Anne Shirley Blythe-Glad you enjoyed all the fun with Seffie, but also Nan that arguement was very fun to write for me. Also Gilbert, scolding her for having Seffie in the snow, just a mix of grandfather and doctor at the same time!
To my readers...if you are looking for a good book that is like a grown up style of Rilla of Ingleside with a dash of ghost stories... please check out The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katharine Arden. It Follows Nurse Laura Iven, who is injured in a shelling in Belgium and sent home right before the Halifax explosion, only to have her parents perish in the explosion, and her younger brother who is in the war go missing. Unsure and with no answer if Freddie was killed in action Laura goes looking for him while working a private hospital. It's magical, dark, and filled with war details that can make you shiver, with a hint, really a tiny dash of romance.. The Story flips between the two siblings as they search for eachother and safety. It's truly amazing and gave me so many Rilla vibes that I had to tell you about it!
The aftermath of what the world and Canada would forever call Vimy Ridge was splashed on newspapers and Ken sighed. He was banged up, bruised and bleeding, but he was alive and his visits to the medical tent did not warrant anything other than new bandages, coffee, and nurses who gave them pitying looks as they handed out chocolate occasionally a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.
"Leave?" He says looking at the papers. He had after the Somme, he didn't expect it again so soon after finding his way back to the reserves.
"Everyone is getting leave," his superior tells him.
"What do I do?" Ken reiterated, unsure of what to do with himself.
"I don't know Lieutenant, it's time off, go have fun, shopping for that wife and daughter of yourself. Take some photos to send to her, I don't know but I don't want to see your face around for a few days. At least Paris has plumbing and baths around, no one like shitting on a log."
Ken can only nod his head.
There is a bunch of them, Bleaker included that travel together. Ken remembers Paris having been there in his childhood, and while the war had changed it, it also hadn't. It was also strange how normal the capital city felt when they arrived going through the checkpoints and showing papers for identification and leave. They find accommodations and leave their packs in their rooms before they wander and try and find something to eat and drink within the city.
"Let me guess, you want to find something pretty for your girlie?" Bleaker teases him as he watches Ken go through pocket money at the table. It was just the two of them tonight, the others leaving to find grander things to do with their time.
"I owe her a little something," Ken says shrugging. "It all feels so long ago since I saw her, how do you manage it? You've been here longer than I have been?"
"Well, I feel like I've been married a few more years than you have been," Bleaker starts. "You just get used to it, and hope you go home to them at some point?"
"I have a baby who I never even met, I have a wife who I sometimes wonder if I am slowly forgetting her some nights and days. I can picture her, and then I can't picture her at the same time. Every day I am in the trenches I pray to god that I make it out alive to just have a chance to go back to them, but then I think about afterwards and I have no idea about what to do or where I lay down roots? I graduated from University…with no real inclination of what I wanted to do. I just knew I was going to enlist?" Ken rambles before downing a shot of something that was poured.
"You aren't the only one, and you aren't the last one either Ford," Bleaker says after a moment. "You also married her to save her, I think you can give yourself some grace on the future, but it doesn't make you less of a man to feel inadequate to be unsure of the future, you'll figure it out, now come on, Jeffery's last time was telling me about this cards house that had some lovely look but do not touch ladies. You can't oppose that in your morals?"
They should be able to sleep, at least sleep better away from the war but they don't. They all toss and turn, and they all wake up in sweat at footsteps on the stairs.
Ken takes the suggestions though, getting cleaned up and shaved and getting a portrait taken in his uniform that will be ready for him in two days. He finds little things to mail as well, a doll for Seffie and Rilla piece of lace that she can use as a shawl or table cloth for their home if needed.
In the afternoons, they all sleep restlessly, it is easier to sleep during the day than the night, and at night they drink and play cards around tables in clubs they found their way into, and occasionally without fully understanding, places called Maisons Ken that's had scantily clad ladies roaming the bar and card rooms looking for patrons.
Canadians had a rather ruthless reputation, and on the card table, it all overlapped each other. Money was won and lost, and cigarettes and prophylactics as well.
