Page 89 of Neighbors at War

His lips drew back in a weary smile. ‘Please don’t worry.’

Helen sat on the sofa cuddling Bobby. He was warm and seemed unfazed by his ordeal.

‘Here you go,’ Mrs Edwards said, placing bowls of steaming soup and a slice of bread each in front of Tony and Helen, and a piece of toast cut into strips, each covered with what looked like a thin coating of jam, for Bobby.

‘Look what Mrs Edwards has made for you.’ She let him off her lap and he knelt in front of the coffee table and began eating.

‘Do you need a cushion to sit on?’ their hostess asked.

He shook his head, too engrossed in the tasty treat to reply.

‘This is very kind of you, thank you.’ Helen thought she would never get over the kindness of local people who had risked their freedom for her and her son. ‘And I don’t think I can ever thank you enough for all you’ve done for us, Tony,’ she said, unable to hold back tears.

‘I think Tony and I are simply relieved you’re both here now.’ She pointed to their bowls. ‘It’s only vegetable soup but it should warm you up.’

Helen picked up the bowl and her spoon and began eating the hot soup. ‘It’s delicious.’

‘Good. You’ve got Cook to thank for it,’ she said smiling. ‘She wanted to do something for you both and she’s promised to send whatever she can from the kitchen for you, because my rations won’t stretch three ways too well.’

Helen swallowed the lump forming in her throat. ‘Everyone is so kind.’

Tony lowered his spoon and turned slightly in his seat. ‘Stop thanking us, Helen. We’ve all done this because we care about you and Bobby. It makes us feel better to know we’ve helped someone. Most of the time, I, for one, feel frustrated that there’s so little I can do.’

Mrs Edwards sat down in an armchair near to the fire. ‘I couldn’t have put it better myself. You’re not to thank us again. Just be safe here. Together we’ll look after this little mite. Hopefully he’ll benefit from my garden, and you can relax knowing you don’t have soldiers living next door.’

‘I’m sure I will. But I want to be helpful. I hope you’ll give me jobs to do.’

Mrs Edwards thought for a moment. ‘You can help me look after the vegetable patch. I have a feeling we’re going to need whatever veg we can grow even more over the coming months.’

They ate in silence and Helen felt her hands and feet slowly warm up. She yawned and covered her mouth. It must be the effort of walking in the snow and her heightened fear during their journey, never mind her build-up of anxiety over the months, living with the constant fear of being discovered.

They were still at risk, she knew that much, but maybe not in such danger up here. She swallowed a mouthful of soup. ‘We’ll be fine here by ourselves. You could leave a list of anything you’d like me to do while you’re out, that sort of thing.’

‘I’ll be out most of the day during the week and some Saturday mornings. I hope you won’t be lonely up here.’

‘We’ll be fine. Please don’t worry about us.’

Mrs Edwards nodded. ‘I’ve put you up in my mother’s room. I thought that if you and Bobby share a bed then at least if they come and inspect this place I’d be able to say I hadn’t the heart to strip my mother’s bed.’

Tony nodded, clearly approving of that idea. ‘Clever.’

‘Bobby and I slept on the same mattress at the Hamels’ home so it’s what we’re both used to. I’ll also make sure to put all his clothes and toys away in a box or trunk, if you have one. You could explain about them by saying they belonged to a nephew who visited before the war.’

‘Yes,’ Mrs Edwards nodded. ‘I’ll find something for you to store your belongings in.’

Helen continued eating. She noticed Mrs Edwards had become thoughtful. She was about to ask if anything was worrying her when Mrs Edwards spoke again.

‘I usually leave before eight when I’m working, and I’ll always be home by six-thirty. If there is a reason I’m not home by then I should know beforehand and will leave you a note so you don’t wait to eat supper with me.’ She folded her hands neatly on her lap. ‘We can iron out any other things when we think of them. There is one thing, though. I’d rather you call me Daphne. It’ll feel strange to act formally now we live together.’

Just hearing her suggestion helped Helen relax further. ‘Then that’s what I’ll do, Daphne. Although maybe Bobby should refer to you as Aunty Daphne.’

She smiled. ‘I’d like that.’ They all turned their attention to the little boy, who had fallen asleep on the floor. ‘Bless him.’

Tony placed his bowl and spoon on the table and stood up. ‘Do you need me to carry him through to his bed?’

Helen shook her head. ‘No, I can manage.’

‘Then I’d better make a move.’