A/N The story is going to jump ahead a year( Why ? You ask Cause I jolly well can) s

1939

Chapter 10

The year 1939 was a year of change,the threat of war no longer hung in the horizon. It was reality.Hitler was moving his armies across Poland ,killing anyone who stood in the way of him and his armies,he had an insatiable thirst for power, countries fell under the heavy tread of his armies.

In the London suburb of Finchley, families were saying goodbye to husbands,sons ,fathers,and brothers as they went off to help fight the Germans. Number 23,Pickley Lane was no exception,Two tearful young girls,the littlest girl bawling her eyes out,and a distraught young boy clung to the man in the RAF uniform as he stood in the front hall ,the wife stood to one side she had said her goodbyes already. Trying to remain strong despite the tears in her eyes

.Only the eldest son was missing ,upstairs in his room.

He and his father had a long talk in his study the night before and he knew what was expected of him.

"Daddy" Lucy piped up" Do you have to go" she was only seven years old,she didn't understand about Hitler or Nazis her world was still innocent. .

Peter knew he was going have to be the man of the house now that Dad was leaving. It would be his job to keep Mum from crying,Susan from being too bossy,Edmund from misbehaving or tormenting Lucy as he was prone to do and to cheer Lucy up when she got scared.

The boy watched from his bedroom window,it wasn't that he had not wanted to go down and say goodbye to Dad,but was afraid that if he had,he'd cry,he couldn't cry,he was thirteen he remembered what Dad had said"It'll be your job to look after the others while I'm away"

.

Thirteen year olds didn't cry well boys didn't ,sometimes Natalie cried,she cried when her father left to join the RAF.

.Peter sat with her the whole time ,wishing he could make her feel better but not knowing how;in the end he just gave her his handkerchief because for some reason ,Natalie never seemed to have a handkerchief on her,while he had plenty because of his allergies

Peter ran downstairs brushing past Mum and his siblings,he ran out the front door and down the garden path.

"Dad!" he yelled,

The elder Pevensie turned around .Peter ran over to him and hugged him ,no words were spoken. They were futile in a moment like this .Peter stepped back watching as Mr.Pevensie walked away giving one last wave as he got into the the transport truck

Peter turned around and headed back inside as he passed the kitchen he heard a sniffle from the cupboard under the sink,bending down he opened the door,to find Lucy huddled in the dark cupboard ,her eyes red-rimmed and a runny nose from crying ;her thumb jammed in her mouth .Peter knelt on the kitchen floor,reaching in he stroked Lucy'shair

"Daddy will be fine really,Lu" he said softly

Lucy sniffled "Promise" she asked desparately

Peter didn't answer"Are you coming out?" he asked

.Lucy nodded and crawled out of the cupboard,she brushed off her dress and went into the parlour.

Peter went out to the back garden,the one place he knew Susan went when she was feeling sad. He found her sitting on one of the swings her dark hair hid her face,she looked up

"Hello Peter" she whispered her voice trembly and breathy like she had beeen crying tear stains evident on her cheeks.

Peter sat on the other swing.

"I miss him already he hasn't been gone ten minutes and I miss him" Susan said

"I do too,but I'm sure he'll be fine"

Peter didn't think Susan would buy that,she wasn't Lucy

"How can you be sure,it's a war ,Peter,people die" Susan whispered painfully

Peter sighed."I can't be so sure I wish I could be,but I can't be" he admitted standing up "You just have to have faith" he said before going back inside.

Peter looked for Edmund finally finding him in his fathers study ,the door locked .

His younger brother refused to come out or even open the door,no matter how much Peter knocked or pleaded.

Finally giving up,he headed upstairs to his room.

Peter didn't want to think about his father being in the line of duty,he couldn't think about it.He had to keep busy because if he didn't his mind would wander.He did the one thing he always did when he was upset or sad,he cleaned his room and for half an hour,he was too busy cleaning to give his thoughts chance to fomulate .Once he was finished of course,they came rushing back.

Mum came in trying to smile,but it was watery her eyes red ,"You cleaned your room" she said looking around the room,she sat on the edge of the bed

"Some things are going to be different ,love,and I've explained the changes to the other children ,but since you're the eldest,I'll explain a bit more to you.

Peter turned from the window."What sort of changes" he asked turning back to the window

"Since Dad's gone you're man of the house now,it'll be up to you to look after your brother and sisters.I'm going to be getting a job " Mum said ."Can I count on you to help out"

Peter leaned his forehead against the window pane the glass felt cool against his forehead which for some reason was hot.

He didn't want this responsibility,he felt sick to his stomach.Where was his childhood going.He turned back to his mother forcing a smile "You can"

Mum stood up,"Thank you darling" she said coming over ,she kissed his forehead "Wash up lunch is nearly ready" she said before leaving.