Chapter
22-1944
"I've
got a reply from Right Now Fabrics" Ellie walked into the shop the day
after new year's day,
"What
did they say" Jennifer asked
"It
say's 'Dear Mrs. Dinsdale, Thank you so much for your enquiry. We are very
interested in branching out to smaller, more independent businesses. We would
like to meet with you at our London office on the 22nd March at 12.30pm' so if
all goes well we will have a new fabric supplier"
"Ellie
that's great and you get to go to London for a few days, just make sure you know
where all the air raid shelters are"
"I
will, capital cities are always targets, well I'm going to sit in the office
and write them back and send a letter to Brenda letting her know, it will be
great to see her again. See how things are going with Cameron"
"Ok
well don't forget to take some pictures of Bonnie with you, I'm sure she would
love to see how much she's grown"
"Oh
don't worry Jenny I will, you never know who I might bump into" Ellie
smiled
"You're
hoping you will bump into Martin aren't you" Jennifer looked at
Ellie"
"Well,
maybe, but I doubt it, he's probably somewhere in Europe. Let me know if it
get's busy"
"I
will" Jennifer got back to work and Ellie went into the office.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I've
got the cake" Nicky put a box on the table and took out a round cake and
put it in the middle. It was Bonnie's first Birthday and Ellie was dancing with
excitement,
"I
can't believe Bonnie's already a year old"
"I
know sweetie it's gone by so quick. Now on a more serious note, have you got
everything sorted for your trip to London, it's in a couple of weeks
and..."
"Mum,
Mum, everything is sorted I know what I'm doing, I know where I'm going, the
company have sent me their address and I'm meeting Brenda afterwards for
afternoon tea"
"Oh
how lovely, let me know how she is won't you, it's been a long time since she's
been home"
"Well
she's a nurse living in London, she's busy all the time, but she's managed to
get the day off so she can see me" Ellie finished polishing the cutlery
she had in her hands,
"Mama"
Bonnie who had learned to walk a few weeks back toddled into the dining room
"There's
my gorgeous little birthday girl" she picked her up and gave her a little
kiss,
"She
won't keep still, she keeps walking away" Lindsey said as she walked in
behind Bonnie, Chrissie behind her,
"Have
you two fed the chickens" Nicky asked
"Yes
we have" Chrissie relied. Ian, Maria and Louis then came in from the barn
and they all celebrated Bonnie's birthday.
Bonnie
was very excited and laughed and giggled all day,
"Does
she even know what's happening" Chrissie asked
"Probably
not, I think she's just enjoying the attention" Bonnie was walking around
the room playing with the brown paper her few presents had been wrapped in. By
the end of the day Bonnie was so tired she was falling asleep on the living
room floor,
"I
think it's time for bed" Ellie picked up her daughter and carried her off
to bed, everyone giving Bonnie a little kiss before leaving the room.
"Do
you have everything you need, your coat, smart dress, gas mask" the day
Ellie's London trip had arrived and Nicky was fussing over her daughter
"Mum
I have everything stop fussing"
"Nicky
she will be fine, Ellie we really need to get off or you will miss your
train" Ian had offered to take Ellie to the train station,
"Ok
bye Mum, I will see you in a few days" Ellie kissed her Mother on the
cheek and made her way towards the door
"Err
Ellie, you need to hand Bonnie over to your Mother" Ian told her, Ellie
realised she still had Bonnie in her arms,
"Oh,
yes, of course, bye, bye sweetheart, I will see you in a few days, Mummy will
miss you very much" Ellie gave her a kiss and handed her to her Mum
"Say
bye, bye Bonnie" Nicky said, Bonnie gave a little wave and Ellie and Ian
made their way out of the door. Ian
waved Ellie off at the train station and before long she was in London.
"Hi, oh my god Ellie it's been so
long" Brenda jumped up from her table when Ellie walked thought the door
of the cafe they were meeting in,
"Brenda,
it's so good to see you sorry I'm a bit late, I had to stop and ask for
directions" she hugged her friend,
"Oh
don't worry about it. So tell me how did the meeting go" they both sat
down and Ellie poured herself a cup of tea,
"It
was great, they are so professional, they asked about the shop and showed me
some fabric samples which are really good quality and we have come to an
agreement, all I need to do is read and sign the contacts, send them off and
the first fabric order should come a few weeks after that" she sipped her
tea
"That's
so great, really pleased for you. How's Bonnie doing" Brenda asked
"She's
doing great, I have some pictures to show you" Ellie took out some photo's
out of her bag and handed them to Brenda
"Oh
she is so cute, she has grown so much. I wish I could come back and meet
her"
"You
will one day, once this stupid war is over"
"If
it will ever end, right now it just doesn't seem like it"
"I
know, but it's got to, it can't go on forever" there was a little silence
between them.
"So
tell me how are things between you and Cameron" Ellie asked
"Great,
actually we got married" Brenda showed Ellie her wedding ring
"No
way, congratulations, tell me everything, also why wasn't I invite"
"Well
I would have done, but it was a spare of the moment thing, he got badly injured
and we thought he was going to die so we married, he's now on the mend and is
going to be fine and to be honest I've never been happier" Brenda looked
at her ring
"I'm
so happy for you, I can't believe we're both married"
"I
know it seems only yesterday we were sat in our little den dreaming of our big
day"
"I
know. You know something Brenda, it wasn't what I expected, it was better"
they both gave a little giggle and carried on chatting.
After
a few hours Brenda had to leave,
"I'm
so sorry but I've got to get home to Cameron but it was so great to see you we
should do this again soon" Brenda got up and hugged her friend and left to
return home. Ellie left a few minutes after.
She
walked up the street, many buildings were in ruins due to the air raids.
London seemed colder than back home. She kept walking, looking out for a taxi
to take her back to the hotel when she suddenly stopped and stared. In front of
her a few yards away stood someone she knew,
"Martin"
she said out loud, the person looked up at her,
"Ellie"
they both looked at each other "is it you" he asked
"Yes
it is" Ellie began to tear up
"Oh
Ellie" Martin ran up to her, dropped his bag, scooped her up in his arms
and kissed her passionately
"I've
missed you so much" Ellie told him between kisses
"I
know I've missed you too" he put his forehead against Ellie's and held her
close,
"How
long have you got" she asked
"One
night, I ship out again tomorrow"
"Ok come with
me" Ellie waved down a passing taxi and pulled Martin into it. When they
got to the hotel Ellie was staying at they stripped off and made love to each
other for the first time in thirteen months.
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