6 - Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
"Dad's coming home! Dad's coming home! Dad's coming home!"
The question was, thought William, when exactly was Dad coming home? War had been over a while now, and some troops were back in Britain. But his Dad wasn't. His family kept telling him about how war was over and Dad was coming home, and William was thrilled. But when was the senior Duvall going to come home? It was December now, and still no sign.
December trundled along, and William tried hard at school, and smiled as some of his classmates told of their joy when their fathers returned from the war. But Corporal Duvall still hadn't returned.
Christmas Eve. Cold, frosty and with the look of snow in the air. The family was huddled together in their Yorkshire home, trying to keep their spirits alive. A knock at the door sounded. William's mother started, and went to open it timidly. William followed behind her; he had heard stories of murderers and maniacs knocking on doors before Christmas. A man stood outside. Unshaven, straggly, but unmistakeably
"Dad!" William cried, flinging himself upon his father, who laughed patted him gently as he was propelled in before the fire.
"Alright son? By heck I ain't half glad I made it 'ome fer Christmas. Bloomin' people dropped me off in Liverpool didn't they? What a place and a half that is! Anyhow, home now, eh?" The family surrounded him, and at the back of his mind, William stored the information. Liverpool eh? Maybe that was worth a visit in the future.