The next morning, he was up early and when he put on his old working clothes he noted that they were loose on him. He had never put on the weight he had lost when injured, but with the amount of food here he was sure that would soon be remedied. His boots and jacket were all right, though, so he finished dressing, picked up the star tokens and tucked them in his jacket pocket, giving it a reassuring tap. He then made his way silently out of the house. He had become used to his early morning walks, and set out at a brisk pace to enjoy the open space he found so soothing.
After breakfast, he and his father flew over the ranch to see the changes that had been made in his absence, also noting where the cattle had roamed over the large expanse of land.
‘Winter is approaching fast, so we will need to arrange a round-up before the snows arrive,’ his father pointed out when they landed. ‘You’ll have to get back in the saddle again.’
‘I did ride a little in England, but only for a couple of hours at a time, and that’s a lot different from sitting on a horse all day. It won’t take me long to get back into it,’ he said confidently.
They reached the house and went straight to the study and spent the rest of the day on the business side of running such a huge spread.
Over the next couple of weeks he immersed himself in work, writing letters, eager for news from his friends and Nancy. Would she write or would she think it better to cut ties completely?
Finally, a stack of letters arrived at the same time and he sifted through them, looking for Nancy’s handwriting. Recognising it at once, he tore it open. It was a chatty letter telling him she was visiting Harry regularly, and spending as much time as possible with Jean and Sybil before they left for Canada. She hadn’t found a job yet and couldn’t decide what she wanted to do. Tom and Sally had also included a short note wishing him well, and hoping he was settling down all right. The last words Nancy had written were – Missing you all.
Yes, my darling girl, he thought, that just about sums it up. I am missing everyone as well, especially you. There were also letters from Luke and Ricky, and another from Sandy, enclosing an invitation card to his wedding in four weeks’ time, reminding him of his promise to be best man. There was one more letter in a hand he didn’t recognise. He slit it open and a couple of photographs fell out, making him chuckle softly.
His parents, who were also reading their mail, looked up, and his mother asked what had amused him. He handed over the photos and they studied the picture of a little girl holding a cabbage.
‘Sweet child. Who is she?’ his father asked. ‘And why have they sent you a picture of a roof?’
‘That’s a picture of the chimney I nearly knocked off the farmhouse when I came down.’ He just told them he had been out of fuel and had landed in the farmer’s field, and what his little daughter, Beth, had said to him, sending him off into peals of laughter at the memory. ‘She isn’t holding the rag doll this time, she’s holding up a cabbage to remind me that I ruined her father’s crop.’
‘You make it sound as if it was a huge joke, Steve, but it must have been dangerous,’ his mother said, looking slightly worried.
‘No one was hurt, and the only damage done was to the field. And what happened after was funny.’ Still smiling, he put the pictures in his wallet and changed the subject. ‘Have you received anything interesting in your mail?’
‘We’ve had a letter from Harry telling us what fun you all had at the Jolly Sailor pub.’
‘Oh, we did, Mum, you should have seen Ricky trying to do the “Lambeth Walk”. Sandy has also sent me an invitation to his wedding, and as I’ve promised to be his best man I’ll being going there for a few days. We had better start that round-up before then, Dad.’
‘You’re right. I’ll alert the men to be ready to ride out. When do you want to start?’
‘Monday, and that gives us two days to prepare. I’ll go and spread the news.’ He stood up and strode out.
As the door closed behind him, Rose gave her husband an anxious glance. ‘That is the most animated I’ve seen him since he came home. Is he all right, Bill?’
‘It’s going to take him time to adjust, my dear. We don’t know what he went through, and he’s obviously missing his friends. We must give him time and space to adjust.’
‘I realise that, but there is more to it. He isn’t happy, although he’s doing his best to convince us he is, and what about that girl he mentioned so often in his letters to us? I haven’t heard him speak of her once. I’m worried about him, darling. Something is wrong.’
‘I agree he is struggling with something, but let us hope that a few days with his friends will do him good.’
She sighed. ‘I wish he would talk to us. He just goes out walking alone.’
‘He’ll talk when he’s ready, and until then we mustn’t push him.’
On Monday morning they were up before light, and after a hearty breakfast went out to the stables, where the men were already gathering. Steve swung himself into the saddle and, riding beside his father, they set off.
For the next few days, they rode until he ached in every limb, and at night they sat around a huge fire talking and swapping stories. The men loved the round-up as much as the horses did.
They were approaching the winter home for the cattle when Steve saw a couple of steers break away from the herd, and peeled off to bring them back. He followed them for quite a way and something came into sight that made him stop short. His parents’ old house. It was tucked slightly out of the way, and he hadn’t given this place any thought for a long time. Dismounting, he walked up the path and peered in the window. It was empty and had been for some time.
‘I thought you were after strays.’
He turned as his father came up beside him. ‘I thought you were going to pull this down?’
‘Never got around to it.’ Bill gave a wry smile. ‘You were born here and it contains many happy memories. Shame to let it rot like this, though, so we ought to demolish it.’
