CHAPTER NINETEEN: Under The Oak Tree

EPILOGUE: A Life Worth Living

Stefan’s journey comes to a close, but despite being elderly, he isn’t quite ready to give up on life just yet. After losing his wife some months ago, Stefan has been a broken man and his visions have surfaced once again, but by telling his story to you, his demons have been dispelled. He can finally live out the rest of his life in peace.

CHAPTER NINETEEN: Under The Oak Tree

It’s 1956, and Stefan, who is now 24-years-old, travels back to Berlin to seek out answers regarding his past. He visits Frank’s old townhouse, hoping to find him there, but is surprised when he is greeted by a young woman who is none other than Frank’s granddaughter, Henrietta. The truth about what happened to Frank and Wilda following Stefan’s departure from Germany is revealed, but the news is difficult to come to terms with. Whilst looking through various photo albums with Hetti, something else catches Stefan’s eye, which in turn, reveals the identity of the original owner of the medals, the aviator pin and the pocket watch which Frank entrusted to Stefan as a child. He is left shocked when he finally learns the fate of his parents, and visits the nearby cemetery to say farewell to Frank and Wilda. Upon returning to the townhouse, Stefan steps out back towards the old oak tree as he has someone else to say goodbye to.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: Rising From The Ashes

Effy gives birth to a healthy baby girl, and Harry is elated. Stefan and Sid meet the new baby, and Harry tells Stefan some unexpected yet wonderful news. To show his gratitude, Stefan names the baby after someone meaningful to Harry. Harry and Effy agree to marry following the wars end, and life takes a turn for the better for Stefan, the Shackletons and the MacIvors. As Stefan reaches adulthood, he struggles to find his place in the world, and following advice given to him by Harry, Stefan decides to venture back to the beginning to find out the truth about his past.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Fight For Survival

Another air raid occurs, but with heartbreaking consequences for Harry – Foxglove Cottage is destroyed, leaving him devastated. Heading up to Shackleton Farm to find shelter, Harry, Effy, Sid, Stefan and Trigger are met with an eerie silence, but find that the Shackletons are hiding in their own Anderson shelter beneath a trap door in the barn. Stefan realises he has forgotten his gas mask, but manages to slip out of the shelter unnoticed following a heated argument between the Shackletons. A raging thunderstorm circles overhead and Stefan runs into some trouble after falling down a mine shaft, but luckily, a friend is there to comfort him. Eventually the two are rescued, but the drama becomes too much for Effy who goes into labour.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: A Candle In The Dark

Heavy bombings cause substantial financial losses for the Shackleton family and troubles for the Land Girls, but farm life must continue on. Crisis talks get underway at Foxglove Cottage, during which, Effy reveals she is pregnant. Fearful of what is on the horizon, Effy voices her concerns to Harry, but he insists that everything will be okay. Whilst Stefan and Sid are on a paper round with Ruairidh, cycling by the Thames, German POWS arrive in Gravesend. Stefan is furious after encountering one of the POWS who happens to be someone from his past, and following the confrontation, Stefan runs off in the chalk tunnels to calm down, but the apparition of Finch makes an unexpected return.