15
‘If you follow that lane, Miss, you will see the hospital,’ the carter said as Ruby climbed down from beside him. Delving into her purse, she tried to offer him a few coins for his trouble, but he pushed her hand away. ‘Get off with you – I was coming this way, and it’s an honour to help a young lady meet her beau. Have you been before?’
‘No, I haven’t, that’s why I was so grateful you allowed me to travel with you. It has been quite a journey for me,’ she said, although she thought she would never be able to sit down properly again. The board they sat on had bounced up and down as the horse and cart travelled over every rut in the road. As much as she would have liked to stretch all of her limbs to ease her aches and pains, she didn’t like to in case he thought she was being ungrateful. ‘It’s not my beau, though. I’m coming to see our family friend – and I’m not quite sure what to expect,’ she admitted.
‘All I can say is, the people in this town have opened their hearts to the lads that were damaged in the war. You’re bound to hear some lovely stories about the fundraising. Why, there’s even a little teashop for them – well, that’s for the ones who want to walk to the high street. I do hope your friend is on the mend soon. There is no better place in the country than Queen’s Hospital. I’ve heard that Mr Gillies can perform magic on damaged faces. Now, I’m going to be back here in two hours’ time, and I’ll wait a while – that’s if you want a lift back?’
Ruby thanked him. ‘That would be marvellous, thank you so much. I’ll make sure I’m here dead on three o’clock.’
‘Don’t worry if you’re a bit late. I always have a break, a bit of bread and cheese on the way back. Take your time, love, and don’t forget to prepare yourself for what you’re going to see. Just remember that under all those bandages and scars there is someone’s son or husband looking back at you – so you just keep a smile on that pretty face of yours.’
‘I certainly will. Thank you again,’ she said, as he made a clicking noise between his teeth and the two horses began to move away.
Ruby had been pleasantly surprised when Stephen came knocking on her door two days after she’d had tea with the girls from the munitions works.
‘Can you possibly be ready to visit the Queen’s Hospital tomorrow?’ he had asked, looking quite excited. ‘I bumped into a carter I know who makes the journey to Sidcup once a week. I explained the circumstances and he was more than pleased to take you with him on his next delivery. It may be a bit of a rough journey but it would save you so much time, especially as you don’t know the way.’
‘Why, that’s marvellous. I can’t thank you enough. Come along in – I’ve been baking and can offer you a slice of cake with a cuppa.’
‘Have you ever heard me say no?’ he said as he followed her inside. ‘It’s fair nippy out there. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a bit of snow before too long. You’d best wrap yourself up warm tomorrow. Wear your warm coat and your woolliest stockings,’ he grinned. ‘Is young Pat home from school yet?’
‘She shouldn’t be too long. Do you know she doesn’t like me picking her up any more? She comes home with the other girls. She’s quite grown up and independent these days, and she’s got a tongue on her that reminds me of my mother.’ Ruby smiled fondly, gazing at a picture of her mum, who was grimly looking down on them from a small frame hanging on the wall.
Stephen laughed. ‘Sometimes the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I’ve often thought your Pat was an old soul in a young body.’
‘God forbid,’ Ruby said as she fetched the tea tray from the kitchen. ‘The kettle won’t take long to boil. Sit yourself down – or would you rather sit in the front room? I’ve not lit the fire in there, but it won’t take long to catch.’
‘Don’t stand on ceremony for me,’ he said as he settled down at the table and reached into his pocket. ‘Before I forget, there are a few shillings here for Pat. Someone cleared me out of books from George’s baskets. I need to restock before too long. I think it was one of those teachers from the school. It’s good to know they were made good use of.’
‘Oh, that will please her; she’s on about saving up to buy a calf. Have you ever heard anything so bonkers? She reckons she’s going to marry a farmer when she’s old enough, so she may as well start collecting animals now. Goodness knows where she thinks she’s going to stick this calf when it grows up. I just hope she gets bored with the idea and decides to spend her money on a puppy instead.’
‘She’s a one,’ he chuckled. ‘Have you heard from George?’
