“Yes, I know what you mean, and yet it still affects us all, the actions of others,” muttered Theodore who was remembering certain events drawn from his own life time.
“Do you have any family or friends fighting?”
“Yes, you could say so,” replied Theodore stiffly. Yes he had many friends fighting, but fighting a different war, a war Eveline and her world would never understand.
“I do too, I was a tom boy at school,” smiled Eveline shyly, “most of our young men who used to mine or farm are away now, leaving us women to do their jobs for them, not that we can moan,” Eveline smiled thinking of her grandmother.
“Sad that women can only get into the workforce because their men are off fighting a war,” she would mention often when sipping her tea at supper upon reading the papers.
Theodore looked at her, his eyebrows together, what was she thinking he pondered to himself.
“What I mean is, we have fought for so long for equality, it is sad that it is war that has handed it to us, kind of takes away any joy that comes with victory,” Eveline moaned looking into Theodores saddened eyes.
“Victory often comes at a price don’t you think?” he replied feeling melancholy.
“Yes, many wouldn’t admit to it but you are right, everything comes at a cost, everything has its consequences,” murmured Eveline. A sudden knock, bolted both Eveline and Theodore back into reality. An old woman with a trolley full of food opened the door.
“Would you like anything from the trolley?” asked the greying old lady with a deep northern accent. Eveline looked at the trolley and spotted an apple and went fishing in her pockets for some loose change.
“Could I have an apple please?” asked Eveline handing over some change. The trolley lady handed her down a red apply and glanced at Theodore.
“I’m alright thanks,” he smiled over to the tough old lady in a green apron.
“Okay” she answered strolling her trolley out of the cabin and turning to close the door before walking away. Eveline crunched down on the apple and sighed with content the juices filling her mouth pleasantly.
“No ration book for you?” smiled Theodore.
“Oh yes, off course, but grand mama always leave spare cash around for the odd thing,” replied Eveline, wiping away the juices of the apple from her lips.
“Rationing is hard,” quipped Theodore gently, watching Eveline munch on her apple.
“Oh yes,” choked Eveline in between bites, “ there are some families in Keswick that really suffer you know, grandma and I try to bring round baskets to help, we have a vegetable patch and well she is quite well off being an author of high standing.”
“An author?” replied Theodore, whipping away a stray lock of hair.
“Yes, gothic romance,” laughed Eveline. “You wouldn’t know to look at her, she is an awful fright at first, but really is a soft as dough, with a wild tongue.” Theodore smiled warmly at the thought of Estelle with whom he had watched over the years, writing gothic romances, it had in fact seemed very like her to write such novels.
“I must purchase some of her books then,” he laughed. “Is she writing one at the moment?”
“Yes, gosh do you want to know the title?” asked Evelina, finishing her apple.
“Sure.”
Evalina looked at Theodore, her cheeks reddening a little.
“Lady Black and the Hound,” she blushed. Theodore tried in vain not to erupt with laughter but to his great misfortune it couldn’t be helped, he coiled over in laughter, closing his eyes in painful merriment. Eveline also tried to conceal her laughter but found herself laughing out loud with Theodore. For several minutes the pair laughed and joked about the dark and romantic storyline wondering if the Lady died or survived her highly chased romance.
“You know when you think of gothic romance authors, you think to yourself, beautiful, young and seductive,” cried Theodore, wiping away a tear of ecstasy, “not a seventy three year old lady!”
“I know, “Eveline choked. “The funny thing is that she does character improvisation, she waltzes about the cottage and gardens pretending to be a damsel in distress, it is really most fun to watch, she frightens tourists,” cried Eveline, holding onto her stomach, the laughter making her feel slightly sick. After a while both Theodore and Eveline sat back into an easy silence, watching the landscape outside, whilst thunderous clouds loomed above.
“Do you think it will rain?” asked Eveline to Theodore warmly. Theodore looked up at the darkened sky and nodded.
