Dreams Can Come True (36 page)

“Well, she won’t know anything if I don’t write to her, will she? Did he say when he was coming out and what his plans will be?”

“He didn’t say, but I should imagine he would be discharged into the care of the Army. He’s still an officer and it will be up to them if they think he’s still fit enough to carry on or be let go on medical grounds. Hannah, don’t yer think we should be looking around somewhere, to maybe set up on our own? I have the knowledge to start a small business now in the building trade and I’m young enough to begin again.”

“But I don’t want to leave here, Eddie,” Hannah cried. “This is my home as well as yours and the babies’. It would take us years to have the same standards as we’re enjoying now.”

“We’re probably getting ahead of ourselves anyway, Hannah,” he said reassuringly. “Maggie’ll be back by Christmas and we can sort things out together then.”

The next morning, as Katie was inspecting her patients in readiness for Matron’s visit, Sister Gill came in with an official-looking paper.

“Staff Nurse Tibbs,” she called. “ Could you come over for a moment?”

She allowed Katie to read the letter that had come from the Chester Barracks. It said that a medical officer was to visit the very next day.

“We did have one that poked his head round the door way in Isolation, but he didn’t stay more than two minutes. Probably this chap will have Sub-Lieutenant Haines moved now he’s not infectious. Shall I break the news to him or do you want to do it? Poor chap, I feel so sorry that that sister of his didn’t visit him, and her husband’s visit didn’t do him much good, from what you told me.”

“I’ll let him know when I go in to check that his room’s all shipshape,” replied Katie. “He’ll probably be gone by the time I get back from my holiday. I’m going to catch up with our Annie and see what she’s been up to. Or what the children have been up to! My little house was as clean as a new pin when I left it, but it’ll be just like her old place by now. All scuffed and worn-looking, I’ll be bound.”

Michael perked up when Katie walked into the side ward. He had been looking despondently out of the window at the honeysuckle that was climbing up the side of the next building. He seemed to remember honeysuckle at Selwyn Lodge, entwining itself with a climbing rose around a bower in the garden. Not that he was interested in gardening, but it was a pleasant sight that he remembered from two years ago. So many things about his old home had become precious now that he was denied living there. The glorious view of the Welsh hills from his bedroom window; the conservatory where Miss Rosemary’s father had brought tropical plants from his sojourns abroad; Joan, the cook, who could be relied upon to fill a growing boy’s belly. He wondered if there had been a change of maid; he didn’t remember the last one’s name.

He wished he’d never left the place now. It was hard to remember why he had. Probably because Jeremy had filled his head with the daring do’s of becoming a cavalry officer and Montague urging him to see the world and get a life. They had mocked his position as the “go for” in his mother’s company and ridiculed his provincial ways.

Michael smiled at Katie as she asked him to get back into bed before Matron did her rounds. This staff nurse was a pleasant young woman indeed. Not attractive like some of the young ladies he had met on the social circuit, but passable. He liked the way her eyes twinkled as she spoke to him, her capable manner and her aura of peace and gentleness. She was tall like his mother, though that was where the likeness ended. This young lady was a little plump, where Maggie had always been slender, but there was something about her; perhaps the colour of her hair? He didn’t know, but what he did know was perhaps Staff Nurse Tibbs could come in very useful one day.

Katie felt the colour rush to her face as Michael smiled as if he was pleased to see her. She and Win had given him a bed bath the day before and though she had performed this duty for many male patients since her training days, something had been different this time. She couldn’t say what, but her dreams last night had been filled by a man who had whispered endearments. To her, Katie Tibbs, who was making nursing her career.

“I have some news for you, Sub-Lieutenant. A medical officer from your regiment is coming to see you tomorrow. That will be something to look forward to, won’t it?”

“Not really, Staff Nurse,” Michael answered glumly. “With your tender care I’m nearly back to full recovery, so I’ll be sent back to that God-forsaken country to finish my commission off.”

“Oh, I didn’t think of that. Never mind, perhaps they’ll think of something else for you to do. Are there no wars being fought nearer home, or perhaps you could do some peace keeping over in Ireland?”

Michael grinned at Katie’s attempt at light heartedness.

“I’d rather shoot myself in the foot.”

They both knew that he was also attempting brevity, but the thought of Michael wounded brought a lump into Katie’s throat. She took his hand, making sure her body shielded the action from any passer-by.

“Please don’t do that. If I can be of any help, do ask me. I knew your mother and I have cause to be very grateful to her. I’ll be pleased to help you in anyway I can.”

Katie sat in the kitchen later eating her lunch, chewing on a sandwich thoughtfully. She hoped she hadn’t made a fool of herself by holding the Sub-Lieutenant’s hand, but her heart had just gone out to him. He had looked so vulnerable when she had given him the news of the medical officer visiting. A bit like her brother, Ernie, used to look before their dad was about to clout him around his ear.

Sister Gill had advised her long ago not to get too close to the patients. A nurse was there to relieve their discomfort. Not to take on their problems; be only a listening ear. But could she do that when this man had no one else to turn to? Or abandon him in his hour of need when she knew that she was in love? Her last thought made up her mind for her. She would give him an address where she could be contacted. He could write. They would get to know each other by being pen friends for a while. Then maybe, one day in the future, she could tell Michael of her love.

