When the Music Stopped

by Matthews, Beryl

  ‘I know, and I don’t like the thought of leaving my mother, but I’ve got to go. Lester is out there and I want to be as close to him as possible. Does that sound silly to you?’

  ‘Not at all. I know how hard it is for you to be apart, but it must be of some comfort to you to know that James is with him. I also believe we can be of more help in France. We’ve been caring for the injured now and our experience will be useful. We should have a good chance of being accepted.’

  At the end of their shift they were called in to the matron’s office, and she actually smiled when they walked in. ‘You have both volunteered to serve in a military field hospital, and before I accept your offers I want to give you a chance to withdraw your application.’

  ‘I understand the dangers, Matron, and I still want to go,’ Lillia replied without hesitation.

  ‘I haven’t changed my mind either,’ Ruth said.

  ‘Very well, if you are certain, I will accept your requests. You are two of my most capable nurses and I will be sorry to lose you, but the job you will be doing is absolutely vital. The wounded have to be treated before the hospital ships can bring them back. You will be going over on one of these ships making a return journey, and that is not without danger. They are being attacked by U-boats which do not appear to be making any distinction between merchant and hospital ships.’

  ‘We are prepared for the risks.’ Lillia glanced at her friend who nodded agreement.

  The matron smiled again. ‘You will be made very welcome in France. Go and pack your bags for three days’ leave, then return here. I am sorry it can’t be longer but the ship will be sailing then, and the need is desperate. You will receive a full update on where you are going and what to expect when you get there, then you will be taken to the ship. Good luck to you both.’

  ‘Thank you, Matron,’ they said together.

  The girls ran to the nurses’ quarters, not willing to waste a moment of their precious leave, as it could be some time before they saw their homes again.

  When they were settled on the train, both girls gave a huge pent-up sigh, wondering what they had let themselves in for.

  ‘They aren’t wasting any time,’ Ruth remarked, ‘and I’m pleased about that. It gives us less time to worry about it, and the sooner we are on our way, the better.’

  ‘I agree. I wouldn’t want to be hanging around, waiting to go. It won’t be easy telling Mother, though.’

  Sara was delighted to see her daughter, but the joy soon evaporated when she heard her news. She hadn’t considered that her daughter would be going to the war zone as well. Her belief had been that as a nurse she would be needed here. Having both of her children in the thick of the fighting filled her with fear, but she knew this was what so many families were facing.

  ‘I don’t want to upset you, Mother, but do you see that I must do this?’

  ‘I understand, my dear, and I’m proud of you and Lester. You will both be constantly in my thoughts and prayers. When do you go?’

  ‘Within the week. They are desperate for nurses out there.’

  ‘They will be getting two of the best.’ Sara hugged her daughter. She had changed so much; she was now a mature and confident young girl, but then the demand made by the war was changing everyone. ‘Let’s make the most of these three days together.’

  It was the next day before Lillia realised she hadn’t seen her father, and when she asked it was apparent that her mother was concerned.

  ‘I haven’t seen him for three weeks and I do admit to being worried. It is not like him to disappear for so long.’

  ‘Didn’t he tell you where he was going and how long he would be away?’

  ‘Not a word, though that is not unusual, as you know – what is unusual is the length of time he has been away. I am at a loss to know what to do.’

  ‘Have you checked the local hospitals in case he has been taken ill?’

  ‘I visited three but he wasn’t in any of them.’

  ‘I think you should report it to the police. Father has only been absent for short periods before.’

  ‘I know you’re right, my dear, but after that visit from the police I do hesitate to tell them about this.’ Sara sighed deeply. ‘With both of you away I admit to feeling lonely with no one to talk to.’

  ‘Alex is a good listener, so why don’t you take him into your confidence?’

  ‘He has shown considerable kindness towards us, and I have mentioned this to him, but I don’t like to burden him with our problems too much. He has more than enough to do trying to train enough pilots for the RFC.’

  ‘Something has to be done.’ Lillia began to pace the room. ‘I now wish I wasn’t going away and leaving you on your own.’

  ‘You mustn’t think like that. You need to go where your skills can be of the most help, and I accept that. I should not have worried you with this. He will probably walk in one day completely unconcerned about the distress he might have caused. Please, don’t worry about me.’ Sara smiled at her daughter. ‘I am quite capable of looking after myself; I have had plenty of practice over the years.’

  ‘I dare say he will turn up when he runs out of money again, as he always does, but this is not his usual behaviour. Nevertheless, I don’t think this should be ignored for much longer. Perhaps you could ask Adams to make some enquiries for you?’

  ‘Definitely not. There is enough gossip amongst the servants since the visit by the police, and I expect half of London knows about it by now.’

  ‘Yes, I can see that it wouldn’t be wise to stir up more gossip. Could you drop a casual remark that he is helping the army as an adviser? That might explain his long absence and stop all the speculation.’

  ‘What a good idea. Why didn’t I think of that? I’ll let that piece of information slip out while I’m talking to Cook.’

  Lillia grinned. ‘That should have the news circulating with speed, but I still think some effort should be made to find out where he is. Would you prefer me to contact Alex?’

