Chapter Forty-Nine

There was a great sense of anticipation at the Ryhope Emergency Hospital. The patients had been given their Christmas dinner, which, it had to be said, did not resemble anything the men remembered from before the war – and wasn’t helped by being barely warm, served up on trays and eaten while they sat up in bed. But no one complained. Why would they? Most of them were just glad to be alive and back in Blighty. On top of which, word had gone round that their Christmas Extravaganza also included some sort of a buffet.

Dr Parker and a few of the other doctors who were on call, as well as a group of nurses who were either on their break or had managed to leave their posts for a few minutes, were standing at the top of the steps to the hospital entrance, ready to greet the new arrivals. It was not just the patients who were excited by the prospect of the extravaganza.

Seeing the olive green truck turning into the long driveway, they all started waving frantically, as though welcoming back long-lost friends. As the truck crunched to a halt on the driveway, they all shouted out in unison, ‘Hurrah!’

Dr Parker smiled as he watched Dorothy, Angie, Gloria, Polly, Hannah and Martha spill out of the back while the nurses hurried down to greet them and wish them a Merry Christmas. He looked on as Dorothy introduced them to Bobby, Quentin and Olly, who were hauling out sacks of presents, the nurses telling them all how much everyone was looking forward to the day’s events.

Having been forewarned that there would be an amputee, there was a wheelchair at the ready and two of the porters helped the Major out of the passenger side and into his own tinsel-clad mobile throne.

‘You know,’ one of the young nurses said, looking at Major Black in his uniform, his medals proudly on display, ‘we were just saying how we wished we had a Father Christmas – how it would be the icing on the cake.’ She chuckled, her blue eyes twinkling. ‘Now it would appear my Christmas wish has been granted! We just need to find you a Santa hat.’

Major Black let out a bark of laughter. ‘Well, my dear, we had better go and find one!’ As he was whisked away, his voice boomed out, ‘Now why didn’t they have nurses like you in my day? Eh?’

Dr Parker had specifically asked Helen to invite the Major, so full of life and laughter, knowing he’d be the perfect tonic for some of his less fortunate new recruits whose lives he’d saved, but not their limbs. It was also why he’d asked Helen to invite Joe, now hobbling over to greet one of the doctors. As a married man with a young family, he was proof that having a disability did not stop you leading a normal life.

Seeing Helen’s father appear from the back of the truck carrying a sack of presents, Dr Parker strode over to greet him.

‘Good to see you, Jack! You look well! Very well!’ Dr Parker had been Jack’s doctor when he’d nearly drowned after his ship had been bombed.

The two men shook hands.

‘You too!’ Jack said, slapping Dr Parker on the back.

Walking round to the rear of the truck, Dr Parker spotted Bobby, his muscular arms straining through his naval uniform as he lugged the crate of booze out of the back.

Dr Parker looked at Dorothy, who was presently bossing everyone about. He caught her eye and tilted his head in the direction of Bobby, whose rolling gait was indicative of the weight of the contraband Christmas spirit. Guilt immediately washed over Dorothy’s face. Dr Parker had told her it was hospital policy not to have any alcohol on the premises.

‘It’s all Pearl and Bill’s fault,’ Dorothy said, grimacing. ‘I couldn’t exactly tell them to take it back – that the extravaganza was meant to be a teetotal affair.’ Though she knew as she said this that the thought had never once entered her head. ‘Besides, it’s not as if anyone’s going to overindulge,’ Dorothy continued arguing the case. ‘There’s probably just enough there for a toast after the King’s speech.’

Dr Parker laughed. The hospital might have a no-alcohol policy, but it had been hard to enforce, what with visitors smuggling in hip flasks and quarter-bottles of spirits to their loved ones.

‘As long as the doctors and nurses get a tipple as well, I think I can turn a blind eye,’ he said.

Dorothy beamed. ‘That goes without saying.’

‘Come on, let’s go in,’ he said, looking down at Dorothy’s clipboard. ‘I have a feeling you have instructions to impart.’

