Darkest Before Dawn Episode 34
Isobel and Sidney were downstairs now and Isobel already had the kettle on.
White faced, Rose sat in the armchair, and Sidney, with a sudden burst of thoughtfulness, tucked a blanket over her knees.
“Thank you, Sidney,” Rose said.
“You’re freezing!” Maud rubbed her sister-in-law’s hands. “What happened?”
“The house was hit by a doodlebug in broad daylight.
“I was in bed, as I’d been doing night shift at the hospital, and if it hadn’t been for a neighbour waking me I wouldn’t be here now.”
A deep shudder went through Rose’s body.
“I was so tired, I hadn’t heard a thing. Mrs Porter dragged me out of bed.
“How we made it to the shelter I still don’t know.”
“Thank goodness you did,” Maud murmured.
“All I have is in that bag,” Rose told her. “A kind soul gave me clothes, or I’d still be in my nightdress.”
“I can find you some more clothes,” Maud assured her.
“And you will stay here,” Alf declared. “You are not going back to London.”
Maud waited for Rose to argue, but it was as if all the fight had gone out of her.
She’d worked punishing hours throughout the war and had seen such terrible things.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Rose smiled weakly.
“I’ve lost two homes now, and so many friends – not to mention the casualties.
“I feel as if it’s all caught up with me and I am overwhelmed.
“I don’t think I can take any more,” she finished.
It was shocking to see Rose in such a state, when she was normally so calm and resilient, but in truth Maud was surprised she’d lasted as long as she had.
“Would you like something to eat, Auntie?” Isobel asked when she brought in the tea.
“Thanks, but no. The WVS gave me a hot meal.
“You ladies are amazing, Maud. The things you do really make a difference.”
“We do our best,” Maud replied. “Isobel, Auntie Rose will share your room.”
“Of course.” Isobel nodded. “I’ll get an extra pillow and find a nightie for you to wear, Auntie.”
“I have to go,” Alf put in. “We’re due to sail shortly.”
He hugged his sister.
“I’m so glad you came to us, Rose, and you’re to stay for as long as you like.”
When he’d left, and Isobel and Sidney had gone back to bed, Maud made more tea.
She had the feeling that Rose needed to talk and wouldn’t sleep even if she did go to bed.
“What else is there?” she asked, and Rose nearly choked on her tea.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, you do,” Maud insisted. “There’s something else, I can tell.
“Is it Doctor Kirby?”
Rose’s shoulders slumped and she put her cup down as tears ran down her face.
“Oh, Rose, has something happened to him?”
“No,” Rose replied. “If I tell you, do you promise not to tell anyone?”
Maud’s eyes widened.
“You can trust me, Rose. It will go no further.”
“James asked me to marry him.”
“That’s wonderful!” Maud cried. “I knew he loved you! I’ve always known.”
“Shush!” Rose flapped her hand at her and smiled through her tears.
“It was a surprise, but how can I marry him, Maud? At my age!”
“What age?” Maud scoffed. “You’re not forty yet, and I happen to think that you’re never too old to find love.”
“I didn’t think James saw me as anything other than a friend and a nurse.
“I wasn’t just running away from doodlebugs, Maud,” Rose continued. “I think he asked me on impulse.
“I’m sure that once he’s had time to think on it, he’ll have a change of heart.”
A car pulled up outside and Rose was suddenly alert.
“If it’s him, tell him I’m not here,” she said.
Maud hurried to the door.
When she opened it,
Dr James Kirby was standing there.
“Is she here?” he asked. “Please say she is. I’ve been so worried.”
Maud bit her lip. How could she tell the poor man to go when he’d driven all the way from London?
Rose appeared behind her.
“I’m sorry, Rose,” Dr Kirby said. “That was the worse marriage proposal ever, saying we should get married so you could move in with me.
“I should have said that I love you more than anything and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“We should talk,” Rose told him, to Maud’s relief.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Maud said, and went to sit in the kitchen.
At last Rose came in, smiling.
“Maud,” she began. “Will you help me to arrange a wedding?”
“Whose?” Maud had been dozing and had awoken feeling confused.
“Ours,” James replied, beaming. “And the sooner the better.”
It was less than a week later when Rose and James were married in the register office.
Rose wore a burgundy suit and was given away by her youngest nephew, Sidney, proud to stand in for Alf, who was still away.
Goodness, but he was going to be surprised when he came home to find his little sister married!
They had a small party afterwards in Maud’s house.
The food wasn’t grand, but one of Maud’s friends from the WVS made a cake and iced it.
As always, friends and neighbours rallied round to provide what they could to make the day special.
And seeing her sister-in-law so happy and settled was a ray of hope for the future for Maud.