Friday 6 April 2012

April A-Z blogging challenge 2012 F is for Foreboding


This is the sixth of 26 short stories – 250 words or fewer - about Alice’s life and times.

F is for Foreboding

There had been rumblings and rumours for months but most people hoped and prayed that Chamberlain’s 1938 declaration of ‘peace for our time’ would hold true. As 1939 wore on and international peace looked ever more vulnerable Alice’s father and brothers shook their heads and tried to remain optimistic. On September 3rd they huddled round the wireless as Neville Chamberlain announced ‘this country is at war with Germany.’

In the days that followed Alice heard her parents talking about men being ‘called up’ and asked Daniel to explain. She looked thoughtful. ‘You and Dad and Charles and Edward?’ she asked.

‘Not Dad. He’s a policeman – he’s needed at home. Not Charles - he’s still at university. Edward’s too young. I’ll be called up, but probably not yet.’

Alice was reassured until a few weeks later when all three brothers told their startled parents that they had enlisted, Charles in the Royal Navy, Daniel and Edward in the Army. Daniel announced that he and Ruth were getting married immediately.

The wedding was a bittersweet affair. Two young people promising to remain together ‘till death do us part’ emphasised the fragility of a world at war. Nonetheless, the newlyweds were sent on their honeymoon with much laughter and good wishes. Alice was pleased that she now had a sister who would be living in her house.  In time, she hoped, there would be babies.

All too soon, her brothers left for their training establishments. The house felt shockingly empty and quiet.

15 comments:

  1. What a well written bittersweet story. You ARE writing the book?

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  2. Awww I hope they get through it in one piece :'( I can't imagine the fear loved ones must've gone through back then, in fact I wrote about it on Armistice Day last year. Can't wait to read more of your work! :)

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  3. A very touching tale. Nicely done.

    new follower,
    mood
    Moody Writing

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  4. I have an ominous chill down my spine.

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  5. Oh no!

    (This is turning into quite a nice little series. I am hooked.)

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  6. This gives me chills. Though fiction, it has the ring of truth. You are writing a 'page turner' here.

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  7. I can't imagine how that must feel to watch family leave for war. I hope I never have to know.

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  8. I love these stories. My mum was 9 years old when the war broke out and she often tells us stories about her childhood in the war.
    http://sallys-scribbles.blogspot.co.uk/

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  9. Oh, goodness the chills! The chills!! Someone get me a blanket. I want to wrap myself up in it for the next installment. What gorgeous writing!!! So happy to have found you. Can't wait for more!

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  10. I like your story! Your style is very nice, it flows and I can lose myself on the times of the story. Well done! I'll be back for more.

    Thanks for commenting on my blog.
    From Diary of a Writer in Progress.

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  11. Can't wait for the next installment, though I have some catching up to do.
    Enjoy this Easter weekend!

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  12. How sad. Very well done! Nice to meet you, new follower from A-Z.

    CarolynBrown-Books

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  13. Excellently written.

    Thanks for coming by my blog this week. Much appreciated.
    Good luck with the challenge.

    Yvonne.

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  14. Oh, no! I'm so sorry all three enlisted!

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  15. All three brothers going off to war? Your title is most fitting for this part of the story.

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