Once inside, Dorothy’s jaw dropped on seeing the rather grand Christmas tree, which had a large plaque at the bottom wishing all the brave men at the Ryhope Emergency Hospital a Merry Christmas from Doxford & Sons and J.L. Thompson & Sons.

Dorothy felt Bobby behind her as he slid his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear, ‘Amazing, isn’t it?’

‘It is,’ she agreed, enjoying the feel of his body pressing against hers. She had only seen him in his navy uniform a few times and she thought he looked even more dashing than normal.

‘Almost as amazing as my girl,’ he added.

Dorothy turned round, reluctantly breaking free from his hold.

‘Woman,’ she corrected. ‘Not girl. Your woman.’

Bobby stood back and looked at Dorothy in a dress that showed off every wonderful curve. ‘And you’re certainly that. All woman.’ He beamed. ‘And all mine.’

Dorothy shook her head and turned her attention back to her clipboard.

Clearing her throat, she looked at the Christmas Extravaganza volunteers, now all gathered around the huge glittering Christmas tree, which had been decorated in just about every colour of the rainbow. It had also been lit up with an array of coloured Christmas lights, an extravagance rarely seen during these times of austerity.

‘If I can have everyone’s attention,’ she said, not needing to raise her voice too much as the high ceiling of the foyer afforded good acoustics.

Everyone stopped chattering and listened to Dorothy as she took them through the timetable of events.

As he looked out of the main door, Dr Parker saw a green sports car pull up. His heart started to beat fast and he admonished himself. By the time he’d made it down the stone steps, Helen was climbing out of the car. Seeing her in her vibrant green velvet dress took his breath away. She looked incredible.

‘Helen!’ He slowed down when he reached her. ‘Merry Christmas. And I have to say, you look amazing.’

‘Thank you, John,’ Helen said, stepping towards him. ‘Merry Christmas to you too.’ She gently put her hand on his arm and kissed him lightly on his cheek.

Feeling his body shiver involuntarily, a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold, Dr Parker went to return the kiss. As he did so, his eyes flickered momentarily to her lips.

‘Merry Christmas, Helen,’ he said, his mouth touching her cheek. He could smell a mixture of make-up and perfume.

They both stood looking at each other. He mesmerised as he always was by her emerald eyes. She still feeling the touch of his lips on her skin.

Hearing the passenger door open, Helen turned to see Henrietta stepping unsteadily out of the car. ‘Grandmama, you have to be careful.’

‘I told her to wait,’ Kate said, having seen that Helen and Dr Parker were having a moment and not wanting to spoil it. ‘But I think Henrietta is afraid they’ll start without her,’ she joked as she too clambered out of the car.

‘Kate! Miss Girling!’ Dr Parker said. ‘How lovely to see you both.’

Henrietta’s eyes fixed on Dr Parker as Helen took hold of her arm.

‘Go,’ Helen told Kate, knowing she would be itching to get started on the decorations. ‘I’ll leave the car open so that people can come and get what they need.’

Dr Parker looked at the back passenger seat as Kate pulled out a bag overflowing with tinsel. ‘Looks like the Christmas Extravaganza is even going to have Santa’s grotto.’

‘More of a Winter Wonderland, I hope,’ Kate said, hurrying off.

Dr Parker looked at Helen as he cocked his head at Henrietta and smiled. ‘She looks well. Very well.’

Henrietta sighed. ‘Why have people started talking over me?’

Dr Parker laughed. ‘Apologies, Miss Girling. Occupational hazard.’ He offered her his arm. ‘You look well – very well.’

Henrietta took his arm. ‘You are a gentleman.’ She looked at Helen and smiled. ‘My granddaughter here could do with a Prince Charming to take her to the ball – are you available?’

‘Grandmother!’ Helen reprimanded. They’d had a chat about John and how it was imperative he did not know how she really felt about him. Reluctantly, Henrietta had told her she would ‘behave’.

‘Miss Girling, I’m sure your granddaughter is going to have an army of Prince Charmings falling over themselves to take her to the ball,’ Dr Parker said.

‘Besides which,’ Helen said, flashing her grandmother a don’t-dare-say-another word look, ‘this Prince Charming is already taken.’

