"Alex..." Alice said, though her voice seemed miles away. Alexander didn't want to hear what she had to say. His life was over. He couldn't live without his family, he couldn't. He wouldn't.

"No," he said "I can't do this." 

"You can Alex, you can. I know you think you can't but you can I promise you can."

"How? How can I go on when they won't be there?"

Mrs Roberts interrupted "the police only think they're dead. You'd have to go to the station master to find out. He can tell you if Emily's been evacuated somewhere. I really hope for your sake she's safe." With that she left. Leaving Alexander in a state of sadness and hope. Hope that his sister was still alive.

"Let's go" Alexander said excitedly, pulling Alice down the street.

"Steady on Alex."

Alexander didn't go steady. He carried on pulling her down the street towards the house beside the station. Alice was smiling at the look of determination on Alexander's face. She desperately hoped this wouldn't be in vain.

Alexander knocked on the door and a short, stout man answered the door "yes?"

Alexander cleared his throat "I've just come back from the army and I'm looking for my friend. Her name's Emily Stuart. Would you know if she's been evacuated?"

"Hold on," he replied "I'll get my book." He disappeared inside. Alice didn't say a word. She could see Alexander crossing his fingers behind his back. She did the same.

The man soon came back with a large book in his hands. He opened it. "Stuart was her last name you said?"

"Yes" Alexander replied. He noticed that the man had said 'was'. 'Was her last name'. As though she's already dead. He waited anxiously.

"Here it is. She was sent to an address in Scotland. I can only give it to family I'm afraid." The man said.

"I'm a family member," Alice said, stepping forward "I'm her brother's fiancee'."

"Oh well congratulations. Even though he's a deserter. Saw his name in the papers."

"I know," Alice replied "I want to tell Emily that the engagement is off."

"Oh obviously, you picked a bad apple there didn't you?"

"Indeed now may I have the address please."

"Oh of course sorry. It's 180 Blackwood House, Edinburgh."

"Edinburgh?" Alexander said in shock "that's miles away."

"Well it's only a train from London. It's not France is it?"

"Yes of course thank you" Alice said, trying to end the conversation. She pulled Alexander away and watched the station master shut the door to his house.

"Well our relationship has moved on hasn't it," Alexander teased "we only just had our first kiss and you're talking about an engagement. Moving fast aren't we?"

"Oh be quiet," Alice snapped "If I hadn't stepped in what would have happened? You couldn't have told him you were her brother you'd be arrested. I'm surprised he didn't recognise you."

"Alright, I'm sorry," Alexander replied "let's go and get a train back to London."

"London. Why London?"

"To get a train to Edinburgh of course."

"Oh alright. But this is the last place we're going together. When you and your sister are reunited I'll head back to London to get another job, alright?"

"Alright."

"Good. Now let's go."

20 minutes later they were back on a train inside the luggage compartment again. They could hear the guard talking to a woman outside. They were chatting about her baby and how old he was. Alexander felt like falling asleep, it was so boring.

Eventually they did fall asleep again. Alexander slid his hand into Alice's. He expected her to let go, but she didn't. She held on tightly as she drifted off to sleep.

Alexander shut his eyes and fell back into one of his many nightmares.

He was running. Running for his life. He was certain he'd be caught at any minute. He'd be caught and then he'd be punished for trying to run. He hated it here. He hated the idea of killing another man. He couldn't watch that again. He had watched as the bullet hit Hans' chest. He had watched as Hans' fell limp. And he had watched as the other man had called out Hans' name in desperation.

He still wondered who that man was. A brother, cousin a friend maybe? Whatever he was, he clearly knew Hans well. Well enough that he cared about his death. His murder.

At the end of the day that's what it was, murder. He had killed another man. For whose benefit. Who had benefited from the murder of Hans? England? No. Not England. He was certain that if he had not murdered Hans it would not have made too much difference.

Perhaps that was why his parents had been killed. It was God punishing him for what he had done. Maybe God expected him to give up. To finally join them in death. Alexander didn't want to join them. Not yet. He had to stay strong for Emily. She would be happy to see him. Wouldn't she?

Maybe not. Maybe Emily would hate him too. Everyone else seemed to. Well... everyone except Alice.

He turned over and looked at Alice's hand in his. Her hands were smooth and soft. He was sure his were not remotely soft. But Alice hadn't let go. He stroked her hand with his thumb. He looked at her face, her hair. He couldn't help but look at her. Even in the dark she was very pretty.

If I asked her to marry me would she ever say yes? He thought. For in that moment Alexander was sure that he was in love with her. She was the one he wanted. He had only known her for a short time, but he was sure. He loved her.

Alice woke up to see Alexander looking at her. "Were you watching me sleep?" She asked.

"Yes," Alexander said, not bothering to lie "I couldn't sleep. So I was looking at you. You're very nice to look at."

"You're looking at me in the dark. I might look ghastly in the daylight."

"If you did I wouldn't have kissed you would I?"

"I suppose not."

"Did you like the kiss?"

Alice thought for a moment "yes," she replied "but could you warn me next time. Or ask?"

"Certainly Alice," Alexander said with a smile "may I have another kiss?"

"Say please."

"Please?"

Alice leaned forward and kissed him. Although it was their second kiss, it felt like their first. Alice couldn't help but feel a spark inside her as she kissed him. She loved him. She must love him. But she could never have a life with him. He was a deserter. He had lied to her. She couldn't overlook that.

But then again. She thought to herself. It's not like he killed anyone when he was in the war?