The Beekeeper's War, page 13
He propped himself up a little more and grinned. ‘Grateful to still be alive,’ he said. ‘If it wasn’t for this flying ace next to me then I’d be a goner.’
‘You’d have found a way out,’ Jack insisted. ‘Anyway, we’re all fine now, so let’s not focus on what might have been.’
‘I agree. It’s too horrible to think about,’ Pru said, hating to think what might have happened if Jack hadn’t found Monty and Jean in the linen cupboard where they had been trapped by someone.
‘Is something wrong?’ Jack asked her. ‘Something else?’
Pru stared at him, not wanting to cause alarm but aware that Jack was the best person to share what she knew about Private Danby who was behind the screen of a bed further down the ward.
‘There’s something I need to tell you both,’ she whispered.
As she finished, she realised Jack’s grip had tightened on her hand and he said ‘I want you to come with me.’
‘Where are you going?’ Monty asked, clearly furious and a little in shock at hearing that the man who had lain not two feet away from him for months had attempted to murder him and Jean and burn down his ancestral home.
‘Keep calm,’ Jack said. ‘Leave this to me.’
A shiver ran through her. ‘Where are we going?’ she asked, leaving the ward with him.
‘That man needs to be arrested before he’s tipped off that you’ve told anyone about his admission. He’s clearly dangerous and we don’t need him to realise that he’s about to be caught.’ He began leading the way out of the ward.
‘Where are we going?’ she asked, confused.
‘To Matron’s office.’
‘What?’
He put his finger up to his mouth. ‘Keep your voice down. I saw her talking to one of the VADs so I know she’s not in her office. Quick, let’s hurry.’
Pru didn’t dare look back to see if anyone was watching them. Jack was right, they needed to call the police immediately while the private was oblivious to anything. ‘But he admitted it was him,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘Won’t he be suspicious that we’ve left the ward?’
Jack reached the office door and opened it, waiting for Pru to enter before closing the door quietly behind them. ‘He probably thinks we’re sneaking off for a quiet chat, or something. I don’t know, or care. Listen out for anyone coming.’
Pru took a calming breath to steady herself and listened with her ear to the door. She heard Jack repeating what she’d told him to the officer on the other end of the line before quietly replacing the receiver on the hook.
‘He’s sending someone right now,’ he said. ‘Is there anywhere else you could be for a few minutes?’
‘Why?’
‘Because I don’t want you there when they come for him. He’ll know who’s behind his arrest and I’d rather you’re safely away from it all.’
She wished it was that easy. ‘I’m on duty, Jack. I must go back.’
He tried to argue with her but she had no intention of listening to him. There were enough people in the ward to protect her should the private try to attack her. For a moment she felt a little light-headed and stopped in the hallway, reaching out to rest her hand on the panelling.
‘You’re unwell?’
She couldn’t miss the panic in Jack’s voice. ‘No, just a little overwhelmed by everything that’s happened today, I think. Come on, let’s get back before anyone suspects there’s something amiss.’
She was barely coping with losing one friend today, let alone knowing that Jean and Monty had almost died thanks to Private Danby’s malevolence. Life was already fragile enough without someone purposely setting the place on fire and she was determined to see him arrested and removed from the manor. It was the only way she thought she might be able to sleep that night.
She saw Jack back to his bed next to Monty’s. His friend coughed a few times and Pru went to pour him some water but he motioned for her to stay where she was.
‘I can do it myself,’ he said, picking up the small carafe and pouring water into a glass. ‘You’re very pale, Pru. Are you sure you should be working?’
‘Not you as well, Monty,’ she said. ‘I’m just a little shaken by what’s happened today, that’s all.’
Monty gave her a sympathetic smile. ‘Try not to be, dear girl. Jack will survive this and Jean and I are fine, if a little smoke-damaged.’ He grinned. ‘We need to look forward rather than backwards, Pru. All of us do.’
Pru forced a smile. ‘You’re right.’ Where were the police? Surely they must be here soon, she thought restlessly.