A fleeting shadow passed over Ruby’s face. ‘Not yet. He could only have got there in the last few days – wherever “there” is. Irene came in to tell me she’d received a postcard, and to say there’d be a letter on its way very soon. I do hope he’s all right. We’re hearing such things at the moment.’
‘He’s a bright lad and will do his best to keep out of trouble. He can run fast as well,’ Stephen grinned, trying to keep her spirits up. ‘I do have a letter from Frank,’ he added, pulling an envelope from his pocket. ‘Here, read it.’
‘I don’t want to read your private correspondence,’ she scolded him. ‘There might be private things in there.’
‘As if I’d show you if there was. Here – take a look,’ he said, holding out the single sheet of paper.
Ruby scanned the familiar handwriting. ‘Oh, he’s made some friends, that’s good. I worry about him so much. I really don’t think Frank’s cut out for war.’ She folded the letter and handed it back.
‘Me neither; you know I have dreams about him getting caught by the enemy and tortured for secrets.’
‘You’ve been reading too many adventure books,’ Ruby smiled. ‘That’s the kettle boiling. Let me go and fill up the pot.’
‘Have you heard anything back from the munitions works yet?’ he called out.
‘I have!’ she called back from the kitchen. ‘I can’t believe they got back to me so quickly. I’m to go there the day after tomorrow and meet a manager who will interview me to see if I’m suitable. I’m more than a little bit nervous. So, what with having to go to Sidcup tomorrow, which should be another nervous day for me, I’m beginning to think I might never eat again. I’m not sure I can keep anything down, such are the butterflies in my stomach.’
‘So you don’t want me to cut a slice of this delicious-looking cake for you?’
‘Perhaps just a small slice,’ she chuckled as she walked back in the room. ‘I did wonder about taking some over to Stella and Wilf and telling them where I’m going. What do you think?’
Stephen looked serious as he gave her question some thought. ‘To be honest, I don’t feel you should. It’s not as if you’ve made any headway with them since the day of the wedding, have you?’
‘No, I haven’t, although I’ve tried several times. I spotted them as I walked home from the shops the other day and waved. They both looked the other way. I do miss their friendship, but I can understand how they feel; I’d hate to be in Stella’s shoes at the moment. But if I can talk to Derek, who knows? He may write to his mother, and that would persuade her. Even though he’s injured badly, there might be a way to persuade her to go and see him?’
‘Don’t count your chickens, Ruby. You know they said that Derek is badly injured. I just hope he’s still there for you to see. Don’t go making up any happy-ever-after stories, will you? Just go and see what you can do. The carter said he’d be outside the bookshop just after seven in the morning; I’ll parcel up some books for you to take. If Derek’s not interested, they may be of interest to the other lads there.’
‘That’s very good of you, Stephen. I’ll make sure to pop in after and let you know how he is. If he is indeed still alive,’ Ruby said, hoping that would be the case.
If Ruby had expected to see a hospital full of sickly men, she was in for a surprise. The beautiful grounds were full of men she would have described as ‘walking wounded’. Some had nurses assisting them, some were in bath
chairs, but generally there was an air of, if not happiness, then contentment. In the main she saw heavily bandaged soldiers, and some who must have been in the hospital longer as they were devoid of bandages but still had red raw scars that were a reminder of their suffering. Yes, some of the men were terribly disfigured, but no one seemed to stare at them, so she too did her best to keep a calm exterior and a smile on her face. She nodded to say good day to everyone she passed on the long walk to the building up ahead. Regardless of their injuries, some of them were quite cheeky, calling out compliments to her and being scolded by the nurses and helpers, but it was all good-natured.
Entering the building by the main entrance, she went up to the enquiry desk to explain who she was and why she was there. She hoped she’d be allowed to see Derek, even though she wasn’t family. Knowing how strict most hospitals were, she feared she might have made the journey for nothing.
‘Corporal Green hasn’t seen any visitors so far. He’s been rather down, I’m afraid, as his injuries are severe. We have written to his family, but there’s been no reply.’
