WAR BRIDE Read online

  WAR BRIDE

  by

  Brenda Sinclair

  ISBN: 978-0-9880157-0-8

  Copyright March 2012 by Brenda Sinclair

  Kindle version

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you respecting the hard work of this author. Except for use in any review, the reproduction of this work in whole or in part in any form now known or hereafter invented is forbidden without the written permission of the author.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names.

  WAR BRIDE BLURB

  For years, Wanda Carter has served up a helping hand to finding a solution to her granddaughter’s problems with a hot cup of tea and a chat around Wanda’s kitchen table.

  Now, Samantha is faced with a life altering decision. The fact that her boyfriend has walked out of the apartment they share is only making matters worse. Once again, Wanda intends to help Samantha put the situation into proper perspective. But this time help with Samantha’s decision comes from an unlikely source – Samantha’s long deceased great grandmother, a WWII war bride named Sally Clark.

  Wanda has her fingers crossed that Samantha will come to what Wanda believes is the right decision. Will the history lesson encourage Samantha to make that decision? And will her boyfriend return in time to join in the decision making? Or will the unfortunate situation end in heartbreak for everyone.

  Reviewed by Victoria Chatham, writer of Regency romance

  In this charming story Ms. Sinclair places the spotlight firmly on relationships and particularly the human emotion of love.

  The relationship between Samantha and her grandmother, Wanda, is skilfully woven. In Wanda’s kitchen, Samantha reveals something that could change her young life forever. Wanda dispenses wisdom and sympathy over a cup of tea while relating the story of her mother, an English war bride named Sally, who is the true heroine of this tale.

  Sally endured a rocky Atlantic crossing and arduous train trip across the prairies to be reunited with her husband, Robert Clark, a Canadian soldier she met and married during World War II. Sally was horrified by what awaited her.

  Ms. Sinclair’s high regard for war brides shines throughout this story which comes full circle with a satisfying conclusion.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  About the Author

  If you enjoyed reading War Bride...

  You can find Brenda at:

  DEDICATION

  I dedicate this book to all the brave young women who became War Brides during World War II. They waved goodbye to the families they loved, their friends, and all that was familiar to them to start a new life in a strange country with the Canadian servicemen they had met, fallen in love with, and married. Many of these women never again set foot on the soil of their birthplace.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Thank you to my beta readers Victoria Chatham, Sharon Vierboom, Ellen Jorgenson, and Jim Prentice for your assistance in the making of this book. Also, thank you to Suzanne Stengl for line editing, and a special thank you to Steena Holmes for the cover design.

  War Bride is a story about relationships, including the relationship between a granddaughter and grandmother. I would like to thank my own wonderful granddaughter, Cassidy, for inspiring my creative juices and enabling me to mirror our close relationship while writing Wanda and Samantha’s scenes.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Calgary, Alberta, Canada

  April 2012

  “Here’s your cup of tea, darling. Lemon herbal, your favorite.” Wanda Carter brushed a strand of gray hair out of her eyes and seated herself across from her granddaughter at the square teak kitchen table. The sun dipped behind a cloud and the normally bright kitchen turned as gloomy as Samantha’s mood. Wanda leaned back in her chair and flicked the light switch.

  “Since the day you turned fifteen and Brad Anderson broke your date for the Friday night movie, the solution to every problem that crept into your young life has been decided over tea with me at this table,” said Wanda, recalling the times they’d shared together, some pleasant memories, some not so much.

  “I know, Grandma.” Samantha met her eyes.

  Wanda leaned her arms on the table and prepared herself for another heart-to-heart talk. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Grandma, I’m graduating with honors next month with my business degree, and I landed that dream position with the Simpson and Moore Accounting firm. I should have known things were going too well.” Samantha’s hazel eyes glistened with tears. She slumped against the back of the chair and stuffed her hands into the pouch of her oversized U of C hoodie.

  “So what’s the problem? Having trouble with your final assignments?” Wanda frowned, examined her granddaughter closely, searching for a clue to her obvious unhappiness. Samantha had carelessly done up her wavy auburn hair in a ponytail, and her makeup free face was deathly pale. “You look exhausted, sweetheart. You should drop your volunteer work for awhile.”

  “No, Grandma, I just didn’t sleep at all last night. And I love working at the food bank.” Samantha’s bottom lip quivered and she wiped her hands down her thighs clad in dark denim jeans. “It’s just that…”

  “Are you fighting with Gary?” Wanda supported Samantha’s decision to live with her handsome boyfriend, Gary Wilson, during their senior year of university. Like Samantha, Gary was exceptionally intelligent and possessed a talent for business. He treated Samantha like a queen, and Wanda hoped he would become a permanent member of their family one day.

  “It’s not Gary.” Samantha sipped her tea. She cradled the china teacup in trembling hands.

  “Then what’s the problem?” Wanda heard the impatience in her voice and took a deep breath to calm herself. Whatever was troubling her granddaughter, it was something big. She hadn’t seen Samantha this upset since her economics professor gave her that B on a paper she’d spent weeks researching and writing.

