scraped off the thick layer of dust that had formed on the top, the initials H.W. were crudely carved into the wood. Ben realised immediately that it was Harry’s chest. He thought of calling Jake over to him to show him what he’d found, Harry was his granddad after all, but he didn’t because he was having too much fun. He opened it and rested the top on the two worn string ties that held it in place.
“Oi, Jake! You there mate?” Ben shouted loudly, unable to see his friend in amongst all of ‘the junk’ but now deciding that he had to share this discovery with him. “There’s lots of old photo’s in here pal. Your granddad’s in most of ‘em. I mean, he’s a bit younger like, but it’s him alright.” he stated, staring closely at a few of the pictures of Harry from his army days.
There was no reply from his friend, Jake was too engrossed in his own ‘voyage of discovery’ and hadn’t really heard what he’d said, so the youngster delved deeper into the chest. Beneath some more photographs he found an old and battered, rectangular-shaped box. He toit out and opened it.
“Geez,” Ben shouted in amazement, “Jake! Jake!” he screamed excitedly, “Jake! Come and look at this!”
Jake huffed at being disturbed. “Oh Ben, what’s up now?” he asked, as he made his way carefully across the room. “I was just beginning to enjoy myself. There’s…”
He stopped talking as he suddenly caught sight of the box and its contents. “Oh wow! I- I never knew,” he said humbly, “I mean, I knew he was in the army of course, but…”
“I know.” interrupted Ben, holding out the collection of medals and ribbons in front of Jake with extreme care, as if presenting them to his friend. “Respek due, eh? Good on the ol’ boy! Wonder what he got ‘em for?”
“Hmmn, can’t help there Ace.” answered Jake, as he examined the medals. “He’s a private soul my granddad, never talks about anything of note. I only get to see him every now and then, if my dad knew we were here, he’d have a fit.”
“Oh for…” began Ben. “They’re still not talking? What’s that all about? It’s bin years. You’d think they’d have patched things up by now.”
“Yeah, I know. You’re right, but what can I do? I’m like ‘piggy in the middle’, whenever I raise the subject I just get told to ‘shut up and mind my own business’, or they ignore me completely, which is even worse. My mum won’t say anything either. It’s crap mate. But that’s life, eh? Just gotta live with it I suppose.”
Jake gave a deep sigh. “Ahh well. Anyway, come on, what else is in that chest?” he asked, deliberately changing the subject and conscious of the fact that his granddad could interrupt them at any moment. Ben carefully removed the next layer of photos as Jake watched. Underneath them all was a collection of old letters and he took out the top bundle. A photo was inserted under the elastic band that held them all together.
“Oh yes, jackpot!” cried Jake ecstatically, once he recognised the figure in the picture. “That’s my nan.”
“What?” exclaimed a surprised Ben. “Great, you haven’t got anything of hers, have ya?”
“Nah. You know I haven’t, she died before I was born.” Jake answered bluntly. He held the photo in front of him and stared lovingly at it for a few seconds. Tears began to form in his eyes as he looked upon her face.
“You ever found out what happened to her pal? How she died I mean? You’ve never said too much. I know your dad doesn’t like to talk about it, but what about your granddad? Ain’t he ever explained?” asked Ben.
“What?” said Jake, too distracted by his grandmother’s image to concentrate properly. He shook his head slightly to clear his mind. “No. Harry’s just like my dad, he ‘clams up’ whenever I mention it. I know it was a fire, but getting anything else out of ‘em is like tryin’ to get blood from a stone.”
Ben sighed sympathetically and then looked down at the bundle in Jake’s hand. “So, what about these letters? You gonna open them or what?” he asked, motioning towards them with his head and then rubbing his hands across his short, crew-cut hair.
Jake thought about it for a moment, he desperately wanted to say ‘yes’, but he didn’t. “No. I need to talk to my granddad first.” he answered,