The Lost Days of Summer (33 page)

Trixie was brushing out her hair, but paused to give the question serious consideration. ‘A chapel? Oh, I don’t think so. Besides, surely the wedding always takes place in the bride’s church? Still, I suppose if Owie insisted, we could marry in a chapel. I say, Kath, Owie’s got a huge farm somewhere in Wales; he really is as rich as Croesus – or do I mean Midas? Anyway, he means to buy me a diamond ring before he goes back to France.’

Kath, climbing into bed, turned towards her sister, her eyebrows shooting up. ‘A diamond ring! Darling Trixie, does this mean he really has proposed marriage? If so, I think you ought to consider his age before you agree to become engaged. I believe he’s thirty-eight, an awful lot older than you. But I can’t believe he would ask you to marry him without speaking to Mam and Dad first. Or has he already done that?’

Trixie, who had been staring dreamily at her reflection in the dressing table mirror, put down her hairbrush and took a flying leap on to her bed. After Carrie got married and went to live with her parents-in-law, Lou had enjoyed the luxury of a bed of her own for a while, but when it dawned on Trixie that their shifts meant that her sisters often slept at different times she demanded a bed to herself, saying that Kath and Lou could perfectly well play Box and Cox in the other without disturbing her. Now, she pulled the sheet up to her chin before answering her sister’s questions. ‘Has he proposed? Well, not exactly. We were looking in the window of that big jeweller on Church Street and I was telling him which ring I thought the prettiest. I like rubies or emeralds; they show up better than diamonds. But Owie said he liked diamonds, because of the sparkle, so I think he means to buy me one before he leaves and of course he’ll ask me to marry him first.’

Kath sat up on one elbow and gazed across the moonlit room at her sister’s small, fair face. ‘Darling Trixie, I think you’re taking a lot for granted,’ she said gently. ‘Owain’s a great deal older than you, as I said, and so far he’s managed to avoid marriage. Perhaps he simply hasn’t had time, because I imagine there’s a great deal of work to be done on a successful farm – and then, of course, he joined the army. And if you don’t mind my saying so, dearest, you’ve not so much as mentioned that you love one another. People who marry in haste repent at leisure, especially when there’s no affection involved.’

Trixie reared up on her elbow and pointed an accusing finger at her elder sister. ‘You’re just jealous because I’m going to marry a rich man and your John probably doesn’t have two pennies to rub together,’ she said hotly. ‘And you wouldn’t even have him if I hadn’t decided I didn’t want him. So don’t you start—’

At this point the bedroom door opened and Lou, who had been working a double shift, came tiredly into the room. She carried a candle which she set down on the chest of drawers before beginning to undress. ‘What on earth are you two doing still awake at this hour? I bet you were quarrelling,’ she said accusingly. ‘Well, you can both jolly well shut up because I’ve had the devil of a night and can’t wait to get snugged down. Move over, Kath.’

‘Sorry, Lou. And it wasn’t a real quarrel, it was just a slight disagreement,’ Kath said at once. ‘Isn’t that so, our Trix?’

Her sister looked rebellious, then nodded and pulled the sheet up round her shoulders once more. ‘Yes, it weren’t nothing,’ she mumbled. ‘Goodnight both.’ She cast a baleful glance at Louise. ‘And blow that perishin’ candle out or no one will get no sleep.’

‘Oh, Kitty, my dearest love, don’t cry!’ John’s arms were tightly wound round Kath, his mouth close to her ear. ‘Everyone says it’s nearly over; before you know it I’ll be back home again and we’ll be walking up the aisle together, the two happiest people in the whole world!’

‘Oh, John, my darling, I can’t bear to let you go,’ Kath muttered against the rough serge of his battle-dress. ‘I wish I could go with you. A great many nurses do go to France to man the forward dressing stations, but I’m needed here.’ A whistle shrilled and men began to head towards the train, which was getting up steam, ready to depart. ‘Oh, Johnny, Johnny, I love you with all my heart. Please, please take care of yourself, and write often.’

John released her and ran a gentle hand round her heart-shaped face. ‘You must take care too; don’t go half killing yourself doing double shifts and missing out on your rest periods,’ he said. ‘I would have liked to buy you an engagement ring, but you’ve got the love spoon I carved for you. We don’t go in for rings much in Wales, but when a man carves a love spoon for his sweetheart it means they’ll marry, so do take care of it.’ He tried to smile, but it was a poor effort. ‘I shall expect to see it hanging in a place of honour in your mam’s parlour when I’m next home.’ He turned away, heading with obvious reluctance to where men were pushing and shoving their way into the waiting carriages, and Kath followed him, clutching the back of his tunic whilst tears poured down her cheeks. Reaching the train, he climbed aboard, then turned to lean out of the window. ‘I love you, Kitty,’ he shouted as the train began to draw out. ‘I’ll love you till the day I die.’

