The G.I. Bride

by Eileen Ramsay

  ‘Well, that’s good, isn’t it? You’ve been moaning for ages about not having a letter, so why the glum face? Didn’t he tell you he loved you?’

  Eunice sighed. ‘No. It’s not his way. Norm is a man who keeps his feelings to himself. It’s more a case of showing than saying. But that’s all right. We understand each other . . .’ She trailed off. ‘It would be nice to have him write it once in a while, though. Still, it was lovely to hear from him. On top of that, Mum’s heard from George and Dad as well. Things are looking up.’ She grinned around at them.

  ‘Oh, that reminds me.’ April dug in her pocket. ‘I got a letter too. There must have been a big delivery or something, so all the letters are arriving at once.’

  ‘Ooh! Who’s that from, April? Is it from your sweetheart, Theo?’ Nancy looked at April eagerly.

  ‘He’s not my sweetheart, how many times do I have to tell you all?’

  ‘Come on, you said you loved him last time you spoke about him. If that’s not a sweetheart, I don’t know what is.’

  ‘Well, I do love him. As a friend. After the way he threw me over, I don’t think I can trust him again.’ April was not willing to discuss her complicated feelings for Theo further than that.

  Bess reached across the table and snatched the letter from her hand. ‘Let’s have a read, and see just how friendly he is, shall we, girls?’

  ‘Hey! That’s private.’

  ‘Oh, don’t be such a bore. If he really is just your friend, it can’t be that interesting.’

  April was mortified. He might not be her sweetheart, but even so, she didn’t want anyone else reading her letters.

  Eunice came to her defence. ‘Come on, Bess, give it back. You’re not being fair.’

  Bess sighed. ‘You’re such a spoilsport. I’ll give it back on the condition you read it to us.’

  ‘Let me see what’s in it first.’ April took the letter, her cheeks flaming, anger making her hands shake.

  She scanned the single page quickly.

  Dear April,

  Thank you for writing to me. You can’t imagine how your letters cheer me. I don’t get many. Mother writes regularly, of course, but otherwise, there’s only you. I’m glad you love Cornwall, and that you found out what happened to your family. But very sorry that it was bad news. How I wish I had been with you to soften that blow, my darling. But Mrs Teague sounds nice and it comforts me to know you are in good hands.

  I can’t tell you much about where I am, but it’s pretty boring. I miss you and I miss my cello. Some of the boys get together and we sing sometimes, just to pass the time, but it’s not the same. I wish I could play for you now, like I used to. Do you remember?

  I’ve been thinking a lot about you and our last evening together – there’s not much to do here but think, apart from the endless exercises, of course. Anyway, what I want to say is that I’m sorry. I realise how I behaved was not right, and if I confused you and hurt you, it was never my intention. I suppose I was confused too. And didn’t know how to behave.

  I keep remembering our kiss that last night. How very special it was. How much hope it gave me that we can get back to the way we were. Until my mother ruined it. She does have a habit of doing that, doesn’t she? I am keeping you in my heart, April. And begging for your forgiveness. I know now that I was wrong to treat you the way I did. I don’t expect you to wait for me – why should you after what I did? – but I want you to know that I will wait for you. And I hope that when this war is over, you will find it in your heart to forgive me, and maybe return my love again.

  All my love,

  Theo

  The words started to blur as she read. She thought about how he’d looked that last evening, his face lit by the fire, his eyes tender. But alongside that memory was the one when he told her that she was just a childhood crush.

  Oh, Theo, she thought, I don’t know if I can ever trust you enough to love you as I used to. She wiped her eyes and looked up, suddenly aware of the expectant silence around her.

  ‘Well?’ Bess was clearly impatient. ‘Why the tears? Has he thrown you over again?’

  ‘No, I’m not reading this out. It’s private.’

  ‘Ooh, does he love you?’ Bess made kissing noises with her mouth.

  Just then the door opened, saving April from answering as a couple of very tall, very smartly dressed G.I.s walked in. The four looked with interest at the men. Though she’d heard many people mention it, these were the first coloured soldiers April had seen.

  Kath looked up, and then around the restaurant. ‘I’m sorry, gentlemen, but I think you may have to come back later. As you can see there are no tables.’

