Sam
Fitz didn’t need to read the letter again to know what she had to do. She jumped up from the bench and dashed back down to the airfield, where she found Bob.
‘Back so soon,’ he said, not seeming the least bit surprised to see her.
‘I need a favour,’ said Fitz.
‘I’m just finishing my shift. Ask away.’
Ten minutes later, Fitz was on the back of Bob’s motorbike as they sped up towards Goodwood House.
Fitz practically launched herself off the motorbike before it had come to a halt outside the country mansion. Built in the 1600s, Goodwood House was an impressive building. The main footprint was set out like three sides of a pentagon. Two round towers with green lead-domed rooftops, shouldered each end of the building, with two more identical towers in between. The entrance consisted of six stone pillars on the ground floor and six more directly above on the balcony, which overlooked the front of the mansion. The symmetry of the building was perfection and established ivy covered the frontage, cut back around the twelve rectangular windows.
Fitz managed to stop herself from charging through the main entrance and curtailed her arrival to a brisk walk. ‘I’ve come to see Flying Officer Sam Carter,’ she said somewhat breathlessly in the reception hallway.
The nurse looked a little surprised to see Fitz. ‘It’s quite late in the day. There’s only ten minutes of visiting time left.’
‘Please, I need to see him,’ said Fitz. She smiled to hide the impatience and desperation that was bubbling just below the surface. Not to mention the dread. She had no idea how Sam would react to seeing her. Especially not after what she’d said to him the last time she saw him.
With obvious reluctance, the nurse rose from her seat. ‘What name is it? I’ll have to ask him first.’
‘Just say it’s Fitz.’
The nurse raised her eyebrows but made no comment and headed across the black and white tiled hallway, disappearing down a corridor. Fitz wanted to shout at her to hurry up, but again, managed to control her emotions.
Eventually, the nurse returned. ‘I’m sorry but he doesn’t want to see you.’
‘Pardon?’ That couldn’t be right. That’s not what was supposed to happen.
‘I’m sorry,’ said the nurse.
‘What exactly did he say?’ asked Fitz.
For the first time, the nurse looked sympathetic as she answered. ‘He said you should stay with the squadron leader, at least he could walk down the aisle with you.’
‘He’s a fool,’ said Fitz angrily, tears stinging her eyes.
‘We at least agree on that,’ replied the nurse. ‘Now, you really need to leave. Visiting times are over.’
‘No, you don’t understand. I need to see him,’ said Fitz, panic racing through her. ‘I have to see him.’
‘I can’t allow that.’
‘Please.’ She’d beg if she had to. ‘I only need five minutes.’
‘I’m afraid I’m going to insist that you leave,’ replied the nurse, any sympathy she’d exhibited before having now vanished.
A hand touched Fitz on the arm. She spun around. It was Bob. ‘Come on, Fitz,’ he said gently.
‘But I haven’t seen Sam. I need to speak to him.’ Fitz blinked hard as the tears gathered in her eyes. Surely Bob would understand. ‘Tell her, Bob. Tell her I need to see Sam.’
‘Fitz,’ said Bob. ‘Come on.’ He shepherded her out of the building where she reluctantly took the crash helmet from him and climbed onto the back of the bike.
‘Would you mind taking me up to Bignor, please?’ asked Fitz, trying to cling to the last piece of dignity she had left.
‘No problem.’
By the time they reached the Bertrams’ house, Fitz had pulled herself together, at least outwardly. Inwardly, she was a wreck and didn’t know how she was going to make it through the rest of the day without crumbling.