Kath, hiccuping and sobbing, called back that she would love him for ever . . . and it was not until the train had disappeared round the bend that she pulled out her handkerchief, blew her nose, and began to mop up the tears which were still trickling down her cheeks. Slowly, she began to make her way out of the station, and was just beginning to pull herself together when someone touched her arm. She looked round and it was Owain, his face concerned. ‘Oh, my poor girl; I guessed you’d be seeing my old pal off,’ he said gently. ‘My own train doesn’t leave for nearly two hours, so I’ve time on my hands.’ He glanced at the clock. ‘I see it’s past noon. Can I buy you a meal? I think we ought to talk.’

‘It’s awfully kind of you—’ Kath began, but was quickly interrupted.

‘It’s not kind, or at least it’s kind only to myself; as I said, I think we should talk, and if I’m left all alone for two hours I shall start remembering what awaits me on the other side of the Channel and will probably go AWOL. That means—’

‘I know – Absent Without Leave,’ Kath said, with a tiny choke of laughter. ‘And I’m sure you would do no such thing. But thank you very much; I’d like to share a meal with you, only I think we should go Dutch.’

Her companion laughed. ‘I’m sure your charming little sister has told you that I’m a rich farmer; she seems to have told everyone else,’ he said ruefully, but with a twinkle. ‘We’ll go to Lewis’s; they have an excellent restaurant on the top floor. And the tables are situated so that one’s conversation cannot be overheard.’ As they set off he tucked her hand into his arm, smiling down at her, and despite the fact that she was deeply in love with her John, Kath was conscious of the appeal which had attracted her sister.

The thought made her ask him what had happened to Trixie. For the first time his face lightened and he gave her an impish grin. ‘She’s at work. Oh, she said she wanted to come and see me off but I didn’t fancy one of her scenes, so I told her my train left at six this evening.’ He chuckled. ‘If she remembers, she might even turn up at the station then. But one of the chaps she introduced me to is taking a crowd of pals to a picture palace tonight to celebrate his twenty-first birthday, and then on to the Clevedon Rooms for what he describes as a grand scoff. The film starts at six, so no doubt I’ll get a letter explaining that she was held up at work and couldn’t come to say goodbye.’

‘You don’t seem very upset,’ Kath said as they entered the big department store and headed for the lift. ‘I take it that all Trixie’s talk of a possible engagement between the two of you was just wishful thinking.’

Owain Jones gave her a hunted look. ‘I told her I wasn’t the marrying kind, said if I did get wed it would be to a countrywoman of my own, someone who would help me on the farm. But by golly, your sister’s single-minded. She brushed that aside, said she had no doubt she could pick up country ways in a week, and even assured me that though her personal preference was for rubies or emeralds she would accept a diamond engagement ring whenever I felt inclined to bestow it on her.’

Kath was torn between amusement and horror. ‘Oh dear,’ she said inadequately. ‘But she’s only a child, Mr Jones. I just hope she didn’t ruin your leave.’

‘Please call me Owain, since both John and your sister do so; then I shall feel I can call you Kath instead of Miss Ripley.’ The lift ground to a halt beside them, and he ushered her inside. ‘Red Rose restaurant please,’ he said to the smartly uniformed attendant, and neither he nor Kath spoke again until they were seated opposite one another at a secluded table and had ordered a pot of tea and two plates of ham salad.

As soon as the food was before them and the waitress had left, Owain leaned across the table. ‘I hope you don’t think I’m interfering, Miss Ripley – Kath – but I thought you ought to know that John has put me down as his next of kin and asked me to contact you should he be wounded, or . . . or worse.’

‘Oh, but John’s grandparents are still alive,’ Kath said quickly. ‘He’s talked about them to me. I know his parents died some time ago, but surely his grandfather must be his next of kin?’

Owain nodded, took a mouthful of ham, chewed and swallowed before he spoke again. ‘You’re right, of course, but John’s grandparents are both in their eighties, and he felt that a telegram announcing he was missing might have a terrible effect on them. His grandmother is very frail and has a heart condition, and his grandfather has already had quite a serious stroke. If John does get killed, we agreed that I would choose my moment and break the news gently.’

