ONE - NERVES
Hi everyone, I've started this story in 1917, a year before WW1 ended as it means Jack and Rose would be a bit older and more likely to take evacuees in.
I've aged Jack and Rose a little in this so it's more believable - Jack is 29 and Rose is 26.
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May 1917
"Jack, what if they hate us? Or the trauma is too much for them so they act out to the point we can't control them? What if they hate it here?" Rose said, panic in her voice.
"Rose, darling, take a breath… not for a second do I believe this is going to be easy, but we don't have a choice in whether we take them in. All we can do is be kind and take care of them, OK?" Jack said as he held her arm, Rose nodded anxiously.
"I'm going to go and finish getting their rooms ready… do you think they have everything they need?" She said, clearly still worried. "I don't know, but we will sort it if they don't, alright?" Rose nodded and walked up stairs, Jack following behind her. "Will you check the other bedroom is tidy and the bed is made properly? I put clean bedding on this morning" Jack nodded and went in to the second spare room. "Everything is fine" "good" Rose sighed relieved "gosh, I hope they're here soon. The wait is killing me" she gritted her teeth… "I need a vodka or 10" she half laughed "yes, maybe not the best start to their stay" he laughed in response.
"Shall we wait in the living room for them to arrive?" He asked "OK" she nodded and grabbed his hand. Sitting on the sofa, she cuddled in to his side and played with his fingers. "Jack, I'm so nervous" "well the good news is, you'd never know" he joked "shut up" she laughed and nudged his side. "How old do you think they are? How many do you think there is? Do you think they're boys or girls?" She went to continue but there was a knock at the door.
"I guess we're about to find out…" he said taking her hand as she stood up. He kissed her temple quickly "come on" they both took a deep breath and headed to the front door.