“I believe you may be right, were you going to go walking about Bristol upon arrival?” he enquired, his sapphire blue eyes relaxed and warm.
“I was going to visit the cathedral, but if the rain is too heavy I suppose I can go and sit in a café nearby,” Eveline replied contently, looking across at Theodore and wondering if he was thinking the same thing. “What about you?” she asked shyly.
“Oh you know a little walk here and there, maybe something to eat on the way, say,” his face brightened suddenly, “why don’t you join me? We can go to the cathedral by taxi and then we can go to a small café somewhere and have a cup of coffee and cake before the nine o’clock train?”
Eveline didn’t want to betray her happiness too much so waited a minute before replying calmly, looking as though she was pondering the question seriously.
“I mean you don’t have too,” murmured Theodore looking a little disappointed.
“Off course I would love too, silly, its just- well, I didn’t want to come across as all up in the air,” Eveline flapped her hands in the air enthusiastically, her cheeks burning with happiness, it was nice having a friend she thought to herself, even if it was for the day.
“Oh, how much fun!” quipped Theodore excitedly, “I know a nice café, called Browns, it’s quite a modern café actually, you would like it,” he smiled. His plan was coming along he agreed happily to himself.
“This is nice,” whispered Eveline mainly to herself.
“What is?” asked Theodore, picking up his paper again to read the announcement page.
“Oh, having a friend for the day,” blushed Eveline suddenly feeling a little awkward and picking up her own paper to read as well.
“Yes I think it is nice,” smiled Theodore turning a page, “not long until we get into Bristol now, hopefully the rain will have passed.”
“Yes hopefully,” replied Eveline briskly, looking at a fashion article and eyeing up the new styles and shamefully looking down at her own articles of clothing.
“Something the matter?” asked Theodore, popping his eyes up over his paper.
“With I?” gasped Eveline embarrassed that he noticed her shame. “Oh nothing a good dose of sense can’t cure.”
“Hmm,” muttered Theodore to himself, going back to his article. Eveline decided it was best to move on to the next article in her paper, that being a fashionista was the least of her worries, anyway her eyes were so strange she didn’t need to wear outstanding clothes, they brought her all the attention a fashionista could want; only for Eveline it was unwanted, she craved to go unnoticed, to be just ordinary. For half an hour Theodore and Eveline sat in companionable silence until finally their train stopped in Bristol.
“Here let me,” offered Theodore already made up to leave.
“Oh, thank you that’s kind, I’m awfully clumsy,” blushed Eveline letting Theodore put on her coat, whilst she put on her gloves and hat. Theodore lifted up her scarf and wrapped it about her neck whilst she tightened her hat, trying very hard not to make eye contact, day friend she reminded herself, day friend.
“Come let’s go before the rain starts,” commanded Theodore gently, opening the cabin door and letting Eveline lead the way out. The train station looked as though it had been battered with only one platform working and the others being fixed, maybe it had taken a hit from the german bombs, Eveline wondered. The platform that was in use was very busy with mothers sending off young children to the north and so
Eveline had to try very hard to keep up with Theodore, who wound his way through the crowds with ease, whilst she struggled, children and mothers looking at her in surprise, her eyes always drew attention even when it was unwanted. As she made her way to the exit, Theodore stopped and turned, holding out his hand for her as if trying to catch a leaf in the howling wind. Eveline stretched out her hand, trying to find his, but there were just too many people.
“Sorry,” she shouted above the heads of other passengers.
“Don’t worry I’ll still be standing here with my hand out stretched waiting for you!” Theodore belted back laughing. Eveline made an extra attempt to shuffle through the mass of people with her leather suitcase, whilst all around her she could hear the wailings of small children and weeping of mothers; it made her think of her own parents and for a brief second she felt dazed until she felt someone’s hand fall into her own, clasping her tightly and securely. Looking up she found Theodore looking down at her his face etched with concern.
