The G.I. Bride

by Eileen Ramsay

Crawford looked at in confusion. ‘No, ma’am, as you can see, I’m all in one piece. Maybe she has another young man stashed away somewhere.’

  ‘Don’t be silly, Crawford.’ April laughed uneasily. She felt as if she was lying, even though she wasn’t. She was saved by Mrs Teague bringing in plates of food and rearranging the dining-room table, and the moment passed.

  Despite the rocky start, they had a wonderful afternoon. Mrs Teague regaled them all with tales of her time in India with Isaac, while Mr Morcambe told them about his time as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps during the first war. He seemed such an unassuming man, with his pipe and his glasses perched at the end of his nose, and April reflected that looks could be deceiving, and she should always remember to try to look beneath the surface. In particular, she thought about Bess and her unreasonable behaviour. Perhaps there was a reason for it that went beyond jealousy? And when Theo had left her to go out with a girl his mother approved of, that too only made sense now, as she saw Eunice’s struggles with her mother, and how it was tearing her apart.

  She noticed how Crawford listened attentively to every person at the table, smiling and encouraging them to talk, and felt her heart swell. He was such a . . . such a gentleman in the true sense of the word. He was courteous and kind to everyone. And yet it seemed she was the one he wanted to be with. Could she believe it?

  She hadn’t been aware that she was staring at him until he raised his eyes from Mr Beetie and smiled at her. Her heart flipped and she stood suddenly.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind, Mrs Teague, but Crawford needs to get back soon, and he promised he’d take me for a walk around the golf course, didn’t you?’ She looked at him meaningfully.

  ‘So I did, but I was having so much fun with you lovely people I almost forgot. Mrs Teague . . .’ He raised her hand to his lips. ‘As always, a pleasure. And the food was delicious.’ He repeated the gesture with Mrs Beetie, who nearly fainted with delight, then he shook hands with both men. Finally, he took April’s arm and guided her out of the room.

  He laughed as they left the house. ‘You, Nurse Harvey, are not just a pretty face. Not to say I wasn’t having fun, but it feels like I’ve hardly had two moments alone with you.’

  They strolled to the golf course, where Crawford pointed out the assault course that the Americans were building. ‘Our soldiers need to be fit for what’s to come, so this seemed like a good idea.’

  ‘What is to come? No one says anything, and we’re all curious about what all of you are doing here.’

  ‘I’m too far down the line to be in the senior staff’s confidence, April. I just pass on their orders. All I know is it’ll take time, and it’ll be big. And it’ll win us the war.’

  ‘I pray to God it does. I’m not sure how much more people can take of it.’

  ‘People can take it. What choice do they have? Now, enough war talk, let’s do something much more fun.’

  They had pulled into the golf course and were skirting along the edge of what had once been the green before it had been dug up to make way for the assault course.

  Crawford stopped and turned April towards him. ‘You know, April, we’ve known each other for around four weeks, give or take, and during that time we’ve been bombed, we’ve rescued a boy, we’ve had one tea, one dinner, one lunch, and yet I feel as if I’ve known you so much longer.’ He put his hand to her face. ‘As if I’ve known you for a lifetime,’ he whispered.

  April put her hand on his. ‘I feel the same, Crawford. I feel dizzy at the thought of seeing you and bereft when you’re gone.’

  ‘What I want to say as well, April, is that you can tell me anything.’

  She looked at him, puzzled. ‘There’s not much to tell. I think I’ve told you the sad story of my life so far. Why?’

  ‘At lunch, when Mrs Beetie mentioned an injured sweetheart, it made me wonder if there was someone else?’

  April hesitated. She should tell him. But what was there to say? That she had loved someone else, and he had loved her, but stopped. And just as she was getting over him, he’d started loving her again, throwing her into confusion and guilt. How did that make her look? But she couldn’t lie either.

  ‘That is just an old friend of mine. You remember the Osbornes, who I stayed with? Their son. We were at school together. He’s been injured and is being sent home soon. He’s not my sweetheart.’

  Crawford smiled. ‘Well, thank God for that. I was worried there. I thought I was going to have to fight a wounded soldier for you, and you know, a Southern gentleman never fights anyone weaker than him.’

