Ghost Soldier

by Theresa Breslin

  A train was thundering through the valley towards them. The distinctive markings on the carriages showed that it was a hospital train. Rob and Millie heard the brakes slam on. With a tremendous clashing and grinding of metal on metal the train screeched to a halt at the foot of the hill.

  Rob screwed up his eyes. He squeezed Millie’s arm so tightly, his nails dug into her arm.

  ‘There! Look!’

  Tied to the window of the rear carriage and flapping wildly in the wind was the bright red cape of a Queen Alexandra nurse.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  IT WAS THE signal!

  Rob had never run so fast in all his life. The door of the end carriage was open and Nurse Evans stood there. ‘Where is your sister?’ she called to him.

  ‘She’s coming,’ Rob panted, grabbing the rail to swing himself aboard.

  ‘I’m glad you’ve arrived before her.’ Nurse Evans bent over so that her face was on a level with Rob’s. ‘I do believe we have found your father, Rob, but’ – she held up her hand before he could speak – ‘I must tell you that he is dying. I am sorry to be so brutal, but it’s important that you are made aware of this fact immediately. You will know best how to inform your sister. It’s important that you do not give her any false hope.’

  Rob heard the sound of the words, but their real meaning wasn’t going into his brain. ‘Where’s my father? Where is he?’

  Nurse Evans led him inside the carriage. ‘Bert and Chesney are with him. They’ve nursed him constantly to keep him alive until we got here.’

  Rob looked at the shrivelled form of the man who lay on a stretcher on the floor. Bitter disappointment overwhelmed him. ‘That’s not my dad.’

  ‘I think it is.’ Nurse Evans turned as Millie came up the steps and took her by the hand. ‘He’s been drifting in and out of consciousness since we brought him aboard. When he was lucid, all he spoke of was his wife, his two children, Rob and Millie – and, of course, your dog, Nell.’

  ‘But it can’t be . . .’ Rob whispered. ‘Daddy was so tall and big and strong and . . . and . . .’

  ‘Captain Morrison told me that your father had been lost behind the lines for very many months. He avoided capture and survived by eating raw beets and turnips, but it’s taken a huge toll on his health.’

  ‘I don’t recognize him,’ said Rob.

  ‘I do,’ said Millie. ‘That soldier has got a mole over his left eyebrow, and so has Daddy.’ She knelt down and patted her father on the forehead. ‘There, there, Daddy,’ she said. ‘We’re going to take you home now.’

  Nurse Evans shook her head and beckoned for Rob to follow her outside. ‘Rob, this is very hard for you, but please try to understand what I am saying. Captain Morrison moved heaven and earth to find your father. He contacted everyone he thought might be of assistance and spent his spare time going through casualty lists, and eventually found him in a hospital in Rienne. Your father had undergone surgery which was successful, but due to the colossal amount of blood he lost, the doctors there termed his condition as “not expected to live”. Captain Morrison told them that their patient might as well die at home as in the ward, and used all his influence to get him on a cross-Channel transport and a train going north. Please, Rob, take this opportunity of seeing your father as an unexpected gift, and be content with that.’

  ‘Can’t you do anything to help him?’

  ‘There’s only a certain amount of blood that any one person can lose. It takes weeks for the human body to replace even a pint. Your father cannot survive with the amount he has lost. There is no hope, I’m afraid.’

  ‘But there is a way of replacing blood!’ Rob cried out. ‘I know there is. You take it from one person and give it to the other.’

  ‘I know doctors are working on a safe method of transferring blood from one person to another,’ said Nurse Evans, ‘but it isn’t common practice yet.’

  ‘They’re still experimenting with it,’ said Rob, ‘but it does work. I saw a man who was almost dead and then—’ He stopped, realizing he shouldn’t say any more.

  Nurse Evans stared at him. ‘Where? Where have you seen this done? You have to tell me,’ she went on as Rob hesitated, ‘if you think there’s a chance of saving your father.’

  Rob pointed to the woods. ‘There’s a special clinic there,’ he said. ‘It’s mainly for shell-shocked soldiers. Jack Otterby is there, and so is Private Ames. We go and visit them.’