“Come on,” he roared into the crowd, crushing her to his side as he moved them both outside onto the bustling street. A group of young soldiers, laughing and singing made their way into the station, slapping one another on the back teasingly. Eveline looked at the young men and felt only sorrow, their merriment would soon end when the realisation of what was before them actually set it.
“You alright?” came a voice from above. Eveline looked up and smiled slightly.
“Yes, thank you for the help much appreciated thought I was going to be crushed by children,” she laughed nervously noticing that her hand still was placed within his own. As if hearing her thoughts Theodore looked down to their entwined hands and quickly let go. Eveline blushed in embarrassment and quickly looked away.
“Shall we go?” she asked nervously, trying to ignore the small bud of pain that loomed in her heart ever so slightly.
“Yes, come let’s find the famous cathedral,” smiled Theodore taking Eveline’s case in his left hand and making for the street ahead.
Chapter II
Divinity
Theodore and Eveline made their way from Bristol Temple Meads towards a nearby taxi. Getting into the taxi, Eveline shuffled over toward the window, letting Theodore sit beside her as he directed the driver were to go. Sitting back and fixing her legs into an appropriate position, Eveline looked outside her window, taking in all the shops, St Mary Redcliffe church and the roaring winter river that divided Temple Meads from the city centre. As they passed housing estates they noticed a remarkable amount of destroyed properties, brought down by German bombers. There were many groups of people, rummaging through debris looking forlorn and tired. Eveline felt pity and empathy for those who had lost loved ones and their homes, she had been lucky.
“It is terrible to see such destruction, one cannot even begin to imagine what Europe looks like at the moment,” muttered Theodore, also taking in the dreadful sights.
“Well I’m sure you would know first-hand, is it so bad?” asked Eveline turning to face him.
“It is, when I was in France there was many a time that we would pass queues of homeless civilians or those seeking the safety of the south of France,” said Theodore who looked sombre as he remembered the total annihilation of towns and villages not just in France. “What’s worse is that those left behind become mutton to the German soldiers. It is a terrible sight, it makes you feel so helpless, so depressed, I have never seen any glory in war, only geographical and psychological displacement and trauma.”
“You have been to France?” asked the taxi driver looking at Theodore through his wing mirror. Theodore leaned forward resting his elbows on the chair.
“Yes I have, I was there during the Dunkirk evacuation before being sent to Kenya to fight the Italians in Tripoli,” replied Theodore quietly.
“And why are you back?” asked the driver, “without meaning to insult you.”
“No good chap you don’t insult me,” Theodore smiled, “my legs were badly injured during a bombing campaign and I was sent home as soon as I was fit, I am not allowed back until I am fully recovered” he lied again, true he did fight in the war, but his duty was marginally different from the everyday soldier. He wasn’t injured at all, no, he had to come home for Eveline.
“Poor chap,” murmured the driver shaking his head, “We’ve been having it bad here and all.”
“I see,” answered Theodore, “and your family are they alright?”
“Awk as alright as can be sir, three of my sons are off fighting in Africa, some place called Eritrea, no idea where, haven’t heard from them in months,” the taxi driver replied, a quiver in his voice at the mention of his much beloved sons. “My daughter is a nurse, she lives in London now, her fiancé died a few months ago, so she’s keeping herself busy.”
“I’m so sorry”, whispered Eveline, watching his face in the mirror, aching with a silent pain.
“Awk no need love, were all in it together,” sniffed the driver miserably, “you both here on your honeymoon?” he asked, trying to divert the conversation to a happier place.
“Gosh no, we aren’t married, we only met this morning,” laughed Eveline, her cheeks going red. Theodore looked at her silently then turned to the driver again.
“Yes we met this morning on the train down from Keswick.”
