Chapter 1

Two days after Charlie's death I received a letter saying to pack my things because an escort would be coming to take me to the harbour "I'm going home!" I was so overjoyed. I was going home to see Molly, Mother, Big Joe and little Tommo. It took me four days to get back to the little cottage, I call home. When I got back and opened the door Molly ran towards me and hugged me so tight I thought I would suffocate, "it's nice to have you back," she said. Then mother came out of the living room and I saw him, young Tommo. Mother then came to hug me before handing him to me. I suddenly noticed they were both wearing black dresses so I rushed upstairs to change into a suit that I found mother and Molly had bought me. That evening after supper as we were talking about what I had been doing in between fighting in France, there was a knock at the door and mother went to answer it I heard a small French voice speaking and then mother calling Molly to the door. Two seconds later I heard Molly scream there was a few nervous minutes before Molly and mother brought in a young girl, the most beautiful I had ever seen. She had black hair, blue eyes and wore a black dress with black tights and a pair of what looked like Spanish high heels. She looked about fifteen and I knew then that I could love someone more than Molly. "This is my cousin Danielle," Molly told us "she used to live in France before the war." At that moment I felt so guilty, I had been part of something that had pushed this beautiful girl from her home. I think she could see I was upset "I hope you visited my home town Etaples" she said cheerily "beautiful isn't it." Obviously Molly could tell I was getting nervous and started asking questions, "why did you come here anyway?" she asked.

"Well" Danielle answered "I do not think mama and papa wanted me any more so they left me on aunty and uncle's doorstep, I knocked on the door but there was no answer and the next thing I knew there was a envelope at my feet so when I followed the instructions that were inside they led me here."

"They obviously did not want any more children like me!" Molly sniffed. Then all of a sudden Danielle started crying "I know I'm not wanted!" Danielle explained.

"Nonsense!" mother exclaimed "you are wanted; in fact do you want to stay for the night?"

"Yes please!" Danielle answered.

"She could sleep in my bed and I will move in with big Joe for the night," I suggested.

"Good idea Tommo!" mother said

"I could not do such a thing!" Danielle exclaimed "I will sleep with some blankets on the floor."

"No you will not, you will sleep in my bed," I answered "and I will sleep with big Joe."

So the evening went on with another word on the subject.