Esther’s eyes lit up. ‘Ernie! Oh, that is good news. Is he home from the war? Home for good? He’s not hurt, is he?’

Will laughed. ‘Whoa there, steady, lass.’ His face sobered. ‘No, he’s got a bit of leave because he’s to be sent out to France very soon.’

‘Sent to France?’ Esther’s voice dropped to a bewildered whisper. ‘They cant send him out there. He’s not old enough!’

Will shook his head. ‘He’ll have to go, Esther. He signed up.’

Esther stared at him in disbelief.

Later that day, Ernie arrived at the farm to see Esther. When she opened the back door to his knock she scarcely recognized the young man in army uniform. He seemed to have grown taller and certainly he had filled out. But his face still beamed at her with the familiar grin of Ernie Harris.

‘’Evening, missus. I couldn’t go again without seeing you.’

‘Oh, Ernie, how fine you look in your uniform. And how well, too.’ She laughed. ‘The food can’t be as bad as they make out, eh?’

She held open the door as an invitation for him to step inside. He pulled his cap from his head and manoeuvred his pack through the doorway and into the kitchen.

‘Are you leaving already? I thought you only came this morning.’

‘I did – but I’ve got to catch the train back tonight.’

‘Train! Have you been on a train, Ernie?’

Ernie nodded. ‘All the troops are moved about by train.’

So, Esther thought irrationally, Matthew would be getting his longed-for ride on a train. I hope he thinks it’s worth it.

Ernie looked bulky and awkward standing in full kit in the cramped space of her kitchen. ‘Lynthorpe is a bit of a difficult place to get to by train and be sure to be back in time,’ he was explaining. ‘I mustn’t be late reporting back to camp or I get put on a charge.’ ‘A charge?’

‘Yeah, they’re very strict. You have to stick to all the rules and reg’lations. It’s a good life, though. I dun’t regret going, missus. I’m seeing a bit more of life and I’ve met some great fellers.’

Esther nodded, her gaze travelling up and down the figure before her.

His eyes were bright with excitement. ‘I’m really off to France.’

‘You – you want to go?’

‘Oh, yes, missus, I do.’

‘I – I don’t suppose you’ve seen anything of Matthew?’

Ernie shook his head. ‘I did ask about him. We’re in the same regiment – the Fifth Battalion the Lincolnshire Regiment – but in different companies. I reckon Mester Hilton’s in the same company as Master Rodney, the squire’s son. If I ever bump into him, missus, I’ll tell him I’ve seen ya.’ There was no mistaking the pride in Ernie’s voice as he talked about his regiment.