Scarlet raised her glass of champagne, one of a few bottles that Lucy’s father had brought up from the cellar where he’d had them hidden since before the war. She took a slow sip.
‘My family would have loved to be here today from New York, in fact they’d love to meet my beautiful wife, period, but I was in a bit of a hurry to marry this gorgeous girl before she realised what a mistake she was making.’ He laughed. ‘The truth is that they couldn’t make it here due to my sister expecting her first baby any day, but they’ll be visiting as soon as they can.’
Scarlet smiled along with everyone else seated around the table. Jack was always entertaining; he had been even when he’d been lying on a hospital bed without his memory and so obviously trying to court Lucy, the one nurse who’d always been immune to a soldier’s charm.
‘Anyway, my sister sent a letter, and she wanted me to read it today, so here goes. To my future sister-in-law, thank you for marrying my brother. If you’re anything like he’s told me, we’re both lucky to have you in our lives, and I can’t wait to meet you one day. I wish you a lifetime of happiness, and I want to thank you with all my heart for your bravery. I know that you are the reason he’s here today. Without you, he wouldn’t be alive, and I will forever be thankful for your decision that day to help save him. He’s told me you have scars, that you were badly burnt, but he’s also told me that they’re a sign of your bravery and of what you went through. I don’t even know you yet, but I do know that I’m proud to call you my sister. Yours truly, Susie.’
Scarlet wiped her eyes, smiled through her tears as she reached for her glass. She stood, urging Ellie to do the same. She wasn’t one to speak in front of others, but this was different. This was Lucy’s wedding, and they were surrounded only by her family and a handful of her other friends. This was something she needed to do.
‘Lucy is one of the bravest and most talented nurses we met in France, and we are so happy that she found Jack. We suffered through her constant worries about this man, certain that a photo in his pocket was his sweetheart, when in fact it was this lovely new sister of hers, Susie.’ Everyone laughed and Scarlet smiled over at Lucy. ‘One day the memories of what we saw over there will start to fade, but I will never forget you or Ellie. I am forever grateful to have met you both, and I am so, so happy to be here today to see you marry Jack.’
Lucy held up her glass, eyes twinkling as she whispered, ‘Thank you.’
Scarlet sat back down and leaned into her husband, sighing when he dropped a kiss into her hair. A few months ago, she was certain the war would never be over, that she would never be home. But she’d found her home now, with James and her friends. Her hand fluttered to rest on her belly.
They were all wives to this war, but somehow they’d managed to survive it and find happiness on the other side. Despite it all, despite everything, they’d survived.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I have taken small liberties to make this story fit within the confines of real-life events, although almost all of what you read in this book is accurate in place and chronological order. The 75th Mobile Field Hospital, and the depictions of the nurses landing in Normandy, living at the camp and working under canvas, are as accurate as possible. I read the true accounts of many nurses to ensure these scenes were as true to life as could be, and I must thank my research assistant, Jai Patel, for his great work in providing me with much of my background information. However, there were times where I had to depart from the exact path the nurses from the 75th followed, such as when the lorry stops en route to Brussels and faces enemy attack by a small band of SS soldiers – this was entirely my imagination.
This was an amazing book to write because it was set in such a fascinating time in history. It was a period when women were stepping up to fill roles they had been prevented from doing in the past, and often finding an inner strength they never knew they had. I applaud all the women who pushed themselves outside of their comfort zone, either of necessity or choice, during World War II. I cannot imagine the fear of waving a husband off to war, alone with my children and with a farm or business to tend to; or the bravery of nurses like my characters from this story, leaving the relative safety of their families to care for soldiers abroad.
As with all my acknowledgements, I have a core group of people to thank. I’d be lost without my personal and professional support crew, so I must thank them all individually. First, thank to you to my editors, Sammia Hamer and Sophie Wilson, who are always full of great ideas to help make my books stronger, and offer so much encouragement through the editing process. My agent Laura Bradford is also vital to my writing process, not only for handling contracts and negotiations, but also for general hand-holding and advice! I also have a fantastic extended team at Amazon Publishing, including Emilie Marneur and Bekah Graham, as well as my copyeditor and proofreader, and many others behind the scenes.
I would also like to say a special thank you to my mother, Maureen, for all the daily childcare help. If I can be half the mother she was to me growing up, then I’ll know I’m doing a good job! Thank you to my gorgeous sons, Mackenzie and Hunter, for being so much fun to spend time with, although I’m looking forward to Hunter’s fascination with pushing buttons on my laptop coming to an end. More than once I was terrified he’d deleted this entire file! Thanks also to Hamish, my husband, for all the hours playing Star Wars with the boys. One day I’m going to make you put down the lightsabre, though, and read one of my books . . . And while I’m on that topic, Dad, it’s about time you read one of your daughter’s books, too!
Natalie Anderson, Nicola Marsh and Yvonne Lindsay – I’d be lost without you all. Sometimes I wonder how I’d ever get a book written without your emails and messages, especially my daily writing sprints with Yvonne that keep me on the straight and narrow each day.
I’m also very fortunate that my children have such lovely teachers, which means I don’t have to worry about them when they’re at school and preschool. Given how easy it is as a writer to become distracted, it’s hugely important to me to know my children are happy and cared for when I’m not with them, and I am so fortunate that my children have their own great support crew. I will continue to show my thanks by giving you all books to read.
And finally, to all my readers: without you, I wouldn’t have a job. Thank you for every book of mine you purchase. I hope you continue to enjoy the stories I write as much as I enjoy creating them. Every email you send me, every time you tell me how much you’ve loved a story – it honestly brings a smile to my face that lasts for hours.