Swim Until You Can't See Land Read Online Free PDF Page B

Cath.
    Used to work there, until he was called up.
    A lot of boys used to work in the shop.
    ‘Artie, it’s so good to see you,’ she said, ‘when did you get back?’
    ‘About two hours ago.’
    ‘Two hours and you come here, what will your mother say?’
    ‘Ach, she’ll not mind. I wanted to see you actually.’
    Marièle stepped back. What did he want?
    They’d been at the dancing a few times, but always in a group, and she’d let him hold her hand that time at the pictures.
    He didn’t think that meant anything, did he? Some of the boys got a bit carried away, especially when they were away from home for so long. Arthur was nice, but she wasn’t interested in him romantically. She wasn’t really interested in anyone romantically.
    Her lips were wet from the snow, and Marièle felt the kiss burn against her cold skin.
    ‘Can I walk you home?’ He asked.
    ‘Okay,’ she nodded.
    God, he looked different. Thinner, older. He’d grown up. She couldn’t imagine him playing jokes on old Mr Jackson in the shop the way he had before.
    ‘You were there? At Dunkirk, I mean?’ She asked, trying to break the awkward silence between them.
    ‘Aye.’
    ‘Was it very awful?’
    He nodded.
    ‘I’m sorry, you’re just home and here I am jumping in and asking questions.’
    ‘You wouldn’t believe some of the things I saw. I’ll never forget them, as long as I live.’
    He started to laugh.
    God, he’d gone mad.
    ‘What’s so funny?’
    ‘I’m sorry, you must think I’m such a fool. I was just thinking… me and a group of lads found a row boat. We didn’t even question why it was lying there, why nobody else had used it. We all just piled in, started paddling with our hands. At first we went round in circles but then we got the hang of it. Got about, from here to that fence, then we noticed the water coming in, there was a big hole in the bottom of it.’
    ‘Oh no! What happened?’
    ‘What else? It sank! We had to swim back to shore, it was freezing.’
    Marièle laughed with him. It wasn’t even all that funny. It was more the absurdity of it. Amidst all that death and destruction, a slapstick comedy routine being played out.
    ‘How did you make it home?’
    ‘A fishing boat picked us up. Worst trip I’ve ever been on in my life. I was seasick all the way home. I think swimming back might have been better.’
    She thought of George. Couldn’t help it. Deep down, if she had the choice, she’d rather have George home than Arthur and that was an awful thing to think when he stood there beside her. After all he’d gone through. God, she wished she’d never thought that. Take it back, take it back.
    ‘I saw George over there.’
    ‘We got a telegram.’
    ‘I’m sorry. I stopped to help him, but he was too… he was badly hurt. I sat with him until…’
    She felt her legs wobble, stumbled. Arthur caught her.
    ‘Marièle, I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have told you.’ He held her upright, fumbled in his pockets and handed her a handkerchief.
    ‘No. I’m glad, when the telegram said missing in action…’ she took the handkerchief from him. She hadn’t realised she was crying.
    ‘Christ, excuse my language, but I thought you knew, I wouldn’t have been so blunt otherwise.’
    ‘No, don’t feel bad,’ she squeezed his arm, ‘I’m glad you told me. I already knew, deep down.’
    ‘I’m not very good at this. I’m ruining it. I kept thinking over how I’d tell you, and it wasn’t like this.’
    ‘Don’t be silly,’ she wiped her eyes and nose.
    ‘He gave me something for you.’
    Arthur rummaged in the inside pocket of his tunic, pulled out a silver cross on a chain.
    ‘He said a French lady had given it to him – he’d sheltered in her barn.’
    Arthur stood behind Marièle, fastened it round her neck. She was glad he couldn’t see her face. She slipped the cross under her blouse, felt it nestle between her breasts.
    Was it meant for her? She couldn’t help thinking George