Wives of War

by Soraya M. Lane

  A huge booming noise rang out, making every hair on Lucy’s body stand on end as she froze. It was followed by shots – noises that she didn’t recognise. Was it a bomb? Was it—

  ‘Take cover!’

  Lucy ran fast, blindly escaping from a danger that could just as easily have been in front of her without her realising. When she looked back, the clouds of smoke were even thicker and she could see that the red was becoming more intense, that her eyes hadn’t been deceiving her.

  And then she moved straight into work mode, pushed the fear and terror aside and made herself do what she’d been trained to do. This was what she’d wanted, and she wasn’t going to let anyone down. Orderlies were frantically erecting the canvas tents, setting up their hospital and making it useable. It was an army of movement, things happening everywhere, and they simply had to do whatever they could. They’d only just arrived, just come in to shore on a boat that had brought them from England, and already they were in the middle of war.

  Dear God, if you can hear me, please spare the nurses. Keep us safe from harm. Without us, our boys will never make it home. Amen. Her lips moved but the prayer was silent. Unlike her heart, which was beating so loud she was certain it could be heard even over the shelling happening so close to where she was standing.

  ‘Incoming!’

  Lucy’s instant reaction was to drop, until she heard the next words that were yelled from somewhere nearby.

  ‘First ambulance is here!’

  This was it.

  Lucy was so tired she could hardly drag her feet to keep walking, but she gritted her teeth and made herself keep going. She glanced at her watch, saw that it had been almost twelve hours since they’d arrived in Normandy, and she hadn’t stopped, not for a moment. There was no time; her sitting down to catch her breath or look for something to eat could mean a soldier died. Someone’s son, brother, husband . . . Tears filled her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. She was overtired, that was all. The day had been overwhelming and terrifying and she hadn’t had a quiet minute to digest where she was and what they were facing. She pushed it all down, refusing to give in to her feelings. The only way to go was forward, that was what she needed to tell herself.

  ‘Are you feeling all right?’

  She looked up, bewildered for a moment, the weight of the other nurse’s hand on her arm calming her.

  ‘Of course. Just tired,’ she admitted, pushing her slumped shoulders back. ‘And you? How are you?’ she asked, wanting to repay the kindness of someone taking a moment to ask after her. ‘Can I assist you?’

  The older nurse smiled kindly and they started to walk together. ‘We’ve taken six hundred patients already. Keep up the good work.’

  She nodded and took the bandages she was carrying to a doctor. The soldier he was treating started to scream, and when Lucy looked down at him more closely her body froze. His face was badly burnt, the skin red raw, like a piece of bloodied meat across one side, and yet his other cheek was clean-shaven. Perfect still, aside from a blur of dirt.

  ‘Cut his trouser off and dress his leg wound,’ the doctor ordered.

  Lucy did as she was told, refusing to panic when this young man needed her so badly. She reached behind for scissors and swiftly cut off what was left of his trouser leg, taking away the bandage that had hastily been put there. His bone was exposed, the leg as gruesome as his face.

  ‘Doctor, should we . . . ?’ Her voice trailed off.

  ‘Patch him up as best you can. Air evacuation.’

  The doctor disappeared, leaving her to do what she could. Lucy reached for more bandages, but as she turned back a hand closed around her wrist. It was only for a moment. She glanced down. The touch had been so soft she wondered for a second if she’d imagined it. And then she saw something on the ground, a photo of a young woman.

  ‘Is this yours?’ she asked, bending to retrieve it, looking down at the soldier and refusing to turn away from his monster-like face, to give him the respect he deserved. ‘She’s beautiful. I’ll get you out of here and back to her just as soon as I can.’

  The noise under the canvas tent was indescribable: shelling outside, trucks pulling up, ambulances, the volume of people in one tiny space. Soldiers were moaning and screaming in pain, doctors were yelling and nurses were running madly in all directions. But Lucy pushed the noise away, focused on doing the best she could for the man on the bed in front of her.

  ‘Sir,’ she said, not sure if he was quiet because of the morphine or trying hard to be brave.

