Shadow of a Soldier

By Katharine R Pepper

After Jennifer Bowen inherits her Great-Aunt Roberta's house in the small country town of Littleton, she hopes it will be her chance to start her life over after a recent, bitter divorce. However, she soon discovers that the cottage is already occupied, and that her great-aunt was keeping a secret that will change Jennifer's life forever.

 

When Jennifer's ex-husband, Mark, turns up unexpectedly on her doorstep, Jennifer meets the other occupant of the cottage: the very handsome, and very dead, Corporal Jim Brown. Jennifer's family history intertwines with that of Corporal Brown, and only she can uncover the truth that will allow him to find the peace he craves.

 

Jennifer's search leads her to family secrets long forgotten, and as the mystery slowly unravels, Jennifer will not only find a new romance but also danger: someone in Littleton wants the past to remain buried.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katharine R Pepper
• Release date: Dec 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201959241

Katharine R Pepper

Katharine R. Pepper has always loved reading books, but secretly she's always been a frustrated novelist. Her first efforts, around the age of 19, were corny, romantic stories banged out on a manual typewriter (with heroes who looked very much like Tom Selleck in his Magnum PI days (#showingherage)). Let's just say they were good typing practice! Katharine has lived in Melbourne, Grafton, Alice Springs and Adelaide, been married twice and divorced once, has two (now adult) children with Husband No. 1 and a stepson with (current) Husband No. 2. She finally rediscovered writing when she moved to the Gold Coast with her children in 2000 (after separating from Husband No. 1) and joined the Gold Coast Writers’ Association. Soon after this, she became part of The Ten Penners, a subgroup of the GCWA. The group has released three anthologies for children: Fan-tas-tic-al Tales in 2009, Mystery, Mayhem & Magic in 2017 and Backyard Beasts & Curious Capers in 2023. She has published two novels: Shadow of a Soldier in 2013 (previously released under the name "Kate Russell", but now updated with a new cover for 2021) and The Players, also in 2021. Katharine has six other novels in progress: two with a crime scene cleaner as the protagonist, three featuring a teenage witch (YA), and one standalone historical fantasy (YA).   Katharine has been a member of the Queensland Writers Centre and Sisters in Crime for many years. She also has a blog: https://katharinerpepperauthor.wordpress.com/ (which she doesn't update nearly enough).

Book preview

Prologue

14 June 1919

The wedding of Bobby Jones and Jane Davis was the biggest the district had ever seen. Everyone who was anyone attended—Bill Jones had made his fortune in munitions during the war and he spent his money lavishly on the wedding of his only son.

During the reception, Bobby’s sister, sixteen-year-old Rosie Jones, went missing. Afterwards, nobody could remember exactly when she’d disappeared, but a search party was formed immediately.

Rosie was eventually found in an outlying shed on the Brown’s farm. She had been brutally attacked, raped and beaten, and was unconscious and barely breathing. She was taken to hospital but died on the way. Bobby was beside himself with grief.

Suspicion fell immediately on Jim Brown. Everyone knew about him and Janie, and how Bobby had taken ‘his girl’. And the fact that Rosie was found on the Brown’s farm made him even more of a suspect. And to make matters worse, Jim was missing.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown defended him passionately. Their son wouldn’t do such a thing. He was a gentleman. Yes, he’d been hurt by Janie’s change of heart, but he hadn’t wanted revenge. He was trying to make a new life for himself.

But without Jim there to speak for himself, in the eyes of the town he was guilty.

Three days after the wedding, Jim Brown’s body was found in the bush. It appeared that he had shot himself. Everyone assumed he’d killed himself out of remorse. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were distraught, and eventually they sold the farm and left town.

Six Months Earlier

IT WAS FINALLY OVER. The Great War for Civilisation. Corporal Jim Brown wiped the sweat from his eyes and brushed his dirty hair from his face. Nobody could quite believe it. It seemed to Jim and his fellow soldiers that the only life they had ever known was this—the blood, sweat and fear of the trenches.

Jim walked over to his best friend, Roger Jameson.

‘Well, we can finally go home, mate. Can you believe it?’

‘Not until I set foot on Aussie soil again. I never thought we’d make it home.’

They had seen so many fall—so many young lives cut short. But now, at last, the nightmare was over. They were going home.

Littleton, New South Wales

JIM ALIGHTED FROM THE train, carrying his rucksack. He breathed in the fresh country air and sighed deeply. He really was home. A plump woman with greying hair hurried over to him.

‘Jim, love, you're home! Let me look at you.’ Her eyes were wet, and she brushed the tears away impatiently. Jim stood quietly as his mother hugged him as if she would never let him go. His father, a tall, wiry man with a shock of black hair and startling blue eyes, stepped forward and shook Jim’s hand, an older version of his son. He wouldn’t look in Jim’s eyes, and Jim knew it was because he was afraid to show his emotion. But Jim felt his father’s love, even though he was not as demonstrative as his wife.

