The G.I. Bride

by Eileen Ramsay

  April hugged her. ‘Try not to think of it. He’s here for now, so just enjoy this time. I’ll tell Mrs Granger you’re thinking of her.’

  *

  Eunice opened the door when she knocked. She looked dreadful. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her freckles stood out in stark contrast to the paper-white paleness of her face.

  ‘April! I didn’t expect to see you. Come in.’

  April gave her friend a hug. ‘You poor, poor thing. Of course I came. How are you?’

  They went through to the sitting room, where Eunice sat on an armchair and put her head in her hands.

  ‘It was terrible. Dad’s missing somewhere in Crete, apparently. I don’t even know where that is! I got the message when I got back to the nurses’ home yesterday, and A.J. came back with me. Mother was in such a state and seeing A.J. made it worse. She told him to leave and never come back. Said I’d been complaining about him pestering me, and if he turned up at the church again, she’d make sure everyone knew the sort of man he was. Poor A.J. looked devastated,’ Eunice sobbed. ‘And now she’s hardly talking to me. And worse, she’s acting as if Dad will be home. She refuses to believe that he might have been killed.’

  ‘Oh, Eunice. Does she know, then, about you and A.J.?’ April wondered how much more her friend could bear. She was worried about what the stress would do to the baby, but she kept that thought to herself.

  Eunice nodded. ‘She guessed that something was going on the other day, so when A.J. brought me home, her suspicions were confirmed. And now this has happened and she keeps flying off the handle at me. Shouting about me bringing shame on the family. Telling me to wait until Dad gets home, he’ll make sure A.J. gets what’s coming to him.’

  Just then, Mrs Granger came into the room, looking ten years older than she had just a couple of days before.

  ‘Mrs Granger, I’m so sorry to hear your terrible news. If there’s anything I can do, please just let me know.’

  She nodded. ‘He’s not dead, you know, April. I’d know if he was, wouldn’t I? Sometime soon, my Albert will be back. I’ll make us some tea, shall I?’ She left the room.

  While she was gone, April sat on the sofa with her arm around her friend, while Eunice sobbed into her shoulder.

  ‘Do you see what I mean?’ Eunice raised her head and sniffed. ‘She’s behaving as if he’s just a bit lost and will turn up any time soon.’

  ‘Perhaps it’s the only way she can cope. And there is still hope, Eunice, so try not to think the worst until you have to.’

  Eunice nodded and sighed. ‘I suppose you’re right.’ She sat back and closed her eyes. ‘I just wish I could be as certain as she is. But instead, I just keep fearing the worst.’

  April murmured some soothing words, but she knew there was nothing she could say that would make her feel better, so she stopped talking and held her friend’s hand, praying silently that Eunice would have the strength to get through the next few weeks. With everything that was going on in her life, it wasn’t going to be easy.

  When Mrs Granger returned, she set the tray on the table and poured each of them a cup of tea. April noticed she didn’t look at her daughter at all.

  ‘Thank you for coming, dear,’ she said once the tea was poured. ‘Though, as I said, I’m sure all will be well. Anyway, there’s no time for all this grieving. We’ve got Norm coming soon, and I’d like to have a little celebration. Goodness knows what Mr Granger would think if I went off into hysterics just because he’s missing.’

  April shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She had no idea what on earth she could say to that. And the mention of Norm had set Eunice crying again. She decided to humour Mrs Granger.

  ‘You’re right. There’s always hope. You’re very brave to stay so positive.’

  Mrs Granger nodded then looked at Eunice, her expression hardening. ‘That’s enough, Eunice. Anyone would think it was Norm that was missing. Oh no, come to think of it, you wouldn’t shed a tear for him, would you? Considering the way you leaped on someone new the minute he turned his back.’

  ‘Please don’t, Mother’

  ‘Look at the way you’re carrying on when your father’s not even dead. I think you’re grieving more about not seeing that darky fellow again. You better get your priorities straight before Norm gets back.’

  ‘How can you say such things?’

