rheumatism is bad – and it’ll get worse when winter comes. When she came back from Scotland I thought she’d be just fine in one of the almshouses, but now I think she’ll be better staying at Rowangarth – after all, she’s got every right. She’s lived there longer than I have. But what news of Daisy?’
‘She’s fine. Had a letter this morning. Drew rang her. You’ll know Kitty has gone to London?’
‘Mm. Another for Sparrow to fuss over.’
‘Daisy was a bit puzzled. Said Keth’s letters are arriving all higgledy-piggledy; completely out of date order. But maybe some of them were posted in Kentucky, she thought.’
‘Probably. Amelia is always glad to see Keth. And I still think he’ll get home sooner than anyone expects.’
‘Doing a Jinny Dobb, are you?’ Alice laughed. ‘By the way, Daisy has written her first cheque! Made her go all over queer, she said.’
‘What did she buy?’
‘Nothing, it seems. She thought about all that money in the bank and nothing in the shops to buy, so she drew out five pounds; just about as much as the Wrens pay her in a month! She’s taking Lyn out when she gets back from leave, she says.’
‘I liked Lyndis,’ Julia murmured, ‘what bit I saw of her, I mean.’
‘But you like Kitty better?’
‘Kitty is adorable! I shall hand Rowangarth over to her with never a qualm.’ She jumped to her feet as the dogs outside set up a barking. ‘There’s Tom back, and just look at the time! Eleven o’clock.’
‘Watch the blackout, love,’ Alice called as Tom stomped into the kitchen in his army-issue boots. ‘And see Julia home, will you?’
‘No! I’ll be fine, thanks all the same. There’s an almost full moon tonight.’
‘Aye. It’s grounded the bombers. Bright as daylight, out there. But I’ll walk you as far as the wild garden, Julia.’ Tom didn’t hold with a woman walking alone in Brattocks Wood; not even when moonlight made a mockery of the blackout.
‘Mind the leaves.’ Tom offered his arm. ‘They’re falling thick and fast, now. It’s slippy underfoot, tonight.’
‘I wonder if that man in the moon knows there’s a war on.’ Julia looked upwards.
‘Not if he’s got any sense he won’t,’ Tom laughed, offering a hand as she climbed the stile. ‘Good night, lass.’
‘’Night, Tom.’ She reached on tiptoe to kiss his cheek then ran swiftly across the lawn, turning to wave as she reached the side door because she knew he would stand there until he saw her safely in. Briefly she closed her eyes.
‘Thank you, God,’ she whispered, ‘for Tom and Alice.’
‘Ten past ten,’ Daisy said as they stood outside Hellas House. ‘Shall I go in now, or shall we hang on till half-past?’
‘Not in any hurry, are you? I’d like a chat.’
‘We’ve been chatting all evening, Drew!’
‘Yes, but not about –’
‘Not about Lyndis? She’s on leave – but you know that.’
‘I know she’s on leave, Daiz. You wouldn’t be out with me otherwise.’
‘No. Not like the old days.’ Not when once he always took them both out, Daisy brooded, and Lyn had fallen badly for him. ‘Seems awful that you and I can’t meet as much as we’d like to, but I’ve got to think about Lyn’s feelings.’
‘I know. And I liked her a lot. If Kitty hadn’t happened along, I should think the three of us would still be going out together every time we dock.’
‘You’re missing Kitty, aren’t you? Poor love – I do know how it is. But London isn’t Washington. You’ll see her soon.’
‘On my next long leave, I suppose. Hope she can get time off. I’ll go to London if she can’t, though I’d rather go home to Rowangarth. I miss it, Daiz.’
‘Well, you can’t have it all ways! And surely ENSA will give Kitty leave? After all, you’ve got a wedding to arrange. But it’s Lyn you want to talk about, isn’t it? And you’d best be sharp; I’ll have to be in, soon.’
‘How is she, Daiz? I’m not so big-headed as to think she’ll have gone into purdah over me when she could have any bloke she wanted.’
‘Except Drew Sutton.’ Daisy set her mouth button-round.
‘I’m sorry about that. The Rowangarth Suttons seem good at it – falling heavily and suddenly, I mean.’
‘And what would have happened if Kitty hadn’t come along? Be honest, Drew.’
‘It would have been Lyn, I’m almost sure. There was something holding me back, though.’
‘Someone called Kitty. And Lyn didn’t just like you, Drew. She was mad about you. I think she still is, though she’s getting good at pretending she isn’t.’
‘I wouldn’t have hurt her, Daiz. Not for anything.’
‘You mean you wouldn’t have deliberately hurt her? I know that, but you did, Drew, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.’
‘You can be quite bossy when you set your mind to it!’
‘Sister’s privilege. And I’m as sad about it as Lyn is because I like Lyn and Kitty – and you, too, you great soft ha’p’orth. I’m piggy-in-the-middle, I suppose. But c’mon, bruv; give me a hug and a kiss.’
‘I’ve enjoyed tonight.’ He circled her in his arms, laying his cheek on hers. ‘Take care of yourself. See you.’
‘You too, Drew Sutton. When are you sailing?’
‘Morning tide. And remember to say hi to Keth for me, next time you write.’
‘I’ll do that. Careful how you go, sailor. Be lucky.’
She stood at the gate of Hellas House until he rounded the corner. He didn’t turn and wave. Sailors never did. They never said goodbye either.
Her eyes filled with tears; not for Drew nor Lyn nor Kitty but for herself, because she loved Keth so much and wanted him so desperately.
Take care of Keth, won’t you – and Drew? she pleaded silently. And God – when is this war going to end?
‘I really must get this lot cut.’ Tatiana wound strands of hair round her finger, pinning them flat to her head. ‘Yours suits you short, Kitty.’