  Just then Nancy stood up and called loudly across the crowded room, ‘That’s no problem, Kath. We’d be happy to have these fine soldiers sit with us, wouldn’t we, girls?’ She flicked her hair prettily and looked around at the others. Bess and April nodded in agreement.

  April was very aware that the whole tearoom had fallen silent and everyone was looking at them. She glanced around. It was true all the tables were taken, but there were enough seats for them at other tables, and everyone was used to sharing. She felt both embarrassed and angry on the G.I.s’ behalf. She’d heard that the American soldiers were strictly separated into coloured and white areas, but she didn’t really understand why. And she assumed that Kath was taking her lead from the other G.I.s. It seemed rude to her. She felt a flash of warmth towards Nancy. Even though her actions were probably motivated more by how handsome the men were than anything else, she was glad she’d spoken up.

  The men looked between Kath and Nancy uncertainly.

  Bess smiled invitingly at the men. ‘After all, we have been told to make our allies welcome. Isn’t that right, Kath?’ She glared pointedly at the waitress, who gave her a withering look in return.

  April decided it was time she waded in as well. ‘Oh, please do join us.’ She glanced at Eunice, who had remained silent throughout all of this, which was strange; she was usually the first to try to right an injustice. But to her surprise, Eunice was sitting stock still, staring at the shorter of the two soldiers – although he was still around six feet tall as far as April could tell – with a very strange expression on her face. On top of which, her face looked flushed.

  April gave her a gentle kick under the table, which brought Eunice back to earth with a start. She glanced quickly at her, then back at the soldiers. ‘Yes, of course, please come and sit down,’ she said a little faintly.

  April noticed that the soldier Eunice had been staring at was returning her intent look as they walked over to the table with broad smiles on their faces. Did they know each other, she wondered? Eunice had never mentioned it, which was odd.

  ‘You are most kind, ladies, but we have orders not to cause trouble,’ one of them said quietly.

  ‘No trouble at all, boys,’ Bess said, trying to sound seductive, but really, sounding a bit ridiculous.

  The taller G.I. took off his hat and sat down. ‘I’m Homer, ma’am,’ he said to Nancy. ‘And this is A.J. We’re very happy to make your acquaintance.’

  ‘Gosh how tall you both are.’ Nancy giggled girlishly. ‘Where on earth can they fit two such strapping men? I’m sure there’s not a bed in Cornwall that would be long enough.’

  A.J. laughed. ‘We brought our own beds over. Anyway, they’re just camp beds, and yes, our feet hang off the end. Especially Homer’s here. And his feet are so big that when he’s lying on his stomach, his toes hit the floor.’

  Everyone laughed.

  ‘Golly.’ Nancy batted her eyes at Homer. ‘I can’t imagine feet can be that big. And as a nurse, I’ve seen a lot of feet.’

  Homer grinned at her while April watched in fascination. So this was how flirting was done. She’d never managed to do it, and she’d probably be too embarrassed, but Nancy really was good at it.

  ‘So where are you stationed?’ Bess asked A.J.

  ‘We’re up near Pencalenick House, m
a’am. Although we don’t sleep in the house itself, obviously, we have our own camp in the woods.’

  Bess sat forward, looking suddenly eager. ‘Oh, I’ve been there. I know one of the officers stationed there. Crawford something. Do you know him? He’s a very good friend of mine.’

  A.J. raised his eyebrows at this. He didn’t look convinced. ‘I do know him, ma’am. And a very fine officer he is.’

  ‘Could you give him a message for me? He’s so terribly busy that obviously he’s not had a minute to write a letter to me. Even though I’ve been sending some to him.’

  A.J. looked a little uncertain. ‘Well, I guess so,’ he drawled. ‘But he’s not there at the moment, so I don’t know when he’d be able to answer you.’

  ‘Oh, that’s all right. I completely understand. When you see him, could you tell him that Bess – from the Royal – would like to see him again? And he can find me at the hospital or the nurses’ home. I did tell him, but he must have forgotten, being so busy and everything.’

  ‘I’ll be sure to tell him if I see him, but like I said, our camp is separate from theirs, and I don’t go over there much.’ A.J. looked over at Eunice then. ‘Hello, ma’am, I haven’t met you, but I saw you at church last Sunday, didn’t I? At St Agnes? No way could I forget that pretty hair.’ AJ raised his hand to her head, almost as if he was going to touch it.

