Chapter 106
The funeral procession started at the World’s End, at the east end of the high street, and made its way west, towards the church, past the bombed-out shells of warehouses and tenements.
London can take it! was the message from Churchill and the press, but from what Cook had seen, it was places like the island that were taking it. And there wasn’t much of it left.
The American had her notebook out. Cook had told her to come. See what was really happening. Tell the people back home how close to defeat the great city was.
Ruby walked ahead, holding Frankie’s hand like she’d never let go.
*
They held the wake at Gracie’s pub. One of the few buildings still standing.
‘It’s not too late,’ Cook said, to Beaumont.
‘For what?’ the ARP man replied.
‘To find your courage,’ Cook said. ‘Make a difference.’
Beaumont didn’t seem convinced.
‘Do you think there’ll be an end to it?’ he asked Cook.
‘One day there will, and you’ll remember how you got through. Good and bad. It’ll be a part of you for the rest of your life.’
Frankie interrupted them.
‘Ruby’s going to come and see the farm,’ he said, his eyes full of the excitement of it, despite the sombre occasion.
‘Just a visit,’ Ruby said. ‘Mum’s going to need me up here, keep this place on its feet.’
‘You should come,’ Cook said to the American. ‘See what the rest of the country’s like.’