Today was Daisy's birthday. It was also the day Neville Chamberlain had told the Nation they were at war with Germany.
Clearing the dinner table Daisy cast any eye in the direction of her husband. Bill sat in his favourite fireside chair with 'The Echo' spread over his lap. His pipe nestled in the corner of his mouth. They had been married for ten years now with two beautiful children, and up until several hours ago Daisy had been happy with her lot. Now that Hitler bloke had come along to spoil it all.
Spreading a fresh cloth over the table Daisy reached over to the sideboard and picked up the brass bowl sitting among the other niknaks which made a house a home. It was her birthday present from Bill and it shone like a new penny, despite being second hand. He had been given it on his rounds as a rag and bone man. Bill knew her tastes well and as she gave it a little rub with her apron, a sudden feeling of love for her husband overwhelmed her. He worked hard to look after his family and expected nothing in return, except a pint of beer at The Bell on a Friday night and a full pipe. He was a contented man.
Placing the bowl in the center of the table Daisy turned it so the only scratch on its surface faced the wall. It hadn't been there when Bill had handed it to her. It had appeared after she dropped it on the floor when he told her he would be signing up for the Army the following day.
A shiver ran down Daisy's spine as she remembered the last war. That time it had been her father who had gone off. A strong, confident man, splendid in his uniform.
He had returned years later a shell. A man who's every waking moment was haunted by nightmares of the atrocities he had witnessed. He had never recovered.
Daisy could not let that happen to Bill. But he was adamant.
'A man has a duty to fight for his Country' he had said 'And anyway, it will all be over by Christmas.'


Two years later the telegram boy paid Daisy a visit. Bill had died a hero. Tears clouded her vision as she threw the offending piece of paper towards the table. Silently, it fluttered into the brass bowl.