‘It seems unfair to spring it on her. We should tell her the news before we go to any tea party.’
He considered the matter for a moment and then said decisively, ‘You’re probably right. I’ll telegram once we get to Port Said.’
Port Said was where the east would finally be left behind and where they would set their face westwards towards a new life. Grayson, it seemed, was following the same train of thought. ‘She’s already talking of finding a different flat for me. She doesn’t think Spence’s Road is the right address to welcome a respectable young woman. And, if I know anything of my mother, once she gets that telegram, she’ll be growing wings to fly around London. There won’t be a stone or a room that stays unturned. Prepare yourself—she can be exhausting.’
‘I won’t mind as long as she’s happy for us. We’ll go and see her as soon as we reach London—unless you have to report to Baker Street straight away.’
‘I’m sure I can wangle a few days’ leave. And you’re as free as a bird. Brighton is but a distant memory. I wonder if your old matron is still fulminating.’
‘Quite possibly. She was a good fulminator.’
‘To little effect though. You’ll have the pick of the jobs in London, and there’s plenty of time for you to look around and choose something you’re really set on.’
She didn’t say anything and she felt him glance quickly down at her. ‘You are going back to nursing? You’re not going to let one spiteful woman hound you out of the profession?’
‘No,’ she said a little uncertainly. ‘Not for ever. I’ll go back eventually.’
‘You’ll soon find a hospital that won’t care whether you’re married or not. So why not now?’ He was looking puzzled. ‘You’ve always loved nursing.’
‘There’s something I shall love more. Make sure your mother looks for a two-bedroom flat. The second room need only be small.’
She could see his mind working rapidly. There was the click of recognition, then the most joyful smile spread across his face. His arms went around her and he jumped her up and down. Several of their fellow passengers smiled at his exuberance.
‘Hush, Grayson. Put me down this minute.’
He set her gently on her feet, then stood with his arm around her waist, as they watched the enormous golden circle of sun slip inch by inch into the vastness of the ocean. With its disappearance, the air freshened and he hugged her closer.
‘We’ll come back to India. And we’ll bring him with us.’
‘Yes,’ she said, ‘we’ll bring her with us.’
‘We’ll bring them both,’ he laughed.
‘But all in good time.’
A shoal of flying fish chased across the bow of the ship, scattering small droplets of water. They watched as the sea gradually regained its glass-like surface. He bent his head and she felt his kiss skim her hair and brush the nape of her neck.
‘And time is what we have,’ he said. ‘Do you know that from the very first moment we met, we’ve never had the chance simply to be together.’
She cuddled closer. ‘Think of it as another adventure. And the best one by far.’
ISBN: 978-1-474-03088-5
DAISY’S LONG ROAD HOME
© 2015 Merryn Allingham
Published in Great Britain 2015
by HQ, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd
1 London Bridge Street
London
SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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