"Don't go back in there."
Joe turned to the fireman beside him. "Bob?"
The fireman shook his head. "No chance I'm afraid. The old man is dead too. His body over your shoulders protected you, but he took most of the blast." He looked at the ruin. "He was a brave man, your friend."
Joe was numbed. Bob’s death seemed so senseless, just one more casualty in a city filled with death. They had not even managed to save the old man. He sat down on a heap of bricks and cradled his head in his hands.
"Are you all right?"
Joe nodded slowly. "I'm fine. Just give me a few moments to let my head clear. Then I'll be back to help you."
"Thanks. We need all the help we can get."
As he watched the fireman walk away to rejoin his colleagues fighting a fire a little further down the road, Joe checked his injuries. Every bone in his body ached, he was exhausted, his head throbbed and his vision blurred when he moved quickly. Despite all this, he knew that he would not take a rest. The last thing he wanted to do was think about what had happened that night. Never in his wildest imaginings had he thought that the Germans would pour out so much devastation on innocent civilians. He found a deep hatred for the enemy, and knew he must do his utmost to minimise the effects of their brutality. He was unfit to fight, but needed no fitness test to help in the aftermath of the worst bombing raid the world had ever seen. Rising unsteadily to his feet, the young man made his way through the clouds of smoke and dust to rejoin the others in their work.
39
Sarah made her way back across the school playground She had risen early, her fears for Joe preventing her sleeping. After a breakfast of bread and jam, with tea brewed once again over the fire in the parlour, Alice helped her fill a bag with the vegetables stored for the winter under the stairs. The bag hung heavy in Sarah’s hand, just as her heart hung heavy in her breast. In the cold light of day the destruction of her beloved city stood out stark and clear. In the distance she could still see a few columns of smoke curling into the air, but it seemed that most of the fires were out now. But it was obvious that the chaos caused by the bombing was going to take much longer to sort out. Most roads were still blocked by heaps of rubble. Occasionally she heard the crash of falling bricks as a weakened wall finally gave up its unequal struggle with gravity, falling in a cloud of mortar and dust, to add to the confusion on the ground.
As Sarah made her way into the old school hall, she was met by the bleary-eyed Dr. Bailey.
"I'm glad to see you. The two nurses who have been on all night really need a rest. One of the other nurses has already arrived, so they can go now."
"What about you?"
"Me?"
"Yes, you, Dr. Bailey. When are you going to go and get some rest?"
He shook his head. "I've got to stay here with the patients. Besides" he spoke wistfully, “my house is no longer there. I'll grab a few moments sleep when I can."
"Good. How did it go last night?" Sarah’s eyes strayed over the blanket-wrapped forms on the tables.
"We lost another three." The doctor looked exhausted. He was still wearing his blood stained clothes from the previous day, and was dirty and dishevelled, with black shadows circling his eyes. Sarah could see he would not be able to stand up under such pressure for much longer. He needed food and rest just as much as his patients. Bailey caught the sympathetic look in her eyes, and smiled weakly. "What have you got in your bag?"
Sarah returned his smile warmly. "Home grown vegetables. Some potatoes and carrots, a few parsnips and a turnip or two. Now, it's quiet here for the moment, so you get a little sleep while I make some broth. I see the fire is still burning. I'm sure I'll be able to find plates and saucepans somewhere. Some hot broth will do the patients, and you, the world of good."
Charles Bailey laughed. "Are you sure you're only a nursing auxiliary and not a matron?!"
"Oh, I'm sorry. My mum always says I'm too bossy." Sarah joined in the laughter. "Now get some rest."
"Thank you, Miss Porter." He ran a hand over the rough stubble on his chin. "If one of my patients needs me, you will wake me, won't you?"
Sarah nodded. "Of course." Turning towards the school kitchen she hurried off. Bailey found a spare blanket and settled down in a corner to sleep.
The morning passed swiftly. While Sarah prepared the broth, the two nurses made sure that the injured were comfortable, and then helped her to feed them. After clearing up the dirty dishes Sarah collected more roof timbers for the fire. Then she woke Bailey with a bowl of broth.
