1917 Eagles Fall Read Online Free PDF Page B

leave.
    Beatrice leaned over, “Do you think your mother will like me?”
    “She will love you.  Why do you ask?”
    “Mothers have a tendency to view any woman as a threat.”
    “Don’t be daft.  Mum isn’t like that.  Besides I am sure our Alice has already told her about you.”
    She seemed mollified by that and we watched the rain shrouded land as we sped through the factories of the Midlands.  I knew that all of them would be churning out material for the war.  What would they make once the war was over? It was a sobering thought that this war was costing a fortune. The Gunbus could not be cheap to build and the squadron had got through almost twenty of them with losses and damage.
    “Penny for them.”
    “Oh sorry, I was just thinking about the waste of money that this war is.”
    “I think it is a greater tragedy that we have damaged and lost so many fine young men.  Think of all the futures there will never be.  They lie in the mud of Flanders and France.”
    We both looked up at Bates.  He was a thoughtful soul.  He listened well and when he spoke his words were worth hearing. “Quite right, Bates, the money is nothing.”
    He stood.  “Now you two talk about something more cheerful. There is a buffet car on this train.  I shall go and get us a cup of tea eh?”
    Once again we had managed to get a compartment to ourselves. After he had gone we risked talking of a future after the war. Gordy and Mary had made that leap.  It was a risk for one never knew where one would fall. But we planned anyway.
    After changing trains at Liverpool we managed to get the tea time train to Burscough.  We arrived after dark and, as we pulled into the dimly lit station, I wondered how we would get to the cottage.  Bates and I could walk but I couldn’t ask Beatrice to do so.
    I helped her from the carriage while Bates brought the bags. I saw that there were boxes being unloaded from the guard’s van and I recognised old Harry from the hall.  “Wait here would you?”
    I ran down the platform. “Harry!”
    He grinned when he recognised me, “Little Billy Harsker! And aren’t you looking smart.  Home on leave are you?  Your mam and dad aren’t expecting you.”
    I suddenly felt guilty but if I had sent a telegram it might have upset them. “Yes, this is a surprise.  Listen, there are three of us.  Any chance of a lift?”
    He nodded, “Aye if you don’t mind sitting in the wagon.”
    “Anything is better than Shanks’ pony.”
    “Get your stuff on board.  It’ll be nice to chat to you. We don’t have many young lads round here anymore.”
    Bates had to sit in the back with the boxes but he didn’t seem to mind. “Your mam and dad will be glad to see you.  When your mam got that telegram we all thought that you were dead.”
    I had forgotten that when I went missing there would have been a telegram.  I felt even guiltier now.  I had been so caught up in the wedding and Beatrice that I had forgotten my family at home. “But they know I am alive now don’t they?”
    “Oh aye, Lord Burscough rang home and her ladyship went to see your mam.  But they were all upset for a couple of days. Everybody was. You are quite famous; picture in the paper, met the king.” Once again I had a fame I had not sought.
    We pulled up outside the cottage which seemed so tiny now. When we had been growing up we thought that having three bedrooms was a luxury.  I wondered what Bates and Beatrice would make of it.
    As we pulled up my dad came out with a lantern.  I saw him shield his eyes as he tried to see who it was. “Is that you Harry?  Is there a problem with Jess?” That was typical of my father.  He worried about his horses even though he was semi-retired. Jess was one of his favourites.
    “No Jack, I picked your Bill from the station.”
    I jumped down into the light and shook dad’s hand.  “Mother, it’s our Bill.  He’s here in the flesh.”
    I helped Beatrice down.  “And this is