Flora's War Read Online Free

England. So I hope …’ She broke off, bit her lip.
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘I hope he doesn’t take it into his head to join up!’ Gwen said in a rush. ‘Is that a terribly unpatriotic thing to say? It’s just I don’t want Frank to be in danger.’
    ‘Is there any danger here?’ There had to be a reason for so many soldiers in Cairo.
    ‘Not as far as I know,’ Gwen said. ‘I’d say the most dangerous activity for most soldiers in Cairo is riding a camel. Or maybe the rollercoaster at Luna Park, that’s certainly a thrill.’
    ‘Gwen! Have you been on the rollercoaster? Oh, you have to take me!’
    ‘I’ve been doing everything,’ said Gwen proudly. ‘Luna Park, Groppi’s Café for tea, the dances and concerts at Shepheard’s. The private dinners and dances are just starting, too. We’re going to have the most wonderful time!’
    ‘Now, tell me about the ensemble.’ I indicated the white dress, shoes, hat and parasol. ‘You didn’t get that in Boston?’
    ‘Boston? At the start of winter? No, I had dresses made here. There’s a wonderful dressmaker right around the corner from Shepheard’s. You just have to go!’
    ‘I will,’ I said, thinking of the clothes Aunt Helen had deemed suitable for Egypt. They were fine but they weren’t amazing the way Gwen’s outfit was. ‘But probably not entirely white for me,’ I said, thinking of the dresses I’d have made. ‘You can carry it off, you’re dark, you look wonderful in white. I’m fair, in white I just disappear.’
    ‘The shop has every colour,’ said Gwen. ‘You’ll need evening dresses, for the dances and concerts.’
    ‘I won’t be able to run around town all the time though,’ I said. ‘I’m Fa’s assistant this season.’
    ‘Really?’ said Gwen. ‘In what way?’
    ‘Oh, recording finds and sketching some of them,’ I said. ‘It’ll be fun!’
    Gwen looked unconvinced. ‘Truly? Working with all those dry, dusty dead things? But then you and Frank have always liked them. I can’t see the attraction, myself.’
    There was a pause. ‘Gwen?’ I said. She looked at me enquiringly. ‘Gwen, what are you going to do with your life? I’m going to be Fa’s assistant, but what about you? Are you going to pursue your violin studies?’
    ‘Do? Me?’ Gwen considered. It was as if no one had ever asked her before. ‘I don’t quite know, I guess,’ she said uncertainly. ‘I would quite like to do some serious violin study. But I miss a lot of lessons coming to Egypt every year and it doesn’t help my technique. I don’t actually have to do anything . I suppose I’ll get married … sometime …’ Her voice trailed off.
    ‘But that could be years away,’ I said.
    ‘And it could be next year!’ Gwen had bounced back. ‘My mother was married at seventeen, you know. But we don’t need to worry about that now!’
    I looked down at the terrace. People had progressed from drinking tea to sipping cocktails. A boy in a smart uniform, carrying a sign with tinkling bells hanging from it, moved among the tables. ‘Message for Major Mostyn-Smith!’ he called. I saw Mr Hussein had joined my father and Mr Khalid.
    ‘Now there’s something I want to do!’ I said. ‘Mr Khalid has a motorcar. I want to learn to drive it!’
    ‘Really? Papa’s got a motorcar. He says it’s much the easiest way to get from town to the excavation and back. I’ve never even thought of learning to drive it myself.’ She smiled. ‘What a wonderful idea! I’ll have to talk Mama into it somehow, I’m not sure she’d think it was quite the thing. Oh could we, really could we? It would be so – so –’
    ‘Dashing!’ I said, laughing. ‘Why shouldn’t we? Remember what we are?’
    ‘Modern girls!’ said Gwen. ‘Totally modern girls!’
    …

    Later, when Gwen and Frank had gone, and Fa had promised we’d join their family for dinner at Shepheard’s the next day, Fa and I took a table for dinner on one of the terraces overlooking the