‘Shame,’ Henrietta said. ‘I think you’d make a perfect couple.’

Helen threw her grandmother another warning glare, which Henrietta ignored.

As they reached the hospital entrance, Bobby, Quentin and Olly passed them on the way out to collect the rest of the decorations and the second-hand suits.

‘Happy Christmas!’ they shouted.

‘Merry Christmas!’ Henrietta, Helen and Dr Parker called back.

‘Look, your chariot awaits, Grandmama!’ Helen said, seeing through the open doors a large, old-fashioned wooden wheelchair with a high back.

Henrietta narrowed her eyes and viewed it suspiciously. ‘I’m not staying in it for the duration. I’ll only be using it for when I need a rest.’

‘As you wish, Grandmama.’ Helen looked at Dr Parker and raised her eyes skywards. They smiled at one another.

Walking into the foyer, they saw everyone milling around in front of the huge Christmas tree.

‘Oh, what a beautiful sight,’ Henrietta said a little breathlessly as she sat herself in the wheelchair. Relinquishing Dr Parker’s arm, she patted his hand. ‘Thank you, young man.’

Keeping hold of his hand, her voice became serious. ‘And I must also thank you for saving my life. Helen has told me what you did. I do believe it is due to you that I am here today.’

‘You are more than welcome,’ Dr Parker said. ‘But I can’t take all the credit. It was most definitely a team effort.’ He thought of Dorothy and Bobby. If it hadn’t been for them, he would never have guessed in a million years that Henrietta had been poisoned by a plant indigenous to a country on the other side of the world. And had it not been for Claire, he would not have known what antidote to use.

‘They still haven’t told me what exactly was wrong with me – what it was that poisoned me,’ Henrietta probed.

Helen threw John a look that told him she had not yet disclosed to her grandmother the real cause of her near-death experience – nor the perpetrator.

‘Oh, look who’s here,’ Helen said, seeing Dr Eris walk into the foyer. She was glad of the distraction, but not that it was Claire – especially as she looked quite stunning in a pair of cream silk slacks and a matching blouse, her auburn hair piled high, accentuating her cheekbones. Her make-up was minimal, but done so as to show off her hazel eyes. The only splash of colour was her red lipstick.

‘Miss Girling, aren’t you looking splendid?’ Dr Eris said. ‘And very well. Very well indeed. Quite the turnaround.’ She looked at Helen and Dr Parker, who nodded their agreement.

Henrietta smiled up at Dr Eris. ‘See, she doesn’t talk about me as if I’m not here.’

Helen and Dr Parker laughed, making Dr Eris bristle. She felt an outsider, not privy to the ‘in’ joke.

‘I’ll catch you both later,’ Helen said, moving to the back of the wheelchair and taking hold of the handles. She didn’t want to be around them for too long for fear her grandmother would work out that it was Dr Eris who was courting Dr Parker – that it was her own doctor who had something over Helen, preventing her from being with the man she loved. She didn’t trust Henrietta not to say anything – certainly not after hearing her Prince Charming comment. She would have to tell her at some point. But not today.

Swivelling Henrietta’s wheelchair around so that her grandmother was facing away from Dr Parker and Dr Eris, Helen took a step back. ‘Oh, Claire,’ she said, dropping her voice. ‘Do you mind if I have a quiet word with you a little later?’

Dr Eris smiled. ‘No, of course not. Just come and get me.’

Helen glanced at John and then Claire. They made a nice-looking couple. She tried to anaesthetise the pain in her heart but didn’t succeed. Pushing the wheelchair forward, she headed over to see Dorothy and the rest of the women.

On seeing Henrietta, there was great excitement.

‘We’ve all been wanting to meet you for a long time!’ Dorothy said, trying to keep her enthusiasm under control.

‘Let me introduce you to the gang …’

*

‘Claire, you look gorgeous – as always,’ Dr Parker said, kissing her on the cheek.

‘Thank you, John.’ She gave him a cheeky smile. ‘As do you.’

