The Uncertain Years Read Online Free PDF

like your brother. Has he joined up as well?’
    ‘No, he wanted to, but he’s got a slight disability, and they wouldn’t take him. His left arm’s slightly shorter than the other one, and it’s not as strong, but his right one makes up for that. He’s got a grip like iron, and can do anything with that arm. He was terribly disappointed, but he’s a reporter, so he’ll be kept busy.’
    Jane nodded, not taking her eyes off the boys in thepictures. She pointed to Jim. ‘This one’s in the army, you said?’
    ‘That’s right. They’ve put him in the paratroopers.’
    ‘Really? I’m not surprised about that. He’s a tough looking man.’
    ‘He is. He’s always been someone you could rely on. If any of us had problems, he’d wade right in and sort everything out for us. Bob’s quieter, and has a gentle way with him for such a big man.’ Becky took the pictures back and held them in her hands for a moment. ‘I do miss them so much.’
    ‘Adams!’
    Becky winced and shot to attention. Their sergeant might be a woman, but she had a piercing voice. ‘You’re wanted outside. Move!’
    It hadn’t taken long to learn that when told to move, it meant at once. Becky ran to the door, making the sergeant step aside smartly.
    Once outside, she stopped and looked around, puzzled. No one was waiting for her. ‘Who wanted me, Sergeant?’ she asked. But when she looked back there was no sign of her. Well, she wouldn’t have been called for nothing, so she had better find out what this was all about. That corporal with his head under the bonnet of an officer’s car might be able to help. He seemed to be the only one around at the moment.
    She marched over and tapped him on the shoulder, making him come up so quickly he bashed his head on the open bonnet.
    ‘Bloody hell! Did you have to creep up on me like that?’
    ‘I didn’t creep, I marched, but the snow must have muffled the sound. Sorry. You having trouble?’
    ‘Damned thing just died on me. My officer’s not going to be happy if I’m late picking him up.’ He stepped back, rubbing his head. ‘Suppose I’d better go and find a mechanic.’
    ‘Hang on a minute. Let me have a look.’ She couldn’t resist messing about with an engine again. ‘I can strip down a motorbike engine and put it back together again, but I’ve only had a look at cars a couple of times. Still, an engine’s an engine. I might be able to help.’
    ‘Go ahead then.’ He stepped out of her way.
    It didn’t take her more than half a minute to spot the trouble and, furious, she spun round, hands on hips. ‘All right. Who put you up to this? I know you men think it’s a great joke to tease us girls, but you really didn’t think I was daft enough to fall for this, did you? Hand them over.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Don’t play the innocent. You know what I mean.’
    ‘Are you looking for these?’ a quiet voice said from behind her.
    She recognised the cultured tone, and turned slowly. Without a word, she took the spark plugs from his hand, ducked under the bonnet and put them where they belonged, then slammed the bonnet down. ‘Keys,’ she demanded from the corporal.
    When he tossed them to her, she got in and started the car. Leaving it running, she climbed out and faced the officer, and as much as she wanted to give him a piece of her mind, she knew she must be careful what she said.
    ‘There you are, sir . No need for you to be late now you’ve had your fun.’ She was so hurt it was hard to curb her tongue. ‘If you’d wanted to make a fool of me, you should have made it a little more challenging. Sir!’
    ‘That was not my intention,’ the officer said, his eyes alight with amusement.
    ‘Really?’ She could hear the corporal trying to stifle his laughter and she was angry – and hurt. She’d liked this man the first time she had met him, and had talked freely about herself – and now he’d played this prank on her. Their sergeant was obviously in on it, and