"Nothing like raiding trenches, or throwing over a bit of an exploding canned meat," one of the men says with a grin. Ken who has been on guard since his arrival just wants to leave, at least the women have gotten the hint that he is not interested in anything other than a drink.
"Kenneth Ford," Ken hears his name be called behind him and knows it instantly. "So this is what you do when my sister is at home waiting for you, frequent brothels?"
Ken can't tell if Jem is joking or not, but his guard is up around the other men.
"Can say the same about Faith Meredith," Ken raises an eyebrow. "Private Blythe."
Both men debated what they wanted to do before the bartender yelled at them to get out or get along, at least that is what it sounded like in French anyway. Jem looked at him with a hard look for a moment before grinning and without warning crushed Ken into a hard hug.
"This hard head is my brother-in-law, Lieutenant Ford," Jem says to his companions. "You know the one who impregnated my sister before coming out here and let her name their daughter Persephone of all names."
"I just told her to choose something she liked, also your sister also had a hand in the baby-making so it's not all my fault," Ken protested narrowly dodging Jem trying to box his ears.
"That is my sister!"
"Who is my wife in the name of the law because of your lack of attention," Ken reminds him with a hard glare. "Also, I am only here because I was dragged here." He tells his brother-in-law.
"It's true, if we don't drag him anywhere the man just sits and stares at photos, at least partially drunk he doesn't talk completely about the baby. Rather pathetic, but he can shoot well so we keep him around."
Ken rolls his eyes, looking at his brother-in-law he takes another drink. "You going to sit down or just stand there?" He says to the open chairs. "Or are you just here to insult me?"
Jem grumbles but sits down and waves off the blonde lady who tries to get his attention. "If we both ignore them, we both never speak of this again to either of our families, future included."
"Fine by me," Ken says with a shrug already thinking about the letter he had written out in his pack to mail out to Canada.
Rilla Ford,
Ingleside , Morgan RD
Glen St Mary, PEI
Canada
April 20th 1917-Paris
Dearest,
I am in Paris on leave, it's strange in a way as I remember from when Father took us with him as a child, and it's so familiar but different at the same time.
It may be partly strange because being on leave is strange after so many months of trenches and reserves we are free to do what we please. Jem and I ran into each other, he was also at Vimy Ridge with Jerry. Jerry is doing well, and recovering in the hospital. Jem looked a little worse than wear, much like all of us these days. It was good to see him, he ribbed me a bit of course about Seffie and whatnot, and I may have pointed out that he was partially to blame for his lack of attention.
I found these things for you while shopping. I was told in very broken English that infants Seffie's age will start enjoying dolls, so I have sent her one, and some French lace for you as well. I hope they arrive safely.
Vimy Ridge…it was battle Rilla and I still can barely comprehend it all. My battalion was very lucky as regards the casualties. Only sixteen were killed.
Of course, there were quite a few others wounded. Well, I will try to describe this push in some detail because I need to describe it to someone.
I'll start from the beginning.
We moved into the jumping-off trenches and everyone was cheerful as a picnic, although it was pretty cold and raw waiting. Pretty soon our artillery opened up the barrage. It was a sight that I can never fully describe and not sure if I want to shock you. Thousands of guns of every size were roaring at once. The air hit you in the face as if someone was thumping you with a towel.
Tanks suddenly crawled up from their hiding places and started in the foe's direction. They looked rather funny. These tanks, however, were not able to keep up very much with the indescribable mud. I write a fair bit about mud, but my god the mud was horrible this time, spring is always the worst for mud. Still, the damage they can do, and the shelter they can provide.
I do want to drive one one day…if I am ever allowed.
Around five in the morning, the first division of Canadians went over the top.
We went over around eight o'clock. You should have seen how other trenches were smashed up by our gunfire. Have you ever seen the old ocean torn about with a gale? Well, that is just what the trenches looked like. We kept going always behind our barrage of shrapnel. All we had to do was follow up the barrage. It did the work.
Our guns section went over the whole course without a single casualty. A whiz-bang almost got me. I felt all through, as I took cover as fast as I could. I knew you all at home and the relatives had prayed for my safety and the narrowly out of danger zone and it must be those prayers.
