A Moment to Remember (28 page)

‘Please, Miss Ash, sit down.’

Milly did as she was told.

‘Now, as you know, the war is beginning to take its toll on the young men of this country, and we have started to get many casualties sent to us. The Red Cross is now helping out, and I have spoken to them and they are willing to teach you first aid. When you are experienced, you will be able to help my nurses. Would that be satisfactory for you?’

Milly nodded. This was far better than she’d expected.

‘You will of course be paid, though I don’t think it will be a great deal. Are you happy with that?’

‘Yes thank you.’ Milly’s brain was rushing along. She wasn’t worried about money at the moment, as she had been able to save most of her wages, except for the bits and pieces she had sent to her family. She would be living at the flat till Christmas, and then she would worry about everything.

Matron stood up. ‘If you have any questions, you can ask my secretary.’ She held out her hand and a smile lifted her stern face. ‘I think you will be among the first of the many young ladies who will be joining us as things go on.’

Milly shook her hand. ‘Thank you so much for giving me this chance.’

‘It’s hard work, but I hope you’ll be happy here.’

‘I’m sure I will.’

‘We will see you here next Monday at seven o’clock. Goodbye.’

Milly left the matron’s office and almost skipped into her secretary’s room.

‘Hello,’ she said. ‘I start work here on Monday. Perhaps you could tell me where I will have to go and what I wear.’

‘You have to meet the other Red Cross workers at reception, where you will be given your instructions. What you wear isn’t relevant as long as it’s clean; you will be given a uniform.’

‘Thank you.’

Milly was almost beside herself. There would be other girls there, so she wouldn’t be alone. This must be almost the best job in the world. She wanted to dance all the way along the corridor. This was going to be another life-changing experience for her.

A
LTHOUGH MILLY WAS finding the work hard, it was also fascinating and very rewarding. She was learning so much. She had finished her first-aid course and was helping out on the wards. She was only emptying bedpans and bottles and holding dishes for men to vomit into, but she felt she was really contributing to the war effort. To see some of the injuries that these brave men had sustained was heartbreaking. She had been told to be kind but firm and carry on about her business in an orderly and helpful way.

As the weeks went on, she was given more and more jobs to do. At the end of her shift she was thoroughly exhausted, as she had sometimes been on her feet all day. But she didn’t mind, she loved her job. There had been a great many casualties at Mons, and when things were very busy the workers were hardly able to pass the time of day. There was certainly no time to socialise. The only person over the weeks who seemed to be on the same shifts as her was another Red Cross girl, whose name Milly found out was June.

There had been a lull in the amount of casualties coming in, and one afternoon Milly was sitting with June rolling bandages.

‘Don’t often get a chance to sit down like this,’ said June. She was very pretty, with fair hair, blue eyes, and dimpled cheeks when she smiled. Milly had noticed how some of the young patients sat up when June came on the ward.

‘That’s true,’ Milly agreed.

‘You’re Milly, aren’t you?’

Milly nodded.

‘I’ve seen you rushing about. You’re always very willing to do any jobs.’

‘I hope so. These poor lads need all the help we can give them.’

‘That’s true. Some of them have been through such a lot.’

‘I hope this war doesn’t go on for too long,’ Milly said fervently.

‘Have you anyone close in the army?’

‘Not that I know of. My brother left home years ago and he could have joined up. He always wanted to be a soldier.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘That’s all right. It’s just that I don’t like to see all these terrible injuries on such young men.’ The thoughts that had been in Milly’s mind from the first were for Dan and Richard. What would she do if, God forbid, either one of them came into her care?

‘Have you anyone still at home?’ asked June.

‘No. I live alone.’

‘How do you manage? I’m absolutely exhausted at the end of my shift. Thank goodness I live at home and my mother feeds me and does my washing.’

‘You are very lucky.’

‘Yes, I know. Do you live far?’

‘Not really, but I shall have to look for digs or something soon.’

‘Why’s that?’

‘After Christmas the lease is up on the flat I used to share with a friend.’

‘That’s a shame. What will you do?’

