By nine o’clock they were both pleasantly tipsy and Ruth joined him on the sofa and laid her head on his shoulder. He could smell her perfume – he thought it might be Chanel No. 5 – and it felt nice to have someone close to him. He could feel her body heat through the very pretty green dress she was wearing and it felt natural to slide his arm across her shoulders. Sighing with contentment she snuggled closer and again, it seemed the most natural thing in the world for her to softly kiss his cheek. But as she went to do just that, he turned his head and the kiss landed on his lips. Ernie felt desire stir in the pit of his stomach and so did Ruth, and before they knew it they were kissing passionately. When his hand played gently across her breast, she felt her nipple harden and so he gently undid the buttons and rolled his hand across her bare skin. And then somehow they were on the rug in front of the fire undressing each other as the firelight kissed their skins.
Ernie stared in awe at Ruth’s naked body as he felt his manhood harden. She really was quite beautiful, but even so he was aware that she was most likely still a virgin so he asked huskily, ‘Are you sure yer want to do this, pet?’
She nodded eagerly, her eyes holding his. ‘It’s what I’ve waited for all me life, Ernie,’ she said softly. ‘You must know ’ow much I love you? I’ve always loved you.’
His hand traced down the flat of her belly to the warm moist hollow between her legs, and when his finger slid into her she gasped with pleasure and arched her back. He was tracing little kisses all across her flat stomach and she felt as if they were leaving a trail of fire. At some stage she briefly wondered why she felt no embarrassment. Somehow their clothes had landed in an untidy heap on the floor and this was the first time she had ever been naked in front of a man, after all. And yet, once again, it felt like the most natural thing in the world, and soon her hand dropped to his hardness and she stroked him until he was gasping with desire. Feelings she had never known she possessed were racing through her until, unable to hold back any longer, Ernie slid on top of her, parting her legs with his knees, and then he thrust into her. There was one small cry of pain but then she was rising to meet him and she groaned for more until suddenly they both found release and she felt as if she was floating on a cloud of pure bliss. She wrapped her legs about his waist and sighed with contentment. She was Ernie’s now completely, just as it had always been meant to be.
They lay for a while in a tangle in the warm afterglow of their lovemaking but then Ernie suddenly thrust her aside and reaching for his trousers, yanked them on before lighting a cigarette.
‘You’d better get dressed,’ he told her curtly, and bewildered and confused she began to pick up her clothes.
Ernie squeezed his eyes shut as guilt cut through him sharp as a knife. What had he been thinking of? He and Briony had an understanding. Admittedly he was no saint. There had been quite a few girls since he had joined the RAF, but none of them had meant anything to him. They had just been a way of relieving the tension when he had come back from a flight all in one piece. This was entirely different. Ruth had been pure and he felt as if he had defiled her. He could hear her behind him fumbling as she tried to drag her clothes on, and then she was standing in front of him again and staring up at him with a look on her face that almost broke his heart. She was so trusting and innocent.
‘You don’t regret it, do you, Ernie?’ she asked falteringly. ‘Because I don’t. I’ve kept myself for you and it was inevitable that we’d come together some day.’
He looked away, unable to meet her eyes for a second longer. ‘I’m sorry. It was a mistake,’ he muttered. ‘I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you like that. It must have been the drink. Let’s try to forget it ever happened and go back to how we were before, eh?’
But she shook her head. ‘We can never be as we were before, after this,’ she told him quietly, hurt evident in her voice. ‘I’m yours now for all time.’ As the faint echoes reached them of neighbours counting down the seconds to 1945 to welcome in the New Year, Ruth picked up her coat and bag, then left without another word. And it was then that Ernie reached a decision. First thing in the morning, he would return to his unit. Better that than see hope in Ruth’s eyes every time he saw her.
At that moment in Poldak, Howel was whirling Briony around the dance floor in the village hall. She was laughing and with her eyes shining he thought she had never looked more beautiful.
‘This is getting to be a habit,’ she shouted to make herself heard above the band. She had attended the New Year’s Eve dance with him every year since she had arrived. It seemed a lifetime ago now and each year as it approached she found herself looking forward to it. The band were playing a lot of the swing numbers that had become so popular, and eventually she held her hands up in defeat and headed for their table.
‘Phew! I think I must be getting old,’ she joked.
‘Yep, twenty-one is a little over the hill,’ he agreed as she playfully took a swipe at him. Then suddenly the band stopped playing and everyone crowded onto the dance floor to form a circle as someone switched the wireless on. The haunting chimes of Big Ben echoed around the room followed by the familiar strains of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and then she was in his arms and as she stared up at him she knew that he was going to kiss her.
Hastily pecking him on the cheek, she yanked herself free, saying brightly, ‘That’s it then, the party’s over. Shall we head for home?’
He was staring at her as if he was seeing her for the very first time and he nodded abruptly. She had just helped him to reach a very difficult decision.
‘Of course. I’ll just go and get our coats.’
