The Dawson family – apart from Len – were united in their efforts to dissuade Alice from accompanying her young mistress. But the young woman was surprisingly adamant. Alice had always been thought to be shy and biddable.
Only Ma was not surprised. ‘She’s got a stubborn streak in her that you’ve all failed to notice,’ she told her family. ‘I saw it in her when she was a little girl. She’ll be all right, Norah. You shouldn’t worry too much.’
‘But out there, Ma, in danger and helping to nurse wounded soldiers. You know what they say about men and their nurses.’
Ma tried to make light of Norah’s worries. ‘Then maybe she’ll find herself a nice young officer as a husband. She doesn’t seem to like any of the village lads. She’s certainly different to her brothers. They seem to have the local girls swarming around them like bees around a honeypot. I hear that Boy has been seen walking hand in hand with Betty’s sister.’
Norah turned from kneading bread. ‘Peggy? Oh surely not. She’s only fifteen.’
‘She looks older, though, and she’s a forward little madam. He ought to be careful.’
‘I’ll get his dad to have a word with him.’ There was silence between them as Norah returned to her bread making.
At last, Ma asked softly, ‘What about William?’
It was a long time before Norah replied. She pounded the dough before saying flatly, ‘There’s nowt I can do about it and I’m not sure I want to anyway. Len and the boys are right. He’s a coward and I’m ashamed of him. Mind you, just between us, Ma, mebbe I wouldn’t have gone as far as throwing him out of his home, but I have to go along with my husband’s decision.’
Ma sighed heavily. She leaned her head against the back of her chair and closed her eyes. ‘Aye, I know. Once upon a time, I could have overruled my son, but not now. I haven’t got the strength left.’ After a pause she murmured, ‘You know, I reckon Alice is siding with William. I think that’s part of the reason she’s going with Miss Pips.’
‘Then he’s responsible for the break-up of this family,’ Norah said bitterly, ‘and for putting his sister in danger. And for that, I’ll never forgive him.’
During the following week, Britain and France declared war on Austria-Hungary and French troops had entered Lorraine. When Giles visited for the day on the Sunday, the talk was of nothing else but Dr Hazelwood’s flying ambulance corps. Edwin had already written to him to say that he had three recruits for his enterprise:
You already know a little about my daughter, but with her will be her lady’s maid, Alice Dawson. She is devoted to Philippa and is a strong, capable village girl who is willing to do anything asked of her. Also with them will be Alice’s brother, William. He is a very skilled mechanic and would prove a useful addition to your team, I think. He is also willing to act as a stretcher bearer. You may wonder why he is not volunteering for Kitchener’s army as his two brothers have done; I should tell you that he does not want to fight, but is willing to serve his country by helping to save lives rather than take them. I hope his reasons will be acceptable to you.
My son, Robert, and his friend, Giles Kendall, have both recently qualified as doctors; Giles as a surgeon. They are at the present time still debating whether to join you. I hope to have news on this for you very soon.
‘Father,’ Robert began over dinner, ‘if you’re really sure I’m not letting you down as regards the practice, I would like to accompany Dr Hazelwood.’
‘Me too,’ Giles said. ‘I’ve spoken to my superior at the hospital and he has generously agreed that I can have leave of absence from my post for as long as is needed.’
‘We all hope it will be over swiftly, but it could go on for several months, years, even. Does he realize that?’
Giles nodded. ‘He does and he has promised that there will always be a post for me there whenever I come back.’
‘That’s good to know.’
‘And there’s something else. The War Office has commandeered three wards at the County and they’re also planning to set up a military hospital here, in the buildings of the Lincoln Grammar School, I believe. They’ll be erecting huts on the playing fields too, I shouldn’t wonder. The boys are to be moved elsewhere for the duration. It will be the Fourth Northern General Hospital, Lincoln.’
Suddenly, the talk of casualties being carried to their city brought the reality of what was happening home to all of them.
‘Then I will write to John and let him know that he has five young people ready and willing to join him.’ Edwin raised his wine glass and his voice was a little husky as he added, ‘Godspeed to all of you.’