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aemonds-wifey · 1 year

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An Unexpected Summer Meeting

CHAPTER ONE

Summary: Late Summer 1939, you have plans that are swiftly changed when you are sent away to stay with family and the threat of War looms…

Summer was finally here and your heart was full of prosper yet uneasy flickers danced there occasionally. Talks of war enveloped the city of Oxford, your hometown. As you left the local small library to catch the bus home to Cholsey your thoughts dwelled on meeting George later, the man you were courting. On your bus ride home you checked your watch on your right wrist. Only a few hours until you saw him.

He was tall, hair as black as deep beautiful night sky, he was broad chested as he enjoyed rowing- part of the Oxford University rowing team , he has a delicate yet attractive face with dark brown eyes. He was studying philosophy and often he would talk to you about his studies , he was hoping to stay in Oxford after his studies were finished and he had ambitions of becoming a professor.

Even though you had only met a month ago you liked him, you hoped it was going to develop more. He had come into the bodleian library. He came in on the first few days of August looking for a book on Karl Marx and with a sense of shyness asked for your assistance and before he left he has asked to see you later that evening. Which you happily agreed to. You had spent the evening walking by the river, each enjoying an ice cream and talking about your lives. But he wanted to see you again, and you felt an attraction develop to him.

You had the whole summer to spend with him. You picked out days and activities to do, go to summer fairs, the beach and he even mentioned introducing you to his parents. Daunting at first but something you anticipated with equal amount of excitement .

You lived by the train station in Cholsey, your house was small but bigger than some others you had seen. Your father worked as a teacher and your mother worked in a wool shop near the local church. As you reached home you opened the door, you strolled through the hallway and looked to your left to see your parents both sat at the table with cups by their fingers- a serious demeanor written over their faces.

“What is it?” You asked as you put your coat on the wall.

“Sit down please Y/N.”

You were alarmed but obeyed with a soft laugh” what’s going on?”

Your father cleared his throat “Look we’ve been talking and erm…”

You paused , in all your years knowing your parents you knew that nothing good usually came from a consecration that started with ‘we’ve been talking’ .

“We know you have plans this summer with that boy but…we “ your father started

You sighed “Of course…there’s a but …”

“Y/N don’t interrupt your father..” your mother sternly said.

You kept quiet , looking back at your father.

“There’s all sorts of uneasy talk at the moment and we ..just want you to take some time away from everything …you work too hard .”

“Where are you planning on sending me?” You asked folding your arms.

“Your uncle Norman in Manchester he has offered to put you up.” Your mother said.

You had only met your uncle a handful of times, nice enough man but the idea of spending a few weeks with him was confusing.

“Why aren’t we all going? He’s your brother.” You said to your mother.

Your mother looked at your father and he only nodded “The unsettling political state of Europe and we have seen this before…War will come Y/N.”

You huffed in annoyance.

“And we know…how you feel about war.” Your mother said almost disapprovingly .

You almost scowled “I don’t approve of war and your banishing me for having a thought of my own? Is that it?”

“Certainly not we admire your …straight forward thinking even if it is brass sometimes but no it’s not your pacifism dear.” Your mother answered.

“What’s this really about? You don’t approve of George? You haven’t even met him..” you said

“It’s not about the boy it’s -“ your mother started

“He’s not a boy he’s 22.” You snapped

“And you’re only 18!” Your father bellowed .

“I’m a grown woman!” You protested

“Y/N listen to us. We want to help out with whatever preparations may come and …times may get tough …we only want you to be safe.” Your mother said.

You got your feet in an angry stomp but looked at your parents silently “I do not want to go…I have a life…George I…”

Your mother nodded “I know…but if George is a good, decent man he will understand and wait for you …”

You sighed heavily feeling betrayed and confused , you were scared to tell George but not telling him would be just cruel. And your mother was right, if he was a good honest man he would understand.

