Across the Mersey - Annie Groves [92]
‘Heard as how one poor lad has lost both his legs,’ said old Mr Whitehead, in a wheezy whisper.
Grace’s hand shook slightly as she filled his water glass.
There had been several occasions since she had come on the ward, when the things she had seen – and smelled – had made her stomach heave, but the thought of some poor young man losing his limbs still shocked her.
It was a relief in many ways to be told not to go near the small side wards, although Grace couldn’t help but notice the number of white-coated doctors and surgeons coming on to the ward to see the new patients.
By dinnertime Grace was more than ready for a break. It was her half-day off, and she’d promised to meet Teddy after she’d had her dinner, but since she was starting ‘nights’ from seven o’clock, she had decided against doing anything other than snatching a bit of fresh air and some much-needed ‘extra’ sleep.
Nurses weren’t allowed to leave the hospital grounds wearing their uniform, but since she would be seeing Teddy in the hospital grounds Grace had not bothered to get changed. Huddling into her cloak, she made her way carefully across the icy yard to where Teddy had parked his ambulance, her breath coming in white puffs on the frosty air.
Teddy had obviously been on the look-out for her because he opened the door and climbed out of the cab, coming to meet her, rubbing his hands and then blowing on them to ward off the cold.
‘It’s soooo cold,’ Grace complained, her smile turning to a concerned frown when Teddy started to cough.
‘It’s all right, it’s just the cold air getting on me chest,’ he reassured her.
‘I can’t stay long,’ Grace told him. ‘I start nights tonight.’
‘You’ll have them poor sods that came off that convoy on your ward. One of the lads was telling us about them this morning. In a bad way, they are, by all accounts. Makes my blood boil when daft folk complain about a bit of rationing. They’d sing a different song if it were their kin wot was sailing with the convoys.’
‘I don’t think people always understand – about the rationing, I mean.’
Teddy smiled at her. ‘That’s typical of you, Grace; you never want to think badly of anyone. Well, one day you’re going to have to if ruddy Hitler gets his way.’ He gave a frustrated sigh. ‘It really narks me, not being allowed to join up and do me bit.’
‘But you are doing your bit, Teddy,’ Grace protested. ‘My dad says that one of the biggest mistakes they made in the last war was making all the young men enlist and that’s why this time they’ve said that there’s got to be reserved occupations.’
She could see that Teddy wasn’t looking convinced. Grace shivered. Although she tried not to worry, sometimes it was hard not to feel afraid when other people were talking about how things would be if Hitler invaded and took over the country.
‘Is your Luke still writing to that flighty piece from your set?’ Teddy asked her abruptly.
Grace had been surprised when Luke had told her in one of his letters that he was writing regularly to Lillian, especially when Lillian herself hadn’t said anything to Grace about it.
‘Told you so,’ had been Hannah’s comment when Grace had confided in her. ‘It won’t last, mind, at least not on her part, not once she gets that doctor she’s wanting in her sights. She’ll drop your brother like a hot potato then, just you wait and see.’
‘Yes, I think so,’ Grace told Teddy. ‘Why?’
‘I saw her going into Lyons with a chap the other day when I was driving past, that’s all.’
‘He was probably just a friend,’ Grace felt bound to defend the other girl. ‘And anyway, she and Luke are only writing to one another, nothing more.’
‘Some chaps place a lot of store on that kind of thing.’
What was Teddy trying to say? Grace looked at him uncertainly.
‘She can’t be serious about anyone, not with us all only just starting out on our training. None of us can,’ she reminded Teddy.
‘You’d better get back if you want a couple of hours’ sleep before you start on nights,’ he warned her, looking significantly at his watch.
‘Oh heavens, you’re right.’ Grace reached