Our Perfect Place

By Megan Stuart

The story begins when David Ashby comes home on a weekend pass, he is a Captain in the Army. He finds his home bombed and his two children in the care of an ARP Warden at the side of the road. Shirley, his wife, arrives. She had been to meet the children from school due to the air raid. David takes his family to his parents’ farm in Dorset. The story is both happy and sad but they love their life in the village, a perfect place.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Sep 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781528995573

Megan Stuart

Megan Stuart was born near Administer Devon but spent most of her life in the Midlands. She moved to Cornwall in 1990. Megan met Bob and married in 1997. They now live in Lelant, retired with Missy Mop, their Shih Tzu. Megan enjoys music, all aspects of history, films, travel and working in the garden, landscaping in particular, and also enjoys reading.

Book preview

About the Author

Megan Stuart was born near Administer Devon but spent most of her life in the Midlands. She moved to Cornwall in 1990. Megan met Bob and married in 1997. They now live in Lelant, retired with Missy Mop, their Shih Tzu. Megan enjoys music, all aspects of history, films, travel and working in the garden, landscaping in particular, and also enjoys reading.

Dedication

Normally dedications go to family or friends but because it is the eightieth anniversary of the Second World War I would like to dedicate my story to the following:

The A.R.P. men and women, the Firefighters, The Ambulance Crews, Nurses and Doctors, the W.R.V.S and the Royal British Legion, the Armed Forces to include all those who served from countries overseas, the Home Guard, the Convoys on all seas or oceans of the world, the Train Drivers carrying troops and munitions up and down the country, the Police, Farmers and Land Girls, Factory workers and Housewives not forgetting the Entertainers both at home and overseas keeping Morale high. Enjoy.

Copyright Information ©

Megan Stuart 2022

The right of Megan Stuart to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528995566 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781528995573 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2022

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

Thank you to my daughter, Jilly, your laptop knowledge is outstanding. You helped me out when my laptop misbehaved.

Chapter 1

The ARP warden felt at a loss as to what he could do, the two young children standing at his side were in great distress. They had come from school to find that their house, along with several others, had been flattened to the ground. I want Mummy, the little girl cried; the boy put his arm around her shoulder.

Don’t cry, Rosie, he said, although he was very near to tears himself.

What are your names? the warden asked them.

The little boy answered, I’m Tom Ashby and this is my sister Rosie. Mummy should be here, she’s always here when we get home from school!

The warden felt more unhappy; he did not know what he could tell them. There was no sign of anyone in the street, he just hoped that their mother was not at the bottom of all that rubble; he felt he ought to take them to a centre of some kind.

Tom, what’s happened? Tom looked around to see his father running towards them.

Daddy! he cried. Both he and Rosie ran towards him, and he scooped them up in his arms, Our house is gone, Dad, and we don’t know where Mummy is.

The ARP warden walked over to them. Found them here a little while ago, just came home from school. It was a real shock for ’em, poor little kids, still… you’re here now, on leave, are ya?

Yes I’ve got a three-day pass… my name is David Ashby, thank you for looking after them for me.

They both looked towards where the houses had been. They said their mum was always at home waiting for them, the warden said. I just wished she wasn’t today.

A woman suddenly came running along the road.

Look, its Mummy! Rosie cried, and when she reached them there were hugs all round.

Oh, thank goodness you’re safe! she cried. Tears were streaming down her cheeks; it was then she must have noticed her husband.

David, what are you doing here? he put his arms around her shoulders.

I’ve got a three-day pass, he said, Now, now, Shirley. Don’t cry, we’re all safe. The A.R.P. warden stood to one side; he felt relieved that this family had found each other but knew that there would be a lot that wouldn’t.

Thank you again for looking after the children, he said.

That’s OK, sir, but tell me, ma’am: Where were you? The children said you were always at home when they returned from school.

Wiping her eyes and still holding on to Rosie, she told them what had happened…

About five or ten minutes before the children were due out of school, I heard the air raid sirens. I thought they would be frightened so I went to meet them, and as I passed a shelter, a warden pulled me into the doorway and said, ‘Don’t you know there’s an air raid going on, come in here now!’

I told him I was on my way to meet my children from school. He said that they would not have let them leave, but I knew that they would have been on their way when the planes began flying over. So I waited, at last it stopped, and he allowed me to go. I ran round to the school but there were only a few children there with the teachers. I asked them if they had seen Tom and Rosie… One little boy said they had been gone about fifteen minutes, I realised then they must have passed while we were all in the shelter, so I ran back here.

What will you do now, sir? the warden asked David. I hear they have beds in many of the underground stations.

No, said David. My parents live in Dorset, I’ll try and get them there. I have to be in Southampton on Monday and I want to know that they are safe before I go back; would you be able to do me a favour?

I can only try, said the warden. What is it you want?

Will you be going near to any of the city barracks on your way home? If so, would you be able to drop a letter in for me?

I go past Lewisham; of course I’ll drop your letter in.

David asked Shirley if she had any paper in her bag, and a pen. I have a pen, Tom said, and some paper.

He opened his school bag and took out one of his schoolbooks and proceeded to tear out a piece of paper. David took the pen and paper and using the book, he wrote his letter.

He wrote his name, army number and unit at the top of the page, then informed the officer in command what had happened and that he planned to take his family to Dorchester in Dorset. He hoped that he would be in Southampton on Monday but if not, would they allow him another day? He finished by adding his parents’ address and telephone number and then signed his name.