  ‘No, my dear. Talking with you has helped to clear my mind. I am worrying over nothing. Being on my own so much with no one to discuss problems with seems to throw all things out of proportion. As you have said, he will return the moment he runs out of money.’

  Alex frowned as he read Lillia’s letter. It was brief and apologised for troubling him, but would he call on her mother the next time he was in London, as she was going away for some time and felt her mother was low in spirit and in need of company. His thoughts turned to the police enquiry and wondered if Sara was more worried about the police visit than she had made out to him. He folded the letter and put it in his pocket. He had better see when he could have a day’s leave, or more, if possible.

  With the urgent need to train more pilots it was nearly a week before he could get to London, and Sara was clearly delighted to see him.

  ‘What a lovely surprise, and your visit is particularly welcome at this time. Lillia should now be on her way to France and, with both of my children involved in the war, I am in need of company.’

  ‘She told me she was going in a letter I received from her. You must be proud of your brave youngsters.’

  Sara clenched her hands together showing the strain she was under. ‘I am, but I am also afraid for their safety.’

  ‘That is understandable. Lillia also mentioned in her letter that your husband has still not returned, and asked me to call when I had time.’

  ‘Oh, she shouldn’t have done that. I told her we couldn’t burden you with our problems.’

  ‘I would be pleased to help in any way I can, even if it is only to provide a sympathetic ear.’

  ‘That would be helpful, if you don’t mind listening to my worries?’

  ‘Not at all, please tell me what has happened.’

  ‘As you already know my husband has gone away and forgotten to tell me where he was going and for how long. I expect he was in a hurry and probably thought he had already mentioned it to me. He has tak
en two suitcases with all of his personal items.’ He had also taken some small items of value, but she didn’t say anything about these.

  ‘I see.’ He relaxed back in the chair, trying to keep the conversation casual. She was obviously under great strain, but whether that was because of her children or her husband, he was not yet sure. ‘And how long has the general been away now?’

  ‘A little over four weeks, but it isn’t unusual for him to be away on business.’ She didn’t look at him while she poured them more tea from the trolley the maid had brought in. She was silent for a moment and then her composure shattered. ‘What should I do, Alex? I am normally used to dealing with problems on my own, but in this case I find myself unable to decide what to do.’

  ‘As this long absence is unusual my advice would be to report it to the police. They have the resources to search for him.’ He took the cup from her and his feeling of unease was growing. There was something very wrong here, but would she allow him to help? He really hoped so because Lillia had mentioned that her mother didn’t have anyone she could turn to for help and advice.

  ‘I hesitate to report him missing.’

  ‘May I ask why?’

  ‘I am afraid.’

  She had uttered those words so softly he had only just caught them. Why would this charming, intelligent woman be afraid to report her husband missing to the authorities? ‘There is no need to be afraid of the police.’

  ‘I am not, but there is something I should have told my children, and I am afraid it might be uncovered before I can tell them about it. I have tried several times, but have not been able to bring myself to relate the entire story. Lester knows some, but not all. I am a coward. And now they are both away for goodness knows how long, and I must be the one to tell them.’

  ‘You are afraid that this – whatever it is – might be uncovered and they hear it from some source other than you?’

  ‘Yes,’ she told him. ‘I promised to explain when they were older, but I have been putting it off. As I’ve said, I am a coward.’

  ‘I don’t believe that,’ he told her gently. ‘You have been trying to protect them, and that is only natural.’

  ‘I have been protecting them from this knowledge from the moment they were born.’

  He was not surprised by her declaration. It had been clear from their first meeting that something wasn’t right with this family. Whatever it was, though, was not a case of an uncaring husband and father, as he had thought. ‘If I could promise you that anything discovered in the search for your husband would not become common knowledge, would you trust me?’

  ‘I doubt you could make such a promise.’ She dredged up a smile. ‘But, of course, I trust you to give me sound advice.’

  ‘My father is a police superintendent, so will you allow me to tell him about your husband and ask if there is any way he can give discreet help? I can assure you that anything he discovers will be between you and him. No one else will be involved, not even me, if that is the way you want it.’

  ‘Would he do that?’ A glimmer of hope crossed her face.

  ‘I can ask.’

  She was more at ease when he left an hour later, and he went straight to his father. Luckily he was at their London home while he attended to some police business.

  ‘I need to ask a favour,’ he said, the moment he walked in.

  His father laughed. ‘Again. Is that the only reason for your unexpected visits?’

  ‘I am always pleased to see you, of course,’ he joked, ‘but in this case it is.’

  ‘Well, at least enjoy a drink with me while you tell me about this favour you need.’

  He listened intently to the account of his son’s conversation with Sara. ‘Hmm, I don’t suppose she told you what she was frightened might be uncovered?’

  ‘No, and I didn’t ask. Is there any way you can discreetly make a search for her husband?’

  ‘I doubt it. Do you think his disappearance is connected to that visit from the police?’

  ‘Unlikely because he had been away for about a week when they called, so it’s more likely this is unrelated.’

