Tears of the Moon - Di Morrissey [165]
While Hamish was working at the base of the ridge, digging in a post to hold part of a line, a soldier a short way up the hill was shot from above and his body rolled down close to Hamish. Without thinking, in a burst of anger and frustration, Hamish picked up the soldier’s rifle and crawled up the ridge. He lay by a boulder for some minutes before spotting movement against the skyline. He fired, and fired again, knowing he’d got the sniper and felt an immense elation and satisfaction as he scrambled back to his duties.
‘You navy blokes aren’t supposed to fight,’ yelled an army officer, crouching and running past him, adding, ‘Good bloody shot, by the way.’
Feeling quite pleased with himself, Hamish grinned at his mate who gave him the thumbs up and waded towards their lighter which was returning for more equipment. Hamish was about to scramble aboard, when he felt a sharp pain, a searing burning sensation in his back. He cried out, as the world went black and he slipped beneath the bloodstained water.
Everyone at Shaw House had gone into shock over the news of Hamish’s death. Gilbert sat by Olivia, who refused any kind of sedative, as she talked and talked. He had no answer to her anguished questioning as to how God could be so cruel. What had she ever done to deserve such punishment? How could she go on?
Gilbert took her hand. ‘You must and you will. Hamish was so proud of what you are doing here. You’re helping others, didn’t you say among his last words to you were to look after the girls?’
Olivia nodded, but in a small voice asked, ‘Who’s going to look after me?’
‘I am, my dear. We all are. But you must help yourself, too. It’s wartime, there is so much suffering. You have been struck a cruel blow, how you deal with this is the measure of where your life will go.’
‘I don’t care what happens anymore.’
‘Olivia … that isn’t true. Listen to me. There is a young girl just arrived. She’s pregnant and her husband, lover, I’m not sure, but she apparently adored him, has been killed. Help her. In doing so you will help yourself. Trust me.’
‘Oh, Gilbert, how can I help her? I feel like telling her not to have the baby. It’s not worth the pain of one day losing your child.’
Olivia collapsed in his arms and sobbed as he held her and murmured soothing words.
When news reached Tyndall of the death of Hamish, he quietly broke the news to Ahmed and then Yoshi and Taki who spread the word amongst the men who’d known the effervescent youngster. Tyndall’s heart broke for Olivia, and he wanted to rush straight to her and comfort her but knew it was not his place. He struggled over a letter to her, trying to find the words to comfort her and make some sense of yet another loss in her life.
My dearest Olivia,
I loved him too. After losing Maya, and your Conrad, Hamish became like a son to me. His love of the sea I like to think came from our happy days in Broome. How I wish I could ease, no, take on, the pain you must be suffering. So much promise, such hope, I find it hard for God to justify taking him. But so many good young men have been taken in this ghastly mess. Be proud of him, he didn’t shirk his duty, and have faith there is some reason for all this. It hurts that I can’t be more comfort to you. But I am with you, thinking of you, and remembering such happy times … hold on to these, Olivia.
You know I will come in an instant should you need me.
Always,
Tyndall
Olivia had read the letter quickly, then stuffed it in the pocket of her skirt. Several times during the day she took it out and re-read it then resolutely put it away. The passion and deep caring that jumped off the page touched her deeply. She realised that others had loved Hamish too, that he had touched other lives. Memories came … of the boy riding on Ahmed’s shoulders, trying on Yoshi’s copper helmet, standing by the wheel with Tyndall. The shared memories of Hamish somehow helped keep him alive in more than her own heart and made her feel a little better.
Gilbert’s patient understanding and wise advice penetrated the shroud of