‘I don’t know. I can’t feel anything. She’s gone.’
‘What do you mean “she’s gone”? Don’t say things like that, Lester, you are frightening the life out of me.’
‘Whatever was making me feel bad has gone – that’s what I mean.’
‘Lillia, Lillia.’ Ruth thrashed about in the water, calling with all the strength she had left. It had all happened so quickly. There had been a huge explosion, and then another and the ship was already tipping onto her side. There had only been time to launch a few lifeboats before the ship went down, and after that there had been no option but to jump from the stricken ship. Had her friend made it? Was she in a lifeboat or the water? She had to find her.
Someone grabbed her. ‘Save your strength, Nurse. Let’s get to that boat over there.’
‘I must find my friend.’ She gasped as a wave swamped her and strong hands pulled her to the surface.
‘Can you swim?’
She was coughing so much all she could do was shake her head.
‘Hold on to me.’
As he towed her towards the boat she could hear people shouting for help. ‘There are others in the water. We must help them.’
‘We will when we are safely on that boat. Now, save your breath and kick your legs.’
With her strength failing she did as ordered. It seemed ages before she was being hauled on board and finally looked at the man who had saved her. He was one of the doctors. ‘Thank you,’ she managed to say.
The small boat was already quite full, but the seaman in charge was determined to pick up as many as he could, and three more lifeboats were doing the same. They found some hanging on to any piece of wreckage they could find to keep afloat, but others were already dead.
With tears running unnoticed down her cheeks, Ruth helped all she could, and continually scanned the sea for her friend. The few boats had joined up, and to her dismay, Lillia was not on any of them.
It had become very quiet now and hope was fading of finding any more alive. The eerie silence was unnerving.
‘There are some boxes floating over there,’ the doctor pointed out.
When they reached the wreckage it didn’t appear as if there were any survivors and they were about to move away when one of the sailors shouted, ‘Go closer. I think I saw something.’
The light was fading and it was difficult to see, but when they reached the spot the man was pointing at, they saw three people hanging on to a large packing case.
One of the survivors raised a hand and when they reached out to pull him aboard, he said, ‘These two first, they are unconscious.’
‘Are they still alive?’ the doctor asked.
‘Think so.’
‘Thank God you came,’ the man gasped when they were all safely on the boat. ‘We wouldn’t have lasted much longer, and my strength was failing. I was trying to keep all three of us above water.’
The doctor and Ruth immediately went to see if the other two were alive, and when they turned the woman over Ruth cried out in distress. ‘Lillia, please be alive.’
The doctor was already checking for a pulse. ‘She is, but if we are not rescued quickly she might not survive. She’s taken a nasty bash on the head and has been in the water for too long.’
Ruth began to try and rub some warmth back in to her friend. ‘She’s so cold. Do we have anything we can cover her with?’
‘We didn’t have time to collect such things, and everything in the boat is wet,’ the sailor explained.
‘All we can do is wait and hope someone got a message out before the ship went down.’ The doctor gave Ruth a grim smile. ‘There are others in a bad way and I need your help, Nurse.’
‘Of course, Doctor.’ Reluctantly she left Lillia. She was still alive, but in these conditions there was very little they could do for her.
Once everyone had been made as comfortable as possible, Ruth gathered her friend in her arms to try and give her some warmth. She dozed on and off, and thought the night would never end. Even more worrying was the fact that Lillia showed no sign of regaining consciousness. There was one thing they were all grateful for, though, the blessing that they hadn’t been carrying wounded. The thought of what would have happened then was too terrible to contemplate.
It had been daylight for some time when a man on lookout shouted and pointed to a dot on the ocean. Everyone in the boat began to shout and wave their arms. One man took off his white shirt, stood up and began to wave it. The same thing was happening in the other boats near them. The ship was coming straight for them but was still no more than the size of a toy.
‘Save your breath,’ a sailor ordered. ‘They can’t hear us yet, but keep on waving.’
Suddenly Ruth felt Lillia move and make a sound. ‘Doctor, I think she’s coming round.’
They sat her up and, although she didn’t open her eyes, she smiled and began to sing, sending a sense of calm over the excited occupants of the small boat.
James was worried. Lester had barely said a word since yesterday and they were about to go on a mission to photograph enemy lines. If his condition didn’t change soon then it might not be safe for him to fly. He went and stood beside his friend who was staring out at the airfield. ‘I can do this on my own,’ he suggested.
‘No need.’ He turned his head and smiled. ‘Whatever happened is over now. I feel fine.’
‘Thank God.’ James sagged in relief. ‘Was it a bad feeling about your sister?’
‘I’m not really sure. We were very in tune when we were younger, but as we’ve got older that intuition, one might call it, has begun to fade. I felt bad and immediately thought it was Lillia in trouble, but it was probably something else that upset me.’
‘I hope so! You frightened the life out of me.’ He slapped his friend on the back. ‘Come on, we’ve got a mission to fly, and don’t you ever do that again.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
For two days, and at great risk to itself, the rescue ship searched for more survivors. While this was going on the crew began to make a list of those rescued, and it soon became apparent that many had died.
