Darkest Before Dawn Episode 35
“Pass it to me, Tilly!” Isobel called down from the top of the ladder.
Her hair gleamed in the May sunshine and she had been caught up in the euphoric mood that gripped the nation now that the war in Europe was over.
“Be careful,” Tilly said, standing on her toes to pass Isobel the end of the bunting she’d just dropped. “Don’t lean out like that!”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many flags,” Isobel remarked as she attached the bunting to the street light. “Isn’t it wonderful?”
“Come down,” Tilly urged her. “It would be awful if you fell and broke your neck today of all days.”
“I’m not going to fall,” Isobel said as the ladder wobbled. “But perhaps I’ll come down now.
“Look at Sidney!”
Her brother was carrying a table down the street on his own. He’d changed so much.
He no longer had to be nagged into washing, but was always clean and tidy, and for ever checking his hair in the mirror.
Peter was running behind him, clutching a sheet to be used as a tablecloth.
Maud came out of their house with a plate of sandwiches and looked for a table to put them on.
The whole street was a hive of activity, with tables being set out and covered in cloths, and food being brought out of every door.
“Auntie Rose!” Isobel called out, waving as her aunt turned the corner into the street on the arm of
Dr Kirby.
They made such a handsome couple and had settled in the town shortly after their marriage.
Dr Kirby had joined a general practice and Rose was working at the cottage hospital.
“The family are all coming home,” Isobel murmured as Alf and another neighbour appeared with chairs.
Someone was playing music and a few were singing along.
“It won’t be long until we’re all together again,” Tilly remarked.
Later, the party was in full swing with the sound of the happy voices of children mixing with the laughter of adults against the background of joyful music.
There was more than enough food for everyone, and Isobel took a slice of fruitcake.
But all the noise and bustle and music faded away as she looked towards the end of the road and saw a young man heading their way.
He saw her and pulled off his hat, gripping it in his hands.
For a moment she felt as if she’d never breathe again.
The fruitcake slipped from her hand and fell to the ground.
But then the noise flooded back in and she grabbed Tilly’s arm.
“Tilly!” She gasped.
“What is it?” Tilly laughed. “Too much cake?”
“No.” Isobel could hardly get the word out.
Rose, concerned, came to check she was OK, and Maud appeared at her side.
“What is it?” they asked.
One by one they looked in the direction Isobel was facing, then Tilly shouted out, “Eddie!”
Tilly ran into his arms, and they took turns to hug him before he lifted Peter up on to his shoulders.
“I’ve been back for a few days,” Eddie explained.
“I got wounded and sent home, but it’s nothing terrible. I’m on the mend and I’m back for good.
“A lot of the lads are still stuck overseas and could be for some time, so I feel lucky that bullet got me when it did.”
“Bullet?”
Isobel thought Maud was going to faint and she quickly put her arm around her.
“It got me in the side,” he said dismissively. “But it missed everything important!”
“You shouldn’t be carrying Peter,” James said, for a moment becoming a doctor instead of an uncle.
“Maybe not, but I’ve missed my boy so much and it doesn’t hurt,” Eddie insisted. “It’s so good to be home.”
Isobel was over the moon that Eddie was home for good and safe, but there was still one person left to come home. Stefan.
She looked to the end of the street, hoping for another miracle on this special day, but it wasn’t to be.