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On the quiet outdoor platform at dawn, Elsie stands near a lamppost clutching her call-up letter while Nora, smiling encouragingly, grips her suitcase. The approaching steam train looms behind them under pale morning light.
Elsie clutched her call-up letter at the quiet platform. Nora hurried beside her, suitcase bumping and glasses shining. 'We're really land girls now,' Elsie whispered. 'We'll help farms grow food for everyone,' Nora said, smiling. A whistle echoed, and the train slid into view. 'I'm nervous, but excited,' Elsie admitted. 'We'll be brave together,' Nora replied, squeezing her hand.
Inside the daytime train carriage, Elsie laughs while showing Nora a hand-drawn map with a tiny tractor. Nora, cheeks lifted in a grin, offers a tin of oat biscuits beside the window where green fields blur past.
They climbed aboard and found a seat by the window. Steam puffed, and the countryside began to roll past. 'Mum packed oat biscuits,' Nora said, offering a tin. 'Dad drew me a map with a tiny tractor,' Elsie laughed. They sipped tea from a flask and watched fields blur. 'What will the farm be like?' Elsie wondered. 'Full of animals, chores, and new friends,' Nora said.
Sunlit carriage seats glow; Nora giggles, pointing at a notebook sketch of a cow wearing boots, while Elsie, proud, rests fresh bread on her lap. Their teas wobble on the small table as the train clacks beneath.
'I help my little brothers with homework,' Nora shared. 'I bake bread with Gran on Saturdays,' Elsie added proudly. They compared favorite songs and silly jokes from school. The train clicked a steady rhythm beneath their feet. 'We'll write home every week,' Nora promised. 'And send funny sketches of cows,' Elsie grinned. They giggled, feeling braver with every mile.
Still in the bright carriage, Asha with a vivid braid balances her suitcase beside the seat, smiling hopefully. Elsie slides aside, and Nora gestures warmly, their faces welcoming under afternoon light streaking through the window.
At the next station, a girl with a bright braid stepped on. 'May I sit here?' she asked, balancing a suitcase. 'Of course,' Elsie said. 'I'm Asha, from Brighton,' the girl smiled. 'I'm Nora, and this is Elsie,' Nora replied. The train hummed as their circle widened. 'Land girls together?' Asha asked, and they all nodded.
Under soft carriage lamps, Asha, Elsie, and Nora sit knee-to-knee trading sandwiches like treasures; wrappers lie open on the table. Nora taps her sketchbook, grinning, as stories flow and crumbs sprinkle their skirts.
'My parents run a little shop,' Asha said proudly. 'Mum sews, and Dad tells the best riddles.' 'Gran says I'm part sunshine, part stubborn,' Elsie joked. 'I sketch tractors and birds,' Nora added, tapping her notebook. They traded sandwiches and stories like shiny buttons. 'I want to learn to milk a cow,' Asha said. 'I'll try driving a tractor someday,' Nora whispered.
Golden evening light pours through the carriage window onto Elsie, Nora, and Asha leaning together, eyes shining toward the shimmering fields outside. A folded chore chart and pencil rest on the seat as they plan farm days.
Fields shimmered gold as the train carried them north. 'Maybe we'll feed chickens at dawn,' Elsie imagined. 'And plant seeds in neat rows,' Asha said. 'We'll sing while we work,' Nora grinned. They planned bedtimes, chore charts, and letters home. 'Whatever comes, we'll help,' Elsie said softly. 'And look out for each other,' Asha and Nora chimed.
At the tiny rural station under cool dusk, Mrs. Green in a green scarf waves brightly from the gate while Elsie, Nora, and Asha step off the train with suitcases, faces alight with relief and excitement.
After hours, their train slowed at a tiny station. Cool air smelled of hay and river water. A kind woman in a green scarf waved from the gate. 'I'm Mrs. Green, your supervisor,' she called warmly. 'Welcome, land girls—bunks this way!' The girls followed, hearts thumping with excitement. 'We're really here,' Elsie whispered, and the others grinned.
Outdoor at dawn beside the chicken coop, Asha hefts a grain pail, Elsie scatters feed laughing, and Nora crouches to check a trough; feathers swirl in peach light. Dewy grass sparkles around their muddy boots.
Morning came with rooster calls and a bright, peach sky. 'Chickens first, then seedlings,' Mrs. Green said, handing pails. 'I've got the grain,' Asha announced. 'I'll check the water troughs,' Nora added. Elsie scattered feed, and feathers fluttered like confetti. 'Teamwork is our secret,' Mrs. Green smiled. 'And good boots,' Elsie laughed, shaking straw from her socks.
In the sunny pasture, Nora gently cradles a wriggling lamb, smiling with relief, while Asha stands nearby arms outstretched, and Elsie kneels fixing the fence with twine. The open field and barn lie behind them.
A bleat sounded, then a tiny lamb wriggled through the fence. 'Oh no, come back!' Asha called, jogging carefully. Nora opened her arms wide to guide it gently. Elsie knelt and mended the loose wire with twine. 'Got you, little explorer,' Nora whispered, scooping the lamb. 'Well done,' Mrs. Green said, clapping softly. 'That felt brave,' Asha breathed, cheeks rosy.
Inside the cozy bunkhouse at lantern-lit night, Elsie, Nora, and Asha sit around a wooden table writing letters, faces warm with concentration. Sealed envelopes and a plate of ginger biscuits wait beside the glowing lamp.
That evening, they wrote letters by a warm lantern glow. 'Dear Gran, I fed chickens and fixed a fence,' Elsie wrote. 'Dear Mum, I made new friends,' Nora penned. 'Dear Dad, your riddles keep me smiling,' Asha added. They sealed envelopes and shared ginger biscuits. 'Sometimes I miss home,' Elsie admitted. 'Me too, but we have each other,' Nora said, and Asha nodded.
Under bright midday sun in the hayfield, Asha stacks golden bales on a wagon while Nora pushes a wheelbarrow and Elsie ties bundles, all beaming. A pitcher of cold lemonade waits on the wagon seat.
Sunlight painted the fields as hay wagons rolled. 'Steady hands,' Mrs. Green coached, passing up bundles. Asha stacked, Nora steered a barrow, and Elsie tied knots. 'Look at us,' Asha laughed, 'strong as oak trees.' Work songs drifted like swallows over the meadow. 'You're a fine team,' Mrs. Green praised. She handed them cold lemonade that tasted like victory.
Moonlight filters into the quiet bunkhouse; Elsie, Nora, and Asha curl in wooden bunks, boots lined neatly below and soft smiles on sleepy faces. Outside the window, stars sparkle above dark farm roofs.
Night settled, crickets chirped, and stars pricked the sky. The girls curled into bunks, boots lined neatly below. 'I was scared this morning,' Elsie whispered. 'Me too,' said Nora, 'but today felt good.' 'Tomorrow we'll learn even more,' Asha murmured. 'Whatever life is like here, we'll face it together,' Elsie said. The farm sighed softly, and they drifted to sleep.
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