Page 46 of The London Girls
Her hands were shaking and she reached for the bags she’d dropped at her feet, wanting to get as far away from him as she could, as quickly as possible.
‘One of my most dedicated Wrens, although perhaps a little overeager,’ he boasted to his wife, his arm still around her waist. ‘It’ll be dark soon, would you like Fred to drive you home? I do appreciate you coming all this way, although it was entirely unnecessary.’
Ava wanted to say no, that she didn’t want anything else from him, but she was so tired and sore, she decided to forfeit her pride and just say yes. What did it matter if she took the ride? It wouldn’t make her humiliation any less, or lessen the sting of seeing his wife in the flesh.How could I have fallen for his lies?
‘That would be very much appreciated,’ she managed, before forcing a smile at his wife, despite her humiliation. ‘Nice to meet you.’
‘Let me walk you to the car, and I’ll let Fred know.’
The general picked up her suitcase, snatching it from her hand, and she felt that at any second he might grab hold of her ear and march her the rest of the way, as if she’d behaved like an insolent child and deserved punishment. But he didn’t need to touch her to break her heart.
‘Don’t youevercome here without being invitedeveragain,’ he hissed.
She blinked at him, wondering how she’d never seen this side of him before. Is this how her mother had felt about her father, when after so much kindness she’d discovered he was actually a beast?
‘But you said you were leaving her?’ she whispered. ‘You said you loved me. I don’t understand!’
‘I thoughtyouunderstood what our relationship was,’ he muttered. ‘Now get in the car before you embarrass both of us.’
He opened the door for her and as good as shoved her in the car, as tears began to stream down her cheeks, as she opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words.He was never going to leave his wife. He just played me for the fool to get me in his bed.
He slammed the door before giving Fred instructions through the front window, as Ava fought against her tears and let only one escape.
That was the last time a man was ever going to make a fool of her. From now on, she was going to learn to look after herself, and no man was ever going to control her life or tell her what to do.
Thankfully Olivia had given her the address for her flat, and Ava recited it to Fred, relieved when he finally pulled up outside. She carried her own bags, walking up two flights of stairs before knocking, her knees trembling as she waited.
When this door opened, it was Olivia who answered, her face breaking into a smile when she saw who it was, which made Ava promptly burst into tears. Music was playing from inside, and as Vera Lynn sung ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square’, it only made her sob all the more.
‘Sweetheart, what’s wrong?’
‘My father kicked me out and the general isn’t leaving his wife for me!’ she cried. ‘Everything was a lie, our entire relationship.’
‘Come here,’ Olivia said, giving her a big hug.
‘Please don’t say you told me so. I know what a fool I’ve made of myself.’
‘I wasn’t going to,’ Olivia said kindly. ‘Now, let’s dry those tears and get you inside.’
There were two other girls in the living room, lying on the sofa smoking, and another girl walked out of a bedroom, her hair in rollers. But bless them, none of them said a thing at her bedraggled appearance and tear-streaked face, other than to offer her a cup of tea and make room for her on the sofa.
‘I’m going in for my shift soon, so you can sleep in my bed until I’m home, all right?’
Ava nodded, her hand shaking when the kind girl brought her tea.
‘Everyone, this is Ava,’ Olivia said. ‘Ava, this is Cathy, Lizzy and Charlotte.’
She nodded to everyone, setting her tea down to take off her coat. It felt like it was stuck to her shoulder now, and Olivia didn’t miss her grimace.
‘What on earth?’ she gasped when Ava showed her.
‘I fell off my bike,’ she whispered, as more tears gathered in her eyes.
Olivia gave her the kindest smile and waved one of the other girls over, as Ava sat back and shut her eyes, so exhausted she barely knew how she’d even make it to bed. But best of all, Olivia didn’t ask her to explain herself, and for that she was eternally grateful.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
OLIVIA