But the face he most wanted to see wasn’t there to greet him. Where was Janie? They had made sweet promises to one another before he went to war—but she was nowhere to be seen.

After his mother had finally released him, he asked the question he’d been dreading. ‘Where is Janie?’

His mother and father glanced at each other; their faces unhappy.

‘Well?’ Jim asked again, more forcefully this time.

‘We—didn’t want to worry you, dear,’ his mother began, but his father cut her off impatiently.

‘The boy has to know, sooner or later.’ He sighed. ‘Janie’s engaged—to Bill Jones’ son, Bobby.’

‘Bobby Jones?’ Jim didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Bobby Jones had always been ‘the fat kid’, the one with glasses and no friends. The lonely kid in the corner of the schoolyard. Janie wouldn’t have looked twice at him a few years ago. Before the war.

When he said nothing, his mother went on nervously to fill the silence. ‘He’s done very well for himself. He’s a lawyer, now. You know he couldn’t enlist because of his eyesight—and, well, he’s been working hard and Janie...’

Jim sighed. He had known things would be different after the war but had always thought Janie would be waiting for him. He felt as if his heart had been bruised beyond repair. ‘Let’s go home, Mum,’ he said.

They made their way over to the horse and cart. Jim’s family were farmers, and they owned a property not far out of town. Jim was lost in thought all the way home, and his parents kept their distance, only occasionally darting worried glances at one another.

Jim’s heart lightened a little as they came in sight of the familiar building. He really was home. Never again would he have to return to the horror of the trenches and the stench of death.

Once inside, his mother busied herself with preparing his favourite—roast pork with all the trimmings. As usual her crackling was crunchy and perfect, and Jim found himself relishing every mouthful. He hadn’t eaten like this in a very long time.

That night, as he lay in the same warm, comfortable bed he’d had as a teenager, Jim’s mind raced. He needed to see Janie, if only to realise that it was truly over. His head was filled with visions of her long, red hair and bright green eyes, her pale skin and slim figure. She was a beauty all right—and she should have been his. But war was hard on everyone—not only those who fought but also those left behind. He was hurt—of course he was, after all he’d been through—but he could also understand Janie’s desire to be with a man who was safe and secure. Besides, there had been no guarantees he would even come home. Too many good, brave, young men, just like him, had not come back.

Finally, exhausted, he fell asleep.

The next day the sun shone from a cloudless sky. At first, he couldn’t remember where he was, and when he did, he smiled for the first time in a long while. He rose from bed, washed, and shaved (with hot water—a real luxury) and strode into the kitchen to find his mother cooking bacon and eggs. He kissed her gently on the top of her head, and she briefly put her hand on his before she went on with her cooking.

Once they were sitting down and eating, she asked:

‘What are your plans for today, love?’

‘I thought I might go into town and see if I can talk to Janie.’

His mother paused with her fork halfway to her mouth. ‘Do you think that’s a good idea, love? You’re not going to say or do anything silly, are you?’

‘No, Mum, I just want to see her. I need to know that she’s moved on. I need to hear it from her mouth and see it in her eyes.’

‘Well, I suppose if that’s what you feel you must do. But be careful, dear. I don’t want you to get hurt.’

He almost laughed then. He could bear almost anything after the trenches, even a broken heart.

It was a beautiful day, so he decided to walk. It was a joy just to be free. He felt his spirits lift as he wandered along the dirt track into town.

The Jacaranda trees were blooming, and he could smell their sweet blossoms as he approached the main street, which was lined with them. Janie lived with her parents about a block from the main street, so he didn’t have far to go now. He found himself growing nervous. What would he say to her? He knew he had changed—not physically, although his body was harder and leaner than it had ever been when she knew him—but spiritually and emotionally he was a different person. Nobody comes back totally unscathed from ordeals such as he had experienced. He would have nightmares about it for many years to come.

Finally, he was there. He knocked at the blue front door, and before long it was opened. Janie stood before him, as beautiful as ever. Her eyes filled with tears. ‘Jim...’

‘Hello, Janie.’

They looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity, his eyes drinking her in.

‘You came back.’

‘Yes.’

‘I never thought I’d see you again.’

‘I know.’

Another long silence. Finally: ‘Would you like to come in? Mother would be thrilled to see you...’

‘If you don’t mind...’

‘No, of course not,’ she paused. ‘Come in.’

He followed her down the spotless hallway into the drawing room. Her mother, a woman who could still turn heads with her beauty, rose from her chair and came to him with outstretched hands. ‘Jim, my dear! How wonderful it is to see you.’

‘Thank you, Mrs. Davis. It’s good to be home. It seems that much has happened since I’ve been away,’ he glanced pointedly at Janie.