  April stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his. ‘You don’t have to fight anyone for me, major. I’m free as a bird, and happy to be at your disposal.’

  He kissed her back fiercely, pulling her in tightly to his body. April wound her hands around his neck, stroking her fingers through his hair. Their tongues met and she felt a jolt of pleasure run through her.

  Crawford groaned, then pulled back. ‘April, honey, let’s walk. If this ever goes further, it won’t be outside on the golf course where anyone could pass by.’

  April reddened. What on earth had got into her? She straightened her skirt and looked away shyly.

  ‘Hey.’ He caught April’s chin and forced her to look up at him. ‘Don’t ever feel ashamed of how we feel together, OK?’

  She stared into his eyes for a long moment, searching for any hint of insincerity and finding none. She nodded, then leaned her head against his chest, listening to the strong beat of his heart. He kissed the top of her head, then caught her hand.

  ‘Come on, let’s walk and you can tell me more about this old friend of yours and what you got up to in your childhood.’

  April gulped uncomfortably. ‘We didn’t get up to anything! What made you think that? I was a good girl, and he went out with the bishop’s daughter.’ Well, that wasn’t a lie. But, she supposed, she was lying by omission, which was just as bad.

  Crawford laughed. ‘I meant whether you climbed trees or got into trouble at school. Did he pull your hair in class? Put frogs in your schoolbag? Come on, I want some details here.’

  Breathing a sigh of relief, April laughed. ‘Yes, as a matter of fact he did pull my hair. And he tripped me up in the playground and I cut my knees. To be fair, he was sorry about that. I got my own back, though, as I put my jam sandwich on his chair and he sat on it. He had to go around school for the rest of the day with a great big splodge on his backside.’ She giggled at the memory. ‘He never tripped me up again.’

  ‘Seems boys and girls are the same the world over. I believe there were similar goings on at my school, but of course I never took part in any of it.’

  April looked at him quickly and caught his smirk. ‘Why, Crawford Dunbar, you great big liar! I bet you were the scourge of the girls.’

  ‘Not me, ma’am. My mom taught me to treat all girls with the greatest respect. Except, of course, the girls I liked. Those I used to worry like a coyote chasing cattle. Maude Thomas, she was a particular favourite of mine. Long black hair, brown eyes, creamy skin . . .’

  April hit him on the arm. ‘Hey, are you trying to make me jealous?’

  ‘Don’t you worry. I prefer girls with golden hair and blue eyes these days. And I definitely prefer them to be over ten years old. Anyway, poor Maude ended up in the creek.’ He chuckled. ‘Dad was so mad, I couldn’t sit down for a week.’

  ‘Goodness, my father never hit me. He was the gentlest of men.’

  ‘Ahh, but then I bet you never gave him cause. Tell me about him.’

  ‘He was lovely, but a man of few words. I don’t have a lot of memories of my mother, but I do know she loved to tell me stories, and she was always singing. Once she was gone, the silence was hard. Poor Dad, he did his best, bringing me up on his own. And once I started nursing, he was so proud. And he’d wait at the window for me, ready to heat the milk for cocoa. That’s what I see, you know, in my nightmares. My dad’s face at the window
, the house in flames, and he’s calling to me.’ She shuddered.

  Crawford didn’t say anything, he just put his arms around her. It felt wonderful having strong arms holding her again after so long without anyone. She felt safe, secure. As if she’d come home at last.

  ‘You don’t have to be alone any more. We have each other now.’

  ‘Do we?’

  He kissed her nose. ‘We do.’ He changed the subject. ‘Now, tell me what all that was about at church with A.J. and Eunice.’

  April sighed. ‘I can’t say much without betraying confidence. But they’re in love.’

  ‘I gathered. But it’s not straightforward.’

  ‘No, it’s far from straightforward. I wish I could help, but there’s nothing I can do. I’ll help Eunice as much as I can, but A.J. will need a friend too. Will you watch out for him?’

  ‘I always do, honey. As much as I can. But he’s a grown man, and proud. I doubt he’d ask for help even if he needed it.’

  ‘No, I don’t suppose he would. Anyway, let’s get back. I’m on early again tomorrow, so I need to get myself together.’

