Battles Lost and Won Read Online Free PDF

he finds the kind of future he’s looking for.’ Daisy gave a sad smile. ‘The problem with that boy is he thinks too much. He’s also too clever for his own good.’
    Ruth didn’t see how anyone could be ‘too clever for their own good’, but she said nothing.
    Around five o’clock they were all sitting at the scullery table having their tea of bread and jam when the door burst open and Alf Hunter tumbled in.
    ‘Look at this!’ he shouted, holding up a sheet of paper. ‘That bloody kid’s left me. What’s he want to go and do a daft thing like that for? Where’s he gone?’
    ‘Stop shouting, Alf.’ Daisy pushed the distraught man into a chair. ‘And watch your language in front of the kids.’
    ‘Sorry, Daisy.’ Alf wiped a shaking hand over his eyes. ‘Where’s he gone? He’s only a kid. Why’s he done this?’
    Daisy looked at her neighbour and saw that he was more or less sober for a change. It was time he faced the truth. ‘He’s sixteen years old, Alf, and quite capable of looking after himself. We don’t know where he’s gone, but the why is obvious. He blames you for Helen’s death, and believes she could have lived longer if you’d stayed off the drink.’
    A muffled groan came from Alf. ‘I’m not much of a man, am I, Daisy? Helen died too young, and I’ve driven my son away.’
    Ruth had poured Alf a cup of tea and placed it in front of him. ‘Drink that, Mr Hunter.’
    ‘You’ve got to pull yourself together, Alf,’ Daisy said, watching as he gulped down the hot liquid. ‘You’re only forty, and if you’d get that drink out of you, all your strength would come back. Steve said there’s work to be found at the docks if you aren’t too fussy what you do.’
    ‘Won’t bring my boy back, though, will it?’
    ‘No. What’s done is done. We can’t change that.’ Daisy sat beside Alf and gripped his hand. ‘Bob’s looking for a better future, and you can do the same. Take this chance to change your life, then when he comes back he’ll find the father he’d loved when he was a little boy.’
    Alf glanced up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. ‘Do you think he’ll come back, Daisy?’
    ‘Of course he will. Now, why don’t you show him you can change?’
    ‘Can . . . can I have another cup of tea, please?’ He raised his head, and for the first time since his return from the war, Alf Hunter had a glint of determination in his eyes.
    Ruth poured another cup for him. ‘Would you like a slice of bread and jam, Mr Hunter? We’ve got enough.’
    ‘I’d like that. Thank you.’
    ‘Bob will be all right,’ Ruth told him as she cut a thick slice of bread for him. ‘He’s ever so clever. He was top of the school all the time.’
    ‘Yes. He’s got brains, and he certainly didn’t get them from me.’
    ‘Don’t put yourself down, Alf,’ Daisy scolded. ‘You ain’t so daft. It’s only the drink fuddling your mind.’
    After putting a scraping of jam on the bread, Ruth handed it to Bob’s dad. ‘I gave him a bit of money I’d saved up, and he promised to return it, so he will come back. He always keeps his promise.’
    ‘He’ll do that for you.’ Alf reached out and patted Ruth’s hand. ‘He’s always said you’re the nicest kid around here.’
    As Alf heaved himself unsteadily out of the chair, Daisy said, ‘If there’s anything we can do for you, Alf, you just let us know.’
    ‘That’s good of you, girl, but you’ve got enough to cope with without being burdened with a drunk. I shortened my Helen’s life and drove my son away. I’m going to make sure I don’t hurt any more people.’
    Daisy caught his arm in alarm. ‘Now don’t you go doing anything stupid!’
    Alf gave a wry smile. ‘Oh, I’m not thinking of doing away with myself. I don’t deserve such a merciful end. Don’t you fret, Daisy.’ Alf straightened up to his full height of just over six feet, remorse etching deep lines on his face. ‘I’ve got to sort myself out so I can