Beyond the Shadow of War (33 page)

“They did, but I didn’t care.”

“Yes, I would imagine you didn’t.” Gigi set her cigarette on the edge of her plate and took another bite of bacon. “Well then, I shall be on my own. I’ll think of something.”

The rest of the day brought a flurry of classes, long queues for checking and rechecking to make sure all the necessary forms were completed. More interviews. More inoculations. Anya wondered if any of it was necessary, or if perhaps those in charge merely shuffled them all around like a merry-go-round that wouldn’t stop until they departed.

Anya fought an ongoing undercurrent of angst while at Camp Tidworth, but said nothing about it. While most of the war brides appeared excited and anxious to make the journey across the Atlantic, she wondered how many of them like her might be worrying about the drastic changes their lives were taking. As eager as she was to begin her life with Danny, she tried to tamp down the constant prickly sensation in her stomach that riddled her with worries and fears. It would all be over soon. Surely?

“I’m so glad I kept Joss with me,” Kate said when they gathered again for the evening meal. “Have you heard all the rumors about the strange sickness spreading through the nursery?”

“No. What kind of sickness?”

“Massive problems with diarrhea. They said the stench is unbearable. We were told to bring a twenty-one-day supply of nappies before we came, but the babies in the nursery are going through them much too fast. Plus, there’s nowhere to wash or dry the nappies. It’s ridiculous.”

“Do they have any idea what’s causing the diarrhea?” Anya asked.

“Someone said the women in the Formula Room are mixing the formula incorrectly, doubling the strength instead of the normal amount. But I can’t help thinking some of the children were already sick when they arrived.”

“But I thought all the children were given physicals.” Anya leaned back in her chair with Joss sound asleep on her shoulder.

Kate shook her head. “What a joke. When we arrived, the doctor barely glanced at Joss. For all they knew, she could have had the plague.”

“All right, all right,” Gigi groaned, stubbing her cigarette in the ashtray. “Enough of this gloom and doom! We won’t be here forever, ladies, so why can’t we ignore all the negative chatter and just keep cheerful thoughts?” She picked up her tray and turned to go.

“Where are you going?” Kate asked.

“I don’t know. I need some fresh air. I’ll see you all later.”

37

30 January 1946 

Two days later, Anya, Kate, and Gigi and hundreds of other brides received the notice they’d all been waiting for. They were to report to Pier 54 in Southampton at ten the next morning where they would board the SS
Wisteria
, an American cruise ship.

As soon as the notices were distributed, Anya and her friends joined the long queue waiting to wire telegrams to their husbands with the name of their ship, and the date and time scheduled for its arrival in New York. The Army Transport Company would further update the families after departure should the arrival date and time change. Afterward, the girls hurried back to their barracks to pack their belongings.

They were awakened at quarter past four the next morning and instructed to have their bags ready before their five-thirty breakfast. By half past six, they waited in another queue to have their luggage weighed once again, and all their forms checked one final time. At eight, they boarded one of the many buses for Southampton, some sixty miles away.

Once they arrived, they gathered their carry-on bags and followed the mass of women and children all heading toward the port’s main entrance. A ripple of barely-contained excitement surrounded them with smiles all around. Even the bitter cold temperature couldn’t dampen their spirits. Only a few of the youngest brides sobbed as they said their goodbyes to family members who’d come to see them off. Emotions ran deep in both directions.

“ANYA!”

She turned, scanning the crowd. “Did you hear someone call out my name?”

“Yes! Over there, Anya,” Gigi said pointing across the crowd. “That couple running there. Do you see them? She’s wearing a red beret.”

“Where? Oh … oh my goodness! I can’t believe it!” She dashed away from the queue, pushing her way through the crowd.

“We’ll hold your place in line, but hurry, Anya!” Gigi cried.

“Sophie! Charlie? I can’t believe you’re here!” She flew into their open arms, colliding in hugs and kisses, their laughter puffing bursts of clouds in the chilly sea air.

Sophie hugged her again, squeezing her tight. “Oh Anya, I’m so glad we caught you before it was too late! We would have been here earlier but the traffic came to a stall the closer we got to the pier. We finally parked the automobile and made a run for it.”

Frosty tears of joy blurred her vision. “But how did you know I’d be here? We only found out yesterday that we’d be sailing today.”

“Never underestimate the American spirit,” Charlie teased. “We had already told Danny we wanted to come see you off and made him promise not to tell you. He wired us as soon as he got your telegram yesterday. We made a few quick calls, jumped the automobile, and here we are.”

