Kindred Spirits

Rating: Teen

Standard Disclaimer: Foyle's war quite rightly belongs to Anthony Horowitz, its genius creator and the brilliant cast and crew who brought it to our screens and I'm only borrowing some of the characters for fun.

Summary: Andrew returns home from the war to heal an estrangement with his father and Sam, only to unexpectedly run into another woman from his past. Parings: Foyle/Sam, Andrew/OC. Borrows canon characters, dialogue and plotlines from Eagle Day, Bleak Midwinter and All Clear.

Authors Note: Don't know exactly what the real RAF slang for desk bound officers was but I could help but find GiuliettaC's term of "penguins" perfect.

Chapter 5: Sunday 6th May 1945: Murder in the Museum

Andrew woke up the next morning feeling rather more refreshed than he remembered being for months. The comforts and feelings of peace of coming home and finally unburdening himself having leant itself to a much better night's sleep. After getting dressed and having a quick wash and shave he slowly ambled downstairs for breakfast to find his father halfway through getting ready for work while Sam was busy feeding the twins.

'Morning everyone,' he greeted before he looked towards his father, 'you can't seriously be going in to work on a Sunday dad?'

'Dr Zeigler's been murdered,' he explained.

'Zeigler, that sounds German.'

'Austrian, came down last year but he was as English as you and me, and he was at the same victory day committee that I was yesterday. What are you up to today?'

Andrew smiled, 'I'm meeting Anne for lunch.'

Foyle nodded and passed over a few pound notes, 'she made a good impression when I met her Andrew, even if it wasn't in the best circumstances. So take her somewhere nice, you've both earned it.'

'Dad, you don't have to...'

'Nnno, you go and enjoy yourself and I'll see you tonight. Try and behave like a gentleman Andrew.'

Andrew saw his father bend down to kiss Sam, Caroline and Rose goodbye before he headed out and Sam asked him.

'Did you sleep alright Andrew?'

Andrew sat down, 'mmm, good to be home. Need a hand Sam?'

Sam waved him off, 'no, you stay there Andrew and I'll find you some food.'

Andrew grinned before eating his way through breakfast, Sam's cooking far superior to anything he remembered from the air force.

'This is really good Sam, far better than what they gave us in the mess.'

'Thanks Andrew, I never used to be much of a cook but your dad showed me all his skills.'

Andrew laughed, 'I can imagine, mum had the both of us thoroughly house trained before she died.'

As Andrew finished his meal, a tugging at his trouser leg drew his attention to the blonde cherub who had snuck up on him and he reached down to pull her on to his knee.

'Hello little one, I'm your big brother Andrew, what are you up to then eh? Been good for your mummy?'

He bounced the giggling child on his knee as Sam watched on approvingly.

'You're a natural Andrew, Caro's always been the more outgoing of the two, not that Rosie has ever been shy of meeting new people. Why don't you watch them for a minute while I clear this lot up?'

Andrew carried his sister to the settee before settling down and taking Rose when Sam brought her to him.

Playing with his little sisters seemed to unlock something in him that seemed to make the memories of the war a lot less vivid and he bent down and said to them both.

'You know what, you two are both really lucky. The whole world is going to change and even though most of it is an absolute mess right now, by the time you're a bit older we'll have it at least slightly cleaned up. It won't be the same as what it was mind you, but it should at least be more liveable. A real land of opportunity for the two of you once we put some of the gadgets we invented in this stupid war to a better use and get rid of a few stupid laws that don't make any sense. With parents like yours you'll be able to do so much more, probably still won't be everything the boys around you can, but even so.'

Sam it turned out had been listening and said, 'you really mean that?'

Andrew looked up and smiled, 'I do, and it's pretty obvious when you think about it. Nothing's going to be the same again after everything that's happened. By the time these two get a bit older England is going to be completely different, and who knows what it'll mean for them. Even if the country takes years to sort out, with you two for parents I'm feeling fairly confident about their future as dad's always been a liberal and he looks every inch the doting father. I remember him lamenting the police rules about women once, he told me that if Milner hadn't taken the job as detective sergeant he would have done his best to try and convince the commissioner to make an exception and then pinched you off the MTC.'

