After Dunkirk [Discontinued]

Thirteen ~ Sealed

I can't believe Georgina's sweet on me. She's a beautiful young woman, there's no doubt about that, but I'm not interested. For one, she's my best mate's little sister and two, my heart belongs to Dorothy. How can she like me in the first place? I've either been an arsehole or a cry baby who got clocked by her brother. Christ, I don't understand women.

"Alex, you dressed yet?" Tommy's voice sounds through the closed door of my bedroom.

"Just a second," I answer back while tucking my shirt in my trousers.

I walk over to the nightstand to grab the envelope that I've lovingly sealed with a kiss and I stuff it in the back pocket of my trousers.

Another prompting from Tommy makes me hurry and I open the door, raising my eyebrows in interest.

"Mind if Georgie comes along?" Tommy unenthusiastically asks, rolling his eyes.

"I don't mind. The more . . . friends, the merrier, yeah?"

A heavy sigh captures my attention and it's then I notice Georgina standing directly behind Tommy.

"Pay her no mind. Mum gave me three pennies for the stamp, and some money for us to get a milkshake each afterwards," Tommy says, trying to control his smile and I know the reason behind his sudden giddiness. "Alright, so do you have the letter?"

"Yeah, it's in my pocket."

"Okay, let's go."

The ten-minute walk to the mailroom goes by quickly with Tommy and Georgina pointing out what neighbor lives in which home, and where their school is, and which tree Tommy fell out of as a lad, and I have to remind myself that they're the ones helping me out.

So I act as if I'm interested.

Treat them with kindness, Alex.

Once we reach the mailroom, Tommy opens the door for Georgina and he walks in behind her as if he's afraid I'd get too close to his sister.

Exhaling a heavy breath, I shake my head and follow them up to the clerk's counter.

"Good morning, Georgina, oh, Thomas!" the elderly woman exclaims with tears forming in her eyes. "Your mum rang me the other day and said you're back safe and sound. I just couldn't believe it," she leans over the counter to give them a hug. "I was so worried. Thank Heavens you're alright. I prayed every day for your safe return."

"Thanks, Auntie Gert," Tommy says, wiping the smudge of red lipstick from his cheek and I try to hide my smirk.

"Who's your friend?" she asks, nodding toward me.

"Oh," Tommy clears his throat, "this is Alex, my best mate when we were in France. He saved my life."

"Did he now? Well, thank you for saving my nephew, Alex. You're a hero."

I humbly shake my head at her rather bold statement, awkwardly shifting my weight in my boots. After letting them catch up a bit, I take the envelope from my pocket and catch Tommy's glance.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot," he chuckles and stuffs his hand in his pocket. "Auntie Gert, I would like to buy a stamp to mail this letter to uhm," he glances at the address, "Aberdeen, Scotland."

"Oh love, that's out of the country. It requires special Air Mail postage, I'm afraid."

"How much more would it be?" I ask.

"Since it has to be flown, it will be thirty cents."

"Thirty?" I repeat in shock, drawing unwanted attention and I collect myself. "I uhm, we thought it would only be three cents. Wait! Tommy, use my portion of the money your mum gave us for milkshakes. I just won't get one."