  ‘Perhaps, but you must realise that this immediately heaps more suspicion upon him. I’ll keep the enquiries as low key as possible, but I can’t make any promises. If anything untoward is discovered, I will do my best to contain it from becoming public knowledge. I can’t do more than that. What on earth can that delightful woman have in her past that makes her so fearful?’

  ‘I have no idea,’ Alex admitted. ‘But in an unguarded moment she said she had been protecting her children from the moment of their birth. She didn’t say what she had been protecting them from, though.’

  ‘That points to an abusive husband, which wouldn’t surprise me. I would say she is afraid of him, and doesn’t want society to know he has been mistreating her.’ Charles shook his head. ‘I know you are fond of Sara and her children, but please be careful, son. I have a nasty feeling that this could get unpleasant.’

  ‘You could be right about him being abusive, and that could be why the children have needed to be shielded from him, but if so she has done a good job. They don’t appear to like him very much, but are not afraid of him. The general could also return with a perfectly reasonable answer, and all this speculation will have been for nothing.’

  ‘Let’s hope that is the case.’

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Lester jumped out of his plane and strode over to his friend who had just landed. ‘That was nasty. Are you all right?’

  ‘Still in one piece.’ His smile was grim. ‘We’ve only been here two weeks and this is the second time I’ve come back with holes in my plane. Look at this – I can put my hand through it. Did you get back undamaged?’

  ‘A couple of bullet holes, but they can easily be repaired. I saw you careering around trying to shake off that enemy plane and I came in to try and distract him.’

  ‘Thanks, he would have got me for sure without your help. We were lucky this time. Come on, let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.’

  ‘There’s a surprise.’

  The friends were laughing as they sat down, relieving the tension of a dangerous mission by joking about it.

  About halfway through their meal, Lester gasped and the colour drained from his face.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ James was immediately on his feet and grabbing Lester’s shoulder. ‘Are you hurt and didn’t tell me?’

  ‘Lillia,’ he croaked, breathing hard and closing his eyes.

  A medic was at the next table and immediately came to help. ‘Take it easy, sir, and tell me what’s wrong.’

  When he didn’t speak, the man turned to James, who was close to panic. ‘Is your friend injured?’

  James shook his head. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong. All he’s said is his sister’s name. They are twins. When one is hurt or troubled, the other one feels it as well.’

  The medic nodded. ‘I’ve heard about twins who have a rapport with each other in that way. Is your sister hurt, sir?’

  ‘Dying …’

  ‘Oh, dear God!’ James was now as white as his friend. ‘She’s a nurse and is on a hospital ship coming to France. My cousin is also with her.’

  ‘Let’s get you to the sickbay, sir.’ The medic tried to get Lester on his feet, but he refused to move.

  ‘I don’t need medical help,’ he managed to say. ‘I’ll be all right in a minute.’

  ‘Do you know what’s happened?’ James asked urgently.

  ‘You know it doesn’t work like that. All I get are my sister’s feelings. Something bad has happened. Perhaps she’s had an accident.’

  ‘Well, if she has then she’s in the right place to receive the best treatment.’ James tried to sound hopeful, but he didn’t doubt his friend’s feelings. It was uncanny; he had seen it a few times with them, but never with such a violent reaction. He could feel Lester trembling.

  The medic looked equally concerned and beckoned to another
man. He scribbled a note and handed it to him without saying a word. The man read it, nodded, and left the room. Then he ordered strong tea and insisted Lester drink two cups.

  ‘Feeling better?’ James asked.

  Lester looked up. ‘I just feel numb now. Perhaps it was a delayed reaction to that scrap we just had. I thought you were finished for sure; for heaven’s sake be more careful in future.’

  The man the medic had sent on an errand came back and returned the paper. After reading it the medic drew in a deep breath. ‘Nothing?’

  ‘Not yet, sir. I’ll let you know if anything comes through.’

  He nodded and turned back to Lester. ‘I still think you should come to the sickbay, sir. You are very pale and in obvious distress.’

  ‘No, but thank you for your concern. Whatever it was is wearing off now. Just give me a couple of minutes and I’ll be fine.’

  ‘Very well. Try and finish your meal now. I’m here if you need me.’

  ‘Isn’t there a damned piano in this place?’ James exploded, still agitated by his friend’s bad turn.

  ‘Piano?’ The medic was mystified.

  ‘He and his twin sister are musicians. She has a glorious voice …’ His voice broke when he thought of the girl he loved who might be in danger. ‘And Lester is the best damned pianist you’ll ever hear. Playing is his joy and in times of trouble it is what he needs.’

  ‘Don’t upset yourself, sir,’ the medic told James. ‘I know you have both just returned from a dangerous mission and, as your friend said, this might be a delayed reaction. If brother and sister are as close as you say, it would be natural for his thoughts to turn to her.’

  ‘No,’ he insisted firmly. ‘He’s always calm and in control. It would take more than that dicey mission to upset him like this.’

  Lester took a deep breath, lifted his head and drank a glass of water the medic handed him.

  ‘Good, your colour is returning. You are feeling better, sir?’

  ‘Is something wrong with your sister, or are you going down with some illness?’ James interjected.