Until we meet again (A war romance) (#Wattys2015)

Part 7 - Diana

Having no men around was becoming a problem, and everyone knew it. There was no one to deliver our milk, no one to run our shops, no one to do anything! Most of my life, I had been sewing and baking, just like a lady should, but now everyone wanted us to do men’s jobs! I had laughed at first, as had Mother, but everyone else was deadly serious. Everyone thought that because there was no one to tell them what they should do, or how they should act, they should take advantage of that. They wanted to be; to do what they wanted without the pressure of acting ladylike, even if it was only until Christmas, when this dreadful war would be behind us!

I wondered about Matthew: what would he want me to do? But Matthew wasn’t here. I hadn’t even had a letter from him. Typical man, but I thought I had meant more to him than that. I was curious as to what life was like out there. It certainly sounded more exciting than my life here! I decided that I might as well do my bit, as Matthew was certainly doing his. There was a wide range of jobs to do, but I didn’t want to work in a shop. Oh no, I could do that any old time if I wanted to I was sure. I wanted to really do something helpful…

“I want to help out on the farm with Matthew’s mother,” I announced at dinner, “And I don’t care what you say; I know she can’t manage it on her own, and it’s what I want to do.”

“What would the men say if they could see us now?” Mother said.

“Well, if they’re all like Matthew, they’d be proud,” I nodded. Mother sighed.

“You’re not really serious?”

“Of course I am,”

“Why would a woman want to do a men’s job?”

“We have no choice.” I said quietly, “So I suggest you do your bit.”

“Well, I think it’s quite absurd, no woman should have to work…”

“Do you see any men around here? No? Men can’t do jobs if they’re not here, Mother! Who knows, maybe it’ll be fun working. I never do anything here!”

“Don’t get too used to having a job,” Mother smirked, “It won’t last, trust me!”

The next morning, I rose bright and early, tied my hair back into a pony-tail, put on a pair of my dad’s old dungarees (Mother could never bring herself to throw anything of his away,) and slipped on some boots. I came down to breakfast, a smile on my face. Mother eyes me with disapproval.

“What do you look like, Diana Magee?”

“Determined.”

When I got down to the farm, Matthew’s mother, Suzie, greeted he happily.

“It’s so nice to get some help, I could never have managed on my own, especially without my boys!”

“You haven’t heard from Matthew, have you?”

“No, not yet, Di, have you?”

“No. Oh well, he must be doing something important!”

Suzie eyed me from head to toe,

“Well, you certainly look the part, but you’ll need some proper wellingtons! Here, take Matthews old pair.” She gave me some boots, and I slipped them on, they fitted just right.

“Right, let’s get to work!”

I had to do simple things, such as feed the hens, milk the cows, groom the horses- but then Suzie asked if I would drive some of the crops she had been saving down to the grocers to get some money. I sat in the delivery automobile. I had sat inside it before, with Matthew, so I did sort-of know how to drive, but it looked a bit complicated…

“I’ve never driven either!” Suzie laughed, “Just shows how much the men did around here!”

I managed to get it to start eventually, but the engine was so loud!

“We’ve had some trouble with the engine recently. My husband was going to fix it, but then he left. Don’t worry about it!”

I started forward and got onto the road. So far, so good I thought calmly, keeping my eyes on the road. As I neared the grocers, I had a thought:

How do I bloody stop this thing?!

 The delivery car swerved as I took my eyes off the road. I pulled every lever pushed every button, but the wall just got closer, and closer… Just in time, I pulled the final lever, and the automobile screeched to a halt, just inches from the wall. I gasped, trying to get my breathing back under the control. Well, that went well! Then I realised:

I forgot to bring the bloody vegetables with me!

I whimpered.

Later, I collapsed into the armchair in our living room, exhausted. Mother was sat in her chair, sewing, her eyes focussed, her grey hair pulled back in a tight bun.

“How was it then?”

“Chaotic,”

She smirked, “So, you’re not going again tomorrow?”

“Of course I am! In a strange way, I enjoyed it! If I was here, I wouldn’t have done anything all day, but on the farm, I’m actually doing something, and it’s actually helping people!”

“Hmmm,” mum murmured. She hadn’t been listening. Her eyes widened suddenly, “Oh yes, a letter came for you earlier…” she gestured vaguely to the table then went back to her sewing. Despite my tiredness, I leaped to my feet and darted across the room. It was from Matthew, I could feel it! I ripped open the letter, and read:

My Dearest Di,

I miss you greatly, and I long to see you every day. I have made new friends, Will and Tommy. Apparently, they are both from our town, ever met them before?

The food here is nothing like I thought it would be. We were promised stew- which has turned out to be this sort of gravy soup filled with fat. Lovely!

The trench, the place I am living in, is alright, once you get used to it, but the mud gets everywhere! Some of the men have been suffering from this disease called ‘Trench foot.’ It looks rather horrid, but luckily I haven’t got it, not yet anyway!

We are going over the top next week. It means I have to go into no man’s land, and kill someone. I’m scared, Di, I don’t want to die- but I don’t want to kill someone either- even if they are the enemy. This could be my last chance to say I love you. I love you Di. Next week, I will be thinking of you. Don’t worry about me Di, just remember me if something happens.

I will write immediately if I get back,

Love Matthew,

P.S. Could you send me some of your home-baked cookies to make up for the dreadful food!

‘Over by Christmas,’ I thought dully as I slowly put down the letter. I burst into tears.