  She’d finished the bandaging and touched her hand to his chest where she’d placed his photo.

  ‘Sir?’

  ‘Nurse! Here!’

  She hesitated, didn’t respond immediately to the call. Instead she bent, listened for his breath, hand still flat to his chest.

  He was gone.

  Lucy straightened, tears sliding silently down her cheeks. She wondered if her heart was slowly breaking, whether such a thing was even possible. In less than a day, she’d seen more men die than she could ever have imagined. She wondered if this was why her mother had silently agreed with her father, never interrupted when he had made it so clear that women shouldn’t be doctors, and that she’d never have the stomach or strength to be a nurse on the front line. But she refused to think of caring as being weak. It should hurt to lose a patient, and she refused to think any other way, no matter how painful it was.

  ‘Ambulance hit!’

  Lucy heard the boom of gunfire before the call, dropping the bandages she was holding, ready to run. She was close to the entrance, to where the ambulances were arriving. She held her breath, terrified of what she was about to see. As she emerged, there was smoke everywhere, thick and acrid. She held her hand to her mouth, started to cough, choke, until the smoke began to slowly clear like fog – and then she simply froze.

  The ambulance had been hit; she could see the vehicle on its side through the haze, not so far from where she was standing. But it was the woman’s body on the ground near her that made her stop moving, made her scream silently, filling her own head with a piercing noise even though she knew no sound came from her mouth.

  ‘We’ve lost nurses!’ came a shout.

  Lucy only took a moment to gather herself, thinking nothing of her own life, of the danger facing her, as she sprinted forward. She bent, turned the young, motionless nurse over, her tin hat discarded, blonde hair etched with blood.

  ‘Help!’ Lucy screamed.

  It felt like a lifetime even though she knew it was only minutes, as she held the hand of the other nurse, staring into eyes that were slowly starting to focus. And then there were men around her: doctors, orderlies, she didn’t know. She did her best to help lift the other woman, ran alongside them and into the hospital as the noise of gunfire echoed around them. She cringed at the sound of an explosion. Would she ever make it home alive?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Scarlet

  Sussex

  ‘If I have to march again or crawl through barbed wire, I’m going to scream.’

  Scarlet laughed at Ellie’s moan, but the truth was she felt the same. They’d scaled ropes, marched for what felt like hours, been trained in self-defence and slept on the ground. She knew that once they were stationed somewhere, they were going to have to deal with tiring conditions, but for now it seemed unnecessary. Besides, they’d all already endured so much training before arriving here. Never in a million years had she imagined doing anything like this; it was so far removed from the life she knew it was laughable. Anyone who’d known her at home never would have believed what she was truly capable of. Even though she knew some of her friends would be stepping outside their comfort zones to help in factories or the local Red Cross, none of them would be doing anything like what she’d volunteered for.

  ‘We’ll be well prepared for anything,’ Scarlet replied, instead of sharing her own concerns.

  ‘I say we run away and find that place with the hot baths.’
<
br />   Scarlet knew exactly what Ellie was talking about. They’d been in Sussex four days now, and some of the other nurses had already visited the surrounding farms. Rumour had it that an old retired colonel was taking pity on some of the nurses and offering hot water, and she was tempted to go and find out herself whether it was true or not.

  ‘Before dinner?’ Scarlet asked.

  Ellie nodded. ‘Maybe he’ll feed us, too. Would have to be better than the slop we get here.’

  Scarlet shuddered just thinking about the food they’d been eating. The poor cooks had to make four meals a day for them – but on normal civilian rations, it was almost impossible.

  ‘I’m dreaming of eggs. And chicken. And fruit,’ Scarlet muttered.

  ‘Oooh and tea with fresh milk and sugar.’

  Scarlet shut her eyes, almost able to taste it. ‘Stop teasing me. I can’t stand even thinking about food.’

  ‘Dinner will be served promptly at six o’clock,’ Matron barked at them.

  ‘I think we all know that already,’ Ellie muttered loudly.

