A Time of Peace (38 page)

‘We can, I've already asked.'

‘Right.' She held out her hand and they shook on the agreement, as they did with every joint decision.

Later that evening, when the meal was cleared away and Kate and her mother were in the sitting room in front of a lovely fire, she told her mother about nearly buying her father a Christmas present. She explained how the shock had hit her, and how good Jon had been.

‘It won't be easy this Christmas,' her mother said, ‘but I'm determined to see that we have the usual lively family gathering.'

She smiled at her mother. ‘I hope you've made lots of puddings.'

‘I've made eight big ones, that should do, plus a couple of Christmas cakes. I'll leave the mince pies to last, then you can give me a hand with those. Will and Dora are going to friends on Boxing Day, Charlie and Madge won't be coming until the New Year, so why don't you ask Jon, Eddie and Tom to come on Boxing Day?'

‘That would be lovely.' Kate got to her feet. To have them over for the day would be wonderful. ‘I'll phone Jon now. He had a phone put in the flat as soon as he moved in.'

She hurried to the hall, where they had their phone, and dialled his number. It rang for quite a while before it was answered.

‘Devlin.' He sounded as if he'd been running.

‘This is Kate …'

‘Oh, hello, I heard the phone ringing as I opened the door and I tore up the stairs. How are you?'

‘I'm fine now, thank you. I'm phoning to ask if you, Eddie and Tom would like to come to us for Boxing Day.'

‘We'd love to; the boys will be over the moon. I might go over there now before they go to bed.' A deep chuckle
came down the phone. ‘You sure you want Tom? He could do a lot of damage in a whole day.'

‘Mum will keep him in line; it was her idea.' She joined in the laughter. Tom was a real handful but it would certainly liven up the day.

‘Ah, well, Rose knows what she's doing. And thanks for the invite. We'll look forward to it.'

As she put the phone down, she was so pleased her mother had suggested this. It would be good to give Jon and at least two little boys a real family Christmas.

Her mother was reading when she returned to the sitting room. She put her book away and looked up. ‘What did Jon say?'

‘They'd love to come.'

‘Good. That's Christmas settled. Now all we've got to do is buy presents for everyone.' Rose gazed into the fire, a look of utter sadness on her face. ‘It's going to be bloody painful without Bill, but it's happened and we've just got to get on with it!'

Christmas Day was much more relaxed than Kate had dared to hope. The house was full all day. Will, Dora, James, Annie, Reid and their boys had arrived early in the morning. After one of her mother's enormous lunches, the family crowded into the sitting room, full of good food and a drink or two. The empty space left by her father's death was, of course, on all their minds, but they had been determined to make it a good Christmas. As they sat around drinking their coffee, Rose and Annie began to talk about the first time they'd met Bill just after the First World War. The laughter flowed easily as Rose told how infuriating she'd found his unruffled calm, and Annie explained about the outings they'd had. She'd fallen in love with Bill at once, she said, although she'd only been around eight at the time, but it had taken her big sister longer to realize what a wonderful man he was.

Kate listened to the tales with eager interest, gaining a new perspective on Annie's and her mother's early life. They very seldom talked about it, but she knew it had been harsh for them in the slums of Bermondsey. Her love and admiration for her mother grew in leaps and bounds. Through her sheer determination not to accept the limitations of such an existence, she had dragged herself and her family out of that dreadful place. After
marrying Bill, the door had opened to give them all the comfortable life they now enjoyed.

The conversation was animated as each related their personal memories of Bill. It was then Kate realized that he would always be with them. Their memories would keep him alive in their hearts.

At teatime Beth and her boyfriend Steve joined them, then Pete and Susan popped in for an hour in the evening. Pete and Susan were constantly together now, and Kate couldn't have been more pleased for them.

The next morning Eddie burst into the kitchen, arms full of parcels and a wide grin of excitement on his face. Tom followed more sedately, clutching a pot plant and looking embarrassed to be carrying flowers.

‘Have you got a tree to put the presents round?' Eddie asked, hopping up and down. ‘We've got more in the car.'

Rose placed her hand on top of his head to stop him jigging around. ‘We've got one; it's in the other room.'

Looking as if he were holding a bomb, Tom thrust the plant at Rose. ‘That's for you. Thank you for asking us today.'

It was obviously a well-rehearsed little thank you, because Kate saw Jon give Tom a nod of approval.

‘Thank you.' Rose took the plant and arranged it in the middle of the kitchen table, then stood back to admire it. ‘That's lovely, and it's just perfect there.'

