The War I Finally Won

Ada and Maggie wake up at dawn to the sound of Jonathan throwing pebbles against their bedroom window. He was able to make a very quick visit just for the morning, and he wants to take the girls riding. Ruth is also awake, and Ada convinces Maggie to let Ruth come with them. Jonathan agrees that Ruth should be allowed to ride publicly and decides to write to his mother about the issue. Jonathan and his friend Stan transport the girls to the stables on their motorbikes.

Jonathan urges Ada to ride his horse Oban. Ada is scared but excited about riding the bigger horses. Soon after they start riding, Oban is spooked by a grouse bursting out of a hedge and breaks into a run. Ada almost falls but just manages to hold on and then suddenly realizes that she is invigorated by the speed. She urges Oban to keep running, feeling like they are “flying” (233). Ada reflects that she feels joy about who she has become, free and brave atop of Oban. The girls keep Jonathan’s visit secret at his request, and the hour they spend with him feels like a treasured gift to Ada.

Though Lady Thorton insists that Maggie must return to boarding school, Ada and Ruth continue riding together. One day when they are out, they accidentally encounter Lady Thorton driving home. Lady Thorton confronts the girls, furious that Ruth disobeyed her orders not to ride her horses or go near her home. Ada is upset at the injustice and sorry that she got Ruth in trouble. She is also upset that she might have disappointed Susan. Ruth reassures her that any time riding is better than none. As they are discussing the situation, they see a telegraph boy riding up the driveway.

The telegraph boy brings news of Jonathan Thorton’s death. They learn that his plane blew up over the English Channel. The household is devastated, especially Lady Thorton. Susan sits with Lady Thorton through the first night, and Ruth and Jamie come into Ada’s bedroom. Maggie is on her way home to be with the family.

Maggie arrives home with her father. Lord Thorton cries, and it is the first time Ada has seen a man cry. She finds it disconcerting. Friends of the family visit to offer their condolences. A memorial service is held for Jonathan rather than a funeral, since his body could not be recovered. Lord Thorton eventually returns to work, and Maggie returns to school. Lady Thorton is grief-stricken, barely sleeping or eating.

Ruth goes to visit her parents at the internment camp. Susan, Jamie, and Ada discuss the fact that Jonathan is now in heaven. Ada feels overwhelmed by everything she does not understand, including why there must be a war at all.

Lady Thorton’s grief makes her bad-tempered and short with Susan, Ada, and Jamie. Susan explains that her anger comes from a place of grief. Jamie recalls that their mother was angry at everything, and Ada corrects him, explaining that their mother was angry because of Ada’s clubfoot. Jamie insists that she was angry at everything all the time. Ada realizes that he is right and that Mam’s anger was therefore not her fault.

Maggie writes to Ada asking how her mother is. Ada reports that she is barely sleeping or eating. The only meat the fishmonger has is whale meat, which tastes terrible.

Ruth returns from the internment camp with the news that her grandmother was sent to a German internment camp. Ruth explains that Hitler’s internment camps are very different to English ones.

Ada suggests that Ruth should take Butter for a ride to help her feel better. Ruth is wary, confused about why Ada would help her. Ada reassures Ruth that she is not her enemy just because she’s German; she then confides that she has always wanted a sister. Ruth admits that she had always wanted a sister as well.

Susan becomes withdrawn and short. Maggie comes home from school to help pick potatoes. Ruth tells Lady Thorton that she wants to help, and Lady Thorton reluctantly consents.

Jamie, Ruth, Ada, and Maggie work with the three land girls to pick all the potatoes on the Thorton’s land. Ada feels strong and useful, and enjoys the task despite the long and arduous days. Maggie struggles, complaining of her freezing fingers and blistered hands. Ada reflects that Maggie had lost a lot since the war started, whereas Ada’s life improved hugely from her abusive mother and single-room flat in London’s slums.

When their neighbor Mrs. Elliston labels Ruth “the German girl” and tells Ruth that it’s hard to trust her, Ruth works hard and collects the most potatoes on the first day. Rose, the head land girl, shakes Ruth’s hand and thanks her.

Ada is thrilled to learn that they earn two shillings a day and get to keep many of the potatoes they pick; they manage to amass nearly 500 pounds between them. Maggie returns to school, albeit reluctantly. Ada hears Ruth crying in her room one night, but Ruth refuses to be comforted.

One evening, Ada, Ruth, Susan, and Jamie are listening to the radio when Fred suddenly bursts in. Fred explains that Oban the horse is ill with colic and needs help. Ruth and Ada run to the stable. Ruth instructs Ada to kick Oban hard to get him up, as he must walk or he will die. Ruth explains that if he does not recover, they will need to shoot him to ensure he doesn’t suffer. They manage to get Oban on his feet, cover him with a blanket, and walk him through the night.

Eventually, Oban’s heartbeat slows. He sweats less and seems to have somewhat recovered. Ada and Ruth are thrilled and relieved.