English Lane

I can hear someone coming, just as I used to listen out when John had his head buried under my skirt. I turn my head, reach for a handkerchief, wipe my tears away and stand up.

It is Sarah, my granddaughter, waddling up the lane holding her pregnant belly. I know that she would have insisted on coming by herself. As she had said frequently 'I'm pregnant, not an invalid'.I walk to meet her.

"I'm a silly old fool, Sarah," I say, "a silly, romantic, old April Fool."

"No, you're not, Granny. You loved him. We loved him. We will never forget him. Come now to have lunch. Elaine has brought her new baby to show us. She's gorgeous."

She was. Her tiny hand gripped my finger.

"Alice," Elaine said, "We have called her Cecily after her grandmother, and Joan for your John. Cecily Joan will be christened on Wednesday. We want you to be one of her godmothers. Your daughter Helen has already agreed. Will you be a godmother too, Alice, please?"

"Of course I will, Elaine. Where?"

"In the garrison church of course," Louis replied. "Cecily Joan, like all of us, is part of the regimental family."

And she is. A few weeks later the family was increased by Sarah's son John, John's namesake and great-grandson. Louis and Elaine became John's godparents. Baby John is one more in the regimental family.

That family includes me and my hero John.

"We'll gather lilacs in the spring again
And walk together down an English lane
Until our hearts have learned to sing again..."