The Teashop Girls by Elaine Everest

Author:Elaine Everest
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

10

Rose placed her hand over her mouth, doing her best to stifle a yawn. It wasn’t yet midday, but she felt as though she’d been at Orchard House, the head office of J. Lyons, for a full day. Although the talk about managing staff was interesting and she’d been taking down notes, she couldn’t stop thinking back to earlier that morning.

Rising early so as not to wake Ben, she’d dressed and collected her suitcase. If she hurried, she could be at Orchard House early and sort out her accommodation before beginning her first day of training.

‘Were you going to love me and leave me?’ a sleepy voice said as she put on her coat.

‘I’ve left a note,’ Rose smiled. ‘You looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake you.’ He pulled her into his arms for a long lingering kiss. ‘Can I see you this evening?’ she asked.

A shadow crossed Ben’s face. ‘I’m afraid I won’t be here.’

Rose felt as though her heart was about to stop beating. ‘Oh – I thought we had more time . . .’

‘I’m afraid not, my sweet. I’ll be travelling with my regiment by this evening.’

She felt tears prick her eyes. ‘Is this the end of the magic?’ she whispered. ‘Is what happened last night to be the only time we spend time together?’

‘No, never!’ he exclaimed, almost shaking her as forced her to listen to his words. ‘I love you, Rose, and last night was just the start of our love. I want to show you my world, share secrets with you . . .’ His voice started to falter.

‘Secrets?’

‘Now’s not the time,’ he said, taking an envelope from a side table. ‘I’ve put details here of how you can write to me. You will, won’t you? I can explain more about my life and my plans in my letters.’

‘I’ll write and give you my new address, but you can always reach me if you write to Sea View,’ she said, fighting back tears. ‘I’ve seen people saying goodbye to loved ones as they head off to war, and now I know how much it hurts. I feel as though my heart is being ripped out.’ She reached up to touch his face and ran her fingers through his unruly hair before picking up her suitcase.

‘Can you wait while I shave and pull on some clothes, so I can accompany you? What about breakfast?’

‘I daren’t, or I’ll be late,’ she said, wishing she could stay with him for longer.

‘I’ll phone down for a taxi then I know you will arrive safely,’ he said, reaching for the telephone. ‘I can at least walk you to the lift . . .’

‘Miss Neville, I asked a question,’ the instructor said. Rose was shaken from her reverie by the sound of polite tittering from the other women in the room.

A girl sitting to her left discreetly pushed her notes in front of Rose, and she was able to give the correct answer before thanking her fellow student with a grateful smile.

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