  They wandered back in companionable silence, holding hands. When they got to Mrs Teague’s, April was surprised to find Red sitting on one of the flowery armchairs with a cup of tea and a plate of cake.

  ‘Red! What are you doing here?’

  ‘Just visiting my gal.’ He grinned at her. ‘Making sure she still wanted to come see a cowboy film with me.’ He stopped when he saw Crawford, stood and saluted smartly. ‘Major.’

  April felt Crawford stiffen beside her. ‘Did you, now?’

  ‘I think he means Mrs Teague. Don’t you, Red?’

  ‘Yup. Thought she’d like an outing.’

  There was an awkward silence, which was broken when Mrs Teague came back into the room. ‘Did you have a good walk, you two? And look who’s here. Red popped by to bring me some presents. Oh, you’ll never guess, April, he brought ham! What a treat. And some coffee.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Although, I think that’s for him rather than us. And, even better, he brought some nylons – a pair each!’ She beamed at them all. ‘I shall wear mine to watch the cowboy film. Do you want to come, April?’

  She glanced at Crawford uncertainly. He had a grim set to his mouth, which annoyed her. He didn’t think Red had come to see her, did he? Well, she could see whoever she liked; they’d only known each other a few weeks.

  ‘When are you going? If I’m free, I’d love to come.’

  ‘Perhaps I can take you, April.’ Crawford did not look happy at all.

  ‘Yes, we could all go. How about that?’

  Red was looking uncomfortable, but he smiled at them all. ‘That sounds like fun. Well, Mrs T, April, I need to be on my way. I’ll see you in a few weeks.’ Mrs Teague followed him to the door.

  Once they’d gone, Crawford looked at April. ‘So, why is Red going to take you to the cinema?’

  ‘He’s not, he’s taking Mrs Teague, like I said.’

  ‘I asked you if you had a sweetheart and you said no. Yet now there seems to be two other guys in your life, and I suddenly find I don’t know what to believe.’

  ‘For goodness sake. Red and Mrs Teague have formed a special bond, so he visits. As for Theo, I told you about him already. I didn’t expect you to be the jealous type.’

  ‘I’m not.’

  She raised an eyebrow at him.

  ‘Hell, April, what am I meant to think? Mrs Beetie mentions an injured sweetheart, and not long after I find Red here talking about taking you to the cinema. I know we’ve only been out a couple of times, but you’re not just a casual date to me. I thought it was something more.’

  April softened. ‘It’s not casual for me either. There’s no one else in my life, I promise. You have to trust me, though. I’m not used to having anyone tell me who I can and can’t see.’

  For a moment, Crawford looked like he was going to argue, then his shoulders dropped and he sighed. ‘I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m being an idiot. Of course you’d have had a life before me. I don’t know why I got so wound up. I’m not normally like this, I promise. You make me feel things I never have before.’ He took hold of her hand and kissed it. ‘Forgive me?’

  ‘As long as you never jump to conclusions again. You make me feel things too, Crawford. Things I have never experienced before. Is it possible after so little time?’

  Crawford leaned down and kissed her lips. ‘I wouldn’t have believed it, but it seems it is. So, you and Red . . . ?’

  She stroked his cheek. ‘You have nothing to worry about on that score, I promise you. In fact, I think he and Bess might be getting together.’

  ‘Hey! First you, now Bess. Seems Red is trying to steal all my women.’

  ‘Why you!’ April laughed. ‘Don’t tell me you and Bess really did walk out?’

  ‘Honestly, I met her maybe twice. Second time, she very kindly showed me and another guy where there was a good local place to eat and, heck, I couldn’t leave her standing on the street. I invited her to join us for dinner.’

  ‘What? It wasn’t just you?’

  ‘No, I was with a friend.’

  ‘And champagne from Paris?’

  ‘Champagne? Afraid not. They were fresh out.’

  ‘That’s all right, then. Though she tells a very different tale. According to her it was an intimate dinner for two.’

  Crawford put his hand over his heart. ‘Absolutely not. And anyway, this belongs to you, April. No one else.’ Though his tone was light, his eyes were serious.

