Eve and Her Sisters (21 page)

A shell burst overhead and a shower of wood, dirt and clay rained for a moment or two. It had hit the far end of the trench and he could see a couple of men frantically digging out another who had been buried.The sergeant had joined them and was yelling orders.They went over the top again and now it was mayhem, men being killed indiscriminately by not just the German artillery but their own. Caleb was firing his pistol but he had no idea if his bullets reached their targets, and then there was a period of face-to-face fighting before once again the Germans retreated a few hundred yards. He knew his steel blade had taken at least one of the enemy out, he had seen the man’s eyes widen and the blood spew out of his mouth as he’d sliced into his chest. Five years ago he would never have dreamed he would stick a bayonet into a man’s belly with as little feeling as if he was swiping at a fly. What had he become? What had they all become? Living pawns in a macabre game played by the old generals.

And then he knew he had been hit. He felt no pain, just the impact of what registered like a giant fist full of heat. He hit the ground and lay for a moment, stunned. And it was when he went to pull himself up like all those other times he had been knocked down that the pain made him cry out.

‘Stay put, lad.’ Sergeant Todd’s face was thrust close to his. ‘I’ll be back for you in a while.’

He nodded. He didn’t believe him. It was the sort of thing you said to give someone hope, knowing the odds were stacked against them. He’d done it himself.They both knew that stuck here like a broken doll he’d likely be blasted into smithereens within minutes. He looked down at his legs. Hell, what a mess. He screwed up his eyes against the pain.

Could he crawl back to that trench? When he tried to bend his knees the pain was so unbearable he fainted. When he came round he was aware of indistinct figures some way in front of him, lunging and turning as they fought. Everything in him shrank from lying here waiting for a German bayonet or bullet to finish him off. Steeling himself, he brought his torso off the ground with his arms and began to drag himself round, his legs trailing behind him.

How many times he passed out before he reached the dugout he didn’t know. He passed bodies and bits of bodies, pushing them aside as they blocked his path. He had almost reached the trench when the weakness overcame him. He lay a couple of feet away, unable to move. And then a head appeared above the parapet and a pair of arms reached for him, dragging him unceremoniously over the edge. As he hit the ground, agony exploded in every cell of his body and he knew no more.

‘He’s alive. Here.’

As Mildred handed her the telegram which had come that morning, Eve drew in a long shuddering breath. Gathering her wits, she read the few words which stated Private Caleb Travis had been injured in the course of duty and shipped back to England to a hospital down south. The words swam before her eyes but conscious of Mildred’s hard gaze she forced herself to say quietly, ‘I’ll make arrangements to go and see him.’
He was alive.
She had thought . . .

‘See him? It’s over two hundred miles away, girl.’

‘What’s that got to do with it?’

‘Who’ll take care of things here while you’re gallivanting? ’

Eve took a step backwards, her face now looking as hard as Mildred’s. ‘Nathaniel is more than able to take over and Ada needs no supervision in the kitchen. She’s more than competent.’

‘And me? What about my needs? Who’ll take care of me?’

‘Ada and Winnie—’

‘I don’t want either of them numbskulls bumbling about in here. It’s took me long enough to get you to do things right.’

‘That’s up to you. I’m going to see him so you have the choice of Ada and Winnie or nothing.’

Mildred glared at her. ‘I’ll see my day with you, girl. As God is my judge. Taking advantage of a poor invalid.’

Eve turned away. She had heard it all before. Countless times. Mildred’s threats and rages had little effect on her these days. ‘Eat your breakfast,’ she said tonelessly.

Out in the passage she stood for a moment, clutching the telegram to her breast. Then she made herself walk into the kitchen. Ada and Winnie were waiting for her as she had known they would be. ‘He’s alive,’ she said. ‘But hurt. He’s in a hospital in Oxford.’

Ada’s brow wrinkled. ‘Oxford? Isn’t that down south?’

Eve nodded. ‘I shall need to make arrangements to go and see him. Will you be able to cope if I go? With Mrs Travis, I mean? She’s already playing up about me going.’

‘Oh aye, lass. Don’t worry about that. She don’t bother me none. I can give as good as I get.’ Ada’s eyes narrowed. ‘Sit down,’ she said, ‘before you drop down. You look bad.’

