Keep the Home Fires Burning: Part Four: A Soldier Returns

By S. Block

In Britain's darkest hour, an extraordinary community of women strives to protect the Home Front. When a plane crashes in the village, every one of their lives will change forever . . .

PART FOUR in a brand new FOUR-PART serial from the creator of ITV's smash hit series, Home Fires. Can they prevail . . . While their men are at war the women of Great Paxford have fought hard to keep the home fires burning, but a new arrival threatens everything . . . Pat Simms has a secret she needs to keep, but the close scrutiny of her husband is near impossible to escape. Frances Barden has overcome every challenge these troubled times have thrown at her, but a new threat, one very close to home, has arisen. Steph Farrow made a vow, she promised to protect her farm and family while her husband was at war, but she never imagined this . . . Meanwhile, Teresa faces a tragedy she's powerless to stop. Even during the hardest times the women of the WI have prevailed, finding new love, happiness and purpose, but can they survive the enemy at their door? Don't miss any part of the story. Keep the Home Fires Burning - Part One: Spitfire Down! is available now. Search 9781785763588. The story's not over. An all-new novel is coming in 2018! To pre-order your copy now search 9781785764295. Perfect for fans of Call the Midwife, Granchester and Foyles War. If you adore the novels of Nadine Dorries, Diney Costello and Daisy Styles then this is an unmissable series for you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zaffre
• Release date: May 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781499861631

Book preview

Chapter 48

If Lakin thinks he can threaten me, he’s got another think coming. If he wants a fight he’s going to have one – on the telephone or face to face. The last thing Noah needs is more upheaval. I made a mistake by not trusting my own instincts and digging in my heels about not sending him away to boarding school. I shall not do so again.

When preparing for confrontation it was Frances’s habit to rehearse her core arguments to herself as she approached the arena of conflict, whether that was the village hall and a WI meeting, or the hallway of her own house and a telephone conversation with Noah’s grandfather, Morris Lakin. This frequently saw her striding through the village or – as on this occasion – across her own lawn, muttering animatedly to herself, like a boxer geeing himself up between the dressing room and the ring. Though she would often try to second-guess what the opposition might throw at her, Frances found it wasn’t essential, so convinced was she by her own conviction and prowess.

The child doesn’t need any more pushing from pillar to post. What he needs above all else is stability – of location, and of the people around him. Enough is enough.

By the time Frances picked up the receiver she had pumped herself into an uncompromising mood. She knew the police had informed the Lakins of Noah’s return earlier in the day, and saw little point in beating around the bush.

‘Mr Lakin,’ she said, ‘I was planning to telephone you this evening to discuss matters. Once I’d seen to Noah’s needs.’

‘Your maid told me Noah is already up and about, Mrs Barden.’

‘Such a relief to have him home safe and sound.’ She placed some emphasis on the word ‘home’ to make it clear to Lakin where she believed Noah’s home now was. ‘He slept like a log for nearly seven hours and, rather remarkably, seems none the worse for wear. Though I dare say he won’t completely recover from his odyssy for a few days yet.’

‘I’m mightily relieved, Mrs Barden. Any other outcome doesn’t bear thinking about. I’ve had to keep the entire business from Mrs Lakin for fear of triggering a relapse of her emphysema. Not an easy matter, I can tell you.’

‘It was a tremendous shock to everyone’s system, Mr Lakin. When I think of what— No. The time for terrible speculation is – as you imply – thankfully over.’

‘Is it, Mrs Barden? I’m not so sure.’

What are you suggesting, old man? I didn’t believe Claire had it right, but it does sound very much as if you are threatening something.

‘Forgive me if I’m mistaken, Mr Lakin, but I’m picking up a tone of misgiving in your voice. Is that the case?’

‘I’m afraid it is, Mrs Barden. I’m disappointed. Tremendously disappointed. I did wonder if something like this might occur. But not so soon as this.’

Frances had met with Helen’s father several times to discuss his grandson’s future, and on each occasion had found him reserved but respectful. This version of the man seemed openly confrontational.

