Grace’s hand softened, and her friend’s fingers slowly clasped hers back. ‘I know I said I would pretend to be married to Teddy to go home, but—’
‘Grace, you took a bullet that day on the beach. You’re injured, and you have every right to go home to recover,’ April said, and Eva had to laugh at the way they’d fallen back into their old ways. Only this time she was almost certain that Grace liked it. ‘I saw that bullet hit you. In fact, I see it every time I close my eyes. You’re one of the bravest nurses I know.’
‘Even if she is still scared of blood?’ Eva teased, receiving a swat from Grace that had her ducking out of reach.
‘Eva,’ April said, her tone suddenly an octave lower. ‘Here he comes.’
Eva slowly turned, her pulse quickening as she saw Art, pushing his own wheels with Harry walking beside him. She gave him a little wave as his eyes caught hers.
‘Promise me, Grace, that you’ll look after him on the way home,’ she said, not taking her eyes from Art as she spoke. ‘I need to know you’ll care for him just like you’ll be caring for Teddy.’
Grace’s hand fell over her shoulder. ‘I promise, with all my heart.’
‘Thank you.’
Eva stood with April on one side and Grace on the other, smiling as Art reached her, clearly out of breath from the exertion but no doubt proud he’d made the journey without help.
He reached for her, and she dropped to his knee, nestling in his lap and scooping her arms around his neck. She wasn’t going to stand beside him when she could sit with him.
‘Huh-hmm,’ Harry grunted. ‘You’re supposed to wait until after the vows to kiss the bride.’
‘And a man is supposed to have two legs, so how about we forget about rules, huh?’ Art sniped back, claiming Eva’s mouth as everyone around them erupted into laughter that she knew she’d never forget the sound of, for as long as she lived.
‘I can’t believe it’s goodbye.’
Eva dropped to her knee, clasping Art’s hands, her head falling to his lap as she tried desperately not to cry. For so many months, tears had refused to fall when she’d wanted more than anything to grieve, and instead she’d felt nothing. Now, she felt everything, every stab of pain as she thought of Art sailing home without her, every jab of fear, every burst of nerves.
‘This war will be over in no time, and you’ll be coming home to me,’ he said, his fingers in her hair, stroking her as she lay collapsed against his knee. ‘Look at me, Eva.’
She slowly looked up, wishing they’d had just one day together as husband and wife before he’d had to leave. Instead, they’d had hours.
Art’s fingers curled beneath her chin, and he smiled down at her, his gaze filled with unshed tears, his smile so sweet it took her breath away.
‘I’m so proud to have you as my wife. My family are going to think you had rocks in your head to marry a grumpy idiot like me, but they’re going to fall in love with you just like I have.’
She rose and pressed her mouth to his, inhaling the scent of him, drowning in the feel of his lips moving slowly against hers in one final kiss. Eva shuddered as she wondered for the hundredth time if she’d made the right decision or not; as the wife of a disabled serviceman, she could have returned home with him in a heartbeat, but it had felt so wrong to leave when there was still so much help she could give so many men.
‘I love you,’ Art whispered.
Eva bent her forehead to his. ‘I love you too.’
The corpsman assisting Art cleared his throat, and she knew it was time. Eva rose and stood straight, bravely smiling at Art as he gave her one last wave before he was wheeled away from her. Then she turned to say her goodbyes to Grace.
April and Grace had their arms wrapped tightly around one another, and she smiled as she watched them. They’d become like sisters to her, and she knew she’d never, ever forget their friendship for as long as she lived.
When they finally parted, she watched as April gently wiped away Grace’s tears before her own, then ran her hands down her sister’s arms and gripped her hands before turning away.
‘Come here,’ Eva said, opening her arms and holding Grace tight. ‘I’m going to miss you so much.’
‘Me too,’ Grace whispered. ‘I can’t believe I’m going home.’
