Whispers of Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

would be pleased because it seems to be the polite thing to do,’ Christabel said smiling tightly.
    â€˜Yes, perhaps you are right. Maybe I should come along with you.’
    â€˜No, you rest, Mother. You can see Violet at any time,’ Christabel said quickly. She guided her mother towards an armchair. ‘Why don’t you sit down, put your feet up and have a little nap. I’ll only be gone for an hour or so and when I come back we’ll have a nice cup of tea and I’ll tell you all my news.’
    To Christabel’s relief Violet was in her bedroom resting when she arrived so she wasted no time in telling Lewis that she now felt she had to leave Hilbury as soon as possible and asking him to do whatever was necessary to make it possible.
    â€˜I’ve given it considerable thought and I don’t think writing to the hospital is the answer,’ he told her.
    â€˜Why ever not?’
    â€˜Well, for a start, they’ll think it strange that I write to them and not Father and, furthermore, what will we do if they reply and he gets hold of the letter?’
    â€˜Then why not come to Hilbury and collect me? They won’t think that strange; they’ll think it’s very urgent and that you’re doing your best to help. They’ll understand that you’ve come because Father is staying at Mother’s side. In fact, it will make it look all the more serious.’
    â€˜Very well, but where will you go?’
    â€˜I was hoping you would be able to find me a room first,’ Christabel told him impatiently.‘Somewhere that is very cheap and far enough away from home so that there is no chance of me ever bumping into anyone I know.’
    â€˜I have made one or two enquiries. I thought it might be a good idea if you went over to Wallasey, but everything over there is quite pricey, far more expensive than here in Liverpool.’
    â€˜Then can you find something around the docks? I’m not likely to meet anyone I know there, and it will be cheap,’ she asked him.
    â€˜It’s not a very desirable area, Christabel; you won’t like it there.’
    â€˜It will do; I’ll only have to be there for a few months, until I’ve had the baby. After that I will be going back to work at Hilbury.’
    â€˜If you are quite sure, then I’ll see what I can arrange,’ he promised. ‘As soon as I’ve found somewhere for you I’ll let you know and then, providing you like it, we can decide when I will put the other part of our plan into action and I will come and collect you.’
    â€˜I’ll need to be out of Hilbury as soon as possible, though. Could you rent the room and then come for me at Hilbury? You don’t have to let me know when it will be; taking me by surprise will be all the better because I won’t have to pretend that I’m shocked by your news.’
    Christabel was on tenterhooks when she returned to Hilbury. Every time someone called out her name she hoped that she was beingsummoned to Matron’s office and that she’d find Lewis waiting there.
    The week dragged by and she began to wonder if he’d let her down, then, on the Thursday, when she’d almost given up hope, the call came.
    She was helping Peggy to put clean sheets on a bed when Sister Speakley came bustling over. ‘Nurse Montgomery, Matron wants to see you at once in her office,’ she told her sharply.
    â€˜What have you done wrong this time?’ Peggy grinned as Christabel straightened up and headed for the door.
    â€˜Nurse Montgomery!’ Sister Speakley’s voice cut like a whip. ‘Smarten yourself up before you report to Matron. Your cap is lopsided and your apron strings are not tied correctly.’
    â€˜Yes, Sister.’ Christabel obediently straightened her cap as she hurried to the door. Once outside the ward, she almost broke into a run in her eagerness. Lewis and Matron were in such a serious