The Shadow of War by Jack Murray (latest ebook reader txt) 📗

he was usually more reserved when speaking to the family. At thismoment, Danny seemed to be a different person.

‘I think I speak for the restof the village when I say how grateful we are that you should honour us withyour company at this moment.’

In fact, Augustus had had little idea this event was taking placeand had been highly reluctant to join. This was a point he had made clear toHenry earlier that afternoon.

‘Of course, it’s important weshould be here to support our men,’ said the young lord with a level ofpomposity that nearly caused Danny to explode in laughter. Danny saw that Henrywas now choking on something.

‘I’m sorry, sir, is somethingstuck in your throat?’

The coughing soon finished, andHenry looked at Danny archly, as Lord Augustus drifted off, and said, ‘You seemto have become a spokesman for the village.’

Danny looked Henry in the eye,there was an undisguisable glint.

‘We’re just simple lads. It’s an honour tomeet young men of substance like Lord Augustus.’

‘Indeed, Danny, indeed,’ saidHenry. ‘A true man of substance.’ Although his voice was neutral, Danny saw itagain. A hint of amusement in the eyes of Lord Cavendish. Tempted to addanother comment, Danny decide to let it pass. He didn’t need to mock the younglord. By doing so he would also be guilty of snobbery. A moment of silence, then Henry nodded to Danny.They both turned to join the other young men of the village.

All too soon, it was time togo. The men left together as they had arrived, in a group. Henry left them fora moment. A few moments later he reappeared with Jane and Sarah to bid farewellto their guests. Danny and the men walked past the Cavendish family who were all standing in a line, shaking hands. From the roomthe two women had emerged from there was music was playing from a wireless.Danny recognised Al Bowlly’s voice.

 

Themere idea of you, the longing here for you

You'll never know how slow the moments go till I'm near to you

I see your face in every flower, your eyes in stars above

It's just the thought of you, the very thought of you, my love

Henry and Jane both saidgoodbye and thanks to Danny. Robert was about to say the same when Dannyruffled his hair and pretended to dig him in the stomach. This suited Robertbetter. He was not one for farewells. Sarah was the last in the line. Dannystopped for a moment and was about to say something until she shook her headimperceptibly. They shook hands in silence. Of Lord Augustus there was no sign.

The cold air hit Danny like afreight train. He walked ahead with Bert Gissing and Tom, not looking back.

 2

Just after dawn, two days later,the young men re-assembled in the centre of the village with their families. Thesky was orange and purple and there was a freshness about the air. Despite thehour, the whole village was awake and standing in the square to bid farewell tosons and, in Beth Owen’s case, a husband. A bus was waiting to take the men toLincoln where they would catch a train down London to enlist. All had passedtheir medical a week previously and been certified fit to join His Majesty’sArmed Forces.

Danny and Tom hugged their parents as they startedboarding the bus. Kate’s emotions were running wild at the prospect of both herboys leaving to join up. She looked at both of them with tear-filled eyes.Pride mixed with fear as she held them tightly. Stan shook first Tom’s and thenDanny’s hand. He couldn’t say anything. What was there to say? He knew whatthey were going to face. There were no words adequate to the demand ofexpressing his love, his pride and his fears. Then, much to the surprise of hissons, he hugged them both.

Minutes later the bus set off.Danny cast his eyes in the direction of Cavendish Hall. He saw Henry Cavendish,on horseback, jointhe road and he trotted alongside the bus. Danny acknowledged him and then thebus picked up speed and drove off towards the next village.

The journey took just over two hours as the bus stopped severaltimes to take other men to enlist Danny sat with Tom and soon became the centreof the banter on the bus between the rival villages. It was full-bodied and a foretasteof what life would be like in a barracks. Danny threw himself into combat withenthusiasm.

‘The Germans are for it. Oncethey see the Little Gloston boys they’ll climb right back in their tanks andhead home,’ said one wag at the back.

Danny shouted back, ‘One lookat you Branston boys will be enough. Jerry’ll think anyone that ugly’s gotnothing to lose anyway.’

‘Your mother didn’t say thatlast night,’ came the reply.

‘She was probably fast asleepbecause you’d bored her so much.’

There were songs, too. ‘A LongWay to Tipperary,’ ‘Pack Up Your Troubles’, ‘Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major’and the recent hit, ‘Hang Out the Washing on the Siegfried Line’.

 

We're going to hang out the washing on the Siegfried Line.

Have you any dirty washing, mother dear?

We're gonna hang out the washing on the Siegfried Line.

Cause the washing day is here.

The songs and the banter keptthe mood up for the rest of the trip and by late morning,  all of the men had reachedLincoln, in good spirits.

The train station was mobbed.Similar scenes played out to those from the villages. Danny and his brothertook a train compartment with Bob and the Gissing brothers. Another half anhour and the train set off towards London’s Kings Cross. From there the youngmen would split up and head to different basic training barracks in the south.Danny’s group was destined to go to Caterham in Surrey.

As the train set off, an olderman looked in on the carriage.

‘I say, do you have room herefor one more?’ he asked.

‘Yes, of course, make yourselfat home,’ said Danny expansively.

The man stepped into the carriage and hoisted his bag onthe overhead shelf. The village boys looked at him as he sat down. Dressed in asuit and tie, wearing a clipped moustache, he had the look of a local bankmanager.

Danny