A Sister's Courage

by Molly Green

  He turned to her. ‘You were staring at me,’ he accused, but his green eyes shone with mischief.

  ‘I only had a view of the back of your head.’

  She liked the shape of his nose, just a tiny bit crooked. Had he broken it when he was young? She liked the way his fair hair was brushed from his forehead. She liked how his mouth curved at the corners as though he found life amusing.

  He grinned. ‘Well, you’re staring now.’

  She smiled. ‘Do you mind?’

  ‘Not a bit.’ He looked down at their linked hands. ‘Are you warm enough?’

  ‘This hand is,’ she said, giving his a tiny squeeze, knowing she was flirting a little, ‘but the other hand is freezing.’

  ‘Give it to me.’

  She held it across her body towards him. He massaged it between both of his hands until the blood warmed and her skin tingled.

  ‘That’s better,’ she said.

  ‘Then you may have it back.’ He laid it carefully on her lap but took up her other hand again.

  ‘I wish you’d tell me where we’re going,’ she said, more for something to fill the silence because, frankly, she didn’t care where he was taking her.

  ‘We’re going somewhere I hope you’ve never visited.’ Alec looked out of the window. ‘It’s only a few miles away, but the clue is that there’s a special castle on a hill overlooking the town.’

  ‘Windsor?’

  ‘You’ve guessed. Does that mean you’ve been there before?’

  ‘No, but I’ve always wanted to.’

  Alec grinned. ‘That’s exactly what I hoped to hear.’

  Raine had seen pictures of Windsor Castle in newsreels, papers – everywhere – but nothing prepared her for her first sight of the real thing. It was straight out of a child’s picture book of fairy tales. She caught her breath at the sheer elegance, the size and the overpowering strength of the mighty walls. A fortress that could defend itself but was now a perfect castle under a thick dusting of snow that glittered in some unexpected sunshine.

  Her face was alight as she turned to him. ‘I can’t wait to see it closer up … it’s so beautiful.’

  ‘Yes, isn’t it?’ Alec said. But he wasn’t looking at the castle.

  Embarrassed by his gaze, Raine turned away and made a pretence of looking out of the cab window, so that Alec would think it was the castle that was holding her attention. But the vision in front of her wasn’t Windsor Castle: it was Alec. His eyes challenging her, questioning her. She didn’t think she would ever forget those brief moments when his gaze fixed on hers. The expression in those incredible eyes didn’t strike her as false. Weren’t your eyes supposed to be the mirror of your soul? She was probably making something out of nothing and shook away the thought. They were here to enjoy themselves and take a break from the war. Dare to have fun. There was no need to go any deeper than that.

  But really, she knew she was deceiving herself.

  ‘We’re here.’ Alec broke into her thoughts as the cab pulled up outside a hotel, built in traditional warm red brick.

  What had he done about the room? She prayed he’d booked two. Or maybe he hadn’t made any booking at all. Maybe he was going to ask her what she preferred. Or try to persuade her to share a double room.

  Her nerves now at breaking point she took his hand as he helped her from the cab then paid the fare. The driver tipped his cap and gave Alec a wink.

  If he winks back I’ll insist upon going home, she thought crossly. And that will be the end of it. But he didn’t. Instead, he nodded his thanks and picked up the bags.

  ‘I hope you like it,’ he said to her. ‘It’s not the top one in Windsor, but it has character.’

  She wondered how he knew so much about hotels in Windsor. And this one, the Riverside Hotel, in particular. How many women had he taken here? She mustn’t think like this or she’d spoil the time they had together. Forget everything except the moment, she told herself. He was looking at her a little strangely, so she forced a smile.

  ‘If the outside is anything to go by, then it’s lovely,’ she said, her heart thumping in her eardrums as she followed him to the polished reception desk where a man and a woman were smiling at them.

  ‘Good morning, sir … madam.’ The man, sporting a dark moustache and Brylcreemed hair, stepped forward. ‘Have you booked a room?’

  He looked across at Raine as though to say, Oh, yes. Don’t try to tell me you two are married. Raine stared back at him, unblinking, and he dropped his eyes.

  ‘Yes,’ Alec said, ‘two, in the names of Marshall and Linfoot.’

