“Would she tell you if she did?”
He slowly shook his head. “No, probably not. And I would never hurt her feelings by telling her what I just told you. We’ve made our bed, as they say, and now we have to sleep in it.”
“Listen to us,” Eve said, summoning a smile. “Let’s not talk about dreary things anymore. Do you Americans ever hold dances around here? Maybe we could go to one. You’re a terrific dancer.”
“They post notices about dances at the base all the time, but Robert never wants to go, and I didn’t have a charming partner like you to go with.”
“Let’s go tonight. Want to?”
“There’s nothing I’d like better.”
“Super!” she said, springing to her feet. “You find out where the dance is, and I’ll meet you in Wellingford’s foyer, ready to go.”
Louis stood as well. “Are you going there now? I’ll walk back with you.”
“No, there are a few people here in town I’d like to visit first.”
“Swing by here and get me when you’re ready to go. In the meantime, I’d better defend my championship title at the dartboard.”
19
LONDON, NOVEMBER 1943
Eve’s envy stirred when she saw two letters for Audrey on the hotel’s front desk and none for her. She trudged up the stairs to their room, leaving Audrey behind to open them. After a long night with numerous ambulance runs, Eve longed to take a hot bath and collapse in bed. Their accommodations in this aging guesthouse had a marvelous bath. Too bad the tub had a red line painted around the inside to remind her that she was allowed only five inches of water. How could anyone enjoy a satisfying bath in five inches of water? Eve followed the rule, nonetheless, and when she returned to her room, wrapped in a towel, she found Audrey sitting in bed, still reading her letters. Either they were very long letters, or she was reading them more than once. The smile Audrey wore was so rare and so lovely that Eve wished she could take a photograph.
“Are both letters from Robert?” Eve asked.
“Yes.” Audrey didn’t look up.
“And didn’t he send two letters last week, too?”
“Uh-huh.” Audrey laid the letters down with a sigh and stood to rummage through her dresser drawer for stationery and a pen. “Do you mind if I keep the light on for a while?” she asked. “I want to answer Robert before I go to sleep.”
“That’s fine,” Eve said, brushing her hair. “Maybe I’ll write to Alfie.” But Eve sat with the blank page in front of her, unable to think of anything new to say. Meanwhile, Audrey filled page after page, smiling to herself. Her bliss was striking. Was she falling in love with Robert Barrett? They’d spent a great deal of time together during Audrey’s furlough at Wellingford. Eve had gone dancing with Louis both nights and didn’t know how Audrey and Robert spent their time, but in the months since then, they’d written letters to each other regularly. Lots of letters. If Audrey was falling in love, Eve would do everything she could to make her friend’s romance end happily.
“Audrey . . . ?” Eve waited for her to look up. “I checked the board today and there’s an ATS post near Wellingford that needs drivers.” Audrey stared at her, a million miles away. “We should take it. You could go home whenever you have time off.”
“Would we go together?”
“Absolutely. I had fun dancing with Louis.” And for just a little while, Eve had been able to stop worrying about Alfie being in danger and about her uncertain future with him. She could dance with Louis and have fun and forget the war. Louis didn’t ruin each evening by drinking too much. He was always a perfect gentleman, always faithful to his wife and daughter. “You could see Robert more often,” Eve added, testing her reaction. Audrey smiled. Her face shone brighter than the bedside lamp. Oh yes. Audrey might not realize it yet, but she was falling in love with Robert Barrett.
The pair continued writing to each other in spite of the busyness of the war and the move that Eve and Audrey made to the new post. After settling in and finally earning a two-day leave, they went to Wellingford. Both Robert and Louis arranged a day off and the four of them decided to take the train to London. “We’ll give you a guided tour of all the sights,” Audrey promised. She and Robert had their heads together the entire journey, planning what they would see and do. Eve watched them closely, her certainty growing. They cared deeply for each other.