She felt bad. Weakly, Eve murmured,‘I’m all right.’

‘Aye, and I’m a monkey’s uncle. Here,’ swiftly Ada poured her a strong cup of tea with plenty of sugar, ‘get that down you, lass. You’ve had a shock.’

As she sat down at the table, the big shaggy dog who had been lying on the clippy mat in front of the range fire immediately came to her side, whining as he pushed his head into her hand. Eve patted him and took a sip of the scalding hot tea, her mind racing. She would have to travel by train and she had never ventured on one before. How would she go about it? And she would have to find somewhere to stay in Oxford, at least overnight. The prospect was daunting but not as daunting as staying here and doing nothing.

 

Five days later she was standing outside the hospital in Oxford. Caleb’s letter had arrived that very morning just as she was about to leave for the train, and she had read and re-read it countless times on the journey south. It had been different to the ones before it, and not just because of the beautiful little drawing of the bird. The others had been more in the nature of reports, stating where he was and what was happening around him. This one revealed his thoughts, the inner man, and because of that it was infinitely precious.

She had checked the visiting times earlier and now she made her way through the hospital corridors as the nice lady on the end of the telephone had directed her. When she reached the ward she took a deep breath before entering. There were a few visitors dotted about the ward but many of the beds had no one sitting by them. Several beds had curtains drawn round them and although perhaps half of the men were sitting up, quite a few were lying still. The highly polished floor, clinical cleanliness and strong smell of antiseptic emphasised the fact she had stepped into another world as she walked over to the nurses’ station.

‘I’m looking for Caleb Travis,’ she said a little nervously to the somewhat severe looking sister who had raised her head at her approach. ‘I understand he’s in this ward.’

The sister smiled a tight, prim smile. ‘That’s right. And you are?’

‘His housekeeper.’ She had decided on the journey that housekeeper sounded better than trying to explain she managed Caleb’s inn for him.‘His mother is an invalid so she asked me to come in her place.’ Another necessary embellishment.

‘I see.’ Piercing eyes looked her up and down. ‘I understand Mr Travis’s home is a good distance away.’

‘In the north-east, yes.’

‘You know Mr Travis is still very poorly?’

Eve’s heart missed a beat. She nodded. ‘What exactly are the nature of his injuries?’ she asked quietly.

‘His legs took most of the damage but there was an injury to his chest too which affected his breathing for a time. I’m happy to say that has now settled down.’

Eve stared at the emotionless face. What did ‘most of the damage’ mean? ‘He will get better? I mean he will be able to walk normally in time?’

‘Dr Reynold is very pleased with how the last operation went.’

The last operation? ‘How many operations has he had?’

‘Mr Travis was operated on immediately he arrived here to remove shrapnel from his chest. Once it was considered safe to do so, Dr Reynold operated again, this time on his legs. Unfortunately there was a slight complication with the right leg which necessitated a further operation yesterday.’

‘I see.’ No, no she didn’t.Telling herself she couldn’t be palmed off, Eve said again, ‘He will be able to walk, won’t he? In time, I mean. Once his legs heal?’

The sister hesitated. ‘The right leg was a cause for some concern but like I said, Dr Reynold was pleased with how the operation went yesterday.You can rest assured he has done all he can to save the leg.’

The colour drained from Eve’s face and now the sister lost some of her stiffness. She rose swiftly and came round the desk, taking Eve’s arm as she murmured, ‘There, child, don’t worry. I’m sure it will be all right. The next few days will tell. But he is young and fit and that is in his favour.’

Caleb. Oh, Caleb, Caleb. ‘Can I see him?’

‘Of course, but you do understand he mustn’t be upset? We need to keep him positive. Dr Reynold is of the opinion that the patient’s state of mind has a bearing on his recovery.’

Eve’s shoulders straightened. ‘I won’t upset him.’

‘Good, good. Come this way.’ The sister led her to the first of the beds with the curtains round it. Popping her head through the slit, she said,‘Mr Travis has a visitor, nurse. Have you finished?’

‘Just finished, sister.’

