‘It was dreadful for her, I can see that,’ he said, serious now.
He had been there as best man, she remembered.
‘There was evidence she’d been inside the building and she was determined not to implicate anyone else,’ he said. ‘But you didn’t know she’d get caught and blamed for the incident.’
‘No, I only found out afterwards. When I offered to confess she said there was no point in both of us being punished.’
‘She’s a very understanding young woman. But listen, Lavinia, that all happened years ago. You shouldn’t go on blaming yourself.’ His hand left hers and his arm came around her shoulders. ‘Tell me you’ll consider taking me on as a husband, at least when I’ve had the chance to learn to use appliances on my legs.’
She hesitated. ‘Charles – you’re a very dear friend…’
‘Just a friend? That’s wonderful, but I was hoping for more.’
‘I’m concerned you might rush into something too hastily,’ she said. ‘Please think about it for a while longer, to be certain what you want. And I assure you, whatever happens, I’ll always value your company.’
‘Let me at least kiss you.’ He leant across and as his warm lips met hers she felt giddy with happiness. They stayed in their embrace a while longer.
When they heard footsteps, echoing down the corridor from the far end, he let her go. As she wheeled him back to his ward she hoped the sister had not noticed how close they had been.
When she left her mind was spinning. Could he possibly love her, the way she felt about him? It would be unfair to encourage him to rush into a new engagement. Even so, she could not prevent herself dreaming of such a glorious future.
* * *
Saturday and Sunday morning passed slowly for Amy. Nurses checked her recovery from the operation, juniors brought her food, and she waited impatiently for Edmond’s Sunday visit.
At last he arrived. ‘You look much better,’ he said, ‘apart from the leg, of course.’ She was sitting in the chair beside her bed, her bare toes poking out of the plaster.
‘Beth was pleased to see me,’ he told her. ‘Your parents are looking after her very well.’
‘The hospital might be discharging me on Friday,’ Amy said. ‘If only I could go to Cambridge, but I’d be a burden to you, instead of being useful. If I’m at The Beeches I can have Beth with me, though she’s getting to be a handful.’ With her bad leg she could not even imagine carrying her daughter upstairs. Events seemed to be conspiring continuously to keep her and Edmond apart.
‘Pa says you’re not to worry,’ he told her. ‘He’s engaged a new maid, called Daisy. It’s going to get easier gradually to get staff now the war’s over. And with your approval he’ll take on a nanny for Beth.’
‘Oh – that hadn’t occurred to me. It would save me making constant demands on Mother.’ She thought for a moment. ‘I never considered having a nanny. I want to bring up Beth myself.’
‘We all had a nanny when we were small. She was strict but looked after us well.’
‘Ask your father to engage a nanny on a very temporary basis,’ she told him. ‘As soon as my leg is back to normal I won’t need her any more.’ She was still longing for the time when they could all be together in their own house.
‘Keep getting better,’ he told her when he had to leave. ‘In just a few more weeks it’ll be the vacation and I can join you at The Beeches.’
* * *
Late on Thursday afternoon Amy was sitting in the chair by her bed, becoming a little bored, for she had finished reading the book she had brought, the latest one in the saga about the Forsytes. She reached across to her few belongings, piling them up as best she could, so she was ready to leave the following morning.
‘Hello – how’s the leg?’ came a voice, and there stood Lavinia. ‘It’s still painful, I imagine.’
‘Yes, but it’ll be worth it if I can walk better than before,’ she said, glad to have a visitor. If only she could be certain the operation had been a success.
Her friend fetched another chair and sat beside her.
‘What about you, Lavinia? The war’s over but you’ll go on nursing, won’t you? You’re so skilled.’
‘I’m not sure how long I’ll continue,’ she said. ‘I have new plans.’ She smiled, her dark eyes shining with excitement. ‘There’s a man who’s asked me to marry him.’
‘Lavinia! How wonderful.’ She had not expected this.
‘Do you remember I once told you there was an officer I admired?’