  Eunice blushed. ‘Um . . . yes. Um, I saw you singing there. You have a beautiful voice.’

  April could not believe that her usually confident and chatty friend seemed so shy. Could it be . . . ? No. She was being unkind, Eunice would never betray Norm, but A.J. certainly was handsome with his smooth, dark skin, close-cropped hair and large brown eyes.

  Eager to be included in the conversation, Bess interjected, ‘Oh, Eunice mentioned something about that to me the other day. She said she’d never heard such beautiful voices, didn’t you, Eunice?’

  A.J. laughed. ‘Well, I’m not sure about that’ – he looked back at Eunice – ‘but I’m glad you enjoyed the singing. Will I see you in church again sometime? I’d surely like that. I don’t get to go as often as I’d like, but I will try if you’re there.’

  Eunice was silent for a moment, then she got up quickly. ‘I don’t think I’ll be able to go for a while. Anyway, I must get on. So nice to meet you A.J., Homer. Goodbye.’

  A.J. looked after her as she hurried to the door, bemused. Homer and Nancy, who were wrapped up in their own conversation, didn’t seem to notice, but Bess stared after Eunice with a speculative look on her face. She turned to A.J.

  ‘Poor Eunice has to see her mother who’s not well. How about you and me, and maybe Nancy and Homer, take a walk around the town?’ She looked at April. ‘You’re welcome to join us, but the numbers are a bit uneven and I wouldn’t want you to feel like a third wheel. Or actually a fifth.’ She giggled at her own joke.

  April stared at her, furious. What had got into Bess? One moment she was talking about this Crawford, the next she was inviting a complete stranger to go walking with her. And then there was the way she’d been about her letter.

  April pushed back her chair. ‘No, I have to get back to Mrs Teague. You won’t mind sorting out the bill, will you, Bess? You did promise after all.’ She smiled at her sweetly then turned to the G.I.s. ‘Lovely to meet you both, gentlemen.’

  Keeping her head high, she walked out of the café and stormed down the street, fuming. Her whole day had been ruined by that nasty cat, Bess, and she’d had enough. From now on, she would be polite when she saw her, but that was it. Over the past months, Bess had been getting increasingly cruel towards her, and she had no idea why. She’d tried everything to become friends with her, but not any more. She would stay out of her way from now on.

  Chapter 9

  April wandered down the road and was surprised to see Eunice sitting on the steps of the cathedral. She ran towards her.

  ‘Eunice! What happened to you in there? I was worried about you. I didn’t think you were seeing your mother till later.’

  Eunice looked up. ‘I just needed to get away. Anyway, what are you doing here? Where are the others?’

  April plopped down on the step beside her and told her what Bess had said. Eunice shook her head. ‘Try not to mind Bess, April. She’s had a bad time of it in the past, she’s told me a little of it, and it’s not nice. I think she gets very insecure, and for some reason she feels she’s in competition with you.’

  ‘But why? I’m not even qualified yet, I never go out with her. I just don’t understand, Eunice. And if she’s so crazy about this Crawford, why is she then making googly eyes at another man?’

  ‘She wants everyone to love her, that’s why.’

  ‘Except me,’ April said ruefully.

  ‘Except you,’ Eunice agreed.

  ‘Anyway, enough of all that, what was your problem with A.J.? He seems ever so nice, and he’s very handsome, don’t you think?’

  Eunice looked away. ‘I suppose. If you like that sort of thing.’

  ‘Well, Bess and Nancy definitely do. Look, there they are now, coming out of the café. Good grief that man is tall. Nancy must be half the size of Homer.’

  Eunice looked over and snorted. ‘I might have guessed it. Bess is all over A.J. I know I said she’s insecure, but sometimes I wonder whether she’s just plain mean.’

  ‘You know, Eunice, that is exactly what I think. But why are you so upset about Bess being with A.J.?’ She looked at her friend carefully. ‘You find him attractive, don’t you?’

  ‘Of course I don’t. I’m in love with Norm, remember?’

