Page 79 of Heartbreak for the Irish Midwife

‘You are dismissed. Back to barracks immediately!’

Without a word Gerald wheeled away, not even looking at Alex and Maisie.

The senior officer turned back to Maisie and Alex. ‘I apologise on behalf of the corps. Somerville’s behaviour just now, while in uniform, does not reflect our standards,’ he said formally to Maisie and Alex. ‘I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.’

‘I expect we shall.’ Alex remained calm. ‘Thank you, Major.’

‘Think nothing of it.’ He left them, and Maisie finally exhaled.

‘Are you all right?’ Alex was searching her face, his expression concerned.

‘I – yes.’ Yes, she was. Her mind was whirling. What the hell had just happened?

‘Let’s go outside.’ Together they walked out of the ballroom, finding a quiet spot by a large window, further down the upper corridor.

As soon as she was sure of privacy, the words came tumbling out of Maisie. ‘I cannot believe I was so stupid!’ Frustration rose within her at the thought of her own foolishness. ‘I actually fell for that eejit’s lies, and all the while he was a pure fecker.’ She frowned. ‘But there’s one good thing about this. I know for sure now that whatever I felt for him before is gone. I saw him just now, and all I felt was fear and dread – remembering how he had sapped at my – at my Maisie-ness.’ Was that even a word? ‘I didn’t feel anything good. Not one thing.’

Alex nodded, compassion and understanding in his gaze. ‘Did he . . . pressure you?’

She nodded mutely, her eyes filling with tears. Until this moment, she hadn’t realised how much it had affected her, resisting Gerald’s constant pressure, his inability to take No for an answer, the way his hands had gone where they shouldn’t.

‘Come here.’ His arms went round her, and Maisie relaxed into him. If men could be ranked on a scale stretching from Alex to Marcus, Maggie-Ann’s rapist, then Gerald had definitely been closer to Marcus, and both were a world away from Alex. Lovely Alex.

She had had a lucky escape, she knew, for Gerald was too damn close to Marcus. He hadn’t used force on her, but he had enjoyed playing games with her mind and her heart, making her into his creature. Only her strong sense of who she was had allowed her to resist. She shuddered. She had come home heartbroken, which had been bad enough. At least she hadn’t come home pregnant too.

‘You are way too good for him, Maisie.’ Alex’s voice was low. ‘And I think he knows it.’

She snorted. ‘Didn’t sound like it to me!’ Her voice sounded shaky.

‘He’s weak, and unhappy, and angry because he didn’t get what he wanted.’ His eyes searched her face. ‘You saw through him, and he hates that.’ He took a sharp breath. ‘Are you certain you’re done with him?’

‘One hundred per cent.’ And she was. She gave Alex a tremulous smile.

‘Good. Now, do you want to go back in? Dance with me?’

Joy rose within her, shaking off the last of her tears. ‘Yes, Alex. Let’s go.’

Hand in hand they returned to the ballroom, where they danced and chatted and laughed the night away. They weren’t even being particularly discreet tonight, but Maisie didn’t care. She felt free, and happy, and – exuberant. Having been shackled by Gerald in London, finally she had shaken away the last traces of him, and it felt good.

As did the way Alex looked at her. The way he held her as they danced. The way he made her feel as though they were the only people in the place. Everything and everyone else was background noise.

All too soon, though, the band leader was bidding the crowd a good night, and then Alex was walking her home – her favourite part of the day.

* * *

The night was dark, the blackout rules meaning they were walking beneath a million tiny stars, aided by the dim light of Alex’s hooded lamp. Once they left the main street behind, it was quiet. Alex’s hand was enveloping hers, and all was right with the world.

‘There’s something I want to tell you, Maisie,’ he said, and his tone had Maisie’s heart missing a beat. ‘I know that we agreed to keep this light, and I also know that Somerville hurt you.’ He lifted her hand to his lips. ‘I know that everything is against us being together properly – including my family and yours.’ He gave a sad smile. ‘Most people around here think a mixed marriage – or two people like us even walking out together is an abomination, but—’ He took a breath. ‘The truth is I’m tired of hiding in corners with you. I want you to be my girl. Not lightly. Like, properly.’

She squeezed his hand, her heart soaring at his words. ‘God, I want that too, Alex. So much. But I can’t see how it could be possible.’ Her voice was sad, resigned. ‘My ones would give me a pile of grief. Your ones too.’

‘I know.’ He stopped by a dark building, turned to face her. ‘But it’s worth it. You’re worth it.’ He eyed her intently, his eyes glittering in the soft glow of the hooded lamp he carried. ‘I love you, Maisie. You’re the girl for me. It doesn’t matter where you’re from. I only hope you feel the same.’

Joy flooded through her, but she needed to be sensible. ‘Alex! I—’ God, she wanted to say it back, but the words wouldn’t come out. ‘It would never work.’ The very thought of her mother’s reaction made her shudder. ‘I saw your parents that day outside your church. They’d be ragin’ if you picked somebody like me.’

He sighed. ‘I know. And your ones would too. But setting that aside, I have to be honest. I can’t help the way I feel about you. And I thought maybe you felt it too.’

She couldn’t lie. ‘I do feel it too,’ she said in a low voice, setting it all aside for now, as he had. ‘I love you too, Alex. It feels like I’ve loved you forever.’