‘Yes – but he wasn’t free.’
‘He was badly injured and his fiancée didn’t want to marry him any longer.’
‘Oh – that’s like Beatrice and Charles Shenwood,’ Amy said.
‘The man is Charles Shenwood.’
Amy gasped.
‘I nursed him when he was first injured,’ Lavinia said. ‘He was engaged at the time and I don’t believe he thought of me, except as a nurse. I couldn’t help caring for him even then, though I assure you I behaved properly, concealing the depth of my feelings. Tell me, has Beatrice got any regrets at breaking her engagement?’
‘I don’t think so.’ Amy’s mind raced at the idea of Charles transferring his affections so quickly, and to a woman completely different from Beatrice.
‘I came back to England, escorting Charles and some other wounded. I was impressed with his courage in adjusting to the loss of part of both legs. He was an example to the other men.’
‘Edmond told me how brave he is.’
‘It was a slow journey, as we had to wait for a ship. Gradually he and I were growing closer. Eventually we reached London, and I was sent back to Flanders. Then I came back here with some other wounded and was told to stay in the London hospital. By then Beatrice had broken off their engagement. Charles was in poor spirits, though certain he’d done the right thing. I could scarcely believe it when he began to show me affection, to court me, even.’
Amy was concerned: Charles’s change of heart did seem sudden.
‘But it’s become clear he really cares for me!’ Lavinia said, with a tender smile that was unlike her usual resolute expression. ‘I visit him every few days, whenever I’m not on duty in the afternoon. He assures me he’s certain he wants to marry me. I never knew I could feel so blissful.’
‘Have you met his parents?’
‘Yes – they were visiting on Monday when I went to see him. I offered to leave them alone with him, but he asked me to stay. They were surprised at first when he told them of his plans, but they were very kind to me. I’m planning to tell Mother tomorrow, and write to Father in France – they’ll be overjoyed. We’re planning to announce our engagement soon. Charles has to go to the hospital at Roehampton before long to be fitted for artificial limbs. It’ll take him some time to get accustomed to them, so we’ll have to wait a few months, then we’ll get married.’
‘That’s wonderful news,’ Amy cried. At the same time an image flitted through her mind of Lavinia driving around France on her motorbike.
‘I’ve even reminded Charles about my Suffragette activities,’ she said. ‘I was anxious what he might think if he suddenly found out I’d broken the law, but he was understanding.’
‘You won’t need to take action like that again, now the law has gone through Parliament about women getting the vote.’
Lavinia looked serious now. ‘We both know that’s not enough,’ she said. ‘We should get the vote long before the age of thirty, and without any need to own property. But I’m going to restrict my activities to within the limits of the law.’
‘You’ll make a wonderful wife for Charles,’ Amy said. ‘Edmond will be delighted when it’s official.’
‘It’ll be difficult for us to visit you at The Beeches,’ she said. ‘I can hardly confront Beatrice with her former fiancé.’
‘You’ll both be able to visit Edmond and me in Cambridge.’ She reached out and hugged her old friend.
Chapter Twent
y-One
Larchbury and London, November to December
Soon Amy was back at The Beeches, with crutches, limping around on her plastered leg as she had done over a year earlier.
On the Monday afternoon she was bouncing Beth on her lap, thankful that they were reunited again, when Florence called in after school. ‘How are you managing?’ she asked as Amy got up awkwardly to ring for tea and shortbread.
‘Better than I expected. We’ve two new staff, you see.’
Daisy, the maid, was young but hardworking. Ellen, the nanny, was in her thirties and efficient-looking in her striped dress and apron.
‘She and Beth have taken to each other,’ Amy told her friend. ‘Ellen’s previously worked with other families and she’s remarked on my habit of spending much of the day with Beth. Apparently in her last family the parents only dropped into the nursery for an hour or so each day, but I made it clear that I’m determined to be close to my daughter.’