  Raine felt her shoulders relax but she couldn’t ward off a flicker of disappointment as Alec asked her to sign the register.

  Alec unlocked her bedroom door and handed her the key.

  ‘May I take a look?’ he asked.

  Feeling self-conscious she nodded and went ahead, setting her bag on a rack and slipping off her coat and scarf. She moved over to the window to orientate herself, all the while aware of his presence.

  She gasped. The Thames stretched in front of her. She watched as boats bobbed in the current and ducks skimmed the surface of what must be freezing-cold water.

  ‘Oh, Alec, how lovely.’

  She felt his breath on her neck as he stood behind her, looking out over her shoulder. The masculine scent of him. She closed her eyes. If she turned she’d be in his arms.

  ‘Good. They did what I asked and gave you the river view. I thought you’d like it.’

  ‘I love it.’

  There was a silence. She felt awkward. Ripples of excitement flooded her. He mustn’t suspect what she was feeling. Her stomach muscles tensed.

  ‘And where’s your room?’ She managed to sound quite normal.

  ‘Opposite you.’

  ‘No river view then?’

  ‘No. But I don’t mind. However,’ he took her by the shoulders and lightly turned her to face him, ‘if you mind that I have a lousy view over a car park, then you might take pity on me and invite me in to look at the stars over the Thames tonight.’

  ‘And if I don’t …’

  ‘You don’t have to make a decision right now,’ Alec said, ‘but this might help make up your mind.’

  He lowered his head and the next moment his lips touched hers, softly, gently. His kiss traced the outline of her mouth and then he kissed her again, deeper this time, and it was even more magical than she’d dreamed.

  She gave herself up to him. Kissed him back with a passion that startled her. She heard him groan, and then he drew away and took her face between his hands.

  ‘You’re very lovely,’ he said, his voice husky, then took a step back to admire her. ‘You know I haven’t seen you in civvies before, except for that first night we met when you made it so obvious how much you disliked me.’ His mouth twitched.

  ‘No more than you deserved,’ she teased.

  ‘I’m not so sure about that.’ He looked her up and down. ‘Mmm. Very chic. Love the blouse.’ He kissed her lightly on the lips, making them tingle. ‘But I think we should get some fresh air before I get completely carried away.’

  ‘I’ll just hang up my things,’ she said, aware that her voice now sounded shaky and far away to her ears.

  ‘Yes, of course. I’ll do the same. Shall we meet downstairs in ten minutes? That be long enough?’

  ‘Plenty,’ she said.

  ‘Good, because I can’t wait any longer before I see you again.’

  He shut the door behind him and immediately the room lost some of its charm.

  Chiding herself for being so fanciful, Raine hung up her red dress for the evening. She was glad she’d brought it. Her vampire’s dress, he’d called it, that first night they’d met at the Palais when she’d been so horrible to him. This time would be different. She couldn’t help smiling as she took another hanger for a spare blouse for tomorrow, then went into the bathroom to tidy her hair. The girl in the mirror looked different. Her lipstick was smeared
but her eyes glowed. What was happening to her?

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The snow was already melting on the pavements and the sun, weak though it was, made the air feel less chilly by the time the two of them walked out of the hotel a quarter of an hour later. Raine’s long legs easily fell into step beside Alec’s strides.

  ‘It’s such a relief to walk round a town without any noticeable bomb damage,’ Raine said as Alec tucked her hand in the crook of his arm.

  ‘They did have a couple of bombs drop a year or so ago,’ Alec said. ‘A pub was totally obliterated but it was late at night so I don’t recall there being any injuries. And a Messerschmitt actually made a forced landing in Great Park during the Blitz!’

  Raine’s jaw dropped. ‘Good Lord! What happened to the pilot?’

  ‘He was rescued and I’m sure dealt with appropriately. I’m not certain of all the ins and outs but I did go with some pals to see the same plane they put on display a few weeks later. You could go and look at it for sixpence a time.’ He grinned at her. ‘Apparently, they raised quite a bit of cash for the Hurricane Fighter Fund – a nice ironic twist, don’t you think?’

  Raine couldn’t help a chuckle. ‘But couldn’t you have looked without paying sixpence if it was out there for everyone to see?’

