Page 218 of The Sun Sister

‘I was thinking that maybe we could take a trip to visit my parents in America?’ she said. ‘You’ve never been to New York. It might be fun, especially with Stella there to see it too.’

‘Cecily, I know you’re eager to go, but you must understand that I need to get our farm back under control. It does provide our daily bread. Almost nothing has come into the account for the past few years. What I sold to the government produced very little and we are at risk of being in debt if I don’t sort things out.’

‘I have some money, Bill, you know I do. We certainly won’t starve, that’s for sure.’

‘And I’m equally sure that I don’t want to live off my wife.’ Bill’s expression had darkened. ‘I’m a farmer, not a gentleman of leisure like so many round here. Just because the war has finished doesn’t mean that I’m going to retire and sit on my backside drinking gin for the rest of my life. I can’t wait to get out on the plains...’ He turned to her. ‘Maybe you could join me for a game drive sometime next week?’

‘Maybe,’ Cecily replied without enthusiasm.

‘God, I’m bushed,’ he said as he kissed her on the forehead. ‘Goodnight. Sleep well.’

Cecily watched him turn over, and within seconds heard him snoring. Switching off the lamp on her side of the bed, she let the tears she had stifled roll silently down her face. She could not remember the last time they had made love.

The halcyon days of four years ago, before Joss had died and Bill had left behind his soul in Burma, were only a distant memory.

‘Life is so cruel,’ Cecily whispered as she dashed a hand across her eyes to wipe away her tears. ‘Thank the Lord for Stella.’

During the following year, Cecily felt nothing much had changed since the war. She was alone most of the time, and clung to Stella for comfort. This was worse than being alone; she had Bill in her bed again and yet he wasn’t really present, nor was he the Bill that she remembered. He was silent and distinctly cold towards her, and his bad moods soured the atmosphere of Paradise Farm. He barely paid attention to Stella.

Her mother called once a month, anxious as to when her daughter would come home, but whenever Cecily broached the subject with Bill, he told her it wasn’t the right time, and that he couldn’t leave until his livestock were thriving again.

‘Grant me twelve months to get things back on track, then I can think about it,’ he’d said.

Cecily realised she had not seen her family in over six years. Her heart longed for home.

It was November of 1946 and the downpours had turned Cecily’s garden into a lush tropical paradise. Katherine arrived on Wednesday mid-morning as usual with Michael in tow. He was now six years old and adored his best friend Stella. Cecily had been teaching Stella basic arithmetic at the kitchen table. The little girl loved numbers, and even though Cecily knew there was no genetic link to ascribe it to, she was happy to nurture it. But when Stella had caught sight of Michael, she had squealed and run to hug him.

‘Golly,’ smiled Katherine as Michael zoomed round the soaking garden pretending to be an aeroplane, with Stella screaming as he tried to catch her, ‘I can barely get my son to sit down at a table to eat, let alone concentrate on mathematics.’

‘If ever Michael wants to join in the classes, I’d be glad to teach him.’

‘Maybe I’ll take you up on that,’ Katherine agreed as they both sipped lemonade on the veranda. ‘You really are terribly fond of Stella, aren’t you?’

‘Of course I am. She’s grown up under my roof,’ Cecily said defensively.

‘Well, it might be very useful for you to take Michael for me occasionally in the next few months. I’m finally pregnant again.’ Katherine raised an eyebrow.

‘Why, that’s wonderful news! Are you pleased?’

‘Oh, I’m sure I will be when he or she is here, yes. It’s just that pregnancy is not my favourite thing.’

‘Is Bobby pleased?’

‘I don’t know. He’s been so distant since he returned home from the war. To be blunt about it, I’m amazed we even got to the point of making a baby. His interest in that department has been non-existent for the past few years.’

‘So has Bill’s.’ Cecily blushed pink at the admission. ‘And he’s awful grumpy most of the time.’

‘I keep hoping that time will heal Bobby,’ sighed Katherine. ‘Watching men torn down right in front of your eyes must have affected all of them. But it’s been over a year now, and I simply want the Bobby I love back.’

‘I’m glad it’s not just my husband then.’

‘Everything feels as though it’s changed, doesn’t it, Cecily? Even up here in the Valley. I think a lot of the natives who were forced to sign up during the war to serve king and country believed that things would be different when they came back. But of course, nothing has changed forthem, has it? In fact, given that a lot of the farms weren’t cared for the way they should have been, work here is even more scarce than it was before.’

‘And there was me thinking everything would be better.’

‘Nothing wrong with being an optimist. It’s what got us all through the war. I must admit,’ Katherine said, ‘there’s part of me that’s very tempted to return home to Blighty. The medical facilities there are so much more advanced, and I’d also be able to pursue my career as a vet. Out here, it’s almost impossible. The ranchers take one look at the fact I’m a woman and run away with their sickly cows as fast as they can! I’ve also been dreaming about fog,’ she chuckled.

‘I know exactly how you feel. I want to go home for Christmas, Katherine. I haven’t seen my family for nearly seven years now.’