The forgotten house, p.9
The Forgotten House, page 9
We passed over a bridge and there was a crowd gathering, looking into the water. We didn’t stop, but I read the next day that three people drowned during the drill. They became disorientated and fell into the water when all the lights went out. Isn’t that a terrible thing? I was very shocked. I know my darling that after your dreadful experiences my story probably seems silly, but it is so very sad, I was really quite affected by it.
But back to my reason for wanting to be in London; Father has been undermining me again and has accelerated HIS plans for me to marry Anson. Kitty ran into Father Ranken in town and he said he was looking forward to marrying Anson and me next month! God bless him for being so indiscreet. Well that was news to me and the final straw. Well, I am learning from the best and I beat Father at his own game. Kitty and I had a plan. We joined the VADs! That’s the Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurses in case you can’t tell one nursing group from another and I begin training next week.
So Kitty and I are moving to London and have secured a room with a widow whose son has gone to war. She has a number of her rooms billeted and it is within walking distance of our headquarters. I am very excited. I love feeling useful; I’ll be working non-stop and living full-time in London, so I won’t be available to wed Anson. Isn’t that unfortunate? I can’t help smiling at the thought. After training, we may get posted somewhere away from London. Kitty has a friend at a hospital in Aberdeen, but Scotland is a little too far. I would like to stay somewhere around London initially so I can instigate my next plan.
A few days ago I told Father that I was accepted into the VADs. He was furious, particularly given I spent my days planning and plotting all of this while he thought I was shopping and socialising in London. He yelled until he turned purple. But now he has turned full circle. He was dead against it until the Chairman of the Board on this big government contract he’s after caught up with him at their Gentlemen’s Club and congratulated him on my joining. It appears he has been encouraging women to do their bit. Now Father is boasting that his daughter is a member of the VADs, purely for his own gain of course. But I don’t care, I have had a small victory! What can he do next? That must be the end of his attempts to marry me off, surely.
James darling, I know what you are going to say about me joining the VADs especially since I just told you I was distressed about the three people drowning, but I’m sure I will become braver as I get used to the work. I much prefer to be moving around than being cooped up in a canteen all day, even though it was fun in the company of the ladies. At least now I will be busy as a trainee nurse and distracted from worrying myself sick over you! As for my next plan, well I want to get shipped abroad and stationed where you are! Wouldn’t that be something?
James stopped reading and lowered the letter.
Lexie, you have no idea. It’s no picnic here. You will have no luxuries, be overworked, hungry, and in danger. He groaned.
‘What’s up Scribbler?’ Sandy stopped cleaning his weapon and looked over.
‘Nothing.’
‘Dog die?’
‘No.’
‘Cat die?’ Sandy persisted.
‘No, no one died.’
‘Girl left you?’
‘My girl has joined the VADs,’ James replied, ‘and she’s going to be nursing soldiers.’
‘Well good for her,’ Sandy said.
‘You might get to see her yet, hey? Get yourself shot in the big toe or something. Want me to do it?’ Shorty piped up.
‘You’re just a bit too keen to do that for my liking,’ James frowned at him.
Shorty laughed his booming laugh. ‘Just offering to help.’
‘She’ll be all right, Scribbler,’ Sandy continued. ‘It’s not like she’s staying at home and going to dances with visiting soldiers, is she? At least working as a nurse she’s exposed to ugly mugs like this bunch.’ Sandy nodded at some of the squad sitting around.
‘That’s lovely isn’t it,’ Shorty muttered back. ‘We wouldn’t be at war if the enemy had caught sight of your head before battle began. They’d be running, sir,’ he added as an afterthought.
James laughed.
‘Yeah, ha-ha.’ Sandy grinned.
‘It’s a good point though, thanks. I’m feeling better already.’ James looked around. ‘I’m going to look pretty good to her after she sees the likes of you lot.’ He carefully folded Lexie’s letter and put it away.
