What Happened In 1940

prologue

January the 20th, 1940.

Not more than just a few months after the World War Two had officially begun, 16 year old Elizabeth Greenwood and her English foster parents had finished packing up their suitcases and were standing in the front porch of their beloved house.

It was close to evening. The sun was slowly starting to set, casting an orange and yellowish glow over the rooftop of the house. Cool breeze danced its way across the trees, making the leaves swayed gently along to its rhythm. Like every other day, the air outside was calm and peaceful. It was almost as if there was no such thing as World War Two.

So many unforgettable memories were made in this very house. Elizabeth's old pal, Justin the great guard dog was also buried here, in their backyard, under the pink and blue flower bushes. The deceased golden retriever had been her everything. She was reluctant to leave him behind. She was reluctant to leave all the memories behind. But what choice did she have. The army officials had came in early at dawn today to warn them about the possible air raid and insisted that they evacuate out of the danger zone as soon as possible.

" Where will we be going, Mother? " Elizabeth had asked right after she heard the news. She was sitting on her bed watching as her foster Mother walked briskly back and forth, taking all of her dresses from the wardrobe and neatly folding them into the brown leather suitcase.

" To your Grand-dad's house, sweetie. It's just right on the outskirt of town and it's much safer than here. " Mother replied, zipping up the fully loaded suitcase.

She planted a kiss on her young daughter's forehead and was heading out of the room when Elizabeth asked yet another question, " How long are we going to be there for? "

Mother turned around and gave her a weak smile. To tell the truth, she had no idea of the duration of their stay. It could be a few weeks, maybe even months, lord please not let it be years. Elizabeth wasn't the only member who grew attached to this house, Mother did too. She loved everything about this house and she will miss it dearly.

After a moment of silence, Mother finally said, " A few days, at the very least. I hope. "

She didn't want to lie to her daughter but it was for the best. Seeing  Elizabeth's face instantly light up upon hearing the fake good news, Mother felt a little happy and sad at the same time.

" Oh, that's fantastic! I shall tell James the good news. He was so distraught this morning when he learnt that we were parting but this will definitely cheer him up! " Elizabeth beamed with excitement as she hopped off her bed and threw on her favourite coat.

James was a paper boy who lived right down the streets to the Greenwood family. He was also Elizabeth's best friend for life. These two went so well together like peanut butter and jelly. Sometimes, Mother wondered if Elizabeth had a crush on the boy. She would see her waking up early every Sunday morning, just so she would happen to be standing right outside when he arrived to deliver the newspaper.

Unlike Father, Mother found it adorable how their daughter always got all giggly and smiley whenever James would come over for dinner.

It saddens Mother knowing that they most probably won't be seeing each other for a long while. A part of her regretted lying to Elizabeth. She can't imagine how heartbroken Elizabeth would be when she eventually find out the truth.

It's for the best. She reminded herself.

After a tearful goodbye and the promise to see each other again, Elizabeth was standing on the front porch of her home with Mother and Father right by her side.

Father grew irritated as he kept checking the watch on his wrist. He tapped his foot impatiently against the ground. Nearly fifteen minutes has past and there was still no sign of the taxi cab. Father made sure to give the driver a good scolding once he arrive.

Mother, on the other hand, had proceeded to the stone pathway at the front to receive fairwell baked goodies and little knick knacks from the neighbours.

Leaving Elizabeth sitting on the suitcase, watching as families got on board their cars and driving off to their own safe haven.

" Oh, finally. " She heard her Father muttered, before turning to her and saying, " Come on Beth, we need to go. Now. "

After loading the heavy suitcases in the trunk of the yellow vehicle, the Greenwood family hopped aboard the car.

Elizabeth took one last look at the Victorian House which she called her home, waving goodbye to the pink and blue flower bushes. She prayed that it would survive the air raid.

As they passed by the Jackson family. She saw James sitting on the swing set at the front porch of his small house. As soon as their eyes met, James got off his seat and as if he had been preparing for this moment for his entire life, he ran after the yellow vehicle.

Elizabeth rolled down the side window, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes.

" Elizabeth Greenwood, I regret not telling you this sooner but you are the most wonderful girl I've ever met! You mean much more to me than just a friend! I will wait for your return, I'll be at the front steps of your house, waiting for you to come back! Promise me you will come back! " James shouted, his brown curly hair flapping in the wind.

A tear rolled down Elizabeth's face. The thought of not being able to gaze into his mezmerising green eyes or hear his melodious laughter made her heart ache. She will miss him dearly. She made a mental note to herself that once she returns, she will run up to him and give him a tight hug while professing her undying love for him. When he pulled away, with a huge smile on his face, they will share their first kiss and live happily ever after.

For now, all she could say was " I promise I will come back! In a couple of days, we shall see each other again! Please stay safe! "

With one last look at each other, James watched in misery as the yellow cab became smaller and eventually disappeared once it turned around a corner. He slowly came to a halt, doubling over trying to catch his breath.

Somewhere in his heart, it felt like that was the last time he was ever going to see Elizabeth.

He didn't have much time to mourn as the rumbling of engine from above drew near. " They're here! " Cried a desperate voice.

The German Fighter Planes flew past him and the next thing he knew, people were screaming and crying and running for their lives.