As the sister drew the curtains, a small plump nurse bustled out carrying a bowl and towel, smiling at Eve as she passed. Eve couldn’t smile back, her eyes going to the inert figure in the bed. Caleb had a huge cage over his legs and he was lying flat with his eyes shut. His face was as white as lint. As she moved forward, he opened his eyes and to Eve’s huge relief his voice sounded the same as ever as he said, ‘
Eve
. I didn’t know it was you. I thought it was the hospital padre again. He keeps checking to see if I’m still alive.’

‘Go on with you, Mr Travis.’ The sister’s voice was disapproving. ‘The Reverend Briggs is concerned for all our patients, as you well know. He likes to have a cheery word now and again.’

Eve sat down on the chair by the bed as the sister returned to the nurse’s station, glad of the moment or two to collect herself. She wanted to take his hand but fearing he might think she was too forward, she contented herself with smiling and then saying softly, ‘How are you feeling?’

‘Not too bad.’ He smiled faintly. They both knew it was a lie. ‘How did you get here?’

‘On the train. It was quite an adventure.’

‘Who came with you?’

‘I came by myself.’ She smiled again.

‘By yourself ?’ He stared at her. Then reached out his hand which she gripped, her heart thudding, as he said, ‘Bless you, Eve. That was kind of you. But you shouldn’t have come all this way by yourself.’

‘I wanted to.’ His hand felt cool although the ward was warm.‘Everyone wanted to know how you were.’

He closed his eyes for a moment but his voice was strong when he said, ‘A lot better than some of these poor devils, I can tell you. There’s one man who’s lost an arm and both his legs.’ He paused, his voice low when he added, ‘And some of them are ill in their minds, you know? They wake up screaming, they think they’re still out there.’

‘Oh, Caleb.’ She stared at him, aghast.

‘But I’m all right. Just tired.’

Just tired. Remembering her promise to the sister, who was watching her with eagle eyes from behind her desk, she swallowed hard. ‘I’ve brought you a couple of things. Some fruit and those toffees you like. And Ada’s sent one of her fruit cakes.’

‘Any brandy?’ he asked, straight-faced.

He was still holding her hand. She wondered if he realised. ‘You’re not allowed brandy.’

‘I know.’ He grinned at her.‘I was hoping you didn’t.’ She smiled. Did he know there was a possibility he might lose his leg? He couldn’t, could he? He was too cheerful.And then she swallowed again when he said very quietly, ‘What have they told you?’

‘That you’ve had three operations, one to remove shrapnel from your chest and two on your legs.’ As she looked into the deep brown eyes she suddenly realised she was mistaken, he knew all right. Quickly, she said, ‘I got your letter this morning, the one in which you drew a picture of the little bird.’

He stared at her for a moment. ‘That seems a lifetime ago.’

‘You said you were longing for the time you could walk the lanes around Washington again. That time will come, Caleb.’

‘You think so?’ His eyes were holding hers, watching her.

‘I know so.’ She nodded. ‘Without a doubt.’

He squeezed her hand, shutting his eyes again. His voice was barely audible when he murmured, ‘I was feeling very low today, Eve. Like . . . like giving up.’

She didn’t know what to say. She would have given the world to be able to put her arms round him and kiss him, to comfort him. But all she could do was sit and hold his hand.

And then his eyes opened. ‘But you came and now . . . now I don’t feel like that.’

Her voice thick, she said, ‘I’m glad.’

‘When do you have to go back?’

Making her mind up on the spur of the moment, she said, ‘Not for a few days.’ They could manage at the inn.They would have to. She would get a message to them explaining how things were here. She couldn’t leave until she knew. Until
he
knew. Ada and Winnie would understand.

She stayed until the end of visiting time although they didn’t talk much after that but he didn’t let go of her hand. When the bell rang he still didn’t let go, not even when she stood up and said, ‘I have to go, Caleb.’

‘You’ll come tomorrow? Please, Eve?’

She didn’t think visiting was allowed on Thursdays but she didn’t intend to let that stop her. ‘I’ll try.’

‘Good.’ He smiled at her, squeezing her hand again.

Warning herself that this meant nothing, that any familiar face from home would have worked on his vulnerable state of mind in the same way, she gently extracted her fingers from his. ‘I’ll have to go. The sister is looking daggers at me. I’m the last visitor left.’