  “I took antibiotics for over a month until the doctor confirmed my bronchitis was finally cured. But I continued feeling rotten, so I visited the doctor again yesterday.” Samantha tapped one polished nail on the kitchen table.

  “Oh, sweetheart, no!” Wanda scooted to the edge of her seat. “Don’t tell me you’re ill? It’s not cancer, is it?”

  “I don’t have cancer, Grandma. I’m pregnant!” Samantha’s tears flowed down her cheeks, spilling onto her sweatshirt. “The doctor didn’t warn me the antibiotics could screw up my birth control pills.”

  “Oh, sweetheart, I don’t know what to say.” Wanda stood and Samantha flew into her arms. She held her sobbing granddaughter and whispered soothing words. Soon, her flowered blouse was soaked with her granddaughter’s tears.

  “I feel so stupid, Grandma! Mom married Dad right out of high school, became a mother a year later at age eighteen. I promised myself I would complete university and have a career. Gary and I decided after we married we’d wait a few years before having a baby. We’re not married yet, I’m only twenty-one years old, and I’m pregnant!” Samantha swiped at her tears with her hands.

  “Fate doesn’t always heed our plans.” Wanda passed Samantha a box of tissues, and they both sat at the table again. “Have you told Gary?”

  “Yes, I told him last night.” Samantha sni
ffed.

  “What was his reaction?” Wanda crossed her fingers under the table, hoping Gary had comforted Samantha and offered his support. Even encouraged her granddaughter to keep the baby and suggested they marry before the child arrived.

  “He didn’t say a word, just grabbed his jacket and walked out of the apartment,” whispered Samantha.

  “Oh, sweetheart.” Wanda heard the pain in her granddaughter’s voice, and her own hopes plummeted. Her hands fisted. What was that young man thinking?

  “I called his cell phone a gazillion times and sent dozens of texts. I waited up all night, but he never returned. What am I going to do, Grandma?” A fresh batch of tears flowed from Samantha’s red-rimmed eyes.

  Wanda reached for her granddaughter’s hand and whispered, “Gary isn’t the man I thought he was. I never would have believed he’d walk out on you. I’m disappointed in him, Samantha.”

  “Maybe he’s just in shock. I know I am.” Samantha blew her nose, strode across the kitchen floor, and tossed the soiled tissues into the garbage can beneath the kitchen sink.

  Wanda sighed. “Do you want to keep this baby?”

  “I don’t know what I want, Grandma.” Samantha shook her head and slumped into her chair. “I love Gary so much, but I…I can’t look after a baby alone. I can’t even remember to feed our budgie.”

  “If you’re truly not ready for parenthood, you could terminate the pregnancy. Although, I believe you’d regret it later. With my help and your parents’ support you could keep the baby, Samantha.” Wanda patted her granddaughter’s hand, secretly thrilled by the idea of becoming a great grandmother.

  But motherhood involved a huge commitment, and Samantha must decide for herself.

  “I’m just so scared, Grandma. I dread telling Mom and Dad. They’ve given up so much to put me through school. I have no student loans, a great apartment, a wonderful boyfriend, and a dream job waiting for me. Why did this have to happen? We were so careful. I never forgot to take my pill, and on the few occasions that I did Gary reminded me. We vowed to become parents on our timetable. I’ve disappointed everyone and alienated Gary.” Samantha’s eyes widened, her expression turned to shock. “What if Gary believes I deliberately got pregnant to trap him?”

  “Oh, Gary thinks no such thing. And your parents set aside money for your college education since the day you started kindergarten. Honey, your schooling wasn’t a hardship for them, and you couldn’t disappoint any of us, short of committing murder.” Wanda patted her granddaughter’s back.

  “Thank you for trying to make me feel better, Grandma.” Samantha smiled weakly.

  “In my sixty-six years on this earth, I’ve learned that sometimes unexpected things just happen. True, your doctor should have warned you about the antibiotics, but what’s done is done. We’ll just deal with the ‘ten toes and ten fingers’ consequence.” Wanda smiled and reached for the teapot to refill their teacups.

  “I love you, Grandma. I can always count on you no matter what.” Samantha dried her tears.

  “You may feel scared right now, but let me tell you about another young lady who experienced that scared feeling many years ago. The story began in June 1946, a few months after World War II ended, when many war brides were arriving in Canada, to be reunited with their war hero husbands.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Somewhere on the Atlantic

  June 1946

  “I’ll never travel by ship again as long as I live.” Sally Clark whispered the promise to herself while standing, white-knuckled, at the Queen Mary’s railing. She swallowed hard, willing her stomach to stop its constant heaving.

  The breeze whipped at strands of her dark blonde, shoulder length hair teasing it out from beneath her floral headscarf even though it was tied tightly under her chin. The salty ocean scent cleared her senses, a welcome change from the stifling closeness below decks in the cabin. She turned her back to the wind, gazed toward the cerulean horizon, and prayed she would spot land. She had gladly discarded her siren suit in London, but she felt grateful for the warmth of her old cloak coat and tucked her hands into the garment’s pouch to warm them.