Eddie was frowning as Hannah finished reading him Maggie’s letter. It had made him feel uneasy, as if this was the lull before the storm. As much as he loved Hannah, he was beginning to see a mean and petty side to her.

“Yer know, Hannah, I think you’re storing up trouble by not letting Maggie know about Michael. It’s wrong that you’ve done nothing to help him and I did tell him that you would probably write.”

“Is that all you can say, Eddie, after I’ve taken the trouble to read you her letter?” Hannah’s eyes glinted in anger at him. “Didn’t you hear me say she’s going to have a baby? See, I was right all along.”

“Yes, I heard, I was listening, but I can’t help feeling sorry fer your brother. We’ve left him in the hospital and we should have offered him a home.”

“Eddie, how can you say that after what he said about me being illegitimate. Yes, I know you knew already, but what if you hadn’t? It was a nasty thing to say and it could have caused a lot of trouble between you and me. Do you think he would have any mercy if the boot was on the other foot? No, he wouldn’t. He’d have us out on the street as soon as look at us. Michael was always jealous of me, you know, because I was Papa’s little princess.”

“Come here, Hannah,” Eddie said and put his arm around Hannah in an effort to calm her.

“You’re my princess now and all I want is fer you to be happy. I just want you to face it; that one day Michael will inherit Selwyn Lodge and all that goes with it. You might not like it, but it will happen, so I think we should have a contingency plan.”

“Like what?” Hannah snorted and pulled away from him impatiently. “Don’t think you’re going to get me to live in a hovel somewhere. If it’s not as good as here, I won’t be moving with you. I’ve told you before, Michael will have to prise me out of here with a toothpick.”

“Yer have to face it, Hannah, we’re just caretakers here until your brother comes out of the army, or if Maggie decides differently and lets us stay. But yer have to let her know that he was in the local hospital, because she’ll find out one day and you’ll have to take the consequences. Yer may have been brought up as brother and sister, but bloods thicker than water, or so they say.”

“I’ll think about writing,” Hannah answered him sulkily. “But when I get round to it and I’ve heard more about your plan.”

“That’s more like it,” Eddie said briskly. “Now how about a kiss to show that you still love me? You’re looking tired, Hannah, yer need an early night.”

It was the day of Maggie’s forty-first birthday. She had decided not to mention it to Bridget and Frank as she knew that they would want to make a fuss. Instead, she had treated herself to coffee and cake in the tea rooms she had found by the River Moy, then wandered over to the churchyard later to lay some flowers on her parents’ grave.

She had sat on a bench that someone had thoughtfully placed under the shady branches of a horse chestnut tree. It was cool away from the scorching rays of the August sun and peaceful to sit in contemplation, thinking of her son who shared her birthday too. That’s what Maggie needed now; peace and welcome quiet. Away from people and intrusion in her life.

That was the day she decided to inquire about local property. She had been with her friends now for nearly four weeks. They were kind to her, supportive, and only charged her the bare minimum for her board and rent. But Maggie knew that they relied on the letting of their guest rooms for their income. It was time she looked for a property and stood on her own two feet.

Bridget was surprised when Maggie broached the subject.

“I thought you’d be wanting to go back to Neston, dear. Back to your family and businesses. I thought this time here was to help your grieving and make some decisions in your life.”

“That’s just it, Bridget. I don’t want to go back where I’m known and be looked upon with pity. I want a new life for myself and the baby. Somewhere I can start again and make myself a home. Hannah and Eddie will fill Selwyn Lodge with their own babies, the company I know is in safe hands, so what’s the point of returning when I’m not really needed at all?”

“Well, if you’re sure,” her hostess said doubtfully. “If I can help you, let me know. I’ll help in any way I can.”

“I have a mind to go and look at a cottage on the way down to Killala. It belonged to a friend called Mrs. Dockerty, but I believe she’s passed away. How would I get the keys to the property? I know the land belongs to the farmer, but if the cottage is not sold already, how would I know if it’s up for sale?”

“Hmm, I’ll have to ask Frank about that, he could ask around for you. But why down in Killala, Maggie? It can get very lonely in the winter, as you’ll already know.”

“Call it nostalgia, Bridget, or a need to be where I belong.”

“So, who is it from, Katie?” asked Annie, all agog at the official-looking letter that had been delivered by the postman a few minutes before.

“None of your business, Annie. It’s to do with work. I asked for any correspondence to be sent over here.”

“Is it from a man friend? That’s why he’s writing here, so that your Matron won’t find out.”

“I’ve told yer, it’s to do with work, don’t be nosy. Now, are we going down to the cottage? I want to see if Ernie’s all right.”

“Oh, he’ll be at work, Katie. Let’s leave it fer today and go down tomorrow. It’s too hot to be walking and we’ll have to drag these two along with us. Sam’s mother’s gone up to the cemetery to visit her husband, yer know. She’ll look after them tomorrow for me.”

“You’ve been putting me off since I arrived, Annie. Have yer got something to hide? He’s still at Lilac Cottage, isn’t he?”

“That’s the thing, I don’t know, Katie. Since I told him off fer messing up the floor here, we’ve not seen him. He’s not been fer his dinners and Lukey said he’s been down, but couldn’t see him anywhere.”