Darkest Before Dawn Episode 31
Maud’s feet ached, but it didn’t stop her hurrying home after a long shift in the WVS canteen.
They’d set up several around the town, and she’d worked extra hours helping to feed the troops that now filled the streets.
Something big was happening. There was a feeling of anticipation in the air and the roads were lined with Army vehicles.
She quickened her pace, wanting to be home.
At the same time, she looked searchingly at every vehicle she passed, hoping to see a familiar face.
Eddie’s face. She’d been hoping to see him all day.
The last big thing to happen in their lives was 10 months ago, when Stefan had left to join the fighting after the Allies took Sicily.
Isobel had been down in the dumps for so long after he’d gone. Was it too much to hope that he was here, too?
There was almost a sense of joy amongst the men, and some of them called out to Maud as she passed.
She lifted her hand to wave to them, her heart sinking when she realised they were strangers.
The men were someone’s sons or husbands or brothers.
Most must have someone at home worrying about them, not knowing where they were or where they were going.
If Eddie were somewhere like this, she’d hope people would have time for a friendly wave for him.
Children were out to see the soldiers, chatting with them in groups. It was almost like a carnival atmosphere.
But where were they going and why were they here?
She put on a smile and said hello to everyone she passed.
She had the feeling that, in this June of 1944, something important was about to happen, as if the end were near.
The wind whipped up and pulled at her hair, and Maud quickly tied on a headscarf.
It felt chilly and it was trying to rain. She didn’t want to arrive home looking as if she’d been dragged through a hedge.
There were vehicles parked along her road, normally a quiet place, and she had her heart in her mouth.
It was exciting and frightening, and had stirred up all sorts of emotions.
Perhaps little Peter would like to come out to see the soldiers.
As she stepped into the house, she heard her grandson laughing.
Peter was almost four now. Born during the war, he’d grown up knowing nothing else, but he was such a cheerful little soul.
Hearing his voice never failed to put a smile on her face.
She walked into the sitting-room and stopped dead.
It felt as if the breath had been knocked from her lungs.
Her heart seemed to judder to a stop as her brain refused to accept the sight before her eyes.
It was Eddie, sitting in an armchair with Peter on his knee.
The little boy was wearing Eddie’s hat and was clutching the crumpled photo of his dad he carried everywhere in his pocket.
He held it up to Eddie’s face with one hand as if he couldn’t believe he was real.
Sidney sat quietly on the other side of the room, staring at his brother, completely lost for words for the first time in his life.
Tilly just gazed adoringly at her husband.
“Hello, Mum,” Eddie said, and Maud squealed as everything about her came back to life and she ran to him.
She gathered him and Peter in her arms, knocking the hat to the floor.
When all had calmed down, Eddie began to explain.
“My commanding officer has allowed me a short while to come to say hello and goodbye. I wanted to see you all before we go.”
“Go where?” Maud asked.
“I can’t say, Mum,” he replied. “But, as you can see, I’m fit and well.”
The door was flung open and Isobel burst in, shouting from the hall.
“Have you seen all the soldiers? They’re all over town!
“There isn’t a street that isn’t . . .” Her voice faded away as she entered the sitting-room and saw her brother.
“Eddie! Oh, Eddie!”
There were yet more tears, then Isobel touched Maud’s arm.
“Perhaps we should leave Eddie, Tilly and Peter to have some time together before he goes.”
“No,” Tilly said firmly. “He doesn’t just belong to me. We should all make the most of him while we can.”
That set Maud off crying again.