‘You look after yourself, and that man of mine, won’t you?’ she said as she finally stepped back, holding her at arm’s length. ‘Don’t let him fall into his dark thoughts; keep reminding him how badly I need him to be waiting for me.’
Grace smiled. ‘I sure will.’
Teddy was also in a wheelchair, but Grace was pushing him, with his leg raised and in a cast, his stomach heavily bandaged, and one of his eyes covered with a large patch. But Eva didn’t miss his smile as Grace touched his shoulder, and she glanced over at April and saw that she was watching too.
She quickly went to stand beside her, slipping her arm around April’s waist as the people they loved moved farther and farther away. They stood until there was nothing left to see, and Eva eventually squeezed April’s arm and gestured for them to go.
‘Do you ever wonder if we made the right decision in staying?’ Eva asked April.
April shook her head. ‘No. We made the right decision, I know that. I just wasn’t prepared for how much it was going to hurt.’
‘I know.’
They both turned and linked arms, walking back to their campsite. It was almost Christmas, and everything about this year was different from the one before. Last year she’d been grieving so much, numb to everything around her, and this year she was full of anticipation—anxious about what was going to happen but able to feel everything.
When they finally reached their tent, Eva held open the flap in the doorway for them both to enter, then gasped when she walked inside.
‘Oh my God, look what she’s done!’
They both burst out laughing as they went to their beds, and Eva reached out to touch the homemade decorations Grace had left for them hanging on strings running from one side of the tent to the other. There was even a sheet fashioned into a stocking hanging above each of their beds.
‘Your sister sure is something else,’ Eva said as she reached for it and pulled it down. She peeked inside to find chocolate and chewing gum, as well as a little note in Grace’s handwriting.
‘It was always me, every year, finding presents for everyone and putting out a stocking for Grace,’ April said. ‘I can’t believe she did this for me.’
Eva could hear April’s little sob, and she went to her, holding her as she cried, looking in amazement around their tent.
‘Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that the turkey makes it in time for Christmas,’ she whispered, letting go of April and collapsing onto her bed, then staring at the paper decorations hanging above.
‘Turkey? Are you kidding me? I’ll put money on it: we’ll be having Spam for Christmas lunch.’
They both laughed, and Eva unwrapped her chocolate, closing her eyes as she slid it onto her tongue, imagining Art boarding the ship with Grace and Teddy.
‘So you really want to be a doctor one day, huh?’ she asked April.
‘Yes,’ April said, and Eva turned onto her side to find her friend smiling at her, eyes glistening with determination. ‘Once this war is over, I’m not going to take no for an answer.’
‘Well, good for you,’ Eva said. ‘We need more women like you in the world. Look what women have already done for this war.’
‘You think I can do it?’ April whispered.
Eva grinned at her. ‘April, I think you can do anything you set your mind to.’ And she meant it.
A week later, Eva stretched and stared at the changing landscape around her as they arrived by army trucks in Algiers, Tunisia. Despite the chill in the air, the sun was shining, and she smiled at the feel of sunshine on her skin, raising her cheeks skyward for a moment before children chasing their truck brought her back to the present.
Like the
children in their last village, barefoot girls and boys ran alongside, hands outstretched and calling out, thinking the Americans were like Santa Claus and waiting for items to be thrown to them.
Eva looked away and toward the peddlers on the roadside with their oranges, eggs, and dates, and she could almost taste the sweet orange flesh as they passed. She knew she’d be making a trip to one of their stalls on her first day off. The houses she passed had bright flowers outside, welcoming and colorful, and they could see down to the Mediterranean, the beautiful blue ocean seeming to wink at them as it rolled back and forth. They’d been told to expect a bitter, cold winter, but so far it had been bearable.
‘What do you think the others will be doing right now?’ April asked from beside her.
‘I’d say they’ll be almost home,’ Eva replied with a smile. ‘You know, we might be eating oranges and fresh eggs before they do.’
April leaned into her as a shout went up from the truck up ahead.