  ‘I’d heard they’d set up a psychiatric unit for enlisted men in this area,’ said Nurse Evans, ‘but I don’t see what that’s got to do with blood transfusion.’

  ‘We’re not supposed to tell anyone, but we found out that they’re doing transfusion trials on the top floor of the clinic.’

  ‘That’s all very well, but it doesn’t mean that this would work for your father.’

  ‘You said that his operation was successful but the blood loss would kill him.’

  ‘Yes, but—’

  ‘What’s the hold-up?’ An army captain had come along the line. ‘Children shouldn’t be anywhere near this train.’

  ‘I’m performing an act of charity, sir.’ Nurse Evans stood her ground. ‘Rob and Millie have been meeting every hospital train searching for their missing father. Captain Morrison managed to find him and arrange for him to be on this transport.’ She moved closer and lowered her voice. ‘The man is fading fast. I was allowing them to say goodbye.’

  ‘This is highly irregular.’ The captain looked at Rob. ‘Right, young man, do as the nurse tells you and then be off. We need to get moving.’

  ‘We’ll take him to Mill House Clinic.’ Desperation had inspired Rob. ‘Millie will run and bring Farmer Gordon with his horse and cart and we’ll take my father to the clinic in the woods.’

  The captain snorted. ‘That suggestion is quite ridiculous.’

  ‘Please.’ Rob was aware that tears were running down his cheeks but he didn’t care. ‘Let us do it. It’s his only chance.’

  ‘I’m in charge of this transport. The man is dying. He must remain on the train.’

  ‘If he’s going to die anyway,’ Rob pleaded, ‘what difference does it make to you?’

  ‘They’ve got a point,’ Nurse Evans said. ‘Whatever way you look at it, you said it yourself – he’s a dying man. The farmer who will help him lives yards away. I’ve met him. He’s a steady sort of a chap.’

  ‘It’s impossible. There are rules and regulations. That’s the way the army works.’

  ‘Yes,’ Nurse Evans said sarcastically, ‘and we’ve seen exactly what those rules and regulations lead to, haven’t we?’ She spread her hands to take in the whole train.

  ‘Yes, but . . .’ The captain hesitated.

  ‘We know the outcome here. We’ve seen it a thousand times before,’ she went on. ‘If he survives the next hour of this train journey, we’ll deliver a dying man to Edinburgh. In his condition he won’t even get to see a doctor.’

  ‘There could be serious repercussions—’

  ‘Have a heart, man!’ To Rob’s amazement, it was Chesney, appearing at the carriage door, who cut across the captain’s speech. ‘If he reaches the military hospital alive, he might die alone in a corridor. And if it happens before we arrive, then the problem and the paperwork are ours to deal with.’

  Nurse Evans rolled her eyes when Chesney mentioned paperwork, but she spoke up to support him. ‘We know the amount of bother that entails. It will only serve to delay us attending to the other men who need our care. The alternative is that we let him off here and he dies with his family around him.’

  The captain hesitated.

  Nurse Evans saw him falter and pressed her advantage. ‘So many lives have been lost in this dreadful war – let us not also lose our humanity.’

  ‘Please.’ Millie had jumped off the train and was hanging onto the officer’s sleeve. ‘Please,’ she begged. ‘If Daddy is dying, then we want to go and get Mummy so she can say goodbye to him too.’

 
The officer looked at her, at Rob, at the medical orderlies and Nurse Evans. He took off his cap and threw it on the ground. ‘Blast this war!’ he shouted. ‘I’m going to speak to the engine driver. As soon as that hose is disconnected from the water tender, we are leaving.’ He bent to retrieve his cap. ‘And let it be known that I never saw or heard anything that went on at the rear of the train at this stop.’ He marched away without looking back.

  Bert and Chesney carried the stretcher out of the train and laid it down beside the railway line.

  Meanwhile Nurse Evans stuffed dressings and iodine into a pillowcase. She scribbled on a piece of paper. ‘Give that to the doctors at the clinic. It might help them decide what they can do.’

  She put her hand on Rob’s shoulder. ‘You do know – and you must explain to the rest of your family . . . that there is little hope.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Rob, for he did appreciate the gravity of his father’s condition; but ringing in his head were Miss Finlay’s words to him:

  A little hope is all that’s needed.