“Yes, and Da sends his love. He’s fighting the tiniest bit of a cold, so I insisted he mind the pub while we’re away.”

“Please give him my love and tell him I hope he feels better soon.”

Sophie grabbed Anya’s gloved hands with both of hers. “We know you can’t stay, but we had to at least try to see you off. We’ve missed you
so
much, Anya. Are you well? Are you terribly excited?”

“Yes, yes, but let me look at you!” Anya stepped back for a better look at the expectant mother. “Open your coat so I can see.”

Sophie quickly unbuttoned her coat and displayed her rounded belly.

“Oh Sophie, look at you!” She patted her friend’s tummy. “I’m so happy for you. You must promise you’ll come to Chicago, America once your little one is born.”

“ANYA!” Gigi yelled. “We’re about to go through. Hurry!”

“Yes, yes! We promise. We would love to come see you and Danny in America.” Sophie hugged her again and kissed her cheek. “Now go so you don’t miss your ship!”

Charlie hugged her and planted a loud kiss on her other cheek. “Safe travels, Anya. You tell that husband of yours to‌—‌”

“Oh, Anya, I almost forgot!” Sophie dug in her pocketbook and pulled out a small velvet pouch which she handed her.

“Oh, you shouldn’t have, Sophie.”

“Open it. Hurry!”

Anya pulled open the drawstring and looked inside. “Oh … I can’t believe it!” she cried, lifting out the sterling silver charm bracelet.

“I found it in the alley when I was making room by the fence to stock more firewood. The sunlight happened to hit it just right, and I knew exactly what it was.”

“ANYA! Hurry!” Gigi yelled.

“I can’t believe it! Oh, thank you, thank you!”

“You’re welcome!” Sophie said. “Isn’t it the most perfect send-off? Now, off you go. We’ll stay to see you sail away so watch for us! We love you!”

Anya turned to go, looked back one more time to wave, then rushed to catch up with Kate and Gigi.

“Friends of yours?” Kate asked.

She turned for a final look, but the gate blocked her view. “Yes, the dearest of friends. They’re the ones I stayed with in Framlingham‌—‌”

“Charlie and Sophie? I remember! You told me about them. They were in your wedding, right?”

“Yes. Oh, I just can’t believe they came all the way from Framlingham to see me off. And look‌—‌” She held up the bracelet. “They found my bracelet!”

“Danny’s bracelet? I mean, the one Danny gave you on your honeymoon?”

“Yes, I just can’t believe he found it!”

“Oh Anya, how wonderful!” Kate said.

“Come on, girls. You’re holding up the queue!” Gigi shouted.

As they made their way closer to their pier, Anya shivered in the brisk morning air and took a deep breath. “It’s really happening, isn’t it? We’re not just dreaming, are we?”

“I just had the same thought,” Kate said, tugging the knitted cap on Joss’s head to cover her ears. “We’re standing here, but for the life of me, I still can’t believe it. We’re
finally
going. We’re going! After everything we’ve been through, I just can’t believe it’s happening.”

“Isn’t it wonderful?!” Gigi squealed, huddling them in a group hug.

Jocelyn giggled with a toothless smile.

“Did you hear what they’re calling these sailings?” Gigi asked. “They’ve dubbed them
Operation War Bride.
Fancy that, we have our very own operation.”

“I heard someone else call it
Operation Diaper Run,
” Anya added.

“I’ve never seen so many women and children in my whole life,” Kate marveled. “Good thing it’s a big ship.”

All three tilted their heads back as they looked up at the bow of the SS
Wisteria.
The ship was quite beautiful and majestic, despite its gray wartime exterior. Anya tried to imagine it in its previous glory as a luxury cruise liner.

“You think this is big?” Gigi said. “I’m still upset we don’t get to sail on the
Queen Mary
or the
Queen Elizabeth
over there. Just look at them! This old tub looks like a shabby baby compared to those grand ladies.”

“That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?” Anya challenged. The
Wisteria
may not be as big, but she’s still beautiful. Like a smaller version of the
Titanic.
”

“Anya, take that back!” Gigi snapped. “You take that back this instant! You mustn’t banter about such a thing when we’re about to board. It’s bad luck.”

“Don’t be so superstitious. It’s been more than thirty years since the
Titanic
sunk‌—‌”

Gigi gave her a loud
shush.
“Don’t be daft. Don’t even
say
the name of that ship. Don’t even
think
it!”

Kate hugged Joss closer. “I have to agree with Gigi, Anya. People at sea are quite superstitious, so be careful what you say about such things.”