After bending to kiss Tom's cheek, Rose took hold of Eddie's hand and led him into the sitting room.

‘Bloody hell!' Tom touched his cheek. ‘What did she do that for?'

‘Watch your language.' Jon glared at the boy. ‘If you don't behave yourself, I'll take you back to Wandsworth. Go and help Ed put the presents around the tree.'

Tom shot out of the room with a smirk on his face, not at all put out by the reprimand.

Reid was leaning against the sink, chuckling quietly. ‘He's a bit of a tearaway by the sound of him.'

‘He sure is.' Jon shook his head in exasperation. ‘He's rebellious, but he's a damned bright kid and worth trying to help.'

‘How old is he?' Annie asked.

‘Coming up to nine and he thinks it's big to cuss.'

Paul and David were standing beside their father and smirking. ‘Don't you try copying him,' Reid said, but had great difficulty keeping his expression serious.

‘No, Dad,' Paul said, edging away from him. ‘Anyway that wasn't so terrible. You and Auntie Rose know worse words than that.'

As Reid pushed himself away from the sink, his sons tore out of the room, shrieking with laughter. ‘They're getting very nifty on their feet. I would have a job catching them now, and they know it.'

‘Kate!' Eddie erupted back into the kitchen, grabbed her hand and started to pull her forward.

‘Where are we going?' She laughed at his antics. He did get so excited and loved being with lots of people.

‘You'll see. Come on.' Once he'd dragged her into the sitting room, he made her stand in a certain spot, making absolutely sure she was in the right place; then he pulled up a stool and clambered on to it so he could reach her face by standing on tiptoe.

She knew what he was up to but pretended to look very puzzled. He giggled and planted a kiss on her cheek.

‘You next!' Eddie swivelled round to look at Rose, and, as she took Kate's place, she also received a smacking kiss.

Annie was next in line. ‘Hey, I'm not missing out on being kissed under the mistletoe.'

‘That kid's daft!' Tom looked absolutely disgusted.

‘No, he isn't, Tom.' Rose stooped down in front of him. ‘He loves affection. Annie was like that when she was a little girl and I never could understand it, but I do now. Some people are more outgoing than others; there's no harm in it.'

‘Suppose not. Still, I hope you don't expect me to kiss everyone.' He looked scandalized by the very idea.

‘Not if you don't want to.' Rose stood up and lifted Eddie off the stool.

Once his feet were on the floor, he ran over to Jon. ‘You've got to kiss Kate and her mum, because they're giving us this smashing day.'

Showing no reluctance to carry out Eddie's demand, Jon hugged Rose and kissed her on the cheek, then reached for Kate.

She was surprised when, instead of the expected peck everyone else had been getting, he eased her into his arms and kissed her full on the lips. It was a gentle embrace, and she was disappointed when he finally broke away. She had enjoyed his touch and nearness. Of course she had! She was hopelessly in love with him. Amid the heartbreak and suffering she had fallen in love. And like a fool, she hadn't admitted it to herself until now. She felt like shouting for joy as she gazed up at Jon and
smiled. She had found the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

‘I don't think you're supposed to do it like that!' Eddie's whisper broke through her thoughts.

‘That was a grown-up kiss.' Jon ruffled his hair and winked at Kate. ‘And it is Christmas.'

Eddie still appeared a trifle worried and looked up at Kate. ‘It's all right at Christmas, then? You didn't mind?'

‘Did you?' Jon raised an eyebrow in query.

‘Not at all.' She held his gaze for a moment and then gave Eddie a thoughtful look. He'd never had parents and seen affection between them, so it wasn't surprising he was puzzled by what he'd just witnessed, and yet he was a naturally affectionate child, longing to be loved. Her heart ached for all these unfortunate children who had to grow up without a family of their own …

‘Come on everyone,' Rose called. ‘Lunch is ready.'

There was a stampede for the dining room, which was being used for this special occasion.

James arrived just as they were sitting down, and it turned out to be a lively meal.

Eddie and Tom chatted away to Paul and David, whom they had obviously taken a liking to.

Afterwards the dishes were piled in the sink and left for later, then they all went into the sitting room to open the presents. It was clear that Jon had bought the gifts, but he made Tom and Eddie hand them out as if they came from them. The floor was soon littered with wrapping paper. Whoops of delight were coming from the young boys as they opened Meccano sets, boxes of toy soldiers and other wildly exciting things

‘Wow! Look what Kate's bought me.' Eddie scrambled
to his feet to thank her, and then rushed around the room showing everyone the box camera. ‘I'm going to help Kate when I've growed up.'

