Homecoming

by Ellie Dean

  ‘You are very kind, Jack. Thank you so much.’

  He shot her a wink and ran back through the rain to the truck and within minutes he’d gone.

  Danuta stowed her bike in the shelter of the portico and carried her medical bag into the mansion which had been turned into a respite hospital for those who were not yet well enough to be released to their homes. Stanislaw’s room was at the back of the building on the ground floor, and as she made her way there she exchanged greetings with many of the patients and nursing staff she’d come to know over the years since her return to England.

  She saw Sister Brown in the corridor, and knowing she was looking after Stanislaw, she stopped to talk to her.

  ‘Hello, Danuta. How lovely to see you. You’re looking very well, I must say.’

  ‘Thank you, but I am worried about Stanislaw,’ she replied. ‘Is he not well?’

  Sister Brown bit her lip, clearly reluctant to discuss her patient even though it was with another nurse. ‘He’s been better,’ she hedged. ‘The doctor has prescribed total bed rest.’

  ‘He has done too much, I think.’

  ‘Look, Danuta, I shouldn’t really be telling you this, but as you’re a nurse and he has no family to care about him, I should warn you he isn’t in a good way.’

  Danuta’s pulse thudded and she felt the colour drain from her face. ‘What has happened?’

  ‘He’s been overdoing everything – especially the drinking – and he’s not been taking care of his stumps properly and doing too much walking; consequently, he has to go without his prosthetics until the stumps are healed. He also has a chest infection which we’re monitoring closely in case it turns to pneumonia.’

  She took a breath and let it out on a sigh. ‘All in all, Danuta, he’s a sick man and we’re all worried about him.’

  ‘I must see him. I can go now?’

  ‘Don’t be too hard on him, Danuta. He’s had an earful from the doctors as well as me, and knows he’s been a silly billy.’

  Danuta had never heard that expression before, but could guess what it meant. She thanked Sister Brown and hurried down the corridor to Stanislaw’s room. Knocking lightly on the door, she waited a moment and when there was no reply, she opened it a crack and peeked in.

  Stanislaw was lying in bed on his back fast asleep and gently snoring. The bottom half of his body was hidden beneath sheets and blankets which had been tented over a metal frame to keep the weight off his stumps.

  Danuta closed the door softly behind her and crept to the bedside chair. Sitting down, she noted how drawn and strangely vulnerable he looked. There was a series of drips attached to his arms, and there was a catheter tube and bag fixed to the base of the bed to monitor his urine output. It looked suspiciously cloudy, but she couldn’t see any blood in it which was a huge relief.

  She settled back in the chair and watched him sleeping, only just resisting the urge to stroke back the dark curl of hair which was flopping over his brows, and struggling not to keep looking at his naked, muscled chest which rose and fell above the bedding. He was a lovely, vibrant bear of a man with such a vast capacity for love and life that it tore at her heart to see him like this.

  Shocked by her reaction and the strong emotions that washed over her, she reached for one of the many books piled on the bedside cabinet and tried to concentrate on something else. But although the book was in Polish and the story was a familiar and much-loved one, her concentration kept slipping and she found herself gazing at his chest, wondering what that golden skin would feel like beneath her fingers.

  The warmth in the room and the gentle rhythm of his snoring must have sent her to sleep, for she jolted awake to find he was leaning on his side watching her with great interest, the sheet now barely covering his hips.

  ‘Ah, so my sleeping beauty awakes,’ he said and smiled.

  ‘I didn’t mean to go to sleep,’ she protested, tearing her gaze from that flat belly and the line of hair tracing its way beneath the sheet. ‘But it’s warm and airless in here and it’s been a long morning.’

  ‘Of course, of course,’ he replied, nodding his great head and pulling the sheet up to his chest. ‘I will ask the nurse to bring us some tea.’

  ‘Only if you want some,’ she said, flustered.

  His gaze captured her like a moth in a web, his eyes dark and so mesmeric she couldn’t look away. ‘We both have a thirst, little one,’ he murmured in Polish. ‘I have seen how you look at me when you think I am sleeping, and I wish very much to taste the nectar of your lips.’