‘Good. Now make yourself useful.’ Sandy tossed over a rag. ‘Start cleaning.’
*****
Moira Taylor watched her daughter pack. She turned away to look out through the bay window at the grounds of her home. The world was changing and she felt powerless to stop it.
‘There’s no need to worry, Mother, really,’ Lexie assured her.
‘I think this is ridiculous.’ She turned to confront Lexie. ‘Your father should put a stop to it.’
‘Why is it ridiculous?’ Lexie folded a blouse without looking up at her mother. ‘Everyone is being called on to help, why not me?’
Moira shook her head. ‘Because we are not people who empty bed pans and clean rooms, that’s why.’
Lexie sighed and looked at her mother. ‘Really Mother, it is war. Do you think any of the boys fighting are the type of people who get dirty and kill people? Do you think the ladies working in the factories are the type of people who would normally pack goods? You heard Father, it is every woman’s duty to volunteer for some form of service.’
Moira clucked her tongue. ‘Don’t quote your father at me. I know his motives have nothing to do with national service and he would agree with me if he wasn’t trying to win that contract.’
Carrie entered the room and dropped onto the seat in the bay window. She folded her legs up around her chest.
‘I think it’s great you are volunteering, Lexie,’ she said. ‘I can’t wait until I turn eighteen and I will be joining you!’
Moira Taylor looked upset.
‘Thanks.’ Lexie looked at Carrie suspiciously, knowing there would be some ulterior reason for her loyalty.
‘And I know why you are doing it,’ Carrie continued.
Lexie shot her a look. ‘Well, keep your theory to yourself.’
‘Well I think it’s menial work that is below you and I think it’s too dangerous,’ Moira Taylor continued. ‘London is being bombed all the time and there are a lot of men pouring into the cities at the moment, not all of them well-intentioned I’m sure. I am surprised Kitty’s family has agreed.’
Lexie noted the worried tone in her mother’s voice.
‘I’m only going to London, not the front line,’ she said.
‘We’re at war; London is dangerous too,’ Moira said.
‘I’ll be fine. I’m going to be living in quarters near the hospital where we will be trained, so when we are not working, I will be in the company of women and probably too tired to do anything. We are going to get rooms in the hospital eventually. The billeting is just short-term until we all get settled and put into rosters. Then I’ll be permanently in the safe environment of St Bartholomew’s hospital.’
Moira did not look convinced.
Lexie continued. ‘For the first month it will be just study; there are lectures about first aid training and then we get practical nurse training on the job. After that, I guess I’m going to be working in the wards. You could come and visit me.’
Moira ignored the invitation. ‘Why couldn’t you stay here and continue at the canteen a few days a week?’
‘Because she would have to …’ Carrie began to explain but Lexie cut her off.
‘Because I will be of more value doing this, Mother, I want to do this. You should consider helping at the canteen. It would be good for you.’
Moira frowned but said nothing.
‘Really Mother, you should. The ladies need you and it will give you a sense of worth. Carrie can take you down there and introduce you. She’s met some of the ladies.’
‘I can!’ Carrie agreed. ‘And maybe they’ll let me start work prior to my eighteenth birthday if you are there.’
Moira Taylor said nothing.
Lexie closed her suitcase. ‘Well, that’s it.’
‘It’s not too late …’ her mother started.
‘It is Mother. I am going, I want to go. I can’t stand being around the house feeling useless. At least I’ll be busy and while I’m busy I don’t have time to think too much.’
‘About James,’ Carrie added.
Lexie turned to face her. ‘About all of our boys who are away fighting.’
Carrie snorted. ‘And one in particular.’
****
France, April 30, 1940
Hello my love,
I wonder what you are doing as I write this. Are you taking someone’s temperature, rubbing your feet after a hard day’s work or out with Kitty having a little bit of well deserved fun? How very admirable that you would do your bit but I am not surprised. You are such a compassionate person. I’m guessing since leaving the canteen you no longer have time to bake or do those knitting lessons. I was looking forward to wearing a pair of your knitted socks even if they are a beginner’s pair; different lengths, different stitches or different colours. I would have you close to my skin the whole time I was wearing them.
