A Rose and a Promise, page 17
Cadi spoke in disbelieving tones. ‘How can anyone be that blind?’
‘There are none so blind as those who will not see,’ volunteered Poppy.
‘Then that’s that,’ said Cadi.
‘We’ve no other choice,’ Izzy agreed.
Poppy watched as Cadi cleared the last of the liver from her plate. ‘It makes me happy to see you polishing your dinner off, even if I can’t stomach the stuff.’
Cadi reached across the table to hold Poppy’s hand. ‘I’m going to be all right. You just have to be patient with me.’
They got up from their table and made their way to the tub of hot water where Cadi dipped her irons. Poppy watched as she shook the water from her cutlery. ‘It’s been so lovely to see you. It seems as though you never have time to stop and chat these days.’
‘I like to keep busy,’ said Cadi. ‘That way I don’t have time to dwell on things – it probably helps me to sleep better, too.’
‘Only you’re going to have to slow down sooner or later,’ said Poppy.
Cadi held the door open as they passed through. ‘At this point in time, I opt for later.’
Outside, Izzy put her arm round Cadi. ‘You can’t run away from what’s happened.’
Cadi nodded. ‘I know, but the thought of standing still scares me.’
‘Burning the candle at both ends is a recipe for disaster,’ said Poppy. ‘You need to hope and pray you never fall asleep at the wheel.’
Cadi knew they were right, especially in the mornings when she often felt light-headed and dizzy. She’d never fallen asleep at the wheel, but she knew her concentration wasn’t what it used to be. ‘I’ll see if I can get some local runs.’
Izzy wagged a reproving finger. ‘Don’t give me that malarkey. You know full well that as a sergeant you get to call the shots. If you really want to keep busy, why not dive into the admin side of things here?’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Goodness only knows there’s plenty of it.’
Cadi ran her tongue across her bottom lip. Izzy had made a valid point: there was plenty of paperwork, enough to keep her going day and night. ‘Do you know, I think I might just do that.’
Poppy beamed. A different tack might be the thing that got their friend back on track. She hated seeing Cadi look so dreadfully thin, but if she was permanently based in the offices at Fiskerton they’d be able to keep a closer eye on their friend.
September 1944
It had been several weeks since Aled had last spoken to Cadi, and even though he’d gone to the NAAFI intending to pick up the phone on a few occasions, he’d been reluctant to do so, fearing that he might appear overbearing. Today, however, he had done it.
Holding the receiver to his ear, he replied ‘RAF Fiskerton’ as the operator repeated her question, and stood in silent torment as he waited for someone to pick up at the other end. He was about to replace the receiver when Cadi’s voice came down the line.
‘RAF Fiskerton, can I help you?’
Aled blinked before replying. ‘Cadi?’
‘Is that you, Aled?’
He nodded before remembering she couldn’t see him. ‘Yes. I wanted to give you a quick call, to see how you are.’
Cadi felt sorry for Aled, as he obviously cared for her, but at the same time she found it hard to speak to him from the heart. Heaving a sigh, she made the decision to tell him the truth. ‘Better than I have been.’
Aled’s heart plummeted into his boots. ‘Then why on earth did you tell me you were all right when I spoke to you last?’
‘Because I didn’t want you to worry,’ said Cadi openly.
‘And is that why you’ve been avoiding seeing me?’
‘Sort of. I’ve not exactly been looking my best …’
Aled tutted irritably. ‘I don’t care what you look like as long as you’re all right.’
‘That’s what I meant,’ said Cadi quietly. ‘You see, I haven’t been too well.’
Aled clapped a hand to his forehead. ‘I’m coming over.’
Cadi shook her head hastily. ‘No! Not because I don’t want you to see me, but because I’m doing better now, and I don’t want you rushing off half-cocked, like Jez the night of the car crash.’
Remembering the accident, Aled relented slightly. ‘All right, but how about I come and see you in a couple of weeks?’
Cadi grimaced. She would very much like to see him, but what would other people say if they saw her with another man so soon after Jez’s death? She’d know that there was nothing in it, but the thought of the gossips drawing their own conclusions was more than she could bear. ‘Give me a call in a couple of weeks, and we’ll go from there.’
Relieved that she hadn’t said no outright, Aled agreed before bidding her goodbye.
