The Soldier's Song by Alan Monaghan Read Free Book Online Page B

and her looking into his eyes and furrowing her brow. The pain wasn’t so bad for the moment, though he had a feeling she was right – he’d know all about it in the morning.
    ‘Let me see,’ she said, and gently took the hankie away, quickly folding it again to expose the dry parts. ‘Here, hold this again. And tilt your head back. I’ll just pop inside to fetch some ice. I won’t be a minute.’
    She got up and walked towards the door. Wild horses? But she couldn’t leave him bleeding. No, she’d go back in and let them stare all they wanted. She was reaching for the handle when the door opened in front of her and her sister was standing there, blinking at her in surprise.
    ‘Lillie!’ she squealed. ‘What on earth are you doing out here in the dark? You’re after missing all the excitement. There was a big fight and some drunk fella . . .’ Her eye strayed to the bench. ‘Oh.’
    ‘Be a good girl, Sheila, and bring out a few napkins and some ice. This gentleman is a friend of mine from college. Mr Ryan, this is my sister Sheila.’
    ‘How do you do?’ Stephen enquired from under the blood-soaked handkerchief. With his head tilted back, all he could make out was a bundle of coral pink silk standing in the doorway. He raised his hand in a sort of wave.
    Sheila’s expression changed to one of concern, and she brushed past her sister and bent over him, peering intently. She was shorter than Lillian, and her hair was longer and closer to blonde, but there was no mistaking the resemblance. They had the same cheekbones, and the same bright, intelligent eyes.
    ‘What’s the matter with him?’
    ‘His nose is bleeding.’
    ‘Oh, Lillie! You’re an awful thick. It’s head forward for nosebleeds. Forward, or he’ll choke on the blood. And pinch the bridge of the nose.’
    ‘Well, how on earth was I supposed to know that?’ Lillian asked. ‘You’re the nurse.’ She shot Stephen an icy look, ‘What are you smirking at, Mr Ryan?’
    ‘Nothing, nothing. Don’t mind me.’ He obediently tilted his head forward and pinched the bridge of his nose.
    ‘Keep him like that while I fetch some ice for his eye. I’ll be back in a minute.’
    Sheila picked up her skirts and darted back through the door and Stephen sat quietly for a few moments. He could see very little with his head bent down, but he was aware of Lillian sitting down beside him again. ‘She seems like a very capable young lady,’ he said. ‘Is she really a nurse?’
    ‘By capable, I take it you mean bossy,’ Lillian answered, with affection for her sister showing in her voice, ‘and yes, she is a nurse – or she will be shortly. She’s been training with the Red Cross for the last three months, in case the war breaks out. I think she’ll be quite put out if it doesn’t.’
    Just then, an urgent chiming sound came from inside – like a bell, but more clamorous.
    ‘Is that a dinner gong?’ Stephen asked, frowning. Then they heard Richard D’Arcy’s voice, loud and clear enough to carry out to them.
    ‘Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please.’ He paused, and there was the hiss of the crowd shushing one another.
    ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sorry to interrupt your entertainment, but I have just received a very important telegram from London. In short, it informs me that since the Foreign Secretary has received no reply from the German Ambassador regarding his ultimatum, a state of war now exists between Great Britain and Germany.’
    This statement seemed to drop into a pool of silence. Stephen brought his head up and saw Lillian’s face glowing like a pearl in the light from the doorway. After a few moments she shook her head sadly. But the ballroom exploded in applause, followed by loud cheering. Then the band struck into ‘God Save the King’.
    ‘Well, it looks like your sister won’t be disappointed.’
    ‘No, I’m rather afraid she won’t, Mr Ryan,’ she gave him a wan smile and added, ‘God save us