Page 22 of The Girls of Pearl Harbor
‘Good for you,’ Eva said. ‘I love nursing, so I’ll probably do the same. Charlie and I are in no hurry to have children, not yet anyway.’
They sat, the breeze warm, the ocean’s gentle roar almost drowned out by the music drifting from the house. April tipped her head back and gazed up at the bright stars, wondering where she’d be in a year or even a decade.Wouldshe have children? Would she ever hear someone call her Doctor Bellamy instead of simply shouting ‘Nurse’? The fire inside of her to go to medical school, to fight for her right to join the medical profession, had progressed from a slow simmer to a boil under the surface now, and she only wished she had the nerve to discuss it with someone other than Grace.If you’re up there, Mom, keep us safe. I need you more than I’ve ever needed you.
When she sat back up again, Grace was watching her. And she wondered if her sister was thinking about their mom too.
‘Did you girls hear that they’re looking for nurses to transfer to the maternity ward?’ Poppy asked. ‘It would be nice delivering babies, don’t you think?’
‘I heard one of the nurses laughing, saying how lucky we were, being on a holiday-style tour of duty at the taxpayers’ expense,’ said Grace. ‘Honestly, how luckyarewe? Imagine if we get to vacation here fortwo years. Delivering babies would be fine if it means we get to stay!’
‘It’s a fun-in-the-sun vacation like no other,’ added Eva with a laugh. ‘It honestly doesn’t get any better than this, and I’ve been here much longer than you all have. It’s paradise every day.’
April stayed quiet, happy to listen to their chatter as she continued to stargaze. Itwasa vacation like no other, but she had this feeling, a whisper against the back of her neck that made the tiny hairs stand on end, that it was all too good to be true.
‘Do you want to go swimming tomorrow? I heard that the turtles are incredible, and the snorkeling is the best in the world,’ Poppy said. ‘You wear this big mask thing that covers your eyes and your nose, and you breathe through a tube. It looks ridiculous, but it’s supposed to be amazing.’
‘Yes!’ Grace enthused. ‘Does everyone have Sunday afternoon off?’
‘April?’ Eva asked.
April looked at her friends, smiling, wondering how long it had taken them to realize she was a million miles away. ‘Sounds great. Count me in.’
She was mildly terrified of the ocean, but she wasn’t about to say no to snorkeling in such beautiful water. She only wished she could ignore her instincts and just enjoy being posted to paradise, instead of constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.
‘Come on—let’s go dance! There’s too many gorgeous men in there for you all to be sitting out here,’ Poppy announced, leaping to her feet and holding out a hand to first Grace, then April. April turned and offered her hand to Eva, and they all followed Poppy inside. The music changed and April smiled, happily accepting a young officer’s hand when he offered it the moment she walked inside.
Poppy was right: it was too good a night to be sitting outside. She happily twirled, seeing Grace dancing nearby. What was it their mother had always said? April smiled as the words filled her head.Always make hay while the sun is shining, darling.
‘Another dance?’ the officer asked when a new song started.
She smiled and clasped his hand. ‘Absolutely.’
CHAPTER FIVE
GRACE
Grace stretched and slowly opened her eyes, wishing she could stay snuggled beneath the covers for longer. She smiled to herself as she remembered the night before, dancing and singing until late. Eva had had to leave earlier to get back to her boat, but the rest of them had stayed until the officers’ club was closed, then strolled back to their barracks in the dark with only the moon to light the way. April had gotten on her nerves to start with, but in the end they’d all had fun, and she couldn’t wait to go snorkeling and see the giant turtles everyone was talking about.
‘Do you hear that?’
Grace sat up and glanced across at her sister. Her bed was one over from hers, and she noticed that the bed in between, Poppy’s bed, was already empty. In typical Poppy fashion, she’d left it crumpled, which meant either they’d have to make it for her, or she’d be in big trouble if there was an inspection.
‘It’s like a rumble.’
Grace listened, wondering if she was imagining it, but April was right. There was a distinct drone, a rumble or vibration, that appeared to be coming closer. Her sister had driven her mad the night before, knowing exactly how to rile her by acting as if she was always the selfish, immature one of the two of them, but staring at April’s bright-blue eyes, open wide in worry, Grace couldn’t hold the grudge for long.
‘Quickly, let’s get dressed and go see,’ Grace said. She jumped out of bed, certain the noise was getting louder. She hastily dressed and noticed some of the other girls were waking too.
The clock on the wall said 7:52 a.m., but she knew why so many of the others were still tucked beneath their covers. Only those with a shift would have risen early, which was why it was so unusual that Poppy was out of bed so early on a Sunday.
April grabbed her hand when the hum of noise became more of a roar, and they both ran for the door.
‘Have you seen Poppy?’ April asked as they passed another nurse.
‘Out there,’ the nurse said. ‘There’s been a little puppy tearing around on the grass, and Poppy’s decided to save it.’
Grace grinned. Typical. Poppy loved animals, which meant there was no way she’d let a stray puppy run loose without taking care of it.
‘Did you hear that noise, though?’ Grace asked.
