Darkest Before Dawn Episode 02
As Edward pushed open the gate, Isobel spotted their mother standing at the open back door, pinny on, arms folded.
“Uh oh,” she said. “I think we’re late.”
They put their bikes in the shed with a clatter and hurried inside.
The back gate banged open and Isobel’s little brother, Sidney, bolted in.
“Shoes, Sidney!” Maud shouted. “They’re covered in mud!”
“Don’t worry, Mum. I’ll polish them later,” Edward said. “We want him looking smart tomorrow, don’t we?”
“Don’t remind me,” Maud muttered.
Alf sat at the table reading the newspaper. He was in his work clothes as he was due on board his ship, where he was the cook, later.
“We were going to go swimming,” Sidney said breathlessly. “But the tide went out.”
“It does that.” Alf lowered the paper and looked at his younger son. “If you end up somewhere near water, don’t assume swimming will be like it is here.”
“I hadn’t thought of that!” Maud cried. “Oh, Sidney, promise me you won’t drown.”
“He’s not as daft as he looks, Mum,” Isobel said. “Anyway, I expect he’ll be too busy for swimming.”
Isobel could see Maud had made an extra special tea, as it would be Sidney’s last at home for a while.
“Crab sandwiches?” Sidney asked, reaching out with a grubby hand that Maud slapped.
“Wash your hands!”
“It’s only a bit of dirt,” Sidney huffed.
“Don’t try me, Sidney.”
Alf sat up straight, folded his newspaper and tossed it to one side.
“Things aren’t looking good,” he said, which was what he always said when he’d read the news.
“I saw some of the Jewish refugees coming in on the ferry,” Isobel said.
“Poor things.” Maud sighed.
Sidney sat down. His hands still weren’t what Isobel would call clean, but they were much improved.
“Do you think there’ll be a war, Dad?” Edward asked.
“No stopping it now, son.”
“I wish they’d get on with it.” Edward sounded fed up.
“Mrs Honeywell was saying her boys joined up this week when she came in for some buttons,” Isobel said.
“At least the boy will be safe.” Alf nodded towards Sidney. “As long as he behaves himself.”
Maud stared at her empty plate and Isobel saw she’d gone pale.
“Will you stop with all this talk of wars and joining up?” Maud cried at last, tears in her eyes. “I don’t want to hear it!”
“Can’t stop it happening, Maud,” Alf returned.
“The sooner the better,” Isobel said. “Things need to be sorted out, Mum.
“Maybe if there’s a war, children won’t have to be sent away goodness knows where.”
“Anyway,” Edward put in, “I’ll be joining up soon, but before that I’m getting married.”
Alf chortled.
“Anyone we know?”
“She’s called Tilly,” Edward said. “Matilda Blair.”
Isobel was aware that her mother had fallen silent, and she wasn’t sure if it was the news of him joining up or getting married that had caused it.
“You won’t know her,” Edward went on. “She’s new round here, but I’ve known her long enough to know I love her and she loves me.”
“She’s really nice, Mum,” Isobel said reassuringly.
“You’ve met her? Well, that’s nice, isn’t it?” Maud didn’t sound at all as if she thought it was nice.
“Isobel, do you want to cut the cake?” Maud changed the subject. “I’ll pack up what’s left and Sidney can take it with him tomorrow.”
“What about me?” Alf asked. “You usually give me a bit to take on board.”
He wilted under Maud’s glare.
“Let the boy have it.”