Sam was glowing as she sat down, 'your father's compassion and open mind were only a few of his many qualities that made me fall in love with him and he's been absolutely besotted with the girls. But what about your future Andrew?'

'I don't really know yet,' Andrew shrugged, 'I mean, I've got a few ideas but I've only just got home. Once it all isn't quite so fresh I'll probably be able to answer that properly.'

Sam squeezed him affectionately, 'take your time Andrew, now that you have the luxury of it.'

Andrew grinned and then looked at the clock on the wall, 'I'd better get ready, don't want to be late.'

After shrugging on the rest of his uniform lamenting that most of his civilian clothes were too big, Sam came over as he returned downstairs and instructed.

'Enjoy yourself Andrew, but I'd better not have an angry Mrs Roberts banging on the door for you mistreating her niece.'

Sam had a wary look on her face as she gazed at him and Andrew couldn't help but grimace.

'I know I didn't exactly cover myself in glory during the war Sam, but I'd like to think that now the peace is almost here I can change. Live fast, die young, it was essentially how we had to exist day to day as pilots because for all you knew. Each time you took off you might never land again, never having experienced so many things that others take for granted.'

'I'm sorry Andrew, I didn't mean…'

'It's alright Sam, with my record I can understand why you'd be concerned. Anne's different though, unlike all the other girls I met in the war, she can understand what it was like for us having been in the thick of it herself in her own way.'

Sam soon waved him off Andrew made his way through the streets until he reached the florists shop. Anne met him just inside, a spellbinding vision in smart civilian clothes looking up from where she'd been helping her Aunt behind the counter and smiling warmly at him.

'Oh, Andrew, there you are. I'll be right with you as soon as I finish this order.'

'No, no, that's fine, take as long as you need. I'm not exactly keeping RAF hours anymore.'

She made even the most ordinary tasks seem fascinating Andrew decided as he watched her arranging flowers with same serious expression he could imagine her wearing as she gazed at the radar display. But her highly nimble fingers and practised skills in the florist's art made the work pass quite quickly and soon she was coming out from the side of the counter as Mrs Roberts told him.

'Do try and bring her back by a decent hour Andrew, the pair of you both need your rest after the hours the air force made the both of you keep in the war. Now you've both got the time for a proper courtship there's no need to rush these things.'

Andrew grinned, 'don't worry Mrs Roberts, I think I've done enough rushing around for a lifetime if you want the truth.'

'Have fun then.'

Andrew offered Anne his arm once the pair left the shop and the two of them began to walk towards the seafront.

'How did it go Andrew? With your family I mean.'

'Well, pretty much how you said. Sam was fairly angry with me at first, but dad was pretty much his usual self the whole time. Once things were calm and I'd explained myself, they told me the beginnings of a rather incredible story. I feel a lot better now we've started to talk through everything.'

Anne had noticed the fading red mark on his face and gently asked, 'Did Sam do that to you?'

Andrew shrugged it off, 'I had worse injuries in the war Anne, nothing much hurt this time except my pride and Lord knows I had too much of that. The flowers helped calm her down though, those were very thoughtful of you.'

'You're welcome, try not to upset her again though, you're more handsome in one piece.'

Andrew laughed, 'Oh, not to worry Annie, I'd like to think I've learned that lesson. Besides, with no angry wing co, no Jerries, and Sam extremely happily married. There's nothing stopping me from giving you the world. Though with chocolate still rationed and your aunt running a flower shop I don't know how I'm supposed to….'

Anne giggled and clutched his arm a bit tighter, 'just be yourself Andrew.'