‘What is it? Are we under attack?’ someone yelled.
A call came straight back as they waited in silence. ‘We’ve just found out the turkey’s finally arrived! It’s here waiting for us!’
The entire truck erupted in laughter and cheers, and Eva dropped her head to April’s shoulder, closing her eyes as she thought of Art coming off the ship, his family swarming him in love as they saw the reality of what had happened to him; of Grace and Teddy taking their tentative first steps toward being a couple; and of the war stretching out ahead of her and April, an unknown they still had to encounter.
It seemed like such a long time ago that she’d left home to join Charlie in Pearl Harbor, to prepare for the onset of war even though everyone had believed it would never happen. And now she was a married woman, on the other side of the world to the man she’d now vowed to spend the rest of her life with.
‘You okay?’ April asked, squeezing her hand.
Eva took a big, shuddering breath and smiled over at her friend. ‘I will be.’
They didn’t need words; just one look and they both knew. Some things didn’t need to be said; because of the pain and trauma of what they’d lived since they’d been catapulted into the war, no words could ever convey what they’d been through. Or what they’d left behind.
I’ll never forget you, Charlie, she thought, looking skyward again. I hope you’ve met Poppy up there in heaven, because you two would have one hell of a time together.
The truck lurched, and suddenly everyone was piling out, ready to set up camp again, ready to save more lives, and she followed the others down the crude steps, taking a soldier’s hand to jump the final distance to the dirt below. She had no idea how long they’d be away, whether it would be months or even years, but she was no longer scared of going home, of what the future might hold, and for that she had Art to thank.
She grinned to herself as she remembered the man he’d been; there was no way she’d ever have imagined the grumpy, insolent amputee could ever have captured her heart, but he had. And for that, she would always, always be grateful.
EPILOGUE
1945
GRACE
‘I don’t think they’re going to make it.’
Teddy’s hand was firm over her shoulder. ‘They’re going to make it. You know they are.’
‘But the weather has been so bad and—’
‘Stop,’ he said, forcibly turning her around, ‘and look who’s here.’
‘April!’ she squealed, running and throwing her arms around her sister. ‘I can’t believe it! You’re here!’
April hugged her back, and they stayed like that until Grace finally pulled back, looking her sister up and down, frowning at how thin she was.
‘You’re as skinny as a rail,’ she said. ‘I’ve never seen your cheeks look so gaunt.’
April laughed. ‘Unlike you, who looks very well fed.’
Grace grinned and placed her hand on her ballooning stomach. ‘Hey, I’m eating for two here, and Teddy likes a little meat on my bones, apparently.’
‘Teddy what?’ he asked, coming over to stand with them and then opening his arms to April. Grace watched as they hugged, overwhelmed at finally having the two people she loved most in the world back in the same place.
‘She was telling me you like her figure a little fuller,’ April teased. ‘And supposedly I’m too bony.’
Grace finally let go of her sister to greet Harry as he walked in, his smile wide as he bent to kiss both her cheeks.
‘Hello, Grace,’ he said.
‘Harry, it’s so good to see you,’ she said, enveloping him in a warm hug. ‘Now tell me, have you made an honest woman of my sister yet?’ she teased.
‘Grace! We’re only friends!’ April looked horrified, but Grace just laughed.
‘You two haven’t been just friends since I left North Africa, so stop pretending,’ she said, then shrugged as April glared at her. But her sister didn’t have time to reprimand her because a wheelchair suddenly appeared around the corner, and there was Eva walking slowly beside Art, her hand on his chair and the biggest smile Grace had ever seen on her face.
‘Well, if it isn’t the gorgeous couple.’ She beamed back at them, winking at Art as he caught her eye. She’d seen Art almost every day until Eva had finally returned, and she’d become fast friends with the quick-witted former pilot. He had a wicked sense of humor, and she smiled whenever she thought of her gorgeous friend marrying a man like him. One legged or not, he was a fine man, and no one deserved him more than Eva did.
