Chapter Forty-One

“Good morning, Patrick,” Ruth greeted the postman as the door of the Hamble Gazette opened. “Got anything interesting for me today?”

“Yes,” he replied, tipping his cap back on his head, “I think I do. I’ve a postcard from a POW camp for you.”

Ruth’s eyes popped at hearing this, and she missed what he asked and had to get him to repeat.

“I asked, how’s Walter? Word around’s that he was playing silly buggers with a grenade and now’s in hospital.”

Barely had the words left his mouth than Ruth had rushed around to the other side of the desk and had grabbed hold of the postman by his jacket lapels. If he’d have been able to, the poor man would have stepped back in alarm, only the newspaperwoman’s grip was so tight he couldn’t move an inch.

“Now look here, Patrick Roach. I don’t know who told you that load of codswallop, but you can stick it in your pipe and smoke it! Not only is Walter a very good friend of mine, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Do you want to know what really happened?”

Too terrified to speak, Patrick nodded vigorously.

“Good. In that case, listen closely. I shall say this only once. The soldier next to Walter panicked at his turn to throw a grenade and dropped it in the trench the two of them were in. Walter grabbed it and managed to throw it, only he was a bit late. He’s now in hospital after having shrapnel taken out of his right hand, arm, and skull. He’s in a bad way, and the other chap? Got off without a scratch on the stupid bugger. Did you get that?” she asked, letting him go and brushing his lapels.

It took the postman a few seconds to find his voice, but when he did, he hung his head as he replied, “Yes, yes, Ruth, I got all that.” Deeply sighing, he finally met Ruth’s eyes. “Please, will you accept the apology of this silly old man who should know better than to listen to gossip. I’ve known Walter long enough that I should never have believed her.”

“Believed who?” Ruth pounced.

Patrick shook his head. “Sorry, I won’t tell you her name, but please believe me, I’m going to go and speak to her right now and put her right.”

Ruth stood tall and took a few deep, steadying breaths. “All right, I’ll trust you. I’m sorry for how I reacted…a little.”

“Mind if I take the weight off my feet for a minute?” Patrick asked, and perched on the edge of Walter’s desk upon getting a nod. “Can I ask? Do you know if he’s going to be all right?”

Before replying, Ruth went and put the kettle on. She waited until it had boiled and made a couple of cups of tea before speaking. Placing a cup next to the postman, Ruth went and picked up Bobby from beneath her desk and sat with him on her lap, “I don’t know. I mean, the doctors don’t think he’ll have any lasting physical problems. The trouble is, and this is my main worry, he’s always had a bit of a problem with self-confidence, and I’m worried this will set him back to his old ways.”

“Has Doris seen him yet?”

Ruth nodded. “Hasn’t left his bedside since he was settled at the local hospital. In confidence, my friend Grace, who’s a nurse that works there, has telephoned me twice—and Jane Howell on station three times—begging us to come and take Doris away. The last time, she swore she’d sedate Doris if she annoyed her one more time.”

Patrick had a small chuckle and a sip of tea. “Well, it sounds like Doris is behaving like…well…Doris.”

Ruth raised her mug. “Touché.”

“And are you going to this nurse’s aid?”

Ruth shook her head and tapped her typewriter. “Can’t. Too busy. I’m in the middle of a story, and I’m trying not to let it go to Bobby’s head.”

“I was going to ask. Why the bandage?” Patrick asked, pointing at the dirty white bandage around the cocker spaniel’s head.

“That’s all part of the story. You’ll have to wait and read it, the same as everyone else.”

“Come on, Ruth, I know I’ve just mucked up, but we’ve known each other long enough. You can trust me not to breathe a word to anyone.”

Ruth straightened Bobby’s bandage, kissed her beloved dog on the head, and put him back on the floor where he immediately settled down next to the fire, letting out a deep, doggy sigh of contentment. “Sorry, all I can tell you is there’s kidnapping, shooting, and blackmail involved.”

“And, er, Bobby?”

Ruth’s face became deadly serious. “We believe the person behind all this threw a stone at poor Bobby.”

“I’m sorry, Ruth. How’s he doing?”

Stroking Bobby with her feet, Ruth managed a small smile. “No lasting damage, thank God. Anyway, I can’t tell you more, as I’m not sure how much I’m going to be allowed to tell in my article anyway. I’m waiting on the police to let me know.”

“I take it that’s Lawrence. I heard he’s the new Inspector around here.”

“That’s right,” Ruth said, more than a hint of pride in her voice.

Patrick finished his tea, put his cup down, and got up and stretched. “Well, must be getting on, things to do, people to see.” He gave a wink. “Say hello to Walter for me and wish him all my best. Don’t forget the postcard,” he said as he opened the door to leave.

No sooner had the postman left than Ruth pounced upon the postcard. Relief flooded through her when she recognized her son’s handwriting.

Hi mum. Sorry I didn’t tell you before. Had to have another operation as I had an infection, but all better now. Leg’s a bit shorter now. I think the Germans believe I’m trying to escape a piece at a time! Ha ha! Please don’t worry about me, not going to be stupid anymore. Love Joe.

Ruth had to read it through twice before she allowed herself to flop back into her seat, relief flooding through her bones, which rapidly led to a flood of tears. Ignoring her typewriter and the story she’d begun, Ruth grabbed a piece of paper and started to write.

My dear Joe. Lawrence and I buried your ‘foot’ in the garden. The ceremony was spoiled by Bobby watering the grave, however…

****

Sister Henry sat at her desk and fumed. For once, Doris didn’t notice, though Nurse Grace did, and for who knew how many times that morning. She hurried over to where Doris was berating Walter again.

