As Christina leads Joey to the stable, lighting blasts across an angry sky. The rain is falling in torrents.
Another crack of thunder - and a piece of wood in the roof gives way - water gushes in - Dad rushes to support the roof as the wind forces a window open. At that moment, the door suddenly swings open with the violence of the storm, smashing against the wall - Dad and Rosie turn - and there is Harold the goose, who scuttles in without his usual arrogance and hides himself in a corner. "Shoo, Harold. Shoo, shoo, shoo!"
The thunder cracks again Little did they know what that rain would bring.
Christina, Albert and Dad walk across the field. Mrs. Narracott digs through the mess. The entire crop is flat - ruined by the storms. The ground squelches beneath their feet. The whole field is a write off.
"We can try planting something else, or we could hire ourselves out to Uncle Bob." Albert suggested. Dad doesn't answer. He shakes his head and limps away. "How else we gonna pay Mr. Lyons' rent?"
Ted doesn't turn around.
Christina walked away down into the town to Mrs. Morris' House. She knocked on the door for Mrs. Morris to come see her "Oh Tina, your early!"
Yes Mrs. Morris it's just that i had a problem." Mrs. Morris nodded and brought her inside where the normal woman were. They all sat around listening to What happened "And now i have a feeling that dad's going to do something. And i might have to disguise myself."
's elderly wrinkled face turned into a smile. "I have an idea." she nodded to Mrs. Morris who walked to a box but couldn't pull it some Christina came and lifted it to the middle of the group. It was opened to reveal mens clothes and wigs "you see dear. We have all fought in a war, dressed as men and now it's your turn." She was handed men's clothes, a black wig and a roll of bandges. She looked at them with an raised eyebrow.
"Thank you. i cannot believe you did this."
Mrs. Wood held Christina's face in her hands "you remind me so much of our friend. you look like her too. "Christina looked confused as A picture was pulled out of a woman that looked excactly like her part from the eyes. "That was your grandmother. Did you know, she met your grandfather on our adventure." Christina smiled at the picture.
A motorbike rumbles along the lane at huge speed creating a cloud of dust as it goes. The noise of the motorbike is drawing attention from all over the valley. It can be heard fields away and everyone is drawn to this completely unheard of sound. The motorbike whizzes through the village. Heads turn in astonishment. "It's war!" The man shouted. The bike comes to a stop in the market place. The rider takes off his goggles. Men of the village start to flock around the machine, with great curiosity. "We are at War with Germany. You hear? England is at war with Germany." Shock and amazement. The rider takes off his goggles "They're going to ring the bells at six o'clock - and then never ring them again until the war is over."
It was then when Everyone across England knows that their lives are about to change.
Dawn rises over the farm. Albert races to the stables, excited with the campaign pennant. As Albert enters the stables, he calls out "Look smart, Joey lad, it's the Tavistock Fair!" Albert opens the doors and stops dead. He looks at the empty stables.
Albert runs out. He rushes into the kitchen. His mother stares out the window. She has been crying. "What has he done with him?" His mothers says nothing, but her face gives everything away. Albert in a panic turns and runs out into the lane. Mrs. Narracott tears up again.
The market square is full of military men. The Union Jack is flying up the flagpole. A group of girls has gathered to check out the army boys. Eager young men crowd a table staffed by recruiting officers
Captain Nicholls is in the square inspecting Joey, knowledgably. He is a handsome, attractive, modest, upper class man. Dad stands beside him. He checks Joey's teeth, his feet and finally, looks him straight in the eye.
"Take my word for it - finest horse in the parish. Goes like a racer, strong, decent, very fine." Ted informed. Captain Nicholls has immediately connected with Joey and puts him at his ease.
Sam Perkins , a tough sergeant, is physically inspecting Joey. "No curbs, no splints, good feet and teeth. He's as sound as a bell, sir."
"And how much are you charging, sir - for this strong, decent, and very fine animal?!" Questioned the Captain.
"Forty."
"I'll give you twenty and not a penny more."
"Twenty is no good to me, Captain. Thirty five and he's yours." The captain was about to reply when A female's voice rang out in the mens ears.
"Father!" Christina shouted running up to her father and to Joey. "Father, you can't sell him please!" Ted said nothing to his daughter, he couldn't even look at her in the eyes. "I will get a job or-or..."
she was cut off by Ted "there is nothing you can do so stay out of it. Sir Thirty Five and hes yours"
The captain looked at the woman who stood by the horse. Joey started palying with her hair while she stroked his mane, looking at the men. "I don't even know how he rides."
"Oh, he rides... Splendidly. You'll be astonished. I promise you that." Ted says with his heart in his throat, fighting back grief "Finest horse in all of Devon. Finest horse I ever seen."
Over the captains shoulder, Christina could see Miss. Grey who nodded at her. Christina sighed and said a silent good bye to Joey and walked off to Miss Grey who gave her a dark green bag. Christina hugged Miss. Grey one last time and Miss. Grey wispered "Good Luck. Make your grandmother and the rest of us proud." Christina smiled and nodded then walked away to the closet outside toilets.
Christina came out wearing a grey shirt with her breasts now flat with the use of Bandges, dark pants, black boots and a dark green Jacket. Her now long curly red hair was covered by short black hair that was neatly combed back. She walked into the line where the men were lining up "Last name first. First name, middle name, last." Christina took the pen in her hand and Wrote Narracott, Chris, Ross which was not a lie, just a male version of her real name, Christina Rose Narracott.
Chris walked off thinking about what she had just done. She slowly walked Past her father and Albert where Joey had just been sold to the captain. Now that that she could see him better, he had light brown hair, high cheek bones and beautiful blue eyes. If she wasn't acting like a man, she would be even more attracted to him then she already was.