‘So he finally came to his senses then about how silly it was?’ Poppy asked. ‘Sometimes we have to leave them to simmer for a bit, but they always come around eventually. I’m pleased he finally realized how foolish it would be to go all vigilante like that.’
Eva was silent, and April wondered if Poppy and Grace had even noticed how uncomfortable she suddenly looked.
‘Is that what you meant, though, Eva?’ April asked gently. ‘Does he still want to go?’
She nodded, and even in the fading light April could see that her eyes had filled with tears.
‘He didn’t say, but I know he still wishes he was there. He wouldn’t just change his mind like that.’
April waited, not wanting to push. She felt like she’d only scratched the surface of something much deeper. ‘It’s nice he doesn’t want to leave you.’
‘It’s kind of complicated. My father, well, he’s difficult,’ Eva said, her voice lower now as if she didn’t want the others to hear. ‘And Charlie knows what it’ll be like for me—if he goes and can’t come back, I mean. I’m just so pleased he’s not going to keep pushing for it.’
April put her arm around Eva’s shoulders. ‘You’re afraid of going home to your father?’
Eva nodded, but this time the tears fell rapidly down her cheeks before she could blink them away. ‘He’s not exactly the most pleasant of men, the complete opposite of Charlie. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him.’
April nodded. She understood. Life hadn’t been easy for her when she’d lost her mother, but she didn’t know what it was to be scared of another human being, and she could tell from the fear on Eva’s face that she was very much afraid. She’d seemed so capable and strong, and from Grace’s recollections Eva had barked at the soldier who’d gotten all frisky with her sister, but this was a different, very real side to her too.
‘Well, at least he can’t trouble you here, right? For as long as we’re hidden away in paradise here, you’ve got nothing to worry about.’
Eva brushed her cheeks, and the look of insecurity was gone, her smile fixed again, business as usual.
‘What are you two whispering about?’ Grace asked, moving closer.
‘Absolutely nothing,’ April said, linking arms with Eva.
‘You were telling her about that gorgeous doctor, weren’t you!’
April just laughed. If she had to take the fall and pretend that was what they’d been talking about, then so be it. Eva had opened up to her, and she wasn’t the type of person to ever betray anybody’s trust.
‘Is it far to walk?’ Poppy asked.
‘About another fifteen minutes or so,’ Eva said. ‘I heard the party in full swing when I came past before.’
‘At least it’s safe walking here; we don’t have to worry about anything sinister.’
‘Yes, Mother,’ Grace said. ‘No need to worry.’
April bit her tongue. It was just a silly comment, but Grace made them too often for her liking. Perhaps it was about time she stepped back and let her sister find her own way in the world, make her own mistakes and look after herself. Maybe then she’d appreciate her more.
Less than half an hour later, they were standing inside the officers’ club, and April couldn’t believe how many people could pack into such a small space. Music was blaring from a record player in the corner, and couples were spilling outside onto the patio, in each other’s arms or spinning around, dancing like their lives depended upon it. It had the same jovial, fun feeling as the house party they’d been to on their first night, but for some reason she wasn’t in the same mood as at the first one.
She usually loved being out, and she was always one of the last to leave, but tonight she had a headache, and her feet were tired from standing all day on her shift. She should have taken a short nap before coming out, but then she’d have missed dinner.
‘Want to go outside for a bit?’ Eva appeared at her side, holding out a cup of punch. April took it and held it up, clinking it softly to Eva’s.
‘Cheers,’ she said, taking a sip. ‘And yes to going outside.’
Grace spotted them and followed, with Poppy close behind her. Poppy usually disappeared the moment they went out, straight into Teddy’s arms, but without her man here tonight she was spending the evening with them, like old times.
‘Where are you two grandmas off to?’ asked Poppy. ‘Come inside and dance!’
‘We’re just going to take a minute outside,’ April told her, raising her voice to be heard over the noise.
