The conversation was animated as each related their personal memories of Bill. It was then Kate realized that he would always be with them. Their memories would keep him alive in their hearts.
At teatime Beth and her boyfriend Steve joined them, then Pete and Susan popped in for an hour in the evening. Pete and Susan were constantly together now, and Kate couldn’t have been more pleased for them.
The next morning Eddie burst into the kitchen, arms full of parcels and a wide grin of excitement on his face. Tom followed more sedately, clutching a pot plant and looking embarrassed to be carrying flowers.
‘Have you got a tree to put the presents round?’ Eddie asked, hopping up and down. ‘We’ve got more in the car.’
Rose placed her hand on top of his head to stop him jigging around. ‘We’ve got one; it’s in the other room.’
Looking as if he were holding a bomb, Tom thrust the plant at Rose. ‘That’s for you. Thank you for asking us today.’
It was obviously a well-rehearsed little thank you, because Kate saw Jon give Tom a nod of approval.
‘Thank you.’ Rose took the plant and arranged it in the middle of the kitchen table, then stood back to admire it. ‘That’s lovely, and it’s just perfect there.’
After bending to kiss Tom’s cheek, Rose took hold of Eddie’s hand and led him into the sitting room.
‘Bloody hell!’ Tom touched his cheek. ‘What did she do that for?’
‘Watch your language.’ Jon glared at the boy. ‘If you don’t behave yourself, I’ll take you back to Wandsworth. Go and help Ed put the presents around the tree.’
Tom shot out of the room with a smirk on his face, not at all put out by the reprimand.
Reid was leaning against the sink, chuckling quietly. ‘He’s a bit of a tearaway by the sound of him.’
‘He sure is.’ Jon shook his head in exasperation. ‘He’s rebellious, but he’s a damned bright kid and worth trying to help.’
‘How old is he?’ Annie asked.
‘Coming up to nine and he thinks it’s big to cuss.’
Paul and David were standing beside their father and smirking. ‘Don’t you try copying him,’ Reid said, but had great difficulty keeping his expression serious.
‘No, Dad,’ Paul said, edging away from him. ‘Anyway that wasn’t so terrible. You and Auntie Rose know worse words than that.’
As Reid pushed himself away from the sink, his sons tore out of the room, shrieking with laughter. ‘They’re getting very nifty on their feet. I would have a job catching them now, and they know it.’
‘Kate!’ Eddie erupted back into the kitchen, grabbed her hand and started to pull her forward.
‘Where are we going?’ She laughed at his antics. He did get so excited and loved being with lots of people.
‘You’ll see. Come on.’ Once he’d dragged her into the sitting room, he made her stand in a certain spot, making absolutely sure she was in the right place; then he pulled up a stool and clambered on to it so he could reach her face by standing on tiptoe.
She knew what he was up to but pretended to look very puzzled. He giggled and planted a kiss on her cheek.
‘You next!’ Eddie swivelled round to look at Rose, and, as she took Kate’s place, she also received a smacking kiss.
Annie was next in line. ‘Hey, I’m not missing out on being kissed under the mistletoe.’
‘That kid’s daft!’ Tom looked absolutely disgusted.
‘No, he isn’t, Tom.’ Rose stooped down in front of him. ‘He loves affection. Annie was like that when she was a little girl and I never could understand it, but I do now. Some people are more outgoing than others; there’s no harm in it.’
‘Suppose not. Still, I hope you don’t expect me to kiss everyone.’ He looked scandalized by the very idea.
‘Not if you don’t want to.’ Rose stood up and lifted Eddie off the stool.
Once his feet were on the floor, he ran over to Jon. ‘You’ve got to kiss Kate and her mum, because they’re giving us this smashing day.’
Showing no reluctance to carry out Eddie’s demand, Jon hugged Rose and kissed her on the cheek, then reached for Kate.
