by Ellie Dean
Pauline looked mulish, clearly not willing to believe or forgive.
‘Imagine how your sister felt when she discovered the truth,’ Peggy continued softly. ‘And yet both she and Felix have been able to forgive Dolly. They love her too much to stay angry with her, and now all three have a chance of starting afresh.’
Pauline snatched away her hand. ‘And that’s another thing,’ she rapped out. ‘It’s all very well them going off to America to play happy families, but what about me?’
Peggy sat back in the chair and regarded Pauline squarely. ‘You have a husband and son, a lovely home and a good life here in Cliffehaven. After the war you and Frank will be able to travel to America, and I’m sure Carol and Dolly will return to England frequently to visit you.’
‘Frank and I don’t have the sort of money it would take to go to America,’ Pauline said bitterly. ‘And if Mother turns up here expecting to be welcomed with open arms, I’ll refuse to see her.’
Peggy tamped down on her impatience. ‘Dolly has always adored both you girls, and it would break her heart if either of you turned your back on her. Don’t be angry with her, Pauline. She’s only human, and deeply regrets her past mistakes.’
Pauline mopped her eyes with a handkerchief. ‘She didn’t regret leaving us with our grandparents while she swanned about the world doing goodness knows what,’ she muttered. ‘And even when Carol and I lost our loved ones, she was in such a hurry to get back to her exciting life that she stayed barely more than a few days.’
‘She knew she’d get on your nerves if she stayed longer,’ said Peggy. ‘You know what she’s like – never still, always busy at something. But she stayed until she was sure you could cope, and besides, you did have Frank and me and Ron to get you through those dark days.’
‘Carol had no one,’ Pauline argued. ‘My little sister was mourning her husband and baby and she was left all alone down there in Devon.’
‘Carol wanted to be alone after the funeral,’ Peggy said firmly, her patience all but spent. ‘She told Dolly she needed time and solitude to absorb all that had happened, and virtually ordered Dolly back to Bournemouth – so don’t make up your own version of things to suit yourself, Pauline.’
‘But how will I cope when my entire family goes off to America?’ Pauline wailed, twisting her handkerchief in her fingers. ‘It’s so unfair of them to abandon me like this.’
‘Oh, do pull yourself together, Pauline,’ said Peggy, her patience finally snapping. ‘You hardly see either of them as it is, and you have Frank and Brendon to look after you. You’ll just have to get on with your life and look forward to the grandchildren coming along once Brendon gets married. Carol and Dolly will visit, I’m sure, and before you know it, you’ll be so busy with Brendon’s little ones, you won’t have time to feel sorry for yourself.’
Pauline reddened. ‘If that’s what you think, then I’ve obviously made a mistake coming here,’ she muttered, pulling on her coat and tying the scarf beneath her chin. ‘I thought at least I’d get some sympathy from you.’
Peggy had had enough of this never-ending circle of self-pity and blame, and was relieved that Pauline was planning to leave. ‘You asked for my opinion, Pauline, and I’m sorry if it offends you. Why don’t you talk this over with Frank? I’m sure he’ll be more understanding.’
Pauline grunted. ‘He said the same as you, so it looks as if I’m going to have to deal with this on my own – as usual.’ She picked up her handbag and left the kitchen, slamming the scullery door behind her.
Peggy slumped back in her chair and blew out her cheeks. ‘That went well,’ she muttered. ‘So much for a quiet Sunday.’
Ron had left Brenda to lock up the Anchor so he could get to the hospital for visiting hours. He’d come every day since that first secret visit, and had timed it well today, for as he approached the five-bar gate, he heard the clock above the old stable block strike two. He clambered over it as Harvey squeezed between the bars, and then hurried down the lawn towards the terrace where the patients were enjoying the brief appearance of the sun.
Harvey had become used to this new routine, so was quite happy to be fussed over and fed snippets of cake and biscuits while he waited for Ron’s return. His presence had been noted by Matron Billings, but when she’d ordered him to be evicted, there had been such an outcry from patients and staff that she’d unwillingly let him stay – on the understanding that one misdemeanour would see him banished.
