Love Conquers All by Alex Johnson
Chapter Six
The days and weeks passed with no letter or news from Alex. Ruth would return from work in Salisbury hospital hoping and praying for a letter from her Geordie boyfriend but each night she was disappointed. “Where can he be mother?” she would ask over and over again.
“I don’t know dear but I am very disappointed for I thought that he was a lovely boy. He may have been killed of course – we wouldn’t be told but they would tell his parents.”
“Of course! I will write to his mother to find out where he is. I will do it right now.” Ruth disappeared to write the letter but on sitting down, pen ready, she thought that Alex’s mother would not like her to be nosey, so put down the pen. Mrs Rowdon watched her daughter grow from a happy-go-lucky young girl into a moody, stay-at-home. Finally she decided to do something about it.
“Ruth,” she said, “we are having a dance in the hall on Wednesday. I am doing the refreshments. Will you come and help me?”
“Do you really need me mother?” asked Ruth.
“Yes I do. Eileen can’t come and I must have someone to help.”
“Alright mother, but I’ll be leaving early as I won’t be dancing.”
Mrs Rowdon was delighted that her plan was working and smiled to herself as she washed her dishes, planning the second part for next Wednesday at the hall. Ruth arrived home late from work on Wednesday but mother chased her to get changed for the dance. An unwilling Ruth changed into a very becoming dress, looked in the mirror and shook her head. Mother and daughter busied themselves making sandwiches and tea and producing some excellent cream cakes. The interval was very busy as the soldiers and airmen lined up to buy their refreshment and Ruth was in great demand as the hostess.
A young officer had been watching Ruth and having allowed everyone else to be served he sauntered up and said, “Please may I have a cup of tea from those lovely hands?”
She looked up and saw a young, handsome Royal Engineer officer with dark eyes and a ready smile. Without saying a word she poured out a cup of tea and handed it to him. He bowed and thanked her, returning to his seat. The interval over, the band struck up and the dance began again. Soon the sound of hob-nailed boots filled the room. The young officer, having finished his cup of tea, leaned back and surveyed the room. Eventually his gaze fell on, and stayed on, Ruth’s face. She had finished her chores and was sitting in the corner, close to the kitchen. After watching her intently for a few minutes, he rose and made his way over to her. He looked at her and smiled and said, “I hope you don’t mind me joining you. You looked so sad and it’s wrong for a pretty girl to be so sad.” Ruth flushed and glanced away. “What’s your name?” he asked quietly.
Ruth looked at him and then after a pause replied, “Ruth Rowdon and I help my mother in the kitchen.”
“My name is Fred Johnson and I am stationed at the Gas School. This is my first week here and I think it is a lovely little village.”
She didn’t answer, just watched the dancing. Fred waited for a moment then said, “Please may I have the pleasure of a dance with you?”
Ruth was going to refuse when a voice from the kitchen said, “Of course she will. She enjoys dancing.” It was her mother who had suddenly appeared. Ruth paused then got up onto the dance floor. It was a quickstep and soon he was leading her around the room with expertise. When the dance finished he took her back to her seat and thanked her. Ruth was breathless, whether it was because of the dance or not she wasn’t sure. He came up for the next dance but Ruth quietly refused, saying she was tired. Fred looked at her, sat down beside her and said, “What’s wrong Ruth? Have I upset you? Please tell me so that I can apologise.”
Ruth looked at him, her eyes filling with tears. “No, it’s not you. You have been a gentleman.”
“Then tell what’s wrong. Perhaps I can help.”
She shook her head, pushed back her hair and said, “I’m afraid you can’t help me. Only one person can do that and I don’t think he wants to.”
He looked at her lovely face and tear-filled eyes and immediately decided he would offer his help, regardless of what it cost. “Come on dear, tell Uncle Fred your troubles.”