‘You will have heard about our Janie’s engagement then, Jim dear. It came as a bit of a shock to all of us—I mean, Bobby Jones of all people! But there you go.’ At this, Janie blushed. Her mother went on, oblivious to her discomfort. ‘He’s certainly done very well for himself. He’s a lawyer, you know.’

‘So, I’ve heard.’

‘Would you like some tea, dear?’

‘Yes, thank you, Mrs. Davis. And could I possibly just have a private word with Janie?’

Now it was Mrs. Davis’ turn to blush. ‘Of course, dear. You must have lots to talk about.’

She hurried from the room, and Jim, at last, asked his question.

‘Why didn’t you wait for me? I loved you. That was the only thing that kept me going—the thought of you waiting for me. Why didn’t you wait?’

Janie put her face in her hands and began to sob. ‘I did love you, Jim, I did! But I thought you were dead. Everyone who’d gone to war that I knew died. Dick and Terry, John and Jack—all of them. I couldn’t bear it. I was so afraid—so lonely. Bobby was just—there. And he was so kind—more than I deserved after the way I’d treated him—the way we’d all treated him—when we were kids. Anyway, it just went from there and before I knew it...’

He hated it when she cried, even now. So, he spoke to her a little more softly. ‘Do you love him? Are you happy?’

‘Yes, I do love him. He’s kind and generous and he will look after me. But if I’d known you were coming back—maybe...’

‘Well, I’m back now. Do you love him more than you loved me?’

‘It’s—different. More real somehow.’

His chest tightened and a wave of nausea swept over him. He rose abruptly. ‘I think it’s time I left. It seems we have nothing more to say to each other.’

‘Jim, I’m—I’m sorry. I never meant it to happen—it just did! Please don’t hate me.’

‘I don’t know how I feel about you right now. I just have to—go.’ And he strode from the room without a backward glance.

THE WALK BACK TO THE farm seemed longer somehow, maybe because he felt so alone—so bereft. What had he expected, really, when he saw her? Had he really thought she would leap into his arms as if the last few years hadn’t happened? She had moved on—made a life for herself without him in it—and it hurt him deeply. But if there was one thing he’d learnt from the war it was that some battles could not be won.

He was almost home. Lost in thought, it took some time for his brain to register that someone was calling him.

‘Jim! Jim Brown! Is that you?’

He turned. It was Bobby Jones. But this was not the Bobby Jones Jim remembered. This man was slim and well groomed, and he carried himself with an air of confidence. A lot had changed for Bobby Jones in the last few years.

Jim groaned. Bobby was the last person he wanted to see right now—or ever. He just wanted to go and curl up somewhere and lick his wounds.

‘Bobby Jones. What do you want?’

Bobby’s confident facade slipped just a little. ‘Listen, mate, I heard you were back and, well, I just wanted to say that, you know, I’m sorry—I know that you and Janie were...’

‘Not anymore, it seems.’

Now Bobby looked distinctly uncomfortable. ‘No, well, sorry. You know.’

Jim sighed. ‘Fine.’

‘Yes, well, sorry again. It just happened, mate, you know? What can I say?’

‘That’s just what Janie said. It just happened. Anyway, I really need to get home so...’

‘Yes, of course. Anyway, welcome back.’

Bobby turned his back and hurried away.

When Jim got home, he just wanted to forget this day had ever happened. He wished he could turn back the clock and do things differently. To go back—to that time before the war when everything seemed so clear. But that time was long gone, and he would just have to accept the way things were now. Everything had changed, and him most of all.

His mother fussed around fetching him a cup of tea and some homemade biscuits. He found himself smiling despite himself. His mother could always make him feel safe—almost like he was a little boy again. Once he was settled comfortably at the kitchen table, Mrs. Brown asked: ‘Did you see her? How was she?’

‘She was just the same, Mum. Just the same. Maybe she was just a little more beautiful than I remembered...’ He stopped, thinking of Janie and what might have been. Then he shook himself and went on. ‘But there’s no going back. She says she loves Bobby and I suppose I should be happy for her. But it’s not going to be easy. I’ve already run into the man himself by the way.’

‘Who? Not Bobby! What did he have to say for himself?’

‘He was—apologetic.’

‘Was he now? Well, then. Are you going to be all right, Jim love?’

‘Yes, Mum, I’ll be fine. I just need some time...’

OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, Jim threw himself into helping his father on the farm. He worked hard every day, so he was physically exhausted when he finally fell into bed at night, too tired to think or to feel. He didn’t want to feel. He rose early, worked all day, and went to bed. It would do, for now.

One morning as he was mending some fencing, a young man rode up on horseback. Jim pushed his hat back on his head and looked up. Then he looked again. It was Roger, his mate from the trenches.

‘Good Lord man! Do they have slavery here in the country?’ Roger laughed as he greeted him.

‘You’re a sight for sore eyes and no mistake,’ said Jim. ‘What brings you to this part of the world?’

‘My cousin is getting married. He’s done very well for himself. His girl is lovely by all accounts, although I’ve