  ‘Good luck! Good luck!’ Nurse Evans waved as the engine roared and the carriages clacked away.

  ‘I’ll be faster than you,’ Rob spoke to Millie. ‘You stay with Daddy and I’ll go to Glebe Farm and ask them to come with their horse and cart.’ He made to run up the hill and then stopped short.

  ‘Millie . . .’ Rob turned to his sister. He spoke in a stunned shocked voice. ‘I’ve just remembered. It’s Sunday. When Mr and Mrs Gordon called in at our house this morning, they were going out to visit their daughter for the day like they do every Sunday. They’ve taken with them the only horse around here.’

  When she heard what Rob said next, the colour drained from Millie’s face.

  ‘Without a cart and a horse we’ve got no way of getting Dad to Mill House Clinic.’

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  MILLIE OPENED HER mouth to let out a howl of grief. Rob stepped forward and put his hands on each side of her face. ‘You’re always telling me what a big girl you are. This is your chance to prove it. Bite your lip and try not to cry. Can you do that for me?’

  Millie clenched her teeth together and nodded.

  ‘Good girl,’ said Rob. ‘Listen to me. I want you to run home and get Mummy so she can come and say goodbye to Daddy.’

  ‘Can’t we take Daddy to the clinic? Please?’

  ‘We won’t be able to carry the stretcher. Daddy’s too heavy for us.’

  ‘We could drag the stretcher.’ Millie wiped her tears and sniffed. ‘Between us, we could drag it along.’

  ‘Look at him, Millie. Blood is soaking through his clothes. We’d only make him worse. It’s best you go and get Mummy.’ Rob sat down on the ground, his shoulders slumped in despair. ‘We can’t do it.’

  ‘Yes we can,’ said a voice.

  Rob looked up. A figure appeared from behind a tree. It was Jed.

  ‘Leave us alone,’ said Rob. ‘You’re not wanted here.’

  Jed walked over and took up a position at the head of the stretcher. ‘I’m big enough and strong enough to take the heavy end by myself. The two of you can take the other one together.’

  ‘Jed!’ Millie ran and threw her arms around his waist.

  Jed pushed her away, but not roughly. Rob was still sitting there, his mouth half open in surprise.

  ‘Come on,’ Jed told him. ‘If you want to save your dad, we need to hurry up.’

  With the greatest care they hoisted up the stretcher and set off into the woods. Jed was able to bear most of the weight, and as they reached the avenue gates, Rob suggested that Millie run on to alert the doctors at the clinic.

  ‘Then they’ll be ready to take Daddy to their transfusion room,’ he said.

  They stopped to let Rob take hold of both handles at his end of the stretcher. He was out of breath, but he could see that Jed’s brow was covered in sweat. Jed wasn’t as strong as he made out.

  ‘How was it that you happened to be there when the train stopped?’ Rob asked him as they moved on.

  ‘Just passing by,’ Jed answered without turning his head. ‘Lucky for you.’

  ‘It wasn’t luck,’ said Rob. ‘What were you—?’ He broke off as he remembered that, from Glebe Hill, he and Millie had seen Jed walking through the woods with Sandy. In all the excitement of the train stopping, he’d forgotten about that. But he couldn’t mention that they’d seen him stealing Millie’s puppy; not while Jed was carrying the stretcher. And now they were almost at the clinic.

  As they crossed the lawn, the main door opened and Millie ran out. Hurrying behind her were Major Cummings and two medical orderlies. Bringing up the rear was Professor Holt.

  Even after the stretcher was taken from him, Rob’s knees were shaking so much he could hardly walk up the few steps to the front door.

  It was Millie who thought to thank Jed.

  ‘Forget it,’ he said gruffly. ‘I’ll go and fetch your mother for you.’

  Rob followed the doctors into the clinic and up to a bedroom on the second floor. But his heart plummeted as he saw the expression on their faces. Professor Holt read Nurse Evans’s note, made a brief examination and then bowed his head. ‘We can do nothing for this man.’

  Millie looked from him to Major Cummings. ‘But Rob said you might be able to save my daddy. He said you had blood you could give him.’