And now I am in Paris…resting and dreaming of you.
I love you more than words can convey.
Kenneth.
Ps. I hope my new photo doesn't shock you too much, I look older these days, but I think I am still handsome enough.
PEI
"She is so sweet," Clementine tells Rilla as she watches Seffie crawl around until she finds things to pull herself up on to toddle around. "Her hair is just darling, hard to believe your husband has dark hair with the strawberry blonde she has."
"His mother has blonde hair," Rilla tells her, "and his sister."
"I hope if Shirley and I are blessed one day one of them inherits red hair," Clem says quietly. She had come to Ingleside to see Shirley off to training camp. He would be returning from Kingsport where he was for the RFCC. Royal Flying Corps Canada, which involved a test about mechanics and flight simulation for a week to ensure he was the right fit before being shipped off to Borden for more training. He had been gone two weeks already and was supposed to be home today so Clementine had come down to see him so he wouldn't have to travel more, only for the Ferry to be down for repairs.
Father had taken the train to Avonlea to pick up Mother who had gone for a week, wanting to see Aunt Diana. Clementine had rung up Ingleside, asking to come a day early to be there when Shirley came back for another two Rilla had invited Clementine for tea and company.
"Well, there is a good chance of it," Rilla says softly. "I can't believe she is almost a year old though. Soon enough she will be talking, asking questions, and telling me no."
"Calling you Mama," Clem adds in agreement.
"They are a lot of work, but it's worth it. I just wish…well I'm sure I don't have to explain what I wish." Rilla says sighing.
Clem mainly nods her head. "That your husband was here to see her, or here in general?"
Rilla nods her head. There is a knock on the door and Rilla looks up frowning as another knock comes through.
"Excuse me, it must be someone who isn't a family friend," she explains getting up from her spot.
She goes to the door looking out the window for a brief moment.
"Hello?" She cracks the door open.
"I'm looking for the doctor, I was told he lived here?" The man told her,
"He's not here at the moment, I can take a message for him for you if you would like," Rilla tells him.
"Can I not wait for him?" He asks and her heart starts beating rapidly.
"I'm sorry he doesn't do home visits without prior warning or emergencies, if you wish to see him you can telephone or arrange a meeting." Rilla shakes her head meaning to close the door on him.
"Please wait," he uses his shoe to stop it and an image of a boot goes to the forefront of her mind and she freezes as she is drawn back in that moment where she can feel the grass and sand under her. "Where is the island hospitality I have heard so much about?" He knocks the door open a bit more.
"I don't let strange men into my home," Rilla manages to get out.
" Hospitality only applies in town, and at church picnics," Clementine says stepping into the foyer of Ingleside, Seffie in her arms. "We can take a message and you can be on your way."
"Clem…" Rilla manages to get out and hears a growl and Dog Monday is suddenly at her ankles and the man takes a step back and Rilla manages to shut and lock the door. She finds herself hyperventilating, she feels their hands all over her for the first time in ages and she can't shake it.
"Breathe, sit down and breathe," Clementine says to her but doesn't try to touch her.
"Seffie," Rilla says in her frightened state.
"She's right here," Clementine hands her over to her mother. Rilla held the little body to her own, as little patent shoes pompom tassels swayed in the air as she kicked her legs. She patted Rilla's face, confused by the tears as there was another knock on the door and the door handle jangled a bit.
"Willa!" She hears the familiar voice of Little Jim's called out.
Rilla nods to Clementine and she goes to open the door.
"Since when does Ingleside lock its door?" Minnie jokes before seeing her friend pale and small, holding her baby. "What happened?"
"Someone was looking for the doctor, but couldn't understand basic rules," Clementine tries to explain to the older Woman. "You must be Mrs. Anderson?"
"You must be Shirley's sweetheart?" Minnie says with a smile and a nod of her head. "I was coming to bring these for Rilla, they are the photographs we took of Jim's and Seffie together " holding up an envelope as she went over to Rilla. "How are you doing sweetie?"
