Free Vera's Valour by Anne Holman

thought quickly. She already had two dogs to care for. One belonged to Geoff and the other she was given by her previous fiancé to look after. A big dog, like young Freda would grow to be would take a lot of feeding.
    “I’ve only been looking after this pup for one day, but I love her, and would hate her to come to any harm. Are you sure you can give her a good home?”
    “The best. Our family love dogs.”
    As a senior officer she knew he would have no great difficulty having Freda shipped to his home. “Well, I don’t know if I should . . . .” the American officer looked fairly old, a reliable gentleman - and he obviously liked dogs.
    As she was hesitating he asked, “Can I give you anything for her?”
    Vera hesitated. The Americans had so much more money, food and it was tempting to ask for something. “No, no. Just look after her, please. And in Fred’s memory, call her Freda, will you?”
    She felt tears coming into her eyes as she handed the puppy over to the American. But she felt quite sure Freda would have as good a life as she could give her.
    She was asked for her name and address, so that he could send her a report on Freda. And then the officer gave her the directions to the NAAFI Headquarters.
    It was hard to have to get on her bike again and pedal away without the little dog sitting up in her basket.
    “Sure you don’t want anything?” he called after her.
    Vera was so close to breaking down. She dare not stop. She pedalled on but shouted over her shoulder, “Send me some nylon stockings.”
    * * *
    It was just as well she knew Dulcie Swanton, and was soon given the help she needed. After a bath in the regulation height of four inches of water, and a change of clothes - albeit wartime utility quality - and a hair cut, Vera felt more herself. And yet, she knew she was not as she used to be, she’d changed forever.
    Tucked away in her heart and memory were all those people she’d met in the last few weeks. Brave people, who had died, or some had survived as she had through one of the most eventful periods of mankind. Each person had their own experiences to talk about, or refuse to talk about because it was too painful for them.
    She would be able to share some of her experiences with Geoff when he got home, because she now had some knowledge of the war. And in later years they would be able to tell their child about the wartime they’d experienced.
    She was delighted to meet Susie and Doreen again, when they came off duty in the evening. Having an evening meal they listened to what Vera told them, with urges to go on and tell more.
    Susie said, “Well I think you are very brave, Vera.”
    “Me? Go on. I merely did what I had to just to survive.”
    “And how is Parkie? I mean your husband, Colonel Parkington?”
    A cloud came over Vera’s face as she chewed a piece of sausage. “He was well the last time I saw him . . . but he looked as if he’d had . . . “
    To her surprise picturing him was too much for her, and Vera put her hands over her face and sobbed.
    “She’s exhausted,” said Doreen standing up and putting her arm around Vera. “Come on love, we’ll get you to bed.”
    In a motherly fashion the two NAFFI girls soon had Vera tucked up on a camp bed having given her another nice cup of tea.
    “Thank you,” murmured Vera, and went to sleep almost at once.
    The two NAFFI girls looked back at sleeping Vera before they switched off the room light.
    Susie said quietly, “I can’t imagine what she says she’s been though. Can you? I can’t believe all she said had happened to her was true.“
    “I dunno,” whispered Doreen, “she didn’t strike me that she was making it all up.”
    They closed the door and walked along the corridor, Susie commented, “Well it’s true she’s expecting a baby – that’s obvious.”
     

 
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TEN
     
    AFTER arriving home at last, her mother hugged her tightly.
    “You’ve been away for so long. Now tell me