her to ease off, she would look at him blankly and say, ‘I have to do this, for George. Until I know for sure.’
And the day eventually arrived when she finally heard from George’s commanding officer.
Dear Miss Handford, the letter read,
In response to your request for further information in regard to George Forrester I can now be sure of the following.
On the night of --- July the ---- Platoon were engaged with the enemy for the duration of twelve hours. During this time several men witnessed George in the thick of the action, but no one reported any sighting of him after 0600 hours. It was said that he fought with exceptional bravery.
In the course of the battle we were heavily outnumbered, and the retreat was sounded. But half the platoon was caught behind enemy lines, and of those we know, a substantial number to have been captured. For the rest we must assume the worst.
After nightfall a daring group was able to make a hazardous escape over the river. But sadly, George was not of their number.
Although George’s body was never found, I have to conclude that he perished in that battle in the early hours of the morning of June --- Rest assured that he died a hero.
Yours …
Connie put the letter down, and for the first time in months her facade crumbled.
Lily and Edward both caught her as she fell, and Lily gently took her up to bed.
This wretched war, Edward wrote in his diary, when will it ever end? I fear so badly for Harry. He keeps saying he wants to enlist, and though I know it will break Lily’s heart, I also know he wants to do his duty. How can I stop him from doing what he believes to be right?
Lily’s diary, September 1917
Today Harry left for the Front. He looked so noble in his uniform; I declare he was the most handsome young man there. But oh! He looked so young. Too young to be going off to fight. I cannot bear it. He was so cheerful and jolly as he left, giving me a hug and a kiss and promising to write soon. He thinks it is all one big adventure. His father and I know so different. And as I waved him off, trying to fight back the tears so he could not see them, I was overcome with a cold terror. I feel as I did all those years ago when I lost my babies. I have let something precious slip through my fingers. What will I do if I never see my beloved boy again?
Chapter Twenty-One
The party was in full swing by the time Lauren got there. Kezzie had invited several of the committee, and Eileen was talking enthusiastically about the work that had been done.
‘Have you seen what these young people have achieved?’ she was saying. ‘The gardens haven’t looked this good in years.’
Lauren took the girls’ hands and wandered through the throng to find Kezzie pouring drinks in the kitchen and talking nineteen to the dozen. She seemed a bit merry already when Lauren said hello, but soon composed herself and pointed Lauren in the direction of the garden so the girls could run around.
Lauren got drinks for the girls and headed outside. Kezzie had lit up the garden with fairy lights, strategically placed among the bushes, and set her garden chairs out on the patio in between the planters, which Kezzie had recently planted up with heartsease, primula and a few petunias. It looked lovely.
‘Ooh pretty,’ said the girls, clapping their hands in delight. They were pleased to find Sam toddling outside, watched by an eagle-eyed Joel. She was pleased to see him too. Too often these days their exchanges were fleeting.
‘Where’s Troy?’
‘I’ve no idea,’ said Lauren, feeling put out that that should be the first thing Joel asked. It felt like she’d not seen Joel for ages, and she’d been looking forward to a proper chat. ‘Why should I?’
‘Oh. I thought you’d have come with him,’ said Joel.
‘Why would I do that?’ said Lauren, slightly puzzled. What on earth was Joel getting at?
‘It’s just that you seem joined at the hip these days,’ said Joel.
‘What?’ Now Lauren was really bewildered.
‘Just – I thought—’ Joel’s voice trailed off. ‘Never mind what I thought.’
‘Oh my God. You think Troy and I are back together,’ said Lauren, the penny dropping. She felt furious that Joel would assume such a thing, conveniently forgetting that in moments of weakness this didn’t seem such a bad idea. ‘Well, I can assure you categorically that we’re not.’
‘He just seems to be around such a lot,’ said Joel. ‘I was worried about you. And I just assumed …’
‘Well don’t,’ said Lauren. ‘Don’t assume.’
There was an angry silence. Lauren was infuriated that Joel of all people should be interfering in her life.
‘I can look after myself you know,’ said Lauren.
‘I’m not saying you can’t,’ said Joel. ‘I was just worried that given your past with Troy, he might muck you around again. I care about you, Lauren – as a friend. I’d hate to see that.’
‘Well, a) Troy is the father of my children, so of course I will be seeing a lot of him,’ said Lauren, ‘and b) it is possible for a person to change you know, and c) it’s none of your damned business.’
‘I’m sorry,’ said Joel, looking wretched. ‘I only want to help. I’m not sure that Troy is all that good for you.’
Lauren’s fury erupted. ‘You’re not jealous, are you? My God. I actually think you are. Come on girls, we’re going home.’
‘But we want to play with Sam,’ said the girls.
‘Five minutes,’ said Lauren. ‘And then we have to go.’
She glared at Joel, who looked back at her, unhappily. Why did he have to go and ruin things?
At 9 p.m. Joel decided to call it a day. Sam had crashed in his buggy and Lauren, the only person he really wanted to talk to, had long since gone. He’d tried to apologize again, but she wouldn’t have it. He was aware that in his misery, he’d probably had a bit too much to drink. Whoops. Drunk in charge of a toddler. At least he’d had the sense to walk; he should be able to make it home in one piece.
Joel was usually so circumspect with his drinking, worrying ever since Claire had died that if he got in the habit of drinking heavily he would be in trouble. But Lauren had rattled him tonight. It was as though a veil had been drawn from his eyes. Lauren was right. He was, he realized, very jealous. While Kezzie had come along like a catalyst, to open up his eyes to the fact that he could start to live again, he suddenly understood that all along there’d been someone special right under his nose.
Lauren was the one person who’d been there for him more than anyone else since Claire died. She’d loved Claire too, and in the early days she had patiently listened to him talking endlessly about her. She had been great with Sam too, treating him like one of her own children. How could he have been so blind? All this time he’d