  She went scarlet and it took all her willpower to tear her gaze away. ‘Don’t talk such nonsense, Stanislaw,’ she retorted briskly. ‘You’re in no fit state to kiss anyone, and I’m in no mood for your … your shenanigans,’ she blustered.

  He chuckled and she was sorely tempted to slap him.

  ‘It’s no laughing matter,’ she went on in rapid Polish. ‘Look what you’ve done to yourself, you silly man. Why can’t you behave yourself instead of causing so much worry and making yourself ill?’

  ‘You are worried about me? That’s nice,’ he sighed.

  ‘It’s not nice,’ she snapped. ‘How dare you lie there and flirt with me when you could be at death’s door? And all through your own stupidity. You’ve got to stop drinking so much, Stanislaw, and not push things so hard you damage your stumps to the point where you have to go without your prosthetics.’ She could feel the tears coming and was unable to stop them. ‘You’re killing yourself, Stan,’ she rasped. ‘Please, please stop it.’

  He reached for her hand, his face lined with deep concern. ‘Please don’t cry. I cannot bear to see your tears.’

  She snatched away her hand and swiped at her shaming tears. ‘Do you promise you’ll stop drinking so much and take things slower?’

  He sat up in the bed and reached for her hands again to gently draw her towards him, his expression solemn. ‘I promise on the souls of my family that I will be sensible about my drinking and behave from this day on,’ he said. ‘But may I ask something of you, Danuta?’

  She blinked away her tears. ‘Of course,’ she murmured.

  ‘Could you love me?’ he asked. ‘Could you love this broken man with no legs who can only be a burden to you, but who loves you with all his heart, all his soul and every fibre of his being?’

  The tears streamed down her face and she nodded wordlessly as her own heart and soul reached out to him. ‘But only if you keep your promise to behave,’ she managed.

  ‘It is a promise to keep now I know we will be together someday.’ He didn’t attempt to kiss her, but drew her into his arms and held her so close she could feel his heart beating against her own.

  In that moment Danuta knew she’d come home, and regardless of the trials ahead, she would love and treasure this man until her last breath.

  Rita softly closed the door and looked up at Peter with a grin. ‘I told you there was something going on between those two,’ she whispered. ‘But I think we should keep this to ourselves for now, or Peggy will be planning a wedding before you can blink.’ She took his hand. ‘Come on, let’s get out of here and leave them to it. He doesn’t need our daily visit now.’

  ‘She’ll have a hard time of it keeping him in order,’ said Peter as they retraced their steps to the front door. ‘Stan can get wild at times.’

  ‘That’s what put him back in bed,’ said Rita. ‘But Danuta’s tough. She won’t stand any nonsense.’

  They stood beneath the portico and watched the rain teeming down to form puddles on the driveway and gurgle through the drainpipes. ‘So, what are we going to do for the rest of the day, Pete?’ she asked, pulling on her leather gloves. ‘I don’t fancy riding about in this, and I can’t really face poor old Dad with his sad eyes and forced smiles.’

  He put his arm round her shoulders and nuzzled her neck. ‘Let’s go back home to bed. Seeing Stan and Danuta like that has given me ideas.’

  Rita giggled and dug him in the ribs w
ith her elbow. ‘You don’t need them to give you ideas, you naughty man,’ she teased. She pulled on her crash helmet and fastened the ancient flying jacket up to her neck. ‘So what are you waiting for?’

  They ran out into the rain and clambered onto the motorbike. With Rita’s arms around his waist and her body resting tightly against his back, Pete kick-started the engine and sped for home.

  14

  ‘Do stand still, Charlie, for goodness’ sake,’ hissed Peggy, tugging at his sleeve. ‘How can I be expected to see if this blazer fits properly if you keep fidgeting?’

  ‘I’m fed up, Mum. It fits all right. I don’t know why you’re fussing.’

  ‘It fits now, but it won’t in a year’s time,’ she retorted. ‘Not with the way you’re growing.’ She pulled the blazer off and hurried out of the changing room in search of one that was a bigger size.

  The new grammar school term would start tomorrow, and this was the first time she’d managed to pin Charlie down long enough to get him kitted out in his uniform. The price of it all was quite shocking, and because he was so big, she had to find suitable shirts, trousers and shoes in the men’s department, which meant using up the precious clothing coupons Sarah and Jane had so generously donated for the cause.