  Her hazel eyes misted as she recalled saying goodbye to her parents and siblings in London. The tearful farewell had been heartbreaking, but she yearned to be reunited with her Canadian war hero husband of six months. The past three months of separation felt more like three years. Every night, she dreamed about the joyful reunion that would mark the beginning of the rest of their lives together. She couldn’t wait to reach Halifax.

  The horrendous ocean crossing from England to Canada had been the worst days of her life. After enduring years of rationing, many passengers chattered constantly about the plentiful food and wonderful meals served aboard ship. But lying in her bunk in the cramped cabin, Sally endured endless hours of seasickness. Nothing would stay down. She envied the passengers who spent their days strolling along the upper deck, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.

  “Good afternoon, Sally. How are you feeling?”

  “About the same. But thanks for asking.” Sally realized the other war brides and the Red Cross workers meant well, but if another person inquired about her seasickness she might do them bodily harm.

  Sally knew she would never have survived the voyage without Mavis Maguire’s tender care. Her cabin mate had become a true friend. At Mavis’ suggestion, she’d dragged herself from her bunk, struggled into her wool suit, cork wedged shoes and cloak, and stumbled up the stairs to the main deck.

  She had to admit the fresh air helped curb the constant heaving. She hadn’t eaten a thing since they left London, and she felt certain her stomach was empty clear down to her knees. Mavis had earned a nursing degree in England, and she insisted Sally drink tepid tea in hopes of preventing dehydration. Sally had thrown up every drop she’d drunk.

  ***

  At last someone sighted land, and a joyous shout echoed throughout the ship at the news. The ship’s crew prepared to dock while the war brides and their children scurried about packing their meager belongings in anticipation of touching solid ground.

  Sally blinked back happy tears, stumbling along behind other war brides as they disembarked at Pier 21, Halifax, Canada. A contingent of resplendently dressed Mounties met the ship, and several military bands played an enthusiastic welcome for the newcomers to Canada. Sally spied several fellows, unmistakably reporters, milling about awaiting interviews with the war veterans’ wives and children. The war brides chatted with each other nonstop, several babies cried in their mothers’ arms, and the toddlers screeched with excitement, happily anticipating seeing their fathers again.

  “Arriving in Heaven couldn’t rival this welcome.” Sally shouted in Mavis’ ear, hoping to be heard over the din. She grimaced with the realization she might never see her new friend again, as she recalled the tales she’d heard from Robert about the vastness of her new homeland. At least they could exchange letters.

  “You said it, Sally.” Mavis beamed. “Can you believe all this daft fanfare is just for the likes of us?”

  “I’d kneel down and kiss the ground, but I’m not certain I possess the strength to stand again.” Sally stumbled slightly before she found her land legs.

  “Land at last,” whispered Mavis.

  Sally brushed at the happy tears trickling down her cheeks. Even the gray sky couldn’t dampen her spirits. “After that rotten voyage, the train trip west will be a mere inconvenience.”

  “Couldn’t be any worse,” agreed Mavis.

  Each war bride was assigned a soldier to assist with suitcases, and Sally’s bags were waiting for her at the area for surnames beginning with “C”.

  “My goodness, you look done in, girl. Let me help you until you board the train,” suggested a lady wearing a Red Cross uniform.

  “Oh, you’re a blessed saint.” Sally almost collapsed with appreciation, anticipating the special care she’d receive from the kind woman. The Red Cross ladies on the ship had helped tireless
ly with the dozens of small children and those suffering the worst from the seasickness on the voyage.

  “I’ll ensure arrangements are made for your continued journey.” The woman smiled and helped Sally with her second bag. “Let’s get you some food and rest until you board the train. What’s your destination?”

  “Calgary, Alberta,” whispered Sally, nearing total exhaustion.

  ***

  Canada’s vastness exceeded Sally’s comprehension, and the trip required several days travel across her new homeland. Mavis Maguire accompanied her as far as Manitoba, and they both enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the mild mid-June weather during their journey.

  Mavis exited the train when it arrived in Winnipeg, and both women exchanged addresses and promised to write. Sally cried as many tears as she’d shed when leaving her sisters behind in London.

  The train rocked gently as it rolled through Alberta. Sally stared at the acres of pasture land dotted with cattle and sheep, and occasionally she even caught a glimpse of wildlife: deer, antelope, or a coyote. She leaned back in her window seat, gazing at the distant snow-capped peaks of the magnificent Rockies. They must be nearing Calgary, she thought.

  She glanced down at Robert Clark’s picture that she held in her hand. She couldn’t believe this handsome, smiling soldier, resplendent in his uniform, had chosen her as his bride. Their courtship had been short, love at first sight for both of them.

  Initially, her family had been against the marriage, knowing Sally would be relocating to Canada and they’d probably never see their beloved daughter and sister again. But Sally and Robert remained steadfast in their decision. They’d married during Robert’s leave six months ago and enjoyed a one day honeymoon.