Soldiers' Wives by Fiona; Field Page B

relaxed with some of the senior wives,’ said Susie. ‘Too relaxed, if you know what I mean. Doesn’t do the right thing – or she does it in the wrong way. And she doesn’t support Will properly.’
    Which made her sound more like some sort of truss, thought Maddy.
    â€˜Will won’t get promoted much beyond major, with such a loose cannon in his corner.’
    But was promotion the be-all and end-all? Susie had intimated it was and that she was sacrificing everything for Mike’s future prospects, but looking at the lines of discontent etched into her face and having heard the complaints she’d already made about the moves and sending her kids off to prep school, Maddy wondered if it was really worth it. Surely, she thought, there had to be a compromise. But on the other hand she knew Seb was fiercely ambitious; she didn’t think he’d be too impressed if he found her to be more of a hindrance than a help. He’d probably cheer if she became more like Mrs N or Susie, a prospect which frankly frightened her.
    When Maddy got away she was even more worried about what she’d taken on by becoming an army wife. The previous evening, when her parents had phoned to announce their safe return from their holiday, she’d admitted her doubts to her mum, but her mum’s response had been that it was probably just a touch of the baby blues and she’d snap out of it once Nate started sleeping through the night. But what if it wasn’t just that? What if she wasn’t cut out to follow the drum?
    As she strolled home, she wondered if she could really face the next thirty years of being a regimental wife, of bracing up, getting on with it and toeing the line. Her thoughts were interrupted when a little blue Corsa screeched to a halt beside her. The passenger window wound down and the driver leaned across and yelled ‘Coo-ee’ at her.
    â€˜Jenna.’
    â€˜You look like you’ve lost a quid and found a penny,’ said Jenna.
    Maddy forced a bright smile. ‘No, just miles away. Honest.’
    â€˜I was hoping to see you. Just been round at Caro’s cutting her boys’ hair. Anyway, I wanted to thank you.’
    â€˜Thank me? What on earth for?’
    â€˜We got a quarter. Lee’s just phoned and told me. And I know it was down to you.’
    â€˜No, it wasn’t. Truly, it must just be the luck of the draw.’
    â€˜Get away with you, I know you pulled some strings. Anyway, I won’t keep you but I owe you one for this.’ And with a cheery wave and a puff of exhaust fumes, Jenna’s car zipped away.
    It wasn’t me, thought Maddy, it was just luck. If Jenna knew what Seb had said to her about being some sort of do-gooding Lady Bountiful trying to solve the soldiers’ problems she’d know that nothing was further from the truth.
    Another thing she’d got wrong, she thought morosely, as Nate started to cry once more. Crap as a mother, crap as a military wife…
    At least, though, Jenna was happy. Like she had been a few months ago. Disconsolately, Maddy wondered how long it would last.

8
    It was about eight o’clock that same evening when Chrissie and Immi cruised into Tommy’s. Immi had decided that Baz was yesterday’s man and wanted to find a replacement. It frankly baffled Chrissie how Immi managed her love-life so none of her ex-boyfriends ended up hurt or resentful about being dumped. So far, they’d all seemed to accept that their fling with her was over and harboured no hard feelings. She had no idea how Immi handled her exes, but it had to be with fantastic skill. Respect.
    â€˜And besides,’ she said, as she dragged Chrissie out of their room, ‘as you told me you’re not having an affair with anyone – your very words, Chrissie Summers, so don’t deny it – we might find someone for you. No!’ She held her hand up, as Chrissie was about to protest.