The District Nurse

by Annie Groves

‘Hey.’ He caught her hand in his. She looked down and could see the wounded knuckles. ‘You weren’t really worried, were you? I didn’t mean to frighten you. We had to do it; we couldn’t let him get away with hurting Kath like that.’

  ‘No, I know.’ Edith realised that if she wasn’t careful she might cry. The effort of hiding her anxiety inside for most of the evening was beginning to tell. ‘It was the waiting around, that’s all.’ She shivered.

  ‘Are you cold?’ he said at once. ‘You must be, you’ve been standing out here with only that cardigan thing to keep you warm. Shall I walk you home?’

  ‘It’s not closing time yet, don’t you want to go into the pub?’ she asked.

  He gave her a rueful grin. ‘No, I might give that a miss. Someone’s bound to see my shirt and get the wrong idea.’

  Edith nodded. She didn’t want him to get into trouble, not now he’d returned without any major injury to himself. She also realised that Mary would walk home with them and they’d lose any chance to have a moment to themselves. ‘You came in by the back gate,’ she said. ‘Where does that lead?’

  As if following her thoughts, Harry nodded. ‘It opens onto an alley, at the back of some gardens. Come, I’ll show you.’

  Quietly they made their way past the others in the beer garden and out of the gate, until they were standing on a narrow path that ran beside a set of railings, under a tree which filtered the streetlight and the light from the moon which had now risen. She could make out the shape of his face, partly covered in shadow. He drew her to him.

  ‘Mind the blood,’ she whispered, but she didn’t really care. It was all she wanted, to be in his strong arms, feeling safer than she’d ever known, and sensing somehow that this was where she belonged. They stood there while the shapes thrown by the moonlight changed, the lawn on the other side of the railing now glistening with dew, a few birds calling. He breathed into her hair and stroked her back through the thin bolero and cotton of her cream frock. ‘I didn’t want you to worry,’ he repeated. ‘I never want to make you upset, Edith. I’d do anything not to do that. I just want you to be happy.’

  She rested her head against his chest, which was warm through the blue shirt. ‘You make me happy,’ she murmured. ‘You do, Harry Banham.’ She held him tight around his waist and thought how well he fitted, how well their bodies suited each other. She sighed, knowing she had to get back, wishing this moment could last for ever.

  ‘Ready to go?’ Again he seemed to read her thoughts.

  ‘I’d better.’ She looked up at him in the moonlit shadows and he bent to kiss her gently, and then more passionately, before eventually she broke away, a little breathless.

  ‘Come on then.’ He smiled and held fast to her hand.

  ‘We’d better fetch Mary,’ she said, not wanting to leave her friend to make her own way home.

  ‘Of course,’ he said gallantly, pushing open the back gate to the beer garden and waving at their group.

  They hastily said their goodbyes and headed back down the terraced street, Edith mindful of the ten o’clock curfew. They might just make it. She’d taken the precaution of leaving a lower window slightly open in case they had to climb in, but it was so much easier to go in the usual way, especially as there were two of them. She felt as if she’d had enough excitement for one night.

  Mary chatted on, oblivious, and Harry made all the right noises in the right places, as if he were listening to every word she said. Edith was sure he wasn’t. She felt as if every nerve of his being was attuned to her, just as every cell of her body was alert to his every movement. Something had irrevocably changed in her and it was because of him. Walking along the darkened streets, she knew that whatever happened in the future, in some deep way that she could not quite name, she was now connected to Harry Banham, wherever that might take her.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  ‘You cut it very fine yesterday evening, Miss Gillespie,’ said Gwen at breakfast the next morning. ‘You seem to be making a habit of it. Don’t think I haven’t noticed. One further transgression and you’re in even deeper trouble than before.’ She gave Edith a sharp look. Edith, who’d had very little sleep as she’d been so wound up by yesterday’s events, just shrugged. Gwen could have no formal cause for complaint as she and Mary had come through the front door at three minutes to ten, trying not to make any noise as they did so. Gwen obviously had extremely acute powers of hearing.