She was surprised when, instead of the expected peck everyone else had been getting, he eased her into his arms and kissed her full on the lips. It was a gentle embrace, and she was disappointed when he finally broke away. She had enjoyed his touch and nearness. Of course she had! She was hopelessly in love with him. Amid the heartbreak and suffering she had fallen in love. And like a fool, she hadn’t admitted it to herself until now. She felt like shouting for joy as she gazed up at Jon and smiled. She had found the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.
‘I don’t think you’re supposed to do it like that!’ Eddie’s whisper broke through her thoughts.
‘That was a grown-up kiss.’ Jon ruffled his hair and winked at Kate. ‘And it is Christmas.’
Eddie still appeared a trifle worried and looked up at Kate. ‘It’s all right at Christmas, then? You didn’t mind?’
‘Did you?’ Jon raised an eyebrow in query.
‘Not at all.’ She held his gaze for a moment and then gave Eddie a thoughtful look. He’d never had parents and seen affection between them, so it wasn’t surprising he was puzzled by what he’d just witnessed, and yet he was a naturally affectionate child, longing to be loved. Her heart ached for all these unfortunate children who had to grow up without a family of their own …
‘Come on everyone,’ Rose called. ‘Lunch is ready.’
There was a stampede for the dining room, which was being used for this special occasion.
James arrived just as they were sitting down, and it turned out to be a lively meal.
Eddie and Tom chatted away to Paul and David, whom they had obviously taken a liking to.
Afterwards the dishes were piled in the sink and left for later, then they all went into the sitting room to open the presents. It was clear that Jon had bought the gifts, but he made Tom and Eddie hand them out as if they came from them. The floor was soon littered with wrapping paper. Whoops of delight were coming from the young boys as they opened Meccano sets, boxes of toy soldiers and other wildly exciting things
‘Wow! Look what Kate’s bought me.’ Eddie scrambled to his feet to thank her, and then rushed around the room showing everyone the box camera. ‘I’m going to help Kate when I’ve growed up.’
‘That’s a good idea,’ James said encouragingly; then he looked at Tom, who had so many presents around him it seemed as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. ‘What would you like to be when you grow up, Tom?’
‘I’m going to be a pilot,’ he declared, the expression on his face defying anyone to laugh.
James sat on the floor beside him. ‘Well, you’d better have a talk with Reid. He was a Spitfire pilot during the war.’
Tom spun round on his knees to face Reid, his eyes wide with wonder. ‘Were you one of the Few?’
‘Yes, I fought in the Battle of Britain. What do you know about it?’
‘Everything!’ Without standing up, he shuffled forward until he was kneeling in front of Reid. ‘Jon gets me books from the library. I never spoke to a real pilot before.’ He began to bombard Reid with questions, hanging on to his legs and gazing into his face so he didn’t miss a word of the answers.
James stood up. ‘Mum, where did you put all my stuff when you cleared out my room?’
‘In the loft, I think.’
‘Right, I’ll go and have a look.’
As James left the room, Kate watched Tom with great interest. Reid had made room for him to sit next to him and was explaining what it was like to fly a Spitfire.
‘He’s found a hero.’ Jon sat beside Kate. ‘We won’t get any more trouble from him today.’
‘He’s potty about aeroplanes,’ Eddie said, ‘but I’d rather have my camera. Will you show me how to use it, please, Kate?’
‘Of course, and I’ve already put a film in it for you.’ She spent t
he next ten minutes explaining the workings, and then she turned to Jon with a smile of devilment. ‘It’s so simple even you could use it.’
‘I doubt it.’ His chuckle was deep as he put his arm around her shoulders. ‘You photographers stand your ground when working, but I spent my time diving for cover.’
‘But not any more?’ she asked quietly. She knew he said he’d given up being a war correspondent, but she was still expecting him to get bored and disappear at any moment.
‘No.’ He pulled her towards him slightly. He’d never had any sense of belonging before, but he’d found that with Kate, Rose and the rest of the family. They had welcomed him, and he felt as if he had a family for the first time in his life. ‘I’ve found everything I want right here.’
