Casualties of war
The war was over but the damage lived on
The grey North Sea twinkled that day as if it knew that mischief was afoot. Eric sat on a bench, on the pier enjoying the early summer sunshine and the plaintive cries of the herring gulls.
He stared blankly at a bird pecking a greasy chip on the wooden boards, remembering when he had been here before, many years ago, just after the outbreak of war.
He is dressed in his new khaki uniform, itchy and uncomfortable in the early autumn warmth. The gentleness of the day fails to soothe the dread in his stomach and the pain in his heart. Next to him on the bench is his girl Enid, who has this one day off to spend with him, and then he must join his regiment. This time is precious, and God only knows when, and if, they will meet again.
Some say it will all be over by Christmas, but Eric is not so sure. He leans over and kisses his angel passionately and desperately on the lips. Her huge blue eyes are brimming with love and hope, and he knows this will keep his spirits up in whatever lies ahead.
It was a lovely memory, but, of course, things did not go according to plan. His girl, with her beautiful smile and sunny nature, was lost to him somewhere along the way. Her kind heart did not survive the war. The grim struggle wore her down and changed her. His Enid was gone forever, and he had become more bitter and resentful as the years passed. He had done his duty, risked his life, and lost many comrades. Why did he have to lose his great love too?
He heard his wife’s footsteps approaching. He sat up and braced himself for the nagging, gossip and sheer boredom that were his daily lot.
She sat down heavily next to him and leaned in confidentially, her huge blue eyes wide with excitement. Gone was the hope and love, replaced by a meanness he would never have thought possible.
“You’ll never guess what Eddie did this week,” she announced in thrilling tones.
“What?” sighed Eric. He was watching two gulls fight over an ice cream cone.
“Well, he was seen with Marge at the bingo when his wife was at the hospital visiting her sister. What do you think of that?”
Eric barked, “Who the hell’s Eddie? I don’t know what you’re on about half the time Enid.” There was a pause, and then he surprised himself by saying, “I want a divorce.”
Red-faced and nostrils flaring, Enid shrieked, “What?!”
Like the racketing of machine guns, out came an abusive onslaught about his ingratitude, his cruelty and selfishness. Enid whined that she had given him the best years of her life. Sadly, they were the worst years of his.
