Mary Bridgette by Danni Roan

Author:Danni Roan [Roan, Danni]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-07T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

“Are you sure you want to go back tonight?” Celeste asked as Mary began repacking her bag.

“Yes, if a transport will take us I’d much rather go back now.” She stood up looking at her friend and companion. “You were right,” Mary admitted. “Dr. Niven is not an honorable man.”

Celeste stepped up to Mary. “Did something happen?” she asked her eyes hard.

“He tried to kiss me,” Mary said. “I suppose part of it is that I’m a bit older than some of the so called ‘lassies’. He seemed to believe that I was somewhat more worldly for it so to speak.”

Celeste scowled. “I’m sorry if he’s upset you,” she offered. “Some people only ever think of themselves.”

Mary smiled at her friend. It was nice of her to be indignant about the situation for her. “I think it is best if we go back now and avoid the good doctor from now on. I’m sure Mrs. Baker will understand.”

“I quite agree. We have been warned enough time to avoid any form of familiarity that she’ll surely want to help us maintain that standing. You know there hasn’t been a single indication of impropriety in all the time we girls have served here. Perhaps we should do more with our Sunday services as well.”

Mary smiled through lashes still damp from crying only moments ago. “I’m sure glad I got to know you,” she said. “I also think your right. We’ll put a little more effort into the spirit of the thing so to speak.”

Celeste hurried around her cot and grabbed Mary in a fierce hug. Releasing Mary she ran back to her own bunk and began repacking her gear. Tomorrow it would be more doughnuts and more doughboys; more prayer, and more patience.

***

Over the next few weeks all through Christmas Mary poured her heart and soul into the efforts to ease homesickness and boost the spirits of the men around her.

She was dedicated, determined, and dogged in her pursuit of her work. Still each time the gray hawks of the French air fleet soared over head she wondered about the man she’d pulled from the downed plane. Was he still safe? Had he, like so many others lost his final battle in the sky?

Surely, this destruction and turmoil couldn’t go on much longer and collectively the Salvationists prayed daily for the war to end.

The men were heartened though when in late November the British using modern tanks crashed through Germany’s strong holds, pushing them back more than ten thousand yards.

As Christmas came, the women tried to bake special treats or decorate with any little item that might bring a smile or a Merry Christmas to the camps. The cold and bitter snows of winter blanketed everyone bringing with it a further misery to be endured.

Mary and Celeste added hot chocolate to their treats and carried the beverage right down into the trenches when it was still. Sometimes Mary believed that the waiting was as terrible as the attacks.

“It’s a good thing we have this stove,” Celeste said as the she added wood to the firebox.

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