Page 38 of A Chance in a Million
‘Thanks. I owe it to your mother to tell her myself, and I’ll do that as soon as I see her next – this evening if possible.’
He stayed silent for a while, and when he started speaking again, his tone was far warmer than she had ever heard from him before. ‘It must have been tough. I don’t just mean because of your injuries. The girls told me the guy who died might have been more to you than just a comrade in arms.’
Once again Jane took her time before answering. Of course it was inevitable that Diana and Beatrice would have told their brother what they had learned, and he was too smart not to put two and two together. When she did answer, she was gratified to hear her voice sounding fairly firm. ‘Yes, he was, and yes, it’s been tough.’ She surprised herself by managing to look David straight in the eye, if only for a couple of seconds. ‘But as Beatrice told me just the other day, life goes on. I know that. And one thing I can say is that since coming over here to work for your mother, I’ve been feeling a whole lot more positive. I still have my moments, but I definitely feel I’m improving.’
‘If there’s anything I can do to help, just say the word.’ His tone was still supportive and sympathetic; so sympathetic in fact that she decided to turn the spotlight back on him.
‘There is one thing, if you really mean that. You could tell me what happened to you. I get the feeling we have more in common than I know, and not just that you were wounded as well.’ Seeing the surprise on his face she was quick to explain. ‘Your mum mentioned that, but that’s all she told me. I would really like to help you, just like you’ve so kindly offered to do for me.’ She risked raising her eyes in his direction once more, expecting to see the shutters come down, but this time he did at least make an effort.
‘It’s a long, sad story, Jane. Like you said the other day: my departure from the regiment wasn’t exactly the way I would have planned it. And just like you, it’s something I’ve been keeping to myself for a long time now. So long, in fact, that it’s probably best left that way. Thanks for the offer of help, but I’m afraid it’s too late for that. What’s done’s done, and I’m a lost cause.’
Jane couldn’t help reaching across to catch hold of his hand. He didn’t resist. ‘Nobody’s a lost cause, David. Believe me. Talking will help, I’m sure.’ She squeezed his fingers and then hastily withdrew her hand again. ‘Anyway, the offer’s there. Any time.’
‘Thanks, Jane, but you’re the last person I would want to tell.’
What, she asked herself, did he mean by that?
Chapter 21
That evening Jane went over to Veronica’s house to see if she could spare a few minutes. She found her sitting on the terrace in the shade with her mother-in-law alongside her. Jane hesitated for a moment before deciding that she might as well tell her story to both of them. She settled down opposite them, looking out at the lengthening shadows, and made a start.
‘David and I have been talking today.’ She immediately saw a spark of interest in both sets of eyes. ‘The bad news is that we mainly talked about me, not him. It appears he’s checked up on my military record and he knows all about what happened to me. I’ve been meaning to tell you for days now, so that’s why I’m here.’
Veronica gave her a gentle smile. ‘Tell me as much or as little as you feel happy revealing. Hopefully you and I will be together for a long time to come so don’t feel you have to rush. I can wait. I already know you well enough to know you can’t have done anything bad, so take your time.’
Jane gave her a grateful look and embarked on her tale. She left nothing out, even going into detail about how she had had no choice but to defuse the landmine and that the man dealing with the unexploded bomb alongside her had been very dear to her. She told them about the explosion, the awful aftermath, the long weeks and months of rehabilitation and the lasting effects on her psyche. All the way through, Veronica and Flora listened intently and made no comment. It was only when Jane finally came to the end that her employer spoke up.
‘Thank you, Jane. To be perfectly honest I already knew most of that. It was good to hear it from your perspective though.’
‘You knew? Did David tell you?’
Veronica smiled. ‘I’ve known since before your interview in London. The moment Gordon sent me your CV, I felt sure you were going to be perfect for the job, so I asked a friend for a reference. Does the name General Sir Alexander Greene-Finch mean anything to you?’
Jane’s eyes opened wide with amazement. ‘You know him? He’s the Chief of the General Staff, the head of the armed forces!’
The smile only broadened. ‘I’ve known Alex since university. To be totally honest, I had a bit of a crush on him for a while. Anyway, when I heard you’d been in the army I called him and asked him about you.’
Jane was speechless. Veronica had approached the CGS about her? ‘And he spoke to you about me?’
‘This may come as a surprise to you but he already knew all about you.’ Ignoring Jane’s look of incredulity, Veronica continued. ‘He told me you were one of his finest officers and a very brave young woman.’
‘Wow!’ Jane’s mind boggled. The CGS? Of course, the medal for gallantry would have had to be authorised at the highest level but even so…
‘But you’re all right again now?’ Flora sounded genuinely concerned and Jane was touched.
‘I’m fine, thanks. I’m running again; I feel fit, and all my aches and pains have left me.’
‘Lucky you.’ Flora grimaced. ‘With me it’s a question of which bits don’t hurt.’
‘And yet you ride your bike and walk all over the place. I’m massively impressed.’
‘Thank you, my dear, but tell me, are you feeling better deep down inside? So often it’s not so much the physical injuries that take the longest to heal.’
‘I’ll be completely honest with you and say that although I’m probably not completely back to a hundred percent normal, I do feel miles better and happier. And being here has been really helpful, as have all of you.’
Veronica gave her a big smile. ‘That’s so good to hear and thank you for telling us your story. Now, I think a drink might be in order, don’t you? Why don’t we open a bottle of champagne? I’ve got a bit of news of my own to celebrate. There should be a couple of bottles in the wine fridge in the corner of the living room. Let me…’
Jane jumped to her feet. ‘You stay there, Veronica. Leave it to me. In the corner, you say?’