They navigated past drunken soldiers doing their best to stay upright, and April coughed as she had to squeeze past a couple getting far too frisky by the steps, but within minutes they were back on the beach. Something about the ocean breeze calmed her, and she wished she’d chosen to just sit outside all evening, thinking about her day, relaxing instead of trying to talk over the loud music and shaking her head when she was asked to dance.
‘You’re not in the mood tonight?’ Eva asked as they sat in the sand.
‘Sorry—is it that obvious? I didn’t mean to be glum.’ She sipped her drink, wondering how much alcohol had been poured in. ‘I’m just tired, I suppose.’
‘You’re not glum; you just look lost in thought—that’s all.’
They sat in a semicircle, their backs to the house, and the music drifted out on the wind to them, as did the laughter and revelry from inside. She hadn’t expected Grace and Poppy to join them, but they’d followed them out and now seemed happy to sit for a moment and chat too.
‘Where do you think we’ll all be in five years’ time?’ asked Eva. ‘Will we be sick to death of Hawaii and still waiting for war, or will we be back home living our normal lives?’
‘You’ll be married to your Charlie with a baby on the way.’ Poppy laughed. ‘And I’ll be Mrs. Teddy Banks.’
‘I don’t think we’d ever be sick of Hawaii,’ Grace said. ‘I think I could live here forever, actually, even without you all being here. The island life suits me.’
April scoffed. ‘Who would look after you here? You’d be miserable if we were all gone.’
‘I’d cope just fine,’ Grace muttered. ‘I don’t need you telling me what to do at every turn, April.’
She sucked in a big breath, trying not to take the bait but failing. ‘Okay,’ she said simply. ‘Okay, Grace.’
‘Okay what? You won’t tell me what to do all the time now? Because I know you think I can’t do anything on my own.’
April nodded, knowing the other two were silently listening. ‘I’m not your mother, and we’re both all grown up now, so I’m well aware you can take care of yourself if you want to. I promise I’ll keep my mouth shut and let you live your life.’ Just don’t come crying to me over everything; don’t expect me to pick up all the pieces and drop everything when something goes wrong.
‘Well, that’s decided, then,’ Grace replied, sounding baffled.
April sipped her drink and noticed that Grace did the same, shooting her a confused look over the top of her cup. But April ignored it and just smiled. It was dark across the sand, the light filtering from the house casting shadows around them and making it just possible to see.
She wanted to tell Grace that all she’d ever wanted was for someone to take care of her, to make sure she was all right, to ask her what she wanted, but she didn’t. It wasn’t worth it. She’d learned long ago to accept the hand life had dealt her and to not complain, and she wasn’t about to start moaning now. She was used to having these thoughts, so angry sometimes she felt like she was screaming out in her own mind, but she was good at pushing them away and putting them in their little box, never to be shared.
‘Back to this five-year plan,’ she said, reigniting the conversation since she and Grace had effectively muted it by their bickering. ‘How many children do you think you and Teddy will have?’
She heard Grace splutter, choking on her drink, but she didn’t look across at her. If Grace wanted to be treated li
ke a grown-up, then she was going to have to deal with Poppy and Teddy.
‘I think three—that’d be the perfect number. And a big dog that the children can climb all over.’
They all laughed, although she noticed Grace looked uncomfortable and felt bad for steering the conversation back toward Teddy.
‘What about you, April?’ Eva asked. ‘Are you hoping to meet someone and have children?’
She thought about her answer for a moment, not brave enough to admit that she hoped to be studying to be a doctor within a few years’ time. ‘I’d really like to keep nursing, to work in a hospital back home, until I’m ready to be a mother.’ The truth was she thought more about her career aspirations than motherhood, which she wasn’t about to admit to right now.
‘Good for you,’ Eva said. ‘I love nursing, so I’ll probably do the same. Charlie and I are in no hurry to have children, not yet anyway.’
