Chapter Text
June 1943.
Poplar, London.
Shelagh:
"This way!" Shelagh called out, as the air raid siren rang out behind her. "Everyone down here, as quick as you can" She called, as she directed people towards the tube station, helping them down the steps towards safety.
Looking behind her she saw the enemy planes lower down into view, the humming of the engines getting louder as they drew closer. Then she could hear the whistle of the bombs as they began to fall.
Having a final check of the streets she saw no one else was in need of her assistance, so she hurriedly made her way down the steps.
The sound of the bombs dropping was a sound she never grew accustomed too. Her heart retched with every bang. Clinging to her silver cross necklace she let out a silent prayer. A prayer to keep everyone inside the shelter safe, and to protect anyone who decided to stay in their own homes.
Taking in a deep breath to compose herself she began walking through the station, to see if she could offer any assistance to those inside.
--
As the sounds of enemy engines began to quieten down Shelagh began the descent up the stairs and into the street. Her hand flew to her mouth as the thick smoke hit her face, letting out a small cough to clear her throat she began to walk.
Flicking on her torchlight she looked for any casualties, ARPs or fire men, that were in need of her assistance.
"Warden, over here!" A man called out, Shelagh turned around and ran towards them.
"The building has been hit, there could be casualties amongst the rubble, I need help moving it"
"Stay there" Shelagh demanded, removing her ceiling spike from her belt, she began to walk towards what remained of the building.
Climbing over the rubble she used her spike to test the ceilings structure, to make sure the area was safe before searching through the rubble. Sighing in relief she turned towards the man and called out the all clear.
She began to lift the heavy rubble and throw it towards one side, searching and listening for any survivors. As the all clear siren rang out, more people came out of the shelter to assess the damage and to offer help where needed.
Shifting through the rubble was gruesome and tiring work, but one she did gladly in hopes to help those in need. She was never one to sit still. She spent the previous years performing for soldiers to help boost their morale, but she didn't think she was helping enough and so she signed up to join the Air Raid Precautions, to help those in need during this retched time. Her parents weren't so fond of the idea, but they were proud that their daughter wanted to help.
After searching through the rubble she felt her shoulders drop and sighed in relief, "no signs of casualties". Turning towards the man that helped her, she gave him a smile.
"Thank you sir, please don't let me keep you any longer. I'm sure your family is worried about your own safety, I'll check the remainder of the buildings".
"It was no bother Miss" The man replied with a smile, before taking his leave.
Other wardens had begun to arrive, helping to check and assess the area, and soon the street was given the all clear. Heading back towards her post she saw her friend Trixie sprinting towards her.
"Shelagh" She called out, tears streaming down her face.
"Whatever is the matter?" Shelagh asked, taking ahold of her friend's hands as she stopped before her.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. The bomb, it hit our street. I can't find your parents anywhere" Trixie cried. Shelagh's heart stopped.
"I've checked the shelters and spoken to neighbours, I can't find them".
Without saying a word Shelagh dropped her friends hands and bolted towards the direction of her house.
Tears stinging her eyes as they threatened to fall. Wiping her eyes she powered on, until she turned the corner, stopping in her tracks as she saw the smoke starting to settle where her house once stood. The feeling of emptiness began to wash over her.
"No" She breathed, "no no no no no" She ran, ignoring the cries of Trixie behind her, asking for her to stop and wait for help.
She began climbing onto the rubble, picking up the bricks where her kitchen once stood. Nothing. Clambering over the rubble she made her way to what would have been their lounge. She could hear the creaks from what remained of the ceiling above her, but ignored them and began shifting through the rubble. Picking up bricks and tossing them aside.
"Shelagh stop!" Trixie cried, standing on the rubble in the street, "help is coming, just wait!"
Ignoring her friend she moved over the rubble, further towards the back of the house, where their Morrison shelter would have stood. Thinking her parents may have sought shelter in their home rather than the tube station, as they found the walk rather hard, especially in a hurry. Lifting the rubble she saw her mothers slipper.
"No" she cried, before scrambling to take the rest of the rubble off. Tears streaming down her face as she saw her mothers lifeless body, just meters away from shelter. A large creak was heard above her, looking up she saw the ceiling beginning to crack, and small debris began to fall.
"Shelagh I mean it" Trixie pleaded, "get out of there now!" She said, as she began to climb her way in, ready to drag her friend out if she had too.
The creaking worsened, Shelagh looked up at the ceiling above her. The ceiling and walls would collapse at any moment, her movements in the rubble had weakened the structure. Crying she looked over to her friend and whispered an apology.
A loud crash soon followed, and she was thrown to the floor, then everything went black.
--
Patrick:
"Italy. I'm being sent to Italy" Patrick huffed to himself as he walked out of the recruitment offices.
He had been on leave before awaiting his new orders. He had previously been working in a London hospital, not far from his parents house. The work there was steady. Most cases were from the bombings, and he had the occasional battle front casualty that required surgery, but now he was to be sent to Italy to work in a field hospital, just 10 miles away from the front line.
As he turned the corner he heard the air raid siren begin to sound.
"Hells teeth" He muttered to himself, before beginning to run towards the closest shelter. Unfortunately for him, the bombing had already started and were drawing closer to him.
Fearing he may not get to the shelter in time, or be injured or even worse killed whilst running, he decided to crouch low besides a building and shelter his head with his hands.
He doesn't know how long he had sheltered for, all he knew was that he had miraculously escaped injury and death. Standing up he saw the street was clear, no damage. Sighing in relief he began to walk towards the direction of his parents flat, as he turned the corner at the end of the street he saw what damage had been done.
An entire row is houses had been destroyed, not far from the shelters entrance. Slowly walking towards the buildings he began to look for signs of survivors.
Then he saw a warden appear from the shelter. She flicked on her torchlight and began to asses the damage.
"Warden!" He called, "over here"
The warden turned around and began running towards him.
"The building has been hit, there could be casualties amongst the rubble, I need help moving it" He said, as he began to sieve through the rubble.
"Stay there" The warden demanded, while taking her ceiling spike, she began to walk towards what remained of the building and began to test the structure of what remained.
When she signalled it was safe, she began to search through the rubble. Patrick couldn't help but feel bewildered. How could this small, young woman be brave enough, and strong enough, to do the job she was doing. He admired her bravery and determination, and wished he could be equally as brave and determined.
After a while of searching no bodies or signs of casualties were to be found. She turned to face him with a small smile.
"Thank you sir, please don't let me keep you any longer. I'm sure your family is worried about your own safety, I'll check the remainder of the buildings".
"It was no bother Miss" Patrick said with a sincere smile. Turning around he saw other wardens had come to assist, and so he took his leave. Heading home to pack his bags, ready to begin the long journey to Italy in the morning.
He just needed to be brave and he'd be okay.