“Sorry,” the driver apologised, “you won’t believe how many young couples meet one day and marry the next, never seen the like of it before, well maybe during the First World War,” he smiled looking at the couple in the back seat wondering whether they would walk up the aisle any time soon, judging by their lengthy looks he guessed so. If only it were that simple, thought Theodore, no, he wasn’t allowed to fraternise with Eveline, else he would lose his life and that would be illogical, how could he protect her if he was dead. No the sad truth was, even to touch her was pushing the boundaries. Theodore noticed Eveline gazing at him concerned.
“You don’t have to worry,” she whispered. “I don’t have any funny ideas, I’m not that kind of woman.”
“I’m not worried,” smiled Theodore. “Honestly what happened to good old fashioned friendship?” he laughed nervously, kicking himself inside.
“Exactly!” smiled Eveline turning back to her window just as they passed the church of St Mary Redcliffe. “Wow,” she gasped gazing up at the beautiful gothic building.
“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Theodore sighed following her gaze.
“Yes, I would like to go there sometime, maybe,” sighed Eveline as they passed the church and made for the bridge. It took another fifteen minutes until both Eveline and Theodore reached the cathedral of Bristol. Many of the city centre buildings were badly damaged by the German raids which had begun in 1940 and were as recent as April 1941, Eveline liked to keep up to date with the news, she knew Bristol had been badly done by, although the bombings were not widely written about. The Temple Meads station was badly damaged as well, but now functioned somewhat. Hundreds of people had been killed and hundreds injured, but thousands were now left homeless.
“You look far away,” Theodore’s voice gently brought Eveline back from her thoughts. Smiling tenderly she curled a lock of hair behind her ear.
“I just cannot get over the destruction, it’s really shocking, nothing like the portrayal in the papers.”
“The government doesn’t want public morale to decrease even more than it already has,” replied Theodore, his gaze falling to her lone hand, sitting on the leather seat.
“The government is meant to be on our side,” sighed Eveline.
“Love, the best lesson you can learn is to never trust the government,” laughed the taxi driver. “Little to no help from them, hospital’s and churches are full with the homeless, the city has changed, and the mood is dark and melancholy.”
“I can understand why,” replied Eveline just as the taxi stopped nearby to the cathedral. Theodore paid the taxi driver and offered him good luck before getting out and hopping round to
open Eveline’s door.
“Oh, thank you,” muttered Eveline as she stepped out onto the street before the cathedral. As Theodore got the luggage, Eveline crossed the street to the entrance of the cathedral, and looked up at its magnificent architectural structure and smiled inwardly, it was indeed beautiful. Theodore found her and set down their cases and looked up.
“Just how I remember it,” he spoke out loud, looking around at Eveline whose face looked mesmerized.
“You’ve been here before?” she asked her eyes glued to the building, gazing at the medieval arch.
“Yes, actually I’m a friend of the vicar, John is his name,” mentioned Theodore lightly.
“Oh, well that’s, interesting,” smiled Eveline, “shall we go in?”
“Off course, you go on I’ll take our luggage and set it in the office,” replied Theodore, heading off toward a small room to the left, leaving Eveline by herself. Entering into the nave, Eveline walked slowly from the west end of the cathedral toward the choir screen in the middle. Eyes fixed on the beautifully craved out ceiling, it reminded her of the trees that flanked the lake of Keswick. As Eveline moved toward the centre of the church she heard footsteps behind her and turned to find Theodore making his way to her smiling and lifting his arms into the air.
“Such beauty!” he demanded proudly, turning about in a circle. “I never bore of this magnificent church.”
“You are quite obviously stricken with ecstasy!” laughed Eveline, waiting for Theodore to come to her side. Theodore leaned into her ear a little and whispered;
“Shush you can’t say ecstasy in a church dear,” he chuckled. Eveline tried not to feel the warmth that spread throughout her as he leaned into her intimately.
“Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to offend God,” she smiled.
“God is not offended by you, I assure you,” answered Theodore firmly taking her hand in his arm and leading her on toward the Elder Lady Chapel.
One Crown & Two Thrones: The Guardians Page 3