  ‘No, they had it behind a tall canvas screen. It was quite something. And would have been a disaster if it hadn’t landed in the park.’

  Raine imagined the scene. ‘It could so easily have crashed into the castle,’ she said with an inward shiver, ‘killing all the royal family.’

  ‘No, I think the castle is reasonably safe. The pilot would have avoided that at all costs.’ Alec glanced at her. ‘You may not know, but it’s rumoured that if there’s ever an invasion – and they won’t rule it out yet – dear Mr Hitler has his sights set on Windsor for his own ends. He probably sees himself and his henchmen lording it up in the castle. So it’s likely he’s forbidden them to bomb it, let alone crash into it.’

  Raine shuddered. ‘What a horrible thought to have that monster in place of our royal family.’ At such an image she gripped Alec’s arm. He glanced at her and smiled.

  ‘I don’t mind at all that you find the idea repulsive if it makes you hang on to me – it’s probably only propaganda anyway.’

  She made a play of snatching her hand away, but he put it firmly back in place.

  ‘There’s some icy patches around,’ he said. ‘The last thing you want to do is slip and wreck the other ankle. Next time you might not get away with it so lightly and be plastered for several weeks. That would certainly put you out of action, Miss Linfoot.’

  ‘I don’t see any icy patches,’ she chuckled, ‘but thank you for the warning, sir.’

  She nudged him with her elbow and they both laughed.

  ‘Shall we proceed then, madam?’

  They walked along in companionable silence, keeping the castle to their left. It was so surreal-looking she couldn’t help glancing at it every few steps.

  ‘I do wish we could have a peep inside,’ she said, stopping yet again to admire its sweeping lines. ‘I’d love to see all those plush interiors. Maybe get some ideas for when I ever set up house,’ she laughed, then wished she hadn’t said something so crass. He might think she was hinting at something more from him.

  ‘It would hardly be “royal” if every Tom, Dick and Harry were let in,’ Alec said, ‘and somehow I don’t think even you would be able to wangle an invitation, although the royals do seem to be spending most of the war here.’ He turned to her, looking unusually serious. ‘Do you think one day you’ll have a home of your own, Raine?’

  The question caught her off-guard.

  ‘One day, perhaps.’ Raine was annoyed with herself for having started this line of conversation. ‘But not yet. I can’t imagine anything like that with this war on. Everything – everyone – seems so fragile and vulnerable. It’s hard to imagine anything steady and stable any more. Putting down roots.’

  ‘It’s what this war is about,’ Alec said. ‘To make a more stable world. Somewhere that’s tolerant and just, which Hitler has deliberately forfeited under his Nazi regime. But it’s certainly a bloody awful way of retaining our democracy when even the French have given it up …’ He glanced at her. ‘Sorry, Raine, I shouldn’t be swearing in front of a lady.’

  ‘Don’t worry. I have several curse words I use – mostly in my head,’ Raine said soberly. ‘Being brought up by a strict French mother who’s a Catholic doesn’t allow me to say them aloud – though you should hear me when I’m on my own.’ She laughed.

  ‘I’d like to.’ Alec put the arm she was holding on to round her waist.

  Even through her greatcoat she could feel the outline of his body, closer now. She gave a sigh of pure contentment and he scanned her face.

  ‘You sound happy.’

  ‘I am,’ she said and realised it was the truth. She steeled herself and said, ‘Are you?’

  There was an expression in his eyes that she couldn’t fathom. ‘Yes, sweet Raine, I’m happy, too.’

  They strolled a minute or two without speaking, Raine simply aware of his presence beside her, his hand on her waist as she breathed in the crisp air. Squeezing her eyes shut she tilted her face upwards towards the thin rays of the sun, almost hearing waves crashing as they surfaced on a golden beach.

  ‘Do you like the sea?’ Alec asked suddenly.

  Raine startled. He had that habit of knowing what she was thinking. It unnerved her.

  ‘Yes,’ she said truthfully. ‘Just now, with the sun on my face, I was imagining I was walking on golden sand … instead of this slush,’ she added ruefully, then realised it might have sounded ungrateful. ‘Oh, I didn’t mean—’

  ‘I know you didn’t.’ Alec stopped and turned to face her. ‘One day, Raine, we’ll go to the seaside for the day – pretend we’re on holiday.’

