A new arrival at Grange Farm

Brenda had settled into the routine of life at Grange Farm. She couldn't believe that the mundane activities of helping Soppy with his work, then scurrying around the kitchen for Mrs Hannaford could absorb her time.

At night, she lay in bed and listened to the silence that seemed to lie like a blanket around the entire farm. The only sounds were those of the screech owls and the scurrying of small animals across the yard. There was the occasional lowing from the cows and, of course, the raucous crowing of the cockerel. But from humanity, there was almost nothing. Soppy played solitaire in his room with a tattered pack of cards. Mrs Hannaford knitted by the kitchen stove. Neither of them listened to the radio and there was no gramophone. Also there was little desire to chatter.

For the first time in her life, Brenda was forced onto her own resources. She had come from a talkative and noisy family. Even after the bombing, when her own family had gone, she had Ben. Lord! How he had chatted about their future together. In the first year of their marriage he had such plans, so many ideas. Listening to him, you would think the world lay at their feet and was just for the taking.

Alone in her room, Brenda relived the past. She wept for what might have been if Redbourne had not come into Ben's life. The silence and the peace to think things out had given Brenda a determination that she would survive this. Also, she would ensure that Soppy and Mrs Hannaford survived as well. She was grateful for the time spent at the farm.

They had been left in peace for almost a week. No spying visits from Redbourne, Steele or Davey. No trips to the dog races. Even the dodgy dogs were having a rest from it all. Brenda prayed it would go on like this.

Temple had left her a couple of notes at the drop. She had not shared the contents with either Soppy or Mrs Hannaford. They contained no real information, apart from telling her that Redbourne seemed to be gaining ground. But she had heard nothing from him for several days.

It was a shock to her, Soppy and Mrs Hannaford when early one morning, almost before first light, that Redbourne's car had drawn up in the yard in a shower of gravel and screeching brakes. There was shouting and tooting on the horn.

Brenda went to the kitchen window to see what was going on. Soppy received a sharp slap to his head from Steele which sent him reeling back against the wall. Without waiting, Brenda rushed out into the yard.

"What the hell did you do that for?" She heard herself shout.

"We ask the questions round here, not you!" Steele hissed at her. "If he'd come when he was called, he'd 'ave saved himself a clouting. Good lesson for you, missy! Pick up the case and take it inside. Soppy, here was meant to do it. But since you stuck your oar in, you can do it!" He kicked a large battered case towards her.

Hearing the noise, Mrs Hannaford came out. She saw Soppy's face reddened from the blow. She saw the anger in Brenda's eyes and the surly look on Steele's face. She decided to try to calm things down.

"Why don't 'e all come into the kitchen. 'Tis cold, this time in the mornin'. I've got tea made and some fresh bread."

Despite his ill humour, Steele decided some fresh farm bread and butter would do him very nicely. He turned and beckoned for Willis to get out of the car and follow them.

As soon as she spied Willis, Brenda did not like what she saw. He was cast in the same mould as Steele. The way he walked; the manner in which he sized people up; the sharp furtive glances to ascertain his surroundings, all showed what sort of a man he was.

"I've brought another guest for you, Mrs Hannaford." Steele announced after his second cup of tea. "He's to be looked after proper like! No one is to know he's here. No one. Do I make myself clear?"

"How long is 'e stayin?" Mrs Hannaford asked, innocently enough.

"As long as we please! You don't understand, do you?" Steele shouted. "We tell you when to bloody breathe; when to eat; when to keep your bloody mouths shut! You don't ask nothing! Got it?" Mrs Hannaford nodded. He stared hard at Brenda. "I said, got it? I expect an answer." Brenda bit her tongue and nodded as well.

An hour later, Willis had been shown round the farmhouse. He'd been given a bedroom at the front, so he could watch out for unwelcome visitors. Steele left after more threats to Brenda.

"I'll be back in a day or two, Pete. Things'll have settled down a bit by then." Willis had grinned and agreed that they would and that then he'd be away from this 'bloody rat hole'.

Later in the morning, while Willis was in his room, Mrs Hannaford, Soppy and Brenda met in the barn. Mrs Hannaford was agitated. "What'm us goin to do now? Us can't talk in front of 'im!"

"No. No, we can't." Brenda said. "But I can write you notes and we can meet in the barn."

Soppy was bewildered. His head still hurt from the blow he'd received and he was angry. Brenda told both of them that anger was no good in the situation they were in.

"Our time will come." She said.

Though she now began to wonder when that would be. Above all, though, she wondered what had happened so that Willis needed things to settle down. She wished she could contact Temple and Cantwell, she was sure they would know what had been going on and could help.