‘Presents from the past,’ I said in excitement, ignoring her blank look. ‘I could do a book for the residents here. Everyone can write their own messages to special people. And I could use some of the words from Elsie’s book on the mural – base it all around the nurse and her idea.’
Val simply looked at me, but I thought I saw a spark of interest in her eyes.
‘And,’ I said, triumphantly, ‘I could find out what happened to Elsie. Make it part of the project. Imagine if I could track her down – that really would be a present from the past.’
‘I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about,’ Val said. She picked up the remote control and turnedFour in a Bedback on.
Dismissed, I slid off the patchwork quilt. ‘I’ll come back later and help you get ready for bed,’ I said.
Val nodded. And then, as I reached the door, she said: ‘Perhaps you could tell me more about this Elsie, too.’
I grinned. ‘Definitely.’
Chapter 13
Elsie
1940
Thanks to Mr Gold taking me in his car, I got to the hospital early so I decided to make the most of my time and take the book round to the airmen. Because they’d all been eager to write letters to their families, I thought they would embrace the idea of writing in the notebook and I hoped their enthusiasm would rub off on the other patients. It was worth a try anyway.
So, as soon as I arrived, I hurried out to the new huts where the airmen were.
‘I’m Nurse Watson,’ I said to the Red Cross nurse who was filling in forms at the nurses’ station just by the door. She was an older woman, probably in her early fifties. I recalled her being efficient and caring on the day the airmen had arrived. ‘I helped set up the beds when the patients arrived?’
She looked up and me and smiled. ‘I remember. I’m Nurse Cassidy. Call me Judith.’
‘I’m Elsie,’ I said.
‘What can I do for you, Elsie?’
I showed her the book. ‘My friend Nelly and I wrote some letters to the families of your men who were too injured to be able to write for themselves,’ I explained.
‘I heard,’ she said with a smile. ‘That was very kind.’
‘Chatting with the men that day, and writing the letters, made us think that some of the patients might want to share memories. Or have some words written down in case of the worst. So I’ve brought a notebook for them to write in.’
‘What a lovely idea. They’ll be so pleased. And I’m pleased they’ll have something to do.’ She leaned over the desk and lowered her voice. ‘Some of them are feeling better already and between you and me, they’re beginning to get a bit cheeky. Pushing the boundaries, you know?’
That made me think about Jackson who didn’t appear to have any boundaries, and I felt a little queasy. ‘They’re not bothering you, are they?’
Judith rolled her eyes. ‘Nothing I can’t handle, bless them. They’re just boys, aren’t they? Most of them are younger than my own kids. Poor lambs.’
I felt my shoulders relax. Honestly, I’d got myself in such a tizz over Jackson when he was the same. Just a young man, coping as best he could in a strange situation.
‘Go on in,’ Judith said. ‘They’ll be pleased to see you.’
Nodding my thanks, I took my notebook and went into the ward. There was a buzz of energy there. Some of the airmen were sleeping. Others were reading, lying on top of their bedsheets. A couple were sitting on adjacent beds playing cards. I looked for Harry and was pleased when I saw him in his bed. He was sitting up but his head was resting on his pillow and his eyes were shut.
‘Hello?’ I said, hoping they’d all pay attention to me. The airmen all quietened down and looked up at me obediently and I sent silent thanks to their commanding officers who’d clearlytrained them well. Harry opened his eyes and looked at me and I felt the weight of his gaze like a warm shawl around my shoulders.
‘Hello,’ I said again. ‘It’s me again, Nurse Watson. Do you remember my friend Nurse Malone and I were here the other day, writing letters for some of you?’
‘As if we’d forget you,’ one of the men called from the end of the room. ‘I never forget a pretty face.’
‘That’s enough, Eric,’ said Judith from the desk.
I grinned. I liked these men, even if they were a bit cheeky.
