The beekeepers war, p.32
The Beekeeper's War, page 32
‘Yes, Jack. I’ve always loved you. I never stopped.’
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to be transported back to that special place where kissing Jack had always taken her.
Eventually, he moved slightly back from her, still holding her around her waist as he gazed at her. ‘Would you consider marrying again?’ he asked, his voice hoarse.
Pru’s stomach did a little flip. ‘You’re asking me to marry you?’
He smiled and gave a slight shrug. ‘I already have the ring; it would be a shame to keep it in its box for another twenty-two years, don’t you think?’ He laughed. ‘I’ve no idea if it’s still fashionable, but we could always have the setting changed if you don’t like it.’
She took his face in her hands, not caring that the delicate petals of the flowers she was holding were creased as they were pressed against his skin, and kissed him.
‘I don’t know about you but I think that our daughter might be happy to give her blessing to her parents finally getting married, don’t you?’
Pru nodded, happier than she could ever recall being. ‘I think you could be right, Jack Garland.’
‘Then, my precious Pru, I’d like to ask you formally if you would do me the honour of agreeing to be my wife?’
‘I would be happy to, darling Jack.’
He kissed her again. ‘I think we should go and break the news to our daughter, don’t you?’
Acknowledgments
Firstly I’d like to thank everyone who has read my books and taken the time to let me know how much the characters and their stories meant to them either through a review or via email. Thank you, I appreciate your support more than you know.
Thanks also to my mum, Tess Jackson and godmother, Irene Reynolds for not minding me using them as inspiration for the quirky sisters, Terry and Tiz in this book. They are secondary characters in The Beekeeper’s War but ones I felt compelled to include.
To my wonderful publisher and editor, Charlotte Ledger. You are always so kind and knowledgeable and I’m truly grateful to you for commissioning me to write The Poppy Field and ultimately making my dream come true to become a full-time author.
To my editors for this book, Julia Williams, Tony Russell and Dushi Horti. Thank you for all your hard work and for helping make this book a much better version of itself.
To Lucy Bennett for another gorgeous cover. Thank you, I love it.
To everyone else in the One More Chapter team for all your hard work and all that you do for me.
To my fabulous writer friends especially Blonde Plotters, Kelly Clayton and Gwyn GB and my OMC pals especially Glynis Peters and Christie Barlow for making each day so much fun.
And of course to my amazing husband, Robert Carr and my children, James and Saskia, who are always supportive of everything I do and make me smile and feel very loved every single day.
Dear Reader,
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I hope you enjoyed reading Pru and Jack’s story. I loved writing The Beekeeper’s War and at times it seemed like the characters were writing it for me and my fingers simply typed the words that they were dictating.
Follies fascinate me and I have always yearned for one. Realising that I probably would never have the space to build a folly in my garden I decided that maybe I could include one in a book but until now it has never felt quite right to do so. Finally, I felt that The Beekeeper’s War was the perfect place for the folly of my dreams and so I’ve included it in this book. I have also dreamt of having a walled garden and although I don’t have one of those either I loved spending time in the imaginary one in this book.
Once again I’ve written about two nurses and this time both of them are from Jersey where I live. I admire the work that medical staff do enormously and in the thankfully few occasions I’ve needed their care I have been grateful to be in their capable and kindly hands.
As I often do with my heroes I fell in love with Jack Garland my US pilot and I hope that you like him too and enjoy his romance with Pru. Once again I touch on the Jersey Occupation when the island was invaded by German forces in July 1940 when those able to leave or be evacuated had very few days to make the decision, pack their one suitcase and leave the island. It was a traumatic time for those who left and particularly for those who remained and had to face strict regulations for the five dark years that the island was occupied. As I write this we are getting ready to raise our flags and put up the bunting to celebrate Liberation Day. This is an annual holiday when church bells are rung, services and parties are held to mark the day the island was liberated by British forces on May 9th 1945.
As usual I loved the research for this book and spent many a happy hours in thought when I was picturing the house where the hospital would be and how the rooms were set out. With Monty and Jean’s story I was inspired by seeing black and white photos of couples and wondering what happened to them and what they might have faced as a couple throughout their lives. I hope you’ve enjoyed their story too.
Finally, I’d like to thank you for reading The Beekeeper’s War. I hope you enjoyed it and if you did I would be extremely grateful if you could leave a quick review. It doesn’t have to be long, simply a ‘loved this book’ or really enjoyed it’ or anything like that. Reviews help readers discover authors’ books and we all love coming across a reader who’s enjoyed one of our books. I know I certainly do.
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With all my thanks,
Deborah x
Thank you for reading…
We hope you enjoyed An Island at War!
Do leave a review if so on all your preferred platforms to help spread the word!
Catch up on the rest of Deborah Carr’s unforgettable historical novels below…
In The Poppy Field, young nurse Gemma is struggling with the traumas she has witnessed through her job. Needing to escape from it all, she agrees to help renovate a rundown farmhouse in Doullens, France, a town near the Somme. There, in a boarded-up cupboard, wrapped in old newspapers, is a tin that reveals the secret letters and heartache of Alice Le Breton, a young volunteer nurse who worked in a casualty clearing station near the front line.
Set in the present day and during the horrifying years of WWI, both women discover deep down the strength and courage to carry on in even the most difficult of times.
Get your copy right here!
The Mrs Boots series follows the epic true story of Florence Boot – the woman behind the Boots empire. Jersey 1885: On the beautiful island of Jersey, Florence Rowe lives a quiet life working in her father’s bookshop. Life for the Rowe family is good, but Florence can’t help yearning for more… When Jesse Boot arrives on the island, Florence is immediately captivated by his tales of life in a busy, bustling city on the mainland. For the first time ever, Florence imagines a life away from the constraints of Jersey society, of being someone more than just a shopgirl. Until her parents reveal the shocking news that they will refuse any marriage proposal. Can Florence find a way to be with the man she loves and make a new life for herself?
Be sure to follow Deborah Carr on Twitter @DebsCarr, on Facebook @DeborahCarrAuthor, and subscribe to her newsletter at deborahcarr.org/newsletter for all the updates on her latest work.
Deborah Carr, USA Today-bestselling author of The Poppy Field, lives on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands with her husband and three rescue dogs. An Island at War is set on the island during the Occupation when Jersey was occupied by the Nazi forces from 1940–1945.
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Her Mrs Boots series is inspired by another Jersey woman, Florence Boot, the woman behind the Boots (Walgreens Boots Alliance) empire. Her debut First World War romance, Broken Faces, was runner-up in the 2012 Good Housekeeping Novel Writing Competition and Good Housekeeping magazine described her as ‘one to watch’.
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Keep up to date with Deborah’s books by subscribing to her newsletter: deborahcarr.org/newsletter.
www.deborahcarr.org
Also by Deborah Carr
The Mrs Boots Series
Mrs Boots
Mrs Boots of Pelham Street
Mrs Boots Goes to War
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Standalones
The Poppy Field
An Island at War
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Deborah Carr, The Beekeeper's War