Taking a seat, he ran his mind over their conversation, and with images of Cadi looking more like a ghost than a person haunting his mind, Aled vowed that he would see her before the year was out, no matter what.
Ever since her last encounter with Cadi, try as she might Daphne couldn’t stop herself from reflecting on the other woman’s words. The stubborn part of Daphne wanted to put it all down to jealousy and payback for the trouble she had caused between Cadi and Jez, but there was something in Cadi’s demeanour which forced her to think otherwise. For a start, her old nemesis had been a shadow of her former self; with her gaunt cheeks and pale complexion she appeared far older than her years. Daphne sighed ruefully. Quite frankly, Cadi didn’t look as though she had the energy to seek revenge. If Kieran’s as bad as she makes out, surely the best form of revenge would be to sit back and watch you marry him, Daphne thought to herself, so why intervene? And if this Raquel really is his ex, why not just tell me? Cadi had spoken of Raquel without bothering to explain what her beef with Kieran was. If Cadi really wanted to cause trouble and was making stuff up with that end in view, then surely Raquel was also a figment of her imagination? And if that was true, then why didn’t she make up some elaborate story about what Kieran had supposedly done to this imaginary woman? And if Kieran’s so innocent, why didn’t he demand to speak to Cadi so that he could put her on the spot and show her up for the liar she is? Because that’s what I’d have done, Daphne told herself. Yet he visited Kitty, and had it out with her instead. She rubbed some polish on to the toe of her shoe. If Cadi was lying, then she was doing a pretty rubbish job, but if Daphne were to believe that Kieran was innocent, then threatening a woman he’d supposedly never met before would be alarming to say the least. Her mind turned back to the cook. When she had mentioned a man called Micky, Kieran had tried to laugh it off, but Daphne knew there was something wrong somewhere along the line. His face had spoken before his lips had a chance to deny the claim; if he wasn’t Micky, then he definitely knew someone by that name. She wished now that she hadn’t been so quick to dismiss Cadi’s accusations, and that she’d asked more questions, such as Who is Raquel? Cadi’s last words, advising Daphne that if Kieran ever gave her cause to pause she should get out whilst she could, entered her mind. She was making it sound as though Kieran was someone to fear, yet he’d never been anything but kind and gentle … she stopped. Apart from when she’d questioned him, of course. Instead of trying to understand why Cadi was saying such terrible things about him, he’d turned on a sixpence, accusing Daphne of believing Cadi’s lies, which was ridiculous. Daphne was the one trying to work out why Cadi would make up such a farcical tale, and if Kieran was innocent surely he’d have done the same? Picking up the other shoe, she began to brush the polish off. I’ll find out where Cadi’s based and go and see her for myself, she thought. I’ll tell Kieran what I’m planning to do, so that he can join me if he wants. After all, if he’s telling the truth and the two of us turn up, Cadi won’t have a leg to stand on, but if he’s lying I’ll be able to tell from the look on his face.
She removed the remainder of the polish from her shoes before slipping them on to her feet and heading off to find Kieran. If he threatens to break off our relationship, just because I want to go and see Cadi, then I shall know he’s got summat to hide. On the other hand, if he decides to come with me, I shall have it out with Cadi once and for all, and I’ll be able to marry Kieran knowing that he’s true blue.
Standing outside his hut, she found herself hesitating before rapping her knuckles against the door. Why was she feeling so nervous? If Kieran was telling the truth, she had every right to confront Cadi, so why worry as to what his reaction might be?
‘Hello, gorgeous.’
Startled, Daphne turned to see Kieran smiling down at her. Holding a hand to her chest, she composed herself. ‘I wanted to have a quick chat.’
He slid his arms around her waist. ‘Should I be worried?’
‘I’ve decided to go and have it out with Cadi.’ Seeing his smile dissipate, she continued with haste, ‘I thought we could both go, to shut her up once and for all.’ She pouted irritably. ‘She shouldn’t be allowed to bad-mouth you when you’ve done nothing wrong.’ She hesitated. ‘Aren’t you worried she might be spouting her rubbish to all and sundry?’
Rather than being angry, Kieran wrapped his arms even further around her waist, whilst gazing into her eyes. ‘I don’t care what she has to say, and neither should you.’ He paused. ‘I’ve been having a think, and I reckon you’re right about not waiting for me to speak to your father before we wed.’