  Alice, at Edith’s side, wasn’t sure what had happened, as she’d fallen asleep before her friend came home and for once Edith hadn’t gone straight in to wake her. She just smiled politely as she set her tray down and waited for the older woman to pass by. Gwen stacked her used plate and cutlery ready to be washed and left, shooting another look at Edith over her shoulder.

  ‘What was all that about?’ Alice demanded as soon as she had vanished through the door.

  ‘She’s making a fuss over nothing as usual,’ Edith said, spreading marmalade on her toast. ‘You’d be proud of me, Alice. We got back just in time. So, she can’t complain. We were quiet as mice and stone-cold sober, models of good behaviour in fact.’

  ‘Really?’ Alice wasn’t convinced.

  ‘Well, nearly.’ Edith flashed a grin. ‘It was quite an evening.’

  ‘How?’ Alice took a bite from her own toast, and listened as Edith explained. Somehow she wasn’t surprised, even though she felt very uneasy about Harry and his friends taking matters into their own hands like that. As a Londoner, part of her understood the urge to protect someone they thought of as one of their own, while the other side of her recoiled from the violence. ‘And Joe was in the pub with you, did you say? He didn’t join in?’

  ‘No, he stayed with us,’ Edith said. ‘Why, do you think it makes him a coward? I don’t think that was it at all. Harry said he thought it was a big risk and they could make things worse if they weren’t careful. He’s probably more sensible, to be honest.’

  ‘No, I don’t think he’s a coward,’ Alice said.

  ‘But you don’t know him that well, do you?’ Edith asked. ‘You only met him that one time in the park … that’s right, isn’t it?’ She came to a halt at the look on her friend’s face. ‘Alice, is there something you haven’t told me?’ Her expression darkened.

  Alice shifted awkwardly in the hard-backed chair. She’d chosen to say nothing about the book because there was nothing much to say, but now she realised that by not mentioning it at all it seemed as if she was hiding something – the very opposite of what she’d intended. ‘It’s not really anything,’ she said hurriedly. ‘I met Joe again when I was visiting a patient, the postman – you remember? It turns out he works with Joe, who came over to see how he was. He said he’d lend me a book, which he sent round. That’s all. There’s really no more to it.’

  Edith frowned. ‘Then why didn’t you say? Here am I, meeting up with Harry, and all the while you’ve been seeing his brother behind my back. Now I feel like a complete fool. He even asked after you last night – asked what you were reading! He knew all the while and he’s going to think I’m an idiot. Thanks a bunch. Some friend you are.’ She pushed her plate away, the toast only half eaten.

  ‘Edie! Don’t be like that.’ Alice’s voice was full of regret. ‘Honestly, I’m not seeing him – not like that. He’s not sweet on me or anything. He just lent me a book. It was only because he knew Harry had taken you to see the film. We’d probably never even have mentioned it otherwise.’

  Edith looked sceptical, unsure whether to believe her friend or not. If it had been anyone else, the whole thing would have sounded unlikely – a man didn’t go round putting himself out like that if he didn’t like the girl in question. But Alice was usually honest to a fault, and Edith knew all too well that she genuinely had little interest in finding herself a young man. She’d been hurt too badly before. She sighed. ‘But you could have told me. It seems very odd otherwise.’

  Alice nodded miserably. ‘I can see what you mean now. I didn’t
mean it to look that way. It’s just you were so very keen on Harry, I didn’t want to make it seem as if I had someone too. It’s nothing like the same thing. You do still like him, don’t you?’

  Edith sighed in turn, picked up her knife and turned it around before putting it back on her plate. ‘Yes. Even after last night – well, almost especially after last night.’ She raised her gaze to meet Alice’s. ‘When I knew he’d gone after Ray and that there was a chance he’d get hurt, or picked up by the police, or something – I couldn’t bear it. I’ve never felt like that before. I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to him. Does that sound daft? He’s not just some fellow I’ve met in a dance hall and had a bit of fun with. It’s different with him.’ She blushed. ‘It’s as if we belong together.’

  ‘Oh, Edie.’ Alice’s heart went out to her friend. ‘Does he feel the same? Have you told him?’