Presently Florence took Beth on to her lap. ‘I’ve hardly seen you since the Armistice,’ she said. ‘I was so thrilled about it when I wrote to James, and then I wrote to Caleb too.’
‘Who on earth is Caleb?’
Florence looked confused, as though she had said more than she intended.
‘He’s an American I met in France,’ she explained. ‘His ambulance unit helped me get back to the coast – I’m afraid I got sick travelling on Lavinia’s bike. Anyway, he was kind to me and asked me to write – he’s so far from his family. So I’ve written – this is only the second time.’
Amy was concerned. Would this man be a rival to James?
‘I’m not encouraging him,’ Florence said quickly. ‘I haven’t given him my address, so he can’t write back.’
‘Is there any prospect of James coming home?’
‘Not for a while, though he may be allowed leave, which will be wonderful.’ Florence’s cheeks dimpled at the prospect.
‘It’ll certainly be good to see him again.’
* * *
It was a Friday, a few days into December, when Peter arrived home. He was concerned for his mother and relieved to find her much better. She was more particular now about how her hair was arranged and what clothes she was wearing, a clear sign of her recovery.
Peter was jovial, thankful that the war was over and he need not return to France till New Year’s Eve.
‘How’s Edmond now?’ he asked Amy, later that afternoon, when the curtains had just been drawn as dusk fell. They had already assured him he was enjoying life at Cambridge, but Peter seemed to sense that Amy would have a better assessment of his wellbeing.
Ma was in the kitchen speaking to Cook, and Beatrice was in her room having a new gown fitted by her dressmaker. Amy could speak freely in front of Pa.
‘He’s much better physically,’ she reassured Peter, ‘though even now he tires easily. I’m worried that he still has nightmares about France, and his broken nights may make it harder for him to study. That’s one reason I’m especially anxious to be with him permanently.’
‘I must go to Cambridge to see him,’ Peter said.
At that moment Amy thought she could hear the growl of a motorbike from the direction of the drive. A minute later Edmond burst in.
‘How did you get here!’ Pa cried. ‘You’ll tire yourself, coming on the train, especially having to cross London. And how much time have you missed at College today?’
Amy reached for her crutches and limped across to allow Edmond to embrace her.
‘I came on the bike,’ he said grinning. Amy knew he had left his old motorbike in France. After he had been wounded he had arranged to pass it on to a fellow officer. ‘I’ve bought a new bike,’ he told them. ‘It’s first rate for getting around. I only had one lecture this afternoon, so I excused myself and set off at lunchtime and I was able to complete most of the journey by daylight.’
Peter rested his hand on his brother’s shoulder. ‘Trust you to find a way,’ he said.
Amy was concerned, but could scarcely contain her delight at his unexpected arrival. ‘Come and sit down,’ she said, ‘you must be exhausted, and frozen.’ She felt one of his hands, which was less cold than she expected.
‘I wrapped up well,’ he told her.
She rang the bell and asked Daisy to bring tea and cake. There would be time later to question his mode of transport.
‘Where’s Beth?’ he asked.
‘Ellen’s getting her ready for bed.’ He rushed off to greet his daughter before returning for the tea.
* * *
Dinner was a merry occasion, for Edmond was still triumphant at joining them.
‘Peter can stay till New Year’s Eve,’ Ma told him. ‘He’ll be here for our party.’
‘Invite any of your fellow officers who are over here,’ Beatrice implored Peter. ‘It’s been so dull with all the men away.’
He flung her a critical look and Amy guessed he had been displeased at her treatment of Charles.
‘Can you leave the party till just before Peter returns?’ Edmond asked. ‘You’ll have your plaster removed soon after Christmas, won’t you, darling? I’d like you to be able to dance again.’
If only my leg has healed properly, Amy thought as Cook removed the dishes from the main course. ‘It’s not that easy,’ she told him. ‘When the plaster comes off my ankle’s still likely to be swollen and I’ll need to rest it a good deal. My dancing will be quite limited.’ She had the feeling that Mr Westholme and Lavinia would advise against it altogether.