‘I don’t know. Hopefully I can find somewhere cheap nearly.’

‘We don’t exactly get a fortune doing this job.’

‘I know. We could have gone into a factory, that way we would have earned a fortune.’

‘That’s if we didn’t get blown up or turn yellow.’

Milly smiled. ‘That’s true. Mind you, I love this job.’

‘What sort of accommodation are you looking for?

‘Just one room or something like that. Nothing too expensive.’

‘Look, I’ve got a lot of relatives who live round this way. If you like, I could have a word with them over Christmas see if any of them have a room you can have. It won’t be all that posh, but it’ll be a place till you find something.’

Milly wanted to jump up and kiss her. She was so lucky. She must have a guardian angel who really did look after her. ‘Thank you. That would be wonderful.’

‘Don’t get your hopes up too high; wait till I’ve seen them first.’

They put the last roll in the box and June stood up.

‘Right, that’s another batch finished. Let’s go and see if they can find us something else to do.’

Milly walked out of the room a very happy person.

 

Although Milly would be out of her flat after Christmas, she was determined to enjoy being at work on Christmas Day. The week before, all the Red Cross girls had put up paper chains to decorate the wards. In the morning, a choir from the local church came and sang to the patients. It was very moving, and many of the young men tried to hide the tears that trickled down their faces. Milly had tears too as she remembered the wonderful midnight masses she’d shared with Jane and Richard.

Milly went up to one young man who looked distressed. ‘Can I get you anything?’ she asked.

He smiled at her and shook his head. ‘I did ask Santa for a new pair of legs, but I didn’t get ’em.’

Milly held back a sob. Some of these boys were only about the same age as her. For the past week she had been writing cards and letters for those who had bandages on their hands or found it difficult to write, and she’d found it hard putting their feelings down on paper.

‘Sorry, miss. I didn’t mean ter upset yer.’

‘That’s all right.’ She gently tapped the back of his hand. ‘I’ll bring you some extra Christmas pud.’

He gave her a thumbs-up sign.

Like the rest of the staff, Milly was wearing a red paper hat as she helped to dish up the dinners, and the laughter in the wards was wonderful. One or two of the young doctors had some mistletoe and were running after the nurses. At times the noise was unbelievable. Milly had never enjoyed herself so much. She even caught sight of Matron walking down the corridor with flushed cheeks.

She was leaning over a bed trying to straighten a patient’s bedclothes when she saw Tom striding down the ward towards her. She stood up, surprised. This wasn’t his ward.

‘Merry Christmas, Milly,’ he said softly, and plonked a kiss on her cheek.

There was a whoop from the lads near them.

Milly straightened her hat. ‘And a merry Christmas to you too, Dr Walsh.’

As he continued down the ward, Milly noticed that he kissed June as well.

She touched her own cheek. Was she reading too much into this?

 

It was late as Milly made her way home, exhausted but very happy. It was one of the best Christmases she had ever had since running away from the Greens. Back in the flat, she lit the gas lamp, kicked off her shoes and sat on the sofa. She would make a well-earned cup of tea later. She looked round the room. The sofa, along with all the rest of the furniture, was going back to Lizzie’s house in the new year. She knew she would be very sorry to leave here; it had been lovely to be so independent, and this place had so many memories. The office and Ada and the efforts of the women hoping to get the vote. Now she didn’t know where she would finish up. I mustn’t get down, she said to herself; I know something will turn up.

She put her feet up and began to reflect on past Christmases. Some were good and some were very bad. What kind of Christmas had her family had? She tried to send as much money home as she could, but what would happen when she had to find rent? Whenever she thought about the family and about what she had, she felt very guilty. Perhaps she should go and see them in the new year? Her thoughts went to Jane. If it hadn’t been for the Greens educating her, she would probably still be living in Winter Street. She thought about the lovely Christmases she’d had with the Greens and Betty. She would always be grateful to Jane for showing her a new life. If only things had been different. Milly knew that for the rest of her life she would be haunted by that dreadful day in the park. A tear slid down her cheek and the knocking on the downstairs door made her jump. She sat up and looked at the clock. It was ten o’clock. Who was coming here at this time of night? Whoever it was was very persistent. They knocked again, this time much harder. Milly stood at the top of the stairs.

