7th March 1942
Elizabeth's steps accelerated as she walked over a hill and saw the small farm where Hans and Martha lived.
She was incredibly happy to see them again! And she also had the feeling that she should take care of the siblings. After all, her feeling always brought her to Hans and his little sister.
She wanted to help Hans and also wanted to be there for little Martha. After all, they were now orphans and needed any help. Especially since they hadn't inherited any money.
Hans had to sell the animals because he couldn't take care of them alone. He only kept Basil because the stallion meant so much to his parents.
He worked on another farm not far from their own to take care of himself and Martha.
Martha, on the other hand, was still going to school and Hans always wanted that she learns a lot.
When Elizabeth arrived at the farm, she carefully walked around the house and wanted to see if the two were already awake or still there. After all, it was seven o'clock in the morning. Then Liz heard voices coming from the barn.
She walked carefully to the barn and indeed: Martha and Hans were brushing Basil. Elizabeth leaned against the wooden frame of the gate and smiled wryly. She watched the scene a moment before talking to them in german:
"Hello you two."
The addressed people whirled around and took a moment to realise who the silhouette was. But then a big smile spread across their faces.
"Elizabeth!" They said at the same time and went to her.
"How are you?" Hans asked, "would you like a drink? You look pretty exhausted…"
"I am exhausted. I haven't got any sleep this night."
During the short walk from the barn to the house, Martha took Elizabeth's hand and looked at her with shining eyes.
The little girl really liked Liz and always stuck to her.
In the house, the little one ran into the kitchen and came back shortly after with a glass of milk in her small hands. In the meantime, Elizabeth had sat on the armchair and thankfully accepted the milk.
She was hungry, thirsty but most of all she was tired.
Usually, she wouldn't have had any problems to walk this route, but she felt that she would soon lying sick in bed. She had more breathing problems than usual, had a sore throat and her forehead was warm.
The best thing would be if she just did nothing for the next few days and just rest.
"You look pale," said Hans worriedly when he handed her a piece of bread, "I think it would be best if you go to bed. You can sleep in my bed upstairs... The next few days if you want. Not that you get pneumonia."
It was almost as if he could read minds.
"Thank you," said Elizabeth after a bite.
After she drunk the milk and ate the bread, Hans led her into the bedroom.
Although she was tired and almost fell asleep on the spot, she grabbed her backpack and pulled out a pen and paper.
She had two letters to write.
—
About 400km away Mary and Bert were waking up. Mary had spent the night in Bert's hotel room again. Actually it was not welcome but the sergeant didn't care - he wanted to spend as much time with Mary as possible!
"Good morning," Mary said after kissing Bert lovingly on the lips.
"Good morning, Mary."
For a moment they didn't say a word and just looked at each other: Today was the day of their next farewell and they had only a few hours left together.
There was so much they wanted to say and do, but it just wasn't possible.
Bert wanted to make her a marriage proposal that day, but he thought that it was not the right time and place for it. No, he had planned to do it properly. With the perfect ring, in the right place and certainly not in a uniform!
Mary thought about other things. What would be waiting for him in England? Would she see him more often? Was it just as dangerous there or not?
Both were torn from their thoughts when a large candle flared dangerously and the window was opened by a violent gust of wind.
They knew what that meant, so Bert ran to the candle and Mary to the window.
Shortly after, both of them were holding an envelope.
"So that's 'ow your letters arrive," said Bert, when he opened his letter impatiently.
Mary just watched him and was looking forward to his reaction.
He started reading:
Hey Bert,
unfortunately I have't been able to write to you lately… Again! And as always, I'm sorry because I know you worry a lot.
But please don't worry too much!
If you're wondering how I'm doing. Well… I'm just tired.
I have had a somewhat longer trip and have just returned to a decent place to stay.
Maybe you still remember Hans and Martha? The siblings I told you about? I am currently with them again and I think I will stay there for a while.
They are not only incredibly hospitable but also good people. I want to give them a little help until I am sent back to an area where I only see suffering.
I will also try to go back to London soon and see Mary. After all, I promised you to take care of her!
But enough of me. How are you? If I remember correctly, you should be in Paris right now, right?
I hope it is quiet there and you have some nice, relaxing days.
I miss you,
Lizzy
P.S. I will soon try to send you my latest photographs that I have taken with your camera. But you know that developing is not that easy; even with magic.
Little tears gathered in Bert's eyes and a sad smile crept onto his lips.
"You miss her," said Mary. He nodded.