‘You going to kiss her again?’ Eddie tugged at his free hand.
‘Not just yet.’ He removed his arm, and there was a clear question in his eyes when he looked at her.
She held his gaze and smiled. No, she wouldn’t mind being kissed by him again, and hoped she was reading the signals correctly.
James came back just then carrying a book and a large battered box. He put them down in front of Tom, who was still gazing at Reid in adoration. The book caught his attention, and he dived to open it, shuffling through the pages. It was all about wartime aircraft, and he found a large coloured photograph of a Spitfire. He held it out for Reid to see. ‘Was yours like this?’
When his idol agreed that it was, Tom looked up at James. ‘Smashing book. This yours?’
‘Yes, but you can have it now. I know you’ll look after it.’
‘Gee, thanks, I’ll slosh anyone at the home who touches it.’
‘There’s something else for you in the box.’ James blew off the dust and watched as the boy opened it.
Jon leant forward. ‘What’s he got in there? I’ve never seen him so quiet, or lost for words.’
The box was familiar to Kate. She’d seen it when they were children during the war … then she remembered. ‘James has just given him his model Spitfire.’
The plane was lifted out very carefully, and lovingly examined. Kate was sure she saw a glimmer of tears in the tough little kid’s eyes, but they were quickly banished.
‘Wow!’ He ran his fingers over the wings, and gave James a rather watery smile. ‘Thanks. It’s the best blo … blooming present I’ve ever had.’
Kate blew her brother a silent kiss for his thoughtfulness. James grinned and then hit his forehead in mock disbelief as he looked at Eddie. ‘I nearly forgot. I found something else in the loft.’
He went into the hall and was back immediately with a football and a locomotive and two carriages. These he gave to Eddie.
Everyone had to admire the special gifts, and the boys spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in front of the fire with Paul and David, chatting excitedly and playing with the toys. Tom, however, kept a sharp eye on Reid all the time and made sure he was never out of his sight.
There were two tired blissfully happy kids in the car as Jon drove them back to Wandsworth. He was quite pleased himself. He wanted Kate – until death us do part – and the signs were hopeful. When she looked at him now, her lustrous dark eyes gleamed with warmth. If Gerhard dared show his face again, he would send him straight back to Berlin, though he doubted if he would return here to pursue Kate because the last he’d heard he was back in Algeria.
‘That pilot …’ Tom, sitting in the back, leant forward. ‘He said he’d come and see me but I don’t suppose he will.’
‘If Reid said he’d come, then he will,’ Jon said, hearing the doubt in Tom’s voice. ‘He’ll keep his promise.’
‘Yeah.’ His tone brightened at that assurance. ‘He said he’d take me flying when the weather’s better. In the spring, he said.’
‘That’s something to look forward to, then.’
‘Yeah. When will it be spring?’
‘In about four months.’
‘That long?’ Tom sighed but the excitement was soon back. ‘We can’t go in a Spitfire, but he told me how to fly it and how they’d had to dive, roll and turn quick like, during the dogfights.’
Jon smiled. Tom knew all the flying expressions.
Smashing bloke. Paul and David are great too.’
‘Yes, they’re nice boys and very proud of their dad.’
‘I should bloody well hope they are!’
‘Tom!’
‘Sorry.’
Well, that was a first. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d heard Tom apologize.
‘Reid said I’ve got to do well at my lessons if I want to be a pilot.’
‘Good advice, Tom; I hope you’re going to do that.’
‘Oh, I will.’ The boy fell silent then.
Eddie, who’d been nearly asleep all this time, woke up. ‘Did you get another grown-up kiss?’ he asked.
‘No, but I’ll make up for it later.’ He glanced at Ed clutching his precious football and fighting to keep his eyes open. Tom would go flying in the spring; he would marry Kate in the spring … and then they’d see about Eddie.
But he was jumping ahead too far. He had to win that beautiful woman first. And that was something he was determined to do.
