Jeffrey Archer - Only Time Will Tell

At least his death would solve problems for so many people he loved. Emma would be released from her pledge to forsake all others for the rest of her days. Sir Walter would no longer have to worry about the implications of his father’s will. In time, Giles would inherit the family title and all his father’s worldly goods. Even Hugo Barrington might survive now that it would no longer be necessary for him to prove he wasn’t Harry’s father. Only his dear mother…

Suddenly there was an almighty explosion. The Devonian split in two and seconds later both halves reared up like a startled horse, before the broken ship unceremoniously sank to the bottom of the ocean.

The captain of the U-boat watched through his periscope until the Devonian had disappeared below the waves, leaving in its wake a thousand brightly coloured cotton dresses and countless bodies bobbing up and down in the sea, surrounded by potatoes.

‘CAN YOU TELL ME your name?’ Harry looked up at the nurse but couldn’t move his lips. ‘Can you hear me?’ she asked. Another American accent.

Harry managed a faint nod, and she smiled. He heard a door opening and although he couldn’t see who had entered the sick bay, the nurse left him immediately, so it had to be someone in authority. Even if he couldn’t see them, he could hear what they were saying. It made him feel like an eavesdropper.

‘Good evening, Nurse Craven,’ said an older man’s voice.

‘Good evening, Dr Wallace,’ she replied.

‘How are our two patients?’

‘One’s showing definite signs of improvement. The other’s still unconscious.’

So at least two of us survived, thought Harry. He wanted to cheer but, although his lips moved, no words came out.

‘And we still have no idea who they are?’

‘No, but Captain Parker came in earlier to see how they were, and when I showed him what was left of their uniforms, he wasn’t in much doubt they were both officers.’

Harry’s heart leapt at the thought that Captain Havens might have survived. He heard the doctor walk over to the other bed but he couldn’t turn his head to see who was lying there. A few moments later, he heard, ‘Poor devil, I’ll be surprised if he survives the night.’

Then you obviously don’t know Captain Havens, Harry wanted to tell him, because you won’t kill him off that easily.

The doctor returned to Harry’s bedside and began to examine him. Harry could just make out a middle-aged man with a serious, thoughtful face. Once Dr Wallace had finished his examination, he turned away and whispered to the nurse, ‘I feel a lot more hopeful about this one, although the odds are still no better than fifty-fifty after what he’s been through. Keep fighting, young man,’ he said, turning to face Harry, though he couldn’t be sure if the patient could hear him. ‘We’re going to do everything in our power to keep you alive.’ Harry wanted to thank him, but all he could manage was another slight nod, before the doctor walked away. ‘If either of them should die during the night,’ he heard the doctor whisper to the nurse, ‘are you familiar with the correct procedure?’

‘Yes, doctor. The captain is to be informed immediately, and the body is to be taken down to the morgue.’ Harry wanted to ask how many of his shipmates were already there.

‘And I’d also like to be kept informed,’ added Wallace, ‘even if I’ve turned in for the night.’

‘Of course, doctor. Can I ask what the captain has decided to do with those poor devils who were already dead when we pulled them out of the water?’

‘He’s given an order that as they were all sailors, they are to be buried at sea, at first light tomorrow morning.’

‘Why so early?’

‘He doesn’t want the passengers to realize just how many lives were lost last night,’ the doctor added as he walked away. Harry heard a door open. ‘Goodnight, nurse.’

‘Goodnight, doctor,’ the nurse replied, and the door closed.

Nurse Craven walked back and sat down by Harry’s bedside. ‘I don’t give a damn about the odds,’ she said. ‘You’re going to live.’

Harry looked up at a nurse who was hidden behind her starched white uniform and white cap, but even so, he couldn’t miss the burning conviction in her eyes.

When Harry next woke, the room was in darkness apart from a glimmer of light in the far corner, probably from another room. His first thought was of Captain Havens, fighting for his life in the next bed. He prayed that he would survive and they’d be able to return to England together, when the captain would retire and Harry could sign up with any Royal Navy vessel Sir Walter could get him on.

His thoughts turned to Emma once again, and how his death would have solved so many problems for the Barrington family, that would now return to haunt them.

Harry heard the door open again and someone with an unfamiliar step walked into the sick bay. Although he couldn’t see who it was, the sound of their shoes suggested two things: it was a man, and he knew where he was going. Another door opened on the far side of the room and the light became brighter.

‘Hi, Kristin,’ said a man’s voice.

‘Hello, Richard,’ came back the nurse’s reply. ‘You’re late,’ she said, teasing, not angry.

‘Sorry, honey. All the officers had to remain on the bridge until the search for survivors was finally abandoned.’

The door closed, and the light softened once more. Harry had no way of knowing how much time had passed before the door opened again – half an hour, an hour perhaps – and he heard their voices.

‘Your tie’s not straight,’ said the nurse.

‘That won’t do,’ the man replied. ‘Someone might figure out what we’ve been up to.’ She laughed as he began walking towards the door. Suddenly he stopped. ‘Who are these two?’

‘Mr A and Mr B. The only survivors from last night’s rescue operation.’

I’m Mr C, Harry wanted to tell her as they walked towards his bed. Harry closed his eyes; he didn’t want them to think he’d been listening to their conversation. She took his pulse.

‘I think Mr B is getting stronger by the hour. You know, I can’t bear the thought of not saving at least one of them.’ She left Harry and walked over to the other bed.

Harry opened his eyes and turned his head slightly to see a tall young man in a smart white dress uniform with gold epaulettes. Without warning, Nurse Craven began to sob. The young man placed an arm gently around her shoulder and tried to comfort her. No, no, Harry wanted to shout, Captain Havens can’t die. We’re going back to England together.

‘What’s the procedure in these circumstances?’ asked the young officer, sounding rather formal.

‘I have to inform the captain immediately, and then wake Dr Wallace. Once all the papers have been signed and clearance has been authorized, the body will be taken down to the morgue and prepared for tomorrow’s burial service.’

No, no, no, Harry shouted, but neither of them heard him.

‘I pray to whatever God,’ continued the nurse, ‘that America doesn’t become involved in this war.’

‘That’s never going to happen, honey,’ said the young officer. ‘Roosevelt’s far too canny to get himself involved in another European war.’

‘That’s what the politicians said last time,’ Kristin reminded him.

‘Hey, what’s brought this on?’ He sounded concerned.

‘Mr A was about the same age as you,’ she said. ‘Perhaps he also had a fiancee back home.’

Harry realized that it wasn’t Captain Havens in the next bed, but Tom Bradshaw. That was when he made the decision.