Well the word is that the so-called ‘Phoney War’ is over. I met up with a journalist visiting our base who had just come from Norway. Apparently the Germans invaded it in April and there were hundreds and hundreds of casualties. I think British politics might also have been a casualty from what he said. We heard that Chamberlain has resigned and Winston Churchill is now PM. I am sure you know more than I do, being on the home front and all.
I have just filed a story during a break—yes I managed to do what I came here to do. It was good to write again. Coming back and resuming life as a journalist seems like a dream.
The air attacks have increased and the sound of bombing is so disorientating; you never know where it is coming from and whether one is going to land on top of you! I seem to be permanently flinching. I wanted to stay upbeat in this letter but I am so overwhelmed with loneliness for you. I am not sure how much of this letter you will get … whether it will be censored or not … it may arrive in ribbons.
The Germans have started attacking some of our positions, Lexie, and yesterday I killed one, a German man. My first. I can’t believe I have killed someone. We are doing search and destroy at the moment and I literally stumbled on him. We both got a fright. He fell near me and just for a few seconds he looked at me. He was about my age and all I could think of was who he was leaving behind; that I had robbed his girl, his mother, father, brothers and sisters of ever seeing him again. It’s a terrible, terrible thing, Lexie. Then I vomited with the grief of it. When I mentioned it to Sandy, he shrugged and said ‘that’s our job’. Guess I should just toughen up and shut up.
Yesterday there was another random attack and we waited and waited; all huddled for hours in this freezing hell-hole waiting for the signal to advance. When it did come, most of us couldn’t move because our limbs were so frozen. I thought if speed was needed to save me, then I was a dead man. But it’s amazing how fast you can move when the adrenalin kicks in. I once told you I was more of a poet than an athlete, well my love, I could have earned a place on the national sprint team with my effort yesterday.
So tell me, my lovely girl, what’s happening there? The last letter I got from you seems a lifetime ago. I am overwhelmed with the battle you have fought to stay engaged to me and defy your father. I am sorry you have to do it alone, but knowing you are mine is the only thing that keeps me going day and night. Trust me, Lexie, after being here, the importance of family estates, wealth and a name has become non-existent to me. Not that it ever was a big deal before the war.
Do you still write to my father or are you too busy now? Are you finding it hard to get some items? Are you still forced to darn stockings in the absence of new ones?
I’ve heard about those soldiers who are charming girls with offers of silk stockings. I’ll take you in your darned ones any day so don’t you stray.
With my deepest love and affection,
Your James xx
‘The whole front’s collapsed, everyone’s heading for the coast.’ Sandy squatted down in front of his squad which had expanded in number as more soldiers drifted into camp, separated from their own units and waiting for instructions. ‘They’re evacuating now, so we need to get moving and catch up.’ Sandy breathed out and looked around. A debris graveyard surrounded them—the result of days of work destroying everything left behind by their own soldiers so it would not be of use to the Germans: vans, lorries, motorbikes and field guns, even deceased livestock littered the area.
‘I think we’ve destroyed everything that can be destroyed, Corporal.’ Misty followed Sandy’s gaze.
‘But why?’ one brave soldier’s voice asked.
Sandy looked between the heads to where the question came from.
‘Well, Private, I’m not usually in the habit of explaining why we have to follow orders …’
‘Sorry, Corporal,’ the young man said.
‘But use your head, Private. If we can’t take it with us, why would we leave all this equipment for the Germans to use against us?’
‘Uh, yes Corporal, sorry Corporal.’
Sandy nodded. He glanced at the boys’ faces. As well as his usual team of James, Shorty, Ham, Misty, Gunna and the Stooges, he counted an additional five fresh-faced kids who looked like the only action they had fought was in the playground.
