The Uncertain Years Read Online Free PDF Page A

in her stride.’
    When Bob nodded in agreement she was touched by their confidence in her, making her determined not to let them down.
     
    The rest of their leave went in a flash, and it was just as hard saying goodbye again. Once 1940 arrived it would be her family and friends waving her on her way. Now the time was close the prospect was a little scary, but she wouldn’t let them know she felt that way.

Chapter Four
    ‘I wish you’d tell me how you can still manage to smile?’ Jane Greenwood, from the same hut as Becky, eased herself on to the bed and scowled at her.
    ‘A sense of humour helps.’
    ‘What the hell’s funny about square bashing? I joined up because I wanted to do something useful in this blasted war, but what have we done? Nothing! I’m afraid to take my shoes off. I think my feet are frozen to the leather. It’s snowing, for heaven’s sake, and they’ve still had us marching around for hours.’
    ‘Only just over an hour this morning. I think the sergeant took pity on us.’
    ‘Pity? Come on, Becky, they don’t know the meaning of the word. I think you’ve enjoyed all this. You’re not human, do you know that?’
    ‘Stop grousing, Jane. We’re almost at the end of our basic training. We should get some leave soon.’ 
    Jane sat up, the scowl draining from her face. ‘Hey, you’re quite right. I’d forgotten that in all my pain. Now I know why you’re smiling.’ She began to unlace her shoes. ‘How long do you think they’ll give us?’
    ‘No idea. We’ll find out after they’ve done our assessment and given us our new postings.’ Becky couldn’t wait. She was hoping to be sent to a transport section, but nothing was certain. Look what had happened to Jim. He’d wanted tanks and had ended up in the paratroopers. If they put her in clerical, she’d just keep putting in for a transfer. That’s what she’d told Jim to do, but he wouldn’t. Always the tough bloke, he’d do whatever was asked of him. She was proud of him – proud of all her boys.
    Jane had removed her shoes and was inspecting her feet. ‘Oh, dear. My feet were so cold I didn’t realise I had so many blisters. Have you got any plasters, Becky?’
    ‘Nope.’ She leant over and peered at the damage to Jane’s feet. ‘You’ll have to see the medical officer and get those blisters seen to, if you want to wear fancy shoes on your leave.’
    ‘I’ll wear them, even if it’s agony. I’m determined to dance the nights away once they open those gates and let us loose.’ She glanced up, smiling now. ‘What you going to do?’
    ‘I don’t know. Jim’s in the army, Bob’s in the navy, and I don’t expect Will to have much free time. If I can get my hands on the motorbike, I’ll tinker with that. I expect it needs a good tune-up by now.’
    Jane’s mouth had dropped open in surprise. ‘Have you got three boyfriends?’
    ‘What? Oh, no, of course not. Will’s my brother, and we’ve all been friends since we were little.’
    ‘Only friends?’
    Becky nodded. ‘They’ve always treated me like one of them. They don’t think of me as a girl.’
    ‘Don’t they like girls?’ Jane eased her shoes back on.
    That question made Becky laugh. ‘They like them very much, and some of the local girls gaze at them with longing. They’re an interesting bunch.’
    ‘Got any pictures?’
    ‘Hmm.’ Becky rummaged in her kitbag and found a couple of dog-eared photos. She handed them to Jane, and leant over so she could explain who they were. ‘That’s my brother, Will. The tallest one is Bob, and the one next to him is Jim.’
    ‘Wow! No wonder you hang around with them. Is that the motorbike you were talking about?’
    ‘Yes.’ Becky sat on the bunk next to Jane, her expression wistful. ‘They let me ride it on some spare ground near us, and Bob taught me all about the engine.’
    ‘Ah, that’s why you’re hoping for a posting to transport.’ Jane was still examining the pictures. ‘You look