  ‘Anyway, maybe it would be just as well if your father was dead, considering the shame you’re bringing on this household.’

  ‘Mother . . .’ Eunice’s voice was defeated, as if she’d heard it all before. Which, April thought, she probably had.

  ‘Your father will be furious when he gets back. No daughter of his is going to marry some foreigner, I can tell you that. Now stop your snivelling. I can’t stand the noise.’

  April was shocked at Mrs Granger’s words. She found it hard to believe she could be so insensitive to her daughter’s grief. But then she noticed that, as Mrs Granger lifted her cup to her mouth, her hand was shaking so badly, the tea spilled down her dress, causing her to jump up with a cry of frustration and leave the room. Suddenly, despite the way she’d just spoken to her friend, April’s heart went out to her. Eunice had always said that her mother was a woman of strong conviction, who did not like anything upsetting her plans. Now she was facing the possibility that her husband was dead, and the bright future she’d envisioned for her daughter seemed to be slipping away as well. And it was all out of her control.

  Eunice hiccupped as she tried to hold back her tears. ‘I don’t think she wants me here, so I’m going to come back to work tomorrow; staying here is driving me mad. The neighbours said they’d make sure she was all right, and to be honest, I think the sight of me upsets her.’

  ‘It’s good to keep busy and focus on other things. But hard. And, Eunice, about all the other stuff:’ – she gestured to Eunice’s stomach – ‘you really only have one choice. You have to tell A.J. and Norm. You know that, don’t you?’

  Eunice bent her head and nodded. ‘I just can’t face it right now, though.’

  ‘But when Norm comes back you’re going to have to.’

  ‘Please, not now, April.’

  April squeezed her friend’s hand. ‘All right. But remember, I’m here for you, no matter what. One way or another things will work out eventually. Now I better go.’

  Eunice held on to April’s hand as she rose from the sofa. ‘Thank you. For coming, I mean. I can’t tell you how much it means to have someone on my side.’

  April nodded and went to the hall to get her coat. She heard Mrs Granger moving about in the kitchen and popped her head around the door to say goodbye.

  ‘April, before you go, there is something you can do for me. You’re a good friend of Eunice’s, so perhaps she’ll listen to you. I know she’s been running around with that . . . that man, and I’m disgusted with her. She’s an engaged woman and needs to face up to her responsibilities. She needs to get rid of that other fellow before poor Norm catches wind of anything. Talk to her for me, will you?’

  April didn’t know what on earth she could say, so simply nodded.

  ‘Thank you. I knew I could rely on you; I’ve always thought you were a good, steady girl. Not like that Bess. I’m sure it’s her influence that’s led Eunice off the rails. Now, I’ve just spoken with Terence next door and he says he’ll take you back to Truro. The bike will fit in the van. He’s got deliveries to make and he’s happy to help.’

  ‘That would be lovely, thank you.’ April was relieved. The thought of cycling back made her weak with fatigue.

  Just then a horn tooted outside. ‘There he is now. Off you go and remember what I said.’

  Terence was a portly, middle-aged man with a cigarette dangling from his lips, and after telling him where she lived and thanking him for the lift, the two drove in silence for a few minutes.

  Suddenly Terence broke the silence. ‘Bad business, that. At the Grangers.’

  Assuming he meant the fac
t that Mr Granger was missing, April murmured an agreement.

  ‘Saw that darky turn up at the house the other day with Eunice. And her engaged to Norm. We don’t see many people of colour here and that’s how we like it. A very nice neighbourhood, this, no riff-raff around here. I have to say he seemed nice enough, but Eunice’s dad wouldn’t allow it. Wouldn’t like it at all. He’s definitely a stick-to-your-own-kind sort of chap.’

  April felt her cheeks flush with anger. ‘I assume you mean A.J. Timpson? He’s a friend of ours. And because he was with us on Sunday, and he’s a gentleman, he didn’t want Eunice cycling over on her own when she was so distressed.’ She hated the way this man was talking. She’d rather cycle back than listen to him. ‘Anyway, I prefer to believe that Mr Granger would have got to know him before he judged him.’

