Wartime Blues for the Harpers Girls by Rosie Clarke

Author:Rosie Clarke [Clarke, Rosie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

Beth sat up in bed as Rachel and Fred came into the ward, feeling a surge of pleasure. Rachel bent to kiss her cheek and tell her how thrilled she was to hear the news, and Fred gave her a bag of grapes and a kiss on the cheek.

‘How are you – and the baby?’

‘Both doing well,’ Beth assured her. ‘He’s gorgeous, Rachel. Just wait until you see him.’

‘I bought a little present for him.’ Rachel gave her a small parcel. ‘I expect you will be given lots of things.’

‘I was loaded up when I left this evening,’ Fred told her with a cheerful grin. ‘I haven’t looked at anything. You’ll find them all in your room when you get home.’

‘Thank you, Dad,’ Beth said with a small sigh. ‘No word from Jack I suppose?’

‘No, love, not yet,’ her father-in-law said with a slight frown. ‘He expected to be home by now, but there’s a war on and he can’t always keep his word.’

‘I know.’ Beth smiled at him. ‘He couldn’t have done much if he had been here, anyway. I got through it easily once it started, and I feel fine. I just wish they would let me get up and come home. It’s boring just sitting here…’

‘That’s Sally’s complaint. I’ve brought you some ladies’ magazines,’ Rachel told her with a smile. ‘They will give you something to do for a while – and there’s some wool so you can knit if you want, Beth.’

‘Yes, I should like to do something useful,’ Beth replied. ‘How is Sally now? Is she getting better?’

‘Yes, thank goodness,’ Rachel assured her. ‘She gets out of bed each afternoon and walks about for a while to build up her strength. They tried to keep her in bed, but you know our Sally Harper – and the nurse looking after her says it will do her good. She doesn’t approve of making a patient rest once they feel able to get up and move about, as long as she doesn’t overdo it.’

‘Oh good,’ Beth said and smiled. ‘Please tell her I love her when you see her, Rachel. I shall visit just as soon as I can.’

‘I’m sure that will please her,’ Rachel said. ‘I know she will be delighted with your news, Beth.’

Beth nodded, then, ‘I was wondering. Have you heard from Maggie recently?’

‘No, I haven’t,’ Rachel said, feeling a return of her anxiety. ‘But Marion Jackson had a letter, which she gave me to read – and Maggie says she’s getting married. She expects to be allowed to visit us all next week and will come to Harpers. She hasn’t written to you about it then?’

‘No… I wonder why,’ Beth mused, wrinkling her brow. ‘Do you think she feels it might upset me because of Tim? I suppose it isn’t that long since he died.’ She glanced at Fred, but he was watching one of the women who had got out of bed and seemed to be unsteady on her feet. He moved to stop her falling and Beth looked at Rachel.

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