You father leaned over and delicately clasped your hand “We have already lived through one war Y/N…we certainly Prayed that it would never happen again but…it looks to be inevitable …and we only want you to be safe if - when it happens. We are not banishing you far from it. Just ..until things settle…”

You sighed very calmly, slowly sitting back down in the table you retracted your hand from your fathers grasp and looked at the table with a vacant expression “how long?”

They both looked at you, the answer did not calm you one bit. The Summer you had planned with George was now a but a distant dream..and now you had to leave him before any firm relationship could begin

🍃

“How long?” George asked with his back against the bark and your head rested against his shoulder, you sighed deeply “Five weeks. My train leaves in the morning.”

“That will take it to almost October!” He said rolling his eyes

You had met him in the grounds of an old house named Basildon, it was not the grandest of old stately homes but it was practically abandoned. As the sun began to bow lower and lower into the sky you both knew time was ticking away, but you both didn’t want to move. His arm around your shoulder firmly but gently palmed over your upper arm. You could see the trains distantly passing by through gaps in the bushes and heavy trees, a reminder of where you would be tomorrow.

George tutted “Oh Y/N why? Why send you away?”

You shrugged “I do not know, my parents they are…”’you sighed lost for words to describe your frustration “they are wanting to do their part if we do go to war….and they want me out of the way. That is pretty much what it feels like.”

“You don’t approve of war do you? “ he asked

You nodded in agreement “I do not ..it’s barbaric and needless . Yet I feel like I’m being treat like a criminal for objecting .”

He exhaled “You know I am a pacifist too…and it’s easy to be demonized …we want peace yet we are punished with conflict.”

The way he spoke was like a musical note that let your heart dance, he was so clever with words you could listen to him talk for hours or even days.

George looked down at you for a moment “Do they…is it me?”

“No not all all George.” You answered

“So your parents think I have not corrupted your mind with philosophical nonsense ?” He laughed slightly.

His humor brought you a small comfort, but you admired his effort to remain upbeat.

You shook your head “No…it is not us they just. They’ve lived through one war and they just want me to be out of harms way whilstt they prepare

George squeezed your arm “Where are they sending you? Derby isn’t it?.”

You shook your head “Manchester.”

“Oh god…I did not know you had family so far away.” He said almost shocked

“Says the man who is originally from Devon, not exactly down the road is it?” You joked.

He laughed “alright yes I suppose …seven weeks though . We have only just started seeing each other !”

You looked up at him “I know…we can write to each other . “

He nodded “We can…our summer plans have changed but we can still write.”

You rested your head against his shoulder again, enjoying the cool summer breeze that blew past you . Under the tree you had a moment of serenity before George nudged you calmly

“Let’s meet here in seven weeks…and pick up from this moment?”

You sighed heavily again “but all our plans…I had so much planned for us George…” you started

“We can do them another time…” he started

“But what if war does happen?” You asked

He shrugged “we will figure it out …I promise.”

You nodded and lifted your head and met his deep brown eyes , he gazed into your sea green eyes and for a moment you were sure he was to kiss you, instead he quickly Planted a kiss on your forehead . Disappointed with the lack of affection you said nothing, musing about what tomorrow would bring and how you were wound up with dread about the next seven weeks.

These thoughts Continued to dwell on your mind on the train journey to Manchester. You held a small fragment of paper in your hands, the address George had wrote down for you, both his home in Oxford and his parents house in case. You spotted Basildon house not long after your journey began , closing your eyes briefly and remembering the serenity you felt with George in that evening before you departed. Your journey was nearly over, The conductor appeared strolled up the carriages

“We’ll be arriving in a few moments into Manchester Piccadilly please remember all your belongings .”

You sighed and looked out the window as the train’s speed started to ease , approaching the station your heart was heavy with sadness. You should not be here, you should be getting to know George better , waking hand in hand along the promenade. As the train jerked to a clumsy stop you exhaled and got to your feet. Here you were. Manchester .

Chapter 2