Charlie home on leave

The day James signed-up, Elizabeth wrote to Charlie. Less than a week later Charlie was at the door. Charlie looked well. He was currently based in England training men in the use of explosives. She was overjoyed to see him. James was working his last few days at the school and so during the day she and Charlie worked to prepare a meal out of what they could. Charlie had friends in the country. He took off on a neighbour’s rusting bike and by the early afternoon he was back with enough rabbit for a banquet. That evening James came home to the smell of stew and sound of laughter in the kitchen. Seeing Charlie was a real tonic and the two of them talked and drank into the early hours.