Preservation Read Online Free PDF

conquer fear. She had done this to herself, succumbed to her own craziness, a strange light-headed madness that leapt out of control. She should have known.
    Behind her, Molly Reason entered the room. She was a plump woman in her late forties or thereabouts, with frizzy hair parted in the centre and anxious eyes, as if her guest made her nervous. She wore a floral frock, pleated over her bosom in a way thatmade it look heavy. Her husband had been called directly after the crash, and now he had taken charge and installed Jean in their apartment.
    ‘Excuse me, Miss Batten,’ Molly said. ‘The doctor is here to see you.’
    Jean turned from the window, trying to conceal her regret at having her thoughts interrupted. ‘The doctor? What doctor?’
    ‘The one who attended you last night. He’s come to check that you’re in better health.’
    As if Jean had already agreed to see him, the doctor followed Molly in.
    ‘Doctor.’ Jean extended her hand. ‘It’s very kind of you, but as you’ll see, I’m perfectly well. Certainly much better than I was last night. Or was it early morning? I’m very sorry you were woken up so late to attend to a foolish girl like myself.’ She forced a small laugh.
    When they had met, her left eye was as swollen as a Black Doris plum, while her lip hung loose over her chin. The doctor had been summoned to the aid station, where she had been taken by a group of men who had found her, sodden from stumbling in the rain through marshland. As he stitched her lip together the pain was intense, but she would not cry, would not scream. This was her night of folly and whatever she might feel, she did not wish to reveal it. She knew her mother would say, ‘Chin up, dear. Grin and bear.’ Nellie had no time for complaints. She had, she said, suffered in her time and now that was behind her, and she and Jean could conquer the world together.
    ‘She’ll be as good as new in no time, won’t she?’ Molly Reason said to the doctor, in better Italian that Jean expected.
    He looked at his patient with an appraising eye and spoke rapidly. The older woman lifted one shoulder in acknowledgement and seemed at a loss.
    ‘What did he say, Mrs Reason?’ Jean asked. She knew she owed it to the doctor to at least listen to his advice, for he had stayed up all night holding cold compresses to her eye, helping theswelling to go down.
    Molly Reason hesitated. ‘He says the signorina is immensely beautiful, and if she looks after herself, her appearance will soon be restored. He says her hair is the colour of falling night, her skin like almond petals. He recommends, Miss Batten, that you spend a few weeks resting, and hopes that you’ll remain in Rome while you recover.’
    ‘A few
weeks
. That’s ridiculous. I have to fix my plane and fly to Australia.’
    ‘Well, the world is full of good intentions.’ Mrs Reason seemed to assert herself. ‘But it’s hardly the first time you’ve set out for Australia, is it? I suggest that you climb into bed and get some rest. The doctor says you’re still in shock.’
    With that she turned to leave the room.
    ‘Mrs Reason,’ Jean said, ‘have you not spoken with your husband today?’ She chose her words with care, knowing that the other woman was not happy about her unexpected guest. Quite early in the morning she had left the apartment for Matins, and had not returned until much later.
    Molly paused. ‘He didn’t go to church this morning,’ she said, with starch in her voice.
    ‘That’s because we’ve been hard at work. The Italian Air Force transported my plane to the aerodrome this afternoon. They’re already making a list of the parts needed to repair my machine. Mr Reason has been very kind.’
    ‘My husband telephoned me after lunch. I understand there are no wings available for your plane anywhere in Rome. You won’t get far without wings.’
    Jean glanced down at her pretty dress, swirling around her knees, and laughed again, this time with