As they neared the gangway, a magpie suddenly flew down from the ship’s railing and landed only a short distance from them.

Gigi shrieked as she backed away from the bird. “NOW see what you’ve done?” She blew a kiss toward the bird then saluted it.

Kate turned her back and moved away, holding Joss even closer. “Oh no, this can’t be good.”

Anya looked at them, bewildered. “What’s wrong with you two? It’s just a silly black bird.”

Gigi shook her head. “No, it’s not! How can you
not
know that magpies are bad luck? Especially if you see only one. ‘One for sorrow,’ as the saying goes.”

“If that’s the case, why did you blow it a kiss and salute it?”

“Honestly, Anya, you can’t seriously tell me you don’t know? To ward off the risk of bad luck, of course. Now, thanks to you, we’ll probably all die at sea.”

“Gigi, I think you’re overreacting‌—‌”

“Ladies, if I may have your attention.”

The crowd slowly quieted to hear the voice over the loudspeaker.

“This is Captain Neville Masterson. Welcome to this historic voyage of the SS
Wisteria
. As you board, please mind that the identity cards you were given are displayed in plain sight. This will help our stewards move you along to your assigned cabins. If you have any questions pertaining to our ship, please address them to the stewards. All other questions regarding your journey across the Atlantic to your new homes may be addressed to the American Red Cross representatives at a later time. With your help, we can all accomplish this vast undertaking with efficiency in order that we may depart on time this evening. Thank you for your cooperation and welcome aboard.”

Anya lost track of time as they moved along at a snail’s pace. Once they climbed the steps up to the gangway, a swell of fear surged through her, nearly taking her breath away. She gripped the side rail to steady herself, careful not to look down at the water below. When she left Holland, she’d ridden the ferry across the choppy English Channel without so much as a single moment of seasickness. The
Wisteria
was still anchored at the dock. It wasn’t moving. So what triggered the sudden strange feelings?

“Are you all right?”

She looked up to find Kate turned toward her, one hand on the rail, the other cradling Joss. “Yes, I’m fine. I think.”

“Move along, ladies,” Gigi prodded. “You heard the man.”

Once aboard the ship, they were attended by American soldiers who helped carry their luggage and led them to their assigned cabin. All three girls were awestruck by the grand staircase taking them down a flight of stairs.

“Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?” Kate crooned as she ascended the crowded stairs. “I had no idea these ocean liners were so elegant.”

They turned down one hall, then another and another. Next, a long stretch of hallway where they passed clusters of excited brides all chatting and carrying on about their good fortune. Another turn, then another. Then another long stretch of hallway gave way to another crowded flight of stairs.

“I’m so very glad you know where you’re going, soldier,” Gigi said. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were purposefully trying to confuse us.”

“Or taking us in circles,” Kate teased.

The young soldier turned to look over his shoulder. “Don’t you worry your pretty little heads. It just takes time to get your bearings. You’ll find your way soon enough.”

“Will I?” Gigi asked. “And if I don’t will you show me the way?”

“At your service, ma’am. We’re here to help.” He offered a ready smile as he turned a final corner. “Here you go. Cabin 245. Mind your step.”

They followed him into a large stateroom paneled in rich polished cherry with brass wall fixtures giving off a soft glow to the room. But those were the only luxuries. The rest of the room had been stripped bare of furnishings and replaced with several double bunks lining all four walls. Some of the girls were already stowing their bags and claiming their bunks. The soldiers set their bags beside three open bunks.

“There now. Take your time settling in. The captain will make another announcement later with further instructions. Any questions?‌”

“Might there be a crib for my little one?” Kate asked.

“Oh.” The soldier blinked as if he hadn’t noticed the child. “My mistake, ma’am. Those with little ones are in another section of the ship.” He reached for her bags. “I’ll be happy to take you there.”

“But please, can’t I stay here with my friends? It’s such a long journey, and I can’t imagine being separated from them.”

Gigi slipped between them and worked her magic. “Come on, love, have a heart. We’re meant to stay together, the three of us.” She busied herself straightening his tie. “If I ventured a guess, I bet you could sneak one of those cute little hammocks in here so Kate and her sweet baby can stay with us.” She patted his tie and let her hands linger on his chest. “You would do that for us, wouldn’t you?”

A warm flush spread across the soldier’s face. Anya and Kate shared a look, each suppressing a smile.

“I’m not entirely sure I‌—‌”

“Oh, but
I’m
sure. And I would be most appreciative of such a kindness on your part.” She glanced over her shoulder at Kate and Anya. “We would
all
be most appreciative, wouldn’t we, girls?”