  Scarlet waited for them to be reprimanded, but it seemed they hadn’t been heard, and soon they were trooping off after the other nurses. When they reached their tent they both retrieved their towels and toiletries, tucking them into tight balls under their arms.

  ‘Are we going to ask anyone to join us?’ Scarlet asked.

  ‘No way. Come on.’

  Scarlet followed Ellie’s lead, keeping her head down, not wanting to catch any of the other nurses’ eyes. They’d made some lovely friends, often chatting to many of the other women, but if they were going to have any chance of a bath, it was better if there were only two of them.

  ‘Cathy said he is a kindly older man, and he fetched water for them straight away.’

  ‘Sometimes I wonder if they’re just teasing us. The thought of hot water . . .’ Scarlet sighed, not bothering to finish her sentence. ‘I think it’s what I miss the most. I can’t decide whether it’s decent food or being scrubbed clean.’

  The countryside was beautiful. With the oak trees swaying gently high above them, and the green grass stretching as far as they could see, it was almost impossible to believe they were at war. That their men were away fighting, dying; that they were going to be stationed somewhere so different, so soon.

  Ellie walked along beside her, and when Scarlet glanced over she saw that her friend was looking around, too, probably thinking the same thing. It was somehow so idyllic in the midst of such chaos. They kept moving through a more forested area and over a fence that divided the properties.

  ‘Are you ladies lost?’ a deep, well-spoken man’s voice said from nowhere.

  Scarlet jumped and grabbed hold of Ellie’s wrist. A soldier was leaning against a tree, boots crossed as he lit up a cigarette. His uniform made it clear that he was a commanding officer. He was watching them, squinting into the sun, one side of his mouth turned up in a smile.

  ‘No, not lost,’ Scarlet replied, chin up, refusing to let him see what a fright he’d given her.

  Ellie gently tugged on her wrist and Scarlet folded her arms for something to do.

  ‘I’m guessing that you’re looking for a house that gives pretty nurses hot baths?’

  Ellie laughed and that made the soldier laugh, too. Scarlet tried hard to keep a straight face.

  ‘Are we that easy to read?’ she asked.

  He grinned again, and he seemed so at ease that Scarlet softened, letting herself smile back. She didn’t know why she’d been so taken aback in the first place. He was handsome and friendly, and she needed to relax more. Things were different here from what she was used to back home.

  ‘I hate to tell you, but you’re second in line already,’ he said, pushing off from the tree and stepping forward. ‘Another two nurses scurried past earlier, but I’m sure they’ll be almost done.’

  ‘Are you just standing here on nurse watch then?’ Ellie asked, swapping glances with Scarlet, her eyebrows raised.

  ‘No, I’m keeping an eye out for deserters. You aren’t one of those, are you?’

  ‘There are people running away?’ Scarlet asked. ‘Surely not here!’

  ‘Just joking. I’m on a twenty-four-hour pass, and I’ve been scrounging for some decent food. The folk around here are pretty kind to soldiers. I offer to chop wood or do some odd jobs, and just like that I’m eating again.’

  ‘What kind of food?’ Ellie asked, moving towards him. Scarlet did the same, staying close to her friend but feeling more relaxed even though she’d never spent a lot of time with strange men before.

  ‘Just some fruit. A little bread,’ he said with a shrug. ‘One lady cooked me an egg.’

  Scarlet couldn’t help but smile at the sweet expression on his face. She would love to eat anything half-decent right now, and fruit would be heavenly. ‘How did it taste?’ she asked, quickly looking away when he caught her gaze.

  ‘After months without it?’ There was a twinkle in his eye that made her want to look away for good, made her uncomfortable and drew her to him all at the same time. Why was he spending so much time looking at her instead of Ellie? ‘Like heaven on earth.’

  ‘I think you need to escort us to this place,’ Ellie announced, linking her arm through his like she’d known him for ever and it was the most natural thing in the world for her to do, even though he was still smiling at Scarlet, his gaze trained on her eyes. ‘How about you take a couple of tired nurses to the house with all the food?’