  April copied his gesture. ‘And this belongs to you.’

  ‘You mean that?’

  ‘I do.’

  He kissed her again. ‘It’s all I want from you,’ he whispered.

  Mrs Teague bustled back in. ‘Why, look at you two lovebirds.’

  They moved apart and Crawford smiled at her. ‘I need to get going, but do you mind if me and April crash your date at the movies? That is, if I can make it.’

  ‘Oh, please do come, major.’ Mrs Teague’s cheeks were flushed with pleasure.

  ‘I’ll do my best. In the meantime, you look after my girl.’

  April walked him to the door, where Crawford pulled her into a warm embrace and kissed her again.

  ‘Is there a chance you won’t be able to make it?’ she asked.

  ‘I should have said sooner, but I’ve got to go away again mid-week, but should be back soon. But hey,’ he said when he saw her downcast expression, ‘I’ll write to you every single day.’

  ‘Goodness, every day? You don’t have to. One letter is more than enough.’

  ‘But I want to. I can’t have you forgetting me while I’m gone.’ He stroked her cheek.

  ‘There’s no chance of that,’ she whispered.

  ‘See you later, darlin’. I’ll be counting the days.’ He bent down and kissed her again, swiftly this time, before turning and jogging down the path.

  April watched from the door until the car was out of sight, then, pressing her fingers to her lips as if to hold on to the sensation of his kiss, she sighed and went back inside.

  Chapter 23

  April kept an eye out for Eunice at the hospital over the next couple of days. She was desperate to find out what had happened when she’d left with A.J. She hoped that somehow Eunice had found the courage to tell him about the baby, and even about Norm.

  When she couldn’t find her by the second day, she started to worry. Had something terrible happened? Looking around, she spotted matron and hurried over to her.

  ‘Excuse me, matron, but I wonder if you know where Nurse Granger is today?’

  ‘Oh, I’m surprised you didn’t hear, Harvey. Poor Nurse Granger had to go home to look after her mother. They got a telegram on Sunday.’ Matron looked grave. ‘Her father, I’m afraid, is missing in action.’

  April gasped. On top of everything else, this would devastate her. Poor Eunice. Poor Mrs Granger. She pictured the older woman as she�
�d been just a few days before, unaware that tragedy was about to descend. Enjoying church, having lunch with her friend . . . before suddenly everything was turned upside down. She remembered her own journey home that fateful night. Everything had seemed just as it should, and then it was taken away from her in the blink of an eye.

  Forgetting that she had not eaten, April hurried back to her ward, her mind now full of the tragedy that had hit her friend’s family. She needed to see how they were. After her shift ended, she would cycle over to St Agnes and check that they were all right.

  During the afternoon, she tried to clear everything from her mind as she went from bed to bed, checking notes, smiling, encouraging, changing dressings, reading letters, chatting to her patients, pouring water or juice when requested, going over the treatment options if questions were asked that she was qualified to answer. At last the end of her shift arrived, and she hurried back to Mrs Teague’s to collect the bike.

  It was a warm September afternoon, so April knew that she could cycle to St Agnes, stay for a little while and be back before it got too dark. Rushing through the door, she explained what had happened to Mrs Teague.

  ‘Oh, that poor girl. You get off there and give her some comfort, my love. But have something quick to eat before you go. I’ve found a recipe for a new macaroni dish in my magazine. Tinned tomatoes, cheese, the macaroni, an onion, some parsley, seasoning and a little marge. Plus John brought some tinned peas along with everything else the other day.’

  ‘John?’

  ‘Red, but his mother calls him John, and seeing as I feel like I’m his wartime mother, I should call him that too, shouldn’t I?’

  Despite everything, April laughed. ‘You are funny. I don’t think he minds what you call him. But I don’t think there’s time. I’m hoping to get there and back before it gets too dark.’

  ‘Give my love to Mrs Granger, won’t you, dear?’ She shook her head sadly. ‘Such terrible things happening. The papers say lots of American soldiers are going to North Africa. Why would they be in Africa? Isn’t it all desert up there? Look at today’s paper. All those strange names I’ve never heard any of. Oh, I do hope Red doesn’t have to go to any of these places.’