The Light In The Dark.

Chapter 26 - Veghel

Joyce had been gone a day and already Eileen found herself pining to see her friends face again, never had she thought that they would be split up during the war like this. Or at least, she hadn't expected Joyce to be the one to be sent back to England. Though both Bill and Gordon had comforted her and told her that they knew for sure their medic would go AWOL to get back out into the fight with her friends. She appreciated the words they gave her and it allowed her to calm her nerves and focus on her job with Nixon and Winters.

They were to make their way to Schoonderlogt, Holland. From their current position in Nuenen they had walked, their next stop would be in Veghel North.

Judith, once again, as with Joe as they walked side by side with Joe Toye in front of them who walked beside Babe. It was warm in the sun and there was barely any shade as they walked through the country of the Netherlands. All the men and women didn't have a clue as to where they were headed but they were looking forward to the moment they got to rest again.

Softly, Judith began to hum the tune of one of the Irish songs Joe Toye had taught her when they were back in England after their first jump into Normandy. One night they had a heart to heart, talking deeply amongst themselves.

"Y'know, I'm Irish. Could teach you some songs my parents taught me." Joe Toye looked down to the woman.

For a second Judith looked shocked, she had assumed Malarkey was the only Irishman amongst their platoon.

"I'd love that Joe. How comes you never mentioned it before ?" The woman question as she leant back into the wall.

"Dunno, guess I never thought it was important." Joe shrugged.

"I guess it ain't, but it's just shocking y'know? Not in a bad way, Joe, just woulda never guessed it." Judith spoke softly.

For a moment it was silent between the pair, not awkward or uncomfortable.

"It's why I gotta lot of respect for Malark. Fellow Irishman I suppose. That and the fact he may have saved my life one time." Joe looked solemn and Judith could tell.

The thought of that one time hurt him, she was curious but didn't want to pry deeper into the matter if it hurt him. All she wanted was to take him into her arms and hug him.

"It was here actually, in Aldbourne. Told the boys I was going to take a leak. A half hour passed and there i was, on top of the atrium though the roof was made out of glass and chicken wire. Malarkey found me, called my name. Eventually he convinced me to go in the building." Joe looked forward as he retold the story to the woman beside him.

He wasn't looking for comfort or for her to feel sorry, he just wanted to talk about it. Tell someone else so it stopped paining him.

"It's okay Joe, you don't gotta-"

"It's fine little one. Anyway, I think that was the first time I almost cried to anyone. There i sat opening up to him, telling him how I felt like a damn failure. But him? Malarkey is a great guy, Judith. Despite me being a wreck in that moment, so vulnerable. He stayed beside me and gave me this inspirational speech. Saying how I ain't this big failure I think I am."

As Joe finished he turned to look at Judith with sad eyes.

"Sometimes life gets to even the strongest people Joe, but it just means we've been fighting the hardest. Whatever malarkey said I'm sure it's true, you're not a failure. You are one of the bravest men I know. Heck you were willing to take shrapnel from a grenade for Popeye, Joe. You're a great man." Judith placed her hand on his comforting him.