"Here, eat this."
He rubbed his reddened eyes. He was obviously still tired but the edge of exhaustion had left him and he looked able to face the trials ahead once more.
"What time is it?" He spooned broth into his mouth, and smiled appreciatively. "This is good."
"It's just after one."
He looked surprised. "I must have slept longer than I thought. Are the patients all right?"
Sarah nodded. "So far there seems to be little infection in their wounds, but we could certainly use some pain killers."
Bailey nodded. "I wonder if any of the hospitals are undamaged? There's the danger of pneumonia if they stay here much longer.”
Sarah shrugged
"It's still chaos out there. Haven't you heard from your messenger to the Town Hall yet?"
Bailey shook his head and stretched. "I'm sure we'll hear something soon. Now, I think I'll go and take a look at my patients."
It was late in the afternoon when the messenger finally returned. To their immense relief, he had brought some medical supplies with him.
"It's a real mess out there. There was no organisation at the Hall 'till the army arrived this morning. They sent these medical supplies. They said the first priority will be to clear the roads to this school, and other make-shift hospitals so the wounded can be got out of the city. Then they can have proper treatment." He shook his head sadly. "The hospitals here are all unusable."
Sarah was shocked by his words. Things were obviously much worse than she had feared." How are we going to manage?"
The young man smiled reassuringly. "So far six hundred soldiers have been drafted in, to help with demolition, clearing streets and keeping order. There are more to come, and they’re talking about releasing building workers from the army to help."
"What about food?" Bailey glanced around the room as he spoke. "We've got to feed these people somehow."
"Army field kitchens have been set up in some areas, and the WVS are moving in today to provide what food and help they can. Somehow they'll manage to let us know where the kitchens are. Any shops that have still got undamaged food are to sell as normal, but not to demand to see ration books. At least half of them must be missing. There's been a special issue of tinned corned beef from the Ministry of Food. As I was there on behalf of the wounded, we got one of the first consignments."
He opened a sack at his feet to produce his treasure and Bailey relaxed visibly.
"With this, and the medical supplies you brought, we should be able to hold out, as long as we can keep the patients warm."
40
It was three days before the army finally managed to evacuate the school building, three long cold days and even colder nights, in which they lost three more of the wounded. As Sarah watched the last ambulance pull away she sighed gratefully. With proper care and attention, all those who had left the school alive should survive.
"What will you do now?"
Sarah turned to Bailey. "I suppose I'll go back to Heronfield. I've already extended my leave for far too long without permission. I hope I don't get into trouble."
Bailey smiled. "I'm sure you won’t, when they find out what you've been doing for the last four days." He perused her thoughtfully for a moment. "Do you intend to continue with nursing after the war? You seem supremely adapted to the job."
Sarah nodded. "I hope to study once this is all over. When I'm looking after ill people I really feel useful
. You do understand, don't you?"
Bailey nodded. "Indeed I do. Thank you for all your hard work over the last few days. It’s been invaluable." He held out his hand. "Take care of yourself, Miss Porter."
Sarah took his hand, smiling warmly. "Thank you Dr. Bailey. Goodbye."
“Goodbye, my dear."
Sarah began to make her way home. The streets were cleared now and a few army vehicles moved back and forth, though the shells of houses looking down upon her deflated Sarah’s spirits. She realised that she would be glad to get back to the clean fresh air of the countryside. Heronfield seemed to beckon her from the destruction, back to a place where she could forget for a while the pain and suffering she had seen over the last few days. The country estate seemed to call her weary body, and she knew it was her duty to return, but her heart was still full of fears for Joe's safety. It was now five days since the bombing, and Sarah had no news of him. She was beginning to fear the worst. She wanted desperately to remain until she knew for certain what had happened to him. Suddenly Sarah turned away from her home and made her way towards the city centre and the Cathedral. She could not face leaving without seeing its beautiful soaring towers once more. Her step lightened. She remembered how she had walked to the cathedral in the summer, with Joe by her side. It was a place of happy memories, and she knew that seeing it again would fortify her for the days ahead. She was not prepared for the sight that met her eyes as she turned the final corner.