"More than ya can imagine ...", he sank onto the bed. Mary sat down next to him and took his free hand in hers and stroked it gently.
"The last time I saw 'er was a year ago... And I think I would slowly forget her face if I didn't 'ave a picture of 'er... I just wish the war was over and the three of us were back in London. 'appy and unharmed… ", he sighed, "what did she write to you? "
"Probably the same thing as she wrote you," said Mary as she pulled her letter out of the envelope.
Hello Mary,
I hope it's quiet in London and you don't worry too much.
Unfortunately, I haven't found a way to reply to your last letter recently, and I'm sorry. Really!
How are you? Are you currently with a family or at home?
But yes: I still do the exercises regularly and meditate every evening.
You were right, it really helps with concentration!
I got back to Hans and Martha today and think that I will stay there for a while before I get back to London.
But should you feel bad or should you need help: let me know and I will come back immediately!
After all, I promised Bert to keep an eye on you. I feel bad because I don't really keep my promise to him... I hope I don't disappoint him too much...
Take care and don't worry too much about us,
Elizabeth
"You don't disappoint me, Lizzy."
Bert's voice broke off at the end and when Mary looked up she saw the tears running down his cheeks.
"Oh Bert," she hugged him and no sooner had she wrapped her arms around him, he started to cry.
He clung to her as if his life depended on it.
He missed Lizzy and had to confess that he was more afraid of her than of Mary or himself.
Bert was also certain that she would not survive all of this. She was getting closer and closer to the front and it was written in the stars how long she would be able to survive this without damage. He felt sick at the thought that the child, whom he had raised more or less and whom he had taught everything he knew, ran into certain death.
When the war started, he was glad that Liz was a young woman and therefore would not be drafted. But what she was doing now was almost worse in his eyes.
But still he was proud of his protege. She cared for others and always tried to do good.
"Fortunately, she writes t' us regularly," he sniffed as he broke away from Mary.
"And she can only do that since you taught her to read an write years ago."
"It was everythin' but easy," he looked at his letter, "but it was worth it."
—
The rest of the morning was quiet.
They had a cozy breakfast and talked about everything.
However, they skilfully avoided one topic: their next goodbye.
Mary and Bert had only two hours left before he would take the train to England with the , on the other hand, would stay in Paris for a while as a family needed her help, as she had learned the night before.
After breakfast they enjoyed their togetherness before Bert packed his things.
And then they found themselves already on the platform.
Bert was so incredibly grateful to the others that they went away and allowed him and Mary the last few minutes together.
Andrew wanted to destroy this, but Peter and Johnny successfully held him back.
"There we are now... Just stare at each other and say nothing," Bert said and stroked his thumb lovingly over the back of her hand.
"That's exactly what Elizabeth said when she left."
Bert laughed dryly: "We 'ave a similar mindset."
"You are not alike only in the way of thinking."
Silence.
There was so much to say, but nobody knew how to start.
In the end it was Bert who broke the silence.
"Mary... I... I...", he broke off and had to fight the tears coming up.
"Shh it's fine."
The next thing Mary felt was his lips on hers. The kiss tasted a little salty due to the tears. But she didn't care.
She brought her hands to his chest and the back of his head. With light pressure, she intensified the kiss. His hands moved to her waist as she did so, and he pulled her closer.
Only when they ran out of air did they slowly dissolve.
"I want t' spend my whole life with you," Bert breathed and kissed her forehead lovingly, "only with you."
Mary stiffened at the words: It sounded like the beginning of an marriage proposal!
He kissed her again, but then shortly after the sound of a whistle sounded and they knew that it was time to say goodbye. Time to say goodbye again.
"Please take care of yourself, Bert… please!"
It broke his heart to see her so desperate and the fact that her voice trembled didn't help; on the contrary. It hurt to see Mary, who was usually so strong, so broken. And it hurt that he was the reason for it.
"I promise... I will also come back t' London... And I will make sure that the three of us are sitting on the same table again."
"You are too good for this world!"
"I don't want to disturb you two," said Johnny, who had slowly approached them, "but we have to go now, Bertie-Boy."
"I'll be right there," when Johnny was gone, he turned to Mary one last time, "please don't worry too much, okay?... I love you."
"I love you too!"
After a last kiss, he walked away and Mary watched him go.
For the third time now she had to see him go away and possibly never come back.
I am finally in the mood to continue writing this story :D
In the next chapter there will be a time jump again, so stay tuned ;D
As always, I can't wait to read your reviews 3