Cold All the Way Through, But Warming

Trio

Sylvie was bone tired, and not just because of her children. The new baby was due any day now, and was making itself quite known. As it was, she could hardly leave the house, relying on her friends to take the boys to school and bring them home. Fortunately, when she had sent a message to the Dalian offices that she would be unable to come down and collect the food Mrs. Dalian had sent, they had sent a truck to bring it to her and men to unload it.

She would have to send Mrs. Dalian a letter thanking her for her kindness, for she was unsure how she would have gotten through the war without her help.

Too many women in town were going without so that their children could have full bellies, but even then, there was only so much to go around. She supposed the children in the country might be better off, it was easy to hide a bit away, but she had no family there to call upon and send her boys to them. Besides, it would have meant sending Mavis with them and Sylvie could not stand to be separated from her children.

It was bad enough being separated from her husband for so long, although she had hope that would soon be over. Bertie's latest letters had indicated how much his current position was weighing on him, but his most recent one seemed somewhat happier.

Sylvie,

Well, I'm done with Scotland for now my pretty girl. I have no idea how Will managed to grow up there, cold and wet and miserable. Thank God our children have England to grow in, at least we don't have to worry about them gaining an appetite for haggis due to their surroundings. Perhaps I'll have some made up for Will the next time we're home together, I'm sure Anastasia would have an interesting reaction.

And I will be home sooner than you think, or at least closer to you. The Campania is coming down for a refit, and I am going to do my damndest to get off her. What use am I to them here? I hate flying, half the time I have to swim through the cold water of Scapa Flow back to the ship or I'm damn near heaving my guts over the side while hurtling through the air. I can hardly spot U-boats when I can't open my eyes, now can I?

I'm going to request a transfer based on that, my lack of usefulness. I'm thinking the Dover Patrol, back on the water and close enough to you that we could see each other more often.

I miss you all, and your letters are a great comfort. Tell the boys that their father wants them to pay attention in school and keep away from the cinemas for I do not want them watching the newsreels. Their only concern should be school and fun, not war. Also, please repeat the word "Daddy" to Mavis at least a dozen times a day, I expect her to be able to say it clearly when I return.

Forgive your husband for not being around during your delicate time, you know that I would be there in an instant if I could. Although given your fractiousness during the ending stages, perhaps it is best that I am not nearby. I still have a shard of that pitcher you threw at me just before Trevor was born, but of course I deserved it dear. I should have realized that you wanted water from the other pitcher.

Hopefully I can get this transfer and a few days to come home to see you, the children, and our newest little bundle of joy.

All of my love,

-Bertie

Sylvie was trying to not get her hopes up. Bertie was only a reservist; it was unlikely he could convince some officer to move him to a new posting. But at least he would be in England for a while, and if she wasn't pregnant, she would have found a room in whatever town he was in, packed up the children, and gone to him.

As it was, she had a hard time moving around the house. Her belly was swollen to an absurd degree, her ankles were the size of hams and her foot was bothering her like nothing else. It was difficult to keep her balance even with her cane, the last thing she needed was to fall, so she was staying in.