The seaside beckoned, a near continuous party atmosphere with crowds of revellers waiting on tenterhooks for the announcement of the German surrender. Andrew found himself being mobbed by the crowds, all eager to thank him as his uniform made him very conspicuous as Anne and he strolled along the waterfront while deciding where to go for lunch.

Eventually an eager waiter drew them into the Royal Victoria and while there were still no menu's the food was quite good, though not plentiful. Anne was clearly enjoying herself and Andrew couldn't help but think.

'Well, five years of fighting Jerry done and dusted. All of Europe shattered and much of England in ruins. Rex and Charlie, among far too many airmen down in flames never to return to their loved ones. To nearly get the chop myself far too many times, was it worth it all? To see the faces of the innocent able to live their lives in freedom, to put an end to Nazi tyranny and to watch Caro and Rosie grow up in a world without war. I'd say so for myself, but it doesn't seem much comfort to all those families that bastard ruined with his insanity. At least now we can try and fix the mess he made.'

'Penny for your thoughts.'

Andrew looked over at Anne and said, 'five years of total madness, destruction on a scale never seen before, so many lives destroyed. Is it wrong for me to feel so happy, while so many others have suffered beyond their worst nightmares? So much death on both sides, and all at a madman's whim.'

'No Andrew, it isn't wrong to be happy for yourself. You didn't cause all of this, and shouldn't feel responsible for it as you were fighting to stop it, to save lives. Thanks to you and others who served, the war will soon be over and society can work to finally put things right.'

'I'm sorry, didn't mean to spoil our lunch. Not exactly the most romantic topic of conversation.'

Andrew felt his hand squeezed as Anne reassured him, 'you'll be alright Andrew, it will take time but things will get better. No one could possibly have gone through the things you've seen and been unaffected by it. The fact you can talk about it will make it easier, I know when I lost my parents I was a mess, but my aunt and uncle helped me through it.'

'Thanks Anne, real shame you weren't stationed somewhere closer. Would have stopped me losing my head.'

'I agree, but it couldn't have been helped, they were really quite scared of you or more importantly your father. But after I'd spent about a year on the Isle of Wight they realized they had other uses for me and I was training the new operators towards the end.'

'Hence the new stripes on your tunic. At least some of the penguins had some sanity to recognise talent.'

'Penguins?' Asked a bewildered Anne.

'Desk officers, paper pushers. They look all dapper in their uniforms but I doubt that any of them has ever as much as climbed into a cockpit.'

'Not everyone had the abilities to meet Jerry head on Andrew,' said Anne reasonably, 'a lot of us had to work in the background to keep you boys flying.'

Andrew knew she was right, 'I know, but some of the penguins could be total BF's. Still, at least we don't have to worry about them now.'

The waiter came over with the bill and Andrew quickly passed over the money before he drew Anne's chair and offered her his hand. Leading her out of the hotel they began to walk along the waterfront when Andrew heard his name being called by a familiar matronly figure who drew him into her crushing embrace.

'Andrew, you're safe! Oh thank goodness.'

Elaine Reid held him at arm's length as she examined him, 'you're looking peaky dear, nothing that food and rest won't cure. When did you get back?'

'Yesterday, I have seen dad and Sam and we are working through everything.'

'Well thank heavens for that, they've been worried sick about you Andrew same as all of us.'

Andrew sighed, 'I didn't mean to worry everyone, but the news came so fast that I couldn't help but suspect the worst of dad. Course I soon realized I'd been a complete prig and once I got home yesterday the evidence of just how well dad and Sam suit each other was plain as day.'

'Well it's wonderful to hear that you've learned your lesson, because I could tell quite quickly that your father was quite besotted with young Samantha. Oh, are you going to introduce me to your lady friend Andrew?'

'Of course, Anne, this is Elaine Reid, my godmother, Elaine this is Anne Roberts, lately of the WAAF. We met while we were both stationed outside of Hastings in 1940 before we were both transferred elsewhere.'