‘Yes, I understand that, but why are you telling me now?’ Kath asked, puzzled.

Her companion gave her a wry smile. ‘My dear girl, do think. The army contact the next of kin, and who beside myself would know to inform you if John was posted missing, or seriously wounded? He might have told his pals that he’s met the girl he wants to marry, but I’d bet every penny I possess that he never gave anyone beside myself your name or address.’ He leaned across the table and patted her hand. ‘Don’t look so distressed, cariad. Everyone says the war is as good as over, so the chances of his coming a cropper are probably about a thousand to one. Only I thought I ought to tell you.’

‘It’s awfully good of you and I do appreciate it, honest I do,’ Kath said. She looked shyly across the starched white tablecloth at her companion. ‘Only I love John so much that I can’t bear even the thought of him being hurt. But of course if something does happen, I must know so I can go to him.’

Owain nodded gravely. ‘Good friends we are, John and myself, though I’m ten years his senior,’ he said, and Kath noticed, not for the first time, how his Welsh accent thickened whenever he spoke of his country or countrymen. ‘The first time I saw you together I knew you were made for each other, otherwise John would have had competition, I can tell you.’

‘Thank you, kind sir,’ Kath said automatically, glad of the lightening of the atmosphere, which had been charged with drama only moments before. ‘I don’t know whether John told you, but he carved me a love spoon whilst he was in France and gave it to me when he came home. He says it’s the Welsh equivalent of a betrothal ring.’

‘That’s right. Keep it safe, and once the war’s over and John’s home for good, he’ll make arrangements for the pair of you to wed.’ Owain pulled a gunmetal watch out of his pocket and turned it so that Kath could read its face. ‘Well, I’ve done talking; let’s finish our meal and go our separate ways. But remember, if you ever need a friend, I’m your man.’

November 1918

Kath was on her way home from the hospital, reflecting that summer was long gone; a mere memory. She had had a letter from John that very morning, full of hope that he would soon be back with her, and though she had said nothing to Trixie, Lou was now in her confidence and looking forward as much as she did herself to the return of the Allied forces. The two sisters strolled along the pavement, heading for Kingfisher Court. As they passed a newsvendor they saw the headlines painted on the flysheets in bold, black letters: AUSTRIA SIGNS ARMISTICE, they said. HUNS WITHDRAW ACROSS THE MEUSE; VICTORY IN SIGHT.

The two girls stopped to look, then Lou fished around in her cloak pocket and headed for the newsagent’s shop. ‘I’ll just get a copy of the paper,’ she called over her shoulder. ‘Mebbe my Freddie will be home for Christmas after all. Wait for me, there’s a dear.’

‘Course I will,’ Kath shouted back, then stood gazing dreamily into the distance until Lou emerged from the shop waving a copy of
The Times
.

‘We’ll read it when we get home,’ she said breathlessly as they began to hurry along the pavement. ‘It’ll give the latest casualties, of course, but judging by what I’ve read this dreadful flu is claiming more lives than even the war has done. And they say it’s just as bad in Germany.’

‘Yes. I’m almost glad John is in France, though I suppose even the Frogs are being hit by the influenza,’ Kath said as they turned into the court. ‘Sister Maddocks is really hot on hygiene, screaming at patients and nurses alike – to say nothing of visitors – to wash their hands twenty times a day, gargle with salt and water and throughly rinse any fruit people bring in before putting so much as a grape into our mouths.’

Lou chuckled. ‘The younger nurses call her Mad Maddocks and you can see why,’ she observed. ‘But she’s right, of course. They’re saying this epidemic is airborne so you can’t avoid it no matter how careful you are, but not a single nurse or patient has gone down with it on Maddocks’s ward, which must mean something.’

‘True,’ Kath said. ‘I’ve tried to impress the importance of hygiene on Mam and Trixie, and all the aunts and cousins of course, but I don’t believe it makes a jot of difference. Mam simply says she’s going to start attending church morning and evening on Sundays until the epidemic is over, Trixie giggles and says how can you sterilise kisses, and the aunts and cousins simply look offended, as though I’ve accused them of something horrible. Oh, except for Auntie Vera of course, who claims the flu is God’s way of punishing the wicked and ungodly, which means she won’t get it and Auntie Flo will.’ She chuckled. ‘She’s hated Auntie Flo ever since they were girls and both fell in love with Uncle Sam. Only he had the good sense to marry Auntie Flo, so now Vera hates the pair of them.’