Princess Elizabeth's Spy(18)
“Then that, my dear, is what you have to hold on to. That your young man’s alive and he’ll send word. Maybe not today. Or tomorrow. But that he will.”
Mrs. Forester stared through the window, a distant look on her face. “It’s what I did. When I got the phone call about my Bernie.”
Maggie wiped again and looked up.
“My husband. The Great War. He was a pilot. Plane went down over France. He was missing too.”
“And—did he come home?”
There was a pause as the question hung in the air. “No, dear,” Mrs. Forester said. “But I felt it was my sacred duty to hold on to hope for as long as possible.
“Now, I want you to go and wash your face with cold water. And then come to the kitchen and I’ll make us both a nice cup of tea. You’ve got a long journey ahead of you and you won’t be any good to anyone if you don’t keep your strength up.”
When Maggie made no effort to move, Mrs. Forester stood up and grasped Maggie’s hand, pulling the young woman to her feet. “One foot in front of the other, dear. That’s how all journeys start. Go upstairs. Go.”
As Maggie, zombie-like, made her way up the stairs, she heard Mrs. Forester mutter to herself, “And this is why we didn’t want this damned war.”
Maggie heard the front door open and footsteps in the hall. “David?” she called, suddenly wary.
“Just me,” she heard.
Maggie sprang to her feet. “Chuck!” For those low gruff tones could belong only to Charlotte McCaffrey, known to all as Chuck. She ran to the tall, broad-shouldered woman and gave her a big hug.
“Maggie!” Chuck’s strong features were rendered something close to beautiful with her smile. “Wasn’t expecting you tonight! But I’m glad to see you.” She slipped off her low-heeled oxfords and sank into the sofa, sprawling in her inimitable Chuck-like way. Maggie studied her, for she hadn’t seen her since the end of the summer. Same chestnut hair, same thick, dark eyelashes, same sturdy build. It was good to see her.
“Long shift?” Maggie asked. Chuck was a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
She stretched and yawned. “Endless.”
“David and I already ate, but there are leftovers, if you’re hungry. Can I warm something up for you?”
“Thanks, but I already ate at the hospital. Though what passes for food there just might get us admitted as patients. So, I know you can’t tell me much.…” Chuck began.
“Anything, really.”
“And that’s fine. I just need to know one thing.”
“Yes?”
“Can you get away right after the new year? Come to Leeds?” Leeds was Chuck’s hometown.
Maggie considered. “I don’t know where I’ll be yet.…” Then she caught the unmistakable look of joy and excitement in her friend’s eyes. “What’s happening in Leeds?” she asked, her smile growing, for she knew the answer.
“The wedding! Nigel and I finally set a date!”
“That’s wonderful, Chuck,” Maggie said, taking her friend’s hand. “I’m truly, truly happy for you and Nigel. And you know I’ll move heaven and earth to be there.” Maggie tried her best to focus on Chuck and Nigel’s happiness, and not on thoughts of John.
“Oh, am I being terribly rude? You know me—I’m such a tactless oaf. I didn’t even ask you about John.”
“Nothing new,” Maggie said, fighting back sudden tears.
“They’ll find him.” Chuck patted Maggie’s hand.
“Of course.” Maggie rubbed a fist over her eyes. “Now, let’s talk wedding.”
Chuck groaned. “You know I loathe all that girly-girl frippery. Not that there’s any to be had, with the rationing. I thought I’d just make over one of my dresses.”
“But there are readings to choose, flowers, saving sugar rations for wedding cake.…”
Chuck looked serious. “Maggie, would you be my bridesmaid?”
“Of course!” she said, thrilled.
“I want you and Sarah to be there with me, at the altar. We’ve already been through so much together.…”
“Of course I’ll be your bridesmaid, Chuck. I’m honored.” This is when I would have asked Chuck to be my bridesmaid, if only …
“If it’s too hard, you know, with John … missing …”
“Chuck,” Maggie said, looking her straight in the eyes. “I’m so happy for you and Nigel—you two are perfect for each other and deserve your happily ever after. I’d be delighted to be part of the wedding party.”