She looked at this young face and decided to trust him with her sorry tale. “I have a boyfriend,” she said, “we were very much in love and then he joined the commandos. He wrote at first saying he was moving. I haven’t heard from him since and that was weeks ago. I don’t know if he has finished with me, is wounded or is dead.” Her voice quivered as she spoke.
Fred looked at her and resolved to find this soldier at all costs. “Ruth, when you go home look for your friend’s number and rank. Bring it here next week and I will see if I can find him for you.”
Ruth was overjoyed with his offer and promised to do as he said, saying she knew where to find his number. Soon afterwards Ruth left for home, her mother going with her, to Fred’s annoyance. Before she left she gave Fred a dazzling smile. “Goodnight and thank you!”
He stood watching them until they were out of sight. What a beautiful girl he thought. I wish I had met her earlier. However, it is possible that she may be free and if so I will step in. With that he picked up his cap and set off for camp with a jaunty step and whistling cheerfully. Lying in bed that night he thought of Ruth and hoped and hoped and ...next morning in his office he prepared a list of telephone numbers he would use once he had the regimental number and rank of Ruth’s friend.
--0--
Ruth found great difficulty in concentrating at work. Her mind wandered to the young officer. Questions flooded her mind. Could he find Alex for her or was he just trying to be friendly? Was Alex still alive? Where was he? Had he found another girl? She shook her head in exasperation. This won’t do she thought. I’ll have to forget about the promise and concentrate on my work or the Almoner will be cross with me. Nevertheless, Thursday and Friday were very long days. Time dragged and she was glad when she got on the bus to go home.
Sunday morning was warm and bright as she walked to the village church. Sitting in the choir stalls she could survey the whole church and as she sat, she wondered if Lieutenant Johnson would attend the service. Her heart quickened when she saw a khaki-clad young officer enter and take a seat but she realised it wasn’t him. She wondered if she should speak to this officer about Fred but on reflection thought better of it and just returned home after the service.
Wednesday night was dance night again and Ruth volunteered to help her mother with the refreshments. Her mother noticed that she had taken great pains in her dressing and smiled to herself. Together they walked to the hall and soon Ruth was busy preparing sandwiches and cakes for the soldiers. Although very busy, she still found time to sneak a glance into the hall to see if the young officer had arrived. She patted her pocket to check that the paper with the required information was still there.
The interval came and she was kept busy, too busy to notice that he had not arrived. After feeding the hungry dancers she looked round the hall and her heart sank. He wasn’t there. Oh! She thought, was he kidding me? And yet, he seemed so nice. She sat in her usual seat near the kitchen. Twice she was approached to dance but she politely refused. She decided to put on her coat to leave when her mother asked why she was leaving.
“I’m leaving now because I’m tired of waiting for the officer who wanted Alex’s rank and number. He said he would try to find out where Alex was, but he hasn’t come tonight.”
“Perhaps he is working and can’t get here. There is a war on you know dear.”
Just then the hall door opened and a soldier came in, looked around and then came straight across to her. “Beg your pardon ma’am,” he said “are you Miss Rowdon?”
“Yes.” said Ruth.
“Then I have a message for you. Mr Johnson sends his apologies and says he has to work tonight and so can’t come to the dance. He says, God willing, he will be here next week. Nice chap, Mr Johnson.”
Ruth thanked him, her head in a whirl. He hadn’t
“There, I told you that you were too quick to judge the lad. You see he is a real gentleman,” said her mother. Ruth nodded.
Ruth was no longer the happy-go-lucky young girl she used to be. Her mother watched in despair as Ruth took no interest in the home or social events and even had to be pushed to take care of herself. Wednesday evening came again and once more Mrs Rowden asked Ruth to help her but Ruth complained of a headache and said that she may call in later if the headache had gone. Her mother was cross and told her to snap out of her black mood, especially tonight as Mr Johnson said he would be there and he had promised to help her if he could. The least she could do was to attend the dance. Mrs Rowden left for the hall, slamming the door behind her to infuriate her daughter. Once in the kitchen she busied herself with the food and forgot about her wayward daughter.