He gave it to the warden to read.

That’s fine, sir, I’ll hand it in to the officer in charge. I’ll be going off duty soon and I’m so glad things have turned out well for you.

David asked for his name and address and the ARP warden wrote his name and address on a piece of paper that David gave him. David read it. Thank you Alf, we’ll be in touch, thank you for what you’ve done. Now, we’d best make our way to Waterloo to see if we can get a train.

The warden advised the family to keep to the outer streets as there seemed to be lots of damage and unexploded bombs. David thanked him and they set off.

After a long walk, they finally arrived at Waterloo. Finding a seat, David set down Rosie from his shoulders. Wait here and I’ll try and find out about trains, he set off down the main concourse of the station.

I’m hungry, Rosie said.

So am I, Tom added.

When Daddy comes back, we’ll find somewhere, their mum told them.

David was not long. There’s a train from platform four in half an hour, and we have to cross over the bridge along there… Are we ready?

The children are hungry, Shirley told him. So am I. I’ve not eaten since this morning.

They crossed the bridge and found platform four. Some way along was a set of tables topped with buns and an urn for hot drinks; it was being run by one of the ladies’ groups.

David walked over to ask if they could purchase some buns and a drink. The young lady on duty seemed a bit apprehensive. Just a moment, sir, I must check with Mrs Jacobs; we’re expecting a troop train.

Mrs Jacobs came over to where David stood. I’m sorry to ask, David started, I thought that might be the case, but our home was bombed today; I’m taking my family to my parents in Dorset before I go back to France on Monday.

Then you will be most welcome, Mrs Jacobs told him.

We don’t need a lot, just a bun each and a cup of tea; could the children have milk?

Yes, just tell Polly it’s alright.

David thanked her and went to fetch the buns and drinks; the children were thrilled and ate the buns with gusto.

The train should be here soon, Shirley said. Hurry and drink your milk, we have to take the cups back.

The children drank up their milk and David returned the cups to Polly. Thank you very much, he said and walked back to Shirley and the children as the train pulled noisily into the station.

There were many soldiers on the train but the front seemed quite empty. David found them seats where Tom and Rosie could look out of the window, though not for much longer, it was beginning to get dark. After a while, Rosie lay down on the seat, resting her head on Shirley’s lap; it was not long before Tom did the same.

Do you think your parents will have us, David? The last time we saw them was not exactly pleasant.

That was not your fault, Shirley, Dad wanted me to work on the farm and Mum blamed you for us leaving for the city, but it was what I wanted; I’m sure it will be fine, don’t worry.

It was late when the train pulled into Dorchester.

How do we get to the farm? Shirley asked him. I don’t suppose there will be taxis about at this time.

The station yard was deserted.

I’ll go over and knock Joe up, he won’t have gone to bed yet, if I know him. David walked to a cottage just outside of the station yard; a taxi stood by the gate. David knocked at the door and, after a short while, the door opened. Hello Joe, would you be able to run us down to the farm? Our house in London has been flattened, I’ve brought Shirley and the kids down to Mum and Dad’s… I have to go back to France on Monday.

David, it’s good to see you; of course I’ll run you down.

Rosie had fallen asleep in the taxi.

Wake up, Rosie, we’re here now, Shirley said as they clambered out of the taxi.

Joe refused the money which David offered him, No David, you keep it. Everyone in the village is proud of you.

How did you know? David asked.

Vicar said prayers for you in church when you went off.

But I was living in London when I received my call-up papers.

Your mother must have told the vicar then, Joe said. Anyway, mate, all the best and take care.

Thank you, Joe, I will.

David had seen the curtains move.

Well, here goes, he said to himself.

The door opened and his father stood at its entrance, David walked down the path with Shirley and the children close behind him.

Hello Dad, I wondered if you might put us up for a bit, we’ve been bombed out and I’m due to go back to France on Monday; it was just lucky I arrived home just after the raid.

Who is it, Frank? At this time of night! The owner of the voice appeared beside her husband. David, what brings you here… after all this time?

I didn’t think we’d be welcome, but as I’ve told Dad, we’ve been bombed out and I’m due to go back to France on Monday.

Mary pulled a face, Well, I suppose you’d best come in.

Rosie pulled back, I don’t want to go in, Mummy, that lady doesn’t like us.

I don’t want to go either, Tom said.

Frank turned and glared at his wife, You can’t be like this, Mary, that was years ago. David didn’t want to farm, I’ve accepted that. He was keen to become a lawyer and we should not have pressured him. They have nowhere else to go, now welcome them properly.

Mary turned and smiled at her husband, Yes, Frank you’re right; I’ve been stupid all these years. She put her arms around David and hugged him.

I’m sorry, David. She looked behind him to where Shirley stood, holding out her arms. I’m sorry, Shirley, can you forgive me?

Shirley smiled and returned the hug. Come on in now, and introduce me to my lovely grandchildren.

The children looked up to Shirley. It’s alright, Gran is happy for us to stay.

Chapter 2

When they were settled in the warm sitting room, Mary offered to make some tea.

That would be great, Mum, we’ve not eaten a lot today. Do you need a hand? Shirley asked.

No, you sit there, my dear; Frank will help, they left the room and began making tea in the kitchen.

Frank cut up the cake which Mary passed to