Girl with Secrets: a coming of age war story and family saga full of romance, mystery and danger in by Carol Rivers (best books to read in your 20s .txt) 📕

CHAPTER 55

AUNT BETTY breathlessly adjusted her WVS beret and sighed. ‘I’m sorry I’m late. There’s no buses today because of last night’s raid. So I rode my bike but Aldgate was strewn with debris and I‘ve managed to get a puncture … ‘

Daisy felt guilty for putting her aunt to so much trouble. ‘I have some good news,’ Aunt Betty continued. ‘Your mother has written to Aunt Pat and arranged for you to stay at Grandma’s when you’re discharged. Wattcombe will be much safer than here in the East End.’

This came as a shock to Daisy and it was a minute or two before she found her voice. ‘But Matt’s coming home. He wrote and told me so. I couldn’t bear it if we weren’t all together.’

‘I’m sorry, my dear,’ Aunt Betty shrugged. ‘But Uncle Leo’s studio isn’t practical. Your mother is doing her best to arrange things to suit everyone; a particularly difficult job in wartime.’

‘Perhaps Grandma and Aunt Pat could come to London instead?’

Aunt Betty shook her head wearily. ’I’m afraid it’s just not safe during the blitz - ‘ Tommy’s loud scream interrupted her and Daisy peeked through the gap in the curtained screen. A frightening figure stood at Tommy’s bedside. Taller now and broad-shouldered with his head shaven, Peter Brady looked more menacing than ever.

Daisy could barely breathe let alone talk so she climbed into bed hoping fervently that visiting time would soon be over.

‘Time for me to leave.’ Aunt Betty kissed her cheek. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

When Daisy eventually had the courage to peer above the covers, she was relieved to see that Peter had gone, but Aunt Betty hadn’t. Through the window overlooking the corridor Daisy could see her aunt talking to a man wearing a raincoat. He suddenly caught hold of her shoulder. Aunt Betty’s face was white as she tried to step away.

Daisy gasped.

It was Mr Calder.

Dr Deacon jerked an eyebrow. ‘How are we this morning?’

‘I had a bad dream last night.’

‘And what was in this dream?’

‘A man. He was very tall and wore a mackintosh. He was chasing Aunt - no, he was chasing me and I tried to get away from him. But there was a bomb. I couldn’t see it. And it exploded.’ Daisy shuddered at the thought of Mr Calder and the way he had frightened Aunt Betty.

The doctor stroked his chin. ‘Vivid dreams and confusion are quite normal under the circumstances. But they can be very frightening. All the same, I’ll check you over.’

For once, Daisy didn’t mind being examined. Dr Deacon’s presence was comforting.

‘Now then, my dear, you mustn’t fret,’ he assured her when the examination was over. ‘As far as I can tell, you are suffering from lack of sleep, but no more.’

‘Can I go home?’

The doctor chuckled. ’We’ll see.’

After the doctor had gone Daisy looked over at Tommy. He was snuggled down under the covers and very quiet. Had Peter upset him as much as Mr Calder had upset her? Had Aunt Betty managed to escape from Mr Calder?

Each day after that, Daisy watched for the tall figure dressed in a mackintosh. When her aunt next came, she arrived just before visiting time.

‘Aunt Betty,’ Daisy burst out. ‘You’re early!’

‘I can’t stay long.’ She glanced over her shoulder.

Daisy looked too. She was relieved to see the corridor was empty. ‘Are you all right, Aunt Betty?’

Her aunt tried to smile. ‘I’m a little tired, that’s all. Everyone is at the moment, with these continuous raids.’ She put a shaky hand to her cheek. ‘I’ve come with good news, Daisy. Your mother has telephoned the doctor and asked him to discharge you. I think he’ll agree as beds in the hospital are scarce.’

‘Can I leave today?’ Daisy asked eagerly.

‘If all goes well, Mr Cook will collect you tomorrow.’

‘Do you promise?’

Aunt Betty nodded. ‘I won’t be with him as there are only two seats in his van. Now, I really must leave.’

Daisy glanced through the window again. ‘Aunt Betty, be careful won’t you?’

Her aunt smiled gently. ‘Don’t worry, I’m quite an expert at cycling through the traffic.’

That wasn’t what Daisy meant, but her aunt stood up and Daisy stretched out her arms. ‘I love you, Aunt Betty.’

‘And I love you, darling,’ Aunt Betty whispered as they hugged. ‘We’ve all missed you so much.’

Daisy watched as her aunt left the ward. Quickly she put on her slippers and ran to the door. Aunt Betty was hurrying down the passage. To Daisy’s relief, there was no sign of Mr Calder.

T  hat evening, as usual, Daisy joined the queues to the lower ward - she hoped - for the last time. Tomorrow she would be going home. Even the dull drone of the bombers over London didn’t sound so menacing now that she knew she would be with Mother and Bobby soon.

She thought of Bobby and his dream to join Matt in the airforce. Was Matt at this very minute, flying one of those planes above the city, weaving in and out of the searchlight beams, seeking out the enemy aircraft? She had always thought of her older brother as indestructible. Now she feared he was in jeopardy, fighting for his country up there in the searchlight strafed skies.

She slept very lightly again and was thankful that Mr Calder hadn’t appeared in her dreams. When next morning she returned to the ward the sight that met her eyes was shocking. A very subdued Tommy was being wheeled away on a trolley.

‘Is Tommy having his operation?’ she asked Nurse Gwen.

‘Yes,’ her friend replied. ‘It’s his big day.’

‘Will they cure his leg?’

‘Let’s hope so.’

Daisy’s eyes filled with tears.

‘There, there,’ said Nurse Gwen and slid an arm around her shoulders. ‘I know you’ve grown fond of him. But this is wartime, Daisy. Many people will come and go in your life.’

Daisy knew she would miss