Read Online Katie's War by Aubrey Flegg - Free Book Online Page B

you see, but ever since the war I’ve learned to find God in silence. Do you remember how the nightingales sometimes sang before the guns started in the war? Your hills will do Dafydd and me just fine. If it is too quiet I will get him to sing, and that’s a threat. I haven’t managed to get a cheep out of him since his voice broke.’
    â€˜I wonder if there’s any news of the trouble in Dublin,’ Father mused. ‘We could do with a newspaper.’ Katie, whose thoughts had been elsewhere, looked up sharply.
    Mr Parry added, ‘Dafydd could do with news too, couldn’t you, lad? He’s all keen to hear how the mountaineers are doing on Mount Everest. Met them, he did, up at Llyn Ogwen, practising .’
    â€˜There was Mr Mallory and Mr Irvine,’ said Dafydd. ‘They had ropes and boots with special nails along the edges.’ Katie hadn’t expected Dafydd to have an interest in climbing. He had caught the sun on their walk and looked less cadaverous now. Also, he had a phenomenal appetite.
    â€˜I think that’s where Dafydd’s liking for boots comes from,’ laughed Mr Parry, but Dafydd went on, ‘There was an Irish man there too – a Mr O’Brien, just like you. He climbed barefoot . You couldn’t climb on Everest barefoot though, you’d get frost-bite. Perhaps they’ve got to the top by now. It takes weeks and weeks for news to come back.’
    â€˜Dafydd and me’ll go and get a Nenagh Guardian , or an Independent ,’ said Katie.
    Dafydd looked surprised, then looked across at his father, questioning. The men got up.
    â€˜That’s kind,’ said Mr Parry. ‘You can come up to the quarry when you get back, Dafydd.’ As their voices receded across the yard Katie heard Mr Parry ask, ‘Is it far?’
    â€˜No, you can walk across the fields.’ Katie coughed to drown Father’s words. Marty thumped her heartily on the back, saying, ‘That’s for your sins.’
    * * *
    â€˜Start at the edge, dip the skimmer in steeply, then flatten it out just under the cream.’ Dafydd did as he was instructed. ‘Now pull it towards you.’ The thick layer of yellow cream crumpled up on to the enamel skimmer while the blue milk flowed out through the holes. ‘Keep it flat and lift it over the bowl – keep it flat! There, easy isn’t it?’ Katie stepped back and glancedcautiously out the dairy door. She was just in time to see her mother, looking smart, set off up the yard. She would be going to see Mrs Moran about the summer sale. Marty had gone down to the wet meadows to look at the bullocks. She could hear the swish-swish of Peter sweeping out the byre; she could manage Peter. Dafydd had not done badly. There were still islands of cream floating on the milk. She swept these up expertly. Mother still made butter for their own use. Katie promised herself she would help her with the churning this evening. She covered the bowl and the cream with muslin.
    * * *
    â€˜Are you sure it’s all right, your taking the trap?’ asked Peter as he fitted Barney into his harness.
    â€˜Yes, we have a message,’ said Katie, trying not to be caught in a lie.
    â€˜Take care then, he’s fresh,’ said Peter, stepping back.
    Katie looped the reins over her hands, hoping she didn’t look as scared as she felt.
    â€˜I thought your Dad said it was a walk through the fields?’ said Dafydd.
    â€˜It’s quicker by trap,’ she said, ‘quicker where we’re going.’
    She was only just in control as they rattled down the potholed road from the farm and they approached the main road at a trot. At the junction the road rose steeply up left into the village. Dafydd adjusted his grip, bracing himself for the turn, but next moment he was on his back on the floor of the trap. Without slackening pace, Katie had turned right, away from the village on to the road to