“Better being honest about things like this, Sally. Well-meaning gestures such as the lady sending on Harry’s letter could have landed both of them in a lot of hot water.”
“You won’t turn the lady in, now will you, Constable?”
“How could I?” Constable Halton winked at her. “You haven’t told me anything other than you found out where Harry was.”
Sally vowed to bake a cake, if she could find the ingredients, for the lovely constable. His wife had died years back and she guessed he didn’t get around to home-cooking.
“Will you come for dinner one evening, Constable. When you are free? I’d like Tom and Liesl to see that not all men in uniform are like the ones that put them on the train.”
“I would be honored. Thank you kindly.”
Sally hesitated, hoping she wasn’t asking too much, but Harry had specifically asked her to find out. “I have another question. Harry asked about a friend of his who might have been on the Arandora Star.”
The constable’s facial expression changed so fast, Sally faltered and then started speaking way too quickly.
“This man, he was very kind to Harry. In fact, he stopped Harry being put on the ship. It would mean a lot to Harry if he knew he’d survived.”
“And what if he didn’t? Isn’t the lad safer not knowing.”
Sally considered her answer. “In times like this, I think honesty is the best policy. We can’t protect Harry, Rachel, and all the other children who will suffer in this war.”
The constable stared down at the pile of papers on the desk in front of him. She took up a pen and wrote Mr. Hillman’s name on a piece of paper and left it beside Halton’s hand. She looked him in the eyes before adding, “I’m glad we have people like you to look after us, Constable Halton.”
She walked away without waiting for him to speak having guessed he was finding it difficult to find any words.
29
8 May 1945
Sally stood at the bedroom door, watching Liesl sleep. The street party was still going on when she had taken the children home, Liesl asleep in her arms and Tom protesting he wasn’t tired despite his big yawns.
With both children in bed, Sally couldn’t keep a smile on her face. It thrilled her the war in Europe was over, but what would be the consequences for her? She could lose those most dear to her. What would she do if Trudi or the Red Cross arrived on her doorstep to take these children away?
Liesl didn’t even speak German, having forgotten the language. Tom wasn’t fluent, but maybe he would remember when surrounded by native speakers.
Sally wiped a tear from her face as she remembered the two frightened little children she had welcomed in her home and her heart. They had grown so much in the last six years, developing their own personalities.
She moved to the bed as Liesl moaned in her sleep. Pulling the sheet back over the sleeping child, she kissed her on the head. “Sleep well and have lovely dreams.” She murmured as Liesl snuggled into her teddy.
As she left the bedroom, Tom called her.
“Aunt Sally, is that you?”
“Yes darling, sorry did I wake you?” she walked into his room, over to his bedside.
“No. I had a nightmare. Someone came to take us away. You won’t let that happen, will you?”
Sally’s chest tightened. “I don’t want anyone to separate us, Tom. I love you.”
At some point she may have to explain to him, he’d have to leave, but this wasn’t it. Children’s fears magnified at night, and he needed his sleep.
“I had a fabulous day, Aunt Sally. I can’t remember ever eating so much.”
Sally laughed. “You did eat a lot. Do you have a pain in your tummy?”
“Not anymore. I did earlier, but it’s gone now.” He sat up in the bed and offered his arms for a hug. She tried to hide her surprise. In the last couple of months, Tom had stopped giving anyone hugs, claiming he was far too old.
Sally hugged him before ruffling his hair. “You should go back to sleep. It will be morning soon.”
“Aunt Sally, I’m glad I’m not leaving. I’m the man of the house now, and my job is to protect you and Liesl. At least until Harry comes back.” Tom stared into her eyes. “He will come back, won’t he?”
“He will, darling, but not for a while yet. The war may be over, but there will be lots for our soldiers to do. Why don’t you write to him tomorrow? He’d love a letter from you. You can tell him all about your antics.”
At his troubled expression, her heart twisted. “What is it?”
“I don’t think I should tell him about going to London to see a flying bomb. He will be angry. I can’t tell him about going to the crashed plane and trying to get a souvenir. He wouldn’t understand. He’s a grownup.”
Sally bit back her smile, trying to be serious. “Tom, he’d be as worried as I was. The flying bombs killed lots of people and you running away to London caused a lot of worry.” She saw his eyes glistening. “But you had the sense to go to the police and tell them you couldn’t get home. That was very sensible and mature. Harry would be proud of you. Just like I am. Now go to sleep, darling.” She bent and kissed his head, pulling the sheet and blankets around his shoulder. Just as he liked.
He yawned and whispered goodnight. She sat on his bed until she heard his breathing deepen into sleep. She could smile now at his antics over the last few years. He was a typical boy and wanted to see the bomb sites in London and get souvenirs of shrapnel and bombs. At least he hadn’t brought a live grenade into school like some children up in London. It wasn’t their fault. They’d only known what it was like to live in