They sat, the breeze warm, the ocean’s gentle roar almost drowned out by the music drifting from the house. April tipped her head back and gazed up at the bright stars, wondering where she’d be in a year or even a decade. Would she have children? Would she ever hear someone call her Doctor Bellamy instead of simply shouting ‘Nurse’? The fire inside of her to go to medical school, to fight for her right to join the medical profession, had progressed from a slow simmer to a boil under the surface now, and she only wished she had the nerve to discuss it with someone other than Grace. If you’re up there, Mom, keep us safe. I need you more than I’ve ever needed you.
When she sat back up again, Grace was watching her. And she wondered if her sister was thinking about their mom too.
‘Did you girls hear that they’re looking for nurses to transfer to the maternity ward?’ Poppy asked. ‘It would be nice delivering babies, don’t you think?’
‘I heard one of the nurses laughing, saying how lucky we were, being on a holiday-style tour of duty at the taxpayers’ expense,’ said Grace. ‘Honestly, how lucky are we? Imagine if we get to vacation here for two years. Delivering babies would be fine if it means we get to stay!’
‘It’s a fun-in-the-sun vacation like no other,’ added Eva with a laugh. ‘It honestly doesn’t get any better than this, and I’ve been here much longer than you all have. It’s paradise every day.’
April stayed quiet, happy to listen to their chatter as she continued to stargaze. It was a vacation like no other, but she had this feeling, a whisper against the back of her neck that made the tiny hairs stand on end, that it was all too good to be true.
‘Do you want to go swimming tomorrow? I heard that the turtles are incredible, and the snorkeling is the best in the world,’ Poppy said. ‘You wear this big mask thing that covers your eyes and your nose, and you breathe through a tube. It looks ridiculous, but it’s supposed to be amazing.’
‘Yes!’ Grace enthused. ‘Does everyone have Sunday afternoon off?’
‘April?’ Eva asked.
April looked at her friends, smiling, wondering how long it had taken them to realize she was a million miles away. ‘Sounds great. Count me in.’
She was mildly terrified of the ocean, but she wasn’t about to say no to snorkeling in such beautiful water. She only wished she could ignore her instincts and just enjoy being posted to paradise, instead of constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.
‘Come on—let’s go dance! There’s too many gorgeous men in there for you all to be sitting out here,’ Poppy announced, leaping to her feet and holding out a hand to first Grace, then April. April turned and offered her hand to Eva, and they all followed Poppy inside. The music changed and April smiled, happily accepting a young officer’s hand when he offered it the moment she walked inside.
Poppy was right: it was too good a night to be sitting outside. She happily twirled, seeing Grace dancing nearby. What was it their mother had always said? April smiled as the words filled her head. Always make hay while the sun is shining, darling.
‘Another dance?’ the officer asked when a new song started.
She smiled and clasped his hand. ‘Absolutely.’
CHAPTER FIVE
GRACE
Grace stretched and slowly opened her eyes, wishing she could stay snuggled beneath the covers for longer. She smiled to herself as she remembered the night before, dancing and singing until late. Eva had had to leave earlier to get back to her boat, but the rest of them had stayed until the officers’ club was closed, then strolled back to their barracks in the dark with only the moon to light the way. April had gotten on her nerves to start with, but in the end they’d all had fun, and she couldn’t wait to go snorkeling and see the giant turtles everyone was talking about.
‘Do you hear that?’
Grace sat up and glanced across at her sister. Her bed was one over from hers, and she noticed that the bed in between, Poppy’s bed, was already empty. In typical Poppy fashion, she’d left it crumpled, which meant either they’d have to make it for her, or she’d be in big trouble if there was an inspection.
‘It’s like a rumble.’
Grace listened, wondering if she was imagining it, but April was right. There was a distinct drone, a rumble or vibration, that appeared to be coming closer. Her sister had driven her mad the night before, knowing exactly how to rile her by acting as if she was always the selfish, immature one of the two of them, but staring at April’s bright-blue eyes, open wide in worry, Grace couldn’t hold the grudge for long.
‘Quickly, let’s get dressed and go see,’ Grace said. She jumped out of bed, certain the noise was getting louder. She hastily dressed and noticed some of the other girls were waking too.