But about what? It wasn’t my desire to send Noah away to school. I was merely acting on Peter and Helen’s wishes. If you have any kind of problem with what’s happened over the past few days it is surely with them and not with me.

‘Would you mind explaining yourself, Mr Lakin, when you say you did wonder if something like this might occur?’

If I’m not mistaken, Lakin has spoken as a man who has already arrived at his conclusion. Stay calm. Don’t antagonise. He’s no doubt still upset by what’s just happened. This is undissipated anxiety. Let him talk it out if he must.

‘You were asked to take Noah in to keep him out of Liverpool during the bombing campaign, and to see that Peter and Helen’s wishes for his education were met.’

‘Have I not done exactly what you’ve described?’

‘You did. Yes, you did.’

‘Am I wrong to pick up that you are placing a definite emphasis on the past tense, Mr Lakin?’

‘You are not, Mrs Barden. I have just spoken with Dr Nelms at the school—’

‘You have my sympathies. I find the man impenetrably dense.’

‘He said you’ve decided Noah won’t be returning.’

‘It’s what Noah wants. And if I may be frank, it’s what I have come to realise I want too.’

‘I see . . .’

Lakin’s voice trailed off ominously.

‘You see what exactly?’

Frances took a deep breath and prepared herself for his attack.

‘Did it not occur to you, Mrs Barden, that your decision to remove Noah from the boarding school is not yours alone to make? Where will he be educated if not there?’

‘Great Paxford has a fine village school, Mr Lakin. Noah will fit in splendidly.’

‘That’s as may be. But it is neither what your husband wanted for the boy, nor my daughter.’

In his delivery of those two words Frances suddenly understood the reason for his hostility.

‘I can assure you, Mr Lakin, I am only thinking of what’s in Noah’s best interests.’

‘Noah has a mother, Mrs Barden,’ he said pointedly. ‘You are not her.’

Tears immediately pricked Frances’s eyes.

Have I ever said I was? Have I ever pretended to be her?

While she would never contest Lakin’s statement, she could nevertheless qualify it.

‘Noah had a mother, Mr Lakin. And a father. Their tragic loss will remain with each of us until our dying day. Were Helen and Peter alive you and I would not be having this conversation. Were they alive, I dare say you and I would never have cause to speak, or know of one another – as we did not when they were alive. I didn’t know Noah then. By which I mean I wasn’t merely unacquainted with him – I mean he was kept completely secret from me. As you know.’

‘Nevertheless—’

‘I should like to finish my point if I may?’

Frances was counting on Lakin being unused to becoming entangled in debate with women as forthright as she.

‘Very well,’ he said, with an audible sigh.

‘When Helen died, her status as Noah’s mother did not die with her. But her role as his mother did. In her absence, someone has to take up that role—’

‘That wasn’t the basis upon which we asked you to take him in,’ said Lakin, his voice hardening. ‘It was simply to provide refuge from the assault on—’

‘Liverpool, yes. I agree, providing a maternal influence was not the basis upon which I took Noah into my home. That said, at the time I agreed to have him I could not foresee the effect he might have on me, and vice versa. Neither do I believe you foresaw it, or else you would have warned me against it. I took him in and in spending time with the child I could feel myself naturally bonding with him. And he with me. Here was a vulnerable child under my care. Vulnerable not only to German bombs, but to finding himself in the world without a mother or father. He needs more than a safe roof over his head, and I realised I could give him more. What was I to do, Mr Lakin? Deny my growing feelings of affection? Curtail his?’

There was silence at the other end of the line.

‘We have lost our daughter, Mrs Barden.’

‘I can assure you I am not trying to replace Helen. As painful as her involvement in my life has been, I would never seek to supplant her in Noah’s heart. I talk about her and Peter all the time. But they are no longer here to act on his life. I – we – are.’

‘Helen’s wishes must be respected alongside Peter’s. They decided Noah should go to boarding school.’

‘I understand that. But ask yourself this, Mr Lakin: if Helen and Peter hadn’t perished, and had sent Noah off to school, as I did, according to their wishes, and Noah had run away as he did, do you believe Helen would have sent him back?’

There was another