  She hurried back to the changing room, aware that her lunch hour was rapidly dwindling. ‘Let’s see if this one has some room to grow in it,’ she ordered her grumpy son.

  Charlie dragged the blazer on and stood in stoic silence as she buttoned it up and checked the length of the sleeves.

  ‘That will have to do,’ she said on a sigh. ‘It’s the biggest they’ve got. Is there anything else you’ll need?’

  ‘Football kit,’ he said gloomily. ‘And my rugby boots are pinching my toes.’

  Peggy closed her eyes momentarily and took a breath. She’d known this expedition would be costly, but hadn’t realised how quickly it would all mount up. ‘Do you really need football kit? Won’t they let you off as you’re in the local rugby team?’ she asked hopefully.

  He eyed her patiently. ‘The school plays football, and I don’t want to be seen as different to the others. I might not like the game, but I can play it well enough to get by.’

  Understanding how important it was for him to mix in with the others, Peggy took him down to the sportswear department. With everything wrapped up and the bill paid, she loaded it all into Charlie’s arms. ‘You’ll have to carry that home. I’ve got to go back to work,’ she said briskly. ‘And don’t just dump it on the floor, hang it up properly.’

  Charlie rolled his eyes and gave a deep sigh before striding out of Plummers and down the High Street.

  Peggy watched him go, thinking once again how very much like his father he was. They shared the same broad shoulders, narrow waist and long legs – the same dark hair and jaunty walk. Realising she was wasting time, she snapped out of her day-dreaming and headed up the hill to the factory estate.

  Jack was standing in the doorway of his workshop, staring gloomily out at nothing in particular, his thoughts clearly on Rita’s departure for Australia tomorrow.

  Peggy didn’t stop, for he didn’t look as if he wanted company, and she would see him later anyway. They had all been invited to Jack’s bungalow for supper, so they could ensure that Rita and Peter’s last night in Cliffehaven went with a swing. Though she doubted Jack would enjoy it much, poor man.

  With her thoughts focused on Jack, she almost missed seeing Pauline emerge from the Red Cross offices, laughing and chatting rather flirtatiously with a silver-haired, handsome man she could only assume was one of her bosses. About to dodge round a corner to avoid her, she realised it was too late. Pauline had spotted her and was now purposefully heading her way.

  With very little enthusiasm, she went to meet her sister-in-law, already planning a speedy escape. ‘Hello, Pauline. How are you?’ she asked with a brittle smile.

  ‘Extremely well,’ she replied coolly. ‘And you?’

  ‘Muddling on as usual,’ said Peggy, noting the other woman’s carefully applied make-up and smart suit. ‘Sorry, Pauline, but I can’t stop to chat. I’m already late getting back to work.’

  Pauline’s smile was frosty. ‘Always busy, aren’t you? Rushing here and there without much thought for others.’

  Peggy bridled. ‘What do you mean by that?’

  Pauline pursed her scarlet lips and patted her tightly permed hair. ‘I was expecting you to call in and see how I was after I had to leave Doris’s reception so hurriedly,’ she said.

  ‘It never occurred to me that you’d appreciate a visit after the last time we crossed swords,’ said Peggy with equal coolness. ‘Besides, Frank told me you’d been to see that headache specialist and he’d passed you fit.’

  ‘That’s no thanks to you,’ snapped Pauline. ‘You should think twice before slapping people, Peggy. It could do a great deal of damage.’

  ‘To your ego, maybe, but clearly not much else,’ retorted Peggy, eyeing the tailored suit and high heels. ‘How are Brendon and his little family?’

  ‘They’re very cosy in their new house – not that I go there often – I don’t feel welcome. But I’m sure Frank’s told you all about it.’

  ‘Look, Pauline, if there’s nothing in particular you needed to say to me, then I really must be going.’

  ‘Well, I do have something to tell you, actually. I’ve been offered another very important promotion,’ she announced with a glint in her eyes. ‘Which is one in the eye for you and Mother, as neither of you thought I was good for anything. But I’ll let Frank tell you all about it as you seem to prefer talking to him rather than me.’ With that, she stalked off, head held high and handbag swinging.

