Clive Ward - Trench 31

Archie took off his hat as he entered the Manning’s home. It was much the same as the one where he lived. A three-bedroom terraced house with an outside toilet, a front parlour, and a dining room with a scullery attached, that acted as a kitchen. Most family events happened in the dining room, it was usually the busiest room in the house. As was usual in most working-class homes of that time, the sitting room, or front parlour, was reserved for special occasions, such as birthdays and Christmas, or for special guests. Archie had assumed he would be introduced to Charlotte’s parents in the sitting room, but David led him down the hallway towards the dining room.

Archie entered the dining room with a sense of trepidation. The Manning family were gathered around the dining table. Mr and Mrs Manning, their youngest son Michael, and Charlotte, who was feeling a little anxious, all looked towards him as he set foot in the room.

‘You’re on time young man, so that’s a good start. Well, don’t just stand there like a wet weekend lad, take your coat off and sit yourself down, this food won’t eat its self you know,’ Mr Manning said firmly.

Archie sat down in silence. On the table was a large bowl of homegrown salad, a plate of cooked meats, a bread board with a freshly baked loaf and a butter dish, lots of cakes and a large pot of tea. David took his seat at the table, next to his father. Mr Manning said grace before the family tucked into the abundant food.

‘A very nice spread Mrs Manning and the cakes look delicious,’ said Archie.

Mrs Manning smiled as she acknowledged his compliment. ‘Thank you ducky, it’s very nice of you to say so.’

‘So young man,’ began Mr Manning.

‘My name is Archie, sir.’

‘I’m quite aware of what your name is. I’ll start again.’

David sniggered and was elbowed sharply by Charlotte.

‘So young man. I hear you answered the call to fight for your country, just like my brave son here.’ He patted David on the back.

‘That’s right, Mr Manning.’

‘And you’re joining the same regiment and reporting on the same day I believe?’

‘That’s right, Mr Manning.’

‘Tell me lad, are you a parrot?’

‘No, Mr Manning.’

‘Don’t forget father, I’m going with them too,’ said Michael.

‘Oh no you’re not Michael. You’re only fifteen, you have to be nineteen to sign up,’ Charlotte informed him.

‘Billy Jenkins is joining up next week and he’s the same age as me,’ protested Michael, chewing a piece of buttered bread.

‘Get your elbows off the table Michael and don’t speak with your mouth full. Billy Jenkins isn’t joining any Army, I’ll be having words with his mother,’ said Mrs Manning deciding the matter.

‘You’ll go when your good and ready son,’ said his father. ‘Now, less of your chat while I’m talking.’

‘They’re saying that up to thirty thousand men a day are joining up, those Germans won’t know what’s hit them. I bet you wish you were reporting with us Mr Manning,’ Archie said.

‘I’m afraid I haven’t got the legs for it anymore son but if I could, I would.’

‘Nonsense sir, you look like a fit man, I’m sure you’d make a good Sergeant Major.’

The room fell suddenly quiet and Mrs Manning got up and walked into the kitchen.

‘Father lost both his legs in the second Boer war,’ David explained.

‘Oh, I’m terribly sorry, sir, I… I didn’t know.’

It wasn’t going too well for Archie. He wished the floor would open and swallow him up. He glanced across the table at Charlotte for a little reassurance.

‘But all’s well Archie lad,’ said Mr Manning. ‘The doctor assured me they will grow back eventually, didn’t he Charlotte?’

‘Father, that’s awful.’

Mr Manning began to laugh loudly, as did his two sons. Archie joined in, nervously. Then Mr Manning banged his fist down hard on the table.

‘Right, let’s get down to business shall we. David tells me you’ve come here today to ask permission to court my daughter Charlotte, is that right?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Sorry, speak up lad, I didn’t hear you.’

Archie cleared his throat and tried again ‘Yes sir. I would like to court Charlotte sir.’

Mr Manning leaned forward and looked Archie in the eye, suspiciously.

‘A little bird tells me you’ve already been courting Charlotte for the past six months, is that true?’

‘Yes, sir, I apologise for that, sir, I…’

‘So why are you asking me now, she isn’t in the family way is she?’ Mr Manning asked directly.

‘Father!’ Charlotte was outraged at her father’s question.

Archie stood up sharply. ‘No, sir, definitely not, sir.’

‘Sit down Archie,’ instructed Mr Manning.

The old man leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. Archie did as he was told and sat down too.

‘You see son, I have to ask you that question, it’s my duty as a father you see.’

‘I understand that, sir, but Charlotte and I…’ began Archie before being interrupted.

‘You see that cupboard over there,’ said Mr Manning as he pointed to a cupboard in the corner of the room. ‘That’s where I keep my shotguns.’

Archie was starting to feel a little worried and began to wonder if now would be a good time to make his excuses and leave. He looked around the room for an escape route. Then Mr Manning began to laugh.

‘Relax Archie, of course you can court my daughter. I know your father, Jack, he’s a good man and I know your older brothers as well. Your father often speaks very highly of you. All I ask is that you treat Charlotte right and we’ll get along just fine. You have my permission lad.’

Archie sighed with relief. ‘Thank you, sir. Thank you very much, sir.’

Charlotte got up and walked around the table to give her father a kiss.

‘Right, who’s for a game of snakes and ladders?’ Mr Manning asked.

The next few weeks went by quickly and the day of enlistment soon approached. By now, David and Bertram had got used to having Archie around and the three young men formed a strong friendship, although a little argumentative at times.

The night before they took their oath for King and country they all went to the local pub to enjoy their last night of freedom. They certainly weren’t the only ones in the pub that night, the pub was packed with many of their friends, who were also joining up. There was a sense of celebration in the air. Many of the young men had never been out of their home town of Derby, let alone go off to fight a war in a foreign land. Archie and Charlotte sat in a quiet corner of the pub and Charlotte looked subdued.

‘You can go and join your friends Archie if you like. I’ll be alright,’ said Charlotte.

‘I’d much rather sit here with you Charlotte, and anyway, I’m going to be spending a lot of my time with that lot,’ replied Archie with a smile.

‘You will write to me Archie, won’t you? I want to know everything.’

‘Of course I’ll write to you. I’ll write whenever I get the chance, it will be like you’re right there with me, I promise. I won’t be able to put certain things in my letters though, you know, about where I am, and what I’m up to!’

Charlotte looked shocked when he said this.

‘I’m hoping you won’t be up to anything Archibald Butler!’

‘No, I mean my movements, military things you know, just in case the letters don’t make it and fall into the wrong hands and all that, we don’t want the Germans to know what we’re up to do we?’

‘I know Archie, I was only pulling your leg and as far as me being right there with you, I’ll always be with you. I’m in that locket around your neck. You’ll never take it off will you Archie? Please promise me,’ begged Charlotte, as they moved closer to each other.