‘Why don’t you go and get something to eat and try to catch a few hours’ sleep? It’s been a long day,’ Jack suggested. ‘Spending a little time with Jean chatting things through might make you both feel better.’
She could tell Jack was determined that she not be present when the police arrived. He was right, she supposed. Regardless of what happened when the private was arrested, she and Jean needed to be together to try and make sense of it all. ‘I think I will.’
‘I know she’ll probably appreciate spending time with you right now,’ Monty agreed. ‘I’ll speak to Matron and tell her I insisted you go and be with Jean. She won’t argue with me. We’ll see you in the morning.’
She realised her shoulders ached and her head was thumping. ‘Thanks, both of you. I am a little worn out.’
She looked around her and when everyone’s attention was elsewhere she bent to kiss Jack good night. ‘I love you,’ she whispered.
‘Good, because I love you too.’ He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. ‘Now, get to bed.’
Pru had reached the bottom of the back stairs when she heard heavy footsteps running through the hallway into the makeshift ward. Shocked to hear the private’s voice as he shouted and cursed, she sat heavily on one of the stairs, her legs unsteady. Jack had been right. What did she know of people being arrested? She was grateful to him and Monty for sending her from the room. And just in time, it seemed.
Having given herself a few minutes to calm down, Pru hurried upstairs to her bedroom. She opened the door as quietly as possible, not wishing to disturb Jean if she was already asleep. She peered around it and tiptoed inside.
‘I’m awake,’ Jean said, her voice thick from crying. ‘No need to be quiet.’ She sat up and they stared at each other miserably.
Pru stepped forward and sat on the side of Jean’s bed before leaning forward and taking her friend in her arms. ‘I’m so relieved you’re unharmed.’
Jean began to cry. ‘I can’t believe we’ll never see Milly again,’ she sobbed. ‘If Jack hadn’t rescued us, I dread to think what might have happened.’
Pru held her tightly. ‘But he did and you must try not to dwell on the what ifs. You’re safe and so is dear Monty, thankfully.’ She didn’t admit that she was struggling not to give in to hysteria.
‘But Milly.’
Pru groaned, feeling a physical pain in her heart. ‘I can’t quite believe she’s not going to walk through that door any minute,’ she whispered. ‘Why did she run into the building like that, do you think?’
‘I’ve no idea. None whatsoever.’
Pru picked at the skin on the side of her right thumb. ‘Why didn’t I move more quickly?’ she said, angry with herself. ‘I should have stopped her from going in.’
Jean shook her head. ‘No. You couldn’t have. Milly was a strong-minded woman and if she decided to do something then there’s nothing you or I could have done to change her mind. You know that, don’t you?’
Pru gave her friend’s question some thought. She was right. Milly wasn’t the sort of woman to be dissuaded from a cause. ‘I suppose you’re right.’
‘Good. I’m glad you do. Today has been heartbreaking enough without having to watch you tormenting yourself.’
When Jean calmed slightly, Pru sat back. ‘We both need a good night’s sleep.’
‘What about Milly’s things?’ she added, staring at the silver-framed photo of Milly’s dead husband, which stood on her nightstand beside the book she had been reading. Pru noticed that Milly had been using the pretty leather bookmark she had bought her for Christmas the previous year and was pleased her friend had liked it.
‘I think we should pretend she’s on duty right now and not think about it until tomorrow morning,’ Jean suggested. ‘We might feel a little more able to go through her things then.’
‘Good idea,’ Pru said, relieved.
Jean sighed and lay back, resting her head on her pillows. ‘I can’t stop thinking about it though, Pru.’
Pru realised her friend needed to speak. ‘Do you want to tell me what happened to you and Monty?’
‘Please.’
Pru waited but when Jean didn’t say anything she presumed her friend wasn’t sure where to begin. ‘Why were you and Monty in the linen cupboard, Jean?’
Jean groaned, her cheeks reddening. ‘We wanted to be alone. We hadn’t been able to kiss more than a couple of times and the lack of privacy was driving us both mad. If it wasn’t other patients watching us, it was nurses, and I noticed his mother giving me a strange look the other day. Monty suggested we find somewhere where we wouldn’t be seen. Hence the linen cupboard.’