  Peggy turned to watch her in astonishment. ‘What the hell was that all about?’ she muttered before shaking her head and going into the factory.

  Sitting behind her desk in her glassed-off cubicle, Peggy sat and watched the women who were busy at their machines. The workings of Pauline’s mind had always been difficult to fathom, and frankly, Peggy had given up trying. She was an unpleasant, selfish woman who’d alienated her only surviving son, her mother and her sister, and made poor Frank’s life a misery. It was no wonder he spent most nights at sea in the trawler.

  Jack had taken his time to wash and shave and clean the dirt and grease from beneath his nails before getting dressed. He could hear Rita and Peter talking in the kitchen and could smell the turkey roasting in the oven, but the last thing he needed tonight was food – or company – and he was dreading having to smile and pretend that everything was all right.

  He regarded his reflection in the bedroom mirror and plastered on a smile which was more of a grimace really, but that couldn’t be helped. He didn’t want to upset Rita and spoil her last night in England, so it was time to pull himself together, ignore his bruised heart and get on with it.

  He emerged from the bedroom just as Rita opened the door to Peggy, Cordelia, Danuta, Daisy, Ron and Rosie. ‘Glad to see you all,’ he said with forced cheerfulness. ‘It’s going to be a bit of a squash, so we’ve put up a trestle table in the sitting room and borrowed chairs from the scout hut.’

  They all trooped in as Rita picked up Daisy to give her a kiss and cuddle, and Peter rushed to make sure everyone had a drink.

  ‘Here you go, Jack,’ said Ron, handing over a crate of bottled beer. ‘And there’s a nip of the hard stuff to stiffen your spine,’ he added quietly, slipping him a half-bottle of gin. ‘Just don’t let Cordelia catch sight of that or she’ll have the lot.’ He winked, patted his arm and followed the others into the sitting room.

  Jack managed to survive the evening by letting Peter and Rita do the honours as hosts, and drinking his way through several bottles of beer. He laughed at the jokes, joined in with the reminiscences of Rita’s childhood, and even supplied a story or two of his lighter moments and mishaps during his time in the army. However, he hadn’t really tasted any of the meal Rita had cooked so beautifully, and was fully
aware of the surreptitious looks of concern Peggy and Ron kept darting at him. They understood what he was going through, but thankfully had said nothing.

  ‘By the way, Danuta,’ he said during a lull in the conversation. ‘I was up at the Cliffe estate yesterday to look over the cars Lord Cliffe took on in the deal he did with Chumley’s receivers. And there’s a nice little Austin 7 with low mileage on the clock and a good service history which I thought might suit you.’

  ‘How much does Lord Cliffe want for it?’ she asked, blushing at being the centre of attention.

  ‘Fifty quid,’ he replied, ignoring the fact it was worth three times that.

  ‘You are sure of this?’ she asked with a frown.

  ‘Lord Cliffe wants shot of all of them quickly so I paid for a job lot,’ he said airily.

  ‘Is good car?’ she asked, clearly still suspicious that he was asking too little for it.

  ‘Chumley bought it for his housekeeper and she rarely used it. I’ll give it a good tune-up, and you’ll be all set.’

  ‘I’d snap it up if I were you,’ said Rita. ‘Think how easy it will be to do your rounds and get up to Cliffe to see Stan without having to cycle about in all weathers.’ She grinned naughtily at Danuta. ‘How is he, by the way?’

  Danuta went a deep scarlet and couldn’t meet her gaze. ‘He is not very well. The doctor says he needs to take things very quietly for a while.’

  ‘You’d better warn him that Doris will be back from her honeymoon next week and is planning to ask him round for dinner,’ said Peggy.

  ‘Stanislaw is not well enough for that,’ said Danuta firmly. ‘He has much to do before he is fully recovered.’

  She looked across at Jack. ‘May I take a drive in the car before I buy it?’ she asked. ‘Only I have not driven since I was in Poland and will find it strange to be on wrong side of road.’

  ‘I’ll take you out early Sunday morning for a test drive while there’s not much traffic about,’ said Jack. ‘You’ll soon get the hang of it again.’