Love and the LAND GIRL
THE STORY SO FAR: Spring 1941. Sarah has joined the Land Army to escape her unhappy parents. The farm she’s working on is marvellous but the other two Land Girls, Heather and Morag, are clearly at loggerheads, and while Sarah’s growing accustomed to farm work, she’s terrified of cows, which irritates Morag. Occasionally, Sarah wonders about her parents’ relationship and whether her mother had been pregnant before she married. It’s a constant worry. When a concert is announced featuring some Italians, it’s agreed it would be nice to go, but Morag’s upset by this, storming off. Mrs Tweddle the housekeeper explains that her fiancé is away fighting the Italians and there’s been no news of him. When Sarah talks to Morag, she learns why there’s such bad feeling between the girls – Heather’s pregnant, the father’s an Italian and that’s unforgivable. Morag tells Sarah she’s decided to inform the authorities.
Sarah stared at Morag. ‘You wouldn’t do that, surely? She’s your friend.’
‘Not any more, she’s not.’ Morag shook her head slowly, wonderingly. ‘I haven’t heard a word from my Eddie. He’s away fighting the Italians and I don’t know if he’s dead or alive, and Heather…’ She tutted in disgust but her eyes pooled with tears. ‘She’s been going with one of them. Why shouldn’t I tell?’ Morag flung down her book and sobbed.
‘Shush, now.’ Sarah sat on the bed and began to pat her back, expecting to be snapped at. But there was just uncontrollable crying. At last, the sobbing subsided and Morag lay in
