The Air Raid Book Club(81)
Gertie did as she was told. She knew Margery was right, and yet she felt the responsibility for Hedy yoke-like on her shoulders. She cast her mind back to when she had contracted scarlet fever as a child. Her parents never told her, of course, but Jack was quick to report, with ghoulish eyes, that he had heard their mother crying because she’d nearly died. Gertie remembered Lilian reading Little Women to her while she recuperated. For a week, they had escaped into the world of the March family. They feasted on their theatrical capers, gasped when Jo cut her hair, and held their breath when Amy fell through the ice. When they reached the part where Beth died, Lilian wrapped her arms around her daughter as they both sobbed.
“But why did Marmee let Beth go to that house with the sick children?” Gertie had wailed.
Lilian reached over to wipe Gertie’s eyes with a handkerchief. “Mothers do all they can to protect their children, but you can’t always see what’s coming. You can only do what you think is best at the time.”
Gertie nodded, leaning against her mother’s warm, soft body. “I’m all right now, Mama. You don’t have to worry anymore. I’m all better.”
Lilian had folded her daughter into her arms and held her close, weeping silent tears. Only now did Gertie truly understand how her mother had felt.
Sam visited Hedy in the hospital as soon as he was able. Gertie prayed for a Sleeping Beauty moment, where the handsome prince would wake the princess from her slumber, but the hellish backdrop of war didn’t give rise to fairy-tale endings. When Gertie arrived to visit, Sam was sitting at Hedy’s bedside, holding her hand, gazing, hoping. She opened the door quietly, and as he turned, Gertie had to swallow down her shock. Sam’s young face was drawn and weathered. There was still a twinkle in his eye, but it was fainter, like a dying star in the night sky. Curse this war, thought Gertie. How dare it leave these young people so battered and bruised.
“Mrs. B,” said Sam, his voice laden with fatigue. “It’s good to see you.”
Gertie opened her arms and pulled him into a tight embrace. “Oh, Sam. It’s good to see you too. I just wish the circumstances were happier.”
Sam drew back and nodded. “I keep watching her face for a sign. We have to keep hoping, don’t we?”
Gertie followed his gaze to Hedy’s gentle face. “Yes, Sam. We do.”
The days melted into weeks. Gertie and Sam took turns to visit Hedy every day and would telephone each other with evening updates. Each day that Hedy lived felt like progress to Gertie. It was as if this whole war had become a constant battle to stay alive. If you survived another day, you had reason to celebrate.
One day the doctor greeted Gertie with less encouraging news. “We need Hedy to wake up soon. The longer she is unconscious, the weaker she becomes.”
Gertie stared down at Hedy as she took her usual place at her bedside. She peeled off her gloves and pressed a cool hand to Hedy’s burning forehead. She looked so peaceful, so at ease. It didn’t seem possible that she could be teetering on the brink between life and death. Gertie took a deep breath, ready to begin her daily news report.
“Hemingway seems to have got his appetite back. I caught him stealing a slice of madeira cake from the kitchen counter yesterday.” She gave a small chuckle. “He’s taken to sleeping in your room every night.” Gertie didn’t mention the fact that he was pining for her, wandering around the house like a lost soul. They both were in truth. “And Miss Snipp has a new admirer. Mr. Higgins. He’s a taxidermist of all things. According to Emily, they’re rather sweet on each other.” Gertie searched Hedy’s face for a flicker of reaction. Please come back to me, she thought. Please, Hedy. We’re running out of time. Gertie took a deep breath. “Margery is planning another Christmas revue. I spoke to Elizabeth yesterday. She sends her love of course. I think they’re enjoying life in the country. She says that Billy wants to give a reprisal of his magic show, but only if you’ll be his assistant again.” Gertie’s eyes pricked with tears. She brushed them away. “What else? Oh yes, Betty is engaged! To her American GI. She’s over the moon, as you can imagine. Daphne Godwin says she’s already saving her rations for the cake. She’s hoping that she’ll need enough for two.” Gertie took hold of Hedy’s hands. “I want her to need enough rations for two cakes, Hedy. There’s nothing I want more than that.” She bowed her forehead. “You know, when Charles first asked me to take in a child, I had my reservations. I thought I was too old, too tired, too sad after Harry died. But having you in my life has been nothing short of a miracle. You’ve taught me so much, but most of all you’ve taught me how to live again. I could never have got through this war without you. Never. You’ve been a daughter, a sister, a mother to me. Please don’t leave me now. You have so much to live for. Sam loves you. I love you. Everyone loves you, Hedy. Please. Please don’t leave us.” Gertie sobbed as she stared into Hedy’s face, praying for a flicker of life.
The door opened and Nurse Willoughby appeared. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Bingham. I’m afraid I need to take Hedy for more tests.”
Gertie nodded, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief as she rose to her feet. “Of course.”
As she trailed along the corridor, it was as if her shoes were weighed down by boulders and hope was dissolving to quicksand, disappearing with every step. She had almost reached the door when there was a shout behind her.