‘His parents aren’t very well at the moment, as not long before they heard about Derek, they were notified that they’d lost their younger son. His mother couldn’t cope with the news of Derek as well. She’s not been taking it well at all,’ Ruby tried to explain, although she wasn’t sure whether it was right for her to speak of Stella that way. ‘I’m a good family friend and live straight across the road. My husband, Eddie Caselton, is . . . was a comrade of Derek’s. There’s been no word of my husband,’ she added, fighting hard to keep her composure.
The kindly almoner left her alone for a few minutes while she went to find out whether Derek was ready for a visitor.
Ruby waited nervously. It was a hopeful sign that the lady almoner hadn’t said Derek was too poorly to receive visitors – or indeed that he had passed away from his injuries. She chewed her lip. Somewhere close by she could hear music, possibly a gramophone record. It was a cheerful song, and male voices were joining in. How strange, she thought, I’ve never heard that in a hospital before – but then, I’ve really only visited the cottage hospital.
She sat down on a wooden bench, which reminded her of the journey over on the cart, so she stood up again and stretched, wincing as she did so. It would be a hard journey home, but worthwhile if she could get news of Derek and maybe even her Eddie.
The almoner returned and gave Ruby a gentle smile. ‘Derek is sitting in the rose garden with his nurse. His doctor wishes you to know that he may not be his old self, as he is prone to bouts of depression and his language can be quite volatile. Would you like to wait and speak to the doctor first?’
‘No, I’d rather go and see Derek. If there’s a problem, I promise I’ll leave him be. I really just need to see that he is well.’
The woman looked sad. ‘I’m afraid that many of the young men here will never be well again. For some, it is hard to accept their injuries. We like to encourage them to lead normal lives in between the many operations they need to have. This is a pioneering hospital: we are trying everything to bring back some sense of normality to these brave young men for whom life will never be the same again.’
Ruby was beginning to understand how special this hospital was. ‘I promise I’ll do my best not to upset him. Could you point the way to the rose garden, please?’
Trying hard to remember the directions, she left by the front door and followed a footpath around the grounds until she spotted a rose arbour. At this time of year there weren’t any roses blooming, but it was still a pretty garden. Up ahead, she could see a soldier sitting on a bench wearing an army greatcoat, his head swathed in white bandages. By his side sat a pretty nurse, holding his hand. Ruby approached slowly, wondering what to say now the time had come to talk to Derek. She was lost for words.
‘Can I help you?’ the nurse asked.
Ruby saw that she was no more than a girl – about the same age as Irene. ‘I was directed this way hoping to see Derek Green,’ she said.
The soldier’s head turned sideways towards her. ‘Ruby – is that you?’ he whispered, his voice frail. This was not the loud, boisterous lad she had known before the war.
Ruby sat on the bench at the other side of Derek. ‘Yes . . . yes, it’s me, Derek. I’ve come to see you.’
‘I would’ve preferred you stayed away. You haven’t brought my mother with you, have you?’
‘No, I’ve come alone. I dearly wanted to know how you were; I didn’t tell your mum I was coming. I hope you don’t mind?’
Ruby could see the nurse was following her every word. ‘I’m a neighbour,’ she tried to explain, ‘and his family are good friends. My husband, Eddie, joined up at the same time as Derek and their friend Ernie Minchin.’
Derek’s head bowed as if it were weighed down with many problems. ‘Please . . . please don’t mention their names,’ he cried out.
Derek’s bandages covered most of his head apart from one eye, which stared out blankly. Ruby noticed that as she moved to sit down he’d followed her movement as she spoke, but the eye didn’t focus. She looked to the nurse, who simply nodded as if to confirm her thoughts. Derek had lost his sight.
‘I don’t want Mum and Dad to see me like this. It’s better they don’t come; in fact, I don’t think I want to see them again. So much has changed for me, it’s best I don’t return to Erith. I’d rather stay here, where I have friends who understand,’ he said, reaching out for the nurse’s hand and gripping it tightly. Ruby smiled. There was obviously more between the couple than just a nurse looking after her patient.
