The Uncertain Years by Beryl Matthews

knew where his family lived she could contact them, but she didn’t. In fact, she knew absolutely nothing about him. They’d only met a couple of times and hadn’t had a chance to get to know each other properly. She had chatted on about her family, but he hadn’t said a word about his.
    Wiping the grease from her hands, she slammed the bonnet of the car down, her mouth set in a determined line. Their acquaintance might have been brief, but that didn’t matter. He’d been kind to her, and she liked him. Not in a romantic way, of course. That was quite out of the question because he was out of her class, and an officer. But, damn it, she had liked everything about him – his easy smile, and the way his gentle eyes shone with amusement when he’dteased her … She had to find out if he was all right! Alice might be able to help.
    ‘Does it work?’
    Becky glared at the car’s driver as he sauntered up. ‘Of course it does, Corporal.’
    He caught the keys she tossed to him, and grinned. ‘What’s upset you today? Where’s that bright smile?’
    ‘Mind your own business, and go and collect your officer. And go easy on the brakes and clutch. We’ve had to overhaul the clutch, and replace the brake linings.’
    ‘Yes, ma’am!’ he said, standing to attention, still smiling.
    Her normal good humour surfaced again, and she laughed. ‘Go on, off you go, and don’t slam those large size tens on the pedals so hard. The poor old car can’t take too much rough treatment.’
    After giving a dramatic sigh, he got in the car and wound down the window, gazing at her with a pathetic expression on his face. ‘Please, Miss, can I have a new car?’
    ‘No you can’t. You know the army had to leave all its vehicles and equipment in France. Everything’s in short supply.’
    The driver pulled a face, suddenly serious. ‘They nearly bloody well left me behind as well.’
    ‘Oh, I didn’t realise you’d been there.’ She felt contrite about ticking him off. ‘How did you get back?’
    ‘On a navy ship.’
    She leant on the open window. ‘My brother went over in one of the little boats.’
    ‘Did he?’ The corporal smiled again. ‘They did a fantastic job, and saved a lot of lives.’
    ‘He’s a reporter,’ she told him proudly, ‘and his stories were on the front page for days. Er … did you happen to meet a Colonel David Hammond?’
    ‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘Missing, is he?’
    ‘I really don’t know; that’s what’s so worrying.’
    ‘Well, I expect they’re still sorting everything out. It was chaos over there, and I expect it will take a while to get together accurate lists.’
    ‘Yes, I expect you’re right.’ Becky stood up and watched the car drive away.
    It was her lunch break so she’d find Alice first.
    She was in luck. Her friend was just coming out of her building. ‘I want to ask a favour, Alice. Do you have a couple of minutes?’
    ‘I can manage that as long as you walk along with me.’ She kept walking and Becky fell into step beside her. ‘What’s up? You look worried.’
    ‘Is there any way you could find out if Colonel David Hammond was among those who were rescued from France?’
    Alice stopped suddenly and frowned. ‘Ah, I know that name. He’s the one who interviewed you when we signed on. Do you know for sure he was in France?’
    ‘Yes, he hinted at it when he took me out to dinner. He was leaving that very evening.’
    ‘You never told me you’d been seeing him.’ Alice looked offended.
    ‘I only saw him a couple of times.’ She nudged her friend. ‘Anyway, you’re a fine one to talk. I think you’re going out with someone, and I haven’t heard a word about him.’
    ‘I was just waiting to see how it went. He’s in the air force, and he’s lovely. Now, let’s get back to the matter in hand. What regiment is your colonel in?’
    ‘I don’t know. I never asked, or took any notice of the insignia on his uniform.’
    ‘Too busy gazing into his