by Dilly Court
‘Did Max tell you that?’
Jimmy made an effort to sit up, but fell back against the single pillow with a groan. ‘Yes, he said that you would be waiting for him at the Captain’s House.’
‘Max wasn’t at the docks to meet me, and I wasn’t to know that he’d been sent abroad. I found myself alone and near penniless in London.’
‘Oh, Rose, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say.’
‘He hadn’t thought to make alternative arrangements,’ she said grimly.
‘Where was Carrie? She would have helped you.’
‘I found out later that she is with Phineas, on a business trip to Australia. Anyway, it’s not your problem, Jimmy, but I’ll have a few words to say to Max when I see him next. We’ll be going to Cairo as soon as the railway lines are repaired.’
‘You didn’t tell me how you came to be here.’
‘You’ll hardly credit the things that have happened to me since I arrived in London.’
Rose was in the middle of relating her recent experiences when Matron Harvey pounced on her, making her turn with a start. ‘Five minutes, I said, Miss Munday. I can’t allow you to tire my patient.’
A quick glance at Jimmy’s white face was enough to convince Rose that it really was time to leave. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said hastily. ‘I’ll come back tomorrow, Jimmy. If Matron will let me?’
‘You may, providing my patient is well enough to receive visitors.’ Matron stood aside. ‘Time to go, Miss Munday.’
‘I’ll see you soon.’ Rose blew him a kiss and hurried towards the door, ignoring the wounded men who vied in their attempts to gain her attention. It seemed heartless, but she did not want to jeopardise her chances of seeing Jimmy the following day by encouraging them. Then she saw a young man whose head was swathed in bandages that covered the top half of his face, leaving only his nose and mouth visible. He called out to her and she came to a halt at his bedside.
‘Do you need the nurse?’ Rose asked anxiously.
‘No, miss. I heard your voice and you sound like a kind lady.’ He held out his hand and his lips trembled. ‘Would you do something for me, please?’
Rose moved closer, taking his hand in hers. ‘How can I help?’
‘They say I might never see again.’ His voice broke on a sob. ‘But I ain’t one to give up easily.’
‘No, of course not.’ Rose struggled to combat a wave of pity that threatened to overcome her. ‘I’m Rose Munday. What’s your name?’
‘Private Henry Norman, Royal Engineers, miss.’
‘What can I do for you, Henry?’ Rose tried to sound cheery and confident when all she wanted to do was to give the poor boy a hug.
He leaned closer. ‘I want to send a letter to my mum. I know it’s a liberty, but would you write it for me and post it when you get back home?’
‘Of course I will, Henry. It would be my pleasure.’
‘It’s Harry, miss. My mum always calls me Harry.’
Rose could see Matron Harvey bearing down on them and she squeezed Harry’s fingers. ‘I’ll bring pen and paper tomorrow and you can tell me what to put, but I’d better leave now because Matron is coming.’
Harry’s lips curved in a grin. ‘Best not get on the wrong side of her, miss. She’s a tartar.’
Rose straightened up as Matron drew near. ‘I’m leaving now,’ she said hastily.
Cecilia was on her own in the waiting room. ‘How did it go?’ she asked eagerly. ‘It must have been your James Manning or you wouldn’t have taken so long.’
‘You’re right, it was my Jimmy. He’s been suffering from typhoid, but thankfully he’s on the mend now.’
‘That’s good,’ Cecilia said, smiling. ‘What a coincidence that he should be here.’
‘I know – I can hardly believe it myself.’ Rose sank down on the seat beside Cecilia. ‘I’m going to visit him again tomorrow, Matron permitting. She really is a martinet, Cissie.’
‘I expect she has to be if she hopes to keep the soldiers and blue jackets in order,’ Cecilia said drily. ‘Did Jimmy have any news of his brother?’
Rose clasped her hands tightly in her lap. Despite her efforts to keep an open mind she was still angry with Max. ‘He’s safe and well in the Cairo barracks.’
Cecilia put her head on one side. ‘Isn’t that a good thing? You look angry.’
‘I’m happy to think that he’s unhurt, but he must have known that he wouldn’t be able to meet me in London. He could have sent a cable to tell me to stay at home until the fighting was over, but Max knew that I would go anywhere to be with him.’
