"Well fellas, to us, to George, Dave, Chook and all those boys who lie asleep in foreign soil. May the rest of all our lives be full of love, friendship and beer." Dogger raises his glass to the dusk sky.
"TO THE BOYS OF THE 45!"
"TO THE BOYS OF THE 45!" We all cheer, clanging our glasses together.
-
"That'll be the last beer we ever share in uniform." Ned says, as we stroll into our dusty hometown.
After a long few months upon the ship, a long train ride home, we finally place our boots into the red dust. We left Elsie in France and no one knew when she'd be back, whether it be before us or not.
"But it won't be the last beer." Tom replies.
The aroma of eucalyptus and freshly baked scones fills my lungs. Home has never looked so bright, the sky so blue and the grass so green.
We stroll down the Main Street, people wave and whistle and thank us for our service, all the people we've grown up with.
"Welcome home boys!" Mrs Stockman smiles softly, she's thinner than what I remember, more soft and gentle. "You've done us all proud."
"Now, now Mrs Stockman we were only doing our jobs." Tom tells her.
"No Tommy, you all did much more than that. My boy didn't die for nothing, you boys didn't fight for nothing." She says, "Now which one of you Taylor boys is Clancy?"
"Me Mrs Stockman." I choke.
She looks up at me with tear-filled eyes, "Through all this sadness, dear boy, you've given me quite the comfort knowing he died with a friend by his side. He spoke so highly of all of you boys, whether you thought so or not, he truly enjoyed all of your company. Thank you Clancy Taylor, for all of it."
"Mrs Stockman for a fellow comrade, we each would go unbelievable lengths." I explain.
"Well, if you boys ever need a thing, you come straight to me." She orders.
The three of us nod.
"TOMMY BLOODY STEWERT!" Mary's legs move at lightning speed, her skirt is hoisted and her boots pound into the dirt.
"MARY!" Tom grasps her small body, holding her tight and pressing his lips against hers.
"My Scot is home, my Scotsman has come home!" she screams, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"You boys hurry on home now, you've only kept your family waiting four years." Tom smiles, "I've got four years to catch up on."
"Righto catch ya later Tom." Ned chuckles.
-
"Well Clancy, it's been a journey." Ned turns to me as we step through the gate that lead to our homestead. The gate that's hinges were almost broken due to children constantly swinging on it.
"Yes, most certainly has been," I shake his hand firmly, "but now we are onto bigger and better things."
"We most certainly are mate." Ned replies.
We step onto the veranda, ripping of our boots, and slumping into the bench beside the front door.
"You children better get out to those stables before your brothers get home, Olivia see that Arthur makes it out there." We hear Mum's voice coming from the kitchen.
"She can stay here, Alice and I will be fine." Arthur steps out of the door, not noticing the two of us.
"Where are my bloody boots?" he curses.
"Just here mate." I extend his boots out to him.
"Thanks Clancy," Arthur snatches the boots from me, before he stops, his jaw dropping and eyes almost falling out of his head.
"Both of you." He gasps, throwing his whole body onto us, wrapping his arms around our neck and howling like a child.
"G'day little mate." Ned and I say in unison.
"MUM! DAD! ALICE! They're here!" Arthur runs inside, screaming down the passage.
Alice races out the door and this time its our turn for the jaws to drop.
"Alice Taylor how you've grown?!" I open my arms as my little sister falls into my arms.
"My how you haven't changed the slightest!" Alice replies, kissing our cheeks softly.
Dad steps out of the house, a grin shining through his bearded lips. He doesn't say anything, he just grins before stepping off the veranda and into the dirt, making his way towards the stables.
Mum appears before us, her eyes filled with tears, she isn't worried anymore, we can see it in her eyes. She smiles the most beautiful smile before her lips begin to wobble,
"If the two of you ever, ever, leave me like that again, I will personally tie you to the kitchen table so tight you can't leave." She orders for us both to stand up, she draws the two of us onto her shoulders.
"My boys are home, safe in my arms, safe at last. No more worry, no more angst, just my loves all four of you." She gathers Alice and Arthur into her arms and the four of us stand in her embrace, comforted by her thin but loving arms.
"Life is so short my babies, don't ever let it slip away." She whispers and the four of us nod.
"Well, you two, there are stables to clean." Mum sniffs.
"We'll do it Mum." Ned offers.
"No you won't, you need to unpack your thing, to your room, the both of you." She smiles.
We open the door to our bedroom and are greeted by the most perfect surprise.
Ned drops to his knees at the sight of Kate, who also falls to her knees and crawls into his arms, sobbing.
"Els, what are you doing home?" I grin taking her in my arms.
Elsie rises to her feet with a smile, "c'mon, let's go to the creek."
She takes my hand, kisses my lips and drags me outside once again.
-
"Four years I've waited for this Clancy Taylor." She says fondling with those pesky buttons.
We fall silent.
My heart begins to race as I reach out and fumble with the second lot.
Elsie's hands press against my chest, her ocean colour eyes stare up at me through her thick eyelashes.
The dress pools at her feet, her thin under layer floating in the wind.
"I don't have to miss you anymore." She whispers shakily.
"No and I don't have to miss you." I reply.
I swear, the world falls away in those moments.
It's just us.
Just us and the running creek beside us.
Elsie's smooth hands rest upon my cheeks and this time I don't turn away, my face doesn't flush with nervousness but instead I rest into her hand and then against her lips.
The clover is soft on our skin and the water is cool. Love is beautiful and the longing for home is suddenly gone, because it's right here I realise, that she is my home.
YOU ARE READING
The Echo Of Youth
Исторические романы"I didn't realise that I could miss something as much as I miss my innocence." It's 1914, the world is at war, and it's unlike anything anyone has seen before. The men of cities and country towns are leaving for a cause much bigger than they realis...
