The Silver Locket by Margaret James Page A

company went into support and bought it with a vengeance.’
    Belinda smiled. ‘But he’s doing nicely. He had some nasty gashes in his side, but they’re all healing. He can see again, although he still gets double vision. Come on, it’s time we did the round. I’ll introduce you to the boys – or anyway, to those who are awake.’
    The man in the third bed was fast asleep, and as Rose looked down at him she suddenly wanted more than anything to touch his hand, to stroke his face, to make him look at her and smile.
    But she left him sleeping. When she and the other nurse had done the round, had helped the men who needed it to take a bath and shave, she looked across the beds to him again.
    ‘Do you let that officer sleep all day?’ she asked Belinda.
    ‘If that’s what he wants.’ Belinda shrugged. ‘Sister Minton’s always saying sleep is the great healer.’
    Rose took a deep breath. ‘I was wondering if he needs a bath?’
    ‘Yes, he could do with one – he’s been in those pyjamas all this week.’ Belinda looked at Rose. ‘I was just going to start the morning drinks. Do you need a hand, or can you manage?’
    ‘I can manage.’
    Rose collected towels and soap and then went over to the bed. The officer was still fast asleep. They all looked so young when they were sleeping, and Rose thought this one looked about fifteen. His long, dark lashes lay on his pale cheeks, and one arm was lying on his pillow, as if he were fending off an enemy. The back of his head was criss-crossed with long scars. She was glad he hadn’t caught the blast full in the face.
    She told herself she didn’t like him. He drank too much, he had no social graces, and he ran after women. But what could one expect, she thought, when he came from a family like that?
    ‘Lieutenant Denham?’ she said, sharply.
    ‘What?’ Alex’s dark eyes opened. He looked at Rose and blinked. ‘Go away,’ he muttered. ‘I’m asleep.’
    ‘No, Mr Denham,’ Rose said firmly, ‘you’re very much awake. I want you out of bed and in the bath.’
    ‘But why are you here?’ Alex looked at Rose and frowned in puzzlement. ‘You’re in a nurse’s uniform, but you can’t be a nurse.’
    ‘I am a nurse,’ said Rose.
    ‘You’re not old enough, and you live in Dorset with your parents.’ Alex turned over on his side. ‘I’m going back to sleep.’
    ‘You’re going to have a bath, Lieutenant Denham.’ Rose turned the blankets back. ‘Come along, I haven’t got all day.’

Chapter Seven
    ‘Mr Denham’s such a nice young man,’ Belinda Cross said wistfully, as she and Rose sat in the sister’s office writing up the day book, later that same week.
    ‘Lieutenant Kelly and Captain Green are as nice as well,’ said Rose.
    ‘But Lieutenant Denham must be in a lot of pain. He had all that shrapnel in his head, and when I changed his dressing today his side was still a mess. But he always has a smile for me.’
    ‘He drinks too much,’ said Rose. ‘Brandy, wine, champagne, you name it. Every time I pass his bed it’s, “Sister, may I have a glass of brandy?” or “Sister, will you bring me some champagne?”’
    ‘Rose, don’t hold that against him,’ said Belinda. ‘They all drink too much. They’ve seen their friends get killed, and they’ve been wounded. They’re dreading going back.’
    ‘There’s such a thing as moderation, and Alex Denham’s liver must be pickled.’
    ‘All the same, I like him.’ Belinda closed the day book and then looked at her watch. ‘It’s time to do the bedtime drinks,’ she said. ‘God, my feet are killing me today. I’ve got new boots, and do they pinch!’
    ‘I’ll make the cocoa, then,’ said Rose. ‘You sit down and write those letters for Lieutenant Kelly.’
    ‘Rose Courtenay, you’re a brick.’
    Anything to get out of the ward away from Alex, Rose thought gratefully. As she stirred the milk into a dozen cups of cocoa, she was annoyed to feel the colour creeping up her