The interval was as busy as ever and once it was over she sat down for a rest. Her eyes searched the room for Lieutenant Johnson but to no avail. Well, well. Perhaps Ruth was right and she will never see him again. He had looked and behaved like a real gentleman. Musing thus, she saw the door open and three young officers enter. They sat down at the rear end of the hall and soon were chatting away, making no attempt to dance. After a few minutes one of them detached himself from the group and walked up to her.
“Hello ma’am,” he said, “are you Ruth’s mother?”
“Yes.” she replied.
“I promised to come tonight to see her and to get Sergeant Water’s rank and number so that I can help her, but I can’t see her. Is she alright?” he asked. He looked at Mrs Rowden and she noted his handsome face.
“I’m afraid not. At least not at the moment. She had a headache but she did say that she would come later, if it lifted. I think I’ll go over and give her a shaking,” said Mrs Rowdon.
“Please don’t do that,” said Lieutenant Johnson, “If she is okay then I’m sure she will come. I do look forward to seeing her again.” He rose, gave a little bow and returned to the far end of the hall to rejoin his friends.
“What a silly girl I’ve got, she doesn’t deserve any help.” Mrs Rowdon muttered to herself. The dance continued. The soldiers in their heavy uniforms and army boots all had faces shining with perspiration but were thoroughly enjoying themselves. The door opened and Ruth walked in. She came up to her mother without glancing right or left.
“Oh! You finally came. Are you aware that there is a young officer here who has waited an hour for you? I nearly told him to go home. Here he is.” Her mother finished her stinging rebuke and disappeared into the kitchen.
Lieutenant Johnson approached and said, “Hello Ruth. I thought I was going to miss you tonight. Have you recovered from your headache?”
Ruth blushed and dropped her eyes before answering. “Yes, thank you. It was very nice of you to come.”
Lieutenant Johnson looked at her, marvelling at her beauty. “I promised to help you if I can. Have you brought Alex’s details?”
“Yes, here you are. When I last saw him he was Sergeant A. Waters, No.10123342 but it may have changed since then.”
“Thank you. His rank may have changed but not his number. He will have that for life,” said Fred Johnson.
“Don’t get yourself into trouble on my behalf. He’s probably dead now.” Her voice dropped as she said it. Fred Johnson put the paper in his pocket, determined to do his best to help this pretty girl in her search for her boyfriend.
“Now that’s done what about a dance?”
“Go on dear,” said her mother who had been listening to the conversation. ”It’s the least you can do for him.” She liked this young officer and hoped something would come of this meeting. It would certainly bring her daughter out of her depression. Reluctantly Ruth rose to his feet and joined the crowd on the dance floor. He is certainly a good dancer she thought as they glided around the floor. When the dance finished he escorted her back to her seat but instead of returning to his two friends, he sat down in the seat hastily vacated by her mother who had seen them making their way back.
“You certainly dance well Ruth. The best in the room I think,” he said, looking at her flushed face.
“Nonsense!” and here she raised half a smile. “I suppose you say that to all the girls you dance with.”
Delighted to have won her attention Fred talked animatedly about his job and his family and eventually managed to get Ruth involved. The evening ended far too quickly for Fred who found himself attracted to Ruth.
“May I walk home with you?” asked Fred suddenly.
“I will be helping mother to take the utensils home,” Ruth replied quickly.
“Well never mind, perhaps some other time.” Smiling cheerfully he made his way back to his officer friends. Arriving back with his friends they immediately began to tease him about the pretty girl who served the teas. Fred just smiled and when asked if he was going to take her for his girlfriend, passed it up by saying, “That girl’s heart is owned by someone else, a sapper sergeant.”
