Page 90 of The Secrets We Left Behind
“No, but my friend Jack, the one who came up before me, he needs to see a surgeon. He has internal injuries and—”
“Ma’am, he’s already on his way to see the doctor. I’m sure you’re in shock from seeing his wound, but—”
“I’m a nurse,” she said. “I was left behind during the evacuation of Dunkirk.”
“Cate?”
She heard her name being called, and she spun around, not able to tell where it had come from. Was she hallucinating?
“Oh my God,Cate!”
Someone pushed through the gathered orderlies, and as Cate’s feet gave way, as everything she’d been through suddenly caught up with her, she collapsed into warm, familiar arms.
“I’m here,” a woman’s voice soothed. “I knew you’d make it.”
“Lilly?” she croaked.How can it be Lilly?
“Did you truly think I was going to leave you behind? I’ve been searching for you ever since we parted.” Lilly kissed her cheek. “You have no idea how good it is to see you again!”
Cate started to laugh then, shutting her eyes as Lilly’s warm arms embraced her. “I must be dreaming. This can’t be real. You’re can’t really be here.”
“Let’s get you to a doctor for a check-over, just in case,” Lilly said.
“Don’t let them take my dog,” she whispered. “You have to keep him safe. You can’t let anyone hurt him.”
Lilly didn’t miss a beat, and when Cate opened her eyes, as orderlies lifted her on to a stretcher, she saw that Oscar was nestled in Lilly’s arms.
“I promise, he’s safe,” Lilly said. “And so are you.”
Cate couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer, and as blackness swirled around her as she finally gave in to her exhaustion, all she could think of was home.
We’re almost there, Jack. We’re almost home.
“Cate, are you awake?”
Cate blinked, her eyes adjusting to the light. She moved her fingers and found they were being held, and when she looked she saw that Lilly’s warm palm was pressed to hers.
“I thought it was all a dream,” she said. “But you’re really here, aren’t you?”
Lilly smiled. “I’m really here, and so are you.”
Cate looked around, sitting up as she searched the room. “Where’s Oscar? Where’s my dog? Lilly, I—”
“Oscar is fine,” said Lilly, her hands on Cate’s shoulders as she gently pressed her back down. “He’s in my room tucked up in my bed, so he’s perfectly fine for a while.”
Cate’s heartbeat started to settle, and she was grateful that Lilly kept her hands on her shoulders a while longer, the touch alone helping her to calm.
“And Jack?” she asked, trying not to sound too eager for information, despite the dull ache inside her at just thinking about what might have happened to him.
“Jack’s fine too,” Lilly said. “He’s had surgery already, and he’s expected to make a full recovery.”
Cate shut her eyes again, breathing deeply as she thought about him. It was a miracle he’d survived after everything he’d endured, and she only hoped that this time, he’d be able to rest and recuperate.
“How did you make it, Lilly? How did you end up here?”
Lilly sighed and sat on the bed, and when Cate shuffled over, Lilly lay down beside her, their heads together on the pillow as Cate reached for her hand.
“I was going to say that it’s a long story, but it appears we have plenty of time.”