‘Don’t do that. With a bit of work it could still be a nice home for someone. It’s on the boundary of our land, and about half an hour drive to our ranch house. Have you got the key?’
‘Not on me.’ His father gave him a speculative look. ‘Are you thinking of moving into it?’
‘No, not me, but it’s still a sturdy place and we shouldn’t let it go to ruin.’ He remounted. ‘I’ll have a look at it when we get the herd safely settled.’
It didn’t take the two of them long to round up the strays and drive the cattle to the place they would be safe for the coming winter. Some had been separated and would be sent to market, but the experienced hands would deal with that.
They walked in dirty, tired, but well pleased the job was done.
Rose raised her eyebrows when she saw them. ‘There’s plenty of hot water, so clean yourselves up and then you can eat.’
Steve stretched and grimaced. ‘I need to soak away the aches in a hot bath.’
‘Off you go. You both look as if you’ve been crawling around in the dirt, but as usual, I expect you enjoyed it.’
Bill laughed and went to kiss her, but she backed away. ‘Not until you have cleaned up.’
‘Come on, son, we had better do as she says, but you would have thought she’d be used to it after all these years.’
There were three bathrooms in the sprawling ranch house and one of them was just off Steve’s bedroom. He sunk into the steaming bath with a sigh of relief, and stayed there until the water was almost cold. Wrapping a towel around his waist he returned to his room and began pulling out clean clothes.
There was a knock on his door and his father walked in immediately, giving Steve no time to put on a shirt.
The smile on his face vanished when he saw the scars on his son’s body. The shock made him draw in a deep breath. ‘What happened to you, son?’
‘It’s nothing, Dad.’ He quickly began to dress.
‘Steve.’
‘I don’t want to
talk about it. There is no permanent damage done, so just leave it, please. Don’t mention what you’ve seen to Mum, it will only worry her.’
‘She’s already worried, and so am I. We know it’s hard for you to talk about the things you have seen and done, but you always used to talk openly to us. Don’t shut us out, Steve. We love you and want you to be happy, but you are not, are you?’
‘Of course I am. It’s just taking me time to adjust to life on the ranch again.’
‘All right, but remember – when you want to talk, we are here for you.’
‘I know.’ He finished dressing. ‘Let’s go and eat. I’m famished.’
They threw a party for the hands that evening to celebrate a successful round-up. It had gone on until the early hours of the morning, but Steve was still up early, and after breakfast went to the study in search of the keys to the old house.
‘I thought you would still be asleep.’
‘Good morning, Mother.’ He kissed her cheek. ‘I’m used to being up at dawn and can’t seem to break the habit. Do you know where the keys are to your old house?’
‘What do you want those for? The place must be a wreck by now.’
‘It isn’t that bad, and I want to have a look inside.’
She opened the desk drawer and took out a large bunch of keys. ‘I think they are on here, but I really don’t know which ones after all these years. I expect your father will know.’
‘Know what?’ Bill walked in.
‘Steve wants the keys to our old house.’
He took the bunch from her, sorted through them, then removed two and handed them to his son. ‘Give me time to eat and I’ll come with you. I’d like to have a look at the old place again myself.’
‘Okay, we’ll take the truck and I’ll meet you outside when you’re ready.’
Rose watched her son stride out and frowned at her husband. ‘Why is he interested in that place? Is he thinking of moving in there himself?’
‘I asked him that and he said no. I’ve no idea what he wants. But I could almost hear his mind working when he saw it. I had better not keep him waiting.’
After a hurried breakfast, Bill left the house and saw Steve propped up against the truck, deep in thought. Something struck him then, and on reaching him said, ‘I haven’t seen you smoking since you arrived back.’
‘I gave it up.’ He got in the driver’s seat, and the moment his father was in he set off.
‘Why?’
‘I didn’t want to smoke any more.’
Bill was wise enough to know that was all he was going to get, so he dropped the subject. In the short time their son had been home they had learnt not to push him for answers.
The moment they reached the old house, Steve was out of the truck and opening the door. They wandered from room to room, making a note of the work needed to bring this place back to a habitable home again.
‘This is not worth the bother. Steve, you can’t do anything with it.’
‘I agree it will need gutting out and everything inside replaced, but the structure is still sound.’
‘It is a solid building, but what on earth are you thinking of doing with it? Do you want it for one of your friends?’
He shook his head, but said nothing.
‘Steve, tell me what is on your mind and I might be able to help.’
‘It might – and I emphasise might – solve a problem for me. Can I have it?’
‘Everything on this ranch is yours.’
‘But this was your home before you built the big ranch house.’
‘And a very nice home it was, but we don’t have any sentimental attachment to it. Do what you like with it, son, I can see it means a lot to you.’
‘It does,’ he said softly.
‘In that case, tell me what you want, and I will see the work is done as quickly as possible.’
‘Everything renewed and fully furnished.’ He began to pace up and down. ‘Also, the ground outside needs to be cleared to make a garden with a fence round it. Do you think Mum would help with the interior? She’s got a good eye when it comes to design.’
