The note from Kit, inviting them to take tea somewhere in town, was a surprise. Flora was not sure how to respond, knowing Matron must inspect it before giving approval. There were strict rules about visiting officers unless they were relatives. Maudie would chaperone, of course. The fact he was a family friend and a chaplain would surely persuade Matron their virtue would be safe.
Matron gave her consent on the understanding it must be for a short time only and in daylight. Flora sent a reply saying they would be shopping and suggested a hotel close to where Maudie was staying.
‘I say, he didn’t waste much time. He looks as if he could do with a hearty meal, never mind afternoon tea. I never thought of Kit as skinny. He does look very distinguished though. I want to buy some presents. Olive will be arriving soon and I want to show her the sights. You won’t mind being alone with him. I know you never liked him that much.’
Why should Maudie make such a comment? Flora found herself defending her brother’s friend. ‘He’s changed from the boy we once knew. I think he needs cheering up.’
‘Flo, you’re wasted as a mere VAD, you have such a knack of seeing right into people. I noticed you in the villa, talking with those nervous invalids and listening to their woes.’
Flora was surprised. ‘We all do it, it’s part of our work.’ How many hours had they both spent holding the hands of young lads who would never see their loved ones again? Sometimes those faces merged in her dreams, into a man in pain calling to his mother, clinging to her fingers until the worst was over.
‘Meet you by the parfumerie to buy some bits and pieces to take home,’ Maudie suggested.
‘Don’t you be long, I daren’t go unchaperoned. Someone is bound to see me alone with a man in uniform.’ For some reason Flora was feeling nervous.
He was waiting outside the hotel and guided Flora to a terrace facing the sea. ‘Maudie won’t be long,’ she said, suddenly feeling exposed in daylight. How pale he looked now. His eyes sunken and his cheek twitching. The stitches had barely been taken from his scar. He was dressed in full uniform with a dog collar. She, in turn, had made the effort to coil her hair loosely under her boater, which she wore to shade her face from the winter sunlight.
‘Miss Garvie, thank you for coming.’
‘Flora, please, we’ve known each other since I was in pigtails. We’re off duty…’
‘Why did you need to run away last night?’
‘I didn’t,’ she said, shocked by his directness. ‘I was tired and it was a surprise to see you again after all this time.’
‘We never seemed to hit it off, did we?’ Kit replied.
Flora smiled, recalling how she had teased him and called him bookish. She had been jealous of his friendship with her brother. ‘Seeing you like that reminded me of Bertie and Hector thumping balls on our tennis court. How you all came to the house and took over and we girls didn’t get a chance to play. I don’t suppose you ever noticed.’
‘I do recall you scowling at me a time or two.’ Kit smiled and his face lit up.
‘Silly the things we remember, and it’s all so far away now.’ Flora sighed. ‘At least the war is over.’
‘Is it? The war is only over for the dead. I fear for many of us it’s just beginning.’ He turned away from her to stare out at the view.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Coming to terms with all we have lost, returning home where we will be expected to pick up where we left off and move forward…’
‘I see what you mean but at least you have Muriel who will surely be anxious to see you again?’
‘I’m not sure she’ll want the man I’ve become – a smoker, an imbiber who prefers the company of unbelievers to Holy Joes.’
Flora could hear the bitterness in his words. ‘I’m sure Muriel will understand after all you’ve been through.’
Kit turned back to Flora. ‘I gather from your father you were a witness to the terrible Quintinshill train disaster where your brother…’ Kit shook his head, unable to continue, but Flora nodded.
‘I was lucky, my carriage was at the rear, we walked off the train unharmed but others were not so fortunate. I had no idea until… We did what we could… It was such a comfort to my family to know you were there for Fergus.’ How could she forget the carnage, the flames and the cries of wounded soldiers? She had done what little she could to help them. How strange they were both at the scene.
‘He died bravely trying to help others. But why are we talking of such sad things?’ Kit took her gloved hand and this time she let it stay within a tender grip that shook her with its power. ‘You have such kind eyes for someone who’s witnessed so much. To go into that hell and back, survive when so many good men didn’t, well, it leaves its mark.’
‘Surely your fellow chaplains have some comfort to offer on this matter?’ Flora could see his despair and it frightened her. His defences were so weakened, revealing an exhaustion of the nervous system that was oh, so familiar. In some ways it was like looking in a mirror. ‘I’m not sure I’m qualified to talk on spiritual matters or anything much.’
‘They sent you down from the front line to rest but it’s hard to leave it behind. I feel it like a sack of stones on my shoulders.’
This intimate talk was not right and Flora got up to leave but then sat down again. How could she walk away? Fergus would never forgive her. ‘I will be leaving here soon. There’s so much work to do before we have a true peace. There are still months to go on my contract.’
‘We chaplains are free agents, in some ways,’ Kit replied. ‘I know there’s a congregation in Kelvinside waiting for this hero to return… if I return.’
Flora was shocked at this honesty. ‘They will be grateful to see you safely back in the fold, especially Muriel.’
‘Sorry to prattle on like this. I think only of myself these days. Forgive me for speaking out of turn. You will have a loving family to greet you. The Garvies always made us so welcome at Kildowie House.’
Suddenly Maudie appeared, striding towards their table. ‘Look who’s turned up early. This is my chum, Olive, from Dumbarton, no less… the Reverend Kit Carlyle, friend of Bertie and Flora’s brother. Sorry we’re late. I went to the station to check some times and there she was…’
Olive was wearing thick tweeds and carrying a portmanteau. She looked as if she was here for the duration. Flora found her uninvited presence intrusive but she was Maudie’s friend not hers. ‘Do sit down,’ she said, smiling.
‘Yes, do join us,’ said Kit. ‘Look, I’ve had an idea. Why don’t I borrow a chap’s roadster and drive you all round the coastline to see the scenery? The views are spectacular. We can find a beach for a picnic if it’s not too cold. It will be like old times.’
No, it won’t, Flora thought, but she was relieved by this sudden change of mood. ‘Sounds jolly but Matron will have to approve. Perhaps next week, in case I’m sent north and another sick nurse needs my bed.’
‘Super-duper,’ Maudie added. ‘You mustn’t go before Christmas, Flo…’
They chatted for a while before Kit stood to take his leave, claiming a pressing engagement. Maudie turned to Olive. ‘He is rather splendid, isn’t he?’
Olive shrugged. ‘Can’t stand some of these padres, a waste of space in my book, getting in the way, preaching platitudes.’
Flora wanted to protest. Olive didn’t know Kit at all and he was being so kind. In his uniform, with a battle scar, he did look rather splendid but she was no longer sure she could see him in a black gown with white tabs, behind a pulpit.