“Doris!” she hissed, catching hold of her friend’s arm to get her attention. “Doris! Will you please keep it down, or Sister will throw you out. If it comes to that, I will too!”

Though he didn’t speak, Walter gave Grace a quick smile when Doris turned her head to glare at Grace.

“You wouldn’t!”

“I would,” Grace assured her, exuding all the authority she had. “You know how much I care for you, and for Walter. You’re very good friends, but this is my place of work, and I can’t play favorites. Of course you’re worried about Walter.” She smiled. “But try not to be. He’s going to be fine. However, if you want to stay, then keep your voice down. You’re disturbing the rest of the patients. I can appreciate you’re a little over-excited to see him this morning, but please, try to hold it in.”

Having listened to her friend’s lecture, Doris hung her head and nodded. Finally, looking into the nurse’s kindly face, she told her, “Your hearing’s still fine then.”

Going a little red, Grace glanced around to make certain no one had heard what Doris had said, but her friend had made certain to keep her voice low enough so only Grace would hear. Absently, she rubbed an ear. “Yes, it’s really made things much easier.”

Doris took her seat and looked up at Grace. “Look, I’m sorry I’ve been a nuisance. I’ll keep my voice down,” she said, though she was unable to resist looking around Grace to where Sister Henry was watching them.

“Thank you,” Grace said, adding before moving off, “Ten minutes of visiting time left.”

“That was a bit much,” Doris moaned to Walter once they were alone.

Walter raised the one eyebrow to be seen under the bandage wrapped around his head. “Really? You were a little loud, love.”

It took a little while before Doris replied, “I know, I know. I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m worried about you and,” she added as Walter opened his mouth, “also very proud of you. Though if you ever do something so stupid again, I’ll kill you myself!”

For the first time since she’d been there, Doris heard Walter laugh. “I’ll tell Matt to get behind you, then. That’s roughly what he told me whilst he was patching me up.”

“Good for him,” Doris agreed. “Remind me to buy him a drink, next time I see him. Now, onto a more serious subject, our wedding.”

Walter held up a right arm completely encased in white bandages with the odd spot of blood here and there.

Doris waved away any protests he may have been about to make. “You can walk, can’t you? Can you still talk?”

“When I’m given the chance,” Walter made the mistake of muttering.

Doris leaned in close to his face to whisper, “It’s a good thing I love you, or you’d be getting fitted for a wire jaw for that remark,” and then kissed him like she hadn’t seen him in a year. She only broke off when Sister Henry appeared at her shoulder.

“That is it! Second Officer Winter, you’ve caused more than enough disruption for today. Out!”

“But…” Doris began to protest, only she failed, possibly for the first time since she came to Hamble, to get anywhere.

Presenting her with her hat and bag, Sister Henry thrust the items into the American’s arms and pointed in the direction of the exit. “But, nothing! This is not a bordello. Out! You may come back tomorrow, but you must be on your best behavior, or I’ll make certain you are never allowed to visit again.”

Despite the ignobility of her exit, Doris couldn’t resist getting in the last word. “Five days! In five days, Walter Johnson, you’re marrying me! So don’t think you’re getting out of it that easy!”

****

“Yes, I’m sorry you couldn’t make it down for the funeral too. Of course we can lay some flowers when you’re next here. I’m sure Thelma would appreciate it. All right, I’ve got to go now. I’ll speak to you soon. Love you, sis!”

“How’re studies going?” Jane shouted from her office.

Penny trotted over toward her. “Well, I think the best thing we can say is, she hasn’t been called to the head’s office again. Though reading between the lines, she’s apparently doing rather well and enjoying school once more.”

“Are you looking forward to having her come to live with you?” Jane wanted to know.

Penny had to think about this. “I suppose so. Mind you, she hasn’t had anything to do with Tom since that day at the hospital, and I don’t know how she’ll react when she finds out we’re giving things a go.”

“Hmm,” Jane mused. “I do remember she was upset.”

Penny laughed. “Upset? I think she was all for joining Doris and hunting him down.”

“Did I hear my name?” came an American drawl from the ops hut doorway.

Penny looked up and waved her friend over. “As always, you have great timing. Yes, you did.”

Doris frowned. “Am I in trouble here too?”

Jane looked at her watch. “You’re back early. You didn’t break my Jeep, did you?” she asked, rushing past her to look outside.

Waiting until Jane came back inside, Doris treated her to a big grin. “She’s all in one piece. Thanks for lending her to me.”

“So why are you back early?” Penny asked. “We weren’t expecting you for another hour.”

When Doris didn’t reply straight away, Jane and Penny shared a look before Jane finally asked, “Okay, what did you do?”

“I may have got myself chucked out of the hospital by the Sister.”

“You didn’t!” both Jane and Penny exclaimed at the same time.

“Perhaps I was a little…loud?” Doris suggested.

As if they were a comic double act, her friends once more exchanged looks before saying, “You? Loud?”

“Oh, very funny.” Doris folded her arms and pouted at her friends. “All I was doing was making certain my Walter was fine.”

“And…” Penny prompted.

“And, I may have been a little bit…loud,” she admitted.

“What’s Doris been up to now?”

Turning around, Doris found Betty and Mary behind her, both with grins to match those of Jane and Penny.

“Oh, don’t you start as well!” Doris pleaded.

“It depends,” Mary replied. “What did you do?”

“Got herself kicked out of the hospital,” Penny said before Doris could get her side in.

Betty engulfed the American in a hug before stepping back. “I’m sure you were only being yourself.”

“Of course I was…hey!”