The Shadow of War by Stewart Binns

Author:Stewart Binns
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781405915182
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2014-06-10T04:00:00+00:00

The letter ends at that point. Philip must have intended to write more, but his wounds at Mons prevented it. Margaret eventually falls asleep in her chair as Bronwyn continues her deep slumber.

The next morning, wearing Margaret’s clothes and make-up and with her hair brushed to restore a semblance of its dark lustre, Bronwyn could easily pass as her nursing colleague.

‘Are you ready for this, Bronwyn?’

‘No, I need a drink and a smoke.’

‘Sorry, you’re off the booze and cigarettes – and anything else you’ve been using.’

‘But I can’t cope without them.’

‘Yes, you can; you have to. If it gets too bad, there is something I can give you.’

‘What?’

‘A little laudanum. But in decreasing doses.’

Bronwyn answers like a forlorn child.

‘I’ll try …’

In contrast, Margaret responds like a stern headmistress.

‘You had better! If you let me down, I’ll let you go. You must understand that, Bronwyn.’

Bronwyn composes herself and smiles at Margaret.

‘Please call me Bron. And tell me one thing: why are you doing this for me?’

‘Because of the promise I made to Philip. And because of what you have had to suffer.’

‘Doesn’t what we did disgust you?’

‘No, it doesn’t.’

‘And what about what I’ve become?’

‘That doesn’t disgust me either. But that was yesterday. Today is a new beginning for you.’

‘I can’t believe what’s happening to me.’ Bronwyn embraces Margaret and clings to her. ‘Is it really true?’

‘Of course it is. Come on, let’s get moving.’

‘Where are we going?’

‘To Hereford General Hospital. I can get us into the nurses’ quarters there, where you can be looked after.’

Bronwyn recoils.

‘What does that mean?’

‘Bron, I have to be blunt with you. You have head lice and, from the look of your pubic area, you have gonorrhoea and vaginal warts at least; you may have caught other things as well. You have a bad cough from smoking and drinking, and we have to get you off that Papine you’ve been taking. It’s liquid opium, highly addictive.’

Bronwyn looks devastated.

‘One more thing; we need to make sure you’re not pregnant.’

‘I know I’m not pregnant.’

‘How?’

‘I lost Philip’s baby two weeks ago.’

Margaret pulls the girl more tightly to her.

‘You poor thing. Let’s get going, so that we can make you better.’

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