‘Should we invite Colonel Fairlawn, if he’s back from France, and his son Wilfrid?’ asked Ma. ‘They used to come to our parties, before the war.’
Across the table Beatrice dropped her knife noisily. Amy gasped and tried to conceal her dismay. She could not think of two people she was less willing to meet again. Beatrice had gone pale and was looking at her imploringly.
‘I think it would be completely wrong to invite the colonel,’ said Pa. ‘He was responsible for getting Amy sent to jail.’
‘She had actually committed an offence,’ Ma pointed out.
Edmond’s face was white, his eyes staring. Amy had never seen him so angry.
‘The colonel uses his position to bully anyone who crosses him,’ Pa retorted. ‘I’d like you all to remember how much Amy has done for us. She nursed Ma back to health at great risk to herself.’
Edmond stood up. ‘Let me make it clear: if you invite the colonel here I shall take Amy away for the evening to a hotel,’ he said.
His mother shuffled. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, ‘I shouldn’t have suggested it.’
‘As for Wilfrid, he’s still in France,’ Peter said, looking at Amy sympathetically. He was the only other one there who knew exactly what had befallen her in Ypres, and Amy was the only one who knew of Beatrice’s humiliation at Wilfrid’s hands.
‘And he’s in serious trouble,’ Peter went on. ‘He’s been accused of molesting nurses.’
‘Surely not!’ his mother exclaimed.
‘He’s denying it, but more than one young woman has complained.’
Amy looked across the table to Beatrice, who was trembling. It could not be long before one of the others noticed.
‘I think Wilfrid is about to face charges,’ Peter told them. Amy felt a rush of satisfaction that the man would be confronted with his actions.
‘I had no idea he would do such a thing,’ Pa said. ‘That makes it inappropriate to welcome him here, however impressive his war record.’
Beatrice looked a little calmer and began eating again.
Now a sudden, frightening thought flashed through Amy’s head. Might she be called upon to give evidence?
‘The complaints were hushed up during the war, I’m sorry to say,’ Peter said, ‘because of Wilfrid’s courage at the Front.’
No more was said of inviting the Fairlawns. Beatrice hurried away as they all got up from the dinner table. Amy asked Peter for a private word. ‘It’s about someon
e I know who was assaulted by Wilfrid,’ she explained for the benefit of the others.
‘It’s all right,’ he told her when the others had left the room. ‘They won’t call on you to give evidence, though your complaint was valuable for backing up what the others said. They were afraid Wilfrid would mention that his father had been instrumental in having you sent to jail. The other two nurses are still in France and so can give evidence conveniently. On one occasion he was surprised as he attempted to molest the young woman.’
She was sorry for the other women, but relieved. ‘I’m glad I helped to bring him to justice,’ she said.
When they rejoined the others Edmond looked very tired and was easily encouraged to retire with her to their bedroom.
‘You really are very naughty, riding all this way,’ she told him as she unbuttoned her dress.
‘Ma didn’t approve, I know, but you must understand the freedom it gives me.’ His eyes shone with enthusiasm. ‘I’d almost forgotten how much I love motorbikes.’
‘I’m terrified of you having an accident,’ she said. ‘Imagine if you sustained more damage to your chest.’
He put his arm around her as she stood there in her undergarments. ‘I suppose I should get a motor car,’ he said. ‘I’ll start looking for a second-hand one which is reasonably priced.’
* * *
When they reached church in good time that Sunday, the first person they saw was James, smart in his uniform, waiting outside to greet them, with Florence at his side, wearing her best hat.
‘How long have you been home?’ Amy asked, hugging him.
‘I only got back yesterday afternoon,’ he said.
‘It was such a lovely surprise when he called at my house,’ Florence said.
They could not talk for long, as the service was about to begin. James went to sit in the vicarage pew, and later got up to read the lesson. There was an air of relief now as parishioners gave thanks for the end of the war.
Until the War is Over Page 23