The Cuckoo's Song

Chapter Twenty-Six

Elli sat at her bedroom window, watching the rain. They hadn't had a shower like this for months. If only Anna was here with her, but she was at the bar.

Again.

How she wished she had gone with her when Anna had asked her. Then she could listen to the piano and watch the rain. Anna hadn't cheered up at all since Abe's letter. If anything, she was worse. Elli had gone into Anna's room most nights because of nightmares, and every time she had found her crying. They had just started sharing the bed again now, both of them too forlorn to be apart any longer.

Elli breathed on the glass and began drawing faces in the window. Her mother had always hated her doing that when she was small, but it was her father that had taught her to do it in the first place. She really missed them. They would have cheered Anna up.

Or Karl or Freddie.

Looking at all of their old photographs was Elli's favourite pastime. Helga had sent them some more for their collection and it really brightened Elli's spirits. Anna didn't look at the one with Karl, Freddie and Hans in it. Each time she did she cried, so she didn't even try to now.

Elli sighed.

She wondered what Karl was like as an older man. He had always been so much fun when she was little; just like any older brother. She would have given anything to be able to see him again.

Trying not to cry, she got to her feet, resolute that she was going to find her sister. This was their favourite weather, and she wasn't about to miss out on it with her. She ran down the stairs, grabbing her coat from the stand before she pulled on her boots. She dashed to the drawing room where Gabby and Heidi where. Gabby was napping, and Heidi already had a drink in her hand as she poured over her magazine.

"I'm going to the bar to see Anna," said Elli.

Heidi glanced up. "All right angel, have fun."

Elli rushed outside, doing up her coat hurriedly. Grinning up at the sky, she took in the cooling air that the downpour brought. She ran and jumped in the first puddle she found, enjoying the cold splash up her bare legs.

Maybe Anna would want to go outside with her for a bit? Probably not. She hadn't been feeling well again. It wasn't just the morning sickness. Anna looked exhausted all of the time. It was so sad.

Elli could hear a car up ahead of her, so instinctively she moved to the side of the road, her gaze concentrated on the next puddle up ahead. The farmer's truck grumbled past her as she jumped and created a great splash. Why was it was coming to a stop just behind her. She looked back; her brow furrowed.

"El?" called a familiar voice as a huge figure jumped down from the back of the truck.

Her whole face lit up. "Abe?" she called in disbelief.

"It's me!" he shouted.

Elli could just make out his giant grin through the downpour. She ran at full pelt to throw herself into his embrace, and he ran to meet her halfway. He scooped her up, both of them squeezing the other tightly.

"My baby girl," he murmured as Elli breathed in his familiar scent. "I have missed you so much!"

"And I have missed you!" she cried, pulling back to look at him. "Is this real?"

"Sure is! Hollywood and Sam worked miracles. All the boys in fact. They worked together and got me discharged."

"Discharged?"

"I'm a free man, El. The war is over for me... for all four of us!"

She hugged him again, squeezing him so tight he might burst.