When Skies Have Fallen Read online

When Skies Have Fallen

  by Debbie McGowan

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  This book is available in print at most online retailers.

  https://www.beatentrackpublishing.com

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  This novel is a work of fiction and the characters and events in it exist only in its pages and in the author’s imagination.

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  For many in war-torn 1944, love blossoms in the dance hall, and airman Arty Clarke is no exception. He’s a thinker and a dreamer; however, it’s not the beautiful, talented dancer in his arms—his best friend Jean—who inspires his dreams. For when his gaze meets that of Technical Sergeant Jim Johnson, Arty dares to imagine a different dance.

  Their love is forbidden, by both the armed forces and the law, but with Jean’s cunning and support, Arty and Jim try to bridge the distance between them and find true love despite the danger and a life-threatening disaster that could destroy Arty’s dreams for good.

  Can the pair stand strong together, no matter how many skies have fallen?

  ***

  Winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Romance.

  Part of Love is an Open Road (Don't Read in the Closet 2015), based on the prompt:

  Life isn’t a fairy tale. These two know that better than most. These men are survivors. Against all odds, they made it through hardships, separation, and war. They clung to hope where little existed and, as the skies fell around them and the world was torn apart, found strength in loving each other.

  Suddenly, the war was over. Battlefields lay silent and troops prepared for the journey home. These two were more than ready. They had experienced enough loss, grief, and pain to last ten lifetimes. The country they left behind may not have been ready to accept them, but they were prepared to live no matter how many skies had fallen.

  You can tell me the story of how these men met, but what I really want to know is what happened to these men after this photo was taken. Did their love endure the trials of a return to civilian life? Were they able to overcome the trauma of war and find peace together?

  Sincerely,

  Tiffany

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  Table of Contents

  Acknowledgements

  Dedication

  Author’s Note

  Part One: 1944

  Chapter One: January, 1944

  Chapter Two: February, 1944

  Chapter Three: March, 1944

  Chapter Four: March, 1944

  Chapter Five: March, 1944

  Chapter Six: March, 1944

  Chapter Seven: Spring–Summer, 1944

  Chapter Eight: October, 1944

  Chapter Nine: October, 1944, London

  Chapter Ten: October, 1944, London

  Part Two: 1945

  Chapter Eleven: March, 1945, RAF Minton

  Chapter Twelve: March, 1945, RAF Minton

  Chapter Thirteen: April, 1945

  Chapter Fourteen: April–May, 1945

  Chapter Fifteen: May, 1945

  Chapter Sixteen: VE Day, 1945

  Chapter Seventeen: June, 1945

  Part Three: 1946

  Chapter Eighteen: January, 1946

  Chapter Nineteen: January, 1946

  Chapter Twenty: January, 1946

  Chapter Twenty-One: January–April, 1946

  Chapter Twenty-Two: May, 1946

  Part Four: 1947–1954

  Chapter Twenty-Three: 1947–1948

  Chapter Twenty-Four: September, 1949

  Chapter Twenty-Five: September, 1949

  Chapter Twenty-Six: September, 1949

  Chapter Twenty-Seven: January–May, 1954

  Part Five: 1955

  Chapter Twenty-Eight: October, 1955

  Chapter Twenty-Nine: October, 1955

  Epilogue: Saturday, 29th July, 1967

  Glossary

  About the Author

  By the Author

  Beaten Track Publishing

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  Acknowledgements

  With heartfelt thanks to:

  Al and Nige, magnificent beta-readers and damned fine fellows;

  Mariah, for cheering/egging me on, and for never giving up;

  Patch, for random letter placement;

  Andrea, ever my literary champion;

  The DRitC team, without whom these stories would not be possible.

  Finally, a huge thank you to Tiffany, for a truly wonderful prompt. Here is your story.

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  Extracts taken from Aaron’s Rod, Lady Chatterley’s Lover and The Rainbow, all by D H Lawrence (public domain).

  Song lyrics from ‘After the Ball is Over’, by Charles K. Harris (public domain).