gets to bed. Someone has to go to Mere tomorrow for a fresh supply of drugs, so perhaps Iâll send her. At least it will be a day away from the wards.â
She didnât want to worry her husband, but she was sure it was more than just tiredness; she suspected Helen was in love. Sheâd noticed a change in her ever since Adam Woodley, the young soldier Helen had become so attached to, had left Bulpitts. Since then, Helen had spent every day on the wards, refusing to take any time off. It was almost as if she was afraid to be away from the place.
Her behaviour was different, too. Although she laughed and joked with the patients and nurses it was only in a very superficial way. Her air of reserve was like a protective shield that divided her from everyone around her.
Helen accepted, with alacrity the suggestion that she should collect the medical supplies. There was always the chance that, since the Guards HQ was in Mere, she might get some news of Adam. It was now five weeks since their memorable day at Fordswater, and she hadnât seen him once since then. She didnât understand it. Surely he couldnât have just dismissed it from his mind?
âWeâd better go, I donât want to miss the duty truck,â she said, pushing her plate to one side.
âFinish your breakfast. Thereâs plenty of time,â her mother told her.
âIâve had all I want.â
âThatâs your bacon ration for the week ⦠surely youâre not going to waste it!â Dr Price exclaimed.
âSorry, I just donât feel like it.â
âYou do look rather washed-out,â her mother said. âThe change will do you good. Donât rush back, have a look round the shops.â
âAll four of them?â Helen said scornfully.
âYou still have those coupons Donald left you,â her mother went on.
âWell, Iâm not likely to find very much in Mere to spend them on, now am I?â
âNo, youâre probably right!â Mrs Price laughed. âWeâll both have to take a day off and go to Salisbury or Bath.â
âIâm not in the mood for buying clothes,â Helen said gloomily.
âThen you must be ill,â her father said in alarm.
âWeâll have to fit in a shopping trip before you go to university,â Mrs Price persisted. âIâm sure none of your winter stuff will fit you.â
âI havenât grown all that much,â Helen muttered.
âNo, but you have put on some weight,â her father said sharply. âAnyway a shopping trip will do your mother good, and get her away from that hospital for a bit.â
âOK, but not today,â Helen said quickly as she pushed back her chair and began to clear the table.
âNo, of course not. Today, itâs Mere for you and Bulpitts for me,â Mrs Price said briskly.
The small grey-stone town was packed with soldiers and, after she had collected the medical supplies, Helen plucked up courage and went along to the Company HQ to see what she could find out about Adam Woodley.
âSpecial friend, was he?â the burly RSM asked her with a leering grin.
âJust someone I knew,â she said nervously. âI thought you might be able to tell me where heâs been posted.â
âI can find out from Records ⦠if itâs important.â
She sat reading some out-of-date magazines until he came back. âAfraid heâs on special duties,â he said impassively. âHe should be back in about two weeks time ⦠thatâs if weâre still here.â
She stared at him in dismay, then, seeing the avid curiosity on his florid face, pulled herself together.
âThank you. Youâve been very helpful.â
âAnytime!â He grinned knowingly. âSure thereâs no message you want to leave for him?â
As Helen ticked off the days to Adamâs return her worst fears were realised. At night,
She didnât want to worry her husband, but she was sure it was more than just tiredness; she suspected Helen was in love. Sheâd noticed a change in her ever since Adam Woodley, the young soldier Helen had become so attached to, had left Bulpitts. Since then, Helen had spent every day on the wards, refusing to take any time off. It was almost as if she was afraid to be away from the place.
Her behaviour was different, too. Although she laughed and joked with the patients and nurses it was only in a very superficial way. Her air of reserve was like a protective shield that divided her from everyone around her.
Helen accepted, with alacrity the suggestion that she should collect the medical supplies. There was always the chance that, since the Guards HQ was in Mere, she might get some news of Adam. It was now five weeks since their memorable day at Fordswater, and she hadnât seen him once since then. She didnât understand it. Surely he couldnât have just dismissed it from his mind?
âWeâd better go, I donât want to miss the duty truck,â she said, pushing her plate to one side.
âFinish your breakfast. Thereâs plenty of time,â her mother told her.
âIâve had all I want.â
âThatâs your bacon ration for the week ⦠surely youâre not going to waste it!â Dr Price exclaimed.
âSorry, I just donât feel like it.â
âYou do look rather washed-out,â her mother said. âThe change will do you good. Donât rush back, have a look round the shops.â
âAll four of them?â Helen said scornfully.
âYou still have those coupons Donald left you,â her mother went on.
âWell, Iâm not likely to find very much in Mere to spend them on, now am I?â
âNo, youâre probably right!â Mrs Price laughed. âWeâll both have to take a day off and go to Salisbury or Bath.â
âIâm not in the mood for buying clothes,â Helen said gloomily.
âThen you must be ill,â her father said in alarm.
âWeâll have to fit in a shopping trip before you go to university,â Mrs Price persisted. âIâm sure none of your winter stuff will fit you.â
âI havenât grown all that much,â Helen muttered.
âNo, but you have put on some weight,â her father said sharply. âAnyway a shopping trip will do your mother good, and get her away from that hospital for a bit.â
âOK, but not today,â Helen said quickly as she pushed back her chair and began to clear the table.
âNo, of course not. Today, itâs Mere for you and Bulpitts for me,â Mrs Price said briskly.
The small grey-stone town was packed with soldiers and, after she had collected the medical supplies, Helen plucked up courage and went along to the Company HQ to see what she could find out about Adam Woodley.
âSpecial friend, was he?â the burly RSM asked her with a leering grin.
âJust someone I knew,â she said nervously. âI thought you might be able to tell me where heâs been posted.â
âI can find out from Records ⦠if itâs important.â
She sat reading some out-of-date magazines until he came back. âAfraid heâs on special duties,â he said impassively. âHe should be back in about two weeks time ⦠thatâs if weâre still here.â
She stared at him in dismay, then, seeing the avid curiosity on his florid face, pulled herself together.
âThank you. Youâve been very helpful.â
âAnytime!â He grinned knowingly. âSure thereâs no message you want to leave for him?â
As Helen ticked off the days to Adamâs return her worst fears were realised. At night,
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