Wartime Family by Lizzie Lane Read Free Book Online Page A

was no other explanation.
    Henry Randall dragged his pint mug towards him, lifted it up and took a long, deep draught. His hard eyes closed as he savoured the deeply satisfying taste of hops and barley. He took a breath, then knocked back the last mouthful. As he returned the glass to the bar, he licked the remnants from his lips then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. The Lord Nelson was his favourite pub. It had a high ceiling and big windows. The bottom half of the windows was opaque, a mix of dimpled and coloured glass set in lead. The top half was clear and afforded quite a good view. The best view was of the Red Cross shop along a bit. Mary Anne was always in and out of the place. Knowing her she’d probably enrol as a volunteer before long. He smiled. Best thing she could do; easier than ever to keep tabs on her.
    ‘A great pint, Jim,’ he said to the ashen-haired man behind the bar. ‘I’ll have another.’
    Jim took his glass and began to refill it. As he did so, his eyes wandered enquiringly to Henry’s ruddy face. ‘I thought you’d signed the pledge, Henry. Tea only. Teetotal!’
    Henry shoved the money across the bar, his eyes fixed on the dark liquid pouring from the brass tap. ‘A hard-working man deserves a pint or two.’
    ‘That’s three you’ve had, Henry.’
    ‘And I’ve money for three more – maybe six.’
    The landlord chuckled. ‘I didn’t think you being teetotal would last for long.’
    Henry smiled. ‘Well you know how it is with women, Jim. If it looks as though you are putting yourself out for them, they’ll coming running in the end. They can’t resist. It’s a well known fact.’
    Jim poured himself a half and joined him, elbows leaning on the polished mahogany bar top. ‘I thought the best advice was to beat ’em and bed ’em.’
    ‘That too,’ laughed Henry, raising his beer in a toast. ‘That too. Keep ’em guessing. Keep ’em on their toes, show ’em how frightening life can be and in the end they’ll come running back!’

Chapter Five
    That’s one thing you can say about Patrick Kelly
, thought Lizzie.
He writes a good letter on a regular basis, and they’re always interesting.
    Her eyes followed his well-formed writing.
    Can’t tell you where they’re thinking of sending me, but let’s put it this way, I won’t be needing long underwear. Rumour has it that I’ll get some leave before I go. So be ready for me.
    Lizzie smiled. Patrick had willingly joined the Royal Air Force along with Daw’s husband, John. He went on to say that both John and he were coming home on leave together. Her application for leave was already in place. She might not be able to have Christmas leave, but she had managed to get a few days before. She’d be sad to miss Christmas, but was glad the boys were getting the whole time off. They were the ones doing the real work and deserved to have a rest.
    She folded up the letter and slid it into her breast pocket. As usual, she had picked Wing Commander Hunter up at seven thirty that morning. Since he’d arrived she’d been ordered to pick him up at the same time every morning. Each day, she’d open the car door for him, he’d tell her where they were going, and that would be it. He never indulged in small talk, never asked her how she was, and never mentioned what he was doing at each of the airfields or other places he visited. And she never asked. Since the time he’d refused her leave to see her mother following the destruction of the pawn shop, she had been as cool towards him as he was towards her.
    She was presently sitting in the driver’s seat, waiting for him to return from a morning briefing at a Bomber Command air base. The moment he got back to the car he would tell her where to go next. As they drove he would spend some time writing in a notebook. All they shared was the interior of the car. Meal times seemed not to exist for Guy Hunter, and so they did not exist for her. Although her stomach rumbled, she