The Girl from Cobb Street (37 page)

‘There will always be an India. But a different one. An independent one. If not immediately, then certainly after the conflict we’re about to plunge into.’

‘Why are you so sure?’ Anish had been certain that Britain would never grant independence freely.

‘A war against Germany will cost a great deal of treasure—men and gold—and India will be just too expensive to hold on to. And is it right that we should?’

‘No, it isn’t right, and I hope India gets its wish, but peacefully.’

Above them, a fall of the brightest stars pierced the night black sky, and by their light she saw his expression. He was looking solemn. She wasn’t sure he believed peace in India was possible but she hoped he was wrong.

‘If ever I do go back to India, it will be far in the future. And meanwhile, I must find work.’ She tried to sound lighthearted. ‘But not at Bridges, I think.’ An image of the Infirmary sprang into her mind: white, clean, crisp. It was an attractive picture.

‘You don’t have to decide immediately,’ Grayson said. ‘I believe the Indian Army is generous. There’ll be money to keep you afloat for a few months and then a small pension, I imagine.’

She gave a rueful smile. ‘The Adjutant tried very hard to explain my finances, but I’m afraid I didn’t understand much, and now I remember even less.’

‘You’ll have to decipher the paperwork when it comes. But take your time.’

They turned to walk back the way they had come, the boards smooth beneath their feet, and she matched her step to his. The buzz from the ballroom had increased and the ship’s band was now swinging its way through a foxtrot.

‘I don’t think I need that time after all. I’m going to train as a nurse.’ Her announcement was abrupt. She had no idea where the words had come from but once she’d said them, they sounded absolutely right.

‘I wondered if you might. Nursing seems to suit you and with war on the horizon, there’s bound to be a huge demand for trained staff.’

‘I’ve no idea how to go about getting trained. I should find a hospital first, I suppose.’

‘St Barts could be just the place.’ She saw a smile crease the corners of his mouth.

‘Why St Barts?’

‘For one thing, it’s the nearest training school to Baker Street.’

‘So …’

‘Baker Street is where I’m most likely to be based.’

She flushed slightly, but the thought didn’t displease her. Grayson was an attractive man and she had liked him from the moment they’d met. In the early days, she’d had to guard herself from liking him too much. Then there had come those silly doubts and she’d kept her distance. She must still keep a little of that distance, she told herself. Her heart had taken a beating and needed time to recover.

The music was floating nearer, its strands winding their way towards them, out of open doors, up and over stairways, along decks, until the notes arrived at their feet, wrapping them close.

He paused for a moment and glanced down at her, his eyes amused. ‘Enough of the future. We still have the rest of the journey to enjoy. How would you like to dance?’

‘I think I would,’ she said, almost without thinking. And then realised, wonderingly, that she’d spoken truly.

She slipped her arm in his, and together they made their way to the ballroom.

ISBN: 978-1-474-02027-5

THE GIRL FROM COBB STREET

© 2015 Merryn Allingham

Published in Great Britain 2015
by Harlequin MIRA, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited,
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR

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