Her frown deepened. ‘Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?’
He nodded. ‘I reckon we tie the knot as soon as we can book ourselves into the register office.’
Daphne gave a hesitant smile. ‘But you were adamant that you wanted to speak to my father first. Why the change of heart – not that I’m complaining, mark you.’
‘I remembered what you said about Cadi’s husband; none of us know how long we’ve got, so why wait?’
Daphne should’ve been dancing inside, but she couldn’t help feeling that he’d only suggested getting married straight away because she’d told him that she intended to go and see Cadi. ‘I don’t expect we’ll get in for weeks, if not months,’ she mused.
‘Then I shall make it my top priority,’ said Kieran. ‘How about we call in at the register office to make an appointment, or, if they’ve a cancellation, get married there and then.’ Kieran wasn’t surprised to see that his fiancée was looking doubtful, but rather than giving her time to get suspicious he played his ace. ‘Think of what it would be like for us to go and see Cadi as a married couple. That way we would really show her that we mean business.’
He had only said it to put the ball back into his own court, but it was all Daphne had to hear. If Kieran was willing to confront Cadi whilst standing at Daphne’s side, then he had to be innocent.
October 1944
Aled smiled as Marnie’s voice came down the line.
‘How’s tricks?’
‘Busy! Way more so than my last posting.’
‘I think it’s the same for everyone,’ said Aled. ‘We hardly seem to touch down before we’re off again. What’s Devon like?’
‘Beautiful! The sea is bluer than the sky, and the little towns and villages are adorable. You should come for a visit – if they ever give you leave again.’
‘I’m saving my leave for Christmas. I thought you might like to come to Lincoln so that we could spend it together, maybe stay in a hotel in the city?’ said Aled. He had thought the idea quite romantic, but judging by Marnie’s response he’d got it wrong.
‘Why Lincoln? Why not Devon or Rhos?’
‘Lincoln’s a beautiful city, and you might get to see some of your old chums, plus I’ve only got four days, so I don’t want to spend most of it travelling.’
Marnie fought the urge to point out that she, too, didn’t want to spend most of her break travelling, but as it was his suggestion to spend Christmas together she let it slide. ‘Chums? You mean Izzy and Poppy?’
‘Amongst others.’ He hesitated. Up until now, he’d assumed that Marnie liked the girls, but perhaps he’d got the wrong end of the stick. ‘I thought you liked them, or have I got that wrong?’
Marnie sighed. ‘I do, it’s just …’ There was an audible pause before she continued, ‘Just ignore me. I’m being silly.’
‘So does that mean you’ll come?’
Feeling that it would be petulant to say otherwise, she agreed. ‘I’d love to, but only if you come and see me in Devon come the new year.’
‘Splendid!’
‘Now that we’ve got that sorted, how’s everyone at Finningley bearing up?’
‘Jez and Annie were a big part of life at Finningley, so it seems empty here without them, despite the fact the place is teeming with new faces.’
Marnie didn’t want to mention Cadi, but she knew it would be churlish not to. ‘How’s Cadi? Have you seen much of her?’ She crossed her fingers around the phone wire, hoping his answer would be no.
‘Not since the funeral,’ said Aled, ‘but we have spoken over the phone, and to be honest, I’m worried about her.’
‘Why, what did she say?’
‘That she’s not been too well, but she’s doing much better now.’
Marnie frowned. ‘Then why are you worried?’
‘Because she’d been insisting that everything was fine until I spoke to her a few weeks ago – that’s when the truth came out. She’s not been doing at all well, but she hadn’t said anything because she didn’t want to worry me. I wanted to go and see her at once, but she insisted I wait a few weeks rather than rush off half-cocked.’
Marnie spoke slowly. ‘You make it sound as though you were intending to drop everything there and then.’
‘I was,’ Aled admitted.
The crease on Marnie’s brow deepened. Hearing that Aled had wanted to rush to Cadi’s side wasn’t the news she’d been hoping for. ‘If she doesn’t want to see you, I suggest you respect her wishes. She has plenty of friends to talk to, not to mention family.’ Fearing that Aled might suggest Cadi join them in Lincoln she hastily added, ‘So she won’t be on her own for Christmas.’
