Page 101 of The Last Night in London
Eva nodded, but only so Precious would stop talking. Stop looking at her with pity. She hated to be pitied. She was meant to be envied.
Sophia made a small strangled sound in her throat, and the three of them turned to the entrance of the Palm Court. David stood there, dark and morose, his hat in his hands, his gaze moving about the room until it settled on their table. He greeted them somberly, kissing his wife on the cheek before pulling out the fourth chair and joining them.
“What is it, David? Is there news of Graham?” Sophia’s voice was steady, belying the trembling in her fingers.
He nodded, just once. “I’m afraid it’s not good.”
They remained seated, as if this were no more than a passing conversation. David placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder. Preciousreached for Eva’s hand and held it tightly while Sophia looked stoically at her husband.
“This is premature, you understand,” David said quietly. “We won’t receive confirmation until tomorrow, and the public...” He looked down at his feet, embarrassed. “The War Office will decide how much to release to the press and when to release it.”
“Please, David. What is it?” Sophia did her best to put on her brave face, but her lower lip trembled.
“Graham and two other Spitfire pilots in his squadron were in a dogfight with a Messerschmitt over the Channel last evening.” David paused, collected himself. Cleared his throat. “Witnesses saw Graham take a hit. His plane caught fire. He jettisoned the canopy in time, and his parachute was seen hitting the water. A British vessel rescued him from the burning wreckage, and he’s being transported to hospital. There has been no confirming information, but his injuries are reported to be quite severe. Queen Victoria Hospital, where he’s being sent, is the absolute best for burns. I made inquiries and have been assured there is no better place for him to recuperate.”
Sophia remained ramrod straight in her chair, the only sign of her distress the handkerchief pressed to her mouth. “Does Mother know?”
David shook his head.
“Good. Let us allow her a few more hours of peace, shall we?” She focused on the plate in front of her. “I’ll have to take the train up to Surrey so I can tell Mother in person. I don’t have enough ration coupons for petrol and besides, our chauffeur has left us for the army, so it will have to be the train,” she said matter-of-factly. “Mother won’t want Father to know. It could kill him.”
A delicate frown marred her face as she looked up at David. “I should go to Graham—he’ll need someone. They do say that patients heal sooner if surrounded by loved ones.”
David gave his wife such a tender smile that Eva had to look away. “Darling, I understand, but is that wise in your condition?”
Sophia blushed prettily, avoiding looking at her table companions. She had already lost two pregnancies, and her doctor had givenher strict orders not to exert herself. She’d cut back her hours with the WVS without telling Eva why, and Eva had been too distracted to guess.
“I’ll go,” Eva said without hesitation. “I can put to use all of my good training with the WVS, wrapping wounds and such. I can be useful.” She almost bit her tongue on that last word.
Both Sophia and David looked at her with alarm. David spoke first. “That’s very generous of you, Eva, but considering... Well, I don’t think he’d welcome your presence right now. It might even hinder his healing.”
Sophia nodded, her face strained. “I’m afraid David’s right, Eva. I know your heart hurts as much as ours do, but we have to think about what’s best for Graham. You do understand, don’t you?”
Eva wanted to argue, to tell them that she loved him, that surely her love would be healing. But he’d been in London a week ago and hadn’t wanted to see her. If she continued to press, they would undoubtedly remind her of that, and another piece of her heart would break off, and that would surely kill her.
“Then I should go,” Precious said.
“No,” Eva said, not thinking of how it might sound, glad for the whisky to blunt the sharp edges. She shook her head to emphasize the one word, the world spinning around her. She understood why they were saying she shouldn’t be the one to go, yet she couldn’t even voice the reasons why she didn’t want Precious to go.
Precious spoke with a soothing tone, as if to a child. “Graham considers me a friend, and I’d be a familiar face. I’ve learned how to bandage wounds alongside you and Sophia, and I’m not squeamish. I might be able to help him get better sooner so that he can return to you.”
Eva had stopped shaking her head, realizing that neither Sophia nor David was going to agree on her behalf.
Precious continued. “You can fill in for me at Lushtak’s, Eva, since we wear the same size. Madame is quite patriotic and will do whatever we ask if it’s to help the war cause, right?”
Eva forced her head to nod, afraid that if she moved it more than that, it might shatter.
Sophia smiled tentatively. “That’s very generous of you, Precious, but...”
“I know it’s not ideal—you or Eva would be much better at this than I am. But that’s just not possible right now. Please, let me help. You have been so kind to me. Please, let me do this for you. Please.”
Her gaze moved among Sophia, David, and Eva. As if Eva had any say at all.
“We’ll have to arrange transportation and accommodation, get permission and that sort of thing... ,” David began.
“Which you will take care of. It’s what you do best.” Sophia smiled at her husband, softening her words. “It’s settled, then. I’ll go shopping for a few things I know he likes....”
“May I?” Eva asked. “May I do that one thing so that I’m left not feeling quite so helpless?”