--0--
Next morning Lieutenant Johnson started ringing up various friends and some Units. He got no information from any of the regimental Units. They said that they would like to help but for security reasons they weren’t able to give him the location of any soldier. Disappointed but not disheartened he continued his quest by contacting every officer he knew. Most had no idea of the whereabouts of any soldiers but two old friends said that they too would ferret around for Sergeant Waters.
Two days later one of the friends rang up to say that he had found out where he had been stationed but not his present address. He did however have the unit’s name and number so perhaps Fred could go on from there. Fred was delighted and thanked his friend profusely.
Armed with this knowledge Fred Johnson began to pester various units to get knowledge of the sergeant. He thought he had succeeded when he spoke to a commando who had served with Sergeant Alex. The soldier had travelled from Scotland with him and they had trained together in Dorset and Devon. He remembered that the sergeant had left suddenly probably injured or even on a raid. He suggested to Lieutenant Johnson that he contacted all military hospitals, there were only a few in the South West of England.
Fred reached out for the Army list of hospitals and noted it was TOP SECRET and knew that he would have some difficulty in getting information. There were three hospitals in the area and so he chose the largest to begin with. He called the hospital several times under different names but each time without success. The second hospital was, at first, uncooperative, then, having said the soldier’s mother was wanting news of her son they told Fred that they would check the patients’ names for him. Fred was more optimistic now but a few minutes later the hospital rang to say that it had no patient of that name. Fred sat deliberating which hospital to try next. It was possible if Alex was wounded that he could be in any hospital in England. That would be a mammoth task. He finally decided that he would ring the third hospital which was in Devon. Once again he was told that it was impossible to give news of any patient. Fred was persistent this time and the nurse finally agreed to go and find out. After what seemed ages but was probably, actually only a few minutes the nurse came back to say that he was a patient in that hospital but he was paralysed and wanted no visitors.
Fred asked for more information but the nurse repeated that he was paralysed and wished to see no one. Well, thought Fred, at least I have found out where he is. Should I tell Ruth? She would surely want to visit him and that would be a waste of time. He thought of the situation many times before he decided to tell Ruth. Having reached a decision,
Fred was impatient for Wednesday evening to come. When Wednesday came he was horrified to find he was on duty again. He searched for his friend, Lieutenant Worthington and having told him the full story, asked him if he would do his duty for him. Worthington looked at Fred’s face for a moment and then with a smile agreed. Fred shook his hand and left to prepare for the dance.
&n
Fred waited a moment, drew a deep breath and replied. “Yes. I rang up several hospitals and I was lucky. I finally found where he was.”
Ruth suddenly became animated. “Where is he? Is he alright? Can I go to see him?” she blustered excitedly.
“Sergeant Alex is in the military hospital at Barnstaple in North Devon,” replied Fred softly.
“Thank you Fred, you are wonderful.”
Shaking his head, Fred blushed and then blurted out, “Don’t get carried away Ruth. He is paralysed. He fell down a cliff, broke both legs and injured his spinal cord.”
Ruth looked at him and then said, “There’s more to come isn’t there. Come on. Tell me!”
Fred paused, shrugged his shoulders, looked at her and said in a very firm voice, “He is so bad he wishes no one to see him in his present condition. This is obviously why he hasn’t written to you. He must think a lot of you.”
Ruth absorbed the information with tears in her eyes. “Don’t go Ruth,” said Fred, “Alex obviously wants to be left alone. You’ll just upset him.”
“Upset him!” she snapped. “What about me, he hasn’t thought about my feelings has he?”
“Of course he has. He doesn’t want to upset you so he has decided to stay away from you. Can’t you see that?”
Ruth listened but shook her head. On Friday night or Saturday she would get the train to Barnstaple to see him for herself, to find out the truth. Perhaps Fred didn’t want her to go so that he could see more of her. Fred broke her line of thought to ask for a dance, and so they danced.
