The Nurse's War by Merryn Allingham

Author:Merryn Allingham [Allingham, Merryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781474024945
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2015-09-04T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

There was another loud crash from somewhere above, then a loud tinkling sound.

‘I think that’s probably the chandeliers,’ he said.

A violent trembling she couldn’t prevent took over her limbs. It must be the result of these last few weeks, she thought. She wasn’t a coward, she wasn’t easily daunted, but this massive raid coming on top of everything else was proving too much.

Without saying a word, Grayson got to his feet and climbed onto the bed beside her. His arms once more wrapped her round. ‘Tell me to go if you don’t want me here.’

She didn’t tell him to go. His body lying close, his arms encircling her, gave the comfort she needed. They lay side by side listening as the thuds and crashes crept slowly nearer, eventually surrounding them on every side. They lay in a circle of noise, in the very centre it seemed, of destruction.

‘What about fire?’ she whispered. The threat of being trapped so far below ground still terrified her.

‘We’ll have to hope there hasn’t been a direct hit, and that the wardens and fire crews are working overhead.’

It was a desperate hope, but he was right. There was nothing else they could do. She closed her eyes, her head finding a comfortable niche on his shoulder. She was so weary that despite the enveloping noise and fury, she drifted into an uneasy sleep.

Until a knock sounded and a waiter put his head around the door. ‘Sorry to disturb you, miss. Just checking that you’re okay.’

She noticed that his black-suited uniform was smeared with crumbling, white plaster. ‘Is the raid over?’ How long she’d slept, she had no idea.

‘Just about.’ The waiter gave her a friendly nod and disappeared.

Grayson had been asleep too, it seemed, and was now stretching himself lazily awake.

‘So it’s finished,’ he said. An uneasy quiet reigned in the building. ‘Are you feeling brave enough to venture out?’

‘Of course, I am. And I’m sorry I was so feeble last night.’ She gave him a small hug. ‘Thank you for being a rock.’

He planted a light kiss on the top of her head. ‘If it’s a rock that I am then so be it. Come on, we should make a move. These beds are damned uncomfortable.’

‘I don’t think they’re meant to sleep two.’

‘I’m sure they’re not, but so much nicer, don’t you think?’

‘Yes, it is.’ Her face flushed and he looked at her, surprised.

For a moment their glances locked, then he leaned across and kissed her on the lips.

‘That’s my prize for being a rock,’ he said softly.

‘Mine too,’ she said even more softly, and kissed him back. She hadn’t meant to but something was driving her, a desperation to know his touch before they parted again, and this for the last time.

He seemed to feel the same desperation for in an instant his arms were round her, enfolding her in the tightest of embraces. He touched her forehead lightly, a butterfly kiss barely grazing her skin, then her eyelids, then her cheeks. His mouth hovered over hers while his hands tangled her dishevelled hair.

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