Miss Carter's War Read Online Free PDF Page B

finished the class applauded.
    ‘That was beautiful, Brenda. Hands up, class, if you like the poem better now.’
    A sea of waving hands restored her faith in her ability to teach. Daring to look at Elsie, she saw that she had her arm half up, although her face expressed nonchalance.
    ‘I am so pleased. There goes the bell. Class dismissed. Don’t forget to collect some new words. And 2a—’
    They hesitated.
    ‘Thank you all for making my first ever lesson so enjoyable.’ As they passed Marguerite in single file to go to their next class, Hazel Evans said, ‘You shouldn’t be scared. You’re a good teacher.’ And there was a murmur of agreement. She caught Elsie’s eye. The girl gave a slight, solemn nod.
    Marguerite could not remember ever feeling so happy.

Chapter 4
    ‘You’re looking very pleased with yourself.’
    Mr Stansfield, in his sports clothes, was crouched on the floor in the rabbitry, smoking a cigarette. Marguerite backed out of the wire cage.
    ‘Sorry, I didn’t realise there was anyone in here. I have a free period so I thought I’d explore.’
    ‘I’ve just finished morning gym sessions and I’ve got a break too. Let me finish my fag and I’ll give you a guided tour.’
    Marguerite said, ‘Haven’t you read the latest scientific research? Smoking is almost definitely linked to lung cancer.’
    ‘Well, I like to live dangerously. D’you want one?’
    ‘Yes, please.’
    ‘Why don’t you sit down and join me for a chat. It’s a bit smelly but we won’t be disturbed till lunch break, when the monitors come to feed the beasts.’
    He spread his hanky on the stone floor and she crouched down beside him. He took another cigarette from the packet, lit it from his, and put it between her lips.
    ‘Sorry about that nonsense with Lewin yesterday. She’s an offensive old cow, but she lost a fiancé at the Somme and spent this last lot in the ARP dragging bodies out of bomb sites, so she’s a bit touchy about wartime service.’
    ‘I wasn’t offended.’
    ‘You must get fed up with all that anti-French stuff. But you’re only half French, aren’t you? How strange. Which do you feel most, English or French?’
    ‘Well, let’s say I miss the smell of a Gauloises, but I am loving this Woodbine.’
    ‘Where were you during the war?’
    ‘I served as a nurse. The FANY. You?’
    ‘Merchant Navy. Dodging torpedoes, mainly successfully. Anyway enough of that. Muddy water under a ruined bridge. What about today? How did it go?’
    ‘Wonderful. I’ve only done one lesson so far. I was nervous but in the end I really enjoyed it. Some of the girls needed a bit of coaxing, and one I handled badly, but on the whole, I feel I have come home. This is what I was born to do.’
    ‘Wow. So you’re enjoying it so far then, Mrs Lincoln?’
    ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
    ‘I just can’t understand what a pretty girl like you is doing teaching.’
    ‘Don’t patronise me.’
    ‘I thought I was paying you a compliment.’
    ‘Oh, not again.’
    ‘What? I’m lost here.’
    Marguerite slowly blew out some smoke.
    ‘It’s something that happened in my final term at Cambridge. I was selected as the only woman of a group of five undergraduates invited to attend a seminar in America. I prepared my dissertation. Then, a week before we were due to depart, I was informed that I had been dropped, in favour of a male student. I went to see the lecturer in charge of the trip and asked him what I’d done wrong. I’d worked damned hard to prepare.’
    Mr Stansfield held out a cupped hand for her to flick ash into.
    ‘What did he say?’
    ‘He smirked at me, with one eyebrow raised, and said, “You’ve done nothing wrong except be too damned attractive.” Then he winked and said, “One or two of the lads are worried you might be distracting, and to be honest I can’t guarantee I wouldn’t jump on you myself.” Ouch.’
    Mr Stansfield took her glowing cigarette stub from her fingers and