The Caldwell Girls


 The Caldwell Girls
 
 
 Cover
 
 
 Title Page
 
 
 Chapter One
 
 
 Chapter Two
 
 
 Chapter Three
 
 
 Chapter Four
 
 
 Chapter Five
 
 
 Chapter Six
 
 
 Chapter Seven
 
 
 Chapter Eight
 
 
 Chapter Nine
 
 
 Chapter Ten
 
 
 Chapter Eleven
 
 
 Chapter Twelve
 
 
 Chapter Thirteen
 
 
 Chapter Fourteen
 
 
 Chapter Fifteen
 
 
 Chapter Sixteen
 
 
 Chapter Seventeen
 
 
 Chapter Eighteen
 
 
 About the Author
 
 
 Also by Rowena Summers
 
 
 Copyright
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cover
 
 
 Table of Contents
 
 
 Start of Content
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Chapter One
 It seemed to take a miracle of planning nowadays, for the Caldwell girls to get together. This occasion had been planned for so long, and here they were, nearly through October. But now the whole family was together in their aunt’s big old house in Weston-super-Mare and, after the usual joyous greetings, they were all having very mixed feelings because today was a very special day.
 Imogen had managed to get leave, smart and elegant in her Auxiliary Territorial Service uniform (which Daisy thought was really rather a grand name for what everyone else referred to as the ATS), and everyone complimented her on the two brand new stripes on her sleeves. Elsie, still plump after the arrival of the baby, sat comfortably in their aunt’s old armchair, cuddling the baby, already nearly two months old. And Daisy couldn’t stop admiring her little niece, still marvelling that she had actually witnessed her birth without fainting right off. It was just the way a nurse should be, of course, but you could never account for feelings at such an emotional time.
 Their young brother Teddy was sprawled out on the hearthrug, clutching his dog and clearly unhappy about what this day meant. His father glanced at him and then spoke firmly. “Now, listen to me, all of you. None of us is going to be sad and miserable today. Baz will be scoffing in heaven if we all go around with gloomy faces. It’s not a wake and it’s not a funeral service. It’s a celebration of his life, despite the fact that it was a short one. Remember that it was a happy life, too. He lived it just as he wanted to, and we must do what’s right by him. Is that understood?”
 His sister endorsed his words. Rose was just as determined that this family reunion, no matter what the reason, was going to be something they would remember. In the circumstances it could hardly be called a party, but when they had been to church and Mr Penfold had said the solemn words of the memorial service and given Baz his blessing, they would come back to the house and have the best tea that money and rations could supply. It was so lovely that they were finally all together again – minus one. Well, minus two, Rose amended, since the children’s mother had also passed on.
 And in these uncertain times, the two older girls would be thinking about their partners, too. Imogen’s young man was heaven knows where with his tank regiment, and Elsie hadn’t heard anything from Joe since he’d been allowed a brief leave home to see his baby daughter. Rose knew it was best not to dwell on such matters, especially today of all days. “Let’s all get our hats and coats on,” she said briskly. “Your Uncle Bert will take you and Teddy in the car, Elsie, since you won’t want to carry the baby all that way to the church. The rest of us will walk.”
 She organised them all, the way she always did, and the three sisters managed to resist grinning at one another as they were all shepherded out of the house into the crisp October afternoon. They could almost imagine it was like days gone by, as they proceeded down the hill towards the Methodist church. Their father and aunt walked in front, with Teddy dragging his feet between them, still grumbling that he didn’t see why he couldn’t bring George with him, and Imogen and Daisy walked behind.
 “Don’t be daft, Teddy, you know very well you can’t bring a dog into church,” Daisy said with a giggle.
 “Why not?” Teddy sulked. “Doesn’t God like dogs?”
 “Of course He does,” Aunt Rose said smartly. “But George doesn’t like Mr Penfold, does he? I’m sure he wouldn’t be too pleased to have George snapping at his heels all the way through the service. Baz wouldn’t like it, either,” she added. “So come on, Teddy, and don’t dawdle.”
 Hearing her aunt’s sensible words, Daisy still felt a surge of disbelief that they were actually doing this. Marching down the hill in a small procession to a memorial service for her brother, who had been only seventeen years old when he was drowned jumping off a burning rescue ship off the coast of France during a German bombing raid. It was still so unbelievable…
 “Brace up, Daisy,” she heard Imogen say quietly. “We all have to be strong for one another today.”
 She hadn’t realised how her shoulders had drooped. “I know, but it’s not easy, is it?”
 Imogen squeezed her arm. “Just think of Baz the way he was. Always the joker in the family, wouldn’t you say?”
 Daisy began to smile. “Well, a bit of a tease, certainly.”
 “So let’s remember that and don’t let Daddy down. I hear Aunt Rose is thinking of taking in more evacuees. Hasn’t she had enough of them yet?”
 Daisy frowned, knowing her sister was neatly changing the conversation to take her mind off the real purpose of this walk. “Well, you’ll never believe it. She heard from Vanessa Brown’s billeting officer the other week. You know, the girl who was