Ruth told her mother the good news that Fred had found the whereabouts of Alex and that she would go to see him. Fred joined in the conversation by telling her that Alex was paralysed and wanted to see nobody. Ruth reiterated that she was going even against the wishes of Fred and her mother. Mother left them at the gate with Fred still trying to persuade her not to go. Ruth finally accused him of wanting to take Alex’s place in her affections. Fred was annoyed but Ruth apologized, realizing that Fred had only been trying to help.
Saturday came and Ruth caught the Silver Star bus to Salisbury to catch the 9.55 am train to Barnstaple. On the train Ruth began to have second thoughts. Perhaps he didn’t want to see her. Perhaps his love for her had diminished. What should she do? Finally she decided that as she was almost there she would complete the journey.
The train was on time and she alighted in Barnstaple feeling fine but hungry. She debated whether to have lunch before going to the hospital but she was keen to see Alex so she went straight to the hospital. She found it easily enough and walked into the reception area saying a silent prayer that things would go alright.
“Could I see Sergeant Waters please?” she asked the receptionist who looked at her curiously and said, “Just a moment and I’ll check where he is.” She opened her large book and ran her finger down the list and said, “There he is, Ward 10, straight along the passage, end room on the left.”
Ruth thanked her and walked along the passage. Walking along she heard laughter coming from the end room. Without knocking she opened the door and froze. There sitting in a wheelchair with no shirt or socks on, wearing only underpants was Sergeant Alex Waters. There was a short pause when the nurse who had been manhandling Alex quietly slipped out of the room.
“Ruth! What are you doing here?” Alex snapped.
“I came to see you but you don’t seem very pleased to see me. Why didn’t you write to me?”
“Can’t you see why I didn’t write? I’m a cripple.” he said bitterly. “I wasn’t going to spend my life expecting you to give up everything to care for me. No! I wanted you to have a life of your own so I didn’t write. Go home, forget about me and find a new young man.”
Ruth looked at his angry face as he spat out the words she didn’t want to hear.
“So you don’t want me anymore, is that it?” she said.
“Haven’t I made it plain?” he said, “I am a cripple and I am not going to burden you.”
“Are you sure it’s not because of that lovely nurse?” she asked, angrily.
“No it’s not. She has to care for me, dress me, massage me, and take me out in the wheelchair and she’s a jewel, but that’s all.”
Ruth was seething, “I don’t believe you! You could have written to tell me! You didn’t even think of me and I thought you loved me!”
Alex waved his hand, “I do! That’s why I didn’t write! I didn’t want you to give up your life to care for a cripple!”
Ruth straightened up and in a bitter tone of voice said, “Alright, if that’s what you want I don’t want to see you again. Carry on with your nurse!”
Alex groaned. “Ruth, Ruth,” he muttered, but too late. Ruth looked at him, turned quickly and stormed out of the room.
The nurse, waiting in the corridor, ran after Ruth and confronted her. “You will be Ruth I suppose? Well let me tell you that he loves you dearly but he won’t let you give up your life for him,” said the nurse.
“Are you sure it’s not because of you?” retorted Ruth.
“No! I think he is a great boy but that is all. My lover is in the forces too.”
Ruth walked away, tears streaming down her face. Meanwhile Alex was sitting, tears in his eyes as he spoke to nurse Jane. “Oh Jane! What have I done? I love her so much but I just had to stop it before it went too far.”
Jane moved closer and, putting her arms around him, just stood and hugged him. Ruth arrived back in Salisbury after a long, miserable journey and taxied home where her mother was waiting for her.
“Well, she said, how was he?”
Ruth did not answer as she walked past her and into her bedroom where she threw herself onto her bed and sobbed. Her mother sighed and waited till her daughter was ready to explain what had happened. When Ruth did tell her she made it plain that the romance was over, even though her mother said she could understand Alex’s point of view.
On Wednesday Ruth was determined to show that she had forgotten Alex by dancing all evening with Fred. He didn’t ask any questions. He waited for her to tell him what had happened and he was strangely excited. Perhaps I have a chance now he thought to himself.