Ron headed for Danuta’s room. The corridor was quiet, but he could hear the murmur of voices coming from the wards he passed along the way, and the rattle of the tea trolley as it was wheeled from ward to ward by one of the nurse probationers. Of Matron Billings there was no sign, which was a huge relief, for she never failed to berate him over something when she saw him.
Danuta had been moved to a private room which overlooked the sweep of lawn to the back of the old manor house. She had yet to wake properly, and this had caused Ron some alarm until little Nurse Hopkins explained that she’d been heavily sedated to counteract the pain and help her to heal.
Ron pushed open the door to the quiet, darkened room and froze in delighted surprise as the neat little figure in a silk suit and fetching hat turned in the bedside chair and smiled back at him.
‘Dolly,’ he breathed, rushing to take her hands and look into her lovely face. ‘’Tis glad I am to see you. When did you arrive?’
‘Very early this morning,’ she whispered back, glancing towards the bed and the still little figure beneath the white sheet. ‘I had a run-in with that ghastly Billings woman, but soon put her in her place, so she won’t bother either of us again.’
‘How did you manage that?’
‘A letter from Winston Churchill works wonders,’ Dolly replied. ‘Especially when it’s full of praise for the sterling work she’s doing here.’
She grinned up at him impishly, reminding him of the young girl he’d first met all those years ago. ‘I hear from Nurse Hopkins that you managed to sneak into the recovery room. You are naughty, Ron, but I’m so glad you’ve never changed.’
Ron tried not to look flattered by this praise. He drew up a second chair and regarded Danuta. ‘Did Nurse Hopkins tell you about her injuries?’ he asked softly.
Dolly nodded. ‘It’s a miracle she’s still alive – but I blame myself entirely for what happened to her. I knew she’d been compromised, and should have insisted she return home sooner.’ She gave a deep, remorseful sigh. ‘But she was determined to rescue those airmen before she left – and thank God she did. Hitler’s order to have them executed as spies was delivered within hours of their escape.’
‘You’re not the only one to feel guilty, Dolly. To be sure she’s been preying on my mind ever since she left Beach View.’
Dolly held his gaze for a long moment. ‘She’s a brave, brave girl,’ she said finally. ‘And if she hadn’t come to us, she’d have found another way to get her revenge on those who murdered her family.’
Danuta stirred restlessly and her eyelids fluttered as she mumbled something.
‘What’s that?’ asked Ron, leaning closer. ‘I didn’t catch it, Danuta.’
‘She’s talking French,’ said Dolly, gently touching the girl’s battered face. ‘She’s saying she’s just a waitress in a bar and knows nothing.’ Dolly blinked rapidly and cleared her throat. ‘She obviously still believes she’s being held by the Gestapo.’
‘You’re safe now, acushla,’ murmured Ron, the old Irish endearment coming so easily in this emotional moment. ‘Ron and Dolly are here, and no one will ever hurt you again – never – do you understand?’
Danuta turned towards his voice, her eyelids still fluttering as she fought to wake.
‘There’s no need to fight against sleep, little one,’ soothed Dolly. ‘Ron and I will watch over you from now on.’
Danuta lay still, her tense shoulders drooping against the pillow, her body sinking into the mattress as if she realised the danger ha
d passed, and she was with people who loved her. And then she opened her eyes and took a swift look around her before settling first on Dolly and then Ron. ‘Where is this?’ she asked, her voice roughened by lack of use for so long.
‘You’re in hospital, just outside Cliffehaven,’ said Ron, finding it hard to talk through the lump in his throat. ‘Welcome home, Danuta. We’re so very happy you’ve come back to us.’
Danuta managed a wan smile. ‘I too am happy,’ she whispered. She turned her head on the pillow and looked at Dolly. ‘Please not cry,’ she said, reaching out her heavily bandaged hand to lay it on Dolly’s wrist. ‘I soon be well to fight again.’
‘We’ll talk about that when you’re fully recovered,’ replied Dolly gruffly. ‘For now you must rest.’
‘Invasion has come? War over now?’
‘Not quite yet,’ said Dolly, still struggling with her emotions. ‘But soon – very soon.’
Danuta relaxed once more into the pillows. ‘Is good,’ she said on a sigh. And then she frowned. ‘Where is Peggy? Why she not here?’