Pru got up to change into her bed clothes. ‘And was it nice?’ she asked, grateful that she and Jack had been able to go out for evenings together and walks in the woods. She hadn’t considered before how restricted Jean and Monty’s relationship must have felt and thought how selfish that was of her.
‘It was everything I imagined.’ Jean smiled thoughtfully. ‘He’s a wonderful kisser.’ She hesitated. ‘I really love him, Pru. Very much.’
‘I know you do. And I can tell from the way he gazes at you while you’re working and watches the doorway when your shift is about to start that he loves you as much as you love him.’
Jean sat up, alert to what Pru was telling her. ‘I know he does because he told me he’s spoken to his parents and told them that he will be marrying me and that if they want him to take on Ashbury when his time comes then it will only be with me by his side.’
‘Jean, I’m so happy for you both.’ She hugged her friend tightly, delighted to know that she and Monty would have a future together. They might have different backgrounds but their personalities were well suited and she sensed that they would be very happy. She thought about Jack proposing to her earlier but decided now wasn’t the time to share her news. Anyway, she reminded herself, the war had to end before Jack had any intention of making her his wife.
‘What are you thinking?’ Jean asked. ‘You’re very deep in thought. Has something happened I don’t know about?’ Jean frowned. ‘You’re trembling. Something has happened. What is it, Pru? Tell me.’
Hearing the panic in Jean’s voice, Pru knew she had to tell her about Private Danby being arrested.
Jean pulled her bedsheet up to her chin. ‘It was him? But why would he do something so callous to Monty and me?’ Tears dripped down her face. ‘To dear Milly? What have any of us ever done to him?’
Pru told her what Private Danby had said to her. ‘Strangely enough, I don’t think he intended hurting anyone, just the manor and all it represented to him.’
Pru sat with her arms around Jean until she calmed. ‘It’s been a terrible day, but we have to carry on. We can’t let what one madman did ruin everything Milly and the rest of us here have been working hard for these last few years.’
‘You’re right.’ Jean sniffed. ‘I think we should try to get some sleep. It’s been a long, terrifying day and we’ll have to help with the rest of the cleaning up tomorrow. We’re going to need to muster all our strength to sort through Milly’s things at some point too.’
Pru went to her bedside table and taking out one of her handkerchiefs, blew her nose. ‘You’re right.’
‘Get into bed and let’s get to sleep. Hopefully we’ll all feel a bit better in the morning.’
Pru doubted it but didn’t argue. She washed her face and cleaned her teeth and as she wiped her mouth she heard Jean’s soft snores. She hung up her towel and watched her friend for a moment. She had Jack to thank for saving her best friend’s life. Jack was good and kind and incredibly brave. She shivered as she recalled him racing back into the burning building and risking his life for Monty and Jean, and she knew she would never be as grateful to anyone or love anyone as much as she loved Jack.
Fifteen
Pru
September 1917
The following week, Pru was busy instructing two new VADs about a couple of the men who, due to thick dressings on their hands, were unable to feed themselves. ‘Remember at all times to ensure you treat these patients with respect and don’t undermine their dignity. It’s difficult enough for them to have to require your assistance without being made to feel embarrassed in any way. Now, off you go. And if you have anything you wish to ask me, don’t hesitate.’
She watched them go. It was strange to think that this time a week ago Milly had been busily working nearby. Now the only thing that remained of her friend were her and Jean’s memories. They had discovered a distant cousin who had asked for Milly’s belongings and that had been that. She took a moment to picture Milly walking in the rose garden to the side of the house. Then, when her throat constricted and she realised she was letting her emotions get the better of her, she cleared her throat to try and gather herself.
Earlier that morning a new nurse, Gladys Newton, had moved her things into their room and taken over Milly’s bed. It wasn’t going to be easy getting used to having to share with someone she didn’t know, but from what she had seen so far of Gladys the girl was hardworking, if a little gruff.
