The Secret Message Read Free Page B

and plants.’
    ‘Freddy, you’re so clever.’ Giles fell silent for a long time before adding, ‘Your life is so much richer than mine. I’ve got nothing. Just my inheritance one day. But that means nothing. You’re everything to me now. You and your family.’
    ‘
OUR
family. So what did your Mama and Papa give you for Christmas?’
    Giles looked away. ‘Actually, they don’t give me presents. They never have. But here, have a look at yours.’ He handed Freddy a small box tied with a purple ribbon. As he untied it and opened the lid, Freddy gasped and took out a watch on a chain.
    ‘No, Giles, you can’t give me this. It’s the most valuable thing I’ve ever seen.’
    Just then another gust of snowy wind tore at the door, stirred the straw around their feet and flickered their lanterns. They dived behind a pile of sacks in panic … only to laugh helplessly when they discovered it was just the wind. That night, despite the biting cold, they each realised their friendship was warmer and deeper than ever before. Neither of them imagined it could ever end. But next Christmas the world would be very different.

T HE G REAT W AR
    Everyone was talking about the war long before its ripples began to reach the village.
    A few of the Squire’s workers joined up and went off to fight somewhere across the Channel. They and the soldiers rounding up farm horses to take off to France all boasted of giving the Hun a bloody nose – and all would be over by Christmas. But it wasn’t.
    In fact, just before Christmas, the newspapers reported that British towns on the east coast were fired on by German ships. Over one hundred people, including children, were killed in one attack. The enemy was despised more than ever.
    The following year, Zeppelins began bombing Britain. These German airships killed civilians, caused destruction and brought blackouts to London. More young men rushed to join up, all keen to do their patriotic duty. In 1916, Harry Ovel was almost old enough to enlist as a soldier so, after a little white lie, he proudly went off to France in his smart new uniform. Maud waved him off, cheering and singing while his mother wept into her hanky.
    By the end of the year, Harry’s letters home no longer shone with his usual sparkle and wit. Even so, Freddy read every wordcarefully and showed the letters to Giles.
    ‘I can’t wait till I can go out there and join Harry,’ Freddy said. ‘I’m dying to do my bit for King and Country. Not only that, I’d get to travel and see other countries. I’m not like you, Giles – I’ve never been more than a few miles from home. I need to
LIVE
.’
    In the Easter holidays of 1917, the twins met in the stable – for that conversation they’d been waiting for. It was Giles who started it.
    ‘Freddy, what do you think I should do? My headmaster says I should go up to Oxford next year to study Classics. He’s teaching me Latin and says I’d make a good scholar and an officer. But I just don’t think that’s for me. I can’t talk to Mama or Papa because they want me to become a businessman and run this place. I’d hate that, too.’
    Freddy laughed. ‘You’re lucky to have achoice! Gordon and me struggle on at the dairy, where I have to keep a close eye on him. But he’s a good sort and …’ he paused to watch for a reaction. ‘I promised Daisy I’d look after him. You see, Daisy and me are now er …’
    ‘Sweethearts, is that it?’
    ‘Yeah. I’d like you to meet her, Giles. She’s lovely. She’s now working as a parlour maid for the rector. But listen, I’ve been thinking. When Harry comes home on leave, why don’t we plan a big surprise? You can come and see Daisy, Maud and Ma. I’ll warn her first.’
    Giles beamed. ‘I’ve always wanted to see them all. I can’t wait. I just don’t want to upset Ma, that’s all.’
    ‘Talking of upsetting people,’ Freddy fidgeted awkwardly, ‘I don’t know what you’ll think about what I’m going to say.