CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

‘All right, Nurse?’ Albie Sallis hailed Grace with a smile as she approached Private Gordon’s bed. ‘Come to see him off, have you?’

‘Yes, indeed, Corporal Sallis. And to pack his belongings.’

‘You hear that, mate? You’ve got your own batman.’ Albie grinned at Gordon. ‘And there was us thinking only the officers had those privileges!’

Grace glanced at Dr Logan. He was studying a chart, his back half turned to her.

‘Mind you, you’re a lot better-looking than most of the batmen I’ve ever met,’ Albie went on. ‘Don’t you reckon, Doctor?’

Dr Logan did not respond. He went on staring at the chart as if his life depended on it.

Albie winked at Grace. ‘Look at him, he’s in a world of his own. You want to watch out, Gordon lad. The way he’s looking at your chart, I reckon he wants to find an excuse to keep you in here a bit longer!’

Private Gordon sent them a sheepish look. ‘I wouldn’t mind if he did.’

‘Listen to that, Nurse. Reckon our Gordon’s got a soft spot for you!’

Grace jumped as Dr Logan slammed down the chart. Then he stalked off without a word.

‘Someone got out of bed the wrong side this morning,’ Albie commented. ‘And he’s usually such a friendly sort, too. What’s got into him, I wonder?’

‘I’ve no idea, Corporal Sallis.’ Grace watched Dr Logan until he disappeared into Sister’s office. Then she fixed a bright smile on her face and turned back to face Private Gordon. ‘Right, let’s see about packing up this bag, shall we?’

All too soon, it was time for Private Gordon to leave. Albie Sallis fell silent for once as Grace helped Gordon into the wheelchair that was to transport him to the waiting ambulance.

It wasn’t until they were ready to leave that he spoke again.

‘Well, all the best, mate.’ He shook Gordon’s hand. ‘Have a good time at the convalescent home, won’t you? And remember – just because you can walk again it don’t mean you can go running after all them nurses!’

Gordon gave him a lopsided grin. ‘I r-reckon they’ll be r-running after me.’

It was the first time in a long time that Grace had heard him stammer, a sure sign he was nervous.

‘Listen to him, Nurse!’ Albie crowed with laughter, but his eyes glistened with tears. ‘Talk about big-headed! Have you ever heard the like?’

Just then Sister appeared, accompanied by an orderly. ‘Ready, Private Gordon?’

‘As ready as I’ll ever b-be,’ Gordon replied. He turned back to Albie. ‘Take care of yourself. And thank you,’ he said. ‘If it hadn’t b-been for you taking me under your w-wing, I don’t think I would have ever p-pulled through this.’

‘Oh, stop it! Don’t get all soppy on me now, for gawd’s sake!’ Albie looked away, his voice gruff with emotion.

He didn’t look back until Private Gordon had gone. He kept his gaze fixed on the ward doors all the while Grace was stripping Gordon’s bed.