‘Milly! Milly!’ It was Lizzie’s voice. ‘Open the door.’

‘Lizzie!’ screamed Milly and ran down the stairs.

She threw open the door and threw her arms round her friend. Over Lizzie’s shoulder she saw Tom, and she stepped back.

‘Look what we’ve brought round.’ He held up a bottle.

‘It’s Daddy’s finest champagne. We thought you might be lonely, so we decided to come and see you. I know it’s late,’ said Lizzie as she pushed passed Milly and made her way upstairs. ‘But we will only stay for a while.’

Tom shrugged as he followed Lizzie.

Upstairs, Lizzie stood in the doorway. ‘My God. Where is everything?’

‘Packed up ready for me to move.’

Lizzie walked in and took off her gloves and scarf. ‘Have you got somewhere to live?’

Milly shook her head.

‘Well don’t worry for now. I’ll pay the next month’s rent. How would that suit you? In fact I’ll make it two, you don’t want to be flat-hunting in the winter.’ She plonked herself on the sofa.

‘I can’t let you do that.’

‘Why not?’

‘I don’t know. It’s not right.’

Tom had put the bottle on the table and was hunting around in the cupboard. ‘Where are all the glasses, Milly?’

‘Packed away.’

‘Well you had better unpack them,’ said Lizzie, smiling.

‘How much have you had to drink?’ asked Milly, getting a cardboard box from the dresser.

‘A lot. And I was so pleased to see Tom. I’ve had such a boring evening, all I could do was drink till he arrived, and then he suggested we come and see you.’ Lizzie began giggling. ‘So here we are.’

Milly looked at Tom, who just smiled. So this was his idea.

The cork popped very loudly and Tom expertly poured out the champagne.

‘I’ve never had champagne before,’ said Milly, screwing up her nose as the bubbles tickled it.

‘Well you deserve it. From what Tom’s been telling me, you are one of the most efficient nurses they have.’

‘I’m not a nurse.’ Milly wanted to add that she didn’t even work with Tom, but when she looked over at him he quickly shook his head.

‘What about you, my little tram-driver?’ said Milly.

‘I can’t drive a tram but as a conductress I’m having a lot of fun. I don’t see the horrors of this damn war.’

For a moment the conversation stopped as their thoughts went to the men at the front.

Suddenly Lizzie said, ‘Pour us another drink, Tom.’

He did as he was told.

 

After a while, Lizzie began to doze. To Milly’s relief she was sitting in the middle, between Tom and herself. They began talking quietly.

‘So where are you going to live?’ he asked.

‘I’m sure I can find somewhere. June at the hospital said she might be able to help me out.’

‘That’s wonderful. I was worried that you might be leaving us.’

‘No. And I never really thanked you for helping me get it.’

‘I just made a suggestion to Matron, that was all.’

Lizzie started to groan.

‘I think I’d better get this young lady home,’ said Tom, sitting her up.

‘She could stay here,’ said Milly.

‘No, I’d better get her home. I don’t want her father thinking I’ve taken advantage of her.’

Milly stood up and wobbled a bit. She giggled. The drink was affecting her. ‘I’m not used to drinking,’ she said sheepishly. ‘I’ll help you put her coat on.’

They helped Lizzie to stand up, and put her coat on her. ‘It was lovely seeing you again, Milly,’ she said without opening her eyes.

‘And it was lovely seeing you again.’

They held each other close.

‘Come on, young lady. Home for you.’

‘I love it when he’s so forceful.’

‘Will you be able to manage?’ said Milly.

‘The fresh air will help. Besides, I’ve got her father’s car outside.’

‘You didn’t tell me you could drive.’

‘Lizzie’s father taught me, so we’ll be fine. Good night, Milly.’ He leant across Lizzie and kissed Milly’s cheek. ‘See you at work.’

Milly stood and watched them leave.