Disclaimer I do not own Home Fires. All copyright belongs to ITV and the original writers. No copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred.

1.

The late September sunshine belied the tension and fear in the village. The D Day landings had left everyone terrified. Faulty parachutes, airmen injured and the ever advancing German army dominated the news. Fresh from her shift at the telephone exchange Pat felt the fear as much as the others but there was a more immediate danger. Bob would be the death of her. Literally if she wasn't careful. Hurrying along the path she knew she had to rush home. Bob would be there; waiting. She bit her lip. She wasn't a young woman, not by a long chalk but she wasn't so old as to be resigned to her fate. Marek had taught her that. She loved the Czechoslovakian airman and would leave England with him if he asked. She stopped, shaking her head. Adultery was a sin and Bob would rather kill her where she stood than give her a divorce.

"Pat! Pat!"

She turned as she heard her name called. The young blonde ran towards her. Pat did her best not to roll her eyes. The younger woman was brash, bottle blonde and so confident it was almost indecent. She smiled slightly; knowing she was slightly jealous of the young woman's bravado.

"Jenny."

"You won't forget that we swapped shifts for Wednesday? Only I have a shift at the Naffy then."

"I haven't forgot and I shan't. Stop worrying. I have to go."

She hurried away as she spoke, not giving the younger woman chance to answer.

Xxxx

Will stared at the letter in front of him. His cancer was still there but the radiotherapy was working. The aggressiveness had abated somewhat. It didn't give him a cure. It was cancer after all, but it gave him time. He smiled at the letter. His daughter had been right and no one knew the importance of time with loved ones more than his little girl. He looked up as his older daughter walked into his office.

"Daddy."

"What is it?" He looked at her, immediately worried. Her eyes darted around the room. "Laura?"

"I've just taken a telegram." She paused. "It's from the hospital in London. Well, the head of nurse education." She frowned, handing it to him. The small piece of paper taunting him.

"Get your mother."

She turned on her heel, heading into the main house. His heart pounded as he stared at the simple white card. Kate had been through so much in her short life, married and widowed before the age of twenty one, her sister's shame and now whatever was in the telegram.

"What is it?" He looked up to see his wife and daughter watching him intently.

"There was a bombing raid in London last night."

"I heard on the wireless." Laura stated. Will nodded. The colour drained from his wife's already pale face. "I have to go there. Kate is alive but she's injured. She saved three children on the paediatric ward when the bomb hit. The telegram says she has a head injury, a fractured ankle and some minor burns."

"She's alive."

"Yes, Erica. She's alive."

"I'm coming with you." Erica stared at him, daring him to challenge her. He nodded.

"The doctors say she is well enough to come home. We can collect her as soon as we get there." He got to his feet. "I suggest we leave now."

Erica nodded before taking his hand and leading her out of the room. Laura closed her eyes, thanking God her little sister was coming home.

Xxxxxxx

Marek sat on his bunk, he was cold and lonely. Pat had told him her husband knew of his love for her but would never grant her a divorce. He felt wretched, knowing she loved him too. He hadn't expected to be sent to England. He hadn't even entertained the idea of falling in love. The idea seemed absurd; but the quiet woman his officer had knocked off her feet had melted his heart. He ran a tired hand over his face, cursing the Nazi's, cursing his own weaknesses, his heart and Pat's cruel husband. He knew she wasn't safe with him. She had hinted as much but then her neighbour; the pharmacist had told him what he had already suspected. Bob Simms was violent, a vicious bully. The thought of his Pat spending time with the man made him feel sick. He wanted to protect her, let her see what she was really worthy of. She was worth so much more than the bitter man she had married. He sighed, glaring at the floor as two younger officers walked into the room chatting happily. Something had to be done. Somehow he had to convince her that she could leave him, that it wasn't a sin to seek peace. He had to find a way of making Bob agree to the divorce ; without stooping to his level. Nodding to the younger men as they left the dormitory he swung his legs over onto the bunk. He stared at the ceiling, hoping he could think of a way he and Pat could be together.

Xxxxx