  ‘No, lass, he couldn’t even tolerate the English. A bad year for the Grangers, this, and the last thing they want is their daughter getting a reputation. Expect you’ve got some Yank boyfriend too. They’re all over the place. Sick of them, I am.’

  ‘We have made many American friends since they arrived. My landlady often has young American visitors, including A.J. She mothers them a bit and it’s good for her and them.’

  ‘As long as they don’t get too friendly. Elderly, is she?’

  ‘She’s not young but she enjoys young company.’

  ‘Hmph. Just tell her to watch herself, that’s all. Can’t be too careful these days.’

  April didn’t say any more, instead she gazed sightlessly out of the window. She’d known things were difficult for Eunice, but suddenly she understood just how isolated she might be once people realised she was pregnant, and who the father was. No wonder she was in such turmoil. It would have been bad enough without having to contend with her mother and the attitude of the neighbours. She wondered, if the worst came to the worst, whether Eunice could stay at Mrs Teague’s. She wouldn’t be allowed to live at the nurses’ home once they realised she was pregnant, and her mother probably wouldn’t want to help either. It was a lot to ask, but given Mrs Teague’s need to mother, and her complete lack of prejudice or judgement, she was certain she would be happy to help.

  Terence’s voice broke into her thoughts. ‘Here we are, m’dear.’

  She forced herself to smile at him. ‘Thank you for the lift.’

  ‘Mind how you go now, love,’ he said, then drove off, tooting his horn and waving a hand out of the window.

  After saying a quick good night to Mrs Teague, April went straight up to bed. But despite her exhaustion, it was a long time until she was able to sleep. Thoughts of her friend kept going around and around in her head, but with no possible solution to offer, her mind conjured up Theo’s face. She needed to talk to both Theo and Crawford, because if Eunice’s situation had taught her anything, it was that you needed to confront your problems before they became too large. The last thing she wanted was for anything to jeopardise her relationship with Crawford.

  *

  Work was especially busy the next day, but April was cheered to see Eunice when she went to the cafeteria. She was less thrilled to see Bess, but seeing as the girls were sitting together, along with Nancy, she had little choice but to talk to her.

  When she sat down, Bess was telling the other two about Red and how he was going to take her to the picture house.

  ‘Oh, Red was at Mrs Teague’s the other night and said he was taking her. Is he taking you both then?’

  ‘He was at your house? Why the—’

  ‘No, he wasn’t asking me, he was asking my landlady.’

  ‘I think you must be mistaken. He’ll be taking me.’

  ‘I don’t think . . .’ Seeing Bess’s expression, she decided to say no more. Things were awkward enough as it was and Red could sort out his own mess. She also thought it wise not to mention that she might be going with Crawford. She looked at Eunice. ‘How are you today, love?’

  ‘Glad to be back, to be honest.’ Eunice smiled wanly but didn’t seem inclined to talk much. So April turned to Nancy.

  ‘What about you? Will you and Homer be going to see the film?’ She realised her mistake the minute the words were out of her mouth. ‘Sorry. That was insensitive of me. I expect Homer’s not allowed to go, is he?’

  ‘No. Anyway, I’m working that night. They’re showing the film for the coloured soldiers the next night, so I’ll be going then. Honestly, if we women are fine with it, I can’t understand why the men can’t all mix together.’

  Eunice snorted. ‘It’s not just the men. Some of the women are just as bad.’

  Nancy sighed. ‘I know. Lucky for me my mother doesn’t care. Anyway, got to love you and leave you.’

  Eunice looked at her watch. ‘Yes, me too. See you later.’

  After they’d left, Bess caught April’s arm and hissed at her, ‘If you think I believe that rubbish about Red going to see Mrs Teague, then you must think I’m stupid. Bet Crawford doesn’t know about it either, does he? Think it’s time someone told him what sort of girl you really are.’

  ‘Actually, Crawford was with me at the time, so if you think you can spread nasty little lies about me, it’s you who needs to think again.’ She pushed her chair back from the table and stormed off, wishing she could understand why Bess hated her so much. From what Crawford had told her, Bess had lied about them having any sort of relationship at all, and she was heartily sick of the girl.

