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

always unsure how to approach Sophia regarding her pregnancies. With each one, Sophia had grown more and more hopeful, and with each loss, her grief had been deeper and longer.

Sophia waved her hand, as if refusing a selection of desserts. “My doctor remains optimistic, as does David.” She smiled bravely.

“And you?”

Her smile waned. “I try not to think about it. I don’t think I could bear it again. And we do so want children.”

Eva smiled. “And you shall have them. Determination seems to be in the St. John blood.”

She waited while a maid arrived to set up tea on Sophia’s bed tray. Eager to continue the conversation, Sophia dismissed her and asked Eva to pour.

“Isn’t it marvelous news that Graham will be coming home soon? Could we have hoped for a better miracle?”

Sophia’s smile faltered. “Did you not hear?”

“Hear what?” Eva remained composed, unsure of what Sophia might say.

“Oh,” she began, and paused as she spent a longer time than necessary preparing her tea and stirring it. Avoiding Eva’s gaze, she took a sip and said, “Graham returned yesterday, via a military transport. And just as marvelous, David has found him a flat on Tufton Street near Whitehall, where he’ll be working alongside David in the War Office.”

“Graham’s here? In London?” Eva welcomed the sound of the blood rushing through her ears, because it meant she couldn’t hear the small voice telling her that he’d been in London for a day and hadn’t let her know.

“Yes, I would have thought Precious might have told you.”

Eva shook her head. “She hasn’t. And where is Precious? She hasn’t returned to the flat.”

Sophia frowned. “Surely she wrote you? Has the morning post not yet arrived?”

Eva felt an odd sense of relief as she shook her head. “No.”

“Precious left a few days before Graham. She volunteered to escort a blinded airman back to his home near Bristol. Horribly out of the way, but she thought it best to take the place of a Red Cross nurse who has more training, since all the man needed was someone to be his eyes for a few days. She should be back any day now.”

Eva’s throat burned as if she’d swallowed molten lead, but she kept smiling. “How thoughtful of Precious—sounds just like something she’d do.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Sophia squeezed her eyebrows together. “I am sorry to hear that Graham hasn’t been in touch. If I were up and about, I would have had a welcome-home party and invited you, but . . .”

“No, of course. I completely understand. You should rest and not worry about anything but keeping yourself and your baby safe.”

Sophia smiled, placated. “I’m sure he’ll come around.” Carefully replacing her cup in its saucer, she said, “Dear Eva, I don’t know what happened, but I do know Graham still loves you. I can tell because he won’t talk about you.” Her lips lifted slightly. “That’s what Esme Moncrieffe—one of the girls presented at court with me—always said was how she could tell when a man was truly in love. And you still love him?”

Eva nodded, too close to tears to speak.

“Then it will all work out. Mark my words. Love always finds a way.” She made a small grimace and put her hand to her stomach.

“Are you all right?” Eva moved to the door. “Should I go fetch someone?”

Sophia shook her head. “No, no. I’m all right. Perhaps I overindulged, but Cook has been doing her best to tempt me with all of my favorites.” She gave Eva a smile. “If you could ring for the maid to remove the tray, I think I’ll get some rest now. That’s probably all I need.”

Eva looked at her with worry as she reached over and rang the silver bell on Sophia’s bed stand. “Only if you’re quite sure.”

“Quite sure. You are such a dear, Eva.” Sophia paused. “Would you like me to tell Graham that you were asking for him?”

Eva almost said yes. But she still had her pride, for what that was worth. It seemed to be the only thing she did possess anymore. “No. He’s read my letters, and he knows where I stand. If he wants to see me, he knows where to find me.” She leaned down and kissed Sophia on the cheek. “But thank you. You are very kind. I want you to rest and not worry about anything but your baby, all right?”

Eva passed the maid on the way out, pausing only long enough to see Sophia close her eyes.

—

Precious’s letter detailing her decision to detour through Bristol arrived the next morning, followed shortly by Precious herself. There was no mention of Graham.

When Eva returned to the flat after a full day of fittings at Lushtak’s, Precious was in her room, unpacking. Eva stuck her head around the open door. “You’re back.” She felt silly somehow, stating the obvious.

Precious straightened from where she’d been hanging a dress in her wardrobe. “Yes. I am.” She smiled and gave Eva a hug, something so American and unfamiliar now that Eva found herself laughing.

“It’s good to have you here. I let one of the newer models from Lushtak’s stay in the spare bedroom for two months before she found her own place, so I haven’t been too lonely. Still, it’s nice to be back where we were.”

“Yes, it is.” Precious turned to her valise, pulled out a dress. “You’re looking good, Eva. Thank you for your letters, for keeping me up on all the news from Lushtak’s. I can’t say I was upset to hear that Mrs. Ratcliffe left.”

“It was a relief to everyone except Madame Lushtak, I’m afraid. She’s taking up one of the supervisory salaried positions with the WVS. Who knew that Mrs. Ratcliffe held such patriotic fervor in her considerable bosom? God help the women who serve under her. I hope they all have thick skin.”

“Isn’t that the truth?” Precious said as she placed a folded jumper in her chest of drawers.

She seemed, to Eva, different somehow. More grown-up. More