She chewed on her lip as she watched him march away with his back as straight as a broom. When he returned, he handed her her coat and helped her on with it. Then she followed him meekly from the hall.
The wind momentarily took her breath away, but Howel didn’t pause to wait for her or offer her his arm as he usually did. She found that she was almost having to run to keep up with him, which was no mean feat in high heels, and eventually she gasped, ‘Howel, slow down, please. Is something wrong?’
He slowed his pace but kept his eyes straight ahead. ‘No, nothing’s wrong, but I’ve reached a decision tonight.’
‘Oh?’
‘I’ve decided that once the war is over, I’m going away.’
‘But you can’t!’ she said, unable to keep the shock from her voice. ‘How would your parents manage without you? And where would you go?’
‘I wouldn’t go until there was some chap back from the war ready to take my place. And as for where I would go . . . well, the world is my oyster. I’ve seen nothing but this place, so I think it’s time I stretched my wings a bit. I can turn my hand to most things so I can go where the fancy takes me and work where I will.’
‘I see.’ But she didn’t see at all. It should really make no difference to her, she knew. Once the war was over, she would marry Ernie and she would leave this place too. So why then, she wondered, did the thought of him leaving hurt so very much?
Chapter Thirty-Nine
In April 1945, word reached the British public that the last German forces had been expelled by the Finnish Army. Two days later, the Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini, was captured near Lake Como by Italian partisans whilst trying to flee to neutral Switzerland. On 28 April he was shot, and the other fascists who had been captured alongside him were taken away and executed. The bodies were then transported to Milan and hung in one of the city’s main squares for a gruesome public display.
‘This is the turning point,’ Annik Dower said sagely. ‘We’ve got the Nazis well and truly on the run now.’
Briony could only pray that she was right.
And then on 30 April, Hitler finally realised that all was lost, and not wishing to suffer the same fate as Mussolini, he committed suicide with his new wife, Eva Braun.
As word of his death was broadcast, the British people flew into a frenzy of excitement.
‘It�
��s only a matter of time now,’ Mr Dower said stoically, echoing his wife as he sat listening to the wireless whilst sucking on his pipe.
It was during these momentous events that Briony received a letter from Mrs Brindley.
Dear Briony,
I hope as this won’t come as too much of a shock to you but I wanted you to be one of the first to know that me and Charlie Mannering have decided to get wed. We’ve been walking out for a while as you’re aware, and we’ve decided that life’s too short to spend alone. I know he can’t never take the place of my Clal and I also know that I won’t ever take the place of his late wife Vera, but we get on well together and we’ve decided to try and make a go of it. I hope you’ll be pleased for us and not think too badly of me. As soon as we have a date booked for the wedding I’ll let you know. We’d be tickled pink if you and the children could make it. It may not be till the summer as we’ve still got a lot of decisions to make, like where to live for a start off, seeing as we both have a house but I dare say it’ll all come out in the wash.
Also I need to let you know that Ernie is home again. He’s got another infection in that leg of his, but he’ll be down to see you just as soon as he’s able. Thank God the war is over for him and I pray that it will soon be over for all of us,
Lots of love to you all,
Martha Brindley xxxxx
Briony’s heart was thumping as tears of joy flowed down her cheeks. Ernie was safely home and for now that was all that mattered. She clutched the letter to her. And Mrs Brindley was getting married again! Briony thought it was wonderful news and intended to write back to her that very day to tell her so. But oh, how the time was going to drag now until Ernie arrived . . .
On 8 May everyone gathered around the wirelesses in their homes and listened intently as the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, made an announcement to the nation from the Cabinet Room at Number 10.
He told them all in his wonderful and dramatic way that the ceasefire had been signed at 02.41 at the American headquarters in Rheims. The act of unconditional surrender was to be ratified in Berlin that day, but in the interests of saving lives the ceasefire had come into effect the day before. War in Europe was finally over.
In London, crowds dressed in red, white and blue congregated outside Buckingham Palace to cheer as the King and Queen with the two princesses came out onto the balcony. Hours before, tens of thousands had listened intently to the King’s speech, which was relayed by loudspeaker to those who had gathered in Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. Even after night fell, hordes of people continued to converge on some of London’s great monuments, which had been floodlit especially for the occasion. All around Britain, fireworks lit up the sky and effigies of Hitler were burned on hundreds of bonfires. Street parties were organised everywhere in a spirit of jubilation and Poldak was no exception. The very next day, trestle tables were laid all down the centre of the High Street and Union Jack flags and red, white and blue bunting was strung from lamp-post to lamp-post. The womenfolk produced pasties and saffron cakes as if by magic, whilst the men rolled out barrels of home brewed beer. A piano appeared and soon someone was thumping out the favourite tunes of the day.
The party was in full swing when Briony suddenly became aware of someone standing close behind her. Turning round, she found herself face to face with Ernie.
She gasped. She had been talking to Howel, but now as Howel saw who the visitor was he strode away. Briony didn’t even notice. Her eyes were fixed on Ernie and she thought how strange but wonderful it was to see him in civilian clothes. He was leaning heavily on a walking stick but apart from that he appeared to be unscathed.