The clock on the wall said 7:52 a.m., but she knew why so many of the others were still tucked beneath their covers. Only those with a shift would have risen early, which was why it was so unusual that Poppy was out of bed so early on a Sunday.
April grabbed her hand when the hum of noise became more of a roar, and they both ran for the door.
‘Have you seen Poppy?’ April asked as they passed another nurse.
‘Out there,’ the nurse said. ‘There’s been a little puppy tearing around on the grass, and Poppy’s decided to save it.’
Grace grinned. Typical. Poppy loved animals, which meant there was no way she’d let a stray puppy run loose without taking care of it.
‘Did you hear that noise, though?’ Grace asked.
‘Probably just a training exercise,’ the other nurse said as she passed.
‘They don’t ever fly near the hospital,’ April muttered. ‘We’ve been here at Tripler for weeks, and when have you ever even noticed that we’re close to an airfield?’
Grace shrugged, thinking that April had probably gotten her all worried for nothing. Just because they weren’t used to hearing training exercises overhead didn’t mean they weren’t ever going to do them. They were at a military base, after all.
They walked outside, the bright sunshine making Grace squint. There was Poppy. In her pretty yellow dress, chasing after a scruffy-looking pup that looked to be enjoying the game much more than her friend was. She grinned and closed one eye completely, raising her hand and looking up, the noise suddenly filling her ears. She opened her mouth, turning to look back the other way, toward the mountain pass between Honolulu and Schofield Barracks, and she grabbed for April’s hand just as her sister let out an ear-piercing scream.
Grace’s heart started to pound as chills ran through her body, like an electric current hitting her spine and traveling all the way to her toes. She was frozen as she watched in horror, as a plane with a huge red circle came toward her, the face of the pilot so close that she could make out every feature of his face. His eyes met hers, a smile creasing his lips as she stared, as she studied his face and wondered who on earth would be flying so low. He waved, and she slowly raised her hand to wave back. As she looked away, she saw another plane, identical to the first, coming up behind him—she could hear them talking on their radios, they were so close—and t
hen she spun around as she realized that this was no training exercise.
‘No!’ Grace’s scream cut through the air, echoing sharply against the drone of aircraft overhead.
‘Grace, stop!’ April called, her hand slipping from Grace’s wrist. ‘Grace!’
The planes were deafening, the roar so low and loud that when Grace looked up, she could see the second pilot’s unfamiliar face, could see him smile at her, too, before he unleashed a torrent of bullets to rain down around them. They were under attack!
‘Grace!’ her sister called again.
But Grace ignored her, her eyes locked on Poppy, so close but so far away, bending down toward the frightened-looking puppy. ‘Run!’ she screamed to her friend. ‘Poppy, run!’
Poppy stood, her eyes filled with horror as she looked up at Grace, her mouth open as if she were about to call back.
Grace started running, desperate to get to Poppy, to do something, anything, to save her. What was happening? Who was shooting at them? Why wouldn’t Poppy move?
Seconds felt like days as she sprinted, as she watched Poppy’s mouth open and then shut, before her friend’s body contorted as a bullet hit her and sent her flying backward.
Strong arms circled Grace from behind as her scream caught in her throat, holding her back, forcing her to stop.
‘Let me go!’ she yelled, gasping as she watched more people fall across the field, as the relentless drone continued, ammunition raining from the sky like a ferocious storm lashing the land. ‘We need to get to her!’
‘No.’ The word was whispered, but it was still a command. Teddy had hold of her, Teddy was dragging her back, and no matter how much she clawed at him or struggled, he wasn’t letting her go.
Pain shuddered through her body as tears flooded her cheeks and she gasped out Poppy’s name. They couldn’t just leave her there! They needed to save her, to check her injuries, to see if she was still . . . Grace swallowed. Alive or not.
As Teddy’s grip around her waist softened, she turned in his arms, looking up at the pain echoed in his own face, his cheeks as wet as hers.
The Girls of Pearl Harbor Page 7