Free Lost Angel by Kitty Neale

which made a change because out of sight of her parents, Gertie had been moody and snappy. Ellen had hated sleeping in her bed again, but if it meant her dad could stay, she’d do it for ever.
    When her dad stood up, Ellen felt the tears welling and was unable to stifle a sob. She flung back her chair, rushing to him, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist. ‘Do you have to go, Dad? Can’t you stay?’
    ‘There’s nothing I’d like more, but if I don’t go back I’d be a deserter.’
    ‘What’s a deserter?’
    ‘Someone who runs away, who doesn’t go back on duty when their leave’s over.’
    ‘You could do that, Dad,’ she said excitedly.
    ‘If I did, I’d be named a coward and end up inprison. Never mind, pumpkin. This war won’t go on for ever, and when it’s over I’ll be home for good.’
    ‘Oh, Dad…I still wish you could stay here now.’
    He held her close for a moment, stroked her hair, but then gently moved away. ‘Me too, but sorry, pumpkin, I’ve got to pop upstairs to get my kit.’
    ‘I’ll come with you,’ Ellen cried, unwilling to let him out of her sight.
    ‘No, stay there. I won’t be a minute,’ he croaked, quickly heading for the stairs.
    ‘Listen, Ellen, I know it’s hard, but somehow we’ve got to be brave for your dad’s sake. He’s upset, too, so let’s see if we can send him off with smiles.’
    ‘I…I’ll try.’
    ‘That’s my girl.’
    Her dad appeared again, kitbag slung over his shoulder. ‘Right, all set?’
    ‘Ned’s harnessed, so let’s go,’ said Gertie.
    ‘It’s good of you to take me to the station.’
    ‘Oh, it’s my pleasure.’
    ‘Right then, my lovely girls, time to go.’
    ‘Girl, huh, I wish I was.’
    ‘You’ll always be my girl, Hilda, even when you’re old and grey.’
    ‘I’d better be,’ she warned.
    Gertie marched ahead of them out of the door and swung up onto the cart. ‘There isn’t room for all three of you up here. Perhaps you should sit on the back, Doug.’
    ‘I’m sure we’ll manage with Ellen on my lap,’ he said.
    Ellen thought Gertie looked angry, but then her expression rapidly changed. With a shrug of her shoulders, she said, ‘OK, Doug, whatever you say.’
    Ellen settled onto her dad’s lap, his arms tight around her. As they set off, she wished the journey could go on for ever, that they’d never reach the station; but if anything, Gertie seemed to be urging the horse to a faster pace than usual.
    When they arrived in Crewkerne, Hilda fought to keep her composure, but inside she felt as though her heart was breaking. She wanted the train to be late, anything to stop Doug’s departure, but when they got to the platform it was already drawing in. She cursed Gertie, wishing the bloody woman hadn’t been in such an all-fired hurry to get here. Poor Ned had looked almost on the point of collapse by the time Gertie had drawn the cart to a halt. If the journey had taken longer, Doug would have missed this one and had to wait for the next. It might have taken hours, perhaps giving them time to walk around Crewkerne, to explorethe town together; but instead it would be a hurried goodbye.
    Steam hissed, engulfing part of the platform, as Doug said, ‘Gertie timed that right.’
    Few people had got off the train and Hilda could see that the female guard was about to blow her whistle, her arm up and waiting to signal the train’s departure.
    ‘Bye, pumpkin,’ Doug croaked, quickly hugging Ellen.
    Hilda then found herself crushed against him, and fighting tears she said, ‘I love you, Doug. I’ll always love you.’
    The whistle sounded now, Doug’s voice strangled in his throat as he let her go to pick up his kitbag. ‘I love you too – both of you,’ and then he had to dive into the nearest carriage, only able to pull down the window to blow them a kiss before the train pulled away.
    Hilda would never know how she managed it, her heart swelling with love for her daughter when she saw that