in?’
    ‘The walls are unstable. They’re likely to fall in at any moment, sir … sir … you can’t go in there …’
    Haydn pushed the man aside and walked over the shattered, splintered remains of the front door and windows, into what had been the hallway of the block of flats. A crash was followed by a cloud of dust and ashes that billowed out over the expanse of rubble that covered the street. The warden put a whistle to his lips.
    ‘I couldn’t stop him, sir,’ he apologised to the senior officer who came running in response to his signal. ‘I tried – ’
    A second crash sent the rescuers back choking, coughing and spluttering for breath. An ominous silence settled over the area, punctuated only by the creak of timbers, crackle of flames and distant screams and shouts.
    ‘Right, start digging,’ the senior officer commanded. ‘Anyone left in this house before that silly bugger went inside?’
    ‘We’re not sure, sir.’
    ‘Then ask someone! I’ve a feeling that this is going to be the usual story. Family safe in the nearest shelter while the idiot home on leave kills himself by rushing into a blitzed house.’ The senior warden looked at what was left of the building. It had been a long night, and it promised to be an even longer day. Taking off his helmet he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, then set to work.
    ‘Fourth right at the top of the stairs on the first floor. When I took in the evacuees I turned Andrew’s dressing room into a sitting room so I’d have somewhere quiet to retreat to when I needed it. It’s small but cosy, and it’s next door to the bedroom and bathroom. Maisie knows you’re coming, she’s already changed the bed and she’ll bring up breakfast.’ Bethan stopped the car on the gravel drive that swept round to the front door.
    ‘Where are you going to sleep?’ Charlie asked.
    ‘When I’m not with Alma’s mother, in my children’s room.’
    ‘I wanted to tell you how sorry I was about Eddie and Maud.’ He reached out for her hand, sympathy etched on his face and in his eyes, and she understood something of the pain Ronnie had felt at receiving so many condolences the night before.
    ‘Thank you, but if you don’t mind we’ll talk about them later, Charlie. How much leave have you got?’
    ‘Three days.’
    ‘They could have given you longer after all this time.’
    ‘Some men in my unit haven’t had any leave since the beginning. I’m lucky to get this much.’
    Bethan turned to Alma in the back seat. ‘Then you’d better see he makes the most of it. You’re going back on Saturday morning, Charlie?’
    ‘First thing.’
    ‘If you don’t mind us taking up your time, we could have a small party here Friday night. I’ll invite Phyllis and my father, and anyone else you want to see. Think about it? Let me know tomorrow morning.’
    ‘I will, and thank you,’ he responded mechanically as he heaved his kitbag and Alma’s small case out of the car. Maisie must have heard them coming because the door was already open.
    ‘Mrs John said you’d be tired so I carried the toaster and chafing dishes up to her sitting room. There’s porridge,