Holly flushed, very aware of Richard watching her closely but she didn’t even have to think about it as her chin went up in the air. ‘I’ll do it,’ she said bravely.

Chapter Forty-Three

There were so many questions she wanted to ask and she began with, ‘When will we be leaving?’

‘Late tonight, under cover of darkness.’

Holly’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected it to be so soon, but then if the airman was as critical as they suspected then of course time was of the essence.

‘And how will we get there and where exactly are we going?’

‘Monsieur Le’Fete has a small wagon which he uses to supply us with seasonal vegetables. I am afraid you will have to travel in the back of that beneath sacks. It is the safest way. The enemy are used to seeing him in it so hopefully no questions will be asked. As to where you’re going, I think it’s best if you don’t know. But you must swear to me that you will say nothing of this to anyone. You will be risking your own life and the lives of monsieur’s family if you do.’

Holly nodded. ‘Of course, but what shall I tell the nurses and Angela? They’re bound to notice if I just disappear.’

‘You won’t leave until the rest of the nurses are all asleep then you’ll change into clothes we have ready for you. I shall tell them that I transferred you to another hospital temporarily in the night because of an emergency.’

It seemed that she had thought of everything. ‘Very well,’ Holly agreed.

Richard spoke for the first time since she had entered the room. ‘I’m really not happy about putting Holly’s life at risk,’ he told the sister. ‘Surely I could do this alone?’

Sister Flynn shook her head. ‘It will definitely need two of you to give the airman round-the-clock care. Holly, as soon as everyone in your tent is asleep report to me here. I shall have a change of clothes waiting for you … and thank you, you are a very brave girl. Now go and get some food and a rest. You have a long night ahead of you.’

Holly inclined her head and slipped away hardly able to believe what she had just agreed to, but she had agreed and now she intended to see it through to the bitter end no matter what the outcome. She would rather die than let Richard think she was a coward.

When she got back to the tent, Angela was already in her nightwear ready to hop into bed. So were most of the other nurses who had worked throughout the long day. One by one they snuggled down and dropped off to sleep until at last there was nothing but the sound of their gentle snores to be heard. Very quietly Holly crept out of bed and snatched up her uniform before slipping her feet into her shoes and putting her cape on. It wouldn’t do to leave the uniform there, even if she was to change into civilian clothes, Angela would be suspicious, so she would leave them with the sister. Once outside she gasped as the cold air took her breath away and then she tiptoed across the duckboards in the darkness praying that she wouldn’t slip off them into the mud. At last she reached the hospital and sidled into the sister’s office, very conscious that she was in her nightclothes.