They all kissed and hugged until Grace hushed everyone and gestured for them to follow her. It was only a short walk from the park where they’d all met, and she’d wanted them all to make the journey together, to see what she’d managed to do since she’d been home.
They walked in silence until Grace held up her hand, and she almost heard everyone collectively hold their breaths.
‘This is it,’ she said, staring up at the words on the sign above the freshly painted building. Grace turned to her sister and friends, holding Teddy’s hand as she watched the reactions on their faces.
‘The Poppy Baker Home for Returned Soldiers,’ April read out, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. ‘It’s beautiful, Grace. I’m sure she would have loved it.’
Teddy cleared his throat beside her. ‘I’d like to say a few words,’ he said, stepping away from Grace and then facing them all.
She smiled at him, letting her tears freely fall as she watched the man she loved grieve for the woman he’d lost. The woman they’d all lost.
‘Poppy was the girl with the biggest smile, who saw the fun in everything and lived every day like it was her last. We lost her too early, but I know she would be so proud of what her best friends have done, the men they saved, including myself.’ He laughed. ‘And you, Art, if we’re perfectly honest. You needed a lot of saving—am I right?’
They all laughed, and Art grunted, which made them laugh all the more.
‘I want us all to remember the love Poppy had for us and the love we had for her. She’s gone but never forgotten.’
Grace met April’s stare, nodding as she saw tears in her sister’s eyes, and when Eva cleared her throat beside her, she knew that the emotion was still running deep inside all of them. She didn’t dare look at Teddy for fear she’d start crying and not be able to stop.
She took a deep breath and then fixed her smile. ‘Shall we go inside and take a look?’ Grace asked.
Eva took her hand on one side and April on the other, and they all stood in front of the building before taking a first step forward together. Teddy was right: Poppy might be gone, but for as long as they all lived, she’d never, ever be forgotten.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Soon after finishing this novel, I received the tragic news that my research assistant, Jared Hatten, had passed away. He was a young man full of enthusiasm for the projects we worked on together and so talented at finding much of the information I needed for many of my h
istorical novels. I will certainly miss working with him on future projects, and I’m deeply saddened by his passing. Linda, your son was wonderful to work with, and I hope you enjoy reading this story that he helped bring to life. Jared was particularly helpful when it came to researching all the North African aspects of the setting for this book.
As always, I have a small yet loyal team to thank. To Sammia Hamer and Sophie Wilson, my extraordinary editors, thank you so much once again for all your hard work. You forced me to change my process for this novel, and I think you’ve converted me from a write-as-I-go girl to a serious plotter! Your belief in my writing and constant support and encouragement will always be appreciated. To all my readers: Sammia and Sophie are the people behind the scenes who always ask me to go deeper with my characters, and they’re always pushing me to make sure the next novel is better than the last! I also want to make special mention of my copyeditor Susan Stokes and proofreader Riam Griswold for the care they take in working on my manuscripts.
To the entire team at Amazon Publishing, especially Bekah Graham and Nicole Wagner, thank you. It’s an amazing feeling knowing that my publishing team is celebrating all my successes with me, and I thank you for marketing my books, creating incredible covers, answering all my questions, and putting my book out there in the world!
Thanks also to my agent, Laura Bradford, and my team of author friends. Yvonne Lindsay, how would I ever get a book written without you? Thank you for being there for me every single day. And Natalie Anderson and Nicola Marsh, thank you for your ongoing support; your friendship means so much to me.
My family also deserves thanks for all their support. It helps to have an amazing mother (who also doubles as chief babysitter and/or chef as needed!) when trying to balance work and motherhood, as well as a dad cheering on my every success. I’m also fortunate to have a great husband and two awesome little boys, and I think they’re finally impressed that Mum writes books! Although they don’t believe that I could have written every word because there are way too many words, according to them . . .
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