Aled could easily imagine Cadi insisting she wanted to be on her own for Christmas. ‘Cadi’s fiercely independent, always has been, always will be – especially if she thinks her presence might spoil it for others.’ He fell momentarily silent before adding, ‘I’ve just had a cracking idea.’
Marnie grimaced, fairly certain that she knew what was coming next. ‘Oh?’
‘Why don’t we invite Cadi, and ask Poppy and Izzy to join the three of us for a meal when you come over at Christmas? She won’t be able to say no if we all insist.’
Marnie tutted beneath her breath. She hadn’t seen Aled for months, yet he wanted to invite three other women to their reunion.
‘Couldn’t we have Christmas on our own? I’ve not seen you since June.’
‘I understand that sweetheart, but this will be the perfect excuse to see how she’s doing first hand.’
‘I’m sure she’ll be just fine,’ Marnie pouted.
The operator cut across their call. Their time was up.
‘Be fair. You’ve got the rest of your life with me; Cadi’s just lost her husband.’
Marnie sighed. ‘Just let me know when and where.’
Aled beamed. ‘I promise I’ll make it up to you. Ta-ra, Marnie.’
Hearing the receiver click down at his end, Marnie frowned at the earpiece. ‘I love you too.’
Replacing the receiver, she cursed herself inwardly for bringing Cadi’s name into the equation. Had she kept quiet, she could have been spending Christmas alone with her beau, but as things stood, in all likelihood she’d be spending it with Aled and Cadi, and what’s more, if she objected, it would look as though she was being petty. Next time, I shall learn to keep my big mouth shut! Marnie told herself. Either that or spend every holiday with Cadi in tow.
Meanwhile, making his way towards the hut for debriefing, Aled congratulated himself on his plan to invite Cadi over for Christmas. He could hardly envisage her saying no, if he said that Marnie was coming up from Devon to see her. It would give him the perfect excuse to check on her and make sure she was taking care of herself as she insisted she was. Cadi was a strong, independent woman, and Aled feared she would choose to remain quiet rather than ask for help. He felt his cheeks grow warm. He might well be worried that Cadi wasn’t coping, but in truth he’d been plagued by nightmares himself, all of which ended with Aled reaching out to Jez, who slipped away from him. He had thought it wasn’t affecting him until Tom had unwittingly suggested that Aled might reignite the torch he had once held for Cadi now that she was a widow. Furious that Tom would suggest such a thing, Aled had rounded on him.
‘Keep your thoughts to yourself,’ he had snapped. ‘I would never take advantage of Cadi. And if I had my way, Jez would still be here. He was a decent bloke and he didn’t deserve to go out the way he did.’
He had meant every word, and Tom had apologised. It had taken Aled a moment or two to calm down before making an apology of his own. It had been unfair of him to react the way he did, and he’d only done it because he was afraid that many people would be thinking the same thing. After all, there was a time when he’d have leapt at the chance – had it been under different circumstances. But he’d buried his feelings for Cadi a long time since, something that hadn’t been easy for him to do, but it was either that or spend the rest of his life on his own. He had met Marnie, and they were very happy together, and even if they hadn’t been he still wouldn’t make a play for Cadi, because he respected her too much.
Sometimes, Aled told himself now, there can be too much history for a relationship to work, and I think that could well be the case when it comes to myself and Cadi. Another time, another place, and who knows what could’ve happened, but not now. Not any more.
Paddy Finnegan reached the gate to his latest posting. He’d lost count of the number of times he’d been reposted, not that he cared: new postings gave him the chance to slip under the net before it closed in. Not that they could ever prove anything, Paddy had made sure of that, but every time he moved the petty thefts would stop. Moving from station to station also brought plenty of opportunities to hunt for his brother, and whilst he’d not heard so much as a whisper of Micky’s whereabouts, it was only a matter of time before he caught up with him. It still infuriated him to know that Micky had gambled their money away as though he hadn’t a care in the world while leaving Paddy high and dry. It was Micky’s fault Paddy was stuck in the RAF, and not living the high life with the earnings they’d accrued in Portsmouth. He often pictured what he was going to do to Micky once he found him, and he imagined it would take an army of men to prise his fingers from his brother’s throat.