‘Oh, Ernie!’ She launched herself at him, almost unbalancing them both.
‘You look well,’ he said politely, aware that people were watching them curiously.
‘Oh, I am. I’m fine. Especially now that you are here! But how long can you stay for?’ she asked all in the same breath. It felt as if this wonderful day just couldn’t get any better.
Glancing around he told her, ‘I’m afraid I need to catch the two o’clock train, so this is just a flying visit. But is there somewhere we could talk . . . in private?’
Her smile firmly in place, she took his elbow and led him towards the clifftop walk. Mrs Dower and Howel would keep their eye out for the children, although they were having such a good time she doubted they would get into any mischief.
The clamour of the party gradually receded until there was nothing but the calls of the gulls and the waves crashing on the beach to be heard.
Ernie was strangely subdued, but then Briony supposed that the long journey had taken its toll on him; she wasn’t overly concerned. It was just so good to see him.
Eventually she drew him into the shelter of a large oak tree and as they sat down on the bench beneath it she asked, ‘So how are you?’
‘Very well, thank you,’ he answered stiltedly.
She stared at him as he squirmed uncomfortably, and suddenly he burst out: ‘Look, Briony, there’s no easy way to say this so I’d best just get it over with. The thing is, when I was at home over Christmas and the New Year, Ruth an’ I . . . Well, we got a bit carried away and we . . . yer know?’ He gulped, avoiding her eyes. ‘Anyway, I went back to my unit and tried to forget that it ever happened but when I got sent home again a few weeks ago because of this . . .’ He gestured at his injured leg . . . ‘I found out that Ruth was pregnant.’ He rushed on, ‘So the long and the short of it is, I got a special licence and we were married last week.’
Briony stared at him blankly, a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. The future she had planned for herself and the children had been snatched away with just a few words. And yet . . . she loved Ruth and was glad that Ernie had done the right thing by her.
‘I see.’ She forced herself to remain calm. ‘Then I suppose I should congratulate you. You didn’t really have a choice, did you?’
Now he looked more uncomfortable than ever as he mumbled, ‘Actually, I did. But the funny thing is that when I went back to my unit after Christmas I realised that I had deep feelings for Ruth, the same as she had for me. I suppose I always have had, deep down. But we were kids and somewhere along the way I developed a crush on you. I hope you understand, Briony. Ruth was sad because she couldn’t ask you to be her matron of honour at the wedding, but it was a very simple affair and we didn’t have much time for planning. She insisted I come and tell you personally, though. She’s that sort of girl, see? Thoughtful and kind.’
Briony saw the love he had for his new wife shining in his eyes and her spirits sank further. But then she had only herself to blame. She should have agreed to be his girl when he had asked her all that time ago, instead of telling him they must wait until the war was over. Well, the war was over now – for everyone else, at least. She would just have to battle on and decide what she and the children were to do.
Suddenly she just wanted him to be gone. Everything had changed in the space of a few minutes and now she needed some time alone to get her head around it. ‘I hope you’ll both be very happy,’ she forced herself to say, and she saw the relief flash across his face.
‘Thanks, Briony.’ He held out his hand and she took it. He struggled to his feet then, and leaning heavily on his stick he told her, ‘I ought to be going. I’m not so quick on my pins as I used to be.’
‘I’ll walk with you to the road,’ she offered, and as they set off she suddenly asked, ‘Where will you both live now?’
‘We’re at Mam’s at present, but when she marries Charlie we’re takin’ over the house an’ she’s movin’ into his home. And don’t get worrying about Tigger, mum and Charlie will be taking him with them. Ruth’s a bit worried about having a cat around a new baby, see?’
It seemed that everything had fallen into place for them all, but she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Ruth deserved happiness after all her years of devotion to Ernie, and hopefully she would find it now as his wife.
Howel was watching out for her, and when she reappeared she was aware of him staring behind her for a glimpse of Ernie. He raised his eyebrows questioningly when he saw that she was alone, but she didn’t enlighten him. Howel had already informed her that he would leave just as soon as there was someone to take his place on the farm, so why should she share her humiliation with him – or anyone else, for that matter?
Chapter Forty
The war in Europe was over, but in the Far East it raged on. On 6 August 1945 the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in Japan by a B-29 Bomber. It flattened the city. Approximately 80,000 people were killed instantly and a further 35,000 were injured; many thousands more would die agonising deaths over the next decade and beyond from the effects of the fallout. Three days later, a second atomic bomb was dropped, this time on Nagasaki – a major shipbuilding centre. The Japanese had no weapon that could match the destructive power of that now wielded by the Allies so at last, on 16 August, Emperor Hirohito’s permission to surrender was formally given.
As news filtered through, celebrations all across the land erupted once more. Soldiers danced the congo down Regent Street in London, and bonfires were lit on headlands all along the coast of Great Britain. Briony went out to see the sight that might never be seen again, and it put her in mind of a gleaming necklace suspended high above the beaches.
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