Chapter 38

E

ve was so exhausted by the wedding celebrations that she retired to her bed as soon as the happy couple and remaining guests departed. Once the carers had made her comfortable Ben popped in to see her.

‘How is she?’ Nicole asked as he returned to the terrace where they’d been enjoying a quiet drink.

‘Not too good, I’m afraid. I think she was operating on overdrive today and it’s caught up with her. She might be better after a couple of days rest, but I can’t guarantee it.’ He stroked her hair as she slumped into his arms.

A shiver ran through Nicole as she imagined the worst.

‘Will…will she live till Hélène gets back?’

‘I hope so. You know I’ll do my best, but…’ He shrugged.

All the happiness and laughter of the day suddenly dissipated, as if a strong wind had swirled around the house, blowing the joy over the cliff. It’s not fair! Grandmother must hold on for Hélène, she must! Ben continued to hold her tight as she willed Eve to live. At least for a few more days…

Early on Sunday morning Nicole, holding her breath, tiptoed into Eve’s bedroom. As she gazed at her grandmother’s recumbent form she searched for signs of breathing. The slight, ragged rise and fall of Eve’s chest reassured her that all was well. For the moment. She was about to leave when Eve’s eyes opened.

‘Morning, Grandmother. How do you feel?’

Eve’s voice came out in a whisper.

‘Very…tired, my dear. I…overdid it yesterday, but it… was worth it. What a… wonderful day!’

Nicole helped her to drink some water and Eve sank back on the pillow.

‘Thank you. I’ll stay…bed today… rest.’

‘Would you like anything to eat or a cup of tea?’

Eve shook her head, closing her eyes. Her face was grey in the muted light of the bedroom and Nicole’s heart clenched. She was reminded of when she visited her other grandmother for what proved to be the last time. Her face had borne the same ashen tinge.

Ben took one look at Nicole’s face and hugged her.

‘She’s still alive but I can see it can’t be long. She’s refused anything to eat and wants to sleep.’

‘I’ll check her now.’

Nicole, on autopilot, filled the kettle and put the bread in the toaster. As she set the table Ben returned.

‘I’ve given her an injection to stabilise her heart. She’s asleep now and I’ll look in later.’ He sat down and sipped his coffee.

‘Should I get in touch with Hélène?’ Nicole asked, feeling her shoulders tighten.

He shook his head. ‘They’re back at lunchtime tomorrow and I think we’ve got a few days yet. It would be a shame to spoil their weekend unless it’s…urgent.’ Reaching out to grab her hand, he added, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be keeping an eye on her.’

Nicole, buttering her toast, could only hope he was right.

Mary and Ian arrived later that morning to say goodbye and were shocked to hear about Eve. Nicole hadn’t told them how little time Eve had left, not wanting anyone to know before the wedding.

The mood was subdued as they sat outside drinking coffee in the sunshine, making a painful contrast to the joyful atmosphere of the previous day.

The conversation turned to the subject of a visit to Spain.

‘Much as I’d love us to come over soon, Mum, it might be a while. As I start my new job next month I’ll have to clear any holiday with my boss.’

‘Of course. How about joining us for Christmas? It’ll be a lot warmer than here!’

‘Love to, if we can get away.’

After a few more minutes of desultory conversation, Ian announced it was time for them to leave for the airport. Nicole and Ben accompanied them to the front door and hugs and handshakes were exchanged.

‘Ring me when you get home!’ Nicole cried as her parents strapped themselves into the hire car.

‘Will do.’ Mary waved as Ian started the engine and drove off.

Nicole peeped in on Eve on the way to the kitchen. She was relieved to see that her colour looked a little better and she was sound asleep. Relaxing her shoulders, she set off to prepare lunch.

Ben disappeared to work the next morning, but not before he’d arranged for a nurse to come and sit with Eve. He told Nicole that it would be prudent to have someone with Eve at all times now and she said she’d sit with her until the nurse arrived. As she settled into the chair by her bedside her grandmother stirred and opened her eyes.

‘Hello, Grandmother. Can I get you anything?’

‘Water…please. My throat’s…so dry.’

Nicole poured a glass of water from the jug on the bedside table and helped Eve to take a few sips.

‘Thank…you. Is…Hélène back?’ Eve croaked.

‘Not yet, another few hours. Is there something you need?’

Eve beckoned Nicole to lean closer and spoke so quietly that she strained to hear.

‘Hélène has…right to know…the truth. My diaries…all there…father…in the attic…tower. You must…find them. Tell her. I…I can’t…not strong. Too late…years ago.’ Eve gripped Nicole’s hand. ‘Promise me…you’ll do it.’

Nicole, not sure what she was promising, nodded, anxious to ease Eve’s distress.

‘Thank…you. You…good girl. Want to…sleep now.’ Eve closed her eyes, letting go of Nicole’s hand.