"I'm okay, I just…need a minute. I haven't…I haven't had a flash black like that in a long time…" Rilla says voice unsteady as Seffie squirms and pats her face.
"Mama," she says and it takes a long moment before Rilla even processes what Seffie just spoke to her.
Rilla looks up at the other women in the room, slightly in shock.
"Seffie, can you say that again?" Rilla asks her. "Who am I?"
"Mama," Seffie says once more and Rilla can't help but cry a little bit.
As the day passes she still can't shake the feeling, even with her friends being over and when Father calls to tell her he won't be home until the morning Rilla doesn't want to be alone.
"You can both stay with me," Minnie tells them sensing Rilla's quietness. "We can have lady's night, make some popcorn and play some games?"
"I don't want to be a bother," Rilla says awkwardly. "I feel like I am a bother enough when I bring Seffie to Junior Red meetings outside the house."
"You are never a bother, far from it. You managed to form a junior Reds group and have people producing things for the war effort, unlike other's efforts," Minnie reminds her. "You don't want to be alone tonight, so come over and you want to be alone."
Rilla just looks at Clementine who shrugs her shoulders. "I am only here because Shirley is coming back tomorrow, where I sleep matters not to me."
"All right, I'll pack up things for Seffie and a nightgown, we can look through the twin's room for something else for you Clem," she says to the other blonde in the room.
They walk over to Minnie's, children in arms and a bag packed for everyone. Rilla had called and told the telephone operated to let them know that if either of her parents called she was over at the Anderson for the night. Susan was visiting her cousin while waiting for Shirley to arrive home.
They settled on blankets and cushions to have a simple dinner of Sheppards Pie and afterwards, the babies were bathed in the old tub and rubbed down with sweet-smelling lotion. Clementine stands back for such motherly things but also catches runaway Little Jim's when he escapes his drying off to run about completely bare as he laughs and giggles.
"Sure you wish to marry my brother one day," Rilla teases her. "Have babies one day?"
"Don't be so smug Rilla, Seffie will do the same thing to you as soon as she starts running about," Minnie warns her.
"I would marry him before he left if he let us," Clementine says quietly. "Or more likely my father."
"There is no excuse to rush marriage without reason, and even then most excuses are flimsy at best," Minnie tells her before looking at Rilla and frowning in apologies. "In most cases of more mundane and romantic reasoning of course."
"You don't have to apologize, Minnie, if anything I am glad that it was Ken who offered himself to me, I love him after all," Rilla says quietly and blushes and looks away from Clementine as she cradles Seffie into her arm and kisses the top of her head.
They play cards in their nightwear, drinking hot chocolate and snacking on biscuits, the small gramophone playing music in the corner as the babies sleep in the other room.
"What happened to your leg? My older sister…she got something similar from hot wax falling on her…?" Clementine asks hesitantly, noting an old burn that was rippled on the side of Minnie's calf, something Rilla had never seen before and she bent to look at him.
Minnie looked up for a moment, meeting Clementine's eyes. "It was an accident a few years back, it looks more gnarly than how it actually happened."
"What happened though?" Rilla asks looking at her friend.
"Something silly," Minnie waved her off trying not to have to explain it, and she gave Clementine a look and a shaky smile that Rilla didn't see.
It was well past midnight when Clementine had fallen asleep on the sofa when Minnie wrapped her arm around Rilla.
"Are you going to sleep at all tonight?"
"I don't know what happened…I just froze for a moment and everything was flooding back without any ability to stop them. I was there all over again, I could feel the sand and grass all over again."
"You snapped out of it though," Minnie says quietly. "You snapped out of it because you have Clementine and Seffie around."
"I thought, I thought I was past it Minnie," Rilla sighs, wrapping her arms around her knees. "I thought I had come to terms with it all and could just move on from it. Especially after Ken, and then having Seffie, I thought it was all behind me and I could just live and not have bothered me."
"Sweetie, it's only natural to be afraid in such a moment, anyone would," Minnie says softly to her. "Come back to bed, try and sleep," she says pulling Rilla towards the old bedroom. Rilla only can nod her head and follow her to the old bed and curls up onto it and sighs trying to geting her brain to turn off.