Sally didn’t want to discuss the last war. She quickly steered the conversation back to the matter in hand, addressing the Reverend. “Those other boys, the ones I left on the farm. What will happen to them?”
“We,” The Reverend glanced at the men, “will go there now. I am very disappointed with two regular churchgoers. I will appeal to their better natures.”
“Good luck with that, Reverend,” Sally muttered but she sensed he heard her, as his eyes widened but he didn’t argue. She had to be alone. To grab a couple of seconds to process everything before she had to put on a smile for the younger children.
“I best get home and get some water on for that young man’s bath. Thank you for looking after the children, Maggie.”
“Pleasure. They were darlings, all three of them. Ruth played mother, Tomas was a soldier, and Liesl was her usual happy self. A little ray of sunshine.”
Tears made her voice shake. “Thank you all. Reverend be gentle with those boys, they are terrified. Constable, Mr. Dalton threatened me.”
“What did he say he’d do?”
“He said Derek wasn’t here to protect me so I should go home and mind my own business.” Sally didn’t add what Aggie had said about her mother. She’d tell that to Maggie when they were alone.
“I shall remind Dalton that your husband is away fighting for our country. If you have any more trouble from him, Mrs. Matthews you are to tell me right away. Can’t have anyone threatening nice young ladies, like that.”
Sally blushed, although the constable was old enough to be her father. “Ask Rachel to drop the children home for me, will you please, Maggie?” Sally called, as she walked out the door.
“I’ll call to check on you later, Sally,” Maggie said. Sally heard her tell the constable to get Dalton on a short leash as she wouldn’t be held accountable if he touched a hair on Sally’s head.
Good old Maggie, she was always there when she needed her. Sally strolled to her own house, trying to get her emotions in check before she went inside. She had to be strong for the child waiting for her. Despite his fifteen years and his conviction he was old enough to look after himself, she sensed he was terrified. Who wouldn’t be, given his experiences?
21
She opened her front door, calling out to let Harry know she was home. She didn’t want to scare him.
One glimpse at his face told her he’d been crying but she sensed he’d rather she ignored that. She headed straight into the kitchen.
“Would you like a sandwich while I heat the water for your bath? Dinner won’t be ready for a while.”
“I can wait. Thank you, Aunt Sally.” He gave her a hesitant smile.
“You can call me Sally. You’re a man, after all.”
He smiled again, completely transforming his face. She could see he’d be handsome once he got regular good food and lost the haunted look from his eyes. How could anyone hurt this child and others like him? She pushed those thoughts aside. She had to concentrate on the tasks at hand, as dissolving into a puddle of tears wouldn’t help either of them.
“The bath is upstairs, in the bathroom.” She pinched herself as she said it. Rose cottage was the first home she’d had with an indoor bathroom. Shivering, she thought of the old days in her grandmother’s house, when she’d had to fill a tin bath with water, bathe, and then empty it out again. Now, thanks to Derek’s talents as a handyman and his savings, she enjoyed all the luxuries. “But it will take a while to get enough hot water. Sit down and I will make you a drink.”
He smiled, as he took a seat at the table.
“You are kind. Tomas has grown very big. Baby too.”
“They are wonderful children.” She turned to face him. “Both of them.”
He nodded. “I will keep my word.”
Relaxing slightly, she started preparing the dinner. Although he’d said no to a sandwich, she gave him one anyway.
“When was the last time you ate?” she asked, as it disappeared in seconds.
“Yesterday. Lunchtime. Farmer said we didn’t do enough work so we couldn’t eat.”
The rage inside her built up again. She chopped the vegetables fiercely, through her tears. He stood up and took the knife from her. “You chop fingers off. Not help anyone.” He grinned as he took over preparing the vegetables.
She made them a cup of tea. When the water was hot enough, she led him to the bathroom giving him a towel and showing him where the soap was. She pointed to Derek’s shaving stuff. “You can borrow those if you want.”
He nodded, glancing around.
She pointed to the bedroom opposite. “That is a small room filled with bits and pieces, but I can clear it out for you, or you can share that one with Tomas. It is up to you.”
“I share.”
She nodded. “Put your clothes in the corner. I can wash them, although I doubt they can be saved. Do you have something else to wear?”
“My Sunday clothes.”
His tone told her everything. The Daltons couldn’t have let the boys attend church wearing the rags she had seen. She looked Harry in the eyes.
“Did you want to attend church?”
He shook his head. “We not have choice.”
“You do here. If you want to come to church, you can. If not, you don’t have to. Tomas said no, so he stays with Rachel and Ruth. They also mind Liesl.”
“You not mind?”
“Harry, you are free here. Free to make your own choices.”
She couldn’t say anything else but turned and walked down the stairs.
22
The next few months passed so peacefully, everyone found it hard to believe Britain was at war.
“Aunt Sally, we got more children in our school today. They arrived on trains and have brown paper bags with them. They are so lucky. They have
