Lintwood Farm Chapter 27

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