  The major drew Rob to one side. ‘Are you aware that your father is dying?’ he said.

  ‘Yes, sir,’ said Rob, ‘but—’

  ‘Your sister told me how he came to be with you. I cannot believe that the army medical staff allowed you to take him off the hospital train.’

  ‘Because we persuaded them that this was the only chance he had of surviving.’

  ‘I am less qualified than Professor Holt in these matters, but even I can see that this only chance is no chance at all.’

  ‘But you transfuse people!’ Rob cried. ‘I saw the soldier who was as good as dead, and you brought him back to life.’

  ‘You see far too much, young man,’ Major Cummings said abruptly.

  Millie began to cry, but silently, tears welling up in her eyes and coursing down her cheeks.

  ‘I am not without sympathy,’ the major said. ‘We’ll make your father as comfortable as possible before your mother arrives. Then you can all sit with him until he passes away.’

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  ROB WAS LISTENING to Major Cummings but he was watching Professor Holt.

  The professor re-read Nurse Evans’s note and handed it to Dr McKay, who had entered the room.

  ‘Blood,’ Professor Holt murmured to the doctor. ‘We need more blood.’

  Those were the same words Rob had heard him mutter under his breath as he’d leaned over the soldier in the secret room! And Rob now understood their meaning. The professor was running short of bottles of blood. ‘The reason you can’t save my father is because you don’t have blood, isn’t it?’ said Rob. ‘You’ve none left. That’s what you were talking about last night.’

  Dr McKay used his stethoscope on Rob’s father’s chest. ‘Pity,’ he said. ‘His heart is strong. He must have been a fit man to survive what he’s been through.’

  ‘He was!’ said Rob. ‘I mean, he is. My father is very, very strong. Day and night he was out on the hills in the worst weather to bring in the early lambs.’

  Professor Holt looked seriously at Rob. ‘We don’t have the resources to do it. Believe me, I would very much like to try. But I used the last of our stored blood this morning for the patient upstairs.’

  ‘But you can transfer blood from one person to another!’ said Rob. ‘You told me that was an early method of doing transfusions.’

  ‘It’s a dangerous procedure, and we’ve no time to check if the donor is suitable. Everyone’s blood is not the same. It can be categorized into different groups. In the note she sent, Nurse Evans has stated that your father has the most common blood group, which in better circumstances would be helpful
to know, for mixing one group with another can prove fatal. In any case, no one in this clinic can donate their blood. All the staff have given as much as we dare take from them. No’ – he smiled sadly as Rob held out his arm – ‘no, I will not take blood from a child. It could damage you permanently.’

  ‘Will you take it from me, then?’ said a voice.

  ‘Mummy!’ cried Millie. She ran to her mother as she came into the room.

  ‘I am this man’s wife and I wish to give him my blood.’

  ‘Madam’ – Professor Holt inclined his head towards Rob’s mother – ‘your body weight is insufficient. It would endanger your own life if I did so.’

  ‘I want to do it,’ she said.

  ‘Think carefully,’ the professor said gently. ‘Your children could be left with no parents at all, instead of having at least one. You cannot take that risk.’

  ‘I will take the risk.’ Jack Otterby stood at the door. ‘I am strong enough.’

  ‘Alas, not from you, either.’ Wearily, Professor Holt passed his hand over his brow. ‘One of the conditions of my working within this clinic was that no blood would come from any patient being treated here. The person who is in charge of the main function of the clinic will explain the reason to you.’

  ‘There is a code of ethics,’ Dr McKay told them. ‘The psychiatric patients in this hospital are in my care, and I will not permit blood to be taken from any man who is suffering mental illness.’

  ‘You think I can’t decide things for myself?’ said Jack. ‘You think I am mad?’

  Dr McKay crossed the room to stand in front of Jack. ‘I do not think you are mad. I do think you have suffered deep trauma, are sleep-deprived and overstressed, and have bouts of paranoia. Therefore you may make a decision that is not in your own best interests.’

  ‘I feel well enough now.’

  ‘You are indeed very much better, but in all honesty, I doubt if you should make major decisions on your own at this time.’