‘I work at a bar too. The Vine. Do you know it?’
Finn looked blank and I grinned. ‘It’s not really a student place.’
‘I’m not a student.’
‘Whatever you say.’
He rolled his eyes and chuckled. ‘Good luck with your plans for the mural,’ he said. ‘Let me know if you want to throw some ideas around. Sometimes it helps to have a sounding board.’
‘That’s nice of you,’ I said, torn between wanting to spend more time with this cheerful, interesting man, and not wanting to talk about my art – or lack of it – ever.
‘I’ll be in my cupboard. Come and find me, any time.’
‘All right then, Harry Potter,’ I said. ‘Maybe I will.’
Chapter 9
Elsie
1940
Nelly was smitten with Dr Barnet. Perfect Percy, as I liked to call him. I’d heard every detail of their evening listening to jazz. I’d heard how when the siren had gone, Nelly had thought they would go to the public shelter in the park, but Dr Barnet said no.
‘I thought he’d lost his marbles,’ she told me. ‘But he said it wasn’t safe. So he took me to the railway arches and there was a shelter under there. I didn’t even know it existed.’
She looked dreamy for a second. ‘And he wrapped me up in his coat to keep me warm and held me all night.’
She’d even given me chapter and verse on their first kiss. I pretended to be horrified, putting my hands over my ears and begging her to stop telling me all the details, but I liked it really. It felt normal. Like life before the war. And Nelly was so happy, and now I’d met Dr Barnet he seemed to be much less of a rat than I’d expected him to be given his handsome looks and charming manner. In fact, I couldn’t help thinking it was all rather romantic.
‘Do you know what Percy said, when he walked me home this morning?’ she said. And, she was off again, telling me all the sweet nothings Percy had whispered into her ear.
*
There was still no sign of Mrs Gold, nor Mr Gold, when Nelly and I left the house later that day. We were going to the hospital, even though it was our day off, because I wanted to see the airmen and help them write the letters. Nelly had promised to help, too, though she was worried she’d be no use because her handwriting was untidy and she always splattered the ink.
I stayed quiet as Nelly chattered about Percy, feeling a little thrill when I thought about seeing the sweet smile of the airman – Harry – who wanted me to write to his mother for him.
At the huts, the airmen were all in rather raucous spirits. They cheered when we went inside, which made Nelly and I laugh. The Red Cross nurse rolled her eyes. ‘Good luck,’ she said.
I’d brought the writing paper so I pulled it out of my bag and waved it.
‘We’re going to write letters to your families for you,’ I said. ‘But only if you promise to behave.’
They all murmured their agreement and I turned to Harry, who had the bed closest to the door. ‘Shall I start with you?’
‘Yes please,’ he said. ‘Hello.’
‘Hello.’
‘I’m Harry.’
‘I know,’ I said. ‘I’m Nurse Watson.’
‘I remember you.’ He smiled at me and his whole face lit up. He wasn’t what you’d call handsome, not as such, but he had the loveliest smile and eyes that sparkled with fun. I had the strange thought that if I stayed here, looking at his face for the rest of my days, then that would be enough.
‘You said you were going to come back and write a letter for me. I’ve been waiting.’
‘Well, like I said, here I am. Ready to write.’
