Philippa Carr - Gossamer Cord

When he did come to the house I knew something had happened. We sat in the garden together.

He said: “I’ve come to tell you I’ve joined the Army.”

I stared at him in dismay.

“Well,” he said. “The country’s at war. What else can I do?”

I was filled with desolation. I had been elated since Dorabella’s return. The whole world had seemed different. My parents were overjoyed. We could not think very much of what Hitler was doing. The fact that Dorabella was back overshadowed everything else.

And now it was all brought home to me—the uncertainty of the future, the fears for those we loved, all the heartbreak that war could bring.

I could not bear the thought of his going into danger, and I knew then how important he had become to me. I knew that I loved him.

I stammered: “What of the estate?”

“It will be left in good hands. It won’t be for long. They are saying it will be over by Christmas.”

I could not control my features. My lips were trembling.

He saw that and, coming close to me, put his arms around me.

“I shall be back soon,” he said. “You will wait for me, Violetta?”

“Yes,” I said. “I shall wait.”