‘The order is to evacuate,’ Sandy continued. ‘Everyone’s shipping out from Dunkirk Beach. We need to move it; the rest of our platoon has a few days start on us already. When you get to the beach, look for a lift home and get on anything seaworthy. Don’t wait for your friends, me, or anyone else, just get moving. It’s every man for himself. Questions?’
No one spoke.
‘Let’s go.’ Sandy ordered the men into two vehicles. After ensuring everyone was accounted for, he leapt in beside James at the wheel.
‘Move it out, Scribbler,’ he ordered.
‘Yes, Corporal.’ James started the lorry’s engine.
Chapter 14
‘I always wanted to train to be a nurse.’ Kitty exhaled smoke and offered Lexie the cigarette. ‘Being a VAD is like a shortcut.’
Lexie declined and sipped her tea. ‘Then why didn’t you pursue it before now?’
Both girls jumped as a tin tray hit the floor of the cafeteria behind them. A couple of women giggled, realising they hadn’t been bombed.
Kitty turned back to resume her conversation with Lexie. ‘The same reason as you, I guess; my parents would never stand for that. I was supposed to get married, have children, manage the household, join the Women’s Society, play tennis …’
Lexie nodded.
The cafeteria was filling up with an assortment of staff: nurses, doctors, volunteers, and carers pushing their patients in wheelchairs or leading them to chairs.
Kitty’s eyes followed every handsome male that entered the room. She caught Lexie’s eye and grinned. ‘I may be tired, but I’m still red-blooded.’
‘I’ll worry when you are not, shall I?’ Lexie said. She finished her cup of tea and sat back, groaning.
‘I don’t think I can get up. Did we go to bed last night?’
Kitty pursed her lips while she thought. ‘Yes, I think we finished near midnight … I remember lying down but not falling asleep.’
‘I remember getting up but not going to bed,’ Lexie added.
‘I got called into an operation this morning,’ Kitty added casually.
‘Really?’ Lexie’s eyes widened.
‘Really, straight into the deep end.’
‘But how?’
‘I was passing by and apparently there weren’t enough hands on deck. The matron pulled me in, told me to scrub up and then next thing I’m pressing on some poor man’s vein.’
Lexie grimaced. Kitty leant forward and whispered ‘it was amazing. I felt like I could make a difference, I could keep him alive.’
‘You are obviously cut out for this, you really are. I’m not sure I could do that,’ Lexie said.
Kitty’s face flushed with excitement. ‘There’s more … I stayed there for another two patients and then I had to mop some blood off the floor. That I could have done without, but the matron said she was pleased with my efforts. I wish I could do work in the operating theatre all the time.’ Kitty stubbed out her cigarette and stacked her lunch dishes. ‘Are you glad you volunteered though, even if you’re not sure it’s for you?’
Lexie nodded. ‘I don’t regret being here for a minute, I would do that again and again, and having you with me makes it so much better. But I wouldn’t say it’s my natural calling. I’m just pleased to be doing something useful and to not be sitting around home spending all day worrying about James. Speaking of which, Kit, you know I want to serve overseas as soon as I get enough skills to get transferred?’
‘I know, I haven’t forgotten.’
‘Will you still come with me?’ Lexie asked.
‘If I haven’t fallen madly in love with a doctor who works here at the hospital, who refuses to let me leave and can’t live without me … if that doesn’t happen, I’ll come.’
Lexie began to laugh.
‘What?’ Kitty smiled. ‘Do you think that’s unlikely?’
‘No, I think it’s inevitable.’ Lexie patted Kitty’s hand. ‘Let’s go. Time’s up and I’ve got bandages to change.’
*****
That evening, Lexie hungrily opened the letter from France that the landlady had left on her bed. She felt a rush of excitement seeing James’ handwriting. Large black marks obliterated some of what he had written where parts of his letter had been censored. She read on regardless, filling in the blanks as best she could.
