By the spring of 1917 the island of Malta had become the centre of intense U-boat activity. Every day brought moments of drama and disaster. But, for the nurses, it was nothing like those first dreadful months after the disastrous Gallipolli campaign more than a year ago. For the men who were convalescent and awaiting their return to England, this was a time of rest and relaxation – and a blossoming of romance, despite the ban on fraternization between staff and patients.
As Sister Hatton said, ‘I try to be sympathetic but I’m responsible for these girls. However, if they’re sensible I try to turn a blind eye.’
Sister Drummond didn’t agree. ‘We must keep some form of discipline,’ she said. ‘The rules are meant to be obeyed.’
Daisy paused by the open door and knocked loudly. She hoped the sisters didn’t realize they had been overheard as she was seeking permission to take some of the patients for a picnic in the hills. If they refuse Sarah will be so disappointed, we all will, she thought. They’d been looking forward to the expedition but she might have known Drummond would stick to the rules.
Doctor Holloway was there too and he joined in the discussion. ‘I don’t see that there would be any harm in it,’ he said. ‘In fact medically speaking it could do a great deal of good.’ He turned to Daisy. ‘Who were you thinking of taking?’
‘Sergeant Robbins, Corporal Smith and Privates Holmes, Douglas and Stewart. They’re all reasonably fit now and of course a couple of nurses would go along too, to make sure they didn’t overdo it.’
‘Very sensible,’ said Doctor Holloway, turning back to the sisters. ‘As you are aware, people confined to bed for long periods become quite weak. The muscles become soft through lack of use. If these young men are to be sent back to fight, we must try to build up strength in those muscles. Exercise, that’s the thing,’ he said heartily.
‘So can we go, Sister?’ Daisy asked eagerly. ‘Nurse Bowman and I are both free tomorrow as well as a couple of the VADs.’
Sister Hatton smiled and nodded but Drummond still frowned with pursed lips. Eventually she relaxed and said, ‘If Doctor Holloway thinks it will be beneficial to the patients, then I must give way. But it is against my better judgment.’
‘Thank you, Sister.’ Daisy turned to leave the room, anxious to relay the good news to Sarah.
Sister Drummond’s voice followed her. ‘I am making you responsible, Nurse March and I trust you will all behave with propriety.’
Doctor Holloway held the door open for Daisy and she smiled her thanks. As he followed her out he said, ‘Would you mind if I came too? That way I can make sure there’s no impropriety.’
Daisy was sure he had a twinkle in his eye as he strode away down the corridor. At least he’s on our side, she thought. But why shouldn’t they, as well as the patients, have a little fun?
Sarah flushed with excitement when she heard. A whole day with Chris was to be cherished. They sought out Georgina to make their plans for the next day. When Daisy told them Doctor Holloway was coming too, Georgina smiled knowingly.
‘Oh, don’t you start,’ Daisy said crossly as her friends exchanged grins.
When she woke next morning, Daisy’s first thought was for Jack and she murmured her usual prayer for his safety and that of her brothers. Then she leapt out of bed and strode to the window. The sun was sparkling on the waters of the bay and she hoped it wouldn’t be too hot for their expedition. She opened the window and a cool breeze on her arms reassured her.
She turned to Sarah, who was yawning and stretching.
‘Come on, lazybones. I thought you’d be first up today. Aren’t you excited?’
‘Why didn’t you wake me?’ Sarah cried. ‘I can’t believe the old dragon gave in. Just think, a whole day away from the hospital.’
She didn’t mention Chris Robbins but Daisy knew it was his company she was looking forward to. ‘It’ll be good to get out in the fresh air,’ she agreed.
The men were waiting with the VADs by the time Daisy and Sarah joined them at the hospital entrance. Chris Robbins and two of the men still leaned on walking sticks but despite Sarah’s anxious fussing they declared they could well manage the planned walk.
‘Where’s Doctor Holloway?’ Daisy asked.
‘I thought you weren’t interested in him,’ Sarah laughed.
‘I’m not, but I want to get an early start before the sun gets too high – and before Sister Drummond changes her mind.’
‘It’s all right. He’s here,’ Sarah said.
They turned, laughing as Doctor Holloway approached the gates leading a very reluctant mule. It was pulling a cart, which contained rugs and an ornate ladies’ parasol which Peter had found in one of the store cupboards.
He patted the animal’s nose and it showed large yellow teeth. ‘I don’t think it likes me,’ he said, laughing.
They loaded the picnic baskets and set off, the mule picking his way delicately over the ruts and stones on the unmade road. There was a carefree atmosphere as they left the strict regime of the hospital behind. Even those relying on walking sticks on the rough track seemed to be enjoying themselves but Daisy kept a watchful eye on them.
