Flora was relieved to see Maudie Wallace waiting at Perpignan station, waving wildly, rushing to help carry the heavy suitcases along the platform.
‘Good to see you. Let me look at you! It’s been ages.’ Maudie hugged her. ‘What on earth have you got in there, a body?’
‘You said bring clothes, so I did. I made my friends clear out their wardrobes.’
‘Golly, you’re a brick, carting that monstrosity from Glasgow. Let’s get a taxi to your hotel. I can’t believe it’s really you, like old times… but not quite.’
Flora noticed how gaunt her friend looked, with hair that was turning grey and scraped into a bun. She was the one who looked worn out: her eyes were sunken, with shadows under them. ‘Are you well?’ Flora asked, with concern.
‘Ach, just a bout of the usual gut rot and the trots… They sent me across the border for a rest. I’m fine. You, I must say, look beautiful, not a day older.’
‘Pull the other one, I can’t believe we’re over forty… fair, fat and forty,’ she joked.
‘Rubbish, you always look so elegant. Enjoy it while it lasts. Once you see what’s happening down here…’ Maudie paused. ‘But that’s for later.’
They arrived at the Hotel Continental and Flora made for the bathroom. The train from Paris had been packed with families who had too much luggage to be tourists. Many spoke German and languages she didn’t recognise. They seemed nervy and didn’t sleep. She was puzzled, until a woman whispered across the table, ‘Juifs… on the run.’
Maudie waited downstairs, ready to hit the town. Flora felt exhausted, but they found a little bistro and tucked into a bowl of moules and boeuf en daube. ‘How are things back home? What is Elvira up to now?’
Flora rolled her eyes. ‘You must call her Vera now. She’s still living with Sandy who returned from Spain, half the man he once was. They are still waging war against the Nationalists here, but Sandy, thank God, is out of it. He’s holding down his job, much to Pa’s surprise. Pa married Virginia Forsyth. Her two boys are racing around the gardens, much to his delight. I think he has plans for them in his business. His order books are bulging. They were asking after you and send their regards. You know the Scots are doing so much with their Spanish Aid Fund. There’s talk of making hostels for refugee children across the country.’
‘Why have you come back?’ Maudie took off her glasses to peer at her friend.
‘Something I can’t explain. I suppose a need to be needed. Your letters brought home to me just how awful things are and how there’s a shortage of nurses and doctors. I know I’m rusty, but as a nurse you never forget the basics. All I want is to find a place where I can be useful.’
‘This is where I can help… There’s a hostel I want you to see. They could do with extra hands. It may be humdrum at first, manual labour, but it needs nursery nurses. I met this girl on the trek north, called Esme, who was working in Barcelona. She told me the terrible tale of planes dropping little packages of chocolate and toys. When the children ran to pick them up, they exploded in their faces and hands, killing or maiming them. Can you imagine a mind that makes these devices, knowing full well a starving child would be tempted? May they rot in hell! What a sick world we are living in. Esme was so disturbed by what she witnessed that they are sending her back to the States. But I digress. There’s plenty of work waiting for you.’
‘Will you go back into Spain?’
Maudie shook her head wearily. ‘No, I have work here on a ward, but to know you’re not far away… It will be like old times.’
‘We never did work together in the war, did we? I promised to write to Rose with all your news. There’s another baby on the way, a bit of a surprise, but Rose will take it in her stride with plenty of help. Ironic really, as she’s still working at the clinic helping women prevent unwanted births.’
‘Come on, let’s get some fresh air and explore the city. Tomorrow we’ll take a bus to the chateau at Brouilla and you can see the hostel for yourself.’
The night was clear and crisp as they strolled past the castle and the cathedral. ‘Why don’t you come and stay at my hotel?’ Flora offered, but Maudie smiled.
‘I’ve got a place and I think you’ll need to rest and sleep in. I can talk the hind legs off a donkey, as well you know. I’d only wear you out. We’ll meet tomorrow. Thanks for asking though.’ They stopped back at the hotel entrance and Flora waved goodbye to her friend, as she disappeared into the busy street.
How unreal this all was, she mused later, lying in a strange bed, listening to the night noises of a city. She was beginning a new adventure but what was she letting herself in for? What if she couldn’t cope with the language, or the conditions? What if her face didn’t fit?
You’re here now, so make the most of it. Change is always strange at first, stop chunnering and get some sleep. Maudie will set you up. Be thankful for the dearest of old friends.