‘I’m sure she would love to. How soon do you want it finished?’
‘It will need to be ready by the spring.’
‘Okay, that gives us time to do a good job – weather permitting, of course. The snow can be brutal, as you well know.’
‘I’ll pay for this work out of my own pocket.’ When he saw his father was going to protest, he turned to face him. ‘I insist, because it might all be for nothing. It’s a crazy idea, but I have to try something, and this at least might give me a chance.’
‘It would help if we knew who you want this place for.’
Steve walked over to the window and stared out, and then he spun round, anguish showing in his eyes. ‘I left a part of me behind in England, and I’m finding it hard to cope with that. I’m sorry I am causing you and Mum concern, but all I can ask is that you give me time, and I will sort myself out.’
Bill walked over and placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. ‘We understand, and we’ll make this into a home no one will be able to resist.’
He gave his father a grateful smile and they walked together out to the truck.
Later that evening, when Steve had gone to bed, Rose grasped her husband’s hand. ‘What’s going on, darling?’
‘I don’t know for sure, but I can make a guess.’ He then told her about his conversation with Steve when they were at the house. ‘He’s had to leave a girl behind; I bet that’s what he meant.’
Rose took a deep breath, sadness flooding her face. ‘That is a part of it, I’m sure, but whatever happened over there he has locked away.’
‘Yes, he has, but he’s seen and done things we cannot even begin to imagine. However, time will heal whatever is troubling him. He and his friends have returned unscathed, but how many other friends has he lost? He loves this place, and it will work its healing magic on him. Until that time, all we can do is give him our help, love and understanding.’
‘We certainly will. You’re right. I expect there are thousands of men who have been in the thick of battle and are struggling to adjust, poor souls.’ She smiled and pulled Bill out of his chair. ‘Let’s get some sleep.’
Bill felt guilty he hadn’t told her about the awful scars on Steve’s body, but he’d promised not to and he couldn’t break that promise to his son.
Chapter Thirty-One
Steve was carefully folding his uniform to take with him when his father looked in the open door.
‘Nearly ready? The plane is checked over and fuelled.’
‘Thanks, Dad.’ He looked up, his eyes alight with anticipation at seeing his friends again. ‘Mustn’t have any creases because Sandy is having a posh wedding and wants us all in uniform.’
‘Will the air force want you to go back before your demob comes through?’
‘Officially we are still in the air force, but they have released us, so I expect the papers will come through the mail. They don’t need us any longer.’ He grinned. ‘Shame, really, because I’d love to get my hands on a Lancaster one more time.’
‘I expect you would, but you’ll have to make do with the Cessna.’
He laughed out loud. ‘I’d cause a sensation if I came roaring in with a Lancaster. The Cessna is much more suitable and she’s a beauty. I’ll be able to take the boys for a joyride.’
‘The mail has arrived and there are two for you, Steve.’ His mother came into the room and handed over the letters.
‘Great.’ He reached eagerly for them. When he read the first one he gave a whoop of delight. ‘This is from Luke. Jean and Sybil have arrived, and it will be marvellous to see them again.’
‘How lovely. You must ask them all to come and stay with us. We’ve had photos of Sybil, of course, but it would be so good to actually see her.’
‘You’ll like her, and I’ll try to arrange a visit.’
‘Who is the other letter from?�
�� she asked.
He looked at it and tucked it in his pocket. ‘I’ll read that later. I’d better get going.’
His parents came with him to the plane, and before getting in he tapped his top pocket.
‘Why do you do that? I noticed you all did the same thing when I picked you up at the base.’
‘Oh, just habit. We were given lucky tokens to keep us safe by friends at the base.’ He took them out of his pocket and showed them to his father.
Bill studied them and then handed them back, smiling. ‘Well, they obviously worked.’
‘Not for everyone,’ he murmured softly under his breath, feeling the sadness as he remembered his lost friends. Then he climbed in the plane and went through the usual checks before taking off. He would carry those stars whenever he flew, but he doubted anyone else would understand just how much they meant to all of them.
The usual feeling of sheer pleasure was there as soon as the plane began to climb, and once on course he relaxed and tapped his top pocket again to confirm the lucky tokens were there. Sitting in there with them was Nancy’s letter, which he would read when he had a quiet moment to himself.
He was really looking forward to seeing his friends again. They had spent an unforgettable time together, sharing the dangers and lighter moments when they could relax for a few hours. It was hardly surprising he’d missed the close comradeship of those times, and he wondered if they were having as much trouble as he was in making the transition from war to peace. They now had their girls with them, though, so perhaps it was a bit easier for them.
When he looked back on their time in England, he thought of the people he had left behind. They had been there for a relatively short time, but for the people who lived there the war had been long and the price very high.
He made a course adjustment and smiled to himself. He couldn’t wait to see Sybil and Jean again, and perhaps Jean could tell him how Nancy was coping. Her letters were chatty without saying much about her feelings, and it was frustrating not being able to look into her expressive eyes and talk face to face with her. The last thing he wanted in the world was for Nancy to be unhappy.
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