Chapter Three

Caterina would like to say that she handled the news of the war well, that she kept her emotions in tact every morning when she picked up the newspaper and began to read the stories, the gruesome stories surrounding invasion, deaths and bombings.

What had happened to the world, when did it become so morbid and hateful?

On the second page was the advertisement she had been dreading, everyday there was a new one that spelled doom for the young girl. Glancing over the table towards Robbie she locked eyes with him. She could always read his emotions if she looked at his eyes, today they were dull, almost lifeless. She knew this was the beginning of something awful, something that they could not conquer together.

There was a collective sense of dread in the Manor that had effected every living soul, the horse were restless, the dogs howled, the maids busied themselves with their work while the men stared blankly at the walls, as if in a trance. They were petrified, everyone knew what would happen if they announced a war.

Parliament had issued a plea for 100,000 new soldiers. Every able man would be expected to enlist in the army.

Caterina felt as if the walls were closing in, it was difficult to breath in this manor, a iron fist was clamped around her throat and at any moment it would choke her. She stayed until she could take it no longer, pushing her chair back she fled the horrible atmosphere. She rushed outside, ignoring Robbie's pleas for her to return, she could outrun him, darting into the woods she twisted around the trees, dodging them at every instance. Taking as many turns as possible she stopped running, fighting for breath.

She needed to be alone, she had to find solitude.

It had been a week since the war had been announced; men all over the country were packing up their belongings, heading to London to protect their country, for a medical check to see if they were eligible. Caterina had lost many of her staff already. The stable boys were gone, leaving only a sixteen year old from the village to work alone with all of the horses, footmen and valets all disappearing... They had lost Beck two days ago.

Tori was a wreck when Beck told her that he had to enlist but she did not try to stop him. She had brought him down to the train to say their final goodbyes and maybe for the last time, Beck held his daughter close to him, kissing her small forehead before he boarded the train, leaving Yorkshire for the first time in his life.

Tori was not the same after that, Caterina noticed it instantly. Her best friend was leading a half-life, as if her body was in one place; moving, functioning, understanding that she had a duty to fulfill but her soul was in a completely different place, she hadn't smiled in days.

Collapsing under her willow she wept for the third time today. This week had been heart wrenching and it was only a matter of time before she would be a victim of the war. She was waiting for him to bring it up, waiting to hear him mutter the words that would break her. Grabbing her sketch book she snatched pulled out a pencil from her bun and began to sketch, closing her eyes she let the pencil move across the page. She hadn't tried to sketch like this since she had drawn the picture of Lord Fitzgerald, she was too afraid of the outcome. But she wanted to know, she needed to know.

Opening her eyes, she glanced down at the page and her hand flew to her mouth. It was horrendous, it was the most terrifying thing she had ever produced. Open flames claiming the once green grass, bunkers dug 15 feet into the ground with petrified men hunched over inside them, deflecting the shots that were being pelted at them by the enemy. The sky was blackened by smoke and soot, she could practically hear the screams of the injured. But what made her stomach churn the most was the bodies... the endless line of still men, those who had fallen.

Flinging the sketch away she placed her head in her hands, bringing her knees up to her chin. If she could imagine something like that, the reality of it was probably ten times worse. She sat in that position for what felt like hours, time seemed to bleed away impossibly slow when your mind was cursed with only negative thoughts.

"I knew I would find you here."

Caterina didn't look up, tears were already falling from her face and on to the soft moss below. Sir. Robert sat beside his wife, out of breath from trying to find his bearings after she had led him on a wild chase around the large wood. Leaning against the trunk of the willow he pulled her into his arms and on to his lap, cradling her as she cried into his shirt.

"Cat, you know I have to go." He told her, he forced himself to not breakdown, he had to be strong for her, "If I did not I would be branded a coward for life. They need my help."

"But you might never come back." She murmured into his shirt, her voice shaking with fear.

"That is a possibility." He accepted, "But do not kill me off yet, I am pretty nifty with a riffle you know." He sighed heavily when he registered that Cat was being unresponsive.

Attempting to soothe her, he kissed the top of her head, "Wars cannot last forever Cat, it may be over in a month, we do not know what the future holds."

Caterina gave him a blazing look before she brought her lips to his and kissed him deeply. Robbie could sense the desperation in this kiss, the need, the want... the heartbreak.

Breaking the kiss she looked up at him, "Please don't leave me all alone." She begged, "I love you, I don't want to lose you."

"I know and I love you too. But I have to go. You will not be alone, you have your mother, Tori and the baby, they are your priority from now on." He forced himself to carry on, his voice thick, "You are strong Cat, I know you can get through this."

Her bottom lip quivered as she held back more tears, "I wish I could come with you."

Robbie's eyes flashed with concern, "Cat, do not even think of donning your alter-ego costume to join me in the regiment!" he heatedly replied, "I would never be able to concentrate on keeping myself safe if I knew you were in danger."

Despite the horrible situation she was in Caterina laughed slightly, although it sounded more like a croak, "Robbie I am certain they would figure out that I am not a man when they performed the medical examination."