‘Maybe that was the problem, Rose. Perhaps you were too eager. I hate to say it, but some men are so sure of themselves that they can take what they want regardless of anyone else.’
‘I didn’t think that he was like that.’
Cecilia slipped her arm around Rose’s shoulder. ‘He’s a man and he’s thoughtless, darling. He should have known better, but luckily you’re a strong woman even if you are very young.’
‘I’m eighteen, Cissie.’
‘As I said, you’re very young, but I admire you and so does Gene. I just wish I knew what has happened to him. At least you know that Max and Jimmy are safe.’
‘You’re right,’ Rose said reluctantly. ‘When we get to Cairo I’m going to visit the barracks and demand to see Max. I need to know if he still loves me.’
‘Or if you still feel the same way about him.’ Cecilia gave her a hug. ‘You might realise that you’re the one who’s changed, Rose.’
‘I think I’ve grown up quite a lot since I arrived in London, and I’m much more independent than I was.’
‘Gene thinks a lot of you, Rose. He spotted a talent that you didn’t know you possessed.’
Rose stared at her, frowning. ‘Talent?’
‘For writing,’ Cecilia added, chuckling. ‘And Cousin Arthur obviously agrees with him. You’re a modern woman, Rose, as am I. We can change the world if we put our minds to it.’
‘I don’t know about that, but there are certainly stories to be told. I spoke to this poor young fellow who is suffering from a serious head injury. He asked me to write a letter to his mother.’
‘I suppose a lot of them are illiterate,’ Cecilia said calmly.
‘He had bandages over his eyes and he thinks he might never see again. It’s so sad.’
‘Poor fellow.’ Cecilia glanced over Rose’s shoulder. ‘Here’s Papa. Now we can go. I hate the smell of carbolic.’
Desmond strolled up to them. ‘Duty done, but some of those poor fellows are in a sorry state. I hate to send them home to their loved ones with their bodies mutilated and their health wrecked.’
‘At least they’re going home, Pa.’ Cecilia rose to her feet. ‘There must be many who won’t be returning to their families,’ she added, sighing.
‘Great heavens, Cissie.’ Desmond stared at his daughter in amazement. ‘What’s wrought this change in you?’
‘I don’t know what you mean, Papa.’
Desmond met Rose’s questioning look with a smile. ‘My daughter used to be a social butterfly, with nothing on her mind other than the latest fashions and which invitation she was going to accept.’
‘Cissie has been very good to me,’ Rose said stoutly. ‘I wouldn’t be here but for her, and I wouldn’t have found Jimmy.’
‘It was the same James Manning, then? Excellent.’ Desmond eyed her curiously. ‘He’s on the mend, I hope?’
‘Yes, Jimmy seems to be over the worst, but I was touched by the state of some of the men. One of them might be blind for the rest of his days. He asked me to write to his mother. That would be all right, wouldn’t it?’
‘I don’t see why not.’
‘Do you think I could interview some of the other patients as part of my article for the newspaper? The fighting might be over, but these men are still suffering. I wouldn’t mention names or regiments, but I think their stories would be of great interest to the readers
.’
‘I think that’s an excellent idea,’ Cecilia said before her father could respond. ‘Gene would be proud of you, Rose. Anyway, I’m ready to leave this depressing place – my clothes are going to smell of carbolic and putrefying flesh for days.’ Cecilia made for the door and Rose followed with a degree of reluctance. It was hard to walk away and leave Jimmy in the hospital, and there was a wealth of information and personal stories to be gained from the wounded men.
Desmond moved swiftly to hold the door open and Cecilia sailed past him, but Rose hesitated. ‘Is there really no news of Eugene’s whereabouts, sir?’
‘None that I can pass on, even to you, Rose. Although I can assure you that everything is being done to free him and the officers he was accompanying. We just have to wait and pray that they will be released unharmed.’