Dr Parker laughed, looking down at his white doctor’s coat. ‘I try my best.’

When he had seen Claire, his heart had skipped a beat, not because of the way she looked, although she did look lovely, but because today was going to be a special day in more ways than one. Finally, he felt as though he had sorted out his muddled thoughts. Helen was his friend – probably his best friend – but that was all. He had thought a lot about the conversation they’d had back in June at this very hospital. Helen had spelled out quite clearly that she loved him – but only as a friend. At the time, something hadn’t sat quite right about what Helen had said, or perhaps it had been the way she’d said it, but lately he’d realised that this was just his subconscious hanging on to the hope that Helen wanted him. But it was a fantasy. Comprehending this had made him realise it was time to move on.

As had the fact that Helen and Claire seemed to be getting on much better lately. They had clearly bonded over Henrietta’s illness and put their differences aside, whatever those differences might have been.

Giving him a peck on the cheek, Dr Eris told him she wanted to check on a patient who was due to be referred to her and that she would catch up with him later.

As she left, Dr Parker saw that Rosie, Peter and Charlotte had arrived. He waved them over. He was keen to take them to what had been nicknamed the ‘Normandy ward’, as most of the men there were French and had been injured on D-Day. As no one on his staff or on the other wards could speak more than a few words of basic French, the men were pretty much in the dark about what was happening.

Catching sight of Matthew walking through the door with Dahlia and Marie-Anne, Dr Parker quickly wished Peter, Rosie and Charlotte a Merry Christmas and ushered them off down the corridor. Halfway there, he suddenly realised he had forgotten to get Hannah and Olly, who were to speak to a few of the German soldiers on the main ward. Thankfully, Charlotte immediately volunteered to go back and get them. She too had seen the dishy Matthew Royce arrive and was keen to get another look.

*

Looking at her watch, Martha headed outside and was pleased to see the Salvation Army truck trundling down the driveway. Bang on time. She waved a welcome and heaved a sigh of relief that everything was going to plan. She would not want to be subjected to the wrath of Dorothy should it not. All Martha had to do now was give the band leader the donation that had been promised and which was in an envelope in her pocket, and then get them to follow her into the hospital. Once there, they could tune up their instruments by the Christmas tree before going onto the main ward and playing their first song, which would herald the start of the extravaganza.

Watching the band members climb out of the back of the truck, Martha was entranced by the array of glinting brass instruments being hauled out: French horns, trumpets, a bugle, all matching the red tunics and gold braids of the Salvation Army uniform. The last band member to appear was a young man who stood head and shoulders above the rest. He had the largest instrument – a huge tuba that seemed to wrap itself around him like a mammoth golden python. Martha couldn’t stop herself staring – there weren’t many men who were actually taller than she was. Feeling her attention on him, the tuba-playing giant turned and saw Martha. He responded to her stare with a wave and a smile. Martha thought it was the widest, kindest smile she had ever seen on a man. Certainly, on one of his size.

As the band followed Martha into the main foyer, a small olive green van came down the long driveway. The buffet had arrived. Angie, Polly and Gloria hurried out to help carry the food in, and to show Vera, Rina and Rina’s admirer, who they learnt was called Harvey, to the canteen.

Twenty minutes later, Dorothy gave the signal to the band to start their first Christmas song. She had written an order of play, which she and Angie had spent many hours agonising over, ensuring that every slow song was followed by one that was bright and cheerful. She had given the list to the band leader, who’d seemed a little put out by the fact he was being told what they should play and when. Seeing that he was about to object, Dorothy had asked him in her sweetest, politest voice if he had received the donation from Martha. The band leader swallowed back his irritation. They would have to play a dozen Christmas Days from morning until night to collect the amount now safely tucked away in the top pocket of his tunic.

As the band positioned themselves at the top of the main ward, just past the nurse’s desk, they were greeted by over a hundred expectant faces. Most of the men were either sitting up in their beds, a good majority with arms or legs held up in pulleys, or in chairs next to their beds. A number had put on their old army jackets, which had been cleaned up and returned to them. Joe was now seated with a small group of men. His photograph of Bel was doing the rounds, while the chatter was of the battles in which they had all fought, in Europe and in parts of the world they had never even heard of before this war.

