Bury

EPILOGUE

Tommy buries his face into Katherine's motionless body with waves of silent sobs escaping his body.

He does not leave her side throughout the trip across the darkened channel. He retrieves his blanket and gingerly cleans her oil-ridden face with fresh tears staining his face.

Alex manages to take Tommy up onto the upper deck to loosen his mind. Tommy doesn't spot Gibson, he dismisses the thought.

Alex apologises, Tommy appreciates his gesture. The sunrise peaking over the cliffs of Dover distracts Tommy from the recent events, indefinitely the thoughts return and Tommy lowers his head to recollect his suffocating thoughts

Once the Moonstone docks at Dover, Mr. Dawson quickly reports the deceased individuals. Tommy's gaze follows the two men carrying Katherine

"Keep the coat with her!" He shouts, pointing at Katherine and earning a nod from the two men

"Where is she from?"

"Kingston"

Tommy keeps his eyes on Katherine, lips trembling as countless soldiers trudge pass him. Alex grabs hold of the hysterical boy, breaking his focus and guiding him towards the train station.

Tommy's vision fills with rows of rickety stands. However, he's too exhausted for food, he approaches the stand with an elderly man reaching for Tommy's face, feeling the very features that lie on his face

"Good job" He whispers, handing Tommy a wool blanket. With the wool gripped in his hand, he catches up to Alex who is mumbling away about the old man

Even once Tommy and Alex have settled in their own seat, Alex continues to spout about the old man. Tommy refuses to reply, laying the blanket onto his body to regain sleep that he lost in the Moonstone.

Tommy awakes to Alex's shouting. Tommy groggily moves his body upright just as Alex was handed a newspaper. Alex scowls at the paper, leaning back into his seat

"Read it. I can't bear it" Alex tosses the paper violently across the table, burying his head in his hands

"We shall defend our island,

whatever the cost may be,

we shall fight on the beaches,"

Tommy raises his gaze to a disgruntled Alex, a cheer erupts outside the moving train. A middle-aged man slams his palm into the window, making Alex flinch. Tommy doesn't notify Alex, leaving Alex to discover the ecstatic man himself. Alex beams a shining smile, knocking the window open to receive a bottle of ice cold beer. Tommy returns his gaze to the freshly printed newspaper

"we shall fight on the landing ground,

we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,

we shall fight on the hills;

we shall never surrender"

And so, Tommy does not surrender.

Tommy searches for Queen Alexandra Hospital, searching through the candidates of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps before stumbling across a familiar, heart-wrenching name.

Tommy questions the staff, looking for her place if residence. A young nurse with similar features informs Tommy of his wanted whereabouts, leading Tommy to the parents of Katherine Bennet. A name Tommy would not forget.

With his dirtied uniform, Tommy informs her parents of the tragedy after the door swings open before him. Tears are met with tears as Tommy is invited within their household.

Tommy reminiscences the short time he's had with Katherine, claiming she has changed his life. Her parents are grateful for his kindness. Allowing Tommy to attend her funeral.

The funeral was simple, simple but too painful for Tommy's last day of R&R. Acknowledged by Katherine's parents, Tommy rests a bouquet of colourful Carnations before Katherine's gravestone with tears spilling over his cheeks.

He does not surrender. Through the remaining five years of the war, Tommy battles. He battles for his country. He battles for Katherine. He battles for the chance to visit her resting place just one more time.

Katherine rests with Tommy's coat within the grounds of Kingston-Upon Thames where Tommy visits regularly after the Second World War has ended.

Her beloved armband rests within a wooden box given by Katherine's parents alongside a picture of the young nurse.

Tommy visits the box for comfort during his mourning and even after a family of his own, he would show an ageing smile when reminiscing the only aspect of the war that wasn't horrid.

Katherine Bennet
Queen Alexandra Royal Nursing Corps
World War II
Killed on active service
16  May 1922 - 3 June 1940

The end