  The soldier laughed, gallantly holding out his other arm to Scarlet. His eyes dipped to her mouth for a moment, before returning to her eyes, and she felt a hot flush grace her cheeks.

  ‘Come on. It’s only proper for a gentleman to escort you both safely. I promise I’ll look after you.’

  She took his arm gingerly, not as sure as Ellie, but hearing in his well-heeled accent that he clearly thought it his duty to look after them. She only hoped he wasn’t fooling them.

  ‘I’m dying for a bath,’ Ellie moaned.

  He turned to Scarlet again, almost ignoring Ellie. ‘And you? You must be missing the comforts of home, too.’

  ‘I think I’d rather a bath than food,’ Scarlet admitted, certain that he’d already figured out that she was missing luxuries more than her friend, her accent surely giving her away.

  ‘Perhaps you lovely ladies could bathe, and I’ll try to rustle you up something to eat. Although I might need you to join me if I’m going to make anyone believe that the extra food is for nurses and not me.’

  ‘I’m Ellie,’ Ellie said, ignoring his suggestion and leaning forward, giving Scarlet a stern look that she couldn’t decipher. She sighed as if she was waiting for Scarlet to do something.

  Scarlet realised Ellie had been prompting her to introduce herself, but the soldier had her rattled. She had to admit that he was handsome. His hair was dark and thick, his cheeks clean-shaven. He had a golden hue to his skin, no doubt from hours being under the sun since he’d joined up, and when he smiled at them his eyes crinkled just a little at the sides.

  ‘You know, soldier, you haven’t even told us your name,’ Ellie said.

  Scarlet smiled to herself, wishing she was as confident as Ellie.

  ‘How rude. I’m James,’ he said. ‘It’s my pleasure to meet you both.’

  Scarlet stared at the man whose arm she was holding, wishing she could stop studying his features. Now that he’d stopped staring at her, she was doing the same back to him.

  ‘Well, James, this here is Scarlet. She seems to have lost her voice.’

  Scarlet reluctantly kept hold of his arm even though she was feeling uncomfortable about being so close to him. She shouldn’t be liking his smile or his eyes, or losing her words. She was engaged to Thomas, and that meant she should be immune to the charms of other men, surely!

  ‘Well, m’ladies, we’ll be at the house shortly. Perhaps you’ll permit me to escort you to the doorstep.’

  James turned, a wid
e smile on his face, Ellie still attached to his other arm.

  Scarlet giggled. She couldn’t help it. It was like speaking to one of the boys from home. ‘Thank you. It’s very kind of you to spend your precious free time escorting us to this house,’ she said.

  His smile made heat flush her skin again.

  ‘So, who’s going first for the bath, and who’s going to sit out here and keep me company?’ James asked, grinning.

  ‘Me!’ Ellie announced, swinging away from him. ‘I’m first, which means you can enjoy chatting to my beautiful friend.’

  Scarlet was ready to kill her now. ‘Ellie!’ she hissed. She had better not tease her about the soldier once he was gone.

  ‘You young ladies looking for a hot bath?’ an old man called from his front doorstep nearby. Scarlet thought the big brick house looked like it had seen better days.

  ‘Yes, please!’ Ellie called back. Then in a quieter voice, ‘I’ll leave you two to have fun. See you soon!’

  Scarlet watched as Ellie ran towards the house, scared of turning and looking into the eyes of the man who was making her body betray her. Why did she keep flushing hot and cold, and why did he keep giving her such a look, as if he knew exactly what effect he was having on her?

  ‘You know, it’s nice to hear a familiar voice,’ he said, smiling, and somehow managing to make her relax a little. ‘Meeting you has made me feel like I’m back at home, which was unexpected. Almost like I’m at one of those interminable dances my mother made me go to, only a whole lot nicer.’

  She smiled. ‘I know exactly what you mean.’ The familiarity between them was reassuring.

  ‘So, how are you enjoying Sussex?’ he asked, dropping down to the dry grass and beckoning for her to do the same.

  She did, but she purposely sat further away from him, keeping her distance. She forced a smile even though she was nervous.