The two women greeted each other politely before Elaine bade them farewell, 'I won't intrude on your afternoon Andrew, but you must come to dinner soon. Hugh, Susan, Lydia and Cecelia will be delighted to hear that you've returned home safe and sound.'

She waved them off before Andrew and Anne walked on and once they had gone a few paces Anne remarked.

'Elaine seems like a nice woman, you're lucky to have such a doting godmother.'

Andrew grinned, 'she and Aunt Helen, that's my Uncle Charles's wife have both been real bricks to me and dad since we lost mum in 32.' Andrew laughed,

'They were both were doing their best at matchmaking for dad for years, and it always irked him as he never really seemed interested even though I was always telling him he should get out more. Now dad's happily married I bet Elaine and Aunt Helen will both be chasing after me until I'm safely married off, and in Elaine's eyes preferably to Susan. That's probably one reason Elaine wants me over for dinner. The Reid girls are too much like little sisters for me to ever consider walking out with Susan though.'

Anne smiled, 'she means well Andrew, you've been through so much and she just wants you to be happy. Surely you can see that?'

'I can, Elaine's motives have always been good but she's always been a bit overzealous in her approach.'

Afternoon soon began to give way to early evening and Andrew figured he'd best take Anne home and so began to lead her back towards her Aunt's shop.

Stopping just outside Anne pulled him into her arms and into a kiss, much to Andrew's surprise. But shock the soon passed as he relaxed and began to kiss back, the rightness of holding Anne a sharp contrast to his experiences with the girls he'd met in the war where the lingering spectre of the 109's forced him to rush in blindly when he ought to have been more careful. But now he felt the world bringing itself back into balance around the wonderful woman in his arms who somehow without his knowing had stolen a piece of him just as she was forced away from him.

She drew away, a dreamy smile on her face as she began, 'I've had a lovely day Andrew, but now I've got you back I'm not letting you go again, even to scheming matrons.'

Andrew grinned, 'you're an absolute angel Annie, just like you always have been. Couldn't have done my job without you watching my back and now here you are to bring me safely down to the ground. But you don't need to worry about Susan pinching me from you, we both always agreed things would be too awkward between us. Besides, it's been five years since I last saw her and for all I know she could already have a boyfriend. Still, watching out for her and the others is good practice for when Rosie and Caro get old enough I suppose.'

Anne laughed, the soft musical tone immediately lodging in his mind as one of the most beautiful sounds he'd ever heard as she embraced him.

'I know, but it's good to hear you say it anyway,' her teasing glance telling him all he needed to know.

Andrew grinned again, 'fancy a flick tomorrow? There's bound to be something good at the Ruby now all the ships are getting through unmolested. We could go get some dinner afterwards.'

'I'd love to, as long as we're not too busy at the shop. Call round in the afternoon and we'll see.'

After another kiss they parted, Andrew walking off to Steep Lane with a new spring in his step, soon meeting his father who had just beaten him home.

'You're looking rather chipper Andrew, I take it your lunch with Anne went well then?'

'Couldn't possibly have gone better dad even if Elaine tried her usual matchmaking to nudge Susan and me up the aisle, did you find whodunit yet?'

'Nnno, got a few leads I'm following and it's looking fairly promising. Need to take a trip up to Town tomorrow to see an old associate of mine who can probably get me the information I need to help narrow things down.'

'That's good, hopefully you can solve it and catch your man before the announcement, and you can take Sam and the girls and join in the celebrations.'

Dinner was a cheerful affair, full of lively conversation and light natured teasing of Andrew and afterwards Andrew began to feel curious as to what else had happened to his father and Sam during the years he had been gone.

'So, what else happened while I was gone? I take it this wasn't a case of "and they lived happily ever after" while we were in the middle of a war.'

'No I'm afraid not,' said Sam, 'we faced quite a few challenges but we got through them. The first big one coming when a new A/C and your father's goddaughter both chose to arrive in Hastings in March 43.'

Andrew was all ears, 'Lydia Wallace? But she never came here since before Mum died.'