As the band struck up and started playing ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’, the sound of the brass instruments infused the air, transforming the atmosphere in the ward from quiet, uncertain expectation to one of joy and excitement. Midway through the song, Major Black appeared in his wheelchair, which now had even more tinsel wrapped around it. A large, floppy Santa’s hat had been found and placed on his head and his medals had been given a polish. The pretty young nurse, wearing a garland of paper chains around her neck and the Major’s cap on her head, pushed Father Christmas slowly onto the ward. A huge round of applause was accompanied by a swell of voices shouting out a welcome fit for a king. A moment later, Dahlia and Marie-Anne came through the swing doors, pushing a trolley loaded up with sacks overflowing with presents. With the arrival of Santa’s incredibly gorgeous helpers, both in vibrant red dresses and high-heeled shoes, the sound of the brass band was nearly drowned out by cheers and whistles.

‘I think I should have told Dahlia and Marie-Anne to wear elf costumes,’ Dorothy muttered to Angie.

‘I think everyone’s glad yer didn’t,’ said Angie.

As the Major was wheeled to the first beds and his ‘helpers’ started to hand out presents, along with a kiss on the cheek, the band struck up ‘Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town’.

Georgina followed, taking photographs and making notes of the men’s names and regiments.

Dorothy, Angie, Gloria, Polly and Martha enjoyed watching the fruits of their labour. Dr Parker was standing to one side of the entrance with Helen and Henrietta, who had decided she was content to remain in her wheelchair for the time being. They all had smiles on their faces. The men’s happiness was infectious.

For the next hour, the band played back-to-back festive songs and carols. The wrapping paper was admired – many of the men carefully folding the children’s artwork and putting it aside, and many no doubt thinking of their own children. Presents were opened and held in the air to show everyone what gift they had received.

Helen wheeled Henrietta around and handed out the bags of sweets from Maud and Mavis. The men enjoyed chatting with a woman they suspected might be famous, as she was so stunning, and her elderly aunty, who looked like she might also have been a starlet in her heyday.

When the band played ‘Silent Night’, there were a few glassy eyes – the men as well as the women. The carol was too unbearable for Helen to listen to. Grief for the baby she had lost suddenly resurfaced, as it was wont to do every now and again. Making her excuses, she asked one of the older doctors, who had introduced himself simply as Dr Bernard, to keep an eye on Henrietta.

When it was time to move to the next ward, Dr Bernard, twirling the ends of his impressive handlebar moustache, asked if Henrietta would like to accompany him in fetching the men’s Christmas Day visitors.

‘Only if I can leave my chariot behind,’ Henrietta declared, standing up gingerly and straightening her new tailored skirt.

‘Only if you’ll take my arm,’ Dr Bernard replied, holding his arm out and showing there was to be no argument.

Helen returned to find Dr Bernard helping her grandmother back into her wheelchair, having shown the guests onto the ward. The three of them quietly remained there, enjoying watching the men’s faces light up as they greeted their families.

*

Meanwhile, the canteen was being decorated – or rather, transformed into the promised Winter Wonderland. Bobby, Quentin and Olly were up and down ladders, hanging streamers and star-shaped cut-outs, silver tinsel and baubles from the ceilings and walls, or wherever they were told to by Kate. A large bundle of mistletoe had already taken centre stage in the middle of the room, hanging just above head height, and a huge banner reading MERRY CHRISTMAS stretched across the canteen.

Audrey and Iris had been tasked with covering all the tables with white paper tablecloths and putting out small festive displays made up of thick church candles surrounded by holly. When they’d finished, Kate told them to go and help with the giving out of presents as it would be much more fun – for them and the soldiers. They didn’t need telling twice.

Vera and Rina had taken over the kitchen and were busy putting out sandwiches, pies, vol-au-vent and sausage rolls onto large silver trays they had found in one of the cupboards. Harvey had also been roped into helping, not that he minded. This was turning out to be the best Christmas he’d had in a long time.