Rose stepped outside to join Cecilia, who had unfurled her parasol in preparation for the long walk back to their lodgings. The armed soldier, who accompanied Desmond as his bodyguard, was standing stiffly to attention despite the heat. Rose could see beads of perspiration running down the unfortunate man’s face and his uniform jacket was marked with damp patches beneath his arms. She caught sight of a young girl carrying a water jar and she beckoned to her.
‘I wouldn’t drink that,’ Cecilia whispered. ‘You’ll go down with typhoid or cholera.’
‘It’s not for me.’ Rose steered the child towards the soldier. ‘Miss Sheldon thinks the water might be contaminated, but you look as though you need a drink.’
‘I can’t without permission, miss.’
Rose turned to Desmond. ‘This man looks fit to drop. He shouldn’t have been standing in the sun for so long.’
‘You have my permission to drink, Private.’ Desmond put his hand in his pocket and gave the child a couple of coins.
‘Thank you, sir.’ The soldier saluted and drank thirstily, handing the vessel back to the girl and then snapping to attention. He shot Rose a grateful smile. ‘Thank you, miss.’
‘Let’s hope he doesn’t die from some dreadful illness,’ Cecilia called over her shoulder as she walked on.
‘That was a kind act,’ Desmond said in a low voice. ‘Don’t worry about Private Cook, he’ll survive now, thanks to you.’
‘You’d have done the same for someone at home who was so obviously suffering, wouldn’t you?’
Desmond adjusted his pith helmet. ‘I hope I would, Rose.’
She fell into step beside him, with Cecilia walking on ahead and Private Cook following a couple of paces behind them.
‘You know that I’m here to write for the London Leader?’ Rose began tentatively.
‘Yes, you said so last evening, and it was thanks to my son for giving you a chance that most young women would never have.’
‘Which is true, and I want to prove him right.’
‘What are you trying to say, Rose?’
‘I’d like your permission to interview some of the wounded men for my first article.’
‘I can’t see any objection, as the war has ended, although I’d like the opportunity to cast my eye over it first.’
‘Of course,’ Rose said hastily.
‘But I imagine you’ll do it with or without my say-so.’
‘I will, Mr Sheldon. But I’d prefer to have your blessing.’
‘I can see why my son gave you a job, Rose Munday. However,’ Desmond added sternly. ‘I won’t allow you to wander round the town unaccompanied. You’ll have an armed guard wherever you go, and that’s an order.’
Private Cook was waiting for her next morning, standing stiffly to attention in the street outside the ruined building.
‘Oh, it’s you.’ Rose beamed at him. ‘I was afraid it might be someone I didn’t know.’
Private Cook stared straight ahead, saying nothing.
‘It’s all right,’ Rose said hastily. ‘You don’t have to treat me as if I were a high-up in the army. I’m simply someone trying to do their job, just like you.’ She thought she detected a glint of humour in Cook’s blue eyes, even though he was gazing into the distance. ‘What’s your name? If we’re to work together I can’t keep calling you Private Cook.’
‘It’s Bradley, miss. If I might be so bold, it would be best if you call me Private Cook – just for the look of things, if you know what I mean.’
‘If you say so. Anyway, I’m going to the hospital, but there will be nothing for you to do once we’re there.’
‘That’s all right, miss. I’ve been detailed to take care of you, and take care of you I will. You saved my life yesterday and I won’t forget it.’
Rose stared at him in surprise. ‘I saw you were hot and thirsty. Anyone would have done the same.’
Private Cook met her gaze for the first time and his lips trembled. ‘It might have been nothing much to you, miss, but it meant the world to me.’
‘Tell me about yourself as we walk. I can tell that you’re a Londoner.’
‘I’m on duty, miss. I have to be on the lookout for snipers or thieves.’
‘I’m sure you can walk, talk and keep an eye on me all at the same time.’ Rose shot him a sideways glance. ‘I’d say you came from Stepney.’
He fell into step beside her. ‘Not far out. I come from Poplar to be exact, miss.’
‘Tell me about your family.’
Cook needed no further encouragement, and by the time they reached the hospital Rose knew all about his hardworking mother, who took in lodgers to make ends meet, and his three elder sisters, two of whom were married, and his four younger brothers. Their father, also a soldier, had been killed in a street brawl, and Bradley was now the main breadwinner.
