Chapter 1 - The meeting.
The winter sun was slowly rising upon the small town of Devon, highlighting the icy morning frost that drifted trough the quiet cobbled streets. A small crowd had gathered outside the town square, waiting for the arrival of the surviving soldiers. There was an eery silence amongst the people, the of unsurety of who's loved ones would return.
At last the silence was broken by the small echoing of horse hoves tapping across the stone floor filtered through the town. Such a small sound it was too, as so few soldiers had returned. The small group of men appeared in the fog, drifting solemnly towards the crowd. Amongst this group was James Nicholls, a young Captain in the military. His eyes faced the ground as he approached the crowd, riding upon a beautiful brown horse. He had come to Devon to finally return this incredible beast to it's true owners, as he had many years ago promised he would. He had no family to return to, so he was unsure as to where he would go next. The war had had such a catastrophic effect on this youthful man, and he felt he may never be truly happy again. He had seen such horrors that he feared would never leave the front of his mind. Every time he closed his eyes images of bloodied soil and dead friends filled his saddened thoughts.
Slowly they finally reached the crowd, and the few lucky people who had seen the ones they long for returned ran to them, embracing lovingly, as the sound of sad and happy cries filled the streets. A frown deepened into James' handsome face as he for the last time slid off the back of Joey the Horse. He tapped the beasts neck in comfort as his eyes gazed through the crowd, looking for a familiar face.
Alice was a kind woman, yet she did have a terrible past. She lived a few miles away within her childhood, her parents had died when she was thirteen, leaving her to look after a toddler who was her little sister Lucy. Alice was a beautiful young woman, fair skin, brunette curls and warm chocolate brown eyes. Lucy was only at the age of eight, but the pair did have a strong sisterly bond.
"Lucy!" She called, trying to chase after her little sister, yet she kept running and running toward the horses and the soldiers. "Lucy!" She called again, yet the child just chose to ignore her nonetheless. Just as she was about to go rushing toward the equines, she quickly took hold of her, lifting her sister up into her arms. "If you want to see the horses you have to ask. You can't just go running towards them, you will spook them otherwise" Alice explained, before placing her sister down upon the floor. She slowly walked up towards Captain Nicholls, gently tugging at his leg. "Excuse me" She began, looking up towards him. "Can I stroke your horse?" She asked, her eyes were big, almost pleading. Alice walked over toward her sister, just to make sure she did not rush off. "If you don't want her to, that is fine. She just seems to be so obsessive over horses recently" Alice explained to the Soldier, giving him a kind smile. Her eyes soon laying sight upon the equine. "He is beautiful though.." She whispered, Joey looked over towards Alice his neck bending down towards Lucy, rather intrigued, he gently nuzzled her, Lucy rest her small palm upon his muzzle, where it stayed completely still. "And he is kind" Alice added on, only moments after watching the scene in front of her.
James' distant mind had been distracted by the touch of a hand. He looked down to see a lovely little girl gazing up at him and Joey. James could not remember the last time he had encountered anyone so young, and the sight of her bought an immediate smile onto his face. He dropped himself down to her height, looking at her pretty face.
"Of course you can," he smiled. "His name is Joey."
The following words that came from above him caused him to stand at once. They had come from a beautiful woman, with warm brown eyes who had appeared in front of him. As he looked at her he thought nothing of war, or of fear. Just the lovely friendly face looking back to him. He lifted his hand and removed the military hat from his head. A smile reappeared on his face. He looked back down at the little girl. 'Well I understand,' he said softly, "I've always had an obsession with horses myself." He glanced back at the woman in front of him. "And there is no finer horse than the one standing here," he said, stroking Joeys neck. "I would have died without him, literally." The smile vanished slightly from his face as the reminder of war hit him. He shook himself and looked back down to the little girl. 'Would you care to ride him?' he said, forcing a smile back onto his face. "I assure you he's a very stable horse, she'll be safe." With a a glance at the brunette he lifted the little girl and raised her onto the back of the horse. He then turned his focus back to the woman. "Do you know Albert Narracott?" he asked her. "He's the owner of this horse, I've come here to return Joey to him as I promised."