  Edie made a little face. ‘I’ve only just got to know him. I don’t want to seem too serious too soon. That puts a man off, we both know that. But I think he likes me.’ She blinked. ‘I just want the time to get to know him better. He’s asked me to go to see him boxing in a few weeks.’

  ‘A proper match, you mean?’

  ‘Yes, he says I’ll be his good-luck charm. Do you think I should go? Will you come too?’

  ‘Maybe Mary would enjoy it more,’ said Alice diplomatically. It wasn’t a sport she enjoyed. ‘As for whether you should go, that’s up to you, isn’t it? If you want to go, then go.’

  ‘I think he’d like me to be there,’ said Edith, uncharacte‌ristically shy.

  Alice took another quick mouthful of toast. ‘Then you should go. If the thought of watching him hitting someone else and getting hit back doesn’t put you off.’

  Edith laughed. ‘I know you don’t like it. But at least with a proper match there’s a referee and everything. It can’t possibly be as bad as knowing he’s gone looking for a fight in the street and anything could happen.’ She shuddered.

  ‘But he’s back in one piece,’ Alice reminded her. ‘Don’t think about it any more, Edie. It’s upsetting you.’

  Edith nodded. ‘Oh, Alice. I don’t want him to be hurt. He’s special, he really is. Are you sure you won’t come to watch him? Promise me you’ll at least think about it?’

  Alice hesitated, and then reluctantly nodded, realising that her friend had fallen hard for this young man. This was going to be different. She wondered if it would change their friendship, but it was too soon to tell.

  ‘He seems like a nice man,’ she said seriously. ‘But, I’d best be off now. Look at the time – I’m late already.’

  ‘Late?’ echoed Edith. ‘For what?’

  Alice grinned. ‘I’ve got a book to return.’

  Harry raised his arms in triumph. It was the best moment of his life – his biggest win, in front of his largest-ever audience. Everyone was roaring his name, stamping and clapping, and out of the corner of his eye he could see Edith, along with her friends Alice and Mary. It added an extra-special something to know she was there, cheering him on. His heart swelled.

  ‘Congratulations.’ Now the officials and dignitaries were in the ring, all keen to shake his hand, give him praise and accolades. He greeted them in turn without taking in their names. That must be the mayor – he wore a large gold chain of office. The lights and the noise were dazzling. Harry knew he should be feeling exhausted after the tough fight but he was riding on a wave of euphoria. He never wanted this moment to end. It was what he’d trained for, making all the early starts and weekend workouts worthwhile. He was about to hit the big time, if he played his cards right.

  Still buzzing with the excitement and adrenaline, he allowed himself to be led backstage, to where still more men crowded around, eager to congratulate him. The photographer from the local paper was there and snapped him with the mayor. The president of the local club came to stand beside them and there were more photographs. It took a long time for the uproar to subside, as the dignitaries were ushered back into the main hall, and the people slowly thinned out. He glimpsed Joe making his way through the door and across to him.

  ‘Well done.’ His brother gave him a bear hug. Joe of all people knew the work that had gone into this, all the nights in the pub Harry had turned down, the family occasions he’d missed, been late for or left early. ‘You deserved to win. The other fellow was tough but you were better.’

  ‘I was, wasn’t I.’ Harry knew this was true. The right man had won on the night, and it was him.

  ‘Aren’t you dying to sit down and have a drink?’ Joe asked. ‘I would be.’

  ‘No,’ Harry protested. ‘Not yet. I couldn’t sit still if you paid me. Where are the girls? Where’s Edith?’ He looked around as if she might have come in without his noticing.

  Joe laughed. ‘What, do you think she’s in here with you all sweaty and horrible?’

  Harry looked down at his torso and shook his head. ‘No, you’re right, of course not. This is no place for ladies. You haven’t left them alone out there, have you?’

  ‘Don’t worry, Billy’s with them,’ Joe reassured him. ‘If you get changed then you can soak up their admiration in person. Hurry up, aren’t you meant to put on something warm after all that?’

  ‘Don’t fuss.’ Harry couldn’t help but notice that Joe was still acting like the big brother who had had a lifetime of being told to look after his siblings. Old habits died hard – even when the younger brother had just won a major boxing championship and was taller and in far better shape. ‘I won’t catch my death of cold, you don’t have to worry. You can pass me that towel if you’re that bothered.’