The beautiful walls lay in heaps upon the ground. The delicate strained glass of the windows lay shattered amongst the rubble. At one end part of the wall still stood forlornly. It was a disaster, and Sarah’s heart sank. It was as though all her hopes for the future lay here in the midst of the shattered symbol of her city. She was unable to halt the tears. Then Sarah’s eyes were drawn to where the altar, which had served so many worshippers over the centuries, now stood open to the elements. Someone had taken two charred and blackened timbers from the ruins of God’s house, and placed them in the shape of a cross, a symbol of love and forgiveness. Opposite the cross, the tower stood alone, like a finger pointing through the clouds to the abodes above. Sarah saw that there was hope for the future. The cross and the tower of the ruined cathedral lightened her heart, and with a firm resolve to look to the future with hope, she dried her tears. Coventry would rise again from the ashes. One day, the cathedral would rise again too.
With lightened step Sarah turned for home.
It was getting dark when Sarah opened the door and pulled back the blackout curtain.
"Mum! I'm home!"
A smiling Alice came out of the kitchen with a cup of tea in her hand. "I've just made this dear. Drink it, it will do you good."
Sarah hung up her coat and reached for the cup. "They moved the wounded out today, so I'm going back to Heronfield tomorrow." She sipped the tea. "I've already overstayed my leave, and they'll be worried about me." Her laugh was harsh, with a tense edge which caused Alice to frown in concern. "That’s if I'm not on report for overstaying my leave!"
Alice reached out an arm and hugged her daughter. She led her down the hallway to the kitchen where she could rest.
Sarah focussed her concern for those she loved on her mother, trying to put her fears for Joe to the back of her mind.
"You’ll be all right, won’t you, Mum?"
"Of course I will. I've been all right so far, haven't I?"
Sarah nodded. "Yes, you've done well."
Sarah heard the front door opening and closing, but did not look round. It was probably only Mr. and Mrs. Cook returning after trying to salvage more clothes from their home next door. Sarah’s heart was heavy, and she sank wearily into the inviting chair.
"I'm really worried about Joe, Mum. I should have heard from him by now."
Alice knew what her daughter was going through. She had suffered in the same way during the last war, and she knew there was little she could do or say to help.
"He'll be all right, love. I'm sure of it."
Sarah sighed deeply. "I hope you're right. If ...” she paused, “...when you see him, will you tell him that I stayed as long as I could? And that I love him and miss him very much?”
"Why don't you tell me yourself?"
Sarah leapt to her feet and turned towards the kitchen door where a dishevelled, bloodstained young man smiled wearily at her.
"Joe! Oh Joe! I've been so worried!"
She threw herself into his open arms and hugged him tightly as though afraid that it might all be a dream and he would disappear if she was foolish enough to let him go.
"I'm sorry, Sarah." Joe bent to kiss her tear-stained cheeks. "I wanted to come to see you, but I had to stay and help. We’re almost certain that no-one is still buried alive, so I’ve taken time off." He hugged her tightly. "I've been worried about you too. You can't believe how difficult it’s been for me not to drop everything and come rushing over here."
Sarah smiled up at him. "It doesn't matter Joe. Nothing matters at the moment. I'm just so relieved to see you safe and sound."
As Joe leant down and gently kissed Sarah on the lips, Alice left the kitchen, quietly closing the door behind her, her eyes bright with tears of happiness.
41
As Sarah turned through the gate, Heronfield House held out welcoming arms towards her. Its walls were a dusty yellow in the autumn sunlight. The trees which bordered the drive were a riot of colour, red and gold, russet and brown. The scene was breathtaking, like a picture in a fairytale book, and Sarah realised just how much she had come to love the countryside. Maybe Joe would be willing to move out into a country village, once the war was over.
As she walked up the drive, gravel crunching underfoot, Sarah’s features were wreathed in a broad smile. Alice and Joe were safe and she was returning to work; she could not have been happier.
