The Last Night in London by Karen White (reading list .TXT) 📕

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 given her 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?”

“Of course, dear. He likes . . .”

“Sandalwood soap.” She could smell him, the softness of his neck as she pressed her lips there. She hadn’t meant to say that right there. But she caught the scent of him, as if he were sitting at the table next to her.

David cleared his throat. “I’ll go see his man at Truefitt and Hill and pick up a few shaving things he prefers. They have the sandalwood soap Graham has used since I’ve known him.”

Eva swallowed, forcing a smile that hid how utterly and completely cut off from Graham she felt. “That’s a wonderful idea. I’m sure familiarity is just what he needs.” She pictured him in a hospital bed as Precious slathered shaving cream on his chin. Precious, not her. Her chest stung, and she wondered if she might be bleeding.

“All right, then,” Sophia said, standing while David solicitously helped her out of her chair and took her arm. “It’s settled. We’ll let you know as soon as the arrangements are made—which could be as early as tomorrow morning. Can you be ready?”

Precious nodded eagerly. “Yes. I’ll pack tonight.”

They said their good-byes, leaving Precious and Eva on the sidewalk, staring into the verdant expanse of Green Park across from the Ritz. People walked their dogs and strolled amiably as if everything were in order. But it wasn’t. It never would be again.

Precious let out a loud sob, not even trying to hide it. Eva put all of her energy into feeling scornful for the outward show of emotion, for not understanding the proper etiquette for such a situation. But was there any to begin with? She was only just realizing that if she focused on things outside of herself, she could walk quickly away from the hotel, listening to the click of her heels as they propelled her forward. Hear the sounds of the traffic. The whistle of a policeman. She was a spectator at the cinema, watching this person on the screen, watching her behave as if everything were fine.

“Eva, stop. Please.”

She turned, dry-eyed, and waited for Precious to catch up to her. Precious reached for her hands, but Eva shook her off. “We should hurry. I’m sure you’ve got washing to do. I’ll help you.”

Precious nodded, sniffling. The only handkerchief Eva had in her pocket was Graham’s, the monogrammed one he’d given to her on the day they’d met. She wouldn’t give it to Precious. She couldn’t.

The following day when David arrived in a government car to collect Precious, Eva walked down with her, cheerful and optimistic. Acting, always acting. She was getting quite good at it.

When Precious turned to hug her good-bye, Eva handed her the book of Wordsworth poetry Graham had given her. “He might enjoy this being read to