Rose left him waiting outside while she went in and sought permission to visit the ward. Matron Harvey materialised as if from nowhere and accompanied Rose like an oversized shadow as she made her way to Jimmy’s bed.
‘Five minutes as before, Miss Munday. We mustn’t overtire the patient.’
Jimmy pulled a face behind Matron’s back as she walked away. ‘It’s good to see you, Rose,’ he said in a low voice. ‘Your visit yesterday did me more good than all the horrible medicines they pour down my throat.’
Rose perched on the edge of the bed, but a stentorian voice bellowed her name and she leaped to her feet, feeling like a naughty schoolgirl.
‘We don’t sit on beds, Miss Munday.’ Matron’s departure was accompanied by stifled sniggers from some of the soldiers, and a muffled cheer from the man who had spoken to Rose the previous day.
‘You do look much better,’ Rose said earnestly. ‘Do you think they’ll discharge you soon?’
‘I hope so, Rosie. I don’t think I can stand being stuck in bed for much longer.’
‘That sounds encouraging. You must be on the mend.’
‘I’ll be straight back to duty when they do let me out, so I won’t see you again.’
‘Perhaps you could spend your next shore leave in London, Jimmy. I’m not sure where I’ll be living but we can always find room for one more.’
‘Max has a lot to answer for,’ Jimmy said angrily. ‘He should have made proper arrangements for you, but that’s my brother all over. I’m sorry to say it, but Max is selfish and always will be.’
Rose stared at him in silence for a moment. It was the first time she had heard him say anything against his brother, although there had been plenty of squabbling when they were at school in Bendigo. She realised suddenly that she barely knew the boys as adults, and she experienced a sudden cold chill, as if a ghostly hand had clutched at her throat. Was the charming, worldly army officer who had swept her off her feet the same person as the boy she had known and hero-worshipped? She opened her mouth to answer but a stern voice made her turn with a start.
‘Time to go, Miss Munday.’ The ward sister had crept up on them unnoticed. ‘Matron said I was to make sure you didn’t tire my patient.’
‘But I’ve only just arrived,’ Rose protested.
‘Be a sport and let Ro
se stay a little longer, please, Sister.’ Jimmy smiled up at her. ‘My little sister is the best medicine.’
The nurse, whose grey eyes were underlined with dark smudges, looked pale and exhausted, but she managed a weak smile. ‘You’ll get me sacked, Lieutenant Manning.’
‘It’s Jimmy to my friends, Sister.’
She wagged her finger at him. ‘Two minutes and then I must insist that your visitor leaves.’ She hurried away to attend to another patient, who was writhing about in his bed and groaning.
‘You shouldn’t have lied,’ Rose said softly. ‘I’m not your sister.’
‘It worked, didn’t it?’ Jimmy reached out to grasp Rose’s hand. ‘You’ll be leaving soon for Cairo, won’t you?’
‘Yes, I think so.’
‘I wanted to tell you to be firm with Max when you next see him, Rose. Don’t allow him to charm you into doing what he wants regardless of whether it’s right for you.’
‘What brought this about, Jimmy? I thought you and Max got along so well?’
‘We do, as brothers, but I’m fully aware of his faults, and my own. Max is a charmer who’s used to getting his own way, and I very much doubt if he’d approve of what you’re doing.’
Rose stared at him aghast. ‘What do you mean by that?’
‘He wouldn’t want his future wife to work in any capacity, least of all as a newspaper reporter.’
‘You can’t speak for Max. He might see things my way.’
‘He’ll want you to be a perfect army wife. You’ll be there to support him no matter what.’
Rose knew in her heart that what he said was true, even if it was a bitter pill to swallow. She glanced over her shoulder at the sound of footsteps and saw the sister bearing down on them. Rose leaned over and dropped a kiss on Jimmy’s forehead. ‘I have to go now, but I’m going to speak to some of the other patients, and I promised to write a letter to the blind soldier’s mother. The poor fellow might never see again, so it’s the least I can do for him.’
Jimmy reached out to clasp her hand. ‘Remember what I said about Max.’
‘Don’t worry about me, Jimmy. I’m sure I can make him understand.’