Her mind whirled with questions. What was the “truth” Eve referred to? And what had it to do with Hélène? She’d already had her suspicions and it looked like she might have been right…If she was, then Hélène wouldn’t be the only one to be affected. Not liking the thought, she knew she simply had to find the diaries; as soon as the nurse arrived she would head for the attic. At least she knew where to look…

The attic seemed even dustier than last time, the sun’s rays highlighting the dust motes disturbed by her arrival. Nearly overpowered by the heat she pushed open the windows, breathing in a welcome blast of fresh air. Nicole turned towards the higgledy-piggledy pile of boxes, cases and chests, letting out a groan. Where to start? Where would secret diaries be hidden from prying eyes? Well, not amongst family photos or childhood mementoes, she thought, as she shifted aside such stuff. No, it was likely to be connected with Eve’s time in England so she needed to look for an old case or chest from that period.

It was an hour before Nicole found anything promising. An old, battered cardboard case so small that it had fitted into a tea chest, and further buried under a pile of old books. Dragging it out she read Eve’s maiden name written in faded white ink on the top “Eve Bisson”. Taking a deep breath she opened the lid and found, wrapped up in a moth-eaten man’s jersey, Eve’s wartime diaries.

Nicole barely had time to put the diaries in her bedroom drawer when she heard the crunch of a car’s tyres on the gravel. Quickly wiping her dirty hands, she dashed downstairs to welcome Hélène and Adrian home.

After an exchange of hugs and kisses, Hélène asked after Eve.

Nicole, with a quick glance at Adrian, admitted she was gravely ill. Hélène, with a gasp, darted off to her mother’s room. Nicole filled Adrian in with the details before they followed Hélène down the hall.

The nurse, a matronly woman with a kind face, came out to say that Eve had woken when Hélène arrived and perhaps they should leave them alone for a while. Nicole suggested a cup of tea was in order and Adrian followed her into the kitchen.

‘Did you have a good time in Jersey?’ Nicole asked, filling the kettle.

‘Yes, thanks. We explored a bit around the coast but spent most of our time at L’Horizon. It’s such a comfortable hotel that we were happy to chill out and do nothing.’ He slumped onto a chair. ‘It’s such a shame about Eve. Hélène did her best not to worry. But it was always there, in the background. What’s Ben said about…?’

Nicole bit her lip.

‘A few days at the most. There’s nothing more anyone can do except keep her comfortable. We think that she kept going for the wedding and now her heart’s finally giving up,’ she sighed.

They sat in silence for a few moments, cradling their mugs of tea. Nicole was wondering what she’d find in the diaries when the chance came to read them. She had a feeling it would only cause Hélène more pain.

The door opened and her mother came in, collapsing onto the chair next to Adrian. He put his arms around her while Nicole poured a mug of tea and set it beside her.

‘She looks so ill! It’s hard to believe that only two days ago she seemed so much better!’ Hélène sipped her tea, tears moistening her eyes. Nicole explained about the need for someone to be with Eve at all times and that’s why Ben had organised nurses.

Hélène nodded.

‘I’ll sit with her at night and grab some sleep when I can.’ She looked at Adrian, ‘Sorry to desert you so soon but I have to…’

‘Of course. I can take a shift too and perhaps Nicole…?’

‘I’d be happy to help. That way we can all get some sleep and we’ll only need a nurse during the day.’ She stood up, ‘Now, what would you both like for lunch? I can offer you cheese salad or a sandwich. Any preference?’

The day ticked slowly by. Eve slept most of the time, only waking for short periods and asking for a drink of water, no food. Hélène and Nicole took it in turns to relieve the nurse for a few minutes at a time and Adrian volunteered to do a supermarket shop, driving off with a hastily scribbled list from his wife.

Ben called in and had a chat with Hélène before checking on Eve.

Nicole was hovering nearby as he came out of her bedroom. Telling him she needed to talk, he followed her into the dining-room. She recounted what her grandmother had said that morning, adding that she’d already retrieved the diaries from the attic.

‘I’ll start reading the diaries tonight when I’m sitting with Grandmother. In one way I’d like to know the full story as I’ve already heard so much that’s intrigued me,’ she finished, with a sigh.

‘Let’s hope that Hélène finds the truth equally intriguing,’ Ben replied, dryly.

Nicole settled down in the armchair in Eve’s bedroom. It had been moved away from the bed and near a table lamp to enable reading without disturbing Eve. Hélène had left at ten o’clock and Nicole’s watch would finish at four in the morning when Adrian would take over until the nurse arrived. It helped that none of them had to go to work in the morning and Nicole, once a seasoned clubber, was used to late nights.

Nicole retrieved the diaries from the large brown envelope she’d brought with her and now began examining them more closely. The faded blue, dog-eared exercise books were filled with neat lines of writing under daily date headings, beginning June 1940 and finishing in May 1945. After sorting them into chronological order, Nicole began to read.