  Joe reached for the huge towel that hung on a hook on the back of the door. As he lifted it off, the door began to swing open again and a man who was maybe in his late thirties, dressed in army uniform, came in.

  ‘Congratulations, Mr Banham.’ The man strode confidently forward, arm outstretched, and shook hands with Harry. ‘That was as impressive a display of prowess as I’ve ever seen, I don’t mind admitting.’

  ‘Thank you,’ said Harry, draping himself in the towel, wondering what this man wanted.

  ‘I used to box myself a bit, and I can see you’re very competent,’ the man went on. ‘There are plenty of talented young men who can land a punch but you fight with your brain as well as your body. It’s surprisingly rare, and you’re not very old, are you?’

  ‘Twenty-one,’ said Harry.

  ‘Still plenty of time to improve even further, then,’ said the man. ‘I’m so sorry, I haven’t introduced myself. James Ingham. Major James Ingham.’

  Both brothers stared at the details of the uniform, suddenly aware of the stature of their guest. Joe recovered first.

  ‘Joseph Banham, older brother of the champ here,’ he said, offering his own hand.

  ‘You must be very proud,’ said Major Ingham. ‘Don’t let me interrupt you – I can see I’ve come in at a bad moment.’

  ‘No, not at all …’Harry began.

  ‘You need your time to gather yourself after a bout, I know that only too well,’ the major went on. ‘Don’t underestimate the body’s need for that. You take your time but I should like to buy you a drink in the bar afterwards, if you’ll allow me. Both of you, that is. And any special guests you might have,’ he continued smoothly, as if this was only to be expected. ‘I’ll wait for you there.’ He turned and left the room before either of them could object.

  Harry was thinking. ‘Ingham … James Ingham … and he’s what, fifteen or more years older than me … God, Joe, you know who that is, don’t you?’

  Joe shook his head. ‘He’s a major in the army, he told us that much.’

  Harry looked to the ceiling. ‘It’s only bleeding Jimmy Ingham. He was inter-services champion about ten years ago. He’s boxing royalty. Joe, that was Jimmy Ingham, I can’t believe it.’

  ‘And he thought you were good,’ said Joe. ‘Even better, he wants to buy us a drink. Come on, get you
r skates on. You can’t go out there and mix with the great and the good if you’re all sweaty with your hair sticking up, and anyway Edith will be wanting to congratulate you.’ He gave his brother a wink.

  Harry grinned. ‘You might get a smile yourself of her mate, Alice, thanks to me. You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Joe?’

  Joe playfully punched his big little brother on the arm. ‘Mind your own business and don’t be cheeky. C’mon, let’s get out there, before some other spivs get there before us.’

  Edith’s eyes shone with pride at Harry’s achievement. It was as if he’d done it just for her, even though she knew that wasn’t really true. Still, he’d been adamant he wanted her there and she felt that might have just made the difference. She hadn’t known what to expect of the fight itself and at first she’d been nervous, flinching every time his opponent had landed a punch on Harry, worried he’d be permanently hurt. Yet, as the bout had gone on, she could begin to appreciate how good he was, how fast his footwork, the sheer power in his arms. She felt a keen sense of delight that those were the arms which had held her close, shielding her from the outside world.

  Billy led the three young women over to the bar area in response to the message he’d just received. ‘Through here, ladies,’ he said gallantly, making way for them to pass unimpeded. Mary gazed around, fascinated, her arm linked through Edith’s, basking in the reflected glory of being part of the new champion’s inner circle. She’d put her hair up for the occasion and put on her best summer coat, over a dress with a deeper neckline than she usually wore. She was pleased to see she was attracting plenty of notice.

  Alice followed slightly behind, feeling awkward. It wasn’t the sort of place she could be comfortable in, and yet she could see that Harry was good. Possibly more than good. She could sense how proud Edith was of him, and Joe too, even though she hadn’t had much of a chance to speak to him yet. During the fight it had been too noisy, and afterwards he had been swept up with all the crowds trying to talk to his triumphant brother.