  A couple of hours later April managed to grab a quick word with Eunice in the changing room just before she left. ‘When’s Norm back?’

  Eunice looked away. ‘I’m not sure. Next week, I think.’

  ‘And will you be seeing A.J. before then?’

  Eunice looked shifty.

  ‘You will, won’t you?’

  ‘I have to see him. Just one more time. Because once I tell him the truth, he’ll never want to see me again.’

  ‘Even if you tell him everything, I don’t think A.J.’s the sort to turn away from his responsibilities.’

  ‘And do you think that’s what I want? To be a responsibility? How can he ever love me again after I’ve told him the truth? How can I keep him here under duress because I’m going to have a baby? What sort of life do you think we’ll lead? If our relationship was ever going to work then we have to be completely committed to each other. Instead, he’ll just resent me for keeping him away from his family.’

  ‘But you’ll be his family. You and the baby.’

  ‘For God’s sake. How can you be so naïve? You think we can all have things nice and easy like you and Crawford. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by being with him. Whereas I . . . I’ll lose everything. His love, my family, my friends, the respect of the people I’ve grown up with . . . You could never understand, so please, just leave me alone and let me deal with this my own way.’

  Tears sprang into April’s eyes at her friend’s harsh words. But she was right. What did she know about family ties? Apart from her father, she’d never been connected to anyone. The closest she’d come was Theo, and that didn’t really count. Because if she’d truly loved him, she would not have fallen for Crawford.

  ‘You’re right,’ she said quietly. ‘I don’t know much about what you’re going through. But I do know you need to give A.J. the chance to prove himself. At least then, if it doesn’t work out, you won’t spend your life tortured by “what ifs”. I need to go now, but let me know if you need me.’

  ‘April . . .’ Eunice’s tone was imploring. ‘I’m sorry.’

  April merely nodded then walked away. Eunice was right: she needed to let her deal with this in her own way. All she could do was be there if it went wrong.

  Chapter 24

  The days until the much-anticipated film night were difficult for April. She felt weighed down by Eunice’s troubles and Bess’s antagonism, and so she took to taking her breaks away from the hospital in an attempt to avoid all confrontations. If it hadn’t been for the fact that Crawfor
d had kept his promise of writing every day, she would have been thoroughly miserable.

  The first one had arrived the day after she saw him. She’d torn the envelope open joyfully and smiled as she read:

  My darling April,

  It is nine seventeen a.m. and it is two hundred and sixteen hours and forty-three minutes until I see you again. But it may as well be two hundred and sixteen years, the way I feel.

  You have captured my heart completely.

  Crawford.

  She wrote back immediately.

  Dear Crawford,

  It is now eight forty-five p.m. and it is one thousand, six hundred and twenty minutes since I last saw you. Every one of those minutes has been filled with thoughts of you.

  Is this what falling in love feels like?

  Yours,

  April

  Crawford’s notes continued to arrive all week, each detailing the number of hours until they saw one other again. Then, the day before she was due to see him, she received two letters. One, inevitably, was from Crawford, and she tore it open eagerly.

  Dear April,

  Finally, the time is nearly upon us. I’ve been counting the hours, sweetheart, in case you hadn’t noticed.

  The bad news is that after tomorrow, I’m going to have to go away again. For longer this time. We’ll all be on exercise, Red included. But I’ll be back in plenty of time for Thanksgiving. Will you come to the dinner with me? You promised, remember?

  I’ll be over at six to pick you and Mrs Teague up. Red will meet us at the hall.

  I’m writing this at lunchtime, and by my calculation there are only twenty-eight hours and thirty-three minutes left.

  Until then, my darling.

  Crawford xx

  April couldn’t help it, she sniffed the paper to see if it smelled of Crawford. It didn’t. But the kisses by his name spoke volumes. She kissed the page and hugged the letter to her chest. With Crawford by her side, she was sure that she would be able to face anything.