38
1962
It was warm for March, and Kate sang as she drove to Wilkins House. The sky was clear, the sun bright, and there was a feeling in the air of nature’s impatience to burst forth into glowing, vibrant life. And that was a mirror of her feelings.
Since Christmas Jon had been by her side every spare moment he had. They’d been dancing, walking, to the cinema, and one evening he’d taken her to Covent Garden to hear Tosca. She’d loved every moment of the glorious opera. It had been a total surprise and not something she’d expected he would like, but over the last few weeks different facets of his character had shown themselves. Jon Devlin was a complex man, and, like her mother, his upbringing had made him tough. Fortunately it hadn’t destroyed the vein of warmth, gentleness and compassion. Also, like her mother, that side of him was kept under control and hidden, but he was now relaxing in her company. She’d watched each quality surface and loved him more every day.
The sun glared through the windscreen, so she slipped on a pair of sunglasses and sighed with happiness. At one time she had wondered if she would ever feel like this again. Last year had been terrible. But, with hindsight, she could see how Jon had supported both her and her mother. Without him, the journey back would have been longer and more difficult. She was so lucky to have found such a wonderful man, and he did love her, she was sure. Unless it was lust!
That made her laugh out loud as she pulled up at some traffic lights. If that had been true, he’d have persuaded her into his bed a long time ago. He was a passionate man but was the first one to back away when their loving became too heated. She sometimes cursed his iron self-control, for there had been many times when she wouldn’t, or couldn’t, have resisted.
The lights turned green and she took a left to Wilkins House. She was looking forward to this. The boys were putting on a show with the puppets. It was lovely to see how much enjoyment they were still getting from them.
As soon as she arrived, she went to the kitchen. Her mother was already there, helping Mrs Green to prepare the food – they were going to have a little party after the show as a treat for the boys.
‘Can I do anything?’ she asked.
‘No, it’s all under control.’ Her mother piled sandwiches on another plate.
Kate’s eyes opened wide when she saw the amount of food on the table. ‘How many are coming?’
‘Lots.’ Mrs Green beamed. ‘Your family, the older children from Standish House, together with some of the staff and helpers.’
‘In that case you’ll need another plate of sandwiches, because I’ve asked Pete, Susan, Terry and his family, Beth and Steve to come as well.’
‘Oh, lovely.’ Mrs Green couldn’t have looked more pleased. ‘We shall have a jolly time, shan’t w
e?’
‘James is already here helping Jon with the stage.’ Her mother looked up from slicing another loaf and smiled. ‘Why don’t you see if they need any help?’
‘Okay.’ It was bedlam in the front room, with all the boys being given jobs to do. The furniture had been cleared out of the way, with rows of chairs in front of the stage. A small wooden platform had been erected at the far end of the room. There were bright red curtains to pull across, a black sheet at the back for the boys to stand behind and work their puppets without being seen too clearly … She was impressed.
‘Kate!’ Eddie rushed up, beside himself with excitement. ‘We’re nearly ready. Jon wrote the story and it’s smashing!’
‘I didn’t know that.’ She grinned as Jon came over.
‘I’m a man of many talents.’ He leant down and kissed her. ‘Hmm, you look and smell delicious.’
‘Bring my sister over to give us a hand.’ James laughed. ‘You can continue that later, because this whole bloody lot is going to collapse in a minute.’
They laughed and ran over to James, who was struggling with the frame to hold the curtain in place. Eddie came as well, still grinning. He thought it was great fun to see Jon kissing Kate.
It took them only ten minutes to put the finishing touches to the platform. As they were surveying their handiwork, the door opened and Tom erupted into the room, followed by Reid, Annie, Paul and David.
‘I’ve been flying!’ He yelled at the top of his voice, not wanting anyone to miss this momentous news. ‘We went right out over the sea. We climbed, dived and did a somersault. Didn’t we?’ He tore back to Reid. ‘Didn’t we?’
‘At least two somersaults,’ Reid said in his clearest voice to the crowd of boys now clustered around Tom.
A Time of Peace Page 34