‘What a senseless loss of life,’ Ruth raged in her grief. Nurses and doctors they had worked with at the hospital were among the missing. ‘The ship was clearly marked. Why did they attack it?’
‘Perhaps they thought it was carrying arms to France under the guise of a medical ship.’ Lillia was propped up in a bed, warm, comfortable and already recovering. ‘We are alive and that means we will have to work hard to make up for those who have died.’
Ruth nodded. ‘I was frantic when I couldn’t find you, and when we finally dragged you out of the sea I thought you were going to die.’
‘So did I.’
‘It was such a relief when you came round. There was a ship coming towards us and everyone was so excited that the boat was rocking dangerously. You started to sing and that calmed them down. I was so happy, but now we know how many were lost, that happiness seems wrong.’
‘No, it wasn’t. I heard the excited shouting; everyone was happy they were going to be rescued and there’s nothing wrong about that. It was a natural reaction.’
‘I don’t think anyone considered it might be an enemy ship,’ Ruth laughed. ‘We were desperate to get out of those wet, cramped lifeboats and receive proper help for the injured.’
‘You are supposed to be resting,’ the doctor scolded as he arrived in the sickbay. ‘You are going to be needed when we reach the field hospital.’
‘We are already fit enough to work,’ Lillia told him.
‘Hmm.’ He examined her head. ‘Do you know what hit you?’
‘I think I hit something when I jumped off the ship. It was at a crazy angle when I leapt over the side.’
‘Well, you are doing all right. Another day of bed rest and you should be fine, but tell me if you get headaches or blurred vision.’
‘I will.’
He sat on the end of the bed and asked, ‘Do yo
u know why you were singing in the lifeboat?’
‘I heard all the shouting and being confused I thought I was performing in an opera.’
‘Oh, which one?’
‘Madame Butterfly. It is what I was training for before the war began. My brother used to make me sing it until I got it perfect.’
‘They are twins,’ Ruth explained, ‘and excellent musicians.’
‘Really?’ The doctor settled more comfortably, obviously interested. ‘Is your brother a singer as well?’
‘No, he’s a pianist.’ Her expression clouded. ‘I must get word to him. He’ll be so worried.’
‘I don’t suppose the news has broken about the sinking of the ship yet.’
‘He might have felt something. If one of us is sick, hurt or troubled in any way, the other usually knows without being told.’
He frowned and began to take her pulse.
Ruth grinned. ‘It’s quite true. They seem to be tuned in to each other. It can happen sometimes with twins.’
‘So I’ve heard.’ He still looked doubtful. ‘Is your brother in the forces?’
‘He’s a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps, and is in France.’
‘Do you know where in France?’
‘Saint-Omer, or near there.’ She frowned, trying to remember the name of the base. ‘I think he’s at a place called Wizernes Airfield, but I might not have that right.’
The doctor stood up. ‘I’ll go to the wireless room and see if they will send a message.’
‘Would they let you do that?’ she asked eagerly.
‘I’ll say it’s important to your recovery,’ he joked, giving a cheeky wink.
‘My cousin is also there with him. Pilot James Anderson.’
‘Right. I’ll see what I can do.’
As he strode out of the sickbay, Ruth raised her eyebrows to her friend. ‘I do believe our young Doctor Horton has taken a fancy to you. Did I tell you he saved my life?’
Lillia shook her head. ‘We were both very lucky, weren’t we? If it hadn’t been for two courageous men we would have drowned. The man who kept me afloat has popped in a couple of times to see how I am. How do you thank them for your life?’
‘By regaining full health and doing the job we volunteered to do. I’m sure that’s all the thanks they need.’
‘You’re right, of course, but they have lost friends and must be hurting. I just wish there was something I could do to help them.’
‘You could sing for them. Music is very uplifting. The crew of this Royal Navy ship have had the distressing task of searching for everyone who was on our ship – dead or alive – so we won’t be in France until tomorrow. Why don’t you give a little recital after dinner tonight?’
Lillia sat up straight, her eyes alight with interest. ‘Do you think they would like that?’
‘I’m sure they would.’
She began to look doubtful. ‘But I’d have to sing unaccompanied.’
‘There is probably someone on board who can play an instrument of some kind.’ Ruth stood up. ‘I’ll have a word with the captain. He might know who could join you. Will you do it if he agrees?’
‘Yes. I would like to bring a little musical harmony to ease the sadness everyone is feeling.’
‘Good. I’ll see what I can sort out, but you rest now and leave it all to me.’
Lillia had been asleep and was woken by the sound of voices. She opened her eyes and was surprised to see the doctor, captain, her friend and two sailors standing round the bed.
‘Are you sure she is well enough?’ the captain was asking.
‘I am quite fit,’ she replied before the doctor could answer. ‘I can’t wait to get out of this bed and stretch my legs.’
‘I am asking the doctor, young lady, not you,’ the captain scolded. ‘I’m not having you collapsing while you are performing.’
‘I won’t do that, sir.’
He studied her thoughtfully. ‘I must admit it is a good idea, but can you really sing?’
She grabbed a robe, stood up and glared at him. ‘If you are going to insult me then I had better prove to you that I have enough talent to entertain your crew.’