Ron glanced across at Dolly, who nodded back. ‘I’ve yet to tell her about you,’ he admitted, ‘but the minute she knows she’ll be with you like a shot.’
‘You not tell Peggy because you think I die?’ Danuta had a glint of humour in her sunken dark green eyes.
‘To be sure I knew you weren’t dying,’ lied Ron, ‘but it would have upset Peggy to see you as you were.’
Danuta nodded, and then her eyelids began to droop. ‘Lovely Peggy,’ she murmured sleepily. ‘She like mama – I have miss her.’
As Danuta fell into a deep, drugged sleep, Ron unashamedly wiped his eyes with his grubby handkerchief. ‘If I’m to tell Peggy and get her up here before the end of visiting time, I’d better be going,’ he said gruffly.
‘There’s no rush,’ said Dolly, clearly finding it hard to control her own emotions. ‘That letter from Churchill means we can visit any time we like.’ She shot him a watery smile. ‘Dear Hugh arranged it all, even to the point of virtually drafting the letter so every point was worded to make life easy for us.’
Ron had never met Sir Hugh Cuthbertson, who was head of MI6 and Dolly’s boss, but he knew him by reputation and the snippets of information Dolly had confided to him over the years. ‘Thank him for me when you next see him,’ he said, getting to his feet. ‘To be sure that’s a debt we can never repay.’
Dolly smiled up at him as she took his hand. ‘He wouldn’t dream of asking you to,’ she replied. ‘Now, go and tell Peggy. I won’t be here when you return, but I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘Will you be staying with us?’
She shook her head. ‘I’ll be with Pauline. She’s yet to reply to my letter, and I suspect she’s not too happy with me at the moment, so I have to try and smooth things over.’
Ron had only a vague idea of what she was talking about because he hadn’t really been listening when Peggy had told him about the to-do with the American general down in Devon. ‘To be sure, wee Peggy will be glad of your presence,’ he sighed. ‘The poor lass has enough on her plate at the moment.’
Dolly nodded her understanding, and Ron left the hospital, his emotions all over the place. He was delighted that Danuta was on the road to recovery, but how to tell Peggy – how to explain the terrible injuries? He should have asked Dolly, he realised, as he grabbed Harvey by the collar and dragged him away from a huge slice of chocolate cake someone had carelessly left on a low table.
Harvey wasn’t too pleased about this, but then saw a rabbit loping across the lawn and shot off in pursuit.
‘Heathen beast,’ Ron muttered fondly. ‘I wish my life was that uncomplicated.’
Peggy and the others had come in from the garden as the sun disappeared behind thickening clouds and the wind strengthened. It looked as if they were in for yet another cold, wet night, but the turn in the weather hadn’t stopped the fighters and bombers, for they’d continued their seemingly endless raids right through the day.
Peggy’s mood had lightened as she’d played with Daisy and her dolls. The kitchen was quiet but for the soft background music from the wireless as she waited for the early evening news, and she was feeling very content. But Rita had become bored with sitting about doing nothing, so she and Ivy had gone down to the fire station to see Andy and the others and spend a bit of time in idle chat, taking some rock buns they’d bought from a bring-and-buy fund-raising event.
Sarah had gone upstairs to write letters, and Fran was at the kitchen table darning her black stockings, which she’d need when she went on night duty the following afternoon. Cordelia had fallen asleep over her library book, her spectacles askew on her nose, her hearing aid switched off because of the racket the planes were making.
Harvey came galloping into the quiet haven like a whirlwind and joyfully tried to lick everyone, startling Cordelia awake and knocking over his water bowl, and making the cat arch her back and hiss at him.
‘For goodness’ sake, Harvey,’ said Peggy, getting up to clear the mess from the floor and having to fight him off as he tried to climb all over her. ‘Will you calm down and behave?’ She eyed him more closely as he sat and panted. ‘What’s that in your whiskers? What have you been eating now?’
‘It’s chocolate cake,’ said Ron, stomping up from the cellar. ‘I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he was sick before the day’s out. He’s been stuffing himself silly.’
‘Where on earth did he get hold of chocolate cake?’ gasped Peggy.
‘At the Memorial.’ Ron threw his cap onto the table. ‘The patients seem to think he needs feeding up.’
Peggy stared at him in puzzlement. ‘What were you doing up there?’