After an hour’s steady walking they stopped, leaning on a dry stone wall and looking back at the town, the golden stone of its buildings glowing in the sun. Beyond, the waters of the bay were a brilliant turquoise. On the horizon the silhouettes of battleships marred the peaceful scene. Daisy shivered at the thought of the U-boats lurking beneath the calm water and turned away. I won’t think about Jack today, she told herself. But it was easier said than done.
As they made to move on and Daisy helped Private Stewart to his feet, she noticed he was limping. A large blister had formed on his heel. Thank goodness she’d brought a first aid kit.
‘Should we turn back?’ she asked, glancing up the track. Sarah and Chris were well ahead, obviously enjoying each other’s company and the freedom from hospital rules. It would be a shame to spoil the outing for them.
‘Perhaps Private Stewart could ride in the cart,’ Doctor Holloway suggested.
‘I’m fine, Doc. Don’t let me be a wet blanket,’ Private Stewart said. But he climbed up on the cart with obvious relief.
A little further on they reached a natural hollow surrounded by tumbled rocks. Georgina helped Private Stewart down from the cart and he sat with his back against a smooth rock. The other patients threw themselves down on the short springy turf, still green from the winter rains. The doctor braved the mule’s bared teeth and unhitched the cart. The animal wandered a few yards away and began to crop the grass and wild flowers at the edge of the track.
By the time the men were settled the nurses had unpacked the food – plain fare, mostly bully beef sandwiches, but the men ate heartily, appetites sharpened by exercise and fresh air.
Daisy noticed with a smile that Sarah and Chris had moved away from the group. But where was the harm? In these uncertain times people deserved to snatch what happiness they could. She glanced at Doctor Holloway who was also looking at the couple with a thoughtful expression.
‘You won’t say anything to Sister Drummond, will you – about Sergeant Robbins and Nurse Bowman being so friendly, I mean?’ she asked anxiously.
He turned to her with a smile. ‘There’s no harm in an innocent friendship,’ he said. ‘I was just thinking what a handsome couple they make.’
‘I think the rules are silly. They just make people sneak around. It’s much better to be open about these things, Doctor,’ Daisy said impulsively.
‘Please – call me Peter. I’m only Doctor when I’m on duty,’ he said. ‘And I couldn’t agree more. The rules are made with the best of intentions but they only foster deceit. It applies to us doctors too. If I asked you to attend a concert in town, or to go for a walk, I’d be breaking the rules too.’ He leaned closer and continued, ‘I would very much like to break the rules with you, Nurse March. I know we’re friends but I’d like to be more than that. Would you consider spending time with me when we’re off duty?’
Daisy flushed and she began to fuss with the picnic things, unsure how to reply.
‘I’m sorry, Daisy. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. Please forget I spoke,’ he said.
‘It’s all right. It’s just that …’
‘I know I shouldn’t have said anything. But out here, away from the hospital, it seemed the right time.’
‘I’m sorry, Peter. I couldn’t possibly. You see …’ She wanted to tell him about Jack but she couldn’t go on.
‘There’s someone else,’ he said in a flat expressionless voice.
She nodded wordlessly.
‘Then I’ll say no more,’ he said, leaning across to take another sandwich. After a few moments’ silence he spoke again. ‘I don’t know if Nurse Bowman realizes it but the sergeant will be leaving us soon.’
‘He seems much fitter but I hardly think he’s ready for combat yet.’
‘I agree. We send these young men back far too soon. But we have to bow to higher powers I’m afraid.’ Peter sighed. ‘Sergeant Robbins is one of the lucky ones. He’ll need further treatment when he gets back to England – more specialized than we can give him here. By the time he’s fit to fight again, let’s hope this damned war is over.’
Daisy nodded agreement, pleased that Peter had dropped the subject of his feelings for her and was keeping their conversation on a more professional footing. ‘The war seems so far away up here, doesn’t it?’ she said, leaning back and gazing up at the tranquil blue sky. ‘But I can’t forget that it’s all still waiting for us down there.’ She gestured towards the distant town.
‘Things have been quiet for a while though. We should make the most of it while we can. These poor lads will be back in the thick of it soon enough.’
‘What about Corporal Smith? Will he be shipped out with Chris?’
‘I’d like to keep him here longer but he’s physically fit now. I can’t in all honesty say he’s fit for duty though. But again, I’m powerless to do anything.’
Although the corporal’s wounds had healed quickly, he still hardly ate anything and the slightest noise set him trembling. Daisy had often sat with him through the long nights as he thrashed around, mumbling and occasionally shouting out in his tortured nightmares. One night he’d sat bolt upright, eyes staring, for once so lucid that Daisy thought he was awake. ‘It’s all right, Jim. Hold on. You’ll be all right, mate.’