  ‘You do a lot of pretending,’ Raine said seriously.

  ‘Sometimes it’s the only way to keep one sane in this war.’ He gave her a quick kiss on her forehead. They smiled at one another.

  ‘This is a beautiful little Edwardian theatre,’ Alec remarked a few minutes later when they’d passed a few shops. He stopped in front of an elegant building with Theatre Royal emblazoned on the Art Deco façade. ‘I wonder what’s playing tonight. Shall we go in and find out? It’s bound to be good as the plays go on to the West End – unless they’re flops.’

  Without waiting for her reply Alec opened the door and they joined a short queue in the foyer.

  ‘Blithe Spirit – the new Noël Coward – is on this week,’ the man behind the ticket counter said. ‘They say it’s excellent – well, all his plays are.’ He smiled, showing a gap between his front teeth. ‘Does that interest you?’

  ‘What do you think, Raine? It’ll be a comedy.’

  ‘I’d love to see it.’

  ‘Then two tickets for tonight, please,’ Alec said, pushing a pound note through the slot. ‘Do you have a preference where to sit?’ he asked Raine.

  ‘I’m afraid we’re completely sold out this evening,’ the man interrupted before Raine could answer. His smile was apologetic. ‘There’s a matinée this afternoon at half past two, though we only have a box available at twenty-five shillings.’

  ‘We’ll take it,’ Alec said immediately, taking another note from his wallet.

  ‘Thank you, sir. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.’ He handed the tickets and two half crowns through the slot.

  ‘I’m sure we will.’ Alec turned to Raine with a wicked grin.

  When they were outside Raine said, ‘Alec, they’re terribly expensive. I think we should have said no, or at least thought about it. But anyway, I insist upon paying my half.’

  ‘No chance,’ Alec said, taking her elbow. ‘I rarely go anywhere to spend my money, so this is a treat for me. And I don’t want to hear another word about it.’

  ‘All right,’ she answered, ‘but only if you let m
e pay for supper.’

  ‘We’ll see.’ He looked at his watch. ‘Are you ready for coffee?’

  ‘Definitely.’

  After coffee they strolled by the Thames, their breath coming out in visible little puffs as it met the cold air. There were few young people about, as was to be expected, but several harassed-looking housewives were pushing prams, the pram hoods up against the chill. Raine couldn’t help glancing in to see the babies as they passed by. They were swaddled in blankets, some fast asleep, some howling, their mothers, or maybe they were nannies, bending over their prams, trying to soothe them.

  Sulky children hung on to their mothers’ hands. Raine saw one little boy, who seemed to be on his own, bend to grab a handful of snow and make it into a ball. He looked hard at Alec then hurled it, hitting him on the nose. Raine doubled up with laughter at the shock on Alec’s face.

  ‘Little monkey,’ Alec said, stooping down, then chucking a snowball back at the boy, to his screams of delight.

  ‘Come on,’ Raine said.

  The next second she was slipping on a patch of ice. She grabbed Alec’s coat sleeve.

  He put his arm firmly round her. ‘Careful.’

  ‘Whoops,’ he said the second time she skidded on her boots.

  The pavements had become slippery and Raine would have fallen this time if she hadn’t been clutching Alec’s arm.

  ‘Lucky you saved me again,’ she laughed, beginning for the first time to feel completely comfortable with him.

  ‘I promise always to save you,’ he said seriously. ‘Always remember that.’

  She didn’t know how to answer, so she just nodded and gave him a quick smile.

  They walked for another hour or so, mostly along the old High Street with its higgledy-piggledy Tudor buildings, many of them having been converted to shops, and two or three pubs. They turned down a small side road and stopped to admire a row of Georgian houses.

  ‘I love these houses,’ Raine said. ‘And what lucky people live here – and in such a beautiful town.’

  ‘Yes, they’re very elegant … and probably cost a fortune to keep up, I don’t doubt.’ He turned to her. ‘Are you getting ready for a snack? Maybe a bowl of soup to warm you up?’