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Beatrice Porter, dad.”
    My dad was not often stuck for words but he was then.  Beatrice gave him a smile and shook his hand.  “I am very pleased to meet you.”
    Bates appeared and stood quietly behind us. “This is Airman Bates from my squadron.”
    Harry had placed the bag at the door. “I’ll tell your Kath and his lordship that you are back.”
    “His lordship is home?”
    “Aye.” He nodded at my arm.  “He’s picked up a wound too.”
    He clambered up and clicked his tongue.  Jess took the wagon along the track to the main house. The door opened and bathed us in light.  My mother stood there looking older and frailer than I remembered. She began to cry as she threw her arms around me and sobbed into my chest.  “Our Bill! We thought you were dead! I am glad you are safe.”
    “I’m too stubborn to die, our mum.” She stepped back to look at me. “Could we put up my young lady and my friend? I am sorry I couldn’t let you know but…”
    My mother’s good manners took over, “Of course, come on in.  Father, go and put a kettle on for the hot water bottles.”
    Beatrice was ushered in and Bates, said, “Let me help you with that Mr Harsker” and he and dad disappeared to fill the kettle.
    Mum was just taking Beatrice’s coat when my words registered with her. “Young lady?”
    I took Beatrice’s coat from mum and put it on the hook behind the door. I went up to them both and put my arms around them. “Yes, mum, my young lady. We are going to get married.”
    I glanced at Beatrice and saw the look of apprehension flicker in her eyes. There was a moment of awkward silence and them mum grabbed me and kissed me on both cheeks before doing the same to a surprised Beatrice. “I am so pleased! Oh why didn’t you warn me?  We could have had food in and a nice meal waiting and… father!”
    She screeched it so loud that dad and Bates rushed in.  “Whatever is the matter?”
    “Our Bill is going to marry this young lady, Beatrice.”
    Bless dad, he hugged Beatrice so hard I worried that she would break in two. “Well that calls for a celebration!”
    Mum looked crestfallen, “We’ve nowt in!”
    “I’ll nip up to the big house and have a word with our Sarah.”
    “Eeeh you can’t, our Bill, that’s proper cheeky.”
    I grabbed my great coat, “Shy bairns get nowt.  Besides, you two can chat.”
    I ran to the house.  I was ecstatic.  I don’t know why I had been worried.  I should have had more faith in mum and dad. I rang the bell and Cedric, our Sarah’s husband, answered it. He smiled when he saw me.  “Harry said that you were home.  Good to see you.” He saw my broken arm.  “You’ve been in the wars I see.”
    I burst out laughing! “For the last two years!”
    Our Sarah appeared, “Whatever is the… oh Bill!” She hugged me. “Do you want his lordship?  They have just sat down to dinner.”
    “No, it’s mum she has no food in and I said I would cadge some off you!”
    They both laughed, “Cheeky bugger. Come round to the back and I’ll sort something out for you.”
    I went around the familiar path to the servants’ entrance.  Sarah arrived first and she opened the door.  Come in and I’ll get you a box.”
    The servants were eating around the table.  Cedric and Sarah were the head servants but I knew all the others. They all shouted hello. Harry said, “I told you he was home.  Wounded little soldier eh?”
    “It’s just a broken arm, Harry.”
    “Oh.” Harry sounded disappointed.
    Sarah had just returned with the box. “Yes but you broke it escaping from Germans and you nearly died!”
    “It was nothing!”
    Before it became even more embarrassing Lord Burscough came in.  His right arm was in a sling. We both burst out laughing.  “Well a fine pair we make, Bill and I can’t even shake your hand.”
    Sarah looked embarrassed, “I was just getting Bill some food for…”
    “Nonsense we have plenty let them eat here.”
    I shook my