Chapter
27 May 1945
"Germany
surrendered, Germany surrendered" Jennifer and Anthony ran into the living
room where Ellie sat with her children
"What
did you just say" Ellie asked
"Germany
surrendered" Jennifer repeated. Ellie jumped up and put the radio, they
sat and listened to a broadcast by Winston Churchill and the news caster announcing
the war in Europe was over,
"Is
it true, is the war over" Chrissie asked as she stood in the doorway with
Lindsey,
"Yes
it is, it's over, it's finally over" Ellie jumped out of her seat and
began celebrating,
"Yes
it's over, Wahoo, I'm no longer going to need this" Chrissie threw her gas
mask on the floor and joined her sister and niece who had also started jumping
up and down. Music began playing on the radio and they danced around the living
room, Ellie picked up her son who had been smiling away and spun him around the
room.
"What
is going on" Nicky shouted half an hour later as she walked in to the room
with Ian, Louis and Maria
"Germany
surrendered" Ellie told her mother
"Winston
Churchill announced it today. The war in Europe is over" Chrissie said still dancing around,
"Ha,
ha, ha, at long last" Ian screamed happily, he joined in the celebrations.
Nicky in shock from hearing the news began to cry a little,
"Is
it really over" she asked her daughter
"Yes
Mum it is, well the war in Europe anyway, Japan still need to surrender for the
war to completely end, but it's over for us and as the news caster said on the
radio this is V-E Day, a time to celebrate" Ellie gave her Mother a hug.
They decided to head down into Aimsbrough
to celebrate at the local pub there and when they arrived the whole town was in
celebratory mode, a band played in the of the town centre and everyone danced
around, the adults drank and the children ran around playing. Nicky and Ellie
sat at a table in the pub garden, Bonnie sat on her Mother's knee whilst Patrick
was held in his Grandmother's arms,
"I
can't believe it's over" Nicky said
"I
know, it's been six long years, it's about time we had something to
celebrate" Ellie replied
"But
Ellie, we've had plenty to celebrate over the years, your wedding, your
children being born, the farm being restored" Nicky reassured her
"Yes
we have, I guess when you look at the bigger picture it doesn't really seem
like much, yet it's still a lot"
"I
enjoyed your wedding the most, it gave me something to come back for at the
worst of times and I couldn't ask for a better husband for you" Nicky
looked at Ellie and saw a tear roll down her cheek,
"I
don't know if he's coming home yet, my gut feeling says he is and I hope it's
right"
"He
will come home Ellie, he's got too"
Ellie
smiled at her mother
"Join
me" she said "A toast to honour all the men and women who aren't
coming home, to those who gave their lives so we didn't lose ours. May they
rest in peace and never be forgotten" Ellie had raised her glass to toast
the men and women who had lost their lives fighting in the war. Nicky and many
other people nearby did the same.
"I'm going to take the little one's
home now" Ellie told her Mother an hour later. Nicky and Ian made sure she
got into a taxi and waved her off before returning to the party.
"Thank
you so much" Ellie said to the taxi driver after he unloaded the pram. She
entered the house which was now dark and put a fire on in the living room. She
went upstairs to get Bonnie's and Patrick's night clothes and came back to
find Martin sat on the sofa, Patrick in his arms and Bonnie sat next to him,
"So
this is Patrick" he said as soon as he saw her,
"Martin,
your back, your home" Ellie began to tear up, Martin put his son into the
pram, scooped his wife up in his arms and kissed her passionately,
"Oh
god I can't believe your home, I've missed you so much" she hugged him
tightly
"I've
missed you too, so much, I'm home now for good, it's all over, I am never
leaving you or the kids again" Martin kissed her again,
"Daddy,
Daddy, Daddy" Bonnie was jumping on the sofa
"And
I've missed you too you little tinker" Martin scooped his daughter up into his arms and gave a kiss and a big hug, Bonnie buried her head in his chest,
"I
wove you Daddy" she told him
"I
Love you too princess"
Ellie
smiled, she was so happy, relieved that her family was back together
"I'm
going to go make a pot of tea" Ellie said and she walked towards the
kitchen
"Ellie
wait, don't go in there" Martin called after her, but it was too late.
Ellie walked into the dining room and received the shock of her life. Sat at
the dining room table was someone she thought she would never see again,
"Dad"
"Hello
daring"
"So
let me get this straight, you lost your dog tags in the field of battle, got a
head injury and suffered from memory loss, when you regained your memories and
told them who you are they wouldn't believe you as they thought Patrick Pickard
was dead, it wasn't until Martin saw you and confirmed who you are that they
let come home" Ellie said trying to get her head round what her father had
just said,
"Yes
that's correct" he told her
"So
why did they think you were dead in the first place" she asked
"My
dog tag's where found next to another man's body and they misidentified him as
me, they have correctly identified him now and his family have been informed. I
also have a letter from the War Office apologising for the
misidentification" Patrick gave Ellie the letter, she read it then put it
on the table,
"Martin
has already told me what happened to your Mother when you first thought I was
dead, I think this needs breaking to her gently" Patrick suggested
"Agreed,
I'll do it" Ellie offered. She looked at her Father and gave herself a
little pinch to make sure she wasn't dreaming,
"I
glad you're alive Dad" she got up and gave her Father a big hug,
"Me
too pumpkin"
"We're
back" Nicky yelled through the door
"Uh
oh"
"What
a party, I really, really enjoy...Patrick" Nicky stared in shock at her
husband from the doorway "Your suppose to be dead"
"I know, I know, I can explain" Patrick
explained to Nicky what had happened to him and how he had been misidentified,
Nicky also read the letter sent by the War Office. She sat there in silence
taking in what she had been told,
"She
a bit quieter than I thought she'd be" Ellie told Martin, Maria who had
come home with everyone took her sister's hand
"Nicky
are you ok" she asked her, Nicky nodded her head but still didn't say
anything. It took a bit of time but Nicky accepted what had happened and the
apology sent by the War Office. She looked up at her tall dashing husband then
ran and embraced him
"Oh
Patrick, I'm so glad you are alive. I have never stopped loving you, never, I
will always love you no matter what, dead or alive" Nicky told her husband
"And
I you my beautiful, beautiful Angel" they kissed and held each other tight
"Safe
to say she never truly moved on" Ellie said, Martin smiled at her and
kissed her on the forehead,
"Where's
the others" Martin asked
"In
bed" Ian said from behind him
"Dad"
"Hello
son, welcome home" he hugged his son
"It's
so good to be back" Martin said
"It's
good to have you back. I've also put Bonnie and Patrick to bed" Ian told
Ellie and Martin
"Patrick"
Ian caught sight of his best friend "I don' believe it. How did you. When
did you. It's a miracle" Ian hugged his friend and welcomed him back to
family life,
"I
will explain everything tomorrow right now I just want to go to bed, it's been
a long day" Patrick put his arm around his wife
"I
want to stay up a little longer" Ellie said
"You're
going to bed too young lady" Patrick told his daughter
"Alright,
I'm going. You wouldn't think I was in my twenties would you"
"You're
in your twenties" Patrick said surprised
"Yes I'm married
with two kids remember. Dad it's been a long six years