Pru was distracted by loud voices emanating from the hallway. She recognised one of them and after a moment trying to place where she had heard it before, smiled as she realised it was Hugo. She supposed he must have heard about the fire and wanted to check up on the family.
‘Pru?’ He peered at her before a smile lit his damaged face. ‘Heavens, you do suit that uniform of yours very well.’
She blushed. ‘Lord Rivers,’ she said, enjoying the cheeriness he had brought into the building. ‘How lovely to see you again.’
‘It’s Hugo, dear girl.’ He rested a hand on her cheek. ‘I can see why our American friend is so taken with you. Can’t you, Verity?’
‘Stop flirting with the poor girl, Hugo,’ Verity said, moving to stand next to him. ‘We heard about that horrible fire and your dear friend.’ She reached out and rested a hand on Pru’s upper arm. ‘How are you holding up?’
‘I’ve been kept very busy, which helps. It’s lovely to see you both again.’
Verity kissed Pru on both cheeks. ‘We simply had to come and see if there was anything we could do. We popped around last week but were told that our help wasn’t needed but I simply couldn’t keep away, not when such a terrible thing has happened in Monty’s home. I hope no one minds.’
‘I’m sure Monty and Jack will be delighted to see you,’ Pru replied, imagining their happy faces.
‘We’ve brought food and…’ Hugo seemed at a loss for words. ‘And things Verity thought might be needed.’
Verity took Hugo’s hand, raised it to her lips and kissed it. ‘He means blankets, food hampers, drinks, that sort of thing. We weren’t sure whether the kitchens were damaged at all. If you need anything else at all please let me know, won’t you? I’m happy to send out for anything you might need at Ashbury. We have stacks of linen and, well, everything you might possibly need.’
‘That’s very kind of you both. I’ll pass on your offer to Matron; she’s the one in charge of the supplies,’ Pru said, thinking again how happy it made her to see this couple so much in love and yet so thoughtful of others. ‘I’ll arrange for someone to bring it in from your car.’
‘No need, it’s already been done,’ Verity said. ‘Let’s go and find those naughty boys. If I know them, they’ve been up to all sorts of scrapes since the party.’
‘Of course.’ Pru smiled, wondering if this was Verity’s way of dealing with difficult incidents – by keeping things light. Pru decided she rather liked it. It was preferable at least to the dour way some of the orderlies and manor staff had been acting. ‘Let me show you through. If you’ll follow me.’
She listened, amused, as Hugo related in his typically enthusiastic way how he, Jack and Monty had spent many happy hours at parties in London and competing with each other racing the horses across his father’s land during school holidays. ‘They are both utterly fearless,’ he said. ‘As soon as I heard about the fire, I knew both of them would be involved in some way and no doubt putting themselves in danger.’
‘You obviously know them very well,’ Pru said, pushing thoughts of Milly’s selflessness from her mind as she stopped at the ward door. She opened it and indicated for them to enter ahead of her. ‘I’ll let them explain everything, including why Jack’s also now in one of the hospital beds.’
She saw Jack look up as the door opened. His obvious delight to see his friend and his wife cheered her.
‘I might have guessed you couldn’t stay away from drama for very long, Hugo,’ Jack teased. ‘At least we can’t blame you for this one.’
Hugo threw his head back as he guffawed. ‘That was supposed to be our secret.’
Monty pushed himself up further in his bed. ‘Everyone knew you blew up the chemistry laboratory, Hugo Rivers. There’s nothing secret about it.’
Verity leaned her head closer to Pru. ‘He might sound jocular but Hugo was terribly concerned when we heard about the fire,’ she said quietly. ‘He insisted we came straight over but Lord Ashbury’s butler sent us away, insisting that our help wasn’t needed. Hugo was furious but I told him that the poor Ashburys had more than enough to deal with, having their house rearranged yet again to find rooms to replace the damaged wards in the wing.’
Pru wasn’t surprised Verity was well informed about everything. She imagined the incident and the private’s arrest had probably been the gossip of the nearby villages and supposed it made a change from hearing sad news from the Front.
