The Rose Villa by Leah Fleming

Author:Leah Fleming [Fleming, Leah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781801108775
Publisher: Head of Zeus

Chapter 40

Flora was due leave and had packed her bag. Her rescued mothers were settled in and ready to deliver.

‘I’ve had some bad news but I have a nursing friend in the city. It would help to spend a few days with her, if it is permitted,’ she said to Elisabeth.

‘I’m sorry to hear that. Of course you can take a short break. We’re waiting for a contingent of nurses from Switzerland, but we can spare you for a few days.’

Flora caught the train into Perpignan, drawing funds from her account and depositing her luggage at the hotel by the cathedral. She wired Maudie with news of her leave, hoping they could meet up soon. It was such a relief to get a reply saying Maudie was free, and could be there within hours. Flora flung herself into her arms, trying not to cry with relief.

‘You won’t believe what I have to tell you!’

‘Calm down, Flo, what’s happened?’

‘Let’s go somewhere. I need a gin, and a large one at that.’ Flora grabbed her handbag and almost shoved Maudie out of the door. Once they were settled in a smart café, Flora took out her hankie. ‘You won’t believe who I have just seen. I’m so furious, after all these years. I can’t breathe. I’m still in shock…’

‘Whoa… whoa, slow down. Who’re you talking about?’

‘Kristian Carlyle. I saw him in the camp. He’s been alive all these years, here in France!’

Maudie took off her spectacles to wipe them. ‘Are you sure? There must be a mistake, a resemblance, perhaps?’

‘No mistake; he was driving a lorry full of refugee children out of the camp. I was escorting two pregnant mothers in the hostel truck to Brouilla. There he was in a queue, laughing, smoking and then he turned his head and saw me. The shock on his face. He tried to drive on, but I stood in front of the vehicle. How dare he try to evade me… All he said was “sorry”. I wanted to kill him. Pretending to be dead indeed! For heaven’s sake, his name is etched in gold on the war memorial.’ Flora began to weep. ‘How could he do this to me?’

Maudie leaned over to hug her. ‘I’m so sorry. It’s hard to take in. What’s he been up to all this time?’

‘Who knows. I never want to see his face again and I want to go home.’ Flora was trembling. ‘I’ve mourned his loss down the years, wondering if he intended to lose his life. Here I was, feeling guilty that my love wasn’t enough for him, and all this time the coward was living the life of Riley in the Riviera sunshine.’

The waiter brought their drinks and Flora gulped hers down. ‘I’ll have another,’ she said.

Maudie stayed her hand. ‘Calm down, Flo. Kit was never a coward in the battlefield, you and I know that. Something must have happened to make him do such a despicable thing to you, to Muriel, his minister and his church.

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