‘May I ask what your injuries are? I promise not to tell your mum.’
‘It was a bullet from the gun of a sniper. I was told I am lucky to be alive, but I’m not so sure. I’ve had many operations on my face; I’ll never look the same again. Mr Gillies did his best for me, and for that I’m truly grateful, but the war has changed me; what I’ve seen, what I’ve heard.’ There was bitterness in his voice. ‘I can’t think further than being here, but hopefully with Susannah by my side, I might just be able to face the future. Even though I’ll never see it.’
Ruby reached out to take his hand, and it was then she noticed that beneath the bandages, he clearly had several fingers missing. ‘My dear, dear friend,’ she said. ‘You’ll always be the same person to me.’
The nurse, Susannah, had tears in her eyes at Ruby’s kind words as they sat in silence for several minutes.
‘Tell me how George is,’ Derek asked, breaking the silence.
‘Would you believe he’s married,’ Ruby chuckled, ‘and he will be a father later in the year?’
The news had Derek laughing for the first time since she’d arrived. ‘Why, he’s still a boy. Have I been here in this hospital for so long that I’ve forgotten how many years have passed, and George Caselton has grown into a man?’
Ruby joined in with his laughter. ‘No, my son is still a baby – he will be a baby to me even when he’s an old man. He married only weeks ago and joined his regiment days later,’ she said, fighting against the ache in her voice.
Derek reached across to take her hand. He grasped it tightly. ‘When you write to him, please give him my best wishes; he’s a good lad. I wish him well.’
‘I do have an address for him,’ Ruby said, ‘If you’d like to write . . .?’
‘I can help with that,’ Susannah said.
‘I’d like that very much, thank you,’ he said.
‘Did you know that Frank has also joined the army? He is in the ambulance brigade; Stephen heard from him recently.’
‘Stephen?’
Ruby could have kicked herself. ‘His friend Stephen is running the bookshop now. I still help out a little bit, but I’m hoping to be doing some war work myself before too long.’
‘So you’ve given up on the knitting?’ he chuckled.
‘Please, Derek, you know I’m not very good with my hands. I’m going to work at the munitions fa
ctory down the marshes.’
‘Good grief,’ Derek said. ‘You can’t knit a balaclava – how the hell are you going to stuff bombs without dropping them? You’ll blow the town to kingdom come.’
Ruby and Susannah joined in with his laughter.
‘You’ve been a real tonic for me, Ruby. Will you come again, if you can manage it once you start your job? I just ask that you don’t bring my parents. I couldn’t bear for them to see me like this.’
‘Are you sure you don’t want to see them? Just tell me if you change your mind. But I promise I’ll come again in a few weeks, if I may. Can I ask you one thing, Derek? Do you have any news of my Eddie?’
Derek pulled away from her as if he’d been scalded by hot water. ‘I’m sorry . . . I can’t . . . I can’t think of what happened . . .’
‘Oh Derek, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked,’ she said, seeing the sudden change. His body had become rigid and although bandaged, his face turned away from her as if he were lost in his thoughts.
‘I think it is best if I leave you to rest now. Take care, my dear,’ she said.
‘I’ll walk you to the front drive,’ Susannah said. ‘It’s a bit of a maze round here and you may get lost. I’ll be back shortly, Derek.’ He didn’t seem to hear her, and the two women walked slowly away.
‘I hope it wasn’t too much of a shock,’ Susannah said to Ruby. ‘He’s a dear man, and he’s been through a lot.’
‘Will he leave the hospital soon?’
‘No, that’s not possible. He will have rehabilitation, and we will make sure that he has a good life. I care for him deeply, Mrs Caselton; if there should be any change, I will write to let you know.’
They stopped while the nurse took a small notebook from her pocket and Ruby wrote down her address, as well as one where they could write to George.
Then she placed her hand on the younger woman’s arm. ‘Please, call me Ruby – and do please keep in touch with me. I didn’t like to say, but Derek’s younger brother was killed recently. That’s why his mother is not herself. The news of Derek on top of that was just too much for her.’
A Mother Forever Page 25