Alice gave a nod of her head, she could see the fear in his eyes. She could see it in so many "yes I know Albert." She replied quietly, her eyes resting on her little sister. "be careful Lucy." Alice warned, "I know" she replied, her sister was always so protective. Joey walked only slowly, forward, which was what Lucy had ordered him to do.
"I think she gets annoyed at me sometimes, always telling her to be careful, to not talk to strangers or run off. She is the only family I have left, and I would not know what to do without her. I saved her once before when our parents died. I was thirteen, she was too young to remember it. Constantly asking what happened to them, but I cannot tell her. Not yet. She is too young to know the brutality of their death. I vaguely remember it, some parts are blurred. My mother told us to hide, so I took Lucy, away from the danger. The last time I saw my parents was them being killed, I ran away, just hoping they would not find us, luckily they didn't. Which was how I know Albert, we stumbled into their field and they took us in for a few days. I did not speak of what happened for a good few years, raising Lucy as best as I could."
Alice explained, not looking towards James as she spoke, her eyes constantly on her sister. Joey had walked back, and instantly Alice took hold of Lucy, settling her safely on the ground. Alice had a scar on her arm, a rather big one at that. "when will you tell me what happened?" Lucy questioned, Alice went down to her sisters height, "soon." she whispered, only giving half a smile. "why don't you go get Albert to collect Joey?" Alice asked, Lucy gave a shrug and skipped off "don't talk to strangers! and keep on the path" Alice called, it was hard work looking after her at times.
James let his eyes wonder to her as he listened to her sad story, surprised by her openness to a complete stranger. It had been a long time since he had been involved with general conversation and thus he hung to her every word. A frown appeared on his brow as he took in what she said, remaining silent. As the little girl approached he wondered back to Joey, taking his reigns and stroking the bridge of his nose. The horse nuzzled into his neck, causing James to smile.
He looked at the conversation between the two girls, seeing the strong bond they had, and the motherly protection the elder felt towards her sister. He knew how it felt to not have a family, but it seemed he was unable to speak of it as strongly, or openly as she.
"I'll miss him," he said, as the little girl skipped away, "I've been lucky since the day I met him." James eyes focused on the horse for a few moments before turning back to the woman.
James suddenly realised that he had not introduced himself, and with a startled motion he suddenly approached her.
"Captain James Nicholls," he said, holding out a hand, and bowing his head slightly. "Well, or Jim."
Calling himself Jim felt surreal. It was not since before the war had he or anyone else referred to him as such. It reminded him of his younger days when he was carefree. He wondered if he'd ever feel he elongated to that name again.
She took hold of his hand, shaking it. "I am Alice, my sister is Lucy" she replied, giving him a kind smile. Albert soon came running over towards them, Joey quickly ran in his direction, Alice had to move out of the way. Alby hugged Joey tightly, a small laugh passing his lips. "he missed Joey terribly" Alice commented, Albert took hold of Joeys reins, before walking up to the pair. "thank you." he stated, "Albert, where is Lucy?" she questioned "she is at the farm, there is nothing to worry about." Albert replied to Alices question.
"Pleasure," he said as she gave him their names and shook his hand. He looked up, breaking into a smile as Albert ran to Joey, but the smile quickly faded. At last he would have to let Joey go, the horse that had saved hiss life and pulled him through the way. He gave the beautiful creature a final touch, running the long mane through his pale fingers. Then, placing his military hat back upon his head, without another word he slipped out of the crowd.
A good few hours had passed, and Alice had decided to go to the pub with a few of her friends. She had a wine in her hand, laughing and giggling at their comments. "When will you find yourself a man Alice?" one of her friends questioned "I have lucy to look after, it is only lucky i could get her to sleep round her friends tonight. Finding someone would be too much trouble." Alice replied, taking a sip of her drink.