Next day she’d asked him who Jim was. ‘My mate – joined up together we did.’ They’d both been wounded but he’d lost sight of him when they were taken off the beach. ‘He’ll be OK, won’t he, nurse?’
She’d tried to reassure him. But the nightmares went on, crying out an endless stream of names. Daisy knew the casualties had been high in Suvla Bay but how many of his mates had the poor boy lost, she wondered. She looked at him now, face turned up to the sun, and a sob caught in her throat. He was so young – they were all so young.
She glanced across at Georgina, who was leaning on the wall that protected the olive grove from the ever-present wind, gazing towards the sea. The ships they’d seen earlier were now little more than smudges on the horizon. Daisy guessed she was thinking of Tom and her brother but she wouldn’t let herself follow her friend’s train of thought. You just had to get on with it and take each day as it came, she told herself.
The men had finished eating and, tired after their long walk, settled back on the mossy turf, closing their eyes against the midday heat. Sarah and Chris had wandered off hand in hand.
Quietly, so as not to disturb her companions, Daisy and the doctor began gathering up the remnants of their picnic and re-packing the baskets. ‘We ought to be getting back soon,’ Peter said. Reluctantly, Daisy agreed and handed the baskets to him to go in the cart.
The mule had wandered away from the group and was still quietly munching. As Peter reached for the bridle, the animal shied away, scrambling across the track in a clatter of stones. The noise woke the men and Daisy noted sadly how each of them reacted to the sudden disturbance. Corporal Smith ducked his head and appeared to be praying and two of the privates were trembling and ashen-faced. The doctor was right. None of them was fit to go back to the front. What horrors had they endured to make grown men react like that?
The brief respite enjoyed by both staff and patients didn’t last long. There were no more expeditions into the hills as a fresh onslaught of sick and wounded began. Now, the casualties were survivors of the torpedoed and mined ships, giving both Daisy and Georgina more anxious moments as each ambulance arrived at the hospital gates.
Tending to the men’s dreadful burns and wounds, Daisy wondered how they’d managed to survive at all, let alone after hours and sometimes days in the water.
The danger from submarine attack was now so great that no civilians were allowed to leave the island, although the convalescent patients were still sent home whenever there was a boat available to take them to Sicily and on to mainland Italy.
A week or so after their picnic in the hills, Sarah came to Daisy in tears. ‘Chris is leaving,’ she said. ‘I know I should be pleased that he’s well enough, but they’ll send him out to France or Belgium and God knows what will happen to him there.’
‘The others are going too. Don’t worry, Sarah, Chris is nowhere near fit enough for duty yet. Let’s hope, by the time he is, it will all be over.’ Daisy tried to instill a note of confidence into her voice but her words had a hollow ring. She knew all too well that if a man could walk and hold a rifle he was considered fit to fight.
Until recently, despite the anxiety about her brothers, she hadn’t understood how bad things were at the front. It was brought home to her when Dick was wounded. They couldn’t remove all the shrapnel in his leg and now he might always walk with a limp.
‘I am just thankful that it wasn’t worse, and that at least my boy is home now,’ her mother had written.
The news was already out of date as she discovered when a letter arrived from Dick. While she’d been thanking God that at least one of her brothers was safe at home, he’d been recalled to his unit, passed fit for active service and was now somewhere on the western front. Of Billy and Jimmy there had been no recent news at all.
So Daisy’s words of comfort rang hollow. Sarah must know in her heart that there was little chance she’d ever see Chris again.
With the departure of the convalescent patients, the earlier discipline, which lately had become very slack, was reinforced. The gramophone disappeared from the ward, together with the sounds of ‘Long Long Trail A-winding’ and ‘If You Were The Only Girl In The World’, and the ‘no fraternization’ rule was reinstated once more.
Casualties continued to pour in, most of them merchant seamen or troops on their way to the east whose ships had been struck by mines or torpedoed. Despite the royal navy patrols, there were massive losses.
Working alongside Georgina, Daisy realized how confident and efficient her friend had become in the time they’d worked together. She watched her friend replacing a dressing, reassuring her patient with a sweet smile and tender touch, and thought she’s a better nurse than I’ll ever be. No one would guess her real feelings as she dealt with the dreadful suppurating wound. Some of the girls had never really adapted as she had.
The orderly had come in with the supper trolley when Sister Drummond strode purposefully down the ward. Sweeping past Daisy, she advanced on Georgina. ‘Nurse Davenport, you know the rules. But apparently your brother does not.’
Daisy gave a little gasp and Georgina looked up from her work, a broad smile lighting her face. ‘My brother?’
‘Lieutenant Davenport is in my office. I have given permission for him to speak to you only because he has news from home. Ten minutes – that’s all.’ Sister Drummond turned to Daisy. ‘Nurse March, you will go with her.’