‘I was visiting someone,’ he said, helping himself to a rock bun and sharing it with Daisy, who’d come to lean against his knee.
‘Don’t eat that,’ said Peggy sharply. ‘We’ve saved you roast dinner, and it’ll spoil your appetite.’
Ron’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Roast dinner? Since when?’
Peggy explained as she heated up the gravy and took the plate out of the warming oven. Placing it in front of him, she grinned. ‘There. You weren’t expecting that, were you? And don’t give any to Harvey, he’s got his here,’ she added, putting the bowl down for the dog.
Ron beamed back at her and tucked in.
Peggy sat down and watched him eat, delighted that he was enjoying this surprise gift. She waited until he was mopping up the last of the gravy and juice with some bread, and then asked, ‘So, who were you visiting up there?’
He finished eating, and with a sigh of great pleasure, pushed his plate away and began to fill his pipe. ‘To be sure that was a feast, Peggy. There’s nothing better than one of your roasts.’
‘Ivy and Rita cooked it,’ she replied, almost dismissively, before repeating her question.
‘I was visiting our little Danuta,’ he said, ‘and before you get into a tizzy, you should know that she’s on the mend.’
Peggy was shocked into silence, and it was Fran who piped up. ‘What’s Danuta doing up there, Ron? It’s a service personnel hospital, and she’s a civilian.’
Ron got his pipe going and puffed clouds of sweet-scented smoke into the kitchen. ‘She got injured during a bombing raid, and had to be transferred there so the specialist surgeons could deal with her,’ he said smoothly.
‘How did you know she was there?’ Fran continued. She remembered Danuta very well from her stay at Beach View, and the struggle she’d had getting a job at the Cliffehaven General despite the fact she was a qualified theatre nurse.
‘A pal of mine told me,’ he replied.
‘How badly injured is she?’ demanded Cordelia.
‘Quite seriously,’ he admitted. ‘But the doctors at the Memorial are the best, and she’ll recover, although it might take a bit of time.’
‘How long has she been there?’ Peggy was close to tears.
‘A few days,’ said Ron, not quite meetin
g her steady gaze. ‘She was very poorly when she was first admitted, and I didn’t want to worry you in case …’
‘In case she didn’t pull through?’ Peggy’s anger rose swiftly to the surface and she glared at him. ‘How dare you keep this from me, Ronan Reilly? You know how much I care for that girl, but you kept all this to yourself. Would you have bothered to tell me if she’d died, or were you planning to keep that secret too?’
‘Now, Peggy, girl, there’s no need to take on so,’ he protested. ‘Of course I would have told you.’
‘But in your own good time – like everything else,’ she stormed. ‘Honestly, Ron, there are times when I could throttle you.’
She shoved back from the table, glanced at the clock and slumped down again. ‘And now it’s too late to visit today,’ she said in exasperation. ‘The poor little love must think I’ve deserted her, being in Cliffehaven all this time and none of us have visited her. How could you be so cruel not to tell me earlier?’
Ron abandoned his pipe and gently took hold of Peggy’s arms, drawing her closer. ‘’Tis sorry I am I’ve upset you, wee girl,’ he said softly. ‘But it was not done purposely. Danuta only woke today, and she’s asked for you. So go and get your coat, and I’ll ring Fred the Fish and see if he’ll give us a lift up there.’
‘But it’s gone visiting time,’ Peggy managed.
‘Danuta’s a very special girl,’ he replied. ‘We can visit her any time we want.’
‘She must be, if Matron Billings has agreed to that,’ said Fran briskly. ‘The old witch is the last person to bend the rules.’
‘Aye, well, Matron Billings has had direct orders from some of Danuta’s very well-placed friends, and even she has to obey them,’ said Ron, leaving the table to telephone his old pal Fred.
Fran frowned and looked to Peggy and Cordelia for enlightenment. ‘What friends? I thought she was working at St George’s Hospital in London?’
Peggy shrugged, unable to reveal her knowledge of Danuta’s dangerous missions in enemy territory. ‘I neither know nor care,’ she replied. ‘I’m just thankful that she’s alive and well enough to ask for me.’ She slipped on her coat and hunted out her best shoes. ‘Do you both want to come with us?’