"Sarah? Sarah! Is it really you?"
Sarah turned at the sound of the voice just in time to see Jane burst from the trees and run towards her. Sarah smiled. "Yes. It's me."
Jane hugged her friend enthusiastically. "You don't know how worried we've all been! When we heard about the raid on Coventry and then heard nothing from you we feared the worst. How bad was it?"
Sarah gave an involuntary shiver. "It was awful. Like the description of hell I used to hear at Sunday school." She smiled sadly. "I'm sorry you were worried, but there was no way I could get in touch with you. There are still no telephone lines."
"What have you been doing since the raid?"
"Working. We set up a makeshift hospital in the local school. There were no windows, no heating, and no medical supplies." She closed her eyes but the images her words had conjured up did not leave her. "Can you imagine what it was like?"
Jane shuddered. "No. And I don't want to have to find out, either."
The two girls turned and walked, arm in arm, towards the big house.
"Am I in trouble for not coming back when I should have?"
Jane laughed. "No, you're not in trouble. Everyone knew that if you hadn't come back it was because you were needed there." She did not add 'or dead' but that was what she had been thinking for the last week. The best way to cope, she thought, was to act as though the whole thing had never happened.
"Are you and Joe still going strong?"
Sarah nodded. "As strong as ever.”
Jane laughed and Sarah caught a hint of mischief in her voice.
"All right, what's so funny about me and Joe?"
"It's not you two. It's Tony Kemshall."
"Is he back again?"
Jane nodded, still grinning broadly.
"Not only is he back, but he's been up to the house every day to see if we've had any news of you!"
Sarah groaned and lowered her head but not before Jane saw the hint of a blush stain her cheeks.
"You still think he's soft on me, don't you?"
"Of course." Jane’s voice was full of mischief. "Why else would he be so worried about you?"
&nb
sp; 'Why indeed?' thought Sarah, but said instead "We're just good friends, that's all."
They reached the steps leading up to the front entrance to the house. As they made their way up, the door opened and a figure in nurse’s uniform stepped out.
"Sarah Porter! I'm so glad to see you!"
Sarah smiled. "And I'm glad to be back, Sister Freeman."
As she entered the hall, engulfed by the familiar smell of disinfectant. Sarah felt as though she had come home.
It was a cold day. The frost which had rimed the windowpane when Sarah arose still patterned the grass when she gazed out of the window at lunchtime. She had been back at Heronfield for just one day, yet was already fully engrossed in her routine. She was glad to be part of the team once more. She looked across at the patients in her ward, mainly burns cases from the RAF. They had all had lunch and were as comfortable as could be expected, so she smiled at them gaily as she made her way over to the door.
"I'm off for my lunch now. See you all in an hour."
Those who were well enough waved or called after her. Others lay still upon their beds, seeming to see and hear nothing. Sarah made her way down to lunch, a thick vegetable soup with freshly baked bread, which she ate quickly before returning to her room. Jane was stretched out on her bed as Sarah walked in, chin on hand and book on the pillow in front of her. Sarah reached down her coat, scarf and gloves.
"I think I'll go out for a walk. Are you coming?"
Jane rolled over onto her back. "Are you joking? It's freezing out there!"
Sarah laughed. "Being home again made me realise just how much I've grown to love trees and open spaces. Besides, the fresh air will do me good!"
"Rather you than me." Jane stretched lazily. "I don't know where you get your energy from. We have to be back on the wards in less than an hour."
"In that case I'll be off. See you later."
Sarah left the room and went down the back stairs to a side door that opened into a small kitchen garden. The air was crisp and clear, knifing her lungs as she breathed deeply. The cold air clearing her head of the woolly feeling that a morning on the wards so often left her with. She turned left and made her way beneath the bare branches of some apple trees in the small orchard. One or two wizened fruits still clung to the topmost branches. She stopped to watch the starlings pecking hungrily at them, their iridescent feathers shinning in the weak sunlight.
Heronfield Page 23
