T.S.

Diana aged 17: June 1915

It had been a long summer. Rations began to be introduced and curfews too. Girls at school cultivated crops in short patches on their school field. Many girls joined the suffragettes or the communists to help the war effort (Scouts and Girl Guides were stuck with 'patrol' and knitting socks). Factories that had once produced gin began making gas masks. The communists in parliament pushed for 'home on leave' just as John had said which now allowed some soldiers from battalions to come home for 10 days. Radios had to be monitored by the local MP and houses with 'undetermined nationality' had to be ransacked for 'illegal activity'. Really It was just a ploy for the coppers to come and rustle about in my flat. They flat out asked if I was German and wouldn't even believe me. It was only when I brought out my English passport that they left me alone. The army came round our parts asking for young women who wanted to sign up for VAD. I signed up. I was becoming restless at home and needed an escape from Small Heath. Pol and Ada signed up too. They told us all we had to do was get through a big test. And just my luck, the day before the huge test Pol and Ada pull out and John comes home. It makes me want to rip my hair out that I can't celebrate John's arrival properly. I sit in my room reading the huge book pencils hanging from all parts of my body. My hair, my ears and even my mouth have various pencils in and around it. I rub my eyes tiredly and decide to get up to drink a cup of tea. I boil the water and stir the tea leaves. I look around and sneak 2 sugar cubes from the bowl. I pop one in my mouth before hearing a tired John behind me, "You won't fit into your dress for my wedding, at this point. You're wearing thin, Di." The sugar cube in my mouth shifts to the side of my mouth as I smile. "Johnnnn. I'll look great by the way, shut up."

Martha comes up behind him rubbing her very pregnant belly, "Yeah shut up. What're you talking about" She grins sweetly.

"How great you're gonna look in Spanish lace at the wedding." I say

Her jaw drops, "LACE?"

Ada's yawns are heard from the corridor, "Lace?"

"DIANA DON'T DO THAT. YOU DON'T HAVE LACE. DO YOU." says Martha, absolutely flabbergasted. And right on cue, Jayden enters holding a brown bag of Spanish lace she'd acquired from Antonio last month. He was still wandering between countries but people never really seemed to know where he was until he was in front of them. Martha's mouth drops further, if that was even possible, as she fingers the lace. Her pregnant belly bumps the corner as she does so and she says quiet 'sorry's' to it. She looks ecstatic as does Jay to have brought her the present. John smiles and wanders over with Ada. I leave them with their present and return to studying in Tom's room, not even eating dinner. I don't know how long passed but I awoke bright and early. The hefty textbook sat on my lap as the sun rose and I continued reading. The grandfather clock struck 6:30 and I went to the bathroom wiping my face and livening it. I switch into a grey pinafore and white blouse and put on my fancy black pumps. I smile at them and I put on Tom's ring. Lately, it felt like a good omen. I wake Polly and Ada. They turn over before I push into their bed and jump on it vigorously. They get up and out and begin to prepare themselves. With a flick of my wrist, I fill their teacups with a lavender tea and butter their toast lightly. Rations were tight. They come down. Polly looked like she had been crying but unfortunately it was custom. She takes her tea and retires to her parlour to say a prayer for Arthur and Tom. They'd decided not to leave the battalion. Some of their friends had said that 'Home leave' made you soft and unfit for war. I thought it was probably because they'd drive themselves mad with longing if they came back. It disappointed me but I couldn't change what was going on until I got there. Polly comes back and Ada shoves the toast in her mouth. I put in my messenger bag and put my book in it along with my pencils and small paper bags to write on. We step out onto the street. The examination was at 8.30 and it was currently 7.00; we had more than enough time. And with that we set off. Arms linked we walk into town centre and right up the steps of town hall. The Shelby women stop and wave at me. I stop myself looking at them. Polly looks at her watch, "Go on, you only have 30 minutes to study the last bits, you plonker !"

"But... You're supposed to do it too. Your names are in the register." I say frowning slightly. "Yeah well. We've decided not to. Someone needs to look after the shop and it won't be Finn and Martha."

"Besides," Pol pauses, "You're too chicken to do it yourself you silly little slag." she teases lightly. However much they hadn't meant it, my blood simmered. They had promised and nowadays promises meant absolutely everything to me. I stormed in, revised the content, did the test and finished before everyone else. I stamped out Ada and Pol both waiting for me with a cigarette in hand. I storm back into the town hall's waiting room and wait (fall asleep) for three hours until the notice board with all the passing students is put up. Polly is the one to wake me. She pulls me up to the board where girls are milling around half ecstatic, half miserable. I look down the long list of P last name's.

PALMER

PETERSON

PERCY

PEREIRA (II)

DIANA: DISTINCTION

I pump my fist in the air jumping up and down and hugging Ada and Pol. With the good news, my bad mood had disintegrated. I laugh and smile but turn back to the board to see my leaving date. It was 3 days from now. The 2 next to my name caught my eye again and I looked down to see a name beneath mine. Joy, and next to her name a merit stood proud as day with a release date equal to mine. I smile. "Joy ?" I called. The Shelby women raise their eyebrows. Who I think is Joy steps forward. Her hair is thrown back into a bun and her smile is wide and beautiful. She has beautiful doe-like eyes and moves towards me with anticipation, "Yes?"

I hold out my hand for her to shake, "Hello. I'm Diana. We have the same last name."

She smiles wide, "Falas português?" I say yes and we chatter animatedly for a few minutes before I leave with the Shelby girls. "She's already gone off and found friends without us." sulks Ada. I blew a raspberry at her. We walk off home and I throw myself into Tom's bed. It's the only way I can truly fall asleep without the medication. Mint and cigs and soap are the only smell that puts me to rest. I fall asleep in a mess of sheets and small smiles.