  ‘But surely that doesn’t mean you can’t find other people attractive? When Theo took me to see Top Hat one time, I thought Fred Astaire was completely dreamy.’

  Eunice laughed. ‘It’s hardly the same thing, is it? It’s not as if you’ll ever meet him. And anyway, I’ve always thought Fred Astaire looks a bit like a tortoise.’

  ‘Eunice Granger! How can you say such a thing?’

  Eunice grinned, then sighed. ‘But if I’m truthful, yes,’ she said quietly. ‘I do think A.J. is attractive, and even though I’ve only ever seen him once, I’ve been thinking about him. What sort of girl does that make me? Poor Norm out there on the sea somewhere, in fear of his life, and here’s me, admiring another man.’ She put her face in her hands.

  April put her arm around her friend’s shoulder. ‘This all sounds like nonsense, Eunice. Have you walked out with him? Gone to the pictures with him? Tried to see him? No, you haven’t. You have nothing to feel guilty about. Anyway, now the other two have gone off, looks like it’s just you and me. I’m not in the mood for looking round the shops now. There’s nothing to buy anyway. Tell you what, why don’t you come back to Mrs Teague’s for lunch? She’d be delighted to see you.’

  ‘Yes, I’d like that. Mrs Teague’s food is so delicious, and it’ll make a nice change from the hospital muck.’

  They were just walking down the cathedral steps when April spotted a familiar redhead crossing the road. ‘Hang on, Eunice, I think that’s Red. The G.I. I told you about that we met the other week.’ She rushed up to him.

  ‘Red? Is that you?’

  Red turned around and looked down. ‘Hey, it’s you. How are you? And how is your lovely friend, Mrs T?’

  ‘Oh, she speaks of you often. She hasn’t forgotten your promise to show her how to use a lasso. And she was so sorry to hear about the soldier who died. I hope he wasn’t a friend of yours.’

  ‘No, I didn’t know him. But it shook us all up. Brought it all home to us.’

  ‘Well, Mrs Teague was very keen to invite you round to lunch or tea when you’re free.’

  ‘That’s mighty nice of her. I would love to have a real British tea.’

  ‘I know it’s a bit short notice, but we’re just on our way back there now. Why don’t you come too, if you have time? It’ll make her day.’

  ‘As it happens, I am free. I’ve got the afternoon off
and was just taking a stroll around.’

  ‘Let’s go, then. She’s going to be so excited to see you. Oh, by the way, this is my friend Eunice, who works at the hospital with me.’

  Red tipped his cap. ‘Pleasure, ma’am. Looks like you and me have something in common.’ He grinned and gestured to Eunice’s head.

  ‘Looks like it. But anyone who’s tried to call me Red hasn’t lived long enough to do it again.’ They all laughed and April was relieved to see that Eunice seemed to have shaken off her mood.

  ‘By the way, Red, are you going to this dance near Bodmin? All the hospital has been invited, and it would be wonderful to see a friendly face there.’

  ‘I’ll be there. Maybe you can save me a dance.’

  ‘I most definitely will. Although I don’t know too much about some of those American dances.’

  ‘Then it’ll be fun to teach you, if I manage to get a look in. I have a feeling you’ll be surrounded by so many soldiers, I’ll have to beat my way through to get to you.’

  April laughed and smacked him on the arm. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. There’ll be lots of girls there. I might say the same about you. The nurses are going to love you.’

  ‘Well, a man can hope, can’t he?’ He grinned and linked his arms companionably through the two of theirs.

  Once at the house, April led them into the sitting room, where Mrs Teague was sewing and listening to the wireless. She jumped up in delight the minute she saw them.

  ‘Ooooh, my goodness, Red, I am so happy to see you, my love. Come in, come in. I’ve got cold meat pasties for lunch, along with lettuce and tomatoes from the garden. I’m sure if I cook a few potatoes, we can make it all stretch.’

  ‘Mrs T, don’t you worry about feeding me. I get plenty up at the camp.’

  ‘Nonsense, my dear. No one comes to my house and doesn’t eat. And wonderful to see you too, Eunice.’

  Later, as they sat at Mrs Teague’s dining-room table and feasted on the delicious meat pasties, Mrs Teague battered Red with questions, which he answered with good humour.