Read Online The Lazarus Secrets by Beryl Coverdale - Free Book Online

social event. He was beginning to feel uncomfortably guilty that Sarah normally fronted up to these occasions alone; so much so that everyone they met found his presence cause for comment. Taking her hand, he mentally vowed to forget about work and make this a special day. They sipped hot chocolate as they wandered along the green and he felt at peace with the world. He worked in Southampton, but Oak Hathern had been his home for almost thirty years. He had never had any desire to live anywhere else, although he could have furthered his career by doing so. He had met Sarah very near where they now stood.
    It was 8 th May, 1945, VE night and the Reverend Donaldson had led the village in prayers of thanksgiving and then the night had erupted into celebrations. A length of coloured lights was strung in the trees, beacons were lit, and the owners of the houses around the green, after six years of cowering behind blackout curtains, defiantly pulled them back letting light spill out into the spring night. The older children were roasting potatoes on a bonfire and three old timers who usually played in the pub wandered among the revellers with violins and an accordion.
    Liberation from war and a barrel of ale provided by the local pub, set the crowds free and inhibitions were cast aside with unusual avidity as they sang and danced in the firelight and young couples moved into the shadows but Max, even with his family around him and his precious son in his arms, had never felt more alone. His mother and Uncle Alexander were there and Uncle Charles and Barbara, who were concerned about Clive, who seemed to have disappeared. Max had seen his young cousin and the vicar’s daughter holding hands as they sneaked into the vicarage garden but said nothing. Dr Edwin Scott appeared with a tray of beer, only halves, but no-one cared and Max stood Jules down beside him while he supped the welcome brew. They raised their glasses to toast the peace and not for the first time, Max, thought he caught just a flicker of something between his mother and Edwin.
    The musicians struck up a lively rendition of ‘Knees Up Mother Brown’ and to the delight of the crowd two old ladies pulled the vicar onto the makeshift wooden dance floor where he good-naturedly joined in. His dance partners frolicked to the music lifting up their long skirts and showing glimpses of thick flannel knickers.
    Alexander roared with laughter and the whole family joined in amused as much by his display of glee, as by the dancers. “You just wait until Margaret gets the Vicar home,” he choked, “I reckon he’ll need divine intervention alright.”
    â€œYou’re not dancing tonight Edwin?” Charles asked.
    â€œNo. I can’t find Annie Rudge.” The tired old joke still evoked smiles.
    â€œThere she is,” said Barbara.
    Pushing her way through the crowds Annie Rudge grabbed the arm of one of the old ladies, apparently her mother and dragged her away. “You’re drunk!” Annie admonished loudly, “showing yourself up in front of the whole village,” she turned back to the Reverend Donaldson, “and you ought to be ashamed of yourself vicar, encouraging her.”
    The smile fell from Max’s face when looked down at the empty space where Jules had stood, fear struck through him and he swung around searching the crowds and calling out his name.
    â€œIt’s all right, I can see him over there by the tree,” called Barbara pointing to where Jules and a little girl stood looking shyly at one another.
    As Max reached him, a young woman took hold of the girl’s hand and breathed out in relief, “Heather, I thought I’d lost you!”
    Max smiled and picked up Jules, “Me too. Frightening isn’t it?”
    It was a chance meeting at an unexpected moment but for Sarah and Max it was the beginning of friendship, love and a new start.
    Sarah was a war widow and everything Claudine was