"You know what I mean. I want you to worry about keeping yourself safe. I have no intention of dying. Not now that I have something to live for."

"When are you leaving?" Caterina asked as she placed her head back down on his chest, she could hear his steady heartbeat, making her more anxious because now it was pulsing... but in a month or maybe two, there was a very good chance that his heart may stop beating.

"Tonight. You know I already went to see the doctor and he gave me the papers that state I am a perfect candidate for training." He tried to make light of the situation, "Although would you have doubted that I wouldn't be perfect? I mean I am Robert Shapiro after all."

Caterina closed her eyes, choosing not to reply to his usual conceited remark about his appearance, she didn't even playfully slap him like she normally would. He decided no more words where needed, all that mattered at the moment was being here with Cat, making the most of their final moments together.

Noticing the sketchbook that lay open on the ground, Robbie stared at the new sketch and his stomach sank, newfound fear flowing around his body. Caterina had never before drawn anything this dark before, it was horrifying and it made him wonder... what if this was a premonition? Was he one of the men in the trenches?

Or worse, was he among the dead?

Slipping Cat off his lap he grabbed the sketch book and tore out the page. Emerging from the willow he continued tearing up the single page until all that remained was a pile of tiny shreds in the palm of his hand. Spreading his fingers, they watched as it the pieces scattered in the breeze, never to be seen again.

"Cat, I do not want you to draw anything like this again." He ordered, his voice commanding but soft at the same time, "This will only make you more anxious when you needn't be."

Caterina nodded, understanding her husband's urgency. She should have hidden it, not even thinking of the effect it would have on him. If she was frightened, she dreaded to think what it would be like for him.

"I won't" she promised, "If you swear that you will come back to me."

His facial expression softened as he closed the gap between them, lightly caressing her cheek before kissing her once more.

"I will come back. I swear it."

"""""""""""""""

That night was the hardest the pair had ever experienced; so many words were unspoken as they stood at the train station, waiting for the arrival of the final train. Sir. Shapiro glanced around at all of the other boys who were clearing planning on joining the regiment; mothers were crushing their eldest sons in tight grips while their younger siblings were running around the station chasing each other, completely ignorant to the tension on the platform. Some of the younger boys were excited, gleefully waiting for the train that would whisk them away to a better life. To some extent Robert understood this, the army would be attractive to some, it was a chance to highlight your bravery and for the poorest it meant that they could show that they were worthy of respect.

Caterina was grasping his hand so tightly he was certain the circulation was cut off. He felt numb, not just in his hand, but all over his body. Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, it meant the pain of leaving her was dulled. As the train entered the station Caterina began to cry again, along with all of the other women at the station. They all felt so helpless, worthless even. They had nothing to give, they had no way of helping as the men gave up their lives for their country.

Robbie kissed her again, and again and one more time for luck.

"I will write every time I get the chance." He assured her, his breathing shaky as the boys all surged forward to get on the train.

He got swept up in the tidal wave of anxious town boys, his hand was tugged away from Cat who cried out his name. As he was pushed on the train he fought his way into the first class compartment, to the nearest window. Gazing out of it he spotted the red-haired beauty, who was desperately searching for him on the platform. He banged on the window but she didn't spot him.

The train began to shift, slowly gathering speed. He banged on the window again, frantically trying to make her notice him. Finally in the last second she found him, her eyes popping with relief as she grabbed the end of her dress. She tried to match the speed of the train as she rushed to the end of the platform.

"Stay safe." She shouted.

He nodded, his hand on the window grew cold, already missing her touch, "I love you." He mouthed.

She responded with, "I love you." But instead of mouthing it she screeched it, not caring that she was causing a scene.

The women watched the exchanged between the couple, their hearts aching for the loss of their sons, husbands and neighbours. But they agreed that this scene was truly heartbreaking. They all knew Lady Caterina Shapiro, the kindest girl in the whole of Yorkshire. The girl was so unlike her mother, who had really no respect for the lower class. Caterina had always treated them as equals. So naturally they were all ecstatic that she had finally found her other half. But know, just like them, she had to let her husband go and perform his duty.

One of the shopkeepers walked over to Lady Caterina and wordlessly took her hand. This single embraced expressed to Cat comradeship, that the pain she felt was mutual. Together the women all banded together, watching as the train sped off into the distance, taking their men to meet their fate.

So yeah... Robbie and Beck are off to war, along with André too only he hasn't been mentioned yet. :/ sad times.

and CabbieLoverSAC22, you are so right, this is subtly teaching you history.. well it's teaching me at least. Spent a good hour reading up on the British army of 1914-1918.

I already have a pretty certain idea of what is going to happen in this story, loosely using plot lines from Downton Abbey, Cat is going to train to be a nurse.

Jade is going to evacuate to the Yorkshire to be with Cat, where she may part take in a romantic relationship of sorts... Got to have some light relief like!

Anyway lots of love to all my readers/reviewers! :D

xoxoxo