‘That's a good idea,' James said encouragingly; then he looked at Tom, who had so many presents around him it seemed as if he couldn't believe his eyes. ‘What would you like to be when you grow up, Tom?'

‘I'm going to be a pilot,' he declared, the expression on his face defying anyone to laugh.

James sat on the floor beside him. ‘Well, you'd better have a talk with Reid. He was a Spitfire pilot during the war.'

Tom spun round on his knees to face Reid, his eyes wide with wonder. ‘Were you one of the Few?'

‘Yes, I fought in the Battle of Britain. What do you know about it?'

‘Everything!' Without standing up, he shuffled forward until he was kneeling in front of Reid. ‘Jon gets me books from the library. I never spoke to a real pilot before.' He began to bombard Reid with questions, hanging on to his legs and gazing into his face so he didn't miss a word of the answers.

James stood up. ‘Mum, where did you put all my stuff when you cleared out my room?'

‘In the loft, I think.'

‘Right, I'll go and have a look.'

As James left the room, Kate watched Tom with great interest. Reid had made room for him to sit next to him and was explaining what it was like to fly a Spitfire.

‘He's found a hero.' Jon sat beside Kate. ‘We won't get any more trouble from him today.'

‘He's potty about aeroplanes,' Eddie said, ‘but I'd
rather have my camera. Will you show me how to use it, please, Kate?'

‘Of course, and I've already put a film in it for you.' She spent the next ten minutes explaining the workings, and then she turned to Jon with a smile of devilment. ‘It's so simple even you could use it.'

‘I doubt it.' His chuckle was deep as he put his arm around her shoulders. ‘You photographers stand your ground when working, but I spent my time diving for cover.'

‘But not any more?' she asked quietly. She knew he said he'd given up being a war correspondent, but she was still expecting him to get bored and disappear at any moment.

‘No.' He pulled her towards him slightly. He'd never had any sense of belonging before, but he'd found that with Kate, Rose and the rest of the family. They had welcomed him, and he felt as if he had a family for the first time in his life. ‘I've found everything I want right here.'

‘You going to kiss her again?' Eddie tugged at his free hand.

‘Not just yet.' He removed his arm, and there was a clear question in his eyes when he looked at her.

She held his gaze and smiled. No, she wouldn't mind being kissed by him again, and hoped she was reading the signals correctly.

James came back just then carrying a book and a large battered box. He put them down in front of Tom, who was still gazing at Reid in adoration. The book caught his attention, and he dived to open it, shuffling through the pages. It was all about wartime aircraft, and he found
a large coloured photograph of a Spitfire. He held it out for Reid to see. ‘Was yours like this?'

When his idol agreed that it was, Tom looked up at James. ‘Smashing book. This yours?'

‘Yes, but you can have it now. I know you'll look after it.'

‘Gee, thanks, I'll slosh anyone at the home who touches it.'

‘There's something else for you in the box.' James blew off the dust and watched as the boy opened it.

Jon leant forward. ‘What's he got in there? I've never seen him so quiet, or lost for words.'

The box was familiar to Kate. She'd seen it when they were children during the war … then she remembered. ‘James has just given him his model Spitfire.'

The plane was lifted out very carefully, and lovingly examined. Kate was sure she saw a glimmer of tears in the tough little kid's eyes, but they were quickly banished.

‘Wow!' He ran his fingers over the wings, and gave James a rather watery smile. ‘Thanks. It's the best blo … blooming present I've ever had.'

Kate blew her brother a silent kiss for his thoughtfulness. James grinned and then hit his forehead in mock disbelief as he looked at Eddie. ‘I nearly forgot. I found something else in the loft.'

He went into the hall and was back immediately with a football and a locomotive and two carriages. These he gave to Eddie.

Everyone had to admire the special gifts, and the boys spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in front of the fire with Paul and David, chatting excitedly and playing with the toys. Tom, however, kept a sharp eye on Reid all the time and made sure he was never out of his sight.

There were two tired blissfully happy kids in the car as Jon drove them back to Wandsworth. He was quite pleased himself. He wanted Kate – until death us do part – and the signs were hopeful. When she looked at him now, her lustrous dark eyes gleamed with warmth. If Gerhard dared show his face again, he would send him straight back to Berlin, though he doubted if he would return here to pursue Kate because the last he'd heard he was back in Algeria.

‘That pilot …' Tom, sitting in the back, leant forward. ‘He said he'd come and see me but I don't suppose he will.'

‘If Reid said he'd come, then he will,' Jon said, hearing the doubt in Tom's voice. ‘He'll keep his promise.'