Page 92 of The London Girls
‘I keep thinking about their wedding day,’ Florence said. ‘The way Leo looked at her, it just made me feel, for a day at least, thatperhaps there was something to hope for. That there was life after the war.’
‘And yet here we are,’ Ava said with a sigh. ‘Still in the thick of it.’
Florence placed her flowers and took a step back so Ava could do the same. It took her a moment to realise what Ava was putting down, but then she saw it was a piece of paper. Ava obviously noticed the quizzical look on her face.
‘It’s the letter we found in her pocket,’ she said. ‘I’ve kept it ever since you gave it to me to read at the hospital that day, and I wanted Olivia to finally have it. Does that seem silly?’
‘No,’ Florence said, ‘it doesn’t seem silly at all.’
‘It’s hard to believe how many dispatch riders we’ve lost since Olivia passed,’ Ava said, as they started to walk away from the graveside and into a patch of sunlight, where there was a break in the trees that had been shading them. ‘We’re up to almost ninety women across England. Ninety families who’ve lost a daughter, sister or wife. It’s almost impossible to fathom.’
Florence turned the number over in her mind. Itwashard to fathom, Ava was right.
‘Do you think it will be over soon? What have you been hearing lately?’ Florence asked. ‘I mean, it feels like things are changing, that the tide is turning somewhat in the Allies’ favour, but who knows what to believe?’
‘I hope so,’ Ava replied. ‘But then if you’d asked me a year ago, I’d have thought it would be over by now, so perhaps it’s simply wishful thinking on my behalf.’
‘Are you still riding often?’ Florence asked as they sat on the grass. She tucked her legs to the side and absently plucked at a stalk of grass. Now that Ava didn’t live with her, they didn’t see one another as often, and she missed her terribly sometimes. It hadbeen like having a sister again when she’d had Ava and then Olivia living with her.
‘I still ride the route to Plymouth – it’s become a standing joke that no one else can ride it as efficiently as I can – but I’m spending most days training our new recruits and keeping everyone on their toes.’
‘I’m sure you’re keeping George on his toes, too,’ Florence teased.
‘George,’ Ava said with a sigh. ‘Who’d have thought the man I needed in my life was right there beneath my nose all that time. I laugh sometimes at how often I told you both he was most definitelynotmy type.’
They both laughed.
‘You know, Olivia always suspected he was the one for you.’
‘She did.’ Ava smiled. ‘She was so good for me. Without her, I don’t think I’d have become half the woman I am today.’
‘Do you often think of her?’ Florence asked. ‘When you’re riding that route?’
‘Every time,’ Ava whispered, and Florence saw tears glistening in her eyes. ‘Sometimes I talk to her, sometimes I just think about her and wish we could have one last night together, just the three of us. Or one more Christmas all together at your grandmother’s house. Other times, I’m just too sad to think about her at all.’
Florence nodded. ‘I can still see it in my head like it was yesterday, and I hate that I keep seeing her like that.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Ava said, shaking her head and reaching for Florence’s hand. ‘I’m so sorry you can’t see her like I can. You were right not to let me see her that day, I only wish you weren’t carrying that burden alone.’
Florence inhaled and looked up at the sky. ‘Talking to you, it’s helping bring back some other memories. Nicer memories, the ones I should be trying harder to remember.’
‘How’s your grandmother?’ Ava asked.
‘She’s actually not very well,’ Florence said. ‘She won’t admit it but her health isn’t the best, and to be honest I don’t know how much longer I’ll have her.’
‘She might surprise you; she’s tough as nails,’ Ava said, smiling. ‘Can I come and see her? I feel terrible, it’s been weeks now since I’ve been to visit.’
‘She’d love that. Truly she would.’ Florence smiled. ‘According to her, all she needs is a few days’ rest and she’ll be as good as new. Ever the optimist, my grandmother.’
Ava laughed, but Florence could tell there was something on her mind, especially when she reached for her hand again.
‘And the children’s house?’ Ava asked, her eyes bright. ‘How is that coming along?’
‘It’s wonderful,’ Florence said. ‘I wish I had more time to spend there, but after the war I’m going to follow through with Olivia’s wishes and try my hand at teaching. It feels like the right thing to do, especially when it helped me through such a difficult time myself.’
‘You’ll make a wonderful teacher,’ Ava said.
‘Well, I love children, so let’s hope that’s a good start.’