The captain’s mouth twitched at the corners when he saw her reaction, and turned to the doctor. ‘That dunking in the sea hasn’t dulled her spirit, I see.’
‘Not a bit, sir. I believe opera is to be her chosen profession.’
‘Ah, eminently suited to that, I’d say.’
‘When you have finished discussing me, can we get on with this please?’
The captain inclined his head, openly smiling now.
One of the sailors was holding an accordion and the other a harmonica. She tightened the belt of the robe and asked, ‘Do you know any classical music or only the popular tunes?’
‘I can play both,’ the man with the accordion told her, ‘and Fred here is good at improvising. You sing and we’ll follow you as best we can.’
This had all the makings of a disaster, she admitted to herself, and these men thought so too. She would just have to change their minds. Any accompaniment was better than nothing. ‘All right, let’s try one of my favourite arias, and remember we have to impress your captain. I’m a soprano, by the way.’
The sailors grinned, nodded, and waited while she had a drink of water. She began gently, trying out her vocal cords after that spell in the sea, and giving the sailors time to start playing. It was an odd combination, but as soon as she knew they were fairly competent, she relaxed and her lovely voice filled the room. When the last notes faded there was a stunned silence, and Ruth wasn’t the only one wiping away a tear.
Suddenly the other patients in the sickbay were applauding and shouting for more. She smiled and did as elegant a curtsy as possible in an oversized robe. Then she thanked the sailors, and turned her attention to the captain, waiting for his response. She was quite pleased her voice hadn’t suffered too much, but would the captain think it was good enough?
‘Good heavens, you should be on the concert stage.’
‘That is where I intend to be as soon as this dreadful war is over. Do I have your permission to sing for everyone tonight, Captain?’
‘You do, and I will see that as many men as possible can attend.’
‘What about us?’ one of the injured called.
‘We could broadcast it over the ship’s system,’ a sailor suggested. ‘Then everyone will be able to hear.’
‘Even the U-Boats will hear a voice like that,’ another remarked.
The captain smiled at the man who had spoken. ‘By nightfall we shall be docked, ready to disembark in the morning. Save me a front-row seat,’ he ordered before turning to leave.
Ruth was practically jumping with excitement. ‘This is just what everyone needs – something to take their minds off this disaster for a while. I’ll go and set up a suitable place.’
‘Grab some chairs,’ Lillia told the two sailors. ‘We need to decide on a programme.’
‘Don’t overdo it, Nurse,’ the doctor warned, but he was smiling. ‘Oh, and by the way, a message is on its way to your brother.’
‘That is kind of you, and such a relief. Thank you so much.’
‘My pleasure.’ He bent close to her ear. ‘That was brave of you to put the captain in his place.’ Then he walked away laughing softly.
For the next hour they worked out a programme to include classical and popular songs of the day so everyone could have a sing-song. ‘You have been a great help,’ she told the musicians. ‘I will see you at nine o’clock, but now I must rest.’
Before drifting off to sleep her thoughts went out to her brother. If you were here, what a concert we would give the troubled people on this ship.
‘You look lovely.’ Ruth took a final look at her friend.
‘Liar. I look a mess,’ she laughed. ‘But at least the ship’s laundry has done a good job with our uniforms. I would have thought they were beyond saving.’
‘Are you going to b
e all right?’ Ruth was suddenly worried about this idea of hers. ‘I wish your brother was here.’
‘So do I, but he isn’t, so remove that frown from your face. I am quite well enough and looking forward to the concert. Come on, we mustn’t keep them waiting. Have you got your introduction ready?’
‘The captain is doing that.’
‘Oh, goody, that should be interesting. I’m still not sure he is really in favour of this concert.’
The room they had set up was crowded. All the seats were taken and some of the crew were sitting on the floor. The two musicians were waiting for her with broad grins on their faces. She walked to the front, acknowledging the polite applause.
After the introduction, which was surprisingly complimentary, she began with a gentle lullaby and then on to the more classical pieces. At the end she sang popular songs and encouraged everyone to sing along. At the end she received a standing ovation, and although she was exhausted, it did her heart good to see so many smiling faces around her.
Doctor Horton pushed his way through the crowd, wanting to speak to her and took hold of her arm. ‘I’m sorry, gentlemen, but Nurse Holdsworth must rest now. She is still recovering from an injury.’
She stumbled as he led her back to sickbay. ‘That was wonderful and just the kind of lift we all needed. You gave your all and now you must sleep. You can hardly stand up.’
‘I am very tired, but it was worth it to see happy faces again.’
‘Ah, there you are. I’ve been looking for you.’ The radio operator sat at the table where James and Lester were enjoying a cup of tea before retiring for the night. ‘Where have you been?’
‘We went into the town,’ James told him. ‘What’s up?’
‘I have a message for both of you.’ He produced a slip of paper covered in scribble.
Lester peered at it and shook his head. ‘You had better read it to us. That is illegible.’
‘I had to get it down quickly as it was Morse code from a ship. The message reads, “Hospital ship sunk four days ago. Lillia and Ruth safe”.’
When the Music Stopped Page 16